Why we chose this: If you like a firmer bed, this mattress from Titan belongs in your bedroom. The winner of our “best mattress for stomach sleepers” title in our roundup of the best beds of 2024 It’s not too soft, one tester said, and without much, if any, sinkage as you sleep, it should offer support for stomach sleepers of various body sizes and types.
Our favorite features: Top-notch stability comes from layers of high-density foam and steel coils that reinforce the edges for strong support around the perimeter. The Titan Plus earned a 4.5 out of 5 for edge support, making it great for people with mobility issues who can use the sturdy perimeter to support themselves when getting out of bed.
The Titan Plus’ gel-infused top layer wicks heat away from your body; in our tests, we found that the mattress’s temperature rose less than six degrees after lying on it. For an even cooler night’s sleep, you can add a cooling cover to your order, starting at an additional $100 (actual price depends on mattress size).
Just so you know: Given its firmness, this mattress for stomach sleepers may not be the best option if you occasionally turn to your side or have a partner who sleeps on their side. In this position, your shoulders and hips may feel like they’re digging into the bed.
Product specifications
Material: Hybrid | Firmness: Firm (7.5 out of 10) | Trial period: 120 nights | Guarantee: 10 years | Shipping: Free
What to Look for When Buying a Mattress for Stomach Sleepers
Before you spend a good amount of money on a new bed, be sure to consider these important features:
- Firmness: People who sleep on their stomachs often need a firmer mattress that supports proper spinal alignment, experts say. With softer beds, your hips and shoulders can “sink” into the pillow in an unnatural curve, leading to aches and pains.
- Material: Material and firmness tend to go hand in hand. Beds made with latex, springs (often called innerspring mattresses), or a combination of foam and springs are generally great options for stomach sleepers. (More on that later.)
- Lumbar support: Some of the best mattresses for stomach sleepers offer “zoned support,” which means that different parts of the mattress are firmer than others (such as stronger springs placed in the lumbar region), which further promotes proper spinal alignment.
- Responsiveness: If you tend to toss and turn between sleeping positions, look for a mattress that’s more springy and responsive. (If you press down on a mattress and it quickly returns to its original shape, it’s responsive.) This will help you move around without feeling like you’re being swallowed up by the mattress.
- Cooling elements: Sleeping on your stomach can make you feel particularly hot and sweaty. To reduce discomfort, look for an innerspring or hybrid model, because springs naturally allow airflow. And if you’re opting for an all-foam bed, certain materials, like breathable covers and gel-infused layers, can help.
What types of mattresses are best for stomach sleepers?
Everyone has different preferences, and ultimately, there’s no right or wrong bed for any sleeping position, Dr. Wu says. With that in mind, he recommends testing out different firmness levels and mattress materials before settling on a winner — but he and Dr. Baxi also have some helpful tips to guide you along the way.
Firmness
If you’re a stomach sleeper, it’s best to go with a medium-firm mattress, says Dr. Wu. “For stomach sleepers, the firmer the better,” adds Dr. Baxi. “A firm mattress will help optimize your spine position, keeping it as neutral as possible.” A softer mattress, by comparison, can create excessive sinkage around the shoulders, hips, and knees. When these spots sink too much, your lower back arches more. (For those curious, back sleepers will also benefit from a firmer mattress.) Side sleeperson the other hand, you should generally sleep on a medium-firm mattress.)
Material
Latex
Latex mattresses are one of the best options for stomach sleepers, says Dr. Wu. The material, made from rubber tree sap, is typically springy and stays cool. These models can relieve more pressure than polyurethane (or memory foam) mattresses — especially on the front of the torso when sleeping on your stomach — and distribute it more evenly, according to a small study from 2017. But given its springy nature, you may feel more movement on a latex mattress, so light sleepers and active bedmates may want to think twice before choosing a bed with this material.
Internal spring
Traditional innerspring mattresses, equipped with steel coils, are generally supportive and firmer, which can be a great foundation for stomach sleepers to get a good night’s sleep. As you might guess from the name, they’re also “bouncy” compared to beds made from other materials. Innerspring mattresses are generally heavier than other types of mattresses, due to the coils—so keep that in mind for any future redecorating plans.
Memory foam
Memory foam mattresses made with denser, firmer foam layers — like the firm DreamCloud — can be great options for stomach sleepers. But stomach sleepers may want to “avoid very soft memory foam mattresses or pillow-top mattresses that can cause excessive sinkage” and, in turn, poor alignment, says Dr. Wu.
Hybrid
The combination of foam and springs you’ll find in a hybrid mattress can support your spine’s natural alignment while relieving pressure around your joints, including your shoulders and hips — and so they’re generally a safe choice for stomach sleepers, according to Dr. Wu. Many of the beds on this list — including the best overall — are hybrid models.
Is sleeping on your stomach bad?
Hate to break it to you, but sleeping on your stomach night after night can increase your risk of aches and pains in the morning. (Sleeping on your stomach occasionally isn’t a concern, Dr. Wu says.) This sleeping position puts your spine and neck in an unnatural, overly arched position, Dr. Wu says. The resulting strain on your joints—particularly your lower back—can lead to pain and stiffness, he says.