Best Mattress for Seniors

Written by Bridget Chapman, Senior Product Editor

Our Methodology

Our Certified Sleep Science Coaches have reviewed more than 220 mattresses in our lab, testing each one on its materials, comfort, cooling, support, and other categories.
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Just Updated

We’ve recently re-reviewed all of our top mattress picks for seniors and added more feedback from the testers in our lab – so you can rest easy that if it’s on this list, we’ve personally tested it, slept on it, and stand by its recommendation

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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. As you age, you need a comfortable mattress, but also one that’s highly supportive, and for many older folks, pressure-relieving. It’s also not uncommon to experience mobility issues as you age, meaning that you might also want to look for a mattress that can lift you up and out of the bed with ease. It can be a tough order trying to find a mattress that checks all these boxes, but that’s where we come in.

Below, we’ve assembled the absolute best mattresses for seniors on the market today. The selection process for these mattresses involved running these models through tests in our mattress lab. We tested these beds in a variety of categories, but for seniors, we paid special attention to the balance of comfort and support. We wanted pressure-relieving models that alleviate pain, but are also supportive enough to keep the spine neutrally aligned and make it easy to get on and off the mattress.

These beds range from the soft and plush to bouncy and firm, and are particularly great for adults over the age of 65. We’ll go over all our picks and then round things out by providing some mattress-buying tips at the bottom of the article. If you’re still not sure of the right mattress at the end of this article, you can take our mattress quiz to find your perfect fit.

Our Top Pick For Seniors

We chose the Helix Midnight Luxe as our top pick for seniors because of its medium-firm feel that is great for relieving back and joint pain. We also love the coils, which make this mattress very supportive.

Best Mattresses for Seniors

• Best Overall Mattress for Seniors – 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 Hybrid Mattress for Seniors – Bear Elite Hybrid
• Best Mattress for Senior Back Sleepers – Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid

Best Mattress for Seniors Video Review

Best Overall Mattress for Seniors – Helix Midnight Luxe

Expert Opinion

The Helix Luxe line of mattresses is a collection of six luxury hybrid models from popular bedding brand Helix, ranging from ultra-soft to very firm. The Luxe versions feature added cushiony pillow tops and zoned support. We found the medium-firm Midnight Luxe provides pressure relief in all the right places (shoulders, hips, and lower back), keeping us feeling cushioned and cool. This cozy pressure relief may be beneficial for older folks who experience joint or back pain, while the sturdy coils below provide tons of support.

We tested pressure relief by utilizing a pressure map. It’s a mat that we spread across the mattress surface that uses body heat to track areas of low and high pressure. Thermal imaging indicates areas of higher pressure with yellow, orange, and red, and lower pressure with green and blue. We actually tested the standard Midnight and not the Luxe, and while the standard mattress’s results were great for back-sleeping and side-sleeping, the Luxe provides even more pressure relief. Those with joint pain in most areas should like the Midnight Luxe, but those with hip pain might want to steer towards a softer mattress, as we did see some yellow on the map.

What our tester says: “I love that the Helix Midnight Luxe offers solid edge support — you can use the whole bed! It also has great motion isolation, which makes it a nice option for couples. I also really like this bed for combination sleepers.” – Bridget Chapman, senior product editor

What Customers Say

Many shoppers say that the Helix Sleep quiz (which you can find on the company website) was incredibly helpful in deciding upon the Helix Midnight Luxe.

Pros of the Helix Midnight Luxe Mattress

• With sturdy edges, thanks to reinforcement around the perimeter, and excellent motion isolation, the Helix Midnight makes a good choice for couples who want to cozy up together.
• The medium-firm feel of this bed is ideal for back sleepers. Plus, the zoned support, which provides more support in some areas and more pressure relief in others, works well for maintaining comfort and a neutral spinal alignment.
• The plush pillow top layer of the Midnight Luxe provides cushioning for the shoulder and hip. Both of these areas experience higher pressure in the side-sleeping position.

Cons of the Helix Midnight Luxe Mattress

• The plush and cushioning feel that makes the Midnight Luxe a good choice for side and back sleepers makes it too soft for stomach sleepers, who need firmer support to keep their hips elevated and in line with their shoulders for spinal alignment.

To learn about the Helix brand, check out our full reviews of the Standard Helix and Helix Luxe lines, as well as our Helix Midnight mattress review. 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

Expert Opinion

Older sleepers in search of a high-quality hybrid 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, we found this bed strikes a nice balance between pressure relief and support. 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, making it an excellent choice for people over 65.

