5 Best Mattresses for Athletes - Nov. 2020

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.Read more

Bottom Line

Pros

Cons

An excellent all-around mattress that provides medium to medium-firm support for tired athletes.

Pros

High-quality, long-lasting innerspring coils provide underlying support to keep the spine aligned. A quilted Eurotop and gel memory foam contour layer cradle the body. Maintains its shape and support for years.

Cons

May not be firm enough for larger, heavier athletes.

Best Bang for the Buck

Athletes who prefer sleeping on their side will like this all-foam mattress that allows body contours to sink down without losing support.

Pros

The Puffy’s multilayer foam construction places softer layers on top and firm, supportive layers underneath. Inflates fully within a few minutes of opening. Its stain-resistant cover is washable.

Cons

Some users may find it sleeps too hot.

GhostBed

3D Matrix

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Best for Larger Athletes

Bottom Line

A medium-firm mattress that provides support for all sleeping positions and tends to sleep cool.

Pros

Good for couples and athletes who change position frequently at night. Multiple cooling gel layers help prevent hot sleeping all year. Firmer innersprings around the outer perimeter of the mattress make for excellent edge support.

Cons

It takes 48 hours or more to fully decompress, and it has a longer break-in period than some other mattresses.

Inofia

10-inch Ventilated Cool Gel-Infused Mattress

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Best for Smaller Athletes

Bottom Line

Offers good support and some cushioning at a bargain price, and most athletes won’t sleep hot on this mattress.

Pros

Good for athletes who are of light to average weight thanks to a combination of firm foam support and a contouring top layer. Sleeps cool for most due to cool gel infused throughout.

Cons

Edges are not very firm, which makes side and combination sleepers less comfortable.

Perfect Cloud

Hybrid 11-inch Memory Foam Mattress

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Great for Couples

Bottom Line

Soft on top and firm underneath, this hybrid mattress offers a good compromise between softness and firmness for couples trying to decide which firmness level to get.

Pros

This medium-soft to soft mattress has firm underlying support thanks to its wrapped coils. A gel and memory foam top layer cushions the athlete, providing comfort to sore muscles.

Cons

Mattress may “break in” unevenly after first month, which can cause discomfort.

For athletes, sleep is as important to performance as diet and training. A full night’s sleep is a crucial aid to muscle recovery so the next training session is better than the day before. Choosing the right mattress is important: you want one that provides comfort for sore muscles and overworked joints while offering the right amount of support to keep your entire body aligned. Correct body alignment does more than just keep users from waking up with a sore back or neck; it prevents muscular imbalances that can increase injury risk, and it helps with proper breathing during sleep so you get enough oxygen to aid recovery and be fully rested. Athletes should consider their build (slim, muscular, or husky; tall or short) and any existing injuries or discomfort when picking a mattress. For example, a medium-firm to firm foam mattress may be best for a heavier athlete, whereas a slim or petite competitor may get better rest on a soft to medium-firm mattress.