There are various types of arthritis such rheumatoid arthritis,osteoarthritis and many more affecting different parts of the body. However, they all cause joint stiffness, discomfort, and affect range of motion. This can make it difficult to get a good night’s sleep.
Fortunately, buying the best mattress for rheumatoid arthritis can help to ease joint pain at night and improve the quality and length of your sleep. In this article, we will explain how a mattress affects your chronic joint pain and what to look for in an arthritis-friendly mattress.
10 Best Mattresses for Rheumatoid Arthritis Sufferers
Which is the best mattress for arthirits? The truth is that there are many great options out there. Which one suits you will come down to your sleeping position, the type of arthritis you have and your own sense of comfort. To get you started, here are our expert-approved top picks of the very best beds for rheumatoid arthritis in 2022.
1. Saatva- Best Luxury Mmattress for Rheumatoid Arthritis
Although Saatva produce a range of great mattresses, their original Classic mattress is hard to beat if you’re a heavier person looking for the best mattress for rheumatoid arthritis. This high-quality bed is handcrafted with both comfort and durability in mind. The bed gets its support from heavy-duty steel coils, which helps it stay comfortable for those with high bodyweights. Let’s examine the Saatva Classic mattress in more detail.
Key features
Spinal Zone Technology: Saatva have engineered their Classic mattress to relieve back pain, making it a good choice if you’re looking for the best mattress for seniors with arthritis. There is extra support in the central region of the bed where your lower back rests. They’ve also included a top layer of adaptive memory foam to prevent uncomfortable pressure.
Strong edge support: The edges of the mattress are encased in foam to provide reinforcement. This stops the mattress from sagging and makes it last longer than an average hybrid mattress. It also means that you can sleep right up to the edge of the mattress without compromising on support or experiencing a roll-off effect.
Luxurious pillow top: The mattress is finished with a plush and luxurious pillow top finished with an organic cover. The cover has been treated with an antimicrobial agent to keep the bed clean, fresh and sanitary.
- Three firmness options: soft, medium and firm
- Good edge support
- Helps back pain
- Durable
- Suitable for heavier individuals
- Plush pillow top
- Pressure relief
- Finance plans available
- Made in the USA
- Organic cotton cover
- Certi-Pur certified
- Awarded Business Intel’s 2018 Sustainable Product of the Year
- Compressed shipping not available
2. Loom and Leaf – Best Mattress for Back Pain and Arthritis
The Loom and Leaf mattress is our top pick for those wanting a more luxurious, high-end product to ease their arthritis pain. Made with high-quality and eco-friendly materials, the mattress retails on the manufacturer’s website at $1,449. Although this is significantly more expensive than many of the other options on our list, you may feel the price tag is worth it for that luxe, hotel-style feel. Let’s look at the Loom and Leaf in more detail:
Key features:
Choice of firmness: The Loom and Leaf mattress comes in two firmness options: ‘relaxed’ firm and firm. Relaxed firm translates as medium-firm and is ideal for most sleeping styles, but particularly side sleepers. The firm option is best for those that sleep on their back or front and require more firm support.
Good for back pain: The foam layers in the Loom and Leaf mattress have been designed to be responsive and supportive. It can also mold effectively to your body. This combination of features helps to reduce and prevent back pain, including pain caused by arthritis.
Sleeps cool: The Loom and Leaf mattress is made using a gel infusion in the top layer of foam. This gel helps to wick heat away from your body while you sleep to prevent you becoming too hot in the night. The manufacturers have also included an extra panel of cooling gel in the area of the mattress supporting your lower back.
- 2 firmness options
- Supportive
- Promotes healthy spine alignment
- Eco-friendly
- Sleeps cool
- 15-year warranty
- 120-night sleep trial
- Made in the USA
- No soft option
- May be too expensive for some buyers
3. Layla Mattress- Best for Lightweight Sleepers
Key features
Flippable design: This mattress allows you the option of selecting between two levels of firmness. The soft side provides particularly good pressure relief and is ideal for side sleepers as it allows your body to sink in. Alternatively, flip the mattress over to reveal a firmer side, perfect for those who sleep on their front or back.
Sleeps cool: The copper infusion in this mattress is ideal for helping you sleep cool and comfortable. Copper conducts heat well, which means it can wick excess heat away from your body while you sleep. Layla have also included a layer of airflow foam within the body of the mattress to allow heat to escape and make the mattress breathable.
