Best mattresses for seniors: Guide for better sleep
As we get older, our bodies start throwing curveballs—creaky joints, stiff backs, and the occasional mystery ache that seems to show up just because. That’s why a good night’s sleep isn’t just nice to have. It’s absolutely essential.
Not all mattresses are created equal, especially when it comes to older bodies that need a little more TLC through the night. Whether you're after top-tier luxury, a cooling mattress, or a solid bed that won’t break the bank, Koala’s got you covered.
In this guide, Koala dives into the sleep needs of seniors and how the right mattress can make a world of difference. Say goodbye to restless nights and waking up feeling like you’ve wrestled a brick wall. Say hello to deep, comfy, supported sleep, the kind everybody deserves, no matter the age.
Here are our picks for the best mattresses for seniors, each one designed with Aussie sleep habits, health needs, and budgets in mind.
Contents
Key Takeaways
Seniors Have Unique Sleep Needs: Ageing bodies have many inconveniences that require more targeted mattress support.
The Right Mattress Can Support Health: The best mattress for seniors is the one that helps relieve or avoid these inconveniences.
Mattress Features Make a Difference: Seniors may look for mattresses with adjustable firmness, cooling materials, and zoned support for a better sleeping experience.
Koala Offers Smart Sleep Solutions for Seniors: With innovations such as CoolThread™, Gel-infused Kloudcell®, and Zero Disturbance® tech, Koala has some of the best mattresses for seniors.
Koala Luxe Mattress (Best Overall)
The Koala Luxe is the best luxury mattress for seniors, combining premium comfort with smart support zones that help older sleepers stay pain-free through the night. Its seven multi-layered zones offer firmer support for your lower back, extra cushioning for pressure points, and reinforced edge support to make getting in and out of bed easier, especially helpful for seniors with limited mobility or joint pain. It cushions without sinking, aligning your spine while relieving sensitive spots like hips and shoulders.
This durable mattress is also built for Aussie conditions with antimicrobial copper-infused Kloudcell® foam and phase-change materials that balance body heat—no more middle-of-the-night blanket flipping. Wit added finishes like Australian Cashmere and breathable linen-blend boucle, you’ve got hotel vibes at home.
Koala Mattress (Best Value)
For seniors who want top-tier features without the top-tier price, the Koala Mattress hits the sweet spot. With three targeted support zones and a breathable TENCEL™ Lyocell cover, it offers contouring pressure relief, cool sleep, and proper spinal alignment all in one mattress. It’s an award winner for a bloody good reason, mate. It’s designed to promote mobility, align your back, and minimise those waking-up-stiff mornings.
The adjustable comfort layer makes it even more senior-friendly. Just unzip and flip to choose between a firm and medium firm mattress setup. Light sleeper? Zero Disturbance® tech absorbs movement so you won’t feel your partner roll over or pop out of bed.
Koala Plus Mattress (Best for Hot Sleepers)
The Koala Plus is all about keeping things cool, especially helpful for older Aussies who tend to overheat or suffer from night sweats. With Cooling Gel Kloudcell® and CoolThread™ fabric, the Plus sleeps up to 13% cooler than other big-name mattresses. Its upgrade-worthy topper can be flipped seasonally: comfy Organic Cotton for winter, crisp CoolThread™ for summer. Year-round temperature control? Sorted.
The flippable comfort layer lets you pick your preferred mattress firmness, firm or medium firm feel. The Plus strikes the right balance between cosy and supportive, making it perfect for tender joints and ageing bodies.
Koala SE Mattress (Best Budget Option)
The Koala SE Mattress proves that affordable sleep doesn’t have to mean missing out on high-quality materials and innovative features. Lightweight and easy to set up, this affordable mattress combines a plush quilted top, a 3-Zone Support system, and breathable materials without the luxury price tag. Its CHOICE®-recommended design (with a 95% comfort score after eight years) is a big win for older sleepers wanting lasting support and gentle, pressure-free rest.
