Written by Bridget Chapman, Senior Product Editor
If you have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), you might be feeling drowsy and irritable throughout the day from getting poor-quality sleep at night. OSA is characterized by repeated interruptions in your breathing patterns, which seriously impacts your sleep cycles and the amount of deep sleep and REM sleep you’re able to log each night. Both stages are crucial in achieving restorative sleep that makes you feel refreshed during the day instead of waking up feeling groggy and unrested.
And sleeping on the wrong mattress may inadvertently exacerbate your sleep. While your mattress can’t (and won’t) treat your OSA, it’s possible that a good one will help you get better-quality sleep. With that in mind, we’ve made a list of the best mattresses for sleep apnea to help you feel more rested. After sharing our top picks, we’ll break down the methodology we applied when making our selections.
Disclaimer: Please note that the content in this article is meant for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice or serve as a substitute for seeing a medical professional regarding any sleep problems you may have. Please see your doctor regarding any medical issues.
Our Top Pick for Sleep Apnea
We chose the Helix Midnight as our top pick because it’s a high-quality hybrid mattress with ample support to keep your airway open and potentially mitigate symptoms of sleep apnea.
Best Mattresses for Sleep Apnea – Top 10 Picks
- Best Overall Mattress for Sleep Apnea – Helix Midnight
- Best Mattress for Couples – Nectar Premier
- Best Mattress for Back Pain – DreamCloud
- Best Mattress for Side Sleepers – WinkBeds Original
- Best Memory Foam Mattress – Bear Original
- Best Hybrid Mattress – Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid
- Best Innerspring Mattress – Saatva
- Best Hypoallergenic Mattress – Nolah Natural
- Best Firm Mattress – Plank Firm
- Best Mattress for Heavy Sleepers – Titan Plus
Best Mattresses for Sleep Apnea: Video Review
Compare Best Mattresses for Sleep Apnea
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| Helix Midnight Mattress | Nectar Premier Mattress | DreamCloud Original Mattress | WinkBed Mattress | Bear Original Mattress | Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid Mattress | Saatva Mattress | Nolah Natural Mattress | Brooklyn Bedding Plank Firm Mattress | Titan Plus | |
| Rating | ||||||||||
| Firmness | Medium-firm: 6.5/10 | Medium-soft: 6/10 | Firm: 7/10 | Firm: 7/10 | Firm: 7.5/10 | Medium-firm: 6.5/10 | Multiple firmness options | Medium-soft: 6/10 | Multiple firmness options | Firm: 7.5/10 |
| Material | Hybrid | Foam | Hybrid | Hybrid | Foam | Hybrid | Innerspring | Latex | Foam | Hybrid |
| Cooling | — | — | — | — | — | |||||
| Best For |
Couples,
Back Sleepers, Side Sleepers |
Side Sleepers, Back Sleepers, Hip Pain, Back Pain, Stomach Sleepers
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Back Sleepers,
Hot Sleepers, Seniors |
Back Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers, Back Pain, Hot Sleepers, Side Sleepers
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Hot Sleepers, Back Sleepers, Side Sleepers, Hip Pain,
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Couples,
Back Sleepers, Hip Pain |
Back Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers, Back Pain, Hot Sleepers, Seniors
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Side Sleepers, Back Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers, Hot Sleepers, Back Pain
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Stomach Sleepers,
Back Pain, Seniors |
Back Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers, Back Pain, Hip Pain, Seniors
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Best Overall Mattress – Helix Midnight
The Helix Midnight is amongst Helix’s line of six standard mattresses. It’s known for its more balanced feel, allowing it to accommodate a wide range of sleepers. We also recommend it for couples, as it scored well on our motion isolation, responsiveness, edge support, and cooling tests. For a plusher and more cooling version of this mattress, see the Helix Midnight Luxe. Learn more in our video review.
What our tester says:
“I would recommend this mattress for side or back sleepers because it’s supportive, without putting pressure on your joints.” – Nichole Mondshein, lead reviewer and staff writer
Expert Opinion
Bed-in-a-box mattresses aren’t always made entirely of foam. Case in point: the hybrid mattress. This type of bed uses a combination of tension-relieving foam layers and bouncy, supportive coils. Helix is one of our all-time favorite brands for hybrid mattresses, as they have a wide range of quality constructions at a variety of price points. However, our favorite Helix model has to be the Helix Midnight mattress. It has a more balanced feel that should appeal to a wide range of sleepers, and of course, those with sleep apnea.
Side sleeping is an effective sleeping position for sleep apnea, as it helps open your airway. In our mattress lab, we tested how well the Midnight suits side sleepers by spreading a pressure map across the mattress surface. This map tracks areas of high pressure (indicated by the colors red and orange), moderate pressure (yellow), and low pressure (green and blue). In this sleeping position, we saw a bit of yellow at the hips, which is a typical amount of pressure in this position. We also saw only green and blue at the shoulder. These sensitive areas should feel nice and cushioned on the Helix Midnight, so it should be a great option for side sleepers of all body types.
