The Best Mattresses

The Best Mattress Options — Photo: birchliving.com Photo: birchliving.com

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With the rise of online mattress retailers, shopping for this bedding basic may seem easier than ever, but finding the best mattress remains a daunting task. A mattress is a big-ticket purchase, and choosing one that’s truly “just right” is incredibly important. The best mattress for you will impact sleep quality and, as an extension, deeply affect overall health, mood, productivity, and other aspects of day-to-day life.

Mattress preferences differ from person to person, so it’s essential to shop with individual needs in mind. Luckily, the best mattresses available today include a range of features to suit different sleep styles. We’ve rounded up the best mattresses in their respective categories. Our lineup features a selection of products made from the latest materials and softness/firmness options as well as mattresses designed to support back sleepers, side sleepers, and stomach sleepers. Read on for our picks of the best mattresses currently available in addition to shopping tips to help you enjoy restful slumber every night.

BEST OVERALL: Saatva Classic Mattress
BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Nectar Memory Foam Mattress
BEST FOR BACK SLEEPERS: Layla Hybrid Mattress
BEST FOR SIDE SLEEPERS: Tuft & Needle Original Mattress
BEST FOR STOMACH SLEEPERS: Helix Dawn Mattress
BEST FOR BACK PAIN: The WinkBed
BEST FOR HOT SLEEPERS: Purple Mattress
BEST FOR BIG AND TALL: Helix Plus
BEST NATURAL: Birch Natural Mattress
BEST FOR KIDS: Lucid 10-Inch Memory Foam Plush Feel Mattress

How We Chose the Best Mattresses

The best mattresses are as varied as individual sleep preferences—what works for one person might not work for another. To meet different sleep needs, we considered top-rated mattresses from a variety of categories. We narrowed down our list through intensive product research, considering the materials and construction, brand reputation, independent third-party mattress reviews, and consumer feedback. We chose options from the top mattress brands that are supportive, comfortable (considering support level, plushness, and temperature), and reasonably priced. We made sure to include affordable mattresses in our lineup as well as a few mattresses with customizability options, though these sometimes came at a higher price.

Sleeping on a mattress is really the only way to see if it’s a good fit. The best mattress on paper might not fully live up to expectations, so we also took the mattress trial period into account. We prioritized mattresses with generous trial periods, which gives consumers the opportunity to truly find the best mattress instead of settling for less.

Our Top Picks

Wondering what mattress to buy? We’ve narrowed down the top mattresses for a range of snoozing preferences. Wake up well rested with the best mattress picks ahead.

Best Overall

Saatva Classic Mattress

With several customizable options and a luxe feel, the Saatva classic mattress is the best mattress choice for many bedrooms. This mattress is a hybrid, with a supportive innerspring layer, memory-foam layer, and plush 3-inch pillowtop (complete with organic cotton cover). These features give the Saatva mattress a more luxurious, hotel-room feel than typical mattress-in-a-box options. In fact, this American-made mattress doesn’t come stuffed in a box; it is delivered to the home and set up for free.

Shoppers can customize the mattress height (11.5 or 14.5 inches tall) and firmness (plush soft, luxury firm, and firm) to suit their comfort level. These high-end features and customization are pricey, however; the Saatva mattress is one of our more expensive picks, though it does go on sale occasionally. It comes with a generous 365-day trial period, but there is a $99 fee to return or exchange Saatva mattresses.

Product Specs

Type: Hybrid
Firmness: Plush soft, luxury firm, or firm
Trial: 365 nights

Pros

Users can customize the mattress with 2 height options and 3 firmness levels
Luxurious, high-end feel due to comfortable hybrid design and 3-inch pillowtop top layer
Free “white-glove delivery” includes delivery, mattress setup, and removal of old mattress and foundation

Cons

There’s a $99 fee for refunds or exchanges

Get the Saatva mattress at Saatva.

