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Thuma brought easy-to-assemble beds to the masses with its Japanese joinery technique. Each bed is crafted from solid, repurposed wood that interlocks, requiring only two hand-tightened screws to assemble. It's available in several configurations.
What we like
What we don't like
The Silk & Snow Wooden Bed Frame is a reasonably priced, sustainable wood frame available with several headboard options. It also doesn't require any tools or screws for assembly.
What we like
What we don't like
Thuma made a statement with the launch of its innovative Japanese-joinery inspired bed frame in 2018. The ethically-made, tool-free bed frame quickly earned its spot as a social media darling, especially with renters, thanks to its easy assembly and disassembly. In addition to easy assembly, the Japanese joinery technique relies on interlocking wood connections over screws or other hardware, resulting in a bed that's more stable and durable (meaning less potential for wobbles and squeaks).
It's quite expensive, though, and many brands have started to offer their own take on this bedroom staple, such as Silk & Snow, which presents itself as a worthy alternative.
We were curious to know how the two beds compared, especially among the best bed frames, so we had one tester review the Thuma bed frame and another the Silk & Snow bed frame to put them head-to-head as we dive deep into design, assembly, pricing, and store policies.
Thuma vs Silk & Snow: Overview
| Thuma | Silk & Snow | |
| Price Range | $895-$2,645 | $550-$1,950 |
| Sizes | Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cali King | Twin, Full, Queen, King |
| Materials & colors | Frame: Upcycled wood in walnut, natural, espresso, or grey Headboard: upcycled wood (4 colors); Pillowboard or headboard with cushion, both available in linen weave (4 colors) or Italian wool felt (4 colors) | Frame: Acacia or natural rubberwood Headboard: Acacia or natural rubberwood, wooden upholstered headboard (4 colors), cushion headboard (7 colors), and cane rattan |
| Platform height: | 13 inches | 13 inches |
| Under-bed Clearance | 9 inches | 8 inches |
| Trial Period | 100 days | 30 nights |
| Warranty | Lifetime | 5 years |
Thuma vs Silk & Snow: Design
Both wood frames utilize Japanese joinery techniques
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 upcycled wood 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.
We like Silk & Snow's larger variety of headboard option, but Thuma has more finishes and sizes
Each brand offers different headboard options for the bed frame (or can just order them without a headboard as a platform). Whereas Silk & Snow has rattan, upholstered, 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. For those who prefer an upholstered appearance over wood, Thuma also introduced the Signature Bed, a low-profile fully upholstered platform bed design with the same tool-free ethos of the original bed.
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.
In terms of bed sizing, Thuma offers its beds in Twin XL and California King, but Silk & Snow does not.
Both are sturdy, but the Thuma has a higher weight capacity
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 pounds, while the Silk & Snow bed frame can only support up to 1,100 pounds.
Thuma vs Silk & Snow: Price
| Frame only | With cushion headboard | With solid headboard | |
| Thuma | $1,195 | $1,395 | $1,995 |
| Silk & Snow | $850 | $1,050 | $1,350 |
Silk & Snow is the more affordable option, about $350 cheaper than Thuma
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 $345 more. Opt for the classic headboard design, and the difference creeps to $695. Considering that both bed frames are made with upcycled rubberwood or acacia and have a similar design, the price difference is surprising, especially for the platform-only option.
The Silk & Snow bed ships free, while Thuma offers free shipping on orders over $1,000, with most bed options meeting this price threshold.
Thuma vs Silk & Snow: Assembly
Both frames assemble in under 30 minutes
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.
As the bed uses the interlocking Japanese joinery technique, each pieces slots together as opposed to having to fumble with tools and small screws.
If you're not into assembling it yourself, Thuma offers white glove delivery for an extra fee
Thuma offers premium delivery, a service that includes delivering it to your room of choice, fully assembling the bed, and then removing the packaging. It's an expensive delivery option at $295. 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.
Thuma vs Silk & Snow: Trial and warranty
We prefer Thuma's trial and warranty policies
Where Silk & Snow offers a 30-night free trial, Thuma gives buyers 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, the brands offers 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.
Thuma vs Silk & Snow: Sustainability
Both brands are eco-friendly, and Silk & Snow gives back to the community
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 and True North Aid to provide bed sets to Indigenous communities in rural Canada.
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. Keep in mind that you have to pay full shipment costs for Silk & Snow returns, too. Perhaps the one thing that will split the vote for you is the headboards — of which the designs are considerably different. Both are solid options and we recommend both bed frames. Ultimately, it'll come down to your personal needs, in terms of pricing, design, and store policies.
Read our Thuma classic bed frame review and Silk & Snow wooden bed frame review.
Which should you buy?
Go for Thuma if you:
- Want a premium, design-forward statement piece
- Care about customization (finishes, headboard options, add-ons)
- Prefer long-term perks like a lifetime warranty and 100-night trial
- Value Japanese joinery craftsmanship and ultra-sturdy construction
- Don't mind paying more for aesthetic + durability
Each bed is crafted from solid, repurposed wood. No MDF or veneers are used and all the pieces interlock, requiring just two hand-tightened screws.
Go for Silk & Snow if you:
- Want a Thuma-like look for less
- Are shopping on a tighter budget
- Still want tool-free assembly and solid build quality
- Don't need as many customization options
- Are okay with a shorter trial (30 nights) and 5-year warranty
The Silk & Snow Wooden Bed Frame is a reasonably priced, sustainable wood frame available with several headboard options. It also doesn’t require any tools or screws for assembly.
Other tool-free bed frames to consider
In addition to the frames offered from Thuma and Silk & Snow, other brands to consider if the following don't fit your needs or budget:
Flexispot offers several versions of its tool-free Japanese Joinery bed frame (including a fully upholstered bed) at some of the most competitive prices we've seen, starting at under $500 for a queen-size bed. The frame is made of either rubberwood or acacia and can support up to 1,500 pounds.
Nectar's take on a tool-free bed frame is made with bamboo. It's available as a platform style, with a curved bamboo headboard or an upholstered one, and can support up to 800 pounds.
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Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at reviews@jkmperu.com.
