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Whether you're planting a full bed of flowers or a diverse collection of herbs and vegetables, you should always protect your garden from animals, bugs, and unpredictable weather. While chicken wire and wooden planters work for some and potting benches work for others, one of the most effective options is a raised metal garden bed.
Raised garden beds not only offer a line of protection from critters on the ground—they can also turn any yard into a successful garden regardless of the soil quality or terrain. Simply install a raised garden bed, fill it with healthy soil, and start planting.
Moreover, these raised beds provide several benefits to your plants, including improved soil drainage and looser soil than packed earth. Raised garden beds can also save your joints—much like vertical gardens, raised garden beds can help lift you off your knees for easier, more accessible planting and harvesting.
Raise metal garden beds are the best pick for protecting your plants, nearly impervious to various pests. Whether you're an amateur gardener looking to get started or a pro searching for an upgrade, check out the best raised metal garden beds to make sure this year's harvest is bountiful.
The Best Raised Metal Garden Beds
1
2
Best Modular Option
Vego Garden Modular Metal Raised Garden Bed Kit
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3
4
5
6
7
Most Protective
Best Choice Products Outdoor Metal Raised Garden Bed
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8
9
What to Consider
When choosing which raised metal garden bed, keep in mind the size and shape of the bed, how easy it is to assemble, and the long-term durability. If you have a certain theme or aesthetic to your yard, you should focus on the color options and design of the garden bed as well.
Size and Shape
Raised metal garden beds come in all different styles, with many traditional square or rectangle designs as well as interesting options that provide shelving or other storage. Pay attention to the dimensions of the garden bed as well, making sure to keep an eye on the size and relative shape, especially if you have a small or awkwardly-shaped yard.
Type
The two biggest distinctions between raised garden beds are supported raised beds and containerized raised beds. Supported beds serve more like a border and soil barrier for your garden, with the bottom mostly open for free drainage and direct contact with the land.
Containerized beds are designed like large planters, with the entire garden held inside of it—no contact with the earth below. These beds have drainage holes and can be moved anywhere in your yard without significant disruption to the garden or ground, whereas supported beds will likely become entrenched in your yard after a few years (especially if your plants have extensive root systems).
Containerized garden beds also offer elevated options, which are completely off the ground and a great pick for those who don't want to bend down at all. These are typically smaller, more mobile garden beds meant to move around to catch sunlight and keep your plants away from potential ground-level threats.
How We Selected
We selected these products after extensive research across multiple gardening forums and hundreds of verified customer reviews, as well as trustworthy publications such as NBC News and The Spruce. I've spent many weekends helping my dad tend to his garden, too, so I've become accustomed to what makes a great environment for plants to thrive. We rounded up the best eight options, keeping effectiveness, durability, style, and function in mind.
1
Best Overall
Land Guard Galvanized Metal Raised Garden Bed
Pros
- Comes in five colors
- 0.78 mm of sheet thickness for protection
Cons
- Tedious to assemble
While basic in design and construction, the Land Guard galvanized raised garden bed is one of the most durable options on the market. The 0.78-millimeter-thick sheets of galvanized metal are much thicker than many similar garden beds, making this a great pick if you struggle with pests in your garden.
The corrugated structure of the metal and oval shape of the constructed bed are designed specifically to withstand greater pressure, so you can fit loads of soil in here without worry. At the same time, the open base allows for easy drainage while still protecting the roots of your plants.
| Dimensions | 48 x 24 x 12 in. |
|---|---|
| Assembly Required | Yes |
| Elevated | No |
2
Best Modular Option
Vego Garden Modular Metal Raised Garden Bed Kit
2
Best Modular Option
Vego Garden Modular Metal Raised Garden Bed Kit
Pros
- Many unique size configurations
Cons
- Requires lengthy setup
The Vego Garden modular garden bed is unique due to its interchangeable design. You can decide the overall size and shape of the garden bed based on nine different configurations. If you have an awkwardly shaped yard, this garden bed has a configuration that'll fit.
This bed is also remarkably weather-resistant. Made of galvanized steel and coated with aluzinc, the exterior is designed to last in rain, snow, or humidity with relative ease.
Key Specs
| Dimensions | 24 x 96 x 17 in. |
|---|---|
| Assembly Required | Yes |
| Elevated | No |
3
Best Elevated
Giantex Raised Metal Garden Bed
Pros
- Two drainage and air-circulation holes
- Comes in multiple size options
Cons
- Rust may develop around some screws after extended outdoor time
If you are searching for a basic elevated garden bed, this Giantex bed is the option for you. The garden bed comes in three different sizes to fit your needs, as well as two stylish colors. The Giantex garden bed also comes with two drainage holes to promote root health and improve soil quality.
Unique to this model, the garden bed is actually designed to thrive in both outdoor and indoor spaces, so if you don't have a big backyard, the Giantex may be the right choice—just make sure to add a tray or mat to catch water if you plan to use this inside.
