What's the difference between upholstered and solid wood headboards?

Upholstered headboards (like the boucle Nathan James Charlie or the velvet 24KF) add softness, texture and a cushioned surface for sitting up in bed, but fabric can attract dust and is harder to clean. Solid wood panels like the ComfIQ Serene offer a more durable, wipeable surface and a furniture-grade feel, though they lack padding. Reviewers across retailer pages tend to choose based on whether they read in bed and on their overall decor style.