The Best Bed Frames We’ve Slept On

I really admire Japanese joinery bed frames, not just because of their minimalistic beauty but also their easy, tool-free setup. Trust me, we don’t want my clumsiness around sharp objects. Not all bed frames that follow this blueprint are of the same caliber, with some being far more stable than others. DreamCloud's bamboo Japanese joinery bed frame wasn’t just gorgeous, but outfitted with small details that make a big impact. This includes tiny additional rods on each of the boards, located where they are stacked atop each other at the ends. The idea is to keep each of the rails that make up the frame even more secure than just the tension of the overall design. There are included foam blocks if decide to throw in a headboard, so there's no banging against the wall, either. Plus, I’ll never argue with the price tag, which is very within my budget. —Julia Forbes

Mattress maker Nest has a relatively new line of frames, including the Woodland platform, which is made from ash in Arizona. The design is not quite as elegant as the Thuma, but the result is similar: You can take this bed apart or put it back together in less than 10 minutes with no tools. That's thanks to a system where metal hooks and latches are affixed to the corners of each part of the frame. Put the hooks into the latches, then just roll the slats out on top and you're done. The ease of assembly is impressive even next to the Ikea beds I've put together, but the frame feels a lot sturdier. —Martin Cizmar

I was broker than broke when I got my first apartment 10 years ago, and this cheap bed frame I bought from Amazon is still being circulated among my younger family members. It's as simple as simple gets, but the steel construction means the frame is durable, and you don't need to bring your own box spring. The 18-inch model leaves a cavernous space beneath the bed that can accommodate several tote-style storage containers—which could be a blessing or a curse depending on the usual state of your bedroom floor. Just keep in mind that there is no edge whatsoever. This thing is basically a table for your mattress.

After years of building Ikea bed frames that were never the same after I broke them down for a move, I switched to the Zinus Abel Metal Platform Bed. There’s a lot I love about this bed frame that I’ve dragged to three different apartments in Southern California: It breaks down into a pile of metal rods (plus the two rectangle end pieces that don’t come apart), making it super easy to move, and it’s just as sturdy after rebuilding it multiple times. The only thing that didn’t survive the moves was the double-sided tape that held my mattress in place, but I don’t mind pushing the mattress back occasionally. It’s also high enough to have plenty of storage underneath—or cat tunnels, in my case. —Nena Farrell

If you don't like the metal frames from Zinus or AmazonBasics, this might be up your alley. I've put together two Nomad beds from KD Frames, and I know I've got a few more in me. This simple, sturdy bed frame is made in Athens, Georgia, from tulip poplar. Tulip poplar looks like pine, but it's hardwood, and the twin size of this bed can support 600 pounds. The Nomad has clean lines and comes unfinished, meaning you can easily stain it to fit your other furniture. Best of all, it costs about $200 and can be set up in about 20 minutes. —Martin Cizmar

Small bedroom? Mobility issues? Don’t want to block a window? You might want to consider a low-profile frame. They’re typically under 11 inches high as opposed to around 20 inches for a traditional frame, which means you may not get as much under-bed storage, but for many, the benefits might outweigh this drawback. (The Cooper has about 7 inches of clearance off the floor.) I personally have been grappling with not wanting to block a large window with a headboard, and I was curious if a low-profile frame might be the answer. Sure enough, it was—this 38-inch-tall frame hits just 2 inches below the windowsill and looks fantastic. In fact, the minimalist, mid-century-inspired Cooper is practically indistinguishable from similar frames being sold by Pottery Barn and Crate and Barrel, but runs around $500 less.

With its angled legs and rounded corners, the Cooper definitely has Thuma vibes, but does not feature Japanese joinery construction. It will require some assembly; namely, joining the rails together and screwing down the slats. If you’d rather not deal with this, white glove delivery is available for $199. For my test unit, it took the delivery driver about 20 minutes to assemble, and in the month I’ve had it, there haven’t been any squeaks or creaks or loosening hardware. In fact, as the owner of multiple pieces of furniture from West Elm, I’d say quality is about on par with that brand. Note that finish options include oak and walnut, and an 8- to 12-inch mattress is recommended. —Kat Merck

If you prefer the look of fabric covers, the Awara Platform Bed will be a good fit. It's simple to assemble, and the pieces are easy to move. The spruce slats are all attached together, so once you have the four frame pieces assembled, simply roll the slats out and they'll attach via hook-and-loop closures to the frame itself. The frame's height is nice too. It's elevated just enough to make your bed look refined, but not so much that you'll end up losing things underneath your mattress. Though be aware, I did seem to stub my toes on this bed frame more than others I've tested.

