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How to Choose the Best Cot Bed

The best cot bed is an absolute must-have for any baby. So we've put together this guide to help you find the perfect bed for your little one.

A top-quality option that fits beautifully in Scandi-style nursery rooms. It's a sturdy and long-lasting option that will grow with your child, with three mattress height options and the option of removing the sides for a stylish bench-style toddler bed.

Budget

There's a cot that fits every nursery and budget. There are also a range of options that offer different levels of durability and even convert into toddler beds for use into the preschool years and beyond. The ones that can be turned into a bed are more expensive, however they'll last longer.

The Mamas & Papas Coxley won our overall prize. Its gorgeous design and easy to assemble make it an ideal choice for those looking for a high-quality cot that will last for a lifetime. Our testers for parents loved the minimalist design and warm oak finish of this model, which will look stunning in a Scandi-style nursery. This cot bed comes with a drawer that mum tester Katrina considered to be an excellent alternative to less expensive cots that have a drawer built-in. It also has an anti-bite strip that runs along the top rails of the cot to prevent your child's teeth from getting stuck. But at PS599 with a mattress sold separately the crib isn't cheap. It requires an Allen key to start it up.

The cot for the Elementary is a more affordable option that can give your baby a good night's rest. It's part of the range called Anyday by John Lewis. Our parents were impressed by the simplicity of the design and quick, straightforward assembly. The cot can be folded into a compact size and stored because it fits in bags that are similar to the one used to store the camping chair. It's on the lightweight side and therefore may not be ideal for camping in the car, but it should be fine for apartment living or for those who don't want to move their cot for too long.

We recommend the SnuzKot for an alternative to a cot that is budget-friendly, particularly when it comes with the toddler kit (sold separately) and mattress extender. It will grow with your child until they're approximately four years old and our dad tester liked the fact that it can be converted into a minimal-looking toddler bed and created a cocoon-like feeling with its fabric canopy.

Safety

A good cot will not only meet UK safety standards, but will also feel solid and secure. Look for a sturdy design with bars of safety or sides and a solid base so that your baby cannot easily climb out. Some cots have additional features like teething rails or drawers under the bed that can aid you in staying organized as your baby grows.

Parent test participant Becki says that her Boori cot "has endured through 3 kids and is still stunning." Its traditional design will fit in with any home and is made of sustainable sources of Australian Araucaria and New Zealand Radiata wood, so you'll feel comfortable about the purchase. It can be converted to a toddler bed (leaving three sides open to give you security) and also has the option to add an extension kit that can take it all the way to a double bed when your child is ready.

This stylish and simple cot is a great choice if you're on a budget. It is easy to assemble with clearly marked parts and clear instructions. It comes with three mattress height settings so you can alter the height as your baby grows. It can be used with standard mattress cots and is a great value purchase for the price.

If you're looking for a premium cot, this is a great choice. It offers four mattress base positions when in cot mode and will last until your baby is around three years old. It can also be folded and has wheels that lock, making it easy for moving it from one room to another.

This cot is light at only 6kg and comes with a great bag for traveling. It's also very sturdy and has a strong frame that'll stand up to noisy toddlers. The instructions were well written and clear, but our testers found the assembly a bit difficult. They noted that the slats were spaced enough apart to prevent fingers getting caught in between them. It's also more expensive than the other cots that we looked at but it's well worth the cost for its longevity and practicality.

Design

When purchasing a cot bed it's easy to be engrossed in the spec and safety features, but don't overlook the style. It's crucial to select the cot bed that is both practical and attractive.

The ickle bubba Snowdon Classic Cot Bed is the best bed for those who appreciate design with its sleek contemporary version of the traditional sleigh design that doesn't have the bulky feel that these types of beds often have. It's packed with space-saving storage such as the drawer that is built into the cot, as well as teething rails on the sides. Our mother tester found it to be solid and sturdy, with three positions of base height that allows the bed to expand with your child.

The Modena cot-bed from Tutti Bambini is a great value and comes with a panelled design that will fit in with any nursery. It is designed to last your child until they are six years older. It converts into a junior mattress and Www.Cots4tots.co.uk transforms into a chic sofa bed. It's also among the cot beds that we've tested with an opening as well as a hanging rail and teething rails, while its solid pine construction makes it a great option for parents who want their cot bed to last for a long time.

Another option with a sleek panelled design is the Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed, which comes in a variety of colour options to coordinate with the decor of your nursery. Our mom testers were impressed by its unique features, with the drawer for storage being particularly useful to store bedding and clothes. It is also one of the most simple cot beds to assemble. The pieces are clearly labelled, and the directions are easy to follow. It's also a great choice for those who have a limited space as it can be folded down and then flat-packed. It is made of a standard cot-mattress (140cm by 70cm), and is suitable for children from birth through toddlerhood. An extension kit allows it to be used up to 10 years of age.

Convertability

There are a variety of baby necessities that you must consider when the new parent. One of the most important is a quality cot bed - you want something that lasts as long as possible and will change with your child, giving them a safe and comfortable place to sleep.

Some cots are designed to be more than a bed for toddlers. Our top choice is the Boori Eton Convertible Bed, which can be converted into an infant bed (L207cm x W147cm x H90cm), as well as a sofa and daybed (L234cm x W145cm and H70cm). This is the longest-lasting option on our list, since it will last your child through childhood to.

It's a bit pricey when compared to other cot beds that we tested, but it has an elegant look and feel that will fit in with any nursery. Our parents were impressed by how simple it was to set up and build, although they did note that the instructions could be more clear. This is a minor fault however, as it was still a breeze and took just 30 minutes to complete.

Another great aspect of this cot is the fact that it has four mattress base heights that are an improvement on the three most popular options. This allows you to adjust the cot as your child grows. They may require a lower or higher base level, based on their age and ability. It includes teething rails which are helpful and a plastic strip on the top to prevent it from becoming a bit.

This cot is available in a variety of Scandi-inspired colors and our dad tester was particularly attracted by the grey-colored finish. It's not cheap, however it is a the best value for money because it will last your child into toddlerhood and beyond. It also comes with an one-year guarantee, so you have confidence that it will be sturdy and durable. The only thing that you'll need to buy separately is the mattress.