There are lots of places that are not built to accommodate bariatric patients. Airplanes. Baseball stadiums. Restaurant booths. When a hospital bed is called for, bariatric patients’ particular needs should be accommodated, so they can receive the best care and achieve the best possible outcomes. A specially-designed bariatric hospital bed delivers comfort, safety, and dignity for the patient. Here are our best 6 bariatric hospital beds, and everything you need to know before you buy one!
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 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 many 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 change the structural shape of the bed. The most popular of these is the Trendelenburg position, which places the patient in a supine position 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. One particularly adaptable feature, available as either a standard addition or an optional upgrade for many hospital beds, is the side rail. Side rails add a lot in terms of safety, as they prevent the patient from falling during procedures or while entering or leaving the bed, and they offer the patient reassurance and stability as they move about.
While some bariatric hospital beds ship assembled, many require assembly after shipment, and for those that do, the recipient has the option to 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.
Weight Capacity | Dimensions | Extra Positioning | Assembly | |
Med-Mizer Comfort Wide EX8000 | 800 lbs | 80" L , 35-48" W, 9-25" H | Trendelenburg, Reverse Trendelenburg, and Cardiac Chair | Optional (for a fee) |
Reconditioned Hill-Rom VersaCare P3200 | 500 lbs | 84" L, 36" W, 18-37" H | Low Chair | Optional (for a fee) |
NOAH Expandable | 1,000 lbs | 80-84" L, 41-48" W, 12-32" H | Trendelenburg and Comfort Chair | Not Available |
Alterra Maxx Electric Extendable | 600 lbs | 91" L, 31" W, 8-31" H | Trendelenburg, Reverse Trendelenburg, and Auto Contour | Not Available |
Bariatric Acute Care Hospital Beds | 800 or 1,000 lbs |
80-84" L, 42-48" W, 9-26" H or 88" L, 54-60" W, 9-26" H |
Trendelenburg | |
Gendron 3648 | 650 lbs | 84" L, 48" W, 16-33" H | None | Optional (for a fee) |
Medline MDR107004 | 600 lbs | 80" L, 42" W, 18-26" H | None | Optional (for a fee) |
Medline MDR107004 Bariatric Home Hospital Bed View Product |
Our top 6 list of bariatric hospital beds opens 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 ones that are most comfortable for you. 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 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, with 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, and easy to set up, and promises an extremely long service life.
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 #5.
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 is easy to keep clean. The user-friendly handheld pendant controls the adjustable fowler backrest, leg lift, and deck height, which has a 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 plus its 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.
Bariatric Acute Care Hospital Beds with Extendable Width and Length by CostCare View Product |
Coming in at #5 on our list of beds is the Bariatric Acute Care Hospital Bed with Extendable Width and Length by CostCare, a fully electric frame with adjustable hi-low positioning and an impressive 800or 1000-pound weight capacity depending on the model. The B357 model is length and width-adjustable between 80-88 inches and 42-48 inches respectively, while the B359 model is the wider version, adjustable between 54-60 inches.
As with all hospital beds, safety is a priority in the bed’s construction. The base height of the bed frame is low to help prevent injuries to patients in the event they fall off the bed, while the ability remains to raise the bed, allowing care providers easy access to treat the patient while they are lying down. In addition, the beds sport an underbed lighting system, enabling patients and caregivers to navigate around the bed even in dim light while avoiding potential tripping hazards.
The bed employs built-in nurse controls, allowing caregivers to access the bed’s many features from one centralized location. A central locking system further enhances safety by ensuring the bed remains stationary, and is easily accessible by foot pedals near the floor. Headboards come in two aesthetically pleasing colors, Oak and Cherry, that blend in beautifully with most rooms. CostCare really did a great job!
Alterra Maxx Full Electric Hospital Bed by Medline View Product |
One of the most versatile and functional hospital beds you can get, the Alterra Maxx Electric Extendable Bed by Medline is our #4 pick.
This bed has everything you could need and even more of what you want. Its frame is expandable and the height and width are adjustable without tools. Its five-function handheld controller can be set for the Trendelenburg position, reverse Trendelenburg, and upright seated chair position. Two LED lights under the bed make nighttime transfers easier and safer, and it has four brake locks at the head and foot sections that are easy to engage and ensure bed stability. It also has mattress retaining attachments to the mattress stays put.
This bed can comfortably and safely accommodate patients who weigh up to 600 pounds. It is expandable from 36 to 42 inches wide and from 80 to 88 inches long. This fully electric bed has an impressive height range of 7.25 inches to 30.25 inches, making it one of the lowest-reaching bariatric beds available. The manufacturer backs it with a lifetime warranty on the frame welds, and a 15-year warranty on the frame.
The long list of operational features and thoughtful touches make this bed one of the most versatile and functional on the market. The expandability ensures a good fit for the patient, the available positions add to patient comfort, and the height adjustability range takes the strain off caregivers.
NOAH Expandable Hospital Bariatric Bed - 1000 lbs Weight Limit - Optional Bed Scale View Product |
Nearing the top of our list at #3 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 comes with a digital attendant panel, underbed 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 make weighing bariatric patients simpler and a transport trolley system.
The deck height range of this bariatric hospital bed 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.
The customization available with this bed via its multiple points of adjustment and its extensive list of attractive features make it a versatile option for creating a healthy, comfortable, and dignified user experience for the heaviest of patients.
Hillrom VersaCare Hospital Bed - Reconditioned View Product |
Coming in at second place on our list is our Reconditioned Hill-Rom VersaCare P3200 from DiaMedical, a bed that marries safety-reinforcing technological innovations with a range of positioning capabilities to maximize patient comfort.
The VersaCare comes with a new foam mattress, and with a wide sleeping area and host of positioning options (including the LowChair function, which allows patients to sit upright while remaining low to the ground), this bariatric hospital bed has something to offer every patient regardless of their needs. Adjustments are easily made by caregivers through the foot controls located on every side of the bed, and sturdy and ergonomic side rails ensure patients will be able to keep themselves stable while changing positions or entering and exiting the bed.
A major advantage that the VersaCare offers medical facilities is the ability to easily monitor the status of their patients. The 3-Level Bed Exit Alarm System detects whether the patient is lying down, sitting at the edge of the mattress, or has left the bed completely, and reports that information through Nurse Call and EMR integration to the caregiver, even while they are not in the room. Additionally, an alarm sounds when the central brake is disengaged to prevent the bed from accidentally shifting during care, leading to a consistently high level of patient security.
By implementing a number of electronic systems into its flexible and intuitive design, the VersaCare is an excellent option for care facilities looking to provide a superior experience for their patients.
Med-Mizer Comfort Wide EX8000 Power Adjustable Bariatric Bed View Product |
Patient comfort is assured with the array of positions provided by our top 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.
A: Standard hospital beds have a weight capacity of between 350 and 450 pounds, depending on the model. Bariatric hospital beds can accommodate patients weighing up to 500 to 1,000 pounds.
A: Larger sized patients who 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.
A: 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.
The comfort and benefits of a hospital bed are delivered when the bed is a good fit. Bariatric patients need special equipment if they are to be comfortably accommodated and treated, and a bariatric hospital bed is included in that list of special equipment.
The Comfort Wide EX800 Power Adjustable Bariatric Bed was chosen as our #1 choice as the best bariatric hospital bed because of its overall approach to patient and caregiver needs. Its width is adjustable to ensure a good fit, it can accommodate patients up to 800 pounds, it smoothly positions the patient for support and comfort while in bed and during transitions, and it comes with either a foam or air mattress designed to address potential skin problems from pressure issues.
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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.