The Best Cots, Cribs, and Cot Beds – Tried & tested by parents

The Graco Sweet2Sleep is a recent Gold Winner for Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket at the Mother&Baby Awards 2024.

This well-deserving award-winner ticks a lot of boxes for new parents. Not only is it easy to put together, but it’s designed to be easy to use as well, with an adjustable side rail that can be moved with one hand. One of our testers felt that her "baby [was] more secure" in the Graco Sweet2Sleep compared to options with a zip pull-down version while another tester noted that the easy access side rail helped when she was recovering from the birth.

The drop-down side rail is convenient and easy to use, safe for co-sleeping, and makes nighttime feeds easy. Even when the side rail is up, the mesh panel provides clear visibility so you can watch your baby sleeping peacefully while enjoying a restful night yourself. Parents felt this offered a greater bonding opportunity, keeping your baby close by, within easy reach, and allowing you to see them at all times. 

You don't need to worry about it fitting your bed, as there are 11 height adjustments to choose from, and it also works well as a travel cot, as it's lightweight and easy to store and transport in its own carry bag. Parents noted that this allowed them to keep the cot downstairs and carry it upstairs when they went to bed, making it a more versatile option. Plus, with four tilting options when not attached to the bed, you can change the position to soothe indigestion and tummy discomfort, enhancing your baby's comfort throughout the night.

We tested this product as part of the Mother&Baby Awards 2024, where it won Gold for Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket.

Read our full Graco Sweet2Sleep review.

The Chicco Next2Me Pop Up was shortlisted for Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket in our 2024 Mother&Baby Awards.

Chicco's Next2Me range is well-known for quality, usability and design, and the Chicco Next2Me Pop Up continues that trend. Shortlisted in the 2024 Mother&Baby Awards, the Pop Up is exceptionally versatile and can be used as a co-sleeper, standalone cot and travel cot. Our reviewer appreciated this versatility and noted that “it should be the only bed you’ll need for the first six months of your baby’s life”. 

It can be attached to the bed using the included straps, and its six height levels allow it to be adjusted to suit the height of your bed. It can also be tilted if your baby is suffering from colic or reflux, although this feature can't be used if it's in co-sleeping mode. It also has the added bonus of foldable feet, so it can even be attached to beds with storage compartments. Two wheels on the feet mean it can be moved around easily if needed.

It is also one of the best travel cots, and our reviewer particularly liked that it opens up and folds flat "in just three seconds" without needing to remove any parts, making it perfect for travel. In terms of appearance, our tester felt it wasn't the most aesthetically pleasing on the market, but it's built to last and feels well-made. 

We tested this product as part of the Mother&Baby Awards 2024, where it was shortlisted for Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket.

Read our full Chicco Next2Me Pop Up review.

Winner of the Gold award at the 2023 Mother&Baby Awards for Best Cot, Crib, or Moses Basket, the Babymore Air Motion Gliding Crib boasts a gentle gliding motion that’s activated by the baby’s movement to soothe them back to sleep. Parents praised this feature in particular, noting the ‘smooth-glide’ with one saying that “as soon as I placed my newborn in this crib, he settled immediately. I love the fact that I can rock him whilst I am in bed.”

While this crib doesn’t offer the co-sleeping potential of others we tested, it has an optimum height of 74cm and can be positioned close to the bed for easy night feeds and the mesh panels on two sides allow you to see your baby with ease. One of our mum testers noted that “The mesh sides also make it easy to see the baby when lying in bed and this gives additional peace of mind”, while another felt this was also beneficial for her baby who seemed to “appreciate the mesh sides, as she is able to see everything that is going on around”.

The standalone design and lightweight construction - weighing only 6kg, it’s one of the lightest we tested – make it easy to move from room to room if needed, and the handy travel bag allows you to transport it easily for trips away. One parent noted that "this cot is an absolute dream to assemble... it's lightweight and easy to move about, but also feels sturdy." It proved popular with testers on other practicalities, including the machine-washable crib cover, mattress cover, and reflux wedge cover.  

The Reflux wedge is a good addition, helping to ease reflux discomfort. The mattress has a breathable fibre core and is chemical-free, so it provides peace of mind for parents while being comfortable for the baby. 

We tested this product as part of the Mother&Baby Awards 2023, where it won Gold for Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket.

Read our full Babymore Air Motion Gliding Crib review.

The Maxi-Cosi Iora Air won the Bronze award for Best Cot, Crib, or Moses Basket at the Mother&Baby Awards 2024, and has proven equally popular with parents. Dual purpose, the Maxi-Cosi Iora Air can be used as both a co-sleeper and stand-alone crib, providing versatility for nap and bed times. This also allows parents to start out co-sleeping and transition to a stand-alone crib when the time is right, allowing their baby to stay in the same bed for 6 months. The rocking mechanism is a handy and easy-to-use feature that allows you to rock your baby to sleep when needed, though some users found the rocking function slightly stiff at first.

