The 9 Things Your Parents Taught You About Best Cot Bed
How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
The best cot bed (try Marcomanfredini) is a must-have for every baby cots online. We've created this guide to help find the best choice for your baby cot online.
This high-end option works perfectly to be used in Scandi style nurseries. This sturdy and durable choice can expand with your baby cots online with three mattress positions and the ability to take the sides off to create a stylish bench-style toddler bed.
Budget
There is a cot for every nursery and budget. There are also different choices that come with different durations, some of which can be converted into toddler beds to be used throughout the preschool years or beyond. Of course, the ones that convert into beds do tend to be more expensive but the extra investment can really pay off in the event that you need a cot that lasts for a long time instead of just a few months.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley was our overall winner, with its elegant design and simple design making it a great option for parents who want a top quality cot that will stand up to the test of time. The minimalist design and warm color is perfect for the Scandi nursery. The cot bed also has a drawer, which mom tester Katrina thought was an improvement over less expensive cots with a built-in drawer, and an anti-bite plastic strip across the top of the rails of the cot to prevent your child from getting their teeth caught in the bars. However, at PS599 with a mattress sold separately this crib isn't cheap. It does require an Allen key to make it functional.
A more affordable option that will still give your baby a good night's sleep is the Elementary cot from John Lewis' Anyday range. The easy design and simple assembly were highly praised by our testers' parents. The cot can be folded up and stored easily, because it fits in bags similar to that used for a camping chair. It's on the lightweight side which means it might not be suitable for camping in the car but it's a good choice to live in apartments or for those who don't want to move their cot around for too long.
The SnuzKot is a good budget-friendly cot we recommend, especially if you choose to purchase the toddler kit and mattress extender (sold separately). It can grow with your child until around four years old, and our dad tester liked the fact that it was able to transform into an unassuming toddler bed, and also created a cocoon-like feeling with its fabric canopy.
Safety
A good cot will not only meet UK safety standards but also feel solid and secure. Find a sturdy design that includes sides or safety bars and solid foundations that your child can't easily climb out. Some cot beds include extra features, such as teething rails, under-bed drawers and even a crib which can help organize your life while your baby is growing.
Parent test participant Becki says that her Boori cot "has endured through 3 kids and still looks amazing." Its traditional style is suitable for all homes and is made of sustainable sources of Australian Araucaria and New Zealand Radiata wood, so you'll feel comfortable about your purchase. It can be converted from a cot to a toddler bed (leaving three sides open for peace of mind) and comes with an option of an extension kit that can take it all the way to a double bed when your child is ready.
This elegant and simple cot is an excellent choice for those with a tight budget. It's easy to set up and has clearly labeled components and clear instructions. It comes with three mattress height settings, so you can adjust it as your baby grows. It is compatible with most standard crib mattresses and is a good buy for the price.
This is a great choice when you're in search of a high-end cot. It has an impressive four mattress positions in the cot position and will last until your child is about three years old. It can be folded flat and has lockable wheels, making it portable if you need to move it from room to room.
The cot is extremely light at only 6kg and comes with a convenient bag for traveling. It's also extremely robust and has strong frame that can withstand boisterous toddlers. The instructions were well-written and clear, but our testers found the assembly a bit difficult. The slats were placed far enough apart to prevent fingers from getting caught between them. It's also a bit more expensive than some of the other cots we looked at, but it is worth the investment for its longevity and practicality.
Design
It's easy to overlook the style when you are buying a cot bed. The cot you choose for your baby will be in use for a long period of time, so it's important to find one you like and is also practical and useful.
The classic ickle bubba Bed is the ideal bed for those who love design with its sleek contemporary design that is a modern take on the traditional sleigh design that doesn't have the bulky feeling that these types of beds often have. It's packed with storage space-saving features, including the drawer that is built into the cot as well as rails for teething on the sides. Our mother test subject found it solid and sturdy, with the ability to adjust the height of the base three times, which allows the bed to grow with your child.
Alternatively, 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 designed to last until they are six years older. It can be converted into a junior mattress and it transforms into a stylish sofa bed. It is also one of only a handful of cot beds that we have tested with an apex drawer as well as a teething rail and a hanging rail.
Another option that has a stylish panel design is the Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed, which comes in a variety of color options to fit your nursery decor. Our mom testers loved its unique features including the drawer for storage being particularly useful for storing bedding and clothing. It's also among the easiest cot beds for parents to assemble, with all the pieces clearly labeled and easy to follow instructions. It is also an excellent choice for those who have little space since it can be flat-packed and then collapsed. It uses a standard cot-mattress (140cm by 70cm) and is suitable for babies to toddlerhood. An extension kit allows it to be used up to 10 years old.
Convertibility
There are many baby essentials that you should consider as you become a new parent. But one of the most important is a quality cot bed - you want something that lasts as long as possible and grow with your child, giving them a safe and comfortable place to sleep.
Although most cots can be made into toddler beds with the purchase of a conversion kit, some cot beds are designed to go a step further than this. Our top pick is the Boori Eton Convertible Plus Cot Bed, which converts into a toddler bed (L207cm x W147cm x H90cm), as well as a sofa and daybed (L234cm x W145cm x H70cm). This is the longest-lasting option on our list, as it is designed to last through childhood to.
It's not cheap when compared to other cot beds that we evaluated, but it offers a premium design and feel that will fit in with any nursery. The instructions could be more simple, but our parents test subjects were impressed with how easy it was for to construct and put up. This is a minor flaw however, as it was a breeze and took less than 30 minutes to complete.
This cot has four different mattress base heights. This is an improvement over the three most popular options. This gives you the ability to adjust it as your child grows, as they may need a higher or lower base level depending on their age and abilities. It comes with teething rails that can be useful and a plastic strip on the top to prevent it from getting bitten.
This cot comes in a variety of Scandi-inspired finishes and our dad tester was especially keen on the grey finish. It's not expensive, but it does offer excellent value for money since it will see your child through toddlerhood and beyond. Plus, it's covered by an one-year guarantee, so you have assurance that it's sturdy and long-lasting. The only thing you'll have to buy separately is a mattress, which is not included.