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Written by
Daniel Noyed
A bed frame is a structure that elevates your mattress off the ground. With the right support system, a well-crafted frame can stabilize your bed and lengthen the life of your mattress. Additionally, the added height may make it easier to get into and out of bed.
Bed frames are crafted from a variety of materials, including wood, metal, and upholstery. Frame designs range from minimalist to highly stylized. The height is also variable between models to accommodate different profile preferences.
We’ll discuss the factors that most influence a bed frame’s appearance, durability, and overall performance. We’ll also highlight our top picks for king size bed frames and explain what sets each apart.
Best Overall
The Santorini Bed Frame by Saatva has an elegant, high-end platform design.
Handcrafted from kiln-dried hardwood, the frame is durable and should resist signs of wear, like warping. It can support a mattress without a box spring thanks to sturdy slats made from premium plywood. However, the Santorini can also be paired with Saatva’s Lineal Adjustable Bed Base to maintain the refined look while providing adjustable positioning, underbed lighting, and massage settings.
As an upholstered model, the headboard is covered in fabric with padding underneath. Velvet and linen fabric options are available. Made from a polyester-cotton blend, the plush velvet has a vintage flair and a slight sheen. Two colors are available: taupe and graphite. The linen is woven of flax fibers, giving it a natural hue and textured appearance. Linen is very durable, so it should hold up well.
Saatva offers a 180-night sleep trial for the Santorini. Customers are eligible for a refund of the purchase price during this period, less a $99 transportation fee. The Santorini also includes free delivery and setup, including old mattress and foundation removal. A lifetime warranty backs the frame.
Best Value
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The Nectar Mattress Foundation is an upholstered frame with a surprisingly affordable price-point, considering the quality materials and stylish appearance.
The foundation is made with a steel frame, solid pine, and spruce, upholstered in a gray fabric. The design features wooden slats and does not require a box spring. While the foundation can sit directly on the floor, it also comes with optional wooden legs. This may appeal to anyone who likes to store items underneath the bed. Assembly is simple and does not require tools. The platform has a 15-inch profile and comes in six standard sizes, from twin to California king.
Nectar offers a 50-night sleep trial to try out the foundation, as well as a 3-year warranty. Shipping is free for customers within the contiguous U.S.
Best for Storage
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Customers looking for a bed frame with extra storage may want to consider Silk & Snow’s Bed Frame with Storage. The stylish and comfortable upholstered design comes with a sizeable storage drawer at the foot of the bed.
The bed frame is constructed with iron and engineered wood, making it exceptionally durable. The slats are made of poplar wood. With a 2.4-inch width and spaced 3 inches apart, the slats are designed to reduce breakage. The storage drawer spans the length of the foot of the bed and measures 51 inches x 18 inches x 8 inches for the queen size, perfect for storing items like extra clothes and linens. The bed is upholstered in polyester fabric that comes in three colors – pebble, oatmeal, and granite – to match most bedroom decor. The frame also comes in three sizes – full, queen, and king.
Silk & Snow offers free shipping to the contiguous U.S. and Canadian provinces. You can try out the Bed Frame with Storage with its 30-night sleep trial. Purchases come with a 5-year warranty.
Best Eco-Friendly
The Birch White Wood Frame has a durable construction made of sustainably harvested wood. Southern yellow pine slats and plywood bed rails derived from Appalachian hardwood make up the body of the frame, and the platform rests on Appalachian maple legs.
This frame is handcrafted in the U.S. with wood from Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified sources that meet responsible forest management standards. The water-based and UV finishes on the wood are designed to be free from formaldehyde and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
The frame’s clean lines and attractive white finish can integrate seamlessly into a variety of bedroom styles. However, its minimalist design cannot accommodate a headboard. At 13 inches tall, the frame has an average height. Thanks to its platform design, the Natural Wood Frame does not require a box spring to support the mattress. The frame is very simple to assemble, as the side rails, center beam, and slats easily fit into place.
Birch ships the White Wood Frame free of charge to all 50 states. The bed frame has a 100-night sleep trial, but Birch requires that customers try it for at least 30 days before requesting a return. The frame also comes with a 5-year limited warranty that covers defects in craftsmanship and/or materials.
Easiest Assembly
Putting together a new bed frame can be a frustrating process, especially if small hardware components are involved. The Bed by Thuma takes a different approach to foundational construction by using Japanese joinery techniques. The rails and legs fit together with intricately shaped notches, rather than screws and washers. Two hand-tightened screws are used to keep the slats in place, but otherwise no hardware is used. Two people can easily assemble The Bed in 15 minutes, if not less.
The rails, legs, and slats are all composed of solid hardwood from trees that have been sustainably grown. The slats are also lined with a felt material derived from recycled plastic. This component is intended to muffle noise and preserve the wood over time. Each order includes The Pillowboard, Thuma’s proprietary headboard that’s upholstered in pebbled fabric and padded with soft foam. Installing The Pillowboard is also very straightforward.
