How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
With so many essentials for babies to consider, a top crib bed is among the most important buys. This guide has been created to assist you in choosing the right cot for your baby.
This premium option fits perfectly in Scandi style nursery. It's a sturdy and long-lasting choice that can grow with your child. It has three mattress height options and the ability to remove the sides for a sleek bench-style toddler bed.
nursery cots
When it comes to cots, there's something for every budget and every nursery. There are also a range of options that provide different amounts of longevity and even convert into toddler beds for use through the age of preschool and beyond. Obviously, the ones that convert into beds do tend to be more expensive, but the investment can really pay off if you want an item that lasts for many years, not just the duration of a few months.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley was our overall winner, with its stunning design and easy-to-assemble design making it a great choice for parents looking for an excellent crib that can stand the years. The sleek design and warm finish will look fantastic in the Scandi nursery. This cot bed has a handy drawer, which mom tester Katrina thought was superior to cheaper cots that have an inbuilt drawer, and an anti-bite strip of plastic across the top of the rails of the cot to prevent your child from getting their teeth stuck in the bars. This cot bed is not inexpensive, and it requires an Allen key for setup.
A less expensive option that will still give your baby a comfy night's sleep is the cot that's Elementary from John Lewis' Anyday range. Our testers with parents liked the simple design and easy assembly. The cot is small when folded and can be put away and easily tucked away into a carry bag that's as big as the carry case of a camping chair. It's not the best choice for car camping but it's perfect for people living in apartments or who won't be moving their cot around too often.
We recommend the SnuzKot as an alternative to a cot that is budget-friendly, particularly when it comes with the toddler kit (sold separately) and mattress extender. It will grow with your baby until they are around four years old. Our dad tester liked the possibility of converting it into a minimalist-looking toddler bed, and created the feeling of a cocoon by putting up a fabric canopy.
Safety
A good cot should not only meet the strict UK safety standards, but it should also be sturdy and secure. Find a sturdy style with safety bars or sides, and a solid base so that your child is unable to move out. Some cots come with extra features like teething rails or drawers for under-bed storage that will help you stay organized while your baby grows.
Parent test participant Becki says her Boori cot "has been through three children and is still stunning." Its traditional style is suitable for all homes and it's made from sustainably sourced Australian Araucaria and New Zealand Radiata wood, which means you can feel confident about your purchase. It can be converted from a cot to a toddler bed by leaving three sides open to ensure security. There's also an extension kit available that will take it up to a full-sized bed when your child is ready.
This simple, stylish cot is a great choice for those on a tight budget. It's simple to put together and has clearly labeled components and clear instructions. It comes with three height settings for the mattress so that you can adjust it as your baby grows. It can be used with standard cot mattresses and is a great purchase for the price.
If you're looking for a premium cot, this one is a great option. It can be used as a cot and has four mattress positions. It can last your baby until they are around three years old. It also folds flat and has lockable wheels, making it very convenient to move it from room to room.
This cot is lightweight at just 6kg and comes with a convenient bag for travel. It's also very sturdy, with a strong frame that can handle noisy toddlers. The instructions were well written and clear, however our testers found the assembly a little challenging. They were impressed by the fact that the slats were spaced sufficiently apart to avoid fingers getting caught in between them. It's also a bit more expensive than some of the other cots that we looked at, but it is worth the cost for its durability and utility.
Design
When purchasing a cot bed it's easy to be engrossed in the specs and safety features, but don't overlook the style. It is essential to choose the cot bed that is both functional and beautiful.
The ickle bubba Snowdon Classic Bed is the ideal bed for those who love design with its sleek contemporary version of the traditional sleigh design that does not have the bulky look that these types of beds often feature. It's got plenty of storage space and storage options, including a drawer that fits underneath the cot, as well as teething rails on the sides. It was sturdy and robust. The three-position height of the base lets it grow with your baby.
The Modena cot-bed from Tutti Bambini is a great value for money and comes in a panelled design that will fit in with any nursery. It is designed to last until they reach six years old. old. It converts into a junior mattress and then into an elegant sofa bed. It is also one of only a few cot beds that we've tested with the option of a drawer, a teething rail, and a hanging rail.
Another option that has a stylish panelled design is the Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed, that is available in a variety of colors to match the decor of your nursery. The storage drawer was especially useful for clothing and bedding. Our mum testers were impressed by its features. It is also one of the most simple cot beds to put together. The components are clearly labeled and the instructions are easy to follow. It's also a great choice for those with limited space as it can be folded and then flat-packed. It uses a standard cot-mattress (140cm by 70cm), and is suitable for children from birth through toddlerhood. An extension kit permits it to be used up to 10 years of age.
Convertibility
There are a lot of baby essentials that you must consider when the new parent. One of the most important things to think about is a top-quality cot bed. You want it to last for as long as possible and grow with your child, so that they have a secure bed to sleep in.
Some cots are designed to be more than just a bed for children. The Boori Eton Cot Bed is our top choice. It converts into a toddler (L207cm, W147cm, H90cm) and it can also be used as a daybed (L234cm, W145cm and H70cm), and a sofa (L234cm, W145cm, and H70cm). This makes it the longest-lasting choice on our list, as it is designed to last through from birth to childhood.
It's a little more expensive than the other cot beds we tested, but its premium look and feel will fit in any nursery. Our parent testers were really impressed by how simple it was to set up and build however they did mention that the instructions could be more clear. This isn't a big issue however, as it was a breeze and took less than 30 minutes to complete.
This cot comes with four base heights for the mattress. This is an upgrade over the three most common options. This allows you to adjust the cot as your child grows. They may need a lower or higher base level depending on their age and ability. 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 expensive, but it does offer excellent value for money since it will see your child through to the age of toddler and beyond. It's also covered by a 1-year warranty so you can be confident that it will last. The only thing you'll have to purchase an additional mattress, that's not included.