Best Mattress for Seniors & Elderly (2022)
Seniors or elderly people (aged 65 years or older) have unique mattress needs to address common sleep problems of muscle and joint pain, insomnia, and other challenges in the way of restful sleep. The best mattresses for seniors should offer outstanding support and comfort so every night leads to a good night’s sleep. Check out our top-rated picks for senior mattresses, then read our expert advice on choosing the best mattress and getting a better night’s sleep. By clicking on the products below, we may receive a commission at no cost to you, the reader. It’s how we fund our Mattress Lab and bring you better mattress reviews and comparisons. Best Mattresses for Seniors Best Mattress for Restless Sleepers – WinkBed
Best Mattress for Side Sleepers – Nectar
Best Mattress for Couples – Helix
Best Pillow Top Mattress – DreamCloud Premier
Best Mattress for Edge Support – Saatva
Best Firm Mattress – Brooklyn Bedding Plank
Best Hypoallergenic Mattress – Bear Pro
Best Mattress for Back Pain – Casper Wave Hybrid
Best Cooling Mattress – Puffy Lux Hybrid
Best Luxury Mattress – TEMPUR-Flex Supreme Breeze We’ve highlighted our top-rated mattresses for seniors. If you want to read more about a particular mattress brand, we’ve got you covered in the next section. All of the mattresses we’ve reviewed here have at least a 100-night trial period and free returns. So even though you can buy them online, you can try them out in the comfort of your own home, risk-free, to see if it’s the right mattress for you or a loved one. To learn more about how to evaluate a mattress before purchasing, check out our mattress buying guide. Why You Can Trust Mattress Advisor We hold ourselves to the highest standards of integrity in our product reviews and other content by incorporating real customer feedback, empirical testing and objective evaluations. Our results and recommendations are never influenced by the commission we may receive from brands, and products we receive are never guaranteed a positive review.
Best for Restless Sleepers: WinkBed Luxury Firm
WinkBeds Luxury Firm Best Mattress for Restless Sleepers Best for: Edge support
Spine alignment
Responsiveness check price Get $300 off CUSTOMER RATING 4.5 / 5 MA SCORE 8.6 / 10 FIRMNESS Medium firm: 6/10 TRIAL PERIOD 120 days
If you move around a lot at night, maybe changing positions or getting out of bed for a drink of water, the WinkBed is an excellent choice. We ranked it 9 out of 10 for responsiveness in our mattress lab. Pros A good pillow top goes a long way, and the WinkBed Luxury Firm certainly delivers here. The surface is pleasantly soft, but not too soft that you sink deep into the mattress. Also, the WinkBed scored an impressive 9.75 for edge support, meaning that seniors can sit on the side of their bed without having to worry about it sagging under their weight and potentially letting them slip off. Cons We only scored The WinkBed a 6.4 out of 10 on motion transfer, meaning it may not be your first choice if you are easily disturbed by your partner or pets when they get out of bed. In that case, you might consider the GhostBed Flex. Read our full WinkBed Luxury Firm review.
Best for Side Sleepers: Nectar
Nectar Best Mattress for Side Sleepers Best for: Side sleepers
Edge support
Couples check price $100 Off + $399 of Accessories CUSTOMER RATING 4.8 / 5 MA SCORE 8.7 / 10 FIRMNESS Medium-firm: 5.5-6/10 TRIAL PERIOD 365 days
A restful night for side sleepers depends greatly on pressure relief, which is one of the areas where the Nectar mattress excels. The Nectar’s gel memory foam provides cushioning support for the hips and shoulders, two sensitive pressure areas for people who sleep on their sides. Pros Put to the test in our Mattress Advisor lab, the Nectar scores 8.5/10 for pressure relief—a solid score in a testing category important for side sleepers. Its 9/10 score for edge support is a good sign for those who have trouble lifting themselves out of bed. Cons The Nectar scores 7.5/10 for spine alignment, a possible red flag for people with neck or back pain. It also falls a bit short for cooling (7.75/10), a common drawback of all-foam mattresses. Read our full Nectar mattress review.
Best Mattress for Couples: Helix
Helix Best Mattress for Couples Best for: Couples
Back pain
Combination sleepers check price Get Up to $200 Off + 2 Free Dream Pillows CUSTOMER RATING 4.6 / 5 MA SCORE 8.9 / 10 FIRMNESS Customizable: Varies based on selection TRIAL PERIOD 100 days
Couples can choose mattresses that blend their comfort preferences or dual comfort mattresses that deliver personalized comfort on each side. By answering a few questions about sleep preferences and body types, seniors get a custom-made hybrid mattress that perfectly addresses their needs. Pros The combination of individually wrapped coils and personalized foam layer adjusts to each sleeper’s weight and position without disturbing their partner. Also, extra cooling is provided by Helix’s own super cooling foam to prevent sleepers from sleeping hot. Cons If you are a senior, you may need help setting up your new mattress, because some of the Helix queen mattresses weigh 100+ pounds, with the Luxe models weighing even more. We suggest Saatva with white-glove service if ease of set-up is a major issue for you. Read our full Helix mattress review.
