The Best Mattresses for Stomach Sleepers, According to a Sleep Science Coach (2026)

The Best Mattresses for Stomach Sleepers
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People who don’t sleep on their stomach may look at a stomach sleeper and wonder how this position could possibly be comfortable.
I should know—I'm a former stomach sleeper who can speak to what to look for when shopping for a mattress. I'm also a professional mattress tester with nearly six years of testing experience. I'm also a certified Sleep Science coach, which is basically a personal trainer who helps you sleep better. All to say, I know my stuff and have lived experience with stomach sleeping as well. The main pain point for stomach sleepers is spinal alignment, so a mattress for them should prioritize this feature.
For most stomach sleepers, their head is twisted to the side, putting some strain on the neck and upper back. The lower back has a natural S curve, and if a mattress lacks firmness and/or lumbar support, the back is inclined to sink into the mattress surface. You don't want that. The slightest amount of sinking or putting your back at an angle it's not supposed to be in for prolonged periods (i.e., sleeping for hours) is a surefire way to develop back pain. Make sure your shoulders and hips stay at the same level with a firmer surface, such as the ones we've tested below.
We test mattresses for various scenarios you may encounter, including the Best Mattresses for Back Pain, the Best Cooling Mattresses, the Best Organic Mattresses, and the Best Mattresses we've found to date.
Updated April 2026: I've added two mattresses, the Endy and Saatva HD, as well as details on the best mattress type and pillows for stomach sleeping. I've also ensured pricing is up to date throughout.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What Type of Mattress Should Stomach Sleepers Use?
Hybrid mattresses are typically ideal for stomach sleeping. Some use of memory foam aids in pressure relief, but overall, it assists with maintaining weight distribution across the entire surface of the bed. This support helps prevent your hips from being the one area that sinks in too much, and being the catalyst for misalignment. Coils, especially pocketed ones, are integral for this as well. Since each coil is able to do its own thing (traditional coils are interconnected, so they will all mush down when weight is applied), you get more targeted support. Some mattresses will put coils into zones, with firmer ones right underneath the lumbar zone to ensure that it isn't going anywhere.
Memory foam models like the Plank Firm and Endy work well too, provided they are truly firm and they have the right height to fit your stature. A firm mattress won't be able to compensate for its thinness for heavy sleepers, and increased body mass can sink through to the support core. A general rule of thumb: Anything that feels too soft is not good news for a stomach sleeper's spine.
What Is the Best Mattress Firmness for Stomach Sleeping?
Stomach sleepers usually do best on firm mattresses. However, there is still some variance within the “firm” category. Most stomach sleepers can get away with medium-firm, provided they're petite or average-weight sleepers. Medium-firm is about 6 to 6.5 on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 representing the firmest you can go, aside from sleeping directly on the floor. Some plus-size sleepers may also enjoy medium-firm beds, especially if they're anywhere between 200 and 250 pounds. Anyone over that threshold may find the bed too soft still, and would need to consider a firm mattress.
What Kind of Pillow Do Stomach Sleepers Need?
Typically, stomach sleepers should look for a thin, “low loft” pillow. For stomach sleepers, a pillow needs to maintain cervical (where the spine and neck meet) alignment while also keeping the lumbar zone lifted. Too high of a loft and the head, neck, and even shoulders are lifted too far above the lumbar zone. This puts needless strain on the lower back for prolonged periods.
Personally, I love a thin, fluffy pillow, as I find it more malleable. Some may find that thin and firm is better for their needs. And in some cases, some sleepers may forgo a pillow altogether as their mattress does a good job of maintaining spine alignment from top to bottom. See our guide to the Best Pillows for specific pillows we recommend.
However, there are still a few ways to stomach sleep. Some people may raise their arms above their head while turning their head to the side. Others may lift one or both arms and a leg. If you suspect you are bending a knee at an angle, this is where pillows are also important. You can use another pillow under your knee or hip to maintain spine alignment. As a stomach-side sleeper, I often turn to body pillows to help with this.
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