Day: April 10, 2024

Best overall: Parachute Classic Turkish Cotton RobeParachute passed all our tests of the best bathrobes for men with flying colors.

Owen Burke/Insider

• Size range: XS to XL
• Length: 44.5 inches for XS  to 46.5 inches for XL
• Material:  100% long-staple Turkish cotton

We tried a few plush bathrobes for this story and Parachute’s Classic Turkish Cotton Robe offered the softest feel, the best fit, and the lightest weight.

Like any good high-end plush bath towel, it’s made from long-staple, or long-thread, Turkish cotton. The longer the staple (or thread) of a cotton, the softer the fabric, and the fewer exposed ends from the weaving process. You’ll have no trouble using it to towel off, but it won’t wear you out as you pace the house performing chores. The only place we can’t see this as the top rated best robe for men is if you’re wearing it in a warmer climate.

In a size large, the robe falls a few inches below the knees for someone who is 6’1″.  The sleeves fit comfortably around the wrists without being too snug or hanging and dragging as some other options can. (Others were better for wearing clothes underneath.)

The shawl collar is relatively thick but not as much as some that pitched our heads forward while reading on the couch. The waist tie is thick and holds well. The front pockets are square-shaped and upward facing, so you can easily stash and retrieve your Kindle or smartphone.

The only downsides are that the sleeves are too slim to wear some clothing underneath, the thick shawl collar may be uncomfortable for some, and it may be too plush in warmer weather.

Best waffle: Coyuchi Organic Waffle RobeCoyuchi’s waffle-knit robe is lightweight with a sturdy tie closure.

Owen Burke/Insider

• Size range: XS/S to L/XL
• Length: 46 inches for XS/S after washing to 52 inches for L/XL after washing
• Material: 100% organic cotton

At its essence, Coyuchi’s Organic Waffle Robe is a spa robe — the kind you’d find in a W Hotel or Bliss Spa. Made from 100% organic long-staple (or fiber) Turkish cotton, it’s GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) and Made Safe certified. You can read more about these two certifications below in our Glossary section. 

The impeccably soft organic cotton and textured weave keep this robe light, wispy, and cool. While some other waffle robes didn’t offer the surest coverage, the waist tie doesn’t tend to come undone from this robe. We like the large pockets, even though they can’t bear much weight — you might think twice about putting even your smartphone into one. The only other downside for some might be the wide sleeves, which can get in the way or catch on things, but you can always roll them. It also shrinks a lot on the first wash so you may want to size up. 

All in all, this is a highly absorbent option amid the best bathrobes for men, as far as waffle-cotton patterns go. It won’t towel you off in the way that our plush pick will, but it’s lightweight; extremely soft to the touch; and much cooler, which also makes it a good option of the best bathrobes for men who run hot.

Best linen: Magic Linen Waffle Linen RobeLinen is a breathable material that’ll allow for plenty of ventilation while drying off.

Magic Linen

• Size range:S-XXL
• Length: 74 inches in size M
• Material: 53% Linen 47% cotton

Besides the luxurious Magic Linen sheets we’ve tested and seen age beautifully, their Waffle Linen robe is one of the best bathrobes for men who want a breathable fabric to dry off in. This robe is made with their midweight linen and blended with flowy cotton free of harmful chemicals or dyes, and woven into a thick waffle texture that naturally exfoliates as it dries. In the spirit of linen, this robe is cut with a relaxed fit and drape. 

The brand’s medium sized robe reaches a couple of inches below the knees on someone who is 6’2″. The sleeves on linen robes can often be oversized, but its waffle weave allows you to cuff them without them sliding back down. This style also has a hood that can absorb moisture while air-drying your hair. 

As with all linen, this robe wrinkles easily. If that bothers you and you don’t want to iron your robe, maybe choose another fabric or opt for a dark shade that helps hide creases.

Pro tip: Take linen articles out of the dryer while they’re still a little damp, and you’ll be able to smooth out the wrinkles a little by hand.

Read more in our full Magic Linen Bedding Deep Sheets review. 

