Buying Guide: Find The Best Mattress For Your Sleep Style
As we've learned, many elements come into play when it comes to shopping for the right mattress. And as previously mentioned, while the construction of a mattress is highly important, your personal sleeping style, or position, is also a determining factor in what makes a good mattress for you personally. We take a closer look here at the mattresses that cater to your specific sleeping style.
*NOTE: While "Sleep Number" adjustable beds and high-end memory foam mattresses can deftly fit any sleep style with focused support, we've found that these are not the most budget-friendly choices. So we're keeping our recommendations to conventional mattresses in this buying guide.
Side Sleeper. The most common sleeping style, side sleepers require a mattress that doesn't put stress on their shoulders and hips and instead relieves pressure from those body parts. This usually means a mattress that is slightly softer is a good option because it allows the sleeper's body to sink just a little into the mattress. A slightly softer mattress is also good because it accommodates the body's natural curve and keeps the spine aligned. Our mattress pick: Simmons Beautyrest Classic pocketed coil mattress.
Back Sleeper. For people who sleep in this style, support for the lower back is crucial. Therefore, it's best to avoid very stiff spring mattresses since they have a tendency to push against the spine and not provide the correct curvy support. At the same time, a mattress that is too soft will not give enough support to the body and the back. A medium-firm mattress is a good choice. Our mattress pick: Laura Ashley Aurora Collection innerspring mattress.
Stomach Sleeper. This sleeping style requires a firmer and stiffer mattress that keeps the body afloat instead of sunken. Many stomach sleepers may suffer from lower back pain, which has prompted them to this sleeping style where spine alignment is at its most minimal. Our mattress pick: Serta/Perfect Sleeper innerspring mattress.
Combination of all Styles. Typically most people fall into this sleeping style category where it's a combination of all of the above, which means that there's a lot of movement in bed. For this style, it's important to pick a mattress that is personally suitable to you for your comforts -- one that's not too stiff for your side sleeping and not too soft when you turn on your stomach. But in general, it's been said that combination sleepers have found mattresses with innerspring pocket coils or those made from latex foam to be highly comfortable. Our mattress pick: Sealy latex foam mattress.
What have you found to be the mattress that works best for your sleeping style? Let us know in comments.
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This comment has not yet been postedMy husband fell for the assurances that the small amount of memory foam in our new Sealy Posturepedic mattress is such new material that it will wick away the heat. Well, I don't hate it as much as the old pad, but I still don't like it.
I read in these comments that this non-flippable mattress will probably only last 4-5 years. Whoo Hooo! The sooner it goes, the happier I will be.
Also, for those considering sleep number beds, ask yourself how often you want to switch the firmness of your bed. Most people have one preference that seldom changes. So you are paying a lot of money for a feature you will only use a few times, probably only in the first month or so of ownership. It's also good to note that the motors typically are not included in the overall mattress warranty. There also have been complaints of sleep number beds growing mold inside due to the air/moisture going in and out of the mattress when adjusting the firmness.