Best Bed Frames, Expert-Tested and Reviewed (2025) 

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If you’ve got your favorite mattress on hand, you’re going to want a supportive frame to back it up. It might seem tempting to throw your mattress on the ground (because what’s more supportive than the floor?), but studies show doing so can restrict airflow and lead to mold growth. Giving your mattress its best chance of performing up to par with a high-quality frame is important, elevating your overall sleep experience.

So, how do you know what to look for in a new bed frame? You can trust us to find the best of the best. We’ve been reviewing sleep products for over seven years, including more than 700 mattresses and accessories. Our efforts have helped more than 35,000 people find their new favorite sleep setup, with 5,919 of those happy customers in 2024 alone. 

The best bed frames will offer you support and stability, be relatively easy to assemble, and, of course, come in at a reasonable price for the quality of product you’re getting. Read on to determine which of the seven top frames we’ve selected should work best for your needs.

Our Verdict: What’s the Best Bed Frame?

We chose the DreamCloud Claremont Bed Frame as our top pick for the best bed frame. This platform base is reasonably priced, especially considering its included headboard. We found it relatively easy to assemble, and it kept quiet when testers were moving around on the mattress.

Our 7 Best Bed Frames

What Matters Most in a Bed Frame

When it comes to testing bed frames, we judged every step from how it was delivered to our studio to its performance when it had a mattress on it. This includes things like assembly, weight capacity, how sturdy it felt, and even what policies came along with it. Here’s what we honed in on when choosing the very best of the best:

  • Support and stability – You’ll want your frame to hold up when it bears the weight of both you and your mattress, so we made sure that these frames, once assembled, stood solidly. We also noted whether there was any wobbling or creaking when we moved around, which should speak to the frame’s stability and durability. 
  • Assembly – Most frames will arrive disassembled in a box, so you can set it up in the room you’ll be using them. Obviously, we want this process to be as easy as possible. We timed how long it took to assemble each frame, and noted whether it was a matter of simply clicking things into place or if it was confusing like blueprints for an IKEA dresser. We’ll also note if the brand included all the tools needed or if we had to supply them ourselves. We rated this category out of 5, and the assembly rating factored into each frame’s overall score.
  • Price – Finally, with all new and important purchases, the deciding factor may come down to how much it costs. Bed frames can come in a variety of price ranges, from a few hundred bucks to thousands of dollars. We judged whether or not we’d pay the amount listed for the experience we had with the product, taking into account the quality of construction and anything else offered by the company. Similar to the assembly category, we also rated price out of 5. Rather than just looking at the dollar number,  we gauged whether the bed is considered a luxury or budget item, so our score is more accurately a judgment of the frame’s value for what’s advertised. 

Our Testing Experience

DreamCloud Claremont Bed FrameBest Bed Frame Overall

DreamCloud Claremont Bed Frame

DreamCloud Claremont Bed Frame

DreamCloud’s Claremont Bed Frame is a sturdy platform frame with an appealing design, including a built-in headboard, retailing for under $1,000.

Mattress Clarity Score
4.1 / 5
Check Price
Pros
Comes with headboard
60-night trial and 2-year warranty
Reasonably priced
Cons
Can wobble with aggressive movement
Relatively low profile

DreamCloud’s Claremont Bed Frame earned respectable scores of 4s and above across the board, coming in at a 4.1/5 for overall score, which helped earn it the top spot on this list. My colleague Matt Schickling called this upholstered bed frame a “really good, stylish bed frame that seems pretty durable.” It’s available in two color options and is equipped with sturdy slats for a box-spring-free setup. However, the slats are easily removable, allowing you to insert an adjustable base inside the frame if you so choose. 

In addition to being my pick for the top frame, I also consider the Claremont as one of the best bed frames with a headboard included. Considering that you can bring this home for under $500 for a queen-size bed frame, we think you’re getting an excellent deal on a high-quality product. 

