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What's The Difference Between Semi Electric And Full Electric Hospital Bed SonderCare Learning Center High Res (1)

Hospital Beds

What's The Difference Between Semi Electric And Full Electric Hospital Bed?

SonderCare Learning Center

Electric Hospital Beds: Semi vs. Full Electric Bed Differences

What’s The Difference Between Semi Electric And Full Electric Hospital Bed? When researching home medical equipment, you’ll likely encounter two types of hospital beds: semi-electric and full-electric. What’s the difference between these options? What you choose can impact the basic functionality and comfort of you, a loved one, and even the healthcare professionals providing in-home care services.

Table of Contents

Learn About Semi Electric and Full Electric Hospital Beds

Why Are Hospital Beds Connected To Electricity?

Hospital beds don’t have to use electricity; in the past, hospital beds didn’t use anything but muscle power. Now, most standard hospital beds connect to a power source, and in-home hospital beds should be, too. In a private setting, there won’t always be someone who can attend to changing the bed’s position. By being connected to electricity, the patient can control their comfort level. 

Hospital beds must have the height adjusting feature that lets patients and caregivers change the overall height of the bed – they can raise and lower it. This height adjustment function allows the patients to put their feet flat on the floor to get out of bed safely. These adjustable features demand a power source to raise the bed to bring the user into a sitting position. When there’s a hand crank involved – even if it’s to use only one part of the bed – making even small adjustments can quickly become cumbersome for the typical home hospital bed user.

It’s the main difference between semi-electric and fully electric. One has features that require the user or a caregiver to use their muscles for some adjustability, and the other doesn’t. It can make a massive difference for those who want the most functional bed possible for their needs.

The Difference Between A Semi-Electric & Fully Electric Hospital Bed

You may be able to tell the difference between fully electric and semi-electric hospital beds: the former uses only a power hookup, the latter includes a hand crank. While having both options can sound convenient, most semi-electric beds use a hand crank to control the adjustable base. The height must be adjusted using a hand crank, while the remote adjusts the head and feet.

When using a semi-electric bed, the patient must use a hand crank to adjust the height, much as they would with a manual bed. Fully-electric home hospital beds, however, have controls either built into the side rails or, more typically, in a handheld remote control. These controls can adjust the bed into any form it is designed to take. 

Any bed that uses muscle power is less than ideal for most people who need a hospital model. Semi-electric beds make it difficult for patients to make an adjustment while lying in bed. Those with weak muscles may not be able to change the height at all, severely limiting their independence. Manually adjusting the surface height can also be hard on caregivers, especially if frequent changes are needed throughout the day. 

All SonderCare Models Are Fully Electric Hospital Beds

Full-electric beds are the most sophisticated beds on the market, but there are still differences among them. Some basic beds use AC motors, while more advanced beds utilize DC motor technology. DC motors (or actuators) are typically smaller, quieter, and more powerful than their AC counterparts. SonderCare beds use all DC motors and our electric home hospital beds can accommodate many positions and comfort needs, with the head, foot, height, and tilt adjustments all having a remote control. It’s as convenient as a bed possibly could be for the user – for the caregiver, too. Electrical height changes may decrease the pressure on the backs of caregivers or loved ones who have to lift the user. 

All SonderCare beds are fully electric. The DAWN Residential Home Comfort is an attractive bed for clients who only need basic adjustable functionality to reach the comfort and assistance level needed; it includes Hi-Lo Elevation and backrest and knee elevation. For patients who have a greater risk of falling, require a higher level of positioning, or receive care where a higher bed height and bed re-positioning is important, the AURA Premium and Platinum models are ready to meet their needs.

Whichever bed you or your loved one choose, SonderCare beds will never look out of place. Electric hospital beds now blend the advanced safety features with a beautiful, home-like aesthetic. Regardless of the user’s mobility issue or medical condition, users shouldn’t have to feel like they are in a hospital while living at home. SonderCare helps patients feel more comfortable while using an in-home care bed.

Frequently Asked Questions About Semi Electric and Full Electric Beds

Beds with semi-electric motors use them for head and foot adjustments, but not for height adjustment. Using the electric controls, the user can adjust the head and foot of the bed, but the height of the bed must be adjusted manually as it would be with a manual bed

Electric motor controls are used to raise the head, feet, and height of the bed frame with the push of a button on a full electric hospital bed for home use. A hospital-style electric bed is the ideal choice for anyone who needs a bed at home, in a hospital or nursing home.

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SonderCare offers the Comfortâ„¢ and Dreamâ„¢ pressure reducing mattresses that provide exceptional comfort, support and durability for health care communities and home care settings.


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SonderCare’s fully-electric Rise & Recline Chair supports users in shifting from a sitting position, to fully reclining flat and then boosting up to standing when desired – this chair helps support comfort as well as safe mobility.

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Luxury Lift Chairs


SonderCare’s fully-electric Rise & Recline Chair supports users in shifting from a sitting position, to fully reclining flat and then boosting up to standing when desired – this chair helps support comfort as well as safe mobility.

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Quality Walker Rollators


SonderCare premium rollators are the ultimate lightweight, ultra-stable rollators to keep you secure and comfortable in any setting. The Ultralight Carbon and the rugged Aluminum models are both ergonomically designed and adjustable to suit the needs of every user.

Start Your Hospital Beds Inventory With SonderCare

Are you recently discharged from hospital, experiencing mobility issues, or in need of palliative or senior care? Enjoy a smoother recovery and get the luxury you deserve by choosing our home hospital products. Contact us today to discuss home hospital beds, mattresses, stand assist chairs and other accessories to make your home hospice perfect for a truly comfortable experience.

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