How to Choose the Best Hospital Bed for Home Use in 2025

While the decline of multi-generational living ushered in a need for rehabilitation centers and nursing homes, trends show that the aging population now prefers to stay home as long as possible. Aging in place, as it's affectionately called, is the preference for most, and is contributing heavily to the need for more adaptive furniture and medical equipment.

Oftentimes, the first item needed is an in-home hospital bed. However, with the wide range of home care bed options available, it can be challenging to determine which is best for your home care needs. To help you in making the best possible decision, we've created this guide on how to choose the Best Hospital Bed for Home Use in 2025. Let's take a look!

What features make a hospital bed great for home use?

Hospital beds are available with a plethora of safety, comfort, and design features. It is important to choose a bed that accommodates both the user and their caregiver (if one is present).

Below, we highlight some of the main features of hospital beds, mainly focusing on features commonly found on full electric hospital beds, as these are generally the most suitable for home care and cater to the widest range of needs. If you're curious about manual hospital beds or semi-electric beds, be sure to check out the FAQ section at the end.

Adjustable height

All electric and semi-electric home hospital beds come standard with electrically adjustable height. With the push of a button, you can raise or lower the entire bed. This helps place the bed at the right level for transferring in and out, and can reduce caregiver strain as they provide assistance.

Some premium adjustable hospital beds, like the Contesa FloorBed have the capability of lowering very close to the ground, providing safety for users who may easily fall from the bed.

Profiling functions

When shopping for a full electric hospital bed for your home, be sure to consider what profiling functions are most important to you. These features enable you to reposition the head or foot of the bed independently. If you enjoy sitting up in bed, need to elevate your feet or head, or require specialized positioning (such as Trendelenburg or reverse Trendelenburg), look for these options.

Most full-electric beds make these adjustments effortless with powered controls, offering greater ease and independence. Some manual beds or semi-electric beds may include similar functions, but they require you or your caregiver to use manual cranks or rods to reposition the bed.

Safety features

Whether you're recovering from surgery at home or require long-term care, you must prioritize safety features in your hospital bed. For starters, your bed should feature locking wheels or casters to ensure the bed doesn't slide during transfers or care.

Next, look for a bed with adjustable, collapsible, or removable side rails, depending on your needs. While you should never use siderails to restrain someone, they are helpful for preventing one from rolling out of bed and function as handholds when repositioning. These rails often vary in length, with some beds having two shorter or longer rails near the upper portion, or four rails to surround the entire bed.

Finally, some beds feature electronic safety features such as emergency bed lowering, battery backup during power failures, and exit alarms to assist in fall prevention.

Mattress compatibility

Even the most functional and safe electric hospital bed must provide comfort, or it's essentially useless. A restful night's sleep is essential throughout all of life's seasons, so be sure to choose a bed that prioritizes comfort.

First, look at the bed's mattress. Does the mattress feel comfortable (or have good comfort reviews)? Some feature supportive and pressure-relieving memory foam, while others are developed specifically to prevent skin breakdown. Select a hospital bed mattress that fits the bed well and matches your needs.

Design & aesthetics

While likely not your top priority, some of the best premium hospital beds for home use are aesthetically pleasing. It's okay to want to surround yourself with beautiful things, and it's okay to want your bedroom to look and feel like a bedroom. There's no need to switch up your theme with hospital-chic decor. Instead, look for a bed with aesthetic design that fits the feel of your home.

Also, remember to consider your bedding. In many cases, you can use the same type of sheets, pillows, quilts, comforters, and blankets as you would on any other bed. Using familiar and quality materials adds to the comfort of the bed, especially when it's new.

Service factors

Unlike standard beds, you won't typically shop for a hospital bed in person. There's no showroom to browse or an option to pick it up and take it home with you. In most cases, you'll order your bed online or over the phone and await delivery.

