Best Mattress for Acid Reflux

The right mattress can greatly improve symptoms associated with acid reflux and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Both conditions cause stomach acid to flow into the esophagus, causing irritation and pain. Symptoms usually grow worse after lying down, making it difficult for sufferers to fall asleep.

Fortunately, many individuals are able to reduce their discomfort by sleeping on their sides and changing their style of bedding. Along with an adjustable bed, people with acid reflux typically benefit from using a mattress designed for side sleepers. These mattresses provide extra cushioning at pressure points like the hips and shoulders.

Wondering what type of mattress is best for acid reflux pain? Keep reading for a list of our top picks, what to look for in a mattress, and advice on choosing the best mattress for acid reflux.

Dive Deeper – In-Depth Mattress Guides

For more help deciding which mattress is right for you, take a look at our detailed shopping guides broken down by mattresses for particular uses.

How to Choose a Mattress for Acid Reflux

With so many models on the market today, choosing the best mattress for acid reflux can be a daunting task. This section explores some of the most important features to consider when you’re shopping for a mattress to help with acid reflux. Read on to learn how variables like firmness level, contouring, and pressure relief play a part in nighttime reflux relief.

What to Look for in a Mattress

While some mattress companies rely on gimmicks or deceptive language to drum up business, it’s easy to cut through the hype by focusing on a few key factors. By prioritizing the following aspects in a mattress, you’re more likely to purchase a quality product that meets your needs.

• Price: While a good mattress typically represents a significant financial investment, nearly everyone must stick to a certain budget or spending limit. Keep in mind, the most expensive mattress isn’t always the best, and it is possible to find a cheap mattress that provides excellent results. The free shipping offered by several online retailers who ship their mattress in a box will help keeps overall costs down as well.
• Quality Materials: Nobody wants to replace their mattress only a year or two after buying it. Mattresses made with quality materials are more durable, perform better, and are less likely to need replacement before their warranty is up.
• Firmness Level: Firmness is one of the most important features to consider while mattress shopping. Although preferences vary considerably between individuals, certain body types tend to benefit more from certain firmness levels. Firmer mattresses generally offer more support, while softer models provide greater contouring.
• Pressure Relief: Firm, supportive mattresses usually offer the most pressure relief. The best mattress for back pain and acid reflux promotes better spinal alignment and provides targeted support at the hips and shoulders.
• Edge Support: Mattresses with a reinforced perimeter offer greater edge support and a larger usable sleep area. Strong edge support also prevents sleepers from rolling off the edge of the bed.
• Contouring: This term refers to a mattress’ body-conforming properties. The right amount of contouring cradles pressure points while preventing the sleeper from sinking into the mattress’ support layer. Generally, all-foam mattresses offer more contouring than hybrid or innerspring models.
• Temperature Regulation: Individuals who tend to sleep hot often prioritize temperature regulation, seeking out mattresses like hybrid models, which provide greater breathability than all-foam versions. Many mattresses also use special fabrics and fillers, such as copper or gel, to create a cooler sleep surface.
• Ease of Movement: This factor is especially important for couples, and for individuals seeking a mattress to use with an adjustable bed frame. Mattresses with more bounce typically allow for greater ease of movement, while sleepers tend to sink into contouring foam surfaces. In contrast, coil-based models provide more bounce.
• Mattress Type: Most mattresses fall into one of several categories, which are based on construction, materials, and function. Each mattress type comes with certain benefits and drawbacks, which we shall explore further below.

What Type of Mattress is Best for Preventing Acid Reflux?

Most mattresses currently on the market fall into one of the following categories. While mattresses within each category tend to display many of the same features, it’s important to remember that no two models or brands are alike. Every mattress includes slightly different materials, construction, and features. Let’s see what each type of mattress has to offer.

Hybrid

Definition: Hybrid mattresses combine the best features of innerspring and all-foam mattresses and features fewer of the drawbacks of each type. They consist of a pocketed coil-based support core topped by a multilayered comfort system. The comfort system may feature latex, memory foam, or a combination of the two.

Highlight: Ideal for side sleepers, hybrids typically offer more contouring and pressure point relief than innerspring models while providing more support than the average all-foam mattress. They also tend to sleep cool, thanks to a pocketed coil system that absorbs and disperses body heat.

Innerspring

Definition: Once the most common type of mattress on the market, innersprings feature a coil-based core and a fabric cover, with little or no comfort or transitional system. They are often more difficult to ship than other types. With more comfortable options available today, very few companies continue to produce innerspring mattresses.

Highlight: When available, innersprings tend to be among the least expensive options.

Latex

Definition: These models are made entirely from natural or synthetic latex rubber, or a mixture of the two. Natural latex is derived from rubber tree sap and processed using either the Talalay or Dunlap methods. Talalay latex typically creates a lighter and softer mattress, while Dunlap latex tends to be firmer and more durable.

Highlight: Latex’s moderate contouring cushions side sleepers’ pressure points without too much give or sink.

