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Best Mattress for Light Sleepers (2024), Expert Tested

Light sleepers can have a difficult time sleeping through the night. A partner stirring or getting up to go to the bathroom can wake them from a deep slumber, leaving them to a potentially challenging task of falling back to sleep again. But before you kick your partner out of bed or don a pair of noise-canceling headphones, you might be able to improve how soundly you sleep just by getting a new bed!

In this article, we share our great mattress options for light sleepers and our top recommendations for people who wake up to the slightest noise or disturbance.

Best Mattresses for Light Sleepers

Our Video Review of Best Beds for Light Sleepers

Compare the Best Beds for Light Sleepers

Helix Midnight Mattress Nectar Premier Mattress DreamCloud Premier Memory Foam WinkBed Mattress Helix Dawn Mattress Nolah Evolution Hybrid Mattress Bear Star Hybrid Mattress Brooklyn Bedding Essential
Helix Midnight Mattress Nectar Premier Mattress DreamCloud Premier Memory Foam WinkBed Mattress Helix Dawn Mattress Nolah Evolution Hybrid Mattress Bear Star Hybrid Mattress Brooklyn Bedding Essential
Rating
4.5
4.4
4.1
4.6
4.5
4.8
4.7
3.7
Firmness Medium-firm: 6/10 Medium-firm: 6/10 Medium: 5.5/10 Multiple firmness options Firm: 7.5/10 Multiple firmness options Medium-firm: 6/10
Material Hybrid Foam Foam Hybrid Hybrid Hybrid Hybrid Hybrid
Cooling
Warranty 10-year warranty Lifetime warranty Forever Warranty Lifetime warranty 10-year warranty Lifetime warranty Lifetime warranty 10-year warranty
Shipping Free shipping Free shipping Free shipping minus HI and AK Free shipping Free shipping Free shipping Free shipping Free shipping
Trial Period 100 nights 365 nights 365 nights 120 nights 100 nights 120 nights 120 nights 120 nights
Best For Couples, Back Sleepers, Side Sleepers Side Sleepers, Back Sleepers, Hip Pain, Back Pain, Stomach Sleepers Couples, Side Sleepers, Back Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers Back Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers, Back Pain, Hot Sleepers, Side Sleepers, Hip Pain, Seniors Back Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers, Couples Side Sleepers, Back Sleepers, Hip Pain, Seniors Joint Pain, Side Sleepers, Back Sleepers, Hot Sleepers Back Sleepers, Side Sleepers, Hot Sleepers

Sleep Advisor’s Testing Methodology

At Sleep Advisor, our mattress reviews are based on findings from in-person tests that give us a genuine understanding of how the mattress feels and performs.

We then take all the information we’ve gathered to rate the bed in specific categories. These results allow us to help our readers find the right mattress for their needs.

When it comes to mattresses for light sleepers, we honed in on performance features and qualities that are especially important for light sleepers and would create a bed space that leaves them less likely to wake up during the night.

Methodology Image- Sleep Advisor
Our product tester, Julia Forbes, does hands-on mattress testing.

What We Look for in a Mattress for Light Sleepers

Motion Isolation

Motion isolation is the bed’s ability to confine motion so that it doesn’t transfer from one side of the bed to the other. This is great if your partner is a restless sleeper since it reduces the chances of their tossing and turning waking you up. 

The beds that made our list prioritize this through either an all-foam structure or if it’s a hybrid, a combination of foam and pocketed coils. You’ll find a lot of beds on this list contain memory foam, which absorbs movement well. We also made sure these beds excelled at this during our motion isolation tests; the beds on this list have either a 4 or 5 motion isolation score from our testers.

Overall Comfort

A comfy bed can certainly keep you sleeping soundly. While we all have our own comfort preferences, from our experience, comfortable beds generally have that ideal balance of both cozy pressure relief and good overall body support. These give just enough sinkage to contour the curves, but they won’t let you sink so much that it messes with your spine alignment.

With this in mind, each bed that made the cut has a 4 or 5 rating in both categories. 

Medium Firmness

Going back to pressure relief and support, we typically find that beds with a medium firmness do the best at providing both support and pressure relief for most people. Our testers rate mattress firmness on a scale of 1 to 10, and a bed with a medium firmness would be between a 5 and 6.5 out of 10. All the beds on our list have firmness ratings within this range.

Best Beds for Light Sleepers Reviews

Helix Midnight Editor’s Pick

Editor’s Pick

Helix Midnight Mattress

Helix Midnight Mattress

Part of Helix’s core line of mattresses, the Midnight has a hybrid construction that’s particularly suited to back and side sleepers.

Score 4.1/5
Read Helix Midnight Mattress Review
CHECK PRICE
SA Brand Icon MattressMaterial

Material

Hybrid

SA Brand Icon PropertyTrialPeriod

Trial Period

100 nights

SA Brand Icon PropertyShipping

Shipping Method

Free shipping

SA Brand Icon PropertyFirmness

Firmness

Medium-firm: 6/10

SA Brand Icon MattressWarranty

Warranty

10-year warranty

SA Brand Icon PropertyPrice

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

SA sleeper type couples
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.
SA sleeper type back sleepers
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
SA sleeper type side sleepers
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.5/5
Watch Our Video Review
Editor’s Pick

Helix Midnight Mattress

Helix Midnight Mattress

Part of Helix’s core line of mattresses, the Midnight has a hybrid construction that’s particularly suited to back and side sleepers.

Score 4.1/5
Read Helix Midnight Mattress Review
SA Brand Icon MattressMaterial

Material

Hybrid

SA Brand Icon MattressWarranty

Warranty

10-year warranty

SA Brand Icon PropertyFirmness

Firmness

Medium-firm: 6/10

SA Brand Icon PropertyShipping

Shipping Method

Free shipping

SA Brand Icon PropertyTrialPeriod

Trial Period

100 nights

SA Brand Icon PropertyPrice

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

SA sleeper type couples
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.
SA sleeper type back sleepers
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
SA sleeper type side sleepers
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.5/5
Watch Our Video Review
Helix Midnight Mattress
Editor’s Pick

Helix Midnight Mattress

Part of Helix’s core line of mattresses, the Midnight has a hybrid construction that’s particularly suited to back and side sleepers.

Score 4.1/5
Read Helix Midnight Mattress Review
SA Brand Icon MattressMaterial

Material

Hybrid

SA Brand Icon PropertyFirmness

Firmness

Medium-firm: 6/10

SA Brand Icon PropertyTrialPeriod

Trial Period

100 nights

SA Brand Icon MattressWarranty

Warranty

10-year warranty

SA Brand Icon PropertyShipping

Shipping Method

Free shipping

SA Brand Icon PropertyPrice

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

SA sleeper type couples
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.
SA sleeper type back sleepers
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
SA sleeper type side sleepers
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.5/5
Watch Our Video Review

The Midnight, a popular hybrid mattress from Helix, contains different features that should help people who easily wake up for various reasons.

The Helix Midnight got perfect scores from our tester, Loren, for both pressure relief and support, which means it should provide optimal comfort for those struggling to sleep. Helix also aims to limit motion transfer from the coils by individually wrapping them, allowing them to move independently of one another. This is further supported by the memory foam layer, a great material for absorbing motion. 

