The Best Dog Beds

I’m a staff writer on the pets team and a dedicated friend to animals. I’ve lived with cats for more than two decades, and I currently have a 3-year-old rescue dog named Dave (who is spoiled beyond belief).

For this guide, we scratched, stained, stripped, cleaned, and reassembled 19 different dog beds. We interviewed veterinarians and animal behaviorists to learn about the sleep preferences of dogs and how they relate to the various dog-bed styles. And we spoke with several dog-bed manufacturers, to get insight into their research-and-development processes. The current guide builds on research and testing by Kaitlyn Wells and Nick Guy, dating back to 2017.

There’s a dizzying number of dog-bed types and designs. But every expert we spoke with said you should base your choice on your dog’s individual sleeping style.

“Look at what your dogs liked in the past, and go based on that,” said Dr. Laurie Bergman, a veterinary behaviorist. Do they like to lean against things when they sleep? Do they burrow into a tight ball? Are they unapologetic dog-spreaders? Their regular sleep posture will point you toward a shape that will work best.

Armed with this knowledge, we considered five distinct bed shapes:

• Cuddlers (aka snugglers, doughnuts, or bagel beds): These beds are round or oval, with an inner pillow surrounded by a raised bolster.
• Bolster beds: Similar to cuddlers, these beds are typically square or rectangular, with a raised pillow (aka bolster) that wraps around the four sides.
• Couch beds: These models are like bolster beds, but they have an opening on one side, so dogs can get in and out more easily.
• Loungers (or mattress beds): These beds have a simple rectangular design, with no raised edges or bolsters. A lounger can look like an oversize pillow or a mini mattress for a human.
• Cots (or elevated beds): Similar to taut hammocks, these models are raised off the ground by a sturdy metal or plastic frame. They’re often suitable for use outdoors or for dogs who like more airflow from underneath.

Some beds contain a polyester fiberfill, while others are made from thick layers of various types of foam. Several manufacturers claim that their beds are “orthopedic.” But that’s “a misused word for dogs,” said Dr. Leticia Fanucchi, a veterinarian and professor at Oklahoma State University. “There is no such thing as orthopedic bedding, specifically.”

If your dog has arthritis or other joint issues, most of the vets we spoke with agreed you should choose a bed that’s easy for your dog to get into and out of, that supports your dog’s joints, and that doesn’t create pressure points. These are “points on the body where there's very little soft tissue coverage over bones,” such as the elbow or the hip, where lesions can develop, said Dr. Barbro Filliquist, a veterinarian and professor at University of California Davis. But if your dog doesn’t have any health issues, pressure points aren’t a big risk.

Fanucchi told us that when you’re choosing a dog bed, temperature is another important factor, and you should consider your dog’s hair. For example, big dogs who have a heavy fur coat and are used to cold weather might not like a thick warm cover, whereas less-furry dogs, such as chihuahuas or pit bulls, may appreciate a bed that helps them retain body heat.

Lastly, we looked for customer-friendly return policies and warranties. “Don’t feel insulted if your dog doesn’t want to use the dog bed you provide,” said Bergman. “You can encourage them to use it, you can give them treats on the bed … but if they’re not going to use it, they’re not going to use it.” Most of the beds we picked are available on Chewy and Amazon, both of which also have generous return policies. And while there’s no such thing as a truly chew-proof dog bed, we tested a few models made with more-durable materials—and with even stronger warranties—for dogs who treat their beds like a tasty snack.

After considering 32 well-reviewed dog beds, we tested 19, enlisting the help of my 65-pound mutt, Dave, and a 67-pound dog named Hunter. We evaluated each bed according to five key criteria:

Durability: We gathered a gardening claw (to imitate dog paws) and sharp meat shredders (to replicate puppy teeth). Then we used each tool to scratch every bed cover 50 times, to see how it held up to digging and chewing. We also yanked on and generally abused the zippers on each bed, to see whether anything would break or get caught.

Ease of spot-cleaning: We made a concoction of cheap, smelly dog food mixed with water, to simulate vomit. We poured this gag-worthy slop onto each bed cover, letting it sit for about an hour. We also rubbed globs of mud on each cover and let them dry. Then we spot-cleaned both areas with wet paper towels, a wet sponge, and (in tough cases) a toothbrush. We also sprayed Nature’s Miracle on the “vomit” spots to try to remove any lingering odors (unfortunately, it mostly just covered them up with its own hyper-perfumey smell).

