by Bunkie boards are thin mattress support systems designed to support your mattress without adding extra height like box springs. Bunkie boards are very popular and are available in the majority of home décor and furniture stores as well as online on various platforms, including Amazon.
The cost of a queen-size bunkie board made of steel is approximately $60. Heavy-duty queen bunkie boards are more expensive, a typical one costs approximately $100. Twin size bunkie boards are cheaper than queen or king-sized bunkie boards, typically costing a third less. More expensive bunkie boards typically have fabric covers which add to the cost.
Since Bunkie boards come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and prices, we decided to provide an in-depth bunkie board cost guide to help you select the perfect bunkie board for your needs. This guide covers the following topics:
- What is a bunkie board and why do we use it?
- How does the material affect the cost of a bunkie board?
- How does the size affect the cost of a bunkie board?
- What are split bunkie boards and how much do they cost?
- Are bunkie boards more cost-effective than box springs?
- Are bunkie boards more cost-effective than slats?
- Are bunkie boards more cost-effective than plywood?
- Some of our favorite bunkie boards
- Affordable bunkie boards you can find on Amazon
If you are interested in various types of bunkie boards and how cost-effective they are, keep reading!
What Is a Bunkie Board and Why Do We Use It?
To fully understand the importance, characteristics, and different prices of various bunkie boards, it is essential to discuss what a bunkie board is.
A bunkie board, commonly spelled as “bunky board,” is a relatively thin (1-3 inches thick) but solid platform wrapped in a layer of fabric.
Wooden bunkie board wrapped in white knit fabric, providing a solid foundation for the mattress. Image from Wayfair.Bunkie boards are used to support the mattress in almost every type of bed. They are often considered as box spring alternatives and are ideal for individuals who want to support the mattress without increasing the height of the bed.
Bunkie boards are also popular because of their versatility. For example, they
- Can be placed between a box spring and a mattress;
- Can be placed under a mattress to serve as an alternative of a box spring;
- Or several bunkie boards can be placed on top of each other to provide extra support and raise the height of a bed.
You might also like our comprehensive overview of the general features of bunkie boards and materials they’re made of and how much weight does a bunkie board hold.
How Does the Material Affect the Cost of a Bunkie Board?
One of the critical factors that affect the cost of any product is the material it’s made from. The prices of these raw materials are directly linked with the value of the final product. A bunkie board is no exception. The price will vary depending on what type of material is used for production.
Some of the common materials for bunkie boards are the following:
- Particleboard;
- Plywood;
- Solid/Engineered Wood;
- Steel.
Follow the link to our article to get further information about the materials that are used to make bunkie boards.
To help visualize how the material affects the price of a bunkie board, consider the following product list from Amazon (note that the size of the bunkie board is the same for every product listed below, only the material is different):
| Product Name and Link to Amazon | Size | Material | Approximate Cost |
| Zinus Gulzar Easy Assembly Bunkie Board | Queen | Steel | ~$60 |
| Zinus Deepak Easy Assembly Bunkie Board | Queen | Wood | ~$95 |
| Classic Brands Xtreme Bunkie Board | Queen | Heavy-Duty Solid Wood | ~$95 |
As one can see, the solid wood bunkie board is the most expensive on the list. Generally speaking, solid wood is an expensive material when used for the production of furniture. Steel, on the other hand, is a comparatively inexpensive material.
Be aware that the price of a product might also be affected by a wide array of factors, including the manufacturer brand. In some cases, steel bunkie boards by a particular manufacturer might be more expensive than solid wood bunkie boards by another brand.
How Does the Size Affect the Cost of a Bunkie Board?
The size of a product is yet another factor that affects the price. Bunkie board sizes correspond to the common bed sizes (full, queen, king, twin, etc.). The price difference can range from 10 to 20 USD, depending on the manufacturer.
The following table provides the prices of different sized bunkie boards that are manufactured by Zinus Deepak and are made with the same material.
| Product Name | Size and Link to Amazon | Material | Cost |
| Zinus Deepak Easy Assembly Bunkie Board | Twin | Wood | ~$60 |
| Zinus Deepak Easy Assembly Bunkie Board | Full | Wood | ~$70 |
| Zinus Deepak Easy Assembly Bunkie Board | Queen | Wood | ~$71 |
| Zinus Deepak Easy Assembly Bunkie Board | King | Wood | ~$80 |
You might also be interested in learning about waterbed costs. If so, take a look at our complete guide to waterbed costs to find out more. Similarly, our step-by-step guide for draining a waterbed will also provide you with a lot of useful information.
What Are Split Bunkie Boards and How Much Do They Cost?
Split bunkie boards are regular bunkie boards with one exception – they come split in two. This means that they can be easily folded, carried, and stored. All you need to do is fold the two separate boards on top of each other and you are ready to go!
Such boards are also suitable for a wide range of beds, including bunk beds, platform beds, and daybeds. The board provides extra support and improves the lifespan of your mattress as well.
Split bunkie boards allow users to easily carry and store without occupying extra space. Image from Amazon.The following are several split bunkie board options that you can purchase through Amazon or Wayfair.
| Product Name | Material | Size and Link to the Product | Approximate Price |
| Spinal Solution 2-Inch Split Bunkie Board (Vertical Boards) | Wood | Full | ~$95 |
| Queen | ~$100 | ||
| Twin | ~$80 | ||
| Spinal Solution Split Bunkie Board (Horizontal Boards) | Wood | Full | ~$95 |
| Queen | ~$100 | ||
| Twin | ~$80 | ||
| Aaryashi 1” Split Folding Bunkie Board | Wood | Twin | ~$175 |
| Audra Folding Bunkie Board | Wood | Twin | ~$250 |
| Audra 1.5” Split Folding Bunkie Board | Wood | Twin | ~$95 |
Are Bunkie Boards More Cost-Effective Than Box Springs?
