8 Best Heated Dog Beds of 2024 – Reviews & Top Picks

Whether you live in a cold climate or just want your dog to be able to snuggle up in a cozy bed at night, heated dog beds allow your dog to have blissful sleep every night regardless of the temperature. Heated dog beds are great for puppies who aren’t used to being away from the constant snuggles of all their brothers and sisters. They’re also great for traveling in unpredictable temperatures.

Regardless of why you’re looking for a heated dog bed, we know that it can be daunting to search through the plethora of options available. Therefore, we have reviewed eight of our favorite heated dog beds to make it easier. Keep reading to see how we rated these eight dog beds and how they compare to one another.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites (Updated 2024)

The 8 Best Heated Dog Beds – Reviews

1. K&H Pet Outdoor Heated Pet Bed – Best Overall

The K&H Pet Products Outdoor Heated Pet Bed is rated as the best overall because it is made of soft orthopedic foam, which is great for dogs with arthritis because it provides heat and cushion. The heated element responds to the dog’s body temperature, whether heating or cooling them. It’s ideal for outdoors because it’s large and has a plastic cover so it doesn’t get dirty. It also comes with a 5½-foot cord that runs at 60 watts.

This product includes a fleece cover to go over the pad, but the cover is very thin and not very soft. It is also ill-fitting; it runs a little small, so it pops off easily.

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2. American Kennel Club Self-Heating Bed – Best Value

The American Kennel Club Self-Heating Pet Bed is the best heated dog bed for the money because it offers an alternative way to help your pet stay warm at night with its self-heating element. It doesn’t draw electricity to create heat, but rather reflects your pet’s own heat to create a warm environment. It has a durable foam backing to create support and ward off drafts and breezes. The no-skid bottom prevents the bed from sliding around if your dog tosses and turns or tries to move it themselves. It’s also machine washable for easy cleaning.

This product does run small, though, and is not ideal for larger dogs over 20 pounds. Also, due to the self-heating element, there is a crunching sound from the interior lining that can be irritating.

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3. Thermotex Infrared Heating Pet Bed – Premium Choice

The Thermotex Infrared Heating Pet Bed offers therapeutic heat therapy via infrared. It penetrates deep into the muscles to relieve tension and promote good circulation. There are two heat settings to choose from: low and high. The low setting is plenty hot. Additionally, you can dry clean it or wash it in the machine, depending on what’s easier.

This is a more expensive option, but it delivers many therapeutic advantages. Be careful with the high setting, though, because it can get too hot for pets to handle. This one also runs quite small even though it comes in small and large sizes.

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4. Aspen Pet Self-Warming Beds

The Aspen Self Warming Bed has heat-reflecting technology via mylar inserts that reflect the natural heat given off by your pet. It doesn’t require extra energy to power it, which makes it ideal for on-the-go use. It’s made of faux lamb’s wool for a plush surface and has a non-skid bottom.

The sides of the bed are quite flimsy, though. As soon as your pet leans on them, they collapse. Even though the bed promises a no-skid bottom, it is still pretty slippery.

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5. PLS Pet Self-Warming Dog Bed

The PLS Pet Self Warming Dog Bed comes in several sizes, including large sizes. It is made of durable suede fabric and filled with self-warming Berber fleece. The cover of the cushion is machine-washable, and the bottom is non-slip and waterproof.

Although it is filled with fleece, there is no additional heating element, even self-heating; the warmth comes from the material alone. The structure is also quite flimsy, and the stitching is fairly weak, coming apart easily.

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6. ALEKO Heated Pet Bed

The Aleko Heated Pet Bed is heated with electricity. It comes with a 6-foot-long cord, so you can reach outlets without needing an extension. The internal thermostat regulates the temperature of the heat it gives off, so it doesn’t get too hot. However, the heating element is so weak that it really doesn’t do much heating at all.

Although the edges are overstuffed to be full and plush, there is no cushion at the bottom of the bed.

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7. Fluffy Paws Self-Warming Dog Bed

The Fluffy Paws Self Warming Dog Bed gives your dog a soft, cushioned bed with raised edges for support and security. The fabric is self-warming, but it does not come with any additional heating elements. It also comes with a non-skid base to help it stay put and not slide around.

The size runs pretty small, so larger dogs will not feel comfortable on it. The material is also easily torn apart. It’s not made of tough, durable material like some of the others are.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Heated Dog Bed

What is a heated dog bed?

A heated dog bed is a place for your dog to sleep that has some type of power source that exudes heat t. They usually require a plug in order to be powered on and have a range of temperature options, so you can choose how hot the bed gets. The lining of the bed also affects the temperature of your dog as they sleep because some materials trap heat or are naturally warm, like polyester.

All of these aspects are important to consider to get the most out of a heated dog bed, so you can choose one that accomplishes the goal you have in mind.

Lining

The lining is almost as important as the temperature range. Depending on the material of the lining, the dog will experience an additional level of warmth. Some fabrics hold heat more than others, which means that they will create a warmer environment overall. These fabrics include Sherpa, microfleece, and other polyester fabrics.

Polyester is a polymer that is typically used in blankets and warm clothing to trap heat. Unlike cotton, which is more breathable, polyester doesn’t allow as much air to filter in and out between fibers.

Power source

Most heated dog beds are controlled and powered by the energy from a local outlet. This is because a large amount of energy is needed to produce the heat required to warm the bed for long periods. If you choose an electric heated bed, choose one that is tested to be safe for dogs and won’t use too much energy to heat up.

Certain heated beds are simply heat-reflecting. They do not come with an additional heating source other than your dog’s natural body heat. Often, these will have a plastic or mylar interior lining to trap that heat and reflect it back out to keep your dog warm. The heat reflected back will not be nearly as powerful as an electric heated bed, so it will not be as effective in relieving muscle tension. However, this option is more portable and doesn’t require a great deal of energy.

Temperature range

We have to remember that dogs already have a layer of fur that keeps them warm, so their natural heating ability, along with a warm lining and an added heating element, is going to warm them up quickly. You want to make sure you don’t overheat your dog when using a heated dog bed. Usually, your dog will only need a low temperature to feel comfortable. Some offer a high heat option, but this can be quite hot. Anything warmer than about 120 degrees will either be ineffective or too powerful and will most likely overheat your dog, making them uncomfortable during the night.

Always check the specs of the product you’re interested in to make sure that it will operate within the recommended temperature range.

What makes a great heated dog bed?

The most ideal heated dog bed is one made with a fabric that traps heat itself, creating an all-around cozy experience for your dog and one that operates within a recommended temperature range for dogs, so you don’t risk them overheating nor risk purchasing an ineffective product. Of course, you should always ensure that the bed is an appropriate size for your dog, not too big and not too small, although you should lean toward the bigger end.

Conclusion

You don’t want to waste your money on a product that isn’t going to work for you or is ineffective, so we cut out the hassle by creating this list of reviews to make the buying process simpler. Three products were the best options on the market. Our top pick was the K&H Pet Products Outdoor Heated Pet Bed because it held the highest quality standard while also being within a reasonable price. Our second pick was the American Kennel Club Self-Heating Bed because it was the best value for the money while still being a quality product. Finally, our third favorite was the Thermotex Infrared Heating Pet Bed because it was a great option even though it is a little more expensive than the others on the list.

We hope that we have helped inform you of the differences between types of heated pet beds and that you can now distinguish between the myriad options available. The best option is one that helps your dog sleep best at night.

• Related read: Heating Pad for Dogs with Arthritis – Vet Reviewed Benefits