What is the Most Comfortable Mattress?

Best for stomach and back sleepers.

The AS1 stands 10 inches tall and is available solely as a memory foam mattress. Though it’s our thinnest model, it has a durable firm feel. The AS1 promotes optimal spinal alignment for back and stomach sleepers.

The AS1 has a basic two-layer design. The top layer provides just the right amount of conforming cushion with our Bio-Pur® foam. Though the mattress is firm, the Bio-Pur® foam still relieves the pressure that builds up in the body. The foam also evenly distributes weight across the surface.

The bottom is a thick layer of Bio-Core® foam. It’s a material we designed to resist sagging and compression even after years of daily use. Bio-Core® not only gives the AS1 mattress its firm feel but ensures the mattress remains supportive.

Best for back, stomach, and select combination sleepers, along with heavier people.

The AS2 is our medium-firm mattress and is available as a memory foam or hybrid bed. Naturally, the structure of the AS2 depends on which type you choose, though both models stand 12 inches tall.

The memory foam model has a top layer of Bio-Pur® foam and an underlying layer of Affinity foam with HIVE® technology.

HIVE® technology consists of hexagonal cutouts spread across the foam’s surface. The cutouts expand and flex more under the shoulders and hips for pressure relief. The head, back, and feet sections feature less flexibility for more support. With HIVE® technology, the bed feels firm where you need it and soft where you want it.

Best for side, back, and combination sleepers.

The AS3 mattress is our most versatile model, suitable for side, back, and combination sleepers. Its comfortable medium feel allows many partners with different sleep styles to share a mattress without complaint.

For example, a side sleeper should find the bed soft enough to relieve pressure. Their back sleeping partner should find it supportive enough to keep their spine aligned.

The AS3 is 12 inches tall and available in memory foam and hybrid models.

The original AS3 mattress has a thick layer of Bio-Pur® foam on top of Affinity foam with HIVE®  technology. Remember, HIVE®  technology separates the mattress into five support zones, so the bed feels firm where you need support and conforming where you want cushion.

The AS3 Hybrid has a top layer of Bio-Pur® foam and pocketed coils underneath for a supportive cushion. At the bottom is an inch of base foam, structuring the coils and promoting mattress longevity.

Best for side sleepers and people under 130 pounds.

The AS4 mattress’s medium-soft feel is good for people who want a mattress that cushions their body without feeling overly plush. It’s available exclusively as a memory foam mattress.

Three layers make up the AS4 mattress. On top, you have a thick, responsive cushion of Bio-Pur® foam. In fact, the AS4 has the greatest amount of Bio-Pur® foam with its 4-inch comfort layer.

Underneath the Bio-Pur® foam is a thin layer of Affinity foam with HIVE® technology. Bio-Core® foam forms the mattress’s base, supporting the other two layers.

Best for side sleepers and petite individuals.

If you want a soft mattress that feels like a cloud, you might want to try the AS5 mattress. The memory foam and hybrid models stand 14 inches tall, making the AS5 the thickest mattress Amerisleep offers.

While the AS4 technically has a thicker layer of Bio-Pur® foam, the AS5 mattress has a plusher feel, thanks to how the top layer works off the underlying Active Flex layer. Active Flex is unique to the AS5 mattress and features a latex-like buoyancy that lifts a sleeper’s body without affecting the mattress’s soft feel.

The AS5 blends softness with support features. The memory foam model has five support zones created by HIVE® technology. At the bottom is a durable Bio-Core® base.

The AS5 Hybrid version features added back support and cushioning for the head, shoulders, and legs with its arrangement of pocketed coils. A foam base structures the overall mattress.

Choosing a Comfortable Mattress Type

Most mattresses fall into one of four categories—memory foam, latex, innerspring, and hybrid. Less common mattress types include airbeds and waterbeds. None of them are necessarily better than the others, which is why we will discuss each type and its pros and cons.

Memory Foam

Memory foam mattresses are often recommended for pressure relief, thanks to their cradling, conforming feel. If you have a chronic pain condition, a memory foam mattress can ease the pain and help you wake up in better shape.

