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Often, people with Parkinson’s disease experience stiffness and pain, which can interfere with sleeping. These symptoms can make simple motions challenging, such as getting out of bed. Parkinson’s disease also causes involuntary movements that can disturb both partners while trying to sleep.
The good news is a high-quality mattress may help make sleeping with Parkinson’s disease more manageable. This article will look at our top 3 best mattresses for Parkinson’s patients and some helpful information for choosing the right mattress for yourself.
A Quick Preview
 | Best Overall Puffy Mattress | Check Current Price Read more about this mattress |
 | Best Hybrid Mattress Winkbed Mattress | Check Current Price Read more about this mattress |
 | Best Firm Mattress Plank Mattress | Check Current Price Read more about this mattress |
Key Decision Factors For Choosing the Best Mattress For Parkinson's Patients
The top three key decision factors for choosing the best mattress for Parkison’s patients are pressure relief, motion isolation, and edge support.
Pressure relief is helpful if you have Parkinson’s disease, as a pressure-relieving mattress can help redistribute weight.
Motion isolation is a key decision factor for choosing the best mattress for Parkinson’s patients, as people with Parkinson’s disease often have involuntary movements. Motion isolation can help from these movements being transferred across the bed, leading to better, less disturbed sleep for both parties.
Edge support is another crucial deciding factor for choosing the right mattress for Parkinson’s disease, as involuntary movements necessitate a stable surface for getting in and out of bed. The better an edge surface is, the more effortlessly you can sit or stand from the bed.
| Key Decision Factor | How We Measure |
|---|---|
| Pressure Relief | We measure this subjectively by lying on the mattress and seeing how well it redistributes weight, rating it from 1-10. |
| Motion Isolation | We measure this with a glass of water and compression tests, with results between 2-5 inches considered excellent for motion isolation. |
| Edge Support | We measure this by recording compressions while sitting at the edge, with compressions around 2-5 inches considered good for a stable surface. |
Mattresses for Parkinson's Patients - Our Tests
Our tests are in-depth when it comes to seeing whether or not a mattress is good if you have Parkinson’s disease. We test on pressure relief, motion isolation, edge support, and other factors.
Pressure relief is tested by lying on the mattress and measuring compressions. The deeper the compressions, the more likely the bed can redistribute weight and reduce pressure. This is a subjective test rated between 1 and 10.
Motion isolation is tested by placing a glass of water on one side of the bed and doing a series of compression tests on the other. A mattress passes this test by having the glass of water not move until the compressions are close, at least 1-2 inches away. Mattresses that don’t fare as well cause ether glass of water with compression tests 5-8 inches away.
Edge support is tested by sitting and lying on the edge of the mattress. Measurements are taken while lying down, with 2-4 inches as the ideal measurement. Lying down on the edge is also gauged, albeit more subjectively, to see if there is enough support to avoid accidentally rolling out of bed.
We test for other factors when reviewing our mattresses, which you can learn more about here.
Our Review of the 3 Best Mattress for Parkinson's Patients in 2023
Best Overall - Editor’s Choice — Puffy Mattress
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Highlights
- Easy-to-remove cover that can be washed to keep your sleeping area fresh.
- 4 inches of comfort layers create a conforming, body-hugging feel.
- The ClimateComfort layer provides enough support for good spinal alignment.
The Puffy is my editor’s choice for the best mattress for Parkinson’s patients due to its conforming body hug, excellent motion isolation, and removable cover. The Puffy has about 1.5 [There is no unit after 1.5 (inches, etc)] more sinkage than the Plank on its Extra Firm side, making the Puffy the more conforming, pressure-relieving option.
This deep cradling also makes the Puffy one of the best options for motion isolation. The Puffy was more motion-isolating than the Plank’s Extra Firm side by 0.9 seconds, giving it an incredible slow-adaptive sleeping. I could barely feel motion while lying on the Puffy from my partner.
The Puffy also has a removable cover that can be quickly removed. I could remove it via zippers for a quick wash in seconds and keep that ‘new mattress’ feeling longer.
Key Decision Factors
Pressure Relief: The Puffy has excellent pressure relief due to its 2.5 inches of sinkage. While lying, I noticed I sank into the top layer considerably for adequate pressure relief, which I rated at 9. I didn’t notice any pressure build-up or tension in my muscles.
