How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
The best cot bed is an absolute essential item for any baby. This guide will assist you in choosing the right cot for your baby.
A high-quality bed that fits beautifully in nursery spaces that are reminiscent of Scandi. It's a durable and sturdy option that will grow with your child. It has three mattress height positions and the ability to remove the sides for a sleek bench-style toddler bed.
Budget
When it comes to cots, there's something for every budget and every nursery. There are a myriad of options with different levels of durability and some convert into toddler beds to be used throughout the age of preschool and beyond. The ones that can be turned into a bed are more expensive, however they'll last longer.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley won our overall award. Its luxurious design and easy to assemble make it an ideal choice for those looking for an excellent cot that will last for a lifetime. Our testers for parents liked the minimalist design and warm oak finish of this model, which looks stunning in a Scandi-style nursery. This cot bed comes with a drawer that mum tester Katrina thought was more suitable than less expensive cots that have an integrated drawer. It also has an anti-bite strip on the top rails of the cot to prevent your child's teeth from getting stuck. However, at PS599 with a mattress sold separately this crib isn't cheap. It does require an Allen key to start it up.
A more affordable option that will still give your baby a good night's rest is the cot that's Elementary from John Lewis' Anyday range. The easy design and simple assembly were praised by our parent testers. The cot can be folded up and stored easily, because it fits in bags similar to the one used for the camping chair. It's not the best choice for camping in the car however it's suitable for apartment life or those who don't need to move their cot too much.
We suggest the SnuzKot as another cot for under $100, particularly when it comes with a toddler kit (sold separately) and mattress extender. It can grow with your child until they're about four years old, and our dad tester loved the fact that it can be converted into a minimal-looking toddler bed and gave the feeling of a cocoon by incorporating a fabric canopy.
Safety
A cot that is of good quality is not just required to 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 base so that your baby is not able to get out. cheap cot bed come with extra features like teething rails and under-bed drawers that can help you organize your life while your baby is growing.
Parent tester Becki says that her Boori cot "has lasted through 3 children and still looks amazing." Its classic design is suitable for all homes and it's made from sustainable sources of Australian Araucaria and New Zealand Radiata wood, so you'll feel comfortable about the purchase. It can be transformed from a cot into a toddler bed by leaving three sides open to ensure safety. There's also an extension kit available which can convert it to a full-sized bed when your child's ready.
This simple but stylish cot is a great option if you're on a budget. It's easy to set up and comes with clearly labeled parts and clear instructions. It has three mattress height settings so you can adjust it as your baby grows. It fits most standard cot mattress and is a great buy for the price.
This is an excellent choice when you're in search of a high-end cot. It comes with four mattress base positions when in cot mode and will last until your baby is three years old. It also folds flat and has lockable wheels, making it extremely convenient to move it from room to room.
The cot comes with a convenient travel bag and is one of the lightest cots we test at 6kg. It's also extremely robust and has strong frame that can stand up to the demands of boisterous toddlers. The instructions were well-written and clear, however our testers found the assembly to be a little challenging. The slats were set apart to prevent fingers from getting caught between them. It's also a bit more expensive than the other cots we looked at, but it is worth the investment for its durability and utility.
Design
It's easy to overlook the design when buying a cot-bed. It's crucial to select a cot bed that is both practical and attractive.
The icklebubba Snowdon Classic bed is the perfect cot for those who love design. Its sleek, modern take on the classic sleigh design does not have the bulky feel that these types can have. It also has plenty of storage space and features an extra drawer that slides under the cot, plus teething rails that can be affixed to the side. It was sturdy and durable. The three-position height of the base allows it to expand with your baby.
The Modena cot-bed by Tutti Bambini is a great value and comes in a panelled design that will fit in with any nursery. It's made to last until they are six years older. cot beds for sale can be converted into a junior mattress and then into an elegant sofa bed. It is also one of only a few cot beds that we have tested with a drawer, a teething rail, and a hanging rail.
The Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed is another option that has panels. It comes in a variety of colours to complement your nursery's decor. Our mom testers loved its nifty features and the storage drawer being especially useful for storing bedding and clothing. It is also one of the easiest cot bed to put together. All the pieces are clearly labeled, and the directions are easy to follow. It's also a great option for those who have a limited space as it can be folded and then flat-packed. It takes a standard cot mattress (140cm x 70cm) and is suitable from birth to toddlerhood with an extension kit that allows it to be used up until your child is 10 years old. old.
Convertability
When you're a new parent there are a myriad of essential items for babies to consider. But one of the most important is a good quality cot bed. You want something that lasts for as long as you can and grow with your child, giving them a safe and comfortable place to sleep.
While the majority of cots can be converted into toddler beds by the purchase of a conversion kit, some cot beds are designed to go a step further than this. The Boori Eton Cot Bed is our top choice. It can be converted into an infant (L207cm, W147cm, H90cm) and it can also be used as a daybed (L234cm, W145cm and H70cm), and a sofa (L234cm, W145cm, H70cm). This is the longest-lasting option on our list, because it will last your child through childhood to.
It's a little more expensive than some of the other cot-beds we tried, but its premium look and feel will fit in any nursery. Our parents who tested it were impressed by how simple it was to set up and build, although they did note that the instructions could be clearer. This is a minor fault however, as it was still very simple and took just 30 minutes to complete.
Another unique aspect of this cot is that it has four mattress heights for the base, which is an upgrade on the three most popular options. This allows you to adjust it as your child gets older, as they may need an upper 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 prevent it from being bit.
This cot is available in a variety of Scandi-inspired colors and our dad tester was attracted by the grey-colored finish. It's not cheap but it's an excellent value for money, as it will see your child through to toddlerhood and beyond. Plus, it's covered by an one-year guarantee which gives you confidence that it's sturdy and durable. The only thing that you'll need to purchase separately is the mattress.