Best Pillow Top Mattress: DreamCloud Premier
DreamCloud Premier Best Pillow Top Mattress Best for: People who like extra cushioning
Most sleeping positions
Edge support check price Get $200 off + $499 in Accessories CUSTOMER RATING 4.6 / 5 MA SCORE 9 / 10 FIRMNESS Medium-firm: 6.5/10 TRIAL PERIOD 365 days
The DreamCloud Premier is a top-rated pillow top mattress, and seniors with aches and pains are likely to appreciate the extra cushioning. Its design actually includes a pillow top 2-for-1: a cradle layer made of high-loft memory foam and a foam support layer beneath that. Pros In addition to the pillow-top layers, this luxury hybrid has a memory foam layer designed for contouring and pressure relief. In fact, the DreamCloud Premier earns 9/10 score for pressure relief in Mattress Advisor testing. It also scores a 8.5/10 for edge support, which should make the bed very easy to get into and out of. Cons The regular price of a queen-size approaches $2,000, which might not sit well with budget-conscious shoppers. Larger sizes weigh more than 90 pounds, so getting the mattress set up or moving it could be a two-person job. Read our full DreamCloud Premier review.
Best Mattress for Edge Support: Saatva
Saatva Best Mattress for Edge Support Best for: Edge support
Customizable firmness
Spine alignment check price Get $250 off King & Queen Mattresses CUSTOMER RATING 4.8 / 5 MA SCORE 9.3 / 10 FIRMNESS Customizable TRIAL PERIOD 180 days
The highly rated Saatva Classic is our top pick for edge support, a decision firmly backed up by the numbers. It scored a perfect 10/10 for edge support in our testing lab, making it a great choice for people tired of sagging mattresses that make it harder to get into and out of bed. This mattress also earns strong scores in ease of set-up, spine alignment, cooling and more. Pros Seniors can choose from three different comfort levels for a perfect match of sleep styles and firmness preferences. An optional adjustable base makes the Saatva mattress an attractive options for anyone looking for relief from leg cramps, acid reflux, snoring, and lower back pain. Cons As much as we like this mattress, it might not be the best choice for couples (especially if one or both is a restless sleeper). We scored the Saatva with a 7.5 out of 10 on motion transfer, which means your partner’s tossing and turning is likely to be more noticeable. See our full Saatva mattress review.
Best Firm Mattress: Brooklyn Bedding Plank
Brooklyn Plank Best Firm Mattress Best for: Those who prefer a firm mattress
Back sleepers
Stomach sleepers check price Get 25% off Sitewide CUSTOMER RATING 4.4 / 5 MA SCORE 8.9 / 10 FIRMNESS Customizable TRIAL PERIOD 120 days
If you’re shopping for a firm mattress, the Plank by Brooklyn Bedding offers not one but two possible solutions. It’s a flippable mattress with different firmness levels on each side: firm (7/10) and very firm (9/10). Don’t let the name fool you, either—it’s designed for comfort as well as sturdiness. Pros The Plank scores very well for pressure relief (9/10) in our testing lab, especially for such a firm mattress. It also earns an 8.75/10 for spine alignment, another good sign for back sleepers and stomach sleepers since a straighter spine at night usually means fewer aches and pains during the day. Cons The Plank’s 8/10 score for cooling is good for an all-foam mattress, but turning down the temperature with an optional top cooling panel will cost an extra $125 for a queen-size. Its 13.25″ height could be a challenge for people who have trouble lifting themselves out of bed. Read our full Brooklyn Bedding Plank mattress review.
Best Hypoallergenic Mattress: Bear Pro
Bear Pro Best Hypoallergenic Mattress Best for: People with allergies or skin sensitivities
Most sleeping positions
Couples check price Up to 25% off + $325 Worth of Free Accessories CUSTOMER RATING 5 / 5 MA SCORE 8.8 / 10 FIRMNESS Medium-firm: 6.5/10 TRIAL PERIOD 365 days
Allergies can ruin a good night’s sleep, but the Bear Pro offers a natural way to help keep irritants at bay. The Bear Pro’s signature feature is a layer of foam infused with copper, a mineral known for its antiviral and antibacterial properties. Pros Bear cites another benefit of adding copper: its ability to conduct heat away from you, which promotes a cooler night’s sleep. The Bear Pro is also GREENGUARD Gold Certified, meeting high standards for limiting exposure to chemicals and pollutants. Cons As an all-foam mattress, the Bear Pro is likely to have a “new mattress smell” for several hours after unpacking. It’s not compatible with a traditional box spring, so investing in a new bed frame might be in order. Read our full Bear Pro mattress review.
