Do you need a box spring with an adjustable base?
Short answer: no. An adjustable base takes the place of a box spring, and your mattress goes right on top of it. Hi, we’re John and Mimi, and this is one of the questions we get most by text. Here is what to do with your old box spring, your bed frame and your headboard, and how tall the finished bed will be.
Why you don’t need a box spring
A box spring, or a foundation, is just a flat support that lifts your mattress off the floor. An adjustable base does the same job, and it also bends. It has its own steel frame and a padded deck, so the mattress sits directly on it. A box spring can’t fold, so it can’t go between the base and the mattress, and it would just hold the mattress flat.
So when you order an adjustable base, you can retire the old box spring. Many customers donate it, move it to a guest room, or have it hauled away with their old mattress.
Can I put the adjustable base on top of my box spring?
We don’t recommend it. A box spring isn’t built to carry the weight of a base, its motors and two sleepers on a few points, and the bed ends up far too tall. Set the base on the floor with its legs, on a solid platform, or inside your bed frame instead.
Your three setup options
- On its own legs. The simplest setup: screw in the legs and the base is the whole bed. On the e3 (SBKD3), legs come in 3", 6", 9" or 12" heights, so you can choose a low, modern look or leave room for storage underneath.
- Inside your existing bed frame. Our bases are zero clearance, so they fit inside most standard bed frames where the box spring used to sit. Measure the inside of your frame first.
- On a platform bed. Zero clearance also means the base can sit right on a solid platform with no legs at all. Safety straps help keep it in place.
What about my headboard?
You can keep it. If the base sits inside your frame, the headboard stays attached to the frame as it is now. If the base stands on its own legs, head- and footboard brackets are available as an add-on, so a headboard can bolt to the base. Text John a photo of your headboard and he will tell you which way works.
How tall will the bed be?
Add three things: the leg height (or the height of your frame or platform), the base itself, and your mattress. A 12" mattress on a base with 6" legs lands close to a normal bed height, which is comfortable for most people. If getting in and out of bed is hard on your knees or back, a lower setup with short legs is easier. Tell John your current bed height and he will help you match it.
Will my mattress work without a box spring?
Most memory foam and pocket-coil hybrid mattresses work great on an adjustable base and never needed a box spring to begin with. Old-style innerspring mattresses with a stiff border wire usually don’t bend well, so they aren’t a good match. Our best mattress for an adjustable base guide explains thickness and firmness. The e3 also has a foot retainer bar that keeps the mattress from sliding when the head goes up.
Our bases at today’s prices
Every base below replaces a box spring and works on legs, in a frame or on a platform.
| Pick | Best for | Model code | Queen | Split king |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| e3 Adjustable Base | Best value: head and foot lift, zero gravity, wireless remote, 3 memory presets | SBKD3-Q |
$519 | $949 |
| e4 Premium (massage) | Adds head and foot massage, anti-snore, USB and an under-bed light | SBKDP2-Q |
$709 | $1,229 |
| Glide | Wall glide keeps your nightstand in reach as the head rises | SBKDG2-Q |
$829 | $1,359 |
Prices are today’s prices, read live from our catalog, with free FedEx shipping included.
e3 Adjustable Bed Base with Wireless Remote, Memory Positions & Zero Clearance
The base most people choose when they are replacing a box spring for the first time. It does the important things well at a friendly price.
- Zero clearance: on a platform, inside a frame, or on legs
- Screw-in legs in 3", 6", 9" or 12" heights
- Wireless remote, zero gravity, 3 memory presets
- No tools needed; folds in half for shipping
From $469 (Twin XL) · Queen $519 · See sizes & details
Need a new mattress too? Our sleep system packages pair a base and a mattress for less than buying them separately.
Questions we hear a lot
Do you need a box spring with an adjustable base?
No. An adjustable base replaces the box spring, and your mattress goes directly on top of it. A box spring cannot bend, so it does not go between the base and the mattress.
Can I put an adjustable base on top of a box spring?
We do not recommend it. A box spring is not built to carry the base, its motors and two sleepers on a few points, and the bed ends up far too tall. Use the base on its own legs, on a solid platform, or inside your bed frame.
Can I use my existing bed frame with an adjustable base?
Usually yes. Our bases are zero clearance, so they fit inside most standard bed frames where the box spring used to sit, or sit directly on a solid platform. Measure the inside of your frame first.
Can I keep my headboard?
Yes. If the base sits inside your frame, the headboard stays on the frame. If the base stands on its own legs, head- and footboard brackets are available as an add-on.
What should I do with my old box spring?
You will not need it with an adjustable base. Many customers donate it, move it to a guest room, or have it hauled away with the old mattress. Questions? Text John at 805-617-6878.
Still not sure? Just ask us
Send John a photo of your bed frame, or tell him your current bed height, and he will tell you exactly how the base will fit. Text or call 805-617-6878, 6 AM to 9 PM Pacific, or use Help me choose. Every order ships free by FedEx; see our Purchase Policy & Warranty for the details.
Written by John & Mimi Venti, MimiJohn. Specs from the manufacturer; prices update automatically. Compare every base on the adjustable base comparison chart.