Appearance after machine-washing: We spent a day in a laundromat machine-washing each bed cover (according to its instructions) three times. If drying was indicated, after each wash we sent the cover through a low-heat drying cycle until it was fully dry.

Ease of assembly (and, after washing, reassembly): For each bed that required initial assembly, we noted how difficult it was to put together compared with the other beds we tested. We also evaluated the difficulty of putting a bed back together after machine-washing it.

Quality and feel: Although my dog, Dave, tried out each bed, he wasn’t the best barometer because he would happily sleep on just about anything. Unlike Dave, I have a bad back and a high bar for comfort. I weigh about the same as an average mastiff or Saint Bernard, so I reclined on each bed for five to 10 minutes, taking note of how soft it was, whether I could feel the floor beneath me, and how the cover material felt on my skin.

We also considered each bed’s attractiveness, the water-resistance of any included mattress covers, and the location of any zippers.

The FurHaven Velvet Waves Perfect Comfort Sofa’s soft, comfortable foam, easy-to-clean cover, and affordable price make it an excellent choice for most dogs. We tested the memory-foam version (the company also offers a bed with cooling gel foam and two types of so-called orthopedic foam). You can buy a replacement cover or foam insert, as well as an optional water-resistant mattress liner.

Its accessible design allows most dogs to get in and out. As a sofa-style bed, this FurHaven model has a front opening that’s several inches lower than the other three sides (the exact height depends on which size you get). So this model is more accessible for puppies or for adult dogs who might have a hard time stepping over tall bolsters. “If it hurts to lift up your leg and kind of flex all your joints, we don’t want a high edge on it,” said Dr. Barbro Filliquist.

The supportive foam conforms to your dog’s shape. The memory-foam version we tested has a full slab of so-called orthopedic foam as a support base, and it’s topped by a layer of viscoelastic foam (PDF), which is supposed to contour around the dog’s shape. When I was lying on the bed, it was comfortable, especially the Jumbo size, which has 4 inches of foam (compared with the 3 inches of the smaller sizes). The mattress was supportive but also had a good amount of give, so it wasn’t overly stiff. The foam insert has been certified by CertiPUR-US, a foam-industry nonprofit that tests for ozone depleters and common chemicals that may worsen indoor air quality and harm human health.

The cover is soft and easy to clean. The 100% polyester cover felt soft, and among the beds we tested, it was one of the easiest to spot-clean. With just a few wipes of a wet sponge, dried mud and fake vomit slid off the fibers, and the mattress section’s white fake fur allowed us to easily see when it was clean. After three rounds in a washer and dryer, the material still looked great, and it didn’t mat or clump together like the material of some of the other furry beds we tested.

Assembly is straightforward. This FurHaven bed arrives compressed in three pieces: the mattress, the bolster, and the cover. It was easy to assemble, but it took the mattress foam a few days to fully expand. Because the cover material is loose and floppy, you need to hold it taut to keep it in place when zipping it closed.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

The cover doesn’t protect the foam from crud. In our tests, the polyester cover cleaned up easily, but fluids, dirt, and fur passed through it and collected on the top layer of the foam mattress. You can spot-clean the foam, but you cannot machine-wash it. If your dog is prone to liquid accidents, we recommend getting FurHaven’s water-resistant mattress liner, which will help prolong the life of the bed.

Its low price comes at a cost. The foam and the cover aren’t likely to hold up as long under normal use as the materials of some of the higher-priced beds we recommend. We’ve also seen a few negative reviews online that mention the zipper breaking, while others claim that the quality has declined recently. We’ll be keeping an eye on these issues in our long-term testing, to see if they persist.

Sizes: four (a fifth size, the small, was recently discontinued)
Colors: three

The Majestic Suede Bagel Dog Bed has been a pick since 2017, thanks to its overstuffed insert, durable cover, and cuddly shape. The Bagel Dog Bed comes in four sizes, is machine-washable, and has a water-resistant bottom that keeps liquids from seeping through to the floor.

