Sosha Lewis is a senior staff writer for Sleepopolis and a certified sleep science coach. Lewis is happy that she is able to combine her love of sleep with her love of writing. Lewis also has had articles featured in The Washington Post, Huffington Post, MUTHA Magazine, Charlotte Magazine, and The Charlotte Observer. Her weekly column, Soshally Awkward, is featured on the nationally-syndicated radio show, Bob & Sheri.
She lives in Charlotte, NC with her husband, daughter, and lovable trash-panda of a dog, Olive.
Riley is a staff writer and Certified Sleep Science Coach at Sleepopolis. She’s a firm believer that there’s nothing better than a good night’s sleep. Riley graduated from Elon University with a degree in journalism and creative writing. In her free time, she loves to paint, cook, and spend time with family (especially her pets).
This is a hybrid mattress, meaning it combines soft foams and sturdy coils for a balance of comfort and support.
Firmness
We rated the Helix Midnight a 6 out of 10 on the firmness scale, where 1 is the softest and 10 is the firmest. This means it’s slightly softer than the industry standard (6.5 out of 10).
Customer Reviews
4.5/5
Size
Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king
Side Sleepers
Ideal for average weight side sleepers.
Back Sleepers
Ideal for back sleepers of all weights.
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation, so you shouldn’t feel your partner tossing and turning at night.
Pros of the Helix Midnight
Back sleepers should get some cushioning in the lumbar region, and the coils will help keep their spines neutrally aligned.
Side sleepers should experience nice pressure relief and contouring at their shoulders and hips. For extra pressure relief, we recommend the Helix Midnight Luxe, the standard Helix Midnight’s luxury version.
The Helix Midnight has low motion transfer, which means partners aren’t likely to feel each other moving around at night.
The Midnight is a responsive mattress, so it’s ideal for combination sleepers.
You can return your bed after the 30-day “break-in” period and before the trial period ends for a full refund.
The Helix Midnight is amongst Helix’s line of six standard mattresses. It’s known for its more balanced feel, allowing it to accommodate a wide range of sleepers. We also recommend it for couples, as it scored well on our motion isolation, responsiveness, edge support, and cooling tests. For a plusher and more cooling version of this mattress, see the Helix Midnight Luxe. Learn more in our video review.
What our tester says:
“I would recommend this mattress for side or back sleepers because it’s supportive, without putting pressure on your joints.” – Nichole Mondshein, lead reviewer and staff writer
Innerspring, for a bouncy mattress that’s easy to move around.
Firmness
Multiple firmness options. We tested the Luxury Firm model and scored it a 6.5 out of 10, meaning it’s the industry standard for medium firm.
Customer Reviews
4.8/5
Size
Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, split king, split California king
Hot Sleepers
If you ever overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Pain
This bed is ideal for anyone suffering from back pain.
Back Sleeping
This mattress is ideal for back sleepers of all weights.
Stomach Sleeping
It’s also a nice option for lightweight and average weight stomach sleepers.
Pros of the Saatva
With three firmness options, most sleepers should find a Saatva model that works for them
The Saatva uses high-quality materials that will last you a long time
Its bouncy and responsive feel means it’s great for combination sleepers
The Saatva’s reinforced edges give it some of the best edge support we’ve ever seen
Cons of the Saatva
If you’re looking for lots of sinkage or amazing motion isolation, you’re better off with one of the best memory foam mattresses.
None of the Saatva Classic models will likely be supportive enough for heavy stomach sleepers. For these folks, we recommend the Saatva HD.
Shipping
Free white glove delivery
Trial Period
365 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Returns
Full refund within the 365-night trial period. Saatva charges a $99 pick-up fee
The Saatva’s coil-on-coil construction provides a classic innerspring feel. It’s a good option for combo sleepers, who will want to feel free to switch positions and avoid feeling “stuck” in the mattress. It comes in three firmness levels, so you should be able to find one that suits your needs. The white glove delivery Saatva provides is an added perk and will save you the headache of getting rid of your old mattress (they take it away for free!). For more information, watch our video review.
