Best Mattress for Athletes

If you are physically active, then you understand the importance of a good night’s rest. 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.

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.

We’ve outlined the mattress features that are beneficial for athletes, along with a few strategies for choosing a new bed based on your body and how you are active. First, let’s take a look at our picks for the best mattresses for athletes among models sold today. We’ve chosen each bed based on a combination of feedback from mattress owners and hands-on product testing.

Our Recommendations

Physically active people typically need a mattress that alleviates pressure and soreness, provides sturdy support, and maintains a comfortable temperature night after night. The Bear Elite Hybrid checks all of these boxes, and you can choose from three firmness levels based on your body type, primary sleep position, and personal preferences. Thanks to the foam-over-coil construction, all three designs deliver a balance of pressure relief, motion isolation, and strong reinforcement.

The Elite Hybrid begins with a memory foam comfort layer, which is infused with cooling gel intended to dissipate heat from the surface.Transitional polyfoam provides additional cushioning, but this layer is divided into five firmness zones to push back against the extra weight from your midsection while cradling the head and legs. Pocketed coils and dense base foam make up the support core. Thicker coils along the perimeter help prevent sinkage when you lie close to the edges or get in and out of bed.

A cover composed of Celliant-blend fabric encases the mattress. Celliant is a material engineered to capture and release body heat on contact, and maintain a cool feel at all times. This was evident during our temperature control tests. We detected minimal heat buildup on the Elite Hybrid’s surface, and none of our testers felt uncomfortably warm. Our team was also impressed with the mattress’ edge support and ease of movement — two performance areas where foam hybrids often fall short.

We tested each of the Elite Hybrid’s three firmness levels. The medium (5) feel provides the deepest contouring, and was popular among our side and back sleepers up to 230 pounds. At the other end of the spectrum, the firm (8) design conforms to a minimal extent and feels exceptionally stable. We recommend this model to back and stomach sleepers who weigh more than 230 pounds. If you’re seeking a combination of cushioning and reinforcement, the medium firm (6) Elite Hybrid should meet your needs. This model earned favorable ratings from our testers between 130 and 230 pounds across all three position groups.

Bear offers free ground shipping throughout the contiguous U.S., and you’ll receive two free pillows with your order. The company’s sleep trial runs for 120 nights. If you decide to keep the Elite Hybrid, it’s backed by a lifetime warranty against structural defects. You can purchase an accident protection plan for stains and other types of physical damage not covered under the standard warranty.

The Layla Memory Foam Mattress is a flippable mattress with a different firmness level on either side. Sleepers can choose between a medium soft (4) and a firm (7) side, which both feature pressure-relieving memory foam. We found the softer side earned the highest marks from side sleepers who weigh less than 130 pounds, while the firmer side performed best with back and stomach sleepers over 130 pounds.

A top layer of memory foam cushions your joints, reducing pressure in areas like the shoulders and hips while pushing back in areas that need more support. The memory foam is infused with copper, which is meant to draw heat away from your body. The medium soft side has an extra transitional layer that uses surface modification technology (SMT) to provide zoned support. The two sides share a sturdy, high-density polyfoam core located between the comfort layers.

The medium soft side offers a plusher feel that excels at relieving pressure points and prevents motion from transferring across the bed. The firm side has its benefits as well, with a responsive surface and reasonable temperature regulation for a bed made of foam, a material known for heat retention.

The Layla Memory Foam Mattress ships free to customers in the contiguous U.S. Layla offers a lifetime warranty and gives customers 120 nights to try out the mattress.

Finding the right mattress for your sleep position is pivotal to alleviating the aches and pains that occur after physical workouts. Helix Sleep’s extensive mattress line includes more than a dozen hybrid models, each one designed for specific body types and sleep positions. The Helix Midnight is intended for side sleepers between 130 and 230 pounds, but our testing has shown the mattress is both comfortable and supportive for most side and back sleepers weighing 230 pounds or less.

The Midnight begins with a memory foam comfort layer, followed by a polyfoam transitional layer. The mattress is considered medium firm (6) but these foam layers create a plush, adaptive feel with deep cushioning around the shoulders and hips – two common areas of pressure buildup for side sleepers. Both foam layers absorb movement well and can cut down on sleep disruptions for co-sleepers. This makes the Midnight a good choice for anyone who easily awakens when their partner changes positions or gets in and out of bed.

The Midnight’s support core consists of pocketed coils over a base layer of high-density polyfoam. Extra reinforcement along the perimeter makes the mattress feel stable and prevents sinkage along the edges. Steady air circulation through the coil system and a breathable knit cover also help the mattress sleep cool. For an additional fee, you can add a proprietary GlacioTex cooling cover with phase change material that dissipates body heat on contact.

