Should I buy an adjustable bed?
Adjustable beds are popular with people with bad backs or mobility problems as they allow you to find a comfortable lying position. There are two types:
This guide focuses on ‘lifestyle’ beds as I don’t feel qualified enough to advise on more specific mobility problems.
Here are five of the best adjustable beds to consider:
- Most adjustable beds sold by major bed retailers are called ‘lifestyle’ adjustable beds. They’ll lift your head up so you can watch Match of the Day in bed, or you can try out a few positions to stop you snoring or feel more comfortable. They look like a normal divan bed.
- More specialist adjustable beds are called ‘profiling’ beds. They aren’t generally sold by major bed retailers and are more akin to the kind of thing you’d have in a hospital or residential home.
This guide focuses on ‘lifestyle’ beds as I don’t feel qualified enough to advise on more specific mobility problems.
Here are five of the best adjustable beds to consider:
1. Sleepkings adjustable bed with 1500 pocket spring mattress - £400 (single including mattress and headboard)
This budget adjustable bed and mattress gets decent customer reviews and costs less than many standard single divan beds, particularly as it includes a headboard.
It'll lift your feet up or your head and it comes with a pocket spring mattress with a decent specification, even if it's not a household name.
The mattress has 1500 pocket springs, which is plenty for most people (the usual range is 1000-2000 and you only really need 2000 if you're very heavy).
The mattress is described as orthopedic, which usually just means that it is very firm. The term 'orthopedic' is used rather confusingly in the mattress market (read this guide), since the vast majority of experts no longer suggest that a firm bed is what you need to look after your back. Most people say you need a supportive mattress, which will vary according to your own build and weight.
Suitable for anyone up to 18 stone, according to the description.
It'll lift your feet up or your head and it comes with a pocket spring mattress with a decent specification, even if it's not a household name.
The mattress has 1500 pocket springs, which is plenty for most people (the usual range is 1000-2000 and you only really need 2000 if you're very heavy).
The mattress is described as orthopedic, which usually just means that it is very firm. The term 'orthopedic' is used rather confusingly in the mattress market (read this guide), since the vast majority of experts no longer suggest that a firm bed is what you need to look after your back. Most people say you need a supportive mattress, which will vary according to your own build and weight.
Suitable for anyone up to 18 stone, according to the description.
2. Sleepeezee Latex 1000 adjustable divan - £700 (single including mattress)
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If you want a reasonably priced adjustable bed from a recognised brand then I'd take a look at the Sleepeezee range most of which comes with a 7 year guarantee.
The mattress on this base has 1000 pocket springs, which is an adequate number for a light person but is a little low if you are an 18 stone bodybuilder. As it's a pocket spring mattress, it will appeal to those of us who don't like the sinking feeling of memory foam. Pocket spring mattresses are the best sellers and they offer much better support than a grotty old open coil mattress which your grandma has in her spare bedroom. |
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The downside (in my opinion) of this mattress is that you can't turn it over, you just rotate it to avoid sagging. Of course, if you have a bad back then you might not be able to turn it over anyway.
It's got a latex layer, which is a natural material which adds a bit of added comfort. It's a medium firmness which generally means that it is most suited for people of an average weight, as you will sink in enough to end up with a nice straight spine.
The slight problem is that bed manufacturers have never actually agreed what soft, medium and firm means so it's a bit of a guess unless you are able to try it out in store.
It's got a latex layer, which is a natural material which adds a bit of added comfort. It's a medium firmness which generally means that it is most suited for people of an average weight, as you will sink in enough to end up with a nice straight spine.
The slight problem is that bed manufacturers have never actually agreed what soft, medium and firm means so it's a bit of a guess unless you are able to try it out in store.
3. Adjustable bed with Fontwell mattress - £1000 (single including mattress)
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This adjustable bed is the standard Dreams one. It can take the same amount of weight (18 stone) and has the same number of adjustable parts as their more expensive options, but it doesn't have a massage option (I guess it depends how much you're willing to pay for a massage...)
