Best Overall
Nest Bedding HomeBase Foundation
- It only took 35 minutes to assemble this bed frame, and most parts clicked right into place without requiring many screws or tools.
It only took 35 minutes to assemble this bed frame, and most parts clicked right into place without requiring many screws or tools.
- Under-bed storage is limited since there are only 4.5 inches of space between the bottom of the bed frame and the floor.
Under-bed storage is limited since there are only 4.5 inches of space between the bottom of the bed frame and the floor.
Made in the US, the Nest Bedding HomeBase Foundation earned the top spot on our list due to its quality construction, modern design, and simple assembly.
It’s available in a variety of sizes from twin to California King and comes with an optional pillow-backed headboard which we found to be comfortable to rest our heads against. The frame felt sturdy and the wooden slats fit together perfectly, helping to keep our mattress in place.
This bed frame was delivered in two boxes. We were initially worried because the smaller box that contained the headboard was open on one side; however, there wasn’t any damage since the headboard was wrapped in plastic.
The larger box that contained the base was much heavier, although we were still able to carry it inside and move it up the stairs by ourselves. It took 35 minutes to assemble this bed frame and we were pleased that the instructions were easy to follow. We needed a few screws for the headboard, but the rest of the pieces clicked effortlessly into place.
Available in sand or stone grey, this bed frame was even prettier in person than it looked online. We tried out the sand colored one, and it was darker than we thought it would be.
However, the color is still neutral and would complement many interior design styles without showing dirt like some lighter colored headboards. The legs are made of solid wood in a dark walnut color which gives this bed a sleek and modern look.
As an added bonus, this bed frame came with USB ports on both sides so we could easily charge our devices during the night. Although a convenient feature, we worry this might be obsolete in the future.
Another potential downside is that there are only 4.5 inches between the bottom of the frame and the floor, which doesn’t leave much room for under-bed storage. Overall, we loved this bed frame for its modern design, sturdy build, convenient USB ports, and high quality at a relatively low cost.
Product Details: Dimensions: 80 x 60 x 20 inches (queen) | Material: Untreated pinewood, woven polyester blend upholstery, slats covered in non-woven polyester | Weight Capacity: Not listed
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / ASHLEY CRAIGER
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / ASHLEY CRAIGER
Key Terms to Know
- Platform bed frame: A low-profile bed frame that doesn’t require a box spring.
- White glove delivery service: A full-service shipping, delivery, and assembly option offered by some retailers that includes shipping, unboxing, and assembly.
- Japanese joinery: A construction technique in which parts fit together like a puzzle without requiring any screws or tools.
- Box spring: A type of base that is filled with springs. It looks like a mattress at first glance, but it actually goes underneath a mattress to provide support.
- Foundation: A type of base that contains wood slats.
- Slats: Wooden planks that support your mattress.
- Kiln-dried wood: Wood that has been dried in a kiln to prevent warping or cracking.
Best with Storage
Pottery Barn Jake Upholstered Storage Platform Bed
- This storage platform bed features soft upholstery that’s available in a variety of color and fabric options.
This storage platform bed features soft upholstery that’s available in a variety of color and fabric options.
- The drawers near the head of the bed were difficult to access due to the placement of our nightstands.
The drawers near the head of the bed were difficult to access due to the placement of our nightstands.
If you have limited space in your bedroom, consider a bed with built-in storage like the Pottery Barn Jake Upholstered Storage Platform Bed. It features four spacious drawers (two on each side) so you can store extra bedding and pillows.
Pottery Barn offers white glove delivery service with this bed frame, which we found to be very convenient. It took about 45 minutes for the third-party delivery service to unbox, move, and assemble the bed frame. While this was still fairly quick, it was longer than some of the other bed frames we tested.
After the bed frame was assembled, we found that the drawers glided smoothly and hardly made any noise when we opened and closed them. We were glad that the inside of the drawers have a smooth dark wood finish instead of being unfinished wood that could potentially snag fabrics.
As much as we liked the storage drawers, there are a few details to consider. Because of our nightstands, we couldn’t easily access the drawers near the head of the bed. To be able to use these drawers, you would need a floating nightstand or not have one beside the bed frame at all.
We also noted that without the mattress on the frame, the contents of the drawers were exposed. Despite these details, we still think the storage is a huge selling point of this bed.
