What’s the Best Mattress for Your Body Type?

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Choosing the right mattress for you is one of the keys to healthy, restful sleep. Everyone varies in height, weight, material preferences, sleeping position, so it makes sense that one type of mattress doesn’t work for everyone. To help you find the right mattress for your unique needs, we’ve created the ultimate resource for finding the best mattress for your body type.

Keep reading to learn what your perfect bed is!

Understanding Your Body Type

When it comes to your body type, there are a few categories you could fall under. Everyone has different shapes and curves to their body, so consider this when searching for a new mattress.

different body types

Let’s dive into the specific types:

Female Body Types

The most common types of female body types are:

  • Rectangle: shoulders and hips align with about the same width
  • Triangle: hips are  bustier than your shoulders
  • Hourglass: bust and hips align at about the same width
  • Inverted triangle: narrow hips with wider shoulders and bust

Male Body Types

The male body types are also named after shapes, the most common are:

  • Triangle: wide waist paired with narrow upper body
  • Rectangle: shoulders and hips align with about the same width
  • Oval: torso is wider than shoulders and arms
  • Inverted triangle: broad shoulders and narrow arms

How your body is shaped is important because it will determine what kind of pressure points you have and what level of support you will need from a mattress.

How Mattress Materials Affect Each Body Type

The list of mattress materials can be intimidating, how are you supposed to choose? Check out our brief overview of the different materials and how your body can benefit from each one below.

mattresses for different body types

Memory Foam

Memory foam is a soft, slow-moving material and is very popular among mattress shoppers. This material is known for contouring to your body, which is how it helps relieve pressure from your joints.

Every pound of body weight puts four to six pounds of pressure on the knee joints. This makes memory foam great for people with achy joints.

Best for: light sleepers

Innerspring

Innerspring mattresses have coils and thin comfort layers usually made out of foam. This combination is ideal for heavier sleepers and stomach sleepers because the coils will have a firmer feel and adequate support while you rest.

Best for: heavier sleepers

Latex

Latex mattresses are bouncy and durable. They are optimal for sleepers who want to move around easily throughout the night. This material also offers pressure relief and great overall support.

One study found that latex mattresses were better at evenly distributing pressure than a polyurethane alternative, and reduced up to 35% of pressure on the torso and buttocks.

Best for: heavier sleepers and lightweight stomach sleepers

Hybrid

Hybrid mattresses are similar to innerspring mattresses with the combination of springs and comfort layers of foam, but hybrids have at least 2” of comfort layers, and can be as thick as 4”. These materials work together to benefit sleepers who want extra support from coils, but want pressure relief on their shoulders and hips.

Best for: most body types

Pillowtop

A pillowtop mattress is most similar to an  innerspring mattress, with the addition of another layer of comfort materials.The additional layer is at the top of the bed and it provides pressure relief and helps keep your spine in proper alignment.

Best for: most body types

How to Choose the Best Mattress for Your Body Type

After deciding which material is the best for you, think about other factors that impact how you sleep. Your sleeping position, weight, and level of support are all important things to consider before you pick your mattress.

Consider Your Sleeping Position

Everyone has a preferred sleeping position, whether you’re a tried and true side sleeper or an active combination sleeper. It’s important to know your sleeping position so you can find a mattress that offers  proper support, pressure relief, spine alignment, and overall comfort.

Side Sleeper

When it comes to side sleeping, it’s vital to consider how supported your shoulders and hips are. Side sleepers need the correct amount of support and pressure relief for these joints. In general, side sleepers want a softer mattress so they don’t develop pain in those pressure points. Check out our full list of recommendations in our Best Mattress for Side Sleepers review.

pain points in different body types

Back Sleeper

Back sleepers need a mattress that will align their body to be flat. Because of this, these sleepers should choose a medium-firm to firm mattress. Those who sleep on their back will need support for optimal comfort so they don’t’ bottom out. Read our top picks for the Best Mattress for Back Sleepers to aid your search.

Stomach Sleeper

For stomach sleepers, the main goal in a mattress should be to make the body as straight as possible. Stomach sleepers will need a supportive, firm mattress that will provide the proper alignment for their spine. Stomach sleepers want to keep their hips elevated, so they don’t develop lower back pain. Find out which we think are the Best Mattresses for Stomach Sleepers based on our research and testing!

Combination Sleeper

If you aren’t tied down to one sleeping position, you’re a combination sleeper. Combination sleepers need a mattress that will provide comfort and support for all positions throughout the night. We crafted a list of our Best Mattresses for Combination Sleepers based on responsiveness, edge support, and more to help these folks in their mattress shopping journey!

