Best Mattresses for Athletes

Whether you’re an athlete or just enjoy staying active, you can appreciate how rest and rejuvenation are essential to staying healthy, energized, and injury-free. To help you improve your sleep game, we’ve compared dozens of mattress brands and models to compile a list of the best mattresses for athletes.

Compare our selections, pick up some pro tips in our buying guide, and get the information you need to take your rest and recovery gameplan to the next level.

Best Mattresses for Athletes: Our Top Picks

• Editor’s Choice – Brooklyn Spartan
• Best Mattress for Side Sleepers – Bear Elite Hybrid
• Best Mattress for Back Pain – DreamCloud
• Best Mattress for Heavyweight Athletes – WinkBed Plus
• Best Mattress for Back Sleepers – Puffy Lux Hybrid
• Best Memory Foam Alternative – Purple
• Best Budget Mattress – Molecule 1

Note: Athletes come in all shapes and sizes. All the featured mattresses are available in California king size (72″x84″), which can accommodate sleepers up to 7 feet tall.

Why You Can Trust Mattress Advisor

We hold ourselves to the highest standards of integrity in our product reviews and other content by incorporating real customer feedback, empirical testing, and objective evaluations. Our results and recommendations are never influenced by the commission we may receive from brands, and products we receive are never guaranteed a positive review.

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Brooklyn Spartan

Why this is a great mattress for athletes:

The Spartan mattress is a luxury hybrid mattress built for athletes and active people. Since athletes tend to sleep hot, the materials in the Spartan are designed to disperse your body heat so you don’t wake up feeling sweaty and sticky. The mattress also incorporates cooling technologies such as TitanCool foam and a breathable coil system, which help further maintain air circulation. In our testing, we gave the Spartan a 9/10 score for cooling—this indicates it’s a great option for those who tend to kick off their sheets in the night.

But cooling isn’t the only area in which this mattress stands out. The foam and pocketed coil hybrid also offers good pressure relief, and a choice of three firmness levels—soft, medium, and firm, so it can support any sleep position. Stomach sleepers tend to prefer the firm, while side sleepers prefer a softer mattress, and back sleepers tend to opt for the medium. Pick whichever one works best for your body type and sleeping position.

Pros:

• Good spine alignment: The Brooklyn Spartan earned a nearly perfect score for spine alignment (9.5/10), which suggests it’s a good mattress to keep your spine in a neutral position as you sleep.
• Responsive: Sleepers who change positions throughout the night will enjoy that the Brooklyn Spartan earned a 9/10 for responsiveness. The foam layers in the Spartan are designed to help adjust to several movements by sleepers.
• Above-average cooling:We gave the Brooklyn Spartan a 9/10 due to its cooling technology and innerspring construction, which helps contribute to a cool sleep experience.

Cons:

• Off-gassing: After unboxing, the Brooklyn Spartan may have a temporary off-gassing scent, which is common among new mattresses.Read our full Brooklyn Spartan mattress review.

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Bear Elite Hybrid

Why this is a great mattress for athletes:

If you’re experiencing post-workout soreness or stiffness, a good night’s sleep can help. If you love to sleep on your side, you need a mattress that can cradle your shoulders, hips, and lower back as you sleep. And side sleepers, back sleepers, and stomach sleepers need a mattress with outstanding pressure relief.

Based on its testing performance, the Bear Elite Hybrid is a great option for those with muscle pain due to its near-perfect score for pressure relief (9/10) and even better score for spine alignment (9.5/10). These high scores indicate that this foam-innerspring hybrid can do a great job of supporting pressure-sensitive areas and keeping your spine in a neutral alignment.

When it comes to feeling cool throughout the night, the Bear Elite also doesn’t fall short. Along with its coil system and moisture-absorbing, copper-infused memory foam, this mattress uses PCMs, or phase-change materials that can absorb your body heat when you’re warm and transfer it back when the body’s temperature drops.

Looking to learn more about the brand’s pedigree? Bear is endorsed by athletes from professional women’s soccer, Major League Baseball, Olympic fencing, and more.