What our tester says:
“I think the Saatva is a great option for back sleepers, as the Luxury Firm model provides enough cushioning for their lumbar region, but also lots of support to keep their spine in a neutral alignment.” – Nichole Mondshein, lead reviewer and staff writer
Best Value
Customer Rating
4.6
DreamCloud
DreamCloud Original Mattress
Firm, Supportive Feel
Cashmere-Blend Cover
Responsive Springs
4th of July – Extended
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This is a hybrid mattress, meaning it combines soft foams and sturdy coils for a balance of comfort and support.
Firmness
We rated the DreamCloud a 7 out of 10 on our mattress firmness scale, where 1 is the softest and 10 is the firmest. A 7 means that the DreamCloud is fairly firm.
Customer Reviews
4.6/5
Size
Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, split king
Back Sleepers
You should get enough cushioning for your lumbar region and enough support for a neutral spinal alignment.
Hot Sleepers
The coils in the support layer leave plenty of room for airflow.
Combination Sleepers
The DreamCloud is responsive enough for you to easily change positions.
Pros of the DreamCloud
Soft memory foam for cushioning at the lumbar region and sturdy coils for spinal support.
Springs that provide a lot of bounce and responsiveness, both of which help you change positions.
Strong edge support, allowing couples to use the whole surface of the bed.
Free returns after at least 30 days and within the 365-night trial period
With soft foam and a sturdy layer of innerspring coils, the DreamCloud strikes a balance between comfort and support — a little bit of contouring up top and on-top-of-the-bed feel that comes from the bottom. It’s a fairly firm mattress that we think is most comfortable for back sleepers. It also has some luxury touches such as a cashmere-blend cover that are reminiscent of a high-end hotel. Learn more in our DreamCloud video review.
What our tester says:
“I really like how luxurious this mattress feels and how it could work for a variety of sleepers. Along with that, I found that the breathable cashmere cover helps the DreamCloud sleep cool throughout the night. Thanks to its medium-firm to firm support, I think the DreamCloud is a durable mattress. It balances support with plenty of pressure relief for back sleepers.” – Bridget Chapman, former Sleepopolis senior product editor
Best Support
Customer Rating
4.7
Nectar
Nectar Mattress
Medium-Soft
Cooling
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We rated the Nectar as a 6 out of 10, meaning it is just a touch softer than medium-firm.
Customer Reviews
4.7/5
Size
Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, split king
Side Sleepers
If you sleep on your side, this bed will keep your joints cushioned.
Back Sleepers
If you sleep on your back, the Nectar will provide a nice mix of cushioning and support.
Budget Shoppers
This affordable mattress is a great pick for those looking to save.
Pros of the Nectar
The Nectar offers a classic memory foam feel, with deep sinkage and contouring.
Side sleepers should enjoy how the soft foams relieve pressure on their shoulder and hip.
Back sleepers should also feel supported, but pleasantly cushioned on the Nectar.
Couples shouldn’t be too disturbed by movement, as the Nectar isolates motion well.
Cons of the Nectar
Stomach sleepers likely won’t get enough support for spinal alignment from the Nectar.
It incorporates some cooling materials but it’s not by any means the best cooling mattress.
The Nectar isn’t supportive enough to be one of the best mattresses for heavy sleepers, which accommodate folks weighing 250 pounds or more.
Shipping
Free shipping
Trial Period
365 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Returns
Full refund and free returns within the 365-night trial period
The Nectar delivers on classic memory foam: it’s soft, contouring, and provides a slow-sinking feel. Still, it provides solid support for most light to average weight sleepers. The cushioning memory foam allows for plenty of pressure relief on pain points, like shoulders and hips. Side sleepers especially should enjoy the pressure relief. Plus, a lengthy trial period, lifetime warranty, and affordable price make the Nectar a reassuring choice for many. Watch our video review to learn more.