When placing your order, inquire about the turnaround time, delivery features, and cost. Will the transporter install the bed upon arrival? Is assembly required? Do you need to move your own furniture ahead of time? Who do you call if you have questions about the bed and its functions? These are important questions to ask before placing your order.

Clinical evidence

Finally, before deciding on your new home hospital bed, consider the proven outcomes associated with the bed and mattress. Does the design perform as it claims to? Have other customers given it rave reviews? Can the company provide evidence of its safety and usability?

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How to Match a Bed to Your Needs

Depending on your situation, some of the features we highlighted are more important than others. Let's take a look at some common scenarios and what features you should focus on specifically.

Seniors living alone

If you're a senior living independently, you'll need an easily adjustable bed that prioritizes safety and comfort. Look for a full-electric hospital bed that features push-button head/foot adjustments to make repositioning effortless. A backlit handset and smooth, quiet motors make nighttime use easier.

An electric bed that lowers close to the floor can help reduce injury risk if a fall occurs, while a battery backup ensures continued function during power outages. These features allow seniors to maintain autonomy while staying safe in their own homes.

Post-surgery recovery

If you plan to recover from surgery at home, your bed should work with you, making repositioning and transfers as easy as possible, supporting movement and healing. The best home hospital beds for recovery feature a wide range of height options, allowing you to safely transfer in and out of bed without strain. Also, look for sturdy side rails or assist bars that can function as handholds and provide stability when repositioning or standing.

If recovery involves extended bed rest, a pressure-relieving mattress, for example, gel-infused foam found in the Accora 600 mattress, helps protect skin integrity and prevent pressure ulcers. Also, look for a bed with “auto-contour” or synchronized head and leg movement to prevent friction and sliding down the bed during elevation.

Long-term care at home

If you're shopping for a bed for someone who will likely receive long-term care at home, especially those with progressive diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, or Lou Gehrig's, long-term flexibility is key to accommodate varying mobility limitations. Choose a hospital bed that can adapt as needs change over time, one with adjustable height, removable or full-length side rails, and a range of positioning options.

Full-electric beds that lower close to the floor can reduce fall risk and ensure the patient does not sustain injuries from rolling out of bed, while those that raise to full nursing height make caregiving safer and more ergonomic. A durable frame, replaceable components, and a high-quality pressure-relief mattress will ensure longevity and comfort.

Bariatric needs  

For users requiring a higher weight capacity, look for a bariatric hospital bed that supports at least 600 lbs with reinforced frames and wider sleeping surfaces. Beyond the dimensions of the bariatric bed be sure to consider the needs of any caregivers working in the home as well. They'll need the bed to raise, lower, and reposition easily, assisting them in repositioning and transferring the user. Siderails will be helpful in providing a barrier to prevent the user from rolling out of bed, a lifting pole allows the user to help during repositioning, and a quality mattress is essential to ensure even pressure distribution to maintain skin integrity and general user comfort.

Best Hospital Beds for Home Use in 2025

Now that you're familiar with at-home hospital bed features and what to look for, let's take a closer look at Accora's best fully electric hospital beds for home use.

Best All-Around Long-Term Care Bed

Empresa from Accora

The Empresa from Accora is the clear choice for the best all-around long-term care bedsuitable for home care. This sleek and modern bed is available in 3 different styles and 3 wood finishes, allowing it to blend seamlessly with most home decors. Furthermore, its ability to adjust to a height that is comfortable for providing care, and all the way back to the floor, makes it ideal for both bed fall prevention and caregiver comfort. Speaking of comfort, the Empresa comes standard with the Dynamic BodyMove technology. As the bed moves, the frame shifts slightly to match the body's natural motion, reducing skin friction and sliding (shear), which can help reduce the likelihood of users developing pressure sores, a feature not found on any other bed in the market.

