1. Best overall
2. Best storage divan
3. Best cheap platform
4. Best adjustable
5. Best stackable
6. How we test
7. Buying advice
The right bed frame can transform your mattress, and your bedroom. And, while the majority of this year’s best mattresses will suit almost any bed frame or base, choosing the best bed frame will increase your chances of getting the best quality rest and ensure there’s enough airflow through your mattress.
When buying a new bed base or frame, you’ll need to consider a few main things. This includes what height you’d like your bed for ease in the mornings and evenings, size, whether you want under bed storage, and the type of mattress you have. For example, memory foam mattresses can be used on slatted bed frames, but the slats will need to be close together so the foam doesn’t mould to the gaps between them.
Our team of bed experts have spent time testing and reviewing bed frames and bases to analyse their performance based on design, set up, price, build quality, and comfort and support. After this review process, the Simba Sirius Bed Base comes out on top, thanks to its premium finish and responsive support. But, with the Black Friday mattress deals coming soon, it’s a great time to invest in your next bed so we’ve made sure there’s a pick that suits everybody, including those who want adjustable frames, cheap bed bases, or even stackable beds.
The best bed frames and bases – rated by experts
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The best bed frame overall
From one of the UK’s top hybrid mattress brands, the Simba Sirius Bed Frame is a fabric-covered base made with 100% recycled materials, including sustainably produced birch. The premium finish features a stain-resistant fabric headboard, but it's underneath the material where the real magic happens.
We never thought we’d get excited about bed frame slats, but the Simba Flex technology used here is impressive. It utilises responsive suspension to support your lower back and shoulders, while a mixture of hyper-reactive narrower and wider slats are designed to relieve pressure while boosting support.
If you own a Simba Hybrid mattress or similar, this bed frame can take your sleep comfort to the next level. It's heavy, so expect to need some help putting it together (although this isn't unusual for a bed frame). The lack of under bed storage space might also be an issue, especially if you have limited room. But overall, the handmade Sirius bed frame is impeccably finished and a sure-fire way to enjoy better, comfier sleep.
Currently, only refurbished models of the Sirius Bed Frame are available. A refurbished bed frame is one that has been used prior, but has been checked and sanitised to meet the exacting Simba standards (and you still get a 30-day trial and a 1-year guarantee). We will be reviewing another Simba bed frame soon to see if it stand up to the high benchmark of the Sirius, but until then, we still recommend the this bed frame.
- Read more: Simba Sirius Bed Base review
The best divan bed for storage
Created by Emma Sleep, the brand behind one of the best memory foam mattresses, the Emma Divan Bed is a handmade bed base that can provide ample bedroom storage. Available with either two or four drawers (or zero), this is a reliable bed base that will suit anyone who is tired of tripping over mess anytime they pop to the bathroom in the night.
These drawers are the major selling point of the Emma Divan Bed. There's one on either side of the bed that you can position at the top or bottom of the divan to best suit your bedroom layout. These drawers have ample storage room for linens, spare pillows and other bedroom necessities, and are smooth and quiet during opening and closing.
The overall build quality and look are impressive, giving a premium feel to the Emma Divan Bed. Our review team did, however, notice a few issues. The (optional) headboard looks plush, but we found our tester model was unsteady, and wobbled every time our lead reviewer got in or out of the bed. The temperature regulation could also be improved. Without slats for enhanced airflow, divan bed frames can sleep a little hot.
Still, if you have no issues with temperature regulation during sleep and you want a good-looking base with built-in storage, the Emma Divan Bed is definitely worth testing - you’ll have 200 nights to trial it at home, plus free shipping.
- Read more: Emma Divan Bed review
The best cheap platform bed
If you’re looking for a no-frills platform bed to support your memory foam or hybrid mattress, then Nectar Sleep has what you need. The Nectar Platform Bed Frame is nothing particularly exciting to look at – it’s a basic grey square with slats and rubberwood legs. That’s it. But if you like a minimalist aesthetic, this will appeal, and the finish is excellent.
The Nectar Platform is designed with a simple clip and lock frame, making it one of the fastest bed frames in this guide to fix together – our tester was especially impressed with the speedy build. The use of slats in the base encourages decent airflow, which is essential if you have a dense memory foam mattress prone to overheating. (Check out our Nectar Mattress review for a good temperature-regulating foam bed).
Don’t expect much else from the Nectar Platform Bed Frame though. You won’t get integrated storage or a luxury hotel-style headboard as you will with the Emma, nor the back support and pressure relief magic of the Simba. What you will get is a stripped back yet perfectly adequate base upon which to sit your mattress and pillows.
The Nectar is available in a single, double, king, and super king size, and it comes with a two year guarantee — but no trial period, unfortunately. You’ll get free shipping, though. Nectar is one of the world’s best mattress in a box brands, so you’re in good hands here.
- Read more: Nectar Platform bed base review
The best adjustable bed
While most bed frames keep you lying flat, the Sleepmotion 400i Adjustable Platform Bed Frame allows you to change the angle of your bed with just the press of a button — and the remote's included. The Sleepmotion 400i features head and feet elevation to help relieve pressure at aching joints, and although it doesn’t offer as many features as the premium 800i version, you still get plenty of adjustability for your money.
