Written by Bridget Chapman, Senior Product Editor
Fibromyalgia is a condition in which sufferers experience pain all across their body. It can be a debilitating ailment, especially when it comes to catching high-quality Zzz’s. We’re here to help these sleepers find a mattress that will hopefully allows them to sleep better through the night with less pain.
In order to do this, we measure the pressure relieving capabilities of our mattresses through something called a pressure-map test. A pressure map is a device we lay over the mattress before lying down on it in different positions. Through thermal imaging on a computer, the map will show us where the most pressure accumulated during our nap. If the area is blue, this equates to low pressure, while green, yellow, and, finally, red, show us where the pressure is high for our tester. For this roundup, we included mattresses that scored well on our pressure-map test, proving to us that sleepers with fibromyalgia should feel pressure relief around their joints.
However, sleepers aren’t just defined by their pain. These people are still going to want a mattress that also adheres to their weight, sleeping position, and whether they sleep with a partner or a pet. Because of this, we put our mattresses through other tests (like motion isolation, cooling capabilities, and firmness scales) to see what other qualities these mattresses cater to. We then include who each mattress is best for in our mini reviews.
While these beds differ in style and design, and each one works best for different kinds of sleepers, they’re all built to alleviate pain points, relieve tension, and align the spine.
Note: The content on Sleepopolis is meant to be informative in nature, but it shouldn’t be taken as medical advice, nor should it take the place of medical advice and supervision from a trained professional. If you feel you may be suffering from any sleep disorder or medical condition, please see your healthcare provider immediately.
Our Top Pick for Best Mattresses for Fibromyalgia
The Nectar is a soft mattress that offers plush contouring and a classic memory foam feel, which we think could be beneficial to sleepers with fibromyalgia, as it should prevent any buildup of excess pressure or pain. Plus, it’s an affordable option.
The Best Mattresses for Fibromyalgia
- Best Memory Foam Mattress for Fibromyalgia – Nectar
- Best Bed-in-a-Box for Fibromyalgia – WinkBed
- Best Pillow Top Mattress for Fibromyalgia – Helix Sunset Luxe
- Best Luxury Mattress for Fibromyalgia – Saatva Classic
- Best Hybrid Mattress for Fibromyalgia – Nolah Signature
- Best Cheap Mattress for Fibromyalgia – Brooklyn Bedding Essential
Best Mattress for Fibromyalgia Video
What We Look For In The Best Mattress for Fibromyalgia
Pressure Relief
If you are someone with fibromyalgia, it is especially important that you have a mattress that helps to relieve pressure across your body to help aid in pain relief and give you the best night’s sleep possible. To test the pressure-relieving properties of these mattresses we used a pressure map to test what areas of the body got the best pressure relief on each mattress to help you find the best mattress for your fibromyalgia.
Supportive Yet Gentle
When dealing with pain across your body, support is important, but it is also important that your mattress is gentle with your body. We made sure to test our mattresses for their support using the pressure map mentioned above but also looked out for comfortable, plush, gentle tops and contouring for all of the mattresses to ensure you are getting a supportive but still gentle mattress.
Motion Isolation
Motion isolation is important in all mattresses, but especially important for sleepers with fibromyalgia. Motion isolation is the degree to which you can or cannot feel movement in a mattress. To test the motion isolation for all of the mattresses in this list, we dropped a ball from various heights and measured how much movement could be felt across the mattress using a seismograph machine. We also tested these mattresses’ motion isolation with a glass of red wine and tested how much movement was required to knock over the glass.
Compare the Best Mattresses for Fibromyalgia
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| Nectar Mattress | WinkBed Mattress | Helix Sunset Luxe Mattress | Saatva Mattress | Nolah Signature 12″ Mattress | Brooklyn Bedding Essential | |
| Rating | ||||||
| Firmness | Medium-firm: 6.5/10 | Firm: 7/10 | Soft: 5.5/10 | Multiple firmness options | Soft: 5.5/10 | Medium-firm: 6.5/10 |
| Material | Foam | Hybrid | Hybrid | Innerspring | Foam | Hybrid |
| Cooling | — | — | — | |||
| Best For |
Back Sleepers, Back Pain, Stomach Sleepers, Side Sleepers, Couples
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Back Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers, Back Pain, Hot Sleepers, Side Sleepers
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Joint Pain,
Back Sleepers, Side Sleepers |
Back Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers, Back Pain, Hot Sleepers, Seniors
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Side Sleepers,
Back Pain |
Back Sleepers,
Side Sleepers, Hot Sleepers |
Best Memory Foam Mattress for Fibromyalgia – Nectar
The Nectar delivers a balance of comfort and support: it’s definitely contouring, but still provides a firm enough foundation for most light to average weight sleepers, especially if they sleep on their back or stomach. Plus, a lengthy trial period, lifetime warranty, and affordable price make the Nectar a reassuring choice for many. Watch our video review to learn more.
