When all you want is a good night’s sleep, heartburn is especially frustrating. Acid reflux, which occurs when stomach acid rises up into the esophagus, can cause irritation and discomfort. Having acid reflux may interfere with your sleep, which, in turn, may make reflux even worse.
The WinkBeds GravityLux is an all-foam bed with a padded cover and a two-layer comfort system that excels at relieving pressure, particularly for side sleepers trying to alleviate symptoms of acid reflux. With three firmness levels to choose from, the GravityLux offers a variety of comfortable options for different body types.
Ideal forCombination Sleepers
FirmnessMedium Soft (4), Medium (5), Firm (7)
FeelDeep Pressure Relieving Foam
ValueGood Value
Pros
Padded cover and memory foam top layer relieve pressure
Three firmness options to suit a range of sleepers
Zoned transitional layer supports the body when side sleeping
Cons
Some sleepers may find that it lacks edge support
Above-average price for an all-foam bed
Side Sleepers
Under 130 lbs
8.0/10
130-230 lbs
8.0/10
Above 230 lbs
6.0/10
Back Sleepers
Under 130 lbs
7.5/10
130-230 lbs
7.5/10
Above 230 lbs
7.0/10
Stomach Sleepers
Under 130 lbs
7.0/10
130-230 lbs
6.5/10
Above 230 lbs
6.0/10
Why We Like It
The WinkBeds GravityLux is a 12-inch, all-foam bed that comes in three firmness levels: medium soft (4), medium (5), and firm (7). The bed features a plush quilted cover, Aircell memory foam, a layer of zoned support foam, and a support core of high-density polyfoam.
The all-foam design provides noticeable pressure relief at the hips and shoulders for people who want to sleep on their side to try to reduce acid reflux. Additionally, the choice of three firmness levels allows different kinds of sleepers to find a model with the right level of support. This bed is compatible with an adjustable base and includes design features such as a padded Tencel cover, gel-infused foam, contouring memory foam, and a zoned foam layer to support the hips.
How Does It Feel?
With three firmness levels to choose from, the WinkBeds GravityLux offers good to excellent comfort for a wide range of sleepers. Our sleep testers who weigh under 130 pounds felt that the medium soft (4) and medium (5) models had the ideal level of cushioning for their needs. The firm (7) model provided better support for our testers who weigh over 230 pounds.
Overall, the WinkBed GravityLux provides very good pressure relief that supports spinal alignment for most side sleepers. The bed’s all-foam construction also provides excellent motion isolation, making this a great option for couples.
The Molecule 1 is a reasonably priced, medium firm (6) mattress with three layers of foam that provide impressive pressure relief. Its contouring makes it a good fit for side sleepers, and because it’s compatible with adjustable bases, it offers a variety of options for those with acid reflux who want to try different sleep positions.
Ideal forSide Sleepers
FirmnessMedium Firm (6)
FeelClose-Conforming Foam
ValueGreat Value
Pros
Excellent comfort for side sleepers between 130 and 230 pounds
Memory foam provides significant motion isolation and pressure relief
Produced with variable pressure foam technique to reduce chemical emissions
Cons
May be too plush for stomach sleepers
Close-conforming foams limit movement somewhat
Side Sleepers
Under 130 lbs
7.0/10
130-230 lbs
8.5/10
Above 230 lbs
7.0/10
Back Sleepers
Under 130 lbs
6.5/10
130-230 lbs
8.0/10
Above 230 lbs
6.5/10
Stomach Sleepers
Under 130 lbs
5.0/10
130-230 lbs
6.5/10
Above 230 lbs
5.0/10
Why We Like It
The Molecule 1 is a medium firm (6) all-foam bed with a 12-inch profile. It has a polyester-lycra blend cover designed to wick moisture and stay clean. The top comfort layer is made of memory foam engineered to relieve pressure and improve airflow. Underneath, there’s a layer of zoned memory foam, followed by a thick polyfoam support core.
If you have acid reflux and are looking to upgrade your bed without breaking the bank, the Molecule 1 is an excellent value. The bed’s memory foam top layers facilitate side sleeping, and the Molecule 1 is also compatible with adjustable bed bases.
How Does It Feel?
The Molecule 1 is medium firm (6) with notable but not excessive contouring. We found that the mattress’ memory foam top layers offered above-average motion isolation and pressure relief. Our testers also reported that the zoned foam provided good support around the hips.
This construction creates an ideal balance of cushioning and support for side sleepers who weigh between 130 and 230 pounds. However, some of our testers who weigh over 230 pounds felt that the Molecule 1 was a bit too soft. The all-foam construction may also leave some sleepers feeling less stable around the perimeter of the mattress.
