Best Mattress For Athletes

Written by Dan Caffrey, Editor

Our Methodology

Our Certified Sleep Science Coaches have reviewed more than 220 mattresses in our lab, testing each one on its materials, comfort, cooling, support, and other categories.
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Just Updated

We’ve recently re-reviewed all of our top mattress picks for athletes and added more feedback from the testers in our lab – so you can rest easy that if it’s on this list, we’ve personally tested it, slept on it, and stand by its recommendation.

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If you live an active lifestyle, finding the best mattress for athletes can help you recharge your body for your next physical adventure — whether it be on the track, field, court, weight room, or amidst the great outdoors. But it’s important to remember that different athletes require different things from a bed. Just because you all have muscles, doesn’t mean that they will be supported and comforted the same way on the same mattress.

Because of this, it’s important to look beyond that fact that you all spend time at the gym. We want to recommend mattresses that will not only give you added pressure relief and cooling for the nights after those long workouts, but will also fit best with your sleeping position, body type, and whether or not you sleep with a partner or a pet. All of these added wants and needs factor into which mattress is going to give you the best night sleep.

But don’t worry — we’re here to guide you! We’ve already put these mattresses through the ringer. Before we review a mattress, we put it through a series of tests, including a pressure-map test, 15-minute rest test, and motion isolation test. The results from these various examinations can show us exactly who (and who not) to recommend these mattresses for, so you don’t have to waste time doing the evaluating on your own.

So whether your deal breaker is a hot bed, a lack of support, or a firm feel, we’re sure you can use the information we’ve gathered to find the right mattress for you. Below is our roundup of the best mattresses for athletes, but make sure to read the find print in order to find a mattress that also works for your personal preferences. We included mattresses that cover a variety of physical activities, types of pain, and special features, such as assisting in muscle recovery — so there should be something here for everyone.

Our Top Pick For Athletes

The Bear Elite Hybrid landed at the top of our list because of its Celliant cover, which purportedly helps with cooling, muscle recovery, and blood circulation.

Best Mattress For Athletes – 2023

• Best Overall Mattress for Athletes – Bear Elite Hybrid
• Best Cooling Mattress for Athletes – Nectar Premier Copper
• Best Mattress for Side Sleeping Athletes – Helix Midnight
• Best Mattress for Weightlifters – Spartan Hybrid
• Best Mattress for Back Sleeping Athletes – DreamCloud
• Best Mattress for Athletes With Back Pain – Saatva
• Best Mattress for Athletes With Joint Pain – Nolah Evolution
• Best Mattress for Stomach Sleeping Athletes – WinkBed
• Best Flippable Mattress for Athletes – Propel Dual-Sided Hybrid
• Best Mattress for Muscle Recovery – Bear

Compare the Best Mattresses for Athletes

Best Overall – Bear Elite Hybrid

Expert Opinion

Bear designs their mattresses with athletes in mind, so they’re a shoe-in for our category of Best Overall mattress. When picking the individual bed, we naturally had to go with the Bear Elite Hybrid, as this is the brand’s most luxurious option. This mattress comes in three different firmness levels (Soft, Medium, and Firm), so shoppers can pick the one that best fits their preferences and needs when it comes to sleeping comfortably. We tested the Medium version of this mattress, which scored a six on our firmness scale. This ranking is created by combining the scores of multiple Sleepopolis mattress testers. A score of six makes the Bear Elite Hybrid slightly softer than the industry standard for a medium-firm mattress, which is set at a 6.5 on our scale.

Like many of Bear’s mattresses, the Bear Elite Hybrid comes outfitted with a cover made of Celliant — a material believed to assist with recovery and blood flow. That’s good news for athletes looking to restore their energy and recharge their body after a tough workout. The Bear Elite Hybrid also includes a cooling cover and copper-infused foam that give this mattress a cool-to-the-touch feel, along with Phase Change Material that helps to get rid of added body heat throughout the night. All of these inclusions are helpful for athletes that need a proper and restful sleep in order to recover and prepare for the activities of the next day.

What our tester says: “If you tend to sleep hot, then I think you’ll enjoy all the cooling factors this bed offers. From the Phase Change Material cover to the copper-infused foam, hot sleepers should like how breathable and cool this mattress sleeps.” – Bridget Chapman, senior product editor

What Customers Say

Customers love the immediate relief they felt upon lying down on the Bear Elite Hybrid. Many users even stated that they didn’t want to get out of bed in the morning because of how comfortable they felt on this bed.

Pros of the Bear Elite Hybrid

• Side sleepers should appreciate how soft the Bear Elite Hybrid feels, which will help give them added pressure relief and contouring around their hips and shoulders. If these sleepers are looking for an extra plush feel, they could even opt for the Soft version of this mattress.
• Because the Bear Elite Hybrid is, obviously, a hybrid mattress, it includes both coils and foams. This is great for combination sleepers, as this mattress is especially bouncy and responsive, allowing these sleepers to switch positions and move around easily on top of this mattress throughout the night.
• Sleepers who suffer from shoulder pain should appreciate the top foam layer that is included in the Bear Elite Hybrid. This layer offers pressure relief and body-contouring to sensitive areas like the shoulders, which can be seen in our pressure-map test. During this test, the shoulder area lit up mostly blue and green (equating to low pressure).

Cons of the Bear Elite Hybrid

• Stomach sleepers may find that the Bear Elite Hybrid is too soft for them. These sleepers need a firmer mattress that will lift their hips in line with their shoulders, creating a neutral spinal alignment. If this sounds like you, check out our roundup of the best mattresses for stomach sleepers to find some firmer options.

