Sleep in Zero Gravity

Zero Gravity Sleep

Zero Gravity Beds: Head Up, Knees Up, Back at Ease

Zero gravity is a position, so it's not just one product. Simply put, your head and legs rise together, and your knees settle just above your heart. It's the shape your body finds when nothing is pulling on it, and this is great for your sleep.

Getting there takes an adjustable base, a mattress that bends with it, and a pillow sized for a reclined head. Here's how to put it together.

What Makes Up a Zero Gravity Bed

Every good zero gravity setup shares a few key traits. Miss one of these and you'll feel it by the second hour.

• One-Button Preset

  Head and legs rise together with a single, simple press.

• Knees Above Heart

  The leg lift is what takes the pull off your lower back.

• Mattress That Bends

  Hybrid and pocket coil builds flex without a pressure ridge.

• Lower Pillow Loft

  A reclined head needs a lot less pillow than a flat one.

How Zero Gravity Sleep Works

Zero gravity sleep means your head and legs are both raised, with your knees slightly above your heart; it's as simple as that. Now, the name comes from the neutral posture astronauts drift into in space. Raising only your head creates an incline, and you'll slowly slide toward the foot of the bed. Lifting your legs too puts a bend behind your knees that keeps you in place.

How to Build a Zero Gravity Bed

Think of a zero gravity sleep system as a four-part system. Most people plan for the base and then forget the rest. Get all four right, though, and the position feels effortless.

• 01

  Start With the Adjustable Base

  No base, no zero gravity. Look for a zero gravity preset, lumbar support, and saved memory positions. Already have a Flex base? Our Flex LS setup guide walks you through it.

  Shop Adjustable Bases →
• 02

  Choose a Mattress That Bends

  A stiff mattress fights the base and leaves a firm ridge where the bed folds. Hybrid and pocket coil mattresses flex cleanly and bounce back. Our mattress buyer's guide and connected coils vs. pocket coils cover what to look for.

  Shop Hybrid Mattresses →
• 03

  Rethink Your Pillow

  Once your head section rises, your flat-bed pillow is usually too tall. It pushes your chin toward your chest, and the base gets the blame. Our pillow loft guide explains sizing, or take the PillowID quiz to find your fit.

  Shop Pillows →
• 04

  Pick Sheets That Stay Put

  A bed that moves every night will tug a loose fitted sheet off its corners fast. Deep pockets and strong corner grip make all the difference. Our bed sheet buyer's guide covers fit, and the split king sheets guide handles split bases.

  Shop Sheets →

Nail all four and switching into zero gravity takes one press, every night.

Why People Love the Zero Gravity Position

Bending and raising the knees may help relieve pressure on the lower back for some sleepers. A raised head is also a favorite when you're stuffed up, and legs up feels great after a long day on your feet. It's a comfort position, not a treatment; ongoing back pain or heavy snoring is worth a talk with your doctor.

Want to dig deeper? Check out our guides to the best mattresses for back pain and sleep apnea. And don't overlook reading in bed. Zero gravity holds you for hours without a pillow tower that collapses.

Can You Side Sleep in Zero Gravity?

Yes, with a small tweak. Side sleepers usually lower the head section and keep the leg lift, since a steep head angle can twist the spine at the waist. Then recheck your pillow. Our picks for the best pillows for side sleepers and the best mattress for side sleepers with back pain can help you dial it in.

Zero Gravity vs. Sleeping Flat

Flat works great for plenty of people. The real perk of zero gravity is having a second option on the nights you want it. Here's a quick comparison.

Still on the fence? Try it as an evening wind-down first. Most people know within a week whether they want to stay there overnight.

Zero Gravity for Couples

What if only one of you wants to recline? A split king gives each side its own base, so one person can float in zero gravity while the other stays flat. A split head keeps the foot of the bed as one surface while the head sections move separately. Our guides to split head vs. split king and the best split king mattress for adjustable bases break it all down.

Back to Top