Even the most active dogs spend a large part of their day sleeping, so where they snooze matters. “Choosing the right dog bed is not just about comfort,” says Dr. Brian Hamm, a board-certified veterinary internal medicine specialist. “It’s a fundamental part of supporting a dog’s health and quality of life.” The best dog beds are well-made and specifically designed for the way dogs rest, so your pup will actually want to use it. That’s exactly what made the Casper Dog Bed a clear favorite in our testing. It’s structured enough to support larger breeds, comfy enough for everyday naps and sturdy enough to last for years, according to several of our editors whose dogs have used it at home.
But, of course, not every dog needs or likes the same thing. That’s why we also included a range of options with different types of pups in mind, like the Big Barker Orthopedic Dog Bed, designed especially for aging joints, and a low-profile BarkBox bed that fit snugly inside a crate. All of the beds in this guide were tested for months or, in some cases, years, by Forbes Vetted editors and their dogs. We looked for models that felt genuinely comfortable and supportive, held up to everyday wear and tear and were easy to keep clean in homes with drool, dirt and the occasional accident. Some picks proved especially useful for pups who spend a lot of time outdoors; others won us over because in addition to being a reliable option they were more affordable or looked surprisingly good in our living room. What they all have in common is that they’ve been lived in, slept on and loved by real dogs who also gave their approval.
We’ve tested a lot of the best dog beds, but this is the one our dogs keep coming back to. After more than a year of daily use in multiple Forbes Vetted editors’ homes, the Casper still holds its shape, looks good and gets snoozed on every day. It’s not the softest or fluffiest option, but the firmer feel gives dogs of all sizes a stable and supportive place to rest—which every vet we spoke to said is one of the most important things a dog bed can offer.
The two-layer foam base features a good mix of cushion and structure, especially for medium to large breeds who might need a little more support. Even after long-term regular use, the bed continues to maintain its shape and firmness; larger dogs stay elevated off the floor, and smaller ones don’t get swallowed up by too much loft. The large size easily fits a 60- or 70-pound dog, with enough room for them to stretch out or curl up. (Even the smaller sizes comfortably fit two small dogs at once.) And the bolstered edges are firm but comfortable, so they create just enough of a boundary for dogs who like to rest their heads without making the space feel confined.
The Casper Dog Bed is comfy enough for two Shi Tzus to cuddle up.
The Casper’s cover is soft to the touch and easy to remove for cleaning, though it doesn’t quite live up to its “stain-resistant” claims in our experience; fur, dirt and slobber tends to show more easily on the lighter colorways. That trade-off didn’t bother our human testers, who found the material washed nicely and still fit well after drying. The zippers are hidden in sewn-in pockets to prevent floor scratches and keep the bed looking clean and finished. Another interesting feature of this bed is that its cover isn’t entirely taut, but instead is designed with a little excess material to engage—and withstand—dogs’ natural instinct to dig before they find the perfect sleeping position. (Forbes Vetted managing editor Emmy Favilla often finds her dog taking advantage of this, happily digging away before snoozing.)
“The Casper dog bed has an understated high-quality look that can work well in any room,” says Bridget Chapman, Forbes Vetted’s senior mattress and sleep editor. “Its cover and foams are still just as durable as day one, and my dog loves cuddling up on it every night. It’s been a great bed that’s standing the test of time.”
I bought this bed four years ago, and my dog still uses the original every day. Since then, I’ve repurchased it three more times—not because I had to, but because it’s become our go-to for all the places my pup frequents, like my parents’ house. I also recently got a second dog and bought her the same bed, simply because I already knew it worked. (Plus, I didn’t want to invest in something more expensive that a puppy might destroy.)
The large size gives my 50-pound dog enough room to curl up or stretch out, and it fits easily inside her crate when needed. It’s also roomy enough for my second dog, who now weighs 40 pounds, to sneak in and share the space. There are several foam options to choose from: convolute orthopedic foam, solid orthopedic foam, memory foam and cooling gel foam. I’ve tested both the cooling gel and convolute orthopedic, and while I didn’t notice a dramatic difference, every version we’ve tried has felt supportive and comfortable. The foam base has compressed slightly with time, but it hasn’t gotten so thin that you can feel the floor beneath it.
The cover is soft, durable and, at this point, has survived literally hundreds of washes without showing any wear and tear. It also does a great job of disguising fur in between cleanings. Reassembling the bed takes a bit of patience, but I’ve found that this true of most dog beds. For under $100 (for the medium or large size; there are two larger sizes as well that will run you a bit more), the FurHaven holds up better than any other bed I’ve tried in this price range.
