Laybrook Dorchester Dual Adjustable Bed reviewed

The Laybrook Dorchester Dual is an electric adjustable bed in which each side moves on its own motorised base, so one of you can sit up to read while the other lies flat. It is made in the UK, upholstered in a beige Belgian damask and sold direct by Laybrook in 4ft 6, 5ft and 6ft widths, with two Q-flex foam mattresses included in the price. Laybrook describes it as one of its most popular models.

How it is built

Each half sits on a five-part profiling mechanism rated for up to 18 stone (114 kg) per person. A 32-stone heavy-duty frame and a slide-back mechanism, which keeps you closer to the bedside table as the back rises, are paid options. The back section lifts to 80 to 85 degrees and the knee break rises 10 inches. Both mattresses are made to order for the weight of the person sleeping on them and for the feel each of you picks, soft, medium or firm. Laybrook gives the example of a 10-stone and a 16-stone partner who both ask for firm: their two mattresses are made differently, each to its owner’s weight. The foam is open-cell, so air moves through it as the bed changes position, and the cotton covers come off for washing, which is why the temperature score sits in the middle rather than at the top.

Sizes and prices

Laybrook shows its prices without VAT because many of its customers qualify for VAT relief. The prices below include VAT at 20%, which is what you pay if you do not qualify.

When we checked in October 2026, Laybrook’s autumn sale was taking £100 off each size before VAT, so look for a current offer before you order. If you have a long-term condition such as arthritis or chronic back pain, GOV.UK confirms that adjustable beds designed for a disability can be bought without VAT. You sign a declaration and Laybrook handles the paperwork.

Delivery, trial and guarantee

Laybrook’s own engineers deliver, install and demonstrate the bed free on the UK mainland, with a lead time of up to 21 working days. Some English and Welsh postcodes and all of Scotland carry a delivery charge, and a faster service that installs within 6 to 10 working days costs extra. You have seven days to return the bed for a full refund and 14 nights to exchange either mattress. The five-year guarantee is well above the one-year motor warranty that the National Bed Federation calls typical for adjustable beds.

Who it suits, and the drawbacks

We recommend the Dorchester Dual to couples who want to raise their heads or legs separately, for instance when one partner has reflux or swollen legs, two of the conditions the NBF lists as reasons to choose an adjustable bed. It suits you less if you want a contemporary look, since the damask surround is traditional, or if either of you weighs more than 18 stone, because the heavy-duty frame costs extra. The 17 cm foam mattresses are also slimmer than most standalone mattresses, so if you prefer pocket springs, budget for one of Laybrook’s sprung upgrades.