What is zero gravity on a bed?

Zero gravity is a position that elevates your head and legs slightly above your heart, creating a 120-degree angle. This angle provides a feeling of weightlessness, similar to the feeling astronauts experience when they’re in space.

Why is it called zero gravity position?

“Zero gravity” gets its name from the weightlessness that astronauts experience when they’re in space. It’s called zero gravity sleep position because this angle minimizes the force of gravity on your body, mimicking that feeling of weightlessness, i.e. there is zero gravity exerted on you. Of course, this isn’t literal—if there was no gravity you would float away.

Is it OK to sleep in zero gravity position?

Yes, it’s okay to sleep in a zero gravity position. In fact, doing so takes pressure off the body and can come with other health perks, like improved breathing and reduced acid reflux. The only caveat is that it’s only beneficial if you sleep solely on your back.

Can side sleepers sleep in zero gravity?

Side sleepers shouldn’t sleep in zero gravity. Since zero gravity requires elevation of the head and foot of the bed, sleeping on your side in this position forces your spine and neck into an unnatural curve that can disrupt your sleep and cause more pain overall. If you sleep solely on your side, you’re better off elevating the head slightly. This can take pressure off your hips and shoulders while still keeping the spine aligned. Slightly elevating the torso may also reduce pain associated with hip bursitis, noted Anthony Maritato, a licensed physical therapist and founder of Total Therapy Solutions.

Do you use a pillow with a zero gravity bed?

You can use a pillow with a zero gravity bed, but keep in mind that it might change the angle of your neck and head, which can diminish the benefits. If you do use a pillow, it’s best to get one with a lower loft (i.e. that’s flatter) so it provides cushion without raising your head too much.

Is Zero-G good for back pain?

Zero-G can reduce pressure on your spinal muscles and vertebrae, decrease muscle tension, and decompress your spine—all things that can translate to reduced back pain. Getting the right mattress is also important, but an adjustable bed with a zero gravity position can certainly help.

Zero Gravity Adjustable Bed Benefits

Updated: Oct 05, 2022

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Zero Gravity Adjustable Bed Benefits

Chapter:

Saatva Lineal Adjustable Bed Base
Tempur-Pedic Ease Power Base
Amerisleep Adjustable Bed Base
GhostBed Adjustable Base

If you experience pain or pressure when lying in bed at night, you might benefit from a zero gravity adjustable bed. A zero gravity bed is any adjustable bed that comes with the zero gravity setting. This setting elevates your head and feet, taking pressure off your joints and spine so you feel more comfortable and sleep better at night.

Like any adjustable bed, beds that have zero gravity also come with a handful of other benefits, from reducing acid reflux to improving sleep apnea—two conditions that become more common as you age.In this guide, we’ll define what zero gravity actually means and dive into the health benefits that come with this sleep position. We’ll also highlight the best adjustable beds from our favorite brands that can help you achieve zero gravity. All of the models on this list are easy to use and come with a “zero gravity” preset on the remote, so all you have to do is press it once and the bed will adjust itself. This eliminates the need to learn fancy new technology and makes it easier for you to transition to a new sleep setup.

What Is a Zero Gravity Bed?

The zero gravity (also called Zero-G) position was developed by NASA to ensure smoother take-offs for astronauts when being launched into space. Scientists found that angling the body a certain way could neutralize weight, while minimizing stress on the body. This also created a feeling of weightlessness.

Zero gravity beds mimic this position in your own bedroom. The zero gravity position is achieved with an adjustable bed base that elevates both your head and feet. The adjustable bed base has a motor that’s operated by a wireless remote. When you press a button on the remote—usually there is a pre-programmed setting for “zero gravity”—the bed automatically moves into the proper position.

What Does Zero Gravity Position Mean?

As far as actual positioning goes, zero gravity means that your head and knee line are elevated slightly above your heart. When in this position, your head is at a 30- to 45-degree angle and your torso forms a 120-angle with your legs. Your knees should also be bent and your legs should come to about chest level when lying back comfortably.

graphic image of an adjustable bed in a zero gravity position

It’s best to lie on your back when in a zero gravity position since this will support the natural curvature of your spine rather than working against it. Lying on your side in zero gravity can misalign the spine and put undue strain on your body, which can ultimately lead to pain and soreness.

Benefits of Zero Gravity

Lying in a zero gravity position feels comfortable, but its benefits go beyond that too. Zero gravity can alleviate pain, reduce swelling, improve sleep apnea, and more.

