When I was looking at getting a new platform bed, it was hard to know which one to choose. So, I did some research into specific brands and thought I’d put together this helpful review on the McGovern platform bed.
The McGovern platform bed good or bad review includes items such as simple minimalist design, sturdy frame, five-year warranty, 5,500 reviews with an average rating of 4.7, and very affordable. Some bad include assembly required low weight capacity, and no raised edges to hold the mattress in place.
Table 1. Good and Bad Reviews From Buyers and Scott’s Thoughts
| Star Rating | Comments | Scott’s Thoughts |
| 5 | Surprisingly heavy for the price. Like that it is low (7”). The couple jumped into bed at the same time and no movement. The metal is smooth and shiny, not quite the same as the photo, but no biggie. Every bolt hole was accurately drilled. Some of the welds were not perfect. 15 minutes for her and hubby to assemble with the provided Allen wrench. | A lack of precise hole drilling has caused countless frustrations and polluted blue air (from cursing) in bedrooms when trying to assemble bed frames in this price range, so this is a good benefit. It is a challenge to get good quality welding on low-cost products from China. This was the biggest issue on products I imported many years ago. |
| 3 | This is the second buyer mentioning they expected a matte paint and received a shiny metal frame. | I know from experience what happened. In a mad rush the factory sent the frames in the sea container prior to powder coat. I had this happen to an entire 20′ container of products and it is a lack of respect at the factory to the importer and a lack of QA/QC (Quality Assurance/Quality Control) by the importing company (Mercury Row). I checked the review dates and sure enough, they are within two weeks of each other, so this only happened with one shipment 3.5 years ago. It doesn’t look like it happened again. |
| 5 | Super easy to put together, one person can do this. Tools and instructions are provided. | These were very common comments |
| 5 | Too high for using a box spring, so don’t. | Well, it is a platform bed and has “Box spring not required” with an image of a box spring and a strike-through all in a prominent place on the webpage. |
| 1 | Buyer claims that the product description stated that the bed rails holds the mattress in place. | I cannot find that info on the webpage. Perhaps the buyer confused this with another bed frame or the company updated the product description. There are two photos that do show that the rails might be about 0.25” above the top of the slats, which may not be enough to hold the mattress in place. |
| 4 | Very surprised at the good quality for such a low price. Wish the headboard was a little higher. 50 year old lady put it together by herself in one hour. 13 pieces not counting the fasteners. | This is voted one of the most helpful reviews and it makes sense. |
| 1 | Clangy noise every time I move. | This buy has not been impressed and she is not clear on if tightening the bolts stops the noises and then the bolts become loose and the noise begins. Or if it always squeaks even after tightening. I am guessing the later otherwise the bolts would not need to be tightened. |
| 5 | Wow, what a great bed for a low price. | |
| 5 | Perfect, same as picture. | |
| 3 | Sturdy, but no side rail to hold the mattress in place. There are sticky… stickers, but they don’t work. | Some owners may have to use straps to hold the mattress in place or perhaps paint the wood slats with “safety no-slip paint”. It is like having sand in the paint. TIP: If you are worried about damaging the mattress with this solution then simply try lightly sanding the tops of the slats with 60 or 80 grit sandpaper. |
| 1 | Squeaky | |
| 1 | It was supposed to be 12” off the floor, it is 7”. | I only see 7” mentioned when doing research on this product. Perhaps the buyer is a little confused? |
| 5 | Double boxed and about 85 lb. And this 300 lb said that is does not squeak or creak. TIP: once unwrapped do not lie on top of each other as they may dent, chip, or scratch the rails. | A double box is a big deal. I had major issues with heavy items in single boxes that did not survive shipping well. The solution was double-boxing! |
| 5 | Super simple assembly. No noise after two months except during “special circumstances”. | |
| 5 | Numbers and letters on the pieces and in the instructions make assembly foolproof. | |
| 4 | Not much room for storage. | If storage underneath the bed is important to you I recommend purchasing one of the many platform foundations with 14” of clearance. |
| 2She “read” the description very carefully, but thought this was a wood bed frame. | I can see how someone might think the frame is wood just by looking at the picture. But anyone who “carefully” read the Description and the Specifications sections would see the materials listed as Metal, Manufactured Wood. I think I am calling this one a buyer boo boo. | |
| 1 | Five good things she loved about it and zero bad things. | Another buyer boo boo. 5 is better than 1 love. |
With an overall rating of 4.7 with some unfair ratings, I must say that I am impressed with this low-cost McGovern platform bed frame!