What our tester says:
“I think back sleepers would be especially happy on this bed. They’ll get plenty of support from the firm memory foam in the Nectar Classic, which should translate to great pressure relief and a good night’s sleep. Hot sleepers who have to have a memory foam mattress should also have no trouble at all falling asleep on this bed.” – Nichole Mondshein, lead reviewer and staff writer
Expert Opinion
With its slow response to pressure, body-contouring effect, and gentle feel, memory foam is an excellent material for fibromyalgia. And as far as memory mattresses go, we think the Nectar mattress is a stellar pick, designed with deep pressure relief in mind. When we lie down on its structure, we feel the memory foam layers contouring to our body’s curves, helping alleviate tension at sensitive spots. The Nectar also scored a 6 out of 10 on our firmness scale, making this mattress slightly softer than the industry standard of 6.5 for medium firm. This softness gives the Nectar more of a cradling feel, so sleepers should really be pulled into this mattress instead of feeling more “on top” of the bed.
To show just how well the Nectar’s layers of memory foam relieve pressure around the sensitive areas of the body (like the shoulders, hips, and lumbar region), we perform our pressure map test. During this test, a pressure map is laid out on the full surface area of the mattress, and we test out different positions to see where the most pressure accumulates. For the Nectar, our pressure map lit up almost completely green around the back area, which equates to low pressure in this region. This further confirms that the Nectar is a great pick for sleepers suffering from fibromyalgia because the memory foam really helps to contour the sleeper’s body.
What our tester says: “This bed has a classic memory foam feel, so there’s lots of sinkage, contouring, and pressure relief. This can be great for anyone with shoulder pain or hip pain since it gives them cushioning at sensitive pressure points.” — Bridget Chapman, senior product editor
What Customers Say
Reviews on the Nectar website often state how great this bed is for senior sleepers, especially those over 65. These customers stated that the Nectar really helped them with their aches and pains. Other users also commented that the Nectar has stopped them from waking up during the night, which happened often with their previous mattress.
Pros of the Nectar
- The Nectar is often available in a queen size for under $1,000, especially after our discounts are applied. This makes this mattress a great pick for budget-conscious shoppers who don’t want to break the bank, but still need a mattress that can help improve their joint pain.
- The memory foam included in this mattress is especially helpful for side sleepers since they typically exert pressure around their hips and shoulders. This mattress should provide relief in these areas, allowing sleepers to rest throughout the night without pain.
- The Nectar showed low motion transfer results on our motion isolation test, which is where we drop a 10-pound steel ball from three different heights and use a seismometer to measure how much movement travels across the mattress. With these results, the Nectar should be great for couples, since they shouldn’t be woken up by their partner’s movements during the night.
Cons of the Nectar
- Because this bed offers deep sinkage from its memory foam layers, combination sleepers may find it difficult to switch sleeping positions or move around during the night. We recommend that these sleepers check out our roundup of the best mattresses for combination sleepers to find a more responsive mattress.
Think the Nectar is the mattress for you? Click here for our best deal, or check out our full Nectar mattress review. Still not sold? Take a look at some of the other best memory foam mattresses.
Best Bed-in-a-Box Mattress for Fibromyalgia – WinkBed
The WinkBed is a luxury hybrid mattress. It has a similarly supportive and sturdy feel to a traditional innerspring mattress, but upgrades like a Euro top and cooling Tencel cover give it a touch of modern luxury. Available in three firmness levels, there is a WinkBed for just about every sleeper. And a responsive and bouncy feel makes it a great pick for combination sleepers. Learn more in our video review.
What our tester says:
“If you like the feel of a traditional innerspring mattress, the WinkBed could work for you. Since this bed offered great pressure relief around my lumbar region, I’d also recommend it to folks who suffer from lower back pain.” – Nichole Mondshein, lead reviewer and staff writer
Expert Opinion
The WinkBed is one of our favorite bed-in-a-box mattresses out there, especially because of its generous lifetime warranty and 120-night sleep trial. It comes with free shipping, too. This gives plenty of time for those with fibromyalgia to see if this bed actually gives them the pressure relief that they need. Because the WinkBed includes a tall layer of coils and a traditional innerspring feel, we find it very easy to move around on this mattress’ surface, so it’s unlikely to flare up anyone’s pain points.
The WinkBed also comes in three different firmness models (Softer, Luxury Firm, and Firmer), so sleepers can choose the right fit for them based on their weight, sleeping position, and other preferences. Finally, the WinkBed includes helix coils with multiple support zones, so all areas of the body will be supported throughout the night. This is great for sleepers who suffer from fibromyalgia and might need different firmness levels on different areas of their body, depending on their pain level.
What our testers say: “When I lay down on this bed I felt some initial sinkage and pressure relief from its quilted Tencel mattress cover. This cover also did a great job filling in my lumbar region, something back sleepers should like.” — Bridget Chapman, senior product editor
What Customers Say
Almost every single review on the WinkBed website states that customers felt pain relief after sleeping on this mattress, especially from back pain. Some users even stated that they previously had back surgery, and this mattress allowed them to sleep comfortably and without pain during their recovery.
