15 Best Mattresses for the Soundest Sleep of Your Life

Lois Alter Mark
15 Best Mattresses For The Soundest Sleep Of Your Life 2
15 Best Mattresses For The Soundest Sleep Of Your Life 2

We spend one third of our lives sleeping, so what we sleep on matters—from our sheets to our pillows to of course, our mattresses. As we’ve all experienced at some point, the best mattress can mean the difference between feeling refreshed in the morning and waking up with aches and pains.

“You have to look at sleep as a performance activity,” says Michael Breus, PhD, a.k.a. The Sleep Doctor. “A runner can run a race in flip flops, but without the right equipment, their performance will certainly suffer. It’s the same for sleep. If you have the right equipment, you will sleep better, and a mattress is the centerpiece of your sleeping equipment.”

Because it’s such an important purchase—not to mention, a big investment—buying a mattress can be intimidating. It’s why many of us keep our mattresses past their prime even though experts recommend replacing them after six or seven years.

What to look for in a mattress

So how do you choose the best mattress? “A mattress has two distinct functions: support and comfort,” explains Dr. Breus. “It’s all about keeping your spine in alignment, and when you find a mattress that provides the right support for you and is comfortable for you, you have found the best mattress for you.”

Neurosurgeon David Greenwald, MD, agrees. “The best mattress will depend on your age, weight, the position you sleep in, and whether you have spinal or joint issues. It’s a very personal choice.”

While no mattress is perfect for everyone, specific constructions generally work better for certain types of sleepers.

  • Foam mattresses, which include memory foam mattresses, tend to be softer, making them a good choice for side sleepers. They provide support and relieve pressure in potential problem areas like hips and shoulders, and often feel plush enough even without mattress toppers. They’re also good at motion isolation, which means you won’t feel it every time your partner twists or turns.

  • Innerspring—or coil—mattresses are more traditional and provide firmer support for heavier sleepers and those who sleep on their back.

  • Hybrid mattresses combine both foam and inner spring technology to maximize comfort, support, and heat dissipation. According to Dr. Greenwald, side and stomach sleepers will find hybrid mattresses superior due to decreased pressure on the joints.

How we chose the best mattresses

To make an educated decision about the best mattress for you, we asked the experts to explain the science behind sleep and how it’s affected by your mattress. We then researched the top brands and scoured thousands of reviews to see what real users had to say. We put this information together to discover the best cooling mattress, the best memory foam mattress, the best organic mattress, the best hybrid mattress, and so much more.

Here are our picks for the best mattresses out there:

Best overall: Tuft & Needle Hybrid Mattress

Best bed in a box: Casper Original Mattress

Best value: The Allswell

Best for back pain: Purple Hybrid Mattress

Best for side sleepers: Avocado Green Mattress with Attached Pillow Top

Best for stomach sleepers: Saatva Classic Mattress

Best for back sleepers: DreamCloud Premier Mattress

Best for couples: Nest Sparrow Signature Hybrid Mattress

Best soft mattress: Amerisleep AS5 Mattress

Best firm mattress: Helix Dawn Luxe Mattress

Best adjustable mattress: Sleep Number i8 Smart Bed

Best organic mattress: Birch Luxe Natural Mattress

Best cooling mattress: Nectar Premier Memory Foam Mattress

Best reversible mattress: Layla Memory Foam Mattress

Best reviewed mattress on Amazon: Zinus 10 Inch Green Tea Memory Foam Mattress

The post 15 Best Mattresses for the Soundest Sleep of Your Life appeared first on Reader's Digest.

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