How to Find the Best Bed Risers

Bed risers are small cube-shaped boxes or rods that attach to the legs of your bed to add height. They are made of rubber, heavy-duty plastic, metal, or wood. You will need four to six bed risers to increase the height of the bed. How many bed risers you need depends on the size of your bed and whether you have a headboard.

While bed height doesn’t impact comfort, it can create a better sleep environment for some sleepers. Taller sleepers or those with mobility issues can more easily get into a bed elevated from the ground. This is one of many reasons why putting a mattress on the floor isn’t recommended in the long term.

When choosing bed risers, keep the current height of your bed frame in mind and the thickness of your mattress. The average bed frame is 25 inches tall. However, lower profile bed frames can be as short as 6 inches above the ground. Mattresses range in thickness from 8 to 14 inches.

In this article, we’ll examine the different types and sizes of bed risers. We’ll assist you in finding the proper bed risers for your needs and answer a few questions about bed risers.

Types of Bed Risers

Different types of bed risers work better for different types of bed frames. Screw-in bed risers are best for bed frames with thinner or narrower legs. Stackable bed risers work well with bed frames that feature thicker or broader legs. Adjustable bed risers are helpful if you want to be able to change your bed height for different size sleepers.

Screw-In

You attach screw-in bed risers in place of your bed frame’s existing legs. Unfortunately, this limits how much actual height you can add to your bed. To determine how much height you’re gaining, subtract the height of the furniture legs from the height of your bed risers.

For maximal safety and stability, choose steel or solid wood bed risers. With this type of bed riser, it is essential that you tightly screw them in. Otherwise, the riser won’t be able to hold the weight of you, your bed frame, and your mattress.

Stackable

Stackable bed risers go underneath the legs of your bed. Because they attach directly to bed legs, these bed risers are ideal for adding maximum height to your bed. These bed risers are usually made of plastic or rubber. This makes them cheaper but can lead to issues with the bed riser cracking or breaking.

When shopping for stackable bed risers, make sure you purchase risers that are strong enough to support the weight of the furniture and whoever will be sleeping in the bed. Stackable bed risers add 2 to 6 inches to the height of your bed.

Adjustable

Adjustable bed risers are optimal for those who aren’t quite sure how much height they want to add to their bed. An adjustable bed riser may be one long steel beam or a set of plastic or rubber cubes. Most adjustable bed riser sets feature eight pieces that allow for two different height options.

Plastic adjustable bed risers are the best option for those shopping on a budget. You can stack these bed risers on top of each other to increase the height of your bed. Adjustable bed risers usually come in 3-inch, 5-inch, and 8-inch sizes.

We also want to make it clear that despite the name, adjustable bed risers aren’t meant to be paired with adjustable beds.

Benefits of Bed Risers

Bed risers are a cheap and simple way to add height to your bed. They are also much more convenient than having to purchase a new bed frame to increase the height of your bed.

Taller sleepers and the elderly experience the most benefits from bed risers. For these individuals, bed risers allow them to get into bed without bending over and straining their back. See also our mattress guides for these individuals:

• Best Mattresses for Seniors
• Best Mattresses for Tall People

Bed risers also allow for additional storage space under the bed, which is helpful if you have a small room.

Drawbacks of Bed Risers

While bed risers are a great way to add height to your bed, they aren’t for everyone. Shorter sleepers or children may not like the additional height that risers add to their bed. Those with limited mobility will have issues getting into and out of a bed that is too tall.

When not correctly installed, there can be safety issues with bed risers. Always check the weight limit before installing and using a set of bed risers for your bed.

Bed Riser Sizes and Weight Limits

Bed risers come in a wide range of sizes and weight limits. Depending on your height needs, a set of bed risers can add between 2 and 12 inches of height to your bed. The weight limit that your risers can hold depends on the material they contain. On the low end, most bed risers can support 1,000 to 2,000 pounds. High-density bed risers can hold upwards of 10,000 pounds.

