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Adjustable Beds: Information and Advice
This web page helps you learn the basics of adjustable beds – what they are, what they can do for you, what to consider when choosing one, and where you can buy one from. This site presents vendor neutral information. We invite you to ask us questions and give us feedback using the links at the bottom of this page.
An adjustable bed can also be called a “reclining bed”, “electric bed”, “power bed”, “therapeutic bed”, “medical bed”, “articulating bed”, “automatic bed” and even “hospital bed”. Some people incorrectly use the brand name "Craftmatic" to refer to adjustable beds.
Click Here if you are already knowledgable about adjustable beds and ready to begin looking at specific beds.
Table of Contents (click on a chapter title to go to that chapter)
Mattresses for Adjustable Beds
When should you buy an Adjustable Bed?
Where should you put your Adjustable Bed?
How should you pay for your Adjustable Bed?
Where should you buy your Adjustable Bed?
How much should you pay for your Adjustable Bed?
How should you choose your Adjustable Bed?
Important criteria for choosing your Adjustable Bed
What is an Adjustable Bed?
Adjustable beds allow you to elevate your head and/or feet, giving you greater comfort for everything from watching TV to recovering from major surgery. They have a multi-hinged sleeping surface which can be easily “bent” into a number of comfort-maximizing positions.
Common positions for an adjustable bed include inclining the upper body and raising the lower body independently of each other.
Adjustable beds are increasingly popular in homes as more and more people discover that they are very comfortable and may provide relief for various medical conditions. People also have found that adjustable beds make it much easier to care for someone who is ill, allowing a caregiver to work at a comfortable height and reducing the risk of back injuries. Total bed height adjustment and inclining the upper body also helps those with medical conditions get out of bed with little or no assistance, dependent on their condition.
Adjustable beds can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $7,000, depending on bed size, mattress quality and accessories. When lying flat they can be indistinguishable from a conventional bed.
We will go into much more technical detail on adjustable beds in More about Adjustable Beds below:
Why get an Adjustable Bed?
The most common reasons someone buys an adjustable bed are comfort and convenience. Whether you want luxury or just a change of pace, whether you are healthy or sick, an adjustable bed should make you more comfortable and allow you to do a broader range of activities in the comfort of your own bed without hassling with pillows and wedges. From relieving back strain to watching TV, adjustable beds have a lot to offer. Besides, lying in a bed that can recline, elevate, heat and massage is fun.
If you are healthy you will spend about a third of your life in bed, and the quality of the two thirds that you spend out of bed depends significantly on how well you slept the night before. An adjustable bed should help you be more comfortable and sleep better. Whether it is breakfast-in-bed, reading a book, or just massaging away aches and pains, it all becomes easier with an adjustable bed.
If you have an illness, the portion of your life spent in bed may be even greater. Buy an adjustable bed if, for you, the benefits of improving these parts of your life exceed the benefits of spending those same dollars in some other way. If you have a medical condition listed below an adjustable bed may be extremely helpful.
- Back pain
- Neck pain
- Insomnia
- Arthritis
- Acid Reflux (GERD)
- Sleep apnea
- Asthma
- Fibromyalgia
- Breathing disorders
- Hiatal Hernias
- Swollen legs and feet
- Phlebitis
- Varicose veins
- Osteoarthritis
- Spinal Stenosis
- Degenerative spondyloslisthesis
Adjustable beds may be very beneficial in relieving back pain. Many back pain sufferers simply find it more comfortable to sleep in a semi-inclined (semi-Fowler) position with their knees slightly elevated. This tends to reduce stress on the lower back. Since your spine is S shaped and your legs curved, a flat bed leaves unsupported areas in the small of your back and behind your knees. You spend so much of your life in bed, it is no wonder that without the proper support you have back pain. If you are having trouble sleeping on a conventional flat bed, and find it more comfortable to sleep in a reclining chair or other more upright position, then you may want to consider an adjustable bed. If your doctor recommends elevating your legs or upper body during sleep to relieve low back pain, neck pain, and or in conjunction with back pain management, then an adjustable bed may be just right for you.
The ability to have a “split’ queen or king sized bed will allow one partner to adjust his or her side for maximum comfort without disturbing his or her spouse.
More about Adjustable Beds
The electric adjustable bed was actually invented by the
eccentric millionaire, Howard Hughes. A dedicated aviator, Hughes was involved
in a serious crash in 1946 shortly after take-off for a test flight. For the
remainder of his life - thirty years - he lived with chronic pain. During his hospitalization
he concocted the idea of an adjustable bed that could diminish suffering by
allowing a person to elevate their back and legs, finding the position most
comfortable for sleeping.
