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The Best Mattress for Arthritis
Our Top Picks
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Best Overall Mattress
Nectar Premier -
Best Value Mattress
Layla Memory Foam Mattress -
Most Comfortable Mattress
WinkBed -
Best Luxury Mattress
Zenhaven -
Best Mattress for Pressure Relief
Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Adapt
Best Overall Mattress
The Nectar Premier’s memory foam and polyfoam layers provide significant comfort and support at an affordable price-point. The mattress’ solid pressure relief and ability to isolate motion stood out to our testers, indicating that this is a good mattress for those with arthritis, especially if they also have bed partners.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Thick layer of memory foam contours to relieve pressure points
- Strong motion isolation
- Competitively priced
Cons
- May be too soft for stomach sleepers
- Edges compress under pressure
Ratings
Our Take
Best Value Mattress
With its flippable design, the Layla Memory Foam Mattress is essentially two mattresses in one available at a competitive price-point. The ability to choose between firmness levels makes this mattress suitable for a wide range of sleepers, including those with arthritis pain. Copper-gel memory foam keeps the body cushioned and comfortable, especially on the softer side.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Flippable design with medium soft (4) and firm (7) sides
- Zoned transitional layer on soft side offers targeted pressure relief
Cons
- Flippable design with medium soft (4) and firm (7) sides
- Zoned transitional layer on soft side offers targeted pressure relief
Ratings
Our Take
Most Comfortable Mattress
With its high-quality materials and wide range of firmness options, the WinkBed can provide excellent comfort for just about any sleep position or body type. For those with arthritis pain, the WinkBed’s combination of cushioning foam comfort layers and a responsive innerspring support core offer a particularly good balance of pressure relief and support.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Four firmness choices provide options for most sleepers
- Zoned support gives added lower back support
- Reinforced edges provide sense of security when getting in and out of bed
Cons
- Slightly higher price-point
- Moderate contouring may not provide sufficient pressure relief for some
- Sleeping partners may disagree on the ideal firmness
Ratings
Our Take
Best Luxury Mattress
The Zenhaven Natural Latex Mattress impressed our testing team with its standout temperature regulation and sturdy construction. Its five-zone vented latex comfort layer offers an excellent combination of targeted pressure relief and enhanced airflow, and the flippable design provides a choice of firmness options that may benefit sleepers with arthritis.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Organic materials sleep cool and facilitate movement
- Free White Glove delivery
Cons
- Organic materials sleep cool and facilitate movement
- Free White Glove delivery
Ratings
Our Take
Best Mattress for Pressure Relief
The TEMPUR-Adapt embodies the durable craftsmanship and strong performance that has come to define Tempur-Pedic as a leading mattress brand. This plush all-foam model provides next-level cushioning to alleviate pain and pressure in all of your most sensitive areas, and also isolates motion for couples.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Excellent motion isolation
- Close-conforming foams wrap around body to evenly distribute pressure
- Free White Glove delivery
Cons
- Elevated price-point
- Too soft for most stomach and back sleepers over 130 pounds
- Memory foam is slow to regain its shape and offers little edge support
Ratings
Our Take
Compare Our Top Picks
| Mattress | Mattress Type | Ideal For | Value | Sleep Trial |
| Nectar Premier | Foam | Couples | Great Value | 365 nights |
| Layla Memory Foam Mattress | Foam | People With Sharp Pressure Points | Great Value | 120 nights |
| WinkBed | Innerspring | Side Sleepers | Good Value | 120 nights (30 night requirement) |
| Zenhaven | Latex | Hot Sleepers | Good Value | 365 Nights ($99 Return Fee) |
| Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Adapt | Foam | Side Sleepers | Good Value | 90 Nights (30-Night Requirement) |
What Is the Best Type of Mattress for Arthritis?
Foam, latex, hybrid, innerspring, and airbed mattresses each offer distinct advantages when sleeping with joint pain. The best mattress type for you depends on your individual symptoms.
Foam mattresses tend to contour more closely, which can alleviate pressure points if you have rheumatoid arthritis. Innerspring mattresses are mostly made of steel coils and have limited cushioning, but their firm, responsive surface may provide better support if you have osteoarthritis.
