Best Bedside Dog Beds in 2026: Ranked and Reviewed
Choosing among the best bedside dog beds in 2026 comes down to one question: how close do you want your dog while you sleep, not how many features are stacked into a product listing.
- Furmates Close To Me Nest is the best overall pick among bedside dog beds in 2026 because it sits at mattress height without taking over your side of the bed.
- The Close To Me Oval Nest is best for dogs and cats that stretch out and turn a few times before settling.
- The Close2Me Pet Bed is the simplest, lowest-profile bedside option for pet parents who want something compact.
- Bedside beds work best for pets already sleeping in the same room as you; a gradual transition beats an overnight switch.
Why this matters
A lot of dogs end up on the mattress every night not because owners love the hair and the shoving, but because the dog panics the second it's alone on the floor. A bedside bed splits the difference: your dog is right at eye level, close enough to hear you breathing, without turning your queen-size bed into a three-person arrangement.
The transition matters more than the bed itself. If you're moving a dog off your mattress for the first time, read how to transition your dog from your bed to a co-sleeper before you buy anything — the right bed still fails if the switch happens too fast.
In 2026, bedside dog beds have moved past basic donut cushions. Shoppers are looking for beds that sit at mattress height, hold their shape through nightly use, and don't slide across hardwood at 2 a.m.
What makes the best bedside dog bed
- Height alignment. The bed's rim should sit close to your mattress height so your dog isn't looking up at you or dropping down into a floor-level bowl.
- A den-like rim. Raised sides give anxious sleepers something to lean into, which matters more than sheer softness.
- A washable cover. Bedside beds get dragged into daily life — drool, mud, shed fur — and a removable cover saves you from replacing the whole bed.
- A stable, non-slip base. A bed that shifts every time your dog climbs in defeats the point of a co-sleeper.
- Size that matches your pet, not your décor. A bed that looks proportional next to your nightstand can still be too tight for a dog that likes to stretch.
“A bedside dog bed only earns its spot on the floor if your dog can see you without leaving the mattress.”
Best bedside dog beds in 2026: at a glance
| Bed | Best for | Standout feature | Key limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Furmates Close To Me Nest | Overall bedside sleeping | Sits at mattress height for eye-level contact | Built for one pet, not a two-dog household |
| Furmates Close To Me Oval Nest | Pets that stretch out before settling | Oval shape gives more room to turn | Larger footprint takes up more floor space |
| Furmates Close2Me Pet Bed | A simple, low-profile setup | Compact design for tight bedside gaps | Fewer published details than the Nest models — check the product page for exact sizing |
1. Close To Me Nest: best bedside dog bed for overall mattress-height sleeping
The Furmates Close To Me Nest is built to sit at the same height as your mattress, so your dog rests eye-level with you instead of down on the floor. It's the pick most pet parents land on when the goal is simple: keep the dog close without giving up the bed.
Close To Me Nest pros:
- Mattress-height design keeps your dog visible and reachable without leaning over the edge
- Raised rim gives a den-like feel for dogs that like leaning into a border
- Works for both dogs and cats that want proximity without full bed-sharing
Close To Me Nest cons:
- Sized for one pet at a time — not built for two dogs sharing the same nest
- Needs a clear stretch of floor beside the bed frame to sit flush
Best for: dog owners moving a single pet off the mattress for the first time.
Verdict: Buy. This is the straightforward, no-fuss option and the one most readers should start with in 2026.
2. Close To Me Oval Nest: best bedside dog bed for pets that stretch out
The Furmates Close To Me Oval Nest takes the same bedside concept and gives it a longer, oval shape. Dogs and cats that circle a few times before lying down, or that like to stretch a leg out mid-nap, get more usable space without the bed sprawling in every direction.
Close To Me Oval Nest pros:
- Oval shape gives more turning room than a round nest
- Same mattress-height positioning as the standard Nest
- Suits pets that shift positions through the night instead of curling tight
Close To Me Oval Nest cons:
- The longer shape takes up more floor space along the bed frame
- Not the best fit for tight bedrooms where floor space next to the mattress is already limited
Best for: pets that sprawl or stretch rather than curl into a tight ball.
