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Rankings re-checked weekly · Last re-checked 28 October 2026
·Prices updated daily·AI-assisted, run by Jaco Olwagen
Size the bed before you look at fabrics. Measure your dog asleep on its side, stretched out, from nose tip to the base of the tail, then add 20 to 30 cm. Compare that with the bed's internal sleeping area, not its outside edge: a bolstered sofa bed loses 10 to 15 cm to its walls on every side. A 5 kg cavoodle stretches to about 55 cm and suits a 70 to 80 cm bed, or a 60 to 76 cm donut if it curls. A 20 kg staffy needs about 100 cm, a 30 kg labrador about 120 cm, and a 35 kg greyhound needs length rather than width, so look for 125 cm or more.
3 quick taps and we'll match you to a pick using the same scores we rank with.
The picks, in order
7 picks
Number one at the top, number 7 at the bottom. The tier label on each card says which price bracket it sits in.
★Editor's Choice
1
Coolaroo
Coolaroo Original Elevated Dog Bed, Large 130 x 80 cm
130 x 80 cmElevated 20 cmHose-off mesh
Premium
Rank #1
Coolaroo Original Elevated Dog Bed, Large 130 x 80 cm
Our Verdict
The Australian elevated bed that keeps a labrador off hot decking or wet grass all summer and hoses clean in a minute.
Why it's number one: Top marks for washability and near the top for chew resistance and sizing, a hose-off steel and mesh cot owners report lasting years outdoors; no exact-model critic review was found, and it holds a 4.5-star Amazon rating from 76,507 owners.
8.8ExcellentTop7 Score
A$69.99
✓Verified today
★ 4.5(76,567 reviews)
✓ Ships from Australia
Delivery check, 28 October: Delivers to all nine postcodes we check: every capital and regional NSW. How we check
The Coolaroo Original is breathable HDPE mesh stretched over a powder-coated steel frame, sitting 20 cm off the ground. The Large measures 130 x 80 cm, which suits dogs from about 20 to 45 kg: a kelpie or staffy has room to spare, a 30 kg labrador fits stretched out, and a 35 kg greyhound gets the length it needs. Air moves under the dog on every side, which is why it is the Australian summer bed, and cleaning is a hose. Owners report frames lasting many years outdoors, with the fabric the part that wears; Coolaroo sells replacement covers and backs the fabric against UV degradation for a year. The complaint that recurs is assembly: stretching the fabric onto the last rail is a two-person job, and a determined chewer will go for the mesh edge. It is first because it is an Australian brand, sold by Amazon AU, with a track record on verandahs that no import matches.
Support
8.1
Washability
10.0
Toughness
9.6
Sizing
9.6
Owners
8.1
Owners is the 4.5★ Amazon AU rating from 76,567 reviews, weighted toward the category average when there are few. Fewer than two published reviews of this exact model, so the owner rating carries that weight too. Tick marks show the category average.
How we scored it
Each measure is marked against the category's rubric, where 10 is the best you can buy, 8 is strong, 6 is basic but sound and 4 falls short. The bars show that mark on the Top7 scale (a 6 reads as 7.0, an 8 as 8.5); the notes quote the rubric mark.
Support 8.1 (rubric 7.5): Steel-framed HDPE mesh cot 20 cm off the ground that the card suits to dogs of 20 to 45 kg: the 40 kg plus cot band at 7.5; it holds any dog but cushions nothing.
Washability 10.0 (rubric 10): HDPE mesh over a steel frame with no cover to wash; cleaning is a hose (card): the 10 band.
Toughness 9.6 (rubric 9.5): Steel frame and mesh that owners report lasting many years outdoors, replacement covers sold and a one-year UV warranty on the fabric (card); a determined chewer goes for the mesh edge.
Sizing 9.6 (rubric 9.5): Large at 130 x 80 cm suits 20 to 45 kg with nothing taking from the listed size (card): the 40 kg band with dimensions usable in full; the card names only the Large.