Kloudcell® foam offers balanced cushioning to help relieve back, hip, and shoulder tension, while the TENCEL™ Lyocell cover promotes airflow and keeps moisture at bay. With a simple, tool-free setup and a price that won't keep you up at night, the SE is the best mattress for seniors on a budget or anyone after a no-fuss setup with long-term comfort built in. Sleep better and spend less on your new mattress. Easy.
Understanding Senior Sleep Needs
Sleep isn’t one-size-fits-all, and that becomes even more true as we age. Understanding these changes is the first step to finding a mattress that helps older Aussies wake up feeling rested, not rattled.
Common Sleep Challenges
Most older adults experience a fair shake-up to their sleep routine over time. It’s not just about going to bed earlier. The whole sleep architecture changes. You might find yourself waking up more often, spending less time in that deep, magical sleep, and feeling more tired even after a full night in a bed that’s supposed to help, like a gel-infused memory foam mattress.
Here are a few common culprits:
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Earlier sleep schedule: Many older adults start feeling tired earlier in the evening and naturally wake up earlier in the morning.
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Insomnia: Many older adults struggle to fall or stay asleep. Not ideal.
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Reduced REM sleep: Skipping the dream stage can impact memory and mental sharpness.
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Sleep apnoea: Interrupted breathing during sleep gets more common with age, and it’s not something to ignore.
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Sleep fragmentation: Frequent wake-ups through the night mean older adults are not getting enough restful sleep.
These changes aren’t just frustrating. They can take a serious toll on your energy, mood, and overall health.
Impact of Health Conditions
When you’re managing chronic health conditions, a mattress becomes more than just a comfort thing. It’s part of your overall health toolkit.
Here’s how common issues can affect sleep:
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Arthritis and joint pain: Many older Aussies over 65 live with arthritis. Without proper pressure relief, getting comfy (and staying that way) can feel nearly impossible.
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Back pain: Whether constant or intermittent, back pain needs solid support to keep the spine aligned and allow uninterrupted sleep.
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Heart and circulation issues: Some cardiovascular conditions benefit from sleeping in slightly elevated positions, or on mattresses that don’t put pressure on key areas.
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Mobility limitations: Many older adults shift sleeping positions less during the night, which can lead to pressure building up in certain areas. This highlights the importance of pressure-relieving memory foam mattresses or supports that prevent sore spots when staying put.
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Respiratory conditions: Breathing can become more difficult when lying flat, so proper elevation and support can make a big difference.
A responsive mattress that supports these conditions and improves your sleep quality isn’t a luxury. It’s a smarter way to care for your health.
How Ageing Bodies Need Different Support
Your body at 65+ doesn’t have the same needs it did a few decades back, and that counts double when it comes to sleep. As we age, we need a bit more from our mattresses to keep things comfy, supported, and pain-free.
Here’s what’s going on:
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Circulation concerns: Blood flow isn’t quite what it used to be, so a mattress that removes pressure from key areas helps prevent numbness or discomfort.
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Joint sensitivity: As joints become more reactive with age, pressure points in the shoulders, hips, and knees can really make themselves known. The wrong mattress can turn a decent night into a pain-filled morning, especially without the right cushioning in the right places.
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Reduced muscle mass: Less muscle means less natural padding between you and the mattress, so pressure relief becomes the MVP.
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Spinal changes: With age, we lose a bit of disc height and natural curve, so proper alignment while lying down becomes non-negotiable.
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Temperature regulation: Feeling hotter (or colder) at night? That’s normal as we age. A breathable, high-quality mattress can help keep things just right.
In short, older bodies aren't fragile. They’re just particular, and your mattress should be, too.
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Variety in Sleeping Needs: Not all sleepers are the same. We have seniors, stomach sleepers, side sleepers, and more, all with unique requirements for optimal sleep. |
Key Senior Mattress Features for a Good Night’s Sleep
As we age, our bodies ask for something a bit different from our beds—more support here, extra cushioning there, and a whole lot less “ouch” in the morning.
