Stomach sleeping is a common but often problematic sleep position. While some people find it comfortable and relaxing, others may experience neck pain, back pain, or breathing difficulties due to the pressure and misalignment caused by sleeping on their stomachs. Therefore, choosing the right mattress for stomach sleepers is crucial for ensuring a good night’s sleep and avoiding potential health issues.
In this post, we will review the best mattresses for stomach sleepers based on our research and testing. We will also provide a buyer’s guide to help you understand what factors to consider when shopping for a mattress as a stomach sleeper. By the end of this post, you should have a clear idea of which mattress suits your needs and preferences best.
What are the Benefits and Drawbacks of Stomach Sleeping?
Stomach sleeping is not recommended by most sleep experts, as it can have several negative effects on your body and health. However, some people may still prefer this position for various reasons. Here are some of the benefits and drawbacks of stomach sleeping:
Benefits
- Stomach sleeping may reduce snoring and sleep apnea, as it can open up the airways and prevent the tongue from falling back into the throat.
- Stomach sleeping may ease acid reflux and heartburn, as it can prevent the stomach contents from rising up into the esophagus.
- Stomach sleeping may be comfortable and soothing for some people, especially those who have anxiety or stress.
Drawbacks
- Stomach sleeping may cause neck pain and stiffness, as it can force the head to turn to one side for long periods of time, straining the muscles and nerves in the neck.
- Stomach sleeping may cause back pain and spinal misalignment, as it can flatten the natural curve of the spine and create pressure points in the lower back.
- Stomach sleeping may cause facial wrinkles and acne, as it can rub the face against the pillow and mattress, causing friction and irritation.
How to Choose the Best Mattress for Stomach Sleepers?
The best mattress for stomach sleepers should provide adequate support, comfort, and pressure relief for your body. It should also be breathable, durable, and suitable for your budget and preference. Here are some factors to consider when choosing a mattress for stomach sleepers:
- Firmness: The firmness of a mattress is measured on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being very soft and 10 being very hard. The ideal firmness level for stomach sleepers depends on their body weight, shape, and preference. In general, most stomach sleepers need a medium-firm to firm mattress (around 6 to 8 on the scale), as it can prevent excessive sinkage around the midsection and keep the spine aligned. However, some stomach sleepers may prefer a softer or harder mattress depending on their comfort level.
- Support: The support of a mattress refers to how well it can maintain a flat and even surface that can hold up your body weight without sagging or collapsing. A good support system should be strong enough to prevent spinal misalignment and back pain, but also flexible enough to adapt to your body shape and movements. A poor support system can cause sagging, sinking, or arching, which can lead to pressure points and discomfort.
- Pressure Relief: The pressure relief of a mattress refers to how well it can cushion your body and distribute your weight evenly across the surface. A good pressure relief system should conform to your body shape and cradle your hips and shoulders, which are the areas that bear most of your body weight when sleeping on your stomach. A poor pressure relief system can cause pain and stiffness in these areas, as well as reduced blood circulation.
- Mattress Type: The type of mattress refers to the materials and construction of the mattress. There are four main types of mattresses: foam, innerspring, hybrid, and latex. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages for stomach sleepers:
- Foam: Foam mattresses are made of layers of foam, such as memory foam or polyfoam. Foam mattresses are known for their pressure relief, motion isolation, and contouring abilities. However, they may also trap heat, have poor edge support, and lack bounce.
- Innerspring: Innerspring mattresses are made of coils that provide support and durability. Innerspring mattresses are known for their breathability, edge support, and bounce. However, they may also cause pressure points, transfer motion, and make noise.
- Hybrid: Hybrid mattresses are made of a combination of foam and coils. Hybrid mattresses are known for their balance of comfort and support, as they offer the best of both foam and innerspring mattresses. However, they may also be expensive, heavy, and prone to sagging.
- Latex: Latex mattresses are made of natural or synthetic rubber. Latex mattresses are known for their responsiveness, durability, and eco-friendliness. However, they may also be expensive, heavy, and allergenic.
- Other Factors: Besides the factors mentioned above, there are other factors that you may want to consider when choosing a mattress for stomach sleepers:
- Temperature Regulation: Some mattresses may sleep hot or cold depending on their materials and construction. If you tend to sleep hot or cold, you may want to look for a mattress that has cooling features or breathable fabrics.
- Motion Isolation: Some mattresses may isolate motion better than others depending on their materials and construction. If you share your bed with a partner or a pet, you may want a mattress that has motion isolation features or breathable fabrics to reduce disturbances and improve your sleep quality.
