Written by Julia Forbes, Lead Product Tester
An adjustable bed frame allows you to elevate or lower certain segments of your mattress into postures that feel supremely comfortable. It can be a fun luxury, a helpful sleep aid, a part of a medical treatment plan—or all three at once.
The best adjustable bed frames are both durable and modern, with a variety of available postures and technical features. Many have built-in USB ports, massage settings, and pre-set postures that have been proven to curb snoring.
If you think your bedroom could benefit from an adjustable base, this roundup is for you. Read on to see our favorite adjustable beds and the reasoning behind our picks.
Our Top Pick for The Best Adjustable Base
The Saatva Adjustable Base Plus earned our top spot due to its deluxe add-ons, like the wireless remote, and white-glove delivery and set up.
The Best Adjustable Bed Frames
- Saatva Adjustable Base Plus – Editor’s Pick
- Nectar Adjustable Bed Frame – Best Adjustable Bed for Snoring
- DreamCloud Adjustable Bed Frame – Best Adjustable Bed for Back Pain
- Helix Adjustable Base – Best Budget Adjustable Bed
- Nolah Adjustable Base with Massage – Best Adjustable Bed for Seniors
- Brooklyn Bedding Ascension® Ultra Adjustable Power Base – Best Adjustable Bed for Heavy People
My Video Review of The Best Adjustable Bases
Sleep Advisor’s Testing Methodology
At Sleep Advisor, our product reviews are based on findings from in-person tests that allow us to have a genuine understanding of how the product feels and performs.
For this roundup, we prioritized features that are especially important for those looking for adjustable bed frames. We paid special attention to components such as durability, ease of set-up, and remote or tech features.
Saatva Adjustable Base Plus – Editor’s Pick
Saatva Adjustable Base Plus
The Saatva Adjustable Base Plus has almost every base covered (pun intended) with its array of features, including under-bed lighting, adjustable legs, and more.
Sleep Advisor Score
5.00 / 5
This base from Saatva epitomizes the word “adjustable.” As the upgraded version of their standard base, it has deluxe add-ons that account for almost any comfort setup you could imagine.
Its wireless remote control enables you to elevate the head and foot of the bed as you find your perfect posture. Once you’ve established the right angles for sleeping, reading, and other activities, you can store them in the remote’s memory to recreate them in the future with one touch.
The base also has a preset meant to prevent snoring by tilting the head seven degrees, and a zero-gravity preset to simulate the feeling of cozy weightlessness. This posture can have myriad health benefits, from diminishing the symptoms of acid reflux to relieving muscle tension. The base’s massage capabilities are likewise customizable: You can enjoy a timed head, leg, or full-body massage at three different speeds.
The motor attached to this base is discretely positioned so as not to draw the eye. It also operates quietly, so you can change your posture at any time of night without concern.
Want to learn more? Read our full Saatva Adjustable Base Plus review.
Nectar Adjustable Bed Frame – Best Adjustable Bed for Snoring
Nectar Adjustable Base
The Nectar Adjustable Bed Frame has a wireless remote, tool-free assembly, and an anti-snore setting.
Sleep Advisor Score
4.70 / 5
Snoring can be a huge disruption to your sleep (or your partner’s). Thankfully, sometimes the fix is a simple matter of positioning. The Nectar Adjustable Bed Frame has a built-in anti-snore setting on its wireless remote that elevates the head of your mattress to open your airway and quiet your nights.
The base’s massage function, which has three separate modes and three intensity levels, is also engineered for quiet. But if you want to listen to something before you go to sleep, you can plug your phone into the USB ports on either side of the base and play whatever helps you drift into dreamland.
This adjustable bed can be controlled via an app as well as through its remote. You can test out its preset postures for snoring, zero-gravity, and watching television in addition to programming your own personalized settings into its memory.
Have questions? Dive into our full Nectar Adjustable Bed Frame review.
