The 10 Best Places to Buy a Bed in 2024

You’ll get some high-quality sleep when your mattress is supported by a bed from one of these retailers, trust us.

Sleep is arguably one of the most important things we do as humans to sustain life. Although we can sleep almost anywhere, having a comfortable bed to support our mattress and sleep on is helpful to achieving the best rest possible. There are many factors to keep in mind when searching for the best places to buy a bed. However, it’s worth the time and effort so that you feel the most comfortable giving your hard-earned dollars to a retailer you trust in exchange for a new bed. 

“These days, there are so many options for beds widely available, that you can typically tailor a bed you are drawn to with woodtone, fabric, metal finish, etc,” says Charla Ray, principal designer of Charla Ray Interior Design. “Take the time to think about the room as a whole and what selections would be best with the other elements in the space such as an existing rug, art, heirloom quilt, etc.”

We researched a plethora of retailers to discover which of them had the best options when it comes to delivery and installation, available sizes, materials, price points, designs, return policy, website design, and customer service. In addition to Ray, we chatted with Andy Yates, NCIDQ, ASID, IIDA of Andy Yates Design, and Haylie Lapinskas, NCIDQ of HaylieRead Design, about their recommendations regarding the best places to buy beds and what to consider before making your purchase. 

What We Researched

• Website Design: We researched how user-friendly and intuitive a retailer’s website is to use and filter for different kinds of beds. 
• Delivery and Installation: The different offerings each of the retailers have available for delivery in addition to the length or speed of delivery. 
• Bed Sizes: We took note of the available sizes each retailer has for most if not all of their beds. 
• Return Policy: We reviewed the return policy and time frame during which bed returns can be made. We included the warranty coverage (if any) as well as how easy it is for one to chat with an agent and/or file a claim. 
• Bed Type: We reviewed each retailer’s website to see what other beds are available in addition to the common platform, trundle, bunk, and panel beds.

What We Recommend

Wayfair 

Buy on Wayfair

Why You Should Get It: Professional assembly can be added to your purchase for beds that require assembly. 

Keep in Mind: Many of their offerings come from third-party sellers, which may be confusing or unsettling for those who like to purchase items from name brands. 

Wayfair is an online home goods haven, and we (and Ray) appreciate its selection of beds, which includes some sustainable options. We also appreciate its filter, which allows shoppers to view beds with a certain level of assembly required. If you opt to buy a bed that requires some assembly, you can add professional assembly to your order. All you have to do is choose a time and date that works for you, and Wayfair will send a professional to your home to assemble your new bed.

Wayfair offers three-year and five-year protection plans that can be purchased to protect your new bed if you happen to stain it or notice some seam separations. This coverage grants shoppers access to customer support 24/7 and a way to easily file claims online. Wayfair also makes returns easy offering 30-day returns on most items and frequently advertises sales that will save you some money. And Wayfair offers flexible payment options so you can pay in full or pay on a cadence that works for you. 

West Elm

Buy on West Elm

Why You Should Get It: West Elm offers several services (swatches and virtual consults) that shoppers can take advantage of before investing in their new bed. 

Keep in Mind: Some beds may cost upwards of $3,000, depending on their size and type. 

If you’re looking to enhance your modern-looking bedroom, West Elm is one of the best places to buy a bed. What makes the beds and headboards at West Elm stand out are their fabrics with options including basketweave, velvet, twill, chenille, linen, boucle, and faux leather. If you’re unsure of which fabric would look best in your home, you can order some swatches (up to 15) free of charge to do your at-home testing before hitting the purchase button. If you’d like to consult with a West Elm professional, you can do that, too (and virtually). 

Although you can purchase a tufted or wall-mounted headboard separately, West Elm also offers a variety of beds including platform beds and trundle beds. However, their beds are an investment as some of their price tags can reach upwards of $3,000 depending on the size and kind of bed selected. If you purchase a made-to-order bed, it cannot be returned (so be sure to keep that in mind). West Elm’s White Glove Service is also another benefit you’ll receive when purchasing a bed so you can get straight to resting and don’t have to spend your time trying to assemble your new furniture piece. 

Since you’ll likely be investing a decent amount of money on your new bed, we’d recommend adding the three-year AllState Protection Plan to your purchase for $130. Although it may seem like a hassle to spend more money when you’re already spending a lot, we think it’s better to be safe than sorry, as accidents can happen. 

Williams Sonoma

Buy on Williams-Sonoma

Why You Should Get It: They offer luxury beds, some of which are ready to be shipped out almost immediately. 

Keep in Mind: They do not have as many budget-friendly options available compared to other retailers. 

