The Best Mattresses for Athletes 2023

As part of an athletes routine,  they've got to make plenty of lifestyle decisions to stay in top shape. On top of their regular workout routines, many professional athletes are specific about their diets and and make a special point of getting a good night’s sleep. Studies have found that sleep deprivation can negatively affect an athlete’s physical performance, and getting enough rest can improve your mood, performance, and health recovery. Even if you're not a professional athlete but are physically active, you might have considered ways to improve the quality of your sleep and rest better. And buying the right mattress is a great way to get started on achieving better sleep. In this article, we’ll go through some options for the best mattress 2024 has to offer for athletes, which should of course be comfortable, cool and supportive. Each mattress’s firmness and build should also be taken into consideration, to make sure it matches well with your sleep style and individual needs.

What should athletes consider when choosing a mattress?

If you’re an athlete or simply physically active, here is everything you need to consider when choosing the best mattress in 2024.

Mattress layers & build

Believe it or not, a mattress’s build, thickness, and individual layers can drastically influence the quality of your sleep. For example, if you have a heavier body type (above 400 pounds), you’ll need a thicker mattress to support your hips, back, and shoulders. Moreover, a mattress’s build and layers influence its support and firmness. For example, some all-foam beds only have two layers; a dense foundational layer and a soft top layer. These mattresses are usually on the firmer side, and they might lack cooling features. But a memory foam bed with three layers might include a transitional layer. This additional layer makes the mattress less firm, and these beds often include gel infusions that make the mattress cooler.

Mattress type

There are three main types of mattresses; memory foam, hybrid, and innerspring. We’d love to tell you that there’s a single best type for athletes, but the truth is, there isn’t really - it depends on you and your own preferences, as well as your body type. For example, hybrid beds are generally cooler than memory foam ones, but foam mattresses minimize motion transfer better. Hybrid and spring mattresses are also typically more expensive than their foam counterparts. We recommend considering your body type and preferences when selecting a mattress type.

Firmness

It’s important to choose a mattress that’s firm enough to support your hips and shoulders. This support is essential to keep your spine aligned. Depending on your body type, a medium-firm or firm mattress is generally recommended for athletes. If you weigh more than 400 pounds, a firmer mattress can offer better support than a medium-firm one.

Cooling features

Do you feel  particularly hot while sleeping? If so, you might want to look for a mattress with in-built cooling features. For example, hybrid and spring beds are naturally cooler because they facilitate better airflow, but foam mattresses trap body heat and are warmer. However, some foam mattresses include a cooling gel that helps keep you cool during sleep. So if you’re a hot sleeper, be sure to look for cooling features when purchasing a mattress.

Sleeping position

Most sleepers sleep on their side, so it's likely that you fall into that category as well. But there are also back sleepers, front sleepers, and combo sleepers. If you choose a mattress that doesn't support your sleeping position, you risk suffering from back, hip, or shoulder pain. This is because the wrong mattress won’t relieve pressure and support your body adequately. So when you’re choosing a mattress, it’s important to check the comfort layers and firmness levels. Medium-firm mattresses with comfort layers are generally best for side and back sleepers, but front sleepers usually need firmer options. Moreover, the zoned support offered by innerspring or hybrid mattresses can help back sleepers rest more comfortably.

What options should athletes consider for the best mattress 2024?

The best mattress 2024 for you depends on your individual sleep needs. And to help you make an informed decision, we’ve put together a list of the best mattresses for athletes to get better sleep. We’ve recommended mattresses for different body types and sleepers, so you can pick one that fits your specific needs.

The Helix Midnight – Best for side sleepers

Helix Sleep is a leading mattress in a box brand with two ranges; the standard Helix beds and the more luxurious, plushier Helix Luxe models. The Helix Midnight is the brand’s most popular, award-winning mattress (declared as the best mattress for side sleepers by Forbes). The Helix Midnight is a hybrid bed composed of memory foam and innerspring, making it a great choice for physically active side sleepers. The medium-firm mattress is 12-inches thick, and it has four layers, plus a cover. If you’re looking to splurge on a more luxurious bed, the plushier Helix Midnight Luxe comes with a premium quilted pillow top and an extra gel Visco layer (improving pressure relief). Since we aren’t medical experts, we can’t recommend mattresses for treating back and joint pain. But many of the Helix Midnight’s user reviews said the mattress “relieved lower back pain” and “helped with shoulder pain." So, the bed seems to excel at relieving pressure. A queen-size Helix Midnight retails at $1,199, making it the cheapest hybrid bed on our list. And since the Helix Midnight is specifically engineered for side sleepers, back and front sleepers are better off with the Helix Dusk.

The Saatva Classic – Best customizable mattress

Saatva is one of the most well-known, reliable mattress manufacturers based in the U.S. The brand’s flagship model, the Saatva Classic, is fully customizable. You first choose your comfort level, with options of luxury firm, plush soft, and firm. Next, you can choose from two heights – 11.5-inches and 14.5-inches – and finally, you can choose whether to get an adjustable base or not. Thanks to its advanced customization options, the Saatva Classic is the best mattress 2024 has to offer athletes with specific sleep needs. For example, if you’re a side sleeper of average weight who prefers a softer mattress, an 11.5-inch plush soft bed should be ideal. But if you’re a front sleeper of above-average weight, you might want to spring for the 14.5-inch firm option. A queen-sized Saatva Classic mattress costs $1,695, and each bed comes with a generous 180-night free trial and 15-year warranty. Still Undecided? Happy sleep, happy life! And to get the best sleep, it's crucial to choose a mattress that perfectly meets your individual needs. You should choose a mattress that suits your body weight, sleeping position, and individual preferences. You can check out the mattress reviews on our website to learn more about different brands and the mattresses they offer.