The Best Hospital Beds of 2021 – Better Caring at Home

More homes than you would probably imagine are equipped with a hospital bed for an elderly, sick or disabled family member, allowing them to live at home more comfortably. If you are taking care of a loved one who by necessity spends a substantial amount of time in bed, this may be what they need. 

Unlike traditional beds, hospital beds have an adjustable frame that can be raised overall, as well as at the head and foot. This helps the person using it to avoid bed sores, supports them where needed, and aids in their recovery.

Hospital beds also help caregivers do a better job of caring for their patients. The bed’s height can be raised or lowered depending on the needs of both the patient and the caregiver at any given time. For example, lowering the bed can make getting in and out of bed easier for the patient. Raising the bed keeps the caregiver from having to bend over all the time, causing back strain. 

We’ve compiled a list of what we think are the best hospital beds currently on the market and written reviews on each one. Reading our reviews should help you find the right one to meet your needs. We also answer the questions people most commonly ask when shopping for a hospital bed.  

​Hospital Beds Comparison Table

​Hospital Beds Reviews

Medacure Review: The Best Overall

This hospital bed is the whole package, with an adjustable bed frame, casters that lock and unlock (2 of each), single-button remote control and safety rails. This Medicure bed really is the best hospital bed overall in our opinion, especially for the money since it’s quite a bit less expensive than most.  

The bed measures 80” x 36”, with a height that adjusts from 15” – 20”, and it can hold someone weighing up to 450 lbs. What’s also great about this bed is that it’s lightweight, weighing only 42 lbs., so it can be moved around quite easily. The motor that and raises and lowers the bed at the back and knees is on a pendant for convenience. For safety, the foot assembly at the base of the bed, as well as the head spring are recessed. 

This hospital bed is constructed to work efficiently while withstanding heavy-duty use and it’s even scratch resistant. The headboard can also be attached to the base if you want a footboard instead. All these features are why we believe the Medacure is the best hospital bed overall, plus the fact that it’s easy to take care of and keep clean, which is important for the wellbeing of the patient using the bed. 

The bed is equipped with a 6”-thick high-performance medical mattress measuring 84” x 36” with an easy-to-clean vinyl cover. The side seams are inverted, making it more comfortable for patients when getting in and out of bed. The mattress is relatively firm, has antimicrobial properties and waterproof enclosures that protect the mattress from body fluids. 

The spring-loaded safety rails can easily be installed without the need for tools. The adjustable length goes from 39.5” to 57.5”. Each rail can be lowered or raised separately with the push of a button. 

The motor mechanism works quietly so the patient cannot be disturbed, which is essential of they’re trying to sleep or under sedation. The color-coded directions on the control unit make it easy to adjust the bed. Overall, this is a fantastic option for families who want a high-quality hospital bed at home that doesn’t cost a fortune. Medacure stands behind this bed with a 2-year manufacturer’s warranty, which is another reason we chose this as one of this year’s best hospital beds. 

Drive Medical Review: The Most Affordable Fully Electric Hospital Bed

You can customize the Ultra-Light Plus Hospital Bed by Drive Medical to suit your needs. Order it with no mattress, or just an innerspring mattress, with full-length rails or half rails. Buy only what’s needed. Color-coded labels help you to easily attach the side rails. 

The height on this hospital bed can go from 12” to 19.5” and it lowers between 4” to 10.5” off the floor, so it’s easy for the patient to get in and out of bed. A 9-volt backup battery enables the head and foot of the bed to be lowered with the remote up to 9 times should there be a power outage; UL approved. 

The motor is lightweight and self-contained to reduce the noise and is able to be installed or removed even when the patient is in bed. Headboard is taller than the footboard to make the bed look like a standard bed, but you can easily switch the out or remove them altogether. 

This “Ultra-Light” bed may be lightweight in terms of the way it’s built; however, this bed is extremely durable with a weight capacity of 450 lbs. This is why it is among the best hospital beds for home use on the market today. 

You can easily move the bed around for cleaning and move the patient from room-to-room in your home. The hospital bed itself, the side rails and the mattress are all certified by SGS, which is a widely recognized independent testing facility. The bed also passes all appropriate FDA entrapment guidelines. 