Pros
+ Air flows under the dog on every side
+ Hose-off HDPE mesh, no cover to wash
+ Powder-coated steel frame with a one-year fabric warranty
+ Australian brand that sells replacement covers
Cons
− No cushioning for bony or senior dogs
− Mesh edges can be chewed
− Assembly needs two people
130 x 80 cmElevated 20 cmHose-off meshSteel frameDogs 20 to 45 kgAustralian brand
Dwanton's Large is 107 x 79 cm outside and 16.5 cm high, with a 10 cm reversible pad that is gel-infused memory foam on one face and egg-crate foam on the other. Bolsters run round all four sides with a lower step at the front, so allow roughly 10 cm a side for the walls: that makes it right for dogs of 15 to 30 kg such as a staffy, kelpie, cattle dog or border collie, and for a labrador that curls. A labrador that sprawls should take the next size up. A waterproof liner sits between cover and foam, the cover zips off for the machine, and the base has non-slip dots for tiles. Owners report it holding its shape and running generously large, with a big dog having room to spare; the note against it is a colour that arrives lighter than the photo. Sold by Amazon AU, it is the most bed for the money among these seven.
Support
9.3
Washability
9.3
Toughness
7.8
Sizing
8.1
Owners
8.5
Owners is the 4.6★ Amazon AU rating from 804 reviews, weighted toward the category average when there are few. Fewer than two published reviews of this exact model, so the owner rating carries that weight too. Tick marks show the category average.
How we scored it
Each measure is marked against the category's rubric, where 10 is the best you can buy, 8 is strong, 6 is basic but sound and 4 falls short. The bars show that mark on the Top7 scale (a 6 reads as 7.0, an 8 as 8.5); the notes quote the rubric mark.
Support 9.3 (rubric 9): 10 cm reversible pad of gel memory foam over egg-crate foam (card): the 10 to 19 cm memory or gel foam band; owners report it holding its shape.
Washability 9.3 (rubric 9): Zip-off machine-washable cover over a waterproof liner (card): the 9 band; the card says it survives a weekly wash.
Toughness 7.8 (rubric 7): Cover fabric is not named; a waterproof liner and firm foam that holds shape (card), with no scratch or warranty evidence either way: between the 6 and 8 bands.
Sizing 8.1 (rubric 7.5): Large suits 15 to 30 kg with a size up for a sprawling labrador (card): the 30 kg band at 8, minus 0.5 because bolsters take about 20 cm of the listed length.
Pros
+ Gel memory foam over egg-crate foam
+ Waterproof liner under the cover
+ Zip-off machine-washable cover
+ Non-slip base for tiles
Cons
− Bolsters take about 20 cm of the length
− Colour can arrive lighter than pictured
107 x 79 cmGel memory foamWaterproof linerMachine washableDogs 15 to 30 kg
The EHEYCIGA XL measures 112 x 81 cm with a 16.5 cm stack of memory foam over egg-crate foam, so a labrador, German shepherd or golden retriever of 30 to 45 kg can lie out on it without bottoming out on the floor. Three raised sides give a dog somewhere to rest a head, which suits curlers and senior dogs with stiff joints, though they take a little of the usable length from a tall dog that sleeps stretched flat. A waterproof film sits between the fleece sleeping surface and the base, so a wet coat stays out of the foam, and the cover unzips for a machine wash. The foam insert is spot clean only and the faux linen sides are not waterproof, so this is a bed for inside rather than an open verandah through a humid summer.
Support
9.3
Washability
8.9
Toughness
7.0
Sizing
9.3
Owners
8.1
Owners is the 4.5★ Amazon AU rating from 34,861 reviews, weighted toward the category average when there are few. Fewer than two published reviews of this exact model, so the owner rating carries that weight too. Tick marks show the category average.
How we scored it
Each measure is marked against the category's rubric, where 10 is the best you can buy, 8 is strong, 6 is basic but sound and 4 falls short. The bars show that mark on the Top7 scale (a 6 reads as 7.0, an 8 as 8.5); the notes quote the rubric mark.
Support 9.3 (rubric 9): Memory foam over egg-crate foam, 16.5 cm thick on the XL (card): the 10 to 19 cm band.
