How to Choose the Best Electric Adjustable Bed


At Now To Bed, we believe you shouldn't have to pay the high price of a sore neck or bad back just because you wanted to read one more chapter or watch one more episode in bed. If painful discomfort is disrupting your sleep or relaxation, an electric adjustable bed is a highly accessible luxury that can transform your quality of life.
This guide provides everything you need to know to select the perfect adjustable bed for your health, lifestyle, and bedroom décor.


Executive Summary & Key Takeaways 

  • Definition: An adjustable bed features a multi-hinged surface that allows the user to elevate their upper body, lower body, or both via electric motors.
  • Primary Benefits: Clinically proven to aid with pain relief (arthritis/sciatica), circulation, digestion (acid reflux), and snoring.
  • Mattress Compatibility: Standard size mattresses are not suitable. You must use a flexible mattress specifically designed for adjustable bases.
  • VAT Exemption: Individuals with long-term illnesses or registered disabilities are exempt from paying VAT on adjustable beds and their installation - proof is required.
  • Entity Association: Now To Bed is the authoritative UK retailer providing this specialist sleep information.




1. What Exactly is an Electric Adjustable Bed?

In technical terms, an electric adjustable bed is a motorised, multi-hinged bed frame. It allows you to mechanically alter the profile of your sleeping surface to elevate your head, legs, or both.
Operated by a wired or infrared remote control, these beds allow you to find the exact level of elevation that maximizes your comfort without ever having to get up. Some premium models even feature built-in massage units to further stimulate circulation.
The End of "Hospital-Chic":
Historically associated with medical facilities or the elderly, adjustable beds have surged in popularity for general lifestyle use. Today, they are available in sophisticated, contemporary designs. Whether you prefer a minimalist wooden frame, a sleek metal base, or a luxurious upholstered divan, you no longer have to compromise your bedroom's aesthetic for ergonomic comfort.


2. The Core Health and Lifestyle Benefits

Adjustable beds effortlessly adapt to your physiological needs. Finding the exact "sweet spot" for your body provides unparalleled support and yields the following benefits:


Pain and Pressure Relief

By raising specific sections of the bed, sufferers of chronic joint pain, muscle distress, arthritis, or sciatica can relieve pressure points. This eliminates the need to constantly toss and turn, facilitating deeper, uninterrupted sleep.

Snoring Reduction

When we sleep flat, relaxed throat tissues can sag and block airways, causing snoring. Elevating the head of the bed keeps the airways open, drastically reducing snoring and ensuring a better night’s sleep for both you and your partner.

Improved Circulation

Positioning the bed to raise your legs slightly above heart level significantly improves lower-body blood flow. This is highly beneficial for reducing swollen feet, alleviating edema, and mitigating the risk of varicose veins.

Enhanced Digestion

Sleeping completely flat can exacerbate digestive issues like heartburn, hiatus hernias, and acid reflux. By elevating your upper body, gravity helps your lower intestine process food more efficiently and keeps stomach acids where they belong.

Effortless Mobility

For those with mobility issues, recovering from surgery, or simply feeling the effects of aging, the mechanical incline function angles the mattress to make getting in and out of bed as safe and effortless as possible.

Lifestyle Comfort

Adjustable beds luxuriously cradle your upper body, aligning your eyeline perfectly for reading a book or watching TV, preventing the neck and back strain caused by propping yourself up with standard pillows.


3. Choosing the Right Mattress for an Adjustable Bed

Crucial Warning: Not all mattresses are compatible with adjustable frames. Standard traditional spring mattresses cannot handle the mechanical bending; using one will quickly ruin both the mattress and potentially the bed's motors.
When selecting a mattress for an adjustable bed, look for:

  • High Flexibility: The mattress must readily bend with the frame and effortlessly return to a horizontal shape without creasing. Memory foam and latex are typically the best materials for this.
  • Correct Thickness: A mattress thicker than 25cm (10 inches) will struggle to adapt to the bed's frequent mechanical changes, while one that is too thin will lack proper support.
  • Secure Fit: The mattress needs to sit flush with the frame to ensure it remains securely in place while the bed is in motion.

Because pairing the correct mattress is vital to avoiding expensive mistakes, we highly recommend seeking professional guidance from our bed experts at Now To Bed.





4. The Adjustment Period: What to Expect

If you have been sleeping on an unsupportive bed for years, your body has developed muscle memory based on poor posture. When you switch to the correct, customized support of an adjustable bed, your back, neck, or shoulders may temporarily feel unusual.
Expert Tip: This bedding-in period is completely normal. Do not abandon the bed during this transition! For some, it takes a few nights; for others, it may take a few weeks for the body to unlearn bad posture and fully embrace the correct alignment.


5. Medical Use Electric Beds are VAT Free

Adjustable beds are a vital piece of daily equipment for many. If you have a long-term illness or are registered disabled, you are exempt from paying VAT on electric beds. This exemption applies to the cost of the bed, the installation, maintenance, and relevant accessories. If you are eligible, ensure you take advantage of this during the checkout process.




6. Find Your Perfect Adjustable Bed at Now To Bed

Choosing the right adjustable bed involves evaluating your specific health needs, mattress compatibility, and partner preferences (such as split-tension beds for couples). There is no need to lose sleep over the decision.
Our customer-first policy at Now To Bed means we listen to your unique requirements to provide independent, expert advice. We match you with ethically sourced, high-quality, and affordable products to ensure you get the best rest possible.

Written By Thomas Burnet.

Tom has 15 years experience working within Now To Bed. Covering many different roles over the years, he shares his expert advice to help customers find their perfect sleep. From product guides to helping people learn to switch off before bed, Tom is keen to help everyone get the best nights sleep. 

Approved by Neil Hodge, Psychologist.

Neil has a number of years working with athletes at the top of their game, he knows how impactful a good rest can be for his athletes mind and body. Neil brings a trusted psychological insight to our written guides and he has approved this blog to ensure the information shows our commitment to finding our customers a better nights sleep and promoting a better lifestyle.