Pros:

• Good pressure relief: If you have shoulder or back pain, The Bear Elite is designed to help with pressure relief while accommodating most sleeping positions.
• Excellent spring alignment: Sleepers don’t need to worry about waking up with a sore neck due to The Bear Elite’s high marks (9.5/10) in keeping the spine in a neutral position.
• Eco-friendly option: With its sleep recovery technology made from natural minerals, the Bear Elite is GreenGuard Gold Certified, which helps ensure that it contributes to cleaner indoor air.

Cons:

• Sub-par edge support: Despite the stability provided by its reinforced coil system, we gave the Bear Elite a so-so score of 7.5/10 for its unimpressive edge support.Read our full Bear Elite Hybrid mattress review.

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DreamCloud

Why this is a great mattress for athletes:

The DreamCloud is a great option for athletes who need to maintain a healthy, neutral spine alignment while minimizing pressure on their lower back and hips. In our testing the mattress scored high (9/10) for both spine alignment and pressure relief, which should be an encouraging sign for all athletes—particularly those experiencing back pain. Its medium-firm level of firmness is also a point in its favor, considering this is the firmness level preferred by most, particularly back sleepers and people who weigh under 230 lbs.

Athletes who tend to sleep hot will also find this to be a good option. Although the DreamCloud wasn’t designed to be a cooling mattress, we found it to be plenty cool and breathable. This is thanks in part to a gel memory foam construction which is infused with cooling beads, which help release heat.

Pros:

• Excellent edge support: The DreamCloud earned a perfect 10/10 for its edge support, indicating that sleepers can spread out without the concern of slipping off the mattress.
• High durability: We gave the DreamCloud a score of 9/10 for durability – a sign it will retain its original shape and support for about 7-10 years.
• Good for back pain: Do you suffer from back or neck pain? DreamCloud’s nearly perfect spine alignment (9/10) and pressure relief (9/10) can help lessen that pain for a good night’s sleep.

Cons:

• Expansion time: One drawback for DreamCloud is that the mattress could take up to 72 hours to fully expand. Sleepers can lie on the bed before that, but it could take up to three days after unboxing to experience the mattress.Read our full DreamCloud mattress review.

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WinkBed Plus

Why this is a great mattress for athletes:

From football to basketball to martial arts, some of the greatest athletes are also some of the biggest. The WinkBed Plus was designed for people 250 lbs or more, giving athletes and active people more options for a durable bed.

This hybrid mattress includes layers of high-density foam and reinforced steel pocket springs, which are designed to absorb movements during the night. The construction also has several comfort features, including a core-supporting LumbarLayer, a zoned latex support layer, and a cooling Tencel cover. The LumbarLayer and zoned latex support layer help with extra support to eliminate tension and align the spine and joints.

We gave the WinkBed PLUS a score of 8/10 for its cooling technologies. With its gel-infused foam, breathable cover, and coil systems, waking up due to overwhelming body heat is far less of a concern.

Pros:

• Superior durability: We gave the WinkBed a perfect score of 10/10 for its durability, indicating that its high-density foam construction will help you get many years of sleep on this mattress.
• Above-average cooling: Sleepers will appreciate the WinkBed’s construction of gel-infused foam and coil systems that work to keep you feeling cool at night.
• Good spring alignment: With its triple-zone pocketed coil support system and extra foam layers, the WinkBed can help keep sleepers balanced throughout the night.

Cons:

• Weak motion isolation: You might find that movements can transfer across the mattress’s surface. The WinkBed earned an underwhelming score (5.6/10) for its motion transfer, suggesting that restless sleepers turn to other options.Read our full WinkBed Plus mattress review.

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Puffy Lux Hybrid

Why this is a great mattress for athletes:

Restorative sleep is essential for athletes, regardless of their sleeping position. For those who sleep on their backs, the Puffy Lux Hybrid checks the boxes for optimal firmness level (6/10) and spine alignment (an 8/10 score in Mattress Advisor testing).

