Oh aging.
To be sure, the senior years come with joyful bonuses: retirement, grandkids, travel, new hobbies.
But as we age, indignities include aches, pains and tenderness, the development of chronic health conditions such as arthritis, back pain, and sleep-related challenges like insomnia and sleep apnea that result from natural changes in our sleep cycle.
The senior chapters of life also usher in additional challenges, like weakened mobility and balance issues.
These factors combine to spur many older adults to search for a new mattress.
Because seniors are more active today than ever, getting high-quality sleep—at least seven hours a night—is a priority to safeguard your health and physical comfort. The right mattress can make a huge difference—especially if you’re one of the millions who’ve made pickleball the fastest growing sport among those over 50.
The definition of a senior keeps changing. Used to be 50 was the benchmark. But because we’re living longer, many say 65 is the marker.
But regardless of your actual chronological age, if you’re an older person who’s in the market for a new mattress to lull you to sleep through your golden years, keep reading. We’ll share our favorite mattresses for seniors in this guide.
But first, let’s review the important criteria you should prioritize during your mattress shopping as a senior.
| Brand | Best For | ||
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| 1 Editor’s Choice |
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Overall | Shop Now |
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Side Sleepers | Shop Now |
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Cooling | Shop Now |
| 4 |
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Most Comfortable | Shop Now |
| 5 |
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Couples | Shop Now |
| 6 |
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Organic | Shop Now |
| 7 |
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Plus Size | Shop Now |
| 8 |
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Extra Firm | Shop Now |
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Editor’s Choice
Best For:
Overall
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Best For:
Side Sleepers
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Best For:
Cooling
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| 4 |
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Best For:
Most Comfortable
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| 5 |
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Best For:
Couples
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| 6 |
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Best For:
Organic
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| 7 |
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Best For:
Plus Size
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| 8 |
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Best For:
Extra Firm
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What to Look for in a Mattress As You Get Older
Whether you’re buying a senior mattress for yourself or an aging loved one, our sleep experts have compiled a checklist of mattress for performance qualities to keep in mind as you’re shopping.
Consult Your Healthcare Provider. Our bodies change as we age into the senior years. If you’re looking for a mattress that will provide you enhanced sleep features, we recommend you consult your doctor, who can offer recommendations tailored to seniors’ mobility or pain relief needs and or other medical conditions like diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis.
Determine Your Firmness Level. Generally, medium-firm mattresses are the safest choice for seniors as they offer a balance of support and comfort.
Understand Your Sleeping Positions. Know the senior’s preferred sleeping positions: back, side, stomach or combination. Side sleepers may need a softer mattress, while back and stomach sleepers may require a firmer surface.
Choose Supportive Materials. Opt for a mattress with supportive materials such as individually- pocketed innerspring coils (they’re almost noise-free), latex or hybrid constructions. These options provide excellent support without excessive sinking—especially when it comes to edge support so you avoid a nasty slip-and-fall.
Evaluate Motion Isolation. If the senior shares the bed with a partner or pet, choose a mattress with good motion isolation to minimize disturbances when their partner moves during the night. No question: uninterrupted shut-eye is even more essential as we age.
Look For Good Edge Support. Falls are a real hazard for seniors. So you don’t slip off the perimeter as you put on socks and shoes, ensure the mattress you buy has strong edge support. This also makes getting in and out of much bed easier and safer.
Look For A Generous Sleep Trial Period. Look for mattresses with a minimum sleep trial of 100 days. A multi-month sleep trial allows the senior to test the mattress at home and return it if it doesn’t meet their needs.
Read Reviews. Take the time to research customer reviews to gain insights into the real-world performance and durability of a senior mattress you’re considering. It’s also wise to read multiple testers’ reviews for expert commentary.
Check Temperature Regulation. Evaluate mattresses with good cooling technology features, especially if the senior experiences temperature-related discomfort during sleep or lives in a hot or humid climate—Arizona and Florida, we’re looking at you!
Opt For Hypoallergenic and Dust Mite-Resistant Materials. It’s not at all unusual to develop skin or chemical sensitivities or allergies as we get older and our skin thins. If the senior has allergies, look for mattresses with hypoallergenic and dust mite-resistant properties. Certain materials used in the construction of mattresses can be problematic for seniors. Some mattresses include antimicrobial materials or treatments to keep things extra sanitary, which can be helpful if incontinence is present.
