Mattress Quiz Guide: Find the Best Mattress for Sleep Position, Firmness & Pain Relief
Buying a mattress online can feel like answering a multiple-choice test where every option sounds right. That's why mattress quizzes exist: they compress a complicated decision into a handful of questions about how you sleep, where you hurt, and what you share a bed with. This guide walks through the same decision logic you'd encounter in a well-designed mattress quiz so you can find the right mattress with confidence.
Think of each section as a quiz question. By the time you finish, you'll have a clear picture of the mattress type, firmness, and features that fit your body and sleep style.
Quick Answers
- Best mattress firmness for side sleepers: Soft to medium (3–6 on a 10-point scale) for pressure relief at shoulders and hips. Sleep Foundation
- Best mattress firmness for back sleepers: Medium-firm (5–7) for lumbar support and neutral alignment.
- Best mattress firmness for stomach sleepers: Medium-firm to firm (6–8) to prevent pelvic sinking.
- Best mattress for back pain: Medium-firm mattresses are most consistently associated with improved comfort and spinal alignment. Caggiari et al., 2021
- Best mattress for hip and shoulder pain: Medium firmness with strong contouring (memory foam or latex comfort layer).
- Best cooling mattress: Breathable latex or hybrid constructions with coil airflow.
- Best mattress for couples: Strong motion isolation or split-firmness configuration.
- Best mattress for adjustable bases: Flexible foam, latex, or pocketed-coil hybrid rated for adjustable base use.
- Best mattress for heavy sleepers (230+ lbs): Slightly firmer rating with dense materials for support durability.
Step 1: Identify Your Sleep Position
Side Sleepers
Side sleeping creates pressure at the shoulder and hip. A softer comfort layer that allows contouring while keeping the spine level is ideal.
Back Sleepers
Back sleepers need lumbar support without excessive hip sink. Medium-firm works best for most.
Stomach Sleepers
Stomach sleepers need firmer support to prevent the pelvis from sinking and straining the lower back.
Combination Sleepers
Combination sleepers benefit from responsive materials like latex or hybrids that make repositioning easier.
Step 2: Choose a Firmness Range
The mattress industry uses a 1–10 firmness scale. Firmness describes feel, while support describes spinal alignment.
| Sleep Position | Typical Firmness | Primary Goal |
|---|---|---|
| Side | 3–6 | Pressure relief |
| Back | 5–7 | Lumbar support |
| Stomach | 6–8 | Prevent pelvic sinking |
| Combination | 5–7 | Balanced comfort |
Adjust for Body Weight
- Under 130 lbs: Consider slightly softer.
- Over 230 lbs: Consider slightly firmer with denser materials.
If Pain Is the Main Concern
A 2021 review in the Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology found medium-firm mattresses most consistently linked to reduced back pain and improved sleep quality.
Step 3: Choose Mattress Type
Memory Foam
Excellent contouring and motion isolation but may retain heat.
Latex
Responsive, breathable, and easier to reposition on.
Hybrid
Combines contouring with airflow and support from pocketed coils.
| Feature | Memory Foam | Latex | Hybrid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pressure Relief | Excellent | Good | Good–Excellent |
| Motion Isolation | Excellent | Good | Good |
| Cooling | Fair | Excellent | Good–Excellent |
| Ease of Movement | Poor | Excellent | Good |
Step 4: Consider Couples
- Motion isolation: Memory foam or hybrid comfort layers.
- Split firmness: Modular systems allow per-side customization.
- Adjustable base use: Confirm flexibility and compatibility.
Reverie DreamCell technology allows four firmness levels per side and reconfiguration after purchase.
Step 5: Adjustable Base Compatibility
- No rigid Bonnell coils.
- Flexible foam, latex, or pocketed coils.
- Check manufacturer compatibility language.
- Consider overall mattress height.
Reverie’s Dream Supreme mattress is designed for adjustable base compatibility and customizable firmness per side.
Step 6: Two-Night Check
- New lower back or shoulder pain
- Feeling stuck when turning
- Waking up hot
- Rolling toward center
- Arm numbness (side sleepers)
FAQs
Is a firm mattress better for back pain?
No. Medium-firm mattresses are more consistently associated with improved comfort and alignment.
What firmness is best for side sleepers?
Soft to medium (3–6) to relieve shoulder and hip pressure.
What is the best mattress for hot sleepers?
Latex or hybrid mattresses with airflow-friendly construction.
What mattress is best for couples who toss and turn?
Mattresses with strong motion isolation or split-firmness configurations like Reverie DreamCell.
Can any mattress go on an adjustable base?
No. Choose flexible foam, latex, or hybrid mattresses explicitly rated for adjustable bases.
Next Step: Take the Reverie Mattress Quiz
Take the Reverie mattress quiz to translate your preferences into a personalized mattress configuration.