A reliable dog bed will be one of the first purchases you make for your pet, alongside essentials such as dog leads, dog toys and dog collars. Whether you've brought home a tiny puppy, share your house with a senior dog or you’re in dire need of an upgrade for that old, flattened cushion they’ve been laying on, the best dog bed can make a noticeable difference to their comfort, recovery and quality of sleep.

These days, most dog beds have a lot more to offer than a simple padded mat, and long gone are days of wicker baskets and tartan blankets. Here, you'll find supportive memory foam mattresses for ageing joints, cosy bolstered designs for dogs that love to curl up, cooling beds for summer and durable, wipe-clean styles built to withstand muddy paws after long walks. With so many shapes, fillings and fabrics to choose from, finding the right one can quickly become overwhelming.

To help narrow it down, we tested a wide range of dog beds with pups of different ages, sizes and sleeping styles to find the models that were best at keeping our pooches calm and comfortable through daytime naps and full-night sleeps.

Whatever you’re looking for, you can rest assured our canine testers and expert handlers have found you the best dog beds on the market for every budget, size and specific requirement.

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The best dog beds of 2026 are:

  • Best overall– Scruffs luxury coastal pet box bed: £45, Dunelm.com
  • Best budget buy– Silentnight orthopaedic pet bed: £37.99, Amazon.co.uk
  • Best for large dogs– Swyft K9-02 dog basket: Was £179, now £149, Swyfthome.com
  • Best for hot weather– Pets at Home canopy UV bed, blue: £24, Petsathome.com
  • Best for nervous dogs– Lords & Labradors calming anti-anxiety dog bed in faux fur: £70, Lordsandlabradors.co.uk
  • Best for puppies –Danish Design crate bedding set and Argos double door 42in pet cage: £85, Danishdesign.co.uk and £36, Argos.co.uk

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  • Bestdog bed overall
  • Why we love it- Has a cocoon-like bolster surround for more insecure dogs
  • Entire thing is machine washable
  • Attractive design

  • Quality to price ratio feels accurate

  • Take note- Size guide is misleading – best suited to small-to-medium breeds

This Scruffs box bed combines everything I look for in a dog bed, from a reasonable price point and pleasing design to easy laundering and adequate cushioning for my pup. Nudi, who’s a medium sized rescue, settled into the bed and – as a dog that loves to feel secure – seemed to like the enclosed feel of the bolster sides. The central portion was big enough for him to curl up like a croissant (a common sleeping position in this household), while the raised edges gave him a comfy prop for his head and paws.

Given that Nudi weighs four stone and filled the XL size, I doubt owners of large or XL breeds would find this box bed sufficient. Likewise, if your medium-sized dog prefers to stretch out or lie on its side, the lowered area won’t be big enough, so I’d caveat that this bed – in all its sizes – is best suited to small-to-medium furry friends. Luckily, Scruffs makes an XXL box bed in a similar design (£149, Dunelm.com) to suit bigger breeds,

The anti-slip grip on the base of the bed is handy if you have hard floors, especially if your dog loves to launch themselves into place. I also appreciated that the entire unit can go in the washing machine. Whether they’re struggling with incontinence or they have muddy paws, sometimes a removable cover doesn’t cut it when it comes to eliminating embedded smells. The XL bed just about fits into a 10kg washing machine, meaning you won’t have to visit the laundrette.

I also enjoyed that the central base cushion is fixed in place. While Nudi likely would have preferred to bury his toys beneath it (as he’s done previously with removable-cushion beds), it was a relief to not think about vacuuming crumbs out from underneath.

As for wear and tear, Nudi isn’t a major chewer, so I can’t speak to its hardiness for destructive dogs. That said, the fabric feels high quality and not paper thin like some polyester designs.

Key specifications:

  • Cover material:100% polyester
  • Size options: M (60cm x 50cm x 17cm), L (70cm x 60cm x 18cm), XL (90cm x 70cm x 18cm) – pictured bed is XL
  • How to wash:Gentle machine wash at 30C

- Tested by Lucy Smith

  • Bestbest budget dog bed
  • Why we love it- Orthopaedic mattress distributes weight well
  • Affordable

  • Non-slip base

  • Take note- Not many colour options

This Silentnight dog bed tested brilliantly, especially with my 11-year-old labrador. The orthopaedic foam mattress distributes weight very well, and the slightly raised edges mean pets can be cosied up against them or rest a chin on top of them. It was also the best budget dog bed I tested, costing less than £40 for a size that fits large-to-medium dogs comfortably.

It’s one of the more affordable designs I reviewed but beat some of its more expensive rivals when it came to where my four-legged testers chose to sleep. The non-slip base also means it stays put when paws are manipulating it or burrowing into it to find a cosy spot.

