American Quality Health Products vs. SonderCare: Which Home Care Bed Is Right for You?
If you're comparing American Quality Health Products (AQHP) with SonderCare for a home care or hospital bed, there's an important difference between the two companies: SonderCare manufactures its own bed line, while American Quality Health Products gives customers the ability to choose among many bed types and manufacturers.
SonderCare has published its own comparison of the two companies. We welcome the comparison. Choosing a home care bed is an important decision, and customers should research their options carefully.
However, we believe their comparison leaves out some important information about American Quality Health Products—particularly the range of sophisticated full-electric, hi-low, sit-to-stand, ultra-low, bariatric and residential-style beds we offer.
So let's take a more complete look.
Quick Answer: American Quality Health Products vs. SonderCare
SonderCare may be an excellent choice if you've determined that one of its beds has the features, dimensions, appearance and price that fit your needs.
American Quality Health Products takes a different approach.
Rather than limiting customers to beds from one manufacturer, AQHP offers beds from multiple established manufacturers across a much wider range of designs, capabilities and price points.
That includes economical manual and semi-electric beds for customers who need a basic solution.
But it also includes sophisticated:
- Full-electric hospital and home care beds
- Hi-low adjustable beds
- Ultra-low beds
- Sit-to-stand beds
- Rotating easy-exit beds
- Residential-style adjustable beds
- Voice-controlled beds on select models
- Massage-equipped beds on select models
- Bariatric and extra-wide beds
- Long-term-care beds
The advantage isn't simply price. It's choice.
And when you're selecting a bed someone may depend on every day for years, we believe choice matters.
Does AQHP Only Offer Manual and Semi-Electric Hospital Beds?
No.
This is perhaps the most important point to clarify in SonderCare's comparison.
SonderCare correctly notes that American Quality Health Products sells manual and semi-electric hospital beds.
We do—and we're glad we do.
Not every customer needs a $4,000, $7,000 or $10,000 home care bed.
Someone recovering temporarily, a family working within a limited budget, or someone with relatively simple care requirements may need nothing more than an economical manual or semi-electric hospital bed.
Why shouldn't that customer have that choice?
But those beds represent only one part of the AQHP selection.
American Quality Health Products also offers an extensive selection of premium full-electric and advanced home care beds.
Depending upon the model, customers can find features including:
- Full-electric head, foot and height adjustment
- Powered hi-low positioning
- Ultra-low sleeping positions
- Sit-to-stand assistance
- Powered rotating mattress platforms
- Voice control on select models
- Massage on select models
- Under-bed lighting
- Advanced comfort positioning
- Residential furniture-style designs
- Bariatric capacities
- Extra-wide sleeping surfaces
So the meaningful comparison isn't simply:
SonderCare = Full Electric
AQHP = Manual or Semi-Electric
The more complete comparison is:
SonderCare = A focused line of full-electric beds from one manufacturer
versus
AQHP = A broad selection ranging from economical beds through sophisticated premium full-electric home care systems from multiple manufacturers.
That's a very different comparison.
One Manufacturer or Multiple Manufacturers: Which Is Better?
SonderCare emphasizes that it manufactures its own beds.
There can certainly be advantages to purchasing directly from a manufacturer.
But there's another side to that equation.
A manufacturer can only recommend beds that it manufactures.
American Quality Health Products isn't tied to one bed manufacturer.
Our selection includes products from established manufacturers and brands such as Drive Medical, Transfer Master, Flexabed, Golden Technologies, Gendron, Protekt, Great Life Healthcare and others.
That means our conversation with a customer can begin somewhere different.
Instead of asking:
“Which of our beds should you buy?”
we can begin by asking:
“What does the person using the bed actually need?”
That's an important distinction.
Different People Need Different Beds
Someone at risk of falling
An ultra-low bed may be the priority.
Someone receiving daily caregiver assistance
Powered hi-low adjustment may be particularly important because it allows the mattress platform to be positioned at a more convenient working height.
Someone who struggles to stand
Simply raising and lowering the mattress may not solve the primary problem. A sit-to-stand or rotating easy-exit bed may deserve consideration.
