Cot Bed Isn't As Tough As You Think

· 6 min read
Cot Bed Isn't As Tough As You Think

The Best Cot Beds For Your Little One

Whether you're camping with baby or visiting relatives, a comfortable night's sleep is crucial. Choose the best cot bed to ensure your child is secure and comfortable. They can (hopefully!) sleep easily.

With a slim design and easy-to-assemble frame this cot bed bears all the marks of a high-quality design. It can also be transformed into a stylish toddler's bed.

The Mamas and Papas Coxley

The overall winner is the Coxley is packed with design features that follow an exquisitely designed and hand-crafted style. It comes with three adjustable cot base heights that can be converted into a toddler bed, so it will last your child through their first four years. It has two teething bars that soothe gums and stop them from chewing on the sides of the cot.

The Coxley is available in a complete nursery set, which includes a chic cotbed, a multi-purpose dresser/changer and double wardrobe. The dresser/change has an adjustable changing unit that transforms it from a convenient baby changing station to a stylish dresser. It can be filled with your child's favorite toys and keepsakes. The drawers are fully customisable and you can tailor the style of your nursery.

A cot of good quality should last until your child is about four years old. However some come with the option of purchasing expansion packs which extend their use up to five or even 10 years. It's worth looking out for these because they can be cheaper than buying a brand new mattress and cot later.


The Coxley is a great choice for cot beds. It's simple to put together and well-made, and looks stunning in any nursery. It's more expensive than other options and requires a standard-sized mattress, which you'll have to purchase separately. It's worth checking out, however, because we think it's well worth the cost for a long-lasting design that looks extremely sturdy.

The Silver Cross Westport

The Silver Cross Westport is an elegant and sleek choice that will complement any nursery. It is a minimalist design that has contemporary flair, featuring warm oak-like details and soft curves for a standout style that's sure to be loved by parents as well as the baby. The cot bed can be used until your child reaches the age of four, and can be easily converted to a toddler bed using an easy extension kit. The dresser that comes with it has an under-bed drawer which is ideal for blankets and muslins. It also comes with teething rails so your child can be safe while sleeping.

This cot was rated the top by our testers for its design, its ease of assembly, and also the Allen key that comes with it. She also praised the solid construction and premium feel, stating that it is an "real investment piece" and is a stylish accessory to any nursery.

It's more expensive than the other cribs we've seen, but the quality and durability are worth the cost. The sleigh design is striking and will make any room in which your baby is centre of the attention! You can save money by purchasing the extras such as a rail for teething and a drawer. We recommend buying an oval mattress instead of one of the standard UK size one, to avoid stretching the slats and causing discomfort for your baby. Apart from that our test-bearer didn't have any issues with this cot and said it was a great buy.

The La Redoute Willox

This cot bed is absolute luxury. With solid birch oak and plywood slats It's built to last and has a genuine French style. It also complies with French safety standards and you can be assured that your child will be in good hands. We are awestruck by the off-white finish but it's also available in a stunning grey-green colour.

Our testers found it easy to put together, and also that it looked most luxurious of our selections. However, it is expensive particularly since you have to purchase the mattress separately, and when you're on a tight budget, there are cheaper alternatives out there.

The Great Little Trading Company Little Wren Cotbed

This cot bed is a great choice if you are seeking additional features. It comes with a handy under-bed storage compartment and teething rails. Plus, you can adjust the height of the base through three different settings so that your child won't be forced to climb out when they're older.

The only drawback of this cot is that you will need to buy a mattress separately which can push the price up even more than other models in our review. The beautiful design, ease of assembly, and the ability to grow with your child are all appealing, making this cot worth the investment. Our testers thought this cot would make an excellent addition to any nursery.

The John Lewis Elementary

The John Lewis Elementary is a good choice for parents looking for a stylish contemporary frame that can endure the test of time. It's more expensive than other frames but it comes with matching wardrobe and changing table so you can furnish your nursery in one go. It's also easy to assemble and has 3 mattress height positions so your baby can develop into it. It has teething rails, and a drawer that slides neatly under the mattress to ensure you don't waste valuable floor space.

It's worth noting that you'll have to purchase a mattress separately for this cot bed, so make sure you budget for it. A quality mattress can be purchased for less than PS100. This is not an expensive cost. The only drawback is that you may find it tricky to get an ideal fit due to the fact that the cot has an oval shape, but there are a variety of types of mattresses that will be suitable for it.

Many parents choose to use cot beds due to the fact that they are affordable and give your child an enjoyable place to sleep. Most cot beds are suitable for children ranging from birth to about four years old age, however some can be transformed into toddler beds by purchasing an extension kit.  www.cots4tots.co.uk  included a few these in our list, so you can look for them if would like your cot to last for a longer time.

The Wooden Cot Bed

One of our top cot beds, this beautiful solid-wood version is beautifully designed and very stylish. It also comes with a range of handy extras like a drawer beneath that is handy as well as three adjustable base heights. The cot can be used up to the age of four (though most will need to be converted into an infant bed using an conversion kit, available separately).

A teddy bear canopy as well as teething rails that can be removed are also included. Our test participant said that this cot bed was easy to put together, particularly since all the pieces were clearly labeled and well packed. It's also small in size when compared to other cots we looked at, making it a good option for smaller rooms.

It is not cheap at PS599 and includes a mattress included. But it feels like an investment piece, and it can be used for more than one child. It looks beautiful in natural wood, however you can also purchase it in three Scandi-inspired colors. It can be easily converted into a toddler bed (leaving the three sides open to ensure safety) and later into a sofa/daybed once your child is ready to let go of the bars.

It's a great choice for parents looking for an option for a flexible sleep solution that will last as long as possible - our test with parents Becki says that her Boori cot has survived three children, so it really seems to endure the test of time. It's a beautiful, traditional style that'll suit all homes and is made from sustainable Australian Araucaria and New Zealand Radiata wood. The cot also includes a number of useful accessories such as a teddy bear-themed canopy and teething rails, and the option of buying a reflux wedge for added comfort for babies.