Much like Smoky the Bear protects us from forest fires, the Bear Original protects us from mattress fires. Not only does it keep sleepers safe from flames — it does so without exposing them to fiberglass. However, since all of the mattresses on his list don’t use fiberglass, that alone isn’t enough for the Bear to sit at the top of this list. It earned the top spot because it’s like a Swiss army knife when it comes to meeting your sleep needs, scoring a 4 or higher in cooling, edge support, motion isolation, and responsiveness. These scores helped it achieve a 4 out of 5 overall. 

Although the Bear’s versatility shines, I want to hone in on performance factors that always catch my attention: cooling and motion isolation. As soon as my husband climbs in bed, his body temperature shoots up, causing him to wiggle like a sizzling piece of bacon. This can make sleeping with him…umm…unbearable (see what I did there?).

However, this bed uses celliant material in the cover, which studies have shown may help muscle recovery and aid in temperature regulation, but I do need to point out the celliant cover costs extra on all Bear models.  The all-foam construction also absorbs motion well and prevents it from transferring from one side of the bed to the other.

My colleague, Riley Otis, took the mattress’s surface temperature with a thermal temperature gun, noting that it was 66.6 degrees Fahrenheit. After she lounged around on it for 5 minutes, she took another temperature reading and saw that the bed’s temperature had only risen 5.3 degrees, well below the average temperature rise of 7.14. She said, “I thought this mattress had a lovely cool-to-the-touch feel, and I liked that it felt cool the entire time I was on it — impressive for an all-foam bed.” 

Since my husband’s flipping and flopping can keep me awake if we share a bed with poor motion isolation, this feature is always a key component when looking at mattresses. Riley performed our partner test with another coworker and stated that she was impressed with its motion isolation. She said, “I could detect a very slight disturbance when my colleague got in the bed and switched positions, but I couldn’t detect him getting out of the bed, which is fantastic.”

As impressive as the Bear is, it doesn’t mean there aren’t some areas for improvement. I was slightly disappointed in the pressure relief results, particularly for larger-bodied people. Our heavyweight tester, Caine Wilkes, gave this bed a 3 out of 5 for side and back pressure relief. When Caine was on his side, he felt pressure in his shoulders, and when he switched to his back, he said, “My hips are sinking in more than my shoulders.” This lack of support throughout can cause spinal misalignment. Fortunately, if you want a new mattress with top-notch pressure relief, you can keep it in the family and try the Bear Elite Hybrid. 

Also, if you like a bed that gives you an assist when you’re switching positions, you will likely find that Bear doesn’t offer much of a helping hand. Riley said, “This bed has little to no bounce, and it doesn’t help much when moving into a new position.”

Want to know more about the Bear Original? Check out our full Bear Original mattress review, or click here for our best deals on this mattress.

Bear Original’s Fiberglass-Free Construction

Bear states that its mattresses do not contain fiberglass. Its mattresses are 100 percent fiberglass-free, OEKO-TEX certified, flame-retardant rayon. Bear beds are free of harmful chemicals. 

Back sleepers, like Goldilocks, are looking for a bed that is “just right.” These folks need a bed that is not too soft but not too hard and one that brings them pressure relief and support. With this in mind, sleepers who prefer to sleep on their back on a fiberglass-free bed will want to learn more about the Helix Midnight Luxe. By offering back sleepers all they need for a comfortable, restful night’s sleep, this mattress earned a 4.3 overall, buoyed by scores of 4 out of 5 or higher in all performance categories. 

I performed most of the tests and evaluations on the Midnight Luxe, but I called in my colleague and Olympian, Caine Wilkes, to give feedback on how this mattress performs for larger-bodied folks. To evaluate how much pressure he felt when he was on his back, we used a specialized mat on top of the mattress to produce thermal images of Caine. These images use a color-coded key to indicate where more pressure is being felt, and they also show pressure per square inch (PSI). 

Caine’s back PSI was 14.6, which, despite Caine weighing over 230 pounds, still put his PSI under the average of 15.1. He was impressed with how balanced and supported he felt on the Midnight Luxe. 