If a vigorous workout regimen means your core body temperature runs hot, the Puffy Lux Hybrid’s Cooling Cloud Foam Layer is designed to circulate air and wick away moisture. The cooling properties are augmented by a layer of heat-resistant ClimateComfort Memory Foam. We gave the Lux Hybrid an 8/10 for cooling, which suggests the mattress will keep you at a consistently comfortable temperature.

Puffy also offers a lifetime warranty with free returns, so you can focus your energy on your workout and spend less time on finding your ideal mattress.

Pros:

• Cooling: Even on the warmest nights, sleepers can find that the mattress’s Cooling Cloud technology helps them stay cool during the night.
• Good durability: We gave the Puffy Lux Hybrid an 8/10 for its durability, which is a sign that sleepers can get years out of this mattress.
• Helpful spine alignment: The Puffy Lux Hybrid scored an 8/10 in this category, indicating that the firm core support and spine-aligning foam does a good job of helping back and stomach sleepers feel relief from joint pain.

Cons:

• Ho-hum pressure relief: Given the mattress’s average pressure relief score (7/10), side sleepers may encounter uncomfortable pressure in their shoulder and hip areas.Read our full Puffy Lux Hybrid mattress review.

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Purple

Why this is a great mattress for athletes:

The Purple mattress gives athletes and active individuals an alternative to traditional memory foam. Made with a proprietary material called hyper-elastic polymer, this mattress can effectively relieve pressure on your hips and shoulders.

Designed with Smart Grid Technology crafted to deliver “push back” to support the sleeper, the Purple mattress is great for spine alignment. It earns a near-perfect spine alignment score of 9.5/10, along with 8.5/10 for pressure relief – both of which suggest the cushion layer can help relieve back and neck pain.

After testing the Purple’s cooling abilities, we gave it an 8/10. Due to the large, open cell structure of the foam layers, this mattress does a great job of regulating the body’s temperature during a long, restless night.

Pros:

• Superior spine alignment: We gave the Purple a high score of 9.5/10, suggesting that the mattress will maintain the natural curve of your spine, even if you sleep on your side.
• Great durability: The Purple has two layers of high-density foam, which is designed to create a durable support system.

Cons:

• Weight capacity: Purple suggests limiting the mattress to a weight of 600 lbs, yet several reviewers have noted that the gel grid collapses when heavier sleepers below that weight lie on the mattress.
• Firmness: Although back sleepers will likely enjoy Purple’s firmness, some side sleepers have experienced neck and shoulder pain.

Read our full Purple mattress review.

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Molecule 1

Why this is a great mattress for athletes:

The Molecule 1 could be a great fit for an athlete with talent to spare but less than $1,000 to spend on a mattress. You can get a queen size for $899—and look forward to a 365-night sleep trial and a limited lifetime warranty.

In the Mattress Advisor sleep lab, Molecule 1 earns high marks for pressure relief (9/10) and spine alignment (8.5/10). The mattress’s triple-zoned response layer helps the hips and shoulders feel relief from pressure. And if you’re suffering from lower back pain and body aches, the mattress’s zoned foam provides lumbar support for those post-game aches and pains.

Designed for recovery—and featuring eco-friendly foam—the Molecule 1 has earned the praises of athletes such as Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson. All in all, it’s a fairly good option for athletes on a budget.

Pros:

• Good joint relief: Molecule 1 earned a high score (9/10) in pressure relief and (8.5/10) in spine alignment, so it will keep you well-supported.
• Nice motion isolation: Thanks to its all-foam construction, the Molecule absorbs restless movements so they don’t disturb your sleep partner.

Cons:

• Not so cool: Despite its cooling mattress cover and gel microbeads, which are designed to create a more breathable foam, the Molecule 1 sleeps warm.Read our full Molecule 1 mattress review.

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How to Choose the Best Mattress for an Athlete

You probably pay close attention to your gym routine, your diet, and maybe even your Body Mass Index. But you might be overlooking one of the most important performance tools in your toolbox: your mattress.

