Best Mattresses for Athletes

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If you’re an athlete, you know that sleep can greatly impact performance. Whether you want to run faster, jump higher, lift heavier, or have faster reaction times, a mattress that’s comfortable, supportive, and alleviates aches and pains is one of the linchpins of achieving healthy sleep each night.

Professional athletes and recreational exercisers should look for a mattress that feels good for their body type and sleeping position while catering to their unique needs. Keep reading for our curated list of the top-rated beds for athletes. We also share important considerations for selecting a mattress for as an athlete or active individual, such as mattress type and muscle recovery.

Disclosure: By clicking on the product links in this article, Mattress Nerd may receive a commission fee at no cost to you, the reader. Read full disclosure statement.

Best Mattresses for Athletes

Chosen by Experts and Advocates

Although we don’t have any professional athletes on the Mattress Nerd team, we’ve all done our time between the bases or on the gridiron. As such, we understand how important good rest and recovery is to achieving 100% capability on the field. The mattresses on this list excelled in performance factors (pressure relief, durability) that make them specifically good for athletes, whether you’re going for olympic gold or simply going for a morning run. To learn more about how we grade sleep products, check out our review process.

Nectar: Best Affordable Mattress for Athletes

Best Affordable Mattress for Athletes

Nectar Mattress

The Nectar is a value memory foam mattress that excels at providing pressure relief and minimizing motion transfer. The medium-firm feel is ideal for cradling pressure points. Plus, it comes with a yearlong trial period and Lifetime warranty.

Nerd Score 3.7/5
Read Full Review

Material

Foam

Trial Period

365 nights

Shipping Method

Free shipping

Firmness

Medium-firm: 6/10

Warranty

Lifetime warranty

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

Joint Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from joint pain.
Hip Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from hip pain.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.8/5
Watch Our Video Review
Best Affordable Mattress for Athletes

Nectar Mattress

The Nectar is a value memory foam mattress that excels at providing pressure relief and minimizing motion transfer. The medium-firm feel is ideal for cradling pressure points. Plus, it comes with a yearlong trial period and Lifetime warranty.

Nerd Score 3.7/5
Read Full Review

Material

Foam

Warranty

Lifetime warranty

Firmness

Medium-firm: 6/10

Shipping Method

Free shipping

Trial Period

365 nights

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

Joint Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from joint pain.
Hip Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from hip pain.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.8/5
Watch Our Video Review
Best Affordable Mattress for Athletes

Nectar Mattress

The Nectar is a value memory foam mattress that excels at providing pressure relief and minimizing motion transfer. The medium-firm feel is ideal for cradling pressure points. Plus, it comes with a yearlong trial period and Lifetime warranty.

Nerd Score 3.7/5
Read Full Review

Material

Foam

Firmness

Medium-firm: 6/10

Trial Period

365 nights

Warranty

Lifetime warranty

Shipping Method

Free shipping

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

Joint Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from joint pain.
Hip Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from hip pain.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.8/5
Watch Our Video Review

Not every athlete can play for the NFL or get their picture on a Wheaties box. If you want a mattress that will support your athletics without breaking the bank, the Nectar has your name written all over it. 

Though a Queen size Nectar is marked at $1,298, the company often runs sales that bring the price down to below $1,000, and solid pressure relief (4 out of 5) and durability (4 out of 5) scores, this affordable mattress performs very well for athletes who want a bed that aids and recovery and supports substantial weight. Also, the Nectar mattress comes with a lifetime warranty—perfect for you athletes who plan to continue your active lifestyle for years to come.

See our full Nectar Mattress review to learn more. Check out our best affordable mattresses roundup for additional options.

Bear: Best Mattress for Active Recovery

Best Mattress for Active Recovery

Bear Mattress

Designed for people with active lifestyles, the Original Bear mattress is Bear’s flagship model. It features foams that work well for sleepers of all positions and sizes. The bed's standout cover includes Celliant, which converts body heat into infrared energy to promote muscle recovery.

Nerd Score 4.6/5
Read Full Review

Material

Foam

Trial Period

120 nights

Shipping Method

Free shipping

Firmness

Medium-firm: 7/10

Warranty

Lifetime warranty

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.7/5
Watch Our Video Review
Best Mattress for Active Recovery

Bear Mattress

Designed for people with active lifestyles, the Original Bear mattress is Bear’s flagship model. It features foams that work well for sleepers of all positions and sizes. The bed's standout cover includes Celliant, which converts body heat into infrared energy to promote muscle recovery.

