When it’s time to go to bed, people typically settle into their go-to sleeping position. But your favorite position can actually impact how well you sleep, and if you don’t have the right sleeping surface for your specific body type and sleeping style, you might find yourself tossing and turning. Poor sleep can lead to health issues, including heart problems, an increased risk of obesity, impaired judgment and cognition, and depression. While you should always consult your health care provider if you’re experiencing pain, finding a mattress designed for your sleeping position may help you sleep better.
While side sleepers fare best on mattresses that provide contouring and pressure relief, back sleepers may prefer a firmer mattress to support their spine. Stomach sleepers, on the other hand, face the potential for back and neck pain and spinal misalignment.
Stomach sleepers usually require firm mattresses to keep them afloat, but a softer pillow will prevent neck pain.
Teresa Denike, a board-certified clinical sleep educator and founder of Sleep Better NYC
Our team of researchers and testers spent many hours investigating and evaluating some of the top mattress brands to determine which mattresses would be best for stomach sleepers. Continue reading to discover our insights.
Best mattress for stomach sleepers overall: Saatva Classic
We rated the Saatva Classic as the best mattress for stomach sleepers because it’s a supportive mattress that promotes a neutral spine position, which is important to help prevent back pain.
Our picks of the best mattresses for stomach sleepers
- Saatva Classic: Best mattress for stomach sleepers overall
- Helix Dawn: Best mattress for higher-weight stomach sleepers
- Nectar Hybrid: Best soft mattress for stomach sleepers
- The WinkBed: Best mattress for stomach sleepers with back pain
- Plank Firm: Best firm mattress for stomach sleepers
- Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid: Best budget mattress for stomach sleepers
- Bear Elite Hybrid: Best luxury mattress for stomach sleepers
- Birch Natural: Best eco-friendly mattress for stomach sleepers
- Nolah Evolution: Best mattress for combination stomach sleepers
HelpGuide Handbook’s mattress testing methodology
Purchase mattress as mystery shoppers.
Set up mattress in testing lab.
Lie on mattress and rank firmness.
Lie on back, side, and stomach to find the best sleeping position.
Place 10-pound ball in mattress center and measure sinkage.
Find biggest pressure points using pressure map reading.
Evaluate cooling capabilities by recording temperature differences.
Drop 10-pound ball onto mattress to measure bounce score.
Test motion isolation.
Test edge support.
Calculate composite “sex” and “family” scores.
The Handbook Team hand-tests every mattress we review. We evaluate brands and models by recording our findings on a 42-question standardized testing form to identify standout features and services, document issues with each product, and describe our personal experience lying on each mattress. For example, we record:
- Firmness score and whether the mattress is best for back, side, or stomach sleepers.
- Starting temperature of the mattress and how much it heats up after two testers lie on the mattress for five minutes.
- How many times a 10-pound ball bounces on the mattress after dropping from a height of two feet in order to arrive at a mattress bounce score.
We paid close attention to specific considerations that sleepers of all ages seek, as identified by respondents in our survey of 600 mattress owners. This included price, features, and the set-up process. We also interviewed real people to better understand the motivations behind shopping for a new mattress, as well as the benefits of purchasing one.
According to our survey
According to our survey, about 80 percent of all respondents said their new mattress helps them sleep better, and 65 percent reported improved mental health.
As our testers evaluate each brand and its features, we consider why many people choose a new mattress in the first place. Of our respondents, 42 percent decided to purchase a new mattress for “improved comfort and support for better sleep,” while only seven percent did so for “pain relief and targeted support.” The most common pain respondents wanted relieved was lower back pain.
Despite only 42 percent of respondents prioritizing comfort and support for better sleep when shopping for a new mattress, 68 percent reported they sleep longer on their new mattress and 49 percent and 45 percent, respectively, said their stress and anxiety had improved after switching to their new mattress. Almost all mattress owners we surveyed (95 percent) were at least somewhat satisfied with their new mattress. We consult sleep experts, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and pain specialists to understand what mattresses offer that make an overwhelmingly positive impact.
