Hammocks - Hammock style beds are easy to keep clean and generally very affordable, but they don’t offer much in the way of support or cushioning. These are best for younger dogs in warmer climates, but aren’t always the best option in cold climates because they offer little in the way of warmth or insulation.

Loose fill - Loose fill beds take more maintenance due to their construction. These beds are typically filled with a shredded polyester fiber or sometimes the same type of beans found in beanbags. These beds are prone to clumping of the polyester fill, so make sure these beds have a removable cover and that the inner chambers are baffled

Memory foam or egg crate style beds are one of the best options, especially if you have a larger dog and need a big dog bed. The basic, entries level bed in this category is an egg crate bed. These provide some orthopedic support, but tend to become less firm over a short period of time. They can be effective with younger, smaller and medium sized dogs, but provide little support for arthritic or large dogs.

These are made from the same material found in high-end mattresses like Tempurpedic. This foam is also known as visco-elastic foam. It has a “memory” which allows it to pop back to its original shape over and over again. Memory foam also has hypoallergenic qualities, which is worth keeping in mind if your dog is allergy prone.
They also have great insulating qualities too. These beds are ideal for large breed dogs for their support qualities and generally have the most longevity of all the dog bed options available.