How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
With so many baby must-haves to consider, a top crib bed is among the most important purchases. We've put together this guide to help you find the ideal bed for your baby.
This top-quality option is perfect in Scandi style nursery. It's a sturdy and durable option that grows with your child. It has three mattress height positions as well as the option of removing the sides for a sleek bench-style toddler bed.
Budget
There is a cot for every nursery and budget. There are a myriad of options with different lifespans some of which can be converted into toddler beds to be used in the age of preschool or beyond. The ones that can be converted into beds are more expensive, but they will last longer.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley won our overall award. Its gorgeous aesthetics and easy-to assemble design make it an ideal choice for parents looking for a high-quality cot that will last a lifetime. Our parent testers appreciated the sleek design and warm oak finish of this model, which will look stunning in a Scandi-style nursery. This cot bed also has a drawer, which mum tester Katrina thought was superior to cheaper cots that have an integrated drawer, as well as an anti-bite plastic strip on the top of the rails of the cot to prevent your child from getting their teeth stuck in the bars. But at PS599 with a mattress sold separately this crib isn't cheap. It does require an Allen key to get it up and running.
The cot for the Elementary is a less expensive option that will give your baby a peaceful night's sleep. It's part of the Anyday range by John Lewis. The simple design and easy assembly were well-loved by our parents who tested it. The cot is small when folded and can be put away easily, fitting into a bag that's as big as the carry case for a camp chair. It's light and therefore may not be suitable for camping in the car but it's a good choice to live in apartments or for those who don't want to move their cot too much.
The SnuzKot is an additional budget-friendly cot that we recommend, especially if you choose to go with the toddler kit and mattress extender (sold separately). It can grow with your child until they're approximately four years old and our dad tester loved the fact it converted to a minimalist toddler bed and created a cocoon-like feeling with its fabric canopy.
Safety
A good cot must not only meet strict UK safety standards, but it must also be sturdy and feel secure. Choose a sturdy design with safety bars or sides and an erect base that your child can't be able to climb out. Some cots come with extra features like teething rails or drawers under the bed that will aid you in staying organized as your baby grows.
The Boori cot is made from sustainable Australian Araucaria wood and New Zealand Radiata, so you can be confident in your purchase. It can be converted from a cot to a toddler bed by leaving three sides unlocked for safety. There is also an extension kit that can transform it to a larger bed when your child's ready.
This simple, stylish cot is a good choice for those on a tight budget. It's simple to put together and comes with clearly labeled parts and clear instructions. It comes with three mattress settings that allow you to alter the height of your baby as he grows. It is compatible with most cots with a standard mattress and is a great buy for the price.
If you're looking for a top cot, this one is a good choice. It can be used as a cot and has four mattress positions. It can last until your child reach the age of three. It also folds flat and has lockable wheels, making it convenient to move it from room to room.
The cot comes with a convenient travel bag and is among the smallest cots that we tested, weighing just 6kg. It is also very robust and has a sturdy frame that will stand up to the demands of boisterous toddlers. Our testers found it to be a little challenging to put together, but the instructions were well-written and clear. They noted that the slats are sufficiently apart to avoid fingers from getting caught between them. It's also more expensive than some of the other cots that we looked at however, it's worth the price for its durability and utility.
Design
When purchasing a cot bed it's easy to get caught up in the spec and safety features, but don't neglect the design. It's crucial to select a cot bed that is both functional and beautiful.
The classic ickle bubba Bed is the perfect bed for those who appreciate design with its sleek contemporary version of the traditional sleigh design that does not have the bulky look that these types of beds often feature. It also offers storage space, and comes with an open drawer that can be placed under the cot, as well as teething rails that can be affixed to the side. Our mom tester found it solid and sturdy and has three positions of base height that allows the bed to expand with your child.
Alternately you can choose the Modena cot bed from Tutti Bambini offers excellent value for money. It also has an elegant panel design that would suit any nursery. It's designed to last until your child is six years old, before transforming first into a junior bed, and later into a chic sofa bed. It's also among the only a handful of cot beds that we have tested with an apex drawer, a teething rail, and a hanging rail.
Another option that has a stylish panelled design is the Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed, that is available in a variety of color options to fit your nursery decor. The storage drawer is useful for clothing and bedding. Our mum testers were awed by the features. It's also one of the easiest cot beds for parents to build, with all pieces clearly labeled and with easy-to-follow instructions. It's also a great option for those with limited space as it can be folded flat and then collapsed. It fits an ordinary cot mattress (140cm x 70cm) and is suitable from birth to toddlerhood with an extension kit allowing it to be used up until your child is 10 years old. old.
Convertibility
There are a lot of baby essentials that you should consider as you become a new parent. But one of the most important is a good quality cot bed - you need something that will last for as long as you can and will change with your child to provide them a secure and comfortable place to sleep.
Some cots are designed to be more than a toddler bed. The Boori Eton Cot Bed is our top pick. It converts into a toddler (L207cm, W147cm H90cm), it can also be used as a daybed (L234cm, W145cm and H70cm) and sofa (L234cm, W145cm, H70cm). This is the longest-lasting option on our list, as it will last your child through from birth to childhood.
It's a bit more expensive than some of the other cot-beds we tried, but its premium appearance and feel can be found in any nursery. The instructions could be more precise, but our parent testers were impressed by how easy it was to construct and set up. This is not a major issue however, as it was still a breeze and took just 30 minutes to complete.
Another unique characteristic of this cot is that it has four mattress base heights, which is an upgrade on the three most common options. This lets you adjust the cot as your child develops. They may need a higher or lower base level depending on their age and abilities. It includes teething rails that are useful and a plastic strip on the top to stop it from becoming a bit.
This cot is available in several different Scandi-inspired finishes, and our dad tester was especially keen on the grey finish. best infant cribs 's not cheap, but it offers an excellent value, as it will last your child through the toddler years and beyond. It's also covered by an assurance of one year to ensure that it will last. The only thing you'll need to purchase separately is a mattress which isn't included.