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Medically reviewed by: Debra Henline Sullivan, PhD, MSN, RN, CNE, COI
Some people think that after being diagnosed with arthritis or fibromyalgia, they can say goodbye to a peaceful sleep.
Because chronic pain can mess with sleep quality really bad.
But the good news is, the right treatment and the right mattress can help alleviate musculoskeletal pain. So, if you suffer from this type of pain, check out this guide on how to choose the best mattress for arthritis and fibromyalgia and get ready to find a worthy option for yourself
A Quick Preview
 | Best Overall Winkbed | Shop Now on WinkBeds.com Read more about this mattress |
 | Best for Responsiveness Awara Sleep | Shop Now on AwaraSleep.com Read more about this mattress |
 | Best for Precise Contouring Amerisleep AS3 | Shop Now on Amerisleep.com Read more about this mattress |
 | Best for Cooler Sleep Dreamcloud | Shop Now on DreamCloudSleep.com Read more about this mattress |
 | Best Budget Option Zoma | Shop Now on ZomaSleep.com Read more about this mattress |
List of 5 Best Mattresses for Arthritis and Fibromyalgia Relief
Best Overall — Editor’s Choice - Winkbed
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Highlights
- Four firmness options for different body types and sleeping positions;
- zoned spinal support aids proper spinal alignment and helps reduce tension from the joints;
- reliable motion isolation, great for arthritis and fibromyalgia patients who struggle to find a comfortable position during the night and don’t want to disturb their partner.
One of the best mattresses for fibromyalgia and arthritis, the Winkbed offers both consistent support for the spine and gentle cradling for the joints, which is essential for people who often experience tension buildup in pressure points.
The combination - support and cradling, works wonders for people suffering with pain from fibromyalgia and arthritis because it can help relieve the pressure from aching joints.
Additionally, the Winked is rather responsive and doesn’t make sleepers feel stuck. This comes in handy if you tend to be restless during the night and need to switch positions often to find the least painful one. Such a mattress design makes shifting and moving in bed almost effortless.
What makes the Winkbed stand out from the crowd is its special zoned support system. Using two layers of coils, the bed adjusts to the applied pressure and supports different parts of the body with different levels of responsiveness. This contributes to healthy spinal alignment, muscle relaxation, and consequently, pain relief. And since fibromyalgia and arthritis patients often suffer from chronic pain, this can help them sleep more soundly.
Overall, the Winkbed is a worthy find. This mattress can work for arthritis and fibromyalgia patients that belong to different weight categories. It delivers consistent support for the spine without sacrificing pressure relief, which is essential for sensitive or sore joints in people with arthritis.
Pros:
- multiple firmness options, suitable for a wide range of users and all sleeping positions;
- sturdy edges for extra sleeping space, ideal for couples who want more legroom or people sleeping closer to the bed edges;
- zoned spinal support for proper alignment, relaxation, and pain relief;
- responsive and easy to move on, which is ideal for restless sleepers trying to find a pain-free position.
Cons:
- might require time to break in, which means the first couple of nights may be rather uncomfortable;
- quite responsive, won’t work for people who love memory foam, and need a deeper hug.
Best for Responsiveness - Awara Sleep
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Highlights
- natural latex comfort layer for bouncy support and pressure relief for sensitive joints;
- wool Euro top for breathability and cooling;
- extended 365-day sleep trial to help uncertain sleepers decide what they need.
The next model that can be called the best mattress for fibromyalgia and arthritis is the Awara. This bed is a unique find as it combines coils and latex to create a hybrid that offers quick response and bouncy pressure relief. It’s ideal for arthritis and fibromyalgia patients who want to reduce pressure from protruding body parts and prefer sleeping ”on” the bed rather than “in” it.
The comfort layer of the Awara is made of a four-inch slab of natural Dunlop latex. This material cradles your body and returns to its initial shape right after the pressure is removed. Simply put, the mattress won’t make moving around its surface more complicated if your mobility is limited by joint pain caused by arthritis, or if one side of your body aches because of fibromyalgia.
Another thing worth mentioning is the Euro top. Made of natural wool, it provides extra padding for sensitive joints. Additionally, wool is naturally breathable and wicks moisture. Such a design creates a pleasantly cool sleeping environment. While this aspect does not directly affect fibromyalgia or arthritis symptoms, it can help you sleep comfortably. After all, it’s hard to sleep peacefully when you’re in pain and sweating in bed, right?