Someone who needs additional room
A wider bed or bariatric model may be appropriate.
Someone furnishing a primary bedroom
Residential appearance may be extremely important.
Someone with limited hand dexterity
Voice-control capability on an appropriate model may be valuable.
Someone who primarily needs an economical solution
A basic manual or semi-electric bed may be perfectly adequate.
Why should all of these people be directed toward the same type of bed?
That's precisely why AQHP maintains a broad selection.
AQHP Offers Full-Electric Beds for Long-Term Home Care
SonderCare's comparison presents AQHP largely as a price-led alternative and contrasts budget-oriented beds with beds intended for longer-term care.
We don't believe that accurately describes our full selection.
American Quality Health Products offers numerous beds specifically suited to sophisticated and long-term home-care situations.
Our catalog includes full-electric long-term-care beds, premium residential-style hi-low beds, ultra-low beds, bariatric beds and specialized mobility-assistance beds.
Customers can therefore choose an economical bed when that's appropriate—or invest in a much more sophisticated bed when long-term care requires it.
Offering an inexpensive bed doesn't prevent us from offering an exceptional premium bed. It simply gives customers more choices.
Some AQHP Beds Go Beyond a Conventional Full-Electric Bed
Full-electric operation is important, but for some users it isn't enough.
Consider someone who can sit upright but has significant difficulty getting out of bed and standing.
AQHP offers specialized beds designed specifically around this problem.
Independence Sit-to-Stand Adjustable Bed
Instead of simply adjusting the head, feet, and overall bed height, the system is designed around assisted standing and mobility.
For the right user, that's a fundamentally different solution from a conventional hospital bed.
Powered Rotor Assist Bed
These are excellent examples of why we believe customers benefit from comparing different bed technologies rather than beginning with a particular manufacturer.
What About Voice Control and Premium Features?
Customers seeking advanced technology also have choices through AQHP.
Select premium beds available from American Quality Health Products offer features such as:
- Voice control
- Massage
- Under-bed lighting
- Powered hi-low adjustment
- Advanced positioning
- Residential styling
The Flexabed Hi-Low SL, for example, combines premium adjustable-bed styling with powered height adjustment and offers advanced options for customers seeking additional comfort and convenience.
A home-care bed doesn't necessarily have to look—or function—like a traditional institutional hospital bed.
Residential Appearance Matters
On this point, we agree with SonderCare.
When a bed is going into someone's primary bedroom for years, the room should continue to feel like a home whenever possible.
Where we differ is with the idea that choosing AQHP means choosing a clinical-looking bed.
It doesn't.
AQHP offers residential-style adjustable and hi-low beds designed for customers who want home-care functionality without turning their bedroom into something that looks like a hospital room.
Customers can compare different manufacturers, mattress sizes, frame styles and configurations.
Residential appearance isn't exclusive to one manufacturer.
White Glove Delivery: An Important Clarification
SonderCare's comparison emphasizes AQHP's free standard shipping while contrasting it with White Glove in-home setup.
There's an important piece missing from that comparison:
American Quality Health Products also offers White Glove Delivery and professional in-home setup on many eligible beds.
With AQHP White Glove Delivery, the bed is:
- Brought into the customer's home
- Taken to the room of their choice
- Unpacked and set up
- Checked to make sure it operates properly as described
- Left ready for the customer
- Cleared of packaging and related packing materials
On many beds, AQHP White Glove service is available for $549 or less, depending upon the particular bed and delivery circumstances.
SonderCare lists its White Glove Standard service at $599.
So this isn't accurately described simply as:
SonderCare = In-home setup
AQHP = Curbside delivery
The more complete comparison is that AQHP gives customers a choice.
If you have family members or caregivers available and don't need professional setup, you may be able to take advantage of qualifying free standard delivery.
If you want someone to bring the bed inside, place it in the desired room, set it up, check its operation and remove the packing material, White Glove Delivery is available on many eligible AQHP beds.
Customers who need White Glove service can purchase it. Customers who don't need it aren't forced to pay for it.
