If you’re thinking of buying an adjustable base for your bed, you likely have many questions. Can I attach a headboard or footboard (or both)? Do I need a special kind of mattress? Do I need a box spring? We understand that buying an adjustable bed can be confusing, which is why we’ve taken the time to answer the most common questions that our customers have to help make the process easier and more hassle-free.
Is There a Certain Type of Mattress that Works Best with Adjustable Beds?
Adjustable beds, also known as reclining beds have a wide range of functions and performance. Understanding which one to buy before you actually make a purchase means taking a serious look at how you plan to use the bed as well as the materials that make up the mattress.
In short, an adjustable bed base will lift the top and bottom of the mattress a varying number of degrees for greater comfort. This elevates your head or feet (or both) for better circulation or an easier position to read or work.
Just like with regular mattresses, there are several types of mattresses that can work well with adjustable bed bases. The most common types are memory foam, latex foam, innerspring mattresses and airbeds.
Ecosa Memory Foam Mattress Highlights
Brand: Ecosa
Mattress Firmness: Extra Firm/9, Firm/8, Medium Firm/6.5
Mattress Construction Type: Memory Foam and Latex
Mattress Thickness: 9 4/5"
Compatible for Bed Frame Size: Single, Long Single, King Sing, Double, Queen, King, Super King
Mattress Sleep Trial Time: 100 nights
Warranty: 15 years
Delivery: Free Shipping & Free Returns
Perfect For: Back sleeper
Customer Rating: 4.7/5.0
Rivet Latex and Foam Hybrid Mattress Highlights
Brand: Rivet
Mattress Firmness: Medium/6.5
Mattress Construction Type: Latex and Foam
Mattress Thickness: 10″
Compatible for Bed Frame Size: Twin XL, Queen, King, Cal King, Split King, Queen Split Top, King Split Top, Cal King Split Top
Mattress Sleep Trial Time: 100 nights
Warranty: 10 years
Delivery: Free shipping and returns
Perfect For: Side, Back sleeper
Customer Rating: 4.2/5.0
Karma Moon Innerspring Mattress Highlights
Brand: PranaSleep
Mattress Firmness: Extra Soft/2, Soft/3, Firm/7
Mattress Construction Type: Pocketed coils
Mattress Thickness: 10"
Compatible for Bed Frame Size: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Full XL, King, Queen, Cal King
Mattress Sleep Trial Time: -
Warranty: 10 years
Delivery: Free shipping and returns
Perfect For: Back, Side sleeper
Customer Rating: 4.4/5.0
When it comes to choosing a mattress for an adjustable bed base, memory foam is the best option. Memory foam mattresses are generally well-supported, durable and flexible enough to work with many different types of adjustable beds, but it’s important that you carefully evaluate the actual materials that make up the memory foam mattress.
Generally speaking, newer memory foam mattresses have a combination of memory foam and gel and don’t wear out as quickly as their older counterparts.
eLuxury Gel Memory Foam Mattress Highlights
Brand: eLuxury
Mattress Firmness: Medium/6.5
Mattress Construction Type: Memory Foam
Mattress Thickness: 10″
Compatible for Bed Frame Size: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, Cal King, King
Mattress Sleep Trial Time: 120 nights
Warranty: 10 years
Delivery: Free shipping and returns
Perfect For: Side sleeper
Customer Rating: 4.8/5.0
Allswell Hybrid Gel Memory Foam with Coils Mattress Highlights
Brand: Allswell
Mattress Firmness: Medium firm/6
Mattress Construction Type: Gel Memory Foam with coils
Mattress Thickness: 10"
Compatible for Bed Frame Size: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, and Cal King
Mattress Sleep Trial Time: 100 nights
Warranty: 10 years
Delivery: Free Shipping to all 50 states
Perfect For: Back sleeper
Customer Rating: 4.8/5.0
You can also use other types of mattresses, including a latex mattress (which offers more “bounce”) as well as an innerspring mattress (which is stiffer yet has a firmer touch) with adjustable beds, but in terms of helping to relieve pain, memory foam won’t put pressure on commonly achy parts of the body like the neck and lower back.
