- This post contains affiliate links. Read more here.
When you start spending a lot of time outside, especially when the weather starts warming up, your pup does too. If you’re like us, you’ve realized that lounge time would be a lot better with an outdoor dog bed. An outside dog bed gives your pup a comfy landing pad to call their own on the patio, in the yard, or anywhere else.
Any dog bed won’t do, however. You’ll want something that’s durable and repels dirt and water—and is easy to clean, too. For summer, there are beds that help keep your dog cool, and if your dog spends a lot of time outdoors year-round, there are beds that will keep your dog cozy and warm as well.
We’ve rounded up the best durable and waterproof outdoor dog beds to make snoozing in the sunshine even better.
Best All-Season Outdoor Dog Bed: Coolaroo Original Elevated (Verified Review)
This Coolaroo elevated outdoor pet bed (raised seven inches off the ground) is made of breathable fabric to keep your dog cool all summer long. Its steel frame is also very lightweight and portable, making it easy to move around as needed. While it doesn’t offer much in the way of cushioning, the bed’s high-density polyethylene fabric does have some give and is easy to keep clean. It’s resistant to fleas, mites, and mildew, and it’s waterproof to boot. You can always add a pad on top for added comfort.
Rover reviewer: “The metal looked high quality, and I really liked the color it came in. I like that this bed allows my dog a spot to chew or lay on without being directly on the grass. The dogs were all interested in it, and my Boston Terrier uses it as her default place to chew on her bone. It’s still holding up well through wind, heavy rain, and direct sunshine—and it’s small enough to store away for the winter.”
What we like:
- Weatherproof outdoor dog bed
- Lightweight and portable; can also be taken apart for storage
- Cleans easily and dries quickly
Best Waterproof Outdoor Dog Bed: K&H Just Relaxin’ Indoor/Outdoor
If it’s plush comfort you’re after, this durable, cushiony waterproof dog bed works indoors and outdoors. The removable and washable cover is made of polyester that’s treated to be both water-resistant and UV-ray-resistant (for up to 500 hours). The core is channeled, so stuffing stays put, keeping your pet comfy no matter how much they burrow in.
What we like:
- Constructed so stuffing stays in one place
- Removable, washable polyester cover
- Stands up to water and UV rays
Best Shaded Outdoor Dog Bed: PawHut Elevated Cot With Canopy
This dog bed hits some major sweet spots for warm weather hangouts: Elevation, to get your dog up off the warm ground? Check. Ventilated fabric, to let air circulate and for quick-drying after a dip at the lake? Check. And a removable canopy to provide shade from the sun? Definitely check.
What we like:
- Sun shade attaches and detaches easily
- Folds away into included bag for easy storage
- Elevation allows for extra air circulation and cooling
- As close to a waterproof dog bed as you can get
Most Durable Outdoor Bed: Carhartt Duck Canvas Pad (Verified Review)
You’ve seen (and maybe own) the clothes of this signature durability brand. The dog bed lives up to the Carhartt name and is made with working dogs in mind; it’s 100% cotton duck canvas with a water-repellent coating. We’ve tested this outdoor dog bed, which works as well in a workshop or barn as on a porch, and have a video review with more details:
What we like:
- Durable and versatile, just like the clothing
- Machine-washable
- Concealed zipper to thwart chewers
Best Outdoor Dog Bed for Chewers: Kuranda
This elevated indoor/outdoor dog bed’s durability and versatility make it a favorite choice for shelters and rescues—that’s a ringing endorsement to us! Features include a chew-proof design that completely encloses the edges of the fabric, which is also scratch-resistant.
Choose between PVC (note that only the almond-colored bed is for outdoor use) or lightweight, aircraft-grade aluminum frames—both styles are sturdy and weatherproof dog beds. The fabric, which comes in a few different colors and weaves/grades, is treated to repel UV rays.
