13 Best dog beds UK tried and tested

OUR dogs deserve the best, so I set out to find the best dog beds on the market right now.

I have two dogs: one large and one medium, which was ideal for testing. Dilly is a Pointer-cross and Mabel is a mix of terrier and I see chihuahua in her face as well. (Cosmo the cat also helped out as and when he chose.)

Both dogs lay, slept and played in the beds over several weeks, so I could get to know which they preferred and why. All of the beds tested were appreciated by them to one extent or another, but there were clear favourites at the end of my testing.

Different breeds of dogs may well prefer different types of bed; sighthounds such as whippets, salukis or greyhounds for example love to cosy up in burrower-type beds, while my dad’s German Shepherd Leah will choose a flat bed over a box bed any time.

Dilly is a mud magnet and at his happiest when he’s wet and mucky, which means his bed ends up that way too, so when rating the beds I also considered factors such as ease of cleaning, how difficult it was to remove dog hair and whether or not the covers were removable for washing. These features of course were not at all important to my dogs, but were definite requirements for me!

Best dog beds at a glance:

• Best overall: Slumberdown
• Best for small dogs: Pets at home
• Best faux fur: Mikki
• Best waterproof dog bed: Bedsure

Slumberdown Paws For Slumber Pet Bed

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• Slumberdown Paws For Slumber Pet Bed, from £36 at Sleepskeeker – buy here

Pros: Thick filling that keeps its shape, great price, luxury finish, removable cover for machine washing, filling made from recycled materials

Cons: None I can see

Rating: 5/5

We were sent the large Slumberdown Paws for Slumber bed in a beautiful deep green colour with an opulent velour fabric cover. It was more than big enough for big Dilly to stretch out fully and still be totally supported, head, legs and all.

The filling is hollow fibre and while it flexes under your dog, providing a really comfy base, it springs back into shape the moment they get up, so it keeps its looks. And it really does look great; the sides boast quilted stitching and the piped edging helps the bed maintain its shape. The cover, which has an anti-slip base, is removable for cleaning (yay!) and it’s machine washable on a 40°C programme.

I think the price is amazing for such a quality bed and one more thing I loved about it is the filling is made from recycled materials: 600 plastic bottles in the medium size.

Available in medium, large and extra-large sizes. Choose from olive green, burgundy, chocolate brown, grey or navy.

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Pets At Home Teddy Oval Dog Bed

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• Pets At Home Teddy Oval Dog Bed, from £26 at Pets At Home – buy here

Pros: Soft Sherpa fleece inner, price, high sides, good size, machine washable

Cons: None that I can see

Rating: 5/5

Some 'large' dog beds are huge, while some come up a bit smaller. The Teddy Oval Dog Bed is the latter, much to Mabel’s delight.

This is one of her favourite beds as she fits into it with just enough room around her to stretch and change position. The sides are high, which helps her feel secure and the inside is super soft as both the inner walls and cushion are covered in Berber fleece.

The cushion features stitched detail to keep the filling from bunching up and I simply pop it in the washing machine to clean. The bed itself has a zip around the bottom to remove the cover from the foam sides for washing on a gentle cycle.

Dilly also likes this bed, though it’s a tighter squeeze for him (not that that stops him!)

Mikki Calming Donut Bed XL

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• Mikki Calming Donut Bed XL, £69.99 from Amazon – buy here

Pros: The faux fur fabric seems to have a soothing effect, warm and snuggly, non-slip base, machine washable

Cons: The fur fabric is quite thin, so could be an issue if your dog chews

Rating: 4.5/5

Now this bed definitely got the paws up from Dilly and Mabel. The faux fur cover is really soft and the sides and base are thickly padded, just right for snuggling into. The sides are also squishy so great for resting your head on while sleeping, or for peeping over the top to see what mum’s up to.

Both dogs loved this bed and were happy to use it from the get-go. After a few days, I moved it into my bedroom where they sleep and Mabel would race up the stairs to nab it first before Dilly got there.

I was sent the extra-large size so it’s big enough for both of them to fit inside when they curl up strategically and that’s now the way they start every night. Dilly lays his head on the sides whereas Mabel prefers to stick her head under the sides, which I’m guessing is a soothing habit for her.

Happily, this bed is machine washable at a low temperature, which is just as well considering the amount of use it gets. My only comment is that if you have a chewer you might find the soft fur fabric is too much of a temptation.

