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Sleeping positions are a personal preference, but positions like the side and back are most common. Our Reviews Team’s survey of 600 recent mattress buyers found that almost 50% of our respondents were side sleepers, with the rarest sleep position being the stomach (14%). Research has shown that stomach sleeping can contribute to back and neck pain, so it’s essential to find a mattress with proper support if your favorite position is the stomach.
Through our research, talking to physical therapists and sleep specialists, and our in-depth testing, we’ve found that the best mattress for most stomach sleepers offers medium-firm to firm support. We’ve compiled our current list of the best mattresses for stomach sleepers, so you can find the right one for you.
| Mattress type | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid | Foam | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid |
| Our firmness rating | Medium | Firm | Firm | Firm | Firm | Firm | Firm |
| Mattress height | 13” | 13.5″ | 11.5″ or 14.5″ | 12.5″ | 13.25″ | 11.25″ | 13″ |
| Warranty | Lifetime | 15 years | Lifetime | Lifetime | 10 years | 10 years | 10 years |
| Trial period | 365 nights | 100 nights | 365 nights | 120 nights | 120 nights | 120 nights | 365 nights |
We chose the Nectar Premier Hybrid as the “Best Overall Mattress for Stomach Sleepers” because our testers gave it high marks for support, a key feature for stomach sleepers. We also like Nectar’s generous 365-night sleep trial and lifetime warranty.
The Nectar Premier Hybrid combines layers of contouring foam with a coil layer, which gives the mattress a soft, supportive feel that our testers found quite comfortable when resting on their stomachs. While the mattress felt supportive along the edge when our testers were lying down—likely due to more even weight distribution—they found it a little unstable when they sat on the side. Here’s how our testers scored the mattress for support:
The Nectar Premier Hybrid has a memory foam pillow top that our testers describe as buoyant and comfortable. It’s balanced by the coils below, which offer plenty of support to keep areas of deeper compression properly elevated. The springs underneath make it easy to change positions, but the memory foam absorbs motion well. Our team feels those features make the Premier Hybrid a good fit for combination sleepers and couples alike.
Memory foam tends to trap heat, but the Premier Hybrid uses a gel infusion to combat heat retention. The coil layer also improves airflow. Our Reviews Team found the mattress did a good job of staying cool and comfortable.
“I don’t feel like it’s causing any discomfort on my chest, which can sometimes be an issue for people. When stomach sleeping, it feels very lovely.”
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For more information, see our Nectar mattress review.
The Helix Dusk Luxe is our choice for “Best Mattress for Back and Stomach Sleepers” because it offers good support, which is critical for stomach sleepers, although it tested lower for support than the Saatva Classic. While Helix rated this a medium-firm mattress, we found it on the firmer side, making it a good option for stomach sleepers who need a firm surface to keep their hips elevated and spine aligned. We found this mattress also offers great pressure relief for back sleepers (our testers gave it a five out of five), making it an ideal pick for people who sleep on both their stomachs and backs. The Helix Dusk Luxe is also a top pick in our review of the best mattress for back pain.
When lying on their stomach, our testers said their hips didn’t sink, and their spine stayed aligned. On their back, our testers felt some sinkage from the plush pillow top, which provided a nice cradle, while the inner coil layers offered plenty of support throughout, especially in the lower back region. Zoned lumbar (lower back) support helps to maintain a neutral spine, which research has shown may prevent the aches and pains that can come with a stomach sleeping position.
Switching positions on the Dusk Luxe was easy because of the responsive surface. While some of our testers noted a slope on the edges of the mattress, others found the Luxe provided adequate edge support.
Bouncy responsiveness comes with one major disadvantage, though. The coils in hybrid models can affect motion isolationⓘ The ability of a mattress to keep movement on one side of the bed from affecting the other side . While our testers found they could feel some bounce during testing, they noted that a lot of the movement was dampened by the mattress. But if you sleep with a partner and are easily disturbed, you may want to opt for an all-foam bed, like the Nolah Signature, which is better at isolating motion.
Helix offers free delivery, and white-glove delivery (in-home setup) is available in some ZIP codes starting at $129 for mattress setup only. Each Helix mattress purchase has a 100-night trial period and a 15-year warranty.
“When on my back, I felt cradled, and the responsiveness of the bed made it easy to push up into a different position. Stomach sleeping was also comfortable since my spine felt in alignment.”
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For more information, see our Helix Dusk Luxe review.
We chose the Saatva Classic as the “Best Mattress for Side and Stomach Sleepers” because our testers scored it high overall in support, and good support is critical for stomach sleepers. Plus, the Classic also received high marks for pressure relief, making it ideal for side sleepers. We also appreciate Saatva’s free white-glove delivery and 365-day trial period, which provide top-tier customer service.
