If you’re wondering how to choose an adjustable bed, you’re probably looking for better sleep, easier movement, and a bed that works with your routine.
But with so many options available, from lifestyle beds to profiling care beds, it’s not always clear which one is right for you.
This adjustable bed buying guide from Opera Beds walks you through exactly what to look for, so you can choose with confidence and find a bed that feels comfortable, supportive, and right at home.
Why choose an adjustable bed?
An adjustable bed lets you change your position with the touch of a button. You can easily raise your head, legs, or both to help you sleep or relax.
You might benefit from an adjustable bed if you:
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Want to reduce back pain or improve posture
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Experience snoring or disrupted sleep
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Offer relief from pressure points and enhance overall comfort
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Spend time reading or resting in bed
Rather than adapting around your bed, an adjustable bed adapts to you.
We spoke with occupational therapist Barbara Franks about how adjustable beds support comfort and independence in everyday life. Barbara explains:
“Adjustable beds can make a huge difference to how people manage their daily routines. Being able to change position easily, like sitting more upright, elevating the legs, or adjusting support through the back, can reduce physical strain and improve overall comfort.
“This is key for maintaining independence. When people can move more easily and find comfortable positions without assistance, they feel more confident and in control in their own home.
“Many people use their bed throughout the day to rest, read, or recover, so having the right support can make a positive impact on physical wellbeing and quality of life.”
1. Assess your needs
It helps to understand what you actually need from your bed before you start comparing your options. This means you avoid getting distracted by features that may not be relevant to you, and instead focus on what will genuinely improve your comfort and routine.
For some people, the priority is better sleep, which can include reducing back pain, easing snoring, or finding a more supportive position through the night. For others, making everyday movements easier, such as sitting or resting comfortably and changing position without assistance, is the main concern.
You may also be thinking about how the bed fits into your home, especially if maintaining a traditional bedroom feel is important. If you’re sharing a bed, you should also consider how your needs compare with your partner’s. In many cases, people realise they need different levels of support or positioning, which can influence which adjustable bed works best.
Defining these priorities early on makes the rest of the decision much clearer and helps you choose an adjustable bed that feels right for you.
2. Choose the right type of adjustable bed
Once you understand your needs, the next step is choosing the type of adjustable bed that best supports your lifestyle.
All Opera adjustable beds are designed to enhance comfort while also supporting flexibility, everyday wellbeing, and a range of health needs such as back pain, breathing conditions, and acid reflux.
The choice of mattress, when paired with the bed, can further improve comfort and provide additional support depending on individual requirements.
For those with more significant mobility challenges or evolving care needs, a profiling bed is typically the most suitable option, as it offers greater functionality and support.
Profiling care beds
Profiling care beds are designed for more complex or changing care needs. They can be adjusted to support everyday tasks, like getting in and out of bed, more safely and easily, while offering advanced clinical positioning options, including back, leg, and height adjustment.
All profiling beds include height adjustment to support safer transfers, allowing the bed to be raised to carer height to reduce strain and improve accessibility. Some models also offer a lower-to-floor function to help reduce the risk of falls and injury.
They also support repositioning in bed, which can help improve posture, aid circulation and breathing, and reduce the risk of pressure ulcers for those spending extended periods in bed.
Explore more benefits in our ‘What is a profiling bed?’ guide.
Rotating beds
If getting comfortable in bed or transitioning between positions is a challenge, rotating beds can offer a flexible solution.
These beds are designed to feel like a supportive chair when seated, giving you the freedom to relax in comfort, and can then seamlessly transition into a lying position for rest. They also feature height adjustment, which can support getting in and out of bed and make caregiving tasks easier.
Rotating beds come with a Sleepsafe mattress for added pressure relief and are well-suited to people looking for a solution that adapts as their needs change over time.
They’re particularly helpful for:
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Reduced mobility
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Long-term conditions
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Maintaining independence at home
Bariatric beds
Bariatric beds are designed to provide additional strength, space, and support.
They typically have:
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Higher weight capacities
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Reinforced frames
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Wider sleeping areas
This type of adjustable bed offers both peace of mind and comfort.
Luxury adjustable beds
Luxury adjustable beds offer the perfect combination of comfort and elevated design.
These beds have the full functionality of an adjustable bed, like head and leg positioning, but with luxe materials, premium finishes, and statement headboards.
Luxury adjustable beds mean that you don’t have to choose between comfort and aesthetics. You can have both.
Zero gravity beds
Zero gravity beds are designed to position your body to reduce pressure on your spine and promote full-body relaxation.