DreamCloud Adjustable Bed Frame – Best Adjustable Bed for Back Pain
DreamCloud Adjustable Base
An adjustable base from the DreamCloud brand that could ease snoring and back pain.
Sleep Advisor Score
4.60 / 5
Back pain can be tough to deal with, and sometimes you need a bed that can move with you. If you’re looking for an adjustable bed that will work to mitigate pain, check out the DreamCloud Adjustable Bed Frame.
This adjustable bed has a plethora of features including massage, preset positions, and the ability to save your own custom positions. The design of the frame is also “zero clearance,” meaning the mechanics are contained within the frame. This also gives the bed the option to be placed directly on the floor if you need the extra overhead space.
Controlling and setting your preferred positions is done through the mobile app or with the included wireless remote. It should be easy to find the best position for solid lumbar support.
Find out more: read our full DreamCloud Adjustable Bed Frame review.
Helix Adjustable Base – Best Budget Adjustable Bed
Helix Adjustable Base
Offers massage features, zero-gravity settings, and a 20-year limited warranty.
The Helix Adjustable Base takes your mattress to the next level without burning a hole in your budget. A queen-size version of this adjustable frame can often be had for less than $1,000, and certain promotions during the year only increase potential savings.
The base boasts massage technology at the foot and head for when you need some serious stress relief—choose from three different intensity levels to personalize your relaxation.
Additionally, its zero-gravity posture setting brings your feet and knees just slightly above the level of your heart. This position encourages circulation and can even generate a feeling of weightlessness. You’ll also be able to program your favorite postures into the remote control so you can enact them with a single button.
Priced affordably and shipped for free, the Helix Adjustable Base is also covered by a limited warranty that protects you from any manufacturing defects.
Want to learn more? Read our Helix Adjustable Base review.
Nolah Smart Adjustable Base – Best Adjustable Bed for Seniors
Nolah Adjustable Base With Massage
The Nolah Adjustable Base is a highly customizable base with easy-to-use remote.
Sleep Advisor Score
4.90 / 5
Read Full Review
Seniors looking for an adjustable mattress will appreciate the Nolah Smart Adjustable Base’s ease of use. It can be controlled through either the app, the wireless remote, or even voice control—the lattermost of which can be especially helpful for folks with mobility issues.
Nolah asserts that this bed offers a “Zero-Gravity” position that keeps the spine aligned and mitigates pressure build up in sensitive areas. It also has special “glide” technology that keeps you in line with your nightstand while you angle your head up, keeping everything in reach.
After an easy set-up, enjoy these features—plus a full-body massage, underhead lighting, and USB ports to charge your devices.
Curious to know more? Check out our full Nolah Smart Adjustable Base review.
Brooklyn Bedding Ascension® Ultra Adjustable Power Base – Best Adjustable Bed for Heavy People
Brooklyn Bedding Ascension Ultra Adjustable Power Base
Features include a no tool assembly, anti-snoring settings, and a 850-pound weight capacity.
The Brooklyn Bedding Ascension® Ultra Adjustable Power Base’s comparatively high weight capacity and ergonomic design make it an attractive choice for larger people. It can hold up to 850 pounds total, including the weight of the mattress. Other adjustable beds in this roundup tend to have weight capacities around a hundred pounds lower (or even less).
This adjustable frame has preset positions meant to curb snoring and promote a zero-gravity posture, which takes pressure off of the back and can improve blood flow. The seat’s fiction-reducing properties also keep your mattress from snagging or dragging against its surface.
The base’s slim profile and easy assembly allow for convenient integration into your bedroom. According to the brand, it should take almost no time (around five minutes) and absolutely no tools to assemble. It’s even energy-conscious, with a “power down battery box” that promotes efficient use of electricity.
What to Look For in an Adjustable Base
Mattress Compatibility
Adjustable bases don’t usually come with a mattress, so you’ll need to make sure the mattress you have is adjustable base compatible. If it isn’t, we recommend looking for a new mattress to sit on top of your adjustable frame.