The bed’s upper comfort layers were very welcoming when I was on the bed. Sometimes, softer foam layers can make you feel trapped, but this wasn’t the case with this bed. I found it easy to switch positions, also making this a top contender for sexually active people. 

Although the Midnight Luxe is aces for back sleepers, I don’t think stomach sleepers will be big fans. When I was on my stomach, I felt a dip in my lower back because my hips sank too far down. This could lead to spinal misalignment and general discomfort for those who sleep front side down. If this applies to you, I suggest staying with Helix but opting for the firmer Dawn instead. 

Also, if you have mobility issues that cause you trouble getting out of bed from a seated position, the Midnight Luxe may not be your optimal choice. When I stood from a seated position on the edge of the bed, I had to engage my legs more than I do on beds with more supportive perimeters. 

Read our full Helix Midnight Luxe mattress review, or click here for our best deals. If you want more options, look at our best mattresses for back sleepers.

Helix’s Fiberglass-Free Construction

Helix’s website states, “Every Helix mattress is made without the use of fiberglass. All Helix mattresses are designed with a fire retardant yarn made from a chemical-free Rayon barrier that is in the form of a small foam layer. Rayon fiber is a manufactured fiber composed of 100 percent regenerated cellulose.”

Hybrid models have become popular since their blend of comforting memory foam and sturdy coil bases offers the sought-after combination of support and pressure relief. When I tested out the fiberglass-free Bear Elite Hybrid, I experienced all of the features that hybrids are known for — spinal support, contouring, and cooling — at an optimal level. I picked it as the best fiberglass-free hybrid because of its 4.2 overall score, which was achieved because it got a 4 or higher in back pressure relief, cooling, edge support, motion isolation, and responsiveness. Shoppers can also pick between three comfort levels, giving them an additional way to hone in on their preferences. 

As an average-weight sleeper (someone who falls between 130–230 pounds), I loved how this bed felt comfortable when I tested it on my back, side, and stomach. We rated this mattress a 7 out of 10 on our firmness scale, putting it slightly above the universally appealing 6.5 medium-firmness. 

Although the Medium comfort level I tried is a little firmer than I would normally recommend to a fellow side sleeper, the pillow top contoured around my side, making this bed very comfortable. However, I instantly became the president of the Elite Hybrid’s fan club when I turned on my back, declaring that I’d become a back sleeper if I owned that bed. I loved how the foams filled in the gap around my lower back, easing all the aches and pains I held there.

My colleague, Caine Wilkes, who represents sleepers weighing more than 230 pounds, and I liked this bed on our sides and backs. However, Asha Birjah, the lightweight tester, had a different experience. She noted that when she was on her back, her bottom sank more than her shoulders, and she felt an arch in her lower back. She said, “I wouldn’t want to sleep on this bed every night, but it is comfortable enough that I wouldn’t mind sleeping on it for a few nights in a guest room.” 

If this bed is in a guest room, you know that your hosts enjoy having you because this luxury mattress comes with a fairly hefty price tag, with a queen size coming in at $2,305 before discounts. If the Bear Elite is a little steep for you, you can find quality choices in our roundup of best cheap mattresses

If this sounds like the hybrid mattress for you, check out our best deals here, or read our full Bear Elite Hybrid mattress review for more information. If you’re a lightweight sleeper, try out the Soft model, or the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid is another excellent choice. For more hybrid options, take a look at our roundup of the best hybrid mattresses on the market right now.

Bear Elite Hybrid’s Fiberglass-Free Construction

According to Bear’s website, none of its mattresses contain fiberglass. The manufacturer uses 100 percent fiberglass-free, OEKO-TEX certified, flame-retardant rayon.

No one wants a mattress that traps heat so easily that they wake up hot and sweaty. During testing, we discovered that the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe is one of the finest cooling mattresses on the market. Considering it is also fiberglass-free, we chose it as our best cooling mattress. Not only did it earn a perfect 5 in cooling, but it also got one in responsiveness. However, the good grades didn’t stop there, with Aurora Luxe receiving a 4.4 or higher in back pressure relief, edge support, and motion isolation, which brought home a 4.5 overall. 

