How to choose the best trundle bed for Airbnb in 2025
Key Takeaways
From our experience furnishing 3,000+ properties, an extra bed is useful only when guests can reach it, sleep comfortably, and still move around the room. Bee Setups reports 138% more views as one data point; it is not a guarantee for any individual listing.
Measure the room with the trundle fully extended, not just tucked away.
Confirm mattress dimensions, weight limits, and clearance with the manufacturer.
Compare frame materials, ease of cleaning, and replacement costs alongside price.
Make the pull-out process and spare bedding easy for guests to find.
Treat product prices and ratings as items to verify before buying.
What to look for in an Airbnb trundle bed
A trundle can add a sleeping spot without permanently filling the room, but it also introduces another frame and mattress to maintain. For a rental, the best trundle bed for Airbnb is the one that fits the space and guest mix without making the setup awkward. Check product specifications directly, since features and limits can vary by size and version.
Frame durability and guest-proof construction
A bed used by changing groups of guests should be straightforward to inspect and keep stable. Look for clearly documented frame materials, fastening instructions, and replacement-part availability, then check whether the assembled bed can be tightened without specialized tools. These practical checks are more useful than relying on a style label alone.
Before comparing finishes, use a short inspection list to keep the purchase grounded in daily use:
Check whether the frame material and assembly requirements are clearly stated.
Look for accessible fasteners and instructions for tightening them.
Confirm that the trundle rolls smoothly on your floor surface.
Consider whether the finish is easy to wipe clean and touch up.
Check how replacement parts and customer support are handled.
A little attention to routine maintenance access can matter more than decorative details after repeated stays. If your setup involves broader furnishing decisions, this short-term rental furnishing guide offers a wider planning perspective.
Mattress support, comfort, and compatibility
A frame may accommodate a particular mattress size while still having a limit on mattress thickness or weight. Read both the bed and mattress specifications before ordering, and check whether the support surface is designed for the mattress type you plan to use. Comfort also depends on the mattress itself, so avoid treating the included or pictured mattress as proof of a complete guest-ready setup.
Trundle height, clearance, and ease of use
The trundle needs enough vertical clearance to roll beneath the main bed, and it needs floor space to come fully out. Check for nearby doors, nightstands, heating vents, and walking paths. For a small room, space-saving bed layouts can help frame the trade-off between adding a sleeper and preserving usable floor area.
Safety features and weight capacity
Use the manufacturer's stated weight capacity for each sleeping surface, and don't assume the top bed and trundle have identical limits. A low profile does not remove the need to check stability, locking or stopping features, and safe access around the frame. If the listing welcomes children, plan the room so guests can use the bed without climbing over furniture or blocking an exit.
Cleaning, storage, and replacement costs
A trundle can complicate turnover if bedding is difficult to store or the frame is hard to reach for cleaning. Think through where sheets will go when the bed is closed, and how housekeeping can inspect beneath the main frame. If the rental needs broader design choices, these short-term rental setup ideas may help put the bed in context with the rest of the room.
Five trundle bed models to compare
The five models below give you a starting point for comparing metal and wood-frame options, but the outline names alone do not establish current specifications, available sizes, or guest ratings. Treat price bands as rough planning estimates rather than live quotes, and confirm the exact model and details with a retailer before purchasing. For family-oriented rooms, kid-friendly bed styles offer another useful point of comparison.
DHP Manila metal daybed with trundle
The DHP Manila is a metal daybed model with a trundle, so it may suit a room where a more open frame style fits the decor. Check the specific listing for mattress dimensions, clearance, support details, and weight limits. A metal appearance alone does not establish how the bed will perform under frequent rental use.
Novogratz Her Majesty daybed with trundle
The Novogratz Her Majesty is another named daybed-and-trundle option to assess against your room measurements and furnishing style. Before choosing it, confirm the exact product version, frame dimensions, mattress requirements, and assembly details. Compare the retailer's current information rather than assuming specifications carry across similar-looking listings.
Max & Lily twin bed with trundle
The Max & Lily twin bed with trundle is worth considering when a twin-size arrangement matches the space and guest count. Check whether the specific listing describes a complete frame or a particular configuration, and verify the trundle's mattress and clearance limits. That simple check helps prevent a mismatch between the bed and the mattress you already own.
Zinus Suzanne twin daybed with trundle
The Zinus Suzanne twin daybed with trundle is a model to compare for a compact guest-room layout. Confirm the current product specifications and what is included in the purchase, including whether a mattress is sold separately. Then measure the trundle in its open position against the room's actual walking path.
Harper & Bright Designs twin daybed with trundle
The Harper & Bright Designs twin daybed with trundle rounds out this shortlist, but the exact listing should guide your decision. Verify the frame's dimensions, mattress compatibility, weight limits, and return terms before ordering. The following table is a budget-screening aid, not a verified review or current retailer quote.
Name | Price | Best For | Feature to verify | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
DHP Manila metal daybed with trundle | Approx. $100–$250 | Rooms where a metal daybed style fits | Mattress fit and frame specifications | Not independently verified |
Novogratz Her Majesty daybed with trundle | Approx. $200–$500 | A styled guest-room arrangement | Exact dimensions and included components | Not independently verified |
Max & Lily twin bed with trundle | Approx. $250–$600 | Twin-size sleeping arrangements | Trundle clearance and mattress limits | Not independently verified |
Zinus Suzanne twin daybed with trundle | Approx. $150–$350 | Compact rooms needing a twin option | Current listing and assembly details | Not independently verified |
Harper & Bright Designs twin daybed with trundle | Approx. $150–$400 | A twin daybed setup to compare | Frame dimensions and weight limits | Not independently verified |
Retail prices can change, and these broad estimates should not be treated as a sourced price or value ranking. A host weighing the extra sleeper against crowding may also find this trundle-bed trade-off useful; the right choice depends on the room and the guests you intend to accommodate.
