The better our sleep, the healthier we are. That’s one reason so many people are discovering the beneficial comfort of adjustable beds that raise the head, feet or lumbar region. If you think of these as klutzy, unattractive hospital equipment designed for the elderly, think again!

Today’s adjustable beds are built for everyday bedrooms, and they’re a boon for all sorts of people. These beds are beneficial for those with aches and pains or folks with snoring or breathing issues. They’re also an asset for health-conscious people who want to attack their work and play with the edge that comes from a better night’s sleep.

Styles To Suit Your Home

Adjustable beds have become mainstream because of the improvements in selection, appearance and affordability. In most cases, an adjustable bed base will tuck inside an existing bed frame for a low-profile look suitable for any bedroom. You can match your bed to your current decor. You can even choose the bed first and design around it. Keep the headboard and footboard that you love or choose something delightfully new!

Improved, hidden mechanics and quieter motors mean your new adjustable bed fits seamlessly into your bedroom ambiance. Many healthy, able-bodied adults are choosing the adjustable bed as a desirable fixture that adds to the home in more ways than merely improving sleep.

Is an Adjustable Bed Right for Me?

If you like to wake up feeling good, an adjustable bed may help you achieve that more consistently. Therefore, just about anyone might find the bed beneficial. It can be especially valuable for those who are not sleeping well, who are tossing and turning with discomfort or who just want their bed to be a multi-purpose furniture item.

Here are some questions to ask yourself:

• Do you find yourself shifting about, trying to settle on a more comfortable position?

• Do you wake up with pain in your back, neck, shoulders or joints?

• Do you have poor circulation that results in swelling feet and ankles?

• Do you experience snoring or other breathing issues?

• Do you wake up not feeling as refreshed as you should?

• Do you prop yourself with pillows to find the position that’s just right?

• Does your bed partner complain about your tossing about?

• Do you use your bed to read, watch TV or work on your phone or laptop?

If any of these apply, an adjustable bed may be your key to a more useful bed and more healthful sleep.

Adjustability for Two

What if you want to sleep with your head and feet raised, but the person on the other half of the bed prefers to remain flat? Well, adjustable bed makers have a solution for that. It’s the split adjustable king bed. Each half raises and lowers individually. If one of you wants to prop up their back and watch TV, and the other wants to stretch out with just a little foot elevation, the split bed is happy to accommodate you.

An Abundance of Features

The primary function of an adjustable bed is to raise parts of the body. Some lift your head, some raise your feet and most do both. Others also lift the lumbar area for back support. While these functions are great for breathing problems, circulation issues and various aches and beds, most adjustable beds do even more. Here are some additional features you can choose from:

• Zero gravity. In the zero-G position, the head and feet are both raised above the level of the heart. It imitates the sensation of weightlessness that astronauts experience. Body weight is distributed more evenly. Some beds can be automatically locked into the zero gravity setting. This position can improve breathing, reduce pressure on achy body parts, alleviate pain and generally improve sleep.

• Massage. For an extra dose of relaxation, some adjustables offer head and/or foot massage. Many have multiple intensity levels. You might wonder how a bed can massage you through a thick mattress. The answer lies in resonant frequency. The bed emits a frequency that causes the mattress to vibrate and pass the massage along to you.

• Snore detection. Even if the snoring sleeper doesn’t think this is a big deal, their partner might appreciate it. The bed will automatically raise the head about 12 degrees when it detects snoring. This opens the nasal passages and makes it harder to snore.

• Underbed lighting. These lights are out of sight when you’re in bed but help when you get up during the night. They’re also a style feature.

• Smart sleep. An AI-driven device detects and records your sleep patterns and provides insights and coaching the next day via an app. It helps you make your Z time one of the cornerstones of a healthy lifestyle.

• Smart alarm. This subtly shifts your position shortly before wake-up time, making it more natural to roll out and start your day.

• Wireless remote. Now it’s easy to keep your fine tuning close at hand. Some remotes have an integrated flashlight for ease of use. Others allow you to save your favorite settings. Many beds can be controlled from an app on your phone as well as the remote itself.

• Charging ports. You can never have too many of these. Many beds offer both USB A and C ports, and some have electrical outlets as well.

• Adjustable and removable legs. Get the bed height you prefer. Many adjustable beds support zero clearance and are compatible with platform beds and storage beds.

Which Adjustable Bed Should I Choose?

The beds are available at a wide range of price points, and you’ll find some that are surprisingly affordable. One of the first considerations, as with any bed, is size. Most adjustable beds come in sizes from twin to king. Many people already have the bed frame they plan to drop their adjustable into, and that’s the size they need.

All adjustable beds rise, but not all raise the same body parts or the same distances. If you have snoring or breathing issues, you need an adjustable head. An adjustable foot is best for those with circulation problems. Many back problems are alleviated with lumbar support. Zero gravity positioning is a great addition to the bed’s repertoire and certainly worth checking out! If you plan to work on your laptop or watch TV, you’ll want a head that goes high enough to make that a breeze.

Be sure that the bed has sufficient weight capacity. Many beds will support 750 to 850 pounds, so it’s easy to find one that’s sturdy enough for just about any person or couple.

Make sure your adjustable base is compatible with the bed frame you plan to use. Most will work just fine with a bed frame of the same size, for example, a queen with a queen. However, in some cases the bad elevation is too high for the adjustable legs to reach the ground. If you have a platform bed or a storage bed, not every adjustable bed frame is compatible, and you’ll have to choose a zero-clearance base that is.

An excellent way to choose your adjustable is to stop by a showroom and take a few for a test ride! You can explore several options and select the one that fits you best.

A Word about Mattresses

Not every mattress is compatible with an adjustable bed. However, that won’t put a crimp on your selection! Many of the top brands produce mattresses that work with adjustables. All sizes and all kinds are available. Foam mattresses are extremely popular, but there are also hybrids and even spring mattresses, especially those with pocketed coils.

You will find adjustable-compatible mattresses with desirable features such as breathable cooling construction and antimicrobial treatment. Whatever demands you have for your mattress, you can find an adjustable-compatible one to satisfy them.

Get Ready To Enjoy the Benefits!

When you start sleeping in an adjustable bed, there’s an excellent chance that the quality of your sleep will improve. This is especially true for those with neck, back, shoulder or joint pain, those who snore or have trouble breathing and restless sleepers who spend nighttime hours tossing about. It’s not uncommon for adjustable sleepers to report less pain during both the night and the day. Other possible benefits are improved blood flow, less inflammation, more energy and reduced stress.

There’s also the convenience of raising the head into a sitting position for work, TV or just reading a book. When you lower your head (possibly with your wireless remote!) and turn out the lights, you can position your adjustable bed to distribute your body weight and relieve pressure points. No more propping or stacking pillows to find the arrangement that is just right. Let the push of a button find your ideal sleep posture for you! Enjoy happy dreams as you look forward to a morning where you wake refreshed and ready to take on the world.