Adjustable base with a headboard: what works

Hi, we’re John and Mimi. “Can I still have a headboard?” is one of the first things people text us about an adjustable base, and the honest answer is yes, almost always. There are four ways to do it: buy a base with the headboard built in, bolt a headboard to the base with brackets, set the base inside the bed frame you already have, or push the bed up to a wall-mounted headboard. Here’s which bases work each way, what to measure, and today’s prices: same factory models, lower price than other online retailers.

The short answer

• Want it all in one box? Our Sam, Alex and Taylor adjustable bases come with an upholstered headboard included, stand on six mid-century style legs, and come in twin, Twin XL, full, queen, king and cal king.
• Keeping your own headboard and the base stands on its own legs? The e3 (SBKD3) and e4 Premium (SBKDP2) list head and footboard brackets as an add-on, so the headboard attaches to the base. Text John before you order and he’ll confirm what fits.
• Keeping your whole bed frame? The base can go inside it where the box spring used to sit. The headboard stays on the frame exactly as it is now. The e3, e4 Premium, Glide, e7 Lumbar and SBKDT2 are zero clearance, and the SBKDH also fits within most bed frames.
• Headboard on the wall? Nothing attaches to the bed, so any base works. The Glide (SBKDG2) moves toward the wall as it rises, so you stay close to the headboard and nightstand.
• Measure first: the inside of your frame, your headboard’s size and how much of it shows above the mattress today.

Pick the route that fits your bedroom

Option 1: a base with the headboard included (Sam, Alex, Taylor)

These three are the simplest way to get a headboard and an adjustable base that were made to go together. Per their listings, all three share the same base features:

• Head and foot lift, flat and zero gravity from a wireless remote
• Three memory buttons (set your position and hold the button for 3 seconds to save it)
• Under-bed light and USB charging ports
• Six legs with customizable heights in a mid-century modern style with a wood-like pattern
• Emergency backup battery box and a mattress foot retainer bar
• 750 lbs weight capacity, no tools required, ships in 2 boxes by small parcel, 10-year limited warranty

The difference between Sam, Alex and Taylor is the look of the headboard, so compare the photos on each product page. They don’t have massage, and they come in twin, Twin XL, full, queen, king and cal king (a one-piece king, not a split king). Some sizes sell out from time to time, so the price table below shows what’s in stock today. Because the headboard is part of the bed, you don’t need a frame at all: the base and its legs are the whole bed.

Option 2: keep your headboard and add brackets (e3 and e4 Premium)

If you’re retiring the old bed frame but love the headboard, the e3 (SBKD3) and e4 Premium (SBKDP2) both list “head and footboard brackets available as an add-on.” The base stands on its own screw-in legs (3", 6", 9" or 12" on both), and the headboard attaches to the base instead of a frame.

• Match the size. A queen headboard goes with a queen base, a king with a king. Sizes don’t swap, the same as sheets.
• Send John a photo of the back of your headboard (where it bolts on now) and its width before you order. The brackets aren’t a separate item in our shop yet, so he’ll confirm the fit and the price for you.
• The other bases (SBKDH, Glide, e7 Lumbar, SBKDT2, e8 High-Low Lift) don’t list brackets, so for those, use your frame or a wall-mounted headboard instead.

Option 3: put the base inside your bed frame

This is the most common setup and it leaves your headboard untouched. The base replaces the box spring, not the frame, so it sits inside the frame where the box spring used to be and your mattress goes right on top. Never put an adjustable base on top of a box spring; our box spring guide explains why.

• Zero clearance: the e3, e4 Premium, Glide, e7 Lumbar and SBKDT2 are designed to sit on a flat surface or compatible bed frame without legs.
• Slats are OK: the e3, e7 Lumbar and SBKDT2 list that they can be used inside a bed frame with or without slats, or on top of a platform bed frame. The Twin XL and split sets list hook and loop straps to secure the base to a slat system, and the SBKDT2 also lists screws for added stability on slats or platform frames.
• The SBKDH fits within most bed frames too (it comes with 12" legs and lifts the head only).
• Measure the inside of your frame and compare it with the base size (queen 60" × 80", king 76" × 80", each half of a split king 38" × 80").