Memory foam is also one of the best materials when it comes to motion isolation. Movement is absorbed at the point of impact, keeping any motion from rippling across the mattress and disturbing a partner’s rest. That’s why memory foam beds are popular for couples.

However, there are some problems associated with memory foam mattresses. One is traditional memory foam’s tendency to retain too much body heat. As the heat builds up, it warms the surface, disrupting a person’s rest. This issue has been largely phased out by newer manufacturing practices that add cooling materials and create more breathable foams.

Another issue is memory foam’s tendency to off-gas when it’s new. Off-gassing happens as volatile organic compounds break down, releasing a smell many find unpleasant. The smell usually vanishes within a few days.

Well-made memory foam mattresses usually avoid these pitfalls. However, it’s still smart to keep these issues in mind as you shop.

Pros of a Memory Foam Mattress

• Conforms to the body through pressure/heat sensitivity
• Cradles a sleeper’s body
• Absorbs motion at the point of impact

Cons of a Memory Foam Mattress

• May have an initial smell from off-gassing
• Traditional memory foam retains body heat
• Sometimes sleepers sink too far

Latex

Latex mattresses conform to a person’s body much like memory foam does. Comparing the two materials side-by-side does reveal slight differences, though.

Latex foam tends to keep a person on top of the mattress more than memory foam, which usually cradles the person’s body as they sink slightly into the bed. A latex mattress may also feel firmer and cooler than a memory foam bed, though there’s still a chance it will retain too much body heat.

A latex mattress is often made with natural latex, though synthetic versions do exist. Natural latex is usually considered superior to synthetic latex since it’s made with organic materials and can last around 12 to 15 years. However, natural latex is expensive because of its production costs, while synthetic latex is far more affordable.

Many natural latex mattresses contain other environmentally friendly materials like organic wool and cotton and recycled steel coils. Because of their sustainable, chemical-free production, natural latex mattresses carry a smaller risk of off-gassing than a memory foam mattress.

A well-made natural latex mattress is likely to outlast any other mattress type. However, the bed is usually heavier than other types of mattresses. Some people also find latex feels too firm for their tastes. Others prefer a mattress that conforms more closely to the body.

Pros of a Latex Mattress

• Relieves pressure points by contouring to the body
• Sustainably produced and responsibly sourced
• Long-lasting durability if you choose a natural latex mattress

Cons of a Latex Mattress

• Expensive if you buy a natural latex bed
• Heavy and difficult to move
• Chance of off-gassing and retaining heat

Innerspring

Innerspring mattresses predate other types of modern mattresses, having been around for more than a century. They consist of a coil support system with thin comfort layers of foam and fabric on the top and bottom. That’s why an innerspring mattress feels bouncy when you lie down on its surface.

Because they have a simple design, innerspring mattresses typically carry a low price tag. They’re a good choice for anyone shopping for a budget mattress. An innerspring mattress’s thin comfort layers also make it easy for air to penetrate the surface and wick away heat, promoting cool, undisturbed rest. The coil support system is also breathable, leaving plenty of room for air circulation.

However, innerspring mattresses are not universally loved. Many owners have complained about insufficient pressure relief because the bed’s coils and minimal cushion couldn’t fully contour to their bodies.

Some innerspring mattresses do include a pillow top for extra cushion. However, pillow tops have their own drawbacks, such as a tendency to flatten within a few years.

Pros of an Innerspring Mattress

• Inexpensive, flippable design
• Airy coil support system promotes a cool surface
• Bouncy support system keeps a person on top of the mattress

Cons of an Innerspring Mattress

• Lack of conforming cushion
• Tend to transfer motion across the surface
• Relatively short lifespan, often sagging within three to five years

Hybrid

Hybrid mattresses combine an innerspring base with a conforming foam top. To qualify as a true hybrid mattress, the bed must have at least 2 to 3 inches of foam on top of its coils. The foam top may be even thicker if the hybrid has a transition foam layer, improving the bed’s responsiveness and limiting sinkage.