While back sleeping isn’t ideal for sleep apnea, some folks find it difficult to get comfortable in an unfamiliar sleeping position. If you absolutely have to sleep on your back, this mattress should be helpful for finding adequate pressure relief. But even more importantly, the individually wrapped coils at the bottom of the mattress may prevent you from sinking too far into the materials and bending your body in a way that blocks your breathing.
What our tester says: “I love that the Helix Midnight offers solid edge support — you can use the whole bed! It also has great motion isolation, which makes it a nice option for couples.” – Bridget Chapman, former senior product editor
What Customers Say
On the Helix company website, there’s a quiz shoppers can take to determine which Helix bed suits their needs. Many customers in the reviews say they chose their mattress because of this quiz.
Highlights of the Helix Midnight Mattress
- The Helix Midnight is responsive and isolates motion well, so it should work nicely for couples.
- While testing this mattress, we found its breathable hybrid construction should help keep folks from overheating at night.
- Value shoppers should love that the Helix Midnight is one of our favorite mattresses for the money.
What to Keep In Mind About the Helix Midnight Mattress
- Stomach sleepers over 130 pounds may want a firmer mattress to rest on.
Think the Helix Midnight is the mattress for you? Click here for our best deal or check out our full Helix Midnight mattress review. Still not sold? Take a look at some of the other best mattresses.
Best Mattress for Couples – Nectar Premier
The Nectar Premier is a luxurious all-foam mattress equipped with quality materials. A moisture-wicking cover and gel-infused comfort layer create a cooling, thermoregulating mattress for hot sleepers. Perhaps its strongest attribute is its next-level pressure relief. Six inches of foam work to contour sensitive areas, but the high-density foam at the bottom of the bed provides plenty of support. Watch our video review to learn more.
What our tester says:
“My favorite thing about the Nectar Premier is its great pressure relief. This medium-soft mattress is a great fit for side sleepers looking for plush comfort. It might also be a nice fit for sleepers who deal with shoulder pain.” – Nichole Mondshein, lead reviewer and staff writer
Expert Opinion
The Nectar Premier is a great option for couples because it’s soft enough to isolate motion and prevent partners from feeling each other’s movements. But it’s still supportive enough to keep the body lifted. This is important for keeping the airway open and preventing sleep apnea. Couples with obstructive sleep apnea should also love that the Nectar Premier works to cool down the body heat made by two sleepers.
To test motion isolation, we put the Nectar Premier through our motion transfer test. This involves us dropping a 10-pound steel ball onto the mattress from three different heights. We measure the disturbance with a seismograph. High levels of disturbance indicate high motion transfer, and low levels of disturbance indicate low motion transfer. We saw hardly any disturbance on the Nectar Premier from this test, so it should be great for light sleepers looking to isolate movement across the mattress surface.
What our tester says: “With impressive motion transfer results and cooling…it’s safe to say the Nectar Premier is going to be a decent fit for many couples..” – Nichole Mondshein, lead reviewer and staff writer
What Customers Say
Folks believe this all-foam mattress to be especially helpful for joint pain and arthritis.
Highlights of the Nectar Premier Mattress
- Back sleepers should also be comfortable on the Nectar Premier, getting enough support for a neutral spinal alignment.
- While the Nectar Premier has a fairly expensive market price, you can often find a queen size for under $1,000 after discounts.
- Memory foam fans should enjoy the slow-moving traditional feel, as well as the pressure relief and contouring.
What to Keep In Mind About the Nectar Premier Mattress
- This mattress probably isn’t going to be supportive enough for stomach sleepers. They’ll want something supportive enough to keep their hips lifted and in line with their shoulders. The original Nectar actually does a nice job with this, and is less expensive.
Think the Nectar Premier is the mattress for you? Click here for our best deal or see our full Nectar Premier mattress review. Still not sold? See our roundup of the best mattresses for couples for more options.
Best Mattress for Back Pain – DreamCloud
With soft foam and a sturdy layer of innerspring coils, the DreamCloud strikes a balance between comfort and support — a little bit of contouring up top and on-top-of-the-bed feel that comes from the bottom. It’s a fairly firm mattress that we think is most comfortable for back sleepers. It also has some luxury touches such as a cashmere-blend cover that are reminiscent of a high-end hotel. Learn more in our DreamCloud video review.
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, former Sleepopolis senior product editor
Expert Opinion
If you’re suffering from back pain in addition to fatigue from obstructive sleep apnea, you may need a mattress that provides better support.
While testing the DreamCloud, we put it through our pressure map test and found that we experienced a lot of pressure and tension relief at the lumbar region. This is thanks to the soft memory foam that helps fill in the natural curve in the lower back. DreamCloud also uses a layer of individually wrapped coils at its base. With this balance, you may not have to worry about your hips sinking too far into the mattress and bending out of alignment.
What our tester says: “My favorite feature of this bed is its zoned support system, which really promotes healthy sleep posture. I’d highly recommend this bed to anyone with back pain.” – Bridget Chapman, former senior product editor
What Customers Say
Shoppers with pets and/or partners report little to no motion transfer, resulting in a good night’s sleep for many.