In order to focus on the mattresses themselves, we structure our test designs to objectively rank each one based on a range of criteria. For example, we test things like bounce, edge support (the sturdiness of your mattress edge), and cooling capabilities the same way on each mattress and compare the results. That way we can accurately compare each mattress’s score in an unbiased way while also sharing our subjective point of view as mattress testers and experts.
Lastly, we compare warranty lengths, trial periods, and white glove delivery (in-home delivery and setup) options. While most brands offer warranties, not all are comprehensive. And many brands on the market don’t have free white glove delivery. This could be a deal-breaker if you’re nervous to invest in a new mattress because you’re worried the bed won’t get set up properly or offer what you need.
For more information, see how we test and review sleep products.
From our tester
“During our research, we realized that the brand’s firmness scale and perceived firmness aren’t always the same. We decided to report how firm we thought the mattress felt so that you can gain a different perspective, but more importantly, feel confident about what you’re purchasing.”
A note on our testing
We acknowledge that every body is different, and what feels comfortable to one person may not feel comfortable to another. Throughout our reviews, we refer to weight categories as light (below 130 pounds), average (130–250 pounds), and higher-weight (above 250 pounds) to distinguish between body weights.
Typically, lighter-weight sleepers perceive mattresses to feel firmer than they are, and higher-weight sleepers perceive mattresses to feel softer than they are. Keep in mind that most mattresses are designed for the average-weight person.
HelpGuide Handbook for best mattresses for stomach sleepers
Saatva Classic is our choice for the best mattress for stomach sleepers because it offers a supportive surface.
Stomach sleepers face unique concerns, including the potential for neck pain, back pain, and spinal pressure.
The best mattresses for stomach sleepers tend to be on the firmer side.
Most of the mattresses on this list are hybrids and feature a combination of innersprings and memory foam to provide the highest level of support.
All of the mattresses have at least a 100-night trial period, so you can test out your mattress for a minimum of three months before you make a final decision.
Compare the best mattresses for stomach sleepers
| Price | $1,395–$2,990 | $936–$1,749 | $749–$1,998 | $1,149–$2,049 | $749–$1,698 | $665–$1,664 | $1,893–$3,920 | $1,873.80–$2,248.80 | $1,499–$3,198 |
| Firmness | 7/10 (Luxury Firm model) | 8/10 | 6.5/10 | 6.5 (Luxury Firm model) | 9/10 | 6/10 | 6.5/10 | 6.5/10 | 7/10 |
| Material | Innerspring-hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid | Memory foam | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid |
| Warranty | Lifetime | 10 years | Lifetime | Lifetime | 10 years | 10 years | Lifetime | 25 years | Lifetime |
| Trial period | 365 nights | 100 nights | 365 nights | 120 nights | 120 nights | 120 nights | 120 nights | 100 nights | 120 nights |
| Best for | Stomach sleepers who like bouncy beds | Higher-weight stomach sleepers | Lighter and average-weight stomach sleepers and couples | Lighter- and average -weight stomach and combination sleepers | People who prefer an extra-firm mattress | Stomach sleepers on a budget | Sleepers who want a higher-end mattress with high pressure relief | Eco-conscious shoppers | Combination sleepers |
The best mattresses for stomach sleepers
Saatva Classic: Best mattress for stomach sleepers overall
The Saatva Classic shines in support, which is especially important for stomach sleepers. During testing, we discovered that the top layer of memory foam bounced back into place almost immediately and provided good hip contouring. However, the deeper layers of coils provided firm support, ensuring the hips didn’t dip too much while sleeping on the stomach.
- Brand rating: 9.8/10.
- Price: $1,395–$2,990.
- Firmness: 7/10.
- Material: Innerspring-hybrid.
- Cooling: 4/5.
- Warranty: Lifetime.
- Trial period: 365 nights.
The Saatva Classic offers adaptability by catering to different sleeping positions, and we found it easy to switch positions, making it great for combination sleepers People who sleep in multiple positions throughout the night. For example, a person might be a back-and-side sleeper or a stomach-and-back sleeper. . The top layer of memory foam provides a cushiony feeling with just the right amount of sinkage While some softer mattresses offer good contouring sinkage, sinkage is also a result of wear and tear. Foam materials especially sink over time, resulting in a sagging feeling, which provides less support. for stomach sleepers.