Good for back pain: The copper-infused memory foam layer stops the mattress from compressing too much under your pressure points. This prevents your body from sagging into the mattress and supports your spine in a healthy alignment. Therefore, it’s a good choice for people with arthritis in the lower back.
- Flippable design- choice between two firmness levels
- Suits all sleeping styles
- Sleeps cool
- Helps with back pain
- Supportive
- Includes 2 free pillows
- Antibacterial
- Not suitable for heavy bodyweights
4. Nectar – Best Bed for Rheumatoid Arthritis
Topping our list of the best mattress for RA sufferers is the Nectar Mattress. This company have been building a great reputation in the online mattress industry for making high-quality and comfortable beds at a fair and reasonable price. The mattress is medium-firm, which Nectar describe as being ‘just right’ for most people. This makes it a great choice if you switch positions in the night or your partner has a very different sleeping style. Let’s look more closely at what the Nectar has to offer:
Key features
4-layered construction: This mattress is made with 4 layers that work together perfectly to help ease joint pain. The top layer is a quilted memory foam layer with a breathable cover. This helps to keep you cool and molds to your body effectively. The next is a layer of gel-infused memory foam, which helps to relieve pressure and keep you cool during the night. Below this is a layer of adaptive hi-core memory foam which helps to give your back and joints great support while giving the bed a bouncy feel. Finally, there is a base layer of high-density memory foam to give a supportive foundation to the mattress.
Sleeps cool: The top layer of foam in this mattress is specially designed to help promote air circulation to stop heat from building up, which can be a problem with traditional memory foam mattresses. The cover is made of a fabric called Tencel, which is engineered to carry away excess sweat and body heat while you sleep.
Dust mite resistant: Nectar have used specially created foams which are designed to be impermeable to dust mites. As these can be tricky to get rid of, this gives Nectar an edge over many of its competitors.
- Supportive
- Good pressure relief
- Sleeps cool
- Dust mite resistant
- Suits most sleeping styles
- Certi-Pur certified
- Fits all bed frames
- Free shipping and returns
- 365-night sleep trial
- Generous ‘forever’ warranty
- Includes 2 complimentary memory foam pillows
- No handles, which could make moving the mattress difficult
- Feels a little softer in warm weather
5. Winkbed Mattress
The Winkbed mattress is a hybrid model ideal for relieving night-time pain caused by arthritis. The company are based in Wisconsin and make all their mattresses by hand using American materials. The company focuses heavily on providing outstanding customer care and creating sleep products with their customers’ needs in mind. Let’s take a closer look:
Key features
Hybrid design for great support: The Winkbed mattress has a pillow-top designed to relieve pressure on your joints. It also includes an innerspring core which is zoned to provide extra support where you need it. These features combined make the mattress great for relieving pain associated with arthritis.
Sleeps cool: The foam used in this mattress is gel infused. This material is good at transferring heat away from your body while you sleep to keep you at a neutral temperature. It also has a cover made of Tencel, which is highly breathable.
4 firmness options: This mattress has 4 options when it comes to firmness. There is a softer option that’s perfect for side sleepers. The ‘luxury firm’ is a medium firmness and should feel comfortable for most sleeping styles. We particularly recommend this for combination sleepers or couples with different sleeping needs. The firmer mattress is perfect for back and front sleepers.
Finally, there is a ‘plus’ option, which is very firm. You should only select this option if you know you are comfortable sleeping on an extremely firm bed.
- Good support
- Pressure relief
- Extra lumbar support
- 4 firmness options
- Sleeps cool
- 120-night sleep trial
- Lifetime warranty
- Made in the USA
- God edge support
- Free delivery and returns
- New company does not yet have a track record
6. Helix Mattresses
Renowned mattress manufacturer Helix produce a range of mattresses, all of which are suitable for people with back arthritis. Which one you choose depends on your firmness preference and sleeping style. If you’re unsure, Helix offer a quiz on their website to help you determine which model will suit you best. If you’re looking for an organic mattress, you could consider purchasing from Birch, their sister brand.
Key features
Range of firmness options: Helix manufacture soft, medium and firm mattresses. So, you should be able to find one that suits your sleeping style and sense of comfort. We recommend that side sleepers select a soft or medium mattress with the ability to adapt to the side of the body. Back and front sleepers will benefit from firmer support.
