Written by Brooke Williams, Writer
You’ve just purchased a platform bed and now you’re ready to get some rest. But wait… you’ll have to find the best mattress for your platform bed if you really want to get a good night’s sleep. So what do you look for when it comes to the best mattresses for platform beds?
Luckily, we’ve done all the work for you. We know how cumbersome and time-consuming it can be to test out every mattress on the market. So we put our experts to work to get you the best results. Here are our top finds for best mattresses for platform beds in 2024.
Our Top Pick for Platform Beds
Our top pick overall is the Nectar because it’s a pressure-relieving, but supportive bed. If you want some contouring without feeling like you’re sinking too far into the mattress, then the Nectar could be the right fit for you.
Best Mattresses for Platform Beds 2024
- Nectar – Best Overall for Platform Beds
- DreamCloud – Best Luxury for Platform Beds
- Helix Midnight Luxe – Best for Back Pain for Platform Beds
- WinkBed – Best for Combination Sleepers for Platform Beds
- Saatva – Best for Seniors for Platform Beds
- Nolah Evolution – Best for Back Sleepers for Platform Beds
- Bear Star Hybrid – Best Hybrid for Platform Beds
- Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe – Best Cooling for Platform Beds
- Titan Plus – Best for Heavy People for Platform Beds
- Plank Firm – Best Flippable for Platform Beds
Best Mattresses for Platform Beds Video Review
Compare the Best Mattresses for Platform Beds
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| Nectar Mattress | DreamCloud Original Mattress | Helix Midnight Luxe Mattress | WinkBed Mattress | Saatva Mattress | Nolah Evolution Hybrid Mattress | Bear Star Hybrid Mattress | Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe Mattress | Titan Plus | Brooklyn Bedding Plank Firm Mattress | |
| Rating | ||||||||||
| Firmness | Medium-firm: 6.5/10 | Firm: 7/10 | Medium-soft: 6/10 | Firm: 7/10 | Multiple firmness options | Multiple firmness options | Medium-soft: 6/10 | Multiple firmness options | Firm: 7.5/10 | Multiple firmness options |
| Material | Foam | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid | Innerspring | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid | Foam |
| Cooling | — | — | — | — | — | |||||
| Best For |
Back Sleepers, Back Pain, Stomach Sleepers, Side Sleepers, Couples
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Back Sleepers,
Hot Sleepers, Seniors |
Back Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers, Side Sleepers, Hip Pain, Seniors
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Back Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers, Back Pain, Hot Sleepers, Side Sleepers
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Back Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers, Back Pain, Hot Sleepers, Seniors
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Side Sleepers, Back Sleepers, Hip Pain, Seniors,
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Joint Pain, Side Sleepers, Back Sleepers, Hot Sleepers,
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Hot Sleepers,
Back Pain, Side Sleepers |
Back Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers, Back Pain, Hip Pain, Seniors
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Stomach Sleepers,
Back Pain, Seniors |
Nectar – Best Overall for Platform Beds
The Nectar delivers a balance of comfort and support: it’s definitely contouring, but still provides a firm enough foundation for most light to average weight sleepers, especially if they sleep on their back or stomach. 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 back sleepers would be especially happy on this bed. They’ll get plenty of support from the firm memory foam in the Nectar Classic, which should translate to great pressure relief and a good night’s sleep. Hot sleepers who have to have a memory foam mattress should also have no trouble at all falling asleep on this bed.” – Nichole Mondshein, lead reviewer and staff writer
Expert Opinion
The original Nectar mattress has a firmness level of 6.5 out 10, which is the industry standard for medium firm. That means you should get a nice bit of contouring and pressure relief from the softer foam up top while still getting plenty of spinal support from the firmer foam at the bottom of the mattress. We felt most comfortable while side sleeping and, surprisingly, stomach sleeping. It’s rare that a foam mattress is supportive enough for stomach sleepers, but the Nectar kept our hips lifted and in line with our shoulders, which is crucial for preventing back pain in that sleeping position.
What our tester says: “After lying on Nectar for a while, my colleagues and I decided to give the Nectar a 6.5 out of 10 on the mattress firmness scale, putting it right at the industry standard of medium-firm. In other words, this bed is just a touch firmer than most all-foam beds. Most sleepers will still get a little contouring from the memory foam. However, you will likely feel more “on top” of this mattress than “inside” of the foam.” – Nichole Mondshein, lead reviewer and staff writer
DreamCloud – Best Luxury for Platform Beds
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
Expert Opinion
The DreamCloud mattress is one of the brand’s most popular models and it’s easy to see why. It’s a luxury hybrid bed that strikes the right balance between providing pressure relief and adequate support. It’s also made with high-quality materials, including a cashmere blend cover and innerspring coils.
