How to Choose the best cot beds Cot Bed

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

A top-quality option that fits beautifully in nursery spaces that are reminiscent of Scandi. It's a sturdy and long-lasting option that will grow with your child, offering three mattress height positions and the ability to remove the sides for a stylish bench-style toddler bed.

Budget

There's a cot that fits every nursery and budget. There are a myriad of options with different amounts of longevity and some convert into toddler beds for use through the preschool years and beyond. The ones that can be converted into beds are more expensive, but they'll last longer.

The Mamas & Papas Coxley was our overall winner thanks to its luxurious aesthetic and easy-to-assemble design. It's a great choice for parents looking for a top quality cot that will stand the test of time. Our parent testers loved the minimalist design and warm oak finish of this model, which will look amazing in a modern-style Scandi nursery. This cot bed has a handy drawer, which mom tester Katrina thought was a better option than some less expensive cots with an inbuilt drawer, and an anti-bite plastic strip along the top of the cot rails to protect your child from getting their teeth stuck between the bars. However, at over PS599 with a mattress sold separately this cot isn't cheap and it requires an Allen key to make it functional.

The cot for the Elementary is a less expensive option that will give your baby a peaceful night's sleep. It's part of the Anyday range by John Lewis. Our parents liked the simple design and simple assembly. The cot is compact when folded and can be tucked easily, fitting into a bag that's as big as the carry case of a camping chair. It's not ideal for camping in the car, but should be fine for those living in apartments or who won't be moving their cot around too often.

The SnuzKot is a good budget-friendly cot that we recommend, especially if you choose to opt for the toddler kit and mattress extender (sold separately). It will grow with your baby until they reach around four years old. Our father tester liked that it could be converted into a modern-looking toddler bed and create the feeling of a cocoon by putting up a fabric canopy.

Safety

A good cot must not only meet strict UK safety standards, but it should also be sturdy and comfortable to the touch. Find a sturdy style with bars of safety or sides and a solid base so that your child is unable to climb out. Some cots include extra features, such as teething rails or drawers under the bed that can help you stay organized while your baby develops.

The Boori cot is made of sustainable Australian Araucaria wood and New Zealand Radiata, so you can be confident in the purchase. It can be transformed from a cot to a toddler bed by leaving three sides open for security. There's also an extension kit which can convert it to a full-sized bed when your child's ready.

This stylish but simple cot is an excellent choice for those with a tight budget. It is easy to assemble with clearly marked components and clear instructions. It comes with three mattress options, so you can adjust the height as your child grows. It is compatible with most standard crib mattresses and is a great purchase for the money.

If you're looking for a top cot, this one is a great option. It offers four mattress base positions when in cot mode, and will last until your child is around three years old. It folds up and has wheels that lock, making it a great option to move it from room to.

This cot comes with handy travel bag and is one of the smallest cots we've tested at 6kg. It's also extremely sturdy and has a sturdy frame that'll stand up to noisy toddlers. The instructions were well-written and clear, but our testers found the assembly to be a little difficult. They noted that the slats were spaced far enough apart to prevent fingers getting caught in between them. It's also a bit more expensive than some of the other cots we reviewed, but it is worth the price for its durability and functionality.

Design

When you are buying a cot bed, it's easy to get caught up in the spec and safety features, but don't forget the style. The crib of your baby will be used for a long time, so it's important to find one you like as well as is functional and practical.

The icklebubba Snowdon Classic Cot bed is the best bed for design-lovers. Its sleek, modern version of the traditional sleigh style isn't as bulky that these types can have. It also has plenty of space-saving storage and has an extra drawer that slides under the cot, as well as teething rails that can be attached to the side of the. Our mom tested it and found it to be robust and durable, with three positions of base height that allows the bed to expand with your child.

The Modena cot-bed from Tutti Bambini is a great value and comes with a panelled design that can be suitable for any nursery. It's made to last until they are six years older. It transforms into a junior mattress, and then into an elegant sofa bed. It's also one of only a handful of cot beds that we've tested with the option of a drawer, a teething rail, and a hanging rail.

The Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed is another option that has an elegant panel design. It comes in a range of colors to match your nursery decor. Our mum testers loved its nifty features and the storage drawer particularly useful for storing bedding and clothing. It's also one of the most simple cot beds to assemble, with all the pieces clearly labeled and easy to follow instructions. It's also a great alternative for those with limited space because it can be rolled up and then collapsed. 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 old.

Convertability

When you're a new parent there are a lot of essential items for babies to consider. One of the most important is a quality cot bed. You want something that lasts for as long as you can and will change with your child to provide them a safe and secure place to sleep.

While most cots can be transformed into toddler beds with the purchase of a conversion kit some cot beds are designed to go further than this. The Boori Eton Cot Bed is our top choice. It can be converted to an infant (L207cm, W147cm, H90cm) and the daybed (L234cm, W145cm and H70cm), and sofa (L234cm, W145cm, and H70cm). This makes it our top choice for durability that will last your child from birth to childhood.

It's not cheap cots compared to some of the other cot cribs beds we've tested, but it has a premium appearance and feel that would suit any nursery. Our parents were impressed by how simple it was to set up and build however they did mention that the instructions could be clearer. This is a minor flaw but it was still very straightforward and took less than 30 minutes to complete.

Another unique feature of this cot is the fact that it has four mattress heights for the base which is an upgrade on the three most common options. This allows you to adjust it as your child gets older, since they may require a higher or lower base level depending on their age and abilities. It includes teething rails which are helpful as well as a plastic strip on the top to keep it from becoming a bit.

The grey finish was the favorite of our dad's testers. It's not cheap, but it's a the best cot newborn value for money because it will last through the toddler years and beyond. It's also covered by one-year warranty, to ensure that it will last. The only thing that you'll need to buy separately is the mattress.