Need an extra bed set up in minutes? A rollaway bed is your saver for overnight guests!
Not everybody has a separate guest room or an extra sleeping couch. So, how do people with compact living spaces entertain overnight guests? Well, a rollaway (or folding) bed is super handy in such situations! Just roll it out, set it up, and you are good to go. Yes, just like that!
But what exactly is this magical thing?
Rollaway beds feature foam or innerspring mattresses resting on a folding metal frame with caster wheels. Their foldable design makes them easier to store, and the wheels help move them around conveniently.
They are not well-known for comfort but still provide guests with a decent place to sleep on. Due to their mobility and space optimization, they are often used in guest rooms, guest houses and hotels, and other rental properties.
If you are looking to buy a reasonable rollaway bed, we are sharing our top picks from the most popular brands out there. You’ll also find tips to help you make the right choice in this review.
Our Top 5 Rollaway Beds
- LUCID Rollaway Folding Guest Bed with Memory Foam Mattress – Top Choice
The lucid rollaway guest bed is one of the best available products in this category on Amazon. Its Twin or Single size can be bought for under $300, which makes it incredibly affordable.
The bed comes with a 4-inch CertiPUR-US certified memory foam mattress that combines a 3-inch high-density foam support with a 1-inch top comfort layer. It has a medium-firm feel and provides excellent support.
The mattress rests on a spring-supported desk, which absorbs body impact effectively and can carry up to 350 pounds.
Moreover, the bed has a durable frame of tubular steel that stands 12-inches tall when unfolded and 44 inches in the folded position. Plus, its wheels have a dual-locking system that provides safety through the night.
In terms of durability, its frame has a 10-year warranty, which is pretty long.
Why should you buy it?
The LUCID bed has everything you expect from a quality rollaway bed. It is strong, mobile, comfortable, and can carry a significant amount of weight. Luckily, you might be eligible for free shipping and returns if you are an Amazon Prime member.
- Linon Home Decor Luxor Folding Bed – Value for Money!
The Linon Folding Bed is a cot rollaway bed ideal for small users like children and petite adults. So if you are hunting for a bed that can suffice your child or a smaller adult, this bed is perfect.
The bed is topped with a 4-inch memory foam mattress that provides adequate comfort and support. The mattress comes in a Beige Damask fabric cover, which looks elegant.
Further, its frame is a complete tubular metal structure but the mattress rests on wooden slat supports, which are firmly attached and can carry up to 275 pounds of weight.
When unfolded, the bed stands 15.75 inches tall and measures 79 inches by 31.5 inches horizontally. These dimensions offer plenty of space for most sleepers and pack up nicely when folded to be stored away.
Why should you buy it?
It’s a reasonably strong budget bed that can carry enough weight and easily fits in storage spaces.
*The only downside is its limited warranty of six months.
- Zinus Weekender Elite Folding Guest Bed (with Storage Bag) – Luxury Feel
Zinus is well-known for its high-quality bedding products and offers relatively more plush and luxurious beds in the rollaway bed’s category.
The bed includes a 4-inch CertiPUR-US certified mattress with a premium cover. It has a top 1-inch layer of fiber padding and a lower 3-inch pressure-relieving comfort foam support layer. This combination provides a super comfy sleeping surface, unmatched by most rollaway beds in this price range.
The mattress is supported by a deluxe steel frame that features cleverly placed caster wheels, which do not cause any trouble even in the unfolded position.
Finally, the bed comes with a 1-year warranty and a complimentary storage bag.
Why should you buy it?
The Zinus Weekender Elite bed does an excellent job of combining comfort with convenience and ensuring that your guests sleep peacefully.
- Zinus Resort Folding Guest Bed – Ultra Comfort Memory Foam
As with all its beds, Zinus has done an excellent job of providing a luxurious and plush rollaway bed with this model.
Its body looks like a box spring bed with a matching fabric cover on both the frame and the mattress. The bed is topped with a 5-inch mattress with a 1-inch CertiPUR-US certified memory foam layer on top of a 4-inch high-density polyfoam support, which acts as the base.
Along with maximum comfort, this structure provides fantastic body-contouring, which most rollaway beds don’t. Moreover, the Zinus Resort Folding Guest bed is exceptionally sturdy and can hold up to 250 pounds of body weight.
The mattress will impress those who love eco-friendly products as the memory foam is made from natural coconut oil infused with green tea extract. This combination keeps foul odors in check and lets the user sleep comfortably.
In terms of dimensions, the mattress is 75-inches long, 38-inches wide, and stands 19-inches tall, meaning its larger than other rollaway beds. The height gives the feeling of traditional beds and offers extra storage space underneath.
Considering its heavy construction, Zinus has intelligently added a strap and hook to secure the bed in the folded position.
Why should you buy it?
