A bed frame is the skeleton of your bed. It offers support for the mattress and the sleeper(s) on top of it, so it has to be sturdy to support all that weight, but also designed in such a way as to allow the mattress to breathe. Luckily, choosing a bed frame isn’t as complicated as buying a new mattress, as there aren’t that many characteristics that you have to look out for.
For the most part, bed frames that are truly solid and durable are made from either metal or wood (or even a combination of both). Today, we are going to talk about some of the considerations one must-have when shopping for a new bed frame and then end with some examples of the best metal bed frames that money can buy.
| Rank | Product | Highlights |
| #1 |  Zinus Shawn Bed Frame
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| #2 |  Zinus Arnav Modern Studio Bed Frame
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| #3 |  Zinus Michelle Compack Bed Frame BUY NOW |
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| #4 |  AmazonBasics Foldable Bed Frame BUY NOW |
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| #5 |  Zinus Van Bed Frame
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How To Choose a Bed Frame
Even if we said that buying a bed frame is easy because there are not a million different types to choose from, the shopping process always starts with a series of questions that need answering before you can look for products. When you know what you’re requirements are, the chances of buying a suitable product will increase exponentially, so here are some of the most burning questions that require answering before you buy a new bed frame:
— Do you already have a mattress?
If you are just looking to invest in a bed frame but you already have the mattress that goes on top of it, it is always wise to measure the mattress before shopping for a new frame. In general, frames are designed to follow the standard sizes that most mattresses have, but why take any chances for something that literally takes 2 minutes? Just measure the mattress and then look for a frame that fits that size.
— How much money are you willing to spend?
Needless to say, bed frames can be cheap to very expensive. If you are on a budget, make sure that you look into products that match that budget because it’s really easy to end up spending more than required. Shoppers that are looking to save money might be better off with a platform or a panel model, as these are less expensive when compared to other types of bed frames.
— What is the total combined weight of the sleepers?
This is extremely important because not all bed frames support the same amount of weight. This is a specification that all respectable bed frame manufacturers should make, so you can know exactly if the construction in question can withstand the combined weight of the sleepers and the weight of the mattress. Otherwise, the frame will cave sooner than expected and your warranty will be void beyond a free exchange.
What does your mattress warranty say about the bed frame?
If you are the type of bury that reads the fine print, then you know that not all mattress warranties support all types of bed frames. Make sure that if you’re sticking with your current mattress and it is still under warranty coverage, you read the entire claim to see what the requirements for a compatible bed frame are.
Do you want to attach a headboard and/or a footboard?
Not all bed frames that you purchase have designated slots that will allow you to do that. If you already have or are planning to buy any of these two parts of a bed separately, you need to make sure that the bed frame allows you to install them.
What is the warranty of the bed frame you’re looking to buy?
Believe it or not, not everyone pays attention to the warranty of a product before buying it, and it’s a really important thing to do. If you want a good bed frame, look for one with at least 5 years of warranty. Make sure that you steer clear of products that offer no warranty whatsoever.
How many legs should your bed frame have?
The number of legs on a bed frame will help determine the sturdiness of the bed and how much weight it can support. The placement of the legs is also important. Twin, Twin XL, and Full mattresses will require a bed frame with at least four legs, while Queen, King, and California King mattresses would need about six legs for really good support.
Best Metal Bed Frames
Time to look at some of our favorite metal bed frames so you can discover what the market has to offer and perhaps find your new sleeping companion amongst the products on this list!
1. Zinus Shawn Bed Frame
SPECS:
- Available sizes: Narrow Twin, Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal King
- Maximum weight: 500 pounds
- Under-the-bed storage: 13 inches
Customer’s choice
This is, beyond a shred of a doubt, one of the most popular metal bed frames that money can buy. Zinus is a great trusted brand for beds and accessories. It is made from durable steel and promises to replace the need for a box spring so that you can avoid the extra purchase. It provides you with 13 inches of space under the bed so that you can store boxes of stuff that would normally get in the way.
The single-bed sizes support a weight of 250 pounds, while the sizes Queen and up can support a total weight of 500 pounds. The construction is all steel and promises a quick assembly process that doesn’t require any additional tools, thus saving you some extra headaches.
| Pros | Cons |
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Who Should Buy This?
If you’re interested in a metal bed frame that other customers recommend and which is available at a really good price, you can’t go wrong with the Zinus Shawn frame.
