Best Cot Beds Compared: 6 UK Picks From £195

The best cot bed for most UK families is a mid-priced model with three mattress heights and a toddler-bed conversion, such as the Mamas & Papas Mia (listed at £299) or the Silver Cross Valencia (£320), once you have confirmed the BS EN 716 label on the one you buy. If budget is tight, the Obaby Grace Inspire at £195 is the cheapest we list. But whichever you pick, the thing that matters most for safety is not the frame: the Lullaby Trust says babies need just two items in the cot, a firm, flat, waterproof mattress and lightweight bedding. This guide compares six cot beds on price, materials and conversion stages, and explains what to check before you buy.

What the Lullaby Trust and NHS say before you shop

The NHS advises using a firm, flat mattress, keeping the cot clear of pillows, duvets, cot bumpers, loose blankets and soft toys, and placing your baby in a separate cot or Moses basket in the same room as you for every sleep for at least the first six months. The Lullaby Trust adds that the mattress should be firm enough that your baby's head does not sink in by more than a few millimetres, entirely flat, and fitted with a waterproof cover. It also says there are no products that can reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), so be wary of any cot or mattress marketing that implies otherwise.

The NHS recommends keeping the room between about 16 and 20°C, and the Lullaby Trust says a room thermometer can help you avoid your baby getting too hot or too cold. A cot bed does not change any of these rules; it only changes how long you can use the same frame. If you are still deciding between a cot, cot bed and Moses basket, start with our guide to cot vs cot bed vs Moses basket, and for the sleep rules in full, see our safer sleep guide for newborns.

Cot beds compared at a glance

Cot bed	Listed price	Material	Converts to	Mattress heights
Obaby Grace Inspire	£195	MDF/pine composite	Junior toddler bed	3
Mamas & Papas Mia	£299 (was £379)	Solid wood and MDF panels	Toddler bed (rail included)	3
Silver Cross Valencia	£320 (cot bed only)	Solid wood	Toddler bed (rail included)	3
CuddleCo Clara White & Ash	£399	Wood and engineered board	Toddler bed	2
Boori Eton Convertible Plus	£553.99	Solid New Zealand pine	Toddler bed and daybed	3
Stokke Sleepi	£699	Solid birch	Mini crib, cot, toddler bed, junior bed (extensions sold separately)	3

Prices are the listed prices at the time of writing and change often, especially around sales. Specs are as listed by the manufacturers, and we have not tested these cots hands-on, so treat the comparisons below as research-based rather than long-term use.

Obaby Grace Inspire: the budget pick (£195)

The Grace Inspire is the cheapest cot bed in our list, with a 140 x 70cm mattress space, a three-position adjustable base and a conversion to a junior toddler bed. It is specced at 19.5kg, which makes it easier to move and assemble than solid-wood models. The trade-off is the MDF/pine composite construction, which is less likely to hold up to being passed between several children than solid wood. The mattress is sold separately, as with most cot beds, so budget for one.

Mamas & Papas Mia: simple and good value (£299)

The Mia is a straightforward cot bed for birth to around three years, made from solid wood and MDF panels, with three mattress heights and a toddler-bed rail included. Assembly is required, and tools are included. The finish and hardware are described as basic compared with pricier cots, so it may show wear sooner if reused heavily. It suits a family planning one or two children who want a sensible default.

Silver Cross Valencia: the sturdier mid-range (£320)

The Valencia is solid wood throughout, with three mattress heights and a toddler-bed conversion with the rail included. Assembly is longer and benefits from two people, but the build is heftier than most cot beds at this price, which matters if you want to reuse it for a second child. The £320 price is for the cot bed only, and a mattress is a further purchase. It is probably more cot than you need if this is a one-child household.

CuddleCo Clara White & Ash: lighter, with fewer options (£399)

The Clara is made from wood and engineered board and is listed as BS EN 716 compliant. It has two mattress heights rather than three and converts only to a toddler bed, not a daybed. That limits how long it grows with your child. The lighter build is easier to assemble, but engineered board is generally less durable than solid wood over several children, so it suits a one-child household better than a hand-me-down plan.

Boori Eton Convertible Plus: solid pine that converts furthest of the mid-range (£553.99)

The Eton is solid New Zealand pine, listed as BS EN 716 compliant, with three mattress heights and conversion through toddler bed and daybed stages. It is heavier and bulkier than engineered-board alternatives, and the traditional styling will not suit every nursery. Check which conversion kits come in the box, as these are sometimes sold separately from the base cot.

Stokke Sleepi: the premium modular option (£699)

The Sleepi is a distinctive oval design in solid birch, listed as BS EN 716 compliant, and can be extended from a mini crib through cot and toddler-bed stages to a junior bed. The extension kits are sold separately, so the real cost of using it for years is higher than the headline price, and the oval shape means you need non-standard fitted sheets. It is the most expensive cot in the category by a wide margin, and worth it mainly if the modular system and design matter to you.

What to check on any cot bed

• The standard. Trading Standards South West advises checking that any cot conforms to the latest cot safety standard, BS EN 716, and that it carries the standard's reference along with manufacturer details and assembly instructions.
• Mattress fit. Trading Standards advises that any new mattress should be a good fit for the cot so your baby cannot trap their arms or legs down the side. Measure against the stated mattress size (most cot beds here take 140 x 70cm) rather than assuming.
• Mattress firmness. The Lullaby Trust gives three questions: is it firm, is it flat and does it have a waterproof layer? It says soft mattresses are known to increase the risk of SIDS.
• Second-hand mattresses. If you do choose one, the Lullaby Trust says to make sure it has been stored somewhere clean, dry and smoke-free. Trading Standards says that if you are buying a second-hand cot you may wish to replace the mattress. Our guide to buying secondhand baby gear safely covers this in more detail.
• A clear cot. The Lullaby Trust says no pillows or duvets, no cot bumpers, no soft toys or comforters and no weighted or bulky bedding. It also advises against nests, pods and sleep positioners; see are baby nests and sleeping pods safe?.
• Feet to foot. The Lullaby Trust advises placing your baby at the foot of the cot so they cannot wriggle down under bedding.

When to switch to the toddler bed

All of these cot beds convert, but the conversion is not a reason to hurry. There is no rush to change the setup. Our guide to moving from cot to toddler bed covers the timing and how to make the switch calmly.

Which should you buy?

• Tightest budget: Obaby Grace Inspire at £195, accepting a composite build.
• Best everyday value: Mamas & Papas Mia at £299 for a simple, solid-wood-and-board cot bed.
• Built for more than one child: Silver Cross Valencia or Boori Eton, both solid wood.
• Premium and modular: Stokke Sleepi, if you will buy the extensions and like the design.

Whichever you choose, put the money you save into a good mattress that meets the Lullaby Trust's firm, flat and waterproof test. For more ways to avoid overspending on the nursery, see the baby gear you don't actually need.