Stand-Up vs Lay-Down Sunbeds: Which Is Right for You?
One of the most common questions at the desk. Here's the honest difference between stand-up and lay-down beds — intensity, comfort, evenness — and how to pick.
6 min readReviewed 24 July 2026
Stand up or lie down? It's one of the first questions new clients ask, and it's a good one — because the two genuinely feel different, and the right choice depends on what you want from your session as much as the colour you're after.
Neither is 'better'. They're different tools for the same job, and plenty of our regulars switch between them. Here's the honest rundown of how each works, what people like about them, and how to decide — with a note on how we pace either one to your skin.
The quick answer
Lay-down beds are the classic: you recline in comfort while the lamps work around you. Stand-up beds are exactly what they sound like — a cabin you stand in, usually with higher-output lamps and a shorter session. As a rough rule, stand-ups are more intense and quicker, lay-downs are more relaxed and a touch longer.
Because a stand-up is typically more powerful, its sessions are shorter — which is why we never just copy your time across from one to the other. Whichever you choose, we set the time to that specific bed and your skin type, so the intensity difference is accounted for rather than guessed.
Lay-down beds: comfort and relaxation
If your session doubles as ten minutes of peace, a lay-down bed is hard to beat. You're reclined, supported and still; a lot of people find it genuinely relaxing, almost like lying in warm sun. Our premium Ergoline and MegaSun lay-downs are built for exactly that — even coverage with real comfort.
The one thing to know is that lying down means your back and the areas you're resting on tan slightly differently from a standing position. It's rarely an issue, but if a perfectly all-over, even finish is your priority, it's worth reading the next section.
Stand-up beds: intensity, space and evenness
Stand-ups suit people who want to be in and out quickly, who feel a little closed-in lying down, or who want the most even, all-over result. Because you're standing with your arms away from your body, nothing is pressed against a surface — so the light reaches you more uniformly, with no contact points.
They're also a favourite for hygiene-minded regulars: your skin isn't resting on an acrylic bed, and every cabin is sanitised before every visit regardless. The trade-off is intensity — a stand-up session is shorter and stronger, which is precisely why we set a conservative time and build from there, especially if you're newer to tanning.
Which should you choose?
Choose a lay-down if you want to relax, take it a little slower, and enjoy the session itself. Choose a stand-up if you want speed, an even all-over finish, or more space around you. Many people build a base on one and maintain on the other — there's no rule that says you have to pick just one.
Honestly, the best answer is to try both and see what your skin and mood prefer. Ask the team in Corby or Kettering which of our beds suits what you're after — we'll point you to the right one and set your time for it. (As always, you'll need to be 18 or over and registered before your first session.)