Medical Disclaimer: The following content should not be used as medical advice or as a recommendation for any specific supplement or medication. It is important to consult your health care provider prior to starting a new medication or altering your current treatment.
Acid reflux is one of the most common digestive issues, affecting about 20% of people in the U.S. While occasional acid reflux is usually not a cause for concern, more frequent episodes can lead to complications. Repeated acid reflux, especially at night, can also take a toll on a person’s sleep.
One strategy to reduce nighttime acid reflux is to change your sleep position. While research indicates that sleeping slightly elevated and on your left side can help, it may be difficult to feel comfortable if you’re not used to sleeping in this position. That’s where the right mattress comes in. We’ll discuss how to improve your sleep while living with acid reflux, including how to choose the best mattress for acid reflux.
Find Your Perfect Mattress
We know mattresses work differently for different types of sleepers. Use the filters below to help narrow down your options for your best bed.
Read on to see why the following five options made our top picks list of 2024’s best mattresses for acid reflux relief.
Sleep Doctor’s Picks
Best Overall Mattress
WinkBeds GravityLux
Sleep Doctor’s Review
The WinkBeds GravityLux is an all-foam bed with a padded cover and a two-layer comfort system that excels at relieving pressure, particularly for side sleepers trying to alleviate symptoms of acid reflux. With three firmness levels to choose from, the GravityLux offers a variety of comfortable options for different body types.
Buy From WinkBeds
Side Sleepers
Medium Soft (4), Medium (5), Firm (7)
Close-Conforming Foam
Good Value
Pros
- Padded cover and memory foam top layer relieve pressure
- Three firmness options to suit a range of sleepers
- Zoned comfort layer supports the hips and lower back
Cons
- Foam layers lack strong edge support
- Above-average price for an all-foam bed
Why We Like It
The WinkBeds GravityLux is a 12-inch, all-foam bed that comes in three firmness levels: medium soft (4), medium (5), and firm (7). The bed features a plush quilted cover, Aircell memory foam, a layer of zoned support foam, and a support core of high-density polyfoam.
The all-foam design provides noticeable pressure relief at the hips and shoulders for people who want to sleep on their side to try to reduce acid reflux. Additionally, the choice of three firmness levels allows different kinds of sleepers to find a model with the right level of support. This bed is compatible with an adjustable base and includes design features such as a padded Tencel cover, gel-infused foam, contouring memory foam, and a zoned foam layer to support the hips.
How Does It Feel?
With three firmness levels to choose from, the WinkBeds GravityLux offers good to excellent comfort for a wide range of sleepers. Our sleep testers who weigh under 130 pounds felt that the medium soft (4) and medium (5) models had the ideal level of cushioning for their needs. The firm (7) model provided better support for our testers who weigh over 230 pounds.
Overall, the WinkBed GravityLux provides very good pressure relief that supports spinal alignment for most side sleepers. The bed’s all-foam construction also provides excellent motion isolation, making this a great option for couples.
Best Value Mattress
Molecule 1
Sleep Doctor’s Review
The Molecule 1 is a reasonably priced, medium firm (6) mattress with three layers of foam that provide impressive pressure relief. Its contouring makes it a good fit for side sleepers, and because it’s compatible with adjustable bases, it offers a variety of options for those with acid reflux who want to try different sleep positions.
Buy From Molecule
Side Sleepers
Medium Firm (6)
Close-Conforming Foam
Great Value
Pros
- Excellent comfort for side sleepers between 130 and 230 pounds
- Memory foam provides significant motion isolation and pressure relief
- Includes a 365-night sleep trial and lifetime warranty
Cons
- May lack support for some sleepers weighing over 230 pounds
- Below-average edge support may make it harder to get into and out of bed
Why We Like It
The Molecule 1 is a medium firm (6) all-foam bed with a 12-inch profile. It has a polyester-lycra blend cover designed to wick moisture and stay clean. The top comfort layer is made of memory foam engineered to relieve pressure and improve airflow. Underneath, there’s a layer of zoned memory foam, followed by a thick polyfoam support core.