The cozy shape may appeal to a dog’s nesting instincts. Cuddlers and other doughnut-shaped bolstered beds like this Majestic model “mimic that dirt hole that [dogs] used to have before they were inside homes, so you see them curling up and sometimes even fluffing it up with their paws, trying to rearrange the nest,” said Dr. Leticia Fanucchi. This shape works well for dogs who like to sleep curled up in a ball; this is another instinct held over from before dogs had access to indoor heating, which helps them maintain their body temperature, according to both Fanucchi and Dr. Filliquist. But if you get the right size, the Bagel Dog Bed can also accommodate other sleeping positions; on frosty nights, Dave curled up with his back and shoulders against the bolsters, but on warmer days, he sprawled out with his head hanging off of the bolster.

It’s overstuffed to accommodate digging and settling. The polyester-fiberfill insert and bolster are overstuffed in comparison with other doughnut-style beds. This is because “within a couple of weeks after the nesting starts happening, it goes down to the level it should be,” said Matthew Ziemnicki, sales manager for Majestic Pet Products. The polyfill is flexible enough for a dog to dig around in, so they can prepare their sleep spot without damaging the insert.

The cover is soft and durable. In our tests, the polyester faux-suede cover held up well to repeated swipes with the meat shredder and the garden claw; it didn’t pull or tear after 50 hard passes with each tool. The meat shredder initially left some stripes, but they turned out to be just variations in the direction of the suede, and the lines vanished with the swipe of a hand.

No assembly necessary. The Bagel Dog Bed arrives preassembled, unlike other beds we tested. We simply took it out of the box, fluffed it a bit, and put it on the floor. Dave was snoozing in it within minutes.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

A dog bed at this price won’t last forever. Eventually, the materials will wear out, especially if you wash it regularly or your pup is tough on it. But you should expect to get at least a couple of years out of it, as long as your dog isn’t a big chewer. And it could possibly last longer, if you’re handy with a needle and thread.

The cover may still show traces of dirt or discoloration, even after you spot-clean it. But stains are largely dependent on which color you choose. The bed we tested was navy, which disguised most marks. But when we looked at the bed under a flashlight, we could still make out a faded spot where we had soaked it with Nature’s Miracle to bust up lingering odors.

When you need to wash the cover, this bed is annoying to take apart and reassemble. The bed’s two zippers, one for the bolster and one for the mattress, are located deep in the crevice between those two sections, where dirt and debris also collect. And the bagel shape is not for every dog. For “dogs that have osteoarthritis affecting their joints, it may actually be uncomfortable, and they may not be able to get into a tight curl position,” Filliquist said.

Sizes: four (suede version)
Colors: seven (suede version)

The Orvis RecoveryZone ToughChew Lounger Dog Bed has a damage-resistant cover, a comfortable mix of foams, and a rock-solid warranty. We tested the ToughChew Lounger as well as Orvis’s pricier bolstered RecoveryZone Couch Dog Bed with standard fabric. Both beds earned high scores in nearly all of our tests. If your dog isn’t a big chewer, Orvis’s regular-upholstery lounger is less expensive than the ToughChew version of the lounger, and it’s just as nice.

Two types of foam make this bed feel great. The dual layers of foam offered the best combination of softness and support in our tests. In separate tests, the upper layer conformed to my body as well as to Dave’s, while the 4-inch base kept us from sinking through to the floor. The upper layer is a proprietary foam that “shares a lot of the same properties as memory foam … but it doesn’t hold heat the way memory foam will, or cold,” said Brandon Jorgensen, senior product designer at Orvis. We didn’t test for temperature regulation, but I can say that the RecoveryZone beds were the most comfortable dog beds I tried.

The cover is soft and durable, and it hides fur. All RecoveryZone dog-bed covers use a weave designed to camouflage fur and dirt. In our tests, after a few weeks of dog-fur buildup, the covers didn’t look pristine, but they did look better than many of the other beds we evaluated. The ToughChew cover has an added ripstop-nylon layer adhered to the underside that is meant to resist chewing, digging, and punctures; Orvis backs this claim with its ToughChew Guarantee. The standard fabric is still durable enough for regular use, and both versions of the cover withstood our meat shredders and garden claws. But if you have a particularly destructive dog, the ToughChew fabric might be worth the additional expense.

Attention to the details is clearly evident. Both the ToughChew and standard RecoveryZone covers have a strong, smooth zipper that tucks neatly away, safe from curious dog mouths. Both beds also have two hidden, sleeve-like handles, which make the beds easy to move around (and dogs don’t have yet another thing to chew on). Each model comes with clear instructions for assembly, though we found the directions especially helpful when putting together the couch bed: The mattress insert and three bolsters are labeled with a letter that matches a corresponding spot inside the cover. The inserts are covered by water-resistant liners, which kept the foam underneath pristine during our spill tests.

