Allotment beds on soil
You want a kit instead of sleepers, and you can fork the soil underneath. Harbour Housewares is the top pick: two bottomless 180 x 90 x 30 cm beds, with 191 reviews that describe this size. Budget time for the bolts.
Raised bed comparison 2026
The best raised beds, compared.
Top pick: Harbour Housewares raised beds, pack of 2 – Highest score: 191 reviews describe these bottomless 180 x 90 x 30 cm beds, and 486 litres matches that soil depth. Best value: Ergohortus oval raised beds, 2-pack – Two open 120 x 60 x 30 cm beds at about £38.99, with 4.7 from 105 reviews and a stated 216 litres. Updated October 2026.
A raised bed is a frame that holds soil above the surrounding ground. In the UK you buy one for waterlogged or poor soil, for a patio, or to cut the bending, not because a frame beats decent open ground. Judge the ground under the frame, the side height, the width you can reach, the braces, and a capacity that uses the soil wall rather than a trellis. Most kits here are about 30 cm high and open at the base. The Royal Horticultural Society says 30 cm suits salad, strawberries and dwarf bulbs, and that most other plants, especially fruit bushes, want 45 cm or more. The [raised bed buying guide](/hub/raised-beds-greenhouses-and-compost/raised-bed/sub/raised-bed-buying-guide) puts ground, depth, width, braces, volume and price in that order. The kits are bolt-together galvanised or painted steel. A two-pack doubles the soil you have to order, and the fill can cost more than the frame.
A raised bed is a frame that holds soil above the surrounding ground. In the UK you buy one for waterlogged or poor soil, for a patio, or to cut the bending, not because a frame beats decent open ground.
38 products checked · 64 hrs invested · +19,800 readers
11 of 11: Best raised beds compared
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1-2 of 11Best overall
Best value
8.3/10
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∼ £60
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4.7(191)
4.7(105)
4.7(41)
4.6(267)
4.6(267)
4.6(54)
4.6(28)
4.5(237)
4.4(190)
4.2(30)
4.0(51)
Personal buying guide
Which raised bed fits?
Question 1 of 2
Where will the bed sit?
The best raised beds in detail
Our view
The Harbour Housewares pack is two green galvanised beds, each 180 x 90 x 30 cm and bottomless, at £59.99. The stated capacity is 486 litres, which is the soil-depth figure for that size, and one UK buyer used about 12 large bags plus cardboard and garden waste in each bed. UK buyers report rolled or folded edges, and reviews mention centre bars. Assembly is the recurring cost in time: reviews describe many bolts with wing nuts, and one buyer counted 10 panels and 80 bolts per bed, with a screwdriver included. On concrete, one UK buyer planned to line the lower half, because a bottomless frame does not hold soil by itself. The technical line says Round, while the size is a rounded 180 x 90 cm rectangle. It is our top pick on 4.7 from 191 reviews that describe these beds, model HH-RB4384 x 2, if you can spend the time on the bolts and you are filling to 30 cm, not to a seated working height.
Pros
- Two bottomless 180 x 90 x 30 cm beds
- 486 litres stated, matching that soil depth
- Centre bars in reviews, and rolled or folded edges in UK reports
- 4.7 from 191 reviews, model HH-RB4384 x 2
Cons
- One buyer counted 80 bolts per bed
- The technical line says Round for a 180 x 90 cm bed
- £59.99 is the joint highest price here
- 30 cm is not a seated working height, and on concrete you still have to line it
Best for: Two full-size 180 x 90 cm beds on soil, if you would rather assemble a well-reviewed kit than build in timber.
Less suitable: A quick build, a round bed, or a hard surface unless you line the lower half and plan the drainage.
Specifications
- Model
- Harbour Housewares raised beds, pack of 2
- Brand
- Harbour Housewares
- Price
- ∼£60
- Customer rating
- 4.7/5(191)
- Open base
- Yes
- Side height
- 30 cm
- Width
- 90 cm
- Shape
- Rounded rectangle
- Pack
- 2
- Bracing
- Centre bars
- Edge
- Folded edges
- Trellis
- No
- Stated volume
- 486 litres
- Colour
- Green
Common questions
Is there a floor?
No. The title says bottomless. On concrete, one UK buyer planned to line the lower half.
How much soil is 486 litres?
That is the stated capacity for the printed size. One UK buyer used about 12 large bags plus cardboard and garden waste in each bed.
Is assembly tool-free?
No. Reviews describe many bolts with wing nuts. One buyer counted 10 panels and 80 bolts per bed. A screwdriver is mentioned.
