Considering that sleeping is something we do every day of our lives, it shouldn’t be as hard as it is to get quality rest. But good sleep still evades us all from time to time, especially those of us sleeping on the wrong type of mattress. If you find yourself tossing and turning all night, growing frustrated when you can’t seem to adjust properly or easily, you’re a combination sleeper, and you need a bed that’s responsive enough to make those movements easy and hassle-free. The best mattresses for combination sleepers have plenty of bounce and are suitable for a variety of positions, so you can move around as you please. Whether you prefer firmer innerspring beds, adaptive latex or foam mattresses, or a hybrid model with a little bit of both, we’ve covered all the bases in this mattress review, so you can spend less time shopping and more time sleeping.
Best Mattress for Combination Sleepers - Our Top Picks
Best Overall Mattress for Combination Sleepers - Saatva Classic Best Mattress for Side and Combination Sleepers - Helix Midnight Luxe Best Hybrid Mattress for Combination Sleepers - WinkBeds Original Best Mattress for Combination Sleepers with Back Pain - DreamCloud Original Best Affordable Mattress for Combination Sleepers - Nectar Original Best Organic Mattress for Combination Sleepers - Birch Original Best Mattress for Combination Sleepers with Hip Pain - Nolah Signature Best Memory Foam Mattress for Combination Sleepers - Puffy Original
Best Overall Mattress for Combination Sleepers - Saatva Classic
Material: Hybrid (foam and coils) Firmness: Soft (3/10), luxury-firm (6/10) and firm (8/10) Customer Rating: 4.9/5 Delivery: 9-21 days, free white glove delivery Trial Period: 365 nights Warranty: Lifetime
The Saatva Classic mattress has made a name for itself in the luxury mattress world, but you don’t need to be a celebrity to get your hands on one of these exceptional mattresses. Made to order in the USA with three firmness models to choose from, the Saatva Classic has a lot to love about it, but combination sleepers will love the two coil layers that give this mattress its excellent responsiveness. And if you struggle with low mobility, the reinforced edges give sleepers plenty of support getting in and out of bed, so you don’t need to strain yourself just to get some sleep. A perfect spine alignment rating comes from zoned memory foam and the dual-coil system and indicates that regardless of what position you find yourself resting in, your back will maintain its natural curvature. A plush Euro pillow top delivers that luxury, hotel mattress feel every time you slide into bed. For overall Grade A sleep, we recommend the Saatva Classic.
Best Mattress for Side and Combination Sleepers - Helix Midnight Luxe
Material: Hybrid (foam and coils) Firmness: Medium (5/10) Customer Rating: 4.6/5 Delivery: 3-7 business days Trial: 100 nights Warranty: 15-year limited
Sleeping on your side can be tough on your joints, especially if your mattress isn’t offering the type of cushioning you need. The Helix Midnight Luxe is a great bed for those who prefer to sleep in more than one position, especially for those who prefer to alternate which of their sides they sleep on. The deluxe construction of this mattress allows it to support up to 1,000 lbs, so heavier back and side sleepers can rest on this bed without worrying about compromising support. The medium firmness (this bed is a 5/10 on the firmness scale) likely makes it too soft for most stomach sleepers. Three layers of foam gently conform to the body during sleep without hugging it too much, so sleepers can still enjoy top-notch pressure point relief and change positions easily and comfortably. A polyfoam transition layer ensures the coils and foams work together seamlessly. A cooling pillow top provides additional cushioning while working to dissipate heat, keeping sleepers cool and cozy.