- Edge Support: Some mattresses may have stronger or weaker edge support depending on their materials and construction. Edge support refers to how well the mattress holds up along the edges, which can affect your comfort and safety. If you tend to sleep or sit near the edge of the bed, you may want to look for a mattress that has good edge support to prevent sagging or rolling off.
- Durability: Some mattresses may last longer or shorter depending on their materials and construction. Durability refers to how well the mattress maintains its shape, firmness, and performance over time. If you want to invest in a mattress that can serve you for years, you may want to look for a mattress that has high-quality materials and a long warranty period.
- Customer Satisfaction: Some mattresses may have higher or lower customer satisfaction ratings depending on their quality and service. Customer satisfaction refers to how happy and satisfied the customers are with their purchase and experience. If you want to buy a mattress that has positive reviews and feedback, you may want to look for a mattress that has high customer satisfaction ratings and a generous trial period.
What are the Best Mattresses for Stomach Sleepers?
Based on our research and testing, we have selected the best mattresses for stomach sleepers in 2023. Here are our top 5 picks:
- Best Overall: Saatva Classic
- Best Value: Nectar Mattress
- Best Innerspring: WinkBed
- Best Memory Foam: Tuft & Needle Original
- Best Cooling: Purple Mattress
Best Overall: Saatva Classic
The Saatva Classic is our best overall pick for the best mattress for stomach sleepers because of its customizable options and durable construction. This mattress is an innerspring that features two layers of coils: a base layer of steel coils that provide support and stability, and a top layer of individually wrapped coils that provide contouring and responsiveness. It also has a layer of memory foam that provides extra pressure relief.
The Saatva Classic has an organic cotton cover that is soft and breathable. It also has a 15-year warranty and a 180-night trial period. The best part of this mattress is that you can choose from three firmness levels (plush soft, luxury firm, or firm) and two height options (11.5 inches or 14.5 inches) to suit your preferences.
The Saatva Classic is available in sizes Twin to California King, and it costs $1,696 for a Queen size with an 11.5-inch height. You can buy it from the Saatva website or from authorized retailers.
Best Value: Nectar Mattress
The Nectar Mattress is our best value pick for the best mattress for stomach sleepers because of its affordable price and excellent performance. This mattress is made of three layers of foam: a base layer of high-density polyfoam that provides support and durability, a transition layer of adaptive foam that provides cushioning and transition, and a top layer of gel-infused memory foam that provides pressure relief and cooling.
The Nectar Mattress has a Tencel cover that is soft and breathable. It also has a lifetime warranty and a 365-night trial period. The only downside of this mattress is that it may have some edge support issues and some off-gassing when new. However, these issues are minor and should fade away over time.
The Nectar Mattress is available in sizes Twin to California King, and it costs $799 for a Queen size. You can buy it from the Nectar website or from Amazon.
Best Innerspring: WinkBed
The WinkBed is our best innerspring pick for the best mattress for stomach sleepers because of its hybrid design and reinforced midsection. This mattress combines memory foam and pocketed coils to offer both pressure relief and support. It also has a medium-firm feel that suits most stomach sleepers.
The WinkBed has a Tencel cover that is soft and breathable. It also has a lifetime warranty and a 120-night trial period. The only downside of this mattress is that it may be too heavy and hard to maneuver. However, this issue is minor and should not affect your sleep quality.
The WinkBed is available in sizes Twin to California King, and it costs $1,599 for a Queen size. You can buy it from the WinkBed website or from authorized retailers.
Best Memory Foam: Tuft & Needle Original
The Tuft & Needle Original is our best memory foam pick for the best mattress for stomach sleepers because of its simple design and balanced feel. This mattress is made of two layers of foam: a base layer of high-density polyfoam that provides support and durability, and a top layer of adaptive foam that provides pressure relief and breathability. It also has a medium-firm feel that works well for most stomach sleepers.
The Tuft & Needle Original has a polyester cover that is soft and stretchy. It also has a 10-year warranty and a 100-night trial period. The only downside of this mattress is that it may have some edge support issues and some off-gassing when new. However, these issues are minor and should fade away over time.
The Tuft & Needle Original is available in sizes Twin to California King, and it costs $796 for a Queen size. You can buy it from the Tuft & Needle website or from Amazon.
Best Cooling: Purple Mattress
The Purple Mattress is our best cooling pick for the best mattress for stomach sleepers because of its unique material and airflow. This mattress is made of three layers: a base layer of high-density polyfoam that provides support and durability, a transition layer of medium-density polyfoam that provides cushioning and transition, and a top layer of hyper-elastic polymer that provides pressure relief and temperature regulation. It also has a medium-firm feel that adapts to your body shape and weight.
