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Written by
Austin Meadows
Medically Reviewed by
Jenny Iyo
Arthritis is a common medical condition that affects the joints in your body. There are many forms of arthritis but they all share some similar symptoms, including joint pain, stiffness, swelling, and tenderness. These symptoms can make it more difficult for a person to get the quality sleep they need. The right mattress can help ease arthritis pain, while the wrong mattress may worsen these symptoms.
Our sleep expert team has personally tested hundreds of mattresses for performance areas that can affect people with arthritis, such as durability, support, pressure relief, and ease of movement. In addition to hands-on testing, we’ve consulted with medical professionals to ensure our recommendations are accurate and beneficial to the people who need them most. The picks listed below reflect our latest findings.
To learn more about these mattresses, please visit the detailed product profiles below. We’ve awarded each one a unique accolade based on areas where that model performed particularly well. Scroll down further for our buyer’s guide aimed at mattress buyers with arthritis-related considerations. We’ll discuss mattress qualities that can improve – or, in some cases, worsen – arthritis symptoms, price expectations for different mattress types, and mattress qualities you should take into account if you or your partner live with arthritis pain.
Best Overall
Many people with arthritis and joint pain also experience discomfort in the lower back and hips. For these sleepers, a mattress that cushions the spine and provides strong overall support is essential to waking up without aches and pains. The WinkBed is a luxury hybrid mattress designed to keep your body on an even plane no matter how much you weigh. Four firmness levels are available, allowing you to choose a mattress that best meets your needs.
The standard WinkBed is available in medium soft (4), medium firm (6), or firm (7) feels. These models feature two comfort layers of adaptive polyfoam over a transitional layer of foam-encased pocketed minicoils. These components cushion and contour to the body without sinking too much, though you should choose your firmness based on factors like body type and preferred sleep position.
The WinkBed Plus – a firm (8) model specifically designed for people who weigh more than 230 pounds – features a thick latex layer in place of the minicoils for extra support. This model is particularly well suited to back and stomach sleepers in this weight group, as these individuals tend to notice uncomfortable sinkage on softer mattresses.
All versions of the WinkBed also include a support core of pocketed coils. This layer is zoned with thicker coils along the perimeter to prevent deep sinkage when you get in and out of bed, and thinner coils beneath your body for more comfortable cradling. The coils also circulate air throughout the interior, which helps the WinkBed stay cool.
WinkBeds provides free ground shipping for all customers in the contiguous U.S. Your order includes a sleep trial that allows you to test out the WinkBed for up to 120 nights, along with a lifetime warranty that covers structural defects for as long as you own the mattress.
Best Value
The Nectar Mattress excellently alleviates pressure at a fair price-point. Its all-foam construction isolates most motion and closely contours to areas of the body susceptible to pain and pressure points.
A Tencel cover encases the Nectar. The fabric is quite breathable and can wick away moisture. The comfort layers consist of 3 inches of gel-infused memory foam. This material has an open-cell construction that allows more air circulation. The phase change material in this layer is also intended to disperse heat, keeping the Nectar cooler than other all-foam models. The foam layers closely contour the body to alleviate pressure in the hips and shoulders. They also help to absorb movement across the surface. People who easily awaken from their sleep partner’s movements should experience fewer sleep disturbances.
Next is a 2-inch transitional layer of polyfoam that acts as a buffer between the comfort layers and the support core. The support core is 7 inches of high-density polyfoam that reinforces the mattress and helps maintain an even sleep surface.
The Nectar has a medium firm (6) feel that supports sleepers up to 230 pounds in any sleeping position. This is especially true for side and back sleepers. Those in this weight range who use either position should appreciate the deep contour and pressure relief from the memory foam comfort layers.
Nectar offers free shipping to the contiguous U.S. and a generous 365-night sleep trial. Purchases also come with a lifetime warranty.
Best Luxury
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The Saatva Classic is a hybrid model that has strong pressure relief and three firmness options, which may make it a good choice for arthritis sufferers from all weight groups.
Three firmness options and two height options are available for the Saatva Mattress. Sleepers can select between Plush Soft (3), Luxury Firm (6), and Firm (8). They can also select between an 11.5-inch thick mattress and a 14.5-inch thick option.