The idea he came up with has given relief to countless sufferers of many illnesses ranging from heart disorders to hernias. The ability to elevate the back allows gravity to aid the heart in circulation, takes pressure off your hips, and lets you sleep more comfortably than a flat bed does.
An adjustable bed, especially when combined with a quality mattress, can give you the wonderful night's sleep you have been dreaming of. There are beds with programmable memory controllers so you can test various positions and then permanently set the best position for sleeping, reading, or watching the late night news. A touch of the control arranges the position automatically. Many adjustable beds provide a comforting massage. A bed can even return to its last position after thirty minutes of a relaxing massage.
Adjustable beds consist of a bed base (also known as a “frame” or “foundation”) and a mattress. The base and mattress are often purchased separately, and thus can be thought of as two distinct purchase decisions. Not every mattress will work on every adjustable bed base, so when buying an adjustable bed be sure the base and the mattress are compatible. This web site concentrates mostly on information regarding the adjustable bed base.
Today’s adjustable bed designed for home use looks like a conventional bed and box spring set. Many adjustable beds can even be placed discretely inside of existing headboard, footboard and side rails from a conventional bed. Leg extenders may be necessary when placing your adjustable bed inside of an existing bed frame. You may need additional brackets to secure the headboard and footboard to the base.
Adjustable beds are positioned by the user via a handheld controller much like a TV remote. These controllers can be either wireless or wired. Many are back-lit, and some allow users to program in favorite bed positions. While programmable controllers can add some convenience, they may need periodic recalibration. And keep in mind that the more options you select, the more complex the controller will be.
Adjustable bed bases can have four joints (back/stable/leg/foot) or five joints (neck/back/stable/leg/foot). Another popular structural feature is the sliding back mechanism (sometimes called "wall hugger" or "wall climber") which minimizes the gap with the back wall when the bed is uplifted, keeps the bedside table within reach, and enables the partners using the bed (if split) to keep eye contact at all times.
In the '90s the sliding back mechanism was found only in the elite luxury products, but today it is more common. Some industry experts question its true value. The "wall hugger" feature requires the mattress to be placed a few inches away from the headboard or wall so that the bottom edge of the mattress does not rub the vertical surface as the mattress moves up and back. For ease of access, you may need to move your nightstands away from the wall as well. The sliding mechanism required for this feature increases the complexity of the bed's articulation mechanism.
Almost all home oriented adjustable beds use electricity to power two or three motors to position the bed. Many adjustable beds also use the motors to provide a vibrational massage for additional comfort. DC motors tend to be quieter than AC motors. Some adjustable beds also have a battery backup system to return the bed to a flat position in case of a power outage.
Electricity is also used to power any optional heating ability that you may purchase for your bed. The ability to heat is never built in to a mattress, but is provided through an optional heating pad that lays on top of your mattress.
Adjustable beds are available in all common bed sizes, from twin to California King. If you are above average in height you should consider getting an XL length mattress because a bend in the mattress may make it feel slightly shorter than it actually is. Discuss this possibility with potential vendors. Bariatric adjustable bed models are also available for individuals who weight more than 350 lbs.
Queen and King sized adjustable beds are often composed of two foundations. Because they are “split”, they allow each side to be elevated either independently or together.
Adjustable beds used in hospitals and homecare are similar in basic functionality, however hospital beds must be able to withstand more rigorous and regular cleaning in order to reduce contamination. Therefore any electrical bed components used in the hospital environment need to meet minimum waterproofing standards in order to withstand the cleaning process. Homecare beds are less likely to be subjected to such intense cleaning, even if used within a care home, and this allows manufacturers to design beds whose aesthetics match home furnishings.
Some adjustable beds can raise or lower themselves, making it much easier to transfer to or from a wheel chair, walker or standing position. These are often called "High/Low" beds, and are more expensive than regular adjustable beds.
Adjustable beds last a long time, so the length and type of warranty coverage is important. The mattress warranty is usually independent of the adjustable bed base warranty.
Each adjustable bed base weighs about 150 to 300 lbs, depending upon its size. They are fairly easy to set up. Keep this in mind when choosing your delivery options.
