Some noises are sneaky enough to make it past even the most vigilant light sleepers. For example, if your bed is persistently squeaky, I’m afraid the only thing you could do is get one of the quiet bed frames on the market and hope for the best.
Alright, so maybe that’s not entirely true. But I’m assuming that you’ve already exhausted all other alternatives. Nevertheless, I’ll make it a point to share some of my best tips for preventing and fixing squeaky bed frames.
But before we get to that, let’s take a look at the best quiet bed frames on the market and what makes them your best options.
Best Quiet Bed Frames That Don’t Squeak
In the interest of creating some kind of cohesion, I’ve decided to list the quiet bed frames I’ve found by grouping them by material and then style. So we’ll start with the simplest metal frames, then look at some more intricate options, before moving on to wooden or upholstered frames.
And since many of these companies have made several excellent bed frames, I’ll include some runner-ups following each product review.
1. Zinus Shawn Smartbase Platform Bed Frame
Even though Zinus is widely known for making the most basic bed frames, it’s one of the most popular bed frame manufacturers I’ve come across. The Shawn SmartBase mattress foundation is the perfect representation of the company lineup.
According to Zinus, these kinds of products should completely replace your box spring. The frame comes in all standard bed dimensions, from a narrow twin to a California king.
On top of that, the bed frame can also come with a bed skirt, which can hide the items you have stashed under the bed. After all, you’ll have 13 inches of clearance under the frame for storage.
The Shawn model has the weight capacity to support people of “average weight,” though the manufacturer hasn’t stated its exact capacity. Suffice it to say, it can easily take people of up to 260 pounds without making a peep.
The assembly process should take you no more than a few minutes, and you won’t even have to break out your toolbox. You just attack a couple of bolts and ten wing nuts, et voila — you have yourself a new bed frame. However, if you want to attach a headboard to it, you’ll need to order the SmartBase brackets as well.
Key Features:
- Black metal frame
- Easy assembly
- Supports people of average weight
- Multiple frame sizes available
» Zinus Shawn SmartBase on Amazon «
More From Zinus
If 13 inches of clearance under the bed frame isn’t enough for the items you need to store, you can opt for the taller, 16-inch Zinus Gene frame. That would also be a great option if you’re used to sleeping on box spring and mattress duos.
The company also makes taller and even significantly shorter bed frames than that one. For example, the Joseph model, a metal frame with wooden slats, comes in heights ranging from 6 to 18 inches.
On the other hand, if you’re not into that kind of minimalism, you should get the upholstered Shalini frame. It comes in a range of sizes and two colors — light and dark gray. All of these products will remain commendably quiet and squeak-free after years of use — provided that you assemble them correctly.
2. Mellow Ace of Base Hinged Metal Platform Bed Frame
Mellow is primarily known for their sturdy, modern-looking platform frames, and this metal model is no exception. According to the manufacturer, the king and queen-sized options can support up to 1,000 pounds (almost four times more than the previous product), so they are a perfect choice if you need a heavy-duty bed frame.
Made using the Clip2Lock technology, the frame is easy to assemble. You simply insert regular metal slats into the support slots, and the frame is good to go. The entire process doesn’t take longer than 30 minutes, even if you’ve never assembled a bed frame before.
The quality of this frame’s construction is really superb, so it should be quiet no matter how much you toss and turn at night. In fact, the manufacturer has even provided some built-in noise reduction features. For example, to prevent the metal slats from rubbing against the frame, they lined the support slots with rubber. They have also inserted thin strips of foam between the slats and the center support.
Although the frame itself is soundless, you might have problems with it sliding over your floor while you move on the bed. However, adding a nice carpet underneath will fix these issues right away, leaving you with a quiet and unmovable frame.
This industrial-looking bed frame comes in four sizes (twin, full, queen, and king) and two heights (12 and 9 inches), so you have plenty of options to choose from.
Key Features:
- Metal bed frame with steel slats
- Steel construction ensures the frame is durable and sturdy
- High weight capacity
- Clip2Lock technology for easy assembly
» Mellow Metal Bed Frame on Amazon «
More From Mellow
If the 12 inches of the Ace of Base model are not enough for you, this 14-inch bed frame is definitely the way to go. It comes in either metal or pined wood, so you can pick the material that suits your interior design and overall needs better.
The frame’s construction is entirely noise-free, and it even features velvet padding along the center bar. As such, the bed will not squeak at all, even if you move around a lot in your sleep.
On top of that, the frame even features a built-in headboard shelf. This fact makes it an excellent choice for small spaces, as you can keep all your essentials on the shelf, including your phone, books, water bottle, glasses, or anything else you need to have close by.
3. Simlife Steel Platform Bed Frame With Headboard and Footboard
If you’d prefer to have a cleaner and more feminine frame, SimLife makes fantastic ones. So let’s start with my favorite, which has a swirling, elegant design on the headboard and the footboard. It’s available in white, black, grey, and gold colors.