Alleviates Pain and Reduces Swelling

“As our body ages, stiffness and swelling start to affect our sleep quality. An adjustable bed allows us to more evenly distribute the pressure between our hips, low back, and shoulders,” said Anthony Maritato, a licensed physical therapist and founder of Total Therapy Solutions. “Elevating the legs may help reduce the swelling that occurs during the day. For side sleepers, slightly elevating the torso may reduce pain associated with hip bursitis. For chronic snoring, elevating the head of the bed may reduce the dependency on sleep apnea devices. Elevating the head of the bed may also reduce low back pain associated with spinal stenosis.”

Reduces Snoring and Improves Sleep Apnea

The zero gravity bed position opens your airways and reduces pressure on your trachea and lungs, which can ultimately make it easier to breathe. This can minimize snoring and improve the severity of obstructive sleep apnea, according to a study published in Sleep & Breathing.

Diminishes Acid Reflux

Many older adults experience acid reflux when lying down at night. That’s because gravity is working against you. When you’re standing or sitting upright, gravity prevents stomach acid from moving upwards into your esophagus. When you’re lying down, it’s easier for acid to move where it shouldn’t. According to the American College of Gastroenterology, positioning yourself into zero gravity props your head up so stomach acid stays where it belongs.

Makes it Easier to Read and/or Watch TV

In addition to the physical health benefits, zero gravity also makes it easier to read and watch TV rather than lying flat on your bed. In zero gravity, you’re propped up comfortably and don’t have to try to stack a bunch of pillows to get that perfect angle.

Does a Zero Gravity Bed Benefit Older Adults?

Aside from making you more comfortable, zero gravity can alleviate chronic aches and pains, swelling, and acid reflux—all ailments that commonly affect older adults. Because of this, an adjustable bed with a zero gravity setting has significant benefits as you age.

Zero Gravity Adjustable Beds

Adjustable beds are an easy way to achieve this zero gravity position at home. These beds allow you to change the position of your mattress by elevating the head and feet. To make things even more straightforward, many adjustable beds have dedicated zero gravity settings—rather than trying to manually figure out the perfect angles, you just press the “zero gravity” button on the remote or in the app and the bed will automatically adjust. If an adjustable bed doesn’t have a zero gravity preset, you may still be able to achieve the position, but it will take more guesswork trying to figure out the right angles.

The following adjustable beds have a dedicated zero gravity position and are exceptionally easy to use.

Saatva Lineal Adjustable Bed Base

The Saatva Lineal Adjustable Bed Base is an easy-to-use adjustable base with plenty of features, especially for the price. In addition to a one-touch zero gravity setting that you can access with the included remote, it has full-body massage and under-bed lighting. This adjustable bed also has a wall-hugging design, which means that as the bed changes position, the space between your wall and the bed stays the same. This makes it easier to reach your nightstand even when you’re in the zero gravity position.

It comes in two versions: standard and upper flex. Both versions allow for independent movement of the head and feet, but the standard version is one full piece, while the top of the upper flex is split in half. This is a good option if you have a sleeping partner and want to be able to adjust your side of the bed without disturbing them.

Saatva is a highly rated company with 4.77/5.00 stars on the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Many customers praise the products and the service they received. Several reviewers also state that the customer service representatives are friendly and willing to answer any questions you may have before making your purchase. (As of Sept. 27, 2022)

The Saatva Lineal Adjustable Bed Base costs $1,599 for a queen.

Tempur-Pedic Ease Power Base

The Tempur-Pedic Ease Power Base is the brand’s entry-level model, so you won’t get many additional features, but it does have a pre-programmed zero gravity setting. You can use the included wireless remote control to adjust the bed—just press the “zero gravity” button and the bed will automatically respond. There’s also a free app if you’re tech-savvy and want to operate it that way. In addition to using the preset options, you can control the position of the bed manually, bringing the head up or down to your liking when you don’t want to lie in the full zero gravity position.

If you want additional features, like automatic snore detection, under-bed lighting, or massage, you’ll have to upgrade to one of the more advanced models, from which there are four to choose.

Tempur-Pedic’s overall rating, which is 1.4 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot, is less impressive than some of the others, but most of the complaints have to do with the memory foam mattresses, not the adjustable base itself. Users have also had some issues with warranties and return policies, so make sure you read all the fine print before ordering. Adjustable bases are typically non-refundable. In Tempur-Pedic’s favor is their long history of being in business and the A+ rating from BBB, as well as the high ratings the company has on their website. (As of Sept. 27, 2022)

The Tempur-Pedic Ease Power Base costs $1,014 for a queen.

