If you live an active lifestyle, finding the best mattress for athletes can help you recharge your body for the next physical adventure, whether it be on the track, field, court, in the weight room, or amidst the great outdoors. But it’s important to remember that different athletes require different things from a bed.
That’s why we’ve put together this roundup of the best mattresses for athletes. We included mattresses that cover a variety of physical activities, types of pain, and special features such as assisting in muscle recovery. There should be something here for everyone.
Best Mattress For Athletes – 2023
- Best Overall – Bear Elite Hybrid
- Best Cooling Mattress For Athletes – Nectar Premier Copper
- Best Mattress For Side Sleepers – Helix Midnight
- Best Mattress For Weightlifters – Spartan Hybrid
- Best Mattress For Back Sleepers – DreamCloud
- Best Mattress For Back Pain – Saatva
- Best Mattress For Joint Pain – Nolah Evolution
- Best Mattress For Stomach Sleepers – WinkBed
- Best Flippable Mattress – Propel Dual-Sided Hybrid
- Best Mattress For Muscle Recovery – Bear
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| Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress | Nectar Premier Copper Mattress | Helix Midnight Mattress | Brooklyn Bedding Spartan Hybrid Mattress | DreamCloud Original Mattress | Saatva Mattress | Nolah Evolution Hybrid Mattress | WinkBed Mattress | Propel Dual-Sided Hybrid | Bear Mattress | |
| Rating | ||||||||||
| Firmness | Multiple firmness options | Medium-firm: 7/10 | Soft: 6/10 | Multiple firmness options | Medium-firm: 7/10 | Multiple firmness options | Multiple firmness options | Multiple firmness options | Multiple firmness options | Medium-firm: 7/10 |
| Material | Hybrid | Foam | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid | Innerspring | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid | Foam |
| Cooling | -- | ✓ | -- | -- | ✓ | ✓ | -- | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Sleep Position | Back & Side | Back & Side | Back & Side | Back & Side | Back | Back & Stomach | Back & Side | Back & Stomach | Side | Back |
Best Overall – Bear Elite Hybrid
Bear has designed several of their mattresses for athletes, including the Elite Hybrid, which has copper infusions for cooling and Celliant that may help with recovery. Bear has designed several of their mattresses for athletes, including the Elite Hybrid, which has copper infusions for cooling and Celliant that may help with recovery. Bear has designed several of their mattresses for athletes, including the Elite Hybrid, which has copper infusions for cooling and Celliant that may help with recovery.Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress
Material
Hybrid
Trial Period
120 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Warranty
Lifetime Warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress
Material
Hybrid
Warranty
Lifetime Warranty
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
120 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress
Material
Hybrid
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Trial Period
120 nights
Warranty
Lifetime Warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
Bear designs their mattresses with athletes in mind, so they’re a shoe-in for our category of Best Overall mattress. And when picking the individual bed, we naturally had to go with the Bear Elite Hybrid — the brand’s most luxurious mattress.
First, the basics: the Bear Elite Hybrid is slightly softer than medium firm, meaning there’s some pressure relief and contouring here, but not so much that it’s hard to move around. This makes the mattress a good match for back sleepers, side sleepers, and combination sleepers.
Now, for some of the more luxurious touches. 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 body after a tough workout.
Celliant is also incredibly cooling, and is assisted by a Phase Change Material that works to lower your body temperature. That, along with an infusion of copper in the mattress’ memory foam layer and a stretch of airflow-promoting coils at the bottom, make the Bear Elite Hybrid a bed that can give athletes a literal cool-down.
Finally, there’s a transitional layer of cut foam between the memory foam and coils that’s zoned for support. This means that it’s firmer in certain areas and softer than others, allowing the mattress to target athletes’ specific muscle groups and help relieve tension.
Read our full Bear Elite Hybrid mattress review or click here for our best deal. For more of our favorites, check out our roundup for the best mattresses.
Best Cooling Mattress For Athletes – Nectar Premier Copper
The soft Nectar Premier Copper has many advanced cooling features, from gel infusions to temperature-regulating Phase Change Material. We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress. The soft Nectar Premier Copper has many advanced cooling features, from gel infusions to temperature-regulating Phase Change Material. We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress. The soft Nectar Premier Copper has many advanced cooling features, from gel infusions to temperature-regulating Phase Change Material. We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress.Nectar Premier Copper Mattress
Material
Foam
Trial Period
365 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Medium-firm: 7/10
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.
Financing Options
Nectar Premier Copper Mattress
Material
Foam
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Firmness
Medium-firm: 7/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
365 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.
Financing Options
Nectar Premier Copper Mattress
Material
Foam
Firmness
Medium-firm: 7/10
Trial Period
365 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.
Financing Options
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.