Drive Medical XL Review: The Best Fully Electric XL-Sized Bariatric Choice

The Drive Medical Bariatric Hospital Bed is one of the best specialty hospital beds on the market. You cannot find a sturdier, more durable steel frame to support a bariatric patient weighing up to 750 lbs. The XL 48” sleeping surface on the innerspring mattress ensures stability and comfort. 

The automatic hand control is placed on the side of the bed so the patient can easily adjust the position when needed. The adjustment runs smoothly and quietly for optimum comfort and silence, which is basically required in a medical facility. If the hand control malfunctions, a manual backup is under the bed. 

This hospital bed needs to be assembled, but it’s easy to do with no tools required. When placing the order, you can configure the bed to your specific requirements. 

Homeplace Living Review: The Best Complete Bariatric Bed Package

Homeplace Living is a well-established highly reputable company in the medical hardware industry. Their bariatric bed package includes everything you could possibly need to make a bariatric patient comfortable and feeling secure. This bed is specifically designed to hold bariatric patients weighing up to 600 lbs., with a reinforced frame and robust motors. 

Included in the package are the BARMATT42 bariatric foam mattress and the BAR6640P hospital bed rails. Measuring 88” x 42”, this bed can easily accommodate very tall and/or heavy patients.

This bed can easily be moved to another room or location by removing the base, which disassembles the bed. The patient can easily adjust the bed with simple controls on a wired pendant, which allows him/her to get more comfortable or into an ergonomically beneficial position. Bed can be adjusted to provide an anatomically correct sleeping surface via back and foot controls. 

With everything included and all the features, this bariatric bed package definitely provides you with one of the best hospital beds you can possibly get for the purpose. This bed should last you a good long time with easy maintenance. Homeplace Living stands behind this hospital bed up with a 5-year Warranty. 

LUMEX Review: The Best Semi-Electric Option for Home

The Patriot Homecare Bed by LUMEX is an outstanding semi-electric home hospital bed that adjusts quietly and smoothly. This is important for patients who may be disturbed or awakened by noise or movement. Caregivers will need to manually use a hand crank for these adjustments. 

The height on this bed adjusts from 15” to 24” with the head and foot able to be lowered and raised together or separately. A 9-volt battery comes with the bed as a backup in case of a power outage. 

The Patriot hospital bed can easily be assembled upon arrival since there are only 5 pieces to put together. You have your choice of bed ends, either walnut fireboard or high-impact plastic and the mattress is purchased separately. 

This is one of the best hospital beds for families caring for a loved one at home who are looking for a sturdy, well-functioning adjustable bed at a great price. 

LUCID Review: The Most Innovative Adjustable Base

The LUCID L300 may primarily be an adjustable bed, however it has become extremely popular among patients for the innovative way it approaches their care. This is why we included it in our group of the best hospital beds of 2020. This bed is designed in such a way that it doesn’t even look like a hospital bed. 

You can order this bed in Twin XL, Full/Double, Queen, King and Split King sizes. The larger sizes allow caregiving partners to sleep alongside their loved one, rather than separately. In fact, with the Split King you can adjust each side separately, so the patient’s side can be positioned for optimum comfort while their loved one can lie flat. Bed is equipped with a high-end motor that can be relied on for prompt, quiet adjustments. 

The LUCID L300 may not be the appropriate choice for everyone needing a home hospital bed, but for patients who are the right fit, this bed has plenty to offer. 

These perks include: a remote control with a flashlight that can preprogram positions, USB charging stations on each side of the bed, and an extremely generous 10-year warranty. 

One drawback of the LUCID L300 is that there are no height adjustments to make it easier for patients to get in and out of bed. It also doesn’t come with rails, so if you need them, you’ll have to buy them separately, as well as the appropriate 10” or 12” thick LUCID mattress. 

Invacare Review: The Best-Selling Option on Amazon

The Full Electric Homecare Bed by Invacare is the top selling hospital bed on Amazon. Do you want to know why? It is fully electric with a handy remote control plus a manual hand crank should there be a power outage. 

