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A quick look at the best mattresses for side and stomach sleepers
- Best organic mattress for side sleepers: Saatva Latex Hybrid
- Best hybrid mattress for side sleepers: Casper Original Hybrid Mattress
- Best budget mattress for side sleepers: Nest Bedding Love & Sleep Mattress
- Best foam mattress for side sleepers: Nolah Original 10-inch
- Best cooling mattress for stomach sleepers: Brooklyn Aurora Hybrid
- Best hybrid mattress for stomach sleepers: Helix Twilight
- Best foam mattress for stomach sleepers: The Muse Mattress
- Best budget mattress for stomach sleepers: The Allswell
When it comes to choosing the right mattress, personal preference plays a huge role. If your mattress doesn’t feel comfortable, you probably won’t enjoy sleeping on it very much.
Sleep quality depends on a lot of different factors, though, so there’s more to consider in addition to how your mattress feels.
Your regular sleep position is one important factor you’ll want to take into account. Different mattresses offer different features, so not every mattress will provide optimal comfort for every sleeping position.
If you sleep on your back, for example, you’ll likely need a firmer mattress to support good spinal alignment.
If you’re a side or stomach sleeper in search of a new mattress, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll go over our top eight mattress picks and provide some tips on choosing the mattress of your dreams.
How we chose
We take a careful look at the mattress options available to make sure we only recommend the best mattresses on the market. When choosing the mattresses listed below, we considered the following factors:
Ideal mattress characteristics for side and stomach sleepers
If you sleep on your side, you’ll want a mattress that helps maintain good spinal alignment by contouring your shoulders, lower back, and hips. Softer mattresses may not offer enough support, while firmer mattresses won’t provide enough pressure relief.
Stomach sleepers, on the other hand, need a firm mattress that supports the spine. We kept these needs in mind when selecting our top picks.
Customer reviews
Two different people may not appreciate the exact same things about a mattress. What feels “just right” to someone else may be more of a “not quite” for you.
Still, feedback from other customers can have a lot of value as you consider your options, so we made sure reviews confirmed the benefits for side and stomach sleepers.
Company reputation and transparency
Before taking a chance on a new mattress, you probably want to know the company you buy from has a good reputation. To make your decision easier, we recommend brands known for being upfront about how and where they make their mattresses. We also consider the quality of their customer service.
Company policies
It’s tough to know whether your new mattress is a good fit until you sleep on it for a few weeks. Most mattress brands recognize this and offer in-home sleep trials to help you find the right mattress.
Mattresses have different lifespans depending on mattress type and other factors, but most reputable brands offer a warranty of at least 10 years.
Pricing guide
Mattress prices vary widely. We’ve included mattresses at several price points to accommodate different budgets. We’ve given prices for queen mattresses, so you’ll pay less for a full-size mattress, more for a king.
Here’s the breakdown:
- $ = under $700
- $$ = $700–$1,400
- $$$ = over $1,400
Healthline’s picks for the best mattresses for side sleepers
Best organic mattress for side sleepers
Saatva Latex Hybrid
- Price: $$$
- Mattress height: 13 inches
- Type: Hybrid
Looking for an organic mattress? Saatva’s latex hybrid mattress offers a hypoallergenic, luxurious sleep experience.
Durable Talalay latex foam rests over individually wrapped coils to provide medium-firm comfort and pressure relief. Since latex sleeps cooler than memory foam, Saatva’s organic mattress is a good option for people who tend to heat up while sleeping.
Latex also responds well to movement, so it helps cushion you as you sleep without making you feel stuck, as some memory foam mattresses can.
Also, the thicker coils bordering the mattress are designed to provide ideal edge support, making it easier to get in and out of bed and preventing a sinking feeling if you sleep close to the edge.
All of Saatva’s mattresses are made by hand in the United States, from sustainable, environmentally friendly materials. In fact, the company has received the Cradle to Cradle Certified seal, and they use Talalay latex certified by the Rainforest Alliance.
This is a luxury mattress, but Saatva offers a 180-night sleep trial, so you can take your time to decide whether it’s worth the price. With free white-glove delivery, you won’t need to worry about unboxing or setting up the mattress yourself, either.
Buy the Saatva Latex Hybrid online.
Best hybrid mattress for side sleepers
Casper Original Hybrid Mattress
- Price: $$
- Mattress type: Hybrid
- Height: 11 inches
Hybrid mattresses combine the support of spring coils with the comfort of foam layers to provide a comfortable sleeping experience for all types of sleepers. Casper mattresses, which don’t have a weight limit, are designed to offer pressure relief and support for side sleepers, regardless of body frame or weight.
The main foam layer in this medium-firm mattress offers targeted support in the three main zones: shoulders, lower back, and hips. The company claims this foam, which is softer at the shoulders and firmer at the back and hips, provides better spinal alignment and essential pressure relief.
An additional layer of perforated foam helps keep air circulating through the mattress so you stay cool while you sleep.
Several reviewers note this mattress does provide good support for a range of body sizes. Reviewers also like the motion isolation, which many people say reduced tossing and turning and helped them get better sleep with a partner. Others confirm that the cooling layer really did help prevent overheating in the night.
While many reviewers say this mattress provided great support for side and combination sleeping and helped improve their low back pain, others found it too firm for their taste.
Some people also said a strong chemical smell lingered for several days after unboxing. This off-gassing is normal with many new mattresses, but you may want to keep this in mind if you’re particularly sensitive to chemical odors.
Buy the Casper Original Hybrid Mattress online.
Best budget mattress for side sleepers
Nest Bedding Love & Sleep Mattress
- Price: $
- Mattress type: Foam
- Height: 10 inches
The breathable foam in the Love & Sleep Mattress is designed to provide cool comfort throughout the night. In fact, this mattress contains a special “air flow” layer between the two main foam layers that the company says helps keep the mattress cool and offers more contouring support for side sleepers.
The top layer of foam responds well to movement, helping you sleep better by supporting you when you turn over instead of making you feel trapped in your mattress. The foam has also passed rigorous chemical emissions testing and earned the Greengaurd Gold certification.
Reviewers confirm the ease of movement and motion isolation on this mattress. Several side sleepers also mention that their back and hip pain improved after sleeping on the mattress. Reviews offer mixed feedback on the temperature, though — some say they did stay cooler through the night, while others mention waking up hot.
This mattress comes in two firmness options, but many reviewers recommend side sleepers, particularly those with lower body weights, stick with medium. If it doesn’t work for you, Nest’s customer service team can help you make the swap for the firm mattress.
Even reviewers who decided the Love & Sleep Mattress wasn’t for them praised the responsiveness and helpfulness of the customer service team.
Buy the Nest Bedding Love & Sleep Mattress online.
Best foam mattress for side sleepers
Nolah Original 10-inch
- Price: $$
- Mattress type: Foam
- Height: 10 inches
There’s no perfect mattress that can meet everyone’s sleep needs. But the Nolah mattress is a great option to consider if you’re in the market for a foam mattress.
The company describes this mattress as being specifically designed to support spinal alignment and sleep health. This mattress is made with their proprietary foam, which contains air bubbles designed to promote air flow and provide added comfort.
Many reviewers say this mattress helped relieve shoulder soreness and back pain right away. Others appreciate the medium firmness and call it an excellent mattress for the price.
This foam isn’t specifically designed to cool, but the company does say the absence of heat-trapping chemicals keeps the mattress temperature neutral by channeling body heat through the mattress — and several reviewers confirm this mattress does help them sleep cooler.
Some reviewers also say that it took some time to get used to the mattress, which isn’t uncommon when getting a new mattress.
An additional bonus: The company donates to Defenders of Wildlife with each mattress sold, so your purchase also supports an eco-friendly company and helps protect American wildlife.
Buy the Nolah Original 10-inch online.
Healthline’s picks for the best mattresses for stomach sleepers
Best cooling mattress for stomach sleepers
Brooklyn Aurora Hybrid
- Price: $$
- Mattress type: Hybrid
- Height: 13 inches
Sleeping prone means you have full frontal contact with your mattress. Because of this, many stomach sleepers tend to get very warm during the night.
The Aurora Hybrid from Brooklyn Bedding features innovative cooling technology that helps prevent this problem, making it a good option for people who sleep hot.
The foam in this hybrid mattress contains beads of cooling gel that liquify and solidify based on the surrounding temperature. The company says this cooling gel helps sleepers maintain a cooler skin temperature for better sleep.
The top layer of foam also contains copper for improved mattress responsiveness and durability. Added copper gel also helps wick away moisture and body heat for cooler sleep. Many reviewers praise the coolness of the mattress and say it makes a huge difference in the quality of their sleep.
The Aurora Hybrid, which comes in three levels of firmness, gets great reviews overall from stomach sleepers of varying body types. Some reviewers say they got enough support from the medium, while others say the firm mattress provided just the right balance of support and comfort.
If you aren’t sure which firmness level best meets your needs, you can chat with a sleep specialist directly on the site.
Buy the Brooklyn Aurora Hybrid online.
Best hybrid mattress for stomach sleepers
Helix Twilight
- Price: $$
- Mattress type: Hybrid
- Height: 12 inches
Stomach sleepers need firmer mattresses to provide enough spinal support and weight distribution. In other words, you don’t want a super-soft mattress that sucks you down into the bed and puts extra pressure on your spine.
The Helix Twilight is designed to offer support to sleepers who change positions throughout the night, but the firmness — which Helix rates between an 8 and 9 on the 10-point firmness scale — makes this a good option for stomach sleepers.
This mattress has two foam layers above individually wrapped coils. The additional “comfort layer” is designed to offer cushioning without detracting from the mattress’s support. A breathable cover helps keep the mattress cool as you sleep.
Helix mattresses are CertiPUR-US and OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified, which means tests have shown they contain no ozone-depleting substances or harmful chemicals.
A few reviewers say this mattress wasn’t as firm as they’d hoped, but others love the firm support for stomach sleeping. Many reviews also mention the lack of motion transfer and the good edge support.
Overall, reviewers praised Helix’s great customer support and call this a comfortable mattress that provides a great night’s sleep.
Buy the Helix Twilight online.
Best foam mattress for stomach sleepers
The Muse Mattress
- Price: $$
- Mattress type: Foam
- Height: 12 inches
Foam generally doesn’t make for a great mattress for stomach sleepers, since you’re more likely to feel as if you’re sinking into the mattress when lying prone. With The Muse Mattress, however, you can choose your preferred firmness. Muse specifically recommends their firm mattress for back and stomach sleepers.
This mattress may be a good option to consider if you want to feel cushioned but still sleep on the mattress, instead of in it. Don’t worry, though — if you find it too firm, the company will switch it for a different firmness after 20 nights. You can also return it for any reason within the 120-night trial period.
Muse designs their mattresses to provide support and durability for years. In one test, their foundational foam bounced back into shape after they compressed it for 2 years. They also make their mattress in the United States, with CertiPUR-US certified foam.
Several reviewers say they got great sleep and confirm this mattress does the trick for stomach sleepers. Many also praise the cooling technology. Not only does the mattress foam contain gel to help prevent heat transfer, the company knits the mattress covers from phase-changing yarn, which helps absorb heat and maintain all-night cool.
Buy The Muse Mattress online.
Best budget mattress for stomach sleepers
The Allswell
- Price: $
- Mattress type: Hybrid
- Height: 10 inches
This hybrid, medium-firm mattress offers comfortable, affordable support for stomach and combination sleepers. Individual coils help provide support and reduce motion transfer, while a memory foam layer infused with copper and graphite helps draw away body heat for cooler sleeping.
Several reviews confirm this mattress provides good support and low motion transfer, helping them sleep comfortably on their stomach through the night.
A few reviewers say it wasn’t quite firm enough for strict stomach sleepers, especially people with higher body weight. The cooling technology earned mixed reviews. Some people report sleeping a little warm, while others mention staying cool through the night.
By and large, reviewers praise the customer service and generally agree this is a good mattress for the price. You also get 100 nights to make sure this mattress really suits your needs.
Buy The Allswell online.
How to shop
Sleep position does matter when choosing a mattress, but you’ll also want to consider other important elements. As you shop, keep these factors in mind:
Mattress type
Mattresses come in three main types: innerspring, foam, and hybrid. Generally speaking, side sleepers do better on foam or softer hybrid mattresses, since they offer more cushioning and pressure relief.
Stomach sleepers often need a firmer hybrid or innerspring mattress for better support through the night.
Materials
Since memory foam can trap heat as you sleep, stomach sleepers may prefer latex or foam specially designed to improve airflow and keep the mattress cool.
Stomach sleepers may also want to consider pillow top mattresses with caution. These can add extra cushioning and support for side sleepers, but prone sleepers often end up feeling smothered, trapped, and overly warm.
Firmness
Pressure relief
Sleeping on your side puts pressure on your hip and shoulder, so a good mattress will help relieve that pressure to keep you comfortable and properly align your spine.
This matters less when you always sleep on your stomach, but you’ll want to make sure the mattress properly supports your torso and lower body.
Other considerations
If you sleep close to the edge or have trouble getting in and out of bed, you might need a mattress with strong edge support.
Sensitive to chemical odors? Check the reviews to note whether other people noticed lingering off-gassing.
Sleep with a partner? You’ll probably want a mattress that doesn’t transfer motion easily.
Company policies
It’s always best to try out your mattress before you buy it, and at-home sleep trials make this possible even when shopping online.
Before you purchase, check the warranty and make sure the retailer offers a sleep trial long enough for you to get a feel for your new mattress (30 days may not always cut it).
Sleeping positions and your health
Your ideal sleep position is the one that allows you to get the right amount of quality sleep.
If you snore or have sleep apnea, you might find that sleeping on your stomach improves your sleep. Still, stomach sleeping can cause back strain, so changing your sleep position may help prevent back and neck pain and improve your long-term sleep health.
Sleeping on your side or in the fetal position are considered better sleep positions.
Takeaway
Side sleepers, you’re in luck. Most people prefer to sleep on one side, according to a 2017 study, so you’re likely to find plenty of mattresses designed to meet your sleep needs.
If you sleep on your stomach, you may want to err on the firmer side and skip the pillow top, especially if your current mattress doesn’t provide enough support. Take advantage of those at-home sleep trials to make sure you settle on the right mattress, since there’s no substitute for good sleep.
Crystal Raypole has previously worked as a writer and editor for GoodTherapy. Her fields of interest include Asian languages and literature, Japanese translation, cooking, natural sciences, sex positivity, and mental health. In particular, she’s committed to helping decrease stigma around mental health issues.