Helix Midnight Interior

Based on these qualities, including an overall medium-firm feel, the Helix Midnight scored our top spot.

What’s Inside the Helix Midnight?
  • Layer 1 – Top Cover. The standard one included is a soft-touch cover, but you can also upgrade to a GlacioTex™ cooling cover if you’re a hot sleeper.
  • Layer 2 – Memory Foam Plus. This is Helix’s proprietary foam created for enhanced pressure relief to the most sensitive areas, which are the hips and shoulders. 
  • Layers 3 and 4 – Helix Responsive Foam. These act as transition layers above the coils, enhancing support and responsiveness.
  • Layer 5 – Coils. The Helix Midnight has up to 1,000 individually wrapped coils that move separately to support your body while preventing too much motion transfer.
  • Layer 6 – DuraDense Foam. This acts as the base layer. It’s thick and durable to support the layers above.

Our Take: “Offers the perfect balanced medium feel—not too soft; not too firm. There is definitely a sense of overall support.” – Loren Bullock, Sleep Advisor Mattress Tester

Pros
Medium-firm feel – The Helix Midnight has a medium-firm feel, which is usually the ideal comfort level for most sleepers.
Excellent motion isolation – We found this bed to have amazing motion isolation, which is a must for light sleepers.
Cons
Not firm enough for some – Exclusive stomach sleepers or heavier people may prefer something firmer for better rest.
Lacking edge support – Edge support is a little disappointing with this bed, so we wouldn’t suggest lying too close to the perimeter.

Customer Reviews of the Helix Midnight

The Helix Midnight rates 4.5 stars out of 5 on Helix’s website and over 7,000 reviews. The main negative is that reviewers tend to find it too soft for their liking and feel as though they’re sinking. But overall, users say they’re getting a great night’s sleep and some pain relief.

Want to read more? Check out our full Helix Midnight review.

Nectar Premier – Best Memory Foam Mattress for Light Sleepers

Best Memory Foam Mattress for Light Sleepers

Nectar Premier Mattress

Nectar Premier Memory Foam

Nectar Premier is a remarkably comfortable mattress at a reasonable price point. We think it’s an excellent buy for side sleepers and couples looking to stay cool through warm nights.

Score 4.4/5
Read Nectar Premier Mattress Review
CHECK PRICE
SA Brand Icon MattressMaterial

Material

Foam

SA Brand Icon PropertyTrialPeriod

Trial Period

365 nights

SA Brand Icon PropertyShipping

Shipping Method

Free shipping

SA Brand Icon PropertyFirmness

Firmness

Medium-firm: 6/10

SA Brand Icon MattressWarranty

Warranty

Lifetime warranty

SA Brand Icon PropertyPrice

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

SA sleeper type hip pain
Hip Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from hip pain.
SA sleeper type back pain
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
SA sleeper type back sleepers
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
SA sleeper type side sleepers
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.
SA sleeper type stomach sleepers
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.4/5
Watch Our Video Review
Best Memory Foam Mattress for Light Sleepers

Nectar Premier Mattress

Nectar Premier Memory Foam

Nectar Premier is a remarkably comfortable mattress at a reasonable price point. We think it’s an excellent buy for side sleepers and couples looking to stay cool through warm nights.

Score 4.4/5
Read Nectar Premier Mattress Review
SA Brand Icon MattressMaterial

Material

Foam

SA Brand Icon MattressWarranty

Warranty

Lifetime warranty

SA Brand Icon PropertyFirmness

Firmness

Medium-firm: 6/10

SA Brand Icon PropertyShipping

Shipping Method

Free shipping

SA Brand Icon PropertyTrialPeriod

Trial Period

365 nights

SA Brand Icon PropertyPrice

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

SA sleeper type hip pain
Hip Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from hip pain.
SA sleeper type back pain
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
SA sleeper type back sleepers
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
SA sleeper type side sleepers
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.
SA sleeper type stomach sleepers
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.4/5
Watch Our Video Review
Nectar Premier Memory Foam
Best Memory Foam Mattress for Light Sleepers

Nectar Premier Mattress

Nectar Premier is a remarkably comfortable mattress at a reasonable price point. We think it’s an excellent buy for side sleepers and couples looking to stay cool through warm nights.

Score 4.4/5
Read Nectar Premier Mattress Review
SA Brand Icon MattressMaterial

Material

Foam

SA Brand Icon PropertyFirmness

Firmness

Medium-firm: 6/10

SA Brand Icon PropertyTrialPeriod

Trial Period

365 nights

SA Brand Icon MattressWarranty

Warranty

Lifetime warranty

SA Brand Icon PropertyShipping

Shipping Method

Free shipping

SA Brand Icon PropertyPrice

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

SA sleeper type hip pain
Hip Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from hip pain.
SA sleeper type back pain
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
SA sleeper type back sleepers
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
SA sleeper type side sleepers
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.
SA sleeper type stomach sleepers
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.4/5
Watch Our Video Review

Memory foam is one of the most effective materials for dampening motion, so if you have a partner whose movements keep you up at night, consider an all-foam bed like the Nectar Premier. In fact, the Premier earned an impressive perfect score from our tester, Julia, during her motion isolation tests.

The Premier is designed to cradle the body and support critical areas like the shoulders, hips, legs, and lower back, all of which can help provide overall comfort.

Nectar Premier Mattress Construction
What’s Inside the Nectar Premier?
  • Layer 1 Cooling Cover. This one is cool to the touch and has antimicrobial treatments, which is always a plus. 
  • Layer 2Therapeutic Memory Foam. This 2-inch layer won’t let you sink too much but just enough for pressure relief around the neck, back, shoulders, and hips.
  • Layer 3Dynamic Response Layer. This 3-inch layer enhances back support to keep the spine straight in different sleeping positions. 
  • Layer 4Active Support Stability Base Layer. It has 8 inches of conventional foam, which is probably what makes the Nectar Premier so good at motion isolation. 
  • Layer 5 Shift-Resistant Cover. This is to prevent the layers from sliding on top of each other. 

Our Take: “Motion isolation was on point, which makes sense as the memory foam absorbs the feeling of motion.” – Julia Forbes, Sleep Advisor Mattress Tester

Pros
Excellent trial and warranty – Nectar offers a 365-night sleep trial and a “Forever” warranty.
Affordable – Sales can bring down the price of a queen Nectar Premier below $1,000.
Cons
Not the best cooling – Although it has a cooling cover, Julia wasn’t very impressed with Nectar’s overall cooling abilities.
Not for stomach sleepers – The Nectar Premier mattress didn’t wow us with its support and spine alignment capabilities when we tested it for stomach sleepers, especially those over 130 pounds.

Customer Reviews of the Nectar Premier

Over 5,600 reviewers on Nectar’s site have given the Nectar Premier an overall 4.6 out of 5 stars. Customers appreciate the Nectar Premier mattress for its outstanding value, but some have noted a bit of off-gassing odor upon setup as a potential drawback.

Interested in exploring further? Visit our in-depth Nectar Premier review or our picks for the best memory foam mattress.

