Do you ever wish you can have guests sleep over or go camping and have the luxury of sleeping on a real bed? Folding beds are ideal for each of those activities and more! However, choosing a folding bed can be a complicated process. You want comfort while also saving as much money and space as possible.
Where do you start? How do you know which option is best for you?
This guide will provide those answers for you. We will talk about the different kinds of folding beds in detail as well as show you some of the top rated folding beds you can buy to save money and space.
Different Kinds of Folding Beds
Each type of folding bed has its own unique qualities, such as having the capacity to fold into your wall (with a Murphy Bed) or the ability to be used as both a sofa and a bed (as with a sofa bed). This section will look at the different types of folding beds and the features that make them unique, their advantages and disadvantages, and the average price you can expect to pay for each type.
The Murphy Bed
A Murphy bed folds up into a space in the wall when not in use, which is why it is also sometimes called a “wall bed.” It was invented by William Lawrence Murphy around 1900. Murphy enjoyed hosting parties in his apartment, but needed more space to properly entertain his guests.
To solve that problem, he created a bed with a hinged frame. This allowed him to fold the frame up at the hinge, providing more floor space when people came over.
The modern Murphy beds have evolved to the point that you can’t even tell there’s a bed there when it is folded. There are Murphy bed models with shelves or a sofa visible when the bed isn’t in use.
Chelsea Williams, a representative and expert at Murphy Wall-Beds Hardware Incorporated, said Murphy beds “are continuing to gain in popularity, especially with the imaginative ways they can be incorporated into a person’s home decor.”
Since the Murphy bed is secured to the wall and stored inside the wall, this option eliminates the need to move the folding bed around when needed and to store it somewhere when you don’t.
Now the downside to the “king of hide-aways.” A Murphy bed can be more expensive than other types of folding beds. For example, according to the National Sleep Foundation, high quality Murphy beds can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $3,500 where normal folding beds cost on average $100-$400.
The Floor Sofabed
The floor sofabed is another multi-functional folding bed. The sofabed has no legs or support beams. It sits directly on the floor and is used as a sofa when it is not needed as a bed. When it is slumber time, the sofa becomes a bed by either folding down the cushions or pulling out more cushions from under the sofa.
A floor sofabed is a great option for people with mobility issues or those who have trouble getting up onto a bed with a higher-sitting mattress. Many models are also easy to move around. This would be handy for those who might want to sleep in rooms other than a guest room — such as a young child.
Prices for sofabeds vary, but they are generally inexpensive. Many large retailers that sell floor sofabeds range between $200-$400 for top-of-the-line foor sofa beds.
A major “con” of the floor sofabed is that it tends to trap food crumbs, odors and other undesirable things in the material or cracks of the bed more easily than does a regular bed. Remembering to clean your sofabed thoroughly and often to remove stains, crumbs and germs collected by the fabric will avoid those issues.
The Sofabed
Our next model is probably familiar to many: the sofabed. Unlike the previous option, this one looks like an ordinary sofa by day but transforms into a bed at night.
This piece of furniture may be upholstered, have no visible frames, have armrests, and may even have cup holders or other accessories found in a regular sofa.
To turn the sofa into a bed, (1) take the top cushions off, (2) pull the frame out to expand into a bed, and (3) place the cushions on the frame to form a mattress. Some models even allow you to snap the cushions together so they don’t separate while you sleep. When you wake up, reverse the process to return the bed to its sofa form.
A sofa bed is an excellent choice for those wanting to save floor space while also being able to entertain guests. It is especially good for those with no extra guest room.
A possible disadvantage to this option is that many sofabeds are best fitted for one person. If you expect to have multiple guests staying overnight, you may need more than one sofabed or use one of the other options as well.
The average cost for a sofa bed can range widely, depending on many factors such as the materials the bed is made with, extra features the bed has, and the overall quality of the sofa bed. You can expect to pay anywhere from $100-$2,000 for a sofa bed, which means that people with varying budgets will be able to find a sofa bed that fits their need.
