Why we picked it: If you like a firmer bed, this mattress from Titan belongs in your bedroom. The winner of our “best mattress for stomach sleepers” title within our roundup of the best beds of 2024 isn’t too plush, one tester says, and without much, if any, sinkage as you snooze, it should be supportive for stomach sleepers of many body sizes and types.
Our fave features: The top-tier stability comes from the high-density foam layers and steel coils that reinforce the edges for strong support around the perimeter. The Titan Plus earned a 4.5 out of 5 in edge support, which makes it great for folks with mobility issues who can make use of the sturdy perimeter to support themselves while getting out of bed.
The Titan Plus’s gel-infused top layer draws heat away from your body; in our testing, we found the mattress temperature rose less than six degrees after lying on it. For an even breezier night of 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 flip to your side or have a side-sleeping partner. In this position, your shoulders and hips could feel like they’re digging into the bed.
Product specifications
Material: Hybrid | Firmness: Firm (a 7.5 out of 10) | Trial period: 120 nights | Warranty: 10 years | Shipping: Free
What to look for when mattress shopping for a stomach sleeper
Before you drop a good chunk of change on a brand-new bed, make sure you consider these important features:
- Firmness: Stomach sleepers generally need a firmer mattress that supports proper spinal alignment, experts say. With softer beds, your hips and shoulders can “sink” into the cushion in an unnatural curve, leading to aches and pains.
- Material: Material and firmness tend to go hand in hand. Beds made with latex, coils (often called innerspring mattresses), or a combination of foam and coils are typically great options for stomach sleepers. (More details on that later.)
- Lumbar support: Some of the best mattresses for stomach sleepers offer “zoned support,” meaning different parts of the mattress are firmer than others (such as stronger coils placed in the lumbar area), which further promotes proper spinal alignment.
- Responsiveness: If you tend to flop between sleeping positions, seek out a mattress that’s more bouncy and responsive. (If you press down into a mattress and it quickly springs back to its original shape, it’s responsive.) This will help you be able to move around without feeling like you’re being swallowed by the mattress.
- Cooling elements: Sleeping face-down can leave you feeling particularly hot and sweaty. To reduce discomfort, look for an innerspring or hybrid model because the coils naturally allow for 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?
Every person has different preferences, and there is ultimately no right or wrong bed for any sleeping position, Dr. Wu says. With that in mind, he recommends testing different firmness levels and mattress materials before you settle on a winner—but he and Dr. Baxi also have some helpful hints to guide you along the way.
Firmness
If you snooze face-down, you’re best off with a medium-firm to firm mattress, says Dr. Wu. “For stomach sleepers, the firmer the better,” Dr. Baxi adds. “A firm mattress will help with optimizing your spine position, keeping it as neutral as possible.” A softer mattress, by comparison, can create excessive sinkage around your shoulders, hips, and knees. When these points sink too much, your lower back arches more. (For those who are curious, back sleepers will also benefit from a firmer mattress. Side sleepers, on the other hand, should generally sleep on a medium-firm mattress.)
Material
Latex
Latex mattresses are one of the best options for stomach sleepers, Dr. Wu says. The material, made from rubber tree sap, is typically bouncy and stays cool. These models may be more pressure-relieving than polyurethane (or memory) foam mattresses—especially on the front of the torso while stomach sleeping—and distribute it more evenly, according to a small 2017 study. But, given their springy nature, you may feel more movement on a latex mattress, so light sleepers with active bedmates might want to think twice about choosing a bed with this material.
Innerspring
Traditional innerspring mattresses, equipped with steel springs, are generally supportive and firmer, which can be a great foundation for stomach sleepers to get a good night’s sleep. As you can guess from the name, they also run “bouncy” compared to beds made of other materials. Innerspring mattresses are generally heavier than other types of mattresses, due to the coils—so keep that in mind for any future re-decorating plans.
Memory foam
Memory foam mattresses that are made with denser, firmer foam layers —such as the firm DreamCloud—can be great options for stomach sleepers. But stomach sleepers may want to “avoid overly soft memory foam or pillow-top mattresses that may cause that excessive sinking,” and, in turn, poor alignment, says Dr. Wu.
Hybrid
The combination of foam and coils that you find in a hybrid mattress can support the spine’s natural alignment while relieving pressure around the joints, including the shoulders and hips—and are therefore usually a safe pick for stomach sleepers, according to Dr. Wu. Many of the beds on this list—including the best overall—are hybrid models.
Is stomach sleeping bad for you?
Hate to break it to you, but sleeping on your stomach night after night may up your risk of aches and pains come morning. (Occasional stomach sleeping isn’t concerning, says Dr. Wu.) This sleeping position puts your spine and neck in an unnatural, excessively arched position, Dr. Wu says. The resulting strain on the joints—particularly in the lower back—can lead to pain and stiffness, he says.
