Best Trundle Beds
Furnishing a small apartment can be a challenge. Many people feel like the lack of space is the thing that dictates their choices, rather than the actual functionality and aesthetics. Luckily, even if you live in a tiny condo or house, there are different types of beds that can look great and be practical, without taking up too much space. Trundle beds are a great example of how a space-saving design can also enhance the bedroom, in addition to being convenient.
A trundle bed is a pull-out bed that wheels out underneath a main bed, therefore matching the dimensions of the bed above. As a result, most trundle beds come in either twin or full size, which match most people’s needs. This influences the dimensions of suitable trundle bed mattresses, too, as it’s important to thoroughly measure the trundle bed to determine the right mattress fit.
This bed design relies on multiple levels to offer more space, without requiring additional room during the day. The pull-out wheeled bed located below the main bed is great for guests staying over, or for children and teens. Big families, especially those with smaller homes, will love this clever design and should get many years of use out of their trundle bed. We’ve unpacked our top 5 picks for the best trundle beds you can buy, so keep scrolling below to find which style of trundle bed will be best to suit your needs!
1. Max & Lily Solid Wood Twin-Size Bed with Trundle Bed – Editor's Choice
- Size: Twin or full
- Material: New Zealand pine
- Extra storage space: No
- Weight capacity: 400 pounds
2. Hillsdale Furniture Hillsdale Caspian Daybed with Trundle
- Size: Twin
- Material: Wood
- Extra storage space: No
- Weight capacity: 300 pounds
3. DHP Sophia Upholstered Twin Trundle
- Size: Twin with twin trundle, Full with queen trundle
- Material: Upholstered (fabric)
- Extra storage space: No
- Weight capacity: 400 pounds for main bed, 225 pounds for trundle
4. Discovery World Furniture Full Bookcase Daybed
- Size: Full
- Material: Solid pine
- Extra storage space: Yes – includes a bookcase, drawers and additional storage space within the frame
- Weight capacity: N/A
5. Zinus Eden Twin Daybed and Trundle Set
- Size: Twin
- Material: Steel
- Extra storage space: No
- Weight capacity: 250 pounds
Table Of Contents
- Best Trundle Beds
- 1. Max & Lily Solid Wood Twin-Size Bed with Trundle Bed
- 2. Best Trundle Bed for Kids – Hillsdale Furniture Hillsdale Caspian Daybed with Trundle
- 3. Best Design Trundle Bed – DHP Sophia Upholstered Twin Trundle
- 4. Best Trundle Bed with Storage – Discovery World Furniture Full Bookcase Daybed
- 5. Best Value Trundle Bed – Zinus Eden Twin Daybed and Trundle Set
- What Types of Mattresses are Fit for Trundle Beds?
- Features to Look for in Trundle Beds
- Are Trundle Beds Suitable for Adults?
- Conclusion
- Recent Updates
Best Trundle Beds
1. Max & Lily Solid Wood Twin-Size Bed with Trundle Bed – Editor's Choice
Highlights
- Size: Twin or full
- Material: New Zealand pine
- Extra storage space: No
- Weight capacity: 400 pounds
Pros
- Made from solid wood
- Twin-size trundle comes with slats
- Metal support bar for added reinforcement
- Elegant design
- Easy to assemble
Cons
- Trundle bed wheels don’t lock in place
When you want something that’s easy to match with any interior, reasonably priced and well made, you can’t go wrong with this Max & Lily trundle bed. Available in twin and full sizes, this trundle bed is made from high-quality New Zealand pine with a metal support bar for added reinforcement. The water-based finish of the bed is classified as low-VOC and is safe for both children and adults. You can choose between 6 classic and neutral colors to ensure your new bed fits perfectly with your living room or bedroom decor.
The weight capacity of each bed is up to 400 pounds, so the construction will safely support both children and teens, as well as the average adult. The trundle bed fits a standard twin mattress up to 8 inches thick, whereas you can pick any type of mattress for the main bed, as long as the dimensions match the twin or full size. Owing to its sturdiness and versatile design, this is our editor’s choice for a kid’s room or a guest room.
