The 10 Best Dog Beds of 2024, Tested by Our Dogs

Best Overall

Furhaven Memory Foam Plush and Suede Sofa

$64 at Amazon $64 at Walmart $64 at Wayfair

Our Ratings

• Comfort
  5/5
• Size
  5/5
• Ease of Cleaning
  5/5
• Value
  5/5
• Quality
  5/5

This bolster-style dog bed proved to be both extra comfortable and nice and spacious for our team member’s 75-pound dog, George. So much so that it pulled in a perfect five out of five in every category. We found the bed to be immensely soft, not just on the surface, but in its cushioning too. Our tester even curled up in their dog’s bed to get a firsthand feel. Their dog is partial to a human bed, but he did sleep on the dog bed regularly during the daytime and in the evenings. The dog really seemed to like resting his head on the bolsters.

We also like that it comes in different options, including memory foam and a cooling gel foam option, which kept long-haired George from getting too hot, a turn-off for him when it comes to many other beds. The quality and ease of cleaning were also excellent (the cover easily zips off and holds up well, even after being washed), as was the overall value. Our tester has tried several similarly-priced beds, but they were all much lower in value, and with five sizes (we tested the jumbo) and 15 colors to choose from, there’s a little something for everyone. The larger size does take up a bit of space, but it's worth it for George's comfort.

Sizes: 5 | Material: Polyester, memory foam |  Colors: 15 | Machine Washable: Yes (cover)

Best Budget

MidWest Home Quiet Time Dog Crate Mat

$17 at Amazon $17 at Walmart $17 at Chewy

Our Ratings

• Comfort
  3/5
• Size
  5/5
• Ease of Cleaning
  5/5
• Value
  5/5
• Quality
  4/5

If you’re in the market for a dog bed but want to stick to a more conservative budget, we’d suggest the MidWest Homes crate bed. Our tester appreciated the soft and plush feel of the bed, which almost acts like a mattress you can place in your dog’s favorite crate. Our tester joked that their dog is a bit high maintenance and only spent a little time on the bed at first, but started spending much more time on it once her favorite blankets were added to the equation. (We all like what’s familiar, right?) Overall, the bed is a solid baseline option to add a little cushioning to a crate. 

In terms of quality and durability, the bed performed really well. The tester’s dog likes to eat peanut butter kongs in her crate, and naturally, some of that mess got on the bed. Our tester was able to wash and dry the cushion on regular cycles in the washing machine and it came out of the laundry looking brand new. The sizing was accurate and the bed fit the dog perfectly when she was lying down as well as the dimensions of the crate. If you crate your dog frequently throughout the day, this bed can add a little coziness to that environment. Plus, it’s portable and makes a great backseat bed for road trips. It comes in three neutral colors, so if you're looking for something bolder, you might prefer one of the other options.

Sizes: 7 | Material: Polyester | Colors: 3 | Machine Washable: Yes

Best Calming

Best Friends by Sheri Calming Donut Bed in Lux Fur

$22 at Amazon $30 at Target $35 at Walmart

Our Ratings

• Comfort
  5/5
• Size
  3/5
• Ease of Cleaning
  4/5
• Value
  4/5
• Quality
  3/5

If you have an anxious pooch or just a puppy in need of a calming dog bed, this popular donut-style model has a good reputation for a reason. Dogs love it. During our real-world tests, our tester said both of their dogs loved the bed — with the elderly dog frequently burrowing into the plushy bed, while the young puppy enjoyed flinging it around (or attempting to). 

It held up well after laundry day, and we were delighted that we could put it in the dryer. It came out spotless and didn’t need much reshaping. Overall, the quality is sound, and dogs instantly gravitate towards it due to the furry texture. The donut shape is especially appealing to anxious dogs who like a barrier at their backs or those who like to burrow in their beds for comfort. 