What our tester says:
“I think memory foam lovers should be happy on the Nectar. This bed has a classic memory foam feel, so there’s lots of sinkage, contouring, and pressure relief. This can be great for anyone with shoulder pain or hip pain since it gives them cushioning at sensitive pressure points.” – Nichole Mondshein, lead reviewer and staff writer
This is a hybrid mattress, meaning it combines soft foams and sturdy coils for a balance of comfort and support.
Firmness
We rated the Saatva Rx a 6.5 out of 10 on our mattress firmness scale, where 1 is the softest and 10 is the firmest. A 6.5 means that it’s a medium-firm mattress.
Customer Reviews
4.8/5
Size
Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, split king
Back Sleepers
You should get enough cushioning for your lumbar region and enough support for a neutral spinal alignment.
Hot Sleepers
If you ever overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Stomach Sleepers
The Saatva Rx is supportive enough to prevent stomach sleepers’ hips from bowing into the mattress.
Pros of the Saatva Rx
It’s supportive while providing enough pressure relief for joint pain
The specially designed blend of comfort and support makes it a good fit for all three primary sleeping positions
There are plenty of cooling features, including airflow-promoting coils and infusions of gel and phase change material
Cons of the Saatva Rx
It’s a very pricy mattress. For less-expensive options, see our roundup of the best cheap mattresses.
Shipping
Free shipping and white glove delivery
Trial Period
365 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Returns
Free returns after at least 45 days and within the 365-night trial period
Designed specifically for sleepers with back pain and joint pain, the Saatva Rx features several layers that combine both foam and coils. This creates a blend of comfort and support throughout the entire mattress that’s cushioning enough for any aches and pains while still being sturdy enough for a neutral spinal alignment. Learn more in our Saatva Rx video review.
What our tester says:
“I found that this bed has a supportive feel that easily works for people of all weights, but still feels plush and comfortable.” – Amelia Jerden, senior staff writer
Best Bed In A Box
Customer Rating
4.8
Nectar
Nectar Premier Hybrid
Medium-Firm Comfort
Cooling Cover
Antimicrobial
4th of July Deals -Extended
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This is a hybrid mattress, meaning it combines soft foams and sturdy coils for a balance of comfort and support.
Firmness
We rated the Nectar Premier a 6.5 out of 10 on the firmness scale, where 1 is the softest and 10 is the firmest. This means it’s medium firm, which is the industry standard.
Customer Reviews
4.4/5
Size
Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, split king
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.
Hip Pain
This bed could be a good fit for anyone suffering from hip pain.
Back Pain
It might feel comfortable for anyone suffering from back pain.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Pros of the Nectar Premier Hybrid
The Nectar Premier Hybrid is pressure relieving, supportive, and durable, making it a great option for back sleepers, side sleepers, and couples.
Sleepers with allergies should appreciate the antimicrobial protection in the Nectar Premier Hybrid’s cover.
Combination sleepers should enjoy how easy it is to change sleeping positions on this mattress.
Cons of the Nectar Premier Hybrid
Strict stomach sleepers weighing over 130 pounds may need a firmer option.
Those looking for something similar to Nectar’s all-foam mattresses may be disappointed at how responsive and fast-moving the foam is.
Shipping
Free shipping
Trial Period
365 nights
Warranty
10-year warranty
Returns
Free returns within the 365-night trial period
The Nectar Premier Hybrid is a medium-firm mattress with a durable hybrid construction. This bed should work well for a wide range of sleepers with different needs. It also features a quilted cooling cover with Microban antimicrobial protection to help prevent bacteria growth. Learn more in our video review.
