Most of us know the feeling: You get home after a long day and want nothing more than to face-plant onto your trusty mattress. If you sleep on your stomach however, you risk more back and neck pain than other types of sleepers, particularly with softer mattresses. That’s why the best mattresses for stomach sleepers are firmer-than-average; firm mattresses will prevent your hips from sinking during the night so your spine stays as close as possible to natural alignment.
In addition to support, look for mattresses that have plush covers and top layers to ensure your front side stays comfortable. Lastly, firm mattresses range from memory foam to hybrid ones and can include different technologies to address specific needs. If you run hot for example, you’ll want a mattress that offers cooling abilities in addition to sturdiness.
To help you embrace your preferred dozing position, we’ve pulled together seven of the best mattresses for stomach sleepers, from cooling and hybrid ones to firmer options with very little give. Read on to enjoy pain-free nights ahead.
- Best Mattress For Stomach Sleepers Overall: Helix Dawn
- Best Cooling Mattress For Stomach Sleepers: WinkBeds The WinkBed
- Best Hybrid Mattress For Stomach Sleepers: Saatva Classic Mattress
- Best Mattress For Stomach-Sleeping Athletes: Bear Original Mattress
- Best Firm Mattress For Stomach Sleepers: Brooklyn Bedding Plank Mattress
- Best Mattress For Combination Sleepers And Couples: DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid Mattress
- Best Memory Foam Mattress For Stomach Sleepers: Casper Original Mattress
Best Mattress For Stomach Sleepers Overall
A Hybrid Mattress Made With Stomach And Back Sleepers In Mind
- Mattress Type: Hybrid
- Firmness: Firm (8 to 9 out of 10)
- Trial Period: 100 nights
Mattress companies have a hard job. You have to please side sleepers, back sleepers, stomach sleepers and more. One option is to offer a variety of mattresses with different levels of firmness, materials and target audiences—something that Helix Sleep has got down. The mattress retailer has six different mattresses across three different firmness levels, as well as “Luxe” versions of each. The Helix Dawn sits at the firmer end of the spectrum with back and stomach sleepers specifically in mind. The firm top layers and body contouring will keep stomach sleepers comfortable and properly supported while the breathable cover will keep them cool.
Best Cooling Mattress For Stomach Sleepers
Materials That Allow For Optimal Airflow And Breathability
- Mattress Type: Hybrid
- Firmness: Firmer (7.5 out of 10) or Plus (8 out of 10)
- Trial Period: 120 nights
Stomach sleepers have more of their body mass on the mattress than side sleepers, which could increase the overall heat between skin and material. That makes it all the more important to have a cool mattress. WinkBed’s hybrid mattresses allow better airflow than pure memory foam mattresses, thanks to the layer of pocketed coils. They also feature a eucalyptus-based fabric that stays cool and dry throughout the night. Combined with a gel-infused foam pillow top, the top layers are comfortable while the coils support healthy spinal alignment. Sleepers get to choose from four different firmness levels (the firmer option should be about right for those who sleep with their nose down or to the side).
Best Hybrid Mattress For Stomach Sleepers
A Fan Favorite That Supports Your Back
- Mattress Type: Hybrid
- Firmness: Firm (8 out of 10)
- Trial Period: 120 nights
Hybrid mattresses combine the best of memory foam and coils, providing plush comfort while still keeping you properly supported. This is even more important for stomach sleepers, who are arguably at the greatest risk of back pain thanks to their sleeping position. Soft cushioning helps keep their stomach, chest and hips comfortable. The Saatva Classic hybrid mattress features a substantial 3-inch pillow top made of breathable organic cotton, a layer of coils and zoned support to keep your spine in line. Though the Luxury Firm option only covers three firmness levels, stomach sleepers can choose Firm, which hits the sweet spot for support.
Best Mattress For Stomach-Sleeping Athletes
A Combination of Cooling Tech And Comfort
- Mattress Type: Memory foam
- Firmness: Medium firm (7 out of 10)
- Trial Period: 100 nights
Memory foam can be a tough sell for stomach sleepers thanks to its heat-trapping qualities and softer feel. If you sleep torso-down, you risk having your midsection sink, bringing your spine out of alignment. Fortunately, the Bear Original mattress comes in at just over a seven on the firmness scale, providing enough support to keep your back pain-free. Plus, the “Celliant” cover, which at first glance seems like another made-up word, uses sleep technology that keeps you cool while using your “body’s natural energy to promote recovery.” If you like to push your body, Bear should help you take on the next day with confidence.
Best Firm Mattress For Stomach Sleepers
A Stable Option With High-Density Construction
- Mattress Type: Memory foam
- Firmness: Firm (8 out of 10), Extra firm (10 out of 10)
- Trial Period: 120 nights
Brooklyn Bedding isn’t messing around when it comes to firmness levels. Its flippable memory foam Plank mattress is firm on one side and extra firm on the other. It also features a thick layer of high-density base foam to live up to its name. Stomach sleepers want to err on the side of firmer rather than softer to make sure their hips don’t sink during the night; with the Plank, you run a low risk of that happening. If you know you want a firm mattress but haven’t quite ventured into the seven to eight out of 10 territory, the dual option lets you go as far as you’re comfortable.
Best Mattress For Combination Sleepers And Couples
A Mattress With Stay-Put Technology And Targeted Support
- Mattress Type: Memory foam
- Firmness: Luxury firm (6.5 out of 10)
- Trial Period: 365 nights (one year)
It’s natural to move around at night but if you’re worried about waking up stiff or sore, you might fight off comfort and force yourself into an unnatural position. Instead, you could grab a mattress that works regardless of what your body does in the wee hours.
DreamCloud’s “luxury firm” firmness level helps with that. It’s constructed of three layers of foam on top of coils providing pressure-relief and comfort for your stomach and midsection. Targeted-support coils adapt based on the amount of pressure coming from your side, hip, butt or stomach. The DreamCloud’s stay-put technology also helps reduce motion transfer, letting your partner stay in dreamland while you search for the right position.
Best Memory Foam Mattress For Stomach Sleepers
An All-Around Great Choice That Offers Pressure Relief
- Mattress Type: Memory foam
- Firmness: Medium firm (7 out of 10)
- Trial Period: 100 nights
Casper was—and still is—one of the first names that comes to mind when thinking of buying a mattress online. Perhaps not surprisingly, the brand has transitioned from “noisy newcomer” to “old and faithful” by now, and boasts a reputation of being a quality, wide-ranging mattress that lots of people love. Stomach sleepers are a bit of a unique breed, but if you’re looking for a bed that has wide appeal, Casper is a great place to start.
Casper already faces an uphill battle with stomach sleepers in that it’s made purely of foam. That said, it’s on the firmer end of what’s available for non-hybrid or spring mattresses, providing lots of support along with comfort for stomach sleepers.
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What To Consider When Purchasing A Mattress For Stomach Sleepers
Before you commit to purchasing a brand new mattress, there are a few factors you’ll want to keep in mind.
Firmness
Stomach sleepers benefit from a firmer mattresses as opposed to a softer one. A mattress that is too soft can pull your spine out of alignment by causing your hips to sink, resulting in uneven alignment and back pain. Firm mattresses will provide proper support for your front and back, keeping your spine level when you’re on your stomach. This can help ensure that you’re not waking up with aches and pains. Mattresses also come in different firmness levels, ranging from medium-firm to luxury-firm, which offers a balance by adding a plush top or layer. Numbers scale from 1 to 10 so see where your chosen mattress falls, depending on how firm you want it to be.
Material
These days, most mattresses come in memory foam or hybrid styles. Both styles provide contoured support by molding to your body shape and responding to heat. They also offer a soft edge to firmer mattresses for comfort. Memory foam mattresses reduce motion transfer as well, which makes them ideal for couples. Because they can run hot, you’d have to search for one that includes cooling technology if you’re a hot sleeper. Hybrid mattresses give you both benefits in one: tailored body support with foam layers at the top and cooling capabilities with coils that promote airflow beneath.
Trial Period
One of the best perks of purchasing a mattress online is the trial period retailers offer to combat the fact that you can’t try before you buy. A mattress is a big financial investment after all, so make sure the retailer offers a flexible trial period before you purchase so that you have ample time to test out your mattress. Most trial periods range from three months to a year.
Other Features
Once you’ve narrowed down your options, you can focus on additional features to confirm which is the best mattress for you. The most common feature is cooling technology, most beneficial for those who run hot through the night. Other features include reduced motion transfer so you don’t feel your partner moving in bed, cushioned top layers for cloud-like comfort and softness and eco-friendly certification (if being environmentally-conscious is important to you).
