The best adjustable beds don’t just help alleviate your back pain, or manage other medical conditions – they can significantly improve your lifestyle. The problem is knowing what adjustable bed to buy.
Step 1: What type of adjustable bed do I need?
Before you start to think about the added features you might like with your adjustable bed, you need to consider which type is best suited to your needs. Generally, adjustable beds can be divided into two categories: lifestyle and profiling.
Lifestyle beds
Lifestyle beds usually just have a moveable function at the head end, making things such as watching television or reading more comfortable. However, they are unlikely to offer different sleeping positions or adjustable height options. As a result, this type of bed is more suited to people who want an adjustable bed for comfort and luxury, rather than to help with health conditions.
Profiling beds
Profiling – or ‘variable posture’ – beds offer greater flexibility and increased postural support, with a variety of positions and features available. Although some can be adjusted manually, typically adjustable beds for the home are adjusted electronically via a handset – so you can make adjustments even while in the bed. For example, we offer profiling beds with optional Cyclo-Therapy massage technology built in to help with circulation.
Step 2: What size adjustable bed is best?
It may be obvious, but one of the first things to consider is how big you require your adjustable bed to be.
Single
Double
King Size
Larger beds, for example, are often more comfortable and obviously give you more space – but you need to measure the space you have available first. Bed sizes are not standardised for adjustable beds, however, so the size can vary between suppliers.
Height is just as important as width and length
Width and length are obvious measurements to take for any piece of furniture, but it’s also vital that you think about the how tall the bed needs to be. Making sure it’s at the right level for you to get in and out of bed with ease can make a huge difference to your lifestyle.
Adding a few inches to the height of your adjustable bed could easily stifle that early morning groan as you have to push yourself up and out of bed – making mornings that little bit easier. If this is something you’re looking for, then make sure you choose a bed that can alter its height too.
Are you sleeping alone, or with a partner?
Many assume that having an adjustable bed is a solitary experience because it’s designed to suit your specific needs. But the options available are actually very flexible – with options such as a split or ‘dual’ mattress meaning you can enjoy the benefits of adjusting your side of the bed without disturbing your partner.
Best adjustable beds for sleeping alone
- Single bed – good for carers to reach you and often the cheapest option
- Double bed – if you prefer sleeping with more space
Best adjustable beds for sleeping alone
- Split or ‘dual’ — two mattresses independently controlled but built in one frame. Designed to let the users independently adjust how they sleep throughout the night without disturbing their partner
- Two singles hooked together
- Both of the above available as double, king size and super king
- Double bed
Pay attention to weight limits
Do you require a bed that is sturdier than traditional ones? Many adjustable beds can be built to support and lift heavier loads. Our beds typically take weights up to 28 stone as standard – although our Contour AV adjustable bed takes up to 50 stone.
Majestic
Ottoman
Autovariable
Elite
Heritage
Heritage Classic
Contour AV
Step 3: What added features are you looking for?
Once you’ve decided on the size and specification of your bed, it’s well worth looking into what features are available. This will enable you to get the most value from your bed by tailoring it to your needs.
Easy Reach
As the bed adjusts and moves higher, the mattress glides back (towards the wall) so the head of the bed always stays in convenient contact with your bedside table. Also known as ‘wall hugging’ because the frame of the bed can sit right against the bedroom wall even as the bed adjusts.
Massage and heat pad technology
Battery back-up system
Handrails
Step 4: Does an adjustable bed need a special mattress?
The nature of an adjustable frame means you will need a special mattress for an adjustable bed. This is because most mattresses have different zonal structures that correspond with the bed’s adjusting zones to enable free movement and prevent damage to the mattress. There is a lot of variety, however, including foam, pocket sprung, firm, medium and soft.
Where can I buy a mattress for an adjustable bed?
Usually sold separately to the frame, the best mattress for an adjustable bed is usually best to buy when you buy the frame. The manufacturer will recommend the most appropriate mattress for your purchase, but most are size and type compatible. We recommend pairing our adjustable beds with one of our Airflow® Orthopaedic Mattresses to maximise your comfort.
Step 5: What styles and designs are available?
Although the functionality of your bed should always come first, it’s also important to consider the look and feel of your adjustable bed. Once you’re happy that it meets your needs, what headboard and décor options are available? Will the provider provide swatches to help you decide?
The comfort and health benefits of an adjustable bed have pushed manufacturers to revamp the traditional look. At Adjustamatic, our adjustable beds are available in styles that will blend into any room’s décor – with a wide selection of luxury fabrics, woods, headboards and storage designs to suit your tastes.
Are there choices of headboards available for my adjustable bed?
Cobbled Steel
Border Linen
Elegance Grouse Flecks
Panal Stone
Plain Steel
Royal Oyster
Contemporary Harmnony
Contemporary Oyster
Since we build each of our adjustable beds specifically for you, you’re free to choose a headboard that suits you. Currently we have 8 headboard design options available, with a selection of fabric covers to choose from too. You may even prefer to use your current headboard – just make sure to check with our adviser at your free home demonstration so we can check the measurements and specification.
Step 6: How to buy an adjustable bed
When you’ve chosen the size, specification and features that you want, the next step vis to look at actually buying your adjustable bed. You should think of this as a long-term investment that will guarantee comfort, and last you many years.
How do I know I’m getting quality?
The first thing to look for is a reputable supplier, to instil some confidence that the investment will last and perform as it should. This is easy to identify through a number of approval schemes, such as Trading Standards Approved (TSI), British Healthcare Trades Association (BHTA) and National Bed Federation (NBF). These ensure that companies comply with a code of practice and meet stringent standards.
Look out for these logos to identify reputable companies:
Look for accreditations for ‘medically certified’ products
Make sure you look out for accreditation marks that indicate that these products have been fully tested for safety and quality.
These include Class IIa certification, regulated by the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Authority (MHRA), and CE marks.
Step 7: Financial considerations
Adjustable beds can be costly, but they are an investment purchase. Look for companies that offer finance options such as interest-free credit to make the purchase more manageable. For example, we offer a 0% finance option to enable you to pay for your purchase over time with 0% interest – spreading the cost of such an important purchase to suit your budget.
Check if you are eligible for VAT exemption
Buying an adjustable bed for use at home? Then you could be eligible for VAT exemption. This could allow you to make considerable savings of 20% – meaning a bed worth £2,000 could cost you just £1,600!