What our tester says:
“I like how this mattress can work for a wide variety of sleepers. It’s pressure relieving, supportive, and durable — which is great for back sleepers, side sleepers, and couples. Anyone searching for a medium-firm hybrid mattress could find this Nectar to be as sweet as… well… Nectar. I also appreciate how breathable the cover is and think hot sleepers could really like this bed.” – Bridget Chapman, former senior product editor
Best For Side Sleepers
Customer Rating
4.4
Helix
Helix Midnight Luxe Mattress
Medium-Soft Comfort
Cooling Pillow Top
Zoned Support
Deal
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Hybrid, combining foam and zoned support coils for a supportive feel.
Firmness
The Helix Midnight Luxe is a medium-soft to medium-firm bed in the brand’s luxury line of hybrids, coming in at a 6 out of 10 on our mattress firmness scale (1 is the softest and 10 is the firmest).
Customer Reviews
4.4/5
Size
Twin, twin XL, full. queen, short queen, king, California king, RV king
Back Sleepers
The springs in the Helix Midnight Luxe should help back sleepers maintain a neutral posture.
Side Sleepers
The pillow top and layer of memory foam should give these folks plenty of softness and contouring.
Pros of the Helix Midnight Luxe
The luxury version of the standard Helix Midnight comes with a pillow top and Tencel cover.
The Midnight Luxe should sleep fairly cool, thanks to its airflow-promoting coils and breathable Tencel cover.
The springs give the Helix Midnight Luxe a good deal of bounce and responsiveness that should make it easy for combination sleepers to change. positions
Cons of the Helix Midnight Luxe
The softness of this mattress isn’t going to be an ideal fit for stomach sleepers. They’ll need something more supportive to keep their hips elevated and in line with their shoulders. See our best mattresses for stomach sleepers for more options.
Likewise, heavy sleepers over 250 pounds will likely need a firmer and more supportive mattress. They should look at our best mattresses for heavy people.
Shipping
Free shipping
Trial Period
100 nights
Warranty
10-year warranty
Returns
Free refunds after 30 days, as long as it’s still within the 100-night trial period.
Helix has a line of six hybrid mattresses, each with a different level of firmness. The Midnight is one of their medium models. It has enough contouring for side sleepers, but should still be supportive enough for back sleepers, as long as they don’t mind a softer bed. Learn more in our video review.
What our tester says:
“I like the Helix Midnight Luxe for back sleepers and side sleepers. The medium-soft to medium-firm feel should give these folks the right balance of comfort and support.” – Nichole Mondshein, lead reviewer and mattress tester
This is a hybrid mattress, meaning it combines soft foams and sturdy coils for a balance of comfort and support.
Firmness
This mattress allows you to select your firmness level, between Plush, Medium-Firm, and Firm
Customer Review
4.4/5
Size
Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal King
Side Sleepers
This bed offers pressure relief at both the shoulders and hips, making it a great fit for side sleepers.
Back Sleepers
This bed’s strong support is ideal for back sleepers because it helps keep the spine neutrally aligned.
Seniors
This bed is perfect for senior sleepers, as it provides them support and easy mobility.
Pros of the Leesa Sapira Mattress
Leesa is a great choice for back sleepers and should give them the comfort and support they desire. It could also work for some combination sleepers, as it’s bouncy enough to easily move around on.
This all-foam mattress comes at a really affordable price, which is great for budget-savvy shoppers. It also has some nice cooling features, due to its layer of breathable foam — a nice addition for hot sleepers.
Free Shipping
Cons of the Leesa Sapira Mattress
This mattress could have more edge support.
Shipping
Free shipping
No Risk Trial
100 night risk free trial
The Leesa Sapira Chill is a great quality mattress with cooling properties. The mattress can be ordered for your preferred firmness, offering you flexibility to get the right mattress catered to your needs. The mattress arrives at your front door quickly with free shipping and a limited lifetime warranty.