Pros of the WinkBed
- Back sleepers should appreciate the WinkBed because it includes a quilted Tencel cover made from eucalyptus wood cellulose. This material is especially plush, so it fills in the area around the lumbar region, bringing added pressure relief to the sleeper.
- The WinkBed includes a tall, pocketed coil layer in its construction. The space between these coils helps to promote airflow in the mattress, making it more breathable. This is great for hot sleepers that might suffer from night sweats.
- The WinkBed includes reinforced edges that provide strong edge support. This is ideal for couples who want to spread out and use the full surface area of their mattress without fear of sinkage or sagging around the edges.
Cons of the WinkBed
- Strict side sleepers might want to look for a mattress that provides more contouring or sinkage. These sleepers need more pressure relief around their hips and shoulders than the WinkBed is able to offer. Check out our roundup of the best mattresses for side sleepers to see some more options.
If this mattress sounds like a good fit, click here for our best deal, or check out our full WinkBed mattress review. If you’re still looking, check out some of our other best bed-in-a-box mattresses.
Best Pillow Top Mattress for Fibromyalgia – Helix Sunset Luxe
The Sunset Luxe is the softest model in the Helix Luxe line. A combination of soft Memory Plus foam and springy Helix Dynamic Foam create a soft yet responsive feel. Regardless of your preferred sleeping position, you won’t feel swallowed by the foam layers of this mattress.
What our tester says:
“The Sunset Luxe had a soft, contouring feel. However, the zoned lumbar support system included in its construction offered a bit of extra support around my hips and lower back. Because of this, back sleepers who struggle with back pain might prefer to sleep on the Sunset Luxe model.” – Nichole Mondshein, lead reviewer and staff writer
Expert Opinion
As a luxury pillow top mattress, the hybrid Helix Sunset Luxe has a supremely soft feel. When we laid down on it, we quickly sank into the pillow top’s surface (which is quilted with gel foam) for immediate pressure relief. And while we got further contouring from the foam layers below, the zoned support kept us lifted at the center of the bed, while being softer around more sensitive areas like the hips and shoulders. This is great for anyone suffering from fibromyalgia and back pain since they’ll get support in certain places and contouring where they need it most.
The Helix Sunset Luxe scored a 5.5 out of 10 on our mattress firmness scale, making it softer than the industry standard for a medium-firm mattress. Once again, this is helpful for sleepers suffering from fibromyalgia because the soft layers should soothe achy joints, all while the spine stays properly elevated.
What our tester says: “If you struggle with joint pain the Sunset line could be a great solution for you! These soft beds offer plenty of relief for sensitive pressure points and joints.” — Logan Block, former Sleepopolis director of content and mattress reviewer
What Customers Say
Reviews of this mattress on the Helix website use the word “comfortable” over and over again. These customers love how the super-soft feel allows them to sink into its layers and find pressure relief for their joints. Many users also state that the Helix Sunset Luxe has helped them stay cooler for longer during the night.
Pros of the Helix Sunset Luxe
- Sleepers who suffer with shoulder pain should appreciate the pressure relief that the Helix Sunset Luxe offers. This can be seen on our pressure map test, where the shoulder area lit up almost completely blue (equating to low pressure in this area).
- Lightweight sleepers should rest easily on the Helix Sunset Luxe, especially if they prefer to sleep on their back or side. These sleepers should get the contouring their need around their hips, shoulders, and lower back.
- Because of the soft nature of this mattress, the Helix Sunset Luxe is a great pick for side sleepers. They should appreciate the pressure relief that they receive around their hips and shoulders.
Cons of the Helix Sunset Luxe
- Strict stomach sleepers might want to look elsewhere for their perfect mattress. The Helix Sunset Luxe is likely too soft for these sleepers, who need extra support in order to keep their hips lifted and in line with their shoulders. Instead, these customers can check out our roundup of the best mattresses for stomach sleepers.
If you’re ready to buy, click here for our best deal, or read our full Helix Sunset mattress review. You can also check out our full reviews of the Standard Helix and Helix Luxe lines. If you want to search for some other options, check out our roundup of the best pillow top mattresses.
Best Luxury Mattress for Fibromyalgia – Saatva Classic
The Saatva’s coil-on-coil construction provides a classic innerspring feel. It’s a good option for combo sleepers, who will want to feel free to switch positions and avoid feeling “stuck” in the mattress. It comes in three firmness levels, so you should be able to find one that suits your needs. The white glove delivery Saatva provides is an added perk and will save you the headache of getting rid of your old mattress (they take it away for free!). For more information, watch our video review.
What our tester says:
“I think the Saatva is a great option for back sleepers, as the Luxury Firm model provides enough cushioning for their lumbar region, but also lots of support to keep their spine in a neutral alignment.” – Nichole Mondshein, lead reviewer and staff writer
Luxury mattresses are defined by their superior ability to offer restorative sleep while not cutting corners in their design and construction. The Saatva Classic is a go-to when defining that “luxury” standard. It is a high-end innerspring mattress that blends coils, foam, and organic materials to relieve pressure while offering orthopedic support.