Best Mattress for Back Pain: Casper Wave Hybrid
Casper Wave Hybrid Best Mattress for Seniors with Back Pain Best for: Responsiveness
Edge support
Durability check price Up to 40% off Select Mattresses CUSTOMER RATING 4.5 / 5 MA SCORE 9.3 / 10 FIRMNESS Medium: 5/10 TRIAL PERIOD 100 days
Endorsed by the American Chiropractic Association, the Casper Wave Hybrid is a great mattress for seniors dealing with back pain. The construction of this mattress provides ergonomic support that targets specific body points for optimal comfort and alignment. Pros The Casper Wave Hybrid mattress is extremely breathable, contouring, and responsive, meaning it’s easy to move around on even though it provides a nice hug around the hips and shoulders. Cons With so much to love about this mattress (it received strong marks in all of our metrics), it’s hard to find fault. However, the price might take your breath away. A queen size mattress can run $2,600, which may make you choose to look elsewhere. Read our full Casper Wave Hybrid mattress review.
Best Cooling Mattress: Puffy Lux Hybrid
Puffy Lux Hybrid Best Cooling Mattress Best for: Cooling
Set-up
Durability check price $300 Off + Up to $455 in Free Accessories CUSTOMER RATING 5 / 5 MA SCORE 8.3 / 10 FIRMNESS Medium-Firm - 6/10 TRIAL PERIOD 101 nights
While some memory foam hybrids tend to sleep hot, the Puffy Lux Hybrid incorporates ClimateComfort memory foam that regulates the body temperature and prevents overheating. Pros We found that it took our testers 122 seconds to set up this mattress, and we found the off-gassing, which is similar to that new-car smell, to go away pretty quickly. In fact, we gave the Puffy Lux Hybrid a score of 9/10 for set-up. Cons We found edge support to be lacking with this product. That’s because the Puffy Lux Hybrid sagged quite a bit during our testing, which can make you feel like you’re falling off the bed at times. If this is a deal-breaker for you, consider the Casper. Read our full Puffy Lux Hybrid mattress review.
Best Luxury Mattress: TEMPUR-Flex Supreme Breeze
TEMPUR-Flex Supreme Breeze Best Luxury Mattress for Seniors Best for: Hot sleepers
Those who like a plush feel
Spine alignment check price Get $300 in Free Accessories with any Mattress Set Purchase CUSTOMER RATING 4.5 / 5 MA SCORE 8.2 / 10 FIRMNESS Medium: 5/10 TRIAL PERIOD 90 days
If you’re interested in treating yourself to a luxurious night’s sleep, the TEMPUR-Flex Supreme Breeze could be the mattress for you. The plush hybrid from TEMPUR-Pedic combines the support of innerspring coils and the responsiveness of foam, with special cooling features. Pros The TEMPUR-Flex Supreme Breeze scores a flawless 10/10 for cooling in the Mattress Advisor testing lab, thanks in part to its lightweight cooling cover. Testing highlights also include a 9.5/10 for spine alignment and an 8.25/10 for motion transfer (a plus for couples). Cons Despite high marks for spine alignment, the TEMPUR-Flex Supreme Breeze scores a disappointing 6.75/10 score for pressure relief around the neck, shoulders, and hips. Also, prepare yourself for a luxury-level price tag: regular price for a queen-size approaches $4,300. Read our full TEMPUR-Flex Supreme Breeze review.
