20 Things You Should Ask About Best Cot Bed Before Purchasing It

How to Choose the Best Cot Bed

With so many essentials for babies to consider, the best cot bed is among the most important purchases. So we've put together this guide to help you choose the ideal bed for your baby.

This high-end option works perfectly to be used in Scandi style nurseries. This sturdy and durable option can grow with your baby, with three mattress 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 that provide various levels of longevity and even convert into toddler beds for use into the age of preschool and beyond. Naturally, those which convert into beds tend to be more expensive but the extra cost can be well-repaid in the event that you need a cot that lasts for years rather than just the duration of a few months.

The Mamas & Papas Coxley won our overall award. Its stunning design and easy to assemble make it a great option for those looking for an upscale cot that can last a lifetime. This model's minimalist design and warm-toned finish will look fantastic in an Scandi nursery. This cot bed comes with an adjustable drawer that mom tester Katrina considered to be a better choice than some less expensive cots that have an integrated drawer. It also comes with an anti-bite strip on the top rails of the cot to stop your child's teeth from getting caught. This cot bed isn't inexpensive, and it requires an Allen key for setup.

A more budget-friendly alternative that will still provide your baby a good night's sleep is the cot that's Elementary from John Lewis' Anyday range. The easy design and simple assembly were highly praised by our parents who tested it. The cot can be folded into a compact size and stored as it fits into bags similar to that used for a camping chair. It's not ideal for camping in the car however it's suitable for people living in apartments or who won't be moving their cot around too often.

The SnuzKot is an additional budget-friendly cot we recommend particularly if you decide to opt for the toddler kit and mattress extender (sold separately). It will expand with your child until they're about four years old, and our dad tester liked the fact it converted to a minimalist toddler bed, and also created the feeling of a cocoon with its fabric canopy.

Safety

A cot that is of good quality should not only meet the strict UK safety standards, but it should also be sturdy and comfortable to the touch. Choose a sturdy design that includes safety bars or sides and a solid base that your child can't easily climb out. Some cots come with extra features, such as teething rails and under-bed drawers that can help you organize your home as your baby is growing.

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 converted from a cot to a toddler bed by leaving three sides unlocked for safety. There is also an extension kit that can transform it to a full-sized bed once your child's ready.

This simple but stylish cot is an excellent choice for those on a tight budget. It's easy to assemble and has clearly labeled components and clear instructions. It has three mattress settings which allows you to adjust the height as your baby grows. It will fit on any standard cot mattresses and is a great purchase for the price.

This is an excellent choice when you're in search of an extremely high-end cot. It has an impressive four mattress base positions when in cot mode, and will last until your child is about three years old. It folds up and has wheels that lock, making it easy to move it from one room to the next.

The cot is extremely light at just 6kg, and comes with a handy bag for traveling. It's also extremely durable, with a strong frame that can handle noisy toddlers. Our testers found it a bit tricky to put together, however the instructions were clear and well-written. They were impressed by the fact that the slats are spaced sufficiently apart to avoid fingers getting caught in between them. It's also a bit more expensive than some of the other cots we looked at, but it is worth the price for its durability and functionality.

Design

It's easy to overlook the style when purchasing a cot-bed. Your baby's cot will be used for a long time so it's essential to find one that you enjoy and is also functional and practical.

The classic ickle bubba Bed is the ideal bed for those who appreciate design with its sleek, modern version of the traditional sleigh design that does not have the bulky look that these types of beds often have. It has plenty of storage space-saving features such as the drawer that is built into the cot, as well as teething rails on the sides. Our mother tester found it to be solid and sturdy with the ability to adjust the height of the base three times, which allows the bed to expand with your child.

Alternatively, 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 six years old. older. It transforms into a junior mattress and then into an elegant sofa bed. It's also among the few cot beds we tested that has draw as well as a hanging rail and teething rails. Its solid pine construction makes it a good choice for parents who want their cot bed to endure the test of time.

The Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed is another option that comes with an elegant panel design. It comes in a variety of colours to match the decor of your nursery. The storage drawer is useful for clothing and bedding. Our mom testers were awed by its features. It's also the easiest cot beds to assemble. The pieces are clearly labelled, and the instructions are simple to follow. It's also a great choice for those who have a limited space, since it can be collapsed and then flat-packed. It's a standard cot mattress (140cm by 70cm), and is suitable for babies through toddlerhood. An extension kit permits it to be used up to 10 years of age.

Convertibility

There are a lot of baby essentials you need to think about as the new parent. But one of the most important is a quality cot bed - you want something that will last for as long as you can and will change with your child to provide them a safe and comfortable place to sleep.

While most cots can be transformed to toddler beds through the purchase of a conversion kit, some cot beds are designed to go beyond this. Our top choice is the Boori Eton Convertible Plus Cot Bed, which can be converted into a toddler bed (L207cm x W147cm x H90cm) and also a sofa and daybed (L234cm x W145cm x H70cm). This is the longest-lasting option on our list, as it should see your child through from birth to childhood.

It's expensive compared to some of the other cot beds that we test, but it comes with an attractive appearance and feel that would suit any nursery. The instructions could be more clear, but our parent testers were impressed by how easy it was for them to build and set up. This is not a major issue, however, as it was still very simple and took just 30 minutes to complete.

Another great feature of this cot is that it comes with four mattress base heights, which is an upgrade on the three most popular options.  best infant cribs  allows you to adjust it as your child gets older, because they might require a lower or higher base level depending on their age and ability. It comes with teething rails which are helpful as well as a plastic strip on the top to stop it from being bit.

The grey finish was the most popular of our dad test-driver. It's not cheap, but it's a great value since it will last into the age of toddler and beyond. It also comes with a one-year warranty and gives you assurance that it's sturdy and durable. The only thing you'll need to buy an additional mattress, which is not included.