Written by Mike Price, OT
Navigating the world as a bariatric patient can be challenging with many public spaces not designed with their needs in mind. Fortunately, bariatric hospital beds are specially designed to provide comfort, enhance safety, and maintain the dignity of heavier patients. These beds offer extra space and come with features that accommodate the specific requirements of bariatric patients.
Let’s explore the top 7 bariatric hospital beds that stand out for their quality and functionality, guiding you through what to consider before purchasing.
 | 1) Lincoln Expandable Five Function Bariatric Electric Bed with Trendelenburg View Product |
Although all bariatric hospital beds can accommodate patients who weigh more than the capacity of a standard hospital bed, not every bariatric bed can fit every bariatric patient. Be sure to check the bed’s specifications to ensure it will be a safe fit. Bariatric beds typically have a maximum working load of 500 pounds or more. The important thing to remember here is that the higher the weight capacity a bed can hold, the higher the number of potential patients it can accommodate, and the less likely it will be that you might have to turn someone away.
A typical hospital mattress measures 36 x 80 inches, slightly smaller than a twin-size bed. Bariatric beds tend to run a bit wider and longer to serve a broader range of patients, and many beds even offer adjustable ranges for one or more dimensions. Size adjustments allow beds to flexibly cater to patients with different body types, granting additional versatility. Height adjustability is particularly beneficial, as it permits patients to safely enter and exit the bed from a low-to-the-ground position while still letting caregivers work efficiently by raising the height of the bed.
Separate from size and height adjustments, many bariatric hospital beds allow for adjustable positioning as well, which fundamentally changes the structural shape of the bed. The most popular of these is the Trendelenburg position, which places the patient supine at a 15-30 degree angle from the ground, with the feet elevated above the head - this is typically used for surgeries and other procedures. Some beds can also reconfigure into a chair position, such as the Low Chair and Cardiac Chair; the former allows the patient to easily get from sitting to standing position or vice versa, as it stays close to the ground level, while the latter provides relief to the lungs and circulatory system while transferring to an upright seated position.
In addition to the essential feature of stability-enhancing locking wheels, bariatric hospital beds typically include other elements designed to ensure the patient’s safety while in use, from backup batteries to nurse call connectivity to night lights. The side rail is an adaptable feature, available as a standard addition or an optional upgrade for many hospital beds. Side rails add a lot to safety, as they prevent the patient from falling during procedures or entering or leaving the bed and offer the patient reassurance and stability as they move about.
While some bariatric hospital beds ship assembled, many require assembly after shipment. For those that do, the recipient can have a professional come on-site to assemble the bed for an additional fee. While it does increase the overall cost of the bed, it is recommended to have a professional ensure that all the moving pieces of the bed are set up properly to ensure the safety of all future patients that use it, especially considering these beds typically reside in medical facilities where safety is of the utmost importance.
Depending on the model, standard hospital beds have a weight capacity between 350 and 450 pounds. Bariatric hospital beds can accommodate patients weighing up to 500 to 1,000 pounds.
Larger-sized patients need the functions of a hospital bed, like hi-low positioning or safety rails, and the additional sturdiness of heavy-duty construction and extra width found in a bariatric hospital bed.
Bariatric beds come in widths of 36, 42, 48, 54, or 60 inches wide and are between 80 and 88 inches long, Some models with adjustable widths are called “convertible” bariatric beds.
By comparison, standard hospital beds are usually between 37 and 39 inches wide and 80 inches long.
 | Gendron 3648 Bariatric Home Hospital Bed View Product |
The fully electric Gendron 3648 Bariatric Home Hospital Bed by Graham Field provides superior patient comfort at home or in a professional care environment and has made our list at number 7.
With its oak-finished laminate head and footboards, this bariatric hospital bed feels less institutional than other models and more like a piece of bedroom furniture. This laminate is scratch and ding-resistant and easy to keep clean. The user-friendly handheld pendant controls the adjustable Fowler backrest, leg lift, and deck height, which range from 15.75 inches to 32.5 inches. Its Linak actuators smoothly position the bed and won’t cause unsafe reactions with oxygen tanks.
