The Best Mattress for an Adjustable Bed Does More Than Just Improve Your Sleep

Adjustable beds have quickly risen in popularity due to the many health benefits they provide and can now be found in the homes of thousands of sleepers. An adjustable bed allows you to sleep at an incline that matches your comfort preference and sleeping position; in the process, it may also help alleviate a number of health concerns. For those seeking sleep benefits, however, it’s not enough to just have an adjustable bed frame. It’s crucial to pair it with the right mattress. The best mattress for an adjustable bed provides both sleep and health benefits, but how do you know which is the ideal fit for you? 

Michael Breus, Ph.D., board-certified sleep specialist known as The Sleep Doctor has partnered with the team at Mattress Advisor to recommend top-rated options, backed by expert testing. At the Mattress Advisor lab in North Carolina, the team has tested hundreds of bed-in-a-box mattresses to find the 10 best mattresses for adjustable beds. Explore these options and more below, along with some guidelines that describe how to pick the mattress best-suited to your unique sleep style and comfort preferences. 

Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.

The 10 Best Mattresses for Adjustable Beds

Best Overall:

• Expert Pick: Saatva Solaire
• Best Memory Foam Mattress: Puffy
• Best for Back Pain: Casper
• Best Value: Nectar
• Best for Heavier Sleepers: Loom and Leaf

Honorable Mentions:

• Best Latex Mattress: Nest Hybrid Latex
• Best Twin for Adjustable Bed: Amerisleep AS3
• Best for Pressure Relief: Brooklyn Signature
• Best Under $1,000: Tuft & Needle
• Best for Hip Pain: Nolah Signature 12”

Why Choose an Adjustable Bed?

Investing in an adjustable bed is a smart decision for both your personal health and your overall sleep quality. Adjustable beds have been shown to improve blood circulation, reduce swelling, and relieve pressure around your sinuses. Studies show that sleeping in an elevated position may also lessen the effects of arthritis, and improve conditions for those who suffer from sleep apnea by helping to prevent blocked airways.

What Does The Sleep Doctor think?

“I have always felt like adjustable bases were a “secret weapon” when it comes to treating snoring and sleep apnea. By raising the head of the bed, gravity no longer pushes tonsils and the tongue to the back of the throat, decreasing the likelihood of both snoring and sleep apnea. I have used adjustable bases and been able to see increases in CPAP (a treatment for apnea) compliance and people feeling much better. In fact, I think I may have saved a few marriages by suggesting an adjustable base!” says Dr. Breus. 

What to Consider When Shopping for the Best Mattress for Adjustable Beds

Sleep Position

Your sleep position can affect the quality of rest you get, and to the relief you experience from your medical symptoms. But, keep in mind that each sleeper has their own set of physical and mental characteristics that determine the sleep position best for them; there is no ‘perfect sleep position’ that should be applied unilaterally to all sleepers. That’s why it’s helpful to see a breakdown of each, so you can get a good idea of what each position needs from an adjustable mattress.

Side Sleepers

For side sleepers, adjustable mattresses can be tricky. That’s because, when you sleep on one side night after night, it places a disproportionate amount of pressure on that part of the body, potentially causing some tenderness at key pressure points such as the neck, shoulder, or hip. An adjustable bed allows side sleepers to elevate the upper part of their body (very slightly) into a more comfortable position and minimize some of that pressure. Combined with a good pressure-relieving mattress like specialized memory foam or latex, an adjustable bed can provide side sleepers with incredible comfort. 

Back Sleepers

Back sleepers need a mattress that keeps their spine aligned and prevents their body from sinking too deep into the mattress material, which can cause spine misalignment. Back sleepers are also at an increased risk of sleep apnea, as sleeping on your back can exacerbate the condition by collapsing airways. But, good news for back sleepers––pairing a mattress that supports your spine with an adjustable base can actually improve your sleep apnea. How? Adjustable beds allow you to elevate your head, which helps to keep your airways open, so you can still enjoy the comfort of back sleeping without worsening your condition. 

