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Having a nice place to rest at the end of a long day can make the difference between a good and bad day. In addition to the right mattresses and the best bed sheets, picking a bed frame can be daunting since it is a large piece of furniture that can be a significant financial investment, meant to last several years. Fortunately, whether you want an upholstered, cozy nest or a modem adjustable statement piece, there are many quality options available.
What to consider when buying a bed frame
Weight limit
Do you sleep alone or with a partner? Do you have kids coming into bed frequently who may or may not be jumping on the bed, exerting a good deal of force? Are you a heavy person, sleep next to a heavy person, or frequently have guests? If the answer is yes, then it would be worth it to pick a bed with a higher weight limit. There is a sense of security in feeling your bed frame is stable that leads to better sleep.
Price
Everyone has a budget and, even for a piece of furniture that will hopefully last a long time, you must keep your price point in mind. Hopefully your bed frame, whatever the price, can be an investment, you’ll have for quite some time.
Quality
With the idea in mind that you want to buy a bed only a few times in your life, and keeping in mind the hassle of installation and removal of the old frame, picking a bed frame that’s made of quality, high-performing materials is important. There are many inexpensive frames made of cheap material which will give out with too much impact or too quickly.
Height and storage
Your particular mobility may be what dictates what height is best for you. Someone who cannot squat low or who cannot pull themselves up onto a bed or climb stairs to a tall mattress will want a medium-height bed. A certain amount of clearance is often a good feature if you want to use the bed as storage, either with built in storage or by stashing boxes under the bed. Also consider the height of your mattress in addition to the height of your bed.
Headrest or headboard compatibility
If your bed floats away from the wall, you may need a headrest to define your bed while adding comfort. If you’re up against the wall and/or are going for a minimalistic look, you may want to forgo one. Some headrests are sturdy and stay put on their own while others require a wall to prop them up and give them the stability to withstand you leaning against them. If you’re buying just a frame and would later like to add a headboard, look for bed frames that are designed to fit a headboard.
Design
It may sound silly, but having an aesthetically pleasing bed can create a peaceful environment in your home that promotes healthy and restful sleep.
Our picks for the best bed frames
Best wooden bed frame, best modern bed frame, and best bed frame for heavy person: Thuma: the bed
Thuma’s bed makes it to the top of our list, and for good reason. The sleek, simple, modern design fits into many types of home styles. The wood is solid and put together with Japanese joinery, needing only one screw, making it one of the easiest pieces of furniture you’ll ever assemble. The high weight limit makes it a great bed for big families who share a bed from time to time, heavy people, and withstanding the force of jumping on the bed. Interesting to note: Thuma doesn’t just make furniture—they also made our list for the best linen sheets.
After extensive research, this is the bed frame I bought a few years ago. I wanted something modern, but not too ostentatious, that I could put together myself without help, and felt really sturdy to withstand the force of my two active kids who love jumping on the bed. I can say after owning it for a while that I absolutely recommend it. I really did put it together with ease, without any help and it hasn’t budged since. I particularly like the Japanese joinery with rounded edges, so I never hit my shins on the corner of the bed during drowsy mornings. It’s stable enough that I can stand on my bed and jump along with the kids,without worrying about breaking it.
Specifications:
- Style: Modern, minimalist
- Material: Wood/fabric headrest
- Dimensions: Queen: 65 inches x 85 inches, 13 inches tall, 9 inches clearance, 35 inch headboard
- Weight Capacity: 1500 pounds
What we like:
- Extremely easy set up, no tools required
- Clean, attractive design
- High weight limit, feels very sturdy
What we don’t like:
- The headrest isn’t attached and requires a wall
- The clearance isn’t much underneath for storage
- Not many customizing options
The bottom line:
Thuma’s The Bed is an all-around winner due to the easy set up, clean design, and high-quality materials.
Thuma: the bed
Best bed frame with storage: Mr. Kate Blush Moon Upholstered Low Profile Storage Platform Bed
The storage in the Mr. Kate Blush Moon Upholstered Low Profile Storage Platform Bed does, in fact, have a low profile. Unlike many wooden beds with storage, the drawers under this stylish bed blend into the overall design as opposed to dominating it. Shopping tip: Looking for even more storage options? Consult our list of the best storage beds.
Specifications:
- Style: Modern
- Material: Wood, polyester, velvet
- Dimensions: Clearance from floor to bottom, 1.5 inches
- Weight capacity: 450 pounds (500 pounds for king)
What we like:
- Velvet is very modern and unusual
- Good amount of storage
- Doesn’t require a box spring, low profile
- Includes headboard
What we don’t like:
- Needs a lot of clearance on both sides to use storage
- The design isn’t for everyone
- Low weight limit when considering more than one person in bed
The bottom line:
If you like the modern aesthetic of the velvet, want a low profile, but still need under-bed storage, this frame is a good fit.
