The key benefits of an adjustable bed are better comfort, improved sleep, and pain relief. An adjustable bed allows you to change the shape of your bed with the press of a button. It uses an electric motor to adjust the bed around pivot points.
You can raise the upper section for comfortable reading, eating, and watching tv. And, you can raise and lower the bottom section to elevate your legs for better comfort. This article covers everything you need to know about the pros and cons of an adjustable bed.
ADJUSTABLE BED BENEFITS & DISADVANTAGES
Do You Need a Special Mattress?
ADJUSTABLE BED PROS & CONS
What are the pros and cons of an adjustable bed? An adjustable bed comes with a long list of benefits and some significant disadvantages you should be aware of. The key advantages relate to the fact that you can adjust the bed shape and position with just the touch of a button.
This makes it easy for people to sit upright in bed, raise their legs, and find a comfortable position without having to rearrange pillows and twist and turn. The main drawbacks relate to the price of the bed, its very heavy weight, and the fact that your existing mattress may not be compatible, see below.
BENEFITS OF AN ADJUSTABLE BED
Let’s take a look at the many benefits of using an adjustable bed. Below we run through everything you need to know about the advantages you can expect from introducing an adjustable bed into your home.
COMFORTABLE POSITIONING
One of the best benefits of an adjustable bed is its ability to change position to meet your needs. Most adjustable beds contain two or three pivot points that allow you to raise the upper and lower sections of the bed.
This arrangement allows you to adjust the position with just the press of a button. You can configure the bed to meet your needs and provide a comfortable and supportive position for reading, watching tv, or eating a meal.
GREAT FOR COUPLES
Adjustable beds are great for couples. You can choose from a range of adjustable frames that allow you and your partner to configure either side of the bed independently from the other. For example, you can raise the upper section of your side of the bed so you can sit up and read.
While your partner’s side remains completely flat so they lay down and go to sleep. These beds consist of two separate adjustable bedframes that sit next to each other. They allow couples to move their side of the bed without disturbing their partner.
IMPROVED SLEEP
An adjustable bed frame may help ease insomnia and let to a better night’s sleep. They allow you to adjust your position and change the position of the bed. And, this can help people find a more comfortable and relaxing sleeping position. With over 30% of Americans suffering insomnia of some kind – an adjustable frame could be the solution they need.
REDUCE SNORING
One of the most popular benefits of an adjustable bed is its potential to help people stop snoring. Snoring can be a big problem in a relationship. And, if you have a snoring partner you will be all too familiar with how disturbs a good night’s sleep.
By elevating your head and shoulders you can help keep your airways open and prevent obstruction. This plays a key role in alleviating snoring. Unobstructed airways and better breathing mean less snoring. If you have a snorer in your house – why not try an adjustable base and see if it eradicates the problem?
EASE BACK PAIN
If you suffer from back pain you may be able to reduce the level of discomfort by using an electric adjustable bed frame. Gently raising either end of the bed can help relieve strain on the lower back and ease discomfort.
Many people find that elevating the knees and head of the bed can relieve pressure points and reduce back pain. You can even play around with the various positions and angles of elevation until you find your sweet spot.
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RELIEVE ARTHRITIS SYMPTOMS
Another benefit of an adjustable bed is its ability to potentially relieve the symptoms of arthritis. It is estimated that 20% of adults in the United States suffer from arthritis. Arthritis causes chronic inflammation and painful stiffness in the joints.
Using an adjustable bed frame allows you to adjust the alignment of the mattress to take pressure off of affected areas. For example, if the knees are experiencing acute pain you can gently elevate this area of the mattress to ease pressure on your legs. Although the relief is temporary – it may be just what you need to drift off to sleep.
An adjustable base also makes it much easier for people suffering from arthritis to get out of bed. By raising the upper portion and lowering the bottom of the bed – the action of climbing out of bed becomes much easier. If arthritis is affecting your mobility, then an adjustable bed may make it that bit easier to get into and out of bed.
IMPROVE DIGESTION
Laying in a perfectly flat position is not ideal when it comes to digestion. By raising your head and shoulders slightly you can actually promote the digestion process. If you like to enjoy a meal or snack close to bedtime, an adjustable bed will allow you to fall asleep in a raised position for better digestion. It will also ease heartburn and acid reflux – more in this below.
REDUCE ACID REFLUX
Adjustable beds can help ease the symptoms of acid reflux while you sleep. Acid reflux, also known as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease affects approximately 20% of the population in the United States. It’s a painful condition that is triggered when stomach acid travels up the esophagus and causes a burning sensation in the back of the throat.
The condition often flares up when people lay on a flatbed and the stomach and esophagus are aligned. By raising the head and shoulders a little you can avoid this body position and help keep stomach acids where they belong – in the stomach. Adjustable beds are a great way of alleviating heartburn.