Washability 8.9 (rubric 8.5): Zip-off machine-washable cover over a waterproof film (card): the 9 band, minus half because the foam insert is spot clean only.
Toughness 7.0 (rubric 6): Fleece surface and faux linen sides a scratcher can tear while the foam stays intact, and no stated warranty (card): the 6 band.
Sizing 9.3 (rubric 9): Medium, large and extra-large sizes, the XL at 112 x 81 cm reaching dogs past 40 kg, with three bolsters taking part of the length (card): the 40 kg band, no full-length bonus.
Pros
+ 16.5 cm of memory foam over egg-crate foam
+ 112 x 81 cm suits dogs to about 45 kg
+ Waterproof film under the sleeping surface
+ Zip-off cover machine washes
Cons
− Foam insert is spot clean only
− Bolsters take some usable length
− Faux linen sides are not waterproof
112 x 81 cm16.5 cm memory foamWaterproof filmThree raised sidesWashable cover
EMPSIGN's XL crate mattress is 104 x 71 cm and 7.5 cm thick, cut to fill a 42 inch (107 cm) wire crate, and rated for dogs to 40 kg: a staffy, kelpie, border collie or labrador, and a lighter German shepherd. The high-density foam is firm enough that the dog is not lying on the crate tray, and it is fully wrapped in a waterproof liner under a zip-off cover. One face is short plush for winter, the other grey canvas for summer, so it flips with the season. The cover machine washes; the liner-wrapped foam is hand wash only, and the listing says so. Owners consistently report the waterproof layer earning its place, with a cover that washes and a pad that hoses off. The complaint that recurs is density: heavier dogs flatten the foam. It carries a one-year warranty and is sold by the brand's own store, which is why it heads the budget tier over thinner, cheaper mats.
Support
7.0
Washability
8.9
Toughness
8.5
Sizing
9.6
Owners
7.8
Owners is the 4.4★ Amazon AU rating from 8,947 reviews, weighted toward the category average when there are few. Fewer than two published reviews of this exact model, so the owner rating carries that weight too. Tick marks show the category average.
How we scored it
Each measure is marked against the category's rubric, where 10 is the best you can buy, 8 is strong, 6 is basic but sound and 4 falls short. The bars show that mark on the Top7 scale (a 6 reads as 7.0, an 8 as 8.5); the notes quote the rubric mark.
Support 7.0 (rubric 6): 7.5 cm of high-density foam (card): the 5 to 7.9 cm band at 6.5, minus 0.5 because owners report heavier dogs flattening it.
Washability 8.9 (rubric 8.5): Zip-off cover machine washes over a fully wrapped waterproof liner, but the liner-wrapped foam is hand wash only (card): the liner band at 9, minus 0.5.
Toughness 8.5 (rubric 8): Canvas summer face and short plush winter face over firm foam in a waterproof liner, with a one-year warranty (card): the 8 band.
Sizing 9.6 (rubric 9.5): XL at 104 x 71 cm cut for a 42 inch crate and rated to 40 kg, a flat pad with no bolsters (card): the 40 kg band with dimensions usable in full.
Pros
+ Fits a 42 inch crate
+ Reversible plush and canvas faces
+ Waterproof liner and zip-off cover
+ One-year warranty
Cons
− Foam is hand wash only
− Heavy dogs flatten the foam
− Thin for an arthritic dog
104 x 71 cmReversible warm/coolWaterproof linerFits 42 inch crateDogs to 40 kg
Feandrea's orthopaedic sofa is 71 x 58 cm and 16 cm high, and the brand's own sizing puts it at dogs up to about 12 kg: a cavoodle, a mini dachshund, a Jack Russell, a pug or a French bulldog. Measure first, because a whippet is too long for it and a staffy needs the next size. Egg-crate foam gives a firm, even base that helps older small dogs with sore joints, raised edges cushion the head, and a low front makes getting in easy. The rose-pattern plush cover has a waterproof TPU backing and zips off for the machine, and the non-slip base stays put on floorboards. Owners report dogs settling in at once and call it firm and supportive for the money; several came back for more Feandrea beds, and one warns that a scratcher can tear the top. Feandrea sells through its own Australian storefront and has a name for after-sales, which is why it takes this slot over cheaper unknowns.
