Adjustable beds are far more home friendly than most people think.
Not to mention, the benefits of an adjustable bed stretch well beyond propping yourself up to read or watch a late night show.
Key Takeaways
- The benefits of an adjustable bed show up in everyday comfort, from easing back tension and reflux to helping you breathe more freely and settle into positions that suit your body.
- Adjustable beds support a wide range of needs, especially for people with medical conditions, mobility challenges, or joint discomfort who may find relief through gentle elevation or specific angles.
- If you want customisable comfort for reading, relaxing, or sleeping, an adjustable bed may be worth it. It pairs well with flexible mattresses like memory foam, latex, and hybrid, giving you a setup that can shift with you as your needs change.
In this article, we’ll break down what adjustable beds actually do, who they are best suited for, and how they help with everyday comfort.
What Is an Adjustable Bed?
An adjustable bed is a bed base that lets you lift your head or feet with the press of a button. This motorised base lets you shift into positions that feel better for reading, resting, or easing pressure after a long day.
Think of it as a bed that moves with you. A quick tap on a remote can raise your upper body, take weight off your lower back, or help your legs feel lighter.
Some setups even let couples choose their own angle so no one has to compromise on comfort.
If you want to dive deeper into how adjustable beds work, we also have a full article that explains each feature in detail.
Who Can Benefit Most from an Adjustable Bed?
You might find them especially helpful if you:
- experience back discomfort or stiff mornings
- deal with reflux or snoring
- have swollen legs or tired muscles
- like to unwind in bed
- are recovering from an injury or have limited mobility
- prefer customisable comfort
If you are looking for something that supports all of these needs, our Ecosa ErgoLift Adjustable Bed Base is built to make comfort a lot easier.
You get motorised head and leg elevation, quiet position changes, and preset buttons for reading, anti-snore, zero gravity, or your own saved favourite. It fits most mattresses and bed frames, stays stable with a non-slip surface, and arrives in one box for easy setup.
What Are the Benefits of an Adjustable Bed?
The benefits of an adjustable bed show up in small but meaningful ways. It is comfort you can fine tune, and that flexibility can make bedtime feel a lot easier.
Below are some of the most helpful advantages people notice once they switch to an adjustable setup.
1. Easier on Your Back & Joints
For many people living with joint discomfort, even a slight lift at the knees or head brings noticeable relief. As the Arthritis Foundation notes, “about 70% of people with osteoarthritis have some kind of sleep disturbance.”
Finding a position that softens strain can make nights calmer and mornings less stiff, and an adjustable bed helps you do that so your joints can finally relax.
2. Smoother Breathing & Less Snoring
An adjustable bed base can help your airway stay more open by lifting your upper body slightly. The Sleep Health Foundation notes that “you’ll snore more if you sleep on your back,” and that often comes down to how easily air can move through the throat.
So, a gentle incline changes that angle so breathing feels smoother. This small shift can make back sleeping quieter and more comfortable for you and anyone sharing the bed.
3. Gentler Nights With Reflux or Heartburn
A slight lift at the upper body can ease flares of reflux, and a clinical study published in the Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology found that “bed head elevation significantly reduced esophageal acid exposure and acid clearance time during the supine period.”
Keeping a raised position is far simpler on an adjustable bed, so you stay supported instead of slipping down a stack of cushions.
If you are not ready to commit to a full base yet, our cooling wedge pillow offers a gentle incline that can help in the meantime.
4. Better Circulation & Less Swelling
Raising your legs can help ease heaviness and swelling by giving blood a smoother path back toward your upper body. Research from Griffith University reported that “heating the legs increased blood flow in the femoral artery and improved muscle oxygenation,” showing how even small changes to lower-limb positioning or support can make a real difference to circulation.
Lifting your feet on an adjustable bed keeps them at a steady height without the wobble of loose cushions, helping tired legs feel lighter after long days.
If you prefer something smaller, our cooling leg elevation pillow offers the same gentle lift in a simpler setup.