We think the Nectar Premier Copper is especially good at helping sleepers keep a low body temperature. Per its name, one of its most prominent advanced cooling features is a cover infused with copper to help dissipate heat. The comfort layer has also been infused with a cooling gel, as well as a Phase Change Material that’s able to absorb heat, then release it so it doesn’t warm up the mattress.
Feel-wise, this is an all-foam mattress that scored a 6 out of 10 on our firmness scale. This is just slightly softer than medium firm, which bodes well for athletes. They’re not going to want a mattress that’s too soft, as they’ll still need a decent amount of responsiveness and support for their musculature. They should appreciate the combination of the soft pressure-relieving foam and the firmer high-density foam at the base of the bed. We think the Nectar Premier Cooper could be an especially good fit for athletic back sleepers who need a blend of comfort and support.
Read our full Nectar Premier Copper mattress review or click here for our best deal. For more of our favorites, check out our roundup for the best cooling mattresses.
Best Mattress For Side Sleepers – Helix Midnight
The Helix Midnight’s blend of comfort and support should provide pressure relief for side sleepers while also giving them a slight lift. We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress. The Helix Midnight’s blend of comfort and support should provide pressure relief for side sleepers while also giving them a slight lift. We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress. The Helix Midnight’s blend of comfort and support should provide pressure relief for side sleepers while also giving them a slight lift. We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress.Helix Midnight Mattress
Material
Hybrid
Trial Period
100 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Soft: 6/10
Warranty
10-year warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.
Financing Options
Helix Midnight Mattress
Material
Hybrid
Warranty
10-year warranty
Firmness
Soft: 6/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
100 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.
Financing Options
Helix Midnight Mattress
Material
Hybrid
Firmness
Soft: 6/10
Trial Period
100 nights
Warranty
10-year warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
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.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.
Financing Options
Many of the mattresses we recommend for side sleepers are on the softer side. But because 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 is a medium-firm mattress that should appeal to athletic side sleepers with its combination of Memory Plus foam up top and individually wrapped coils at the bottom. The foam has a slow-moving feel reminiscent of memory foam, while the coils provide some support and firmness. This should provide some pressure relief at side sleepers’ shoulders and hips, while still lifting them up. Also, this is a cooler-sleeping mattress, which should appeal to athletes looking to cool down at night after their fitness regimen.
One thing to note: athletic sleepers on the heavier side (anyone over 230 lb) may need a firmer and more supportive mattress than the Helix Midnight. They can check out our roundup of the best mattresses for heavy people, or opt for the luxury version of the bed, the Helix Midnight Luxe.
Read our full Helix Midnight mattress review or click here for our best deal. For more of our favorites, check out our roundup for the best mattresses for side sleepers.
Best Mattress For Weightlifters – Brooklyn Bedding Spartan Hybrid
This medium-firm mattress was designed specifically for athletes, with additional cooling features and coils that can support the thick musculature of weightlifters. We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress. This medium-firm mattress was designed specifically for athletes, with additional cooling features and coils that can support the thick musculature of weightlifters. We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress. This medium-firm mattress was designed specifically for athletes, with additional cooling features and coils that can support the thick musculature of weightlifters. We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress.Brooklyn Bedding Spartan Hybrid Mattress
Material
Hybrid
Trial Period
120 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Warranty
10-year warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
Joint Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from joint pain.
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.
Financing Options
Brooklyn Bedding Spartan Hybrid Mattress
Material
Hybrid
Warranty
10-year warranty
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
120 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
Joint Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from joint pain.
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.
Financing Options
Brooklyn Bedding Spartan Hybrid Mattress
Material
Hybrid
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Trial Period
120 nights
Warranty
10-year warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
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
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 found the Medium model of the bed to be a medium-firm 6.5 out of 10 on our mattress firmness scale. But the 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. There’s even a final layer of high-density base foam, just to ensure that there’s a sturdy foundation.
And because the Spartan Hybrid was especially designed for athletes, there are plenty of bells and whistles that cater to an active lifestyle, regardless of what sport you play. There are several infusions of copper, gel, and Phase Change Material to assist with cooldown. These additions all work to absorb the heat, then release it away from the sleeper.
But the real sports star here is the mattress cover. It uses infrared ray technology to promote muscle recovery by essentially absorbing the energy from your body, then reflecting it back to you to help with circulation. To be clear, we’re not scientists or doctors here at Sleepopolis, so we can’t speak to the exact science of the technology. But we do know that there’s enough support, firmness, and cooling capabilities here for weightlifters.
Read our full Brooklyn Bedding Spartan Hybrid mattress review or click here for our best deal.
