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If you don't have the time or inclination to build your own garden bed, raised beds are relatively inexpensive and can ultimately save you time and energy. They instantly make your garden look well-designed and organized by defining space and creating pathways, and help cut down on weeds and keep animals and critters away.
Controlling soil quality and giving roots plenty of space to spread out are further benefits, plus plants are within reach so there's no back-breaking work to do. Raised garden beds also look beautiful on a screened-in porch or patio, and they're ideal for urban gardeners who want to grow fresh herbs and veggies in a postage-stamp-sized backyard or outside on a tiny terrace.
For more excellent gardening tools and supplies, check out our stories on the best gardening tools, greenhouse kits, and garden pump sprayers.
Best Raised Garden Beds
- Best Overall: Foreman Raised Garden Bed
- Best Wooden: Giantex Wood Raised Planter Box
- Best Metal: Best Choice Products Outdoor Metal Raised Garden Bed
- Best Tiered: Outland Living Vertical Raised Garden Bed
- Best Foldable: Victory 8 Garden EZ-GRO Med Rectangle Raised Garden Bed
- Best for Apartments: Keter 12.7-Gallon Raised Garden Bed
- Best With Wheels: Foreman Raised Garden Bed With Castors
- Best With Cover: Mupater Raised Garden Bed Planter
- Best for Herbs: VegTrug Herb Raised Garden Bed
What to Consider
You don’t need a huge plot of land to exercise your green thumb with a raised garden bed, and most are designed for indoor-outdoor use. They range in style from utilitarian, ground-level containers to attractive window boxes set on chrome frames. There are also vertical planters, especially great for those who are more comfortable gardening while standing up or seated.
The most common materials for raised garden beds are wood, metal, and assorted plastics like vinyl, laminates, and resin. There are also inexpensive fabric options made to withstand the elements. Self-watering systems, greenhouse covers, storage shelves, and locking wheels are just a few special features you may wish to look out for.
How We Selected
Our selection is comprised of the most popular raised garden bed styles across multiple price points. All of our choices have average customer ratings of four stars or higher, and the majority have average ratings of 4.5 stars or more. The quality and durability of materials were top considerations that informed our decisions, and we included options in different sizes that work well with a variety of setups, whether you have a home with a large backyard or an apartment with a balcony.
Pros
Great value- Attractive wood grain
- Wooden dowels connect boards
Cons
- Not ideal for those who prefer to garden standing or seated
This generously-sized garden box is a fantastic value. It’s made from fir wood, with a handsome grain stained in a deep, rich brown.
The interlocking corners of the one-inch-thick boards are connected with wood dowels, which makes the piece sturdy. With roughly 32 square feet of space, there’s plenty of room for multiple plants, but it isn’t too large for a deck, patio, or balcony. It also comes in a 24-by-24-inch square.
Key Specs
| Dimensions | 72 x 36 x 12 in. |
|---|---|
| Main Material | Wood |
| Weight | 16.5 lbs. |
2
Best Metal
Best Choice Products Outdoor Metal Raised Garden Bed
2
Best Metal
Best Choice Products Outdoor Metal Raised Garden Bed
Pros
- Decorative
- Powder-coated to prevent rust
- Squared-off edges eliminate sharp corners
Cons
- Not the best choice for those who'd prefer not to bend down
If you prefer a metal garden bed, this is a highly-rated option with good value. It’s constructed out of corrugated steel that’s powder-coated to resist corrosion, with a support brace in the middle to keep the sides from bowing when the bed is full. The squared-off corners with shiny silver bolts add a decorative element and eliminate sharp edges that can scratch up your legs.
Key Specs
| Dimensions | 47 x 24 x 9 in. |
|---|---|
| Main Material | Metal |
| Weight | 17.6 lbs. |
Pros
- Crafted of durable laminate plastic with stainless steel hardware
- Comes in five finishes
- Made in the U.S.
- 10-year warranty
Cons
- Can be heavy to move when full
This sleek raised garden bed adds sophistication and style to any space, indoors or out. The modern, streamlined piece is made from durable laminate plastic, with a corrosion-resistant anodized aluminum frame and stainless steel hardware.
It’s available in four other, equally attractive finishes and while it looks fantastic solo, it can also be paired with others and mounted on a wall for a piece of living artwork (or better access to sunlight). This model is made in California and comes with a 10-year warranty.
Key Specs
| Dimensions | 36 x 12 x 14 in. |
|---|---|
| Main Material | High-pressure laminate plastic |
| Weight | 20 lbs. |
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4
Best Tiered
Outland Living Vertical Raised Garden Bed
4
Best Tiered
Outland Living Vertical Raised Garden Bed
Pros
- Sturdy construction and planters lock into place
- Lots of capacity
- Good choice for accessibility
- Planters made of food-safe, BPA-free plastic
Cons
- Plastic planters may look cheap to some
If you want to grow a ton of vegetables but have space constraints, a vertical planter is the way to go. This multilevel raised garden bed gives you five planters suspended on a freestanding, sturdy black metal frame that opens like a stepladder.
The planters are all 22 inches long, made of food-safe, BPA-free plastic and lock into place underneath the lip so they’re secure. The piece comes in bright green, espresso brown, and gray to match your style inside or outdoors.