Check Out An Adjustable Bed Base. Mobility naturally wans as we get older. Some seniors may benefit from an adjustable bed base, which allows them to elevate the head and/or foot of the mattress for added comfort and ease of getting in and out of bed, or simply when enjoying a good book.
Evaluate Return and Warranty Policies. Review the return policy and warranty terms of any senior mattress you’re considering buying. No matter the price point, it’s important to understand the conditions for returns, exchanges and warranty claims.
Assess Durability. Look for a durable mattress that will last, as seniors may not want to replace their mattress frequently. If incontinence is an issue for a senior, we recommend including in your purchase a well-fitted, water-repellant mattress protector.
Set Your Budget—With a Little Padding. Before you begin your in-person or online shopping, determine a budget for your senior mattress purchase. Keep in mind that investing in a high-quality mattress can provide long-term comfort and support, so treat your mattress purchase as an investment . A new mattress can cost anywhere from a couple hundred to several thousand dollars, but most queen size models fall within the range of $1,000 to $2,000. Many mattress brands offer discounts for seniors, as well as retired teachers, first responders and military personnel, so be sure to inquire. If you can’t or don’t want to pay the entire cost of a new mattress, you can often set up a no-interest payment plan with the retailer. You can also time your mattress purchase to major holidays when companies typically offers savings of 20 percent or more.
Choose A Reputable Brand. Always choose well-established mattress brands with a reputation for quality and customer satisfaction when buying a new mattress (we don’t recommend buying used mattresses for seniors). And if it makes you more comfortable, select a U.S. manufacturer for transparency with regard to mattress materials and construction.
Spring For a Delivery and Setup Service. Most online mattress brands offer free ground shipping to deliver to your doorstep. This may be less than ideal for seniors who live alone and cannot easily carry or set up a mattress on their own. White Glove delivery can be a smart choice, with delivery personnel bringing your new mattress into your home, setting it up, and removing your old mattress. Many brands provide White Glove delivery for an extra fee, and some even waive these charges, offering free White Glove delivery service for higher-priced models.
Now that you know the key criteria for selecting the best mattress for older people, let’s reveal our favorite mattresses for seniors in 2024.
Our Top Picks for Best Mattress for Seniors
Best Overall Mattress: Helix Midnight Luxe
- Best For: Most sleepers including side sleepers, back sleepers, partnered sleepers with different sleep styles, hot sleepers, restless sleepers who toss and turn
- Price: $1,373.80-2,873.80
- Mattress Type: Hybrid mattress, bed-in-a-box
- Firmness Scale: Medium-firm mattress, 6.5/10 on firmness scale
- Trial Length: 100-Night, Risk-Free Sleep Trial
- Warranty: 15-Year Warranty
Why I Picked This Mattress
The award-winning, crowd-pleasing Helix Midnight Luxe is a top pick among both consumers and critics. It’s an especially good choice for side sleepers and coupled sleepers due to its plush, medium-firm surface.
What I Loved
Part of the company’s premium collection, this beefy mattress is one most sleepers will love come bedtime. The tufted and textured Helix Midnight Luxe has six different layers and measures plush 14” thickness with a plush, pillowtop feel. Zoned, individually pocketed coils promote spinal alignment—which is especially helpful for senior sleepers with back pain, heavier sleepers or back sleepers—while the breathable, quilted pillow top layer adds cushioning without creating excessive heat. This cooling gel memory foam mattress reduces shoulder and hip pressure points as it contours to the body, making it helpful for those with arthritis, sciatica or scoliosis. The Helix Midnight Luxe also has excellent edge support and motion isolation, making it a great choice for senior couples with different sleeping positions or seniors who sleep with dogs. In this same category, the Saatva Memory Foam Hybrid has a similar pillowtop feel performance characteristics.
What I Didn’t Love
The Helix Midnight Luxe probably isn’t firm enough for older stomach sleepers.