Naturally, the type of mattress foundation you have will determine how it weighs, with some materials weighing more than others. Consider your weight, the mattress’s weight, and the frame’s weight as you shop for bed risers.

If you’re buying an online mattress or bed frame, the weight of the product may be listed on its page or in the FAQs section. If it’s not, try reaching out to the customer service team.

Do I Need a Bed Riser?

While bed risers aren’t an absolute necessity, they can be helpful. If you or your partner have difficulty bending over to get into bed, consider investing in a set of bed risers. Bed risers are an excellent solution for beds too low to the floor.

Additionally, bed risers increase the amount of storage space available under your bed. This is perfect for those who live in dorm rooms or studio apartments. Some may even want to skip bed risers and look at lofted frames and bunk bed mattresses.

However, if you want more relaxing features along with customizable heights, we suggest considering the benefits of an adjustable bed. Many top-quality models have a range of potential heights, and some can even be used without legs with an existing bed frame.

This freedom of customization is especially helpful for anyone who wants an adjustable bed for seniors, as their limited mobility can put them at risk of fall damage.

Which Bed Riser is Best for Me?

The best bed riser for you largely depends on your weight capacity needs and bed frame type. Having a bed riser that securely attaches to your bed frame and properly supports your bed is vital for safety. From there, you’ll need to look at how much height you want to add to your bed.

Those unsure of how tall they want their bed to be are best suited with a set of adjustable bed risers. The material your bed risers contain is another factor to look at carefully. While wooden, steel, and metal risers are more expensive, they are also more robust and hold up better over time.

SEE ALSO: How to Measure Your Mattress

FAQs

Are bed risers safe?

Bed risers are safe when installed correctly. Issues only arise if your bed risers aren’t properly secured to the legs of your bed or screwed in tightly. If you’re using bed risers that can’t safely hold the weight of your bed, they will crack or break. Always make sure the bed risers you are purchasing and installing can safely hold the weight of your bed, bed frame, and sleepers.

Does bed height affect sleep?

Bed height does not impact sleep quality. However, bed height affects your ability to get into and out of bed without issue. Therefore, taller and older sleepers like the added height that bed risers add to their sleep environment. Mattress thickness does impact sleep quality and joint support.

Mattresses range in thickness from 8 to 14 inches. How thick of a mattress you need depends on your body size and preferred sleep position. Those planning to share their bed with a partner will want to aim for a thicker mattress.

Can I use bed risers without a frame?

You cannot use bed risers without a bed frame. The absence of a bed frame leaves you nowhere to attach your bed risers. In some instances, people use wooden pallets, a bookshelf, or cinder blocks to raise the height of their bed. Placing your mattress directly onto any of these items is not recommended and can void your mattress warranty.

Where can I buy bed risers?

You can buy bed risers online from retailers like Amazon. You can also visit your local hardware store, furniture store, or mattress retailer to shop for bed risers. When shopping for bed risers, make sure you know how much weight you need the risers to support.

Can you use bed risers with a headboard?

You can use bed risers with a headboard. You’ll likely want to raise the height of your headboard if you’re increasing the height of your bed. To raise the height of your headboard, you’ll need to attach at least two risers on either side of the headboard. Make sure your entire set of bed risers has enough pieces to support your headboard.

Conclusion

Bed risers can add between 2 and 12 inches to the overall height of your bed. Your bed risers may be made of wood, plastic, rubber, or metal. There are three different types of bed risers: screw-in, stackable, and adjustable. Which type of bed riser you purchase depends on the kind of legs your bed frame has and how much height you’re looking to add.

There are many benefits to increasing the height of your bed. This is especially true for taller sleepers and those with limited mobility. A taller bed is easier to get into and out of without bending over. When shopping for sturdy bed risers, be mindful of their weight limit. A set of four to six bed risers can safely hold anywhere from 1,000 to 10,000 pounds.