Last updated: 16/10/2022

Welcome to our big futon bed test 2023. Here we present all the futon beds that we have tested in detail. We have compiled detailed background information and also added a summary of customer reviews on the web. With this, we would like to make your purchase decision easier and help you find the best futon bed for you. You can also find answers to frequently asked questions in our guide. If available, we also offer interesting test videos. Furthermore, you will also find some important information on this page that you should definitely pay attention to if you want to buy a futon bed.




Summary

  • The choice of a bed for each individual is particularly individual: some prefer hard mattresses, some need a lot of space, others pay attention to the height.
  • The futon bed is inspired by the tradition of decoration of Japanese houses. This is a special mattress that performs its functions well. It is suitable not only for Japanese style, but also absolutely for any interior in the modern world.
  • Futon can help you relax and improve your posture.

The best Futon Bed: Our Picks

Guide: Questions to ask yourself before buying a futon bed

Who is a futon bed suitable for?

Many people who love modern design appreciate the stylish and less bulky profile of the futon bed. It is ideal for adults, children, guest rooms, studios and other multifunctional spaces. Specialists recommend buying a futon bed for parents with children of active age, because on this bed children have the opportunity to play and jump without fear.

Because the futon bed is so low, children can play and jump on it without fear. (Image source: unsplash.com / Allen Taylor)

Another important aspect is health. Sleeping on a futon bed is useful for people who are in poor health or who want to protect their backs in old age. The simplicity of this bed is reminiscent of Zen and Asian decor. For many people, this creates a natural atmosphere for sleeping. For others, the futon bed makes going to yoga in the morning easier. On the other hand, futon bed is an indispensable accessory for homes decorated in Japanese interior style.

How do I find the right futon bed?

A person spends a large part of his life lying on a bed. Therefore, it is important to consider its characteristics and features. There are usually two types: traditional or ultra-modern options for futons on a wooden or metal frame. If you like a down-to-earth and exclusive traditionalism, you should take a closer look at models with frames made of solid wood. Smooth metal frames speak more of modernity. If the mattress is designed for a children’s room or your bedroom, you should look for sufficiently strong and more comfortable models. With a proper futon bed, your sleep will be deeper and stronger than ever before and you will be in good physical shape the next morning.

What is the height of a futon bed?

Basically, futon beds are beds with a low height. As a rule, the height of the various models, including the frame and the mattress, is around 35 – 40 cm.

In Japan, a futon bed traditionally consists only of a mattress that lies directly on the floor. (Image source: 123rf.com / 97824732)

What makes a good futon bed?

A futon bed is a wonderful invention for those who care about their health and well-being – the mattress surface is firm and therefore very useful for the spine. The Japanese bed is a universal piece of furniture: after sleep, it can be used for a completely different purpose. If you remove the mattress and spread out the small pillows, you transform the sleeping structure into a place for a meal, for example. Another point that distinguishes the Japanese bed from other models is that it is made exclusively of materials of natural origin. Moreover, this is a great option for yoga. Fans of this hobby now no longer have to stay on the floor and can perform their favourite asana directly on the bed.

How much maintenance does a futon bed require?

The care of a futon does not require much effort. Regular airing and low humidity (in the traditional way – on the floor) keep it pleasantly airy for a long time. Futon is easy to use, does not require special storage conditions and is affordable.

What should I consider when buying a futon bed?

You decide what the main purpose of the bed is. On the one hand, it could be useful for casual conversations, on the other hand, you sleep on it every night. Is the model you want for the children’s room or will you put it in your guest room? The type and frequency of use of the futon bed can determine not only the desired bed frame but also the quality of the mattress. If you buy a futon bed for sleeping, note that the wooden frame will make the bed hard. You may need a thicker mattress or a futon with cushions to soften the surface.

What are the alternatives to a futon bed?

The box spring bed

Not everyone likes to sleep directly on or above the floor. The box spring bed is the exact opposite of a futon bed. Due to the highest possible lying position and several layers lying on top of each other, the innerspring mattress offers a comfortable and convenient sleep. It is optimally adapted to your body and your needs and is therefore anything but minimalist – a completely different philosophy to that of a futon bed.

The solid wood bed

A solid wood bed adds a classic and timeless style to the bedroom. Every fourth buyer now chooses a bed made of solid wood. The solid wood bed is made entirely of real wood and is therefore of a much higher quality.

Decision: What types of futon beds are there and which is right for you?

The entire futon range for sleeping and decorating a room has a good customer rating. Especially for those who are trying to make their home Japanese style or just minimalist . Today, after reading the reviews of the futon, many immediately opt for a futon bed, so you can save a lot of space.

Natural Japanese futon does not cause allergies. Moreover, it improves sleep, makes it calmer, more comfortable and aligns the spine, which is useful.

What distinguishes a folding futon bed and what are its advantages and disadvantages?

A new modern futon transformation – the use of a mattress on the couch. These models are available in two versions:

  • Foldable
  • Not foldable

In both cases, the sofa is made of natural wood. The folding option is equipped with a practical mechanism that allows the sofa to be quickly transformed into an ordinary bed without any effort.

This type of futon bed is very space-saving and ideal for small flats or rooms. (Image source: 123rf.com / 97751951)

Fold-out sofa futon – the original solution for the living room in a minimalist style. It is a wooden construction similar to a park bench with a backrest. The Japanese mattress rests on it. Depending on the size, it can be bent or tripled in the middle. The positive and negative features of the folding futon bed are briefly summarised here.

