How to Choose the Best Cot Bed

The best cot bed is an absolute must-have for every baby. This guide will help find the best choice for your baby.

A premium option that fits beautifully in Scandi-style nurseries. It's a durable and sturdy choice that can grow with your child, with three mattress height options and the option of removing the sides to create a chic bench-style toddler bed.

Budget

There's a cot that fits every nursery and budget. There are a myriad of options that provide different amounts of longevity 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'll last longer.

The Mamas & Papas Coxley won our overall prize. Its stunning aesthetics and easy-to assemble design make it a great option for those who want a high-quality cot that will last a lifetime. Our parent testers appreciated the sleek design and warm oak finish of this model, which looks stunning in a Scandi-style nursery. This cot bed comes with an adjustable drawer that mom tester Katrina believed was an excellent alternative to cheaper cots which have an integrated drawer. It also has an anti-bite strip that runs along the top rails of the cot to stop your child's teeth from getting stuck. However, at PS599 with a mattress that is sold separately this crib isn't cheap. It requires an Allen key to make it functional.

A more affordable option that still gives your baby a good night's rest is the Elementary cot from John Lewis' Anyday range. Our parents loved the simple design and quick, straightforward assembly. The cot can be folded into a compact size and stored as it fits into bags similar to the one used for a camping chair. It's a little on the lightweight side which means it might not be ideal for camping in the car, however it's suitable to live in apartments or for those who don't want to move their cot too much.

The SnuzKot is a good budget-friendly cot for sale that we recommend particularly if you decide to opt for the toddler kit and cots to Tots mattress extender (sold separately). It will expand with your child until they reach around four years old. Our father tester liked the possibility of converting it into a minimalist toddler bed, and created a cocoon like feeling by putting up a fabric canopy.

Safety

A good cot should not only meet the strict UK safety standards, but it should also be sturdy and feel secure. Look for a sturdy design with bars of safety or sides and a solid base so that your baby Cots on sale cannot easily get out. Some cot beds come with extra features like teething rails and under-bed drawers which can help organize your home as your baby is growing.

Parent test subject Becki says that her Boori cot "has endured through 3 kids and is still beautiful." Its traditional style will fit in with any home and it's made from sustainable sources of Australian Araucaria and New Zealand Radiata wood, which means you can feel confident about the purchase. It can be converted from a cot to a toddler bed by leaving three sides unlocked for safety. There's an extension kit available which can convert it to a full-sized bed when your child is ready.

This stylish but simple cot is an excellent choice for those on a tight budget. It's easy to assemble 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 will fit most standard cot mattresses and is a great buy for the price.

This is an excellent choice If you're looking for an expensive cot. It comes with four mattress positions in cot mode, and will last until your baby is around three years old. It can be folded flat and has lockable wheels, making it extremely convenient to move it from room to room.

This cot is light at only 6kg and comes with a handy bag for travel. It's also extremely sturdy and has a strong frame that can handle noisy toddlers. Our testers found it a bit tricky to put together, however the instructions were clear and well-written. The slats were set apart to avoid fingers getting trapped between them. It's also a bit more expensive than the other cots that we looked at, but it is worth the price for its longevity and practicality.

Design

It's easy to overlook the style when buying a cot-bed. Your baby's cot will be in use for a long time therefore it's crucial to choose one that you enjoy and also is practical and useful.

The ickle bubba Snowdon Classic Cot Bed is the best bed for those who love design, with its sleek modern take on a traditional sleigh design that does not have the bulky look that these types of beds usually come with. It also has plenty of storage space, and comes with a pull-out drawer that fits under the cot, as well as teething rails that can be connected to the side of the. Our mom tester found it to be robust and durable with a three-position base height that allows the bed to grow with your child.

Alternately you can choose the Modena cot bed from Tutti Bambini offers excellent value for money and has a stylish panel design that will look great in any nursery. It is made to last until they reach the age of six old. It can be converted into a junior mattress and then into an elegant sofa bed. It's also one of only a few cot beds that we've tested with a drawer as well as a teething rail and a hanging rail.

The Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed is another option with panels. It is available in a variety of colors to complement your nursery's decor. Our mom testers were impressed by its nifty features and the storage drawer being especially useful for storing bedding and clothing. It's also one of the easiest cot beds to build, with all pieces being clearly labelled and with easy-to-follow instructions. It's also a great alternative for those with limited space because it can be flat-packed and then collapsed. It uses a standard cot-mattress (140cm by 70cm) and is suitable for babies through toddlerhood. An extension kit permits it to be used until 10 years old.

Convertibility

There are many baby essentials that you should consider as 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 so that they have a secure place to sleep.

While the majority of cots can be transformed into toddler beds by 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 to an infant (L207cm, W147cm H90cm) and the daybed (L234cm, W145cm and H70cm) and sofa (L234cm, W145cm and H70cm). This makes it the longest-lasting choice on our list, because it should see your child through from birth to childhood.

It's a bit pricey in comparison to other cot beds we evaluated, but it offers an attractive design and feel that will be a perfect fit for any nursery. Our parent testers were really amazed by how easy it was to build and set up however they did mention that the instructions could be clearer. This is a minor flaw however, as it was a breeze and took less than 30 minutes to complete.

The cot comes with four different base heights for mattresses. This is an improvement over the three standard options. This gives you the flexibility to adjust it as your child grows, since they may require a lower or higher base level, based on their age and ability. It also comes with teething rails as well as a plastic strip on the top ranked cribs to guard it from biting.

The cot is available in a variety of Scandi-inspired finishes, and our dad tester was particularly attracted by the grey-colored finish. It is not cheap but it offers an excellent value, because it will last your child until they reach the toddler years and beyond. Plus, it's covered by a one-year warranty and gives you confidence that it's durable and long-lasting. The only thing that you'll need to buy separately is the mattress.