Good sleep is no less important as we age, but it’s frequently harder to come by. And the solution isn’t always as simple as finding the best mattress on the market. “From shifting sleep patterns to new health concerns, older adults face unique challenges when it comes to getting a good night’s rest,” said Kendra Becker, MD, internist and sleep medical director at Kaiser Permanente in Fontana, California. Compared to the general population, older adults are more than twice as likely to have trouble sleeping.¹

Sleep naturally changes as we age, from more deep, restorative rest when we’re younger to lighter, more broken up sleep when we’re older. Certain medications can disrupt sleep, and other health issues can have an impact, too. “Older adults often face insomnia, sleep apnea, restless legs, joint pain, difficulty regulating body temperature, and mobility challenges that interfere with comfortable and uninterrupted sleep,” said Kerry Burnight, PhD, a gerontologist in Dana Point, California, and author of Joyspan: the Art and Science of Thriving in Life's Second Half.

There are many components to good sleep hygiene, and what you sleep on is one of them. “A good mattress can play a critical role in sleep quality, especially for older adults,” Dr. Becker said. “Pain and discomfort are major challenges to sleep, and the wrong mattress can make both worse.” 

The right mattress, on the other hand, can help keep your spine aligned and supported, relieve joint pain, support mobility, and even improve temperature regulation. This can lead to better sleep quality for older adults, Burnight said. Our top picks do all of the above, so you can get more restful sleep. And that does more than just refresh you, said Burnight. “Quality sleep is essential for brain health, mood, mobility, and overall well-being.” 

Our Top Pick

Saatva Classic

Best Overall

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• Mix of support and comfort helps ease pain
• Relieves pressure in all positions

• Can be easier to get in and out of

Saatva Rx

Best for Pain Relief

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• Highest score for pain relief
• Extra lower-back support

• Cradles joints

Nectar Premier Memory Foam

Best Adjustable Bed Mattress

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• Eases pressure on joints
• Memory foam supports and contours

• Great for all sleeping positions

Best mattresses in 2025

• Saatva Classic: Best Mattress Overall 
• Saatva Rx: Best for Pain Relief
• Nectar Premier Memory Foam: Best Adjustable Bed Mattress
• Helix Midnight Luxe: Best for Lower Back Pain
• DreamCloud Premier Memory Foam: Best Memory Foam
• The WinkBed Plus: Best for Arthritis
• Nolah Evolution Luxury Firm: Best for Couples
• Titan Plus: Best Mattress for Higher-Weight People
• Birch Natural: Most Accessible 

Comparing the best mattresses

Top features of the best mattresses

We looked for the following features when choosing the best mattresses for older adults:

Good pressure relief

We looked for mattresses with good pressure relief along the shoulders, back, and hips for a peaceful night’s sleep. 

Accessibility

We preferred mattresses that are accessible—meaning they’re less challenging to get in and out of and have strong edges. Strong edge support helps keep you stable when you’re sitting on the side of your bed.

High pain relief score

Unique to NCOA, mattresses with a high pain relief score have a winning combination of pressure relief, firmness, and more, which could help soothe pain (especially back pain).

Firmness

Medium to medium-firm mattresses are best for back pain, so we strongly recommend mattresses that were at least medium firmness.

Saatva Classic: Best Mattress Overall

We chose the Saatva Classic as Best Mattress Overall for its exceptional all-around performance. No other mattress we tested performed so well in every single category. It has the highest pain relief score on this list, meaning it offers the right mix of pressure relief, firmness, and more to help relieve your pain while in bed. It also received near-perfect scores for relieving pressure in every single sleeping position. Not only that, but it’s one of the most accessible mattresses on this list, meaning it has a stable surface and edges that make it easier to get in and out of bed.

Our Top Pick

Saatva Classic

Best Overall

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• Mix of support and comfort helps ease pain
• Relieves pressure in all positions

• Less challenging to get in and out of

Saatva Classic features

• Our pain relief score: 4.8/5
• Accessibility score: 4.5/5
• Mattress type: Innerspring
• Brand’s firmness rating: 7/10

Why we chose the Saatva Classic as the Best Mattress Overall

The Saatva Classic is a clear winner for Best Mattress Overall. It was exceptional at relieving pressure in every sleeping position and earned the highest pain relief score for its mix of pressure relief, firmness, and more. For people who struggle to get restful sleep due to aches and pains, the Saatva Classic has a good chance of easing tension on your pressure points to help you sleep. 

The Saatva Classic also has a high accessibility score, meaning it has a stable surface and solid edges that make it easier to get in and out of bed. We think this is one of the best mattresses for older adults, since few mattresses we tested had such consistent all-around performance.

To learn more about Saatva, read our Saatva mattress review.

 Saatva Classic pros and cons

Our testing experience with the Saatva Classic

The Saatva Classic is an innerspring mattress (the only one on this list) with a 0.5-inch-thick layer of memory foam along the lower back to help relieve pressure. Underneath that are 884 individually wrapped steel coils that are stronger and firmer in the center third of the mattress to support your back and hips. 

Testers loved the comfort and pressure relief of the Saatva Classic, no matter their body weight or preferred sleeping position. 

One of our testers, Ruth, a 70-year-old stomach sleeper of average weight with sleep apnea and arthritis, loved how the Saatva Classic relieved pressure and kept her comfortable when lying on her side. “This mattress really supports my middle,” she said. “I’m not typically a side sleeper but I could see myself sleeping on my stomach on this mattress. I feel very comfortable in this position, and my shoulders and neck feel good—no pressure at all. I’m very surprised.” 

Another tester, Chris, a 66-year-old higher-weight back sleeper with back pain and spinal stenosis, also was pleasantly surprised by the Saatva Classic’s pressure relief and comfort. “I feel comfortable, and my spine feels neutral,” he said when lying on his back. “I would enjoy sleeping on my back on this mattress.”

Testers also liked that the Saatva Classic is supportive and firm (7/10), but still has enough give to make changing positions and getting in and out of bed easier. “I feel like the mattress helps move my body,” said one tester. “It springs me and moves with me. When I rolled over, the bed felt supportive, and I didn't feel like I would fall. I didn't feel the need to use extra effort.” 

Our tester Patty, a 61-year-old side sleeper of average weight who’s fallen out of bed in the past due to unstable edges, said she’s confident in the Classic’s stability. “I feel a hard piping to the edge of the mattress. This has good support,” she said. “I have experience in the past with bad edge support and have fallen off my mattress a few times. This one feels like it helps my body when getting out of bed.”

