How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
The best cot bed is an absolute must-have for every
Baby Cot Bed. Therefore, we've created this guide to help you locate the ideal bed for your little one.
A premium option that will look great in Scandi-style nurseries. It's a sturdy and durable choice that can grow with your child, offering three mattress height options and the option of removing the sides for a stylish bench-style toddler bed.
Budget
When you think of cots, there's a cot to fit every budget and every nursery. There are also different choices that come with different durations, some of which can be converted into toddler beds to be used throughout the preschool years or even beyond. The ones that can be turned into a bed are more expensive, however they will last longer.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley was our overall winner thanks to its luxurious aesthetic and easy-to-assemble design making it a great option for parents who want a top quality cot that will stand up to the test of time. This model's minimalist design and warm color will look great in the Scandi nursery. This cot bed also has a drawer that mum tester Katrina found to be superior to cheaper cots that come with an inbuilt drawer, and a plastic strip that prevents bites across 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 requires an Allen key to set up.
A more affordable option that will still give your baby a good night's sleep is the Elementary cot from John Lewis' Anyday range. Our testers with parents liked the simple design and simple assembly. The cot can be folded up and stored easily, as it fits into bags similar to that used for a camping chair. It's not ideal for car camping however it's suitable for apartment life or those who don't need to move their cot a lot.
The SnuzKot is another good budget-friendly cot we recommend particularly if you decide to go with the toddler kit and mattress extender (sold separately). It can grow with your child until they're around four years old, and our dad tester loved the fact that it was able to transform into a minimalist toddler bed and gave the feeling of a cocoon with its 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 secure. Look for a sturdy design with safety bars or sides, and a solid foundation, so that your child is unable to move out. Some cots come with extra features such as teething rails, or drawers under the bed that can help you stay organized while your
cheap baby cots for sale grows.
Parent test subject Becki says her Boori cot "has been through three children and is still beautiful." Its traditional style will fit in with any home and is made of sustainable sources of Australian Araucaria and New Zealand Radiata wood, so you can feel good about the purchase. It can be converted to a toddler bed (leaving three sides open to provide peace of mind) and comes with an option to add an extension kit that takes it all the way to a double bed when your child is ready.
This simple, stylish cot is a great choice 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 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 to buy a high-end cot, this one is a good choice. It can be used as a cot and has four mattress positions. It will keep your
Baby Crib safe until they are around three years old. It can be folded flat and has lockable wheels, making it extremely mobile if you have to move it from room to room.
The cot comes with a handy travel bag, and is among the smallest cots we've tested at 6kg. It's also extremely durable and has strong frame that can be able to withstand the rigors of toddlers. Our testers found it to be a bit tricky to put together, but the instructions were well-written and clear. They also noted that the slats were spaced enough apart to prevent fingers getting caught in between them. It's also more expensive than other cots we have reviewed but the durability and function are worth the cost.
Design
When buying a cot bed it's easy to get caught up in the spec and safety features, but don't neglect the style. It's crucial to select the cot bed that is both practical and attractive.
The ickle bubba Snowdon Classic Cot Bed is the perfect cot bed for design lovers with its sleek, modern version of the traditional sleigh design that does not have the bulky look that these types of beds can often come with. It also has plenty of space-saving storage and has an extra drawer that slides under the cot, plus teething rails that can be connected to the side. Our mom test subject found it sturdy and robust and has three positions of base height that allows the bed to expand with your child.
The Modena cot-bed from Tutti Bambini is a great value and comes with a panelled design that can fit in with any nursery. It's designed to last until your child reaches six years old, before transforming first into a junior bed, and later to a chic sofa bed. It is also one of only a handful of cots 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, which comes in a variety of colour options to coordinate with your nursery decor. The storage drawer is useful for bedding and clothes. Our mom testers were awed by its features. It's also the easiest cot bed to put together. The components are clearly labelled, and the instructions are easy to follow. It is also an excellent alternative for those with little space since it can be folded flat and collapsed. It can be used with a standard cot mattress (140cm 70cm x 140cm) and is suitable from birth to toddlerhood with an extension kit allowing it to be used up until your child turns 10 years old. old.
Convertibility
There are a lot of
baby cots online essentials that you should consider as you become a new parent. One of the most important items to think about is a top-quality crib bed. You want it to last for as long as you can and grow with your child, ensuring that they have a secure bed to sleep in.
Some cots are designed to be more than just a bed for toddlers. Our preferred choice is the Boori Eton Convertible Plus Cot Bed, which converts into a toddler bed (L207cm x W147cm x H90cm), as well as a sofa and daybed (L234cm x W145cm and H70cm). This is the longest-lasting option on our list, because it is designed to last through childhood to.
It's more expensive than some of the other cot-beds we tried however its superior look and feel will fit in any nursery. The instructions could have been more clear, but our parent testers were awed by how easy it was to construct and put up. This isn't a big issue, however, as it was incredibly simple and took just 30 minutes to complete.
This cot has four different base heights for the mattress. This is an upgrade over the three standard options. This allows you to adjust it as your child grows, as they may need a higher or lower base level based on their age and level. It also comes with useful teething rails and a plastic strip along the top to protect it from being bitten.
The grey finish was the preferred of our dad tester. It's not expensive, but it does offer an excellent value for money, as it will last your child through to toddlerhood and beyond. It also comes with one-year warranty, so you can be confident that it will last. The only thing that you'll need to buy separately is the mattress.
