How to Choose the Best Cot Bed

The best cot bed is a must-have for every baby. We've put together this guide to help you find the ideal bed for your Baby beds.

A premium option that will look great in nursery spaces that are reminiscent of Scandi. It's a durable and sturdy option that grows with your child, with three mattress height positions and the ability to remove the sides for a stylish bench-style toddler bed.

Budget

When it comes to cots there's something to suit every budget and every nursery. There are also a range of options that provide various levels of longevity and some convert into toddler beds to be used through the preschool years and beyond. Naturally, those that convert into a bed tend to be more expensive but the extra investment can really pay off when you're looking for a cot that will last for years rather than just the duration of a few months.

The Mamas & Papas Coxley was our overall winner due to its luxurious aesthetic and easy-to-assemble design. It's a great choice for parents looking for a top quality cot that will stand the test of time. Our testers for parents loved the minimalist design and warm oak finish of this model, which will look amazing in a modern-style Scandi nursery cots. This cot bed also has a drawer, which mom tester Katrina felt was a better option than some cheaper cots that come with a built-in drawer, and an anti-bite plastic strip along the top of the cot rails to guard your child from getting their teeth stuck in the bars. 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 comfy night's rest is the cot that's Elementary from John Lewis' Anyday range. Our parent testers loved the simple design and quick, straightforward assembly. The cot can be folded up and stored easily, since it can fit into bags similar to that used for a camping chair. It's not the best crib for newborn choice for car camping, but should be fine for people living in apartments or who won't be moving their cot a lot.

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 will expand with your child until they're around four years old, and our dad tester liked the fact that it was able to transform into a minimalist toddler bed, and also created the feeling of a cocoon with its fabric canopy.

Safety

A cot that is safe and sturdy will not only meet UK safety standards, but will also feel sturdy and secure. Find a sturdy design that includes safety bars or sides and a solid base that your child can't easily get out. Some cot beds will also have additional features such as teething rails and drawers under the bed that can help you organize your home while your baby is growing.

The Boori cot is constructed of sustainable Australian Araucaria wood and New Zealand Radiata, so you can be confident in your purchase. It can be converted from a cot to a toddler bed by leaving three sides open to ensure security. There is also an extension kit available that will take it up to a full-sized bed when your child is ready.

This stylish but simple cot is a great choice for those on a tight budget. It's simple to assemble with clearly marked parts and clear instructions. It comes with three mattress settings, so you can adjust the height as your baby grows. It will fit most standard crib mattresses and is a great buy for the price.

This is an excellent choice If you're looking for an expensive cot. It has an impressive four mattress positions in cot mode and will last until your baby is about three years old. It is also foldable and has wheels that lock, making it portable to move it from one room to another.

The cot comes with a convenient travel bag and is among the smallest cots we've test at 6kg. It is also very robust, with an extremely sturdy frame that can stand up to the demands of boisterous toddlers. The instructions were well written and clear, however our testers found the assembly to be a little difficult. The slats were placed far enough apart to keep fingers from getting trapped between them. It's also a bit more expensive than some of the other cots we looked at but it's well worth the cost for its longevity and practicality.

Design

When you are buying a cot sales bed, it's easy to be engrossed in the specs and safety features, but don't overlook the design. The crib of your baby will be used for a long time so it's essential to find one that you enjoy and is also practical and useful.

The ickle bubba Snowdon Classic Cot Bed is the best bed for those who appreciate design with its sleek contemporary version of the traditional sleigh design that doesn't have the bulky feeling that these types of beds usually have. It's got plenty of space-saving storage, including an under-bed drawer that can be tucked away beneath the cot as well as rails for teething 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 grow with your child.

Alternatively alternatively, the Modena cot bed from Tutti Bambini offers excellent value for money and has a smart panelled look that will look great in any nursery. It's made to last until your child reaches six years old, and then it transforms first into a junior bed and later into a chic sofa bed. It's also among the only a handful of cot beds that we've tested with the option of a drawer and a rail for teething and a hanging rail.

The Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed is another option that has panels. It comes in a range of colors to match your nursery decor. Our mom testers loved its unique features, with the storage drawer particularly useful to store bedding and clothes. It's also among the most simple cot beds to build, with all pieces being clearly labelled and easy to follow instructions. It's also a great option for those with a small space as it can be folded down and flat-packed. It uses a standard cot-mattress (140cm by 70cm) and is suitable for children from birth through toddlerhood. An extension kit permits it to be used until 10 years old.

Convertibility

There are a lot of baby essentials you need to think about as you become a new parent. One of the most important items to consider is a high-quality crib bed. You want it to last for as long as you can and grow with your child so they can have a safe bed to sleep in.

Some cots are designed to be more than just a bed for children. Our top choice is the Boori Eton Convertible Plus Cot Bed, which converts into an infant bed (L207cm x W147cm x H90cm) and a daybed and sofa (L234cm x W145cm and H70cm). This makes it our most durable choice that will last from birth through the time of their childhood.

It's expensive compared to some of the other cot beds that we evaluated, but it offers an elegant design and feel that will be a perfect fit for any nursery. Our parents who tested it were impressed by how simple it was to put together and construct, although they did note that the instructions could be more clear. This isn't a big issue however, as it was still a simple task and took less than 30 minutes to complete.

This cot has four different base heights for mattresses. This is an improvement over the three most popular options. This gives you the ability to adjust it as your child grows, because they might require a higher or lower base level depending on their age and abilities. It also comes with teething rails and a plastic strip on the top to shield it from biting.

The grey finish was the preferred of our dad's testers. It's not expensive but it's great value for money as it will last your child through the age of toddler and beyond. Plus, it's covered by an one-year guarantee and gives you confidence that it will be sturdy and durable. The only thing that you will need to purchase separately is the mattress.