How to Choose the Best Cot Bed

With so many baby must-haves to consider, the best cots uk cot bed is among the most important purchases. We've created this guide to assist you in choosing the right cot for your baby.

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

Budget

There's a cot that fits every nursery and budget. There are a myriad of options with various levels of longevity, with some converting into toddler beds to be used through the preschool years and beyond. The ones that can be turned into a bed are more expensive, but they'll last longer.

The Mamas & Papas Coxley was our overall winner, with its stunning design and easy-to-assemble design making it a great choice for those who want a top quality crib that can stand the test of time. The minimalist design and warm color will look fantastic in an Scandi nursery. This cot bed has a handy drawer, which mom tester Katrina felt was a better option than some less expensive cots with an integrated drawer, as well as a plastic strip that prevents bites along the top of the cot rails to guard your child from getting their teeth stuck in the bars. This cot bed isn't inexpensive, and it requires an Allen key for setting up.

A less expensive option that still gives your baby a comfortable night's rest is the cot that's Elementary from John Lewis' Anyday range. The simple design and easy assembly were praised by our parent testers. The cot can be folded down and stored easily as it fits into a bag the size of that used for a camping chair. It's a bit lighter than the average cot which means it might not be suitable for camping in the car however it's suitable for apartment living or for those who don't intend to move their cot around all the time.

The SnuzKot is an additional affordable cot that we suggest particularly if you decide to opt for the toddler kit and mattress extender (sold separately). It can grow with your child until about four years old, and our dad tester loved the fact that it was able to transform into a minimalist toddler bed, and also created a cocoon-like feeling by incorporating a fabric canopy.

Safety

A cot that is of good quality should not only meet the strict UK safety standards, but also be sturdy and comfortable to the touch. Find a sturdy style with safety bars or sides, and a solid foundation so that your baby is not able to get out. Some cots have additional features like teething rails or under-bed storage drawers that can aid you in staying organized as your baby grows.

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

This simple but stylish cot is a great choice for those on a tight budget. It's simple to put together and comes with clearly labeled parts and clear instructions. It has three mattress settings which allows you to adjust the height as your baby grows. It is compatible with most cots with a standard mattresses and is an excellent purchase for the price.

This is a fantastic option when you're in search of an expensive cot. It can be used as a cot and [empty] has four mattress positions. It can last until your child are around three years old. It also can be folded flat and has locking wheels, making it very mobile if you have to move it from room to room.

The cot comes with a handy travel bag, and is among the smallest cots we've tested at 6kg. It's also extremely durable and has a strong frame that'll stand up to noisy toddlers. The instructions were well written and clear, however our testers found the assembly a little difficult. The slats were spaced sufficiently apart to keep fingers from getting caught between them. It is also more expensive than other cots that we have reviewed but the durability and functionality make it worth the investment.

Design

When purchasing a cot bed it's easy to get caught up in the specifications and safety features, but don't overlook the design. It's important that you choose a cot bed that is both practical and attractive.

The classic ickle bubba Bed is the perfect bed for those who love design with its sleek contemporary take on a traditional sleigh design that does not have the bulky look that these beds often feature. It also has plenty of storage space, and comes with a pull-out drawer that fits under the cot, as well as teething rails that can be affixed to the side. Our mom test subject found it to be sturdy and robust and has a three-position base height that allows the bed to grow with your child.

Alternately you can choose the Modena cot bed from Tutti Bambini offers excellent value for money and comes with a stylish panel design that would suit any nursery. It's made to last until they reach the age of six older. It can be converted into a junior mattress, and transforms into a chic sofa bed. It's also one of only a few cot beds that we've tested with an apex drawer, a teething rail, and a hanging rail.

Another option with a smart panel design is the Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed, which comes in a variety of color options to fit the decor of your nursery. Our mum testers loved its clever features and the storage drawer being especially useful to store bedding and clothes. It's also one of the easiest cot for sale beds for mini cotbed parents to build, with all pieces being clearly labelled and easy to understand instructions. It is also an excellent option for those with limited space as it can be folded flat and rolled down. It is made of a standard cot-mattress (140cm by 70cm), and is suitable for children from birth to toddlerhood. An extension kit permits it to be used until 10 years old.

Convertibility

If you're a newly-wed, there are plenty of baby must-haves to consider. One of the most important items to consider is a high-quality crib bed. You want it to last for as long as possible and grow with your child, so that they have a safe place to sleep.

Some cots are designed to be more than a bed for children. The Boori Eton Cot Bed is our top choice. It converts into a toddler (L207cm, W147cm H90cm) and a daybed (L234cm, W145cm and H70cm), and a sofa (L234cm, W145cm and H70cm). This makes it the longest-lasting selection on our list, as it is designed to last through the years from birth until childhood.

It's a little more expensive than the other cot-beds we tested however, its high-end appearance and feel can be found in any nursery. Our parents who tested it were impressed by how simple it was to build and set up but they did say that the instructions could be more clear. This is a minor flaw, though, considering it was still a simple task and took less than 30 minutes to complete.

This cot comes with four mattress base heights. This is an improvement over the three standard options. This gives you the ability to adjust it as your child grows since they may require a lower or higher base level depending on their age and ability. It includes teething rails which are helpful and a plastic strip on the top ranked cribs to stop it from getting bitten.

The grey finish was the favorite of our dad's testers. It's not Cheap Baby Cots but it offers the best crib newborn value for money as it will last your child through toddlerhood and beyond. It's also covered by a 1-year warranty so you can be sure it will last. The only thing you'll need to buy an additional mattress, which is not included.