Here at Sleep Advisor, our Sleep Certified experts use a refined mattress and product testing process to give you unbiased product suggestions… Read our full product review process.
In This Article
We review mattresses and then curate a list of the best for light sleepers based on their functionality and features. Our suggestions are expert tested and reviewed to ensure you find the mattress you’re looking for.
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.
Side Sleepers, Back Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers, Back Pain, Hip Pain
Side Sleepers, Back Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers, Couples
Side Sleepers, Back Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers, Hot Sleepers, Back Pain, Hip Pain, Seniors
Back Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers, Couples
Back Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers, Hot Sleepers
Side Sleepers, Back Sleepers, Hot Sleepers, Joint Pain
Side Sleepers, Back Sleepers, Hip Pain, Seniors
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.
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.
We rate each mattress on a scale from 1 to 5 to reflect its overall quality. This number is comprised of individual scores from hands-on testing of materials, firmness, pressure relief, motion transfer, cooling, responsiveness, and more.
4.1
Helix
Helix Midnight Mattress
Well-Balanced Hybrid
Affordably Priced
Isolates Motion
Hybrid
100 nights
Free shipping minus AK and HI
Presidents Day Sale
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A cushioned medium-firm. On our firmness scale, it’s a 6 out of 10.
Size
Twin, twin XL, queen, king, California king, short queen, RV king
Side Sleepers
With pressure-relieving foams up top to cradle the hips and shoulders, this bed was designed for side sleepers.
Hot Sleepers
This bed barely got warmer after multiple minutes of our testers lying on top of it.
Those with Back Pain
A medium-firm feel with lots of support means that this mattress may help with back pain.
Pros of the Helix Midnight
It has a lovely balance of pressure relief to support, earning a 5 out of 5 from our testers in both categories
Surprisingly, it isolates motion so well that we gave it a perfect score in this category, too
We found that it stays quite cool over time
Cons of the Helix Midnight
Stomach sleepers, especially heavyweight ones, probably need more support than this bed can offer
People who spread out when they sleep may not appreciate the Midnight’s poor edge support, which pales in comparison to the Saatva Classic‘s
Shipping
Free shipping
Trial Period
100 nights
Warranty
10-year warranty
Returns
Free returns
The Advisor Says: The Midnight has one of the most impressive score spreads of all the mattresses we’ve reviewed. The best word to describe it is “balanced”: it’s got pressure relief, support, and cooling power in spades, plus a versatile medium-firm feel that tends to satisfy lots of sleepers.
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.
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.
Nectar Premier – Best Memory Foam Mattress for Light Sleepers
Best Memory Foam Mattress for Light Sleepers
Sleep Advisor Score
We rate each mattress on a scale from 1 to 5 to reflect its overall quality. This number is comprised of individual scores from hands-on testing of materials, firmness, pressure relief, motion transfer, cooling, responsiveness, and more.
4.4
Nectar
Nectar Premier Mattress
Pressure Relief
Supportive Foams
Motion Isolation
Foam
365 nights
Free shipping minus HI and AK
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Medium-firm. On our firmness scale, it’s a 6.5 out of 10.
Size
Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, split king
Back Sleepers
Our tester, Sosha, loved how this bed filled in the gap underneath her lower back with cradling foam.
Side Sleepers
Side sleepers should appreciate the pressure-relieving layer of memory foam at the top of this bed.
Couples
This bed received a perfect score from our testers for its motion isolation, and a near-perfect one for its edge support.
Nectar Premier Pros
The Nectar Premier has a good ratio of support to pressure relief, with perfect testing scores in both categories
Its motion isolation is absolutely stellar; Sosha couldn’t feel any of her fellow tester’s movements
It’s probably not as cooling as a hybrid, but it still performed admirably for a foam bed during our temperature test
Nectar Premier Cons
There’s little to no bounce on this bed, so it’s not our first choice for sexually active couples; the best mattresses for sex tend to be springy hybrids
It’s squarely medium-firm, so it may not feel as plush as you’d expect a memory foam mattress to be
Shipping
Free shipping within the contiguous United States
Trial Period
365 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Returns
Free returns
The Advisor Says: The Premier has a bit more memory foam at the top than the Nectar Classic for a more side-sleeper-friendly feel. Average-weight sleepers will likely enjoy this bed across all three sleeping positions, and the motion isolation is spectacular.
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.
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 2 – Therapeutic 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 3 – Dynamic Response Layer. This 3-inch layer enhances back support to keep the spine straight in different sleeping positions.
Layer 4 – Active 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.
