How to Choose the Best Cot Bed

With so many baby must-haves to think about, choosing the ideal cot bed is one of the most important purchases. We've put together this guide to help you find the ideal bed for your little one.

A premium option that fits beautifully in Scandi-style nurseries. This sturdy and durable option can grow with your baby with three mattress positions, and the ability remove the sides to create a stylish bench style toddler bed.

Budget

When you think of cots, there's something to suit every budget and every nursery. There are a myriad of options that provide different amounts of longevity and even convert into toddler beds for use into the age of preschool and beyond. The ones that can be converted into beds are more expensive, but they'll last longer.

The Mamas & Papas Coxley was our overall winner, with its stunning design and easy-to-assemble design making it a great choice for those who want an excellent cot that will stand the test of time. This model's minimalist design and warm-toned finish will look great in the Scandi nursery. This cot bed has a drawer, which mom tester Katrina found to be an improvement over less expensive cots with an integrated drawer, as well as a plastic strip that prevents bites on the top of the rails of the cot to prevent your child from getting their teeth caught in the bars. This cot bed isn't expensive, and requires an Allen key for setup.

The cot for sale for the Elementary is a less expensive option that can give your baby a peaceful night's rest. 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 compact when folded and can be put away and easily tucked away into a carry bag that's as big as a camp chair's carry case. It's not ideal for camping in the car but it's perfect for people living in apartments or who won't be moving their cot around too often.

The SnuzKot is an additional affordable cot that we suggest particularly if you decide to opt for the toddler kit and mattress extender (sold separately). It can grow with your child until approximately four years old and our dad tester liked the fact that it can be converted into an unassuming toddler bed and gave the feeling of a cocoon 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 it must also be sturdy and comfortable to the touch. Find a sturdy style with bars of safety or sides and a solid foundation, so that your baby cannot easily climb out. Some cot beds will also come with extra features such as teething rails and under-bed drawers, which can help you organize your home while your little one is growing.

The Boori cot is made of sustainable Australian Araucaria wood and New Zealand Radiata, so you can be sure of the purchase. It can be converted to a toddler bed (leaving three sides open for security) and has an 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 good choice when you're on a tight budget. It is easy to assemble with clearly marked parts and clear instructions. It has three mattress settings that allow you to alter the height of your baby as he grows. It is compatible with most standard crib mattresses and is a great value buy for the money.

If you're looking for a premium cot, this is a good choice. It has an impressive four mattress positions in cot mode, and will last until your child is three years old. It can also be folded and has wheels that lock, making it portable for moving it from one room to another.

This cot comes with handy travel bag and is among the lightest cots we test at 6kg. It is also very durable and has a sturdy frame that will stand up to the demands of boisterous toddlers. The instructions were well-written and clear, but our testers found the assembly to be a bit difficult. They were impressed by the fact that the slats are enough apart to prevent fingers getting caught in between them. It's also a little more expensive than the other cots we reviewed however, it's worth the price for its durability and utility.

Design

It's easy to overlook the style when you are buying a cot bed. It's important that you choose the cot bed that is both practical and attractive.

The icklebubba Snowdon Classic bed is the best bed for design-lovers. Its modern, sleek take on the classic sleigh style does not have the bulky feel that these types can have. It's got plenty of storage space, including an under-bed drawer that can be tucked away beneath the cot and teething rails on the sides. It was strong and sturdy. The three-position height of the base allows it to expand with your baby.

The Modena cot-bed from Tutti Bambini is a great value for money and comes in a panelled design that can suit any nursery. It is designed 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 among the only a handful of cots that we've tested with a 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. Our mum testers loved its clever features and the storage drawer being especially useful to store bedding and clothes. It's also the easiest cot beds to assemble. All the pieces are clearly labeled and the instructions are simple to follow. It's also a great choice for those who have limited space because it can be folded flat and then collapsed. It's a standard cot mattress (140cm by 70cm) and is suitable for babies through toddlerhood. An extension kit permits it to be used up to 10 years of age.

Convertability

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

While most cots can be made into toddler beds by the purchase of a conversion kit some cots are made to go a step further than this. Our preferred choice is the Boori Eton Convertible Bed, which converts into an infant bed (L207cm x W147cm x H90cm) and also a sofa and daybed (L234cm x W145cm x H70cm). This makes it the longest-lasting selection on our list, as it should see your child through childhood to.

It's expensive compared to some of the other cot beds we test, but it comes with an elegant look and feel that will fit in with any nursery. Our parents were impressed with how easy it was to put together and construct however they did mention that the instructions could be clearer. This isn't a big issue but it was a breeze and took less than 30 minutes to complete.

Another great aspect of this cot is that it comes with four mattress heights for the base which is an upgrade on the three most common options. This gives you the flexibility to adjust it as your child gets older, as they may need an upper or lower base level depending on their age and level. It also comes with teething rails and a plastic strip that runs along the top rated cots to guard it from being bitten.

The grey finish was the preferred of our dad test-driver. It's not cheap cot beds however it is a great value because it will last your child into 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 you'll have to purchase an additional mattress, that's not included.