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  • Retailers
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The Best Mattresses Guide

Simple advice on the UK’s best mattresses and beds

This site uses cookies - see our privacy policy. Ads & links in bold may give us a small payment from the seller, at no cost to the buyer. However, this never affects our views - if we like it, we recommend it.

5 Best Folding Beds 2020 and 2021

Many of the folding beds sold in the UK are made by a company called Jay Be. They've established a good reputation over many decades and have something called a Manufacturing Guild Mark, which is reserved for only a small number of British companies. 

They have a big range with folding beds from as little as £50 but if you can stretch the budget then you'll get something which is a bit more substantial and doesn't have such a thin mattress.

There are also other brands which are less well known which offer decent folding beds. Some include a cover for hiding them away.

For our top 5 folding beds we looked at things like mattress depth, customer reviews, weight limit, brand reputation and value for money. We've also got guides to sofa beds and chair beds if you're looking at the different options for occasional visitors.

Prices are for single folding beds.

1. Jay-Be Value folding bed - £49

Alright, so this isn't the world's most luxurious folding bed but it's worth including as it's hugely popular and gets positive reviews (4.5/5 from 3500+ reviews on Amazon).

You might also be looking to spend as little as possible if you only plan to use a folding bed for a couple of nights at Christmas each year. Or you might be looking for a simple camp bed rather than some great big folding bed which you'll have to find space to store away.

It's made by Yorkshire-based Jay-Be which is the biggest name in the folding bed market in the UK. 

So, what do you get for £50? 

Well, it's got a 5cm deep mattress which is pretty thin by anyone's standards. Most folding beds and sofa bed mattresses are about 10cm deep whilst most 'proper' mattresses are about 20-30cm deep. It's about the same length as a normal sized single mattress but it's 20cm narrower. 

Rather impressively, you get a lifetime guarantee with the frame. The official blurb says the single version is suitable for someone who weigh up to 18 stone, although they might struggle a bit with the narrow width.


You can also buy this folding bed in a small double size. At the time of writing, a small double was more than twice the price of a single, so a couple might be better to get two singles and push them together.
Search latest price on 
Jay-Be Value Folding Bed
Jay Be value folding bed
The mattress on this folding bed is only 5cm deep...
Jaybe value fold up bed and mattress
...but the compact frame has a lifetime guarantee and it has thousands of happy customers

2. Jay-Be Jubilee Folding Guest Bed - (Fibre, memory foam or pocket springs) - £150-£180 

If you can afford the upgrade from the Jay Be Value folding bed, I'd take a look at the Jay Be Jubilee folding bed which is around the middle of their range in terms of price and specification.

If you go for a Jay-Be Jubilee folding bed, you can choose from three types of mattress:
  • The Jubilee micro e-pocket folding mattress (single or small double) uses pocket springs, which is what most of us sleep on. It's worth noting that a folding bed is about half the depth of a normal mattress, so the pocket springs are described as 'micro'. They certainly aren't on the same scale as usual pocket springs.
  • The Jubilee memory e-fibre folding mattress (single or small double) uses memory foam, which is a popular alternative to pocket springs. Memory foam has a bit of a sinking and hugging feel which some people love. Memory foam is known for offering a consistent level of support, although it can make you feel a bit warm.
  • The Jubilee e-fibre folding mattress (single or small double) doesn't use foam or springs but instead uses 'sustainably sourced, recyclable materials'.

All of these fold up mattresses are the same depth (10cm) which is about half the depth of a 'normal' mattress but twice the depth of the Value model (see #1). They all have sprung slats to support the mattress, which is what you get on most bedframes.

They all come in two sizes. The 'single' size is actually a few centimetres narrower than a standard mattress, but it's close enough that you could probably get away with using your fitted sheets.

The 'small double' is about 30cm wider than a standard single mattress and would be fine for a couple of guests for a few nights. 

Each version of the Jay-Be Jubilee fold away bed has the same maximum weight, which is 120kg in single or 160kg for a small double. That means the larger model could cope with a couple who weigh about 12 stone each.