If you’re interested in this mattress, you can take a look our full Bear Elite Hybrid mattress review for more information, or click here for our best deal. For more of our favorites, check out our roundup of the best overall mattresses.

Best Cooling Mattress For Athletes – Nectar Premier Copper

Expert Opinion

It can be much harder to get a good night’s rest if your body temperature is high, and you’re much more likely to have a higher body temperature after a workout. That’s why it’s so important for athletes to have a cooling mattress like the Nectar Premier Copper. This mattress includes polyethylene and copper fibers in its cover, both of which help to promote airflow in the bed and give the top of this mattress a cool-to-the-touch feel. In addition, the memory foam used in the construction of the Nectar Premier Copper is all gel memory foam infused with Phase Change Material. This material won’t trap body heat in the way that memory foam usually does, so sleepers should feel cooler throughout the night.

The Nectar company even states that the Nectar Premier Copper is their tallest (14″), coolest, and most supportive mattress out of their all-foam bed line. This mattress scored a seven on our firmness scale, making it slightly firmer than the industry standard for a medium-firm mattress. However, the longer you spend time on this mattress, the more you’ll find yourself sinking into its memory foam layers, which may give it more of a medium-soft feel throughout the night.

What our tester says: “My favorite thing about this mattress is that it’s built with cooling technology. A lot of memory foam mattresses trap body heat and sleep hot. The Premier Copper works to fix this issue, and sleeps cooler than any other mattress in the Nectar Sleep all-foam line.” – Bridget Chapman, senior product editor

What Customers Say

Many users on the Nectar website stated that the Nectar Premier Copper helped eliminate their shoulder and and hip pain after a few months of sleep. Other customers often commented on how cool this mattress sleeps, and some even said that they prefer this mattress over any hotel or Airbnb mattress they have tried while traveling.

Pros of the Nectar Premier Copper

• Side sleepers should enjoy the way the Nectar Premier Copper contours their body while they sleep. This contouring should provide them with plenty of pressure relief around sensitive areas like their hips and shoulders during the night.
• Because of the Nectar Premier Copper’s medium-firm feel, back sleepers should rest comfortably on this mattress. These sleepers should be able to find a good balance between support and pressure relief on this mattress.
• The Nectar Premier Copper performed well on our pressure-map test, especially when it came to back pain. Sleepers who suffer from back pain should feel that their weight is evenly distributed across this mattress, and the top layer of foam included in the Nectar Premier Copper should help fill in the space around their lumbar region.

Cons of the Nectar Premier Copper

• Combination sleepers might want to look for a more responsive mattress than the Nectar Premier Copper can provide. This mattress definitely leans more toward sinkage instead of bounce, so these sleepers might have trouble easily switching between positions during the night. To find a more responsive mattress, check out our roundup of the best mattresses for combination sleepers.

To get more information, take a look our full Nectar Premier Copper mattress review, or click here for our best deal. If you’re still looking, check out our roundup of the best cooling mattresses.

Best Mattress For Side Sleepers – Helix Midnight

Expert Opinion

Many of the mattresses we recommend for side sleepers are on the softer side. However, since athletes require a good amount of support to lift their bodies and help them recover, we recommend the balanced feel of the Helix Midnight. This mattress has a medium-soft to medium-firm feel, and because it is a hybrid mattress, it includes both plush memory foam and pocketed coils for a combination of pressure relief and support. This mattress also comes in two versions (the Standard and the Luxe). Athletes might want to opt for the Luxe version of the Helix Midnight because it includes additional comfort features like a pillow top and zoned support.

Because of the hybrid construction of the Helix Midnight, this mattress sleepers cool and has high breathability from the coils in its base layer. The Helix Midnight Luxe also includes a Tencel cover that helps to get rid of added body heat, which is great for athletes that might run hot from all of their activities. Finally, the Helix Midnight includes a comfort layer made of memory plus foam. This foam is extra helpful at relieving pressure around the joints, and it offers some extra body-contouring for the sleeper.

What our tester says: “I would recommend it for side or back sleepers, because it’s supportive without putting pressure on your joints. The model also has a nice bouncy feel, thanks to its hybrid construction. That means it’s easy to roll around on, so you shouldn’t have trouble changing positions at night.” – Bridget Chapman, senior product editor

What Customers Say

Many customers on the Helix website stated that they no longer wake up with shoulder or hip pain after sleeping on the Helix Midnight, which is especially great for side sleepers who often get added pain in these areas. However, one thing to keep in mind is that some users did state that this mattress is firmer than they originally thought it would be.

Pros of the Helix Midnight

• The Helix Midnight includes a support layer of individually wrapped coils. These coils helps to give this mattress a bouncy feel, which is especially important for combination sleepers. With this responsive feel, combo sleepers should be able to change positions during the night without getting stuck in their mattress.
• Sleepers who suffer from shoulder pain should feel comfortable on the Helix Midnight. This mattress includes extra cushioning in its top layers that should help to prevent stiffness around the sleeper’s joints.
• The Helix Midnight is a great option for couples because it scored well on our motion isolation test. This means that you shouldn’t feel the tossing and turning of your restless partner throughout the night. This responsive nature of this mattress also makes it good for sex.

Cons of the Helix Midnight

• Heavier sleepers (those over 250 pounds) most likely won’t get the support they need from the Helix Midnight because of how soft this mattress is. These sleepers could opt for the Luxe version instead, but we recommend that they check out our roundup of the best mattresses for heavier sleepers for added information.