The right mattress can have a major effect on the quality and duration of your sleep. Some experts have suggested that athletes need 10 hours of sleep a night, compared with the 7-9 hours recommended for the average person. (Tom Brady has been known to go to bed at 9 p.m. and LeBron James and Steph Curry sleep 8-9 hours per night, in addition to daily naps.)

Even if you don’t throw perfect spirals or drain 3-pointers for a living, we can help you figure out how to choose the right mattress for your active lifestyle.

• What Athletes Need in a Mattress
• Which Types of Mattresses are Good for Athletes?
• The Links Between Sleep and Performance
• Creating the Best Sleep Environment for Athletes

What Athletes Need in a Mattress

Athletes should look for similar things that anyone else should look for in a mattress: comfort and support. And these things can be different for different people. Just as you have your own individualized training routine, you’ll have your own personal preferences when it comes to selecting your mattress.

However, there are a few factors that can help you choose the best mattresses to aid in recovery and promote uninterrupted, quality sleep.

Pressure Relief

You’ll feel much more rested and much less achy when you wake up if you’re sleeping on a mattress that adequately supports your pressure points. An ideal mattress will evenly distribute your body weight so you’re not sinking in too deeply on heavier parts of your body, like your head, hips and shoulders. Pressure relief is something you’ll definitely want to pay attention to when it comes to recovering from injuries or alleviating back pain.

Related: Why Pressure Relief is Important When Choosing a Mattress

Spine Alignment

The ideal sleep posture has your spine following a gentle arc from the lower back to the shoulders—not rigidly straight and not curving too far in any direction. A healthy, neutral spine alignment is important for any sleeper, even those who exercise vigorously.

Related: Why Spine Alignment is Important for Choosing a Mattress

Cooling

Scientific research has found that lower body temperature increases the likelihood of falling asleep and may even help promote deeper stages of sleep. There’s also evidence that people who are physically active have slightly higher body temperatures. So it’s important to find a mattress that’s going to help with temperature regulation, whether it’s through cooling features, design, or both.

Related: Best Mattresses for Hot Sleepers

Firmness

The mattress firmness scale measures how soft or firm a mattress feels, from 1 (softest) to 10 (firmest). It might seem like the remedy for sprains and worn-out muscles would be the softest mattress possible, but too much softness can backfire. If the heavier parts of your body sink into the mattress too deeply, it could irritate pressure points and lead to poor spine alignment. Most athletes will probably sleep comfortably on a medium-firm mattress (6-7) or a firm mattress (7-8), depending on sleeping position and body size.

Related: Mattress Firmness by Sleeping Position

These are just a few of the qualities that we analyze in our review process. For a general overview of how to pick the best bed, check out our comprehensive Mattress Buying Guide.

Which Type of Mattress is Best for Athletes?

Since athletes and people with active lifestyles lead more physically rigorous lives than other folks, certain types of mattress materials and designs simply match up better.

Before we weigh in on which type of mattress would likely offer the best fit for an athlete, here’s an overview of each one’s pros and cons:

Mattress Type	Strengths include:	Weaknesses include:
Memory Foam	Great pressure relief Body-contouring	Tends to sleep hot Less edge support
Latex	Responsiveness Naturally cooling	Quality of latex varies More expensive
Hybrid	Advanced designs Generally sleeps cool	Heavy and expensive Narrow firmness range
Innerspring	Firmness Breathability	Less pressure relief Poor motion isolation

Based on their pros and cons, here’s how we award the medals for mattress types (Gold, Silver, and Bronze):

Hybrid and Latex

Many hybrid and latex mattresses match up well with the needs and sleep profile of the typical athlete. Hybrids that combine layers of latex and/or foam with innerspring coils frequently offer a “best of both worlds” fusion that accentuates each material’s best qualities. As for latex, its signature bouncy responsiveness and natural cooling properties are major benefits.