Recore by Novosbed Latex Mattress Highlights
Brand: Novosbed
Mattress Firmness: Medium Firm/6.5
Mattress Construction Type: Latex and Foam
Mattress Thickness: 10 1/2″
Compatible for Bed Frame Size: Twin,Twin XL, Full,Queen, King, Cal King
Mattress Sleep Trial Time: 120 nights
Warranty: 15 years
Delivery: Free shipping and returns
Perfect For: Side, Back, Stomach sleeper
Customer Rating: 4.8/5.0
Nest Bedding Hybrid Latex Mattress Highlights
Brand: Nest Bedding
Mattress Firmness: Medium/5, Firm/7
Mattress Construction Type: Latex and Pocketed Coils
Mattress Thickness: 13″
Compatible for Bed Frame Size: Twin, Twin XL,Full,Queen, King, California King, Split California King, King Internal Split, CalKing Internal Split
Mattress Sleep Trial Time: Lifetime
Warranty: Lifetime
Delivery: Free shipping and returns
Perfect For: Side,Back sleeper
Customer Rating: 4.7/5.0
Rivet Latex and Foam Hybrid Mattress Highlights
Brand: Rivet
Mattress Firmness: Medium/6.5
Mattress Construction Type: Latex and Foam
Mattress Thickness: 10″
Compatible for Bed Frame Size: Twin XL, Queen, King, Cal King, Split King, Queen Split Top, King Split Top, Cal King Split Top
Mattress Sleep Trial Time: 100 nights
Warranty: 10 years
Delivery: Free shipping and returns
Perfect For: Side, Back sleeper
Customer Rating: 4.2/5.0
Can I Use a Headboard or Footboard or a Bed Frame with an Adjustable Mattress?
Yes, adjustable beds are designed to fit standard bed frames but keep in mind that the height will vary depending on the bed frame itself. If your bed frame has slats that go across, you’ll need to remove those so that the adjustable bed has enough space to move.
If you want a free standing headboard attached to your adjustable bed, you can get a “headboard bracket” to attach it. The same applies to the footboard. You’ll want to inquire about this optional item before you purchase your adjustable bed to determine which type you’ll need.
Do I Need a Box Spring with an Adjustable Bed?
It’s interesting to note that although many of today’s newer mattresses don’t require box springs for added comfort, the mattress warranty is void if you don’t have one! The good news is that today, there are “all in one mattresses” that blend the best features of mattresses and box springs in one complete unit.
In order to uphold your warranty, what constitutes a “box spring” is just a flat, hard surface that your mattress is placed on. It can be an adjustable base, for example, or even a hardwood floor. The important thing is that the base be stable and supportive, otherwise even the most supportive mattress can sag and lose its firmness over time.
What are the Best Adjustable Bed Bases on the Market?
You should put as much thought into buying an adjustable bed base as you do choosing a mattress. That’s because every adjustable bed base has a different set of features. Most importantly, you’ll want to look for an adjustable base that has:
- Pillow Tilting – This feature helps you alleviate strain on your neck and upper back by allowing you to tilt the pillow and top of the adjustable bed for greater comfort.
- Lumbar support – Support for the lower back is critical to helping to alleviate aches and pains.
- Elevation lift – Proper elevation helps relieve stress on key pressure points
- Programmable positions – Being able to program the adjustable bed base to your precise comfort level helps you enjoy a more restful, deeper sleep.
Best Adjustable Bed for Features and Affordability
With that being said, our choice for the best adjustable bed base in terms of features and affordability is the DynastyMattress 9000s. With pillow tilt and lumbar support as welll as two programmable positions, it’s priced around $1,700 for a king size and includes features you didn’t know you needed, but won’t be able to live without once you try them. These are things like Bluetooth audio support and dual massage which can provide a relaxing end to a stressful day!
Best Luxury Adjustable Bed
With four programmable positions, the 2019 Prodigy by Leggett & Platt is an adjustable bed that spares no expense to give you the very best in comfort and convenience. Its cool gel memory foam mattress and split adjustable bed base allow each person to set their desired comfort and height levels without disturbing the other person. At $3,800 for a king size, it’s one of the more pricier options, but with dozens of five star reviews behind it, this is an adjustable bed you shouldn’t think twice about investing in for your health and comfort.
Best Inexpensive Adjustable Bed with No Frills
“I just want a comfortable adjustable bed without all the stuff”, you say. No problem! For you, we recommend the Leggett & Platt Williamsburg Plus. All of the features of the 2019 Prodigy but without the need for an additional mattress, it also includes massage features and a USB port so you can charge your device while you recharge your body’s batteries with comfort and style!
As you can see, there are a variety of adjustable bed bases on the market tailored to every need and every taste. Whether you buy one with the mattress included or just the base, you can be sure that you’re making a smart choice in your comfort, convenience and well-being by choosing a bed that fits your unique needs and budget.