DreamCloud Premier Memory Foam – Best Luxury Mattress for Light Sleepers

Best Luxury Mattress for Light Sleepers

DreamCloud Premier Memory Foam

DreamCloud Premier Memory Foam Mattress product image

The DreamCloud Premier Memory foam mattress offers luxury pressure point relief at an affordable price.

Score 4.1/5
Read DreamCloud Premier Memory Foam Review
CHECK PRICE
SA Brand Icon MattressMaterial

Material

Foam

SA Brand Icon PropertyTrialPeriod

Trial Period

365 nights

SA Brand Icon PropertyShipping

Shipping Method

Free shipping minus HI and AK

SA Brand Icon PropertyFirmness

Firmness

Medium: 5.5/10

SA Brand Icon MattressWarranty

Warranty

Forever Warranty

SA Brand Icon PropertyPrice

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

SA sleeper type couples
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.
SA sleeper type back sleepers
Back Sleeping
Ideal for average weight back sleepers.
SA sleeper type side sleepers
Side Sleeping
Ideal for average weight side sleepers.
SA sleeper type stomach sleepers
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for average weight stomach sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.1/5
Best Luxury Mattress for Light Sleepers

DreamCloud Premier Memory Foam

DreamCloud Premier Memory Foam Mattress product image

The DreamCloud Premier Memory foam mattress offers luxury pressure point relief at an affordable price.

Score 4.1/5
Read DreamCloud Premier Memory Foam Review
SA Brand Icon MattressMaterial

Material

Foam

SA Brand Icon MattressWarranty

Warranty

Forever Warranty

SA Brand Icon PropertyFirmness

Firmness

Medium: 5.5/10

SA Brand Icon PropertyShipping

Shipping Method

Free shipping minus HI and AK

SA Brand Icon PropertyTrialPeriod

Trial Period

365 nights

SA Brand Icon PropertyPrice

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

SA sleeper type couples
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.
SA sleeper type back sleepers
Back Sleeping
Ideal for average weight back sleepers.
SA sleeper type side sleepers
Side Sleeping
Ideal for average weight side sleepers.
SA sleeper type stomach sleepers
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for average weight stomach sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.1/5
DreamCloud Premier Memory Foam Mattress product image
Best Luxury Mattress for Light Sleepers

DreamCloud Premier Memory Foam

The DreamCloud Premier Memory foam mattress offers luxury pressure point relief at an affordable price.

Score 4.1/5
Read DreamCloud Premier Memory Foam Review
SA Brand Icon MattressMaterial

Material

Foam

SA Brand Icon PropertyFirmness

Firmness

Medium: 5.5/10

SA Brand Icon PropertyTrialPeriod

Trial Period

365 nights

SA Brand Icon MattressWarranty

Warranty

Forever Warranty

SA Brand Icon PropertyShipping

Shipping Method

Free shipping minus HI and AK

SA Brand Icon PropertyPrice

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

SA sleeper type couples
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.
SA sleeper type back sleepers
Back Sleeping
Ideal for average weight back sleepers.
SA sleeper type side sleepers
Side Sleeping
Ideal for average weight side sleepers.
SA sleeper type stomach sleepers
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for average weight stomach sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.1/5

If you’re looking for a high-end mattress to help you sleep more soundly through the night, consider the DreamCloud Premier Memory Foam. As a member of the brand’s “Premier” line, it’s a step up from the core DreamCloud models. 

It has no less than five layers of cushioning foam beneath its soft, cashmere blend cover, creating an oasis of pressure relief that’s also likely to stop motion transfer in its tracks. In fact, we gave it a perfect score for motion isolation: 5 out of 5.

What’s Inside the DreamCloud Premier Memory Foam?
  • Layer 1Cashmere Cover. It feels soft, gentle, and luxurious. Plus, it looks the part. 
  • Layer 2Quilted Gel Memory Foam. This is the first cushioning you’ll feel under the cover, offering light sinkage to hug the curves. 
  • Layer 3Quilted Supportive Foam. This one helps with weight distribution. It’s designed to offer base-level support and prevent you from sinking too deeply. 
  • Layer 4Therapeutic Gel Memory Foam. It combines pressure relief, adaptive support, and some cooling, although, as Julia found in her testing, it might not be cooling enough for super hot sleepers. 
  • Layer 5Dynamic Transition Layer. Standard gel foam that won’t let you bottom out to the base layer. It’s what gives this bed a true medium feel.
  • Layer 6The Base. This one is made from standard foam, providing a solid structure to all the layers above. Oh, and it’s covered in a shift-resistant cover with handles.

Our Take: “The perfect middle firmness. There’s a bit of cushion, but overall, you stay elevated and supported.” – Julia Forbes, Sleep Advisor Mattress Tester

Pros
True medium feel – Julia pointed out that this mattress should work for most sleepers looking for pressure relief and support.
Great pressure relief – DreamCloud Premier Memory Foam scores highly for pressure relief, mostly thanks to its two foam layers quilted to the cover.
Cons
Not very cooling – We’d suggest the Premier Rest or an entirely different cooling mattress for those who sleep hot.
No bounce – Although motion isolation is top-tier, the Premier has virtually no bounce, which can make it difficult for some people to switch positions.

Customer Reviews of the DreamCloud Premier Memory Foam

The DreamCloud Premier Memory Foam scores a solid 4.5 out of 5 stars based on over 5,000 reviews from customers on its website. For the most part, the customers loved its comforting and cradling feel, but some pointed out that it’s not as firm as they expected.

Want to read more? Scroll through our full review of the DreamCloud Premier Memory Foam, or see our picks for the best luxury mattresses.

WinkBed – Best Mattress for Light Sleepers with Back Pain

Best Mattress for Light Sleepers with Back Pain

WinkBed Mattress

WinkBeds Mattress

WinkBed is a luxury hybrid bed with a variety of comfort features that should make it a versatile pick for most sleeping positions.

Score 4.3/5
Read WinkBed Mattress Review
CHECK PRICE
SA Brand Icon MattressMaterial

Material

Hybrid

SA Brand Icon PropertyTrialPeriod

Trial Period

120 nights

SA Brand Icon PropertyShipping

Shipping Method

Free shipping

SA Brand Icon PropertyFirmness

Firmness

Multiple firmness options

SA Brand Icon MattressWarranty

Warranty

Lifetime warranty

SA Brand Icon PropertyPrice

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

SA sleeper type hot sleepers
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
SA sleeper type seniors
Seniors
This bed is perfect for senior sleepers.
SA sleeper type hip pain
Hip Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from hip pain.
SA sleeper type back pain
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
SA sleeper type back sleepers
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
SA sleeper type side sleepers
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.
SA sleeper type stomach sleepers
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for average weight stomach sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.6/5
Watch Our Video Review
Best Mattress for Light Sleepers with Back Pain

WinkBed Mattress

WinkBeds Mattress

WinkBed is a luxury hybrid bed with a variety of comfort features that should make it a versatile pick for most sleeping positions.

