Our favorite, The Bed by Thuma, is Greenguard and CertiPUR-US certified, forms a sturdy base, and is available in six sizes.  Here are the best beds in every category. Appropriately named “The Bed”—as in, the only bed you’ll ever need—this pick from Thuma has features to please just about everyone. It starts with a solid rubberwood frame that fits together like puzzle pieces. The result? A durable base that’s virtually noise-free and ridiculously simple to assemble (we’re talking, one person, no tools). Next, it has the PillowBoard, a plush, supportive headboard that consists of soft foam and a woven cover that’s removable and washable. Additionally, this frame contains Greenguard certified materials, and the PillowBoard is made of CertiPUR-US certified foam. In addition to their emphasis on sustainable materials, Thuma donates a tree for every piece of furniture sold. Available in sizes from twin to California king, this low-profile bed works in just about any space. It also has sturdy slats, so a box spring is optional (and in fact, it’s discouraged). It even comes with choices: Pick from two wood tone finishes (walnut and natural) and two PillowBoard colors (dark charcoal and light linen) to design your perfect bed. Size: 85 x 65 x 35 inches (Queen) | Material: Polyester pebbled linen, foam, repurposed wood | Support: Cushion-coated slats, no box spring required | Weight Capacity: 1,500 pounds | Price at time of publish: $1,095 That said, it’s important to note that its weight capacity is on the lower end, especially if you’re sharing this bed with a partner (and possibly a dog); sleepers on a twin-size bed shouldn’t exceed 250 pounds, and queen and king size beds hold up to 500 pounds (excluding the mattress).  Size: 80.5 x 61 x 41.5 inches (Queen) | Material: Pine wood, steel | Support: Wood slats, no box spring required | Weight Capacity: 500 pounds | Price at time of publish: $163 While the Chadwick makes a dreamy impression with its tufted headboard and stud detailing, it’s more than just good looks. Built on a tubular steel frame, it’s both lightweight and durable with an impressive weight capacity of over 1,500 pounds. Further, it’s equipped with slats, so a box spring isn’t necessary. This pick comes in both ivory and gray linen upholstery and sizes queen, king, and California king. Size: 83 x 62.25 x 45 inches (Queen) | Material: Solid + manufactured wood, linen, foam | Support: Wood slats, no box spring required | Weight Capacity: 1,500 pounds | Price at time of publish: $1,406 This Murphy Bed kit houses your choice of a full or queen mattress (not included) and comes in multiple finishes to match your decor. Since the cabinetry is made of manufactured wood and particleboard instead of solid wood, this pick is priced lower than many Murphy beds on the market. Size: 89.10 x 89.5 x 20.3 inches (Queen bed only) | Material: Manufactured wood, metal | Support: Wood slats, no box spring required | Weight Capacity: 1,000 pounds | Price at time of publish: $2,800 In line with their mission of sustainability, The Bed Frame is modular. Add-ons include a headboard (which you can get now or later), underbed storage drawers, and an expansion kit that lets you add panels if you get a larger mattress down the road. The brand has no shortage of certifications, either, and the materials used are certified for being sustainably sourced and having low formaldehyde emissions (FSC certified and TSCA Title VI certified, specifically). This option is available in twin, full/queen, or king sizes. Size: 67 x 86 x 7.5 inches (Queen) | Material: Birch plywood, powder-coated steel, nylon | Support: Wood panels, no box spring required | Weight Capacity: 600 pounds | Price at time of publish: $1,475 Impressively, the Paralimni features solid wood (FYI, there are veneer wood parts, too), and the headboard is filled with foam, making it a soft place to recline back. With an aesthetic that balances both masculine and feminine, this option is equally suitable for single sleepers and couples. Size: 86 x 67 x 86 inches (Queen) | Material: Solid wood, polyester, foam | Support: Manufactured wood slats, no box spring required | Weight Capacity: 700 pounds | Price at time of publish: $1,660 This solid metal frame is sturdy and comes equipped with wooden slats, so there’s no need for a box spring. Available in twin, full, queen, and king sizes—and all under $200—you can literally get bed frames for the entire family for what you’d typically pay for one.  Size: 80.5 x 59.3 x 38 inches (Queen) | Material: Steel, plywood | Support: Wood slats, no box spring required | Weight Capacity: 500 pounds | Price at time of publish: $139 Thanks to its slat-roll support system, a box spring is optional but not necessary, and adjustable levers ensure your bed will stay firmly grounded, even on uneven surfaces.  Between its rustic appeal and sustainably sourced materials, the Dayton is a top choice for those who are eco-conscious and appreciate natural elements in their decor. Size: 56 x 78 x 53 inches (Queen) | Material: Solid mango wood, acacia wood, MDF, metal | Support: Wood slats, no box spring required | Weight Capacity: 500 pounds | Price at time of publish: $1,299 The fabric on the Kyree is 100 percent cotton, and the headboard is padded with foam for extra cushion while sitting up in bed. It’s also constructed on a solid and manufactured wood base, although the weight capacity is on the lower end for queen mattresses. In addition to its quirky charm and quality materials, the fact that it’s handcrafted in Illinois makes it a little extra special. Size: 62 x 83 x 41 inches (Queen) | Material: Solid + manufactured wood, cotton, foam | Support: Manufactured wood slats, no box spring required | Weight Capacity: 500 pounds | Price at time of publish: $890 Amazingly, the Quest 2.5 is compatible with virtually any modern mattress, so you can probably keep the one you have. From reading or watching TV—or, let’s face it, working from home—having the option to prop up your head, sit up, or elevate your feet is a total comfort game-changer. Add a wall-mounted headboard if you wish, and it’ll look just like a regular bed. Size: 59.5 x 79.5 x 3 (Queen) | Material: Metal | Support: No box spring required | Weight Capacity: 750 pounds | Price at time of publish: $1,399-$2,798