BETTER MOBILITY & INDEPENDENCE
An adjustable bed is a game changer for people with limited mobility. Many people struggle to climb out of bed and require assistance to help them get to their feet. However, the process is made much easier just by raising the upper section of the bed.
With the press of a button, you can find yourself sitting in an upright position. The back of the bed then provides the support needed to climb out of the bed. The whole task becomes much easier for people with restricted mobility.
Additionally, an adjustable bed can boost independence for people who have to spend long periods resting in bed. By raising the upper section, tasks that were once difficult to complete in bed suddenly become much easier – for example eating, reading, writing, and even completing college work.
BETTER CIRCULATION
Electric adjustable beds can help improve circulation while you sleep – which is great news for people that suffer from circulation issues. Many doctors recommend specific sleeping positions for people with circulation problems.
One of the most popular layouts involves raising the legs to ease swelling. And, many adjustable beds come with a massage feature which can be great for promoting circulation throughout your body.
MASSAGE FEATURES
Did you know – the best adjustable beds come with massage capability? It’s true. These beds come with small motors that are distributed throughout the surface of the bed beneath your mattress.
When powered on they create soothing vibrations that can be targeted to specific areas of the mattress. You can choose a full-body workout or focus the massage on your head or feet. The massage features in an adjustable bedframe are fully customizable and you have the option of controlling the intensity.
REDUCE SWELLING
Swelling, also known as edema, is a painful condition that occurs when excess fluid gathers in a part of the body and creates a feeling of pressure and discomfort. The condition is often made worse by laying flat in bed. To ease swelling you need to elevate the affected area.
This is super easy to achieve with an electric adjustable bed frame. There’ll be no need to carefully construct a pile of pillows for your swollen leg only to find you’ve kicked them away as soon as you’ve fallen asleep. With the press of a button, you can raise the lower section of the bed frame above your heart and effectively reduce swelling in the legs.
EASE ASTHMA SYMPTOMS
Many asthma sufferers find that sleeping on an elevated surface helps ease their symptoms. Elevating the head and shoulders above the chest reduces airway obstruction and promotes better airflow through the nose and mouth to the lungs.
It also reduces postnasal drip – a condition that aggravates the symptoms of asthma. Postnasal drip occurs when mucus gathers and drips down the back of the throat. It can lead to coughing, trigger an asthma attack, and cause a poor night’s sleep.
REDUCE PREGNANCY DISCOMFORT
An adjustable bed can be used to ease pregnancy discomfort. Many pregnant women suffer aches and pains while laying in bed and struggle to find a comfortable sleeping position. An adjustable bed allows you to raise and lower sections of the bed which can help relieve pressure and pregnancy discomfort.
RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME
An adjustable bed may be a better fit for someone suffering from Restless Legs Syndrome compared to a regular bed. Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is a neurological sleep disorder and can deteriorate over time. It has been suggested that gently elevating the legs by even just a few inches may ease RLS symptoms.
RELIEVE SLEEP APNEA
Sleep apnea is a serious condition where breathing becomes temporarily interrupted before restarting while sleeping. People who suffer from sleep apnea regularly wake up during the night and struggle to get a solid eight hours of restful sleep.
However, sleeping in an elevated position may help reduce the symptoms of sleep apnea. By elevating the head and shoulders the airways suffer less obstruction. Raising the upper sections of an adjustable base helps keep the airways clear and may reduce the effects of sleep apnea.
ADJUSTABLE BED DISADVANTAGES
Now we’ve covered the benefits of an adjustable bed, it’s time to look at the disadvantages. There are some significant drawbacks you need to be made aware of if you are considering purchasing an adjustable bed frame What are the cons of an adjustable bed?
MATTRESS COMPATIBILITY
Not all mattresses are compatible with an adjustable bed frame. Anything that contains springs is generally a non-runner. This rules out innerspring mattresses and many hybrids. In general foam mattresses work well. This includes memory foam, latex, and polyfoam mattresses. For more see here – Do You Need a Special Mattress for an Adjustable Bed?
PRICE
An adjustable electric bed frame is more expensive than a regular bed. They contain more materials, electric motors, and moving parts. If you want to add an adjustable bed to your home it’s going to come with a higher price tag than a regular bed. The good news is, you’re getting a bed that comes with a long list of additional benefits
QUALITY CAN VARY
The quality of adjustable beds varies greatly. This means you need to be careful when parting with your hard-earned cash and make sure you choose wisely. If you’ve found an adjustable bedframe with a price that seems too good to be true – beware. Sometimes it’s worth spending a little more money and making sure you get something of real quality.
