I once fantasized about how an adjustable bed would change my life. I imagined lounging in bed, reading while elevated, and fighting off acid reflux in the middle of the night. And then, I finally got one. The novelty quickly wore off.
Over the last few years, the benefits of adjustable beds have been widely praised, with many mattress brands offering discounts or free bases with the purchase of a new mattress. Some models come with advanced features, such as underbed lighting, massage, and even sleep tracking. I was eager to add one to my bedroom, but I've come to realize that there is a certain subset of people who will love and benefit from an adjustable base; for others, it may just be another upsell.
The best adjustable beds can be a valuable tool for better sleep, but they're not suitable for everyone. In my case, I'm a side and stomach sleeper, and I realized these positions are not conducive to using an adjustable base, unlike those who find comfort sleeping on their back.
Curious to learn if adjustable beds are worth it, I talked to Kelly Murray, a certified pediatric and adult sleep consultant and owner of Kelly Murray Sleep Consulting and Dr. Jason Snibbe, a Los Angeles-based orthopedic surgeon and sports specialist, to learn more about who can benefit from an adjustable bed frame and their impact on sleep and body health. My takeaway — if you have a medical condition that can be managed by sleeping upright, it's worth the investment. If not, you might want to skip that free mattress and adjustable frame bundle and just stick with the best mattress.
What are the benefits of an adjustable bed?
While you can find adjustable beds being advertised to just about everyone, the real benefit is for people with a medical condition like GERD or snoring. "If you have a diagnosed medical condition where elevation provides documented relief, an adjustable bed can be genuinely helpful," Murray said.
Adjustable bases can help with acid reflux and reduce snoring
Adjustable beds are most commonly used to provide relief for acid reflux and snoring, as the slight elevation can help alleviate acid reflux and reduce snoring. "Research shows that elevating the head 6-8 inches significantly reduces nighttime reflux symptoms by using gravity to keep stomach acid down," Murray said. "For snoring, elevating the head 30-60 degrees can help keep airways open, though if the cause is sleep apnea or structural issues, you need to address those underlying conditions."
Adjustable bases can help improve circulation and relieve pressure
Many people with chronic pain, including conditions such as arthritis, are able to manage their symptoms by elevating their head and feet to take pressure off their spine."Adjustable bed frames can help with back pain by elevating your legs and flexing the lower back," Snibbe said. "When your back is in the flex position, it opens up the areas where nerves are being compressed. This can decrease pain and nerve compression." Many adjustable beds call this "zero gravity mode, "which you'll frequently find as a preset. If you experience swelling in the legs, an adjustable bed can help relieve the pressure and reduce inflammation. Snibbe also recommends adjustable beds for people who experience swelling due to exercise or a vein condition.
Adjustable bases are helpful for those with mobility issues
Others — such as pregnant people, those recovering from surgery, and people with mobility issues — can benefit from the versatility of adjustable beds. Elevating the legs can make surgical recovery easier, according to Snibbe. Adjustable beds also help reduce swelling in the lower body, which is particularly beneficial for pregnant people. Plus, adjusting the height of the head or legs is useful for those with mobility issues to enter or exit the bed.
Adjustable beds make lounging in bed more comfortable
Many people gravitate to adjustable frames for comfortable lounging or working in bed, although Murray recommends using your bed only for sleeping. But, if you're going to use your bed as a makeshift workspace or want to unwind with a few episodes of your favorite show before bed, the elevated head is much more comfortable than lying flat.
Adjustable bases can include convenient features like underbed lighting and charging ports
You'll also find other premium features on certain models, such as underbed lighting, which can be helpful if you get out of bed in the middle of the night to go to the restroom, USB ports for charging devices, sleep tracking and snore detection, and massage capabilities. The massage features however, tend to be more like a vibration than a kneading or tapping sensation. That said, the vibration could be handy as a silent alarm to help get you out of bed in the morning, as some can be programmed to turn on at certain times.
What are the drawbacks of an adjustable bed?
If you don't experience snoring, frequent acid reflux, chronic pain, or swelling, you likely don't need an adjustable bed. When asked who doesn't need an adjustable bed, Murray said: "Most people, honestly. If your sleep struggles involve stress, anxiety, or racing thoughts, that's a nervous system issue, not a positioning problem," she said. "Similarly, hormonally-related sleep disruptions won't be solved by an adjustable bed."
They're not suitable for sleeping on your side or stomach
Unless you're a back sleeper, adjustable beds might not be the most comfortable. Given that your spine should stay as straight as possible while you sleep, elevating the head and feet while sleeping on the side or stomach could cause discomfort. After trying an adjustable bed and sleeping elevated for a few nights as a stomach and side combination sleeper, I couldn't get comfortable. I did appreciate elevating the head of the bed when reading before bed, but I was just as comfortable propping myself up with pillows, and that doesn't require the same hefty investment of a bed frame. Snibbe also noted that the flex position makes it difficult to move in your bed, and makes sleeping on your side uncomfortable.
Couples will need a split style to suit different sleep preferences
If you sleep with a partner, you'll want to consider a split-style bed to cater to different sleeping preferences, but that also requires investing in two twin XL mattresses, and in some cases, special sheets. I used a queen-size version that unilaterally lifted the mattress for both my partner and me, as opposed to giving us each individual control of our sides, which meant we both had to agree on the same incline. My partner, a back sleeper, might appreciate sleeping elevated, but as a side and stomach sleeper, I did not have the same needs.
They're not the most attractive on their own, but they can work within most bed frames
A smaller concern with adjustable beds is their appearance — they usually aren't an aesthetic addition to your bedroom as they're more of a tool. However, the good news is that many can fit inside your existing bed frame. Adjusting a mattress also leads to bedding slipping around the bed, and sheets can slip off the corners when the bed adjusts.
The bottom line
Is an adjustable bed worth it for most people? The short answer is no — unless you sleep predominantly on your back, plan to watch TV or read in bed, or have a medical condition where sleeping elevated could alleviate symptoms. Snibbe recommends adjustable beds for those who experience chronic leg swelling or spinal conditions, and Murray agrees. "They're worth it if you have a diagnosed condition where elevation provides documented relief and you've tried less expensive alternatives without success," Murray said. "But if you're hoping an adjustable bed will cure chronic insomnia without understanding why you're not sleeping, you'll likely be disappointed."
If you're interested in elevating your position while you sleep but aren't sure if it's for you, Murray recommends trying less expensive alternatives first, such as wedge pillows or adjusting your pillow placement.
Get an adjustable bed if you:
- Sleep on your back
- Can treat symptoms of a documented medical condition by sleeping elevated (but always consult with a medical professional first)
- Like to watch TV, read, or work from bed
- Use a hybrid or foam mattress
Skip an adjustable bed if you:
- Sleep on your stomach or side
- Toss or turn at night
- Sleep on an innerspring mattress
The best adjustable beds we've tested
If you think you'd benefit from an adjustable bed, these are the best adjustable beds we've tested.
The Purple Premium Plus Smart Base is your best option for an adjustable bed with massaging capabilities, app connectivity, and pillow, head, and foot adjustments.
The Lucid L300 Bed Base is an excellent budget adjustable bed option that comes with a generous return policy and a 10-year warranty. However, it lacks bells and whistles, such as massage features or under-bed lights. The backlit remote, though, has a flashlight, and the bed features built-in USB ports.
If you are looking for an adjustable bed frame that provides hard data to guide you in improving your restfulness, consider the Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Ergo Smart Base.
