Have you noticed it’s becoming more of a challenge to get in and out of bed? If you need a little extra support and stability, a bed cane might be for you.
To help you decide which bed cane to choose (or whether to get one at all), I have compiled this guide with all the information you need about how to choose the best bed cane.
For many people, bed canes can be life-changing, offering much-needed independence during later stages of life. Others rely on them only temporarily, for example, when recovering from an injury. Either way, there are many benefits to bed canes which I discuss later on in this guide.
If you are interested in other bed-related accessories that might be beneficial for you, check out our other guides on how to find the best bedpans and how to find the best orthopedic pillows.
At a Glance: 5 Best Bed Canes
- Stander EZ Adjust Bed Rail – Our #1 Top Pick
- Vive Bed Assist Rail – Our #1 Budget Pick
- Vaunn Medical Adjustable Bed Assist Rail
- Stander BedCane
- Medline Bed Assist Bar
What is a Bed Cane?
Bed canes are designed to provide extra stability while getting in and out of bed. They offer balance, safety, and, most importantly, independence from the comfort of your own home.
The most basic and important aspect of bed canes is a sturdy handle that attaches directly to the bed, but they can come with a range of different features such as steps, bedside organizers, and storage pouches.
Some also have rails to prevent you from falling out of bed, and many will fold away so they can be removed and stored easily if no longer needed.
The Benefits of a Bed Cane
The impact that a bed cane can have on an older person’s life is profound. At a time when independence is more important than ever – but increasingly hard to feasibly maintain – a bed cane can offer security and confidence without the need for another person’s assistance.
However, those are by no means the only benefits.
With a bed cane in place, it is possible to take the pressure off achy or injured limbs when getting in and out of bed, which prevents future injuries and allows existing ones to heal.
Some bed canes can also function as bed rails, preventing nasty falls and offering support while changing position. They are usually lightweight and easy to remove.
As such, the four primary benefits are:
Stability
Bed canes offer a helping hand climbing in and out of bed.
Safety
They can prevent injuries from occurring due to falls.
Support
They can help the user change position once in bed.
Storage
Bed canes can also be fitted with storage accessories.
Who Can Benefit from Using a Bed Cane?
The answer is probably more people than you’d think! It isn’t just older adults who need a helping hand getting in and out of bed. Anyone who has suffered an injury that makes them unstable on their feet or restricts their strength or range of motion could benefit from a bed cane.
Bed canes and rails are often used in hospitals to provide patients with greater stability and safety. And some young children can be aided by having bed rails fitted to prevent them from falling.
Selection Criteria
In this section, I will outline the key criteria I considered when selecting the best bed canes.
Features
I looked at the features each product offers to assess its overall value for money. For example, some bed canes come with organizers or storage pockets which means they can serve multiple purposes. This is an important factor to consider when choosing the right product for you.
Just because there are more features doesn’t necessarily mean the price will be a lot higher. To understand the true value of a bed cane, the quality of the product must be weighed against its features and price in tandem.
Budget
I chose bed canes from across the price spectrum, so whether you’re looking for a budget or luxury product, you can assess the pros and cons of all products before making a final decision.
Sturdiness
Arguably the most important quality of a bed cane is its sturdiness; it must be able to easily support the weight of an adult without breaking, even after many uses.
Reviews
The best way to understand the real pros and cons of any bed cane is to read reviews. Hence, I have chosen bed canes that verified customers have highly reviewed.
Practicality
For anyone who needs that extra bit of stability that a bed cane can provide, the product’s practicality is tantamount – it needs to be easy to use daily, without any design flaws that hinder its effectiveness.
I have selected bed canes that I think offer an intuitive, practical design. For example, weight and adjustability are important factors in this respect.
5 Best Bed Canes
| Stander EZ Adjust Bed Cane – Our #1 Top Pick
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Find it Here |
| Vive Bed Assist Rail – Our #1 Budget Pick
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Find it Here |
| Vaunn Medical Adjustable Bed Assist Rail
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Find it Here |
| Stander BedCane
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Find it Here |
| Medline Bed Assist Bar
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Find it Here |
Stander EZ Adjust Bed Cane – Our #1 Top Pick
The Stander EZ Adjust Bed Cane is a product that has clearly been designed to go above and beyond for your needs. Made by the reputable mobility aid company Stander, this highly adjustable product is easy to assemble, easy to use, and store. With fast delivery and free returns, what’s not to love?