Our view
The Ergohortus 2-pack is two dark grey oval beds, each 120 x 60 x 30 cm, with an open base, at £38.99. The stated capacity is 216 litres each, and the 60 cm width suits working from one side. UK reviews mention a rubber trim and centre support bars, and the included-components line names adjustable plant support poles. Buyers mention a screwdriver. One buyer put the fill nearer 150 litres after cardboard went in the bottom. A UK wheelchair user said this height made planting possible again, but 30 cm is still a low bed, not a standing-height table and not a seated working height of about 615 mm. It holds 4.7 from 105 reviews, model TPA0501, and it is our best value against the £59.99 pair and the cheaper packs with thinner or shared review files.
Pros
- Two open-base beds, each 120 x 60 x 30 cm
- 60 cm wide for one-sided access
- Rubber trim and centre support bars in UK reviews
- 4.7 from 105 reviews
- Stated 216 litres, with plant support poles named in the box
Cons
- 30 cm is not a seated or standing working height
- One buyer was nearer 150 litres once cardboard was in the bottom
- Assembly is not tool-free; buyers mention a screwdriver
Best for: Two narrow beds on soil for salad and herbs, including someone who wants less bending than ground level and has checked the height.
Less suitable: Fruit bushes that want about 45 cm of soil, or a hard surface where you need at least 50 cm inside the frame.
Specifications
- Model
- Ergohortus oval raised beds, 2-pack
- Brand
- Ergohortus
- Price
- ∼£39
- Customer rating
- 4.7/5(105)
- Open base
- Yes
- Side height
- 30 cm
- Width
- 60 cm
- Shape
- Oval
- Pack
- 2
- Bracing
- Centre bars
- Edge
- Rubber trim
- Trellis
- No
- Stated volume
- 216 litres
- Colour
- Dark grey
Common questions
Does it have a base?
No. The base is open. One buyer added plywood. Another lined the bed and put cardboard at the bottom.
How much soil does the listing state?
216 litres. Buyers report fewer litres once cardboard goes in the bottom, or three to four 50 litre bags plus topsoil.
Is 30 cm a standing-height bed?
No. A UK wheelchair user said this height made planting possible again. It is still a low bed, not a table you work at standing.
Our view
This silver galvanised bed is 360 cm long, 120 cm wide and 30 cm high, at £36.99, with drainage marked Yes. At 120 cm wide the centre is a stretch if you can only work from one side, and the listing does not state a volume. UK reviews mention cross rods, and one UK review received a rubber edge strip, though gloves are the named component. Wing nuts are the current fixing, and buyers mention a screwdriver. One delivery was missing the threaded support rods, which matter before you fill, because wet soil bows thin sides. The listing says silver, while one UK reviewer describes dark grey or black. With 4.7 from 41 reviews, check the rod set on arrival and plan to reach the middle from both sides.
Pros
- 360 x 120 cm footprint at £36.99
- Cross rods mentioned in UK reviews
- Wing nuts on the current design
- 4.7 from 41 reviews
Cons
- One delivery was missing the threaded support rods
- 120 cm wide if you can only work from one side
- Volume is not stated, and open bottom is not a labelled field
- One UK reviewer describes the colour as dark grey or black, not silver
Best for: A long allotment run on soil, if you can work from both sides and check the rods before filling.
Less suitable: A one-sided border, or a first bed if you need the capacity printed before you buy compost.
Specifications
- Model
- VIREO GARDEN raised bed, 360 cm
- Brand
- VIREO GARDEN
- Price
- ∼£37
- Customer rating
- 4.7/5(41)
- Side height
- 30 cm
- Width
- 120 cm
- Shape
- Rectangular
- Pack
- 1
- Bracing
- Cross rods
- Edge
- Rubber strip
- Trellis
- No
- Colour
- Silver
Common questions
How wide is it?
120 cm. That is wide enough that the centre is a stretch if you can only work from one side.
Does the listing say the base is open?
Open bottom is not a labelled field. Drainage is Yes. A UK allotment review talks about bracing bars in the soil when digging potatoes.
What fixings do buyers mention?
Wing nuts on the current design, plus a screwdriver. One delivery was missing threaded support rods.
Our view
The INNO STAGE trough is 244 cm long, 61 cm wide and 30.5 cm high, in olive green alloy steel, at £33.99. The stated capacity is 439.08 litres, and the 61 cm width suits working from one side. Drainage is marked Yes, but open bottom is not printed, so check the base before you order soil. Gloves are the named extra, while reviewers also mention screws, a stability bar and a plastic edging strip that are not all on the included-components line. The 4.6 from 267 reviews is the same figure as the INNO STAGE three-pack, though many review bodies do describe this long trough. Sheet thickness is not on the UK listing. Use it as one long, narrow bed, and do not treat the shared star line as proof of the other size.
