Best Trundle Beds
Written by Loren Bullock, Certified Sleep Science Coach
Trundle beds are a common space-saving fixture in studio apartments, children’s rooms, guest rooms, and other spaces with limited square footage. As a two-in-one design, a trundle bed usually consists of a bed frame on caster wheels with a mattress that is kept underneath a traditional bed, a bunk bed, or a daybed.
Typically twin-sized (though some full-size options are available) trundle beds are easy to assemble and have a pull-out trundle that can be used at any time when an extra sleeping space is needed. Most models maintain their low profile after being rolled out, but some trundle beds can be raised to the height of a traditional bed. These trundle beds are typically unattached to the main bed, allowing for added flexibility.
Trundle beds are great additions to kid’s rooms where sleepovers might happen, either with other kids or parents, so durability and stability are key components. Quality, sturdy materials like wood and metal are common, but sometimes style is sacrificed for durability. You have to decide, as the consumer, which you value more and what your budget allows.
In this article, we’re sharing our top picks for the best trundle beds. We also share a buyer’s guide to help lead you towards the best trundle bed for your space, budget, and needs. The guide includes the types of trundle beds available on the market, what to consider when shopping, and how to pick the best trundle bed for you.
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The Best Trundle Beds of 2021
- Zinus Suzanne Twin Daybed and Trundle Frame Set: Editor’s Pick
- DHP Tokyo Daybed and Trundle: Best Style
- VECELO Roll-Out Trundle Twin Bed: Best Value
- Max & Lily Twin Over Full Bunk: Best Trundle Bunk Bed
- Broyhill Kids Marco Island Captain’s Bed: Best Trundle Bed with Drawers
- Zinus Eden Trundle Bed Frame: Best Trundle Only
- Leggett & Platt Pop-Up Trundle Bed: Best Pop-Up Trundle
Zinus Suzanne Twin Daybed and Trundle
Editor’s pick
Our Editor’s Pick, this daybed and trundle frame has stellar reviews, a stylish design that fits well with any decor style, and a reasonable price. The Zinus Suzanne has a stylish design that features a sturdy metal frame with a wooden headboard and footboard that complements any decor. This twin-size daybed style trundle will fit any 5 to 6-inch thick twin mattress on the trundle component and can be assembled without tools. It comes with a 5-year warranty and is priced lower than most trundle frames. Related: Zinus Mattress Review
DHP Tokyo Daybed and Trundle
Best Style Trundle
This daybed doesn’t sacrifice style for price. The sleek bronze finish makes the metal frame fit seamlessly into any space. The DHP Tokyo Daybed and Trundle are designed to fade into the background or be a statement piece in any room you choose. The curved metal bars and smooth finials not only provide style but also create a headboard and footboard for added comfort. Metal daybeds tend to be more durable and stay cleaner than those with upholstery, and the metal slats on the DHP Tokyo Daybed ensure extra stability. With a twin size roll out trundle bed, you can easily put a guest bed anywhere you might need. At an affordable price, this DHP daybed is an excellent option for those with small spaces wanting to maintain style.
VECELO Roll-Out Trundle Twin Bed
Best Value
This under $100 trundle bed frame is affordable without sacrificing on quality, making it our Best Value pick. The VECELO Premium Twin Trundle Bed is a trundle-only, metal-framed bed that includes four sturdy easy-glide casters, two of which lock for stability. It’s designed to fit almost any twin-size mattress and has an impressive weight capacity of max 320 lbs. This easy-to-assemble, affordable roll-out trundle is an excellent budget option for sliding underneath an existing daybed or bed. The VECELO frame comes with a five-year warranty and tools for easy assembly. Related: Best Mattresses for Plus-Size Sleepers
Max & Lily Twin Over Full Bunk with Trundle
Best Trundle Bunk Bed
This parent-approved option by Max & Lily has all the bells and whistles for safety, style, and ease of use. The Max & Lily Solid Wood Twin over Full Bunk Bed with Trundle is the perfect option if you have a child who enjoys having friends over or might need you to sleep by their side. It comes in three sizes, Twin/Full, Twin/Twin, and Full/Full, includes a ladder, and has a 400-pound weight limit. The bed is crafted from New Zealand pine and includes sturdy metal support bars and wooden slats, and a metal rail adds safety and security to the top bed. This wood daybed combines the added space of a full bed with the extra space that comes with a bunk bed, on top of having a roll-out trundle, making it an easy option for sleepovers. Related: Best Bunk Bed Mattresses
Zinus Eden Trundle Bed Frame
Best Trundle Only
If you have a bed with enough clearance, you can buy this trundle-only frame to be able to easily pull out another bed. The Zinus Eden has a minimalistic design. Just four inches high, this twin-size roll-out trundle has caster wheels for ease of use and a relatively generous weight limit of 250 pounds, excluding the weight of the mattress. Made with premium steel slat support, this frame is twin-sized and will accommodate most thin twin mattresses. Reviewers comment that the frame is sturdy and can be assembled in less than 20 minutes. The Zinus Eden comes with a five-year warranty.