Reviews are very positive across various sites although the pocket version is just about in the lead on Amazon at the time of writing. The e-pocket scores 4.3/5 on Amazon after 600+ reviews  whilst the e-fibre scores 4.1/5 from 1000+ reviews and the memory e-fibre scores 4.1/5 from 170+ reviews.

Whichever you choose, you're buying from a brand with a Manufacturing Guild Mark, which is a sign of quality. 
Jay be Jubilee pocket folding mattress in single
The Jay-Be Jubilee folding bed comes with a choice of three different mattresses...
Jay be folding guest bed
...and two different sizes...
Jay Be Jubilee folding bed
...and it folds up very neatly for storing away at the back of a cupboard
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Jay-Be Jubilee Folding Bed (efibre)
Search latest price on Jay-Be
​Jubilee Folding Bed (memory foam)
Search latest price on Jay-Be
Jubilee Folding Bed (springs)

3. Milliard Diplomat Folding Bed - £195

The Milliard Diplomat is another foldable bed which gets impressive reviews from customers on Amazon. At the time of writing, it was achieving 4.7/5 from 200+ ratings. 

It's made from memory foam, which is a common alternative to the spring beds that most people sleep on. Memory foam can feel a little bit unusual at first and it can make you feel a bit warm, but there's a strong argument that it offers more consistent support than you get from some sprung mattresses (see our memory foam v pocket spring guide for more on this fascinating debated).

The mattress is a little deeper than most folding bed mattresses at about 12.5cm. Despite that, it's only 36cm wide once folded up.
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Milliard folding bed
Picture
The Milliard Diplomat folding bed has a slightly deeper mattress than most...
Picture
...and it's made from memory foam, which is a popular alternative to a sprung mattress

4. Jay-be Crown Premier Folding Bed - £255

This Crown model is another Jay-Be folding bed, but it's quite different to the Jay-Be Jubilee mentioned earlier. 

It's popular with guest houses and hotels, but you won't be obliged to open your spare room up to the public if you decide to buy one.

The main plus point is that it is significantly deeper than most folding beds at 18cm. Most single mattresses are about 20-25cm deep, so this isn't far away. ​It can cope with up to 30 stone, whereas the Jubilee is limited to about 18 stone. Your guests might not weigh 30 stone, but it does suggest that it's solidly built.

On the downside, it is made with open coil springs which are less supportive than pocket spring mattresses. Of course, it's also quite a lot larger for storing which makes it harder to hide it out the way when your guests have gone home. According to my sums it is about 20cm wider than the Jubilee once it is folded up.

It's also only available in a 'single' size, which is actually about 15cm narrower than a normal single mattress. 

The other difference is that this one is supported with a different type of base. The JayBe Jubilee uses sprung slats, which is what most bed frames are made from. This one uses a mesh held on with springs. 

Reviews on Amazon are slightly better than the Jay-Be Jubilee, with an average of 4.6/5 from 150+ reviewers.
Jay-Be Crown Premier Folding Bed
The Jay-Be Crown Premier is much deeper than most folding beds...
JayBe crown premier folding bed
...and it can cope with up to 30 stone
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​Jay-Be Crown Folding Bed

5. EvergreenWeb Folding Bed ​- £229

EvergreenWeb isn't a name I'm familiar with but it's got a couple of hundred positive reviews, mostly in Italian admittedly. Overall it scores 4.6/5 on Amazon at the time of typing.

It's made from foam and is about 12cm deep, which is quite standard for a folding bed. As I said earlier, full size mattresses are usually about twice that (or more) but there's a limit to how thick you can make a folding mattress without it becoming very bulky for storage.


The bed is made in Italy and is the same length as a standard UK single mattress but is 10cm narrower at 80cm wide. Once folded up, it is 35cm wide.

