Aging impacts sleep quality and duration. As they age, older people may find falling asleep or sleeping through the night more challenging, and diminished sleep quality can lead to a decline in cognitive functions and other health issues.
Choosing the right mattress may help mitigate sleep health concerns that impact older individuals. We’ll discuss our picks for the best mattresses for seniors and detail their construction, features, and how they performed during our sleep lab tests. We’ll also provide information about aging and sleep, including mattress-buying tips for seniors.
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 six options made our top picks list of 2024’s best mattresses for seniors.
Sleep Doctor’s Picks
Best Overall Mattress
WinkBed
Sleep Doctor’s Review
Our team found the WinkBed’s four firmness options offered comfort for a wide range of body weights and sleep styles, meaning most sleepers should find a model that provides excellent support. The bed’s innerspring design is durable, quiet, and regulates temperature well, allowing sleepers to sleep comfortably with minimal disturbance.
Buy From WinkBeds
Combination Sleepers
Soft, Medium Firm, Firm Options
Great
Supportive For All Sleepers
Pros
- Available in four firmness levels: medium soft (4), medium firm (6), firm (7), and firm (8)
- Great durability, temperature regulation, and edge support
Cons
- Softer WinkBed can cause sinkage
- Doesn’t relieve pressure as well as an all-foam bed
Why We Like It
The WinkBed features a Tencel cover and quilted Euro-style pillow-top with gel-infused polyfoam, which is designed to keep the surface cool and plush. A layer of SupportCell polyfoam is engineered to provide extra support and cushioning. A thick support core of zoned, pocketed coils with a reinforced perimeter rounds out the base of the bed.
With four firmness models, testers across all sleep positions and body types found appropriate support. The reinforced perimeter provides very good edge support, which means sleepers can use more of the bed’s surface area and sit comfortably at the edge of the bed. The WinkBed is also surprisingly quiet for an innerspring, and the thick coiled support core contributes to its durability.
How Does It Feel?
Our testing team found the WinkBed offered excellent support and comfort for every body type and sleep position with the appropriate firmness level. We found the two firmest options gave the best support for stomach sleepers and people who weigh over 230 pounds. The medium firm (6) model is ideal for sleepers weighing between 130 and 230 pounds who sleep on their side and back. In contrast, the medium soft (4) WinkBed model provides better cushioning for side and back sleepers who weigh under 130 pounds.
The WinkBed models rated average to above-average in motion isolation testing, so most sleepers should only experience minimal disturbances when their partner moves in bed. Most of the models also allow for relative ease of movement. However, sleepers over 130 pounds may experience sinkage with the softest model, which can make it harder to move around on the bed.
Best Value Mattress
Silk & Snow Hybrid
Sleep Doctor’s Review
The Silk & Snow Hybrid consists of high-quality materials and carries a below-average price tag compared to other hybrid mattresses. The bed’s layers are supportive and cool and feature moderate cushioning and strong edge support. We found the bed was best suited for side sleepers, but it also provided adequate support for back sleepers between 130 and 230 pounds.
Buy From Silk & Snow
Side Sleepers
Medium Firm
Great
Good for Sleepers Under 230 Pounds
Pros
- An excellent balance between performance, comfort, and price
- Strong edge support
- Sleeps cool
Cons
- Average motion isolation
- Not supportive enough for back and stomach sleepers over 230 pounds
Why We Like It
The Silk & Snow Hybrid has a below-average price tag considering its quality materials. A gel-infused, dual-layer comfort system and zoned pocketed coil support core provides pressure relief and additional lumbar support. The bed’s substantial reinforced perimeter creates extra support around the edges, increasing the usable surface area of the bed. The bed’s construction also promotes breathability, preventing sleepers from overheating.
How Does It Feel?
The Silk & Snow Hybrid is a 12-inch tall mattress with a medium firm (6) feel. The cover is made from a polyester and spandex blend that’s infused with silver, which is designed to ward off bacteria buildup. The comfort system consists of a layer of gel-infused polyfoam and a layer of denser gel-infused memory foam. A lumbar pad and zoned pocketed coil support core help keep the spine aligned.