A hybrid’s design minimizes many of the drawbacks to an innerspring and foam mattress. The bed contours to a sleeper’s body better than a traditional innerspring mattress. Most hybrids also contain pocketed coils, giving the bed excellent motion isolation.

Its coil base helps it stay cool, an advantage it has over the average foam mattress. A hybrid’s feel is also more buoyant than the average foam mattress, though whether that is better is a matter of personal preference.

Hybrid mattresses are also new enough and of varying quality that it can be difficult to predict how long one will last. Many hybrid mattresses last about six to seven years, but that number may change over time as manufacturers improve their designs. Because of its coil support, a hybrid mattress is also more likely to sag than a foam mattress.

Pros of a Hybrid Mattress

• Balances bounce with contouring foam cushion
• Pocketed coils isolate motion and promote a cool surface
• Often features edge support

Cons of a Hybrid Mattress

• High price tags
• Often heavy and hard to move
• Coils may say as it wears out

Airbed

While air mattresses can refer to the blow-up beds, you might take on a camping trip or bring out for a guest, “airbeds” usually refers to a smart mattress with adjustable air bladders. Filling the bladders or deflating them changes the mattress’s feel, making it uniquely customizable.

Many larger size airbeds let you adjust the firmness on each side, so couples with conflicting sleep styles can still share a bed. A drawback of the bed’s adjustability is the comfort levels can shift without any direct input, thanks to temperature, barometric pressure, and weight.

Owners might enjoy how an airbed’s durability comes from its interchangeable parts. If one part fails, it’s simple to replace and saves you from tossing out an otherwise good mattress. However, how long it takes before you have to replace a part can vary, and you may be purchasing new parts sooner than expected.

Airbeds are also expensive, sometimes costing more than $4000.

Pros of an Airbed

• Customizable comfort and support.
• Uniquely durable since parts of the mattress can be replaced.
• Potential of separate comfort settings for couples.
• Many models contain other smart technology, such as sleep sensors.

Cons of an Airbed

• Risk of a puncture or mechanical failure.
• Almost too adjustable, with many sleepers struggling to find a comfortable setting.
• Expensive, often costing thousands of dollars.
• Comfort levels fluctuate from environmental factors.

Waterbed

Like an airbed is a bed full of air, a waterbed is full of water. Waterbeds used to just be essentially a sack you fill up with water, but many modern designs have a water bladder with cushioning on top.

Waterbeds are uniquely hypoallergenic due to their plastic encasement and inexpensive for the same reason. They’re also great at relieving pressure, with a 2015 study Verified Source National Library of Medicine (NIH) World’s largest medical library, making biomedical data and information more accessible. View source suggesting they could even be helpful for patients indefinitely confined to bed.

However, while they’re bouncy and relieve pressure, waterbeds are not great at isolating motion. Sharing a waterbed with another person means your every movement can disturb their rest and vice versa.

Pros of a Waterbed

• Great contouring and pressure-relieving abilities.
• Cost-efficient.

Cons of a Waterbed

• Not durable and prone to leaks.
• Owners must pay attention to the water levels and regularly add water conditioners.
• Hard to set up and heavy once filled (some weigh more than 1000 pounds!)
• Little to no motion isolation.

Comfortable Mattress Firmnesses

Mattresses usually come in one of five firmness levels:

1. Soft
2. Medium-soft
3. Medium
4. Medium-firm
5. Firm

Some companies also carry extra-firm and extra-soft mattresses, though these beds will only feel comfortable to a select few sleepers. Most people prefer a more even balance between soft and firm feels.

The right firmness level for you depends on your sleep position and body type.

Sleep Position

Side sleepers need a mattress to cushion their shoulders and hips, the areas that experience the most stress when side sleeping. Excellent mattresses for side sleeping offer a soft to medium feel.

Back sleepers require a mattress that keeps their spine in neutral alignment. We recommend medium-firm to firm mattresses for back sleeping, though medium mattresses with extra back support are acceptable.

Stomach sleepers need a mattress with minimal sinkage to buoy their torso. If they don’t have a mattress suitable for stomach sleeping, people can develop chronic back pain. Firm mattresses for stomach sleeping help prevent spinal misalignment.

