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Best cot beds and cots for babies and toddlers - as recommended by real parents
From classic, dependable cots for newborns to the best cot beds which grow with your child, we've narrowed down the best cots and cot beds you can buy in 2024.
By Lucy Cotterill | Last updated Jun 24, 2024
The time may pass by in a blur, but after just a few short months, your baby can start to outgrow their Moses basket or crib, meaning it’s time to think about investing in the best cot or cot bed for your little one. Transitioning from their newborn bed to a cot or cot bed is a major milestone in your baby’s life, often meaning they’ll be sleeping in their own room for the very first time. As such, you’ll want to find a cot bed that is good value, comfortable and most importantly, safe.
In our search for the best cot beds to buy in 2024, we've consulted baby sleep experts such as The Lullaby Trust, as well as turning to the Mumsnet Talk forums - the largest network of parents in the UK and home to hundreds of authentic, tried-and-tested reviews. Combined with expert advice and consumer reviews, we’ve come up with the best cots and cot beds for 2024.
If you’re thinking about other baby equipment you’ll need in the months ahead - our guides to the best baby monitors, the best baby changing bags and the best travel cots have you covered for the essentials.
These are the best cot beds to buy in 2024.
Lasts from birth to six years
Removable changing table
Neutral, classy design
Great price
Mattress sold separately
Price on writing: £190 | Size: 57 x 34 x 37cm | Material: Pine | Age: Birth - 6 years | Mattress height: 3 adjustable positions
With everything you need from birth to six years, the Tutti Bambini Rio cot bed is our top pick for 2024. It comes with a removable changing table for those late-night newborn nappy changes, allowing you to change your baby on top of the cot without hurting your back or knees. We recommend using a baby sleeping bag with a zipped bottom so you can keep them cosy while you clean them up.
As they grow, the cot converts into a 140 x 70cm toddler bed that’ll last until they’re around six - by which age they'll be old enough for a bunk bed or single. The cot bed has a tasteful, neutral design and is made from high-quality New Zealand Pine - perfect for handing on or selling secondhand.
Reviewers say it’s easy to assemble, sturdy and comfy for their kids, and at just over £200 we think it ticks all the boxes. The only slight drawback is that the mattress is sold separately. It’s a standard size, however, so you can take your pick from the options on our best cot mattresses round-up.
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Baby Elegance Starlight Cot
Adjustable mattress base
Teething rails to protect gnawing gums
Range of colours and finishes
Doesn’t convert to a cot bed
Price on writing: £94 | Size: 124 x 65 x 88cm | Material: Wood | Age: From birth - 25kg or able to climb out | Mattress height: 3 adjustable positions
You don't come across many good quality, adjustable, sturdy cots for under £100 these days - and even fewer which can be put together in under 10 minutes.
The Baby Elegance Starlight Cot has a clean, elegant design and although it doesn't convert to a cot bed, the mattress can be lowered to three different heights as your baby grows.
If you purchase from Argos you'll get a standard 120 x 60 cm cot mattress included, taking the extra hassle of shopping around for one out of the equation.
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Mokee Mini Cot Bed
Smaller size but still converts to a cot bed
Seven adjustable mattress positions
Space underneath is perfect for storage
Made from 100% sustainable FSC-certified beechwood
Pricey
Mattress not included
Price on writing: £224 | Size: 124 x 64 x 84 cm | Material: FSC-certified beechwood | Age: From birth - three years or 15 kg | Mattress height: 7 adjustable positions
Tried and tested by Mumsnet: Read our in-depth Mokee Mini Cot Bed review
An undeniably elegant cot bed which is small, compact and space-saving, the Mokee Mini Cot Bed isn't the cheapest, admittedly, but it's packed with excellent features which help justify its price tag.
Made from 100% sustainably sourced beechwood, it comes in a range of gorgeous colours and the base can be adjusted to seven different heights to accomodate your growing baby. And the conversion to cot bed couldn't be simpler - once they're ready, simply remove one of the side panels!
It's a little smaller than most cot beds - which is a bonus if you're short on space - and takes a standard 120 x 60 cm cot mattress.
FSC Certified solid wood
Transform from cot to toddler bed using toddler guard (sold separately)
Stylish and classic design
Toddler rail additional expense when you convert to a toddler bed
Price on writing: £269 | Size: 95 x 94 x 145cm | Material: Australian Araucaria wood | Age: From birth to approximately 5 years | Mattress height: Unspecified
The Boori Alice Cotbed comes at a far more reasonable price tag than many on our list and offers a sleek, minimalist design which will fit beautifully in any nursery theme or decor. Though it doesn't include a mattress unlike the Boori Eton, the cost of buying one separately still costs far less.