Highlights of the DreamCloud Mattress
- We think the DreamCloud’s responsiveness makes it a good choice for combination sleepers, who want more of a bounce to their bed or tend to change positions throughout the night.
- The DreamCloud does a great job of promoting proper spinal alignment for back sleepers, which should help them wake up pain-free.
- The foam at the shoulder is soft, which is great for anyone wanting to avoid shoulder pain (back sleepers especially).
What to Keep In Mind About the DreamCloud Mattress
- The DreamCloud’s medium-firm construction (a 7/10 on the firmness scale) tells us that this mattress isn’t firm enough for stomach sleepers over 130 pounds.
Think the DreamCloud is the mattress for you? Click here for our best deal or check out our full DreamCloud mattress review. Still not sold? Take a look at some of the other best mattresses for back pain.
Best Mattress for Side Sleepers – WinkBeds Original
The WinkBed is a luxury hybrid mattress. It has a similarly supportive and sturdy feel to a traditional innerspring mattress, but upgrades like a Euro top and cooling Tencel cover give it a touch of modern luxury. Available in three firmness levels, there is a WinkBed for just about every sleeper. And a responsive and bouncy feel makes it a great pick for combination sleepers. Learn more in our video review.
What our tester says:
“If you like the feel of a traditional innerspring mattress, the WinkBed could work for you. Since this bed offered great pressure relief around my lumbar region, I’d also recommend it to folks who suffer from lower back pain.” – Nichole Mondshein, lead reviewer and staff writer
Expert Opinion
If you have obstructive sleep apnea, it’s recommended that you sleep on your side instead of your back, since sleeping on your back can cause your tongue to roll back and obstruct your airway.
We think the WinkBed is one of the best mattresses for side sleepers with obstructive sleep apnea, thanks to its soft Euro pillow top with gel infused foam. The tested pillow top is great for pressure relief, which is something we recommend side sleepers look for in a mattress. This is because lying on your side puts more pressure on your hips and shoulders, therefore causing pain in these areas if your mattress isn’t supportive. The WinkBed is available in three firmness levels, so we’d recommend side sleepers choose their Softer model.
To further suggest that the WinkBed is a good mattress for side sleepers, we put it through our pressure map test. This involves laying a map across the mattress surface and using thermal technology to track areas of high pressure (indicated by red and orange), moderate (yellow), and low (green and blue) pressure. On the WinkBed’s Luxury Firm option, we found great pressure relief results while back sleeping and side sleeping. We didn’t notice any signs of high pressure, meaning the WinkBed should be a nice option for pain relief. Again, if you’re looking for something extra soft, we recommend the Softer version.
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.” – Bridget Chapman, former senior product editor
What Customers Say
Regardless of the firmness option, shoppers report receiving plenty of pressure relief for their pain needs. It’s a good reminder that it’s important to choose the right firmness for your body weight.
Highlights of the WinkBed Mattress
- This mattress has a traditional innerspring feel, which makes it super supportive and a nice option for people with lower back pain.
- The WinkBed is bouncy and responsive, so combination sleepers may be able to switch sleeping positions with no problem.
- This bed has several cooling features — including its pocketed coil layer that promotes airflow — that may help you from overheating while sleeping.
What to Keep In Mind About the WinkBed Mattress
- This is an innerspring bed, so those who want a slow-moving memory foam feel may not love this bed. It doesn’t have the same amount of sinkage and contouring as a classic memory foam mattress.
- This bed is often on sale, but its retail price may be too expensive for shoppers on a budget.
Think the WinkBed is the mattress for you? Click here for our best deal or check out our full WinkBed mattress review. Still not sold? Take a look at some of the other best mattresses for side sleepers.
Best Memory Foam Mattress – Bear Original
Even though it’s made entirely of foam, the Bear has a firm, supportive feel that should be sturdy enough for back sleepers and stomach sleepers alike. Additionally, combination sleepers should be able to easily move around on its surface. You can also pay extra for a Celliant cover that may help with cooling and muscle recovery. Learn more in our video review.
What our tester says:
“I found the double poly foam construction produced a firm, supportive feel. Though you’re likely to sink into its top layer of memory foam, this sinkage is somewhat curbed by the taut poly foam transition layer. This means most folks are going to be positioned more “on top” of the structure than “in” it.” – Nichole Mondshein, lead reviewer and mattress tester
Expert Opinion
If you struggle with sleep apnea and want a memory foam mattress, you’ll want to pay close attention to firmness. As a material, memory foam tends to be very soft, but if it’s too soft and causes you to sink too far into the material, it can make it even more difficult to breathe. Foam or not, you’ll still want a bed that’s firm and supportive enough to keep your body somewhat lifted, which can assist in keeping your airways open.
For this, we recommend the Bear Original. Even though it’s made entirely of foam, it’s firmer than many other memory foam mattresses. When testing it out, we gave it a 7 out of 10 on our mattress firmness scale. Although we experienced some contouring and pressure relief from the top layer of memory foam, we got a ton of support from the firmer transition foam and support foam at the bottom.
