A cot is probably one of the very first purchases you make as a new parent. Once your baby has grown out of a bassinet, it's a place where they'll be spending many daytime naps and nights catching (hopefully) plenty of sleep. 

While you may be considering how a certain colour or style of cot might fit into your nursery design, the most important thing is that it's a safe sleeping space for your child.

And while many of us head instore to familiar big-brand baby outlets, more people are turning to online retailers with wider selections and potentially lower prices.

But CHOICE expert testing has found that a number of cheap cots purchased from online marketplaces are unsafe.

In fact, in our latest review of 14 baby cots, five were found to have serious safety failures. Most of the cots with failures were either bought from eBay or via online platforms like Baby Bunting Marketplace, where third-party retailers can list and sell products. One of the cots was bought from Big W. 

'Online shoppers need to be careful'

These cots were very cheap – ranging in price from just $139 up to $370 – from the brands Sweet Pea, Consol, Koko and Scar, Grotime and Luxo Baby.

CHOICE baby product expert Kim Gilmour says online shoppers need to be careful.

"While a low price tag is enticing, we have found that many cheap cots sold on online marketplace sites are not meeting quality and safety standards," she says.

"In this batch alone, there are multiple issues with the products not adhering to basic Australian safety standards. Some had no safety warnings and were missing information about recommended mattress sizes."

Gilmour says some seemed to be cheaply made with evidence of poor workmanship, making them unsafe for babies and toddlers.

"For example, one of the cots has an issue with its locking mechanism, meaning the dropside is very easy to accidentally trigger, which could cause the side of the cot to fall down and the baby to fall out," she says.

Risks of unsafe cots 

An unsafe cot can lead to many different types of injuries. A child's head or limbs can become trapped, fingers can get caught in mechanisms, and children can injure themselves climbing out of the cot. Children can also be injured if part of the cot breaks or doesn't work properly, such as if the side falls down or screws come loose. 

If a mattress doesn't fit properly – which is much more likely to happen if the cot does not specify the correct size of mattress to use inside it – this could cause a risk of suffocation.

It's extremely important to assess a cot for safety before you buy. Cots sold in Australia in 2025 should be certified under mandatory Australian safety standards, but CHOICE has found cots on the market that don't comply. 

A child's head or limbs can become trapped, fingers can get caught in mechanisms, and children can injure themselves climbing out of the cot

A new Australian mandatory standard aiming to improve cot safety comes into effect in January 2026. But in the meantime, safety remains a vital part of CHOICE testing. 

Our experts test each cot against key safety clauses from the Australian Standard AS/NZS 2172:2013. Only cots that pass stringent tests in our accredited labs are recommended. These tests include:

• using probes to check for suitable gaps between the bars and panels of the cot to avoid limb injury
• checking that there is sufficient depth of the cot to prevent falls
• testing the dropside's strength and construction, if there is one
• checking for strangulation risks at the cot ends
• checking that the recommended mattress size doesn't leave too much of a gap between the mattress, cot sides and end.

The cots that failed our latest safety tests

We alerted eBay and the manufacturers of the cots that failed our safety testing to our findings. eBay has removed the cots from sale, but several are still listed on other online marketplaces. For example, the Sweet Pea Anita cot is currently listed online at Baby Bunting and the Grotime Haven cot is still available at Big W.

Click on the link for each cot below to view our test results and read about the safety failures. 

• Consol Roma cot: $229
• Grotime Haven cot: $139 
• Koko & Scar cot: $279
• Luxo Baby Eudora cot: $249
• Sweet Pea Anita cot: $370 

The only response we received from a manufacturer was from the makers of the Sweet Pea cot. In response to our findings, the manufacturer says the cot has "undergone full compliance testing through an independent third-party laboratory", and that "based on the certified results, we are confident that our product meets mandatory safety standards and is safe for consumer use".

It has provided CHOICE with a copy of the report complying with the relevant requirements of AS/NZS 2172:2013; however, we stand by the results of our expert testing in our accredited lab.

CHOICE calls for safer products for Australians

Right now, it is not illegal to sell unsafe products in Australia. While a handful of products are subject to mandatory standards and product bans, there's no general law preventing the sale of unsafe products, unlike in other jurisdictions like the EU and UK.

This means when you go to the shops or buy something online, you can't be certain that the manufacturer has made sure it's safe for use. This is why CHOICE wants stronger safety laws. 

When you go to the shops or buy something online, you can't be certain that the manufacturer has made sure it's safe for use

"It's disappointing to see online marketplaces continue to miss the mark on ensuring the products being sold on their platforms are safe," says Andy Kelly, CHOICE deputy director of campaigns and communications.

"That's why CHOICE is calling on the government to introduce strong new product safety laws that would make it illegal to sell unsafe products, and close the current loophole in the law that allows online marketplaces to shirk responsibility for unsafe goods."

Buying a cot instore vs buying online

While online retailers offer a wide selection of cots and potentially lower prices, it can be a good idea to head instore to inspect the model you wish to buy before you buy it. 

It's essential to ensure the cot meets Australian safety standards and has proper certification – CHOICE experts recommend you take a tape measure with you and understand a few hazards to look out for (you can find advice on this in our cot buying guide).

Advice for buying secondhand

With the price of a standard cot reaching into the high hundreds in popular baby stores, it's understandable that many parents may be looking online for cheaper alternatives. 

Instead of buying a cheap new cot online, you may like to consider buying secondhand. While this is a great way to save money and re-use a piece of furniture, there are some things to keep in mind. 

In Australia, cots have only been subject to a mandatory standard since 1998, and our tests show that even since then, not every cot meets the standard. As well as looking for a model post-1998, you should also consider the following factors.

• Safety: Check that all parts are in working order, in particular whether the catches are too easy to undo for a child. Make sure it meets modern safety standards and check whether there are instructions for assembly and safe use.
• Mattress: We recommend buying a new, correctly-fitting cot mattress where possible, as an old mattress may be a SIDS or breathability risk if it's too soft (or it could just be dirty!)
• Cot history: Second-hand cots are great for sustainability, but do check its history and whether it's been heavily used. Over time, it may have become worn or damaged.

Stock images: Getty, unless otherwise stated.

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