Our side-sleeping testers found contouring foam layers of the Silk & Snow Hybrid cushioned the joints and helped prevent pressure points from forming. Zoned coils also provide additional support, especially for back sleepers between 130 and 230 pounds. However, our back- and stomach-sleeping testers over 230 pounds found the mattress permitted too much sinkage to be supportive.
A thick coil support core gives the bed noticeable bounce. While this made it easy for our testers to get in and out of bed and change sleep positions, it also allows for some motion to travel across the bed’s surface.
Most Comfortable Mattress
DreamCloud Mattress
Sleep Doctor’s Review
The DreamCloud Mattress’ contouring design offers a blend of support and pressure relief to a wide range of sleeper types. Side and stomach sleepers between 130 and 230 pounds on our testing team found the bed particularly supportive.
Buy From DreamCLoud
Stomach Sleepers
Medium Firm
Excellent
Good for Sleepers Under 230 Pounds
Pros
- Offers support for a wide range of sleepers
- Above-average pressure relief for a hybrid bed
- Quiet and above-average motion isolation
Cons
- Side sleepers under 130 pounds might find it too firm
- May be too responsive for some sleepers
Why We Like It
The DreamCloud’s hybrid design maximizes comfort for a wide range of sleepers. Gel-infused memory foam is designed to draw heat away from the sleeper and relieve pressure points. A pocketed coil support core makes it easy for sleepers to move across the bed and change positions. The coil support core also helps the DreamCloud isolate motion well, limiting the amount of movement felt by sleep partners.
How Does It Feel?
The DreamCloud Mattress is a 14-inch, medium firm (6) hybrid bed. A three-layer comfort system consists of contouring polyfoam, pressure-relieving memory foam, and supportive polyfoam. The bed’s support core features a thick layer of pocketed coils with reinforced edges and a final layer of dense polyfoam to reinforce the upper layers. A soft, cashmere blend cover encases the mattress.
Our sleep testers found the DreamCloud’s thick comfort system relieved pressure in the hips and shoulders, especially for side sleepers over 130 pounds. The bed’s medium firm (6) feel also provides support to stomach sleepers under 130 pounds and back sleepers between 130 and 230 pounds. While most sleeper types should find the bed suits their needs, side sleepers under 130 pounds may find it to be too firm.
Best Luxury Mattress
Saatva Classic
Sleep Doctor’s Review
With three firmness options to choose from, many sleepers may find the Saatva Classic offers support and comfort. All of our sleep testers over 130 pounds found a model that relieved pressure points and kept their spine in alignment.
Buy From Saatva
Combination Sleepers
Soft, Medium Firm, Firm Options
Excellent
Good for Sleepers Over 130 Pounds
Pros
- Three firmness options and two heights
- High-quality materials and innerspring design provide excellent pressure relief
- Free White Glove delivery
Cons
- Innerspring design has average motion isolation
- Lacks cushioning for back and stomach sleepers under 130 pounds
Why We Like It
The Saatva Classic is an innerspring bed that comes in three firmness options: soft (3), medium firm (6), and firm (8). Sleepers can also choose between an 11.5-inch or 14.5-inch profile. An organic cotton pillow-top cover features a thick layer of polyfoam to provide extra cushioning, and a memory foam lumbar pad helps relieve tension in the lumbar region. A dual base of zoned pocketed coils and innerspring coils is reinforced for responsive support.
The Saatva Classic consists of high-quality materials like organic cotton and CertiPUR-US certified memory foam. As a result, the bed offers sleepers pressure relief while drawing heat away from the body. The dual-layer support core also contributes to the bed’s durability, airflow throughout the bed, and slight bounce that makes it easy to move across.
How Does It Feel?
The Saatva Classic’s three firmness options made it easy for our sleep testers to find a model that suited their individual needs and preferences. The bed’s more minimal comfort system surprised our testers with its ability to relieve tension at key pressure points for different sleep positions and body sizes. However, we found the mattress lacked cushioning for our back- and stomach-sleeping testers under 130 pounds.