2. Zinus Arnav Modern Studio Bed Frame
SPECS:
- Available sizes: Twin, Full, Queen, King
- Maximum weight: not specified, but should be around 500 pounds
- Under-the-bed storage: 7 inches
Most durable
Brace yourselves, because you will be seeing a lot of Zinus bed frames on our list as this is not only a brand we trust, but a brand that customers have purchased time and time again and would recommend to their families and friends. This time, we’re focusing on a more expensive metal bed frame, but one that excels in durability.
What makes this bed frame so good is the fact that it is made from highly-durable steel and comes with wooden slats to support the weight of the mattress and the sleepers, while also allowing the mattress to breathe and prevents sagging. There is foam padded tape added to the frame to prevent noise. The non-slip tape on the wooden slats is there to make sure your mattress stays in place.
| Pros | Cons |
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Who Should Buy This?
If you’re willing to invest a little more money in a high-quality and durable metal bed frame, the Arnav by Zinus is surely a product that you want to look into.
3. Zinus Michelle Compack Bed Frame
SPECS:
- Available sizes: Twin, Full, Queen, King, Cal King, Universal
- Maximum weight: 500 pounds
- Under-the-bed storage: 5 inches
Best for box spring
If you have a box spring that you want to use with your mattress (perhaps it’s a mandatory thing so you don’t void the warranty of the bed), then you need a bed frame like Michelle. It is made entirely out of steel and has a locking system that will keep the frame assembled so that you can add the other components to the bed.
If you opt for the Queen-sized version, you will get a frame with nine legs that promise to support the entire weight of the bed and the sleepers on top without collapsing anytime soon. Because the entire construction is a few metal bars here and there, it is super easy to put together and the parts arrive in a tall and compact box.
| Pros | Cons |
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Who Should Buy This?
Those of you that require a metal bed frame that can support the use of a box spring need to give the Zinus Michelle Compact model a look.
4. AmazonBasics Foldable Bed Frame
SPECS:
- Available sizes: Twin, Full, Queen, King
- Maximum weight: 600 pounds
- Under-the-bed storage: about 17 inches
Best foldable frame
Foldable frames are really good for people who don’t plan to use the bed every night. It’s a great option for those of you that have out-of-town guests and quickly want to whip up a sleeping spot for them. That doesn’t mean that products like the AmazonBasics foldable bed frame can’t be used as a permanent type of support for your mattress.
This frame is made from durable steel and has a black finish that matches a lot of different bedroom designs. Because it’s foldable, the setup is really easy and there are no additional tools required. You can opt between a model that’s 14 inches in height, and one that’s 18 inches. We do recommend going with the latter if you want to benefit from that additional under-the-bed storage space that small bedrooms crave for.
| Pros | Cons |
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Who Should Buy This?
The AmazonBasics foldable frame is a great buy for a variety of different customers: those who want a metal frame for their guest room, those who want additional storage space under the bed, and also those who want a frame that’s super easy to assemble.
5. Zinus Van Bed Frame
SPECS:
- Available sizes: Twin, Full, Queen, King
- Maximum weight: 500 pounds
- Under-the-bed storage: 14 inches
Least noisy
If you need a good metal bed frame for sex or one that doesn’t squeak every time one of the sleepers changes position or gets in and out of bed, this Zinus bed frame is the right product for you. Made entirely out of steel and without any parts that seem flimsy or could easily bend (as long as the weight limit is respected), there is something about this metal bed frame that makes it durable and virtually noise-free.
The frame is equipped with solid bars that serve as metal slats for mattress support, with enough distance between them to allow the mattress to breathe and stay fresh for longer. The assembly process is fairly easy, but more complicated than purchasing a foldable frame. However, once you’ve followed all the instructions and the setup is ready, you will enjoy a solid steel frame, with foam padded tape that’s designed to increase the noise-free feature of the product.
| Pros | Cons |
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Who Should Buy This?
Those of you that want a noise-free metal bed frame (for whatever reason that might be) will love the construction of this Zinus model.
You may be interested in: Best Metal Platform Bed Frame
Bottom Line
When you’re on the market looking to buy a metal bed frame, there are some minor details that you should keep in mind before you order such a product. With metal bed frames, it’s all about the sturdiness of the product and how much-combined weight it can support, so that’s always something to look into first.
You may also want a frame that’s easy to assemble, or perhaps a foldable one so that you can get it out of the way when need be. Some people care a lot about the design of the frame, and truly beautiful metal bed frames tend to be more expensive. In the end, what are your priorities when it comes to choosing a bed frame?