Combination sleepers often find a medium to medium-firm mattress comfortable. Good mattresses for combination sleeping also have a responsive feel, adapting with their movements.

Body Type

Sleepers usually place more or less pressure on a mattress than manufacturers anticipated if they weigh more than 230 pounds or less than 130 pounds.

Heavier sleepers often find a mattress firmer than their recommended range comfortable. They sink less into a firm bed, and the added bodyweight causes the bed to feel softer than it would under the average sleeper.

Petite sleepers should shop for a softer mattress than what’s recommended for their position. The extra cushion helps the mattress conform to their bodies and relieve pressure.

Comfortable Mattress Sizes

Most mattress companies carry beds in seven standard mattress sizes.

Mattress Size	Dimensions in Inches
Twin	38 inches by 74 inches
Twin XL	38 inches by 80 inches
Full	54 inches by 75 inches
Queen	60 inches by 80 inches
King	76 inches by 80 inches
California King	72 inches by 84 inches
Split King	Two mattresses, each 38 inches by 80 inches

The trick to choosing a good mattress is to balance how much sleeping space you need with how much room space you have. For example, while plenty of people would love to sprawl on a king size mattress, many don’t have space for one. Budget is another factor to consider, with larger sizes naturally costing more than a smaller bed.

Twin and Twin XL Mattresses

Twin size mattresses are the smallest standard size we can recommend for adults. The mattress is compact but usually roomy enough to let sleepers rest in relative comfort. If you have a small studio apartment or an oddly shaped bedroom, a twin mattress can be a good choice.

The twin XL size mattress is longer to provide more legroom than a traditional twin bed. Many people over 6 feet tall have to bend their legs or curl their back to squeeze onto a standard twin mattress. A twin XL mattress lets taller sleepers save money and space.

Full Mattresses

Twin mattresses are often too narrow to provide single sleepers with a comfortable amount of space to move and stretch their limbs out. If you want a mattress you can sprawl on that doesn’t take up too much bedroom space, we recommend a full size mattress. The extra 16 inches of width allows you to mimic a starfish’s position without any discomfort.

While full mattresses are a great option for single sleepers, they’re too narrow to be comfortable for couples. If you want to sleep well while sharing a bed, we recommend queen size mattresses and larger.

Queen Mattresses

Queen size mattresses are an affordable option for couples and great if you only have an average-sized bedroom. Of course, you don’t have to be sharing the bed with someone to enjoy a queen size mattress. Single sleepers can also enjoy the sparling space a queen bed offers.

A queen size mattress usually suits most couples. However, partners who prefer a significant amount of personal space may find that even a queen bed feels cramped. If you want a bubble of protective space while you’re sleeping or might let a small child join you and your partner occasionally, a king mattress might be the more appropriate option.

For more information, check out our king vs. queen mattress guide.

King, California King, and Split King Mattresses

The standard king size mattress is the largest size most companies carry. If your idea of comfort includes a significant amount of sprawling space, a king bed might be the best mattress for you.

However, you want to make sure your room is at least 12 feet by 12 feet. Fitting a king size mattress in a too-small bedroom can leave you feeling cramped and claustrophobic,  keeping you from relaxing.

Two common variations on the typical king mattress are the California king and the split king mattress. The California king size mattress has 4 extra inches of legroom to better accommodate taller sleepers. However, if you’re not over 6 feet tall, you probably don’t need a California king mattress to sleep comfortably and should find a regular king sufficient.

The split king mattress has the dimensions of a king bed but is divided into half. Often, mattress companies allow sleepers to customize each side with a different firmness. For example, a side sleeper can sleep on a soft side while a stomach sleeper rests on a firm side. Split king mattresses often increase a couple’s comfort.

Split king mattresses also pair well with adjustable bases. A standard king mattress on an adjustable bed must be raised and lowered in its entirety, so two people have to agree on what elevation and angles are comfortable. A split king mattress’s halves move independently on an adjustable bed, allowing couples to set up their sides in different positions. For more information, check out our best adjustable beds guide.