Aside from the convenient storage options, we also loved the quality and design of this platform bed. During our testing period, we were impressed with how sturdy and heavy it felt. It didn’t move at all when we tossed and turned, and could only be moved if we physically pushed it.
It’s a shelter bed, which means the headboard curves around on each side and creates a cozy feel. This did slightly block our view of our nightstands and lamps, but it wasn’t a huge concern for us.
This bed frame has a metal frame, metal legs, wooden slats, and an upholstered exterior. We were a little concerned the fabric would be rough based on the website images; however, it was super soft which was a pleasant surprise.
The bed frame we tested had performance fabric, which means it’s easy to spot treat stains. There are 30 different upholstery options to choose from, but the custom fabrics take longer to ship. Pottery Barn provides free fabric samples so you can see and touch the fabric before ordering your bed.
Although we loved the ample storage space, custom upholstery options, and sturdy construction of this bed frame, we wish the metal legs weren’t attached at the very corners because it caused us to stub our toes quite a few times when making the bed.
Product Details: Dimensions: 85 x 65.5 x 46 inches (queen) | Material: Solid pine wood, engineered wood, metal legs, upholstered headboard (various fabric options) | Weight Capacity: 600 pounds
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / KATIE BOWLER
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / KATIE BOWLER
Best Rattan
Pottery Barn Sausalito Cane Bed
- It had a sturdy quality, yet it was lightweight enough that we could easily move it when needed.
It had a sturdy quality, yet it was lightweight enough that we could easily move it when needed.
- The cane texture got caught on our hair and frayed our silk pillowcases.
The cane texture got caught on our hair and frayed our silk pillowcases.
For those who want a bed frame with a natural look, the Pottery Barn Sausalito Cane Bed is a great choice. During testing, we loved the high-quality construction of this bed frame and the cane detailing on the headboard.
This bed frame has a sturdy build and supportive cross-slat system. It requires a mattress foundation or box spring which must be purchased separately. Fortunately, the Pottery Barn website indicates what height foundation or box spring to get so we were able to purchase one in advance and have it arrive before the bed was delivered.
Just as we did for the Pottery Barn Jake Upholstered Storage Platform Bed, we utilized Pottery Barn’s white glove delivery service to deliver and assemble this bed frame. It only took them 30 minutes to carry the boxes inside and fully assemble the bed frame.
While they positioned the bed frame in the general area we wanted the bed, we did have to move it exactly where we wanted it once they left. Fortunately, the bed was light enough for us to easily move.
Once the bed frame was where we wanted it to be, we found that it elevated our space and made it feel more high-end, even though it has a natural look. It felt sturdy, and the quality remained the same throughout the entire testing process. And because it has wooden legs and is raised off the floor, there is room for under-bed storage.
The only downside to this bed frame is the cane headboard—because of its texture, it was easy for hair to get caught in it while laying down. It also caused our silk pillowcases to fray, but we are hoping the texture of the cane softens over time.
Product Details: Dimensions: 85 x 64 x 50 inches (queen) | Material: Solid Meranti woods, manufactured wood, engineered woods and veneers | Weight Capacity: 600 pounds
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / CARA MILHAVEN
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / CARA MILHAVEN
Best Platform
Saatva Santorini
- The bed frame felt sturdy and well-constructed, and the fabric on this bed frame was easy to clean despite frequent accumulation of pet hair.
The bed frame felt sturdy and well-constructed, and the fabric on this bed frame was easy to clean despite frequent accumulation of pet hair.
- There was a small knick in the fabric, and we wished we could customize the color of the legs.
There was a small knick in the fabric, and we wished we could customize the color of the legs.
We chose the Saatva Santorini Bed Frame as the best platform bed because of its luxurious (and easy-to-clean) fabric, exceptional stability, and low-profile design.
While Saatva offers free in-room delivery and assembly, we opted to assemble this bed frame ourselves. The boxes were a bit heavy and cumbersome to carry up stairs, so we recommend removing the pieces from the boxes and carrying them individually. It took us about an hour to assemble the bed, which isn’t terribly long, but it may have been faster had we opted for their personal delivery.
The frame is made out of sustainably-sourced hardwood that is kiln-dried for extra durability. It also has premium plywood slats with multiple support feet that add to the sturdiness and support of this bed. It felt very stable and didn’t wobble at all when we got in and out of bed.