It is 48 inches wide and 84 inches long and can accommodate patients weighing up to 650 pounds. Its split-frame construction and quick-connect cables allow for easy assembly, and the frame connector pins stay tethered to the frame so they won’t get lost. The bed comes standard with a set of head-end half rails, and the mattress is sold separately.
For a homey look and feel with the functionality of a hospital bed, this user-friendly bed cradles users with convenience as well as comfort.
 | Expandable Hospital Bariatric Bed - 1000 Pound Weight Limit - Optional Bed Scale View Product |
Making our list at number 6 is the 1000-pound weight capacity NOAH Expandable Hospital Bariatric Bed from NOA Medical.
Expandable to widths of 42, 45, or 48 inches and lengths of 80 to 84 inches, this heavy-duty bariatric hospital bed has a long list of standard features. It has a digital attendant panel, under-bed light, high-impact side rails, multiple positioning motors, central and directional locking casters, and an out-of-bed alarm that ties into the attendant call system. It can also be purchased with an onboard scale to simplify weighing bariatric patients and a transport trolley system.
This bariatric hospital bed's deck height range is 11.5 to 31.75 inches, and it comes with a 10-button backlit handset controller. The multiple positions available with this bed are beneficial in relieving muscle cramping and discomfort, increasing blood circulation, and reducing the development of pressure sores. The manufacturer stands by this quality-built bed with a four-year warranty on the electronics and a lifetime warranty on the frame and deck.
This bed's multiple points of adjustment and an extensive list of attractive features allow for customization, making it a versatile option for creating a healthy, comfortable, and dignified user experience for the heaviest patients.
 | Electric Hospital Bed with 5 Functions by Lumina Medical View Product |
The Lumina Medical Electric Hospital Bed is our number 5 choice for healthcare settings and home care, offering high adaptability and comfort for patients. This bed is specifically designed to meet the complex needs of both standard and bariatric patients, thanks to its 650-pound weight capacity and tool-free expandable features, allowing adjustments in both width and length from 80 to 88 inches
.jpg&newwidth=365&maxheight=200 "Retractable Bariatric Hospital Bed | Med-Mizer Bariatric Retractabed") | Retractable Bariatric Hospital Bed | Med-Mizer Bariatric Retractabed View Product |
The Retractabed-Variable Retractable Bariatric Hospital Bed by Med-Mizer is our fourth choice because it stands out for its exceptional comfort and innovative design tailored to meet the needs of various clinical and home environments. This bed features a unique retractable frame that reduces fall risks by moving the patient closer to the wall, thus facilitating easier access to bedside items and reducing caregiver strain. The Comfort Wide design offers a luxuriously spacious sleeping surface, significantly enhancing patient comfort and accommodating larger patients with its ability to expand to wider dimensions without needing tools. With a robust weight capacity of 500 pounds, this bed securely supports a broad range of patients.
The Med-Mizer Retractabed is compatible with various mattress options tailored to enhance comfort and meet specific patient needs. The Basic Mattress features multi-layered foam designed for optimal pressure distribution, including high-density foam in critical areas and a breathable open-cell foam in the heel section for superior support. It's covered with a stretchable, low-shear surface and protected by a 5-year mattress and 2-year cover warranty. The Deluxe Mattress upgrades include a sloped heel section and an extended 7-year warranty, available in three sizes. For ultimate comfort, the Elite Mattress offers Visco elastic memory foam infused with gel for excellent heat management and is available in two sizes, backed by a 15-year warranty. Lastly, the LAL Mattress provides low air loss and alternating pressure features, enhancing therapeutic efficacy with multiple therapy modes and an emergency CPR release, available in two sizes. Each option ensures ease of use and exceptional patient care, supported by robust warranty coverage.
 | Medline MDR107004 Bariatric Home Hospital Bed View Product |
Our top 3 picks of bariatric hospital beds open with one of our most popular items, the Full Electric Bariatric Bed by Medline.