Best Bang For The Buck

Nectar Memory Foam Mattress

The Nectar memory-foam mattress offers a comfortable product and several customer perks for a reasonable price. This mattress is made entirely of foam, with a harder supportive base layer, adaptive transition foam layer, and soft gel memory-foam top layer. To combat the heat-trapping effect of foam, the Nectar mattress has a cooling polyblend top cover.

To give sleepers peace of mind, all of the foams in this mattress are CertiPUR-US certified. These foam layers achieve a medium-level firmness. The memory-foam top makes this mattress a good choice for motion isolation since the “sink” of the soft foam prevents movement transfer.

Though this mattress is cheaper than some other comparable brands, it still offers plenty of customer perks, including free delivery, a 365-night trial, and free returns. Lucky for budget shoppers, it’s also not uncommon to find this mattress on sale.

Product Specs

Type: Foam
Firmness: Medium
Trial: 365 nights

Pros

Affordable price for a mattress with many similar features as other top brands
Memory-foam top layer dampens motion transfer, making this mattress good for couples
Free shipping, free returns, and 1 full year trial period

Cons

Full foam construction may “sleep hot” and be uncomfortable to some users

Get the Nectar mattress at Amazon or Nectar.

Best For Back Sleepers

Layla Hybrid Mattress

Hybrid mattresses are often a great choice for back sleepers in general, and the Layla hybrid mattress goes the extra mile by offering options for personal preference. As a hybrid mattress, it has an innerspring layer for the supportive spine alignment that benefits back sleepers plus a memory-foam top layer to cradle pressure points. What really stands out about this mattress is its flippable design for two firmness options in one mattress: Use one side for a soft, plush feel or flip it to the other for firm support.

Unlike many hybrid mattresses, the pocketed innerspring coils sit right in the middle layer to provide sturdy support on either side. A double coil perimeter offers extra edge support. Each side also features a copper-infused memory-foam layer, which helps transfer heat away from the body for better temperature regulation. The Layla hybrid mattress comes with free delivery and a 120-night trial period.

Product Specs

Type: Hybrid
Firmness: Flippable design; soft and firm
Trial: 120 nights

Pros

Flippable design with 2 firmness levels suits different sleeping preferences
Great edge support due to double-coil system along mattress perimeter
Copper-infused memory foam helps draw heat away from the body

Cons

The mattress is heavy and can be difficult for 1 person to flip

Get the Layla mattress at Amazon or Layla.

Best For Side Sleepers

Tuft & Needle Original Mattress

Side sleepers can benefit from a mattress with a bit of give. The Tuft & Needle original mattress is made with the brand’s Adaptive Foam to provide gentle support. This mattress has two foam layers: a firm base layer that prevents sinking and a top Adaptive Foam layer that contours to the body. Unlike memory foam, T&N’s Adaptive Foam has more of a bounce-back quality rather than a sinking feeling. For side sleepers, this can provide much-needed support and pressure relief.

To help with temperature regulation, the open-cell Adaptive Foam is infused with graphite and cooling gel to dissipate heat. A breathable cover is the soft finishing layer on this mattress. Like other top brands, this mattress comes with free shipping and returns along with a more modest 100-night trial period.

Product Specs

Type: Foam
Firmness: Firm
Trial: 100 nights

Pros

Adaptive Foam offers more of a bounce-back feel than traditional foam mattresses
Provides pressure relief without the “sinking” feeling of softer foams
Several cooling features, including graphite and gel-infused foam as well as a breathable top cover

Cons

Might not be soft enough for some side sleepers who prefer more of a sinking feeling
Some consumers have noted poor edge support; perhaps not ideal for those who sleep close to the edge of the bed
Comparatively short trial period compared to that of other top bed-in-a-box mattress brands

Get the Tuft & Needle mattress at Amazon or Tuft & Needle.

Best For Stomach Sleepers

Helix Dawn Mattress

A firm mattress often suits stomach sleepers, and the Helix Dawn mattress fits the bill with its mix of firm support and comfortable features. With an 8 or 9 out of 10 firmness rating (10 being the firmest on this list), the Helix Dawn is properly firm. It’s a good choice for anyone who likes a harder mattress but is particularly good for stomach sleepers, who need a mattress that doesn’t sink in too much.

