Choosing between the best cot bed for your baby is no easy task — but that's where our parent-approved guide comes in.
The best cot beds do it all. Some double up as brilliant storage spaces for stashing spare bedding, most come with an adjustable mattress base so that it’s easier to reach your baby and others look like a work of art, while making for a comfy and safe spot to rest your little one’s head.
But aside from this, how do cot beds differ from conventional cots? Or the best beside cribs? Getting more bang for your buck, cot beds allow your baby to continue to sleep in it long after toddlerhood. A standard cot typically needs to be replaced with a bed once your child is around three years old, whereas you can simply convert a cot bed into a bed at this stage. So it's pretty handy, right?
But how do you find the best cot bed for your little one? Of course, the best cot bed for your baby is one that fits your budget, taste and wish list of features. Whether that’s in terms of size, style or storage space.
So, to help you work out which one to consider buying, we shortlisted our pick of the best cot beds and then assembled a panel of parents to put them to the test. All the cot beds featured are suitable from birth and we asked our testers to try out the cot beds for several weeks with their babies, aged between 12 weeks and two years old. Here’s what they had to say...
Heidi Scrimgeour is a mum of three and an experienced parenting and lifestyle journalist. She originally wrote this buying guide in 2020 before joining Goodto as Consumer Editor in 2021. In June 2023 Heidi rewrote this guide, refreshing the advice on how to choose the best cot bed and adding some new cot bed reviews.
The best cot beds
Made from solid pine, this cot bed has three mattress height settings, so you can lower the base as your baby gets older, making it easy to reach your newborn but also helping to prevent an adventurous toddler from climbing out.
Buy it if: You're looking for a timeless, stylish, and robust cot bed. "There is a real sense of class about this cot bed - it oozes quality and you can tell it will last many years," says our tester Donna, mum to seven-month-old Daisy. It's also a good buy if you're a fan of easy assembly items. "I put it together on my own during one of Daisy’s shorter naps," adds Donna. "After initially putting the base too low by mistake, I then had practice changing the height and found it really straightforward to adjust."
Don't buy it if: You need a budget-friendly, affordable cot bed. However, if your budget can stretch to this, it's a worthwhile investment. "It has a solid pine frame and sturdy plywood base, and with the recommended Nutkin mattress (sold separately - £125) you'll have a beautiful, well-made cot bed that will last for years," adds Donna. "I looked at cheaper mattresses costing around £50 and the difference in quality is vast - it's well worth spending more money for better quality."
A beautifully-designed, vintage-style cot bed that's impressively sturdy with three height positions so you can adjust it as your baby grows. Remove the bars to create a bench-style bed. It's available in off-white or stylish green.
Buy it if: You're looking for a striking cot bed that will make a stylish centrepiece in the nursery. "I was curious to see it as colours can look different online but I wasn't disappointed," says our tester, Gemma Fromage-Crawford, mum to Boden, 13 months. "It's a beautiful shade of green. Previously, I had only considered a traditional white cot bed but this has totally changed my mind. And even though it's described as vintage, it's a stunning piece that looks great in a modern nursery."
Don't buy it if: You'd prefer a basic, inexpensive cot bed and you prioritise value for money over design aesthetics. That said, it's super robust and easily stood up to the ‘trampoline test’ inflicted on it by our tester. "Boden loves to hold onto the frame and bounce up and down," says Gemma. "He also uses the bars to pull himself to standing so the frame takes a lot of his weight. You can't always judge how robust baby furniture will be, but the Willox is very sturdy and well made."
Disclaimer: this is out of stock. We'll update the link as soon as the product is available.
The perfect cot bed if you love contemporary design and can handle a fiddly assembly process. Longevity is its standout feature, as it's suitable from birth to age four, or until your child is 10 years old if you buy the extension kit.
Buy it if: You're a big fan of Scandi-chic design and want to invest in a beautiful cot bed that will last your child for years - right up until the age of 10 if you're happy to pay extra for the extension kit. "It has three mattress height settings which is a bonus and although it's not cheap, it's actually significantly less expensive than many other similar Scandi-inspired cots," says tester Kate, mum to Blake, aged six months. "And the fact that it can be used up to age four (or even ten) makes it a true investment piece."
Don't buy it if: You hate DIY as the assembly is tricky - but worth the effort. "It took two of us 90 minutes to put together," explains Kate. However, once it was eventually assembled she did conclude that it looks "amazing" in her baby's nursery. The finish on the wood isn't flawless - but it's made from natural beech wood with no MDF or veneer so that's to be expected. Do note that the mattress and extension kit have to be purchased separately so factor in the additional expense.
An elegant, timeless design with a smart, panelled look. The cot has adjustable height levels for your baby's safety. It is functional, beautiful, and good value for money if you factor in the years that it will be in use.
Buy it if: You're a fan of classic design and want a highly crafted cot bed that could be passed down to future generations. "It's a good choice if you have a boisterous toddler," adds our tester. "It's a safe and sturdy cot that is immovable by toddlers who might try to rock it." It's also very easy to build and took our tester just 12 minutes to assemble.
Don't buy it if: You'd prefer an inexpensive cot bed that you won't reuse or pass down. "This cot bed feels very solid and sturdy - it's comforting that there is no way my toddler can tip it over," says our tester. "It's expensive but it could take your baby from birth to four years, making it an investment piece of nursery furniture that can evolve with your family's needs.
This simple but stylish solid pine cot bed is suitable from birth to three years. It comes with a mattress and has an in-built storage drawer. In terms of value for money, this is one of the best cot beds you could choose.
Buy it if: Value for money is your priority. "I didn't expect a storage drawer on an inexpensive cot bed but it's so useful and helps make a toddler's mess more manageable," says Emma. "I felt confident loading it with blankets, toys, and anything I want to hide neatly out of sight. The sleek, minimal design isn't spoiled as an extra panel covers the drawer.
Don't buy it if: A flawless finish matters to you and value for money is less important. The cot rattled when our tester's baby was restless and the finish isn't perfect. "The screws are visible on the edges of the wood, which detracts a little from the overall minimal, stylish look," says Emma. "The edge of the bed guard also seems a little sharp on the corners."
Disclaimer: this is out of stock. We'll update the link as soon as the product is available.