How to Choose the Best Cot Bed

The best infant cribs cot bed is a must-have for every baby. We've put together this guide to help you choose the perfect choice for your little one.

A high-quality bed that fits beautifully in Scandi-style nursery rooms. This sturdy and durable choice can grow with your baby with three mattress positions, and the ability to take the sides off to create a stylish bench style toddler bed.

Budget

When it comes to cots there's something for every budget and every nursery. There are also a range of options that provide different levels of durability, with some converting into toddler beds for use into the age of preschool and beyond. Of course, the ones that convert into beds do tend to be more expensive, but the investment can really pay off if you want a cot that will last for years rather than just for a few months.

The Mamas & Papas Coxley won our overall prize. Its gorgeous design and easy to assemble make it an ideal choice for those who want an excellent cot that will last a lifetime. Our parent testers loved the minimalist design and warm oak finish of this model, which looks stunning in a Scandi-style 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 integrated drawer, as well as a plastic strip that prevents bites across the top of the cot rails to guard your child from getting their teeth stuck in the bars. However, at PS599 with a mattress sold separately this crib sets isn't cheap baby cots for sale. It does require an Allen key to make it functional.

A more affordable alternative that will still provide your baby a comfy night's rest is the Elementary cot from John Lewis' Anyday range. Our parent testers were impressed by the simplicity of the design and quick, straightforward assembly. The cot can be folded up and stored easily, because it fits in bags similar to the one used for a camping chair. It's a bit on the lightweight side which means it might not be ideal for car camping however it's suitable for living in an apartment or for those who don't plan to move their cot around all the time.

The SnuzKot is a good budget-friendly cot that 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 testers loved the fact that it was able to transform into a minimalist toddler bed and gave the feeling of a cocoon with its fabric canopy.

Safety

A cot that is safe and sturdy should not only meet the strict UK safety standards, but it should also be sturdy and feel secure. Look for a sturdy design with bars of safety or sides, and a solid foundation so that your baby cannot easily get out. Some cots come with extra features, such as teething rails and under-bed drawers which can help organize your life while your baby is growing.

The Boori cot is made of sustainable Australian Araucaria wood and New Zealand Radiata, so you can be sure of your purchase. It can be converted to a toddler bed (leaving three sides open to provide security) and also has the option to add an extension kit that takes it all the way to a double bed when your child is ready.

This simple but stylish cot is a great choice for those on a tight budget. It's easy to put together with clearly marked components and clear instructions. It comes with three mattress options, so you can adjust the height as your baby grows. It will fit most standard cot mattresses and is a great value purchase for the money.

This is a great choice when you're in search of an extremely high-end cot. It can be used as a cot and features four mattress positions. It will last until your child are about three years old. It can be folded flat and has locking wheels, making it convenient to move it from room to room.

This cot is lightweight at just 6kg and comes with a handy bag for traveling. It's also extremely durable with strong frame that can 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. They noted that the slats are sufficiently apart to avoid fingers from getting caught between them. It's also a little more expensive than the other cots we reviewed but it's well worth the investment for its longevity and practicality.

Design

It's easy to overlook the style when you are buying a cot bed. The cot you choose for your baby will be in use for a long time so it's important to find one that you love and also is practical and useful.

The icklebubba Classic Cot bed is the ideal bed for design-lovers. Its sleek, modern take on the classic sleigh style isn't as bulky that these types of cots can provide. 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 side. Our mom tested it and found it to be robust and durable, with three positions of base height that allows the bed to grow with your child.

Alternately you can choose the Modena cot bed from Tutti Bambini offers excellent value for money. It also has an elegant panel design that will look great in any nursery. It is designed to last until they are six years old. It transforms into a junior mattress and it transforms into a stylish sofa bed. It's also among the cot beds that we tested that has draw with a hanging rail as well as teething rails. Its solid pine construction makes it a great choice for parents who want their cot to last for a long time.

Another option that has a stylish panel design is the Stokke Sleepie cot beds for sale Bed, which is available in several color options to fit the decor of your nursery. The storage drawer was particularly useful for clothing and bedding. Our mum testers were impressed with its features. It is also one of the easiest cot beds to put together. The pieces are clearly labeled, and the instructions are simple to follow. It is also an excellent alternative for those with limited space because it can be rolled up and rolled down. It uses a standard cot-mattress (140cm by 70cm), and is suitable for babies to toddlerhood. A kit for extension allows it to be used until 10 years old.

Convertibility

There are a lot of baby cot online essentials you need to think about as 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 possible and evolve with your child, ensuring that they have a secure place to sleep.

Some cots are designed to be more than just a bed for toddlers. The Boori Eton Cot Bed is our top pick. It converts into a toddler (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, as it will last your child through childhood to.

It's more expensive than the other cot-beds we tried however its superior design and feel will look great in any nursery. The instructions could have been more clear, but our parent test subjects were impressed with how easy it was to construct and set up. This is a minor flaw however, as it was still a simple task and took less than 30 minutes to complete.

Another unique characteristic of this cot is the fact 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 grows. They may require an upper or lower base level depending on their age and abilities. It also comes with teething rails and a strip that runs along the top to guard it from biting.

The grey finish was the favorite of our dad test-driver. It's not cheap but it's a great value since it will last your child until they reach the toddler years and beyond. It also comes with an assurance of one year so you can be sure it will last. The only thing that you'll need to buy separately is the mattress.