How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
With so many baby essentials to consider, a top cot bed is one of the most important buys. We've created this guide to help you choose the right bed for your baby.
This high-end option works perfectly it perfectly Scandi style nurseries. It's a sturdy and durable choice that can grow with your child, with three mattress height options and the ability to remove the sides for a sleek bench-style toddler bed.
Budget
When it comes to cots there's something for every budget and every nursery. There's also a variety of options with different levels of durability and even convert into toddler beds for use throughout the age of preschool and beyond. The ones that can be transformed into a bed are more expensive, but they will last longer.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley was our overall winner, with its elegant design and simple design, making it an excellent option for parents who want a top quality crib that can stand the test of time. The sleek design and warm color will look great in the Scandi nursery. The cot bed has an adjustable drawer that mom tester Katrina thought was a better choice than some cheaper cots which have an integrated drawer. It also comes with an anti-bite strip along the top rails of the cot, to prevent your child's teeth from getting caught. However, at PS599 with a mattress that is sold separately, this cot isn't cheap and it requires an Allen key to start it up.
The cot for the Elementary is a more affordable option that can give your baby a comfortable night's rest. It's part of the Anyday collection by John Lewis. The easy design and simple assembly were highly praised by our testers' parents. The cot can be folded into a compact size and stored since it can fit into bags that are similar to that used for the camping chair. cot beds for sale 's a little light and therefore may not be ideal for camping in the car however it's suitable for living in an apartment or for those who don't want to move their cot around all the time.
The SnuzKot is another good budget-friendly cot that we recommend, especially if you choose to purchase the toddler kit and mattress extender (sold separately). It will grow with your baby until they reach around four years old. Our father tester liked that it could be converted into a modern-looking toddler bed and create an atmosphere of cocoons by putting up a fabric canopy.
Safety
A good cot is not just required to meet the strict UK safety standards, but it should also be sturdy and secure. Look for a sturdy design with safety bars or sides, and a solid foundation, so that your baby cannot easily climb out. Some cots come with extra features such as teething rails and under-bed drawers which can help organize your life while your little one is growing.
Parent test subject Becki says that her Boori cot "has lasted through 3 children and is still beautiful." Its classic design will fit in with any home and it's made from sustainable sources of Australian Araucaria and New Zealand Radiata wood, so you can feel good about the purchase. It can be transformed from a cot to a toddler bed by leaving three sides open for safety. There is an extension kit available that will take it up to a full-sized bed when your child's ready.
This stylish and simple cot is a great choice for those on a tight budget. It is easy to assemble with clearly marked components and clear instructions. It comes with three mattress height settings, so you can alter the height as your baby grows. It can be used with standard crib mattresses and is a great value purchase for the money.
This is a great choice when you're in search of a high-end cot. It comes with four mattress base positions in the cot position and will last until your baby is three years old. It folds flat and comes with locks on the wheels, making it extremely portable if you need to move it from room to room.
This cot comes with a handy travel bag, and is among the smallest cots we've tested, weighing just 6kg. It's also extremely sturdy and has a sturdy frame that can withstand boisterous toddlers. The instructions were well-written and clear, however our testers found the assembly a little challenging. They were impressed by the fact that the slats are sufficiently apart to avoid fingers from getting caught between them. It's also more expensive than other cots we have reviewed, but the quality and durability make it a worthwhile investment.
Design
It's easy to overlook the style when buying a cot-bed. The cot you choose for your baby will be in use for a long time, so it's important to find one you like as well as is functional and practical.
The classic ickle bubba Bed is the best cot bed for design lovers, 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 can often have. It also offers storage space, and comes with an extra drawer that slides under the cot, and teething rails that can be attached to the side of the. It was strong and sturdy. The three-position height of the base allows it to grow with your child.
Alternatively you can choose the Modena cot bed from Tutti Bambini offers excellent value for money and comes with an elegant panel design that would suit any nursery. It's designed to be used until your child is six years old, converting first into a junior bed, and then into a stylish sofa bed. It's also one of the cot beds that we tested that has a draw with a hanging rail as well as teething rails, while its solid pine construction makes it a good option for parents who want their cot to stand the test of time.
The Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed is another option that comes with a panelled design. It comes in a range of colors to match the decor of your nursery. Our mom testers were impressed by its nifty features, with the drawer for storage being particularly useful to store bedding and clothes. It's also among the easiest cot beds for parents to build, with all pieces clearly labeled and easy to understand instructions. It's also a great choice for those who have limited space as it can be rolled up and collapsed. It takes an ordinary cot mattress (140cm x 70cm) and is suitable from birth to toddlerhood with an extension kit that allows it to be used until your child is 10 years old. older.
Convertibility
There are a lot of baby essentials you need to think about as you become a new parent. One of the most important items to consider is a high-quality cot bed. You want it to last for as long as you can and grow with your child, ensuring they can have a safe place to sleep.
While the majority of cots can be transformed into toddler beds with the purchase of a conversion kit some cot beds are designed to go further than this. The Boori Eton Cot Bed is our top choice. It can be converted into a toddler (L207cm, W147cm H90cm) as well as the daybed (L234cm, W145cm and H70cm) and sofa (L234cm, W145cm, and H70cm). This makes it our most durable choice that will last from birth until childhood.
It's a bit pricey when compared to other cot beds we evaluated, but it offers an attractive appearance and feel that would suit 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, however, as it was still a breeze and took just 30 minutes to complete.
This cot has four different base heights for mattresses. This is an upgrade over the three most common options. This allows you to adjust the cot as your child grows. They may require an upper or lower base level, based on their age and capabilities. It also comes with teething rails and a strip that runs along the top to protect it from biting.
The grey finish was the most popular of our dad test-driver. It's not expensive but it's excellent value for money since it will take your child through to the age of toddler and beyond. Additionally, it comes with a one-year warranty which gives you confidence that it will be sturdy and long-lasting. The only thing that you will need to purchase separately is the mattress.