Support
7.8
Washability
8.9
Toughness
7.0
Sizing
7.8
Owners
8.1
Owners is the 4.5★ Amazon AU rating from 722 reviews, weighted toward the category average when there are few. Fewer than two published reviews of this exact model, so the owner rating carries that weight too. Tick marks show the category average.
How we scored it
Each measure is marked against the category's rubric, where 10 is the best you can buy, 8 is strong, 6 is basic but sound and 4 falls short. The bars show that mark on the Top7 scale (a 6 reads as 7.0, an 8 as 8.5); the notes quote the rubric mark.
Support 7.8 (rubric 7): Provisional: egg-crate foam base in a 16 cm high bed with the foam thickness not stated (card); midway between the 8 to 9.9 cm band and the under 8 cm band.
Washability 8.9 (rubric 8.5): Zip-off machine-washable cover with a waterproof TPU backing, but the padding cannot be washed at all (card): the liner band at 9, minus 0.5.
Toughness 7.0 (rubric 6): Rose-pattern plush top that one owner warns a scratcher can tear, over foam that stays put (card): the plush cover band at 6.
Sizing 7.8 (rubric 7): 71 x 58 cm for dogs to about 12 kg, with a staffy needing the next size (card): the coverage-to-15 kg band at 7.
Pros
+ Egg-crate foam base
+ Waterproof TPU backing on the cover
+ Zip-off machine-washable cover
+ Low front for short legs
Cons
− Small: dogs to 12 kg only
− Padding cannot be washed
− A scratcher can tear the top
71 x 58 cmEgg-crate foamWaterproof backingMachine washableDogs to 12 kg
This is the original shag-fur donut the copies are copying. The Medium is 76 cm across and 23 cm high, sized for dogs up to about 11 kg that sleep curled: a 5 kg cavoodle, a mini dachshund, a Jack Russell or a cat. A 20 kg staffy needs the 91 cm size and a labrador the 114 cm one, so buy by weight. The raised rim supports head and neck, the deep fill lets a dog burrow, and the base resists water and dirt. On the Medium and larger sizes the shell zips off and machine washes, and the listing is firm that it must be tumble dried because air drying mats the fur. Owners consistently report nervous dogs settling into it, and just as consistently that diggers pull the fur out, which is why it scores low on chew resistance. It earns its place because it is sold by Amazon AU and defines its category.
Support
7.4
Washability
8.1
Toughness
5.9
Sizing
8.9
Owners
8.5
Owners is the 4.6★ Amazon AU rating from 56,758 reviews, weighted toward the category average when there are few. Fewer than two published reviews of this exact model, so the owner rating carries that weight too. Tick marks show the category average.
How we scored it
Each measure is marked against the category's rubric, where 10 is the best you can buy, 8 is strong, 6 is basic but sound and 4 falls short. The bars show that mark on the Top7 scale (a 6 reads as 7.0, an 8 as 8.5); the notes quote the rubric mark.
Support 7.4 (rubric 6.5): Deep shag-fur fill with a raised rim for head and neck and a water-resistant base (card): the polyester fill with raised rim band at 6.5.
Washability 8.1 (rubric 7.5): Shell zips off and machine washes but the listing insists on tumble drying because air drying mats the fur (card): the zip-off cover band at 8, minus 0.5 for tumble drying.
Toughness 5.9 (rubric 4.5): Shag faux fur that owners consistently report diggers pulling out (card): the shag fur band at 4, plus 0.5 for a base that resists water and dirt.
Sizing 8.9 (rubric 8.5): Line runs 58 to 114 cm: the Medium for dogs to 11 kg, 91 cm for a 20 kg staffy, 114 cm for a labrador (card): the 30 kg band at 8 plus 0.5 for four named sizes.
