Most people think of a mattress as the main driver of comfort, but the base underneath can quietly make just as big of a difference in your sleep. The best adjustable base isn't just a luxury add-on, it fundamentally changes how you use your bed. Instead of lying flat all night, you can elevate your head to reduce snoring, raise your legs to ease pressure on your lower back, or find a position that actually supports how you read, scroll, or watch TV. It turns your bed from a passive place you sleep into an active space that adapts to you—whether that means better rest, less pain, or just a more comfortable way to wind down at the end of the day.
That said, adjustable bases aren't a must-have for everyone. They're heavily marketed by mattress brands — and for good reason — but the benefits really depend on whether you'll actually use the features. If you're perfectly comfortable sleeping flat and don't deal with issues like snoring, acid reflux, or back pain, you may not notice a meaningful difference. In those cases, the added cost can end up feeling unnecessary rather than transformative. Like most sleep upgrades, it's less about what sounds impressive and more about what fits your habits and needs.
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Our picks of the best adjustable bases
Best overall: Purple Premium Plus Smart Base - See at Purple
Best budget: Lucid L300 Bed Base - See at Amazon
Best with sleep tracking: Tempur-Pedic Ergo Smart Base - See at Tempur-Pedic
Best for heavy people: Big Fig Adjustable Base - See at Big Fig
Best overall
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.
What we like
What we don't like
Packed with features that actually improve comfort. The Purple Premium Plus Smart Base stands out for its sturdy build and thoughtful extras like pillow tilt for better head support, lumbar support to ease lower back tension, and programmable presets. You can adjust everything with a backlit remote or the intuitive Purple app, and it comes with free in-home setup.
Preset positions make it easy to find what works. There are four: TV/PC (the steepest incline for sitting upright), Lounge (a gentler angle that's best for reading or watching), Zero Gravity (a slight incline with elevated legs), and Flat. I preferred Lounge for longer sessions. You can also save up to three custom positions, and the base stays firmly in place without the frame "walking," which is a common issue.
The massage is relaxing, but not deep. You get multiple intensities, wave modes, and targeted head or foot vibration. Even at the highest setting, it's more soothing than powerful, with light vibration rather than deep tissue relief.
Adjustable height and practical design details add flexibility. The frame offers up to 7 inches of under-bed clearance (adjustable down to 2.5), and the platform sits about 14 inches high (or 9.5 inches on the lower setting). I used the taller setup and found the motion-activated under-bed lighting especially useful. It also fits inside most bed frames.
Best budget
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.
What we like
What we don't like
A budget pick that keeps things simple. The Lucid L300 Bed Base is one of the most affordable adjustable frames we've seen, and while we haven't tested it yet, Lucid consistently shows up as a strong value brand. It's also backed by a 30-day return policy on Amazon or 100 nights if you buy direct. A 10-year warranty adds extra peace of mind.
Setup is quick and straightforward. There's no in-home setup, but the base ships nearly assembled with a folding hinge design. Just unfold it, secure the hardware, and it's ready in minutes.
You still get the core adjustable features. The wireless remote (with a built-in flashlight) lets you raise the head up to 60 degrees and the feet up to 45 degrees. You can also save your favorite position, and each side includes USB ports for both fast and standard charging.
Sizing and setup require a bit of attention. It works with spring, foam, and hybrid mattresses between 8 and 12 inches thick, and uses metal bars to keep everything in place. It comes in twin XL, full, and queen, while king requires either buying direct or pairing two twin XL bases. That split setup can actually be a plus for couples who want independent adjustability.
Best with sleep tracking
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.
What we like
What we don't like
This base actually tracks and responds to your sleep. The Tempur-Pedic Ergo Smart Base uses Sleeptracker-AI sensors to monitor breathing, heart rate, and air quality, then scores your sleep and offers recommendations. No wearables are required. It can even detect snoring and automatically adjust your position, and the smart alarm gently vibrates to wake you during light sleep.