From our tester
“The Saatva Classic is very responsive to movement, and it’s easy to switch positions. It’s supportive, and my spine doesn’t dip when I sleep on my stomach.”
While the Saatva Classic is technically a hybrid, it has an innerspring feel. While its plush pillow top is made from organic cotton, the bed’s deeper layers contain a section of foam for lumbar support and a series of interconnected coils. It comes in three different levels of firmness: Plush Soft, Luxury Firm, and Firm. We specifically tested the Luxury Firm model and found it offered great mid-section support, ensuring a neutral spine position.
Despite the initial layers of memory foam, this mattress has a nice bouncy feel to it, which is typical of most innerspring mattresses. Our testers said they felt most comfortable sleeping on their stomach with this mattress, but it’s also suitable for combination sleepers since it provides bounce, which helps propel movement.
Although it offers great edge support Edge support is the bed’s strength and stability around the perimeter. for those who splay out on the bed, or for couples, it scored low for motion isolation. This means that if you sleep with a partner, you’ll more likely feel their movements during the night, which can be disruptive.
We tested bounce and responsiveness with a 10-pound dumbbell.
To learn more about these mattresses, read our Saatva review.
Helix Dawn: Best mattress for higher-weight stomach sleepers
During testing the Helix Dawn offered consistent support through all of its layers with little to no sinkage. This mattress’s extra support and firmness is ideal for higher-weight stomach sleepers.
- Our rating: 9/10.
- Price: $936–$1,749.
- Firmness: 8/10.
- Material: Hybrid.
- Cooling: 3/5.
- Warranty: 10 years.
- Trial period: 100 nights.
As one of the firmer mattresses on this list, the Helix Dawn provided good support during testing and may be an ideal choice for higher-weight sleepers (above 250 pounds). Average-weight (130–250 pounds) stomach sleepers would likely do well with this mattress as well, but we don’t recommend it for lighter-weight sleepers since it may be too firm.
From our tester
“This mattress offers a perfect balance of firmness, support, and pressure relief for back and stomach sleepers.”
The Helix Dawn is a hybrid mattress made with five layers that combine different types of foam and innerspring coils. The top layer of the mattress is made with the brand’s proprietary Helix Dynamic Foam, which is a latex alternative. The following two layers are made from traditional polyurethane foam that’s designed to offer responsiveness and contouring. The fourth layer comprises 1,000 individually wrapped coils, while the final layer of the brand’s “Dura Dense” foam provides the stability and support the mattress needs to stay in place.
An added bonus of Helix mattresses is that they are constructed without fiberglass. Fiberglass has been known to irritate the eyes and skin, and may even lead to lung disease. It’s often included as a fire retardant, so instead, Helix uses a chemical-free layer of Rayon fiber for this purpose.
We tested bounce and firmness with a 10-pound dumbbell
Nectar Hybrid: Best soft mattress for stomach sleepers
The Nectar Hybrid offers the cushiony, sinking feeling typical with many memory foam mattresses while still providing enough support for stomach sleepers to maintain a neutral spine position.
- Our rating: 9/10.
- Price: $749–$1,998.
- Firmness: 6.5/10.
- Material: Hybrid.
- Cooling: 4/5.
- Warranty: Lifetime.
- Trial period: 365 nights.
While not technically a “soft” mattress, we love the medium-firm Nectar Hybrid for stomach sleepers because it offers the traditional cushiony feeling of a memory foam mattress with the added support of coils for stomach sleepers. Stomach sleepers looking to feel a little less “on top” of their mattress may enjoy the sinkage this mattress provides.
From our tester
“The stomach position feels good, and I feel a very, very gentle cradle from the mattress. It’s a very traditional memory foam feel but the springs certainly help combat the slow-responding memory foam.”