Sizes: 6 | Material: Polyfill, long-shag fur | Colors: 17 | Machine Washable: Yes (cover)

Best Cooling

Amazon Basics Cooling Elevated Pet Bed

$25 at Amazon

Our Ratings

• Quality
  5/5
• Size
  5/5
• Ease of Cleaning
  5/5
• Value
  5/5

If you have a long-haired dog (hello golden retrievers!) or perhaps a flat-nosed pup (like a pug or French bulldog), chances are they overheat . . . a lot. A quality dog cooling bed allows them to catch some z’s while maintaining a cool body temperature for the best sleep. While a cooling dog bed should never be the only thing keeping your dog cool (sometimes it's just too hot outside for your animal), our tester's dog loved lounging on this bed on warm days. The plastic mesh material on this bed is comfortable but still breathable: It’s a raised bed, which might take some getting used to for dogs who aren’t familiar with this kind of structure, but it shouldn’t take long. 

Our real-world tester was a 75-pound golden retriever named George (he’s featured in our lovely lead image at the top of this story). He took to this bed immediately, bringing an assortment of his toys to chew on while he sprawled on this bed outside on the porch. He seems comfortable and cool when lying on it (no excessive panting or other signs of discomfort). The durable mesh material hasn’t seen any rips and tears, and it’s easy to wash down with a damp cloth or even hose off. The large size fits George well, and he has plenty of space to stretch out. We wish it was a little more portable (it’s challenging to dismantle for travel), but otherwise, it’s a comfortable and cool spot for your dog to relax, and it's sure to last for a long time. It's also affordable enough to have as an extra space for your dog to cool down on warmer days.

Sizes: 5 | Material: Mesh | Colors: 2 | Machine Washable: No

Best Orthopedic

FurHaven Ultra Plush Luxe Lounger Orthopedic

$67 at Amazon $67 at Walmart $67 at Chewy

Our Ratings

• Size
  5/5
• Ease of Cleaning
  5/5
• Value
  5/5
• Quality
  5/5

For older dogs or those with joint issues, an orthopedic dog bed can be a great solution. During our real-world tests, the 53-pound dog who tried this bed loved it. The foam was supportive but still soft to lay on, and the sloped sides of the bed offered a pillow-like cushion. The size allowed her to fully spread out — she’s a big stretcher in between naps, and the foam supported her while still letting her body sink in a bit.

The cover is a Sherpa-type material that’s easy to clean because you can throw the cover in the wash. We also appreciated how lightweight the bed was — it’s not bulky and you can easily throw it in the car. The rectangular shape takes up a bit more space than a round bed, but it's hardly a dealbreaker. It’s a great bed, especially for larger dogs, and provides good support for the head, neck, and back. Our tester’s dog constantly slept on this bed and always seemed to have had a restful sleep. 

Sizes: 6 | Material: Orthopedic foam | Colors: 11 | Machine Washable: Yes (cover)

Best for Burrowers

Furhaven Snuggery Burrow Bed

$23 at Amazon $31 at Walmart $68 at Wayfair

Our Ratings

• Comfort
  5/5
• Size
  5/5
• Ease of Cleaning
  4/5
• Value
  4.5/5
• Quality
  4/5

Some dogs like to bury their faces and in some cases, their whole bodies, into their beds. The Furhaven Burrow Blanket facilitates that and more because it offers a cushioned place to rest with a sheltered covering. “If your dog likes to burrow under the covers a cave bed can provide them with the same feeling, without messing up your bed,” says Dr. Bernal. This was the winning pick for those types of pups, including our tester’s 25-pound Frenchton. The tester’s dog usually makes little cries when she can’t bundle in blankets to her liking, yet she immediately took to this bed, claimed it as her own, and fell asleep. 

There are several options for the base to choose from, including memory, cooling gel, and orthopedic foam, the latter a nice choice for older dogs. Our tester gave it a five in the size category, noting that it fit their small dog perfectly, though if you have a larger dog keep in mind that the largest size is only intended for dogs up to 80 pounds. The removable cover was easy to machine wash and keep clean, and while it did earn a slight deduction for value (with our tester noting that the faux sherpa and suede materials weren’t particularly thick), at its current price, it would be worth replacing every few years, if needed.

Sizes: 6 | Material: Polyester, memory foam  | Colors: 11 | Machine Washable: Yes (cover)

Best Design

Tuft & Needle Dog Bed

View on Amazon $220 at Target View on Tuft & Needle

Our Ratings

• Comfort
  3.5/5
• Size
  5/5
• Ease of Cleaning
  5/5
• Value
  4/5
• Quality
  5/5

Our tester raved about both the impressive quality of this bed, as well as its chic design. They said the overall design showed a lot of consideration, especially the materials that were used. This earned it a five out of five for quality. There was also a detachable mat, which pops off the base and can be used elsewhere if you like. To that point, this bed is made of a foam that’s very similar to that that the brand uses for its human mattresses. And even though it's pricey, our tester still found it to be a fairly good value, given the thoughtful design and materials. The cover is also easy to remove and machine washable, which is a huge plus.