As mentioned earlier, a bunkie board is a flat and thin mattress support that is commonly used instead of a box spring. (Follow the link to the article by Casper to get detailed information about the differences between a bunkie board and a box spring.)
This section focuses on the cost difference between bunkie boards and box springs. If you prefer one of these products over another, you should buy the one that best suits your needs.
In order to identify which product is more cost-effective, it is essential to consider various aspects, some of which are further discussed below.
Cost and Quality
The first things to pay attention to when choosing between a bunkie board or a box spring are the price and the quality. If you’re looking for the cheapest option, a bunkie board might seem to be the best option, since bunkie boards are typically 2-3 times less expensive than box springs.
But are you making the right decision by simply choosing the less expensive option?
To answer this question, we should consider several long-term factors that determine the cost-effectiveness of a particular product.
Even if the bunkie board is less expensive than the box spring, you should pay attention to the material, quality, and durability of the product. Finally, you consider the warranty to help you decide which option is most cost-effective. Here’s an example of a warranty.
Let’s consider the following two items:
- Bunkie board with a warranty of 5 years – $90
- Box spring with a warranty of 10 years $130
Obviously, buying the bunkie board for $90 will help you save some money upfront. The only problem is that it will probably only last for 5 years. On the other hand, you can pay another $40 and buy a box spring, which will last for at least 10 years. Considering this example, buying a box spring for $130 would be more cost-effective. Take a look at our article on how long bunkie boards last for a more comprehensive review and find our top picks in our bunkie board shopping guide.
Note that bunkie boards and box springs might serve the same purpose, but they still have some distinctive characteristics. Therefore, cost-effectiveness might not be the only factor worth considering when shopping for mattress support. Instead, you should identify what type of support you need and find the product that best suits your preferences.
Portability
Another important factor that should be considered when choosing between bunkie boards and box springs is portability.
Moving a thin and relatively light bunkie board is an easy job. On the other hand, moving a heavy, bulky box spring is quite difficult. If you plan on moving, portability and convenience might be more important than the price of an actual product.
Additionally, if you do move, you might need the assistance of a transportation company to move your box spring to another house. This means extra costs, making the product less cost-effective.
Overall, the cost-effectiveness of any product should be determined by considering specific examples, along with the preferences of an individual.
Are Bunkie Boards More Cost-Effective Than Plywood?
As we have already discussed what a bunkie board is, it is essential to provide some background information about plywood.
Plywood is a wooden material that is engineered by layering and gluing together thin wood veneers. Plywood is characterized by high quality and strength and is commonly used for the production of indoor furniture and decorations. Outdoor uses of the material are somewhat limited since the quality of the product is significantly influenced by moisture.
Plywood made from layering veneers and gluing them together. Image from Furnitureproduction.com.Since plywood is relatively cheap compared to a regular bunkie board, DIYing a bunkie board out of plywood can be a more cost-effective option. However, the durability and strength of a DIY product versus a manufactured product should also be taken into account.
Since plywood is not as sturdy as the majority of the bunkie boards, the DIY bunkie board might need to be replaced sooner than the standard one. Therefore, the low cost of plywood might not always guarantee the quality and cost-effectiveness of the final product.
If you are wondering whether you should use plywood instead of a bunkie board, check out our article by following the link.
Bunkie Boards VS Slats
People often think that bunkie boards and slats are the same things. While there is some overlap, there are also some important differences between these two products.
Slats are one of the support systems for mattresses. Slat systems consist of wooden or metal slats that are roughly 3 inches apart. Slats might be integrated into the bed frame–making them quite hard to remove or replace–or slats may come as removable pieces that easily detach and can be changed.
Slatted support system consisting of individual wooden pieces. Creates support for the mattress in any type of bed. Image from imall.Some of the significant differences between a bunkie board and a slat system are:
- A bunkie board is a single piece of furniture that cannot be separate (unless it is a split bunkie board that usually comes in two identical pieces). The slat system comprises individual pieces of wood or metal that are only attached to the bed frame.
- Almost any type of bed comes with a slatted system, while bunkie boards are separately sold as an additional mattress support.
- Individual wooden or metal pieces can be replaced one at a time in slatted systems, making them more cost-effective.
- Bunkie boards can also be considered as somewhat cost-effective compared to slats since they are sturdier and provide better support for the mattress.
You can learn more about slat support systems by following the link to the article by Y Living. Also, make sure to take a look at can a bunkie board replace slats for more detailed information.
Some of our favorite boards and slats available
The following table lists the top-rated bunkie boards that you can purchase through Amazon.
| Product Name and Link to Amazon | Material | Approximate Price | Approx. Rating(out of 5) |
| Zinus Gulzar Easy Assembly 1.6” Bunkie Board | Steel | ~$100 | 4.6 |
| Zinus Annemarie Fabric-Covered Slats | Fabric-Covered Solid Wood | ~$135 | 4.5 |
| Zinus Deepak Easy Assembly 1.6” Bunkie Board | Wood | ~$110 | 4.5 |
| Zinus Adrianne Vertical Bed Support Slats | Solid Wood | ~$125 | 4.2 |
| Coaster Home Furnishings 2” Bunkie Board | Fabric-Covered Wood | ~$170 | 4.3 |
| Signature Sleep Bunkie Board | Fabric-Covered Steel | ~$125 | 4.2 |
You can also check out our bunkie board shopping guide providing the pros and cons of various bunkie boards from Amazon.