When putting the Saatva to the test, our testers gave the Saatva a 5/5 for its ability to offer posture and joint support, specifically finding exceptional lumbar support due to the bed’s zoned lumbar design. Furthermore, likely due to the bed’s airy innerspring layer, our testers gave the mattress a 4.5/5 for temperature regulation, finding that the mattress only raised 9 degrees (°F) after resting on it and using a thermal gun to determine how well it can dissipate body heat.
Notably, for those who need firm edges that don’t sag to help get in and out of bed or need extra space when sharing the bed with their partner, our testers gave the Saatva a perfect 5/5 for its edge support, citing that “I measured the sinkage with a yardstick, the layers sank less than a half inch under my weight. As far as edge support goes, it doesn’t really get better than this.” The bed scored well across the board, especially when judging the quality of its materials used (5/5), and when it comes to pressure relief, a near-perfect 4.5/5.
What our tester says: “When it comes to support, I gave this bed a score of 5 out of 5 stars. The mattress contains high-quality materials that work to keep the sleeper lifted and supported while still being comfortable.” — Nichole Mondshein, lead reviewer and staff writer
What Customers Say
On the Saatva Classic’s official website, the innerspring mattress has over 3,500 verified customer reviews, averaging a 4.8/5 score. One verified buyer who struggles with fibromyalgia wrote, “I have dibromyalgia, and so I’m in pain all the time. It’s been hard for me to fall asleep and stay asleep. I decided to get a new mattress and hoped it would help. My Saatva is amazing. I’ve been sleeping on it for a month now and now sleep so well! I fall asleep easily and usually stay asleep until my alarm goes off. What a wonderful thing sleep can be!”
Pros of the Saatva Classic
- The Saatva Classic is available in three firmness options (plush soft, luxury firm, and firm), allowing most types of sleepers to find the model with the right firmness for them.
- The Saatva Classic uses organic cotton, CertiPUR-US foam, and GREENGUARD Gold, making it more eco-friendly and hypoallergenic.
- Attesting to its pressure-relieving and supportive qualities as a bed, the Saatva is officially endorsed by the American Chiropractic Association and has a seal of approval from the Congress of Chiropractic State Associations.
Cons of the Saatva Classic
- The Saatva may be a bit expensive for consumers on a budget, with Saatva’s luxury status reflected in its price.
Click here if you’re ready to purchase the Saatva Classic. You can also learn more about this bed in our full Saatva mattress review or check out more options on our list of the best luxury mattresses.
Best Hybrid Mattress for Fibromyalgia – Nolah Signature
If you’re looking for a soft yet supportive foam option, the Nolah Signature should be a good fit. It’s supportive enough for back sleepers, while also providing enough contouring for side sleepers, especially at the shoulders and hips where the put the most pressure while sleeping. Learn more in our video review.
What our tester says:
“I think the Nolah Signature is a great choice for a lot of back and side sleepers. The sinkage this mattress provides should be a nice match for these sleepers and offer the pressure relief they need.” – Bridget Chapman, former senior product editor
Expert Opinion
The Nolah Signature combines comforting foam with supportive coils to offer the best of both all-foam and innerspring mattresses in one. Its firmness is a softer 6/10, but due to its sturdy coil foundation, most average weight side and back sleepers should still likely feel supported without the problematic sinkage associated with some all-foam beds. However, our testers felt that while some heavier or stomach sleepers may find their sweet spot on the Signature, most will likely want to opt for a firmer mattress.
Above all, our testers found the Nolah Signature offered “great support” for side and back sleepers experiencing back and hip pain. Moreover, while some side sleepers may want an ever-softer mattress, testers pointed out that Nolah’s cushioning was soft enough to prevent inflammation of the knees and shoulders when trying the bed out on their side.
What our tester says: “I found the Nolah Signature All-Foam Hybrid quite comfortable. I started out lying on my back and I felt a nice amount of pressure relief and felt the foams filling in the space around my lumbar area for additional pressure relief on my lower back. After a while, I turned onto my side. I felt some pressure buildup around my shoulder, as I wasn’t sinking in too deeply, but overall felt comfortable enough to keep snoozing.” – Amelia Jerden, senior staff writer
What Customers Say
Notably, Nolah doesn’t allow you to read negative reviews or see the number of reviews on its website. That said, there are dozens of pages of reviews for the Nolah Signature, averaging a 4.79/5 on the bed’s official site. One 50-year-old verified buyer wrote, “I love my Nolah. I’ve tried several different mattresses to reduce pressure point pain for side sleepers, and the Nolah was the only one to achieve this.”
Pros of the Nolah Signature
- According to our testers, the Nolah Signature is great for side sleepers seeking a hybrid bed because its medium firmness runs on the softer side.