Pros
- 244 cm of bed for £33.99
- 61 cm wide, so you can work it from one side
- Stated capacity 439.08 litres
- Many review bodies describe this long trough
Cons
- The 4.6 from 267 figure is shared with another INNO STAGE ASIN
- Open bottom is not printed
- Stability bar and edging strip are in reviews, not on the included-components line
- Sheet thickness is not on the UK listing
Best for: A long, narrow bed along a fence or path, if this 244 cm size is the one in the reviews you read.
Less suitable: Buyers who need the base type printed on the listing, or who are choosing the 60 cm three-pack on the shared star line.
Specifications
- Model
- INNO STAGE long raised bed, 244 cm
- Brand
- INNO STAGE
- Price
- ∼£34
- Customer rating
- 4.6/5(267)
- Side height
- 30.5 cm
- Width
- 61 cm
- Shape
- Rectangular
- Pack
- 1
- Bracing
- Stability bar
- Edge
- Plastic strip
- Trellis
- No
- Stated volume
- 439.08 litres
- Colour
- Olive green
Common questions
Is the base open?
The listing does not print open bottom. Drainage is Yes. A US review in the extract likes that there is no bottom.
What comes in the box?
The included-components line names gloves. Reviews also mention screws, a stability bar and an edging strip. Those are not all on that line.
Are all 267 reviews about this 244 cm bed?
The product data note that the same 4.6 from 267 figure appears on another INNO STAGE ASIN. Many review bodies describe this long trough. A few describe two units.
Our view
The INNO STAGE listing sells a set of three green beds at £36.99, with a size line of 60 x 60 x 30 cm and a stated 4 cubic feet. The technical line says Round, the dimensions are 61 x 61 x 30.5 cm, and a bullet says 60 cm diameter, so the shape is not settled. Open bottom is not stated, and a bullet says a reinforced bottom, which is a different base from the open kits here. Tools and a manual are included, and the page is third in Raised Garden Kits. The 4.6 from 267 reviews matches the long INNO STAGE trough exactly, and the review bodies in this file describe long troughs, not a 60 cm three-pack. The 7.9 kg weight does not say whether it is one bed or the set. Do not use that star line as evidence for these three beds.
Pros
- Three beds at £36.99
- Tools and an instruction manual are included
- Stated capacity of 4 cubic feet on the size line
- Third in Raised Garden Kits on the extract
Cons
- Review bodies describe long troughs, not this 60 cm three-pack
- Round, 61 x 61 cm and a 60 cm diameter cannot all be right
- A reinforced bottom is claimed, while open bottom is not stated
- The weight field does not say whether 7.9 kg is one bed or the set
Best for: Only if you can confirm the shape, the base and that the reviews are for this 60 cm set.
Less suitable: Anyone choosing from the shared 4.6 from 267 line, or who needs an open base like the other kits.
Specifications
- Model
- INNO STAGE raised bed, set of 3
- Brand
- INNO STAGE
- Price
- ∼£37
- Customer rating
- 4.6/5(267)
- Side height
- 30.5 cm
- Width
- Unclear
- Shape
- Unclear
- Pack
- 3
- Edge
- Smooth edges
- Trellis
- No
- Stated volume
- 4 cu ft
- Colour
- Green
Common questions
Is each bed round?
The technical line says Round. The dimension line is 61 x 61 cm, and a bullet says 60 cm diameter. Those statements are not the same shape.
Is there a bottom?
Open bottom is not stated. A bullet says a reinforced bottom, unlike the open-base kits in this set.
Do the 267 reviews describe this 60 cm set?
The star line matches the long INNO STAGE trough exactly. The review bodies in this file describe long troughs, not a 60 cm three-pack.
Our view
The VIREO GARDEN 2-pack gives you two round green beds, each 121.9 cm across and 30.5 cm high, with an open base and a rubber border. At £30.63 it is the lowest shelf price in this set, and the listing sits at 4.6 from 54 reviews, fifth in Raised Garden Kits. The open bottom is stated, so on soil water can leave and roots can continue; on paving you still need a liner and a way for water out. Butterfly nuts are meant to tighten by hand, and the listing says no extra tools, yet reviewers still describe a lot of nuts and bolts. The finish is listed as rough, and 30.5 cm of soil suits salad, strawberries and dwarf bulbs rather than fruit bushes. Choose it when two small open beds matter more than a fast assembly.
