by Having a great sleeping involves more than just picking the right mattress, there are other things that interact with a bed to make your sleep experience more comfortable. One of these invisible heroes is the bunkie board, a mattress base which provides a solid surface and support to even out wear and tear. We discuss pros/cons and features/benefits. Here’s our list of topics:
- The Best Bunkie Boards Overall & Bunkie Board Reviews
- The Best Bunkie Board for Foam Mattresses (Gel Foam)
- The Best Bunkie Board for Memory Foam Mattresses
- The Best Bunkie Board for Hybrid Mattresses
- The Best Bunkie Board for Memory Foam Mattress
- Bunkie Boards for Loft Beds / Platform Beds
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Best Bunkie Boards Overall & Bunkie Board Reviews
#1 Zinus Easy Assembly Quick Lock 1.6 Inch Bunkie Board
We all hate a creaky or weak foundation, with this Zinus bunkie board, you won’t have to deal with any of that. It has a sturdy frame and a quick lock construction to speed up the assembly process. One of the best features of this bunkie board is the added padded tape to the steel frame which ensures that there is very little creaking at night. And, because of this padding, there is no unwanted movement of the board since it is attached to the frame. Since this board is sturdy, easy to assemble and it has the Zinus customer service backing it…we think it deserves the #1 spot on our list of the best bunkie boards available.
What we liked and why we rated it as the #1 best bunkie board on our list:
- Quick and easy assembly.
- Additional support for hybrid and memory foam mattresses.
- Padded tape to minimize noises and unwanted movement.
What we didn’t like:
- Some reviewers have stated that this bunkie board is shorter than expected and couldn’t fit their mattresses in it. You may need to return this board if it doesn’t fit your frame and / or your mattress.
- You’ll want to take a look at the reviews by clicking the button below in order to see if anyone reported shipping problems or mattress/frame fitting issues with your particular bed frame and mattress combination.
See Reviews
See Promotions on Amazon
#2 Signature Sleep Ultra Steel Bunkie Board
If you have a platform bed, bunk or daybed with supporting slat system then this bunkie board is highly recommended. At #2 on our list of the best bunkie boards, we believe this is a great alternative to the Zinus above (especially if you have fitting issues or non-standard frames / mattresses). Don’t you worry about the kind of mattress you are picking, it will work with anything and has a supreme quality metal frame and an included polyester fabric that covers it. While the picture doesn’t really show what it’s like, the product is basically a rectangular metal frame with a metal mesh running through the middle to help with supporting the mattress. All of this is then covered in the polyester cloth. The price is a bit higher than other bunkie boards, however, the quality more than makes up for this price hike. Ofcrouse, if you don’t like it, you can always return it! What we liked about this bunkie board was that the assembly took just two minutes and the board seems like it will last us for a long time. It’s pretty outstanding in that sense. However, after a while, there is some notable creaking and without the padded tape that the Zinus has, you may not enjoy the noise this bunkie board makes. Also, note that if you are using this bunkie board for your child’s bed, then you shouldn’t also buy a traditional box spring. The combination of the two will make the bed too high for your child.
What we liked:
- Premium quality metal frame.
- Provides outstanding support.
- Short assembly time.
- Great value for price.
What we didn’t like:
- Reportedly creaks after a while.
- May not fit all frames / mattresses
- May start sagging after some time for heavier users (weight >180 lbs)
See Reviews
See Promotions on Amazon
#3 Continental Mattress, Split Foundation Bunkie Board
A traditional wooden bunkie board that comes with a perk: no assembly required. This bunkie board is basically plywood along with a wood framework, wrapped in polyester cloth. Assembly times of bunkie boards vary depending on the person’s skill but it usually doesn’t take very long, however, a product that doesn’t have any setup whatsoever is certainly attractive! It doesn’t bring any extra cool features as the top 2 best bunkie boards do, but it saves you the nuisance of assembling. Additionally, this is a nice and reliable product. Plus, it’s the cheapest item in our list so that deserves some points as well.
What we liked and why this is #3 on our list of the best bunkie boards:
- No assembly required.
- Cheapest item on the list.
What we didn’t like:
- Simplicity, nothing outstanding.
- Not many reviews on amazon because most people tend to go for something with more features. However, considering value for money, this is a great product.
See Reviews
See Promotions on Amazon
#4 Spinal Solution, Set of 2, 2″ Bunkie Boards
Spinal solution products tend to be great for the average consumer. If you wish to get rid off your box spring, this bunkie board might be a nice solution. It consists of 2 inch, sturdy, north american lumber slats, covered in high quality quilted cloth fabric. With an average price, this is a great product for someone shopping for bunkie boards on a budget. Because it doesn’t bring anything new to the table and its durability is lacking it gets such a low spot on our list of the best bunkie boards available. Also, surprisingly, it has no reviews on Amazon.
What we liked:
- Standard bunkie board at a nice price.
- Great for thinner memory foam mattresses.
What we didn’t like and why it’s so low on our list:
- Not as durable as the other items in the list.
- So few reviews online! You’ll just have to try it and then return it if you don’t think it’s a good fit for you.