If you’re intrigued by the Midnight’s design but worry the mattress is too soft or too firm, we recommend taking the Helix Sleep mattress survey on the company’s website. This comprehensive questionnaire uses your weight, height, sleep position, and other factors to determine which Helix hybrid is best suited to you.

An affordable price-point and free shipping to all 50 states make the Midnight a solid option for value-seeking U.S. customers. You’ll also receive two Helix pillows with your purchase at no extra cost. The mattress comes with a sleep trial that runs for 100 nights, and those who choose to keep their purchase also receive a 10-year warranty against structural defects.

The Spartan is one of Brooklyn Bedding’s most popular mattresses to date – especially with athletes. The bed’s most prominent feature is a cover infused with Far Infrared Rays (FAR) technology, which is meant to promote muscle recovery in athletes or anyone with an active lifestyle.

The bed is available in three firmness options that correspond to medium soft (4), medium firm (6), and firm (7) feels. The mattress starts with CopperFlex polyfoam layer followed by a memory foam layer that enhances pressure relief. The two softer models feature a third layer of memory foam, while the firmest model has a polyfoam layer for a more responsive feel. Pocketed coils over a base layer of dense foam make up the support core.

Temperature control is a major strength we noticed during our hands-on mattress tests. The Spartan’s FAR cover is fairly breathable and the foam layers shouldn’t retain too much heat. Another cooling component is the coil system, which generates enough airflow throughout the interior to maintain a comfortable temperature for sleeping. With so many firmness options to choose from, the Spartan should feel comfortable for most sleepers regardless of their sleep position or body type. Sleepers over 230 pounds may find the firm model most comfortable, while those under 230 pounds may prefer the two softer models.

The Spartan is available in seven sizes, including a split California king for couples who use adjustable bed bases. The price-point falls well below average for that of a hybrid model, and shipping is free of charge for customers in the contiguous U.S. Brooklyn Bedding backs each purchase with a 120-night sleep trial and a 10-year manufacturer’s warranty.

For many sleepers, physically active lifestyles and back pain go hand in hand. Those who wake up with stiffness or soreness in the shoulders, lumbar region, and hips should invest in a mattress that reduces pressure and supports the body in equal measure. The WinkBed is a great starting point. This luxury hybrid combines the cushioning of adaptive foam with a robust coil system to help ensure less pain in your upper or lower back.

The WinkBed is available in four firmness levels. These include three options for the standard WinkBed, which contains a layer of plush foam quilted into the cover followed by a denser foam to cushion and reinforce your body. The Softer (4) WinkBed is a medium soft (4) feel, and best suited to side and back sleepers under 130 pounds. These sleepers generally need deep conforming to feel less pain and pressure along the spine. The Luxury Firm is medium firm (6), making it the most balanced option for anyone weighing up to 230 pounds regardless of their sleep position. The Firmer (7) WinkBed provides the most support among standard models, so this may be ideal for people who weigh more than 230 pounds.

The fourth option is the WinkBed Plus (8), which – like the Firmer WinkBed – is geared toward those weighing more than 230 pounds. Unlike the Firmer with a second foam layer, the Plus contains 2.5 inches of responsive latex. The latex is divided into different firmness zones, ensuring extra reinforcement for the midsection and a softer feel elsewhere. Sleepers in this weight range who dislike the feel of foam should consider the Plus.

All versions of the mattress contain a pocketed coil support core. Like the latex layer in the Plus, the WinkBed’s coils are zoned for additional support where it’s needed and gentler cradling for lighter areas of the body. You’ll feel heavy push-back around the chest, back, stomach, and hips, but the foam layers serve as a buffer to prevent the mattress from feeling too stiff. The coils are also reinforced along the perimeter to prevent sinkage when you lie near the edges of get up in the morning.

The Plus costs slightly more than standard WinkBeds, but all models are priced within average ranges for hybrid mattresses. WinkBed also ships the mattress free of charge anywhere in the contiguous U.S. Your purchase includes a 120-night sleep trial. If you aren’t satisfied with your initial firmness selection, you can exchange the original mattress for a model with a new feel within 30 to 90 days of the delivery date. Your replacement mattress also comes with a 60-night trial. WinkBeds backs all mattresses with lifetime warranties.

The Nolah Evolution 15 is a hybrid mattress with a plush Euro-top and zoned support coils. This well-rounded design offers a mix of support and cushioning ideal for promoting healthy spinal alignment.

The mattress has an above-average profile that begins with a cover composed of ArcticTex, a soft fabric that feels cool to the touch. The cover is quilted with a thick layer of foam, and a breathable gusset helps release some of the heat that tends to get trapped in foam. Beneath is a layer of AirFoamICE, a specialized foam engineered to draw heat from the body, followed by two layers of transitional polyfoam with a firmer feel. The support core is made of pocketed coils that are zoned to provide enhanced support to the lumbar region and moderate pressure relief in the upper body. The edge is reinforced to prevent sagging when you sit or sleep near the perimeter.

Shoppers can pick from three firmness options – plush, luxury firm, and firm, which correspond to medium (5), medium firm (6), and firm (8) on a 10-point firmness scale. All three models provide good to excellent pressure relief and motion isolation due to the thick foam surface. The range of firmness options means that most sleepers should be able to find a model that suits them, regardless of sleep position and body type.

The Nolah Evolution 15 comes with a 120-night sleep trial, which allows customers to return the bed for a full refund following an initial 30-night break-in period. The bed also includes a lifetime warranty and ships free to the contiguous U.S.

Ideal for people who tend to sleep hot, the Casper Nova Hybrid is designed to provide a cool sleep surface with targeted support. The comfort system is specially engineered to reduce some of the heat retention that normally occurs in foam.

The mattress begins with two layers of Airscape polyfoam, a type of foam made with perforations and channels that enable heat to escape the surface. Next is a foam layer divided into seven zones, each offering varying amounts of support and contouring for different areas of the body. The shoulders receive more cushioning while the lower back and hips receive more support. The support core contains a thick layer of pocketed coils with bolstered edge support.

Hot sleepers will appreciate the aerated comfort layer and breathable pocketed coils. Couples — particularly those with different sleep preferences — will enjoy the mattress for its exceptional motion isolation and reinforced perimeter. The mattress also has the potential to  alleviate chronic back and hip pain, due to its balanced support and light contouring. We found the bed was most popular with side-sleeping testers up to 230 pounds and back and stomach sleepers under 130 pounds.

Casper offers a 100-night sleep trial as well as free shipping and returns in the contiguous U.S. The Casper Nova Hybrid is covered by a 10-year limited warranty.

Pinpointing your ideal firmness is key to selecting a comfortable mattress — but if you sleep with a partner, your firmness preferences may not align. The Pillar Split Firmness Mattress is designed with a medium soft (4) feel on one side and a medium firm (6) feel on the other. Both sides are cushioned with adaptive foam layers, but the latter contours more gently than the former to make the surface more supportive. If you need deep cushioning to sleep comfortably, the medium soft side is probably a safer bet.

Three foam layers encased in a luxury Euro-top comprise the comfort system. Each layer is progressively denser, allowing you to sink into the mattress when you get into bed without sinking too much as your body settles. The second layer is infused with graphite to offset heat retention and help you stay cool. If you need extra temperature control, you can upgrade to a breathable GlacierICE cover for an upcharge.

The pocketed coil support core is divided into three gauge zones. Thicker coils rest beneath your torso and hips, providing extra pushback to areas of your body where more weight is concentrated. Thinner coils cradle the head and legs. The perimeter is also reinforced to prevent excessive sinkage when you lie near the edges or get in and out of bed.

Our hands-on tests show the medium soft half of the mattress is best suited to side sleepers — in particular, those weighing up to 230 pounds. Back and stomach sleepers under 130 pounds also preferred this side, whereas heavier individuals who use these positions and side sleepers over 230 pounds found the firmer side more comfortable. During our testing, the mattress also earned high marks for temperature control and edge support.

Even with the GlacierICE cover, the Split Firmness Mattress is competitively priced compared to the average hybrid model. Pillar offers free ground shipping to U.S. customers. Each mattress order includes a 120-night sleep trial. If you’re satisfied with the mattress and decide to keep it after the trial ends, you’ll also receive a lifetime warranty covering structural defects as long as you retain original ownership.

The Lulu Original Mattress is a medium firm (6) all-foam model designed with athletes in mind. It measures 10 inches tall, featuring a comfort layer of gel-infused memory foam over a high-density foam base. The standout feature of this mattress, however, lies in the cover, which uses a proprietary Lulu ION Miracle Yarn that reflects Far Infrared Rays back towards the sleeper, which is intended to improve tissue oxygenation by dilating blood vessels and increasing circulation.

The goal of this material is to shorten recovery times and increase sleepers’ energy levels. It is designed to work through your mattress protector, sheets, and clothing. The cover itself is removable and machine washable.

The comfort layer of gel-infused memory foam effectively contours to the sleeper, isolating motion and preventing pressure points. The firmer high-density base foam beneath reinforces the bed and provides support, keeping the sleepers’ body on an even plane. The bed’s medium firm feel and all-foam construction best suits sleepers who weigh less than 230 pounds.

The mattress is made in the U.S. of American materials. Lulu backs the mattress with a 101-night sleep trial and a 10-year warranty and free shipping, though they do require customers to allow for a 28-night adjustment period before beginning the return process.

Dive Deeper – In-Depth Mattress Guides

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.

Which Mattress Thickness is Best for Athletes?

The term “athlete” is fairly broad when we talk about beds. The best mattress for weightlifters, for instance, may have a completely different design and materials than the best mattress for long-distance runners. However, the most important factor for choosing a mattress profile, or thickness, is you, the sleeper. The ideal thickness depends entirely on your body type and normal sleep position, as well as your personal preferences.

Mattresses sold today fall into three general categories based on their thickness, or profile.

Low-profile mattresses measure less than 10 inches thick. These beds may not provide enough support for heavier people, as many have shorter base layers that tend to sink beneath the shoulders and hips, but a low-profile mattress may be ideal for a lighter person. One thing to keep in mind: low-profile models tend to be a bit firmer because they lack the extra padding layers of their thicker counterparts.

High-profile mattresses, which measure more than 12 inches thick, tend to feel softer and conform closer due to these cushioning layers. However, this is not always the case – and many brands offer high-profile mattresses with medium firm or firm feels. These beds are also easier to get on and off for some larger people, whereas low-profile beds may sink a bit too much when sitting on the edges.

Many people consider medium-profile mattresses – which measure 10 to 12 inches thick – to be a good compromise of body-cushioning and ease of movement. 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.

What Mattress Firmness is Best for Athletes?

As with thickness, firmness is an entirely subjective preference. We can make firmness recommendations based on feedback from people with different body types and sleep positions, but ultimately, you should choose a firmness based on what feels comfortable, alleviates pressure, and provides the best support.

Firmness is measured on a 1-10 scale, with 1 being the softest and 10 the firmest. Most beds sold today fall between 3 (soft) and 8 (firm). 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 because firmer mattresses do not conform enough.

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 sag too much on softer beds, especially back and stomach sleepers who need extra reinforcement to prevent their midsection from sinking further than the rest of their body.

If your firmness preferences tend to fluctuate from night to night, then a mattress with adjustable firmness – such as an airbed or a flippable model with two sleep surfaces – might be the way to go. Many couples also have different preferences, and in these cases, we recommend a mattress with dual-firmness, or a different feel on each side. This allows you and your partner to enjoy your preferred balance of comfort and support without impacting the other person’s sleep.

Which Type of Mattress is Best for Athletes?

In today’s mattress industry, most beds fall into one of five different categories. Despite some unique design details and variations in quality, models in each category share consistent features that distinguish them from other mattress types. These five categories are as follows:

Hybrid

Definition: A specific type of innerspring, hybrid mattresses are constructed with comfort layers of memory foam and/or latex over a support core of pocketed coils. Some hybrids also have transitional layers made of high-density polyfoam, latex, minicoils, and other supportive materials. The average hybrid costs between $1,600 and $2,200.

Balanced Feel: For many, a hybrid represents the best of both worlds. The comfort layers conform to your body, alleviate pressure, and isolate motion fairly well. Meanwhile, the coil systems offer strong reinforcement and also promote cooling airflow. A hybrid can be a great option if you’ve been dissatisfied with other mattress types.

Innerspring

Definition: Innersprings feature comfort layers of polyfoam, and possibly some memory foam, as well. The support core consists of Bonnell, offset, continuous-wire, or pocketed coils, depending on the model. Innersprings are widely found in brick-and-mortar stores, but less common from online brands. The average model costs between $900 and $1,100.

Strong Support: Many innersprings have strong coil systems that keep sleepers on an even plane with little to no sagging. This makes them particularly well-suited for heavier individuals. They are inexpensive compared to other mattress types and may be a good choice if you don’t want to pay the sticker price of a hybrid.

Latex

Definition: Latex is a natural material produced from the sappy extract of rubber trees. An all-latex bed will have at least one support core of organic, natural, blended, or synthetic latex. Most also feature latex support cores. The average latex mattress costs between $1,600 and $2,200.

