Aging in place: a comfortable, easy bed at home
Hi, we’re John and Mimi. A lot of the folks who text us aren’t shopping for a “new mattress” at all. They want to keep sleeping in their own bedroom, in their own house, for years to come, and they’ve noticed the bed is starting to get in the way: it’s a little low to stand up from, sitting up to read means a pile of pillows, and the trip to the bathroom at 3 AM happens in the dark. This page is our hub for that whole project. It walks through the bedroom one moment at a time and shows which of our adjustable bases and mattresses help with each one, with today’s prices.
A sincere note: we’re a family business, not doctors or therapists. Everything here is about comfort and convenience, not treatment. If someone has a health condition, a history of falls or needs hands-on help moving, ask their doctor or an occupational therapist what bed setup they recommend before buying anything.
Start here: a five-minute bedroom check
Before you look at a single product, sit on the bed you have now and notice these things. Your answers point straight to the right part of this page.
- Sit on the edge. Are your feet flat on the floor? Are your knees roughly level with your hips, or well above or below? (See bed height.)
- Stand up without your hands. Did you have to rock forward or push hard off the mattress? (See lift and tilt.)
- Press on the side of the mattress. Does it sink and roll you toward the floor? (See edge support.)
- Sit up as if to read. How many pillows does it take? (See head and foot lift.)
- Turn the lights off. Could you find the door and the bathroom without a lamp? (See night lights.)
- Measure the frame. Inside width and length, the height of the side rails, and whether there are slats or a solid deck. (See fitting your frame.)
Around the clock: what helps, moment by moment
| Moment | What makes it easier | Where we have it |
|---|---|---|
| Getting into bed at night | A bed you can sit on with feet flat, then lower for sleeping | e8 High-Low Lift (raises up to 10") |
| Reading or watching TV | Raise the head section instead of stacking pillows | Every base we sell; the SBKDH is head-only |
| Settling in to sleep | One button back to flat, or a relaxed zero-gravity recline | e3, e4, Glide, e7, e8 presets |
| Reaching the nightstand while sitting up | A base that moves back toward the wall as it raises | Glide (SBKDG2) |
| Middle-of-the-night trip | A soft light under the bed that lights the floor | e4, Glide, e8 (under-bed); e7 (motion sensor) |
| Charging a phone at the bedside | USB ports built into the base | e4, Glide, e7, e8 |
| Getting up in the morning | Raise the head, swing your legs over, lift and tilt the bed forward | e8 lift + 10° forward tilt; optional handrails |
| A helper making the bed | Raise the bed to a working height so nobody bends double | e8 High-Low Lift |
Getting in and out: bed height, lift and tilt
Most people find a bed comfortable to sit on and stand up from when their feet rest flat on the floor and their knees sit about level with their hips. Total bed height is simply the legs or frame, plus the base or foundation, plus the mattress. So there are three ways to change it:
- Change the legs. The e3 and e4 take screw-in legs in 3", 6", 9" or 12" heights (or no legs at all inside a frame), so you can pick the height once at setup.
- Change the mattress. On the same base, a 12" mattress sits 2" higher than a 10". Small, but sometimes just enough.
- Let the bed move. The e8 High-Low Lift (SBLB) is the one base we carry that raises and lowers the whole bed. The manufacturer lists a lift of up to 10" and a forward tilt of up to 10°. Before lift, the base itself sits about 12.4" to 18.4" tall depending on whether you use the 3", 6" or 9" legs. Many people keep it lower for sleeping and raise it to sit down or stand up.
- Something to hold. Handrails for the e8 are an optional set of two, sold separately, for a little extra steadiness getting in and out.
Our how to choose an adjustable base checklist has the full height math with every leg option.
Head and foot lift, and zero gravity
Raising the head section turns your bed into a comfortable spot to read, do a crossword or have morning coffee, with the whole back supported instead of propped on pillows that slide. Many people also find it easier to get up from a slightly raised position than from flat: sit up with the remote, swing your legs over, stand. Raising the foot is simply nice after a long day on your feet.
Zero gravity is a preset that lifts the head and knees together into a relaxed recline, like a good lounge chair. The e3, e4, Glide, e7 and e8 all have it, along with a flat button so you can get back to sleeping position with one press. Curious about how it feels? Read our zero gravity guide.
Lights for nighttime
A dim light near the floor is one of the most appreciated features we sell, because it lets you see your slippers and the path to the door without switching on a bright lamp and waking your partner.
- LED under-bed lighting: e4 Premium (SBKDP2) and e8 High-Low Lift (SBLB), which list ambient light around the underside of the base.
- Night light: Glide (SBKDG2), described as under-bed lighting that lights the floor.
- Motion-sensor night light: e7 Lumbar (SBKDL2), which turns on when it senses movement.
- Under-bed light with a headboard: the Sam, Alex and Taylor bases come with an upholstered headboard and an under-bed light.
