If people sleep exclusively on their back, side, or stomach, it shouldn’t be too difficult to find the most appropriate mattress for them. They can find the perfect firmness to give them the support or comfort they desire in any specific sleeping position.
People who switch positions at night may find it more difficult to get an awesome mattress because a mattress that is great for side sleeping, for example, may not necessarily be so great for back or stomach sleeping. Fortunately there are a good number of mattresses that are excellent fits for combination sleepers, and this article will highlight those mattresses and attempt to indicate what type of sleeper they would be most appropriate for.
BEST LUXURY MATTRESS | ||
WinkBeds  | WinkBeds The WinkBeds is a luxury innerspring mattress with a pillow top that offers a great balance of comfort and support. | Doesn't expire |
BEST VALUE | ||
Casper  | Casper The Casper is a great value mattress with a zoned construction, which makes it a good match for numerous sleeping positions. | Doesn't expire |
GREAT FOR SIDE/BACK SLEEPERS | ||
Bear Hybrid  | Bear Hybrid The Bear Hybrid has premium foams and springs, and it is both comfortable and supportive. | Doesn't expire |
MOST DURABLE | ||
Purple  | Purple The Purple employs a hyper-elastic gel polymer that is both firm and pressure relieving at the same time. This gel grid is very durable, making this a good long-term investment and great value overall. | Doesn't expire |
BEST FOR BACK PAIN | ||
Level Sleep  | Level Sleep The LevelSleep TriSupport mattress is a great fit for combination sleepers. In addition, its zoned construction is designed to alleviate and prevent back pain. | Doesn't expire |
BEST PRESSURE RELIEF | ||
Nolah  | Nolah The Nolah is an all-f0am mattress with great pressure relief and is a great match for back and side sleepers. | Doesn't expire |
BEST INNERSPRING MATTRESS | ||
Saatva  | Saatva The Saatva features two layers of coils and a pillow top and is a great match for all three sleeping positions. | Doesn't expire |
Top Picks Explained
Best Luxury Mattress
WinkBeds
Like the Saatva, the WinkBeds is an innerspring mattress with two layers of coils and a Euro-style pillow-top. Also like the Saatva, it offers a great balance of comfort and support. Because of this, it should be a great match for combination sleepers of many sizes.
While back sleeping, people should feel their hips sink into that soft pillow-top, and at the same time, the two coil layers should keep people well supported. When people are on their side, the pillow-top will relieve pressure on their shoulders and hips. While on their stomach, those coils will also support them.
While the WinkBeds is similar to the Saatva, it has even more of a luxury feel. The Tencel fabric in the cover, the Hypersoft foam, and the premium gel foam make this a tremendous luxury pick.
What Makes The WinkBeds Mattress Stand Out?
- It has two coil layers and should be a very supportive mattress, even for larger people. There is also a WinkBeds Plus model that is designed specifically for heavy sleepers.
- The mattress also balances support and comfort. The coils are high-grade and supportive, while the pillow-top is plush and pressure-relieving.
- The coils promote airflow throughout the mattress, so hot sleepers should be sleeping cool on the WinkBeds.
- It has a plush, luxury hotel mattress feel.
The full breakdown and WinkBeds mattress review is available here.
Winkbeds has a mattress that is an excellent balance of comfort and support. You can get $200 off the Winkbeds mattress by clicking the link below and using code MC200 at checkout.
Best Value
Casper
Like the Level Sleep, the Casper mattress features a zoned construction. However, with the Casper, the differences between the zoned firmnesses are not quite as stark. The shoulder area and knee area are similar in firmness, and the center lumbar area is firmer.
On the Casper, people should feel great while back sleeping, because their hips will sink into the mattress, but the firmer center area keeps them from sinking in too far. When people are on their side, they should feel great pressure relief, especially in the shoulder area. When people move to their stomach, the center area also should keep them properly supported.
The Casper is also very responsive, because the top layer contains a latex-like foam with a good amount of bounce. This makes it easy to move around on the mattress without the feeling of getting stuck. Even if people change positions often throughout the night, the mattress should quickly respond.
What Makes The Casper Mattress Stand Out?