Best Mattress For Side Sleepers: Nolah Evolution
- Price Range: $1,499-2,699
- Mattress Type: Hybrid mattress, bed-in-a-box
- Firmness: Available in plush, luxury firm, and firm options range from 4-8/10 on firmness scale
- Trial Length: 120-Night, Risk-Free Sleep Trial
- Warranty: Lifetime Warranty
Why I Picked This Mattress
The Nolah Evolution seemingly does it all: it’s a great choice for side sleepers, sleepers with hip, back, or shoulder pain, combination sleepers and hot sleepers—and couples of all ages, but especially seniors.
What I Loved
If you need enhanced spinal alignment (I have scoliosis so this mattress was of special interest to me), the Nolah Evolution may be just what the sleep doctor ordered. This high-tech, hybrid mattress—the company’s most advanced—has been singled out by the Sleep Foundation for its excellent features and performance. Its targeted back support and responsive pressure relief come courtesy of the HDMax™ Tri-Zone™ coils, while the breathable cover, heat-dissipating Euro topper, and graphite-infused AirFoamICE™ (the company’s next-level memory foam) combine for luxurious cushioning and best-in-class cooling. This mattress compares favorably to a Tempur-pedic in feel but offers enhanced durabilty.
What I Didn’t Love
The Nolah Evolution may be a bit too cushy for back sleepers who prefer a firmer mattress.
Best Mattress For Cooling: Brooklyn Aurora Luxe
- Best For: Hot sleepers, partnered sleepers, heavier sleepers and combination sleepers who switch positions during the night
- Price: $ 1,199-2,665
- Mattress Type: Hybrid mattress, bed-in-a-box
- Firmness: Multiple firmness options, from 2.5 (soft) to 8/10 (firm) on firmness scale
- Trial Length: 120-Night, No-Risk Sleep Trial
- Warranty: 10-Year Warranty
Why I Picked This Mattress
If you’re a hot sleeper, the Brooklyn Aurora Luxe is absolutely one of the best cooling mattresses on the market. We also like that it comes in three firmness options, so it suits all sleeping positions.
What I Loved
If you’re a senior who sleeps hot, the hybrid Brooklyn Aurora Luxe Cooling is a first-rate choice for temperature regulation throughout the night. The company’s proprietary GlacioTex™ Cooling Cover is made with high-tech, copper fibers that remove excess heat from the mattress’s sleep surface so you stay cool and comfortable all night long. The top layer features a cooling gel-infused foam that absorbs excess body heat. The open-cell design in both the foam layers and 1,000 pocketed, pressure-soothing coils prevent heat retention, and allow for optimal airflow and breathability. It’s also a nice pick for side sleepers who struggle with hip or shoulder pain because the Brooklyn Aurora Luxe Cooling has a softer, more giving feel. The top-ranked Brooklyn Aurora Plus measures 13.25 inches high and features 6 layers. Another hybrid mattress, the Nectar Premier, also scores well in this category.
What I Didn’t Love
The edge support of the Brooklyn Aurora Luxe Cooling isn’t ideal for heavier sleepers or couples. And as a premium mattress, you may find the price a bit steep—but frequent sales can bring it into budget.
Most Comfortable Mattress: Leesa Sapira Hybrid
- Best For: Combination sleepers, hot sleepers and side sleepers of all weights, shoppers seeking a greener mattress, shoppers who want to support charitable causes
- Price: $1,349- 2,299
- Mattress Type: Hybrid mattress, bed-in-a-box
- Firmness: Medium-firm mattress, 5-7/10 on firmness scale
- Trial Length: 100-Night, Risk-Free Sleep Trial
- Warranty: 10-Year Warranty
Why I Picked This Mattress
The Leesa Sapira Hybrid offers superb pressure relief and support while still offering a cozy, medium-firm feel with some cushioning and bounce.
What I Loved
The high-performance Leesa Sapira Hybrid is a high-performance hybrid that provides older sleepers with a balance of bounce and pressure relief in a medium-firm feel that suits most folks. Premium memory foam offers cooling and contouring, while 1,000 pocketed springs actively respond to your individual movement and sleep style. The breathable cover of ultra-fine viscose and plant-based rayon fibers help hot sleepers stay cool. The Leesa Sapira Hybrid carries the CertiPUR-US® safety certification through independent accredited testing labs that ensure materials are low VOC and made without the “bad” stuff: ozone depleters, phthalates, BPDE, formaldehyde, or heavy metals. If you want to support a company with a dedication to social causes as part of its corporate mission, the Leesa Sapira Hybrid might tip the balance. If you also suffer from back pain, the Leesa Sapira Hybrid is an excellent choice to do double duty.
