There are four types of mattresses for better posture: innerspring mattresses, latex mattresses, memory foam mattresses, and hybrid mattresses. These mattresses can help with sleeping posture by helping the spine stay aligned during sleep. They also help with waking posture because a mattress for better posture aligns the spine and reduces back and neck pain. A person’s posture will naturally improve when they don’t have back and neck pains that cause discomfort while sitting, standing, and walking.
Mattresses for better posture are firm and supportive. They also have enough cushioning to contour the body, which is important to keep stress off pressure points like the hips and shoulders. The best firmness level depends on body type and sleeping position. Heavier body types and stomach sleepers need a firmer mattress to keep the spine aligned. They would sink too deeply into a softer mattress. Side sleepers, back sleepers, and lighter body types need a softer mattress so they sink into it enough for spinal alignment. In general, medium-firm is a good option when choosing a mattress for better posture.
1. Innerspring Mattress
Innerspring mattresses promote better posture because they offer adequate firmness and support to align the spine. They are constructed of a foundation to give the mattress structure, which is typically made of wool or a similar material. Above the foundation is the core of the mattress, where the continuous spring system or advanced coil technology can be found. The top of the mattress and cover are made of a material to provide softness between the sleeper and the metal springs.
Innerspring mattresses that are made with individually-wrapped coils (advanced coil technology) are best to maintain posture while sleeping and relieve back and neck pains that negatively affect posture while standing, sitting, and walking. Encased coils move independently when the body moves, so they provide support where it’s needed to keep the spine aligned throughout the night. The coils must be made from strong steel to prevent them from sagging over time. Mattresses with a higher coil count typically offer the most responsive support.
Innerspring mattresses made of a continuous metal wire system combined with springs are prone to sagging. Wire and spring systems don’t move independently to support the body, so they’re not as effective for better posture as individually encased coils are.
Sizes: Innerspring mattresses are available in all sizes, including standard mattress sizes such as Twin, Twin XL, Full, Full XL, Queen, King, California King, and Split King.
Advantages: An innerspring mattress with strong encased coils has a number of advantages that make it a good mattress for better posture. An innerspring mattress is firm and provides support to the body where it’s needed, which is essential for spinal alignment. Too much sinking into the mattress causes spinal misalignment and pains that lead to poor posture while awake.
Individually wrapped coils reduce motion transfer, making an innerspring mattress a good choice for couples who want to improve their posture by aligning their spines and reducing pains while they sleep. The coils also allow for airflow and a night of cooler sleep. Additional advantages of innerspring mattresses for better posture include their affordability and long lifespan if rotated and flipped consistently.
Durability: Innerspring mattresses are durable and last for many years. The lifespan of an innerspring mattress that is rotated and flipped as needed is 10 to 15 years.
Texture: Innerspring mattresses that help with better posture are firm and bouncy. Some innerspring mattresses include a soft pillow top that adds cushioning to the mattress surface, which is helpful for side sleepers and lighter body types (under 130 pounds). A pillow top helps relieve stress on pressure points like the shoulders and hips. It also allows lighter body types to sink into a firm innerspring mattress just enough to align the spine comfortably.
Maintenance: To keep an innerspring mattress in good condition, so it continues to help with better posture for a long time, it needs to be flipped and rotated one to two times per year. Older innerspring mattresses should be rotated more often. Rotating and flipping is necessary to ensure the coils don’t weaken in some areas more than others, which creates sagging that negatively affects spinal alignment and sleeping posture.
Differences: Innerspring mattresses can be constructed of continuous metal wire and spring systems or of individually wrapped coils. Innerspring mattresses for better posture should be made of individually wrapped coils because they move independently with the body to provide the best support where the body needs it. This allows for full spinal alignment and reduces back and neck pain, which helps with better posture while sleeping and awake.
Cost: Innerspring mattresses are available for every budget. Prices range from $200 to $3,000 or more depending on the size and quality. Be careful of extremely low-priced innerspring mattresses. These mattresses are often made from cheap materials and a continuous innerspring system that won’t provide adequate support for better posture. Instead, look for an innerspring mattress made from high-quality individually wrapped coils to get the best mattress for better posture.
2. Latex Mattresses
Latex mattresses improve posture because they are very supportive and help maintain spinal alignment while a person sleeps. A latex mattress has elasticity and will bounce back to its original shape when a person moves. However, latex mattresses don’t offer much pressure point relief unless a foam top is added. This is an essential consideration for side sleepers who need added softness for the shoulders and hips.
