The best toddler bed 2024: space-saving beds for safety, comfort and fun

Moving your child from their cot to their first ‘big bed’ can feel like a daunting task as a parent. While some will opt to move their child straight into a single bed equipped with toddler-friendly bed guards, other parents may prefer to invest in a bespoke toddler bed or floor bed once their little one has outgrown their cot.

Often lower than standard single beds, a toddler bed can often feel like a safer option for little ones unused to sleeping without bars, not to mention those middle-of-the-night potty or toilet trips. Many toddler beds also have in-built guard rails for peace of mind without losing the feel of it being a more grown up bed than their cot, while others have convertible features which mean they could last your child from toddlerhood all the way through their teens.

Here at Mumsnet our mission is to make life easier for parents, which is why we’ve done the hard work for you, scouring online reviews and expert-led safe-sleeping guidance and cross-referencing with recommendations from Mumsnet users to narrow down our choices of the best toddler beds. Here's our pick of the best toddler beds to make that all-important transition from baby to big kid bed all the more easy (and peaceful!) for the whole family.

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At what age should you transition from cot to toddler bed?

Every toddler is different and there isn't really a perfect age to move them from their cot to their toddler bed, or convert to a cot bed. Most toddler beds on our list are designed for children aged from 18 months, though if your little one has begun to climb out of their cot before this point, it might be worth considering a toddler bed sooner.

Of course, the downside to transitioning to a 'big bed' is that they'll be more likely to get up in the night, so it's worth weighing up the pros and cons before making that all-important decision. If they're happy, safe and comfortable in a cot, there's no reason to move them until they're closer to three, at which point they're more likely to understand that they need to stay in bed at night!

What type of bed is best for a toddler?

Again, there's no reason why you can't keep your toddler in their cot if they're happy and safe sleeping in there. But if you are looking to make that move, there are a huge number of bed options to consider, from the traditional toddler beds such as the John Lewis Elemental to floor beds to those which grow with your child.

If your child has been sleeping in a cot bed then this may well prove to be the perfect 'big kid bed' for them once converted - on the plus side you won't have to shop around for a new mattress, but on the down-side you won't get the added security of the guard rails many toddler beds come with.

Of course, you may just opt for them to go straight into a single or even a double bed. These will usually be a little higher than bespoke toddler or cot beds so it may be worth using a bed guard and/or putting something soft on the floor to prevent any night-time bumps and bruises.

What are the benefits of a toddler bed?

The best thing about a toddler bed is that it has been designed with a toddler in mind. Often it features extra safety measures when compared with a standard single bed, such as in-built bed rails or guards and is closer to the ground. They're also smaller, which can feel more comforting to a toddler who is used to sleeping in a cot. Often toddler beds will feature fun designs or extra features which can help make bedtime more fun for everyone.

What to consider when choosing a toddler bed:

There are many important factors to consider when choosing the best toddler bed for your child, including:

• Safety - many toddlers transitioning from a cot won't be used to sleeping without railings either side of them - does their toddler bed feature a guard or side rails to prevent them falling out? Is it low enough to the floor so they can climb in and out safely and independently? Does it feel sturdy and secure?

• Size - be sure to measure the space you have before hitting the purchase button, not just the size of the mattress required! If the toddler bed you have in mind is not a standard size, will you be able to find a mattress for it easily?

• Storage - does the toddler bed come with storage options? Do you need it to?

• Your toddler - letting your toddler help choose their big bed may make the transition from cot to toddler bed all the more easy (though you may want to restrict some of the choices on offer ahead of time!) If you've the space, it might be a good idea to set the new bed up a few nights before moving your child into it.

What is the best toddler bed?

For a reasonably-priced, reliable toddler bed which looks great and has all the safety features you could want without feeling too babyish, we like the John Lewis ANYDAY Elemental Toddler Bed. It comes in a choice of three colours, is close to the ground and although not as long-lasting as a single bed or the IKEA Minnen, is still large enough for many years of peaceful nights for your toddler (and you!)

About the author

Jenny Wonnacott is a Content Editor for Mumsnet, specialising in writing, editing and optimising pregnancy, baby care and general parenting-related content. As a parent of three primary school-aged children, Jenny is passionate about making Mumsetters' lives easier through rigorous research of all items recommended in reviews, features buyers' guides.

She regularly reviews a wide range of parenting and lifestyle products for Mumsnet, from breast pumps to kettles, travel cots and cribs.

How we chose our recommendations

Before we began researching the best toddler 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 toddler beds 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.

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.