Best Mattress For Back Sleepers – DreamCloud
The five layers of this luxury hybrid mattress help contour back sleepers’ lumbar region while also keeping the spine in a neutral alignment. We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress. The five layers of this luxury hybrid mattress help contour back sleepers’ lumbar region while also keeping the spine in a neutral alignment. We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress. The five layers of this luxury hybrid mattress help contour back sleepers’ lumbar region while also keeping the spine in a neutral alignment. We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress.DreamCloud Original Mattress
Material
Hybrid
Trial Period
365 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Medium-firm: 7/10
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Seniors
This bed is perfect for senior sleepers.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for average weight back sleepers.
Financing Options
DreamCloud Original Mattress
Material
Hybrid
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Firmness
Medium-firm: 7/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
365 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Seniors
This bed is perfect for senior sleepers.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for average weight back sleepers.
Financing Options
DreamCloud Original Mattress
Material
Hybrid
Firmness
Medium-firm: 7/10
Trial Period
365 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Seniors
This bed is perfect for senior sleepers.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for average weight back sleepers.
Financing Options
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. The DreamCloud mattress might be an ideal choice.
A luxury hybrid mattress, the DreamCloud is constructed with a staggering five layers. The cover has been quilted with a bit of memory foam up top to contour the spine and give you some pressure relief right away. The lumbar region is further cradled by a comfort layer of gel memory foam, while simultaneously getting support from a layer of extra-tall coils below.
In terms of firmness, the DreamCloud clocks in at a 7 out of 10, meaning that this is a fairly firm mattress. It might be another bed that’s especially good for weightlifters or any other athletes with thicker musculature. Athletes of all stripes should also enjoy the bed’s cooling features, from the gel infusion to coils that leave plenty of room for airflow.
Read 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
The Saatva’s coil-on-coil construction is actually targeted, with some springs contouring the body and soothing back pain and other springs providing sturdy support. We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress. The Saatva’s coil-on-coil construction is actually targeted, with some springs contouring the body and soothing back pain and other springs providing sturdy support. We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress. The Saatva’s coil-on-coil construction is actually targeted, with some springs contouring the body and soothing back pain and other springs providing sturdy support. We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress.Saatva Mattress
Material
Innerspring
Trial Period
365 nights
Shipping Method
Free white glove delivery
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight, average weight, and heavyweight back sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight stomach sleepers.
Financing Options
Saatva Mattress
Material
Innerspring
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Shipping Method
Free white glove delivery
Trial Period
365 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight, average weight, and heavyweight back sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight stomach sleepers.
Financing Options
Saatva Mattress
Material
Innerspring
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Trial Period
365 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Shipping Method
Free white glove delivery
Price Range
$$$$$
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
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.
Boasting a coil-on-coil construction, the Saatva is technically a hybrid mattress, but with a traditional innerspring feel. The first layer of coils is actually designed to contour to your body. The bottom layer of durable support coils is stronger and meant to give you a sturdy foundation. This combination of comfort and support — aided by a layer of memory foam up top meant specifically for your lumbar region — helps the Saatva create a targeted kind of pain relief for the back.
Some of the mattress’ other features will no doubt appeal to athletes, too. 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. There’s also a Euro top for immediate comfort, and you can choose from three different firmness levels: Plush Soft, Luxury Firm, and Firm. So there’s something here for most sleeping positions and body types.
To give you some context regarding the firmness of the Saatva, the Luxury Firm scored 7 out of 10 on our mattress firmness scale. This is probably the best fit for back sleepers, while side sleepers should go for the Plush Soft, and stomach sleepers and heavy sleepers should go for the Firm model.
Read our full Saatva mattress review or click here for our best deal. For more of our favorites, check out our roundup for the best mattresses for back pain.
Best Mattress For Joint Pain – Nolah Evolution
Athletes often experience pain in sensitive areas such as the joints. The Nolah Evolution soothes these areas with two comfort layers of proprietary foam. Athletes often experience pain in sensitive areas such as the joints. The Nolah Evolution soothes these areas with two comfort layers of proprietary foam. Athletes often experience pain in sensitive areas such as the joints. The Nolah Evolution soothes these areas with two comfort layers of proprietary foam.Nolah Evolution Hybrid Mattress
Material
Hybrid
Trial Period
120 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
Nolah Evolution Hybrid Mattress
Material
Hybrid
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
120 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
Nolah Evolution Hybrid Mattress
Material
Hybrid
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Trial Period
120 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
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.
Although the Nolah Evolution is a hybrid mattress, its coils are wrapped with support foam, which gives them some softness and allows them to be both supportive and pressure-relieving. Above the coils are two comfort layers. The first is made of ArcticTex fibers, which are designed to help with cooling. The second layer is made of Nolah’s proprietary AirFoam — essentially the brand’s take on memory foam. Together, these comfort layers treat athletes to plenty of sinkage, contouring, and pressure relief on their joints.