Adjustable beds usually do not require special bedding or sheets. As long as the bedding is the correct size for the mattress, it should work. For normal "split" King and Queen adjustable beds there are actually two bases and mattresses, so the bottom "fitted" sheet must be the correct size for the individual mattress, while the top bedding can, based upon individual preference, cover either the entire bed or just an individual mattress. An exception to the use of normal bedding is when a queen or king size is a “partial split”, i.e. when there is only one mattress but the mattress is split in two from the top to about the middle of the bed. These types of adjustable beds are rare and require special sheets.
Many adjustable beds offer storage areas underneath the bed, although the motors and lift mechanisms usually leave less space than under a traditional flat bed. You certainly do not want to store anything flammable anywhere near a bed's switches and electrical motors!
If you normally sleep on your side or stomach you will probably prefer to sleep with the bed in a "flat" position, while having it in other positions for other activities.
You may see beds advertised as "FR 1633 Compliant". FR 1633 is the Consumer Safety Commission's mattress flammability standard. As of July 1, 2007 it is illegal to sell a mattress that does not meet these fire safety standards.
Mattresses for Adjustable Beds
While choosing an adjustable bed and choosing a mattress are actually two different purchase decisions, most people purchase them together. Some mattresses are simply not compatible with an adjustable bed. Even so, there is no lack of variety and options. Your adjustable bed vendor is the best one to discuss this with. Remember that your mattress choice is crucial to the comfort of your adjustable bed.
Mattress options have greatly expanded in the last 20 years. There are several websites where you can read mattress reviews.
Coil spring mattresses have been around since 1865. The more luxurious models are covered with a layer of memory foam, latex foam and/or a pillow top. Some coil spring mattresses are designed for use on an adjustable bed. They can flex at various points. A standard coil spring mattress will not work on an adjustable bed. This type of mattress can still be a good value.
Memory Foam was invented by NASA in the 1970's and introduced as a commercial product by Tempur-Pedic. There are now many different memory foam mattress brands to choose from. These mattresses are made from a visco-elastic material. They are very flexible and work on all types of beds. Memory foam softens with body heat and conforms to you, making for a very comfortable mattress. You can also buy memory foam pillows and mattress toppers.
Memory foam mattresses are graded by four factors: Weight/density (pounds per square foot), ILD (Indentation Load Deflection - how firm is the mattress? The higher the ILD the more firm the mattress), Resilience (how fast does the foam rebound after being compressed), and Tensile strength (how stretchable is the foam?)
Most consumers prefer a weight of 3-4 lbs, though higher weight mattresses last longer. Higher resilience numbers also indicate higher mattress durability.
Memory foam mattresses are not for everyone - you either love it or hate it. Memory foam can tend to sleep "hot", be more difficult to transfer on, and is not as durable as other mattress constructions. Some manufacturers produce a combination of memory foam with a soft quilt foam top to increase air flow and provide a more traditional mattress feel.
Make sure that your memory foam mattress was manufactured using safe chemicals that will not conflict with any allergies that you may have.
Latex Foam is a biodegradable all natural hypo-allergenic material that comes from the Hevea Brasiliensis plant. Latex foam mattresses act similarly to memory foam. There is no initial chemical smell. Dust mites, bacteria, mold and mildew cannot live in latex foam. These mattresses tend to be cooler in summer and warmer in winter. The Talalay and Dunlop processes can be used to mix natural and synthetic latex into a 60/40 blend. Be cautious about getting an inexpensive latex mattress, as it might not be durable.
Inflatable air mattresses allow you to have an adjustable mattress on top of an adjustable bed. These mattresses come with an electric air pump and a remote control. Some have foam toppers. They may require some getting used to. Most vendors offer a 30 day return policy. These mattresses are good for people with poor circulation because they provide excellent relief for pressure points. Some have dual chambers and controls to allow each sleeper control of the firmness of their side of the bed. Before purchase, make sure that the noise level of the air pump is acceptable.
Who makes Adjustable Beds?
Popular adjustable bed manufacturers include:
- Leggett and Platt – The largest manufacturer of adjustable beds. Formed in 1883 – Carthage MO
- Flex-a-Bed – Operating since 1969 – Lafayette, GA
- Electropedic – Formed in 1964 – Burbank CA
- Golden Rest – Started in 2005 – part of US Medical Supply (1998) - Raleigh, NC
- Transfer Master – Launched original in 1993 – Postville, IA
When should you buy an Adjustable Bed?
An adjustable bed is a significant investment. If you need to elevate your head or feet while recovering for a few weeks from an illness, you can rent a hospital bed from a local medical supplier more cheaply. But be aware that hospital bed mattresses are usually not high quality. You don’t want to use one for an extended period.