Another feature we loved was the soft and luxurious fabric on the bed frame. Pet hair accumulated on the fabric over time, but it was easy enough to clean up with a vacuum. We did find one small knick in the fabric (which we noticed before vacuuming), but overall it seemed durable.
Since this is a platform bed, keep in mind that it sits lower to the ground and doesn’t require a box spring. The metal legs are very minimal, but felt strong enough to support the frame and mattress. Regardless of what color fabric you order, the legs are a silver color, and we wished we could customize the color for a more seamless look.
Saavta offers a 365-night home trial so you can return or exchange it for up to a year if you aren’t completely satisfied with this bed frame.
Product Details: Dimensions: 88 x 66 x 42 inches (queen) | Material: Kiln-dried hardwood, plywood slats, metal legs, upholstered headboard (vintage velvet and linen options) | Weight Capacity: Not listed
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / ERIC BROCKOB
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / ERIC BROCKOB
Best Headboard
Silk and Snow Bouclé Bed Frame
- This bed frame comes with a machine-washable bouclé fabric headboard.
This bed frame comes with a machine-washable bouclé fabric headboard.
- It was delivered in three large boxes that were left outside our apartment and didn’t come with assembly instructions.
It was delivered in three large boxes that were left outside our apartment and didn’t come with assembly instructions.
Our pick for "best headboard" is the Silk and Snow Bouclé Bed Frame. It’s made out of high-quality materials including solid acacia wood, and it even has a machine-washable bouclé headboard, which is convenient for households with pets.
This bed frame was delivered in three boxes (each about 7 feet tall and over 85 pounds), so keep this in mind if you have to move the boxes up stairs. The assembly process was a bit difficult with this bed frame because it didn’t come with instructions.
Although it only took us 29 minutes to assemble, some of the pieces were heavy and required two people to complete the process. The frame is put together using Japanese joinery, so it didn’t require much hardware to assemble.
We recommend knowing exactly where you want this bed frame to go before you assemble it because it’s heavy and not very easy to move. However, there is cork padding on the bottom of the legs to help protect your floors from scratching in case you do have to move it.
Even though assembly was a bit of hassle, we were quite impressed with the durability and sturdiness of this bed frame once it was put together. A lot of modern furniture uses manufactured wood, but this bed frame is made with heavy, solid acacia wood.
The solid wood also means it has a higher weight capacity than a few other beds we tested—it can hold up to 1,100 pounds while others, like the Pottery Barn Sausalito Cane Bed, have a weight capacity of 600 pounds.
We liked the look and feel of the fabric headboard, but we did notice that it creaked a bit if we laid back on it too hard. However, it felt sturdy and didn’t seem to move.
Overall, we really liked the machine-washable headboard, classic style, and superb durability of this bed frame, but we wish Silk and Snow offered white glove delivery service like some of the other bed frames we tested.
Product Details: Dimensions: 86 x 65 x 44 inches (queen) | Material: Acacia wood, bouclé headboard | Weight Capacity: 1,100 pounds
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / ABBY GELETTA
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / ABBY GELETTA
Easiest to Assemble
Thuma The Bed
- We were able to put it together in 20 minutes, and we like that it has rounded corners that help prevent stubbed toes.
We were able to put it together in 20 minutes, and we like that it has rounded corners that help prevent stubbed toes.
- Since it’s made of repurposed wood, the finish of the bed frame may look slightly different from the pictures.
Since it’s made of repurposed wood, the finish of the bed frame may look slightly different from the pictures.
The Bed by Thuma is a great option for anyone looking for quick and easy assembly. While other bed frames we tested took 30 to 60 minutes to assemble, this one took us less than 20 minutes to put together.
This versatile platform bed comes with the frame, cushion-coated slats, and a headboard. The pieces fit together with Japanese joinery, so it didn’t require any tools. This bed frame also has the highest weight capacity on our list at 1,500 pounds—and it can withstand children jumping on it.
Unlike some of the other options on our list, The Bed by Thuma doesn’t contain any engineered wood or veneers. The slats are designed to provide optimal support for your mattress, reduce noise, and offer breathability. It also has some underbed storage space, which isn’t always the case with platform beds.
This bed frame also has rounded corners so you won’t have to worry about bumping your leg in the middle of the night or stubbing your toe. The frame is available in walnut, natural, or espresso and made of handcrafted, repurposed wood so no two are alike.
Our favorite qualities of this bed frame are the modern design, sturdy build, and easy, tool-free assembly.
