How to Pick the Best Mattress for Your Adjustable Bed Frame
Adjustable beds have become more popular as consumers discover the amazing benefits of sleeping on a mattress with an adjustable bed frame. Adjustable beds can be adjusted into various positions to meet a number of sleep or comfort needs. When using a hinged frame powered by an electric motor, you have the ability to customize your sleep by elevating or reclining the adjustable frame to your liking, simply by the touch of a button. Many adjustable bases even come preset with a zero-gravity position, to perfectly relieve the body from unnecessary pressure while you sleep. These different, customizable positions can even help alleviate some health conditions, including insomnia, sleep apnea, narcolepsy, chronic pain, arthritis, and heartburn. If you are considering using an adjustable bed frame or base, then you should be conscious of whether or not your mattress is compatible. There are a number of features you should consider when selecting an ideal mattress for use with an adjustable base, such as the materials, flexibility, size, and thickness.
The MotionInABox®
Our MotionInABox™ adjustable base is a Bluetooth-enabled adjustable foundation that is compatible with all BedInABox® mattresses. Available in twin XL, full, queen, king and split king sizes, this adjustable frame comes fully equipped with a 710 pound lift capacity motor and full mobility for your head and feet, making it easy for all sleepers to find a comfortable sleep setting, including zero gravity. The MotionInABox™ is also Bluetooth compatible, enabling control via a Bluetooth remote. In fact, you can even program your two favorite settings as presets so that the adjustable mattress frame easily adjusts into your favorite positions.
Mattress Material
A primary factor to consider for a mattress to be compatible with an adjustable base is the material or construction of the mattress. There are a surprising number of mattress constructions available in the mattress in a box market, popular options including memory foam, latex, inner spring, and hybrid constructions.
Memory Foam
Because of their high flexibility and great response to pressure, memory foam mattresses are one of the most preferred mattresses for adjustable beds. Memory foam mattresses can easily bend and return to their original shape without compromising the quality or construction of the mattress.
Additionally, memory foam mattresses can help prevent or provide relief for a variety of health conditions. Given that adjustable beds also provide similar relief, a memory foam mattress perfectly complements an adjustable bed for both comfortable and healthy sleep.
Pros:
- Cradles the body and can relieve aches and joint pain
- Perfect for all sleep positions
- Absorbs movement – great for those sleeping with a partner, a child, or a pet
Cons:
- Some memory foam constructions can trap body heat
- Low quality memory foam may create a “sinking” feeling and mattress may start to sag more quickly over time
Latex
Latex mattresses share many similarities with memory foam mattresses. For example, they are generally just as flexible as memory foam mattresses, making them another suitable option for pairing with adjustable beds. Latex foam mattresses also come in two varieties: synthetic or natural. A natural latex mattress is a more environmentally conscious choice, usually sourced from the sap of rubber trees. Although latex can sometimes be cooler than memory foam or slightly more durable, the durability and temperature regulation come at a high cost. Latex mattresses tend to be much more expensive than memory foam mattresses.
Pros:
- Recovers very similarly to memory foam mattresses
- May be cooler than some memory foam and traditional mattress constructions
- Can be made with natural materials
Cons:
- Must be avoided by anyone with Latex allergies
- Is one of the more expensive mattress options
- May feel too “bouncy”
Innerspring
Steel coils, or innersprings, are the material conventionally used to provide support in a traditional innerspring mattress. These coils are available as either pocket coils or continuous coils. These coils are paired with various foams, fibers or padding, which generally makes the mattress significantly less durable than memory foam or latex mattresses.
For use with an adjustable bed, innerspring mattresses with pocket coils are recommended because these coils are individually wrapped and provide more targeted support to the body’s pressure points. An innerspring mattress must actually be designed specifically for use with an adjustable base in order to be compatible.
Pros:
- One of the more affordable mattress types
- More familiar to sleepers
- Available in different support levels. Can be comfortable yet supportive
Cons:
- Because of the wear on the coils, the lifespan may be shorter than other mattress constructions
- Coils can cause squeaking or other noise, which can be disruptive
- Unable to conform to the body as well as other materials
- Does not absorb movement well
Hybrid mattresses
Hybrid mattresses are made from a blend of mattress materials available on the market. Most hybrids are built with inner coils and memory foam or latex. These mattresses provide the support and bounce of an innerspring mattress with the comfort and durability of a memory foam mattress. Hybrid mattresses give you the best of both worlds. Much like a traditional innerspring mattress though, a hybrid mattress must be designed for an adjustable bed in order to be compatible.