If you have long term needs or just seek the benefits of improving your sleep, purchase a good adjustable bed foundation with a quality mattress. It will improve your nights as well as your days.
Where should you put your Adjustable Bed?
Put your adjustable bed anywhere that you put a traditional bed. When ordering your bed be sure that it will fit through any necessary doors, stairways or hallways, including around tight corners. Remember that you will need to be able to plug it in to an electrical outlet. Adjustable beds do not require much electricity. They use standard household wiring and grounded outlets.
How should you pay for your Adjustable Bed?
All adjustable bed retailers accept cash, check or credit cards. Things get a bit more complicated when you start involving Medicare/Medicaid or insurance companies. Some adjustable bed vendors offer store financing.
Medicare/Medicaid rarely pays to purchase an adjustable bed. They often assist with temporary hospital bed rentals. Some adjustable bed vendors will assist you in filling out Medicare/Medicaid applications for possible reimbursement.
Many adjustable bed vendors have worked with insurance companies, but you are responsible if the insurance company rejects your claim.
An adjustable bed purchase may qualify as a medical deduction. Doctors often prescribe adjustable beds for a variety of medical conditions. If you itemize your taxes this could possibly save you some money.
Where should you buy your Adjustable Bed?
There is no doubt that the internet is the best way to do most of your pre-purchase adjustable bed research. There is even a website designed to help you gather information and make your decision. It interviews you to find out what you are looking for and then gives you a list of adjustable beds, sorted from best fit to worst fit according to your preferences. Click Here to visit this website.
You can actually buy your adjustable bed from a local bed and mattress store or from an internet adjustable bed retailer. Each has their advantages. Internet adjustable bed retailers are likely to know more about adjustable beds since they specialize in them. Most local stores do not sell enough adjustable beds to develop an extensive knowledge base. Internet adjustable bed retailers are likely to have lower prices, and sales tax may or may not apply. However, the mattress is an important part of the sleeping experience, and there is nothing like laying on one to test it out.
How much should you pay for your Adjustable Bed?
Adjustable bed pricing consists of two main components - the cost of the adjustable foundation and the cost of the mattress. The foundation cost can vary depending on overall quality, range of motion and, in some cases, the body weight of the user. Foundations can range from a promotional quality to a premium line with varying warranties.
Other factors in the total price of an adjustable bed include delivery, setup, packing material removal, accessories, extended warranties, financing costs and any costs for moving or relocating the old bed furniture.
A bed with vertical height adjustment typically will cost more than one with a fixed height, usually determined by the length of the foundation legs. While all adjustable beds can incline the back, raise the legs, and flex at the knees, the maximum angles, measured in degrees, can vary. Similarly, a "split" Queen will cost more than a standard Queen since it requires two separate foundations. A bed designed to accommodate a heavier person (over 350 lbs.) will require more expensive components and typically are available only in hospital style configurations.
The mattress cost will vary depending on the type of mattress and the quality of its construction. Generally, the price increases as you move from a spring mattress to a memory foam to a latex foam. Many manufacturers also offer combinations of these mattress types to improve comfort, feel and durability.
While a level of construction quality certainly depends on workmanship, the overriding element is the quality of materials used. Innerspring mattresses can vary in coil density and coil strength. Memory foams come in 3-4 lbs weights or more durable 4-6 lbs weights. Latex mattresses can come in different blends of natural and synthetic latex. Each mattress type has its pros and cons. Combining these different materials often produces a higher quality mattress by using the advantages of one material to offset the drawbacks of another. Regardless, the selection of the right mattress for you should be your most important consideration.
When making your final decision, be sure you are considering the total cost of your adjustable bed. This can include the foundation, mattress, optional accessories (whole mattress heating pad, bed rails, side table, etc.), delivery and setup costs, packing material removal, existing bed removal/relocation, extended warranties, financing costs and taxes. Some bed vendors will quote a price that includes only the foundation and mattress, with delivery, setup, and other delivery-related services being extra. Other vendors will quote a delivered and setup complete bed cost that includes debris removal and existing bed relocation on the same premises, while offering discounts for services you don't need. The point is simple - make sure you are comparing "apples to apples".
The total price of an adjustable bed is one of many factors that can be considered when choosing an adjustable bed using MyDecisionHelper.com.
How should you choose your Adjustable Bed?