Although beds might not be the first furniture item that comes to mind when you think of Williams Sonoma, Yates says that Williams Sonoma Home is one of the best places to buy a bed as they offer a variety of luxury bed styles and finishes. Williams Sonoma offers a plethora of collections from Kennedy to Brooklyn if you’re looking to maintain a cohesive look or like one particular style. We especially love their material choices, which include marble and velvet, which are not as common at some other retailers. 

The Williams Sonoma website also has a specific Q&A tab under each product’s description that can be used to search for answers to various questions. This is an easy way to find extra information without having to call or chat with an associate, although you can still do so if you’d like. If you want your new bed to arrive at your home or someone else’s by a certain day or holiday, you can consider beds that are ready to ship instead of those that may take some more time to be processed and delivered. Keep in mind that there aren’t many available options if you have a lower budget, as the lowest bed on the site is currently listed at $895. 

IKEA 

Buy on Ikea

Why You Should Get It: They are transparent with the materials and other spec information in their product bed descriptions. 

Keep in Mind: Many of their beds are only available in neutral colors. 

IKEA is a go-to retailer for affordable furniture which includes beds. If you’re looking for a new bed that is chic, but won’t go over your budget, IKEA has options for you. Although IKEA does have options in more vivid colors including gray, blue, and pink, a majority of their bed selection consists of neutral tones with white, gray, brown, and black being the most abundant. 

IKEA is extremely transparent, especially when it comes to breaking down the materials that comprise the individual parts of their available beds. After all, you want to make the most informed purchase decision. 

Even though IKEA is home to many affordable pieces, they also have some higher-priced and unique beds available for purchase such as a four-poster bed frame. And, if you have an IKEA Visa credit card, you’ll be able to earn on your purchase towards future furniture rewards. 

Pottery Barn 

Buy on Pottery Barn

Why You Should Get It: They have easily digestible product specs that you can review before making your purchase. 

Keep in Mind: They do not allow returns on items that are made to order. 

Pottery Barn is one of the leading home furniture stores Ray recommends, and for a good reason. They offer high-quality beds at various price points and do so through a website with a more casual feel. We like how the retailer outlines each bed’s product specifications, including dimensions, weight capacity, and mattress space, which can be easily digested at a glance. 

Pottery Barn does a good job of letting you know which beds are their bestsellers by placing them at the top of the search results page. If you’d like to make a design appointment before placing your order, they make it easy to do that online with their calendar. You can also chat with an expert online without scheduling an appointment for answers requiring quicker answers. 

The retailer regularly has beds on clearance, which can be helpful if you’re wanting to buy a high-quality bed at a lower price (as their regular prices are often high). In addition to the popular platform bed, Pottery Barn offers an extensive collection of beds including sleigh beds and canopy beds.

Unlike some other retailers, Pottery Barn has some additional sustainability filters you can sort through when doing your research including “Certified Nontoxic,” “Plant A Tree,” “Sustainably Sourced,” “Fair Trade,” and “Leather Working Group.” 

Walmart

Buy on Walmart

Why You Should Get It: There are more than 25 pages of affordable options to choose from. 

Keep in Mind: Return windows may vary based on the seller. 

Walmart is one of the best places to buy a bed without breaking the bank. Walmart’s website is easy to use as it allows users to filter their search by price, fulfillment speed, bed size, bed type, material, and finish. You can now spend more time resting and less time scrolling through the more than 25 pages of beds looking for the perfect fit as the website highlights the best sellers and offers free shipping on many options, some of which can arrive at your front door in as quickly as two days. 

With lower prices than many other retailers, Walmart is a reliable option for those in need of a new bed, many of which are budget-friendly, with some bed frame options with price tags as low as $62. 

Although Walmart’s website has beds available that are sold and shipped from other retailers, they make it easy to know which ones come from Walmart with the phrase “sold and shipped by Walmart.com” found underneath the area where you choose whether or not you’d like your item shipped, for pick up, or delivery. This can also be filtered by selecting “Walmart” as a retailer. They offer free 90-day returns on items shipped and sold by Walmart, which is beneficial in case you accidentally order the wrong size or need to return it for another reason. 

Anthropologie

Buy on Anthropologie

Why You Should Get It: They sell beds that are out of the ordinary, which will enhance the aesthetic of whichever room you put them in. 

Keep in Mind: The selection of beds is not as plentiful compared to other retailers. 

If you’re looking for a bed with some boho flare, Anthropologie has you covered. We love how eye-catching many of their bed frames and designs are and that they come in more colors and patterns than beige, white, or black, which tend to be the most common. We deem Anthropologie as one of the best places to buy a bed, especially if you’re looking for a king or queen-sized bed as those are the available sizes for most of their offerings. 