Our Pick
Customer Rating
4.5
Helix
Helix Midnight Mattress
Cooling Mattress
Medium-Firm Comfort
Reinforced Edges
Deal
Use code SLEEPOPOLIS27 and save 27% off sitewide See Details
This is a hybrid mattress, meaning it combines soft foams and sturdy coils for a balance of comfort and support.
Firmness
We rated the Helix Midnight a 6 out of 10 on the firmness scale, where 1 is the softest and 10 is the firmest. This means it’s slightly softer than the industry standard (6.5 out of 10).
Customer Reviews
4.5/5
Size
Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king
Side Sleepers
Ideal for average weight side sleepers.
Back Sleepers
Ideal for back sleepers of all weights.
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation, so you shouldn’t feel your partner tossing and turning at night.
Pros of the Helix Midnight
Back sleepers should get some cushioning in the lumbar region, and the coils will help keep their spines neutrally aligned.
Side sleepers should experience nice pressure relief and contouring at their shoulders and hips. For extra pressure relief, we recommend the Helix Midnight Luxe, the standard Helix Midnight’s luxury version.
The Helix Midnight has low motion transfer, which means partners aren’t likely to feel each other moving around at night.
The Midnight is a responsive mattress, so it’s ideal for combination sleepers.
You can return your bed after the 30-day “break-in” period and before the trial period ends for a full refund.
The Helix Midnight is amongst Helix’s line of six standard mattresses. It’s known for its more balanced feel, allowing it to accommodate a wide range of sleepers. We also recommend it for couples, as it scored well on our motion isolation, responsiveness, edge support, and cooling tests. For a plusher and more cooling version of this mattress, see the Helix Midnight Luxe. Learn more in our video review.
What our tester says:
“I would recommend this mattress for side or back sleepers because it’s supportive, without putting pressure on your joints.” – Nichole Mondshein, lead reviewer and staff writer
Buying the Right Mattress For You
Picking out a new mattress can be daunting. These five steps will help determine what kind of mattress is best for you.
Follow these 5 steps and ask yourself
Do you need an upgrade?
The general rule of thumb is to replace your mattress about every eight years. However, if you’re sleeping poorly or waking with aches and pains, it may be time for a change.
Do you need an upgrade?
The general rule of thumb is to replace your mattress about every eight years. However, if you’re sleeping poorly or waking with aches and pains, it may be time for a change.
Do you want foam or hybrid?
Foam mattresses typically offer a unique feel that contours your body and provides a slow sinking sensation. Foam mattresses work for many sleepers. Hybrid models offer a combination of foam and innerspring coils. This construction provides a mixture of contouring, support, and responsiveness. Combination sleepers, sexually active couples, and those who easily heat up at night often benefit from hybrids.
Do you want foam or hybrid?
Foam mattresses typically offer a unique feel that contours your body and provides a slow sinking sensation. Foam mattresses work for many sleepers. Hybrid models offer a combination of foam and innerspring coils. This construction provides a mixture of contouring, support, and responsiveness. Combination sleepers, sexually active couples, and those who easily heat up at night often benefit from hybrids.
What’s your budget?
A budget between $1,000 and $1,500 will cover most mattress options in the online market. Although a few quality mattresses can be purchased for less than $500, the materials will likely be cheaper, meaning they will likely break down more quickly than those made with higher-quality materials.
What’s your budget?
A budget between $1,000 and $1,500 will cover most mattress options in the online market. Although a few quality mattresses can be purchased for less than $500, the materials will likely be cheaper, meaning they will likely break down more quickly than those made with higher-quality materials.
Do you like soft, medium, or firm comfort?
We measure firmness on a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being the softest and 10 being the firmest. Most sleepers will enjoy a medium-firm mattress in the 5 to 7 range, but you may want to adjust based on your sleep position.
Side sleepers may want a softer mattress in the 5 to 6.5 range out of 10. Back sleepers may want a medium-firm mattress in the 5.5 to 7 range out of 10. Stomach sleepers may prefer a firmer mattress in the 7 to 9 range out of 10.