Pros
- Two open-base beds for £30.63
- Rubber border named in the box
- 121.9 cm across, within a usual side reach
- 4.6 from 54 reviews, and fifth in Raised Garden Kits
Cons
- Reviewers still describe a lot of nuts and bolts, despite the no-extra-tools line
- Finish is listed as rough
- 30.5 cm sides are low for fruit bushes and for a seated working height
Best for: Two small salad or herb beds on soil, if you want the lowest price in this set.
Less suitable: A patio where you need about 50 cm of soil inside the frame, or anyone who wants a tool-free build.
Specifications
- Model
- VIREO GARDEN round raised bed, 2-pack
- Brand
- VIREO GARDEN
- Price
- ∼£31
- Customer rating
- 4.6/5(54)
- Open base
- Yes
- Side height
- 30.5 cm
- Width
- 121.9 cm
- Shape
- Round
- Pack
- 2
- Edge
- Rubber border
- Trellis
- No
- Stated volume
- 10.7 cu ft
- Colour
- Green
Common questions
Does this bed have a base?
No. The product data record an open bottom, with drainage marked Yes. A rubber border is the named included component. Soil is not included.
Can you tighten it without a drill?
The listing says butterfly nuts tighten by hand and that no extra tools are required. Reviewers still describe a lot of nuts and bolts.
What size is printed?
The size line is 120 x 120 x 30 cm for the 2-pack. Item dimensions are 121.9 x 121.9 x 30.5 cm.
Our view
The KING BIRD bed adds a trellis to a galvanised frame: the soil box in the bullets is 180 x 90 x 30 cm, and the overall height with the trellis is 180 cm, at £59.99. The dimension line's 2,916 litres matches that 180 cm overall height, not the soil. A 30 cm soil depth is 486 litres before settlement, so do not buy compost to the trellis. The base is open, the bullets mention rolled edges, and a cover is not listed, though the bullets say you can drape mesh or a cover on the trellis. A screwdriver appears in a UK review. The technical line says Round, while the soil box is 180 x 90 cm. With 4.6 from 28 reviews, model GBA38, it is the only trellis in this set, and the review record is still short.
Pros
- Trellis included, with a soil wall of about 30 cm
- Open bottom
- Rolled edges named in the bullets
- Overall height 180 cm for climbers
Cons
- 2,916 litres uses the trellis height, not the soil
- Only 4.6 from 28 reviews
- No cover in the box
- The technical line says Round for a 180 x 90 cm soil box
Best for: Peas, beans or other climbers on a 180 x 90 cm bed, if you order about 486 litres of fill per 30 cm of soil.
Less suitable: Anyone buying 2,916 litres of compost, or a deep shrub bed.
Specifications
- Model
- KING BIRD raised bed with trellis
- Brand
- KING BIRD
- Price
- ∼£60
- Customer rating
- 4.6/5(28)
- Open base
- Yes
- Side height
- 30 cm
- Width
- 90 cm
- Shape
- Rectangular
- Pack
- 1
- Edge
- Rolled edges
- Trellis
- Yes
- Stated volume
- 2,916 litres
- Colour
- Silver
Common questions
How deep is the soil?
The bullets give the soil box as 180 x 90 x 30 cm. The title and dimension line use 180 cm as the height, which is the trellis.
Should you buy 2,916 litres of compost?
No. That figure matches the trellis height. The product data treat a 30 cm soil depth as 486 litres before settlement.
Is a cover included?
No. Bullets say you can drape mesh or a cover on the trellis. The trellis material is not a separate specification.
Our view
The GoCampDirect kit is a white galvanised modular bed, headline 150 x 90 x 30 cm, with an open base and no base panel, at £39.99. Item dimensions are 152.4 x 91.4 x 30.5 cm, and the bullets claim four layouts: 5 x 3, 4 x 4, 6 x 2 and 7 x 1 ft, all 1 ft high. The box lists 16 panels, a bracing-rod set, a screwdriver, gloves, 64 wing screws and edge covers, and a bullet states 0.6 mm sheet. Those layouts are choices at assembly; the listing does not say you can rebuild a full bed without emptying it. It is 4.5 from 237 reviews, but only one UK review in the extract comments on it, saying it looked fine and was well packed. The other review bodies read for this note are from outside the United Kingdom. Soil is not included, and 30.5 cm is still the salad-bed height.