The DreamCloud Classic Hybrid is an affordable hybrid that offers comfort and support to people with acid reflux. The three-layer comfort system offers above-average motion isolation and pressure relief, while the pocketed coil support core enables airflow and generates a slight bounce that makes it easy to move on the bed.
Ideal forCombination Sleepers
FirmnessMedium Firm (6)
FeelCushioned, Supportive Surface
ValueGreat Value
Pros
Hybrid design effectively supports side sleeping
Isolates motion without overheating
Year-long sleep trial and limited lifetime warranty
Cons
Combination sleepers may face some resistance when changing positions
Only available in one firmness option
Side Sleepers
Under 130 lbs
7.0/10
130-230 lbs
8.0/10
Above 230 lbs
6.5/10
Back Sleepers
Under 130 lbs
7.5/10
130-230 lbs
7.0/10
Above 230 lbs
6.0/10
Stomach Sleepers
Under 130 lbs
7.0/10
130-230 lbs
6.0/10
Above 230 lbs
5.0/10
Why We Like It
The DreamCloud Classic Hybrid is a medium firm (6), 12-inch mattress. The bed features a breathable stretch-fabric blend cover, a three-layer foam comfort system, a reinforced pocketed coil support core, and a base layer of dense polyfoam designed to increase stability and support. Its design provides good support for people with acid reflux who are sleeping on their side, and the mattress is also compatible with an adjustable bed base.
How Does It Feel?
The DreamCloud Classic Hybrid relieved pressure points at the hips and shoulders while maintaining healthy spinal alignment for our side sleepers over 130 pounds. However, it was a bit too firm for side sleepers under 130 pounds.
The bed performed better than other hybrids in terms of motion isolation and pressure relief, thanks to its gel-infused memory foam and supportive transitional polyfoam. The pocketed coil support core also helped the bed resist overheating while offering a degree of bounce that prevented our testers from feeling stuck in one position.
The Saatva Solaire is a high-end airbed with an easily adjustable firmness range from soft (3) to firm (8). With a pillow-top cover and latex and memory foam comfort layers, the Solaire delivers versatility, comfort, and support for people with acid reflux.
Ideal forCouples
FirmnessAdjustable - Soft (3) to Firm (8)
FeelConforming Foam and Responsive Latex
ValueGood Value
Pros
Rapidly adjustable firmness from soft (3) to firm (8)
Airbed design sleeps cool while providing essential support
Free in-home installation and old mattress removal
Cons
Returns are assessed a $99 processing fee
Not a good option for budget shoppers
Side Sleepers
Under 130 lbs
7.5/10
130-230 lbs
8.0/10
Above 230 lbs
8.0/10
Back Sleepers
Under 130 lbs
8.0/10
130-230 lbs
8.5/10
Above 230 lbs
8.0/10
Stomach Sleepers
Under 130 lbs
8.0/10
130-230 lbs
8.0/10
Above 230 lbs
8.0/10
Why We Like It
The Saatva Solaire is a 13-inch airbed with a support core featuring rubber air chambers that allow you to adjust the bed’s firmness from soft (3) to firm (8). The pillow-top cover includes zoned quilting for targeted support, and the Talalay latex and gel-infused memory foam in the comfort system provide solid pressure relief.
The Solaire carries a high price tag that reflects its high-quality, durable materials, which include vulcanized rubber, a certified organic cotton cover, and latex certified as sustainable by the Rainforest Alliance.
How Does It Feel?
The Saatva Solaire has the widest range of firmness levels of any bed we tested. Its versatility and ability to work on an adjustable base make it a good fit for people with acid reflux.
Regardless of their weight, our testers who sleep on their side found they could adjust the Saatva Solaire’s firmness to meet their needs. Our testers who are back and stomach sleepers and weigh over 130 pounds also enjoyed the bed’s cushioning and supportive feel.
The air chamber support core resists heat buildup, keeping the surface of the bed cool. The pillow-top, latex, and memory foam in the comfort system help cradle the body and align the spine without hindering movement on the bed.
The Helix Midnight is a hybrid bed that’s ideal for side sleepers between 130 and 230 pounds. The bed’s comfort system, which is made of thick memory foam and polyfoam, provides ample cushioning and pressure relief for those with acid reflux. Combined with a pocketed coil support core, the Helix Midnight’s construction is responsive, yet incredibly quiet.