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.” – Bridget Chapman, senior product editor
Helix Midnight Luxe – Best for Back Pain for Platform Beds
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
Expert Opinion
The Helix Midnight Luxe’s thick memory foam comfort layer provides pressure relief and body contouring, while its zoned coil layer provides lumbar support. We found this combination to make it an excellent choice for those looking for some relief from back pain. The breathable cover also has a soft, luxurious feel and helps keep you cool during the night.
What our tester says: “ I’d especially recommend this mattress to sleepers who suffer from back pain since there’s extra plushness, plus the zoned support helps promote a healthy, straight spinal alignment.” – Nichole Mondshein, lead reviewer and staff writer
WinkBed – Best for Combination Sleepers for Platform Beds
The WinkBed is a luxury hybrid mattress. It has a similarly supportive and sturdy feel to a traditional innerspring mattress, but upgrades like a Euro top and cooling Tencel cover give it a touch of modern luxury. Available in three firmness levels, there is a WinkBed for just about every sleeper. And a responsive and bouncy feel makes it a great pick for combination sleepers. Learn more in our video review.
What our tester says:
“If you like the feel of a traditional innerspring mattress, the WinkBed could work for you. Since this bed offered great pressure relief around my lumbar region, I’d also recommend it to folks who suffer from lower back pain.” – Nichole Mondshein, lead reviewer and staff writer
Expert Opinion
The WinkBed is a hybrid mattress that comes in three firmness levels and a model specifically designed for heavyweight sleepers — so it’s suitable for most people. We found it works exceptionally well for combination sleepers. The mattress provides us some bounce that allows us to effortlessly switch positions during the night, while also offering some cushion at pressure points. It can also work well for couples because of its reinforced edge support.
What our tester says: “I definitely felt more ‘on top of’ than ‘in’ this mattress — something combination sleepers should appreciate. This will help them switch between positions easily during the night.” – Nichole Mondshein, lead reviewer and staff writer
Saatva – Best for Seniors for Platform Beds
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
Expert Opinion
The Saatva is an innerspring mattress made with gentle memory foam and a durable coil-on-coil system. The Saatva is a competitively-priced mattress that also provides a supportive sleeping experience, making it an excellent choice for senior sleepers. It features a zoned support system, meaning it’s firmer in some parts of the bed and softer in others. Since the Saatva provides strong support combined with a little pressure relief from its quilted top, we found it to be an excellent choice for sleepers who struggle to maintain a healthy spinal alignment.
What our tester says: “When I say that the Saatva has a coil-on-coil construction, I mean that it has two layers of springs, and that’s what makes up most of the mattress. Unlike a memory foam mattress or a hybrid mattress (which uses substantial amounts of springs and foam), it has a traditional innerspring feel — high on bounciness and support.” – Nichole Mondshein, lead reviewer and staff writer
Nolah Evolution – Best for Back Sleepers for Platform Beds
The Nolah Evolution’s hybrid construction offers the cushioning of memory foam with the responsiveness of coils. The Luxury Firm model is a good option for side and back sleepers due to its medium-firm feel, though there are Plush and Firm versions as well. Those who share a bed may also appreciate its low motion transfer, so you won’t be disturbed by a partner’s movements and its solid edge support to allow you to maximize surface area. For more information, check out our video review.
What our tester says:
“I laid down to rest on this mattress on my back — my primary sleep position. I felt comfortable, but also appreciated the cozy, plush top of the bed. After some time lying on my back, I switched over to my side. I didn’t find this position quite as comfortable, as I did feel some slight pressure buildup in my shoulder.” – Amelia Jerden, senior staff writer
Expert Opinion
The Nolah Evolution is a hybrid mattress made with layers of comforting foam and HDMAX Eco Support Coils. This mattress comes in three firmness levels, so you can choose the model that feels best for you. For back sleepers, we typically recommend the Luxury Firm model because its medium-firm feel allows for a bit of sinkage while still providing lumbar support. The soft foam fills in the space in the lower back, and the supportive coils keep the spine lifted and properly aligned. This mattress is stellar at relieving pressure at the back, so back sleepers shouldn’t have to worry about waking up in pain.