This fully electric, heavy-duty bariatric hospital bed offers a wide range of positioning options, and a simple hand control will help you find the most comfortable ones. Its steel frame and heavy pan deck give this bed a stronger bedding surface that prevents mattress sagging and makes it dependably stable. Three powerful AC motors raise the head section, foot section, and overall bed height. The height range is 18 to 26 ½ inches for maximum safety during transfers while providing a comfortable working height for caregivers.
With two locking and two non-locking casters, this bariatric hospital bed is maneuverable for transport and will remain stationary once in place. It is 42 inches wide and 80 inches long and has a weight capacity of 600 pounds. The split-spring design makes setup simple, with few tools needed. It comes with a 2-year warranty on electrical components and a lifetime warranty on the bed frame and welds.
The many features of this bed understandably make it very popular. It is maneuverable, safe, comfortable, easy to set up, and promises an extremely long service life.
 | Med-Mizer Comfort Wide EX8000 Power Adjustable Bariatric Bed View Product |
Patient comfort is assured with the array of positions provided by our number 2 choice, the Comfort Wide EX8000 Power Adjustable Bariatric Bed by Med-Mizer.
Patients appreciate the positioning options for comfort, while caregivers appreciate how easy this bed is to work with. It is width-adjustable from 35 to 39, 42, and 48 inches with no tools necessary. Its transfer-friendly height range is 9 to 25 inches. Available positions using the five-function handset include Trendelenburg, Reverse Trendelenburg, and Cardiac Chair. With an 800-pound weight capacity, this bed has a lightweight tubular steel frame for strength and has a maximum back angle of 55 degrees and a knee angle of 15 degrees.
You can choose the dual-layered bariatric non-powered mattress with a top layer of high-density foam for comfort and a bottom layer of ultra-dense foam for resilient support and stability or the bariatric Power Plus inflatable mattress with 10 air cells and low air-loss design to regulate heat and moisture levels to reduce skin issues. You can also choose the finish for the head and footboard, and this heavy-duty bariatric hospital bed has pivoting steel joints for long-term durability, plus non-marking wall bumpers.
Scoring highly in every area, this Comfort Wide EX800 Power Adjustable Bariatric Bed has a significant width and height adjustability range, an 800-pound weight capacity, and includes a mattress specifically designed to address skin health and overall comfort for people who spend much of their time in bed.
 | Lincoln Expandable Five Function Bariatric Electric Bed with Trendelenburg View Product |
The Lincoln Expandable Five Function Bariatric Electric Bed with Trendelenburg, by Medacure. Our top choice is designed to provide unmatched comfort and adaptability for bariatric patients. With a substantial weight capacity of 750 lbs and adjustable dimensions—ranging from 36" to 48" in width and 80" to 88" in length—this bed caters to a wide spectrum of body sizes. The bed's height is also adjustable from 14.9" to 29.5", enhancing ease of access and care.
Featuring up to 58 degrees of head section adjustment and 42 degrees at the foot section, it offers versatile positioning to maximize patient comfort. This bed has multiple options, including a built-in scale and nurse controller powered by AC or a rechargeable 12V battery, ensuring continual operation and monitoring. Additionally, with its sturdy 50 lbs capacity, the accompanying overbed table adjusts from 28" to 45" in height, providing convenience and accessibility for various activities and needs.
The right hospital bed can significantly enhance the comfort and safety of bariatric patients, who require specially designed equipment for adequate support and care. Our top pick, the Lincoln Expandable Five Function Bariatric Electric Bed, excels in meeting the complex needs of both patients and caregivers. This bed adjusts in width to ensure a perfect fit, supports up to 750 pounds, and facilitates easy transitions with its smooth positioning features, enhancing overall patient safety and minimizing the risk of fall-related injuries.
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Co-Founder of Rehabmart and an Occupational Therapist since 1993. Mike has spent his professional career working in multiple areas of Occupational Therapy, including pediatrics, geriatrics, hand therapy, ergonomics and inpatient / outpatient rehabilitation. Mike enjoys writing articles that help people solve complex therapeutic problems and make better product choices.
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