There are also oversized king mattresses, which are uncommon and typically must be special ordered from a manufacturer. Such beds include the super king bed and the Wyoming, Texas, and Alaskan king sizes. Because these mattresses are so large, many require a bedroom at least 15 feet by 15 feet.

Features Needed for Comfort

Aside from type, firmness, size, there are specific features to keep an eye out for as you shop. An ideal mattress should balance contouring with responsiveness while promoting a temperature-neutral surface for undisturbed rest.

Contouring and Conformability

Contouring and conformability are terms used to express how well a mattress adapts to your body. Good contouring materials mold to your body’s curves and evenly distribute your body weight across the mattress. Many such materials are a key part of cloud mattresses.

Contouring is a key part of ensuring your bed offers enough pressure relief. If the mattress doesn’t fit to your body and provide adequate cushion, pressure can build up and eventually turn into stiffness and pain. How much conformability is needed depends on your sleeping style, with side sleepers requiring more pressure relief than stomach and back sleepers.

Responsiveness

A mattress’s responsiveness describes how well the bed adapts to your movements. A buoyant mattress has a surface easy to move across, keeping a sleeper from sinking in too deep or feeling stuck in bed. A responsive mattress is especially important if you’re a combination sleeper and need a mattress that can keep up with your changing positions.

The drawback of responsiveness is that it makes the bed less conforming. Experienced mattress makers know how to create the right balance between responsiveness and conforming cushion. Latex and hybrid mattresses tend to be more responsive than a memory foam bed, though it’s still possible to find a memory foam mattress that’s quick to adapt to movement.

Temperature Control

Have you ever woken up hot and sweaty in the middle of the night? While your local climate and bedding affect how likely you are to overheat while sleeping, your mattress is also an important factor. You may also be a hot sleeper if you have a naturally high body temperature.

Whatever the reason, if you’re experiencing night sweats, it’s smart to look for a bed with temperature regulation features. A cooling mattress wicks heat away from your body, ensuring you sleep undisturbed.

Some mattress types are better at keeping cool than others. Traditional memory foam is known for its tendency to retain too much body heat, though modern manufacturers mostly solve this by adding cooling materials or creating channels for improved airflow. Latex, hybrid, and innerspring mattresses tend to promote a temperature-neutral surface.

Amerisleep replaces certain petrochemicals with castor oil to create a more breathable plant-based foam. Other companies may infuse the bed with conductive materials like copper or increase the foam’s ventilation. Reducing a foam’s density can also increase its breathability, though taking away too much material can decrease the foam’s expected durability.

When it comes to staying cool, mattresses with coils tend to fare better than all-foam mattresses. Other cooling features include cutouts, airflow channels, and breathable fabric covers.

Testing a Mattress’s Comfort

When you choose a new mattress, your bed should come with a sleep trial that gives you a few months to test it out in the comfort of your home. Some people may take as long as a month to adjust to their mattress’s feel, finding it uncomfortable until then, so a sleep trial helps you make sure a mattress is the right choice for you.

There’s also the mattress’s warranty. A warranty guarantees the mattress’s comfort by offering protection against defects. In other words, you can often replace an uncomfortable mattress for free. Reading through both policies is an important part of the mattress shopping process.

A good warranty should cover manufacturing defects and sagging that doesn’t result from careless use. Why is sagging and indentation coverage important? Because even minimal amounts of sagging can cause back pain.

The industry standard is a 10-year warranty. Yet many quality companies offer warranties that go beyond this time frame.

Some brands even include a lifetime warranty. However, this is usually just a marketing ploy. In practice, a lifetime warranty offers about the same coverage as a warranty with a set time limit.

How to Make a Mattress More Comfortable

Do you have a mattress that is no longer the pinnacle of comfort, but you’re not quite ready to replace it? You can dress up the mattress so it feels more comfortable.

Mattress Toppers

Mattress toppers are perhaps the best way to increase a bed’s comfort. Toppers can make a mattress more plush or firm by adding 2 to 5 inches of material to your bed. If you’re sleeping hot, you can also look for a cooling topper made with gel memory foam or latex.