Pros:
- The best of both worlds – generally build with coils and foam
- Tend to regulate temperature well
- Supportive and comfortable - can help with pressure and joint relief
Cons:
- Has more “bounce” than all foam mattresses
- One of the more expensive mattress constructions
- Can be heavier – which makes it hard to move
Size
When purchasing a mattress for an adjustable bed, it is so important to make sure the measurements for both products align. If you buy your mattress separately from the bed frame or plan to use your current mattress, then it is critical to get the correct measurements. If the mattress or the adjustable bed frame are the wrong size, your ability to find the optimal position for comfort can be stifled with this less compatible sleep setup.
Single Mattresses vs. Split Mattresses
Another important factor to consider when selecting a mattress for your adjustable foundation is whether the adjustable bed itself is a single or split design. For consumers who may not know, a split bed is when you have two independently functioning bases. The idea behind the split base is that each sleeper can have his or her own sleep settings and positions without affecting the comfort of their partner. In order to use a split design with these intentions, you must also use a separate mattress on each base. The most common setup for a split adjustable bed is to use two Twin XL mattresses with two Twin XL bases, that can either be synced and function as one unit, or function separately.
Thickness
Your mattress thickness can also affect the flexibility and durability of the mattress itself when paired with an adjustable bed. A mattress that measures too thick can reduce the flexibility and limits the mobility of the adjustable bed. On the other hand, a thin mattress is much less durable and likely will not provide the support you are looking for. There are tradeoffs with each level of thickness, and you will have to find the best balance for your needs. The suggested thickness for mattresses being paired with adjustable foundations is 8 to 12 inches thick.
Flexibility
Flexibility is, perhaps, the most important factor to consider when buying a mattress for an adjustable bed frame. It affects the usable positions of the adjustable bed which, in turn, impact your level of comfort and your quality of sleep. Remember, flexibility is most affected by the thickness of the mattress.
How Adjustable Bed Frames Can Help Neck Pain & Back Pain
Neck pain is more than just uncomfortable. Persistent neck pain can actually affect how well you sleep. If you experience chronic neck pain and lack of sleep as a result, then you are likely seeing it impact your overall health and day-to-day routine, too. It is important to take appropriate steps to reduce or eliminate pain or discomfort that affects your ability to sleep. Chronic neck pain may mean that it is time to reassess your sleep setup. Do you need a new mattress, new pillows, or maybe other sleep essentials that can improve your quality of sleep?
Back pain can also have a huge impact on your life. It can affect your performance at work and even your social life, making it painful to work or simply spend time with friends and family. You may be surprised to learn that nearly one in four Americans struggle with back pain. At BedInABox®, we know how important a comfortable mattress can be for people who suffer from back pain. In fact, if you are reading this it is probably because you are trying to figure out whether or not our adjustable bed or memory foam mattresses can help relieve discomfort when you sleep. If you have trouble sleeping due to neck discomfort or back pain, an adjustable base might be the solution for you.
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Raise the head or foot of your bed, or both, to personalize your mattress position for any occasion -- sleeping, reading, breakfast in bed -- at the click of a button.
Shop MotionInABox® Adjustable Base
An Adjustable Foundation for Neck Pain or Back Pain
At BedInABox®, we highly recommend pairing an adjustable foundation with one of our memory foam mattresses to help relieve any sleep discomfort. Research suggests that both adjustable frames and memory foam mattresses can help relieve a number of health conditions -- such as insomnia, sleep apnea, narcolepsy, chronic pain, arthritis, and heartburn -- and some of the discomfort associated with those conditions. Because of these benefits, we believe that our adjustable base and memory foam mattresses create an unbeatable combination for high quality, pressure relieving sleep. In fact, we even introduced a Custom Comfort Bundle to our product catalog, so that you can purchase our MotionInABox™ Adjustable with an Azul™ or Tranquillium® mattress at a comfy low price.
Regardless of your sleep needs, pairing the appropriate mattress with an adjustable foundation is the key to a truly custom sleep experience. This overview of important mattress features should help you make an informed decision should you decide to pair a mattress with an adjustable base for an upgraded sleep setup. Before introducing an adjustable base to your sleep regimen, you should carefully consider all of the features mentioned above. However, if you are still having trouble deciding what to buy, a BedInABox® customer service specialist can be reached via phone call or chat box, and will be happy to help!