Nerd Score 4.6/5
Read Full Review

Material

Foam

Warranty

Lifetime warranty

Firmness

Medium-firm: 7/10

Shipping Method

Free shipping

Trial Period

120 nights

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.7/5
Watch Our Video Review
Best Mattress for Active Recovery

Bear Mattress

Designed for people with active lifestyles, the Original Bear mattress is Bear’s flagship model. It features foams that work well for sleepers of all positions and sizes. The bed's standout cover includes Celliant, which converts body heat into infrared energy to promote muscle recovery.

Nerd Score 4.6/5
Read Full Review

Material

Foam

Firmness

Medium-firm: 7/10

Trial Period

120 nights

Warranty

Lifetime warranty

Shipping Method

Free shipping

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.7/5
Watch Our Video Review

The Bear mattress’ standout feature is its cover, which features Celliant fibers. This recovery technology absorbs body heat, transforms it into infrared light, and redirects that light back into your muscles. This reaction is meant to improve circulation, which can encourage faster muscle recovery. It’s also made with pressure-relieving memory foam and a supportive foam base layer. This combination gives the mattress a good balance of body contouring and spinal support.

All of these qualities make the bed ideal for athletes who want the recovery benefits of improved circulation, temperature regulation, and whole body contouring.

See our full Bear Mattress Review to learn more

Brooklyn Bedding Spartan: Best Mattress for Couples

Best Mattress for Couples

Brooklyn Bedding Spartan Hybrid Mattress

It comes in three firmness levels, which is great because it allows the mattress to cater to athletes of all sizes (think tall basketball players versus petite cross-country runners).

Nerd Score 4.4/5
Read Full Review

Material

Hybrid

Trial Period

120 nights

Shipping Method

Free shipping

Firmness

Multiple firmness options

Warranty

10-year warranty

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

Joint Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from joint pain.
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.8/5
Watch Our Video Review
Best Mattress for Couples

Brooklyn Bedding Spartan Hybrid Mattress

It comes in three firmness levels, which is great because it allows the mattress to cater to athletes of all sizes (think tall basketball players versus petite cross-country runners).

Nerd Score 4.4/5
Read Full Review

Material

Hybrid

Warranty

10-year warranty

Firmness

Multiple firmness options

Shipping Method

Free shipping

Trial Period

120 nights

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

Joint Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from joint pain.
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.8/5
Watch Our Video Review
Best Mattress for Couples

Brooklyn Bedding Spartan Hybrid Mattress

It comes in three firmness levels, which is great because it allows the mattress to cater to athletes of all sizes (think tall basketball players versus petite cross-country runners).

Nerd Score 4.4/5
Read Full Review

Material

Hybrid

Firmness

Multiple firmness options

Trial Period

120 nights

Warranty

10-year warranty

Shipping Method

Free shipping

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

Joint Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from joint pain.
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.8/5
Watch Our Video Review

Regardless of their lifestyle, couples typically require a mattress that checks a specific set of boxes in order to sleep well together: motion isolation, edge support, and cooling. Active couples may need even more cooling and recovery-promoting features in order to achieve a good night’s sleep on the same mattress.

The Spartan offers all of these in a luxury hybrid design. The pocketed coils offer cooling and edge support, while a deep comfort system provides better-than-average motion isolation compared to most hybrids. Additionally, the Spartan has a performance fabric cover made with Nanobionic R-3, which promotes recovery. The cover is also infused with a phase-change material, which aids the coil core in promoting temperature regulation.

See our full Brooklyn Bedding Spartan Mattress review to learn more. Check out our best mattresses for couples roundup for additional options.

Helix Midnight Luxe: Best Customizable Bed for Athletes

Best Customizable Bed

Helix Midnight Luxe Mattress

The Helix Midnight Luxe is a luxury cooling version of the original Helix Midnight mattress. It works for people of all sleep positions and body types. Read our full review to learn more about this bed.

