9 best cot bed mattresses to buy in 2023
All recommendations within this article are informed by expert editorial opinion. If you click on a link in this story we may earn affiliate revenue.
MANY new parents would put a good night's sleep high on their list of priorities and a quality cot bed mattress can ensure your little one has a safe, comfortable rest.
From hypoallergenic and temperature regulating to memory foam and coil-sprung, there are endless types to choose from so we've rounded up the ten best cot bed mattresses available to buy now - with a range of features and to suit every budget.
Slightly bigger than standard UK cot dimensions (60 x 120cm), a cot bed (70 x 140cm) can be a great investment as it can last your child from newborn up to 6-8 years of age.
A cot bed essentially transforms into a toddler bed with removable sides as your child grows from baby to toddler.
Also, your child will get used to the bed as a baby, and you won't need to transition them to a new sleeping space as you would if you went from a standard cot to a toddler bed.
The best cot bed mattresses also adapt as your child grows - for example, the SnüzSurface cot bed mattress has interchangeable comfort layers that decrease in firmness as your little one gets older.
You're likely to pay more for a cot bed than a smaller cot but in the long run a cot bed can be convenient and better for your finances.
How to choose a cot bed mattress
Heidi Steel, nursery brand consultant and host of the Science of Sleep podcast, gave us this advice for choosing the best cot bed mattress for your baby:
"Babies should have a firm, flat mattress. Whilst you want your baby to be comfortable, it's really important not to use a mattress that's soft or pillowy — if they turn their face into the mattress they might not have the strength or coordination to turn it away again, so you don't want the mattress to mould around the contours of their face.
"The mattress should be a perfect fit for the crib or cot, but don't have to be the same brand... Have a look at what's inside the mattress, many cheap cot mattresses are simply a sheet of polyurethane foam. This is usually not breathable, it's made from crude oils so is terrible for the environment and would leave anyone feeling hot and sticky in bed.
"The Safer Sleep Guidelines recommend having a waterproof cover over the mattress, so look for a mattress that has a removable, washable waterproof cover or buy one separately."
Best cot bed mattresses at a glance:
- Best adjustable mattress for baby and child: Snüz SnüzSurface Pro Cotbed Mattress
- Best hypoallergenic mattress: Silent Night Safe Nights Essentials Cot Bed Mattress
- Best value cot bed mattress: John Lewis ANYDAY Basic Fibre Cotbed Mattress
- Best natural materials cot bed mattress: The Little Green Sheep Twist Cot Bed Mattress
- Best breathable cot bed mattress: Purflo Breathable Cot Mattress
Little Green Sheep Twist Cot Bed Mattress
The Little Green Sheep Twist Cot Bed Mattress, Breathable Mattress for Babies and Toddlers, 70 x 140 cm, £186.96 from Amazon - buy here
Looking for a top-quality cot bed mattress for your little one? Little Green Sheep is pretty much as good as it gets.
The UK's bestselling natural mattress, The Little Green Sheep Twist cot bed mattress has one side that's firm (as recommended for younger babies) while the other side offers softer medium-level support for extra comfort for toddlers.
It's completely natural and breathable and free from any nasty toxins and dust mites, with a luxurious quilted cotton cover and a five-year guarantee to boot. All in all, you're getting a five-star cot mattress if ever there was one.
READ MORE:
- Best sunscreen for kids
- Best newborn dummy
- Best reusable baby wipes
- Best baby changing mats
- Best first birthday gift ideas
John Lewis ANYDAY Basic Fibre Cotbed Mattress
- ANYDAY Basic Fibre Cotbed Mattress, 140 x 70cm, £38 from John Lewis - buy here
The John Lewis ANYDAY cot bed mattress offers comfort and support for your baby or toddler at a great price, making it perfect if you're on a budget.
The mattress has a fibre filling and PVC-free mattress cover to help to maintain your child's temperature, which is particularly important for young babies.
It has a micro-pore cover that also enhances breathability and air circulation for extra comfort.
Plus, there's a wipe-clean cover that helps keep the mattress fresh and clean for longer.
Mother Nurture Quilted Fibre Cot Bed Mattress
- Mother Nurture Quilted Fibre Cot Bed Mattress, Polyester, 140 x 70 x 10 cm, £44.99 from Amazon - buy here
A great all-rounder, this well-priced cot bed mattress from Mother Nurture has a hypo-allergenic 'cosyquilt' cover for extra comfort and (hopefully) an undisturbed sleep for your little one.
The spring design offers comfort for your baby and provides all the support they require as they grow.
The waterproof liner protects against any leaks and spills, and the open coil core helps to encourage airflow to prevent over-heating.
It's also easy to clean with a removable cover that can be machine-washed at 40°C, which is a super handy feature for parents.
Snüz SnüzSurface Pro Cotbed Mattress
- Snüz SnüzSurface Pro Cotbed Mattress 70 x 140, £189.95 from John Lewis - buy here
A great investment, this SnuzSurface mattress can last a newborn baby to seven years of age thanks to interchangeable comfort layers that decrease in firmness as your little one gets older (experts recommend that babies sleep on ultra-firm mattresses).
