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Adjustable Base
Buying Guide

Looking to elevate your sleep setup? While your mattress is an important component to the quality of your sleep, the foundation or base you pair with your mattress is equally as important. So, how do you maximize the comfort and support your body needs with a mattress foundation? Pair your mattress with an adjustable bed frame. Adjustable bases allow you to customize the position of your mattress from top to bottom with just the click of a button. This buying guide will explore the many benefits of sleeping on an adjustable bed frame, in addition to everything you need to know before you choose one.

Shop Adjustable Beds

Adjustable Base Buying Guide

Looking to elevate your sleep setup? While your mattress is an important component to the quality of your sleep, the foundation or base you pair with your mattress is equally as important. So, how do you maximize the comfort and support your body needs with a mattress foundation? Pair your mattress with an adjustable bed frame. Adjustable bases allow you to customize the position of your mattress from top to bottom with just the click of a button. This buying guide will explore the many benefits of sleeping on an adjustable bed frame, in addition to everything you need to know before you choose one.


How Does An Adjustable Base Work?

The BedInABox® MotionInABox® Adjustable Beds will introduce a new level of technology and customization to your sleep experience. Both the MotionInABox® 1.0 and MotionInABox® 2.0 adjustable bases require a power supply for their motorized lift systems, which allow you to raise the head or foot of your bed to the desired angle. The lift systems respond to a wireless, Bluetooth-enabled remote that comes preprogrammed with several controls to elevate the head and foot of your mattress based on your sleep needs. The MotionInABox® adjustable bases are available in a range of sizes and are compatible with all BedInABox® memory foam and hybrid mattresses, making either model a great base for any age or occasion.

 

What Features to Look for in an Adjustable Base

We know everyone has unique sleep needs, but at the minimum, every adjustable base should come with full head and foot mobility, along with a convenient way to control mobility, such as a wireless remote. At BedInABox®, we offer two unique adjustable bed frames:

MotionInABox® 1.0

Our best introduction to adjustable sleep, the MotionInABox® 1.0 is packed with customizable sleep perfection. A wireless Bluetooth remote controls your base, comes pre-programmed with the popular pressure relieving zero-gravity setting, which mimics the sensation of feeling weightless, and offers two additional presets for your favorite sleep settings.

MotionInABox® 1.0 Product Image

MotionInABox® 2.0

Our most elevated adjustable base option, the MotionInABox® 2.0, offers full body adjustability with 3 programmable presets and a single massage setting for additional comfort. It also offers under bed lighting and a flashlight on the remote for ease of mobility during the night, in addition to two USB ports for convenient connectivity.

MotionInABox® 2.0 Product Image

Can You Use a Regular Mattress with an Adjustable Frame?

Most “regular” mattresses, or innerspring mattresses, are not flexible enough to accommodate a bed frame that offers a full range of motion. A traditional innerspring mattress is constructed with steel coils and various fibers or padding to provide support. These coils are available as either pocket coils or continuous coils, but the innerspring mattress itself must be specifically designed for use with adjustable bed frames in order to be compatible. A memory foam mattress in a box is preferred for adjustable beds because of the high flexibility and great response to pressure. BedInABox® memory foam mattresses will easily bend and return to their original form, while still providing sufficient support. In other words, memory foam mattresses easily fit into any position you need without damaging the mattress. This makes memory foam mattresses highly compatible with adjustable bed frames.

How to Pick the Best Mattress for Your Adjustable Bed

One of the most important factors to consider when choosing a mattress for your adjustable base is, in fact, the mattress material. Three of the most common mattress materials include memory foam, innersprings, and latex foam. While memory foam mattresses are often the most compatible with adjustable beds, latex mattresses and hybrid mattresses can also be compatible. However, latex and hybrid mattresses come with different levels of comfort, durability and support than memory foam mattresses, so it is also important to consider your specific sleep needs before choosing a new mattress to pair with your adjustable bed base.

Preferred Sleep Position

Do you sleep on your side, back, or stomach? Depending on your preferred sleep position, some mattress materials and thicknesses may offer more or less support when paired with an adjustable base. Memory foam mattresses with a medium firmness often work well for the general population and are perfectly compatible with adjustable bases.

Mattress thickness

The flexibility of a mattress is most affected by the thickness of the mattress construction. The thickness of a mattress can also affect how supportive it feels. 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. The suggested thickness for mattresses being paired with adjustable foundations is 8 to 12 inches thick.