Durable and Responsive: Latex resists deep sagging and indentations, giving it more longevity than foam. Even synthetic latex has a healthy expected lifespan. The material contours to your body but also feels fairly responsive, so it’s a good alternative to memory foam if you don’t enjoy a deep body hug.

Airbed

Definition: An airbed is designed with motorized air chambers in the support core. You can adjust the firmness of the mattress by adding or releasing air from the chambers. Traditional airbeds have thin polyfoam comfort layers (or no comfort layer at all) but some newer models feature memory foam, latex, and other high-quality materials. The average airbed costs between $2,000 and $2,400.

Customized Comfort: Airbeds offer unparalleled customization. Many models can be adjusted between soft, mid-level, and firm feels in a matter of seconds, and some are designed for dual-firmness, making them suitable for couples with different mattress preferences.

Foam

Definition: A foam mattress will contain comfort layers of polyfoam and/or memory foam, along with a support core of high-density polyfoam. Medium- or high-density polyfoam transitional layers are also somewhat common. The average all-foam mattress costs between $900 and $1,200.

Close Conforming: All-foam beds, especially those with memory foam, offer a deep, pressure-relieving cradle for your body. Many liken the feeling of a foam bed to sleeping “in” – rather than “on” – the mattress. These models also isolate motion very well for couples and do not make any noise.

The Ideal Sleep Environment for Athletes

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), and 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	Pillow Loft Recommended
Back	Medium
Side	Medium or 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 cramps, strains, and other discomforts in that area.

The most common fills for today’s pillows include:

• Memory foam: Some pillows contain a single piece of memory foam. They offer close conforming that is comparable to memory foam mattresses. Others contain shredded memory foam, which contours a bit and also sleeps somewhat cooler. Shredded memory foam pillows can often be adjusted for loft by adding or removing fill, whereas single-piece pillows have a fixed thickness.
• Feather/Down: Feathers are the coarse outer plumage from geese and ducks, and down refers to the soft inner plumage. Feathers are often used to support the pillow’s center while down pads the outer chambers. That said feather/down pillows sink very deeply and provide minimal support.
• Buckwheat: Buckwheat pillows are filled with hulls, the hard casings of buckwheat kernels. Some liken buckwheat pillows to stiff beanbags, but the material is very supportive and does not lose shape easily. You can also adjust your buckwheat pillow’s loft by adding or removing hulls.
• Polyfill: Polyester fibers can be used as a less expensive down alternative fill, mimicking the soft and light texture of authentic feathers and down. Interlocking polyfoam, which provides more support, is also fairly common.

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 suitable if you are dissatisfied with the firmness of your mattress, but cannot 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.

Bed Platforms, Foundations, and Box Springs

Most mattresses are designed for use with some sort of support system. Many mattress warranties strictly forbid placing the bed directly on your floor.

Traditional box springs are still fairly popular. These support systems consist of a solid wooden frame equipped with steel springs and a cloth cover. The frame has a flush surface for optimal support and the springs act as shock absorbers for you and your bed, making box springs very well-suited to heavier innersprings. Box springs are designed to fit into a taller bed frame with the mattress on top.

Foundations are similar to box springs, but they do not contain springs and have slatted side panels. They feel exceptionally firm and should provide adequate support for any mattress as long as the top surface is perfectly flush. Foundations are also designed to fit into bed frames.

An alternative to box springs and foundations is a platform bed, which features a wooden or metal frame and evenly spaced slats instead of a flush surface. The slats should not be too far apart. Otherwise, the mattress will begin to sag and lose support. Many mattress warranties also require certain slat widths, so be sure to read the fine print before choosing a platform bed.

What Mattress Features Are Important for Athletes?

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.

• Mattress Type: All-foam mattresses conform closely to the body. Latex mattresses also contour, but a little less so, while airbeds can be adjusted for different contouring levels. If you want a mattress that conforms less and provides more support, then an innerspring or hybrid might be your best option.
• 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, visit a brick-and-mortar mattress store to test different models. Online sleep trials can also help you narrow down your ideal setting.
• Mattress Thickness: For a lot of sleepers, mattress thickness is somewhat negotiable. However, a bed’s profile can ultimately affect how supportive it feels, and how easy (or difficult) it will be getting on and off the mattress.
• Quality 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.
• Firmness Level: Firmness and contouring go hand in hand. A softer bed will hug the body much more closely than a firmer model. This potentially means more pressure relief and better alignment for lighter people, but also more sagging and discomfort for heavier individuals. The opposite is also true. Lighter people may find a firmer bed does not conform enough, whereas a heavier person might find this mattress ideal.
• Pressure Relief: 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.