Do You Think Best Cot Bed Always Rule The World?
How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
With so many baby essentials to consider, a top crib bed is among the most important purchases. This guide will help find the best choice for your baby.
This top-quality option is perfect in Scandi style nurseries. This sturdy and durable option can grow 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's also a variety of options that offer various levels of longevity and some convert into toddler beds that can be used into the age of preschool and beyond. Obviously, the ones that convert into beds do tend to be more expensive but the extra 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 was our overall winner thanks to its stunning design and easy-to-assemble design, making it an excellent choice for those who want an excellent cot that will stand the test of time. Our parents appreciated the sleek design and warm oak finish of this model, which looks beautiful in a contemporary nursery. This cot bed also has a drawer, which mom tester Katrina thought was a better option than some cheaper cots that have an inbuilt drawer, and a plastic strip that prevents bites along the top of the rails of the cot to prevent your child from getting their teeth caught in the bars. This cot bed isn't expensive, and requires an Allen key for setup.
A more affordable option that still gives your baby a good night's rest is the Elementary cot from John Lewis' Anyday range. The basic design and easy assembly were well-loved by our parents who tested it. The cot is small when folded and can be stored away easily too, fitting into a bag that's about the size of a camp chair's carry case. It's not ideal for camping in the car but it's perfect for those living in apartments or who don't need to move their cot too much.
We recommend the SnuzKot as an alternative to a cot that is budget-friendly, particularly when it comes with a toddler kit (sold separately) and mattress extender. It can grow with your child until about four years old, and our dad tester loved the fact that it was able to transform into a minimalist toddler bed and created an ambiance of cocoons by incorporating a fabric canopy.
Safety
A cot that is safe and sturdy is not just required to meet the strict UK safety standards, but also be sturdy and secure. Look for a sturdy design with bars of safety or sides and a solid foundation so that your baby is not able to climb out. Some cots include extra features, such as teething rails and under-bed drawers which can help organize your home while your baby is growing.
Parent tester Becki says that her Boori cot "has lasted through 3 children and is still stunning." Its traditional style will suit most homes and it's made from sustainable sources of Australian Araucaria and New Zealand Radiata wood, so you'll feel comfortable about your purchase. It can be converted from a cot to a toddler bed (leaving three sides open to give you reassurance) and also has the option for an extension kit that takes it all the way up to a double bed when your child is ready.
This simple, stylish cot is a good choice when you're on a tight budget. It's simple to put together and has clearly labeled components and clear instructions. It comes with three mattress options that allow you to alter the height of your baby as he grows. It will fit most standard crib mattresses and is a great buy for the money.
This is a fantastic option if you are looking for an extremely high-end cot. It comes with four mattress positions in the cot position and will last until your child is around three years old. It can also be folded and has wheels that lock, making it easy to move it from one room to the next.
This cot comes with a convenient travel bag and is one of the smallest cots that we tested, weighing just 6kg. It's also extremely durable, with a strong frame that can withstand the raging toddlers. The instructions were well written and clear, but our testers found the assembly to be a little challenging. They also noted that the slats were spaced sufficiently apart to avoid fingers from getting caught between them.
Mini Cot Bed 's also more expensive than other cots we have reviewed but the durability and functionality are worth the cost.
Design
When buying a cot bed it's easy to get caught up in the specs and safety features, but don't neglect the style. The cot you choose for your baby will be used for a long time so it's essential to find one you like and is also practical and functional.
The ickle bubba Snowdon Classic Bed is the best cot bed for design lovers, with its sleek modern version of the traditional sleigh design that doesn't have the bulky feel that these beds can often feature. It also doesn't skimp on storage space, and comes with a pull-out drawer that fits under the cot, plus teething rails that can be connected to the side of the. It was sturdy and robust. The three-position height of the base allows it to grow with your baby.
Alternatively you can choose 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's designed to last until your child reaches six years old, before transforming first into a junior bed, and then into a stylish sofa bed. It's also one of only a handful of cot beds that we've tested with a drawer, a teething rail, and a hanging rail.
Another option with a smart panel design is the Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed, which is available in several color options to fit your nursery decor. The storage drawer was especially useful for clothing and bedding. Our mom testers were impressed with its features. It is also one of the easiest cot beds to put together. The pieces are clearly labelled, and the instructions are easy to follow. It's also a great choice for those who have a limited space, as it can be folded and then flat-packed. It's a standard cot mattress (140cm by 70cm), and is suitable for children from birth to toddlerhood. An extension kit allows it to be used until 10 years old.
Convertability
There are many baby essentials you need to think about as a new parent. But one of the most important is a good quality cot bed - you want something that lasts as long as possible and will grow with your child, giving them a safe and comfortable place to sleep.
Some cots are designed to be more than just a bed for toddlers. The Boori Eton Cot Bed is our top choice. It can be converted to a toddler (L207cm, W147cm H90cm) as well as the daybed (L234cm, W145cm and H70cm) and sofa (L234cm, W145cm, and H70cm). This makes it our most durable choice that will last your child from birth to the time of their childhood.
It's expensive in comparison to other cot beds we evaluated, but it offers an attractive look and feel that will be a perfect fit for any nursery. Our parents who tested it were impressed with how easy it was to build and set up however they did mention that the instructions could be more clear. This is a minor flaw, though, considering it was still very straightforward and took less than 30 minutes to complete.
Another impressive feature of this cot is the fact that it has four mattress heights for the base, which is an upgrade on the three standard options. This gives you the ability to adjust it as your child grows since they may require an upper or lower base level, based on their age and level. It also comes with useful teething rails as well as a plastic strip along the top to protect it from biting.
This cot comes in a variety of Scandi-inspired finishes and our dad tester was especially impressed by the grey finish. It's not cheap however it offers great value for money as it will take your child through toddlerhood and beyond. It's also covered by an assurance of one year to ensure that it will last. The only thing you'll have to purchase separately is a mattress, which isn't included.