The company has a generous replacement policy. Orvis protects all RecoveryZone beds with its storewide Great Catch Guarantee, which covers at least one no-charge replacement if your dog damages the bed. The ToughChew Guarantee goes even further, qualifying for two replacements and then a refund, if those don’t hold up to your dog’s best (or worst) efforts.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

The RecoveryZone beds cost a lot. With the standard fabric, Orvis’s RecoveryZone lounger is far more expensive than our other top picks. If you opt for Orvis’s ToughChew cover, the price rises to almost five times that of the FurHaven bed. The couch versions are even more expensive.

It can be hard to know whether the bed is clean or dirty. In our spot-clean tests, we had difficulty determining whether we had removed all of the dirt and vomit because the weave was almost too good at masking filth. We recommend regular vacuuming and washing, no matter how clean the bed may look.

Sizes: four
Colors: four (ToughChew), seven (non-ToughChew)

The Lay Lo Dog Bed is a stylish model with lots of cover options, including limited-edition collaborations with a variety of designers and artists. The company offers a generous, 30-day “no questions asked” return policy, so you can try the bed at home and send it back if your dog snubs it.

Some covers are constructed from recycled material. Lay Lo’s covers are made from a polyester knit, and on its newest designs, the company has started to use threads made from GRS-certified recycled materials. The company has said the process of fully switching over to recycled materials could take between six months and a year, so many of the in-stock patterns may still use yarn made without this certification. We tested the red-and-white checkered design, which is made from recycled bottles (but it doesn’t yet have GRS certification). We also tested the green grid pattern, which is a standard polyester knit.

There are various designs to choose from. Lay Lo has more than two-dozen cover designs, including terrazzo, houndstooth, and chevrons. It also does limited-edition collaborations; its partnerships have included fashion designer Joseph Altuzarra and singer-songwriter John Legend. If you’re drawn to more than one design, you can buy extra covers separately.

It’s easy to set up and easy to clean. The Lay Lo bed arrives in three pieces—a vacuum-packed mattress, a folded cover, and a leather handle cover—and it was one of the simplest beds to assemble of those we tested. That also made it one of the easiest models to undress (and re-dress) when we washed the cover.

The zipper wraps around a nonslip bottom. The three-sided zipper on the bottom of the bed opens like a book, so accessing the mattress is easier than with most of the other beds we tested. There is also a small pocket to tuck away the tempting, dangly pull tab. The cover has a grippy bottom, which helps keep the bed from sliding across bare floors. And the mattress insert is covered with a water-resistant fabric, which kept the foam beneath clean and dry during our liquid tests. The company offers an additional waterproof liner, and this might be a good option if your dog has frequent bathroom mishaps.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

It has a thinner mattress. The Lay Lo bed’s insert is on the thinner side compared with those of our other picks, so it might not work as a primary bed for large breeds or chunky pups. The mattress is made of two layers (a so-called orthopedic support foam topped by a soft layer of polyfill); it held up in testing but wasn’t as comfortable as our other picks.

The cover isn’t as soft as those of our top picks. The cover is not quite as plush as the material on other beds we tested, but it also isn’t rough or prickly. The stretchy woven fabric did well in most of our durability tests, with the exception of a small pull appearing, after we worked it over with the meat shredders. The pull never grew, and it’s so small that it’s easy to overlook. But it’s still an indicator that this bed may not be the best choice to expose to sharp puppy teeth.

Tiny bits of dirt can get stuck in the weave. During our spot-cleaning tests, it took a little extra work to get the mud and fake vomit out of the stretchy fabric, since tiny bits were stuck in between the threads. With some vigorous scrubbing using a toothbrush, we got most of it out. After a round in the washing machine, the cover was spotless again.

Sizes: four
Colors and designs: 27

Dogs who run hot or love snoozing outdoors will enjoy K&H’s Original Pet Cot, a Wirecutter pick since 2017. The mesh is breathable and supportive enough to ensure a comfortable resting spot.