Like the previous product I presented, this quiet bed frame comes in twin, full, and queen sizes, but it’s not available in king size. They all have about 12.5 inches of free space under the bed. The smallest size has a weight capacity of 280 pounds, while the queen-size frame can support up to 352 pounds.
These frames are made of pure steel, making them decently durable. The company also emphasizes its six-leg design, which, I have to say, is fairly standard. All of the products I’ve linked to have six legs at least, to prevent sagging — but the queens tend to have nine or ten legs.
The metal slats that hold up the mattress all have corresponding nooks on either side of the bed, ensuring that they won’t budge. Overall, it should take you an hour at most to assemble the frame using the tools that come in the package.
However, I must say, some of the nuts and bolts will be visible — though you can always conceal them with ribbons or fake flowers.
Key Features:
- Metal frame with a headboard and a footboard
- Includes assembly tools
- Weight capacity from 280–352 pounds
- Available in twin, full, and queen sizes
» Simlife Platform Bed Frame on Amazon «
More From SimLife
Once again, the other products from this company are similar across the board. They have the same basic structure, weight capacity, and they come in the same sizes.
The only notable difference I’ve found is in the design of the headboards and the footboards. For example, this one has a wavy but not necessarily feminine pattern, while this one has a more basic, crisscross design.
4. TRIBECCA Home Vintage Wrought Iron Queen-Size Bed Frame
TRIBECCA home has made some excellent bed frames for people who have a particular aesthetic in mind for their bedroom. The first product that attracted me to the company was this vintage-looking wrought iron queen-size bed frame. It has a deceptively simple design, with a slightly curved headboard and footboard decorated with rows of vertical rails.
However, if you look more closely, you’ll see the intricate details of the matte, dark bronze frame. Still, the one you get may be slightly different from the one on the official photographs. You might want to check what the bed frame looks like on candid pictures, just to make sure that it’s everything you imagined it would be.
The frame is 88 inches long, and 64.5 inches wide, with a 51.5 inches tall headboard. Unlike all of the other frames I’ve mentioned, this one only comes in one size.
Despite the overall height, the mattress platform is rather low, giving you only 7 inches of clearance under the bed. So you might even want to use a bedspring with this frame if only a 4-inch one.
Key Features:
- Wrought iron frame with a headboard and a footboard
- Matte, dark bronze finish
- Weight capacity from 280–352 pounds
- Available in full and queen sizes
» TRIBECCA Bed Frame on Amazon «
More From Tribecca Home
If you’re not as into the French country cottage look as I am, you may want to see a more intricate design. Fortunately, TRIBECCA home has a line of bed frames that would perfectly suit a more elegant room. LeAnn Graceful Scroll bed frames come in queen and king dimensions, though the latter includes tall canopy bedposts.
But if that’s a tad too feminine for you, you can go for the Lacey iron bed frame, which is more similar to the one I’ve described above. However, it still has a unique look thanks to the rounded headboard and footboard.
5. Giantex Deluxe Solid Wood Platform Bed With Headboard and Footboard
Of course, wooden frames can be just as sturdy as metal ones as long as you assemble them correctly. At least you wouldn’t have to worry about the sound of metal rubbing against metal. So to begin with, let’s take a look at a relatively simple model.
The Giantex Deluxe solid wood platform bed is made of solid pine. It is sturdy and won’t squeak. It comes in twin, full, and queen sizes, with the latter having two additional support points in the middle. Other than that, all the sizes stand on six main legs, evenly distributing the weight of the people on the bed. Speaking of which, the smaller sizes are able to support 200 pounds, while the queen can hold 250.
The mattress platform is 14 inches away from the floor, so there will be plenty of storage space under the bed. The headboard is 33.5 inches tall, and it has a simple yet elegant, vertical bar design. The same pattern is reflected in the footboard, which is only 23 inches tall. As with most of the other frames I’ve mentioned, you wouldn’t need a box spring with this one.
Key Features:
- Coffee-colored solid pine frame with a headboard and a footboard
- Comes with all assembly accessories
- Weight capacity from 200–250 pounds
- Three sizes available: twin, full, and queen
» Giantex Deluxe Bed Frame on Amazon «
More From Giantex
If you would prefer a frame without a footboard, I have two recommendations for you. The first is a pine bed frame from Giantex that’s somewhat similar to the one we’ve just seen. Instead of having vertical bars on the headboard, though, this frame has four horizontal ones.
It’s closer to the ground, at 10.5 inches tall, so you can even use it with a box spring, though it’s not necessary. Furthermore, it seems to have a greater weight capacity of 330 pounds. And since the slats are all tightly strapped together, and the bed has eight legs, you won’t hear a peep all night long.