- The Signature’s perforated AirFoam layer, massive coiled layer, and airy organic cotton cover top all help make the Nolah an excellent choice for hot sleepers.
- Nolah’s multiple upper comfort layers offer great pressure relief for people struggling with back or hip pain without problematic sinkage or an unsupported spine while resting. This is due to the bed’s durable coils and high-density foam base.
Cons of the Nolah Signature
- While some heavier or stomach sleepers may find their sweet spot on the Nolah Signature, most will likely want a firmer bed or one designed specifically for their needs.
- Due to the bed’s 6/10 firmness, fans of firmer beds may want to look elsewhere.
If the Nolah Signature sounds right, click here for our best deal or check out, our full Nolah Signature mattress review. Still looking? Take a look at some of our other best hybrid mattresses.
Best Cheap Mattress for Fibromyalgia – Brooklyn Bedding Essential
The Brooklyn Bedding Essential mattress is a hybrid mattress, meaning it is made of one layer of foam and one layer of coils. The coils keep the mattress breathable and cool while still being supportive, while the foam keeps the bed comfortable and pressure relieving. It has great motion isolation, thanks to the foam top layer, and is firm enough for back and stomach sleepers.
What our tester says:
“Back sleepers of all weights should find the Brooklyn Bedding Essential provides a pleasant mix of comfort and support.” – Amelia Jerden, senior staff writer
Expert Opinion
The Brooklyn Bedding Essential is a medium-firm mattress far more affordable than many similar hybrids. This is likely in part due to Brooklyn Bedding running its manufacturing facilities in the USA and sending its beds straight to the consumer, cutting out the middleman and offering a top-tier bed at a competitive price ($699 for a queen as of this writing ).
Despite the price, the Brooklyn Bedding Essential doesn’t compromise quality, offering excellent pressure relief and support. While our thermal imaging found that back sleepers experienced the most pressure relief on the Essential, our testers still found it a great choice for side sleepers due to minimal inflammation when trying it out on their sides. We gave the Essential a 4.5/5 for its supportive features and pressure relief. Moreover, couples who struggle to sleep next to each other due to restless movement can appreciate the Essential’s quality motion isolation (4.5/5). In addition, despite the Essential’s competitive price, when evaluating its construction, our testers still gave the bed a 4/5 for the quality of its materials used.
What our tester says: “The Brooklyn Bedding Essential is primarily made of coils, with very thin layers of foam. This construction should promote a good amount of airflow, as memory foam does trap body heat, but coils allow for lots of room to breathe.” – Amelia Jerden, senior staff writer
What Customers Say
The Brooklyn Bedding Essential has nearly 90 reviews on Google reviews, resulting in a 4.3/5 score. One happy customer said, “When I got this mattress, it came in the box and was super easy to unbox and unroll. It is kind of heavy, but that just tells me it’s great quality. The mattress is so comfortable, the perfect thickness. I got it for my son and he says he is having the best sleep. I have also sat/laid on it to try out the mattress and it truly is extremely comfortable! I will buy this mattress for my daughter too.”
Pros of the Brooklyn Bedding Essential
- The Brooklyn Bedding Essential is made in the USA and shipped directly to consumers, which helps keep the price down and quality up.
- Despite being a thin bed, the Essential’s firm foundation provides superior edge support, helping ensure consistent side-to-side responsive support and comfort across the entire bed’s surface.
- Testers found excellent pressure relief for back sleepers and quality pressure relief for side sleepers, making the mattress more versatile for various sleeper types.
Cons of the Brooklyn Bedding Essential
- While 6.5/10 is the industry standard’s most commonly accessible firmness, most stomach and heavier sleepers will likely want more firm support and opt for a firmer mattress.
Ready to ride the wave? Click here for our best deal, or check out our full Brooklyn Bedding Essential mattress review. If you’re still looking, check out our roundup of some other best cheap mattresses.
What to Look for in the Best Mattresses for Fibromyalgia
Disclaimer: A small note before we begin: We’re not doctors. Any advice or thoughts we share here is based solely on our personal experience. If you’re looking to seriously treat your fibromyalgia, speak to a medical professional as soon as possible.
Can a Mattress Help with Fibromyalgia?
While a mattress cannot cure fibromyalgia, it may help you to get better or more comfortable sleep. Sleeping on a mattress with the right amount of contouring, pressure relief, and firmness can help you alleviate some of the pain you might experience with fibromyalgia and get better sleep.
