Metal vs Cedar Raised Beds?
By Nate Sawyer, Editor · Updated July 2026
DIYPicks is reader-supported. As an Amazon Associate and affiliate of home-improvement retailers, we may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site — at no extra cost to you. This never affects our recommendations.
Vego Garden 17" Tall 6-in-1 Modular Metal Raised Garden Bed
A premium modular metal raised bed whose Aluzinc coating resists rust far better than plain galvanized or wood, a buy-it-once choice rated 20-plus years, with 6-in-1 panels and 17-inch depth for deep-rooted crops. Weigh the costs: it runs several times a galvanized kit, needs a large, costly volume of soil (about 45 cu ft), and the metal dries soil edges faster.
| Type | Modular metal raised bed |
|---|---|
| Material | Aluzinc (zinc-aluminum-magnesium) coated steel, 20+ yr rated |
| Size | 17" tall, 6 configurations (up to ~6.3 x 3 ft); needs ~45 cu ft soil at full config |
| Drainage | Open bottom (drains into ground) |
| Best for | Deep-rooted vegetables and long-term raised-bed gardening |
Infinite Cedar Premium Cedar Raised Garden Bed (4x4x11")
A thick, untreated Western red cedar raised-bed kit for a natural, chemical-free wood bed near edibles; the 1-inch cedar resists rot and insects without treatment and bolts together in under an hour. Accept that wood weathers: even cedar eventually greys and breaks down, it costs more than pine or galvanized beds, and at 11 inches it is fairly shallow.
| Type | Cedar wood raised bed kit |
|---|---|
| Material | 1"-thick natural Western red cedar (rot-resistant, untreated) |
| Size | 4 x 4 ft, 11" tall (~15 cu ft soil) |
| Drainage | Open bottom (drains into ground) |
| Best for | Gardeners who want a natural, chemical-free wood bed |
Our verdict
Coated metal beds (like Aluzinc) are the buy-it-once option: they never rot, resist rust for 20+ years and come in modular shapes, though they cost more, need a large volume of soil at full depth and can heat the soil edges in summer. Cedar looks warmer, is naturally rot-resistant without chemicals and is cheaper up front, but it slowly greys and breaks down over several years and is usually shallower. Pick metal if you want maximum lifespan and flexible layouts; pick cedar if you prefer a natural wood look and lower initial cost and don't mind rebuilding eventually.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Which raised bed lasts longer?
- Coated metal. Aluzinc is rated for 20+ years and resists rust far better than plain galvanized or wood. Even rot-resistant cedar eventually greys and breaks down.
- Is cedar safe for growing food?
- Yes — 1 in thick Western red cedar is naturally rot- and insect-resistant without chemical treatment, which is exactly why it gets chosen for edibles over pressure-treated lumber.
- How much soil does each need?
- A 17 in tall metal bed needs roughly 45 cu ft to fill, versus about 15 cu ft for the 4x4 cedar bed at 11 in. Soil is often the bigger line item than the bed, so factor that before comparing sticker prices.
- Does metal overheat the soil?
- The edges can. Metal absorbs heat, so soil near the walls dries faster in peak summer. Cedar stays cooler but is shallower here at 11 in, which limits the deepest-rooted crops.