Once this bed arrived in our studio, Matt was able to set up and assemble this bed frame with relative ease to begin testing. It comes in two boxes, one for the base and the other for the headboard. Putting the two parts together was made simpler by the clear instructions and the  Allen wrench that was provided. 

“You had to unscrew the bolts a little bit with the Allen key to get the side boards to fit on cleanly, but ultimately they did easily,” Matt said. Fortunately, he was able to quickly screw the legs into the corners of the frame. Matt thought one person could get this entire job done, but it is easier with two and only took 20 minutes with the help of his testing partner, so he rated the assembly at 4.5/5.

When putting the frame into action, Matt thought that it “feels secure with one person on it.” He did note that if you moved particularly aggressively, there was a bit of wobbling. But this was remedied when he ensured all the bolts were tightened up. He also noticed some slipping and sliding on the hardwood floor, but it remained more stable on a rug or carpeted area. Matt noted that it was “pretty quiet,” and in turn recommended it for couples who don’t want distractions during sleep or sex.

As he moved around on the frame, Matt also found the materials used in its construction were “pretty sturdy,” and “of a good quality overall.” He noted that the headboard’s upholstery could show signs of wear and tear more quickly than wood or metal, especially if you have pets or children. And though the rest of the frame felt strongly supportive, he noted, “The slats are not as broad or sturdy as other beds we have tested.” For a sub-$500 price tag, though, it’s a level of craftsmanship that should hold up, as Matt gave the materials a 4/5 score

Alongside simple quality with a nice price, DreamCloud offers a 2-year warranty with this product. You also have 60 nights to try it out before returning, a rarity for most bed frames purchased online. “DreamCloud is known as a responsive brand,” Matt said, so you shouldn’t have any trouble contacting customer service for any concerns or to initiate a return.

If you’re looking for something with more added features, check out Silk & Snow’s Bed Frame with Storage.

Mattress Clarity Test Results: DreamCloud Claremont Bed Frame

Poor
Average
Excellent

1
2
3
4
5
4
Price
4
Materials
4.5
Assembly
4
Experience
4
Customer Service

Nectar Bamboo Platform Bed FrameBest Platform Bed Frame

Nectar Bamboo Platform Bed Frame

Nectar Bamboo Platform Bed Frame

Nectar’s wooden Bamboo Platform Frame doesn’t require any tools for assembly, simply slot every part together for a seamless, simple yet sturdy bed frame design.

Mattress Clarity Score
4.4 / 5
Check Price
Pros
No-tool assembly
Sleek, minimalist design
2-year warranty with 60-night sleep trial
Cons
Headboard sold separately
Relatively low profile

Platform bed frames are great options if you don’t want to fork over the extra cash for a foundation or box spring. Most platform beds often have plenty of clearance underneath for extra storage, too. Nectar’s Bamboo Platform Bed Frame has all this and more. 

This wood platform bed frame features a no-tool setup with Japanese-style joinery that allows you to simply slot each piece together, eliminating all the hassle and resulting in a versatile, minimalist design. This is why our testers gave the assembly for this frame a perfect 5/5 rating, contributing to its overall score of 4.4/5.

Unboxing the components only took about 10 minutes, and with no tools or hardware to take stock of, Matt found the overall setup was simple. “Assembly was a breeze,” he said. It only took him and his testing partner 20 minutes to assemble this frame. He noted that one person could probably do it, but “it would be difficult to balance the legs as you’re slotting in the platform boards.” The slats were pre-assembled and were unfurled seamlessly onto the frame. 

The materials of these components are made of a solid wood that Matt called “sturdy and durable.” And though there weren’t any nuts or bolts, nothing slipped or slid out of place. “We moved the mattress from one location to another and everything stayed together well,” Matt said. The slats were also thick, which should help to keep your bed properly supported. He thought the frame as a whole should hold up for years, and gave the materials a score of 4.5/5.

The wood bed frame also held up well when Matt got on it. “I’m a heavy sleeper, and when I kind of ‘jumped’ in it, the frame did wobble a little, but not to the point of concern,” he said. However, he thought that this might not translate so well for sexually active couples, as the headboard might bang against the wall during any vigorous nightly activities. Other than that issue, though, the frame remained stable.