To sum up, the Awara Sleep offers excellent support and effective pressure relief, the combination of which works to help reduce the pain caused by arthritis or fibromyalgia. When your joints are carefully cushioned and your back neutral, you’re more likely to experience less discomfort caused by these health conditions.
Pros:
- medium-firm feel, works for a wide variety of sleepers;
- responsive and bouncy, allows for easy movement for those who tend to switch positions at night;
- doesn’t sleep hot, which increases overall comfort levels;
- provides sturdy support that helps keep the spine in its natural position during sleep;
- great pressure relieving properties without making you feel stuck.
Cons:
- the bounciness of the mattress may not work for some couples, especially if one is a sensitive sleeper;
- might be too firm for lightweight side sleepers;
- not ideal for people who are used to memory foam as this mattress does not provide that much cradling.
Best for Precise Contouring - Amerisleep AS3
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Highlights
- proprietary Bio-Pur foam for cooling and reducing pressure point pain;
- zoned design for optimal spinal support;
- fast response to prevent the feeling of being stuck.
If you’re looking for a good mattress for fibromyalgia and arthritis but don’t want traditional memory foam, the Amerisleep AS3 may pleasantly surprise you.
This model is favored for its close conforming and effective contouring properties. Because the mattress surface easily adjusts to the curves of one’s body, it lets heavier parts sink while cradling the lumbar section. This design helps people with fibromyalgia or arthritis maintain a healthy posture during sleep, which may help with pain relief. Additionally, precise cradling helps relieve pain-causing pressure from the joints and sensitive body parts.
The AS3 features the brand’s signature HIVE technology that ensures targeted zoned support. The HIVE layer has a hexagonal texture and is divided into five zones. This ensures proper cradling and may help relax deep muscles and alleviate pain.
Overall, the AS3 has a lot to offer. This is a quality mattress that does an incredible job of contouring and reducing tension from body parts affected by arthritis or fibromyalgia. It can help your sore joints relax without making you feel engulfed or overly hot.
Pros:
- great pressure relieving properties that can help reduce chronic pain;
- doesn’t make you feel stuck or restrict your movements;
- zoned support for proper spinal alignment;
- suitable motion isolation levels make it easier for partnered sleep, especially if one of you is restless because of pain.
Cons:
- may not be firm enough for overweight users (above 250 pounds);
- not stiff enough for strict stomach sleepers;
- may sleep a bit hot, especially if you are heavier and sink a bit deeper.
Best for Cooler Sleep - Dreamcloud
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Highlights
- gel memory foam comfort layer for improved pressure relief without sacrificing temperature neutrality;
- targeted innerspring support to maintain a healthy spine position during sleep;
- quilted foam + cashmere top for extra cushioning and increased comfort.
What makes the Dreamcloud a great mattress for arthritis and fibromyalgia is the cooling pressure relief it can provide for aching joints. As sleeping with pain caused by these conditions can be quite challenging, the Dreamcloud helps create a pleasantly cool (hence, more comfortable) sleeping environment.
Thanks to the sturdy coil core, the Dreamcloud provides strong, consistent support all across its surface (including the edges). The top memory foam layer is nicely balanced by the more responsive transition polyfoam. All of this makes the Dreamcloud easy to move around on and switch positions, even if you are in pain. If your mobility is a bit limited, strong edges can give you enough support to push with your hands, making getting out of bed much easier.
The bottom line? This mattress ticks all the boxes. It delivers the right amount of support and cradling, essential for arthritis and fibromyalgia sufferers. Additionally, it sleeps cool, which positively affects comfort levels.
Pros:
- offers ideal pressure relief without making you feel stuck;
- medium-firm feel, works for different body types and a wide variety of sleepers;
- quality construction for a reasonable price;
- easy to get in and out of, even for people with slight mobility issues caused by pain;
- sleeps cool and can contribute to overall comfort levels.
Cons:
- not the best motion isolation, may be too bouncy for couples (especially if one of you is easily disturbed during the night);
- may not be cradling enough for lightweight individuals (sleepers under 130 pounds).
Best Budget Option - Zoma
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Highlights
- zoned support layer for effective adjustment to the natural curves of the spine;
- responsive transition layer to prevent the quicksand feeling;
- gel memory foam for a cooling effect while sustaining excellent pressure relief.
If your budget is somewhat limited but you still want a good mattress for fibromyalgia and arthritis, the Zoma may be just the right pick for you. This mattress is reasonably priced and has a unique construction that works to alleviate arthritis pain by reducing tension from the joints.