We measured how much the Saatva Classic’s edges sank under weight and found it only sank two inches—one of the best scores we recorded. The less an edge dips under pressure, the more stable you’ll feel sitting on the edge.

One drawback of the Saatva Classic is that bounce from the innerspring coils does tend to transfer motion. So if you sleep with a partner who moves a lot, this mattress might not be for you. Generally, testers enjoyed how the mattress conformed to their body, relieving stress on key areas.

Besides its top performance, it’s important to note that Saatva ties with DreamCloud and Nectar for the longest free trial period (365 nights) on this list. A long trial period can help you feel more comfortable trying out a mattress knowing you can return it if it’s not a good fit. 

Saatva is also the only brand on this list that offers free white glove delivery. That means Saatva will ship the mattress free to you, set it up inside your house, and remove your old mattress. The rest of the brands on this list either don’t offer this service or will charge you up to $300. For older adults who may have mobility or dexterity issues, free white glove delivery is a huge perk. According to our mattress testing team, it usually takes two people to set up a mattress. But it often takes three or more if the mattress is extra heavy or it needs to be moved around tight corners, like door frames. 

Even though the Saatva Classic cost is slightly above average, we think it’s a great value for these extras. But be aware that the Classic scored just slightly above average in motion isolation and heat regulation, meaning you may be woken up by your partner’s movements and the mattress may run hot. 

Who is the Saatva Classic right for?

We think the Saatva Classic is a good fit for people with chronic pain who sleep in any position, since it offers great support and responsiveness. We think it’s especially well suited to anyone with mobility issues because it has such a high accessibility score and such stable edges. It stays relatively cool, but if you sleep hot you might want something that stays cooler.

The Saatva Classic customer experience

• Trial period: 365 nights
• Shipping: Free
• In-home setup and mattress removal: Free
• Warranty: Limited lifetime

Customer service

You can contact Saatva customer service by:

• Phone: 860-452-3977, available 24/7
• Email: info@saatvamattress.com
• Live chat: Available via the chat icon on the website, 24/7
• Calling or visiting a viewing room

Payment options 

• Ways to pay
  • Visa
  • Mastercard
  • Discover
  • American Express
  • Google Pay
  • PayPal
• Discounts? Yes, find more information here
• Financing: Yes, Affirm

Saatva Rx: Best for Pain Relief

We chose the Saatva Rx as our Best for Pain Relief pick because it has one of the highest pain relief scores on this list and is specifically made for people with chronic pain. The Saatva Rx has the right mix of support and plushness to help cradle your joints and ease pressure on sore areas that can keep you up at night. Like the Saatva Classic, it received near-perfect scores for relieving pressure in every position (the Rx was better than the Classic by 0.5 points), and showed great all-around performance in our tests. 

Saatva Rx

Best for Pain Relief

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• Cradles and supports pressure points to help ease pain
• Relieves pressure in all positions

• Reinforced support for lower back 

Saatva Rx features

• Our pain relief score: 4.3/5
• Accessibility score: 4/5
• Mattress type: Hybrid
• Brand’s firmness rating: 6.5/10

Why we chose the Saatva Rx as the Best for Pain Relief

We chose the Saatva Rx as the mattress that’s Best for Pain Relief for its high pain relief score and exceptional all-around performance. Like the Saatva Classic, the Rx received almost-perfect pressure relief scores from testers in every sleeping position. But the Rx is slightly softer (6.5/10), so it’s able to cradle pressure points better than the Classic, resulting in a plusher, more comfortable feel. That’s good for anyone with pressure points that need some extra cradling at night to get comfortable. 

The Saatva Rx also comes with the Therapeutic Support Core to help support but also cradle your body in key pressure areas like hips, shoulders, and lower back. That’s why we named it the best hybrid mattress for back pain.

Saatva Rx pros and cons

Our testing experience with the Saatva Rx

The Saatva Rx is a hybrid mattress with layers of memory foam, a layer of 1-inch micro coils for pressure relief, and a bottom layer of 8-inch individually wrapped steel coils. The micro coils, which the Saatva Classic doesn’t have, are the key to the Rx’s ability to cradle joints and relieve pressure by contouring the body.

The Saatva Rx earned one of the highest pain relief scores on this list (4.3/5), which reflects its winning combination of pressure relief, firmness, edge support, and bounce that can help ease pain.

Testers praised the Saatva Rx for its exceptional pressure relief in every position. “It feels really good on my side. I really love this mattress,” said one of our testers, Sheila, a 70-year-old average weight combination sleeper. “I feel supported down my side, my legs, and my shoulder does not have pressure on it. My weight feels evenly distributed, the mattress is hugging my body gently and feels really good.”

Another tester loved the Rx when lying on their back and could feel the body-hugging contour. “My body feels pretty even because the mattress is hugging my legs and shoulders,” they said. “I don't feel any pressure. My spine feels neutral and I would enjoy sleeping on my back on this mattress.”

Even stomach sleeping, the least common sleeping position, earned top marks from our testers. “Surprisingly I feel great on my stomach. Usually I feel more pressure in this position, but this feels good,” said a tester. “My chest in this position usually feels more elevated, but with this mattress it does a good job of contouring my body.”

Testers were unanimous that the Saatva Rx helps cradle their body. When sitting on the edge of the bed, one tester said, “This mattress hugs you evenly. My body feels good, and the sinkage feels equal throughout my body.” 

And despite the pain-relieving contour, testers said the combination of coils and high-density foam gives the Saatva Rx enough spring to help sleepers change positions without feeling stuck. “It feels good switching positions and the pressure is even throughout my body,” said one tester. “I feel the texture of the quilted topper but it's not preventing me from moving.” 

Like the Saatva Classic, the Rx also comes with reinforced lower back support, which helps promote spinal alignment. One of the main keys to getting a good night’s sleep is to keep your spine aligned, according to the National Spine Health Foundation.² 

The Saatva Rx excelled in most areas, but not all. 

Testers rated the edge support a 2.5/5, and would’ve liked to feel more stable on the bed’s surface. “Sitting on the edge of this bed I feel like I might fall forward,” said one tester. “When getting off the bed it does not spring fast or assist me either.” When that same tester laid on their back on the edge of the bed, they felt a bit more stable. “I can feel the mattress bowing a little on the edge,” they said. “The edge support isn’t bad, but it’s not the best I’ve experienced.” 

The Saatva Rx scored 4/5 in cooling, which is above average. But testers were concerned that the pain-relieving body hugging could actually make the bed feel warmer. “The cover is cool when I touch it but lying down, I can feel the heat build up on my sides,” one tester said. “It does feel like I get support and I’m cradled, but because of the cradle where the mattress touches my sides I can feel the heat grow a little bit.”

