How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
The best cot bed is a must-have for every baby. This guide will assist you in choosing the right cot for your baby.
A high-quality bed that will look great in nursery spaces that are reminiscent of Scandi. This sturdy and durable option can grow with your baby with three mattress positions and the ability to take the sides off to create a chic 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 lifespans and some of them can be transformed into toddler beds to be used in the age of preschool or beyond. The ones that can be transformed into beds are more expensive, but they'll last longer.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley won our overall prize. Its gorgeous aesthetics and simple to assemble design makes it a fantastic choice for those who want an excellent cot that will last a lifetime. Our testers for parents liked the minimalist design and warm oak finish of this model, which will look amazing in a modern-style Scandi nursery. This cot bed also has a handy drawer, which mum tester Katrina thought was a better option than some cheaper cots that come with an integrated drawer, as well as an anti-bite strip of plastic along the top of the rails of the cot to prevent your child from getting their teeth stuck in the bars. But at PS599 with a mattress sold separately the crib isn't cheap. It requires an Allen key to make it functional.
The Elementary cot is a more affordable option that will give your baby a peaceful night's sleep. It's part of the range called Anyday by John Lewis. Our parent testers were impressed by the simplicity of the design and quick, straightforward assembly. The cot is foldable into a compact size and stored as it fits into bags similar to the one used to store the camping chair. It's a bit light which means it might not be ideal for car camping however it's suitable for living in an apartment or for those who don't plan to move their cot around for too long.
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 they're approximately four years old and our dad testers loved the fact that it can be converted into an unassuming toddler bed and gave a cocoon-like feeling with its fabric canopy.
Safety
A cot that is well-designed will not only meet UK safety standards, but will also feel solid and secure. Find a sturdy design with safety bars or sides, as well as an erect base that your child can't easily climb out. Some cots have additional features such as teething rails, or drawers under the bed that will aid in keeping your baby organized as your baby grows.
Parent test subject Becki says that her Boori cot "has lasted through 3 children and is still beautiful." Its traditional design will suit most homes and it's made from sustainably-sourced Australian Araucaria and New Zealand Radiata wood, so you'll feel comfortable about your purchase. It converts from a cot to a toddler bed (leaving three sides open to give you peace of mind) and also has the option for an extension kit that can take it all the way up to a double bed when your child is ready.
This simple but stylish cot is an excellent choice for those with a tight budget. It's simple to put together, with clearly labelled parts and clear instructions. It comes with three mattress settings that allow you to alter the height as your child grows. It can be used with standard cot mattresses and is a good purchase for the price.
If you're looking for a top cot, this is a great option. It can be used as a cot, and comes with four mattress positions. her comment is here 'll keep your baby safe until they are around three years old. It folds up and has wheels that lock, making it a great option for moving it from one room to the next.
This cot is light at only 6kg and comes with a handy bag to carry it around in. It's also extremely sturdy, with a strong frame that can handle boisterous toddlers. Our testers found it to be a bit tricky to put together, however the instructions were clear and well-written. The slats were spaced sufficiently apart to avoid fingers getting caught between them. It's also more expensive than some of the other cots we looked at, but it is worth the investment for its longevity and practicality.
Design
When you are buying a cot bed, it's easy to be engrossed in the specs and safety features, but don't overlook the design. It is essential to choose a cot bed that is both functional and beautiful.
The classic ickle bubba Bed is the perfect bed for those who appreciate design, with its sleek modern take on a traditional sleigh design that doesn't have the bulky feel that these beds usually have. It has plenty of storage space such as the drawer that is built into the cot, as well as teething rails on the side. It was strong and sturdy. The three-position height of the base allows it to grow with your child.
Alternatively you can choose the Modena cot bed from Tutti Bambini offers excellent value for money and comes with a stylish panel design that is perfect for any nursery. It's designed to be used until your child is six years old, converting first into a junior bed, and then into a stylish sofa bed. It's also one of the cot beds that we've tested with an opening with a hanging rail as well as teething rails. Its solid pine construction makes it an excellent choice for parents who want their cot to endure the test of time.
Another option that has a stylish panelled design is the Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed, which comes in a variety of color options to fit the decor of your nursery. Our mom testers loved its clever features including the storage drawer particularly useful to store bedding and clothes. It's also among the easiest cot beds for parents to put together, with all the pieces clearly labeled and easy to understand instructions. It's also a great choice for those who have a limited space as it can be collapsed and then flat-packed. It takes an ordinary 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 turns 10 years old. old.
Convertibility
There are many baby essentials that you must consider when a new parent. One of the most important things to consider is a high-quality crib bed. You want it to last for as long as you can and evolve with your child so they can have a safe place to sleep.
While most cots can be made to toddler beds through the purchase of a conversion kit some cots are made to go further than this. Our preferred choice is the Boori Eton Convertible Bed, which transforms into an infant bed (L207cm x W147cm x H90cm) and a sofa and daybed (L234cm x W145cm and H70cm). her comment is here makes it our most durable pick that will last from birth through the age of.
It's a bit pricey compared to some of the other cot beds we tested, but it has an attractive design and feel that will be a perfect fit for any nursery. The instructions could be more clear, but our parent testers were impressed by how easy it was for to construct and install. This isn't a big issue however, as it was incredibly simple and took less than thirty minutes to complete.
The cot comes with four different base heights for mattresses. This is an improvement over the three most popular options. This allows you to adjust the cot as your child grows. They might require an upper or lower base level, based on their age and abilities. It also comes with useful teething rails and a plastic strip along the top to protect it from being bitten.
This cot is available in a variety of Scandi-inspired finishes, and our dad tester was particularly attracted by the grey-colored finish. It's not expensive, but it does offer great value for money as it will take your child through toddlerhood and beyond. It's also covered by one-year warranty, to ensure that it will last. The only thing you'll need to buy separately is a mattress, which isn't included.