Buying guide
Best Raised Garden Beds: Cedar, Metal & Elevated Kits
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The best raised garden beds for most people are cedar kits, because untreated cedar resists rot with no chemicals near your vegetables. Metal beds are the better pick if you want a long life, a clean look or a long row of beds on a budget, and a bed on legs is the one to buy if you cannot bend or kneel. Below are eight beds we picked for those needs, with the sizes, the soil each one holds and what to check before you buy.
Best Raised Garden Beds Compared
Two comparisons so each fits a phone screen: the first covers cedar and metal beds that sit on the ground, the second covers elevated beds, a budget wood bed and a fabric bed. Soil figures are approximate, worked out from the listed inside dimensions or taken from the maker where one is given.
| Product | Greenes Fence Cedar EDITOR’S CHOICE | Infinite Cedar Select | Vego Garden Metal | Land Guard 3 Pack |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Image |  |  |  |  |
| Material | Untreated cedar | Western red cedar | Coated steel (zinc, magnesium, aluminum) | Galvanized steel |
| Size | 4 x 8 ft | 4 x 8 ft | 8 x 2 ft | 8 x 4 ft each, 3 beds |
| Height | 17.5 in | 17.5 in | 17 in | 12 in |
| Soil to fill (approx.) | About 45 cu ft | About 45 cu ft | About 20 cu ft | About 32 cu ft each |
| Availability | Shop Now at Amazon | Shop Now at Amazon | Shop Now at Amazon | Shop Now at Amazon |
EDITOR’S CHOICE
Greenes Fence Cedar
- Material
- Untreated cedar
- Size
- 4 x 8 ft
Show specificationsHide specifications
- Height
- 17.5 in
- Soil to fill (approx.)
- About 45 cu ft
Infinite Cedar Select
- Material
- Western red cedar
- Size
- 4 x 8 ft
Show specificationsHide specifications
- Height
- 17.5 in
- Soil to fill (approx.)
- About 45 cu ft
Vego Garden Metal
- Material
- Coated steel (zinc, magnesium, aluminum)
- Size
- 8 x 2 ft
Show specificationsHide specifications
- Height
- 17 in
- Soil to fill (approx.)
- About 20 cu ft
Land Guard 3 Pack
- Material
- Galvanized steel
- Size
- 8 x 4 ft each, 3 beds
Show specificationsHide specifications
- Height
- 12 in
- Soil to fill (approx.)
- About 32 cu ft each
| Product | BlueWish Elevated | Best Choice Elevated | Yaheetech Wood | CJGQ Fabric 2 Pack |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Image |  |  |  |  |
| Material | Untreated cedar | Fir wood | Fir wood | Non woven fabric |
| Size | 8 x 2 ft | 4 x 2 ft | 8 x 2 ft | 6 x 3 ft each, 2 beds |
| Height | 30 in tall, 8.7 in soil depth | 30 in tall, 16 in soil depth | About 11 in | 12 in |
| Soil to fill (approx.) | About 10 cu ft (listed) | Up to about 10 cu ft | About 14 cu ft | About 17 cu ft each (128 gal) |
| Availability | Shop Now at Amazon | Shop Now at Amazon | Shop Now at Amazon | Shop Now at Amazon |
BlueWish Elevated
- Material
- Untreated cedar
- Size
- 8 x 2 ft
Show specificationsHide specifications
- Height
- 30 in tall, 8.7 in soil depth
- Soil to fill (approx.)
- About 10 cu ft (listed)
Best Choice Elevated
- Material
- Fir wood
- Size
- 4 x 2 ft
Show specificationsHide specifications
- Height
- 30 in tall, 16 in soil depth
- Soil to fill (approx.)
- Up to about 10 cu ft
Yaheetech Wood
- Material
- Fir wood
- Size
- 8 x 2 ft
Show specificationsHide specifications
- Height
- About 11 in
- Soil to fill (approx.)
- About 14 cu ft
CJGQ Fabric 2 Pack
- Material
- Non woven fabric
- Size
- 6 x 3 ft each, 2 beds
Show specificationsHide specifications
- Height
- 12 in
- Soil to fill (approx.)
- About 17 cu ft each (128 gal)
Best Cedar Raised Garden Beds
Cedar is the pick for vegetable gardeners who want to set a bed up once. Both kits below are 4 x 8 ft and 17.5 in tall, the size most garden guides use as the standard bed. They differ in how the corners are joined and in how the boards are cut, so read the pros and cons. To build your own in cedar, see our cedar raised garden bed plans.
