What is an adjustable bed?
An adjustable bed looks much like an ordinary bed, but the base is split into sections that can be raised and lowered. Instead of propping yourself up with a pile of pillows, you press a button and the bed moves you into the position you want.
Most people use them to sit up comfortably to read, watch television or have a morning cup of tea, to raise their legs, or simply to find a position they find more comfortable for resting and sleeping.
How electric adjustable beds work
Underneath the mattress is a hinged base driven by one or more quiet electric motors. When you press a button on the handset, the motor lifts or lowers a section of the base, and a flexible mattress bends with it.
You don't need to be technical to use one. If you would like a closer look at the mechanics, our guide on how adjustable beds work explains it step by step.
Head and leg adjustment
The two movements people use most are:
- Head adjustment — raises your back and shoulders so you can sit up without stacking pillows.
- Leg adjustment — raises your knees and lower legs, which many people find more comfortable for resting.
On some beds the head and legs move together; on others they move separately. Which suits you depends on how you like to sit and lie.
The main configurations
Denson Homefit Solutions offers three options:
Single Motor Bed
The head and legs adjust together on one motor. Simple and easy for anyone who wants straightforward adjustment.
Dual Motor Bed
The head and legs adjust independently, so you can raise one without the other and fine-tune your position.
Split Dual Motor Bed
Designed for couples. Each side of the bed adjusts completely independently, with its own handset, so each person can choose their own position.
There is no single “best” option — it comes down to how you'll use the bed and who will be sleeping in it.
For one person or for a couple?
If you sleep alone, a single or dual motor bed is usually the natural starting point. If you share a bed, it's worth thinking about whether you both like the same positions. Many couples don't — one might like to sit up and read while the other lies flat.
A split bed lets each person adjust their own side. Our guide to adjustable beds for couples covers this in more detail.
Mattress considerations
An adjustable bed needs a mattress that can flex as the base moves. A standard mattress may not bend properly and can wear unevenly, so the mattress is part of the decision, not an afterthought.
- Ask whether the mattress is designed for use on an adjustable base.
- Think about how firm or soft you like your bed to feel.
- Lie on it in different positions, not just flat.
Controls
Most adjustable beds are operated with a hand control. It's worth checking that the buttons are easy to see, easy to press and clearly labelled, especially if you'll be using it in dim light or first thing in the morning.
Try the handset yourself. If it feels fiddly, say so — the right bed should feel easy from day one.
Bedroom space
Measure your room before you start. Think about:
- The width and length of the space where the bed will go.
- Room to walk around the bed and open wardrobes and drawers.
- Where the nearest plug socket is.
- Access to the room — stairs, doorways and landings.
All sizes are available and are discussed during your home demonstration, so an adviser can look at the space with you.
Installation
An adjustable bed is heavier and more involved to set up than a standard bed. Ask who delivers it, who assembles it and whether someone will show you how everything works.
At DHS, our own team delivers and installs your bed and shows you how to use it before they leave.
Questions worth asking before you buy
- Which configuration suits the way I sit, rest and sleep?
- Is the mattress designed for an adjustable base?
- Is the handset easy for me to use?
- Will the bed fit comfortably in my room?
- Who delivers and installs it, and will they show me how it works?
- Can I try it before I decide?
Why it helps to experience a bed before deciding
Photographs and descriptions only go so far. How a bed feels when it moves, how easy the handset is and how it suits your room are things you can only really judge in person.
That's why DHS offers free, no-obligation home demonstrations. The showroom comes to you — an adviser brings suitable options to your home, so you can try them where you'll actually use them, with no pressure.
This guide is general consumer information about home-comfort products. It is not medical advice. If you have a health condition or specific medical questions, please speak to your GP, occupational therapist or another appropriate healthcare professional.