Our testers noticed that the soft (3) model featured less robust edge support, which reduced the overall usable surface area of the mattress. The medium firm (6) and firm (8) models had below-average motion isolation, so sleepers may notice when their partners or pets move during the night.
Best Mattress for Pressure Relief
Tuft & Needle Mint
Sleep Doctor’s Review
The Tuft & Needle Mint offers excellent pressure relief and cushioning for sleepers with aching joints. Our in-house testers found the bed’s medium firm (6) feel worked best for side and back sleepers.
Buy From Tuft & Needle
Back Sleepers
Medium Firm
Excellent
Good for Sleepers Under 230 Pounds
Pros
- All-foam design relieves pressure points
- Strong balance of contouring and support for side sleepers up to 230 pounds and back sleepers under 130 pounds
- Machine-washable cover
Cons
- Lacks support for sleepers over 230 pounds
- Hot sleepers may find the bed too warm
Why We Like It
The Tuft & Needle Mint uses three layers of polyfoam that contour to the body and relieve pressure in key areas like the shoulders, hips, and spine, especially for sleepers up to 230 pounds. Due to its medium firm (6) feel, the bed avoids some of the excessive sinkage that you’ll find in some foam competitors. It is also easier to move around on than foam beds with a plusher design. A unique highlight of the bed is the removable and machine-washable mattress cover.
How Does It Feel?
The Tuft & Needle Mint is a 12-inch model with a medium firm feel. A 2-inch layer of polyfoam cushions your body closely on the surface, followed by another 2 inches of polyfoam to enhance contouring. Both polyfoam layers are infused with cooling gel to reduce heat retention. The support core features high-density polyfoam with reinforced edges to stabilize the mattress and perimeter.
Our testers found that the Tuft & Needle Mint’s substantial comfort system offered excellent cushioning for side sleepers up to 230 pounds and back sleepers under 130 pounds. However, we found the bed’s all-foam design was too plush for all sleepers over 230 pounds regardless of sleep position. Testers in this weight group reported that they sank too deeply, causing the spine to fall out of alignment.
Despite its plusher feel, the Tuft & Needle Mint has decent edge support and is less prone to sagging than other foam beds. The contouring surface did not hamper movement on the bed during testing.
Best Firm Mattress
Plank Firm Luxe
Sleep Doctor’s Review
With a flippable design, sleepers can choose between a firm (7) or extra firm (9) feel. The Plank Firm Luxe’s considerable support core provides additional support to the back and promotes spinal alignment.
Buy From Plank
Back Sleepers
Firm, Extra Firm Options
Fair
Best for Sleepers Over 230 Pounds
Pros
- Firm sleep surface provides additional support to lumbar region
- Excellent support for back sleepers over 230 pounds and stomach sleepers over 130 pounds
- Regulates temperature well
Cons
- Firm surface offers minimal contouring
- May be too firm for side sleepers
Why We Like It
For sleepers who prefer a bed with minimal contouring, it can be hard to find a mattress model that’s firm enough to meet their needs. The Plank Firm Luxe does an excellent job filling this niche with its flippable design. The firm surface promotes spinal alignment during sleep and prevents stomach sleepers from sinking too deeply into the mattress.
How Does It Feel?
The Plank Firm Luxe is a flippable bed with firm (7) and extra firm (9) sides. Each side has a quilted cotton and microfiber blend cover and shares a pocketed coil support core. The firm (7) side features a thicker layer of cover quilting, a 1-inch layer of TitanFlex polyfoam, and a 2-inch layer of high-density polyfoam. The extra firm (9) side features a layer of quilting in the cover and a 2-inch layer of high-density polyfoam.
Both sides of the Plank Firm Luxe are noticeably firm and feature minimal contouring. We found the firm design offered excellent support for back sleepers over 230 pounds and stomach sleepers over 130 pounds. However, our testers under 130 pounds found the mattress lacked cushioning and made them prone to developing pressure points, especially when lying on their side.
While the Plank Firm Luxe’s firmness offers minimal pressure relief and allows for some motion to transfer across the surface, sleepers can easily move around and change sleep positions. The lack of contouring also gives the Plank Firm Luxe above-average edge support and temperature control.
