A standard home hospital bed is 36 inches wide, and its weight rating is typically in the range of about 350 to 450 lb (Drive’s standard Delta Ultra-Light 1000, for example, is rated at 450 lb). When the person who will use the bed is heavier than that, or needs more room to turn and reposition, a bariatric (heavy-duty) bed is the safer choice. This guide explains what to compare and shows how real models differ on their published specifications. We haven’t tested these beds. Specs and prices come from each maker’s own pages, manuals, and published retail listings, checked October 9, 2026.
What makes a bed “bariatric”
A bariatric bed is a heavy-duty hospital bed with a higher weight rating (about 600 to 1,150 lb safe working load for the home models we checked), a wider sleep surface (commonly 42, 48, or 54 inches), and a heavier frame and motors. There’s no single industry definition, but bariatric beds share three traits:
- A higher weight rating. Published safe working loads for the home models we checked run from about 600 lb to 1,150 lb.
- A wider sleep surface. Commonly 42, 48, or 54 inches, compared with 36 inches for a standard bed. Some beds expand in width and length.
- A heavier-duty frame and motors built to lift that load.
Medicare uses the term “heavy duty extra wide” and defines these beds by weight rather than width: one category for people who weigh more than 350 lb but no more than 600 lb, and another, “extra heavy duty,” for people over 600 lb (CMS policy article A52508).
Step 1: Read the weight rating correctly
Use the safe working load, which covers the person plus the mattress, rails, and accessories, and leave a margin. This is the step people most often get wrong. Makers publish up to three different numbers:
| Term | What it means | Example from a maker’s published specs |
|---|---|---|
| Safe working load (SWL) | Everything on the bed: person, mattress, rails, trapeze, bedding, and anything else | Drive Lightweight Bariatric 48 in.: 750 lb “including all accessories” |
| Maximum patient weight | The heaviest person the bed is designed for | Invacare IVC Bariatric Bed: 600 lb occupant within a 700 lb total; Prius Ai1: 550 lb patient within a 600 lb SWL |
| “Evenly distributed” capacity | The load the frame supports when weight is spread across the deck, not concentrated on a raised section | Transfer Master Night Rider HD: 750 lb evenly distributed |
Drive’s manual for its lightweight bariatric beds spells out the math: take the safe working load, subtract the person’s weight, and what’s left is the allowance for the mattress, accessories, and optional equipment. A 500 lb person on a 750 lb bed leaves 250 lb for everything else.
Leave a margin. Weight changes, and powered air mattresses, rails, and a trapeze all add up. Ask the seller for the weight of the exact mattress and accessories you’ll use, and choose a bed whose safe working load covers all of it with room to spare. Our bariatric bed sizes and weight limits guide walks through this with worked examples.
Step 2: Choose a width the room can take
Pick a width that gives room to turn and reposition but still fits the room, the doorway, and the caregiver’s reach: 42 inches is the first step up from a standard 36-inch bed, 48 inches is a common bariatric width, and 54 inches is the widest in our comparison. Expanding decks can change width as needs change.
Wider is more comfortable for turning and repositioning, but every inch has to fit the room, the doorway, and the caregiver’s reach.
- 42 inches: the first step up from standard. Several beds offer it, including the Drive 15300LW, the Invacare BAR600IVC, and Med-Mizer’s SelectCare and AllCare.
- 48 inches: a common bariatric width. Drive’s 48-inch model carries a 750 lb safe working load.
- 54 inches: Drive’s 54-inch model is rated to 1,000 lb.
- Expanding decks: the Prius Ai1 expands from 35 to 42 to 48 inches wide and from 80 to 84 to 88 inches long, and Med-Mizer’s ComfortWide CW1000 expands from 36 to 42 to 48 inches without tools, so one bed can adjust as needs change.
Remember that a wider bed puts the person farther from a caregiver standing at the side. Rails add more width: Drive lists 49.37 inches with rails for its 48-inch bed and 55.37 inches for its 54-inch bed. See bariatric bed sizes and weight limits for room and doorway planning.
Step 3: Decide what height range you need
Look for a low enough height for safe transfers and a high enough height for caregiving; published deck heights for these beds range from 3.6 to 31 inches. Height matters for two different jobs:
- Getting in and out. A lower bed shortens the distance to the floor and can make sitting on the edge feel more stable. A bed that is too low can make standing up harder.
- Caregiving. A higher bed saves the caregiver’s back during care, dressing, and repositioning.
Ranges vary widely. Drive’s manual lists about 15.7 to 24 inches deck height for its 48- and 54-inch lightweight bariatric beds. Invacare lists 14 to 22 inches for the BAR600IVC in its spec sheet (23 inches in its manual). The Prius Ai1 goes from 10 to 31 inches, and Med-Mizer’s AllCare from 3.6 to 25 inches. The ComfortWide CW1000 goes from 12 to 28 inches. These are deck heights; the person sits on top of the mattress, which can add 6 to 10 inches. If falls out of bed are a concern, see our guide to low and hi-low beds for fall risk.