The Purple Mattress has a polyester cover that is soft and breathable. It also has a 10-year warranty and a 100-night trial period. The only downside of this mattress is that it may have some edge support issues and some weight limit restrictions. However, these issues are minor and should not affect your sleep quality.
The Purple Mattress is available in sizes Twin to California King, and it costs $1,258 for a Queen size. You can buy it from the Purple website or from Amazon.
Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Mattress for Stomach Sleepers
As a stomach sleeper, you have specific needs and preferences when it comes to choosing a mattress. Here are some factors to consider before buying a mattress:
- Firmness: The firmness level of a mattress is measured on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being very soft and 10 being very hard. The ideal firmness level for you depends on your personal preference, body weight, and sleeping position. In general, most stomach sleepers need a medium-firm to firm mattress (around 6 to 8 on the scale), as it can prevent excessive sinkage around the midsection and keep the spine aligned. However, some stomach sleepers may prefer a softer or firmer mattress depending on their comfort level.
- Support: The support of a mattress refers to how well it can maintain a flat and even surface that can hold up your body weight without sagging or collapsing. A good support system should be strong enough to prevent spinal misalignment and back pain, but also flexible enough to adapt to your body shape and movements. A poor support system can cause sagging, sinking, or arching, which can lead to pressure points and discomfort.
- Pressure Relief: The pressure relief of a mattress refers to how well it can cushion your body and distribute your weight evenly across the surface. A good pressure relief system should conform to your body shape and cradle your hips and shoulders, which are the areas that bear most of your body weight when sleeping on your stomach. A poor pressure relief system can cause pain and stiffness in these areas, as well as reduced blood circulation.
- Mattress Type: The type of mattress refers to the materials and construction of the mattress. There are four main types of mattresses: foam, innerspring, hybrid, and latex. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages for stomach sleepers:
- Foam: Foam mattresses are made of layers of foam, such as memory foam or polyfoam. Foam mattresses are known for their pressure relief, motion isolation, and contouring abilities. However, they may also trap heat, have poor edge support, and lack bounce.
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- Innerspring: Innerspring mattresses are made of coils that provide support and durability. Innerspring mattresses are known for their breathability, edge support, and bounce. However, they may also cause pressure points, transfer motion, and make noise.
- Hybrid: Hybrid mattresses are made of a combination of foam and coils. Hybrid mattresses are known for their balance of comfort and support, as they offer the best of both foam and innerspring mattresses. However, they may also be expensive, heavy, and prone to sagging.
- Latex: Latex mattresses are made of natural or synthetic rubber. Latex mattresses are known for their responsiveness, durability, and eco-friendliness. However, they may also be expensive, heavy, and allergenic.
- Other Factors: Besides the factors mentioned above, there are other factors that you may want to consider when choosing a mattress for stomach sleepers:
- Temperature Regulation: Some mattresses may sleep hot or cold depending on their materials and construction. If you tend to sleep hot or cold, you may want to look for a mattress that has cooling features or breathable fabrics.
- Motion Isolation: Some mattresses may isolate motion better than others depending on their materials and construction. If you share your bed with a partner or a pet, you may want a mattress that has motion isolation features or breathable fabrics to reduce disturbances and improve your sleep quality.
- Edge Support: Some mattresses may have stronger or weaker edge support depending on their materials and construction. Edge support refers to how well the mattress holds up along the edges, which can affect your comfort and safety. If you tend to sleep or sit near the edge of the bed, you may want to look for a mattress that has good edge support to prevent sagging or rolling off.
- Durability: Some mattresses may last longer or shorter depending on their materials and construction. Durability refers to how well the mattress maintains its shape, firmness, and performance over time. If you want to invest in a mattress that can serve you for years, you may want to look for a mattress that has high-quality materials and a long warranty period.
- Customer Satisfaction: Some mattresses may have higher or lower customer satisfaction ratings depending on their quality and service. Customer satisfaction refers to how happy and satisfied the customers are with their purchase and experience. If you want to buy a mattress that has positive reviews and feedback, you may want to look for a mattress that has high customer satisfaction ratings and a generous trial period.
Summary
To sum up, here are our top 5 picks for the best mattress for stomach sleepers in 2023:
- Best Overall: Saatva Classic
- Best Value: Nectar Mattress
- Best Innerspring: WinkBed
- Best Memory Foam: Tuft & Needle Original
- Best Cooling: Purple Mattress
We hope this post has been helpful and informative for you. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact us or leave them below. Happy sleeping!