What our tester says: “Back sleepers should love how the Evolution’s hybrid build provides both the support to realign the spine and the softness to sink in just enough. The coils provide enough support to keep the spine aligned and help alleviate back pain.” – Bridget Chapman, former senior product editor
Bear Star Hybrid – Best Hybrid for Platform Beds
The Bear Star Hybrid is a softer hybrid mattress with memory foam and innerspring coils. It offers pressure relief, contouring, and solid support for many sleeper types, but especially back, side, and combination sleepers. For more information, check out our video review.
What our tester says:
“After testing out the Bear Star, I found it to be really cozy. I loved how plush the surface of the mattress felt as I was lying on it, but I still felt super supported. Lying on my back and my side, I felt comfortable and would definitely sleep on this at night in my own home.” – Amelia Jerden, senior staff writer
Expert Opinion
The Bear Star Hybrid is a hybrid mattress with foams and coils. We could tell in our testing that it’s made for support and breathability. The lift of the pocketed coil system left us feeling more on top of the mattress than in it. But the top layers of memory foam still provided us with plenty of pressure-relieving sinkage. The Bear Star Hybrid’s soft cooling-gel foam also increases airflow, helping you stay cool throughout the night.
What our tester says: “If you switch between multiple sleep positions, I found it easy to move around on and a great pick for combination sleepers. I also think it’s a great match for couples due to its great edge support, motion isolation, cooling abilities, and overall support.” – Bridget Chapman, senior product editor
Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe – Best Cooling for Platform Beds
The Brookyn Bedding Aurora Luxe mattress is one of Brooklyn Bedding’s more high-end mattresses. It’s got a ton of cooling features in it that can help hot sleepers sleep cool all night. It’s also available in three different firmnesses, so it can accommodate all of the sleeping positions. For more information, check out our video review.
What our tester says:
“First and foremost, I’d recommend this mattress to hot sleepers. This bed sleeps nice and cool thanks to special phase change technology and gel infusions. The Aurora Luxe is also a nice pick for back sleepers. This mattress in the Medium model is medium-soft, so it should contour the hips while also lifting them into alignment.” – Nichole Mondshein, lead reviewer and staff writer
Expert Opinion
Hot sleepers know all too well how uncomfortable it can be to wake up in the middle of the night feeling warm. A bed with cooling capabilities can help hot sleepers avoid overheating. The Aurora Luxe features cooling technology in almost every layer, ensuring you keep your cool throughout the night. It also comes in three firmness levels, so you can choose the one that best suits your preferred sleeping position.
What our tester says: “If you’re looking for a cooling mattress, look no further than the Aurora Luxe. This bed is full of cooling tech; from a cooling cover, to specially formulated foams, to breathable pocketed coils, this mattress has everything you’ll need to stay cool throughout the night.” – Nichole Mondshein, lead reviewer and staff writer
Titan Plus – Best for Heavy People for Platform Beds
The Titan Plus mattress is a durable mattress made with heavy sleepers in mind. It’s firm and features heavy-duty coils and Titanflex foam that makes it bouncy and easy to move around on. We think that heavy back sleepers and stomach sleepers should be especially comfortable. For more information on the Titan Plus, check out our video review.
What our tester says:
“I think the Titan Plus lives up to its name as a good mattress for heavier sleepers. It will offer them the deep compression support and durability they need.” – Nichole Mondshein, lead reviewer and staff writer
Expert Opinion
If you weigh more than 250 pounds, you’ll want to look for a mattress that is ultra-supportive and durable. Luckily, Brooklyn Bedding created the Titan Plus to cater to these sleepers. This mattress is extremely supportive due to its six inches of 961 heavy-duty coils and two inches of high density support foam. The Titan Plus also includes two inches of Titanflex foam, a material that acts like soft and bouncy latex. This mattress is quite firm, so it does a great job of keeping heavy sleepers lifted to promote proper spinal alignment in every sleeping position. The edge support on the Titan Plus is excellent, so you’ll be able to spread out and use the entire area of the mattress without feeling unstable near the edge.
What our tester says: ” This mattress was practically made for heavy sleepers. Its firm build should amply support their backs while its top foam layer provides some nice cushioning.”– Nichole Mondshein, lead reviewer and staff writer
Plank Firm – Best Flippable Mattress for Platform Beds
The Plank Firm more than lives up to its name with its ultra-sturdy foams and supportive feel. While this bed certainly isn’t for everyone, it should be an ideal fit for back sleepers, stomach sleepers, and combination sleepers who want to feel more on top of their mattress than in it. For more information, check out our video review.