Score 4.3/5
Read WinkBed Mattress Review
SA Brand Icon MattressMaterial

Material

Hybrid

SA Brand Icon MattressWarranty

Warranty

Lifetime warranty

SA Brand Icon PropertyFirmness

Firmness

Multiple firmness options

SA Brand Icon PropertyShipping

Shipping Method

Free shipping

SA Brand Icon PropertyTrialPeriod

Trial Period

120 nights

SA Brand Icon PropertyPrice

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

SA sleeper type hot sleepers
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
SA sleeper type seniors
Seniors
This bed is perfect for senior sleepers.
SA sleeper type hip pain
Hip Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from hip pain.
SA sleeper type back pain
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
SA sleeper type back sleepers
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
SA sleeper type side sleepers
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.
SA sleeper type stomach sleepers
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for average weight stomach sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.6/5
Watch Our Video Review
WinkBeds Mattress
Best Mattress for Light Sleepers with Back Pain

WinkBed Mattress

WinkBed is a luxury hybrid bed with a variety of comfort features that should make it a versatile pick for most sleeping positions.

Score 4.3/5
Read WinkBed Mattress Review
SA Brand Icon MattressMaterial

Material

Hybrid

SA Brand Icon PropertyFirmness

Firmness

Multiple firmness options

SA Brand Icon PropertyTrialPeriod

Trial Period

120 nights

SA Brand Icon MattressWarranty

Warranty

Lifetime warranty

SA Brand Icon PropertyShipping

Shipping Method

Free shipping

SA Brand Icon PropertyPrice

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

SA sleeper type hot sleepers
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
SA sleeper type seniors
Seniors
This bed is perfect for senior sleepers.
SA sleeper type hip pain
Hip Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from hip pain.
SA sleeper type back pain
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
SA sleeper type back sleepers
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
SA sleeper type side sleepers
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.
SA sleeper type stomach sleepers
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for average weight stomach sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.6/5
Watch Our Video Review

If you’re a light sleeper because your back pain makes it harder to doze off, a quality mattress may help alleviate your pain for a more peaceful slumber. Luckily, the WinkBed is designed to target back pain by balancing support and comfort.

One of the most important mattress components when dealing with back pain is the capability to keep the spine properly aligned. The WinkBed’s hybrid construction has zones in both its foam and coil layers to ensure lift and give in all the right places, especially when it comes to the lumbar region. The WinkBed earned a perfect 5 out of 5 for support from Loren when she tested this mattress.

WinkBeds Mattress Construction
What’s Inside the WinkBed?
  •  Layer 1 – Tencel™ Cover. This one is made from eucalyptus wood and is meant to help with temperature regulation, especially for those who sleep hot. 
  • Layer 2 – Euro Pillow Top. This layer provides good pressure relief but is also meant to prevent you from overheating, as it’s quilted with gel-infused hypersoft foam. 
  • Layer 3 – Additional Foam Layers. If you look under the pillow top, you can find more foam layers, among which is also the proprietary LubarLayer™, specifically targeting the lower back area. 
  • Layer 4 – Zoned Coils. These are individually wrapped, which we found helps motion isolation. Also, these are reinforced around the edges to prevent them from compressing when you lie in this area. 

Our Take: “I also score the WinkBed high in pain relief. The pressure-relieving foams and zoned support work to keep your body weight evenly distributed, and the built-in lumbar support helps to prevent back pain.” – Loren Bullock, Sleep Advisor Mattress Tester

Pros
Multiple firmness options – The WinkBed comes in multiple firmness options: Softer, Luxury Firm, and Firmer.
Strong edge support – Reinforced edges mean you can take advantage of the full surface area of the mattress.
Cons
Shorter trial – If you choose to replace it with another WinkBed or firmness level, you only get a 60-night trial period.
A little pricey – Winkbed is a little pricey, which might be a problem if you’re on a budget.

Customer Reviews of the Winkbed

On the WinkBeds site, the WinkBed earns 4.8 out of 5 stars based on over 8,000 reviews. One drawback of the WinkBed mattress is that it might be too expensive for budget-conscious shoppers, but overall it offers excellent durability and customizable firmness options.

Interested in exploring further? Visit our in-depth Winkbeds mattress review or our list of the best mattresses for back pain.

Helix Dawn – Best Mattress for Light Sleepers Who Sleep on Their Stomach

Best Mattress for Light Sleepers Who Lie on Their Stomach

Helix Dawn Mattress

Helix Dawn Mattress

This hybrid mattress was specifically designed for those who love a firm but contouring mattress.

Score 4.2/5
Read Helix Dawn Mattress Review
CHECK PRICE
SA Brand Icon MattressMaterial

Material

Hybrid

SA Brand Icon PropertyTrialPeriod

Trial Period

100 nights

SA Brand Icon PropertyShipping

Shipping Method

Free shipping

SA Brand Icon PropertyFirmness

Firmness

Firm: 7.5/10

SA Brand Icon MattressWarranty

Warranty

10-year warranty

SA Brand Icon PropertyPrice

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

SA sleeper type couples
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.
SA sleeper type back sleepers
Back Sleeping
Ideal for average weight back sleepers.
SA sleeper type stomach sleepers
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight stomach sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.5/5
Best Mattress for Light Sleepers Who Lie on Their Stomach

Helix Dawn Mattress

Helix Dawn Mattress

This hybrid mattress was specifically designed for those who love a firm but contouring mattress.

Score 4.2/5
Read Helix Dawn Mattress Review
SA Brand Icon MattressMaterial

Material

Hybrid

SA Brand Icon MattressWarranty

Warranty

10-year warranty

SA Brand Icon PropertyFirmness

Firmness

Firm: 7.5/10

SA Brand Icon PropertyShipping

Shipping Method

Free shipping

SA Brand Icon PropertyTrialPeriod

Trial Period

100 nights

SA Brand Icon PropertyPrice

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

SA sleeper type couples
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.
SA sleeper type back sleepers
Back Sleeping
Ideal for average weight back sleepers.
SA sleeper type stomach sleepers
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight stomach sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.5/5
Helix Dawn Mattress
Best Mattress for Light Sleepers Who Lie on Their Stomach

Helix Dawn Mattress

This hybrid mattress was specifically designed for those who love a firm but contouring mattress.

Score 4.2/5
Read Helix Dawn Mattress Review
SA Brand Icon MattressMaterial

Material

Hybrid

SA Brand Icon PropertyFirmness

Firmness

Firm: 7.5/10

SA Brand Icon PropertyTrialPeriod

Trial Period

100 nights

SA Brand Icon MattressWarranty

Warranty

10-year warranty

SA Brand Icon PropertyShipping

Shipping Method

Free shipping

SA Brand Icon PropertyPrice

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

SA sleeper type couples
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.
SA sleeper type back sleepers
Back Sleeping
Ideal for average weight back sleepers.
SA sleeper type stomach sleepers
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight stomach sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.5/5

The Helix Dawn has a firmer feel that should accommodate most stomach sleepers. People who lie on their stomach typically feel more comfortable on firmer beds as these do a better job of preventing their midsection from sinking too far. In the case of a light sleeper, the more comfortable you are on the bed, the better your chances of sleeping through the night.

