Best Adjustable Bed Brands

An adjustable bed, also known as a power bed, is a mechanical bed frame that can change positions in order to manipulate the position of the mattress. Traditionally, remotes are used to change the position of these electric beds. Now, apps are also commonly used. With an adjustable bed frame, you can turn what looks like a traditional bed into a reclining bed with your head and feet raised. Adjustable beds offer several positions, letting the user choose whichever setup they prefer.

Adjustable beds usually come without a mattress. Sometimes, however, an adjustable bed and mattress come in a bundle, so make sure you know what you’re getting before you make a purchase.

How do adjustable beds work?

Adjustable beds work by allowing you to alter the position of the mattress to find the ideal sleeping or sitting position, specifically one that correctly aligns and supports your body and spine. On a traditional bed, the curves of your body against the flat mattress means there will be gaps between you and the mattress. This is not optimal for comfort.

A motorized adjustable bed frame works by raising, lowering and moving hinges in the base of the bed, thus adjusting the mattress into new positions. With the touch of a few buttons on a remote or app, the bed will re-align. With mattress alignments that are better at accommodating the curves of your body, you will be able to sleep more restfully and relax more comfortably in your bed. An adjustable bed base will work with a variety of mattresses.

1. Decide if you need a split adjustable bed

If you will be sharing a bed with a partner, you should consider buying a split adjustable bed, also known as a dual adjustable bed. Split adjustable beds are just what they sound like–they have a split running down the middle, meaning two separate mattresses share one adjustable bed frame. Each side of the bed frame functions independently, allowing both persons sharing the bed to customize their bed’s alignment to their own liking. It also means users won’t wake up their partner by shifting in their sleep.

Dual adjustable beds typically come in queen and king sizes. Each side of a split king adjustable bed is equivalent in size to a twin XL bed. Each side of a split queen adjustable bed is slightly thinner than a twin bed.

2. Choose which adjustable bed features you want

Adjustable beds come with a wide variety of features that make them more comfortable, convenient and restful than ever.

• Zero gravity bed: Most adjustable beds have a zero-gravity preset. These alignments are meant to mimic the effects of zero-gravity environments. This position can help eliminate snoring, reduce swelling, diminish the effects of acid reflux and help relax sore muscles.
• Adjustable massage bed: Some adjustable beds have built-in massage options. The frame will gently vibrate the mattress, helping soothe aches and pains or just allowing users to relax.
• Wall hugger adjustable bed: Because adjustable beds raise the user’s torso at an angle, they will find themselves in a new position relative to their nightstand when they adjust their bed. This strange, disconcerting feeling can be prevented with a wall hugger implementation. The wall hugger implementation adjusts the position of your bed every time it is re-aligned, ensuring the bed stays snug against the wall. That way you can always easily reach your book, TV remote or glass of water on the nightstand.
• Anti-snore adjustable bed: Many people complain about their partner snoring. This can be stopped or lessened with an anti-snore alignment. With just a slight inclination of the head, snoring becomes much less likely. Just ask about the anti-snoring features of the adjustable bed you're interested in buying.
• Bluetooth adjustable bed: If an adjustable bed has Bluetooth properties enabled, then it can be controlled with a Bluetooth compatible device. This can make adjusting an adjustable bed as easy as grabbing your cell phone and tapping a few buttons.
• Adjustable bed app: Many adjustable beds come with a compatible app. This can be much more convenient than using a traditional remote. Apps come with images and clean user interfaces that will make it easy to adjust your bed however you want.

3. Determine what type of adjustable bed mattress to buy

An adjustable bed frame needs an appropriate mattress. The type of mattress you purchase will determine your adjustable bed experience. When buying an adjustable bed mattress, first make sure that the mattress itself is compatible with the adjustable bed frame you have chosen. If you are using a more traditional mattress, you will need to check its thickness and flexibility. A mattress that is too thick or inflexible will not work well with an adjustable bed. The best adjustable bed mattress will have the right price, feel comfortable and have high durability.