It's also a good choice for the eco-conscious, as it's made from sustainable wood painted with Boori’s unique Eco-Blend Bio-Paint which is made with renewable plant extracts. It'll last your baby from birth to around five years old, with the base lowering as required.
Read next: Potty training? Check out the best potties to buy, as recommended by Mumsnetters.
Modern and stylish
Grows with your child
High quality
Good for buying and selling secondhand
Requires a specialist mattress
Price on writing: £507 | Size: 141 x 74 x 78cm | Material: Beech | Age: 0-5 years | Mattress height: 4 adjustable positions
Tried and tested by Mumsnet: Read our in-depth Stokke Sleepi review
Suitable from newborn through to the age of five, the Stokke Sleepi has a modern, quirky look that’s a big hit with Mumsnet users. The unique oval design is shaped to resemble a mother’s womb, and unlike other cot beds, it starts off small and cosy, using extension pieces to get longer and bigger as your child grows.
At over £500, it’s on the pricier end of the market, and Mumsnetters say this one’s a great option for both buying and selling secondhand. The unusual shape and lengthening mean standard mattresses won’t fit this cot bed, so you’ll need to get a Stokke mattress or opt for one of the cheaper alternatives available on Amazon.
Read next: The best Moses basket mattresses for a safe night's sleep
Extension kit (available separately) makes the bed suitable for up to 10 years
Stylish design
Good value for money
Non-standard mattress sizes required
Price on writing: £379 | Size: 72 x 133 x 89cm | Material: Beech | Age: 0-4 years | Mattress height: 3 adjustable positions
If you’re looking for a cot bed that’ll last until your child’s a tween, the Snuzkot Skandi is the most versatile option we’ve found. Suitable from birth to age 10, the quirky yet simple design will keep your child comfy for years and years to come. At around £300 plus £80 for the extension kit, this works out at just under £40 per year of use - a bargain in our book.
Reviewers say the Snuzkot is easy to assemble and high quality. Mattresses are sold separately and need to be slightly smaller than standard sizes, so it’s worth factoring this cost in while making your decision. Snuz sells specialist mattresses to fit their cot beds, with adjustable firmness offering the best support at each stage.
Read next: The best baby sleeping bags for a cosy night's sleep
Traditional design
Teething rails protect growing teeth
70L storage drawer
Matching nursery furniture is available
Mattress sold separately
Price on writing: £280 | Size: 91 x 76 x 154cm | Material: Pine and MDF | Age: 0-4 years | Mattress height:3 adjustable positions
This beautiful sleigh-style cot bed from Obaby has a striking yet traditional design, making it a stunning centrepiece for a classic nursery. We love the generous storage drawer underneath the base, perfect for stashing all those essentials for bedtime cuddles and late-night nappy changes. It also has three different height settings which are easy to adjust as your baby grows.
When your child is old enough, the sides can be removed and the ends lowered to convert the Obaby into a simple yet sturdy sleigh bed. At 140cm in length, it’s likely to last until your child is around four years old.
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It looks exactly like a standard cot but is smaller in size at just 0.61m²
Allows more room for a baby to grow and develop than a Moses basket or bedside crib
Easy to assemble
The small size means your baby will grow out of it sooner
Doesn’t convert into a bed
Price on writing: £99 | Size: 90 x 64 x 96cm | Material: Pine and engineered board | Age: 0-18 months | Mattress height: 2 adjustable positions
Tried and tested by Mumsnet: Read our full Mamas & Papas Compact Cot review
If you’ve decided on a cot over a moses basket or crib but don’t have oodles of space in your bedroom, the Mamas & Papas petite compact cot is the one for you. Taking up a tiny footprint of just 0.61m², it’ll fit snugly into a small space and last until your baby is around 18 months old.
Safe-sleeping experts recommend you keep your baby in the same room as you for the first six months, but the Mamas & Papas Petite Compact Cot allows you to do this for even longer or fit into most box rooms when it’s time for them to have their own space. As it's a unique size, you'll need to get a non-standard mattress. We'd recommend the cot and mattress bundle for the best deal.