Match the bed to your rental’s layout
A trundle only saves space while it is tucked away. Once extended, it becomes part of the room's circulation, so sketch the full setup before ordering and include door swings and access to closets. A rental layout planning guide can provide another perspective on space-saving bed choices.
Measure the room with both beds extended
Measure the main frame and the fully extended trundle, then mark those dimensions on the floor with painter's tape. Leave room for guests to get in and out, open the bedroom door, and reach essential storage. A bed that technically fits but blocks a route through the room will feel like a squeeze in practice.
Choose a style that fits the room’s sleeping capacity
An additional mattress can make a room more flexible, but a higher listed capacity is not automatically a better guest experience. Consider who is likely to use the room, the available floor area, and whether everyone can reach their sleeping place comfortably. Set occupancy according to what the whole rental can support, not the number of mattresses you can fit.
Plan storage for bedding and guest belongings
Decide where the second set of sheets, pillows, and blankets will live before guests arrive. A labeled shelf or closed cabinet can keep linens tidy without taking up the floor area needed to pull out the bed. Leave guests some space for their own belongings, too, rather than turning every spare corner into bed storage.
Make the setup comfortable and easy for guests
A trundle should not feel like a hidden puzzle that guests have to solve after check-in. Choose compatible bedding, make the mechanism understandable, and keep the route to the bed clear. A small amount of practical guidance can prevent avoidable confusion and help the room feel thoughtfully prepared.
Select mattresses that suit the frame and trundle clearance
Check the manufacturer's mattress size and maximum thickness for both the main bed and the trundle. A mattress that is too thick may keep the lower bed from sliding under the frame, while a poor fit can affect comfort and stability. If the frame has different requirements for the two sleeping surfaces, follow those specifications rather than buying a matching pair by assumption.
Add clear instructions for pulling out and storing the trundle
Guests may not know where to grip the frame or how far it should extend. A brief, plain-language note can explain how to pull it out, where to place the bedding, and how to return it safely. A short demonstration can also help you judge whether the motion is easy to understand:
Keep any instructions consistent with the actual model and avoid suggesting that guests force a stuck or misaligned frame. A simple explanation is enough when the bed is easy to reach and the mechanism is working properly.
Keep linens and spare pillows easy to find
Store clean sheets and spare pillows somewhere guests can identify without opening every cabinet. Label the location and make sure the bedding fits the mattress sizes on both beds. That modest bit of organization is especially useful when the trundle is intended for occasional rather than everyday use.
Compare total cost and long-term value
The frame price is only one part of making an extra sleeping space ready for guests. Include mattresses, linens, delivery, assembly, and the time needed to prepare the room between stays. Bee Setups shares property-furnishing data, but individual results vary; treat it as context rather than a forecast for one particular bed.
Weigh purchase price against expected durability
Compare the price with the frame materials, maintenance needs, and terms for replacement parts or returns. A low initial cost may be sensible for light use, while frequent use may make repairability and service information more important. Without comparable, verified ratings for these exact models, focus on documented specifications rather than an invented score.
Account for mattresses, bedding, delivery, and assembly
Add the full setup cost before you decide whether the trundle is worthwhile. A mattress sold separately, delivery fees, assembly time, and extra bedding can change the total substantially. Broader property planning may also involve unrelated questions such as long-term rental tax rules, life insurance coverage, asbestos renovation planning, midlife coaching, or ADU investment options; those resources address separate topics, not bed selection.
Compare models by price, key features, guest fit, and rating
When you compare a final shortlist, use the same criteria for every listing: current price, dimensions, mattress limits, documented capacity, guest fit, and an actual rating from a named retailer or review source. Do not treat the planning bands above as a substitute for current offers or a verified star score. A careful side-by-side check is more useful than selecting a model simply because it is the least expensive or best known.
Conclusion
A trundle bed can add useful flexibility when its dimensions, mattress requirements, and setup make sense for the room and its guests. At Bee Setups, we've furnished 3,000+ short-term rental properties; its published data includes 32% higher ADR, which should be read as reported context rather than a promise tied to any one furnishing choice. If you want help planning a rental setup, talk with our team about your property and furnishing needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a trundle bed a good fit for an Airbnb?
It can be a practical option when the room has enough clearance for the bed to extend and guests can use it comfortably. Measure the full layout and consider whether an additional sleeper suits the likely guest mix.
What size mattress does a trundle bed use?
That depends on the specific frame. Confirm the mattress dimensions and thickness limits in the manufacturer's specifications for both the main bed and the trundle.
How much space should I leave for a trundle?
Measure the trundle fully extended and preserve a clear path around it, including access to doors, closets, and other furniture. The room should remain usable when the lower bed is open.
Are trundle beds suitable for adults?
Some may be suitable, but do not assume that based on appearance or mattress size alone. Check the manufacturer's stated weight capacity, sleeping-surface dimensions, and mattress requirements.
Should I buy a trundle with a mattress included?
Compare what is included in the exact product listing with the mattress specifications you need. A separate mattress purchase can give you more control, but it adds to the total setup cost.
How do I make a trundle easier for guests to use?
Keep the area clear, leave simple instructions that match the actual mechanism, and store the right linens where guests can find them. Check that the bed rolls and stores correctly before each guest arrival.
What should I compare before buying a trundle bed?
Compare current price, full dimensions, mattress compatibility, weight capacity, assembly requirements, return terms, and any documented reviews. Include delivery, bedding, and maintenance when estimating the total cost.