How to Choose the Best Cot Bed

The best cot bed is a must-have for every baby. We've created this guide to help find the best choice for your baby.

A high-quality bed that is perfect for Scandi-style nursery cots rooms. It's a sturdy and long-lasting option that will grow with your child. It has three mattress height positions and the ability to remove the sides to create a chic bench-style toddler bed.

Budget

There's a cot that fits every nursery and budget. There's also a variety of options that offer different levels of durability, with some converting into toddler beds that can be used through the preschool years and beyond. The ones that can be converted into a bed are more expensive, but they'll last longer.

The Mamas & Papas Coxley was our overall winner due to its elegant design and simple design, making it an excellent choice for parents looking for an extremely high-quality cot that will stand the test of time. Our parents appreciated the sleek design and warm oak finish of this model, which will look beautiful in a contemporary nursery. The cot bed has a drawer that mum tester Katrina believed was a better choice than some cheaper cots with a drawer built in. It also comes with an anti-bite strip on the top rails of the cot sales, to prevent your child's teeth from getting stuck. The cot bed isn't expensive, and requires an Allen key for setup.

A less expensive alternative that will still provide your baby a good night's rest is the Elementary cot from John Lewis' Anyday range. Our testers with parents were impressed by the simplicity of the design and quick, straightforward assembly. The cot is small cot beds when folded and can be stored easily, fitting into a carry bag that's about the size of a camp chair's carry case. It's not ideal for car camping but it's perfect for those living in apartments or who don't need to move their cot too much.

We recommend the SnuzKot for another budget-friendly cot, especially if it comes with the toddler kit (sold separately) and mattress extender. It will grow with your baby until they reach four years old. Our father tester liked the possibility of converting it into a modern-looking toddler bed, and created an atmosphere of cocoons with its canopy made of fabric.

Safety

A good cot will not only meet UK safety standards, but also feel sturdy and secure. Choose a sturdy design with safety bars or sides, and a solid base so that your baby is not able to move out. Some cots come with extra features such as teething rails, or drawers for under-bed storage which can aid in keeping your baby organized as your baby grows.

The Boori cot is made from sustainable Australian Araucaria wood and New Zealand Radiata, so you can be confident in your purchase. It can be converted from a cot into a toddler bed by leaving three sides unlocked for safety. There is also an extension kit available that can transform it to a full-sized bed when your child's ready.

This stylish but simple cot is a great choice for those with a tight budget. It's easy to put together with clearly marked components and clear instructions. It has three mattress settings, so you can adjust the height as your baby grows. It can be used with standard mattress cots and is a great value buy for the price.

If you're looking for a top cot, this one is a great option. It can be used as a cot and features four mattress positions. It can last until your child reach the age of three. 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 is among the smallest cots we've tested at 6kg. It's also extremely sturdy, with a strong frame that'll stand up to the raging toddlers. Our testers found it to be a bit tricky to put together, but the instructions were clear and well-written. The slats were spaced sufficiently apart to prevent fingers from getting stuck between them. It's also a little more expensive than the other cots that we looked at but it's well worth the investment for its durability and utility.

Design

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

The ickle bubba Snowdon Classic Cot Bed is the perfect cot bed for design lovers with its sleek, modern version of the traditional sleigh design that does not have the bulky look that these beds often come with. It's got plenty of storage space such as a drawer that fits underneath the cot as well as rails for teething on the side. It was strong and sturdy. The three-position height of the base allows it to expand with your baby.

Alternately, the Modena cot bed from Tutti Bambini offers excellent value for money and has a stylish panel design that is perfect for any nursery. It is made to last until they are six years old. It can be converted into a junior mattress and it transforms into a stylish sofa bed. It's also among the only a handful of cots that we've tested with an apex drawer and a rail for teething and a hanging rail.

Another option with a sleek panel design is the Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed, which comes in a variety of color options to fit your nursery decor. The storage drawer was particularly useful for clothing and bedding. Our mum testers were impressed by the features. It's also among the easiest cot beds for parents to build, with all pieces being clearly labelled and with easy-to-follow instructions. It's also a great choice for those who have little space since it can be folded flat and rolled down. It takes a standard cot mattress (140cm x 70cm) and is suitable from birth to toddlerhood, with an extension kit allowing it to be used up until your child is 10 years old.

Convertibility

If you're a newly-wed there are a lot of essential items for babies to consider. 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 grow with your child, so that they have a safe place to sleep.

While the majority of cots can be converted to toddler beds through the purchase of a conversion kit some cots are made to go a step further than this. Our top pick is the Boori Eton Convertible Plus Bed, which converts into an infant bed (L207cm x W147cm x H90cm) and also a daybed and cot sales sofa (L234cm x W145cm and H70cm). This makes it the longest-lasting selection on our list, since it will last your child through the years from birth until childhood.

It's more expensive than the other cot beds we tested however its superior look and feel will fit in any nursery. Our parent testers were really impressed by how simple it was to build and set up, although they did note that the instructions could be more clear. This is a minor fault, however, as it was still very simple and took less than 30 minutes to complete.

The cot comes with four different base heights for the mattress. This is an upgrade from the three standard options. This lets you adjust the cot as your child develops. They might require a lower or higher base level based on their age and capabilities. It also comes with useful teething rails and a plastic strip on the top to protect it from biting.

The grey finish was the most popular of our dad test-driver. It's not cheap however it is a great value since it will last into the toddler years and beyond. Plus, it's covered by one-year warranties, so you have assurance that it's sturdy and durable. The only thing you'll need to purchase separately is the mattress.