Choosing a mattress is a personal choice that can greatly affect your quality of life. After all, a mattress acts as a plinth to the dream world for years on end. Some of the most treasured memories, both conscious and subconscious are spent on a mattress.
A mattress lasts on average between seven and 10 years with many mattress companies even offering lifetime warranties. The right mattress could potentially bring a lifetime of comfortable sleep and relaxation. On the other hand, if you choose a mattress that doesn’t suit it could cause pain, discomfort, and sleep deprivation.
It has been estimated that throughout their lifetime, people spend around 36 years in bed. The right mattress is not only important for sleep but it even has health implications. This article looks at the best mattresses for different types of sleepers, and why finding the right mattress is important.
What are the benefits of a good mattress?
A good mattress has tremendous health benefits. For instance, a supportive mattress is excellent for posture. This is because the spine is held in the correct alignment throughout the night. This is crucial for soothing and preventing neck pain and back pain. The best mattress types will also promote better breathing and circulation. This is by giving support without constricting your body or, allowing you to sag into the mattress.
Poor quality mattresses can increase instances of sleep apnea which is a serious sleep condition. Sleep apnea can cause:
- Fatigue
- Sore throats
- Choking in your sleep
- Mental health problems; depression, anxiety, forgetfulness, trouble concentrating etc
- Sexual disfunction
- Headaches
Obstructive sleep apnea has been linked to several life-altering conditions including; high blood pressure, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, adult asthma, acid reflux, and memory problems.
What are the best mattress types for different sleeping positions?
One of the first things to factor in when you choose a mattress is your sleep position. Different mattress types are more suited for different sleeping positions. Sleep experts SFGATE have compiled a list of the best mattresses for every sleep position.
What is the best Mattress for stomach Sleepers?
The best mattress for stomach sleepers is the Helix Dawn LUXE hybrid mattress. The reason this hybrid mattress is the best for stomach sleepers is that it is a firmer mattress. The spine is held comfortably in a neutral position by zoned support, even whilst stretched out fully like stomach sleepers tend to do. The mattress is laced with firmer foam than typically softer memory foam mattresses.
It is contouring to provide pressure relief, but responsive to avoid sinkage. The coil support system of the mattress is specially designed to alleviate pain from pressure points associated with stomach sleepers. Namely, the shoulders and hips. This is an excellent mattress for those suffering from shoulder pain and hip pain.
What is the best Mattress for back Sleepers?
The Saatva Classic mattress is the best mattress for back sleepers. The versatility of the design and different firmness options means this is in fact a good choice for every sleeping position. Depending on the selections made, the firmness level ranges from three to 10. Each firmness level fits into three categories; Plush Soft, Luxury Firm, and Firm.
This innerspring mattress is made with recycled steel coils. This coiled structure gives durability to the mattress, which soothes pressure points while preventing sagging. Innerspring mattresses tend to be good for hot sleepers also as they allow more airflow. The breathable organic mattress cover, further makes it a good choice for hot sleepers.
The top layer of the mattress provides targetted pressure relief to the lumbar region. This is one of the reasons why this is an excellent mattress purchase for back sleepers, or those experiencing back pain. No matter what firmness level you choose, the mattress provides proper support for a good night’s sleep.
What is the best mattress for side sleepers?
The best mattress for side sleepers is the Tuft and Needle Mint foam mattress. The memory foam is infused with graphite to provide cooling for hot sleepers. There is also a secondary gel layer that provides pressure relief whilst cooling.
This foam mattress has a third layer which helps give it its name, which is called the Mint layer. This is specifically designed to reduce motion transfer, which is a useful feature for couples. This means if one person tosses and turns, the other person is not awoken. It also has reinforced edges, meaning side sleepers that hang off the bed do not distort the mattress structure for their partner. Not only this but it maintains its integrity to maintain pressure relief, and spinal alignment in that sleep position.
This is a relatively soft mattress that is perfect for side sleepers. A softer mattress provides more give than a firm mattress, allowing a side sleeper to relax into the mattress, without putting pressure on the shoulder joints.
What is the best value mattress?
