Adjustable Bed Buying Guide

What is an adjustable bed?

An adjustable bed is a motorized bed base that allows positioning of the head and/or foot.  Typically, adjustable beds operate as a result of wired or wireless remote controls.  There are many different adjustable beds and each comes with a distinct set of features.  Some are pretty basic, offering simple raising and lowering of the head section or foot section.  Others add a few special features such as massage or pillow-tilt.  Then, there are the adjustable beds that share functionality that is exclusive.  These are features like Elevation, Lounge, and specialized lumbar support.

Mattress Buying Guide

You can pair adjustable beds with either a single mattress or a split mattress depending on the size. Finding the right adjustable bed for the right mattress is important. The reason is that there are different types of adjustable beds.  There are split sizes, platform-style beds, storage beds, and traditional style bed frames.  Finding the right adjustable bed for the right bed frame is just as important. In this mattress buying guide, you will learn the different mattress sizes. You can then figure out which mattress works best for your bed.

View Mattress Buying Guide

Different Adjustable Bed Brands to Buy

Adjustable Bed Brands:

Glideaway, Ergomotion, Leggett & Platt, Rize, Kingship Comfort, Reverie, Innomax, Flex-A-Bed, Transfers Master

Sizes:

Twin, Twin XL, Full, Full XL, Queen, Split Queen, Split Top Queen, King, Split King, Split Top King, California King, Split California King, Split Top California King

Adjustable Bed Comparison Tables

Adjustable Beds with Elevation

You won’t see the phrase adjustable bed with elevation much.  That’s because it is used to note when a bed can do more than adjust at the head and feet.  Elevation™ is a feature that is unique to Glideaway model adjustable beds.  This special function allows the bed to bet set at an incline without the need to use head or feet positioning.  Rather than moving part of the bed, the Elevation feature tilts the entire bed to an angle.  This is good for people who want the benefits of sleeping at an angle but also want to sleep flat against a straight bed.  Glideaway has several models to choose from with this capability.

Features	Glideaway 600	Glideaway 500
Head/Foot Movement
Elevation
Independent Pillow-tilt
Wall-Hugger
Under-Bed Lighting
Massage
USB Ports
Wireless Remote
Flat Button
Programmable Positions
Anti-Snore Preset
Zero Gravity Preset
App Controls

Adjustable Beds with Adjustable Pillow-tilt and Lumbar Support

Pillow tilt and lumbar support are two different functions but sometimes an adjustable bed will include both.  Pillow tilt specifically refers to the ability of a bed to adjust the very top of the head of the bed.  It’s near the pillow area of the bed.  Lumbar support can be expressed through one of several built-in mechanisms.  Sometimes a bar is used, other times a larger flap within the bed is raised.  The point of lumbar support is to provide an added brace under the lower back.  Many people who experience back pain prefer to have an adjustable bed with pillow tilt and lumbar support.

Features	Ergomotion Quest 4.0
Head/Foot Movement
Lumbar Support
Pillow-tilt
Wall-Hugger
Under-Bed Lighting
Massage
USB Ports
Wireless Remote
Voice Control
App Controls
Flat Button
Reprogrammable Positions
Zero Gravity Preset
Anti-Snore Preset

Adjustable Beds with Adjustable Pillow-tilt 

Features	Malouf S755	Glideaway Motion 600	Ergomotion Quest 4.0	Scott Living Elevate
Head/Foot Movement
Elevation
Lumbar Support
Pillow-tilt
Wall-Hugger
Under-Bed Lighting
Massage
USB Ports
Wireless Remote
Voice Control
App Controls
Flat Button
Reprogrammable Positions
App Snore Detection
Zero Gravity Preset
Anti-Snore Preset

Adjustable Beds with Lumbar Support

Features	Rize Remedy II	Malouf S755	Rize Contemporary III	Ergomotion Quest 4.0
Head/Foot Movement
Lumbar Support
Independent Pillow-tilt
Lounge Position
Wall-Hugger
Under-Bed Lighting
Massage
USB Ports
Wireless Remote
Voice Control Wand
Voice App
App Controls
Flat Button
Reprogrammable Positions
Zero Gravity Preset
Anti-Snore Preset

Top Level Adjustable Beds Comparison

Each of the top-level adjustable beds will have a different offering of features.  Many of them will incorporate a good number of preferred features.  Depending on the manufacturer this may include one or more of the following; wall hugger, elevation feature, pillow tilt, and lumbar support.  It may also include the inversion position or features like massage.  Many times, conveniences such as USB ports and lighting are added to the top-level adjustable beds, giving them more value.