Although the EZ Adjust Bed Cane comes with a premium price tag, this is justified by the high-quality, thoughtful design, which will last for years to come. In this way, I like to think of it as an investment.
I’ll begin with the features which most impressed me. The Stander EZ Bed Cane weighs only 14 pounds – which is impressive enough in itself – but, even more importantly, it’s made from alloy steel that is both sturdy and reliable. As such, it can support a weight of up to 300lbs.
There’s no need to worry if this product will get in the way – it has been designed to fold away with ease, and even though it isn’t as compact as some of the other bed canes in this guide, it is still perfectly discreet.
Crucially, the EZ Adjust Bed Cane is compatible with most traditional and platform beds, with a handle and organizer that will suit almost any interior style.
Pros
- Compatible with most traditional and platform beds.
- Comes with a 3 pocket organizer pouch.
- Supports up to 300 pounds.
- Weighs just 14lbs.
- Folds away.
- Easy to assemble and install.
- Adjustable length.
- Safety strap.
Cons
- The premium price tag is not affordable for everyone.
- If straps are not fastened tightly, the product can move.
- Does not fit all beds.
- Bulky design.
Vive Bed Assist Rail – Our Top Budget Pick
At roughly half the EZ Adjust Bed Cane price, the Vive Bed Assist Rail provides a much more affordable option that performs the same function to a high standard – just without as many extra features.
The process of assembling this product is pretty quick and easy – I just wish delivery hadn’t taken quite so long! Unfortunately, I had to wait a month for it to arrive. Still, the lifetime guarantee makes it worth the wait, and after seeing the product in action, I can already tell it’s going to last.
The handle is non-slip, as is the bed rail base bar. This is an essential feature as many bed canes I tested did not always stay in place as well as I’d have liked. The height is adjustable, and it works with any bed size.
I was pleased to find that the handle folds down for easy storage when not in use, and since the whole product weighs only 0.04lbs, it’s straightforward to transport.
It’s clear that the Vive Bed Assist Rail is a winning product for many consumers, with over a thousand extremely positive reviews.
Pros
- Extremely lightweight – only 0.04lbs.
- Rubber-tipped legs for stability.
- Use with any bed size.
- Easy to assemble.
- Lifetime guarantee.
- Soft non-slip foam handle.
- Adjustable height.
- The bed assist handle folds flat for easy storage.
Cons
- It makes it difficult to change bedsheets.
- Not ideal for new, thicker mattresses.
- In rare cases, it arrives with damage.
- Very slow delivery.
Vaunn Medical Adjustable Bed Assist Rail
The Vaunn Medical Adjustable Bed Assist Rail comes with the promise of free delivery and free returns – not that you’re likely to need the latter since this product is highly functional with pretty good value for money.
This is certainly one of the most durable products out there, with heavy-duty powder-coated steel. Like many bed canes, it can hold up to 300lbs, but it feels a lot more sturdy and reliable than many counterparts.
The padded, slip-resistant handles work well by giving additional support. Moreover, the horizontal stabilizer bars add to the sense that this product is truly one of the most durable bed canes on the market. It’s simple, yes, but also highly effective.
Although it’s disappointing to see that the Vaunn Bed Assist Rail only works with mattresses more than 5 inches in height, it was refreshing to see this specified in the product description. Hence, there weren’t any disappointing surprises upon delivery.
Out of all the bed canes in this guide, Vaunn’s is the easiest to assemble. It weighs 3kg, which is fairly heavy for a bed cane, probably due to its extra durability. If you’re planning to keep it in one place, it would be ideal.
Pros
- Durable, heavy-duty powder-coated steel.
- Slip-resistant foam pads.
- It can hold up to 300lbs.
- Quick and easy to assemble.
- Extremely sturdy and well-built.