The Saatva Classic’s hybrid design combines a Euro-top and two layers of coils. The Euro pillow-top contains polyfoam, .75 inches of fiber fill, and 1 ounce of Dacron. To adjust the feel of each mattress, the thickness and firmness of the polyfoam vary between models. The Plush Soft and Luxury Firm options have 1.25 inches of soft foam in their Euro pillow-tops, and the Firm version uses 1.5 inches of firmer foam.
A .625-inch layer of polyfoam rests under the Euro-top. The lumbar region is supported by a .375-inch layer of memory foam. This layer adds to the pressure relief while promoting proper spinal alignment. A layer of 14.5-gauge wrapped coils measures 4 inches thick, adding bounce, breathability, and support.
The base layer consists of 13-gauge hourglass coils, which add durability and cooling airflow. This layer is 4 inches thick in the 11.5-inch version of the Saatva and 7 inches thick in the 14.5-inch version. Final base pads support the core. A layer of foam wraps around the edge of the mattress to reduce sagging.
Compared to other hybrid models, the Saatva Classic is quite affordable. It also excels in temperature neutrality, pressure relief, and ease of movement. Its three firmness options can accommodate most sleep positions and weight groups, but not all firmness options will be ideal for all individuals. Sleepers who weigh under 130 pounds may favor the Plush Soft version, while sleepers who weigh over 230 pounds might prefer the Firm version. Most sleepers from all weight groups are likely to find the Luxury Firm version comfortable.
The Saatva Classic comes with free White Glove delivery. Customers can try the mattress at home during the 180-night trial. A 15-year warranty protects against defects in materials and workmanship.
Best for Hip Pain
Helix offers a wide selection of hybrid mattresses to suit different types of sleepers, including the Luxe line of pillow-top models aimed at high-end shoppers. The Midnight Luxe is one of the most balanced mattresses in this collection thanks to a medium firm (6) feel and two memory foam layers that cushion the body without sinking or squeezing too tightly. The pocketed coil support core is reinforced around the midsection to create added stability for the lower back and hips – two areas where people with arthritis tend to feel sharp pains.
The pillow-top provides a plush surface that doesn’t interfere with its overall firmer feel. Extra coil support along the perimeter also reduces sinkage when weight is applied, so most people weighing up to 230 pounds will feel secure lying near the edges or getting in and out of bed. Air circulates freely through the coil system and the entire mattress is encased in a breathable Tencel cover, so people who run hot in bed should remain fairly cool throughout the night.
Despite its name, the Midnight Luxe has a price-point that is lower than average for a hybrid model. Helix also provides free ground shipping to all 50 states. The company’s sleep trial spans 100 nights in length, and the mattress is backed by a 15-year manufacturer’s warranty.
Best for Heavy Sleepers
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If you experience pain or discomfort from arthritis, it’s important to find a mattress that provides relief for your joints without sacrificing support needed for healthy spinal alignment. With a medium firm (6) feel and hybrid design, the GhostBed Flex delivers on both.
The GhostBed Flex begins with a comfort system featuring two 1-inch layers of memory foam, enhanced by a cover quilted with an inch of cooling fiber. The foam provides excellent cushioning for joints and areas where pressure buildup occurs, such as the hips, lower back, and shoulders. Balancing out the plush surface is a thin transition layer of firmer polyfoam, followed by a pocketed coil system. These lower layers provide excellent support that helps prevent sleepers from sinking excessively into the bed. The perimeter is also reinforced with coils to boost edge support, making this ideal for sleepers who like to sit or sleep close to the bed’s edge.
The Flex is well suited for side sleepers, since they require cradling around the hips and shoulders as well as extra support for the lower back. This is also a good fit for people who frequently overheat in bed, since the coils enable air to circulate and cool the bed’s interior. The cover is also made with the brand’s proprietary Ghost Ice fabric, which is engineered to feel cool to the touch.
GhostBed ships mattresses for free within the contiguous U.S. Customers receive a 101-night sleep trial with their purchase. Those who try out the bed for at least 30 days are eligible for a refund within the trial period’s timeframe. The bed is backed by a 25-year limited warranty.