Mattress Type
The materials of your mattress can affect how comfortable it is, as well as how it feels when you sleep on it. Further, it can affect the ability of the mattress to alleviate pain if you are sleeping with fibromyalgia. If you opt for a bouncy mattress, you may not experience as much deep, contouring, or pressure relief. Conversely, you may prefer something firmer or more responsive. Whatever your preference may be, considering what your mattress is made out of is important to helping you get the best sleep. You can read more about each material below, and see how we think it will work out for sleepers with arthritis.
| Mattress Material | Description | Good for Fibromyalgia? |
| Memory foam | An all-foam mattress with a slow-moving, hug-like feel. Can be a hotter mattress than other materials. | Yes (especially those with a high-density foundation) |
| Hybrid | A combination of coils and foam that provides a balance of comfort and support. This a great choice for people who want something cooling, contouring, and supportive. | Yes (especially those with a comfort layer) |
| Latex | A natural mattress option that’s responsive and cooling. These can be a good choice for people who want an organic mattress that can still offer pressure relief. | Yes (especially those using cushioning Dunlop latex) |
| Innerspring | A mattress with a thin comfort layer and thick coil foundation. These mattresses are usually bouncy and very cooling but can be firm and not offer good pressure relief. | No (usually too firm) |
What Mattress Type is Best for Fibromyalgia?
Latex, hybrid, and memory foam mattresses are all beneficial options for sleepers with fibromyalgia, as they can offer the necessary support and pressure relief. We generally recommend considering several other factors, such as cooling and breathability when deciding between these beds. However, we do not recommend innerspring mattresses for sleepers with fibromyalgia.
Pressure Relief
When searching for deep and consistent pressure relief, it’s crucial to focus on the materials at play. Memory foam could provide fibromyalgia sufferers with lots of relief in the form of snug contouring and cuddly sinkage. The material’s slow response to pressure responds to the body with a “gentle hug.” Because of this contouring effect, several of our picks feature memory foam in the comfort layers.
During our mattress test, we perform what is called a pressure-map test on every single one of our mattresses. During this test, we roll a specialized mat across the surface area of the mattress. Then, we have our Sleepopolis mattress tester lie down in different sleeping positions (back, stomach, and side), and the mat lets us know where they’re feeling the most pressure in each position via a thermal image graph. If a sleeper is barely feeling any pressure, that area will light up blue on the map, and each other color after that (green, yellow, and red) equate to more pressure being put on the body.
So what does this tell us for sleepers suffering from fibromyalgia? These sleepers are going to want a mattress that lights up in the blue to green area, proving that this mattress is not going to put added pressure on their body. Since fibromyalgia can affect a sleeper’s entire body, we need to look at the pressure map results for each sleeping position to make sure that if these sleepers switch positions in the middle of the night, there won’t be added pressure and pain in their joints.
The majority of the mattresses in this roundup scored extremely well on our pressure-map test (which makes sense because this roundup is specifically for sleepers with fibromyalgia). However, make sure when you’re buying a new mattress that you double-check the pressure map to see where you might find some discomfort while sleeping.
Sleeping Position
How you sleep will affect both the mattress firmness you need and the areas in which you need pressure relief. Considering how you sleep is a very important place to start when looking for the right mattress, especially if you already experience pain as a result of your fibromyalgia. To test these mattresses, we lay them in each sleeping position to see how supportive and pressure relieving they are.
Below, you can find out what mattress firmness is best for your sleeping position, and what areas you need pressure relief in.
| Type of Sleeper | Firmness Level | Pressure Relief |
| Back Sleepers | Medium Soft to Medium Firm: 4 to 7 | Hips and lumbar region |
| Stomach Sleepers | Medium to Medium Firm: 5 to 7 | Hips, shoulders, and spinal alignment |
| Side Sleepers | Soft to Medium Firm: 3 to 6 | Hips and shoulders |
| Combination Sleepers | Depends on what combination of positions you sleep on | Depends on what combination of positions you sleep on |
What is the Best Sleeping Position for Fibromyalgia?
Sleeping on your side can help to reduce pressure in the spine and lumbar region, which may be places where you experience pain when sleeping with fibromyalgia. Back sleeping may also benefit sleepers with fibromyalgia as it can help reduce pressure on the shoulders and hips. We recommend avoiding stomach sleeping.
Support
Though fibromyalgia pain sufferers may need softer beds, that doesn’t mean they should skimp on the support. Firmness and support are two different measures. A soft mattress can be highly supportive and a firm mattress can be totally unsupportive. The best mattress for fibromyalgia marries deep pressure relief and high-quality support.
A supportive construction aligns the spine from the shoulders to the hips. This neutral alignment alleviates tension along the back and can help soothe joint pain. Examine the base and foundational layers of a mattress. Pocketed coils are excellent at bolstering the sleeper and bringing nice lift to a bed. Zoned support is another section of foam that’s subdivided, providing targeted relief to different parts of the body. This could be especially helpful for those who experience unique pain at the shoulders, hips, and lower back.
Firmness
While how hard or soft a mattress is will always be a subjective measure, those who experience fibromyalgia pain should stick to a bed with a soft to medium-firm feel. This means landing on a mattress in the 5.5 to 6.5 out of 10 range. On the firmness scale, 1 is super-soft and 10 is ultra-firm. The industry standard for medium firmness is 6.5.
