The Aldi Dog Bed Review: Tested & Evaluated 2023

Wondering if you should change your dog’s bed? In today’s Aldi dog bed review we’ll cover everything you need to know about this affordable supermarket brand.

To ensure we gathered all the information we could, we teamed up with veterinarians, canine behaviourists and dog parents to test out all Aldi's dog bed options. After months of research and many, many dog beds, we were finally able to agree on the contents of this review. Now you can make an informed choice that will fit your dog’s needs.

Australia's Aldi Dog Bed 2023 Review

Materials 2.5/5

Like other dog beds, Aldi beds tend to use plastic-based materials to lengthen the life of their products. This is a common practice industry-wide, and it does make it harder for your dog to destroy their bed within the first few days. This supermarket makes limited editions that aren’t available year-round, and most of their lines are distinctly seasonal. However, some features and materials remain constant:

According to Adreco Plastics, ABS is:

In general, we find Aldi dog beds are made with sturdy materials, so our team of independent experts agreed to give it 2.5 out of 5 in this category.

Comfort 3/5

While actual comfort is relative and it depends on your dog’s personality, most pups enjoy napping in their Aldi beds.

Of course, you’ll have to chose the right product depending on your dog. If they like a firm surface or are very large, you might find an elevated bed or a memory foam mat will fit them better.

In contrast, if your dog is like mine and prefers to cuddle and sleep in cushions or pillows, their pet sofa line or traditional plush dog beds will be a better choice. However, keep in mind these beds don’t have memory foam filling, so an arthritic dog might have a harder time getting cosy.

Overall, these beds offer a soft surface for your dog to sleep in and most pups really enjoy them. We’re taking off 2 stars for the lack of memory foam.

Looks 3/5

Aldi often offer special limited edition products that suit a range of modern home decor. This is especially evident in their popular pampered special buys line, which includes beautiful beds for dogs and cats.

This premium dog bed line mimics human sofas, complete with upholstered surfaces, small wooden legs and extra cushions [2]! These Scandinavian-style sofas are available in several colours, including one version in velvet. However, keep in mind quantities are limited and you might find it hard to get the exact colour and fabric to match your home.

In contrast, their outdoor dog bed range has average looks and is very similar to other elevated dog beds. Of course, this will probably match your patio furniture and won’t look too out of place outdoor.

Since most members of our team of independent experts loved the look of their mini sofas, we’re giving this brand 3 out of 5 in this category.

Durability 3/5

In general, these dog beds will last you a season or two. Of course, for the price, you can’t usually expect them to last for a lifetime.

However, several owners report buying dog beds and enjoying them for 3+ years, so their durability depends on your specific situation. As a general rule, if your dog tends to chew on their bed, a softer, plush bed might deter them. If you have a large or heavy dog, you’ll probably have to replace their bed more often.

Washability 3/5

These beds are mostly washable, but they might not be the best choice for puppies that are still potty training.

Aldi’s elevated outdoor beds can be hosed down and left to drip dry, which makes them a great choice if your pup likes to get muddy and soil their outdoor bed. On the other hand, their indoor beds have removable cushions with zippers but the rest of the bed doesn’t have a removable cover. This means you’ll probably have to spot treat any stains, or just wash the entire bed.

I quickly learned that the latter is a bit of a hassle since I had to soak and hand wash the bed, and then let it air dry on its own. This is an involved process that took a couple days from start to finish, so you might need to have a replacement bed to substitute the one you’re washing.

Then, in the case of the sofa beds, you won’t be able to soak the beds at all. The removable cushion can be washed, but the rest of the bed will need to be treated like an actual sofa. You might have good luck taking stains out with a steam cleaner. According to cleaning experts from Molly Maid:

This means you’ll have to dedicate at least an afternoon to cleaning and drying your dog’s bed, which might be too involved for your liking.

Since most of this brand’s indoor beds need to be hand washed to get stains out, we’re taking off 2 stars.

Variety 3/5

There are two main types of Aldi dog beds: those meant for indoor use, and those meant to be used outside.

Their outdoor beds come in three sizes, with the largest being more than 1 metre long. This is enough room for large and giant dog breeds to nap comfortably. In contrast, their indoor bed options tend to run smaller. For example, their largest pet sofa bed can only handle up to 45 kg and measures 95 cm x 63 cm. While this is enough for a medium-sized dog like mine, it’s definitely too small for a larger pup.

Another thing to note when considering this brand is that you won’t find all colour options or products available at your local store. Plus, given the fact these are all special editions, it’s unlikely you’ll find the same bed a few months after buying it. If you want to get several and have them match, this might not be the best way to go.

Considering the limited indoor options for larger dogs, and the difficulty in finding matching beds without visiting several stores, we’re taking off 2 stars.

Price 5/5

When it comes to price, Aldi shines. This hard-discount store makes pretty affordable pet beds! Their outdoor dog beds are very cheap and will usually cost you less than a large bag of dry food.

However, their popular sofa pet beds are part of a premium line and have a similar cost to other dog beds in the market. Overall, we appreciate the diversity you can get for a very reasonable price, so we’re giving it 5 out of 5 in this category.

Don’t Buy If…

Aldi’s range could be a great fit for many pups, but our panel of independent experts say you might want to look elsewhere if you:

My Final Verdict

Overall, our team of independent experts agree that this is a great brand to consider, particularly if you have a smaller budget and a medium to small dog. Plus, most of the models are so cheap that you can always try them out and see how your dog likes them. Their premium sofa beds are slightly pricier so they might only be worth it if you have the budget or would use it as part of your décor.

Check out our other dog bed brand reviews:

• Purina Dog Bed Review
• Fur King Orthopedic Bed Review
• Fur King Calming Dog Bed Review

References

1. "ABS plastic properties". Adreco Plastics. Retrieved January 23, 2024. https://www.adrecoplastics.co.uk/abs-plastic-properties-and-application/
2. Tarbert, K. March 11, 202. "Aldi's mini dog sofas are back". Yahoo! Lifestyle. Retrieved January 23, 2024. https://au.lifestyle.yahoo.com/aldi-special-buy-pampered-pets-dog-bed-022615727.html
3. "How to deep clean a couch". Molly Maids. Retrieved January 23, 2024. https://www.mollymaid.com/practically-spotless/2018/march/how-to-deep-clean-a-couch/
4. "Facebook Post: Aldi elevated dog bed warning". Australian Dog Owners Facebook Page. Retrieved January 23, 2024. https://www.facebook.com/AustralianDogLover/posts/2198621987097035/