The strongest cot bumper shortlist currently comes from Argos and The Baby Den. Argos lists 116 products in its cot bumper sets category, including breathable mesh liners with current customer ratings. The Baby Den offers hand-made braided designs from £35.99. The products below are practical shopping picks based on listed price, format, coverage and customer rating, not independent test winners.
Prices and ratings in this guide were checked on 9 September 2026. Promotional prices can change, so check the retailer page before ordering.
| Pick | Product | Price | Rating | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BreathableBaby 2 Sided Airflow Cot Liner, grey | £16.50 | 5.0/5 from 9 reviews | A highly rated two-sided liner |
| 2 | BreathableBaby 4 Sided Airflow Cot Liner, grey | £18.00 | 4.9/5 from 10 reviews | Four-sided coverage |
| 3 | BreathableBaby 2 Sided Airflow Cot Liner | £16.50 | 4.7/5 from 68 reviews | The largest review sample among these liners |
| 4 | BreathableBaby 4 Sided Airflow Cot Liner, white | £18.00 | 4.3/5 from 37 reviews | White four-sided styling |
| 5 | The Baby Den braided cot bumper | From £35.99 | Not listed | Hand-made decorative designs |
Argos lists the four BreathableBaby options at promotional prices below their former prices: the two-sided liner is reduced from £22.00, while the four-sided versions are reduced from £24.00. The category also includes filters from £5–£10 through to £20–£25 when setting a budget.
Retailer labels and customer ratings can help compare products, but they do not establish that a product is suitable for safe infant sleep.
Mesh liners and braided bumpers are different product types. Argos describes the BreathableBaby products as breathable liners, available in two-sided and four-sided versions. The Baby Den sells braided designs in several shapes and fabric options.
A padded cot bumper is a cushioned style, while the Argos products above are described as airflow liners and The Baby Den products as braided bumpers. Argos also describes products in the category as intended for cots and cot beds.
The highest-rated listed option is the grey two-sided BreathableBaby Airflow Cot Liner, with 5.0/5 from 9 reviews at £16.50. The grey four-sided version has 4.9/5 from 10 reviews at £18.00. The other two-sided version has the largest review sample among these liners, with 4.7/5 from 68 reviews at £16.50.
| Format | Colour or version | Listed price | Customer rating | Review count |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Two-sided airflow liner | Grey | £16.50 | 5.0/5 | 9 |
| Four-sided airflow liner | Grey | £18.00 | 4.9/5 | 10 |
| Two-sided airflow liner | Version listed by Argos | £16.50 | 4.7/5 | 68 |
| Four-sided airflow liner | White | £18.00 | 4.3/5 | 37 |
The ratings show how Argos customers scored the listed products. They do not answer the separate safety question, which is covered below.
IKEA’s UNDVIKA is not a cot bumper set. It is a corner bumper for tables and cupboards, sold in an eight-pack for £5 on IKEA UK and rated 4.3/5 from 293 reviews. The UNDVIKA product page therefore does not show an IKEA cot-side bumper in that format.
IKEA’s JOLLRA bumper pad is a separate product reference. Its fitting instructions say to attach the pad around all four cot corners and at the midpoint of one long side. They also say there should be no gap between the bumper pad and the mattress when the mattress is put back. Read the JOLLRA assembly instructions for that specific pad and follow the stated fitting method.
For an infant’s sleep space, avoid cot bumpers and other soft items attached to the cot sides. Safe to Sleep states that crib bumpers, bumper pads and similar products do not have evidence showing that they prevent injuries. It recommends a firm, flat, level sleep surface with only a well-fitting sheet.
The US Consumer Product Safety Commission warns that soft objects such as bumpers can create a suffocation risk because young babies may not be able to move their heads away. Its guidance also says that the US Safe Sleep for Babies Act of 2021 prohibits crib bumpers in the United States. This is US legislation, not a statement of UK law.
The CPSC’s crib-bumper guidance distinguishes between prohibited crib bumpers and certain non-padded mesh crib liners under that US law. That legal distinction does not replace the safe-sleep guidance about keeping an infant’s sleep surface clear.
Use a firm, flat mattress with one tight-fitting sheet and keep the sleep surface free from extra items. This is the alternative supported by Safe to Sleep guidance.
You can read the full Safe to Sleep guidance before making a purchase.
Do not use cot bumpers as the solution. Check the cot, mattress and sheet against the manufacturer’s instructions, remove extra items and keep the sleep surface clear. Babies can move around the cot, and adding padding creates a separate risk without evidence that bumpers prevent injury.
If the behaviour concerns you, discuss it with a health professional.
Cot bumpers are not recommended for an infant’s sleep space. Safe to Sleep says there is no evidence that bumpers prevent injuries, and the CPSC warns that soft objects such as bumpers can create a suffocation risk.
A padded bumper is a cushioned cot-side product. A breathable liner is marketed as an airflow-focused mesh product. Argos lists BreathableBaby liners in two-sided and four-sided formats.
Age alone does not make a cot bumper a safe addition to the sleep space. Use a firm, flat mattress with a well-fitting sheet rather than adding bumpers or other soft items.
A cot bumper should not be added to the top rail or used as a general protective pad. Keep the cot clear of extra soft items and follow the cot manufacturer’s instructions for approved accessories.