“The price is in-line with the quality,” Matt said about the frame on its own, as he thought the headboard was a harder bargain. “It’s only $100 less than the bed itself for the matching wood headboard,” he explained, which is the one we opted for. You can also purchase a more affordable fabric headboard with a $199 upcharge, or forgo a headboard entirely. But Matt thought the frame itself had great overall value, especially since it comes with a 2-year warranty and 60-night sleep trial. He gave the price a final score of 4/5.

Want an included headboard at a reasonable price? Take a look at DreamCloud’s Claremont frame.

Mattress Clarity Test Results: Nectar Bamboo Platform Bed Frame

Poor
Average
Excellent

1
2
3
4
5
4
Price
4.5
Materials
5
Assembly
4
Experience
4.5
Customer Service

Saatva Santorini Bed Frame – Best King Bed Frame

Saatva Santorini Platform Base

Saatva Santorini Platform Base

Saatva’s deceptively simple Santorini Platform Base is covered in soft upholstery, backed by a sturdy wooden frame for a base that speaks to quiet luxury.

Mattress Clarity Score
4.4 / 5
Check Price
Pros
Soft upholstery and sturdy frame
Generous year-long trial and lifetime warranty
In-house assembly available for some shoppers
Cons
Higher price point
Headboard costs extra

Want to sleep like royalty on your king-sized bed? Look no further than Saatva’s Santorini Bed Frame. This brand provides luxury in all forms from beds to bases, and the Santorini frame exudes deceptively simple, regal elegance. 

I got to see this bad boy in our studio and was honestly awed by the level of craftsmanship. I gave it a volley of 4.5/5 scores in almost every category, including materials, assembly, and overall experience. I think its overall score of 4.4/5 is a bit modest, but perhaps I’m biased—I sleep on a Saatva mattress myself and can’t say enough nice things about this brand and its products.

Livvi DiCicco puts together a Saatva Santorini Platform Bed

If you’re worried about putting together a king-size frame, Saatva also offers in-home setup for select shoppers. However, our assembly team of two didn’t have any noticeable issues when putting it together. The headboard took an extra bit of finagling to slot into place, but the frame arrived with all the necessary tools and instructions to get it put together in just about 12 minutes. However, given the size of this frame, it would probably be a more difficult and lengthy effort for a single person. Once I evaluated all the notes, I settled on a 4.5/5 score for assembly.

During assembly, I noticed that the materials used in this frame’s construction were high-quality and comfortable. The upholstery feels soft to the touch, and the wooden bits of the frame look and feel rigid. The slats in the center are thick, evenly spaced, and unlikely to shift around when bearing the weight of your mattress. I rated the materials at a 4.5/5, as I expect this bed frame to last a long time.

Getting on the frame, I was able to move around without any wobbling. The only part that moved was the headboard, and I had to grab it and purposefully shake it to get it to wiggle. Otherwise, the frame remains steady and doesn’t make any noise, perfect for any nighttime dalliances. With its 4.5/5 experience score, I think it should be a great pick for shoppers looking for sleek stability.

The unfortunate downside to this product is the price. Saatva is a luxury brand, so it makes sense that things skew towards the higher end. Without the headboard, this bed retails at around $900, but the headboard nearly doubles it. The quality of the product definitely reflects the high price tag. Although I found the simple design elegant, I could see some folks might want more bang for their buck in the way of a flashier frame. I will note that this frame comes with a generous year-long trial and lifetime warranty, so it’s truly an investment piece.

Want something more affordable? Check out The Frame by Brooklyn Bedding.

Mattress Clarity Test Results: Saatva Santorini Bed Frame

Poor
Average
Excellent

1
2
3
4
5
4
Price
4.5
Materials
4.5
Assembly
4.5
Experience
4.5
Customer Service

Silk & Snow Bed Frame with StorageBest Bed Frame with Storage

Silk & Snow Bed Frame with Storage

Silk & Snow Bed Frame with Storage

The Silk & Snow Bed Frame with Storage is an upholstered frame with under-bed storage accessed through the footboard, so you can have all your clutter out of sight and out of mind.