A traditional innerspring mattress, for example, is not always ideal because some springs can make it too rigid, and air mattresses are a no-go because they are meant to be kept flat. Memory foam mattresses are often a top option because they can be moved quickly and will flatten just as easily. However, many hybrid and latex beds are also compatible with adjustable bases.
We also advise you to check what the manufacturer recommends you use. If they also sell mattresses, see if you can get a better deal by buying the two together.
Read Our Full Guide: Best Mattress For Adjustable Beds
Size
Adjustable beds can be found in all standard bed sizes. With that being said, not all manufacturers will offer every size, but instead, they’ll concentrate on the more popular sizes such as Queen, King, etc. However, if you have a certain size in mind, you should be able to find an adjustable bed that works for you, though it may take a little more digging. Additionally, some manufacturers design certain sizes of their adjustable beds so that they will only work with their mattresses.
Support
One feature that is important to check when looking for an adjustable bed is how much total weight it can support because adjustable beds are likely to have a lower weight capacity than stationary bases. You will need to add the mattress weight, your weight, and if applicable, your partner’s weight before settling on a base. With this in mind, most adjustable beds have a weight capacity between 600 to 900 pounds.
Single or Split Base
Another consideration when choosing your adjustable bed is a single or split base. A single adjustable base has the same configuration across the base. This setup means that the entire bed will have the same adjustments.
However, a split base has two separate sections that can be adjusted independently. A split base can be a good choice for couples with different preferences.
Special Features
- Wallhugger engineering – This is a feature that generally comes with higher-end adjustable beds to solve the issue of people being pushed forward whenever the head of their bed is lifted. How wallhugger engineering works is that as the adjustable bed is coming into the upright position, it also moves back, preventing the sleeper from moving forward in the first place.
- Sleep tracking – Certain adjustable bases are equipped with sleep tracking, a form of smart technology that monitors your sleep habits. In some cases, the bed can respond to these habits to help you. For example, an adjustable bed with sleep tracking could detect if you start snoring and then elevate your upper body to minimize the snoring without you having to do any work.
- Massage – Some adjustable beds include a massage feature, which some shoppers may love, and it could help them relax before bed.
- LED lighting – Some bases feature LED lights so you avoid hitting the frame if you get in and out of bed at night.
- Dual-sided controls – Just as there are Split King and Split California King mattresses, there are also split bases. Adjustable beds with a split base are unique because they can offer dual-sided controls for couples. This means that one partner can adjust their side without it affecting the other person’s side.
- Presets – Adjustable beds can come with preset features, such as anti-snoring, memory, and zero-gravity. Presets can make it even easier to get into your preferred position.
- Upper and lower body adjustable – Some bases may only allow you to adjust the upper or lower body while others have the added benefit of letting you adjust both.
- Customizable height – Certain frames let you adjust the legs so that the bed stands at the optimal height for you.
- Wider range of motion – Some adjustable beds may offer a wider range of motion when adjusting positions, which some shoppers may prefer for added customization and comfort.
Delivery and Assembly
The delivery and setup for your new adjustable bed are also important to consider. Does the company provide free shipping? In some cases, a brand may provide free shipping to the contiguous U.S. states, but those living in Alaska or Hawaii will have to pay extra for shipping.
Then, once you get your mattress, you’ll need to know what the setup process is like. Maybe you’ve never set up an adjustable base before, and the process seems complicated. In this case, you might prefer a brand that offers an in-home setup deal so that you can leave it to the professionals to assemble the frame for you.
Noise
Given that adjustable beds have motors, some noise should be expected when adjusting your bed. If you’re a light sleeper and have a partner who makes adjustments while you’re sleeping, you may be woken up by the motor noise or your partner’s movements as they settle into a different setting.