It’s great for the outdoors and helps keep dogs cool. The K&H hammock offers a great balance of sturdiness and springiness. A water-resistant heavy-denier fabric makes up the outer edge, where the material connects to the frame, while the inner section is made of a flexible mesh. This material is designed to let air flow through from below, which can help keep your dog cool in hotter temperatures. Both fabrics held up well to our digging and chewing tests; the mesh occasionally got caught on the sharp, pointy edges of our meat shredders, but the material always bounced back and showed no visible damage.

The sturdy frame is light. The metal tubes of the frame and legs are held together by plastic corner connectors, so the cot is fairly easy to put together and take apart. The frame is strong enough to hold weights up to 200 pounds (or 300 pounds for the XL), yet it is light enough that most people can move the cot around with relative ease.

The company has a dog-friendly return policy. Elevated beds are not for every dog. Dave and Hunter both refused to get on it at first, since neither of them are allowed on “elevated” people furniture. If your dog rejects it—or, worse, figures out how to destroy it—K&H offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee for the first 60 days, if you bought the cot directly from the company’s website. If your dog chews through a plastic corner on day 61, or the fabric gets irredeemably filthy, K&H sells replacement parts and other accessories.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

The cot’s assembly process is more involved than that of a standard dog bed. The K&H cot arrives with two of the frame poles already inserted into the hammock piece, so you just have to insert the long ends and attach the corner connectors and legs. For the larger sizes (we tested a large), you then need to tighten the hook and loop flap on one end to pull the fabric taut. We found that this was the hardest part. And it took us a few tries, each resulting in a cockeyed frame, with one foot not touching the floor. K&H recommends placing something heavy on the cot to level it out—I reclined on it instead (it was comfy), and that did the trick.

Mud and fake vomit can get embedded in the mesh fabric. Using a toothbrush to spot-clean all of the filth was difficult. The gunk didn’t fully come out until we hosed down the cot outside. We let it sit in the sun after that, but it took several hours to dry. When all else fails, you can toss the cover into a washing machine, but don’t use a dryer.

Due to the bed’s height, getting on and off might be a big step for some dogs. Since the cot sits 7 to 9 inches off the ground (depending on the size you purchase), it isn’t well suited for dogs with arthritis or other mobility issues.

Sizes: four
Colors: eight

The Molly Mutt Bed isn’t actually a bed at all: It’s a customizable duvet cover and fitted mesh stuff sack that you can fill with soft things you already have lying around. The company does sell a complete bed with a wool-stuffed insert. But we think the duvet system is a better choice, since it helps reduce waste by allowing buyers to upcycle items that might otherwise end up in a landfill.

You can choose your own insert. You can stuff practically anything soft into the Molly Mutt cover: salvageable foam from a previous dog bed whose cover wore out, a pile of old clothes, or even a second-hand crib mattress. We took a few worn-out pillows, a comforter, and some clothing we’d been meaning to donate, and we shoved it all into the cover. In less than five minutes, we had a fully functional dog bed (and more room in our closet).

You can mend the cover yourself—or the company can do it for you. The 100% cotton canvas cover material handily withstood our clawing, scratching, and yanking. But, as with many things dogs regularly use, it won’t last forever. The Climate Neutral Certified company helps customers get the most mileage out of their covers through its in-house repair service (for a fee); it also sells fabric patches, so you can match the material and stitch up any rips yourself, if you prefer. The covers are Oeko-Tex–certified, which means they’ve been independently tested and found to be harmless to human health. The company says it plans to certify its covers with the Global Organic Textile Standard for cotton in the next year.

Molly Mutt offers great designs and useful accessories. The covers come in a variety of creative designs, and the result resembles a couch cushion. The Molly Mutt Bed package includes a cover and a stuff sack. But you can add a stuffable bolster attachment as well as an optional water-resistant liner (which we recommend if your dog is prone to leaking; note that it makes a crinkly noise when your dog moves around on it). You can also get the company’s wool mattress insert, if you don’t want to stuff the cover yourself. This was one of the coziest beds we tried, but it initially gives off a distinct farm-animal smell. The odor dissipates over time, so if you think the initial smell won’t bother you, the company’s Sheepy Wool-Filled Bed—which comes with both the cover and insert—is another great option.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

A bed filled with old clothes and blankets gets heavy. Once stuffed, The Molly Mutt Bed was harder to move around than similar-size beds filled with foam or polyfill. However, since this bed doesn’t have a nonslip base, the extra weight also stopped it from flying across the floor whenever Dave woke up with a sudden burst of energy.