Parents noted that the all-round mesh improved airflow and breathability and allowed them to see the baby without dropping the side. Five different height positions and an easy co-sleeping slide function keep your baby close, safe, and secure, with the option to adjust one side higher to alleviate reflux. It’s designed to suit your baby from 0 to 6 months, and many reviewers praised the size and depth as allowing the baby plenty of space. 

Unlike the Graco Sweet2Sleep, the Maxi-Cosi Iora Air boasts a storage basket underneath for essential items, though some parents mentioned that this is hard to reach when in bed as it sits snug against the side of the bed. It is foldable and comes with a carry bag so reviewers felt it could also be used as a travel cot. Testers also praised the stylish, contemporary design and eco-friendly 100% recycled fabric.

We tested this product as part of the Mother&Baby Awards 2024, where it won Bronze for Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket.

Read our full Maxi-Cosi Iora Air review.

The SnuzPod4 is the UK's "best-selling bedside crib", and it's definitely one of the most aesthetically pleasing options on our list with seven colour options to choose from. It’s also brilliantly versatile, and while it’s designed primarily as a bedside crib, we love that the bassinet base can be removed so you can move your baby around the house for naps. It’s also one of the slimmer models on the market, so it's ideal if you don’t have a lot of space by your bed, though our tester felt her larger baby might outgrow the cot before 6 months. 

The clever ComfortAir breathable system ensures your baby remains at an optimal temperature during bed and nap times with a combination of air-flow vents, a breathable mesh liner, and ventilation in the base to increase airflow. The two mesh sides have the added benefit of allowing you to see in and your baby to see out. Babies with reflux can be raised with their ‘reflux leg’, which can be added to the end of the crib to create a gentle incline. As with other cribs we tested, this can only be used when the cot is in standalone mode with the sides raised. 

It does have a rocking feature, but our parent reviewer noted that it rocks "side-to-side in a jolty way, as opposed to a smoother, rocking chair-style movement " and that tools are needed to adjust the height and convert it from bedside crib to bassinet.

Read our full SnuzPod4 review.

Winner of the Bronze award for Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket at the Mother&Baby Awards 2023, the Graco Side-by-Side Bedside Bassinet offers excellent value without compromising on features. Designed with convenience in mind, the Graco Side-By-Side is lightweight and easily portable, with a one-step fold mechanism which allows for quick setup and storage. Not only does it function as a bedside bassinet, but it also converts into a travel-size infant bed with the removal of its lower legs, making it a practical choice for family trips or visits. Our mum tester, Nicole found it simple to put up, which is ideal if you're planning to use it as a travel cot. "The bassinet has a simplistic design, making it easy for one person (even in my case, while pregnant) to assemble. It is lightweight, requires no tools, comes in just two parts, and takes less than 10 minutes to set up. I love how easily this product can be folded down and back up again, and the travel bag that comes with it makes travelling with it even more convenient."

The spacious sleeping area and mesh sides allow you to see your baby easily, providing you with peace of mind. One reviewer felt the large storage basket was helpful for keeping baby essentials within easy reach and noted this was particularly helpful when she was recovering from a C-section. While our reviewer said the height of the crib was adequate—"not too low down or high up"—it can't be adjusted, making it less adaptable than some others on our list. 

Though it comes complete with a premium quilted mattress that claims to be easy to clean, some reviewers suggested it would benefit from adding a waterproof mattress protector. Nicole felt that the mattress was comfortable, noting "I think the mattress has plenty of padding for a newborn (and it seems a lot comfier than many travel cot mattresses that I've used for my older child)." However, she also explains that there's a slight fold in the middle which "makes me wonder how comfortable it would be against the middle of my baby's back."

While the Graco Side-by-Side can be used as a bassinet or travel cot, our tester mum, Nicole felt it would be preferable as a travel cot or as one for downstairs naps. "Personally, I would most likely use this as a downstairs cot for the first few months of my newborn’s life. I prefer the bigger 'next to me' style cots for my bedroom, as I know my baby will still fit in it before moving into their own full-size cot in their own room. Additionally, I think it's a great alternative to a standard travel cot, as I always find their mattresses very hard and uncomfortable (and they always seem way too big for newborns). The travel bag and easy setup would, therefore, be my preferred alternative to a standard travel cot for approximately the first 4 months of my baby’s life."

We tested this product as part of the Mother&Baby Awards 2023, where it won Bronze for Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket.

Read our full Graco Side-By-Side review.

If your little one is a fussy sleeper and you really value your eight hours, the SNOO Smart Sleeper cot could well be a game-changer. Loved by parents worldwide and a favourite with celebrities, it responds to your baby's cries by gently (and quietly) rocking your baby to sleep, paired with soothing white noises that mimic the inside of the womb. 