What our tester says: “If you want a memory foam feel but don’t want to totally sink into it, this could be a good option for you. Though the Bear does have some sinkage and contouring, you won’t feel stuck in this mattress, which makes getting out of bed and switching positions easier.” – Bridget Chapman, former senior product editor
What Customers Say
The Bear Original has an average customer rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars on the brand’s website. There are over 10,500 reviews in total, with many folks praising the mattress’s firm-but-not-too-firm feel.
Highlights of the Bear Original Mattress
- We think back sleepers with sleep apnea should be especially comfortable on the Bear. They should get the spinal support they need to keep their airway open.
- Although combination sleepers usually don’t do well on foam mattresses, the Bear is responsive enough for them to easily change positions.
- As a brand, Bear caters to athletes, and for an additional charge, you can add a cover made of Celliant — a material that some studies show may assist with blood flow and muscle recovery.
What to Keep In Mind About the Bear Original Mattress
- We think this mattress is too firm for side sleepers. They should seek out something softer that gives them pressure relief at their shoulders and hips.
Think the Bear Original is the mattress for you? Click here for our best deal or check out our full Bear mattress review. Still not sold? Take a look at some of the other best memory foam mattresses.
Best Hybrid Mattress – Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid
The Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid mattress combines a foam comfort layer and sturdy coils. This combination of materials makes it bouncy and easy to move around on. It comes in three firmness levels, and we recommend the Medium model for most back sleepers. It’s a great choice for shoppers who are looking for a new mattress on a budget. For more information, check out our video review.
What our tester says:
“Given that the Signature Hybrid has some excellent bounce, I’d highly recommend this mattress for combination sleepers who often change positions multiple times throughout the night. I also think the Signature Hybrid could be a great fit for couples. You shouldn’t be overly disturbed by a restless partner on this bed, and it has nice, firm edge support.” – Nichole Mondshein, lead reviewer and staff writer
Expert Opinion
Constructed with both foams and springs, hybrid mattresses combine the support of a coiled mattress and the pressure-relieving qualities of an all-foam bed. One of the biggest advantages of this kind of bed is that it supports you throughout the night while also alleviating tension, which may help you breathe clearer and prevent the symptoms of sleep apnea.
If you’re on the hunt for the best of both worlds, then allow us to present our choice for the best hybrid mattress for sleep apnea: the Brooklyn Signature Hybrid. The thick layer of memory foam toward the top of the mattress results in some fantastic pressure relief. Back and side sleepers who experience tension or pain in the back, shoulder, or hip should feel alleviation in these areas. Still, the layer of pocketed coils still keeps the body lifted and the airway open.
We should note that the Brooklyn Bedding Signature comes in three different firmnesses: Soft, Medium, and Firm. We tested the Medium model.
What our tester says: “Back sleepers who like an “on top” feel to their bed should also be able to sleep comfortably on the Signature Hybrid.” – Bridget Chapman, former senior product editor
What Customers Say
As the flagship mattress of Brooklyn Bedding, the Signature Hybrid has nearly 11,000 customer reviews on the brand’s website and an average customer rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars. Several verified buyers stated how the bed did wonders for their back pain and neck pain.
Highlights of the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid Mattress
- Foam can trap heat, but the layer of coils at the bottom of the mattress provides airflow. You can also pay an extra charge for an optional cooling cover.
- Some couples should enjoy this bed, as it tested well in our lab for motion isolation.
- The pressure map results also show us that this is a nice option for back pain. You should receive cushioning at the lower back while the hips stay lifted.
What to Keep In Mind About the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid Mattress
- Stomach sleepers probably won’t find the proper amount of support on this mattress, although they might get what they need on the Firm model.
Think the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid is the mattress for you? Click here for our best deal or check out our full Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid mattress review. Still not sold? Take a look at some of the other best hybrid mattresses.
Best Innerspring Mattress – Saatva
The Saatva’s coil-on-coil construction provides a classic innerspring feel. It’s a good option for combo sleepers, who will want to feel free to switch positions and avoid feeling “stuck” in the mattress. It comes in three firmness levels, so you should be able to find one that suits your needs. The white glove delivery Saatva provides is an added perk and will save you the headache of getting rid of your old mattress (they take it away for free!). For more information, watch our video review.
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.” – Nichole Mondshein, lead reviewer and staff writer
Expert Opinion
The Saatva uses two layers of coils to create a construction that supports spinal alignment and helps open up the airway, which may decrease the risk of experiencing breathing-related issues associated with OSA. And because the coils have so much room for airflow, the mattress is naturally cooling, providing additional comfort to those with breathing problems. Ordering this mattress means that you get 365 nights to test it out, so you can see firsthand if this is truly the mattress that helps your OSA.
Innerspring mattresses such as the Saatva are known for their responsive nature. In our mattress lab, we found it to have a lot of bounce on our motion isolation test. This is an appealing trait for sleep apnea, as it allows you to easily switch positions if you’re finding it difficult to breathe.
We should note that the Saatva is available in three different firmnesses: Plush Soft, Luxury Firm, and Firm. We tested out the Luxury Firm.
