Pressure Relieving Mattresses

A pressure-relieving mattress is a therapeutic surface that lowers sustained pressure on a bedridden person's skin, which can lead to sores over time. This process works differently depending on the mattress: a redistribution surface spreads body weight over a wider area, an alternating pressure system cycles air through its cells to shift the pressure points every few minutes, and a low air loss system circulates air to keep the skin cooler and drier.

A foam or simple redistribution surface suits a lower-risk person who is still able to shift positions in bed on their own. An alternating pressure mattress cycles air through its cells to move the pressure points, and is the common choice when there is real risk of skin breakdown. Low air loss mattresses control heat and moisture for skin that stays damp, and a lateral rotation mattress physically turns a person who cannot be reliably turned by hand.

The choice between a powered air mattress and a foam surface comes down to your loved one’s risk of skin breakdown and level of mobility. For lower-risk people, the research comparing the two for sore prevention is genuinely close. A high-quality foam or pressure redistribution surface is often enough for someone who still repositions themselves. When the person is at higher risk, has limited mobility, or has skin that is already injured, a powered alternating pressure system is the preferred choice.

Low air loss is helpful when the person’s skin is moist from sweat, incontinence, or heat, because the system circulates air through the surface to keep the skin cooler and drier. Dry skin resists pressure better than damp skin, which is why moisture management is an important consideration separate from pressure relief itself. If moisture is the main problem, the low air loss mattresses are built to regulate it, and many of them pair low air loss with alternating pressure, so one surface does both jobs.

A simple redistribution surface sits at the low end of the range, while powered and lateral rotation systems sit at the high end, priced by the complexity of controls and the pump. Coverage varies by plan and by mattress type, so any coverage question is best answered by your own plan or insurer rather than our store. If you give our team a call, we can point you to the right type for your budget.

If the power goes out, a powered air mattress with no backup slowly deflates, but the systems on this page are built so the person is not left resting on a bare bed frame. Most use a static foam or cell-on-cell base layer that remains inflated when the pump stops, and some hold air for several hours. Most include a CPR quick-release valve that deflates the surface fast in an emergency, and some add an audible power-failure alarm. Double-check a bed’s specific power-loss features before buying it for someone who is often home alone.

The pump on these systems runs continuously and makes a low, steady hum, which some light sleepers notice at night. Quieter models are rated at roughly 45 decibels, about the level of a quiet office. Because pump noise is a relatively common home-care complaint, if your loved one is a light sleeper, ask our team for the decibel rating of the model you are considering before you buy.

The lowest maximum capacity you’ll find on a mattress here is 220 lbs, though many support around 450 lbs, and bariatric models go higher, with one system on this page rated for 800 pounds. Bariatric versions also come in wider sizes, ranging from 42 to 60 inches. If you need a wider or higher-capacity surface, our bariatric mattresses are grouped together for just that purpose.

The warranty and support vary by manufacturer and model, so we recommend contacting us for the exact warranty on a specific mattress before you order it. As an example, Joerns covers some of the mattresses on this page for 2 years and others for 5, though it always guarantees the mattress cover for 1 year. Across manufacturers, the covers are consistently fluid-resistant, antimicrobial, and low-shear.