A Murphy bed is the furniture equivalent of a very talented stage magician. One minute you have a home office, workout room, den, or suspiciously empty patch of floor. The next, you have a legitimate bedroom with an actual mattressand nobody had to inflate anything.

Modern Murphy beds, also called wall beds or fold-down beds, have moved far beyond the squeaky contraptions you may remember from old movies. Today’s best Murphy beds include smooth piston-assisted mechanisms, built-in desks, sofas, shelving, charging ports, real-wood cabinetry, and even king-size configurations. Some are designed for everyday sleeping, while compact cabinet beds work particularly well for occasional guests and renters.

After comparing current manufacturer specifications, major U.S. retailers, sleep-product research, interior-design recommendations, mattress compatibility, installation requirements, materials, warranties, and practical ownership considerations, these eight models stand out for different kinds of buyers.

The 8 Best Murphy Beds at a Glance

• Best Overall: Bestar Pur Queen Murphy Bed with Storage
• Best for a Home Office: The Lori Bed with Desk
• Best Budget-Friendly Choice: VINGLI Rattan Murphy Cabinet Bed
• Best Freestanding Cabinet Bed: Night & Day Furniture Murphy Cube
• Best Horizontal Murphy Bed: Expand Furniture Hover Horizontal Queen Murphy Bed Desk
• Best With Custom Storage: BredaBeds Penthouse Murphy Bed
• Best Solid-Wood Option: Wilding Wallbeds Remington Murphy Bed
• Best King-Size Option: BredaBeds Metropolitan Murphy Bed

1. Best Overall: Bestar Pur Queen Murphy Bed with Storage

For most homeowners seeking the familiar pull-down Murphy-bed experience without jumping immediately into custom-cabinet pricing, the Bestar Pur Queen Murphy Bed is an excellent all-around choice.

The Pur collection combines a steel bed frame with engineered-wood cabinetry and a dual-piston mechanism that assists as you raise and lower the sleeping platform. Depending on the configuration, you can add shelving units and drawers, making the entire installation look more like built-in furniture than a giant mattress hiding against the wall.

One particularly useful feature is mattress flexibility. Current Pur queen configurations generally accommodate standard 60-by-80-inch queen mattresses between 8 and 12 inches thick and roughly 60 to 90 pounds. That means you are not locked into sleeping on a proprietary five-inch foam pad just because your bed knows how to stand vertically.

Why We Like It

The 1,000-pound published weight capacity on many Pur queen configurations is reassuring, and the flexible slat support system provides a more bed-like foundation than a bare plywood platform. A 10-year manufacturer warranty is another advantage.

The catch: Installation is serious business. These units are heavy and must be correctly anchored to the building structure. This is not a Saturday morning project to begin after watching a six-minute video and announcing, “How hard can it be?”

2. Best for a Home Office: The Lori Bed with Desk

If your guest room spends 350 days of the year functioning as your office, the Lori Bed with Desk makes much more sense than letting a conventional queen bed collect laundry and occupy valuable floor space.

Lori offers vertical and horizontal orientations along with shelving and desk upgrades. The company’s current Murphy-bed designs use cabinet-grade plywood and are engineered specifically for rooms that need to change jobs during the day.

The desk option is especially useful because it turns the face of the Murphy-bed installation into a full-width workspace. Fold the bed away in the morning and you have an office again without rolling a temporary desk into a closet.

Who Should Buy It?

This is a strong choice for remote workers, apartment owners, homeowners converting a den into a guest room, and anyone who cares more about long-term furniture quality than finding the absolute cheapest wall bed online.

Lori’s customization choices are another advantage. You can select orientations and accessories based on room dimensions rather than forcing the room to accommodate one rigid design. That flexibility becomes particularly valuable when you’re working around windows, closet doors, or awkward ceiling heights.

3. Best Budget-Friendly Choice: VINGLI Rattan Murphy Cabinet Bed

Not everyone wants to spend several thousand dollars to make a mattress disappear. The VINGLI Rattan Murphy Cabinet Bed offers a more approachable route into space-saving furniture.

Unlike a tall traditional wall bed, this design resembles a low cabinet when closed. Available versions incorporate storage, power connections, and decorative rattan-style panels that make the unit look surprisingly intentional rather than like something borrowed from a conference-room storage closet.

The cabinet format also means the unit does not dominate the full height of your wall. It can work in rooms with lower ceilings and feels less visually imposing in small apartments.

What to Know Before Buying

Cabinet beds typically rely on folding mattresses rather than the thicker standard mattresses supported by many full-height Murphy beds. That makes them excellent for occasional visitors, but people planning to sleep on the bed every night should pay closer attention to mattress comfort and support.

Think of this model as a clever guest solution first and a permanent bedroom replacement second.

4. Best Freestanding Cabinet Bed: Night & Day Furniture Murphy Cube

Renters face an obvious Murphy-bed problem: landlords are rarely thrilled when tenants announce plans involving studs, lag bolts, baseboards, and several hundred pounds of moving furniture.

