The 5 best adjustable bases and bed frames of 2026

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Perfect for when you're fighting off acid reflux or enjoying a good book in bed, adjustable bases elevate the head and foot of the best mattresses for a supportive sleeping or lounging experience. The best adjustable bases also include extra features like charging ports, built-in massage, or under-bed lighting along with customizable comfort. Not everyone needs an adjustable base, but we generally recommend them for back sleepers, those with chronic pain, or people experiencing acid reflux or snoring at night.

After researching and testing several adjustable bases, the Purple Premium Plus Smart Base stood out as our best overall pick. It features a sturdy design, plethora of customization options, and near-silent operation. For those on a budget, I recommend the Lucid L300, a no-frills option with easy assembly and intuitive controls.

Learn more about how Business Insider Reviews tests and reviews home products.

Our picks of the best adjustable bases

Best overall: Purple Premium Plus Smart Base - See at Purple

Best budget: Lucid L300 Bed Base - See at Amazon

Best with headboard: Nolah Adjustable Base with Headboard - See at Nolah

Best for sleep tracking: Tempur-Pedic Ergo Smart Base - See at Tempur-Pedic

Best for heavy people: Big Fig Adjustable Base - See at Big Fig

Best overall

Purple's adjustable base is chock full of features. The Purple Premium Plus Smart Base the best adjustable bed pick thanks to a solid build and thoughtful features like pillow tilt for optimal head support, lumbar support to reduce tension in your lower back, programmable presets, and free in-home setup. Adjust the bed to your liking using the back-lit remote control or the intuitive Purple app, which is available on iOS and Android.

It has four preset positions. TV/PC is the steepest incline of the feet and head, so you can sit up and watch media or work. Lounge has a less harsh incline at the feet and head. I liked this one the most because it kept me comfortable for longer periods and worked well for reading and watching streaming media. Zero Gravity inclines the head and foot slightly with the feet slightly higher to make you feel like you're floating in space. Flat flattens the base for a traditional sleep experience. You can also program the base to remember up to three custom positions. I like that the mattress doesn't shift or cause the split frames to "walk" away from their original position. This is a common problem with adjustable frames.

The massage feature is relaxing, but not powerful. There are varying intensities of massage and wave massages, or you can target your head or feet. I found the high-intensity massage was relaxing but not particularly powerful. The vibrations were light and relaxing, but there wasn't any kneading or deep tissue work. 

The height is adjustable, and it can fit in most bed frames. The frame has about seven inches of clearance underneath, which you can adjust to 2.5 inches. And, the platform that your mattress will rest on is about 14 inches off the ground (9.5 inches if you choose the lower height option). I chose the maximum clearance and found the under-bed lighting handy with motion activated sensors when I dropped items and needed help finding them. It can also sit within most bed frames.

Best budget

We're a fan of Lucid products. The Lucid brand regularly pops up in our sleep product guides as a top budget option, and the Lucid L300 Bed Base is yet another example. It costs considerably less than any other adjustable bed frame we considered. Despite its low price, it appears to be a solid option. We say "appears" because we have not had a chance to test it. Fortunately, it's backed by Amazon's 30-day return policy, or 100-nights when purchased directly from Lucid.

Setup takes minutes. In-home setup isn't available, but the L300 is designed with a folding hinge that allows Lucid to ship the base virtually assembled. You just unfold it and install the appropriate hardware, and you're good to go. The company claims this process takes five minutes. 

The L300 has both foot and head inclines. You use a wireless remote with a built-in flashlight to adjust the head to angles of 0 to 60 degrees and the foot to 0 to 45 degrees. Plus, you can program the remote to remember your favorite position. Each side of the frame has two USB charging ports: one for fast charging and the other for regular-speed charging.

The sizing can be confusing. The frame accommodates spring, foam, and hybrid mattresses 8 to 12 inches thick. The base holds the mattress in place using metal support bars at the foot of the bed. The base is available in twin XL, full, and queen sizes. The king size is only available directly through Lucid. Amazon shoppers who require a king-size must purchase two twin XL bases. It comes with materials to tether them together or is a great option for split-king designs. Split-king designs are technically preferable in this instance as it enables two people sharing a bed to tailor the incline to their liking. The Lucid L300 is backed by a 10-year warranty.

Best with headboard

Finding an adjustable base with a headboard is rare. Most adjustable bases theoretically should fit inside a bed frame, but you can't deny the convenience of having it all as one. That's why I was so intrigued by Nolah's adjustable base with an attached headboard. In my search, I found that adjustable bases with headboard are few and far between. This one from Nolah gets the job done and gives me the look I want, but I found it is far from perfect.

It's got all the bells and whistles. The bed features common and popular functions found on adjustable base beds including adjustable head and feet, zero-gravity presets, three memory positions, USB charging ports, under-bed lighting, a mattress retainer bar to prevent sliding, and a reinforced steel undercarriage to lift up to 750 pounds. The base adjusts smoothly and quietly, and operates with a remote.

