How to Choose the Best Cot Bed

With so many baby essentials to consider, a top cot bed is one of the most important purchases. We've created this guide to help you choose the right bed for your baby.

A premium option that fits beautifully in nursery spaces that are reminiscent of Scandi. It's a sturdy and durable choice that can grow with your child, offering three mattress height positions as well as the ability to remove the sides for a stylish bench-style toddler bed.

Budget

There's a cot that fits every nursery and budget. There's also a variety of options that provide different levels of durability, with some converting into toddler beds to be used through the age of preschool and beyond. Obviously, the ones that convert into beds tend to be more expensive, but the investment could be worth it when you're looking for a cot that will last for many years, not just the duration of a few months.

The Mamas & Papas Coxley won our overall prize. Its luxurious design and easy to assemble make it a great option for those looking for a high-quality cot that will last a lifetime. This model's minimalist design and warm-toned finish is perfect for an Scandi nursery. This cot bed comes with a handy drawer, which mum tester Katrina found to be superior to cheaper cots that come with a built-in drawer, and a plastic strip that prevents bites across the top of the cot rails to protect your child from getting their teeth stuck in the bars. However, at PS599 with a mattress sold separately this cot isn't cheap and it requires an Allen key to start it up.

A less expensive alternative that will still provide your baby a comfy night's sleep is the Elementary cot from John Lewis' Anyday range. Our parents liked the simple design and quick, straightforward assembly. The cot can be folded into a compact size and stored as it fits into bags that are similar to the one used for a camping chair. It's not ideal for car camping, but should be fine for apartment life or those who won't be moving their cot a lot.

We suggest the SnuzKot as another budget-friendly cot, especially if it comes with the toddler kit (sold separately) and mattress extender. It will expand with your child until they are around four years old. Our dad tester liked the possibility of converting it into a modern-looking toddler bed, and created the feeling of a cocoon by putting up a fabric canopy.

Safety

A cot that is well-designed will not only be in compliance with UK safety standards, but will also feel solid and secure. Look for a sturdy design with safety bars or sides, and a solid base so that your baby is not able to get out. Some cots come with extra features, such as teething rails or drawers for under-bed storage which can help you stay organized while your baby grows.

The Boori cot is constructed of sustainable Australian Araucaria wood and New Zealand Radiata, so you can feel confident about your purchase. It can be transformed from a cot into a toddler bed by leaving three sides open to ensure safety. There's also an extension kit which can convert it to a full-sized bed once your child's ready.

This simple, stylish cot is a great option when you're on a tight budget. It's simple to put together and comes with clearly labeled parts and clear instructions. It has three mattress height settings, so you can adjust it as your baby grows. It is compatible with most cots with a standard mattresses and is an excellent buy for the price.

This is a fantastic option if you are looking for an expensive cot. It can be used as a cot, and comes with four mattress positions. It will keep your baby safe until they are around three years old. It can also be folded and has wheels that lock, making it portable for moving it from one room to another.

The cot comes with a handy travel bag, and is among the lightest cots we tested at 6kg. It is also very robust with an extremely sturdy frame that can stand up to the demands of boisterous toddlers. The instructions were well written and clear, but our testers found the assembly a little difficult. The slats were spaced sufficiently apart to avoid fingers getting stuck between them. It's also more expensive than some of the other cots we looked at however, it's worth the investment for its durability and functionality.

Design

It's easy to overlook the style when you are buying a cot bed. The crib of your baby will be in use for a long time therefore it's crucial to choose one that you love and also is practical and functional.

The icklebubba Classic Cot bed is the perfect bed for design-lovers. Its sleek, modern version of the classic sleigh style does not have the bulky feel that these cots are known for. It also offers storage space, and comes with an open drawer that can be placed under the cot, plus teething rails that can be affixed to the side of the. It was sturdy and durable. The three-position height of the base allows it to grow with your child.

If you prefer, the Modena cot bed from Tutti Bambini offers excellent value for money. It also has a stylish panel design that will look great in any nursery. It's designed to last your child until they reach six years old. older. It can be converted into a junior mattress, and transforms into a chic sofa bed. It's also one of only a handful of cot beds that we've tested with a drawer as well as a teething rail and a hanging rail.

Another option that has a stylish panel design is the Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed, which comes in a variety of colour options to coordinate with the decor of your nursery. The storage drawer was particularly useful for bedding and clothing. Our mum testers were impressed by its features. It is also one of the easiest cot beds to assemble. The pieces are clearly labeled, and the instructions are simple to follow. It's also a great option for those with limited space as it can be folded down and then flat-packed. It uses a standard cot-mattress (140cm by 70cm) and is suitable for babies through toddlerhood. An extension kit allows it to be used until 10 years old.

Convertibility

If you're a new parent, there are plenty of baby must-haves to consider. One of the most important things to consider is a high-quality cot bed. You want it to last for as long as you can and evolve with your child so that they have a safe place to sleep.

Although most cots can be made into toddler beds by the purchase of a conversion kit some cot beds are designed to go further than this. Our top choice is the Boori Eton Convertible Bed, which transforms into a toddler bed (L207cm x W147cm x H90cm) and a sofa and daybed (L234cm x W145cm and H70cm). This makes it our top choice for durability that will last from birth to the age of.

It's not cheap compared to some of the other cot beds that we test, but it comes with an elegant design and feel that will be a perfect fit for any nursery. The instructions could have been more simple, but our parents testers were awed by the ease with which it was for to construct and set up. This isn't a major issue but it was still a simple task and took less than 30 minutes to complete.

Another unique characteristic of this cot is that it has four mattress heights for the base, which is an upgrade on the three standard options. This gives you the flexibility to adjust it as your child gets older, because they might require a higher or lower base level depending on their age and level. It also comes with useful teething rails as well as a plastic strip on the top to shield it from being bitten.

The grey finish was the preferred of our dad's testers. It's not expensive, but it does offer excellent value for money since it will last your child through to toddlerhood and beyond. It's also covered by a 1-year warranty so you can be sure it will last. The only thing you'll need to buy separately is a mattress, that's not included.