What’s the Best Mattress for Your Body Type?

Tiny or tall and everything in between, your mattress should support your whole body for better, healthier sleep

One size does not fit all. That’s a myth, especially true when it comes to mattresses. They might look similar, but underneath the surface, there are dozens of components that determine the comfort level and durability of a mattress and its suitability to your weight, height, and shape.

Have no fear! Here we peel back the layers of what goes into a mattress to help you find the perfect one. It’s a worthy exercise for everyone who values a night of great, restorative, health-boosting sleep.

Mattress types 101

What are your best mattress choices? They boil down to four basic types:

Innerspring mattresses. These mattresses use a network of steel spring coils to provide support. The springs might be tied together into a single unit or each one may be individually wrapped. Coil gauge refers to the thickness of the wire used to make the springs. The lower the number, the thicker the spring and the firmer the support. Gauge numbers for mattresses usually go from 12 to 18. It’s an important factor, but just one of many to be considered in your purchase.

Latex mattresses. Mattresses made from latex are gaining popularity. Sleepers adore them because of their comfort, breathability, superior bounciness and responsiveness, i.e. how quickly it springs back after pressure is applied. For those who like to keep it natural,  a latex mattress is appealing since it’s created with a white liquid extracted from rubber (heavea-Brasilenis) trees. Most latex mattresses are made with a combination of natural and synthetic latex to improve comfort and longevity.

Hybrid. The good news is that you don’t have to declare allegiance to innerspring or foam mattresses. You can compromise with a hybrid mattress that combines the best qualities of the two types. Coils are topped with a layer of foam, which helps with motion isolation – something that minimizes the motion you feel when your bedmate moves.

Memory Foam mattresses. A layer of memory foam can reduce pressure points, which softens to the contours of the body and can assist with good blood flow during sleep. It’s a remarkable material because it facilitates a healthier sleep environment, thanks to its anti-dust mite and anti-microbial properties. For anyone with allergies or breathing issues like asthma, it’s a good option.

Newer types of memory foam are gaining popularity. Foam with an open cell structure helps eliminate some of the heat retentions that many sleepers don’t like. Improving airflow keeps the foam cooler. Gel memory foam has even more pressure point reducing powers that regular memory foam – something that would appeal to those with arthritis or joint issues.

Keep in mind that regardless of what kind of mattress you buy – and what’s inside your mattress –  your main goals should be the comfort and proper spine alignment.

Best mattress for smaller or lightweight sleepers

For thinner body types, softer mattresses are the best choice. A too-firm mattress may lead to shoulder pain or a pins-and-needle sensation. A softer mattress also prevents the body from sinking into the mattress enough to ensure good spine alignment. Less dense foams can work well for lighter sleepers since the mattresses won’t actually wear out as fast. Restonic recommendation: ComfortCare Pillow Top Mattress

Best mattress for heavyset sleepers

Anyone who weighs more than 230 pounds needs to strike a balance between softness and firmness. Thicker mattresses offer extra cushioning between sleeper and coils, but if they are too soft and there may be too much sinkage, putting stress on shoulders and hips. That can lead to back problems because of an increase in spine curvature and excessive pressure on muscles and joints.

Thicker mattresses (12 to 13 inches in height) are considered appropriate for heavier individuals. Chose a mattress with high density foam, especially good for stomach or side sleepers (not recommended because of its propensity to curve the spine and require sleepers to turn their heads to breathe). For those who tend to sleep hot, cooler hybrid mattresses are a good bet. Restonic recommendation: Scott Living Hybrid Mattress.

Best mattress for tall sleepers

Standard mattresses just don’t cut it for some tall people. Since even King size mattresses max out at 80 inches long, six-foot-plus sleepers may be forced to spend the night with their feet dangling off the side of the bed or to curl up and sleep on their sides.

The good news is that some mattresses come in super-sized XL versions, from twin to king. A California king is the longest (and widest) mattress you can buy without opting going the custom-made route. It’s 7 feet in length, which works well for super-tall types – and those who like to roam around their mattress during the night. A California queen takes up less space, spanning 60 inches by 84 inches. Those two sizes are suitable for those around 6’5” to 6’11”. A full XL or a twin XL is a more modest 80 inches in length.

Two key pieces of advice: Skip bed frames with side rails and take the time to bed test various-sized mattresses to get the best fit.

Restonic recommendation: Use our Find a Retailer tool to visit a mattress store and test different types of mattresses available in California XL

Best mattress for pregnant women

Mom and baby-in-the-making have some specific needs when it comes to sleep. Look for a slightly softer memory foam or foam combo bed that will conform to you. Hybrids can also work well depending on the types of foams used.

Pregnant women tend to feel warm, making choosing a foam an important consideration. A gel-based one is a smart pick since it has less heat retention, allowing mom to get more uninterrupted sleep at a crucial time in her life. Expectant moms should sleep on their sides with knees and hips bent to alleviate lower back pain. A pillow between the knees can also help reduce backaches.

A mattress with medium firmness is preferred over ultra-soft memory foam beds. Sinking deeply into that type makes getting out of bed – sometimes pregnant women do often in order to use the bathroom – more difficult. Find a happy medium between the firm and soft to make both mom and baby content.

Restonic recommendation: Biltmore MicroCoil Mattress

What’s the cost of a good night’s sleep?

If you spent $2,000 on a new mattress (for example) and slept comfortably on that mattress for 7 years, the cost of healthy sleep would be $1.27 per night – less than the cost of a Starbucks coffee in the morning…

If you’re ready for a new mattress, we’d love to help you find the right one for you. Visit our Find a Retailer page and we’ll locate a store close by where you can lie on our mattresses and talk to a trained sales professional.

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