We’ve all experienced how a poor night’s sleep can impact the entire next day. That’s because sleep is directly tied to both body function and mental health. Research shows that improving sleep quality can decrease depression, anxiety, and stress.
One change that may help you sleep better is updating your bed and bedding. Today’s adjustable beds provide a customized sleep experience that may help to improve your sleep. Beyond their traditional associations with medical facilities, adjustable beds allow people to tailor their sleeping positions to suit their personal comfort preferences. These beds often offer preset features like anti-snore to help prevent snoring and the zero-gravity position to relieve pressure on the lower back, potentially helping to improve sleep quality. Some research also shows that elevating the head of your bed can help with conditions like sleep apnea and acid reflux.
Of course, when you purchase an adjustable bed, you’ll want to ensure you have the right mattress to get the most out of your sleeping experience. However, not every mattress is suitable for use with an adjustable bed. For example, a mattress with a rigid core and minimal flexibility will not move with the bed’s adjustments and could damage the mattress.
To help you find the right mattress for use with an adjustable bed, our Handbook Team researches and tests different mattresses to bring you our top picks.
Best mattress for adjustable beds overall
After hours of research and hands-on testing of dozens of mattresses, the Saatva Zenhaven Natural Latex is our choice as the best mattress for adjustable beds overall. Since it’s made from organic latex, the Zenhaven is one of the most durable mattresses on the market, with a lifespan of up to 20 years, compared to other materials, which have an average lifespan of 10 years.
Our pick of the best mattresses for adjustable beds
- Saatva Zenhaven Natural Latex: Best mattress for adjustable beds overall
- Nectar Memory Foam: Best memory foam mattress for adjustable beds
- Helix Midnight: Best mattress for adjustable beds for side sleepers
- Emma Hybrid Comfort: Best mattress for back sleepers for adjustable beds
- The WinkBed from WinkBeds: Best hybrid mattress for adjustable beds
- Titan Plus: Best mattress for heavy people for adjustable beds
- Bear Pro Hybrid: Best mattress for adjustable beds for couples
- Brooklyn Bedding Signature: Best value mattress for adjustable beds
- Birch Natural: Best cooling mattress for adjustable beds
Video: Best Adjustable Beds
In this video, Kate Van Dis, certified yoga instructor and mental health writer, provides a comprehensive roundup of the best adjustable bed bases. She discusses the top four picks, highlighting their features such as head and foot adjustability, massage options, and unique perks like in-home delivery and custom presets. The video also covers affordable options and a brief mention of advanced models from Tempur-Pedic, helping viewers choose the right base for improving sleep quality.
HelpGuide Handbook’s mattress testing methodology
Purchase mattress as mystery shoppers.
Set up mattress in testing lab.
Lie on mattress and rank firmness.
Lie on back, side, and stomach to find the best sleeping position.
Place 10-pound ball in mattress center and measure sinkage.
Find biggest pressure points using pressure map reading.
Evaluate cooling capabilities by recording temperature differences.
Drop 10-pound ball onto mattress to measure bounce score.
Test motion isolation.
Test edge support.
Calculate composite scores.
The Handbook Team hand-tests every mattress we review. We evaluate brands and models by recording our findings on a 42-question standardized testing form to identify standout features and services, document issues with each product, and describe our personal experience lying on each mattress. For example, we record:
- Firmness score and whether the mattress is best for back, side, or stomach sleepers.
- Starting temperature of the mattress and how much it heats up after two testers lie on the mattrefirmss for five minutes.
- How many times a 10-pound ball bounces on the mattress after dropping from a height of two feet in order to arrive at a mattress bounce score.
We pay close attention to specific considerations that sleepers of all ages seek, as identified by respondents in our survey of 600 mattress owners. This includes price, features, and the set-up process. We also interview real people to better understand the motivations behind shopping for a new mattress, as well as the benefits of purchasing one.
According to our survey
According to our survey, about 80 percent of all respondents say their new mattress helps them sleep better, and 65 percent report improved mental health.
As our testers evaluate each brand and its features, we consider why many people choose a new mattress in the first place. Of our respondents, 42 percent decide to purchase a new mattress for “improved comfort and support for better sleep,” while only seven percent do so for “pain relief and targeted support.” The most common pain respondents want relieved is lower back pain.