Now that we’ve got the hot sleepers’ attention, let’s see exactly how this mattress earned its cooling crown. When I tested this bed for temperature regulation, I used a thermal temperature gun to get an initial reading of 68.5 degrees before climbing aboard to let it absorb my body heat for 5 minutes. As I settled in, I was immediately struck by how the GlacioTex cover felt cool to the touch and was pleased that the gel-infused foam kept it fairly frigid while I was on it. When I took the second surface temperature, it had only risen 4 degrees, and we consider anything less than a 5-degree increase superior in cooling. 

Once you’ve chilled out, you can also appreciate how well this bed relieves pressure. We placed a specialized mat that produces thermal maps of sleepers on top of the Aurora Luxe and then had sleepers that fall in our three bodyweight categories (light, average, and heavy) test it out. We all gave this bed’s pressure relief for back sleepers rave reviews, with Caine Wilkes, our tester for those weighing over 230 pounds, saying, “I feel supported, aligned, and balanced.” Caine’s sentiments were emphasized by his pressure per square inch (PSI) reading of 14.8, which is below the average of 15.1.

Although the Aurora Luxe is the queen of cool, it fell a little short in a couple of areas. Asha Birjah, our tester representing sleepers under 130 pounds, found some pressure around her shoulders, neck, and traps. Her hips also felt lower than her shoulders, which can cause spinal misalignment. Petite side sleepers may find that the Nolah Evolution is a better fit. Also, if you want to see if the Aurora Luxe will keep you cool every season, you should know that it only offers a 120-night sleep trial. 

Read our full Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe mattress review, or click here to go ahead and find our best deals on this mattress. If you’d like to look at other cooling options, check out the roundup for the best cooling mattresses.

Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe’s Fiberglass-Free Construction

3Z Brands’s CEO John Merwin speaks on behalf of all 3Z mattresses (including the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe): “Instead of spraying on fire-retardant chemical sprays, we ensure that all 3Z Brand mattresses are fire-safe and fiberglass-free by using fire-resistant fabric quilted into the mattress panels or by casing our foam in high-quality fire retardant socks.”

Stomach sleepers usually require much more firmness and support than other sleeping positions. That’s because they put the most pressure on a mattress and need a bed strong enough to keep their hips from bowing into the layers and throwing their spine out of alignment. After my colleague and resident stomach sleeper, Kenny Timper, gave the Saatva a 4 out of 5 or above in back pressure relief, cooling, edge support, and responsiveness to help it earn a 4.2 overall, this fiberglass-free affordable luxury mattress was the clear choice for best mattress for stomach sleepers. 

After lying on his stomach on the Saatva, Kenny said, “I love this mattress for stomach sleeping. It kept my hips elevated and aligned with my shoulders. Stomach sleepers shouldn’t have to worry about sinking in too much or having their backs thrown out of wack.” He also gave this bed rave reviews for how it felt when he was on his back, meaning that it works for all three sleeping positions for average-weight sleepers. 

Our Chief Medical Product Tester, Dr. Joe Tedesco, said that sleeping on your stomach can be dicey because your back tends to arch. However, when he tested the Saatva in our Charlotte, NC sleep studio, his spine felt aligned. “The springs in the Saatva provide enough support so you don’t actually sink into the mattress much to create that arch,” he said. “I really like this mattress for stomach sleepers. I’m not anteriorly tilted at all; in fact, I’m still pretty neutral. I feel supported and not compressed.” 

Also, you may want to continue your mattress search if you sleep with a restless partner, as the Saatva has poor motion isolation. When Kenny tested this bed with a partner, he said, “I can feel every little movement my partner made, and I could tell exactly what she was doing despite having a sleep mask on.” If you want to up your chances of sleeping undisturbed by a partner who flips and flops, check out the all-foam Nectar Classic. 