What our tester says: “When I say that the Saatva has a coil-on-coil construction, I mean that it has two layers of springs, and that’s what makes up most of the mattress. Unlike a memory foam mattress or a hybrid mattress (which uses substantial amounts of springs and foam), it has a traditional innerspring feel — high on both firmness and support.” – Bridget Chapman, former senior product editor
What Customers Say
If you’re in the NYC area and want an in-person shopping experience, Saatva reviewers recommend you check out Saatva’s showroom. They said the representatives were knowledgeable and patient throughout the buying process.
Highlights of the Saatva Mattress
- Both the Luxury Firm and Firm models have enough firmness and support for stomach sleeping.
- Back sleepers should find that their hips and spine are well supported with this bed.
- Saatva offers free white glove delivery, meaning that the company will send someone to your home to unpack and set up your new mattress, free of charge.
What to Keep In Mind About the Saatva Mattress
- The Luxury Firm model is probably a bit too firm for side sleepers, who would do better on a softer mattress that cradles their pressure points. That said, they may be comfortable on the Plush Soft model.
- The motion isolation on this bed isn’t the best, so easily woken couples are likely to be disturbed by the movement of their partner throughout the night.
Think the Saatva is the mattress for you? Click here for our best deal or check out our full Saatva mattress review. Still not sold? Take a look at some of the other best innerspring mattresses.
Best Hypoallergenic Mattress – Nolah Natural
The Nolah Natural is made with eco-friendly Talalay latex and supportive coils. This mattress has GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) organic wool, cotton, natural latex, and recycled steel. The latex makes this mattress responsive, which is great for couples and combination sleepers. This material is also naturally hypoallergenic and cooling, which can help hot sleepers prevent overheating. For more information, watch our video review.
What our tester says:
“It has a very soft, plush feel that provides you some cushioning as well. I’d say you’re going to feel more “on top” of this bed than “in it” — thanks to its bouncy latex.” – Bridget Chapman, former senior product editor.
Expert Opinion
Obstructive sleep apnea — the most common form of sleep apnea — makes it harder to move air through the upper airways due to the thickness of the neck, as well as the anatomy of the tongue and other soft tissues in the back of your mouth. Snoring can be exacerbated by allergies due the inflammation that occurs in the nasal passages forcing individuals to breath through their mouth.
In addition to speaking with your doctor about your medical needs and potentially using medications to alleviate allergies, you can reduce your chances of allergy-induced inflammation by sleeping on a hypoallergenic mattress. The Nolah Natural is made with hypoallergenic materials like organic cotton, wool, and natural Talalay latex to help provide a clean, organic sleeping surface. This is why we rate it as the best hypoallergenic mattress for people with sleep apnea.
What our tester says: I really like how eco-friendly this mattress is, while also remaining luxurious. It’s very comfortable for back and side sleepers — giving them pressure relief and support. As a hot sleeper myself, I also appreciate the cooling factors of this bed.” – Bridget Chapman, former senior product editor
What Customers Say
Customers are incredibly pleased with the Nolah Natural’s overall safe and quality construction.
Highlights of the Nolah Natural Mattress
- The Talalay latex layers are naturally cooling, the cotton cover is breathable, and the coils in the Nolah Natural’s hybrid construction allow for lots of airflow.
- The Nolah Natural’s high-quality materials and construction make it one of the more durable choices on the market.
- We measured the Nolah Natural as a 6 out of 10 on the firmness scale, so it’s soft and cushioning enough for most side sleepers.
What to Keep In Mind About the Nolah Natural Mattress
- If you want the slow-moving feel of an all-foam mattress, you won’t find it in the Nolah Natural.
Think the Nolah Natural is the mattress for you? Click here for our best deal or see our full Nolah Natural mattress review. Still not sold? See our roundup of the best hypoallergenic mattresses for more options.
Best Firm Mattress – Plank Firm
The Plank Firm more than lives up to its name with its ultra-sturdy foams and supportive feel. While this bed certainly isn’t for everyone, it should be an ideal fit for back sleepers, stomach sleepers, and combination sleepers who want to feel more on top of their mattress than in it. For more information, check out our video review.
What our tester says:
“I think the Plank Firm is one of the best mattresses for stomach sleepers. Both sides of the mattress, the firm side and extra firm side, should give these sleepers the support they need to keep their hips in line with their shoulders. Back sleepers who like a firmer feel should also be happy on the firm side of the Plank.” – Nichole Mondshein, lead reviewer and staff writer
Expert Opinion
If it suits your particular body type and sleeping position, a firm mattress can be great for obstructive sleep apnea. A cheaper foam mattress can cause your spine to sink out of alignment and this can block your airway, but the Plank Firm is super supportive and super firm. This is a flippable mattress, so you can choose the side that’s best for your comfort. On one side, we measured a 7.5/10 on the firmness scale. On the other side, we measured an 8.5/10.
You can also trust that the Plank Firm holds its firmness across the entirety of the mattress surface. Even if you sleep on the mattress’s edge, the perimeter shouldn’t collapse. We tested the edge support on the Plank Firm in our mattress lab and found it to be strong enough while sitting and lying down on it.