Motion Isolation: The Puffy’s slow-adaptive layers work excellent for motion isolation, bouncing back from compressions at 1.7 seconds. While testing the Puffy, my partner noticed minimal bounces while I switched positions, but not enough to disturb their sleep.
Edge Support: The Puffy’s edge support is adequate to provide a stable surface, which I measured at 2.4 inches. I never felt like I was at risk of slipping out of bed and was supported while getting in and out of bed.
My Experience
When testing with the Puffy mattress, I enjoyed its body-hugging conformity and its pressure-relieving properties. I was light like a cloud, even on my side, as my shoulders had enough sinkage to feel cradled.
Design and Construction
The Puffy mattress is made of a polyester and lycra cover, which is soft to the touch and has a bit of spring. I could stretch it and have the cover snap back almost instantly, which helps minimize body impressions. In addition, the cover has zippers that allow you to remove it for washing, which I found to be effortless to take off.
The first layer of the Puffy consists of 2 inches of Cooling Cloud gel memory foam. I noticed I sank through this layer fairly easily for good pressure relief, balanced by the layer below.
The second layer is Puffy’s transitory Climate Comfort layer. I found it helps prevent me from feeling like I’m lying in ‘quicksand.’
The base is made of 6 inches of high-density foam. I could lie on the Puffy and feel the core keeping my spine aligned.
Based on Our Tests
Based on our observations, the Puffy gently cradled my shoulders and hips while on my side, and I noticed considerable sinkage. However, I never felt ‘stuck’ in the layers. The body hug felt like I was lying in a cloud for effective tension relief.
Recommended For:
- Sleepers who enjoy a classic memory foam feel. If you are a Parkinson’s patient and prefer deep sinkage and a body-hugging feeling from memory foam, the Puffy would be an excellent choice.
- Sleepers who prefer a pressure-relieving mattress. The comfort layers of the Puffy work together to redistribute weight, which can help release muscle tension and give a pressure-relieving experience.
- Restless partners. The slow adaptive layers of the Puffy help isolate most motion, which can help keep you and your partner from disturbing each other through the night.
Pros:
- Excellent motion isolation for partner
- Easy-to-remove cover
- Good pressure relief
- Sturdy base for good support
Cons:
- Too soft for heavier sleepers over 230 pounds
- Too slow-adaptive for active couples
Read our full Puffy mattress review for more information.
Best Hybrid Mattress for Parkinson's Patients — Winkbed Mattress
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Highlights
- The wrapped coil system provides ergonomic support to promote targeted spinal alignment.
- The soft euro pillow top has 2 inches of memory foam for extra cradling.
- Durable edge support makes getting in and out of bed easier.
The Winkbed is my best hybrid mattress for Parkinson’s patients due to its supportive coils, cushioning memory foam, and temperature-neutral features. The Winkbed has an excellent bounce in its coil system, which I felt was well-balanced with the euro pillow top. The Winkbed had 0.81 inches less bounce than the Sparrow, mainly due to its cushioning top. However, I still felt the coils did a great job keeping my movements unrestricted while in bed.
The euro pillow top also holds excellent cradling foam, which gave me a gentle hug. I measured 0.44 inches less sinkage than the Sparrow. That means the Winkbed is better suited for support and feeling more like you’re ‘on’ the bed.
The Tencel cover, gel memory foam, and aerated coil system provide a temperature-neutral environment. While lying on this mattress, I noticed the heat was continually drawn away, and I never had an issue with night sweats.
Key Decision Factors
Pressure Relief: The Winkbed has fair pressure relief due to its cushioning euro pillow top, which I recorded a sinkage of 2.36 inches. I felt moderately cradled and supported by the coils below, so I rated it 8.5 for pressure relief.
Motion Isolation: While testing, I recorded my glass of water moved from compressions 4 inches away, which is the maximum for this test. The Winkbed will isolate some, but not all, motion.
Edge Support: The Winkbed performed excellent for edge support, which I recorded at 2.25 inches. This is robust enough to provide a slight boost when standing from the edge, and I was well-supported.
My Experience
I was moderately cradled while sleeping on my side while on the Winkbed, with extra support and a good ‘on top of the bed’ feel. There wasn’t as much sinkage as I, as a side sleeper, would need for complete comfort. However, I still felt enough sinkage for pressure relief.