Key Specs
| Dimensions | 48 x 25 x 29 in. |
|---|---|
| Main Material | Metal |
| Weight | 23 lbs. |
5
Best Foldable
Victory 8 Garden EZ-GRO Med Rectangle Raised Garden Bed
5
Best Foldable
Victory 8 Garden EZ-GRO Med Rectangle Raised Garden Bed
Pros
- Uncomplicated set up and use
- Good for first-time gardeners
- 6-foot-long bed
Cons
- Doesn't look as high-end as wood or metal
This option works well for those with a minimalist approach to gardening, or anyone who wants to grow a ton of veggies at once. It’s also a smart bet for first-time gardeners who want to try out their green thumb before investing in anything more permanent.
There’s no assembly required with this raised garden bed: Simply unfold the six-foot-long bed, fill it with soil, and you’re good to go. It’s made from a lightweight, non-woven fabric that’s breathable and designed so that air reaches the soil and roots and allows extra moisture to drain. It’s also UV-resistant and comes in multiple sizes.
Key Specs
| Dimensions | 72 x 36 x 11.5 in. |
|---|---|
| Main Material | Polypropylene |
| Weight | 2.3 lbs. |
6
Best for Apartments
Keter 12.7-Gallon Raised Garden Bed
Pros
- Attractive design, made of resin to resemble wood
- Self-watering system
- Seed-sprouting tray included
Cons
- Minimal planting space
If you have a small balcony and want a raised garden bed that’s streamlined and easy to maintain, this one is an excellent choice. It’s made from resin that's textured to look like wood, with a relatively narrow profile and a bottom shelf that’s handy for storing supplies.
A major highlight among features is its self-watering system. There's a reservoir at the base and an easy-to-read gauge in the corner so you know when it needs refilling. It also drains manually from a hole on the side. The raised garden bed comes with mini seed-sprouting tray, which is a nice extra.
Key Specs
| Dimensions | 32.3 x 14.7 x 30.7 in. |
|---|---|
| Main Material | Resin |
| Weight | 21 lbs. |
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7
Best with Wheels
Foreman Raised Garden Bed With Castors
7
Best with Wheels
Foreman Raised Garden Bed With Castors
Pros
- Beautifully designed
- Made of durable wood laminate and stainless steel hardware
- Four locking castors
- Available in three sizes and four finishes
Cons
Here’s another raised garden bed that’s a standout for style. It’s sturdy, made from sleek wood laminate—which won’t rust or fade—with an anodized aluminum frame and all-stainless steel hardware.
The bonus feature here is the set of four locking casters, which mean you’ll never have to drag over a garden hose or haul a watering can across the yard again. It’s made for indoor-outdoor use, too, with wheels equipped for both terrains, plus it comes in three sizes and four finishes.
Key Specs
| Dimensions | 48 x 24 x 32 in. |
|---|---|
| Main Material | High-pressure laminate plastic |
| Weight | 43 lbs. |
8
Best with a Cover
Mupater Raised Garden Bed Planter
8
Best with a Cover
Mupater Raised Garden Bed Planter
Pros
- Made of solid fir wood
- Locking casters and latch to secure cover
- Bottom storage shelf
- Removable liner
Cons
- Not a ton of planting space
This attractive raised garden bed includes a detachable top with a hinged cover and polycarbonate panels to regulate sun exposure and temperature so plants thrive.
The cold-frame greenhouse is crafted from solid wood, and features a lower shelf for gardening supplies and four rolling casters (two of which lock), along with a removable liner. There's also a latch in front to secure the cover if you need to keep critters out of your veggie harvest. It's available in a choice of gray or natural wood, and both are lovely.
Key Specs
| Dimensions | 45.6 x 30.5 x 22.8 in. |
|---|---|
| Main Material | Wood |
| Weight | 110 lbs. (without cover) |
9
Best for Herbs
VegTrug Herb Raised Garden Bed
9
Best for Herbs
VegTrug Herb Raised Garden Bed
Pros
- Made of solid cedarwood
- Lower shelf for gardening supplies
- Self-draining liner and drainage holes
Cons
- Minimal capacity
For serious cooks or aspiring ones, there’s nothing like having fresh herbs an arm’s length away when you're cheffing it up. This raised garden bed is perfect for basil, oregano, mint, and parsley—all of which are easy to grow—and any other herbs you use regularly.
It's crafted from solid cedar wood, with eight planters that are perfectly sized for herbs. There's a lower shelf that has plenty of storage space for a watering can, garden tools, spare seeds, and other supplies, plus it has drainage holes and self-draining liners for each planter. Grippy plastic feet ensure the elevated garden bed doesn't slide around.
Key Specs
| Dimensions | 32 x 31 x 23 in. |
|---|---|
| Main Material | Wood |
| Weight | 17.6 lbs. |
Rachel Klein
Senior Commerce Editor
Rachel Klein is a Senior Commerce Editor for Popular Mechanics, where she writes about everything from garden hose reels and patio furniture to mesh wifi systems and robot vacuums. She started her career as a daily newspaper reporter and was a travel editor for more than a decade before she started testing and reviewing luggage, noise-cancelling headphones, and other travel-related products. Fast-forward another five years and her area of expertise includes home decor, appliances, tech, and outdoor adventure gear. In her spare time, you'll find her planning her next trip, reading historical fiction, and seeing as much art as she can squeeze into a weekend.