A hybrid mattress, it has individually wrapped coils to thank for its firm feeling and excellent edge support. CertiPUR-US-certified foam upper layers add comfort. A layer of high-grade polyfoam provides a cushioned transition layer, which is then topped with a Helix Dynamic Foam top layer. This latex-foam hybrid layer is contouring but doesn’t sink or droop, combining the softness of foam and the bounce back of latex. A cooling top cover rounds out this supportive mattress. Like other top mattress brands, Helix offers free shipping and returns as well as a 100-night sleep trial.

Product Specs

Type: Hybrid
Firmness: Firm
Trial: 100 nights

Pros

Very firm, which is ideal for stomach sleepers or anyone who prefers a hard mattress
Good bounce-back due to Helix’s Dynamic Foam latex foam top layer
Innerspring layer offers great breathability and enhanced edge support

Cons

Very firm; offers less pressure relief than softer options
Comparatively short trial period compared to that of other top bed-in-a-box mattress brands

Get the Helix Dawn mattress at Helix.

Best For Back Pain

The WinkBed

For those with back pain, a good mattress can mean the difference between a restful sleep or a painful night of tossing and turning. The WinkBed is a worthwhile choice for back-pain sufferers. As a hybrid mattress, the WinkBed encourages good back alignment and provides cushioned comfort.

Individually wrapped pocket coils form the innerspring layer, which has varied zones (including a lumbar-support layer) to provide targeted back support. This is combined with extra edge support, so there’s no sagging or slipping off the edge. To add comfort, the top layer of this mattress is a gel-infused foam with a Euro-style pillow top, which feels denser and more luxurious than a standard pillow top. This layer helps relieve pressure at such key points as the back, hips, and shoulders. Along with a Tencel cover, each layer has breathable features to wick away heat.

As an added major bonus for pain sufferers, this mattress is available in four firmness levels (soft, medium firm, firm, extra firm). Shipping and returns are free, and there is a 120-night trial period.

Product Specs

Type: Hybrid
Firmness: Soft, medium firm, firm, extra firm
Trial: 120 nights

Pros

Shoppers can choose from 4 firmness levels, ranging from soft to extra firm
Good for hot sleepers due to innerspring layer and breathable Tencel cover
Extra edge-support system brings firm support right to each side of the mattress

Cons

Expensive for a mattress in a box compared to competitors

Get The WinkBed mattress at WinkBed.

Best For Hot Sleepers

Purple Mattress

The Purple mattress is a foam mattress with a distinctive GelFlex Grid. Made of a proprietary polymer, this unique grid has a repeating hollow-square structure that’s engineered to adapt and rebound to each person, flexing to the body without drooping or sagging. The grid design is also exceptionally breathable since the open spaces allow for excellent airflow. This means that body heat doesn’t get trapped, making this mattress a great choice for hot sleepers.

The 2-inch GelFlex Grid sits on top of two layers of foam, which creates the base to this mattress. A harder supportive layer and a cushioning transition layer gives this mattress a medium-firm feel. We reviewed the Purple mattress and found it very comfortable, both in terms of support and temperature regulation. The Purple Mattress comes with free shipping, a 100-night trial, and free returns.

Read our full review:Purple Mattress

Product Specs

Type: Foam
Firmness: Medium firm
Trial: 100 nights

Pros

Unique GelFlex Grid layer isn’t found in any other mattress on the market
The grid has a very responsive feel that flexes but doesn’t sink
Very breathable since the grid design allows for many small air channels

Cons

It take a bit of getting used to due to the untraditional feel of the grid layer

Get the Purple mattress at Amazon or Purple.