For sleepers with fibromyalgia, we recommend a softer mattress. Softer mattresses provide more pressure relief to sensitive spots like the shoulders, hips, and lower back. Starting your search off with softer mattresses may point you toward structures geared to the deep comfort fibromyalgia symptoms may require. While there are some firmer mattresses that can contour the joints, softer mattresses, something around a 6 and below, should help you get more comfortable and alleviate the discomfort and pain you might be experiencing when you sleep.
What is the Best Mattress Firmness for Fibromyalgia?
The level of firmness that is right for you depends on a couple different factors, including your sleeping position, body type, and personal preferences. However, we generally suggest that sleepers with fibromyalgia opt for a softer mattress that can provide more pressure relief and contouring. Check out our firmness guide, which breaks down how we rate firmness and what firmness may be best for you.
Body Type
Firmness and the level of support can be subjective, as it depends on how much you weigh. For lightweight sleepers, those who weigh under 160 pounds, a firm mattress may feel even firmer, and for heavier sleepers, those over 230 pounds, a firm mattress may not feel as firm. We recommend considering your body weight when looking into the right bed for you, and you can look into our picks for the best mattresses for heavy people if you want to learn more. Your body type will also affect the type of joint pain you might have, so it can be especially important to consider if you have fibromyalgia. We recommend looking at the information below to find the best mattress firmness for you depending on your body type.
| Weight | Side Sleepers | Stomach Sleepers | Back Sleepers |
| < 160 pounds | Soft to Medium: 3 to 5 | Medium soft to Medium firm: 4 to 6 | Soft (3) to Medium: 3 to 5 |
| 160 – 230 pounds | Medium soft: 4 to 5 | Medium firm: 5 to 7 | Medium to Firm: 5 to 8 |
| > 230 pounds | Medium to Firm: 6 to 8 | Firm to Extra Firm: 7 to 9 | Firm to Extra Firm: 7 to 9 |
Cooling
If you have trouble falling asleep due to pain from fibromyalgia, you will want to be sure nothing else stands in your way of a good night’s sleep. One thing that can disrupt your sleep is a warm mattress, so you may want to look out for something cooling. When looking for a cooling mattress, I recommend looking for cooling materials like breathable coils, gel-infused foams, cooling covers, or breathable materials like cotton.
We tested the mattresses in this list for their cooling properties using a temperature gun, the results of which you can see above. We measured the temperature of the mattresses before and after our tester laid on them for 10 to 15 minutes.
A temperature difference below 10 degrees is considered good cooling, and anything below 6 degrees is great cooling. If you are a hot sleeper and want to be sure your bed is cooling, we recommend taking a look at our picks for the best cooling mattresses.
Company Policies
Company policies such as mattress warranties and sleep trials are important for any mattress. However, they’re extra important for those who experience fibromyalgia pain. Customers with fibromyalgia need time to determine whether or not a mattress is going to help alleviate their pain and improve their sleep.
- Shipping and Set-up: Shipping can be an expensive additional cost to your purchase, and if you have fibromyalgia, moving the mattress in by yourself may not be an option. If this is the case, we recommend looking into companies that offer help setting up your mattress.
- Mattress Sleep Trials: Sleep trial lengths vary from company to company. These trials are periods where you can test out a mattress to ensure it matches your needs and preferences. If you make the decision to return the mattress before the sleep trial ends, you should be eligible for a refund.
- Mattress Warranties: Like every sleep trial, every warranty is different. Warranties signify a company’s agreement to repair or replace products that are sold broken or damaged. Some warranties cover particular defects, and others don’t; these are called limited warranties. Look for a mattress with at least a 10-year warranty. Often, warranty lengths show a company’s confidence in its product.
- Returns: Being able to return your mattress may be important if you want to be sure the mattress will work for your needs. If you have fibromyalgia, you may also want to look into the company policies of helping you make a return, as moving the mattress by yourself may not be an option.
Adjustable Beds for Fibromyalgia
The pain and discomfort you feel when sleeping with fibromyalgia may be helped with an adjustable bed. These kinds of beds can help alleviate pain and discomfort while sleeping, and may also be able to provide the flexibility needed to position the body in a way that minimizes pressure on sensitive areas, such as the lumbar region and sensitive joints. If you want to learn more, you can check out our top picks for the best mattresses for adjustable beds.
Other Mattress Options for Fibromyalgia
If you have pain related to your fibromyalgia, you might want to check out some of our other top picks for mattresses that are pressure relieving and good for pain alleviation, including:
- Best Pillow Top Mattresses
- Best Soft Mattress
- Best Memory Foam Mattress
- Best Mattress for Shoulder Pain
- Best Mattress for Hip Pain
What Is Fibromyalgia?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), fibromyalgia is a condition that causes people to feel pain in the muscles and soft tissues all over their body (1). People with fibromyalgia also have many places on their body that hurt a lot when they are touched. No one knows what causes fibromyalgia.
What Are Common Symptoms of Fibromyalgia?
This widespread pain can cause numerous issues, with common signs of fibromyalgia including daytime fatigue, emotional distress, and severe sleep problems.
