The 11 Best Cooling Dog Beds of 2024, Tested by Our Dogs

Best Overall

Coldest The Coldest Cozy Dog Bed

$70 at Amazon View on Coldest.com

This bed shined when it came to its superior cooling technology. The secret is the combination of cooling gel within its seven layers and a cover made with the company’s cooling fusion weave fabric. Together these features work to give your dog a cool place to lounge while dispersing natural body heat. 

We tested this bed with a 10-year-old King Charles Cavalier who tends to run hot, and it became the first bed he has ever stayed on continuously for hours. It’s also cool to the touch, so you know it’s already working before your dog even climbs in. The multiple foam layers are soft yet firm and provide orthopedic support, making this bed a winner for overall comfort, especially for older dogs with joint pain. 

It rests directly on the floor and only has supportive bolsters on three sides, allowing for easier entry via the fourth side. The cover is removable and can be machine-washed (but not dried), though our human tester noted they struggled slightly with getting it back on afterward. 

Dimensions: 15 x 20 x 6 inches (S), 23 x 28 x 7 inches (M), 27 x 36 x 7 inches (L), 32 x 42 x 7 inches (XL) | Assembly: No | Material: Memory foam | Colors: 1

Best Overall (Cheaper)

Amazon Basics Cooling Elevated Pet Bed

$25 at Amazon

For a slightly cheaper yet high-performing cooling dog bed we recommend the AmazonBasics Cooling Elevated Pet Bed which, according to our tester, can withstand even the hottest of summer days in Los Angeles. The bed is made from a breathable mesh fabric which isn’t machine-washable but, our tester says it is super easy to spot clean or even hose off for a quick and easy scrub. 

Our tester tried this bed out with their 75-pound golden retriever pup named George and found that he was not only ultra-comfy and cool but took to the bed immediately. And, although George sometimes likes to dig before lying down, the mesh was unaffected by this habit and resulted in no tears or holes. Our tester found the bed to be a “durable and affordable option for dogs that run hot or are more destructive with their beds.” The only downside is that it’s not ideal for travel. “If I could change one thing, it would be to make it easier to dismantle and pack into a carrying bag for traveling,” says our tester. Since the legs screw into place instead of fold, it can be harder to pack it down.

The only downside is that it’s not ideal for travel. “If I could change one thing, it would be to make it easier to dismantle and pack into a carrying bag for traveling,” says our tester. Since the legs screw into place instead of fold, it can be harder to pack it down. 

Dimensions: 27.6 x 21 x 7.3 inches (XS), 35.6 x 21.8 x 7.7 inches (S), 43.4 x 25.8 x 7.7 inches (M), 51.3 x 31.5 x 7.7 inches (L), 60.1 x 37.1 x 8.9 inches (XL) | Assembly: Yes | Material: Mesh | Machine Washable: No | Colors: 2

Best Machine-Washable

K&H Pet Products Original Pet Cot

$39 at Amazon $35 at Wayfair $38 at Chewy

Many dog beds in this particular style aren’t machine-washable which, right off the bat, impresses us about the K&H Original Elevated Pet Cot & Canopy. After trying it out for a couple of weeks, our tester says the washing option was a major perk, especially since they plan on using it for camping and it will definitely need a rinse after being outdoors. “I followed the instructions and ran a cold, gentle cycle, then hung it up to dry,” our tester notes. “It came out with no issues,” they add. 

Another perk of this cooling dog bed is how easy it is to assemble and take apart, which makes it an excellent bed for traveling, too. “I love that it’s durable, portable, and easy to clean, though I do wish it would have come with a carrying bag to keep all the parts contained during travels,” says our tester of their experience with the bed. 

Dimensions: 25 x 32 x 23 inches (M), 30 x 42 x 1.5 inches (L), 50 x 32 x 0.18 inches (XL) | Assembly: Yes | Material: Polyester | Machine Washable: Yes | Colors: 5

Best Chew-Proof

K9 Ballistics Chew Proof Elevated Dog Bed

$189 at Amazon

For a chew-proof bed that can withstand being gnawed on by a large dog, our testers recommend the K9 Ballistics Durable Chew-Resistant Raised Dog Bed, Ballistic Fabric. “My dog is usually not good with beds and tried to destroy them like his toys,” says our tester. “He tried chewing on this one but you could barely see scratches or marks on the frame after,” they note. 

