The best mattress for your body type depends on your height, body shape, and weight distribution.
Updated 09/24/2024
Every mattress has its match. It’s true! Just as your body is coded with unique measurements and features, each mattress type is engineered with a particular type and makeup to achieve optimal sleep quality.
As such, there’s no cure-all mattress that’ll guarantee a restful night for every sleeper. However, you can inform your adjustable bed mattress-buying decisions based on a few essential factors: height, body shape, and weight distribution.
To help you puzzle together which type of mattress is best for body types like yours, we’re diving a bit deeper into those categories. From there, you’ll be able to find and feel good about investing in the right mattress that’s as unique as you.
Understanding the Different Types of Mattress Materials
Before we get into how to choose a mattress for your body type, it’s important to understand the different types of mattress materials available on the market. Each type offers unique benefits and caters to different preferences, so having a clear understanding of these options will help you make an informed decision. Let’s break down the most common mattress materials:
- Memory Foam Mattresses: Memory foam mattresses are known for their excellent contouring ability. They respond to your body’s heat and pressure, molding around your shape to provide personalized support. This material is particularly beneficial for people who suffer from joint pain or prefer a “hugging” sensation when they sleep. However, memory foam can sometimes retain heat, making it less ideal for hot sleepers unless it has cooling features.
- Innerspring Mattresses: Innerspring mattresses are the traditional type of mattress, featuring a core of steel coils for support. They offer a bouncy feel and tend to provide good support, especially for back and stomach sleepers. The spaces between the coils allow for more airflow, making these mattresses cooler than memory foam. However, they might not provide as much pressure relief or motion isolation.
- Hybrid Mattresses: Hybrid mattresses combine the best of both worlds by featuring a layer of coils, like innerspring mattresses, along with layers of foam or latex. This design aims to provide the support and airflow of innerspring mattresses while also offering the contouring and comfort of foam. Hybrid mattresses are versatile and can be tailored to suit a wide range of sleepers, making them a popular choice for those who want a balance of comfort and support.
- Latex Mattresses: Latex mattresses are made from natural or synthetic latex and are known for their durability and responsiveness. They offer a bouncier feel than memory foam and provide good pressure relief without the “sinking” feeling. Latex is also naturally cooler, making these mattresses a good option for hot sleepers.
Understanding these different mattress materials is “step 0” in finding the perfect mattress for your body type. By knowing the pros and cons of each type, you can better match your mattress choice to your sleeping style and comfort preferences, ensuring you get a restful and rejuvenating night’s sleep. Now, let’s get into how to choose the right mattress for your body.
How to Choose the Best Mattress for Your Body
Step 1: Consider Your Height
When designed with high-quality comfort and sleep in mind, mattress models can accommodate all sorts of heights and personal sleeping preferences. Let’s explore a few options that could be appropriate for tall, average-height, and petite sleepers.
For Tall Sleepers
Can you reach the top shelf? Do your co-workers sometimes ask, “How’s the weather up there?” If you’re a taller-than-average sleeper and are trying to avoid a cat-curl situation, consider mattresses that are 80 inches long or over.
Some specific mattresses that might fit that particular bill include:
- Twin XL mattresses – Slightly longer than your average twin mattress (but just as narrow), twin XL mattresses could be the right mattress option for those below 6’2” or those looking to save space.
- Full, queen, and king mattresses – Any one of these mattresses sizes could accommodate sleepers up to 6’7” tall.
- Cal king mattresses – With a spacious 84 inches of length, this ultra-regal mattress can accommodate sleepers up to seven feet tall.
Another clever way to increase surface area is by investing in a bed frame. That way, tall sleepers can ensure there are no painful consequences for runaway limbs! Discover our line of adjustable bed frames today.
For Average Sleepers
Most mattresses will accommodate kids and average heights (estimated at 5’2 to 5’ 9” in the US). However, you’ll want to pay attention to your body’s shape (more on that below) in order to pinpoint areas requiring particular support.
