Adjustable beds take comfort in the bedroom to the next level by giving you control over how you sleep. Also called power beds and adjustable bases, they are the shapeshifters in the bed universe, and are designed to lift or lower the upper and lower sections of your mattress independently. With an adjustable bed, you can customize the angles of your mattress in real-time to find your favorite sleep position, and they have also been shown to provide some health benefits.

Adjustable beds take into consideration that different people have different preferences and that we have been sleeping on leveled or perfectly straight mattresses for only too long – it’s gotten boring. And their functionalities extend beyond sleep time. Click a few buttons, and you can quickly transform your mattress into a couch or pseudo-work chair. With an adjustable bed, you can read a book, work on your laptop, or watch TV, all in your bedroom without getting into weird positions that are hard on the neck and back like when using a flat mattress.

But why the sudden excitement about them? Adjustable beds have actually been around since the early 1900s but just not in homes. Invented in 1909 by Dr. Willis Dew Gatch, the first triple-sectioned bed with an adjustable base which was later known as the Gatch bed allowed surgical lacerations to be drained easily while patients rested. A modern version of the Gatch bed is what you’ll find in hospitals.

But early adjustable beds were noisy, large, technical to operate, and very expensive. This meant that their use was limited to hospitals and recovery homes. However, thanks to modern innovation, they are now more compact, affordable, and convenient to use than ever.

How do Adjustable Beds Work?

Adjustable beds are exactly that – beds with bases that are adjustable. In a standard bed, your mattress sits on a base that’s constructed in a continuous length and is fixed in place. Adjustable bed bases, on the other hand, are split into different sections (usually the top, middle, and lower sections) and then joined by movable joints or hinges that allow the independent motion of one section relative to the other.

The most basic adjustable bed allows you to raise or lower the upper section where your head rests or the lower part on which your legs rest, independently of the middle section where your pelvis rests.

To move the different sections, an adjustable bed will usually come with built-in electric motors installed close to the joints. These are wired to a central hub that gives power to the relevant motor(s). The central control hub is in turn controlled by a remote controller that may be wired or wireless.

To keep your mattress secured to the base, adjustable beds usually come with retainer bars. These ensure that the mattress deforms uniformly and in unison with the moving base.

What are the Benefits of Using an Adjustable Bed?

Customized Comfort

Perhaps the most important benefit you get from an adjustable bed is its customized comfort. Whether you feel like sleeping level or with your upper or lower body at an angle, an adjustable bed gives you just that.

If you have a sleep partner, some adjustable beds grant independent adjustability on each side. So if you want to sleep flat but your partner prefers to be cradled at an angle, no one has to compromise for the other.

Versatility

Adjustable beds are also the most versatile beds on the market today. Many adjustable beds blend a mattress, a couch, a charging station, and with some higher-end brands, a massager, into one. They allow you to do the most from the comfort of your bed.

Whether you want to work in bed, watch a movie, read a book, or just unwind, adjustable beds are shapeshifting fortresses that will save the day and your back and joints too.

And whether you are a side sleeper, back sleeper, front sleeper, or combination sleeper, adjustable beds are compatible with all mattresses for different sleeping positions.

Improved Sleep

The different positions offered by an adjustable bed may help to improve conditions like snoring and acid reflux. Studies have shown that raising the upper section of your bed keeps the airways open, which may be a remedy for snoring.

If you have been having trouble sleeping, you are not alone. an adjustable bed may be just the thing you need.

Considerations Before Buying an Adjustable Bed

Available Space

Your bedroom real estate will directly determine the size of the adjustable bed you go for. Whether you decide to stick to the same size of your old bed or upgrade to a larger one, it should be large enough for your sleeping needs, but not too large that it disrupts your bedroom organization.

Your Budget

Adjustable beds can get very pricey. Thanks to high demand and the novelty they bring into the bedroom, they are considered by some as luxury items. For an adjustable bed, you can expect to spend anywhere around $800 for budget-friendly models to as high as $3000 for high-end models that include extra nuggets.

