What’s the Best Mattress For Your Body Type?

Best Mattress for Heavier Sleepers

Heavy sleepers weigh more than 230 pounds. More body weight means you place more pressure on your mattress, so we recommend staying away from soft mattresses. When a heavy sleeper lies down on a too-soft mattress, they may sink too far and misalign their spine.

Firmer mattresses are usually recommended for heavy people because of their durability and lift. A firm mattress can contour to the body for pressure relief, but it is not so conforming that a heavy sleeper can sink in and misalign their spine.

That’s not to say a heavier person must sleep on a firm mattress. They can consider a soft mattress if the bed has supportive features such as bouncy springs or zoned support:

• A spring base often lifts a sleeper more than a foam base, so a heavy sleeper might want to try a soft hybrid instead of a soft foam mattress.
• Often, a responsive transitional layer prevents the sinkage that leads to back pain.
• Zoned support features provide firm support where it’s most needed, while ensuring the mattress feels soft under sensitive areas. Targeted back support is especially important since it prevents misalignment and back pain issues.

We usually recommend mattresses at least 10 inches tall for a good night’s sleep. However, heavy people often benefit from sleeping on thicker beds. A 12-inch mattress is able to withstand greater body weight distribution better than a thinner mattress.

Overweight sleepers also face an increased risk of sleep apnea. Heavier sleepers might want to consider pairing their mattress with an adjustable base. The base can raise the head of the mattress and a sleeper’s upper body. Elevating the upper body prevents the collapse of soft throat tissues that promote sleep apnea and snoring.

Our AS3 or AS5 Hybrid models are a good fit for any heavy sleeper. The top foam layer of Bio-Pur® relieves pressure while remaining cool. The pocketed coils ensure there won’t be too much sinkage.

Heavy people often need firmer mattresses to properly support their bodies and prevent them from bottoming out in bed, but not with the Amerisleep AS5 Hybrid. The AS5 Hybrid is our softest and most luxurious mattress option. It’s 14 inches thick and contains:

• 3 inches of Bio-Pur®
• 2 inches of Active Flex
• 8 inches of pocketed coils
• 1 inch of durable base foam

Bio-Pur® is our proprietary memory foam made from castor oil. This plant-based foam lasts longer than any traditional memory foam while also being more breathable and springy as well. So as a heavier person, you won’t end up feeling “trapped” or unable to move in your bed.

Active Flex is what makes the AS5 Hybrid stand out from other soft mattresses. It’s a springy material that conforms to your body similar to latex. It relieves pressure points and increases the bed’s support without making it feel firmer.

The coil unit in the AS5 Hybrid contains pocketed steel springs. They provide consistent spinal support and improve the bed’s air circulation. The coils on either side of the mattress are firmer to prevent saggy edges. Beneath the coils is a thin base foam built to secure the mattress and help it last longer.

The AS5 Hybrid is one of our models available in both hybrid and memory foam models. The memory foam model, the AS5, contains Bio-Core® support foam in place of the pocketed coil and foam base.

The foams in Amerisleep mattresses are CertiPUR-US® certified to keep you safe and prevent off-gassing.

The Amerisleep AS5 Hybrid comes in sizes twin to California king. It includes free shipping and returns, a 100-night sleep trial, and a 20-year warranty.

Quick Summary

• Luxuriously soft mattress suitable for all body types
• Won’t leave you feeling trapped or stuck in bed
• Contains plant-based memory foam free of harsh chemicals

Best Mattress for Petite or Lightweight Sleepers

Thin sleepers who weigh less than 130 pounds often need a softer mattress to feel comfortable. Most smaller sleepers won’t sink in enough on a firm or even medium feel mattress, limiting the pressure relief they experience. A too-firm mattress may also throw a small sleeper’s spine out of alignment.

Our recommendations when it comes to mattresses for a petite sleeper are our AS4 and AS5 mattress models.

As a lighter person, you’ll usually need softer mattresses than most to sleep comfortably. The Amerisleep AS4 is our most popular mattress amongst petite people for its medium-soft feel. A medium-soft mattress is suitable for petite sleepers who side or combo sleep. Some particularly light individuals may even like a medium-soft bed for back sleeping.

Inside the AS4 is:

• 4 inches of Bio-Pur® memory foam
• 1 inch of Affinity foam
• 7 inches of Bio-Core®

The Amerisleep AS4 has the thickest layer of Bio-Pur®, ensuring your body is well-cushioned. This way, you won’t experience painful pressure build-up regardless of how you sleep. The Affinity foam keeps your body lifted while also distributing your body weight. The Bio-Core® base promotes healthy spinal alignment without leaving you sore or achy.