Best For Big And Tall

Helix Plus

Helix designed the Helix Plus for plus-size and big-and-tall bodies. It includes several features to boost support and durability. As a hybrid mattress, it starts with an innerspring layer with individually wrapped springs and reinforced edges. This mattress has an additional supportive foam layer that’s not present on standard Helix mattresses. Made of high-density foam, it helps provide optimal comfort and durability. Transition foam and a top memory-foam layer gives this bed a pleasant degree of “sink” without sacrificing support. This design prevents the mattress from sagging prematurely, which is a common complaint from plus-size sleepers.

Overall, this mattress has a medium-firm feel. Like other Helix mattresses, this one includes free shipping and returns as well as a 100-night trial period.

Product Specs

Type: Foam
Firmness: Medium firm
Trial: 100 nights

Pros

Has an additional support layer to offer extra support for plus-size sleepers
Less prone to sagging due to high-density foam layer
High-density foam, reinforced innerspring coils, and high-quality materials all improve durability

Cons

Some users found it sleeps hot; a cooling cover is available, but at an extra cost

Get the Helix Plus mattress at Helix.

Best Natural

Birch Natural Mattress

Eco-friendly and organic, the Birch natural mattress is our top pick for shoppers looking for a green night’s sleep. This hybrid medium-firm mattress is made with a range of natural and organic materials.

The mattress starts with an innerspring support layer with individually wrapped coils and enhanced edge support. Next comes a natural latex layer for cushioning relief on pressure points. An organic birch wool layer adds even more to comfort while also improving temperature regulation. The mattress is then topped with a breathable organic cotton cover.

Instead of potentially harmful chemical fire retardants, this mattress uses organic wool layers as a natural fire retardant. It also omits synthetic polyurethane foam in favor of natural latex. Birch mattresses hold several third-party health and sustainability certifications; two notable ones include Greenguard Gold and Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certifications. Shipping is free (including for returns) and there’s a 100-night trial period to ensure that buyers love their new natural mattress.

Product Specs

Type: Hybrid
Firmness: Medium firm
Trial: 100 nights

Pros

Several certifications back up natural claims, including Greenguard Gold and GOTS certifications
Birch wool layer and organic cotton top cover offer good temperature regulation and breathability
Does not contain chemical fire retardant; uses organic wool as a natural fire retardant instead

Cons

Bouncier feel isn’t ideal for motion isolation

Get the Birch mattress at Birch Living.

Best For Kids

Lucid 10-Inch Memory Foam Plush Feel Mattress

Affordable, safe, and comfortable, the Lucid 10-Inch memory-foam mattress is a great choice for a kid’s bedroom. Three layers of foam make up this comfortable mattress: a bamboo-based foam, transition foam, and 3.5-inch-thick gel-infused memory foam. This mattress is CertiPUR-US certified, so parents can have peace of mind knowing that it emits minimal volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

To suit different children’s preferences, this mattress comes in a plus, medium, and firm option. This mattress is available in twin, twin Xl, full, queen, king, and California king sizes to suit any child or teen’s bed frame. It also works on any bed frame type, including on an adjustable-base bed or a box spring. While this mattress doesn’t have a trial period, it is a budget-friendly pick.

Product Specs

Type: Foam
Firmness: Soft, medium, and firm
Trial: None

Pros

Made using CertiPUR-US-certified foams that are free from harmful chemicals Parents can choose from 3 firmness levels depending on the child’s preferences Available in twin to California king to fit children’s or teens’ bed frames

Cons

Lucid does not offer a trial period; the mattress cannot be returned if it’s not a good fit

Get the Lucid mattress at Amazon or Lucid.

Jump to Our Top Picks

Types of Mattresses

The first step to successful mattress shopping is to narrow down the best mattress type. There are several mattress types, each characterized by their material and construction. The main types include foam, innerspring, latex, and hybrid mattresses. Different mattress types have different benefits and drawbacks in terms of support, temperature regulation, and comfort, which are explained ahead.

Foam

Foam mattresses come in different firmness levels, from sinking and body contouring to rigid and supportive. There are several different types of mattress foams, including polyurethane foams and popular memory foam. Many foam mattresses incorporate several layers to blend support and softness.