Ideal forCombination Sleepers
FirmnessMedium Firm (6)
FeelMedium-Firm Balanced Support
ValueGood Value
Pros
Memory foam layer prevents impact at key pressure points
Blends comfort and support for side sleepers between 130 and 230 pounds
Sleeps exceptionally quiet for a hybrid bed
Cons
May not provide enough support for sleepers who weigh over 230 pounds
Hug of memory foam may bother hot sleepers
Side Sleepers
Under 130 lbs
8.0/10
130-230 lbs
9.5/10
Above 230 lbs
8.0/10
Back Sleepers
Under 130 lbs
7.5/10
130-230 lbs
9.0/10
Above 230 lbs
7.5/10
Stomach Sleepers
Under 130 lbs
6.0/10
130-230 lbs
7.5/10
Above 230 lbs
6.0/10
Why We Like It
The Helix Midnight is a hybrid that balances pressure relief and support, providing excellent comfort for most people with acid reflux who want to sleep on their side. The bed is also compatible with an adjustable base, which gives you the option of raising your head to help prevent acid reflux.
How Does It Feel?
The Helix Midnight is a hybrid mattress with a medium firm (6) feel. At 12 inches tall, the bed consists of a top layer of memory foam designed to relieve pressure, a second layer of polyfoam for added comfort, and a thick support core of pocketed coils surrounded by dense polyfoam for extra stability.
The thick memory foam top layer of the Helix Midnight offers moderate contouring and above-average pressure relief. The pocketed coil support core is responsive but stable, and the combination of the foams and coils provides the right balance of contouring and support for side sleepers weighing between 130 and 230 pounds.
While the mattress worked well for most of our side sleepers, those over 230 pounds felt that it was a little more difficult to move on.
Choosing a supportive and comfortable mattress that facilitates side sleeping may bring relief for acid reflux. For stomach and back sleepers, getting a mattress with an adjustable frame to elevate the head of the bed may help decrease acid reflux symptoms.
How Does Your Sleeping Position Affect Acid Reflux?
Your sleeping position affects acid reflux because of how it orients the body parts that make up your digestive system. Some studies have found that sleeping on your left side best inhibits stomach acid from leaking into the esophagus.
When sleeping on your back, it’s relatively easy for acid to flow into the esophagus. Changing your sleep posture by elevating your upper body may help combat acid reflux.
What to Consider in a Mattress for Acid Reflux
To choose a great mattress for acid reflux, your key considerations should include firmness, spinal alignment, and mattress type.
Firmness
Firmness describes how hard or soft a mattress is. We rate firmness using a scale from 1 to 10.
It’s important to pick a firmness level that is comfortable for you and enables a blend of cushioning and support. You want a mattress that’s firm enough to prevent sinkage but not so firm as to generate impact around your joints.
If you’re trying to sleep on your side to prevent acid reflux, you’ll usually need more cushioning. Your body weight is also a factor since it affects how much you push into the mattress.
In contrast, if you are a back or stomach sleeper, you’ll normally need a mattress with a higher firmness level.
Under 130 lbs.
Between 130 and 230 lbs.
Over 230 lbs.
Side Sleepers
Soft (3) to Medium (5)
Medium Soft (4) to Medium (5)
Medium Firm (6) to Firm (7)
Back Sleepers
Soft (3) to Medium (5)
Medium (5) to Firm (7)
Firm (7-8) to Extra Firm (9)
Stomach Sleepers
Medium Soft (4) to Medium Firm (6)
Medium (5) to Firm (7)
Firm (7-8) to Extra Firm (9)
Spinal Alignment
Your mattress should help keep your spine in a neutral position while you sleep. This reduces strain on your back muscles. The right amount of support can allow you to rest comfortably in a position that doesn’t exacerbate acid reflux.
Multiple factors influence spinal alignment, including pressure relief, contouring, firmness, and responsiveness. You should seek out a mattress that has sufficient cushioning for your pressure points while retaining enough sturdiness and pushback to keep you from sinking too far into the bed.
Mattress Type
When shopping for a new mattress, you can choose between all-foam, all-latex, innerspring, and hybrid mattresses, as well as airbeds. The mattress type is determined based on the interior materials, which directly affect feel and performance.
Mattresses that are compatible with adjustable bed frames are popular among people with acid reflux, because these frames make it easy to elevate the head of the bed. Airbeds as well as foam, latex, and hybrid mattresses are usually compatible with adjustable frames and often provide solid cushioning and support.
Foam and memory foam hybrid mattresses may appeal to those adopting a side sleeping position for acid reflux, as these mattresses offer more contouring to cushion pressure points.
Video: How to Choose the Right Mattress
Watch our video to learn more about what to consider in a mattress that will meet your needs.
Tips for Relieving Acid Reflux at Night
While finding a great mattress is one step toward healthier rest, other practical tips can also help to minimize heartburn and sleep better with acid reflux.