Greenes Fence Premium Cedar Raised Garden Bed, 4 x 8 x 17.5 in
Greenes Fence makes this bed in the USA from chemical free North American cedar. The 3/4 in boards slide into dovetail slots in 2.5 in corner posts, so there is nothing to screw or bolt, and the routed posts let you stack a second kit on top for a deeper bed later. The listing says it holds up to 46.7 cu ft of soil, and it ages to a silver grey if you leave it untreated.
✅ Pros
- Tool free assembly: boards slide into the corner posts
- Untreated cedar, the usual pick for food beds
- Stackable and expandable if you want a deeper or longer bed
❌ Cons
- 3/4 in boards are thinner than the 1 1/2 in boards you get when you build your own
- Long sides can flex under a full load of wet soil, so a middle support helps
Best For: most gardeners, and anyone who wants a classic 4 x 8 ft cedar bed with no tools.
Infinite Cedar Select Cedar Raised Garden Bed, 4 x 8 x 17.5 in
Infinite Cedar uses 100% western red cedar from North America, with pre cut, pre drilled boards that you bolt together with the hardware in the box. The maker says the corners are built so they do not tear out the way slot together corners sometimes can. You can leave the bed bare to age or paint it. It comes in several heights, from 10.5 in up to 17.5 in.
✅ Pros
- Pre drilled boards bolt together with no cutting
- Made in the USA from western red cedar, no pressure treating
- Several heights, so you can match your crops
❌ Cons
- Boards are 11/16 in thick, thinner than a standard 2x6
- Bolted corners take a wrench and some patience
Best For: anyone who wants a cedar bed with a stronger corner than a slot together kit.
Best Metal Raised Garden Beds
Galvanized and coated steel beds are the main alternative to wood. They do not rot and they come apart for storage. People often worry that metal beds get too hot for roots. The usual advice is that the soil mass buffers the heat well enough for most vegetables, though the walls of a bed in full afternoon sun in a hot climate can still run warm, so water those beds more often and mulch the top.
Vego Garden 17 in Tall 9 in 1 Metal Raised Garden Bed, 8 x 2 ft
Vego sells a 9 in 1 modular kit that you can build into one of nine shapes, from a long 8 x 2 ft bed to an L or a square. The panels are a zinc, magnesium and aluminum coated steel with a food safe paint, the maker quotes a life of 20 years or more, and the oval corners and rubber edging cover the sharp metal. At 17 in tall it is deeper than most metal beds.
✅ Pros
- 17 in depth gives roots room and eases bending
- Modular: one kit builds several shapes
- Rounded corners and rubber edging, nothing sharp to catch on
❌ Cons
- Smaller than a 4 x 8 ft bed, so it holds about 20 cu ft of soil
- Like any panel bed, a long run can bow outward under wet soil
Best For: a long, narrow metal bed that is deep enough for root vegetables.
Land Guard 3 Pack Galvanized Metal Raised Garden Bed, 8 x 4 x 1 ft
Three beds in one box, each 8 x 4 ft and 1 ft tall, in galvanized steel. The beds have an open bottom, framed panel edges and four reinforcing rods across the top for stability. Bolts, nuts and washers are included, and no tools beyond a wrench are needed. At about 32 cu ft of soil per bed, three beds is a lot of dirt to buy, so plan the fill before you order.
✅ Pros
- Three 8 x 4 ft beds in one purchase, the cheapest way to get a lot of growing area
- Open bottom for drainage and deep roots
- Reinforcing rods hold the long sides straight
❌ Cons
- 12 in is shallow for carrots and potatoes
- Three beds mean about 96 cu ft of soil to buy and haul
Best For: a budget metal bed and anyone planting a whole garden at once.
Best Elevated Raised Garden Beds
An elevated bed puts the planting box at about waist height, so you stand and garden without kneeling. The soil is shallow, though: both beds below hold only 8 to 16 in of it, so they suit greens, herbs, strawberries and shallow rooted crops better than potatoes. Most are small beds on legs with a drainage bottom. If you would rather build one, see our elevated raised garden bed plans.
BlueWish 96 x 24 x 30 in Cedar Elevated Garden Bed, 2 x 8 ft
A long, narrow elevated bed in untreated cedar, 96 in long, 24 in wide and 30 in tall overall. The planting space is 92 x 20 in inside with an 8.7 in soil depth, and the listing quotes about 9.8 cu ft of soil and a 990 lb capacity. It has a flat bottom with nine drainage holes and eight legs, and the hardware is included, with a power drill suggested to speed assembly.
