Which mattress type is best for you?

Q: How to choose the right mattress for your sleeping position

There are a number of considerations to look at when choosing a mattress, including mattress size, mattress type and comfort grade. While the size of your mattress depends on the space you have available, mattress type and comfort grade depend on the sleeper. Side sleepers As a side sleeper, you are amongst the majority of adults in the UK as more than half of British adults sleep this way. The main consideration for side sleepers is their vulnerable pressure points, which need to be adequately cushioned with an appropriate mattress. Front sleepers Sleeping on your front is often cautioned, as it can lead to overarching the natural curve of your spine and even straining your neck. So, it's important to take extra care with your mattress choice if you find you unconsciously adopt this position. Back sleepers Sleeping on your back is beneficial for your spinal alignment. For this reason, you're afforded more flexibility with your mattress choice but there are still recommended styles. Most important is making sure your back doesn't curve and your natural alignment is kept intact.

Q: What mattresses are best for back pain?

In terms of mattress type, memory foam or orthopaedic mattresses are often recommended for back and neck pain. This is because they are specially designed to provide adequate support to the spine and avoid stiff joints come morning. In terms of comfort grade, it’s advised to opt for a medium mattress if you suffer from back pain. This is because anything too soft will result in you sinking into the mattress and misaligning the spine. However, anything too firm may lead you to waking up sore. Read more about stopping back pain here.

Last updated: July 2025

Choosing the ideal mattress for you can be tricky, with an abundance of mattress types available, narrowing down the selection can be tough. Our Personal Comfort Guide recommends the best mattresses for you based on your sleeping position, your weight and any other needs you may have.

How to choose the right mattress for your sleeping position

When choosing a mattress, there are several considerations to take into account, such as mattress size, type, and comfort grade. While the size of your mattress depends on the space you have available, mattress type and comfort grade depend on the sleeper.

Side sleepers

As a side sleeper, you are amongst the majority of adults in the UK as more than half of British adults sleep this way.

The main consideration for side sleepers is their vulnerable pressure points, which need to be adequately cushioned with an appropriate mattress.

What’s the best mattress for side sleepers?

Front sleepers

Sleeping on your front is often cautioned, as it can lead to overarching the natural curve of your spine and even straining your neck.

So, it's important to take extra care with your mattress choice if you find you unconsciously adopt this position.

What’s the best mattress for front sleepers?

Back sleepers

Sleeping on your back is beneficial for your spinal alignment. For this reason, you're afforded more flexibility with your mattress choice but there are still recommended styles.

Most important is making sure your back doesn't curve and your natural alignment is kept intact.

What’s the best mattress for back sleepers?

How to choose the right mattress type

Mattress type mainly refers to the fillings the mattress has. Different mattress types offer different benefits, for example cooling properties, pressure relief or hypoallergenic materials. Common mattress types are listed in the table below.

Mattress type	Features	Good for
Traditional spring	Coil springs that move together as one unit	Back sleepers, people on a budget
Pocket spring	Individually wrapped coil springs that move independently	Back & front sleepers, couples
Memory foam	Body moulding foam that supports spine alignment and relieves pressure	Side, back & front sleepers, people who suffer from back pain
Gel	Open-cell structure that helps cushion pressure points and regulate temperature	Side & back sleepers, people who overheat at night
Latex	Hypoallergenic properties that also help prevent back pain	Side & back sleepers, people who suffer from allergies
Natural	Fillings such as cotton and wool, breathable fabrics with antibacterial properties	Side, back & front sleepers, people who suffer from allergies or overheat at night
Combination	Hybris of springs with a layer of memory foam, latex or gel	Side & front sleepers, people with allergies or who overheat at night

Find out more about mattress types

How to choose the right comfort grade

While mattress type refers to filling, comfort grade refers to how firm the mattress is. This usually ranges from soft to very firm. Each type of mattress is usually available in a range of comfort grades to be tailored to your needs. For example, you could opt for a memory foam mattress in a soft or firm comfort grade.

While comfort grades are often based on personal preference, your sleeping position, weight and health conditions may make you more suited to certain comfort grades than others. In this guide, we recommend the best mattress type and comfort grade for each of those factors.

Comfort grade	Sleeping position	Body type
Soft	Side	Lighter builds
Medium	Side, front and back	All body types
Firm	Front and back	Average to heavier builds
Very firm	Back	Heavier builds

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The best mattress types for heavy people

The best mattress for individuals with a heavier build depends on the desired firmness, support, durability, and overall comfort. Here are the mattress types we recommend:

Pocket spring mattresses

Each of these springs operates independently, which helps support different parts of the body. This targeted support helps distribute the weight of heavier individuals.

Hybrid mattresses

Hybrid mattresses combine innerspring coils with memory foam, gel or latex. This mattress offers more support than a regular mattress for heavier people.

Latex mattresses

Latex is an ideal mattress type for heavier individuals as it offers firmness without being too rigid. While it is a firm mattress, a latex mattress still provides relief on pressure points, which is important for those who may experience more pressure on their hips and shoulders.