Key Specs
| Dimensions | 25 x 13 x 18 in. |
|---|---|
| Assembly Required | Yes |
| Elevated | Yes |
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4
Best Hexagon
Sunnydaze Raised Metal Garden Bed
Pros
- Unique hexagonal shape
- One-year warranty
Cons
- Difficult to assemble
The hexagonal shape of the Sunnydaze raised metal garden bed lends itself well to planting flowers as well as other crops. Much like barrel planters, the garden bed has a unique design that stands as a stylistic choice as much as a utilitarian one, keeping each root system segmented for better growth.
The garden bed is also notably deep for its size, with up to 80 gallons of soil and plant capacity. The depth provides your plants more space for root development and makes it easier to plant them close together.
Key Specs
| Dimensions | 36 x 40 x 16 in. |
|---|---|
| Assembly Required | Yes |
| Elevated | No |
5
Easiest Assembly
King Bird Raised Metal Garden Bed
5
Easiest Assembly
King Bird Raised Metal Garden Bed
Pros
- Installation without any tools
- Multilayer galvanize paint for enhanced protection
Cons
- Sharp metal corners
The King Bird raised garden bed is the easiest to use on our list, with pieces that slide into place without screws or small hinges. While it is recommended to use screws for a sturdier end product, those who are particularly averse to assembly can just hammer the sides in and use it right away.
Outside of the ease of assembly, the raised garden bed comes in three colors and four sizes to better fit your taste and space.
Key Specs
| Dimensions | 12 x 36 x 11.8 in. |
|---|---|
| Assembly Required | Yes |
| Elevated | No |
6
Best Mid-Sized
VEVOR Metal Raised Garden Bed
6
Best Mid-Sized
VEVOR Metal Raised Garden Bed
Pros
- Powder coating for added weather resistance
- Rubber strips to prevent cuts on your hands
Cons
- Short barrier border
For a classic raised garden bed, there are few options as reliable as the Vevor. Made with powder-coated galvanized steel, the bed is sturdy and protective of your plants. The tough metal, however, has a rubber strip lining at the top to protect your fingers from cuts or scrapes—a detail missing from lots of other metal beds.
This garden solution is affordable, weatherproof, and well worth considering regardless of your gardening goals.
Key Specs
| Dimensions | 48 x 24 x 10 in. |
|---|---|
| Assembly Required | Yes |
| Elevated | No |
| ASIN | B092J1Q918 |
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7
Most Protective
Best Choice Products Outdoor Metal Raised Garden Bed
Pros
- Squared-off corners to prevent cuts and scratches
- Powdered steel to keep bugs out and prevent rust
Cons
- Lacks center support when constructed
The powder-coated steel plates of the Best Choice Products metal raised garden bed protect your plants from the weather outside. They also prevent soil leaching, so your plants are protected on the inside as well.
The garden bed actually has designs to protect you as well. The squared-off corners are built to reduce cuts or scrapes as you walk by, and the rust resistance keeps you from handling dangerous metal.
Key Specs
| Dimensions | 72 x 36 x 12 |
|---|---|
| Assembly Required | Yes |
| Elevated | No |
8
Most Portable
Foyuee Raised Metal Planter Box
Pros
- Wheels for portability
- Storage shelf underneath bed
Cons
- Small
This Foyuee raised garden bed sets itself apart from other options due to its versatility. The bed is elevated off the ground with a stylish storage shelf underneath, but it's also portable with two wheels and a cart handle.
If the cart is placed away from the sun, you can move it with ease and no fear of spill dirt or damaging your plants. The main planter box comes with a drainage hole to help aerate the soil and remove excess water.
Key Specs
| Dimensions | 40.5 x 15.5 x 31.5 in. |
|---|---|
| Assembly Required | Yes |
| Elevated | Yes |
Pros
- Comes with gloves for assembly
- DIY shapes
- No tools required
Cons
- Assembly can be unwieldy
The Forclover gray raised garden bed is not just a quality option to consider, but also provides a few extra items—a pair of work gloves and reusable white stakes for labeling your plants.
The work gloves are also designed for use during assembly to prevent cuts or scrapes when handling the sharp pieces of metal. The garden bed does not require tools in its assembly and is built to handle all types of outdoor weather.
Key Specs
| Dimensions | 35.5 x 101.5 x 11.75 in. |
|---|---|
| Assembly Required | Yes |
| Elevated | No |
Tom Price
Associate Reviews Editor
Tom Price is an Associate Editor of Reviews for Popular Mechanics, and also contributes to Runner's World, and Bicycling. He has previously covered product reviews, startup news, and even professional wrestling. In his free time, he enjoys watching pretentious TV, low-brow movies, and exercising for beauty, not health. If you are interested in exploring more of his work, check out his website.