Design and Construction
The Winkbed's carefully constructed design helps it deliver ample support and cushioning pressure relief.
The euro pillow top below is made of 2 inches of gel memory foam. I noticed its spongy, slow-adaptive feel does great for balancing out your weight and giving the body a moderate hug.
Below the cushioning foam is the Winkbed’s coil system. I felt more pressure under my lumbar and hips while less pressure under my shoulders.
The coil system is reinforced along the perimeter for an even sleeping surface. I noticed minimal compressions while lying on the edge and enough spring to help make getting out of bed easier.
Based on Our Tests
Based on our first hand experience, the Winkbed offers a very balanced feel. There is enough cushioning in the top comfort layers for moderate sinkage. Still, I was quickly supported by the responsive coils underneath for good spinal alignment that melted the tension in my back.
Recommended For:
- Sleepers who prefer sleeping ‘on’ rather than ‘in’ a mattress. The Winkbed offers considerable support and cushioning, so you never feel stuck in the layers. This may help with ease of movement if you are a Parkinson’s patient.
- Hot sleepers. If you tend to sleep on the hot side, the breathable layers of the Winkbed, as well as its cool gel memory foam, help wick enough heat away to keep your temperature neutral.
- Sleepers who prefer good edge support. The Winkbed has excellent edge support with minimal compressions, ensuring you’re secure when sitting or lying on the edge.
Pros:
- Excellent edge support
- Good pressure relief from the euro pillow top
- Excellent support for spinal alignment from the coils
- Cool-to-the-touch cover
Cons:
- Non-removable cover
- Slightly expensive price tag
Read our full Winkbed mattress review for more information.
Best Firm Mattress for Parkinson's Patients — Plank Mattress
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Highlights
- 0.75 inches of comfort layers on its Extra Firm side enhance the supportive qualities for your spine.
- Optional cooling GlacioTex cover helps keep you cool when changing positions.
- High-density foam base helps to increase spinal support as well as the mattress’s overall durability.
The Plank is my best firm mattress for Parkinson’s patients due to its Extra Firm side, its edge support, and its cooling cover. From my review, the Plank has 1.5 inches less sinkage than the Puffy on its Extra Firm side.
I recorded compressions deeper than the Puffy by 1.7 inches while testing the edge support of the Plank on its Firm side. I felt the edges were sturdy, and I wasn’t at risk of falling off.
The Plank also has a cool-to-the-touch cover. Although Puffy had a cooler temperature, the Plank can still keep your temperature neutral. I didn’t overheat during the tests.
Key Decision Factors
Pressure Relief: The Plank delivered a fair amount of pressure relief on its Extra Firm side, with sinkage recorded at 1 inch. I felt cushioning relief without sinking in too much and gave the Plank a rating of 7.5.
Motion Isolation: The Plank delivers fair motion isolation, which I recorded at 5 inches. During the Plank's tests, I noticed only more significant movements, such as my partner getting out of bed.
Edge Support: The Plank has 4.1 inches of sinkage on the Firm side and 4.3 inches on the Extra Firm side, slightly higher than the maximum of 4 inches for this test. However, while lying, I still felt secure on the edge.
My Experience
The Extra Firm side lives up to its name, as I felt more comfortable on my back and stomach than on my side. My lumbar and hips aligned properly while lying on my back, and I had moderate tension relief with minimal sinkage. Sleeping on my side would work better on the Firm side, as it gives a bit more cushioning for the shoulders.
Design and Construction
The Plank uses a cotton and polyester blend cover with an optional GlacioTex Phase Change Material for coolness. This makes the cover cool to the touch and soft, although I noticed it didn’t have as much bounce or stretch as Puffy’s cover.
On its Extra Firm side, the Plank has 0.75 inches of memory foam. This minimal softness put me in contact with the core more quickly and had my spine in better alignment.
On its Firm side, there are 2 inches of TitanFlex foam. I noticed softer give and more sinkage on this side. However, I still had excellent spinal support.
In between the two comfort layers is 7 inches of high-density foam, significantly contributing to the Plank’s excellent support.
Based on Our Tests
As per our expertise, I could feel the Plank’s excellent spinal support delivery on its Firm and Extra Firm layers. I was most comfortable on my back and stomach while on the Extra Firm side, while I did notice slight pressure build up on my side.