Tri-folding Mattresses
As the name describes, this option is a mattress that folds into thirds when not in use. They are usually lightweight, thin and inexpensive. They are portable and do not take much storage space. Some models even have handles to make carrying them easier.
While the tri-folding mattress pricetag makes it ideal for those on a tight budget, this option isn’t as comfortable as a regular bed or some of of the other folding beds we’ve discussed. Larger retailers such as Wayfair and Amazon sell tri-folding mattresses ranging from just $75 all the way up to $200+.
The Rollaway Folding Bed
Rollaway folding beds can be thought of as a middle ground between a regular bed and a tri-folding mattress that lays on the floor.
A rollaway bed has a metal mattress frame with wheels and an attached mattress. The frame is secured while folded. When the securing strap or bar is unloosed, unfold the bed in the desired location and have pleasant dreams. When you wake up, fold the bed back up and roll it to wherever you are storing it.
The rollaway allows you to take advantage of your living area when there are no guests. They are easy to move, which would be important for those with mobility issues or trouble moving heavy objects.
Rollaway beds are relatively inexpensive, making them great options for people who have tighter budgets. You can expect to pay a range of about $100-$400 for a rollaway bed.
The Futon
Many people may confuse a futon with a folding sofabed. However, they are slightly different, which is why we’ve made the futon its own separate type of folding bed.
A futon is like a sofabed in that people can sit on it during the day and sleep on it when it’s time to hit the hay.
Futons have legs on them like a sofabed, but usually aren’t upholstered, don’t have armrests, and don’t have cushions that you can take off. The futon’s cushioning is connected to its frame.
To transform it into a bed usually takes only pulling the top of the backrest on the futon, which will release springs and allow it to be gently placed flat. To return to couch mode, all you need to do is grab the backrest and pull back up, locking the futon into place.
Futons are also good options for people who wish to maximize their living space and don’t have a lot of extra room or a separate guest room for visitors.
A disadvantage compared to other options is that they are not very mobile and can be challenging to move. If you purchase a futon, we recommend placing it in an area where you want it to remain.
Futons come in a wide price range, based on their quality and material. If you’re looking for a cheaper futon, you won’t have to pay more than $200 for one. If there’s an expensive futon you’re wanting to buy, you could pay more than $800 for one.
Camping Cots
The last type of folding bed is the camping cot. This option is usually for camping or other activities requiring very mobile bedding.
Camping cots are made with thin, metal frames and usually have thin mattresses. Those wanting more comfort with a thicker mattress should note the cot’s frame usually won’t accommodate one.
The frames can fold up into a square or small rectangle, which is perfect for storing them in snug places.
Camping cots are among the cheapest options for folding beds. They range from $75-$180. The value of the cot is that it is lightweight, easy to set up, easy to move and easy to store. It is particularly popular with those on a budget who seldom have need for an extra bed.
The Best Space-Saving Folding Beds
Now that introductions have been made, let’s look at some of the top-rated folding beds to help you save space in your home.
Before you purchase a folding bed, we recommend making a list of the qualities you are looking for in a folding bed. Start with the priority — cost or comfort? — and go from there. This will keep you from wasting time looking at beds you won’t like.
The Leisuit Rollaway Guest Bed
The Leisuit Rollaway Guest Bed folds in the middle for easy storage. It has a thin, metal frame with a high-quality piece of elastic material in the middle that holds the mattress. The 3-inch thick memory foam mattress is 75 inches long and 31 inches wide. When folded, it is only 38 x 31 inches and is 7 inches thick.
The Leisuit Rollaway Guest Bed is a great option to maximize floor space because of its compact size when folded. As advertised, it takes only 60 seconds to set up.
If you’re interested in this great guest bed, you can find it here on Amazon for $236.99.
