Will an Adjustable Bed Wear Down Your Mattress?

Benefits of Using an Adjustable Bed

Previously, you could only find adjustable beds in hospitals or when people had mobility issues. Now, anyone can use an adjustable bed to achieve an optimal sleeping position. With an adjustable bed base, you can experience a variety of benefits:

• Enjoy easier entry and exit from the bed, especially if you have mobility issues
• Rest comfortably to speed up injury recovery or minimize chronic arthritic pain
• Prevent sinus problems, sleep apnea, or snoring by sleeping in a position that ensures unhindered breathing
• Improve digestion and reduce the risk of acid reflux or heartburn
• Reduce leg swelling by placing your leg in an elevated position while you sleep.

Check out our list of this year’s best adjustable bed frames.

Will an Adjustable Base Ruin Your Mattress?

To answer this question, we must first answer the underlying one: Can you use a regular mattress on an adjustable base?

Regular foam mattresses can work on an adjustable bed base, but the constant bending and flexing of the mattress may wear them out sooner than expected.

A standard spring mattress may not be the best fit for an adjustable frame because the springs within the bed may limit how far it can bend. However, a mattress with pocket springs is usually fine to use with an adjustable frame, as the springs compress individually and shouldn’t compromise the structure of your bed.

If you already own an adjustable bed frame and want to buy a mattress, make sure you’re looking at beds compatible with adjustable bases. These are made with frequent use in mind, and in most cases, using an adjustable base won’t void your warranty should the bed wear out.

Problems an Adjustable Bed May Have

While adjustable beds are great, they can have their drawbacks. Some common problems include:

• Mechanical and Electrical Failures: If one element fails, the bed may malfunction and you may not be able to adjust the bed during a power outage.
  

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• Large and Heavy: You might not be able to move it around easily.

If you buy a high-quality adjustable bed frame and service it according to the manufacturer’s instructions, you can avoid most adjustable bed problems.

Factors That Affect Mattress Compatibility

To determine which mattresses might be compatible with your adjustable bed frame, you’ll need to examine several qualities of the mattress in addition to its size, including its weight, thickness, and ability to bend. To find out if a particular mattress is compatible with your adjustable bed’s base, look out for these features:

1. Flexibility: Since an adjustable base has multiple moving parts and bends the bed at various angles, you need a mattress that’s flexible enough to bend with the adjustable base.
   

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2. Thickness: A thick mattress is harder to bend, so you need a mattress that’s slim enough to move with an adjustable base. However, the mattress should also be thick enough to provide adequate comfort and spinal support.
   

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3. Weight: While potentially more comfortable, a heavy mattress will put a lot of strain on an adjustable base and could cause the motor to wear out more quickly.

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Need help? Check out our best mattress for adjustable beds guide.

What Type of Mattress Works Best with Adjustable Beds?

Since the answer to whether you can use an adjustable base with any mattress is “no,” what types of mattresses can work with adjustable bases? Innerspring mattresses will rarely work unless they’ve been specially made for an adjustable bed and have individually wrapped coils. Your two best options are memory foam and latex mattresses.

Memory Foam Mattresses

Memory foam is the most flexible type of mattress you can find. Breathable enough to keep you cool while you sleep, the foam will conform to evenly distribute your weight across the bed and provide optimal spinal support.

Since the foam is pliable, it can conform to the movements of an adjustable base without wearing out or compromising on comfort. It won’t lose its shape or firmness regardless of how much the adjustable base contorts it.

Find Out More: Best Memory Foam Mattresses

Latex Mattresses

The typical latex mattress is firmer than memory foam, but it’s still malleable enough to conform to the various settings of an adjustable bed. However, note that slimmer latex mattresses are more malleable than thicker ones.

Latex mattress’ flexibility comes from the elasticity of its natural rubber material. The product is also eco-friendly and light, and you can get it in various sizes to match your preferred adjustable bed frame.

See Our Guide: Best Latex Mattresses

Hybrid Mattresses

Like innerspring beds, hybrid mattresses typically contain a coil unit. However, there are specific differences to many hybrid mattresses that can make them more compatible with an adjustable base. 

The first of these is foam layers; hybrids usually have multiple foam layers that offer more flexibility. Second, most hybrids contain pocketed coils rather than an interconnected coil system. This allows the coils to move independently and thus have more flexbility to adapt to an adjustable foundation.

As such, hybrids can be a great alternative for those who like the feel of an innerspring unit. Just make sure it has adaptable foam layering and that the coil coil is listed as “pocketed” or “individually wrapped”. 

How Long Do Adjustable Beds Usually Last?

The durability of an adjustable bed will depend on the model and make of the particular bed and how you use it. If you buy a high-quality adjustable base and regularly service it, it should last for at least 10 years.

The best-quality adjustable bed frames get their durability from sturdy structural components made from steel and plastic. Due to the frame’s durability, the most vulnerable part of the adjustable bed is the motor that powers it. Fortunately, if the motor breaks down, a qualified repair service can replace it.