How to Choose the Best Cot Bed

The best cot bed is a must-have for any baby. We've put together this guide to help you choose the ideal bed for your baby.

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

Budget

There is a cot for every nursery and budget. There are a myriad of options with different amounts of longevity and some convert into toddler beds that can be used through the preschool years and beyond. Naturally, those that convert into beds tend to be more expensive, but the cost can be well-repaid if you want a cot that lasts for years rather than just the duration of a few months.

The Mamas & Papas Coxley won our overall prize. Its luxurious aesthetics and simple to assemble design makes it a fantastic choice for those who want an excellent cot that will last for a lifetime. This model's minimalist design and warm color will look great in an Scandi nursery. The cot bed has a drawer that mum tester Katrina believed was a better choice than some less expensive cots that have an integrated drawer. It also comes with an anti-bite strip that runs 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 bed isn't cheap, and it does require an Allen key to make it functional.

A more budget-friendly option that still gives your baby a good night's sleep is the Elementary cot from John Lewis' Anyday range. The simple design and easy assembly were highly praised by our testers' parents. The cot is small when folded and can be stored easily, fitting into a bag that's as big as a camp chair's carry case. It's lighter than the average cot, meaning it may not be ideal for camping in the car but it's a good choice to live in apartments or for those who don't intend to move their cot for too long.

We recommend 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 are around four years old. Our father tester liked that it could be transformed into a modern-looking toddler bed and create the feeling of a cocoon by putting up a fabric canopy.

Safety

A cot that is of good quality should not only meet the strict UK safety standards, but it must also be sturdy and secure. Choose a sturdy design with bars of safety or sides and a solid foundation so that your child is unable to get out. Some cots include extra features, such as teething rails or drawers for under-bed storage that will aid you in staying organized as your baby grows.

Parent test subject Becki says her Boori cot "has lasted through 3 children and is still beautiful." Its traditional style is suitable for all homes and is made from sustainable sources of Australian Araucaria and New Zealand Radiata wood, so you can feel good about the purchase. It can be converted to a toddler bed (leaving three sides up for reassurance) and has an option of an extension kit that can take it all the way up to a double bed when your child is ready.

This elegant and simple cot is an excellent choice for those on a tight budget. It's simple to put together and has clearly labeled components and clear instructions. It has three height settings for the mattress so that you can adjust it as your baby grows. It can be used with standard crib mattresses and is a great value purchase for the money.

If you're looking to buy a high-end cot, this is a good choice. It has an impressive four mattress positions in the cot position and will last until your baby is around three years old. It folds up and has wheels that lock, making it portable for moving it from one room to another.

This cot comes with convenient travel bag and cheap cot beds is one of the lightest cots we test at 6kg. It's also extremely sturdy and has a strong frame that'll stand up to noisy toddlers. The instructions were well written and clear, but our testers found the assembly a little difficult. The slats were set apart to keep fingers from getting stuck between them. It is also more expensive than other cots we have reviewed, however the durability and function make it worth the investment.

Design

It's easy to overlook the design when you are buying a cot bed. Your baby cots online's cot will be used for a long time, so it's important to find one that you love and also is functional and practical.

The icklebubba Snowdon Classic Cot bed is the best cot for those who love design. Its modern, sleek take on the classic sleigh style isn't as bulky that these types can have. It also doesn't skimp on storage space and features an open drawer that can be placed under the cot, plus teething rails that can be affixed to the side of the. Our mother tester found it sturdy and robust and has the ability to adjust the height of the base three times, which allows the bed to expand with your child.

Alternatively you can choose the Modena cot bed from Tutti Bambini offers excellent value for money. It also has a stylish 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 later to a chic sofa bed. It's also among the only a handful of cots that we've tested with a drawer and a rail for teething and a hanging rail.

Another option that has a stylish panelled design is the Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed, which is available in several color options to fit your nursery decor. The storage drawer was particularly useful for bedding and clothes. Our mum testers were impressed by its features. It's also one of the easiest cot beds for parents to assemble, with all the pieces clearly labeled and easy to follow instructions. It is also an excellent option for those with limited space because it can be folded flat and then collapsed. It's a standard cot mattress (140cm by 70cm), and is suitable for children from birth through toddlerhood. A kit for extension allows it to be used up to 10 years old.

Convertibility

If you're a newly-wed, there are plenty of baby must-haves to consider. One of the most important things to think about is a top-quality crib bed. You want it to last as long as you can and evolve with your child so that they have a secure place to sleep.

Some cots are designed to be more than a bed for children. Our preferred choice is the Boori Eton Convertible Plus Cot Bed, which transforms into an infant bed (L207cm x W147cm x H90cm) and also a daybed and sofa (L234cm x W145cm x H70cm). This makes it our most durable choice that will last your child from birth until the age of.

It's not cheap when compared to other cot beds we've evaluated, but it offers a premium appearance and feel that would suit any nursery. The instructions could be more clear, but our parent testers were awed by the ease with which it was for them to build and put up. This isn't a big issue however, as it was still very straightforward and took less than 30 minutes to complete.

Another unique characteristic of this cot is that it comes with four mattress base heights that are an improvement on the three most common options. This gives you the flexibility to adjust it as your child grows as they may need a higher or lower base level, based on their age and ability. It also comes with useful teething rails as well as a plastic strip along the top to protect it from biting.

The grey finish was the preferred of our dad's testers. It's not cheap cot bed, however it is a great value as it will last until they reach the toddler years and beyond. Additionally, it comes with one-year warranties, so you have peace of mind that it will be sturdy and durable. The only thing that you'll need to purchase separately is the mattress.