It didn’t take long for one of our arthritic senior dogs to claim this bed as her favorite. Our editor describes the orthopedic foam base as feeling more like a real mattress than a typical dog bed. (Yes, she laid in it.) It holds its shape and distributes weight evenly, giving dogs the support they need to stay off the floor—something Dr. Hamm says is especially important for aging pups and those with arthritis or joint pain.
The bed itself feels thick and sturdy; it kept our four-legged testers lifted rather than “in” the bed, and the raised headrest adds a little extra comfort. The microfiber cover is velvety to the touch and, while it’s not fully waterproof, it wasn’t ruined by slobber, fur or the occasional muddy paw. After a few months of use, some subtle stains were visible, but nothing that didn’t come out in the wash. Assembly takes a little extra effort, especially aligning the headrest panel with the cover, but once it’s zipped on, the bed looks polished and clean. The minimalist shape also blends in well with any home décor.
Even the large size feels massive compared to most beds on this list, with enough room for a 70-pound dog to fully sprawl out. The XL easily fits two large dogs, and the Giant is built for Great Danes, Newfoundlands and other oversized breeds. That scale makes it a smart pick for long-term use too; buy it for a growing pup, and it’ll likely last well into adulthood. Plus, the 10-year “no flatten” warranty adds peace of mind for pet parents making a bigger investment.
This is the bed that lives in both of my dogs’ crates, and it’s the one they sleep on every night. There’s nothing fancy about it—it’s just a thick, supportive slab of memory foam with a snug-fitting, soft cover. But that simple design is exactly what makes it so useful for crates. The sizing is spot-on: Each bed is just a little smaller than standard crate dimensions, so it fits neatly inside without bunching or leaving big gaps. For example, my dog’s large crate measures 36 by 23 inches, and the large-sized bed is 35 by 22 inches. It feels like it was made to slide right in.
The BarkBox Orthopedic Dog Bed fits perfectly inside a crate.
The foam is dense and supportive without being stiff, making it comfortable enough for pups to sleep on it for long stretches or overnight. And the snug cover doesn’t wrinkle or bunch like some dog beds; my younger dog, who usually likes to dig and burrow, leaves this one alone because there’s nothing to pull at. It has held up for years with nightly use and weekly washes, and it still fits cleanly around the foam without stretching out. The bed is also lightweight, easy to move and packs flat in the car for travel. And while it doesn’t have bolsters, there’s plenty of room to layer in a blanket or pillow if your dog prefers a little more structure. Plus, it’s surprisingly durable: Forbes Vetted managing editor Emmy Favilla also used this dog bed with her previous pup, and it held up well for many years.
I splurged on this bed after moving to a small apartment and realizing my dog’s old bed didn’t quite match the vibe of my living room. (It was the FurHaven, which we still love—but in a 500-square-foot space with a white couch and carefully chosen décor, I wanted something more cohesive.) The Barney Bed ended up being exactly what I hoped for. It’s the best-looking dog bed I’ve ever owned, especially after I upgraded the basic gray cover to the cream-colored boucle version, which is sold separately. The fabric blends right in with the rest of my living room and, even though it’s such a light color, does a surprisingly good job hiding fur from my light-coated Labrador (plus any small stains).
But it’s not just about looks: Similar to the Big Barker bed, the Barney’s thick orthopedic foam base feels more like a human mattress than a typical dog bed. The foam is firm enough to support bigger or older dogs, but still comfortable for everyday naps. My 50-pound Labrador uses the large size, and I can easily snuggle on it with her. (Looking back, we could’ve gone with a medium, but I was thrown off by the brand’s suggestion of that size as a fit for a French bulldog or Dachshund.) This bed has a similar structure to the Casper bed, with slightly raised bolsters on all sides that offer head support without taking up too much space or getting in the way of a good sprawl.
This indoor/outdoor dog bed will look right at home next to your patio furniture. The indigo herringbone fabric is more stylish than most outdoor-friendly designs, but it’s also practical: The exterior is UV- and fade-resistant, water-repellent and resistant to mold and mildew, so it can handle being left outside full-time.
Forbes Vetted managing editor Emmy Favilla keeps this bed on her porch and says it has already survived several rainstorms. Plus, it’s comfortable. “It has enough fluff to seem quite supportive for outdoor lounging,” she says. “My dog Gizmo laid right down on it as soon as I put it on our porch.” Despite being available in just one size, it’s surprisingly accommodating for larger dogs (Favilla’s dog is 75 pounds, for reference), but it will be far too small for extra-large and giant breeds like mastiffs or Great Danes. Its fiberfill gives the bed a supportive and cushy feel that’s comfy enough for long outdoor naps. A bolster that wraps around three sides provides a soft edge for dogs who like to lean, which our tester pup took advantage of right away. Just note that the cover isn’t removable, but it’s easy to wipe clean with a paper towel.
