24 Hours For Improving Best Cot Bed
How to Choose the Best Cot Bed
With so many baby must-haves to consider, a top crib bed is among the most important purchases. We've put together this guide to help you locate the perfect bed for your baby.
A top-quality option that will look great in Scandi-style nursery rooms. It's a durable and sturdy option that grows with your child, offering three mattress height options and the option of removing the sides for a sleek bench-style toddler bed.
Budget
When it comes to cots there's something for every budget and every nursery. There are also different options that have different lifespans and some of them can be transformed into toddler beds to be used into the preschool years or even beyond. The ones that can be turned into a bed are more expensive, but they last longer.
The Mamas & Papas Coxley won our overall prize. Its gorgeous aesthetics and easy-to assemble design make it a great option for those looking for a high-quality cot that will last for a long time. Our testers for parents appreciated the sleek design and warm oak finish of this model, which looks stunning in a Scandi-style nursery. The cot bed has a drawer that mum tester Katrina considered to be more suitable than less expensive cots that have an integrated drawer. It also comes with an anti-bite strip that runs along the top rails of the cot to stop your child's teeth from getting caught. This cot bed isn't expensive, and requires an Allen key for setup.
A more affordable option that still gives your baby a comfortable night's rest is the Elementary cot from John Lewis' Anyday range. Our parents liked the simple design and simple assembly. The cot can be folded into a compact size and stored since it can fit into a bag the size of that used for a camping chair. It's not ideal for camping in the car, but should be fine for people living in apartments or who don't need to move their cot around too often.
The SnuzKot is an additional affordable cot that we suggest, especially if you choose to go with the toddler kit and mattress extender (sold separately). It will grow with your baby until they reach four years old. Our dad tester liked that it could be converted into a modern-looking toddler bed, and created an atmosphere of cocoons with its canopy made of fabric.
Safety
A cot that is of good quality is not just required to meet the strict UK safety standards, but 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 is not able to get out. Some cot beds include extra features such as teething rails and under-bed drawers, which can help you organize your home while your little one is growing.
Parent tester Becki says her Boori cot "has endured through 3 kids and is still stunning." Mini Cot Bed will fit in with any home and is made from sustainable sources of Australian Araucaria and New Zealand Radiata wood, so you can feel good about the purchase. It can be converted from a cot into a toddler bed by leaving three sides unlocked for security. There is also an extension kit available that can transform it to a larger bed when your child is ready.
This stylish and simple cot is a great choice for those on a tight budget. It is easy to assemble with clearly marked parts and clear instructions. It has three mattress settings that allow you to alter the height as your baby grows. It will fit most standard crib mattresses and is a great purchase for the money.
If you're looking for a premium cot, this is a good choice. It can be used as a cot and features four mattress positions. It can keep your baby safe until they reach the age of three. It folds flat and comes with locking wheels, making it portable if you need to move it from room to room.
The cot comes with a convenient travel bag and is among the smallest cots that we tested, weighing just 6kg. It's also extremely sturdy, with a strong frame that can handle boisterous toddlers. Our test subjects found it a bit tricky to put together, however the instructions were clear and well-written. The slats were set apart to keep fingers from getting caught between them. It is also more expensive than other cots we have reviewed, however the durability and function are worth the cost.
Design
When purchasing a cot bed it's easy to get caught up in the specs and safety features, but don't forget the style. It's important that you choose the cot bed that is both functional and beautiful.
The ickle bubba Snowdon Classic Cot Bed is the perfect bed for those who appreciate design, with its sleek modern take on a traditional sleigh design that doesn't have the bulky feeling that these types of beds can often feature. It also doesn't skimp on storage space and features an open drawer that can be placed under the cot, plus teething rails that can be attached to the side. Our mom tested it and found it sturdy and robust with a three-position base height that allows the bed to grow with your child.
The Modena cot-bed by Tutti Bambini is a great value and comes in a panelled design that will be suitable for any nursery. It's designed to be used until your child is six years old, and then it transforms first into a junior bed, and then into a stylish sofa bed. It's also among the cot beds that we tested to have an opening, a hanging rail and teething rails. Its solid pine construction makes it a great option for parents who want their cot to endure the test of time.
Another option that has a stylish panel design is the Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed, that is available in a variety of color options to fit your nursery decor. The storage drawer was particularly useful for clothing and bedding. Our mom testers were awed by the features. 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 with a small space, since it can be folded and then flat-packed. It can be used with an ordinary cot mattress (140cm x 70cm) and is suitable from the time of birth until toddlerhood, with an extension kit that allows it to be used up until your child is 10 years old. older.
Convertibility
There are a lot of baby essentials you need to think about as the new parent. One of the most important is a quality cot bed - you need something that will last as long as possible and will change with your child to give them a secure and comfortable place to sleep.
While the majority of cots can be transformed into toddler beds by the purchase of a conversion kit some cots are made to go further than this. Our top choice is the Boori Eton Convertible Plus Cot Bed, which transforms into an infant bed (L207cm x W147cm x H90cm), as well as a daybed and sofa (L234cm x W145cm x H70cm). This makes it our top choice for durability and will last from birth to the age of.
It's not cheap in comparison to other cot beds we've tested, but it has an attractive appearance and feel that would fit in with any nursery. Our parents who tested it were impressed with how easy it was to set up and build but they did say that the instructions could be more clear. This is not a major issue however, as it was still a breeze and took less than thirty minutes to complete.
The cot comes with four different base heights for the mattress. This is an upgrade over the three standard options. This allows you to adjust the cot as your child develops. They might require an upper or lower base level depending on their age and abilities. It includes teething rails that are useful and a plastic strip on the top to stop it from being bit.
The grey finish was the most popular of our dad test-driver. It is not cheap but it offers great value because it will last your child through toddlerhood and beyond. Plus, it's covered by a one-year warranty, so you have assurance that it will be sturdy and long-lasting. The only thing you'll have to purchase separately is a mattress, that's not included.