What we like:
- Easy-to-clean; just wipe it down
- One-year chew-proof warranty
- Add a pad on top for added comfort
- You can donate a Kuranda bed at discounted pricing
Best Heated Outdoor Dog Bed: K&H Lectro-Soft Heated Pad
If your dog is more of an outside year-round kind of dog, a heated outdoor dog bed is a good investment. This one is cushioned—orthopedic foam is covered in water-resistant PVC that’s made for the outdoors—and is thermostatically controlled to warm to your pet’s body temperature. You can buy additional or replacement covers, plus there’s a deluxe bolstered version for an even cozier experience on the porch, in a barn, in a workshop, or at home.
What we like:
- Orthopedic foam mat warms to your pet’s normal body temp
- Comes with fleece cover that’s easy to remove and machine-washable
- Ultra-secure steel-wrapped cord
- Three sizes
Best Bolstered Outdoor Dog Bed: Petfusion Ultimate Lounge (Verified Review)
This cozy indoor and outside dog bed has it all: It features a four-inch memory foam base, and it comes with a machine-washable, tear- and water-resistant cover. Its most impressive feature, though, is sturdy bolstering support if you have a dog who likes a pillow. It has a waterproof liner to contain any moisture.
This outdoor bed should stand up to pets that like to dig in their beds and have a nibble while they’re at it. It’s a nice combination if you have an older dog who’s a moderate chewer and needs a soft place to rest.
Verified Review: This nearly indestructible dog bed has been tried and tested by Rover office dogs. “We were impressed with the quality of the PetFusion bed, which lives up to the ‘ultimate’ in its name. If your dog likes to burrow, like mine, I throw a fuzzy blanket or two on top, and he’s happy as can be. The bed was a 10/10 with our dogs.”
What we like:
- Extremely supportive, with bolsters for head support
- Tear- and water-resistant cotton-poly twill cover
- Waterproof inner liner
- Filled with recycled polyfill
Toughest Outdoor Plush Bed: K9 Ballistics Rectangle (Verified Review)
The ripstop ballistic cover on this weatherproof bed, which is scratch- and dig-resistant as well as waterproof and machine washable, make it an ideal outside dog bed for anywhere you want to be, whether that’s at home on the porch or traveling. The mattress inside is no slouch, either: it’s U.S.-made, non-toxic, shredded CertiPUR-US (made without ozone depleters) foam.
The company is so confident in this bed’s toughness, there’s a 120-day tough and durable warranty if your dog does manage to damage the cover on this bed.
Verified review: “It’s thicker than I expected, more like a plush pillow, and the cover feels very sturdy. The zipper is strong and easy to use. I’d feel confident removing and replacing the cover if I needed to. Though it’s not exactly soft to the touch thanks to its tough nylon cover (which feels more like a canvas tent cover, say, than a blanket), my dog loves this bed. She is very happy to flop out across it.
I am pleased with its durability because, after one month of use, my dog has yet to tear even a small hole into it. She occasionally scratches at it but hasn’t even made a dent. You can’t tell, in fact, that a dog uses it unless you look closely because the fabric is basically fur-repellent. It’s very easy to wipe off. I would say that this bed truly is ‘chew-proof’ and that it’s much softer and more supportive than I’d thought it would be. Main issue has been the size; it’s bulky and not easy to fit comfortably in our living space.”
What we like:
- Ripstop ballistic fabric cover will withstand most environments, outdoors or in
- 120-day “tough and durable” warranty
- U.S.-made with sustainable materials
How We Chose
We selected the outdoor dog beds featured here based on a combination of our own hands-on testing and a comprehensive look at customer reviews across a wide variety of retail platforms. We chose outside dog beds based on their durability in the elements and on outdoor surfaces, water repellency, and how easy they are to clean. We’re also guided by the experience of living and playing alongside our much-loved and strongly opinionated pets, who are never stingy with their feedback.
Further Reading
- 9 Indestructible Dog Beds for Chew-tastic Canines
- The Best Dog Beds: Orthopedic, Raised, Memory Foam, and More
- The Best Dog Cooling Mats, Beds, and Pads
