How tall should a raised bed be to save my back?

Verified-purchase reviewers consistently call out 24 to 32 inches as the sweet spot for reducing bending and knee strain. Beds at 12 inches are tall enough for herbs and shallow-rooted crops but still require kneeling. Elevated planters on legs (30 to 32 inches) are the most-mentioned solution for gardeners with back or knee issues, though they hold less soil and dry out faster than ground-contact beds.