How to Choose the best crib Cot Bed

With so many essentials for babies to think about, choosing the ideal cot bed is among the most important purchases. Therefore, we've created this guide to help you choose the perfect bed for your little one.

This top-quality option is perfect it perfectly Scandi style nurseries. It's a sturdy and durable option that grows with your child. It has three mattress height positions as well as the ability to remove the sides for a stylish bench-style toddler bed.

Budget

When you think of cots, there's something for every budget and every nursery. There are a variety of options that have different lifespans some of which can be converted into toddler beds to be used throughout the preschool years or even beyond. Of course, the ones that convert into beds are generally more expensive but the extra investment can really pay off if you want a cot that lasts for years rather than just a few months.

The Mamas & Papas Coxley was our overall winner, with its stunning design and easy-to-assemble design. It's a great choice for those who want a top quality cot that will stand up to the years. Our parent testers appreciated the sleek design and warm oak finish of this model, which looks amazing in a modern-style Scandi nursery. The cot bed has an adjustable drawer that mom tester Katrina believed was an excellent alternative to cheaper cots which have a drawer built-in. It also comes with an anti-bite strip along the top rails of the cot to prevent your child's teeth from getting stuck. This cot bed is not inexpensive, and it requires an Allen key to set up.

A more budget-friendly option that will still give your baby a good night's sleep is the Elementary cot from John Lewis' Anyday range. The basic design and easy assembly were highly praised by our parent testers. The cot is foldable up and stored easily, as it fits into a bag the size of the one used for a camping chair. It's lighter than the average cot and therefore may not be suitable for camping in the car however it's suitable for living in an apartment or for those who don't intend to move their cot around too much.

The SnuzKot is a good affordable cot that we suggest particularly if you decide to purchase the toddler kit and mattress extender (sold separately). It will expand with your child until they reach four years old. Our dad tester liked that it could be transformed into a minimalist toddler bed and create the feeling of a cocoon with its fabric canopy.

Safety

A cot that is safe and sturdy must not only meet strict UK safety standards, but also be sturdy and secure. Look for a sturdy design with safety bars or sides, and a solid base so that your child is unable to move out. Some cot beds will also come with extra features such as teething rails and under-bed drawers that can help you organize your life while your baby is growing.

Parent tester Becki says her Boori cot "has been through three children and is still beautiful." Its classic design will fit in with any home and is made from sustainably sourced Australian Araucaria and New Zealand Radiata wood, so you can feel good about your purchase. It converts from a cot to a toddler bed (leaving three sides open to provide reassurance) and also has the option to add an extension kit that can take it all the way to a double bed when your child is ready.

This simple but stylish cot is a great option for those on a limited budget. It's easy to set up and has clearly labeled components and clear instructions. It has three height settings for the mattress so that you can alter the height as your baby grows. It will fit on any standard cot mattresses and is a great 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 features four mattress positions. It can last your baby until they reach the age of three. It is also foldable and has wheels that lock, making it a great option to move it from one room to another.

This cot comes with a convenient travel bag and is one of the smallest cots we've test at 6kg. It's also very sturdy, with a strong frame that can handle the raging toddlers. The instructions were well-written and clear, but our testers found the assembly to be a little challenging. The slats were placed far enough apart to prevent fingers from getting stuck between them. It's also a bit more expensive than some of the other online cots we reviewed however, it's worth the investment for its durability and utility.

Design

When purchasing a cot bed it's easy to get caught up in the specs and safety features, but don't overlook the style. It is essential to choose a cot bed that is both functional and beautiful.

The ickle bubba Snowdon Classic Cot Bed is the best cots for newborns bed for those who appreciate design, with its sleek modern take on a traditional sleigh design that does not have the bulky look that these beds can often feature. It also doesn't skimp on storage space and features a pull-out drawer that fits under the cot, as well as teething rails that can be connected to the side of the. Our mum tester found it robust and durable, with a three-position base height that allows the bed to expand with your child.

Alternatively, the Modena cot bed from Tutti Bambini offers excellent value for money and has a stylish panel design that will look great in any nursery. It is designed to last until they reach six years old. older. It can be converted into a junior mattress, and then into an elegant sofa bed. It's also among the only cot beds we tested that has an opening with a hanging rail as well as teething rails, while its solid pine construction makes it a good choice for parents who want their cot to stand the test of time.

The Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed is another option that has an elegant panel design. It comes in a range of colors to match the decor of your nursery. Our mom testers loved its unique features, with the drawer for storage being particularly useful for storing bedding and clothing. It's also among the easiest cot beds to assemble, with all the pieces being clearly labelled and easy to follow instructions. It's also a great choice for those who have limited space as it can be flat-packed and then collapsed. It's a standard cot mattress (140cm by 70cm), and is suitable for babies to toddlerhood. An extension kit permits it to be used until 10 years old.

Convertibility

There are a variety of baby necessities you need to think about as a new parent. One of the most important items to think about is a top-quality crib bed. You want it to last as long as you can and grow with your child, ensuring that they have a secure place to sleep.

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

It's a bit pricey in comparison to other cot beds we tested, but it has an elegant design and feel that will suit any nursery. Our parents who tested it were impressed with how easy it was to set up and build however they did mention that the instructions could be more clear. This is not a major issue, however, as it was still very simple 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 most popular options. This allows you to adjust the cot as your child develops. They might require an upper or lower base level based on their age and ability. It also comes with useful teething rails as well as a plastic strip that runs along the top to guard it from being bitten.

The grey finish was the preferred of our dad's testers. It's not expensive, but it does offer great value for money as it will last your child through toddlerhood and beyond. It's also covered by one-year warranty, so you can be sure it will last. The only thing you'll need to purchase separately is a mattress, that's not included.