If you’re a side sleepers looking for a combination of support and comfort, you can find more information by reading our full Helix Midnight mattress review, or click here for our best deal. To see some similar options, check out our roundup of the best mattresses for side sleepers. 

Best Mattress For Weightlifters – Brooklyn Bedding Spartan Hybrid

Expert Opinion

Serious weightlifters can often benefit from a firm mattress, as a firmer bed tends to do a better job of supporting their thicker musculature. In our review of the Brooklyn Bedding Spartan Hybrid, we scored the Medium version of this mattress at a 6.5 on our firmness scale, making it the same as the industry standard for a medium-firm mattress. However, this company also offers a Firm model that should be an excellent fit for weightlifters. They should get some nice pressure relief from a comfort layer of CopperFlex foam, while getting all the support they need from below via a layer of denser TitanFlex foam and individually wrapped AscensionX coils.

The cover of the Spartan Hybrid is also made with special far-infrared ray technology that could help to aid athletes in their recovery overnight. This fabric supposedly includes nanobionic technology that can absorb waves of energy from the sleeper’s body and reflect it back to promote circulation and recovery. While Sleepopolis cannot say if this works for all sleepers, we can firmly state that the fabric is very breathable, making it great for hot sleepers.

What our tester says: “I really appreciate the great edge support, cooling features, and motion isolation on the Spartan mattress. All these traits make me think this could be a great mattress for couples. It’s medium-firm feel should also appeal to many different sleepers, making it a great mattress to share.” – Bridget Chapman, senior product editor

What Customers Say

Customers on the Brooklyn Bedding website love the firm feel that they get from the Spartan Hybrid. Many customers stated that this helped to eliminate their joint pain during the night, which was not the case with their previous mattress.

Pros of the Brooklyn Bedding Spartan Hybrid

• Hot sleepers should find that they sleep cooler on the Spartan Hybrid. This is because this mattress includes a cool-to-the-touch cover, and its top foam layer utilizes Phase Change Material to keep get rid of added body heat, which can be especially important for athletes that have been working their body throughout the day.
• During our pressure-map test, the Spartan Hybrid lit up blue across the board for back pain, especially for back sleepers. Sleepers who suffer from back pain should feel that their weight is evenly distributed across this mattress, so there is no one area that is getting more pressure than others.
• The Spartan Hybrid includes reinforced edges that make this mattress great for couples, as they can use the full surface area of their mattress without fear of sinkage near the sides. The reinforced steel coils in this bed also made us feel super stable on the edge of the Spartan Hybrid.

Cons of the Brooklyn Bedding Spartan Hybrid

• Budget-conscious shoppers may want to opt for a cheaper mattress than the Spartan Hybrid. Because this is a luxury mattress, it is on the pricier side, with a Queen bed costing around $2,000. If you’re looking for a cheaper option, check out our roundup of the best mattresses under $1,000.

If you want more details about this mattress, you can take a look at our full Brooklyn Bedding Spartan Hybrid mattress review, or click here for our best deal.

Best Mattress For Back Sleepers – DreamCloud

Expert Opinion

If you’re an athletic back sleeper looking to relax between workouts, you’re going to want a bed that relieves pressure on the lumbar area while also holding you up. We believe the DreamCloud mattress might be an ideal choice. As a luxury hybrid mattress, the DreamCloud is constructed with a staggering five layers, and it includes both springs and foams to combine support and pressure relief. The cover of this mattress has been quilted with a bit of memory foam up top to contour the spine and give you some pressure relief right away. Plus, the lumbar region is further cradled by a comfort layer of gel memory foam and simultaneously receives support from a layer of extra-tall coils below.

The DreamCloud scored a seven on our firmness scale, making this mattress slightly firmer than the industry standard for a medium-firm mattress. This is great for back sleepers that want to keep their spine stable and comforted at the same time. However, the individually wrapped coils underneath these layers keep this mattress bouncy and responsive, so sleepers will still be able to move around during the night without getting stuck in this bed.

What our tester says: “I really like how luxurious this mattress feels and how it could work for a variety of sleepers. Along with that, I found that the breathable cashmere cover helps the DreamCloud sleep cool throughout the night. Thanks to its medium-firm to firm support, I think the DreamCloud is a durable mattress. It balances support with plenty of pressure relief for back sleepers.” – Bridget Chapman, senior product editor

What Customers Say

The majority of users on the DreamCloud website comment how well constructed this mattress seems to them. Many customers state that they can tell the DreamCloud is a good quality mattress, and they are impressed with the durability it has that lasts the test of time.

Pros of the DreamCloud

• Hybrid beds are usually a good option for back sleepers. This is because the foams present in the DreamCloud will provide pressure relief for these sleepers’ hips and shoulders, while the innerspring coils will help to keep their spine aligned neutrally. The DreamCloud also scored well on our pressure-map test, with the back region lighting up completely blue (which equates to low pressure), so sleepers who suffer from back pain should feel less pressure in this region.
• Lightweight sleepers should rest comfortably on the DreamCloud, no matter which sleeping position they prefer. Lightweight back and stomach sleepers should get the support they need, since this mattress will feel firmer to their frame. At the same time, lightweight side sleepers should still get enough pressure relief for their hips and shoulders.
• With great edge support, cooling, and responsiveness, couples are bound to be comfortable while asleep and during sex. However, one thing worth mentioning is the DreamCloud did score lower on our motion isolation test. Because of this, if you’re a lighter sleeper, you might wake up from your partner’s larger movements.