This position slightly elevates both the head and legs, helping to:
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Reduce strain on the lower back
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Improve circulation
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Create a weightless, relaxed feeling
Many people find this position especially useful for unwinding before sleep or easing tension after a long day.
The zero gravity position was developed by NASA and is achieved when the body is positioned so that the legs are slightly elevated above the heart and the upper body is gently raised, creating a neutral, low-pressure posture.
Learn more about how the zero gravity position can help you sleep in our guide.
Adjustable massage beds
Adjustable massage beds improve sleep quality with built-in massage features.
They could help to ease muscle tension, promote relaxation before sleep, and enhance overall comfort.
The massage function adds an extra element of comfort, especially important if you spend time resting or recovering in bed. They may help to improve circulation and promote relaxation, which can contribute to overall well-being.
Read more about how adjustable beds can help lower blood pressure.
Adjustable storage beds
If storage is a main concern, adjustable storage beds can be a practical solution without sacrificing comfort.
They combine:
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Built-in storage drawers
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Adjustable positioning
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Clean, organised design
This makes them ideal for smaller spaces or for keeping your bedroom clutter-free while still benefiting from adjustable comfort.
3. Consider size and space
Choosing the right size adjustable bed is just as important as choosing the features.
Single adjustable beds
A single adjustable bed is a practical option if you’re sleeping alone or furnishing a smaller room.
These can be an excellent choice for guest rooms, compact bedrooms, and for individual comfort needs.
Small double & double adjustable beds
If you prefer a little more space to stretch out, a small double adjustable bed or a double adjustable bed offers a good balance between comfort and room size.
These are ideal if you want more sleeping space without going too large, or if you're furnishing a medium-sized bedroom.
King-size & super king adjustable beds
For those who want more space or share a bed, larger sizes like king-size adjustable beds and super king-size adjustable beds offer greater comfort.
They’re best if you:
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Share a bed
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Want more room to move
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Are considering a dual adjustable setup
This makes them ideal for smaller spaces or for keeping your bedroom clutter-free while still benefiting from adjustable comfort.
Adjustable twin beds
With adjustable twin beds, each side moves independently, so you can sleep next to a partner and adjust the bed to your specific needs and preferences.
This is especially useful if, for example, one person wants to elevate their head because of acid reflux, while the other wants to raise their legs to improve circulation. Alternatively, you can synchronise both sides and adjust them to the same position.
Adjustable twin beds are built into king or super king adjustable bed frames, so you would require a lot of space; however, they are especially convenient for couples who want tailored support without compromising on sleeping next to each other.
All adjustable beds include back and leg adjustment controlled by a handset, with options such as dual control for couples, memory settings, and a wide choice of sizes and finishes
4. Mattresses and adjustable bed accessories
Another area to consider is adjustable bed accessories and bedding. To ensure a good night’s sleep and make the most of your bed’s functions, it’s likely that you’ll need an adjustable bed mattress that contours and flexes with your bed.
Likewise, if you’re required to spend long periods in bed or are susceptible to pressure ulcers, pressure-relieving mattresses can reduce pressure points, enhancing comfort and preventing ulcers from forming.
For more information on prevention measures, read our guide – SSKIN: 5 Steps to Prevent Pressure Ulcers.
It’s not just your mattress that may require an upgrade, but your bedding, too. Standard fitted sheets are prone to coming loose because they struggle to keep up with an adjustable bed’s movements.
To remedy this, we designed our adjustable bed fitted sheet, which adapts to the bed’s contours, so you can get a restful night’s sleep in any position.
Elsewhere, our collection of accessories includes grab rails that can make getting in and out of bed easier and reduce the risk of falling out of bed, as well as the world’s first adjustable bed electric blanket. Unlike a regular electric blanket, ours doesn’t use any metal wires, so it moves effortlessly with your adjustable bed.
Why choose Opera Beds?
Opera adjustable beds are designed to support everyday comfort while still feeling like part of your home.
You’ll find:
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A wide range of styles, from modern to traditional
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Options for both lifestyle and care needs
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Thoughtfully designed accessories
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Support from a UK-based team
Choosing an adjustable bed comes down to understanding your needs and finding the features that support your life.
For more expert guidance and tips on buying and making the most of your adjustable bed, head to the Opera Beds blog. Here, you’ll find practical advice on how to get a good night’s sleep when living with chronic pain, choosing the best chair for back pain, and creating a bedroom that’s comfortable and safe for elderly people.
Ready to find the ideal bed for you and your needs? Use our bed selector tool or get a second opinion from our friendly customer support team.
