Bed rails, bed levers and bed aids: a safe buying guide
Last checked November 2026. Offers and rules change: confirm with the provider before you rely on them.
Bed aids help you sit up, turn over and get in and out of bed. Most people want a bed lever, a short handle to pull or push on, not a full-length bed rail. Rails and levers carry a real risk of trapping, so take advice before fitting one.
First, know the difference
- A bed lever (also called a bed stick or bed grab handle) is a short, upright handle fixed at the side of the bed. It is there to help you move: to roll over, sit up and stand.
- A bed rail (also called a side rail or cot side) runs along the side of the bed. Its purpose is to reduce the risk of someone rolling or slipping out of bed. It is not designed for pulling yourself up unless the maker says so.
They do different jobs, and one should not be used in place of the other.
Safety comes first
The UK's medical devices regulator, the MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency), publishes guidance on the safe use of bed rails. It says the most serious hazard is entrapment: a person's head, neck or chest becoming trapped in gaps within the rail, or between the rail and the mattress, headboard or bed frame. This has caused deaths. The guidance also says:
- Bed grab handles can pose the same entrapment hazards as bed rails.
- People who are confused or disorientated may try to climb over a rail and fall from a greater height.
- Thick mattress toppers or air mattresses can reduce the effective height of a rail and open up new gaps.
- The need for a rail should be properly assessed, with alternatives considered, and reviewed if the person's condition or the equipment changes.
The main types of bed aid
| Aid | What it does |
|---|---|
| Bed lever or bed stick | A handle held in place by a board or frame under the mattress, sometimes with straps round the bed base, or fixed to the floor |
| Bed rail | A longer rail at the side of the bed to reduce the risk of falling out |
| Bed raisers | Blocks or cones under the legs that lift the whole bed, making it easier to stand from |
| Leg lifter | A stiffened strap with a loop for the foot, to help lift a weak leg onto the bed |
| Rope ladder or pull strap | Fixes to the foot of the bed; you pull hand over hand to sit up |
| Pillow lifter or mattress elevator | A powered frame under the pillows or mattress that raises you to sitting |
| Over-bed table | A table on a wheeled base for meals and books |
If sitting up is the main difficulty, an adjustable bed is another option.
What to look for
- Compatibility with your bed. This matters most. Check whether the aid suits a divan, a slatted base or an adjustable bed, and your mattress thickness. Many levers do not suit every bed type.
- How it is secured. A lever held only by the weight of the mattress can shift. Straps to the far side of the bed base, or legs to the floor, make it firmer.
- Gaps. Once fitted, look carefully for any gap between the aid and the mattress, headboard or bed frame, and re-check after changing the mattress or bedding.
- Maximum user weight and, for levers, whether the handle height adjusts.
- Which side. Decide which side you get out, and whether the aid can be fitted there.
Measuring
- Bed height. Sitting on the edge of the mattress, your feet should be flat on the floor with your knees at about a right angle. If the bed is too low, bed raisers may help more than a rail. Measure the width and shape of the bed legs or castors before buying raisers, and check their weight limit includes the bed, the mattress and everyone in it.
- Mattress thickness and the type of base, for any lever or rail.
- Handle height. The top of a lever should be within easy reach when you are lying down, and high enough to push on when sitting on the edge.
Rough price guide
As a rough guide only: leg lifters, rope ladders and bed raisers usually cost from around £10 to £40; bed levers and rails from around £25 to £100; powered pillow lifters and mattress elevators cost a few hundred pounds.
Getting one free or cheaper
The NHS lists a grab rail attached to the bed, leg lifters and bed raisers among the equipment that can be provided free if a council needs assessment finds you need them. That route also means a trained person checks the aid suits you and your bed. In England and Wales you can apply for a needs assessment on GOV.UK. If you are leaving hospital, ask the ward staff what will be arranged.
If you buy privately and have a long-term illness or disability, equipment designed for disabled people can be bought free of VAT. See VAT relief on mobility aids.
Mistakes to avoid
- Using a bed rail as a handle, or a bed lever to stop someone falling out.
- Fitting a lever to a bed type the instructions do not cover.
- Adding a mattress topper afterwards without re-checking the gaps and the height.
- Buying a used rail with missing straps, fixings or instructions. See buying second-hand mobility equipment.
- Being talked into an expensive bed by a salesperson at home when a simple aid would do. See doorstep selling rights.
Common questions
Which is better for getting out of bed, a rail or a lever?
A lever. It is designed to take your weight as you sit up and stand. A rail is meant to reduce the risk of falling out of bed.
What if I keep falling out of bed?
Tell your GP. Falls from bed can have many causes, and you may be referred to a falls service. Our guide to preventing falls at home has general pointers.
How can I call for help at night?
Keep a phone or a personal alarm within reach of the bed, and a light you can switch on without getting up.