The 9 Best Foldable Beds: How to Choose, Types, and More (2024)

• Best foldable bed that transitions into a couch: IKEA BALKARP Sleeper Sofa
• Best sturdy foldable bed: LUCID Rollaway Folding Bed
• Best portable foldable bed: Inofia Memory Foam Tri-Fold Mattress
• Best lightweight foldable bed: Cushy Form Tri-Fold Folding Mattress
• Best hideaway foldable bed:
• Best gel memory foam foldable bed: Rest Haven Suspension Rollaway Bed
• Best rollaway foldable bed: Milliard Diplomat Folding Bed
• Best hypoallergenic foldable bed: Milliard 6″ Tri Fold Mattress
• Best compact foldable bed: LiteBed Folding Bed

When you think of foldable beds, your mind might automatically go to dingy, springy, uncomfortable mattresses.

While that might have been accurate in the past, the mattress game has certainly changed in recent years.

Here, we’re highlighting foldable beds that are versatile, durable, easy to store, and designed for comfort.

Here’s what we kept in mind while picking the best foldable beds:

• Customer reviews: We chose foldable beds with the highest customer ratings and satisfaction.
• Durability: Given the compact nature of foldable beds, we wanted to make sure our choices were rated well for durability and weight limits.
• Ease of storage: One of the biggest reasons for purchasing a foldable bed is the small size and how easy it is to, well, fold it away. We looked at beds that stay true to this characteristic.
• Size: Most foldable beds come in various sizes (cot or twin). Our list highlights a variety of sizes, no matter your need.
• Extra features: Although this wasn’t a deal-breaker, we still took note of which foldable beds offered something special, like a good warranty.

Pricing guide

• $ = under $200
• $$ = $200–$300
• $$$ = over $300

Best foldable bed that transitions into a couch

IKEA BALKARP Sleeper Sofa

• Price: $$
• Weight: 80 pounds
• Size: 39 W × 67 L inches
• Who it’s best for: people with limited space
• Materials: polyurethane foam, plywood, pine, particleboard, steel
• Firmness: firm
• Shipping and returns: limited shipping options, returns accepted within 180 days
• Trial: none offered
• Pros: highly rated, versatile, compact
• Cons: some reviewers say it’s too firm to be comfortable, assembly required

IKEA has a variety of sleeper sofas available, but we chose this one due to its size and price. It’s a cheaper option (some IKEA sleeper sofas run over $300), and it’s one with the most (and best) ratings and reviews.

Customers cite the comfort of this bed as well as its sleek, compact size. It’s slightly shorter than a standard 38 × 75 inch twin bed. This makes it ideal for a guest bedroom or small apartment.

The adjustable back allows you to sit, lean, or tilt slightly. Or you can release it to lay flat.

The BALKARP comes in black or gray.

Best sturdy foldable bed

LUCID Rollaway Folding Bed

• Price: $$–$$$
• Weight: 38–48 pounds
• Sizes: twin, twin XL, and small single
• Who it’s best for: people looking for a temporary bedding option
• Materials: memory foam, steel
• Firmness: medium
• Shipping and returns: free
• Trial: none offered
• Pros: CertiPUR-US certified memory foam, easily stored, locking wheels
• Cons: limited sizes, assembly required

This rollaway folding guest bed from LUCID features a medium-firm mattress with one inch of memory foam and a base of supporting foam. The memory foam is CertiPUR-US certified.

According to reviewers, these layers of foam help with sleeping comfort. Reviewers also note the easy installation process.

Due to the rollaway nature, the bed is easy to store. However, you can also lock the wheels in place, so you don’t have to worry about it rolling around at night.

LUCID’s rollaway folding guest bed collection comes in several sizes: twin, twin XL, and small single. The foldable bed frame, which can hold up to 350 pounds (making it the sturdiest on our list), has a hammock-style suspension.

The bed also comes with a 10-year warranty.

Best portable foldable bed

Inofia Memory Foam Tri-Fold Mattress

• Price: $–$$
• Weight: 28–40 pounds
• Sizes: twin, full, and queen
• Who it’s best for: hot sleepers
• Materials: memory foam
• Firmness: plush
• Shipping and returns: free
• Trial: none offered
• Pros: choice of sizes and thickness, breathable, non-skid bottom
• Cons: may not accommodate people who have a hard time bending down

Think of this foldable bed by Inofia as an alternative to an air mattress. It comes in twin, full, or queen sizes, and you can choose between 4 or 6 inches of CertiPUR-US certified foam.