Mattress Clarity Score
3.8 / 5
Pros
Smooth and sleek upholstery
Hidden storage design
Relatively affordable price
Cons
No in-home assembly offered
Drawer can be a bit sticky

If you feel like you’re always running out of storage and hate shoving things in bins under your bed, you might want to invest in a bed frame that not only looks good but serves a purpose. Storage bed frames allow you to keep all the clutter out of sight while maintaining a sleek, put-together design. That’s the case for Silk & Snow’s Bed Frame with Storage. 

This frame has a deep drawer that pulls out at the foot of the bed, blending in seamlessly with the upholstered sides. My fellow tester Cait Giddings felt the frame was “extremely secure,” and gave it a 4/5 for materials and a 4.5/5 for her overall experience.

Cait thought the frame was well-made overall. “The cover fabric feels pretty smooth and high-quality — not ratty or cheap,” she said. The base doesn’t seem like it will show signs of wear very quickly.” The storage compartment is located in the footboard, pulled out by a fabric handle. It’s built to look like any other side of the frame, so when tucked away, it looks like a regular upholstered frame. 

She did notice that the drawer didn’t close as smoothly as she would like, sometimes getting caught when you pulled it out. “Nor does it seem like you could store much inside there before it became too weighed down,” she added. This is why she docked a point in the materials department.

Getting onto the bed on top of the frame, though, Cait didn’t have any concerns with its stability. “I bounced a bit on the mattress and it didn’t feel like the frame would shift or break beneath me—it felt pretty rock-solid,” she said. She also didn’t notice any creaking from her zealous movements, so it should work great for sexually active folks wanting to focus on the main event, or any light sleepers who are easily awoken by noise.

This frame comes in at $700 for a queen, but sales can often bring it closer to $500. “It seems pretty high-quality to me for the price,” Cait said. She also called the company policies “excellent,” drawing attention to the free shipping, month-long trial, and 5-year warranty that come with this frame. Price and customer service therefore earned 4/5 scores.

The main issue with this frame reared its head in the assembly. The frame didn’t come with instructions, so the team had to reference a picture of the assembled frame to figure out where to start. “That said, the assemblers said it was intuitive once they started going,” Cait explained. They used a power drill to speed along the process, which took about 35 minutes. Although this isn’t horrible, the average Joe might struggle, especially if their order comes sans instructions as well.

With all that we encountered during the somewhat lengthy setup, Cait also would’ve appreciated the option of professional setup at an additional cost, especially since they forgot the instructions for us. 

Want easier assembly? Check out the Nectar Bamboo Platform Frame

Mattress Clarity Test Results: Silk & Snow Bed Frame with Storage

Poor
Average
Excellent

1
2
3
4
5
4
Price
4
Materials
2.5
Assembly
4.5
Experience
4
Customer Service

Helix Madison Bed Frame – Best Queen Bed Frame

Helix Madison Bed Frame

Helix Madison Bed Frame

Helix’s Madison Bed Frame is understated yet stable, easily assembled with seamless joinery for a low-profile platform design.

Mattress Clarity Score
4.4 / 5
Check Price
Pros
Doesn’t make noise or wobble
No-tool assembly
Natural wood or white color options
Cons
Relatively simple design
A bit pricey

Queen mattresses are the most popular size of mattress. They are valued for their comfort for couples and solo sleepers alike. If you’re looking to add a simplistic but modern bed frame to your queen bedroom set, you might like Helix’s Madison Bed Frame. 

This wooden bed frame is easily assembled without the use of any tools, and features wooden slats so you can set your mattress right on top once it’s all put together. My colleague Kayla Godfrey called it “a no frills bed frame” that minimalists should love. After it was put together and run through our performance tests, Kayla gave it perfect scores in assembly and experience, helping to tally up to its final score of 4.4/5. 