Cons of the DreamCloud

• Strict side sleepers might find that the DreamCloud sleeps a little too firm for their liking. These sleepers need a softer mattress that will provide extra pressure relief to their hips and shoulders. To find other options, these sleepers can take a look at our roundup of the best mattresses for side sleepers.

If the DreamCloud sounds like a dream to you, get more information from our full DreamCloud mattress review, or click here for our best deal. For more of our favorites, check out our roundup for the best mattresses for back sleepers.

Best Mattress For Back Pain – Saatva

Expert Opinion

Back pain is a common problem for many sleepers — even more so if you’re an athlete. If your back is sore from lifting weights, tackling a rival team, or hitting home runs, allow us to direct you to the Saatva. This mattress has a hybrid construction, so it combines coils and foams. The layer of memory foam up top is meant specifically for your lumbar region, which helps the Saatva create a targeted kind of pain relief for the back. At the same time, the pocketed coil section underneath this layer makes sure that sleepers are supported throughout the night, especially when it comes to keeping the spine in a neutral alignment.

This mattress does come in multiple firmness options (Plush Soft, Luxury Fir, and Firm) and heights (11.5″ and 14.5″), so sleepers can pick and choose what version of this mattress is best for their needs and preferences. The Saatva scored a seven on our firmness scale, making it slightly firmer than the industry standard for a medium-firm mattress. This firm feel is created by the Saatva’s sturdy construction, which allows for both more support for the sleeper and makes the mattress more durable in the long run.

What our tester says: “I think the Saatva is a great option for back sleepers, as the Luxury Firm model provides enough cushioning for their lumbar region, but also lots of support to keep their spine in a neutral alignment.” – Bridget Chapman, senior product editor

What Customers Say

The reviews on the Saatva website often state how easy the entire shopping process for their mattress was. Many customers praise how information and helpful the Saatva customer service was to them, especially when it came to finding a mattress that fit all of their needs and preferences.

Pros of the Saatva

• Hybrid beds are a great choice for combination sleepers because the coils present in the base layer of these mattresses allow for these sleepers to move around and switch positions easily throughout the night.
• Because of all the coils in the bed’s construction, there’s plenty of room here for airflow, making the Saatva an excellent mattress for cooling. This is especially great for athletes that might have some extra body heat stored from their activities during the day.
• Couples should love the reinforced edge support system included in the Saatva. This system combines coils and polyfoam to create a barrier around the edge of this mattress. Because of this, couples can use the full surface area of their Saatva without fear of sinkage or sagging near the sides.

Cons of the Saatva

• The Saatva could be too firm for strict side sleepers. These sleepers could opt for the Plush Soft version of this mattress instead, especially if they’re lightweight and need more pressure relief around their shoulders and hips. However, they can also check out our roundup of the best mattresses for side sleepers.

For more information, read our full Saatva mattress review, or click here for our best deal. For more of our favorites, check out our roundup of the best mattresses for back pain.

Best Mattress For Joint Pain – Nolah Evolution

Expert Opinion

Whether it be a sprained knee from playing soccer or a severe case of tennis elbow, all athletes are subject to joint pain. If it’s something they experience, they’ll want to seek out a softer mattress that can give them the pressure relief they need in sensitive areas. We believe that the Nolah Evolution should be a good fit for this. Together, the Nolah Evolution’s comfort layers treat athletes to plenty of sinkage, contouring, and pressure relief on their joints. We recommend the Plush or Luxury Firm versions of this mattress for the best pain relief.

Once again, this mattress comes in three different firmness levels (Plush, Luxury Firm, and Firm), so athletes, and sleepers in general, can pick the one that best fits their sleeping needs. In our opinion, the Nolah Evolution ranked a 6.5 on our firmness scale, making this mattress medium-firm. However, the Nolah Evolution does include an AirFoamICE layer in its construction (which is a graphite-infused version of the regular AirFoam), creating more sinkage for the sleeper. Because of this, sleepers can still get that “sinking” feel without compromising the neutral alignment of their spine.

What our tester says: “I love how the Nolah Evolution comes in three different firmness models, so you can choose the best fit for you. For the Luxury Firm model, I really appreciate its medium-firm feel. This mattress provides good pressure relief and body contouring. It’s a great choice for side sleepers, and back sleepers who like a softer mattress.” – Bridget Chapman, senior product editor

What Customers Say

Customers on the Nolah website love how great the Nolah Evolution is for side sleepers. Many of them stated that it was difficult to find a mattress that was soft enough to provide them with relief around their joints, but still firm enough for their liking. However, the majority of users said that the Nolah Evolution found the perfect balance for them.

Pros of the Nolah Evolution

• Lightweight sleepers in all positions should enjoy the Nolah Evolution. Lightweight back sleepers should get the medium-firm feel they’re looking for, while lightweight side sleepers should enjoy the contouring that the foams in this mattress provide. Even lightweight stomach sleepers could enjoy this mattress, since they will receive more support for their weight.
• Couples should enjoy the low motion transfer results that the Nolah Evolution offers, which make sure that you won’t wake up when your partner moves. At the same time, the AirFoamICE included in this mattress eliminates body heat, and the ArcticTex fibers are breathable, so even the foams in this hybrid allow for some airflow.
• This Nolah Evolution is a great mattress for side sleepers, which can be rare to find in firmer mattresses. We felt more sinkage around our hips and shoulders while laying on this mattress, which helps to alleviate pressure in these sensitive areas.

