How to Choose the Best Cot Bed

The best cot bed is a must-have for every baby. We've put together this guide to help you locate the perfect choice for your baby.

This premium option fits perfectly in Scandi style nurseries. It's a sturdy and durable option that grows with your child, with three mattress height positions and the ability to remove the sides for a sleek bench-style toddler bed.

Budget

There is a cot for every nursery and budget. There are a myriad of options that offer different amounts of longevity and even convert into toddler beds to be used throughout the age of preschool and beyond. Naturally, those that convert into a bed 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 years rather than just for a few months.

The Mamas & Papas Coxley won our overall prize. Its luxurious design and easy to assemble makes it a fantastic choice for those who want a high-quality cot that will last for a long time. This model's minimalist design and warm finish will look great in the Scandi nursery. This cot bed comes with a handy drawer, which mum tester Katrina felt was a better option than some cheaper cots that come with an integrated drawer, as well as a plastic strip that prevents bites along the top of the cot rails to guard your child from getting their teeth stuck in the bars. The cot bed isn't inexpensive, and it requires an Allen key for setup.

A more budget-friendly option that still gives your baby a comfortable night's sleep is the Elementary cot from John Lewis' Anyday range. Our testers with parents liked the simple design and simple assembly. The cot is foldable down and stored easily because it fits in bags similar to that used for the camping chair. It's not the best cots choice for camping in the car but it's perfect for people living in apartments or who won't be moving their cot too much.

We suggest the SnuzKot as another cot for under $100, particularly when it comes with a toddler kit (sold separately) and mattress extender. It will expand with your child until they reach around four years old. Our dad tester loved the possibility of converting it into a minimalist-looking toddler bed, and created an atmosphere of cocoons by putting up a fabric canopy.

Safety

A cot that is of good quality must not only meet strict UK safety standards, but also be sturdy and comfortable to the touch. Find a sturdy design with safety bars or sides and an erect base that your child can't easily climb out. Some cot beds will also come with extra features like teething rails, under-bed drawers and even a crib that can help you organize your life while your baby is growing.

Parent test subject Becki says that her Boori cot "has been through three children and is still beautiful." Its traditional style will suit most homes and it's made from sustainably-sourced Australian Araucaria and New Zealand Radiata wood, so you'll feel comfortable about the purchase. It can be converted from a cot to a toddler bed by leaving three sides unlocked for security. There's also an extension kit which can convert it to a full-sized bed when your child is ready.

This elegant and simple cot is an excellent choice for those on a tight budget. It is easy to assemble with clearly marked parts and clear instructions. It has three mattress settings, so you can adjust the height as your baby grows. It is compatible with most cots with a standard mattresses and is a great purchase for the price.

If you're looking for a premium cot, this one is a great option. It offers four mattress base positions when in the cot position and will last until your baby is three years old. It is also foldable and has wheels that lock, making it a great option for moving it from room to.

This cot is very lightweight at just 6kg and comes with a handy bag to carry it around in. It's also extremely robust with strong frame that can stand up to the demands of boisterous toddlers. Our testers found it a bit tricky to put together, but the instructions were well-written and clear. They were impressed by the fact that the slats were spaced enough apart to prevent fingers from getting caught between them. It's also more expensive than other cots we have reviewed, but the durability and function make it worth the investment.

Design

When you are buying a cot bed, it's easy to be engrossed in the specifications and safety features, but don't overlook the style. Your baby's cot will be used for a long period of time, so it's important to find one you like and is also practical and functional.

The icklebubba Snowdon Classic bed is the perfect cot for those who love design. Its sleek, modern version of the classic sleigh design doesn't have that bulky feeling that these cots are known for. It's got plenty of storage space and storage options, including a drawer that fits underneath the cot, as well as teething rails on the side. It was sturdy and robust. The three-position height of the base allows it to grow with your baby.

The Modena cot-bed by Tutti Bambini is a great value and comes with a panelled design that will fit in with any nursery. It's made to be used until your child is six years old, converting first into a junior bed and later to a chic sofa bed. It's also one of only a handful of cot beds that we've tested with the option of a drawer and a rail for teething and a hanging rail.

The Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed is another option that comes with panels. It comes in a variety of colours to complement your nursery's decor. The storage drawer was especially useful for bedding and clothes. Our mum testers were impressed by its features. It's also the easiest cot beds to assemble. The pieces are clearly labeled and the instructions are simple to follow. It is also an excellent option for those with little space since it can be flat-packed and then collapsed. It can be used with 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 turns 10 years old. old.

Convertability

If you're a new parent there are a lot of baby essentials to think about. But one of the most important is a good quality cot bed - you want something that lasts as long as possible and will grow with your child to provide them a safe and secure place to sleep.

Although most cots to tots can be made into toddler beds with 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 a toddler (L207cm, W147cm H90cm), a daybed (L234cm, W145cm and H70cm) and a sofa (L234cm, W145cm, and H70cm). This is the longest-lasting option on our list, since it will last your child through from birth to childhood.

It's expensive in comparison to other cot beds we evaluated, but it offers a premium design and feel that will fit in with any nursery. The instructions could be more precise, but our parent testers were impressed by how easy it was for them to build and put up. This isn't a big issue however, as it was incredibly simple and took less than thirty minutes to complete.

The cot comes with four different base heights for mattresses. This is an upgrade from the three most recommended cribs popular options. This allows you to adjust it as your child grows since they may require a lower or higher base level depending on their age and abilities. It comes with teething rails that are useful as well as a plastic strip on the top ranked cribs to keep it from being bit.

The grey finish was the most popular of our dad test-driver. It's not inexpensive, but it does offer excellent value for money since it will last your child through 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 that you will need to purchase separately is the mattress.