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How to Choose the Best Cot Bed

The best cot bed is an absolute must-have for every baby. Therefore, we've created this guide to help you locate the perfect bed for your little one.

This top-quality option is perfect it perfectly Scandi style nursery. It's a durable and sturdy option that grows with your child, with three mattress height positions and the ability to remove the sides for a stylish bench-style toddler bed.

Budget

When it comes to cots, there's a cot to fit every budget and every nursery. There are also different options with different lifespans and some of them can be transformed into toddler beds to be used in the age of preschool or beyond. The ones that can be transformed into a bed are more expensive, however they last longer.

The Mamas & Papas Coxley won our overall award. Its luxurious design and easy to assemble make it a great option for those who want an excellent cot that will 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 that mum tester Katrina found to be superior to less expensive cots with a built-in drawer, and an anti-bite plastic strip along the top of the rails of the cot to prevent your child from getting their teeth stuck in the bars. However, at over PS599 with a mattress sold separately this crib isn't cheap. It requires an Allen key to make it functional.

The cot for the Elementary is a cheaper option that will provide your baby a peaceful night's sleep. It's part of the range called Anyday 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 Cots4Tots can be tucked easily, fitting into a carry bag that's about the size of the carry case of a camping chair. It's a bit light which means it might not be suitable for car camping but it's a good choice for apartment living or for those who don't plan to move their cot around too much.

We recommend the SnuzKot for an alternative to a cot that is budget-friendly, particularly 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 father tester liked that it could be transformed into a minimalist-looking toddler bed, and also create the feeling of a cocoon by putting up a fabric canopy.

Safety

A cot that is of good quality should not only meet the strict UK safety standards, but also be sturdy and comfortable to the touch. Find a sturdy design with safety bars or sides and solid foundations that your child can't easily climb out. Some cots come with extra features, such as teething rails or drawers for under-bed storage that will aid in keeping your baby organized as your baby grows.

Parent tester Becki says that her Boori cot "has been through three children and is still stunning." Its traditional design is suitable for all homes and is made from sustainably-sourced Australian Araucaria and New Zealand Radiata wood, which means you can feel confident about the purchase. It can be transformed from a cot to a toddler bed by leaving three sides open for security. There is also an extension kit which can convert it to a full-sized bed when your child's ready.

This simple but stylish cot is an excellent choice for those on a limited budget. It's easy to set up, with clearly labelled parts and clear instructions. It comes with three mattress options that allow you to alter the height of your baby as he grows. It can be used with standard cot mattresses and is a great buy for the money.

This is an excellent choice If you're looking for an extremely high-end cot. It has an impressive four mattress base positions when in the cot position and will last until your child is three years old. It also folds flat and has locks on the wheels, making it very convenient to move it from room to room.

This cot comes with convenient travel bag and is among the smallest cots we've tested, weighing just 6kg. It's also extremely durable and has a sturdy frame that will withstand boisterous toddlers. The instructions were well-written and clear, but our testers found the assembly to be a little difficult. They were impressed by the fact that the slats were spaced sufficiently apart to avoid fingers getting caught in between them. It's also more expensive than the other cots we reviewed however, it's worth the investment for its durability and utility.

Design

When buying a cot bed it's easy to get caught up in the specs and safety features, but don't neglect the style. Your baby's cot will be in use for a long time therefore it's crucial to choose one that you enjoy as well as is practical and functional.

The ickle bubba Snowdon Classic Cot Bed is the ideal cot bed for design lovers with its sleek contemporary version of the traditional sleigh design that doesn't have the bulky feeling that these beds often feature. It has plenty of storage space-saving features such as a drawer that fits underneath the cot as well as rails for teething on the side. It was sturdy and robust. The three-position height of the base lets it grow with your child.

The Modena cot-bed from Tutti Bambini is a great value and comes in an elegant panel design that will be suitable for any nursery. It's designed to be used until your child is six years old, and then it transforms first into a junior bed, and later into a chic sofa bed. It's also one of only a few cot beds that we have tested with a drawer and a rail for teething and a hanging rail.

The Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed is another option that has an elegant panel design. It comes in a variety of colors 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 one of the easiest cot beds to put together, with all the pieces clearly labeled and easy to follow instructions. It is also an excellent option for those with limited space as it can be flat-packed and then collapsed. It uses a standard cot-mattress (140cm by 70cm), and is suitable for children from birth to toddlerhood. An extension kit allows it to be used up to 10 years of age.

Convertibility

If you're a newly-wed there are a myriad of essential items for babies to consider. One of the most important things to consider is a high-quality crib bed. You want it to last as long as you can and grow with your child, so that they have a secure place to sleep.

Although most cots can be converted to toddler beds through the purchase of a conversion kit certain cots are designed to go a step further than this. The Boori Eton Cot Bed is our top pick. It can be converted to an infant (L207cm, W147cm H90cm) as well as it can also be used as a daybed (L234cm, W145cm and H70cm), and a sofa (L234cm, W145cm, and H70cm). This makes it our top choice for durability that will last your child from birth through the age of.

It's more expensive than the other cot beds we tested however its superior look and feel will fit in any nursery. Our parents who tested it were amazed by how easy it was to put together and construct however they did mention that the instructions could be clearer. This is a minor flaw however, as it was still very straightforward and took less than 30 minutes to complete.

Another unique characteristic of this cot is the fact that it has four mattress base heights that are an improvement on the three most common options. This allows you to adjust it as your child grows, because they might require an upper or lower base level, based on their age and ability. It includes teething rails that can be useful and a plastic strip at the top to prevent it from being bit.

The grey finish was the favorite of our dad tester. It's not cheap but it offers an excellent value, because it will last through the toddler years and beyond. It also comes with an one-year guarantee and gives you peace of mind that it's durable and long-lasting. The only thing you'll have to purchase an additional mattress, which is not included.