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Because nobody really wants to sleep on an air mattress. Industrial Control Cabinets
Whether your child is having a sleepover or your mother-in-law is coming for an extended visit, a rollaway bed is a nice convenience — especially when you don't have a guest room to offer. More comfortable than an air mattress and even most sleeper sofas, the best foldable beds are not only easy to set up and stash, but also boast sturdy steel frames for support and memory foam mattresses for comfort. It's the perfect recipe for a happy host and a good night's sleep for your guest.
To make our top picks, we scoured top retailers for the bestselling products, reading hundreds of online reviews and checking specifications to ensure they met high standards for quality. Based on our research, these are the best rollaway beds you can buy online. Plus, read on for more information about what to look for when shopping and important considerations to improve comfort.
To make your new rollaway bed a cozy sleep oasis, check out our guides to the best cotton sheets and the best pillows.
Though it is on the more expensive side, the Milliard Deluxe Diplomat Folding Bed has everything you’d hope for in a rollaway bed. The sturdy steel frame can support up to 300 pounds, making it a suitable sleeping spot for most adults. The included 5-inch Twin mattress offers a bit more room to move around than your standard cot. The mattress is surprisingly comfortable, according to reviewers, likely because it’s composed of a 3.5-inch base foam and a 1.5-inch memory foam layer for all-night comfort. Unlike many other options, it’s also CertiPUR-US certified, which means it meets third-party guidelines that guarantee it’s constructed without ozone depleters.
The mattress comes with a polyester cover that’s machine washable, and when it’s time to stash the bed, the whole thing secures together with a quick-close latch. Wheels make it easy to transport from room to room, even if it is on the heavier side. (This fold-up bed is the heaviest one on our list.)
Another Twin-sized rollaway bed that offers a little bit more space to sleep, the Giantex Rollaway Folding Bed has many of the same great features as our top overall pick, yet comes at a fraction of the price. We also love that the steel frame is made with wooden slats instead of springs, offering even more support and durability. It's worth noting, however, that the weight capacity on this foldable bed is just 265 pounds, which may not be strong enough for heavier adults.
The memory foam mattress is made of 4 inches of high-density support foam that's breathable and offers medium support to suit all types of sleepers. And, when it's time to clean up, this option is just even easier to fold up. It weighs a more manageable 37 pounds and has a locking mechanism to keep the mattress from opening as you wheel it back into its storage space.
Slightly larger than standard rollaway beds, this one offers a twin-size 4-inch memory foam mattress with a very impressive 350-pound weight capacity. As a result, this fold-up bed is an obvious choice for anyone who regularly hosts adult visitors.
It has a streamlined design that’s a cinch to set up. Even when you first purchase the bed, there’s no assembly required. And when folded, the portable bed is only 10.5 inches wide — nearly 2 inches slimmer than average. If there’s any downside, it’s the weight, which clocks in at over 46 pounds, but thankfully there are wheels to help with portability.
Though it may not be the most sturdy option for in-home use — the frame isn't quite as hefty as most — this foldable bed will get the job done in a pinch. It has a slightly roomier twin footprint and a 5-inch memory foam mattress, and the brand claims the steel frame can hold an impressive 350 pounds.
Where this option really shines, though, is in its portability. It doesn't have wheels, but in this case, that's a good thing, since it keeps the bed nice and lightweight. The whole thing neatly folds up into a handled storage bag, so you can easily take the fold-up bed on road trips.
A happy medium between our top overall pick and our best value pick, this foldable bed checks most boxes. The sturdy steel frame can hold up to 300 pounds, offering enough stability for most adults. It is a cot size, so it's slightly smaller than a standard twin bed, which may not be comfortable for larger individuals, but the smaller dimensions are nice if you have limited storage space. The mattress is comfortable, according to reviewers. It boasts a total of 5 inches of foam — 1.5 inches of memory foam and 3.5 inches of high-density support foam. For convenience, it comes with a machine-washable cover, too.
At 45 pounds, it's heavier than some other options, which hinders portability to some extent, but does add to the overall support and durability of the bed. We also love that this rollaway comes with a storage cover, so it won't collect as much dust when not in use.