Latex mattresses are made using latex foam. To be a true latex mattress, all layers of the mattress must be made of latex with no other types of foam or coils included in the mattress structure. A latex mattress made of natural or organic latex rather than synthetic latex is a good choice for environmentally-conscious people but could increase the price.
Sizes: Latex mattresses are available in all sizes, including standard mattress sizes such as Twin, Twin XL, Full, Full XL, Queen, King, California King, and Split King.
Advantages: Latex mattresses offer moderate contouring, making them a good choice for back and side sleepers. The latex construction allows air to circulate, so a latex mattress provides a cooler sleep. This type of mattress is good for better posture and for the environment when a latex mattress is made of natural or organic latex rather than synthetic latex.
Durability: Latex mattresses are highly durable with a long lifespan. Choosing an all-natural latex mattress may be more expensive, but natural latex is well known for its durability and environmental friendliness. The lifespan of a natural latex mattress is 10-20 years.
Texture: There are two different ways to make a latex mattress that affect the texture: the Dunlop and the Talalay processes. The Dunlop process is known for making a denser, firmer, and more supportive mattress. For a latex mattress made with the Dunlop process, the rubber material from which latex beds are mixed into foam, which is then poured into a mold and heated to set the dense texture.
The other process is the Talalay process. Latex mattresses made using the Talalay process are softer and more expensive because the process includes more steps than the Dunlop process. In the Talalay process, the rubber material from which latex beds are made is mixed into foam, and then the foam is poured into a vacuum-sealed chamber rather than a mold and flash frozen. This part of the process impacts the firmness and texture of the material used to construct each mattress.
Maintenance: It’s important to keep a latex mattress dry and ventilated, so a breathable, waterproof cover is recommended. Latex can break down when exposed to heat or sunlight, so avoid putting the mattress near heat sources or direct sunlight. Latex mattresses can be flipped, but it’s not usually necessary since latex is so durable. It could take years to see wear.
Differences: Latex mattresses have a different feel than other types of mattresses, so a trial is recommended before buying this type of mattress. True latex mattresses that include no other material layers are typically 6” to 12” thick, with thinner mattresses being better for back sleepers and thicker mattresses better for side sleepers who need more softness for pressure point relief on the hips and shoulders.
Cost: Latex mattress prices range from $850 to $3,000 or more, depending on the size of the mattress and the materials and process used to make it. Some latex mattresses are constructed of multiple layers using different materials and techniques. Look for a latex mattress for better posture made from the best materials to match your sleeping position and desired firmness to achieve spinal alignment while sleeping.
3. Memory Foam Mattresses
Memory foam mattresses for better posture should provide enough support to contour the body and align the spine. If the spine curves during sleep, aches and pains will develop. Avoiding sleep-related aches and pains is critical for better posture. Memory foam mattresses are typically made from visco-elastic polyurethane. These mattresses take the body’s shape, so weight is distributed correctly, which is necessary for spinal alignment and better posture.
Memory foam mattresses are made using memory foam. People with a heavier body weight should select a memory foam mattress with multiple, dense layers of foam, or the mattress won’t be firm enough to align the spine for better posture. Stomach sleepers should also choose a firmer memory foam mattress to keep the spine aligned. Lighter body types, side sleepers, and back sleepers can choose a softer memory foam mattress to get the best effects of contouring for spinal alignment and pressure point relief for the hips and shoulders.
Sizes: Memory foam mattresses come in all standard mattress sizes, including Twin, Twin XL, Full, Full XL, Queen, King, California King, and Split King, as well as many custom shapes and sizes. Memory foam mattresses come in multiple thickness levels. The most common thickness levels are between 8” to 12”. Thicker memory foam mattresses provide more support for better posture.
Advantages: The advantages of memory foam mattresses include exceptional contouring, which is important for better posture. Memory foam mattresses are soft, so they are a good choice for lighter body types, side sleepers, and back sleepers. That doesn’t mean stomach sleepers and heavier body types can’t get better posture using a memory foam mattress. Stomach sleepers and heavier body types need a memory foam mattress with multiple layers of denser foam materials to get adequate support for spinal alignment.
Memory foam mattresses are popular for couples because they reduce motion transfer. When one partner moves, the other won’t feel the motion and woken up. This type of mattress is also popular for people who sleep cool and want a mattress that stores heat. However, people who want a cooler sleep can use memory foam mattresses if they select a mattress that is made from open cell memory foam or a memory foam infused with temperature regulating gel.
Durability: Memory foam mattresses will typically last for eight to 10 years, but they could last for up to 15 years if they’re well cared for. These mattresses are more durable when the base layer is made from a thicker and denser foam. There are three categories of foam density based on how much foam is in each cubic square foot: low-density (3.5 lbs/cubic ft or less), medium-density (more than 3.5 lbs/cubic ft but below 5lbs/cubic ft), and high-density (5 lbs/cubic ft or more).