Cons
- It only works with mattresses more than 5 inches thick.
- Does not fit all bed sizes.
- Lack of additional features.
- Heavier than some other bed canes at 3kg.
- Does not fold away.
Stander Bed Cane
The Stander Bed Cane is easy to assemble, compact and discreet, making it a good all-round product for anyone who requires additional support getting in and out of bed. Although the price is a little high, the low profile design of the product makes it worth the extra money, particularly if you’re short of space and need an unobtrusive solution.
This bed cane may be smaller than many of the other products I have included – and lighter, too, weighing only 12lbs – but it is just as strong, able to support up to 300 pounds. It includes several handy features for ease of use, such as a padded standing handle, a safety strap, and an organizer pouch.
I was slightly disappointed by the slow shipping time, which took several weeks, but once the product arrived, I found that it exceeded my expectations. It was extremely easy to put together – I managed this in under ten minutes – with clear step-by-step instructions.
The handle is adjustable, and despite my worries about the sturdiness of the bamboo base, it feels durable and secure.
Pros
- Low profile design that is highly compact and discreet.
- Organizer Pouch.
- Padded handle for comfort.
- Lightweight – only 12lbs.
- Holds up to 300lbs.
- Fits most traditional bed types and mattresses.
- Adjustable.
- Quick to assemble.
Cons
- Fairly expensive.
- Slow delivery.
Medline Bed Assist Bar
With thousands of positive reviews from verified customers and an affordable price tag, the Medline Bed Assist Bar offers great value for money. Certainly, it isn’t a product to be overlooked.
The assembly is quick, easy, and tool-free, and once built, the product can be used on either side of the bed. I particularly like how adjustable this bed cane is, allowing you to alter the legs and the top grip bar. The non-slip design is a crucial feature that some other products on the market lack.
In terms of style, I found the appearance of this bed cane very pleasing – it fits easily into any decor style, and the organizer is a helpful tool, particularly by the side of the bed.
Personally, I was not too fond of the curved handle design, which I think would have worked better if it were flat. The padding could also be softer, though this is a minor drawback to overall a good product.
Pros
- Highly adjustable.
- Lightweight but durable.
- Padded handle.
- Organizer Pouch.
- Affordable price.
- Fast shipping.
- Strap for extra security.
- Fits most bed sizes and styles.
Cons
- Padding could be softer.
- The curved handle doesn’t offer as much stability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answer: Bed canes are designed to be sturdy and durable, so they will last for years if you look after them properly. In fact, high-quality bed canes could last a whole lifetime, so it’s worth considering whether to invest in a high-end product considering the lifespan you could get from it.
Answer: This will vary from product to product, but generally speaking, most bed canes slide under the mattress and are attached with safety straps. They are fairly easy to fit, though they can make it difficult to change the bed.
Answer: Again, this depends on the individual product. Bed canes are designed to help you get in and out of bed safely, but some also come with a bed rail attached which will prevent you from falling out during the night.
Best Bed Cane – My Verdict
Overall, the Stander EZ Adjust Bed Cane comes out on top, with a range of impressive features designed to make users’ lives easier.
It folds away without any hassle when not in use, and the organizer pouch is great for providing an extra bit of bedside storage. The quality and durability of this product can’t be beaten, hence why it is my most recommended product.
The extra-long padded handle of the Vive Assist Bed Rail makes it the best choice for older adults who need a lot of extra support, so the mid-level price tag is definitely worth it if you’re looking for a sturdy product that will last for a long time.
For slightly more money, the Vaunn Medical Adjustable Bed Assist Rail provides a similar look and feel to Vive’s bed rail but offers extra adjustability and non-slip features.
In terms of style and appearance, the best product, in my opinion, is the Stander Bed Cane. If you want a discreet and compact product that still offers extra features, this is the bed cane for you.
Finally, the Medline Bed Assist Bar offers the most storage out of all the products I have included, so this is something to consider if storage is one of your priorities.
If you think you might need more support than a bed cane can offer, check out our guide to the best home hospital beds. We also offer a guide to the best hospital bed sheets.
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