Stomach Sleepers

Generally speaking, adjustable mattresses aren’t as closely associated with stomach sleepers. In fact, for stomach sleepers, the foremost concern is finding adjustable pillows that provide just the right amount of loft, keeping the spine and the neck straight and natural. If you are a stomach sleeper, you probably do not want to use an adjustable base.

Combination Sleepers

For combination, or multi-positional, sleepers (those who tend to change position in the night), it’s vital to look for a responsive mattress–– that is, one that will adjust and adapt to your nighttime movements. The more responsive a mattress is, the easier it is to move around the surface of the bed and get comfortable in any position. An adjustable bed can sometimes be of great benefit to combination sleepers, who can tweak the elevation of their head and neck to ensure comfort no matter which position they assume.

Mattress Type

The type of mattress you choose is another important shopping consideration. Different mattress materials provide different feels and can have a significant impact on overall sleep quality, as well as on compatibility with adjustable bed frames.

Memory Foam

Memory foam mattresses are generally considered to be the best bet for adjustable bed frames. That’s because they offer enough flexibility to move and adapt to the movements of the frame, making it easy to adjust and customize your comfort level. Medium to medium-firm memory foam mattresses are some of the best options of all. 

Memory foam mattresses also tend to do well in categories like pressure relief and motion isolation, but something to watch out for is heat retention. All-foam mattresses can sometimes retain body heat, which makes them suboptimal for anyone with night sweats.

Hybrid

Hybrid mattresses combine different materials, such as innerspring coils, memory foam, and latex, to provide maximum comfort and support. More and more online mattress companies are shifting toward hybrid designs for their balanced feel and best-of-both-worlds mattress approach. Hybrids that include memory foam typically work well with adjustable frames; they provide that flexibility that’s so important for ensuring your mattress adapts and responds to the movement of the frame.

Innerspring

Innerspring mattresses are made with coils, which help to evenly distribute body weight and provide a nice “springy” feel. The average innerspring mattress is a good choice for hot sleepers who prefer cooling mattresses, because the coils don’t trap heat nearly as much as an all-foam construction does. The bad news is that innerspring mattresses aren’t always compatible with adjustable beds, especially  if they have interlocking coils or a border wire, in which case they won’t be able to adjust to fluctuations of the bed frame. If you want to use an innerspring mattress with your adjustable frame, make sure it has independent, or individual, pocket coils.

Latex

Latex mattresses are buoyant and inherently pressure-relieving––which is one of the many reasons for their increase in popularity. Plus, natural Talalay or Dunlop latex provides one of the best ways to get an eco-friendly sleep experience. Generally, latex mattresses have enough “give” to work just fine with adjustable bases.

Mattress Firmness

Mattress firmness is an important consideration, as well, because it dictates the feel of your mattress and the level of support it provides. 

“When putting a bed on an adjustable base, ultra-firm and even firm beds do not seem to perform well. There needs to be enough give in the material to bend or adjust, without losing the supportive characteristics,” says Dr. Breus.

Generally speaking, side sleepers fare best with something in the medium or medium-firm range that allows for pressure relief, while stomach and back sleepers will want something toward the higher end of the firmness scale for more sturdy support. 

Learn more about the best firm mattresses. 

The 10 Best Mattresses for Adjustable Beds in 2020

1. Expert Pick: Saatva Solaire

The Saatva brand has a reputation for using quality materials that create a five-star, hotel-style sleep experience. The Saatva Solaire is Mattress Advisor’s pick for the all-around best mattress for adjustable beds, thanks to its smart design and premium materials. This adjustable air bed allows you to toggle between 50 different firmness levels. Because of this high level of customization, you can craft the mattress itself to support your specific sleep position. The customizable elevation settings also allow you to raise or lower the mattress giving you complete control over your sleep set-up. And, bonus: if you sleep with a partner, each side of the mattress comes with a remote, so you can each tailor your side of the mattress to your specific sleep needs.  

The Saatva Solaire is constructed from all-natural Talalay latex that works in tandem with dense foam layers to both support and relieve pressure along your back, backed by approval from the Congress of Chiropractic State Associations. That’s not all this adjustable mattress offers, though. It also earned near-perfect scores of 9/10, 8.75/10, and 9/10, respectively, in motion transfer, cooling, and durability. As with all Saatva products, free white-glove delivery and setup are included, plus a 25-year warranty provides ample peace of mind. An outstanding choice all around.