Nerd Score 3.8/5
Read Full Review

Material

Hybrid

Trial Period

100 nights

Shipping Method

Free shipping

Firmness

Medium-firm: 6/10

Warranty

15-year warranty

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

Back Sleeping
Ideal for average weight and heavyweight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for average weight and heavyweight side sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.7/5
Watch Our Video Review
Best Customizable Bed

Helix Midnight Luxe Mattress

The Helix Midnight Luxe is a luxury cooling version of the original Helix Midnight mattress. It works for people of all sleep positions and body types. Read our full review to learn more about this bed.

Nerd Score 3.8/5
Read Full Review

Material

Hybrid

Warranty

15-year warranty

Firmness

Medium-firm: 6/10

Shipping Method

Free shipping

Trial Period

100 nights

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

Back Sleeping
Ideal for average weight and heavyweight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for average weight and heavyweight side sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.7/5
Watch Our Video Review
Best Customizable Bed

Helix Midnight Luxe Mattress

The Helix Midnight Luxe is a luxury cooling version of the original Helix Midnight mattress. It works for people of all sleep positions and body types. Read our full review to learn more about this bed.

Nerd Score 3.8/5
Read Full Review

Material

Hybrid

Firmness

Medium-firm: 6/10

Trial Period

100 nights

Warranty

15-year warranty

Shipping Method

Free shipping

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

Back Sleeping
Ideal for average weight and heavyweight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for average weight and heavyweight side sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.7/5
Watch Our Video Review

Finding a mattress that offers the trifecta of healthy spinal alignment, pressure relief and comfort is important for anyone, but it’s especially crucial for professional athletes and regular exercisers whose lifestyle is dependent upon great sleep. Helix’s standard line of mattresses includes six hybrids that vary in firmness and materials to suit different needs.

The company offers an online sleep quiz to help you determine which model is best for you, and it includes questions about your weight, sleeping position of choice, and personal preferences. All six beds have strong airflow through the coil layers, so they’ll sleep cool, which is a plus for active individuals. They’re also high-value when compared to other hybrids: every size costs less than $1,400 before discounts are applied.

See our full Helix Midnight Luxe Mattress review to learn more

The WinkBed: Best Bed in a Box for Athletes

Best Bed in a Box

WinkBed Mattress

The WinkBed is available in four different firmness options. We particularly love it for hot sleepers because of its great temperature regulation, and it’s great for combination sleepers because of its responsiveness.

Nerd Score 4.5/5
Read Full Review

Material

Hybrid

Trial Period

120 nights

Shipping Method

Free shipping

Firmness

Multiple firmness options

Warranty

Lifetime warranty

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for average weight stomach sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.6/5
Watch Our Video Review
Best Bed in a Box

WinkBed Mattress

The WinkBed is available in four different firmness options. We particularly love it for hot sleepers because of its great temperature regulation, and it’s great for combination sleepers because of its responsiveness.

Nerd Score 4.5/5
Read Full Review

Material

Hybrid

Warranty

Lifetime warranty

Firmness

Multiple firmness options

Shipping Method

Free shipping

Trial Period

120 nights

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for average weight stomach sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.6/5
Watch Our Video Review
Best Bed in a Box

WinkBed Mattress

The WinkBed is available in four different firmness options. We particularly love it for hot sleepers because of its great temperature regulation, and it’s great for combination sleepers because of its responsiveness.

Nerd Score 4.5/5
Read Full Review

Material

Hybrid

Firmness

Multiple firmness options

Trial Period

120 nights

Warranty

Lifetime warranty

Shipping Method

Free shipping

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for average weight stomach sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.6/5
Watch Our Video Review

A bed in a box is a relatively new concept that means your mattress is rolled and compressed for shipping. If you’re hoping to save yourself the trouble of visiting a physical mattress store and enjoy the perks of a sleep trial period, bed-in-a-box mattresses are good options.

The WinkBeds mattress has a Tencel cover that’s highly breathable and should aid in temperature control for athletes. It also features a euro-pillow top that feels plush to the touch yet maintains a supportive feel. The WinkBed also features a coil-on-coil design that includes a transition layer of flexible, zoned microcoils to promote spinal alignment and a pocketed coil support layer to prevent sagging while enhancing breathability and bounce. Best of all, it comes in four firmness options, making it suitable for a wide range of sleepers.

See our full WinkBeds Mattress review to learn more. Check out our best bed-in-a-box mattresses roundup for additional options.

