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The 8 Best Murphy Beds, Tested and Reviewed

Because who doesn't want more space??

By Corinne Sullivan and Megan Uy
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Courtesy/Wayfair

Just as sleep takes up a large portion of your life, a bed can take up a large portion of your room. And that's an issue when you don't have a lot of it. Sure, you can invest in rollaway beds or sleeper sofas that can be tucked away when they're not in use, but if you really want to treat your guests (or yourself!) to some luxury, then Murphy beds are the way to go. Of course, the best Murphy bed for your space all depends on where you're putting it or how you're using it—and to help you out, we've rounded up our favorite Murphy beds and wall beds for you to peruse.

Like all the best space-saving beds, Murphy beds work to maximize your (limited) floorspace by folding up into a storage unit or cabinet during the day—and tbh, you wouldn't even guess that most of 'em double as beds. Some wall beds even come with integrated shelving, storage, desks, and sofas for increased functionality, which is v cool. And while they're not cheap, these genius Murphy beds are def worth your coin.

Our top picks for the best Murphy beds in 2023:

  • Colquitt Murphy Bed

    best budget murphy bed

    Zipcode Design Colquitt Murphy Bed

    $1,354 at Wayfair
    Read more
  • Nantucket Murphy Bed Chest

    best murphy bed chest

    AFI Nantucket Murphy Bed Chest

    Read more
  • Hover Compact Wall Bed

    best traditional murphy bed

    Expand Furniture Hover Compact Wall Bed

    Read more
  • Barham Bed

    best folding murphy bed

    Canora Grey Barham Bed

    Read more
  • Avalon Murphy Bed

    best murphy bed with desk

    Xtraroom Avalon Murphy Bed

    Read more

Ahead, check out all the best Murphy beds for your crowded space, as well as everything you should know before investing in one. And jsyk, the prices listed are for queen-size Murphy beds, though almost all of these options come in other sizes as well.

best budget murphy bed

Zipcode Design Colquitt Murphy Bed

Colquitt Murphy Bed
best budget murphy bed

Zipcode Design Colquitt Murphy Bed

$1,354 at Wayfair
Credit: Wayfair
Pros
  • amazingly affordable for the quality
  • very sturdy once assembled
Cons
  • full assembly and wall mounting required
  • doesn't always stay open without weight

A wall bed doesn't have to cost you an arm and a leg, and this sleek option is proof. Crafted from engineered wood and available in three finishes, this Murphy bed (which looks like a minimalist wall cabinet when folded up) features a dual-piston system for easy lifting and a Euro slat mattress support system, so there's no need for a box spring. The mattress isn't included, so make sure you get one that's no more than 12 inches thick.

  • Dimensions: 63.07" W x 39.33" H
  • Weight: 90 lbs.
  • Material: Manufactured wood
  • Sizes available: Full, Queen
  • Depth when folded: 20"
  • Mattress included: No

THE REVIEWS: "Our decision to get the Colquitt Murphy bed was absolutely the best choice we could have made," raves one reviewer. "It's beautiful, functional, and fits our space perfectly. Although there were a lot of parts, it was actually a fun project to assemble. I highly recommend this for those who have space issues—it's great!"

best murphy bed chest

AFI Nantucket Murphy Bed Chest

Nantucket Murphy Bed Chest
best murphy bed chest

AFI Nantucket Murphy Bed Chest

Credit: Walmart
Pros
  • more affordable than other options
  • includes drawers and usb charging ports
Cons
  • assembly is def tricky
  • mattress is a bit thin

Want a Murphy bed that you don't have to anchor to a wall? A freestanding option like this bad boy is calling your name. Made with solid hardwood and available in three different finishes, this storage chest rolls out to reveal a six-inch-thick gel-infused foam mattress—and yes, this sorcery will probably blow your guests' minds. When folded up, you've got a decorative chest with two built-in drawers for storage, as well as two USB charging ports.

  • Dimensions: 82.50'' L x 63.63'' W x 41.00'' H
  • Weight: 315 lbs.
  • Material: Manufactured wood
  • Sizes available: Twin, Queen
  • Depth when folded: 24.375"
  • Mattress included: Yes

THE REVIEWS: According to one reviewer, "We live in a small apartment and I needed a comfortable bed for my son. It arrived earlier than expected, and my son had it put together in just a couple of hours. The mattress is very comfortable and he loves it. Plus, it's gorgeous and looks great in my living room."

best traditional murphy bed

Expand Furniture Hover Compact Wall Bed

Hover Compact Wall Bed
best traditional murphy bed

Expand Furniture Hover Compact Wall Bed

Now 13% Off
Credit: Expand Furnture
Pros
  • takes up very little space
  • so easy to operate
Cons
  • some assembly and wall mounting required
  • on the pricey side

When it comes to vertical Murphy beds, it doesn't get much more sleek than this bb from Expand Furniture. Designed with a tight, trim fit and no visible handles on the face, this wall bed (which comes in several different panel finishes) is ultra lightweight and features a smooth piston system for effortless levering, as well as wood slatted mattress support. It's compatible with any mattress up to 10 inches thick, and it's also available as a twin, double, or king bed.

