A cot is a bed that is elevated for your child, which prevents them from falling out. There are a variety of styles from cribs for bed to travel cots.
Mum tester Jasmin liked this cot’s handy storage compartment for spare sheets and blankets. It’s also simple to set-up and comes with an incline that helps with reflux.
1. Mamas&Papas Franklin Cot Bed
Cot beds are often the perfect companion for parents. They keep baby snug and (hopefully) asleep soundly. When shopping for a there’s plenty to think about, from specifications and safety to design and style. A good crib should last from the time of birth to toddlerhood. So durability is important. This cot is stylish, robust and complies with the most recent standards. It’s also affordable and includes a mattress.
Tested by: Gemma, mum to Boden, 13 months
Mamas&Papas has a knack for designing practical yet stylish nursery furniture and this cot is no exception. It’s a modern choice for baby’s first bedroom, with an elegant grey finish that will match any colour scheme. It can also be converted into a cool daybed or toddler bed for long-term use. It comes with two heights of the base, making it easier to reach for baby and safer than a traditional drop-side cot. It’s shaped base allows it to fit through the majority of doors and is a huge benefit for parents with a tight schedule. There’s even a matching dresser/changer that will keep all your newborn essentials close at hand.
2. SnuzFino Cot Bed
This crib is designed to support your baby from the time of birth to about four years old. It has two mattress levels that allow you to start with a higher base and then move to a lower one as your cheap baby cots grows and teaches them how to sit on their own. It was awarded Gold in the Mother&Baby Awards 2024 for best Moses basket or cot.
The slats of this cot are positioned more in comparison to other models we looked at, which makes it more streamlined and perfect for bedrooms with smaller spaces. It also features a handy side door that lets you get in easily for feeding, nappies or changing. Parents loved how easy it was to set up, with our tester taking only 12 minutes to get it ready to use.
Find cot beds that comply with safety standards. To keep your baby’s legs from getting trapped, all cots should have bars that are no more than 6cm apart. Make sure that the slats of your cot are securely secured to avoid any loose or fittings that are rusty.
A quality cot mattress is also key for the comfort of your baby. Choose mattresses with latex-coated coir or pocket springs, which offer the most support and don’t sag. It is worth investing in a waterproof cover, too since any dirt or soil will go directly into the mattress and could cause your baby to sweat or be uncomfortable.
Some cots 4 tots are also equipped with extra features like gentle rocking motions that help your baby settle (like the SNOO Smarter Cot), adjustable inclines to help ease reflux, and storage for nappy essentials (like the Mamas&Papas Lua Bedside Cot). These are a great option, but make sure to only buy additional items that fit safely and are suitable for your baby.
3. Graco SnuzFino Bedside Crib
This crib is perfect for families who would like to use it from the beginning and place it close to your bed while your baby sleeps. Its compact design can fit through standard door frames, and it weighs just 6 kg. This makes it simple to move about your home. It’s also simple to climb up and down, which makes it ideal for nappy changing.
It’s light and portable, so you can easily move it between rooms, or even when you go on vacation. Its standalone design is popular with new parents who need to access their newborn easily during the first few months of parenting. It comes with a comfortable mattress and a cover for the reflux wedge that are both beneficial features.
It can also be converted into an infant bed using the included Toddler Kit (PS70), which is great news for parents as it means it will last until your child is ready to transition from the cot. It’s a gorgeous cot bed with Scandi-inspired looks that will look lovely in your nursery. It’s also good value for money considering the length of time it will be used for.
Another alternative is this basic solid pine cot that is suitable from birth to 3 years and costs only PS372. Our testers loved its stylish panelled look. It’s simple to put together and has an excellent storage drawer, teething rail and adjustable height settings that help keep your newborn safe. Its compact size makes it a great option for anyone who has a smaller space or with sloped ceilings. Its robust construction means it will last for a long time and not fall apart like some cot-beds.
4. Babyletto Bedside Crib
This crib in the bed allows parents to snuggle up their infant close just before bedtime. The NHS suggests that babies be placed in a separate room for the first six months, however many parents find it soothing to be able to hold their child prior to putting them to sleep.
The cot comes in a variety of colors and non-toxic paints which means it can be customized to your nursery or bedroom decor. It’s also a great choice for parents with ceilings that slope who don’t want a cot to take up too much floor space. It can be adjusted to eleven different heights and can be can be tilted to four positions, including an incline that aids in reflux.
While it’s attractive, it’s a solid design that will last through the toddler years as well. One parent tester stated that her child had been sleeping in the cot for 2 babies and was still in good condition to pass it on to her younger.
Another advantage is that the cot is small and compact, which makes it easy to put together and move around as needed. It’s an ideal choice for parents with smaller rooms and can also be used as a travel cot too. Testers said it was easy to put together and loved the storage drawer to keep everything you need for your baby. It is a bit expensive however it’s a worthwhile investment because of the design and functionality. The cot doesn’t include an mattress, so you’ll need to buy one separately. We recommend choosing a comfortable, breathable, and snugly fitting mattress to stop your child from becoming suffocated. It should be a few inches shorter than the frame of the cot in order to prevent your child from being able to get out.
5. SnuzFino Bedside Cot
The SnuzFino crib is among our most stylish models, but it’s not just about appearances. It’s made to last for the first 18 months of their life. It could also be converted to a toddler’s bed by adding an additional toddler kit. The design is timeless and stylish, and our test-run showed that it is suitable for any nursery, particularly when you choose a matching changing unit and wardrobe.
Whatever cot you choose, be sure that it complies with the regulations applicable to your baby’s age and home. The spacing between bars shouldn’t be more than 6.5cm (two inches), as this will stop infants from getting their heads trapped. Also the surface should not be rough to prevent being suffocated. You’ll also have to purchase a suitable cot mattress, which must be a perfect fit with no gaps at the edges. It should also be constructed from breathable materials to ensure that your baby’s temperature is kept in check.
While it’s tempting to purchase a cot with additional features such as built-in storage drawers and removable bassinet sides (as with the Mamas & Papas Lua Cot), these should be carefully considered in the light of your budget and your lifestyle. The best cots to tots are simply made to allow your baby to rest comfortably and safely and you can usually find cribs that offer plenty of storage without costing a fortune.
If you’re looking for a modern alternative, the SNOO crib with Smart Sleeper has a built in sensor that responds to your baby’s crying. It gently lulls them into sleep in an identical way to the mother’s womb. The cost is a bit steep, but it could be worth it for fussy sleepers.