Best blanket: Casper Snoozewear Blanket RobeThe Casper Snoozewear Robe feels like a blanket and house coat all in one.

Casper

• Size range: S-L
• Length: Mid-thigh
• Material: 100% cotton with poly fill

Casper is best known for mattresses, but the brand’s collection of sleep and loungewear are equally good as the bedding that put them on the map. The Snoozewear Robe features an oversized design that envelops your body like when you’re nestled under your duvet, but also allows you to move freely some of the more traditional bathrobes for men.

Available in three colors — oatmilk, indigo, and white — the Snoozewear Blanket Robe is unisex and comes in small, medium, and large sizes. I chose a size medium based on the size guide and it has the perfect oversized fit. There’s no need to size up to achieve a comfortable relaxed fit. You’ll also find buttons — instead of a traditional kimono-style waistband — and spacious pockets for your smartphone, TV remote, or other essentials for lounging comfortably.

Overall, the Snoozewear Blanket Robe has made a big difference in my at-home comfort when I’m not in the bedroom. It might seem overpriced, but that’s only if you look at it as only a robe or only a blanket — two items you probably already own. Essentially being both, the Snoozewear Blanket Robe is more versatile than any robe or blanket by itself. And even if I don’t wear it all day, it definitely helps me ease into my day without losing the comfort of my bed. — Amir Ismael, style editor, Insider Reviews

Best terry cloth: Land’s End Full-Length Turkish Terry RobeAndrew wearing the Land’s End Turkish Terry Robe.

Kara Thurmond/Insider

• Size range: Medium (38-40) to XXL (50-52)
• Length: 55 ½ for size medium to 57 inches for size XXL
• Material: 100% Turkish cotton

The Land’s End Turkish Terry robe is super plush and absorbent, for a true premium feel at a good price. We could live in this robe, but alas, we’re not into the whole recluse thing, so it’s only going to get used in the mornings, weekend lounging, or post pool or shower. The shawl collar is extra fluffy for an added touch of coziness.

Terry cloth, especially when in the range of 14-ounces as this one is, can sometimes have loose threads or other irregularities in the weave, but the Land’s End robe showed neither. There was no shrinkage or loss of softness after three washing with no color fading. The robe comes in a nice range of colors, from charcoal to light blue, if the standard white isn’t for you. The size medium fit well — not to snug, but I wasn’t drowning in it either — with the robe’s arms ending at the wrist. 

The competition, The Company Store Men’s Spa Robe, was a very close second. It did equally well as the Land’s End robe in terms of absorbency when wearing it post shower and didn’t shrink or lose its softness through three washes. But the Land’s End won out as the best terrycloth robe for men for being softer and around five inches longer, giving it a true spa-like wearing experience.

We couldn’t find any downsides with this robe that performs exactly as advertised.

Best for warmth: UGG Robinson RobeThe UGG bathrobe is a soft, plush robe fits right into any loungewear collection.

UGG

• Size range: M/L to L/XL
• Length:45 inches for the M/L
• Material: 70% polyester/30% cotton

You’re more than likely familiar with UGG’s supremely comfortable and warm boots, but the brand also makes a robe that’s like UGGs for your entire body. It’s very warm, especially considering how light it feels when on. We tested it in early morning temperatures in the high 30s (out front of the house while the dog took care of what he needed to) and we remained warm and comfortable for the several minutes we were outside with lightweight pajamas underneath. Its length, for the M/L size, is 45 inches, or slightly above the calf on a six-foot-tall person.

This UGG robe is very, very soft, especially the double-knit fleece interior. It fits comfortably, neither too loose nor too tight on a 175-pound frame. The shawl collar, especially on the black and heather colorway, contrasts handsomely with the outer for a classic look that’s quite debonaire, more so than many other robes in this review.

The only quibble we have with the UGG Robinson Robe is that the outer jersey material tends to pick up pet hair and random fluff, but then that’s why someone invented the lint roller. The material shed a bit on its first wash, which isn’t unusual for a brand-new fleece fabric. There was no discernable shrinkage, and the fabric remained plush and soft over three washings. The workmanship was on par with other of the choices in this review, with no loose or snagged threads or other irregularities. It’s a warm and ultra-cozy robe that also gets high style marks.

