Best Mattress for Seniors

The best mattresses for seniors are difficult to sort through, because everyone has individual needs and preferences. One thing’s for sure, though. Your mattress is one of the most important investments you can make. Not only do seniors need something comfortable, but they need something that’s highly supportive and pressure-relieving. Additionally, they need a structure that’ll lift them up and out of bed with ease, promoting excellent mobility while they sleep. It can be a tough order trying to find a mattress that checks all these boxes, but never you fear, Sleepopolis is here!

Below, I’ve assembled the absolute best mattresses for seniors on the market today. They range from the soft and plush to the bouncy and firm and are particularly great for adults over the age of 65. I’ll go over all my picks and then round things out by describing the methodology I used to select them.

If you’re still not sure of the right mattress at the end of this article, you can take our mattress quiz to be shown a selection of mattresses curated to your sleep preferences.

Top 8 Mattresses for Seniors

• Editor’s Pick – Helix Midnight Luxe
• Best Value Mattress for Seniors – DreamCloud
• Best Pillow Top Mattress for Seniors – WinkBed
• Best Innerspring Mattress for Seniors – Saatva
• Best Pressure Relief for Seniors – Nolah Evolution
• Best Mattress for Heavyweight Seniors – Titan Plus
• Best Mattress for Athletic Seniors – Bear
• Best Mattress for Senior Back Sleepers – Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid

Best Mattress for Seniors Video Review

Our Methodology

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.

The three most important criteria when it comes to a mattress for seniors are support, edge support, and cooling. Support assists with spinal alignment and back pain, good edge support creates better safety and mobility, and cooling helps create a more restful sleep for those with joint pain. Luckily, all of the mattresses featured in this article scored at least a 4 out of 5 in two or more of these categories. Click here to learn more about our methodology.

Editor’s Pick – Helix Midnight Luxe

Side sleepers tend to go for softer structures that provide cushiony relief at the shoulders, hips, and lower back. But elderly side sleepers want to make sure they’re always coupling this deep pressure relief with plenty of support. Enter the Helix Midnight Luxe.

The Helix Luxe line of mattresses is a collection of six luxury hybrid models from popular bedding brand Helix. What makes them Luxe versions is their added cushiony pillow tops. They range from the super-soft Sunset to the ultra-firm Dawn, providing sleepers with a plethora of different firmness and support options. The medium-firm Midnight Luxe specifically provides pressure relief in all the right places for side sleepers, keeping them cushioned and cool. Back sleepers should also feel comfortable on this bed. Regardless of the model you choose, you’ll end up with a mattress that employs both soft foam layers with sturdy pocketed coils to set the spine in a neutral line from the shoulders to the hips.

To learn about the Helix brand, check out my full reviews of the Standard Helix and Helix Luxe lines.

You can also click here to get the best deal, or see our best mattress page for more options.

Best Value Mattress for Seniors – DreamCloud

Senior sleepers in search of a high-quality hybrid (i.e. a mattress built with both foams and coils) should definitely check out the DreamCloud mattress. This bed is seriously comfortable and set at a price point that won’t break the bank.

Built with layers of gel-infused memory foam and pocketed coils, this bed strikes a nice balance between pressure relief and support. While this feel could work wonders for a lot of different folks, I think it could be especially fantastic for seniors. Why? Well, the top layers of gentle foams provide plenty of cushiony relief to the joints, while the tall section of pocketed coils works to lift the hips in line with the shoulders. The bed also features excellent edge support, so could be a nice fit for couples. Long story short, this is a high-quality mattress that could have a lot to offer senior sleepers!

Interested? Head on over to my full DreamCloud mattress review to learn more.

You can also click here to get the best deal, or see our best value mattress page for more options.

Best Pillow Top Mattress for Seniors – WinkBed

Pillow top mattresses can be great beds for seniors! Not only do they provide a little extra cushioning at the shoulders, hips, and lower back, but they can actively alleviate tension all across the spine. That is, as long as their pillow top layers are well-supported. For a pillow top mattress that does it right, let’s take a look at the WinkBed.

What sets this model apart is its super sturdy construction. While the pillow top itself is pleasantly plush, the rest of the bed is anything but. After you sink through the top layers of foam, you’ll land on a layer of springy microcoils along with a tall system of pocketed coils. This produces a ton of bouncy support, which works to lift the sleeper up and out of the structure. But what’s cool about the WinkBed is that this extra heft doesn’t cancel out the softness of the pillow top layer; in fact, it makes it all the more enjoyable!

For more on this bed, take a peek at my full WinkBed mattress review.