The bed’s coils should provide airflow to help keep you cool and comfy, and they’re individually wrapped to minimize motion transfer.

Helix Dawn Mattress Construction
What’s Inside the Helix Dawn?
  • Layer 1 Cover. This Helix comes with a breathable cover, but you can also upgrade to a GlacioTex™ if you’re a hot sleeper. 
  • Layer 2Helix Dynamic Foam. Helix opts for this to mimic the springiness of latex, offering a balance of responsiveness and cushioning for optimal pressure relief. 
  • Layer 3 and 4Helix Responsive Foam. There are two layers of transitional foam, but the lower one is firmer to prevent you from bottoming out. 
  • Layer 5Coils. These are individually wrapped to move separately, which should help with motion isolation. On top of that, the coils around the edges are reinforced. 
  • Layer 6DuraDense Foam. This is a base layer that enhances the bed’s durability and stability. 

Our Take: The Helix Dawn’s firmer feel should keep stomach sleepers from arching their lower back, which may help prevent pain and discomfort in this area.

Pros
Versatile – We found this bed should also work fine for most back sleepers, people with back pain, and heavy sleepers.
Decent cooling – If you’re a light sleeper who also sleeps hot, you should appreciate Helix’s several cooling features, as well as the optional GlacioTex™
Cons
Not for lightweight sleepers – Although it might be good for light sleepers, it’s not a good option for lightweight ones under 130 pounds. We think it’s simply too firm.
Minimal sinkage – This bed leaves you feeling like you’re sleeping ‘on’ the mattress rather than ‘in’ it, which may not be ideal for some folks.

Customer Reviews of the Helix Dawn

The Helix Dawn has an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars from over 1,200 reviews on the Helix website. Negative reviews say that the mattress seems to get softer over time, but the majority of positive reviews claim the bed is comfortable and has helped with aches and pains.

Want to learn more? Read our full Helix Dawn review, or check out our picks for the best mattresses for stomach sleepers.

Nolah EvolutionBest Mattress for Light Sleepers Who Sleep on Their Back

Best Mattress for Light Back Sleepers

Nolah Evolution Hybrid Mattress

Nolah Evolution Hybrid Mattress

Nolah’s innovative pressure-relieving abilities should be an excellent fit for side-sleepers, and if you struggle with overheating, the AirFoamICE™ technology should keep you cool all night long.

Score 4.7/5
Read Nolah Evolution Hybrid Mattress Review
CHECK PRICE
SA Brand Icon MattressMaterial

Material

Hybrid

SA Brand Icon PropertyTrialPeriod

Trial Period

120 nights

SA Brand Icon PropertyShipping

Shipping Method

Free shipping

SA Brand Icon PropertyFirmness

Firmness

Multiple firmness options

SA Brand Icon MattressWarranty

Warranty

Lifetime warranty

SA Brand Icon PropertyPrice

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

SA sleeper type seniors
Seniors
This bed is perfect for senior sleepers.
SA sleeper type hip pain
Hip Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from hip pain.
SA sleeper type back sleepers
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
SA sleeper type side sleepers
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.8/5
Watch Our Video Review
Best Mattress for Light Back Sleepers

Nolah Evolution Hybrid Mattress

Nolah Evolution Hybrid Mattress

Nolah’s innovative pressure-relieving abilities should be an excellent fit for side-sleepers, and if you struggle with overheating, the AirFoamICE™ technology should keep you cool all night long.

Score 4.7/5
Read Nolah Evolution Hybrid Mattress Review
SA Brand Icon MattressMaterial

Material

Hybrid

SA Brand Icon MattressWarranty

Warranty

Lifetime warranty

SA Brand Icon PropertyFirmness

Firmness

Multiple firmness options

SA Brand Icon PropertyShipping

Shipping Method

Free shipping

SA Brand Icon PropertyTrialPeriod

Trial Period

120 nights

SA Brand Icon PropertyPrice

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

SA sleeper type seniors
Seniors
This bed is perfect for senior sleepers.
SA sleeper type hip pain
Hip Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from hip pain.
SA sleeper type back sleepers
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
SA sleeper type side sleepers
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.8/5
Watch Our Video Review
Nolah Evolution Hybrid Mattress
Best Mattress for Light Back Sleepers

Nolah Evolution Hybrid Mattress

Nolah’s innovative pressure-relieving abilities should be an excellent fit for side-sleepers, and if you struggle with overheating, the AirFoamICE™ technology should keep you cool all night long.

Score 4.7/5
Read Nolah Evolution Hybrid Mattress Review
SA Brand Icon MattressMaterial

Material

Hybrid

SA Brand Icon PropertyFirmness

Firmness

Multiple firmness options

SA Brand Icon PropertyTrialPeriod

Trial Period

120 nights

SA Brand Icon MattressWarranty

Warranty

Lifetime warranty

SA Brand Icon PropertyShipping

Shipping Method

Free shipping

SA Brand Icon PropertyPrice

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

SA sleeper type seniors
Seniors
This bed is perfect for senior sleepers.
SA sleeper type hip pain
Hip Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from hip pain.
SA sleeper type back sleepers
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
SA sleeper type side sleepers
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.8/5
Watch Our Video Review

Back sleepers need a balance of pressure relief and support to keep the spine aligned and prevent back pain while still getting some cushioning for the lighter areas. This hybrid has medium firmness that should fit most back sleepers, even petite ones. 

The Nolah Evolution mattress is good at isolating motion, which is also important for light sleepers. You can feel some movement due to the coils, but we don’t think this will disturb you unless your partner jumps on their side of the bed.

Nolah Evolution construction
What’s Inside the Nolah Evolution?
  • Layer 1 – Organic Cotton Cover. This feels soft and cool, which is good news for those who sleep hot.
  • Layer 2 – HTC™ Euro Top. This cooling layer is encased in 2-inch ArcticTex™ fibers. The fibers are said to have high thermal conductivity for extra cooling. 
  • Layer 3 – AirBreath™ Heat Escape Gusset. Designed to help with heat, the escape gusset prevents the warmth from staying inside the bed. 
  • Layer 4 – AirFoamICE™. This 2-inch cooling layer is graphite-infused for extra cooling and breathability. 
  • Layer 5 – High-Resiliance Foam. This 2-inch layer enhances spine alignment, preventing you from sinking too deeply into the layers underneath. 
  • Layer 6 – Transition Layer. This one is an inch tall and meant to ease you into the coils underneath. 
  • Layer 7 – HDMax™ Coils. The innerspring coil unit is 8 inches tall with reinforced coils around the perimeter to enhance edge support. These are zoned to support your body where it needs the most. 
  • Layer 8 – The Base. The base adds stability to the Nolah Evolution, ensuring all the upper layers perform well. 

Our Take: “The surface, she’s absorbing a lot of motion—surprising for a hybrid mattress.” – Julia Forbes, Sleep Advisor Mattress Tester 

Pros
Made in the USA – The Nolah Evolution is designed and made entirely in the USA.
Excellent cooling – Julia rated this Nolah mattress a 5 out of 5 for cooling.
Cons
Not the most affordable bed – The Nolah Evolution is a luxury mattress with a price that reflects that.
It’s heavy – This bad boy is 15 inches thick and 68 to 142 pounds heavy, so you’ll probably need help moving it around.