However, it is important to not let Anthropologie’s playful aesthetic deceive you, as many of their beds do fall on the higher end of the price scale. That said, you can filter by price, but will notice that nearly all of the options fall within the highest price category. 

If you find yourself needing to make a return and used Anthropologie’s delivery service, you can schedule a complimentary return pick-up. (But you won’t receive a refund for the delivery fee that you paid when you placed your initial order.) If you have any pressing questions, Anthropologie offers around-the-clock customer service. 

Target

Buy on Target

Why You Should Get It: They offer a range of beds at different prices to fit different budgets. 

Keep in Mind: If you’d like to add assembly services onto your bed purchase, there’s an additional cost.

While Target may be your go-to for your groceries and last-minute items for your upcoming travels, don’t rule this store out when considering where to shop for a bed. 

In addition to Target brands like Threshold Brands and Skyline Furniture, Target sells beds from other well-known brands, including Casper Sleep and Delta Children. You can filter exclusively for beds that have a deal available or are on sale. They offer lots of bed sizes ranging from twin to California king, in addition to upholstered and unupholstered options and those made out of wood, metal, and plywood.  

Regardless of the kind of bed you purchase, Target works with Handy to provide bed assembly services for an additional cost of $83. And all Target orders over $35 ship for free, so you won’t have to pay extra to get the bed delivered straight to your doorstep.

Apt2B

Buy on apt2b.com

Why You Should Get It: They offer a 100-day window for returns. 

Keep in Mind: The filtering options on their website aren’t as comprehensive as those on the websites of some other retailers. 

Apt2B is one of the best places to buy a bed, especially if you prefer a modern aesthetic. Despite their website’s narrower filter with less size, sort, and type options to select than others, they do have a wide assortment of beds, including options with trundles and added storage.

If you don’t want to pay for your bed in full, there are monthly payment options available. Although you don’t have to add a warranty on your purchase, three-year and five-year plans are available. 

In addition, every bed purchased on Apt2B comes with free shipping and a 100-day window for returns. If you’re having trouble deciding which fabric color works best for your home, the brand offers free fabric swatches and has an area on the website where you can view customer photos. 

Amazon 

Buy on Amazon

Why You Should Get It: They offer a wide range of affordable brands.

Keep in Mind: You may have to wait longer for shipping if you’re not an Amazon Prime Member. 

Amazon is a suitable place to buy a wide variety of beds from different brands at different price points. Amazon can be a particularly favorable retailer to shop if you’re a shopper who values fast shipping—especially if you’re an Amazon Prime member. You’ll be able to see which beds offer two-day shipping for members as indicated by the checkmark next to the word “Prime” on the lower left-hand corner. Amazon also does a fantastic job of letting shoppers know when a particular bed may be going out of stock with warnings that may include “Only 20 left in stock – order soon.”

Amazon has some specialty beds available, including folding beds, daybeds, and triple bunk beds. However, keep in mind that Amazon has a plethora of sellers on its platform. With that said, Amazon simplifies the search process for users with a variety of filters to sort between featured, top, and other well-known brands. If you have any questions that need answering after reviewing a bed’s product information or would like to read reviews, there are sections where you can read reviews and search for keywords. 

Amazon also provides users with the option to filter their bed search based on whether or not they are shopping for adults or children. Other search options include various bed add-ons such as a bookcase, guardrails, and drawers. We also like that Amazon considers shoppers’ design preferences when it comes to the finish type, which can be selected when toggling on filter options. 

The Bottom Line

Overall, the best place to buy a bed depends on your budget and the aesthetic you want to maintain. We love (and our interior design experts recommend) Pottery Barn and West Elm for those luxurious (and more expensive) bed frames. Amazon, Walmart, and Wayfair are some of the best places to buy a bed if you’re looking for more affordable and budget-friendly options. 

What to Know About Beds Before Shopping

Type

When shopping for the best places to buy a bed, it is important to be knowledgeable about the different types of beds out there to make sure you’re adding the one to your cart that best fits your needs. 

Platform vs. Panel

Although platform beds and panel beds are similar, there are a couple of key differences. Platform beds do it all—they both support and frame the bed. “Platform beds typically are in conjunction with a low-profile headboard or a bed that may have storage underneath,” adds Ray. 

Panel beds, on the other hand, tend to be more breathable due to their panel-like design, and are typically made from wood or metal. However, they often require the use of a box spring or foundation to support a mattress and prevent sagging. 