Another important factor in a mattress for seniors is good edge support. In other words, it’s crucial to have a bed that’s sturdy at its perimeter. Not only does good edge support mean that there’s additional space to move about the mattress, but it also indicates durability. Furthermore, sturdy edges help make it easier for seniors who get in and out of bed a lot at night. During testing, we found this bed has great edge support, due to its strong coils. We didn’t feel like we were slipping off this mattress at all.

What our tester says: “I found that the breathable cashmere cover helps the DreamCloud sleep cool throughout the night. Thanks to its medium-firm to firm support, I think the DreamCloud is a durable mattress. It balances support with plenty of pressure relief for back sleepers. ” – Bridget Chapman, senior product editor

What Customers Say

Many folks comment on the DreamCloud’s excellent value. They say that for the high quality of the mattress, it’s set at an excellent price.

Pros of the DreamCloud Mattress

• The balanced feel of the DreamCloud, providing firm support alongside gentle pressure relief, is ideal for back sleepers to rest comfortably and with proper spinal alignment.
• Good edge support, a bouncy feel that is beneficial for sex, and cooling capabilities make the DreamCloud a natural pick for couples.
• Hot sleepers should appreciate how the gel infusions in the foam draw heat from the body, as well as how the coils allow for lots of airflow to keep the DreamCloud sleeping cool.

Cons of the DreamCloud Mattress

• The DreamCloud’s firm feel isn’t ideal for side sleepers, who generally need a softer, more pressure-relieving bed to prevent pain on the shoulder and hip.

Interested? Head on over to our 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

Expert Opinion

Pillow top mattresses can be great beds for seniors, but what sets the WinkBed 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, producing a ton of bouncy support, which works to lift the sleeper up. But this extra heft doesn’t cancel out the softness of the pillow top layer; in fact, it makes it all the more enjoyable. Plus, with three different firmness options (Softer, Luxury Firm, and Firmer), there’s a WinkBed for everyone.

Of course, one of the primary reasons to invest in a pillow top mattress is for next-level pressure relief. What better place to test pressure relief than our mattress lab? Our pressure map showed that the Luxury Firm version of the WinkBed did a great job of relieving joint pain and back pain for back sleepers. However, we think that side sleepers will be much more comfortable on the Soft model of the WinkBed. On the Luxury Firm version, we did see a slight buildup of pressure at the shoulder and hip.

What our tester says: “One of my favorite things about the WinkBed is its durability. I also really like the bouncy support this mattress offers. Anyone who likes a more traditional innerspring feel should find a lot to love in the WinkBed.” – Bridget Chapman, senior product editor

What Customers Say

If good customer service is important to you, you’ll probably like the WinkBed; reviewers have a lot to say about positive customer service interactions, from the mattress delivery to refunds and returns.

Pros of the WinkBed Mattress

• With lots of bounce from the coils, combination sleepers can easily switch between positions on the WinkBed.
• Thanks to the WinkBed’s tall coil layer, air can easily flow through this bed to prevent overheating.
• While it is a hybrid mattress, the WinkBed’s feel is reminiscent of a traditional innerspring mattress, offering support for sleepers with back pain, but with the added cushioning of a pillow top.

Cons of the WinkBed Mattress

• This sturdy, well-built mattress certainly isn’t the cheapest option on the market. While we think it’s a good value for the money, some budget shoppers may want a cheaper bed.

For more on this bed, take a peek at our 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 Mattress for Seniors – Saatva

Expert Opinion

Built with a sturdy coil-on-coil construction, the Saatva Classic has a traditional innerspring feel that’s supportive, firm, and should appeal to a range of sleepers. If you have back pain, you may especially enjoy this bed. Its firm nature helps set the spine in a healthy, neutral alignment. In turn, this keeps the hips lifted in line with the lower back and shoulders, which may help alleviate back pain. Plus, with two height options and three firmness levels (Plush Soft, Luxury Firm, and Firm), you can pick the Saatva that’s just right for you.

Another wonderful quality of innerspring mattresses is their cooling ability. For seniors, cooling is especially important. Anyone with pain problems or trouble staying asleep will find a whole other layer of discomfort in a mattress that sleeps too hot. When testing the Saatva, we noticed that the pocketed coils add more than enough airflow, and these results earned the Saatva our title for Best Cooling Innerspring Mattress in 2023.

What our tester says: “The Saatva Classic is a bouncy, high-quality mattress with durability and great edge support. I think it’s a nice option for back sleepers and combination sleepers.” – Bridget Chapman, senior product editor

What Customers Say

Customers seem particularly happy with the delivery experience, and rightfully so. Saatva offers free white glove delivery, so they’ll not only deliver and set up your new mattress, but also get rid of your old one.