Pros
- Open base, with bracing rods and edge covers in the box
- 0.6 mm sheet stated in a bullet
- Four footprints claimed at assembly
- Screwdriver, gloves and 64 wing screws included
Cons
- Only one UK review in the extract; the others read as outside the United Kingdom
- You are not told you can change the shape after the bed is full
- No stated volume, and the sides are 30.5 cm
Best for: A first modular bed on soil when you want the footprint decided at assembly and a stated sheet thickness.
Less suitable: A patio that needs a deep soil box, or a buyer who wants several UK reviews of this white kit.
Specifications
- Model
- GoCampDirect modular raised bed
- Brand
- GoCampDirect
- Price
- ∼£40
- Customer rating
- 4.5/5(237)
- Open base
- Yes
- Side height
- 30.5 cm
- Width
- 91.4 cm
- Shape
- Modular
- Pack
- 1
- Bracing
- Rod set
- Edge
- Edge covers
- Trellis
- No
- Colour
- White
Common questions
Can you change the shape later?
The bullets describe four layouts at assembly. They do not say you can rebuild a full bed without emptying it.
Is soil included?
No. The base is open and no base panel is listed.
Are the reviews from the UK?
One UK review in the extract says it looks fine and was well packed. The other review bodies read for this note are from outside the United Kingdom.
Our view
The FOUBAM bed is a black painted metal frame sold as 8 x 4 x 1 ft at £42.42, with drainage marked Yes and tools plus a manual in the box. Item dimensions say 2.32 x 1.14 x 0.3 m, and another line is 232 x 30 x 114 cm, so the printed size does not agree with itself. A review says one large unit measured short of 4 x 8 ft. A UK buyer reported sharp edges, and UK advice in a review is not to load soil too quickly or the sides bulge. The warranty bullets say 12 months, then name a FOUBAM metal storage rack, which is a different product. Open bottom is not printed. At 4.4 from 190 reviews it has a longer record than several kits here, but measure the panels before you order soil to an 8 x 4 ft plan.
Pros
- A large single frame, with 4.4 from 190 reviews
- Tools and an instruction manual included
- Drainage marked Yes
- Eighth in Raised Garden Kits on the extract
Cons
- Title, item dimensions and a third size line do not match
- A review measured one unit short of 4 x 8 ft
- A UK buyer reported sharp edges, and fast filling bowed the sides
- The 12-month line then names a metal storage rack
Best for: A single large bed only after you measure the panels against the space you have marked out.
Less suitable: A tight 8 x 4 ft plot, or anyone who wants a printed open base and a warranty that names this bed.
Specifications
- Model
- FOUBAM raised bed, black
- Brand
- FOUBAM
- Price
- ∼£42
- Customer rating
- 4.4/5(190)
- Side height
- 30 cm
- Width
- Unclear
- Shape
- Rectangular
- Pack
- 1
- Edge
- Sharp edges
- Trellis
- No
- Colour
- Black
Common questions
Which size should you trust?
The title says 8 x 4 x 1 ft. Item dimensions say 2.32 x 1.14 x 0.3 m. A third line swaps depth and height. A review says one large unit measured short of 4 x 8 ft.
What does the warranty line cover?
The bullets say 12 months, then refer to a FOUBAM metal storage rack, which is a different product.
Do the sides stay straight?
UK advice in a review: do not load soil too quickly or the sides bulge. Slow filling was fine.
Our view
The HEALSTOK 2-pack is two olive green beds, about 122 x 61 cm, with sides of 42.7 cm and an open base, at £52.05. That side is the tallest soil wall in this set, nearer the 45 cm suggested for most plants than the 30 cm kits, and the stated volume is 319.8 litres. Corner columns and a middle support pole are the selling point, with wing nuts and pre-drilled holes. One UK review says the metal support struts are much too short for the width, so fit them before you fill and reject a set that cannot span. Folded edges are listed, and no rubber strip is named. The included-components line says 'Light kit inlcuded', and no cover is named in the bullets. It is 4.2 from 30 reviews, which is a thin record for a £52.05 pair.
Pros
- About 43 cm sides, taller than the 30 cm kits
- Open base and a stated 319.8 litres
- Corner columns and a middle pole are part of the design
- Two beds, about 120 x 60 cm
Cons
- One UK review says the support struts are much too short for the width
- 4.2 from 30 reviews
- No rubber edge strip is named
- The included line says 'Light kit inlcuded', and no cover is named
Best for: Two narrow beds where you want closer to 45 cm of soil and you can check the struts before filling.
Less suitable: A cheap pair of 30 cm beds, or a cover-and-lights kit, which this listing does not establish.