Key specifications:

  • Cover material:Polyester
  • Size options:S (65cm x 49cm x 17cm), M (80cm x 59cm x 18cm), L (95cm x 69cm x 19cm)
  • How to wash:Removeable, machine washable cover

- Tested by Clare O'Reilly

  • Bestdog bed for large breeds
  • Why we love it- Raised sizes on big dog beds like this are a rare find
  • Five velvet colourways to match Swyft sofa collection exactly

  • 'Large' size skews extra large, meaning more room to stretch out, or for extra dogs

  • Take note- Fullness of base cushion can result in dogs sliding down one side if they sit centrally

  • Not machine washable

Whether you’ve multiple pooches or an XXL breed, Swyft’s K9-02 large dog bed (also available in small and medium) will be up to the task. With dogs of this size you might find there’s a broader selection of flat dog beds, versus those with raised sides. While these single-level designs can appear less cumbersome, the fact remains that many large breeds want to feel cocooned by their bed. Plus, bigger breeds can often suffer joint problems in later life, so the space to spread out can help to reduce stress on the skeletal system.

Nudi (above) is a medium dog and didn’t actually require the large size, but he often shares his home with visiting dogs, which the K9-02 allows for. That said, Nudi would typically fit into the large pet bed category – as was the case with the Scruffs bed above – so take this as your sign to check out the exact measurements below before purchasing. I’d advise most owners size down from their ‘normal’ bed size, particularly if your dog likes their bed to mimic an enclosed den.

The removable base cushion is ultra plush and, as much as the foam-fibre filling makes for a sumptuously squishy sleep surface, it also means that your pup can wind up sliding down to one end as the displaced cushioning rises up toward the other. For Nudi, this effect was heightened by the smooth, slippery surface of the velvet.

If your four-legged friend likes to burrow, they’ll have plenty of surface area to hide their bones, sticks and toys beneath. It’s also worth noting that the fabric and filling will likely harden and wear down over time, which bodes well for this bed. As someone who owns a Swyft model 06 sofa, I’ve certainly noticed the feather filling begin to dampen after four years of lounging.

For the price, it’s a tad disappointing that the cover isn’t removable or washable. Admittedly, I’ve tested the stain-resistant qualities of the fabric numerous times on my Swyft sofa and can attest to its effectiveness, but I’d argue the lingering odours of a wet dog and saliva-covered chew toys are a completely different kettle of fish to the occasional spilt cup of tea. Then again, if you – like me – own a Swyft sofa already, there’s something particularly appealing about a matching dog bed.

Key specifications:

  • Cover material:100% polyester velvet
  • Size options:Small, medium, large
  • How to wash:Stain-resistant fabric is wipe clean only with water and a little household dish soap if necessary

- Tested by Lucy Smith

  • Bestdog bed for nesting
  • Why we love it- Designed with the natural movements of dogs in mind
  • Durable and soft
  • Great choice of colours

With its oval shape, this den bed has been designed to accommodate the natural behaviours of dogs who like to pad around in a circle before lying down. My four-legged testers couldn’t wait to get into this bed, and it’s been one of the most popular.

The incredibly durable yet soft fabric unzips completely, which means you can wash the whole cover. The colourways are classy yet muted, so they don’t show the first mark of dirt or dust or mud, and this bed didn’t show dog hairs, despite three canine testers all having a night’s kip in it. From lounging completely to resting their heads on the edge of the bed, there were so many ways and positions my canine testers liked to use this bed.

Key specifications:

  • Cover material:Upholstery grade fabric
  • Size options:Small, medium, large
  • How to wash:Fully removable, machine washable

– Tested by Clare O’Reilly

  • Bestdog bed for nervous dogs
  • Why we love it- Handmade
  • Reversible cushion for a choice of materials
  • Very soft

If the clever folk at Lords & Labradors made human-sized versions of this dog bed, I suspect they’d sell very well. This bed is entirely handmade, and the faux fur* walls and base gave my nervous tester a fully rested night’s sleep.

The inner cushion is reversible, so your pooch can either rest on the faux fur or opt for the velvet underside and just enjoy the faux fur on the walls. This is one of the softest beds I tested and it looks beautiful, too. It’s got a non-slip base, and, despite the faux fur looking like it should be hand-washed and brushed, it washed in the machine brilliantly and came out looking as good as new.