The SBKDH and e3 don’t have lights, so plan on a plug-in night light if you choose one of those.
Remote, voice and app control
The right control is the one the person will actually use. Here’s how ours compare:
- Simplest: the SBKDH has a wired remote with 2 buttons (head up, head down). Hard to lose, nothing to learn.
- Wireless with memory: the e3 (SBKD3) has a 9-button wireless remote with 3 memory presets, so a family member can save “reading” and “sleeping” once and it’s one press after that. A replacement remote is available if it goes missing.
- Voice: the e8 has a 19-button wireless remote plus a built-in microphone; you say “Hello Base” and then your command. The Glide also has a hands-free voice microphone, which needs an app download, and comes with a wireless remote too.
- Power outages: every base we sell except the SBKDH lists an emergency backup battery strip or box (9-volt batteries) for when the power is out. Put fresh batteries in at setup so it’s ready.
A small tip from Mimi: put a strip of bright tape on the “flat” button. It’s the one people hunt for in the dark.
The mattress: firmness and a steady edge
A base does the moving, but the mattress decides how the bed feels to sit on. For staying independent we look for two things: a medium firm feel, so you rest on top of the bed and turning over or getting up takes less effort, and edge support, so sitting on the side feels steady instead of sloped. Both of our usual picks list edge support: the 12" Ananda Pearl & Gel (described as “a stable sitting edge”) and the 10" EcoCore Hybrid Premium pocket-coil hybrid. Our foam and hybrid mattresses are made to bend with an adjustable base.
We go much deeper on firmness, foam vs. hybrid, side sleeping and sleeping cool in our best mattress for seniors & older adults guide, so we won’t repeat it all here.
Fitting a base into the bed you already have
Many people love their bedroom set and don’t want to replace it. Usually you don’t have to.
- Inside your existing frame: the e3, e4, Glide and e7 are zero clearance, meaning they can sit on a flat surface or a compatible frame without legs. The setup notes say they can go in a bedframe with or without slats, on top of a platform bed, or stand alone. Hook-and-loop straps secure the base to a slat system.
- On its own legs: any of them can stand alone as a bed, and the e3 and e4 let you choose the leg height. The e8 can be used inside a bedframe or as a standalone bed.
- Skip the box spring. An adjustable base replaces it. Our box spring guide explains why.
- Measure the inside of the frame and compare it to the base size, and check that the side rails won’t cover the moving parts when the head raises. Not sure? Text John a photo of the frame and he’ll tell you.
- Want a headboard included? The Sam, Alex and Taylor bases come with an upholstered headboard and six mid-century style legs.
Every base we sell lists a 750 lb weight limit including the mattress and the people on it, except the SBKDH at 700 lbs. More in our weight capacity guide.
For caregivers and grown kids helping out
Many of these orders are placed by a daughter or son for a parent, and many beds are shared by a couple where one partner helps the other. A few things that make life easier for the helper:
- Working height. With the e8 you can raise the bed to change sheets or lend a hand, then lower it again, instead of bending over a low bed.
- Set the presets for them. Program the memory buttons for the positions your parent likes, so they never have to fiddle with arrows.
- Couples with different needs. A split king is two Twin XL bases side by side, so each person controls their own side. See our split king guide (the e8 doesn’t come in split king).
- Delivery. Shipping is free. The e8 ships white glove and takes about 2 to 4 weeks; other bases and our boxed mattresses are heavy, so line up a helper to carry them in.
- Furniture or care equipment? Our bases are home furniture. If someone is bedbound or needs rails all around and a caregiver’s help to reposition, read our adjustable base vs. hospital bed guide and talk with their care team.
Adjustable base prices today
The bases we suggest most for staying comfortable at home, at today’s prices. The Split king column is the full set of two Twin XL bases. A dash means that size isn’t available right now.
| Pick | Best for | Model code | Twin XL | Queen | Split king |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SBKDH | Head lift with a simple 2-button wired remote | SBKDH-TL |
$639 | $679 | $959 |
| e3 (SBKD3) | Head and foot lift, zero gravity, 3 memory presets | SBKD3-TXL |
$449 | $499 | $1,169 |
| e4 Premium (SBKDP2) | Adds LED under-bed light, USB ports and massage | SBKDP2-TL |
$599 | $699 | $1,389 |
| Glide (SBKDG2) | Glides toward the wall; voice control via app; night light | SBKDG2-TL |
$939 | $1,039 | $1,559 |
| e7 Lumbar (SBKDL2) | Lumbar and pillow tilt, motion-sensor night light | SBKDL2-TL |
$999 | $1,119 | $1,739 |
| e8 High-Low Lift (SBLB) | Raises up to 10" and tilts forward; voice; under-bed light | SBLB-TL |
$1,469 | $1,599 | — |
Prices are today’s prices, read live from our catalog, with free FedEx shipping included.
