Best Supportive Mattress: Options for a More Restful Sleep
Support is not often a word that is first used to describe a mattress. Adjectives such as soft, cushioning, firm, or cooling are generally the focus of consumers, but we want to bring a bit more awareness of why the first discussion you should have about a new mattress should be supported.
Supportive is a very subjective term as it may mean various things to different people. Weight, body shape, and sleep positions are all relative to what an individual may define as ‘supportive’. Although variations may exist, a supportive mattress will provide you with proper comfort and positioning for spinal alignment and a healthier night’s sleep.
| Rank | Product | Highlights |
| #1 |
 Zinus 14 Inch Gel Memory Foam Hybrid Mattress |
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| #2 |
 Layla Sleep Copper Infused Memory Foam Mattress |
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| #3 |
 Brooklyn Bedding Bloom 14-Inch Hybrid Mattress |
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| #4 |
 FLIP by Nest Bedding Double-Sided Hybrid Bed |
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| #5 |
 TUFT & NEEDLE – Original King Adaptive Foam Mattress |
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Table Of Contents
- Sleep and Spinal Alignment
- Soft vs Firm Mattress Support
- Joint and Comfort Support
- What to Consider in a Supportive Mattress Option
- Our Top Supportive Mattress Picks
- 1. Zinus 14 Inch Gel Memory Foam Pocket Spring Hybrid Mattress
- 2. Layla Sleep Copper Infused Memory Foam Mattress
- 3. Brooklyn Bedding Bloom 14-Inch Talalay Latex Hybrid Mattress
- 4. FLIP by Nest Bedding Double-Sided Hybrid Bed
- 5. TUFT & NEEDLE – Original King Adaptive Foam Mattress
- Conclusion
Sleep and Spinal Alignment
Spinal alignment is the most important support for a healthy night’s sleep. Allowing your body to rest in a manner that promotes blood flow and true muscle and tendon relaxation should be the main focus of any sleep product. If you wake during the night, or find yourself complaining of stiffness or soreness, chances are your body and spinal column is not properly supported.
When this occurs, it also disrupts your sleep cycle- and keeps your body from entering into the deep, restorative sleep required for mental and physical healing. When you aren’t able to sleep well, this can result in sleep deprivation that can quickly begin to deteriorate your health and lead to long term issues, such as problems with weight, hormone imbalances, and even tax your heart.
Finding a mattress that properly supports your body with the help of a quality pillow is important. Having some knowledge of this in advance is part of a responsibility you need to embrace.
Soft vs Firm Mattress Support
Many people incorrectly assume that a soft mattress that conforms and cushions your body is the best choice for them. But what many often fail to realize is that any surface that easily sinks underweight will also pull and stretch your body out of shape through the night. This will keep your spine from properly falling into alignment and create as best, an uncomfortable sleep position, or at worst, linger stiffness and discomfort that can result in long term issues when not addressed.
A firm, uplifting mattress is considered the most healthy for all sleep positions, but that doesn’t mean you need to feel like you are sleeping on board. Instead, the majority of firm mattresses offer a soft pillow top, or even a foam layer to help cushion and support joints without sacrificing body alignment. Most mattress soft to firm measurement scales refers to the feel of the initial surface comfort rather than full mattress support.
Joint and Comfort Support
A supportive mattress is not only concerned with full-body support, however. And as mentioned above, mattress design takes into account joint support and personal surface comfort preferences. Layers such as memory and latex foam, as well as plush, quilted materials all are used to provide consumers with options to find the best support possible.
What to Consider in a Supportive Mattress Option
Before choosing a new mattress, you want to find the most supportive option for your sleep needs. Considering the following details will help you narrow down your choices so you can make the most informed decision.
— What is your body type?
Heavier, larger bodies are going to need a more overall firm option with a sturdy core. Usually, innerspring options are best for the average grown adult. Smaller framed adults and lightweight bodies don’t create as much compression, but still needs a supportive option. Take care to choose a mattress that doesn’t compress easily when you lay upon it.
— What is your sleep position?
Back and stomach sleepers need a more firm surface to help keep their spine elongated and aligned. Side sleepers generally need a little give to help cushion the hip and shoulder, while the torso and legs are held by the mattress surface. A slightly more plush surface layer is best for side sleepers to help with spinal alignment.
— What type of pillow do you use?
Your mattress won’t be much help if you are bending and twisting your neck out of shape each night while you sleep. A proper pillow works with a good mattress to help support your body and hold your head and neck in alignment with the rest of your body. Before you decide your mattress is the culprit, be sure to replace old pillows and choose the proper pillow for your sleep position.
— Do you sleep with a partner?
If you aren’t sleeping alone, you also need to take into consideration the comfort of your partner as well. Be sure to find a choice that works for you both, or consider mattress toppers, or adjustable options if your sleep needs are drastically different.
— Do you sleep hot?
Various mattress designs and materials can create heat sinks, or may help draw heat away from your body. Avoid foams that are not infused with gels or charcoal as they will most likely sleep the hottest. Gels, natural fiber blends, foam layers, and air channels can help create a cooler sleep situation.
Our Top Supportive Mattress Picks
The following mattresses are considered some of the most supportive and highlight the various designs and materials you can consider. Be sure to narrow down your choices and then research completely to determine which are the best for you.