What About SonderCare's Five-Year Warranty?
SonderCare emphasizes that its Aura beds carry a five-year parts warranty handled directly by SonderCare.
That's a legitimate benefit.
But customers comparing warranties should look beyond the number of years.
Beds purchased through American Quality Health Products carry the manufacturer's warranty applicable to the particular bed selected.
Those warranties vary because AQHP sells beds from multiple manufacturers.
CPS protection is available in 2-, 3- and 5-year options on eligible products, depending upon the protection plan purchased.
Importantly, eligible CPS protection can include parts and labor.
That creates another choice for the AQHP customer.
You can rely upon the manufacturer's included warranty, or you may have the option to purchase additional CPS parts-and-labor protection for greater long-term peace of mind.
When comparing warranties, we recommend asking:
- How long does coverage last?
- Are parts covered?
- Is labor covered?
- Who handles the claim?
A five-year parts warranty and a protection plan covering parts and labor aren't necessarily the same benefit.
Customers should compare the actual coverage rather than simply comparing the largest number printed next to “warranty.”
What About AQHP's Return Policy?
SonderCare also highlights AQHP's return restrictions.
Large home-care beds are specialized products, and customers should absolutely understand the applicable return policy before ordering.
But we think this points to something even more important:
Choosing the correct bed before ordering.
A home-care bed isn't an ordinary online purchase.
Before ordering, consider:
- Room dimensions
- Bed dimensions
- Sleeping-surface width
- User height and weight
- Weight capacity
- Minimum and maximum bed height
- Transfer requirements
- Fall concerns
- Caregiver requirements
- Mattress selection
- Rail requirements
- Delivery method
- Doorway and room access
If you're uncertain, call us before placing the order.
American Quality Health Products has knowledgeable representatives who can help customers compare these factors before a bed ships.
Our objective is not to make it easy to order the wrong large, specialized bed and return it.
Our objective is to help you select the right bed in the first place.
AQHP vs. SonderCare: Side-by-Side Comparison
Business Model
AQHP: Multi-brand home medical equipment specialist
SonderCare: Bed manufacturer
Choice of Manufacturers
AQHP: Yes — multiple brands
SonderCare: SonderCare products
Manual Beds
AQHP: Yes
SonderCare: Aura line — No
Semi-Electric Beds
AQHP: Yes
SonderCare: Aura line — No
Full-Electric Beds
AQHP: Yes — multiple choices
SonderCare: Yes
Hi-Low Beds
AQHP: Yes — multiple choices
SonderCare: Yes
Ultra-Low Beds
AQHP: Yes
SonderCare: Yes
Sit-to-Stand Options
AQHP: Yes
SonderCare: Different product approach
Rotating/Easy-Exit Options
AQHP: Yes
SonderCare: Compare by model
Voice-Control Options
AQHP: Yes, on select models
SonderCare: Compare by model
Residential-Style Beds
AQHP: Yes — multiple manufacturers
SonderCare: Yes
Bariatric/Extra-Wide Beds
AQHP: Yes — multiple sizes and capacities
SonderCare: Compare by model
Free Standard Delivery
AQHP: Yes on qualifying purchases
SonderCare: Check current terms
White Glove In-Home Setup
AQHP: Yes, optional on many eligible beds
SonderCare: Yes
White Glove Price
AQHP: Generally $549 or less on many beds
SonderCare: White Glove Standard listed at $599
Manufacturer Warranty
AQHP: Varies by manufacturer and model
SonderCare: SonderCare warranty
Optional Extended Protection
AQHP: CPS available on eligible products
SonderCare: Check current options
Parts-and-Labor Protection
AQHP: Available through eligible CPS plans
SonderCare: Aura five-year parts warranty
Ability to Compare Manufacturers
AQHP: Yes
SonderCare: Limited to SonderCare products
Phone Assistance Before Purchase
AQHP: Yes
SonderCare: Yes
Product specifications, prices, delivery services, warranty terms and protection-plan eligibility can change and vary by model and location. Customers should verify the terms applicable to the particular bed before purchasing.
When Is a SonderCare Bed the Right Choice?
