The Bear Elite Hybrid’s “firm” model has just what you need to stay comfortable and supported in both back and side sleeping positions—namely, pocketed innerspring coils that deliver support exactly where you need it beneath a memory foam layer that adds cushion and pressure relief.
Our Tester’s Take
The Bear Elite Hybrid is built with a combination of dense memory foam and sturdy innerspring coils to provide firm cushion where you need it (aka through the hips and low back region) and a bit more softness everywhere else. We recommend it to not just back and stomach sleepers but also those who need a mattress for back pain, because it has strategic zoned support which can help keep your spine in a more comfortable, neutral position all night long.
A sleeper hit with everyday athletes, Bear’s mattress is also known for its advanced cooling features, like its use of phase-change materials to absorb body heat and Celliant fibers to better regulate your body temp. (For those of us who aren’t material engineers, phase-change materials are substances that can store and release heat in phases to keep you from sleeping too hot or too cold, while Celliant fibers are designed to promote better circulation.) Our testers were skeptical of Bear’s claims that these features can promote post-workout recovery—we’d need more testing to know for sure—but we did find that the mattress sleeps noticeably cooler than most.
Struggling with night sweats? The Emma Hybrid Comfort boasts a moisture-wicking cover, gel-infused foam, and a breathable innerspring layer for cooler sleep.
Our Tester’s Take
One of the most affordable mattresses on the list, the Emma Hybrid Comfort is also a great choice for stomach sleepers, thanks to its firm support and elevated feel through the hips. But where it really stands out is in its consistently cool feel.
After taking a very sci-fi looking thermal gun to our mattress testing processes, the results were clear: The Emma Hybrid kept our team dry and cool by absorbing and dispersing excessive body heat, even when we slept in our (incredibly sexy) long, full-coverage pajamas. These cooling powers came courtesy of a light, moisture-wicking cover that feels cool and breathable, as well as a hybrid construction that allows for plenty of airflow through the springs. The bed’s high-density foams and inner pocketed springs also offer top-notch support with minimal motion transfer, so you’ll stay sound asleep even when your partner leaves the bed for a midnight snack.
The Birch Natural is a firmer-than-average bed built from chemical-free natural latex and certified organic wool. It’s got that textbook latex feel—it’s so bouncy and responsive that you’ll feel like you’re almost floating above the mattress instead of sleeping in it, memory foam-style.
Our Tester’s Take
If you’re passionate about farm-fresh produce and know exactly what natural materials feel best on your body (linen, FTW), you need an organic mattress to complete the vibe. The eco-friendly Birch Natural is free from any potentially harmful materials, like the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that some lower-quality mattresses made from polyurethane foam have been found to emit.
Its top cover, quilted with organic cotton, offers ultimate softness and breathability, while the layers of organic wool beneath are also breathable and cushion your movements with a natural plush feel. Inside, it has more than a thousand individually pocketed coils for customized support, as well as two layers of natural latex placed in the middle of the mattress, which provide enhanced responsiveness and pressure relief. The firmness of these layers makes it a top choice for stomach sleepers, since it bolsters the hips and won’t let your lower half sink in too far.
Let’s Compare the Costs of These Mattresses for Stomach Sleepers
Here are how our selections of the best mattresses for stomach sleepers measure up for queen sizes, before any sales or promotions.
How We Tested Mattresses for Stomach Sleepers
Our sleep team has tested more than 500 mattresses to determine which work best for every type of sleeper so you don’t waste your time and money on a bed that isn’t right for you. To provide you with first-hand insight into what it’s like to lie on these beds, we evaluate each mattress’s materials, firmness, pressure relief, motion transfer, responsiveness, edge support, and cooling. We then translate the marketing jargon into bottom-line, actually useful features so we can demystify what you’re getting from each mattress.
Since the main benefit of buying a bed online is convenience, we also report on the shopping experience, like setup, delivery, trial period, and warranty. This makes it easier for you to pick the mattress that best suits your sleeping needs and budget, so you can enjoy your new bed to the fullest.
Here’s more intel on our testing process.
What to Look for in a Mattress for Stomach Sleepers
Buying a mattress as a stomach sleeper is a bit more nuanced than shopping as a side sleeper or back sleeper—but it’s crucial to get it right. “A mattress that isn’t supportive, or too soft, can add stress to the natural curve in the lower back and add to the extension and or rotation of the neck in a person that sleeps on their stomach,” Lees says. “This can lead to back and neck pain, headaches, and unrestful sleep.”
Firmness
A mattress on the firmer side is key to keeping your hips elevated, but your mattress should also strike a balance between comfort and support: It should be soft enough for you to feel relaxed and cozy when you’re tucked in for the night, but not too soft. You don’t want your lower half to sink too far into the bed because that could put your spine and neck in cramped positions for extended periods of time.
Mattress Support
Rather than too plush, you need your mattress to have stability to keep your spine straight and naturally extended. For those weighing under 230 pounds, mattresses in the medium-to-high firmness range should be enough. If you’re over 230 pounds, opt for mattresses on the high end of the firmness spectrum. Thankfully, the beds on this list were hand-selected (and tested) for stomach sleepers—and a few of them have multiple firmness options.
Best Types of Mattresses for Stomach Sleepers
When looking for a new mattress, you’ll encounter several different types of materials, each with different advantages and disadvantages. Here’s what to know about each.
Memory Foam
Memory foam tends to work a little bit like Play-Doh—it molds to your body’s angles and curves. This molded feel can help in terms of providing good contouring and pressure relief, but it’s not as successful at providing enough support and guidance for your spine. Memory foam mattresses also tend to sleep warmer than innerspring or hybrid beds.
Hybrid
Hybrid mattresses are the best of both worlds: They have strong support through the use of innerspring coils, surrounded by multiple layers of cushiony foam. They’re more supportive than a solely foam mattress, but they also have a nice plush feel. A firm hybrid mattress with spine-specific targeted support zones is the smart option for most stomach sleepers.
Latex
Typically derived from rubber trees, natural latex isn’t as common as memory foam in mattresses, but it has plenty of advantages—including the fact that it’s a great option for stomach sleepers. It’s often more supportive and responsive than memory foam, and it also tends to sleep cooler throughout the night. Latex mattresses are naturally resistant to mold and mildew, and since they’re ultra-durable, they can last for up to two decades.
How to Sleep More Comfortably on Your Stomach
The first place to start for a more comfortable stomach sleep is with your mattress.