The pendant control is used to adjust the upper body position and that of the knees. It also adjusts the height of the frame for access to accessories and to make it easier to get in and out of bed. The hand pendant has an ergonomically designed strain-relief cord for heavy-duty use.  

You have the option of full or half-size clamp-on rails that move smoothly for height adjustments, thanks to the chrome-plated tubes. These rails can be installed and removed quite easily. 

You can use a 6” foam or innerspring mattress on this bed, whichever meets your needs best. Both include a waterproof cover for easy cleaning in cases of incontinence. 

The panels on each end look like authentic wood, so the Invacare Homecare Bed should easily blend with your bedroom décor. Being the #1 top selling hospital bed on Amazon tells us all we needed to know to select it as one of the best hospital beds currently available on the market. All these users can’t be wrong!

Difference Between Hospital Beds & Standard Beds

Easy to Move

The vast majority of hospital beds come with wheels, which makes it very easy to move within the same room or to another. This way the patient can be effectively treated without having to get out of bed and into a wheelchair. The wheels lock into place for safety while stationary or during transfer. 

Adjustable 

Hospital beds come with fully electric, semi-electric or manual mechanisms, so they can be adjusted to make the patient more comfortable and easier to care for. They can be adjusted up or down at the head, feet and sometimes knees. The entire bed can be lowered, to help patients get in and out more easily and raised again to help caregivers provide treatment. For example, just raising their head can help patients breathe easier or be fed more easily; raising the feet may improve circulation or relieve pain caused by certain medical conditions. 

Safe

The best hospital beds come with either half or full side rails that can be raised and/or lowered as needed. Gripping them helps patients move around more easily and they’re there to prevent falls. If a patient is bedridden and has memory problems, they may not understand their physical limitations. Some hospital beds have call buttons they can buzz for help. Hospital beds in medical facilities may even have exit alarms to notify staff when a patient falls out of bed or wanders off. These alarms are set to go off when the patient’s weight is removed. 

Improves Positioning

People who spend long periods of time in bed are at risk of developing bed sores in spots where their body is pressed against the mattress. This causes trapped heat between their pajamas, bed and skin, leading to a bed sore. These types of sores are very painful and difficult to treat. Hospital beds help patients reposition themselves to remove and/or rotate the pressure points throughout their body and relieve the bed sore(s). Ideally, they can prevent bed sores from occurring in the first place. 

Types of Medical or Hospital Beds

All medical or hospital beds can be adjusted. The difference between the various types depends on the mechanism that makes the adjustment and how many adjustments can be made: 

Fully Electric 

The best hospital beds seem to all be powered electronically with a whole range of adjustments. The height of the entire bed, at the head, feet and sometimes the knee area can all be moved up or down by pushing buttons installed on the side of the bed or by remote control. Patients can make the adjustments themselves by remote control. If their caregiver is worried about them putting themselves at risk, they can take the remote away. This way, the caregiver is the only one who can adjust the bed using the buttons. A full-electric hospital bed requires no manual effort to adjust, either by the patient or their caregiver. This is why this type comes at a much higher price.  

Semi Electric 

This type of hospital bed has many of the same features as the full-electric beds, but to raise or lower the height of the bed, the caregiver needs to do it manually with a hand crank located on the side. This is why this bed costs less than the full-electric type. But all is not lost because the semi-electric option still has some adjustments that can be done electronically.  

Manual 

With a manual hospital bed, all adjustments are made manually as the bed has no electrical power. So, if a patient wants the height of the bed, the head or the foot area raised or lowered, the caregiver must do it manually with a crank. These hospital beds are among the least expensive. 

Low  

Low standing hospital beds have the same adjustment capabilities as other hospital beds, but the bed frame stands much lower, just 1 ft. off the floor. You can still adjust the height, but only within a much smaller range. Patients who use this type of bed are at higher risk of falling out while sleeping, or they want the ability to get in and out themselves more often. With a low standing bed frame, they can do this without much risk. Low standing hospital beds are all fully electric. 

Bariatric 

These hospital beds are designed and constructed to hold heavier patients, which means their weight capacity is significantly higher than most hospital beds. All are fully electric and built to accommodate a wider mattress. Due to the extremely durable construction and the fact that they’re all fully electric, bariatric hospital beds are among the most expensive. 