Cons of the Nolah Evolution

• The Nolah Evolution could be too soft for some stomach sleepers. Even though this is a firm mattress, stomach sleepers need extra lift in order to keep their hips in line with their shoulders to create a healthy spine alignment. The Nolah Evolution may not have enough stability to create this alignment, so strict stomach sleepers can look at our roundup of the best mattresses for stomach sleepers to find a mattress that better fits their sleeping position

If you’re ready to evolve, take a look at our full Nolah Evolution mattress review, or click here for our best deal. For more pain relieving mattresses, check out our roundup for the best mattresses for arthritis.

Best Mattress For Stomach Sleepers – WinkBed

Expert Opinion

Because they require a lot more support than any of the other sleeping positions, stomach sleepers often have a difficult time finding the right mattress. It’s even harder for stomach-sleeping athletes, who need a mattress that also provides pain relief. We think the WinkBed could be a good option because of its support layer of individually wrapped coils. They’re strong enough to keep stomach sleepers lifted, while also creating zoned support. That means the springs are firmer in certain places and softer in others, allowing them to relieve pain in specific areas of the body.

At the same time, the WinkBed is a luxury mattress, so it includes both ultra-supportive coils and a plush pillow top. This combination of comfort and support should really appeal to both stomach sleepers and athletes, because they won’t have to give up one for the other. This bed scored a seven on our firmness scale, making it slightly firmer than the industry standard. Once again, both types of sleepers should appreciate the firm feel of this mattress, as it helps keep the spine in a neutral alignment to avoid pain in the future.

What our tester says: “One of my favorite things about the WinkBed is its durability. This is a high-quality mattress that should really stand the test of time. This is great news for any sleeper, but especially nice for heavy people and couples.” – Bridget Chapman, senior product editor

What Customers Say

Users on the WinkBed website praise this mattress for how much it helped alleviate their back pain. Some users stated that they had been dealing with back pain for multiple years, and the WinkBed completely eliminated this problem during the night.

Pros of the WinkBed

• Back sleepers should appreciate the WinkBed because of its quilted Tencel cover. This cover is made from eucalyptus wood cellulose, which helps to contour and fill the lumbar region, providing pressure relief for the lower back throughout the night.
• Lightweight sleepers should be able to rest well in all sleeping positions on the WinkBed. The slightly firm feel of this mattress combined with the softer Euro pillow top makes it sturdy enough for lightweight back and stomach sleepers, will still providing enough pressure relief for lightweight side sleepers.
• Stomach and back sleepers with back pain should get the pressure relief they need from the WinkBed, specifically because of the plush top layer that fills in the space around their lumbar region. However, side sleepers with back pain might need a softer mattress in order to feel that same relief.

Cons of the WinkBed

• Strict side sleepers that are looking for a mattress with more contouring or sinkage might want to opt for a softer mattress than the WinkBed can provide. While this mattress does work for some side sleepers, it definitely isn’t considered soft. If you’re looking for that traditional “sinking” feel, check out our roundup of the best soft mattresses.

To find our more about this mattress, take a look at our full WinkBed mattress review, or click here for best deal. For more of our favorites, check out our roundup for the best mattresses for stomach sleepers.

Best Flippable Mattress – Propel Dual-Sided Hybrid

Expert Opinion

If you’re an athlete who just can’t seem to find the right firmness in a mattress, you may want to check out the Propel Dual-Sided Hybrid from Brooklyn Bedding. It has a flippable design, meaning that there are two different sides, each with different strengths (both Soft and Firm). It’s worth noting that the Propel was designed with athletes in mind. The cover is made using Upcycle Technology, which is said by Brooklyn Bedding to convert your body’s heat into restorative energy. While Sleepopolis cannot confirm or deny if this is actually true, we will go over the materials used in this mattress and see what properties are included in its construction.

In terms of feel, the soft side of the Propel Dual-Sided Hybrid scored a 3.5 on our firmness scale, while the firm side scored a 6.5 on the same scale. This is quite a big difference between the two sides, and it’s important to note that while it is called the “firm side,” it has more of a medium-firm feel instead, as 6.5 is the industry standard for a medium-firm mattress.

What our tester says: “If you like sinking into a mattress, then the Propel Hybrid could be the right choice for you. It’s very cushiony and I feel like I’m sinking into a cloud on it (especially on the soft side). This feature also makes it a nice pick for back or side sleepers with aches or pains.” – Bridget Chapman, senior product editor

What Customers Say

Many reviews on the Brooklyn Bedding website stated that this is a great starter mattress for young adults or teenagers about to go to college. Many customers said that the price of this mattress is absolutely perfect for the quality materials included in its construction.

Pros of the Propel Dual-Sided Hybrid

• Lightweight sleepers should find comfort in any sleeping position on this mattress, as long as they are using the right side of the Propel Dual-Sided Hybrid. Lightweight back and stomach sleepers should opt for the firm side of this mattress to make sure their spine stays in alignment during the night, while lightweight side sleepers might prefer the soft side of this mattress because it offers more contouring and sinkage for their hips and shoulders.
• This mattress performed well on our pressure-map test, especially when it came to back pain. Both back sleepers and side sleepers should find that the Propel Dual-Sided Hybrid provides nice pressure relief around the lumbar region. However, stomach sleepers with back pain might still need a firmer mattress to elevate their hips.
• Couples should enjoy the Propel Dual-Sided Hybrid because of how well it performed on our motion isolation test. Low motion transfer results means that couples shouldn’t be able to feel the tossing and turning of their partner during the night.