Hybrid mattresses combine the advantages of foam and innerspring mattresses, while latex mattresses offer a responsive surface that facilitates movement. Finally, airbeds have firmness levels that can be adjusted in precise increments to adapt along with your symptoms.
| Mattress Type | Pros | Cons |
| Foam | Strong pressure reliefReduces motion transfer when sleeping with a partner | May impede movementWeaker edge support than most hybridsProne to heat retention |
| Latex | ResponsiveModerate pressure relief | May have weak edge supportExpensiveAverage motion transfer |
| Hybrid | Strong edge supportGood airflowResponsiveGood pressure relief | Motion transfer can be an issueDepending on design, may offer less pressure relief than a foam mattress |
| Innerspring | Promotes ease of movement by keeping sleepers “on” as opposed to “in” the bed | Little to no pressure reliefNoticeable motion transfer when sleeping with a partner |
| Airbed | Firmness can be adjusted in real time | Expensive |
Video: Breaking Down the Major Mattress Types
Watch our video for an in-depth overview of some of the most common types of mattresses.
What Is the Best Mattress Firmness for Arthritis?
The ideal mattress firmness for arthritis depends on your body type, usual sleeping position, and personal preference. You also need to consider how your arthritis symptoms influence your sleeping posture and sensitivity to pressure points when choosing a mattress. There are many different types of arthritis, and symptoms vary from person to person.
People with rheumatoid arthritis experience swelling in the joints along with pain and muscle aches. While rheumatoid arthritis starts in smaller joints like the thumbs and toes, it often progresses to the shoulders, knees, and cervical spine. Less commonly, rheumatoid arthritis may affect the neck and hips. To cushion tender areas, a softer mattress may be appropriate.
In osteoarthritis, cartilage that usually protects the joints breaks down, causing swelling, stiffness, and joint pain that can impact sleep and movement. Osteoarthritis commonly targets the knees, hips, spine, and hands. To facilitate switching sleeping positions and prevent added strain from poor posture, you may find a firm mattress most comfortable.
How to Choose a Mattress When You Have Arthritis
When choosing a mattress for arthritis, you should consider practical details as well as how the mattress performs for your individual sleeping style.
Sleeping Position
Your sleeping position dictates how your body interacts with your mattress. Since each person’s arthritis symptoms are unique, it’s difficult to establish a single sleeping position that works for everybody. However, the general goals are to support the spine and distribute weight evenly without putting too much pressure on tender areas.
Back sleeping naturally aligns the spine and may be most comfortable. That said, you may experience pressure buildup in the lumbar area while back sleeping if your mattress doesn’t conform closely enough.
Many people with arthritis experience increased tenderness when pressure is applied to painful areas. Side sleepers are the most likely to experience pressure points, because most of the body’s weight comes to rest on the hips and shoulders in this position. That said, a pressure-relieving mattress can help you sleep comfortably on your side.
Stomach sleeping is not typically recommended if you have arthritis, since it forces the head to one side and may increase neck pain.
Mattress Performance
If you have arthritis, some of the most important features to look for in a mattress include pressure relief, ease of movement, and edge support.
| Performance Factor | Description |
| Pressure Relief | Pressure relief is key when buying a mattress for arthritis, especially if parts of your body are tender to the touch. Close-conforming materials such as memory foam or Talalay latex help spread out your body’s weight and reduce pressure buildup at contact points. |
| Ease of Movement | A common symptom of arthritis is joint stiffness that builds up after long periods of immobility. This commonly happens in the morning after spending all night in bed. Responsive materials like latex or steel coils can make it easier to switch sleeping positions more often, which may help reduce morning stiffness. |
| Edge Support | Arthritis can cause muscle weakness, balance problems, stiffness, and knee pain or buckling knees that make it difficult to get out of bed. A mattress with reinforced edge support provides a more dependable surface to sit or lean on, and also helps reduce feelings of instability when sleeping near the edge of the bed. |
Sleep Trial and Warranty
A sleep trial offers the chance to sleep on a mattress in your own home and return it for a refund if you’re not happy. Sleep trials usually last at least a few months and they offer the opportunity to test if a mattress alleviates or worsens your arthritis symptoms.
Mattress companies also back their products with a warranty, which protects shoppers against flaws in manufacturing. Most warranties cover defects such as rips or notable indentations in the foam, but aren’t designed to cover damage from misuse or wear and tear.
Carefully read the terms and conditions of the sleep trial and warranty, as you may be responsible for covering part of the costs in the event of a return or warranty claim.