Do you like soft, medium, or firm comfort?
We measure firmness on a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being the softest and 10 being the firmest. Most sleepers will enjoy a medium-firm mattress in the 5 to 7 range, but you may want to adjust based on your sleep position.
Side sleepers may want a softer mattress in the 5 to 6.5 range out of 10. Back sleepers may want a medium-firm mattress in the 5.5 to 7 range out of 10. Stomach sleepers may prefer a firmer mattress in the 7 to 9 range out of 10.
What is your sleeping position?
Your sleep position, weight, and sleeping partner may affect the best mattress for you. Balanced support is essential in providing pressure relief and even weight distribution. Additionally, couples or sleepers who get hot easily may want a mattress with temperature-regulating technology to keep them cool through the night.
What is your sleeping position?
Your sleep position, weight, and sleeping partner may affect the best mattress for you. Balanced support is essential in providing pressure relief and even weight distribution. Additionally, couples or sleepers who get hot easily may want a mattress with temperature-regulating technology to keep them cool through the night.
Benefits of Buying Online
Greater selection
There is a wider range of companies to choose from online, so there is a great mattress for nearly every sleeper.
Greater selection
There is a wider range of companies to choose from online, so there is a great mattress for nearly every sleeper.
No sales teams or middlemen
You can find the perfect mattress for you without the hassle of aggressive sales teams. Plus, with no middlemen, the lower price gets passed to you.
No sales teams or middlemen
You can find the perfect mattress for you without the hassle of aggressive sales teams. Plus, with no middlemen, the lower price gets passed to you.
Risk-free trials with money-back guarantees
Most companies offer generous trial periods, usually 100 nights or longer, with a 100% money-back guarantee if you don’t love your new mattress. So instead of rolling around on a mattress for five minutes in a showroom, you get to try your mattress out in your own home and actually sleep on it.
Risk-free trials with money-back guarantees
Most companies offer generous trial periods, usually 100 nights or longer, with a 100% money-back guarantee if you don’t love your new mattress. So instead of rolling around on a mattress for five minutes in a showroom, you get to try your mattress out in your own home and actually sleep on it.
While this is going to depend on your individual budget, a value mattress is generally considered to be one that’s under $1,000 for a Queen-size. So set that as your spending limit if you’re looking to save money. We think the Nectar is an excellent cheap mattress, and you can often get the luxury DreamCloud for under $1,000 after discounts.
When is the best time to buy a mattress?
Many bedding brands launch huge sales around federal holidays, so keep an eye out for deals around President’s Day, Memorial Day, and even Labor Day. You’ll also naturally find a ton of deals around Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Check out our mattress coupons and promo codes page year-round to stay up to date on the latest discounts.
How often should I replace my mattress?
In general, you should replace your old mattress every 7–10 years. However, a mattress can sag prematurely if you don’t place it on a proper foundation or treat it roughly. You can also extend the life of an old mattress for a few months by adding a mattress topper.
Whenever you’re buying a new bed, it’s important to take a look at its warranty, which can also give you a good idea of how long it should last.
What is the best mattress for back pain?
Most people who struggle with back pain find that a firm or medium-firm mattress is best for them. This type of bed will help you keep your spine straight overnight, which can help alleviate a lot of pain.
What is the best mattress for stomach sleepers?
Of all the sleeping positions, stomach sleepers require the most support. With that in mind, they’re best off with a bed that’s reinforced with pocketed coils.
What is the best mattress for side sleepers?
Side sleepers are on the other end of the spectrum from stomach sleepers. While they still require some support, they tend to prefer softer beds (or medium firm) that have a lot of cushioning for their shoulders hips.
More Questions?
Purchasing a mattress is a big decision that impacts your health and well-being. Here at Sleepopolis, we want to help you get your best night’s sleep! Still have questions about finding the perfect mattress? Head over to our comprehensive mattress guide.