The Pro mattress features a triple-layered internal structure, allowing you to change the level of firmness as your child grows — just unzip and flip the layers to change the firmness.
It also features a 3D breathable and anti-dust mite mesh cover with a waterproof layer, which is ideal when you're potty training.
Purflo Breathable Cot Mattress
- Breathable Cot Mattress By Purflo, £155.97 from Wayfair - buy here
Recommended by nursery brand expert Heidi Steel, this Purflo cot bed mattress is fully breathable as the hollow core and mesh sleep surface allow free air circulation and prevent your baby from getting too hot or cold.
This mattress is also hypoallergenic and the mattress covers are washable providing a clean, safe sleep environment for your baby.
Plus, the mattress offers plenty of support, conforming to your child's body for a supportive and extra-comfy rest.
Clevamama Clevafoam Support Cot Bed Mattress
- Clevamama Clevafoam Support Cot Bed Mattress 70 x 140cm, £134.95 from Amazon - buy here
The Clevafoam mattress design has been scientifically proven to help prevent plagiocephaly (flat head syndrome) and offers a comfortable night's sleep for your little one by taking the pressure off their developing joints.
It's also breathable, moisture-wicking and hypoallergenic.
'Having done a lot of research on mattresses I took a risk with this one having never felt it before I ordered but so far so good! Feels lovely and soft. Great quality. A little dubious at first as doesn’t seem to be very thick but baby seems to sleep really well... I highly recommend to all parents out there that are undecided and still searching for a mid-range, good quality mattress. This one is brilliant!' wrote a happy customer.
Tutti Bambini Sprung Cot Bed Mattress
- Tutti Bambini Sprung Cot Bed Mattress (70 cm x 140 cm) Breathable Spring Baby Bed Mattress, £49 at Amazon - buy here
Supporting your baby's natural posture, the Tutti Bambini Sprung Cot Bed Mattress is sure to give your little one a peaceful night's rest.
It's quilted with a non-PVC, 100% polyester filling and an air-permeable outer cover to keep your baby cool and comfortable while they sleep.
It's also hypoallergenic and has removable, worry-free washable covers (at 60 degrees) to give parents total peace of mind.
Silentnight Safe Nights Essentials Cot Bed Mattress
- Safe Nights Essentials Cot Bed Mattress 70 x 140cm, £109 from Silent Night - buy here
If you're looking for quality at a reasonable price, the Silentnight Safe Nights Essentials Cot Bed Mattress has a 3D mesh cover to allow free airflow for a fresher, more comfortable sleep.
It's also free from chemicals and features a foam-free core that’s proven to be safer for young babies.
Plus, it's hypoallergenic; the mattress has been approved by Allergy UK due to its use of Purotex, which reduces moisture and dust mites to create a healthier sleeping environment.
It's also machine washable so you don't need to worry about any nappy leaks!
Mamas & Papas Essential Spring Cotbed Mattress
- Essential Spring Cotbed Mattress, £89 from Mamas & Papas - buy here
For great all-round support, this Mamas & Papas cot bed mattress has crush-resistant walls and removable, washable covers for easy cleaning.
The wipe-clean inner cover is hypoallergenic and water repellent to protect against accidents.
Plus, the covers are breathable, promoting good air flow to keep your baby cool and comfortable all night long.
Where to buy cot bed mattresses in the UK?
You can buy cot bed mattresses in the UK from many retailers. Check out your high street for independent stores that sell a range of baby and toddler equipment, including cot beds and cot bed mattresses. Online, look for specialist retailers such as Mamas & Papas, or kids shops such as Smyths Toys, as well as at the websites of department and chain stores, such as John Lewis, Boots and Argos. Bed retailer Dreams also sells cot bed mattresses as does Asda. There’s also a large selection of cot bed mattresses at Amazon.
How much does a cot bed mattress cost?
There are mattresses to suit all budgets – our roundup found cot bed mattresses from under £40 up to almost £200. How much you spend depends on the features you want the mattress to include – removable and washable covers, waterproof liner or interchangeable layers for instance. Mattresses for babies and children must meet UK regulations and safety standards, so buying from a reputable retailer will ensure this.
What type of mattress is best for a cot bed?
Check the measurements to ensure the mattress is a good fit for your cot bed and also how firm it is, as younger babies need a firmer mattress to support their joints as they grow.
Also, pay attention to the materials used for the filling and outer cover when you're choosing a cot bed mattress.
You're ideally looking for hypoallergenic, breathable materials to keep your baby cool and comfortable.
What size mattress do I need for a cot bed?
A standard sized cot bed in the UK measures 70cm x 140cm but there are some brand variations, so check the measurements of your cot bed before selecting your mattress.
More Parenting
Need a new changing mat for your baby? Head to our recommendations for the best baby changing mats.
Enjoyed our roundup of the best kids' cot bed mattresses? Then you might like our selection of the best travel cot mattresses.
We've designed Sun Selects to help you to find the best products that won't break the bank.