Of course, your sleeping position is not the only thing to consider when you choose a mattress. Sometimes the choice is taken out of your hands, and it is dictated by your finances. Luckily there is an excellent choice in the budget price range – The Vaya Mattress. The price range is from $349 to $799, providing exceptional quality compared to its competitors.
The Vaya is a memory foam mattress that aims to provide pressure relief whilst keeping your spine aligned. This provides comfort whilst easing and preventing back pain. When moving, the memory foam springs back into position to prevent sinkage. It is a good choice for combination sleepers, such as back and stomach sleepers. This is because durability is maintained throughout the mattress, to target all pressure points.
Although it has a lower price range than other mattresses the company stands by the quality and durability of the mattress. They offer a 100-night trial, free delivery, and returns, and a 10-year warranty.
What is the best mattress overall?
The Amerisleep AS3 is the best mattress overall taking all things into consideration. The AS3 is a medium-firm mattress that provides support, and comfort no matter what your sleep style is. This memory foam mattress has multiple awards, and multiple appearances in publications to back up its quality.
The plant-based memory foam is not only eco-friendly but is also self-cooling for enhanced sleep quality. Body heat is turned into infrared energy by scientifically engineered fabrics, which aid muscle recovery and blood circulation. It is also more responsive than traditional memory foam mattresses, which helps provide pressure relief even during motion transfer.
When buying a mattress online it is important to look at mattress recommendations. The AS3 has an average rating of 4.8 out of five from nearly 7000 reviewers. The versatility of the mattress is perhaps why it is rated the best mattress overall.
It is designed to provide universal comfort for every sleeping position. Stomach sleepers, back sleepers, side sleepers, and combination sleepers can all find comfort using this model. The hexagonal grid layer (HIVE technology) provides targetted zone support for typically painful areas. This includes the; head, shoulders, upper back, hips, and knees.
The AS3 comes with a 20-year warranty and a 100-night sleep trial.
What is the best latex mattress?
The Avocado Green mattress is perhaps the most celebrated latex foam hybrid mattress. As the name suggests it is a green mattress with organic latex foam and other natural materials. Its firmness level is rated as having medium firmness, and is recommended for back sleepers especially.
There are 1,414 steel coils spread across five targeted zones to provide pain and pressure relief. This enhances sleep quality whilst preventing and easing back pain. Avocado do not use polyurethane foam in their mattresses, as it is a toxic material linked to respiratory problems. It is also formaldehyde free with a GreenGuard Gold certification for its clean design.
This medium-firm mattress has an incredible 365-night sleep trial and a warranty of 25 years.
What Mattress should I choose?
Ultimately that is a personal decision, decided by factors in and out of your control. Firstly assess your sleeping position at night. This will help you find out which mattress is specifically beneficial for your preferred sleeping position.
The below table has been compiled to show which mattress is best for a variety of scenarios, including sleeping positions, firmness level, and price range.
| Mattress | Best for | Firmness Level | Price Range |
| Helix Dawn LUXE | Stomach sleepers | Firm | $999 to $2149 |
| Saatva Classic | Back sleepers | Soft to firm mattress firmness | $849 to $2098 |
| Tuft and Needle Mint | Side Sleepers | Soft/medium | $633.25 to $1185.75 |
| Vaya Mattress | Budget shoppers | Medium | $349 to $799 |
| Amerisleep AS3 | Overall/Combination sleepers | Medium | $849 to $1798 |
| Avocado Green | Latex/Green friendly | Medium Firm | $1099-$2799 |
It may be sensible to stick with the best overall mattress (AS3) if you do not have particularly specific needs. This way all bases are covered, with a mattress that is backed with awards, and positive customer reviews. However, if this is out of your price range, the Vaya mattress is still an excellent choice.
Back sleepers should choose the Saatva classic, stomach sleepers – the Helix Dawn Luxe, and side sleepers the Tuft and Needle Mint. Back and stomach sleepers, or combination sleepers without a specific preference, may be best suited to the AS3.
An environmentally conscious person who prefers the longevity of latex mattresses, over cheaper mattresses, may opt for the Avocado Green. There are many factors to consider when buying a new mattress, but the choice is yours.