Sleep difficulties are so common among the elderly that we often assume it’s just a normal part of aging. While changes in sleep architecture are normal as we age, sleep deprivation is not. Believe it or not, a change as simple as finding the best mattress for seniors could make a world of difference in your or a loved one’s sleep performance. But since there is no one mattress that will address all the various sleep challenges that seniors face, it’s helpful to understand just what is keeping older people up at night. Why Do Some Seniors Have Sleeping Problems? Older adults require the same amount of sleep as they did in their 20s, and yet, for a host of reasons, many of them can’t get it. One consolation for seniors who can’t sleep at night is that they’re not alone. Studies show that up to 50 percent of older people have trouble falling asleep and/or staying asleep with women experiencing insomnia more than men. While some older people experience insomnia for no apparent reason, many elderly people have underlying medical conditions or take medications that can disrupt normal sleep patterns. Some reasons for seniors to lose sleep include: Joint pain caused by arthritis
Obstructive sleep apnea and snoring
Leg cramps caused by poor circulation
Breathing issues related to COPD
Frequent urination
Restless leg syndrome
Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia
Parkinson’s disease
Side effects from medications such as beta-blockers, bronchodilators, corticosteroids, and diuretics, as well as medications for cardiovascular, neurologic, and gastrointestinal conditions Fortunately, many mattresses are designed specifically for people with certain medical conditions. If you have a health problem that interferes with your sleep, consider getting a mattress in one of these categories: Mattresses for arthritis
Mattresses for sleep apnea
Mattresses for acid reflux
Mattresses for fibromyalgia
Mattresses for sciatica
Changes in sleep architecture due to aging Sleep architecture refers to the cyclic pattern of four sleep phases that repeats through the night. A normal sleep cycle consists of: Stage 1: Introduction to sleep when muscles begin to relax and brain activity slows Stage 2: Light, dreamless sleep Stages 3 and 4: Deep sleep or slow wave sleep REM sleep: Includes dreaming and high brain activity For people who experience healthy sleep patterns, this sleep cycle repeats four or five times each night. But as people age, they tend to spend less time in deep sleep stages, sometimes skipping them altogether. This change in their sleep architecture can make them feel sleepy during the day and lead to napping. In addition, frequent sleep disturbances like those listed above disrupt seniors’ sleep cycles, leading to daytime sleepiness. Sleep Tips for Seniors The good news is that certain habits can help anyone, seniors included, overcome some of these sleep challenges. These improvements to sleep hygiene include: Exercising regularly
Limiting caffeine intake
Going to bed at the same time each night and waking up at the same time each morning
Having a quiet, comfortable bedroom, including a comfortable mattress You might also consider making your bedroom a safer space to get around in. Getting into or out of bed can be a hazardous moment if you have mobility issues or your vision and balance aren’t what they used to be. You can reduce the risk of slipping and falling by making sure your furniture isn’t spaced too far apart or too close together, or even adding a set of bed rails. Signs It Could Be Time for a New Mattress How do you know if you need a new mattress? Even if you think a mattress is fine, the Better Sleep Council recommends replacing your mattress every seven years, especially if: You wake up with aches and pains
You sleep better away from home than you do in your own bed
You’re frequently tired even though you had a full night’s sleep Older people can easily convince themselves that they don’t need a new mattress. Difficulty with mobility can make shopping at a brick and mortar store too taxing. Others may think a new mattress will cost too much money and may be reluctant to spend money on something they’re not sure they need. But buying a new mattress doesn’t have to be difficult or costly and could be the best investment in health seniors can make. Researching mattresses online before you shop will reduce the time spent trying mattresses in stores. Online mattress companies offer some of the best mattresses for seniors, delivered right to your front door or set up in your home, at prices that often beat those at mattress stores. Living Better By Sleeping Better Since a new mattress has the potential to improve sleep performance, seniors can reap significant health benefits from the investment. Scientific research has linked poor sleep to everything from bad moods to memory impairment. Consistently sleeping well on a comfortable mattress could result in: Improved memory
Lower stress
Improved mood
Better weight control
Greater creativity
Less inflammation With the prospect of so many benefits, the cost of a mattress that will increase your quality of sleep seems well worth the money. In fact, a mattress that costs $1,000 and lasts seven years will cost about 40 cents per night — a small price to pay for good health and well-being. And while new mattresses will not overcome all sleep challenges seniors face, they can help alleviate some common issues that keep older people from getting the sleep they need. A Closer Look at Our Selection Process In choosing our best mattresses for seniors, we emphasize four testing categories with special importance for elderly sleepers: pressure relief, spine alignment, edge support, and ease of set-up Here’s a look at how our picks performed in the Mattress Advisor Sleep Lab: Mattress Average Score (out of 10) for Pressure Relief, Spine Alignment, Edge Support, and Ease of Set-Up WinkBed 8.4 Nectar 8.3 Helix 8.9 DreamCloud Premier 9.1 Saatva 9.7 Brooklyn Bedding Plank 8.8 Casper Wave Hybrid 8.8 Puffy Lux Hybrid 7.6 TEMPUR-Flex Supreme Breeze 8.3 Note: Testing scores for the Bear Pro are coming soon. If you have any questions about our picks, or sleep in general, feel free to contact us.
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