11 Ways To Fully Defy Your Best Cot Bed

How to Choose the Best Cot Bed

The most comfortable cot bed is a must-have for every baby. This guide has been created to help find the best crib newborn choice for your baby.

A top-quality option that is perfect for Scandi-style nursery rooms. This sturdy and durable choice will grow with your child with three mattress positions, and the ability to remove the sides to create a stylish bench-style toddler bed.

Budget

When you think of cots and tots, there's something to suit every budget and every nursery. There are also different choices that come with different durations some of which can be transformed into toddler beds to be used throughout the preschool years or beyond. Obviously, the ones that convert into a bed tend to be more expensive, but the cost can be well-repaid if you want an item that lasts for many years, not just a few months.

The Mamas & Papas Coxley won our overall prize. Its stunning design and easy to assemble make it a great option for those who want a high-quality cot that will last for a lifetime. The sleek design and warm-toned finish will look great in an Scandi nursery. The cot bed also has a handy drawer, which mom tester Katrina found to be an improvement over cheaper cots that come with an inbuilt drawer, and an anti-bite plastic strip across the top of the cot rails to guard your child from getting their teeth caught in the bars. This cot bed is not cheap, and requires an Allen key to set up.

A more budget-friendly option that still gives your baby a comfy night's sleep is the cot that's Elementary from John Lewis' Anyday range. Our parent testers loved the simple design and easy assembly. The cot is small when folded and can be put away easily, fitting into a bag that's about the size of the carry case of a camping chair. It's not ideal for car camping but it's perfect for apartment life or those who don't need to move their cot too much.

The SnuzKot is a good affordable cot that we suggest particularly if you decide to purchase the toddler kit and Cot Sales mattress extender (sold separately). It will expand with your child until they're approximately four years old and our dad tester loved the fact that it can be converted into an unassuming toddler bed, and also created an ambiance of cocoons with its fabric canopy.

Safety

A good cot should not only meet the strict UK safety standards, but it should also be sturdy and secure. Look for a sturdy design with bars of safety or sides, and a solid base so that your baby is not able to get out. Some cot beds will also have additional features, such as teething rails and drawers under the bed, which can help you organize your life while your baby is growing.

Parent test participant Becki says her Boori cot "has been through three children and is still stunning." Its traditional 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 give you security) and comes with an option to add an extension kit that can take it all the way to a double bed when your child is ready.

This simple, stylish cot is a great option for those on a tight budget. It's easy to assemble and comes with clearly labeled parts and clear instructions. It has three height settings for the mattress so that you can adjust it as your baby grows. It can be used with standard cot mattresses and is a great value buy for the price.

This is an excellent choice when you're in search of a high-end cot. It can be used as a cot and has four mattress positions. It'll last until your child reach the age of three. It can also be folded and has wheels that lock, making it easy to move it from one room to another.

The cot comes with a handy travel bag, and is one of the smallest cots that we tested, weighing just 6kg. It's also very sturdy and has a sturdy frame that can withstand boisterous toddlers. The instructions were well-written and clear, but our testers found the assembly to be a little challenging. The slats were spaced sufficiently apart to avoid fingers getting stuck between them. It's also a little more expensive than the other cots we looked at but it's well worth the cost for its durability and utility.

Design

When buying a mini cot beds bed it's easy to be engrossed in the specifications and safety features, but don't neglect the style. The crib of your baby will be used for a long time therefore it's crucial to choose one you like and is also practical and useful.

The icklebubba Classic Cot bed is the best cot for those who love design. Its modern, sleek take on the traditional sleigh style isn't as bulky that these types can have. It's packed with storage space-saving features such as the drawer that is built into the cot and teething rails on the side. It was sturdy and robust. The three-position height of the base lets it grow with your baby.

The Modena cot-bed from Tutti Bambini is a great value and comes with a panelled design that will fit in with any nursery. It's designed to last until they reach the age of six older. It transforms into a junior mattress and it transforms into a stylish sofa bed. It's also among the only cot beds we tested that has draw with a hanging rail as well as 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 has an elegant panel design. It is available in a variety of colours to complement your nursery's decor. The storage drawer was particularly useful for clothing and bedding. Our mum testers were impressed with its features. It's also one of the easiest cot beds to put together, with all the pieces clearly labeled and easy to understand instructions. It's also a great choice for those with a small space, as it can be collapsed and then flat-packed. It's a standard cot mattress (140cm by 70cm) and is suitable for children from birth 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 myriad of baby must-haves to consider. One of the most important is a good quality cot bed. You need something that will last as long as possible and grow with your child to provide them a secure and comfortable place to sleep.

Although most cots can be converted into toddler beds with 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 an infant bed (L207cm x W147cm x H90cm) and also a daybed and sofa (L234cm x W145cm and H70cm). This is the longest-lasting option on our list, since it will last your child through from birth to childhood.

It's a bit pricey compared to some of the other cot beds (adrestyt.ru) that we tested, but it has an attractive appearance and feel that would suit 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 is a minor flaw, though, considering it was still a simple task and took less than 30 minutes to complete.

The cot comes with four different base heights for mattresses. This is an upgrade over the three most popular options. This allows you to adjust it as your child grows as they may need a lower or higher base level based on their age and abilities. It comes with teething rails that are useful and a plastic strip at the top to prevent it from becoming a bit.

This cot is available in a variety of Scandi-inspired finishes, and our dad tester was particularly impressed by the grey finish. It's not cheap, but it offers great value since it will last your child until they reach the age of toddler and beyond. Plus, it's covered by an one-year guarantee which gives you assurance that it will be sturdy and durable. The only thing you'll have to buy an additional mattress, which is not included.