- The transition layer is zoned, meaning the center part of the mattress is firmer than the rest. This means the heavier parts of your body will have proper support, while the rest of the mattress will stay softer and pressure-relieving.
- The top layer of foam is open-celled and breathable, which means people get a foam feel without the heat-trapping effects of some memory foams. Hot sleepers should feel comfortable on the Casper throughout the night.
- The Casper is a great value, considering how complex the design is and how affordable it is. If someone wants a value combination sleeper mattress, the Casper should work for them.
The full breakdown and Casper mattress review is available here.
Casper is a great value that is also a great fit for all three sleeping positions. You can get 10% Off a Casper mattress simply by clicking the link below.
GREAT FOR SIDE/BACK SLEEPERS
BEAR HYBRID
The Bear Hybrid is a mattress that is smartly constructed to have great pressure relief and support at the same time. The comfort part of the mattress features premium foams that relieve pressure quite well, and overall it is a very comfortable mattress. At the same time, the support part of the mattress features individually pocketed coils that are very supportive.
Because of the unique hybrid construction, this mattress is a good fit for multiple sleeping positions and is especially good for side and back sleeping. The pressure relief was great on the side, but because of the coils the mattress also felt very supportive when I was on my back.
What Makes The Bear Hybrid Mattress Stand Out?
- It features premium foams in the comfort layers that have great pressure relief, and the pocketed coils in the support layer make the mattress very supportive at the same time.
- The mattress is especially good for side and back sleeping. Side sleepers will find the pressure relief to be great and back sleepers will definitely get more than enough support.
- The mattress has a celliant cover, which can potentially bring sleepers certain health benefits and provide a cooler night of sleep.
The full breakdown and bear hybrid mattress review is available here.
The Bear Hybrid has a great balance of comfort and support. It is a great match for back and side sleepers. You can get $225 off the Bear mattress by clicking the link below and using code CLARITY225 at checkout.
Most Durable
Purple
The Purple mattress features a very unique hyper-elastic gel polymer in its comfort layer that is made into a gel grid that stays flat and supportive until you apply a certain amount of pressure. When this happens, that area of the gel grid collapses, while the rest of the mattress is not affected.
Because of this design, the Purple is a great match for combination sleepers and a great fit for all three sleeping positions.
When someone is on their back, the mattress collapses under their butt and hips. They sink in just the right amount, but the rest of the mattress supports them.
When they are on their side, it only collapses under their shoulders and hips, relieving pressure in these areas. And when they sleep on their stomach, the mattress stays firm, and their hips don’t sink in, meaning they stay in proper, neutral spinal alignment.
This gel material is also very responsive, so it shouldn’t be difficult to move around. This is particularly great for combination sleepers, as the sleeping surface quickly responds to your new sleeping position.
What Makes The Purple Mattress Stand Out?
- It features a proprietary gel grid that is designed to retain its shape until you apply enough pressure. This makes it a good fit for all three sleeping positions and especially good for combination sleepers.
- The material is also very fast to respond, and as people change positions, they should feel the mattress snap back into place.
- The gel grid leaves a lot of room for airflow. It is a very breathable mattress, and hot sleepers shouldn’t have to worry about overheating on this temperature-neutral mattress.
- The hyper-elastic gel polymer is a very durable material as well. This means the Purple should be a longer-lasting mattress, and it should stand up to years of use.
The full breakdown and Purple mattress review is available here.
Purple is an innovative mattress that is a great fit for all three sleeping positions and doesn't sleep hot. You can get the best current deal on the Purple mattress simply by clicking the link below.
Best For Back Pain
Level Sleep
The Level Sleep has a TriSupport zoned construction, where each zone has a different firmness. The shoulder area is very soft, the lumbar area is firm, and the hips and knee areas are medium-firm. This design makes the Level Sleep a good match for all three sleeping positions and especially good for combination sleepers.
When people are back sleeping, the mattress supports their lumbar area, and their hips sink in just the right amount. When they move to their side, the mattress should relieve pressure on their shoulders. When they sleep on they stomach, the firm lumbar area ensures they don’t bow into the mattress and get out of alignment.