The headboard isn't the sturdiest. Adjustable mechanisms aside — those functions work exactly as I required — I found the headboard was not sturdy enough to lean up against. The culprit: It's attached to the base on a bracket with two bolts near each edge, but nothing in the center. I also couldn't place the bed flush against the wall or I would block my wall outlet. The headboard swayed with subtle taps. My dad, who helped me assemble the bed, had the foresight to wedge some foam packaging between the headboard and wall, which provided the support necessary to be able to lean up against the headboard. It's hidden and the solution has held up for over a year and a half of use, but an overall major design flaw. I do like, that the upholstered headboard rises 53 inches, so no matter how high the bed is raised, you can see the headboard peering above. And, it's attractive, with a mid-century design in three colors.

I'm not a fan of the legs. My other gripe: To keep with the mid-century look, the tapered legs of the base are made of high-density plastic with a wood-like appearance that frankly looked and felt cheap. They can be adjusted in three places (5, 8, and 11 inches). Choosing to keep the bed at its tallest height, I had a hard time lining up the pegs when screwing them in place, giving a mismatched appearance.

Assembly is easy, and it's protected by a warranty. Assembly of the bed was tool free, and the most labor-intensive part was flipping the frame right side up. The headboard is installed as the last step. Nolah offers a 10-year warranty on its base, and a 1-year warranty on the headboard. Like the other bases on this list, it is not returnable. — Jaclyn Turner, senior home editor

Best for sleep tracking

Yes, this base really tracks your sleep stats. The incorporation of the Sleeptracker-AI app (iOS and Android) sets the Tempur-Pedic Ergo Smart Base apart from other adjustable bases. Thanks to sensors installed at the head, the app collects data on air quality, breathing, heart rate, and more. Based on its findings, it tells you how restful your sleep is and offers recommendations to improve it. Tempur-Pedic is constantly updating its technology. The Ergo Smart Base also uses sleep data to assess when you are snoring and automatically adjusts the base to a position that will help alleviate it. It also incorporates a smart alarm feature that gently vibrates the bed to wake you when you're in light sleep close to your designated wake-up time. 

I love the zero gravity mode. In addition to the anti-snore quiet mode mentioned above, it has a "zero gravity" preset that elevates the legs and torso. I regularly turned to this preset when reading or streaming in bed. It's relaxing for those long binge sessions.

The massage wasn't great, but it moves quietly. The Ergo Smart Base offers several massaging programs but isn't strong even on the highest setting. However, I tested it with the hefty 157-pound Tempur-Pedic PRObreeze mattress, which may have dampened the massaging abilities of the base. On the plus side, whether massaging or adjusting positions, the frame moves smoothly and quietly. My sound meter showed it was no louder than ambient noise. I didn't have connectivity issues in the year or so I slept on it. Each leg comprises four 3-inch adjustable segments, so you can choose to have 3, 6, 9, or 12 inches of clearance under your bed. Your mattress will rest about 3.5 inches above that.

The underbed lights and lighted remote are handy. I liked that the remote is backlit so it's easy to see what you're doing in the dark. There are also lights underneath the bed, which were helpful when I needed to find something in my bedroom and didn't want to disturb my wife.

It comes with a long warranty, but there are no returns. Tempur-pedic adjustable bases come with a 25-year warranty, the longest of any adjustable bed frame we've tested, and free in-home setup. However, it is not returnable. 

Read our full Tempur-Ergo Smart Base review.

Best for heavy people

This is the best adjustable base for heavy people. Every adjustable bed in our guide supports at least 750 pounds, but heavier folks — especially couple — could use a little extra support. Adjustable bases support both the sleepers and the mattress, so a base with a high weight capacity ensure that everything works smoothly and lasts for years, regardless of a sleeper's size. The Big Fig Adjustable Base is the best option for heavy people we tried, with a weight capacity of 550 pounds on each side, or 1,250 pounds total.

I can attest — it works seamlessly. My partner and I are both heavy people with a hefty mattress — add our dog and cat into that equation, we're definitely in need of some extra support from time to time. Even with all of us on the bed, the Big Fig base raised and lowered with ease. It was quiet, too, and I had no problems adjusting the elevation of my head or feet.

Building it took longer than I thought. Big Fig's website says that assembly only takes 15 minutes, but it took me over an hour to build it by myself. You won't need extra tools like a screwdriver when assembling, but you will have to keep track of small pieces. While other adjustable beds have a single panel, Big Fig's base is comprised of many panels screwed together on a base. I built it myself, but I wish I had recruited a helper — especially since the boxes and pieces are so heavy.

The remote is nice, but I had problems using it. There are two presets on the included remote: one for a flat mode and another for zero gravity, which lifts your legs higher than your head. There are also memory buttons, if you'd like to save your preferred settings. I did experience problems with the remote, with some buttons failing to activate until I pressed extra hard.

There are no returns, but there is a long warranty. The Big Fig Adjustable Base is non-returnable, but it does come with a 10-year limited warranty that covers manufacturer defects. — Kinsley Searles, associate editor

What to look for in an adjustable bed frame

Mattress compatibility: Most foam, hybrid, and latex mattresses are compatible with adjustable beds. However, some of the traditional innerspring mattresses are not. Check with the manufacturer of your mattress to find out if your bed is compatible. This info is commonly found in the FAQ section of the manufacturer's website. All of the picks in our best mattress guide are compatible with an adjustable bed.