Read our full Saatva Classic mattress review or click here to go ahead and find our best deals on this mattress. If you’d like to look at other options, check out the roundup for the best mattresses for stomach sleepers.

Saatva’s Fiberglass-Free Construction

Saatva’s website states that the company does not use fiberglass or harmful chemicals or sprays in our mattresses: “At Saatva, we are proud to offer a collection of healthy non-toxic products.” 

With the Natural, Nolah said, we’ll see your fiberglass-free construction and raise you all-natural materials. As such, this hybrid mattress is hypoallergenic and includes GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certified organic wool, GOTS-certified organic cotton, recycled steel, and Talalay organic latex. 

However, the Natural isn’t just an eco-warrior, it is also our top pick for best latex performance based on our testers’ evaluations and performance results. This mattress earned a flawless 5 out of 5 in responsiveness and a 4 or higher in pressure relief, edge support, and customer experience, for an overall score of 4.1. Also, I liked this latex mattress so much that I got it for my guest room (where I retreat when my husband snores).

My colleague Riley Otis tested the Natural’s responsiveness and was effusive in her praise, saying, “I felt like I could simply bounce from one position to the next.” This is also one of the main reasons I now have one of these mattresses. I switch back and forth between my left and right side throughout the night, and this bed allows me to do it effortlessly. 

I was also impressed with its versatility in support and pressure relief of different body types. We had a tester that represented each of the weight ranges we use (light, average, and heavy), and they all gave this bed a 4 or higher in back and side pressure relief. Asha Birjah, our lightweight tester’s back pressure per square inch (PSI) measured 8.03, a whopping 7 points below the average.

However, the Nolah Natural fell a little short when it came to cooling. This surprised me because latex is typically known to regulate temperature well. Riley used a thermal temperature gun to get an initial reading of 65.9 degrees. After spending 5 minutes on the mattress, she took another temperature read and noted that it had increased 9.5 degrees. Since my husband is a hot sleeper, this was one of two reasons I got the Nolah Evolution in our master bedroom, and got the Natural for the spare room. 

The other reason I passed on sharing this bed with my partner was that it’s not the best at motion isolation, meaning that you’ll likely feel your bedmate’s movements. Since I am a light sleeper, I was concerned when Riley said, “When I tested this with my colleague, we felt like we were on a trampoline. I could feel every movement that she made.”

Ready to go natural? Click here to find our best deals on this bed. Need more information? Read our full Nolah Natural mattress review, or check out our roundup of the best organic mattresses for more options.

Nolah’s Fiberglass-Free Construction

The company says on its website, “Nolah is committed to our customers’ comfort and safety, and all our mattresses are 100 percent fiberglass-free. Rigorous testing and strict certifications demonstrate the safety of all materials used in our mattresses. Our AirFoam mattresses (Nolah Original, Signature, and Evolution) are CertiPUR-US certified and free from ozone depleters, heavy metals, and chemical fire retardants. Our latex hybrid mattresses (Nolah Natural and Nurture) are Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) and OEKO-TEX 100 Class 1 certified; they test free of harmful chemicals and substances.”

The Birch is constructed using organic cotton and wool fibers. It is Greenguard Gold certified, so this mattress is made without high chemical emissions or volatile organic compounds. The quilted fibers in the Birch also make the material fire-retardant, which is great for a bed that does not include any fiberglass in its construction. Its eco-conscious materials and 4–5 performance scores for back pressure relief, cooling, edge support, motion isolation, and responsiveness are why we picked this as our best organic mattress.

This Helix-brand mattress caught my attention because it is a bit of an anomaly. As my fellow testers and I expected, the Birch performed exceptionally well during our responsiveness testing. However, its excellent motion isolation score was more surprising. Hybrid latex beds are known for being bouncy, making them excellent choices for sexually active people and combination sleepers, but this usually comes with the trade-off of a lot of motion transfer. 

