With so many baby essentials to think about, choosing the ideal crib bed is among the most important purchases. This guide has been created to help you choose the right bed for your baby.
A premium option that fits beautifully in Scandi-style nurseries. It's a sturdy and durable choice that can grow with your child, offering 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 also a range of options that provide different levels of durability and some convert into toddler beds that can be used into the age of preschool and beyond. Naturally, those which convert into beds tend to be more expensive but the extra investment could be worth it in the event that you need a cot that will last for many years, not just the duration of a few months.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley was our overall winner thanks to 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. Our parent testers loved the minimalist design and warm oak finish of this model, which would look beautiful in a contemporary nursery. This cot bed also comes with a handy drawer, which mom tester Katrina found to be a better option than some cheaper cots that come with an inbuilt drawer, Cots4Tots and a plastic strip that prevents bites on the top of the rails of the cot to prevent your child from getting their teeth stuck in the bars. However, at PS599 with a mattress that is sold separately the bed isn't cheap, and it does require an Allen key to make it functional.
The cot for the Elementary is a less expensive option that will give your baby a peaceful night's rest. It's part of the Anyday collection by John Lewis. Our parent testers liked the simple design and quick, straightforward assembly. The cot is foldable down and stored easily because it fits in bags that are similar to the one used to store the camping chair. It's not the best choice for camping in the car but it's perfect for people living in apartments or who won't be moving their cot around too often.
We recommend the SnuzKot as an alternative to a cot that is budget-friendly, particularly if it comes with the toddler kit (sold separately) and mattress extender. It will expand with your child until about four years old, and our dad tester loved the fact that it was able to transform into an unassuming toddler bed, and also created an ambiance of cocoons with its fabric canopy.
Safety
A cot that is well-designed will not only be in compliance with UK safety standards, but also feel sturdy and secure. Look for a sturdy design with bars of safety or sides and a solid foundation, so that your baby is not able to climb out. Some cots come with extra features, such as teething rails or drawers under the bed which can aid in keeping your baby organized as your baby develops.
Parent test subject Becki says that her Boori cot "has endured through 3 kids and still looks amazing." Its traditional style will fit in with any home and is made from 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 up for peace of mind) and comes with an option of an extension kit that takes it all the way up to a double bed when your child is ready.
This simple, stylish cot is a good choice when you're on a tight budget. It's simple to assemble with clearly marked components 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 standard mattress cots and is a good purchase for the money.
This is a great choice If you're looking for a high-end cot. It can be used as a cot, and comes with four mattress positions. It will keep your baby safe until they reach the age of three. It folds flat and comes with locks on the wheels, making it portable if you need to move it from room to room.
This cot is very light at just 6kg, and comes with a great bag for traveling. It's also extremely robust with a sturdy frame that will 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 difficult. The slats were spaced sufficiently apart to avoid fingers getting trapped between them. It's also more expensive than other cots that we have reviewed but the durability and function make it worth the investment.
Design
It's easy to overlook the design when purchasing a cot-bed. It's crucial to select the cot bed that is both functional and beautiful.
The classic ickle bubba Bed is the best cot bed for design lovers, with its sleek modern design that is a modern take on the traditional sleigh design that does not have the bulky look that these types of beds often feature. It's got plenty of storage space-saving features and storage options, including an under-bed drawer that can be tucked away beneath the cot and teething rails on the sides. It was sturdy and robust. The three-position height of the base allows it to expand with your baby.
Alternately, the Modena cot bed from Tutti Bambini offers excellent value for money and comes with an elegant panel design that is perfect for any nursery. It's designed to last until your child reaches six years old, before transforming first into a junior bed and then into a stylish sofa bed. It's also among the few cot beds we tested that has draw with a hanging rail as well as teething rails, while its solid pine construction makes it a good option for parents who want their cot bed to last for a long time.
Another option with a smart panelled design is the Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed, which comes in a variety of colors to match the decor of your nursery. Our mom testers loved its nifty features, with the drawer for storage being particularly useful for storing bedding and clothing. It is also one of the most simple cot beds to put together. The components are clearly labelled, and the instructions are simple to follow. It is also an excellent alternative for those with little space since it can be flat-packed and collapsed. It is made of 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
If you're a newly-wed there are a lot of baby must-haves to consider. One of the most important things to think about is a top-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 bed to sleep in.
Although most cots can be made into toddler beds with the purchase of a conversion kit some cots are made to go a step further than this. The Boori Eton Cot Bed is our top pick. It converts into a toddler (L207cm, W147cm H90cm) and the daybed (L234cm, W145cm and H70cm) and sofa (L234cm, W145cm, H70cm). This makes it our top choice for durability, as it will last your child from birth to the age of.
It's a little more expensive than the other cot-beds we tested, but its premium look and feel will fit in any nursery. The instructions could have been more precise, but our parent test subjects were impressed with how easy it was for them to build and put up. This isn't a major issue but it was still very straightforward and took less than 30 minutes to complete.
This cot has four different base heights for mattresses. This is an upgrade from the three standard options. This allows you to alter the height of the cot as your child grows. They might require a lower or higher base level, based on their age and ability. It includes teething rails that are useful as well as a plastic strip on the top to keep it from being bit.
The grey finish was the favorite of our dad test-driver. It's not inexpensive, but it does offer excellent value for money since it will last your child through to the age of toddler and beyond. Additionally, it comes with a one-year warranty which gives you peace of mind that it will be sturdy and durable. The only thing that you'll need to buy separately is the mattress.