You can also click here to get the best deal, or see our best pillow-top mattress page for more options.

Best Innerspring – Saatva

If you’re a senior, you’ll definitely want to consider checking out the Saatva Classic mattress. Built with a sturdy coil-on-coil construction, this bed has a traditional innerspring vibe that’s supportive, firm, and pressure-relieving. It has a classic feel that will appeal to a range of sleepers.

Senior sleepers with back pain may especially enjoy this bed because of how well it sets the spine in a healthy, neutral alignment. This means the hips are lifted in line with the lower back, which are lifted in line with the shoulders. Even alignment like this helps prevent aches and pains, especially at the lumbar region. I should also add the mattress comes in two different heights and three different firmnesses, so you can really hone in on the comfort level that’s right for you. Plus, the Saatva is also known for its fantastic edge support, which maximizes the usable surface area of the structure.  All in all, a nice choice for senior sleepers looking to alleviate back pain or suffering from arthritis.

Interested? Then you better check out my full Saatva Classic mattress review.

You can also click here to get the best deal, or see our best innerspring mattress page for more options.

Best Pressure Relief for Seniors – Nolah Evolution

Getting older has its perks – you become more confident, may have deeper relationships with friends and family, and may make more money as you advance in your career. But one thing that’s not fun? Joint pain may become more common as you age. Partly because of that, you might find yourself in the market for a pressure-relieving mattress that can reduce tension and pain at your neck, hips, or back. Well, we may have just the mattress for you – the Nolah Evolution. 

This is the brand’s first hybrid model. The bottom two layers are made up of coils and foam, which provide a sturdy foundation for the top two layers of the mattress –  constructed of two more layers of foam. As a bonus, there’s a thick and luxurious pillow top cover. Those three top layers provide a cool-to-the-touch, soft-as-a-cloud, sinking-in feeling. This helps reduce pain, especially for side sleepers who experience pressure at the shoulder or hip. 

One word of caution: While this mattress is a great pick for side and back sleepers, it’s likely a bit too soft for stomach sleepers (try one of these best mattresses for stomach sleepers instead). 

Want to learn more? Check out our full Nolah Evolution mattress review.

You can also click here to get the best deal. 

Best Mattress for Heavyweight Seniors –  Titan Plus

If you’re a senior sleeper who weighs more than 250 pounds, the Brooklyn Bedding’s Titan Plus mattress may be a perfect match for you. The mattress is made with plus-sized sleepers in mind and offers excellent support thanks to its hybrid build. With heavy duty coils providing firm support, and a 2-inch layer of proprietary Titanflex foam providing some natural bounce and additional lift, the Titan mattress can keep heavy sleepers from feeling like they’re sinking into the mattress, providing more of an “on top” feel than other mattresses in the market might provide.

The Titan Plus is built to encourage motion isolation, with the flexible top layer dissipating motion before it can reach the other side of the mattress, making it a great option for couples who might frequently have to get up and down for bathroom runs or other reasons throughout the night. 

For more info, check out our full Titan Plus mattress review.

You can also click here to get the best deal, or head over to our guide for heavyweight sleepers if you’re still on the prowl. 

Best for Athletic Seniors – Bear

Bear was founded in 2015 with a mission in mind: to help athletes get better rest. With athletes, medical professionals, and fitness enthusiasts behind them, they crafted a mattress specifically designed for athletic recovery, making it a good fit for athletic seniors. 

This firm, all-foam (three layers!) mattress comes with incredible support and impressive pressure-relief capabilities, making it a prime option for those who struggle with back pain. Motion transfer is limited, too, making it a good option for partners who might otherwise wake each other up with tossing and turning or frequent trips to the bathroom.

You can check out our full Bear mattress review to learn more. 

You can also click here to get the best deal, or see our best mattress for athletes page for more options.

Best Mattress for Senior Back Sleepers – Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid

If you’re a back-sleeping senior looking for the right amount of comfort and support, I strongly suggest giving the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid a try. It offers pressure relief with its soft cotton cover and foam comfort layer, but it also provides support with its sturdy coil system and high-density base foam. This balanced construction helps promote proper spinal alignment. We also believe that some stomach sleepers who prefer a softer mattress should receive similar benefits and satisfaction.

Another one of the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid’s big perks is that it’s a solid choice for couples. We define a good mattress for couples based on how it scores in our lab on motion transfer and edge support. The Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid scored well on motion isolation, meaning that you shouldn’t feel your partner toss and turn at night. Additionally, the mattress’ edge support is excellent, which should help seniors not only make full use of the mattress surface, but also help them get up and off the bed more easily.

Learn more about this bed at my full Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid mattress review.