Specifications
- Model
- HEALSTOK raised beds, 2-pack
- Brand
- HEALSTOK
- Price
- ∼£52
- Customer rating
- 4.2/5(30)
- Open base
- Yes
- Side height
- 42.7 cm
- Width
- 61 cm
- Shape
- Rectangular
- Pack
- 2
- Bracing
- Middle pole
- Edge
- Folded edges
- Trellis
- No
- Stated volume
- 319.8 litres
- Colour
- Olive green
Common questions
Is a cover included?
No cover is named in the bullets. The page asks the question and the extract does not answer it.
How tall are the sides?
The title says 120 x 60 x 43 cm. Item dimensions are 121.9 x 61 x 42.7 cm, so the side is about 43 cm, taller than the 30 cm kits.
Do the support poles fit?
Corner columns and a middle pole are the selling point. One UK review says the metal support struts are much too short for the width.
Our view
The WILLOW WEAVE set is two grey beds at 180 x 90 x 30 cm, open at the base, with a stated 486 litres each, at £53.99. That litre figure matches a 180 x 90 x 30 cm soil box. The box includes bolts, wing nuts, a screwdriver, a wrench and gloves, and plastic covers for four support poles. UK reviews mention support bars. Several UK reviews on the same listing describe smaller Willow Weave sizes, and the bullets also list other sizes that are not this row. The finish field is blank, while the bullets claim powder coating, and sheet thickness is not given. At 4.0 from 51 reviews it is the lowest star line in this set, and rank 79 in Raised Garden Kits. Read the size in each review before you treat 4.0 as the score for this 180 cm pair.
Pros
- Two open-base beds at 180 x 90 x 30 cm
- Stated 486 litres, which matches that soil depth
- Screwdriver, wrench, gloves and pole covers in the box
- Support bars mentioned in UK reviews
Cons
- 4.0 from 51 reviews, the lowest star line here
- Several UK reviews describe smaller sizes on the same listing
- Powder coating is a bullet, not a filled finish field, and gauge is not given
- £53.99 for a mixed review page
Best for: Two 180 x 90 cm beds on soil if the reviews you are reading are actually this size.
Less suitable: Buyers who want one size on the review page, or a higher star line at a similar price.
Specifications
- Model
- WILLOW WEAVE raised beds, set of 2
- Brand
- WILLOW WEAVE
- Price
- ∼£54
- Customer rating
- 4.0/5(51)
- Open base
- Yes
- Side height
- 30 cm
- Width
- 90 cm
- Shape
- Rectangular
- Pack
- 2
- Bracing
- Support bars
- Edge
- Pole covers
- Trellis
- No
- Stated volume
- 486 litres
- Colour
- Grey
Common questions
Does it come with a base?
No. The bullets describe an open base, and a base is not in the included list.
What is the size of this row?
The technical size is 180 x 90 x 30 cm. Several UK reviews describe smaller Willow Weave sizes on the same listing.
What tools are listed?
Bolts, wing nuts, a screwdriver, a wrench and protective gloves.
How we compared
Eleven raised beds are on this page. Scores use the amazon.co.uk capture. There is no garden trial and no laboratory score. The score starts from the star rating multiplied by 16 and rounded. A 4.7 becomes 75 before later adjustments. Review count is applied afterwards, because a 4.7 from 41 reviews is not the same evidence as a 4.7 from 191. Prices, stars and review counts can move on amazon.co.uk.
1
Star rating
45%The amazon.co.uk star rating, multiplied by 16 and rounded, is the base. A 4.7 becomes 75. A 4.6 becomes 74. A 4.0 becomes 64.
2
Review evidence
20%At least 150 reviews of this size add 8. From 100 to 149 add 5. From 50 to 99 add 2. Bodies that describe a different size subtract 6. A shared star line subtracts 3 when many bodies still describe this row.
3
Size and volume match
15%A printed size, shape or litre figure that would make you order the wrong thing subtracts 5. A smaller clash, such as a tool-free claim that reviewers contradict, subtracts 2.
4
Base, braces and edges
12%Open bottom not stated subtracts 3. An open base, a capacity that uses the soil-wall height, and bracing or edge protection add 3 when the stored bodies describe this size. The brace is not added when it is the reported fault.
5
Build and UK review fit
8%A reported build fault subtracts 4: missing rods, struts that are too short, sharp edges, or sides that bulge. Review bodies mostly from outside the United Kingdom subtract 3.