When it comes to affordability, there are plenty of foam mattress options. While foam mattresses can be versatile and supportive, some users don’t like the sinking feeling. Cheap mattresses can also sink and sag over time, so it pays off to buy a warrantied foam mattress from reputable mattress companies. Foam can also sleep hot and feel less breathable, although many of the best foam mattress manufacturers include features to combat these downsides.

Innerspring

Innerspring mattresses are the traditional mattress type with a bottom layer of metal springs or coils that offer support. Unlike foam mattresses, innerspring mattresses have a more “bounce-back” rather than sinking feel. Since they aren’t made of dense foam, they also are more breathable.

Innerspring mattresses can have either a continuous coil or a pocket-coil spring system. Continuous coil is the more old-school type with an interlocking circular-coil system. This can offer excellent support and the classic bouncy mattress feel, but it performs poorly when it comes to motion transfer. In pocket-coil innerspring mattresses, the coils are individually wrapped rather than interlocking. This system is better at limiting motion transfer, making it a good choice for couples—when one partner moves, the other is less likely to feel it.

Latex

Latex mattresses can offer a natural alternative to foam mattresses, with a similar soft-yet-supportive feeling. The latex used in mattresses can be natural (from rubber trees) or synthetic, providing an option for more eco- and health-conscious shoppers.

Latex mattresses tend to have more bounce back than foam mattresses, though they aren’t as springy as innerspring ones. They also tend to sleep a bit cooler than foam. One downside of latex mattresses is that they tend to be pricier than foam options, especially for naturally derived options.

Hybrid

As the term suggests, hybrid mattresses mix characteristics of two mattress types. Most often, hybrid mattresses have a supportive innerspring base plus a softer foam or latex upper layer for comfort.

Hybrid mattresses appeal to shoppers who want the best of both worlds: a harder, supportive base and a softer, contouring top layer. They tend to combine the breathability of innerspring mattresses and the pressure-relieving effects of foam or latex for a comfortable sleep.

What to Consider When Choosing a Mattress

Choosing the right mattress can feel like an overwhelming task, but there are a few important factors that can make the decision easier. Sleeping style, body pain and type, temperature preferences, motion isolation needs, and mattress material preferences can all help narrow down the best choice. Read on for a deeper dive into these features.

Sleeping Position

The right mattress balances support and plushness, but how soft or firm can depend on sleeping position. The ideal mattress depends on sleep style, which includes back, side, and stomach sleeping.

Back sleepers: Medium-firm mattresses are usually a good bet for back sleepers. These keep the back aligned while allowing a little give for major pressure points, like the shoulders and hips.
Side sleepers: For side sleepers, a mattress that has some give often feels best. Medium-soft to medium mattresses can cradle the body and relieve pressure on major joints like the shoulders and hips while still supporting the spine.
Stomach sleepers: Stomach sleepers need a mattress that doesn’t sink too much to prevent the spine from arching backwards. Generally, a medium-firm or firm mattress can offer enough support for stomach sleepers.

Body Type and Body Pain

The right amount of support from a mattress can go a long way in alleviating aches and pains. For back pain sufferers, consider a medium-firm mattress. Some research shows that a medium-firm mattress offers a balance of softness and support that can help alleviate back pain. However, the best way to see if a mattress improves (or at least does not worsen) body pain is by trying it out. Since many mattresses have a trial period, this is a pretty risk-free process.

Shoppers looking for a new mattress will want to consider body weight. Most mattresses are designed to support about 250 pounds per side (though keep in mind that this can vary from mattress to mattress). Sleepers who weigh more than 250 pounds should check to see if the mattress has a recommended weight limit. It’s best to stick to a mattress’s weight recommendation to ensure adequate support and improve the mattress’ longevity. Those with a higher body weight might prefer a mattress designed with heavier bodies in mind; these can have extra support layers for better comfort and durability.