There is a companion website (MyDecisionHelper.com) dedicated to helping you choose which adjustable bed is best for you. It has a database of beds sold by hundreds of retailers. The website walks you through an interview process and uses your answers to present a list of adjustable beds sorted from best fit to worst fit using your preferences. You can click on any bed to find out the details, compare it with other beds, ask for a price quote or contact the vendor. There is no fee.
On the MyDecisionHelper website you’ll be asked questions such as “How soon do you want this bed?”, “What size bed do you want?” and “Do you want the massage feature?” You will indicate how important various aspects of the bed are to you, such as “technical support”, “wireless remote controls” and “Bed frame warranty”.
Your answers are compared to all of the beds in the database and a list of beds is displayed, sorted from best to worst. You can change the level of importance of your answers and have the list re-sorted. You can see more details on each bed, compare it to other beds and then contact the bed’s vendor directly for an up-to-date price quote or to place the order.
This is the easiest way to get an adjustable bed because the website has done most of the research, organizing and data collecting for you. All you have to do is answer questions, choose the mattress and place the order.
Important criteria for choosing your Adjustable Bed
Below are some things that you should consider when choosing an adjustable bed. These are handled in detail at www.MyDecisionHelper.com/decide/choose_an_adjustable_bed There you can, for example, quickly see which beds do or do not have the massage feature, or read about the warranty coverage for each bed.
| Criteria Names | Description |
| Wall Hugging Feature | As you incline your upper body, does the bed slide the mattress toward your headboard to keep you close to your night stand? |
| Satisfaction Guarantee | What sort of return policy is offered w/ this bed? |
| High/Low Bed | Is this a High/Low bed? |
| Technical Support | If something breaks, how does it get fixed? |
| Intuition/Other Information | Other relevant comments |
| Actual Total Price | What is the actual total price for the bed, including mattress, accessories, delivery, setup, packing material removal, financing, moving old furniture, extended warranties and taxes? |
| Mattress Warranty | What is the Mattress Warranty and is the company responsible for honoring it stable and reputable? |
| Bed Frame Warranty | What is the Bed Frame Warranty and is the company responsible for honoring it stable and reputable? |
| Fits into your existing bedframe | Can you use your existing bed furniture? |
| Power Back-up | Is a battery power back-up system available for the bed? |
| Programmable Positions | Are programmable positions available for the bed? |
| Big Button Controls | Are big button controls available for the bed? |
| Wireless Remote Controls | Is a wireless remote control available for the bed? |
| Massage System | Is a massage system available for the bed? |
| Available Mattress Types | Is the type of mattress that you want available for this bed? |
| Medicare/Medicaid Financing | Will this vendor help you work with Medicare/Medicaid for financing? |
| Insurance Financing | Will this vendor work with insurance companies for financing? |
| Store Financing | Does this vendor offer store financing? |
| Delivery Timeframe | How soon can this bed be delivered? |
| Delivery Locations | Where can this bed be delivered? |
| Quality Class | What is the overall quality of this bed? |
| Bed Size | What size is this model of bed? Twin? King? Etc. |
Next Steps...
Now that you learned all about adjustable beds, the next step is to begin to look at specific beds and vendors.
There are around fifty different consumer oriented adjustable bed models and literally thousands of vendors to choose between. Where should you start?
MyDecisionHelper.com has gathered detailed unbiased information on adjustable beds and vendors. You can use our tool to quickly narrow down your choices to a few. We will ask you some questions and then give you a personalized list of adjustable beds that can meet your needs, sorted from your best fit to worst fit. You look over the choices and then pick which adjustable bed vendors (if any) to contact. There is no fee.
Here is what a recent user said about our free service:
"Without hesitation, I would give MyDecisionHelper a five star rating. When I began an internet search for information to help me purchase an adjustable bed, I was overwhelmed by all of the options. I was so confused that I was almost ready to give up on the idea."
"Fortunately, I came across MyDecisionHelper! It made it so easy to organize my priorities and then helped me find the companies that best fit those categories. It even suggested some very important questions that I would not even have thought to ask."
"Armed with a list of products and sellers that best fit my preferences, I was able to purchase an adjustable bed with confidence that I knew what I was buying. Not only did MyDecisionHelper save me hours of time in research, it also saved me money as competing sellers lowered their prices."
-- Mary C., Michigan
To use MyDecisionHelper to choose an adjustable bed please Click Here.
As always, thank you for using www.MyDecisionHelper.com to help you choose an adjustable bed!