What I Didn’t Love
If you prefer a plusher, cushier mattress, the Leesa Sapira Hybrid isn’t a good match. If you are a partnered sleeper, you may be prone to feeling your mate’s movements during sleep.
Best Mattress For Couples: Bear Elite Hybrid
- Best For: Partnered sleepers, hot sleepers, couples, combination sleepers, sleepers who may have pain points that require pressure relief
- Price Range: $1,721-3,565
- Mattress Type: Hybrid mattress, bed-in-a-box
- Firmness Scale: Medium-firm mattress, three firmness levels, ranging from 5-7/10 on firmness scale
- Sleep Trial: 120-Night, Risk-Free Sleep Trial
- Warranty: Lifetime Warranty
Why I Picked This Mattress
The Bear Elite Hybrid is an outstanding mattress for partnered sleepers of all weights, and especially for back sleepers and hot sleepers. It’s packed with best-in-class technology for the optimum rest.
What I Loved
The Bear Elite Hybrid is Bear’s newest and most sophisticated mattress. Individually-wrapped coils provide superior motion distribution compared to traditional innerspring designs, while memory foam and zoned support create a perfect mix of firmness and contouring. The Bear Elite Hybrid features five ergonomic zones offering varying pressure relief levels to support the spine and joints—especially helpful for older sleepers. This system employs higher-gauged coils in the mattress’s middle section for lumbar support, while the end zones are more gently cushioned. The Elite Hybrid also performs well in several areas where other mattresses struggle. Its edge support and motion distribution are incredible, letting one partner toss and turn without disturbing the other. Temperature regulation is another strength, thanks to copper-infused cooling gel that draws away and disperses body heat.
What I Didn’t Love
This is a premium mattress, so of course it carries a higher price tag, but keep an eye out for frequent sales and discounts. Also, our reviewers felt that the each of the firmness models tended to run a bit softer than ratings suggest. Strictly stomach sleepers should look for a firmer mattress.
Best Organic Mattress: Birch Luxe Natural
- Best For: Shoppers seeking a sustainable mattress, back, side or combination sleepers
- Price Range: $1,936.30-3,623.80
- Mattress Type: Hybrid mattress, bed-in-a-box
- Firmness Scale: Medium-firm mattress, with a mattress topper, 4-5/10 on firmness scale, without a mattress topper, 6-7/10 on firmness scale
- Trial Length: 100-Night, Risk-Free Sleep Trial
- Warranty: 25-Year Warranty
Why I Picked This Mattress
This is like the Tesla of sustainable mattresses. The Birch Luxe Natural has been a longtime go-to for its combination of performance and comfort.
What I Loved
Seniors will be cradled, cool and comfortable on the ultra-plush Birch Luxe Natural pillowtop mattress. Birch is committed to using organic, natural materials that pass rigorous testing and achieve the highest ratings and standards from third party organizations, making it a great option for those with allergies or chemical sensitivities. The materials—ultra-fine, organic cashmere, two organic comfort layers and non-toxic, natural latex—are breathable, moisture-wicking and cooling. The Birch Luxe Natural mattress is an upgrade to their Birch Natural mattress with enhanced lumbar support, full perimeter support and a plush quilted, organic cotton Euro top. In addition, Birch’s production credentials are eco-responsible, and their partners adhere to the highest ethical practices and materials sourcing. A latex mattress like the Birch Luxe Natural is an excellent choice for seniors with allergies, asthma or skin sensitivities, and there will be no off-gassing with the Birch Luxe Natural.
What I Didn’t Love
Yes, the price is steep. But the premium eco-friendly Birch Luxe Natural delivers safety and sustainability along with an incredibly dreamy sleep experience thanks to its thoughtfully sourced natural components.
Best Mattress For Plus Size Sleepers: Titan Plus Luxe
- Price Range: $899-1,799
- Mattress Type: Hybrid mattress, bed-in-a-box
- Firmness: Medium-firm mattress, 5-7/10 on firmness scale
- Trial Length: 120-Night, Risk-Free Sleep Trial
- Warranty: 10-Year Warranty
Why I Picked This Mattress
Heavy or plus size sleepers or older partnered sleepers have made this a bestseller for years. The Titan Plus Luxe is a luxurious workhorse.