Nolah Evolution: Best Cooling Mattress for Athletes

Best Cooling Mattress for Hot Sleepers

Nolah Evolution Hybrid Mattress

The Nolah Evolution 15" mattress is a robust hybrid bed that's a bit softer than the average mattress: great for back sleepers and side sleepers. The individually wrapped coils include zoned support, which helps promote adequate spinal alignment.

Nerd Score 4.8/5
Read Full Review

Material

Hybrid

Trial Period

120 nights

Shipping Method

Free shipping

Firmness

Multiple firmness options

Warranty

Lifetime warranty

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.8/5
Watch Our Video Review
Best Cooling Mattress for Hot Sleepers

Nolah Evolution Hybrid Mattress

The Nolah Evolution 15" mattress is a robust hybrid bed that's a bit softer than the average mattress: great for back sleepers and side sleepers. The individually wrapped coils include zoned support, which helps promote adequate spinal alignment.

Nerd Score 4.8/5
Read Full Review

Material

Hybrid

Warranty

Lifetime warranty

Firmness

Multiple firmness options

Shipping Method

Free shipping

Trial Period

120 nights

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.8/5
Watch Our Video Review
Best Cooling Mattress for Hot Sleepers

Nolah Evolution Hybrid Mattress

The Nolah Evolution 15" mattress is a robust hybrid bed that's a bit softer than the average mattress: great for back sleepers and side sleepers. The individually wrapped coils include zoned support, which helps promote adequate spinal alignment.

Nerd Score 4.8/5
Read Full Review

Material

Hybrid

Firmness

Multiple firmness options

Trial Period

120 nights

Warranty

Lifetime warranty

Shipping Method

Free shipping

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.8/5
Watch Our Video Review

The Nolah Evolution claims to sleep exceptionally cool, and that was our experience in testing. It comes with advanced cooling features such as graphite-infused foam on top, breathable support coils below, and cooling fibers in the cover to help draw heat away. This allows for a more restful sleep for athletes who sleep hot.

The Nolah is also good at helping to prevent pain from non-supportive mattresses. Lightweight stomach sleepers should get the hip support they need to help prevent lower back pain. Back sleepers and most side sleepers will also find good cushioning support at the joints and good spinal alignment to keep you moving during the day.

Read our full Nolah Evolution Mattress Review for more details. If you aren’t interested in the Nolah Evolution mattress, check out our list of the best cooling mattresses for more great options.

Tempur ProAdapt: Best Mattress for All Sleeping Positions

Best Mattress for All Sleeping Positions

TEMPUR-ProAdapt Mattress

The TEMPUR-ProAdapt lives up to its name: It adapts to every sleeping position (side, back and stomach sleepers), offers three firmness levels (soft, medium and firm) and works for all weight groups (light, average-weight and heavyweight sleepers).

Read Full Review

Material

Foam

Trial Period

90 nights

Shipping Method

Free white glove delivery

Firmness

Multiple firmness options

Warranty

10-year limited warranty

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

Joint Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from joint pain.
Hip Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from hip pain.
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.5/5
Best Mattress for All Sleeping Positions

TEMPUR-ProAdapt Mattress

The TEMPUR-ProAdapt lives up to its name: It adapts to every sleeping position (side, back and stomach sleepers), offers three firmness levels (soft, medium and firm) and works for all weight groups (light, average-weight and heavyweight sleepers).

Read Full Review

Material

Foam

Warranty

10-year limited warranty

Firmness

Multiple firmness options

Shipping Method

Free white glove delivery

Trial Period

90 nights

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

Joint Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from joint pain.
Hip Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from hip pain.
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.5/5
Best Mattress for All Sleeping Positions

TEMPUR-ProAdapt Mattress

The TEMPUR-ProAdapt lives up to its name: It adapts to every sleeping position (side, back and stomach sleepers), offers three firmness levels (soft, medium and firm) and works for all weight groups (light, average-weight and heavyweight sleepers).

Read Full Review

Material

Foam

Firmness

Multiple firmness options

Trial Period

90 nights

Warranty

10-year limited warranty

Shipping Method

Free white glove delivery

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

Joint Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from joint pain.
Hip Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from hip pain.
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.5/5

The Tempur Pro-Adapt offers a variety of firmness levels, meaning no matter which sleeping position you prefer to recover from exercise in, this mattress has you covered. It also offers excellent pressure relief and spinal alignment, two factors that help mitigate post-workout soreness. 