Texture: What makes memory foam different from other types of foams is the way it molds to the body but retains the ability to bounce back into shape when weight is removed from it. The texture is soft and creates a feeling that the body is sinking into the mattress.
Maintenance: Memory foam mattresses should be rotated every three months. They should not get wet, so a waterproof cover is a must. If the mattress gets wet, take it outside in the sun to dry fully. Vacuuming memory foam mattresses is important if a protective covering isn’t used. It’s also important to let memory foam mattresses breathe by using a bed frame with open space underneath for air circulation.
Differences: Memory foam mattresses are made from visco-elastic polyurethane foam. Memory foam is different from polyurethane foam because additional chemicals are added to it that make it visco-elastic polyurethane. Viscosity means how long it takes for the foam to change shape under pressure, and elastic means the foam can stretch and then return to its original size and shape when it’s no longer being stretched.
All memory foams contain polyether polyol, which is what gives the foam its viscosity and elasticity. However, memory foam can be made differently depending on the foam manufacturer, which means all memory foam doesn’t feel exactly the same.
There are three types of memory foams used to make memory foam mattresses: traditional memory foam, open cell memory foam, and gel memory foam. All types of memory foam mattresses support better posture. Many memory foam mattresses are made from multiple layers of one or more types of memory foam.
Traditional memory foam was introduced in the 1990s and is known to retain heat. Open cell memory foam was created to solve the heat retention problem of traditional memory foam. Open cell memory foam responds to body temperature, so sleepers don’t get too hot. It responds faster than traditional memory foam. Gel memory foam was introduced more recently and infuses cooling gel into memory foam to provide a cooler sleep.
Cost: Memory foam mattress prices range from $150 to $3,000 or more depending on the density of the foams used, the thickness of the mattress, the types of foams used, and the mattress size. Decent quality foam mattresses can be found for approximately $600 and up.
4. Hybrid Mattresses
Hybrid mattresses include one or more layers of memory foam and an innerspring layer. The foam layers provide contouring, and the innerspring layer provides adequate support to keep the spine aligned. The firmness and cushioning vary based on the specific mattress, so hybrid mattresses are excellent posture mattresses for all sleeping positions and body types.
The innerspring support system can be manufactured using a continuous system or individually wrapped coils. A continuous coil system is used in low-cost mattresses making this type of mattress a popular choice for budget shoppers. Hybrid mattresses that have an innerspring layer made with individually wrapped coils provide an exceptional balance of contouring, cushioning, and support for a wide variety of sleep positions and body types, which makes them a great solution for better posture.
Sizes: Hybrid mattresses come in all standard mattress sizes, including Twin, Twin XL, Full, Full XL, Queen, King, California King, and Split King. Hybrid mattresses come in multiple thickness levels depending on how many layers of various foams and innerspring coils are used in the mattress construction. The most common thickness levels are 8” to 12”. Thicker hybrid mattresses will provide more support for better posture.
Advantages: Hybrid mattresses are good for better posture because they provide an excellent balance of cushioning for pressure points, like the hips and shoulders, and support for spinal alignment. Sleeping on a quality hybrid mattress will lead to fewer aches and pains that cause new posture problems or exacerbate existing posture issues.
Many hybrid mattresses include orthopedic features, such as extra support in the middle of the mattress for the lumbar area. The hybrid mattress construction is great for better posture because it balances the distribution of pressure across the entire spine and body. Blood circulates freely, sleep quality improves, and the body, neck, back, and muscles can relax and recuperate.
Durability: An advanced coil support system (individually wrapped coils) in the innerspring layer of hybrid mattresses makes them more durable than mattresses made only with memory foam or only with a continuous innerspring system. They are also less prone to sagging. A good hybrid mattress should last 10 years, but the lifespan could be longer if it’s well cared for.
Texture: Hybrid mattresses have a soft texture due to the foam layers, which are always on top of the innerspring layer. The foam layers make hybrid mattresses feel cushiony while the innerspring layer makes this type of mattress feel bouncy and gives it sturdy support. Depending on the type of foam, number of foam layers, and type of innerspring system (continuous or individually wrapped coils), the softness and bounciness can vary from one hybrid mattress to another.
Maintenance: Hybrid mattresses should be rotated once every sixth months to prevent sagging. This is especially important for people who want a hybrid mattress for better posture because sagging will misalign the spine. It’s also important to use a protective, waterproof cover to keep the mattress clean and dry.