Best big & tall: L.L.Bean Big and Tall Scotch Plaid Flannel RobeL.L. Bean’s big and tall robe accommodates every size and shape’s right to lounge comfortably.

L. L. Bean

• Size range: M to 3XL
• Length: just below the knees
• Material: 100% cotton Portuguese flannel

Navigating the sartorial world as a big and/or tall guy can be a frustrating experience, and finding the best bathrobe for men is one of those categories where it can be hit or miss. Thankfully, L. L. Bean offers a tall version of its best-selling Scotch Plaid Flannel Robe with sizing up to 3XL. The brand crafts its robe from long-staple cotton for a more durable and softer fabric. That’s already on top of L.L. Bean’s dedication to creating long-lasting products backed by a generous warranty that allows you to return its products within the first year if not satisfied for any reason. 

Made from a super-soft brushed Portuguese cotton flannel, it’s a perfect robe for three-season wear depending on your location and has plenty of pockets (one on the chest and two on the sides) and is available in three classic tartan colorways. 

The tall version of this robe is meant for men up to 6-foot 3-inches and provides an extra 2 inches in length and an extra 1 inch at the sleeves over the regular version. It hits just below the knees, so if you’re even taller, you’re going to have a little less length. But between this robe’s warm flannel, matched with a pair of the brand’s pajamas underneath, you should be fine to take the dog out on a chilly morning. The 3XL size has you covered for up to a 50-inch waist. 

Best hotel: Four Seasons Spa RobeThe Four Seasons’ robe evokes the relaxation of a spa that you can wear right at home.

Connie Chen/Insider

• Size range: M to 3XL
• Length: Mid-calf
• Material: 100% Microsuede exterior/100% Microfiber Terry interior

There are two basic types of hotel robes: There’s the one we recommend above, which is a much lighter-weight option you can wear on the patio or pool deck, and then there’s the decadently plush, almost parka-like Four Seasons Spa Robe.

This is a robe you’ll lounge in, but not necessarily putter around the house in. It’s designed for sheer relaxation and nothing more — not so much because it’s from the Four Seasons, but because it’s so thick that you’ll find yourself overheating trying to do anything else.

As a result, this robe is anything but form-fitting. It doesn’t offer the elegant, slimming drape of linen or lighter-weight waffle cotton. It’s more like a plump snow parka.

Former senior reporter Connie Chen, who penned our guide to the best bathrobes for women, enjoyed the lining, secure waist tie with two sets of loops and found that the standard/large size rested on her wrists and hit her mid-shin. 

Like all of the other best bathrobes for men we recommend, it’s best to wash this one in a cold cycle and tumble dry on low.

While it has nothing to do with the robe itself, its decorative bow tie and wax seal wrapping make it an excellent gift (even if it’s just to yourself).

Best lightweight: H by Frette Pique KimonoThe lightweight material in H by Frette’s kimono robe is also deceptively absorbent.

Owen Burke/Insider

• Size range: S to XL
• Length: 44 inches for the size small to 49 in the XL
• Material: 100% cotton pique

We already recommend two lightweight robes on this list — waffle and linen — but those don’t offer the absorption or the dexterity that the H by Frette Pique Kimono does.

This robe is similar in sleeve length and texture to a taekwondo dobok. Its densely woven fabric gives a little more coverage than waffle or linen, and the short sleeves don’t impede mobility, even in the kitchen. Of all the robes we’ve tested, this is the one we wore to take on a day’s worth of chores.

Generally, piqué, or Marcella, is cotton woven with fine ribbing. It’s breathable, durable, and easy to care for. 

This robe is so tightly woven that we can hardly even find the threads of its seams, let alone see any coming loose after three washes and hours of wearing.

In a size large, the Pique Kimono falls a couple of inches below the knees and the sleeves sit about a third of the way down the forearms, well above the wrists, on someone 6’1″. The square pockets are easy to access and sturdy enough to hold a smartphone, though they’re probably not big enough for most Kindles.