We rate each mattress on a scale from 1 to 5 to reflect its overall quality. This number is comprised of individual scores from hands-on testing of materials, firmness, pressure relief, motion transfer, cooling, responsiveness, and more.
4.1
DreamCloud
DreamCloud Premier Memory Foam
Luxury
Memory Foam
Foam
365 nights
Free shipping minus AK and HI
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This mattress is made of memory foam and other poly foam layers.
Price
$1,480 – $2,861 (before any discounts)
Firmness
Medium. We gave it a 5.5 out of 10 on our scale, skewing toward the softer end of medium.
Size
Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, split king
Joint Pain
This bed is really great for folks with sensitive joints who need extra cradling and pressure relief.
Side Sleepers
This is one of the softest DreamCloud models, with the right amount of pressure relief to really cradle side sleepers’ hips and shoulders.
Luxury Shoppers
If you like a luxurious bed but are looking for something at a more reasonable price, the DreamCloud Premier’s foam option should provide a high-end sleep experience at a fraction of the cost.
Pros of the DreamCloud Premier Memory Foam
Pressure relief remains regardless of sleeping position, even though we tout it as best for side and back sleepers
We were surprised by this bed’s edge support, especially for an all-foam mattress
Couples should appreciate the motion-absorbing surface that cancels out their partner’s movements
Cons of the DreamCloud Premier Memory Foam
This may not be the best cooling bed, as we didn’t feel any effect from the gel in the foams
Unfortunately, folks over 230 pounds may have a hard time getting comfortable on this bed’s pillowy surface
Shipping
Free shipping in the contiguous United States
Trial
365 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Returns
Free returns within trial period
The Advisor Says: The DreamCloud Premier Memory Foam is a luxurious all-foam upgrade to the brand’s flagship model. Shoppers looking for a soft-but-supportive sleep experience, A-plus motion isolation, sturdy edges, and generous policies at a great deal should be satisfied with this mattress. This is especially true if you’re a back or side sleeper.
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 1 – Cashmere Cover. It feels soft, gentle, and luxurious. Plus, it looks the part.
Layer 2 – Quilted Gel Memory Foam. This is the first cushioning you’ll feel under the cover, offering light sinkage to hug the curves.
Layer 3 – Quilted Supportive Foam. This one helps with weight distribution. It’s designed to offer base-level support and prevent you from sinking too deeply.
Layer 4 – Therapeutic 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 5 – Dynamic 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 6 – The 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.
WinkBed – Best Mattress for Light Sleepers with Back Pain
Best Mattress for Light Sleepers with Back Pain
Sleep Advisor Score
We rate each mattress on a scale from 1 to 5 to reflect its overall quality. This number is comprised of individual scores from hands-on testing of materials, firmness, pressure relief, motion transfer, cooling, responsiveness, and more.
Multiple firmness options (Softer, Luxury Firm, Firmer, and Plus). We tested the Luxury Firm and placed it at a 6 out of 10 on our scale, which is comfortably medium-firm.
Size
Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king
Combination Sleepers
Its springiness makes it easy to change your sleeping position, and it adapts well to each one.
Hot Sleepers
Gel-infused foams, airflow around the coils, and a breathable cover earned the WinkBed a high cooling score.
Spine Alignment
Its zoned coils and “LumbarLayer™” of foam help to keep the lower back supported and aligned with the rest of the spine.
WinkBed Pros
There are four firmness options available for this bed, including one designed specifically for plus-size sleepers
It’s so springy that it feels like it’s helping you to move around on top of it
The zoned support was really noticeable during testing, and helped to keep our lumbar regions lifted
WinkBed Cons
Its motion isolation isn’t the greatest, so if you’re a restless sleeper who shares a bed, look elsewhere
It has a classic hybrid feel that keeps you on top of the mattress, rather than sinking in; if you want more of a hug from your bed, browse the best soft mattresses
Shipping
Free within the contiguous United States
Trial Period
120 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Returns
Free returns
The Advisor Says: Our testers often compare the WinkBed to a luxury hotel mattress, which is no surprise given its handcrafted touches and elegant hybrid design. It’s also one of the most customizable beds out there, with a firmness level for every body type.
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.
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.
Helix Dawn – Best Mattress for Light Sleepers Who Sleep on Their Stomach
Best Mattress for Light Stomach Sleepers
Sleep Advisor Score
We rate each mattress on a scale from 1 to 5 to reflect its overall quality. This number is comprised of individual scores from hands-on testing of materials, firmness, pressure relief, motion transfer, cooling, responsiveness, and more.