Independent review
Last updated: October 2026
8 sources checked
Raised bed buying guide
Choose the ground, the soil-wall height and the width before you compare stars. These eleven kits are bolt-together galvanised or painted steel, mostly about 30 cm high. Prices are amazon.co.uk extracts, from about £30.63 to about £59.99, and they can move.
What is a raised bed?
A raised bed is a frame that holds soil above the surrounding ground. You buy one in the UK for waterlogged or poor soil, for a patio, or to reduce bending. You do not buy one because a frame beats decent open ground. The kits in this comparison are bolt-together galvanised or painted steel. Most are about 30 cm high and open at the base. Extracted amazon.co.uk prices run from about £30.63 to about £59.99. A two-pack doubles the soil you have to order, and the fill can cost more than the frame.
Best for
- An allotment bed on soil you can fork
- Salad and herbs in a bed about 30 cm high
Not ideal for
- A seated working height of about 615 mm
- Ordering compost to a trellis height
Mistakes to avoid
- 1
Ordering soil to the trellis
The KING BIRD dimension line states 2,916 litres. That figure uses the 180 cm overall height. The bullets give a soil box of 180 x 90 x 30 cm, which is 486 litres before settlement.
- 2
Compost-only fill, poured in one go
The RHS mix is mostly topsoil, because compost slumps. Wet soil bows thin sides. Fit the rods first and fill in stages. A FOUBAM review says fast filling made the sides bulge.
- 3
Reading one star line as two sizes
The two INNO STAGE listings both show 4.6 from 267 reviews. The stored bodies describe the 244 cm trough, not the 60 cm three-pack. Do not treat that shared line as proof both sizes were reviewed.
What to weigh up
Ground, height and width
HighStart with the ground. On soil, an open bottom lets water out and lets roots continue. On concrete, mortared slabs or tarmac there is no soil below. The Royal Horticultural Society’s school note wants beds on tarmac at least 50 cm high. A 30 cm open kit on paving needs a liner that holds soil and a way for water out. The HEALSTOK pair, at about 42.7 cm, is the tallest side here, and one UK review says the support struts are much too short. Side height is the soil wall, not a trellis.
Braces, volume and price
HighWet soil bows thin sides. Fit rods before you fill, and fill in stages. UK reviews on several kits describe centre bars, cross rods or a stability bar. One delivery of the 360 cm VIREO GARDEN bed was missing the threaded support rods. The HEALSTOK struts were reported much too short for the width. The FOUBAM sides bulged when soil went in too fast, and a UK buyer reported sharp edges. GoCampDirect states 0.6 mm sheet. Most extracts omit the gauge.
Which option suits you?
Three typical situations, each with a recommendation from this comparison.
Narrow beds and less bending
You want two beds you can work from one side, and less bending than ground level. Ergohortus is the best value at about £38.99, with a stated 216 litres and a 60 cm width. Check the 30 cm height before you treat it as access equipment.
A taller soil wall
You want closer to 45 cm of soil than the 30 cm kits give. The HEALSTOK pair has sides of about 42.7 cm, the tallest soil wall here. One UK review says the support struts are much too short, so fit them before you fill. On tarmac the RHS school note still wants at least 50 cm.
Common questions about raised beds
Which raised bed is the top pick in 2026?
Harbour Housewares, a pack of two at about £59.99, is the top pick. It has the highest score on this page. The 191 amazon.co.uk reviews describe these bottomless 180 x 90 x 30 cm beds, and the stated 486 litres matches that soil depth. UK reports mention centre bars and folded edges. One buyer counted 80 bolts per bed. The technical line says Round for a rounded 180 x 90 cm bed. A 30 cm side is not a seated working height.
How much does a raised bed cost?
Extracted amazon.co.uk prices in this set run from about £30.63 to about £59.99. The VIREO GARDEN round pair is about £30.63. Ergohortus, the best value, is about £38.99 for two 120 x 60 x 30 cm beds. HEALSTOK is about £52.05 and WILLOW WEAVE about £53.99. Harbour Housewares and KING BIRD are both about £59.99. These are capture prices and can move. Fill for a two-pack can cost more than the frame, because a 180 x 90 x 30 cm bed is 486 litres.
How high and how wide should a raised bed be?
Use the soil wall, not a trellis. The Royal Horticultural Society says 30 cm suits salad, strawberries and dwarf bulbs, and that most other plants, especially fruit bushes, want 45 cm or more. Thrive’s seated working height is about 615 mm, so a 30 cm kit is not that height. Keep the width under 1.5 m so you can reach the centre without standing on the soil. About 1.2 m is the no-dig working width. A 60 cm trough suits one-sided access.