This is a pleasant robe for year-round wearing and a happy medium between plush and waffle or linen fabrics. Thanks to the impressively tight weave and durable nature of piqué, we wouldn’t be surprised if it outlasts many other best bathrobes for men we’ve tested. The only downside might be that some people might not like how close fitting the fabric is.

Best luxury brand: Versace I Heart Baroque BathrobeVersace’s plush robe has all the maximalist appeal of the Italian fashion house.

Versace

• Size range: S to 3XL
• Length: Just below the knee
• Material: Cotton

Since its founding in Milan in 1978, Versace has been renowned for its glamorous and decadently colorful and patterned luxury products. The label’s I Love Baroque Bathrobe takes this look straight into the bedroom with a soft and plush terry robe in a tonal Versace Allover logo print. And, since it is Versace, the sleeves, deep patch pockets, and removal wrap belt have a bold gold and black Grecian-themed print that features its iconic Medusa head, laurel crowns, and other details, which the label calls a “Barocco print.” You can also customize the robe with up to nine sequined characters that are hand sewn by the label. 

This luxury edition of the best bathrobes for men comes in 10 colors, from the classic black to a bold red and a frothy Fuchsia for lounging out loud. Sizes range up to a 3XL. The plush and heavy terry is perfect for an indulgent after-shower wrap instead of toweling off. Though some customers noted this robe wasn’t as soft as they’d expected and it had a tendency to easily pick up pet hair and lint.

Like most designer products, the accompanying price tag includes the status it confers, but Versace produces the robe in Italy to exacting standards, so you can be secure in knowing it’s solidly made. 

Best stylish: Dandy Del Mar Tropez Terry Cloth RobeYou may recognize some of Dandy Del Mar’s designs if you watched “The White Lotus.”

Dandy Del Mar

• Size range: XS/S to 3XL
• Length: 37 ½ for XS/S to 42 ½ for the 3XL
• Material: 80% cotton/20% polyester

If you’re looking for the best bathrobes for men that reaches the same level of style as the clothes you wear outside of your house, Dandy Del Mar’s the one to go for. The California brand was once under the radar, but has become a major trendsetter in the contemporary leisurewear arena, with its attire having made more than one television appearance (such as one of their best swim trunks seen in “The White Lotus”). This is the perfect poolside robe with ’70s vibes in style and fit that hits just above the knee in the medium. Size up if you prefer a longer look. The Berdea Tayana print features a beautiful green-on-green geometric vaguely maze-like design on the fabric.

While the Dandy Del Mar version is on the thin side, especially compared to the other terry robes in this review, it’s perfect for summer and does a good job absorbing water without making you look or feel soggy. It also dries really fast. Unlike other terry robes that are 100% cotton, they make the Tropez Terry Cloth Robe from a cotton-poly blend for extra softness and stretch that won’t shrink in the wash when you follow the washing instructions.

Like all the brand’s clothing, the Tropez Terry Cloth Robe has some beautiful details like tailored sleeves and piping on the waist tie and around the lapel. Even if you’re not a Hollywood celeb, you can still dress like one in the Tropez robe. 

What to look for in the best bathrobes for men

• Material: One of the biggest decisions you’ll make is about the fabric. When you get out of the shower or pool, do you look for the best towel on deck, or are you a straight-into-the-robe kind of person? Those who form the latter will want a plush terry cloth robe that does a better job absorbing water than silk, linen or even waffle-patterned cotton.

  You may also consider having robes for different seasons. They’ll last longer and suit the weather better. An ultra-thick, plush robe is great for cooler months, but nothing beats linen or a light waffle cotton in the summer.

• Design Details: Most robes are designed in a kimono style, said Rosy Nuboer, the romance-planning manager at the Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort Spa and Casino. Nuboer argues that kimonos are the best robe design because they allow for the greatest range of motion thanks to “a classic tailored fit with wrist-length sleeves.”