After unboxing the frame, Kayla had no trouble getting started. The bed is easy to install and put together without tools. “The bed took a total of 9 minutes to build, and the instructions weren’t even necessary to read. It was so easy!” Kayla said. The feet and side rails easily slid into their proper places, locking together. She had to lay out each slat, but this extra labor wasn’t enough to lower her perfect score for assembly overall.

Kayla thought that every part of the frame felt “really solid and nice.” Each component had some heft to it, and she thought the Birch wood coloring was beautiful. She noted that the slats gave her some pause. “They aren’t connected via any piece of material,” she explained. “I’m worried they will shift more with this construction.” Rather than clicking into place or being screwed in, these are simply laid over the gap in the center of the frame. She did knock off a point for this, giving the materials category a score of 4/5.

After setting a mattress on top of the frame, Kayla hopped on to see how it held up. Typical movements like rolling around didn’t yield any noticeable noise. When Kayla bounced aggressively on the bed, however, she could hear the slats jostling underneath the mattress. “However, this was aggressively trying to get it to make noise,” she said, “so for most sleepers this shouldn’t be an issue.” Again, it wasn’t enough to deter her from giving another perfect score for her experience.

Kayla did have some qualms about the price, which she rated at 3/5. “I would give this a 4 if it was $100 less,” she said, finding the $700+ price tag a little pricey for the simple design. She felt that the materials were sturdy, but personally, “I wouldn’t want to pay more than $500 for a queen platform.” Even with the frame’s 30-night trial and generous 5-year warranty, she recommended waiting for a sale or using a coupon.

Looking for more frills? Try an adjustable frame like the Saatva Adjustable Base Plus.

Mattress Clarity Test Results: Helix Madison Bed Frame

Poor
Average
Excellent

1
2
3
4
5
3
Price
4
Materials
5
Assembly
5
Experience
5
Customer Service

Saatva Adjustable Base Plus – Best Adjustable Bed Frame

Saatva Adjustable Base Plus

Saatva Adjustable Base Plus

This luxurious adjustable base features everything from massage to USB charging, backed by a 25-year warranty.

Mattress Clarity Score
4.5 / 5
Read Full Review
Check Price
Pros
Features massage, anti-snore, zero-gravity settings
Wall-hugging capability
Wide range of sizes for all beds
Cons
Higher price point for adjustable features
No trial period

Looking to elevate your sleep experience? Adjustable bases and frames are a great way to level up an already comfortable setup. Our chief medical advisor Dr. Raj Dasgupta recommends these bases for certain shoppers. “Adjustable bases are great for older adults, those with pain concerns, or folks who like to read or watch TV in bed, looking to reduce strain on the spine,” he said. They offer features like massage, individual head and foot positioning, and pre-set positions like zero-gravity and anti-snore. 

Saatva’s Adjustable Base Plus checks all these boxes and more. My colleague Marten Carlson tried this frame and had an overwhelmingly positive experience, leading us to award this bed a 4.5/5 overall score.

The adjustable base arrived nearly intact and ready for use. As Marten put it, “It’s basically already built for you.” You just have to get it out of the box, flip it over, screw in the legs, and then flip it back upright to plug it in. While Marten thought the process was simple, he notes that this base is very heavy and wouldn’t recommend setting it up on your own. He had to call a coworker for help. Thus, the frame earned a 4/5 for assembly. 

The base’s frame is made of steel, while the platform on top is made of fabric-covered foam. A metal retaining bar at the edge keeps your bed from sliding off. The legs are made from plastic, which can seem like a downside in terms of durability, but this is so they can easily be adjusted for height. You can even unscrew them for what’s called “zero clearance,” where the base can be placed directly on top of an already built platform frame or box spring. With all this in mind, we rated the materials at 4.5/5. 