The Nectar Hybrid is a softer mattress for stomach sleepers (it scored 6.5 out of 10 for firmness), but it certainly doesn’t lack in support. Despite the slight sinkage, our testers still felt like they were sleeping on top of the mattress, which is key for stomach sleepers. Testers felt their weight was evenly distributed over the mattress’s top, and they felt their spine was supported in a neutral position.
The Nectar Hybrid is 12 inches tall and has five layers that offer a good balance of softness, support, and firmness. It’s made with a mix of gel foam, polyurethane foam, and a layer of innerspring coils. The gel layer is designed to help keep things cool, and our testers confirmed they noticed a cooling sensation when they lay on the mattress.
One of our testers pushes down on the mattress to test edge support.
Read our Nectar mattress review to learn more.
The WinkBed: Best mattress for stomach sleepers with back pain
The WinkBed Luxury Firm offers a zoned support system that tested high for pressure relief in the lower back. Our testers noted minimal pressure while sleeping on the mattress, which may help prevent spinal issues for stomach sleepers.
- Our rating: 9.3/10.
- Price: $1,149–$2,049.
- Firmness: 6.5/10.
- Material: Hybrid.
- Cooling: 4/5.
- Warranty: Lifetime.
- Trial period: 120 nights.
While WinkBed’s Luxury Firm model is marketed as the brand’s firmest model, we rated it 6.5 out of 10 in firmness, which is the industry standard for medium. Compared to other firm mattresses we’ve tested, it provided a more hug-like feel during testing. Despite the slight sinkage, our testers said they felt good pressure relief.
From our tester
“I felt an ‘on-top’ feel, but there was definitely contour and cradle, and it was firmer as I sunk in slightly.”
The WinkBed is a hybrid mattress featuring five layers made from a combination of cooling gel foam and individually wrapped coils. The bed also features a peripheral layer of coils around its core that are designed to offer additional edge support. It features what the brand calls a “ Euro-top A kind of pillow top that’s sewn into the cover of the mattress. This style is flush with the edges of the mattress, providing better support than your typical pillow-top mattress while also offering a soft, plushy center. ” pillow top that’s wrapped in an eco-friendly cover made out of eucalyptus. The eucalyptus cover is designed to wick away moisture and heat. When our testers felt the cover, they agreed it was soft and cool to the touch and gave it a four out of five for cooling.
We also love that the springs in the mattress’s core are specifically zoned to support certain areas like the hips, which is an important highlight for stomach sleepers. Despite being the company’s firmest mattress, the Luxury Firm model provided contouring, offering a bit more sinkage than other firmer mattresses.
The WinkBed’s traditional bouncy feel is similar to what you’d feel in a hotel room.
Plank Firm: Best firm mattress for stomach sleepers
The Plank Firm stays true to its name by offering two firmness levels in one mattress: Firm and Extra-Firm. This is great for stomach sleepers who need a high level of support. We love that sleepers can simply flip the mattress to find the firmness level that works best for them.
- Our rating: 8/10.
- Price: $749–$1,698.
- Firmness: 7.5/10 and 9/10.
- Material: Foam.
- Cooling: 3/5.
- Warranty: 10 years.
- Trial period: 120 nights.
The Plank Firm may be an appealing choice for stomach sleepers who need support for their spine, hips, and lower back. It’s also a great option for stomach sleepers weighing over 250 pounds, specifically on the Firm side since it’s firm enough to support higher weights.
From our tester
“You can find your comfort just by flipping the mattress. Both sides offer firm sleeping surfaces for people who need it for pain or better sleep.”
The Plank Firm is a dual-sided mattress that allows users to flip it to a Firm or Extra-Firm side depending on their preference. But since both sides are considerably firm, stomach sleepers will have multiple options.
The mattress is just over 10 inches tall and is made up of two layers of foam in between a quilted top and bottom. The extra firm side has a .75-inch layer of response foam on top, and the firm side is topped with a 1.25-inch layer of response foam, providing slightly more give. The company uses its patented TitanFlex foam as its core, which they describe as “hyper elastic.” Similar to other memory foam mattresses, the Plank Firm is designed to contour to the body’s curves, albeit with a much higher level of responsiveness.
