The short answer: an adjustable base is worth it if you’d use the positions. It lets you raise the head and foot of the bed with a remote, so you can sit up to read or watch TV, raise your legs, or find a sleeping position that feels better than lying flat. Some models add massage settings. If you only ever sleep flat and never sit up in bed, a standard foundation may be all you need.
Adjustable bases have moved from specialty item to everyday bedroom furniture. Here’s what they do, what to compare, and how to decide whether one belongs in your bedroom.
What an adjustable base does
An adjustable base takes the place of a traditional foundation or box spring. It has a motorized frame that bends at the head and foot, controlled by a wireless remote. You can raise just your upper body, just your legs, or both, and return to flat at the press of a button.
On our adjustable bases page we describe it this way: by elevating your head and feet, these bases can alleviate pressure on your body and reduce snoring, allowing you to breathe easier and sleep more soundly. Every body is different, so if you have a medical condition or ongoing pain, talk to your doctor about which positions are right for you.
Adjustable base vs. a standard foundation
A standard foundation or box spring does one job: it gives your mattress a flat, even surface to rest on. It has no moving parts and doesn’t need power. An adjustable base gives the mattress the same kind of support when it’s flat, and adds the ability to change position.
- Choose a standard foundation if you sleep flat, rarely sit up in bed and want the simplest setup.
- Choose an adjustable base if you spend time awake in bed, like your legs or upper body raised, or share a bed with someone who wants a different position.
Many people who buy an adjustable base say the reason is simple: they were already propping themselves up with a pile of pillows every night.
Either way, the mattress needs proper support. A worn-out foundation can make even a new mattress feel uneven.
Features to compare
- Head and foot adjustment. The core feature. Look at how smoothly each section moves and how easy the remote is to use in the dark.
- Massage settings. Some bases include massage; others keep it simple. Decide whether it’s something you’d actually use.
- Wireless remote. Check the layout and whether there are preset positions you can return to with one button.
- Size. Bases come in a range of sizes to match your mattress. For couples, ask whether a split option is available so each side can move on its own.
- Style. Some bases sit inside an existing bed frame; others are designed to stand on their own legs. Think about how it will look in your room and whether you want to keep your headboard.
Our adjustable bases are available in a range of sizes and styles, whether you’re looking for a basic model or a more advanced one with massage features.
Who tends to enjoy an adjustable base
- People who read, work or watch TV in bed and are tired of stacking pillows behind their back.
- Partners who want to sit up while the other sleeps (with a split option).
- Anyone who finds a slightly raised head or legs more comfortable for sleeping.
- People who like the idea of a massage setting at the end of the day.
If none of those sound like you, a standard foundation is a perfectly good choice, and you can put the money toward the mattress itself.
Getting it set up
Adjustable bases are heavier and more involved to set up than a box spring, and they need to be positioned near an outlet. That’s one reason it helps to have them delivered and installed rather than doing it yourself. Our adjustable bases are delivered and set up at your home, and we can take away your old mattress at no charge. Once it’s in place, take a few minutes to learn the remote and try each position before you settle on favorites.
Will it work with my mattress?
Not every mattress is designed to bend. Many foam and hybrid mattresses work well on an adjustable base, while some traditional innerspring designs aren’t intended to flex. The safest approach is to choose the mattress and base together, or ask us whether a mattress you’re considering is a good match for a base. Our guide on mattress firmness by sleep position can help you narrow down the mattress side.
Questions to ask before you buy
- Does it fit my mattress size, and is a split version available?
- Will it fit inside my current frame, or does it replace it?
- Is there an outlet near the bed for the motor?
- What features does each option have, and which ones will I really use?
- Can I try the positions with the mattress I’m choosing?
Try it at home
An adjustable base is easiest to judge when you can sit up in it, raise your legs and lie back down in your own bedroom. When you book an at-home fitting, mention that you’re interested in an adjustable base and we’ll plan for it. Like our mattresses, adjustable bases are delivered and set up at your home anywhere in the Jackson metro, and they pair with a premium mattress at 30-70% off retail.
Take the Mattress Match quiz, see our adjustable bases, or book your free at-home fitting.