That includes an integrated massage function to help you physically relax when resting in bed, or to use as part of your calming bedtime routine. There’s also lumbar support, to ensure your spine is aligned when you sleep. But our favourite feature is the zero gravity preset — this creates a weightless feel to quickly soothe pain while reducing pressure on the spine.
If you’re congested, dealing with heartburn, or struggle with acid reflux, raising the head can ease symptoms and help you drift off easier. It's also a good way to quiet snoring, as elevating the head opens up the airways. The foot of the bed can also be raised to help reduce swelling in the ankles and legs.
All that adjustability does come at a price though, and the Sleepmotion 400i is a premium base. Plus, it lacks the finish of other bases in this guide (although you can add a headboard for an extra cost). However, the Sleepmotion 400i Adjustable Platform Bed Frame is an excellent choice if you need multiple resting and sleep positions, plus massage at your disposal at night.
The best stackable bed
If you want a space-saving solution for your kids, teenagers or guest bedroom, then IKEA’s stackable bed system could be the answer. Another basic design like the Nectar Platform Bed Frame (see No 3), the IKEA UTÅKER Stackable Bed is two single bed frames designed to sit one on top of the other when the second bed is not in use.
The bed that sits at the bottom of the stack has purpose-drilled holes, into which the small plastic feet of the top bed fit. Double straps with press studs keep the beds in place when they’re stacked, so they shouldn’t slide around. This is an innovative solution to any room in your home where you’d like to offer guests a place to sleep, yet you don’t have the space or desire to set up a bed full time.
The IKEA UTÅKER Stackable Bed system is also perfect for kids and teens rooms, as it gives them the option of having a proper bed for friends to sleep in, yet they gain floor space back when the sleepover has ended. The downsides are that you’ll need to buy two mattresses to use with the UTÅKER, but IKEA sells plenty of good quality cheap mattresses to keep the cost down.
The guarantee is also confusing, as IKEA offers 10 years on some bedroom products but doesn’t disclose the warranty on the UTÅKER. You will get a 90-day trial period though.
How we test bed frames
The Tom’s Guide mattress review process is editorially independent and not influenced by any third parties. Our expert sleep reviewers test bed frames, bases and divans for ease of setup, comfort, support and quality of build.
Similar to how we test mattresses, our lead reviewer assembles a testing panel made up of people with different sleep needs and body types, who rate bed frames using a specific set of performance criteria.
In addition to data extracted from our own experiences, we also analyze user reviews from verified buyers to help us paint a complete picture of how well a bed frame will perform.
Best bed frames and bases: Expert buying advice
What type of bed frames are the best?
The best bed frame for you depends on the mattress you either own or are planning on buying. It's also important to consider how many of you are sharing the bed, and whether you have any sleep challenges, such as overheating, that might affect your choice. With these factors in mind, you can find the perfect base to go under your mattress.
Here’s a handy guide to the best bed frames and bases for different sleepers:
Slatted bed bases
This type of bed frame is excellent for hot sleepers as it promotes better air circulation from the base upwards. Slatted bed bases work with a range of different mattress types, but be careful with memory foam - you don’t want to place an all-foam bed on widely spaced slats, otherwise the foam could spill through over time and cause premature sagging.
Best choice for: hot sleepers; hybrid mattress owners
Divan beds
Divans can really increase the height of your bed, especially when compared with a taller than average mattress. Divan beds are popular among tall people who want the extra leg space when getting in and out of bed, but in truth they suit a wide range of sleepers. They do sleep warmer than slatted bases though as air doesn’t circulate as well. The big bonus with divans is that many come with integrated storage.
Divans also make it hard for bed bugs to hide as there aren't as many nooks and crannies compared to other beds - our feature on how to prevent bed bugs getting into your mattress explains this more.
Best choice for: adding height; integrated storage
Platform beds
This is one of the most basic types of bed frame you’ll come across, yet such a simple solution shouldn’t be disregarded as being too basic to be comfortable. A good platform bed will support your mattress, ensure good airflow and enable you to either ditch the headboard for a minimalist look, or pair it with a custom option unique to your bedroom. Read more in our article: What is a platform bed and do I need one?
Best choice for: minimalist bedrooms; small budgets
Adjustable beds
Trying to sleep when you’re in pain or experiencing physical discomfort is really hard, but an adjustable bed can make it easier by relieving a lot of pressure on your body. Adjustable beds and bases can usually be elevated at the head and foot, as well as be set into a zero gravity position to create an almost weightless sensation when you’re lying down. Most are controlled with a wireless remote, but we’re seeing more of these smart mattresses and smart beds controlled via app for sheer ease of use.
Best choice for: people who snore or experience physical discomfort
How much is a good quality bed frame?
Just like when you’re shopping for the best mattress for side sleepers, a cooling mattress or even some decent pillows, a good quality bed frame will require a decent investment if you want something that lasts. However, from our testing experience we don’t believe you need to spend a lot to get a decent bed frame.
Adjustable beds are the exception, as due to the very nature of how much sleep tech they’re packing, they normally cost £800 or more for a good quality one.
Our top-rated bed frame is the Simba Sleep Sirius and that costs from £737 at Simba Sleep. That’s on the premium side of bed frame prices, while The Nectar Sleep Platform Bed is more reasonably priced from £150 at Nectar. There’s a big difference between those types of beds though, with the Simba offering a groundbreaking slat system that supports your back and also relieves pressure when you sleep.
