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A good night’s sleep can help slow down inflammation in people with certain types of arthritis. [1] Irwin M, et al. Heat of the Night: Sleep Disturbance Activates Inflammatory Mechanisms and Induces Pain in Rheumatoid Arthritis. Nature Reviews Rheumatology. July 24, 2023.
Yet according to the Arthritis Foundation, up to 80% of people with arthritis experience sleep disturbances. If your joints ache, you may have trouble drifting off, but losing sleep can also worsen joint pain. [2] Arthritis Foundation. Sleep and pain. March 15, 2022. Found on the internet at https://www.arthritis.org/health-wellness/healthy-living/managing-pain/fatigue-sleep/sleep-and-pain So, if you need help breaking the cycle, it may be worth taking a look at your mattress.
“If someone does have pain or weakness due to arthritic changes in the hip, knee, or back, they could benefit more from certain mattresses than others,” said Nicole Hernandez, DPT, a physical therapist and health writer.“ Usually, a mattress with a balance between support and pressure relief is best.”
We rounded up nine of the best mattresses we’ve tested for different types of arthritis and pain locations, prioritizing comfort, ease of movement, and pressure relief. Below, discover if any of these supportive models may be right for you.
In this video, Vicki Tilley, a physical therapist and certified geriatric clinical specialist, demonstrates the best stretches to do before bed. These stretches can help improve flexibility and release stress and stiffness from the day. During her demonstration, she focuses on safe stretching practices by slowly walking through each activity step-by-step. Learn more about stretching before bed in the video below.
Our top mattress pick for people with arthritis is the Saatva Classic, a hybrid innerspring mattress available in different sizes, firmness levels, and mattress heights.
Our testers gave the Saatva Classic mattress a seven out of 10 on our firmness scale, with 10 being the most firm. It features a base made from steel coils, a lumbar support layer made from memory foam, and a pillow top to provide gentle comfort. This combination of firmness and cushioning helped it score high in joint pressure relief and functional support during our testing.
According to Hernandez, a good functional support score makes it easier to maneuver on the bed. So you don’t need to worry about feeling “stuck” inside the mattress if your joints are achy. What’s more, the mattress also has foam rails around the edges. Our testers found that this helped provide a “seat” that made it easier to get in and out of bed.
The Saatva Classic is a hybrid mattress with good pressure relief to support achy joints. It works well for all sleeping positions. For more information, check out our full Saatva mattress review.
“When I lay on the Saatva Classic, my spine feels neutral – just so long as I scoot down to align with the zoned lumbar support!”
Who may love it
Who may want to avoid it
For older adults who enjoy a plush sleeping experience, the Helix Midnight Luxe combines a cushion top and memory foam layer with a supporting coiled base.
The mattress features four layers of memory foam, hundreds of steel coils, and a breathable, plush pillow top. Our Reviews Team found the mattress slightly firmer than advertised, giving it a seven out of 10. The mattress features different firmness zones, providing support for the lumbar region while giving the shoulder and hip regions more cushioning, which can be helpful for people with joint pain.
The memory foam and cushion top cradle your body while you sleep, while the springs help you avoid the “sinking” feeling. Our testers found that it took a bit of effort to shift around on the mattress, likely due to the memory foam. But we also found that it was easy to get in and out of bed, since the mattress has good edge support.
The company doesn’t offer in-home delivery or setup; the mattress arrives compressed in a box and expands in under an hour.
For older adults who need lumbar support and pressure relief, the Helix Midnight Luxe provides a plush top layer with a firm base for joint support. We found that it worked best for stomach and combination sleepers.
“I feel like the material of the Helix Midnight Luxe mattress is conforming to my body, but it doesn’t feel like it’s pushing against my lower back. I think it’s because the top layer is really plush, and the support comes from the layer underneath.”
Who may love it
Who may want to avoid it
People with Fibromyalgia can experience pain and tenderness all over the body. So Hernandez suggests choosing a mattress with medium firmness for pressure relief and a softer surface level for maximum comfort. [3] National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases. Fibromyalgia.
The Nectar mattress fits the bill; it offers three layers of memory foam, which our Reviews Team found fairly firm, ranking it 6.5 out of 10. It also scored high in functional support, which should help with joint pain relief. Since the mattress lacks springs or coils, it doesn’t provide a lot of bounciness. But the foam also minimizes motion transfer, meaning tossing and turning shouldn’t disturb a sleeping partner.
We found that this mattress worked best for side and back sleepers because stomach sleepers might need more spine support than a pure memory foam mattress can provide.
