The 9 Best Alternating Pressure Mattresses
This wiki has been updated 19 times since it was first published in January of 2019. It may be hard to imagine that an activity as innocuous as lying in bed can be harmful, but for those who are bedridden for long stretches of time, there is the potential for painful bedsores. Fortunately, mattresses for preventing and relieving skin ulcers are available, many combining alternating pressure and low air loss therapy. Always check with your doctor before making your choice. When users buy our independently chosen editorial picks, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. Apex Medical Domus
2. Vaunn Medical Cloud Air
3. MedVance MedAir
Editor's Notes
November 25, 2020:
When choosing the best alternating pressure mattress you'll want to consider how long the patient will be bedridden as one of the primary factors in your evaluation. In addition, a doctor can advise if you'll need to consider adding low air loss as part of your criteria for finding the appropriate model for you or a loved one.
One of our top choices, the Vaunn Medical Cloud Air is simply an alternating pressure therapy. It's top quality construction will ensure it lasts, but it's more of a mattress topper and a good low-cost choice for someone recovering from surgery or injuries that leave them stuck in bed.
For this update we added the Apex Medical Domus with five different modes and a weight-sensing feature that automatically redistributes pressure in response to individual movements. This adds to patient comfort and makes it an ideal choice for those at high risk of developing serious pressure ulcers. The mattress is also a low air loss model, providing good ventilation and keeping the patient drier.
We also added the Medacure Comfort Zone for those who are at risk of falling out of bed. The built-in rails are unobtrusive. While it doesn't have as much ventilation as the Apex Medical Domus, the Medacure is offered in different sizes, to help accommodate larger patients.
February 19, 2019:
Everyone deserves to feel rested, so we looked at a wide range of low air loss and alternating pressure models that can accommodate the needs of various users. On the simpler side are alternating pressure mattress covers, such as the Drive Medical Med Aire Variable and the Vive Cover and Pump System, which are relatively inexpensive and not hard to set up. For those who need more options there are combo models, including the Proactive Protekt Aire 3000, the MedVance MedAir, and the Blue Chip Medical Apollo 3-Port. This last can be particularly helpful in the case of extended use, since accessories are available that make it extra-safe and easy to set up. And although it's not technically a mattress, we decided to include the Purap Bedsore Prevention & Treatment System, a portable alternative that some users swear by.
4. Medacure Comfort Zone
5. Blue Chip Medical Apollo
6. Purap Bedsore Prevention & Treatment System
7. MM Overlay
8. Proactive Protekt Aire 3000
9. Drive Medical Med Aire Plus
Tina Morna Freitas is a writer who lives in Chicago with her family and three cats. She has a B.A. in anthropology with a minor in English, and has built a freelance career over the years in writing and digital marketing. Her passions for cooking, decorating and home improvement contribute to her extensive knowledge of all things kitchen and home goods. In addition, her 20 years as a parent inform her expertise in the endless stream of toys and equipment that inevitably takes over the homes of most parents. She also enjoys gardening, making and sipping margaritas, and aspires to be a crazy cat lady once all the children are grown.