The best bunk beds you can buy

The highly rated Dorel Home Products Twin-Over-Twin Metal Bunk Bed is sleek, stable, and a great deal.

Sturdy as well as space- and money-saving, Dorel Home Products (DHP) Twin-Over-Twin Metal Bunk Bed fulfills the needs of parents (who want safety as well as plenty of leftover playing room for kids), college students (or other dorm dwellers), and adults rooming together to save on rent. With a high maximum weight limit (200 pounds on the top, 225 pounds for the bottom), this model serves many different people.

It has a sleek, simple, and curved metal frame with full-length guardrails and a slanted ladder that is attached for safe and easy climbing. This bunk bed is available a variety of colors (silver, white, black, navy, and pink). Super Comfy Sleep, which rated this model among its tops picks, notes the strong metal construction ability to keep the whole thing from wobbling.

Fully assembled, the Dorel Home Products Twin-Over-Twin Metal Bunk Bed is 78-inches long, 41.5-inches wide (60 inches with slanted ladder), and 61.5-inches tall. The metal support slats are positioned 2.5-inches apart and the ladder is 12-inches wide. There are 35.5 inches between the lower and upper levels, leaving a decent amount of headroom.

There seems to be some debate about assembly. Amazon reviewers and Parents Center Network, which rated it the second-best bunk bed, found it easy to assemble. Counting Sheep praised the model highly but says it isn't the easiest to set up. "It is mostly because there are over a hundred individual components," Counting Sheep writes. "Thankfully, every part is clearly labeled, and the instructions are quality, so it shouldn't take a single person more than three hours. We suggest having someone help you assemble this bunk bed."

Tuck named the Dorel Home Products Twin-Over-Twin Metal Bunk Bed "Best Standard Bunk Bed" and it earned an average of 4 out of 5 stars by nearly 2,700 Amazon reviewers (of which, 51% gave it a full 5 stars). If you're looking for a slightly larger option, try the Dorel Home Products Twin-Over-Full Metal Bunk Bed, also economical and highly rated on Fab at Home and Freedom Action.

Pros: Very affordable, simple, and sturdy

Cons: Can't be separated into two individual beds; lots of different parts for assembly

Buy the Dorel Home Products (DHP) Twin-Over-Twin Metal Bunk Bed on Amazon starting at $176.99 (price varies by color)

The Discovery World Furniture Twin Over Full Bunk Bed with Twin Trundle features two different mattress sizes, an extra berth, and a gorgeous Mission-style frame.

The Discovery World Furniture Twin Over Full Bunk Bed with Twin Trundle is popular among grandparents and families because it's useful for all different ages; with a twin-sized upper berth, a full-sized lower berth, and a twin-sized hidden trundle bed, it can accommodate a group of grandkids, a small family, and/or a mini slumber party.

With all those people, you're probably wondering about maximum weight. The top berth can support up to 180 pounds, while the bottom can handle up to 250 pounds. Beds by this manufacturer meet ASTM safety regulations and many Amazon reviewers report "normal weight" adults sleeping comfortably on all levels, although adults should stick to the bottom berth.

The brand, Discovery World Furniture, is well-known in the industry and its products have been reviewed positively by sites including Freedom Action and Home Furniture Advisor. Fab at Home named the Discovery World Furniture Twin Over Full Bunk Bed with Twin Trundle the "Best Quality" model. With solid wood construction, it's sturdy and strong. But this piece of furniture is also notable for its beautiful appearance — its Mission-style A-frame design (available in merlot, espresso, and honey finishes) looks simple but elegant.

What makes this bunk bed especially versatile are two features: its ability to be separated into two different-sized beds — one with a trundle bed. If you need more storage space, remove the mattress from the trundle bed — you'll have an extra-wide drawer under the lower bunk.

Fully assembled, the Discovery World Furniture Twin Over Full Bunk Bed with Twin Trundle is 78-inches long, 57-inches wide, and 66-inches tall. Assembly is fairly easy and takes one to three hours (depending on the number of people working). It comes with a one-year warranty.

The Discovery World Furniture Twin Over Full Bunk Bed with Twin Trundle has an average rating of 3.9 out of 5 stars from almost 80 Amazon reviewers, with 68% awarding it 5 stars.

Pros: Good value, ample sleeping room for multiple occupants, easy assembly, converts into separate beds

Cons: Heavy

Buy the Discovery World Furniture Twin Over Full Bunk Bed with Twin Trundle on Amazon for $590 to $664.35 (price varies by color) Buy the Discovery World Furniture Twin Over Full Bunk Bed with Twin Trundle at Bed Bath & Beyond for $749.99

For adults who are kids at heart, the CoasterEssence Stephan Metal Full-Over-Full Bunk Bed is roomy, sturdy, and stylish.

Who says only kids get to have all the fun? Adults can climb aboard and comfortably sleep on the incredibly strong CoasterEssence Stephan Metal Full-Over-Full Bunk Bed from Coaster Fine Furniture. Built like a tank, this bed can withstand "rambunctious teenagers," "rough and tough boys," and seemingly whatever else you can throw at it. It doesn't shake, wobble, or squeak when ascended thanks to a robust frame constructed of 2-inch steel metal tubing.