What our tester says:
“I think the Plank Firm is one of the best mattresses for stomach sleepers. Both sides of the mattress, the firm side and extra firm side, should give these sleepers the support they need to keep their hips in line with their shoulders. Back sleepers who like a firmer feel should also be happy on the firm side of the Plank.” – Nichole Mondshein, lead reviewer and staff writer
Expert Opinion
One of the things that sets the Plank Firm mattress apart from many others is that it’s a flippable all-foam mattress with a firm side and extra-firm side. This makes it a good fit for both back and stomach sleepers. While we felt comfortable stomach sleeping on either side, we felt most comfortable back sleeping on the firm side of the mattress.
What our tester says: “I think the Plank Firm is one of the best mattresses for stomach sleepers. Both sides of the mattress, the firm side and extra firm side, should give these sleepers the support they need to keep their hips in line with their shoulders. Back sleepers who like a firmer feel should also be happy on the firm side of the Plank.” – Nichole Mondshein, lead reviewer and staff writer
What is a Platform Bed?
A platform bed features a sturdy base that is often made from wooden or metal slats that run horizontally across the length of the mattress. Some platform beds may also come with drawers for extra storage. Platform beds are a popular choice because of their affordability. The strong base also offers extra support, making a box spring unnecessary. Though platform beds are raised, they typically sit lower to the ground. They’re usually anywhere between 5 and 12 inches in height.
What to Look for In the Best Mattress for a Platform Bed
There’s a lot that goes into selecting the right mattress for your bed. For starters, you want to select a mattress suitable for your bed type. But that’s only the start of your search for the best mattress for a platform bed. You also have to take into account your personal preferences, such as firmness, aesthetics, and mattress size.
While a lot may go into it, you have some help by your side. We’re going to break down everything you need to know to select the best mattress for you and your bed frame.
Company Policies
Sleep Trial & Warranty
A good place to start is by checking the sleep trial and warranty for your mattress. In order for the warranty to remain in effect, you have to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines. While most mattresses can be used with platform beds, you should always check the trial and warranty for any specifics on which mattress to select.
We recommend looking for mattresses that come with at least a 100-night trial period and a 10-year warranty.
Shipping
Depending on the brand, shipping is covered and offered for deliveries within the US. Some companies also offer white glove delivery service, which involves a full door-to-door delivery service. A mattress is delivered to your home and set up on your bed frame for you. Delivery people might also remove your old mattress, though that may require an extra fee depending on the company.
For Canadian shoppers, check out our specially selected Best Canadian Mattresses that can easily be shipped to your door.
Delivery and Returns
Mattresses can be large and heavy additions to your home. How they are delivered and the options for returning them are important considerations for you and your needs. If you’re able to easily move a mattress around your home or set it up by yourself or with a friend, then delivery and returns may be less of a concern. Bu, if you can’t move a mattress by yourself, you may want to opt for a company that will help you set it up and remove it if you’re making a return.
Price
Price is an important consideration for any mattress shopper. However, it’s especially important to consider when looking into a mattress for a platform base, as bases can already be a pricey investment. We recommend checking out our picks for the best cheap mattress and the best mattress under $1,000 if you’re looking to stay within a certain price range.
Bed Height and Thickness
Bed height is often a matter of personal preference. For instance, if you have trouble climbing into bed because of health issues, you may want to select a mattress with a lower height. On the other hand, you may prefer the aesthetic of a high bed. If so, a mattress with more height will give your bed an added boost. Just keep in mind that your mattress height will be added to the height of your platform bed, so take both heights into account when selecting the mattress size that suits your needs the best.
How Thick Should a Mattress on a Platform Bed Be?
We recommend mattresses that are 10 to 12 inches thick for platform bases. This is because platform beds are generally 5 to 12 inches tall, and any thicker mattress may make the bed too tall to be comfortable or usable. While come people like thick mattresses because they find them more luxurious, the platform base should make the bed feel more regal, meaning you don’t need as thick of a mattress.
Mattress Sizes
You’ll also have to select your mattress size, which will depend on personal preference and body type, as well as the size of your platform base. For instance, tall sleepers may want to opt for a California king-size mattress because it’s longer than a standard king mattress. On the other hand, sleepers who want to maximize bedroom space may opt for a smaller size, such as a full-size mattress.
