Thuma vs. Silk & Snow bed frame: The latter is more affordable and customizable, but Thuma's lifetime warranty is better

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When Thuma debuted its Japanese joinery-inspired bed frame in 2018, it turned a lot of heads. An ethically produced bed frame that didn't require tools or hardware? It sounded too good to be true, and yet, it quickly became beloved by many for its easy-to-assemble (and disassemble) design. Admittedly, the price was quite high, even if it was a high-quality bed frame, which is why we were very excited when Silk & Snow came out with its own tool-less joinery bed frame that cost a couple hundred dollars less.

So, how do the bed frames compare? We had one tester review the Thuma bed frame and another, the Silk & Snow bed frame, so they could each write their own experiences on the design, assembly process, and even sustainability. Here, collated a comparison of the two based on their testing experiences. Keep reading for a comparison look at both bed frames — and don't forget to check out our guide to the best bed frames for more bedroom inspiration.

Thuma vs Silk & Snow overview

Thuma vs Silk & Snow Design

The Thuma and Silk & Snow bed frames are both Japanese joinery-style platform bed frames, which means they're designed so that the pieces slot or fit into one another without hardware (or not much, anyway).

Both platform beds are made with natural wood — acacia and rubberwood for the Silk & Snow bed frame and rubberwood for the Thuma. The wood used for the Thuma bed frame has a scratch-resistant finish, and that, combined with the fact that it's stained different colors, gives it an almost semi-gloss look. There is no finish on the Silk & Snow bed frame, resulting in a more natural look.

Each brand offers three different headboard options for the bed frame (or can just order them without a headboard as a platform). Whereas Silk & Snow has rattan, cushioned, and wooden headboards, Thuma customers can order a wooden headboard, a cushioned headboard, or a pillowboard, which is like a low-sitting wedge that sits between the mattress and the wall.

There are some slight differences in the frame and headboard designs of each brand. The Silk & Snow bed frame has two bars in the center of the frame with four center support legs, while the Thuma only has one bar and one center support leg. The single bar on the Thuma bed frame is locked in place with two hand-tightening screws. In the case of assembly, having one bar that gets tightened into place made the Thuma a bit easier to put together. But it's worth noting that the extra legs on Silk & Snow's bed don't equate to a higher weight capacity. The Thuma has a weight capacity of 1,500 lbs., while the Silk & Snow bed frame can only support up to 1,100 lbs.

The Silk & Snow bed frame doesn't require screws for the frame itself. However, screws and a tool are provided to fit the headboards to the frame. It doesn't appear as if any screws are needed for the Thuma headboards. The Thuma pillowboard is just a cushion that sits at the back of the bed frame; the other two headboards are fitted with the joinery design. Thuma also sells under-bed storage drawers that can be fitted to the bed frame.

Finally, in terms of bed sizing, Thuma offers its beds in Twin XL and California King, but Silk & Snow does not. 

Thuma vs Silk & Snow Price

The Thuma and Silk & Snow bed frames may be similar in design, but their price varies greatly. Silk & Snow bed frames are considerably more affordable, even when you order them with a headboard, compared to the Thuma bed frame. At $850 for a Queen size, the Silk & Snow platform bed is a steal. The Thuma Queen platform is $245 more. Opt for the classic headboard design, and the difference creeps to $600. Considering that both bed frames are made with natural rubberwood or acacia and have a similar design, the price difference is surprising, especially for the platform-only option.

Thuma vs Silk & Snow: Assembly

Both the Thuma (left) and Silk & Snow (right) use an interlocking Japanese joinery technique.

Both of our reviewers took about 30 minutes to set up each bed in their respective bedrooms – which included the time it took to get everything out of the boxes, setting the pieces in place, and then putting the bed frame together. A few minutes might be saved in the assembly process of the Thuma bed frame versus the Silk & Snow bed frame as the Thuma only has one single center support bar and center support leg, while the Silk & Snow has two center support bars and four center support legs. However, overall, both bed frames are easy to put together, especially with two people.

Thuma offers premium delivery, a service that includes delivering it to your room of choice, fully assembling the bed, and then removing the packaging. Not only does it take 1-3 weeks for this delivery option, but it's also $175. It's unnecessary for most customers (though not all, especially those with mobility issues or who live in fourth-floor walk-ups) to go the premium delivery route because assembling the Thuma bed is considerably easy. Plus, you could save money and time with free shipping (which takes 3-5 business days).

Thuma vs Silk & Snow: Sustainability

The Silk & Snow bed frame uses uses wood sustainably sourced from plantations in Southeast Asia and is then sent to a woman-founded company in Vietnam to be constructed.

Buyers will be happy to know that both bed frames have great sustainable qualities. The Thuma bed frame is Greenguard Gold Certified and made with 100% upcycled rubberwood, while the headboard cushion has CertiPUR-US certified foam.

Silk & Snow, on the other hand, uses wood sustainably sourced from plantations in Southeast Asia and a lumber processing facility that promotes eco-conscious manufacturing principles. The wood is then sent to a woman-founded company in Vietnam that finishes it and constructs the bed frame. Silk & Snow also partners with Veritree to plant trees in an effort to offset carbon emissions.

Thuma vs Silk & Snow: Trial and Warranty

Where Silk & Snow bed frame customers get a 30-night free trial, Thuma bed buyers get 100 nights to try out their bed frame. If Silk & Snow buyers want to return their bed frame, the company will deduct the shipping cost from the return. It must be returned in the original packaging and in donatable condition. Thuma bed frame customers don't have to pay a shipping fee for returns.

Thuma carries a phenomenal lifetime warranty for their bed frame. It covers any breakage or defects to the wooden frame and slats that occur through normal use. As for the Silk & Snow bed frame, you only get a five-year limited warranty that covers physical flaws that cause the frame to "bend, crack, or permanently deform more than 1 inch." Unfortunately, the buyer is responsible for the shipping costs associated with sending in the original product part that needs to be replaced.

The bottom line

In comparing the Thuma and the Silk & Snow bed frames, our inclination is to advise potential buyers to go with the Silk & Snow bed frame. It's sturdy, easy to assemble, and much more affordable than the Thuma — without sacrificing anything in terms of materials or design. That said, the lifetime warranty and 100-night trial for the Thuma bed frame is appealing, especially compared to the five-year warranty of the Silk & Snow bed frame. Perhaps the one thing that will split the vote for you is the headboards — of which the designs are considerably different. Ultimately, we wholeheartedly recommend both bed frames.

Read our Thuma bed frame review and Silk & Snow wooden bed frame review.