Best cot bed brands and expert buying advice

A cot bed needs to look good in your child's nursery, but you also want one that's going to keep your baby safe while sleeping, and be easy for you to put together and use. After quizzing over 1,500 parents on cot beds, we can reveal which brands score top marks for customer satisfaction.

There's a good chance you're familiar with lots of the names included in our latest survey – Ikea, John Lewis and Mamas & Papas all make an appearance. But we've also uncovered a selection of lesser-known brands that parents have placed their trust in.

Keep scrolling to discover the best and worst cot bed brands, as voted for by parents. You'll also spot our expert advice on which type of cot bed is right for your child, standard sizes, safety consideration, plus the cot bed features worth looking out for.

Ways to keep your family living costs down, and kids of all ages happy Get our Family newsletter – it's free monthly

Best and worst cot bed brands

A good cot bed can last from six months up to six years, by which time your child will be ready to move to a single bed. By checking in with the results of our cot bed survey, you can make sure you're buying from a brand that's impressed parents across the UK.

Our results table below summarises the results of our cot bed survey. Each brand is ranked by customer score, which highlights whether or not customers would recommend the brand. At the time of writing, we don't test or review individual cots or cot beds.

Only logged-in Which? members can view our recommendations in the table below. If you're not yet a member, join Which? to get instant access.

Readers that are not logged in will see cot bed brands listed alphabetically.

Our top cot bed brand boasts an impressive customer score of 81%. Over 250 parents said they had used or owned a cot bed from the brand, which sells pushchairs, car seats, feeding essentials and travel accessories.

Once you choose your cot bed, you'll need to pick the perfect cot mattress to pair with it. See all our cot mattress reviews to find out which ones our experts recommend. 

Which cot beds are popular with parents?

As part of our latest cot bed survey, we quizzed parents on which cot beds they were using at home.

We've crunched the numbers and there's a clear winner. A hefty 25% of respondents told us they used a cot bed from the most popular brand.

Only logged-in Which? members can view the brands below. If you're not yet a member, join Which? to get instant access.

• Brand 1 - 25%
• Brand 2 - 19%
• Brand 3 - 9%
• Brand 4 - 5%
• Brand 5 - 5%
• Brand 6 - 5%
• Brand 7 - 5%
• Brand 8 - 5%
• Brand 9 - 4%
• Brand 10 - 4%
• Brand 11 - 4%
• Brand 12 - 4%
• Brand 13 - 3%
• Brand 14 - 3%

As you can see, two cot bed brands race ahead of the pack in our survey comparing ownership rate.

Prices for the top brand's cot beds start at around £250 and rise beyond £600. One of its cheaper options has a light oak finish and comes with three cot base heights, suitable for children up to 'approximately four years'.

Not far behind our most popular brand was a rival that sells cots that have drawers included. Partner up with this brand and you can expect to spend anywhere between £65 and £350. In other words, it's worth considering if you're on a tight budget.

Should I choose a cot bed or a cot?

Once your baby grows out of a Moses basket or bassinet, which most parents use for a newborn, he or she will need to move into a cot or cot bed. There are pros and cons associated with each of them.

Cot beds

A cot bed is a cot with removable sides and a removable end panel that can be converted into a toddler-sized bed.

Most cot beds will last until a child is seven or eight years old. But this will depend on their weight, and how much wear and tear they put the bed through.

Cot beds are generally around 70cm wide – so they give your baby a bit more space to roll about and stretch their arms. They’re not necessarily that much more expensive, though.

If you have the space, it might make sense to buy a cot bed from the outset, as it will last longer and you can avoid the hassle of having to buy two separate pieces of furniture.

• Pros: Will last years longer than a cot, because you can use it as a junior bed
• Cons: Larger than cots, which could be a problem if you're limited on space

Cots

Cots are generally smaller than cot beds – around 50-60cm wide – so if your baby’s bed will be in your room until he or she is six months old, as is the current advice, a cot may fit more easily if space is limited.

Sizes do vary, though. Cots designed to fit 'standard-sized' cot mattresses are a few centimeters narrower than cots designed for 'continental-sized' mattresses, although they're often a similar length (around 140cm). Measurements should be clearly displayed on the cot label.

You can buy bedside cots with a removable side, so you can position it right next to your bed. You can adjust the base so your baby’s mattress lines up with yours, which makes night-time feeding easier. 

• Pros: Suitable for smaller rooms, bedside cots can be positioned next to your bed
• Cons: Can't transform into a junior bed so it won't last as long

Take a look at our bedside crib reviews to compare all of the bedside cribs we've tested or go straight to the best bedside cribs to see ones we rate.

What age is a cot bed or cot suitable for?

As a general rule, a cot is suitable from birth up until around two years old. These products are designed for young infants.

A cot bed can be converted from an infant cot to one that's suitable for toddlers. In other words, a cot bed is suitable from birth up until around four years old. At which point, you can then convert most cot beds into a junior bed. 

For expert advice on how to assemble a cot bed, where to position it and when to switch to a junior bed, see our guide on using cot beds safely.

Cot and cot bed types

A standard cot or cot bed – rectangle shape, fixed sides – isn't your only option. You could choose to go for a drop-sided, sleigh, or one with a drawer or storage built in.

Drop-sided

Some cot beds and cots have one side rail that can drop down to give better access for getting your baby in and out. 

There are different ways to lower the drop side. Some drop-sided cots and cot beds have a nudge-and-lift mechanism, which is helpful because you can operate it with one hand while you've got your baby in the other. Others have catches, a trigger mechanism or a foot pedal. 