So while the mattress didn’t overheat, testers thought the way the Rx cradles your body might be too warm for hot sleepers. “I don't feel like I'm overheating, but I do feel the heat increase,” they said. 

Like the Classic, it’s worth noting that the Saatva Rx comes with an industry-leading free 365-night trial period and free white glove delivery. That means Saatva will ship the mattress free to you, set it up inside your house, and remove your old mattress. 

The Saatva Rx is also the most expensive mattress on this list by about $1,200. If you’re looking for a less expensive mattress with great performance, we recommend the Saatva Classic.

Who is the Saatva Rx right for?

We think the Saatva Rx is right for people experiencing chronic pain that sleep in any position. It’s great for those who share a bed and for those who have trouble getting in and out of bed. Hot sleepers may want to steer clear, as well as those looking for an inexpensive mattress.

The Saatva Rx customer experience

• Trial period: 365 nights
• Shipping: Free
• In-home setup and mattress removal: Free
• Warranty: Limited lifetime

Customer service

You can contact Saatva customer service by:

• Phone: 860-452-3977, available 24/7
• Email: info@saatvamattress.com
• Live chat: Available via the chat icon on the website, 24/7
• Calling or visiting a viewing room

Payment options 

• Ways to pay
  • Visa
  • Mastercard
  • Discover
  • American Express
  • Google Pay
  • PayPal
• Discounts? Yes, find more information here
• Financing: Yes, Affirm

Nectar Premier Memory Foam: Best Adjustable Bed Mattress

We chose the Nectar Premier Memory Foam as our Best Adjustable Bed Mattress because it works with almost any adjustable base. Many mattresses only work with bases from the same brand, but not Nectar. Not only is the Nectar Premier Memory Foam versatile, but it received high all-around scores for pressure relief. Testers said it was supportive and breathable despite being thick memory foam.

Nectar Premier Memory Foam

Best Adjustable Bed Mattress

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• Works with every adjustable base we tested
• Great all-around pressure relief

• Supportive memory foam contours and helps ease pain

Nectar Premier Memory Foam features

• Our pain relief score: 4.2/5
• Accessibility score: 4.1/5
• Mattress type: Foam
• Brand’s firmness rating: 6.5/10

Why we chose the Nectar Premier Memory Foam as the Best Mattress for Adjustable Beds

We chose the Nectar Premier Memory Foam as the Best Mattress for Adjustable Beds because it’s one of the most versatile mattresses we tested. We tested more than 20 mattresses on how compatible they were with a range of adjustable bases. Nectar Premier Memory Foam was one of only five mattresses that received perfect compatibility scores (and two of those were from the Nectar brand). That means the Nectar Premier Memory Foam can be used with a base from practically any other company. No wonder it won Best Overall in our review of the best adjustable beds. If you have an existing base but want a new mattress, Nectar could be a good option. If you have a split king bed, you’ll need to order two twin-size mattresses.

Besides being versatile, the Nectar Premier Memory Foam also scored highly in other areas that are important for getting a good night’s rest, like pressure relief, pain relief, and accessibility (how easy it is to get in and out of bed). 

Nectar Premier pros and cons

Our testing experience with the Nectar Premier Memory Foam

The Nectar Premier Memory Foam is a memory foam mattress with three layers of foam: a top layer that cools, a medium layer that relieves pressure, and a foundation layer for support and to limit motion transfer. 

Our testers rated the Nectar Premier memory foam mattress high for pressure relief in all positions, but especially on the side. They compared the way the mattress contours to their body to feeling “gently hugged.” 

When we tested the Nectar Premier Memory Foam’s ability to relieve pressure, it earned the highest score of any mattress we tested for side sleepers. That’s why it earned Best Overall in our roundup of the best mattresses for side sleepers. 

Testers said the support felt consistent across the mattress, even around the edges. One noted that when sitting on the edge of the bed, “the memory foam layers are strong enough to keep me from feeling like I will fall out.” 

The word “soft” came up repeatedly in our testing, so if you prefer a firm mattress, this may not be the best choice for you. Testers pointed out that the way the foam hugs you can make it a little harder to change positions. “I have to use more of my heels and arms to roll over and pick myself out of the mattress,” one said. 

They were pleasantly surprised by how well this mattress regulated temperature, something foam mattresses are not usually known for. “The top feels dense and like it'll actually trap and increase heat,” one said, “But lying down, I'm surprised how well it keeps me cool.”

Who is the Nectar Premier Memory Foam right for?

We think the Nectar Premier Memory Foam mattress is great for anyone with chronic pain or joint issues, but especially those who sleep on their side and those who want to use an adjustable bed. Foam doesn’t transmit movement the way coil mattresses do, so you can sleep with a partner without being disturbed by their movement. This mattress is on the softer side, which can make switching positions harder. So if you like a firmer mattress, this may not be the best choice for you.

The Nectar customer experience

• Trial period: 365 nights
• Shipping: Free
• In-home setup and mattress removal: $199
• Warranty: Lifetime

Customer service

You can contact Nectar customer service by:

• Phone: 888-863-2827, seven days per week from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. PT
• Email: suppport@nectarsleep.com
• Live chat: Available via the chat icon on the website, 24/7
• Calling or visiting a viewing room

Payment options 

• Ways to pay
  • Visa
  • Mastercard
  • Discover
  • American Express
  • Amazon Pay
  • PayPal
• Discounts? Yes, military, first responders, and health care professionals
• Financing: Yes, Affirm and Splitit

Helix Midnight Luxe with ErgoAlign: Best for Lower Back Pain

The Helix Midnight Luxe with ErgoAlign is our Best for Lower Back Pain pick because it relieved pressure on the lower back better than almost every mattress we tested. No matter the position, the Helix Midnight Luxe received high scores from testers for pressure and pain relief on the lower back. It also comes with an optional ErgoAlign contour layer ($259) that provides extra, reinforced support on the lower back.

Helix Midnight Luxe

Best for Lower Back Pain

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• Excellent pressure relief on lower back
• Great support helps ease pain

• Reinforced lower-back support 

Helix Midnight Luxe features

• Our pain relief score: 4.2
• Accessibility score: 4.1
• Mattress type: Hybrid
• Brand’s firmness rating: 5.5

Why we chose the Helix Midnight Luxe as Best for Lower Back Pain

We chose the Helix Midnight Luxe with ErgoAlign as Best for Lower Back Pain because of how well it relieves pressure on the lower back. No matter the position, testers gave the Helix Midnight Luxe almost-perfect pressure relief scores. It also earned a high pain relief score. That means it has the right combination of pressure relief, firmness, and more to help ease your pain (specifically lower back pain) at night. 