The Nectar is the most affordable mattress on our list. Its memory foam could provide a comforting cushion for people struggling with fibromyalgia pain. The foam also has low motion transfer, making it ideal for anyone sharing the bed with a restless partner.
“When I am on the Nectar mattress, my hips and shoulders sink into the mattress in a good way. It’s a good side sleeping mattress.”
Who may love it
Who may want to avoid it
People who have arthritis-related hip pain might prefer a mattress designed to support the lumbar regions. So the Nolah Evolution earns our pick for the best mattress for hip pain.
The Nolah Evolution has a medium-high firmness level with “tri-zone” coils that offer lumbar support. Instead of memory foam, Nolah uses a unique “air foam” layer, which they claim offers pressure relief and greater responsiveness. Our Reviews Team verified that it was easy to roll around and move positions on this mattress. We also liked that it had a good bounce and provided pressure relief. For that reason, we consider it one of the best mattresses for side sleepers.
Nolah also offers free shipping and in-home setup via a third-party logistics provider for an additional fee.
The Nolah Evolution is a hybrid mattress with a combination of reinforced coils, air foam, and a quilted top. The layers provide a firm, supportive sleeping experience ideal for those who prefer to sleep on their sides or back.
“On the Nolah Evolution, my spine feels neutral. A lightweight sleeper might want more contour around the lower back area, but an average to heavier sleeper would experience more contour and support.”
Who may love it
Who may want to avoid it
Medium-firm mattresses tend to offer the best balance between firmness and cushioning for people with spine arthritis. [4] Wells B. Spondyloarthritis Association of America. Tips for sleeping better with spondyloarthritis We found that the Emma Hybrid Comfort mattress had a medium-high firmness and ranked 7.5 out of 10.
The Emma Hybrid Comfort mattress also contains seven different “support zones” designed to distribute pressure evenly and support the spine. Our Reviews Team noted that laying flat on the mattress slightly elevates your tailbone and found it most comfortable while stomach sleeping.
Thanks to the inner coils, we found it easy to shift positions on the mattress. While we didn’t think the Emma Hybrid Comfort’s edge support was particularly strong, the bounciness made it easy to get out of bed. However, our Reviews Team found some quality issues, like sloppy stitching. So we aren’t sure that it will remain durable long-term. But Emma backs the mattress up with a 10-year warranty.
The Emma Hybrid Comfort mattress’s medium-firm feel may support the spine. The company provides free shipping, a 10-year warranty, and a lengthy free trial period.
“On the Emma Hybrid Comfort, I am closer to the surface instead of feeling like my body is sinking into the mattress. I feel like I’m top, and only sinking about half an inch. It is comfortable laying on my back.”
Who may love it
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Research has found that sleeping on a medium-firm mattress may help lower back pain. [5] Caggiari G, et al. What Type of Mattress Should be Chosen to Avoid Back Pain and Improve Sleep Quality? Review of the Literature. Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology. Dec. 8, 2021. Coming in at a 6.5 out of 10 on the firmness scale, the WinkBeds mattress provides that medium-firm sleep experience. It combines innerspring, foam, and pillow layers, offering a good combination of support and plush comfort. That’s why it earned our pick for the best mattress for back pain.
Our Reviews Team found the WinkBed mattress highly supportive and comfortable for back and side sleeping. The mattress provides good motion isolation, making it ideal for couples or restless sleepers. We also found that it stayed cool during testing—even when multiple people lay down.
The WinkBed mattress provides a medium-firm feel and good support that people with back arthritis may find comfortable. It also features a cooling gel layer, ideal for hot sleepers. Get more details in our full WinkBeds mattress review.
“My weight feels evenly distributed on The WinkBeds, with a little more pressure on the trunk of my body. Overall, my spine feels neutral.”
Who may love it
Who may want to avoid it
Research has found that a lack of sleep is associated with lower bone mineral density. [6] Ochs-Balcom HM, et al. Short Sleep Is Associated With Low Bone Mineral Density and Osteoporosis in the Women’s Health Initiative. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research. Nov. 6, 2019 So people with osteoporosis should choose a comfortable mattress that can support them throughout the night.
The Bear Elite Hybrid’s medium version ranks 6.5 out of 10 on our firmness scale. It features a combination of springs, memory foam, and a pillow top for a classic hybrid experience.
For people with osteoporosis, it’s also a good idea to choose a mattress that supports the spine for proper alignment. [7] Osteoporosis Canada. Buying a mattress when you have osteoporosis. [PDF]. Sept. 9, 2015 The Bear Elite Hybrid’s zoned coils provide lumbar support. Our Reviews Team gives it top marks for pressure relief. We also found it easy to move on the mattress and ideal for different sleeping positions, though we especially liked it for back and side sleeping.