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More of the best cot beds vetted by Mumsnetters
Our youngest has an East Coast cot bed, used it from her 1st day home. She sleeps well in it now at 8wk, goes 6-8 hours at night.
Toulouse Cot Bed
£180
Cot bed with drawers underneath . Don't waste that floor space! Our boy has just turned three and we're about to move him into a bed, but we've been able to keep him in the cot bed with the sides up until now. He could still fit in it for ages yet, we just want to bump his 14m sister up.
Orlando Wooden Cot Bed
£140
We got one from John Lewis and a mattress to go with it, and think we spent about £200 in total. Does the job, DD sleeps well in it!
Elementary Cotbed
£155
What’s the difference between a cot and a cot bed?
A cot bed works just the same as a cot, but when your child is ready (or starts to climb out of it) it can be converted into a small bed. This is usually achieved by removing the sides and sometimes lowering the ends of the bed. A standard cot doesn’t have these features, so once your child outgrows it or can climb out, it’s time to buy a new bed.
Do I need a crib or Moses basket for the newborn stage?
Many parents choose to opt for a bedside crib or Moses basket when their baby is very small. It means they can stay close, nighttime breastfeeding is easier and most cribs and Moses baskets are portable for daytime naps too. Cots and cot beds can be daunting for tiny babies, as they're quite a large space for a little human, and newborns often prefer somewhere more womb-like to sleep. Head over to our detailed guides to the best cribs and the best Moses baskets to find out more.
Having said that, many babies sleep well in a cot from birth. They're a safe place for babies to sleep and if you have space, you can set it up in your own bedroom initially. A baby sleeping bag or swaddle can help them feel more at home.
What bedding do you need for a cot bed?
The Lullaby Trust recommend just a sheet and a baby sleeping bag for the first year. Pillows, cot bumpers and duvets aren’t advised until kids are older due to the risk of suffocation.
When you convert the cot into a toddler bed, you can buy cot bed-sized bedding from many retailers. We think Silentnight make the best cot bed duvet and pillow, and we love John Lewis’ range of cute duvet covers for cot beds.
What type of mattress is best for a cot bed?
There are lots of choices out there for cot mattresses, but you can find Mumsnet users’ favourites in our round-up of the best cot mattresses. It’s essential to check your measurements before buying a mattress, as cots and cot bed dimensions can vary and some are non-standard sizes.
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What’s the best cot bed to buy?
The Tutti Bambini Rio is our pick of the best cot bed to buy. Mumsnetters love its versatility - it’s suitable from birth to six years and transforms into a contemporary and stylish bed. We think the removable changing table is a real lifesaver for those midnight nappy changes and the price is very reasonable too.
Read next: Toddler sleep regression survival tips from a sleep consultant
About the author
Lucy Cotterill is a Mum and Content Writer at Mumsnet, specialising in baby/child and lifestyle product reviews and round-ups. Having written product reviews on her own blog Real Mum Reviews since 2012, Lucy loves to research and explore the pros and cons of products, scrutinising reviews and consumer feedback to help people make confident purchases.
Originally from a HR background with a degree in Business Studies, Lucy developed a real passion for blogging and writing when her children were young, going on to write for several online publications including US parenting site Pregistry and the Evening Standard. When she’s not manically tapping the keys of her laptop, Lucy loves nothing more than to cosy up with her Kindle and enjoy the latest thriller, or compete in Nintendo Switch rallies with her daughters aged six and 10.
How we chose our recommendations
Before we began researching the best cot beds, we first scrutinised the latest safe sleep advice from trusted organisations such as The Lullaby Trust, the NCT and the NHS so we could be confident that all the cots we were recommending were safe.
We also consulted renowned consumer organisations such as Which? to gather information on how to choose the best quality products and also those that would offer the most value for money.
Finally, we scoured the Mumsnet forums, where real parents offer honest and impartial advice about the products that have worked for them, as well as analysing reviews from customers and consumer experts on various other websites.
We took all the cots and cot beds that came most highly recommended by consumers and parents to draw up a shortlist of 20 products and then narrowed it down to the eight you see here, which we think offer enough choice for every family.
Why you should trust us
At Mumsnet, we believe parents should be able to access impartial and honest advice about products and services they may purchase.
We consult real parents as well as experts so we can offer the benefit of honest experience and we don’t take payment for our reviews from companies.
Our team of writers is made up of experienced consumer and parenting journalists who between them have a wealth of experience and knowledge at their fingertips.