How to Choose the best cots Cot Bed

The best cot bed is a must-have for any baby. This guide has been created to help you choose the right bed for your baby.

This high-end option works perfectly it perfectly Scandi style nursery. It's a sturdy and durable choice that can grow with your child, with three mattress height positions and the ability to remove the sides to create a chic bench-style toddler bed.

Budget

When it comes to cots there's something to suit every budget and every nursery. There are also a range of options that offer different amounts of longevity and even convert into toddler beds to be used through the preschool years and beyond. The ones that can be converted into a bed are more expensive, but they'll last longer.

The Mamas & Papas Coxley was our overall winner, with its luxurious aesthetic and easy-to-assemble design. It's a great choice for parents looking for an excellent cot that will stand the years. The sleek design and warm-toned finish is perfect for an Scandi nursery. This cot bed has a handy drawer that mum tester Katrina thought was a better option than some cheaper cots that come with a built-in 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 caught in the bars. However, at over PS599 with a mattress that is sold separately this bed isn't cheap, and it requires an Allen key to start it up.

A more budget-friendly option that will still give your baby a good cribs night's sleep is the Elementary cot from John Lewis' Anyday range. Our parent testers loved the simple design and easy assembly. The cot is foldable into a compact size and stored because it fits in a bag the size of the one used to store the camping chair. It's not ideal for camping in the car however it's suitable for people living in apartments or who don't need to move their cot around too often.

We suggest the SnuzKot as another budget-friendly cot, especially when it comes with the toddler kit (sold separately) and mattress extender. It can grow with your child until around four years old, and our dad tester liked the fact it converted to an unassuming toddler bed and gave the feeling of a cocoon with its fabric canopy.

Safety

A good cot will not only be in compliance with UK safety standards, but also feel sturdy and secure. Look for a sturdy design with safety bars or sides, and a solid foundation, so that your child is unable to move out. Some cots have additional features, such as teething rails and drawers under the bed that can help you keep things organised while your little one is growing.

The Boori cot is made of sustainable Australian Araucaria wood and New Zealand Radiata, so you can feel confident about the purchase. It can be transformed from a cot to a toddler bed by leaving three sides open to ensure security. There is also an extension kit which can convert it to a larger bed when your child's ready.

This stylish but simple cot is a great option for those with a tight budget. It's easy to put together with clearly marked components and clear instructions. It comes with three height settings for the mattress so that you can adjust it as your baby grows. It will fit most standard mattress cots and is a great purchase for the money.

This is a fantastic option when you're in search of a high-end cot. It can be used as a cot sales and has four mattress positions. It will keep your baby safe until they reach the age of three. It folds up and has wheels that lock, making it easy for moving it from one room to the next.

This cot is very light at only 6kg and comes with a great bag to carry it around in. It is also very robust, with an extremely sturdy frame that can be able to withstand the rigors of toddlers. The instructions were well-written and clear, but our testers found the assembly to be a little challenging. The slats were set apart to avoid fingers getting trapped between them. It's also more expensive than the other cots we reviewed however, it's worth the cost for its longevity and practicality.

Design

When purchasing a cot bed it's easy to be engrossed in the spec and safety features, but don't overlook the design. The cot you choose for your baby will be in use for a long period of time, so it's essential to find one you like and also is practical and useful.

The classic ickle bubba Bed is the ideal cot bed for design lovers, with its sleek modern version of the traditional sleigh design that does not have the bulky look that these types of beds can often feature. It's got plenty of space-saving storage and storage options, including the drawer that is built into the cot and teething rails on the sides. Our mother test subject found it to be sturdy and robust, with three positions of base height that allows the bed to expand with your child.

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, converting first into a junior bed and later into a chic sofa bed. It's also among the only cot beds we tested that has draw, a hanging rail and teething rails. Additionally, its solid pine construction makes it a good cribs choice for parents who want their cot bed to stand the test of time.

The Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed is another option that has panels. It comes in a range of colors to match the decor of your nursery. The storage drawer was particularly useful for clothing and bedding. Our mum testers were impressed with the features. It's also the easiest cot beds to put together. The pieces are clearly labeled, and the directions are easy to follow. It is also an excellent option for those with limited space as it can be flat-packed and then collapsed. It is made of a standard cot-mattress (140cm by 70cm), and is suitable for children from birth through toddlerhood. An extension kit permits it to be used until 10 years of age.

Convertability

There are many baby essentials you need to think about as you become a new parent. One of the most important is a quality cot bed - you need something that will last for as long as it can and will grow with your child to provide them a secure and comfortable place to sleep.

While the majority of cots can be transformed to toddler beds through the purchase of a conversion kit certain cots are designed to go beyond this. The Boori Eton Cot Bed is our top pick. It converts into an infant (L207cm, W147cm H90cm) as well as a daybed (L234cm, W145cm and H70cm), and a sofa (L234cm, W145cm, and H70cm). This is the longest-lasting option on our list, as it should see your child through the years from birth until childhood.

It's a bit pricey when compared to other cot beds we've tested, but it has an elegant design and feel that will fit in with any nursery. The instructions could be more simple, but our parents testers were impressed by how easy it was them to build and set up. This isn't a major issue but it was still very straightforward and took less than 30 minutes to complete.

Another impressive feature of this cot is that it has four mattress heights for the base, which is an upgrade on the three standard options. This allows you to adjust it as your child grows because they might require a lower or higher base level based on their age and abilities. It also comes with teething rails as well as a plastic strip that runs along the top to shield it from being bitten.

The grey finish was the most popular of our dad's testers. It is not cheap cot beds however it is a the best value for money as it will last through the age of toddler and beyond. Additionally, it comes with one-year warranties which gives you peace of mind that it will be sturdy and long-lasting. The only thing you'll need to buy separately is a mattress, which isn't included.