Features	Malouf S755	Ergomotion Quest 4.0	Glideaway Motion 600	Rize Aviada	Reverie R650
Head/Foot Movement
Elevation
Lumbar Support
Inversion Position
Independent Pillow-tilt
Lounge Position
Wall-Hugger
Under-Bed Lighting
Massage
USB Ports
Wireless Remote
Voice Control
Voice App
App Controls
Flat Button
Programmable Positions
Zero Gravity Preset
Anti-Snore Preset

Mid Level Adjustable Bed Comparison

A mid-level adjustable bed might have some of the best features, but it usually won’t have them all.  For example, it might have Elevation but lack pillow tilt.  It may have pillow tilt but have an absence of added lumbar support.  Which features you get are generally based on which brand you are looking at.  The manufacturer of each mid-level adjustable bed will opt to include or exclude features for cost savings.  This lowers the price for those who want some but don’t need all of the top features.  It is important to note that each brand may have multiple mid-level options to choose from.

Entry Level Adjustable Bed Comparison

Not everyone needs the newest top of the line bed.  There are many benefits of simply using an entry-level adjustable bed.  These provide basic positioning for the head and feet, which can help with circulation and comfort.  Most of the time you won’t get any extras like pillow tilt and Elevation.  One big difference you will see in the entry-level beds is they tend to leave out the Wall hugger feature.  If you want a basic bed that will allow for better positioning and don’t want to pay for extras you won’t use, these are a good alternative.

Features	Kingship Comfort Gold	Ergomotion Quest 2.0	Rize Clarity II
Head/Foot Movement
Wall-Hugger
Massage
USB Ports
Wireless Remote
Flat Button

Split Queen Adjustable Beds Comparison

Not every adjustable bed will come in a split queen.  When choosing between your options, keep in mind that the primary difference comes down to the  Anti Snore and under-bed lighting. The Glideaway Motion 500 includes the under-bed lighting and anti-snore button whereas the Kingship Comfort Plus does not.

Platform Adjustable Beds Comparison

Platform adjustable beds are ones that can be used in conjunction with platform bed bases.  They work with platform beds for a couple reasons.  First, they can operate while laying on a flat surface.  This “zero clearance” aspect is necessary in a platform bed.  Second, platform adjustable beds tend to be what is called low profile.  Basically, this means the depth of the adjustable bed is thinner and less bulky.  This makes for a better appearance when used on a platform base.

Adjustable Beds for Split Top Mattresses

Using a split-top mattress with an adjustable bed that is made to be paired with one is usually best.  There are split-top adjustable beds that will allow for independent movement of the head and simultaneous movement of the feet.  By choosing a bed meant to work with this type of mattress, you can’t mistakenly move the feet separately.  This means there is less chance that you’ll cause accidental damage to your mattress, bed, or yourself!

Features	Innomax Upperflex
Head/Foot Movement
Wall-Hugger
Under-Bed Lighting
Massage
App Controls
USB Ports
Wireless Remote
Flat Button
Reprogrammable Positions
Zero Gravity Preset
Anti-Snore Preset

Choosing the Right Adjustable Bed

Just like with buying a mattress, buying an adjustable bed comes with some contemplation.  Adjustable beds can last a long time so you want to get the right one.  Three factors should be considered in the search process; features, price and brand.  You may want to choose a well-known brand that has a proven history.  Prices for adjustable beds widely vary between entry-level models, mid-range options and luxury adjustable beds.  Features are often at the center of these price differences.  Take a look at all the available features to find the base that has features that address your personal needs.