It's Time to Upgrade Your Air Mattress to a Rollaway Bed

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If you've only heard of a rollaway bed as an extra amenity in a hotel room, we don't blame you. They haven't hit the mainstream for homes just yet, the way air mattresses have, but trust us when we say they're not far behind. Rollaway beds are essentially mattresses or cots on a metal frame—often made of steel—that's set on casters. The beds can fold in half, so it can be wheeled into that awkward space in your hallway or basement, or tucked into a hall closet when not in use.

Their main benefit is the way they maximize square footage. Unlike Murphy beds or futons that require you to permanently give up a section of your floor plan, these folding beds can be tucked away into any nook and cranny in between uses. Air mattresses serve a similar function, but rollaway beds often don't take time to inflate, and their frame feels a bit sturdier than sleeping on air power alone. If you're a frequent host to overnight guests, you're going to wonder why you didn't snag one of these small space-friendly pieces sooner. To prepare you and your guests, we rounded up the very best rollaway beds for your home below.

Looking for more guest-friendly sleeping options? Check these out:

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Deluxe Diplomat Folding Bed

This twin size rollaway bed is the perfect thing to wheel out for an overnight guest, but still tuck away in a closet after they leave. The feature that makes this mattress stand out amongst the others is that you get to choose your level of firmness. One side of the mattress is soft while the other is firm, so with a simple flip, it accommodates different types of sleepers.

Folding Rollaway Guest Bed

If you don't want to shell out too much money on a rollaway bed, fear not—a budget purchase doesn't mean compromising on quality. There is supportive spring suspension in this rollaway bed. At under $150, it's comparable to the price of a high-quality air mattress, with a much sturdier frame. It does have a lower weight capacity at 225 pounds, so roll this one out when the grandkids come to visit.

Hubbard Folding Bed

For the taller people who are used to having their feet dangle off the edge of a smaller mattress, this is your pick. At over 78 inches long, even guests who are six feet tall can sleep comfortably on this rollaway bed. It even comes with omnidirectional wheels, so you can maneuver it to your spot of choice with ease.

Chalmer Folding Bed with Mattress

The last thing you want to offer guests in your home is a cot that's reminiscent of a hospital room. The pale yellow in the frame of this rollaway bed provides a base for a beautifully designed guest bed. Add accents of a similar color scheme via throw pillows, and when they sink onto the mattress, they'll feel extra welcome.

EZ Bed with Auto Shutoff

Unlike typical rollaway beds, this mattress has a wheeled case, and an elevated frame that unfolds when you inflate it. Simply unzip and plug in the mattress, select the desired firmness, and turn the switch to "inflate" to watch the magic happen. Turn it back to "deflate," and roll it away until its next use. This is the thickest rollaway bed on our list by far, and the only one that also comes in a queen size.

Rollaway Folding Guest Bed

For the truly small spaces (we see you, studio apartment dwellers), go for this option that folds to just 10.5 inches thick. Night sweaters, take heart—the top layer of the mattress is made from bamboo rayon, a moisture-wicking material that will help you stay cooler throughout the night. Plus, a hammock-style suspension provides better comfort than traditional wood slats or springs.

Luxor Folding Bed

For when the grandchildren come to visit or you have an impromptu sleepover on your hands, this rollaway bed is great for hosting little ones. They'll love the upgrade from their sleeping bag, and the sturdy wood slat foundation is enough to keep them elevated all night. It even includes a polypropylene to keep allergens and pollutants out, so a particularly sensitive kid will still be comfortable.

Rollaway Guest Bed

You'll find no worrisome creaking here—this folding guest bed employs both wooden slats and a steel frame for extra sturdiness. That extra stability will help with comfort throughout the night, and the four included casters will roll it out of the way in the morning. Did we mention it's currently available for over 50 percent off?

Folding Bed with Mattress

It's easy for the mattress on a rollaway bed to slide around on the frame, but the included velcro straps on this set hold the mattress in place, so even the restless sleeper can have extra stability. There's also locking casters, and the sturdy bed folds up to 14 inches thick, so it can be tucked away between uses.

How We Selected the Best Rollaway Beds

To find the best rollaway beds, I kept a few main features in mind. Sturdiness was number one on my list since you don't want the bed to collapse while sleeping. I checked what the material of the frames were made of, looking for any extra lattice or support on the foundation. I also used weight capacity to help determine if a rollaway bed would be better for child or adult use, or both. I also looked for other stability features, like velcro straps to hold the mattress in place and locking casters to prevent rolling around in the middle of the night. I checked mattress thickness and material to help evaluate comfort, as well as how thin it would fold up for storage.

What to Look for When Shopping Rollaway Beds

Rollaway beds are a great investment for homes with frequent guests, or those who need something more stable than an air mattress while they shop for a bed. However, there are a few things to keep in mind while shopping for one.

Mattress Thickness: Most mattresses are about five-inches thick, with the thickness on our list being 8.5 inches. You shouldn't expect the layer here to be like a regular mattress, since rollaway beds are meant to be folded up, thus space saving, and not used for long term. Additionally, pay attention to the materials used. Layers of high-density foam might not sink in as much, but will keep you more aloft and support, whereas memory foam will have that "soft to the touch" feeling that you typically find in a plush mattress.

Location: Take note of the layout of your home. If you have a multi-level space, it's best to keep the rollaway bed stored on the same level as where it will be used the most. This will help avoid lugging it up and down stairs, so you can just wheel it with ease. It would also help to measure whatever nook, cranny, or closet you intend to keep it in, so you can be sure the bed you pick will fit in that space.

Foundation: The type of foundation underneath the mattress can help with support, but also be felt through the often thin mattress. Wood slats help with even weight distribution, but are also prone to bending and splintering over time. Hammock-style suspension might have some more give, but you're less likely to feel it poking into your back at night.

Why Trust House Beautiful?

House Beautiful is dedicated to finding the best pieces for your home, no matter what your budget or design preference is. Sleep is sacred to our shopping team, and we love finding pieces that can make it better, from the most comfortable mattresses to luxury sheets to the best platform beds to everything in between. We know it's not always time to invest in a whole new bed, and there are plenty of more temporary sleep solutions for homeowners and their guests. From convertible couches to air mattresses, we're equipped at helping you find sleep solutions both permanent and temporary, for short and long-term comfort.

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