We aren't going to tell you SonderCare makes a poor bed simply because they're a competitor.
If you've compared your options and a SonderCare Aura has the right combination of height range, features, appearance, capacity and price for your needs, it deserves consideration.
Its ultra-low positioning may be particularly attractive for someone for whom fall concerns are a major consideration.
Customers may also value dealing directly with the manufacturer for its included warranty.
Those are legitimate benefits.
But they don't establish that a SonderCare bed is the best choice for every person receiving care at home.
When Is American Quality Health Products the Better Choice?
AQHP may be particularly attractive when you haven't decided which manufacturer makes the best bed for your situation.
Consider AQHP if:
- You want to compare multiple full-electric beds.
- You need an ultra-low bed.
- You need a sit-to-stand bed.
- Getting out of bed is the person's primary mobility challenge.
- You want voice control or other premium features.
- You want a residential-looking bed.
- You need additional width.
- You need higher weight capacity.
- You want to compare several manufacturers.
- You want an economical bed without premium features you don't need.
- You want free standard shipping when professional setup isn't necessary.
- You want White Glove setup when it is necessary.
- You want the option of additional parts-and-labor protection.
- You're not yet certain which type of home-care bed is appropriate.
That's the AQHP advantage: choice.
Don't Choose the Manufacturer First. Choose the Person First.
This is perhaps our most important recommendation.
Don't begin your search by asking:
“Should I buy a SonderCare, Transfer Master, Drive Medical, Flexabed or Golden Technologies bed?”
Begin with the person who will actually use it.
Can the person get out of bed independently?
If not, investigate sit-to-stand and rotating/easy-exit solutions.
Is falling a significant concern?
Compare the minimum heights of several ultra-low beds.
Does a caregiver provide hands-on assistance?
Compare powered hi-low adjustment and caregiver-friendly positioning.
Does the person require additional width or weight capacity?
Compare bariatric and extra-wide models.
Will this be in the primary bedroom for years?
Consider residential appearance as well as medical functionality.
Would voice control make operation easier?
Compare beds offering that technology.
Do you have people available to set up the bed?
If not, consider White Glove Delivery.
How much protection do you want after the purchase?
Compare the manufacturer's included warranty plus available extended parts-and-labor protection.
What's your budget?
Then determine which features are worth paying for.
That's a much better way to select a bed than beginning with a manufacturer's name.
The Bottom Line: SonderCare vs. American Quality Health Products
SonderCare offers a focused family of premium home-care beds manufactured by SonderCare.
American Quality Health Products offers something fundamentally different: the ability to compare many home-care solutions before deciding which one is right.
We sell economical manual and semi-electric beds because some customers need them.
We sell sophisticated full-electric beds because other customers need much more.
We offer hi-low beds, ultra-low beds, residential-style beds, bariatric beds, voice-controlled options, sit-to-stand beds, rotating easy-exit beds and premium adjustable beds designed for long-term use at home.
We offer free standard shipping on qualifying purchases for customers who don't require professional installation.
And on many eligible beds, we offer White Glove Delivery for customers who want the bed brought into their home, placed in the room of their choice, set up, checked for proper operation and the packing material removed.
Our beds carry the applicable manufacturer's warranty, and eligible customers can also select CPS extended protection—including parts-and-labor coverage with options extending as long as five years depending upon the plan.
We don't believe one manufacturer can make the perfect bed for every person's needs.
That's why our approach is different.
Start With the Person. Then Choose the Bed.
American Quality Health Products has been helping customers select mobility and home-care products since 2001.
If you're considering a SonderCare bed—or you're comparing SonderCare with Transfer Master, Flexabed, Drive Medical, Golden Technologies or another home-care bed—talk with us before you make your decision.
Tell us about the person who will use the bed.
Tell us about their mobility, height and weight, whether they can stand independently, whether someone provides daily care, fall concerns, desired bed width, room dimensions, comfort preferences, delivery requirements and your budget.
Then let us help you compare the beds that actually fit those needs.
American Quality Health Products
Call 1-855-563-9900
Serving customers since 2001.
