Leggett and Platt Adjustable Bed Reviews

Leggett and Platt Adjustable Bed Reviews

Leggett & Platt Adjustable Bed Buyers Guide

Having provided both high-end and budget-oriented adjustable bases to consumers for over 40 years, Leggett and Platt is one brand that often comes up if you go out in the market in search of a dependable adjustable bed.

An experience spanning 4 decades has enabled L & P to research and try out innovations in these bases and refine them to the point that these beds have become a fine demonstration of what modern technology can achieve – they offer so much more than the core head and foot tilt functionality.

The flipside is that they have specialized into so many different products, with such a vast array of features, that even those who have some experience using these beds can have a hard time figuring out which model is most suitable for them!

Given the rising popularity of tilting beds, I think it is appropriate to provide a breakdown of what this venerable manufacturer has to offer in its recently revamped lineup. I’ve included select Leggett and Platt adjustable bed reviews to give you guys a hands-down look at their offerings.

Premier

Premier bases incorporate high-end extra features besides the core head and foot tilting mechanisms which aim to enhance the overall experience of the bedroom e.g. supplementary pillow tilt articulation, bedroom lighting adjustment, wall hugging motion, smartphone control apps, advanced massaging, AC power outlets, USB ports, sleep alarms, and the like.

The additional features naturally escalate the overall cost of the product.

Performance

Performance bases focus on providing the core functionality of assuming different resting and reclining positions by adjusting the angles of the head and the foot platforms independently. While they do not contain as many features as the Premier lineup, more of these models do contain basic amenities such as a simple massager, under-bed lighting, wireless remote control, and programmable buttons.

Some of the higher end models even have smartphone apps and wall hugging capability like their pricier Premier siblings.

Besides these two, there is also a third, seemingly deprecated category of products referred to as ‘Classic’. These models are evidently part of their older lineup and are probably being sold for the time being to cater to the needs of existing customers who may be fond of bases that are no longer part of the main lineup.

Highlight Features of Leggett and Platt Adjustable Beds

Lifting Capacity

One of the essential features to consider when purchasing an adjustable bed is the maximum amount of weight it will be able to lift. Remember that adjustable beds rely on electrical motors to achieve their lifting motions, and these motors have an upper limit to the load they can handle. Stretching them beyond this limit would prevent the bed from operating correctly. It may even cause lasting damage to the motors as they draw more electricity to handle the excessive weight, more than they were designed to run with.

Fortunately, L&P’s updated product lines (both Performance and Premier) have a beefy 850 lbs weight capacity- a big step up from the 700 lbs maximum threshold on their older (now Classic) models. An 850 lbs limit means the base can even handle moderately obese individuals quite well. This is a welcome capability considering that there is a strong connection between obesity and back pain with the latter often requiring the extra support afforded by an adjustable base.

Pillow Articulation

This is a feature exclusive to higher-end products, but where present, it enables you to specify the angle of your pillow-rest, independent to the head and foot adjustments. This means you can fine-tune the position your head assumes which makes watching TV, playing a video game, or even just reading a book, that much more enjoyable.

This is also a nice feature for people dealing with neck pain since they can specify with greater precision the neck angle that yields the most pain relief.

Wall Hugging Mechanism

This feature ensures that you’re at the center of the bed’s motion. Put another way, where other adjustable beds take you away from the wall (and your nightstand) when they lift you up, most L & P beds will keep you at the same distance from the wall by simultaneously lifting you up and gliding you back.

The result: you’re able to stay within arm’s reach of the remote control (and anything else you have on your side table), regardless of the position you’ve transformed the base into. If you’re still having trouble visualizing this, this video demonstration will help:

Furniture vs Foundation Style

Some of the higher end models are available in two flavors; furniture style implies that the base can serve as a bed on its own, in both the aesthetic and practical sense. On the other hand, foundation style implies that the base is to be placed inside another bed and will only provide the lifting capability without the aesthetics.

Bedroom Scenes

One of the more sophisticated technologies that L & P has put into their pricier models is Bedroom Scenes. It lets you program specific positioning, lighting, and accessory configurations which are optionally associated with a particular time. The unit automatically adjusts itself to the desired program at the specified time using the proprietary LP Connect® system.

For instance, you could set the bed up to have dimmed lighting during sleep hours or have it amp up the lighting when you have to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night – quicker and easier than having to reach for a switch on the wall. Where present, Bedroom Scenes does indeed make the adjustable base the focal point of your bedroom.

Controls

All Leggett and Platt bases come with a remote control to manipulate the base’s angles and activate the peripheral features. With the exception of a couple of the cheapest models, these remote controls are both wireless and programmable.