If you have acid reflux and are looking to upgrade your bed without breaking the bank, the Molecule 1 is an excellent value. The bed’s memory foam top layers facilitate side sleeping, and the Molecule 1 is also compatible with adjustable bed bases.
How Does It Feel?
The Molecule 1 is medium firm (6) with notable but not excessive contouring. We found that the mattress’ memory foam top layers offered above-average motion isolation and pressure relief. Our testers also reported that the zoned foam provided good support around the hips.
This construction creates an ideal balance of cushioning and support for side sleepers who weigh between 130 and 230 pounds. However, some of our testers who weigh over 230 pounds felt that the Molecule 1 was a bit too soft. The all-foam construction may also leave some sleepers feeling less stable around the perimeter of the mattress.
Most Comfortable Mattress
DreamCloud Mattress
Sleep Doctor’s Review
The DreamCloud Mattress is an affordable hybrid that offers comfort and support to people with acid reflux. The three-layer comfort system offers above-average motion isolation and pressure relief, while the pocketed coil support core enables airflow and generates a slight bounce that makes it easy to move on the bed.
Buy From DreamCloud
Combination Sleepers
Medium Firm (6)
Plush, Supportive Surface
Great Value
Pros
- Provides good spinal support and motion isolation without sleeping hot
- Medium firm (6) firmness level will appeal to a broad range of sleepers
- 365-night sleep trial and lifetime warranty
Cons
- May be too firm for side sleepers under 130 pounds
- Doesn’t provide the close hug that some sleepers prefer
Why We Like It
The DreamCloud is a medium firm (6), 14-inch hybrid mattress. The bed features a cashmere blend cover, a three-layer foam comfort system, a reinforced pocketed coil support core, and a bottom layer of dense polyfoam designed to increase stability and support. Its design provides good support for people with acid reflux who are sleeping on their side, and the mattress is also compatible with an adjustable bed base.
How Does It Feel?
The DreamCloud Mattress relieved pressure points at the hips and shoulders while maintaining healthy spinal alignment for our side sleepers over 130 pounds. However, it was a bit too firm for side sleepers under 130 pounds.
The bed performed better than other hybrids in terms of motion isolation and pressure relief, thanks to its pillow-top cover, gel-infused memory foam, and supportive polyfoam. The pocketed coil support core also helped the bed resist overheating while offering a degree of bounce that prevented our testers from feeling stuck in one position.
Best Luxury Mattress
Solaire
Sleep Doctor’s Review
The Saatva Solaire is a high-end airbed with an easily adjustable firmness range from soft (3) to firm (8). With a pillow-top cover and latex and memory foam comfort layers, the Solaire delivers versatility, comfort, and support for people with acid reflux.
Buy From Saatva
All Sleepers
Soft (3) to Firm (8)
Adjustable
Fair Value
Pros
- Rapidly adjustable firmness from soft (3) to firm (8)
- Airbed design sleeps cool while providing essential pressure relief
- Free in-home installation and old mattress removal
Cons
- Not a good option for budget shoppers
- May not isolate enough motion for lighter sleepers
Why We Like It
The Saatva Solaire is a 13-inch airbed with a support core featuring rubber air chambers that allow you to adjust the bed’s firmness from soft (3) to firm (8). The pillow-top cover includes zoned quilting for targeted support, and the Talalay latex and gel-infused memory foam in the comfort system provide solid pressure relief.
The Solaire carries a high price tag that reflects its high-quality, durable materials, which include vulcanized rubber, a certified organic cotton cover, and latex certified as sustainable by the Rainforest Alliance.
How Does It Feel?
The Saatva Solaire has the widest range of firmness levels of any bed we tested. Its versatility and ability to work on an adjustable base make it a good fit for people with acid reflux.
