The best mattress for your sleep style depends on whether you sleep on your side, back, stomach, or a mix of all three. Soft and plush isn’t always better. Instead, choose materials that support your pressure points, promote spinal alignment, and overall feel comfortable.
What makes the perfect mattress? While ads highlight features like cooling gel and orthopedic support, a bed must meet your specific needs to ensure comfort. Before anything else, assess your sleep style. The most “comfortable” mattress will depend on whether you lie on your stomach, side, or back.
Side Sleepers
Sleeping on your side, either the left or right side of your torso, is a common sleep position. It’s comfortable and promotes several health benefits — research suggests this sleep style could help reduce snoring, prevent sleep apnea, improve blood circulation, and ease acid reflux.
Three main variations:
- Fetal position: legs curled toward the chest.
- Log position: legs extended straight, arms down.
- Yearner position: arms extended forward as if reaching.
The downside: side sleeping places pressure on your shoulders and hips. Without the right mattress, you might experience spinal misalignment on overly firm or saggy mattresses, tingling limbs from poor cushioning, or lower back pain from unsupportive midsections.
Mattress options for side sleepers
- Softer support: the perfect mattress cushions shoulders and hips without having them sink too low. Aim for a soft to medium-firm option.
- Pressure-relieving foams: memory foam mattresses can prevent numbness by adapting to your body shape over time.
- Zoned support: to maintain spinal alignment, go for a hybrid mattress with a firm centre that is soft on the shoulders and hips.
Back Sleepers
Back sleeping, also known as the supine position, evenly distributes body weight and naturally aligns the spine, neck, and head. It can also help reduce acid reflux. The downside: it can worsen snoring and sleep apnea, especially without proper neck and lumbar support.
Mattress options for back sleepers
- Medium-firm support: aim for medium-firm to firm to keep the spine aligned without sinking too far into the bed.
- Innerspring or hybrid: these provide the structured support back sleepers need.
- Lumbar reinforcement: look for mattresses with reinforced lumbar zones to support the lower back.
Stomach Sleepers
Stomach sleeping is the least recommended sleep style because it can place strain on the neck and lower back. However, the right mattress can minimize discomfort.
Mattress options for stomach sleepers
- Firmer support: a firmer mattress prevents the hips from sinking too low, which keeps the spine straight.
- Innerspring or firm foam: these maintain a flat, supportive surface.
- Avoid: overly plush memory foam, which causes the hips to sink and creates back strain.
Combination Sleepers
If you change positions throughout the night, you’re a combination sleeper. The challenge is finding a mattress that supports each position equally.
Mattress options for combination sleepers
- Medium firmness: a balanced mattress supports the body in any position.
- Hybrid mattresses: the combination of foam and coils accommodates motion and varied pressure points.
- Responsive surface: look for a mattress that doesn’t hold you in one position — you should be able to move easily.
Couples and Different Sleep Styles
If you and your partner have different sleep styles, finding a compromise can be tricky. The key is selecting a mattress that supports both styles and minimizes motion transfer.
Mattress options for couples
- Pocketed-coil hybrid: individually wrapped coils reduce motion transfer so one partner’s movement doesn’t disturb the other.
- Medium firmness: works well for most pairings of sleep styles.
- Edge support: if either partner uses the edge of the bed, look for a mattress with reinforced edges.
Find Your Perfect Mattress at Surplus Furniture
Whatever your sleep style, Surplus Furniture has a mattress to match. From mattress sets to specific support styles, find your ideal sleep partner. Visit any of our 30+ locations across Canada or shop online with same-day delivery on in-stock items.
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