The bundled mattress is a firm memory foam mattress. Memory foam is good for providing consistent all-over support and for people with allergies. |
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4. Dreams luxury adjustable bed with Westwood pocket sprung mattress - £1500 (single including mattress)
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If you prefer a traditional feel mattress, then I'd consider this adjustable bed which has a Westwood adjustable pocket sprung mattress with a comfort layer of memory foam.
The base is available in three colours and adjusts in five places, so you can try out a number of options. As with most of these adjustable beds, they can cope with a limit of 18 stone. The mattress has got 1200 pocket springs, which I would say is perfectly adequate for the majority of people. If you are very heavy then you'd benefit from the support of somewhere nearer 2000 springs. It describes itself as medium/firm. |
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5. Dreams luxury adjustable bed with Tempur Original 21 mattress - £1900 (single including mattress)
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The base on this bed isn't made by Tempur, but the mattress is. If you want a Tempur made base then you can get them from John Lewis but they are a fair bit pricier. With this one you can move your head, hips or legs and it's also got a built in massager. Ooooooh baby....
Tempur are best known for pioneering the memory foam mattress, after developing NASA's technology. Tempur don't like to refer to their mattresses as memory foam, but the material does have a lot of the same qualities. Memory foam provides consistent support all over, and it is good for people with allergies. Most things I've read also claim that memory foam mattresses are long lasting and shouldn't lose their shape quickly, whereas pocket sprung mattresses can start to sag with age (don't we all, eh?). |
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The downside with memory foam is that some people don't like the sinking feeling and find it makes them feel hot.
This particular mattress is a Tempur 'Original' which means that it is their firmer mattress. The number 21 refers to the thickness of the mattress. It's not as thick as some of their mattresses, but it is still a luxury product.
This particular mattress is a Tempur 'Original' which means that it is their firmer mattress. The number 21 refers to the thickness of the mattress. It's not as thick as some of their mattresses, but it is still a luxury product.
However, before you spend a small fortune...
...let's go over some of the questions you might have about buying an adjustable bed.
Can I use any mattress with an adjustable bed?
My advice would be to buy an adjustable base that comes with a mattress or buy a mattress which calls itself an ‘adjustable bed mattress’. I wouldn’t attempt to use a mattress you’ve already got on a new adjustable base.
The gist of what I’ve read is that adjustable beds need mattresses with a lot more bendability (I may have made that word up). So, you will find some pocket spring mattresses, memory foam mattresses and latex mattresses which work with adjustable beds, but that doesn’t mean any old mattress will do the job. If you’re deciding which you want, here’s a quick summary:
The gist of what I’ve read is that adjustable beds need mattresses with a lot more bendability (I may have made that word up). So, you will find some pocket spring mattresses, memory foam mattresses and latex mattresses which work with adjustable beds, but that doesn’t mean any old mattress will do the job. If you’re deciding which you want, here’s a quick summary:
- Memory foam offers great support, it's good for people with allergies and it is hard wearing. On the downside, it can make you feel hot and some people don't like the sinking feeling.
- Latex is a good natural alternative but it is expensive (Dunlopillo is probably the market leader).
- Pocket spring mattresses are the best sellers and are what most of us are used to
- Open coil mattresses/traditional mattresses are old-fashioned rubbish (in my opinion) and should only be offered to your dog or a relative you are hoping won’t visit for long.
Which are the best adjustable beds?
The most expensive adjustable beds tend to have:
- several possible sleeping positions. Cheaper adjustable beds just lift up your head, whilst more expensive ones have more options. Take a look at what the bed can do rather than wasting your money on features you'll never use.
- built in massagers (bit of a gimmick but oooooh yeaaahhh).
- two separate halves. Ideally a couple would want two singles stuck together otherwise you'll have to agree about when to lift and lower. If you don't share a bed you can get a double which lifts the whole thing
- a fancy mattress to accompany the frame. I wouldn't spend your money on an amazing adjustable frame and then use a rubbish mattress on top. It’s a bit like buying a really nice pair of shoes and then wearing them with a nasty pair of itchy socks.
