Expert Reviews Of The Best Platform Bed And Mattress Foundations
We’re trusted with mattress reviews, but a lot of customers also want to know where they can find reviews of the best platform beds and mattress foundations to go along with their mattress. I spent 25 years designing and manufacturing my own line of mattresses and foundations, so I understand how to engineer them for durability.
It’s important to buy a foundation, whether it is a simple metal frame, an upholstered wooden foundation, or a foundation with storage built in, that provides sturdy support. Understanding what the differences are between various types of foundations will make it easier for you to buy a unit that will last as long, or longer, than any mattress.
Box Spring Vs. Foundation-What’s The Difference?
One of the most confusing things about buying a mattress is understanding the industry jargon. Very simply, “box spring” is an old fashioned term describing a separate piece that you placed under your mattress that also had springs or coils built in.
Mattress stores would traditionally sell you a “set” which included both the mattress and a coordinating box spring. Gradually, box springs have faded away except when purchased with traditional innerspring mattresses.
Today, the term “foundation” describes any firm, supportive surface, made with steel or wood typically, that provides a continuously smooth base on which to place your mattress.
Unless you and your partner weigh more than 500 lbs. in combined weight, almost all wooden slat or metal slat foundations will work. Also, most foundations sold online are backed up with pretty reliable warranties.
Also, choosing a slatted or rigid platform as a foundation further enhances spine alignment and proper back support, as described in this National Institute Of Health’s article taken from Bio-Medical Engineering Online.
A typical foundation for an all foam, hybrid, latex, or coil mattress. This option is made by Silk & Snow, and happens to include an upholstered head board.
Many of the foundations we review below don’t have a head piece, or are crafted from wood or metal, without upholstery.
Bought A Mattress And Need A New Platform, Bed Base, Or Foundation Piece?
If you’ve already purchased a new mattress, or if you are trying to find a platform or base for an existing mattress you can jump below to check out the options I have reviewed and recommend. If you’d like to check out mattresses I’ve reviewed, click here to get to our mattress guide, by category, and we’ll help you narrow down your options.
Don’t Like Their Style? It’s Okay To Buy A Foundation Somewhere Else.
You’ll often be prompted to purchase a coordinating foundation with most online mattress companies, which is often a great idea, although you may not like the style of their foundation, and may want to find something else.
Almost always, it’s okay to buy a mattress from one company and your foundation from another. Companies that tell you that their foundation must be purchased to avoid “violating the warranty”, are scamming you, plain and simple.
Generally, the most popular, and reliable, mattress foundations are delivered in kit form and require some assembly. Most foundations are shipped this way to prevent damage, and to reduce the cost of shipping, which drastically lowers the price on your end, too.
There are many different options including steel foundations that can support up to 2,000 lbs., and wooden slat foundations (the most common) with upholstered sides that match your mattress.
If you need enhanced information about mattress sizes and understanding terms like “split king”, or want to learn more about hard to find sizes, check out our page that discusses mattress measurements. You can also visit our page on adjustable bases, as well. Adjustable bases can be used with many mattress options sold today.
The old school metal bed frame with casters has gradually become a thing of the past. We’ll offer a selection of foundations that include legs, which minimizes setup time, offers excellent support, and elevate your mattress to your desired height.
It’s also a good idea to buy a foundation along with a new mattress purchase if you do not have one, because the shipping will be reduced since you are already getting the mattress.
Many of our shoppers actually aren’t looking for a new mattress, but need a great foundation to support a mattress they already own.
Our reviews of the best platform beds and mattress foundations include a handful of options that I chose after reviewing dozens of mattress foundations sold online.
There are mattress foundations that provide storage underneath your bed, and most are equipped with legs, either metal or wood, that make the foundation a freestanding bed frame.
If they do not have legs, then you need to put the foundation on a metal bed frame first, then the mattress on top of that, so you will end up having three separate pieces if the foundation piece you purchased does not have built it legs.
A separate metal frame underneath a foundation with legs is not necessary.
Many foundations come with interchangeable legs of different heights to provide with your ideal height. Tip: the average sleep surface height for most people is The average bed height is around 26 inches.
This is ideal for most people because when you sit on the bed with your feet flat on the floor, your knees will be in line with your hips. This is a comfortable position and is easy to get in and out of bed.
Specs, Materials, And What You Should Look For When Shopping For A Foundation
I’ve engineered my own foundations for various web sites I’ve owned in the past, and I’ve always chosen solid wood, or wood with metal supports like brackets.
A wooden foundation, with a deck type slat surface is light weight, easy to manage and handle, and resists squeaking.
Some platform bed bases are made using solid planks fo wood, including The Amerisleep Platform Bed, but it does up the cost about $150 on average.
Personally, I’d opt for the plank panels if I lived in a cooler climate, and slats in warmer environments.
When I’m looking to do reviews of the best platform beds and mattress foundations I can find, I’m looking for birch, maple, acacia wood, poplar, and other densely grained hardwoods.
For connectors and mounting brackets, I like to see nylon, since it will not crack or squeak when rubbing together, and I want to see slats that can fix to the deck of the frame using velcro or wood screws.
This example of proper slat placement shows a 2″ slat with a 3″ gap between them.
This provides plenty of support and ventilation, and the centerline metal or wooden support beam is essential to prevent dipping and sinking in the middle of the foundation.