3.9
Helix
Helix Dawn Mattress
Firm
Affordably Priced
Great for Couples
Hybrid
100 nights
Free shipping minus AK and HI
Presidents Day Sale
Use code ADVISOR27 and save 27% off sitewide See Details
Firm. We rated this bed a 7.5 out of 10, which is on the firmer side.
Size
Twin, twin XL, full, queen, short queen, king, California king, RV king
Back Pain
The Helix Dawn provides the support that folks with back pain need to feel comfortable.
Couples
With well-rounded scores in motion isolation, bounce, and edge support, this bed should be good for couples.
Stomach Sleepers
This bed is super firm, which is perfect for stomach sleepers who need the extra lift in their hips.
Pros of the Helix Dawn
The Helix Dawn provides a lifted feeling that won’t have you feeling “stuck” in your mattress
A perfect 5 out of 5 support score means A+ spinal alignment
We’ve already mentioned stomach sleepers should rest easy on this bed, but back sleepers should enjoy it too
Cons of the Helix Dawn
This bed might be too firm for some, who might want to check out a medium-firm bed like the Helix Midnight
Pressure relief was only decent on this mattress, an important thing to consider if you sleep on your side
Shipping
Free shipping in the contiguous United States ($250 for Alaska, Hawaii, and Canada)
Trial
100 nights
Warranty
10-year warranty
Returns
Free returns within trial period
The Advisor Says: Helix’s firmest mattress certainly lives up to the hype. We recommend this bed to firm mattress fans (stomach or back sleepers, we’re looking at you) who are looking for a bed that prioritizes support.
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.
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 2 – Helix 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 4 – Helix Responsive Foam. There are two layers of transitional foam, but the lower one is firmer to prevent you from bottoming out.
Layer 5 – Coils. 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 6 – DuraDense 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.
We rated it 8/10 on our firmness scale, which means it’s solidly firm.
Size
Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king
Back Sleepers
Back sleepers should feel propped up and supported by the firm foam layers.
Budget Shoppers
This mattress is low-cost option at any size.
CopperFlex Pros
Back sleepers can benefit from a firm bed like this one, so long as they don’t mind the lack of “hugging” foams.
It’s already very affordable, but when sales are running, you can get a queen-size model for around $500.
It’s very responsive for a foam bed—you won’t feel stuck in the layers.
CopperFlex Cons
Its above-average firmness may not be cozy enough for side sleepers and lightweight sleepers.
It didn’t demonstrate spectacular cooling abilities during testing.
Shipping
Free shipping within the contiguous United States
Trial Period
120 nights
Warranty
Limited lifetime warranty
Returns
Free returns
The Advisor Says: For the price, the Brooklyn Bedding CopperFlex is a bit of a steal. You can snag a California King for less than $1,000 (and that’s before discounts). Be warned that it’s quite firm, and probably best suited to back sleepers. Side and stomach sleepers will feel a pronounced lack of pressure relief.
Light sleepers looking for a deal on a mattress should consider Brooklyn Bedding’s new CopperFlex line. The brand offers both hybrid and foam mattress options—no matter which you choose, a queen size costs less than $1,000 before sales and coupons. The foam CopperFlex may be your best bet as it should be better at isolating motion, keeping disturbances from traveling across the surface.
Our team tested the CopperFlex memory foam mattress and found that it has a medium-firm to firm feel that’s best suited for those seeking support, like back and stomach sleepers. Its construction features dense foams with copper infusions that also lend it a surprising amount of response and cooling, especially for an all-foam mattress.
What’s Inside the Brooklyn Bedding CopperFlex Foam?
The foam model of the Brooklyn Bedding CopperFlex is about 12 inches tall with a total of six layers. In the hybrid CopperFlex, the support layer is made of coils rather than foam.
Layer 1 – Quilt Foam (1 inch). This top layer of pressure-relieving foam creates a comfortable surface.
Layer 2 – CopperFlex Memory Foam (2 inches). The next comfort layer of foam is infused with copper for natural cooling and antibacterial properties.
Layer 3 – Gel Swirl Memory Foam. This layer features gel for added temperature regulation.
Layer 4 – Zoned Foam (1.5 inches). For proper spinal alignment, the foam is zoned to be firmer in the center third of the mattress.
Layer 5 – Transition Foam (1.5 inches). This responsive layer of foam transitions between the comfort layers and support base.
Layer 6 – Support Foam (4.5 inches). A base of high-density foam for added stability and durability.