While the Tempur-ProAdapt comes at a steep cost ($3,199 for a Queen) the quality speaks for itself. If you value comfort and recovery, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better option than this mattress.

See our full Tempur ProAdapt Mattress review to learn more. 

Saatva Classic: Best Mattress for Back Sleepers

Best Mattress for Back Sleepers

Saatva Mattress

The Saatva Classic is an innerspring mattress delivered to your home by delivery professionals. It's made with luxury materials like organic cotton, a plush pillow top, and durable coils. Choose from Plush Soft, Luxury Firm, and Firm options.

Nerd Score 4.3/5
Read Full Review

Material

Innerspring

Trial Period

365 nights

Shipping Method

Free white glove delivery

Firmness

Multiple firmness options

Warranty

Lifetime warranty

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight, average weight, and heavyweight back sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight stomach sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.9/5
Watch Our Video Review
Best Mattress for Back Sleepers

Saatva Mattress

The Saatva Classic is an innerspring mattress delivered to your home by delivery professionals. It's made with luxury materials like organic cotton, a plush pillow top, and durable coils. Choose from Plush Soft, Luxury Firm, and Firm options.

Nerd Score 4.3/5
Read Full Review

Material

Innerspring

Warranty

Lifetime warranty

Firmness

Multiple firmness options

Shipping Method

Free white glove delivery

Trial Period

365 nights

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight, average weight, and heavyweight back sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight stomach sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.9/5
Watch Our Video Review
Best Mattress for Back Sleepers

Saatva Mattress

The Saatva Classic is an innerspring mattress delivered to your home by delivery professionals. It's made with luxury materials like organic cotton, a plush pillow top, and durable coils. Choose from Plush Soft, Luxury Firm, and Firm options.

Nerd Score 4.3/5
Read Full Review

Material

Innerspring

Firmness

Multiple firmness options

Trial Period

365 nights

Warranty

Lifetime warranty

Shipping Method

Free white glove delivery

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight, average weight, and heavyweight back sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight stomach sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.9/5
Watch Our Video Review

While innerspring mattresses usually excel in responsiveness and breathability, most also lack enough foam to provide generous comfort or pressure relief. The Saatva is an exception, with a coil-on-coil construction and thick comfort layers that support the sleeper’s body while providing a gentle cradle.

Its coil layer allows it to sleep cool for most, and it’s available in three firmness settings that should suit most athletes regardless of their weight or sleeping position. That being said, the Saatva Classic really shines for back sleepers. The memory foam comfort layer offers contouring and pressure relief, while the two layers of coils support the spine in its natural s-curve.

See our full Saatva Classic Mattress review to learn more. Not interested in the Saatva Classic? Check out our best mattresses for back sleepers for more options.

What Mattress Firmness is Best for Athletes?

Even for the average person, firmness is one of the most important factors to keep in mind when browsing for the right mattress. Firmness refers to how hard or soft a mattress feels, so it’s a subjective measure because how a bed feels to you will depend on your body weight, sleeping position and preferences. To simplify firmness and feel, most mattress companies designate a word, like “soft” or “medium-firm,” to each mattress model in their lineup. In our reviews, we rate them on a 1–10 scale (1 being very soft, 10 being very firm).

The most popular firmness levels are 4–7, but there are sleepers, including athletes, whose preferences may fall outside of that range. Petite side sleepers, for example, may feel best on a very plush mattress that allows their lightweight bodies to sink in. Plus-size back sleepers, on the other hand, usually feel best on a very firm, supportive bed that offers an even sleeping surface to keep the hips and shoulders elevated.

With that said, the “best” firmness level for any athlete will depend entirely upon their preferences, sleeping position and body weight, just like any other sleeper. As a rule of thumb, firmer mattresses are typically recommended for back and stomach sleepers, and softer mattresses are typically recommended for side sleepers. Before making a decision, we recommended learning more about firmness in our mattress firmness guide.

What Type of Mattress is Best for Athletes?

The five most popular types of mattresses sold today include innerspring, hybrid, all-foam, latex and airbed. Each offers unique pros and cons for athletes, so it’s important to understand them before making a decision. Here’s an overview of each type.