Trendelenburg

Trendelenburg hospital beds have enhanced adjustment options for maximum flexibility because they’re specifically designed for people receiving therapy, in recovery or the elderly. The height, head and foot are all adjustable, but each spot is able to be adjusted higher and lower. For example, the bed can be adjusted into a recliner chair or to place the head lower than the patient’s feet. Since these beds are far more adjustable than others, patients can forego wedge pillows or special pads in getting into the right position. So, the Trendelenburg is certainly one of the best hospital beds you can find, although most patients do not need all that this bed has to offer. 

Due to these additional adjustment options, these beds require more space to function at optimum levels. Therefore, you may need to take some furniture out of the room or choose a larger room for a Trendelenburg bed. And, since they are all fully electric, plus the added positioning and functionality that occurs without things being done manually, these beds cost more than any of the other hospital beds. 

Fixed Height 

Some hospital beds do not have an adjustable height features, but you can raise and lower the head and leg areas. Medicare calls these “Fixed-Height” hospital beds. This bed cannot be raised or lowered to help transfer patients from their wheelchair or to give them a sponge bath while in bed. Fixed-height beds only come with a hand crank that must be operated manually. 

For Medicare to pay for one of these, one of the following two conditions must exist: 

• The patient’s condition (i.e., aspiration problems, cardiac disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) requires that they be positioned in ways not possible in a standard bed (i.e., the upper body or head must be raised more than 30°). Or, 
• Special attachments are required to care for the patient (i.e., a traction device) that cannot be attached or used on a standard bed. 

Questions to Ask When Determining Which Hospital Bed to Get

How much mobility does the patient have?

Patients who have little mobility could definitely benefit from having a fully electric hospital bed. This way they could sit up more easily as well as have an easier time getting in and out of bed. 

Will the user need the hospital bed for just a short time or longer?

If the bed will be used for 15 or more hours a day, or for a long period of time, the best hospital bed for them would be fully electric for optimum comfort. On the other hand, for short-term use, a semi-electric or even a manually operated bed may be a better choice in terms of cost. 

How tall and/or heavy is the user?

The size of the user will factor into your choice. If they are exceptionally short or tall, you may want to get a shortened or extended surface. If the user is larger in size or quite heavy, you may want to consider a bariatric hospital bed. If the bed will be used by a child, there are a couple of pediatric options, sized specifically for children. 

Does the caregiver require anything special?

If the caregiver isn’t strong enough or cannot use a manual hand crank, which are used on standard and semi-electric hospital beds for adjustments, you’ll need to get a fully electric bed. 

Factors to Consider When Looking for the Best Hospital Bed

When a loved one is severely ill or disabled, recovering from surgery or an injury, or quite elderly and frail, a home hospital bed may be required for their care. The best hospital beds for at home use have implemented innovations developed in medical facilities and adapted them to beds for patients being cared for at home. 

You’ll want to get a hospital bed that will best meet the needs of your loved one and their caregiver. It’s important that you understand the basic features of hospital beds and how they work. Getting the right hospital bed can dramatically improve the patient’s comfort and care at home:  

Size of Mattress

Hospital beds are specifically designed to comfortably accommodate one person only. Most measure 35” x 80” or the approximate size of a Twin XL mattress. Wider and longer beds can be ordered for heavier and/or taller patients. 

But the standard size mattress for a hospital bed is typically a Twin or Twin XL, which is the size usually found in college dorm rooms. 

Patients who need a hospital bed often are at risk of falling. Therefore, the mattress is not as thick as a standard mattress, about 6” rather than the 10” you often have with today’s mattresses. 

Weight Capacity

How much weight a hospital bed can support is an extremely important factor. You want to make sure the bed you buy can comfortably and securely support the weight of your loved one. Find out what the weight capacity is of any bed you’re considering and remember there will be the added weight of bedding, meal trays, pets and other items. 

Most hospital beds can comfortably support an average-sized person. However, if your loved one is considerably overweight, the best hospital bed for them may be a bariatric bed. 

