Mattresses for Front Sleepers - How To Choose

Mattresses for Front Sleepers - How To Choose

Written By: Michal Szlas


Michal Szlas is the founder of OTTY Sleep and a lifelong sports enthusiast who understands the critical role quality sleep plays in recovery and performance. With his extensive background in sports and passion for optimizing sleep, Michal is a trusted authority dedicated to helping you achieve better, more restorative sleep every night.

If you're a front sleeper, you'll know that finding the right mattress can be a bit a challenge.


Too soft, and you'll sink in, causing back pain. Too firm, and you'll feel like you're sleeping on a plank.


Our guide will give you all the advice you need on how to choose the right mattress for a front sleeper, looking at the different options and guiding your on what to look for in a good side-sleeper mattress. 


Why Do Front Sleepers Need The Right Mattress?

As a front sleeper, your mattress needs to provide the right balance of comfort and support to ensure your spine remains in its natural alignment. This not only enhances your sleep quality but also safeguards your health in the long run.


A good mattress for front sleepers provides the essential support to keep your spine in the correct position throughout the night.


The wrong type of mattress can lead to a host of problems. 


If it's too soft, it can cause your torso to sink into the mattress, throwing your spine out of alignment and leading to back pain. 


On the other hand, a mattress that's too firm can put undue pressure on your neck and shoulders, leading to stiffness and discomfort.



A good mattress for front sleepers provides the essential support to keep your spine in the correct position throughout the night.

Factors to Consider When Choosing A Front-Sleeper Mattress

Firmness and Support

A good mattress for front sleepers should offer essential support to maintain the natural alignment of the spine. Opt for a medium or medium-firm mattress to prevent your lower back or hips from sinking into the mattress too much.

Mattress Materials

The type of mattress material can greatly affect your comfort grade. Pocket sprung mattresses, memory foam mattresses, and combination mattresses are popular choices for front sleepers due to their responsive nature.

Bed Sharing

If you share your bed, consider a mattress that minimises motion transfer. This ensures that your partner's movements won't disturb your sleep.

Heat Regulation

If you tend to sleep hot, look for a mattress with cooling properties. Some materials, like encapsulated pocket springs and gel-infused memory foam, can help regulate temperature and keep you comfortable throughout the night.

Price and Size

Your budget and the size of your bed frame will also influence your mattress choice. Remember, investing in a good mattress for front sleepers is crucial for quality sleep and overall health.

Value-added Services

Consider companies that offer delivery options, trials, and guarantees. This allows you to test the mattress in your own home and ensures you can return it if it's not the right fit.

Recommended Comfort Grade for Front Sleepers

Choosing the right comfort grade for your mattress as a front sleeper can be a game-changer for your sleep quality. 


It's not just about the firmness, but also about the support and comfort it provides. The right comfort grade can help maintain your spine's natural alignment, preventing discomfort and potential aches.


Medium Mattresses For Front Sleepers

Not too soft, not too firm

Good level of comfort

Provides essential support while allowing your spine to fall into its natural curve

Medium mattresses are a popular choice for front sleepers.


Medium mattresses are all about balance. It's not too soft, not too firm, but just right for those who need a mattress that can provide a good level of support without being overly rigid.


However, it's not just about the support. The medium comfort grade also offers a good level of comfort. It's firm enough to prevent you from sinking into the mattress, which can lead to an arched spine and subsequent aches and pains. 


But it's also soft enough to allow your spine to fall into its natural curve, preventing discomfort from a mattress that's too firm.

Firm Mattresses For Front Sleepers

Provides essential support

Combination of comfort and support

Stops you sinking into the mattress

Firm mattresses are also good for front sleepers. 


This mattress firmness level provides the essential support needed to maintain the natural alignment of the spine. 


It's a common misconception that a firm mattress is uncomfortable. However, the firm upholstery layer of these mattresses is designed to provide both comfort and support, making them one of the best mattresses for front sleepers.


The firm comfort grade is not just about being hard. It's about providing the right amount of resistance to your body weight, preventing you from sinking too far into the mattress. This is particularly important for front sleepers, as sinking too deep can lead to an arched back and potential discomfort.


