To all the people who sleep with their mattress on the floor: Why? After you spent all that time searching for the perfect mattress, sheets, pillows and comforter, you're going to want to pair it with a bed that complements it and your bedroom's design.
Bed frames can come in at a hefty, hefty price point. Plus, they come with the added struggle of having to schlep it into your home and setting it up, so you don't want to buy a cheap one that'll conk out or, heaven forbid, fall out from under you while you're asleep.
We've tested some of the most popular bed frames on the market (plus some hidden gems), and these are the beds we like best ... as well as some tips for finding one that's right for you.
To learn more about our testing methodology and how we evaluate products, head here.
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Thuma The Bed Read More -
Article Basi Bed Frame Read More
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Saatva Siena Leather Read More
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Akron Street Mysa Bed Read More
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Layla Bed Frame Read More
Best Overall Bed Frame
Thuma's simple bed frame can be spotted all over social media — and with good reason. The modularity of the frame allows you to add some customization with certain accessories, like a headboard, tray and under-bed storage. And when you put together a Thuma bed, it'll feel like you're playing Tetris. Our tester loved how this easy-to-assemble bed uses interlocking joints to stay put, avoiding the need for tools, screws or a mechanical engineering degree to put your bed together. And that's another huge selling point of the bed: It's practically made for people who are constantly moving.
Our tester was a quick convert when it came to the ease of assembly and simple design, but he had some notes on other aspects of the bed. For example, because nothing is screwed together, it's difficult to move once assembled as you risk pulling something out of place by accident. Similarly, the upholstered headboard, called the PillowBoard, that you can add on to the bed does not attach itself to anything, simply resting between your mattress and the wall. Or, if you prefer, the brand also offers a wooden headboard for a hefty upcharge that does attach itself to the bed. However, our tester believes the bed's functionality, timeless design and lifetime warranty offer an exceptional bang for your buck, even at its relatively high price point.
Read our full Thuma Bed review here.
Best Affordable Bed Frame
When our tester was in the market for a bed frame, there were a few things he prioritized: a modern and minimalist design, solid construction with no creaking and an affordable price tag. Finding such a bed was no small feat, but Article's Basi passed all tests with flying colors. This platform bed frame is a mix of oak veneer, plywood slats and solid wood legs, making it solid while keeping it more affordable than an all-solid-wood frame. Our tester has never heard a single creak out of this bed (he's using it with a heavy king-size Purple Mattress), and he loves the floating, mid-century modern design. There's even a decent amount of room underneath the bed for storage, which has been a nice unexpected bonus for our tester.
On the downside, assembly is fairly complicated and time-consuming — it took our tester over an hour to do it working alone. There's also no real matching headboard option, and the closest one offered by Article is both huge and pricey. Finally, the Basi just comes in a queen or king size, so if you need something smaller you're out of luck.
Best Upgrade Bed Frame
When you make the best mattress there is, you're probably going to make a pretty good bed frame too. Saatva makes over 20 different bed frames in styles ranging from modern to traditional, with some requiring a box spring or foundation and some going without, so make sure whichever one you get will work with your mattress. The Siena Leather is a platform bed, which means it's compatible with most mattress types and no box spring is required.
The frame is built to last a long, long time, as it's constructed of sustainably sourced, kiln-dried hardwood and features fortified bolts and brackets throughout for extra durability. But the true reason why this frame is so expensive is that it's fully upholstered — headboard included — in luxurious leather. It's a steep price for a bed frame, and other options in this guide will admittedly serve you nearly as well, but if you're looking to spoil yourself at night then this is a great choice.
Best Solid Wood Bed Frame
Akron Street's Mysa Bed is what you buy when you want a low-profile, platform-esque bed frame to fit a mid-century or Japandi aesthetic. It doesn't come with a warranty and returns are subject to a 12 percent fee, however, the bed is constructed from solid white oak and built to last — so order with confidence as long as you like the look. It ships in flat-pack boxes and takes less than an hour to assemble with few tools.
The Mysa Bed comes with two sets of legs — one straight, one tapered — so you can fine-tune the look to your existing furniture. Just like the bed itself, the frame-mounted headboard is easy to install; unfortunately, it costs an additional $445. If you're looking for ample storage underneath your bed, consider the brand's Dris Bed, instead.
Best Metal Bed Frame
For those just looking to keep their mattress off the floor, consider a metal bed frame. Layla's is affordable and easy to set up, and thanks to its ingenious design, it can support up to 2,000 pounds. The brand claims you can easily assembly the frame in under a minute without any tools. With steel rails and fiberglass-infused resin legs, the bed is as sturdy as it looks and won't create any extra noise or motion transfer. We'd say the only downside of the bed is that it requires a box spring, or you can go for Layla's foundation that will cost you another $324.