Amazon Basics' round bolster bed is 51 cm across and 15 cm high, with a flannel top, polyester canvas sides and a slightly raised rim. The listing recommends it for cats and small breeds such as chihuahuas, toy poodles and Boston terriers, which in practice means dogs up to about 7 kg that curl up: a 5 kg cavoodle fits, a 10 kg French bulldog overhangs. The whole bed goes through a cool machine wash and line dries. Owners report cats and small dogs taking to it well beyond what the price suggests. Against that, it is thinner than the photo implies, it does not hold its shape, and a teething puppy can go through it in a day. There is no waterproof layer and no foam. It is the last pick because it does one cheap job well: a spare bed for the car, the office or a crate, or a first bed for a kitten or a small puppy.
Support
5.5
Washability
9.6
Toughness
5.5
Sizing
7.0
Owners
7.8
Owners is the 4.4★ Amazon AU rating from 17,864 reviews, weighted toward the category average when there are few. Fewer than two published reviews of this exact model, so the owner rating carries that weight too. Tick marks show the category average.
How we scored it
Each measure is marked against the category's rubric, where 10 is the best you can buy, 8 is strong, 6 is basic but sound and 4 falls short. The bars show that mark on the Top7 scale (a 6 reads as 7.0, an 8 as 8.5); the notes quote the rubric mark.
Support 5.5 (rubric 4): Thin fill that owners say does not hold its shape and is thinner than the photo (card): the 4 band.
Washability 9.6 (rubric 9.5): The whole bed goes through a cool machine wash and line dries (card): the whole-bed washable band at 9.5.
Toughness 5.5 (rubric 4): Flannel and canvas over thin fill that a teething puppy goes through in a day (card): the 4 band.
Sizing 7.0 (rubric 6): One 51 cm round size for cats and dogs to about 7 kg (card): the single size band at 6.
Pros
+ Whole bed machine washes
+ Fits a standard small crate
+ Flannel top and canvas sides
+ Sold by Amazon AU
Cons
− Thinner than the photo suggests
− Does not hold its shape
− No waterproof layer
51 cm roundMachine washableDogs to 7 kgFlannel topRaised rim
We score every bed on five dimensions. Support is how well the fill or frame holds a dog's weight without bottoming out, and whether it helps sore joints. Washability is whether the cover comes off, machine washes and dries in a day. Chew resistance is how the bed stands up to diggers and teething puppies. Size range is how many sizes the line offers and how honestly they fit. Value weighs all of that against the price of the other six. Ratings and review counts come from Amazon AU owner feedback, prices and stock are checked daily, and we do not buy or test the beds: specifications come from the listing, owner sentiment from the review pattern.
Scored on Support 40%, Washability 25%, Chew resistance 20%, Size range and fit 15%, plus owner ratings and critic reviews
Measure your dog lying stretched out from nose to tail base and add 20 to 30 cm. Check that figure against the bed's internal sleeping area, because bolsters and rims take 10 to 15 cm a side. A 5 kg cavoodle is fine at 70 cm, a 20 kg staffy wants 100 cm, and a 30 kg labrador or a 35 kg greyhound needs 120 cm or more. When in doubt, size up.
Covers and Washing
Australian dogs bring in dust, sand and grass seeds, and a bed gets washed far more often than a doona. Look for a cover that zips off and machine washes, a waterproof liner between cover and foam for older dogs and puppies, and a base that will not slide on tiles. A bed that can only be spot cleaned tends to be thrown out within a year.
Heat and Cold
Winter is when most beds sell, and a thick foam or fibre bed off cold tiles is the right buy for June. In summer a dog wants air underneath it, which means an elevated mesh bed on the verandah or a reversible mat with a canvas cooling side. Many households run one of each and swap them with the season.
Joints and Support
Large breeds, seniors and any dog a vet has flagged for hips, elbows or spine do better on firm foam at least 8 cm thick, ideally memory foam over a supportive base. Soft polyester fill bottoms out under a 30 kg dog, which ends up lying on the floor with a padded frame around it. Puppies and small dogs need far less.
Chewers and Diggers
No bed is indestructible and the honest listings say so. For a teething puppy or a habitual digger choose a crate mat or an elevated bed with a steel frame, and keep the shag-fur donut for later. Owners of chewers consistently report that faux fur and exposed zips go first, so a tucked zip and a plain canvas or Oxford base last longest.