  They also have a “streamlined flat collar” and an adjustable waist tie. Patch pockets are a plus as well, since they open at the top and won’t spill out the side, as a wide inseam pocket is likely to do.

• Fit: Many of our picks are advertised as unisex. While all bathrobes can be worn regardless of gender, it’s a good idea to consult each brand’s sizing charts to select the right size for you, especially if you’re looking for more or less lower body coverage. You’ll also often find that robes with traditional women’s sizing fall higher on the leg and have shorter sleeves — something you might appreciate when longer sleeves get in the way, especially in the kitchen.

  For sizing and fit reference, I’m 6-feet tall, weigh 175 pounds, and wear a size 32 in pants. I chose robes in size medium.

How we tested the best bathrobes for men

Owen Burke/Insider

During our most recent round of testing for this guide, we wore each of the bathrobes for several days doing the kinds of activities you would normally do in a robe (lounging, making coffee and breakfast, working on the computer, and wearing them post shower) and washed them at least three times. We also poured through hundreds of customer reviews and considered features like pockets, hanging loops, and belt placement.

1. We washed each robe three times, taking note of any shrinkage, loose threads, and loss of texture (roughening).
2. While wearing each robe, we considered absorption, comfort, breathability, comfort, and placement of waist ties, and features like pockets and hanging loops.
3. We wore the bathrobes straight out of the shower, after toweling off, while making coffee and breakfast in the kitchen, sitting at our desks, and lounging on the couch to determine fit, comfort, and range of motion.

Best bathrobes for men FAQs

Owen Burke/Insider

How should I wash my bathrobe?

Unless your robe is made of something exceptional, you can machine-wash your robes in cold water and tumble dry them on low. Otherwise, you may want to consider washing by hand.

Glossary

GOTS: A GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certification dictates that it is at least 95% certified organic fibers and meets its environmental and social standards during processing and manufacturing.

Linen: Strong, absorbent, and quick-drying, linen is made from fibers from the flax plant and is generally worn in hot weather, though it wrinkles easily.

Made Safe: Made Safe is a certified nontoxic seal of approval, assuring cotton is free from harmful chemicals.

OEKO-TEX: The OEKO-TEX label has several different tiers but indicates various degrees of sustainability in the textile and leather industries. You can read more about the certifications here.

Piqué: A weave made from cotton yarn, piqué is distinguished by ribbed or raised parallel lines, offering a subtle pattern.

Plush: Cotton, silk, wool, or a combination of them, plush fabric is best known for its long, soft nap and can be likened to a bath towel.

Best overall: Purple Premium Plus Smart BaseThe Purple Premium Plus Smart Base features pillow tilt in addition to the standard foot and head elevation.

Purple

• Features: App connectivity, massaging, pillow tilt, foot and head elevation, wireless remote, useful presets, including anti-snore
• Available sizes: Twin XL, queen, king, Cal king, split king
• Returns: No
• Warranty: 10 years

Pros: An intuitive app with presets and programmability, whisper-quiet operation, compatible with a broad array of mattresses, 10-year warranty

Cons: No returns, lacks charging ports

You can adjust the Purple Premium Plus Smart Base using the back-lit remote control or the intuitive Purple app, which is available on iOS and Android.

There are varying intensities of massage and wave massages, or you can target your head or feet. I found the high-intensity massage was relaxing but not particularly powerful. The vibrations were light and relaxing, but there wasn’t any kneading or deep tissue work. 

It has four preset positions. TV/PC is the steepest incline of the feet and head so you can sit up and watch media or work. Lounge has a less harsh incline at the feet and head. I liked this one the most because it kept me comfortable for longer periods of time and worked well for reading and watching streaming media. Zero Gravity inclines the head and foot slightly with the feet slightly higher to make you feel like you’re floating in space. Flat flattens the base for a traditional sleep experience. You can also program the base to remember up to three custom positions. I like that the mattress doesn’t shift or cause the split frames to “walk” away from their original position. This is a common problem with adjustable frames.

