3 Best Beds for Airbnb and What to Look For
Choosing the right bed for your Airbnb or short-term rental can significantly influence your business. Guests may forget many aspects of their stay, but a poor night's sleep is memorable and it will affect reviews. As the most used furniture in your rental, beds impact guest satisfaction, repeat bookings, and your property's success.
Many hosts face a dilemma: how to choose beds that satisfy diverse guests, withstand rental wear and tear, complement their property's aesthetic, and fit within budget constraints. Finding this balance is challenging, especially when managing multiple properties.
In this guide, we help you select the best beds for your Airbnb. We cover essential factors, compare frame and mattress types, and provide specific recommendations. Drawing on our experience furnishing hundreds of guest-ready properties, we help you improve both guest experience and your bottom line.
Top Bed Recommendations for Your Airbnb
Based on our discussion, here are highly-rated bed frames and mattresses popular with Airbnb hosts, available on Amazon. These selections balance durability, guest appeal, value, and style.
The top Amazon beds for your Airbnb are:
Best Value Bed Frame: Zinus Olivia Metal and Wood Platform Bed. This platform bed combines a wood headboard with a metal frame, offering excellent value with its no-box-spring-needed design and 250+ pound weight capacity. Easy assembly and under $200 for most sizes make it popular with hosts managing multiple properties.
Most Durable Bed Frame: Olee Sleep Heavy Duty Steel Slat Bed Frame. This frame, built with heavy-duty steel to support 1500+ pounds, features non-slip tape on wooden slats to prevent mattress movement. The 13" height allows ample storage and creates a timeless bed height many guests prefer.
Best Stylish Budget-Friendly Frame: Allewie Queen Size Upholstered Platform Bed. This modern piece features a button-tufted headboard and sturdy wood slat support, adding sophistication without overspending. The neutral gray fabric complements most designs and creates an upscale feel for under $300.
Highly Recommended Airbnb Mattress: Zinus 12 Inch Green Tea Memory Foam Mattress. This medium-firm mattress offers excellent guest comfort at an affordable price, with over 100,000 positive reviews. It is infused with green tea extract to maintain freshness and CertiPUR-US certified for safety.
Essential Mattress Protector: SafeRest Premium Zippered Encasement. This six-sided encasement creates a waterproof, bed bug-proof barrier that fully protects your mattress. The micro-zipper technology prevents pest entry while maintaining breathability for guest comfort.
Why the Right Bed Is Crucial for Your Airbnb's Success
A quality bed impacts your business metrics. When guests wake up refreshed after a good night's sleep, that positive experience becomes a focal point in their reviews. "Sleep quality" is a frequently mentioned aspect of a stay. Uncomfortable beds generate negative reviews, which harm your property's ranking in search results and reduce booking rates.
Conversely, properties with comfortable, high-quality beds can justify higher nightly rates and enjoy increased occupancy. When guests feel they've received outstanding value in comfort and rest, they're willing to pay a premium and are more likely to book again or recommend your property.
A quality bed signals professionalism and attention to detail beyond the immediate guest experience. It shows you've invested in their comfort and care about their experience, enhancing the value of the stay. This perception extends to your property, positioning it as a premium offering.
Consider durability and long-term costs. When choosing beds for your rental, look for quality that saves money on frequent replacements, repairs, and downtime that impact revenue.
Key Factors for Choosing the Best Airbnb Beds
When selecting beds for your short-term rental, several essential factors will determine guest satisfaction and your long-term success.
Durability and Longevity
Rental beds endure more use and varied sleeping styles than standard home beds.
This heightened usage demands additional attention to durability:
Focus on sturdy materials like solid wood or metal frames instead of composite materials that deteriorate quickly.
Check construction quality, especially joint strength and support slats; more lead to better durability.
Verify weight capacity by choosing frames rated 500+ pounds for queen/king sizes.
Avoid particle board, MDF, or flimsy metal frames that seem cost-effective but will need replacement often.