Advantages
  • Sufficient space in the bed
  • Not too complicated to assemble
  • Comfortable
  • Fits perfectly in small rooms and guest rooms
Disadvantages
  • If a folding futon bed with sleep function is folded up too quickly in the morning, the necessary ventilation is missing
  • In rooms with underfloor heating, there is a higher heat influence during sleep

What distinguishes a complete futon bed and what are its advantages and disadvantages?

A large part of our lives is spent sleeping. And this will not change in the future. A pleasant and restful sleep is only possible if you have the right futon bed and the right mattress for the futon bed. Moreover, futon beds are among the most popular beds worldwide.

Advantages
  • A reliable, flat place to sleep with good shock absorption
  • Cosiness and comfort that point us to the traditions of oriental hospitality
  • Ecological purity made of cotton, wool as mattress filler and wood at the base
Disadvantages
  • Sleeping close to the floor is a matter of taste
  • If you value lavish looks, you won’t find it here

Finding the right bed is not that easy. Take your time. With futon beds, the mattress cannot optimally compensate for different body weights. So get advice together with your partner if you are buying the bed together.

Buying criteria: You can use these factors to compare and evaluate futon beds

Futon is a unique thing that comes from the distant past but is very modern. Any product with a Japanese mattress adds a highlight to the interior and creates comfortable conditions for dreaming and resting. In the following, we will show you which aspects you can use to decide between the many possible futon beds. The criteria you can use to compare the futon beds with each other include:

  • Size
  • Colour
  • Slatted frame
  • Headboard
  • Stability

In the following paragraphs, we will explain what is important in each of the criteria.

Size

Futon beds are not only available in a wide variety of designs, but also in different lengths and widths. You can determine the ideal size of your bed based on the following considerations: How much space do you have in your bedroom? Be sure to measure the room beforehand and also consider the direction in which your bedroom door opens. We have summarised the different sizes in a table:

Type size
Single bed between 90×200 cm and 140×200 cm
Children’s bed between 90×200 cm and 140×200 cm
Youth bed between 90×200 cm and 140×200 cm
Double bed from 160×200 cm

Colour

Japanese interiors tend to be in natural rather than artificial tones. So if you want to maintain or achieve Japanese style in your home, go for these tones when choosing your bed:

  • Brown
  • Beige
  • White
  • Grey
  • Black

The colour scheme should be simple and austere. Usually, there are one to three basic shades. Textiles in the Japanese bedroom are also restrained. Silk or cotton fabric is suitable for bed linen.

Slatted frame

In addition to the mattresses, however, special attention should be paid to the purchase of the slatted frame for the individual construction of the futon beds. Due to the low height, the distance to the ground surface is also quite limited. If you roll around extensively in the bed while sleeping or if there is a pillow fight, it can happen that the slatted frame bounces so much that it hits the ground. This can lead to unpleasant disturbances. To ensure a restful and peaceful night’s sleep, you may also want to ask about the combination of mattress and slatted frame in a certain thickness for futon beds.

Headboard

Headboards vary for every taste. There are almost as many headboards as there are bed types. Mostly, the headboard is directly connected to the bed, but sometimes it is also available separately. Headboards can be low, high, hard and soft, simple or ornate, rectangular, square, semicircular and irregular. In the following table we have briefly summarised the effect of the futon bed with and without headboard:

With headboard Without headboard
It is also suitable for a bedroom with a sloping ceiling and is ideal for those who like to read in bed Creates a cosy room design and is popular in modern bedroom interiors.

Stability

High-quality, wooden futon beds are extremely stable. Much more important here is the question of the maximum load-bearing capacity that the frame and slatted frame have. The best thing to do when buying a futon bed is to ask competent staff or look at reviews on the internet. The larger the lying surface, the more stable the futon beds are. This is because the weight of the person sleeping on the mattress can be better distributed. If you need additional stability, you can place extra bed legs underneath the elongated frame.

Facts worth knowing about futon beds

What comfort does a futon bed offer?

A variety of uses for the Japanese futon do not detract from its advantages. In whatever form (bed, mattress, topper, sofa or armchair), it remains comfortable and practical.

Traditional futon is made only of natural materials. Futon is easy to use, requires no special storage conditions and is available at a reasonable price.

By choosing a futon for your home you get:

  1. A comfortable bed;
  2. A practical way to improve the existing bed at the lowest cost;
  3. The ability to create an original interior.

How does a futon bed promote healthy sleep?

When someone looks at a futon bed compared to other products, it has some advantages that are generally based on the principle of “health”. Natural and traditional Japanese futons are made exclusively of wool, flax, cotton, new wool, horsehair and coconut. Futon beds have many supporters at all ages, as these mattresses have an orthopaedic effect and are thus useful for the spine and general health.

A futon bed is a great way to enjoy your rest and spend time with your family. (Image source: unsplash.com / Simon Matzinger)

How do I care for a futon bed?

The futon bed is relatively easy to care for; the futon mattresses offered are usually made of natural materials. This mixture of materials is folded in several layers and offers comfortable sleeping. As with all other mattresses, there are qualitative differences in futon mattresses that influence the comfort and the price. A high-quality futon mattress usually has a robust cover that can be removed if necessary and easily cleaned in a washing machine, for example. However, it is often sufficient to wipe the futon mattress with a soft mixture of soap and water and clean the surface.

How do I build a futon bed myself?

The core of the construction in futon beds, as in any other, is the frame. The frame construction consists of two parallel sides of equal length. Even a bed made of Euro pallets is like a futon bed, depending on how many pallets you stack on top of each other. These are commonly referred to as length and width. By mistake, however, the width is always mentioned first. This results in dimensions such as the futon beds 140×200 or 160×200. You must take this point into account when you build your bed yourself: Image source: 123rf.com / 36693809

Reviews