While it doesn't have a drop-down side, you can purchase shorter legs if it's too high for your bed. Our tester found this necessary for their bedroom and allowed them to look into the cot rather than having to sit up and look over it. 

Our reviewer found that it was simple to put together and plug in, it looks great, and it comes with everything you need to get started - SNOO sacks, mattress and sheet included. Plus, the swaddle sacks ensure baby is kept on their back at all times. It’s worth considering that to make full use of the SNOO, you need to follow a few steps, including swaddling your baby and clipping the sleep sack into the cot. Overall, parents felt it helped their babies to get into a good sleep routine, with one parent commenting that “the Snoo really helped soothe our baby at bedtime, making it easier to put her down at night”.

It's a clever piece of kit with a mobile app, a weaning feature, access to sleep consultants, and much more, but it is an investment, so it may be out of budget for some parents.

Read our full SNOO Smart Sleeper Baby Cot review.

The Kinderkraft SOFI cot is a versatile 4-in-1 solution that combines a baby cot, bassinet, travel bed, and playpen, offering exceptional value for money. The cot's safety has been confirmed by tests performed by the renowned INTERTEK laboratory, offering valuable peace of mind for new parents.

The mattress has two levels, so at the highest level, it can be used as a cot with handy storage underneath, but when your baby has outgrown the cot, the mattress can be lowered to the floor to use it as a playpen. Whether sleeping or playing, the cot is partially made of breathable mesh to allow better ventilation and a good view of your baby. A simple rocking feature can help to soothe babies, and one of our testers appreciated how easy this was, saying, “The clever rocking feet, which can be easily flipped out to enable the cot to rock, are a wonderful feature-offering that extra level of comfort for baby.”

The Kinderkraft SOFI was also tested and reviewed as part of our guide to the best travel cots, and can be assembled and folded up in five seconds. Our testers appreciated the speed and ease of use, with one saying, “It is by far the easiest travel cot I have ever put up – it takes mere seconds to snap the legs into place”. However, check the measurements to be sure it will fit in your car, as one tester felt it was “quite bulky. Most travel cots fold down a lot smaller, and so this would take up a lot of room in the car boot”.

Read our full Kinderkraft SOFI cot review.

If you don't have a lot of space, this compact and stylish Babymore Space Saver Cot is ideal for your home and comfy for your baby. Though it can only be used as a cot, it boasts several features that make it more versatile. This includes four mattress heights which one of our testers appreciated, noting that they could “set the bed base at the highest position so I don't have to bend over to pick up my little girl. I had a very sore back after giving birth, so having this space-saver cot has made my recovery easier." As your baby grows, you can lower the mattress height to create a safer sleep environment. It can also be moved around the room easily thanks to the wheels (though these can be left off if not needed), and our mum tester, Georgia, said: "The wheels are also handy, particularly if you have non-carpeted floors as it makes it incredibly easy to move around."

While it will last longer than a crib or bassinet and is suitable from birth to approximately 12 months, some parents felt it would be better if it could last a little longer. However, Georgia noted that "a friend’s 14-month-old baby test-drove it for us at the weekend, and it was definitely snug by that age, though their baby, who is already walking, showed no signs of being able to escape it."

While it may be limited in longevity, the Babymore Space Saver was still seen as a great, affordable option for those with limited space.

Read our full Babymore Space Saver Cot review.

Silver Cross is known for its luxury products, and the Westport Cot Bed is no different. With its mid-century minimalist design and chic oak finish, it looks stunning and will suit contemporary Scandi-design nurseries. But it’s also functional and practical, with three heights for the mattress and the potential to transform it easily into a toddler bed so it can last from newborn to around 4 years old. The mattress isn’t included, but it is a standard size, and Silver Cross has a range of options if you want to buy it all together. 

Our tester praised the sturdiness of the cot bed, noting that although it is difficult to move when it’s assembled when her daughter shuffles around in bed, “it doesn't move with her, whereas our last one would rock slightly and occasionally knock against the wall”. With high sides and the three height options for the mattress, it's great for those with kids who might be tall enough to climb out. Our reviewer found this reassuring, commenting that “the sides of the cot are high enough that they come up to her armpits, not her waist, so when she leans on the side she isn't at risk of falling out”. However, some reviewers found that the high sides might make it harder for shorter people to reach down fully when the mattress is at its lowest level. 

Read our full Silver Cross Westport Cot Bed review.

With four colour choices, this stylish cot bed could suit any nursery, meaning it could grow with your child and also be passed on to other children, making it good value for money. Our tester was also impressed with the quality, suggesting that ‘the SnuzFino is sleek and stylish, and thanks to its solid construction, should stay as such throughout its lifespan”. For those who like to create a coordinating scheme, the range includes the SnuzFino Changing Unit and Wardrobe. Looks and aesthetics aside, it’s also a brilliantly practical option, with two height settings for the mattress, which will allow it to grow with your baby. With that in mind, the SnuzFino can take your baby from newborn to 18 months old. 

