Mattress Rotating & Flipping Comparison
Based on 25,581 Mattress Owner Experiences
Updated April 8, 2017
For most mattresses, some maintenance is required to minimize wear and to maintain comfort and support. Mattress rotating refers to turning the mattress 180 degrees (moving the head of the mattress to the foot). Mattress flipping refers to turning the mattress over.
The chart below shows how mattress types compare on maintenance needs based on owner experiences. Keep in mind that this represents what is often but not always the case.
Maintenance Needs By Mattress Type
* applies to comfort layer only.
* applies to comfort layer only.
Air
The core of airbeds (in other words, the air chambers) do not need to be flipped / rotated to avoid sagging and loss of support. However, some models have toppers that can and should be rotated / flipped periodically to avoid uneven wear / compression. The toppers are usually not heavy and can be rotated / flipped by one person.
Memory foam and Latex
Memory foam mattresses and latex mattress can benefit from rotating, owner experience data suggests, despite claims from some manufacturers that it is not necessary. Given the potentially heavy weight of these mattresses, rotating can be difficult and require more than one person. In regard to flipping, most models have a no-flip one-sided design. A small number of owners, nevertheless, flip their mattress in an attempt to combat sagging.
Innerspring and Hybrid (Memory Foam and Innerspring)
Innerspring mattresses and hybrid mattresses can also benefit from being rotated. Given their potentially heavy weight, rotating can be difficult and require more than one person. In regard to flipping, most models have a no-flip one-sided design, but two-sided models are sometimes available.
Water
Waterbeds do not need to be rotated / flipped.
Futon
Futon mattresses may require fairly regular rotating / flipping, especially those models with cotton / fiber contents.
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