Step 4: Decide which positions and features matter
Full-electric height is worth paying for when transfers or hands-on care happen several times a day; Trendelenburg, a chair position, a built-in scale, and a bed-exit alarm are worth it when the care plan calls for them, and a battery backup is almost always useful.
| Feature | What it does | Worth paying for if… |
|---|---|---|
| Full-electric height | Raises and lowers the whole bed with a hand control | Transfers happen several times a day, or a caregiver helps with care |
| Trendelenburg / reverse | Tilts the whole bed head-down or head-up | The care team recommends it |
| Chair or cardiac-chair position | Brings the bed into a seated shape | Sitting upright in bed is hard |
| Integrated scale | Weighs the person in bed | Weight needs regular monitoring and standing on a scale isn’t practical |
| Bed-exit alarm | Alerts a caregiver when the person moves toward the edge or gets up | Someone gets up unassisted at night |
| Battery backup | Lets you lower the bed or move it to a flat position in a power cut | Almost always useful; often sold separately |
Bariatric beds compared on published specs
On published specs, Drive’s lightweight bariatric beds are the straightforward value choice (up to 1,000 lb), the Med-Mizer ComfortWide has the highest rating (1,000 lb patient, 1,150 lb safe working load), and the Prius Ai1 has the most clinical features.
| Bed | Width × length | Weight rating (as published) | Deck height | Notable features | Price (published) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drive Lightweight Bariatric 15300LW / 15302LW / 15303LW | 42, 48, or 54 × 80 in. | 600 / 750 / 1,000 lb SWL, including accessories | about 15.7–24 in. (48 and 54 in. models) | Full electric; no-tool assembly; half rails and battery backup sold separately | About $1,700 (42 in.), $3,150–$3,250 (48 in.), $3,400–$3,550 (54 in.) at online retailers |
| Invacare IVC Bariatric Bed (BAR600IVC) | 42 × 80 in. deck; 88 in. overall | 600 lb occupant; 700 lb total | 14–22/23 in. | Full electric; Invacare says it’s for household use, not hospital use | Check current pricing |
| Prius Ai1 | Expands 35–48 × 80–88 in. | 550 lb patient; 600 lb SWL | 10–31 in. | Built-in scale, 3-zone bed-exit alarm, 14° Trendelenburg, chair positioning | Listed at $11,950 by several online retailers |
| Med-Mizer ComfortWide CW1000 | Expands 36–42–48 × 80 or 84 in. (88 with extender) | 1,000 lb patient; 1,150 lb SWL | 12–28 in. | Tool-free width expansion; optional scale with bed-exit alarm | $6,785 on Med-Mizer’s store |
| Med-Mizer SelectCare | 36, 39, or 42 × 80 or 84 in. | 600 lb maximum SWL | 10–25 in. | Furniture-style wood finishes, Trendelenburg, optional scale | $5,887 on Med-Mizer’s store |
| Med-Mizer AllCare | 35, 39, or 42 × 80 or 84 in. | 600 lb maximum SWL | 3.6–25 in. (or 8.5–30 in.) | Floor-level low bed, cardiac chair, Trendelenburg | $3,839 on Med-Mizer’s store |
| Transfer Master Night Rider HD | Twin (38), Full (53), Queen (60) × 80 or 84 in.; Dual King | 750 lb evenly distributed | 12–24 in. | Residential sizes, head/foot/hi-low | Starting at $6,999 on Transfer Master’s site |
Specs from each maker’s product pages, spec sheets, and user manuals; prices from the maker’s own store where one exists, otherwise from published listings at online retailers, all checked October 9, 2026. Prices change often and don’t include a mattress unless stated, so check current pricing before you buy.
Prius Ai1: the most fully featured option here
Among the beds we compared, the Ai1 combines the most clinical features on one frame. It’s built as a clinical bed: Prius markets it to hospitals for patients of many sizes, and it brings that equipment list home. Its expanding deck (35 to 48 inches wide, 80 to 88 inches long), 10-inch low height, built-in scale, three-zone bed-exit alarm, and Trendelenburg tilt are hard to find together on one frame. The trade-offs are price (listed at $11,950 by several retailers we checked) and a 550 lb maximum patient weight, which is lower than the 750 lb and 1,000 lb beds in the table. Its user manual lists a bed weight of 466 lb, so plan delivery carefully.
Drive Lightweight Bariatric: the straightforward value choice
Drive’s lightweight bariatric beds are a simple, full-electric home-care design in three widths, with the highest published rating here (1,000 lb on the 54-inch model). Drive says the frame can be set up by one person without tools. The trade-offs: fewer positions (no Trendelenburg is listed), a higher minimum height than the low beds, and rails and battery backup cost extra.
Med-Mizer ComfortWide CW1000: high capacity with an expanding deck
The CW1000 pairs the highest patient rating here (1,000 lb, with a 1,150 lb safe working load) with a deck that expands from 36 to 48 inches without tools and a 12- to 28-inch height range. Med-Mizer lists a product weight of 270 lb and options such as an advanced scale with a bed-exit alarm, a trapeze, and battery backup. It costs more than Drive’s basic frames and doesn’t go as low as the Ai1. Med-Mizer’s store terms include a 25% restocking fee on returns, so measure carefully before ordering.