Elevation

The hospital bed’s height is determined by how far up the bed frame is from the floor. Most hospital beds have a way to adjust the height, making it easier for the patient to get in and out of bed. Being able to adjust the height also helps the caregiver provide better care. 

You may want to consider a low standing hospital bed if the patient will be getting in and out of bed on their own. Otherwise, you’ll need to make sure the height of their bed allows the caregiver to help them without causing them undue back strain. 

Side Rails

Many patients can easily roll out of bed and injure themselves if their bed isn’t equipped with side rails. Some patients, especially those with dementia are at higher risk because they often try climbing over the side rails. People often become agitated when they feel trapped or restrained and can go to great lengths trying to “escape” the confines of their bed. There have been cases where patients have become stuck in the rail or between the rail and the mattress. 

For safety reasons, the FDA recommends that only partial or half rails be used when needed and that high-low hospital beds be used for certain patients. You can raise these beds up for caregiving and/or transferring purposes and lower them back down near the floor for sleeping. 

Some patients may try getting up independently, and in failing to do so may roll out of bed. When the bed is as low as 7” from the floor (without the mattress) the risk of serious injury is lessened. 

Another recommendation by the FDA is to place a cushioned floor mat beside the bed for a softer impact should the patient fall. The mat should be heavily cushioned with beveled edges. Nightlights are also recommended to reduce the risk of tripping at night in the dark. The best hospital bed for this purpose would be a high-low bed, one that is fully electric because these are the easiest to operate. 

Casters or Wheels

All hospital beds are equipped with casters on the legs so they can be easily moved around with the patient inside if necessary. These casters are durable and often made of rubber to minimize the noise when rolling across the floor. For safety, they come with locking mechanisms. 

Ease of Operation

The best hospital beds are fully electric with intuitive features that allow patients and caregivers to operate them without constantly having to figure things out. 

Maneuverable 

Hospital beds are designed to maneuver easily, with noiseless caster wheels, a centralized locking system and brake pedals. They are able to easily move across a variety of floor surfaces, whether in a medical setting or in a home. 

Remote Control

The best hospital bed for an elderly patient should be easy to control. A wireless remote control that the patient can use themselves would be ideal. These work a lot like a TV remote, which they would definitely be familiar with. 

Design & Construction

Hospital beds are built with a variety of materials, so that they are durable and can function optimally for a good long time. Hospital bed frames made of aluminum or steel would be your best bet in terms of strength and durability. 

Functionality is a top priority when designing a hospital bed. However, manufacturers these days know that many are purchased for home use and why head and foot boards on many have wood finishes. This makes them look less clinical and more like a normal bed and helps patients feel more comfortable while confined to a bed. 

Noiseless 

Hospital beds are adjustable and come with either manual, semi-electric or fully electric adjustment capability. Whichever model you choose, you want it to make the adjustments as quietly as possible. Manual models are the least expensive and require that the caregiver manually crank them up and down according to the patient’s needs. By contrast, the best hospital beds are electric and equipped with a remote control that the patient and/or caregiver can use to position the bed. 

Wallhugger Design & Engineering

The best hospital beds are designed with what’s called “wallhugger” engineering, so when the button is pushed to raise the upper body end of the frame, the entire bed moves in reverse to be against the wall behind the head of the bed. It also moves the bed closer to the side table instead of further away. 

Price

Hospital beds are highly sophisticated pieces of equipment designed to support patients with all kinds of medical needs. Depending on the type of bed and the brand, plus whether it comes as a package that includes the mattress and side rails, it can cost anywhere from $500 to several thousand dollars.

Assembly 

Because hospital beds are so advanced in terms of design and functionality, a professional may be required for proper assembly. Although you will receive an assembly manual or guide with whatever model you buy, you may still want a professional to do the job. 

Some manufacturers factor the assembly into the price or allow customers to purchase this service it separately. The easiest way to go is to buy the bed fully assembled so that when it arrives at your door, it’s ready for immediate use. 

No matter which hospital bed you choose, it’s going to be fairly expensive. Therefore, it’s critical that you make the right choice and are buying the best hospital bed to meet the needs of your loved one and their caregiver. 

