How to Choose the Right Mattress for Your Sleep Style and Body Type

Looking for the best mattress for your body and sleep needs? Here’s a quick summary of what to consider:

✅ Side sleepers: Choose a medium to soft mattress for pressure relief at hips and shoulders.
✅ Back and stomach sleepers: Go with a medium-firm or firm mattress to support spinal alignment.
✅ Petite sleepers (<130 lbs): Softer mattresses help avoid pressure build-up.
✅ Heavier sleepers (>250 lbs): Opt for firm mattresses with strong support cores.
✅ Hot sleepers: Look for breathable materials like pocket coils and gel-infused memory foam.
✅ Couples: Memory foam or hybrid mattresses with motion isolation reduce disturbances.

Choosing the right mattress is essential for better sleep, spinal health, and overall well-being. With so many mattress types, firmness levels, and features to consider, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But don’t worry, by focusing on your sleep position, body weight, temperature preferences, and whether you share your bed, you can confidently find the best mattress for your needs.

At Sleep Masters Canada, we’ve helped thousands of Canadians find their perfect mattress. Here’s how you can do the same.

1. Determine Your Sleep Position

Best mattress for side sleepers, back sleepers, stomach sleepers, and combination sleepers

Your sleep position is one of the most important factors when choosing a mattress. It determines the amount of pressure relief and support your body needs during the night.

Side Sleepers need a medium to soft mattress that cushions pressure points at the shoulders and hips. Memory foam or Natural latex comfort layers work well here.
Back Sleepers benefit from medium-firm to firm mattresses that supports the natural curve of the spine without letting the hips sink too much.
Stomach Sleepers require a firm mattress to prevent lower back strain caused by the hips sinking in too far.
Combination Sleepers (who switch positions during the night) do well with a responsive medium mattress, ideally a hybrid, for balanced support and mobility.

️ Pro tip: At Sleep Masters Canada, we always guide customers to test mattresses based on their primary sleep position.

2. Consider Your Body Weight

Mattress recommendations based on weight

Weight affects how much you sink into a mattress and how firm or soft it feels. Here’s a quick guide:

Petite sleepers (under 130 lbs): Softer mattresses offer better pressure relief and prevent feeling like you’re sleeping on top of the bed.
Average weight (130–225 lbs): Most medium mattresses are ideal, depending on your sleep position and preferences.
Heavier sleepers (225+ lbs): Choose a firm or extra-firm mattress with durable materials like pocket coils and high-density foam for long-lasting support and edge stability.

Pro tip: If you’re a heavy sleeper looking for a mattress, prioritize durability, support, and edge reinforcement.

3. Are You a Hot Sleeper?

Best cooling mattresses for hot sleepers

Do you wake up sweaty or overheated? The materials in your mattress could be trapping heat.

What to look for in a cooling mattress:

Breathable materials: Natural latex, open-cell memory foam, or pocket coils promote airflow.
Cooling technologies: Gel-infused memory foam, phase change materials, or cool-to-touch covers help regulate temperature.
Avoid: Traditional memory foam that lacks ventilation, it tends to retain heat.

4. Do You Share the Bed?

Best mattress for couples and motion isolation

If you sleep with a partner, motion transfer can be a big issue. A mattress with good motion isolation helps prevent you from feeling every toss and turn.

Memory foam mattresses are excellent at absorbing movement.
Hybrid mattresses with pocket coils also limit motion transfer effectively, much better than traditional innersprings.
All-foam designs are ideal for ultra-sensitive sleepers.

Final Thoughts: Choose a Mattress That Works for You

Finding the right mattress isn’t about choosing the most expensive model, it’s about matching your personal sleep needs with the right materials, firmness, and features.

At Sleep Masters Canada, we make this process easier with our Mattress Selector Tool and custom mattress options for unique needs. Whether you’re a side-sleeping hot sleeper or a couple with different firmness preferences, we’re here to help.