✅ Pros
- 30 in working height, so no bending or kneeling
- Untreated cedar, with drainage holes in the bottom
- Eight legs hold the weight of a long bed
❌ Cons
- Only 8.7 in of soil depth, so it is for shallow rooted crops
- Soil weighs a lot: check the legs and the ground before you fill
Best For: a long raised bed at standing height for salad greens and herbs.
Best Choice Products 48 x 24 x 30 in Elevated Raised Garden Bed, 16 in Deep
A smaller elevated bed in fir wood, 48 in long, 24 in wide and 30 in tall. The soil space is 16 in deep, which is deeper than most beds on legs, and the listing says it has built in drainage and reinforced corner posts. The size suits a patio, a balcony or a small deck.
✅ Pros
- 16 in soil depth gives root vegetables more room than most elevated beds
- Compact: fits a balcony or patio
- Standing height reach
❌ Cons
- Fir wood is less rot resistant than cedar, so keep it off wet ground and expect to replace it sooner
- Small growing area, about 8 sq ft
Best For: a small space where you want carrots or beets at standing height.
Best Budget Raised Garden Beds
A budget bed should cost less than the soil you put in it. The catch is that cheaper wood beds usually use fir, which does not last as long as cedar, and low priced kits can come with thin boards. The pick below is a budget wood bed, and you can read more about the cheapest ways to build one in our cheap raised garden bed ideas.
Yaheetech Fir Wood Raised Garden Bed Planter Box, 8 x 2 ft
An 8 x 2 ft fir wood bed that is split into two growing areas by a baffle you can take out to make one long one. The corner posts are slotted on four faces, so you can join two or more beds together, and there is a full side plate on each side to keep soil from leaking out. It is low, at around 11 in tall, so it is best for greens and herbs.
✅ Pros
- Divider turns it into two beds or one
- Slotted corner posts let you join several beds
- Light and quick to put together
❌ Cons
- Fir wood: expect fewer years than cedar
- About 11 in tall, so it is shallow for root crops
Best For: a first bed, or a cheap trial before you spend on cedar.
Best Fabric Raised Garden Beds
Fabric beds are bags with no frame: you set them out, fill them with soil and plant. The fabric drains well and breathes, which many gardeners say helps roots and prevents waterlogging. They are the right choice for renters, for patios and for anyone who wants a bed this weekend. They last fewer seasons than wood or metal and you cannot sit on the edge.
CJGQ 2 Pack Fabric Raised Garden Bed, 6 x 3 x 1 ft
Two fabric beds, each 6 x 3 ft and 1 ft tall, with a capacity of 128 gallons or about 17 cu ft. The non woven fabric lets excess water drain and air reach the roots, and a divided design splits each bed into eight squares so you can keep different crops apart. The bags fold flat, so you can store them for the winter.
✅ Pros
- Two beds in one purchase, light and easy to move
- Breathable fabric drains well
- Folds flat for storage
❌ Cons
- Fabric wears out sooner than wood or metal
- No hard edge to lean on, so they do not give the structure of a frame
Best For: renters, patios and anyone who wants a temporary or portable bed.
Raised Garden Bed Buying Guide
Height and what you grow
Roots need depth. A common guide is 6 to 8 in for lettuce, herbs and radishes, 10 to 12 in for most vegetables and 12 to 18 in for tomatoes, carrots, parsnips and potatoes. In a bed that sits on the ground, the roots can also grow down into the soil below if you leave the bottom open. On legs or with a solid bottom, the box depth is all you get. Our raised garden bed dimensions page has the full table of sizes.
The metal heat myth
People say metal beds cook the roots. In practice the soil in a bed 12 in or deeper insulates the middle, and the part against the metal is a small share of the roots. Hot climates and dark colors are the exception, so choose a lighter color if you garden in full sun in the South and water more often.
Assembly and hardware
Tool free kits often go together in under an hour. Bolted and screwed kits take longer but hold their shape better when the soil is wet. Whatever the kit, assemble it where it will sit, since a full bed is too heavy to move.
Bottom or no bottom
Leave the bottom open on ground beds so roots and worms can move in and water can drain. If gophers or moles live in your yard, line the bottom with 1/2 in hardware cloth. A bed on legs has its own bottom and needs drainage holes.
Kit or DIY
A kit saves you the lumber run and the saw, and costs more per square foot. If you are comfortable with a drill, building is a good value and you pick the exact length, width and height. Start with the raised garden bed plans, or build in cedar with the cedar raised garden bed plans, which list the boards you need. Once the bed is up, see how to fill a raised garden bed for the soil mix and the cubic feet to order.
Keep reading: the basic raised garden bed plans, cedar raised garden bed plans, elevated raised garden bed plans, raised garden bed dimensions and how to fill a raised garden bed.