  • Dimensions: 67'' W X 85'' H
  • Weight: Not listed
  • Material: Manufactured wood
  • Sizes available: Twin, Full, Queen, King
  • Depth when folded: 15.75"
  • Mattress included: No

THE REVIEWS: "We're two months into sleeping on our Hover wall bed daily and cannot say enough good things about it," reads one review. "The bed is well made and has a sleek and stylish appearance. It fits in well with our minimalist decor. We loved that we could use our own mattress, as the depth is quite forgiving compared to other wall beds we looked at."

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best folding murphy bed

Canora Grey Barham Bed

Barham Bed
best folding murphy bed

Canora Grey Barham Bed

Now 15% Off
Credit: Wayfair
Pros
  • incredibly easy to assemble
  • has enough room to store bedding inside
Cons
  • middle section doesn't have much support
  • mattress is too thin for some

Another great freestanding Murphy bed option, this classic cabinet folds out to reveal a queen-size bed that's ready to sleep guests in just minutes. It's made with solid hardwood and available in four finishes, and it comes complete with a six-inch-thick gel memory foam mattress that folds right up into the cabinet when you're done. As a bonus, reviewers say assembly is super easy.

  • Dimensions: 25.7'' H X 64.1'' W X 80.3'' L
  • Weight: 160 lb.
  • Material: Solid wood
  • Sizes available: Queen
  • Depth when folded: 26.4"
  • Mattress included: Yes

THE REVIEWS: According to one buyer, "Took about an hour for me to put together myself. I love the extra room this gives me in my spare bedroom. I slept on it and the mattress is super comfy. I just had guests and they also were comfortable sleeping on it. I recommend!"

best murphy bed with desk

Xtraroom Avalon Murphy Bed

Avalon Murphy Bed
best murphy bed with desk

Xtraroom Avalon Murphy Bed

Now 21% Off
Credit: Wayfair
Pros
  • functions as desk and wall bed
  • sturdy and easy to operate
Cons
  • only available in white
  • requires full assembly and installation

Okay, now THIS is cool. Perfect for your home office, this fully functional workspace with a built-in desk pulls down to reveal a cozy bed—and you don't even have to remove your stuff from the work surface before opening! It's made with solid wood and veneers, and it includes a Euro slat frame and four hydraulic piston mechanisms—plus, it's compatible with any mattress up to 12 inches thick.

  • Dimensions: 93.75'' H X 67.75'' W X 96.625'' L
  • Weight: 378 lb.
  • Material: Solid and manufactured wood
  • Sizes available: Full, Queen
  • Depth when folded: 33.5"
  • Mattress included: No

THE REVIEWS: "Very clean and modern appearance, and so easy to open and close!" one person notes. "This is a perfect space for my den, as I wanted an office space but also an area for guests. I would highly recommend!!!"

best murphy bed with storage

Brayden Studio Walley Storage Bed

Walley Storage Bed
best murphy bed with storage

Brayden Studio Walley Storage Bed

Now 47% Off
Credit: Wayfair
Pros
  • storage can be installed on either side
  • very sturdy once assembled
Cons
  • storage unit is not actually attached to bed
  • full assembly and wall mounting required

Want a wall bed that provides some extra storage space? Go with this space-saving Murphy bed, which includes a storage unit with five shelves, three of which are adjustable. When folded up, this bed (which is made with manufactured wood) looks like a simple cabinet and bookshelf unit, and it folds down to reveal a bed with a Euro slat frame and dual piston system. You can use it with any mattress up to 10 inches thick.

  • Dimensions: Not listed
  • Weight: 1000 lb.
  • Material: Manufactured wood
  • Sizes available: Full, Queen
  • Depth when folded: 20.3"
  • Mattress included: No

THE REVIEWS: "It's elegant, well built and sturdy, and a beautiful piece of furniture in our office that you would never guess is a bed!" one review reads. "It's an amazing purchase and we are thrilled! Living in a townhouse, our space is at a premium, and we LOVE the versatility this has given us for a bed that is not used often, but definitely needed when company comes!"

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best horizontal murphy bed

Breda Bed Horizontal Urban Murphy Bed

Horizontal Urban Murphy Bed
best horizontal murphy bed

Breda Bed Horizontal Urban Murphy Bed

Now 20% Off
Credit: Breda Beds
Pros
  • so affordable and easy to assemble
  • comes with tons of customization options
Cons
  • made with particleboard rather than wood
  • adjusting the spring mechanism is tricky

If you have low ceilings or narrow quarters, then a horizontal Murphy bed can be a fab alternative to a vertical one. Enter: this stunner from Breda Bed, which is constructed with industrial-grade melamine and available in over a dozen different finishes, along with several hardware and baseboard notch options. When closed, this bb looks like a double storage unit with a display shelf, and it easily transforms into a seriously sturdy bed in the size of your choice. And though it can accommodate mattresses up to 13 inches thick, it's recommended you choose one no more than 11 inches tall.

