Expert Advice On Best Cot Bed From The Age Of Five

How to Choose the Best Cot Bed

With so many baby must-haves to consider, the best rated cribs crib bed is among the most important buys. Therefore, we've created this guide to help you locate the perfect choice for your little one.

This top-quality option is perfect in Scandi style nurseries. It's a durable and sturdy option that will grow with your child, offering three mattress height positions as well as the option of removing the sides for a sleek bench-style toddler bed.

Budget

When you think of cots to tots, there's something for every budget and every nursery. There are a myriad of options that have different lifespans, some of which can be transformed into toddler beds that can be used in the preschool years or beyond. Naturally, those which convert into beds do tend to be more expensive, but the cost can be well-repaid in the event that you need a cot that lasts for years rather than just for a few months.

The Mamas & Papas Coxley won our overall prize. Its luxurious aesthetics and simple to assemble design make it a great option for those looking for an upscale cot that can last for a long time. Our testers for parents liked the minimalist design and warm oak finish of this model, which would look stunning in a Scandi-style nursery. The cot bed has an adjustable drawer that mom tester Katrina thought was a better choice than some cheaper cots which have an integrated drawer. It also comes with an anti-bite strip on the top rails of the cot to stop your child's teeth from getting caught. But at PS599 with a mattress that is sold separately, this cot isn't cheap and it requires an Allen key to make it functional.

A more budget-friendly alternative that will still provide your baby a comfy night's rest is the cot sale that's Elementary from John Lewis' Anyday range. Our parents liked the simple design and quick, straightforward assembly. The cot is foldable up and stored easily, as it fits into bags similar to the one used to store a camping chair. It's not the best choice for camping in the car however it's suitable for those living in apartments or who won't be moving their cot a lot.

We recommend the SnuzKot as an alternative to a cot that is budget-friendly, particularly if it comes with the toddler kit (sold separately) and mattress extender. It will grow with your baby until they reach four years old. Our father tester liked that it could be transformed into a minimalist-looking toddler bed, and also create an atmosphere of cocoons with its fabric canopy.

Safety

A cot that is safe and sturdy will not only be in compliance with UK safety standards, but also feel solid and secure. Choose a sturdy design that includes safety bars or sides and solid foundations to ensure that your child is unable to easily get out. Some cots include extra features like teething rails or drawers under the bed which can aid you in staying organized as your baby develops.

The Boori cot is constructed of sustainable Australian Araucaria wood and New Zealand Radiata, so you can feel confident 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 for an extension kit that takes it all the way up to a double bed when your child is ready.

This simple but stylish cot is a good choice when you're on a tight budget. It's easy to assemble and has clearly labeled components and clear instructions. It comes with three height settings for the mattress so that you can adjust it as your baby grows. It is compatible with most standard cot mattresses and is a good purchase for the price.

This is a fantastic option if you are looking for a high-end cot. It can be used as a cot, and comes with four mattress positions. It'll keep your baby cot online (Going Listed here) safe until they are around three years old. 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 handy travel bag, and is one of the lightest cots we tested, weighing just 6kg. It's also extremely sturdy and has a strong frame that can withstand the raging toddlers. The instructions were well-written and clear, however our testers found the assembly to be a little difficult. They were impressed by the fact that the slats are sufficiently apart to avoid fingers from getting caught between them. It's also a bit more expensive than the other cots that we looked at however, it's worth the cost for its durability and functionality.

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 therefore it's crucial to choose one that you love and also is practical and functional.

The icklebubba Snowdon Classic bed is the perfect cot for design lovers. Its sleek, modern version of the classic sleigh style doesn't have that bulky feeling that these types of cots can provide. It also offers space-saving storage and has an extra drawer that slides under the cot, plus teething rails that can be connected to the side. Our mother tested it and found it robust and durable with three positions of base height that allows the bed to expand with your child.

If you prefer alternatively, the Modena cot bed from Tutti Bambini offers excellent value for money. It also has a smart panelled look that will look great in any nursery. It's designed to last 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 one of only a handful of cot beds that we tested with a drawer and a rail for teething and a hanging rail.

Another option that has a stylish panel design is the Stokke Sleepie Cot Bed, which is available in several colour options to coordinate with your nursery decor. Our mom testers loved its unique features including the drawer for storage being particularly useful for storing bedding and clothing. It's also one of the easiest cot beds for parents to assemble, with all the pieces being clearly labelled and easy to understand instructions. It's also a great option for those with limited space because it can be flat-packed and rolled down. It uses a standard cot sets-mattress (140cm by 70cm), and is suitable for babies to toddlerhood. An extension kit allows it to be used up to 10 years of age.

Convertibility

There are a lot of baby essentials that you must consider when a new parent. But one of the most important is a quality cot bed. You want something that will last as long as possible and grow with your child to provide them a safe and comfortable place to sleep.

While most cots can be converted into toddler beds by the purchase of a conversion kit some cots are made to go further than this. The Boori Eton Cot Bed is our top choice. It can be converted to a toddler (L207cm, W147cm H90cm) and the daybed (L234cm, W145cm and H70cm) and a sofa (L234cm, W145cm, and H70cm). This makes it the longest-lasting choice on our list, as it should see your child through from birth to childhood.

It's more expensive than the other cot-beds we tested, but its premium appearance and feel can be found in any nursery. The instructions could be more clear, but our parent testers were impressed by the ease with which it was for to construct and set up. This is a minor flaw but it was still very straightforward and took less than 30 minutes to complete.

This cot has four different mattress base heights. This is an upgrade over the three most popular options. This allows you to alter the height of the cot as your child grows. They may require a lower or higher base level, based on their age and abilities. It also comes with useful teething rails as well as a plastic strip that runs along the top to protect it from being bitten.

This cot is available in a variety of Scandi-inspired finishes and our dad tester was especially impressed by the grey finish. It's not inexpensive however it offers great value for money as it will take your child through toddlerhood and beyond. It also comes with one-year warranty, to ensure that it will last. The only thing you'll have to buy separately is a mattress which isn't included.