Having trouble falling asleep at night? An adjustable bed may help you feel more comfortable so you can achieve a more restful night's sleep. Adjustable bed bases allow you to raise the head and foot of the bed for a more personalized sleep position. As a result, they're able to help minimize lower back pain, alleviate pressure on your airway or provide more support for reading or watching TV in bed. Plus, many popular mattress brands carry a variety of options with add-on features like massage modes, vibration, head-raising alarms and convenient USB ports.
At the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab, we've tested and evaluated thousands of bedding and home products, including the best mattresses and adjustable bed bases, to provide you with more insight into which adjustable base is best for you.
What's the best adjustable bed base for most people? Our best overall choice is the Leggett & Platt Prodigy 2.0. Leggett & Platt is one of the oldest and most popular adjustable bed brands available. In fact, the brand manufactures bed bases for many popular mattress brands. If you'd prefer full delivery and set-up though, we recommend the Saatva Adjustable Base Plus, as long as you have or plan to purchase a compatible mattress. For a lower-cost option, opt for Lucid's L300 Adjustable Bed Base.
Our top picks:
In addition to researching top brands, materials, construction and features, we have product experts and consumer testers try out adjustable beds at home to gauge real-world performance for different types of sleepers. On top of that, we've surveyed our larger testing panel to get in-depth feedback from real users. In the past few years, we've worked with testers to directly evaluate 16 adjustable bases. Read on for more tips on how to find your best adjustable base.
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If you already have a mattress you love and are looking for a top-notch adjustable base, this one has it all. It's from Leggett & Platt, one of the oldest and most popular adjustable bed brands available, and it's designed to work with most mattresses. The bed has a MicroHook system (Velcro-like strips) to keep your mattress in place as it changes positions. Other standout features include massage capabilities and under-bed lighting. For effortless position changes, you can use either the wireless remote or an app on your smartphone that also allows you to set an alarm so the base slowly moves to gently wake you up.
We were impressed by the bed's wall-hugger engineering, which means it doesn’t pull your whole body away from the nightstand as it raises your head. Our panelists also raved about the convenience of the eight USB ports for charging phones, tablets and other devices. Plus, one even called the massage feature "soothing." Note that the brand has separate listings for the Twin XL and Split King models.
This pick is ideal for someone who wants an adjustable base but isn't ready to spend an arm and a leg. But don’t let the price fool you; while it doesn't offer premium features like massage capabilities or under-bed lighting, it still has all the features you need in a classic adjustable bed. It can raise your head and feet and comes with a wireless remote that you can use to pre-program your ideal position. Not to mention, it even has built-in USB ports for charging your phone or other devices.
The brand claims it takes just five minutes to set up and you can do it on your own, meaning you don't have to deal with scheduling or waiting around for a delivery service to set it up for you. Not to mention, it’s an Amazon best-seller with thousands of five-star reviews. You can also opt to buy it with the brand's accompanying mattress as a complete set.
Saatva is a popular direct-to-consumer mattress brand that provides free white glove delivery service, meaning a team will come in and set up the adjustable base in the room of your choice and show you how to control the bed. This model is offered in a slew of bed sizes, including a premium upper-flex option for added control that pairs exclusively with the Upper-Flex version of Saatva's Solaire Mattress, which has built-in air chambers that inflate to 50 different firmness levels. This base can also support up to 850 pounds, making it optimal for pairing with a mattress for heavier people.
Our survey panel loves how easy it is to operate the base and the unlimited number of possible positions, thanks to the continuous controlled movement. The zero gravity feature stands out, with one user saying it helps both her and her husband "fall asleep pretty quickly." The bed also offers other great features like under-bed lighting and wall-hugging along with both targeted and full-body massage capabilities. One tester in his 70s, who pairs the bed with Saatva's 11.5-inch Classic Mattress, notes that it's on the taller side, so those with mobility issues may find it difficult to get out of bed unless they pair it with a thinner mattress.
Looking for a luxurious, upgraded adjustable bed experience? This high-tech base has a variety of pre-programmed positions to choose from as well as the flexibility to create your own. The bed also has a vibrating massage option with three different modes and two zones to choose from. It even seamlessly integrates into your smart home and easily connects to a voice assistant.
Testers appreciated the personalized anti-snore mode that will automatically raise the top of the base or pulse when it detects snoring. The under-bed lighting was a tester-favorite feature, with one tester calling it "perfect for when you wake up in the middle of the night and have to go to the bathroom." We're impressed with the advanced features, including the app's ability to measure the room temperature, humidity levels and air quality. Plus, you can control the base with the Tempur-Pedic app (or the included remote) and track your sleep quality over time. For an even more high-end base, look at Tempur-Pedic's Ergo ProSmart Base, which features built-in speakers and adjustable lumbar support.