The mattress is not technically cooling, but it does feature an optional GlacioTex Cooling Cover, which can be added to both sides of the mattress at an extra cost.
: We cut open the Plank Firm to take a look at its interior composition.
Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid: Best budget mattress for stomach sleepers
We like the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid because it’s a great option for stomach sleepers on a budget and also provides another softer option. While most mattresses designed for stomach sleepers tend to be firm, this one provided good pressure relief and support during testing.
- Our rating: 8.5/10.
- Price: $665–$1,664.
- Firmness: 6/10.
- Material: Hybrid.
- Cooling: 2/5.
- Warranty: 10 years.
- Trial period: 120 nights.
Prices start at $665 for a twin, making this the most affordable mattress on our list. Plus, since online mattress brands often run discounts, you can get this mattress for even less during holidays and shopping events.
Even though this mattress provides a bit of extra cushioning, our testers said their hips stayed lifted and their spine maintained a neutral position.
From our tester
“It’s like I’m sleeping on top of this mattress yet also sinking into the quilted top. It feels like a hammock—in a good way.”
The Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid contains five layers and is made from a combination of foam and coils. While we tested the Medium version of this model, the mattress comes in two other firmness levels: Soft and Firm.
The Soft and Medium mattresses both feature a 1.5-inch quilted pillow top that’s made to wick moisture away from the body. That layer is followed by two layers of foam, which we found provided contouring and support, followed by a layer of individually cased coils. The final layer, or “flex base,” provides reinforcement to the coils.
Our testers agreed the mattress had a medium feel to it. But they also noted that when pressing into the mattress, they were met with a firm layer underneath. However, because this mattress is on the softer side we wouldn’t recommend it for higher-weight stomach sleepers.
One of our testers pushes her hand down on the edge of the mattress to test how strong its edge is.
Bear Elite Hybrid: Best luxury mattress for stomach sleepers
The Bear Elite Hybrid is a luxury hybrid mattress that features copper-infused memory foam for a cooling effect while providing a good balance of pressure relief and support for stomach sleepers.
- Our rating: 9.4/10.
- Price: $1,893–$3,920.
- Firmness: 6.5/10.
- Material: Hybrid.
- Cooling: 3/5.
- Warranty: Lifetime
- Trial period: 120 nights
While we mainly cover functionality during testing, we expect a luxury mattress to also look nice, and this one offers an inviting aesthetic with high-quality stitching and a plush top. One of our testers even noted it “looks like a cloud.” We tested the Medium version of this model, but the Bear Elite Hybrid is available in two other firmness levels, including Soft and Firm.
From our tester
“The bed is thick and fluffy on top, but my partner was surprised to see how much it decompressed when we lay on it.”
The Bear Elite Hybrid is made from both foam and coils and was designed specifically with pressure relief in mind—which is where it tested the strongest with a five out of five. It’s made of six layers and is topped by a hand-quilted cushion cover. A second layer of foam was designed to provide ergonomic support, while the layer of coils offers zoned support and is reinforced by edge coils to ensure the mattress doesn’t dip, all of which help this mattress provide great pressure relief. The cover contains a natural fiber called Celliant A fabric infused with minerals and trace elements that capture body heat and convert it into infrared energy to improve circulation and stimulate muscle recovery. , which some research has shown can help improve blood flow and oxygen levels in the skin.
The mattress also contains a layer of copper-infused memory foam that is designed to provide additional cooling and doubles as an antimicrobial agent. During testing, we gave it a three out of five for cooling. Memory foam tends to cling to heat, so the cooling technology in this mattress helped reduce some of that warming effect.
We tested bounce with a 10-pound dumbbell.
Birch Natural: Best eco-friendly mattress for stomach sleepers
We feel the Birch Natural mattress is a great choice for eco-conscious shoppers who want a natural mattress that doesn’t sacrifice quality, comfort, or support.
- Our rating: 8/10.
- Price: $1,873.80–$2,248.80.
- Firmness: 6.5/10.