• Mattress Type: Latex hybrid plus adjustable airbed
• Customer Rating: 4.9 out of 5
• Firmness: 50 Custom Firmness Levels
• Warranty: 25-year Limited

Buy it, Saatva Solaire, $2,795 (Queen), saatva.com

2. Best Memory Foam Mattress: Puffy

Some sleepers simply prefer the cushioning, contouring feel of memory foam. If that applies to you, consider the Puffy mattress. It uses three foam layers to evenly distribute body weight and keep your spine aligned (it earned an 8.75/10 in spine alignment!). And when paired with an adjustable base, the Puffy would also work well for back sleepers who wish to keep their head elevated. The Puffy rests at a 7/10 on the firmness scale, which is the firmness sweet spot for back sleepers in need of lasting support. A near-perfect motion transfer score, 9.25/10, also makes this an exemplary choice for couples who share a bed together. And with a 9/10 responsiveness score, the Puffy is a good choice for those who toss and turn in their sleep. Still have doubts? Take comfort in the lifetime warranty and 101 night sleep trial that give you ample time to decide.

• Mattress Type: Memory foam
• Customer Rating: 4.6 out of 5
• Firmness: Medium-firm
• Warranty: Lifetime

Buy it, Puffy, $1,150 (Queen), puffy.com

3. Best Mattress for Back Pain: Casper

For back pain sufferers, it’s especially smart to invest in an adjustable base because of the elevation options it gives you, which allows you to sleep in an upright position. This can help relieve back pain, but for a double whammy: pair your adjustable base with a mattress that also works to combat back strain, like the Casper. The Casper uses its medium-firmness and dense memory foam layers to provide targeted support, keeping your spine propped up in its natural position. Earning a near-perfect spine alignment score of 9.5/10, the Casper works hard to ensure no excess pressure is placed on your back. And if you tend to shift positions in the middle of the night, the Casper earned a perfect 10/10 in responsiveness, so you’ll be supported no matter which position you land in. The soft foam layers also gently contour along pressure points and cushion your hips and shoulders, so you can enjoy cushy comfort and support. 

• Mattress Type: Memory foam
• Customer Rating: 4.5 out of 5
• Firmness: Medium-firm
• Warranty: 10-year 

Buy it, Casper, $1,095 (Queen), casper.com

4. Best Value Mattress: Nectar

For those looking to maximize their mattress bang for buck, the Nectar is pretty unbeatable: this high-quality foam mattress comes at a disruptively low price point, making it affordable to mattress shoppers across the price spectrum. But just because it’s low-priced doesn’t mean it’s cheap; on the contrary, this is a highly durable bed, and it’s backed with a lifetime warranty and a year-long sleep trial period to give you ample peace of mind. The Nectar’s simple three-layer memory foam design works to melt away pressure from your hips and shoulders. Backed by an 8.5/10 pressure relief score, it’s a solid choice for side sleepers looking for the best mattress for adjustable beds, as it offers enough flexibility to accommodate changes in angle and elevation while still providing a sturdy sleep surface. 

• Mattress Type: Memory foam
• Customer Rating: 4.8 out of 5
• Firmness: Medium-firm
• Warranty: Lifetime

Buy it, Nectar, $799 (Queen), nectarsleep.com

5. Best Mattress for Heavier Sleepers: Loom & Leaf

For plus-sized sleepers, a quality mattress will provide support, heat mediation, and long-lasting durability. The Loom & Leaf from Saatva checks off each of these boxes. Multi-layer support consisting of dense polyfoam and memory foam makes it one of the best overall options for spine alignment, which is crucial for ensuring heavier sleepers get the proper support they need. It earned an impressive 9/10 in spine alignment, but that’s not all the Loom & Leaf has to offer. This memory foam bed comes in two firmness options: Relaxed firm and firm. The Sleep Doctor recommends the firmer option for heavyweight sleepers as this choice provides better lasting support, plus the Loom & Leaf’s 9/10 durability score ensures this mattress won’t crack or wear down over time. It’s not necessarily the most affordable option, but with free white-glove setup and significant durability, it does offer decent value. 