On the other hand, there’s the 14-inch solid wood platform frame, which doesn’t have a headboard or a footboard. Despite that height, though, you’d only have about 10.5 inches of clearance underneath the bed. The frame comes in two shades of brown and four sizes, ranging from twin-size to king dimensions. The queen-size one has as many as six legs and four middle supports, so you can be sure that your bed won’t budge or squeak.
6. Allewie Upholstered Platform Bed Frame With Adjustable Headboard
Now, let’s take a moment to look at some of the best upholstered frames I’ve found. As it happens, one company seems to rise above all others in this category — Allewie.
Despite its soft appearance, this gray linen bed frame has a sturdy steel construction underneath the padding and the fabric. The bed has nine legs, with three of them supporting the center bearing. It comes in full, queen, and king-size versions, all of which have a weight capacity of 800 pounds.
To make the bed as quiet as possible, the manufacturer included additional quiet pads and Velcro strips that hold the slats and mattress in place.
As you can see, the bed is relatively close to the ground (6.3 inches), so you may not be able to use the space under the bed for storage. Still, it’s not so short that you’ll need a box spring. This bed also has an adjustable headboard, so it’ll be visible even if you choose to get a box spring.
Key Features:
- Gray linen upholstered steel bed frame with wood slats
- Comes with all assembly accessories
- Weight capacity from 800 pounds
- Comes in full, queen, and king sizes
» Allewie Bed Frame on Amazon «
More From Allewie
As I have mentioned, Allewie is fairly well-known for the excellent upholstered beds in its lineup. If you’re not partial to the classic, gray linen one I’ve just mentioned, you may prefer the orange or green linen frame with 16-inch wingbacks.
Alternatively, you might prefer one of the other materials:
- Modern black leather with metal design pieces
- Classic velvet frame with channel tufted headboard
These models all come in similar sizes and weight capacities, so they should all be as durable and quiet as you need them to be.
7. Flolinda Velvet Upholstered Bed Frame
Last but not least, we have a bed frame from Flolinda, another brand known for its upholstered beds. In this case, they made a classical velvet platform bed with a headboard that can easily fit into even the most elegant of bedroom decors. The velvet is soft and plush and feels great against the skin.
The sides and the center of the bed are made of widened metal (1 inch in diameter), so they are extra durable. In fact, the bed can take up to 800 pounds of weight, making it one of the sturdiest models on this list. The bed has ten legs that contribute to this significantly, as do the curved wood slats.
Speaking of the slats — the manufacturer uses a unique Press Fit Design that ensures the slats are firmly fixed to the pillars of the frame. As such, this model is even quieter and safer than those using Velcro strips.
The lowest part of the frame is only 6 inches away from the floor, so there will be very little storage space under the bed. On the other hand, the slats are high enough so that no box spring is needed.
Finally, the assembly can be completed within an hour, and you won’t even have to use your toolbox. All the screws, nuts, and fixed accessories are included in the package, so you just have to put everything together according to the instructions.
Key Features:
- Velvet upholstered bed frame
- Unique slats design that requires no box spring
- Easy to assemble
- Impressive weight capacity of 800 pounds
» Flolinda Bed Frame on Amazon «
More From Flolinda
Like the brand but you want a different bed frame? Fear not, because Flolinda offers you a dozen other designs to choose from.
For example, you can go for this upholstered bed if you want something lighter and less minimalist than the main pick. It comes in beige, and the tufted headboard has a striped design that will make your bedroom look sophisticated. However, it’s not all about the looks. In fact, this bed frame can support 800 pounds as well, so it’s just as sturdy as the one I discussed above.
And if you’d rather have a headboard with geometric shapes and patterns, Flolinda has a whole collection for you to check out. These frames come in a variety of neutral colors, and they all have excellent weight capacities. Plus, they’re extremely affordable when compared to other models on the market, so getting one is truly a win-win situation.
How to Find the Right Quiet Bed Frame for Your Needs
Throughout my reviews, I’ve tried to emphasize what makes these products the quietest bed frames on the market. However, if you want your bedroom to have a certain kind of look that wasn’t represented on my list, here are some of the things you should pay attention to while shopping. Even if you decide to get a custom frame, you should make sure your contractor is aware of your preference.
Materials
First, you’ll want to make sure that the materials used to make the bed frames you’re looking at are dependable. If you want a metal bed frame, stick to steel or iron ones. They should be sturdy enough to stand firm even if you really thrash around in your sleep.
However, you should also understand that as you use the bed, all those nuts and bolts may loosen, causing them to emit the unpleasant sounds we’re trying to avoid. But in most cases, eliminating that squeak is as simple as tightening those screws and maybe lubricating some of the parts.
On the other hand, if you want a more organic look, you should go for a traditional wooden frame. Those beds are generally made of pine, but if you’re having it custom-made, I’m sure any softwood will do.
