What Is an Adjustable Base for a Mattress? + Benefits [Guide]

Key Takeaways

• An adjustable bed consists of a mattress and adjustable base that can be operated with a remote control or app.
• Adjustable bases for mattresses may help relieve congestion, snoring, and acid reflux while promoting greater relaxation.
• Depending on the model, you can easily use and program an adjustable base using the remote control or app to customize your sleep experience.

What is an adjustable base for a mattress, and how does it work? An adjustable bed pairs a flexible mattress with an adjustable bed base that can elevate different parts of your mattress based on your comfort preferences. 

An adjustable base sits under your mattress, allowing you to adjust the position of your head, feet, and legs to best suit your needs. Whether you’re working from bed or winding down to sleep, adjustable bases are becoming more popular as a health and wellness investment that can make your room more functional.

Read on to determine if this type of mattress foundation is right for you by learning about the features of an adjustable base and the benefits that come with this custom sleep experience.

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How Does an Adjustable Bed Frame Work?

Adjustable bed bases can shift the angle of your mattress using an electric motor and remote or app controls. With the push of a button, you can adjust the tilt of different areas of your mattress to relieve pressure and increase relaxation. 

Adjustable bases for mattresses typically come with presets you can easily engage to change your position, but you can also customize your settings to positions that suit your needs. Each section of the base is independently adjustable, meaning you can independently elevate parts of your bed for a fully custom sleep experience.

Most adjustable bases can fit within furniture bed frames under your mattress, giving you the freedom to personalize your bedroom setup while still reaping the benefits of a custom sleep experience.

Benefits of an Adjustable Bed

If you’ve never used an adjustable base, you may wonder if adjustable beds are worthwhile. Adjustable bases may offer several benefits that can extend beyond comfort while you sleep.¹

You can enjoy these potential health benefits of adjustable beds::

• May alleviate sleep apnea symptoms and reduce snoring: Elevating your head with an adjustable base can relieve pressure on your windpipe, improving airflow and reducing sleep disruptions.²
• May improve acid reflux symptoms: When lying down, back sleepers may experience heartburn or acid reflux as acid rises in their throats. Keeping your head elevated can prevent these uncomfortable symptoms.³
• May alleviate congestion: Whether you suffer from seasonal allergies or the occasional head cold, sleeping with your head raised can promote clear sinuses, relieving congestion so you can breathe better.
• May relieve pressure: Customizable presets on an adjustable base can elevate your feet and offer targeted pressure point relief for the regions of your back. Some bases, like the Purple Premium Plus Smart Base, feature lumbar support settings to further reduce discomfort and promote body alignment.⁴
• May improve circulation: Sleeping with your head and feet elevated can help enhance blood and oxygen flow, which can benefit those with circulatory issues.
• May reduce leg swelling: Your adjustable bed can help reduce swelling when you raise the foot end of your bed, relieving excess pressure.⁵ This feature can be especially helpful for pregnant individuals or people who are on their feet for long periods.
• May improve mobility: An adjustable bed can increase independence for seniors or individuals with disabilities by helping them get in and out of bed more easily and reducing physical strain.⁶
• May enhance quality of life: With an adjustable bed frame, you can sleep and lounge more comfortably, improving your sleep quality and duration.⁷ Whether you’re recovering from an injury, resting while sick, or reclining to read, an adjustable base makes relaxation easy.

Adjustable bases may not be suitable or beneficial for everyone. Before buying one, make sure you consider the following pros and cons of adjustable beds:

Features to Consider When Choosing an Adjustable Base 

As adjustable bases become more popular, you’ll have more options to choose from. For a custom, unparalleled sleep experience, look for features that promote relaxation, comfort, and convenience, such as:

Ease of Use

If you want to get the most out of your adjustable base, you should find one that is easy and convenient to use. Some bases offer remote, in-app, or smart home controls so you can more easily adjust your bed to your liking.

Look for a base with straightforward instructions, suitable presets, and control options that match your preferences.

Head and Foot Elevation

Some adjustable bases only adjust the top of your mattress, which can help reduce snoring and improve sleep quality, but if you want a fully adjustable sleep experience, look for bases that can elevate your head and feet to relieve more pressure and promote relaxation.

Lumbar Support

Whether you experience back pain or not, added lumbar support built into the base can promote stability and keep your spine aligned no matter what settings you use.

Massage Settings

Not all adjustable bed bases are created equal, and bases with massage settings can elevate the quality of your rest, relieve tension, and promote relaxation.

Underbed Lighting

Underbed lighting adds atmosphere to your bedroom and makes it easier to navigate in the dark. Often easy to turn on or motion-activated, underbed lighting is an added feature that elevates your entire bedroom.