Toppers come in a wide array of materials, such as:

• Memory foam
• Gel memory foam
• Latex
• Feather-filled
• Down alternative

A good topper often costs a few hundred dollars, a bargain compared to the average mattress price.

We should note that while a topper can improve a bed’s comfort, it can’t save a mattress in poor condition. Sometimes, it’s better to just buy a new mattress instead of investing in a topper.

Pillows

Pillows are one of the most important factors of a good night’s sleep, second only to the right mattress. Key traits to focus on when shopping for a pillow are its materials and thickness. The right pillow thickness, or loft, supports your head and neck and aligns them with the rest of your spine. A too-high or too-low pillow throws off that alignment, potentially causing neck pain.

The right pillow loft depends on your sleeping style:

• A pillow for side sleeping should have a medium to high loft
• A pillow for back sleeping should have a medium loft
• A pillow for stomach sleeping should have a low loft

Do you want more than one pillow on your mattress? Extra pillows can help you sleep better, depending on how you use them. Some people find it easier to relax if they prop their legs up with a wedge pillow. Others like to slip a knee pillow between their legs, or hug a second pillow to their chest.

However, we don’t recommend more than one head pillow because it often causes discomfort. If you need a thicker pillow, it’s best to simply buy one instead of improvising with two or more thinner pillows.

Bedding

Lastly, you want to make sure you have the right bedding on your mattress. Breathability is important because overly warm blankets and sheets can keep you from a full night’s rest.

You should change sheets and blankets at least once a week Verified Source National Library of Medicine (NIH) World’s largest medical library, making biomedical data and information more accessible. View source to keep your mattress clean. Change pillowcases every few days.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most comfortable mattress for side sleepers?

Side sleepers need a mattress to conform to their shoulders and hips, areas where pressure points tend to build up in their body. When these joints are cushioned, the pressure is alleviated, but when the mattress is too firm, the pressure quickly turns into pain. A good mattress for side sleeping has a soft to medium feel.

What is the most comfortable mattress for lower back pain?

Research suggests Verified Source National Library of Medicine (NIH) World’s largest medical library, making biomedical data and information more accessible. View source the most comfortable mattress for back pain has a medium-firm feel. However, the best firmness for you might vary depending on your sleeping style:

• Side sleepers might find a medium-firm mattress too firm and prefer a medium bed instead.
• Back sleepers will likely do best on a medium-firm mattress.
• Stomach sleepers might want to try a firm bed.

What are the most comfortable bed sheets?

People often have different ideas of comfort when it comes to bed sheets. Some prefer a crisp feel. Others prefer a smooth and soft feel.

We recommend focusing on breathable materials when it comes to bed sheets. Sheets that trap body heat can lead to sleep interruptions.

What is the most comfortable mattress type?

Each mattress type has a different feel. So the most comfortable mattress type is a matter of personal preference. Memory foam is perhaps the most conforming material. It usually reacts within seconds to a person’s weight and body heat. Some sleepers prefer the buoyancy of a natural latex or hybrid mattress.

Most sleepers who grew up with an innerspring mattress have moved onto other types that offer more pressure relief. If you’re unsure what mattress type you like best, you might want to try them out in a mattress showroom.

How can I make my bed feel like a luxury hotel mattress?

Do you want a bed that mimics the classy feeling you’d find at a hotel? It’s important to start with a comfortable mattress. A comfy bed will form the foundation of everything else that follows. You can place a heap of fluffy pillows at the mattress’s head on top of clean, white linen.

To truly complete the hotel bed look, practice the hospital fold. You want to tuck the four sides of a flat sheet under the mattress, with the leftover material at the corners. You will then make a 45-degree angle with these corners and tuck them under the mattress.

Did You Find the Most Comfortable Mattress?

Comfort is subjective, but that shouldn’t keep you from finding the best mattress. If you’re feeling hesitant about a bed, double-check the fine print of its sleep trial. You should be able to return the mattress if it still feels uncomfortable after breaking in the bed.