Zero Gravity is the feature you'll use most. Along with an anti-snore mode, this preset elevates your legs and torso for a weightless feel. I found it especially comfortable for reading and long streaming sessions. There's also a lumbar support bar that targets lower back relief by raising up to 6 inches in the lower back region. It's also helpful for stomach sleepers who often lack proper alignment.
The dual-zone massage is subtle, but everything runs quietly. Even at max intensity, the vibration is more relaxing than powerful, possibly dampened by heavier mattresses. Still, the base adjusts smoothly and quietly, and I didn't run into connectivity issues over long-term use.
Smart design touches round it out. Adjustable legs offer up to 12 inches of clearance, while the backlit remote, usb ports, and under-bed lighting make nighttime use easier. It can also fit within most existing bed frames. It includes a 25-year warranty (the longest we've seen) and free in-home setup. However, like the Purple base, it's not returnable.
Read our full Tempur-Ergo Smart Base review.
Best for heavy people
The first adjustable bed frame made specifically for heavier sleepers, this foundation supports up to 1,250 pounds and has presets to ease snoring and improve comfort while lounging.
What we like
What we don't like
Built to handle more weight without strain. The Big Fig Adjustable Base is the best option we've tried for heavier sleepers. As most bases have a weight limit of up to 650 pounds, the Big Fig base has a 1,250-pound total capacity (550 per side). Adjustable bases have to support both you and the mattress, and this one smoothly and steadily adjusts.
It performs well under real-world pressure. Even with two heavier sleepers, a dense mattress, and pets on the bed, it raised and lowered without issue. Adjustments were smooth and quiet, with no trouble changing head or foot elevation.
Assembly was more involved than expected. While Big Fig estimates 15 minutes, it took me over an hour to build solo. The base uses multiple panels rather than a single piece, so there are more parts to manage. No extra tools are required, but the components are heavy enough that a second person would make up set up easier.
Solid features, but a slightly finicky remote. The remote has Flat and Zero Gravity presets plus memory settings, but I found some buttons needed extra pressure to respond. Also of note, the base isn't returnable, though it's backed by a 10-year warranty. — Kinsley Searles, associate editor
What to look for in an adjustable bed frame
Mattress compatibility: Most foam, hybrid, and latex mattresses are compatible with adjustable beds. However, some traditional innerspring mattresses are not. Check with the manufacturer of your mattress to find out if your bed is compatible. This info is commonly found in the FAQ section of the manufacturer's website. All of the picks in our best mattress guide are compatible with adjustable beds.
Size: If you share a bed, independent adjustability is a game-changer. Without it, you're compromising on positions. This is where opting for two twin XL beds might be the best configuration to give each person individual control. Split-head frames are also becoming more widely available, but you'll also need a compatible mattress, where the top half of the mattress is split, but connected at the bottom half.
Range of adjustments and presets: Head and foot adjustments are standard features as the function. If the angles are limited or awkward, everything else becomes less useful. You'll also use pre-sets far more often than manual adjustments, whether memory settings you've created, or standard Zero Gravity, anti-snore, or lounge settings.
Motor quality and noise: Cheap bases can be jerky or loud. A good one moves smoothly and quietly, especially important if you share a bed or adjust positions at night.
Assembly: Adjustable bed frames are heavy pieces of furniture. The models you assemble come with detailed directions, but you may need help lifting the pieces. If putting the frame together sounds intimidating, look for pre-assembled models or ones with a complimentary in-home setup.
Additional features: Quick adjustability and presets are the most important features. Other nice to haves, include under bed lighting and convenient USB ports, which can be found on many mid-range models, while more luxurious features lumbar support, massage or sleep tracking will elevate the price. We're also noticing built-in speakers becoming a popular, immersive feature. Some beds also offer app integration that you can control with your phone as opposed to a remote.
Returns and warranty: While mattresses typically have a 100-night or longer return policy, returns are much less common with adjustable beds. If you're unsure if an adjustable base is right for you, look for one with a return policy or try it in the showroom first. A lengthy warranty is important regardless, as you want to be covered if there are defects. All the picks in our guide have 10-year warranties or longer.