Best for Back Pain
Arthritis coupled with chronic back pain can lead to sleepless nights and tired mornings. If you live with this type of discomfort and sleep on your side, then the Puffy Lux Hybrid may be a solid investment. The mattress is constructed with three foam layers, including a top memory foam layer that contours closely to the body. A medium (5) feel ensures ample cushioning for the shoulders and hips, areas where pressure points are common for side sleepers. The foam also cradles the spine to reduce aches and pains around the lumbar region.
The Lux Hybrid’s support core consists of 6-inch pocketed coils reinforced with high-density base polyfoam. These components stabilize the mattress without diminishing the plush, cloud-like feel. The coils also circulate air throughout the interior to help the mattress stay cool. The soft surface and close conforming are ideal for side sleepers who weigh up to 230 pounds, as well as back sleepers who weigh less than 130 pounds.
Another notable feature of the Lux Hybrid is its cover, which is made of stain-resistant polyester. The cover is removable and can be washed and dried in any household machine. Comparatively, many competing mattresses have non-removable covers that should only be spot-cleaned as needed. This may be an attractive feature for people who want to keep their sleep surface as clean and hygienic as possible.
The Lux Hybrid has a price-point that’s on par with industry averages and ground delivery is free for all buyers in the contiguous U.S. Puffy’s sleep trial spans 101 nights in length and includes complimentary shipping on all returns within that period. Customers who keep the mattress also receive a lifetime warranty against structural defects.
Best Firm
Amerisleep offers an array of mattresses that span the spectrum of firmness levels. The AS1 is the brand’s firmest model and should feel most comfortable for back or stomach sleepers. It is also the most budget-friendly option of all Amerisleep beds.
The AS1 has a firm (7) feel, which is higher than average for an all-foam bed. The simple construction consists of a 2-inch layer of proprietary Bio-Pur memory foam and an 8-inch support core of high-density polyfoam. The Bio-Pur foam has an open-cell design that is meant to promote cooling on the surface. The cover is made of a breathable cotton and polyester fabric.
While the memory foam provides light cushioning, this mattress is engineered to feel more supportive than a typical all-foam bed. The thin comfort layer and robust support core make the bed ideal for back sleepers, who benefit from firm surfaces that keep the back on an even plane but still need light contouring to cushion the spine. The AS1 may also appeal to stomach sleepers under 230 pounds, who need a similar balance of firmness and light cushioning.
The AS1 sleeps cooler than many other all-foam models, since sleepers sink less into the bed and thus trap less heat around the body. The firmness also gives this bed stronger edge support compared to many other foam mattresses.
Amerisleep ships the AS1 for free throughout the contiguous U.S. The bed comes with a 100-night sleep trial and is also backed by a 20-year warranty.
Best for Side Sleepers
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Thanks to its reversible design, the Layla Hybrid is a good option for people with arthritis whose firmness preferences vary from night to night. One side of the mattress is medium soft (4) and contours quite closely, making it best suited to side sleepers who weigh up to 230 pounds and other sleepers weighing less than 130 pounds. The other side is firm (7) and feels much more supportive, ensuring adequate support for back and stomach sleepers who weigh 130 pounds or more.
Both sides are constructed with memory foam comfort layers. The foam is infused with copper, which has natural cooling properties and also offers antimicrobial protection to keep your mattress looking and smelling fresh. The shared support core contains individually pocketed coils that provide excellent stability and responsiveness without generating too much motion transfer. The coils are zoned to prevent deep sinkage along the edges, which makes getting on and off of the bed easier for people with mobility issues.
For a flippable mattress, the Layla Hybrid is very reasonably priced. Ground delivery is also free for anyone in the lower 48 states. Your purchase includes a 120-night sleep trial with free shipping on all returns, as well as a 10-year warranty that covers structural defects.
Most Comfortable
The Tuft & Needle Mint Mattress is a good option for people with arthritis who experience pain or pressure points in their shoulders, lower back, or hips. This mattress is constructed with a comfort layer of adaptive polyfoam that contours closely and reduces discomfort much like memory foam, but without the telltale “body hug” associated with that material. The polyfoam also has an open-cell composition and won’t retain much body heat, allowing you to stay cool and comfortable all night long.
