Cosatto Close to Me vs Graco Side By Side: Which Bedside Crib Wins?

COMPARISON · NURSERY & SLEEP

You have probably already spent half an evening scrolling through bedside cribs, reading almost-identical feature lists and wondering what actually matters once the lights go out. The short answer: it depends on how you plan to use the crib, how much space you have and whether you need it to travel.

The Cosatto Close to Me and the Graco Side By Side sit at opposite ends of the bedside-crib price spectrum, yet both promise safe, arm's-reach sleeping from birth. One is a feature-packed co-sleeper from one of the UK's most colourful nursery brands; the other is a no-nonsense bassinet from a name trusted by millions of parents worldwide. Below, we break down the specs, the parent feedback and the trade-offs so you can decide without a 2am panic buy.

We gathered real-world feedback from parents across forums, review panels and our own community, cross-checked every spec against the manufacturer's data and tested the fold mechanisms ourselves. Neither brand paid for placement here - our product cards link to retailers in our joined programme so we can keep the site free.

Lil' Bubba's verdicts

• Best Overall: Cosatto Close to Me · 8.0/10 - the drop-down side, five height settings and included extras make it the more complete co-sleeper
• Best Value: Graco Side By Side · 7.5/10 - rock-solid build quality for under half the price, ideal if budget matters most

Quick comparison

	Cosatto Close to Me	Graco Side By Side
Price (approx.)	£140 - £150	£70 - £80
Rating
Drop-down side	Yes - slides under crib	No - fixed mesh panels
Height positions	5	1 (fixed)
Weight limit	9 kg	9 kg
Product weight	8.35 kg	7.8 kg
Folds	Yes - pop-up / pop-down	Yes - one-hand fold
Wheels	Yes, with brakes	No
Mattress included	Yes (padded)	Yes (quilted)
Travel bag	Included	Included
Mosquito net	Included	Not included
Guarantee	4 years	1 year

How we picked the two

We track which products parents add to their BubsNest registries, cross-reference those with expert reviews and community discussion, then shortlist cribs that are in stock from at least one UK retailer in our programme. These two stood out because they represent genuinely different approaches to the same job: the Cosatto is a true drop-side co-sleeper designed to sit flush against your mattress, while the Graco is a standalone bassinet that positions beside the bed without a lowering mechanism. Comparing them highlights the features that actually matter at 3am.

What to look for in a bedside crib

Drop-down side. If you want to breastfeed or soothe your baby without fully sitting up, a side that folds or slides away is the single most valuable feature. Without it, you are reaching over a mesh wall every time. Some parents find that perfectly manageable, others find it a dealbreaker.

Height adjustment. Bed heights vary wildly, from low divans to tall ottoman frames. Multiple height positions mean the crib mattress can sit level with yours, which matters for safe bedside attachment. A fixed-height crib may leave a gap or a step between surfaces.

Fold and portability. If the crib will travel between rooms during the day or come on overnight trips, check how compact the fold is and whether a carry bag is included. Weight matters less than you might think - most bedside cribs land between 7 and 10 kg.

Mesh ventilation. Breathable mesh sides are standard on modern bedside cribs and recommended for airflow. Both of our picks tick this box. Look for mesh on at least two sides.

Mattress quality. The included mattress should be firm and flat - safe sleep guidelines are clear on this. Some parents buy a replacement mattress regardless, so factor that cost in if the stock mattress feels thin.

Storage. An under-crib basket is surprisingly handy for spare muslins, nappies and a water bottle. Not essential, but once you have used one you will miss it if it is not there.

1. Cosatto Close to Me / 10 · Best Overall

Cosatto has built a reputation for bold prints and cheerful nursery gear, and the Close to Me is one of their most practical designs. It is a fully featured bedside co-sleeper that pops up in seconds, attaches to your bed frame with the included straps and lets you slide the nearside panel completely underneath so baby is right there, mattress to mattress.

Five height positions cover most bed frames from low divans up to taller frames, and the smooth-glide wheels with lockable brakes let you roll it between the bedroom and living room without lifting. At around 8.35 kg it is not featherlight, but the included travel bag and genuinely flat fold (just 13 cm deep) make it practical for overnight stays at grandparents' houses.