The Saatva Adjustable Base Plus has many features we could expound upon for ages. Marten’s favorite was the massage. “I enjoyed the wave function, and the targeted head and foot area massage was strong enough for me to feel it through the thick Saatva Latex Hybrid mattress,” he said. He also found adjusting the frame to be relatively easy with the wireless remote. He also thought it kept quiet, saying it “didn’t have that kind of screeching sound I’ve heard with other models.”

Another feature Marten liked was the bed’s wall-hugging ability. This is a measure of how far your adjustable base comes away from the wall when you’re using it. If you elevate the head on some bases, you end up being pushed away from the wall, possibly out of reach of your nightstand. This isn’t the case with the Saatva. “The entire base moves back towards the wall as the head area goes up, so you’re staying in line with your bedroom furniture.”

Unfortunately, this base doesn’t come with a sleep trial, so there isn’t an option to return it. Since it costs nearly $1,600 for a queen-size, it may be a risk for some folks who like to try before they buy. Still, it is backed up by a generous 25-year warranty, should anything go awry—and as an owner of a Saatva mattress myself, I have nothing but good things to say about the brand’s customer service.

Want a sleep trial with your Saatva bed frame? Take a look at Saatva’s Santorini Platform Frame instead. You can also read more about this frame in our Saatva Adjustable Base Plus review.

Mattress Clarity Test Results: Saatva Adjustable Base Plus

Poor
Average
Excellent

1
2
3
4
5
4
Price
4.5
Materials
4
Assembly
5
Experience
5
Customer Service

Brooklyn Bedding The Frame – Best Budget Bed Frame 

Brooklyn Bedding The Frame

Brooklyn Bedding The Frame

Brooklyn Bedding’s The Frame is an affordable option for folks looking for an easy-to-set-up, no-frills frame that’s made of quality metal.

Mattress Clarity Score
4.4 / 5
Check Price
Pros
Extremely affordable
Sturdy metal construction
Click-in assembly
Cons
Requires foundation or box spring
No headboard

Maybe you’re not after high-end bed frames or remote-controlled bases, but just a base that keeps your mattress off the ground without breaking the bank. Brooklyn Bedding, known for its affordable yet high-quality products, has a frame for you. 

Simply named “The Frame,” this metal bed frame is made from reclaimed U.S. railroad tracks, keeping things durable despite its sub-$200 price tag. It also features tool-free, click-in assembly. With this in mind, it’s unsurprising that the frame earned two perfect scores in the price and assembly categories, leading to an overall score of 4.4/5.

According to my colleague Kayla Godfrey, this bed frame only took a mere five minutes to install. “The rails didn’t need any assembly and came ready to put together,” she said, calling it a “very easy design overall!” Even with the perfect score it earned in assembly, I’ll note that this frame requires a foundation or box spring for proper use, so make sure that you have both on hand to be prepared for setup. 

Kayla noted that the bed frame was basic, and the lack of box spring, foundation, or headboard led her to knock a few points off in terms of materials. However, it still held up against force. When our team moved the frame around the studio or simply shook it, it didn’t make any noise. “The metal does not clang or shift and feels really solid,” Kayla said. 

How sturdy the frame itself feels in use may also depend on whatever foundation you use with it, but you have plenty of leeway; Brooklyn Bedding notes this frame can support up to 2,500 pounds, plenty of room for any foundation and mattress, plus the folks on top. 

Where this bed really stands out, obviously, is the price. A queen-size frame costs only $175, with sales bringing it down to about $130. It’s also backed by a fairly generous 3-year warranty and 30-day return policy. It’s difficult to find a heavy-duty frame that doesn’t break the $500 mark, but if you choose the Frame, you may have to purchase a box spring or headboard if you don’t have one on hand. Still, as Kayla said, “I think this is a great price for someone just looking for a way to elevate their bed off the ground and be able to install and break down quickly.” 

Want a base that doesn’t need a foundation? Check out the Helix Madison Bed Frame.

