The Best Adjustable Beds for Seniors, Tested by Experts
Get much-needed rest with effortlessly customizable comfort.
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Poor quality sleep can negatively impact your health, especially as you age. In the U.S. alone, a quarter of adults sleep less than seven hours each night, so if you find yourself struggling to get a good night's rest on a routine basis, consider changing your nighttime routine. For some, especially those with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), acid reflux, restless leg syndrome or even frequent snoring, an adjustable bed may help provide just enough comfort to ease you into sleep or even alleviate pain. Plus, these bases, which may seem intimidating, actually proved user-friendly in our tests.
What's the best adjustable bed for most seniors? Our top-tested pick is the Sealy Power Ease Base. It was the favorite model of our older testers, who preferred to skip advanced features in favor of simplicity. If you'd prefer all the bells and whistles, we recommend Saatva's Adjustable Base Plus.
In the past few years, our analysts at the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab have tested 20 different adjustable bed bases with consumer testers of all ages, including those with sleep-related disorders or health conditions, to gauge real-world performance. We've researched and assessed the materials, construction and features of dozens of bases and interviewed medical professionals for additional insight to ensure we stand behind our picks.
Our top picks:
- Best Overall: Sealy Ease Power Base
- Best Value: Lucid L300 Adjustable Bed Base
- Best Advanced: Saatva Adjustable Base Plus
- Most Comfortable: Tempur-Pedic Ergo Power Base
- Easiest to Set Up: FlexiSpot S6 Adjustable Bed
Pros
- Motor is quiet, according to testers
- Simple remote controls
- Quality construction
Cons
- Lacks the advanced features of other models
- No programmable positions
Nowadays, you can find adjustable beds with features well beyond basic head and foot elevation, like massage modes, under-bed lighting and sleep tracking. While many of our older testers appreciated these aspects, most preferred the simplicity of this adjustable bed from Sealy. The settings are straightforward, offering customizable head and foot elevation, a lie-flat option and a pre-set zero gravity position, and our testers loved how well-engineered it felt.
Tester notes: Our testers were impressed with every aspect, from the seamless delivery to the relatively quiet motor and easy-to-use controls. More than one tester described it as "excellent," and our most recent tester shared, "Being able to adjust [the head of the bed] was a big help in controlling my coughing due to acid reflux." He also found that raising the foot of the bed helped provide relief for his restless leg syndrome. The caveat? Some will find it a bit too simple, and the lack of programmable positions means you'll have to personally adjust it to your liking every night.
| Delivery | Free white glove delivery |
| Base Height | 4" to 20" |
| Weight Limit | 650 pounds |
LUCID L300 Adjustable Bed Base
Pros
- Fast, easy setup
- Easy-to-use, basic functionality
- Built-in USB ports for added convenience
Cons
- Fewer features than other picks
- Heavy to move
If you want all the benefits of an adjustable bed base without the high price tag, this option from Lucid offers the same functionality at a lower price point. It doesn't offer vibrating massages or under-bed lighting, but it still delivers easy-to-use head and feet elevation and the ability to pre-program your favorite position with the wireless remote. The bed also has built-in USB ports, so you can easily charge your phone. Plus, this model is an Amazon best-seller with thousands of rave reviews and the convenience of Prime shipping.
Expert notes: While it may not come with free setup and delivery, the DIY setup is simple and easy. The brand says it takes five minutes to set up on your own, and Amazon reviewers agree. Just note that while the setup may be easy, the bed is heavy, making it difficult to move into your bedroom without additional help. Still, thousands of users said it was worth the effort.
| Delivery | Free shipping within the continental U.S. |
| Base Height | 15" |
| Weight Limit | 750 pounds |
Saatva Adjustable Base Plus
Pros
- Programmable positions
- Zoned massage modes
- 850-pound capacity
Cons
- May be too tall for some users
Saatva's adjustable base comes with complimentary full-service setup. This means a team will come in to set up the bed and teach you how to control it, plus answer any questions. This base has all the bells and whistles — the most important being seamless head and feet elevation with the option to save several favorite positions for easy operation. It also comes with under-bed lighting, zoned massage modes and a wall-hugging design that'll keep you within reach of your nightstand.
