Mattress Makeup: What’s Right for You?

With all of the mattress options available today, do you know much about what’s in your mattress? More importantly, do you know how your mattress construction impacts the kind of sleep you get? Not any one mattress type is right for every person, but there is a mattress that will work best for your body, your habits, and your sleep style. 

The mattress market is, for the most part, dominated by three types of mattresses: foam, innerspring, and hybrid. There are subcategories within those segments, of course, but those are the main types of mattresses. To simplify, we’ll match up the dominant sleep styles with the type of mattress that best suits that sleep style. 

The best mattresses for back sleepers

If you’re a back sleeper, you’ll likely want a firm and supportive mattress that allows the natural curve of your spine to relax without creating uncomfortable pressure points. While this traditionally describes an innerspring mattress, today’s foam mattresses and hybrid mattresses typically offer firmer options, too. 

Because sleeping on your back can cause issues like snoring, dry mouth, or even acid reflux, another great option for back sleepers is an adjustable foundation, which gives you the option to raise your head and/or your feet. 

Most of our adjustable foundations  are compatible with a wide range of mattresses, both foam and innerspring. However, some innerspring mattresses with border wire won’t work with an adjustable base. It’s a good idea to buy your mattress and your adjustable bed at the same time to make sure they’re a perfect match. 

The best mattresses for stomach sleepers

If you’re a stomach sleeper, you’re probably familiar with the difficulty of finding the right mattress. Stomach sleeping is not the most popular sleeping position for adults because of the propensity the position has for causing aches and pains in the neck and lower back. The density of memory foam can provide the right combination of support and yield that stomach sleepers need. Hybrid options with foam toppers can also work well, with enough support to help stomach sleepers avoid a sinking or “stuck” feeling. 

A great set of pillows is also important for stomach sleepers. A head pillow with a low profile, accompanied by a body pillow or two, can help ease neck or shoulder stiffness. 

Side sleepers

Side sleepers are in the majority among American adults. Memory foam mattresses, hybrids, and innerspring mattresses with medium firmness but softer pillow tops are good for side sleepers, who need a little more cushion over a firm base to take the pressure off of shoulder and hip joints. 

Pillows are also important for side sleeping, as they can alleviate pressure in your hips when placed between your knees. Hugging a pillow or using a body pillow can relieve pressure in your shoulders and (hopefully) prevent you from waking up with a “dead” arm in the middle of the night.

Whatever your sleep style, we’ll help you find the right mattress for you. If you’re looking for a mattress that will you get better sleep by supporting your body in your sleep position, come talk to the sleep experts at Mattress Man.