Adjustable 

Adjustable beds are favorable options if you’re someone whose sleeping preferences vary regularly or are shopping for a bed for two sleepers who may have different sleeping needs. Adjustable beds are unique in that they can be positioned at different points and angles as needed as opposed to simply lying flat. 

Trundle and Bunk

Trundle and bunk beds are great for rooms where you’re looking to maximize your space, as they can be moved and accommodate multiple sleepers. Ray notes that trundles and bunks are well-suited for children’s bedrooms or guest rooms. 

Design

Not all beds are designed equally, and that’s OK. There are options out there to match a variety of bedroom and personal aesthetics. 

“When looking for the right bed frame you first need to decide what design style you are looking for,” says Lapinskas. “Are you more traditional and want a raised bed? Or are you looking for a more contemporary modern look? If you are going traditional, we recommend a bedframe with a box spring to create that raised look. If you are going for a modern design, look for a sleek platform bed with a lower mattress height.” 

Ray adds that upholstered beds have been increasingly popular as of late as they help create a soft-looking space.  

Material

Before buying a new bed, you must know about the different materials used to make most beds. Yates notes that beds are typically made with wood, metal, and/or upholstery. He adds that wooden bed frames tend to be more durable and are well-suited for rooms with a classic aesthetic, whereas metal bed frames help create a more modern look. Luxury beds tend to be covered with upholstery or fabric. He recommends doing your research about any care and maintenance that certain fabrics require if you’re particularly interested in upholstered beds. 

Size

Beds come in a variety of sizes, and it is essential to pick the right one to best fit within your bedroom. Beds are typically available in twin, full, queen, king, and California king. Although most of the best places to buy a bed offer all of those sizes, not all do—some only offer queen and king sizes, so make sure to check the sizes of the particular bed or beds you’re interested in before buying one. 

Delivery and Installation 

Making sure the bed you purchase will fit in its allotted spot is essential that way you don’t wind up with a bed that you can’t use at your front door. “Always measure the space to ensure you can fit the mattress or headboard through stairwells/tight corners,” advises Lapinskas. “The bedframes typically come as pieces so they can fit through small turns.” If you find yourself without as much room as you thought, Ray recommends purchasing a split queen box spring so it will be easier to maneuver. 

Your Questions, Answered

Do I need a boxspring with a platform bed? 

A boxspring is not needed with a platform bed. “In many cases, platform beds are designed to support a mattress directly without the need for a boxspring,” says Yates. “They have slatted or solid systems that provide sufficient support for the mattress, depending on the construction.” 

What is a good weight capacity for a bed frame?

According to Yates, a good weight capacity for a bed frame will depend on its type. However, “standard bed frames typically have weight capacities ranging from 300 to 700 pounds or more,” he adds. 

That said, there are a couple of factors including the number of sleepers, frame material, mattress type, and design that Yates advises keeping in mind when deciding upon shopping for a bed frame with the most optimal weight capacity to meet your sleeping requirements. 

Selecting a bed frame with a weight capacity that you are not likely to exceed is important. “Exceeding the weight capacity may lead to structural issues, affecting the durability and stability of the bed frame,” says Yates. “If in doubt, it’s advisable to choose a bed frame with a higher weight capacity than you think you’ll need, to ensure a safe and comfortable sleeping environment.” 

Is it worth buying an expensive bed frame? 

The short answer is yes, it is worth buying an expensive bed frame. Considering one spends about 26 years of their life (on average) sleeping, getting a high-quality bed frame is worth the investment. 

Yates explains that bed frames that are accompanied by higher price tags tend to be made with higher-quality materials and last longer than cheaper options. 

“If you do not provide adequate support for the mattress, then it will begin to sag and decrease the longevity of the mattress,” explains Lapinskas.

Furthermore, a bedroom is one’s place of relaxation—and the aesthetic of the furniture in one’s room helps contribute to its overall atmosphere, which helps one drift off to sleep. 

“If the aesthetic appeal of your bedroom is important to you, and you appreciate fine craftsmanship and design, a more expensive bed frame might be a worthwhile investment,” Yates adds. 

Who We Are

This article was written by Jenna Clark, a freelance writer who specializes in commerce, home, lifestyle, and travel content. Her work has been featured in Insider, Tripadvisor, The Knot, Taste of Home, People, and more. To compile this list of the best places to buy a bed, she consulted with Andy Yates, NCIDQ, ASID, IIDA of Andy Yates Design, and Haylie Lapinskas, NCIDQ of HaylieRead Design, and Charla Ray, principal designer of Charla Ray Interior Design. 

For more Better Homes & Gardens news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on Better Homes & Gardens.

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.