The best mattresses for people with disabilities

Some disabilities can cause sleep issues. However, the right mattress can help improve sleep quality. And it isn’t just for those with back problems or painful physical conditions. Blind people suffer from disrupted sleeping patterns, and deafness can also make it hard to sleep due to disorientation, balance issues, and sometimes tinnitus. Even having a learning disability can make getting to sleep harder.

So, when choosing a mattress, it's important to consider how firmness, temperature, and whether you toss and turn at night, can affect your sleep quality. Here, we'll explore these mattress properties in a little more detail:

Firmness

If a mattress is too hard or too soft, it can disrupt the natural alignment of the spine and can worsen back pain.

For people with scoliosis or similar, pocket sprung mattresses can be beneficial as they distribute weight evenly. In terms of comfort grade, no studies have been completed solely on scoliosis, but back pain is generally best managed with medium-firm mattresses.

On the other hand, for those with conditions involving joint pain or fragile bones, a certain amount of softness is required. In this instance, foam mattresses may be a good option. And for those with muscle spasms or cramps, a springy mattress may disrupt your sleep. In this case, memory foam may be a good idea as it’s designed to help prevent tossing and turning and can keep you in your natural sleep position.

Temperature

Being too hot can cause sleep disruptions. Unfortunately, being too cold can aggravate pain too, especially in joint pain or arthritis.

A gel mattress helps to conduct heat away from your body, keeping you cooler. Latex mattresses are also a great option as they can be cooler than other mattress types. Additionally, having a mattress topper might help to keep you cool during the night.

If you suffer from any type of pain while you sleep, you may find it’s less impactful when you're warm. If this is the case, then sprung mattresses or memory foam may be better suited towards you as they’re known for retaining heat throughout the night. If warmth is crucial, consider going a step further with a heated topper for your mattress.

Tossing and turning at night

If your condition involves being restless at night, choosing a mattress that has multiple foam layers is a good idea as they offer less motion transfer. For example, memory foam may be ideal as it responds to your sleeping position and cushions the body, persuading you to stay still while you sleep.

When choosing a new mattress, consider your needs, especially if you have a disability; consult your doctor to assess what will work best for you.

Common sleeping problems

As well as your sleeping position, another important factor to consider when choosing your mattress is any specific needs or conditions you may have. For instance, if you experience back pain or overheat at night.

What mattresses are best for back pain?

When it comes to mattress type, memory foam or orthopaedic mattresses are often recommended for back and neck pain. This is because they are specially designed to provide adequate support to the spine and avoid stiff joints come morning.

In terms of comfort grade, it’s advised to opt for a medium mattress if you suffer from back pain. This is because a mattress that is too soft can cause you to sink in and misalign your spine. However, anything too firm may lead you to wake up sore. Read more about stopping back pain here.

Medium mattresses

A medium comfort mattress is ideal for back pain as it provides optimal support for your spine. Anything too soft will result in sinking into the mattress while anything too firm may lead to waking up sore.

Shop medium mattresses

Memory foam mattresses

Memory foam is specially designed to provide adequate support to the spine and avoid stiff joints come morning.

Shop memory foam mattresses

Sleepmotion

Exclusive to Dreams, Sleepmotion features Zero Gravity technology to minimise the pressure that causes aches and pains caused by your natural sleeping style.

More about Sleepmotion

What mattresses are best for allergies?

If allergies are your main concern, it’s important to get a mattress type that won’t cause them to flare up. Mattresses made from man-made materials are often recommended as they typically feature hypoallergenic properties that can help ease the symptoms of sensitive skin or respiratory problems such as asthma. It is recommended to avoid mattresses that contain natural fillings such as wool or mohair that may flair up allergies. Take a look at popular hypoallergenic brands below to find the perfect mattress for allergy sufferers.

Silentnight mattresses

Our Silentnight mattresses are made with hypoallergenic materials that are less likely to hold allergens and dust mites.

Shop Silentnight mattresses

TheraPur mattresses

Our TheraPur mattresses contain ActiGel foam made with hypoallergenic materials and breathable open-cell structures.

Shop TheraPur mattresses

What mattresses are best for overheating?

If you’re prone to a high temperature during the night, your focus should be on which type of mattress you opt for. ActiGel mattresses are recommended for this, as the gel filling is specially designed to help regulate temperature and keep you cool. You could also opt for a naturally filled mattress, which contains breathable layers of natural fillings, such as wool, silk, cotton and mohair.

Gel mattresses

Gel mattresses contain zoned foam that adapts to your body, absorbing heat when you’re warm and releasing it when you’re cool.

Shop Gel mattresses

Natural mattresses

Natural fillings, such as cotton, wool, mohair, bamboo and alpaca have natural cooling properties will keep you cool and moisture-free throughout the night.

Shop natural mattresses

TEMPUR® mattresses

Exclusive CoolTouch™ Technology features specialist yarns that are knitted into the mattress cover allow our range of mattresses to transfer heat quickly.

Shop TEMPUR mattresses

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