See Reviews
See Promotions on Amazon
#5 Wolf, Split Bunkie Board
A simple but effective product. Wolf’s bunkie board is basically a wood frame wrapped in gray cloth. However, even though it’s just a straight forward product, it has everything you need in a bunkie board – it provides stability and support for your mattress. It might not be as sturdy or effective as the other 4 bunkie boards on this list, but it’s good enough. However, we rated it #5 on our list of the best bunkie boards because of its price – it cost more than the Zinus above but it’s clearly inferior. It’s not a bad product, but there are better bunkie boards you can spend your money on.
What we liked:
- Nice and sturdy.
- Thin enough to avoid raising the mattress. Great for toddlers.
What we didn’t like:
- Why is it so costly? It’s such a simple product!
- It’s cardboard over several slats so it doesn’t work well with thin mattresses or memory foam because the bed might sneak between slats. Consider the other products on this list before this one considering the value for money…however this is still a decent product overall.
See Reviews
See Promotions on Amazon
Best Bunkie Board for Foam Mattress (Gel Foam)
Zinus Annemarie Solid wood bed support slats/ fabric-covered/ bunkie board
We found the Zinus Annemarie Fabric-Covered Wood Bed Support Slats to be the best bunkie board choice for foam mattresses. The Annamarie is made up of individual slats that are wrapped in fabric to prevent damaging your mattress and are designed to be placed parallel to the long side of the bed. Additionally, the slats can be rolled, making them easy to pack up and transport. The price point for these slats also lands under $50 on Amazon, which also makes them affordable for almost every budget.
What we liked:
- The fabric-covered slats protect your mattress from damage.
- They provide a practical solution to a sagging mattress.
- They are easy to install.
- They are versatile and can be used with many different mattress types.
What we didn’t like:
- The slats are not ideal for anyone with a spine condition or chronic back pain and they may not provide ample support if your bed frame doesn’t include support at the center of the frame.
- The measurements provided by the company are from end to end of the bunkie board, including the fabric cover. They may not work if you need them to lie directly on top of your bed frame.
Best Bunkie Board for Memory Foam Mattress
The Signature Sleep Ultra Steel Bunkie Board
Alternatively, we found the Signature Sleep Ultra Steel Bunkie Board to be the best option when paired with your memory foam mattress. This bunkie board is made with a metal frame and wrapped in a quilted fabric made from polyester. Together, these two materials provide a stable and slim foundation for your memory foam mattress. Additionally, the Signature Sleep model works particularly well with any bed that needs to save on height. This bunkie board virtually disappears between the foam and the bed frame. You may want to learn about how to fix squeaky bunkie boards because steel may squeak over time.
What we liked:
- High quality, fit, and finish.
- The quilted polyester fabric helps the mattress stay put.
- It’s durable and will hold up against kids and pets.
What we didn’t like:
- The measurements advertised are off by an inch. This model measures in at 38 inches when assembled and may not fit your frame.
- Customers have complained that the metal bars were bent upon delivery.
Best Bunkie Board for Hybrid Mattress
Zinus Deepak Easy Assembly Wood Slat 1.6 inch Bunkie Board
If you’re in the market for a bunkie board to compliment your hybrid mattress, there are a variety of designs available to choose from. We found the Zinus Deepak Easy Assembly Wood Slat model to be the best option for your hybrid. This design features 1.6-inch wood slats mounted on a steel frame and connected by foam-padded tape for strength and reliable support. This bunkie board comes with a five-year warranty, can be rolled up for easier transport, and is designed to stay put.
What we liked:
- Solid construction, easy to assemble, ideal height, and quiet operation.
- The foldable panels make it easier to move around and install than traditional box springs.
- Nowhere for the bed bugs to nest!
What we didn’t like:
- The measurements provided by the company are incorrect for the queen and twin-sized versions.
- This model may not be ideal for weights over 300 pounds as the middle support can bend.
- This item is non-returnable.
Best Bunkie Board for Platform, Loft, and Bunk Beds
A bunkie board is not usually needed for a platform, loft, or bunk bed. The beds themselves will provide sufficient support for your mattress. Additionally, while bunkie boards are thinner than traditional box springs, they still add about 2-3 inches of height to your mattress. In a loft or bunk bed, this can be dangerous and can even make the top bunk less comfortable.
You can find our platform bed recommendations here.
You can find our loft and bunk bed recommendations here.
The Zinus Lottie Platform Bed features closely spaced slats providing you with a strong base.
The Discovery World Twin over Twin Staircase Bunk Bed is durable and stable enough to work without a bunkie board.
Summary
We hope that after reading the descriptions above, you no longer think that all bunkie boards are the same. In this article we discussed the best bunkie boards overall, bunkie board reviews, the best bunkie board for foam, memory foam, and hybrid mattresses & more. Each board has different perks and prices that will suit you depending on your mattress and bed frame. If you are asking yourself if you should get a bunkie board, just consider if you have a memory foam mattress, a bunk bed or a daybed. If you do, then you should get one! However, be wary of the size of the bunkie board and the thickness because that will change your bed’s height.
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