Cons of the Propel Dual-Sided Hybrid

• Stomach sleepers will most likely want to look for a mattress that is firmer in general. Even the firm side of this mattress felt like our hips were sinking a little bit too far into the layers, which can lead to back pain if our spine slips out of alignment. For other options, check out our roundup of the best mattresses for stomach sleepers.

Ready to go? Take a look at our full Propel Dual-Sided Hybrid mattress review, or click here for our best deal. For more of our favorites, check out our roundup for the best flippable mattresses.

Best Mattress For Muscle Recovery – Bear 

Expert Opinion

When it comes to the best mattresses for athletes, it’s hard to beat the Bear. The company specifically markets its products to athletes who need post-workout recovery. Evidence of this includes them offering a Celliant-infused cover to top their mattress — a material believed to assist with muscle recovery and blood flow. However, this cover does cost an extra $130 dollars to add on, so keep that in mind when considering this mattress. With a score of seven on our firmness scale, the Bear is slightly firmer than the industry standard, and this mattress has a very “on top” feel to it, rather than a more “sinking” feel. This allows the Bear to be comfortable for most back-sleeping and combination-sleeping athletes.

At the same time, the Bear does include some sinkage and contouring in its construction, even though it is considered a firm mattress. Athletes need this added bit of pressure relief, especially for sour muscles after an especially grueling workout. The Bear provides this balance of support and comfort that most athletes are looking for in their mattress.

What our tester says: “I really appreciate the firm and responsive feel of the Bear mattress. Its combination of support and pressure relief makes it a great option for back sleepers struggling with back pain. I also really like the Bear’s Celliant cover. While I can’t say whether or not it really helps with muscle recovery, I do think it does a great job keeping this mattress cool.” – Bridget Chapman, senior product editor

What Customers Say

Customers on the Bear website loved how easy this mattress was to unbox, which can be rare for a bed-in-a-box mattress that needs time to box unbox and degas. Other users also stated that this mattress is a great choice for children who are growing and need some extra space and support from their bed.

Pros of the Bear

• The Bear includes gel infusions in its construction, so it stays cool throughout the night, which is rare for an all-foam bed. As stated earlier, this mattress also has an addition Celliant cover that can be added for $130, which is said to help promote blood flow throughout the body. This occurs because of the microfibers of silicon and aluminum oxide present in the cover. These materials absorb your energy and redirect it back into your body, which helps to regulate your temperature.
• In the comfort layer, the Bear includes a 2″ section of graphite gel-infused memory foam, which has a slow response to pressure. This adds some pressure relief to the mattress, helping alleviate tension both for sleepers suffering from joint pain and for athletes.
• The Bear has great motion transfer results, so couples shouldn’t be able to feel the movements of their partner throughout the night. This is due to the top layer of memory foam included in the Bear, which keeps movement from transferring across the top of the mattress.

Cons of the Bear

• Heavier sleepers might not find that the Bear gives them the support that they need. Instead, these sleepers might want to opt for an innerspring mattress, which will give them the stability they need from a mattress. For more options, check out our roundup of the best firm mattresses.

Ready for hibernation? Take a look at our full Bear mattress review for more information, or click here for our best deal.

What to Consider When Buying the Best Mattress For Athletes

We recognize that the term “athlete” can be fairly all-encompassing. For example, a long-distance runner is likely going to be built differently than a linebacker, and will thus need different things out of a mattress.

So while no single mattress is going to be the perfect fit for every athlete out there, it’s important that athletes understand the differences between various mattress types so they can make an informed decision. Let’s dive into some of the different mattresses on the market, as well as their materials, firmnesses, and requirements of individual sleepers. 

Mattress Thickness For Athletes

We classify mattress thickness into three different categories: low-profile, medium-profile, and high-profile. Let’s see which of these profiles might be the best for athletes.

• Low-profile mattresses: These are mattresses that have a thickness (or height) of less than 10 inches. While this might work for kids, teenagers, and smaller body types, these beds likely aren’t going to be supportive enough for athletes, especially if they’re heavier. Athletes should look for something taller.
• Medium-profile mattresses: This refers to mattresses that are between 10 and 12 inches thick. Most of the beds we review here at Sleepopolis fall into this category, and we find it to be a good middle ground for athletes. Most sleepers — including those with an active lifestyle — should get the comfort and support they need from a medium-profile bed.
• High-profile mattresses: Finally, we have high-profile mattresses, which refers to any bed taller than 12 inches. These beds can be an especially good fit for heavy athletes or anyone who has bulky musculature. They might need a bed that offers more support.

So, to sum it up, we think medium-profile and high-profile mattresses would be best for athletes.

Mattress Firmness For Athletes

We believe that most athletes will be most comfortable on a medium-firm to firm mattress. While there might be some soft mattresses out there that could work, they’re going to want a substantial amount of support to lift up their musculature and help their bodies recover. 

Soft	Medium-Firm	Firm
3–5/10 on the firmness scale	6–7/10 on the firmness scale	8–10/10 on the firmness scale

Mattress Types For Athletes

As you can see in our above roundup of the best mattresses for athletes, we’ve included several different types of beds. Here are their differences.