The Puffy Sterling Bed Frame is gorgeous. The padded fabric headboard and footboard are sturdy, the upholstery is high-quality, and the slats are supportive. They're also part of the frame itself, not attached separately. The result is a completely silent platform for your mattress.

This does make assembly less intuitive than the other bed frames in this guide—it took some trial and error for my partner and I to figure it out. A word of caution: Make sure you have plenty of room to walk around the bed. The corners jut out at the perfect height for you to bang your knee or shins into them. I've got the bruises to prove it. (Some corner protectors might help.) It's also a relatively deep platform, but fixing the sheets was easy with this Zlumber Jack. Overall, though, the bed frame is solid, quiet, and sturdy.

This adjustable base is from the makers of one of our favorite mattresses overall and one of our favorite mattresses for side sleepers. It runs on electricity to move the hydraulic-like motors below, which raise both the head and foot area of the bed. It comes with a wireless Bluetooth-enabled remote with buttons to adjust the head and foot portion of the bed up and down, a built-in flashlight, and a button to bring the frame down to a flat level.

The Legget & Platt app can act as a remote as well—a huge sigh of relief for a generally scatterbrained person like myself who's prone to losing things. In the app, you name your bed, make the same adjustments, and save your favorite positions so you can easily go back to them. The bed frame is sleek—not bulky at all—and is around 13 inches off the ground, making extra storage space underneath that I didn’t have before. The legs are virtually invisible, although the zero-clearance design allows the base to be used without the legs if using platform bases.

The adjustable frame rises in half-inch increments from 13 to 18 inches from the original base, and the motor is fairly quiet. The base works with mattresses designed to flex, without shifting inside materials or weakening the structure, and is compatible with nearly all Saatva mattresses. For non-Saatva mattresses, check with the manufacturer to ensure it's compatible with an adjustable base.

Saatva provides a 10-year warranty as well as free in-room delivery and setup, and the men were done in less than 15 minutes, even putting my old mattress back on for me. I often work in my bed and use pillows to prop me up, and this took away the need to be surrounded by a dozen or so of my favorite body pillows. This customizable frame would work great for those with mobility issues or health issues like acid reflux, restless leg syndrome, sleep apnea, or sciatica (among other things). This bougie bed base isn’t completely necessary for me, but it’s a fun luxury to have. —Molly Higgins

If your bedroom needs decluttering, the Auburn is a splurge but a worthwhile investment in your mental well-being. Covered in Castlery’s spill-resistant bouclé fabric, the Auburn proves surprisingly durable against my cats, who treat my furniture like their personal playground. Although I was initially worried about the creamy white—a shade most pet owners might avoid—it has remained pristine after a month. Aesthetically, I adore the wingback headboard and low-profile design. The dense-looped Cambria textile is soft without being overly delicate.

Though my favorite feature is the lift-up storage compartment, ideal for my 700-ish-square-foot apartment. It’s not tall enough for full-size suitcases, but it accommodates all the random items that typically lack a designated spot—duffels, Christmas ornaments, a cat stroller, etc. Castlery offers white-glove delivery, provided the bedroom is ready. Assembly is doable alone, but it’s easier with two people. —Boutayna Chokrane

I don't say this lightly or often, but I feel like Silk & Snow could charge much more for this Oeko-Tex-certified bed frame. Assembly was annoying—give me video instructions or give me death!—and slightly fiddly, with many individual pieces that you need to screw in or slot together. But the frame is sturdy, the upholstered fabric is soft and durable, and the slats are nice and supportive. The best feature is the built-in storage drawer, which slides out smoothly and closes tightly with magnets. It strikes the perfect balance of form and function.

It doesn't have as much storage space as the lift-up option we recommend from Castlery in this guide, but there's room for spare linens, off-season clothing, or certain unmentionables that you don't want just lying around out in the open. Be aware that closing the drawer while your bedmate is sleeping will absolutely jolt them awake. But overall, this affordable bed frame offers a good mix of pleasant aesthetics and practical storage solutions.

Of all the mattress frames I’ve tested to date so far, nothing has left me in awe as much as Silk & Snow’s wooden bed frame in terms of visuals. The solid wood design and Japanese joinery method together is, in a word, stunning. I received the cortado acacia wood frame for testing, which like the name, resembled the lovely, rich hue of my preferred morning coffee. Be careful, as I did find that it scuffed easily with continued use and solo setup and disassembling. To prevent that, you’ll want to grab someone to help you. But overall, it didn’t wobble, the internal slats were held neatly in place, and I nearly cried when I had to donate it because it was just so dang pretty. —Julia Forbes