5. Extra Comfort for Long-Term Conditions
Living with ongoing pain changes how you rest. Conditions like arthritis, fibromyalgia, or back pain can make it tough to stay comfortable in one position for long, and it is always best to check in with your doctor about what positions are safest for your body.
A 2025 Sleep journal study reported that participants using an adjustable base experienced “better perceived sleep quality and less back pain” compared to sleeping flat.
An adjustable bed gives you more angles to work with. A soft bend at the knees, a gentle lift at the head, or a balanced mix can take pressure off sore spots and help your body feel less weighed down at night.
6. Easier Getting In, Out, & Around the Bed
If you are recovering from surgery or dealing with limited mobility, sitting up from a flat mattress can feel like hard work.
Lifting the head section moves you closer to a seated position, which can make getting in and out of bed smoother and less tiring on your back and core. It’s a small adjustment that often brings more stability and confidence to those early morning movements.
7. A More Relaxing Place to Wind Down
If your bed is where you read, scroll, snack, or binge a whole series, we’re right there with you.
Propping yourself up on a bunch of pillows never feels as comfy as you hope. A gentle incline from an adjustable bed supports your back so you can actually relax instead of fidgeting around.
When you’re ready to call it a night, you just tap the remote and sink into your favourite sleep position. It makes your whole wind down feel smoother, and those easier evenings often turn into better sleep.
Tips for Using an Adjustable Bed at Home
If you already have a compatible mattress, you can start using your adjustable bed base straight away.
If you’re not sure whether your mattress can safely flex and bend, we have an article post that breaks down the best mattress types for adjustable beds so you can double check before you switch things on.
- Start with small changes
Begin with slight lifts at the head or feet instead of big angles. Your body will tell you quickly what feels good and what does not. - Find a favourite preset & save it
Save a relaxed position for reading or winding down. That way, you tap one button and slip straight into your chill spot each night. - Try different angles for pain or reflux
If you have back discomfort, tight legs, or reflux, experiment slowly. A soft bend at the knees or a gentle incline at the head can make a big difference. Always check with your doctor if you make some changes to your sleep diet. - Pair it with the right mattress and pillows
Use a mattress that can flex without sagging and pillows that support your neck at different heights. Our ergonomic pillows can add extra comfort if certain areas need more support. - Keep your sleep routine consistent
An adjustable bed helps with comfort, but regular sleep and wake times still matter. Combine good angles with good habits for the best results.
Are Adjustable Beds Worth It?
If you have a medical condition and your doctor recommends sleeping at an incline, an adjustable bed base can be well worth it. It offers more comfort control, eases issues like reflux or snoring, and makes getting in and out of bed easier.
At the same time, if you also want customisable comfort for reading, relaxing, or winding down at night, an adjustable bed can make your whole sleep setup feel more supportive and easier to live with.
You can shop our ErgoLift Adjustable Bed Base, which comes with a 5 year limited warranty, along with our compatible bed frames and bed bases, and our memory foam, latex, and hybrid mattresses on our website.
And if you live in Australia, you can drop into one of our retail stores to try our mattresses and products in person.
FAQs
What are the health benefits of an adjustable bed?
Adjustable beds can support easier breathing, reduce snoring, ease reflux, and help your spine settle into a more natural position.
Many people also find it more comfortable for joint pain, swelling, or stiffness because you can fine tune your angle instead of forcing your body to lie flat.
What are the disadvantages of an adjustable bed?
They cost more than a standard base and work best when paired with a compatible mattress. The motor adds a little weight and needs power to operate, so placement and cable management matter. Most people find the comfort benefits outweigh these considerations once everything is set up.
Are adjustable beds worth it for side sleepers?
Yes. Side sleepers often benefit from gentle head elevation to ease shoulder pressure or support clearer breathing. Adjustable beds make it easier to find a position that feels comfortable without stacking pillows or sliding into awkward angles.