Forget what you think you know about adjustable beds. They no longer have that clinical look of the past. In fact, they’ve become a core element of high-performance sleep.

Modern adjustable bases let you lift your head, feet, or both with a remote or smartphone app. That small shift in elevation can make a big difference when it comes to relieving pressure on your back and helping you find a more comfortable position for sleeping, reading, or watching TV.

Simply put, adjustable beds can help you sleep better, recover faster, and live more comfortably.

Quick History of Adjustable Beds

The first bed with three separate, adjustable sections was created in 1909 by Dr. Willis D. Gatch. The “Gatch Bed,” as it was known, revolutionized healthcare, especially after World War II, when medical priorities shifted to focus on patient comfort and recovery.

The first bed with an electric engine debuted in 1952, and by the late ’70s, hospital beds had integrated control pads. In 1983, the first electric bed was available for home use.

Modern adjustable beds have evolved far beyond those early consumer models, with ultra-quiet motors and advanced controls. They offer the general public tailored comfort and support, and help contribute to everyday wellness.

What Is an Adjustable Bed?

At its core, an adjustable bed is a powered base that changes angles under your mattress. Most models raise your head and feet independently. With the push of a button, the base moves smoothly and quietly to support your body in different positions.

The days of propping yourself up with pillows can be a thing of the past. An adjustable base can help you find precise, repeatable positions that support your body exactly where you need it.

Most adjustable bases include:

• A sturdy frame and electric motor(s).
• A control system with a remote or smartphone app. Many include presets like zero-gravity positioning and anti-snoring settings.
• Retainer bars to keep the mattress in place.
• Adjustable legs to allow multiple height settings.
• Optional features such as massage, USB charging, under-bed lighting, and more.

Benefits of Adjustable Beds

Adjustable beds aren’t just for seniors or people with health issues – they’re for everyone! The main reason is that we all could benefit from improved sleep. While getting more Zzzs is the overall goal, adjustable beds offer numerous benefits that make them a valuable investment.

• Enhance comfort and support: Sleepers can customize their sleeping position, helping ensure more restful sleep. Flexible comfort benefits everyone, from busy parents to athletes recovering from workouts.
• Alleviate sleep-related health issues: The ability to adjust a bed’s incline can help minimize snoring and improve breathing, which is of particular value to individuals who suffer from sleep apnea and acid reflux. Raising your legs can also ease lower-back strain and improve circulation. Adjustable beds with massage features can also help relax muscles before bed.
• Improve everyday living: An adjustable bed elevates more than just your sleep. By raising your head, you create an ergonomic setup for reading, working on a laptop, or catching up on your favorite shows. Zero-gravity positioning evenly distributes pressure across your body, while built-in charging keeps your devices powered and close by. For added safety, soft under-bed lighting helps you navigate your room at any hour.

Adjustable vs. Traditional Mattress Base

Traditional bed frames serve as a sturdy foundation for a mattress but they offer limited adjustments to your sleeping or lounging position.

Here is a comparison chart to reference if you’re deliberating between a traditional frame and an adjustable base:

Compatibility and Choosing a Mattress

Most mattresses are designed to work with adjustable bases. Memory foam and hybrid mattresses flex easily and maintain support as the power base moves. They also quickly return to their original shape. Traditional innerspring models are a bit more rigid and may struggle to bend, though some newer models are more compatible with an adjustable base. Check the manufacturer’s guidelines, or if you’re testing out mattresses in store, ask an associate to be sure it’s compatible with an adjustable base.

In terms of choosing a mattress to pair with an adjustable base, consider a split head king if you share your bed with a partner. Unlike a standard mattress, a split head is divided at the top, allowing each side to elevate independently. This allows one person to sit up and read or watch TV while the other remains completely flat.

Adjustable Base Myths Debunked

Despite a surge in popularity, several common misconceptions persist about adjustable bases. To help separate fact from fiction, here are the most prevalent concerns and the truth about each.

“Adjustable beds are only for older adults.” 

Adjustable beds are popular with seniors for good reason, but everyone can benefit. The personalized comfort can relieve pain and help with many sleep disruptors, such as acid reflux and snoring.

“Adjustable beds ruin mattresses.”

Quality memory foam and hybrid mattresses can handle repeated bending and are designed to play nicely with adjustable bases.

“Adjustable beds are noisy.”

Modern power bases use quiet motors. A soft hum during movement is normal, but it generally isn’t loud enough to wake a sleeping partner.

“Adjustable bases are too expensive.”

There are many options for affordable adjustable bases. If price is an issue, keep that in mind when considering options with additional features. Additionally, Raymour & Flanigan provides a free adjustable base with a mattress purchase of $995 or more.

“Adjustable bases don’t pair with existing frames or headboards.”

This isn’t necessarily true. Many adjustable bases fit inside standard platform or panel frames once slats or the center support are removed. And many bases include universal headboard brackets or offer them as accessories.

Adjustable Beds: From Clinical Roots to Home Comfort

The mattress is the headliner of the bedroom, but an adjustable base can be an award-winning supporting star. It’s all about designing a sleep system that makes you more comfortable. The Core 4 elements – adjustable base, pillows, sheets, and protector – work in harmony with the mattress to support you while you sleep and help you wake up feeling refreshed.

If you’re not getting your best rest or are constantly waking with aches and pains, it may be time to rethink your foundation. The evolution of adjustable beds from a hospital staple to a modern bedroom essential is a testament to the impact it has on medical relief and sleep health.

Don’t just settle for OK sleep and start finding your perfect angle. Your best night’s sleep may just be a single button-press away.