Product Details: Dimensions: 85 x 65 x 35 inches (queen) | Material: Repurposed wood, foam, and polyester pebbled linen | Weight Capacity: 1,500 pounds
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / JULIA WARREN
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / JULIA WARREN
Best Modern
Floyd The Bed Frame
- Featuring sustainably-sourced real wood veneer and steel supports, this bed frame has a streamlined and modern look.
Featuring sustainably-sourced real wood veneer and steel supports, this bed frame has a streamlined and modern look.
- The smooth birchwood surface of the frame causes our mattress to shift around, and the space between the headboard and bed creates an awkward gap that pillows fall through.
The smooth birchwood surface of the frame causes our mattress to shift around, and the space between the headboard and bed creates an awkward gap that pillows fall through.
For those who prefer a natural, modern look, the Floyd The Bed Frame is for you. The clean lines make this bed frame an ideal option for modern bedrooms. It comes in three wood options: birch, walnut, or American oak. You can also choose between white and black hardware, depending on your style preferences.
The bed frame arrived in a couple of large boxes, and since the company doesn’t offer white glove delivery, we hired someone from Taskrabbit to assemble it. It took them about an hour to put it together.
This bed frame stands out from others on our list because you can add or remove panels to change the size of this bed. This makes it a versatile option to keep in your guest bedroom, or you can put it in your children’s bedroom and add panels as they grow.
This modular bed frame also has compatible add-ons at an extra cost including underbed storage, a bedside table, and an upholstered headboard.
The legs are made out of powder coated steel, which proved to be sturdy during our testing. The bed frame itself is also quite heavy, and we had difficulty moving it to vacuum underneath it (thankfully, a robot vacuum made this process easier). It was clear to use that this was an incredibly well-made bed designed to last years.
Though the construction itself was impressive, there are a few design flaws to note. Our mattress did shift a little but on the bed frame since the wood is so smooth. To help keep your mattress in place, you can place a rug pad in between the mattress and the bed frame.
Additionally, though we like the look of the headboard, it isn’t very comfortable because it attaches to the bed with two hard triangle brackets. You can line the headboard with pillows to make it more comfortable; however, there is a large space between the headboard and the bed itself which means the pillows often fall on the floor.
Overall, we like the modern and low-profile look of this bed frame, but think there are a few design flaws. The flaws weren’t necessarily deal breakers for us since we loved the quality of the bed, but we hope future models of this bed frame are improved.
Product Details: Dimensions: 86 x 67 x 31.5 inches (full/queen) | Material: Birch veneer, birch plywood, honeycomb core, powder coated steel, nylon ratchet straps | Weight Capacity: 600 pounds
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DONNA FREYDKIN
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DONNA FREYDKIN
Best Wood
Tuft and Needle Wood Frame
- It is durably made of solid wood (not manufactured), and it has 7 inches of space for storage below it.
It is durably made of solid wood (not manufactured), and it has 7 inches of space for storage below it.
- Although straightforward, the assembly process took an hour.
Although straightforward, the assembly process took an hour.
The Tuft and Needle Wood Frame made our list due to its quality, design, and high-end wood construction. It has a modern yet classic look and comes in two color options: walnut or oak.
It took about an hour to assemble this bed, and it was a little more involved since it required hardware and not Japanese joinery. Even though it took longer to put together than many of the other bed frames we tested, we didn’t run into any issues while receiving, unboxing, assembling, or moving the frame. Everything was packaged in two boxes and the instructions were clear and detailed.
The wood frame was sturdy and durable, and it easily supported our mattress, box spring, and body weight during testing. The slats completely covered the bottom of the frame for extra reinforcement, which wasn’t the case with all of the bed frames we tested.
The bed frame didn’t squeak or make any noise when we moved around on it, and we thought it was well constructed and thoughtfully made. Although this bed frame doesn’t come with built-in storage, there were 7 inches of space underneath the bed to store some items like extra sheet sets or quilts.
The price of this bed frame is comparable to others we tested, and we thought it was more than fair given the impressive quality. Tuft and Needle also offers a 100-night sleep trial and a 10-year limited warranty so you can rest easy knowing they stand behind the quality of their products.
Product Details: Dimensions: 83 x 62.5 x 32 inches (queen) | Material: Solid oak or walnut wood | Weight Capacity: Not listed
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON