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Doctor-Vetted
With just 5 simple, easy questions, you can receive a mattress recommendation based on your sleep style, body type, and preferences. We relied on medical experts to help design our quiz, to ensure our perfect mattress recommendations are backed by science.
Dr. Miho Tanaka
Orthopedic Surgeon
Frequently asked questions
It’s difficult to definitively determine one type of mattress as the best overall since each bed type has its pros and cons. Memory foam is a popular mattress choice, as it is affordable, responsive, and relatively durable. However, there are some concerns about how much heat it can absorb and how slow the material is to release it, though many manufacturers have devised ways to create a more breathable and comfortable memory foam mattress.
Latex mattresses are a popular natural alternative to memory foam mattresses. The material is typically considered more bouncy and cool, though the drawback is that latex has a much higher production cost.
If there is a type of mattress that sleepers want to stay away from, it might be traditional innerspring mattresses. The minimal design of a classic innerspring mattress, which consists of open coils sandwiched between thin layers of cushion, does not provide the contouring that many sleepers need for pressure relief.
Hybrid mattresses are a good compromise, providing much of what sleepers enjoyed about innerspring mattresses while minimizing their drawbacks. By pairing pocketed coils with a thick foam top, a hybrid mattress can meet a sleeper’s curves while still keeping them feeling comfortably on top of the mattress.
When it comes to choosing the best mattress for your sleep position, firmness is generally consideration the most important consideration. Side sleepers need soft to medium feel mattresses to fully embrace their shoulders and hips. Without that needed cushion, a side sleeper may wake up stiff and in pain.
Conversely, back and stomach sleepers do well on firmer mattresses. A back sleeper can enjoy a medium-firm to firm mattress, and some supportive medium mattresses are even suitable for back sleepers who want a touch more softness. However, firmer is generally better when it comes to stomach sleeping, as a too-soft mattress can leave stomach sleepers waking up with back pain.
Combination sleepers move between two or three positions, so they need a mattress that can keep up and adapt to their movements. We suggest medium-soft to medium-firm mattresses, and some combination sleepers may want to look at hybrid and spring mattresses for a touch of extra responsiveness.
Every mattress type can suit hot sleepers, though some are more inherently suited to staying cool than others. Memory foam has a reputation for retaining a sleeper’s body heat, but many manufacturers infuse cooling gels to keep hot sleepers cool.
Latex foam is more naturally cooling than memory foam, but the expected price tag of a latex mattress can turn off budget shoppers. Hybrid and innerspring mattresses can also stay quite cool, as their coil support leaves plenty of space for air to circulate.
Since every type of mattress can serve as a cooling option for hot sleepers, we suggest keeping in mind which type is most likely to provide you with the comfort you seek.
There’s no such thing as a ‘bad’ firmness level, only a firmness that’s unsuited for your particular sleep style. A firmer mattress can provide the support that back, stomach, and heavyset sleepers need to wake up refreshed and pain-free. Side and lightweight sleepers are more prone to pressure build-up in their bodies, so they need softer mattresses to ease tension points in their bodies.
The right mattress size for you will depend on your budget, room dimensions, and whether or not you plan on sharing your bed with a partner. Naturally, a larger mattress will cost more than a smaller mattress. Budget shoppers looking to save may want to consider a twin, twin XL, or full mattress. Overall, we would recommend the twin XL as a budget option for single sleepers as it can better accommodate taller sleepers over 6 feet.
Room size is another significant factor, as a too-big mattress can leave a bedroom feeling cramped with no space for other furniture. Ideally, you want about 3 square feet of clearance around the mattress so you can walk around the bedroom. Most mattresses can comfortably squeeze into the bedrooms that are 10 feet by 10 feet, though we can’t recommend king size mattresses for anything smaller than 12 feet by 12 feet.
Anyone who’s looking for a mattress to share should not consider a mattress smaller than a queen bed. Beds smaller than a queen mattress will leave two sleepers pressed uncomfortably close together. A king mattress is the way to go for couples who enjoy their personal space when sleeping.
FAQs
The Saatva Rx might be the closest a mattress can come to being like a medical device. It's specifically designed to balance the line between supportive and pressure relieving for those with chronic back and joint pain.
How do I know which mattress is best for me? ›
In general, side sleepers should look for Medium Soft to Medium Firm mattresses that can cushion their impact points. Back and stomach sleepers should look for Medium Firm to Firm beds that have only light conforming.