Body contouring: A mattress with the ability to contour to your body shape can help relieve pressure on painful joints. This is especially important for side sleepers as this position puts pressure on your hips and shoulders. The Helix Dusk, Helix Dawn and Helix Moonlight provide great pressure relief.
Complimentary products available: If you like the quality of Helix mattresses, the good news is that the brand produce pillows and bedding to go with your new purchase on their website. You can also buy a range of frames and foundations to perfectly compliment your mattress including an adjustable base.
- Wide range of choice available
- Pressure relief
- Extra products available
- 100-night sleep trial
- 10-year warranty
- Free shipping in the USA
- Dual firmness available for couples with different sleep needs
- Helix mattresses are very heavy
7. My Green Mattress Natural Escape Hybrid
The My Green Mattress Natural Escape Hybrid mattress provides great support for those with pain caused by arthritis. It combines an innerspring core with a layer of Dunlop latex foam. We think it’s a particularly good choice for couples with different sleeping styles as it suits most sleeping positions well. It is medium-firm, which the majority of people should find comfortable. Read on to find out more.
Key features
GOLS organic Dunlop latex: This mattress is topped with a 3-inch layer of GOLS certified Dunlop latex foam. This material has the ability to adapt to the shape of your sleeping body to provide outstanding pressure relief for people with arthritis. It’s also more breathable than traditional memory foam, so you’re less likely to sleep hot.
Organic quilted cover: The cover of this mattress is made from quilted wool and cotton, both of which are GOTS certified as organic. This makes it extra cosy and provides a fire-retardant quality without the use of harsh chemicals. The cover is tufted, which helps to hold the mattress together without the need for glue.
Breathable: The Dunlop latex and organic cover are both highly breathable, allowing heat to wick away while you sleep. The air pockets in the innerspring core also help make the mattress more breathable as they allow air to circulate freely. These features help to keep you cool and comfortable during the night.
- Zoned lumbar support
- Organic
- Sleeps cool
- No adhesives or fire retardants
- GOTS and GOLS certified materials
- Made in the USA
- Universal comfort
- Suits all bases including adjustable frames
- 100-night sleep trial
- Sleep trial subject to a 30-day settling in period
8. Avocado – Best Eco-Friendly Mattress for Arthritis
If you’re looking for an eco-friendly mattress to help your arthritis, the Avocado mattress may be right for you. Avocado focus on manufacturing comfortable and high-quality mattresses that are kind to the planet. This is a hybrid option that combines the support and contouring abilities of latex foam with the bounce of an innerspring core. Avocado also manufacture a vegan mattress if you live a plant-based lifestyle.
Key features
Zoned innerspring core: One of the features that make this a good arthritis foundation mattress is the innerspring core. It contains 1,414 durable coils made in the USA from tempered steel. These are arranged in 5 separate zones to encourage a healthy spinal alignment and minimize back and joint pain. This feature also helps to reduce motion transfer if you share your bed with a partner.
Organic materials: The latex in this mattress is sustainably sourced and GOLS organic certified. This type of foam is supportive and provides the pressure relief of memory foam without overheating. The upper layer and cover of the mattress are made from GOTS certified wool and cotton.
Pillow top finish: If you wish, you can choose to add a pillow top to your mattress (for an additional cost. This contains an extra layer of latex foam for more pressure relief. This is of particular benefit if you sleep on your side or have joint pain caused by arthritis.
- GOLS certified organic latex foam
- Zoned innerspring core
- Good for back pain
- Supportive
- Good pressure relief
- Strong edge support
- Limits motion transfer
- Handles for easier moving
- No fire retardants
- Eco-friendly
- GREENGUARD Gold certified
- MADE SAFE Non-Toxic certified
- Carbon neutral production and shipping
- Made in the USA
- 25-year warranty
- 1-year sleep trial
- Only one firmness available
9. Willow 12” – Best Latex Mattress for Arthritis of The Spine
Finishing off our list is the Willow 12” Dreams EuroTop mattress. This is a latex mattress designed to provide great pressure relief and back support. This makes it ideal if you are searching for the best mattress for elderly with arthritis. This bed should feel comfortable for most sleeping styles, making it a good choice for couples. Let’s take a closer look:
Oeko-Tex Class 1 Talalay Latex foam: The top layer of this mattress is made from 3” of Oeko-Tex certified Talalay latex. This has the ability to conform to your body like memory foam and relieve pressure without getting too hot. This also provides great support.
