How to Choose the Best Cot Bed

With so many baby cots on sale essentials to consider, a top cot bed is one of the most important purchases. Therefore, we've created this guide to help you choose the ideal bed for your Baby Crib.

A high-quality bed that will look great in nursery spaces that are reminiscent of Scandi. It's a sturdy and long-lasting option that will grow with your child, with three mattress height positions as well as the option of removing the sides for a sleek 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 different levels of durability and some convert into toddler beds for use into the preschool years and beyond. The ones that can be transformed into beds are more expensive, but they'll last longer.

The Mamas & Papas Coxley won our overall award. Its luxurious design and easy to assemble makes it a fantastic choice for parents looking for an upscale cot that can last for a long time. This model's minimalist design and warm color will look fantastic in the Scandi nursery. The cot bed also has a drawer, which mum tester Katrina thought was a better option than some cheaper cots that have a built-in drawer, and an anti-bite strip of plastic along the top of the cot rails to protect your child from getting their teeth stuck between the bars. This cot bed is not expensive, and Cots offers requires an Allen key for setting up.

A less expensive alternative that will still provide your baby a comfy night's rest is the Elementary cot from John Lewis' Anyday range. Our parent testers loved the simple design and easy assembly. The cot is small when folded and can be tucked away easily too, fitting into a bag that's about the size of the carry case of a camping chair. It's not ideal for car camping, but should be fine for people living in apartments or who don't need to move their cot around too often.

We recommend the SnuzKot for another budget-friendly cot, especially when it comes with a toddler kit (sold separately) and mattress extender. It will expand with your child until they reach around four years old. Our father tester liked that it could be transformed into a modern-looking toddler bed, and also create the feeling of a cocoon with its fabric canopy.

Safety

A cot that is safe and sturdy will not only meet UK safety standards, but also feel sturdy and secure. Choose a sturdy design that has safety bars or sides, as well as an erect base to ensure that your child is unable to easily climb out. Some cots have additional features such as teething rails, or drawers under the bed which can help you stay organized while your Baby Cot develops.

The Boori cot is made of sustainable Australian Araucaria wood and New Zealand Radiata, so you can be confident in the purchase. It can be converted from a cot to a toddler bed by leaving three sides unlocked for security. There is also an extension kit available that can transform it to a fultraditional sleigh style does not have the bulky feel that these types can have. It also doesn't skimp on space-saving storage and has a pull-out drawer that fits under the cot, plus teething rails that can be connected to the side. Our mother tested it and 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 by Tutti Bambini is a great value and comes in a panelled design that can fit in with any nursery. It's made to last until they reach six years old. older. It converts into a junior mattress, and it transforms into a stylish sofa bed. It's also one of the few cot beds we tested that has draw with a hanging rail as well as teething rails. Additionally, its solid pine construction makes it a good choice for parents who want their cot bed to endure the test of time.

The Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed is another option that has panels. It comes in a variety of colours to complement your nursery's decor. The storage drawer is useful for clothing and bedding. Our mum testers were impressed with its features. It's also the most simple cot beds to put together. The components are clearly labeled, and the directions are easy to follow. It's also a great choice for those with a small space, since it can be folded down and flat-packed. It's a standard cot mattress (140cm by 70cm), and is suitable for children from birth to toddlerhood. An extension kit permits it to be used up to 10 years of age.

Convertibility

When you're a new parent there are a lot of baby essentials to think about. One of the most important items to consider is a high-quality cot bed. You want it to last for as long as you can and grow with your child so they can have a safe place to sleep.

Some cots and tots are designed to be more than a toddler bed. Our top choice is the Boori Eton Convertible Plus Cot Bed, which converts 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 selection on our list, as it should see your child through from birth to childhood.

It's expensive when compared to other cot beds that we test, but it comes with an attractive appearance and feel that would be a perfect fit for any nursery. The instructions could be more precise, but our parent test subjects were impressed with how easy it was for them to build and install. This isn't a major issue however, as it was still very straightforward and took less than 30 minutes to complete.

Another unique aspect of this cot is that it comes with four mattress heights for the base, which is an upgrade on the three most popular options. This allows you to alter the height of the cot as your child develops. They may need a higher or lower base level, based on their age and abilities. It includes teething rails that can be useful as well as a plastic strip on the top to prevent it from being bit.

This cot comes in a variety of Scandi-inspired colors, and our dad tester was keen on the grey finish. It's not cheap, but it's a an excellent value, because it will last through the age of toddler and beyond. Plus, it's covered by a one-year warranty and gives you confidence that it will be sturdy and long-lasting. The only thing you'll have to purchase separately is a mattress which is not included.