Updated on Oct. 24, 2024
Think you can't do much with that small space in your home? Think again. The best rollaway beds are a smart way to transform that spot into a guest room in no time.
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Not all of us are lucky enough to have a designated guest room, but the best rollaway beds make it possible even in small spaces. A rollaway bed typically has wheels while a folding bed, which is also a smart option, can simply be a trifold mattress. However, “rollaway bed” and “folding bed” are sometimes used interchangeably.
Both rollaway and folding beds offer easy, affordable ways to convert a tight space into a comfy sleeping room for visitors. Many folding beds are lightweight and can be tucked away into a carrying case to take with you on the go if you’re the one traveling. Here are some of the top-rated portable beds to quickly create a makeshift bedroom almost anywhere in your home or on the road.
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The incredibly popular rollaway guest bed is a cot-style folding bed that’s not only compact, but insanely comfortable, too. The dual-locking casters provide a smooth and quiet roll, then they lock tight into place so the bed won’t scoot around during the night. No back-breaking crossbar here—a steel frame with hammock-style suspension supports the soft memory foam mattress, and its breathable rayon cover keeps you cool all night long.
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This slim rollaway bed is only 31 inches wide, so it’s a smart option if space is an issue. Just because it’s slim, doesn’t mean it isn’t thick. It has a 5-inch memory foam mattress, which is considerable for a rollaway model. It has a washable cover that you can wash between uses. When it’s time to put it away, simply unlock the casters and glide it to the closet or corner of your choice.
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This rollaway bed has a 4-inch memory foam mattress to give your guest the comfort they need for a good night’s rest. The deck supporting the mattress absorbs impact so that there’s no bouncy feeling when turning over in the middle of the night. It comes in three sizes—twin, twin XL and cot—and when folded, all three stand at about 34 inches high, so you can store them in a small closet.
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This space-saving folding bed features a 3-inch memory foam mattress, and weighs just under 30 pounds, meaning one person can easily move it from one spot to another. The cot-size sleeper has a sturdy frame with its heavyweight polyester fabric to support the mattress, as well as up to 300 pounds of weight. Plus, you won’t need to break out the tool kit to put it together.
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Whether you’re camping in the wilderness or throwing a slumber party in the family room, the Coleman Twin Airbed Folding Cot is built to take a beating. Made of durable materials to withstand the elements (or anything a tween can throw at it), this fold-and-go bed for small spaces also serves as a portable twin air mattress, and fits into most car trunks, tiny closets and other small spaces. Oh, and if you like this, check out more of our top picks for the best camping cots, too.
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Make the most of your limited space by installing this handsome piece of multitasking furniture. The chest-style Stellar Home Wall Bed is a major space-saver that earns extra raves for its ample storage capacity, gel-infused memory foam mattress and built-in USB charging ports. With the smart style, your guest won’t even realize it’s where they’ll be sleeping until it’s time to count sheep.
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For parents on the go, this folding toddler bed is a dream. The Regalo My Cot Bed is not only child’s play to put up and take down, it ingeniously collapses small enough to pack into a suitcase. Now for the fun stuff: It comes in pink, royal blue and gray colors, and includes a fitted sheet, a removable pillow (with a kitty design) and a tote. The deluxe model has a sleeping bag. It’s the ideal napping bed for small spaces, like in a tent.
Before buying a rollaway bed, you need to know what size to buy. A full or queen mattress can host adults and couples while a twin is good for a kid, teen and solo adult. Also, consider the amount of square footage you have available to store the bed.
Depending on how portable you need your compact bed to be, you can choose from mattress-only models or ones that include plush memory foam mattresses and are built into pieces of furniture. Some even come with USB charging ports built right in.
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A rollaway bed can be folded and stored away when not in use. They’re on wheels so they can be easily moved around. A folding bed (sometimes used synonymously with “rollaway bed”) typically refers to a tri-folding mattress, sometimes with a frame. A folding bed frame collapses into a smaller shape, which allows for compact storage in a guest room or basement. Folding mattresses and cots are ideal for travel and camping since they’re usually lightweight for portability.
Most rollaway beds come with twin or twin XL mattress. If your guests need more room, folding mattresses are often available in full and queen sizes.
Rollaway and folding beds typically cost around the same amount of money. Expect a standard, twin-size rollaway bed to set you back about $150 to $300. If you already have an air mattress or cot and simply need a frame, a folding bed frame will cost you around $65 to $165.