Customer Reviews of the Nolah Evolution

On Nolah’s website, the Nolah Natural gets 4.9 out of 5 stars based on over 100 reviews. Customers appreciate how the Nolah Evolution supports the body and promotes spine alignment, but some say they experienced pressure buildup in their shoulders when sleeping on their side. 

Looking for more info? Read our full Nolah Evolution mattress overview here or our picks for the best mattresses for back sleepers.

Bear Star Hybrid – Best Cooling Mattress for Light Sleepers

Best Cooling Mattress for Light Sleepers

Bear Star Hybrid Mattress

Bear Star Hybrid Mattress

The Bear Hybrid is an appealing product because it should cater to a wide variety of sleepers.

Score 3.8/5
Read Bear Star Hybrid Mattress Review
CHECK PRICE
SA Brand Icon MattressMaterial

Material

Hybrid

SA Brand Icon PropertyTrialPeriod

Trial Period

120 nights

SA Brand Icon PropertyShipping

Shipping Method

Free shipping

SA Brand Icon PropertyFirmness

Firmness

Medium-firm: 6/10

SA Brand Icon MattressWarranty

Warranty

Lifetime warranty

SA Brand Icon PropertyPrice

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

SA sleeper type hot sleepers
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
SA sleeper type joint pain
Joint Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from joint pain.
SA sleeper type back sleepers
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight back sleepers.
SA sleeper type side sleepers
Side Sleeping
Ideal for average weight side sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.7/5
Watch Our Video Review
Best Cooling Mattress for Light Sleepers

Bear Star Hybrid Mattress

Bear Star Hybrid Mattress

The Bear Hybrid is an appealing product because it should cater to a wide variety of sleepers.

Score 3.8/5
Read Bear Star Hybrid Mattress Review
SA Brand Icon MattressMaterial

Material

Hybrid

SA Brand Icon MattressWarranty

Warranty

Lifetime warranty

SA Brand Icon PropertyFirmness

Firmness

Medium-firm: 6/10

SA Brand Icon PropertyShipping

Shipping Method

Free shipping

SA Brand Icon PropertyTrialPeriod

Trial Period

120 nights

SA Brand Icon PropertyPrice

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

SA sleeper type hot sleepers
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
SA sleeper type joint pain
Joint Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from joint pain.
SA sleeper type back sleepers
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight back sleepers.
SA sleeper type side sleepers
Side Sleeping
Ideal for average weight side sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.7/5
Watch Our Video Review
Bear Star Hybrid Mattress
Best Cooling Mattress for Light Sleepers

Bear Star Hybrid Mattress

The Bear Hybrid is an appealing product because it should cater to a wide variety of sleepers.

Score 3.8/5
Read Bear Star Hybrid Mattress Review
SA Brand Icon MattressMaterial

Material

Hybrid

SA Brand Icon PropertyFirmness

Firmness

Medium-firm: 6/10

SA Brand Icon PropertyTrialPeriod

Trial Period

120 nights

SA Brand Icon MattressWarranty

Warranty

Lifetime warranty

SA Brand Icon PropertyShipping

Shipping Method

Free shipping

SA Brand Icon PropertyPrice

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

SA sleeper type hot sleepers
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
SA sleeper type joint pain
Joint Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from joint pain.
SA sleeper type back sleepers
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight back sleepers.
SA sleeper type side sleepers
Side Sleeping
Ideal for average weight side sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.7/5
Watch Our Video Review

Many folks understandably have a tough time falling asleep if their mattress feels like the Sahara desert. This is where a good cooling bed can help. 

The Bear Star Hybrid provides cooling through multiple materials, including a Celliant® cover, copper-infused memory foam, and coils. However, it also has the advantage of a medium-firm feel combined with good pressure relief and support, all of which should help contribute to a more comfortable sleeping environment for light sleepers.

Take a closer look at the Bear Star Hybrid mattress construction
What’s Inside the Bear Star Hybrid?
  • Layer 1 – Celliant® Cover. A performance textile designed to improve recovery, Celliant® also features HydroCool® technology meant to keep the surface dry and cool. 
  • Layer 2 – Serene Gel Foam. Two inches of cooling foam are quilted into the cover, acting as a pillow top to give you gentle cradling. 
  • Layer 3 – The Comfort Layer. This one has two inches of foam and is designed to adapt to your body as you switch positions. 
  • Layer 4 – The Coils. These are 8 inches tall and meant to support your body so that it always stays in proper alignment.
  • Layer 5 – The Base. This layer acts as the foundation for all the layers above. It’s made from an inch of high-density foam, enhancing Star’s durability and stability.

Our Take: “The cover … has a cool-to-the-touch feel … a refreshing sleep surface.” Stuart Petty, Sleep Advisor Mattress Tester

Pros
More eco-friendly – The Bear Star Hybrid features a GREENGUARD Gold certification, which may interest those looking for a more eco-conscious mattress.
Innovative cover – Moisture-wicking Celliant® combined with HydroCool® should keep the Bear Star Hybrid cool throughout the night.
Cons
Underwhelming trial – 120 nights might seem like enough for most people, but we think the trial could have been a tad longer given the price of this Bear mattress.
Not the best for hip pain – The Bear Star Hybrid might be too firm if you have hip pain, especially if you’re a side sleeper.

Customer Reviews of the Bear Star Hybrid

Coming in at approximately 4.7 out of 5 stars based on over 1,300 reviews on Bear’s site, the Bear Star Hybrid has generally positive reviews. Customers praise the Bear Star Hybrid mattress for its excellent cooling properties. However, some have found it to be on the firmer side, which might not be suitable for those seeking a softer feel.

Want more details? Read our full Bear Star Hybrid review or our best cooling mattresses.

Brooklyn Bedding EssentialBest Medium-Firm Mattress for Light Sleepers

Best Medium-Firm Mattress for Light Sleepers

Brooklyn Bedding Essential

Brooklyn bedding essential mattress

The Brooklyn Essential is an impressively affordable hybrid with a simple yet satisfying construction.

Score 3.5/5
Read Brooklyn Bedding Essential Review
CHECK PRICE
SA Brand Icon MattressMaterial

Material

Hybrid

SA Brand Icon PropertyTrialPeriod

Trial Period

120 nights

SA Brand Icon PropertyShipping

Shipping Method

Free shipping

SA Brand Icon PropertyFirmness

Firmness

Medium-firm: 6.5/10

SA Brand Icon MattressWarranty

Warranty

10-year warranty

SA Brand Icon PropertyPrice

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

SA sleeper type hot sleepers
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
SA sleeper type back sleepers
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
SA sleeper type side sleepers
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
3.7/5
Best Medium-Firm Mattress for Light Sleepers

Brooklyn Bedding Essential

Brooklyn bedding essential mattress

The Brooklyn Essential is an impressively affordable hybrid with a simple yet satisfying construction.