Delivery and Setup
The vast majority of mattresses sold online today are compressed, rolled up, and shipped in a box to your doorstep. Mattresses are large and heavy, and setup requires moving the mattress to your bedroom, placing it on a bed base, and removing the packaging so it can expand. To make setup easier for people with limited mobility, some companies offer White Glove delivery.
With White Glove delivery, a delivery team sets up the mattress for you in your room of choice and disposes of the packing materials. You may also be offered the option of old mattress removal, so you don’t have to worry about transporting an old mattress to a landfill. Companies may charge a nominal fee for White Glove delivery and old mattress removal.
Tips for Relieving Arthritis Pain During Sleep
In addition to choosing the right mattress, there are other ways to help relieve arthritis pain at night.
- Add a topper to your bed: Mattress toppers are thin layers of material designed to change the feel of your mattress. Typically made of memory foam, polyfoam, or latex, they are a cost-effective way to make a mattress feel firmer or softer.
- Practice healthy sleep posture: Try to keep your spine as straight as possible while sleeping by choosing a supportive mattress and avoiding positions that require bending at unnatural angles. If you experience stronger pain on one side of your body, avoid sleeping on that side.
- Support your body with pillows: Pillows can help maintain spinal alignment by elevating unsupported body parts. For example, a pillow between the knees when side sleeping can improve hip alignment and relieve back strain, while a cervical pillow can keep the neck straight when back sleeping.
- Consult your physician: If you have arthritis, it’s important to seek treatment from a healthcare provider, who can develop a personalized plan to address your symptoms and potentially reduce long-term damage to your joints. Your physician may prescribe medication or additional lifestyle changes such as exercise or weight loss.
- Use heat or cold therapy before bed: Some people with arthritis find relief from applying a hot or cold pack to painful areas. Ask your doctor if this method is right for you.
- Wear a splint: Your doctor may recommend using a splint to immobilize and keep weight off affected joints while you sleep.
Discover More Mattress Solutions
Dive into our in-depth guides to learn more about choosing a mattress that’s right for your sleeping style.
More Mattress Guides
- Best Mattress for Back Pain
- Best Mattress for Back Pain Caused By Arthritis
- Best Budget Mattress for Back Pain
- Best Mattress for Side Sleepers With Back Pain
- Best Hybrid Mattress for Back Pain
- Best Mattress for Fibromyalgia
- Best Mattress for Hip Pain
- Best Mattress for Scoliosis
- Best Mattress for Shoulder Pain
- Best Orthopedic Mattress
How We Test
Every mattress we recommend at Sleep Doctor goes through extensive testing in our Seattle lab. We use pressure mapping, SensorTag technology, and other tools to measure the most important performance metrics. Then, the testers on our sleep team put each mattress through its paces to see how it actually feels.
To find the best mattress for people with arthritis, we zeroed in on pressure relief, support, ease of movement, and edge support. Our team comprises individuals of varying body weights and sleeping position preferences, giving us a comprehensive idea of how each mattress performs for back, side, and stomach sleepers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Arthritis often causes stiffness on waking and increased pain at night, so it can be difficult to tell if these symptoms are from the arthritis itself or worsened by your mattress. However, if you notice markedly worse symptoms after spending time in bed, you may want to consider changing your sleeping setup.
The ideal mattress firmness depends on what type of arthritis you have, as well as your body weight and preferred sleeping position. Experts usually recommend using a firmer mattress if you have osteoarthritis, since soft surfaces inhibit ease of movement and may not provide sufficient spinal support. However, if you have rheumatoid arthritis, you may prefer a softer surface to cushion tender contact points.
Back and side sleeping are usually best for people with arthritis, although this may vary according to your symptoms. While back sleeping encourages healthy spinal alignment, it may put pressure on the lower back. Side sleeping on a conforming mattress can also encourage good spinal alignment, but may exacerbate hip or shoulder pain.
Most people with arthritis should avoid stomach sleeping, which puts added pressure on the neck and upper back.
Memory foam offers close contouring that relieves pressure points and may help relieve arthritis symptoms, particularly those of rheumatoid arthritis. By contrast, people with osteoarthritis typically do better with firmer materials that prevent sinkage. If you have limited movement or trouble getting in and out of bed, memory foam may not offer the responsive, sturdy surface you need.