Because it adjusts to six different positions, this rollaway bed is a unique option for those who want the flexibility to read or watch TV in bed. It's also a worthy choice for aging adults who may want a more permanent option for resting in another room of the house. To prevent mishaps when getting in or out, it has eight wheels, four of which are lockable.
It may not be the most comfortable fold-up bed out there — the sponge and cotton mattress doesn't offer much padding against the steel frame — but it does have an enviable weight capacity. The bed can hold upwards of 330 pounds.
From the makers of our top overall pick, this rollaway cot is a more budget-friendly pick with an enviable feature: its weight. At 32 pounds, it's the lightest wheeled rollaway bed on our list. And it's got wheels, so it should be a cinch to move about the house. With help, you could even carry this one up or down a flight of stairs, if necessary.
For this benefit, there's not much sacrifice to be made in the way of comfort. The foldable bed boasts a comfortable 4-inch foam mattress and a sturdy metal frame that supports up to 264 pounds. Because this weight capacity isn't as high as some others, some reviewers prefer this pick for kids over adults.
This thin rollaway bed may not look like much, but it’s a win for those who are working with limited space. Because it’s a cot, it doesn’t offer as much room to move about, but it does easily fit into tighter areas of the home — both when in use and when being stored. When folded, the portable bed measures just 10.5 inches deep, tying just one other pick on our list for the slimmest design.
Despite its more petite size, the bed can hold up to 300 pounds. Reviewers say the 3-inch memory foam mattress is surprisingly comfortable and supportive, likely aided by the combination of wood slats and reinforced wire mesh.
Ideal for kids on sleepovers or trips to a relative’s home, this rollaway bed is low to the ground and durable enough to withstand lots of tossing and turning. The steel frame has wooden slats instead of springs and is topped with a thick 4.25-inch memory foam mattress.
The bed is easy to set up and take down — reviewers say gravity does most of the work — which makes the fold-up bed great for grandparents who may be hosting family. But the weight limit is a mere 200 pounds, so it’s not the best pick for adults.
✔️ Size and weight: In general, rollaway beds come in cot (slightly smaller than a twin) or twin sizes. But because many have sturdy metal frames, they can be rather heavy — usually somewhere between 30 and 50 pounds. Typically, the heavier the bed, the more durable the frame material and, therefore, the more weight it can support. Keep this in mind if you anticipate heavy adults using the rollaway, and look for a rollaway with a weight capacity of 300 or more pounds.
✔️ Mattress: Like other mattresses, the toppers on rollaway beds are made with all different materials, including sponge, memory foam and even inflatable PVC materials. We recommend memory foam for comfort but note that not all memory foam is created equal. Take a look at mattress thickness — the thicker the better, like our top pick, which boasts 5 inches of memory foam. You may also want to consider any special certifications like CertiPUR-US for help determining overall quality.
✔️ Portability: Rollaway beds are inherently portable, since they're designed to be temporary options for guests. For the greatest convenience, look for a foldable bed with built-in wheels so you can easily move the mattress around the house. And don't forget to consider folded dimensions — particularly if you're short on storage space. Some fold-up mattresses are even small enough to fit into included storage bags, which is ideal for anyone who wants the flexibility of taking theirs on the road with them when traveling.
It depends entirely on your personal needs and preferences. If you have the storage space and expect frequent visitors, a rollaway bed is a great convenience that will keep your guests more comfortable without a true bed available. On the other hand, if you rarely have anyone staying the night, the hassle of stashing a fold-up bed — even one of the slimmest options — may not be worth it, particularly if your home lacks storage space.
Most rollaway beds come with mattresses that are somewhere between 3 and 5 inches thick. Keep in mind: The thicker the mattress, the more likely it is to offer adequate support. But a thicker mattress often means a heavier overall bed, so keep that in mind if portability is a priority for you.
Brigitt Earley is a writer and editor with over 15 years of experience writing about home products, including beds and mattresses. She worked under the guidance of experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute to research and review the rollaway beds recommended in this story.
Brigitt is a writer, editor and craft stylist with nearly 15 years of experience. She specializes in lifestyle topics, including home, health, parenting, beauty, style, food, entertaining, travel and weddings. She has written for Glamour, People, Good Housekeeping, Women's Health, Real Simple, Martha Stewart, Apartment Therapy, The Spruce, and more.
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