Build Quality
Of course, even the best materials would be useless if the build quality was shoddy.
With metal frames, you’ll want to pay attention to the way the individual pieces are welded. Furthermore, you should find non-promotional photos of the products to see whether they match up with the company images. But the job of ensuring the build quality will mostly fall on you, anyway. After all, you’ll be the one who has to assemble the pieces in the end.
That’s not to say that the manufacturer can’t help put in features to make your bed as quiet as possible. For example, you’ve seen how Mellow frames avoid the issue of the slats rubbing against the center and side bearings. In their case, this common problem was resolved by padding the support slots and bar with rubber and foam — other brands have different solutions.
Dimensions
As you know, mattresses and bed frames come in certain universal sizes. The smallest, twin beds tend to be only 38 inches wide and 75 or 80 inches long. That’s the difference between a regular twin and an XL. Full-size frames also come in those two lengths, though they’re generally 54 inches wide.
Queen and king-size beds are made to fit two people. Queen beds start at 60 inches wide (though Olympic queen beds are even wider) and 80 inches tall. King-size beds take it even further, at 76 inches wide and 80 inches tall. And, of course, California king beds are somewhat narrower but longer at 72 inches wide and 84 inches long.
| BED SIZE | WIDTH | LENGTH |
|---|---|---|
| Twin (XL) | 38″ | 75″ (80″) |
| Full (XL) | 54″ | 75″ (80″) |
| Queen | 60″ | 80″ |
| Olympic Queen | 66″ | 80″ |
| King | 76″ | 80″ |
| California King | 72″ | 84″ |
My goal was to present you with products that have the most sizing options. However, not all of the products on my list have all of the standard sizes available.
In any case, the bed’s width and length aren’t the only things that matter. You should also keep the height of the frame in mind. After all, if you’re not planning on using a box spring, you’ll want your bed frame to be tall enough to eliminate the need for one.
Weight Capacity
Naturally, all bed frames have a weight capacity, which limits the strain you can safely put on them. Smaller ones only have a capacity of about 200 (evenly distributed) pounds. Clearly, that low of a number can be a cause for concern to some people. Fortunately, some frames can support upwards of 3,000 pounds, which also says good things about their construction quality.
Design
Lastly, you should think about what you want your bed frame to look like. Do you want a simple metal platform frame or a more intricate model with a headboard and a footboard? Or perhaps a wooden frame would suit the rest of your decor best.
Then, you have frames with fabric upholstery. If that’s something you want, you should think about the materials and colors you would prefer. These are all superficial, stylistic choices, but they’ll make all the difference when you see the bed in your room.
Keep Your New Bed Frame Squeak-Free
At the risk of repeating myself, I should mention that I’ve already written an article about silencing metal and wooden beds. But now, I find that most of the tips I’ve previously shared are only useful for silencing older, used beds. If you’d like to make the most of your old bed before you get a new one, make sure to read that guide first.
Still, some of that advice could be applied as preventative measures while you’re assembling your new bed frame.
Preventative Measures
When you take all parts of your bed frame out of the box, lubricate the hardware with WD-40 or beeswax. Not only will that allow you to more easily drive in the screws, but it may even prevent premature oxidization. A bar of beeswax or even just soap can also lessen the friction between the slats and the bearings — and prevent the squeaking.
If you want to limit the surface area where the different parts touch, you could use rubber washers or strips of rubber or cork between them. Basically, take a page from the Mellow playbook, even if you didn’t get one of their frames.
Lastly, make sure that the legs of the bed are even, which should prevent the frame from wobbling and making noise. If you put anti-vibration pads under each of the feet, the bed should be sturdy and slip-proof.
Check If the Floor Is Squeaking
What if, despite your best efforts, you hop onto your bed one night and hear the distinctive creak you’ve been dreading? Well, if you’ve done everything you can to make sure your bed won’t become noisy, perhaps your floor is to blame.
If possible, remove your bed from the room or at least move it to the side. Then, stand in its place with your feet wide and transfer your weight from one leg to the other. If you don’t hear anything immediately, cover the entirety of the floor where your bed used to be.
You can even perform this little test between taking your old bed out of the room and moving the new one in for assembly. If you need to fix your floor, you might as well do so before putting the new bed in.
And if you determine that the floor is the culprit all along, there are certain things you can do to fix it. Usually, all it takes is a well-placed nail through the floor and into the subfloor.
If that doesn’t do it, you might have to install an underlayment or use a cheaper floor soundproofing method and hope for the best.
Final Thoughts
After assembling your new bed frame, you’ll sleep better than ever before. But once you have eliminated the squeaking noises your old bed used to make, you may start noticing all the other sounds. If that should happen, you’ll find all the guidance you need in our archive.
Finally, you can start making your home into a quiet getaway — and all that because you replaced an old bed frame!
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