If you are shopping for a new bed and are interested to know more about the differences between adjustable dual-motor beds, hospital beds, and double beds, keep reading. In this complete guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about the different types available in the UK to help you find the perfect sleeping setup for your bedroom.
What Are Adjustable Dual-Motor Beds?
No longer reserved for the elderly and the infirm, adjustable dual-motor beds are growing in popularity. A lifestyle luxury, they look just like regular high-end beds but feature modern technology to ensure you always find a comfortable sleeping position.
Much like traditional beds, adjustable beds come in single, double, queen, king, and super king sizes to suit every home, and they are compatible with all standard bed linens. The only difference between these beds and standard beds is that they feature two motors, one at the head, the other at the foot, that allow you to elevate and lower these areas at the touch of a button.
You can raise your legs to reduce swelling, you can elevate the top of the bed to a sitting position when watching TV, and you can adjust both ends to ease back pain or aching joints. Dual-motor adjustable beds are fully customisable with a range of therapeutic features to ensure you get a good night’s sleep, such as massage and heat therapy. You can personalise each side of the bed (if sharing with a partner) to suit your specific needs, and sleep tight every night.
Adjustable Dual-Motor Bed Advantages
- Equipped with motors
- Stylish design – looks just like a deluxe bed
- Customisable with massage technology and heat therapy
- Adjustable Dual-Motor Bed Disadvantages
- More expensive than regular beds
- Heavy
- Not as accessible as hospital beds for carers
What Are Hospital Beds?
Designed for use in medical environments and residential care homes, hospital beds are height adjustable and equipped with a range of accessibility features for nurses and caregivers. They have large wheels for portability (to and from theatre, for example), bulky frames, and built-in side rails to prevent patients from falling out of bed.
Hospital beds are only available in a single size and do not allow couples to sleep together. While they generally have motors to raise and lower parts of the bed, they are distinctly ‘clinical’ by design and more suited to hospital environments than private residences. That said, they can be beneficial for people being cared for at home, particularly those with mobility issues; and as the mattresses are washable (covered in vinyl), they are easy to clean and disinfect.
Hospital Bed Advantages
- Equipped with motors for customised comfort
- Height-adjustable
- Easy to clean and ideal for those with reduced mobility
Hospital Bed Disadvantages
- Clinical looking
- Only available in single bed size
- Difficult to disguise as a real bed in home settings
What Are Double Beds?
Double beds are standard beds that most of us have at home. They come in various sizes to suit all couples and bedrooms, and they range from budget through to deluxe. Double beds include a base and a mattress as standard, although many modern manufacturers build them as a complete unit including a headboard, footboard, and even side tables.
Unlike hospital beds and adjustable dual-motor beds, double beds are not equipped with motors or massage technology so you cannot move any part of the mattress. Couples have to decide on a mattress that meets both their needs, which is often difficult if one partner is considerably heavier than the other or suffers from a back condition.
Double Bed Advantages
- Available in multiple sizes including queen, king, and super king
- Priced to suit every budget
- Wide choice of styles and designs to complement every bedroom
Double Bed Disadvantages
- Only one mattress – couples need to compromise
- No motors for adjustment
-Offer only one sleeping position
The Main Differences Between The Three Bed Types
Double beds are for those with no special sleeping needs, hospital beds are for those with specific requirements, and adjustable beds are the perfect compromise between them both. They look like regular high-end beds but are fully adjustable with dual motors, just like hospital beds.
The benefits of dual-motor electric beds are well-documented. They allow multiple sleeping positions, are adjustable to relieve medical conditions, and they are available in a choice of designs to complement all interiors. They are an investment that could help you retain your independence as you get older, and they offer unparalleled comfort compared to all other options.