A Mattress Industry Insider Found The Best Mattress Foundations And Platform Beds On The Web
1. Silk & Snow Platform Bed
With upholstered side panels and a solid birchwood deck system, this ready to assemble foundation provides rigid support with a warm and finished look.
At just $350 in queen, it’s engineered with solid wood frame and reinforced metal beams, and I like the tighter spacing of the slats, at just 3″ apart.
The clearance underneath is 6″ industry standard and the finished height is 13″ tall. The maximum weight capacity is 1100 lbs, making it one of the beefiest and strongest platform bed options I recommend.
The Silk & Snow Platform Bed is shipped free in one box, has a 5 year warranty, and 30 night no questions asked trial period. Owners have consistently given it 4.8 out of 5 stars for overall satisfaction.
2. The Amerisleep Platform Bed
Designed to never develop soft spots, this solid surface plank style top foundation is reinforced to stand the test of time.
With two center line support rails, we assembled it in five minutes flat. It is 13″ tall, has a one year warranty, and sells for $499 in queen. According to a third party review site we trust, 96% of Amerisleep Platform Bed owners would refer friends and family to this brand.
I weighs a little bit more than other solid wood foundations, primarily because of the solid wood decking panels. Ideal for colder winters as drafts and cold air are a bit more restricted.
The Amerisleep Platform Bed is made entirely in the USA, and sets up a little faster than most bases do without a headboard.
3. Silk & Snow Wooden Bed
Looking for something a bit more upscale and sophisticated? I love this solid wood, all-natural, sustainable bed frame made of 100% Acacia wood.
It’s crafted using Japanese joinery with contemporary styling and has a refined but simplistic design.
Outfitted with a solid wood slat deck surface, I really liked the solid feel of this platform bed option. The headboard is nicely weighted and the finished look is more hand hewn than manufactured, which I like.
You can even purchase a matching nightstand as well, made from solid acacia wood. The wooden bed frame is $1200 with free shipping, and optional night stand is $350. Sustainably sourced from acacia trees on The Mekong Delta in Vietnam.
4. Hyphen Sleep Versatile Foundation
At just $225 in queen with free shipping, this is one of the most affordable metal and wood combination foundations I’ve seen that I like.
It ships with a set of legs that are removable, in the event that you already have a metal bed frame. Assembly takes 10-15 minutes, and the fabric exterior slips over the top of the unit like the lid on a gift box.
The Hyphen Versatile Foundation provides complete support for your mattress. The base is 8″ thick and includes removable 6″ legs for adjustable height.
I found the shipping box to be pretty lightweight and easy to handle. Ships in one box, has wooden slats that velcro in place and don’t slip. For the money, it’s one of the best basic foundations I’d recommend.
I’ve done plenty of reviews of the best platform beds and mattress foundations out there, and try not to leave out good deals, so long as they are made well and built to last.
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5. The Zoma Mattress Foundation
At $300 in queen size, this foundation option with removable legs is 14″ tall, and includes sturdy is made of spruce pine fir lumber slats.
On the support deck, each slat is spaced for the ideal combination of support and airflow, and is pre-assembled so that you simply roll it out once you assemble the frame itself.
No tools are required, and a proprietary assembly mechanism allows corners to snap together in minutes. Free shipping and one year warranty. Also, their Zoma Mattress is pretty cool, too.
Owners rave about this foundation with comments like “finally a foundation that isn’t made like a jigsaw puzzle”. It’s basic, simple in design, and priced right.
For quick assembly and ease of takedown, too, it’s a great options for temporary living situations, apartments, college living, and guest bedroom options.
6. The Silk & Snow Storage Bed
Priced at $650 in queen, this platform bed system with upholstered headboard and side panels includes a drawer built into the foot section of the bed.
Hardwood slats are spaced just 3″ apart and the frame features a metal center line support beam for added strength and resistance to dipping and compression.
What’s really cool about this system is that it’s available in three color options, pebble, oatmeal, and granite. You get free delivery, a 30 night no questions asked trial, and an uncomplicated five year warranty.
7. The Avocado City Bed
One of my favorites, made in Los Angeles from sustainably harvested timber grown in the USA, not imported.
Solid wood perimeter and deck slats, the craftsmanship of this bed foundation with wooden legs is available in either blonde or brown finishes.
That includes a patented interlocking corner design with finger and dovetail joints that provide exceptional quality, strength, and durability.
You can also opt to include a solid wood headboard and pay $1395 in queen, or if you need the foundation/platform just by itself, the price is $945, including free shipping, and a 10 year factory warranty.
No nasty, VOC-emitting glues or finishes. Note: the slats are wider on this platform/foundation than any other product I’ve reviewed.
8. The Avocado Mid-Century Bed
If you are willing to make an investment in a platform bed, this provocatively designed frame is a showstopper in my opinion.
You opt for either solid maple or solid walnut. The maple option is $1099 and the walnut is $1199. Both are made in Avocado Furnishings L.A. factory with responsibly harvested timber and hand hewn and assembled.
This platform bed is the beefiest, most rock solid unit I’ve reviewed closeup. Worth the money, and owners love it.
While it does increase increase the price by $1,000 if you opt to upgrade, a solid maple or walnut headboard is really a work of art.
Imparting a sleek mid-century vibe, you can build your bedroom around this investment grade option. Same 10 year warranty and free shipping, arriving by FedEx directly to your door.
Avocado’s signature dovetail joints and patented interlocking design in each corner deliver superior strength. The solid wooden slats spaced approximately five inches apart provide the strong support your mattress needs.