The more expensive models use special capacitive touch remote controls that make for a silkier user experience. Furthermore, higher-end models come with smartphone apps that add even more functionality to the bed, especially when combined with advanced features such as Bedroom Scenes.

Extra Features

Massager

This is a feature exclusive to pricier models with all of these incorporating a full wave massager with vibrations originating from head and feet. The topmost variants also have pulse massage functionality. Note that the massagers aren’t as sophisticated as some of the competition, and their intensity is significantly diminished when there’s a thick, shock-absorbing mattress between you and the base.

That said, they are functional and reliable, and they do create a relaxing vibe that lulls you into sleep.

Under Bed Lighting

Again, this is included only in higher-end models, but where present, it has benefits pertaining to both convenience and décor. In aesthetic terms, the under-bed lights create a subtly relaxing ambiance (and if you’ve got one of the models that supports Bedroom Scenes, you can create various tones to match the time of day).

Practically, the light helps when getting into and out of your bed when other light sources have been switched off and/or are out of reach.

USB Ports

Where present, USB ports let you hook up your electronic gadgetry directly to your bed, thereby eliminating the need to have extra-long USB cords getting stuck around the corners of your bedroom furniture as you use your electronic device in bed.

Note that some of the models do not have USB ports by default, but you can opt for them at an added cost.

Safety

Certain L & P bases have an emergency reset feature in the event of a power failure. If it detects loss of electricity, the base automatically returns to the flat position, so you’re able to use your bed as a bed at the very least, while the power is restored – I would advise going with one of these models if you’re getting an adjustable to cater to a disability.

The higher-end models include a proprietary LP Sense®- a safety sensing mechanism which stops the operation of the base if it detects an obstruction in its path. These models are recommended for people with babies or pets in the house since they could end up getting seriously hurt if they get in the path of an adjustable base that’s realigning itself.

Warranty

The warranty policy from Leggett and Platt may seem a bit tricky at first with the 1-3-25 year notation mentioned on their website. Essentially, this means that the manufacturer will provide full coverage for the product within the 1st year of purchase, including replacing all parts and paying for the labor involved in the replacements. Between the 1st and 2nd years of purchase, the manufacturer will provide replacement parts, but the cost of labor will be on you. From the end year to the end of the 25th year from the purchase date, the manufacturer will only cover damages to the steel base and mechanical components with the electrical and electronic components no longer protected.

This is one of the better policies out there since it lets you fully test the product within the first year of purchase, and all faults (both mechanical and electrical) will be resolved and paid for by Leggett and Platt. Bear in mind that there is no return policy i.e. you’ll have to keep the bed once you purchase it. So, make sure you’re fully committed to the purchase (especially if it is one of the higher end models).

Potential Issues

I did identify a couple of problems worth mentioning:

Customer Support Concerns

Since Leggett and Platt company does not directly sell to consumers but operates through dealers, your experience with support may vary between excellent and terrible- this is what I have observed through perusal of consumer feedback.While issues that necessitate a warranty claim aren’t especially frequent, in the event that they do arise, be prepared for the worst-case scenario of having to wait a few days before the support team resolves your issues.

Hard to follow instruction manual

The manual included with the instructions are quite comprehensive, but going through the portion dedicated to setting up the electronic and electrical components, I couldn’t help but feel that this was written by an engineer who was out of touch with what an end user knows about tech stuff (in most cases, next to nothing).You could go with the white glove delivery option for an added fee, but if you want to save cash, be prepared for some head-scratching before you figure out where the various bits and bobbins go.

Conclusion

You will have seen that Leggett and Platt have a lineup that covers the needs of nearly every segment of the market – from budget bound to big-budget spenders. Naturally, the most expensive products have all the best features, and from that point of view, you should spend money on the highest tier product that is within your reach.

However, if you’re looking for the best Leggett and Platt adjustable bed that has all the essential features one may desire in a present-day adjustable base in the lowest cost, I would have to recommend the S-Cape 2.0. It packs L & P’s signature high capacity, silent operating motors for head and foot adjustment in conjunction with wall hugging technology for an optimally convenient positioning.

Moreover, it can be controlled through a wireless remote as well as an optional smartphone app, and both can be programmed with customized positions of your own choosing. A dual-wave massager is included for luxurious relaxation, and under-bed lighting adds an aesthetic, practical lighting option for your bedroom.

The base is covered by L & P’s comprehensive warranty, and it sells at a highly competitive price. Naturally, if you seek more refinement and luxury, you could splurge on the Prodigy 2.0 (or maybe an even higher-end option), but then you would be going beyond reasonable necessity and convenience.