Another cool thing about the Zoma is the top comfort layer. Using proprietary Triangulex memory foam, it has different zoned areas specifically for head and shoulders, hips and lower back, and legs. The central zone is firmer and more responsive, and provides extra support for your hip and the lumbar area. Such a smart construction helps the Zoma aid in correct spinal alignment during sleep, which, consequently, can help reduce pinpoint pressure and alleviate pain.
Overall, this mattress is a real steal. The Zoma is ideal for budget shoppers, and its affordable price does not affect its performance. This bed has a solid chance of reducing your fibromyalgia and arthritis pain by maintaining a neutral spine and preventing pressure buildup on the joints.
Pros:
- targeted support to maintain proper spinal alignment and better posture during sleep;
- cradling and pressure relieving, ideal for people with sensitive joints and chronic pain sufferers;
- affordable, won’t empty your wallet;
- despite being quite cradling, doesn’t restrict movement and can work for restless and combination sleepers.
Cons:
- may sleep hot, especially for heavier users who experience more sinkage;
- may not be supportive enough for individuals over 250 pounds;
- may take some time to expand fully, so you might not be able to start using it from day one.
Cons:
- may sleep hot, especially for heavier users who experience more sinkage;
- may not be supportive enough for individuals over 250 pounds;
- may take some time to expand fully, so you might not be able to start using it from day one.
Cons:
- may sleep hot, especially for heavier users who experience more sinkage;
- may not be supportive enough for individuals over 250 pounds;
- may take some time to expand fully, so you might not be able to start using it from day one.
Finding a Balance Between Hug and Responsiveness: Mattress Types Explained
Even though arthritis and fibromyalgia have a number of similar symptoms, they do have certain distinctive differences that may affect the choice of the mattress type.
According to a recent study, rheumatoid arthritis flares in joints may affect mobility. This may make it harder to move around the mattress and change positions.
Fibromyalgia sufferers, on the other hand, often feel the ache all over their body, and this pain can range from moderate tenderness, distress, and pain to a highly dysfunctional amount of pain and distress. Hence, they may need a mattress with a more pronounced hug to relieve pressure in their tender points.
So, let’s see which of the available bed types makes the most suitable mattress for joint pain:
- Innerspring. I’ll begin with the traditional options. Innerspring mattresses are famous for their bounce. They quickly respond to every movement, so you won’t have problems with getting in and out of bed. However, thin comfort layers above the coil block can make the mattress feel overly firm. This is why this type of bed is not recommended for arthritis and fibromyalgia patients. However, as coils can withstand larger weight, innerspring beds may offer a sufficient amount of contouring for heavier individuals, without causing misalignment.
- Memory foam. Memory foam is the queen of pressure relief and cradling. It conforms to your body curves and relaxes deep muscles in seconds, thus minimizing the time you’ll spend trying to get comfy. I definitely recommend memory foam beds to individuals with fibromyalgia, but those with arthritis may want to avoid slow-response memory foam and opt for polyfoam.
- Polyfoam. A cheaper alternative to traditional foam, polyfoam has a more spongy feel. This means it will help you move around the bed more easily and won’t aggravate your joint pain. However, people with fibromyalgia might find that polyfoam lacks hug and pressure relief, so they’ll struggle with getting comfy.
- Latex. Natural latex has smaller pores than foams and is denser. It doesn’t offer very close conforming, so it might fail to relax tender points in people with fibromyalgia. Yet, a latex mattress can make a good purchase for arthritis patients because it has a quick response and won’t make you feel trapped when you move around.
- Hybrid. A hybrid bed combines coils, foams, and other materials in different combinations, so you can expect a balanced feel from it. Typically, hybrids can suit both arthritis and fibromyalgia patients, but this varies from model to model, so it’s highly advised to test the mattress and make the most of your trial period.
Bottom line?
People with arthritis may benefit from a mattress with a floating feel, whereas fibromyalgia sufferers may get the desired relief on a more cradling bed. But of course, the final decision depends only on your preferences. You may also want to seek your doctor’s recommendations.
What Else You Should Know Before Making a Purchase?
Aside from deciding on the right mattress type, you have to consider other factors, to end up with a mattress that will make your sleep truly blissful. So, let’s see what makes a good mattress for joint pain and fibromyalgia.