1. Zinus 14 Inch Gel Memory Foam Pocket Spring Hybrid Mattress
SPECS:
- Material Layers: Foam comfort foam, gel-infused foam, pocked steel coil innerspring
- Sizes: Twin, Full, Queen, King, Cal. King
- Features: Layered design for airflow, gel infusion for cooling, Pocket steel coil core, bed-in-box, 10-year warranty
Cooling Hybrid Mattress
Zinus is a well known, popular bed-in-a-box mattress that passes on savings to the consumer without sacrificing quality. The hybrid pocket spring mattress provides the best of both worlds and offers a gel-infused memory foam layer to provide a cooling, breathable effect and allows for joint and hip support. The 14-inch profile mattress is made of 2 foam layers placed on top of a pocketed steel coil innerspring that moves independently for full-body support.
Created to help isolate motion, it is a good choice for couples, plus it sleeps cool and helps take care of any heat concerns you may have. It also comes in a 10 and 12-inch option so you can choose which may be best for your bed frame and comfort needs. Thinner mattresses tend to feel more firm overall.
| Pros | Cons |
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Who Should Purchase
This is a great choice for couples and hot sleepers, and provides excellent support for all sleep positions.
2. Layla Sleep Copper Infused Memory Foam Mattress
SPECS:
- Material Layers: Copper-infused memory foam, solid poly foam core
- Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal. King, Split King
- Features: Thick copper infused memory foam, cooling properties, thick cover, dual-sided comfort, Lifetime warranty and 120-night sleep trial
Copper Infused Support
Copper fiber infusions are considered a popular, innovative technique to help support your vascular system via an increase in blood circulation. This promotes body healing due to the improved dissemination of oxygen and nutrients through your body and provides whole-body comfort and rest. Copper provides antimicrobial and anti-bacterial properties.
This is a foam mattress that is made of layered memory foam infused with a cooling gel as well as copper. This helps with cooling and is integrated into the surface layers so you can take full advantage of it. These layers provide a dual comfort as well. One side of the mattress is more firm, while the other provides a slightly softer and more responsive option.
| Pros | Cons |
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Who Should Purchase This
This is a great option for couples who may need to try both sides to find a good balance for both sleepers. It also is cooling, and helps support sore joints and stiff muscles.
3. Brooklyn Bedding Bloom 14-Inch Talalay Latex Hybrid Mattress
SPECS:
- Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, Short Queen, King, Cal. King
- Features: Cooling latex foam layer, Solid Steel innerspring core, cooling cotton and wool cover, 10-year warranty, bed-in-box design
Cooling Latex Hybrid
Latex foam is a durable, long-lasting, and incredibly comfortable material that offers quality sleep comfort. The Brooklyn Bedding Talalay Hybrid offers a thick, 3-inch layer that is highly responsive without sacrificing the frim lift needed for spinal alignment. Covered by an organic and wool cover, you can rest on a thick, padded, and soothing surface.
The initial latex surface is layered on a 1.5-inch transition layer and 6 inches of pocketed steel coils that provide independent movement for full-body support. Designed for pressure relief, consumers love the design for joint cushioning and a comforting night’s rest. The 12-inch profile is ideal for most frames.
| Pros | Cons |
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Who Should Buy This
Latex provides amazing support and is also a more cooling option, allowing increased airflow along with the various mattress layers.
4. FLIP by Nest Bedding Double-Sided Hybrid Bed
SPECS:
- Material Layers: Memory Foam surface, Solid steel innerspring core
- Sizes: Twin, Full, Queen, Short Queen, King, Cal. King
- Features: Cooling gel-infused memory foam layer, Solid Steel innerspring core, 10-year warranty, bed-in-box design
Dual-Sided Hybrid Support
The nest is a popular bed in a box brand that offers an affordable, dual-sided hybrid mattress so you can find your perfect comfort match. Made for couples and those who are concerned with initial surface support and cushioning, it offers a gel-infused layer to help provide a cooling sensation.
The pocketed steel spring coil system helps create even weight distribution, unparalleled body support, and reduces motion to keep from disturbing your partner. The layers of foam combined with the springs also provide great product breathability so you can sleep more comfortably through the night.
| Pros | Cons |
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Who Should Buy This
The dual-sided design of this mattress is perfect to help you find the comfort you need, and caters well to couples. The cooling design is also beneficial to deeper sleep.
5. TUFT & NEEDLE – Original King Adaptive Foam Mattress
SPECS:
- Material Layers: graphite and gel-infused top layer, dense foam core base
- Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal. King
- Features: graphite and blue gel infusion for cooling and health, supportive foam layers, bed-in-box design, 10-year warranty, 100-night trial
Budget-Friendly Foam Support
Affordable, comfortable, and supportive, Tuft & Needle was one of the first companies to offer a bed-in-the-box mattress to help save you, the consumer, on cost. Highly adaptive, the top 3 inches of memory foam are designed to conform perfectly to your body. Infused with cooling graphite and blue gel, it is designed to draw heat to dissipate it away. It also creates awesome support and joint cushioning.
Graphite is designed to help dissipate odors as well as heat, and also is naturally hypoallergenic and antimicrobial. Blue gel is specific to heat control to avoid heat sinks, and works extremely well with memory foam which can create heat sinks if not properly designed. Combined with the open cell structure, it is a very comfortable option.
| Pros | Cons |
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Who Should Purchase This
With a medium-firm feel, this is a great option for all sleep positions and offers excellent cushioning while keeping you in a healthy sleep position through the night.
Conclusion
A supportive mattress is an absolute must for a good night’s sleep. Supporting your spine and being able to properly relax through the night is crucial to your overall health. A dependable, quality mattress and pillow combination is part of a relaxing night, and it is important to take into account what your personal needs are when choosing from the many options available.
These mattress choices provide excellent support options and highlight the various materials and designs you can take a closer look at. Whether you prefer an innerspring hybrid or foam design, take into account the various benefits each provides so you can find your perfect match.