Despite only 42 percent of respondents prioritizing comfort and support for better sleep when shopping for a new mattress, 68 percent report they sleep longer on their new mattress and 49 percent and 45 percent, respectively, say their stress and anxiety has improved after switching to their new mattress. Almost all mattress owners we surveyed (95 percent) are at least somewhat satisfied with their new mattress. We consult sleep experts, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and pain specialists to understand what mattresses offer that make an overwhelmingly positive impact.
In order to focus on the mattresses themselves, we structure our test designs to objectively rank each one based on a range of criteria. For example, we test things like bounce, edge support (the sturdiness of your mattress edge), and cooling capabilities the same way on each mattress and compare the results. That way we can accurately compare each mattress’s score in an unbiased way while also sharing our subjective point of view as mattress testers and experts.
Lastly, we compare warranty lengths, trial periods, and white glove delivery (in-home delivery and setup) options. While most brands offer warranties, not all are comprehensive. And many brands on the market don’t have free white glove delivery. This could be a deal-breaker if you’re nervous to invest in a new mattress because you’re worried the bed won’t get set up properly or offer what you need.
For more information, learn how we test and review sleep products.
From our tester
“During our research, we’ve realized that the brand’s firmness scale and perceived firmness aren’t always the same. We decided to report how firm we think the mattress feels so that you can gain a different perspective, but more importantly, feel confident about what you’re purchasing.”
A note on our testing
We acknowledge that every body is different, and what feels comfortable to one person may not feel comfortable to another. Throughout our reviews, we refer to weight categories as light (below 130 pounds), average (130–250 pounds), and heavy (above 250 pounds) to distinguish between body weights.
Typically, lighter-weight sleepers perceive mattresses to feel firmer than they are, and higher-weight sleepers perceive mattresses to feel softer than they are. Keep in mind that most mattresses are designed for the average-weight person.
The HelpGuide Handbook for best mattresses for an adjustable bed
Here’s five things you should know about the best mattresses for adjustable beds:
The Saatva Zenhaven Natural Latex is our choice as the best mattress for adjustable beds overall.
While many mattresses will work with an adjustable bed, memory foam, hybrid, and latex mattresses usually work best.
Make sure the mattress you choose is compatible with an adjustable bed before purchasing
Choosing a mattress compatible with your sleeping position(s) can help you sleep better.
If sleeping with a partner, try to choose a bed that’s best for both of your sleep preferences.
Compare the best mattresses for adjustable beds
| Price | $1,249–$2,598 | $699–$1,798 | $936.30–$1,748.80 | $812–$1,649 | $1,149–$2,049 | $699–$1,499 | $1,285–$2,696 | $665–$1,599 | $1,498.80–$2,498.80 |
| Material | Latex | Memory foam | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid |
| Warranty | Lifetime | Lifetime | 10 years | 10 years | Lifetime | 10 years | Lifetime | 10 years | 25 years |
| Trial period | 365 nights | 365 nights | 100 nights | 365 nights | 120 nights | 120 nights | 120 days | 120 nights | 100 nights |
| Firmness | 6/10 and 7.5/10 | 6.5/10 | 7/10 | 7.5/10 | 6.5/10 | 8/10 | 7/10 | 6/10 | 6.5/10 |
| Best for | Combination sleepers | Side and back sleepers | Side sleepers | Back sleepers and couples | Side and back sleepers | Higher-weight sleepers and couples | Couples, hot sleepers, and athletes | Combination sleepers | Combination sleepers |
The best mattress for adjustable beds reviews
Saatva Zenhaven Natural Latex Mattress: Best overall
Our final verdict on the Saatva Zenhaven Natural Latex Mattress
Latex mattresses are generally considered more durable than any other material on the market. While the Zenhaven is more expensive than the other mattresses on our list, it has a projected lifespan of up to 20 years, which is double the life of any other material. Latex also has a naturally open-cell structure so it’s considered more cooling than other man-made materials like memory foam.
From our tester
“We love that Saatva is so committed to sustainability with the Zenhaven, which is made from eco-friendly materials. This bed is also great for people who prioritize shopping green.”