Broyhill Kids Marco Island Captain’s Bed
Best Trundle Bed with Drawers
This bunk bed alternative with trundle has three storage drawers, making it the perfect option for children’s rooms that need more living space for toys, clothes, or supplies. The Marco Island Captain’s Bed by Broyhill features a pull-out twin size trundle bed with three functional drawers underneath. The frame is made from solid hardwood and composites for durability, and all four finish options are non-toxic and rich in color. The Broyhill Kids Marco Island Captain’s Bed comes in espresso, white, gray, and navy, making it easy to incorporate into any bedroom. It has a lower weight capacity than other models, but it’s sufficient for kids and teens. Related: Best Mattresses for Kids
Leggett & Platt Pop-Up Trundle Bed
Best Pop-Up Trundle Bed
The Leggett & Platt Pop-Up Trundle Bed is made for people who want to give their guests a full-bed experience, while allowing for easy, portable storage. With four lockable wheels, the bed can easily be moved wherever it’s needed, and the spring-loaded trundle makes it easy to quickly raise the bed to full height at 15 inches, or anywhere in-between. The Leggett & Platt Pop-up Trundle Bed is 39 inches long, which means it fits most twin mattresses. The trundle also comes with a spring base, which simulates a box spring. Related: Do You Need a Box Spring? The added bonus you get with this trundle compared to traditional ones is that it doesn’t have to stay attached to a bed. Because it is of its mobility, you can store it under any bed you want, or not under a bed at all. This bed is a great option for those who want a trundle option, but don’t want to commit or don’t have the space for a full traditional trundle bed.Trundle Bed Buying Guide
Trundle beds have been in existence for many years, serving as a simple way to accommodate overnight guests without taking up much needed space. In today’s market, thousands of trundle beds in a variety of sizes and styles are available. This guide should help inform you so that you can make a trundle bed purchase you’ll be satisfied with for years to come.
Types of Trundle Beds
- Trundle-Only—Trundle-only beds feature a steel or wood frame and are the simplest of all the trundle bed options. They’re also some of the most inexpensive trundles available, typically costing less than $150. Keep in mind that these trundle beds tend to have a lower weight limit, so if you anticipate guests to weigh more than 200 or 250 pounds, this might not be your best option.
- Daybed with Trundle—Daybeds serve as a bed and a sofa, most of which are enclosed on three sides. Trundle daybeds feature a trundle underneath that can be pulled out and, sometimes, raised to the height of the daybed. This is an excellent way to add sleeping (or lounging) space to a small apartment or living room.
- Bunk Bed with Trundle—Ideal for the social child who loves to have sleepovers and spend time with friends, bunk beds with trundles can fit several children in a small space. They’re also a great option if you plan to host families who will share a room when they stay in your home.
- Traditional Trundle—Traditional trundle beds, sometimes called “trundle drawer beds” are the most classic option available. This style can be attached to a standard bed frame, daybed, or bunk bed with sufficient under-bed clearance. The traditional trundle functions as a drawer beneath these models and tends to be the most expensive trundle bed option. Because of their clean appearance, sleek design, and ability to shield from dust, these beds are an excellent option.
Things to Consider
In addition to the style, these are additional considerations to keep in mind when selecting a trundle bed:
- Frame and slat materials—Most trundles are made with metal frames, but some models feature solid wood frames or a combination of metal frames. The frame material impacts the product’s price point and look. Keep in mind that some trundles are made from plastic, particleboard, and other materials, but these options aren’t as durable.
- Mattress—The majority of trundle bed options on the market will require you to purchase a mattress separately, so you’ll want to keep this in mind when selecting a budget for your trundle bed frame. The quality and thickness of the mattress you select will come down to preference and who you anticipate sleeping on the trundle bed. Adults, for example, might enjoy a thicker mattress, whereas children and teens will be ok on a thinner, low-cost style. Keep in mind that you won’t be able to fit a box spring on the trundle, so a thicker mattress might be necessary. Read our full Mattress Buying Guide to learn more
- Assembly—Most trundle bed frames will require assembly, which is often offered by the brand or third-party retailer for an additional fee. To avoid paying setup fees, try to choose a trundle bed that has been reviewed by customers as easy to assemble and comes with assembly tools.
- Cost—Trundle beds can cost anywhere from $60 to $2,000, depending on the style, size, materials, and brand. Most trundle bed frames range from $60 to $300, with luxury options costing more. In general, the price can be correlated with high quality and durability. Related: Best Affordable Mattresses
- Style and color—There’s no shortage of trundle beds on the market, which makes it easy to find a style and color that fits the existing aesthetic of your space.
- Storage space—Some trundle beds come with drawers, cubby holes, and other storage methods underneath the trundle.
How to Pick the Right Trundle Bed
Once you’ve settled on a trundle bed rather than an alternative like a futon, air mattress or regular bed, we recommend using our guide above to find the perfect trundle for your space and preferences.
Reread our buyer’s guide to guide you as you make your decision, keeping in mind the different types of trundle beds available and evaluating which of the shopping considerations are your top priorities in your search. Once you’ve read the guide, we recommend revisiting our recommendations for the best trundle beds above to see if any of the styles or brands could be a good fit for you and your home.
Conclusion
Choosing from the best trundle beds can be difficult, especially since you want your guests to be comfortable when staying with you. Since trundle beds often accompany a daybed, the design is important so that it can be used in any room. Durability is also a key factor since it can have various uses, especially in a child’s room. We hope this guide has helped aid you in deciding if a trundle bed is right for you and which one to choose.