Invacare IVC Bariatric Bed: a basic 42-inch option
A 42-inch, full-electric frame with a 600 lb occupant rating. Invacare’s manual says it’s designed for household use, not hospitals. It’s a narrower, more basic choice for someone near the bottom of the bariatric range.
Med-Mizer SelectCare and AllCare: up to 42 inches with lower heights
Both top out at 42 inches wide and a 600 lb safe working load, so they suit people at the lower end of the bariatric range who want a residential look (SelectCare) or a very low floor height (AllCare). Neither is a 48- or 54-inch bed. See our guide to furniture-style beds for more on the SelectCare.
Transfer Master Night Rider HD: residential sizes at 750 lb
The Night Rider HD comes in twin, full, and queen sizes with a 750 lb evenly distributed rating, which makes it one of few heavy-duty beds in a residential queen size. Transfer Master’s page mentions Trendelenburg in its feature text but lists head, foot, and hi-low as the adjustments in its specs, so confirm the positions with the maker.
A note on adjustable bases with high ratings
Some furniture-style adjustable bases publish high capacities. Dawn House, for example, lists 750 lb evenly distributed but says the base isn’t designed to lift that weight in the head or foot section alone. An adjustable base isn’t a substitute for a bariatric hospital bed when someone needs heavy-duty positioning. See hospital bed vs adjustable bed.
The mattress has to match the bed
The mattress must be rated for the person’s weight and sized exactly to the deck; a mattress that is too narrow or soft can leave dangerous gaps at the rails.
A bariatric bed needs a mattress that is rated for the person’s weight and sized exactly to the deck. A mattress that is too narrow or too soft can leave gaps at the rails. The FDA warns that gaps can form when a mattress compresses under a person’s weight or movement, and that specialty mattresses such as air mattresses can create them (FDA). If you use an expanding bed, the mattress and any gap-filler have to match the current width and length.
For people who spend much of the day in bed, the care team may recommend a pressure-redistributing surface. Our guide to low air loss and bariatric mattresses explains the options.
See bariatric mattresses (opens in a new tab)Paid link · Retailer shares ownership with this siteWhat Medicare covers
Medicare can cover a heavy-duty hospital bed when the person meets a basic hospital bed criterion and weighs more than 350 lb (heavy duty extra wide) or more than 600 lb (extra heavy duty).
Medicare Part B can cover a hospital bed your provider orders for home use, from a Medicare-enrolled supplier (Medicare.gov). For heavy-duty beds, Medicare’s policy requires that the person meets one of the basic criteria for a fixed-height hospital bed and the weight requirement for that category (LCD L33820):
| Category | Weight | HCPCS codes |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy duty extra wide | More than 350 lb, up to 600 lb | E0301 (without mattress), E0303 (with mattress) |
| Extra heavy duty | More than 600 lb | E0302 (without mattress), E0304 (with mattress) |
In October 2026, Medicare’s approved monthly rental for a heavy-duty extra-wide bed with mattress (E0303) was $170.70 to $324.05, depending on the area (CMS fee schedule). You pay 20% of the approved amount after the Part B deductible. Medicare treats powered height as a convenience, so a full-electric bariatric bed may be supplied as an upgrade you pay extra for. Read our full Medicare hospital bed guide and who qualifies.
Rent, buy, or go through Medicare?
A Medicare rental is usually the lowest cost if the person qualifies, private rental suits short-term needs, and buying gives the most choice for long-term use.
- Medicare rental: usually the lowest cost if the person qualifies. You get what the supplier stocks, which is often a basic heavy-duty frame.
- Private rental: useful for short-term needs, such as recovery after a hospital stay. Ask what’s included and what happens if needs change. See our bariatric bed rental guide for costs and questions to ask.
- Buying: gives you the most choice of width, height range, and features. It usually makes sense for long-term use. Our rent vs buy calculator helps compare.
Questions to ask before you buy
- What is the safe working load, and what is the maximum patient weight?
- Does the rating include the mattress and accessories? What do the mattress and rails I’m buying weigh?
- What is the outside width with rails, and the overall length?
- What are the lowest and highest deck heights, and the top-of-mattress heights with the mattress I’ll use?
- How many pieces does it arrive in, and how big is the largest one?
- Does delivery include carrying it in, assembly, and taking away the packaging?
- Are rails, battery backup, and a trapeze included or extra?
- What does the warranty cover, and who services the bed locally?
Plan the room with our room and doorway fit checker, and read up on rails and entrapment before setup.
Want help matching a bed to a specific situation? Take the bed finder quiz or request a quote.
How we researched this guide
We collected specifications from each maker’s product pages, spec sheets, and user manuals (Drive, Invacare, Prius Healthcare, Med-Mizer, Transfer Master, and Dawn House), and prices from makers’ own stores or, where a maker doesn’t publish a price, from listings at more than one online retailer, all checked October 9, 2026. Medicare rules come from CMS policy article A52508 and LCD L33820, amounts from CMS’s October 2026 fee schedule, and safety notes from the FDA. We did not test these beds, nobody paid for placement, and a bed’s order in the table is not a ranking. See how we evaluate beds.