One of the unique things about the Zenhaven Natural Latex Mattress is that it actually has two sides with different firmness levels. One side is the Luxury Plush, which we give a six out of 10 for firmness, and the other is the Gentle Firm, which we give a 7.5 out of 10. The two sides are great for different sleeper types. Side sleepers typically need a softer mattress to alleviate pressure, while back and stomach sleepers may need something firmer to keep the spine aligned. We also like this mattress for combination sleepers People who sleep in multiple positions throughout the night. For example, a person might be a back-and-side sleeper or a stomach-and-back sleeper. because latex creates good bounce, making it easier to change positions throughout the night.
“Sleeping with poor spinal alignment may eventually lead to pelvic, back, or neck pain. If you choose to be a side sleeper or a back sleeper for whatever reason, it’s best to support your sleeping position to eliminate extra spinal stress to avoid injury.”
Kevin Lees, director of chiropractic operations at The Joint Chiropractic in Scottsdale, Arizona
This model also comes in an upper-flex king size, which is slightly different from a split king mattress. A split king typically consists of two extra-large twin mattresses. In comparison, an upper-flex king is a king mattress that is split at the top, with the middle and lower portions remaining connected. If paired with an upper-flex adjustable base, each sleeper can customize the position of their head and upper back.
To preserve the mattress’s warranty, longevity, and integrity, Saatva requires this mattress to be used with a solid surface directly under the mattress. While this includes an adjustable bed, you should keep the bed flat whenever it’s not in use to ensure the bottom side of the mattress compresses evenly and has level distribution throughout the base of the mattress. However, if you usually use slats, you should place a piece of plywood or a masonite board directly under the mattress to keep it supported.
One thing to keep in mind is that latex mattresses are much heavier than those made of other materials, so moving them around might be difficult. The good news is that Saatva offers free white glove delivery. A team will hand-deliver your mattress and set it up in the room of your choice. If you select the free mattress and foundation removal option at checkout, the team will also remove your old mattress and foundation.
To learn more, read our Saatva mattress review.
The Nectar: Best memory foam mattress for adjustable beds
Our final verdict on the Nectar
The Nectar is one of the best memory foam mattress for adjustable beds we’ve tested for anyone who prefers an all-foam mattress to a hybrid or latex mattress. It specifically pairs nicely with an adjustable base because it has a soft surface and a flexible core that moves with the adjustable bed.
From our tester
“It’s a good side-sleeping mattress. I don’t feel a lot of pressure or like my body weight is concentrated in my hips and shoulders.”
The top layers of foam are designed to help sleepers sink into the mattress without building excess pressure at the hip and shoulder pressure points. For this reason, we give this mattress a four out of five for pressure relief while side-sleeping and a 4.5 out of five for back sleepers.
If you’re a hot sleeper or sleeping with a partner, The Nectar utilizes a cooling, gel-infused foam comfort layer that’s designed to help combat the warmth that memory foam mattresses usually generate.
If you want to learn more about this brand, read our Nectar mattress review.
Helix Midnight: Best mattress for adjustable beds for side sleepers
Our final verdict on the Helix Midnight
It’s hard to find a mattress with good bounce and enough sinkage to be comfortable for a side sleeper, but the Helix Midnight has both. The coils are individually wrapped, keeping the bed bouncy enough for easy movement during sleep without sacrificing good motion isolation.
During testing, we’ve found that the wrapped coils and thick foam top layers isolate motion to one region, which should help you sleep more soundly if your partner tends to toss and turn during sleep.
From our tester
“This bed is easy to move around in; the foam is very responsive while I change positions.”
Each layer of this mattress works to provide the best support and comfort for side sleepers. The comfort layer is designed to be responsive and soft, which we found helped relieve pressure at the joints with a contouring feel. The transition kept us from sinking too far into the mattress and provided a cushion between the foam and the spring layer.
The support layer of wrapped coils is designed to help keep the body aligned and provided a bouncy feeling when our testers tried this mattress, so they didn’t feel stuck. The base layer is made from a dense foam that makes this mattress flexible and ideal for use with an adjustable bed base.
For more information about our other top mattresses for side sleepers, read our in-depth review of the best mattresses for side sleepers. To learn more about this brand, read our Helix review.