Certain soaps can make some of the fabrics fade. The Molly Mutt duvet cover is strong and durable. But we saw a tiny bit of fading where we had used dish soap to spot-clean one of the organic cotton fabrics. Molly Mutt’s site has a list of detergent ingredients to avoid in order to prevent fading or discoloration, which is not something everyone pays attention to (including us). It didn’t fade in the spots where we used only water and elbow grease. The Molly Mutt Bed was also one of the models that took the longest to machine-dry.

Sizes: seven
Colors: 33

The FurHaven Trail Pup Packable Pet Pillow is a simple, portable dog bed that is great for picnics, camping, and backyard hangs. It resembles a single layer of a sleeping bag, and its slick outer shell makes spot-cleaning a breeze.

The slick fabric resists liquids and cleans up easily. Unlike on most of the other beds we tested, on the Trail Pup bed’s polyester outer layer, the fluid from our simulated puke and wet mud mostly pooled, so it was easy to dab up with paper towels and a sponge. The dried mud required a little extra oomph from a wet toothbrush, but after we put in a minute or two of scrubbing, no visible trace remained. The slick surface doesn’t trap fur, dirt, or grass, even after spending a few days outside. And since the bed has no insert to remove, you can just throw it in the washer and dryer if it gets really mucked up.

You can take it almost anywhere. This bed’s simplicity makes it versatile. It comes with its own stuff sack, so you can pack it into a backpack or throw it in the car. The bed provides a great temperature barrier between your dog’s body and the ground, but it can also serve as a crate mat or a blanket when the weather starts to get chilly.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

It doesn’t provide support. The Trail Pup bed is filled with polyester batting, which provides a touch of cushioning but isn’t supportive at all, so we don’t recommend this model as your dog’s main bed. It’s also thinner than a similar travel bed we tested. And its slick surface, while easy to clean, isn’t especially cozy. So if your dog prefers soft fabrics or has thin fur, this model might not be the best choice.

It’s not puppy-proof. The Trail Pup bed suffered some punctures from our meat shredders, so it probably won’t hold up to the teeth of a puppy or any dog who likes to chew. The bed also has a little nylon hanging loop and a few paper care tags hanging off the edge, and we caught Dave lightly mouthing these (even though he’s usually a very good boy). These flappy things may be attractive to your dog, too, so you might be inclined to cut them off.

Sizes: two
Colors: three

If you want a striking, durable dog bed that you never have to machine-wash: Le Dog’s Le Bed has a full-grain, slightly textured leather cover that will last longer than most fabrics; this may make it worth the steep price tag over time (the smallest size currently costs around $270). The cover doesn’t need to be machine-washed; in our tests, both mud and “vomit” came right off with a paper towel and a wet sponge. Nature’s Miracle neutralized a faint odor that lingered in the seams.

The zipper performed well, but its two pulls are dangly and exposed, which may be irresistible to dogs who like to mouth on things. The bed also lacks handles, so it’s annoying to move around the house. The leather is soft and supple, yet it stood up to our clawing and shredding tests, exhibiting only the faintest of marks. But because the material is slippery, it might slide around bare floors if a dog jumps on or off of it.

The interior has two layers of foam, consisting of roughly 3.5 inches of support layer topped by about 2 inches of cooling gel memory foam. In our tests, the foam had a slow springiness, which helped make this bed one of the most comfortable we tried, on a par with only the Orvis beds. If your dog prefers plush or furry fabrics that keep them warm at night, this bed isn’t a good fit. Otherwise, it’s an excellent option, as long as you aren’t bothered by the high price or the use of animal products.

If you want a bed made specifically for large dogs: Made in the USA, the Big Barker Orthopedic Dog Bed is a thick, multilayered bed that’s designed for large and giant-breed dogs. We’re usually skeptical of dog beds touted as orthopedic. But this one offers plenty of support, with three layers of foam, totaling 7 inches overall—more than in any other bed we tested. The foam is light, but it’s dense and durable. This model is noticeably firmer than the other beds we tried, so it might be too stiff for lighter dogs.