• Memory foam: Made from oil-based foam, memory foam softens and conforms to the shape of your body and supports your weight equally, relieving many pressure points. These mattresses are flexible and work well with adjustable beds.
• Latex foam: Latex foam mattresses are just like memory foam mattresses in that the interior is composed entirely of foam, but the exterior is latex. Latex is slightly rigid, so it helps to have a thinner latex mattress to ensure flexibility. A durable latex mattress will provide great support while also continuing to be usable for many years.
• Innerspring: Innerspring mattresses contain coil springs topped with a padded cover. Innerspring mattresses are often paired with adjustable beds, but they aren't necessarily the best choice. The coils render them fairly inflexible, so they don't always work well as mattresses for adjustable beds. The flexibility and comfort of foam and latex mattresses will typically work better.

  If you are set on using an innerspring mattress, either to save money or because you already have one, you will need to make sure that it is thin enough and flexible enough to work with an adjustable bed. If your innerspring mattress meets these standards, then it can serve as an economical option for your adjustable bed.

• Air bed: Air beds work by increasing or decreasing the air pressure of the chambers inside the mattress. Air beds are often an appealing option for adjustable beds because of their low price, but it’s better to choose a higher end air bed mattress that is flexible and durable enough to work with your adjustable bed frame. Most air bed mattresses are too rigid to work with adjustable beds, even if they have multiple air chambers.

Although you might find some adjustable beds for as little as $300 to $500, most adjustable bed prices will fall into the range of $1,000 to $3,500. The cost of adjustable bed frames can even reach $6,000 for higher-end models. Keep in mind that this is just the price for the adjustable bed frame, not the mattress, which you most likely will need to buy separately.

Choose the right adjustable bed warranty

Make sure to carefully consider the type of warranty you want when you are buying an adjustable bed. You will see adjustable bed warranties ranging from 3–40 years. It's smart to look for a 10 to 20 year warranty. If an adjustable bed offers a lifetime warranty, make sure to ask what this actually includes. A lifetime warranty sounds great, but if it only covers minimal repairs, it won’t be very useful. Also, some longer warranties fall into prorated coverage as the years go on, meaning that you will have to pay significant portions of repair bills, sometimes up to 75 percent. A non-prorated warranty, on the other hand, means you won't have to pay any additional charges other than shipping and handling for parts.

Benefits of adjustable beds

Beyond the comfort offered by being able to sit upright while you read a book or watch TV in bed, there are also numerous health benefits of adjustable beds.

• Healthy posture: The alignments offered by adjustable beds provide ample opportunity for users to adopt healthy postures while sitting or sleeping in bed. A healthy posture can help relieve neck and shoulder tension, aid in digestion and alleviate sleep apnea and snoring.
• Customized support: Adjustable beds are designed to be customizable, so users can align them just how they want in order to provide proper support. Customized support from an adjustable bed can help relieve back pain, reduce heartburn and acid reflux, provide relief from sciatica and arthritis and help users sleep better.
• Appropriate circulation: Certain adjustable bed alignments, like ones that elevate your feet, can help improve the circulation of blood. Better circulation can help with joint mobility, soothing minor aches and pains and decreasing leg swelling or edema.

Disadvantages of adjustable beds

While adjustable beds offer a great deal of comfort, they also have a few downsides.

• Adjustable beds are expensive: There's just no way around it, adjustable beds cost a lot of money. The cheap ones you might find that cost a couple hundred dollars are low quality and just don't cut it. It’s best to steer clear of any product that seems too good to be true.
• Adjustable beds can break: It takes a lot of effort to break a traditional bed frame. An adjustable bed frame is a motorized bed with moving parts that can break. If you opt for a comprehensive warranty, you'll be able to make these repairs cheaply.
• They’re not like traditional beds: This presents a host of smaller problems. Not all mattresses will work with adjustable beds. Sheets often fit poorly on them. They require electricity, are heavy and can be difficult to clean. Finally, they are hard to get used to if you tend to toss and turn in the night.

Are adjustable beds worth it?

As long as you can afford an adjustable bed and you consider comfort a vital factor, you will probably be more than happy with purchasing an adjustable bed. You just have to make sure beforehand that you have or can buy a compatible mattress. Adjustable beds are worth it for those willing to make an expensive purchase for the benefits of comfort, better sleep and better health.