Posted by Shane Cousins
on September 14, 2026
Electric ottoman beds use a powered lifting mechanism to raise the mattress platform and access the storage underneath. Unlike a manual ottoman, which still requires some physical input from the user, an electric system provides powered assistance to make opening and closing the bed easier.
The key difference is therefore how the storage is accessed rather than the storage concept itself. This guide explains how electric ottoman beds work, how they compare with manual models, their advantages and disadvantages, and which option may be more suitable for your needs. For a broader introduction, see our guide to what an ottoman bed frame is.
How Does an Electric Ottoman Bed Work?
An electric ottoman bed uses a powered lifting mechanism to raise the mattress platform and expose the storage compartment below. Once activated, the system lifts the platform with the mattress still in place, reducing the amount of physical effort required from the user.
Closing the bed reverses the process, lowering the platform back into position. The exact motor, controls and lifting components vary between manufacturers, but the principle is the same: powered assistance replaces most of the manual lifting.
Endurance Beds Insight
An electric ottoman does not necessarily provide more storage than a manual model. Its main advantage is reducing the effort needed to access that storage.
Electric vs Manual Ottoman Beds: What’s the Difference?
The main difference is how the mattress platform is lifted. Manual ottomans typically use a gas-assisted mechanism but still require the user to initiate the movement, while electric models use powered assistance to do most of the lifting.
| Feature | Manual Ottoman | Electric Ottoman |
|---|---|---|
| Opening | Gas-assisted manual lift | Powered lift |
| Physical effort | Some input required | Minimal input required |
| Power supply | Not required | Required |
| Complexity | Simpler mechanism | More components |
| Typical cost | Usually lower | Usually higher |
A well-specified manual ottoman should still feel straightforward to use because the gas lift offsets much of the platform and mattress weight. Electric operation simply reduces the amount of physical input further.
What Are the Advantages of an Electric Ottoman Bed?
The main advantage of an electric ottoman bed is easier access to the storage compartment. Powered lifting reduces the effort needed to raise the mattress platform, which can be especially useful with larger bed sizes or heavier mattresses.
This can also make the storage more practical for regular use, as the bed can be opened without repeatedly lifting the platform by hand. For anyone prioritising convenience, that can be the strongest reason to choose electric over manual operation.
Electric operation does not restrict the look of the bed either. Upholstered headboards, different fabrics and a wide choice of colours can still be used, so the mechanism can remain discreet within a design-led bedroom scheme.
The main benefit of an electric ottoman is therefore easier access, not additional storage capacity.
What Are the Disadvantages of Electric Ottoman Beds?
The main drawbacks are higher cost and greater mechanical complexity. Electric ottomans rely on a motor, controls and electrical connections in addition to the lifting hardware used by the bed frame.
They also require access to a suitable power supply, which may influence cable management or bed positioning. For occasional storage access, this extra complexity may offer limited practical benefit compared with a manual ottoman.
This does not make electric models inherently unreliable; it simply means there are more components involved that may need attention over the lifetime of the bed.
Electric ottomans add convenience, but also cost, electrical dependence and additional components compared with a manual lifting system.
Are Electric Ottoman Beds Reliable?
Electric ottoman beds can be reliable for long-term use when the motor, lifting system and frame are properly specified. Reliability depends more on component quality and correct installation than on the bed being electric.
The lifting system should also be suitable for the weight of the mattress and platform. If the mechanism is regularly working beyond its intended load, unnecessary strain can develop over time.
Warranty cover and access to replacement parts are worth considering too, particularly because the powered system may need specialist attention if a fault develops.
Endurance Beds Insight
Reliability depends primarily on component quality, suitable mattress weight, correct installation and aftercare support.
Is an Electric Ottoman Easier to Use Than a Manual Ottoman?
Yes. In terms of physical effort, an electric ottoman is generally easier to operate because the powered mechanism raises and lowers the mattress platform for you.
A well-specified manual ottoman should still be relatively easy to open, as gas-assisted lifting reduces much of the weight. The difference is that electric operation removes more of the physical input altogether.
How worthwhile that feels depends largely on how often the storage is used. For occasional access, a manual system may be perfectly sufficient; for regular access, electric operation can offer a noticeable convenience benefit.
If you choose a manual model, our guide to how to lower an ottoman bed explains how the lifting mechanism should operate in everyday use.
Who Is an Electric Ottoman Bed Best Suited To?
Electric ottoman beds are particularly suited to people who access under-bed storage regularly or want to minimise the physical effort involved in lifting the mattress platform. A manual ottoman may be more suitable where storage is accessed occasionally, budget is a priority or a simpler mechanism is preferred.
Manual or Electric Ottoman: Which Should You Choose?
Choose an electric ottoman if you expect to access the storage regularly and want to minimise lifting effort. Choose a manual ottoman if you are comfortable using a gas-assisted lift and prefer a simpler, usually lower-cost mechanism.
Bed size, mattress weight, frequency of use and budget should all influence the decision, but neither system is automatically better. The best option is the one that suits how you expect to use the storage day to day.
If you are still considering the wider benefits and drawbacks of this type of storage bed, our guide to whether an ottoman bed is worth it looks at the decision beyond the lifting mechanism.
Style Doesn’t Have to Be the Compromise
An electric ottoman does not need to look technical or functional. The powered mechanism is built into the frame, so the bed can still be defined by its upholstery, headboard style, fabric and colour.
This means the lifting system and the overall design can be treated as separate decisions: choose the mechanism that suits how you use the storage, then select the finish that works with the rest of the bedroom.
Our Iberis Electric Ottoman Bed, for example, combines powered opening with a choice of upholstery finishes and colours.
Final Thoughts
Electric and manual ottoman beds provide the same fundamental benefit: practical storage beneath the mattress. The main difference is how that storage is accessed. Manual ottomans use an assisted lifting mechanism but still require some physical input, while electric models use powered operation to reduce the effort involved in raising and lowering the mattress platform.
For regular storage access, larger bed sizes or anyone who places a high value on convenience, an electric ottoman can be a worthwhile upgrade. For occasional access, tighter budgets or buyers who prefer a simpler mechanism, a manual ottoman remains a practical and effective choice.
The best option ultimately depends on how you expect to use the bed day to day. If you are comparing both styles, explore our ottoman bed collection to compare available designs, upholstery options and lifting mechanisms.
Shane Cousins
Marketing Executive
For the past five years, Shane has been a valued member of the Endurance Beds team, drawing on his degree and background in consumer insight research to shape engaging, design-focused content. He loves helping customers spark their own creativity, from colour matching to discovering new stylistic approaches for their bedrooms. "Working for a bed company taught me so much more than just product details. It introduced me to the science of sleep, the art of product matching, and how small choices can transform rest. I’ve since developed into a bit of a sleep expert, using what I’ve learned to share honest, practical advice through my content."
