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by: Lauren Corona, BestReviews Staff

by: Lauren Corona, BestReviews Staff

In pursuit of a good night’s sleep, mattresses get most of the focus, but your choice of bed frame is also crucial. When you’re trying to decide which type of bed frame is right for you, it can be tough to choose between metal, wooden and upholstered bed frames.

Metal bed frames are strong yet lightweight, but they’re more prone to creaking. Wooden bed frames can be extremely durable, but there are plenty of cheap, flimsy options that are best to avoid. Upholstered bed frames have soft headboards that are great for sitting up to read or watch TV in bed, but they’re difficult to clean. 

Metal bed frames come in various styles and are generally painted, with black and white being the most commonly found colors. While they often come with headboards, some contemporary styles do not include them. 

Generally an affordable choice, most metal bed frames cost $100-$400, although some elaborate options can cost more. 

Olee Sleep Modern Metal Platform Bed Frame

This low metal bed frame has a popular contemporary design and is easy to assemble because of its simple style without a headboard or footboard. It’s affordably priced yet durable, which is ideal for buyers on a budget.

Zinus Mia Metal Platform Bed Frame

Available in black or white and with or without a headboard, it’s easy to tailor this bed frame to meet your preferences. With simple, clean lines, this bed frame looks great with a range of decorative styles.

Elegant Home Products Victorian Vintage Style Platform Metal

This bed frame can work well with both traditional and contemporary decor for a modern take on a classic. It’s available in twin, full and queen sizes with either a silver-gray finish or a black finish.

Wooden bed frames can be solid wood or engineered wood, such as MDF or particle board, with a wood veneer or laminate outer layer. Depending on their material and design, wooden bed frames can vary widely in quality, from the highest quality wooden bed frames that could last hundreds of years to flimsy particleboard options that don’t feel sturdy even when new. 

The price of wood bed frames can vary as much as their quality, with basic options starting at less than $100 and the highest quality frames costing more than $1,000. 

Mellow Naturalista Classic Wooden Platform Bed

Made from solid pine, this is a great option for the price. It might not last a lifetime, but it’s surprisingly sturdy and has an attractive mid-century modern style.

This striking wooden bed frame features a tall headboard, although there’s also an option without a headboard if that’s your preference. It’s made from pine but features some steel components for additional support.

Acacia Aurora Wood Platform Bed Frame

Available with either a caramel or chocolate finish, this is an excellent choice of bed frame for people who like darker woods. It’s low to the ground with a contemporary-looking headboard.

Upholstered bed frames are usually made from engineered wood but are covered in fabric with a soft layer of foam between. They’re great for anyone who loves the luxurious look of an upholstered bed, although they’re not as common in modern styles of decor.

Because of the extra materials and work that goes into making upholstered bed frames, they tend to be relatively pricey compared to metal and wooden options. Depending on the design, you can pay  $200-$1,000 on an upholstered bed frame.

Zinus Lottie Upholstered Platform Bed Frame

This attractive upholstered bed frame has square quilting on the headboard and comes in gray, blue slate or beige. You can choose options with a drawer for storage or with handy built-in USB ports.

DHP Cambridge Upholstered Platform Bed

This is an excellent choice for anyone who needs more bedroom storage as the mattress and slats lift up to reveal a large area to stash bedding or other items. It’s available in light or dark-gray linen, gray velvet or black faux leather.

Roundhill Furniture Nantarre Fabric Tufted Wingback Upholstered Bed

This is an elaborate upholstered bed with gorgeous details on the headboard, such as diamond tufting and nailhead trim. It has a classic design and feels extremely sturdy.

There’s no clear bed frame winner between metal, wooden and upholstered frames. It mainly comes down to personal preference. For instance, some people love having a comfortable upholstered headboard to lean against, while others think they look old-fashioned. If it still isn’t clear which bed frame material is suitable for you, just choose the one you like the look of best.

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Lauren Corona writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.

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