Pros of the Saatva Mattress

• With lots of sturdy support and cushioning around the lumbar region, the Saatva Classic is a great pick for back sleepers. We especially recommend the Luxury Firm model.
• The layers of coils in the Saatva make it bouncy and easy to move around on, which helps combination sleepers switch between sleeping positions.
• A sturdy and durable construction makes this supportive bed a good choice for heavy sleepers, who weigh 250 pounds or more. 

Cons of the Saatva Mattress

• In testing, we saw that the Saatva had high motion transfer, meaning you can feel significant motion from a partner moving on the bed. If you or your partner are easily disturbed at night by movement, the Saatva Classic may not be the best pick.

Interested? Then check out our full Saatva Classic mattress review to learn more. 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

Expert Opinion

While there are many great aspects of growing older, increased joint pain isn’t one of them. Luckily, the Nolah Evolution is a mattress we’ve found to offer exceptional pressure relief. Support layers of coils and foam provide a sturdy foundation for the top foam layers and luxurious pillow top cover. These 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. Available in a Plush, Luxury Firm, or Firm option, the Nolah Evolution mattress makes a versatile option for achieving pressure relief.

We made sure to put the Nolah Evolution through our pressure relief test. Our pressure map showed almost entirely blue in the back-sleeping position. Not surprisingly, side-sleeping featured a bit of green (moderate pressure) at the shoulder and hip, but those with shoulder and hip pain should still be comfortable. So, back and side sleepers with joint pain and/or back pain should find some relief on the Nolah Evolution.

What our tester says: “I felt really nice pressure relief and body contouring on the Nolah Evolution. I found the Luxury Firm model to be a great choice for side sleepers, and back sleepers who like a softer mattress. One of my favorite features is the soft pillow top.” – Bridget Chapman, senior product editor

What Customers Say

Perhaps one of the most commonly-used words in the Nolah Evolution reviews is “soft.” Customers report an incredibly comfortable sleep and even joint pain relief.

Pros of the Nolah Evolution Mattress

• This bed provides plenty of pressure relief and sinkage, making it a good choice for side sleepers.
• The hybrid construction of the Nolah Evolution provides both support and softness, so it’s a solid pick for back sleepers.
• With excellent edge support and decent motion isolation for a bed with springs, couples should be happy on the Nolah Evolution.

Cons of the Nolah Evolution Mattress

• The Nolah Evolution is a high-quality mattress and the price reflects that. While Nolah does often run great sales, at full retail price it may not be the best choice for budget shoppers.

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

Expert Opinion

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-size sleepers in mind and offers excellent support, thanks to its hybrid build. With heavy duty coils providing firm support, and a two-inch layer of proprietary Titanflex foam providing some natural bounce and additional lift, the Titan mattress will prevent you from feeling like you’re sinking too far into its layers, providing more of an “on top” feel.

To further test this bed’s support and durability, we put the Titan Plus through our edge support test. We were incredibly impressed with the strength of the Titan Plus’s perimeter, and we firmly believe heavy sleepers should be more than content with this mattress’s durability. The strong edge support also allows heavier folks to sleep closer to the mattress’s edge and really spread out across its surface.

What our tester says: “I think the Titan Plus lives up to its name as a good mattress for heavier sleepers. It will offer them the deep compression support and durability they need. I think couples would do well on the Titan Plus, since it has low motion transfer, which means you’re unlikely to be disturbed by a restless partner.” – Bridget Chapman, senior product editor

What Customers Say

While the GlacioTex cooling cover is optional (and comes at an additional fee), customers who sleep hot have really positive reports about it.

Pros of the Titan Plus Mattress

• With fantastic motion isolation and edge support, couples can sleep comfortably on the Titan Plus. Motion isolation will keep your partner’s movements from disturbing you and edge support will allow you to utilize the full surface area of the bed.
• The Titan Plus provides firm support that should easily keep stomach sleepers’ hips in line with their spine.
• With soft top foam layers and sturdy support beneath, sleepers with back pain should find some relief on the Titan Plus.

Cons of the Titan Plus Mattress

• Heavy combo sleepers who occasionally sleep on their side will likely fare fine on the Titan Plus, but generally speaking, it is too firm for full-time side sleepers.

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 Hybrid for Seniors – Bear Elite Hybrid

Expert Opinion

Hybrid mattresses make great options for seniors because the foams provide the pressure relief and contouring for joint pain, while the coils provide the support for back pain. The Bear Elite Hybrid does both of these things, and for many other reasons, it’s our favorite hybrid bed for seniors. During testing, we found this mattress has a more “on top of” feel and great edge support, making it easier to get up and off the bed.