The Bed has received a Greenguard certification. This indicates the product has been tested for chemicals that contribute to harmful emissions. Once ordered, the bed will arrive at your residence in three separate boxes. These boxes are quite heavy, so we suggest finding a lifting partner before carrying the bed to its destination. All orders are backed by a 100-night trial period that includes free return shipping.
Best for Reading in Bed
Those who enjoy reading in bed can benefit from using a frame with a stable headboard. The Casper Haven’s headboard is not only sturdy but also comfortable thanks to soft foam padding to cushion your head and back while you sit up in bed. The headboard – along with the rest of the frame – is upholstered in a wool-polyester fabric blend with a luxurious felted texture. Shoppers can choose between two greytone options for their upholstery, heathered or charcoal.
The Haven also boasts a sturdy design that includes a hardwood frame and beech slats with a matte-black finish. The slats are also upholstered, and the mattress fits snugly within the side rails to prevent shifting during the night. Full, queen, king, and California king sizes are available.
The Haven Bed Frame is exclusively available to customers in the contiguous U.S. and select Canadian cities. All orders require White Glove delivery, which includes a scheduled delivery date and full assembly in a room of your choice. This service is available for a flat fee of $149. Your purchase also includes a 30-night trial for testing out the bed frame and a 2-year warranty against structural and workmanship defects.
A quality bed frame with a suitable support system stabilizes your mattress and prevents premature sagging. Material quality and construction methods are key when it comes to a bed frame’s durability and overall performance, but other factors may also play a role in which bed frame is best for you.
Some bedding companies use vague jargon and questionable sales pitches that can confuse shoppers. To find the best king bed frame, it’s essential to focus on the aspects that influence durability, support, convenience, and pricing. There isn’t a universally ideal bed frame to satisfy every sleeper’s needs, but honing in on the following features can help you bypass marketing ploys.
Quality Materials
Material quality determines support, appearance, noise level, and longevity. Not only can high-quality materials resist wear, but they can also provide a more stable base and remain silent when you move around on your bed. Quality platform beds frames paired with supportive foundations can also help extend the life of your mattress.
Weight
Weight is important to consider for both practical and structural reasons. A very heavy bed frame may be more challenging to assemble or move. On the other hand, a sturdier frame can prevent your bed from shifting on the floor and producing noise. Buyers should also take note of a frame’s weight limits to ensure it is capable of supporting the sleepers, their mattress, and any foundation they use.
Design
Bed frames come in all sorts of styles and colors to suit varying aesthetic preferences. Designs range from minimalist to plush and luxurious. Shoppers should also keep in mind that they may change their room decor during the frame’s lifespan, so a neutral appearance may be more versatile.
Price
A no-frills bed frame can start around $100, while a high-end model can be well over $4,000. In general, most quality bed frames are priced between $300 and $1,200.
Ease of Assembly
Since an improperly assembled bed frame could be noisy and lack support, ease of assembly is a valid consideration. Some companies offer professional delivery and setup. Many models that require assembly are engineered to be put together by one or two people in as little as 20 minutes. However, more complex designs may take significantly longer and require tools.
Noise
A noisy bed can undermine sleep quality, but a well-constructed, secure frame should minimize movement-related noise. Bed frames, especially those of lower quality, often creak as they age. In some cases, you may be able to reduce sounds by ensuring your bed is assembled correctly and components haven’t loosened.
Type
Bed frames are constructed in a range of materials, but most consist of wood, metal, upholstery, or some combination of the three.
Traditionally, bed frames support a box spring or other foundation, which then supports the mattress. However, platform beds are increasingly popular. This design eliminates the need for a box spring by including built-in support.
Canopy, four-poster, sleigh, storage, and adjustable beds are also widely available. A frame with overhanging fabric typically sets canopy beds apart, while four-poster beds have posts in each corner. Sleigh beds are so-named for their resemblance to a sleigh due to their curved headboards and footboards. Storage beds typically use a platform design but have drawers, shelves, or cubbies underneath to store items. Adjustable beds offer tailored comfort since the incline of your upper and/or lower body is customizable.
The average king size bed frame costs between $300 and $1,200, but very basic or luxury models can easily fall outside of this range.
King bed frames are widely available online. They may be purchased directly from the manufacturer or through various third-party retailers, including department, mattress, and furniture stores.
The average king size bed frame measures approximately .5 to 2 inches wider and longer than the dimensions of a king mattress, which are typically 76 inches wide by 80 inches long. The standard height of a king bed frame is between 16 and 24 inches, though platform beds often have lower profiles.
Considering the substantial size of a king size bed, it’s helpful to consider the dimensions of your bedroom before setting up a new bed. A king bed in a small room can feel cramped even if it technically fits.
Designed for taller individuals, a California king bed traditionally measures 4 inches longer and 4 inches narrower than a standard king bed. Many companies make bed frames specifically for California king mattresses, but some generous standard king frames may also accommodate them.
Certified Sleep Coach
Danny is a Certified Sleep Science Coach with an in-depth knowledge of sleep health. He has tested hundreds of mattresses and sleep products.
Certified Sleep Coach
Danny is a Certified Sleep Science Coach with an in-depth knowledge of sleep health. He has tested hundreds of mattresses and sleep products.
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