Regardless of their weight, our testers who sleep on their side found they could adjust the Saatva Solaire’s firmness to meet their needs. Our testers who are back and stomach sleepers and weigh over 130 pounds also enjoyed the bed’s cushioning and supportive feel.
The air chamber support core resists heat buildup, keeping the surface of the bed cool. The pillow-top, latex, and memory foam in the comfort system help cradle the body and align the spine without hindering movement on the bed.
Best Mattress for Side Sleepers
Helix Midnight
Sleep Doctor’s Review
The Helix Midnight is a hybrid bed that’s ideal for side sleepers between 130 and 230 pounds. The bed’s comfort system, which is made of thick memory foam and polyfoam, provides ample cushioning and pressure relief for those with acid reflux. Combined with a pocketed coil support core, the Helix Midnight’s construction is responsive, yet incredibly quiet.
Buy From Helix
Side Sleepers
Medium Firm (6)
Close-Conforming Foam
Good Value
Pros
- Excellent comfort for side sleepers between 130 and 230 pounds
- Sleeps exceptionally quiet for a hybrid bed
- Thick memory foam layer relieves pressure
Cons
- May not provide enough support for sleepers who weigh over 230 pounds
- Temperature control may not be enough for very hot sleepers
Why We Like It
The Helix Midnight is a hybrid that balances pressure relief and support, providing excellent comfort for most people with acid reflux who want to sleep on their side. The bed is also compatible with an adjustable base, which gives you the option of raising your head to help prevent acid reflux.
How Does It Feel?
The Helix Midnight is a hybrid mattress with a medium firm (6) feel. At 12 inches tall, the bed consists of a top layer of memory foam designed to relieve pressure, a second layer of polyfoam for added comfort, and a thick support core of pocketed coils surrounded by dense polyfoam for extra stability.
The thick memory foam top layer of the Helix Midnight offers moderate contouring and above-average pressure relief. The pocketed coil support core is responsive but stable, and the combination of the foams and coils provides the right balance of contouring and support for side sleepers weighing between 130 and 230 pounds.
While the mattress worked well for most of our side sleepers, those over 230 pounds felt that it was a little more difficult to move on.
Why You Should Trust Us
Our team of experienced sleep testers researched dozens of mattress models to find the best mattresses for acid reflux. We prioritized beds with overall high performance in terms of comfort and durability. Then we looked for mattress models with designs that can make it easier to sleep with acid reflux. This included mattresses compatible with adjustable bed frames to raise the head and mattresses that have the right level of pressure relief and support to facilitate side sleeping, which is the best sleeping position for acid reflux.
How to Sleep With Acid Reflux
Acid reflux can cause a number of uncomfortable symptoms, including heartburn and nausea, that may disturb sleep. However, there are steps people with acid reflux can take to reduce their symptoms and get a better night’s sleep.
When acid reflux occurs chronically or results in damage to the esophagus, it’s referred to as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Speak with your doctor if you experience frequent acid reflux or suspect that you may have GERD.
Understand Acid Reflux and Sleep
Acid reflux doesn’t always occur at night, but some people find that their symptoms disrupt their sleep. Several factors can influence acid reflux during sleep, including eating habits and sleep position.
Improve Acid Reflux Symptoms During Sleep
If you find yourself waking up with heartburn and other acid reflux symptoms, sleeping on your left side with your shoulders elevated and avoiding meals within two to three hours of going to bed may help reduce symptoms.
Consider Mattress Features to Reduce Acid Reflux
People with acid reflux or GERD should look for a mattress that cushions the hips and shoulders for side sleeping while supporting healthy spinal alignment. Choosing a mattress that’s compatible with an adjustable base can also help alleviate acid reflux symptoms by raising the head and shoulders.
How Does GERD Affect Sleep?
