Ditch Tempur-Pedic: This Is The Best Adjustable Bed Frame Per Consumer Reports

If you suffer with aches and pains and have tried all the ways to make your uncomfortable bed cozier, your eye might be drawn to upgrading your bed base to something more supportive. Adjustable bed frames have evolved from something that was a niche medical product into an extremely common lifestyle choice for many American households. With around 26% of American adults experiencing lower back pain at some state of their lives, along with an aging population, bed bases that can offer controlled and specialized support have surged in popularity.  

For many years Tempur-Pedic, known for making some of the best memory foam mattresses on the market, were also the go-to brand for adjustable bed bases. However, to get all the features most people want, prices started around $1,599. A recent Consumer Reports study might be music to many's ears, with results showing that the Nectar brand is your best choice for an adjustable bed base, with prices starting at a far more reasonable $699. Consumer Reports tested adjustable bed frames on a variety of criteria. They looked at each adjustable bed's features, analyzing preset positions, as well as inclusions such as USB ports, massage functions and lumbar support. Alongside this, they also considered the remote controls, how easy the bed was to install and how noisy it was during operation. Finally, they also factored in the trial periods offered with each model and brand. 

Nectar makes some of the best mattresses for under $1,500, so it probably won't come as a huge surprise to hear that the brand's adjustable bed bases are also very reasonably priced. The most popular size in the US is a queen, and you can expect to pay $749 for the base in this size. And for those sleepers who prefer to be able to adjust each side of the bed base individually, there's also a split king option that comes in at $1,398. These options are considerably cheaper than the equivalent Tempur-Pedic options, but according to Consumer Reports, it's not the lower prices that made the Nectar Premier Adjustable Base the winner in the best adjustable beds roundup.

Consumer Reports awarded high end marks for the Nectar base overall, with it scoring perfect marks for both its features and remote control. The base comes with TV, Reading, Anti-Snore, and Zero Gravity preset positions, along with a host of other features, including a smartphone app, upper body massage, adjustable leg height, underbed lighting, and a USB port. The remote control is wireless and works well, and setup is easy, although it should be noted that it will require at least two people. The Nectar base did lose a few brownie points due to its slightly shorter trial period of 60 nights, although we do still feel this is perfectly adequate to get a good feel for a bed and its features.  

Customer's on Nectar's website are generally full of praise for the adjustable base, with many mentioning its comfort and ease of use. It's also highly rated for customers with mobility issues, who say how much easier it is to get in and out of bed with the precise adjustments that can be made. Customers with health issues also shouted out the base, with one user saying that it eliminated her acid reflux and aggravated asthma. There is some debate about the placement of the USB ports on the split king option, with users pointing out that both USB ports are located on the same side of each frame, meaning only one user can access theirs once the beds are pushed together.

The National Council on Aging also tested the Nectar Premier Adjustable Base and praised it for its quiet operation, smooth position changes, and built-in extras such as the massage function. However, they did also point out that the base has a weight limit of 850 pounds that may not suit all users. Some testers also reported that it wasn't particularly comfortable in the upright sitting position. Additionally, we noted that the base has no adjustable lumbar support feature, and if you're looking to choose the best mattress and base combo to combat back pain, this could be an issue. But overall, the Nectar base scored highly across both customer and specialist reviews and is a worthwhile investment for many sleepers.