Our Take: The Brooklyn Bedding CopperFlex line is touted as the brand’s best “value” line, meaning you’re getting a lot of bang for your buck, and we’d agree. For under $700, you can get a high-quality, queen-size memory foam mattress outfitted with specialized layers and cooling technology.
Pros
Good for couples – Couples should appreciate the bed’s ability to absorb movement and its strong edges for making full use of the bed’s surface area.
Cooling – Copper and gel infusions ensure the surface temperature of the mattress remains comfortable as you sink into the foam layers.
Cons
Too firm for some – Some lightweight side sleepers may find the CopperFlex too unyielding to get the proper pressure relief they need.
Non-traditional foam feel – Despite being made entirely of foam, the CopperFlex model we tested doesn’t have the typical slow-moving sensation associated with typical memory foam.
Customer Reviews of the Brooklyn Bedding CopperFlex
The CopperFlex line is a new addition to Brooklyn Bedding’s mattress roster. As of writing this, there are no reviews yet, but they’re sure to come soon!
We rate each mattress on a scale from 1 to 5 to reflect its overall quality. This number is comprised of individual scores from hands-on testing of materials, firmness, pressure relief, motion transfer, cooling, responsiveness, and more.
4.2
Bear
Bear Star Hybrid Mattress
Great for Couples
Well-Balanced Hybrid
Hybrid
120 nights
Free shipping minus AK and HI
December Deals
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Medium-firm. We rated this bed at a 6.5 out of 10 on our firmness scale.
Size
Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, split king
Couples
The Bear Star Hybrid excels in motion isolation, cooling, and bounce, all of which should be beneficial to sleepers who share the bed.
Luxury Shoppers
This mattress has a luxurious feel (and price to match) that should appeal to folks looking for a higher-end mattress.
Hot Sleepers
During testing, we found that temperature barely increased on the surface of the mattress, making for a cool comfortable surface.
Pros of the Bear Star Hybrid
This bed earned perfect scores in pressure relief and support, ultimately yielding a balanced feel
The Bear Star Hybrid is a star when it comes to motion isolation, which is impressive for a hybrid
The thick foam layers don’t impede the bed’s responsiveness; it has a lot of bounce
Cons of the Bear Star Hybrid
This bed starts out at over $1,000 for a twin, so we don’t consider it a budget mattress
Despite the perfect support score, we think that some heavyweight sleepers may have trouble getting lift on the Bear Star Hybrid
Shipping
Free shipping in the contiguous United States (fees apply for Alaska and Hawaii)
Trial
120 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Returns
Free returns within trial period
The Advisor Says: The Bear Star Hybrid touts an enviable medium-firm feel that should appeal to a swath of mattress shoppers, including couples with different preferences looking to “compromise.” We gave this hybrid perfect scores in pressure relief, support, and motion transfer.
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.
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.
Nolah Evolution – Best Mattress for LightSleepers Who Sleep on Their Back
Best Mattress for Light Back Sleepers
Sleep Advisor Score
We rate each mattress on a scale from 1 to 5 to reflect its overall quality. This number is comprised of individual scores from hands-on testing of materials, firmness, pressure relief, motion transfer, cooling, responsiveness, and more.
Multiple firmness options (Plush, Luxury Firm, and Firm). We tested the Luxury Firm and placed it at 6.5 out of 10 on our scale, which is squarely medium-firm.
Size
Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, split king
Combination Sleepers
This is a versatile hybrid that felt great in pretty much every sleeping position during testing.
Hot Sleepers
The Evolution earned a perfect 5 out of 5 in the cooling category from our testers.
Couples
One our staff members bought this bed to avoid a “sleep divorce,” and its motion isolation, cooling, and edge support really did the trick.
Nolah Evolution Pros
It worked across all sleep positions for our testers, even supporting our hips enough for cozy stomach sleeping
The cooling border gusset really makes a difference, as this bed did not hold onto heat
It’s both bouncy and motion-isolating, a rare combination
Nolah Evolution Cons
It’s a relatively pricey bed, so if you’re on a tight budget, consider some of the best affordable mattresses instead
At 15 inches high, this is a very tall and stately mattress, which makes it difficult to move once it’s unboxed
Shipping
Free shipping within the contiguous United States
Trial Period
120 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Returns
$99 fee for mattress retrieval
The Advisor Says: The Nolah Evolution is a team favorite with a highly competitive score spread—our testers gave it at least a 4 out of 5 in every single performance category. It’s definitely a luxury mattress, with the height (and price) to match.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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
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:
“Sleep Apnea”. Cleveland Clinic. Last modified November 15, 2022.