USB Ports

Adjustable bases need to be plugged in to function, taking up an electrical outlet, but some bases feature USB ports to make it easier for you to charge your phone or use other devices while lounging in bed.

How To Choose a Mattress for an Adjustable Bed Base

In most cases, you don’t need a special mattress for an adjustable bed, but if you want to get the most out of your adjustable bed, it’s important to pair it with a mattress that can comfortably withstand frequent adjustments.

Before you settle on a mattress, make sure you consider the following qualities to ensure it’s compatible with your base.

Flexibility

Your mattress should be able to bend and flex with the adjustable base, which means innerspring mattresses are compatible with adjustable bases because of their inflexibility. 

Though Purple’s adjustable bases are compatible with most mattresses, they pair best with Purple mattresses, which are durable and flexible thanks to the GelFlex® Grid.

Durability

Even if you aren’t constantly adjusting your mattress, you want to make sure your mattress can handle shifting angles without wearing out prematurely. Look for mattresses made with high-quality, durable materials like latex, dense memory foam, and hyper-elastic polymer.

Thickness

Mattress thickness or height affects whether or not it is compatible with most adjustable bases. Mattresses over 14 inches thick are generally not ideal for adjustable bases because they may not be able to bend as easily. Some thick mattresses are designed to be used with adjustable bases, but it’s important to check the materials and construction before considering a thicker mattress.

Weight

As with mattresses and other bed foundations, adjustable bases have weight limits to ensure the base can function properly. To avoid putting unnecessary strain on the base,  make sure the combined weight of all sleepers, bedding, and your mattress doesn’t exceed this limit. 

What Type of Mattress Is Best for an Adjustable Bed?

The best type of mattress for an adjustable bed is flexible, durable, less than 14” thick, and under the maximum base weight limit. Mattresses made with flexible and supportive materials like the GelFlex® Grid, latex, or dense memory foam often work best with adjustable bases.

Latex

Bouncy and responsive, latex mattresses are highly durable and work well with adjustable bases. Though they tend to offer less pressure relief than other materials, latex mattresses can provide more relief when paired with an adjustable base.

Memory Foam

Thanks to their flexibility, memory foam mattresses can work well with adjustable beds. Mattresses made with memory foam offer great pressure relief, pairing well with presets like zero-gravity, though they may sleep hot and are more prone to sagging than other materials.

Hybrid

Hybrid mattresses are multi-layer beds that combine a variety of materials, such as foam, latex, or gel, with innerspring for added support. People with stiff joints might enjoy pairing a hybrid mattress with an adjustable base for added pressure relief and comfort.

GelFlex® Grid

Our innovative hyper-elastic polymer GelFlex® Grid pairs perfectly with an adjustable base. Durable and flexible with full-body support, the GelFlex® Grid can bend with the movement of your adjustable base without compromising how well it supports your body and provides pressure relief.

Purple’s RestorePremier™ Hybrid Mattress is highly compatible with an adjustable base for superior custom comfort. Together, they’ll provide cushioned support and pressure relief with enough flexibility to shift and bend to enhance your comfort.

Adjustable Base vs. Box Spring

Both box springs and adjustable bases lift and support your mattress, but they provide different features and benefits.

A traditional box spring is completely flat, providing a sturdy foundation for your mattress. Box springs raise your mattress above your bed frame and can help prevent premature sagging. If you want your mattress to sit lower on your bed, you can opt for an alternative to box springs like bed slats. 

It’s also important to choose a bed frame that works with an adjustable base, as some frames may not accommodate it. Most standard panel bed frames will work with an adjustable base, though you should remove any slats before installing the base.

Compared to adjustable bases, box springs work with most bed frames and are available at a much lower price point. Box springs, though, only support a flat sleeping position and generally pair best with innerspring mattresses. The coils of a box spring can damage other types of beds, like memory foam, latex, and Purple mattresses.

While adjustable bases also raise and support your mattress, they have a motor that allows you to adjust the position of your head, feet, and other areas with a remote control or app, depending on the base. 

Are Adjustable Beds Worth It?

Yes, adjustable bases for mattresses are worthwhile in most cases. You can enhance the quality of your sleep and get relief from disruptive symptoms by customizing the adjustable bed base settings for your unique needs. 

Some of the best adjustable bases for a mattress are versatile, easy to use, and customizable. Purple’s smart bases are compatible with most mattresses, offering head and foot elevation, comfortable presets like lounge and Zero-Gravity, and the ability to adjust your position to best support your body.

Enjoy Custom Sleep With Purple

Enhance the way you sleep with an adjustable base from Purple, featuring convenient one-touch presets and customizable elevation settings.

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