Additionally, the Celliant material in the cover may assist with blood flow and muscle recovery. In the mattress lab, this material also proved to be incredibly cooling. We found that the copper-infused memory foam and breathable coils keep the Bear Elite Hybrid cool as well. A cooling mattress can help seniors fall asleep and stay asleep throughout the night.

What our tester says: “I tested out the middle level (Medium) and I think it’s great that each sleeper can pick what option works best for them. That being said, I thought the Medium worked great for both back and side sleeping. It’s also responsive enough to move around on easily and super cooling for my fellow hot sleepers out there.” – Bridget Chapman, senior product editor

What Customers Say

Combination sleepers in the reviews seem to find that the Bear Elite Hybrid is the right blend of cushioning and sturdy, so it’s easy to switch from back-sleeping to side-sleeping and vice versa.

Pros of the Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress

• With three different firmness options, shoppers should find a model that works for their body type and sleeping position.
• The Celliant cover on the Bear Elite Hybrid provides a cooling feel to the bed. The foam is copper-infused for additional cooling, and the coils at the bottom promote airflow.
• This mattress is GREENGUARD Gold certified and free of fiberglass.

Cons of the Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress

• This mattress is a luxury option, and with a price tag of over $2,000, budget shoppers will be better off with one of the more affordable Bear models, such as the Bear Original.

You can check out our full Bear Elite Hybrid mattress review to learn more. Click here to get the best deal, or see our best hybrid mattress page for more options.

Best Mattress for Senior Back Sleepers – Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid

Expert Opinion

The Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid 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. The Signature Hybrid is available in a Soft, Medium, or Firm model, so you can choose the firmness level that works best for you. We tested the Medium model and felt its balanced construction helped promote proper spinal alignment for back sleepers.

Our pressure map test showed amazing results for back-sleeping. We saw only low pressure (almost all blue) on the map. This tells us that the Signature Hybrid is likely an good option for alleviating back pain. The foams should fill in the lumbar region and cushion the hips nicely while also supporting them.

What our tester says: “Given the bed’s excellent bounce, I’d highly recommend it for combination sleepers who need to change positions in the night. I also think it could be a great fit for couples. You shouldn’t be overly disturbed by a restless partner on this bed, and it has nice firm edge support.” – Bridget Chapman, senior product editor

What Customers Say

Customers enjoy how affordable this mattress is to others on the market. Brooklyn Bedding is able to cut out the middleman and build their mattresses at its factory in Arizona.

Pros of the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid Mattress

• The Signature Hybrid provides an “on top of the bed” feel and is easy to change positions on, making it a good bet for combo sleepers.
• Those who share their bed with a partner will appreciate the Signature Hybrid’s good motion isolation, sturdy edge support, and that it sleeps fairly cool.
• The Signature Hybrid is a no-frills bed that comes at an affordable price. With discounts, you can frequently purchase a queen size bed for less than $1,000.

Cons of the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid Mattress

• Without many special features or bells and whistles, the Signature Hybrid is a good quality, but simple mattress. If you are a luxury shopper looking for unique capabilities or extra features, the Signature Hybrid likely isn’t the best for you.

Learn more about this bed at our 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 Type 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, we recommend checking out our mattress buying guide, which will help you zero in on your needs and which beds are best for you. 

How We Pick the Best Mattresses for Seniors

Now that we’ve gone over our picks, let’s take a second to chat about the methodology we 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.

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 as you age – it’s not uncommon to develop aches and pains along your spine as you get older. 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.

What Is Spinal Alignment?

Here at Sleepopolis, we stress the importance of finding a mattress that promotes proper spinal alignment. But, what does that mean? Basically, it means finding a mattress that provides enough support everywhere to keep your spine straight throughout the night.

If your mattress doesn’t provide enough support, your spine can be thrown out of alignment and cause you pain in the morning. For example, stomach sleepers need extra support in their hips so their spine doesn’t dip into a U shape.

So, how do you find a supportive bed? We 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 may want to feel more “on top” of their mattress than “in” it, so we’d suggest steering clear of materials like memory foam that could produce a little too much sinkage.

What Firmness Level is Best for Seniors?

Tied into this conversation of support and neutral spine alignment is firmness, a measure that refers to how “soft” or “hard” a bed is (keep in mind that 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. Find the right firmness for you in our mattress firmness guide.

All that being said, we generally recommend that you look for a mattress that ranges from medium-firm (about a 6-6.5 out of 10 on the firmness scale) to firm (around 7-7.5 out of 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.

Firm mattresses are also great at setting the spine in a neutral alignment, which may help alleviate aches, pains, and discomfort at the joints. This, in turn, should set up you up for a good night’s sleep and bring optimized comfort to your hips, shoulders, and lower back.