Mr. Kate Blush Moon Upholstered Low Profile Storage Platform Bed
Best canopy bed frame: Yitahome Canopy Bed
The Yitahome Canopy Bed has modern, clean lines instead of the more traditional look you tend to see with canopy-style bed frames. There’s still plenty of space under the bed for storage and you can use it with or without a curtain. It’s also available at Wayfair, one of the best online furniture stores due to their customer service and quick delivery times. If you are looking for a few more pieces for your home, Wayfair also made our list for the best sleeper sofas, best slipcovered sofas, best sectional sofas, best dining tables, and even the best flannel sheets.
Specifications:
- Style: Modern, traditional
- Material: Metal, wood slats
- Dimensions: 72 inches (height) X 60 inches (width) X 82 inches (length)
- Weight capacity: 800-900 pounds
What we like:
- Versatile design to fit into many design types
- Can use without the canopy
- High weight limit
What we don’t like:
- Need a lot of overhead clearance
- Metal design not for everyone
- Some people reported difficulty assembling
The bottom line:
Clean, black lines make this basic canopy a good fit for many rooms, but wouldn’t work under eaves or with low ceilings.
Yitahome Canopy Bed
Best wingback bed frame: All Modern Hanson Upholstered Wingback Bed
Wrapped up in cushiony linen, this All Modern Hanson Upholstered Wingback frame is luxurious and cozy. The modern, but timeless, style lends itself to many types of accessorizing, from bright bedding to spa-like whites. For reading in bed or snuggling in on a chilly night, this is the type of bed you’d want.
Specifications:
- Style: Traditional
- Material: Foam, linen, wood
- Dimensions: Clearance - Floor to Bottom: 4 inches, Headboard height from the bottom of the headboard to the floor: 26 inches, Headboard height: 56 inches
- Weight capacity: 800 pounds
What we like:
- Clean lines
- Cushiony comfort
- Several color options
What we don’t like:
- Assembly can be tricky, leading to “gaps”
- No storage space
- Can be hard to clean
The bottom line:
Moderately priced and luxurious in its design, this is a great choice for a beautiful, cozy wingback.
All Modern Hanson Upholstered Wingback Bed
Best adjustable bed frame: Floyd the Bed Frame
This modular bed frame has many options, and is designed to change with you throughout your lifetime. It can be adjusted in size and form, and can be used with or without a headboard.
Specifications:
- Style: Modular
- Material: Wood and metal
- Dimensions: 67 inches (width) x 86 inches (depth) x 31.5 inches (height)
- Weight capacity: 600 pounds
What we like:
- Good for smaller spaces or under low windows
- Mix and match wood and metal finishes
- Can add an upholstered headrest or underbed storage
What we don’t like:
- Once you add on the headboard, can be spendy
- It is heavy (130 pounds) but the weight limit isn’t very high
- Cannot adjust height
The bottom line:
Made of high quality materials and with many options to size up, size down or add on, its versatile, minimalistic, ,and still stylish.
Floyd the Bed Frame
Best upholstered bed frame and best customizable bed frame: West Elm Andes Deco Upholstered
A classic design, this West Elm Andes Deco Upholstered bed frame is highly-rated and comes with many customizable options for fabrics, finishes, and headboard height. It is built with quality materials and will last a long time both in style and strength.
Specifications:
- Style: Modern
- Material: Polyester, wood, metal
- Dimensions: 60 inches x 80 inches x 46 inches (or 58 inches) and 7 inches clearance
- Weight capacity: 300 pounds
What we like:
- Can choose from several fabrics, leg finishes, headboard heights and style
- Good for tall people and people with lots of pillows
- High quality materials
What we don’t like:
- A more expensive frame option than others
- Upholstery can be hard to clean
- Low weight limit
The bottom line:
With clean lines and plenty of options for finishes, this bedframe will be versatile enough to fit into your changing home design ideas and well-made enough to last a long time.
West Elm Andes Deco Upholstered
Best Amazon bed frame and best platform bed frame: ZINUS Vivek Deluxe Wood Platform Bed Frame with Headboard
The ZINUS Vivek Deluxe Wood Platform Bed Frame with Headboard is a good all-around wood platform bed that's an affordable choice for just about any bedroom. It’s low maintenance, with clean wood lines, easy assembly, and no need for a box spring. Since there isn’t room for a box spring, it’s a good idea to splurge for the best mattress you can to provide the most support.