- Material: Hybrid.
- Cooling: 3/5.
- Warranty: 25 years.
- Trial period: 100 nights.
The Birch Natural is a U.S.-made mattress constructed with a combination of natural latex, organic cotton, and organic wool. The first three layers are made from these natural fibers, giving it a plush first impression. The internal layers are made of natural Talalay Light and airy natural rubber material with excellent cushioning and temperature regulation properties. latex, which is designed to prevent pressure buildup. We found it effective during testing and gave it a four out of five in pressure relief. The latex is followed up by a support layer of 1,000 individually wrapped coils, providing high responsiveness, which makes it good for people who change positions throughout the night.
From our tester
“The mattress is bouncy and helps aid in switching positions.”
Our testers felt the mattress had a nice bouncy feel and responded well to movement. However, they determined it would be best for lighter- and average-weight stomach sleepers since it may not provide enough support for higher-weight sleepers over 250 pounds.
One of our testers pushes her hand down on the edge of the Birch Natural testing edge support and firmness.
Nolah Evolution: Best mattress for combination stomach sleepers
The Nolah Evolution Luxury Firm model is made of foam and coil layers that provided a good mix of support, pressure relief, and responsiveness during testing. We think that makes it a good choice for sleepers who sleep on their stomach but may change position throughout the night.
- Our rating: 8/10.
- Price: $1,499–$3,198.
- Firmness: 7/10.
- Material: Hybrid.
- Cooling: 3/5.
- Warranty: Lifetime.
- Trial period: 120 nights (or you can forfeit the trial period and save $100)
The Nolah Evolution is a medium-firm hybrid mattress made with high-quality materials that offer a plush, cushioned, and supportive feel. It’s made with an organic cotton cover and a cooling Euro-top cover. Our testers found it was easy to move around on the mattress, which makes it good for combination sleepers. It also tested high for edge support, overall support, and in pressure relief, making it a good mattress for all positions, which is important for people who don’t stay in the same position all night.
From our tester
“When I lay down on my stomach, my back feels neutral, and I don’t feel consumed by the mattress.”
The cover is made with organic cotton and a material called ArticTex to help draw away moisture from the body. Additional proprietary cooling layers include a breathable AirFoam layer and an AirBreath layer that promote airflow. During testing, we found this provided slightly above-average cooling, with our testers giving it a three out of five for cooling.
Underneath the layers of foam, a tri-zone coil system was designed to reduce sinkage in the hip area, which is key for stomach sleepers. When our tester lay on their stomach, they felt fully supported in their lower back and hips.
One of our testers presses down on the surface of the mattress to test firmness.
Frequently asked questions
Medium to firm mattresses are best for stomach sleepers because they provide the right amount of support to keep the spine in a neutral position. If the spine is not in a neutral position it can put strain on the tissues and cause pain. Medium and firm mattresses also provide stomach sleepers with the support they need for their necks and lower backs.
The average mattress is between eight to 12 inches tall. Since stomach sleepers need additional support to keep their spine in a neutral position, you may want to choose a mattress within this range to ensure you get the level of support you need.
Pillow-top mattresses can work well for stomach sleepers who prefer some cushioning, as long as the deeper layers of the mattress provide enough support for a neutral spine. When the spine is not in a neutral position it can lead to straining and pain that can radiate to other parts of the body.
You should consider several factors before choosing your sleep position, including any personal health issues you may have—like whether you snore or have sleep apnea or suffer from acid reflux. Experts suggest evaluating these factors and then deciding what sleeping position would best suit your needs.
“Injuries and health problems may also lead a person to change sleeping positions. Hip and shoulder injuries could make side sleeping very painful, and if someone is recovering from surgery in those areas, it may not even be an option,” says Kevin Lees, doctor of chiropractic and the director of chiropractic operations at The Joint Chiropractic in Scottsdale, Arizona. “Back sleeping can affect breathing, those with sleep apnea often benefit from side sleeping. Pregnancy can also eliminate back sleeping as an option. Others may benefit from side sleeping if they have acid reflux or high blood pressure.”
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