How to Choose the Best Cot Bed

The best crib newborn cot bed is a must-have for any baby. So we've put together this guide to help you choose the perfect choice for your little one.

This high-end option works perfectly in Scandi style nurseries. This sturdy and durable choice can grow with your baby cot online, 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 also a range of options that provide various levels of longevity and even convert into toddler beds for use through the preschool years and beyond. The ones that can be converted into beds are more expensive, however they will last longer.

The Mamas & Papas Coxley was our overall winner thanks to its luxurious aesthetic and easy-to-assemble design, making it an excellent choice for parents looking for an extremely high-quality cot that will stand up to the years. This model's minimalist design and warm color will look fantastic in the Scandi nursery. The cot bed has an adjustable drawer that mom tester Katrina considered to be more suitable than cheaper cots with 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 caught. However, at PS599 with a mattress that is sold separately, this bed isn't cheap, and it does require an Allen key to start it up.

A more budget-friendly alternative that will still provide your baby a good night's sleep is the Elementary cot from John Lewis' Anyday range. Our parents loved the simple design and simple assembly. The cot can be folded down and stored easily since it can fit into bags that are similar to that used for the camping chair. It's a bit lighter than the average cot and therefore may not be suitable for camping in the car, but it's a good choice to live in apartments or for those who don't want to move their cot for too long.

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 approximately four years old and our dad tester loved the fact it converted to a minimal-looking toddler bed, and also created a cocoon-like feeling with its fabric canopy.

Safety

A cot that is safe and sturdy is not just required to meet the strict UK safety standards, but also be sturdy and comfortable to the touch. Choose a sturdy design that includes safety bars or sides and an erect base that your child can't easily climb out. Some cot beds come with extra features like teething rails and drawers under the bed that can help you keep things organised while your little one 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 converts from a cot to a toddler bed (leaving three sides up to give you reassurance) and also has the option to add an extension kit to take it all the way up to a double bed when your child is ready.

This stylish but simple cot is a great choice for those on a limited budget. It's simple to assemble with clearly marked parts and clear instructions. It has three mattress settings that allow you to alter the height as your child grows. It is compatible with most standard cot mattresses and is a great purchase for the money.

If you're looking for a premium cot, this is a great option. It comes with four mattress base positions when in cot mode and will last until your baby is about three years old. It can also be folded and has wheels that lock, making it a great option for moving it from one room to another.

This cot is light at only 6kg and comes with a great bag for traveling. It is also very durable and has a sturdy frame that will be able to withstand the rigors of toddlers. The instructions were well-written and clear, however our testers found the assembly to be a little challenging. The slats were placed far enough apart to keep fingers from getting trapped between them. It's also a bit more expensive than the other cots we reviewed however, it's worth the cost for its durability and utility.

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 ickle bubba Snowdon Classic Bed is the best bed for those who appreciate design with its sleek contemporary design that is a modern take on the traditional sleigh design that doesn't have the bulky feel that these types of beds often feature. It's got plenty of storage space-saving features, including the drawer that is built into the cot and teething rails on the side. Our mum tested it and found it to be sturdy and robust, with three positions of base height that allows the bed to expand with your child.

The Modena cot-bed by Tutti Bambini is a great crib value for money and comes in a panelled design that will fit in with any nursery. It is made to last until they reach the age of six older. It can be converted into a junior mattress tots and cots it transforms into a stylish sofa bed. It's also among the only a few cot beds that we have tested with a drawer as well as a teething rail and a hanging rail.

The Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed is another option with an elegant panel design. It comes in a range of colors to match your nursery decor. The storage drawer is useful for bedding and clothes. Our mum testers were awed by its features. It's also one of the easiest cot beds to build, with all pieces clearly labeled and with easy-to-follow instructions. It's also a great alternative for those with limited space because it can be flat-packed and collapsed. It uses a standard cot bed sales-mattress (140cm by 70cm) and is suitable for babies to toddlerhood. An extension kit allows it to be used until 10 years of age.

Convertability

If you're a newly-wed there are a myriad of baby essentials to think about. One of the most important items to consider is a high-quality cot bed. You want it to last for as long as possible and evolve with your child, so that they have a secure bed to sleep in.

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

It's not cheap compared to some of the other cot beds that we tested, but it has a premium design and feel that will fit in with any nursery. Our parents were impressed by how simple it was to put together and construct, although they did note that the instructions could be more clear. This is not a major issue however, since it was still very simple and took less than thirty minutes to complete.

Another great aspect of this cot is the fact that it has four mattress base heights that are an improvement on the three most common options. This gives you the flexibility to adjust it as your child grows, since they may require a higher or lower base level based on their age and abilities. It also comes with useful teething rails and a strip along the top to guard it from biting.

The grey finish was the preferred of our dad's testers. It's not cheap but it's excellent value for money since it will take your child through the age of toddler and beyond. It also comes with one-year warranty, so you can be confident that it will last. The only thing you'll have to purchase separately is a mattress, that's not included.