The sides of the mattress are a mesh-like material designed to allow for breathability and cool sleeping. The bamboo mattress cover features a non-slip bottom, and you can remove it for washing.

Guests of any age or size can find comfort on this foldable bed, and the portability makes it that much easier to store away when you’re done.

The mattress has a 100-night sleep trial and a 10-year warranty.

Best lightweight foldable bed

Cushy Form Tri-Fold Folding Mattress

• Price: $
• Weight: 12–16 pounds
• Size: 25 W × 75 L inches, or 31 W x 75 L inches
• Who it’s best for: taller people
• Materials: memory foam
• Firmness: plush
• Shipping and returns: free, returns accepted within 30 days
• Trial: none offered
• Pros: lightweight, generous length, CertiPUR-US certified foam, machine-washable cover
• Cons: some reviewers found it too warm

This foldable bed is great for small spaces, studio apartments, or dorm rooms. And, due to its weight, it’s super portable.

Still, at 75 inches long, a lot of reviewers comment on how pleasantly surprised they were by the length.

The mattress is made with 4 inches of CertiPUR-US certified foam.

The mattress comes with a free carrying case, a removable, washable cover, and a 100 percent money-back guarantee.

Best hideaway foldable bed

Night & Day Furniture Murphy Cube Cabinet Bed

• Price: $$$
• Weight: 172 pounds
• Size: queen
• Who it’s best for: people looking for a more stylish folding bed option
• Materials: gel memory foam, hardwood
• Firmness: firm
• Shipping and returns: free shipping, returns accepted within 30 days
• Trial: none offered
• Pros: stylish design, space saver, stores pillows and sheets, choice of finish
• Cons: only one size available, some reviewers found construction a little flimsy

We couldn’t make a list of foldable beds without including an option that hides a bed from view — in plain sight.

With this bed, you can convert a seemingly normal-looking chest into a large queen mattress in just a few minutes. The cabinet can also hold pillows and sheets when closed.

This cube foldable bed has features of a classic Murphy bed, but it comes in the shape of a wooden cabinet. The cabinet takes up roughly 10 square feet when closed. The mattress has 6 inches of gel memory foam.

Best gel memory foam foldable bed

Rest Haven Suspension Rollaway Bed

• Price: $–$$
• Weight: 39–47.5 pounds
• Sizes: twin, twin XL, or cot
• Who it’s best for: hot sleepers
• Materials: gel memory foam, steel
• Firmness: plush
• Shipping and returns: free, returns accepted within 90 days
• Trial: none offered
• Pros: temperature regulating and breathable, locking wheels, easy to move, suspension support system
• Cons: some reviewers are unhappy about durability

Rest Haven’s Suspension Rollaway Bed gets its name from the bed’s suspension-style support system (say that five times fast!), which eliminates the need for metal bars.

Reviewers love the bed frame’s comfort. The mattress itself has 1 inch of temperature-regulating gel memory foam and 3 inches of base support foam.

The mattress comes with a bamboo cover, a material that’s often praised for its cooling ability and breathability.

Reviewers also note how easily (and quietly) the bed can be rolled around, although the dual locking wheels prevent rolling during use.

Given the tall height of the frame, guests can store their belongings underneath the bed. The frame comes with a 10-year warranty.

Best rollaway foldable bed

Milliard Diplomat Folding Bed

• Price: $$$
• Weight: 57 pounds
• Size: twin
• Who it’s best for: people looking for a sturdy, comfortable rollaway option
• Materials: memory foam, steel
• Firmness: medium-firm
• Shipping and returns: free shipping, returns accepted within 30 days
• Trial: none offered
• Pros: sturdy, comfortable, machine-washable cover, locking wheels
• Cons: only one size, assembly required

Reviewers of this folding bed praise plenty of its features. Some note the sturdiness of the bed frame, which is made from reinforced steel and is said to hold up to 300 pounds. Others comment on the comfort of the mattress and how well they slept on it.

The medium-firm mattress has a nonslip bottom, layers of support foam, and a 1-inch top layer of memory foam. The mattress cover is removable and machine washable.

