9 Lessons Your Parents Teach You About Best Cot Bed

How to Choose the Best Cot Bed

The best cot bed is a essential item for any baby. We've put together this guide to help you locate the perfect bed for your little one.

This top-quality option is perfect to be used in Scandi style nurseries. This sturdy and durable choice can grow with your baby, with three mattress positions and the ability remove the sides to create a stylish bench-style toddler bed.

Budget

There's a cot that fits every nursery and budget. There are a variety of options with different lifespans, some of which can be transformed into toddler beds to be used into the age of preschool or beyond. Of course, the ones that convert into beds do tend to be more expensive, but the investment could be worth it in the event that you need a cot that will last for a long time instead of just a few months.

The Mamas & Papas Coxley was our overall winner, with its stunning design and easy-to-assemble design making it a great option for parents who want a top quality cot that will stand the years. Our parents liked the minimalist design and warm oak finish of this model, which will look stunning in a Scandi-style nursery cots. The cot bed also has a handy drawer, which mom tester Katrina felt was an improvement over cheaper cots that have an integrated drawer, as well as an anti-bite plastic strip along the top of the rails of the cot to prevent your child from getting their teeth caught in the bars. But at PS599 with a mattress sold separately this cot isn't cheap and it requires an Allen key to get it up and running.

A more affordable option that will still give your baby a comfy night's rest is the Elementary cot from John Lewis' Anyday range. The simple design and easy assembly were highly praised by our testers' parents. The cot can be folded up and stored easily, as it fits into bags that are similar to that used for a camping chair. It's a bit lighter than the average cot and therefore may not be suitable for camping in the car, but it should be fine for apartment living or for those who don't plan to move their cot around for too long.

The SnuzKot is a good budget-friendly cot that we recommend particularly if you decide to purchase the toddler kit and mattress extender (sold separately). It will expand with your child until they're approximately four years old and our dad tester liked the fact that it can be converted into a minimalist toddler bed and created an ambiance of cocoons by incorporating a fabric canopy.

Safety

A good cot must not only meet strict UK safety standards, but also be sturdy and secure. Find a sturdy design that has safety bars or sides and a solid base that your child can't easily get out. Some cots come with extra features like teething rails, under-bed drawers and even a crib which can help organize your life as your baby is growing.

The Boori cot is constructed of sustainable Australian Araucaria wood and New Zealand Radiata, so you can be sure of the purchase. It can be transformed from a cot into a toddler bed by leaving three sides unlocked for security. There is also an extension kit which can convert it to a larger bed when your child's ready.

This stylish but simple cot is a great option for those with a tight budget. It's easy to assemble 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 can be used with standard mattress cots and is a great buy for the price.

This is an excellent choice if you are looking for an expensive cot. It can be used as a cot and has four mattress positions. It'll keep your baby safe until they reach the age of three. It folds up and has wheels that lock, making it a great option to move it from one room to another.

The cot is extremely light at just 6kg, and comes with a convenient bag for travel. It is also very durable and has strong frame that can withstand boisterous toddlers. Our test subjects found it a little challenging to put together, however the instructions were clear and well-written. The slats were placed far enough apart to keep fingers from getting stuck 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 functionality.

Design

It's easy to overlook the design when purchasing a cot-bed. It is essential to choose a cot bed that is both functional and beautiful.

The classic ickle bubba Bed is the best bed for those who love design with its sleek, modern design that is a modern take on the traditional sleigh design that does not have the bulky look that these beds usually come with. It has plenty of storage space, including a drawer that fits underneath the sale cot and teething rails on the sides. It was sturdy and robust. The three-position height of the base allows it to grow with your baby.

Alternatively alternatively, the Modena cot bed from Tutti Bambini offers excellent value for money. It also has a stylish panel design that is perfect for any nursery. It's designed to last your child until they reach the age of six older. It transforms into a junior mattress and it transforms into a stylish sofa bed. It's also among the only sale cot beds we tested to have draw as well as a hanging rail and teething rails. Additionally, cribs its solid pine construction makes it a great option for parents who want their cot to stand the test of time.

The Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed is another option that has a panelled design. It is available in a variety of colours to match the decor of your nursery. Our mum testers loved its nifty features including the storage drawer being especially useful for storing bedding and clothing. It's also the most simple cot beds to assemble. The components are clearly labeled and the instructions are simple to follow. It is also an excellent option for those with limited space as it can be flat-packed and collapsed. It is made of 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 of age.

Convertibility

There are many baby essentials you need to think about as the new parent. 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 grow with your child to provide them a safe and secure place to sleep.

Some cots are designed to be more than just a bed for toddlers. The Boori Eton Cot Bed is our top choice. It converts into an infant (L207cm, W147cm, H90cm), the daybed (L234cm, W145cm and H70cm) and a sofa (L234cm, W145cm, and H70cm). This is the longest-lasting option on our list, since it is designed to last through the years from birth until childhood.

It's a bit pricey when compared to other cot beds we tested, but it has an elegant look and feel that will fit in with any nursery. The instructions could be more clear, but our parent testers were awed by the ease with which it was for them to build and install. This is not a major issue however, since it was still a breeze and took less than thirty minutes to complete.

The cot comes with four different mattress base heights. This is an upgrade from the three most popular options. This gives you the ability to adjust it as your child gets older, because they might require a lower or higher base level, based on their age and ability. It comes with teething rails that are useful and a plastic strip at the top to keep it from being bit.

The grey finish was the most popular of our dad test-driver. It's not inexpensive however it offers excellent value for money since it will take your child through to the age of toddler and beyond. It's also covered by a 1-year warranty so you can be sure it will last. The only thing that you'll need to buy separately is the mattress.