Take it from our testers: Sometimes, all you want from an adjustable bed base is control over the position of your bed. Everything else, such as additional features like under-bed lighting or massage modes, is nice, but not quite what you're after. This model from Sealy is a simple, humble product that does what you'd expect very well. It gives you the ability to raise your head and feet to find your most comfortable sleep position.
Our older testers were immediately impressed by the base, from the seamless complimentary delivery and setup to the easy-to-use controls and comparatively quiet motor. Testers called it "excellent," and one even shared, "Being able to adjust [the head of the bed] was a big help in controlling my coughing due to acid reflux." He also appreciated being able to control the foot portion for his restless leg syndrome.
For an easy-to-assemble adjustable bed base with an effortlessly simple, hands-free approach, take a look at this pick from Ergomotion. With three programmable presets to choose from, you no longer need to look for the remote to change into a more comfortable position. Simply use your voice with short phrases like, "Hello, Ergo. Goodnight," to automatically adjust your bed into your favorite sleep position. It's also packed with impressive features like massage motors and under-bed lighting at a lower cost than similar models we've reviewed.
Testers praised this model for its comfort and stability, with one saying, "I love that I can sit up and watch TV in bed without the bed sliding away from the wall." We also appreciate how simple the voice control is — no external voice assistant required — and that you can use this base on its own, hidden in a traditional bed base or on a platform with options to customize its height. Plus, you can fold up the bed to transport it to another room.
Reverie stands out for offering 16 different bases to choose from depending on the features you're after. Some models give you more adjustable options and unique capabilities like wireless phone charging while others keep it simple. The R450HT base offers both head and feet elevation and full-body massage features with 10 different intensity levels along with under-bed lighting. This style even has an independent head tilt setting for head and neck support, making it great for those who need elevation to alleviate acid reflux or to help limit snoring.
Our tester panel loved the model's infinite number of adjustable positions and ability to pre-program their favorite configurations on the remote. One user even told us that the zero gravity position helped alleviate her back pain with "no pressure points." We also appreciate the added raise-to-wake alarm and the ability to change the height of the bed with the adjustable legs.
Say hello to the best adjustable bed base for the ultimate lounging-in-bed experience. It has all the features we look for, from head and foot articulation to full-body massage, convenient USB ports, under-bed lighting and more, including a wall-glide design for easy access to anything on your nightstand. Plus, you have the option to control it with the remote, matching app or even pair it with a smart voice assistant.
In our evaluations, testers appreciated the easy-to-use controls and thoughtful design. One highlighted how the bed provides enough light to see the remote when reaching for it in the dark. She also shared, "Guests who required their legs to be elevated also used this bed and found it very comfortable and helpful for their situation," and highlighted how it's helped her fall asleep in an upright position when needed. Our testers originally had issues syncing the remote but found the customer service helpful in quickly resolving their problems.
Perfect for couples (especially ones who don't agree on firmness), this mattress is filled with adjustable air chambers on both sides of the bed for precise firmness control. There are biometric sensors in the mattress, so if you switch positions, the mattress will automatically adjust to stay at your preferred setting. On top of that, the brand offers two matching adjustable bases; both have head-raising capabilities and under-bed lighting in case you get up when it’s dark, but the pricier models come with added features like feet elevation and feet warming for those with cold toes.
It's definitely a splurge, but when we tested the mattress and adjustable base combo, users gave it top scores for comfort, support and sleep quality. One user commented, “I was initially hesitant because of the cost, but as soon as I laid on it, it changed my mind.” Another told us, “I wish we would have purchased this brand sooner.” Not to mention, this specific smart mattress is the most popular among our panel and has even earned the Good Housekeeping Seal.
What's the difference between an adjustable bed and an adjustable mattress?
- An adjustable bed is a motorized bed base that can move into different positions by raising the head and/or foot of the bed. Some also have other features like built-in massagers and lighting.
- Adjustable mattresses, also called smart mattresses, change in firmness through constructions like air chambers or interchangeable springs. They're perfect if you’re just looking to switch up your firmness levels instead of the bed’s position.
How we test adjustable beds
Our analysts at the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab start by reviewing materials, specifications, added features and any noteworthy claims for each bed base in addition to vetting brands to ensure they're trustworthy. Next, our consumer testers try out the adjustable bases at home and provide feedback on setup and user experience after several weeks and once again after an extended period of time. We also survey our readers and tester panel for additional feedback on mattresses and bed bases they own. In recent years, we've directly evaluated 16 adjustable bases with testers.
