THE ADJUSTABLE BED BUYER’S GUIDE
Are you thinking about buying an adjustable bed? Here’s what you need to know before you make your choice.
• Adjustable Beds Aren’t Hospital Beds Thirty years ago, mattress buyers associated adjustable beds with hospital beds or beds for people with infirmities. Today, the appeal of the adjustable bed goes well beyond skilled care and into comfortable, attractive and wellness-enhancing beds that fit into attractive homes everywhere.
• HIt’s the Frame, Not the Bed You may have imagined a mattress wired with rods that move at the touch of a button. What actually happens is the frame moves — not the bed. You’ll have to purchase a mattress that accommodates motion, but in many cases, the mattress can be used on a stationary bed frame, too.
You can also buy a combination bed and frame that are made to go together. Remember that adjustable king bed frames are typically split into two halves, so when your partner is snoring, you can adjust his head upward so you can get a better night’s sleep. You can also find hard-to-find sizes such as California king, split queen and twin XL in adjustable frames.
• Features and Mechanics All adjustable beds move up and down at the head and feet with the touch of a button. But you can also buy bed frames that massage, bed frames wired for charging devices, and bed frames built with a more attractive appearance. Ask about battery backup, too. If your home loses power, you don’t want to be stuck in an uncomfortable position for sleeping.
Don’t forget to pay attention to the weight limit on the adjustable bed you plan to purchase. Many beds, including queen and king beds, limit weight loads to 300-400 pounds, which means not everyone can safely sleep on an adjustable bed frame. If you need a bed frame that manages more than 400 pounds, you’ll probably need a model with an AC motor, which is better able to handle heavier lifts.
• Choosing the Mattress When you begin to choose your mattress, remember that innerspring mattresses, which are the most popular style of mattress sold today, are usually not suitable for use on an adjustable frame. If you were planning to use your existing innerspring mattress, you might be out of luck. On the bright side, testers routinely rank memory foam mattresses as the most comfortable mattresses made. Latex mattresses are another comfortable choice.
• The Warranty Purchasing an adjustable bed is a big investment and you want to make sure your bed will be durable and comfortable for years of use. Review warranty information before you purchase so you can shop with confidence — and get the restful night’s sleep you deserve.
• HIt’s the Frame, Not the Bed You may have imagined a mattress wired with rods that move at the touch of a button. What actually happens is the frame moves — not the bed. You’ll have to purchase a mattress that accommodates motion, but in many cases, the mattress can be used on a stationary bed frame, too.
You can also buy a combination bed and frame that are made to go together. Remember that adjustable king bed frames are typically split into two halves, so when your partner is snoring, you can adjust his head upward so you can get a better night’s sleep. You can also find hard-to-find sizes such as California king, split queen and twin XL in adjustable frames.
• Features and Mechanics All adjustable beds move up and down at the head and feet with the touch of a button. But you can also buy bed frames that massage, bed frames wired for charging devices, and bed frames built with a more attractive appearance. Ask about battery backup, too. If your home loses power, you don’t want to be stuck in an uncomfortable position for sleeping.
Don’t forget to pay attention to the weight limit on the adjustable bed you plan to purchase. Many beds, including queen and king beds, limit weight loads to 300-400 pounds, which means not everyone can safely sleep on an adjustable bed frame. If you need a bed frame that manages more than 400 pounds, you’ll probably need a model with an AC motor, which is better able to handle heavier lifts.
• Choosing the Mattress When you begin to choose your mattress, remember that innerspring mattresses, which are the most popular style of mattress sold today, are usually not suitable for use on an adjustable frame. If you were planning to use your existing innerspring mattress, you might be out of luck. On the bright side, testers routinely rank memory foam mattresses as the most comfortable mattresses made. Latex mattresses are another comfortable choice.
• The Warranty Purchasing an adjustable bed is a big investment and you want to make sure your bed will be durable and comfortable for years of use. Review warranty information before you purchase so you can shop with confidence — and get the restful night’s sleep you deserve.