Maintenance

With constant use, hospital beds do undergo wear and tear. The manufacturer will include care instructions, which you should definitely follow if you want the bed to function well and last as long as possible. 

Warranty

We recommend that you buy the highest quality hospital bed that will meet the needs of the user and that you can afford. Think of this as a one-time investment that can improve the quality of life of your loved one. This is something that you really cannot put a price on. A low-quality bed may not last as long as you need, so you would be wasting your money. 

Look for a bed that comes with a 2- or 3-year warranty, including parts and repairs. 

Reliable Vendor

It definitely pays to do your research so that you find the most reputable supplier available and hopefully one that’s affordable. This is not an impulse buy so take your time making sure that the vendor offers additional services, beyond just the bed. These additional services could be the following:

• Customer support
• Quick delivery
• Free or discounted assembly costs
• 2- to 3-year warranty, including parts and repairs

Before making your choice go online and read customer reviews and testimonials from verified users.  

Medicare Coverage for Hospital Beds

A hospital bed is considered a type of medical supply or equipment and since they are so expensive, most people turn to their health insurance provider to cover the cost. Most U.S. seniors over the age of 65 are covered by Medicare. Does Medicare cover hospital beds for at home use?

Yes, as long as you can prove that it is medically necessary. In addition to Medicare, you must have Medicare Part B coverage, be evaluated by your doctor who is required to provide Medicare with written documentation regarding your medical condition and a prescription for the hospital bed. The vendor must have received the order the bill is sent to Medicare.

Medicare will pay for your hospital bed if you:

• Are unable to change positions on a standard bed
• Are unable to sleep normally on a standard bed
• Are unable to sleep unless the head of the bed is raised higher than 30° due to difficulty breathing, congestive heart failure, or some other medical condition 
• Need to be in a traction device attached to the bed
• Have a Certificate of Medical Necessity that your doctor has completed, signed and dated

Couples

Medicare for the most part will only pay for a Twin or Twin XL size hospital bed. If you’re a couple who routinely sleep together, there are several things you can do to feel as if you’re in the same bed: 

Buy a Twin XL bed for yourself, which will be about 80” long, and put it right next to the hospital bed, which will be 88” long if it’s the standard size. The beds may not be the same length, but they will keep you together. Hopefully, your bedroom has the space for both beds with room enough to spare. 

You can make them up with separate Twin-size bottom sheets and a King-size top sheet, blanket and/or comforter. 

You can find “hospital beds” in larger sizes that Medicare won’t pay for. You can find adjustable beds in Full, Queen and King sizes, in lengths ranging from 75” – 88” if you can afford to pay for it yourself. 

If you’re concerned that your loved one may object to being put in a hospital bed, just dress it up with a colorful bedspread and matching pillowcases or shams. They may not realize it’s a hospital bed.

The mattresses on hospital beds are 80” long, so if you want the sheets to fit well, buy extra-long twin size, or the bottom sheet won’t stay on. 

The standard mattress on a hospital bed can be too firm and too hot to comfortably sleep on, plus the vinyl cover tends to cause people to sweat more. It may make good sense to place a mattress topper or pad on the mattress to make your loved one more comfortable. This can also prevent bed sores for people who spend the majority of their time in bed. You may even be able to get Medicare to pay for this if the patient meets the eligibility requirements. 

Many people who have been sleeping in a large-sized bed for any length of time may not appreciate the Twin-size hospital bed that Medicare covers. If you can afford it, you may want to consider buying a hospital bed in a larger size. They come in Full, Queen and King sizes. You should also be able to order a shorter length if the 88” Medicare-covered hospital bed is too long. 

Safety Precautions

When using a hospital bed, it is extremely important that all safety precautions be followed to prevent any accidents: 

Wheels Must be Locked

The wheels must be kept in the locked position at all times. You can only unlock them when you need to move the bed. Once you’ve moved the bed, you must again lock the wheels. 

A Bell & Telephone Must be Reachable 

Place a telephone and bell within easy reach of the patient so he/she can immediately call or ring for help when it’s needed. 

Keep Side Rails Up

The side rails should be kept up at all times and lowered only when the patient is getting in and out of bed. 