Score 3.5/5
Read Brooklyn Bedding Essential Review
SA Brand Icon MattressMaterial

Material

Hybrid

SA Brand Icon MattressWarranty

Warranty

10-year warranty

SA Brand Icon PropertyFirmness

Firmness

Medium-firm: 6.5/10

SA Brand Icon PropertyShipping

Shipping Method

Free shipping

SA Brand Icon PropertyTrialPeriod

Trial Period

120 nights

SA Brand Icon PropertyPrice

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

SA sleeper type hot sleepers
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
SA sleeper type back sleepers
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
SA sleeper type side sleepers
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
3.7/5
Brooklyn bedding essential mattress
Best Medium-Firm Mattress for Light Sleepers

Brooklyn Bedding Essential

The Brooklyn Essential is an impressively affordable hybrid with a simple yet satisfying construction.

Score 3.5/5
Read Brooklyn Bedding Essential Review
SA Brand Icon MattressMaterial

Material

Hybrid

SA Brand Icon PropertyFirmness

Firmness

Medium-firm: 6.5/10

SA Brand Icon PropertyTrialPeriod

Trial Period

120 nights

SA Brand Icon MattressWarranty

Warranty

10-year warranty

SA Brand Icon PropertyShipping

Shipping Method

Free shipping

SA Brand Icon PropertyPrice

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

SA sleeper type hot sleepers
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
SA sleeper type back sleepers
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
SA sleeper type side sleepers
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
3.7/5

The Brooklyn Bedding Brooklyn Essential is a hybrid model with a medium firmness that should accommodate most sleepers, including couples. It incorporates several features that should help curb motion transfer for those easily disturbed by their partner’s movements, including high-density comfort layers at the top and individually encased coils. The coils also foster airflow for added cooling. 

What’s Inside the Brooklyn Bedding Essential?
  • Layer 1 – Comfort Layer. This 1.5-inch comfort layer is made from high-density foam that has that true medium-firm feel.
  • Layer 2 – Transition Foam. Hyper-dense .75-inch foam designed to seamlessly relieve pressure without letting your body sink too much. It’s what prevents you from bottoming out and feeling the coils under your body.
  • Layer 3 – Ascension X® Core. The coils here are 8 inches tall and built to enhance edge support, contouring, and motion isolation, which is crucial for light sleepers. 
  • Layer 4 – Flex Base. This .25-inch layer reinforces the coils and all the layers above.

Our Take: A solid medium-firm mattress that also comes at an affordable price.

Pros
Good for back sleepers – We found this bed feels nice for back sleeping, offering a good balance of pressure relief and support in this position.
Decent edge support – Lying near the edge feels secure enough, as we didn’t feel like slipping off this bed.
Cons
Basic design – While there’s nothing wrong with a basic mattress, some people might prefer more advanced construction features with their beds.
Not the best at pressure relief – There are a few foam layers and they’re all rather thin, so don’t expect deep contouring or life-changing pressure relief.

Customer Reviews of the Brooklyn Essential

According to Brooklyn Bedding’s website, the Essential mattress scores about 4.5 out of 5 stars. Users have noted that the Brooklyn Bedding Essential mattress offers a budget-friendly option for customers. However, some have mentioned that it may not be as durable as higher-priced alternatives.

Need to know more? Check out our picks for the best medium-firm mattresses, or read the full Essential review.

What Is a Mattress for Light Sleepers?

A light sleeper is someone easily awakened by small noises or movements, such as a dog barking outside or a sleeping partner changing positions throughout the night. One way to get better sleep is to invest in a mattress that benefits those who are easily awakened.

A good mattress for light sleepers is designed to minimize potential distractions such as movement and fosters a more comfortable sleeping experience.

What to Look for in a Mattress for Light Sleepers

Considering that light sleepers are more prone to waking up in the middle of the night, there are specific mattress characteristics that could help them sleep more soundly.

Motion Isolation

For light sleepers, particularly those sharing a bed, motion isolation is one of the most important factors in a mattress. Mattresses that isolate motion to the area where it originates can help keep light sleepers from being disturbed by their bedmate’s movements.

Memory foam beds typically do an excellent job at not allowing motion to transfer from one side of the bed to the other, but you can also find some hybrid mattresses that do well at this, too, since they have multiple foam layers to absorb movement and individually wrapped coils to further reduce motion transfer.

Overall Comfort

An obvious one, but a comfortable mattress is going to be helpful if you’re already having a tough time sleeping. We generally consider a comfortable mattress to have a balance of good pressure relief and support.

Support  

Good support is what’s going to help keep your spine in a healthy alignment to prevent or alleviate back pain. Our team tests support by lying on the mattress in different positions, evaluating whether we feel our heaviest areas, like the hips, sinking too much. A supportive bed will keep these heaviest parts lifted. 

Pressure Relief 

Pressure can sometimes build up around areas that come into contact with your mattress, which can quickly become uncomfortable and make it that much harder to fall and stay asleep. With this in mind, mattresses that excel at pressure relief can be beneficial to light sleepers.

Beds with memory foam are considered a front-runner for this, while still providing you with good motion isolation to prevent unwanted disturbances. 

Read More: Best Mattresses for Pressure Relief

Helix Midnight Pressure Map
The pressure relief map for the Helix Midnight. It earned a 4 out of 5 for pressure relief.

Firmness

A mattress’s firmness level is how hard or soft the bed feels, and we rate this on a 1-10 scale, with 10 being the firmest feel possible. Firmer beds should be better at supporting you in different positions, but softer ones are generally better at pressure relief. The trick is to find a balance between the two, which is why we think medium or medium-firm beds are a good place to begin your new mattress search if you’re a light sleeper. 

That said, certain groups of people might benefit more from something softer or firmer than this. For example, a lighter-weight side sleeper might need a soft mattress to ensure they’re cushioned enough, whereas a plus-size stomach support person could benefit from a firmer bed that’ll keep their hips lifted. 

Type of Mattress

all types of mattresses illustration
Innerspring Mattresses

When you picture a “traditional bed,” an image of an innerspring mattress is most likely what comes to mind. The base of innerspring mattresses is made of a coil support system that sits below a thinner comfort layer, usually made of foam or fiber. 

While innerspring beds can offer great benefits like support, airflow, and bounce, they also have some qualities that could be drawbacks for light sleepers, such as high motion transfer and minimal pressure relief. Another factor to be mindful of is how noisy the coils may become over time.

Hybrid Mattresses

Hybrid mattresses typically have a base made from coils and several comfort layers consisting of foam that rest on top of them. Many people are drawn to these beds because they offer the supportiveness of innerspring beds with the pressure-relieving comfort of foam mattresses.

They also can reduce motion transfer better than traditional innerspring models. One reason for this is that the coils in hybrids are usually individually wrapped, and the other is that the foam on top helps absorb movement, especially if it’s memory foam.

Memory Foam Mattresses

By combining polyurethane with other chemicals, memory foam mattresses can contour your body to provide pressure relief. This contouring happens through a process called viscoelasticity, which allows the foam to move slowly, change shape, and then return to its original form. Not only does this allow memory foam mattresses to shape and cradle your body, but it also typically makes these mattresses good at isolating motion, which often makes them a great fit for light sleepers.