Adjustable firmness: The mattress is made with a feature the manufacturers call a ‘EuroTop zipper enclosure’. This allows you to change the firmness of the top layer, so you can customize it according to your own unique sleep needs.
Sleeps cool: Latex foam is a naturally breathable material that doesn’t overly retain heat. The manufacturers have enhanced this by including a layer of convoluted foam in the base layer which allows air to circulate freely. This helps to keep you cool and comfortable. It also improves the durability of the mattress.
- Supportive
- Pressure relief
- Oeko-Tex certified Talalay latex foam
- Adjustable firmness
- Sleeps cool
- Durable
- Certi-Pur certified
- Low VOC
- 120-night sleep trial
- 10-year warranty
- Manufactured in the USA
- Smart shipping in a box
- Quilted top
- Sleeps cool
- Some customers complain of sagging over time
Arthritis Risk Factors
The term ‘arthritis’ refers to several conditions that cause the joints to become inflamed and painful. In some types of arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis, the causes are not yet understood. Other types might be caused by previous injury or an existing health condition or infection. You’re more likely to get arthritis if:
You’re genetically predisposed
Some forms of arthritis are passed down through families. Conditions associated with an increased risk of arthritis may also be genetic. Therefore, you’re more likely to develop arthritis if a close family member has been diagnosed with the condition.
You’re a senior
Seniors are more likely to have arthritis, and the condition tends to get worse as you age. However, younger people can develop arthritis as well. Some types of arthritis affect children, especially those caused by infection.
You’ve had an injury
If you’ve previously injured on of your joints, you may develop arthritis in that joint or the joints nearby.
You’re overweight or obese
Carrying extra body weight puts increased pressure on your joints, which can make you more likely to develop arthritis.
Your sex affects which types of arthritis you’re likely to get. Women are more predisposed to rheumatoid arthritis, while men tend to get other types more often like gout.
Types of arthritis
We’re often asked what the worst type of arthritis is. All the forms can cause severe pain and mobility issues, and some people are affected worse than others. There are over 100 types of arthritis. Here’s our quick guide to the most common:
Osteoarthritis
This type of arthritis caused the cartilage that protects your joints to degenerate. This caused friction and therefore pain and restricted movement. Some people only experience mild discomfort, while others may have severe pain.
Rheumatoid arthritis
This type of arthritis occurs when your immune system attacks and damages your joints. This damages the synovium which cushions your joints. Your bone may also become damaged and painful.
Gout
Gout is a type of arthritis where the joints become inflamed because of excess uric acid in the bloodstream. This makes crystals in the joints and causes severe pain. Most people with gout have it in their big toe joint, although it can affect other parts of the body.
Arthritis and Sleep
Why does arthritis hurt at night? At night, you have less to distract you from your pain. If you’re sleep deprived, this leaves you more susceptible to experiencing severe pain.
People who have pain caused by arthritis are less likely to get high-quality sleep. If this is the case for you, you are more likely to feel exhausted, lack focus and have unstable moods during waking hours. A mattress for joint pain can help to reduce night-time aches and pains and limit how much you are affected during the day.
Some types of arthritis are accompanied by symptoms that disturb sleep. People with these types of arthritis may be more sensitive to extremes of temperature and noise.
Guide to Chosing The Best Mattress for Rheumatoid Arthritis
Now you understand more about arthritis and how it affects sleep, it’s important to figure out how to choose the best mattress for arthritis sufferers. Many people assume that people with arthritis need an orthopedic mattress to sleep well. However, the term ‘orthopedic’ simply means extremely firm. Most people will find these mattresses too hard to be comfortable.
So, if an orthopedic mattress isn’t right for you, which one should you pick? Read on to find out how to choose the best bed for rheumatoid arthritis and other forms of the condition:
Comfort
First and foremost, you should look for a mattress that suits your own unique sense of comfort. A mattress could come with all the assurances and good reviews in the world, but if it doesn’t feel comfortable to you personally, none of that matters.
Support
A supportive mattress is able to hold its shape beneath your sleeping body. This is important as it helps keep your spine in good alignment and can help ease pain caused by arthritis in lower back. Some mattresses nowadays are manufactured specially with extra support in the lumbar region to help with this.