The frame has about seven inches of clearance underneath, which you can adjust to 2.5 inches. And, the platform that your mattress will rest on is about 14 inches off the ground (9.5 inches if you choose the lower height option). I chose the maximum clearance and have found the under-bed lighting comes in handy when I drop items and need help finding them.

Best budget: Lucid L300 Bed Base

Amazon

• Features: USB charging ports, remote control, head and foot elevation
• Available sizes: Twin XL, full, queen, king, split king
• Returns: 30 days
• Warranty: 10 years

Pros: 10-year warranty, compatible with a variety of mattress types, 30-day return policy, head and foot incline, one of the best adjustable beds due to its easy assembly, USB charging stations, remembers your preferred position

Cons: No white-glove delivery available, no massaging, not available in showrooms 

The Lucid brand regularly pops up in our sleep product guides as a top budget option, and the Lucid L300 Bed Base is an example of this. It costs $300 less than any other adjustable bed frame we considered. Despite it’s low price, it appears to be a solid option. We say “appears” because we have not had a chance to test it as of this writing. Fortunately, it’s backed by Amazon’s 30-day return policy.

Since the L300 is offered through Amazon, white-glove delivery isn’t available. But it’s designed with a folding hinge that allows Lucid to ship the base virtually completely assembled. You just unfold it and install the appropriate hardware, and you’re good to go. The company claims this process takes five minutes. 

The L300 has both foot and head inclines. You use a wireless remote with built-in flashlight to adjust the head to angles of 0 to 60 degrees and the foot to 0 to 45 degrees. Plus, you can program the remote to remember your favorite position.

Each side of the frame has two USB charging ports: one for fast charging and the other for regular-speed charging.

The Lucid L300 is backed by a 10-year warranty and is available in Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, and Split King sizes. The frame is designed to accommodate spring, foam, and hybrid mattresses ranging in size from 8 to 12 inches thick. The base holds the mattress in place using metal support bars at the foot of the bed.

The biggest negative with the L300 is that it’s the only model in our guide that doesn’t have a massage function.

Best for sleep tracking: Tempur-Pedic Ergo Smart Base

Tempur-Pedic

• Features: Sleep tracking, massaging, anti-snore preset, remote control, head and foot elevation
• Available sizes: Twin XL, full, queen, king, split king, Cal king, split Cal king
• Returns: No
• Warranty: 25 years

Pros: Helps neutralize snoring, tracks your sleep quality, 25-year limited warranty, quiet operation, seven different sizes and styles

Cons: No returns, weak massaging

Like our top pick, the Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Ergo Smart Base also has high-end smart features you won’t find in most adjustable bed frames. However, unlike the Sleep Genius, it’s available at a slightly more affordable price, around $1,600. 

What sets the Ergo Smart Base apart is its Sleeptracker app. Thanks to sensors installed at the head of the base, the app collects data on the air quality, your breathing, your heart rate, and more. Based on its findings, it can tell you how restful your sleep is and offer recommendations to improve it. Tempur-Pedic is also constantly updating the technology. Since I first started testing the Ergo Smart Base, the company updated the firmware to use sleep data to assess when you are snoring and automatically adjust the base to a position that will help alleviate it.

The Tempur-Ergo Smart Base is the go-to bed frame that I sleep on when I’m not testing mattresses. In addition to the anti-snore quiet mode mentioned above, it has a “zero gravity” preset that elevates the legs and torso, which I regularly turn to when reading or streaming in bed. It’s relaxing for those long binge sessions.

The Ergo Smart Base offers several massaging programs, but I found that it wasn’t very strong even on the highest setting. However, I tested it with the hefty 157-pound Tempur-Pedic PRObreeze mattress, which may have dampened the massaging abilities of the base. On the plus side, whether massaging or adjusting positions, the frame moves smoothly and quietly. My sound meter showed it was no louder than ambient noise. I haven’t had any connectivity issues in the year or so I’ve slept on it. 

I like that the remote is backlit so it’s easy to see what I’m doing in the dark. There are also lights underneath the bed, which are helpful when I need to find something in my bedroom and don’t want to disturb my wife.

