Best cot beds: these are the 11 top options according to parent-testers

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.

This sturdy cot bed has a storage drawer and a handy hanging rail. Teething rails are included and the adjustable base has two height positions. Assembly is a dream thanks to alphabetically labelled parts and great instructions.

Buy it if: You have plenty of space and want a cot bed that's relentlessly sturdy - a good choice if you hope to grow your family. "This is a beautiful, stylish cot bed that'll save you money and hassle," says tester Annie Quinn, mum to Leo, 12 weeks. "The storage drawer is a lifesaver with limited storage space. I keep sheets, blankets, swaddles, and towels in it."

Don't buy it if: You're short on space because this is bulkier than other cot beds. Overall, however, Annie feels it's a classy and well-made cot bed. "It's a bit pricey but you can see the quality and craftsmanship the moment you look at it. It's a real statement piece. I haven't stopped talking about it or taking photos of it. I am genuinely so happy with this cot bed."

A minimalistic cot that's brilliant value for money yet made from high-quality beech with a removable panel to transform it into a toddler bed. It has an impressive range of mattress base positions too - seven in total.

Buy it if: "We tested this as a toddler bed and our daughter took to it really well." says Gabrielle, mum to Milla, aged two. "I think she likes the feeling of being in a cot with the accessibility of a bed. She's had six nights' undisturbed sleep, which is a miracle!" Highly affordable, it's available in four colours with lots of accessories available to coordinate your look.

Don't buy it if: You don't like budget buys or think they're sometimes a false economy because you end up replacing it when it doesn't stand the test of time - although that's not an issue with this cot bed. Whether you're kitting out the nursery on a budget or just don't want to spend a lot, this is the best cot bed for money savers. 

This curved, compact cot bed is made from sustainable solid wood and has two base heights. Unlike any of the other cot beds we tested, this has lockable castors so it's easy to move between rooms or position close to your bed at night.

Buy it if: You want a compact cot bed that fits beside your bed and is easy to move when the time comes for your little one to sleep in their own room. It's also "exceedingly easy" to put together according to our tester, Jill Reilly, mum to Grace, aged six months. "The shape also means it can take centre stage in a child's bedroom, rather than being shoved up against a wall." 

Don't buy it if: You'd prefer a conventional toddler bed. "You remove one end (and later have the option of turning it into a child's sofa) so I'm nervous that entry via the foot of the bed may be slightly bizarre for a toddler," says Jill. "Also, it may be tricky to get out of bed quickly. However, you don't have to buy a separate bed guard or worry about falling out of bed."

An inexpensive, compact cot bed that's ideal for smaller bedrooms, impressively sturdy and yet highly affordable. It's a good choice if you're looking for a neutral cot bed that will look good alongside existing nursery decor or furniture. 

Buy it if: You want a cot bed that's robust enough to suit an energetic toddler. "It feels very solid and well built, with very little 'give' in the structure," says our tester, Catherine Lofthouse, mum to Robin, 19 months. "My wriggly toddler thrashes about at night and tries to wobble the sides when he wakes up but it has coped with everything he's thrown at it."

Don't buy it if: You'd prefer a full-sized cot. The finish isn't perfect either. "One of the screw holes hadn't been drilled all the way through and the paint finish was a little patchy in places, but I had this assembled by myself in less than 50 minutes," says Catherine. "It's also easy to move into another bedroom in the future."