Arthritis can make it difficult for you to get the high-quality sleep that you need. While there are many types of arthritis, most are associated with stiffness and pain caused by inflammation of the joints. These symptoms can be disruptive to sleep, especially given the complex relationship between inflammation and sleep.
A comfortable mattress is an important part of a good sleeping environment, and choosing the right mattress for your needs can help ease pain and contribute to a more restful night’s sleep. Our in-house testing team carefully selected mattresses that are well suited to people with arthritis, considering key characteristics like pressure relief, firmness, and ease of movement.
Find Your Perfect Mattress
We know mattresses work differently for different types of sleepers. Use the filters below to help narrow down your options for your best bed.
Read on to see why the following five options made our top picks list of 2024’s best mattresses for arthritis.
Sleep Doctor’s Picks
Best Overall Mattress
Nectar Premier
Sleep Doctor’s Review
The Nectar Premier’s memory foam and polyfoam layers provide significant comfort and support at an affordable price-point. The mattress’ solid pressure relief and ability to isolate motion stood out to our testers, indicating that this is a good mattress for those with arthritis, especially if they also have bed partners.
Buy From Nectar
Couples
Medium Firm (6)
Some Airflow
Great Value
Pros
- Contouring memory foam relieves pressure on the hips, shoulders, and lower back
- Cooling features are designed to keep the bed a comfortable temperature
- Foam construction is very effective at preventing motion transfer
Cons
- Memory foam can impede movement on the mattress
- Foam compression reduces edge support
- May not offer enough firmness or support for stomach sleepers
Why We Like It
The Nectar Premier is a 13-inch all-foam mattress that incorporates cooling technology intended to prevent the heat buildup normally associated with memory foam. Its gel-infused foam conforms to the body to relieve pressure points and help keep the spine properly aligned.
Our team was impressed with how well this mattress contours the body, relieving tension at pressure points. At the same time, its medium firm (6) feel prevents excess sinkage. Additionally, the Nectar Premier isolates motion very well, so couples shouldn’t disturb each other when shifting position or getting into or out of bed.
How Does It Feel?
The mattress has a medium firm (6) feel, which falls in the range favored by most people. Sleepers who want the signature hug of memory foam without excessive sinking may find the Nectar Premier to be a good match.
During our testing, this mattress scored particularly well with side sleepers over 130 pounds and back sleepers under 130 pounds. Its memory foam cushions the shoulders, hips, and lumbar region comfortably, which may help ease arthritis-related pain.
Best Value Mattress
Layla Memory Foam Mattress
Sleep Doctor’s Review
With its flippable design, the Layla Memory Foam Mattress is essentially two mattresses in one available at a competitive price-point. The ability to choose between firmness levels makes this mattress suitable for a wide range of sleepers, including those with arthritis pain. Copper-gel memory foam keeps the body cushioned and comfortable, especially on the softer side.
Buy From Layla
Back Sleepers
Medium Soft (4), Firm (7)
Not Ideal for Hot Sleepers
Great Value
Pros
- Reversible design allows sleepers to switch firmness level as needed
- Very effective at isolating motion
- Soft side provides extra cushioning to joints and pressure points
Cons
- Firm side has reduced pressure relief
- May not appeal to sleepers who prefer mid-range firmness
- Limited edge support
Why We Like It
The Layla’s versatile two-sided design can accommodate most people regardless of their sleep position or body weight. Our testers found that the soft side provided very good pressure relief, which is important for easing aches and pains related to arthritis. The conforming foam also isolates motion, making this mattress a good option for people who share a bed.
How Does It Feel?
With both a medium soft (4) side and a firm (7) side, the Layla Memory Foam Mattress offers two distinct options that may appeal to different sleepers. In our tests, side sleepers who weigh less than 230 pounds appreciated the plusher side. Our side sleepers over 230 pounds, back sleepers, and stomach sleepers preferred the firmer side because it more comfortably supported the lower back and midsection.
Most Comfortable Mattress
WinkBed
Sleep Doctor’s Review
With its high-quality materials and wide range of firmness options, the WinkBed can provide excellent comfort for just about any sleep position or body type. For those with arthritis pain, the WinkBed’s combination of cushioning foam comfort layers and a responsive innerspring support core offer a particularly good balance of pressure relief and support.
Buy From Winkbeds
All Sleepers
Medium Soft (4), Medium Firm (6), Firm (7), Firm (8)
Great Airflow
Good Value
Pros
- Multiple firmness options allow buyers to optimize comfort
- Zoned coil system provides extra support where needed
- Breathable cover and cooling technology engineered to prevent overheating
Cons
- Doesn’t have the same closely contouring feel as an all-foam mattress
- Firmer options may not provide enough pressure relief for some sleepers
- Bed partners with different body weights or comfort preferences may need to compromise on firmness
Why We Like It
The WinkBed combines a polyfoam comfort system with a pocketed coil support core to create a sturdy, responsive feel that still provides the cushioning that appeals to many people with arthritis. The WinkBed Mattress comes in four firmness options: Softer (4), Luxury Firm (6), Firmer (7), and Plus (8).