Firmness
It’s a myth that people with arthritis require a very firm mattress to sleep comfortably. In fact, you may have heard the old wive’s tale that it’s best to sleep on the floor if you have back pain. Not true! In reality, the firmness you require comes down mainly to your sleeping position.
People who sleep on their sides require a medium-soft to medium-firm mattress. They need this extra give in order to allow the mattress to mold to the side of their body. Otherwise, uncomfortable pressure can build up in the hips and shoulders. This can be particularly painful if you have arthritis in these areas. People who sleep on their front or back need extra support and should look for a firmer mattress.
If you switch position during the night or your partner has a very different sleeping style, you’re probably best off choosing a ‘universal comfort’ mattress. These are medium-firm and are comfortable for all sleeping positions.
Pressure relief
When you’re looking for the best mattress for arthritis hip pain or pain in other joints, it’s important to look for a mattress that provides adequate pressure relief. This can help ease painful joints. For this reason, it’s a good idea to opt for memory foam or latex as these can mold to the shape of your body. You could choose a hybrid mattress which combines one of these materials with an innerspring core if you like the bounce that a spring bed provides.
Temperature neutral
Being too hot or too cold can make arthritis pain worse for some people. So, it’s important to look for a breathable mattress that dissipates heat well. Traditional memory foam tends to sleep hot, while latex, gel-infused memory foam or innerspring are all breathable types of mattress that maintain a neutral temperature.
Durability
If your mattress starts to sag over time, this can cause it to lose its support and could make your arthritis pain worse. For this reason, it’s important that your bed is durable. This also saves you the hassle and expense of having to replace your mattress prematurely. Look for a mattress with good edge support and high-quality materials as these hold their shape for longer.
Sleep trial
You can get some great mattress bargains if you’re willing to shop online. However, this comes with the disadvantage that you can’t try before you buy. Most online mattress companies now offer a free sleep trial. This means that you can return your mattress, usually for free, at any point during the trial period for a quibble-free refund. Make sure that any mattress you’re buying online comes with a sleep trial. Otherwise, you could find yourself lumbered with an unsuitable mattress that actually makes your arthritis pain worse.
FAQs
We are often asked questions about mattresses for arthritis. Here are some of the most commonly asked with answers from our experts:
Q: What is the best bed for arthritis?
A: There are many good mattresses for joint pain caused by arthritis. Look for a model that is supportive, provides good pressure relief and feels comfortable to sleep on.
Q: How much does a mattress for arthritis cost?
A: You don’t need to spend a fortune to buy a good mattress for arthritis. You can pick up a good mattress for a few hundred dollars if you pay attention to expert reviews to make sure it has all the features you’re looking for. However, if you’re willing to spend more, there are some high-quality luxury products on the market that are great for arthritis pain.
Q: Where should I buy a best bed for rheumatoid arthritis?
A: You can buy the best type of mattress for rheumatoid arthritis in-store if it’s important to you to test it out first. However, you’ll have limited choice and may be given the hard sell by the sales assistant. Buying online is often cheaper and you will have a wider range of products available to choose from. It’s also easier to compare different mattresses online.
Q: What are sleep trials?
A: Sleep trials are a period of time where you can return the mattress for a refund if you don’t like it. This is especially important if you have arthritis as some mattresses may make your pain worse. Never buy a mattress online that doesn’t offer a sleep trial.
Q: How can a mattress help my arthritis?
A: A good mattress can help your arthritis by supporting your spine in a healthy alignment. It can also reduce pressure on your joints, helping to lessen pain and inflammation.
Q: Do I need to flip my mattress?
A: Some mattresses need to be flipped to help them maintain their support. However, some are designed with a specific order of layers and can only be slept on one way up. If this is the case, the manufacturer may recommend rotating it periodically. You should always follow the manufacturer’s instructions to insure you are sleeping on your mattress correctly and caring for it properly.
Conclusion on The Best Mattress for Rheumatoid Arthritis
Hopefully, you now understand how to choose the best mattress to ease painful joints caused by arthritis. While the wrong mattress can actually make your pain worse, the right one could offer much-needed relief and a better quality and duration of sleep. Be sure to check out expert and user reviews to make sure that your mattress meets the criteria for arthritis relief.