In addition to its durability, the bed is also made from a waterproof ballistic fabric that, albeit not machine-washable (due to the bed’s design), can be easily wiped down or even hosed off to clean. The bed is also lightweight, making it easy to move around the house or backyard as needed — though, our tester warns that dogs who like to drag their beds around might have a little too much fun with the lightweight size of this one. 

Dimensions: 29 x 18 x 4.5 inches (S), 35 x 22 x 4.5 inches (M), 41 x 27 x 6 inches (L), 47 x 29 x 6 inches (XL), 50 x 33 x 8 inches (XXL) | Assembly: Yes | Material: Ballistic fabric | Machine Washable: No | Colors: 3

Best Lightweight

Coolaroo The Original Elevated Pet Bed

$45 at Amazon $52 at Walmart $39 at Chewy

If you need a cooling dog bed that is lightweight and can easily move around the house, the Coolaroo The Original Elevated Pet Bed at Chewy comes highly recommended by our testers. This elevated dog bed is designed to keep dogs cool by keeping them off the hot ground and on a breathable material that is still ultra-comfortable. While our tester says the assembly was a bit challenging and might require two people, once it’s put together, it’s easy to move around the house since it’s so lightweight. And, because of its elevation, you can easily vacuum underneath it without having to pull it out. 

Dimensions: 34.75 x 22.75 x 8 inches (S), 42 x 25.5 x 8 inches (M), 51 x 31.5 x 8 inches (L), 60 x 37 x 8 inches (XL) | Assembly: Yes | Material: Polyethylene | Machine Washable: No | Colors: 4

Easiest to Clean

Furhaven Elevated Pet Bed Cot for Dogs & Cats

$28 at Amazon View on Chewy

Although fairly basic, this bed is an affordable and portable option  — and it’s an absolute cinch to clean. An elevated bed that gets your dog off the ground is ideal for keeping them cool in hotter temps, but is also great for camping or beach days where you don’t want the bed to be resting directly on the ground. 

This cot-style design has a lightweight plastic frame and water-resistant nylon bed area that’s raised eight inches off the ground. These materials are part of what makes the bed so easy to clean; just wipe off with a damp cloth or hosedown and let dry. We tested this bed with a 35-pound miniature Australian Shepherd who was able to jump off and on the bed with no problems (shorter dogs may need assistance). 

Since Pearl tends to prefer plush beds, she didn’t quite take to the bed until her owner plopped Pearl’s pillow and blanket on top. Our tester notes that it was  easy to not only clean the bed but also the flooring under and around it. However, the nylon mesh material had visible signs of stretching after daily use during our two-week testing period. 

Dimensions: 36 x 25.5 x 8 inches (S), 44 x 32.5 x 8 inches (M), 49.5 x 36 x 8 inches (L), 54.5 x 36 x 8 inches (XL) | Assembly: Yes | Material: Nylon, plastic | Machine Washable: No | Colors: 3

Best for Travel

Yep Hho Elevated Pet Bed Cot

$48 at Amazon

A camping chair for dogs is a genius idea for a cooling travel bed — and the Yep Hho Large Elevated Folding Pet Bed Cot pulls out all the stops. This travel-friendly dog bed is made from a lightweight and breathable polyester material that is similar to that of a human camping chair, making it easy to spot clean and hose off as needed. In addition to its fold-out style (which packs down easily for travel), our tester appreciated the carrying bag, making it all the more easy to transport. 

Although our tester says the height is necessary for the design, they found it to be a little tall for their dog, who would prefer to mount something shorter. With that said, their dog’s fur bestie had no problem getting in it, so the height might be more of a personal preference for your pooch. 

Dimensions: 47 inches, 54 inches | Assembly: No | Material: Polyester | Machine Washable: Yes | Colors: 11

Best for Short-Haired Dogs

The Green Pet Shop Cooling Mat

$38 at Amazon $60 at Chewy View on Thegreenpetshop.com

Although it’s not technically a dog bed, this cooling mat is a highly effective solution for keeping short-haired dogs comfortable on sweltering days. The plastic mat comes in five sizes designed to fit any dog, ranging from teacup breeds to giant breeds and, our tester says, it’s “shocking” how well it cools. 