What firmness is best for back pain? ›
Mattress firmness
A medium-to-firm option is the best doctor-recommended mattress for back pain, according to the Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology.
What is the best type of mattress to sleep on? ›
In general, medium-firm mattresses (which are often between 5 and 7 on the firmness scale) provide a good blend of support and comfort for most sleepers. A small 2010 study with 27 people suggests sleeping on a medium-firm mattress may help relieve pain and improve sleep quality.
Which type of mattress is best for older adults? ›
Should Elderly Sleep On Firm Or Soft Mattresses? Individual characteristics, including body weight and sleeping position, dictate how firm a mattress feels. “But seniors should avoid a firm mattress, opting instead for medium-soft to medium-firm,” says Carvosso.
What firmness of mattress is best for back or side sleepers? ›
Sleeping Position and Firmness Levels
| Sleeping Position | Recommended Firmness for Sleepers Under 130 lbs. |
|---|
| Side Sleepers | Soft (3) to Medium (5) |
| Back Sleepers | Soft (3) to Medium (5) |
| Stomach Sleepers | Medium Soft (4) to Medium Firm (6) |
| Combination Sleepers | Soft (3) to Medium (5) |
Mar 11, 2022
Top 3 features of the best orthopaedic mattresses:
| Best orthopaedic mattresses | Material | Price |
|---|
| Wakefit Latex Mattress | Natural latex | Rs. 20,000 |
| Sleepyhead Orthopedic Mattress | High-density foam | Rs. 12,000 |
| SleepyCat Memory Foam Mattress | Memory foam with cooling gel | Rs. 18,000 |
| Duroflex Livein Mattress | Anti-microbial fabric | Rs. 14,000 |
6 more rowsMay 8, 2024
Let's dive into the best times to buy: Holiday weekends: Retailers love a holiday, especially when it comes to sales. Keep an eye out for Presidents' Day in February, Memorial Day in late May, Fourth of July, Labor Day in early September, Veterans Day in November, Black Friday, and let's not forget Cyber Monday!
Should my bed be harder or softer if my back hurts? ›
When in Doubt, Go 'Medium-Firm' Research is limited, but in one study, researchers assigned new mattresses to more than 300 people with low back pain. They used either "medium-firm" or "firm" mattresses for 90 days. Those in the medium group reported the least amount of discomfort.
Is Stearns & Foster a good mattress? ›
The company takes its time crafting premium beds, and it's had years of experience getting it right. These mattresses won't be for everyone, but if you want to invest in your sleep with a top-of-the-line bed, you should find these mattresses strong contenders.
What Mattress Firmness Is Best? For most people, a medium-firm mattress offer that “just right” level of support and comfort. However, firmness is subjective—it's tied to your body weight and shape, as well as your desired sleep position and preferences.
What is the healthiest mattress to sleep on? ›
For support and spinal alignment, look for memory foam, latex, and firmer hybrid mattresses. Side Sleepers will typically sleep well on soft to medium mattresses. Look for softer memory foam and hybrid mattresses to get relief when you're lying on your shoulders and hips.
What mattress do most hospitals use? ›
Foam mattresses are the most common hospital bed mattresses on the market. With so many benefits, it is most likely that this will be one of the best options for your loved one or patient. Foam mattresses provide patients with the best of both worlds: comfort and therapeutic support.
Which type of mattress is best for health? ›
Yes, memory foam mattresses are safe for most individuals. High-quality memory foam is certified for low VOC emissions and does not pose health risks.
What type of mattress do pediatricians recommend? ›
Picking out the right baby crib mattress is a matter of safety and comfort. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends choosing a firm mattress. This helps reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Also, be sure to pick the correct mattress size.
What are the healthiest mattress types? ›
For support and spinal alignment, look for memory foam, latex, and firmer hybrid mattresses. Side Sleepers will typically sleep well on soft to medium mattresses. Look for softer memory foam and hybrid mattresses to get relief when you're lying on your shoulders and hips.
Why would a doctor recommend an extra firm mattress? ›
There are several health benefits to sleeping on an extra-firm mattress, such as: Extra firm mattresses maintain neutral spine alignment. This means that your spine remains straight. Over time, extra-firm beds may improve your overall posture.