A second layer of adaptive polyfoam reinforces the comfort layer to prevent excessive sinkage, while a base layer of high-density polyfoam stabilizes the entire mattress for added support. The Mint Mattress has a medium firm feel (6) that is best suited to people who weigh 230 pounds or less – especially side and back sleepers.
Couples should experience fewer sleep disruptions on the Mint Mattress. The foam layers absorb movement and prevent motion from transferring across the surface when your co-sleeper changes positions or gets in and out of bed, and the mattress itself is completely silent when in use.
The Mint Mattress has a sticker price that is in line with the average all-foam model, and Tuft & Needle provides free ground delivery anywhere in the contiguous U.S. You’ll receive a 100-night sleep trial with your purchase, along with a 10-year warranty that protects against structural defects.
Best Organic
For many sleepers with arthritis, a combination of body-contouring and even support is key to managing nightly aches and pains. The Birch Mattress is a medium firm (6) latex hybrid that delivers a balanced feel. A comfort layer of Talalay latex conforms to the body without hugging too tightly while pocketed coils stabilize the entire mattress without making the surface too stiff. The mid-range firmness and moderate contouring is particularly well suited to people in the range of 130 to 230 pounds, regardless of which sleep position they prefer.
Eco-conscious shoppers should also be drawn to the Birch Mattress due to its environmentally friendly composition. The latex has earned certification from the Rainforest Alliance, indicating the rubber trees that produce the latex have been sustainably grown. The cotton cover is certified as organic by the Global Organic Textile Standard, while the fire barrier is made of natural wool. These components are also quite breathable and the coils distribute air evenly throughout the interior, so the Birch Mattress should sleep cool for most people regardless of where they live.
Extra-strength outer coils create strong perimeter support. This ensures added stability when you sleep near the edges of your mattress or get in and out of bed. A base layer of wool and rayon acts as a second fire barrier while providing reinforcement for the coils. Since the Birch Mattress is a latex hybrid, sleepers can expect more responsiveness on the surface.
Birch is one of the only online mattress brands to offer free ground shipping to customers in all 50 states. Each purchase is backed by a sleep trial that runs 100 nights in length, as well as a manufacturer’s warranty covering structural defects in the mattress for up to 25 years after you purchase it.
Choosing the right mattress is important for any sleeper, but this decision is particularly key for those who live with arthritis pain. Our team has tested hundreds of mattresses firsthand. These evaluations have shown time and time again that there is a direct link between the mattress you select and the amount of discomfort you feel when you wake up in the morning. Your mattress may not alleviate arthritis pain, but finding the right model can prevent added aches and pressure points from occurring in sensitive areas.
Our mattress evaluations include specific tests for pressure buildup, ease of movement, durability, and motion isolation. All of these factors can affect how comfortable people with arthritis feel in bed. We also use thermal imaging technology to determine how well a mattress regulates temperature and measure sinkage when testers sit or lie along the edges of the mattress. Our team includes testers with different body types and position preferences, ensuring our ratings are inclusive of all sleepers. After compiling our findings, the mattresses listed above earned the best ratings for people with arthritis.
While comfort preferences may vary between individuals, some factors tend to come into play in determining a mattress’s overall performance. It may help to consider these categories when selecting the best mattress for you.
As with any condition that causes pain or discomfort, arthritis could make it harder to get restful, quality sleep. Aches and pains may make it harder to fall asleep or could lead to tossing and turning during the night. The position someone sleeps could either reduce or contribute to pain. Depending on an individual’s pains, they may prefer any sleep position. However, most experts usually recommend back or side sleeping. If you continue to suffer from arthritis and/or joint pain that interrupts your sleep, we recommend talking to your doctor.
According to Johns Hopkins, back sleeping can have both pros and cons for pain sufferers. Neck pain could be aggravated by sleeping face up. However, some people find sleeping on their backs alleviates their lower-back pain. Others may experience more back pain in this position, but the Cleveland Clinic suggests that placing a pillow under the knees could help.