Recommended For:
- Sleepers who are a fan of firm sleep surfaces. The Extra Firm side of the Plank can provide extra support to pressure and weight, giving a resilient sleep surface that focuses on keeping your spine in proper alignment.
- Hot sleepers. Due to the minimal sinkage and cooling cover, the Plank doesn’t allow as much heat to be trapped, helping you stay cooler if you are a Parkinson’s patient.
- Sleepers who need ease of movement. The Plank’s resilient layers help you stay ‘on’ the bed, allowing for ease of movement that can make changing positions effortless if you are a Parkinson’s patient.
Pros:
- GlacioTex cover feels pleasantly cool to the touch
- Excellent spinal support due to its Extra Firm side and firm core
- Good motion isolation
- Excellent ease of movement
Cons:
- Too firm for lightweight sleepers under 130 pounds
- Too firm on it Extra Firm side for lightweight and average-weight side sleepers under 230 pounds
Read our full Plank mattress review for more information.
How to Choose the Best Mattress for Parkinson’s Patients?
To choose the best mattress for Parkinson’s patients, it’s important to consider the following:
- Firmness level.
- Pressure relief.
- Edge support.
- Motion isolation.
- The ability to test the mattress.
The Mattress Firmness Level
The best mattress for Parkinson’s patients will have a good mix of support and cushioning.
According to the NIH National Library of Medicine, a medium-firm mattress is a good firmness level to gain both support and pressure relief (1).
A firmer mattress typically means the mattress is also more durable, as the most durable mattresses can withstand more weight.
Pressure Relief of the Mattress
A mattress with good pressure relief may help Parkinson’s patients alleviate discomfort as this feature can redistribute weight over a wider area.
According to a study by PLOS ONE, pressure-relieving mattresses such as memory foam mattresses can reduce the risk of pressure injuries by 88% (2). That means a mattress’s primary materials should include either memory foam or latex, as both can redistribute weight over a wider area for better comfort.
Edge Support of the Mattress
Edge support is vital for Parkinson’s patients, as involuntary movements can cause reduced mobility. Some of the best mattresses with edge support use firm cores or reinforced coil perimeters to create durable edges.
The Motion Isolation of the Mattress
Parkinson’s disease can cause involuntary movements, which can cause unnecessary jostling of a partner.
A mattress with good motion isolation helps reduce the transfer of movements from one side to the other. Some of the best mattresses for restless partners include motion-isolating mattresses, which can muffle restless movement.
Also Read: Winkbed Soft vs. Luxury Firm vs. Firm
Testing the Mattress
Being able to test a mattress allows you to see if it's the right fit for you, risk-free. Always ensure the mattress you prefer has a free trial period, especially if you buy one online.
In addition, looking for mattresses with longer warranties, such as Puffy’s lifetime warranty, can be a good indicator of whether a mattress is high-quality. Some of the best mattresses have lifetime warranties.
Also Read: Puffy vs. Nectar
F.A.Q.
What type of mattress is best for Parkinson's patients?
Some of the best mattresses for Parkinson’s patients may be memory foam, latex, or hybrid. All three mattress types can redistribute weight over a wider area.
Is a firm or soft mattress better for Parkinson's patients?
When choosing what firmness to go with for a mattress for Parkinson’s patients, it is better to choose a firmness between soft and firm. Typically, a medium-firm mattress can provide a good balance of comfort and support.
Conclusion
Choosing the best mattress for Parkinson’s patients doesn’t have to be a labor-intensive experience. As long as you know what types of mattress materials to look out for and what firmnesses to consider, you will be well on your way to choosing the right one.
I think the Puffy ticks off all the boxes for being one of the best mattresses for Parkinson’s patients. The Puffy has considerable sinkage for body-hugging pressure relief, plus a durable core to balance out the top layers.
What are your thoughts on the best mattress for Parkinson’s patients? What have you found that helps the most? Let us know in the comments below!
Additional Resources
- NIH National Library of Medicine (2021.) What type of mattress should be chosen to avoid back pain and improve sleep quality? Review of the literature. Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8655046/
- PLOS ONE (2020.) Relationship between a pressure redistributing foam mattress and pressure injuries: An observational prospective cohort study. Retrieved from: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0241276
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