2. Best Trundle Bed for Kids – Hillsdale Furniture Hillsdale Caspian Daybed with Trundle
Highlights
- Size: Twin
- Material: Wood
- Extra storage space: No
- Weight capacity: 300 pounds
Pros
- High-quality wooden frame
- Sleek and versatile design
- Suited for little kids and teenagers both
- Available in 3 colors
Cons
- May be difficult to assemble for some
- Hardware needs to be purchased separately
Trundle beds are a great alternative to bunk beds for kids; they take up less vertical space but give you the same amount of sleeping surfaces. This daybed with a trundle is a fantastic choice for children and teens alike, as it has a simple and sleek design making it suitable for your child throughout their life. Made of wood, this bed is available in three trendy finishes: grey, white, and chocolate brown to ensure an effortless match with any bedroom theme. The maximum weight capacity of both the trundle and parent bed is no more than 300 pounds, so this design is optimized for children and teenagers.
The trundle bed will comfortably accommodate a mattress up to 8 inches thick in a standard twin size, and the same goes for the dimensions of the main mattress. This is a convenient option for when your little one has friends or the cousins sleeping over, or shares a room with a younger sibling and space is limited.
3. Best Design Trundle Bed – DHP Sophia Upholstered Twin Trundle
Highlights
- Size: Twin with a twin trundle
- Material: Upholstered (fabric)
- Extra storage space: No
- Weight capacity: 400 pounds for main bed, 225 pounds for trundle
Pros
- Gorgeous upholstered design
- Available in two size options
- Generously sized trundle bed
- Easy to assemble
Cons
- Only twin size available
Despite what many may think, trundle beds aren’t designed just for kids. There are beds that are sturdy and meant for adult use, and this elegant upholstered daybed with a trundle bed is an excellent example of it. The chic and modern appearance of the daybed makes it a perfect addition to any contemporary apartment. Whether in a bedroom or living room, it will seamlessly match the decor of any room. The roll-out trundle is discreetly placed underneath the bed and isn’t easy to spot at first, but when it’s rolled out, it gives you an additional twin bed for your guests to sleep on.
Available in blue, navy, grey, dark grey and tan, this upholstered daybed with a trundle is only currently available in the twin size with a twin trundle bed. For those that would prefer a full or queen size mattress for their trundle, this option may not be the most ideal for you.
4. Best Trundle Bed with Storage – Discovery World Furniture Full Bookcase Daybed
Highlights
- Size: Full-size main bed with
- Material: Solid pine
- Extra storage space: Yes- bookcase, drawers, and additional storage space within the frame
- Weight capacity: N/A
Pros
- Built-in bookcase
- 3 drawers
- Additional storage space behind the trundle bed
- Suitable for children and adults alike
- Elegant design
Cons
- Expensive
When you don’t have much storage space in your home to begin with, trundle beds are a fantastic choice, and those that boast additional drawers are even better. This particular design from Discovery World Furniture takes things to a whole new level as it’s completely tailored for tiny spaces that lack storage space. The headboard is actually a bookcase, and underneath the main bed there’s not only another bed that pulls out, but 3 spacious drawers as well. The drawers are built in the frame above the trundle bed, and each drawer pulls out separately. This bed also has doors on the ends of the bed that give you access to an even larger storage area located behind the bed – truly impressive for a regular full-size bed!
Made from solid wood in an elegant Merlot finish, this daybed will look stunning in any space – it’s not just practical but elegant as well. The parent bed accommodates a full-size mattress and can comfortably support two adults, whereas the pull-out trundle is a twin size and will fit a mattress up to 6.5 inches thick.
5. Best Value Trundle Bed – Zinus Eden Twin Daybed and Trundle Set
Highlights
- Size: Twin
- Material: Steel
- Extra storage space: No
- Weight capacity: 250 pounds
Pros
- Very affordable
- Durable steel frame
- Compact, great for smaller bedrooms and living areas
- Quick and easy assembly with no tools needed
Cons
- Only twin size available
By far the most affordable option on our list, the Eden Twin Daybed and Trundle Set from the well-known bedding brand Zinus is another great pick, particularly if you’re on a budget. This sturdy steel frame will offer you ample support for whichever twin mattress you decide to place on this bed. Perhaps the one downfall is that it only comes in the twin size, so if you already have a full or queen mattress that you’d like to use for your trundle, this will be problematic for the Zinus set. Being extremely compact, this trundle bed is ideal if you don’t have much bedroom or living room space, such as smaller apartments or lofts. You can easily place it against a wall or in a corner where it’ll be out of the way, making room for any other furniture you may have, such as dressers or couches. The set is also easy to assemble within minutes and doesn’t require any tools, so for those who aren’t confident in putting together furniture, this trundle bed is sure to meet all of your needs.
What Types of Mattresses are Fit for Trundle Beds?
