Best adjustable bed for reading, watching TV & working in bed
Hi, we’re John and Mimi. Ask most people what they actually use their adjustable bed for, and it isn’t a fancy sleep position. It’s sitting up: a chapter before lights out, a show, answering email with the laptop on their knees, coffee on a Sunday morning. If that sounds like you, a few features matter far more than the rest. Here’s what to look for, which of our bases we’d pick, and today’s prices: same factory models, lower price than other online retailers.
The short answer
- Any base beats a pile of pillows. Every adjustable base we sell raises the head, so your whole back is supported instead of just your neck.
- Pillow tilt is the reading feature. It tips the top of the bed forward so your head comes up to the book or screen. The SBKDT2 and the e7 Lumbar have it.
- Wall glide keeps the nightstand in reach. The Glide (SBKDG2) moves toward the wall as it inclines, so your lamp, phone and water stay where you can reach them.
- Memory buttons save your spot. Program a “reading” or “TV” position once and it’s one press after that.
- USB ports at the head keep a phone, tablet or e-reader charged without a cord across the room.
- Our usual picks: the SBKDT2 (pillow tilt, massage, USB, night light) and the Glide (wall glide, USB, voice control). On a budget, the e3 (SBKD3) with 3 memory positions.
Pick by how you use the bed
| If you mostly… | Look for | Where to start |
|---|---|---|
| Read in bed every night | Pillow tilt, a night light, a memory button for your reading spot | SBKDT2 or e7 Lumbar |
| Watch TV from bed | Head lift plus pillow tilt so your eyes meet the screen; foot lift for your legs | SBKDT2; e3 if you just need head and foot lift |
| Work on a laptop | Head lift with a memory position, USB ports near the head | e4 Premium, Glide, e7 Lumbar (USB-A and USB-C) |
| Sit up and reach for the nightstand a lot | Wall glide | Glide (SBKDG2) |
| Get a sore lower back sitting up | Lumbar support | e7 Lumbar (SBKDL2); see our adjustable base for back pain guide |
| Want a headboard to lean on | A base with a headboard included | Sam, Alex or Taylor adjustable base with headboard |
| Just want to sit up, simply | Head lift and a plain remote | SBKDH (head only, wired 2-button remote) |
Pillow tilt: why readers love it
When you raise the head of a regular base, your upper body leans back at an angle, and most people end up stuffing a pillow behind their neck to see the page. Pillow tilt is a separate motion at the very top of the bed that tips your head and shoulders forward, so you’re looking at your book, tablet or TV instead of the ceiling, without bunching pillows. The SBKDT2’s listing describes it as “a pillow tilt for reading or watching TV.”
- SBKDT2: head and foot lift, pillow tilt, flat, zero gravity and anti-snore presets, a memory button, head and foot massage with three intensities and a 10, 20 or 30-minute timer, USB charging ports, a night light and Bluetooth built into the control box.
- e7 Lumbar (SBKDL2): everything above plus a lumbar incline for the small of your back, USB-A and USB-C ports, and a night light with a motion sensor that turns on when it senses movement. Its listing calls it designed “for reading, lounging, sleeping, or working.”
Wall glide: keep the lamp and phone within reach
On a standard base, the head section tilts up in place, so the more you sit up, the farther you drift from the wall and your nightstand. The Glide (SBKDG2) glides toward the wall as it inclines, which its listing describes as keeping you “within arm’s reach of your nightstand.” It also has USB ports near the head, under-bed lighting, a wireless remote, voice control through the built-in microphone (app download required), and head and foot massage. If you sit up every night, this is the base we’d point you to first. More in step 5 of our how to choose an adjustable base checklist.
Memory buttons: one press to “reading”
Finding the perfect angle is fun once. After that you want it back with one button. The e3 (SBKD3) and e4 Premium have three programmable one-touch positions (hold the button for 5 seconds to save where you are), the Sam, Alex and Taylor headboard bases have three memory buttons, and the SBKDT2, e7 and Glide have memory buttons too. A typical setup: one for reading, one for TV with the feet raised a little, and the flat button for sleep.
Charging, lights and the little things
- USB ports: the e4 Premium lists 4 in Twin XL and Queen and 8 on split king sets; the Glide, SBKDT2, e8 High-Low Lift and the headboard bases have USB ports too; the e7 has both USB-A and USB-C. The SBKDH and e3 don’t have USB ports.
- Night lights: under-bed lighting on the e4 Premium, Glide and headboard bases; a night light on the SBKDT2; motion-sensor night light on the e7.
- Remotes: the e3 has a 9-button wireless remote and the e4 Premium a 14-button wireless remote; the SBKDH uses a wired 2-button remote.
- Laptops and trays count toward the weight limit. Our bases list a 750 lb limit including the mattress and users (700 lbs on the SBKDH). See our weight capacity guide.
Want a headboard behind you?
Leaning against a headboard is half of reading in bed. You have two easy routes. The Sam, Alex and Taylor bases come with an upholstered headboard included. Or keep the headboard you already have: head and footboard brackets are available as an add-on for the e3 and e4 Premium, and our zero-clearance bases can sit inside most bed frames. Our box spring guide covers frames and brackets.