The drop side and the back rail are usually removed when you convert a drop-sided cot bed into a junior bed. 

• Pros: Particularly useful if you're short or have a larger build, as the drop side makes it easier for you to get your baby in and out
• Cons: There has been some controversy over drop-sided cots in the USA - see more in our cot bed safety guide. 

Sleigh

Sleigh cot beds are popular with parents. The name comes from their wavy design, which makes them stand out from their straight-sided counterparts. 

When you're buying, check that the sleigh-shaped ends, which are usually bolted on either side of the head and foot boards, don't create a dip or groove between the pieces of wood where your baby's clothing could get caught.

Sleigh cot beds can be either drop-sided or have fixed sides. The side rails will be removed to turn the cot into a bed.

• Pros: Plenty of different styles to choose from
• Cons: Can be somewhat bulky and better-suited to large rooms

Cot beds with drawers

Some cots and cot beds use what's essentially dead space beneath the base and the legs by including a drawer.

A cot bed with a drawer might be ideal for you if your baby's nursery is small and lacks storage space. 

It's possible to get sleigh cot beds and cots with drawers. 

• Pros: A good space-saving option
• Cons: No major disadvantages

Standard cot bed and cot sizes

Cots are generally around 120cm long x 60cm wide, while cot beds are typically bigger, averaging at 140cm long x 70cm wide. However, cot beds do come in different designs, so sizes can vary. 

Most cot beds also have side rails that are around 84-87cm high in the highest position, which makes them challenging for shorter people to reach over. A cot bed with a drop-side will reduce this height, making it easier to reach your baby when the base is on the lowest position.

Double check the cot bed you choose will fit in your bedroom (where your baby is meant to sleep for the first six months), as well as where you plan to put it in the nursery. If space is limited, you may decide to go for a cot rather than a cot bed. 

When shopping for a cot mattress, you need to buy one with the same dimensions as your cot bed or cot so that the mattress fits snugly into the frame. 

Consult our guide on the best cot mattresses to see which options ace our expert tests.

How much should I spend on a cot bed or cot?

Cot beds are generally more expensive than cots. However, as they'll be in use for longer than a cot, they can be the more cost-effective option.

Prices for cot beds vary depending on style and the materials used, but you should expect to spend anywhere between £200-700.

Cots can start from as little as £60, but most land within £100-300.

Cot bed and cot features to look out for

• BS number – this will tell you whether or not your new cot bed meets all-important European safety standards. Keep an eye out for a marking that reads 'BS EN 716-1:2008+A1:2013' – this shows the cot is a safe depth and the bars are the correct distance apart. 
  
• Height-adjustable base – You can adjust this as your baby grows, usually having a choice between three positions. When your baby is small, the mattress sits on the highest base level. The instructions usually recommend that the lowest position is the safest, and should always be used as soon as your baby starts to move about a bit and pull themselves up, which can be about eight months old.
• Teething rail – Chomping on the edge of a cot is a habit many teething babies relish. Choosing a cot with a teething rail – a protective covering on the side edges of the cot – helps to protect your cot bed and your toddler from damage caused by each other.
• Casters– Some cots have casters or mounted wheels, which is handy if you want to move it into a different room.
• Drop-sides – a drop-side cot has three sides that stay in place and a fourth that raises and lowers. Lowering one side of the cot makes it easier to pick up your child, which will be a bonus for parents with back problems.
• Additional storage – shop around for a cot with built-in storage compartments if you're limited on space.

Consider investing in a baby monitor so you can watch over your little one's cot. Our expert guide uncovers the best baby monitors.

Where to buy a cot bed or cot

There are plenty of retailers on the high street that sell cots, with the list including Dunelm, Ikea and John Lewis. Shopping in-store means you can take a look at the cots up-close and get a sense of how much room they'll take up.

Whether you're shopping in person or online, make sure you're dealing with a reputable retailer and note the returns policy.

Popular online retailers that sell cot beds and cots include:

• Ikea sells a selection of cots, with prices starting at £65. The retailer names the £229 Gonatt, which has a built-in drawer, as one of its best-selling cots.
• Mamas & Papas stocks own-brand cots and cot beds. Expect to spend at least £100 for a cot, or £250 for a cot bed. The retailer has a 28-day returns policy for any unused items for a refund or exchange.
• John Lewis has cots and cot beds from big-name baby brands including Boori and Silver Cross. John Lewis also sells its own-brand Elementary Cot (£99) and Elementary Cot bed (£129).
• Argos has a selection of cots and cot beds to choose from, the majority of which are made by Obaby. Prices start at around £90 and rise to around £580.

To see which baby and child shops are rated highly, consult our expert guide on the best and worst baby and child shops.

Should I use a second-hand cot bed or cot?

Using a second-hand cot could save you some cash, but there are some essential safety tips to read first.

For one, you need to buy a new mattress for the cot – there should not, at any point, be a gap of more than 3cm between the mattress edge and the cot. Don't choose a mattress with handles, as these may trap your baby's hands or feet.

You also need to make sure the product conforms to British Safety Standards BS EN 716 as a cot, and BS 8509 as a bed. Have a look in the instructions for a BS number, or check for markings on the cot itself.

The bars should be no more than 6.5cm apart, so your baby can't get stuck between them. Check that there's at least 50cm between the top of the mattress and top of the cot.

Make sure the drop-side mechanism works smoothly, and stays reliably in the ‘up’ position. You should also ensure the drop side can't be lowered by a child.

If you're going second-hand, get a copy of the original instructions.

For more expert advice that can help you kit out your home with the right equipment, see our nursery and feeding page.