The Level Sleep is also designed specifically for sleepers with back pain, and the company has done years of design work to make a mattress that should alleviate and prevent lower back pain.
What Makes The Level Sleep Mattress Stand Out?
- It has a TriSupport zoned construction, where each zone has a different firmness. This means it should be a good match for different types of sleepers.
- The mattress is made to help with back pain. The lumbar area ensures you stay in proper alignment, and it could prevent and alleviate lower back pain.
- The memory foam used in this mattress is designed to be breathable and dissipate heat, so peopl shouldn’t be sleeping hot on the Level Sleep.
The full breakdown and Level Sleep mattress review is available here.
Level Sleep is a smartly designed mattress that is an excellent choice for those with back pain and is comfortable in any sleeping position. You can get 20% off a Level Sleep mattress by clicking the link below and using code CLARITY20.
Best Pressure Relief
Nolah
If someone is a combination sleeper who likes a softer foam mattress, the Nolah might be for them. It incorporates proprietary AirFoam, which is a soft, pressure-relieving alternative to memory foam.
While the mattress is a bit too soft for stomach sleepers, combination sleepers who switch between their back and side should find what they need on the Nolah. When they are back sleeping, their hips sink into the soft top layer, but then they find support on the firmer layers beneath. When they are on their side, the mattress feels very comfortable, so people should feel great pressure relief on their shoulders and hips.
However, I will note that heavier people might feel some pressure when they are on their side. They could press through the thinner comfort layer and hit the support layers. If you are a heavier person, consider the Nolah 12″ model, which features a much thicker comfort layer.
What Makes The Nolah Mattress Stand Out?
- Even though it’s a softer mattress, the Nolah is a great match for back and side sleepers. It is supportive enough when you are on your back, and pressure-relieving when you are on your side.
- The Nolah is a very affordable foam mattress. Considering how durable its components are, this is a value, long-lasting mattress.
- The AirFoam is designed to dissipate heat, and the cover is also cooling, so hot sleepers should be sleeping cool on the Nolah mattress.
- Heavier sleepers also have the Nolah 12″ model as an option, which has a thicker comfort layer.
The full breakdown and Nolah mattress review is available here.
Nolah has a VERY comfortable mattress that is especially good for side sleepers. You can get $125 off the Nolah by clicking the link below and using code MATTRESSCLARITY.
Marten’s Take
Marten is a staff writer for us and has a much different body type than I do: He is 6’7″ and weighs about 230 lb; I am 5’9″ and 160 lb. Here is what he thought about these mattresses and how appropriate they are for heavier sleepers:
I think three of these mattresses could be a great choice for heavier combination sleepers.
First, there is the Purple mattress, which is a great fit for all three sleeping positions. The hyper-elastic gel polymer only collapses under the heavier parts of my body, so when I’m on my back, the gel grid collapses under my hips and butt but stays supportive everywhere else.
When I’m on my side, I feel great pressure relief on my shoulders and hips, and when I’m on my stomach, the grid doesn’t collapse at all. If someone is even larger than I am, they can also choose the Purple 2, 3, or 4 to get even more pressure relief.
The Saatva is great because it is an innerspring mattress with a pillow-top, and sleepers get a really nice balance of comfort and support. When I am on my back, my hips sink in but not too far, and when I’m on my side, I feel surprisingly good pressure relief on the shoulders and hips. While I don’t feel quite enough support on my stomach, there is a firm option as well, which would be appropriate for people who just sleep on their stomach.
The WinkBeds is also an innerspring mattress with a pillow-top. When I’m on my back, my hips sink in just the right amount, and on my side, there is really great pressure relief. I don’t feel quite enough support when I am on my stomach, but the WinkBeds Plus model is also available for larger people.
If someone is looking for a combination sleeper mattress, their weight and size should play a major part in their decision. Given that Marten is a larger person, these three mattresses might be a better choice if someone is a heavier sleeper. Also, as he mentioned above, the WinkBeds Plus and Purple 2, 3, and 4 mattresses might be a good fit for much larger people.
What Should People Consider When Buying A Mattress For Combination Sleeping?