• Foam: All-foam mattresses tend to offer a lot of pressure relief, which can come in handy for athletes who suffer from aches and pains. Of all the different mattress types, foam beds often the least expensive. The downside is that they’re not always as supportive as other types of mattresses. They usually last five to seven years.
• Innerspring: Today, the term “innerspring” means something different than it did many years ago. While true innerspring mattresses once had a core constructed of coils and little else, modern innerspring mattresses usually have a good bit of foam in the construction as well. Either way, they’re extremely responsive beds and tend to offer a lot of support for athletes. The downside is that they tend to be more expensive. They usually last seven to 10 years. 
• Hybrid: A hybrid mattress is constructed from a combination of different materials — usually foam and coils. They tend to have a balanced, medium-firm feel and last seven to 10 years. Like innerspring mattresses, they can be a bit expensive, although there are some cheaper options out there.
• Latex: A latex mattress is made with latex foam derived from either Talalay or Dunlop latex, resulting in a mattress that’s bouncy, responsive, and naturally cooling. Latex is extremely durable, and is often paired with coils and other types of foam. They usually last seven to 10 years. Like hybrid and innerspring mattresses, they tend to be on the pricier end.
• Air beds: We didn’t include any air beds in our roundup of the best mattresses for athletes because they’re extremely expensive. But if you can afford one, it’s a good option for anyone with an active lifestyle, as it’s a luxury mattress with many — usually dozens — different firmness settings. It’s fairly easy to find one that works for every type of sleeper. If you’re looking for one of the best air beds around, we recommend the luxurious Saatva Solaire.

So, What’s The Best Mattress Construction For Athletes?

This answer is different from one person to the next, as we all have different body types, sleeping positions, and overall preferences. If we had to choose, we’d say that a hybrid mattress would probably be the best construction for athletes. Hybrids vary in firmness and feel, so athletes should be able to choose a mattress that provides pressure relief for sensitive areas or utilizes extra-firm support, all depending on their needs. In general, hybrids are durable options and many quality models (a number of them listed in this roundup) are listed at value prices.

Athletes’ Sleeping Position

Here’s a quick rundown of what mattresses might be good for the different sleeping positions among athletes.

• Back sleepers: These folks need a mattress that has a blend of comfort and support, treating their lumbar region to pressure relief while also giving them a slight lift and keeping their spine in a neutral alignment. They usually do best on hybrid or innerspring mattresses.
• Side sleepers: Like back sleepers, side sleepers need a mix of comfort and support, with perhaps a little more on the comfort side. To get that requisite pressure relief, they tend to be comfortable on foam mattresses, although they can also find a good fit in many hybrid beds.
• Stomach sleepers: Stomach sleepers usually have the hardest time finding the right mattress, as they require a lot of support to keep their hips from bowing into the bed and throwing their spine out of alignment. They also tend to need a lot of firmness. We usually steer them toward innerspring mattresses, although there are some hybrids that may be able to accommodate them.
• Combination sleepers: This refers to sleepers who switch positions throughout the night. Because they need a responsive bed that allows them to easily move around, they can usually find comfort in latex mattresses, hybrid mattresses, and innerspring mattresses. 

What’s The Best Sleeping Position?

There isn’t one sleeping position that works for absolutely everyone, and with that in mind, the best sleeping position is one that supports your spine in a neutral alignment. Generally, stomach sleeping isn’t considered the healthiest position because of the unnecessary strain it puts on your joints and spine. Side sleeping and back sleeping are considered healthier for most, and which one is best for you depends on factors including whether you have back pain, joint pain, sleep apnea, and so on. For more details, see our article on the best sleeping position for better health and sleep.

Mattress Features For Athletes

Here are some specific traits that athletes may want to pay attention to in a new mattress.

• Cooling: Athletes tend to get their body temperatures up through rigorous competition and workouts. Having a high temperature can make it difficult to fall asleep, so it’s important for them to find a mattress with advanced cooling features that can help them cool down.
• Pressure relief: At some point in their athletic careers, athletes are undoubtedly going to struggle with aches and pains. That’s why they should look for a mattress with a decent amount of pressure relief. Even if they opt for a supportive hybrid or innerspring mattress to help keep them lifted, they’ll want to make sure there’s enough foam there for some contouring.
• Recovery: Many mattresses designed for athletes have additional technology designed to promote blood flow and assist with muscle recovery. Examples include Celliant and infrared rays.
• Adjustability: If you can afford it, investing in an adjustable bed can be a boon for athletes, as it lets you keep your legs elevated after a workout, which can assist with recovery and blood flow. For more, see our roundup of the best adjustable beds. 

What Is Celliant?

Celliant is a fiber found in mattress constructions, and we see it a lot in mattress covers. Essentially, Celliant utilizes your body’s heat and turns it into energy that reportedly becomes fuel for easier muscle recovery and better blood flow. While we can’t confirm this, we can say that Celliant makes a difference when it comes to cooling; beds that feature Celliant could be a really great choice for hot sleepers. You might have seen this material in many mattresses by Bear.

Athletic Body Types

We cannot stress this enough: not every athlete is the same. Even within the same sport, there are many different sizes and body types. Just look at football: according to a 2017 study by the NCAA, the average height and weight of a college football player varied depending on what position they played. Cornerbacks were, on average, 5’9” and 185 lb, while offensive linemen were 6’3” and 300 lb. 

So the best mattress for athletes should be a combination of extra features catered to those with an active lifestyle and a bed that fits each sleeper’s body type.

How We Test Pressure Relief

We’ve talked a lot in this roundup about the pressure relieving capabilities of the majority of these mattresses. This is because pressure relief is especially important for athletes that are putting more of a strain on their muscles and joints, whether that be from running, lifting, hiking, or just straight up moving.