The Saatva Classic is considered an innerspring-hybrid mattress, so much of its support comes from those layers of coils. Our testers gave it high marks across the board in support:
But comfort is also important for a good night’s rest, and that comes from the Euro pillow top ⓘ A style of pillow top that provides an added layer of plush. The extra layer of padding is stitched beneath the mattress cover, so it’s flush with the edges of the mattress without adding extra height. and a center layer of foam that also provides added lower back support. Coils also offer a responsive, bouncy feel, which helps boost the mattresses’s functional support score. If you have any pain or mobility issues, bounce is important for aiding movement, whether changing positions or getting in and out of bed.
Our testers also loved the mattress’s extensive edge support. The reinforced perimeter ensures that if you roll close to or sit on the edge of the bed, you won’t end up on the floor.
While the mattress has three firmness options, our Reviews Team tested the luxury firm option specifically because it’s a good fit for most sleepers, including those who prefer to sleep on their stomachs and sides.
If you’re looking for a firm mattress, see our choices for the best firm mattresses.
“My spine feels aligned, and my hips are supported. The stomach is my favorite position on this mattress.”
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For more information, see our Saatva mattress review.
The Nolah Signature 12″ is an all-foam mattress featuring five layers of temperature-neutral foam and a breathable organic cotton cover. We chose it as the “Best Memory Foam Mattress for Stomach Sleepers” because the bed’s firmer surface is ideal for stomach sleepers. Based on our testing, we also found it should accommodate a range of sleepers, making it a good mattress for stomach sleepers of all body types.
Lying on the Nolah Signature, we first noticed the soft cotton cover and a plush foam surface, giving sleepers a layer of comfort.
Nolah rates the mattress firmness as medium, but our Reviews Team thinks it’s a bit firmer at a 7.5 out of 10. Nolah has included additional lighter-weight foam around the shoulders to make it easy to adjust positions. The edges of the mattress are also reinforced, adding to its durability. Although this mattress has poor responsiveness, it offers good overall surface and edge support, giving it a good functional support score for decent mobility.
Nolah mattresses are compressed and rolled in a box for delivery. It can take some time (about 24 hours) for the Signature to expand fully. Shipping is free, and white-glove delivery can be arranged during checkout with Load Up, a Nolah partner, for $150–$300.
Our Reviews Team has reviewed a range of memory foam mattresses in our testing lab. Visit the best memory foam mattresses we’ve tested to see our top picks.
“I found it easy to roll around. The material worked with my movement and was responsive, but it took me a couple of seconds to get into my new position.”
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For more information, see our Nolah mattress review.
The Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe Mattress is our top pick for “Best Cooling Mattress for Stomach Sleepers” because it blends cooling materials and hybrid construction. Coils encourage airflow, helping to boost breathability, and a cooling cover and foam top layer help regulate body temperature. According to our testers, the mattress was the coolest to touch out of all the mattresses we tested. We used a temperature gunⓘ A device that measures temperatures through the thermal radiation left behind on a surface to record the starting temperature at 66.9 degrees Fahrenheit. After our testers lay on the mattress for five minutes, we retook a temperature reading and recorded 75.5 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s a difference of 8.6 degrees. According to our rubric, any mattress that heats up between five to 10 degrees is “very good.”
Our Reviews Team tested the medium-firm mattress, which felt firmer than advertised (we gave it a 7.5 out of 10). During testing, we felt our hips supported, and our spine stayed aligned. We think stomach sleepers of all body types should feel supported on this mattress.
For anyone who switches positions throughout the night, it also scored high for pressure relief, likely due to its comforting foam layers.
The Aurora Luxe should allow for plenty of movement, whether you roll over during the night to change your sleep position or get up from bed. The mattress also offers zoned support, specifically in the lower back area, to help keep the spine in a neutral position.
“This mattress absorbs a lot of the movement. It doesn’t thud when we drop a weight, it cradles it. I think this is a solid mattress.”
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To learn more about this brand, read our Brooklyn Bedding review.
The Titan Plus is our top pick for “Best Mattress for Heavier Stomach Sleepers” because it’s a firm mattress that offers solid support and pressure relief and was designed specifically for higher-weight people weighing more than 250 pounds. We also like that stomach sleepers of all body types may find this mattress accommodates their needs.
In testing, the mattress scored high marks for edge support and responsiveness, making it a good option for people with chronic pain or mobility issues. If you’re looking for even more pressure relief, the Luxe option has a thicker construction with extra foam padding. This option may especially appeal to couples with different body types.
This mattress also did a reasonably decent job at dampening motion transfer in testing, giving it a good balance of motion isolation and responsiveness.
Titan does not have an option for white-glove delivery services.
Visit best mattresses for heavy people for more expert-tested recommendations.
“Although my hips dipped a little, my spine stayed aligned. The quilted top makes it feel more comfortable to sleep on your stomach.”
