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The Best Mattress for Lightweight Sleepers
Our Top Picks
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Best Overall Mattress
Helix Midnight Luxe -
Most Comfortable Mattress
Nolah Original 10 -
Best Value Mattress
Brooklyn Bedding CopperFlex Memory Foam -
Best Mattress for Back Pain
Bear Elite Hybrid -
Best Mattress for Side Sleepers
Layla Memory Foam Mattress -
Best Mattress for Pressure Relief
Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid
Best Overall Mattress
The Helix Midnight Luxe offers a plush, adaptive surface and zoned support to meet the needs of lightweight sleepers across different position groups. Upgrades are available to make the mattress plusher and more breathable.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Cushy Euro-top surface with plush foam layers
- Zoned coils provide targeted support for the torso and hips
- Three cooling cover options
Cons
- Foam may hinder movement on the surface
- On the expensive side for a foam hybrid
Ratings
Our Take
Most Comfortable Mattress
The Nolah Original 10 excels at relieving pressure and providing the right level of support for sleepers who weigh under 130 pounds. The multiple layers of plush foam also isolate motion well for couples sharing a bed.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Ample pressure relief for back and side sleepers under 130 pounds
- Relatively good edge support for an all-foam mattress
- All-foam construction isolates motion well
Cons
- Prone to off-gassing after unboxing
- Doesn’t offer enough support for co-sleepers over 230 pounds
Ratings
Our Take
Best Value Mattress
Lightweight sleepers should feel quite comfortable on the Brooklyn Bedding CopperFlex Memory Foam, which conforms closely to cradle the body and alleviate pain and pressure points. A zoned transitional layer also makes the mattress suitable for many people in the range of 130 to 230 pounds.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Six-layer foam construction excels at pressure relief and motion isolation
- Zoned transitional foam provides extra support beneath your midsection
- Approachable pricing compared to the average memory foam mattress
Cons
- Initial off-gassing odor can linger for a few days
- Lacking in support for most back and stomach sleepers over 230 pounds
Ratings
Our Take
Best Mattress for Back Pain
The Bear Elite Hybrid alleviates shoulder, lower back, and hip pain with an adaptive surface and multi-zone support system. You can choose from three firmness levels, and our testing shows that the best design for you depends on which sleep position you prefer.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Adaptive memory foam provides deep cushioning
- Zoned support system keeps your body on an even plane
- Three firmness options
Cons
- Surface may sink when you move on the mattress
- Strong off-gassing odor can persist for a few nights after unboxing
Ratings
Our Take
Best Mattress for Side Sleepers
The Layla Memory Foam Mattress’ plush, deeply contouring memory foam offers very good pressure relief for lightweight side sleepers. The clever, flippable design with two firmness levels also makes this a versatile choice for sleepers who want more options or who may need to adjust the firmness level in the future.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Flippable design with two sleep surfaces: medium soft (4) and firm (7)
- Softer side has deep pressure relief that works well for side sleepers
- Zoned transitional layer on soft side offers targeted support
Cons
- Flipping between sides may require more than one person to move the bed
- Edges sink considerably under weight
- The soft side’s deep contouring can make it more difficult to change positions
Ratings
Our Take
Best Mattress for Pressure Relief
The Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid offers versatile comfort for lightweight sleepers. With three firmness options, this bed is comfortable for back, side, and stomach sleepers alike. The hybrid design has substantial pressure relief without sacrificing ease of movement, and the bed’s pocketed coils impart a slight bounce and plenty of support.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Medium soft (4) and medium firm (6) models provide top-notch support for people under 130 pounds
- Quilted top and foam comfort system cushion pressure points
- Coil system strengthens the edges and helps keep a neutral sleep temperature
Cons
- Performance varies significantly between firmness levels
- Firm option does have enough cushioning for lighter individuals
- Sensitive sleepers may wake to their partner’s movements
Ratings
Our Take
Compare Our Top Picks
| Mattress | Mattress Type | Ideal For | Value | Sleep Trial |
| Helix Midnight Luxe | Hybrid | Combination Sleepers | Good Value | 100 nights (30-night requirement) |
| Nolah Original 10 | Foam | Couples | Good Value | 120 nights (30-night requirement) |
| Brooklyn Bedding CopperFlex Memory Foam | Foam | Side and Back Sleepers | Great Value | 120 nights (30-night requirement) |
| Bear Elite Hybrid | Hybrid | People With Back Pain | Good Value | 120 nights (30-night break-in period) |
| Layla Memory Foam Mattress | Foam | People With Sharp Pressure Points | Great Value | 120 nights |
| Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid | Hybrid | Couples | Great Value | 120 nights (30-night requirement) |
Through our research and testing, we’ve found that sleepers under 130 pounds generally prefer softer mattresses. A large part of this is connected to a person’s build – the more a person weighs, the more they press into a mattress, and the softer the mattress will feel to them. Your personal preferences will factor in somewhat, but we recommend that sleepers under 130 pounds look for mattresses in the soft (3) to medium firm (6) range, at the firmest.
Weight disclaimer
Please note: For the purposes of this page, we are referring to individuals who weigh 130 pounds or less. Although we use the terms “light” or “lightweight” for brevity and convenience, we do not use weight categories such as “average” or “overweight,” as they can be misleading and dependent on the individual.
We use weight categories as a practical standard of size when discussing how mattresses interact with sleepers’ bodies. We have found that individuals who weigh under than 130 pounds generally have similar needs for a mattress in terms of firmness, thickness, and other factors, with small indivi.dual variations
What Is the Best Mattress Firmness for Lightweight Sleepers?
We measure firmness using a scale that goes from 1 to 10. Softer mattresses are assigned lower numbers, while firmer models get higher numbers. Your favorite sleeping position, weight, and preferences all play a role in what kind of firmness level is most supportive and comfortable, whether that’s firm vs. soft.