We recommend measuring the size of your platform base, or considering what dimensions it has before purchasing a new mattress for it. You can read the different mattress size dimensions below.
| Mattress Size | Dimensions (Width x Length) | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Twin | 38″ x 75″ | Toddlers, Children, Single Adults |
| Twin XL | 38″ x 80″ | Children, Single Adults, College Students |
| Full (Double) | 54″ x 75″ | Children, Single Adults, Adults with Children and/or Pets |
| Queen | 60″ x 80″ | Single Adults, Couples, Single Adults with Children and/or Pets |
| King | 76″ x 80″ | Couples, Couples with Children and/or Pets |
| California King | 72″ x 84″ | Couples, Couples with Children and/or Pets |
Mattress Material
Good news. Most mattresses are compatible with platform beds. In terms of what type is best, well… that all depends on your personal preferences and needs. We’ll take a closer look at popular platform bed mattress types so you can determine which one is likely to suit you best.
Memory Foam Mattresses
Memory foam mattresses are made from layers of memory foam combined with other types of foam layers. The foam is meant to contour to your body, soothe pain, and provide pressure relief. Memory foam mattresses are also great at isolating motion, so they work well for couples who share a bed.
Hybrid Mattresses
A hybrid mattress usually combines foam layers with coil support. The core of the mattress is generally made from pocketed springs. The coils give the mattress good bounce, which allows combination sleepers to switch positions more easily. Hybrid mattresses also help with temperature regulation and keeping hot sleepers cool.
Latex Mattresses
A latex mattress is made from either natural or synthetic latex layers. Latex mattresses have many benefits, including being hypoallergenic, cooling, responsive, and durable. Because of their responsiveness, they’re great for combination sleepers. Their cooling properties make them good choices for hot sleepers as well. However, because of the bounciness and high motion transfer of latex, the material may not be the ideal choice for some couples.
Innerspring Mattresses
An innerspring mattress consists of a metal coil support system. This type of mattress is bouncy, supportive, and firm. They’re good for people who like the traditional feel of a mattress and want to feel like they’re sleeping on top of the mattress, rather than in it. Since these mattresses tend to be firm without a lot of give, they usually work well for combo and stomach sleepers.
What Type of Mattress do You Use With a Platform Bed?
You can use any of these kinds of mattresses with a platform bed. The size and type of mattress you look for will depend on the size of your platform and your personal preferences, as well as some of the criteria below. We recommend starting with these considerations and learning the size of your platform base and then finding a mattress.
Firmness
Different mattresses have different firmness levels, from extra-soft to extra-firm. Firmness level may be a matter of personal preference, but there are some that work better for specific sleep positions.
When testing mattresses we use a firmness scale from 1–10, with 1 being the softest mattress and 10 being the firmest. A 6.5 is considered a true medium-firm mattress on our scale.
Firmness and Body Weight
If you’re heavier in weight, a mattress will typically feel softer to you than for someone who’s lighter. Because of this, lightweight individuals usually prefer soft mattresses and heavyweight sleepers generally opt for firm mattresses that provide more support.
Support
When we say support, we mean the ability of the mattress to evenly distribute your body weight across the surface. If a mattress fails to evenly distribute your body weight, you may feel pressure on certain parts of your body. This could result in you waking up with an aching back or other pain. A mattress with proper support will keep your spine aligned properly and prevent your body from feeling achy in the morning. You’ll know that a mattress provides proper support if it prevents your body from sinking too deeply into its layers, while also offering the right amount of body contouring.
Sleeping Position
Sleeping position is important to consider for any mattress, as how you sleep affects your preferences for pressure relief, support, and firmness. Mattresses for platform beds are no different, and it’s important to ensure that your platform bed mattress is providing the support you need.
Stomach sleepers will generally need a firmer mattress that has pressure relief at the hips and support through the hips and lumbar region. Back sleepers will need something that is medium-firm, and provides support across the spine. Side sleepers may find a softer mattress more comfortable, and will need pressure relief at their hips and shoulders, and spinal alignment support.
Pressure Relief
Pressure relief refers to the amount of pressure being alleviated on certain parts of the body when lying in bed. As we mentioned above, depending on your sleeping position, you’ll need pressure relief in different areas. Pressure relief is important not only for feeling comfortable while sleeping, but also for pain alleviation and prevention.
To measure pressure relief on our mattresses, we use a specialized mat. We roll it across the top of the bed and lay on it in different positions. The mat then gives us a digital thermal reading of where pressure is alleviated. We call this graphic a pressure map.
As you can see, blue and green indicate good pressure relief, where orange and red show poor pressure relief.