Hand Control Pad Must be Reachable 

The patient must be taught how to use the hand control pad to move the bed into various positions. Let them practice and test out the hand and panel controls so that there is assurance that everything is working properly. If necessary, there may be a way to lock the bed in position, so that it cannot be adjusted. DO NOT put the power or hand control wires in between the bed rails. 

Follow the Manufacturer’s Instructions

The manufacturer will provide you with a booklet that spells out specific instructions for how to use the bed. You must follow these precisely, otherwise it may not work, or you could damage it. If things aren’t working, check for any cracks or other damage to the controls. If you hear strange noises from the bed or smell burning, call the manufacturer or a certified professional who repairs hospital beds. If the controls aren’t working properly to change bed positions, call the manufacturer or a professional. 

Bed Should Adjust Freely

The bed should have no problem extending to its full length and in adjusting to any position. DO NOT put the power or hand control wires in between the bed rails. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the advantages of using a hospital bed?

When someone is released from the hospital after having surgery, or recovering from an injury or illness, or if they’re suffering from a long-term medical condition, a hospital bed can serve their needs much better than a standard bed. An individual using a hospital bed is going to spend substantially more time in bed during daytime and at night, so it’s important that they be comfortable. 

A hospital bed is adjustable, so it helps caregivers treat various medical conditions or change bed positions to make the patient more comfortable. The head can be raised during the day so the patient can sit up comfortably. The knee area or foot of the bed can also be raised for therapeutic reasons. 

When the bed frame itself is raised the caregiver doesn’t have to bend over to tend to the patient. When the person wants to get out of bed and back in, the bed can be lowered. 

Which brands are making the best hospital beds?

Many companies that used to produce hospital beds for hospitals and other medical facilities only, now make versions that consumers can buy to better take care of loved ones at home. These brands include the ones we’ve listed above in our reviews, like Medacure, Drive Medical, Homeplace Living, LUMEX, LUCID and Invacare, plus Graham-Field, Hill-Rom, and Joerns. 

What size do hospital beds typically come in?

Hospital beds can measure 35” to 54” in width, but they’re most commonly 35” wide. The length of most hospital beds from 75” to 88” but this can vary. But they do make longer and wider hospital beds that are more comfortable for taller, larger and/or heavier patients.  

How much is a hospital bed likely to cost me?

Hospital beds can cost anywhere from $400 to $2,000, depending on the size, quality, features and functionality. These range from a basic manually operated Twin XL size, which would be priced at the low end of the scale, to a fully electric bariatric bed in a King size, which would be at the high end. 

If you buy a hospital bed without a mattress, you’ll need to purchase that separately at a price that typically runs from $100 to $400. 

What type of maintenance does a hospital bed require?

Depending on how much use your hospital bed gets, it will over time show evidence of wear and tear. You will receive a booklet from the manufacturer that spells out specific care instructions. You should read these instructions and follow them precisely to keep your bed in good working order. If needed, you may be able to order replacement parts from the manufacturer from their website, or you can try finding them on Amazon. 

What else can I do to keep my loved one comfortable and safe?

In addition to equipping your hospital bed with side rails, there are other ways to protect their safety and make them more comfortable. 

You can put cushioned pads on the floor next to the bed so should your loved one accidentally fall out of bed they’ll land on a soft surface. You can also place nightlights in the outlets around the room so if they get up in the middle of the night, they’ll be able to see their way to the bathroom. Buy pads to fit over the side rails to keep your loved one from hurting themselves should they bump into them while sleeping. 

To protect the mattress, buy waterproof sheets and blankets. These do not develop an order should your loved one suffer from regular incontinence. They are also machine washable and dryable, which makes it easy to keep the bedding clean. 

Conclusion

We’ve now given you the most pertinent information on hospital beds for at-home use, so you should be able to use this information to find the best hospital bed to meet the needs of your loved one and their caregiver. At the beginning of this article we listed our top recommendations and reviewed each one, so that you could discern the distinctions between them in making your choice. The fully electric hospital beds discussed above are all of the highest quality and from the most reputable brands. You can safely choose any one of them and be completely confident about your purchase.