Verdict: Buy if your bedroom has the floor space to spare — it's the more comfortable shape for restless sleepers.
3. Close2Me Pet Bed: best bedside dog bed for a simple, low-profile setup
The Furmates Close2Me Pet Bed is the compact option in the lineup, built for pet parents who want a bedside sleeper without a bulky nest taking over the room. It's a straightforward fit for smaller bedside gaps.
Close2Me Pet Bed pros:
- Lower-profile footprint fits tighter spaces beside the bed frame
- Simple design with no extra bulk to work around
Close2Me Pet Bed cons:
- Fewer published sizing and material details than the two Nest models — confirm dimensions on the product page before buying
- Less documented lifestyle detail available compared to the Close To Me Nest line
Best for: small bedrooms or apartments where floor space beside the bed is limited.
Verdict: Hold until you've confirmed the sizing on the product page matches your dog — it's a solid option once you know it fits.
How this list was ranked
Each bed was weighed against the same five criteria: mattress-height alignment, a den-like rim, a washable cover, a stable base, and true fit for the pet's size. The Close To Me Nest wins on the combination of height and simplicity; the Oval Nest wins on room to move; the Close2Me wins on footprint. None of the three loses on all counts — they split by use case, not by quality gap.
Which bedside dog bed should you choose in 2026?
If you're starting from scratch and just want your dog close without losing your side of the bed, the Furmates Close To Me Nest is the default pick for 2026. Choose the Close To Me Oval Nest if your dog stretches out or turns a lot before settling — the extra length pays off every night. Go with the Close2Me Pet Bed only after you've checked its dimensions against your dog's size, since the bedside dog beds in this lineup are built for a snug fit, not a one-size-fits-all footprint.
FAQ
What is the best bedside dog bed in 2026?
The Furmates Close To Me Nest is the best overall bedside dog bed in 2026 because it sits at mattress height and keeps a single pet close without crowding the bed. The Oval Nest and Close2Me Pet Bed cover more specific shapes and space needs.
Are bedside dog beds better than letting a dog sleep on the bed?
A bedside dog bed gives your dog proximity without the shifting, hair, and space loss of full bed-sharing. It works best for dogs that are anxious about sleeping alone but don't need to be physically touching you all night.
How do I get my dog to use a bedside bed instead of my mattress?
Move the bed gradually and keep a worn blanket or your scent nearby during the first week. A slower transition, covered in the guide on moving a dog from your bed to a co-sleeper, works better than an overnight switch.
What height should a bedside dog bed be?
A bedside dog bed should sit close to your mattress height so your dog can see and reach you without climbing up or down. Beds that sit too low on the floor undercut the whole point of a bedside setup.
Can two dogs share one bedside dog bed?
Most bedside dog beds, including the Furmates Close To Me Nest and Oval Nest, are sized for one pet at a time. Two dogs sharing a single nest usually means one ends up hanging off the edge.
Is the Close To Me Oval Nest better than the round Close To Me Nest?
The Oval Nest is better for pets that stretch out or turn before lying down, since the longer shape gives more room. The round Nest works fine for dogs that curl into a tight ball and suits tighter floor space.
Do bedside pet beds work for cats too?
Yes — bedside beds like the Furmates Close To Me Nest suit cats that want proximity to their owner without full bed access, especially in single-cat or single-dog households.
What's the difference between a bedside bed and a regular dog bed?
A bedside bed is built to sit at or near mattress height right next to your bed frame, while a regular dog bed sits anywhere on the floor. The height and placement are what make it a co-sleeping tool rather than just another bed.
One last thing
The detail most people skip: measure the gap between your mattress and the wall or nightstand before ordering. A bedside dog bed that's a perfect fit on paper still fails if it can't physically slide into the space you actually have in 2026's smaller bedrooms and apartment layouts.