Why You Should Trust Us
With decades of combined experience in the sleep industry, our team of product testers has personally tested hundreds of mattresses. Our team represents a diverse range of sleepers with varying body weights and sleep styles.
To find the best mattresses for seniors, we analyzed dozens of models that provided pressure relief, back and joint support, and ease of movement. After comprehensively testing these models in-person in our sleep lab, we refined our picks down to the very best beds for older sleepers.
The Relationship Between Aging and Sleep
Aging can negatively impact sleep quality. Since older people tend to wake up more frequently during the night, they also spend less time in deep sleep — the restorative sleep stage that helps the body recover and feel rested. Older individuals are also at risk for conditions like insomnia, depression, and restless legs syndrome, all of which can disrupt sleep.
Changes to a person’s lifestyle as they age can also impact sleep. Older adults may spend less time outdoors in direct sunlight, which can interrupt sleep patterns. This is due to the relationship between light and circadian rhythm, the 24-hour cycle in which the body feels wakeful in the presence of sunlight and produces the sleep-inducing hormone melatonin in the absence of light.
Older individuals are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of sunlight deprivation, as the brain naturally produces less melatonin as a person ages.
Common Sleep Issues in Seniors
Many older people experience health issues that can negatively impact sleep quality. Some conditions may cause restlessness or make it difficult to fall asleep, while others may lead to aches and pains. Choosing a mattress that combats these issues can help provide restorative sleep.
- Arthritis: Joint pain can cause a variety of sleep issues, including trouble falling asleep, feeling groggy throughout the day, and shortened sleep duration. Those with arthritis should consider a mattress with increased pressure relief.
- Body pain: Muscle aches and stiffness can make finding a comfortable sleep position difficult. This may lead to reduced sleep quality and increased pain. Many mattresses include features that relieve pressure points to counter this issue.
- Sleep apnea: Sleep apnea causes disrupted sleep through labored or paused breathing. Abnormal breathing patterns can cause older sleepers to wake up frequently at night, even if they aren’t aware of it.
- Insomnia: Around 40% to 50% of people over 60 report issues with insomnia, which is trouble falling or staying asleep. Insomnia is linked to cognitive impairments like daytime sleepiness and may be a cause or indicator of Alzheimer’s disease and other neurological conditions.
- Nighttime urination: Frequent nighttime urination, also called nocturia, increases with age. This can lead to repeated sleep disruptions and a higher likelihood of falls and fractures.
- Depression and anxiety: Rates of sleep difficulty increase when people have depression and anxiety. This includes both trouble falling asleep and increased awakenings during the night.
- Heart disease: Irregular sleep patterns more than double the risk of developing heart disease for older adults. Establishing a regular sleep schedule can lower this risk.
- Type 2 diabetes: Inconsistent sleep may increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. In addition, those with type 2 diabetes may experience sleep disturbances like body pain and nighttime urination.
Do Older People Need More or Less Sleep?
A common myth claims that older adults need less sleep. However, older people generally require at least 7 hours of sleep, like all adults.
Health concerns and lifestyle changes may make it more difficult for older individuals to get a full night’s sleep. Prioritizing rest and maintaining a consistent sleep schedule becomes even more important as you age.
Best Mattress Types for Seniors
Each mattress type offers distinct benefits based on its construction and materials. Older people generally need a mattress that relieves pressure and limits sleep disruptions. Those with mobility issues probably need a bed that makes movement easier.
Foam Mattresses
Foam mattresses are made primarily out of foam and don’t contain coils. They often include highly contouring memory foam in the comfort system and denser polyfoam in the support core. Older people may choose foam mattresses because they offer exceptional pressure relief. However, foam tends to trap body heat, and these beds may not provide sufficient ease of movement or the edge support that these sleepers need.
Latex Mattresses
These mattresses are constructed out of natural or synthetic latex. Unlike memory foam, latex provides body contouring with minimal hug. This makes it an excellent choice for older people who require pressure relief with enhanced ease of movement. Latex is also durable and tends to sleep cooler than other types of foam.