Bedsure Waterproof Dog Bed Large

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• Bedsure Waterproof Dog Bed Large, £28.99 from Amazon – buy here

Pros: Filling doesn’t clump together, inexpensive, portable, water-resistant, machine washable

Cons: The filling isn’t substantial enough for a heavy dog

Rating: 3.5/5

This bed arrived shrink-wrapped and looking so small it was hard to believe it was a dog bed at all. However, like those mattresses that arrive rolled up and tiny, once opened and left to its own devices it gradually took shape. After a few hours, it looked totally different and was respectably squishy.

The shape is flat and the design keeps the filling evenly distributed throughout the mattress, which is handy when you’ve got a dog pawing at it (as Dilly is wont to do). The water-resistant fabric means marks are easy to wipe off, but the bed is also machine washable for a deeper clean when needed.

My favourite thing about this bed though is that dog hair doesn’t stick to it. Dilly especially sheds like crazy and dog hair is the bane of my life.

However, because he’s a big dog I found the bed wasn’t substantial enough for him, it tended to flatten under him, so he didn’t spend too much time on it. It was ideal for Mabel though, who I think liked the idea of having a bed to herself.

This is definitely a bed to take on holiday if your dog is going with you as it’s light and rolls up easily for transporting.

Available in sizes M, L, XL and XXL, and in a range of colours.

Silentnight The Side Sleeper Orthopaedic Pet Bed

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• Silentnight The Side Sleeper Orthopaedic Pet Bed, from £39.99 at Amazon – buy here

Pros: Supports joints, so is suitable for older or arthritic dogs, entire cover is machine washable

Cons: Foam base may be too hard for some dogs

Rating: 4/5

Silentnight is a well-known brand when it comes to mattresses, beds, duvets and heated blankets (check out our best heated throws review here) for people, but did you know they also do dog beds? No, I didn’t realise that either.

So I was very excited to receive their Orthopaedic Pet Bed to try out. Dilly is almost 10 (going on 10 months) and I’ve noticed that after a long walk, or when he gets up after lying down for a while, his legs seem a little stiff. I’m very conscious that a dog of his size may well run into joint problems in the future, so the idea of a bed that could help him and maybe even keep him mobile longer was very appealing.

Inside the bed there’s a layer of supportive foam that moulds to your dog’s shape, cradling their body and helping distribute their weight to relieve pressure on their joints and back. Dilly has shown no signs yet of arthritis or joint pain, but the bed is designed to help ease any discomfort or achiness, allowing for restful sleep.

This could be a great bed for older dogs and though he’s not quite there yet, Dilly did find it comfortable. He slept soundly in this bed, again using the sides as a pillow. The mattress was too hard for Mabel though, she prefers soft wadding to lie on.

Handily, the entire cover comes off for machine washing at 30°C, leaving just the side padding and foam base.

Available in sizes S, M and L – we tested the large.

Pets At Home Crumb Memory Foam Oval Bolstered Dog Bed

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Crumb Memory Foam Oval Bolstered Dog Bed, from £50 at Pets At Home – buy here

Pros: Supportive memory foam, soft, high sides, low front for access

Cons: Difficult to remove the cover for washing, difficult to refit the cover after washing

Rating: 3.5/5

This bed contains crumb memory foam on the base and lower sides, with polyester wadding to the upper section. It looks solid and seems like it could last for years, able to withstand canine rough handling. My two have been sleeping in it regularly and it still looks as good as new.

The outside is in a woven blue fabric, while the inside is soft faux fur. Both are part of the same cover but it comes off for washing. And this is where it gets complicated. What a faff it is to remove the cover; there’s one zip around the base and this reveals the polyester wadding, then there’s another zip inside for the crumb memory foam sides and then a third zip beyond the second for the base.

You can pop the cover in the washing machine on a 30°C cycle, which is great, but fitting everything back together again afterwards is a pain; I couldn’t quite get it back in the way it came out so one side is now more lumpy than the other, though the dogs don’t seem to mind. There has to be an easier way.

That said, I can’t fault the bed, it’s soft, supportive and it looks great. Mabel and Dilly love it.

