The 9 Best Dog Beds

For most dogs and most budgets, the Bedsure Orthopedic Original is the sensible place to start. A firm foam base sits inside raised bolsters on all four sides, and the front edge dips low so a stiff older dog can step in. The cover zips off for the washer, and a waterproof layer keeps accidents away from the foam. The catch is the bumpy egg-crate foam, which packs down with time and flattens sooner under a heavy dog.

The review site Reviewed named the Casper Memory Foam its upgrade pick, and the build shows why: a layer of memory foam rests on firmer support foam, so the bed stays level under a heavy sleeper. Loose fabric on top gives diggers something to paw into a nest, and fur slides off the tough microfiber cover. Getting that snug cover back on after washing takes some wrestling, and a new bed can smell of foam at first.

Dogs that sleep curled in a ball are who the Best Friends by Sheri Donut is built for. Its puffy rim makes a soft wall to rest a chin on, and the long faux fur holds in warmth on cold nights. On the larger sizes the cover zips off for washing, while the smallest ones go into the machine whole. Plain stuffing gives little firm support, so a stiff or arthritic dog may do better on foam.

Sprawlers and older dogs that hate climbing over a wall suit the Furhaven Luxe Lounger. A slab of solid foam makes the bed, a curved, pillowy edge wraps one corner for a dog that likes to prop its head, and the rest stays open for walking straight on. The plush cover unzips for the washer. The foam under the body is fairly thin, so very large or heavy dogs get less cushion.

Built for mastiffs, Great Danes and other heavy breeds, the Bully Beds Orthopedic is a deep slab of memory foam with a raised headrest at one end. A waterproof liner shields the foam, a heavy zipper is meant to keep chewers out of the cover, and Bully Beds offers a 20-year warranty. It costs far more than an everyday foam bed, and the size linked here is the biggest, so check the maker for smaller ones.

Big dogs with achy joints get a thick two-layer mattress in the Laifug Memory Foam: soft foam on top and denser memory foam below. A pair of stacked pillows at the head end props up the neck, and a waterproof liner sits under the washable cover. It arrives squashed in a box, so give it up to two days to rise before judging it. There are no side walls for a dog that likes to lean.

Hot climates, porches and dogs that drag their beds around the yard are where the Bedsure Elevated Cooling earns its place. A taut mesh sheet stretches over a steel frame, so air moves under the dog and there's no stuffing to pull out. It goes together in minutes, and a hose rinses it clean. The trade-off is comfort: there's no padding, so an older or bony dog needs a mat on top in cold weather.

A dog too big for most round beds can still curl up in the Majestic Pet Suede Bagel, which comes wide enough for a shepherd or a pair of smaller dogs. A stuffed ring and soft faux suede make a deep nest, and the base shrugs off spills. The cover zips off for washing on the larger sizes. That zipper is the weak spot: it can break or jam after repeated trips through the machine.

The KSIIA Washable Crate Mat is a soft quilted pad for crates, car seats and spots on the floor. Stitched-through tufts keep the stuffing from bunching, a grippy base stops it sliding, and the whole pad goes in the washer. It's thin, though, so it gives little joint support, and heavy dogs pack the filling down over time. Thick fill means it also takes a long while to dry.