Tester notes: Beyond its thoughtful design, our testers and panelists appreciated the easy delivery and user-friendly controls. Many told us that the Saatva base has upgraded their sleep, and one user praised the pressure-relieving zero-gravity position, saying it helped both her and her husband "fall sleep pretty quickly." One tester in his 70s noted, however, that the base is tall, and when paired with a thick mattress, this can make it more difficult to get in and out of bed. Still, some seniors may prefer the extra height over a too-low bed.
| Delivery | Free white glove delivery |
| Base Height | 13" to 18" |
| Weight Limit | 850 pounds |
Tempur-Pedic Ergo Power Base
Pros
- Free white glove delivery and setup
- User friendly with simple wireless remote
- Comfortable lumbar support control
Cons
- Testers had mixed opinions on the massage feature
For the most comfortable adjustable bed, look no further than this option from Tempur-Pedic. It has all the features our testers love, including pre-programmed positions with the option to customize your own, a vibrating massage mode with multiple intensities, USB ports and under-bed lighting. But what truly sets this base apart from our other picks is the adjustable lumbar support, which raises the area around your lower back up to 6 inches for targeted support.
Tester notes: Tempur-Pedic has consistently impressed us and our testers with its luxurious products, high-quality materials and excellent construction. Testers found the brand's adjustable bases extremely easy to use thanks to the convenient remote and loved how relaxing the zero-gravity position felt. One tester said, "I love being able to adjust the lumbar support [when] my lower back hurts and this gives me the support I need." Still, most were divided on the vibrating massage controls.
If you're looking for a more high-tech option, Tempur-Pedic's Ergo Smart Base offers all the benefits of this one and more, including sleep monitoring and a mode to both detect and limit snoring.
| Delivery | Free white glove delivery |
| Base Height | 3" to 12" |
| Weight Limit | 650 pounds |
FlexiSpot S6 Adjustable Bed
Pros
- Advanced features at a lower cost
- Quick and easy to build, according to testers
- Speedy shipping
Cons
- Some testers said the motor was loud when changing positions
As helpful as white glove delivery can be, sometimes waiting around all day or scheduling a date weeks in advance is more inconvenient than helpful. Luckily, this base ships quickly and is very easy to set up, according to our consumer testers. It's also got the advanced features you'd expect from more expensive models, including an anti-snore mode, zoned massage, three programmable position controls and under-bed lighting. Beyond that, you can use it directly on a platform bed or opt to add the legs.
Tester notes: Our testers enjoyed being able to program their favorite positions and highlighted the zero-gravity pre-set. "It took the weight off my pressure points, and I liked how it offered support in key areas, especially my lower back," said one tester. She also shared that while bases tend to be heavy — this was no exception — the cushioned edges were more comfortable to lift up the stairs than others she's tried. Some noted that the motor can be loud when changing positions but said it was a small price to pay for the comfort.
| Delivery | Free shipping within the continental U.S. |
| Base Height | 3" to 16" |
| Weight Limit | 750 pounds |
More adjustable beds to consider
Beyond our top-tested picks, here are some other adjustable beds in our tests that performed well for older users:
Best for Back Pain: Amerisleep's Adjustable Bed Plus is built for relaxation, featuring head and foot articulation, a rolling massage mode, USB ports and more. The bed's convenient wall-glide design is game-changing: It makes reaching for anything on your nightstand a breeze, even when the head is elevated to its fullest.
Best Luxury: The Dawn House Bed is one of the most thoughtfully designed and well-executed adjustable beds on the market. Unlike other bases, you can raise and lower the height of the entire bed with the press of a button, which proved life-changing for the independence of one tester in her 70s.
Best Adjustable Bed and Mattress Combo: The Sleep Number 360 p6 Smart Bed pairs perfectly with any one of the brand's FlexFit bases for an all-in-one solution. Each side of the mattress has air chambers that allow you to adjust the bed to your ideal level of firmness while the bases vary in their functions. It's a top-tested favorite among our panel and even earned the Good Housekeeping Seal for its customizability and comfort.