Motion Isolation
Motion Isolation refers to the amount of movement felt across the mattress when you, your partner, or your pet move around. The last thing you want is to be woken because someone tossing and turning. To test for motion isolation we drop a steel ball from various heights and measure the ripple of movement felt across the mattress with a seismograph. If the seismograph reads large waves, the mattress has performed poorly in motion isolation.
We also use a red wine test that involves placing a red wine glass on one side of the bed and moving across the mattress to see if the liquid sloshes around. A platform bed can actually give the mattress a sturdier foundation and assist with motion isolation.
Cooling
We make sure to test for the cooling properties of all of the mattresses we review by first looking out for cooling materials like breathable coils, cooling foams and gels, and cooling covers.
We then perform a thermal gun test where we measure the change in temperature of a mattress — first at its resting temperature, then after someone has laid on it for 10 minutes. We consider a change of 8 degrees or under to be good cooling, and a change of 5 degrees and under to be great cooling.
Edge Support and Durability
Edge support refers to the strength of the edges of a mattress. If you press down on a mattress’s edges and they easily sink, then the bed has poor edge support. However, if you push down and the mattress maintains its shape and feels sturdy, then the bed likely has strong edge support. This is important for all kinds of sleepers, including side sleepers who may want to sleep closer to the edge of the bed, couples who want to spread out across the bed, and older sleepers who may need more help getting in and out of bed. Strong edges also matter for mattresses for platform beds, because they can help make the bed feel more secure and usable, even though it’s higher off the ground.
We test for edge support by applying pressure to the sides of the bed and measuring how far the bed sinks using a measuring tool such as a tape measure or yardstick. The farther the edges sink, the weaker the edge support.
FAQs
What type of mattress is best for a platform bed?
Most mattress types work well with platform beds. Checking your bed warranty is a good place to start to ensure that you’re meeting manufacturer specifications. Once you ensure you’re adhering to the warranty, selecting the best mattress for your platform bed will come down to your individual preferences and needs.
Do platform beds need special mattresses?
No, a special mattress is not required for a platform bed. Most platform beds eliminate the need for a box spring as well.
How thick should a mattress be for a platform bed?
Mattresses for platform beds are typically anywhere between 10 and 14 inches thick.
Can you put a thick mattress on a platform bed?
You can put a thick mattress on a platform bed, but you should check your bed warranty to ensure the slats are spaced closely enough to provide the proper support for your preferred mattress thickness.
How We Chose These Mattresses
Our team of Certified Sleep Science Coaches has reviewed more than 300 products in our mattress lab, running each one through tests such as pressure-mapping and measuring motion transfer with a seismometer. From there, we give every bed an overall score based on materials, comfort, support, cooling, and edge support. We also factor in brand performance with categories such as value and warranty.
For our picks on this list, we made sure they were all compatible with a platform bed. We’ve also given special consideration to both comfort and support. Click here to learn more about our methodology. And if you’re still not sure of the right mattress at the end of this article, you can take our mattress quiz to be shown a selection of mattresses curated to your sleep preferences.
Best Mattresses for Platform Beds 2024
| Mattress | Best For | Price (Queen) | Coupon | Review |
| Nectar | Overall | $1,049 | Nectar Coupon | Read Our Review |
| DreamCloud | Luxury | $1,332 | DreamCloud Coupon | Read Our Review |
| Helix Midnight Luxe | Back Pain | $2,373 | Helix Coupon | Read Our Review |
| WinkBed | Combination Sleepers | $1,799 | WinkBed Coupon | Read Our Review |
| Saatva | Seniors | $1,995 | Saatva Coupon | Read Our Review |
| Nolah Evolution | Back Sleepers | $2,499 | Nolah Coupon | Read Our Review |
| Bear Star | Best Hybrid | $1,732 | Check Coupons | Read Our Review |
| Aurora Luxe | Cooling | $1,865 | Brooklyn Bedding Coupon | Read Our Review |
| Titan Plus | Heavy Sleepers | $1,249 | Brooklyn Bedding Coupon | Read Our Review |
| Plank Firm | Flippable Mattress | $1,332 | Brooklyn Bedding Coupon | Read Our Review |
Brooke Williams
Writer
About Author
Brooke Williams graduated with her Master’s from the City University of New York Graduate School of Journalism. She enjoys writing on a range of topics from health and wellness to finance. She has a great relationship with sleep (except when her cat Oliver has other plans) and enjoys the occasional weekend nap. Brooke also graduated from Florida State University and spends her spare time watching Seminoles football.
Combination Sleeper