Airbed

Definition: Instead of coils, latex, or foam, an airbed’s support core consists of multiple air-filled chambers, which may be filled or deflated to the sleeper’s liking with a built-in pump. The pump is often controlled by a smartphone app or remote control. These fully adjustable mattresses may also contain materials like foam or latex.

Highlight: Airbeds allow users to customize their sleep experience, targeting key areas for acid reflux sufferers like the upper body. Sleepers can adjust the mattress to suit ever-changing preferences and pain levels without disturbing their partner.

Foam

Definition: These mattresses feature multiple layers and types of foam, such as memory foam and gel-infused foam. Instead of pocketed coils, they rely on a strong polyfoam core for support.

Highlight: Memory foam offers deep contouring and soothing pressure relief, making all-foam models great for side sleepers. While these mattresses tend to offer less support than hybrid or innerspring models, their flexibility makes them ideal for use with adjustable bed frames.

How Does Acid Reflux Affect Sleep?

Also known as GERD, acid reflux is a chronic condition that can have a dramatic impact on sleep quality. The condition may also lead to disorders such as sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, and chronic insomnia. When patients with acid reflux sleep or lie down, stomach acid flows up into the esophagus, causing heartburn, regurgitation, and coughing fits. Over time, untreated reflux may increase the risk of developing ulcers, long-term complications, and even certain cancers.

While a variety of over-the-counter and prescription medications exist to treat acid reflux, most sufferers find that they need to make lifestyle changes to find relief from their condition. Because symptoms often worsen at night, many individuals with acid reflux must learn to sleep in a different position. Often, they must also purchase a new mattress and/or bed frame specifically designed to help alleviate their symptoms.

Back and stomach sleeping may aggravate reflux, and doctors often recommend that individuals with GERD sleep on their sides. In addition, sufferers often benefit from sleeping with their heads slightly elevated, or about six inches. This prevents stomach acid from flowing back up the esophagus. For this reason, GERD patients often use adjustable bed frames, which allow sleepers to switch between prone and upright positions. Adjustable beds may also help with related issues, like snoring and sleep apnea.

With or without an adjustable base, the wrong mattress type or model can make acid reflux worse in the long run or lead to other complications. For example, an overly firm mattress may cause back pain in side sleepers, especially those under 130 pounds, while deep contouring all-foam models might not support heavier sleepers enough to prevent reflux. In addition, some thicker or denser mattresses may not work well with adjustable beds.

How Does Sleeping Position Affect Acid Reflux?

Your sleeping position can relieve or worsen acid reflux symptoms, snoring, and back pain. Generally, people with GERD and acid reflux are encouraged to sleep on their left sides. Wondering why? Keep reading to find out how sleeping position can affect acid reflux and trigger other types of pain.

Back Sleepers

Back sleeping is generally the worst position for individuals with acid reflux and GERD, and sufferers who sleep on their backs tend to struggle with worse and more prolonged symptoms. Sleeping on one’s back allows acid to freely move up from the stomach and into the esophagus, where it can linger for extended periods of time, damaging the esophageal lining. The position is particularly dangerous for individuals with excess abdominal fat, as the additional weight on the stomach may push acid up the esophagus with stronger force.

Side Sleepers

While side sleeping can be hard on the hips and shoulders, it’s also the best position for acid reflux and spinal alignment. Exactly which side you sleep on, however, can make a big difference in symptom reduction.

Experts usually suggest that sufferers sleep on their left side, which positions the stomach directly below the esophagus and makes it more difficult for acid to flow upward. Thanks to gravity, any stomach acid that does enter the esophagus can quickly flow backward without causing any lasting damage.

In contrast, lying on the right side places the stomach at an angle, allowing the stomach to leak acid directly into the esophagus. In this position, leaked acid tends to linger in the throat for extended periods of time, worsening symptoms and potentially leading to complications.

Stomach Sleepers

Like back sleeping, stomach sleeping creates prime conditions for severe GERD and acid reflux. The position permits acid to flow freely up the esophagus, without the aid of gravity to force it back down. In this position, stomach acid lingers in the food pipe much longer than usual, exacerbating symptoms.

Many stomach sleepers also struggle with back pain. Sleeping on the stomach places most weight on the center of the body, causing pressure to build along the spine, neck, and lower back. This pressure, in turn, can lead to tingling or numbness in the extremities and other parts of the body. Over time, stomach sleeping may also cause neck pain, or even herniated discs.

Combination Sleepers

As we’ve seen, some sleeping positions combat acid reflux better than others. While most experts would advise against sufferers sleeping on their stomachs or backs, there are some benefits to changing positions frequently throughout the night. Because they rarely allow pressure to build up at one point or another, combination sleepers often avoid some of the musculoskeletal issues associated with stomach or back sleeping, like back and neck pain. Changing positions may also improve circulation issues.

Last Things to Consider with a Mattress for Acid Reflux

Ready to go mattress shopping? Here are just a few more things to consider before you make a final purchase.