  • Dimensions: 86" W X 68" H
  • Weight: Not listed
  • Material: Manufactured wood
  • Sizes available: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen
  • Depth when folded: 16"
  • Mattress included: No

THE REVIEWS: As one person writes, "We bought the horizontal Murphy bed from Breda Beds and could not be happier with the product. I was hesitant making such a large purchase online from a company I wasn’t familiar with, but I’m so glad I did. Great quality, huge space-saver, and very sturdy."

best basic murphy bed

Lori Beds Lori Bed

Lori Bed
best basic murphy bed

Lori Beds Lori Bed

Credit: Lori Beds
Pros
  • incredibly lightweight
  • super easy to assemble and wall-mount
Cons
  • some wish it had lifting mechanisms
  • safety locks could be stronger

Known as one of the most affordable and reliable Murphy beds around, the Lori Bed is totally unique. Made from ethically-sourced Spanish poplar, this bed doesn't rely on springs or pistons and instead allows you to manually open and close (which is easy for most, since it's so lightweight). It comes in three different wood finishes or unpainted, so you can make it the color of your choice, and it's available as a vertical or horizontal bed complete with an adjustable headboard and safety locks. Plus, you can pair it with any mattress up to 12 inches thick.

  • Dimensions: 10" H X 64"W
  • Weight: Not listed
  • Material: Poplar plywood
  • Sizes available: Twin, Queen
  • Depth when folded: 23.25"
  • Mattress included: No

THE REVIEWS: "Nice-looking wall bed!" says one buyer. "Assembly wasn’t too hard once we got going—it took me and my wife about 4 hours to complete. We love that it doesn’t use pistons or springs and there’s no particleboard that can easily break. Would definitely recommend this product to others."

How to choose the best Murphy bed

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Even the cheapest wall beds out there are still pretty expensive, so before you make the investment, here are a few things you'll wanna consider:

Check out the dimensions

When measuring your space for a Murphy bed, there are several factors you'll wanna consider. Look at the dimensions of the bed (including height, width, and depth) both when it's folded up and when it's fully extended to make sure it's a good fit for your room. Check out the required room height as well, since vertical Murphy beds often demand a pretty tall ceiling. It'll save you the hassle of having to return a too-big bed later, trust.

Budget for additional costs

While some Murphy beds include a mattress, most do not, and even those that do will likely need a mattress topper to make 'em a bit comfier. As you're probs already aware, mattresses aren't cheap, so make sure you're working that extra expense into the cost (and double-check the size limitations to make sure you don't get a mattress that's too thick for your Murphy bed!).

Look for beds with easy assembly

A bed that's easy to put together won't just save you precious time—it also means you're far less likely to make a mistake while assembling. And for beds that require wall mounting, you definitely don't want to get sloppy, because these beds are heavy AF, and a poorly assembled Murphy bed could be deadly. Consider shelling out for professional installation if you want to be extra-careful.

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How do Murphy beds work?

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Cosmopolitan

Murphy beds either use a spring or piston mechanism to lift and lower the bed. The mattress is attached to the frame so that it never falls out when it's upright. They fold inside a frame, cabinet, or chest which makes the ~appearance~ of the bed disappear.

What type of mattress is best for a Murphy bed?

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Cosmopolitan

You can use any type of mattress that you prefer! There's not a specific mattress meant for Murphy beds—although, memory foam would be the best choice in terms of longevity. Memory foam is known to maintain its shape for a long time which is what you want for a Murphy bed considering this style of bed is always being shifted up and down. If you opt for a spring or latex mattress, it'll probably end up sagging or becoming lumpy over time.

What is the difference between a Murphy bed and a wall bed?

cosmo line breaker
Cosmopolitan

Honestly, they're pretty much the same thing and function the same way. The only real difference is the hardware that's used. Wall beds typically use pistons, while Murphy beds usually employ a spring system. Either way, they both fold upwards, stand straight, and stay hidden.

Headshot of Corinne Sullivan
Corinne Sullivan
Editor

Corinne Sullivan is an Editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers a variety of beats, including lifestyle, entertainment, relationships, shopping, and more. She can tell you everything you need to know about the love lives of A-listers, the coziest bedsheets, and the sex toys actually worth your $$$. She is also the author of the 2018 novel Indecent. Follow her on Instagram for cute pics of her pup and bébé. 

Headshot of Megan Uy
Assistant Shopping Editor

Megan Uy is the assistant shopping editor at Cosmopolitan, where she searches for the best products in all things fashion, home, beauty, sex, gifts, and more, so you don’t have to. When she’s not writing for the site, she’s whipping up some cool and trendy content for the fashion section of the print magazine. She’s been with the brand since 2019 (when she was an itty-bitty editorial fellow), and she's also written for Delish, House Beautiful, and People. Follow her on Instagram to get some BTS of the editor life and chaotic NYC content. Also, feel free to hit her up if you ever wanna discuss the madness that is TikTok

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