King size and electric lift are not competing types of TV bed. One describes the size of the bed, the other describes how the television moves. A king size TV bed takes a UK king mattress of 150cm by 200cm, while an electric TV lift bed uses a motor to raise and lower the screen at the press of a button. Many beds are both. The real decision is which of the two matters more when your options are limited: extra sleeping space, or motorised convenience. If your room is generous and you share the bed, prioritise king size. If you watch television in bed every evening and want the smoothest experience, prioritise an electric lift, then choose the largest size your room allows.
The confusion is understandable, because product names often mix the two terms. Our range of modern TV beds UK includes beds in several sizes with different lift types, and the sections below explain what each term means in practice and how to choose between them.
A UK king size mattress measures 150cm wide and 200cm long. That is 15cm wider and 10cm longer than a standard double. On a TV bed, the frame adds to both figures, because the side rails are upholstered and the footboard must be deep enough to house the television when it is lowered.
The external footprint is therefore larger than many people expect. Before committing, check the overall width, length and headboard height on the listing. A king size TV bed can easily need more floor than the mattress figures alone suggest, so it is worth treating the external dimensions as the true size of the bed.
In an electric lift bed, a small motor in the footboard raises the television through a hinged lid. Press the button on the remote and the screen rises to viewing height; press again and it folds away. Some mechanisms also allow the screen to swivel slightly.
The alternative is a manual or gas assisted lift, where you open the lid and raise the screen by hand with the help of a gas strut. Manual systems are simpler and have fewer components, but they require you to get out of bed or reach the footboard each time.
If you share your bed, the extra width of a king size can make more difference to your sleep than any lift mechanism. Each person gains a little more personal space, which helps when one sleeper moves a lot or when you go to bed at different times. Taller sleepers also benefit from the extra 10cm of length, especially on a TV bed, where the footboard is solid and fairly tall.
A king size frame also has more visual weight. In a large main bedroom with a wide wall, it looks more proportionate than a double. If you are planning a room around the bed, our wider range of modern bedroom furniture UK sale helps you find pieces that balance a larger frame.
If the television lift is less important to you, or you are happy to use a manual system, it can be worth looking at upholstered frames more broadly. Our king size fabric beds UK collection shows the range of headboard styles and fabrics available at this size, which can help you decide what you want from a king size TV bed.
Some households use the bedroom television every day. If you settle in each evening to watch a programme, perhaps with the lights low, the convenience of a motor adds up quickly. Not having to get up to raise or lower the screen becomes something you appreciate every night.
An electric lift also makes sense if anyone in the household finds bending or lifting difficult. A remote is easier than reaching for a lid and guiding a screen upwards by hand. In smaller rooms where a king size will not fit, a double bed with an electric lift often gives the best balance of comfort and practicality.
The size choice has a far bigger effect on space than the lift type. Electric and manual mechanisms sit within the same footboard, so the footprint is similar. A king size frame, however, adds width and length that must fit around wardrobes, doors and bedside furniture.
Mark out the external dimensions of the king size bed you are considering with masking tape on the floor. Walk around it, open the wardrobe and the bedroom door, and see how it feels. If the space becomes tight, a double with an electric lift may be the more comfortable choice in daily use.
Remember to allow clearance above the footboard. When the television is raised, it needs space above the bed with nothing in the way, such as a low pendant light or a sloping ceiling.
A wider footboard can sometimes accommodate a wider television, so a king size TV bed may accept a larger screen than a double from the same range. This is not always the case. Many ranges use the same mechanism across sizes, so the maximum screen size is unchanged. Electric lifts also have a stated weight limit, which must not be exceeded.
Check the maximum screen size, weight and mounting pattern for the exact model and size you are considering. Measure your television without its stand, including the frame around the screen, before ordering.
An electric lift brings a remote control into your bedtime routine, so it helps to have a bedside cabinet with a drawer or shelf to keep it in. With a king size bed, the space for bedside furniture may be narrower, so slim cabinets with a drawer are often the most practical.
Our modern bedside cabinets UK include compact designs that suit the sides of a larger bed. For help deciding what you need, our guide on what to look for in a bedside table in UK bedrooms covers height, storage and finish in useful detail.
Both king size and electric lift beds are supplied flat packed. A king size frame has longer panels, which can be harder to carry up a narrow staircase, so check the box dimensions against your stairs and landing. An electric lift has more components, including the motor, control box and wiring, which need to be fitted and tested during assembly.
For long term reliability, keep the lift area free of bedding, cushions and objects. Avoid leaning on the television when it is raised, and make sure cables have enough slack to move with the screen. Occasionally check that fixings remain tight, particularly on larger frames.
Ask yourself two questions. First, does a king size frame fit comfortably in your room with space to walk around it? Second, how often will you raise and lower the television? If the king size fits and the television is used occasionally, choose king size with whichever lift suits you. If the king size is tight but you watch every evening, choose a double with an electric lift. If both fit and you use the screen daily, a king size electric lift bed gives you the best of both.
If you are still unsure whether a king size frame will suit your room, our article on UK king size bed dimensions and room sizes explains how the mattress, frame and room relate to one another. It is a useful reference to read with a tape measure in hand.
It also helps to think ahead. A bedroom often changes use over time, perhaps becoming a guest room or a room for a growing child. A king size frame is a long term commitment to a larger footprint, while an electric lift is a feature you will either use every day or barely notice. Considering how the room might be used in a few years can make the choice clearer, particularly if you are deciding between a smaller bed with a motor and a larger bed with a manual lift.
When you are ready to compare sizes, lift types and matching pieces, you can browse the full bedroom range at Furniture in Fashion.
No. Some use an electric motor, while others use a manual or gas assisted lift. Check the product description to confirm which mechanism a bed uses.
Electric lifts make a gentle hum while moving, which most people find unobtrusive. The motor is silent once the television is fully raised or lowered.
Sometimes. Some ranges allow a larger screen on bigger sizes, while others use the same lift across every size. Always check the maximum screen size and weight for the exact model.
The lift will stop working until power is restored, so the television will stay in whatever position it was in. It will operate normally once the electricity is back on.
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