Independent owner review
What we learned from living with Loki’s navy XXL luxury bed and Lola’s rhubarb luxury bed.
How we bought them. We paid full retail price for both beds and the spare covers. Nothing was gifted or sponsored. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Would I buy one again? Yes. The cushions still feel firm, the raised sides hold their shape in our everyday use, and I can wash or replace the covers separately.
How Loki and Lola use their beds
Loki is a very large German Shepherd who appreciates space and sturdy sides. He often settles in his navy XXL Baker & Bray when he isn’t sleeping on our bed, and sometimes curls up in Lola’s smaller one. He also settled comfortably in his bed during a period when he was wearing a cone.
Lola is a more slender Golden Retriever. At first she used her bed more as a pillow. As the weather turned colder, she started settling in it, or in Loki’s bed, more often. Loki can run warm under his thick coat and sometimes chooses a cooling mat instead.
Build quality and sizing
The hidden zips give the beds a neat finish, the raised sides feel firm and the central cushion springs back when pressed. Loki’s bed has kept that feel in normal use, even with his size and weight. Our blue covers also have different finishes. One feels ribbed and the other has a flatter weave. Ask about the exact finish if it matters to you.
Baker & Bray currently lists its Ultimate XL at 128 × 82 × 28 cm externally. Check the usable sleeping area inside the bolsters and confirm the exact model and size before buying a replacement cover, particularly for an older bed.
What we like
- Firm cushion and sturdy raised sides
- Hidden zips and a neat finish
- Washable, replaceable covers
Things to consider
- A luxury purchase
- The snug cover can take a little patience to refit
- Powerful chewers can damage the bed
Washing, spare covers and Christmas designs
With two dogs and seven cats in the household, we value washable bedding. Our outer covers clean up well and we air-dry them. Having a spare keeps the bed in use while the other dries. Baker & Bray’s guidance specifies a gentle wash at no more than 30°C for the relevant covers. Follow the label on your model and wash the removable cover separately from the inner foam.
Baker & Bray also lists green and blue Christmas prints for The Ultimate, in matching S/M, L and XL sizes. Each set covers the bed and central cushion. The set contains the two covers. The existing mattress and side bolsters stay in use. We haven’t tested these seasonal covers, so check compatibility before ordering. See Baker & Bray’s festive covers.
How we refit Lola’s replacement cover
Lola’s spare took me a little longer to fit than Loki’s. Neil, the owner, phoned after we emailed and suggested seating the bolster in the cover first, then kneeling on it to compress it and inch the zip closed. I appreciated him taking the time to talk me through it.
Delivery and the home trial
Baker & Bray advertises free delivery on all items it sells. For UK mainland orders placed by 3pm Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays, it aims for the next working day. Delivery is also free to Northern Ireland, the Scottish Highlands, the Isle of Man, the Isle of Wight and the Channel Islands, typically taking two to three working days. Check the current delivery terms.
The company lists a 30-night home trial for The Ultimate, The Comfort, The Donut and the Crate Bed, with at least 14 days of genuine use required. Buyers normally pay return costs unless agreed otherwise. If Baker & Bray arranges collection, it deducts the charge from the refund. Chewing or damage can affect the refund. Spare covers follow separate returns conditions. Check the current returns policy.
Our cat’s blue donut bed
The donut is a separate design from the raised-sided beds reviewed here, and a good reminder that pets will choose their own sleeping spots.
Materials and sustainability
For The Ultimate, Baker & Bray describes an outer fabric containing recycled plastic-bottle fibres and reports Global Recycled Standard verification. It also describes using unused foam offcuts and surplus textile filling. Loki’s navy XXL tag states an average of 40 recycled bottles per bed. The practical benefit we can assess at home is keeping the bed in use by washing or replacing the cover. Read the manufacturer’s materials information.
Our verdict
I’d buy the bed again. Lola’s cover took a little patience to refit, and being able to wash or replace it separately is one of the reasons I’d choose it again. If your dog likes a raised edge and you want a washable luxury bed, it’s worth comparing. Check how your dog sleeps, the space inside the bolsters and how they treat their bedding before spending.
Browse Baker & Bray’s beds · See compatible spare covers
Check the size and colour on the listing before ordering. Check price and availability on Amazon UK (paid link).
Frequently asked questions
Do the beds stay firm?
In our household, the raised sides and cushion still spring back in everyday use.
Are they chew-proof?
We would choose a different bed for a dog that regularly destroys bedding.
Will the current XL cover fit an older XXL?
Our XXL label and the current XL chart show different lengths. Ask Baker & Bray to confirm compatibility using your original label or order details.
Still comparing different styles? See our best dog beds for large dogs UK guide.
