TechGearLab

The Big Barker 7" Headrest Edition offers unparalleled comfort for large breeds with seven inches of support and three layers of different foam densities. We were skeptical about this bed's claim to be "as comfortable as a human bed," but our skepticism was unfounded &mdash; this bed will not flatten even under the paws of the largest pups. We employed help from a 70-year-old human and a Great Dane named Molly to take their naps on the Big Barker. Both man and dog alike experienced deep relaxation and plenty of support. The soft outer suede cover adds to this plush couch's softness, and zippers around three sides of the bottom make it uncomplicated to remove and throw in the washing machine. And though this giant bed only comes in three huge sizes, it's fetching enough to blend in with the rest of your furniture as your dog's personal sofa.
The Big Barker is potentially too big for small dogs unless you're looking to fit an entire pack, though a 4" Junior version is also available. Our main tester Ophelia, or Ophi, is an 80-pound Pyrenees-Heeler who loves to stretch, and even she looked tiny laying on the smallest size of the Big Barker. The suede cover zips around the edges on the bottom of the bed, offering up the potential for the zipper to scratch wood flooring. The suede cover also needs to be washed often if you have a dog that sheds or likes to lick their bed &mdash; Ophi does both! It can be challenging to replace the cover after washing, as the suede catches on the foam core. And for the price of this bed, we do wish the cover was waterproof. It resists soaking up liquids to a degree, but getting a fully waterproof cover will take another chunk of change out of your wallet. These things aside, the Big Barker is worth every penny if you have a large dog, especially a breed known for joint and mobility issues during old age. 

Best for Most

amazon.com

walmart

The Casper Dog Bed has something to offer just about any dog with its polished modern design. Inside this classy-looking bed is a memory foam core that provides excellent support for joints without being overly stiff. On the outside, a scratch-resistant suede lines the sleeping platform and bolsters. The suede is designed to replicate the feel of soft ground to satisfy the itch of dogs that like to perform a digging ritual before bedtime. The sidewalls have a thicker, woven canvas feel, and on-brand with the bed's sleek design, the zipper cover is hidden on the bottom. In general, the tight fit, quality materials, and discrete zipper make this bed harder for younger dogs to grab and chew. Also, unlike most bolsters, the low profile and firm support do not crowd the bed space; they are designed to rim the bed's edge without forcing your dog to use them. Finally, if your pup likes to stretch out, the bolsters are low enough that they can still hang a head or paw off the side.
If your dog is accident-prone, the Casper  might not be the best choice because the memory foam core will soak up liquids. It is disappointing that waterproof proficiency doesn't come standard with this higher-quality bed. However, if you're looking to invest in a supportive platform for an older dog with bladder issues or a young leaky pup, this bed could be protected with a crib-sized waterproof mattress protector. The Casper is available in only three sizes, making this mattress less accommodating for incredibly petite or extra-large dogs. But if you need a firmer mattress for your four-legged friend that will not take away from the interior aesthetic of your home, this is a great choice. 

Budget Pick

It can be challenging to find a dog bed that won't flatten under the weight of a larger dog, and often the beds that are supportive enough are stiff and uncomfortable. If this is a familiar issue for you, check out the Big Barker 7" Pillow Top Orthopedic. This enormous and comfortable bed offers a full seven inches of support, with three layers of different foam densities. We were skeptical about this bed's claims to be "as comfortable as a human bed," but are happy to discover that our skepticism was unfounded. The soft outer suede cover adds to this plush couch's softness, and zippers around three sides of the bottom make it uncomplicated to remove and throw in the washing machine. And though this giant bed only comes in three huge sizes, it's also fetching enough to blend in with the rest of your furniture as your dog's personal sofa.
This bed is far too massive for small dogs. Our main canine tester is an 80 lb greyhound lab mix who's lanky and loves to sprawl, and even she looked a bit small lounging on the smallest size of the Big Barker. But only big and heavy dogs need the kind of intensive support provided by this bed, so we don't hold the limited sizing against it. Something we should note is that the suede cover zips around the bed's bottom edges, offering the potential for the zipper to scratch a hardwood floor. It's also challenging to replace after washing, as the suede catches on the foam core. And for the price of this bed, we wish the cover was waterproof. It resists soaking up liquids a little bit, but getting a genuinely waterproof cover will take another hefty chunk of change out of your wallet. And we didn't fail to notice that it costs nearly as much as an inexpensive mattress for humans. However, we think the Big Barker is worth every penny if you have a large dog, especially a breed known for joint and mobility issues during old age. 
Available Sizes: Large, Extra Large, Giant &#40;Junior version is 4" thick and comes in sizes Small, Medium, and Large&#41;

The luxurious fluff of the Best Friends by Sheri Calming Donut is so warm and inviting that we wanted to bury our faces in it, but our cats always beat us to the punch. If your cat is one that likes to wriggle around and burrow into whatever surface they're relaxing on, we think they'll love this bed. Our cats consistently snuggled into this bed so hard that it was hard to tell where the bed ended and the cat began. The bed itself is completely machine washable, and the sheer fluff seemed to satisfy our cats' search for warmth despite the lack of an electric heating element. 
Though a trip through the washing machine can get this bed relatively clean, the fibers still hang onto hair. Additionally, those fibers can get matted if the bed isn't washed enough or dried adequately. We also have some slight concerns about this bed's longevity, as we did notice some minor signs of wear after a few washes. Still, our cats loved this bed so much that we were more than willing to overlook these few downsides. 