Quick Summary

• Cushiony bed great for petite people
• Medium-soft feel suits light side, combo, and some back sleepers
• Cooling memory foam soothes pain and dissipates heat

Best Mattress for Taller Sleepers

It’s no fun to be a tall person on a too-small mattress. You may have your neck at an awkward angle or your feet dangling over the end. Choosing a large mattress size will ensure you have plenty of room to sleep comfortably.

A twin or full mattress may feel too small for single sleepers who are over 6 feet tall, with both measuring 75 inches long. A twin XL or full XL mattress has an extra 5 inches of length, which can keep a tall sleeper from feeling cramped and bumping their feet against the bed frame. Queen and king mattresses are also 80 inches long, perfect for single sleepers who want some extra space or couples sharing a bed.

For maximum legroom, a tall sleeper might want to consider a California king size mattress. Cal king beds are 6 feet wide and 7 feet long, so the mattress can comfortably fit two tall people for a good night’s sleep.

All of our Amerisleep mattresses are available in twin XL, queen, king, and California king sizes.

As a tall person, it may be difficult to find a bed that accommodates both your height and your sleeping position. The Amerisleep AS3 is one of the best mattresses for tall people, not only because of its wide range of sizes but also its versatile feel suited for all types of people.

The AS3 is 12 inches thick with a medium feel, which works well for side and combo sleepers, couples, and yes, tall individuals. Under the AS3’s plush knit cover is:

• 3 inches of Bio-Pur®
• 2 inches of Affinity foam
• 7 inches of Bio-Core® foam

Our Affinity foam contains HIVE® technology, a zoned support system. It features five support zones around your head, shoulders, back, hips, and legs to evenly distribute your body weight. This way, not one part of your body takes the brunt of your weight and ends up achy or stiff.

Bio-Core® is a supportive foam that helps align your spine. Not only that, but this firm base prevents the mattress from sagging or developing soft spots, ensuring you can use it for longer.

We typically suggest twin XL, queen, king, or California king size beds to taller individuals. Twin XL, queen, and king beds are all 80 inches long, while California king beds are 84 inches long. Of course, you know yourself better than we do! Consider your sleeping space and budget when deciding on what bed size to pick.

Quick Summary

• Best-seller amongst all types of people, including tall sleepers
• Balanced feel works well for couples
• Supportive mattress feeling overly firm

Best Mattress for Pregnant Women

Pregnancy changes a woman’s body, which may necessitate a new mattress to avoid a night of insomnia or morning aches and pains. Pregnant women are advised to sleep on their left side to promote blood flow to the fetus. Women might want to shop for a soft to medium mattress for side sleeping.

The mattress’s surface should promote ease of movement. Pregnant women often wake up at night to use the bathroom, which can be more complicated if the mattress is too soft or slow to respond to their movements. Motion isolation is also a key consideration, so her partner can rest undisturbed if she wakes up.

It’s not uncommon for pregnant women to sleep hot due to their increased metabolism. A cooling mattress such as a gel memory foam bed can keep a woman from waking up sweating, which would limit her time spent in the deep, restorative stages of sleep.

The Amerisleep AS3 mattress is an excellent choice for a pregnant woman. The memory foam and hybrid models are responsive, ensuring that she won’t get stuck in bed.

Now, the Amerisleep AS3 is our best mattress for tall people. But its hybrid counterpart, the Amerisleep AS3 Hybrid, is our best mattress for pregnant women. As a pregnant individual, it’s common to get overly hot and deal with night sweats when sleeping, but not with the AS3 Hybrid.

The AS3 Hybrid is 12 inches thick and contains:

• 3 inches of Bio-Pur ®
• 8 inches of pocketed coils
• 1-inch base foam

This design allows for maximum comfort and breathability during even the most uncomfortable stages of pregnancy.

Instead of the Affinity foam in the standard AS3, the AS3 Hybrid contains pocketed coils. The coils provide extra support for your back and belly while sleeping. Having springs in place of the Bio-Core® foam increases the air circulation throughout the bed, preventing you from getting too hot.

Another great thing about the AS3 Hybrid is its balanced feel. If you share a bed with your partner and you have different firmness needs, a bed with a medium feel is often a good compromise.

Quick Summary

• Comfy and supportive during late stages of pregnancy
• Memory foam soothes achy hips and shoulders
• Durable coils prevent sagging

What if I Plan on Sharing a Bed?

Buying the best mattress for your body type can get complicated if you plan on sharing with a partner. The two of you may have similar builds, making shopping easy. However, it’s quite possible you may not have similar body types, which can make your search more difficult. Still, it’s possible to buy a mattress that works for two different people.