What our tester says: “I really like that the Plank Firm is a flippable mattress with two firmness options. This makes it feel like you’re getting two beds for the price of one.” – Bridget Chapman, former senior product editor
What Customers Say
Many shoppers report that the Plank Firm helps alleviate their back pain. We’d imagine this is especially true for those who prefer a firmer feel.
Highlights of the Plank Firm Mattress
- Back and stomach sleepers who experience back pain may really like the Plank Firm, especially if they’re fans of a firmer feel.
- This mattress is responsive but also isolates motion well, meaning it’s good for sex but when you finally get to sleeping, you and your partner shouldn’t disturb each other.
- The responsive nature of this bed makes it easy for combination sleepers to change sleeping positions at night.
What to Keep In Mind About the Plank Firm Mattress
- During testing, we found this mattress to sleep a bit hot. If you already find yourself to be a hot sleeper, we highly recommend one of our recs for the best cooling mattress instead.
Think the Plank Firm is the mattress for you? Click here for our best deal or see our full Plank Firm mattress review. Still not sold? See our roundup of the best firm mattresses for more options.
Best Mattress for Heavy Sleepers – Titan Plus
The Titan Plus mattress is a durable mattress made with heavy sleepers in mind. It’s firm and features heavy-duty coils and Titanflex foam that makes it bouncy and easy to move around on. We think that heavy back sleepers and stomach sleepers should be especially comfortable. For more information on the Titan Plus, check out our video review.
What our tester says:
“I think the Titan Plus lives up to its name as a good mattress for heavier sleepers. It will offer them the deep compression support and durability they need.” – Nichole Mondshein, lead reviewer and staff writer
Expert Opinion
Heavy sleepers compress more of the mattress layers, so they require an extra supportive mattress. It’s also important for heavy sleepers with sleep apnea to have a supportive mattress because a mattress that lacks support can cause the spine to get thrown out of alignment, blocking their airway. The Titan Plus was built for heavier sleepers, thanks to its sturdy, high-density foam and durable individually wrapped coils. The construction of this mattress should be comfortable for heavy sleepers in all sleeping positions, especially for those wanting a firmer feel.
What our tester says: “The materials under the Titan Plus’ hood are sturdy and durable. You get just the right amount of cozy mobility on top, but the theme here is support. Heavier people with back problems will likely enjoy the lower body alignment the Titan Plus provides.” – Bridget Chapman, former senior product editor
What Customers Say
Many shoppers note that the Titan Plus is a quality mattress, especially for the lower price.
Highlights of the Titan Plus Mattress
- The Titan Plus excels in motion isolation, edge support, and responsiveness. This means it’s a suitable option for couples.
- The comfort layer of the Titan Plus fills in the lumbar region while the sturdy coils keep the hips elevated in proper alignment. This makes it an excellent option for relieving back pain.
- Average weight and heavier stomach sleepers should find lots of firm support on the Titan Plus.
What to Keep In Mind About the Titan Plus Mattress
- This mattress does run a bit hot, so we encourage folks to purchase the optional cooling cover for an additional fee.
Think the Titan Plus is the mattress for you? Click here for our best deal or see our full Titan Plus mattress review. Still not sold? See our roundup of the best mattress for heavy sleepers for more options.
What Is Sleep Apnea?
The Mayo Clinic says that “Sleep apnea is a potentially serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts” (1). There are a few different types of sleep apnea out there; some result from relaxation and consequential blockage of the throat, while others are the product of a brain signal malfunction (2).
How Sleep Apnea Affects Sleep
The best mattresses for sleep apnea are able to support your spinal alignment and keep your airway open. This prevents the chances of sleep apnea disruptions affecting your sleep quality and breathing ability.
When to See a Doctor
The apnea-hypopnea index is used to determine the difference between mild, moderate, and severe cases of sleep apnea. It’s suggested that episodes of 30 or more disruptions per hour are considered to be severe cases (3).
Truthfully, you don’t need a severe case to warrant a visit to a specialist. You might want to see a doctor if your sleep apnea isn’t going away after a few months, or if it’s causing serious problems to your sleep quality/overall health. You and your doctor might work through a number of treatment options, from changing your sleeping position to engaging in a full sleep study (4).
Johns Hopkins Medicine suggests sleeping on your side or stomach for the purpose of preventing sleep apnea, as it prevents the collapse of the airway that more commonly occurs in the back sleeping position (3).
How We Test the Best Mattress for Sleep Apnea
Now that we’ve shared our top mattress recommendations for people with obstructive sleep apnea, let’s dive into the criteria we used to make our selections. Every mattress we listed succeeds when it comes to three factors: firmness, support, and pressure relief. We’ll break down each of these factors so you can see what we mean.
Firmness
When we talk about the firmness of a mattress, we’re referring to the extent in which you’ll either sink into a mattress or stay on top of it. While each person is going to have their own firmness preferences, we’ll provide some general advice to help folks choose the right mattress. To do this, we’ll use a firmness scale from 1 to 10, with 10 being the firmest. Let’s start off with the plusher end of the scale.
- Soft Mattresses: We often recommend side sleepers stick with a softer mattress in the 4 to 6 range. This should give cushiony pressure relief at the shoulders, hips, and lower back. This is perhaps particularly important for folks who have pain in any (or all) of those areas.
