How to Choose the Right Mattress for Your Sleep Style

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. To ensure you always get a good night’s sleep, learn how to choose the right mattress for your sleep style. 

Side Sleepers 

Sleeping on your side, either the left or right side of your torso, is a common sleep position. It’s comfortable and it promotes several health benefits. Research suggests this sleep style could help reduce snoring, prevent sleep apnea, improve blood circulation, and ease acid reflux.

There are generally three main variations of this sleep position:

• Fetal position: legs curled toward the chest
• Log position: legs extended straight, arms down
• Yearner position: arms extended forward as if reaching

The big downside, however, is that sleeping on your side places pressure on your shoulders and hips. Unless you have the right mattress, you might experience the following:

• Spinal misalignment on overly firm or saggy mattresses
• Tingling limbs due to poor cushioning
• Lower back pain from unsupportive midsections

Mattress Options for Side Sleepers

To resolve these problems, here’s what to look for in a mattress as a side sleeper:

• 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 center that is soft on the shoulders and hips. 

Back Sleepers 

Back sleeping, also known as the supine position, is when you lie flat on your back with your spine aligned in a neutral position. Your weight should be distributed evenly from head to heels. When done correctly, it relieves joint pressure, reduces neck strain, and minimizes wrinkles since your face isn’t pressed against a pillow.

There are generally two variations of this sleep style:

• Soldier position: arms at your sides, legs extended straight
• Starfish position: arms and legs slightly spread out
•  

Although it’s generally recommended to keep the spine straight when sleeping, lying on your back can also cause these issues:

• Lower back pain due to sagging in the hips or midsection.
• Snoring or sleep apnea, since gravity can cause the tongue to block airflow.
• Stiff necks if the pillow is too high or the mattress is too soft.

Mattress Options for Back Sleepers 

To sleep comfortably on your back, make sure you get a firm mattress that supports your body weight. Here’s what to look for:

• Medium-firm support: Medium-firm mattresses keep the spine aligned while providing slight give for natural curves.
• Zoned support systems: Look for mattress firmness that provides support under the hips and lower back but is soft under the head and feet.
• Responsive surface: A responsive mattress prevents your hips from sinking too low and pulling your spine out of alignment.
• Breathability: Foam-heavy beds are notorious for body heat retention, so back sleepers might find them muggy and uncomfortable. Look for mattresses infused with cooling gels instead.

Stomach Sleepers

Stomach sleeping, also called the prone position, means to lie face down on your stomach with your torso and limbs extended. You can also wrap your arms around a pillow and tilt your head to the side. It’s the least common sleep position preference, with only 7% of adults sleeping with their faces down.

Most medical professionals don’t recommend this sleep position because it forces the neck and back into an unnatural position. It could cause muscle strain and restrict your breathing. That said, other sleepers also feel this position helps reduce snoring and alleviate acid reflux problems. 

Mattress Options for Stomach Sleepers 

To improve sleep, use firmer support so your torso doesn’t sink too deep. Look for:

• Firm to extra-firm: Choose mattresses with a high firmness level. Lighter individuals under 50 kilograms might feel fine with a medium-firm bed, but most will benefit from a firmer option.
• Thin comfort layer: High-density or latex mattresses maintain structure while still offering light contouring. Note that too much plush risks spinal curvature.
• Cooling properties: Stomach sleeping increases surface contact with the mattress, so look for cooling gel or breathable coil layers that help dissipate heat.
• Edge support: Firmer edges can help stabilize you if you tend to shift or sprawl in this sleep position.

Combo Sleepers 

A combination sleeper is someone who regularly shifts between multiple sleeping positions throughout the night. You might end up sleeping on your side, back, and stomach randomly. Research even suggests that people can switch positions about two to four times per hour while sleeping.

This sleep style often happens unconsciously and has some benefits. Moving around can promote blood circulation, distribute weight evenly, and naturally ease mild discomfort from staying in a fixed position.

Combo sleepers also face several unique challenges, which include:

• Interrupted spinal alignment: Not all mattresses adapt quickly when you switch positions.
• Heat retention: Constant repositioning can trap body heat under the torso.
• Getting “stuck”: Slow-response foams can make it harder to move freely.

Mattress Options for Combo Sleepers 

You can still get a comfortable night’s sleep despite tossing and turning. Here’s the perfect mattress for this sleep style:

• Medium firmness: It provides enough give when sleeping on your side, while also supporting your back and stomach.
• Zoned support: Get firmer support under the hips and lumbar with softer zones at the shoulders and legs. It’ll keep your spine aligned as you move around.
• Responsive materials: Quick-responding foams (like latex) or coil-based systems help you switch positions without getting “stuck.”

FAQs About the Best Mattress for Your Sleep Style 

How do I know what type of mattress is best for me?

The best mattress is the one that supports your favourite sleep style, current body type, and overall lifestyle. Try your top choices in person. Wear comfy clothes, assume your typical sleeping position, and take at least 15 minutes to assess your experience. See how your spine aligns while lying down.

What should I know before buying a mattress? 

Apart from finding a mattress that suits your sleeping position, you should also consider its lifespan, the shop’s return policy, and the available payment plans. Take your time shopping smart because foam mattresses are a long-term investment.

How long should a mattress last? 

Most mattresses last around seven to 10 years. However, the actual lifespan depends on the brand, build quality, and how it’s used. Factors like your body weight, daily wear, room environment, and even the type of bed frame or foundation can also affect durability.

In Summary

• Side sleepers need soft to medium support with pressure-relieving foams.
• Back sleepers should look for medium-firm support with zoned or responsive surfaces to prevent midsection sagging and promote airflow.
• Stomach sleepers require firm mattresses with thin comfort layers and strong edge support to avoid spinal misalignment.
• Combo sleepers should look for hybrid designs that balance responsiveness, temperature control, and motion isolation for when they’re moving around.

Find Your Perfect Mattress for Less at Surplus Furniture 

Now that you know how to choose the right mattress for your sleep style, it’s time to bring one home! Whether you’re looking for a memory foam bed, an innerspring mattress, or a pressure-relief mattress topper, we’ve got the selection to match your sleep preferences. Get the best deals at Surplus Furniture. 

We’re one of Canada’s leading retailers of premium, brand-name furniture at true warehouse prices. With flexible financing, convenient layaway, and same-day delivery, both you and your wallet can sleep easy. 

Find a store near you or shop mattresses online today!