Single Mattress vs. Split Mattress

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 (also commonly called a Split King bed), that can either be synced and function as one unit, or function separately. MotionInABox® Adjustable Beds are available in the Split King size option.

Reasons To Buy An Adjustable Bed

Adjustable bed frames are great for reading, sleeping, lounging - really any bedtime activity. Their ability to customize mattress positions to suit any individual’s comfort needs makes them beneficial for every end user. An adjustable base is especially useful in these three specific areas:

Age

As we age, it is only natural that our bodies change. Adults approaching the age of 60 may find that their bone density is beginning to decrease, their joints are experiencing more pain, or their oxygen levels are lower, causing more discomfort in their everyday lives. With the help of an adjustable base, getting in and out of bed can become much easier. By elevating your head, you can open up your airways to help with breathing (even snoring) during sleep. Adjusting both your upper and lower body with your adjustable bed frame can also relieve pressure from your lower back, hips and shoulders throughout the entire night.

Pain Relief

By offering full mobility, adjustable bed frames can promote pain relief caused by a number of conditions. Chronic sciatic discomfort can be relieved by raising the head of your mattress to a 45 degree angle. In doing so, lower back compression is reduced, alleviating pressure on the sciatic nerve. Arthritis and other chronic discomfort can be relieved with similar use of the adjustable base. By adjusting your mattress to compliment the contour of your sleep position, you are taking pressure off of afflicted areas to promote more restorative sleep.

Do you happen to suffer from restless or swollen legs? Lying on a flat surface will do nothing but allow fluids to pool, causing increased swelling and inflammation, leading to even more discomfort. Experts suggest that elevating your legs to a 45 degree angle can decrease swelling and pain, allowing your lower body to relax throughout the entire night.

Convenience

An adjustable base is as convenient as it is comfortable. Long gone are the nights where you struggle to find a comfortable sleeping position. No more re-stacking, reorganizing or fighting with pillows for extra support. With an adjustable base, the incline of your mattress will hold in your ideal position. Furthermore, if a health condition impedes your mobility in any way, the convenience of simply raising the head of your mattress to help lift you out of bed can change the quality of your life.

Adjustable Bases: The Benefits

While there are many reasons to buy an adjustable base, are they worth the investment? They can be costly compared to traditional bed frames, you may even need a new memory foam or hybrid mattress to make your sleep setup compatible. However, we tend to find more benefits from sleeping with an adjustable base than setbacks. Checkout a list of some benefits below:

  • Improved quality of sleep
  • Eased pain
  • Reduced insomnia
  • Mitigated breathing problems, such as sleep apnea and snoring
  • Decreased digestive issues, including acid reflux
  • Relief from swelling
  • Accessible for all ages and people with disabilities

We can confidently say all sleepers could benefit from an adjustable bed. The ability to control the position of your bed, whether you want to elevate a swollen ankle or just reduce some pressure on your back, offers a new level of flexibility for your sleep in order to achieve maximum comfort.

Designed to Help You Find Your Perfect Position

If you struggle to find a comfortable sleep position or consistently wake up fatigued or in pain, you’re not alone. Sleep problems and deprivation are common complaints, often pushing people to try remedies like sleep pills, melatonin, or calming apps. If you struggle from sleep issues of any kind, a adjustable base will benefit you.

No more fighting with your pillow

Adjustable bases are designed to better support your neck and spine than even the most comfortable pillow. Instead of stacking pillows, simply choose your preferred incline using your adjustable frame’s remote. Keeping your head at a slight angle should promote better breathing, circulation, clear airways and, unlike pillows, will remain stable throughout the night.

No need to toss and turn

By choosing your ideal sleep position and taking advantage of settings such as the 2-tone massage or zero-gravity position featured on our MotionInABox® 2.0, you can better prepare your body for sleep, find the setting that is just right, and sleep soundly through the night.

Ease the Symptoms of Restless Leg Syndrome

Have you ever noticed itching, shaking, or throbbing in your legs at night? These may be symptoms of restless leg syndrome (RLS), which often worsen at night. RLS occurs when the rest of the body relaxes but the legs stay active due to a disorder of the nervous system. One way to relieve the symptoms of RLS is to elevate the legs at a 45-degree angle using an adjustable bed frame. While leg pillows do exist, they often shift throughout the night. Conversely, an adjustable base maintains a stable position to promote lower body relaxation.