Reading together? Go split king
If one of you reads while the other sleeps, a split king is two Twin XL bases side by side (76" × 80" together), so each side raises on its own. The Twin XL and Cal King Split sets come with a synchronization cable if you ever want both sides to move together. Our split king guide explains sheets, mattresses and sizes.
Adjustable base prices today
Today’s prices in Twin XL, Full and Queen, all with free shipping.
| Pick | Best for | Model code | Twin XL | Full | Queen |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SBKDT2 | Pillow tilt for reading/TV, massage, USB, night light | SBKDT2-TL |
$859 | $929 | $929 |
| Glide (SBKDG2) | Wall glide keeps the nightstand in reach; USB, voice control | SBKDG2-TL |
$939 | $1,019 | $1,039 |
| e7 Lumbar (SBKDL2) | Pillow tilt plus lumbar; USB-A and USB-C | SBKDL2-TL |
$999 | $1,099 | $1,119 |
| e4 Premium (SBKDP2) | USB ports, under-bed light, massage, 3 memory positions | SBKDP2-TL |
$599 | $649 | $699 |
| e3 (SBKD3) | Budget pick: head + foot, zero gravity, 3 memory positions | SBKD3-TXL |
$449 | $479 | $499 |
| SBKDH | Head only, wired remote; the simplest way to sit up | SBKDH-TL |
$639 | $679 | $679 |
| Sam with headboard | Headboard included, USB, under-bed light | BNSBKD2HS-TL |
$1,009 | $1,089 | $1,099 |
Prices are today’s prices, read live from our catalog, with free FedEx shipping included.
Compare every model side by side in the adjustable base comparison chart.
SBKDT2 Adjustable Bed Base with Pillow Tilt, Massage, Night Light & USB Ports
Our first pick for readers and TV watchers: pillow tilt brings your head up to the page or screen, and massage is a nice way to finish the night.
- Pillow tilt plus head and foot lift
- Flat, zero gravity and anti-snore presets, memory button
- Head and foot massage with a 10, 20 or 30-minute timer
- USB charging ports and a night light
- 750 lb weight limit including mattress and users
From $859 (Twin XL) · Queen $929 · See sizes & details
Glide Adjustable Base - SBKDG2
Our pick if you sit up every night and hate reaching for the nightstand: it glides toward the wall as it rises.
- Wall glide when inclined
- Zero gravity, anti-snore and 3 memory buttons
- USB ports near the head and a night light
- Voice control through the built-in microphone (app download required)
From $939 (Twin XL) · Queen $1,039 · See sizes & details
Which mattress works for sitting up?
The mattress has to bend with the base. Memory foam and most hybrids do, and our best mattress for an adjustable base guide lists the ones we’d pair with each base. If you eat or drink in bed, put a protector on from day one, since our mattress listings say liquid damage doesn’t qualify for a warranty replacement; see our mattress protector guide.
Shop this guide
If you mostly read, watch TV or work in bed, start with one of these.
- SBKDT2 Adjustable Bed Base with Pillow Tilt, Massage, Night Light & USB Ports, from $859. Pillow tilt for reading and TV, plus massage and USB.
- Glide Adjustable Base - SBKDG2, from $939. Wall glide keeps your nightstand within reach.
- e3 Adjustable Bed Base with Wireless Remote, Memory Positions & Zero Clearance, from $449. The budget way to sit up, with 3 memory positions.
Questions we hear a lot
What is the best adjustable bed for reading in bed?
Look for pillow tilt, which tips the top of the bed forward so your head comes up to the page instead of resting on a pile of pillows. Our SBKDT2 and e7 Lumbar bases have pillow tilt; the SBKDT2 also has massage, USB charging ports and a night light.
What is pillow tilt on an adjustable bed?
Pillow tilt is a separate motion at the very top of the base that tilts your head and shoulders forward. It is made for reading or watching TV, so you look at the book or screen without bunching pillows behind your neck.
Is an adjustable bed good for watching TV?
Yes. Raising the head supports your whole back while you sit up, and raising the foot a little takes pressure off your legs. A memory button lets you save your TV position and return to it with one press.
What is a wall-hugging or wall glide adjustable bed?
On a standard base the head tilts up in place, so you move away from the wall and your nightstand as you sit up. Our Glide (SBKDG2) glides toward the wall as it inclines, keeping you within reach of your nightstand.
Can I keep my headboard with an adjustable base?
Usually, yes. Head and footboard brackets are available as an add-on for our e3 and e4 Premium bases, and our zero-clearance bases fit inside most bed frames. The Sam, Alex and Taylor bases also come with an upholstered headboard included.
Still deciding? Just ask us
Tell John how you use your bed, what frame and headboard you have, and your mattress size, and he’ll tell you honestly which base he’d choose. Text or call 805-617-6878, 6 AM to 9 PM Pacific, take the 60-second mattress quiz, or read is an adjustable bed worth it?
Written by John & Mimi Venti, MimiJohn. Specs and features from the manufacturer’s product listings; prices update automatically.