4 Best Adjustable Beds of 2026: Tested by Experts

Features

• Trial period: 30 nights
• Warranty: 10 years

Key takeaways from our testing

Wallet-friendly. If you want to minimize costs, consider the Helix Adjustable Base. You can buy a queen-sized adjustable base for $1,248, which is the lowest-priced model on our list by about $300. Our lab team also has seen this base advertised for less than $1,000 during frequent promotions. While the Helix Adjustable Base doesn’t have premium features like TV mode or wireless connectivity, it still offers perks like timed massage with three intensities (low, medium and high) as well as underbed lighting you can turn on to help prevent falls at night. 

Outstanding customizable remote. Tester Sandra, 76, who has back pain and sleeps on an adjustable base, gave a top-tier rating for the remote’s design due to its user-friendliness, noting that she appreciated its three color-coded memory preset buttons. Most remote controls our lab team has tested offer only one or two memory presets, but the Helix Adjustable Base lets you save up to three favorite positions by assigning one to each button. Saving your own positions is an advantage if you’re particular about the angle of your head or feet as you sleep or unwind. 

Louder than other tested models. Our lab team measured the base’s noise levels during adjustments using a decibel meter. We recorded 44 decibels when raising the head to a full upright position, and 47 decibels when transitioning to zero-gravity mode. These levels were relatively low — a refrigerator can have a typical noise level of 40 to 43 decibels, per the Noise Pollution Clearinghouse — and received a score of 4 out of 5. But the levels  were slightly louder than those of other bases we’ve tested. Sandra said she didn’t notice a difference. But light-sleeping couples, for instance, might prefer the Nectar Premium Adjustable Bed Frame instead.

Best Split King: Nectar Premier Adjustable Bed Frame

Visit Site

Score: 9.7 out of 10

Pros and cons

Pros

• Quiet motors
• Comfortable, subtle adjustments
• Variety of premium features

Cons

• Expensive 
• Lacks delivery options

Features

• Trial period: 60 nights
• Warranty: Two years

Key takeaways from our testing

Movement shouldn’t disturb lighter sleepers. Split-king adjustable bases are two twin XL adjustable bases joined in the middle. They allow independent adjustments on either side of the bed, which is convenient for couples who want to relax in different positions. Since split-king adjustable beds are connected, mechanical vibrations can transfer to the other side — but this transfer isn’t likely with the Nectar Premier Adjustable Bed Frame. “The bed moves seamlessly, even when elevating the split heads independently,” our tester Bryan said, although he wished it was easier to move the two heads to the same level at the same time. “I didn’t notice much noise coming from the base either,” he said. Our lab team also recorded a maximum sound level of 32 decibels during adjustments (a first-rate score), which is just louder than a whisper. Quiet motors can bring fewer sleep disturbances if a partner makes late-night adjustments.

Premium features. The Nectar Premier Adjustable Bed Frame’s remote offers a range of basic and advanced features to accommodate different comfort preferences. Bryan highlighted the base’s range of adjustment angles, noting how he appreciated how high the bed kept his head in the zero-gravity mode. “Sometimes adjustable bases will have your head lower than your feet in the zero-gravity setting, which makes me feel tipped upside down, but not with this one,” he said. “My head was elevated over my knees so I had that light floating feeling and I had no pressure in my lower back.” He also appreciated its seven modes (including anti-snore, TV mode and two custom preset buttons), timed massage with three intensities, two USB ports on each side and subtle underbed lighting you can turn on using the remote control. Even with so many features, this base still received a top-notch score in ease of use.

Pricey and hard to set up. This frame costs more than $2,700 before discounts, which is not unusual for a split-king base. While this price includes a generous 60-night trial period and a standard two-year warranty, it doesn’t include white-glove delivery, a service where the company will set it up and remove your old mattress and base. Adjustable bases can be heavy and awkward to move, and a split-king base can be even more cumbersome. This base, for instance, measures 76 inches wide and weighs 210 pounds. So if you want to buy this frame, consider budgeting additional funds to hire a local moving company.

Best Luxury: Saatva Adjustable Base Plus

Visit Site

Score: 9.5 out of 10

Pros and cons

Pros

• Exceptional design and features
• Mobile app offers a remote control back-up
• Free white-glove delivery and 25-year warranty

Cons

• Slow adjustments
• No trial period

Features

• Trial period: None
• Warranty: 25 years

Key takeaways from our testing

Helpful, unique settings. Tester Bryan liked the Saatva Adjustable Base Plus for its array of useful features, including its “well-organized” remote control. He awarded it a perfect score for the design of its wireless remote control, ease of use and overall experience. “The remote is intuitive with every button clearly labeled with pictures or words,” he said. The ability to activate underbed lighting is common among the bases we’ve tested, but Bryan was surprised to see an accompanying built-in remote control flashlight that can help illuminate a walking path and prevent falls at night. He appreciated how the base’s massage can target the head, legs or whole body — a setting not found in other bases we’ve tested. The Saatva Adjustable Base Plus also is one of the few options on the market with a mobile app, which serves as a helpful backup to the wireless remote control. 

