10 Tell-Tale Signals You Need To Know Before You Buy Best Cot Bed

How to Choose the Best Cot Bed

With so many baby must-haves to consider, the best crib bed is among the most important purchases. Therefore, we've created this guide to help you choose the perfect choice for your little one.

A top-quality option that will look great in Scandi-style nurseries. This sturdy and durable option can expand with your baby with three mattress positions, and the ability remove the sides to create a chic bench-style toddler bed.

Budget

When it comes to cots there's a cot to fit every budget and every nursery. There's also a variety of options with various levels of longevity and some convert into toddler beds for use throughout the preschool years and beyond. The ones that can be transformed into beds are more expensive, but they will last longer.

The Mamas & Papas Coxley was our overall winner, with its stunning design and easy-to-assemble design, making it an excellent choice for those who want an extremely high-quality cot that will stand up to the years. Our parents loved the minimalist design and warm oak finish of this model, which looks amazing in a modern-style Scandi nursery. The cot bed has an adjustable drawer that mom tester Katrina considered to be an excellent alternative to cheaper cots with a drawer built in. It also comes with an anti-bite strip on the top rails of the cot, to prevent your child's teeth from getting caught. This cot bed isn't inexpensive, and it requires an Allen key for setup.

A more affordable alternative that will still provide your baby a comfy night's sleep is the Elementary cot from John Lewis' Anyday range. The simple design and easy assembly were highly praised by our testers' parents. The cot is foldable up and stored easily, as it fits into a bag the size of the one used for a camping chair. It's not ideal for car camping but it's perfect for apartment life or those who won't be moving their cot around too often.

We recommend the SnuzKot as another budget-friendly cot, especially when it comes with a toddler kit (sold separately) and mattress extender. It will expand with your child until about four years old, and our dad tester liked the fact that it can be converted into a minimalist toddler bed, and also created a cocoon-like feeling by incorporating a fabric canopy.

Safety

A cot that is safe and sturdy should not only meet the strict UK safety standards, but also be sturdy and secure. Find a sturdy style with safety bars or sides, and a solid foundation so that your child is unable to climb out. Some cot cribs beds, Ondashboard.win, will also come with extra features, such as teething rails and under-bed drawers, which can help you keep things organised as your baby is growing.

The Boori cot is made of sustainable Australian Araucaria wood and New Zealand Radiata, so you can be confident in the purchase. It converts from a cot to a toddler bed (leaving three sides up to give you reassurance) and comes with an 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 a great choice for those with a tight budget. It's easy to set up, with clearly labelled parts and clear instructions. It comes with three mattress options that allow you to alter the height as your child grows. It is compatible with most cots with a standard mattresses and is a great purchase for the price.

This is an excellent choice if you are looking for a high-end cot. It can be used as a cot, and comes with four mattress positions. It will last your baby until they are about three years old. It also can be folded flat and has locking wheels, making it mobile if you have to move it from room to room.

This cot is lightweight at just 6kg and comes with a convenient bag for traveling. It is also very durable, with a sturdy frame that will withstand boisterous toddlers. The instructions were well written and clear, however our testers found the assembly to be a little challenging. They noted that the slats were spaced sufficiently apart to avoid fingers getting caught in between them. It is also more expensive than other cots 4 tots that we have reviewed, however the durability and function make it a worthwhile investment.

Design

When you are buying a cot bed, it's easy to get caught up in the specs and safety features, but don't overlook the design. It's crucial to select the cot bed that is both functional and beautiful.

The ickle bubba Snowdon Classic Bed is the perfect cot bed for design lovers with its sleek contemporary design that is a modern take on the traditional sleigh design that doesn't have the bulky feel that these beds often come with. It's got plenty of storage space such as the drawer that is built into the cot as well as rails for teething on the sides. It was strong and sturdy. The three-position height of the base lets it grow with your child.

Alternately you can choose the Modena cot bed from Tutti Bambini offers excellent value for money. It also has an elegant panel design that is perfect for any nursery. It's made to last until your child is six years old, and then it transforms first into a junior bed and later to a chic sofa bed. It's also one of the only cot beds we've tested with a draw as well as a hanging rail and teething rails, while its solid pine construction makes it a good option for parents who want their cot to endure the test of time.

The Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed is another option with a panelled design. It comes in a variety of colors to match your nursery decor. Our mom testers loved its clever features and the storage drawer particularly useful to store bedding and clothes. It's also one of the easiest cot beds to build, with all pieces being clearly labelled and easy to follow instructions. It's also a great option for those with limited space because it can be flat-packed and then collapsed. It takes the standard cot mattress (140cm 70cm x 140cm) and is suitable from birth to toddlerhood, with an extension kit that allows it to be used up until your child is 10 years of age.

Convertability

When you're a new parent there are a myriad of essential items for babies to consider. One of the most important items to consider is a high-quality cot for sale bed. You want it to last for as long as possible and grow with your child, so that they have a secure place to sleep.

While the majority of cots can be made into toddler beds by the purchase of a conversion kit, some cot beds are designed to go a step further than this. Our top choice is the Boori Eton Convertible Bed, which can be converted into an infant bed (L207cm x W147cm x H90cm) and also a sofa and daybed (L234cm x W145cm and H70cm). This makes it the longest-lasting choice on our list, since it will last your child through the years from birth until childhood.

It's expensive compared to some of the other cot beds we tested, but it has a premium design and feel that will be a perfect fit for any nursery. Our parent testers were really impressed by how simple it was to set up and build but they did say that the instructions could be clearer. This is not a major issue however, as it was still a breeze and took less than thirty minutes to complete.

Another unique characteristic of this cot is that it has four mattress heights for the base which is an upgrade on the three most common options. This gives you the ability to adjust it as your child grows, because they might require a lower or higher base level based on their age and level. It also comes with teething rails and a plastic strip that runs along the top to guard it from biting.

The grey finish was the favorite of our dad test-driver. It's not cheap however it offers great value for money as it will take your child through toddlerhood and beyond. It also comes with an assurance of one year so you can be confident that it will last. The only thing you'll need to purchase an additional mattress, which is not included.