I slept in a 'human dog bed' and it was as absurd and wonderful as it sounds

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When I stumbled across an advertisement for a human-sized dog bed, I couldn't believe how genius it sounded. The Plufl has the best features of a dog bed reimagined for human comfort: supportive sides, a thick cushioned base, and a washable cover. The result is something like a combination of a giant bean bag chair, a memory foam mattress, and a Sherpa blanket.

Is this absurd? Yes. Has it transformed my life? Also yes. People may judge you for having a human-sized dog bed take up 15 square feet of your apartment, but it's hard to care when you're this comfortable. Here's what I think about the Plufl, including the arduous assembly and the blissful lounging experience. (Note: If you're looking for actual beds for dogs, check out our guide to the best dog bed instead. If you're looking for actual beds for humans, check out our guide to the best mattress.)

The plush cover is washable, which is initially appealing, but the assembly process is so challenging that I'm fearing the day I have to undo and redo it for laundry. Rubber grips cover the bottom of the cover to prevent the Plufl from sliding around. The foam base is 4.5 inches high, which is the standard for most of the best mattress toppers.

Assembly

When I imagined the Plufl arriving at my door, I envisioned it would be like a mattress in a box: compressed and vacuum sealed, with little to no assembly required. The Plufl's memory foam base and bolster sides do come compressed and need time to fluff up (the brand recommends 24 hours, but mine reached full capacity after four), but then you have to get all of the components inside the cover. 

Constructing the Plufl was one of the hardest things I have ever done. There is no give between the fabric cover and the inserts — while this makes it firm and unlikely to become misshapen, it makes assembly a strenuous task.  

The cover is one piece with internal sections for the inserts. You insert the cylindrical bolsters through what are functionally the cover's sleeves, pushing from one end and pulling from the other. When the same amount of the bolster is sticking out from the top and bottom, you fold the ends inward to make the oval shape.

How it fits in your space

This thing is huge. It's longer than I am tall (over 5 feet) and almost 3 feet wide. Still, the Plufl is not a two-seater (though the company just launched an extra-large version that purports to hold two people). I seriously considered whether I could replace my couch or armchair with it, but it could only fit two people sitting up as opposed to the glorious reclining it's made for. Plus, with the plush cover and the close quarters, it's a recipe for overheating. 

For casual get-togethers with close friends, the Plufl does provide extra seating. And in a pinch, you could definitely swing this as an air mattress replacement.

Why I love it

The raised sides are the best part of the design (and clearly inspired by dog beds). The Plufl avoids the issues of even the best bean bag chairs that constantly shift under you or a recliner that has a rigid frame and is possible to tip over. Though the bolsters need to be shaken out every so often, the Plufl keeps its shape and position while cushioning your head and limbs on semi-firm sides. Plus, if you like to sit or sleep with a pillow between your knees, the Plufl naturally offers something to hook your leg over. 

If you're comforted by a weighted blanket or the low-tech version of being wrapped in a plush throw like a burrito, the Plufl provides a version of that sensation. I felt grounded by being so low and held by the pillowed sides. My favorite part is how you can tuck your feet in between the side and base.

Cons to consider

This is not an efficient use of space. You lose a ton of vertical area (a key dimension to maximize in a studio apartment) and it is not easy to store. In theory, you could tuck it under your bed or behind a couch when not in use, but it's hefty and I certainly don't want to be lifting it regularly. 

Assembly is a monster of a task, which makes the fact that the cover is washable a moot point — I can't imagine a universe in which I take this thing apart. Though I managed construction by myself, it is really a two-person job.

The bottom line

Regardless of the assembly, size, and price point, I love my Plufl. I had multiple friends lay in the Plufl to see if it was comfortable for a variety of body sizes, and the reaction was the same: "I think I need one of these." This is a luxury both in square feet and price. It's not a practical item, but neither are Squishmallows or Oreos. Sometimes, the joy a thing brings is enough.