The 10 Best Adjustable Beds
Editor's Notes
March 25, 2020:
When considering a potential adjustable bed, one of the biggest questions is whether or not to get a split model. If you share your sleeping space with someone who may prefer a different angle than you, a split model may be necessary. Just keep in mind that, unless you get a particularly large model (king or above), a split bed will greatly reduce the amount of space you have to stretch out, and could result in discomfort or even injury if you roll from your surface onto one that's adjusted to a very different angle.
There's also the important question of the mattress, as not all beds come with one, and as your current mattress may not be suitable for an adjustable frame. Many are too stiff or can create annoying creases when folded beyond what their designs will allow. If the model you have your eye on doesn't come with a mattress, and you like the one you're currently sleeping on, double check its specs, as you might need to upgrade. This is doubly important if, as mentioned above, you end up with a split system.
With a couple of superior options hitting the market in recent years, we saw fit to remove a pair of models from our previous ranking in the Primo International Flex and Classic Brands Comfort. The Primo model was just too loud when being adjusted, and the Classic Brands could be really tricky to assemble, despite models similar in price and design not having that problem.
In their places we introduced two stellar options to the list, the Lucid L300 Base and the Sven & Son Luxury, the latter of which has some of the best massage capabilities anywhere, and its included mattress is extremely comfortable. The Lucid model is everything the Creative Brands offering wishes it could be: a reasonably priced base with a surprising number of features like USB ports and custom programming, and with an easy assembly and a reliable construction.
Getting Yourself An Adjustable Bed
An adjustable bed with bed rails can help prevent accidental falls, and the rails can also help you shift position by using your hands in conjunction with core muscles.
Adjustable beds can maximize a person's comfort during a night's sleep and can minimize discomfort during the period of convalescence following injury, illness, or surgery. They can also help mitigate the symptoms of chronic conditions, such as arthritis, acid reflux, and more.
If you only need an adjustable bed for a short period of time, such as after a surgical procedure, then you will be able to find twin sized adjustable bed frames for a reasonable amount of money, but you will still need to spend a bit more to get a decent mattress.
On the other end of the price spectrum you will find adjustable beds that cost quite a lot. In this price range, you can get a king sized bed that will last for years of use by two people, so know that your money is being well spent. Still, these top-of-the-line products represent a major investment of capital, thus should only be considered if they are indeed necessary and will be used for years.
All decent adjustable beds should provide at least two functions. First, they should be able to elevate your back, allowing you to sit up comfortably with plenty of support. Second, they should be able to raise your legs, ideally elevating your knees to the same height as your heart while you are propped up. (This can be an important position for people dealing with various issues effecting extremities, such as gout or deep vein thrombosis.)
Beyond these basic properties, selecting the right adjustable bed means considering your needs and any potential limitations you have. An adjustable bed with bed rails can help prevent accidental falls, and the rails can also help you shift position by using your hands in conjunction with core muscles. Also, make sure to look at the control features of a prospective adjustable bed. Most use basic remote controls that are easy to understand and operate; just make sure that you or whoever will use the bed is comfortable controlling it.
Who Can Benefit From An Adjustable Bed?
Adjustable beds can be a great choice for people of all ages and in varying states of health. If someone is recovering from a debilitating illness or injury or is recovering from surgery, or perhaps is a pregnant woman prescribed bed rest, a protracted period of life is going to be spent in bed, doing things like reading and watching TV when they aren't resting. This experience can be made more comfortable when that bed lets one sit up with ease and elevate the legs for comfort and circulation purposes.
Anyone with the need for regular leg elevation should also consider an adjustable bed.
An adjustable bed is a great choice for anyone who suffers chronic acid reflux issues. By allowing its user to angle their torso upward, an adjustable bed provides relief from stomach acid burning the esophagus. If you have long dealt with this condition, an adjustable bed provides a lasting solution that a pile of pillows can never hope to match.
Adjustable beds are also great choices for seniors or for those with limited mobility who might need assistance getting into and out of a regular bed. By raising the upper half of the body, an adjustable bed makes it easy for its user to simply rotate their legs down to the floor and then stand up. Getting into this type of bed is also easier, more akin to merely sitting down than lying down.
Anyone with the need for regular leg elevation should also consider an adjustable bed. Elevation is one of the best steps to take when dealing with the symptoms of conditions ranging from DVT to circulation issues or swelling associated with poor lymphatic system function. (Leg elevation is also a good idea during recovery from a broken bone in the leg, ankle, or foot, though it's likely not necessary to buy a whole bed just for this.)
Choosing The Right Mattress For Your Adjustable Bed
Some adjustable beds come with a mattress. If you've chosen one of these, then you likely won't need to worry about buying a new mattress for many years. That is, unless the included mattress proves uncomfortable. In that event, or if you have selected a frame alone, the search for the right mattress is on.
Just keep in mind that all of these features add cost to a mattress that is likely already going to be more expensive than a standard, non flexible option anyway.
And choosing a great mattress is not a matter to be taken lightly for three important reasons. First, good mattresses are not cheap. Second, you will use a mattress for many years, potentially for almost a decade. And third, you will use a mattress almost every single day of your life, so you (and your partner, if applicable) need to be happy with the choice.
When looking for a good mattress for your adjustable bed, you can seek out most of the same features you would look for in a regular mattress. Consider things like memory foam, a pillow top surface, or a mattress designed to stay cool. Just keep in mind that all of these features add cost to a mattress that is likely already going to be more expensive than a standard, non flexible option anyway.
Another approach is to select a cheaper, simpler mattress and then find a good mattress topper that will add the comfort and support you need. Many great mattress toppers — sometimes also called "mattress pads" — cost well under $100, and can create the same feel as a mattress with built in foam, pillow padding, and more.