Can you put a raised bed on paving?
You can, but an open 30 cm kit does not hold a full soil depth on its own. On concrete, mortared slabs or tarmac there is no soil below. The Royal Horticultural Society’s school note wants beds on tarmac at least 50 cm high. A 30 cm open kit needs a liner that holds soil and a route for water out. The tallest soil wall in this set is about 42.7 cm, on the HEALSTOK pair, which is still short of 50 cm.
How many litres of soil does a raised bed need?
Litres are length times width times soil depth in metres, times 1,000. A 180 x 90 x 30 cm bed is 486 litres. Harbour Housewares and the WILLOW WEAVE pair both state 486 litres for that size. Do not use a trellis height. The KING BIRD dimension line states 2,916 litres, which matches the 180 cm overall height, not the 30 cm soil wall. A 30 cm depth on that bed is 486 litres before settlement. Cardboard in the bottom reduces the fill, as one Ergohortus buyer found.
Do you need planning permission for a raised bed?
A low kit in a house garden is often outside planning control, as a matter of fact and degree. A platform over 0.3 m is a different permitted-development limit on the GOV.UK householder guidance. Flats, listed buildings and large permanent runs need the local authority. The Consumer Rights Act 2015 treats satisfactory quality as including safety, finish and durability, so a missing brace or a sharp edge is a seller issue. No listing here includes a food-contact certificate.
Should you fill a raised bed with compost only?
No. The Royal Horticultural Society mix is mostly topsoil, because compost slumps. Compost-only fill is a common mistake, and so is ordering soil to a trellis height. Do not treat the shared 4.6 from 267 reviews on the two INNO STAGE listings as proof that both sizes were reviewed. The stored bodies describe the long trough, not the 60 cm three-pack. What you put in the frame, including peat-free mixes, is a separate choice on the raised bed compost comparison.
Our verdict
Harbour Housewares, a pack of two at about £59.99, is the top pick. It has the highest score. The 191 reviews describe these bottomless 180 x 90 x 30 cm beds, the stated 486 litres matches that soil depth, and UK reports mention centre bars and folded edges. One buyer counted 80 bolts per bed, and £59.99 is the joint highest price. Ergohortus, two open 120 x 60 x 30 cm beds at about £38.99, is the best value: 4.7 from 105 reviews, a stated 216 litres, and rubber trim and centre bars in UK reviews. A 30 cm side is not a seated working height. The other nine rows have no badge. The VIREO GARDEN round pair is the lowest shelf price, at about £30.63, and has no badge because reviewers still describe a lot of nuts and bolts against a no-extra-tools line.
Best overallView offer
Harbour Housewares raised beds, pack of 2
Highest score: 191 reviews describe these bottomless 180 x 90 x 30 cm beds, and 486 litres matches that soil depth.
Best value
View offer
Ergohortus oval raised beds, 2-pack
Two open 120 x 60 x 30 cm beds at about £38.99, with 4.7 from 105 reviews and a stated 216 litres.
Editorial
Editor, DIY & tools
Raised bedsGreenhouses and compostDIY tools
Peter F. is the editor for DIY & tools at productscompared.co.uk. Comparisons in this category are checked against amazon.co.uk listings, review evidence and public UK sources.
Updated: October 2026
8 sources checked
Guides to raised beds
Guides on what to look for, how to use a product, and common mistakes.
Raised bed buying guideGround, depth, width, braces, volume, then price.Best raised bedWho each shortlisted kit is for, and who should skip it.How to fill a raised bedLitres, the RHS mix, and filling slowly enough that the sides stay straight.Galvanised or timberRot against corrosion, with lifespan figures labelled as retailer claims.Raised bed on pavingAn open base on concrete, slabs or tarmac.
Related comparisons
Sources
Public UK sources from the research digest, last checked on 16 October 2026.
- RHS — How to make a raised bed (retrieved 16.10.2026)
- RHS — Growing veg in raised beds (retrieved 16.10.2026)
- RHS — No-dig gardening (retrieved 16.10.2026)
- RHS — Creating raised beds for schools (retrieved 16.10.2026)
- Thrive — Wheelchair-friendly garden design (retrieved 16.10.2026)
- GOV.UK — Permitted development technical guidance (retrieved 16.10.2026)
- legislation.gov.uk — Consumer Rights Act 2015 (retrieved 16.10.2026)
- Quickcrop — Timber raised beds vs metal raised beds (retrieved 16.10.2026)
This article contains affiliate links. If you buy through these links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. The cards use amazon.co.uk listing data and public UK sources. They are not a laboratory test.