RUComfy Burrower Dog Bed Large

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• Burrower Dog Bed Large, £64.99 from RUComfy – buy here

Pros: Large, lightweight, machine washable cover

Cons: You may find your dog sleeps on top rather than inside

Rating: 4/5

Some dogs love to snuggle under blankets and if they go to sleep on your bed, you soon find them under the covers with you. Terrier breeds (Jack Russells I’m looking at you!) and sighthounds such as greyhounds and whippets are happiest under a blanket rather than on top of one.

For that reason, this Burrower dog bed is perfect for them. It’s a large cushion with a full-width pocket at one side, which is great for climbing into and curling up away from the world.

Dilly and Mabel weren’t sure what to make of this at first and despite investigating the pocket, in the end, they decided to sleep on top of the bed rather than inside it.

Notwithstanding my dogs lack of cooperation, this is a lovely bed. It’s a great size for both of them, lightweight and comfy. The jumbo cord cover is removable for machine washing at 30°C and the underneath is water-resistant.

RUComfy states the Burrower was also designed for anxious dogs – which Dilly certainly is, so I’m hopeful he may yet find his way into the pocket for a snooze.

Woov pet bed

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• Woov pet bed, £149.95 from Stoov – buy here

Pros: Heated with three temperatures, cosy fabric, cover removable for machine washing

Cons: Expensive

Rating: 4/5

This dog bed was unlike any other we tested, as this bed is heated.

The Woov has a rechargeable battery built into it and, when charged, you have three heat levels to choose from: three hours on the lowest setting (32°C), two hours on the middle setting (37°C) and 1.5 hours on the highest setting (42°C).

There’s also a larger battery which costs a little more, and that gives you up to six hours of heat on one charge.

I was especially keen to see how Dilly reacted to the bed as I’ve noticed he seems a bit stiff when he stands up recently so I thought the heat would help with this, providing relief to his joints.

As it turned out it was Mabel who was most impressed by it and claimed it as her own.

The cushion is a little short for Dilly when he’s stretched out, but fine when he’s curled up. It’s a great size for Mabel – and for Cosmo the cat, who has really taken to the Woov also, which is no surprise as he hates the cold and I’m sure he would sleep on top of the radiators if he could.

We received the bed with the black woolly cover for indoors, but there’s also an outdoor version in grey that repels dirt and water.

Lords & Labradors Neutral Tweed Box Bed For Dogs

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• Neutral Tweed Box Bed For Dogs, from £109.99 from Lords & Labradors – buy here

Pros: Soft and comfy, lots of space, lovely fabric, easy to wash

Cons: The inner cushion cover is not removable for washing, expensive

Rating: 4.5/5

The Balmoral Tweed of this bed gives a real country vibe and the soft grey check design ticked all the boxes as far as looks are concerned. We were sent the extra-large version in Dove Grey Tweed to test, which is very big, so much so that my two slept in it together, which I’m not ashamed to say brought a tear to my eye.

Dilly especially loved this bed – the inner cushion is tweed on one side and soft cream fleece on the other, which he found perfect for wriggling around on his back in a doggy version of starfishing. The box bed shape also meant he could rest his head on the raised sides, using them like a pillow, which I’ve now learned, is his preferred way of sleeping.

Importantly, the bed is machine washable at 30°C and it came out of the wash looking lovely. My only gripe is the inner cushion does not have a removable cover, which I would have preferred.

The bed is available in four sizes: S, M, L and XL, and in three colours Dove Grey, Natural and Duck Egg. It is expensive but it is beautiful.

You can also opt for personalisation with your dog’s name.

Charley Chau The Bliss Bolster Bed

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• Charley Chau The Bliss Bolster Bed, from £200 at Charley Chau – buy here

Pros: Thick and comfortable, duck feather pads are machine washable, covers are machine washable, spare covers are available

Cons: Expensive, on the heavy side

Rating: 4.5/5

Now this has to be the ultimate in luxury dog beds. It’s squishy, with duck-feather sides around a hollowfibre mattress.

We tested out the medium-size bed in Sienna, which was plenty big enough for Dilly, even with his gangly legs (I’ve never known a dog fall over his own legs as much as he does, even when he’s sitting still!) He likes to paw at his bed to get it just so before turning in circles for an age then settling down and The Bliss Bolster withstands his sleep prep admirably.

Mabel was also happy to test out this bed but she looked a little lost in one corner of it to be honest, though she also looked supremely comfortable.