After that point, you’ll need to have the Toddler Kit (sold separately), which should allow the bed to last until your child is four years old. The cot bed can be purchased separately if you don't want the toddler conversion kit, but given the price, it makes sense to opt for the kit, and our dad tester thought this was a great addition, commenting that “the toddler kit is a nice touch, with the fabric canopy offering a really cosy feel”. It's the unique design of the toddler kit which really sets the SnuzFino Cot Bed apart from its peers, creating a cocoon with the fabric canopy over the top. 

The mattress is a standard size, so you could buy one from any retailer, but Snuz sells its own range of mattresses, which includes the Mother&Baby award-winning SnuzSurface Duo. 

Read our full SnuzFino Cot Bed review.

The John Lewis Charlotte Cot Bed was awarded Silver for Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket at the Mother&Baby Awards 2024. 

This solid pine Charlotte Cot Bed from John Lewis & Partners is at the top of our list thanks to its high-quality build, its lovely design, its ability to convert into a toddler bed and three height adjustments. These features mean it should grow with your baby until they’re around four years old, offering great value for money. In the early months, the higher mattress height will allow you to easily reach your baby, while the lower settings make it safer when your baby is more mobile. Once they’re old enough to move into a toddler bed, the sides can be removed, and the included footboard added to make it into a bed. 

Our testers noted that it was easy to put together, even for one person, that the space underneath is handy for storage, and that even though it doesn’t come with a mattress, its standard size means it's easy to buy sheets and a mattress. A teething rail feature on the sides protects the tops of the rail, though one of our testers felt it marked quite easily, so other areas might show wear after time.

Parents particularly liked the design of the cot bed, and our tester agreed, noting that “the design was very modern but also classic, meaning it can be used for generations - can be put up for other children and will still be trendy enough to have in a nursery”. 

We tested this product as part of the Mother&Baby Awards 2024, where it won Silver for Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket.

Read our full John Lewis Charlotte Cot Bed review.

The CuddleCo Clara Cot Bed was a Silver winner for Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket in our 2023 Mother&Baby Awards.

The traditional design of the CuddleCo Clara cot bed is suited to classic nursery designs and is part of a range of furniture which has the added benefit of allowing you to buy matching pieces, including wardrobes, shelves and changing tables. But it’s not just beautiful, it’s also functional, boasting three mattress heights and the potential to turn it into a toddler bed so it can suit newborns up to children of five years old. Our reviewers appreciated this flexibility, with one mum saying “My child is now standing and having the lowest position means they can stand safely without trying to climb over the sides. Safety is a big concern of mine and had no concerns with this product whatsoever, I found it to be very sturdy and well built". 

As it's built last, our reviewers found that the price was justified and offered good value for money, with tester mum, Laura, saying “I love that it turns into a toddler bed as this makes the price fully justifiable as this is going to last a long time”. The only thing that might put some parents off is the lack of storage space underneath, so it's worth bearing that in mind if your nursery is on the smaller side. The mattress is not included but is a standard size of 140 x 70cm, so it can be bought easily from most retailers.

We tested this product as part of the Mother&Baby Awards 2023, where it won Silver for Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket.

Read our full CuddleCo Clara Cot Bed review.

The Mamas&Papas Franklin Cot Bed won Gold in the Best Cot, Crib, or Moses Basket category in our 2022 Mother&Baby Awards.

For a cot bed that stands the test of time, look no further than the Mamas&Papas Franklin Cot Bed. A Gold award winner in the 2022 Mother&Baby awards, it’s still as popular as ever with parents. This cot bed will see you through from newborn to around 4 years old. The two mattress heights allow it to grow with your baby, so it can be raised when your baby is newborn, making it easier to place it into the cot. When they become more mobile, the lower setting makes it safer, so you don’t need to worry about them climbing out. Our testers also loved the added features, such as the useful drawer which mum tester Katrina pointed out “has a soft close function which is much better than some cheaper cots with drawers”. It also boasts hanging rails which are useful for hanging clothes, muslin cloths or blankets, while the anti-bite plastic strip along the top of the cot protects the top rails from teeth. 

With an ample storage drawer, it's great for those with limited space or who want to keep their space neat and tidy. While it’s one of the more expensive options on our list, the high-quality craftsmanship and the fact that it converts into a toddler bed meant our reviewers felt it offered good value for money. Emma noted that “it will be passed down to younger siblings as it’s so sturdy and well made it will last through the years.” 

We tested this product as part of the Mother&Baby Awards 2022, where it won Bronze for Best Cot, Crib or Moses Basket.

Read our full Mamas & Papas Franklin Cot Bed review.