Because of this, we made it a priority to pick mattresses that would be able to help these athletes, and sleepers in general, avoid and alleviate pain during the night. But how exactly can we tell that a mattress is going to be able to relieve pressure? Don’t worry, we’ve got a test for that.

In order to determine how well a mattress can alleviate pressure in certain sensitive areas (mainly the shoulders, lower back, and hips), we do what’s called a pressure-map test. During this test, we spread out a pressure-map across the length and width of the mattress. If you don’t know what a pressure map is, it is basically a pad that uses heat mapping technology to show where the most pressure is building across the body as a person lays on the bed. Once the pad is down, we have our Sleepopolis mattress testers lay on the mattress in different positions (back, side, stomach, and combination) to see where the most pressure, if any, is being generated.

As you can see in the image above, we can then look at these results on a nice graph that shows us where the most pressure is being generated. Blue and green on the map equate to low pressure, while yellow and red equate to high pressure in that area. Using the image above as an example, we can see that this sleeper is not experiencing much pressure around their lower back, but when they switched to side sleeping, they felt a lot of pressure building up in their hips and shoulders. This would tell us that while this might be a good mattress for back and stomach sleepers, side sleepers should avoid it, especially if they have pain in these areas.

For athletes, we really want a mattress that is going to be blue and green in all areas, since many athletes use their entire body when they work out. Because of that, they are going to want pressure relief in all areas. It can sometimes be difficult to find a mattress that has no pressure build-up whatsoever, but it’s definitely not impossible, and this roundup showcases several mattresses that are especially great at relieving pressure for these sleepers.

How We Chose These Mattresses

Our team of Certified Sleep Science Coaches has reviewed more than 220 products in our mattress lab, running each one through tests such as pressure-mapping and measuring motion transfer with a seismometer. From there, we give every bed an overall score based on materials, comfort, support, cooling, and edge support. We also factor in brand performance with categories such as value and warranty.

For some of the mattresses on this page, we considered additional technology geared toward athletes, such as Celliant covers and infrared rays that can assist with recovery. But we also picked beds that excel at cooling. After exercise, one’s body temperature tends to rise, which can make it difficult to fall asleep. So we only included mattresses that scored at least a 4 out of 5 on cooling. Click here to learn more about our methodology.

FAQs

What is the best mattress for muscle recovery?

The best mattresses for muscle recovery often have added technology such as Celliant or infrared rays. While we can’t verify the exact science of these features, we can attest that these beds were made with athletes in mind and have the requisite amount of support. One example of such a mattress is the Bear.

What mattresses does the NFL use?

The NFL has recently partnered with Sleep Number, making the company the official sleep and wellness partner of the league. As a result, each player has been offered a Sleep Number 360 Smart Bed with SleepIQ technology. While we didn’t include the mattress in our roundup because of its high price point (we recognize that not all of our readers are on an NFL salary), you can read our full review of it <a href=”https://sleepopolis.com/mattress-reviews/sleep-number-360-i10-smart-bed-review/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>here</a>.

Are memory foam mattresses good for athletes?

As a material, memory foam excels at pressure relief, which can help athletes alleviate their aches and pains from practice. At the same time, they’ll want to make sure that an all-foam bed has enough support for their musculature and to promote a neutral spine alignment. The Bear and Nectar Premier Copper are both examples of all-foam mattresses with the right blend of comfort and support for athletes.

Is a firm mattress better for athletes?

On a whole, athletes tend to need a firmer or at least a medium-firm mattress to assist with recovery and help them maintain their spinal alignment. However, there are a handful of softer mattresses that are still a good fit, such as the Bear Elite Hybrid and Nectar Premier Copper.

Recap: The Best Mattresses for Athletes

Mattress	Best For	Price (Queen)	Coupon	Review
Bear Elite Hybrid	Overall	$2,111	Bear Coupon	Read Our Review
Nectar Premier Copper	Cooling	$1,949	Nectar Coupon	Read Our Review
Helix Midnight	Side Sleepers	$1,374	Helix Coupon	Read Our Review
Spartan Hybrid	Weightlifters	$1,999	Brooklyn Bedding Coupon	Read Our Review
DreamCloud	Back Sleepers	$1,798	DreamCloud Coupon	Read Our Review
Saatva	Back Pain	$1,995	Saatva Coupon	Read Our Review
Nolah Evolution	Joint Pain	$2,299	Nolah Coupon	Read Our Review
WinkBed	Stomach Sleepers	$1,799	WinkBed Coupon	Read Our Review
Propel Dual-Sided Hybrid	Flippable	$1,999	Brooklyn Bedding Coupon	Read Our Review
Bear	Muscle Recovery	$998	Bear Coupon	Read Our Review

Dan Caffrey

Editor

About Author

Dan is a Performance Editor and Certified Sleep Coach at Sleepopolis, where he writes and edits mattress roundups to give readers the most up-to-date information on sleep products. In 2020, Dan earned his MFA In Playwriting from UT Austin, and his plays have been seen around the country in Chicago, Austin, Washington D.C., and elsewhere. He’s also a pop-culture fanatic, having written for publications such as The A.V. Club, Consequence, Pitchfork, and Vox. He co-hosts two popular horror podcasts on the Bloody Disgusting Podcast Network — The Losers’ Club: A Stephen King Podcast and Halloweenies: A Horror Franchise Podcast. When he’s not catching up on the latest King novel, you can find Dan in and around Brooklyn walking his dog Hank, seeing a play with his wife, and going to way too many concerts.

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