What I Loved
Brooklyn Bedding’s market-leading Titan Plus Luxe is specifically designed with substantial support for heavier sleepers in a traditional medium-firmness that suits the majority of sleepers. And the price is right. The Titan Plus Luxe is a pillow top mattress that builds on the original Titan Plus, bumping up the contouring comfort and durability for plus size, senior sleepers weighing 230 pounds or more. The gel-infused memory foam quilted cover and latex-like, high-density polyfoam layer results in excellent stability. The company’s optional GlacioTex™ Cooling Cover can be sewn into the surface of the mattress to deliver ultimate cooling on contact—a super upgrade for hot sleepers. An 8-inch core of up to 1,032 individually encased TitanCaliber™ coils deliver ample support and pressure point relief all the way across and to the edge of the Titan Plus Luxe, along with superior motion isolation and durability—important for seniors. Shoppers might also want to compare the hybrid super sturdy WinkBed to the Titan Plus Luxe.
What I Didn’t Love
Side sleepers weighing 130 or less pounds are likely to find the Titan Plus Luxe too firm for comfortable sleep. The responsive feel of this hybrid foam and pocketed coil mattress may produce more motion transfer than some senior sleepers like.
Best Mattress for Extra Firm Sleepers: Plank Firm Luxe
- Price: $1,024-1,932
- Mattress Type: Hybrid mattress, bed-in-a-box
- Firmness: Firm to extra-firm, 6-9.5/10 on firmness scale
- Trial Length: 120-Night, Risk-Free Sleep Trial
- Warranty: 10-Year Warranty
Why I Picked This Mattress
The Plank Firm Luxe is an industry-leading firm mattress that enjoys exceptional reviews from both consumers and critics—and it doesn’t break the bank even in a California King size. Many older sleepers enjoy an extra-firm bed for spinal alignment.
What I Loved
If you’re looking for an extra-firm sleep experience, look no further than the Plank Luxe Hybrid. Inspired by the minimalist approach to sleep in many parts of Asia, the firmer, flatter, flippable surface of the Plank Luxe Hybrid mattress creates a neutral spine position that’s better for your back and overall posture. Individually encased coils provide responsiveness and pressure point relief. The Plan Luxe Hybrid design offers two variations: the top side of the mattress feels like a traditional firm; the bottom side of the mattress is ultra-firm, allowing for highly customizable rest. Both the firm and extra firm sides are offered with optional cooling panels for the ultimate sleep experience. The Plank Firm Luxe is especially suited to stomach and back sleepers.
What I Didn’t Love
If you don’t love an extra-firm sleep surface, this mattress isn’t for you. Seniors should be aware that flipping the Plank Firm Luxe might be a strain: depending on the firmness, it weighs between 60 and 105 pounds.
Your Mattress Matters More As You Age
With age comes wisdom. That’s not just a platitude: we believe that’s true.
We also believe that hard-won wisdom includes investing in the best mattress possible to see you through your golden years in well-rested comfort.
Because sleep needs change with age, mattress needs and preferences naturally evolve, too. That’s why the mattress that served you well when you were younger may not be the best bed for you now.
Many older people who experience the chronic pain of arthritis, mobility issues or sleep apnea don’t realize they could benefit from a mattress especially well-suited for seniors.
In addition, our favorite mattresses for older adults sleep cool, offer excellent motion isolation to minimize middle-of-the-night sleep disturbances from partners or pets, and don’t sink too much along the perimeter so getting in and out of bed isn’t such a chore.
No matter what your age, your mattress should match you’re your unique personal preferences and requirements, body type and primary sleep position. A high-quality mattress can mean the difference between enjoying night after night of restorative sleep or evenings of tossing and turning in discomfort.
We sure hope this guide, with our top picks for 2024, has given you a road map to selecting the best mattress as a senior to help alleviate pain, offer pressure relief, ease movement and provide durability.
We also recommend you peruse our roundup of the Best Mattresses of 2024 and the Best Fiberglass-Free Mattresses of 2024. You can also visit our Best Mattresses for Arthritis and if you are seeking pain relief from a mattress.
The more you know as an informed shopper, the more confident you can be in your choice for the best mattress for seniors.