Take $300 off a WinkBeds Mattress. Use Code: SF300
Sleepfoundation.org is reader-supported. We may earn a commission through products purchased using links on this page. Learn more about our process here
Written by
Medically Reviewed by
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
SleepFoundation readers save $200 on a DreamCloud mattress with code: sleepfoundation
The DreamCloud is a luxury hybrid with a very approachable price-point compared to similarly constructed competitors. The mattress begins with a pillow-top containing plush polyfoam, followed by a comfort layer of gel-infused memory foam and a transitional layer of dense polyfoam. These materials conform evenly to distribute your weight and alleviate pressure points, but the mattress has a medium firm (6) feel and won’t sink too much for people who weigh up to 230 pounds.
The DreamCloud’s support core consists of pocketed coils and a base layer of high-density polyfoam. These components provide excellent overall stability and reinforce the edges against excessive sinkage when you get in and out of bed. Temperature neutrality is another perk of this mattress. The coils promote steady airflow to help the mattress core stay cool, and the cover is made from a breathable cashmere blend.
Side and back sleepers with arthritis should find the DreamCloud particularly comfortable. The foam layers offer ample cushioning for the shoulders and hips, ensuring even alignment and less pressure for side sleepers, but the mattress is also firm enough to keep back sleepers on an even plane and prevent them from sinking too much around the midsection.
In addition to its low price-point, the DreamCloud also qualifies for free ground shipping anywhere in the contiguous U.S. All customers receive a sleep trial that allows them to test out the mattress for an entire year, and those who choose to keep the bed will receive a lifetime warranty against structural defects.
Best for Pressure Relief
Amerisleep is a bed-in-a-box brand that offers a line of memory foam mattresses, each one designed with a different sleeper type in mind. The AS3 is the mid-level model in this collection. Measuring 12 inches thick with a medium (5) feel, the AS3 is optimal for people who prefer a combination of body-contouring and sturdy support.
The comfort layer is composed of medium-density memory foam that is quite durable and shouldn’t develop indentations or impressions too quickly. The foam also absorbs movement very well, resulting in excellent motion isolation and potentially fewer sleep disturbances for couples. Transitional and base layers of denser polyfoam stabilize the entire mattress.
The AS3 is best suited to sleepers who weigh 230 pounds or less. Side sleepers in this weight category enjoy plush padding for the shoulders and hips, which can improve spinal alignment and reduce pressure points along the spine. Back sleepers should also receive enough support to prevent uncomfortable sagging around the midsection – a common issue associated with this sleep position.
Amerisleep provides free ground shipping throughout the contiguous U.S. In addition to a sleep trial that allows you to test out the AS3 for 100 nights, your purchase also includes a warranty that covers structural defects for up to 20 years.
Most Comfortable
Get $210 off a Layla Hybrid Mattress + 2 free memory foam pillows with code: SLEEPFOUNDATION
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.
Best for Side Sleepers
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 for Back Pain
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 Organic
The Awara is a deluxe pillow-top hybrid with a balanced medium firm (6) feel and a thick latex comfort layer that cushions the body without hugging or sinking. A robust support core reinforces the latex to maintain a flat, even surface for your body and reduce arthritis-related aches and pains. The mattress also features a pillow-top padded with organic New Zealand wool, resulting in a plush surface without compromising overall support.
The Awara is also an eco-friendly option for shoppers. The Dunlop latex is certified by the Rainforest Alliance, ensuring the rubber trees used to produce the latex are sustainably grown and harvested. The mattress has also received Global Organic Textile Standard certification for the wool and its organic cotton cover.
Like other latex hybrids, the Awara excels at temperature neutrality. The coils generate plenty of airflow throughout the interior, the wool wicks away moisture, and the breathable cover keeps the surface cool. Latex is also exceptionally responsive, giving the mattress some noticeable bounce when you get in and out of bed. This can make moving across the mattress easier for some people, and couples generally prefer springiness during sex.
The Awara’s price-point is on par with the average latex hybrid. Customers in the contiguous U.S. qualify for free ground shipping, and each order comes with a sleep trial that spans an entire year. The mattress is also backed by a lifetime warranty against structural defects.
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.
Looking for the best medium firm mattress? We cover our top picks for all sleeping styles and body types.
Looking for an affordable mattress? We’ll highlight some of the best ones on the market under $1,000 and share tips…
We’ll highlight the best mattresses under $2,000 and share tips to help you make the most from your money.