There are a few things people should think about when purchasing a combination sleeper mattress. There is no one mattress for everyone, but if people take the following criteria into account, they should be able to find the best mattress for them.
- Weight and size. When people are choosing any kind of mattress, they should always take their weight and size into account, and if they are looking for a combination sleeper mattress, it is even more important. One’s weight affects how far they sink into the mattress and also how much support they require overall. If someone is lighter, a medium-firm memory foam mattress could be a good fit for numerous sleeping positions. However, if people are heavier, they might need a more supportive hybrid or innerspring mattress with a softer top layer. With a combination sleeper mattress, consumers are always seeking a balance of comfort and support. So, people should think about their weight and just how much comfort and support they really need.
- The mattress’s firmness- If someone sleeps in one position all night, it shouldn’t be too difficult to find the right mattress firmness for them. Soft mattresses are usually best for side sleepers; medium-firm mattresses are better for back sleepers; and firmer mattresses are typically a good fit for stomach sleepers. When it comes to combination sleeper mattresses, people should be looking for something in the medium-firm range to accommodate multiple sleeping positions. This should ensure the mattress is soft enough for side sleeping and supportive enough for back and stomach sleeping. (Also keep in mind that no matter the mattress, it’s always a good idea to keep a pillow in between your knees while side sleeping.)
- Sleeping positions- If someone is a combination sleeper, they also need to think about which positions they switch between. Are they a side and back sleeper, or are they a back and stomach sleeper? These positions will affect the firmness they should be looking for. They should make sure the mattress is a good fit for all the preferred sleeping positions. For instance, if someone sleeps on their side and back, they might want something that is pressure-relieving and supportive. If they sleep on their back and stomach, they will probably want something more supportive. If someone sleeps in all three positions throughout the night, they want to find that perfect balance of comfort and support.
- The mattress type- There are a few types of mattresses that are usually a better fit for combination sleepers. Hybrid and innerspring mattresses, for example, with a pillow-top are often a great choice for combination sleepers. Consumers get the support of coils and the comfort and pressure relief of a pillow-top or foam layer. If people want a foam mattress, they should consider one with a zoned construction or a thinner comfort layer. People don’t want to sink too far into the mattress when they move to your back or stomach, because then they might not get enough support.
- The responsiveness of the mattress- When people move around at night, they want to know if their mattress will immediately respond to their new sleeping position. If someone chooses a slow-moving memory foam mattress, it might take some time for the mattress to conform to the shape of the body. However, if people choose a bouncier mattress with responsive foam or latex in its comfort layer, they should be able to move around without feeling stuck or uncomfortable.
- Motion transfer- If someone sleeps with a partner, it is especially important to consider how the mattress will handle motion transfer. If one or both partners are combination sleepers, will one’s movements disturb the another, or will the mattress absorb this motion? When it comes to dealing with motion transfer, memory foam mattresses are usually the best because of their chemical nature. However, pure memory foam mattresses aren’t always the best choice for combination sleepers. People should try to find a mattress that will cut down on motion transfer while also meeting their other combination sleeper needs.
Overall
If someone has been looking for that perfect combination sleeper mattress, one of the seven listed above should be a good match. People should just keep these criteria in mind, assess their own needs and preferences, and then they can make a more informed purchasing decision.
Our Top Picks: Best Mattress for Combination Sleepers
- Best Luxury Mattress – WinkBeds
- Best Value – Casper
- Great for Side and Back Sleepers – Bear Hybrid
- Most Durable – Purple
- Best for Back Pain – Level Sleep
- Best Pressure Relief – Nolah
Joe Auer
Joe Auer is the editor of Mattress Clarity. He mainly focuses on mattress reviews and oversees the content across the site.
He likes things simple and take a straightforward, objective approach to his reviews. Joe has personally tested nearly 250 mattresses and always recommends people do their research before buying a new bed. He has been testing mattresses for over 5 years now, so he knows a thing or two when it comes to mattress selection. He has been cited as an authority in the industry by a number of large publications.
Joe has an undergraduate degree from Wake Forest University and an MBA from Columbia University.
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