Guest Comfort (Universal Appeal)
Your goal should be finding comfortable beds for most guests, avoiding options that please some but alienate others:
Medium-firm mattresses accommodate the widest range of sleepers.
Comfort preferences vary. What's perfect for you might not work for every guest.
Different mattress types (memory foam, hybrid, innerspring) offer unique comfort profiles.
Consider support features for various sleeping positions: side, back, and stomach.
Style & Aesthetics
Your bed frames should enhance your property's visual appeal while maintaining harmony with your overall design theme:
Match bed style to your property's aesthetic and target guest demographic.
Consider how beds will appear in listing photos, as they are a key feature.
Neutral styles have broader appeal and longer lasting qualities.
Balance trendy designs with timelessness to avoid frequent replacements.
Ease of Cleaning and Maintenance
STRs require frequent turnovers, making easy-to-clean beds important:
Choose frames with smooth, wipeable surfaces like metal or finished wood.
With upholstered beds, consider the potential for stains and explore performance fabrics that repel spills.
Invest in quality mattress protectors.
Select simpler designs with fewer nooks and crannies that collect dust and make cleaning difficult.
Assembly & Logistics
Delivery and assembly considerations greatly influence your setup process:
Consider delivery ease, especially for remote locations or apartments without elevators.
Evaluate assembly complexity. Simpler is better unless you're hiring professionals.
Look for frames with straightforward instructions and minimal tools.
If you're not doing it yourself, factor in the cost of professional assembly.
Price & Value (ROI Focus)
Instead of focusing on upfront costs, consider the overall value over time:
Balance initial investment against expected lifespan and income.
"Cheap" often means more frequent replacements, resulting in higher overall costs.
Set a realistic budget per bed/mattress based on your property's positioning and target nightly rate.
Consider the potential ROI from improved reviews and increased occupancy rates.
Popular Bed Frame Types for STRs: Advantages & Disadvantages
Different frame materials and designs offer distinct advantages for short-term rentals. Here's how the common options compare:
Metal Bed Frames
Pros:
They are very durable and resistant to damage.
Affordable across different styles.
Easy to clean with a simple wipe.
Available in diverse styles, from minimalist to ornate and from industrial to vintage-inspired.
Resistant to pests such as bed bugs.
Cons:
Lower-quality metal frames can develop noises and vibrations over time.
Depending on the design, it lacks the luxurious feel of other options.
If not balanced with soft bedding, it can feel cold or industrial.
Wood Bed Frames
Pros:
Classic, timeless appeal that works in different design schemes.
Solid wood frames offer great durability and stability.
Available in numerous styles, finishes, and wood types.
Regarded as higher quality by guests.
Cons:
More expensive than metal alternatives.
Susceptible to scratches, dents, and water damage.
Heavier and more difficult to move during cleaning or rearranging.
Lower-quality wood or veneer can chip and flake.
Upholstered Bed Frames
Pros:
Adds softness, texture, and a luxurious, inviting feel to the space.
Wide range of modern and classic designs
Creates a focal point in bedroom photos.
Includes comfortable headboards for reading or sitting up in bed.
Cons:
It is more challenging to clean thoroughly between guests.
Susceptible to stains, snags, odors, and damage.
Shows damage faster than metal or wood options.
If not maintained properly, it can harbor allergens or bugs.
Platform Beds (Metal, Wood, or Upholstered)
Pros:
No box spring is needed, reducing costs and simplifying setup.
Often feature a clean, modern, minimalist design.
Provide excellent mattress support through slats or solid platforms.
Many include under-bed storage options, which are useful for smaller properties.
Cons:
It can be lower to the ground, creating accessibility concerns for older guests.
Certain designs offer less under-bed storage space.
Some guests may find the higher beds uncomfortable if they are used to traditional lower beds.
Choosing the Right Mattress: The Essence of Comfort
While the frame makes a visual statement, the mattress is more important for guest comfort and reviews. Your goal remains finding options with broad appeal, typically in the medium-firm range.