The Night & Day Furniture Murphy Cube Cabinet Bed solves much of that headache because it is a freestanding cabinet-style design. When closed, it occupies roughly the footprint of a substantial console or chest. When guests arrive, it unfolds into a queen sleeping surface.

The Murphy Cube is made from wood and is typically paired with a tri-fold mattress. Its appeal is less about theatrical transformation and more about practicality. You can place it in a living room, den, or office without permanently converting the wall into a construction project.

Best for Occasional Guests

A cabinet bed is especially useful when the bed will be opened a few weekends per month rather than twice every day. It is also easier to reconsider your room layout later. Traditional wall beds become architecture-adjacent once installed; cabinet beds remain furniture.

For renters, frequent movers, or homeowners who simply dislike drilling large hardware into walls, that distinction matters.

5. Best Horizontal Murphy Bed: Expand Furniture Hover Horizontal Queen Murphy Bed Desk

Tall ceilings get all the glamour, but many older homes, basement rooms, attic conversions, and apartments simply do not have enough vertical clearance for a huge queen wall-bed cabinet. Enter the Expand Furniture Hover Horizontal Queen Murphy Bed Desk.

Instead of pivoting downward from the head of the mattress, a horizontal Murphy bed folds sideways. The Hover is therefore wider but dramatically shorter than a conventional vertical queen wall bed.

It also includes a sizable desk that remains horizontal during the bed’s transformation. That seemingly small detail is wonderful in real life: you do not have to relocate every notebook, keyboard, coffee mug, and cable before a guest can sleep.

Why It Stands Out

The Hover uses a multi-piston assisted mechanism designed to make movement smooth and controlled. It accommodates a North American queen mattress up to about 10 inches thick, though a slightly thinner mattress can leave more room for bedding when the bed is closed.

It is decidedly premium furniture, but for a low-ceiling office that must become a true queen guest room, its specialized dimensions can solve a problem cheaper designs simply cannot.

6. Best With Custom Storage: BredaBeds Penthouse Murphy Bed

The BredaBeds Penthouse Murphy Bed is what happens when somebody looks at an ordinary wall bed and asks, “Yes, but where am I putting my sweaters?”

The Penthouse line can be configured with side hutches that provide shelves, drawers, hanging space, cabinets, and pull-out surfaces. That makes it particularly appealing in a studio, accessory dwelling unit, guest suite, or bedroom where the wall bed must perform some of the duties of a wardrobe.

BredaBeds offers multiple mattress sizes and a broad selection of finishes. The deeper Penthouse cabinet also provides useful space near the head of the mattress for items such as a phone or alarm clock.

Mattress Compatibility

The manufacturer allows many standard U.S. mattresses up to 13 inches thick and 110 pounds, although it recommends staying under roughly 11 inches for the cleanest fit and headboard positioning.

Because these beds are made to order, they require more planning than clicking “Buy Now” on a generic warehouse model. The reward is much greater control over how the finished installation looks and functions.

7. Best Solid-Wood Option: Wilding Wallbeds Remington Murphy Bed

If laminate furniture makes you twitch, take a look at the Wilding Wallbeds Remington.

Wilding builds its Murphy-bed cabinetry from wood rather than particle board or melamine, and the Remington has traditional Shaker-style detailing with hardwood trim and crown molding. It feels much closer to built-in cabinetry than flat-packed bedroom furniture.

Buyers can choose from several wood species, sizes, orientations, finishes, and accessory combinations. Optional storage features can turn the surrounding structure into a substantial furniture wall.

Who Is It For?

The Remington makes the most sense when appearance and cabinetry quality matter as much as reclaiming square footage. It is particularly well suited to a home where the Murphy bed will remain in place for many years and needs to match higher-end furniture or architectural trim.

Customization also means more decisionsand a bigger bill. The online configurator is less “pick a color” and more “welcome to your new minor in cabinetry.”

8. Best King-Size Option: BredaBeds Metropolitan Murphy Bed

Queen Murphy beds are everywhere. King Murphy beds are much rarer, largely because hiding a king-size mattress requires considerable engineering, wall space, and cabinetry.

The BredaBeds Metropolitan Murphy Bed is notable because the line is available in sizes ranging from twin through king. It can also be ordered in vertical or horizontal configurations, with optional hutches and lighting.

The Metropolitan accepts standard U.S. mattresses within the manufacturer’s thickness and weight restrictions. Its spring-balanced lifting mechanism is intended to reduce the effort required to raise and lower the sleeping platform.

Why Choose a King?

If this is going into a permanent guest suite, vacation home, multipurpose primary bedroom, or small condominium where sleeping comfort cannot be compromised, a king wall bed can deliver something most sofa beds never will: a genuinely spacious mattress.

Just remember that king-size everything is largerincluding the wall footprint, installation challenge, mattress weight, and number of boxes arriving at your house.

