What Is an Adjustable Bed? Read This Before Buying

By Maurice

What Is an Adjustable Bed

Adjustable beds are popular options for people looking for a better night’s sleep. These beds are ideal for reducing snoring, gastric flux and providing other health benefits. However, you might be wondering what these devices are and how they work.

The adjustable bed uses a mechanism that allows you to tilt, raise, or get the bed in a zero-gravity position. Because of this mechanism, the bed can help improve blood flow while giving you superior comfort.

In this guide, we’ll take an in-depth look at adjustable beds. We’ll discuss what they are, their benefits, and everything else you need to know about them. Let’s get started!

How Do Adjustable Beds Work?

An adjustable bed uses an inner mechanism that shifts the bed’s position as much as you need. It has a multi-hinged surface that will make the bed move, lifting or tilting the mattress to help you stand up when necessary.

Due to this design, adjustable beds are common in hospitals and households with seniors and people with mobility problems.

These are the most common positions in adjustable beds:

Trendelenburg positioning: In this position, your feet will be higher than the rest of your body. It can help relieve stress on the spine, but it is more common in hospital beds or during surgeries.
Reverse Trendelenburg positioning: For this positioning, your head and upper body are elevated above your feet. This position can help increase blood flow and improve your breathing.
Raised or lowered: The raised or lowered position of the bed will only affect your comfort and the quality of your sleep. It allows you to create the perfect position for yourself, depending on how you like to rest.

What Is Zero Gravity On an Adjustable Bed?

Zero-Gravity Position Adjustable Bed

Zero-gravity positioning means raising your knee line and head above your heart. Instead of sleeping on a flat surface, the bed adjusts to allow better blood flow and circulation for your entire body. This positioning can also do wonders for health conditions like sleep apnea and loud snoring.

These are some benefits of the zero-gravity position:

It relieves pressure on the spine
The position opens up the nasal passages.
It reduces stress on your heart.
This position relaxes and decompresses the muscles and vertebrae.

It is the most helpful positioning offered by adjustable beds.

However, not all adjustable beds have zero-gravity capabilities. This position requires a more complex switching mechanism, so you’ll need to purchase a specialized bed.

Health Benefits of Adjustable Beds

An adjustable bed provides more than just comfort for a better night’s sleep. The different positions also affect your overall health. That’s another reason these beds are becoming so popular in the most developed countries.

Here are some health benefits of using an adjustable bed:

An adjustable bed can help reduce back pain.
It can alleviate symptoms of sleep apnea, snoring, and asthma.
The beds can relieve acid reflux and heartburn.
An adjustable bed will likely help you sleep better if you have insomnia.
The different positions can improve your digestion.
These beds can also increase blood flow and circulation.

What Sizes Do Adjustable Beds Come In?

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Adjustable beds are widely popular, and that’s why you can find them in almost any standard size. Finding non-standard sizes will be challenging, but they are still available if you don’t mind paying extra.

Here are the most common adjustable bed sizes on the market:

Twin: 38” x 75” (96.5 x 190.5 cm)
Full: 54” x 75” (137.1 x 190.5 cm)
Queen: 60” x 80” (152.4 x 203.2 cm)
King: 76” x 80” (193 x 203.2 cm)
Split King: (2) 38” x 80” ((2) 96.5 x 203.2 cm)

You can also find adjustable beds in other sizes and designs: Split California King, Split Queen, split-top King, split horizontal Queen, split horizontal King, and the split horizontal California King.

What Is a Split King Adjustable Bed?

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A split-King bed combines two bases, two mattresses, and two sets of sheets. This model allows you to customize each side of the bed to your liking and your partner’s needs. That way, if you need a different type of mattress or sheet, both you and your loved one can sleep comfortably together.

For adjustable beds, the split King model provides another benefit. It allows you to customize the positioning of your side without disturbing your partner’s sleep. This model is excellent for couples that require different positions for comfort or medical reasons.

What Is a Wall-Hugger Adjustable Bed?

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A wall-hugger adjustable bed has an inner mechanism to switch positions without needing much space. When the bed moves, it doesn’t require as much space behind or in front of it to shift between different positions.

