How to choose the best adjustable bed base
Sleeping well throughout the night allows you to feel well-rested and healthy for the day to come, and that starts with the proper bed. However, your sleeping position can affect your sleep quality, especially if you don’t have the right mattress. Moreover, muscle aches and congestion can also lead to a poor night’s sleep.
Adjustable bed bases work to alleviate these issues. They help you obtain a comfortable position for sleeping that lessens strain on your joints and muscles and improves your breathing. Our buying guide can help you find the right adjustable bed base to give you a deeper sleep. At the end, you’ll find our recommendations, including our top pick from Lucid, which is simple to set up and adjust to your needs.
What to know before you buy an adjustable bed base
How an adjustable bed base works
Adjustable bed bases operate on a mechanism that inclines and declines based on the user’s needs. They allow for at least a few positions, but more advanced models provide more variations. There’s often an incline for both the head and shoulders and the feet.
Benefits
Adjustable beds are therapeutic, helping to prevent and alleviate several issues:
- Breathing: The slightly inclined position helps to keep a clear passageway through your mouth and nose to the lungs, lessening or eliminating snoring. This also helps those suffering from sleep apnea as well as older individuals, whose throat muscles are typically more relaxed when they sleep, which increases the likelihood of snoring.
- Blood flow: An adjustable bed can help with blood flow, alleviating high blood pressure and acid reflux. By elevating your legs and head, circulation can improve.
- Personalized comfort: While mattresses allow you to find the balance of support and softness you desire, you’re still sleeping on a relatively flat surface. This position simply isn’t comfortable for some individuals, and an adjustable bed allows you to fall asleep in the position of your choice.
Lifting capacity
Most beds feature a generous weight capacity, anywhere from 300 to 800 pounds. In most cases, you don’t need to worry about this allowance, but if the bed is for two people, you may want to double-check the capacity. Excess weight can stress and potentially damage the lifting mechanism.
What to look for in a quality adjustable bed base
Incline
While all adjustable bed bases incline, the degree to which they do can vary. Head inclines generally reach at least 60 degrees, but some brands offer a sharper increase at a 70- or 75-degree angle. Concerning the foot incline, they may range from 30 to 55 degrees.
Retention bars
Adjustable bed bases boast retention bars so the mattress doesn’t slip off the bed when on an incline. How many retention bars and where they are positioned varies. While most feature them at the head and feet, some may also have bars on the side to prevent the mattress from moving laterally, allowing increased security.
Massage
More advanced adjustable bed models include a worthwhile massage feature. These beds may pulsate and vibrate, providing a comfortable and soothing massage. Sometimes, the bed massages the shoulders, head, legs and feet.
Remote control
Adjustable bed bases are controlled by a remote; newer models feature a wireless option for added convenience. They should include memory settings for various positions and timers that cater to your needs as you fall asleep.
How much you can expect to spend on an adjustable bed base
Quality adjustable bed bases typically cost anywhere from $300 to $800. These have a generous weight capacity and typically include massage features and a programmable remote.
Adjustable bed base FAQ
What mattress do I need for my adjustable bed base?
A. Innerspring mattresses are incompatible with adjustable bed bases as they do not fold appropriately. As such, a memory foam mattress is necessary. These vary in softness, support, and breathability, allowing you to find the right mattress. Note that some adjustable bed bases have a limit on how thick the mattress can be.
What size adjustable bed bases are available?
A. Adjustable bed bases are available in various sizes, from twin to California king. Just as if you were purchasing a traditional bed, consider the space available, your size and sleeping habits, and whether you’ll be sharing the bed with another person. Note that prices increase for both the bed and the mattress.
What’s the best adjustable bed base to buy?
Top adjustable bed base
Fashion Bed Group S-Cape 2.0 Adjustable Bed Base
What you need to know: This high-end adjustable bed base blends comfort and style with its impressive features.
What you’ll love: It has a generous weight capacity and a powerful motor. It includes full body massage, a backlit wireless remote, an under-bed light and programmable settings.
What you should consider: It’s heavy and expensive.
Top adjustable bed base for the money
Classic Brands Comfort Upholstered Adjustable Bed Base
What you need to know: This versatile, budget-friendly option has high-end features and convenient perks.
What you’ll love: It allows for steep inclines for both the head and feet. Includes massage options, a wireless remote and a USB port.
What you should consider: The massage feature and motor are relatively weak.
Worth checking out
Lucid L300 Adjustable Bed Base
What you need to know: This comprehensive, adjustable bed caters easily to users of all needs for healthy sleep.
What you’ll love: It features independent head and foot inclines and includes a USB charger port and wireless remote for presets. It’s also easy to assemble.
What you should consider: It’s a little pricey. Some people also had concerns about its durability.
Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.
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