You can also click here to get the best deal, or see our best mattress for back sleepers page for more options.

What is the Best Kind of Mattress for Seniors?

The honest answer here is it depends! You’ll want to make a list of your specific concerns, like whether or not you suffer from pain, what firmness you prefer, if you like a traditional or non-traditional feel, if you’re a hot sleeper, and whether or not you sleep with a partner. You can see more in-depth information about all of these factors below. If you’re new to your mattress buying journey, I’d recommend checking out our mattress buying guide, which will help you zero in on your needs and which beds are best for you. 

How I Picked

Now that we’ve gone over my picks, let’s take a second to chat about the methodology I used to select them. You can think of this section as a round-up of all the major factors you’ll want to consider when shopping for a mattress for seniors.

Is the Mattress Supportive?

First and foremost, you’ll want to think about support. While this is a vital factor for all sleepers to consider, it’s particularly important for seniors, many of whom may struggle with aches and pains along the spine. When we talk about support, we’re really talking about finding a mattress that lifts the spine into a neutral line all the way from the shoulders to the hips. No matter the position you sleep in, you’ll want to achieve this line in order to prevent any uncomfortable sagging or “dipping” in the night.

So, how do you find a supportive bed? I recommend focusing on the transition and base layers of a mattress. Elderly folks may want to keep an eye out for models with foundational support systems of pocketed coils, which bring a ton of support, bounce, and firmness to the structure. High-density poly foam bases can also provide some really nice support, especially to softer top foam layers.

In general, senior sleepers will likely want to feel more “on top” of their mattress than “in” it, so I’d suggest steering clear of materials like memory foam that could produce a little too much sinkage.

What Firmness Level is Best?

Tied into this conversation of support and neutral spine alignment is firmness, a measure that refers to how “soft” or “hard” a bed is (I’m using quotes here only because, as with all things, firmness is highly subjective). It’s important to note that soft mattresses can be just as supportive as firm ones, so don’t get support confused with firmness itself.

All that being said, senior sleepers will likely prefer a mattress that ranges from medium firm (about a 6-6.5/10 on the firmness scale) to firm (around 7-7.5/10 on the firmness scale). Why is this level of firmness ideal for elderly folks? Well, it implies that the bed will have more of a traditional vibe wherein the sleeper is positioned squarely on top of the structure. Many of these sleepers likely grew up snoozing on innerspring mattresses, so may be used to something with a bit more heft.

Firm mattresses are also great at setting the spine in a neutral alignment, which helps to alleviate aches, pains, and discomfort at the joints. This, in turn, should set up the sleeper for some solid sleep hygiene, and bring optimized comfort to the hips, shoulders, and lower back.

What is the Mattress Made Of?

Though there is no single type of mattress that’s best for all older adults, it can be helpful to know the different types and their pros and cons. Take a look at the major mattress varieties and their potential benefits for seniors.

Memory Foam– Memory foam mattresses are typically made entirely of foam and have a thick top layer of memory foam. Memory foam is often popular with older adults because it offers gentle pressure relief and supportive contouring. If you suffer from hip or shoulder pain, memory foam can be a particularly useful material, as it’s known to cradle sensitive joints. 

Innerspring – Innerspring mattresses are the most traditional mattress type and are made from innerspring coils and a top layer of cushioning that can be made from foam, wool, or another soft material. These mattresses are typically popular with seniors, who may have grown up on these mattresses. Innerspring mattresses can be great for older adults with back pain — they usually have a firm feel that promotes a neutral spinal alignment for back and stomach sleepers.

Hybrid — Hybrid mattresses are made from a combination of pocketed coils and foam. They sort of have the best of both worlds: the bounce and support of an innerspring bed, and the gentle cushioning of a foam bed. Personally, hybrid mattresses are my favorite because they last a long time and tend to have a nice, medium feel. I’d recommend them to sleepers looking for a balanced feel.

Latex — Latex mattresses are made of, you guessed it, latex! Latex is a natural material that comes from a rubber tree. It has a bouncy, buoyant feel, but still offers some nice pressure relief. Latex is known as the most eco-friendly mattress material and thus is great for green shoppers. However, latex does have a very unique feel, so I recommend trying a latex bed before ordering one, especially if you’re used to more traditional-feeling mattresses. 

