Quick answer: A split king adjustable base costs $679.99 to $3,190 as of September 2026. That is about 20% to 30% more than the same brand’s one-piece king. You pay extra because you are buying two complete bases.
What “split king” actually means
A split king is two twin XL adjustable bases pushed together. Each half has its own motor, its own frame and usually its own remote.
Side by side, the two halves cover the same floor space as one standard king. Your king headboard and king bed frame still fit.
You do need two twin XL mattresses. One king mattress laid across both halves defeats the whole point, because it cannot bend in two places at once.
Why couples choose it
One person wants the head up for reflux or breathing. The other wants to lie flat.
With a one-piece king, somebody loses that argument every night. With a split king, nobody does.
It also helps when one partner gets out of bed at 5 a.m. and the other does not. Raising one side does not disturb the other.
Split king prices by brand
| Brand and Base | Split King Price | King Price | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lucid L150 | $679.99 | Not offered | — |
| Lucid L300 | $869.99 | Not offered | — |
| Lucid L600 | $1,259.99 | Not offered | — |
| Saatva Adjustable Base | $2,090 | $1,745 | +$345 |
| Saatva Adjustable Base Plus | $2,598 | $2,095 | +$503 |
| Purple Premium Plus Smart Base | $3,190 | $2,595 | +$595 |
We compared list prices published by Saatva, Purple, Lucid and Tempur-Pedic on September 2, 2026. Saatva and Purple prices reflect sale pricing shown that day.
Note the gap in the Lucid rows. Lucid sells twin XL, full, queen and split king, but no one-piece king. Several budget brands do the same, because a king base needs a much heavier frame.
Prices by size
| Size | Lucid L600 | Saatva Base Plus | Purple Premium Plus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Twin XL | $649.99 | $1,299 | $1,595 |
| Full | $729.99 | $1,399 | Not offered |
| Queen | $799.99 | $1,374 | $1,895 |
| King | Not offered | $2,095 | $2,595 |
| Split King | $1,259.99 | $2,598 | $3,190 |
Prices as of September 2, 2026.
The pattern holds across every brand. Twin XL to queen is a small step. Queen to split king roughly doubles the bill.
Why split king costs more than king
You buy two of everything. Two motors, two control boxes, two sets of legs, two remotes.
A one-piece king shares one motor assembly across the whole bed. That is cheaper to build and cheaper to ship.
Tempur-Pedic publishes starting prices rather than a full grid. It lists split and dual sizes as separate options for the same reason. Its bases start at $899 for the Ease Power Base and run to $2,399 for the Ergo ProSmart Base.
The problems people run into
The seam down the middle
Two twin XL mattresses leave a gap where they meet. Foam gap fillers help but do not erase it.
If you and your spouse sleep close together, you will feel it. Try one in a store before you spend $2,500.
Sheets
Standard king fitted sheets will not work once the halves move separately. Buy two twin XL fitted sheets, or a split king set with one king top sheet.
Budget $60 to $150 extra for bedding you did not plan on.
Weight limits are per side
This one catches people out. Lucid rates its twin XL bases at 350 pounds and its full and queen bases at 750 pounds.
A split king gives you 350 pounds per half, not 750. Check the number for twin XL specifically, not the headline figure on the product page.
Two remotes to lose
Most split kings ship with two remotes. Label them left and right with tape on day one.
Moving it
Two twin XL bases are actually easier to carry upstairs than one king base. That is the one place split king wins on logistics.
Cheaper ways to get the same result
Does only one of you need the bed to move? Buy one twin XL adjustable base and one twin XL flat foundation. Put them side by side under two mattresses.
The Lucid L150 twin XL is $349.99. That is under a third of the split king price for the same benefit on one side.
Separate beds are another honest option. Many couples in their 70s and 80s sleep better apart, and two queens cost less than one high-end split king.
If the real problem is standing up rather than sleeping, a power lift chair may be the better buy. Our lift chair cost guide shows the price bands.