These beds are ideal for smaller areas or rooms with little free space to let the bed adjust. Not all adjustable beds are wall-huggers because not all households need this option.

However, a wall-hugger model typically costs more than a regular adjustable bed. It is also more difficult to find in traditional bed stores.

What Bed Frames Work with Adjustable Bases?

There’s no problem using a standard bed frame with your new adjustable bed base. The adjustable bed will be narrower than the frame. So, there won’t be a problem when trying to fit it on the frame.

Most beds also include reliable adjustable legs, which you can use to make them taller or shorter, depending on what your frame requires.

What Headboards Work with Adjustable Beds?

Most adjustable beds can fit any type of headboard or footboard. Some beds even include brackets you can use to install them easily.

However, there’s one thing you need to consider before buying a new headboard or footboard. The headboard and footboard must be the right width, or you won’t be able to install them on the bed brackets.

What Kind of Mattress Can Be Used with an Adjustable Bed?

You can use any mattress on an adjustable base if you won’t move the base. If you plan to take advantage of your new bed, you need a mattress with decent flexibility and support.

For instance, most innerspring mattresses are too rigid and firm to withstand the constant movements of an adjustable bed.

What Mattresses Work with Adjustable Beds?

The best mattress for an adjustable bed is the one that offers good flexibility and durability. The mattress will constantly be moving, and if it is not flexible, it will prevent the mechanism from working correctly.

Here are the mattresses you should consider:

Latex mattresses: These mattresses combine reflex foam with latex foam to provide solid support and breathability. This type of mattress has good flexibility and can endure the constant position changes of an adjustable bed. They are also known for being eco-friendly.
Memory-foam mattresses: They combine a support spring or foam with a layer of memory foam that adapts to the contours of your body. These mattresses provide the best possible support and comfort. They are also highly flexible and fit your adjustable bed without a problem.
Non-innerspring mattresses: Basically, any mattress that doesn’t use inner springs will work with an adjustable bed. Inner springs are metal wires inside the mattress combined with springs that provide support. However, they are too stiff and inflexible to be used on adjustable beds.

What Is the Difference Between a Hospital Bed and an Adjustable Bed?

An adjustable bed is not the same as a hospital bed, even if they share certain attributes and benefits. These beds have different purposes, and because of that, they have unique benefits and drawbacks.

Here are the main differences between adjustable beds and hospital beds:

Size: One of the main differences between an adjustable bed and a hospital bed is the different sizes they come in. Hospital beds are meant to be used by one person at a time. On the other hand, adjustable beds come in almost any standard bed size, up to Split California King.
Positions: A basic hospital bed allows you to raise or lower the head and foot area of the frame. That’s because these beds have been designed to help people with mobility problems. However, adjustable beds can move each part independently and allow you to reach zero-gravity positioning.
Design: Another vital difference between a hospital bed and an adjustable bed is the designs and models available. Adjustable beds can fit different bedroom styles, while hospital beds are designed to be functional.
Controls: Because adjustable beds allow more positions, the controls are more complex. You can even order one of these beds with two remotes so that each person can adjust their side of the bed. Hospital beds only have one remote, which is simple to use.
Extras: Most hospital beds can only raise or lower the upper and lower part of the bed. On the other hand, adjustable beds can switch between more positions. They also often include extras like in-built massagers, wi-fi, and warming mechanisms.

Conclusion

In conclusion, an adjustable bed is a functional device that provides a wide range of benefits for your health. Because you can customize it to your needs, it is the ideal way to get the best night’s sleep. For instance, zero-gravity positioning in an adjustable bed is the most popular option because of its comfort and health benefits.

Before buying an adjustable bed, you should consider the space in your home and what you require for a better rest. Once you know your needs, you can choose the model with the most suitable features.

Sources:

What Is Average Cost of Quality King Size Bed?

Do You Need A Special Mattress For An Adjustable Bed?

7 Benefits of Sleeping in Zero Gravity Position

Definitions and Classifications of Hospital Beds and Beds in Nursing and Residential Care Facilities

10 Health Benefits of Using An Adjustable Bed Frame

Effect of Sleep Position on Sleep Apnea Severity