From expert reviews to consumer feedback, here are a few factors on which we evaluate each adjustable bed:
- Ordering & delivery: Users tell us how easy it was to order the base and if it arrived quickly. They also note any potential problems that came up in their experience and how those issues were resolved.
- Set up: Whether DIY or delivery service, survey respondents share their opinion of the process.
- Ease of use: Users judge the adjustable bed on how easy it is to control, from selecting pre-set positions to programming customizable options and utilizing massage capabilities and any other features.
- Practicality: Testers also share which functions they like and actively use and which functions they don't. They also note how loud the motor is when adjusting positions.
- Sleep quality & comfort: Final scores check whether the adjustable base positively affected sleep quality and comfort both initially and over time. Our respondents also give the base an overall satisfaction score and compare it to any previous beds they've slept on.
- Additional feedback: Reviewers let us know any specific likes, dislikes and any additional thoughts they have about their experiences.
How do I choose an adjustable bed?
- Consider your budget. If you’re looking to invest in an entirely new bed, you may benefit from a full sleep system that has both an adjustable base and an adjustable mattress. If you’re just looking to customize your comfort level, you may be better off buying an adjustable mattress that can adjust its firmness or an adjustable base that changes your head and foot positioning.
- Features like sleep tracking, massaging, lights, USB ports and more can be great bonuses. Also, consider if you want to want to use a remote control or even your smartphone.
- Head-raising capability: You can program some beds to raise your head when it’s time to wake up. Not only do you get to customize your sleep position for personalized comfort, but the head elevation helps if you or your partner snore or experience acid reflux or just want to raise your head to read or watch TV. Plus, an adjustable head means you can get into what brands refer to as the “zero-gravity” position, meaning you feel weightless because your head and legs are both elevated. You essentially get the comfort of sleeping in a recliner in your own bed.
Are adjustable beds worth it?
It’s a matter of personal preference, but users who have an adjustable bed swear by it, especially those who struggle with sleep apnea or acid reflux. That said, they don't come cheap: Adjustable beds can cost anywhere from several hundred to several thousand dollars. If you’re willing to splurge on a top-of-the-line mattress with an adjustable base that has smart technology, it can cost you well over $3,000, but you can still find a simple good-quality adjustable base that raises your head and feet for under $1,000.
Can I use a regular mattress on an adjustable bed?
Most of the time, yes! The majority of adjustable beds are compatible with foam, latex and innerspring mattresses, though foam or latex mattresses tend to work better because the materials are more flexible, allowing for easy transition to different bed positions. Note that tall mattresses (especially those over 14 inches) often don't work well on bases, so make sure to check any specifications for your top contenders.
Some brands sell the mattress and base together, which is your best bet if you want to make sure you have a compatible mattress for an adjustable bed. Otherwise, it’s best to check with the adjustable base brand before you buy it. Some do have restrictions on the mattress you can use, so it’ll save you a headache if you confirm beforehand. And when it comes to adjustable mattresses with different firmness levels, you don’t need a special base to get the benefits.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Grace Wu most recently updated this article. As a textiles product review analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute, she has evaluated many bedding products using specialized machinery and feedback from hundreds of consumer testers. Grace has overseen all recent adjustable base testing and content, having written several stories on the best adjustable beds from the best adjustable beds for seniors to the best split king adjustable bed bases. Prior to joining Good Housekeeping, Grace earned a Master of Engineering in Materials Science & Engineering and a Bachelor of Science in Fiber Science from Cornell University.
Lexie Sachs is the executive director of the Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Fiber Science from Cornell University and more than 15 years of experience in the textiles industry, including merchandising and product development for home products. Lexie joined Good Housekeeping in 2013 and has extensively tested all types of bedding — including mattresses, sheets, pillows, comforters and more — using specialized lab equipment and with hundreds of consumer testers.
Lexie Sachs (she/her) is the executive director of the Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she researches, tests and reports on fabric-based products ranging from sheets, mattresses and towels to bras, fitness apparel and other clothing. She also evaluates luggage, rain gear, disposable paper goods and baby products. Lexie has more than 15 years of experience in the textiles industry and a degree in fiber science from Cornell University. Prior to joining GH in 2013, she worked in merchandising and product development in the fashion and home industries.
Grace Wu (she/her) is a product reviews analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute's Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab, where she evaluates fabric-based products using specialized equipment and consumer tester data. Prior to starting at Good Housekeeping in 2022, she earned a master of engineering in materials science and engineering and a bachelor of science in fiber science from Cornell University. While earning her degrees, Grace worked in research laboratories for smart textiles and nanotechnology and held internships at Open Style Lab and Rent the Runway.