Weigh In Additional Factors

With your mattress material and sleeping position in mind, you should add weight and height to the list of things to consider. You want to make sure you choose the best mattress based on your height and weight so that you are receiving the best support, pressure relief, and comfort possible while you rest.

Weight and Weight Distribution

The weight of a sleeper affects the weight distribution across a mattress. Taking into account how much you weigh will allow you to choose a mattress that has the right amount of support for the most comfortable sleep.

Generally, lightweight sleepers do best with soft mattresses. Average weight sleepers can go for anything medium-firm to firm, while heavier folks tend to need firmer mattresses. If you’re a sleeper over 230 lbs and struggling to find a bed that will provide the best rest for you, browse our Best Mattress for Heavy People resource!

Height

Much like weight, height is an important factor when mattress shopping. The ideal bed for a 5” person at an average weight versus a 6” tall person at a heavier weight are going to differ significantly. No one wants to sleep with their feet hanging off of the bed at night.

Pair the Right Mattress Material for Your Body’s Support Needs

Remember to make note of what extra support your body might need from your mattress. If you’re struggling from aches and pains, take the time to investigate which beds can offer relief so you can begin to recover while you rest.

Back Pain

For sleepers with back pain, the main goal is to keep the spine at a proper alignment to combat discomfort, aches, etc.

To successfully hold the spine in alignment, your mattress needs to be durable and supportive. Also look for something called “zoned support.” You can learn more about this feature, and  which mattresses our experts recommend for folks who suffer from back pain in our Best Mattresses for Back Pain article.

Hip Pain

Hip pain can contribute to sleepless nights and leave people feeling sore after resting. Sleepers who have hip pain need a soft mattress with pressure relief for both their shoulders and hips. Innerspring mattresses can be too bouncy and firm to alleviate hip pain. Head to our Best Mattresses for Hip Pain article to learn more about which materials are best for these aches.

Lower Back and Sciatica Pain

If you lose sleep over lower back and sciatica pain, there are options for mattresses that can offer relief so you can start resting throughout the whole night. The ideal mattress for both of these pains is going to have an equal balance of comfort and support. Much like the mattresses for back pain, you’ll want a neutral spinal alignment, so look for zoned support. Find our favorite picks Best Mattresses for Lower Back and Sciatica Pain review.

Pressure Points

A mattress that targets your pressure points and aids joint pain can give you the sleep you deserve. These types of mattresses are soft, and pressure-relieving so the aches and pains are soothed throughout the night. Browse the Best Mattresses for Pressure Points that were carefully crafted from our sleep experts.

Selecting the Right Mattress Size for Your Sleep Needs

The size of your mattress can be based on many factors from the space you have to fit your bed, to if you share your bed with a partner. Pick the right size for you with our quick review:

  • Twin: fit for children or small adults who have minimal square footage
  • Twin XL: good for tall children, small adults who need to save space, and college students who live in a dorm
  • Full: great for solo sleepers or two small adults
  • Queen: ideal for those with a big space, a single sleeper or a couple
  • King: perfect for couples and those who have the room
  • California king: optimal choice for tall people and couples who want a lot of space

Check out our complete Mattress Size Guide!

Final Thoughts

There are a lot of things to consider before you decide on a mattress. Take notes of the kind of sleeper you are, do your research, and don’t rush the mattress buying process. Finding the best mattress for you is very important for  your sleep and overall health. Any time you’re overwhelmed or lost when it comes to mattresses and anything sleep related, we’re here to help!

How should I shop for a mattress if I sleep with a partner who has a different body type?

It’s likely that you don’t have the same body type as your partner, so you might be struggling to find the perfect mattress to share. You’ll want to be mindful of things like motion transfer and edge support, so you aren’t disturbing your partner throughout the night. If this is the case, we recommend you check out our Best Mattresses for Couples and the Best Split King Mattresses reviews to help your search!

What is the best mattress if my body type changes?

It’s natural for your body to fluctuate. If there are significant differences in your body that make your mattress uncomfortable, but you aren’t ready for a new bed, learn about the benefits of mattress toppers. They can fully change how your mattress feels without being permanent or breaking the bank!

What is the best mattress for teens whose bodies are still changing?

Teenagers seem to grow by the day, so they need a mattress that will adapt with them. Learn more about the best options for your teen to get healthy, full rest with our Best Mattresses for Teenagers article.

Samantha Nuno

Samantha Nuno is a writer on the Mattress Clarity editorial staff. She is a combination sleeper and sleeps on a Nectar mattress. When she's not immersed in all things sleep, she enjoys walking, paddle boarding, and making lattes.