Size: Your bed frame should be the same size as your mattress. If you're also buying a new mattress and unsure which size to get, check out our mattress size chart for guidance.

Assembly: Adjustable bed frames are heavy pieces of furniture. The models you assemble come with detailed directions, but you may need help lifting the pieces. If putting the frame together sounds intimidating, look for preassembled models or ones with a complimentary in-home setup.

Positions: Head and foot adjustments are standard features, but the best adjustable beds also have presets for TV viewing, minimizing snoring, and a zero-gravity feel. Some models even have head-tilt adjustments and programmable positions to get in your favorite position with a single button push.

Additional features: Massage is a standard extra, but we haven't found a bed frame that gives a good massage. USB charging ports are useful for your smart devices, and an under-bed light is nice for finding your way at night or looking for items you dropped. Some may also have connectivity that enables you to use your phone as the remote. 

Returns and warranty: While mattresses typically have a 100-night or longer return policy, returns are much less common with adjustable beds. If you're unsure if an adjustable base is right for you, look for one with a return policy or try it in the showroom first. A lengthy warranty is important regardless, as you want to be covered if there are defects. All the picks in our guide have 10-year warranties or longer.

How we tested each adjustable bed frame

I've tested sleep products professionally for six years and have reviewed over 100 mattresses, sheet sets, sleep aids, and more. I put each of the best adjustable beds I received through several tests, and for any highly rated units I have not fully tested firsthand, I extrapolate the key performance indicators based on the reviews of my colleagues and those of other trustworthy product-review websites. The most important adjustable base factors are ease of use, basic performance, and how well special features work.

Here are the main attributes we look for in the best adjustable beds and how we test them:

Ease of use: Sometimes, you're half asleep and want to adjust your bed. Is this achievable with the bed frame? To assess this, I look at the controller to see if it's backlit and clearly labeled for intuitive control. If available, I also assess the phone app and see if it lets me make adjustments. For those of us who would prefer not to have another remote control on our nightstand to keep track of, we preferred frames that could be controlled with an app on our phone. I also examined the presets and programmable buttons for accurate operation.

Noise: When you adjust in the middle of the night, you don't want to wake your partner, so quiet operation is a must. I tested this by positioning a sound meter 12 inches from the side of the frame and measuring the decibel readout as I moved both the head and foot of the bed. I compared this to the ambient noise (usually around 45 decibels) to assess how loud it gets. I consider the frame quiet if the difference is less than 10 decibels.

Massage intensity: I also measure the loudness and intensity of the massage functions using the same method above. You want a bed to soothe and relax you, but you don't want it to be so loud you can't watch TV. Many manufacturers advertise that their base offers a "deep tissue massage." I have not found one that does that. Instead, the best you can hope for is a good rumble that comes close to making your voice sound weird as you talk. My massage intensity test is somewhat subjective.

Special features: Almost all top bases feature USB charging ports and under-bed lights. I also consider unique extras, such as sleep tracking, alarms, speakers, and voice control, and how well they work. 

Mattress considerations: First, I examine what mattresses are compatible with the frame. Due to space constraints, this is hard to test firsthand so my assessments are mainly based on a combination of experience and manufacturer recommendations. With the mattress in place, I adjust the frame from flat to maximum foot and head angles several times to see if the mattress or frame move in relation to each other or the floor. This factor is important because constantly readjusting heavy mattresses and frames may be untenable for some.

Additionally, we examine what sizes are available, whether split units allow you to adjust each side of the bed individually, the location and number of adjustable points, the warranty period, the return policy, the availability of showrooms, and whether in-home setup is an option.

Adjustable base FAQs

What are the benefits of an adjustable base?

Adjustable bases help folks stay comfortable while reading, watching TV, or lounging in bed. They can also have health benefits for those who snore, experience chronic pain, or have acid reflux, but always check with a doctor before using an adjustable base for health purposes.

Who needs an adjustable bed?

While you'll find adjustable bases marketed to just about everyone, they're only best for certain people in specific circumstances. Generally, if you sleep on your back or experience chronic pain, adjustable bases can help you get more comfortable at night. They're not the best for side or stomach sleepers, since elevation can misalign your spine.

Regardless of sleeping position, adjustable bases come in handy if you enjoy lounging or working from bed. For more, check out our explainer on who needs an adjustable base.

What is zero gravity?

Most bases have a "zero gravity" setting that elevates the head and feet, with the feet slightly higher than your head. This is meant to create a sensation of weightlessness, thus the name.

Is an adjustable base compatible with standard bed frames?

For the most part. If your bed frame can hold a mattress and box spring, it's compatible with an adjustable base.

Are massage features really that important on an adjustable base?

We don't think so. Several Business Insider Reviews team members have tested massaging adjustable bases and agree that they're not worth it. Rather than feeling kneading or massaging, most features just vibrate the bed. None of them compare to the intensity of the Beyond-Sleep VibraSonic Mattress, which has built-in speakers and an adjustable base.