Key specifications:

  • Cover material:Faux fur
  • Size options:One size
  • How to wash:Machine wash at 30C

– Tested by Clare O’Reilly

*Note – tested model had a faux wolf fur cover which has now been discontinued, but wider faux fur collection remains

  • Bestdog bed for puppy
  • Why we love it- Makes crate training easy with comfortable space that mimics a traditional dog bed
  • Blackout cover helps to send puppies to sleep quicker

  • Sherpa mattress washes beautifully

  • Take note- Crate bumper could do with a more secure fixing, as digging puppies can successfully detach it from the metalwork

  • Expensive

This dog bed comes in two parts, with the exterior crate from Argos (from £36, Argos.com) and the Danish Design bedding set working together in harmony. Admittedly, the pairing – size dependant – costs a hefty sum, but the good news is that the price and initial hurdles of crate training often pay off in the long run, resulting in a calmer, more independent pooch.

I’ve been using this Argos and Danish Design duo with my puppy, Pippin, for four weeks now and found that the soft sherpa-covered, spring bond-filled bedding definitely helped to ease his transition from sleeping with littermates to snoozing independently.

At 11-weeks old, he now settles down without whining and, thanks to the flap-down blackout cover, falls asleep within minutes. The cover rolls up in two sections (the front and left side) and secures with elastic toggles that slip around the fabric much like a hair tie.

The wrap around sherpa bumper also uses toggle fixings, with four out of the five elastics designed to pull from the inside-out and secure under the cage’s clip corners, as shown below.This attachment process is easy as pie...which unfortunately means it’s also easy peasy for your puppy to dig out and disassemble when you’re not looking. So don’t be surprised to find yourself reattaching each toggle on a daily basis.

If you’re worried about accidents inside the crate, you needn’t be. After an unfortunate incident with both the cover and base mattress, both sections wound up in my washing machine and emerged looking shiny and new. Plus, if you eventually decide to move on from a crate bed, I’ve already repurposed mattress as a settle mat in my car boot with great success.

As for the crate itself, it boasts double door openings (front and side) and latches open smoothly without catching. It also packs down flat for easy transporting and was super simple to assemble – I can’t fault it.

Key specifications:

  • Cover materials:Soft knitted sherpa fleece bumper and mattress, upholstery fabric crate cover with black out lining
  • Size options:S (for crates 60cm x 44cm x 50cm), M (for crates 76cm x 50cm x 55cm), L (for crates 92cm x 57cm x 64cm), XL (for crates 107cm x 73cm x 79cm), XXL (for crates 123cm x 76cm x 83cm)
  • How to wash:Machine wash at 30C

– Tested by Lucy Smith

  • Bestdog bed for incontinent dogs
  • Why we love it- 3-in-1 incontinence protection, improved airflow and pressure relief
  • Optional loop cover for more severe incontinence issues

  • Giant size caters to XXL breeds, such as newfoundlands

  • Take note- Only one colour, not particularly attractive

While not every dog will struggle with incontinence, accidents can always happen with puppies, old age dogs or post-surgery pups, and this bed is perfect for those times. The waterproof and wipe-clean covers have thermally welded seams, so the beds are completely sealed from liquids. The cover fabric is also antibacterial and can handle medical-grade disinfectant as well as your standard household wipes and sprays.

The cushion inside the cover is pressure-relieving and has a high-density foam base, as well as being constructed with ‘Coolcomfort’ technology, which aims to maximise airflow for heavy-coated pups. There are a huge number of sizes (eight total), plus the option to add a vet fleece loop for dogs prone to middle-of-the-night accidents. In short, these additions provide an extra layer of moisture-wicking absorption to ensure that your pooch isn’t sitting in their own mess in a way that leaves them damp or uncomfortable. Amazingly, it can be washed at 90C, so you can rest easy knowing it’ll be truly clean post-laundering.

Key specifications:

  • Cover material:Waterproof, thermally welded anti-bacterial fabric on main bed, tough fleece polyester on optional absorption vet loop
  • Size options:Eight sizes available from mini to giant
  • How to wash:Main base is wipeable (inc. disinfectant) and doesn’t need to be machine washed, vet fleece loop machine washable at 90C

- Tested by Clare O’Reilly

  • Bestdog bed for hot weather
  • Why we love it- Great for the summer
  • Easy to store and bring out for unexpected heatwaves

  • UV 50 protection

  • Take note- No padding for dogs suffering joint issues

If you’ve got a dog who likes baking in the summer sunshine, this is the bed you need*. The fact that it’s raised off the ground means there’s air circulation underneath, to keep even the warmest black-coated dog cool in the summer. Also, the UV canopy offers sun protection but is detachable for when the bed is in the shade.

It collapses down and stores away easily, which means it can go into the garage or loft in the winter, or into the back of the car for a summer holiday. It wipes clean well because of the mesh panels and its non-slip feet mean it’s as at home indoors as it is in the garden.

