If you’ve been searching for “trindle beds,” you’re almost certainly after trundle beds — the classic two-in-one setup where a second, lower bed rolls out from underneath the main frame. In 2026 they’re having a real moment again, mostly thanks to smaller apartments and multi-kid households where a dedicated guest room or second bedroom just isn’t in the budget. We spend a lot of time testing daybeds and bunk beds for this site, and trundles keep coming up as one of the most space-efficient answers to the “where does everyone sleep” problem.
Our Top Trundle Bed Picks for 2026
Zinus Shalini Metal Daybed with Trundle
- Trundle raises to same height as top bed
- Sturdy steel slats, no box spring needed
- Fits tight apartment corners
- Assembly takes two people for the trundle rails
- Metal frame can creak on hardwood
Novogratz Brittany Upholstered Daybed with Trundle
- Attractive upholstered headboard
- Trundle hides fully under the frame
- Works as a sofa substitute
- Fabric shows wear faster than metal frames
- Trundle mattress sold separately
Max & Lily Twin over Twin Bunk Bed with Trundle
- Solid pine, not particleboard
- Trundle can convert to a third bunk with the right kit
- No formaldehyde-based finishes
- Takes real floor space with trundle extended
- Ladder placement can be tight in small rooms
DHP Rosedale Metal Daybed with Trundle
- Very affordable
- Simple, quick assembly
- Classic look fits most decor
- Slats are a bit widely spaced for thin mattresses
- Trundle sits a couple inches lower than top bed
Walker Edison Twin Daybed with Trundle, Solid Wood
- Real wood construction
- Trundle glides on caster wheels
- Doubles as a sofa with bolster cushions
- Heavier and harder to move once assembled
- Higher price point than metal options
Delta Children Bailey Twin Daybed with Trundle
- Kid-friendly proportions and finish
- Lightweight trundle a child can manage
- JPMA certified
- Weight limit lower than adult-oriented daybeds
- Not ideal once kids hit teen years
What Exactly Is a Trundle Bed?
A trundle bed is a low-profile bed frame, usually on casters, that stores under a taller daybed, platform bed, or bunk bed and rolls out when you need extra sleeping space. Most trundles are twin-size, though some frames pair a twin top bed with a full-size trundle underneath (sometimes called a twin-over-full or “expandable” trundle). The trundle typically sits either flush with the top mattress once raised on a pop-up frame, or a few inches lower on a fixed-height drawer-style frame.
Pop-Up vs. Fixed-Height Trundles
This is the distinction that actually matters when you’re shopping. A pop-up trundle has a hinged or telescoping frame that lifts the trundle mattress to the same height as the main bed once you pull it out — useful if you want the trundle to double as extra couch seating during the day. A fixed-height trundle stays low to the ground, which some buyers actually prefer for kids’ rooms since it’s a shorter drop and easier for a child to climb in and out of alone.
Where Trundle Beds Make the Most Sense
Small Apartments and Studios
An upholstered daybed with a trundle can function as your only piece of seating-slash-sleeping furniture. During the day it looks like a sofa; at night, or when a friend stays over, the trundle rolls out for a second sleeper without needing a separate guest room.
Shared Kids’ Rooms
Trundle-equipped bunk beds let two kids sleep on the main structure while a third trundle handles sleepovers, a visiting cousin, or a younger sibling who isn’t quite ready for the top bunk. We’d point you toward our loft bed guide if you’re weighing a loft-with-trundle combo instead of a traditional bunk.
Guest Rooms That Do Double Duty
A home office or craft room with a daybed-trundle combo keeps the room functional day to day while still sleeping two overnight guests comfortably.
What to Check Before You Buy
Mattress Thickness Limits
Trundle frames, especially pop-up styles, usually cap mattress thickness somewhere between 6 and 9 inches. A thick memory-foam mattress may not fit the frame or may sit too high once popped up. Always check the manufacturer’s stated maximum mattress height before ordering a mattress separately.
Weight Capacity
Trundle frames tend to have lower weight ratings than standalone bed frames because the wheeled base and thinner rails aren’t built the same as a full platform. If the trundle will regularly hold an adult rather than an occasional child guest, look for models explicitly rated for adult use.
Floor Clearance and Flooring Type
Measure the clearance under your daybed frame against the trundle’s folded height, and check the caster type against your flooring. Hard rubber casters roll easily on hardwood but can be tougher to push across thick carpet, where you’ll want a frame with larger or softer wheels.
Assembly and Weight
Solid wood trundle daybeds look and feel sturdier long-term, but they’re considerably heavier to assemble and to move if you ever rearrange the room. Metal-frame trundles are lighter and quicker to put together, which matters if you’re in a rental and expect to move again.
Trundle Bed Styles at a Glance
| Style | Best For | Trundle Height | Typical Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metal daybed with trundle | Studios, first apartments | Pop-up or fixed | $150–$300 |
| Upholstered daybed with trundle | Living-room dual use | Usually fixed | $250–$450 |
| Solid wood daybed with trundle | Long-term guest rooms | Fixed or pop-up | $350–$600 |
| Bunk bed with trundle | Shared kids’ rooms | Fixed, low profile | $300–$550 |
Related buying guides
- All bed types compared
- Trundle sofa beds
- Daybeds and day-sleeper sofas
- Bunk beds for adults
- Loft beds for kids’ rooms
- Platform bed frames
- Bed sizes and dimensions guide
- How we test beds and frames
Ready to find your trundle bed?
Compare our top-rated trundle daybeds and bunk beds on Amazon.
Check price on AmazonIs a trundle bed the same as a bunk bed?
No. A bunk bed stacks two beds vertically with a ladder, while a trundle bed stores a second, lower bed on wheels underneath the main frame, rolling out only when needed.
Can adults sleep comfortably on a trundle bed?
Yes, as long as the frame is rated for adult weight and the trundle mattress is at least 5-6 inches of supportive foam or hybrid construction. Check the weight capacity before buying.
Do I need to buy a separate mattress for the trundle?
Almost always, yes. Most trundle daybeds and bunk beds are sold as a frame only, so budget for a second twin (or full) mattress that fits within the frame’s stated height limit.
What size mattress fits a standard trundle?
Twin is the most common trundle size, though some daybed-style frames use a twin XL, and a few expandable models pair a twin top bed with a full-size trundle.
Are pop-up trundles worth the extra cost over fixed-height ones?
If you want the trundle to double as daytime seating at the same height as the main bed, yes. If it’s mainly for occasional kid sleepovers, a simpler fixed-height trundle is usually cheaper and just as functional.
Will a trundle bed fit under my existing daybed?
Not necessarily. Trundle frames are typically designed as a matched set with a specific daybed or bunk frame, so it’s safer to buy the trundle and main bed together rather than trying to retrofit one to existing furniture.
How much floor space does a trundle bed need when extended?
Plan for the full footprint of a twin bed (about 39 by 75 inches) pulled out alongside the main frame, plus a little clearance to walk around it, so measure your room before assuming it will fit.
Are trundle beds good for small kids?
Yes, especially fixed-height, low-to-the-ground trundles, which give young children an easier climb in and out compared to a raised pop-up trundle or a bunk bed’s top bunk.
Sophie Laurent
Sophie Laurent is TalkBeds' Beds & Bedroom Editor. With more than ten years covering home and furniture, she leads everything on the site that isn't the mattress itself: bed frames, platform beds, headboards, bunk and kids' beds, sizing, and the interiors decisions… Full profile & sources →