Best Mattress for Stomach Sleepers in 2024
Stomach sleepers need a bed that supports their hips and helps keep their spine aligned. Our sleep experts have tested and picked the best mattresses for stomach sleepers.
What to consider
Firmness
Sleeping position
Feel
Construction
Body Type
Performance
Company Policies
Our Picks
Everybody has their preferred sleeping position. If you want to get a good night's sleep, you're going to need the right mattress for your sleeping position. If you're like me, you need to sleep on your stomach for at least part of the night. Stomach sleepers rely on this position to get proper sleep, even though it can trigger back or neck pain. As such, they need to have a bed that helps reduce the pain instead of adding to it.
The best mattress for stomach sleepers is usually soft enough to make you feel comfortable, and firm enough to offer proper back support. I've been researching mattresses for years and have tested over 150 of them. To help you save time doing the research yourself, I've put together this list with my favorite picks for the best mattress for stomach sleepers.
What's the best mattress for stomach sleepers?
When considering the best type of mattress for stomach sleepers, we primarily considered the design, firmness level and price. While there are several good options for stomach sleepers, the Bear Original stands out as the best overall pick. Its firmness level is right in the sweet spot for stomach sleepers, it's affordable and you have the option to add Bear's unique, Celliant-infused cover.
Note that the prices listed in our recommendations for the best mattress for stomach sleepers are for queen mattress sizes.
Video: Best mattress for stomach sleepers 2024
Watch CNET video producer Owen Poole review the best mattresses for stomach sleepers.
Best mattresses for stomach sleepers of 2024
Bear Original
Best mattress for stomach sleepers
SCORE
Saatva Classic
Best firm mattress for stomach sleepers
SCORE
Nolah Original
Best mattress for stomach and side sleepers
SCORE
Helix Plus
Best mattress for heavy stomach sleepers
SCORE
WinkBed mattress
Best hybrid mattress for stomach sleepers
SCORE
Nectar Memory Foam mattress
Best memory foam mattress for stomach sleepers
SCORE
Allswell mattress
Best mattress for stomach sleepers under $500
SCORE
Other stomach sleeper mattresses we've tested
The beds listed below are additional mattresses tested by CNET that just barely missed the cut.
Brooklyn Bedding Signature mattress: Brooklyn Bedding is one of the only online bedding brands that manufactures its own beds. The Signature mattress is a hybrid bed that boasts over 1,000 pocketed coils and comfortable layers of foam. It offers three different firmness levels, but the firm option is the best mattress for stomach sleepers as it will keep your spine in a neutral position throughout the night. Considering its supportive construction, it can also accommodate heavier stomach sleepers. At $1,332, it lands within the more affordable price range of mattresses.
Loom & Leaf mattress: Saatva's Loom & Leaf mattress has a memory foam feel that sleeps cooler than your typical memory foam bed thanks to the cooling gel layer. There are two firm firmness levels: Relaxed Firm and Firm, which come out to medium-firm and firm. The Firm option is responsive and provides more pushback, which is ideal for stomach sleepers to keep the spine from sagging. Coming in at $2,395, this mattress is more expensive, but Saatva frequently offers it at a discounted rate.
How we test mattresses for stomach sleepers
Our CNET Sleep editors are the brains behind our mattress best lists. They've tested over 150 different beds and have countless hours of experience under their belts. This enables them to create honest and unbiased mattress roundups that include their favorite picks. Mattresses are rated on several factors, including firmness, construction, performance, price and warranty information. When testing we also consider how the bed performs in specific categories like motion isolation, edge support and temperature.
CNET editors pick the products and services we write about based on editorial merit. When you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Read more on how we test mattresses.
CNET sleep expert Dillon Payne testing out the Helix Plus as a stomach sleeper.
What to look for in a mattress for stomach sleepers
Just because a mattress is objectively a good bed, doesn't mean it's the best mattress for your sleeping needs. Your needs are based on your sleeping position, weight and additional needs. When shopping for the best mattress for stomach sleepers, there are a few key factors you should keep in mind.
Most stomach sleepers will benefit from a firm mattress that keeps the spine from sagging and in neutral alignment with the neck.
Firmness level: Stomach sleepers have to be mindful of firmness level when shopping for a mattress. For most stomach sleepers, a slightly firmer mattress is best suited for your sleeping needs. We recommend medium-firm to firm mattresses for stomach sleepers; that way, your hips and spine are supported and comfortable. If a mattress is too soft, your hips will sink in, leading to back pain in the morning.
Your body type: Another factor that will influence which mattress a stomach sleeper should select is body type. Depending on how much you weigh, you may put more or less pressure on a mattress, which can change how you interpret the firmness level. Petite people put less pressure on the mattress, meaning they don't sink in as far. This means they will perceive the mattress as firmer. Heavier people will find that mattresses may feel softer because more pressure is put on the bed.