Acid reflux happens when the contents of a person’s stomach leak back into the esophagus, the “food pipe” that runs between the throat and stomach. It occurs when the small muscle that helps close off the entrance to the stomach becomes too relaxed.
Many people experience acid reflux every once in a while after a big meal. However, if the symptoms become chronic or cause esophageal injury, doctors refer to it as gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. Common GERD symptoms include:
- Heartburn
- Sore throat
- Coughing
- Stomach ache
- Nausea
- Vomiting
If left untreated, GERD can lead to health issues, including damage to the esophagus and sleep problems.
- Sleep apnea: People with more severe GERD may be more likely to have obstructive sleep apnea, a sleep-related breathing disorder.
- Insomnia: Research indicates that people with acid reflux or GERD tend to experience trouble sleeping, and sleep disturbances may exacerbate acid reflux symptoms.
- Esophagus and throat damage: Untreated acid reflux can lead to damage and scarring on the lining of the esophagus and inflammation in the throat.
- Dental problems: Chronic GERD can break down the enamel on a person’s teeth, leading to dental issues.
How to Reduce Acid Reflux During Sleep
Acid reflux usually occurs soon after eating a meal. For some people, the symptoms can persist and make it difficult to comfortably fall asleep and stay asleep. However, your sleep position can make a significant difference.
What Is the Best Sleeping Position for Acid Reflux?
Several studies indicate that sleeping on your left side and raising the head of your bed can help alleviate acid reflux at night. The research shows that elevating the head and shoulders and shifting weight to the left side of the body can help reduce the amount of stomach acid that leaks into the esophagus.
What Do Side Sleepers Need to Look For In a Mattress?
Your sleeping position influences what you need from your mattress. If you experience acid reflux but aren’t used to sleeping on your side, there are a few factors to consider when looking for the best mattress for side sleepers.
Sleeping on one side tends to place more pressure on the hips and shoulders than stomach or back sleeping, so side sleepers tend to prefer softer, more contouring mattresses to cushion these areas.
- Choose the right firmness: Firmness describes how hard or soft a bed feels. While side sleepers trend toward the softer end of the spectrum, body weight also plays a role in determining ideal firmness level. We’ve found that heavier individuals typically need firmer models even if they sleep on their side.
- Keep your spine aligned: It’s important to find a bed that balances pressure relief with support. A good mattress supports areas like the midsection that tend to hold the most body weight. This keeps the spine aligned and helps prevent pain in the lower back.
- Relieve your pressure points: Side sleeping concentrates all of a person’s weight onto one side of the body. That’s why it’s important to find a mattress with substantial pressure relief. This prevents painful pressure points from forming around the hips and shoulders.
What Can Back and Stomach Sleepers Do for Acid Reflux?
Research indicates that sleeping on your left side can help reduce acid reflux symptoms when compared to other sleeping positions. That’s easier said than done, though, if you’ve spent your entire life as a back or stomach sleeper.
If you’d like to try side sleeping, a slightly softer mattress with deeper contouring may be beneficial to provide extra cushioning for the hips and shoulders. If you’re used to sleeping on your back or stomach, you can also try experimenting with body pillows to keep you from rolling onto your back or stomach during the night.
For Acid Reflux, Elevate the Head of the Bed
Sleeping with your head and shoulders raised keeps your chest positioned above your stomach and takes advantage of gravity to prevent the contents of your stomach from flowing back into your esophagus. You can achieve this position with an adjustable bed frame that elevates the head of your sleep surface. Alternatively, a wedge pillow can elevate your head and shoulders at an angle.
Adjustable Bed Frames
Adjustable bed frames allow you to easily raise the head of your bed. This is ideal if you frequently experience episodes of acid reflux.
Make sure to choose a mattress that’s flexible enough to work well with an adjustable base. Most foam, latex, and hybrid mattresses are compatible with adjustable bed frames, while traditional innerspring models lack the flexibility needed to bend at an angle.
