How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
With so many essentials for babies to consider, a top cot bed is among the most important purchases. This guide has been created to assist you in choosing the right cot for your baby.
This high-end option works perfectly it perfectly Scandi style nurseries. This sturdy and durable choice will grow with your child, with three mattress positions and the ability to take the sides off to create a chic bench-style toddler bed.
Budget
When you think of cots, there's something for every budget and every nursery. There are also a range of options that offer different levels of durability, with some converting into toddler beds to be used throughout the age of preschool and beyond. The ones that can be converted into beds are more expensive, but they will last longer.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley won our overall award. Its gorgeous design and easy to assemble make it an ideal choice for those who want a high-quality cot that will last a lifetime. The sleek design and warm-toned finish will look fantastic in a Scandi nursery. This cot bed also has a handy drawer, which mum tester Katrina felt was a better option than some cheaper cots that have an integrated drawer, as well as an anti-bite strip of plastic on the top of the cot rails to guard your child from getting their teeth caught in the bars. However, at over PS599 with a mattress that is sold separately, this crib isn't cheap. It requires an Allen key to start it up.
A more budget-friendly alternative that will still provide your baby a comfy night's rest is the Elementary cot from John Lewis' Anyday range. Our parents liked the simple design and simple assembly. The cot is compact when folded and can be stored away easily too, fitting into a carry bag that's as big as the carry case of a camping chair. It's a bit on the lightweight side, meaning it may not be ideal for camping in the car, but it should be fine for apartment living or for those who don't want to move their cot too much.
The SnuzKot is another good budget-friendly cot we recommend, especially if you choose to purchase the toddler kit and mattress extender (sold separately). It will grow with your baby until they are around four years old. Our father tester liked that it could be converted into a minimalist toddler bed and create an atmosphere of cocoons with its fabric canopy.
Safety
A cot that is safe and sturdy will not only be in compliance with UK safety standards but also feel sturdy and secure. Look for a robust design that has safety bars or sides, as well as a solid base that your child can't be able to climb out. Some cots come with extra features such as teething rails, or drawers under the bed that can aid you in staying organized as your baby develops.
The Boori cot is made from sustainable Australian Araucaria wood and New Zealand Radiata, so you can be sure of the purchase. It can be converted from a cot into a toddler bed by leaving three sides open for security. There's also an extension kit which can convert it to a full-sized 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, with clearly labelled parts and clear instructions. It comes with three mattress options, so you can adjust the height as your baby grows. It can be used with standard cot mattresses and is a good purchase for the price.
This is a great choice if you are looking for an expensive cot. It can be used as a cot and features four mattress positions. It will last your baby until they reach the age of three. It folds flat and comes with locks on the wheels, making it very portable if you need to move it from room to room.
The cot comes with a handy travel bag, and is one of the lightest cots we tested at 6kg. It's also extremely robust, with strong frame that can withstand boisterous toddlers. The instructions were well written and clear, but our testers found the assembly a bit difficult. They noted that the slats are spaced enough apart to prevent fingers from getting caught between them. It's also a little more expensive than some of the other cots we reviewed but it's well worth the price for its longevity and practicality.
Design
When purchasing a cot bed it's easy to be engrossed in the spec and safety features, but don't neglect the style. Your baby's cot will be in use for a long time, so it's important to find one that you love and also is practical and useful.
The icklebubba Classic Cot bed is the perfect bed for design-lovers. Its sleek, modern take on the traditional sleigh style does not have the bulky feel that these types of cots can provide. It has plenty of storage space and storage options, including the drawer that is built into the cot and teething rails on the sides. Our mother test subject found it to be solid and sturdy, with the ability to adjust the height of the base three times, which allows the bed to grow with your child.
Alternatively, the Modena cot bed from Tutti Bambini offers excellent value for money. It also has a stylish panel design that will look great in any nursery. tots and cots 's made to last until your child reaches six years old, before transforming first into a junior bed and later to a chic sofa bed. It's also among the only a handful of cots that we have tested with an apex drawer as well as a teething rail and a hanging rail.
The Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed is another option that comes with a panelled design. It comes in a variety of colours to match the decor of your nursery. Our mom testers loved its nifty features and the drawer for storage being particularly useful to store bedding and clothes. It is also one of the easiest cot bed to put together. The pieces are clearly labeled, and the instructions are simple to follow. It's also a great option for those with limited space, as it can be collapsed and flat-packed. It can be used with the standard cot mattress (140cm x 70cm) and is suitable from birth to toddlerhood with an extension kit that permits it to be used until your child is 10 years old. of age.
Convertibility
There are many baby essentials that you must consider when the new parent. One of the most important things 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, so that they have a secure place to sleep.
While most cots can be made to toddler beds through the purchase of a conversion kit some cot beds are designed to go a step further than this. Our top choice is the Boori Eton Convertible Plus Cot Bed, which transforms into a toddler bed (L207cm x W147cm x H90cm), as well as a daybed and sofa (L234cm x W145cm x H70cm). This makes it our top choice for durability and will last your child from birth through childhood.
It's a little more expensive than some of the other cot-beds we tested however, its high-end appearance and feel can be found in any nursery. Our parents who tested it were impressed with how easy it was to put together and construct but they did say that the instructions could be more clear. This is a minor fault however, since it was incredibly simple and took less than 30 minutes to complete.
This cot comes with four base heights for mattresses. This is an upgrade from the three most common options. This gives you the flexibility to adjust it as your child gets older, since they may require a higher or lower base level depending on their age and level. It includes teething rails which are helpful as well as a plastic strip on the top to prevent it from being bit.
The grey finish was the favorite of our dad's testers. It's not inexpensive however it offers an excellent value for money, as it will take your child through to toddlerhood and beyond. It's also covered by an assurance of one year so you can be confident that it will last. The only thing you'll need to purchase separately is a mattress, that's not included.