However, you can take advantage of great deals that offer discounts on single or bundle purchases.

Noise Levels

An adjustable bed will likely not be the noisiest thing in your home, but between the churning motors, beeps, and moving joints, they can pack a decent decibel rating. When shopping for an adjustable bed, you want one that is as quiet as possible. This is especially important if you have a sleep partner so that you don’t disturb them. The noise rating on an adjustable bed will typically be specified in decibels. The lower, the better.

How do You Choose the Right Mattress for an Adjustable Bed?

An adjustable bed is only complete with a mattress placed on it. Choosing the right mattress to place on an adjustable bed frame can be a hassle if you don’t know what to look for. The right mattress for an adjustable bed should come in the right size and should be flexible enough to follow the contour of the adjustable base.

Like the different mattress sizes, adjustable beds also come in corresponding different dimensions to fit.

Not all types of mattresses are ideal for an adjustable bed. The ideal mattress for an adjustable bed should be very flexible and retain its shape for years to come. You can go for an all-foam mattress like the Nectar memory foam mattress, a latex mattress, a gel mattress, a euro top mattress, or a hybrid mattress like those offered by Saatva.

It is often a great idea to avoid using stiffer mattresses like innerspring mattresses on an adjustable bed as they may not conform to the whole base, but may ‘float’ in some areas.

Bundle offers on mattresses and adjustable beds like those from DreamCloud can save you the hassle of ensuring compatibility and also reduce costs.

What Other Features May You Find on an Adjustable Bed?

The evolution from old-school level beds to modern adjustable beds has come with more features on sleeping pods than ever. Adjustable beds are hot stuff right now, and brands looking to outdo one another are packing not just adjustability, but also a host of other features millennials find useful. Some of them include:

Massage Functions

Many adjustable beds come with a massage function and this is quickly becoming ‘standard’ with many brands. There are only a few things better than getting back home after a hectic day and falling into your mattress while your whole body is vibrated into relaxation. The massage function will usually come with different intensities controlled via the remote. At the time of this writing, you get a $300 discount if you buy a Nectar adjustable base. The adjustable bed comes with a massage function, a wireless remote, and charging ports.

Charging Outlets

It sucks when our phone or laptop batteries run low while we’re using them in bed. No one wants to have to get up to plug in a charger after we have found the perfect lounging position. Adjustable beds save the day! USB or standard mains charging outlets are becoming commonplace on adjustable beds. You can plug in your charging adapter or cable once and for all and keep your devices juiced up while you use them in bed.

Underbed Lighting

Underbed lights will usually be LED bulbs arranged around the perimeter of the base of the mattress. They may come in pure white or may be colored. They give your bed a cool, near-futuristic look and also provide illumination when you need to move around the bedroom without turning on the main lights.

Smart Control

With mobile connectivity features on many modern adjustable beds, you can control your mattress from apps on your smartphone or via voice assistants like Amazon’s Alexa or Google Assistant on devices with voice prompt controls.

Alarms

Traditional beds cradle us to sleep, but many adjustable beds do more. Some adjustable beds come with built-in alarms that are preset to wake you up so that you can stay ahead of your schedule. And apart from an audible alarm, some adjustable beds extend the massage function to shake you until you are awake.

Other features you may find on an adjustable bed include timers, position memory functions, wall-hugging functions, etc.

Adjustable beds come with moving parts and this makes them more likely to develop faults with time. Before you commit to an adjustable bed, check for other benefits like a return policy, a trial period, and whether you get extra accessories on your purchase. Also, check whether there is an in-home installation package that comes with the adjustable bed and whether this service is free.

Final Thoughts

Adjustable beds emphasize bedroom convenience and comfort. They give us even more control yet over how we sleep and push the limits of what our beds can do. With the points we discussed above, and your willingness to spend a little extra than you would for a traditional bed, you can quickly make the right choice and enjoy the benefits that adjustable beds have to offer.