As for the types of mattresses that are a fit for trundle beds, the primary factor is the thickness of the mattress. Mattresses that are too tall won’t fit underneath the parent or main bed, so the depth of the mattress should be between 8 and 10 inches. As a result, most trundle bed mattresses are memory foam as adding innerspring coils would significantly increase the height of the profile. Luckily, there are plenty of choices available although the height of the mattress is limited, so you can easily choose the mattress that will meet your needs.
Features to Look for in Trundle Beds
There are plenty of factors to consider before buying a trundle bed to make sure you’ll be getting your money’s worth. Not all trundle beds are as great and innovative as they may initially seem. It takes clever design and execution, as well as high-quality materials for a trundle bed to deliver on its promises. If you go for the cheap, poorly made options, not only will you be quickly disappointed, but you’ll also miss out on everything that trundle beds are really about, which is convenience and comfort. Here are some of the things to consider to ensure your purchase will meet your needs and your budget.
Main bed
Trundle beds are available in two different designs: with or without the “parent” bed. You can either purchase just the trundle bed to place underneath your existing bed, or go for the complete set-up that includes both the main bed and the pull-out trundle below it. This will completely depend on your personal needs and preferences. Trundle frames are usually simple, with wheels that allow you to easily pull them out of your bed, whereas trundle beds come in a range of designs that give you a greater choice between sizes and functionality.
Material
One of the first things to pay attention to when buying trundle beds is the material of the frame. As is the case with regular bed frames, there are plenty of options to choose from: wood, metal, upholstered or a hybrid of a few materials. Wooden trundle beds are sturdy, elegant and will fit in with most spaces, whether you plan on placing the trundle bed in the bedroom or perhaps in the living room (day trundle beds are a great choice for that). Metal trundle beds are durable, lightweight, and complement the minimalistic style in interior design, and they’re also budget-friendly. Lastly, upholstered trundle beds boast a stylish design that makes them popular with many, and they can be upholstered with textile or leather.
Storage space
Not all trundle beds are meant for sleeping only – some have a design that offers additional storage space. The way this is achieved is by increasing the height of the parent bed so the trundle bed can fit comfortably below it, followed by drawers on the bottom. The drawers can typically be pulled out independently from the trundle bed and can fit plenty of knickknacks (bedding, toys, etc.) to help you save even more space.
Are Trundle Beds Suitable for Adults?
Contrary to popular belief, adults can safely (and comfortably) sleep on trundle beds. The only “catch” is that the smaller second bed isn’t always the right match for most adults, at least not on a long-term basis. As a rule of thumb, mattresses to be used with the lower trundle bed are thinner than most experts recommend for regular sleeping surfaces. While you could comfortably sleep a few nights on a thinner bed, you likely won’t find this sleeping arrangement suitable as your primary sleeping option. For children and teenagers, however, a trundle bed is not much different than a bunk bed setup, so they kids should have no problem adjusting to their new bed. Their lighter weight and build make it possible for youngsters to sleep comfortably on thinner mattresses.
To sum it up, adults can certainly sleep on trundle beds, but sleeping on the lower wheel out-bed is not a good long-term solution for most. These beds can be a great choice for guests or children, but most adults would find them uncomfortable to sleep on for more than a few nights. Additionally, the fact that they’re directly above the ground with very little loft makes them unsuitable for the elderly.
Conclusion
Trundle beds are an ideal solution for small spaces as they offer additional space for sleeping and storage, while taking up the same amount of space as a regular bed. There are various different designs available, from those that feature both the main bed and trundle bed, to those that allow you to adapt your existing bed to a trundle design – the choice is yours.
Whether you’re looking for a comfy solution for guests that sleep over or want a space-saving solution for a kid’s room, trundle beds are a great choice. These compact and convenient beds come in a range of materials and in different dimensions that make them suited to the needs of most sleepers. Our top choice for the best trundle bed on the market is the stylish Max & Lily Solid Wood Twin-Size Bed with Trundle Bed. This bed is affordable, gives you the choice of two sizes, and has an impressive weight capacity of 400 pounds, a perfect option for your youngsters to have sleepovers and enjoy a restful night’s sleep.
Recent Updates
June 24, 2021: Our previous #3 pick, the DHP Sophia Upholstered Queen Full Trundle – Dark Gray Linen Daybed, has now been replaced by the similar DHP Sophia Upholstered Twin Trundle due to size unavailability and popularity of the twin size. A fifth product has been added as our Best Value pick, the Zinus Eden Twin Daybed and Trundle Set. FAQs have been added to address popular consumer queries.