The bed is made from CertiPUR-US–certified open-cell foam, which is supposed to allow air to move through it to help with temperature regulation. The cover, which is made of upholstery similar to microsuede, initially showed distinct lines where we dragged our claw and meat shredders over it, but those marks vanished when we rubbed a hand over the surface. The fabric was easy to spot-clean. We could initially make out a darker shade where we had saturated it with Nature’s Miracle, but that disappeared after the first wash.

The optional waterproof liner was a pain to put on because it wasn’t entirely clear to us which side was up (we’re still not sure). But it prevented liquids from penetrating to the foam layer, so we recommend springing for it.

The Big Barker bed is expensive, currently around $240 for the smallest size (which is still large enough for a golden retriever), but the company offers a 10-year warranty against the foam flattening. Damage to the fabric is not covered. If your dog doesn’t like the Big Barker bed for any reason, you can return it during the first year for a full refund.

If you want a versatile, portable dog bed with lots of extras for traveling or camping: The Timberdog RuffRest is like the Transformer of dog beds. Currently costing $260 for a size small, it’s not cheap, but it has several features that make it a great option for anyone who travels a lot with their dog. It’s made of a 900D nylon shell and a sherpa-fleece bed surface. The medium and large sizes pack up into a tight, portable roll that you can carry with a grab handle or shoulder strap, but the small size is too little to fold up.

When this model is in bed mode, a zipper around three sides lets you open it like a book, to reach a hangable insert with several zippered pouches—for organizing things that your dog may need on your trip. Picture the dog version of a rollable garment bag, except instead of putting in a suit, you can fill it with kibble and toys.

The pillow area hides a mini blanket, which you can zip over your dog if they get chilly. And a clip-on shoulder strap, hidden in a pocket, can do double duty as a leash in a pinch.

The foam isn’t thick, but in our tests it still felt dense and cushy under the sherpa fleece top layer. While the sherpa fleece withstood most of our violent attacks, our sharp meat shredders carved up some of the soft material, leaving a slight dip in the surface. We also saw some discoloration from the mud and “vomit” left over on the white sherpa fleece after our spot-cleaning, but that came out after the bed went one round in a washing machine. The outer nylon shell is durable, but it makes a plasticky crumpling sound whenever a dog moves around on the bed. So if you need absolute silence at night, this bed might not work for you.

If you want a rugged, elevated cot that can stand up to most destructive dogs: The Kuranda Silver Aluminum Dog Bed is a durable indoor/outdoor cot. It has tough fabrics and a thick aluminum frame—intended to stymie even the most determined chewers. Made in the USA, this cot is heavier than the K&H cot and costs three times as much. But it might be worth the investment to avoid continually sending damaged beds to the landfill.

The frame and three of Kuranda’s four available fabric types are guaranteed to resist damage for up to a year after purchase, or the company will replace it. The only fabric not covered is the Outdoor Mesh, which we tested along with the Heavy Duty Vinyl version, the company’s best seller.

The Outdoor Mesh version’s open weave allows air to pass through, as on the K&H cot, so it is a great option for dogs who run hot. Some mud and fake puke got stuck in the fabric, but most of the mess came out with a toothbrush and a strong jet of water from a hose. This model dried in 30 minutes under the sun, while the K&H cot took more than two hours to dry. The Heavy Duty Vinyl version was easier to clean than the Outdoor Mesh cot—everything wiped right off its nonporous surface. But it was also stiffer and less comfortable than the Outdoor Mesh model.

This Kuranda cot is the only dog bed we tested that requires tools (a wrench and a screwdriver) to put together. So if you’re handy and want a cot that can resist harsh treatment from dogs and weather, it’s a great choice.

The Casper Dog Bed used to be a pick in this guide. But the quality has been inconsistent, so the price is no longer justified. The two sample beds we tested each had a foam bolster that never fully expanded. Some owners have noted similar issues. Overall, the bed felt comfortable, and the main foam insert was soft and supportive. The soft, suede-like cover did well in our torture tests, but it trapped fur and looked dirty after only a few days. And where we’d soaked it with Nature’s Miracle, it retained a faint water stain, even after we machine-washed it three times. Still, if the Casper bed’s style appeals to you, and you think your dog will like it, the company offers a generous 30-night trial, so you can try it risk-free.

