How to Choose the Best Cot Bed

The best cot bed is a essential item for any baby. So we've put together this guide to help you find the ideal bed for your Baby Cots On Sale.

A high-quality bed that fits beautifully in Scandi-style nursery rooms. It's a durable and sturdy option that grows with your child. It has three mattress height options and the ability to remove the sides for a sleek bench-style toddler bed.

Budget

There's a cot that fits every nursery and budget. There are a variety of choices that come with different durations and some of them can be transformed into toddler beds to be used into the age of preschool or beyond. The ones that can be turned into beds are more expensive, however they last longer.

The Mamas & Papas Coxley was our overall winner thanks to its stunning design and easy-to-assemble design making it a great option for parents who want an extremely high-quality cot that will stand up to the years. Our parents appreciated the sleek design and warm oak finish of this model, which would look amazing in a modern-style Scandi nursery. This cot bed has a drawer, which mum tester Katrina thought was a better option than some cheaper cots that have an integrated drawer, as well as a plastic strip that prevents bites on the top of the cot rails to guard your child from getting their teeth caught in the bars. This cot bed isn't inexpensive, and it requires an Allen key to set up.

A more affordable option that will still give your baby a comfortable night's rest is the cot that's Elementary from John Lewis' Anyday range. Our parents loved the simple design and simple assembly. The cot is small when folded and can be tucked away easily too, fitting into a bag that's about the size of the carry case of a camping chair. It's a bit lighter than the average cot which means it might not be suitable for camping in the car, but it's a good choice for living in an apartment or for those who don't want to move their cot all the time.

The SnuzKot is another good budget-friendly cot that we recommend particularly if you decide to purchase the toddler kit and mattress extender (sold separately). It will grow with your baby until they reach four years old. Our dad tester loved the possibility of converting it into a modern-looking toddler bed, and created a cocoon like feeling with its fabric canopy.

Safety

A good cot is not just required to meet the strict UK safety standards, but it should also be sturdy and secure. Look for a sturdy design with safety bars or sides, and a solid foundation, so that your child is unable to move out. Some cots 4 tots include extra features, such as teething rails and drawers under the bed that can help you organize your life as your baby is growing.

Parent test participant Becki says her Boori cot "has been through three children and still looks amazing." Its classic design will suit most homes and is made from sustainable sources of 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 (leaving three sides open to give you security) and also has the option to add an extension kit to take it all the way up to a double bed when your child is ready.

This stylish but simple cot sets is a great choice for those on a limited budget. It's easy to set up, with clearly labelled parts and clear instructions. It has three height settings for the mattress so that you can adjust it as your baby grows. It will fit most standard crib mattresses and is a good purchase for the money.

If you're looking to buy a high-end cot, this one is a good choice. It can be used as a cot and has four mattress positions. It'll last until your child reach the age of three. It can be folded flat and has locks on the wheels, making it very convenient to move it from room to room.

The cot comes with a handy travel bag, and is one of the smallest cots we've tested at 6kg. It's also extremely sturdy and has a strong frame that can handle boisterous toddlers. Our test subjects found it a little difficult to put together, but the instructions were clear and well-written. The slats were placed far 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 are worth the cost.

Design

It's easy to overlook the style when buying a cot-bed. The cot you choose for your baby will be in use for a long time, so it's essential to find one that you enjoy and also is practical and functional.

The icklebubba Classic Cot bed is the perfect cot for those who love design. Its sleek, modern version of the classic sleigh design isn't as bulky that these types of cots can provide. It also has plenty of storage space, and comes with an open drawer that can be placed under the cot, and teething rails that can be attached to the side. It was sturdy and robust. The three-position height of the base lets it grow with your child.

The Modena cot-bed by Tutti Bambini is a great value and comes with a panelled design that can be suitable for any nursery. It's made to be used until your child is six years old, before transforming first into a junior bed, and later to a chic sofa bed. It's also among the only a few cot beds that we've tested with an apex drawer and a rail for teething and a hanging rail.

Another option with a sleek panelled design is the Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed, that is available in a variety of colors to match your nursery decor. The storage drawer is useful for bedding and clothes. Our mom testers were awed by the features. It's also among the easiest cot beds to put together, with all the pieces clearly labeled and easy to understand instructions. It is also an excellent alternative for those with limited space as it can be folded flat and rolled down. It uses a standard cot-mattress (140cm by 70cm) and is suitable for babies through toddlerhood. An extension kit allows it to be used up to 10 years of age.

Convertibility

When you're a new parent there are a lot of baby must-haves to consider. One of the most important items to consider is a high-quality cot bed. You want it to last for as long as possible and evolve with your child so that they have a safe place to sleep.

Some cots are designed to be more than a bed for toddlers. Our top choice is the Boori Eton Convertible Plus Cot Bed, which can be converted into a toddler bed (L207cm x W147cm x H90cm) and also a daybed and sofa (L234cm x W145cm and H70cm). This makes it the longest-lasting choice on our list, as it is designed to last through childhood to.

It's a bit pricey compared to some of the other cot beds we evaluated, but it offers a premium look and feel that will suit any nursery. The instructions could have been more precise, but our parent testers were impressed by the ease with which it was for to construct and set up. This isn't a big issue however, since it was still a breeze and took less than 30 minutes to complete.

Another impressive aspect of this cot is that it comes with four mattress heights for the base that are an improvement on the three most common options. This gives you the ability to adjust it as your child gets older, as they may need an upper or lower base level based on their age and level. It comes with teething rails which are helpful and a plastic strip at the top to prevent it from becoming a bit.

This cot is available in a variety of Scandi-inspired colors and our dad tester was especially attracted by the grey-colored finish. It is not cheap however it is a an excellent value, because it will last until they reach the age of toddler and beyond. It's also covered by a 1-year warranty to ensure that it will last. The only thing you will need to purchase separately is the mattress.