We also like the option of adding the ErgoAlign contour layer ($259). Its top layer of ultra-dense foam helps align the spine, with extra density around the midsection to offer reinforced support for the lower back. In our tests, this layer reduced pressure on the back even further.

Helix Midnight Luxe pros and cons

Our testing experience with the Helix Midnight Luxe

The Helix Midnight Luxe is a hybrid mattress with three layers of foam above a layer of steel coils. Testers rated it as much firmer than the brand's rating (an 8 vs. 5.5) but said that enhanced support and did not make the mattress any less comfortable. “It feels firm, but not like I'm lying on a hard, flat surface. The top feels nice and soft,” said one tester. “The extra firmness makes it easy to move about.”

All testers agreed that the Helix Midnight Luxe did an excellent job easing pressure on their backs and keeping their spine aligned. “My body feels equally supported all over when lying on my side,” said one tester, Chris, a 66-year-old higher-weight back sleeper with sleep apnea and spinal stenosis. “I don't feel any extra pressure on my lower back and my spine feels straight.” 

When lying on his back, Chris found the same level of support and pressure relief. “My hips and butt feel aligned and I don’t feel any extra pressure on my lower back or hips,” he said. “My body feels equally supported all over.”

When our testers measured this using a pressure map (a mat with sensors that detects pressure buildup when someone lies across it), the Helix Midnight Luxe earned the highest back pressure relief score of any mattress we tested. 

The above image is from our pressure map test of the Helix Midnight Luxe. The outline is the body of our tester, Sheila, a 70-year-old woman of average weight. The colors refer to pressure buildup—the redder the color, the more pressure (see key on right side). The image shows almost all blue with only a little green and yellow (with some red at the head), which reflects its top score in pressure relief for the back. 

The Helix Midnight Luxe also performed well in our cooling test, heating up by only eight degrees, which earned it a score of 4/5. If you’re a hot sleeper, that means the Helix Midnight Luxe could be a good choice. 

One area where the Midnight Luxe didn’t excel was edge support. Because it’s a softer mattress (5.5/10), its edges weren’t as firm as we’d like to see. 

Sitting on the edge of the bed to see how stable they were, our tester Chris said, “I do feel a little bit like I'm going to slide off a bit. I don't need to use my hands for balance or support, but the longer I sit in it the less it springs back. It doesn't have much of a bounce to it when I sit back up so I have to exert more energy.”

If you’re awoken easily, this mattress might also not be the best. Testers rated it 3/5 for its ability to dampen motion. “I could feel motion pretty easily, especially when [the other tester] changed positions on the mattress,” one tester said. “I feel like it could wake me up. The motion made my body move and I bounced slightly. I’m a heavy sleeper, so that probably wouldn’t wake me up, but my husband is a light sleeper, and it definitely would wake him up.” 

It’s worth noting the Helix Midnight Luxe comes with the shortest trial period on this list (100 days), so if you want a mattress for easing back pain but want a longer trial period, we recommend the Saatva Classic or Saatva Rx. 

Who is the Helix Midnight Luxe right for?

We think the Helix Midnight Luxe is right for anyone with lower back or other types of chronic pain. Its cooling technology makes it a nice option for anyone who prefers their mattress to stay cool at night. If you sleep with a partner (or pet) and are a light sleeper, this may not be the best choice because our testers could feel movement rather easily.

Helix customer experience

• Trial period: 100 nights
• Shipping: Free shipping
• In-home setup and mattress removal: $159
• Warranty: Limited lifetime

Customer service

You can contact Helix Sleep customer service by:

• Phone: 831-777-5976, Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET
• Email: help@helixsleep.com
• Live chat: Available via the chat icon on the website, Monday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET
• Contact form: https://support.helixsleep.com/hc/en-us/requests/new
• Calling or visiting a viewing room

Payment options 

• Ways to pay
  • Visa
  • Mastercard
  • American Express
  • Discover
  • Paypal
  • Google Pay
  • Shop Pay
  • Amazon Pay
• Discounts? Yes, find more information here
• Financing: Yes, Affirm

DreamCloud Premier Memory Foam: Best Memory Foam Mattress

We chose the DreamCloud Premier Memory Foam as Best Memory Foam Mattress because it has the comfort of memory foam mixed with the support of a firmer mattress. It has strong, stable edges, great motion isolation, and it ties for the longest free trial period on this list (365 nights). While not the best mattress on this list for pressure relief, if you’re looking for the classic feeling of “sinking into” a memory foam mattress, we think you can’t do better than the DreamCloud Premier Memory Foam. 

Dream Cloud Premier Memory Foam

Best Memory Foam Mattress

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• Comfortable memory foam feel
• Strong, stable edges

• Great motion isolation

DreamCloud Premier Memory Foam features

• Our pain relief score: 3.5/5
• Accessibility score: 3.6/5
• Mattress type: Memory foam
• Brand’s firmness rating: 6.5/10

Why we chose the DreamCloud Premier Memory Foam as the Best Memory Foam Mattress

We chose the DreamCloud Memory Foam as the Best Memory Foam Mattress because it delivers the classic feeling of a memory foam mattress. It gives you the “sinking-in” feeling paired with a body-hugging contour. 

It has strong, stable edges (important for those with mobility issues), great motion isolation (meaning you won’t be disturbed by your partner’s movements), and ties for the longest free trial period on this list (365 nights). 

It earned above-average scores for pressure relief in every position, but this mattress isn’t the best for pressure relief. It’s the only memory foam bed on this list, and we recommend it not for pressure or pain relief but comfort. If you’re a diehard lover of memory foam mattresses, we think this will give you the feeling you’re looking for. 

DreamCloud Premier Memory Foam pros and cons

Our testing experience with the DreamCloud Premier Memory Foam. 

The DreamCloud Premier Memory Foam is a 100% memory foam mattress—the only one on this list. It has five layers of foam that provide pressure relief, support, and comfort. 

We recommend the DreamCloud Premier Memory Foam for its classic memory foam feel, not for pain or pressure relief. Testers said the mattress was comfortable and conformed to their bodies, but awarded it just average for pressure relief (3/5 for each position).

“I feel pretty good on my back. My hips are sinking in a little, but my spine feels aligned,” said one of our testers. “I feel supported in this position on this mattress.”

When another tester tried sleeping on their side, they weren’t impressed. “I feel pressure on my shoulder,” they said. “My hips and legs feel okay but my upper torso to my neck feels like it is smashed into the mattress.”