This mattress stood out because of its zoned pocketed coil system, which provides targeted support in the middle of the mattress and prevents excessive sinkage. As a result, the WinkBed can promote good spinal alignment and reduce pain for many different kinds of sleepers. This WinkBed’s reinforced edges also make getting in and out of bed easier for people with reduced mobility.
How Does It Feel?
All of the WinkBed models feel springy and supportive, thanks to their coil support core. However, the firmness level varies by model. The Softer (4) model was popular among the side sleepers on our testing team, while the Firmer (7) and Plus (8) models were a better match for most of our back sleepers, stomach sleepers, and those weighing over 230 pounds.
Best Luxury Mattress
Zenhaven
Sleep Doctor’s Review
The Zenhaven Natural Latex Mattress impressed our testing team with its standout temperature regulation and sturdy construction. Its five-zone vented latex comfort layer offers an excellent combination of targeted pressure relief and enhanced airflow, and the flippable design provides a choice of firmness options that may benefit sleepers with arthritis.
Buy From Saatva
Mobility Issues
Medium Soft (4), Firm (7)
Sleeps Cool
Fair Value
Pros
- Zoned Dunlop latex relieves pressure and provides significant responsiveness
- Reversible design offers two distinct firmness levels
- Made with durable and naturally breathable materials
Cons
- Limited motion isolation compared to all-foam mattresses
- Soft side may not be feel supportive enough for sleepers over 230 pounds
- Mattress is somewhat heavy and may be difficult to move or flip
Why We Like It
The Zenhaven is a hypoallergenic latex mattress that combines organic wool, natural Dunlop latex, and an organic cotton cover. This reversible mattress features a medium soft (4) side and a firm (7) side. Both the latex and the cover are engineered to enhance lower back support.
People with arthritis may appreciate how this latex mattress relieves pressure points around the back, hips, and shoulders without restricting mobility or movement on the mattress. Zoned quilting in the cover and zoned latex give extra support to the midsection, which promotes spinal alignment during sleep.
How Does It Feel?
Each side of the Zenhaven has a distinct feel. The medium soft (4) side provides extra cushioning that felt very comfortable for our side-sleeping testers who weigh less than 130 pounds. Our side sleepers over 230 pounds, stomach sleepers, and back sleepers preferred the firm (7) side due to its lighter contouring and firmer feel. Thanks to its aerated latex and breathable wool and cotton, the mattress sleeps quite cool.
Best Mattress for Pressure Relief
Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Adapt
Sleep Doctor’s Review
The TEMPUR-Adapt embodies the durable craftsmanship and strong performance that has come to define Tempur-Pedic as a leading mattress brand. This plush all-foam model provides next-level cushioning to alleviate pain and pressure in all of your most sensitive areas, and also isolates motion for couples.
Buy From Tempur-Pedic
Side Sleepers
Medium (5)
Fair Airflow
Good Value
Pros
- Dense TEMPUR foam contours evenly to distribute your weight and reduce pressure points
- Excellent motion isolation for couples
- Ideal cushioning for most side sleepers
Cons
- Back and stomach sleepers weighing 130 pounds or more may sink excessively
- Foam layers emit strong off-gassing odor for the first couple nights
- High potential for heat retention
Why We Like It
During hands-on tests, the TEMPUR-Adapt earned stellar ratings from our side sleepers weighing up to 230 pounds. Heavier testers who use this position also felt fairly comfortable on the mattress. On the other hand, most of our back and stomach sleepers who weigh 130 pounds or more found the TEMPUR-Adapt too soft and lacking in support.
Pressure relief was a standout performance category for this mattress. Our body-mapping technology indicates the foam layers deliver plenty of cradling along the spine, which in turn promotes even alignment and reduces pressure buildup in the shoulders, lower back, and hips. Motion isolation was another testing highlight — couples should notice very little movement on the surface.
How Does It Feel?
The top two layers are made of TEMPUR memory foam, a proprietary material prized for its deep, even contouring and longer-than-average lifespan. High-density polyfoam makes up the support core. This base layer stabilizes the mattress fairly well, but its medium (5) feel and adaptive surface result in a very plush design. Those seeking more support should consider the TEMPUR-Adapt Hybrid, which uses pocketed coils instead of base foam. A knit polyester cover encases the mattress.
Why You Should Trust Us
Our sleep experts bring years of industry experience to our testing laboratory. We use both objective measurements and individual feedback to obtain detailed insight into mattress performance. For example, to rate a mattress’ pressure relief we use data from our pressure mapping technology alongside the subjective experience of our testers as they lie on the bed. Our team represents a spectrum of sleep positions and body weights to allow us to understand how a mattress performs across a range of personal sleep preferences.
More Mattress Options for Specific Needs
About The Author
Staff Writer, Product Testing Team
Garen is a health and lifestyle content creator. She realized the importance of sleep when her children made getting a good night’s rest more challenging. Garen is always learning something new about the wide world of sleep and sleep products. Married with two girls, ages 7 and 11, she is a book nerd and a lover of pop music, travel, and the Pacific Northwest.
- POSITION: Side sleeper
- TEMPERATURE: Neutral Sleeper
- CHRONOTYPE: Wolf
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