Best Bed Frame with Headboard
West Elm is full of modern and attractive bed frames, and its Emmett is one of the most crowd-pleasing options. The entire design is customizable from the type of headboard to the fabric and the legs. The silhouette also comes with optional under-bed storage, and you can opt for white glove delivery to have the bed assembled for you.
Best Adjustable Bed Frame
An adjustable bed frame for under $1,000 may seem too good to be true or you might think it lacks the features of pricier models. But Nectar's adjustable bed frame packs a lot of good in a budget-friendly bed frame. It offers a pressure-relieving zero gravity setting, and it can be programmed to remember your favorite sleep position. The bed even has a built-in massager that divides your body into three sections, each receiving a 15-minute massage.
Best Amazon Bed Frame
Zinus makes a whole bunch of furniture that's affordable and easy to put together. In a way, it's like an online-only Ikea, minus the Swedish product names. Its Suzanne platform bed frame has nearly 12,000 reviews on Amazon, a majority of them being five-star ratings. The added headboard is a nice touch, and the whole thing is made of solid pine wood and steel. It ships in a single 90-pound box, so no need to hire a team of weightlifters to get it inside your home.
Best Upholstered Bed Frame
Although the thought of regularly cleaning a white bed frame (or any piece of furniture for that matter) might send some of us into a spiral, our tester assures us that the cover on this beautiful frame from Crate & Barrel is not only easy to clean but also stain-repellant. Its soft, oversized look and feel, gives it a sanctuary-esque quality, he says, which makes sense considering the frame is made by interior designer Leanne Ford.
The overstuffed, oversized headboard gives you a comfortable place to rest (and not accidentally bump) your head, but it does add quite a lot of width to the frame, making it a better choice for those with room to spare in their bedroom. Additionally, thanks to the slip cover, you don't have to worry about hitting your ankles against the low frame like you might with a Floyd bed, says our tester. Plus as a bonus, the frame's wood is FSC-certified, meaning it was sourced from responsibly managed forests.
Best Platform Bed Frame
Want a headboard? You got it. Under-bed storage? It's available. Suddenly decide you need to upgrade from a twin mattress to a king? Floyd's simple, modular bed frame can do all of this and more. You can assemble the bed frame without any tools, and it's just as easy to disassemble if you're constantly moving. Besides its customizable design, the Floyd bed frame just looks really, really nice.
Our tester has been sleeping on the popular frame for two years now and says it lives up to its promises of easy assembly, long-lasting, eco-conscious build and sleek design. However, the headboard attachment our tester purchased and the slats of wood in the frame itself require frequent adjustments, which is difficult, especially for those living in a small space. Our tester also gave a warning to be mindful of your ankles and shins around the edge of the bed.
Read our full Floyd The Bed review here.
Best Bed Frame with Storage
Ikea has a lot of beds, and its Malm collection of bedroom furniture is probably its most minimalistic. With the Malm bed, you get a fairly well-made piece of furniture at a very wallet-friendly price point. The under-bed storage provides ample space, and if you don't the storage, you can forego it and save a nice chunk of money.
What to look for in a bed frame
Materials: “The most important thing to consider when purchasing a bed frame is the materials,” says Quentin de Coster, senior director of product & industrial design at Thuma. “Keep an eye out for 100 percent real wood, which is the biggest indicator of longevity, quality and stability. Bonus if the real wood is upcycled and sustainably sourced.”
Style: “When it comes to design, I suggest going with a bed frame that is minimalist in design, which will better complement other pieces in your bedroom and allow for flexibility over time,” de Coster says. “Your bed frame should be able to blend seamlessly with your room as your style evolves.”
Assembly: “Another thing I recommend is researching how the bed frame assembles,” says de Coster. “Assembly should be simple, with as little hardware as possible. Remember, the easier a bed frame is to assemble, the easier it will be to disassemble.”
Should you match your frame to your mattress?
"While most mattress and bed frames follow standard sizing, matching the two will ensure a more seamless experience," de Coster says. "Purchasing a bed frame and mattress from the same brand can help avoid any mismatched measurements."
What to avoid in a bed frame
"A major red flag when shopping for a bed frame is the use of low-quality materials," says de Coster. "Over 10 million tons of furniture is thrown out in the U.S. every year, due in part to limited design and cheap materials. I suggest avoiding materials like particle board or fiberboard, which are engineered alternatives to wood that not designed to last."