If you regularly wake up with neck pain, you may want to explore our roundup of the best mattresses for neck pain.

Surprisingly stomach sleeping, the least common sleeping position, was where the DreamCloud Premier Memory Foam shined. When we tested stomach sleeping pressure relief, the DreamCloud Premier Memory Foam earned one of the highest scores of any mattress we tested. 

Testers liked the contouring, comfortable feel of the DreamCloud Premier Memory Foam. “The mattress conforms to the shape of my hand and bounces back quickly when I get up,” one tester said. “The memory foam is soft but not too firm.”

Another tester agreed, but said they’d like the memory foam to be slightly softer. “I feel like I am on the mattress rather than in the mattress,” they said. “The mattress conforms to my body slightly but my hips are not sinking in very far. I feel like the mattress is pretty firm.”

That said, people who prefer a firm mattress, or who have mobility issues or pain, may find it more difficult to move on this or any memory foam mattress. One tester did say that while she felt supported, especially in the lower back region, she would prefer a firmer mattress and this was “a little too soft for my preference.” She also said that the “sinking in” feeling of memory foam makes it harder to change positions. “The memory foam conforms to my body more, so it takes a little more effort than normal to switch positions.” 

The dense, body-conforming memory foam was, no surprise, also good at absorbing movement. Testers rated how much they were disturbed by another person getting in and out of bed, and moving around, and gave it top marks. “I felt a little bit of the foam pulling toward the other person, but I definitely could have slept through it,” said one tester. “My body feels very much in the same position as it did before the other person got in.”

Testers also found the edges stable and supportive. When lying on the bed’s edge to assess stability, one tester said, “I don't feel like I am going to roll off. My butt is sinking in more but my body feels supported. I feel really secure. The edge is staying intact and not bulging.”

Who is the DreamCloud Premier Memory Foam right for?

We think the DreamCloud Premier Memory Foam is well-suited for anyone who likes a memory foam mattress and is looking for that distinctive “sinking in” feeling memory foam is known for. It’s not recommended for pain or pressure relief. It was excellent at motion isolation so would be good for someone whose sleep is easily disrupted by a partner moving. 

DreamCloud customer experience

• Trial period: 365 nights
• Shipping: White-glove delivery is $199
• Warranty: Limited lifetime

Customer service

You can reach DreamCloud customer service by:

• Phone: Call 833-237-3269, available seven days a week
• Chat: Live chat via the bottom right corner of the website, available seven days a week
• Email: support@dreamcloudsleep.com

Payment options 

• Ways to pay
  • American Express
  • Discover 
  • Mastercard
  • Visa
  • Amazon Pay
  • PayPal
• Discounts? DreamCloud offers an extra 5% off the best on-site offer to military members and their dependents, health care professionals and first responders. DreamCloud uses SheerID to verify your status.
• Financing? Yes, Affirm, Paypal Credit, Splitit, and Acima. 

The WinkBed Plus: Best for Arthritis

We chose The WinkBed Plus as the Best Mattress for Arthritis because it eased pressure in every sleeping position better than almost any mattress we tested. Testers said it kept their spines straight, which is important for relieving pain from arthritis. The WinkBed Plus has a plush feel that cradles joints and a supportive surface that makes it easier to move around. That can be good for conditions like arthritis, which can cause sensitive joints to flare up with pain at night.

The WinkBed Plus

Best for Arthritis

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• Excellent all-around pressure relief
• Cradles sensitive joints to ease pain

• Promotes spinal alignment

WinkBed Plus features

• Our pain relief score: 4.7/5
• Accessibility score: 4.5/5
• Mattress type: Hybrid
• Brand’s firmness rating: 6.5/10

Why we chose the WinkBed Plus as the Best for Arthritis

We chose the WinkBed Plus as Best Mattress for Arthritis for its exceptional pressure relief. Its several layers of foam help create a subtle contouring effect, which gently supports and cradles joints where pressure can build up, like the shoulders and hips. Testers said this contouring effect helped keep their spines straight. 

It has a plush yet supportive feel that gives it very stable edges and makes it easier to move around on. The WinkBed Plus earned one of the highest pain relief scores in testing. That means it has the right mix of pressure relief, firmness, and more to help ease arthritis pain. 

WinkBed Luxury Firm pros and cons

Our testing experience with the WinkBed Plus

The WinkBed Plus is a hybrid mattress with two layers of memory foam above a layer of individually wrapped coils.

No matter what position testers tried, they rated it almost a 5/5 for its pressure relief. “I feel really good lying on my side. My bottom is sinking in more which lets my spine feel neutral,” said one tester, Sheila, a 70-year-old average-weight combination sleeper. “The rest of my body is lying lightly on the mattress and feels really good. There isn’t much pressure anywhere in my body.” 

Sheila said that, when lying on her back, the WinkBed Plus kept her spine straight. “My body feels pretty evenly supported and my butt goes down in the mattress more but that feels okay,” she said. “Even the curve of my spine feels good and my lower back feels supported. Honestly with this mattress it feels good without a pillow. My body feels very nice and even.” The ability to maintain spinal alignment is an important factor when looking for an arthritis-friendly mattress.³ 

Testers loved the supportive yet cradling feel of the WinkBed Plus. “I feel like the bed is soft and cradling my body nicely,” said one tester. “Even my legs and lower back are filled in with the plushness of the mattress.”

They also said this mattress had strong edges and a stable surface. When lying on their side near the edge of the bed, one tester said, “I feel very stable in this position. My left side is not leaning at all. I can feel my butt sinking in but I feel fully supported.” That translates to a high accessibility score, meaning the WinkBed Plus is easier than most to get in and out of. 

But this stability could feel “too firm” for some lighter-weight sleepers. That also makes it not great for stomach sleepers—testers said sleeping on their stomachs on this mattress created pressure in their lower backs and curved their spines. 

For those who are easily disturbed by their partner’s movements, the WinkBed Plus may not be a good pick. When we tested motion isolation, testers rated it a 2/5. “I can definitely feel movement on this bed. Movement isn’t absorbed, it just ripples across the bed,” said one tester. “I was definitely bounced. This is a bouncy bed. I think it would wake me up.” 

Who is the WinkBed Luxury Firm right for?

Because of its high marks for pain relief, the WinkBed is a good choice for anyone with arthritis or other chronic pain conditions. If you prefer a cool mattress, testers ranked this one as above average and say its edge support and firmness are good for anyone who struggles to get in and out of bed or changes position frequently.