Finally, it would be remiss not to mention that the Loom & Leaf is made to work well with adjustable bases; Saatva actually sells a lineal base that’s designed to pair with the Loom & Leaf, and you can buy the mattress and base together to save a few bucks. The Saatva lineal adjustable base serves as a foundation for your mattress, and allows you to elevate your head and feet with the touch of a remote. The Loom & Leaf offers enough flexibility that it should work well with most other adjustable bases, too.

• Mattress Type: Memory foam
• Customer Rating: 4.8 out of 5
• Firmness: Medium-firm
• Warranty: Lifetime

Buy it, Loom & Leaf, $1,699 (Queen), saatva.com

6. Best Latex Mattress: Nest Hybrid Latex

 

Latex mattresses are popular because of their eco-friendliness, buoyancy, and pressure-relieving qualities. And, because of their bouncy feel, latex mattresses are a logical pairing with adjustable frames, as they make it a little easier to get into and out of bed. The Nest Hybrid Latex offers natural Dunlop latex on top of sturdy pocketed coils, providing a sleep experience that’s both springy and supportive. This is typically the main draw of sleeping on a hybrid mattress, the best of various mattress types, which it’s no surprise that the Nest Hybrid made an appearance in The Sleep Doctor’s top picks for hybrid beds. The combination of supportive latex and strong coils helped this mattress earn a 9/10 spine alignment score, guaranteeing support and a healthy posture during your nightly slumber. And as far as pressure relief goes, the Nest Hybrid knocks it out of the park with a 9/10 pressure relief score. The latex and memory foam work together to cushion your sides, providing a nice sense of relief and comfort––especially when paired with the customizable angles available with an adjustable frame. 

Three firmness options are available, including plush, a 2/10 on the firmness scale, medium, a 4/10, and firm, an 8/10. 

• Mattress Type: Natural latex and Pocket coils
• Customer Rating: 4.5 out of 5
• Firmness: Available in plush, medium, and firm
• Warranty: Lifetime

Buy it, Nest Hybrid Latex, $799 (Queen), nestbedding.com

7. Best Twin Mattress for Adjustable Bed Frame: Amerisleep AS3

Some adjustable beds require the use of a twin-sized mattress. In this category, the Amerisleep AS3 is a good all-around mattress with much to recommend it. Falling somewhere in the mid-range of overall mattress firmness, the AS3 works well for all sleep positions, including back and stomach sleepers thanks to its 8.75/10 spine alignment score. The cover is made with Celliant, an FDA-approved fiber that channels the body’s energy to promote muscle recovery and improve blood flow. The Amerisleep AS3 is designed to last, too; in our testing, we gave it near-perfect marks, 8.5/10, in the durability category. 

• Mattress Type: Memory foam
• Customer Rating: 4.7 out of 5
• Firmness: Medium
• Warranty: 20-Year

Buy it, Amerisleep AS3, $1,399 (Queen), amerisleep.com

8. Brooklyn Signature: Best Mattress for Pressure Relief

One of the major benefits of sleeping on an adjustable bed is that it allows you to elevate the upper half of your body, minimizing some of the strain placed on key pressure points. This can relieve feelings of tenderness or stiffness, an effect that’s most pronounced when paired with a good pressure-relieving mattress. The Brooklyn Signature gets a near-perfect score in the pressure point relief department, earning a 9.5/10 pressure relief score. This bed is a phenomenal choice for side sleepers and was featured in The Sleep Doctor’s best picks for side sleepers. The Brooklyn Signature’s multiple comfort layers are designed to evenly distribute body weight, keeping the burden off your joints and your lower back. For those looking to stave off morning aches and stiffness, this mattress comes highly recommended. The Brooklyn Signature works well for all sleep positions, thanks to its high spine alignment and responsiveness scores, 8.5/10 and 8.75/10, respectively.