Hybrid Mattresses
Hybrid mattresses contain a comfort system that is typically made of foam or latex and a support core of pocketed coils. They are often a good choice for older people because they tend to be very responsive, making shifting positions and getting in and out of bed easier. Many hybrids also excel at targeting pressure points and relieving sore muscles and joints.
Innerspring Mattresses
An innerspring is a traditional mattress made with springs. Typically, these mattresses don’t provide the support or pressure relief of more modern styles. However, they are responsive and usually come with a low price tag.
Airbed Mattresses
Airbeds are customizable, allowing you to adjust the bed’s firmness depending on your sleep needs. This style of mattress contains an air chamber controlled by a remote control or smartphone app. The other materials vary by model but may contain foam or latex. Airbeds are generally well suited for older people who experience body pain, as the firmness can be adjusted nightly according to pain level and location. The downside is that airbeds typically have a high price-point.
Choosing the Best Mattress for Seniors
Older people should choose a mattress that suits their specific sleep needs and preferences, keeping in mind how any given model can help limit sleep disruptions and alleviate issues that come with age.
What’s the Best Mattress Firmness for Seniors?
The best mattress firmness varies by body type, preferred sleep position, and a person’s unique needs. However, older adults often find an appropriate fit with mid-range firmness levels between medium soft (4) and medium firm (6).
Side sleepers and people who weigh less than 130 pounds typically prefer softer mattresses with greater contouring. Heavier individuals and those who sleep on their back or stomach may want to look for a slightly firmer model.
What Kind of Mattress Will Help With Back Pain?
The best mattresses for back pain balance body contouring and support. Memory foam mattresses offer body-conforming properties that alleviate joint pain, while hybrid mattresses typically provide greater support to the lumbar region.
What Type of Mattress Can Help With Hip Pain?
People with hip pain should consider a mattress that provides increased pressure relief. Side sleepers need support at their hips and shoulders because these areas sink into the mattress and may lead to pressure points. Many foam or latex mattresses offer exceptional contouring and may help reduce hip pain.
What’s the Best Mattress for Seniors With Arthritis?
People with arthritis typically benefit from a mattress with exceptional pressure relief. Mattress types that relieve pressure include foam, latex, and hybrid models. Because arthritis symptoms vary, choose a bed that meets your specific sleep needs.
How Can Seniors Sleep With Fewer Disruptions?
Choosing a mattress that suits your sleep needs and preferences can help limit disruptions. If you sleep hot, select a mattress with cooling features. Light sleepers may prefer a foam bed that absorbs vibrations. Couples should consider a mattress that isolates motion so they won’t feel each other’s movements.
What Type of Mattress Is Best for Seniors With Reduced Mobility?
People with reduced mobility should consider a mattress with enhanced edge support and increased ease of movement. Some all-foam mattresses compress at the edges, making getting in and out of bed more difficult. People with mobility issues should look for a mattress with a reinforced perimeter that does not restrict movement. Many hybrid models fit these criteria.
Should Seniors Use an Adjustable Bed?
Beds with an adjustable base can be a good option for older adults. These mattresses customize your sleep experience by allowing you to lower or raise the head and foot of the bed. This functionality may be beneficial for people who experience joint pain, acid reflux, snoring, or swelling of the legs or feet.
More Mattress Options for Unique Groups
Ask the Sleep Doctor
Have questions about sleep? Submit them here! We use your questions to help us decide topics for articles, videos, and newsletters. We try to answer as many questions as possible. You can also send us an email. Please note, we cannot provide specific medical advice, and always recommend you contact your doctor for any medical matters.
About The Author
Staff Writer, Product Testing Team
Alison is a health writer with ample experience reading and interpreting academic, peer-reviewed research. Based in San Diego, she is published in the journal PLOS Genetics and the Journal of Biological Chemistry and has been a copywriter for SmartBug media. With a master’s degree in biochemistry from the University of California, Davis, she has nearly a decade of academic research experience in life sciences. She enjoys helping people cut through the noise to understand the bigger picture about sleep and health. Alison likes to stay active with rock climbing, hiking, and walking her dog.
- POSITION: Stomach sleeper
- TEMPERATURE: Neutral Sleeper
- CHRONOTYPE: Bear