To help older Aussies get the deep, feel-good sleep they deserve, here are the essential features to consider when looking for the best mattresses for seniors.
Adjustable Comfort Options
Mattresses with adjustable comfort options offer versatility that can serve seniors well over the long term. Koala's innovative flippable comfort layers allow you to choose between firmness levels by simply unzipping and flipping the comfort layer.
Even more impressive is the Partner Preference option, which features half medium-firm and half firm Kloudcell® on the same comfort layer. This means couples with different comfort needs can both sleep happily on the same mattress, a feature that can be a relationship-saver!
Ease of Movement
A mattress that makes you feel "stuck" can make nighttime movement difficult, potentially exacerbating joint stiffness.
The best mattresses for seniors offer a responsive feel that allows for easy movement while still providing cushioning comfort. Koala's mattresses strike this balance with their Kloudcell® technology, which contours to your body but responds quickly when you move.
Hypoallergenic Properties
Mattresses that resist dust mites, mould, and other allergens can contribute to better breathing and more restful sleep. Latex mattresses started this trend, but there are more advanced mattresses for seniors today.
All Koala mattresses use CertiPUR-US® certified foams that are free from nasties like formaldehyde, ozone depleters, heavy metals, and certain flame retardants. These materials promote better indoor air quality through low Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC), making them an excellent choice for older Aussies with respiratory concerns.
Motion Isolation
For seniors, who often have lighter, more interrupted sleep, motion isolation makes a real difference in getting through the night undisturbed.
Koala’s Zero Disturbance® tech, paired with Kloudcell® comfort layers, absorbs movement on one side of the mattress so it doesn’t ripple across to the other. Whether your partner's flipping over or ducking out for a midnight cuppa, you stay peacefully asleep.
Pressure Relief
A mattress with superior pressure relief helps distribute body weight evenly, preventing painful pressure points from forming at the hips, shoulders, and other sensitive areas.
Mattresses with Kloudcell® technology, like the Koala Mattress range, excel at providing this crucial pressure relief. The Kloudcell® Comfort Layer gently supports broad surfaces like your back while simultaneously relieving pressure across sensitive shoulders, hips, knees, and feet.
Support and Proper Spinal Alignment
A supportive mattress helps maintain the natural curve of your spine while sleeping, reducing the chance of waking up with a sore back.
Zone support systems, like those from the Koala mattress product line, are particularly beneficial. These designs provide different levels of support to different parts of your body, ensuring your shoulders and hips can sink in slightly while your lower back remains properly supported.
Temperature Regulation
A mattress with good temperature regulation features can make the difference between restful sleep and uncomfortable night sweats.
Look for materials that promote airflow and heat dissipation. The Koala Luxe mattress, for instance, includes phase change technology that intuitively adapts to your body's temperature fluctuations throughout the night. When you get too warm, it absorbs excess heat to keep you comfortable; if you start to cool down, it releases that stored heat back to you.
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Various Bed Types: There are many bed types for seniors, such as adjustable beds with elevated heads and hybrid mattresses that combine innerspring coils and foam layers. At Koala, we use breathable designs, clever foam layering, and other innovations to make the best mattresses for seniors. |
Sleep Smarter, Not Harder
Getting older doesn’t mean settling for second-best sleep. In fact, now's the time to treat yourself to comfort that works with your body, not against it, mate.
At Koala, we've designed a line of mattresses that gets what your body needs. Our mattresses feature Kloudcell® technology with support zones, cool-to-touch fabrics, and customisable comfort that'll make you wonder why you didn't upgrade sooner.
Check out our full mattress collection and give yourself the gift of sleep that's as clever and comfy as you are. No compromises, no worries, just bloody brilliant nap-ready design. Easy to buy. Easy to try with our 120-night trial. And definitely easy to love!