Best Mattresses for Adjustable Beds Buying Guide
Adjustable beds offer customizable comfort and support for sleepers. Most adjustable beds are electrical bases equipped with hydraulic motors that enable the base to elevate the head and/or feet of the bed at different angles. Some adjustable models also include other features, such as massaging surfaces and USB ports for recharging smart devices.
Most adjustable beds are compatible with the vast majority of mattresses sold today, but some mattress types work better with adjustable beds than others. Read on to learn about the mattress types that are most – and least – suitable for adjustable bed bases.
What Is an Adjustable Bed?
An adjustable bed is designed with a frame that allows users to adjust the angle of the head or foot of the bed. Adjustable beds have been a fixture of hospitals and other medical facilities for decades; the adjustable angling has proven helpful for examining patients with different injuries. Because customizable angles provide certain therapeutic benefits for sleepers, many have purchased adjustable beds for home use.
Historically, adjustable beds featured manual controls that allowed sleepers to elevate the head or foot of the bed in order to reach their desired angle. However, thanks to recent technological advances, many of today’s adjustable beds can be customized using remote controls and/or wireless apps.
Though each adjustable bed is different, many models sold today include the following features:
- Elevated head and foot positions: As a rule, all adjustable beds allow users to elevate the head. An elevated head and neck position can reduce snoring – making adjustable beds highly suitable for people with sleep apnea, acid reflux, and other conditions that cause them to snore excessively. Many modern beds also allow users to elevate the feet, which can promote blood flow in people with poor circulation and also alleviate symptoms of other conditions (such as restless legs syndrome).
- Zero-gravity position: Zero-gravity positioning occurs when both the head and foot of the bed are elevated. This not only helps reduce snoring, but also alleviates aches and pains in the back, hips, and other sensitive areas. Zero-gravity positions can also ease heartburn and acid reflux symptoms, as well.
- Massage: Advanced adjustable bed models may include a massage function, which involves waves or undulations across the sleep surface to alleviate discomfort throughout the sleeper’s body. Some beds offer multiple massage settings, ranging from subtle to very intense.
- Remote/app controls: Most modern adjustable beds come with a remote control allowing users to adjust the angle, activate massage functions, and customize the bed in other ways. Some are also Bluetooth-compatible, allowing the controls to be paired with a phone and controlled via wireless app.
- USB ports: Today’s adjustable beds typically include at least one USB port for recharging phones, laptops, tablets, and other devices – but some have as many as four, with two on each side of the bed.
Some adjustable beds may also include additional features and functions, such as position presets, alarms, and wall-hugging technology. Customers can learn more by reviewing product manuals for different adjustable bed models. If these features aren’t as important to customers, then they can save money by opting for a cheaper bed with fewer bells and whistles.