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For more information, see our Titan Plus mattress review.
The Emma Hybrid Comfort features zoned pocket coils, multiple foam layers, and a breathable, moisture-resistant cover. While it should accommodate a range of sleep styles and body types, our testers found it performed best in a stomach sleeping position. It’s also one of the least expensive mattresses on this list, and a queen can often be purchased for less than $1,000, making it our pick for the “Best Affordable Mattress for Stomach Sleepers.” Plus, Emma offers a 365-night trial period.
While Emma rates its firmness as medium, our Reviews Team rated it firmer at 7.5 out of 10. Our testers found that the mattress was most comfortable in a stomach sleeping position, with body weight distributed evenly, helping to keep the spine neutral. The surface also promotes ease of movement, making it easy to shift positions.
When pressing on the mattress, we immediately noticed it was highly responsive, although the thin memory foam layer took a bit more time to return to its original shape. This mattress tested average for motion isolation and provides good bounce, making it one of those rare mattresses that offers a decent balance of both. This means this mattress may work for couples while also boosting mobility.
Mattresses are a big investment, and affordability is an important consideration for most shoppers. See our picks for the best affordable mattresses.
“My hips aren’t dipping, they feel supported. I think stomach sleeping is the most comfortable of all the positions on this mattress.”
Who may love it
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For more information, see our Emma mattress review.
Firmness, support, and pressure relief are the top factors to consider when choosing a mattress for stomach sleeping.
According to research, most stomach sleepers will find they sleep most comfortably on a medium-firm mattress, but the right firmness can vary depending on your weight and personal preferences.
Because sleep surfaces can feel slightly different based on a person’s weight, higher-weight stomach sleepers may prefer a firmer sleep surface, while lighter-weight people may find a softer bed more comfortable.
For stomach sleepers, a mattress that’s too soft may not support your body and keep your spine in neutral alignment, leading to aches and pains, especially in the neck and spine area. One that’s too firm can cause uncomfortable pressure pointsⓘ The parts of the sleeper’s body that are in direct contact with the mattress, such as the backside, shoulder, hips, and ribcage. on the shoulders and hips, potentially disrupting your sleep.
For context, the best mattresses for side sleepers are generally softer, but keep in mind that mattress firmness is subjective. What feels firm to you may feel too soft to another sleeper.
A supportive mattress keeps your spine in a neutral position, which helps reduce the chances of discomfort.
Because stomach sleeping is more likely to cause disruptions in spinal alignment, opting for a supportive mattress that fills in the gaps between your body and the surface you’re sleeping on is important. For stomach sleepers with back pain, research in Sleep Science and Practice reported that a mattress with zoned lumbar (lower back) support may help ease chronic discomfort.
While stomach sleepers don’t need as much pressure-point relief as side sleepers, too much pressure on the body’s pressure points can still cause discomfort, particularly in the shoulder and rib areas.
Hybrid mattresses offer a blend of pressure relief and support, while foam mattresses tend to excel in contouring and pressure relief.
Most sleep experts recommend avoiding sleeping on your stomach because it can negatively affect spinal alignment and lead to pain and discomfort in the neck and back that persists during the day, which some research from BMJ Journals supports.
But for some people, stomach sleeping is the most comfortable and may even be safer than sleeping on your back. According to one sleep study, stomach sleeping (or prone sleep-positioning) helped to minimize the symptoms of sleep apnea for some people.
If your stomach is your go-to sleep position, it can help to sleep on a medium-firm surface that offers plenty of support and ensures you have the right pillow—a softer pillow will help keep your neck in a comfortable position relative to the rest of your body.
A comfortable mattress is just one piece of the sleep puzzle. As a stomach sleeper, consider these tips for improving overall sleep comfort and quality:
When shopping for any mattress, it’s important to weigh factors like cost, trial periods, firmness levels, and your preferred sleep position. The Saatva Classic is the best mattress overall for stomach sleepers, followed by the Helix Dusk Luxe and Nolah Signature, which we’ve found work well for most sleepers, including stomach sleepers.
Our reviews team has extensively tested all the mattresses on our list, so you can make an informed decision about which mattress is right for your personal sleep needs and preferences.
Body-contouring memory foam offers good support and excellent pressure relief, which can work well for stomach sleepers. But be wary of memory foam if you’re a hot sleeper. It tends to trap heat.
Also, memory foam may offer too much sinkage for higher-weight stomach sleepers.
A medium-firm mattress is the most comfortable firmness level for most sleepers, but the ideal firmness for you can vary depending on your weight and personal preferences.
A pillow top adds extra comfort and can be a welcome addition for any type of sleeper. That said, the plush feel of a pillow top isn’t for everyone.
Have questions about this review? Email us at reviewsteam@ncoa.org.
