Adjustable base guide: what it does and whether it's worth it

An adjustable base is the part of the bed people do not think about until they try one. It replaces the box spring or platform under your mattress with a motorized frame that raises the head, the feet, or both. Reading in bed stops being a pile of pillows, and putting your feet up takes one button. For a lot of people the "zero gravity" position, head and knees slightly raised, is the most comfortable way they have ever lain down.

Here is what the bases do, which mattresses work with them, and how to choose one.

What every adjustable base does

• Head and foot lift. Separate motors raise each end. The simplest bases do this and nothing else, and for most people that is most of the value.
• Zero gravity. A preset that raises the head and feet so your weight spreads more evenly.
• Wireless remote with presets. Save your favorite positions and return to them with one button.
• USB ports. Most bases have them, usually one on each side.

What the better bases add

• Massage. Vibration motors in the head and foot sections with a few intensity levels.
• Lumbar adjustment. A separate section under the lower back that rises a few inches. The Tempur-Ergo line has it.
• Under-bed lighting. Soft lights that come on from the remote so you can find your way at night without waking anyone.
• Snore response. The Tempur-Ergo Smart and ProSmart bases detect snoring and raise the head slightly on their own.
• Sleep tracking. Some Tempur-Pedic and Purple smart bases pair with an app that tracks your sleep. Useful if you like data, easy to ignore if you do not.
• Climate control. The Tempur-Ergo ProSmart Air base, paired with the TEMPUR-ActiveBreeze mattress, warms or cools each side of the bed.

Which mattresses work on an adjustable base

Most mattresses sold today bend enough: memory foam, latex and hybrids all flex with the base. Traditional innersprings with a border wire do not, and neither does a mattress that relies on a box spring as part of its support. If you are unsure, check the mattress construction on its product page or ask us in the showroom.

Thickness matters a little. Very thick mattresses, 14 inches and up, bend less at the hinge, so the head position feels lower than the base's maximum. Mattresses of 12 inches or under tend to feel the most responsive.

Sizes, and why split king exists

Bases come in twin XL, full, queen, king and California king. A king adjustable base is often two twin XL bases side by side, so each side moves on its own. That is a split king. If one of you reads and the other sleeps flat, a split king solves it. Our split king guide covers it in detail.

Some bases also come in a "split head" version, where only the head section is split and the foot moves together.

The bases we carry

We carry adjustable bases from Nectar, Purple, Beautyrest and Tempur-Pedic, from simple lift-only models to fully featured smart bases.

• Nectar Comfort Classic and Comfort Premier. Head and foot lift with a wireless remote. The Premier adds massage and presets.
• Purple Adjustable Base, Premium Smart and Premium Plus Smart. From basic lift to massage, under-bed lighting and app features.
• Beautyrest Black Luxury Adjustable Base. Massage and lighting, with a split-head queen option.
• Tempur-Ergo Adjustable, Smart, ProSmart and ProSmart Air. Zero gravity and lumbar adjustment, adding snore response, sleep tracking, massage programs and, on the Air, climate control.

Prices vary by size. See the adjustable bases collection for the current price in your size.

Is it worth it?

If you read, watch TV or work in bed, or if you like to sleep with your head or feet raised, an adjustable base can change the bed more than a mattress upgrade would. If you sleep flat, fall asleep quickly and never sit up in bed, a good foundation is enough and the money is better spent on the mattress.

A middle path is to start with a basic base. Head and foot lift is most of the benefit, and the smart features can wait for your next bed.

Delivery and trying one

Delivery is free anywhere in the US. Around Los Angeles our own team sets it up and takes your old mattress away (California orders; delivery details). Bases are heavy and awkward on stairs, so the setup matters more than it does for a mattress.

The best way to decide is to lie on one. Visit us at 3319 Glendale Blvd, Atwater Village, open daily 9 AM to 8 PM, or rest on a bed for an hour at one of our sound bath nights. Financing is available with approved credit, in the showroom and online.

Questions people ask

Do I need a special mattress for an adjustable base? No, but it has to flex. Memory foam, latex and hybrids do. Old-style innersprings with a border wire do not.

Can I use my own bed frame? Often. Many bases sit inside a platform or sleigh bed frame, and some frames need the slats removed. Check the frame's inside dimensions against the base.

Is split king two mattresses? Yes, two twin XL mattresses on two twin XL bases. You can choose a different feel for each side.

Will it fit under my headboard? Most bases have headboard brackets, either included or sold separately. Bring your headboard measurements.

Can I return an adjustable base? See our refund policy for the terms.

Questions before you visit? Call (323) 522-3410.