Type of mattress	Construction	Benefits	Disadvantages
Innerspring	Primarily uses coils, includes thin comfort layer	Known for its bouncy feel, cooling abilities, and great deal of support	Poor motion isolation, not as pressure-relieving, heavy to lift
Memory Foam	Memory foam is made of viscoelastic polyurethane foam	Known for its affordability, pressure-relieving capabilities, and hug-like feel	Not as supportive, unique sinking feel
Latex	Latex is derived from a rubber tree	Known for its sustainability and durability	Poor motion isolation, more expensive, some may not like its responsive feel
Hybrid	Uses the comfort layer of a memory foam mattress and the coils of an innerspring	Known for its versatility, often balanced feel, and cooling capabilities	Often more expensive, heavy to lift

Does the Mattress Sleep Cool?

Another factor you’ll want to take into consideration is whether or not a mattress sleeps cool. Depending on your mattress’s materials and construction, it might feel nice and breathable, or it might overheat. Typically, innerspring and hybrid mattresses will sleep cooler than all-foam beds. That’s because the coils in their construction allow for added airflow, which helps regulate temperature. 

It’s important to note that not all foams are created equal when it comes to breathability. Latex foams, for example, are naturally cooling. Memory foam, however, has the unfortunate reputation of trapping body heat. If you’re looking at a memory foam mattress, I’d recommend looking for the words “gel memory foam” or “aerated (or open-cell) memory foam”. These terms mean that the foam has been created with cooling in mind, and is less likely to trap body heat.

Is the Mattress Easy to Move Around On?

And finally, you’ll want to think about mobility. For me, mobility is all about how easy it is to move around and change positions when you sleep. So, a highly mobile structure is one in which you can flip and flop to your heart’s content without straining your shoulders or lower back. High mobility also allows folks to get out of bed easier in the morning, which could be a big plus for older adults.

When assessing whether or not a bed has great mobility, there are a few different materials to look out for. In a comfort layer, you’ll want to see latex or latex-like foams, which are bouncy, supportive, and firm. In base layers, you’ll likely want to stick with pocketed coils or springs. When combined, these materials produce a super buoyant structure, which should work to lift the sleeper up and out of the structure.

Edge Support

Edge support refers to the support at the border of a bed. In other words, can you lie or sit near the end of the mattress and still feel supported? For seniors, this is especially important. They need to feel like they can spread out, move around easily, and be cradled by a safe sleeping surface. That’s why we focused on mattresses with strong edge support.

How Sleep is Different for Older Adults

If you’re an adult over 65, you or someone you know has probably experienced difficult sleeping. According to one study, 50% of elderly individuals reported some sort of sleep difficulty. 

Sleep changes as we age. Our amount and quality of sleep declines as we age, due to a few key factors: 

Changes in Circadian Rhythm – As we age, our bodies produce less melatonin, a hormone that helps regulate our Circadian Rhythm (also known as sleep-wake cycle). This makes it more difficult to fall asleep at night.

Less Time in the N3 Stage of Sleep – The third stage of sleep, also known as the N3 stage, is the deepest and most restorative sleep stage. As we age, we spend less time in this stage, which can make us feel more tired when we wake up.

More Daytime Naps – Seniors are more likely to nap during the day, which can make it harder to fall asleep at night. It’s best to limit daytime naps to once a day for about 30 minutes.

Difficulty sleeping is also related to other conditions that become more common as we age, which include, but are not limited to:

Sleep apnea — A sleep disorder in which breathing stops and starts. It’s a potentially dangerous condition, and can leave sufferers feeling tired in the morning. Check out our sleep apnea guide to learn more.

Alzheimer’s — Both those who have Alzheimer’s and their caregivers can experience disrupted sleep. Those with the condition are more likely to suffer from sleep disturbances, and those who care for them are often awoken by them. If you’re caring for someone with Alzheimer’s, I’d recommend reading our caregiver’s guide to Alzheimer’s and sleep.

Arthritis — Those who suffer from arthritis know it can be hard to fall and stay asleep, as aches and pains keep you awake. Check out our blog to learn how to sleep better with arthritis.

As we age it’s all the more important that we have the right mattress to support us and cushion our sensitive areas. Though finding the right bed for you can be a challenge, I hope this guide has helped you with your search. See below for a recap of each bed and which sleeper I think it’s best for.

Recap: The Best Mattress for Senior Sleepers

Bridget Chapman

Bridget is a Certified Sleep Science Coach and senior editor here at Sleepopolis. From testing mattresses to writing about various sleep health topics, her goal is to help you get a good night's sleep. You can also find her in videos on our YouTube channel. Bridget graduated magna cum laude from San Diego State University with a degree in journalism and a minor in English. Before joining the Sleepopolis team, she was a TV news reporter and worked in cities across the country. She loves spending time outdoors, checking out new restaurants, snuggling with her pets, and of course — getting some quality Zzz’s.