Temperature Regulation

Feeling too hot or too cold can lower sleep quality. Mattresses can have an effect on temperature regulation throughout the night, so it’s an important consideration for “hot” or “cold” sleepers. Colloquially, those who often wake up feeling overheated and warm are called “hot sleepers,” while those who wake up feeling cold are “cold sleepers.”

In general, many of the best mattresses include features for temperature regulation such as breathable materials and air pockets to increase air flow. However, shoppers who fall on either extreme might look for mattresses with specific features. Material makes a difference; foam tends to be dense and less breathable, so it can sleep hot (which is a plus for cold sleepers).

Hot sleepers who want a foam mattress should look for breathable covers, cooling-gel mattresses, or even copper-infused materials, which can help draw away heat and improve temperature regulation. These same features apply to hybrid mattresses, which can include cooling features in their top layer. On the other hand, due to its coil system, innerspring mattresses are pretty breathable, so they offer a comfortable amount of airflow for hot sleepers.

Motion Isolation and Edge Support

Motion isolation is an important factor to consider for those who share a bed—no one wants to be disturbed by a wobbling mattress as their partner rolls over. A drawback of traditional innerspring mattresses has been poor motion isolation, although newer pocket-coil systems greatly improved on this complaint.

Generally, there’s less motion transfer on softer surfaces. Foam mattresses tend to have good motion isolation, especially soft, contouring memory foam. Other foam and latex mattresses perform based on their softness and sink. Hybrid mattresses with a soft top layer also tend to isolate motion while still offering the support of mattress springs.

Edge support refers to how well the mattress maintains its structure and support all the way to its edge. A good mattress won’t sink or sag much, even right along its edges. Edge support is important for those who roll around in their sleep. Generally, innerspring mattresses have great edge support since the coils help with weight distribution, whereas foam mattresses are sometimes lacking in edge support. Look for a foam mattress with reinforced edges if edge support is a priority.

Certifications and Off-Gassing

Some level of off-gassing is expected when opening up a new mattress, especially mattress-in-a-box products that come vacuum-sealed. While there’s often a smell to new mattresses, it is not considered harmful. However, for peace of mind, there are some certifications that shoppers can look for, including:

CertiPUR-US: CertiPUR-US-certified foams are certified by the CertiPUR-US organization to meet its standards for material safety. These foams are made without chemicals deemed harmful by the organization, such as ozone depleters, certain heavy metals, certain fire retardants, and formaldehyde. They are also shown to have low VOC emissions so they have less effect on air quality.
Oeko-Tex: An Oeko-Tex Standard 100 label shows that the mattress fabric and textiles (like the outer cover, thread, and buttons) have been tested and deemed not harmful to human health.
Greenguard Gold: Products with Greenguard Gold certification are proven to meet rigorous chemical emissions standards and are shown to have low chemical emissions.
Global Organic Textile Standard: GOTS certification is a textile’s certification for organic fibers and is a certification shoppers will want to look for if they’re in the market for an organic mattress. GOTS-certified textiles are made of at least 70 percent organic fiber. This third-party body sets standards at every level of the textile manufacturing process, from harvesting to labeling, to ensure a safe and more sustainable finished product.
Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS): GOLS certification is similar to GOTS but for latex. Certification means that the latex materials in the mattress contain at least 95 percent natural latex that is organic and meets strict health and environmental criteria.

FAQs

Q. When is the best time to buy a mattress?

Shop for mattresses on major shopping holidays (for example, Memorial Day, Labor Day, and the Fourth of July) when companies are likely to have discounts. Another good time to shop is between the months of March and May. Many mattress companies roll out new models around June, so they try to clear out stock in the previous months.

Q. Is it better to sleep on a hard or soft mattress?

It depends on a range of factors, including your sleeping style, weight, preferences, and any chronic pain issues. The best way to tell if a mattress is right, hard or soft, is by sleeping on it. Luckily, many of the best mattress retailers have generous trial periods, so you can try the mattress out at home.