How Do Adjustable Beds Work?

So you’re wondering, how do adjustable beds work? If you want to buy a high-quality adjustable bed to enhance your sleep, you’ll want to choose carefully. Not all adjustable beds work with all bases and visa versa.

That said, you might not understand how they work at all. By the end of this article, you’ll understand everything you need to know about adjustable beds.

The Adjustable Base

One of the components of an adjustable bed is the base. The adjustable bed base is the part of the bed that controls the position you sleep in. This part of the bed is essential because you’ll want to make sure it works well so you can get into the ideal spot for relaxing.

Many people turn to adjustable beds due to injury, sleep apnea, back pain, stiffness, and a variety of other concerns.

The main difference between an adjustable bed frame and a standard bed frame is the joints on the frame. Each adjustable base has two primary components.

First, you have the sleeping surface. This part of the frame is where you’re mattress will rest. The other part of the frame is the joints. An adjustable base contains an assortment of joints that allow the base to move freely from the mattress. This is where the many different sleeping positions come into play.

Each one of these joints rotates a certain percentage, and that is what allows you to get into the position. For example, you can raise only the head portion of the mattress if you need to keep your head slightly upright due to acid reflux, heartburn, or sleep apnea. This feature is excellent even if you want to watch tv.

If you have swelling or water retention concerns, you might need to keep your legs raised above the rest of your body. The adjustable base will have a setting so you can raise your legs while keeping your torso and head lower.

The Many Positions of an Adjustable Bed

You might wonder what types of positions you have in addition to the ones previously mentioned. There’s no straightforward answer because each base is a bit different. Typically, most standard adjustable bases have two different areas that you can raise and lower.

The best adjustable beds will have a power base to raise your head and your legs while keeping your pelvic area in a horizontal position. This feature helps support your lower back and upper body at the same time.

Adjustable frames come in your standard sizes: King size California king, queen size, full, twin xl, and more. You can also choose a split king or split queen if you want to control your side of the bed separate from your partner. Many of these beds also feature a zero-gravity, massage feature, and USB ports.

How Do You Control an Adjustable Bed

When you ask yourself, “how do adjustable beds work,” you’ll want to know how to control them, right? You’ll control your adjustable bed using a remote control. Some of them are wireless, and others are attached to the bed using a cord similar to hospital beds. Most newer adjustable bases will offer a wireless connection with a backlight to make it easier to see.

All of the joints in the adjustable bed are motorized, so you’ll use the remote control to get you into the ideal position. On the remote, there will likely be many different pictures of standard positions you can choose. These positions may or may not work for you.

If you don’t like the positions on the remote, you can manually control the bed and get yourself into the best position for your needs.

Choosing a Mattress for an Adjustable Bed

There’s a lot of information out there regarding how to choose a mattress for an adjustable base, along with popular mattress myths that can mislead a shopper. The most important thing to consider when picking a mattress type is the flexibility and durability of it.

You don’t have to choose a mattress that comes with the adjustable base. You have the freedom to choose the mattress you want, but you need to make sure it’s compatible with an adjustable base.

If you think about it, you need a mattress that can bend with the base while still sitting flat on it even though it’s bending. This task is not an easy one, so you need to choose the right mattress for the job.

Memory Foam Mattresses

We would suggest choosing a memory foam mattress to go with your adjustable base. You’ll want to do this because the mattress can shape to the base while still contouring to your unique body shape as well.

Some mattresses won’t return back to their normal shape either after they are left in a specific position for too long. You’ll stand the best chance at keeping the integrity of the mattress longer using a memory foam option.

Latex Mattresses

Our second choice is a latex mattress. These also do a great job of maintaining their shape and contouring to the shape of your body instead of fitting to the base. Latex mattresses are a bit rigid, so you’ll want to choose a thinner mattress, so it doesn’t float above the base when there is no weight on it.

Innerspring Mattresses

If you already have an innerspring mattress, you might wonder if you can simply throw it on the base and be good to go. The answer is, maybe you can.

We’ve slept on innerspring mattresses for decades, but the problem is, they’re too stiff. The coils do not bend and flex well, which causes the mattress to “float” above the base rather than adjust to the proper shape.

With an innerspring mattress, you might find the opposite effect that you would expect from an adjustable base. You may have increased pressure points and a less desirable night of sleep.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Adjustable Beds Ruin Mattresses?

As we’ve mentioned, it’s important to have the best mattress for the job. When you ask yourself, “how do adjustable beds work,” you want to think about the mattress and the base together as one. If one doesn’t work correctly, you’ll have a lousy sleeping experience no matter how good the one component is.

It’s crucial to find a mattress that works with the adjustable base, and you shouldn’t have to worry about shortening the life of your mattress.

Can You Put a Headboard on an Adjustable Bed?

It depends. Most adjustable beds can have a headboard, but they usually require some extra hardware. Many adjustable base manufacturers sell hardware kits with their frames so you can attach your headboard. Some even come fitted with a headboard and attractive base all in one.

Can I Use a Regular Mattress on an Adjustable Bed?

Yes, you can use a standard mattress with an adjustable bed. The critical thing to keep in mind is that you need the right mattress. As we said previously, we don’t recommend using an innerspring mattress or even a hybrid mattress because of the coils. These coils do not flex well and will cause an uncomfortable night of sleep, and they’ll wear the mattress down.

If you choose to use a regular mattress that you purchase separately from the adjustable base, consult the manufacturer to make sure they think it will be compatible with the base. In some cases, you may even void the warranty by using the mattress on an adjustable base unless they state otherwise.

Is an Adjustable Bed Good for Side Sleepers?

We think that adjustable beds are suitable for all sleeping positions. This is true because you can adjust yourself to the perfect sleep position. Side sleepers will benefit from regulated blood flow when sleeping on an adjustable mattress.

Do You Need a Boxspring with an Adjustable Bed?

No, you do not need a boxspring with an adjustable base. A boxspring cannot flex or bend.

So, How Do Adjustable Beds Work?

By now, you should have a complete understanding of how adjustable beds work and why someone would want one. It’s important to remember to choose the right mattress to pair with your base and keep in mind what you’re looking to achieve.

If you have an illness or ailment that will help if you can control your sleeping position, an adjustable bed might be able to make a difference in your sleep experience.