Key specifications:

  • Cover material:Mesh base with UV 50 protection canopy
  • Size options:One size
  • How to wash:Wipe clean

– Tested by Clare O’Reilly

  • Note, bed colour has changed since testing, though product remains the same

  • Bestdog bed for washing

  • Why we love it- Can wipe clean

  • Recycled filling

  • Take note- Limited sizing

If you take your dog on rural walks, you’ll know, come rain or shine, they’ll often find a way to get caked in mud or dust or end up in water. If you can’t continually wash a dog bed cover, this is the option for you. It wipes clean and doesn’t hold stains, yet doesn’t have the discomfort or slip-slide nature of a waterproof fabric.

That said, it does have a removable cover that washed well, too. The filling is also recycled and didn’t lose shape when two dogs tried to sleep on it at the same time.

Key specifications:

  • Cover material:Water-resistant fabric
  • Size options:Large
  • How to wash:Machine washable at 30C (can also be wiped clean)

– Tested by Clare O’Reilly

  • Bestdog bed for dog hair
  • Why we love it- Additional towelling bed cover prevents fur build-up
  • Relatively chew proof

  • Twin-layer mattress with memory foam

  • Take note- Expensive

While he’s too small for it currently, this large bolster bed from Ruff and Tumble will give my labrador ample room to stretch out once he’s full-size. With the raised sides, he also has the option to curl up along the edges and into the corners, and to rest his head and paws comfortably – all of which he’s done in the four weeks I’ve had him.

Unfortunately, he’s had accidents on the bed in that short time, too, specifically atop the matching denim towelling cover (from £45, Ruffandtumbledogcoats.com). While the towelling cover didn’t prevent his mess from permeating to the bed itself, the main canvas cover – thankfully – has a waterproof lining, meaning the foam mattress beneath wasn’t affected. Both the canvas and towelling covers are washable, and though the towelling cover produced a fair amount of fluff in the drum, I actually preferred the look and feel of it post-wash.

The main appeal of the towelling cover is its affect on dog hair. After using the main bed on its own, I was able to spot Pippin’s fur dotted all over the canvas, but after wrangling the towelling cover onto it (it looks great in situ, but the process is undeniably sweat-inducing) I’ve not been able to spot a single strand. With Pip shedding his first puppy coat at a rate of knots, this optional extra has become somewhat of a cleaning lifeline.

The optional embroidered pillow (from £20, Ruffandtumbledogcoats.com), however, is entirely unnecessary...unless you enjoy a touch of whimsy!

As for the main bed makeup, it’s really sturdy, from the canvas which has survived numerous shark-teeth chew sessions to the thick, supportive twin-layer foam. Labradors often suffer joint pain, so it gives me peace of mind knowing he’ll be able to fully recover after long walks and vigorous play times.

Key specifications:

  • Cover material:Canvas (waterproof base liner beneath)
  • Size options:Small, medium, large
  • How to wash:Machine wash delicate at 30C without fabric softener, air dry and re-fit covers at 80 per cent dry

- Tested by Lucy Smith

  • Bestdog bed for labradors
  • Why we love it- Orthopaedic mattress
  • Lowered edge makes for easy access
  • Side cushions keep their structure

While The Red Dog Company’s oval bed seemed on the smaller side for my large testers, once curled up and cosied in, they didn’t even open an eyelid when the postman knocked. The eco wool surround is made entirely of recycled yarn and each bed is made entirely in Great Britain. The mattress is orthopaedic, made with memory foam, and designed in conjunction with a veterinary surgeon. Plus, the lowered edge over one side makes for easy access.

The side cushions are made from foam rather than a filling, which means they keep their structure even with a heavy labrador head sleeping on it for weeks of testing. Available with a fleece topper – again made from 100 per cent British wool – this bed is one of the most stylish and classy-looking on my list. It’s also completely machine washable.

Key specifications:

  • Cover material:Wool
  • Size options:Small, medium, large
  • How to wash:Machine washable

- Tested by Clare O’Reilly

  • Bestfor travelling
  • Why we love it- Great for on the go
  • Super cosy

  • Non-slip and waterproof

  • Take note- Expensive for a pad

If you’re a fan of packing up the car and dog and heading off on adventures, this lightweight packable dog bed is perfect. Its synthetic insulation means it’s super cosy after a day’s yomp on a cold beach, and its microsuede sleeping surface means it’s easy to wash and wipe clean, too.

It also has a water-repellent coating and a non-slip waterproof base, so you can even use it on the beach or in the woods. It’s small enough to fold and fit into a backpack, making it an excellent choice for expeditions, comes in two sizes – medium and large – and even fits into Ruffwear’s Highland sleeping bag for extra warmth, should you want your four-legged friend in with you.

Key specifications:

  • Cover material:Polyester
  • Size options:Medium, large
  • How to wash:Hand wash only

– Tested by Clare O’Reilly