Amerisleep Adjustable Bed Base

The Amerisleep Adjustable Bed Base is another entry-level model. It comes with basic features that make it easy to find your ideal sleeping and lounging positions without complicated bells and whistles. There are two preset positions—zero gravity and flat—that you can access by pressing the corresponding buttons on the backlit remote. The remote is also programmable, so if you find specific positions you like, you can save them so you can easily return to them whenever you want. If you want to upgrade, Amerisleep also offers the Adjustable Bed Base+, which has the zero gravity preset plus under-bed lighting, massage, and the ability to independently tilt the head of the bed—a feature that’s convenient for reading or watching TV in bed.

On Facebook, Amerisleep has 3.9 stars out of 5, with most people happy about their purchases. There were some complaints about delivery issues and delays when ordering from Amerisleep, so be aware that your scheduled delivery day might change after ordering. (As of Sept. 27, 2022)

The Amerisleep Adjustable Bed Base costs $1,500 for a queen.

GhostBed Adjustable Base

The GhostBed Adjustable Base is a fully-equipped model that comes with plenty of features to help you easily find your ideal sleeping position. In addition to a zero gravity preset, the backlit remote has one-click options for anti-snore, watch TV, lounge, and flat. It also has under-bed lighting, head and foot massage capabilities, and USB ports so you can easily charge your phone while keeping it within reach.

GhostBed users aren’t impressed with the customer service. It has 1.3 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot, with people saying it’s hard to get a refund or take advantage of warranties. However, on Amazon, GhostBed has 4.2 out of 5 stars specifically for the company’s adjustable base, with consumers praising the easy set-up and quality of the base. (As of Sept. 27, 2022)

The GhostBed Adjustable Base costs $1,799 for a queen.

Casper Adjustable Base

The Casper Adjustable Base is an entry-level model that has a budget-friendly price to match. There aren’t any extras here, but it does have a zero gravity preset that makes it easy to position the bed at the right angles. The head and feet operate independently so you can also manually move them up and down as needed.

The uncomplicated remote is easy to use too. It has two buttons that let you bring the head or feet up or down and a one-touch option that will automatically bring the bed back down to a flat position. It also has two pre-programmed settings for zero gravity and anti-snore. If you prefer different positions, you can program the remote to your favorite settings.

Many Casper customers are happy with the company’s service and the adjustable base, with a 4.1 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot. Many consumers reported that it’s easy to put together and easy to operate. It is heavy though, so make sure you have enough help to carry it and put it together. (As of Sept. 27, 2022)

The Casper Adjustable Base is $995 for a queen.

Purple Ascent Adjustable Base

In addition to a zero gravity preset that’s easy to access via the remote, the Purple Ascent Adjustable Bed has two additional pre-programmed settings: anti-snore and sitting. These settings come ready to use, but you have the option to customize them if you want to adjust them to your own preferences. You can also control the head and the foot manually (and independently).

One thing that sets the Purple Ascent Adjustable Bed apart is that you can return it if you don’t like it (most adjustable beds are final sale). Purple offers a 100-night guarantee so you can sleep on it for a few months before fully committing to the purchase.

Customers are generally happy with Purple’s products, with 4.17 stars out of 5 on BBB, but say the customer service is a bit lacking. It’s common for delivery to get delayed too, so keep that in mind before getting rid of any of your existing bedding. (As of Sept. 27, 2022)

The Purple Ascent Adjustable Base is $1,499 for a queen.

Nectar Adjustable Bed Frame

The Nectar Adjustable Bed Frame comes pretty equipped with features for a zero gravity bed at this price point. It has a preset for zero gravity and anti-snore positions, plus programmable memory that you can use to return to your favorite positions just by touching one button on the remote.

It also comes with massage capabilities and two USB ports so you can conveniently charge your phone right next to you instead of having to reach for it on the night table. This adjustable base also comes with a 50-day at-home trial so you can test it out at home to see if you like it.

On Nectar’s website, customers give Nectar’s adjustable frame 4.7 out of 5 stars. It’s a different story on Trustpilot. Most of the reviews are for mattresses, but there are repeated tales of delays in shipping, troubles with FedEx deliveries (including lost and damaged items and incorrect addresses), and problems with returns, leaving them with 1.5 out of 5 stars. There seems to have been some major issues with customer service, some of which were probably related to COVID delays. Specifically for the company’s adjustable base, Nectar has 3.7 out of 5 stars on Google.