Best Hybrid Mattress for Combination Sleepers - WinkBeds Original
Material: Hybrid Firmness: Soft (4.5/10), luxury-firm (6.5/10), firm (7.5/10), plus (8/10) Customer Rating: 4.5/5 Delivery: Within 7-14 business days Trial Period: 120 nights Warranty: Lifetime
There are a lot of benefits to a hybrid mattress: Sleepers receive a comfortable blend of support and cushioning; the construction of a hybrid provides plenty of airflow, ensuring a cool night’s sleep; and hybrids tend to boast long lifespans thanks to their complex and durable builds. The WinkBed Original ticks all of these boxes, offering four different firmnesses for customers to choose from and adding a cooling cover and plush Euro pillow top for additional luxurious comfort to sink into. Two coil layers ensure this bed is super responsive, so combination sleepers can easily toss and turn without difficulty. A lumbar support pad and layer of gel-infused foam delivers pressure relief a-plenty while helping maintain proper spinal alignment. Sleepers sharing the bed with a restless sleeper may want to find a bed with more foam to better isolate motion. Each WinkBed mattress is handmade in their Wisconsin factory using eco-friendly materials, and WinkBeds’ lifetime warranty tells us you can expect the quality construction to last for the long haul.
Best Mattress for Combination Sleepers With Back Pain - DreamCloud Original
Material: Hybrid (foam and coils) Firmness: Medium-firm (6.5/10) Customer Rating: 4.8/5 Delivery: Within 18-21 business days Trial Period: 365 nights Warranty: Lifetime
The DreamCloud Original is a great option for anyone suffering from regular back aches and pains in their spine. Three foam layers of varying densities give this mattress a blend of sink-in cushioning and lifting support, helping the spine maintain proper alignment while you sleep and reducing back pain and tension in the lower back. While some sleepers may be wary of the multiple foam layers, high-density foam and a layer of pocketed coils ensure the DreamCloud Original is suitably bouncy for combination sleepers (earning a 9 out of 10 in responsiveness). Elderly sleepers and those with less mobility can benefit from the excellent pressure relief offered by this bed, plus the phenomenal edge support (it received a perfect 10 in this category) that makes sitting on the edge or getting in and out of bed much easier.
Best Affordable Mattress for Combination Sleepers - Nectar Original
Material: Gel memory foam Firmness: Medium-firm (6/10) Customer Rating: 4.8/5 Delivery: 2-5 business days Trial Period: 365 nights Warranty: Lifetime
We appreciate Nectar’s commitment to making high-quality mattresses more affordable: Their Original mattress model received high marks across nearly every category in testing, out-performing other, more expensive mattresses. Moreover, they even give customers a full year to decide if the mattress is right for them and offer a lifetime warranty. For less than $1,000, customers receive a mattress suitable for all sleeping positions, is great for anyone who could benefit from extra pressure relief, and is bouncy enough that combination sleepers have no difficulty finding a comfortable position at night. While you may think that memory foam isn’t conducive to responsiveness, the Nectar Original includes a layer of adaptive memory foam for added bounce and to ensure bodies don’t sink in too much. To reduce overheating at night, the uppermost foam layer is infused with gel, and the quilted cover allows for extra breathability.
Best Organic Mattress for Combination Sleepers - Birch Original
Material: Hybrid (latex and coils) Firmness: Firm (8/10) Customer Rating: 4.6/5 Delivery: Ships free within 5-10 business days Trial Period: 100 nights Warranty: 25-year
If you’re looking to make your next mattress an eco-friendly one, the Birch Original Mattress is one of our favorites. This bed is crafted with all natural materials with a myriad of certifications, including Rainforest Alliance, eco-INSTITUT, and OEKO-TEX. Natural wool, cotton, and latex ensure this bed is hypoallergenic and resistant to dust mites and other pests and allergens, keeping your bed clean and comfortingly bug-free. Thick wool and rayon layers near the top and bottom of the mattress act as natural fire retardants, promising peace of mind should anything occur. A layer of latex makes the Birch mattress so responsive; combination sleepers should have no issues when it comes to moving around at night and finding a comfy position. The firmness of this bed makes it well-suited for back and stomach sleeping, while side sleepers of lighter weights may want more contouring for their hips or shoulders.