The Faroe fabric is thick and high quality, though Dilly being a hairy hound means the hair clings to the material. The handy and much-used pet hair remover I bought a while ago however works brilliantly on this.

Removable covers come off both the mattress and the duck feather sides for washing (mattress wash at 40°C and covers at 30° on a synthetic cycle). You can even wash the duck feather pads (30° on a gentle wool cycle), which I was surprised, but delighted to discover. Importantly for me the feathers are ethically sourced with a traceable history.

Optional mini bolster pads are available to buy separately and you also have the choice of an anti-microbial memory foam mattress if you prefer.

Spare covers are available for purchase, whether you wish to ring the changes with a new look, or need to replace your existing covers for whatever reason.

Dilly and Mabel love it!

Squishmallows Pet Bed

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• Squishmallows Pet Bed, from £29.99 at Amazon – buy here

Pros: Non-slip base, really soft outer cover, four cute characters to choose from, kids will love them

Cons: Spot-clean only, temptingly chewable

Rating: 3.5/5

If you have kids then you’re no doubt familiar with Squishmallows, one of the biggest soft toy crazes in the past couple of years here in the UK (my daughter has sooo many of them!). And now they’re available for your furbabies too.

We received the Maui Pineapple bed in large and Wendy the Frog in medium. I think it’s fair to say that these beds were made for smaller dogs, as even the large size isn’t huge, but that didn’t stop Dilly who immediately tried out both sizes, snuggling down in each.

The beds are so soft, just like the toys, and they’re pretty substantial too. They’re going to appeal to children who have dogs, rather than to adults I think, simply because of the cartoon-type faces, but hey, I could be wrong.

I found I had to watch Dilly, who delighted in chewing on Maui’s spiky head and Wendy’s eyes – I think it’s the novelty value, he’s not used to his bed being a ‘toy’ as well. Mabel wasn’t so childish though, curling up and going to sleep quite happily.

I loved the non-slip base but was disappointed the beds are spot-clean only, which in my house means they’ll have a limited lifespan.

Lords & Labradors Twill Box Bed

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• Lords & Labradors Twill Box Bed, from £59.99 at Lords & Labradors – buy here

Pros: Looks lovely, super soft inside, box bed that keeps its shape

Cons: Covers aren’t removable for washing

Rating: 4.5/5

This was the second bed we tested from Lords & Labradors and we received the medium size in denim.

What can I say? It’s beautiful! The blue colour is lovely and the canvas fabric feels robust. Inside the bed is lined with faux fur in cream that is incredibly soft and the cushion, also super soft, is removable.

It’s a better size for Mabel than Dilly, but he squeezes himself in there regardless. Cosmo the cat loves this one too and often chooses this bed over his own.

There’s a handle on each short side of the bed, which makes carrying it a doddle (and a great idea I haven’t seen on any of the other beds we tested). I also love the decorative Lords & Labradors gold plaque on the front (and neither dog has tried to chew it – result).

The bed is machine washable at 30°C, however the covers aren’t removable, which is disappointing. While the medium does fit into my washing machine, if it was any larger I would struggle.

Also available in large and extra large, and in slate and linen colourways.

Great Bean Bags Oval Dog Bed Bean Bag

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• Great Bean Bags Oval Dog Bed Bean Bag, from £55.99 at Great Bean Bags – buy here

Pros: Very large, durable and tough fabric

Cons: The fabric is practical, rather than soft and welcoming, some dogs don't like the feel of it

Rating: 3.5/5

A unique bed among the ones we tested, this one is filled with polystyrene beans held in net sacks within a tough fabric casing. We received the medium size in navy and it is seriously big; both dogs could sleep on it together, sadly though, they don’t seem to want to.

Unlike myself, who has loved bean bags since the early ‘90s and has owned several of them, Dilly and Mabel seem bemused by them. Despite me encouraging them, they don’t want to stand on them and I think it’s because the surface gives way beneath their feet as the beans move.

Other dogs I’m sure will be fine with them, just not my two it seems.

The bed itself is well made and the beans are contained withing five bags inside, so you can remove them without beads getting everywhere. You can also remove a bag if you feel that would suit your dog better and you can buy extra bags of beans to top up the bed if required.

While the outer cover is undoubtedly tough, it’s not soft and cosy to lie on. The cover is washable though – all you need to do is hose it down or jet wash it outdoors.

The bean bag bed is available in eight colours, and in small, medium and large sizes.

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