The Nectar Adjustable Bed Frame is $999 for a queen.

Should You Buy a Zero Gravity Bed?

An adjustable bed with a zero gravity setting is a simple way to alleviate aches and pains, reduce swelling, and decrease the frequency or severity of reflux. It also makes it a lot easier to comfortably read or watch TV in bed at night. Many top brands offer easy-to-use adjustable beds that have the ideal zero gravity position programmed right into the remote. This means that all you have to do is press one button and the bed will automatically respond, adjusting your position in seconds—no need to worry about learning how to use new technology.

Cost Comparison

Other Zero Gravity Beds We Recommend

Many adjustable beds offer the zero gravity setting. If none of the ones on this list seem quite right, we’d recommend the Puffy Adjustable Base, Sleep Number FLEXFIT 3 SMART Adjustable Base, and Reverie Adjustable Power Base.

Why Trust Us?

The bed reviews that we list follow an extensive examination of manufacturers, stated specifications, and reviews. Our reviewers are people who like comfortable beds and who want to be sure that claims made by bed-makers are ones that are backed up by performance and results.

Our ratings consider factors we list in the review: comfort, manufacturer guarantee, return policy, cost.

During our research process, we:

Consulted with medical and sleep sources
Surveyed different models of beds
Spent hours researching adjustable beds
Read hundreds of verified customer reviews

Many products and services featured on AgingInPlace.org will play a crucial role in your daily life. As these products should help enhance aging at home, we work to uncover as much as possible about the products and services we review. We also consult occupational therapists, audiologists, geriatricians, respiratory therapists, professional adult caregivers, and other experts in the field to ensure we’re providing the most accurate, helpful information.

See a full explanation of our research methodology.

Frequently Asked Questions

: Zero gravity is a position that elevates your head and legs slightly above your heart, creating a 120-degree angle. This angle provides a feeling of weightlessness, similar to the feeling astronauts experience when they’re in space.
: “Zero gravity” gets its name from the weightlessness that astronauts experience when they’re in space. It’s called zero gravity sleep position because this angle minimizes the force of gravity on your body, mimicking that feeling of weightlessness, i.e. there is zero gravity exerted on you. Of course, this isn’t literal—if there was no gravity you would float away.
: Yes, it’s okay to sleep in a zero gravity position. In fact, doing so takes pressure off the body and can come with other health perks, like improved breathing and reduced acid reflux. The only caveat is that it’s only beneficial if you sleep solely on your back.
: Side sleepers shouldn’t sleep in zero gravity. Since zero gravity requires elevation of the head and foot of the bed, sleeping on your side in this position forces your spine and neck into an unnatural curve that can disrupt your sleep and cause more pain overall. If you sleep solely on your side, you’re better off elevating the head slightly. This can take pressure off your hips and shoulders while still keeping the spine aligned. Slightly elevating the torso may also reduce pain associated with hip bursitis, noted Anthony Maritato, a licensed physical therapist and founder of Total Therapy Solutions.
: You can use a pillow with a zero gravity bed, but keep in mind that it might change the angle of your neck and head, which can diminish the benefits. If you do use a pillow, it’s best to get one with a lower loft (i.e. that’s flatter) so it provides cushion without raising your head too much.
: Zero-G can reduce pressure on your spinal muscles and vertebrae, decrease muscle tension, and decompress your spine—all things that can translate to reduced back pain. Getting the right mattress is also important, but an adjustable bed with a zero gravity position can certainly help.

Pricing is accurate as of 9/22/2022.

WRITTEN BY

LINDSAY BOYERS

Lindsay Boyers is a functional nutritionist and editor with over a decade of experience in health, research-based scientific writing, and commerce writing. She's written 15 books and her work appears on Forbes, CNET, U.S. News, mindbodygreen, Livestrong.com, Healthline, and CNN Underscored, among others. She’s also personally tested hundreds of consumer products, from mattresses to kitchen appliances to gardening tools. Lindsay holds certifications in holistic nutrition, functional nutrition, and professional food safety, as well as a B.S. in food in nutrition. She’s currently studying to become certified in sleep science.

MEDICALLY REVIEWED BY

BRITTANY FERRI, PHD, OTR/L

PhD, OTR/L

Brittany is a registered and licensed occupational therapist who has worked with geriatrics in assisted living and hospital settings. She holds a PhD in Integrative Mental Health, has published four books, and has written over 300 articles on a range of health topics. Brittany is the owner of Simplicity of Health, where she offers health writing and program development for health and wellness-related businesses.