How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
The best cot bed is an absolute must-have for any baby. This guide has been created to help find the best choice for your baby.
This top-quality option is perfect in Scandi style nurseries. It's a sturdy and durable option that will grow with your child, with three mattress height positions as well as the option of removing the sides for a stylish bench-style toddler bed.
Budget
When it comes to cots there's something for every budget and every nursery. There's also a variety of options that offer various levels of longevity and some convert into toddler beds to be used through the preschool years and beyond. Of course, the ones that convert into a bed tend to be more expensive, but the investment can really pay off when you're looking for a cot that will last for years rather than just for a few months.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley won our overall prize. Its luxurious design and easy to assemble make it a great option for parents looking for an excellent cot that will last for a lifetime. Our parent testers loved the minimalist design and warm oak finish of this model, which would look amazing in a modern-style Scandi nursery. cheap cots has an adjustable drawer that mom tester Katrina considered to be a better choice than some cheaper cots which have an integrated drawer. It also comes with an anti-bite strip on the top rails of the cot to stop your child's teeth from getting caught. But at PS599 with a mattress sold separately, this crib isn't cheap. It requires an Allen key to get it up and running.
A more budget-friendly alternative that will still provide your baby a comfy night's rest is the Elementary cot from John Lewis' Anyday range. Our parent testers liked the simple design and easy assembly. The cot can be folded down and stored easily since it can fit into a bag the size of that used for the camping chair. It's a little lighter than the average cot, meaning it may not be ideal for camping in the car, however it's suitable for apartment living or for those who don't intend to move their cot around all the time.
The SnuzKot is an additional affordable cot that we suggest, especially if you choose to purchase the toddler kit and mattress extender (sold separately). It will expand with your child until around four years old, and our dad tester loved the fact that it was able to transform into an unassuming toddler bed and created a cocoon-like feeling by incorporating a fabric canopy.
Safety
A cot that is safe and sturdy is not just required to meet the strict UK safety standards, but also be sturdy and feel secure. Choose a sturdy design with safety bars or sides, and a solid foundation so that your baby cannot easily get out. Some cot beds will also include extra features like teething rails and drawers under the bed which can help keep things organised while your baby is growing.
Parent test subject Becki says that her Boori cot "has endured through 3 kids and is still stunning." Its traditional design will suit most homes and is made of sustainably sourced Australian Araucaria and New Zealand Radiata wood, so you'll feel comfortable about your purchase. cot sets can be transformed from a cot to a toddler bed by leaving three sides unlocked for safety. There is also an extension kit available that can transform it to a larger bed when your child's ready.
This stylish and simple cot is a great option if you're on a budget. It's simple to put together and comes with clearly labeled parts and clear instructions. It comes with three mattress settings which allows you to adjust the height as your baby grows. It will fit most standard crib mattresses and is a great buy for the price.
This is an excellent choice If you're looking for an extremely high-end cot. It has an impressive four mattress base positions when in cot mode and will last until your baby is three years old. It can also be folded and has wheels that lock, making it easy to move it from one room to another.
The cot is extremely light at just 6kg, and comes with a convenient bag to carry it around in. It's also extremely durable and has a sturdy frame that can withstand noisy toddlers. The instructions were well written and clear, however our testers found the assembly to be a bit difficult. They noted that the slats are spaced sufficiently apart to avoid fingers getting caught in between them. great crib 's also a little more expensive than some of the other cots we looked at but it's well worth the cost for its durability and functionality.
Design
When you are buying a cot bed, it's easy to be engrossed in the specifications and safety features, but don't forget the style. The crib of your baby will be used for a long period of time, so it's essential to find one that you enjoy and is also practical and functional.
The icklebubba Classic Cot bed is the perfect cot for those who love design. Its sleek, modern version of the classic sleigh style isn't as bulky that these types can have. It also offers storage space, and comes with an open drawer that can be placed under the cot, and teething rails that can be affixed to the side of the. It was strong and sturdy. The three-position height of the base allows it to grow with your baby.
The Modena cot-bed by Tutti Bambini is a great value for money and comes in an elegant panel design that will fit in with any nursery. It's designed to be used until your child is six years old, and then it transforms first into a junior bed, and later to a chic sofa bed. It is also one of only a handful of cots that we've tested with the option of a drawer, a teething rail, and a hanging rail.
Another option with a sleek panel design is the Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed, which comes in a variety of colors to match the decor of your nursery. Our mom testers were impressed by its unique features and the storage drawer particularly useful for storing bedding and clothing. It's also among the most simple cot beds to put together, with all the pieces being clearly labelled and with easy-to-follow instructions. It's also a great choice for those with a small space, as it can be folded down and then flat-packed. It's a standard cot mattress (140cm by 70cm) and is suitable for babies through toddlerhood. An extension kit permits it to be used until 10 years of age.
Convertibility
There are a lot of baby essentials that you must consider when the new parent. But one of the most important is a good quality cot bed - you want something that will last as long as possible and grow with your child to give them a secure and comfortable place to sleep.
Some cots are designed to be more than just a bed for children. Our preferred choice is the Boori Eton Convertible Plus Cot Bed, which transforms into an infant bed (L207cm x W147cm x H90cm) and a daybed and sofa (L234cm x W145cm and H70cm). This makes it the longest-lasting choice on our list, as it will last your child through from birth to childhood.
It's more expensive than some of the other cot-beds we tested however its superior appearance and feel can be found in any nursery. The instructions could be more clear, but our parent testers were awed by how easy it was for to construct and put up. This isn't a big issue however, as it was still very simple and took less than thirty minutes to complete.
This cot has four different base heights for the mattress. This is an improvement over the three most common options. This lets you adjust the cot as your child grows. They may require a lower or higher base level, based on their age and abilities. It also comes with teething rails as well as a plastic strip along the top to shield it from being bitten.
The grey finish was the favorite of our dad tester. It's not cheap, but it does offer an excellent value for money, as it will last your child through the age of toddler and beyond. It also comes with an assurance of one year so you can be confident that it will last. The only thing that you'll need to purchase separately is the mattress.