This Zinus bed is an ideal choice for sleepers who don’t want to compromise their comfort at all. Its organically constructed mattress provides excellent support and a body-conforming feel.
Plus, Zinus provides a 1-year warranty for its Resort Folding Guest Bed.
- SpaceMaster iBED Rollaway Folding Bed – Ultra Space Saver
The SpaceMaster iBED is the ultimate space-saving rollaway bed.
Its small size helps store it in extra compact spaces. And even though its small, it can carry up to 350 pounds with its quality construction and sturdy tubular steel frame. It also features caster wheels for mobility and non-skid feet for safety.
The bed features a memory foam mattress that is 3 inches thick and totals a 17-inch height from the ground. However, instead of the usual wooden slats or spring-supported deck, the bed features a flexible mesh that supports the mattress. This flexible mesh adds to the mattress’s body-conforming properties without causing any discomfort.
The bed’s most hot-selling point is its compact size, which measures 32″ x 36″ x 4.5″ in the folded setting. These dimensions make it easier to slide the bed under closets or even other traditional beds.
Why should you buy it?
Limited space is the prime reason people opt for rollaway beds and the SpaceMaster iBED takes it one step further in space optimization. Also, the bed doesn’t compromise on comfort, support, and durability.
Rollaway Bed Buying Guide
Now that you know what The Mattress Nerd recommends, let’s discuss different rollaway beds and factors you should consider before buying one.
Types of Rollaway Beds
Though all rollaway beds have similar designs and structures, there is a slight difference to be known – they either come with caster wheels or without wheels.
The beds with caster wheels are known as “Rollaway beds,” and those without wheels are known as “Foldable beds“. Although everyone (including us) uses these terms interchangeably, one should be aware of this difference.
And due to the absence of wheels, foldable beds are relatively cheaper than rollaway beds.
Things To Consider
Now that you know the two types of rollaway beds, let’s look at the things you should consider before buying one.
- Price – You can get a decent-to-premium rollaway bed between $150 to $400. The higher the price, the better the comfort and lifespan. A rollaway bed with a comfortable mattress and a long-lasting frame can be bought for $250 to $300.
- Mattress — Rollaway beds come with different types of mattresses such as innerspring, memory foam, or air mattress. If comfort is your priority, a memory foam or innerspring mattress will suit you better while an air mattress would be convenient for storage.
While innerspring mattresses do sleep cool, they are a little noisy and less comfortable than memory foam alternatives. So, make sure you choose the mattress type carefully.
The thickness of a rollaway bed mattress ranges from 3 to 5 inches.
- Frame — Rollaway beds are available with metal or wooden frames and metal frames last longer than wooden ones.
- Deck or Support Base — The support base of the frame holds the mattress and could be made out of wooden slats, mesh-fabric, or a spring supported system. Out of all three, mesh fabric is the most reliable in terms of comfort and durability followed by wooden slats.
- Weight Capacity —A rollaway bed can typically carry a weight of 200 to 400 pounds. So before you buy one, make sure it can carry your friends and family members.
- Durability (Lifespan) — In case you won’t need to use your bed more than a few times a year, a cheaper model with less comfort might be suitable for you. But if you have guests coming for a sleepover every once in a while, it’s better to invest in a high-quality, more comfortable, and long-lasting bed.
Once you have decided that you need a rollaway bed, do not forget to check all of these factors before heading to the market. Pay special consideration to your frequency of use because it will help you decide the comfort, frame strength, and overall durability of the bed you choose.
In addition to the above-mentioned factors, we also recommend checking for a product’s warranty, trial period, and return policy.
If you feel overwhelmed by the number of options available in the market, our above-listed picks of the best rollaway beds can help you narrow down the choices and make a better decision.
Rollaway and Folding Bed Alternatives
If a rollaway bed doesn’t meet your requirements or you have other limitations, there are some alternative products to consider.
Let’s look at a few of them.
Air Mattress: An air mattress is an excellent alternative for rollaway beds. Its useful for camping and weekend sleepovers. These mattresses offer decent comfort and are very easy to store; simply deflate the mattress, fold it, and store it away.
However, ensure that the product comes with a portable air pump. If there such a deal is not available, buy one separately.
Floor Mattress: Most floor mattresses are foam mattresses that can be rolled up or folded for convenient storage. They are an excellent option for overnight guests and can also be used as play mats for children.
One primary concern, however, is the size of the mattress as the majority of floor mattresses only come in twin-size or smaller.
Sleeping Bag: Though sleeping bags are best suited for camping trips, they can also be used to accommodate a guest for a short duration. They are affordable and offer great space optimization.
The only downside is the low level of comfort.
Sofa Bed: Also known as sleeper sofas, sofa beds are a useful and multifunctional alternative to rollaway beds. They can be used as a couch for entertaining guests and then folded for sleeping near bedtime.
They do take up much more space than other bed types and are expensive, but they offer great functionality and justify the price tag.