24 Hours For Improving Best Cot Bed

How to Choose the Best Cot Bed

The most comfortable cot bed is a essential item for any baby. We've put together this guide to help you locate the perfect bed for your little one.

A premium option that is perfect for nursery spaces that are reminiscent of Scandi. This sturdy and durable choice can expand with your baby with three mattress positions, and the ability remove the sides to create a chic bench-style toddler bed.

Budget

There's a cot to fit every nursery and budget. There are also a range of options that offer different levels of durability and some convert into toddler beds to be used into the preschool years and beyond. Naturally, those that convert into beds tend to be more expensive, but the cost can be well-repaid in the event that you need a cot that will last for many years, not just for a few months.

The Mamas & Papas Coxley won our overall award. Its stunning aesthetics and easy-to assemble design make it an ideal choice for those looking for an upscale cot that can last for a lifetime. Our parent testers liked the minimalist design and warm oak finish of this model, which looks stunning in a Scandi-style nursery. The cot bed also has a handy drawer, which mom tester Katrina thought was superior to cheaper cots that come with an inbuilt drawer, and an anti-bite plastic strip across the top of the rails of the cot to prevent your child from getting their teeth stuck in the bars. The cot bed isn't expensive, and requires an Allen key for setup.

A more affordable cots alternative that will still provide your baby a comfy night's rest is the Elementary cot from John Lewis' Anyday range. Our parent testers loved the simple design and easy assembly. The cot can be folded into a compact size and stored as it fits into bags that are similar to the one used to store the camping chair. It's not the best choice for camping in the car but it's perfect for apartment life or those who won't be moving their cot around too often.

We suggest the SnuzKot as another budget-friendly cot, especially when it comes with a toddler kit (sold separately) and mattress extender. It will expand with your child until they're approximately four years old and our dad testers loved the fact it converted to a minimal-looking toddler bed and gave a cocoon-like feeling with its fabric canopy.

Safety

A cot that is well-designed will not only be in compliance with UK safety standards but also feel solid and secure. Find a sturdy style with bars of safety or sides and a solid foundation so that your child is unable to move out. Some cot beds come with extra features, such as teething rails, under-bed drawers and even a crib that can help you organize your home while your little one is growing.

The Boori cot is made of sustainable Australian Araucaria wood and New Zealand Radiata, so you can be sure of your purchase. It can be converted from a cot to a toddler bed by leaving three sides open for security. There's an extension kit available which can convert it to a larger bed when your child is ready.

This simple, stylish cot is a great choice when you're on a tight budget. It's simple to put together and comes with clearly labeled parts and clear instructions. It comes with three height settings for the mattress so that you can alter the height as your baby grows. It will fit most standard mattress cots and is a great purchase for the money.

This is a fantastic option when you're in search of a high-end cot. It offers four mattress positions in cot mode, and will last until your Baby beds is around three years old. It can also be folded and has wheels that lock, making it easy for moving it from one room to another.

This cot comes with convenient travel bag and is among the smallest cots that we test at 6kg. It's also extremely durable and has an extremely sturdy frame that can stand up to the demands of boisterous toddlers. The instructions were well written and clear, however our testers found the assembly to be a bit difficult. They were impressed by the fact that the slats were spaced enough apart to prevent fingers getting caught in between them. It's also more expensive than other cots that we have reviewed but the durability and function make it a worthwhile investment.

Design

It's easy to overlook the design when buying a cot-bed. It's important that you choose a cot that is both functional and beautiful.

The icklebubba Snowdon Classic bed is the ideal bed for design-lovers. Its sleek, modern version of the traditional sleigh style doesn't have that bulky feeling that these cots are known for. It's got plenty of space-saving storage such as an under-bed drawer that can be tucked away beneath the cot and teething rails on the side. It was sturdy and robust. The three-position height of the base lets it grow with your child.

Alternatively, the Modena cot bed from Tutti Bambini offers excellent value for money and has an elegant panel design that will look great in any nursery cots. It is designed to last your child until they are six years older. It transforms into a junior mattress and it transforms into a stylish sofa bed. It's also among the only cot beds we've tested with an opening as well as a hanging rail and teething rails, while its solid pine construction makes it a great option for parents who want their cot bed to endure the test of time.

The Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed is another option that has panels. It is available in a variety of colors to complement your nursery's decor. Our mom testers were impressed by its unique features including the storage drawer particularly useful for storing bedding and clothing. It's also among the most simple cot beds to put together, with all the pieces clearly labeled and easy to follow instructions. It's also a great choice for those with a small space, as it can be collapsed and flat-packed. It is made of a standard cot-mattress (140cm by 70cm), and is suitable for children from birth through toddlerhood. An extension kit permits it to be used until 10 years old.

Convertibility

If you're a newly-wed there are a lot of baby cots on sale essentials to think about. 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 evolve with your child, ensuring that they have a secure bed to sleep in.

Some cots are designed to be more than a toddler bed. The Boori Eton Cot Bed is our top pick. It can be converted to an infant (L207cm, W147cm, H90cm) and a daybed (L234cm, W145cm and H70cm), and a sofa (L234cm, W145cm and H70cm). This makes it the longest-lasting choice on our list, because it will last your child through childhood to.

It's expensive when compared to other cot beds that we test, but it comes with an attractive look and feel that will suit any nursery. The instructions could have been more simple, but our parents test subjects were impressed with how easy it was to construct and put up. This isn't a big issue however, since it was still very simple and took less than 30 minutes to complete.

Another unique aspect of this cot is that it has four mattress base heights that are an improvement on the three most common options. This allows you to alter the height of the cot as your child grows. They may require an upper or lower base level, based on their age and ability. It also comes with useful teething rails and a plastic strip on the top to protect it from being bitten.

The grey finish was the most popular of our dad test-driver. It's not inexpensive however it offers an excellent value for money, as it will last your child through to toddlerhood and beyond. Plus, it's covered by a one-year warranty and gives you peace of mind that it's sturdy and durable. The only thing you'll need to purchase separately is a mattress that's not included.