Mitigate Sleep Paralysis

Some common symptoms of sleep paralysis include being conscious but unable to move, feeling a sense of pressure, or having auditory or visual hallucinations. Sleep paralysis is not only disruptive to sleep, it can also have traumatizing effects and make it harder for people to fall asleep in the future. While certain sleep positions and schedules have been linked with sleep paralysis more than others, an adjustable base may be able to help minimize the frequency of this phenomenon. Especially for back sleepers, sleeping at a slight angle can help decrease the likelihood of sleep paralysis while also allowing you to maintain your preferred sleeping position.

Care & Maintenance of Your Adjustable Base

Our foundations and mattresses are built to last, but with the proper care and maintenance, you can maximize the number of healthier, more comfortable years you get with our MotionInABox® Adjustable Bases. It is important to keep in mind that since your adjustable base is connected to a power source in order for the electric motor to function, it would benefit you to choose a source that can handle the power supply required to operate the base. Otherwise, you may risk blowing a fuse or surging a circuit.

While the base itself does not need much maintenance once set up, you should keep an eye on your mattress. While BedInABox® mattresses are not meant to be flipped, we do suggest rotating yours every few months to maintain even wear over time. Anytime something stains the mattress cover, we recommend spot cleaning the area with a nonabrasive cleaner, as well. A mattress protector can always be added to any mattress for an extra layer of safety.

Try a MotionInABox® Adjustable Base to Elevate Your Sleep

Whether you are looking for a better work-from-home setup, a more supportive way to watch TV from bed, or just higher quality sleep, an adjustable base may be the answer you have been looking for. We understand that everyone has different needs from their sleep setup, which is why we offer two different MotionInABox® Adjustable Base options. If you have any additional questions about our MotionInABox® bases, or which mattress will pair well with your new adjustable base, our Customer Service team is happy to help.

Frequently Asked Questions


What is an adjustable bed base?

An adjustable bed base is a mattress foundation that allows you to change the position of your mattress at the click of a button. The hinged foundation comes with an electric motor that adjusts the head and foot of the bed into various positions to elevate your sleep experience.

What are the benefits of using an adjustable bed?

One of the many health benefits that often results from using an adjustable bed is pain management for discomfort that might otherwise disrupt sleep. People who experience acid reflux, insomnia, digestive issues, back pain, narcolepsy, migraines, post-nasal drip or sleep apnea often notice improved sleep quality when they pair their mattress in a box with an adjustable bed. An adjustable bed can even prevent mouth breathing and mild cases of snoring, both of which can shorten your breath and leave you feeling tired even after a full night’s sleep.

Are adjustable bases compatible with all types of mattresses?

Adjustable bases are most compatible with memory foam and hybrid mattresses thanks to their durable and flexible constructions. Most traditional innerspring mattresses are not compatible with adjustable bases due to their predominantly steel spring construction that does not adapt well to the mobility of an adjustable base. All six BedInABox® mattress models are compatible with our MotionInABox® adjustable bases.

How do I operate an adjustable bed base?

Both of our MotionInABox® Adjustable Bases are operated with a wireless remote control. Because each base system comes with an electric motor, we suggest placing your bed near a power source for easy setup. The wireless remotes are preprogrammed but also come with customizable presets to save your favorite sleep settings.

Will my adjustable bases ruin my mattress?

Most traditional innerspring mattresses are not constructed to be flexible enough to accommodate an adjustable base, and as a result, can become damaged if used on an incompatible mattress foundation or base. Memory foam or hybrid mattresses tend to be most compatible with adjustable bases due to their resilient constructions. If you are transitioning from a mattress and box spring to an adjustable bed frame, you may need to purchase a new mattress in order for the two to be compatible.

Can you use an innerspring mattress on an adjustable bed?

Yes, you can use an innerspring mattress on an adjustable bed. However, you must use an innerspring mattress that has been specifically designed for use with an adjustable bed. These mattresses will have pocket coils that are wrapped individually and provide more targeted support to the body’s pressure points, which also allows the mattress to flex without compromising the support and mattress construction. While compatible innerspring mattresses do exist, they can be difficult to find, which is why memory foam mattresses are most frequently paired with adjustable bases.

Can side sleepers use adjustable bed frames?

Yes, anyone can benefit from an adjustable bed. Adjustable bed frames allow for customizable comfort and enhanced sleep quality for all sleep positions. Because you have control of the elevation of the head and foot of your bed, you can adjust either to support your preferred sleep position. Adjustable beds especially beneficial for anyone who suffers from insomnia, sleep apnea, narcolepsy, chronic pain, arthritis, or heartburn. Adjustable beds can also prove beneficial if you sleep with a partner who has a different sleep style than you.