- Medium-Firm Mattresses: The industry standard for a medium-firm mattress is 6.5. We recommend going with a medium-firm mattress right if you like changing from your back to your side at night. Not only does a 6.5 give you an even feel across the mattress — it can make for a swell compromise if you share a bed with someone whose firmness preferences are different from yours.
- Firmer Mattresses: Finally, for stomach sleepers and/or heavier folks, we recommend going with a firmer mattress (7 or above). This will help keep your hips, shoulders, and lower back from sinking in uncomfortably deep.
While your preferred firmness level will depend on your body type, we typically recommend avoiding mattresses that are very soft if you suffer from obstructive sleep apnea. Firmer mattresses will help keep your body in alignment and may prevent further obstruction of your upper airways while you sleep.
To learn more about mattress firmness, see our complete Sleepopolis Mattress Firmness Guide.
Support
Support is how well a bed does at keeping the spine in alignment while properly positioning the shoulders and hips. Similar to firmness, support can depend on your personal preferences and body type. However, regardless of where a mattress falls on the firmness scale, a supportive mattress will keep your body comfortably positioned and in proper alignment. For folks with sleep apnea, this is going to be critical for a good night’s sleep.
Mattresses can offer different forms of support. For example, the sturdy, coiled layer in hybrid mattresses typically helps you rest more on top of the mattress than an all-foam mattress will. Also, mattresses that use a zoned support system provide varying support levels throughout the mattress.
Pressure Relief
Pain relief goes hand-in-hand with pressure relief, so folks with back, hip, and/or shoulder pain will likely want to pay close attention to this factor. How well a mattress redistributes body pressure is the key component of pressure relief. There are two commonalities of the best pressure-relieving mattresses: They soothe muscles and alleviate tension at sensitive spots. When a mattress has plenty of pressure relief, you’ll likely get that delightful “ahhh” feeling when you lie down. The easiest way to see how well a mattress relieves pressure is by laying down on it. When you hit the sack, we recommend paying attention to any pushback (pressure), to see how well it cushions sensitive areas on your body to help improve the quality of your sleep.
We test for pressure relief by using a pressure map thermal map. We roll the mat onto each mattress and our testers lay on it in all sleeping positions. The map then reads where pressure points are building up and helps us determine who the mattress is best for. Particular areas we look at involve shoulders for side sleepers, lower back for back sleepers and hips for stomach sleepers. Green and blue means the mattress has great pressure relief and yellow and red tell us the mattress would not be suitable for sleepers needing relief in those areas.
Types of Mattresses
Memory Foam
Memory foam beds are definitely the most popular mattress type. Foam beds give you a hugging, cradling feeling. They are great for pressure relief so will make great mattresses for side sleepers or anyone experiencing neck or chronic pain. The main con that customers struggle with is the heat absorption a lot of foam beds have. Although traditionally not the best mattress for hot sleepers, look out for cooling gels, breathable covers and phase chasing materials for extra cooling abilities.
Hybrid
Hybrid mattresses are a combination of foam mattresses and innerspring. They have one layer of springs and one layer of foam. These mattresses are generally cooling, supportive, and comfortable, and they come in various levels of firmness, which many sleepers love. This combination of factors makes hybrid mattresses a crowd favorite, but they can be pricey so keep that in mind.
Innerspring
Innerspring mattresses are made of two layers of coils, or springs, and topped by a thinner layer of foam. These mattresses generally offer good support and are exceptionally cooling, because of its natural breathability. They are extremely comfortable because of these factors and we usually recommend them for stomach sleepers who need a little extra support and help keeping their spine aligned.
Latex
If you’re looking for an organic, hypoallergenic material be sure to check out latex beds. Natural latex is made from extracting latex from rubber tree sap. They tend of have a higher price tag because of their production costs and organic nature but they perform great. Natural latex is breathable, cooling, supportive and tends to perform great in motion isolation. If you are curious about latex mattresses you can check our list of the best latex mattresses.
Cooling
Excessive sweating has been directly linked to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). When we sleep cooler, we sleep better and breath better, helping our sleep apnea. When testing mattresses, we make sure to look for cooling and breathable materials like cooling gels and coils. We use a thermal temp gun in our studio to determine the speed at which each mattress dissipates heat. Our testers lay on the bed for several minutes then use the thermal fun. We consider an 8 degree change or under to be good cooling, and a change of 5 degrees and under to be great cooling.
Sleeping Positions
Your sleeping position will directly affect the degree of your sleep apnea. Although a very popular sleeping position, sleeping on your back is the worst sleeping position for sleep apnea sleepers. It tends to increase your snoring which directly effects sleep apnea. On the other hand, side sleeping and stomach sleeping is our recommendation for OSA sleepers. It allows for your airways to stay open and reduces snoring.
Extra Tips for Sleeping with Sleep Apnea
Invest in a Adjustable Bed Frame
Adjustable beds have gotten popular for a great reason. The elevation you can give your body can greatly help, pain relief, breathability and generally improve sleep. Adjustable bed frames are especially helpful for sleep apnea sufferers because they can lift their chest slightly, reducing the snoring, thus reducing waking up sporadically with sleep apnea.