What parents love

• Drop-down side for night feeds. One parent told us: "I could slide him across, feed, and slide him back - we barely woke up."
• Pop-up assembly. No tools, no swearing. A parent shared: "It literally pops open like a tent. We had it ready before the kettle boiled."
• Included extras. Travel bag, mosquito net and a padded mattress - most rivals charge extra for at least one of these.
• Four-year guarantee. Cosatto backs this crib for four years, which is generous for the category and covers second-baby use.

What to know before you buy

• Higher price point. At £140-£150 it costs roughly double the Graco. You are paying for the drop-side, the extras and the extended guarantee.
• Print-led designs. Cosatto's colourful prints are divisive - some parents love the personality, others want plain neutrals. Limited colourway options compared to some competitors.
• Mattress thickness. At 2.5 cm the included mattress is functional but thin. Some parents upgrade to a thicker aftermarket mattress for longer-term comfort.

Best for

• Breastfeeding parents who want true mattress-to-mattress access
• Families who move the crib between rooms during the day
• Parents who travel to relatives and need a compact, bag-included fold
• Anyone who values a longer guarantee for second-baby reuse

2. Graco Side By Side / 10 · Best Value

Graco has been making baby gear since the 1950s and the Side By Side is a clean, no-frills bedside bassinet that does the basics well. At around £70-£80 it undercuts most branded alternatives by a wide margin, and parents consistently praise its solid build quality for the price.

The one-hand fold is genuinely impressive: pull one release from either side and the whole frame collapses flat enough to slot behind a wardrobe or into the boot of your car. With the lower legs removed it doubles as a portable travel bed. Mesh panels on all sides give excellent airflow and let you see baby without lifting your head off the pillow.

What parents love

• Unbeatable value. We hear repeatedly from parents that the build quality feels far above the price. A parent shared: "I was genuinely surprised at how sturdy it is for the money."
• One-hand fold. Parents we hear from regularly say: "It was really easy to set up - you literally just pull it apart to unfold it."
• Full mesh visibility. One parent told us: "The full mesh sides are great for easy viewing and airflow to the baby."
• Compact storage footprint. When folded, the 87 x 58 x 46.5 cm profile slides under a bed or into a cupboard.

What to know before you buy

• No drop-down side. You reach over the mesh panel to lift baby in and out. For night feeds this means sitting up fully, which is a significant trade-off for breastfeeding parents.
• Fixed height. A single height position at 73 cm may not align with taller or shorter beds. Check your bed-frame height before ordering.
• Mattress comfort. Parents report a slight dip in the centre of the mattress over time. Some upgrade to a firmer aftermarket mattress after a few weeks.

Best for

• Budget-conscious parents who want a reliable name brand
• Families with limited space who need a truly flat fold
• Parents who bottle-feed and are comfortable sitting up for feeds
• Anyone who wants a secondary crib for grandparents or travel

What about the Chicco Next2Me?

If you have been researching bedside cribs for more than five minutes you have probably seen the Chicco Next2Me range. It is the UK's best-selling bedside crib for good reason: excellent build quality, a smooth drop-down side and wide retailer availability. We have covered it in a separate comparison already, so we focused on two strong alternatives here. If you want a direct Chicco comparison, check our other bedside crib posts in the community section.

How to choose

Choose the Cosatto Close to Me if night feeds and easy access are your priority. The drop-down side that slides completely underneath is the feature that separates it from the Graco, and it matters most for breastfeeding parents or anyone who wants to soothe baby without fully sitting up. The five height positions, lockable wheels and included mosquito net round out a package that justifies the higher price for many families.

Choose the Graco Side By Side if your budget is tight or you need a secondary crib for a spare room, grandparents' house or travel. The one-hand fold is genuinely excellent, the build quality punches above its price and the mesh panels give you clear visibility from your pillow. Just be honest with yourself about whether the lack of a drop-down side will frustrate you at 3am.

Add it to your Nest

Whichever crib you choose, add it to your free BubsNest registry so friends and family know exactly which one you want - no more duplicate gifts or guessing games.