Fortunately, many newer models have addressed noise-related issues and have implemented quiet motors that shouldn’t disturb most sleepers.
This is where it’s helpful to read reviews of an adjustable base so you know whether noise will be an issue.
Ease of Use
When adjustable beds first hit the marketplace, most of them came with controls that were wired into the bed’s motor. Most models now have gone to wireless remotes, with some implementing Bluetooth connectivity and even apps that will allow you to control your adjustable base from your phone.
Additionally, you will want to check to see if your remote is backlit as this can make it easier to make adjustments during the night. Other ease-of-use features may include built-in flashlights and a dedicated remote station so that you won’t be searching for the remote in the morning.
See More: Best Sheets for an Adjustable Bed
Budget
An adjustable bed will be costly, and typically, the larger the size and the more features it has, the higher the price. Still, these frames can deliver excellent comfort and additional benefits that can make the extra investment worth it. Plus, most reputable brands will offer good warranty deals that back up the quality of the product.
The good news is that there’s a wide range of price points so there should be one to fit every budget.
However, you’ll also want to factor in the cost of maintenance down the road. Like most things in life, the more moving parts there are, the more maintenance will be needed later on. Furthermore, these maintenance issues may not always fall under warranty, so be sure to read all the fine print.
Some companies are willing to meet you halfway – you pay for the transport costs, and they will replace the parts. As the bed ages, the liability for damages falls more onto you.
Sleep Trial & Warranty
This is extremely important to check. Frames are meant to last longer than mattresses in most cases. However, there is also more that can go wrong.
Having a year-long warranty in place is great, but in most cases, your frame won’t malfunction in such a short period. It is better to look for a company that offers at least a 10-year guarantee, even if it is a limited guarantee.
The next thing to look at is how the company handles returns – do you have a trial period to get used to it? Can you return it no questions asked within a specified period? Perhaps most importantly, though, who pays for the returns?
Get More Info: How to Return a Mattress
Best Adjustable Bed Frames FAQs
How long will an adjustable bed frame last?
The lifespan of an adjustable bed will depend on the quality of the model, but generally, they should last at least 10 years. The mattress you use on it may have to be replaced sooner, though, as most mattresses last seven to 10 years. However, some high-quality latex models could last longer than this.
Learn More: Will an Adjustable Bed Wear Down Your Mattress?
Do doctors recommend adjustable beds?
Yes, some doctors may recommend adjustable beds, such as for those with back pain. However, this is also dependent upon the patient, so we advise that anyone looking to purchase an adjustable frame for a specific medical condition consult with their primary care physician first to ensure it’s the right move.
Can you use a regular mattress on an adjustable frame?
Yes, many regular mattresses can be used on an adjustable frame, but you should check with the mattress manufacturer before making any purchases as some models aren’t compatible with this type of frame.
How much does an adjustable bed frame cost?
The price of an adjustable bed will vary among brands and sizes, but most tend to fall between 1,000 and 3,000 dollars. Additionally, frames that have advanced features can also cost more.
Can an adjustable bed help with snoring?
Yes, an adjustable bed can help with snoring.
Elevating the sleeper helps keep the airways open, which in turn, should minimize snoring, including snoring caused by sleep apnea. Not only could this improve the sleep of the person snoring, but it’s also good news for their partner, who should be able to sleep more soundly.
Want to see more? Visit our full guide to best mattress for sleep apnea.
Is an adjustable base worth it?
Yes, an adjustable base is worth it if you have a need for one. Whether you have sleep apnea, low back pain, or simply want to be more comfortable when you read in bed, purchasing an adjustable frame could be the right move for you. However, they’re a costly investment, so arming yourself with as much knowledge as possible to get the right one is also important.
Julia Forbes
Lead Product Tester
About Author
Julia is the Lead Reviewer at Sleep Advisor, specializing in testing out mattresses and sleep accessories – she’s in the right line of work, because she loves to sleep.
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