Each leg is made up of four 3-inch adjustable segments so you can choose to have 3, 6, 9, or 12 inches of clearance under your bed. Your mattress will rest about 3.5 inches above that.

Read our full review of the Tempur-Ergo Smart Base here.

How we tested each adjustable bed frameEase of use, performance, and special features are the main factors we considered when choosing the best adjustable beds.

Hannah Freedman/Business Insider

I’ve tested sleep products professionally for three years and have reviewed dozens of mattresses, sheet sets, sleep aids, and more. I put each of the best adjustable beds I received through several tests, and for any highly rated units I have not fully tested firsthand, I extrapolate the key performance indicators based on the reviews of my colleagues and those of other trustworthy product-review websites. The most important adjustable base factors to consider are ease of use, basic performance, and how well special features work.

Here are the main attributes we look for in the best adjustable beds and how we test them:

Ease of use: There will be times when you’re half asleep and want to adjust your bed. Is this achievable with the bed frame? To assess this, I look at the controller to see if it’s backlit and clearly labeled for intuitive control. I also assess the phone app, if available, and see if it lets me make adjustments. Many of us would prefer not to have another remote control on our nightstand to keep track of so we gave preference to frames that could be controlled with an app on your phone. I also examined the presets and programmable buttons for accurate operation.

Noise: As you’re making adjustments in the middle of the night, you don’t want to wake your partner. This makes quiet operation a must. I tested this by positioning a sound meter 12 inches from the side of the frame and measuring the decibel readout as I moved both the head and foot of the bed. I compared this to the ambient noise (usually around 45 decibels) to assess how loud it gets. If the difference is less than 10 decibels, I consider the frame to be quiet.

Massage intensity: I also measure the loudness — using the same method above — and intensity of the massage functions. You want a bed to soothe and relax you, but you don’t want it to be so loud you can’t watch TV. Many manufacturers advertise that their base offers a “deep tissue massage.” I have not found one that does that. Instead, the best you can hope for is a good rumble that comes close to making your voice sound weird as you talk. My massage intensity test is somewhat subjective. Fortunately, I can easily compare the frames head-to-head in my lab (i.e., my home).

Special features: Just about all of the top bases feature USB charging ports and under-bed lights. I look at unique extras, such as sleep tracking, alarms, speakers, voice control, and more. Of course, I look at whether the smart features actually work as advertised.

Mattress considerations: First, I examine what mattresses are compatible with the frame. Due to space constraints, this is hard to test firsthand so my assessments are mainly based on a combination of experience and manufacturer recommendations. With the mattress in place, I adjust the frame from flat to maximum foot and head angles several times to see if the mattress or frame move in relation to each other or the floor. This factor is important because constantly readjusting heavy mattresses and frames may be untenable for some.

Additionally, we examine what sizes are available, whether there are split units that allow you to adjust each side of the bed individually, the location and number of adjustable points, the warranty period, the return policy, the availability of showrooms, and whether white-glove delivery is an option.

What to look for in an adjustable bed frame

If you’re willing to forgo some features, you can save money. It pays to shop around and really consider what features you need. For example, I rarely use my bed frame for massages. If massages don’t interest you, you can save hundreds of dollars on a base.

The biggest negative we’ve found with buying an adjustable bed frame is that few brands offer risk-free home trials. The standard is no returns, refunds, or exchanges. This problem is compounded when the bed frame isn’t available in showrooms. This forces you to make an expensive purchase of a product you can’t try out first or return. If you want to avoid the risk, we encourage you to choose a base that you can potentially return. 

On the bright side, warranties for bed frames tend to be long – usually 20 or 25 years. Take a good look at the fine print, though. The full length of the warranty usually only applies to the frame and mechanical parts, not electronic components. And the warranty tends to be prorated after the third year.

Keep in mind that not all mattresses work with adjustable bed frames. For instance, traditional innerspring mattresses should not be used on adjustable bases. On the other hand, if you have a bed that arrived compressed, commonly called a “bed-in-a-box,” then it will almost always work on these frames. If you are unsure if your mattress is compatible, check with the manufacturer.