Memory Foam

Pressure relief is perhaps memory foam’s best quality. Due to their level of physical activity, it only makes sense that athletes would need gentle, cradling support for pressure-sensitive areas in the shoulders, hips, and lower back. Despite memory foam’s reputation for sleeping hot, innovations like gel-infused foam are designed to address the issue head-on.

Innerspring

The typical all-innerspring mattress simply won’t provide the same level of pressure relief as memory foam or latex. While some might love the classic springy feel of coils, they’re probably best for an athlete’s body as a side dish (as in a coil/latex or coil/foam hybrid) instead of the main course.

The Links Between Sleep and Athletic Performance

If you’ve ever tried to compete after a sleepless night, you already know that performing at your peak without adequate sleep can be a challenge. In this case, conventional wisdom is backed up by science.

According to orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist Dr. David Geier, discoveries about the sleep-performance connection continue to reveal themselves.

“While we’ve known for decades that sleep plays a key role in alertness, decision-making and reaction times, more light is being shed on its powerful influence over cardiovascular performance, endurance, and even injury prevention,” he says.

Here’s a look at some of the connections between sleep and athletic performance:

Muscle Regeneration

Exercise has many proven benefits, but it can also have unintended consequences for your sleep cycle. Intense exercise has been shown to reduce the time spent in deep sleep (REM sleep) while increasing the duration of light sleep. Deep sleep is when the body produces human growth hormone (HGH), which regulates processes including:

• Muscle recovery
• Repair of muscle tissue
• Fat-burning
• Bone strength

To overcome this catch-22, athletes need to maintain good sleep hygiene and keep their sleep cycle from becoming unbalanced.

Recovery from Injury

If you’ve ever had an extended hospital stay, you know how much doctors encourage their patients to rest. Turns out they’re not just being bossy. Increased sleep can speed the healing process, which is something that many athletes rely on to help them recover from sprains, sore joints, and worse.

Mental Sharpness

In addition to purely physical factors, sleep affects your ability to learn new skills and keep cognitive functions at a high level. Poor sleep is also potentially harmful to your mental health, since it increases your risk for depression and other mood disorders.

In other words: If you aren’t getting healthy, restorative sleep, you might have trouble learning a playbook, reading a defense, and maintaining your composure during crunch time.

Creating the Best Sleep Environment for Athletes

Maintaining an ideal sleeping environment is a critical component of healthy sleep hygiene. Although the best habits and techniques are universal, some apply to athletes in particular since their daily lives involve a high level of physical exertion and a need for optimal performance.

• Avoid strenuous exercise close to bedtime. Training is essential, but so is timing it correctly. An intense workout in the evening hours can leave your brain stimulated at the very time it should be in wind-down mode for sleep.
• Try some easy stretching. Yes, we just talked about exercise late in the day, but the key word is “strenuous.” Some light stretches shortly before bedtime can relax your mind and work the kinks out of your muscles and ligaments.
• Limit your after-dinner caloric intake. Experts say you should eat your final meal of the day 3-4 hours before you go to sleep. That late-night protein shake will engage the digestive process instead of letting those muscles rest.
• Keep your sleeping space cool. Physically active people tend to have a higher-than-average body temperature, so try to keep your bedroom at the best temperature for sleep. If a thermostat at sub-70 degrees isn’t ideal for your utility budget, you can accessorize your mattress with cooling sheets or a cooling mattress topper.

Recap: Our Best Mattresses for Athletes

Here’s a recap of our top-rated picks for the best mattresses for athletes:

Mattress	Award	Mattress Advisor Score
Brooklyn Spartan	Editor’s Choice	8.9/10
Bear Elite Hybrid	Best for Side Sleepers	8.9/10
DreamCloud	Best for Back Pain	9.0/10
WinkBed Plus	Best for Heavyweight Athletes	8.2/10
Puffy Lux Hybrid	Best for Back Sleepers	8.3/10
Purple	Best Memory Foam Alternative	8.4/10
Molecule 1	Best Budget Mattress	8.4/10