Under each berth are 20 metal-supported slats, resulting in a maximum weight limit of 400 pounds per berth. Fully assembled, the Stephan is 82-inches long, 61-inches wide, and 65-inches tall. Curved ladders on both sides emphasize the bed's hourglass shape. Tuck, which named it the "Sturdiest Bunk Bed," admired the "striking, curvaceous design and slick gunmetal finish that offers aesthetic appeal for most bedrooms."

In addition to sturdiness and cool looks, the Stephan offers a good return on investment. Although pricey, this model is perfect for "durability and longevity," as noted by Home Furniture Advisor. For some Amazon customers, this model has lasted five years and is still going strong. And with plenty of headroom, you can sit up and use the bottom level not only for sleeping but also for hanging out. The only negatives are that assembly can take a long time (from one to four hours), it's heavy, and it doesn't separate into two individual beds.

The CoasterEssence Stephan Metal Full-Over-Full Bunk Bed was also named "Best Bunk Bed for Adults" on Fab at Home and rated third highest on Inside Bedroom. It also was among Counting Sheep's top picks and earned an average of 4.2 out of 5 stars from almost 100 Amazon reviewers with an impressive 75% awarding it 5 stars.

Pros: Super sturdy and stylish frame with comfortably large berths

Cons: Expensive, heavy (and difficult to move), can't be separated into two beds

Buy the CoasterEssence Stephan Metal Full-Over-Full Bunk Bed on Amazon starting at $895 Buy the CoasterEssence Stephan Metal Full-Over-Full Bunk Bed on eBay for $860.77 Buy the CoasterEssence Stephan Metal Full-Over-Full Bunk Bed on Houzz for $957.97 Buy the CoasterEssence Stephan Metal Full-Over-Full Bunk Bed on Homesquare for $957.99

Perfect for camping or when you need extra beds in a pinch, the Disc-O-Bed Large is extremely sturdy and heavy-duty yet comfortable and multifunctional.

When I first saw the name "Disc-O-Bed," I thought of disco dancing … but then realized that the name refers to the bed's nifty patented lock-in modular disc system: eight discs that join the frame pieces, hold the two levels together, and separate and rotate to convert the bunk beds into a couch. Tested by the Red Cross and the US Army, the Disc-O-Bed Large is rugged and strong, yet soft and comfortable. You can use it to create extra sleeping space while camping, in the house, or anywhere with limited space; fully assembled, it is 82-inches long, 32.5-inches wide, and 36-inches tall.

A tough anti-rust steel frame is covered with water-resistant, eco-friendly PVC-coated polyester fabric in black, green, or navy. With a maximum weight allowance of 500 pounds, each cot is a strong and soft sling that supports and cradles its occupant; there's no uncomfortable center bar to poke you in the back. Don of Well Rigged — who specifically highlights tough, well-built products — described each sleeping surface as "taut yet flexible. It's like a hammock without the sagging." There's about 22 inches of clearance between the lower berth (11-inches high) and upper berth (32-inches high), which doesn't leave a lot of head clearance, but you probably won't be spending much time sitting up on the Disc-O-Bed Large while camping. To add more headroom between levels, you can purchase a leg extension set to raise the upper berth.

Speaking of sitting, the versatile Disc-O-Bed Large converts from bunk beds to not only two individual twin cots, but also a bench. Simply detach one side of the top bunk and swing it down to create the bench, which is convenient and doable in terms of comfort. As Camping & Camping — which named this model "Best Camping Bunk" — pointed out, you can use the beds as a bench during the day and avoid hauling along extra chairs. And Outdoor Spider noted that "you are actually getting a lot from a single product. Getting two functional cots at this price is actually reasonable" and less expensive than buying them separately.

The bottom berth is high enough from the ground that your body won't sink to the floor or ground. The Disc-O-Bed Large comes with convenient, deep organizers (pockets and cup holders) that hang on each side of both levels, as well as a carrying case (however, when the beds are folded up and tucked into the case, it's very heavy to transport). Users love that they can set up and take down the Disc-O-Bed Large very easily in about 10 to 30 minutes. Best Tent Cots for Camping blog described set-up as "done without any extra tools and without brute force." The bunk beds have a one-year warranty on all materials and workmanship.

The Disc-O-Bed Large was rated highly on Home Furniture Advisor and earned 4.6 out of 5 stars on Cabela's and 4.8 out of 5 stars on Bass Pro. It averaged 4.6 out of 5 stars among almost 200 Amazon reviewers, with 81% awarding it 5 stars. If you're looking for different-sized versions, try the smaller Disc-O-Bed Youth Kid-O-Bunk with Organizers (designed for children ages 7 to 12), the larger Disc-O-Bed XL, and largest Disc-O-Bed 2XL.

Pros: Incredibly sturdy yet comfortable, versatile, easy to assemble/disassemble

Cons: Expensive, heavy

Buy the Disco-O-Bed Large on Amazon for $329.99 Buy the Disc-O-Bed Large from Camping World for $279.91 (originally $419.99) Buy the Disc-O-Bed Large from Bass Pro Shops for $299.99 Buy the Disc-O-Bed Large at the Home Depot for $323.99 Buy the Disc-O-Bed Large from Dick's Sporting Goods for $299.99-$379.99 (price varies by design) Buy the Disc-O-Bed Large at Bed Bath & Beyond for $349.99