The cooling dog mat is made from plastic and designed to cool on contact, requiring zero assembly. According to our tester the material “it’s not luxurious but is sturdy enough to keep the inside [cooling] material locked in,” making it a durable option for short-haired dogs. “I think it would take more time to cool down a longer-haired dog as the bed isn’t freezing, but it definitely cools,” our tester explains.

Some of the most impressive aspects of this mat is how easy it is to clean and how well it works both inside and outside in direct sunlight. “The dog bed is so easy to clean, all you need is to soap it down and wipe it off,” our tester explains. It also boasts excellent value for the price point, as it's easy to use, requires no assembly, and can be rolled up for storage or travel. 

Dimensions: 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.02 (XS), 19.7 x 15.7 x 0.02 (S), 30 x 20 x 0.02 (M), 35 x 23.6 x 0.02 (L), 43.3 x 27.5 x 0.2 (XL) | Assembly: No | Material: Plastic | Machine Washable: No | Colors: 1

Best for Small Breeds

Veehoo Cooling Elevated Bed

$58 at Amazon $36 at Walmart View on Veehoo.com

Small breeds who run hot will love the Veehoo Elevated Dog Bed. The cot-style bed is made from a breathable mesh material and comes in a great size for small dogs, plus options for bigger dogs, too. In addition to size, the cooling dog bed also boasts a hassle-free clean. “This dog bed was really easy to clean — there is just the material on top and it’s a plastic material so hosing off worked great,” our tester said of their experience with the bed. 

The only major downside is that the legs can be a bit wobbly so it’s not great for moving around. “I had to keep readjusting every time we decided on a different spot,” says our tester. However, it is easy to put together, which is always a nice bonus. 

Dimensions: 22 x 17 x 7 (S), 32 x 25 x 7 (M), 42 x 30 x 7 (L), 42 x 30 x 7 (XL) | Assembly: Yes | Material: Mesh | Machine Washable: No | Colors: 6

Best for Large Breeds

Furhaven Plush Cooling Gel Bed

$85 at Amazon $75 at Walmart $55 at Wayfair

Large dog breeds require big beds, and the Furhaven Plush Cooling Gel Memory Foam Bed has some great sizes to choose from. In addition to its size options, this cooling bed is made from a gel memory foam, making it ultra comfy, plus it boasts great value thanks to its high-quality construction. “In comparison to other cooling dog beds I have seen in the past, this feels and looks a lot more expensive than it is,” our tester notes. “You definitely get your bang for your buck in quality, cooling effectiveness, and aesthetic,” they add. 

With that said, this isn’t the most cooling style on our list, so older dogs or large dogs that run hot might prefer something that is more elevated and gets them away from the hot ground. Nonetheless, our tester says it doesn’t hold heat in the same way as other beds of similar cozy construction, which makes it a good option for dogs who don’t love the mesh cooling beds and want something with more cushion. 

Dimensions: 20"L x 15"W x 5.5 (S), 30"L x 20"W x 6.25 (M), 36"L x 27"W x 6.5 (L), 40 x 32 x 8 (jumbo), 53 x 40 x 9.5 (jumbo plus) | Assembly: No | Material: Polyester | Machine Washable: Yes | Colors: 1

Best Cooling Mat

Cooler Dog Hydro Cooling Mat

View on Coolerdog.com

As we’re having a summer of heatwaves, we thought it was important to include a variety of cooling options such as this mat from Cooler Dog. Of all the cooling mats we tested, it proved the best investment. A 4-year-old mini Australian Shepherd named Lilly enjoyed this mat as it cooled her and her double coat with ease.  Despite Lilly’s tendency to dig around in her beds, the materials held up to her claws.

The design has a three-layer system for cooling: a foam pad, an ice sheet, and a cooling cushion. You can tell it’s working because it’s cool to the touch and that temperature lasts for hours. It also folds up easily for compact travel. Plus, there are a series of snaps so you can buy multiple pads and fasten them together to accommodate larger or multiple dogs. The outside cover can be washed, too. Other than the price, which could be high for some, we couldn’t find any cons for this cooling mat. 

Dimensions: 18 x 23 x 1.25 inches | Assembly: No | Material: Foam, cushion | Machine Washable: Yes | Colors: 1