Emma Hybrid Comfort: Best mattress for back sleepers for adjustable beds
Our final verdict on the Emma Hybrid Comfort
The Emma Hybrid is considered a firm mattress, but its soft cover ensures the sleeper still feels gently cradled while lying down. If a mattress is too soft or has too much sinkage, a back sleeper might feel their shoulders start to hunch while laying flat, which can cause discomfort and issues with their posture.
During testing, we’ve found the construction of the Emma Hybrid ensures we don’t sink into the top layers but offers enough softness to contour the lower body, preserving neutral spinal alignment. This is an impressive feature since mattresses that are considered firm usually fall short when contouring the lower back.
From our tester
“The foam surface seems to spring back up after being depressed—and it’s hard to push far down.”
An adjustable bed is often recommended for people who sleep on their back or experience back pain. We think pairing an adjustable base with a firm mattress like the Emma Hybrid can relieve pressure and achieve optimal comfort.
This mattress also scores well when we test motion isolation. For example, when we roll a heavy ball across one side of the mattress, the person lying on the other side can’t feel it moving at all. The same result occurs when we switch out the ball for a tester who moves around on the bed. That means this is a great mattress for couples, so long as they both prefer a firm mattress.
Learn more in our Emma review.
The WinkBed: Best hybrid mattress for adjustable beds
Our final verdict on the WinkBed
Offering options for a variety of sleepers, The WinkBed comes in four different firmness levels (Soft, Luxury Firm, Firm, and Plus), but we’ve tested the Luxury Firm. No matter which firmness level you purchase, all should be compatible with an adjustable base. However, it’s important to note that the softer the mattress, the better it will conform to adjustable base movements.
Hybrid mattresses are typically designed to provide a balance of support and pressure relief through a combination of top foam layers and structured coil core. Based on our testing, The WinkBed offers great support, scoring four out of five, and even better pressure relief, scoring a four out of five for side sleepers and five out of five for back sleepers. This is partly due to the gel-infused pillow top layer of foam, which our testers find provides good contour.
From our tester
“While lying on the mattress I felt a gentle cradle from the top materials, but was met with firmness as I sunk in slightly.”
The cover is made from Tencel A brand of sustainable cellulose fiber made from wood pulp, which is used in clothing, footwear, home linens, carpets, mattresses, and pillows because it’s highly breathable, hygienic, and comfortable. , an all-natural hypoallergenic material known for its moisture-wicking and cooling capabilities. Our testers note that this cover feels cool and soft at first touch. After lying on The WinkBed for more than five minutes, our testers still felt cool, even on their stomachs, which is usually the warmest position.
We also love that WinkBeds offers accident coverage. You can choose between plans for three, five, and 10 years for an additional $49.99, $69.99, or $85.99, respectively. With this coverage, you receive professional in-home cleaning services to get rid of stains from food, drinks, or bodily fluids, as well as cuts or punctures.
Titan Plus: Best mattress for heavy people for adjustable beds
Our final verdict on the Titan Plus
Although selected for its structured and supportive core, the Titan Plus is still flexible enough to work well with an adjustable base. The proprietary TitanCaliber coils are individually encased, which helps them stay protected when adjusting the bed to different angles. This mattress’s total weight capacity is 1,000 pounds, making it a great fit for higher-weight couples.
From our tester
“When lying down I feel more on the mattress than in it. But because of the quilted top, there’s still a bit of cradling.”
For sleepers who weigh less than 130 pounds, we find the pillow top cover provides gentle cradling around the body, but we don’t feel any sinkage into the mattress. For sleepers who weigh more than 250 pounds, there should be enough sinkage to take pressure off major pressure points like the shoulders and hips, but not so much that you get stuck in the mattress—a common complaint higher-weight sleepers have about all-foam mattresses. The coils in the Titan Plus are also intentionally bouncier than other hybrids to promote easy movement throughout the night and to help the sleeper get in and out of bed.
Our testers find that this mattress sleeps on the warmer side, so those who generally sleep hot might consider adding the Glaciotex cooling cover, which is designed to balance body temperature, for an additional $100.
Read more in our Titan review.