Best Mattress for Combination Sleepers With Hip Pain - Nolah Signature
Material: All-foam Firmness: Medium-soft (4.5/10) Customer Rating: 4.8/5 Delivery: Free within 2-8 business days Trial Period: 120 nights Warranty: Limited lifetime
If hip pain ails you, we’ve got a solution: Invest in a mattress that cradles the hips, relieving the tension and pressure to help reduce the pain. The Nolah Signature mattress is made using their proprietary air foam technology. In layman’s speak, this foam is more responsive, cooler, and pressure-relieving than memory foam, so you get all the benefits of a foam mattress without any drawbacks. The Nolah Signature earned two near-perfect scores during testing in responsiveness and pressure relief, the two most important categories for combination sleepers suffering from painful hips. This is a medium-soft mattress, meaning there’s plenty of gentle cushioning to ensure all the pressure on your hips is removed while you rest after a long day of work around the house. What’s more, the aerated design of the foam makes it more breathable than other all-foam mattresses, so you can receive the comfort and pressure relief of foam without the heat retention.
Best Memory Foam Mattress for Combination Sleepers - Puffy Original
Material: Memory foam Firmness: Medium-firm (7/10) Customer Rating: 4.6/5 Delivery: Ships free within 2-5 business days Trial Period: 101 nights Warranty: Lifetime
Memory foam mattresses have a reputation for hugging the body’s curves, but also being a bit difficult to move around on. Not so with the Puffy Original. This memory foam mattress still provides all the pressure-relieving goodness that we love from foam, but the Puffy offers plenty of responsiveness, ensuring combination sleepers can easily shift while they sleep. A top layer of gel memory foam and a climate-controlled foam layer (meaning it doesn’t expand or contract in different temperatures) help the body maintain a comfortable temperature during sleep. A stain-resistant mattress cover makes it easy to keep your mattress clean. One perk of the foam layers is their ability to isolate motion, allowing couples to achieve deeper rest with fewer disturbances if their partner is tossing and turning all night. The Puffy Original earned high marks in spine alignment, enabling healthy posture while you sleep and working to reduce pain and tightness in the back. MA Score: The Mattress Advisor Score is a weighted score that takes into account 14 different factors related to the mattress’ performance, function, convenience and the brand’s social responsibility.
What Makes a Mattress Good for Combination Sleepers?
Type of Mattress
Memory foam: If you’re a combination sleeper, chances are that most memory foam beds aren’t the best option for you. The foam layers tend to envelop sleepers, making it hard to change positions. If you love the contouring foam offers, we suggest a faster, more responsive foam, such as adaptive memory foam or air foam. Innerspring: Innerspring beds are a good fit for combination sleepers due to their responsive and bouncy nature, but not all innerspring beds deliver the amount of pressure relief some sleepers need. Latex: Latex is naturally buoyant, allowing for easy movement that combination sleepers need for a good night’s sleep. Latex mattresses can be expensive, but they’re hypoallergenic and long-lasting, so they can be worth the extra money. Hybrid: Hybrid mattresses blend elements of other mattress types to create unique and complex beds that can meet a variety of needs, such as adding latex foam over innersprings for an ultra-bouncy bed. Hybrid beds are great for combination sleepers who like to sleep on their sides or need more pressure relief due to back or hip pain.
Performance Factors
Firmness: Different firmnesses are comfortable for different sleeping styles. While back and stomach sleepers usually prefer firmer beds, side sleepers require softer mattresses that hug their hips and shoulders. Ideal mattress firmness can also vary on personal preference, which is why sleep trials offered by mattress brands are so useful.
Pressure relief: Anyone suffering from joint pain knows the importance of pressure relief, especially when it comes to their bed. Beds with foam in their construction tend to perform better in this category and are great for side sleeping.
Spine alignment: Maintaining healthy posture while you rest can reduce and prevent back pain. We score every bed we test on its ability to do just that, so look for mattresses with top marks in spine alignment if your back is giving you grief.
Durability: Understandably, you want your new bed to last a while. Beds that perform well in testing for durability are less likely to sag or lose support over the years, so you can go longer between mattress purchases.
Motion transfer: Sharing the bed can be tough, especially if you feel all your partner’s movements. Beds that isolate motion well can help couples get better sleep. These are usually beds with foam layers or pocketed coils.
Temperature regulation: If you find yourself regularly overheating while you sleep, a new mattress might be in order. Innerspring mattresses are the most breathable, meaning innerspring or hybrid mattresses will sleep the coolest. Some beds come with cooling covers that create a cooler sleep surface to help dissipate body heat.
