Best Adjustable-Width Bed Rail
The Bedside Extend-A-Rail from Able Life is a unique bed rail that users can easily lengthen from 20″ to 30″, even while they are in bed. The bed rail’s construction is durable alloy steel, and the company sells an optional organizer pouch to store small bedside items.
Pros and Cons of the Medline Bed Assist Bar
Pros:
- The Bedside Extend-A-Rail from Able Life readily adjusts from 20″ to 30″ wide without the use of tools
- This bed rail is compatible with most non-adjustable residential beds ranging in size from twin to king
- Users can install the Bedside Extend-A-Rail from Able Life on either side or both sides of the bed
- With a user weight limit of 300 pounds, this bed rail can safely support most adults
Cons:
- Unlike many other bed rails, the top rail, or hand grip, of the Bedside Extend-A-Rail isn’t padded
- With a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $119, the Bedside Extend-A-Rail is relatively expensive compared to other adult bed rails
Overview of the Bedside Extend-A-Rail from Able Life
The Bedside Extend-A-Rail from Able Life is a sturdy, all-black temporary bed rail that features an innovative adjustable top handle that can be easily adjusted from 20″ to 30″ wide. This bed rail’s design supports users weighing up to 300 pounds, and users can install it on most any residential, non-adjustable bed with a box spring and mattress.
| Average retail price | $99 – $119 |
| Weight | 7.15 pounds |
| Dimensions | 22″ H x 30″ D x 20″ to 30″ W |
| Height of top rail | 20″ above the base of the mattress |
| Bed size | Twin, double, queen, king and California king |
| Mattress thickness | Works with mattresses measuring between 8″ and 15″ deep |
| Materials | Alloy steel, plastic and nylon |
| Assembly | Requires tool-less assembly — arrives flat-packed |
| Added features | Accommodates users weighing up to 300 pounds |
| Colors | Available in black only |
How Much Does the Bedside Extend-A-Rail from Able Life Cost?
The Bedside Extend-A-Rail from Able Life’s MSRP is $119.99. The actual retail price for this bed rail lists at $99.99 through a number of major national retailers, including department stores, home improvement stores, drug stores and online resellers. The Bedside Extend-A-Rail from Able Life is a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) eligible product.
As with most bed rails, the Bedside Extend-A-Rail is alloy steel, a commodity that’s subject to global price fluctuations. The Bedside Extend-A-Rail’s cost may increase if alloy steel prices rise or if there are global supply chain interruptions that make it difficult for the manufacturer to obtain raw materials.
Full Review of the Bedside Extend-A-Rail from Able Life’s Features
The Bedside Extend-A-Rail from Able Life is an innovative, width-adjustable bed rail designed to work well as a transfer aid and as a fall-prevention device for adults. It’s available without a prescription through a number of major hardware and homeware stores, pharmacies and online retailers. The MSRP is $119, although most resellers list this device for $99.
Tool-Less Width Adjustment
Unlike most other temporary bed rails with a fixed handle, users can quickly extend the Bedside Extend-A-Rail from Able Life from 20″ to 30″ long without tools.
Users simply depress a spring pin and gently pull on one side of the handle to extend the bed rail out, or depress the pin and push to retract the handle. This feature gives users plenty of space while transferring in and out of bed while also providing the extra fall protection that comes with a 30″ bed rail.
Fits Either Bed Side
The Bedside Extend-A-Rail from Able Life is reversible, allowing for installation on either side of a bed. Able Life advises that, as with all temporary bed rails, users should not install the Bedside Extend-A-Rail on a bed with a soft mattress, as this increases the risk of user entrapment between the bed rail and the mattress.
Adjustable Dimensions
The Bedside Extend-A-Rail from Able Life fits most mattresses measuring between 8″ and 15″ deep. The top rail, which serves as the handle, sits 20″ above the lower edge of the mattress. This means that the shallower the mattress, the higher the bed rail will be.
When fully retracted, the Bedside Extend-A-Rail measures 20″ wide. When extended to the maximum width, the rails and handle measure 30″ wide.
As an adult bed rail, the Bedside Extend-A-Rail is made from alloyed steel and engineered to support users weighing up to 300lbs.