Sleepers under 130 pounds typically prefer softer mattresses than people who weigh more, because they don’t compress the mattress as deeply. Firm mattresses can cause lightweight sleepers to develop pressure points.
However, it’s not as simple as choosing the softest mattress available. Sleeping position is a critical factor. Stomach, back, and side sleepers each prefer distinct firmness levels because their weight spreads out differently across the mattress.
When sleeping on your side, the mattress should flex to allow your hips and shoulders to sink in slightly, while supporting the natural curve of the lower back. For back sleepers, a slightly firmer surface is needed to keep the spine on an even plane, but you still want some contouring in the lumbar area.
Although people under 130 pounds tend to stay mostly on top of the mattress as opposed to sinking in, we still recommend a firmer bed for stomach sleepers to prevent excessive sinkage in the midsection that can pull the spine into an unnatural curve.
How to Choose a Mattress for Lightweight Sleepers
Firmness is only one of the factors you should consider when choosing the best mattress. Knowing the mattress type and how it rates on various performance metrics can also give you an idea of how it will feel.
Mattress Type
Most mattresses are classified as one of five types: foam, latex, hybrid, innerspring, or airbed. Each mattress type has its own pros and cons.
Foam: Foam mattresses have a comfort system and a support core made entirely from polyfoam, memory foam, or both. They usually relieve pressure points well, which lightweight sleepers often appreciate.
Hybrid: Hybrid mattresses have a support core made from pocketed coils, which lend bounce and airflow. The comfort system can contain foam, latex, micro-coils, or other materials.
Latex: Latex is a naturally resilient material that’s breathable and easy to move on. However, while softer models exist, latex doesn’t tend to offer the close-conforming hug of memory foam.
Airbed: An airbed has adjustable firmness levels, thanks to its air-filled support core. You can change the feel instantly using a remote or app. Despite their high price tag, airbeds may be worthwhile for lightweight people who sleep with a larger partner, as each person can control their own side of the bed.
Many mattresses come in split options like split king or split queen, which can be helpful for those under 130 pounds if they share a bed with someone above that weight range. Choosing a split bed allows both partners to enjoy their ideal firmness level.
Spinal Alignment
Ideally, your mattress should keep your spine on an even plane from your neck to your lower back. Firmness level, mattress structure, contouring, body weight, and sleeping position all impact how supported your spine feels while you sleep.
While lightweight sleepers generally don’t require as much structure, it’s still important to have enough support to prevent the spine from curving. For example, stomach sleepers who use a mattress that’s too soft can sink in around the weight-bearing midsection, so it’s important to have a supportive core that pushes back. On the other hand, side and back sleepers may require more contouring to accommodate the shape of the spine.
Responsiveness
A responsive mattress is quick to regain its original shape when pressure is lifted,giving you the feeling that you’re sleeping “on” instead of “in” your bed. If you want to be able to switch sleeping positions easily or if you have limited mobility, you may prefer a responsive mattress over a closer-conforming model. Hybrid, innerspring, and latex beds tend to be more responsive than foam mattresses.
Motion Isolation
Motion-isolating mattresses prevent movement from transferring from one side of the bed to the other. People who easily wake from their partner’s shifting may appreciate sleeping on a mattress that isolates motion well. All-foam mattresses generally score highly during our motion isolation tests.
Breathability
Airflow is important to consider when choosing a mattress, especially if you’re a hot sleeper. Materials like dense memory foam don’t allow air to flow well, which can translate to a warm sleep surface. If you like the feel of memory foam but run hot, look for a mattress with cooling technology like open-cell foam, phase change material, or gel infusions.
Innerspring, hybrid, and latex mattresses usually regulate temperature effectively because air flows through their materials instead of getting trapped within them.
Video: How to Choose the Best Bed for You
Watch our video as our sleep experts walk through everything you need to know to choose the perfect mattress for your needs.
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How We Test
Our testing team has nearly a decade of experience with over 1,000 mattresses tested. Our sleep lab methodology is thorough and unbiased. We test every mattress for critical features like pressure relief, support, and motion isolation – three factors that are often important to people under 130 pounds.
To find the best mattresses for lightweight sleepers, we chose mattresses that scored highly with the lightweight sleepers on our team and made sure to include rankings from stomach, back, and side sleepers.
Frequently Asked Questions
The best mattress for lightweight sleepers is one that supports the spine while cushioning potential pressure points. While lightweight sleepers can find suitable models in all mattress types, conforming materials like memory foam and latex are popular for this weight group as they help cushion joints and sore spots.
Because they don’t compress their mattress as deeply as people with more weight, lightweight sleepers often prefer softer mattresses than people who weigh over 130 pounds. Depending on their preferred sleep position, lightweight sleepers typically favor mattresses with firmness levels between soft (3) and medium firm (6) because models in this range promote spinal alignment without feeling uncomfortably hard.
There is no one-size-fits-all best mattress type for lightweight sleepers. Foam, latex, hybrid, innerspring, and airbed mattresses can all be suitable options for people under 130 pounds. Foam is better for those who want motion isolation and pressure relief, while hybrids, latex, and innerspring beds are ideal choices for hot sleepers and people who like a responsive feel. If you’re looking for adjustable firmness and have a large budget, you may be interested in an airbed.
Lightweight sleepers who share a bed with a heavier partner may find a split king mattress or airbed beneficial. Split kings and split queens allow each partner to choose a firmness level that suits their individual needs. With an airbed, you and your partner can each adjust your respective side of the bed to the right feel and firmness. Alternatively, using a mattress topper on your side of the bed is a cost-effective way to get a customized feel.