How to Choose the Best Murphy Bed

Measure the Open Bed, Not Just the Cabinet

A closed Murphy bed can look wonderfully compact. The important question is what happens after it opens. Measure ceiling height, cabinet width, bed projection, walking clearance, doors, ceiling fans, windows, outlets, and nearby furniture.

Ideally, you should not have to perform a nightly furniture evacuation just to lower the mattress.

Decide Between Vertical and Horizontal

Vertical Murphy beds resemble conventional beds when open and generally use wall height efficiently. Horizontal models are wider but shorter, which makes them useful beneath low ceilings or along long walls.

Check Mattress Restrictions Carefully

A Murphy bed mechanism is typically engineered around a mattress weight and thickness range. A mattress that is too heavy can change how an assisted mechanism behaves; one that is too thick may prevent the cabinet from closing.

Never assume that because your mattress physically fits on the platform, it is compatible with the mechanism.

Take Installation Seriously

Traditional Murphy beds can weigh hundreds of pounds. Correct anchoring is a safety requirement, not an optional finishing touch. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the specific wall structure, hardware, floor attachment, and fasteners.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has documented Murphy-bed recalls involving falling or improperly supported units. If you are uncertain about your wall construction or anchoring points, professional installation is money well spent.

Think About Daily Life

If the bed will open once every six months, almost any well-built mechanism may feel convenient. If you will open it every evening, small differences become enormous. Assisted lifting, mattress comfort, bedding retention, handle placement, and the ability to leave a desk or shelf undisturbed become much more important.

Real-World Murphy Bed Experiences: What Ownership Is Actually Like

Product photos make Murphy beds look almost supernatural. A smiling person lightly touches a handle, and suddenly an office becomes a hotel suite. Real ownership is still impressivebut there are a few details the glamour shots politely skip.

First, delivery day can be an event. A full Murphy-bed system is not one cute cardboard box sitting by your front door. Large wall-bed systems may arrive in numerous long, heavy packages containing cabinetry, steel framing, hardware, shelving, and panels. Before ordering, think about the route from the curb to the room. Narrow staircases and second-floor offices are far more interesting when you’re carrying furniture components weighing more than your dog.

Assembly usually rewards patience. Even when manufacturers describe installation as approachable, larger models are generally much easier with two capable adults. Sorting and labeling hardware before assembly can save considerable frustration. A level, stud finder, drill or driver, measuring tape, and enough open floor area to assemble large sections are frequently essential.

One repeated ownership lesson is that baseboards matter more than expected. A tall cabinet often needs to sit flat against the wall, which may mean removing trim, cutting a section, or ordering a model with a purpose-built baseboard notch. Discovering this halfway through installation is an excellent way to expand your vocabulary.

The mattress deserves as much attention as the frame. Owners who use Murphy beds regularly often discover that sleeping comfort depends primarily on choosing the right mattress within the bed’s allowed weight and thickness range. A genuine standard mattress on a well-supported wall bed can feel much closer to a traditional bedroom than a typical sofa sleeper. Cabinet beds with tri-fold foam mattresses, meanwhile, are extremely convenient but usually make the most sense for shorter guest stays.

Bedding is another practical issue. Some Murphy beds let you close the unit with fitted sheets and a relatively thin comforter still attached. Others need bulkier blankets and pillows removed. If the bed is for nightly use, having a nearby storage drawer or cabinet for bedding becomes surprisingly valuable.

Desk-equipped models can justify their extra cost. Owners of convertible offices quickly learn that the best desk mechanism is one that does not require dismantling the entire workspace before bedtime. Designs that keep the desktop level during transformation are much less disruptive for laptops, monitors, notebooks, and charging cables.

Freestanding cabinet beds win on flexibility. They are easier to relocate, do not require the same structural wall attachment, and make sense for renters or homeowners who rearrange rooms frequently. The compromise is usually a folding mattress and a lower sleeping surface.

Finally, the best Murphy-bed experience begins before checkout. Measure twice, study the installation manual, confirm mattress requirements, check current recalls, understand the delivery method, and decide whether you genuinely want to assemble the unit yourself. A properly chosen and installed Murphy bed can make a small room feel almost twice as useful. A poorly planned one can become an extremely expensive cabinet you glare at every time you walk past.

Final Verdict

For the widest range of households, the Bestar Pur Queen Murphy Bed offers the best balance of assisted operation, standard-mattress compatibility, storage options, published weight capacity, and established retail availability. The Lori Bed is particularly compelling for a more refined home-office conversion, while the Night & Day Murphy Cube is an appealing alternative for renters and occasional guest rooms.

If you’re building a premium multipurpose room, BredaBeds, Wilding Wallbeds, and Expand Furniture offer significantly more customization. The right choice ultimately depends less on which Murphy bed looks coolest in a product photo and more on how the room needs to function during the other 16 hours of the day.

Note: Product configurations, finishes, dimensions, prices, shipping schedules, warranties, and availability can change. Always verify the manufacturer’s current specifications, installation instructions, mattress requirements, and recall status before ordering or installing a Murphy bed.