Standout purchase terms. Saatva offers the longest warranty on our list at 25 years — that’s more than double the next-longest warranty of 10 years offered by Helix. Saatva’s warranty covers all mechanical and electrical parts of the adjustable base for the first five years, and then covers only the steel and mechanical parts for the remainder of the term. In our survey of older adults who recently bought a bed, 22 percent of respondents said their top priority was warranty length. Saatva also is the only company — among those whose products we’ve tested — that offers complimentary white-glove delivery. Unfortunately, it’s also the only company without a trial period, which could be a dealbreaker if you're not sure whether an adjustable base is right for you. 

Moves slowly. This base moves smoothly but slowly, earning a solid score (4 out of 5) for adjustment quality. Transitioning to zero-gravity mode takes nearly half a minute, which is almost twice as long as the same transition on the Helix base. Some may like this gentle movement, but for people who prefer faster adjustments, the DreamCloud Premier Adjustable Bed Frame or Nectar Premier Adjustable Bed Frame may be a better option.

How we tested the best adjustable beds 

We started our process by researching the market. Which features are most important for comfort and pressure relief in an adjustable base? What bases with these features are popular and why? Which brands have the best customer reviews — and are the reviews legitimate?

To identify the bases’ strengths and weaknesses, we used controlled lab tests to assess things like noise level, smoothness of movement and more. Then we recruited more than 15 testers, ages 50 and older, to give us their unbiased feedback. 

Testers answered questions like: Did the adjustable base move smoothly and cleanly, without jerking motions? Was it easy to use? How long did it take to switch positions? Bases that excelled in our tests made our list of the best adjustable beds. For more details on our process, read how we test mattresses and other sleep accessories.

How to choose the best adjustable base for you

Most adjustable bases have the standard features: head and foot elevation controls, a one-touch button to flatten the bed and zero-gravity mode. Some have more bells and whistles than others, but what truly separates the good options from the great ones?

Here is a list of the most important considerations when shopping for an adjustable base, according to expert input, our testing results, survey respondents and focus group participants. 

Quiet motor

Not only does a quiet motor create a more calming experience, it also limits sleep disruption if you make nighttime adjustments while sleeping with a partner. A quiet motor also can be a sign of a high-quality adjustable bed, says Dr. Philip Schneider, orthopaedic spine surgeon at The Centers for Advanced Orthopaedics, which includes locations in the Washington D.C. area. Because many adjustable bases are so similar, he says quiet adjustments are one way to “differentiate the average from the exceptional.” 

All models on our list are no louder than 45 decibels. Light sleepers may want to choose the quietest option available. In our testing, the DreamCloud Adjustable Bed Frame performed at about 30 decibels, which is just louder than a whisper.

Smooth adjustments

Our lab team tested each adjustable base for quality, including movement feel and adjustment speed. Based on our results, these characteristics can have big impacts on your overall experience.

Adjustable beds should feel smooth during movement, since models that jerk or rumble during transition can feel unsettling or disturb a sleeping partner. Some models, like the DreamCloud Premier Adjustable Bed Frame, move quickly but begin their movements slower so the motion feels more fluid. All beds we recommend moved smoothly. 

We also noticed a significant difference in adjustment speed among models. For example, the DreamCloud Premier Adjustable Bed Frame is 16.5 seconds faster than the Saatva Adjustable Base Plus when transitioning to zero-gravity mode. The speed may feel uncomfortable for some, but others may find the slower adjustments too frustrating.

Features

Adjustable bases often differ in their feature lineup. Some bases are more basic, only offering standard head and foot adjustments and one or two preset positions. Others, like the Saatva Adjustable Base Plus, have unique settings rarely found on other bases, like a remote control with a flashlight and targeted massage.

Schneider, the orthopedic surgeon, recommends selecting bases with memory presets so you can assign your “sweet spot” to the remote buttons for easy access. Otherwise, you’d have to manually find your favorite position every time you use the base or stick with the preset positions included with the model. All bases in our review offer at least one memory preset. The Helix Adjustable Base has three — the most we’ve seen in any model.

Other adjustable-base features can include those that follow. 