Like most rollaway beds, this one has locking wheels for peace of mind while sleeping. It’s 14 inches thick when folded, making it compact for storage.

Best hypoallergenic foldable bed

Milliard 6″ Tri Fold Mattress

• Price: $–$$
• Weight: 24–41 pounds
• Size: cot, twin XL, full, queen
• Who it’s best for: people with allergies
• Materials: memory foam
• Firmness: plush
• Shipping and returns: free shipping, returns accepted within 30 days
• Trial: none
• Pros: CertiPUR-US certified memory foam, removable hypoallergenic cover for easy cleaning
• Cons: some reviewers note it’s a little bulky to move around

Milliard makes our list again with its memory foam trifold mattress. It combines 4 inches of medium-firm polyurethane foam with a 1-inch top layer of CertiPUR-US certified plush memory foam, so it offers a good balance of support and comfort — especially for a folding mattress.

The sides are ventilated for airflow. It comes with a removable (and machine washable) bamboo cover with an anti-slip bottom. The hypoallergenic material is a good choice for people who have allergies or sensitive skin.

When not in use, the mattress folds up quickly to be easily stashed away.

Most compact foldable bed

LiteBed Folding Bed

Price: $–$$
Weight: 28–33 pounds
Size: twin, single
Who it’s best for: people looking for a portable option
Materials: memory foam, steel
Firmness: medium firm
Shipping and returns: free shipping, returns accepted within 30 days
Trial: 100 days
Pros: very lightweight, compact and durable, carrying bag included
Cons: some reviewers found it lacking center support

This folding bed from LiteBed is designed for comfort and convenience. It’s available in two sizes and combines a memory foam mattress with flexible mesh for support. The bed folds up when not in use and can be tucked into its included storage bag.

The zippered storage bag makes it easy to take this folding bed along with you when you travel.

Reviewers call the LiteBed folding mattress well made, comfortable, and compact when not in use.

Much like with any purchase you’re buying for the long-haul, it’s a good idea to weigh your options.

Here are a few things to consider when looking for a foldable bed:

• Customer reviews: No matter if the foldable bed you’re thinking of purchasing comes with a warranty or money-back guarantee, it’s always a good idea to check out what reviewers say. See if you can pinpoint common themes in the praise or criticism.
• Size: This factor is also linked to the amount of space you have available for storage. Are you looking for something you can fit into a closet, behind a door, or under a bed? Check out the foldable bed’s dimensions when it’s closed and secure. The size of the bed also determines the bedding. If you opt for a unique size, you might not be able to find bedding as easily.
• Materials and construction: What is the foldable bed made of, and how sturdy is it?
• Mattress: There are so many types of mattresses out there, and not every mattress will feel comfortable to every sleeper. Most of the mattresses featured in this list are made of memory foam.

What is the weight limit for a folding bed?

Weight limits vary depending on the type of folding bed you buy. Those made with steel mesh or bars tend to have a capacity of between 300 and 350 pounds. Folding mattresses that are placed directly may be worth exploring if you have a higher body weight.

Why is it called a Murphy bed?

A Murphy bed is a bed that can be folded into a cabinet. It was named after its inventor, William Lawrence Murphy. He created a hideaway bed when he was living in a one-room apartment in San Francisco and patented the design in 1911.

How can you make a foldable bed more comfortable?

If your folding bed doesn’t deliver adequate comfort, try adding a mattress topper. It can add an extra layer of cushioning and support for more comfortable sleep.

When searching for a sturdy, easy-to-store, comfortable place for guests to sleep, a foldable bed can prove a worthy alternative to an air mattress. (And it’s probably better than the couch or floor!)

Before purchasing your foldable bed, keep in mind the amount of space you have, the type of mattress you’re looking for, and what customers say.

Alexandra Shimalla grew up writing princess stories on her family’s laptop in their makeshift laundry room/office. She’s now a freelance journalist based in Georgia. She holds a master’s degree in journalism and enjoys writing about health and wellness, gluten-free living, and higher education. Her writing has appeared in print and digital publications, such as Paste and Georgia Magazine. If she’s not at her computer, then she’s at the gym. Learn more about Alexandra by visiting her website (www.alexshimalla.com).