For average sleepers in search of their mattress match, keep the following in mind:
- Twins are a standard 75” long and are a suitable choice for compact living.
- Full and queen mattresses offer additional width for couples or comfort.
For Petite Sleepers
For those who keep a step stool handy or who may be looking to re-furnish after shrinking the kids, mattress requirements might not differ from those of average height. However, petite individuals might find a lower spread of weight distribution—another next key factor in finding the best mattress for you.
Luckily, most standard and luxury mattresses will accommodate petite frames. The rest is up to your personal preference.
Step 2: Determine Your Body Shape
Sound sleep is all about allowing for proper alignment.
Mattress care and sleep specialists confirm that the best mattress for your body is likely the one that’s best for your spine. Better spinal alignment during sleep equals better comfort, which lends to deeper relaxation.
To identify what kind of support your body needs, take a look at these three shapes, called somatotypes. These models offer generalized versions of genetic physiques to help identify your body’s particular composition.
Disclaimer: Of course, as nobody has a blueprint, this language serves only as a baseline framework to help contextualize your silhouette.
Ectomorph
Ectomorph body types are long and lean with an average distribution of weight. These body types tend to require more waist and lower back support to promote healthy spinal alignment.
If this sounds like the case for you, consider mattresses with mattress material that prioritizes the natural curves of your spine or softer models that don’t place too much-localized pressure on these areas.
Fortunately, at Casper, you can find both. Simply choose your preferred mattress size, then decide whether a memory foam mattress or hybrid mattress model is best for you. We’ll even let you try it out risk-free at home until you find the right fit. Check out our blog to learn more about a memory foam vs hybrid mattress.
Mesomorph
Sleepers with ectomorph body types may benefit from shopping for mattresses such as the following:
- Hybrid mattresses offer layered support that targets the hip, waist, and lower back.
- Foam mattresses might also work well for individuals who prefer limited bounce and mattress material that reacts to a natural sleep position.
Mesomorph body types typically have a solid, athletic build, with more muscular upper bodies and legs or curvaceous hips.
Depending on your preference, consider mattresses that target firmness for bulkier body areas, typically the shoulders, upper back, or hips. Hybrid mattresses with more zonal variation offer additional, localized support. The Dream Max orthopedic mattress model, in particular, is an excellent medium-firm mattress choice for targeted pressure relief in the hips, waist, and lower back.
Endomorph
Endomorph body types can have larger frames and a higher density of muscle and weight throughout. Look for medium-firm to firm mattresses that will prioritize balanced support across the body.
Hybrid models typically offer firm mattress support using combined innerspring mattress and memory foam mattress technology. Casper’s Dream hybrid mattress has a medium feel, offering comprehensive Zoned Support™ while maintaining superb airflow and resistance to sag thanks to the dynamic duo of Flex Coils and Casper Signature Foam.
Step 3: Factor in Weight Distribution
As a final consideration, you’ll want to think about how weight distribution comes into play. In other words, which parts of your body do you anticipate will apply the most pressure on a soft mattress?
As a general rule of thumb, heavier areas may be best supported by firm surfaces, whereas lighter areas could find all the support they need from soft surfaces. For specific cases, such as with a stomach sleeper or side sleeper, you may find yourself sinking more deeply into mattresses than other sleepers would. Find out from the experts at Casper how your sleep position impacts weight distribution on your soft mattress or spring mattress, and tailor your choice from there.
Customize Your Sleep with Casper
The truth is that there are innumerable factors that can affect sleep quality and how a body lounges through the world.
Which mattress type is best for you to get better sleep can also rely on categories such as temperature, ability, mobility, and whether you’re considering more than one individual. Identify your patterns and particulars. Then, let Casper do the rest.
Backed by rest experts and engineered with ergonomic and orthopedic considerations, Casper is your match for mattresses designed with you in mind.
Sources:
- University of Houston, Center for Wellness Without Borders. The 3 Somatotypes. https://www.uh.edu/fitness/comm_educators/3_somatotypesNEW.htm