WinkBed customer experience

• Trial period: 120 nights
• Shipping: Free shipping
• Warranty: Limited lifetime

Customer service

You can contact WinkBed customer service by:

• Phone: Call 855-946-5233, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET
• Email: info@winkbeds.com
• Chat: Live chat in lower right corner of website, available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET
• Calling or visiting a showroom

Payment options 

• Ways to pay
  • American Express
  • Visa
  • Mastercard
  • Discover
  • Google Pay
  • Shop Pay
  • Apple Pay
• Discounts? Yes, the company currently offers an additional $50 off for military members and their families, first responders, law enforcement, and health care workers. This can be combined with other offers. 
• Financing: Yes, WinkBeds offers financing through Bread Pay and Katapult

Nolah Evolution Luxury Firm: Best Mattress for Couples

We chose the Nolah Evolution Luxury Firm as our Best Mattress for Couples because it absorbed motion better than almost any mattress we tested. That’s good for couples who are easily disturbed by each other’s movements. It also earned all-around outstanding scores in pressure relief in every sleeping position and was good at limiting heat buildup.

Nolah Evolution Luxury Firm

Best Mattress for Couples

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• Excellent at absorbing motion
• Great all-around pressure relief

• Limits heat buildup

Nolah Evolution Luxury Firm features

• Our pain relief score: 4.3/5
• Accessibility score: 4/5
• Mattress type: Hybrid
• Brand’s firmness rating: 6.5

Why we chose the Nolah Evolution Luxury Firm as the Best for Couples

The Nolah Evolution Luxury is our pick for Best Mattress for Couples for its ability to dampen motion, with motion isolation scores comparable to memory foam mattresses. Its individually wrapped coils and six layers of foam make it hard to detect a partner moving around. And it earned almost-perfect pressure relief scores in every sleeping position. The Nolah Evolution Luxury Firm also scored above average in heat buildup, which is good for couples that sleep hot. 

Nolah Evolution Luxury Firm pros and cons

Our testing experience with the Nolah Evolution Luxury Firm

The Nolah Evolution Luxury Firm is a hybrid mattress with three layers of memory foam above a layer of 8-inch, individually wrapped coils. 

Testers appreciated the quality construction and materials used for the Nolah Evolution. One tester commented on the topper material and called it “luxurious.” “It feels soft and silky and is one of the best textures I have felt from all the mattress options,” said one tester.  

The Nolah Evolution is available in three firmness options, and we tested the middle one, the Luxury Firm. Testers described the mattress as “soft and springy, but not unstable.” They found the layers of memory foam in this hybrid mattress great at contouring to their body’s curves and relieving pressure, which is backed up by the high marks for pressure and pain relief in our testing. 

When it comes to sleeping with a partner, a mattress with the ability to limit the transfer of motion from one partner to the other is key. The Nolah had superior scores in this area, likely due to its individually wrapped coils and layers of memory foam. Testers said they barely felt the bounce of a partner moving. “I didn't really feel the movement in my upper half at all,” said one tester. “I don't think this would wake me.” 

Couples also tend to generate more heat than single sleepers, so a cool mattress can be beneficial. The Nolah was decent at maintaining airflow to regulate temperature and stay cool to the touch, according to our testers. 

Who is the Nolah Evolution Luxury Firm right for?

The Nolah Evolution Luxury Firm’s exceptional motion isolation makes it a great choice for anyone who sleeps with a partner. It also received high marks for pain and pressure relief. It would likely be good for anyone who would benefit from that kind of support. Testers found it easier to move on and relatively cool. But if you like a very cold mattress, there are better options.

Nolah customer experience

• Trial period: 120 nights
• Shipping: Free shipping, and in-home delivery is available starting at $150
• Warranty: Limited lifetime

Customer service

You can contact Nolah customer service by:

• Phone: 866-403-6615, available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT
• Email: support@nolahmattress.com
• Live chat: Available via the chat icon on the website, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT

Payment options 

• Ways to pay
  • Visa
  • Mastercard
  • American Express
  • Discover
  • Shop Pay
  • PayPal
• Discounts? Yes, find more information here. Military members, first responders, teachers, and health care workers can get an additional 5% off.
• Financing: Yes, Affirm

Titan Plus: Best Mattress for Higher-Weight People

We chose the Titan Plus as our Best Mattress for Higher-Weight People because it’s designed specifically for those with higher body weights. It has the highest weight limit on this list (1,000 pounds), it earned high pressure relief scores in all positions, and it has the strongest, most stable edges of any mattress we tested. 

Titan Plus

Best Mattress for Higher-Weight People

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• Specifically designed for higher-weight people
• Relieves pressure in all positions

• Stable, secure edges

Titan Plus features

• Our pain relief score: 4.1/5
• Accessibility score: 4.5/5
• Mattress type: Hybrid
• Brand’s firmness rating: 8/10

Why we chose the Titan Plus as the Best for Higher-Weight Sleepers

We chose the Titan Plus as the Best Mattress for Higher-Weight Sleepers because it has the highest weight limit on this list at 1,000 pounds (the WinkBed Plus’ limit is 900 pounds). We named the Titan Plus Luxe the best mattress for higher-weight people in our roundup of mattresses in that category.

Testers said it was excellent at relieving pressure in every position they tried. And the Titan Plus had the strongest, most stable edges of any mattress we tested. That means this is a very accessible mattress, with edges that won’t sag when you sit up and a stable surface that makes it easier for you to change positions.

Titan Plus pros and cons

Our testing experience with the Titan Plus

The Titan Plus is a firm hybrid mattress (the firmest on this list) designed with higher-weight people in mind. Quality, high-density foam and individually wrapped steel coils ensure that the Titan Plus can handle more weight than the average mattress. Using these kinds of quality materials helps prevent compression and keep the mattress from sagging over time. They also contribute to the Titan’s high firmness level, an 8/10. 

Testers liked the Titan Plus, no matter their body weight. “[Lying on my side] I don’t feel any pain or pressure forming,” said Patti, a 70-year-old lighter-weight combination sleeper. My spine feels aligned. I think this would be good for back problems.” 

Chris, a 66-year-old higher-weight back sleeper, agreed. “Lying on my back feels great,” he said. “I feel cushioning, and my spine is aligned. There’s a very good balance between pressure relief and support. I could lie here forever.” 

Testers were also impressed by the edges’ stability. “[Sitting on the edge feels] very secure. I don’t slide down or move at all,” one tester said. “The edge stitching is secure. It feels pretty firm and you don’t sink.” 