Mattress Clarity Test Results: Brooklyn Bedding The Frame

Poor
Average
Excellent

1
2
3
4
5
5
Price
3
Materials
5
Assembly
4
Experience
5
Customer Service

Other Bed Frames Considered

If you didn’t see what you were looking for in the list above, consider taking a look at some of these other bed frames we’ve tested and reviewed: 

  • Thuma Classic Bed Frame – Thuma has taken the internet by storm. It is sleek in design, and its main selling point is how easy it is to assemble. The wood pieces are sturdy and have a bit of heft to them. Moving around, you shouldn’t notice the frame sway or make any noise. You have the option to get just the frame itself, or opt for a pillowboard or headboard. As impressive as it is, I ultimately decided against it because of the price tag. The base is nearly $1,000, and if you opt for the pillow board or the headboard, the price goes up.
  • Brooklyn Bedding Ascension Adjustable Base – If you’re looking for an adjustable base with a sleek design and plenty of bells and whistles, then the Brooklyn Bedding Ascension Ultra adjustable base is a great choice. However, it is not available with a headboard.
  • Saatva Amalfi Storage Bed – I tried out this frame and found it to be just as luxurious as all of Saatva’s products. If you’re looking for a storage bed frame with beautiful upholstery that’ll last you a long time, it won’t disappoint. However, it comes with a pretty high price tag; while definitely worth every penny, a more than $2,000 pricepoint might be a hard pill to swallow for budget shoppers.

How We Tested These Bed Frames

We did a deep dive into these frames to determine how they work and who they’ll best serve. Our methodology was influenced by our experience testing beds and sleep accessories and input from medical experts. 

Support and Stability

“The crux of a comfortable mattress is its support,” says Dr. Raj Dasgupta. It follows that your mattress should be backed up by an equally supportive frame. That’s why we made sure each of the frames we tested held the weight of a mattress and two of our testers on it.

We also moved around to see whether the frame held steady, noting any parts that wiggled or wobbled under force. This tells us how sturdy the frame is overall and whether it would be good for areas like sex or generally restless sleepers, like those who switch between positions.

A man tests out the Purple Platform bed frame.

Assembly 

These days, many companies are moving away from complicated assembly. Some options don’t even feature metal screws and use Japanese joinery, which is a way to assemble pieces of wood together by simply sliding pieces into place. But for those that require some heavy lifting, we made sure to time how long it took us to put them together, what tools we used, and whether or not you’ll need a helping hand. 

thuma bed edge
An example of Japanese joinery—this corner doesn’t need tools for the pieces to fit together and hold strong.

Price

Prices can range pretty widely for bed frames. The lowest frame on this list hovers around $200 for a queen-size frame, while the most expensive is almost like buying a new mattress at about $1,500. Just like mattresses, keeping your budget in mind is key.

Consider shopping around big holidays like Black Friday, Memorial and Labor Day, and the Fourth of July, to name a few. Brands will often offer large discounts to help you save. Some companies also offer financing or “by now pay later” options through third-party financiers such as Klarna or Affirm.

What Else Is Important When Buying Bed Frames?

Besides the three categories above, plenty of customization goes into a bed frame, and you may want to consider all angles if you’re still on the fence about your final choice. Here’s some other areas that may be of interest to shoppers:

Type of Bedframe

The style of bed frame you choose may be a matter of practicality, aesthetics, or price. But it’s also important to consider whether or not it’ll work with what you have. A bed frame design helps inform you of what type of mattress it might be compatible with. For example, adjustable frames can hold any mattress, but if you want to utilize the adjustable presets, you need to ensure your mattress is designed to work with an adjustable bed frame.

Here are some of the most common frame types we see and what you’ll need to keep in mind before buying.

Platform Frame

Our tester puts slats into a Helix Madison Bed Frame
A platform frame where the platform is made of wooden slats.

The platform frame is one of the most simple and common types of bed frame. These can be made from a variety of materials, but usually just offer a flat, elevated surface for your bed to rest on. The height ranges from 6 to 18 inches, depending on how high you want your mattress to be off the ground. These also eliminate the need for a box spring or mattress foundation. Some have a higher loft and therefore aren’t “low-profile,” so they might not work with super-thick mattresses or super-low ceilings.