The right mattress can help support a back sleeper’s natural spinal alignment. If the mattress sags excessively near the midsection, the sleeper could experience strain in their lower backs. If the mattress is too firm, they might have some pressure buildup around their hips. Since sagging tends to be the most common problem for back sleepers, many people who prefer this sleep position select a firmer-than-average mattress to get the support they need.
People tend to be wider near their shoulders and hips, so these body parts usually put more force on the mattress when a person sleeps on their side. This can contribute to pressure points.
Without the right mattress, a side sleeper’s spinal alignment could also suffer. Too soft of a mattress may allow the shoulders and hips to sink in excessively, while too firm of a mattress may not allow them to sink in enough. Either of these options could put a strain on a side sleeper’s lower back.
Side sleepers could also experience knee and hip pain from their legs resting on each other. Some side sleepers place a pillow between their knees for added relief for their hips and knees.
Most experts do not recommend stomach sleeping, but some people prefer it.
People tend to carry extra weight near their midsections, which could pull their hips too far into the mattress and put a strain on their lower backs. Since stomach sleepers often turn their heads to the side, they may also strain the neck. Some stomach sleepers prefer to use a thin pillow or no pillow to keep their neck in a more neutral position. Thicker pillows may force the neck to extend backward, contributing to additional strain.
If you want to transition away from sleeping on your stomach, using a body pillow may help.
Combination sleeping can bring together the potential benefits and drawbacks of multiple sleep positions. Switching positions during the night can shift the location of strain and/or pressure. Depending on which sleep positions the person prefers, they may still experience pressure buildup in their hips and shoulders, lower back strain, and/or neck strain. However, switching positions may make these aches and pains less pronounced.
Hybrid, innerspring, latex, airbed, and foam mattresses are the major types of mattresses currently sold. Each mattress model may have some variations from other mattresses that use similar constructions due to differences in materials, quality, and construction techniques. However, there are some common similarities between mattresses in each category.
Definition: Hybrid models pair comfort layers of memory foam, polyfoam, latex, wool, microcoils, and/or other materials with a coil support system. This combination usually gives some of the benefits of innerspring and foam or latex mattresses with fewer drawbacks.
Highlight: Balanced Support and Contouring. Joint pain sufferers may enjoy cushioning, contouring, and pressure relief from a hybrid mattress’s comfort system. The coil core tends to give more even support, which could be beneficial for spinal alignment.
Definition: Innerspring models are generally seen as the most traditional type of mattress. They consist primarily of springs. While they may have a comfort layer for cushioning, this layer is usually thin.
Highlight: Stable Support. High-quality innerspring mattresses do not permit much sinkage and usually have a relatively even plane. Joint pain sufferers who want support without a lot of contouring may like innerspring models.
Definition: Natural latex is made from the sap of the rubber tree. Latex mattresses may include natural latex, synthetic latex, or a blend. Dunlop latex is generally denser, while Talalay latex has a bouncier feel.
Highlight: Pressure Relief Without Hug. Latex has low point elasticity, which means that rather than compressing exclusively directly under the sleeper’s weight, it spreads the compression over a wider area. This lends to pressure relief without the hug often associated with memory foam, so joint pain sufferers with mobility issues may find a latex mattress easier to move on.
Definition: The support system of an airbed consists of fillable air chambers. These chambers can usually be filled or emptied using either a crank, a remote control, or an app. Airbeds may also contain comfort layers for added cushioning, though these comfort layers are usually relatively thin.
Highlight: Adjustable Firmness. The firmness of an airbed can be adjusted by filling or emptying the air chambers. Arthritis and joint pain sufferers may appreciate the flexibility of being able to change the firmness of their mattress to adjust their current preferences. Additionally, many airbeds have separate air chambers on each side of the bed, allowing partners to select different firmness settings.
Definition: Foam mattresses are constructed of multiple layers of foam. These may include memory foam, polyfoam, or a combination of both. Most foam mattresses use softer, closer conforming foam in their comfort layers and firm polyfoam in their support cores.
Highlight: Close Conforming. All-foam models often conform more closely than other types of mattresses. Joint pain sufferers looking for a pressure-relieving hug may enjoy this close conforming.