When we measured how far the edges of the Titan Plus sank under weight, they only sank 1 inch. That’s the lowest amount of sinkage of any edge we tested. 

Not only were the edges strong, but the surface was stable and easier for our testers to move around on. “It’s very easy to roll from one position to the next,” said one tester. “There’s no sinkage that’s making it hard for me to move.” But one tester did note that they’d like to see more bounce to make it easier to stand up from sitting.

Our testers felt that this mattress is very supportive, but they did note that it is definitely for people who enjoy a firm mattress. One noted that lying on the mattress felt like being on top, not cradled in it, and this may be the case even more so for average- or lighter-weight sleepers.

Testers gave the Titan Plus Luxe mixed reviews on its ability to prevent you from feeling a partner moving on the other side of the mattress. One said, “It seems like it would suck in the motion rather than let it move through the mattress.” But another tester noted, “When you started to change positions and move from stomach to side, I felt it a lot.”

Who is the Titan Plus right for?

With its high scores on our pressure and pain relief tests, we think the Titan Plus is a great fit for higher-weight sleepers with joint or back pain, as it’s very firm and supportive. It also offers solid edge support, making it easier to get out of bed. 

Titan Plus Luxe customer experience

• Trial period: 120 nights
• Shipping: Free
• Warranty: Lifetime limited

Customer service

Titan is a Brooklyn Bedding company, and its hours tend to be inconsistent, according to our mystery shopping. Its website states you can reach customer service by:

• Phone: Call 623-624-1222, available seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET Monday to Friday and 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday 
• Chat: Live chat via the bottom right corner of the Titan website, available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET and Saturday through Sunday from 11:30 a.m to 7 p.m. ET
• Website: Submit a contact form

Payment options 

• Ways to pay
  • American Express
  • Discover
  • Mastercard
  • Visa
  • Google Pay
  • PayPal
  • Shop Pay
• Discounts? Yes, the company currently offers 5% off for military members, first responders, medical providers, students, and teachers. The discount code can’t be combined with other promotional codes.
• Financing: Yes, Affirm or Shop Pay

Birch Natural: Most Accessible Mattress

We chose the Birch Natural as Most Accessible Mattress because of its strong edges,  stable surface, and good bounce, all which make it easier to get in and out of. Its stable surface makes it less challenging to change positions at night, and it earned above average pressure relief scores in all positions.

Birch Natural

Most Accessible

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• Stable edges
• Easier to get in and out of

• Uses eco-friendly materials

Birch Natural features

• Our pain relief score: 4.6
• Accessibility score: 4.5
• Mattress type: hybrid
• Brand’s firmness rating: 6.5

Why we chose Birch Natural as the Most Accessible

We chose the Birch Natural as the Most Accessible Mattress because it tied for the highest accessibility score on this list. It has a winning combination of strong edges, a stable surface, good bounce, and firmness to make it easier to get in and out of. 

The Birch Natural is made with eco-friendly materials, like organic cotton, sustainably sourced wool, and natural latex. This can help people who may be sensitive to synthetic materials. They also help regulate airflow and heat to maintain a comfortable sleeping temperature all night. 

Birch Natural pros and cons

Our testing experience with the Birch Natural

The Birch Natural is a hybrid mattress made with latex and coils, which are reinforced along the edge of the mattress for support and stability. This strong support, along with the mattress’s ability to spring back, make this a very accessible mattress. Changing positions and getting in and out of the Birch Natural were significantly easier than other mattresses we’ve tested. 

The Birch Natural received perfect scores for both seated and lying down edge support in our tests. It is reinforced along the edges with individually wrapped coils for extra support, and testers noticed how much of a difference that made. One tester, Chris, a 66-year-old higher-weight tester who sleeps on the edge a lot, said this mattress definitely outperformed his mattress at home. “When I'm lying on the edge I don't feel like I'm going to roll off at all,” he said. “I feel very stable in this position. It's easy to move positions near the edge. It's very comfortable.”

Chris also said it was easy to change positions on the Birch Natural. “I don't feel any need for extra support. The edges bounce back quickly when I stand up on it,” he said. “It stays just like it is. It's firm on the edge. There’s something on the inside that's firm and holding me up.

Testers rated this mattress as much firmer (8) than it is (6.5), which shows its stability and support. “You stay up high on this mattress and you're not sinking down into it,” said one tester.

One area of improvement was motion isolation. “I can feel every single movement,” said one. “Nothing felt dampened. I could feel total bounce. The bounce can be helpful for getting out of bed, but if you care about motion isolation, then this isn’t the best.”

The latex and coil mattress was, maybe unsurprisingly, too “springy” for some of our testers, and may not be a good choice for lighter sleepers who are easily disturbed. 

Who is the Birch Natural right for?

The latex and coil construction of this mattress make it highly responsive, which can help anyone who has difficulty getting in and out of bed, or who switches positions frequently. It also got high marks for pain relief in our tests, and testers felt it was good at regulating temperature and wicking moisture. 

Birch customer experience

• Trial period: 100 nights
• Shipping: Free
• In-home setup and mattress removal: $100–$400
• Warranty: Limited lifetime

Customer service

You can contact Birch customer service by:

• Phone: 917-540-5525, Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET
• Email: info@birchliving.com
• Live chat: Available via the chat icon on the website, every day from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET
• Contact form: https://support.birchliving.com/hc/en-us/requests/new
• Calling or visiting a viewing room

Payment options 

• Ways to pay
  • Visa
  • Mastercard
  • American Express
  • Discover
  • Paypal
  • Google Pay
  • Amazon Pay
  • Shop Pay
• Discounts? Yes, find more information here
• Financing: Yes, Affirm

Our process testing the best mattresses 

Our team has spent thousands of hours researching and testing mattresses so you can feel confident in our reviews. We work with experts in sleep, physical therapy, and occupational therapy, so we know what features are most important when searching for the best mattress.

For this review, we personally tested 30 mattresses identified through our research to offer pain relief and features that can help people get more restful sleep. Each mattress was put through a rigorous testing process by older adults with pain, to ensure we have real-world data about how they perform.

Good pressure relief 

Our pressure relief score reflects our testers’ experiences on the mattress and the results shown on our pressure map. The pressure map uses sensors to show how much pressure the body feels when lying on the mattress. Blue and green are great pressure relief; yellow, orange, and red show places where pressure builds up.

Accessibility

Our accessibility score measures how easily a person can get into and out of bed and change positions. It was essential to us that we made clear which mattresses were (and were not) accessible for people with mobility issues, or pain that affects the body’s ability to move easily. 