Innerspring

Innerspring beds are considered the most traditional mattress type, pairing a thin layer of foam with a steel coil, or innerspring, support system. Generally speaking, they have moderate price points, are available in many firmness options and stay cool. However, minimal comfort layers prevent them from offering the cushioning that most athletes want. They also tend to have high motion transfer rates, which can be an issue for couples. Head over to our best innerspring mattresses for more info.

Hybrid

Hybrid mattresses have thicker foam comfort layers and a pocketed coil support core. They offer some of the benefits of innerspring mattresses, such as durability, breathability and support, with the comfort and conforming of all-foam beds. As long as the right firmness level and feel is chosen, there aren’t any noteworthy drawbacks of this style for athletes. While they tend to be the most expensive mattress type, budget-friendly hybrid mattresses are available.

All-Foam

Memory foam mattresses and mixed foam mattresses combine layers of foam in varying densities. They tend to have lower-than-average price points. Memory foam beds, in particular, offer close conforming to help alleviate pain and pressure throughout the body. Foam beds also have above-average motion isolation, making them a good choice for athletic couples. If pressure relief is important to you, a foam mattress could be a good option, but keep in mind that they tend to sag quicker and will likely retain more heat than a hybrid or innerspring bed.

Related: Best Memory Foam Mattresses

Latex

Latex mattresses come in all-foam and hybrid designs. Most have at least one layer of latex in the comfort portion of the bed, and some have support cores that are made entirely of latex. These mattresses conform closely like memory foam but offer more bounce and sleep cooler. However, they can be expensive. Take a look at our best latex mattress roundup for some of our favorite options.

Airbed

Airbeds offer adjustable firmness for athletes who want to customize the feel of their mattress as needed. These are the most expensive mattresses on the market, but most offer close conforming, isolate motion well and sleep cool. On the downside, airbeds can be prone to mechanical breakdown, may sleep hot if they have thicker comfort layers and may produce noise from the air pumps. You can find more on this subject in our best air mattresses roundup

Muscle Recovery and Sleep

The relationship between sleep and muscle recovery is widely known, but it can be helpful to understand the science of sleep to understand how it impacts your body over time. Sleep occurs in two stages: REM (rapid eye movement) sleep and non-REM sleep.

REM sleep provides energy to the brain that supports it during waking hours. Non-REM sleep, or deep sleep, allows the brain to rest with very little activity, meaning that blood supply shifts to the muscles instead. During non-REM sleep, growth hormone is also secreted, which stimulates tissue growth and muscle repair.

Getting 7–9 hours of quality sleep each night is crucial, especially for athletes, but making sure you’re spending adequate time in the non-REM phase of sleep can make the difference between sleeping eight hours and feeling “groggy” and sleeping eight hours and feeling truly rejuvenated.

FAQ

How much sleep do athletes need?

While itu2019s recommended that most adults sleep between seven and nine hour a night, athletes in training may need a little bit more. You may need to sleep for ten hours at night, or take an hour long nap during the day in order to achieve adequate muscle recovery. Lebron James, for example, has noted that he gets up to 12 hours of sleep each night, and clearly heu2019s doing something right.

Are firm mattresses best for athletes?

It depends on your body type, sleeping position, and preferences. If youu2019re a heavy stomach sleeper, then a firm mattress is likely to provide you the most comfort in support. If youu2019re a light side sleeper, however, then youu2019ll probably want a softer mattress. In short, thereu2019s no one right firmness level for athletes.

Which mattress is best for athletes?

Youu2019ll want to take your specific situation into account when deciding on the best mattress for you. All of the mattresses on this list are good for athletes, but theyu2019re good for different reasons. For example, the Saatva works well for athletes who sleep on their back and the GhostBed Flex is a great choice for athletes who tend to sleep hot. A little bit of research will help ensure that youu2019re making the best purchase for your particular needs.

Recap of the Top-Rated Mattresses for Athletes

Mattress Model Award Firmness
Nectar  Best Affordable Mattress for Athletes 6.5/10
Bear Original Best for Active Recovery  7/10
Brooklyn Bedding Spartan Best Mattress for Couples Varies
Helix Midnight Luxe Best Customizable Bed for Athletes 6/10
The WinkBed Best Bed in a Box for Athletes Varies
Nolah Evolution Best Cooling Mattress for Athletes 5.5/10
Tempur ProAdapt Best for All Sleeping Positions Varies
Saatva Classic Best Mattress for Active Back Sleepers Varies