Improve Overall Health
Losing weight, eating a balanced diet, quitting nicotine, changing to a side sleeping position and more, are all factors that can greatly help your sleep apnea.
Use a CPAP
You may have already heard of a CPAP if you have diagnosed sleep apnea, CPAP stands for “Continuous Positive Airway Pressure” and involves wearing a mask around your mouth and/or nose that help you regulate your breathing. We recommend taking part of a sleep study to determine the settings that work best and which CPAP mask will work the best for you.
Increase the Number of Pillows
Without breaking your neck, adding an extra pillow under your head or chest will give a budget friendly adjustable base allowing for your chest to stay high and your airways to stay open helping your sleep apnea.
Company Policies
Sleep Trials
An extended sleep trial will give you a chance to test your new bed in the comfort of your own home and figure out whether it’s suited for you or not. Typically, manufacturers offer around 100 days, but some can allow shoppers to test the mattress for up to a whole year. This is going to be huge for you to determine if your sleep apnea improves or worsens with your new mattress.
Warranties
Mattress warranties are helpful when it comes to customer protection. Each company’s warranty is different— that’s why we recommend reading the fine print —but typically, warranties protect the customer from damages upon delivery or mattress defects. It’s also important to note that warranties give you an idea of how long that mattress should be durable for. We recommend looking at warranties that range from 10-20 years and staying clear of anything under 5 years.
Shipping
Every mattress selected on this list offers free shipping with your mattress purchase so you’t have to worry about that added cost. For an extra cost, however, some mattress companies offer a service called white glove delivery which involves them hand delivering, setting up the bed and removing your old mattress all included. This is a great option if you struggle with any chronic pain or if you are alone when the mattress is delivered.
Shipping can also be very expensive if you are purchasing internationally, so we also looked into some of the best Canadian mattresses to help you navigate international mattress shopping.
FAQs
Which sleeping position is best for sleep apnea?
Sleeping on your side can help reduce the symptoms of sleep apnea, as this position allows the airway to remain open. This should make it easier for you to breathe, and reduce issues with airway obstruction.
What type of mattress is best for sleep apnea?
Since sleeping on your side is the best position for sleep apnea, we recommend sleeping on a mattress with at least one layer of memory foam or latex. These materials will help keep your body in proper alignment and alleviate pressure to help you sleep comfortably.
Should I use an adjustable base if I have sleep apnea?
Using an adjustable base can help you sleep more comfortably if you have sleep apnea. An adjustable base allows you to elevate certain parts of your body to improve circulation. Having better blood flow can help lessen your aches and pains throughout the night. We recommend tilting your head up slightly to promote airflow.
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.
Any mattress that’s going to combat sleep apnea will need to have a substantial amount of support. This keeps the spine aligned and the airways opened. So, we aimed to pick beds that scored high in that category. Out of the 10 products included here, all of them scored a 4 out of 5 or higher. Click here to learn more about our methodology.
Best Mattresses for Sleep Apnea
| Mattress | Best For | Price (Queen) | Coupon | Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Helix Midnight | Overall | $1,332 | Helix Coupon | Read Our Review |
| Nectar Premier | Couples | $1,049 | Nectar Coupon | Read Our Review |
| DreamCloud | Back Pain | $1,798 | DreamCloud Coupon | Read Our Review |
| WinkBeds Original | Side Sleepers | $1,799 | WinkBed Coupon | Read Our Review |
| Bear Original | Memory Foam | $998 | Bear Coupon | Read Our Review |
| Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid | Hybrid | $1,332 | Brooklyn Bedding Coupon | Read Our Review |
| Saatva | Innerspring | $2,095 | Saatva Coupon | Read Our Review |
| Nolah Natural | Hypoallergenic | $2,099 | Nolah Coupon | Read Our Review |
| Plank Firm | Firm | $1,799 | Brooklyn Bedding Coupon | Read Our Review |
| Titan Plus | Heavy Sleepers | $2,111 | Brooklyn Bedding Coupon | Read Our Review |
FAQs
Are smart beds expensive?
Yes, smart beds are expensive. However, luxury mattresses that are not “smart” can also be very expensive, so you will need to consider what you really want out of your bed and your budget to decide if a smart bed is worth the price.
Are smart beds better than other beds?
Not necessarily. Smart beds are a great option for couples, people with pain, or people with specific needs, but they are not ideal for everyone. Some people may still really enjoy a traditional mattress, or even prefer it. Consider the things I have mentioned in this review to decide if a smart bed is ready for you.
Do smart beds help you sleep better?
They certainly can! Smart beds can stay cooler than other beds, adjust to your needs, and help you find a position that is just right. In this way, smart beds can help you get really good sleep. However, so can traditional mattresses, so you will just need to think about what you need most out of your mattress.
What are the cons of smart beds?
Smart beds can be really expensive and sometimes they require unique bases, bed frames, and other technology to make them work properly, so they may not be a good option for people shopping on a budget or not looking for tech savvy bed.