For older, accident-prone dogs who need extra support, the PetFusion Ultimate Dog Bed is a dream package. Its solid 4-inch memory foam base is supportive, and the 5-inch bolsters that go around the majority of the bed keep it cozy for curling up. The exterior fabric feels like canvas but does an impressive job repelling water and other liquids. The foam base is doubly protected by an additional waterproof liner to keep it from soaking up anything your dog may be unable to hold in. The cover is also very easy to remove, toss in the wash, and painlessly replace. This outer cover is also more durable against diggers and circlers' claws than most other beds we tested.
However, all this durability comes at a bit of a cost. The memory foam base is very supportive, but is also on the stiff side and may not be ideal for dogs who prefer soft, plush surfaces. Our bed included a recommendation to add an old blanket or pillow to make it more comfortable. This advice is practical, but disappointing when you've already paid so much for a bed. The few neutral colors offered are all solid, and their canvas-like texture makes them show hair and dirt &#40;and slobber&#41; much more easily than most other beds. While supportive, the bolsters also infringe upon the bed's size, making the inside smaller than expected. Our 80 lb lanky canine tester would have preferred the 44" XL over the 36" Large we tested. Aside from these relatively minor complaints, the PetFusion is a great choice when you need a bed with a little more liquid protection than average. 
Available Sizes: Small, Large, Extra Large, Jumbo

Wirecutter

Nice and cozy, easy to wash, and a snap to restuff, this cuddler-style bed cradles your dog no matter how weirdly they sleep.

This dog bed is nice and cozy, easy to wash, and a snap to restuff.

Nice and cozy, easy to wash, and a snap to restuff.

expert-review

Why We Love the Suede Bagel Dog Bed

The Milliard Premium Orthopedic Memory Foam bed combines two layers of foam to provide support on the bottom and cushion on the top. The outer cover is soft and fuzzy, and the lack of bolsters makes this an excellent choice for dogs who love to sprawl out. With zippers down two sides of the bed, it's easy to take off the cover and toss it in the washer for a quick cleaning, and it's a breeze to replace once clean. It's available in one color — tan — so it's great for lighter-colored dogs. Impressively, this is one of the very few beds that comes with a water-resistant cover. During testing, the cover did soak up liquids, but the foam base stayed dry. We're not sure this protection level will last forever, but we appreciate what you get for one relatively low price.
This 4-inch platform does a great job combining support and comfort, but the 2-inch thick memory foam section might not be enough for hefty dogs. Our 120 lb human tester could eventually feel the floor through this bed when sitting on it, though not while laying on it. Her 80 lb dog had no complaints, but it's possible that truly giant dogs may not get the support they need from the Milliard. It comes in just a single color but has a relatively wide range of sizes that can accommodate most small to large dogs. We found a lot to love about this comfortable, supportive bed &mdash; including its competitive price. 
Available Sizes: Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large

We recommend this bed for large cats, a pair of cats who love to cuddle, or senior cats who need extra support.

The Best Cat Beds (According to Our Cats)

The easiest bed to restuff. Its construction is excellent, too.

Our testers were intrigued upon receiving the sleek and well-designed Helinox Elevated Dog Cot. Our dogs approved of the purchase, as shown by sprawling out and lounging on this bed over the others. Our human testers appreciate that it checks the most important boxes—it's easy to assemble, lightweight and packable, durable, and it's not an eye-sore. Weighing under three pounds, this lightweight bed is as travel-ready as much as it is suitable for daily use. The bed is made with an incredibly breathable nylon mesh material wrapped around an aluminum frame. While the material is black, heat collection wasn't an issue during testing due to the thin and breathable nature of the material. This same thin material still held up to our durability testing, coming away with no noticeable marks or damage. The bed is relatively easy to set up with the help of instructions. No additional tools are necessary and while the top material does require some stretching to get across, Helinox utilizes a lever system to latch it into place, making it simple to assemble and disassemble as needed. This model is also a cinch to clean by simply spraying it down with a garden hose. 
We had no notable gripes when it comes to the function of this bed, but your wallet will feel the ding. It is expensive compared to other beds available, but it's also a better product with a higher level of design and nicer materials overall. We were also somewhat disappointed to see that it is only available in one colorway and two sizes &#40;Medium and Large&#41;. However, if you enjoy the sleek look of this bed and you're willing to shell out the cash, both you and your canine friend should be happy and cool with this elevated choice for use at home and on the go.

Our testers were intrigued upon receiving the sleek and well-designed Helinox Elevated Dog Cot. Our dogs approved of the purchase, choosing this bed above the others for sprawling out and lounging. Our human testers appreciate that it checks the most important boxes—it's easy to assemble, lightweight and packable, durable, and it's not an eye-sore. Weighing under three pounds, this lightweight bed is as travel-ready as much as it is suitable for daily use. The bed is made with an incredibly breathable nylon mesh material wrapped around an aluminum frame. While the material is black, heat collection wasn't an issue during testing due to the thin and breathable nature of the material. This same thin material still held up to our durability testing, coming away with no noticeable marks or damage. The bed is relatively easy to set up with the help of instructions. No additional tools are necessary and while the top material does require some stretching to get across, Helinox utilizes a lever system to latch it into place, making it simple to assemble and disassemble as needed. This model is also a cinch to clean by simply spraying it down with a garden hose. 
We had no notable gripes when it comes to the function of this bed, but your wallet will feel the ding. It is expensive compared to other beds available, but it's also a better product with a higher level of design and nicer materials overall. We were also somewhat disappointed to see that it is only available in one colorway and two sizes &#40;Medium and Large&#41;. However, if you enjoy the sleek look of this bed and you're willing to shell out the cash, both you and your canine friend should be happy and cool with this elevated choice for use at home and on the go.

Dog Bed Comparison