How we tested each adjustable bed frame
I've tested sleep products professionally for six years and have reviewed over 100 mattresses, sheet sets, sleep aids, and more. I put each of the best adjustable beds I received through several tests, and for any highly rated units I have not fully tested firsthand, I extrapolate the key performance indicators based on the reviews of my colleagues and those of other trustworthy product-review websites. The most important adjustable base factors are ease of use, basic performance, and how well special features work.
Here are the main attributes we look for in the best adjustable beds and how we test them:
Ease of use: Sometimes, you're half asleep and want to adjust your bed. Is this achievable with the bed frame? To assess this, I look at the controller to see if it's backlit and clearly labeled for intuitive control. If available, I also assess the phone app and see if it lets me make adjustments. For those of us who would prefer not to have another remote control on our nightstand to keep track of, we preferred frames that could be controlled with an app on our phone. I also examined the presets and programmable buttons for accurate operation.
Noise: When you adjust in the middle of the night, you don't want to wake your partner, so quiet operation is a must. I tested this by positioning a sound meter 12 inches from the side of the frame and measuring the decibel readout as I moved both the head and foot of the bed. I compared this to the ambient noise (usually around 45 decibels) to assess how loud it gets. I consider the frame quiet if the difference is less than 10 decibels.
Massage intensity: I also measure the loudness and intensity of the massage functions using the same method above. You want a bed to soothe and relax you, but you don't want it to be so loud you can't watch TV. Many manufacturers advertise that their base offers a "deep tissue massage." I have not found one that does that. Instead, the best you can hope for is a good rumble that comes close to making your voice sound weird as you talk. My massage intensity test is somewhat subjective.
Special features: Almost all top bases feature USB charging ports and under-bed lights. I also consider unique extras, such as sleep tracking, alarms, speakers, and voice control, and how well they work.
Mattress considerations: First, I examine what mattresses are compatible with the frame. Due to space constraints, this is hard to test firsthand so my assessments are mainly based on a combination of experience and manufacturer recommendations. With the mattress in place, I adjust the frame from flat to maximum foot and head angles several times to see if the mattress or frame move in relation to each other or the floor. This factor is important because constantly readjusting heavy mattresses and frames may be untenable for some.
Additionally, we examine what sizes are available, whether split units allow you to adjust each side of the bed individually, the location and number of adjustable points, the warranty period, the return policy, the availability of showrooms, and whether in-home setup is an option.
Adjustable base FAQs
What are the benefits of an adjustable base?
Adjustable bases help folks stay comfortable while reading, watching TV, or lounging in bed. They can also have health benefits for those who snore, experience chronic pain, or have acid reflux, but always check with a doctor before using an adjustable base for health purposes.
Who needs an adjustable bed?
While you'll find adjustable bases marketed to just about everyone, they're only best for certain people in specific circumstances. Generally, if you sleep on your back or experience chronic pain, adjustable bases can help you get more comfortable at night. They're not the best for side or stomach sleepers, since elevation can misalign your spine.
Regardless of sleeping position, adjustable bases come in handy if you enjoy lounging or working from bed. For more, check out our explainer on who needs an adjustable base.
What is zero gravity?
Most bases have a "zero gravity" setting that elevates the head and feet, with the feet slightly higher than your head. This is meant to create a sensation of weightlessness, thus the name.
Is an adjustable base compatible with standard bed frames?
For the most part. If your bed frame can hold a mattress and box spring, it's compatible with an adjustable base.
Are massage features really that important on an adjustable base?
We don't think so. Several Business Insider Reviews team members have tested massaging adjustable bases and agree that they're not worth it. Rather than feeling kneading or massaging, most features just vibrate the bed. None of them compare to the intensity of the Beyond-Sleep VibraSonic Mattress, which has built-in speakers and an adjustable base.
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Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at reviews@jkmperu.com.