Giantex Rollaway Folding Bed
The Giantex Rollaway Folding Bed is another good option. It features a durable metal frame with the mattress springs tightly connected in place. The bed has a comfortable 4-inch thick memory foam mattress.
To fold the bed, unlock the middle support and fold both ends upward. The wheels make it easy to steer the bed anywhere around your home.
The bed is 75 inches long, 31 inches wide and 15 inches tall when in bed form. It combines the comfort of a normal bed with the ease of moving a camping cot. If you’re interested in this folding bed, you can find it on Amazon for $239.99.
Lilypelle Folding Camping Cot
The Lilypelle Folding Camping Cot is a comfortable and easy-to-use camping cot with a luscious, double-layer Oxford fabric. The high-quality metal frame is stable yet easy to fold and unfold. It is a heavy-duty cot able to support 880 pounds.
There is no need for a pillow with this cot. The tilt at the head of the cot is designed with comfort in mind, so the sleeper won’t wake up with any neck or shoulder pains. The cot folds up in seconds and is stored in a durable bag.
This is the perfect option for those needing a comfortable bed for that camping trip or to take with them for an overnight visit at a friend’s house. If you’re interested in this camping cot, you can find it on Amazon for the affordable price of $109.00.
Linon Verona Cot-Size Folding Bed
The Linon Verona Cot-Size Folding Bed is a rollaway bed that’s designed for ease of use and comfort. The innerspring mattress is 5 inches thick, which is not too thin and not too thick for a foldable bed. The thin yet durable metal frame is easy to fold and unfold, so there will be no struggling to move it or put it away.
For those seeking a bed that can be rolled into the living room for an overnight guest while not taking up a lot of storage space when not in use, this is a good option. This cot fits twin-size bedsheets. You can find the Linon Verona Cot-Size Folding bed for an affordable price of $179.40 here on Amazon.
Coleman ComfortSmart Camping Cot
The Coleman ComfortSmart Camping Cot is perfect for people who wants to immerse themselves in the outdoors. Weighing only 22 pounds, the cot can be taken almost anywhere. The thin mattress offers as much support as a regular mattress.
The cot can fold up in seconds and be stored away easily.
Those looking for a low-priced option that is comfortable and easy to use might want to consider this cot, which is priced at $46.97 on Amazon.
Milliard Deluxe Diplomat Folding Bed
The Milliard Deluxe Diplomat Folding Bed is a twin-sized rollaway with an incredibly soft memory foam mattress and a high-quality metal bed frame. The design makes it easy to unfold and fold the bed. The bed is only 14 inches tall when folded, enabling it to be stored without using up too much space in the home. The various handles on the frame make it easy to hold and move around.
It takes about 15 minutes to set up the Milliard Deluxe Folding Bed the first time. After that, it is easy mobility, easy set up and easy storage.
If you’re interested in this highly luxurious folding bed, you can find it for $359.99 on Amazon.
Linon Memory Foam Luxor Folding Bed
The Linon Memory Foam Luxor Folding bed is different from some of the other types we have looked at in this article, but deserves a spot on our “best beds” list.
This rollaway bed is made with a durable metal frame. However, its memory foam mattress rest includes pieces of thick plywood that won’t move around like spring systems do.
To get ready for bedtime, just unfasten the latch at the top of the frame and unfold it. When you are ready to put it away, unlock it in the middle and close it back up. Its four wheels allow you to easily roll it to where it is needed and back to its storage place. You can find this folding bed on Amazon for $172.99.
Conclusion
We get it. You want to be able to enjoy having company overnight without having to deal with the stresses of clearing out an entire space for a permanent bed to sit in. That’s why, as far back as Mr. Murphy, folding beds were invented to be an alternative to a permanent bed in a separate room for guests.
It is our hope that this short guide has helped you to see the types of beds available to meet your needs, including the major advantages and possible disadvantages of each model.
Armed with your list of what is important to you, and a few of what we believe are the best options available, you should be ready to start shopping for the perfect folding bed for you and your guests.