Differences: Hybrid mattresses always include at least one foam layer and an innerspring layer, but the number of foam layers, the types of foam used, and the type of innerspring system used can vary. Hybrid mattress foam layers can be made with visco-elastic memory foam, polyurethane foam, or latex. All foam types will contour to the body for spinal alignment. For a cooler sleep, choose latex or temperature regulating gel memory foam.
The innerspring system can be a continuous coil system or individual encased coils. For better posture and spinal alignment while sleeping, an innerspring system made from encased coils that move independently to contour to the body are a better option. The thickness of the steel used to make the coils (referred to as the gauge of the steel) and the number of coils used also affects the firmness, support, and contouring of the innerspring layer.
Cost: Hybrid mattress prices range from a few hundred dollars to $3,000 or more depending on the size, materials, number of layers, and innerspring construction. Quality does matter a lot for better posture, so look for a mattress with multiple layers of quality foam and an innerspring system with individually encased coils. Ideally, a hybrid mattress should use 12 to 15 gauge steel for the coils and a minimum of 300 coils for a full size mattress, 400 coils for a queen size, and 450 coils for a king size. More coils are better because they can contour to the body more effectively and align the spine for better posture.
What are the Advantages of Buying a Mattress to Help with Posture?
Buying a mattress to help with posture provides many advantages for anyone with existing back or neck pain that causes poor posture or health-related problems that cause poor posture. The right mattress for better posture can also prevent new back and neck pains that could lead to posture problems in the future.
Some of the biggest advantages of buying a mattress to help with posture are:
- Better spinal alignment and improved spine health: Better posture is important to avoid a number of back problems, including spinal stenosis, spinal arthritis, and herniated discs.
- Fewer aches and pains: When the spine is aligned and posture improves, there will be fewer back, neck, hip, shoulder, and other aches and pains that lead to poor posture.
- Better sleep quality: A mattress for better posture contours to the body and provides support where the body needs it while cushioning pressure points. The result is a more comfortable, better quality sleep.
- Chronic back pain relief: People with poor posture often have chronic back pain. A mattress that provides spinal alignment will relieve chronic back pain and improve posture.
When Should I Use a Mattress to Help with My Posture?
Most people sleep for six to eight hours per day, and the position a person sleeps in as well as the surface they sleep on for all of that time every day has a big effect on the body, including the back, neck, and spine. If a person’s mattress doesn’t support spinal alignment and doesn’t balance weight distribution across the entire spine, the result is aches and pains. When a person’s neck and back hurt, it will affect their posture, and poor posture leads to a long list of spinal problems and chronic pain.
Good posture is considered posture that distributes pressure evenly across the spinal column. There are two reasons you should use a mattress to help with your posture: 1) your posture is already poor during waking hours and/or 2) your spine is not aligned with pressure distributed evenly across the entire spinal column while you sleep. In both cases, aches and pains will lead to worse posture. Instead, you can fix the problem by choosing a mattress for better posture.
Who Should Use a Mattress for Better Posture?
Do you have a known spinal problem such as scoliosis, kyphosis, lordosis, spinal stenosis, bulging discs, herniated discs, or other medical conditions related to the spinal column? If so, you should use a mattress for better posture to help your condition rather than a mattress that could make it worse.
Even if you don’t have a medical condition that affects your posture, you should use a mattress for better posture if you suffer from back, neck, or other body pains that have a negative effect on your posture or if you spend a lot of time in a position that negatively affects your posture, such as sitting at a desk all day or sleeping in a position that misaligns your spine.
Poor posture while you’re awake or sleeping can cause a variety of short-term and long-term health problems. In the short-term, headaches, a stiff neck, and muscle aches and pains could disrupt your sleep quality and your daily life. In the long-term, poor posture can cause muscle and bone problems that will require medical treatment. It’s much better to switch to a mattress for better posture today than to deal with all of these problems in the future.
How to Choose a Mattress that Will Help With My Posture
To choose a mattress that will help with posture, you need to purchase a mattress made with high quality materials, or the mattress won’t provide enough support for your back and neck. Firmness matters a lot when choosing a mattress to help with posture because the mattress must be firm enough to keep the spine aligned as you sleep.
For back sleepers and combination sleepers, look for a medium-firm mattress. For lighter body types, a medium-soft mattress is a better choice, so the mattress is soft enough that the body will actually sink into it. If the body can’t sink enough, the spine won’t be aligned and posture will be negatively affected. Stomach sleepers and people with a heavier body type should choose a firm mattress so the body doesn’t sink into it too much. The key to choosing a mattress for better posture is picking one that keeps the spine aligned while you sleep and is comfortable for you based on your body type and sleeping position.
