When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Products or services may be offered by an affiliated entity. Learn more.
Best Mattress for Athletes of 2026
Sleep Foundation
Why Trust Us
Our mission to create a healthier, more well-rested world demands that our product reviews be best-in-class. You won’t find more expertise on mattresses and sleep products anywhere else.
The Sleep Foundation product testing team uses an industry-leading evaluation process paired with real world consumer feedback to come up with objective recommendations so that you can feel confident in your product decisions.
If you’re physically active, a good night’s rest is an especially important part of your recovery routine. Whether you run, bike, swim, or lift weights, a mattress that reduces pressure in your most sensitive areas and helps your body recover overnight can be an invaluable investment. And if your bed does not share these qualities, you might wake up feeling stiffer and more strained than before you turned off the light.
Our #1 Pick: Bear Elite Hybrid
A responsive mattress that sleeps cool, the Bear Elite Hybrid is our top pick. Our active team members liked how the mattress contoured to their bodies and cushioned pressure-heavy areas along their spines.
Read on to see our full list of best mattresses for back sleepers of 2026 based on performance ratings from our in-house testing team, in-depth product inspections, and verified reviews from real mattress owners.
Our Top Picks
Best Mattress Overall
:Bear Elite Hybrid
Shop Now
Best Value Mattress
:Layla Memory Foam Mattress
Shop Now
Most Comfortable Mattress
:Helix Midnight
Shop Now
Best Mattress for Muscle Recovery
:Brooklyn Bedding Spartan
Shop Now
Best Mattress for Back Pain
:WinkBed
Shop Now
Best Mattress for Side Sleepers
:Nolah Evolution 15
Shop Now
Best Mattress for Spinal Alignment
:Silk & Snow Hybrid
Shop Now
Best Mattress for Combination Sleepers
:DLX Premier Hybrid
Shop Now
Best Mattress for Heavier Athletes
:Titan Plus Luxe
Shop Now
Best Mattress Deals Happening Now
- Save $849 — Bear Elite Hybrid
$1,578(List Price $2,427) - Save $150 — Layla Memory Foam Mattress
$949(List Price $1,099) - Save $333 — Helix Midnight
$999(List Price $1,332) - Save $500 — Brooklyn Bedding Spartan
$1,499(List Price $1,999) - Save $771 — WinkBed
$1,799(List Price $2,570)
How We Tested the Best Mattresses for Athletes
Testing Criteria
Arthritis can make sleep uncomfortable, especially if joints aren’t properly supported or pressure builds overnight. When it came to finding the best mattress for arthritis, we focused on beds that can help reduce joint stress, promote ease of movement throughout the night, and help maintain neutral spinal alignment.
The following criteria guided our evaluation of mattresses that are best suited for sleepers managing arthritis-related discomfort.
Pain and pressure relief: Effective pressure relief is essential for reducing joint pain. We prioritized mattresses that can adapt to the body’s shape and absorb weight evenly while resisting sagging over time. Materials like foam and latex tend to perform well here since they cradle and cushion sensitive joints without creating additional pressure buildup.
Ease of movement: Stiffness and limited mobility can make it harder to change positions during the night. We evaluated how responsive each mattress feels and how easily sleepers can move, sit, or get in and out of bed. Strong edge support was also a key consideration for reducing strain during transitions.
Spinal support and alignment: Proper spinal alignment can help minimize strain on joints and surrounding muscles. We assessed how well each mattress supports the spine in a neutral position, especially for common pressure areas like the hips, lower back, and shoulders.
How We Evaluated
Supporting athletic recovery requires a mattress that offers pressure relief, stability, and responsiveness. Our evaluation paired broad performance analysis with hands-on testing in our Seattle Test Lab.
We began by reviewing sleeper ratings and performance data across key areas tied to athletic comfort and recovery, including:
- Different types of mattresses, like hybrid, innerspring, and foam
- Variety of firmness options
- Exceptional support and contouring
Our testing centered on identifying mattresses in our database of more than 2,000 models that consistently performed well across these measures when subjected to varied body weights and sleep positions.
Multiple testers with different sleep styles evaluated each mattress to provide insight into real-world performance. We also compared results across constructions to ensure a range of feel options that still meet recovery and performance needs.
Based on these findings, we selected mattresses that provide the most effective pressure relief and support for athletic sleepers, while also making it easy for them to shift sleep positions.
Our Testing Team
Logan Foley
Editorial Director
Full Bio
Mary Fenton
Head of Product Content
Full Bio
Jeremy Klein
Senior Product Testing Manager
Full Bio
Brad Nehring
Senior Product Analyst
Full Bio
Colin Simpson
Product Research Manager
Full Bio
Best Mattress Overall: Bear Elite Hybrid
Best Mattress Overall
8.5/10Test Lab Score
Bear Elite Hybrid
A close-conforming memory foam hybrid offering great pressure relief.
Key Details
- Who It’s Best For: Side sleepers under 230 pounds (softest model), as well as heavier side sleepers and back sleepers across all weight groups (medium).
- Feel: Medium (5), medium firm (6), and firm (8) options. Some bounce but plenty of cushioning. Level of sink varies according to the firmness option.
- What It’s Made Of: Quilted cover with phase change material, comfort system is copper-infused memory foam and transitional polyfoam, and the support core is zoned pocketed coils featuring lumbar and edge reinforcement.
- What We Don’t Like: Extra charge for the Celliant cover. May be too thick for standard fitted sheets.
Scoring & Reviews
The following ratings show how suitable this mattress is for different sleeping positions and sleeper weights. These scores are determined by how well the mattress supports and relieves pressure for each sleeper type.
In addition to the hands-on feedback from our team, we conduct a number of quantitative tests in our Test Lab. The below ratings are based on the experience of our testers.
Performance
Best Value Mattress: Layla Memory Foam Mattress
Best Value Mattress
8.4/10Test Lab Score
Layla Memory Foam Mattress
The gold standard of dual-sided mattresses with a pleasant memory foam feel.
Key Details
- Who It’s Best For: Side sleepers (soft side) and back and stomach sleeping (firmer side).
- Feel: Cloud-like pressure relief, particularly on the medium soft (4) side. The firm (7) side offers sturdier support to keep the spine on an even plane.
- What It’s Made Of: Softer side has a layer of copper gel memory foam, plus a second layer of polyfoam with zoned grooves. The firmer side has just a thin layer of copper gel memory foam over a firmer polyfoam core, which provides support for both sides.
- What We Don’t Like: Not much bounce or pushback. Weaker edges than a hybrid.
Scoring & Reviews
The following ratings show how suitable this mattress is for different sleeping positions and sleeper weights. These scores are determined by how well the mattress supports and relieves pressure for each sleeper type.
In addition to the hands-on feedback from our team, we conduct a number of quantitative tests in our Test Lab. The below ratings are based on the experience of our testers.
Performance
Most Comfortable Mattress: Helix Midnight
Most Comfortable Mattress
9.1/10Test Lab Score
Helix Midnight
A highly customizable, universally appealing hybrid.
Key Details
- Who It’s Best For: Side and back sleepers, especially those between 130 and 230 pounds, as well as couples.
- Feel: Medium firm (6). Some pushback with foam-like comfort.
- What It’s Made Of: Breathable knit cover, with an optional upgrade to a cooling cover. Layers of memory foam and polyfoam, a pocketed coil support core with reinforced sides on top of a polyfoam base layer.
- What We Don’t Like: Too soft for stomach sleepers.
Scoring & Reviews
The following ratings show how suitable this mattress is for different sleeping positions and sleeper weights. These scores are determined by how well the mattress supports and relieves pressure for each sleeper type.
In addition to the hands-on feedback from our team, we conduct a number of quantitative tests in our Test Lab. The below ratings are based on the experience of our testers.
Performance
Best Mattress for Muscle Recovery: Brooklyn Bedding Spartan
Best Mattress for Muscle Recovery
8.4/10Test Lab Score
Brooklyn Bedding Spartan
A supportive foam hybrid created with active people in mind.
Key Details
- Who It’s Best For: Sleepers across all weight groups and sleeping positions, depending on model.
- Feel: The soft (4) model lets sleepers sink in a little more, while the medium firm (6) model provides looser contouring, and the firm (7) model mostly keeps sleepers on top of the bed.
- What It’s Made Of: Far infrared technology in the cover. Copper-infused foam with cooling phase change material, followed by layers of responsive polyfoam and gel memory foam. The mattress has an 8-inch pocketed coil system with 3-zone support and reinforced sides.
- What We Don’t Like: Couples with very different sleep styles may find it hard to compromise. Returns fee of $99.
Scoring & Reviews
The following ratings show how suitable this mattress is for different sleeping positions and sleeper weights. These scores are determined by how well the mattress supports and relieves pressure for each sleeper type.
In addition to the hands-on feedback from our team, we conduct a number of quantitative tests in our Test Lab. The below ratings are based on the experience of our testers.
Performance
Best Mattress for Back Pain: WinkBed
Best Mattress for Back Pain
9.4/10Test Lab Score
WinkBed
High end hybrid bed providing ample support, cushion, and cool sleep.
Key Details
- Who It’s Best For: Sleepers of most body types and sleeping positions, depending on model.
- Feel: Medium soft (4), medium firm (6), firm (7), and firm (8). All are bouncy and breathable with supportive edges.
- What It’s Made Of: Moisture-wicking Tencel cover and a Euro-top quilted with gel-infused foams. Next, responsive foams with increasingly firmer support, with an extra foam pad. The support core is pocketed coils, reinforced around the edges and under the lower back.
- What We Don’t Like: Doesn’t offer the close “hug” of a memory foam model. Return fee of $49.
Scoring & Reviews
The following ratings show how suitable this mattress is for different sleeping positions and sleeper weights. These scores are determined by how well the mattress supports and relieves pressure for each sleeper type.
In addition to the hands-on feedback from our team, we conduct a number of quantitative tests in our Test Lab. The below ratings are based on the experience of our testers.
Performance
Best Mattress for Side Sleepers: Nolah Evolution 15
Best Mattress for Side Sleepers
8.7/10Test Lab Score
Nolah Evolution 15
A cloud-like experience with a plush euro-top in multiple firmnes options.
Key Details
- Who It’s Best For: Side sleepers (softer models) and back and stomach sleepers (firmer options).
- Feel: Medium (5), medium firm (6), and firm (8) options. Performance varies, but expect a responsive surface and strong edges.
- What It’s Made Of: Quilted Euro-top cover with phase change material. Three layers of pressure-relieving polyfoam, including a zoned middle layer. The support core is pocketed coils that rest on a polyfoam base layer.
- What We Don’t Like: Requires deep pocket fitted sheets. Return fee of $99.
Scoring & Reviews
The following ratings show how suitable this mattress is for different sleeping positions and sleeper weights. These scores are determined by how well the mattress supports and relieves pressure for each sleeper type.
In addition to the hands-on feedback from our team, we conduct a number of quantitative tests in our Test Lab. The below ratings are based on the experience of our testers.
Performance
Best Mattress for Spinal Alignment: Silk & Snow Hybrid
Best Mattress for Spinal Alignment
7.8/10Test Lab Score
Silk & Snow Hybrid
An affordable hybrid mattress with close-conforming foam layers.
Key Details
- Who It’s Best For: Side and back sleepers under 130 pounds (medium soft model). Heavier people and stomach sleepers under 130 pounds (medium firm).
- Feel: Medium soft models feel plush and adaptive, hugging your body closely. The firm design has lighter contour, and you won’t sink into the mattress as much.
- What It’s Made Of: Quilted foam cover, 2-inch layer of contouring gel memory foam, and a pocketed coil core with zoned lumbar support for better spinal alignment. The coils are made from strong, double-tempered steel and surrounded by a polyfoam encasement.
- What We Don’t Like: Both are too soft for stomach sleepers over 130 pounds.
Scoring & Reviews
The following ratings show how suitable this mattress is for different sleeping positions and sleeper weights. These scores are determined by how well the mattress supports and relieves pressure for each sleeper type.
In addition to the hands-on feedback from our team, we conduct a number of quantitative tests in our Test Lab. The below ratings are based on the experience of our testers.
Performance
Best Mattress for Combination Sleepers: DLX Premier Hybrid
Best Mattress for Combination Sleepers
8.6/10Test Lab Score
DLX Premier Hybrid
Versatile hybrid with six differet firmness options.
Key Details
- Who It’s Best For: People with back or hip pain, hot sleepers, and couples with different firmness preferences.
- Feel: Available in medium soft (4), medium firm (6), and firm (8) designs, with a split dual-firmness option for sizes queen and larger.
- What It’s Made Of: A panel of moisture-wicking viscose over three adaptive foam layers in the comfort system, followed by a support core with perimeter-reinforced pocketed coils and high-density base foam.
- What We Don’t Like: Initial off-gassing odor can be strong and persist for several nights after unboxing.
Scoring & Reviews
The following ratings show how suitable this mattress is for different sleeping positions and sleeper weights. These scores are determined by how well the mattress supports and relieves pressure for each sleeper type.
In addition to the hands-on feedback from our team, we conduct a number of quantitative tests in our Test Lab. The below ratings are based on the experience of our testers.
Performance
Best Mattress for Heavier Athletes: Titan Plus Luxe
Best Mattress for Heavier Athletes
8.4/10Test Lab Score
Titan Plus Luxe
Ultra-firm support and cooling properties meet a plush Euro-top surface.
Key Details
- Who It’s Best For: People up to 500 pounds (1,000 pounds total if sleeping with a partner), particuarly side sleepers over 130 pounds and back sleepers between 130 and 230 pounds.
- Feel: Medium firm (6), with an initial layer of plushness that cedes to the firmer support layer below and strong edges.
- What It’s Made Of: Gel-quilted cover, with an optional cooling cover for an additional fee. Next are two foam layers, followed by an 8-inch pocketed coil core. The bed sits on a 1-inch layer of high-density polyfoam.
- What We Don’t Like: Too firm for those less than 130 pounds, especially side sleepers. Return fee of $99.
Scoring & Reviews
The following ratings show how suitable this mattress is for different sleeping positions and sleeper weights. These scores are determined by how well the mattress supports and relieves pressure for each sleeper type.
In addition to the hands-on feedback from our team, we conduct a number of quantitative tests in our Test Lab. The below ratings are based on the experience of our testers.
Performance
Why Sleep Is Important for Physical Activity
For athletes and physically active individuals, quality sleep is just as important as training and nutrition when it comes to performance.
Lack of proper rest can lead to slower reaction times, decreased endurance, and a higher risk of injury, making it harder to perform at your best. A supportive, pressure-relieving mattress can improve sleep quality by promoting muscle recovery, reducing joint strain, and ensuring proper spinal alignment, so you wake up feeling refreshed and ready to take on your next challenge.
How to Choose a Mattress for Athletes
Some mattresses are designed specifically with athletes and other physically active people in mind. They are constructed with pressure-relieving comfort layers, support materials that won’t sag too much, and innovative covers engineered to alleviate aches and pains even after your toughest days at the gym.
As you shop for a new mattress, you’ll undoubtedly notice plenty of marketing hyperbole, such as “universal comfort,” “forever lifespan,” or “the perfect bed.” Ignore this jargon. You should select a new mattress based on your personal preferences and needs as a physically active person. The factors below should be your most important considerations.
Firmness Level
Firmness is measured on a 1-10 scale, with 1 being the softest and 10 the firmest. Softer mattresses usually conform more closely, so if you experience frequent pressure points or you sleep on your side and want better spinal alignment, a bed with a 3 to 5 rating will probably be most comfortable. Lighter people also tend to prefer softer beds.
Firmer mattresses do not contour as much, but they keep sleepers on an even plane using high-density foam, coils, and other supportive materials. This makes them well-suited for heavier people who sink too much on softer beds, especially back and stomach sleepers who need extra reinforcement.
If your firmness preferences fluctuate, then a mattress with adjustable firmness might be the way to go. Many couples also have different preferences, and in these cases, we recommend a mattress with dual-firmness. This allows you and your partner to enjoy your preferred balance of comfort and support.
Pressure Relief and Contouring
Some people want a deep body cradle while others like to sleep on a flush, even surface that barely sinks. If you’re unsure which contouring level is best for you, online sleep trials can also help you narrow down your ideal setting.
If you experience pressure points due to physical activity or other reasons, you should seek out mattresses that conform closely enough to your body without sinking, sagging, or losing support. Consider your body type and sleep position, as well.
Temperature Regulation
A mattress with good breathability and moisture-wicking properties prevents overheating. Hybrids have good airflow because of their coil systems, and latex promotes breathability by not conforming too closely.
Temperature regulation ensures that the body can maintain a balanced temperature, promoting deeper, more restful sleep, which is essential for muscle repair, reducing inflammation, and boosting overall energy levels.
Thickness
Mattress thickness affects support and ease of getting on and off the bed. Athletes’ needs vary, but body type and sleep position are key factors for choosing the right mattress. Low-profile mattresses (under 10 inches) may not be supportive enough for heavier people, while high-profile ones (over 12 inches) tend to be softer and easier to get on and off. Medium-profile mattresses (10-12 inches) offer a balance of comfort and support.
Our recommendation: Test out a few different mattress profiles either in a brick-and-mortar store or using online mattress brand sleep trials. These experiences can help you decide which profile range will be most suitable for your needs and active lifestyle.
Price
While high-end mattresses often come with advanced cooling, pressure relief, and zoned support, budget-friendly options can still provide the essential features needed for quality rest.
Look for the best value rather than just the lowest price, prioritizing materials and construction that enhance muscle recovery, improve spinal alignment, and regulate temperature. A mattress is an investment in long-term health and performance, so finding a balance between affordability and quality ensures better sleep without unnecessary spending.
Quality of Materials
Mattress materials are linked to durability. High-density foam, organic latex, thick coils, and other components will probably last longer than materials of lesser quality. Materials also impact breathability, pressure relief, edge support, and other performance factors.
Edge Support
A mattress with reinforced edges provides a stable sleep surface, preventing excessive sinkage when sitting or lying near the perimeter. This is especially beneficial for larger or more muscular individuals, as it maximizes usable space and ensures better support when getting in and out of bed. Additionally, good edge support enhances durability, ensuring the mattress maintains its shape and structure over time.
Ease of Movement
A bed that allows for smooth position changes prevents sleepers from feeling “stuck,” which is especially important for those with sore muscles or joint stiffness. Responsive materials, such as latex or hybrid designs with pocketed coils, provide a balance of contouring and support without excessive sinkage, making it easier to shift positions or get out of bed after an intense workout. Choosing a mattress that promotes easy movement helps athletes avoid discomfort and maintain undisturbed, high-quality sleep for optimal recovery.
What Type of Mattress Is Best for Athletes?
Mattresses can use a wide array of materials, but most models can be classified as one of the five main types. Individual mattress models may have some variations, but most mattresses in the same category share some similar traits.
Hybrid
Definition: Hybrid mattresses combine a coil core with a comfort system that may contain memory foam, polyfoam, latex, microcoils, wool, or a combination of materials. This design aims to fuse the benefits of multiple types of mattresses without as many potential drawbacks.
Highlight: Balanced Pressure Relief and Temperature Regulation.Hybrid models are typically a good fit for athletes because they strike a balance between cushioning and support. They usually have thick comfort layers that can help relieve aches and pains while their coils provide good pushback.Their coil cores also allow good airflow.
Foam
Definition: Memory foam and polyfoam are the most common materials used in all-foam models. Most use memory foam in their comfort systems, though models can be constructed entirely of polyfoam for a firmer, springy feel.
Highlight: Pressure-Relieving Hug.Foam mattresses, especially those that use memory foam, are known for their hug. This close contouring can help redistribute the sleeper’s weight to ward off pressure buildup, so foam mattresses can be a good fit for athletes with sore muscles.
Innerspring
Definition: Innerspring models are a more traditional design made primarily of springs. While the bulk of an innerspring is its coil core, some also contain thin comfort layers. Since they have been on the market for a long time, innersprings also tend to be more affordable.
Highlight: Breathability. Air flows through coil systems, so innerspring models tend to be quite breathable. Innerspring models don’t conform closely and have a traditional, bouncy feel that some sleepers prefer. That said, if you tend to experience pressure points, an innerspring may not provide enough cushioning for you.
Latex
Definition: Latex foam is made using the sap of rubber trees, and there are also synthetic and blended versions. There are two main types depending on how the latex is processed. Talalay latex has a bouncier feel and is generally more breathable, making it a popular choice for comfort layers. Dunlop latex is usually denser and more durable. It may be used in a comfort layer or support core.
Highlight: Contouring Without Much Sinking. Latex tends to compress over a wider area when weight is applied. It usually contours enough for good pressure relief, but it doesn’t allow as much sinking as all-foam models. Many sleepers liken this to a floating sensation.
Airbed
Definition: Airbeds get their name from the air chambers that serve as their support system. A crank, app, or remote is used to fill and empty the chambers to change the bed’s firmness level. Some airbeds also contain thin comfort layers for extra cushioning on the surface of the bed.
Highlight: Adjustability. The chambers of an airbed are usually easy to fill or empty, and doing so adjusts the firmness of the bed. The flexibility of airbeds can be helpful for athletes whose firmness preferences might change depending on their training regimen. Many airbeds use separate air chambers on either side of the bed, so they’re also a good fit for couples with different firmness preferences.
How Athletes Can Get Better Sleep
If you’re a physically active person, there are many ways to optimize your sleeping environment apart from choosing the right mattress. These include maintaining a comfortable sleep temperature and reducing your exposure to outside noise. You can also invest in additional products to enhance your sleep experience.
Pillows
Pillow selection is, arguably, just as important as mattress selection. The right pillow provides enhanced support to your head, neck, and shoulders, and also supports the spine. The wrong pillow can have the opposite effect, leading to added aches and pains, as well as spinal misalignment.
The best pillow will offer enough cushioning to fill the gaps between your head and shoulders. Pillows fall into three general loft, or thickness, categories:
- Low loft: less than 3 inches
- Medium loft: 3 to 5 inches
- High loft: more than 5 inches
When choosing a pillow loft, be sure to consider your bed’s firmness level. A softer bed will conform more closely, causing you to sink beneath the surface, so a low-loft pillow might provide sufficient padding. For a firm mattress that contours very little, a high-loft pillow to fill the extra space may be the best option.
The best pillow loft also depends on your sleep position. While preferences vary by person, the table below lists optimal loft for most people based on how they sleep.
| Sleeping Position | Recommended Pillow Loft |
|---|---|
| Back | Medium |
| Side | Medium to high |
| Stomach | Low |
Also, be sure to consider pillow fill and density. Fill refers to the materials inside the pillow, and density refers to how heavy these materials are. Some fills have a higher density and will not compress as easily, creating a more stable and supportive surface for your head. Less dense materials will sink and conform closely, and may not provide enough neck support – especially if you are a physically active person dealing with neck or shoulder discomfort.
Mattress Toppers
A mattress topper is a layer of cushioning that rests on top of the bed’s surface. Toppers are designed to change the firmness of a sleep surface. Most toppers make the surface feel softer, but some can add a firmer feel. For this reason, toppers are widely used for pull-out beds, RVs, and other sleeping areas where the mattresses are less than ideal.
A topper may also be helpful if you are dissatisfied with the firmness of your mattress, but can’t return or exchange it because your sleep trial has expired. Many mattresses adopt a different feel over time, and those with thick foam layers may lose shape as the material begins to deteriorate. Most toppers measure 2 to 5 inches thick, so using one is basically equivalent to adding a fresh comfort layer to your mattress. Toppers are also generally inexpensive, especially compared to buying a new bed.
Toppers tend to have shorter lifespans, so using one is, in all likelihood, a short-term solution to a permanent mattress problem. However, these layers may provide more comfort and pressure relief than your bed’s comfort layer, especially if you are physically active and want your sleep surface to promote physical recovery.
Sleep Hygiene
Healthy sleep habits are important for everyone, but athletes requiring recovery may find them especially advantageous. Try the following tips to help improve your sleep quality.
- Stick to a consistent sleep schedule with regular sleep and wake times.
- Make sure your room is dark and quiet, and use a sleep mask and/or earplugs if needed.
- Avoid caffeine late in the day.
- Don’t exercise vigorously within one hour of bedtime.
- Cut out alcohol and avoid heavy meals too close to bedtime.
- Wind down before bed with a relaxing routine like journaling, yoga, or reading.
- Get plenty of sunlight, especially first thing in the morning
How We Test: Your Comfort Is Our Science
Our industry-leading product testing team cares deeply about improving your sleep. Having a holistic understanding of a mattress’s role as part of a sleep system is paramount to our testing process. Since a bed’s comfort and feel depend largely on body weight and sleeping position, our testing team represents a wide range of body types, sleep positions, and comfort preferences.
In our Seattle-based Test Lab, we use an objective, hands-on process to evaluate mattresses across performance categories. The following are the key guidelines that inform our performance ratings. Our ultimate goal is to ensure you have all the information you need to make the best purchase decision for you.
Construction analysis: Mattress construction plays a major role in our ratings system. We begin our testing with a top-to-bottom analysis of each mattress, making note of its materials, firmness, thickness, and other physical attributes. Price-point is another major factor as we assess quality of materials and overall value.
Quantitative product testing: For hands-on testing, our team members take turns lying and moving on each mattress. This immersive process helps us evaluate beds for performance categories like motion isolation, pressure relief, ease of movement, and temperature control.
Field testing: Once we’re finished testing a mattress in our lab, one of our team members takes it home and sleeps on it in their own bedroom for two to three weeks. Field testing helps us understand how each mattress performs in the long term.
User feedback: In addition to our team’s testing data, we draw from customer surveys and product reviews to calculate our final ratings. This helps us ensure our findings are consistent with real-world experiences.
How We Determine Our Overall Scores
To determine a mattress’s overall score, we assign weighted percentages to performance categories based on how important they are to the individual sleep experience. For instance, areas like pressure relief and temperature control tend to matter more to people than something like off-gassing, and because more people sleep on their side and back than on their stomach, we weigh those positions more heavily.
Performance Categories
Motion Isolation
This refers to the amount of motion a mattress absorbs when a sleeper moves on the surface. To evaluate motion isolation, we use two testers lying side by side who each feel for transfer while the other person moves on the mattress.
Temperature Control
To determine how well a mattress regulates temperature, we perform temperature tests and look closely at its materials and construction. Many mattresses are designed with cooling components meant to reduce heat retention.
Pressure Relief
A bed with strong pressure relief excels at preventing pressure from building up in areas like the shoulders and hips. Beds with even contouring and weight distribution are top performers when it comes to pressure relief.
Off-Gassing
A mattress in a box may release unpleasant chemical odors for a short period after you’ve unboxed it. The initial smell may be strong but typically fades within 2 or 3 days.
Ease of Movement
This reflects how easily a sleeper can move across a bed’s surface. Responsive surfaces made of latex typically perform better than foam surfaces, which can inhibit movement.
Edge Support
We perform sit tests along a bed’s perimeter to measure how well the edges push back against weight. Mattresses with strong edge support have minimal sagging when sleepers sit on or lie close to the perimeter.
Dive Deeper – Mattress Guides by Sleeper Type
If you’re not certain any of these choices are the right one for your needs, you can read through our recommendations categorized by sleep styles.
Best Mattress by Sleeper Type
- Best Mattress for Lightweight Sleepers
- Best Mattress for Couples
- Best Mattress for Kids
- Best Mattress for Toddlers
- Best Mattress for Teenagers
- Best Mattress for Seniors
- Best Cooling Mattress for Hot Sleepers
- Best Tempur-Pedic Mattress for Side Sleepers
- Best Tempur-Pedic Mattress for Back Sleepers
- Best Tempur-Pedic Mattress for Stomach Sleepers
Still have questions? Ask our community!
Join our Sleep Care Community — a trusted hub of product specialists, sleep health professionals, and people just like you. Whether you’re searching for the perfect mattress or need expert sleep advice, we’ve got you covered. Get personalized guidance from the experts who know sleep best.
Jackson leads editorial product recommendations at Sleep Foundation, transforming the data from our sleep product test lab into real world takeaways for consumers. He has spent over half a decade developing protocol to evaluate and measure the impacts of products on sleep quality. As a cited sleep product expert, Jackson helps guide millions of shoppers to find personalized recommendations for everything from pillows to bedding to mattresses.
Dustin Cotliar, MD, holds a medical degree from the State University of NY (SUNY) Downstate College of Medicine, and a master’s in public health from Columbia University, where he focused on healthcare policy and management. He is board-certified in Emergency Medicine, with over eight years of practice that includes emergency medicine, urgent care, and telemedicine.
Learn more about our medical advisory board