No Two Sleepers Are The Same

Keep in mind, you know your body best. The firmness that works for someone else may not work for you. We all sleep differently, and it’s important to assess your own sleep style and needs before picking a mattress.

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, neck, or shoulder pain, research suggests that memory foam may be a particularly useful material, as it may help 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, and as mentioned above, it’s possible that firmer mattresses better promote a neutral spinal alignment for back and stomach sleepers compared to softer mattresses.

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. We 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 we 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, we 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.

Cooling Cheat Sheet

Will the mattress keep you cool? The materials should be able to give you an idea of its cooling abilities.

Mattresses that tend to promote airflow:

• Innerspring mattresses
• Hybrid mattresses
• Latex mattresses

Mattresses that tend to trap heat:

• Memory foam mattresses
  • UNLESS made with cooling infusions (like gel, copper, or graphite) or aerated memory foam

Is the Mattress Easy to Move Around On?

And finally, you’ll want to think about mobility. 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

We put our mattresses through several different tests in our lab. One factor that we paid extra close attention to was edge support. A mattress with good edge support indicates a strong mattress perimeter. So, the edges of the mattress shouldn’t compress too far when you sit or lie down on it. For seniors, great edge support is crucial. It’s an indicator of durability; mattresses with good edge support should be able to promote a neutral spinal alignment for many nights to come. Additionally, good edge support helps seniors make better use of the mattress surface and makes it easier for them to get in and out of bed.

Above, you’ll see a picture of one of our former teammates, Logan Block, testing the Birch mattress for edge support. In the picture, you can see that when he lies on the edge of the mattress, the edge compresses a bit underneath his hips. Still, it doesn’t collapse too far. So, the in terms of edge support, the Birch would probably be a good and sturdy mattress for seniors

How Sleep is Different for Older Adults

 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 non-REM sleep, also known as the N3 stage, is the deepest and one of the most restorative sleep stages. As we age, we spend less time in this stage, which may contribute to feeling more tired and fatigued when we wake up.

More Daytime Naps — As you age, you may be 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 15 to 30 minutes.

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

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) — 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, we 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 can keep you awake. Check out our guide on 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, we hope this guide has helped you with your search. See below for a recap of each bed and which sleeper we think it’s best for.

FAQs

What is the best mattress for seniors?

Choosing the best mattress as an older person or for a senior family member can be highly dependent on that person and their specific needs/preferences. However, we generally recommend a bed that is supportive, but also offers excellent pressure relief for seniors. Pillow top or hybrid mattresses can be a good option.

What is the best type of mattress for seniors?

There is no single best type of mattress for seniors, but we recommend an innerspring or hybrid mattress for adequate support. Many seniors will sleep most comfortably on a medium-firm to firm mattress, although seniors with pain concerns will want to ensure they get pressure relief as well (a hybrid or pillow top mattress can work well for this).

What type of mattress is best for seniors with arthritis?

Because sleepers with arthritis experience joint pain, it’s important they choose a bed that offer pressure relief to any of these sensitive areas.

What is the best bed height for seniors?

An ideal bed height for many seniors is 20 to 23 inches, which should provide enough room to easily get in and out of bed, without being too tall or too short. However, this may vary depending on an individual’s needs. Learn more in our bed heights guide.

Is a soft or firm mattress better for seniors?

We generally recommend a firmer mattress for seniors over a soft one.

Do seniors need less sleep?

Contrary to popular opinion, older individuals don’t need less sleep than the average person. In fact, adults require about the same amount of sleep from their 20s into old age, although the number of hours per night varies from person to person. Unfortunately, many older adults get much less sleep than they need, for a variety of reasons.

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.

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.

Best Mattress for Senior Sleepers 2023

Bridget Chapman

Senior Product Editor

About Author

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.

Combination Sleeper

Sources

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• McBeth John. Sleep disturbance and quality of life in rheumatoid arthritis: Prospective mhealth study. Journal of Medical Internet Research.  2022. https://www.jmir.org/2022/4/e32825

• Radwan Ahmed. Effect of different mattress designs on promoting sleep quality, pain reduction, and spinal alignment in adults with or without back pain; systematic review of controlled trials. Sleep Health. 2015. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2352721815001400?via%3Dihub

• Son Juhyun. A survey of Koreans on sleep habits and sleeping symptoms relating to pillow comfort and support. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2020. https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/1/302

• Zhang Ye. Sleep in Alzheimer’s disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis of polysomnographic findings. Translational Psychiatry. 2021. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41398-022-01897-y