Mattress construction: A big thing to keep in mind is what your mattress is made of. A lot of this comes down to your preference for the feel and durability of your mattress, although there's more to it than that. All foam mattresses are budget-friendly and come in all ranges of firmness levels, but they typically aren't best suited for heavy people because they don't provide the support they need. We recommend that plus-size sleepers opt for mattresses with coils like a traditional innerspring or hybrid mattress that combines pocketed coils and comfortable foam layers.
The different types of mattress construction include:
- Innerspring: Innerspring mattresses are the traditional type of bed -- the one in your grandma's house. They feature a layer of coils as the base. Coil types include pocketed coils, continuous-wire coils or offset coils. Innerspring mattresses boast thin comfort layers on top of the coils for comfort. Some innerspring mattresses have pillow top options for side sleepers. Stomach sleepers benefit from innerspring mattresses because they provide even support across the mattress.
- Foam: Foam mattresses are made entirely of either memory foam, polyfoam, latex foam or a mix. All-foam mattresses are often budget-friendly and provide an ample amount of pressure relief. Stomach sleepers have to be careful with all-foam mattresses, especially if they are heavier, as they can sink too far in and wake up with back pain. It's best to stick to firmer all-foam mattresses as a stomach sleeper.
- Hybrid: Hybrid mattresses combine the best parts of both innerspring and foam mattresses. This type of mattress strikes a really good balance between comfort and support thanks to the coils and varied comfort layers. Your stomach won't sink too far in, and there are plenty of foam layers to provide pressure relief.
The layers inside of a Helix Plus mattress including pocket4ed coils in the bottom and memory foam on top.
Is it bad to sleep on your stomach?
Stomach sleeping has been linked to reduced snoring. Of all the sleeping positions, sleeping on your stomach is considered the worst sleeping position for your back because most of the weight is put on the middle of your body. Sleeping on your stomach often leads to your spine being out of neutral alignment. It can also lead to neck and shoulder pain since you have to turn your head to the side to breathe.
If you can't change your sleeping position, there are things you can do to support your body while still sleeping on your stomach. First and foremost, you should sleep on a firmer mattress. This keeps your hips from sinking too far into the mattress and changing your spinal alignment. Next, you can opt for thinner pillows that do not require any awkward twisting of your neck.
Other bed accessories for sleeping on your stomach
Having one of the best mattresses for stomach sleepers is a great start, but it doesn't have to be the end of your quest for ultimate comfort. Try adding a mattress topper or pillow for stomach sleepers to push your sleep quality to the next level.
Mattress toppers for stomach sleepers
Mattress toppers are cheaper than buying a whole new mattress. They have the ability to change the firmness of your bed, both firmer and softer. We advise a medium-firm or firm mattress for optimal support when sleeping on your stomach.
Read more: Best Mattress Toppers
Pillows for stomach sleepers
Pillows are a crucial part of how we sleep, and it's important to have the right one. The best pillows for stomach sleepers are flatter, which ensures your neck and head aren't twisted while you're sleeping on your stomach. What type of pillow is up to you: Some of the most popular types of pillows for stomach sleepers include latex foam, gel memory foam, feather pillows or organic cotton pillows.
Read more: Best Pillows for Ultimate Comfort
Best mattress for stomach sleepers FAQs
What mattress types are good for stomach sleepers?
Stomach sleepers should favor beds that offer ample support like hybrid mattresses that combine coils and foam, or supportive foam beds. There isn't a particular type of foam that works best for stomach sleepers, as it primarily depends on the feel you're looking for. There are plenty of firm memory foam, polyfoam and latex foam mattresses on the market.
What mattress firmness is best for stomach sleepers?
Medium to firm mattresses are best for stomach sleepers because they keep your spine in a neutral alignment, preventing it from sagging into the bed, which can cause back pain. Beds with a medium firmness level offer a balanced level of pressure relief and support, while firm beds offer maximum support.
Do stomach sleepers need a pillow?
The best pillow for stomach sleepers is a thin one, like pillows made with down, because they keep the neck in a straight alignment with the spine. A tall pillow will keep your neck kinked all night, a common culprit of neck pain. Unless you're extra petite, you'll probably want some kind of pillow.
Is a memory foam mattress good for stomach sleepers?
Foam mattresses are good options for stomach sleepers, as long as the bed falls on the firmer side. Stomach sleepers need a mattress that is firm enough to support their hips and keep their spine in neutral alignment. If the memory foam mattress is too soft and they sink in, it can cause back pain. Yes, stomach sleepers can sleep comfortably on memory foam mattresses that are medium or firm.