To create our accessibility score, we combined and weighted the following factors:

• Edge support: A mattress with strong edge support offers a stable surface for getting in and out of bed, especially for those with chronic pain.
• Bounce: A bouncy mattress ensures sleepers don’t feel stuck, restricting the ability to adjust positions or get up out of bed.
• Motion isolation: A mattress with strong motion isolation ensures you remain comfortably placed in the bed, even if a partner moves through the night.
• Firmness: Finding the optimal mattress firmness will vary depending on your needs. But a medium-firm mattress is soft enough to rest comfortably, and firm enough to offer enough resistance to move easily. 

Pain relief

Our pain relief score is unique to our testing. In speaking with experts and surveying older adults, we learned the qualities a mattress should have to reduce pain. Our pain relief score is based on a weighted formula including our scores for pressure relief, mattress firmness, edge support, and bounce. 

Our combined pain relief score identifies mattresses with:

• Enough bounce to adjust positions freely
• Pressure relief so the body’s weight is evenly distributed
• A firmness level that supports spinal alignment
• Edge support for easier movement in and out of bed

Firmness

Older adults generally benefit from a medium to medium-firm mattress because it helps ease back pain and pressure on the joints, according to research.⁴ Those with a higher body weight may prefer a slightly firmer mattress, while those with a lower body weight may opt for a slightly softer one.

Best mattress types

Choosing a mattress is no longer as simple as it once was. Advances in technology have improved things like support, temperature control, and more. But sorting through all the different types of mattresses can take time. “The number one consideration for selecting a mattress is personal comfort,” said Dr. Becker, the sleep medical director in California. “It is important to test the mattress, so you know how it feels before purchasing.” Here is a rundown of the basic materials used to make mattresses, and what qualities each has that may help you rest better.

Innerspring mattress

These more traditional mattresses use metal coils or springs to provide support. While they can be good for airflow and bounce, spring mattresses usually don’t limit motion as well as foam. You can find individually wrapped coils, sometimes called pocketed coils, that help keep motion transfer to a minimum.   

Memory foam mattress

Memory foam is truly space-age technology. It was originally developed by developed by NASA as a way to cushion astronauts during flights.⁵ Its softness and ability to absorb energy is also useful for mattresses. Memory foam mattresses are known for the way they contour to the body’s curves and support joints while cushioning them. Foam is also used in hybrid mattresses to dampen the motion of the coils, so your sleep won’t be disturbed by a partner changing positions.

Hybrid mattress

These mattresses combine the support and responsiveness of springs with layers of memory foam for cushion and comfort. There are many different configurations of hybrid mattresses. Some have zoned support, or extra foam in a specific area to help support your back or other areas.

Latex mattress

Latex is a dense, rubbery material that can be natural, synthetic, or a combination of both. It is often used as a foam in mattresses and is known for its durability and responsiveness. Natural latex can be good for anyone with allergies and may be eco-friendly depending on how it is made. Latex mattresses do tend to be heavier and more expensive than other kinds.

Biggest causes of poor sleep in older adults

The way we sleep changes throughout our lifetime. When we’re younger, we spend more time in deep restorative sleep. But as we age, we get less restful sleep, said Dr. Becker. Sleep is more fragmented, and older adults may find themselves wanting to go to bed and wake earlier than they might like. 

There can be many reasons for not sleeping well as we age. Changes to hormone levels or disruptions to the circadian rhythm, the body’s internal clock that regulates sleep and wake cycles, can be a factor, said Dr. Becker. Other health issues can also make it difficult to sleep. “Older adults have a higher risk of many sleep disorders,” she said. Here are some of the most common.

Back and Hip Pain

Roughly three-quarters of people will lose sleep over some kind of pain, according to a research review published in Sleep Medicine Reviews.⁷ Sleeping on a mattress that isn’t supportive enough and doesn’t keep your spine in alignment while you sleep can lead to pain in your lower back or hips. You may want to look at mattresses with zoned support in the lower back and hip area. Check out our guides for the best mattress for back pain, best mattress for hip pain, and also the best mattress for sciatica for more information.  

Arthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA), the most common kind, affects more than 30 million American adults, and the risk of developing it increases with age, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.⁸ Around 70% of people with OA have some kind of sleep disturbance, per the Arthritis Foundation.⁹ The best mattress for arthritis and joint pain will have great support at all the major joints—neck, shoulders, hips—to prevent stress on those areas. Good bounce is also key to making movement easier. 

Sleep apnea and respiratory concerns

Sleep apnea is a respiratory condition where breathing repeatedly stops and starts while you sleep. Untreated, it can lead to more serious health issues. The right mattress can help by getting you in the best position to breathe unobstructed. Sleeping on your back often worsens sleep apnea, but side sleeping helps open airways. A mattress on an adjustable base that can elevate the head may help as well.

Temperature sensitivity

“Older adults have more issues with temperature regulation,” said Dr. Becker. A review published in Current Aging Science found that older adults have lower body temperature than younger people.¹⁰ “Some mattresses can help regulate temperature, especially with the right materials and cooling capabilities,” Dr. Becker said. That can make it easier to sleep comfortably. 

Mobility and ease of movement

One review¹¹ found that about one-third of 70-year-olds and most 80-year-olds have mobility issues that can make them more prone to falls or injuries. Limited mobility can also make it harder to get in and out of bed, or change positions during the night. Mattresses with good edge support can help prevent falls and make it easier to move around at night.

How much do the best mattresses cost?

The mattresses in this guide range from $937–$3,049 for a queen size (before discounts). Along with size, factors that affect a mattress’s cost include the materials used in its construction, certifications, and added features such as a cooling layer or pillow top, as well as extras offered by the brand. Extras can include free shipping, white-glove delivery (where a mattress is delivered directly to your bedroom), or a lifetime warranty.

How to save money on mattresses

Buying a new mattress can be a big investment. There are some ways you can save on your purchase. 

• Many manufacturers have sales, especially around holidays like Labor Day and Memorial Day. 
• It’s also common to find coupons, sale codes, and discounts on a manufacturer’s website. 
• Many also offer discounts for current or former members of the military, students, teachers, older adults, and other groups. 
• If you’re not buying direct from a manufacturer, stores often have floor models at a big discount.
• Most mattress manufacturers offer some kind of financing plan, which can be a better bargain than paying for a mattress with a credit card. 

It’s a good idea to research mattresses before you buy, so you can find the best mattress for the best price. Knowing what features you need and which you can live without can save you some money, too. 

Comparing costs of the best mattresses

Frequently asked questions

Questions? Reach out to reviewsteam@ncoa.org.