The simplest solution can be a split mattress. As the name implies, a split mattress is halved into two separate mattresses, allowing partners to sleep on different firmnesses if they want. A split king mattress is the most common kind of split mattress, but you can also find split queen and split California king mattresses.

The drawback of split mattresses is their cost. If you’re shopping on a budget, you may need to compromise and find a firmness that feels reasonably comfortable. A medium feel mattress is usually an excellent choice since it can accommodate a variety of sleeping styles.

While we’ve mentioned our AS3 mattresses have a medium feel, we also offer the Amerisleep Organica for shoppers interested in a latex mattress. The Organica’s buoyant materials also provide the responsiveness couples need for comfortable sleep.

Our newest mattress, the Organica by Amerisleep®, is an eco-friendly mattress great for couples. Its medium firmness works well for couples who have different body types and sleeping preferences.

The Organica is 13 inches thick and contains:

• 1 inch of New Zealand Joma Wool®
• 3 inches of Talalay latex
• 8 inches of pocketed coils
• 1 inch of Dunlop latex

We make the Organica’s cover out of GOTS organic certified cotton, a breathable and soft material built to last for years. The hand-tufted rosettes on top of the bed secure the mattress layers together and help your bed last.

Talalay latex is a durable foam with a springy bounce. It contours under your body well and minimizes motion transfer. This way, you won’t disturb your partner when shifting or getting in and out of bed.

The pocketed coils we use in the Organica are similar to our other hybrid mattresses’, with reinforced sides and motion-isolating capabilities. Unlike our other hybrid beds, the Organica’s base is made from Dunlop latex. It’s long-lasting and sturdy, making it a great base foam for this bed.

Quick Summary

• Balanced, medium feel great for couples
• Latex prevents overheating when sharing a bed
• Pocketed coils prevent motion transfer

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it better to sleep on a hard or soft mattress?

There’s no one answer to this question because everyone has different sleep needs. What works for one person may feel uncomfortable to you. What is the secret to finding a comfortable and rejuvenating mattress? Consider your body type and sleep position.

A firmer mattress is good for back sleepers, stomach sleepers, and heavier people. A softer mattress is the right mattress for side sleepers and smaller people.

Is a firm mattress good for side sleepers?

No, firm mattresses are not a good choice for side sleepers because they lack the contouring needed for pressure relief. When a side sleeper lies on a firm mattress, their hips and shoulders remain raised, interfering with their spine’s neutral alignment. A mattress for side sleeping should fall into the soft to medium range.

Which mattress is best for back pain?

If you’re experiencing back pain, a medium-firm mattress might be the best option.

Studies conducted by the National Library of Medicine suggest Verified Source National Library of Medicine (NIH) World’s largest medical library, making biomedical data and information more accessible. View source a medium-firm mattress maintains optimal spine alignment while promoting a comfortable night’s rest.

You may also want to try sleeping on your back if you’re not already. Lying on your back evenly distributes body weight and prevents pressure point build-up.

Why does my back hurt after sleeping on memory foam?

The most likely reason is you’re sleeping on the wrong firmness. Memory foam is a naturally conforming material. If you have the right firmness, it should relieve pressure and pain instead of worsening it. To find the best mattress firmness, you need to consider your body type and sleep position.

Side sleepers need a soft to medium mattress. Otherwise, their hips and shoulders can raise their spines out of alignment.

Back sleepers typically benefit from sleeping on medium-firm to firm mattresses. A medium feel bed can also work if it has targeted back support.

Stomach sleepers require a firm mattress. The firm feel prevents their stomachs from sinking in and shifting their spines out of alignment.

Do mattress toppers cause back pain?

A mattress topper suited for your sleep style shouldn’t cause back pain any more than a good mattress would. However, if you choose a too-soft or too-firm topper, you may not sleep well and wake up with various aches and pains.

You may also need time to adjust to a topper even if it’s the correct firmness. Most of us develop bad sleeping postures when we sleep on an unsupportive surface. As your posture adjusts, it can feel painful even if the changes are objectively better for your body.

What are the disadvantages of a memory foam mattress?

The main disadvantage of a traditional memory foam mattress is the material’s tendency to retain body heat. Because memory foam “hugs” the body, it’s quick to absorb heat but often slow to release it. Many manufacturers mix in cooling gels and other materials for better heat dispersion.

Conclusion

Your body type can affect how a mattress feels to you, so it’s important to pick one suitable for you. For example, small sleepers might develop aches on a firm mattress. Larger sleepers might develop chronic back pain on a soft mattress.

When shopping, make sure to look for a mattress with a sleep trial. You will have the freedom to return your mattress if it’s not right for you.