Empresa also stands out for its range of safety features. The easy-release assist bars provide a handhold for users during transfers and repositioning, and are removable when not in use. Unlike many of their competitors, Accora's beds lower fully to the ground, reducing the risk of injury should a user roll out. Furthermore, the auto-stop feature ensures the bed won't lower onto unsuspecting pets or other items that may have rolled under the bed.

Features

• Height adjustment from 3.9” to 31.5”
• Width extension to accommodate users with bariatric needs
• Length adjustment from 80” to 84”
• Safe working load  600 lbs
• One touch, pre-programmed comfort positioning
• Trendelenburg and anti-trendelenburg
• Assist bars, lifting pole and safety mat accessories
• Various styles and finishes to match home decor

Who is the Empresa from Accora best for?

The Empresa from Accora is an all-around outstanding option for a home-based premium electric bed. It is adjustable for taller or larger users and can easily be lowered to the floor to reduce the risk of injury from rolling out of bed. Its comfort and safety features make it an excellent choice for most users who need the bed on a long-term basis. It is especially beneficial for those with a history of falling from the bed or developing pressure sores.

• Top bariatric bed for large users
• Best hospital bed for long-term use

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Best Bed for Nighttime Safety

Contesa from Accora

The Contesa bed from Accora is the best bed for nighttime safety. Accora’s specialty is creating stylish electric beds with a focus on safety and fall prevention. The Contesa is no exception. With the same fabulous style options, it’s a sleek and modern bed with a home-like feel.

The Contesa is a fully adjustable bed that can accommodate tall and large users. Its profiling functions allow users to reposition to a chair-like sitting position, raise the bed to provide care, and lower the bed to the floor for safe sleeping. Furthermore, users can add foldable assist bars to help during repositioning and transfers, but fold away when not in use.

Features

• Height adjustment 3.9” to 29”
• Length adjustment from 80” to 84”
• 36” or 42” width options
• User weight limit of 420 lbs
• Lifting pole and safety mat accessories
• Folding assist bars
• Various styles and finishes to match home decor

Who is the Contesa from Accora best for?

The Contesa from Accora is an excellent option for users who spend a great deal of time in bed. The ability to reposition into a chair-like position in the bed make meals and socializing enjoyable. Furthermore, the lifting pole and assist bars are extremely helpful when repositioning or transferring in and out of bed.

• Safest bed for those at risk of falls
• Most affordable premium hospital bed

Final Thoughts

While an online search will yield a wide array of hospital beds designed to cater for various needs and budget, Accora specifically designs their beds to deliver high quality functionality in a design that feels like home.

Whether you choose one from Accora or select a specialty bed, such as a rotating bed designed to provide a boost during transfers, be sure to consider the options we’ve outlined to ensure your bed serves you well.

FAQs

What are the different types of hospital beds?

Hospital beds generally fall into three categories: manual, semi-electric, and full electric

• Manual hospital beds use hand cranks for basic height and section adjustments (head/foot). Lacking electrical components, they are highly cost-effective. However, the physical effort required for adjustment makes them unsuitable for many modern care needs.
• Semi-electric hospital beds combine manual and electric controls. The head and leg sections adjust electrically, while height is adjusted manually, offering convenience at a moderate cost.
• Full-electric hospital beds use motorized controls for all adjustments, including height. They provide the greatest ease of use, comfort, and safety, making them ideal for long-term or high-dependency care.

How wide is a hospital bed?

Most hospital beds are 36 inches wide, slightly smaller than your standard twin bed, which is around 38 inches wide. A bariatric hospital bed is generally 42 inches wide.

How long is a hospital bed?

Most standard hospital beds are 80 inches long, with many models able to extend to 84" to accommodate taller users.

How do I choose a hospital bed for my home?

Choosing the best hospital bed for home use depends on the needs of both the user and caregiver. All hospital beds include basic features such as adjustable height and profiling functions, but beyond these, it’s important to consider features that address individual requirements. For instance, if fall prevention is a priority, look for a bed that lowers close to the floor or allows side rails to be easily added.