Before you buy one check out my 15 tips first here and my top how to choose advice here.
The Good
- Ample storage space underneath
- Easy to assemble
- Comes with a headboard
- Light and easy to move around
The Bad
- The twin can’t take two people. The weight capacity is only 250 pounds (113 kgs).
- No raised edges to keep the bed in place. You will have to adjust it more often.
- Once it is assembled, you need to spend a bit of time adjusting the screws to stop squeaks, which can be a bit tedious.
Why is the McGovern Platform bed so popular?
The McGovern platform bed has over 5,500 reviews and has an average rating of 4.7/5. This is a huge amount of reviews, considering that most people don’t leave reviews.
From what I have looked at it is so popular because:
- Affordable. It is reasonably priced. Just over $200 for a king-sized bed is hard to beat.
- Design. It has a minimalist and simple design. So, it goes with many decors and doesn’t use up extra space that can be better used for storage, especially in smaller bedrooms.
- Easy to assemble. All the tools come with it, and the picture of how to screw it together is easy to follow.
The technical nitty gritty
Yes, I know most people don’t care about this, but, being a nerd, I took the time to describe how it is made, and how much weight it can take, etc.
The frame
The frame is made from solid steel, and wood. There are 12 individual slats spaced 3 inches (7.5 cm) apart. It has one support leg in the centre. The recommended thickness of mattress is over 10 inches (25 cm) for the king size, and slightly thicker at 12 inches (30 cm) for the queen and smaller sizes.
Size
The height from the floor to the top of the slates is 10 inches (25 cm), which is quite low. Including the mattress, the height would come up to about the knee on most people. It has 7 inches (17.7 cm) of clearance under the bed which leaves a fair amount of space for storage.
| Size | Width | Length | Weight Capacity | Weight of the bed |
| Full | 38 inches | 74.5 inches | 500 lb | 60.91 lb |
| King | 53.5 inches | 74.5 inches | 500 lb | 84.92 lb |
| Queen | 59.5 inches | 79.5 inches | 500 lb | 92 lb |
| Twin | 75.5 inches | 79.5 inches | 250 lb | 106.11 lb |
As previously mentioned the twin size may not be suitable for two people. You would have to have a combined weight of 113 kg to sleep on it safely. If you are wanting a frame that can support more weight, then the one I recommend is the [other product, other details about the product].
Slats
The slats are made from manufactured wood. The slats each have a non-slip tape which stops the slaps from moving around. Anyone who has had this problem will know how much of a pain it is to readjust your slats.
Headboard and footboard
The headboard comes included, and maintains the simple, minimalistic look. It is 36 inches (91 cm) in height, and the back is finished. A footboard isn’t included in this model. But, most people find it more convenient getting on and off their bed without a footboard. Having a footboard or not up to your personal preference.
Quality
As previously mentioned, the amount and quality of the reviews speaks volume for this bed. Over 5500 reviews, with an average score of 4.7/5. Very impressive. Needless to say, this bed is worth the money.
Price point
Price per frame size
| Size | Price* | Shipping |
| Twin | $159.99 | 2 day shipping |
| Full | $189.99 | 1 day shipping |
| Queen | $205.99 | Free shipping |
| King | $223.00 | Free shipping |
*Prices updated July 2020 from Wayfiar.
Conclusion
The McGovern platform bed is a solid option for the price point. It is easy to assemble, has a strong frame, is light and easy to move around, and leaves plenty of space underneath for storage.
If there are two sleepers using the bed and each of you has eaten a few too many Cheetos you should consider a stronger and more sturdy bed such as the Thuma, w which has a 1,500 lb capacity. I wrote a review that you can read here.
It also doesn’t have a raised edge which means you will have to adjust your mattress every now and then.
