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Many dog owners enjoy spending time outdoors with their pups during the summer months, from relaxing in the backyard to hanging out at the beach or camping. But just like us, dogs need a comfortable place to rest, and the best outdoor dog beds are the perfect place for them to land. Snuffle Mat For Dogs
Elevated dog beds, also called cots, are particularly good for the outdoors. They allow for airflow, and some have tops that also provide shade. Other outdoor beds provide simple comfort and can be laid directly on the ground under a tree or on a deck.
I tested eight models to choose the best dog beds for best for camping, hiking, or lounging in the backyard. I used them with my 32-pound standard dachshund and 37-pound beagle over the course of a month to narrow down the pros and cons of each. If you're looking for more ways to keep your dog comfortable, read our guide to the best cooling mats.
Best overall: Coolaroo Elevated Dog Bed - See at Chewy The Coolaroo Elevated Dog Bed is our top pick thanks to its mold- and mildew-resistant material and sturdy frame.
Best bolster: Petfusion Ultimate Elevated Outdoor Dog Bed - See at Amazon The Petfusion Ultimate Elevated Outdoor Bed is a durable bolster bed made with high-quality water-resistant fabric.
Best tent: K&H Original Pet Cot House - See at Amazon The roomy K&H Original Pet Cot House provides even the largest dogs with a space to relax and keep cool.
Best budget: Frisco Steel Frame Elevated Dog Bed - See at Chewy The Frisco Elevated Dog Bed is a water-resistant budget option that suits many dogs.
Best sofa-style: Gen7 Pets Cool-Air Cot - See at Chewy The curved back of the Cool-Air Cot is made from breathable fabric so dogs can rest comfortably even in hot temperatures.
Best mat: Ruffwear Mt. Bachelor Pad Portable Dog Bed - See at Ruffwear Ruffwear's Mt. Bachelor Pad is a portable camping dog bed that stays dry, cleans up well, and conveniently rolls up for travel.
Pros: Mold and mildew resistant, easy to clean, warranty, six color options, comes in three sizes, lightweight
Cons: Some assembly required
The unique high-density polyethylene fabric that makes up the Coolaroo Elevated Dog Bed is resistant to mold, mildew, and pests. With its elevated design, the cot promotes airflow to keep your dog cool, while the suspended platform design reduces pressure points for dogs with arthritis. The rust-resistant powder-coated steel frame is perfect for rainy and humid climates.
This is a bed you can use indoors, too, and I actually started my testing in the kitchen where my hounds love to spend time. The bed proved lightweight and easy to move around. You won't have to worry about making sure it's clean before you bring it back indoors — just vacuum or rinse it with a hose. I put it out in the sun to air-dry.
The package includes tools for assembly. It took no more than 15 minutes to put it together, but it required a helper.
Pros: Water resistant, wide-leg design for stability, warranty
Cons: Difficult assembly, heavy, only available in one color and two sizes
The Petfusion Ultimate Elevated Outdoor Bed is designed for dogs that like additional support for their head or back. It consists of a removable foam bolster with waterproof lining and a water-resistant polyester cover, a water-resistant polyester bed, and a sturdy steel frame with nonskid feet. With a wide-leg design and weighing a generous 16 pounds, the bed doesn't move a bit when my dogs jump onto it. That said, it's not as easy to move around as the other beds we tested.
This bed held up extremely well after almost a week of rain, and the fabric didn't sag even after my medium-sized dog spent hours lounging on it for a month. The bolster securely attaches to the bed with Velcro. I machine-washed the bolster cover and lining three times with a delicate detergent. The bed fabric cannot be removed unless you disassemble the frame, but you can hose it down or handwash it with gentle soap and water.
Assembly for this bed was the hardest of the bunch. It took about 30 minutes with two people and lots of elbow grease. The bed fabric must be pulled tightly when securing the hardware.
Pros: Removable tent provides shade, durable materials, available in three sizes, warranty
Cons: Only available in one color, some assembly required, entrance is small
The Original Pet Cot House has a unique design consisting of a removable cover that converts the bed into a den to protect your dog from sun or rain. The bed features a breathable nylon mesh center, and the tent cover has two zippered windows, which are great for air circulation or dogs that don't like to feel too closed in.
The cot held up well in wet weather and is ideal for an extended camping trip during hot weather. You will need to train your dog to get inside when the tent cover is in place — the opening is on the small side, and my dachshund needed coaxing. Tossing some treats inside will likely do the trick.
The tent is made of 600 denier nylon that is water-resistant and can be wiped clean with a damp cloth. Ours has been sitting outside on our deck in the rain and shows no signs of mold or mildew. You'll have to snap the frame into place before securing the tent portion with its elastic straps.
Pros: Five color options, skid-resistant feet, available in three sizes, replacement covers available
Cons: Assembly more challenging than with other beds, no warranty
I keep the Frisco Steel Frame Elevated Dog Bed outside on the lawn so my dogs can relax on nicer days. The polyester fabric is coated with PVC to resist water and seems comfortable for my dogs. The material hasn't sagged a bit, which is impressive since both my dogs took turns lying on this bed over the course of a few weeks when we spent time in the garden.
Like the K&H bed, the skid-resistant feet are a big plus. When I placed the bed on our deck, both of my dogs were hesitant to jump onto it, but they soon found it was steady. Another bonus is that Chewy sells affordable replacement covers.
This Frisco bed comes with tools for assembly and takes longer to build than the cots designed with tube-lock assembly. It took me about 15 minutes to assemble it, and I needed a helper.
Pros: Easy assembly, breathable raised back
Cons: Only available in one color and two sizes, no warranty
The curved back is the best feature of Gen7 Pets Cool-Air Cot and what differentiates it from the other best outdoor dog beds. Both of my dogs enjoy having the full back to rest up against. It's not a bolster though — it only serves as an area they can lean on.
Although the bed's unique design could lend itself to pooling water, the highly breathable nylon fabric prevents wet spots. The material dries pretty quickly, too. When I left the cot out in the rain, I didn't need to wait an entire day for it to dry out in the sun. There weren't any issues with rust or mold, either.
Assembly was easy with the snap-together powder-coated steel frame. The design is sturdy and stable. However, I wouldn't recommend this bed for dogs with mobility issues. Because of the curved front, dogs have to step up into it.
Pros: Easy-to-clean microsuede sleeping surface, rolls into a compact bedroll for travel
Cons: Material is easily damaged by chewing, no warranty
Ruffwear's Mt. Bachelor Pad Portable Dog Bed has a soft, polyester microsuede top and a nonslip waterproof base with a moisture barrier. Even after it rained, the moisture on my deck didn't permeate through the pad's base. I could also lay it on wet grass without any issue. This bed conveniently rolls up, so it doesn't take up a ton of real estate when not in use.
Both my dogs chose this outdoor mat over the other types we tested, including our previous category winner, the Chuckit! Travel Pillow Bed. In warmer temperatures, the polyester suede and recycled polyfill stayed cool. Dogs with mobility issues will love this low-lying bed, too.
I ran this bed through the washer five times over a month, and it held up well, though it is a bit bulky for the washing machine. I used mild detergent and cold water. Just be sure to secure the bedroll fasteners. The mat took a few hours to air-dry indoors but only 30 minutes outside in the sun.
The outdoor dog beds in this guide were provided as editorial review samples by their manufacturers. Each bed was tested outdoors for at least one month and evaluated according to the following criteria.
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