Fibromyalgia Treatment
There are medicines and strategies to help with the symptoms of fibromyalgia. But there is no single treatment that works for everyone. You and your healthcare team will need to work together to find the right mix of treatments for you. In general, treatment can include:
- Medicines to relieve pain and improve mood
- Physical therapy to learn exercises and stretches
- Relaxation therapy
It is also important that you stay active. Walking, swimming, or biking can all help ease muscle pain. If you have not been active, it might hurt a little more when you start. However, being active can help improve your symptoms. While it’s always a good idea to develop a care plan with a medical professional, there are actions you can take at home to ease fibromyalgia symptoms.
One of the best things you can do is work on how you sleep. This looks different for everyone but could include establishing a consistent bedtime routine and re-evaluating your approach to sleep hygiene, which includes a comfortable sleep environment. We’ll be focusing on some of our favorite mattresses for fibromyalgia.
Tip for Sleeping with Fibromyalgia
While the right mattress cannot cure your fibromyalgia, nor can it stop the pain you may experience as a result of it, it can help alleviate some of the pain and discomfort you might feel while sleeping. There are also some other things you can do to help you get more comfortable while sleeping with fibromyalgia.
- Use the right pillow: Using the right pillow can help to promote healthy spinal alignment and alleviate some discomfort you feel while sleeping. You might consider putting a pillow under your back when back sleeping or between your knees when side sleeping to help alleviate pressure.
- Over-the-counter pain medications: We recommend consulting your doctor before taking any pain medication, but over-the-counter ibuprofen or similar pain relief medications may help you get more comfortable.
- Stretching before bed: Stretching may help reduce some of the muscle discomfort and pain you experience as a result of fibromyalgia. It may also help reduce muscle tightness.
- Set a bedtime routine: Sticking to a consistent bedtime routine can help your body get better sleep overall. This can include limiting blue light, going to bed and waking up at the same time, and creating a comfortable sleeping environment.
- Limit alcohol: Limiting alcohol can help you sleep better overall, and may also reduce symptoms of alcohol consumption like dehydration that can lead to discomfort.
- Use a mattress topper: Using a mattress topper that provides contouring and pressure relief can help alleviate some of the pain and discomfort you may experience when sleeping with fibromyalgia. You can check out our top picks for the best memory foam mattress toppers to learn more.
Wrapping Up
When looking for a bed of your own, remember to consider its pressure relief, firmness, and support. That way, you can land on a mattress that’s not only comfortable but excellent at soothing your nighttime aches and pains.
FAQs
Is memory foam good for fibromyalgia?
Yes, we think memory foam is a great material for folks with fibromyalgia to look for in a mattress, because it is gentle, soft, and cushioning. Memory foam is great for relieving pressure, too.
Where can I find more options that might work for fibromyalgia?
If you didn’t find a bed on this list that will work for you, check out our best memory foam mattresses or our best soft mattresses, which may have some other good options for folks with fibromyalgia.
How can I make my mattress softer?
The best bet for making your current mattress softer is to add a soft, cushioning mattress topper. Check out our best mattress toppers for some great options.
What mattress firmness is best for fibromyalgia?
We recommend softer mattresses for fibromyalgia, as they can provide the contouring and pressure relief needed to relieve some of the pain you may experience when sleeping.
Are adjustable beds good for fibromyalgia?
Adjustable beds may be able to provide the flexibility needed to position the body in a way that minimizes pressure on sensitive areas such as the lumbar region and sensitive joints. This can help give relief to those with fibromyalgia.
What is the best sleeping position for fibromyalgia?
How We Chose These Mattresses
Our team of Certified Sleep Science Coaches has reviewed more than 220 products in our mattress lab, running each one through tests such as pressure-mapping and measuring motion transfer with a seismometer. From there, we give every bed an overall score based on materials, comfort, support, cooling, and edge support. We also factor in brand performance with categories such as value and warranty.
Since those with fibromyalgia should best benefit from a mattress scoring high in pressure relief and support, we made sure that the scores of the mattresses we selected reflected these needs. All mattresses represented in this roundup have at least a 4 out of 5 for comfort and at least a 4 out of 5 for support.
Summary: Best Mattress for Fibromyalgia
| Mattress | Best For | Price (Queen) | Coupon | Review |
| Nectar | Memory Foam | $1,049 | Nectar Coupon | Read Our Review |
| WinkBed | Bed-in-a-Box | $1,799 | WinkBed Coupon | Read Our Review |
| Helix Sunset Luxe | Pillow Top | $2,373 | Helix Coupon | Read Our Review |
| Saatva Classic | Luxury | $2,095 | Saatva Coupon | Read Our Review |
| Nolah Signature | Hybrid | $1,449 | Nolah Coupon | Read Our Review |
| Brooklyn Bedding Essential | Value | $932 | Brooklyn Bedding Coupon | Read Our Review |
Sources
Fibromyalgia. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Updated January 6, 2020. https://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/basics/fibromyalgia.htm