During your search for the perfect mattress, you may have stumbled upon the phrase “zoned support.” We all know a mattress should be supportive, but what does it mean for it to be zoned? Just like people, no two mattresses are the same, and not all mattresses come with zoned support, or a zoned support system. Today, I’ll explain exactly what zoned support means, how it works, and if it could be right for you.
What is Zoned Support?
Zoned support is when a mattress has multiple firmness levels built into it, so it can support different areas of your body in different ways. The goal for every sleeping position is to keep the spine aligned to ensure good sleep posture. But in order to make that happen, different weight-bearing sections of your body, such as your hips, shoulder, and lumbar region, may require different levels of firmness to cater to their individual needs. To help with this, some mattresses are made up of different “zones,” with each zone having a different firmness level.
What Materials are Zoned Mattresses Made of?
Foam
Zoned mattresses are commonly made of foam (and there are several types of foam that can be used)! Even if it’s a hybrid mattress with different layers of various materials and coils, the layer designed for zoned support can be made of foam. The foam will have varying levels of firmness throughout different regions of the mattress. The all-foam Casper mattress is one of our favorites to recommend with this support.Coils
Another material used for zoned support is coils. Similar to foam, the coils will vary in firmness throughout the mattress to help give your body perfect alignment. The Helix Luxe mattresses all have coiled zoned support and could be a good option for fans of this material. All Helix mattresses come in the standard model and luxe model.Who Would Benefit From a Zoned Mattress?
This type of mattress could benefit anyone who tends to wake up with uncomfortable aches and pains, as it aims to help relieve muscle tension and pressure being placed on the joints. Below, I’ll go over how it could work with different sleeping positions.Side Sleepers
Side sleepers benefit from soft mattresses that cushion the shoulder and hip, and alleviate pressure in those areas. Zoned mattresses have zones specifically designed to target your shoulders and hips. The region where your shoulders make contact with the mattress will typically be made of a softer foam that is less firm than the rest of the mattress. If the foam surrounding this area is too firm, your joints will feel like they’re jamming into the mattress. A zoned mattress can cradle your shoulders while still providing enough sinkage at the hips to promote spinal alignment.
Stomach Sleepers
Just as the zones can benefit side sleepers, zoned mattresses can have zones that cater to your hip needs if they are firm enough. Unlike the shoulders, your hips tend to benefit more from a firmer mattress, especially when stomach sleeping. A firm zone can provide this area with the lift needed to achieve proper alignment all the way from your shoulders to your pelvis. The firmness in the hip region can prevent the hips from sinking in too much when you’re sleeping on your stomach and keep them aligned with the rest of your body. This will ultimately help prevent back pain.Back Sleepers
Similar to stomach sleepers, back sleepers can benefit from zoned mattresses due to the firmness in the lumbar region. It’s imperative for back sleepers to maintain good spinal alignment and be supported throughout the night. This can help prevent lower back pain in the morning. Zoned mattresses will typically have a firmer material where your lower back lies to aid in this.Combination Sleepers
Combination sleepers are people who switch between multiple sleeping positions throughout the night. A zoned mattress can be a great option for combination sleepers. With a zoned mattress, combo sleepers can get the best of both worlds and be comfortable and supported no matter what position they find themselves in. At the end of the day, zoned mattresses work to align the spine and relieve pressure off the joints, so many sleepers do well on this type of mattress.Body Weights And Heights
It’s important to note that depending on factors like your weight and height, a mattress can work differently for you than someone with a different body type. A mattress will typically feel firmer to people lighter in weight than it does to heavier people. Contrarily, a mattress will tend to feel softer to heavier people than it does to those who weigh less. Not all zoned mattresses have the same firmness level, so it’s important to know what firmness option works best for you. I recommend checking out our mattress buying guide for a complete breakdown of everything to consider before buying a mattress.Zoned Mattress Recommendations
There are many mattresses that utilize a zoned support system on the market, but here are some of our favorites we’ve tested.Leesa Legend
Leesa Legend Mattress
I love the soft zoned support the Leesa Legend offers. It should provide side sleepers just the right amount of pressure relief at the shoulders and hips. I think this soft feel might also work well for lighter back sleepers.
Product Details
Material
Hybrid
Firmness
Soft: 5.5/10
Sleep Trial
100 nights
Warranty
10-year warranty
Shipping
Free shipping
Price
$$$$$
Our Recommendation
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Back Sleepers
This bed’s strong support is ideal for back sleepers because it helps keep the spine neutrally aligned.
Side Sleepers
This bed offers pressure relief at both the shoulders and hips, making it a great fit for side sleepers.
Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Bear Elite
Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress
The Bear Elite Hybrid is Bear’s “ultra-luxurious” model with a traditional mattress feel, plus advanced cooling and support technology. It comes in three different firmness levels: Soft, Medium, and Firm.
Product Details
Material
Hybrid
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Sleep Trial
120 nights
Warranty
Lifetime Warranty
Shipping
Free shipping
Price
$$$$$
Our Recommendation
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Back Sleepers
This bed’s strong support is ideal for back sleepers because it helps keep the spine neutrally aligned.
Stomach Sleepers
This mattress is ideal for stomach sleepers as its firm support promotes spinal alignment.
Hot Sleepers
This bed features extra cooling technology, making it great for hot sleepers.
Hip Pain
This bed should be comfortable for anyone struggling with hip pain since it contours the hips and keeps them supported.
Seniors
This bed is perfect for senior sleepers, as it provides them support and easy mobility.
Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Love it! I absolutely love this mattress and the adjustable frame. It’s helping my back issues so much. I highly recommend this mattress to anyone with back pain
Elise M.
, Bear customer
Casper Nova Hybrid
Casper Nova Hybrid Mattress
I think this mattress could be a great fit for side sleepers. It’s super soft, so it provides plenty of pressure relief at the shoulders and hips. I also think combo sleepers could find a lot to love in this bouncy, hybrid bed!
Product Details
Material
Hybrid
Firmness
Soft: 5.5/10
Sleep Trial
100 nights
Warranty
10-year limited warranty
Shipping
Free shipping
Price
$$$$$
Our Recommendation
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Back Sleepers
This bed’s strong support is ideal for back sleepers because it helps keep the spine neutrally aligned.
Stomach Sleepers
This mattress is ideal for stomach sleepers as its firm support promotes spinal alignment.
Back Pain
This bed is a good match for anyone struggling with back pain, as it cushions the lumbar region and has enough support to keep the spine neutrally aligned.
Seniors
This bed is perfect for senior sleepers, as it provides them support and easy mobility.
Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Final Thoughts
No matter what type of sleeper you are, proper spine alignment is a must. Zoned mattresses can be a great pick since they’re specifically designed to support every part of you while keeping that spine in perfect alignment. Remember not all mattresses have a layer specifically designed for zoned support, so it’s a good idea to check for it before purchasing a mattress if you’re interested. Most mattress websites will include a breakdown of the materials within each mattress, so that’s a good place to start. Some companies, like Casper, also have zoned support in all their available mattresses. However, it’s important to keep in mind zoned mattresses can still vary with their firmness level and how they feel, so not every zoned mattress will work for every person. Luckily, there are a ton of beds out there. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite mattresses (with and without zoned support) to provide more options.
Riley Otis
Riley is a staff writer at Sleepopolis. She's a firm believer that there’s nothing better than a good night’s sleep. Riley graduated from Elon University with a degree in journalism and creative writing. In her free time, she loves to paint, cook, and spend time with family (especially her pets).