And the mattresses we’d put on top:
| Pick | Best for | Model code | Twin XL | Queen | King |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12" Ananda Pearl & Gel (12PEARL) | Medium firm with a stable sitting edge | 12PEARL-TL |
$599 | $689 | — |
| 10" EcoCore Hybrid Premium | Medium firm pocket-coil hybrid with edge support | 10HSOY-TL |
$549 | $749 | $849 |
| 10" ActiveAlign Copper | Bouncy medium firm foam that’s easy to move on | 10REACTIVE-TL |
$619 | $739 | $809 |
Prices are today’s prices, read live from our catalog, with free FedEx shipping included.
See every model side by side in the adjustable base comparison chart.
e8 High-Low Lift & Tilt Adjustable Bed Base with Massage, Under-Bed Lights & USB Ports
Our pick when sitting down and standing up are the hard part. The whole bed rises and tilts forward, then lowers again for sleeping.
- Lifts up to 10" and tilts forward up to 10°
- Head and foot incline, zero gravity and flat presets
- 19-button wireless remote plus “Hello Base” voice command
- LED under-bed lighting and USB ports near the head
- Optional handrails, sold separately
From $1,469 (Twin XL) · Queen $1,599 · See sizes & details
e3 Adjustable Bed Base with Wireless Remote, Memory Positions & Zero Clearance
The best value way to sit up in bed with real support. Fits inside most frames, or stands on legs you choose.
- Head and foot lift, zero gravity
- 9-button wireless remote with 3 memory presets
- Legs in 3", 6", 9" or 12", or zero clearance
- 750 lb weight limit including mattress and users
From $449 (Twin XL) · Queen $499 · See sizes & details
Glide Adjustable Base - SBKDG2
For anyone who sits up in bed a lot and wants the nightstand to stay within arm’s reach.
- Glides toward the wall as it inclines
- Hands-free voice microphone (app download) plus wireless remote
- Night light and USB charging ports
- Zero clearance for platform and storage beds
From $939 (Twin XL) · Queen $1,039 · See sizes & details
Shop this guide
If getting up is the hard part, start with the e8 High-Low Lift. If you mostly want to sit up comfortably, the e3 is the value pick. Top either with a medium firm mattress that has edge support.
- e8 High-Low Lift & Tilt Adjustable Bed Base with Massage, Under-Bed Lights & USB Ports, from $1,469. Raises and tilts the whole bed for easier sitting and standing.
- e3 Adjustable Bed Base with Wireless Remote, Memory Positions & Zero Clearance, from $449. Head and foot lift with memory presets; fits most frames.
- 12" Ananda Pearl and Gel Memory Foam Mattress - Medium Firm - 12PEARL, from $599. Medium firm with a stable sitting edge.
Questions we hear a lot
What kind of bed helps with aging in place?
For most people staying in their own home, a regular-looking bed that is easier to use: a medium firm mattress with edge support on an adjustable base that raises the head and foot. If sitting down and standing up are getting hard, a high-low base like our e8 (SBLB) raises the whole bed up to 10 inches and tilts forward up to 10 degrees. This is comfort and convenience advice, not medical advice.
Can an adjustable base fit inside my existing bed frame?
Usually, yes. Our e3, e4, Glide and e7 bases are zero clearance, so they can sit inside a frame with or without slats, on top of a platform bed, or stand alone on legs. Measure the inside of your frame and make sure the side rails will not block the head section as it rises. Text John a photo of your frame if you are not sure.
Which adjustable bases have an under-bed light?
The e4 Premium (SBKDP2) and e8 High-Low Lift (SBLB) list LED under-bed lighting, the Glide (SBKDG2) has a night light, the e7 Lumbar (SBKDL2) has a motion-sensor night light, and the Sam, Alex and Taylor bases with headboards have an under-bed light. The SBKDH and e3 do not have lights.
Is there an adjustable bed with voice control?
Yes. The e8 High-Low Lift has a built-in microphone: say “Hello Base” and then your command, and it also comes with a 19-button wireless remote. The Glide has a hands-free voice microphone that needs an app download, plus a wireless remote.
How high should the bed be for getting in and out?
Many people like a height where they can sit on the edge with feet flat on the floor and knees about level with the hips. Bed height is the legs or frame plus the base plus the mattress. The e3 and e4 take 3, 6, 9 or 12 inch legs, and the e8 can raise the bed up to 10 inches when you want it higher. If someone has a fall risk, ask their doctor or occupational therapist. Questions? Text John at 805-617-6878.
Tell us about the bedroom
Text John who the bed is for, how tall the current bed is, a photo of the frame and what’s getting harder, and he’ll tell you honestly what he’d set up, even if that’s “keep your mattress and just add a base.” Text or call 805-617-6878, 6 AM to 9 PM Pacific, or try the 60-second mattress quiz.
Written by John & Mimi Venti, MimiJohn. Specs from the manufacturer; prices update automatically. Comfort and convenience advice only, not medical advice.