The FurHaven Ultra Plush Luxe Lounger Pet Bed, another former pick, has a soft cover and a supportive slab of foam inside, but in our durability and wash tests, it didn’t hold up as well as our newer picks. Using the meat shredders, we were able to claw some of the fake fur loose. And getting the mud out was more difficult than with most of the other beds we tested. Liquid and water passed easily through the cover, staining the foam underneath, and the cover shrank a little in the washing machine, so the bed was hard to reassemble. The fake fur felt weirdly crunchy in the areas where we had spot-cleaned it, even after three rounds at the laundromat.

The PetFusion Ultimate Dog Bed, another former pick, is still a decent bed, but in our testing, its poly-cotton twill cover held on to stains, even after we washed it three times. (The bed does come with a waterproof liner to protect the foam, however.) The foam mattress felt great at first, but it fully compressed under our weight after just a few minutes. That squishiness and lack of support may make it hard for a dog with mobility issues to get in and out of this bed. And this bed is heavier than most of the other models we tested.

The insert on Approved by Fritz’s The Fritz Bed felt cheap, like an oversize airplane pillow. The fill never quite settled or spread out evenly. And the bed is available in only one size. The cover, however, is durable, cleans up easily, and comes in three stylish designs. So if you don’t mind this one’s price, you can buy the cover separately and fill it with your own stuffing.

The Chuckit Travel Pillow Dog Bed is softer and thicker than the FurHaven Trail Pup bed, but it won’t do so well if your dog has an accident on the go. Though the material on top is cozier, it didn’t clean up as well as that of the FurHaven Trail Pup in our spill tests, and it came out of the washing machine with a small stain.

Best Friends by Sheri’s The Original Calming Donut Dog Bed in Shag Fur had thinner, flimsier inserts than the Majestic bagel-style bed, and the fill moved around so much that it left empty spots where we could feel the floor beneath. The zipper arrangement is more convenient than on the Majestic bed, but the cover also got gross quickly, and it was a pain to clean up in our spot testing. It didn’t fare any better in the washing machine, where the shag material got matted and stuck together.

The Pendleton National Park Pillow Dog Bed often pops up in gift guides and magazines, and while this bed is attractive and cozy-looking, it’s not as durable or supportive as our picks.

In our 2022 round of testing, panelists said that the FurHaven Orthopedic L Chaise Dog Bed with cooling gel foam had an abrasive polyester that their dogs wouldn’t get near. And the bed sizes were too small for their long-legged pups to enjoy.

The Orvis ComfortFill-Eco Couch Dog Bed is a well-made, plush option that retains its shape nicely and is easy to wash. For the price, however, Orvis’s foam-based RecoveryZone beds would offer more support and be better options.

The canvas fabric on the Tuft & Needle Dog Bed helps with durability. In the process, however, it sacrifices comfort, making this one of the “rougher” beds that our 2022 panelists and their dogs tested.

We liked the way the BarksBar Orthopedic Dog Bed looked, as well as the rubber dots for grip on its underside. But we encountered problems after washing and drying this bed, as dozens of those little dots fell off in the dryer—on the delicate cycle. And it was difficult to re-stuff the bolsters and get the bed back to its original shape.

In our 2017 testing, L.L.Bean’s Premium Dog Couch was the most difficult bed to reassemble, with interior zippers and notches in the bolster that had to be put in place just so. For a bed at this price, we had expected nice materials, and though the denim exterior fit the bill, the stuffing was just polyester fill, rather than memory foam (or a comparable premium material found in similarly priced competitors). L.L.Bean used to have a lifetime satisfaction guarantee, but it now offers a one-year warranty, so if you do have issues with this bed, keep that in mind.

We’ll be testing a few options from Costco in the future, namely the Kirkland Signature 40″ Round Nest Pet Bed and the Brentwood Originals Waterproof Memory Foam Faux Fur Pet Mat.

We also plan to do a deeper dive into crate mats, a specific type of dog bed that’s thinner and intended to fit inside a crate, for a bit of comfort. Since such mats are portable and easy to throw in the wash, they’re great for travel, even if you’re not taking a crate. The MidWest QuietTime Deluxe Ombré Swirl Bed used to be one of our dog-bed picks, but technically it’s a crate mat, and we still stand by it in that category. And even though we dismissed the Pendleton National Park Pillow Dog Bed, we plan on testing the company’s crate-mat option, the Pendleton Dog Comfort Cushion, which features the same popular national park designs.

This article was edited by Joshua Lyon and Harry Sawyers.