Written by Hulet Smith, OT
Managing immobility and illness is challenging, especially when pressure wounds add to the discomfort. Low air loss mattresses (LAL) provide superior pressure relief, helping prevent, treat, and heal pressure injuries. These mattresses also reduce moisture, heat, shearing, and friction, offering essential support for wound care, burn injuries, and circulatory disorders.
 | 1) Comfort Zone Bariatric Alternating Pressure Mattress with Low Air Loss LAL View Product |
Low-air loss mattresses are essential for anyone confined to bed for extended periods, including those recovering from surgery, injury, or a medical condition. They’re also ideal for individuals with mobility impairments who can't reposition themselves, as well as those with fragile skin or recovering from burn injuries. While our article on how to choose the best pressure relief mattress provides a detailed guide, here are some key factors to consider:
While some LAL mattresses only provide low air loss, many combine different therapies to deliver the most relief, especially for more severe injuries and patients at higher risk of pressure wound development. Alternating pressure (AP) combined with low air loss is a top therapeutic approach for preventing and treating pressure wounds. This combination enhances circulation, maximizes airflow, and gives users a cool, comfortable, and weightless sensation. The option of lateral rotation is beneficial for patients with pulmonary concerns and those unable to turn over and reposition independently, as it aids in moving fluids and congestion by turning the patient periodically.
Sometimes referred to as genuine low-air loss, true low-air loss mattresses provide a higher output of pumped air for more effective therapy. Compared to the typical lower liter-per-minute rate (LPM) of 8 LPM, a true low air loss mattress may offer upward of 100 LPM. While 8 LPM is great for stage 1 and 2 pressure injuries, the higher LPM of a true low air loss mattress is often preferable for more severe stage 3 and 4 pressure injuries.
Most low air loss and alternating pressure mattresses do not come with a bed frame, so it’s important to determine the right fit for your existing bed, or you may need to purchase a whole new frame. Most LAL and AP mattresses come in at least two different size options, with some formats intended explicitly for only hospital beds and others designed to fit standard home and hospital beds. Be sure to measure the bed frame you plan to use the mattress with ahead of time to select the right fit for your unique needs. It’s also crucial to check the weight capacity of the mattress to be sure it can safely support your weight.
Because low air loss mattresses use specially designed air cells that release air, it’s important to use mattress covers that are vapor-permeable to facilitate that air therapy. Most low-air loss mattresses come with a removable and washable cover formulated to enable airflow while also resisting moisture and fluids. Look for covers that reduce friction and shear, such as multi-stretch designs, as these are more comfortable and non-irritating for the user’s skin. Zippered formats are also easier to remove and clean.
Often indicated for people at risk of pressure wound development or skin breakdown, a low air loss mattress is constructed with air-filled cells or bladders to alleviate pressure and shear forces, optimizing health and comfort. True low air loss therapy generally refers to a higher volume of air being released or an LPM greater than 100.
A low air loss (LAL) mattress works by slowly releasing air from its multiple air cells that have tiny holes in them, along with programmable pressure levels to customize the rate of air released. As the air leaks out of the cells, it helps to keep the patient cool and dry for optimal comfort, reducing the risk of skin maceration. The weightless, floating sensation a LAL mattress provides also helps relieve pressure and improve wound management and care.
An alternating air pressure (AP) mattress uses multiple air cells, with each cell slowly inflating and deflating at a pre-programmed rate via a pump blower. Frequently used for patients confined to bed for recovery or a medical condition, AP mattresses keep the head section static while the rest of the air cells gradually empty and fill again with air in an alternating cycle. Helping to redistribute pressure from the patient’s body, alternating pressure mattresses also enhance circulation to improve healing and promote faster recovery.
While both use air cells or bladders in their design, low air loss mattresses slowly release air, while alternating pressure mattresses deflate and inflate at a predetermined, alternating cycle rate. Both types of mattresses help to alleviate pressure, while the low air loss mattresses promote improved airflow to keep the user cool and their skin dry. Combination therapy mattresses that integrate low air loss and alternating pressure often offer the best support for people at higher risk and/or those with existing pressure wounds.
Low-air loss mattresses help prevent, treat, and heal pressure wounds, such as pressure ulcers or bedsores. They reduce the pressure in varying degrees, with lower LPMs more suitable for stage 1 and 2 pressure wounds and higher LPMs more suitable for stage 3 and 4 pressure injuries. LAL mattresses are also used for people with fragile, weakened, or delicate skin, patients with burn injuries, and those recovering from wounds of all types.
If your doctor is enrolled in Medicare and prescribes an air-fluidized bed or support surface like a low air loss mattress, Medicare Part B will cover it, at least partially.
It is important to note that although we can supply you with an itemized receipt of your purchase to submit to your insurance provider, we do not accept insurance, nor can we guarantee that your insurance provider will cover it.
 | Alternating Pressure Mattress: The No-Hassle Universal Therapy System View Product |
Our number 5 choice, the Universal Therapy System Alternating Pressure Mattress, is an advanced solution for patients requiring pressure ulcer prevention and treatment, including those with existing pressure ulcers up to Stage 4. This mattress combines alternating and continuous low-pressure options with automatic weight-sensing technology to ensure optimal pressure distribution, promoting tissue health and preventing breakdown.
The integrated air pump within the mattress frees up floor space while offering powerful functionality. The mattress is designed for easy use with a simple hand remote, making it a practical choice for patients and caregivers.
 | Protekt Aire 8000BA Bariatric Pressure Relief Mattress View Product |
The Protekt Aire 8000BA Bariatric Pressure Relief Mattress is our number 4 choice. Specifically designed to prevent and treat pressure ulcers in bariatric patients. It uses a combination of low air loss and alternating pressure technologies. The low air loss feature ensures air circulates across the mattress surface, keeping the patient's skin cool and dry by preventing moisture buildup. The alternating pressure function continuously shifts pressure across different body areas, helping to promote blood circulation and preventing pressure from concentrating in one spot for too long.