The mattress also features a cool-to-the-touch cover for hot sleepers. We found that it stayed cool even with multiple people in bed.
The Bear Elite Hybrid can support multiple sleeping positions and has minimal motion transfer. It’s also cool to the touch, a potentially helpful mattress feature for hot sleepers.
“I like the combination of a firm, supportive core, but the cushy top layer provides some added comfort. I’m not fighting the material to move. Because of how responsive it is, it’s helping to provide movement that helps me change positions.
Who may love it
Who may want to avoid it
If you have arthritis in your shoulder, it’s best to keep the shoulder elevated when lying on your back or side. [8] Dunkin MA. Arthritis Foundation. Position yourself for a good night’s sleep. May 7, 2021
With a high firmness level and good pressure relief, we found the Titan Plus Luxe mattress nice for multiple sleeping positions, which helped it earn its ranking as the best mattress for shoulder pain.
The mattress features over 900 coils that help contour the shoulders and resist sagging. We gave it a 5 out of 5 rank for back sleeping and a 4 out of 5 for side sleeping. The brand also sells an adjustable base, helpful for anyone who would like extra shoulder elevation while sleeping.
The Titan Plus Luxe is bouncy and highly responsive, a good feature for anyone who dislikes “sinking in” to a mattress. However, couples may prefer an option with more motion isolation.
The Titan Plus luxe features good support for back sleepers and is ideal for those who enjoy a bouncy mattress.
“On the Titan Plus Lux, my body sinks in a comfortable amount, but I think light, average weight, and heavier sleepers would all feel a lot of support.”
Who may love it
Who may want to avoid it
If you have tried sleeping on the floor to find relief from arthritis or joint pain, you might enjoy the Plank’s high firmness level.
The mattress is flippable and has two firmness layers: medium-firm and extra firm. It features box springs, a pillow top, and multiple layers of foam to support the hips and shoulders. The American Chiropractic Association gives the Plank its stamp of approval.
The Plank also features an optional cooling top cover for hot sleepers and is free from heavy metals or other potentially harmful materials, like mercury. At only 10.5 inches tall, the mattress is on the shorter side, which may not be ideal for anyone who has a hard time squatting or bending.
The Plank Firm is an extra firm mattress experience with a durable, flippable design that supports the hips and shoulders.
“Sleeping on the Plank Firm mattress, I feel like the mattress is keeping up with my position changes. The quilted top is responding, but not the memory foam. I’m not sinking into the foam in a way that makes it hard to move around.”
Who may love it
Who may want to avoid it
Our Reviews Team has dedicated more than 1,000 hours researching over 40 mattress brands, which amounts to 130 different models with their own, unique set of features and materials used. We also surveyed more than 3,200 mattress owners about what they are looking for in a mattress while consulting with 10 healthcare professionals about what is most important to look for in a mattress for arthritis pain. Narrowing down our choices, our team tests every model we review using a 32-page, standardized testing form. Our testers rate each mattress across a number of categories, including pressure relief, support, and bounce. Based on those scores, we rate the mattresses in our scorecard and what makes for a good mattress for arthritis.
Knowing that sleepers with arthritis often deal with pain and stiffness that could disrupt their sleep, we paid attention to how effectively each model evenly distributed weight to provide pressure relief. We use a pressure mat to measure the build-up of pressure, rating the mattresses on a 1 to 5 scale, with a 5 indicating that the mattress effectively distributed weight to prevent pain and discomfort at pressure points like the hips, shoulders, and neck.
Strong edge support allows a sleeper to sit on the edge of the bed without the perimeter collapsing under their weight. This can be important for someone with arthritis since sinking into the bed will make it hard to stand up out of bed. In the edge support category, we rate each mattress on a 1 to 5 scale after sitting on the edge of the bed and measuring how far it sinks.
The Reviews Team at NCOA has developed a unique score that considers how well each mattress supports sleepers as they reposition or move to get out of bed. This score is given on a one-to-five scale that we calculate from the individual scores each mattress received in firmness (30%), support (30%), bounce (10%), and edge support (30%).
Functional support can be incredibly important for individuals with arthritis, and these mattresses are responsive and supportive enough to allow easier movement in bed.
To learn more about our testing, review our sleep methodology.
We continuously test new mattresses each month and make sure we give you the most up-to-date information possible. We use the information we collect to provide our readers with the information they need to find the best mattress for their lifestyle and comfort needs.
“When it comes to comfort, you want to find a mattress with good pressure relief without being too saggy,” said Hernandez.