Support

When shopping for a bed, look at what kind of support it provides for your mattress. Some beds have a comprehensive set of support beams, allowing you to put a mattress directly on top of them. Others have fewer slats, meaning you’ll need to use a box spring.

Size

Before making your purchase, you’ll want to consider the actual frame’s dimensions (as opposed to the standard measurements of your mattress). When measuring width, take into account any other pieces of furniture in the room—like side tables or a dresser—and be sure there’s plenty of space to navigate in between.

Why Trust The Spruce?

With over 5 years of commerce writing experience, Karen Tietjen knows how to identify the key selling points that make an item worth buying. As a “quality over quantity” consumer herself, she carefully analyzes the pros and cons of each product to find the best option at any budget. For this piece, she thoroughly researched different style beds and chose her top contenders based on materials, aesthetics, and value—the same process she’d follow if she were making the purchase, herself. Additionally, she was able to try out one pick in her own home: The Quest 2.5 Adjustable Base at Ergomotion. Dunford says headboards are “a great way to update the look of your bedroom without investing in an entirely new bed. In fact, if you are someone who opts to leave your bedding a little more free-flowing, it’s rare that the entire bed frame is exposed. This gives you the option to go with a more simple frame and leave the drama for your headboard.” For a more concrete answer, “A good rule of thumb for the height of a bed is around 25 inches,” says Sempliner. “Regardless of the bed height, I always love to have the mattress height align with the nightstand height, for functionality, but also aesthetically as this will create a thoughtful looking and well-designed space.” Says Sempliner, “I personally like to use decorative pillows to add pattern and color to a bed, as well as a throw blanket, duvet, or coverlet for added texture and layering.” For a less-is-more approach, “You can’t go wrong with clean white sheets, a neutral duvet or quilt, and a simple throw for the foot of the bed,” advises Dunford. We also spoke to design experts Courtney Sempliner and Amber Dunford about how to style a bed, how to choose the right headboard, and how to pick the right sized bed for your space.