Bear Pro Hybrid: Best mattress for adjustable beds for couples
Our final verdict on the Bear Pro Hybrid
The Bear Pro performs well when we test motion isolation. We drop a weighted ball on the bed at different heights to simulate a person changing positions and getting in and out of the bed. In both cases, we detect low disturbance, which means a light sleeper probably wouldn’t be disturbed if their partner moved a lot in their sleep.
The more sleepers you add to a bed, the warmer it’s bound to get, which often makes cooling a priority for couples. To help with this, the Bear Pro comes with a cover made from Celliant. Celliant has moisture-wicking properties and is designed to absorb body heat.
Along with being the best mattress for couples, the Bear Pro is also designed for athletes. The Celliant A fabric infused with minerals and trace elements that capture body heat and convert it into infrared energy to improve circulation and stimulate muscle recovery. fiber technology has been shown to promote recovery by improving blood circulation.
From our tester
“I highly recommend the Bear Pro Hybrid to hot sleepers who enjoy a firmer mattress with a memory foam feel.”
Another important feature for couples is edge support, especially if the two sleepers roll around a lot or sleep close to the bed’s edge. This mattress is reinforced around the perimeter to help keep sleepers from falling out of the bed.
Finally, this 10-inch mattress is ideal for use with an adjustable bed, and its flexible core helps it move with the bed.
Read more in our Bear mattress review.
Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid: Best value mattress for adjustable beds
Our final verdict on the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid
The Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid has a supportive layer of individually encased springs to facilitate movement and a top layer of responsive foam to prevent sinking too far into the mattress.
This duo makes the Signature Hybrid a strong choice for people who shift sleeping positions frequently throughout the night. During testing, we found the mattress provided enough sinkage to comfortably support the body’s natural curves without sinking too deeply into the memory foam, making it ideal for combination sleepers.
From our tester
“The foam top layer and supportive coils make my spine feel neutral in all sleeping positions.”
The signature hybrid is designed with a flexible core, making it compatible with adjustable bases. We especially love that this mattress offers three different firmness levels (soft, medium, and firm), catering to a variety of sleeper types.
Read more in our Brooklyn Bedding mattress review.
Birch Natural: Best cooling mattress for adjustable beds
Our final verdict on the Birch Natural
While many manufacturers use chemical-based, man-made fibers in their mattresses designed to promote mattress cooling, Birch looks to materials found in nature for the same effects. Latex has an open-cell structure, allowing air to flow through the material and preventing heat from getting trapped between the body and the material.
If you’re a hot sleeper who tends to sweat, this mattress comes with a cover made from organic wool and organic cotton to help absorb and wick sweat. Since it’s made with natural materials, you won’t need to worry about an off-gassing Off-gassing is when a new mattress releases a strong odor for the first few days. The smell is harmless, but it can irritate those sensitive to smells. Memory foam mattresses tend to off-gas the most. period with this mattress.
From our tester
“Material responds well to movement. It’s very springy and helps guide you to switch positions. This makes it ideal for combination sleepers.”
Along with being naturally cooling, this organic mattress scores a five out of five when we test its bounce. This is a high-priority feature for sleepers who shift positions and move a lot in their sleep. A mattress’s bounce, or responsiveness, helps you move with greater ease.
Similar to memory foam, mattresses made with latex are a good fit with adjustable beds because they are flexible and tend to conform well to the angles of the adjustable base.
Frequently asked questions
You should always make sure your mattress is compatible with your adjustable bed before purchase. We also don’t recommend mattresses that are thicker (over 14 inches). We find during testing that firmer mattresses also don’t conform well to an adjustable bed’s movements. Likewise, full innerspring mattresses are not generally recommended with adjustable beds because the springs will likely become deformed. These concerns can be overlooked if the manufacturer specifically designed the mattress to be compatible with an adjustable base.
Based on our testing, hybrid, latex, and memory foam mattresses are the best types of mattresses to use with adjustable beds.
You can purchase a base with an attached mattress or purchase them separately. If the mattress attached to the base matches your sleeping preferences, getting them together could save you significant money. One thing to note is that most mattresses that come attached may not be made from durable materials or may not offer the customization and comfort of a mattress purchased separately.
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