Memory Foam Mattresses
Pros:
Excellent pressure relief, especially for side sleepers.
Superior motion isolation is ideal for couples sharing the bed.
Often affordably priced, especially in the popular "bed-in-a-box" category.
Easy delivery with compressed shipping to remote properties.
Cons:
Many newer models include cooling gel infusions, but some trap heat.
Firmness varies among brands and models.
May emit an initial off-gassing smell that requires ventilation.
Some guests dislike the feeling of traditional memory foam.
Hybrid Mattresses
Pros:
Combines supportive coil systems with foam layers for comfort.
Offers a good balance for various sleep preferences.
Better airflow than all-foam options results in a cooler sleep.
Often viewed by guests as more premium.
Cons:
More expensive than all-foam or traditional innerspring.
Heavier and more difficult to move during cleaning.
More complex construction can mean additional potential failure points.
Innerspring Mattresses
Pros:
Often budget-friendly, it assists in managing initial investment.
Excellent edge support for the entire mattress surface.
Superior airflow for a cooler sleep.
Many guests recognize
Cons:
Transfer more movement between sleepers.
May develop sagging or body impressions sooner than foam or hybrid options.
Foam alternatives offer less pressure relief than other options.
Can be noisy as springs wear, leading to complaints.
The Non-Negotiable: Mattress Protectors
The quality mattress protectors are essential for any STR property:
Prevent stains, spills, and bodily fluids from reaching the mattress.
Create a barrier against allergens, bed bugs, and dust mites.
Extend the lifespan of your mattress to safeguard your investment.
Washable between guest stays.
Invest in waterproof, breathable, encasement-style protectors that fully seal the mattress. Keep spares for quick turnovers.
While comfort is subjective, the options above perform well in rentals when selected with your property and target guest in mind.
Beyond the Bed: Remember Bedding & Pillows
Selecting the right bed frame and mattress is crucial for guest comfort, but bedding quality also impacts the sleep experience. To create a guest-pleasing setup, invest in durable, easy-to-maintain items. Many successful hosts opt for hotel-standard white linens that look clean and fresh and can be sanitized between guests.
For pillows, offer a mix of firmness options (two medium and two firm per queen/king bed) to accommodate different sleeping preferences. Don't overlook protectors; these extend pillow life and maintain hygiene.
Choosing the right bed and accessories is crucial. For busy hosts, getting everything procured, delivered, and set up can be a challenge.
Showplace: Your Partner for Furnishing Rentals Ready for Guests
Showplace specializes in design and furnishing solutions for Airbnb and short-term rentals. It offers a comprehensive solution that eliminates these headaches, understanding the challenges hosts face—from time constraints and design uncertainty to the logistics of furnishing a property.
Selecting the best beds for your Airbnb is important, but it's just one piece of creating a cohesive, guest-pleasing space. Showplace approaches each property comprehensively, considering how elements work together to create experiences that generate five-star reviews and repeat bookings. Their designers understand aesthetic principles and the practical requirements of rental properties.
Showplace’s complete service model sets them apart. They manage everything—from initial design and sourcing quality furniture (like recommended beds) to delivery, assembly, setup, and staging. This approach saves hosts time and effort, allowing them to focus on other aspects of their rental business.
The results speak for themselves. Showplace clients reported a 22% revenue increase compared to self-furnished properties, demonstrating that professional design and furnishing deliver measurable ROI. With nationwide service across the U.S., they support your property regardless of location.
If you want to furnish a new STR or revamp an existing one without the hassle, explore Showplace and try their online furnishing estimator.
Conclusion
Choosing the best beds for your Airbnb is a critical investment in your property's success. By focusing on durability, comfort, style, and long-term value, you can satisfy guests and generate positive reviews. The right mattress—protected by a quality encasement—is as important as the frame, and together they create the sleep experience that can significantly impact your rental's reputation.