It's got sprung wooden slats. Most bedframes either use solid slats, which feel firm or sprung slats which feel a bit bouncier and softer.
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EvergreenWeb folding bed
Single folding bed on Amazon
This Italian folding bed has had dozens of good reviews

Related guides from the Best Mattresses Guide

Mattress with sheets and pillows

10 of the best mattress retailers

Where to start your search for good quality beds and mattresses in the UK​
Tufted pocket sprung mattress

10 of the best mattresses of 2020/2021

10 mattresses which have won awards and rave reviews 
Teddy bear on a quilted mattress

Best places to buy cheap mattresses

Where to shop for a mattress on a budget of £500, £200 or £100

Buying advice

Beginners' guide
​
Best retailers
Cheap retailers
Divan or bedstead?
​
How to choose a mattress
​John Lewis mattresses
​Memory foam or springs?

Best mattresses

Top 10 mattresses
Arthritis
Back sleepers​
Bed in a box
Best for bad backs
​Cheap mattresses
Cheap memory foam
​Emperor mattresses
​Best firm mattresses
Mattresses with free trials
​
Front sleepers
​Best for heavy people
​Hybrid mattresses
​Kids mattresses
Best latex mattresses
Medium firm mattresses
Top 5 memory foam
​Pillow top mattresses
Pocket sprung mattresses
​
Queen size mattresses
​Side sleepers
​Single mattresses
​
Single memory foam
​Small double mattresses
​Small single mattresses
Best soft mattresses
Wool mattresses
Zip link mattresses


Other guides

​Adjustable beds
Air beds
​Best bedding
Bedspreads
Blankets/throws
​Bunk beds
​Bunk bed with desk
Best carpets
Chair beds
​Cheap beds
Cot bed mattresses
​Day beds
Double beds
Double bunk beds
Double storage beds
Duvets
​Electric blankets
​Fitted sheets
Folding beds
Guest beds
Headboards
Mattress protectors
​Metal beds
Ottoman beds
Pillows
​Silk pillowcases
Silk pyjamas
​
Sleigh beds
​5 best sofa beds
Best toppers
Trundle beds
TV beds
Weighted blankets
White beds
​Wooden beds
​
​




Brands

Casper
Dormeo
Dunlopillo
Emma
Ergoflex
Eve
Hypnos
Nectar
OTTY
Sealy
Silentnight
Simba
Sleepeezee
Tempur
Vispring