Do not forget the mattresses
Every price on this page is for the base alone. Two twin XL mattresses are a separate purchase.
That is often the bigger half of the bill. Plan for it before you fall in love with a base.
Your current king mattress will not work. It cannot fold in two places, and forcing it will damage both the mattress and the motors.
Ask whether the base maker sells a matching twin XL pair. Buying both from one company usually simplifies the warranty if something goes wrong.
Where to buy and how to pay
Three places sell these. Mattress brands sell direct online, furniture stores sell floor models, and medical supply dealers stock heavier-duty versions.
Buying direct is usually cheapest. Furniture stores let you lie on the bed first, which is worth something at this price.
Most brands offer financing at checkout. Read the term and the rate before you accept, and check whether the promotional rate expires.
If money is tight, look at our guide to free and low-cost medical equipment. Loan closets rarely carry retail adjustable bases, but they do carry hospital beds.
What Medicare pays
Nothing, on any of these. A retail adjustable base is furniture, not durable medical equipment.
Medicare Part B does cover hospital beds when a doctor documents a medical need. Our hospital bed guide walks through those rules and prices.
Delivery and setup
Two boxes arrive per side, so a split king can mean four heavy boxes. Confirm the carrier will bring them to the bedroom.
Saatva includes free assembly. Lucid ships for self-assembly, which two people can handle in under an hour.
Ask about old mattress removal before you order. Some brands do it free, some charge, and some will not touch it.
Bottom line
Buy a split king only if two people need different positions in the same bed. Otherwise a queen base saves you $500 to $2,000.
The best value split king in September 2026 is the Lucid L600 at $1,259.99. It has massage, presets and a 10-year warranty. For a 25-year warranty and free assembly, the Saatva Adjustable Base Plus at $2,598 is the step up.
Before you order, check the twin XL weight limit and budget for split king sheets. Then see our full comparison of adjustable bases.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a split king adjustable bed cost?
Between $679.99 and $3,190 as of September 2026. The Lucid L150 split king is $679.99 and the L600 is $1,259.99. The Saatva Adjustable Base Plus split king is $2,598 and the Purple Premium Plus Smart Base split king is $3,190. Those prices are for the bases only, not the mattresses.
What is the difference between a split king and a king?
A split king is two twin XL bases placed side by side. Together they take up the same floor space as one standard king. Each half moves on its own, so one person can raise the head while the other lies flat. A one-piece king moves as a single unit for both sleepers.
What are the problems with a split king bed?
Three come up most often. There is a seam down the middle that you can feel, standard king sheets do not fit the split halves, and you need two mattresses instead of one. Weight limits are also lower per side. Lucid rates its twin XL bases at 350 pounds each, versus 750 pounds for a queen.
Is a split king cheaper than a king?
No, it usually costs more. On September 2, 2026 the Saatva Adjustable Base Plus was $2,095 in king and $2,598 in split king. Purple's Premium Plus was $2,595 in king and $3,190 in split king. You are buying two motors, two frames and two remotes instead of one set.
Do you need special sheets for a split king adjustable bed?
Yes, if you want the halves to move independently. Buy two twin XL fitted sheets, or a split king sheet set with a king top sheet and two twin XL fitted sheets. A regular king fitted sheet will pull the two halves together and fight the motors.
Can one person use a split king?
Yes, but there is rarely a reason to. A single sleeper is almost always better served by a queen base, which costs far less and has no center seam down the middle. Lucid's queen L600 was $799.99 on September 2, 2026, against $1,259.99 for the same base in split king. That is a $460 premium for a feature one person cannot use.
Sources
- Saatva Adjustable Base Plus product page — accessed 2026-09-02
- Saatva Adjustable Base product page — accessed 2026-09-02
- Purple Premium Plus Smart Base — accessed 2026-09-02
- Lucid L600 Adjustable Bed Frame — accessed 2026-09-02
- Lucid L150 Adjustable Bed Frame — accessed 2026-09-02
- Tempur-Pedic bases and foundations — accessed 2026-09-02