Is an adjustable bed worth it? Honest pros and cons
Hi, we’re John and Mimi. An adjustable base costs more than a plain frame, so it’s fair to ask whether it’s worth the money. For a lot of people it’s the best thing they ever did for their bedroom. For others, a good mattress on a simple frame is all they need. Here’s our honest take on who should buy one, who can skip it, and what it really costs at today’s prices: same factory models, lower price than other online retailers.
The short answer
- It’s usually worth it if you read, watch TV or work in bed, wake up with a sore back, snore or get heartburn at night, are on your feet all day, or share a bed with someone who likes a different position.
- You can probably skip it if you always sleep flat, never sit up in bed, and are happy with how you wake up.
- If you only want to sit up, a simple head-only base costs much less than a fully loaded one.
- An adjustable base replaces your box spring, and most memory foam and hybrid mattresses bend with it just fine.
What an adjustable bed actually does
An adjustable base is a motorized bed foundation. With a remote, you raise the head, the foot, or both, and lower them back to flat with one button. Most of our bases add a one-touch zero gravity position (head up a little, knees up a little more) and memory buttons that save your favorite spots. Some add massage, USB charging and an under-bed light. You put your mattress right on top; there’s no box spring.
The real benefits
- Sitting up without a pile of pillows. This is the one people use every day: reading, TV, a laptop or breakfast in bed, with your back actually supported.
- Zero gravity for tired backs and legs. Raising your knees and head together takes pressure off your lower back. Many of our customers tell us it’s the button they use most. More in our adjustable base for back pain guide.
- A little head lift at night. Some people find that sleeping with the head slightly raised helps with snoring or nighttime heartburn. See adjustable bed for acid reflux and snoring.
- Feet up after a long day. Great if you stand all day for work. Our shift workers and firefighters guide covers it.
- Two people, two positions. With a split king (two Twin XL bases), each of you gets your own remote, so one can sit up while the other stays flat. See the split king guide.
- It replaces the box spring. Our zero-clearance bases can sit on a platform, inside a bed frame, or stand alone on legs. See do you need a box spring?
The honest downsides
- Cost. Even our simplest base costs more than a basic metal frame. The prices are below so you can decide with real numbers.
- Weight. A base with steel frame and motors is heavy. Plan on two people to set it up and to move it later.
- Not every mattress bends. Memory foam and hybrids with individually wrapped coils flex with the base. A traditional innerspring with connected coils, or a very thick, stiff mattress, may not. Our best mattress for an adjustable base guide explains what works.
- It needs an outlet near the bed, since the motors are electric.
- Split kings have a seam. Two Twin XL mattresses side by side leave a small gap in the middle. Most couples stop noticing it, but it’s worth knowing.
- Extras you may not use. Massage and lights are nice, but if you know you won’t use them, a simpler base saves money. Our is massage worth it? guide is just as honest about that.
Who it’s worth it for, and who can skip it
| If you… | Our honest take |
|---|---|
| Read, watch TV or work in bed | Worth it. Even a head-only base beats propping up pillows. |
| Wake up stiff or with a sore back | Often worth it. Look for zero gravity and a foot lift. |
| Snore or get heartburn at night | Worth trying a little head lift; ask your doctor about your situation. |
| Share a bed and like different positions | Worth it as a split king, so each side moves on its own. |
| Find it hard to get in and out of bed | Look at the High-Low Lift, which raises the whole bed and tilts forward. |
| Always sleep flat and feel great | You can skip it. Spend the money on the right mattress instead. |
| Are setting up a guest room | Usually not needed; a good mattress on a frame is fine. |
What it costs at today’s prices
Every base ships brand new and factory-sealed with free FedEx shipping and a 10-year limited warranty (full coverage in year 1). The Split king column is the price of the full set of two Twin XL bases.
| Pick | Best for | Model code | Twin XL | Queen | Split king |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SBKDH | Head lift only, wired remote; the budget way to sit up | SBKDH-TL |
$429 | $469 | $759 |
| e3 (SBKD3) | Head and foot, zero gravity, 3 memory presets, wireless remote | SBKD3-TXL |
$469 | $519 | $949 |
| e4 Premium | Adds head and foot massage, anti-snore, USB and under-bed light | SBKDP2-TL |
$609 | $709 | $1,229 |
| Glide | Glides toward the wall so your nightstand stays in reach | SBKDG2-TL |
$729 | $829 | $1,359 |
| e7 Lumbar | Adds lumbar lift and pillow tilt | SBKDL2-TL |
$849 | $989 | $1,573 |
Prices are today’s prices, read live from our catalog, with free FedEx shipping included.
Want every feature side by side? See the adjustable base comparison chart.
e3 Adjustable Bed Base with Wireless Remote, Memory Positions & Zero Clearance
Where we point most first-time buyers: everything that makes an adjustable bed worth it, without paying for extras you may not use.
- Head and foot lift with one-touch zero gravity and flat
- 3 programmable memory positions on a 9-button wireless remote
- Zero clearance, or legs at 3", 6", 9" or 12"
- Split king set: two Twin XL bases with a sync cable
From $469 (Twin XL) · Queen $519 · See sizes & details
e4 Premium Adjustable Bed Base with Massage, USB Ports, Wireless Remote & Zero Clearance
For people who want the comfort extras: massage at the end of the day, a phone charger by the bed, and a soft light for getting up at night.
- Head and foot massage with 3 levels and a timer
- Zero gravity, anti-snore and 3 memory presets
- USB charging and LED under-bed light
From $609 (Twin XL) · Queen $709 · See sizes & details
Shop this guide
Most people start with the e3. Add massage with the e4, and pair either with a mattress that bends.
- e3 Adjustable Bed Base with Wireless Remote, Memory Positions & Zero Clearance, from $469. Our most popular base: head and foot, zero gravity, memory presets.
- e4 Premium Adjustable Bed Base with Massage, USB Ports, Wireless Remote & Zero Clearance, from $609. Everything in the e3 plus massage, USB and an under-bed light.
- 12" Copper Gel Infused Cooling Memory Foam Mattress - Medium Firm, Back & Side Sleepers, from $409. A customer favorite that bends well on any adjustable base.
Questions we hear a lot
Is an adjustable bed worth the money?
For people who sit up in bed, wake up with a sore back, snore, or share a bed with someone who likes a different position, usually yes. If you always sleep flat and wake up feeling great, you can skip it and put the money into a good mattress.
Do you need a special mattress for an adjustable bed?
Not a special one, but it has to bend. Memory foam and hybrids with individually wrapped coils work well. Traditional innerspring mattresses with connected coils usually do not.
Do you need a box spring with an adjustable base?
No. The adjustable base replaces the box spring. Put the mattress directly on the base, and do not stack the base on a box spring.
Can couples use an adjustable bed?
Yes. A split king is two Twin XL bases side by side with two Twin XL mattresses, so each person controls their own side. A sync cable lets both sides move together when you want.
What is the cheapest way to get an adjustable bed?
A head-only base like our SBKDH costs the least and lets you sit up. For head and foot lift with zero gravity, the e3 is our best value. Questions? Text John at 805-617-6878.
Still on the fence? Just ask us
Tell John how you use your bed, what mattress you have now and what frame it sits on, and he’ll tell you honestly whether an adjustable base is worth it for you, even if the answer is no. Text or call 805-617-6878, 6 AM to 9 PM Pacific, or use Help me choose. See our Purchase Policy & Warranty for the details.
Written by John & Mimi Venti, MimiJohn. Features from the manufacturer’s spec sheets; prices update automatically. Not medical advice: if you have a health condition, ask your doctor what sleep setup is right for you.