• Anti-snore mode. Many adjustable beds include this feature, which lifts the head of the bed by a few degrees. It’s designed to help keep the airway open and encourage better breathing. That said, if you have concerns about heavy snoring or breathing issues — or questions about these issues — consult your health care provider. 
• TV or reading mode. Some adjustable beds offer TV or reading modes that raise the head of the bed to an upright position. These modes are for people who unwind with a book or their favorite show, though many sleep experts discourage blue light exposure before and in bed, as it can make it harder to fall and stay asleep.
• Underbed lighting. If you get up frequently at night, you may benefit from underbed lighting to prevent a fall. Turning on this feature lights up the floor around the bed, so you can see any immediate obstacles.
• Built-in flashlight. A handful of remote controls for adjustable bases offer a built-in flashlight. If your bed has this feature, you can take the remote control with you to the bathroom or kitchen to light the way at night. 
• Remote backlighting. Remote controls with light-up buttons help you see which button you’re pressing in low light.
• Wall-hugging design. Some bases shift the entire bed backward during head adjustments to keep you conveniently close to your nightstand. If you spend a lot of time relaxing in bed before sleep, a base with wall-hugging movement can make it so you don’t have to reach behind you for bedside items.
• Massage. While adjustable beds don’t offer massage in a traditional sense, because they vibrations must travel through both the base and mattress, the vibrations from massage settings can feel soothing to some older adults. If you like this kind of massage, consider a base that has a timer and adjustable intensity settings for more control.
• Smartphone app. Only a few adjustable base models on the market are compatible with smartphone apps that serve as secondary controls. This compatibility is convenient for those who prefer to control their base from their phone. It’s also a good backup if the remote stops working.

User-friendliness

Two of our testing criteria, remote control design and ease of use, examine whether a base is intuitive enough for anyone to use. All bases in this review received perfect scores in these categories.

Well-designed remote controls have clear labels or icons and easy-to-navigate layout. The buttons for common settings such as head/feet elevation and memory presets may also be shaped differently, so they’re easy to find in the dark or without glasses in the morning. Buttons also are large, easy to press and responsive. 

In turn, easy-to-use bases have these well-designed remote controls and are simple to learn and control. For example, assigning your favorite position to a memory preset button should be as simple as holding the button down for a few seconds while in that position. 

What type of mattress is best for an adjustable bed?

Although many mattress companies claim their beds are compatible with adjustable bases, our lab team has found this isn’t always true. Thicker, stiffer mattresses with dense materials like innersprings don’t bend as well with adjustable base movements, causing these beds to slope awkwardly or gap toward the feet. When mattresses don’t bend with the adjustable base movements, risks include uneven sleeping surface or even falling out of bed.

Schneider cautions against using stiff innerspring beds (made with springy metal coils), as they usually aren’t compatible with adjustable bases. Our lab team recommends mattresses with pliable construction such as memory foam or foam-dominant hybrids — which refers to beds made with a combination of springs and foam — as these materials tend to conform to adjustments better.

Check out our review of the best overall mattresses to see which one earned our Best Adjustable Bed designation.

Who benefits from an adjustable bed?

Adjustable beds can be beneficial for older adults who have certain medical conditions, such as sciatica or back pain, says Robyn Culbertson, doctor of physical therapy and spokesperson for the American Physical Therapy Association. 

New mattresses and adjustable bases can be helpful tools, but it’s important for anyone with back pain or mobility issues to consult a medical provider to determine the best treatment plan for their condition, says Culbertson. Also consult your health care provider about the best plan for you if you have other health conditions, including orthopedic issues like sciatica or neck pain and breathing-related issues affecting sleep quality. For instance, changing your sleeping position can potentially help reduce the severity of sleep apnea — if you’re able to do it — but it's not a replacement for medical therapy.

In Culbertson’s experience, some older adults who have back pain can elevate their legs to reduce pressure on the lower back and help muscles to relax. This leg elevation also can help reduce swelling in the legs, she says. Two of our focus group participants said they purchased adjustable bases to help address their back pain, noting that these bases did help relieve their pain and improve their sleep.

Culbertson also recommends adjustable bases for older adults with mobility issues. Raising the head of the bed can help you get into an easier position to pivot and stand up.

Schneider said he has seen cases where adjustable bases have helped older adults with other health concerns, including acid reflux or snoring. However, if you snore or you hold your breath at night, head elevation alone may not be enough. Consider talking with your health care provider about whether you should be evaluated for sleep apnea. Your provider may suggest strategies to address breathing issues, including sleeping on your side to help open your airway or using a device to help you breathe (such as a continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP, machine). 

How much do the best adjustable beds cost?

The best adjustable beds cost between $1,248 and $2,762. See the chart below for specific pricing. Models noted are queen size, except the Nectar Premier Adjustable Bed Frame, which is a split king.

*For a split king

Questions or feedback? Email us at AARPSmartPicks@aarp.org.