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
The Forbes Vetted home team has tested hundreds of pet products, from litter boxes to fresh dog food, to help readers make smart and confident purchases for their pets. Every recommendation in this guide to the best dog beds is backed by hands-on testing, real-world use and insights from trusted veterinary and pet care experts.
- This story was written by home and kitchen editor Kelly O’Sullivan, a lifelong dog owner and proud parent to a Labrador retriever and lovable mixed breed. She’s personally tested every bed on this list—many of them for months or even years—with her own two dogs. At Forbes Vetted, she frequently covers pet content, including deep dives into more complex topics like raw dog food, cat food and more.
- This piece was overseen by Forbes Vetted managing editor and resident pet expert Emmy Favilla, whose two large-breed dogs tested several of the featured beds, including our top pick overall. She regularly covers pet content for Forbes Vetted, maintains an active network of veterinary professionals and helps ensure every product we recommend is both safe and functional.
- We consulted Forbes Vetted senior mattress and sleep editor Bridget Chapman, executive strategy editor Lindsay Boyers and supervising deals and coupons editor Kara Cuzzone, whose own dogs helped test several of the beds featured here as well.
- We spoke with three experts: Dr. Brian Hamm, DVM, a board-certified veterinary internal medicine specialist; Dr. Liza Cahn, DVM, a veterinarian with Embrace Pet Insurance; and Shalom Marantz, founder of luxury pet lifestyle brand Noah & Paw. They helped us better understand which features in dog beds matter the most when it comes to a dog’s comfort, joint health and day-to-day use.
How We Chose The Best Dog Beds
To find the best dog beds, we combined long-term testing, expert insights and in-depth product research to figure out which ones are actually worth buying.
- Every bed on this list was tested by Forbes Vetted editors and their dogs, many of whom used the beds for months—or even years. I personally tested each pick with my two dogs, a Labrador retriever and a mixed breed, and several of our editors, with dogs of various sizes, contributed their own real-world experiences. We evaluated how well the beds held up to digging, drool, accidents and daily use, as well as how easy they were to clean and whether our dogs actually wanted to sleep on them.
- We spoke with three experts to understand which features impact comfort, joint support, durability and safety.
- We looked at specs like size, shape, material, washability and design, and considered how each bed might suit different dogs and households. Whether you need something supportive for an older pup, a bed that’s attractive for your living room or a low-profile option for a crate, we aimed to include high-quality products to suit a range of needs and budgets.
- We carefully considered online reviews, sticking to beds with strong ratings and consistently positive feedback from other pet parents. Every bed on this list has at least a 4-star rating.
What To Look For In The Best Dog Beds
Support And Comfort
At its core, a dog bed should be a supportive place for your pup to rest, especially as they age or develop mobility issues. According to Dr. Hamm, high-density memory foam is one of the best options for relieving joint pressure and supporting musculoskeletal health. “It distributes weight evenly, alleviating pressure on joints and reducing the risk of pressure sores,” he says. That kind of support is particularly helpful for large breeds or dogs dealing with arthritis.
Orthopedic beds often use layers of memory foam or eggshell foam to mold to your dog’s body for more even support, while bolsters can provide ergonomic support for the neck and spine. Dr. Liza Cahn adds that a bed should be “large enough that your dog can turn around, stretch out and sleep in their preferred position.” (Whether that’s curled up in a donut or sprawled out on a mattress-style pad is up to your pup.) For dogs who run hot, look for cooling gel layers or breathable fabrics that help regulate body temperature. As Shalom Marantz, founder of luxury pet brand Noah & Paw, notes, overheating can disrupt sleep, just like in humans. Breathable fabrics or cooling layers can help your dog stay comfortable while they rest, especially during warmer months.
Durability And Stain-Resistance
Durability doesn’t just mean the cover can survive a little digging or chewing. It also means the foam maintains its shape, the zippers don’t break and the whole bed doesn’t start to sag after a few months. “The best beds resist flattening over time and hold their shape under your dog’s weight,” says Marantz. He recommends looking for designs with firm, high-density foam cores and hidden, heavy-duty zippers that won’t snag during reassembly or get chewed off when you’re not looking.
For the outer cover, synthetic fabrics like polyester blends and microfiber are most popular and usually hold up the best. Dr. Hamm suggests looking for options marked as hypoallergenic and antimicrobial if your dog has sensitive skin or you’re concerned about odor buildup. Some beds also feature waterproof or water-repellent linings that protect the inner foam from spills, drool or accidents, which may come in handy if you have a senior dog or puppy.
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