This mattress features dual layers of air cells for added support and safety, ensuring patients remain comfortable even during a power failure. The built-in pillow top stabilizes the head and neck, while the CPR pull tab allows for rapid deflation in emergencies. With adjustable pressure settings and time intervals, this mattress offers customizable care for bariatric patients and is available in 42" and 48" widths.
 | Invacare microAIR MA900 Lateral Rotation True Low Air Loss Mattress with Pump View Product |
Because it combines just about every advantageous feature from the best LAL and AP mattresses in our review and adds a few of its own special benefits, we awarded our number 3 spot to the high-tech Invacare microAIR MA900 Lateral Rotation True Low Air Loss Mattress with Pump. This top-of-the-line LAL mattress delivers true low air loss therapy with its high-performance 1275 blower, helping to inhibit moisture and moderate temperature to keep patients cool and dry.
It also offers alternating pressure in 10 adjustable comfort settings for customizable support. But what sets this mattress above the others is its lateral rotation. Perfect for patients at risk for infection, pneumonia, and other pulmonary concerns, the microAIR MA900 provides continuous 20 and 40-degree lateral rotation therapy to reduce these risks. Helping to eliminate manual turning and repositioning of the patient, air pressure and selectable turning angles create an angled plane that causes the patient’s body to turn. Combined with the AP and LAL therapies, this Invacare mattress's lateral rotation further helps regulate heat and moisture, reduce friction and shear, and relieve pressure for effective pressure wound prevention, treatment, and healing.
Available in three sizes accommodating 600 and 1,000 pounds depending on the model chosen, the microAIR MA900 highlights soft nylon urethane-backed air cells that help minimize bacterial growth and are easier to clean. The air-filled side bolsters prevent patient falls and can be removed, while the innovative external exhaust system keeps the mattress cooler and the pump quieter.
 | Comfort Zone Cell-On-Cell LAL (Low Air Loss) Mattresses by Medacure View Product |
Taking the 2nd spot in our review with quiet, efficient, and user-friendly operation, the Comfort Zone Cell-On-Cell LAL (Low Air Loss) Mattress by MedaCure also offers the lowest price point of most quality LAL mattresses. Available with or without a raised perimeter, this feature is especially helpful for patients prone to falling out of bed, enhancing safety and protection. This medical-grade LAL mattress also allows you to adjust the comfort level with a pressure range or by the patient’s weight, delivering optimal customization to meet each user’s unique and changing requirements. The multifunctional digital pump is ultra-quiet, offering alternating pressures up to 8 LPM or static functionality. Four cycle times ensure perfect support for every user.
Equipped with 40 air cells in a 20-on-20 design to prevent bottoming out during power failures or while sitting up in bed, their EZ Snap-in, Snap-out design facilitates easy replacement of the air cells. This MedaCure mattress also highlights patented quick-inflation CPR to ensure proper support in an emergency. Its patented quick connector and quick-change air filter make it convenient and straightforward to set up. Economically priced for institutional and home care, the Comfort Zone can be used with hospital and most standard beds, with a user-friendly control pump attached to most bed frames and rails.
 | Comfort Zone Bariatric Alternating Pressure Mattress with Low Air Loss LAL View Product |
The Comfort Zone Bariatric Alternating Pressure Mattress by MedaCure is our top choice in low-air loss mattresses. It is expertly designed to support bariatric patients weighing up to 1,000 pounds while providing advanced pressure relief. This mattress features 40 air cells, an auto-firm inflation pump, and a low-pressure alert system to ensure optimal comfort and safety.
The adjustable pressure settings allow caregivers to customize the mattress’s firmness by alternating pressure or maintaining a static function to suit each patient's needs. With its easily replaceable air cells, patented quick connector for the pump, and built-in CPR inflate and deflate system, this mattress offers both convenience and reliability. The nylon quilted cover adds an extra layer of comfort and a refined look, making it a comprehensive solution for bariatric patient care.
As an effective and frequently used medical aid designed to promote healing and optimal health, low air loss mattresses alleviate pressure and keep users cool and dry. By slowly releasing air from their air bladders, these medical mattresses create a comfortable weightless sensation while improving airflow, effectively reducing pressure, heat, and moisture. They’re often indicated for pressure injury prevention and treatment, along with burn injuries, circulatory disorders, wound management, and fragile, compromised skin.
Although any quality mattresses in our review would provide an excellent solution for patients requiring specific functions, we selected the Comfort Zone Bariatric Alternating Pressure Mattress with Low Air Loss LAL as our number 1 choice. It offers exceptional pressure relief and durability and is specifically designed to support bariatric patients. Its advanced features, including alternating pressure and low air loss technology, ensure optimal comfort, wound prevention, and effective healing, making it the top choice for superior patient care.
Be sure to check out the other quality low air loss and alternating pressure mattresses and our comprehensive selection of beds for both institutional and home care. You can also learn more caregiving tips and find valuable support at our blog, Caregiver University!
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Co-founder/CEO of Rehabmart, Pediatric Occupational Therapist, husband, and father. Passionate about connecting special needs kids with superb nutrition, sensory integration, and complementary health strategies. Excited about Rehabmart's mission to become the premier online educational platform which empowers caregivers by spotlighting innovative devices and interventions to achieve optimal patient response and recovery.
 Mattresses by Medacure "Comfort Zone Cell-On-Cell LAL (Low Air Loss) Mattresses by Medacure")
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