It would be a good choice for those who want to spend a bit more on a dog bed. Where this didn’t perform quite as well was comfort. The material is almost like a canvas and not as soft as others, which is great for durability, but not so much for comfort. The insert fill was quite plush and comfortable, but the outer material outweighed the comfort of the interior — and it took some coercion to get the dog on the bed.

Sizes: 3 | Material: Polyurethane foam (base); polyester fiber-fill (pillow); cotton-polyester blend (cover)  | Colors: 3 | Machine Washable: Yes (base, pad covers)

Best Durable

Carhartt Durable Canvas Dog Bed

$102 at Amazon View on PETCO

Our Ratings

• Comfort
  4/5
• Size
  4/5
• Ease of Cleaning
  4/5
• Value
  5/5
• Quality
  5/5

Our tester had their 45-pound puppy Dasie put this bed through the wringer, and it held up beautifully. It proved extremely durable and long-lasting due to the hefty material that held up despite stains, digging claws, and lots of chewing. (Dasie would occasionally pee on the bed, and it would wipe right off instead of seeping into the bed.)

The duck canvas cover is machine washable, though our tester noted that washing and drying it was a bit time-consuming and didn’t yield much more of a difference than spot cleaning. Their pup loved to curl up on the bed, thanks to the padding for long naps. It did take a bit of a hit in the size category, with our tester noting that it was a bit smaller than expected.

Sizes: 3 | Material: Polyester fiber-filled cushion; duck canvas cover | Colors: 6 | Machine Washable: Yes (cover)

Best for Camping

RUFFWEAR Dog Sleeping Bag

$100 at Amazon View on Backcountrygear.com $100 at REI

Our Ratings

• Comfort
  4/5
• Size
  4/5
• Ease of Cleaning
  5/5
• Value
  5/5
• Quality
  5/5

If you take your dog on outdoor adventures, consider the Ruffwear Highlands bed. Our tester takes their dog on outings regularly and was pleased with the quality of the dog bed. The tester’s dog loved snoozing on the bed whether inside or outside, and that’s due in part to the soft yet durable material.

Even though it’s extremely lightweight (again, a great choice when you’re camping or backpacking), it was still super warm and retained the dog’s body heat when zipped up. The pup used it both zipped and unzipped; the latter made for a nice supplement to function as a blanket for an indoor dog bed. It didn’t score quite as well in the size category; it was a bit smaller than expected, though it still fit our tester’s 55-pound pup well. However, our tester did note that it would be good to size up. Even though it’s on the pricier side, it still scored a five in the value category, with the quality materials and multi-use options earning rave reviews.

Sizes: 2 | Material: Synthetic down | Colors: 1 | Machine Washable: Yes, but air dry

Best Investment

K9 Ballistics Tough Rip-Stop Dog Bed

$259 at Amazon View on K9ballistics.com

Our Ratings

• Comfort
  5/5
• Size
  4/5
• Ease of Cleaning
  5/5
• Value
  5/5
• Quality
  5/5

While this option is among the most expensive dog beds on our list, our tester deemed it investment-worthy for its comfort, quality, and ease of cleaning. We were so impressed with the durability of the material that it almost mimicked a human mattress, being soft and sturdy at the same time.

It also earned top marks for ease of cleaning. The tester’s dog loves bully sticks and bones filled with peanut butter, but they’re so messy. When the pup would eat on top of the bed, it created a visible mess with residue, but it came off with a cleaning spray and a paper towel. The cover is also machine-washable and entirely waterproof. Our tester was quick to note that it would be a great choice for dogs that like to dig, aren’t yet potty trained, or slobber a lot. While it could be a bit more aesthetically pleasing, if you don’t mind a no-frills style, this is an excellent choice.

Sizes: 4 | Material: Polyester, shredded foam | Colors: 4 | Machine Washable: Yes (cover)