Adjustable Beds: Types, Prices and Sales Tactics to Avoid
Last checked November 2026. Offers and rules change: confirm with the provider before you rely on them.
An electric adjustable bed raises your head, your legs or both at the press of a button, which can make it easier to get comfortable, sit up to read and get in and out. They are a big purchase with a wide price range, so take your time, compare, and never sign on the day.
Who they help
People who find it hard to sit up from lying flat, who are more comfortable with their head or legs raised, or who spend a lot of time in bed. Some people simply like one for reading or watching television. An adjustable bed is a comfort and convenience product: be cautious of any salesperson who says it will treat or cure a medical condition. If you have a health reason for needing a particular sleeping position, ask your GP, nurse or an occupational therapist what would help.
Main types
- Standard adjustable bed — a divan or bedstead with a hinged, motorised base, usually in four or five sections, and a flexible mattress. The head and foot ends move independently.
- Dual (twin-mechanism) beds — two single adjustable bases side by side in a double or king-size frame, so each person controls their own side. Each side has its own mattress.
- Height-adjustable ("high-low") beds — the whole bed also rises and lowers, which helps with getting in and out and saves a carer's back.
- Profiling beds — the hospital-style version, with height adjustment and optional side rails, designed for nursing care at home. These are what the NHS or council normally lends when there is a care need.
- Adjustable bases — a motorised slatted frame that drops into some existing bed frames. Cheaper, but check sizes carefully.
What to look for
- Mattress suitability — it must be made to bend. Options include memory foam, latex and pocket-sprung mattresses designed for adjustable bases. Lie on it for a good ten minutes in the shop.
- Bed height — when sitting on the edge, your feet should be flat on the floor with your knees roughly level with your hips.
- Handset — large, clearly labelled, ideally backlit buttons; wired handsets cannot get lost.
- Battery back-up — lets you lower the bed flat in a power cut.
- Maximum user weight.
- Noise — ask to hear the motor.
- Headboard and wall clearance — some bases slide back as they rise ("wall-hugger" designs) so your bedside table stays in reach.
- Guarantee — how long, and whether motors, frame and mattress are covered separately. Who does repairs, and how quickly?
- Delivery — is assembly in the room of your choice and removal of the old bed included?
Rough price guide
| Type | Typical price (rough guide) |
|---|---|
| Single adjustable bed with mattress, high street or online | from around £500 to £1,500 |
| Double or dual adjustable bed with mattresses | around £1,200 to £3,500 |
| Height-adjustable or profiling bed | around £1,000 to £3,000 or more |
| Specialist direct-sales brands | can be considerably higher |
Prices for what looks like the same bed vary a great deal between high-street bed shops, mobility retailers, online sellers and companies that sell through home visits. Get at least three quotes.
Sales tactics to watch for
Adjustable beds are often sold through newspaper adverts and home demonstrations. Most firms behave properly, but pressure selling does happen.
- Be wary of a very high starting price followed by a large "today only" discount, or a call to "the manager" for a special deal.
- Do not feel obliged because someone has spent two hours in your home. Have a friend or relative with you, and say at the start that you will not be deciding today.
- Do not pay a large deposit in cash. Paying at least part by credit card can give you extra protection on purchases over £100.
- Get the full price, what it includes, the delivery date and the guarantee in writing.
Can I get one free?
If you have a health or care need for a profiling bed, for example you are being nursed at home or a carer needs the bed raised to help you safely, one may be lent free through the NHS or council community equipment service after an assessment by a district nurse or occupational therapist. This is based on need, not comfort or preference. Ask your GP surgery or district nurse, or request a needs assessment from your council through GOV.UK.
If you buy your own and you have a long-term illness or disability, an adjustable bed designed for disabled people may qualify for VAT relief. Ask the retailer before you order; you sign a simple declaration and they take the VAT off.
Cheaper alternatives to consider first
- A mattress elevator or bed wedge raises the head end of your existing bed.
- Bed raisers lift a low bed to a better height.
- A bed rail or lever gives you something to hold as you sit up. See bed rails and bed aids.
- A riser recliner chair may suit if daytime comfort is the main issue.
Safety points
- Keep fingers, pets, flexes and bedding clear of the mechanism when lowering.
- Only fit bed rails designed for your make of bed; gaps can trap a limb or head.
- Do not use an electric underblanket unless both the bed and blanket instructions allow it.
- Buying second-hand? Read second-hand mobility equipment first, and budget for a new mattress.
Common questions
Can I use my existing mattress?
Usually not. Most ordinary sprung mattresses are not made to flex and will be damaged. Use a mattress made for adjustable bases.
Can two people share an adjustable bed?
Yes. A dual bed with two separate mechanisms and mattresses lets each person choose their own position. A single-mechanism double moves both people together.
How long do adjustable beds last?
It depends on build quality and use. Check the length of the guarantee on the motors and frame, and whether parts will be available afterwards.
What if I change my mind after delivery?
Your rights depend on how and where you bought it and whether it was made to order. Our guides to your consumer rights and returns and refunds explain, and Citizens Advice can help with a dispute.