Easy Installation
The Extend-A-Rail from Able Life ships in a flat pack, which means it requires some assembly using the included tool and hardware. Prior to assembly, users need to decide if they’ll be placing the bed rail on the left or right side of the bed.
Once assembled, users install the Extend-A-Rail by sliding the bed rail legs between the mattress and the box spring. The user then pulls the nylon securement straps through to the opposite side of the bed along the top of the box spring and secures them to the bed frame using nylon clips. Once fastened, the user should pull the nylon straps taut to eliminate any movement in the bed rail and secure the device firmly against the mattress.
Seniors or caregivers should inspect the bed rail regularly to ensure there isn’t a gap between the device and the mattress that could lead to injury or death due to entrapment.
Who Should Consider the Bedside Extend-A-Rail from Able Life?
Seniors Who Want a Versatile Bed Rail
With the Bedside Extend-A-Rail, seniors can easily adjust the width from just 20″ up to 30″. This lets users set the bed rail to the narrowest width for ease of transfer, then fully extend the width once in bed to maximize protection against falls.
Seniors Who Need a Bed Rail That Fits All Bed Sizes
The Bedside Extend-A-Rail from Able Life is designed to fit on all standard residential beds, including twin-, double-, queen- and king-sized beds.
What Are People Saying About the Bedside Extend-A-Rail?
Despite costing more than some other bed rails, the Bedside Extend-A-Rail from Able Life is one of the top-ranked bed rails on Amazon.com. Family caregivers say that the Bedside Extend-A-Rail from Able Life is easy to assemble and install and that they appreciate its use on either side of a bed. They also like the sturdy construction and the extension feature, which many reviewers say works well in reducing accidental falls from the bed.
While negative reviews of this bed rail are rare, some consumers say they didn’t realize that the Bedside Extend-A-Rail isn’t compatible with adjustable beds before installing the device. A few unhappy purchasers also discovered that some essential hardware was missing from the bed rail they received.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is a Bed Railing?
A bed railing is a dual-purpose device that serves as a barrier to help prevent falls from bed, as well as providing a secure handle for use during transfers and repositioning.
Click here for our full answer to this question.
What Are the Types of Bed Rails?
Bed rails are either fixed or temporarily. Users install temporary bed rails by sliding the bed rail frame between the mattress and box spring of a standard residential bed while you mechanically fasten a fixed bed rail to the bed frame.
Click here for our full answer to this question.
Can You Put Bed Rails on Any Bed?
Seniors can use temporary bed rails on most regular residential beds with a mattress and a box spring or a mattress placed on a foundation made from plywood or a similar material. Bed rails may not work on some types of folding beds, such as sleeper sofas or Murphy beds, as well as water beds and some adjustable beds. Bed rails should not be used on beds with extremely soft mattresses, as a soft mattress increases the risk of entrapment between the bed rail and the mattress.
Click here for our full answer to this question.
Can You Add Bed Rails to an Adjustable Bed?
You can usually add bed rails to an adjustable bed, but only specific styles of bed rails will work. In general, a short bed rail that doesn’t have stabilizer legs will be suitable for use with an adjustable bed as long as the bed rail doesn’t interfere with the moving parts of the bed frame.
Click here for our full answer to this question.
Are Bed Rails Safe for the Elderly?
Experts often recommend temporary bed rails for seniors at risk of falls from bed or who need an assistive device to aid transfers. Nursing homes and rehabilitation centers widely use permanent bed rails on hospital beds. As with any medical device, seniors should ask their doctor before using a bed rail.
Click here for our full answer to this question.
How Do You Prevent Someone With Dementia From Falling out of Bed?
Dementia patients may be more vulnerable to falls from bed due to sundowning, disorientation, interrupted sleep patterns and medication side effects. While each caregiver should consult with a medical expert for personalized advice on how to reduce fall risks for their loved one, some options may include the use of one or two bed rails, bed bolsters, a concave mattress and motion detectors to alert caregivers when the dementia patient wakes up.
Click here for our full answer to this question.
What Can I Use Instead of a Bed Rail?
Alternatives to a bed rail for individuals who need to reduce their risk of falling from bed include bed bolsters, concave mattresses or simply putting the bed against a wall. For help with transfers and repositioning, you may want to consider a bed ladder, bed trapeze or a floor-to-ceiling, tension-mounted transfer pole.
Click here for our full answer to this question.