About

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While we endeavour to keep the information on this website up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose - please see our disclaimer for more details. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 
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  • Home
  • Mattress advice
    • How to choose a mattress
    • Best Mattresses beginners guide
    • Memory foam v pocket spring mattresses - which is best?
    • 6 tips for buying the best pocket spring mattress
    • 5 tips for buying the best memory foam mattress
    • The 5 questions you need to answer before buying a bed
    • Is an orthopedic mattress the best for a bad back?
  • Best mattresses
    • 10 of the best mattresses of 2020 and 2021
    • By type >
      • 6 best pocket sprung mattresses 2020 and 2021
      • 6 best memory foam mattresses 2020 and 2021
      • 5 best latex mattresses 2020 and 2021
      • 5 best pillow top mattresses 2020 and 2021
      • 5 best bed in a box 2020 and 2021
      • 5 best hybrid mattresses 2020 and 2021
    • By brand >
      • By brand - A to E >
        • Casper Mattress
        • 5 best Dormeo mattresses 2020 and 2021
        • Dunlopillo mattresses
        • Emma mattresses >
          • Emma Mattress/Emma Original
          • Emma Hybrid Mattress
        • Ergoflex Mattress
        • Eve Mattress
      • By brand - F to R >
        • Hypnos mattresses >
          • The Premier Inn Hypnos Mattress
          • 5 best Hypnos mattresses 2020 and 2021
        • Nectar Sleep Mattress
        • OTTY mattresses
      • By brand - S to Z >
        • 5 best Sealy mattresses 2020 and 2021
        • 5 best Silentnight mattresses 2020 and 2021
        • Simba Sleep mattresses >
          • Simba Hybrid Mattress
          • Simba Hybrid Pro Mattress
        • Sleepeezee mattresses
        • Tempur mattresses
        • 5 best Vispring mattresses 2020 and 2021
    • Specialist mattresses >
      • 10 best cot mattresses for baby's beds 2020 and 2021
      • 7 mattresses for heavy people 2020 and 2021
      • Best mattresses for back pain and bad backs 2020 and 2021
      • Best mattresses for arthritis 2020 and 2021
      • 5 best wool mattresses 2020 and 2021
      • 5 best kids mattresses 2020 and 2021
    • By firmness >
      • 5 best soft mattresses 2020 and 2021
      • 5 best medium firm mattresses 2020 and 2021
      • 5 best firm mattresses 2020 and 2021
      • 5 best orthopedic/orthopaedic mattresses 2020 and 2021
    • By sleeping position >
      • 5 best mattresses for side sleepers 2020 and 2021
      • 5 best mattresses for front/stomach sleepers 2020 and 2021
      • 5 best mattresses for back sleepers 2020 and 2021
    • By price >
      • 5 best cheap mattresses under £200 2020 and 2021
      • 5 best cheap beds 2020 and 2021
      • 6 of the best mattresses with a free trial 2020 and 2021
      • 5 cheap memory foam mattresses 2020 and 2021
    • By size >
      • 6 of the best emperor mattresses, beds, bedsteads and divans 2020 and 2021
      • 5 best zip link beds and mattresses 2020 and 2021
      • 5 of the best small single mattresses 2020 and 2021
      • 5 of the best single beds and single mattresses 2020 and 2021
      • 6 best single memory foam mattresses 2020 and 2021
      • 5 of the best small double mattresses 2020 and 2021
      • 5 of the best queen size beds and queen mattresses 2020 and 2021
      • 5 of the best double beds 2020 and 2021
  • Best Beds
    • Divan base or bedstead - which is best?
    • Day beds, sofa beds and guest beds >
      • 5 best sofa beds 2020 and 2021
      • 5 of the best air beds 2020 and 2021
      • 5 of the best day beds 2020 and 2021
      • 5 of the best guest beds 2020 and 2021
      • 5 of the best trundle beds 2020 and 2021
      • 5 best chair beds and single sofa beds 2020 and 2021
      • 5 of the best folding beds 2020 and 2021
    • Bunk beds >
      • 5 of the best bunk beds with desks 2020 and 2021
      • 6 of the best bunk beds 2020 and 2021
      • 5 of the best double bunk beds 2020 and 2021
    • Wooden, metal and fabric bedframes >
      • 5 of the best wooden beds 2020 and 2021
      • 5 of the best metal beds 2020 and 2021
      • 5 of the best sleigh beds 2020 and 2021
      • 5 of the best white beds 2020 and 2021
      • 5 of the best leather beds 2020 and 2021
    • Storage beds >
      • 6 of the best ottoman beds and storage beds 2020 and 2021
      • 5 best single beds with storage and single ottoman beds 2020 and 2021
      • 5 best double ottoman beds and double beds with storage 2020 and 2021
    • Specialist beds >
      • 6 best adjustable beds 2020 and 2021
      • 5 of the best TV beds 2020 and 2021
      • 5 of the best cheap headboards 2020 and 2021
  • Duvets, pillows & bedding
    • Duvets and blankets >
      • 5 of the best duvets for summer and winter 2020 and 2021
      • 5 of the best electric blankets and heated blankets 2020 and 2021
      • 5 of the best weighted blankets 2020 and 2021
      • 5 best bedspreads 2020 and 2021
      • 5 best blankets and throws 2020 and 2021
      • 5 best wool blankets and wool throws 2020 and 2021
    • Pillows and pillowcases >
      • 5 of the best pillows 2020 and 2021
      • 6 best silk pillowcases 2020 and 2021
    • Bedding, sheets and toppers >
      • 5 of the best bedding sets 2020 and 2021
      • 5 of the best fitted sheets 2020 and 2021
      • 5 of the best mattress protectors 2020 and 2021
      • Which are the best mattress toppers?
    • Other guides >
      • 5 best silk pyjamas 2020 and 2021
      • Which is the best type of carpet material?
  • Retailers
    • 10 best places to buy cheap mattresses and divan beds under £500, £200 or £100
    • 10 of the best mattress retailers online 2020 and 2021
    • Buying a John Lewis & Partners mattress - 5 top tips for 2020 and 2021
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