Acid Reflux Pillows
A less expensive option than an adjustable bed frame is to buy a wedge pillow. A properly placed wedge pillow elevates your head and shoulders as you sleep and can help reduce acid reflux symptoms without the need for a new bed frame. Keep in mind that simply stacking standard pillows may not work since they only raise your head.
Choosing the Right Mattress for Acid Reflux
With so many brands and styles to choose from, finding the right mattress can feel like a daunting task. People experiencing acid reflux should focus on finding a mattress that’s comfortable for side sleeping and is compatible with an adjustable bed frame.
Hybrid
Hybrid mattresses offer an excellent mix of features for sleepers with acid reflux. They’re generally compatible with adjustable bed frames, and many models include thick comfort layers that provide substantial pressure relief for side sleeping.
This style of mattress combines a support core of pocketed metal coils for bounce and support with top layers typically made from foam or latex for cushioning.
Foam
Foam beds are another great option for people experiencing acid reflux. Their flexible foam layers are well suited to an adjustable base, and they tend to provide the best pressure relief to cushion the hips and shoulders.
Foam mattresses are made entirely of foam materials and may include memory foam comfort layers and a polyfoam support core. Foam beds also come in a wide range of price-points for people shopping on a budget.
Latex
Latex mattresses offer a unique feel for side sleepers who prefer moderate contouring with more responsive bounce than foam beds. This style of mattress is quite durable and is generally compatible with adjustable bed frames. While some hybrids feature latex comfort layers, latex beds are made entirely of latex materials.
Airbeds
Airbeds allow you to modify the firmness of your sleep surface to precisely match your comfort preferences. This makes them a great choice for people with acid reflux who aren’t used to sleeping on their side. They also tend to work well with adjustable bed frames.
Airbeds feature a large air chamber support core. You can add or remove air to change the feel of the bed, usually with a remote control or smartphone app.
Innerspring
Innerspring mattresses may not be the best choice for people with acid reflux, as they aren’t always compatible with adjustable bases and often lack cushioning for side sleepers. Traditional innersprings consist of a thick layer of interconnected wire coils, minimal cushioning, and a cover.
More Ways to Reduce Acid Reflux While Sleeping
In addition to optimizing your sleep position and mattress, there are other evidence-based ways to reduce acid reflux while sleeping.
- Identify what foods to avoid with acid reflux: Some foods may be more likely to trigger bouts of acid reflux. Different foods can affect people differently, but you can experiment with eliminating fatty foods, spicy foods, caffeine, chocolate, and carbonated drinks. It’s also a good idea to avoid eating three hours before bedtime.
- Take steps to reduce acid reflux during pregnancy: If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, medical experts recommend using lifestyle changes to improve acid reflux symptoms. This can include avoiding late night meals and certain foods as well as dressing comfortably in loose-fitting clothing. Pregnancy pillows and wedge pillows can also help you find the most comfortable sleep position and keep your head and shoulders elevated.
- Discuss your symptoms with your doctor: Occasional acid reflux is normal, but if you’re experiencing frequent or serious episodes, discuss your symptoms with your doctor. They can give you an accurate diagnosis and develop a personalized treatment plan. This may include additional lifestyle changes, over-the-counter or prescription medications, or, in rarer cases, corrective surgery.
More Mattress Options for Specific Needs
About The Author
Staff Writer, Product Testing Team
Alison is a health writer with ample experience reading and interpreting academic, peer-reviewed research. Based in San Diego, she is published in the journal PLOS Genetics and the Journal of Biological Chemistry and has been a copywriter for SmartBug media. With a master’s degree in biochemistry from the University of California, Davis, she has nearly a decade of academic research experience in life sciences. She enjoys helping people cut through the noise to understand the bigger picture about sleep and health. Alison likes to stay active with rock climbing, hiking, and walking her dog.
- POSITION: Stomach sleeper
- TEMPERATURE: Neutral Sleeper
- CHRONOTYPE: Bear
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