However, when my colleague Dan Caffrey performed the ripple test by filling a large, clear container with water and noting how much it rippled and splashed when he moved around on the bed, he said, “The water movement was very slight, and the Birch seems pretty solid at motion isolation.” Although Dan noted folks who are easily awakened or who share a bed with a restless partner or pet may want to look elsewhere, sounder sleepers should have a wonderful sleep experience.  

Those with mobility issues may not have as great of an experience with the Birch because of some problematic edge support. Dan recorded that it was easy for him to get in and out of the bed when sitting on the sides, but that the head, foot, and corners of the bed were a different story. He said, “There was a lot of sinkage in these areas, and it was harder to sit down and stand up.” 

Heavyweight side sleepers may also want to avoid the Birch as our tester, Caine Wilkes, said he felt a lot of pressure on his shoulder. If you sleep on your side and weigh over 230 pounds, consider the Nolah Evolution Comfort+.

If you’re set on the Birch, click here for our best deals, or read our full Birch mattress review. Still looking? Take a look at our best organic mattresses roundup to see some other eco-friendly options.

Birch’s Fiberglass-Free Construction

The company says they don’t rely on plastics or fiberglass materials for the fire-retardant layer in their mattresses. “There are numerous benefits of wool in our organic mattresses,”  its website says. “Not only is it extremely comfortable, but wool fibers also provide a natural insulator so your body temperature stays regulated, and you stay asleep all night. In addition, our wool is naturally flame-resistant which makes it one of the safest fire-safety fibers to use in a mattress.”

You can probably guess from the name alone that the Plank is one of the firmest mattresses out there. Created by Brooklyn Bedding, it’s made entirely of foam and has a flippable design, with both a Firm and an Extra-Firm side. We put each side through our rigorous testing protocol.  Since I oversaw the tests on the Extra Firm side, I’ll concentrate on that side while providing insight from my colleague, Riley Otis, who helped me. The Plank Extra Firm earned a 4.2 out of 5 overall partly due to a nearly perfect responsiveness performance and scores of 4.3 or higher in cooling, edge support, and motion isolation.

If you want a bed that’s easy to move around on, the Extra-Firm side of the Plank is for you. Riley noted how easy repositioning was because it was like rolling on a flat surface. “The firm foams didn’t trap me; because of this, I could easily switch from one sleeping position to the next,” she said. This should make this bed a prime choice for combination sleepers and sexually active couples.

In addition to combination sleepers and sexually active folks, the Extra-Firm of the Plank is also a superior choice for those who find themselves getting hot and sweaty during the night. When Riley conducted the cooling test, which consisted of taking an initial surface temperature of the mattress with a thermal temperature gun and then getting a second reading after lying on the mattress for five minutes, she noted that the bed’s temperature only raised 5 degrees. 

When I checked out the mattress’s firmness, I thought it felt great on my back, but I was wowed by it on my stomach. On my front side, I relished how this mattress kept my hips elevated and my spine aligned, noting that there wasn’t a hint of pinch in my lower back. Although I wouldn’t choose this bed for my bedroom as an average-weight side sleeper, I also wouldn’t complain about it if I had to sleep on it for a weekend. 

However, most lightweight side sleepers would probably never want to sleep on this mattress, as its firmness caused our petite tester, Asha Birjah, to proclaim, “I feel like I’m sleeping on a brick.” Side sleepers who weigh less than 130 pounds may enjoy the Nectar Premier more.

Also, the Plank makes a crinkling noise when changing positions that seems to come from the cover rubbing against the foam. If you’re sensitive to sounds or are a light sleeper, this could become problematic. 

Ready to walk the Plank? Click here to get our best deals, or read our full Plank Firm mattress review for more information. Check out our roundup of the best firm mattresses if you’re still looking.

Plank Firm’s Fiberglass-Free Construction

John Merwin, CEO of Brooklyn Bedding’s parent company, 3Z Brands, stated, “Instead of spraying on fire-retardant chemical sprays, we ensure that all 3Z Brand mattresses are fire-safe and fiberglass-free by using fire-resistant fabric quilted into the mattress panels or by casing our foam in high-quality fire retardant socks.”