What the Price Buys
At the bottom of the range you get a machine-washable fibre mat or a small round bed. The middle buys egg-crate or memory foam, a waterproof liner and a zip-off cover, which is where most large dogs should shop. The top buys a full memory foam block, or a brand with a warranty and replacement covers, which is the sensible spend for a heavy senior dog.
The sub-types answer different dogs. Orthopaedic foam mattresses suit large and senior dogs, and any dog whose joints a vet is watching. Calming donuts suit small and medium dogs that curl up against a wall. Elevated beds keep air moving under a dog through summer and hose clean. Sofa beds suit dogs that sleep with their head propped, and a washable crate mat is the budget buy for a puppy.
To choose these seven we started from the whole Amazon AU dog bed shelf, checked every listing against Amazon's product data for stock, condition and seller, and kept beds sold from Australia where one qualified. Coolaroo, an Australian brand, earned the top slot on merit. Nothing here is a second size of another pick.
Demand peaks in winter, when a dog on cold tiles or a concrete patio needs something between it and the floor. Summer is the opposite problem: the RSPCA's advice is shade, airflow and a cool spot to rest, which is exactly what an elevated bed on the verandah gives. In between it is dust, sand, grass seeds and the odd wet dog, so a cover that zips off and survives a weekly wash matters more than the colour.
Handy calculators
Free, in centimetres and kilograms, and built for a phone in the pet shop aisle.
A 30 kg labrador lying stretched out measures about 95 to 105 cm from nose to tail base, so it needs a bed with 115 to 130 cm of usable length. On a bolstered sofa bed that means the extra large size, because the walls take 10 to 15 cm each side. A flat mattress of 120 cm or more gives a labrador that sprawls the whole surface. If yours always curls up, a 100 cm bed is enough, but most labradors do both.
How do I measure my dog for a bed?+
Wait until the dog is asleep on its side, then measure from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail, not the tail tip. Add 20 to 30 cm for movement. Compare that with the internal sleeping area in the listing, or subtract the bolster width from the outside dimensions. For a dog that always curls, measure the curled diameter and add 15 cm instead, which is how donut beds are sized.
Are calming donut beds worth it?+
For small and medium dogs that curl up and push their back against something, yes: the raised rim gives head and neck support and a sense of enclosure, and owners consistently report their dogs choosing the donut over an open bed. They are not a treatment for anxiety, and a dog with real separation distress needs a vet or a qualified trainer. Large dogs that stretch out are better served by a flat orthopaedic mattress.
Is an elevated dog bed too cold in winter?+
On its own, yes for most dogs, because the point of the design is airflow underneath. Australian households tend to use an elevated bed on the verandah or in the shade through summer, then move it inside and lay a fleece mat or a crate pad on top when the nights drop under 10 degrees. Greyhounds and whippets, with little coat and body fat, will want that layer earlier than a labrador or a kelpie.
What is the best bed for an older dog with arthritis?+
A firm foam mattress, ideally memory foam or egg-crate foam at least 8 to 10 cm thick, with a low or open front so the dog does not have to step over a wall. A waterproof liner matters more at this age. Keep it off cold tiles in winter and out of direct sun in summer, and talk to your vet about weight, exercise and pain relief, because bedding is only one part of managing arthritis.
Can I put a dog bed in a crate, and what size should it be?+
Yes, and a washable mat or thin mattress is the right choice for a puppy that is still toilet training. The RSPCA's guidance is that a crate should let the dog stand, turn around and lie stretched out, so buy the bed to fit the crate rather than the dog: a 74 x 46 cm mat suits a 30 inch crate for a small dog, and a 104 x 71 cm mat fills a 42 inch crate for a labrador-sized dog. Keep crate time short.
How often should I wash a dog bed?+
Weekly for the cover if the dog goes outside, fortnightly for an indoor small dog, and straight away after fleas, a wet walk or an accident. Wash covers in cold or warm water, skip fabric softener and line dry in the shade so plush does not mat. Foam inserts are not machine washable, which is why a waterproof liner is worth paying for. Elevated mesh beds just get hosed.
