Anyone who owns a dog knows that they love spending time outside—why shouldn’t they have a cozy spot to lounge in the sun too? A regular indoor dog bed will mold if left outside, though, and that’s where an outdoor dog bed comes into play.
No remembering to drag it back in the house or dealing with whatever might drag in with it. You can just leave it out on your porch or patio ready for your pooch to enjoy. So, with that outdoor dog beds rock settled, what’s the best outdoor dog bed on the market?
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After extensive testing—my dog Rico is quite pleased with this process—I can quite confidently say the bed you want to look at first is the Coolaroo Original Elevated Dog Bed. It’s affordable, durable, and my dog at least, seemed to like it better than all the others we tried. If it doesn’t fit your fancy though, no worries, I have five runners-up waiting for you along with a more in-depth review of my top pick.
Here are some other great choices:
The Superjare Outdoor Dog Bed, unfortunately, can’t be left outside in the rain or it will rust, but it does make an excellent outdoor dog bed for camping. Your best bud is sure to love its elevated platform and shady canopy.
This dog bed is retrofitted with a canopy that acts as protection for your dog from the sun (however the canopy is not waterproof). The fabric used to make the bed itself is also breathable and designed to keep your dog cool.
Its platform is large and so can accommodate large dogs over 120 pounds. This aspect also means there is plenty of room for a whole herd of small dogs—no need to bring, set-up, or buy multiple beds.
That it can be assembled without tools, is lightweight, and doesn’t hold onto dirt make the Superjare an absolutely perfect choice for camping.
The Refined Canine Outdoor Hooded Dog Chaise Lounge is not only one of the best outdoor beds but also one of the best waterproof dog beds you can find, so you don't have to worry about bring it inside if it rains.
My favorite thing about this dog bed is that it not only looks amazing, but it also seems quite comfortable. It has a very plush cushion that assures your dog will be living large while enjoying those cool summer breezes. The frame has a classic wicker look that won’t look tacky on your porch or patio, too.
On the downside, if you have a chewer, this bed may not stay lovely for long as it is not chew-proof. It’s also far from the cheapest outdoor dog bed on the market.
If you need an outdoor dog bed that looks beautiful and aren’t concerned much with cost, the Refined Canine Outdoor Hooded Chaise is the perfect choice.
The Iconic Pet Rattan sofa dog bed takes outdoor dog beds to another arena of class and comfort. It is ideal for dog lovers who want everything in their ownership to blend in with the surrounding environment.
This bed promises to make your dog feel like part of the family, especially when you outdoors. The polyester material doesn't easily stain and is UV coated, meaning the cushion will maintain its original color years after its purchase.
The Iconic Pet Dog Sofa is built tough and strong enough to support the majority of dogs, though it does have a weight limit of 50 pounds and so won’t work for large breeds. Probably my favorite aspect though, is that it comes fully assembled—there’s nothing to put together.
When it comes to style and ease of use, the Iconic Pet outdoor dog sofa is hard to top. It’s a shame it doesn’t come in larger sizes for the big boys.
The Pupteck Waterproof Pet Bed Mat is one of the best outdoor dog beds because it promises both convenience and comfort for both you and your dog.
The simplicity of this dog bed makes it easily portable for hunting, camping, or fishing trips. You can also bring it along when you go vacationing with your dog as it rolls up into a compact easy to carry bundle and has built-in straps. It is also waterproof and very easy to clean.
On the other hand, this not an elevated dog bed. In fact, it’s actually just a padded mat that you can roll out wherever you’d like to give your pooch a soft spot to sleep. This means that it can be used in a range of ways—indoors and out—but it’s not as fancy as many on the market.
The Pupteck resembles a simple grey sleeping mat/bed. Its waterproof nature makes it ideal for rainy or wet climates and its portability is perfect for travel, but if you’re looking for an aesthetic design, this might not be the best option.