• Mattress Type: Hybrid
• Customer Rating: 4.7 out of 5
• Firmness: Available in plush, medium, and firm
• Warranty: 10-year Limited

Buy it, Brooklyn Signature, $999 (Queen), brooklynbedding.com

9. Best Mattress Under $1,000: Tuft & Needle

For shoppers who want a durable mattress for a reasonable price, the Tuft & Needle is a solid choice. This medium-firm, foam-blend mattress is made with exacting standards of quality, and provides comfort and support for all sleeping positions. Tuft & Needle’s proprietary foam material offers all the supportiveness and comfort of memory foam, but with some of the springiness of latex. But the major takeaway is simply that the Tuft & Needle comes at a value price point and is backed by a 10-year warranty and a 100-night sleep trial. For savvy shoppers, it’s an incredible deal. And for those looking to find the best mattress for their adjustable bed, the Tuft & Needle’s supple foam should offer just the flexibility required for a comfortable night’s sleep.

• Mattress Type: Foam blend
• Customer Rating: 4.6 out of 5
• Firmness: Medium-firm
• Warranty: 10-year Limited

Buy it, Tuft & Needle, $595 (Queen), tuftandneedle.com

10. Best Mattress for Hip Pain: Nolah Signature 12″

Adjustable frames can help mediate hip pain; sleeping at a slight incline might allow you to remove some of the pressure from your hip, especially if you’re a side sleeper. For the full pain-relieving effect, it’s important to find a mattress that will evenly distribute body weight. That’s an area where the Nolah line really shines. Specifically, the Nolah Signature 12” allows you to flip back and forth between a firmer side and a softer side, but for those who suffer from hip pain, the softer side is the way to go. The softer side has more give, which allows your shoulders and hips to sink into the mattress for relief from strain. It’s made with AirFoam, a material that the company claims will mimic memory foam in its ability to relieve pressure––something the Nolah Signature excels in with a 9.25/10 pressure relief score. The Nolah Signature also earned a 9.5/10 in responsiveness, making it effortless to switch positions. This is helpful if you’re suffering from hip pain and need a bed that responds to your movements quickly, so you can get comfortable in no time.   

• Mattress Type: Airfoam
• Customer Rating: 4.8 out of 5
• Firmness: Soft and Firm
• Warranty: Limited Lifetime Warranty

Buy it, Nolah Signature 12”, $1,569 (Queen), nolahmattress.com

Final Thoughts on How to Choose the Right Mattress for You

An adjustable bed, complete with remote control, can provide a truly high-quality sleep experience, and relief for pain, inflammation, and discomfort. 

Sources for this article: 

Chudleigh, Joel. 2019. ‘Blood Pressure, Gravity, and Sleep With Adjustable Beds.’ https://www.made-to-last.co.uk/blog/blood-pressure-gravity-sleep-adjustable-beds/ 

Howley, Elaine. 2020. ‘4 Best Sleeping Positions to Improve Sleep Apnea,’ https://health.usnews.com/conditions/sleep-apnea/articles/best-sleeping-positions-for-sleep-apnea#:~:text=%22Sleeping%20with%20the%20head%20as,keeps%20the%20airway%20more%20open. 

Hungs, Marcel. 2010. University of California Center for Sleep Medicine. https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0661/5815/files/Pilot-Sleep-Study-Dr.-Marcel-Hungs-2009-2010.pdf?3161

Journal of Chiropractic Medicine. 2017. “Effects of Mattress Material on Body Pressure Profiles in Different Sleeping Postures.” Journal of Chiropractic Medicine (Vol. 16, 1), October, 21, 2017. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5310954/

Leggett & Platt. 2020. “Open Coil” Kansas State University Institute of Environmental Research. https://beddingcomponents.com/open-coil#:~:text=Much%20of%20their%20success%20is,University%20Institute%20of%20Environmental%20Research.

Miller, Ron, PT. 2016. “Using an Adjustable Bed for Back Pain.” https://www.spine-health.com/wellness/sleep/using-adjustable-bed-back-pain 

Natural Sleep Company. ‘3 Ways Adjustable Beds Can Relieve Arthritis’ https://www.adjustablebedspecialists.ie/blog/3-ways-adjustable-beds-can-relieve-arthritis/

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