Best Mattress Types for Front Sleepers

The mattress type you choose can significantly impact your sleep health, especially if you're a front sleeper. 


Memory Foam Mattresses for Front Sleepers

Memory foam mattresses are a popular choice for front sleepers, and for good reason.


 The unique properties of memory foam allow it to mould to the body's contours, providing unparalleled support. This is particularly beneficial for front sleepers, who require a mattress that can accommodate their unique sleeping position.


The medium to firm feel of a memory foam mattress is ideal for front sleepers. It strikes the perfect balance between comfort and support, ensuring the spine remains aligned throughout the night. This can help to alleviate common issues such as back pain and sore necks, which are often associated with front sleeping.


Another advantage of memory foam is its ability to distribute weight evenly. This can help to relieve pressure points, which is particularly important for front sleepers. Pressure points can lead to discomfort and interrupted sleep, so a mattress that can alleviate these issues is a must.


Memory foam mattresses also have the added benefit of being highly durable. This means they can provide consistent support for many years, making them a cost-effective choice in the long run.

Pocket Spring Mattresses for Front Sleepers

Pocket spring mattresses are a popular choice for front sleepers, and for good reason. These mattresses are designed with individually housed springs, which respond to your body's contact points. This unique feature ensures that the mattress doesn't sag, providing the necessary support for front sleepers.


The spring system in a pocket spring mattress is particularly beneficial for front sleepers. It helps to maintain the natural alignment of the neck and spine, which is often compromised when sleeping on the front. This is especially important as front sleepers are more prone to neck and shoulder pains due to the pressure exerted on these areas.


Another advantage of pocket spring mattresses is their ability to cater to different body weights. The spring tension in these mattresses can be adjusted according to the sleeper's weight, ensuring the right level of support. This is crucial for front sleepers as a mattress that is too soft can cause the body to sink, leading to discomfort and misalignment.



Check out our comprehensive guide to pocket spring mattresses if you're interested in finding out more

Stomach Sleeper Pressure Points

Stomach sleepers have unique pressure points that need to be considered when choosing a mattress. These pressure points are the areas of the body that come into contact with the mattress, and for front sleepers, they are typically the rib cage, thighs, and knees.


Unlike other sleeping positions, these pressure points don't require as much cushioning. Instead, the focus for front sleepers should be on maintaining proper spinal alignment. This is because front sleepers must turn their head to one side to breathe, which can twist the spine out of alignment.


If you're a front sleeper lying on a mattress that doesn’t provide enough support, your abdomen can sink too deeply into the bed, leading to a 'hollow back' effect. This position forces an unnatural curve in your spinal alignment, potentially exacerbating or leading to back pain.


The best mattress for front sleepers is one that caters to their unique pressure points and supports a healthy sleeping posture.

Pillows for Front Sleepers

The importance of pillows for front sleepers cannot be overstated. They play a pivotal role in ensuring a comfortable and restful night's sleep.

A good pillow for front sleepers provides essential support, aligning the neck and spine, and alleviating pressure points. 

Choosing the Right Pillow for Front Sleepers

Choosing the right pillow for front sleepers is a crucial aspect of ensuring a good night's sleep. The pillow plays a significant role in providing the essential support needed to maintain the alignment of the neck and spine.


A good pillow for front sleepers should be soft and low in height. This is because a high pillow can cause the neck to bend backwards, leading to discomfort and potential neck pain.


Materials such as feather and down are often recommended due to their soft comfort grade. These materials can provide the right balance between comfort and support, reducing the risk of pressure points that can lead to pain.


It's also important to consider the mattress support and the upholstery layer of the mattress. A firm mattress with a supportive upholstery layer can complement a soft pillow, providing the right level of support for front sleepers.


We offer an adjustable pillow which has removable memory foam pieces, allowing you to adjust its loft and firmness - we have found that it is the perfect companion for front sleepers.

Summary and Key Takeaways

Opt for a medium or a medium-firm mattress for the best combination of support and comfort

Memory foam and pocket spring mattresses are particularly good options for front sleepers

Body type, sleeping habits and personal preference should also be considered

The right pillow type can also play a big role in your comfort levels when combined with the right mattress 

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