Elevate Your Head
Raising the top part of your bed to lift your head and upper torso may help reduce acid reflux. Keeping your body elevated in this way may decrease the amount of stomach acid that enters the esophagus.
An adjustable bed frame provides an easy and effective way to raise part of your bed. If you don’t have an adjustable frame, a wedge pillow or other high-loft pillow placed beneath your head and upper back can work. You can also consider using blocks underneath the legs on the top part of your bed frame.
Stacked pillows are generally not enough to keep your body in an upright position, as they may shift during the night.
Sleep on Your Side
Sleeping on your left side takes advantage of gravity to help keep stomach acid away from your esophagus. If side sleeping doesn’t come naturally to you, you can use one or more pillows, including body pillows, as bolsters to help maintain your sleep posture.
Some people use sleep positioning devices or a shirt with a tennis ball sewn in the front or back to keep them from reverting back to sleeping on their stomach or back.
Adjust Your Eating Habits
What and when you eat can influence acid reflux at night. Some eating tips that may decrease acid reflux symptoms include:
Waiting at least three hours after eating before lying down
Resisting the temptation to eat snacks late in the evening
Eliminating or reducing alcohol consumption at night
Talk to Your Doctor
Frequent acid reflux may be a sign of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which occurs when the bottom part of the esophagus consistently fails to remain closed when it should. There are many potential risk factors for GERD, so it is important to consult with a doctor if your acid reflux is persistent or worsening. A doctor can help determine appropriate testing and treatment.
Discover More Mattress Solutions
Our other buying guides can help you find the best mattresses in many different categories.
The members of our testing team have years of experience in testing sleep products, and they followed an in-depth research and evaluation process to choose the best mattresses for acid reflux.
In our in-house testing lab, we conduct various tests to assess mattress performance. These include objective analysis as well as subjective reports from our team members, who offer diverse perspectives based on their individual preferences, sleep position, and body weight.
After rigorous testing, our team looks at mattress performance across all the key categories to determine which models deserve to be among our top picks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes acid reflux at night?
Although acid reflux is generally less common at night, it may occur due to changes to your body position and digestion during sleep. Reflux happens when acid and other contents from the stomach push up into the bottom part of the esophagus. This may occur more easily when lying down, especially since the speed of digestion can slow down during sleep.
Dietary choices can also influence acid reflux at night. Eating late at night and consuming spicy, fatty, or acidic foods may raise the risk of nighttime acid reflux.
Is a memory foam mattress good for acid reflux?
A memory foam mattress can often be good for acid reflux because it can relieve pressure and enable side sleeping.
Research has found that sleeping on your left side may reduce acid reflux, and a memory foam mattress can deliver pressure relief around the shoulders and hips when in this sleeping position. However, not all memory foam mattresses are created equal, so it’s important to find a model with solid performance and the right firmness level for you.
Does an adjustable bed help with acid reflux?
An adjustable bed can help with acid reflux by making it easy to elevate the upper part of your body. While this may not completely eliminate reflux, it lets gravity work in your favor to reduce the chances of stomach acid leaking into your esophagus and help it clear faster if it does enter the esophagus.
What is the best sleeping position for acid reflux?
Multiple studies have found that sleeping on your left side is the best position to reduce acid reflux. This position keeps the entrance to the esophagus higher than the stomach, impeding stomach contents from rising up into the esophagus.
How can you prevent acid reflux during sleep?
Several strategies can help limit acid reflux during sleep. These include raising the head of your bed and sleeping on your left side. Dietary changes, such as not eating too close to bedtime and avoiding acidic and spicy foods, may also decrease the risk of having acid reflux at night. To further minimize your risk of acid reflux, your doctor may recommend quitting smoking and losing weight if you are overweight. They can also prescribe medication to relieve symptoms.
What is the difference between acid reflux and GERD?
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is diagnosed when recurrent reflux episodes start to cause more serious symptoms, such as damage to the esophagus. Everyone with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has acid reflux, but not everyone with acid reflux has GERD. Occasional or mild instances of acid reflux are not GERD. A person is only considered to have GERD if they have acid reflux that is severe or persists over an extended period of time.
Alison is a health writer with ample experience reading and interpreting academic, peer-reviewed research. Based in San Diego, she is published in the journal PLOS Genetics and the Journal of Biological Chemistry and has been a copywriter for SmartBug media. With a master’s degree in biochemistry from the University of California, Davis, she has nearly a decade of academic research experience in life sciences. She enjoys helping people cut through the noise to understand the bigger picture about sleep and health. Alison likes to stay active with rock climbing, hiking, and walking her dog.