Specifications:
- Style: Traditional
- Material: Wood, alloy steel
- Dimensions: 81.3 inches (length) x 59.7 inches (width) x 37 inches (height)
- Weight capacity: 700 lbs
What we like:
- Versatile style
- Durable
- Easy assembly
What we don’t like:
- Less stable feeling than some
- Manufacturer’s customer service lacking
- Slats far apart
The bottom line:
This extremely highly rated Amazon find is durable, making it a perfect choice for a main or guest bedroom.
ZINUS Vivek Deluxe Wood Platform Bed Frame with Headboard / Wood Slat Support / No Box Spring Needed / Easy Assembly, King
Best folding bed frame, best budget bed frame, and best metal bed frame: Amazon Basics Foldable Metal Platform Bed Frame with Tool Free Setup
The Amazon Basics Foldable Metal Platform Bed Frame is the ultimate affordable guest bed frame. It can fold away and is easy to assemble with lots of space underneath for storage. Though it’s basic in design, it promises to be sturdy and, most importantly, not squeaky. Shopping tip: If you’re looking to outfit your bed, Amazon made our list of the best places to buy a mattress, best places to buy pillows, best cooling pillows, and the best mattress toppers for back pain.
Specifications:
- Style: Basic
- Material: Alloy steel
- Dimensions: 80 inches (length) x 60 inches (width) x 14 inches (height)
- Weight capacity: 250 pounds
What we like:
- Two height options to maximize under-bed storage
- Foldable
- Affordable
What we don’t like:
- No design, just a metal frame
- Low weight limit
- Red safety ties/stickers are not very pretty
The bottom line:
This extremely basic frame is no fuss and easy to store away or design around.
Amazon Basics Foldable Metal Platform Bed Frame with Tool Free Setup, 14 Inches High, Sturdy Steel Frame, No Box Spring Needed, Queen, Black
Best bed frame for kids: Max and Lily Twin Size Low Loft with Slide
Your child will be the belle of the playdate ball with this low loft that features a slide. Since it’s only a loft, you don’t have to worry about kids going too fast or getting hurt and the under the bed-storage options are endless, including a good space for a fort, bookcase, or set of drawers.
Specifications:
- Style: Kids
- Material: Wood
- Dimensions: 81.5 inches (length) x 84.5 inches (width) x 50 inches (height)
- Weight capacity: 400 pounds
What we like:
- Several finishes
- Great storage space
- A reversible ladder and slide
What we don’t like:
- Need enough space for the slide, making it a wider area
- Not easy for adults to get in and out of bed with kids
- Significant assembly
The bottom line:
This sturdy, well-reviewed kids bed has a high enough weight limit and height that you can enjoy the fun of the slide and ladder without the danger potential of a bunk bed.
Max and Lily Twin Size Low Loft with Slide
Best places to buy bed frames
Our list had a variety of places to buy bed frames. However, Amazon has several of our favorite frames in addition to a long list of well-reviewed frames. Wayfair has plenty of incredible options, too, and is a good source for finding out user reviews. Otherwise, when you find a frame you like it’s often best to get it directly from the manufacturer’s website. You can guarantee you’re getting the product you want and can often find first-time buyer or returning customer discounts. These direct sales also have good customer service support if you have clarifying questions or issues once your product arrives.
How we chose the best bed frames to recommend
We chose the best bed frames based on recommendations from customers, including only bed frames that had a high number of five-star reviews or equivalent. We also looked at other roundups and reviews of the best bed frames to collate the most positively reviewed bed frames currently on sale. Finally, we used our own personal research and recommendations.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Which bed frame is the strongest?
The Thuma has the highest weight limit and is constructed using Japanese joinery, a method that makes it sturdy, easy to install, and tool-free.
How expensive is a good bed frame?
A good bed frame doesn’t have to be more than a thousand dollars, but many with good reviews, high quality materials, and modern design do top out around that. Many of our choices are well under that amount, hovering around the $200-$800 range, and our picks for budget beds still get great reviews and are around $100. Size also affects the price significantly, with king-sized beds using more materials than a twin and, therefore, costing more.
How do I know if my bed frame is good quality?
A good quality frame feels solid, isn’t an impossible puzzle to put together, and looks great in your home. Quality furniture can last decades and often has all wood or sturdy metal components.
Is it better to have a higher or lower bed frame?
Whether or not to have a higher or lower bed frame is a matter of personal preference, mobility needs, and storage requirements. Lower beds can be easier to get in and out of, while high beds are preferable for others for the storage options. Many people prioritize storage over all else, which leads to higher bed frames. Whether or not a bed frame needs a box spring will greatly affect the height.
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