Purchasing a mattress is a big decision, and you may still have some lingering questions or concerns. We’ll answer some of the top questions customers have when buying a new mattress.
While there are budget-friendly mattresses on the market that could be good options for arthritis sufferers, pillows and mattress toppers may also prove effective. A good pillow can help support your natural spinal alignment. Some arthritis sufferers may also like a wedge pillow to support their knees or upper bodies. If your existing mattress is in good condition but you’re looking for more pressure relief, a quality mattress topper can add plushness and contouring without the expense of replacing the whole mattress.
Budget-friendly mattresses may cost just a few hundred dollars. These models often offer strong pressure relief and good support, but some may be more prone to forming impressions over time. Higher-priced models may seem like a big investment, but quality materials and construction can help the mattress last longer, which may make it a better value in the long run.
A company’s policies may play a role in your purchasing decision. The shipping, trial period, and warranty may be particularly important to consider.
Customers who suffer from joint pain may find it more challenging to set up their mattresses. If you need assistance, you may want to consider whether the company offers White Glove delivery. Most online mattress companies offer trial periods that give customers a chance to try the mattress at home. Arthritis sufferers may use this window to determine whether the mattress provides any relief. Finally, the mattress’s warranty can provide customers with additional protection for their purchase.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that causes joint problems such as pain, swelling, and stiffness. RA is most common in the wrists and fingers, but can affect other joints. The condition may also spread to the eyes, mouth, lungs, and other areas of the body.
People with RA usually feel comfortable on mattresses that cradle the spine and cushion other areas of the body. This can take pressure off of the affected joints. At the same time, the mattress should feel firm and supportive enough to keep your body upright without sinking too much beneath heavier areas like the midsection and hips. Memory foam mattresses, latex mattresses, and hybrids often meet this criteria. The adjustable firmness of an airbed may also appeal to people with RA, especially if their ideal firmness level varies with the degree of pain they experience on a given night.
Sleepers with RA who weigh less than 130 pounds may find a soft or medium soft mattress most comfortable. Those who weigh between 130 and 230 pounds will probably prefer a medium to medium firm feel instead, since people with heavier weights generally require the support of firmer beds. People with RA who weigh more than 230 pounds may need a firm or extra firm mattress to feel comfortable while they sleep.
The best mattress firmness for anyone with arthritis comes down to that person’s body type and primary sleep position. A firm mattress – which corresponds to 7 or 8 on the 1-10 firmness scale – offers stronger support than softer models, but also won’t conform as closely to the body. People with arthritis who weigh more than 230 pounds and those who sleep on their backs and/or stomachs will probably feel most comfortable on a firm mattress.
However, everyone has different preferences regardless of their weight or sleep position. We recommend testing out mattresses with different firmness levels to determine which best meets your needs and reduces your arthritis pain.
Memory foam becomes softer when exposed to body heat, allowing it to conform closely around the unique contours of your body. This cradling effect results in even weight distribution, optimal spinal alignment, and – for many people – fewer pressure points in sensitive areas like the shoulders and hips. If you feel less arthritis pain on softer surfaces with more cushioning, then a memory foam mattress may be right for you.
If you prefer less contouring and a more even, supportive surface, then you may want to consider a latex mattress over a memory foam model. Latex conforms to the body without hugging or sinking and keeps the body upright. It also sleeps cooler than foam, so a latex mattress may be a good alternative if you sleep hot.
Our product experts have extensive experience testing just about every sleep product on the market. Send an email to [email protected] with your questions and we’ll help you find exactly what you’re looking for.
Sleep Product Tester
Austin is a professional writer and researcher who has covered sleep science and sleep products for over a decade.
Physical Therapist
DPT
Dr. Iyo is a Doctor of Physical Therapy at an orthopedic clinic in Seattle. She specializes in hands-on therapy and tailored exercise programs.
Sleep Product Tester
Austin is a professional writer and researcher who has covered sleep science and sleep products for over a decade.
Physical Therapist
DPT
Dr. Iyo is a Doctor of Physical Therapy at an orthopedic clinic in Seattle. She specializes in hands-on therapy and tailored exercise programs.
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