The Right Firmness
The perception of firmness varies from person to person and can be affected by pain. However, there are general guidelines on how to pick up the right firmness level:
- Soft. Soft mattresses offer a deep hug, which is bad for those who weigh 250 pounds and more. Small and average-weight side sleepers, however, will feel great on a softer bed. But if you’re lightweight and sleep on your back or stomach, you should consider a medium-soft mattress.
- Medium. This is the most optimal level of firmness for almost everyone. According to a Sleep Science study in elders, a mattress with a medium-firm feel performs best at reducing musculoskeletal pain in elderly people. It can work for combo sleepers, as well as strict side and back sleepers of average weight. If you’re a heavy user and sleep on your side, though, you may want to try a medium-firm bed.
- Firm. Firm mattresses make you feel as if you’re floating on top of your bed. They don’t offer much give, which can be great for stomach sleepers. Besides, a firmer bed can support the large weight without sinking, so it can make a good pick for heavy individuals.
If you’re a large user or just feel like you need a really firm bed, you can check out my guide on extra firm mattresses and choose the model that appeals to you.
Thermoregulation
Hot sleeping can be really annoying and decrease your chances to recover during sleep. So, if you’re suffering from chronic pain, it’s advisable to look for a temperature neutral mattress, such as the one that uses latex, coils, or gel memory foam. However, in some cases, some heat retention can be beneficial. According to the Arthritis Foundation, heat can improve the production of synovial liquid and lubricate the joints, thereby improving mobility in arthritis patients. A mattress that retains a small amount of your body heat might work as a big warming pad and have more pleasant effects than direct heat application, so you won’t feel worse.
Material Quality
Those who suffer from pain are likely to use every minute to get some relief, so chances are that you’ll be lying on your mattress pretty often. That means it has to be durable. And here’s how to find a long-lasting one:
- Look for high-density foams. Good numbers start from 1.7 and 7 pounds per cubic foot (PCF) for polyfoam and memory foam, respectively. High-density latex is 5-5.5 PCF or higher.
- Choose quality covers. The cover is here not only for aesthetic purposes. It also allows the air to circulate through the mattress and protects the layers from dust and debris. Choose mattresses with natural or semi-synthetic covers, as they’re usually more durable.
- Check the brand’s reputation. User reviews or sleep expert opinions will help you figure out how the given mattress performs in real life and see through all the marketing tricks.
How Arthritic Pain and Fibromyalgia Affect Your Sleep
There is a strong connection between sleep quality and health issues. Understanding that connection can help us find suitable solutions and, consequently, sleep better. Now, there are different types of arthritis, with osteoarthritis being the most common form. 
Source: http://www.apolloclinic.com/blog/types-of-arthritis/
Osteoarthritis causes the loss of cartilage and makes the bones rub together. This results in joint stiffness, swelling, and pain. The 2015 Arthritis Care & Research study suggests that 81% of osteoarthritis patients have difficulties maintaining night sleep, while 31% complain about significant sleep disturbances when trying to fall asleep.
Rheumatoid arthritis, another common condition, causes joint tenderness, stiffness, swelling, and pain. Naturally, these symptoms can interfere with a healthy sleep regime. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis report non-optimal sleep, especially with higher pain levels.
Psoriatic arthritis and gout are less common but can still result in poor sleep quality. These conditions often cause restless leg syndrome, which makes it hard to stay asleep all through the night and can also lead to insomnia.
As for fibromyalgia, this condition can also disrupt one’s sleep. Fibromyalgia symptoms include muscle and joint stiffness (especially in the morning), widespread pain, tingling of the extremities, restless leg syndrome, and so on. Increased pain in fibromyalgia patients is associated with reduced sleep duration and its overall quality. At the same time, research suggests that sleep problems can aggravate the symptoms of fibromyalgia. Naturally, when dealing with any of these conditions, your sleep should be a priority. And picking a proper mattress should be the first step to improve your sleep quality.
FAQ
What type of mattress is best for arthritis?
Hybrid or natural latex mattresses are the best picks for arthritis. They can properly cradle your body and relieve pressure points, but at the same time, they don’t interfere with your movements during the night.
Conclusion
As you can see, sleep and pain don’t do well together.
Arthritis and fibromyalgia patients often find it hard to maintain a healthy sleep regime. However, a good mattress can help.
Keep in mind that every sleeper requires the right bed firmness according to their weight. And let’s not forget about pressure relief, which is crucial when it comes to fibromyalgia and arthritis pain. Foam and latex mattresses tend to do the best job of reducing tension. As for hybrid beds, it is recommended to test them first as the feeling may vary from model to model.
Additional Resources
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