Responsiveness: The most important factor for combination sleepers, responsiveness refers to the bounce of the mattress and how well it responds to the body’s movement. Combination sleepers prefer to change positions as they sleep, which is much easier on a responsive mattress.
Edge support: When you sit or lay on the edge of the mattress, does it sag or support your weight? This is the measure of edge support, and having a bed with a durable perimeter is useful for those with low mobility or for couples who want to spread out while they rest.
Additional Factors to Consider When Shopping for a Mattress for Combination Sleepers
Weight of Sleepers: Mattresses feel differently depending on the body type and body weight of the sleeper. A lightweight side sleeper will need a softer, more plush mattress, where a heavier side sleeper will likely prefer a mattress with a little more firmness and support. Larger bodies require beds with more support, and heavier combination sleepers will probably prefer beds with innerspring layers to add additional bounce and lift. Sharing the Bed: Combination sleepers can be a pain to share a bed with, especially if the mattress doesn’t isolate motion very well. We suggest a mattress with foam layers and a good score in motion transfer for couples with a restless partner. Sleep Position: Obviously, combo sleepers can’t be nailed down to just one position, but some combination sleepers prefer to alternate sides, while others might flip between their back and front. Depending on which of these appeals to you most, make sure you get a mattress that’s properly firm or soft. Remember: Side sleepers do best on a softer mattress, while back sleepers or stomach sleepers are more likely to prefer a firmer bed. Mobility or Injuries: Low mobility can make moving around in bed difficult, which is where a bouncy, responsive mattress can come in handy. Another element to consider if you have a difficult time maneuvering yourself is edge support, as it can greatly help you get in and out of bed. What is a combination sleeper? A combination sleeper doesn’t stick to one position once they settle in for the night; instead, they tend to toss and turn throughout the night, adjusting their sleeping position. What type of mattress is best for combination sleepers and couples? Combination sleepers sleep most comfortably on a responsive mattress, or a bed that’s bouncy enough to allow them to easily change positions. Beds that sink in too much can lead to feeling “trapped,” which is not conducive to a good night’s sleep for a combination sleeper. Beds with innersprings, latex, or responsive foams work well. Couples, especially those with a combo sleeper (or two) need plenty of motion isolation to ensure that their partner’s tossing and turning won’t wake them up in the middle of the night. We suggest a mattress with foam in the construction to help isolate motion. What type of firmness is best for combination sleepers? The best firmness is usually pretty subjective, even for combination sleepers. Slightly firmer mattresses may be easier to move around on, so look for medium-firm mattresses (anywhere from 5-7 on the firmness scale). What type of bed should I look for if I have back or hip pain? Dealing with painful hips and an aching back can make good sleep seem impossible, but the right mattress can make a big difference. For hip pain, we recommend a bed with cushioning layers to relieve pressure from your hips. These are usually softer mattresses with elements of foam that gently cradle your joints to reduce tension. If back pain ails you, a mattress that keeps your spine correctly aligned is a good option to ensure you’re sustaining a healthy position for your back as you sleep. Beds with high scores in spine alignment are a good pick. How does a mattress in a box work? Though it might defy logic, a bed-in-a-box arrives compressed and tightly rolled into –you guessed it–a cardboard box. Once you open the box and remove the vacuum sealing on the bed, it immediately expands and takes shape. We suggest bringing the box into the bedroom before opening it, it’s much easier to move the compressed mattress compared to an expanded mattress! Depending on the bed, it will be fully functional and inflated between four and 48 hours.
Summary of Our Top Picks for the Best Mattress for Combination Sleepers
Best Overall Mattress for Combination Sleepers - Saatva Classic Best Mattress for Side and Combination Sleepers - Helix Midnight Luxe Best Hybrid Mattress for Combination Sleepers - WinkBeds Original Best Mattress for Combination Sleepers with Back Pain - DreamCloud Original Best Affordable Mattress for Combination Sleepers - Nectar Original Best Organic Mattress for Combination Sleepers - Birch Original Best Mattress for Combination Sleepers with Hip Pain - Nolah Signature Best Memory Foam Mattress for Combination Sleepers - Puffy Original