The Snoozer lives up to its name providing a simple but comfortable place for your dog to take a nap in the great outdoors.
When it comes to durability, the Snoozer is one of the best outdoor dog beds on the market. It is waterproof and built-tough. There are multiple sizes (small, medium, and large), as well as multiple colors (black, brown, green, gun metal, and camo) and even different shapes (rectangle or oval), so you’re sure to find the perfect fit for not only your style but your dog’s size.
However, like the Pupteck, the Snoozer is frameless and essentially just a big waterproof pillow. This could be a positive aspect if you’re looking for something simple but if you’re wanting a decorative addition to your deck, not so much.
The simplicity of this bed as well as its inexpensiveness make it a fantastic option for an outdoor dog bed. It could also be used indoors for dogs that have incontinence issues.
The Coolaroo is one of the most preferred solutions for outdoor dog beds on the market, and hands down my pick for the best outdoor dog bed.
While there are many fancier outdoor dog beds out there, I love the Coolaroo because it’s affordable, durable, easy to clean (you can just hose it off), and my dog seemed to enjoy it the most.
It’s also available in three sizes (small, medium, and large) as well as several colors (grey, Brunswick green, terracotta, aquatic blue, nutmeg, and gun metal) and so adaptable to a variety of color preferences and dog sizes. All the above are lightweight. You could easily use this for travel or camping as well.
There really isn’t much to dislike about this bed. It is a little plain, but as it is just a cushy platform, you could easily add pillows if you like to dress it up a bit. Some users also complain it’s a little tricky to assemble, but that’s really a matter of opinion. I didn’t have too much trouble personally.
When it comes to balancing appearance with cost, the Coolaroo Original takes the cake, and that’s why I picked it as the best waterproof outdoor dog bed of 2019.
When buying an outdoor dog bed, you need to consider three factors: your dog, your needs and wants, and finally the bed types available.
Your first consideration should be how large and heavy your dog is. Not all dog beds come in a variety of sizes, and many have weight limitations—at least those that have a frame. You’ll also need to consider the space you have for the bed.
For example, if you have a small deck and a small dog, it doesn’t make sense to purchase a larger dog bed than your dog needs.
You also need to consider your dogs behavior, including the way they prefer to sleep. If your dog is a sprawler, you might want a bed with no frame or that is lower to the ground. However, if your dog prefers to rest or sleep in a curled-up position, a ball-like or round dog bed will be ideal.
Finally, you should consider your dog’s coat. If your dog has a longer, thick coat, it would be better to buy an outside dog bed that is designed with good airflow to keep your buddy cooler. On the other hand, if your dog has short hair, bring on the fluffy warm beds.
When it comes to your needs, you should consider your budget cost, your style or desired model, and how easy the bed will be to clean.
Most dogs are very playful and end up dirtying even their sleeping space. You definitely want a bed that is waterproof, stain resistant, and easy to clean.
Your personal style shouldn’t be overlooked either, since the outdoor dog bed is another accessory to your home. You may also want to find a bed that matches your décor well.
Finally, consider your budget because at the end of the day you can’t buy what you can’t afford.
Outdoor dog beds vary in size, shape, and purpose. There are elevated platform beds, loungers, sofas, pads, and more. Consider the bed your dog has inside, when trying to choose a good option for outdoors.
There we have it—six of the best outdoor dog beds on the market in 2019. Any of these beds would be a great option to give your best friend a great spot to snooze the day away outside, and which is best for me might not be the best for you.
However, I would highly recommend looking at the Coolaroo Original Elevated Outdoor Dog bed first. I—and my dog—are pretty confident you’ll like it. It’s simple, waterproof, durable, easy to clean, seems comfortable, affordable, and available in a nice range of colors and sizes to suit your preferences.
I hope this review and buying guide has helped highlight this little slice of the dog accessory world. Let me know which you settle on in the comments. I’d love to hear your thoughts.
If you’d like to read about other great dog beds, check out this roundup post.
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