How we test adjustable beds for seniors
When looking for the best adjustable beds, our analysts in the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab comb through the most popular options online while taking note of materials, specifications, standout features and noteworthy claims for each. We also vet the brand to ensure it's trustworthy, both in terms of product and service. Next, when possible, we'll go in-person to the brand's store to view the bases firsthand and access how they operate and what type of user each is best suited for.
From there, we work with consumer testers, including seniors, those with sleep-related disorders and users with health conditions (like acid reflux) to set up and try out the bases at home. After an initial testing period, they provide feedback on everything from setup to the overall user experience over time. We also routinely survey our readers and tester panel for additional feedback on mattresses or bed bases they own plus insight into the most essential features. To choose the best adjustable beds for seniors, we considered feedback from older testers to determine the most essential features and looked for beds with exceptional user-friendly attributes.
Here are some factors we consider when determining the adjustable bed bases for seniors:
✔️ Ordering & delivery: Users share how easy it was to order the base and how quickly it arrived. They also let us know if any problems came up and how those issues were resolved.
✔️ Set up: Whether DIY or white-glove delivery, testers share their opinion on the process offered by the brand, assigning scores to the level of difficulty and time needed to set up the bed as well as any additional costs or unexpected problems.
✔️ Ease of use: Users rate the adjustable bed on how easy it is to control and use, from pre-programmed offerings to customizable options, massage capabilities and other features.
✔️ Sleep quality & comfort: Our reviewers tell us whether the adjustable base positively affected sleep quality and comfort, both initially and over time. They also assign the base an overall satisfaction score and compare it to any previous beds they've slept on.
✔️ Additional feedback: Testers share likes, dislikes or additional thoughts they have about their user experiences.
Things to consider when shopping for adjustable beds for seniors
✔️ Budget: Adjustable bases can be an expensive investment but offer incredible personalized comfort, especially for older users or those who suffer from acid reflux. While there are quality bases available at a lower price (like our above pick from Lucid), if you're after more advanced features, it will come at a steeper cost. If you're looking to save, wait for holiday weekends like President's Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day or Thanksgiving (i.e., Black Friday and Cyber Monday) when mattresses and bed bases commonly go on sale.
✔️ Features: While all adjustable beds offer standard head and feet positioning and the popular, pressure-relieving zero-gravity position, some have more advanced features like sleep tracking, massaging and under-bed lights. Determine which features you want and which you could live without. Also, consider whether you'd prefer to use a remote control, voice control or an app on your phone to adjust your position. In our tests, older users typically prefer using a remote over an app to control their beds.
✔️ Head-raising capability: Adjustable beds have different types of head-raising capabilities. Some can be programmed to raise your head gradually to wake you up like an alarm, while others have an anti-snore mode that uses slight elevation to relieve pressure on your airway. Others may have a TV-watching or book-reading mode for additional back support plus the popular zero-gravity position, allowing you to feel weightless with both your head and legs elevated.
✔️ Wall-hugging technology: Some beds with this feature allow you to fully elevate the head of the bed without distancing yourself too far from your nightstand. It was not important to every user in our tests, but it's definitely a nice feature to have.
✔️ Setup: Some brands offer delivery and setup while others will ship the base directly for self-assembly. While delivery services may require longer periods of waiting, they can be worthwhile if you don't want to assemble or lift a heavy bed base.
Will Medicare cover an adjustable bed?
When deemed medically necessary, Medicare can help cover the cost of an adjustable bed. A doctor's prescription is required before submitting the request to the appropriate medical equipment provider. The options covered will vary depending on your needs, so electric-powered models, like the ones we recommend, are not always guaranteed.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Grace Wu is a textiles product review analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute and has overseen all recent adjustable base testing and reviews. Prior to joining GH, Grace earned a Master of Engineering in materials science and engineering and a Bachelor of Science in fiber science from Cornell University.
Grace Wu (she/her) is a product reviews analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute's Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab, where she evaluates fabric-based products using specialized equipment and consumer tester data. Prior to starting at Good Housekeeping in 2022, she earned a master of engineering in materials science and engineering and a bachelor of science in fiber science from Cornell University. While earning her degrees, Grace worked in research laboratories for smart textiles and nanotechnology and held internships at Open Style Lab and Rent the Runway.