For example, she states that certain soft foams may be too hard to move around in. Instead, look for mattress models that offer good functional support, perhaps through innerspring or firm foam, so you can get in and out of bed more easily. “Most hybrids do this well,” Hernandez added.
Your sleeping position can also impact your joint pain levels. The American Arthritis Foundation recommends the following positions for pain in the back, shoulders, and hips.
Stomach sleeping isn’t recommended for people with back pain. Instead, try to sleep on your back or side and keep your spine in a neutral position. You can support a better back contour by placing pillows under your lower back or hips, or looking for a mattress with built in support zones.
“Some people with arthritis in their back may prefer a more forward spine position for relief,” Hernandez said. “Those people are good candidates for an adjustable bed.”
If you’re a side sleeper with shoulder pain, try to sleep on the side that isn’t affected and keep your stiff shoulder angled back.
For back sleeping, try to keep your body supported at a 45-degree angle or place pillows under your shoulders. For more thorough support, check out the best mattresses for side sleepers.
When back sleeping with hip pain, support the small of your back with a pillow or a zoned support mattress. You can also try adding a pillow under your knees. For added support, have a look at the best mattresses for back sleepers.
For side sleeping, lie on the unaffected hip and sleep with a pillow between your legs.
When you have arthritis, a good mattress can be an investment in your overall well-being. But if you don’t have the budget to invest in a luxury option at full price, there are other ways to save money on your purchase.
For example, many brands on our list, such as Saatva, offer additional discounts for military personnel, health care professionals, government employees, teachers, and people 65 years old and over.
You can also time your purchase during a sale. Brands like Emma often run 50% discounts, bringing the price of a queen mattress down from $1,319 to $659. Most mattresses are discounted during holiday sales, including Labor Day, Memorial Day, 4th of July, and President’s Day.
For more ways to save, check out our picks for the best affordable mattresses.
| Cost of queen* | $2,095 | $2,373.80 | $1,099 | $2,499 | $1,319 | $1,799 | $2,305 | $1,599 | $1,332 |
| Mattress type | Hybrid | Hybrid | Memory foam | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid | Memory foam |
| Firmness | Plush soft, luxury firm, firm | Medium-firm | Plush, luxury firm, firm, comfort plus | Plush, luxury firm, firm, comfort plus | Medium-firm | Softer, luxury firm, firmer, plus | Soft, medium, firm | Firm | Medium-firm, firm |
| Trial period | 365 nights | 100 nights | 120 nights | 120 nights | 365 nights | 120 nights | 120 nights | 120 nights | 120 nights |
| White glove delivery** | Yes | No | Yes, through a third party | Yes, through a third party | Yes | No | Yes | No | No |
*Excluding sales and promotions
**White glove delivery includes the delivery, unpacking, assembly, and placement of your new mattress or bed inside your home and the removal of your old mattress.
When choosing the best mattress for arthritis, it’s important to consider your particular type of pain and its location. For instance, people with back arthritis may appreciate a medium-firm mattress like the WinkBeds mattress, while others may prefer a plusher mattress to cushion their joints like the Nectar.
Beyond getting a good night’s sleep, you can also manage arthritis symptoms through other lifestyle changes, such as gentle exercise and weight management. Talk to your health care provider about your symptoms to come up with a treatment plan that’s right for you.
Not much research currently investigates specific mattresses for arthritis relief. However, one study found that medium-firm mattresses may promote relief from back pain and improve sleep quality. [5] Caggiari G, et al. What Type of Mattress Should be Chosen to Avoid Back Pain and Improve Sleep Quality? Review of the Literature. Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology. Dec. 8, 2021.
Yes and no. A softer mattress can help your joints align during sleep. However, a mattress with a “sinking” quality may also cause the joints to twist. So, a good combination of cushion and support may provide a better option. [9] Harvard Health. What type of mattress is best for people with low back pain? Feb. 12, 2021
People who sleep less may face a higher risk of rheumatoid arthritis. At the same time, arthritis pain may also make it difficult to fall and stay asleep, creating a cyclical effect. [10] Gao RC, et al. Association Between Sleep Traits and Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Mendelian Randomization Study. Frontiers in Public Health. June 29, 2022
The best mattress for arthritis of the spine is one that is supportive enough to maintain spine alignment in your preferred sleep position. Individuals with arthritis often appreciate mattresses with high pressure relief scores and bounce that responds quickly to movement by meeting them in a new sleep position if they need to move around in bed.
If you experience pain in your hips because of arthritis, a supportive mattress that prevents your hips from sinking into the bed may be most comfortable for you. We have also found that a mattress that evenly distributes weight can help prevent build up and pain at pressure points, like the hips.
Have questions about this review? Email us at reviewsteam@ncoa.org.