Shopping for a new frame anyway? Our upholstered bed frames include a slat pack, and most list a headboard; text John before pairing one with a base and he’ll check the fit.

Option 4: a wall-mounted headboard

A headboard mounted to the wall doesn’t touch the bed, so it works with any base. The catch is the gap: on a standard base the head section tilts up in place, so the more you sit up, the farther you drift from the wall. The Glide (SBKDG2) glides toward the wall as it inclines, which its listing describes as keeping you “within arm’s reach of your nightstand.” If you read or watch TV against the headboard every night, see our adjustable bed for reading and watching TV guide.

Clearance and height: what to check

• How much headboard will show? Bed height is the legs (or frame or platform) plus the base plus the mattress. Raise the bed and less of the headboard shows above the mattress. Measure how much shows today, then plan your legs and mattress thickness around it. Our mattress thickness guide helps.
• Under the bed: zero clearance means no legs at all. On legs, the e3 and e4 Premium give you 3", 6", 9" or 12" of room underneath, handy for storage.
• Behind the bed: plan for the remote, the power cord and an outlet within reach. A split king needs two plugs.
• Getting in and out: if a lower or higher bed matters, read step 4 of our how to choose an adjustable base checklist.

Split king with a headboard

A split king is two Twin XL bases side by side, 76" × 80" together, the same footprint as a regular king. So it fits a king frame and a king headboard, and each side raises on its own. Our headboard bases come in a one-piece king rather than a split king, so couples who want each side to move separately usually keep their king headboard and frame and set an e3 or e4 Premium split king inside. The Twin XL and split sets include connecting straps that keep the two bases from drifting apart when used without a bed frame, and a sync cable if you ever want both sides to move together. More in our split king guide.

Prices today

Headboard bases and the bases that take bracket add-ons, read live from our catalog. A dash means that size isn’t offered or is sold out today.

Prices are today’s prices, read live from our catalog, with free FedEx shipping included.

Split king prices are in our split king guide, and every model is side by side in the adjustable base comparison chart.

Sam Adjustable Base with Headboard - BNSBKD2HS

Our pick if you want the headboard and the base to come together, with nothing else to buy or bolt on.

• Upholstered headboard included
• Head and foot lift, zero gravity, 3 memory buttons on a wireless remote
• USB charging ports and an under-bed light
• Six mid-century style legs with customizable heights
• 750 lbs weight capacity; ships in 2 boxes, no tools required

From $1,009 (Twin) · Queen $1,099 · See sizes & details

e3 Adjustable Bed Base with Wireless Remote, Memory Positions & Zero Clearance

Our pick for keeping the headboard you already have, inside your frame or with the bracket add-on.

• Head and footboard brackets available as an add-on
• Zero clearance: inside a frame with or without slats, or on a platform
• Screw-in legs at 3", 6", 9" or 12" if it stands alone
• Zero gravity and 3 programmable positions on a 9-button wireless remote
• Weight limit 750 lbs, including the mattress and users

From $449 (Twin XL) · Queen $499 · See sizes & details

Don’t forget the mattress

Whichever route you pick, the mattress has to bend with the base, and the foot retainer bar keeps it from sliding. Memory foam and most hybrids work well; our best mattress for an adjustable base guide lists the ones we’d pair with each base.

Questions we hear a lot

Not sure which way works for your bed?

Send John a photo of your bed frame and headboard (front and back), your mattress size and your current bed height, and he’ll tell you honestly which setup works, even if it’s the simplest one. Text or call 805-617-6878, 6 AM to 9 PM Pacific, or use Help me choose.

Written by John & Mimi Venti, MimiJohn. Specs and features from the manufacturer’s product listings; prices update automatically.