The Best Cot Bed (UK, 2026)

You move a baby into a cot at around six months, once they outgrow a crib (or sooner if they can push up on hands and knees, roll or sit in the crib). The choice is then between two formats:

• A cot (around 120 by 60cm): smaller and often cheaper, but outgrown at roughly age two to three, when you buy a separate bed.
• A cot bed (around 140 by 70cm): larger, and converts into a toddler bed and often a sofa or day bed, lasting to around age four or five. It costs a bit more upfront and takes more floor space, but over the years it is usually the better value, which is why most of our picks are cot beds.

If you have the room, a convertible cot bed is the sensible buy-once choice. If your nursery is tiny, a space-saver cot that actually fits is better than a full cot bed that does not, which is exactly the trade our Obaby Bantam pick makes.

This is the half of the decision people forget: the cot is the frame, but your baby sleeps on the mattress, and it is usually sold separately. Get it right, because it is a genuine safety item, not a comfort afterthought.

• Firm and flat. A baby mattress should be firm enough that it does not conform to the head, and flat. Softness is a hazard at this age, not a comfort.
• Well-fitting. It must fit the cot with no gap larger than about 30mm (roughly two fingers) between the mattress and the cot sides or ends, which is what the safety standard requires, so a limb or face cannot slip into a gap.
• Waterproof and clean. A waterproof cover or protector keeps it hygienic through leaks. Keep it clean and well aired.
• Buy new. A new, firm, well-fitting mattress is recommended, and especially so if the cot itself is second-hand. The Lullaby Trust advises against reusing an old mattress of unknown condition.

It is worth spending on a good mattress even if you saved on the cot. The frame holds your baby in; the mattress is what they actually lie on all night.

A cot is one piece of kit where the safety details genuinely matter. The good news is that any reputable new cot has them covered; here is what you are relying on:

• The safety standard. Cots sold in the UK must meet BS EN 716-1-2:2017. Reputable brands state compliance; all our picks meet it.
• Slat spacing. The bars must be spaced between 45mm and 65mm apart, close enough that a baby cannot get their head or a limb trapped, wide enough to avoid other hazards.
• Adjustable base height. Start on the highest setting for easy lifting of a newborn, then lower it as your baby can sit, and to the lowest setting once they can pull up to stand, so they cannot climb or topple out.
• Teething rails on the top edges protect both the cot and your baby’s gums.
• No old drop-side cots. Avoid second-hand cots with sliding drop sides, which have a history of entrapment recalls. Fixed-side cots are simplest and safest.

• Convertibility. A cot bed that becomes a toddler bed lasts years longer than a plain cot, which usually makes it better value despite the higher price.
• Footprint. A full cot bed is around 140 by 70cm plus clearance. Measure your nursery before buying; a space-saver cot exists for a reason.
• Storage. An integrated drawer, like the Riley’s, is genuinely useful in a nursery short on storage.
• Mattress cost. Remember to budget for a good mattress on top of the cot price, since it is usually separate and should not be skimped on.
• Assembly. Most flat-pack cots take a bit of building; check it comes with all fittings, especially if second-hand.

The same safe-sleep rules apply in a cot as in a crib or travel cot, and they are what actually keep your baby safe, far more than the cot you choose:

• Clear cot. Just the baby on a firm, flat, well-fitting mattress. No pillows, duvets, cot bumpers, pods or nests for a baby under 12 months.
• Back to sleep, with your baby’s feet near the foot of the cot so they cannot wriggle down under bedding.
• Use a baby sleeping bag or well-tucked, lightweight blankets rather than a loose duvet, and keep the room a comfortable temperature, not too warm.
• Lower the base as your baby grows, to the lowest setting once they can pull up to stand, and remove any cot toys or mobiles they could reach or use to climb.
• Keep the cot clear of hazards: away from blind cords, curtains, radiators and anything they can reach through the bars.

There is no fixed date, but most children move from a cot to a bed between 18 months and three and a half years. The triggers are practical:

• They are climbing out, or clearly trying to, which is a safety signal to move them before a fall, whatever their age.
• They have outgrown it in length, or you need the cot for a new baby.
• They are ready, which varies hugely by child; there is no rush if they are safe and happy in the cot.

A convertible cot bed makes this painless: you drop the side and convert it to a toddler bed in the same familiar frame, often adding a bed guard for the first while. That continuity, and not buying a whole new bed, is a big part of a cot bed’s value.

A used cot can be a sensible saving, with sensible checks:

• It must meet the current standard (BS EN 716), be undamaged, structurally sound and have all its fittings and instructions. A missing bolt or a wobbly joint is a dealbreaker.
• Check the slat spacing is between 45mm and 65mm and nothing is cracked, loose or splintered.
• Avoid old drop-side cots. If the sides slide down on a mechanism, give it a miss.
• Buy a new mattress. This is the one thing not to save on. A new, firm, well-fitting mattress is recommended rather than reusing an old one of unknown history.

The frame can be second-hand if it is safe and complete; the mattress should be new. That split gets you most of the saving without the risk.

• "Cot bumpers and nests make the cot safer and cosier." No. The Lullaby Trust advises against bumpers, pods, nests and all loose items for babies under 12 months. A clear cot with a firm flat mattress is the safe one.
• "A softer mattress is kinder on the baby." No. Firm and flat is the safe sleep surface; a soft or sagging mattress is a suffocation hazard. Firm feels too hard to you and is right for a baby.
• "A pricier cot is a safer cot." No. Any cot meeting BS EN 716 is safe; you pay more for finish, convertibility and storage, not safety. Spend saved money on a good mattress.
• "A second-hand cot is a false economy." Not if it meets the current standard, is complete and undamaged, and you pair it with a new mattress. The frame can be used; the mattress should be new.
• "A cot bed is too big, a plain cot is better." Only if space forces it. A cot bed lasts years longer by converting to a toddler bed, so it is usually better value if the room allows.