Because of its softness, we think the Nolah Evolution is the best match for athletic side sleepers. However, combination sleepers should appreciate the responsiveness of the coils, and back sleepers who prefer a softer mattress will likely be comfortable, too.
Read our full Nolah Evolution mattress review or click here for our best deal. For more of our favorites, check out our roundup for the best mattresses for arthritis.
Best Mattress For Stomach Sleepers – WinkBed
Stomach sleepers usually need a mattress with a ton of support, and the WinkBed accomplishes this with a layer of zoned coils and a Euro top comfort layer. We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress. Stomach sleepers usually need a mattress with a ton of support, and the WinkBed accomplishes this with a layer of zoned coils and a Euro top comfort layer. We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress. Stomach sleepers usually need a mattress with a ton of support, and the WinkBed accomplishes this with a layer of zoned coils and a Euro top comfort layer. We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress.WinkBed Mattress
Material
Hybrid
Trial Period
120 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for average weight stomach sleepers.
Financing Options
WinkBed Mattress
Material
Hybrid
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
120 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for average weight stomach sleepers.
Financing Options
WinkBed Mattress
Material
Hybrid
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Trial Period
120 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
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
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. So athletic stomach sleepers are getting both a sturdy foundation and a mattress that caters to their aches and pains. They’ll also get pressure relief from a Euro top comfort layer of memory foam, complete with a gel infusion to help with cooling.
The WinkBed comes in three different firmness options, with the Firmer being the best fit for stomach sleepers, Luxury Firm being the best fit for back sleepers, and Softer being the best fit for side sleepers. There’s even a WinkBed Plus option that’s specifically designed for heavy people. Any stomach sleepers over 250 lb should opt for this model.
Read 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
Not only is the Propel Dual-Sided Hybrid flippable — it uses Upcycle Technology that may assist athletes with recovery. We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress. Not only is the Propel Dual-Sided Hybrid flippable — it uses Upcycle Technology that may assist athletes with recovery. We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress. Not only is the Propel Dual-Sided Hybrid flippable — it uses Upcycle Technology that may assist athletes with recovery. We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress.Propel Dual-Sided Hybrid
Material
Hybrid
Trial Period
120 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping minus HI and AK
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Warranty
10-year warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.
Financing Options
Propel Dual-Sided Hybrid
Material
Hybrid
Warranty
10-year warranty
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Shipping Method
Free shipping minus HI and AK
Trial Period
120 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.
Financing Options
Propel Dual-Sided Hybrid
Material
Hybrid
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Trial Period
120 nights
Warranty
10-year warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping minus HI and AK
Price Range
$$$$$
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.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.
Financing Options
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.
The Firm side of the Propel is a medium-firm 6.5 out of 10 on our firmness scale, while the Soft side is an extra-plush 3.5 out of 10. Both sides have the slow-sinking feeling of memory foam (great for exercise-related aches and pains), with a core of individually cased coils for support. We recommend that side sleepers opt for the Soft side and back sleepers go with the Firm side. That being said, side sleepers who prefer a more balanced feel may enjoy the Firm side as well. Athletic stomach sleepers will probably need a firmer mattress overall.
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. The top layer of each side also has an infusion of copper to help out with cooling after a rigorous workout.
Read 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
The all-foam Bear may help athletes with blood flow and recovery with its cover of Celliant. It also helps sleepers stay cool with graphite infusions. We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress. The all-foam Bear may help athletes with blood flow and recovery with its cover of Celliant. It also helps sleepers stay cool with graphite infusions. We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress. The all-foam Bear may help athletes with blood flow and recovery with its cover of Celliant. It also helps sleepers stay cool with graphite infusions. We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress.Bear Mattress
Material
Foam
Trial Period
120 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Medium-firm: 7/10
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Financing Options
Bear Mattress
Material
Foam
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Firmness
Medium-firm: 7/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
120 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Financing Options
Bear Mattress
Material
Foam
Firmness
Medium-firm: 7/10
Trial Period
120 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
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
When it comes to the best mattresses for athletes, it’s hard to beat the Bear. The company outfits their mattresses with a cover made of Celliant — a material believed to assist with muscle recovery and blood flow.
But the all-foam Bear Original has plenty of other additional features, too. For one, the Celliant cover has the added bonus of keeping the mattress cool. And overall, it’s a firmer mattress that should be a good fit for back sleepers and combination sleepers, who need a bed that’s responsive enough for them to be able to easily switch positions. There’s also a graphite infusion in the top layer of memory foam to help the mattress sleep cool.
Finally, we think the Bear could be a good mattress for athletic couples. The foam is adept at isolating motion, meaning that you’re unlikely to be disturbed by your partner’s movements at night, and vice versa.
Read our full Bear mattress review 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 in a nutshell, we think athletes can be comfortable on medium- and high-profile mattresses.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 here.
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.
Our Methodology
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.
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! |