Best Rollaway Bed – Top Products Reviews and Ratings (2024)

Buyer’s Guide for Foldaway and Comfortable Portable Beds

What Is A Rollaway Cot?

These consist of a sturdy frame with what is typically a foam mattress on top. Though termed “rollaway” they do not always have rollers.

Rollaway models are designed to take up little space, making them easy to pull out for when guests visit or if you want to pack it for a weekend getaway. Their size can make them a suitable option for camping or when you need an extra sleeping space in a hotel room.

The Different Types of Rollaway Beds

Standard

These use a metal frame with either bars lying horizontally across to give the sleeper stability or more common a chain linked mesh to provide support. They are topped off with a foam mattress and at the bottom are caster wheels to facilitate storing the product.

Cabinet

This style of rollaway hides the mattress when folded up. This is usually a more attractive option and as it uses less metal than a standard version. When folded up these usually look like a form of cabinetry, hence the name.

Caster wheels are mounted at the base, making this easy to store. Some versions may even include footboards and headboards to add an appealing aesthetic.

Ottoman

Just by looking at this type, most people would think it is a standard rollaway. The difference between the two is these fold into thirds, allowing them to fold down into an ottoman. Another common difference is this type will not have wheels.

This option is nice because it doubles up not only as a guest bed but can be used on a daily basis in a living or sitting room as a nice place to rest your feet after a long day.

Advantages of Using a Rollaway Bed

Affordable Pricing

Folding beds are not only convenient but they are not overly expensive. Shoppers can pick these up for just a few hundred dollars. And while there are more pricey options out there, a simple rollaway for your guest is not going to break the bank.

Convenience and Portability

Most of these options fold up compactly to fit into a small carrying bag. This makes them easy to carry around and pack for a weekend getaway. Many people use these options for camping, extra space in a hotel, and if you are really adventurous, for world travel.

They are light enough to take on a plane and small enough to fit in the trunk of your car or to set up in a motorhome. These are great on the go options that travelers love, allowing many sleepers to get quite creative with their sleeping arrangement.

Storage

Rollaway mattresses are great for when guests come to stay for a few days. They fit into small spaces and can stay collapsed during the day and take up very little room at night. When it is time for your guest to leave, they fold right up and back into storage they go.

Disadvantages of Using a Rollaway Bed

Limited Durability

These should not be mistaken for an everyday sleep option. While yes, they can be an every night option for a small child, adults should understand that these have limited durability over time. They do not use as many or as nice of materials and many manufacturers warn against couples having sex on these because they are less supportive.

Aesthetics

Most of these products are made of metal, so they may not meet your standard bedroom decor. If looks are an important feature, some brands have included extra features that make them more attractive.

Potential Noise

These products are mostly metallic, so sleepers may experience some clinking and clanking while rolling around. While most brands have tried to subdue these noisy features, it is likely sleepers will experience some type of noise on when resting on these.

Additional Considerations When Buying a Rollaway Bed

Size/Dimensions

Most rollaways are twin sized. There are some Full sizes out there, though shoppers will likely need to do some looking around.

Queen sizes are not really available and neither are Kings. Sleepers could place two Twin size rollaways along each other to get something closely sized to a King, though this is not highly recommended because the center of the setup is likely to be much less sturdy.

Learn more about bed sizing in our complete guide.

Frame

These frames are usually made of metal and are designed to fold in half so they can be easily stored away. There are a variety of designs for these frames, some using metal bars while others are manufactured with a mesh netting to support the sleeper.

Durability

Sleepers should not expect their Rollaway bedding option to be as sturdy as the frame they use every other night. These rollaway cots are typically built from cheaper materials and there is less structure to their design. They are a solid option for someone to use for a few nights but are not normally considered as a primary option unless being used for small children.

Sleepers should be careful to make sure their cot is stable before laying on it for the first time. On products that use spring hooks coupled with mesh support, make sure that all the springs are securely attached to the frame.

Weight Capacity

This is going to vary between models, but they will not usually support more than two to three hundred pounds. Some brands mate be rated for more, while others may be less. It is important to check with the manufacturer before using a rollaway product if you have a heavier weight consideration.

For a fitting mattress, check out our Best Mattresses for Heavy People.

Adult Versus Kid Use

Children should sleep well on a rollaway option. Average sized adults should do fine as well, though heavier adults may want to check the cot’s stability more regularly.

Mattress Type

Mattresses are made from all sorts of materials these days. Shoppers can sleep on materials like memory foam, latex, polyfoam, springs, or hybrids, which are any varying assortment and layering of any and all of these materials.

Rollaway options are usually topped with some sort of memory foam or polyfoam. There are some latex beds out there but not as many of these can be found.

These mattresses typically have one or two layers to give sleepers some pressure relief. Usually, this will be a memory foam topped over a firmer poly foam. Most rollaway cots use only one layer of foam to build their mattress.

While some of these mattresses may have a thin base, most of the support that is provided by these cots come from the frame. Where on a normal bed, the mattress is most important, on a rollaway cot the frame is arguably a more important feature than the type of mattress.

Lack of Headboard

As has been mentioned before, these cots are not usually build to have an aesthetically pleasing presence in the home. Their main purpose is function and because of this, traditional rollaway options do not have a headboard. If this is important to any shoppers, they may want to look for an alternative option for a guest bed.

Trial Period

The length of trial periods is going to vary between competing brands. Some may give customers only 30 days, while others may offer testing periods that last more than 120 days.

Oftentimes customers cannot try out their products online, for this reason, brands sometimes ofter extended trial periods. These trials will often allow for customers to try out the product for the allotted amount of time and if the customer wants to return their purchase they can ship it back, usually for a full refund.

Warranty

Warranties will often protect customers in the event that their product experiences any abnormal wear or damage over time. Not all products carry these, but those that do can be anywhere from 1-year warranties to lifetime warranties.

Customers can file these with the brand which they purchased their product from. The company should then work with the customer to either repair or replace their product. The terms and service of these warranties will vary between different companies.

Frequently Asked Questions about Rollaway Beds

Can I find rollaway brands in-store?

There are many rollaway bedding models that can be found in a variety of stores near you. Many of these brands try to match online prices as well to help give their customers the best deal possible. These include places like Costco, Ikea, Walmart, and Big Lots.

Conclusion