CAN BE NOISY
Electric adjustable beds can be noisy. This comes as both a surprise and a disappointment to many people. When you crank up the moving parts and the electric motor kicks in you’re going to hear some noise. The level of noise varies from one bed to the next with the cheaper models usually the noisiest.
THEY’RE HEAVY
There’s no getting away from the fact that adjustable beds are heavy. They’re bigger than regular, often coming in at over 600 lbs, bed frames, and contain many additional moving parts and an electric motor. You may need to plan some help when it comes to positioning the bed in your home. You’re going to need an extra pair of hands and some muscle.
REQUIRE SPECIAL SHEETS
Adjustable electric beds require special sheets. They’re much bigger than regular beds and have unique measurements. This means you’re going to have to go shopping for special sheets to fit the mattress and frame.
Unfortunately, your options are limited as most mainstream bedding stores don’t stock the bed sheets you’ll be looking for. You’re going to have to go online and look for a specialist company. And, you can expect this to mean higher prices.
HOW MUCH IS AN ADJUSTABLE BED?
You can expect to pay anywhere between $1,000 to $4,000 for an adjustable bed. The price you pay will be influenced by the size, quality, and model of the bed you choose. Smaller adjustable bedframes come in at the lower end of the scale. And, larger, high-quality beds are in the $4,000 region. With such a large degree of price variation – our advice is to shop around and look for value.
SHOULD YOU GET AN ADJUSTABLE BED?
An adjustable bed is a great investment if you need some help adjusting your position while in bed. They give you the option of choosing between a flat sleeping surface and any combination of elevated and angled alternatives.
They often provide people with comfort and relief that they just can’t get from laying in a regular bed with a flat sleeping surface. Adjustable beds work well for many people suffering long-term pain and for those with mobility issues that need some assistance climbing in and out of bed.
There are however some significant disadvantages you need to be aware of, such as price, the weight of the bed frame, and the fact that you may have to buy a new mattress that is compatible with an adjustable bed frame. This guide covers all the pros and cons of an adjustable bed so you can make an informed decision as to whether they are a good option for your bedroom.
MATTRESS FOR ADJUSTABLE BED
What type of mattress should you use on an adjustable bed? Do you need a special type of mattress? Not all mattress types are compatible with an adjustable bed. In fact, most mattresses that contain springs cannot be used on an adjustable base.
This rules out innerspring mattresses and many hybrids. The good news is that foam mattresses are a good fit. In general, most memory foam, polyfoam, and latex mattresses can be used on an adjustable bed. For more see our guide over here – Mattress for an Adjustable Bed?
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Here’s a round-up of the questions we get asked most frequently when discussing the pros and cons of an adjustable bed.
CAN A SIDE SLEEPER SLEEP ON AN ADJUSTABLE BED?
Yes, a side sleeper can sleep on an adjustable bed. Side sleepers can sleep in a neutral flat position or can slightly raise the head and feet positions to promote optimal spinal alignment. Small adjustments work best for side sleepers.
HOW MANY YEARS DOES AN ADJUSTABLE BED LAST?
Depending on the quality and level of usage an adjustable bed typically lasts between 7-10 years. The bedframe often lasts longer and regularly lasts 15 years and beyond. Motorized elements are usually the first parts needing repair or replacement.
DOES AN ADJUSTABLE BED HELP YOU FALL ASLEEP?
Yes, an adjustable bed can help you fall asleep. An adjustable bed allows you to adjust your sleeping position with the press of a button. Many people find elevating their head, legs, or both increases comfort and helps them drift off to sleep.
DO YOU NEED SPECIAL BED CLOTHES FOR AN ADJUSTABLE BED?
Yes, you will need special bedclothes for an adjustable bed. Adjustable beds are typically larger than regular bedframes and require specially-sized sheets. Regular bedclothes tend to slip off an adjustable bed as the mattress moves up and down.
DOES AN ADJUSTABLE BED DAMAGE YOUR MATTRESS?
Not all mattresses are compatible with adjustable bed frames. If you use a mattress that is not suitable it will result in damage. In general, mattresses that contain springs should not be used on an adjustable bed. While all-foam mattresses are usually a good choice.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
SARAH FOY – Mattress Expert
Sarah joined the MCG team in the summer of 2021. She is our in-house foam mattress expert. Whether it’s memory foam, latex foam, or straightforward polyfoam – she has you covered. Sarah has a particular passion for the unique body contouring effects and soft cradling support of latex and memory foam mattresses.
She has over 15 years of experience in the bedding, furniture, and textile industries. Sarah is a native of Arizona where she graduated from Northern Arizona University in the mid-noughties. When she’s not in the office she likes to tend to her apple tree orchard in Flagstaff where she lives with her husband and two daughters.