Adjustable Base

A man uses the Zero Gravity feature on the Brooklyn Bedding Adjustable Base

Dr. Raj Dasgupta recommends adjustable bases for folks looking to tailor their bed’s support to their specific needs. “An adjustable base can help coax your spine into its proper alignment,” he said. It’s common for adjustable bed frames to be electric and come with preset remotes. Some settings include an anti-snore option, elevating your torso to relieve stress on your airways. Other settings include helping you find a more comfortable position while you sleep.

In most cases, you aren’t limited to presets. Many adjustable frames, especially those on this list, have manual options that allow you to customize your experience. Just note that the technical aspect of these frames may drive up the price, depending on what kind of fancy features they have. 

Storage Bed Frames

Some people don’t have enough storage space, so utilizing the space under their beds is key. Most storage frames allow room for small to medium-sized storage bins, but some include drawers specifically for storage. Make sure you’ll have enough space on either side of the bed to pull them out fully, or else you won’t be able to reap the benefits. Some even open like a Murphy bed to access underbed storage, so also make sure you’re comfortable lifting an entire mattress to get to your stuff.

Materials

A wide angle shot of the Thuma Bed
This bed frame is made almost entirely of wood.

Frames utilize a variety of materials. From steel or metal to plastic and wood, some people prefer certain materials over others. The bed frames on this list feature a mix of steel and wood in their support structure since these are considered the most sturdy options. Some may feature an upholstered headboard or tufted fabric to provide a more aesthetically pleasing look.

Size

Most frames can accommodate a twin bed to a California king. Size also deals with height and potential storage space underneath the bed frame. Make sure to check thoroughly that it will fit both your mattress and the room you’ll be putting it in. I’ll note that some frames don’t come with a sleep trial or return period, so be sure to do some measuring to ensure you get the correct size, else you’ll be stuck with the wrong product.

Durability

Wood and metal are durable materials and are common in most bed frames, so if you’re looking for something built to last, we recommend picking frames that are composed primarily of these two materials.

Aside from that, be sure to check out the warranties as well. These can usually inform you how long the company expects a frame to last. Most of the frames on this list come with a warranty, which ranges from one year to 10 years.

Type of Mattress

What kind of mattress you put on your frame generally shouldn’t have an effect on the frame itself, unless we’re talking about a particularly hefty mattress, in which case you might want to double-check your frame’s weight capacity. But some beds have built-in support systems that may work better for certain frames. 

Dr. Shelby Harris, a psychologist specializing in sleep science, noted that hybrid mattresses may be one such mattress type. “These beds work well with platform beds, adjustable bases, and slatted frames,” she said. “Box springs might not be necessary and could affect the mattress’s support and height.” However, mattresses without springs (like memory foam beds) may need a sturdier support frame beneath, such as a mattress foundation. 

FAQs

What is the best bed frame to buy?

The best bed frame will depend on your mattress and any individual preferences you might have. Our overall pick was DreamCloud’s Claremont frame. This platform frame scored well in our tests and is reasonably priced.

What is the best adjustable bed frame?

There are many adjustable frames out there, but we chose Saatva’s Adjustable Base Plus as our favorite. This frame has all the nifty features you could want: specialized preset positions, massage, and USB charging. It’s also backed by a generous 25-year warranty.

What is the best material for a bed frame?

Bed frames made from wood and steel are likely to be some of the best if you’re looking for support, stability, and durability. They might be some of the more expensive options, though, so be prepared to fork over more cash for a higher-quality product.

References

  • Hasselaar, E., & Van Ginkel, J. T. (2004). The healthy bedroom. In Proceedings of the 2nd WHO international housing and health symposium (pp. 336-344).

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Livvi DiCicco

Livvi DiCicco

Staff Writer, Certified Sleep Science Coach

About Author

Livvi has been writing and researching sleep-based content for over a year. This, alongside her penchant for napping and extreme tossing and turning, has made her something close to an “expert” in the realm of sleep science, sleep products, and sleep accessories.