The downside to this material is that it can more easily retain heat, but many brands incorporate open-cell memory foam or gel-infused memory foam to offset this. 

Latex Mattresses

Mattresses made from latex, especially natural latex, tend to be responsive. This means that, unlike memory foam, when you press your hand into a latex mattress and then take it away, the bed will regain its original shape very quickly.  There is also synthetic latex, which is made from various products, including petrochemicals. Synthetic latex does not respond as fast as its natural counterpart.

Latex tends to have better temperature regulation than memory foam, and natural latex is a great hypoallergenic option (although those with latex allergies should be mindful when purchasing these kinds of mattresses). However, latex does not isolate motion well, so you’re more likely to feel movements made by co-sleepers.

Other Considerations When Shopping for a Mattress for Light Sleepers

Sleeping Position

Our testers test each sleeping position to make sure each mattress fits the right sleeper

Your mattress should work with your preferred sleeping position, not against it, and certain beds are better for some positions more than others.

  • Back sleepers – This group is often a good match for medium-firm beds that’ll keep their lower back lifted while still providing some cushioning for the shoulders. 
  • Side sleepers – These folks put the majority of their weight in the hip and shoulder, so pressure relief is key, which is why we often recommend soft to medium-firm beds for them, depending on their body weight.
  • Stomach sleepers – Stomach sleepers often run the risk of their lower back hyperextending if their hips aren’t supported enough. This is why they often gravitate towards firmer beds.
  • Combination sleepers – Combination sleepers usually need a versatile medium/medium-firm feel that’s going to work better for multiple positions. That said, the bed should also be responsive enough that they can easily change positions.

Weight/Body Type of Sleepers

Your weight will impact how much pressure you put on a mattress, so you’ll want to consider this to ensure whichever mattress you get will work well for your body type. This is also an important consideration in our testing process, which is why we like to have testers of different body types try a mattress.

  • Lightweight sleepers (less than 130 lbs) – Lightweight people won’t press into a mattress as much, so they usually need softer beds so that their mattress doesn’t feel so firm that it’s uncomfortable. Depending on their sleep position, we find that this group can go with either a soft or medium-firm mattress.
  • Average-weight sleepers (130-230 lbs) – Average-weight folks are usually a good fit for medium/medium-firm beds, though some stomach sleepers in this weight group may prefer firm mattresses.
  • Heavyweight sleepers (230+ lbs) – For plus-size sleepers, there are many great brands on the market creating mattresses specifically for heavier bodies. Often, firmer beds help keep heavier sleepers well-supported, especially if they like to lie on their stomach.

Cooling / Temperature Regulation

How many times have you woken up from feeling too warm, especially during summer nights? That’s where breathable, temperature-regulating mattresses can help.

For light sleepers, a good choice is often a hybrid mattress that also has cooling features in the foam and/or cover. This is because the coils and other cooling technologies can work together to keep the space cool and comfy.

Take a closer look at the Bear Star Hybrid mattress construction
The Bear Star Hybrid’s construction helped it earn a 4 out of 5 during our cooling tests.

We use a heat gun to get real data to help us see how well a bed does at this. We take an initial temperature of the mattress before lying on it. We then lie on the bed for five minutes before taking another reading. The final step is to lie on the bed for another five minutes and take a third temperature reading. If a bed doesn’t have a high-temperature jump within that time frame, that tells us those cooling mechanisms are actually working.

Sex

Sexually active couples typically enjoy beds that are more quick-responding for intimacy. However, that can also mean the bed transfers movement more easily, which can quickly become distracting. A helpful solution is to seek out a mattress that’s going to have some bounce and responsiveness to it but one that also has motion-isolating capabilities for when it’s time to sleep. 

Hybrids are often a good chance because the coils create bounce while the foams on top help absorb movement. If you are a sexually active couple, take a look at our best mattresses for sex.

Edge Support

If you’ve ever had a dream where it feels like you’re falling out of bed, you know how unnerving that experience can be. As unpleasant as this sensation may be, actually falling out of bed is considerably worse, and if your bed lacks edge support, you might do this!

A mattress with proper edge support will allow you to utilize the whole bed without feeling as if you may fall out when you are close to the edge. This is a particularly important factor for light sleepers so they can remain comfortable along the sides of the bed, especially if spreading out from their partner means they’re less likely to wake up.

Budget

Although finding a mattress that will help you fall into a deep slumber is the ultimate goal, you also need one that fits within your budget. Fortunately, there are a lot of affordable, well-made mattresses that will help light sleepers rest more soundly. Buying online direct from manufacturers can also help you save money on premium beds, and look for special deals around holidays throughout the year for extra savings.

Read more about our top-rated budget mattresses here.

Best Mattress for Light Sleepers FAQs

What should I do if my partner is a light sleeper?

If your partner is a light sleeper, you’ll want to be mindful of how you get into bed and whether you toss and turn during the night. If you know your partner is the type of person to wake up at the slightest disturbance, you’ll have to do your part to be less disruptive.

In this case, investing in a mattress that has superior motion isolation could be very helpful. These are the types of mattresses where you can drop a bowling ball on one side of the bed, and the glass of red wine you put on the other side won’t tip over.

Of course, there are a slew of other factors that can keep your partner up at night, so it’s a good idea to talk about what’s distracting them and how you can help. 

View Our Full Guide: Best Mattresses for Couples

How do I learn to become a light sleeper?

While restful sleep is important for your overall health, there are some instances when you may want to be more of a light sleeper. New parents, for example, often wake up to care for their infant and know they must stay alert.

In this case, it might help to set up alarm times throughout the night on your cell phone. This could help train your body to expect those nightly alarms, which may help you sleep more lightly. That said, we don’t recommend this as a long-term habit since it could be harmful to your health in the long run.

Can light sleep cause snoring?

It’s actually the other way around. Snoring can wake you up, even if you don’t realize it. People with sleep apnea often snore and wake up throughout the night because their breathing is obstructed, and the lack of oxygen to their brain alerts them to wake up.1

Read More: Why Do People Snore? and Best Mattress for Snoring

MattressBest ForPrice (Queen Size)Review
Helix MidnightEditor’s Pick$1,199Helix Midnight Mattress Review
Nectar PremierMemory Foam$1,499Nectar Premier Mattress Review
DreamCloud Premier Memory FoamLuxury$2,032DreamCloud Premier Memory Foam Mattress Review
WinkBedBack Pain$1,799WinkBed Mattress Review
Helix DawnStomach Sleepers$1,373.80Helix Dawn Mattress Review
Nolah EvolutionBack Sleepers$1,199Nolah Evolution Mattress Review
Bear Star HybridCooling$1,998Bear Star Hybrid Mattress Review
Brooklyn Bedding Brooklyn Essential Medium Firm$932Pending

Melanie Kassel

Melanie Kassel

Performance Editor

About Author

As Sleep Advisor’s Performance Editor and a certified sleep science coach, Melanie writes and edits content throughout the site to ensure it’s accurate, engaging, and up-to-date.

Combination Sleeper

Education & Credentials

  • Certified Sleep Science Coach
References:
  1. “Sleep Apnea”. Cleveland Clinic. Last modified November 15, 2022.