Best 8-Inch Mattress (2025), Compact Comfort for Tight Spaces

At just $239 for a queen mattress on Amazon, the Linenspa 8-Inch Hybrid Mattress delivers an impressive level of firm support at a price point that’s almost too good to be true. During testing, the Linenspa mattress also stood out in both responsiveness and cooling, earning scores of 4 out of 5 or higher in each category. Overall, this compact yet capable mattress is a steal for shoppers seeking comfort without overspending.

Despite its thin design, the Linenspa impressed us with its firm, supportive feel. After testing the Linenspa himself, mattress tester Matt Schickling rated it a 7.5 out of 10 on our firmness scale, indicating it is slightly firmer than the industry standard of medium-firm (or 6.5 out of 10).

“The Linenspa’s firmness makes it a far more suitable mattress for back sleepers,” Matt said.
“Your bottom does feel some pressure and your hips sink somewhat into the profile, but it’s comfortable overall.”

The Linenspa Hybrid’s supportive innerspring coils also contributed to the mattress’s snappy responsiveness, which earned a score of 4 out of 5. Matt and his fellow mattress testers found it incredibly easy to move around and change sleeping positions on this mattress.

“I had no issues switching positions on this mattress,” Matt said. “The bed is pretty responsive, and there’s no real drop in comfort levels as you move from position to position. I have to drop the rating slightly, though, since you might feel some of the springs due to how thin the mattress is.”

Cooling was another area that surprised our mattress testers. To test cooling, Matt measured the surface temperature of the Linenspa mattress before and after lying on it for five minutes. After resting on it for five minutes, he measured an increase of 5.1 degrees, earning it another 4-star score in this category.

However, as impressive as the Linenspa mattress is, it has a couple of flaws. During testing, Matt found that it suffered in the motion isolation and side-sleeping pressure relief categories. 

Since the Linenspa mattress is so thin and spring-like, couples with restless partners or people who share the bed with their pets are bound to feel every move their partner or fur baby makes. Matt also experienced some pressure buildup in his shoulders and hips while testing the mattress out in the side-sleeping position.

Learn more about this mattress in our full Linenspa 8-Inch Hybrid Mattress review. For a mattress with better motion isolation and pressure relief at a reasonable price, I recommend checking out the Tuft & Needle mattress instead.

The Helix Kids mattress has two pivotal features that growing children need for a comfortable night’s sleep: sturdy corner-to-corner support and breathable materials. During testing, Riley Otis awarded this 8-inch kids’ mattress a 4 out of 5 or higher in the edge support and cooling categories.

The Helix Kids mattress is a flippable model designed to support children between 3 and 12. The firmer side is best suited for kids aged 3 to 7, while the opposite is softer, making it more comfortable for children aged 8 to 12. Younger kids generally benefit from a firmer surface because it provides the support needed to promote healthy spinal alignment during key growth stages.

As Dr. Dasgupta explains, “In broad strokes, kids younger than 7 should sleep on a very firm mattress to ensure proper spinal alignment. We can introduce softer comfort for kids 8 and up. A durable mattress that’s easy to clean is also important for when accidents occur.”

Mattress tester Riley Otis praised the Helix Kids for its near-perfect edge support, giving it a 4.7 out of 5 in this category.

“I didn’t feel much sinkage lying along the perimeter of the Helix Kids mattress,” Riley said. “I felt secure on both my back and stomach and didn’t feel at risk of falling off the bed. I felt slightly less stable when side sleeping, but it wasn’t too concerning, and I doubt kids who weigh less than me will have any issue.”

Riley also invited 10-year-old Conrad to test the Helix Kids mattress and weigh in on how comfortable it is for children. While testing the Helix Kids, Conrad found it to be firm and supportive in every sleeping position. However, he enjoyed it more on his back.

“I like the Helix better on my back,” Conrad said. “It feels softer in this position. It’s not too firm and not too soft.”

Riley also praised the Helix Kids for its breathable materials. She gave it a 4 out of 5 in the cooling category overall because of its performance on the thermal gun test. During this test, she used a thermal gun to measure the surface temperature before and after lying on it for five minutes. Once her scheduled rest was finished, she recorded an increase of 7.5 degrees, which is impressive for a mattress with no special cooling features.

“While this mattress isn’t cool-to-the-touch, I didn’t feel uncomfortably warm,” Riley said. “When I felt the spot where I was lying, it was warmer than the rest of the bed. However, I didn’t feel the mattress noticeably heating up beneath me.”

Unfortunately, the Helix Kids only earned a 3 out of 5 in the pressure relief category. Riley noted that its firm support doesn’t offer much in the way of tension relief for adults, so those looking to save some money on a mattress for their guest room will have to look elsewhere.

Think the Helix Kids is the mattress for your child? Use our Helix coupon to ensure you’re getting the best deal. For a kids’ mattress with better pressure relief, check out the Brentwood Home Juniper mattress instead.

The Dreamfoam Essential 8-inch mattress effectively packs a lot of pressure-relieving comfort into a compact package. The Dreamfoam impressed our testers across the board, scoring 4 out of 5 or higher for side-sleeping pressure relief, edge support, and cooling. For side sleepers wanting solid performance without the bulk (or a bulky price tag), this mattress delivers.

Our expert mattress tester was impressed with the amount of pressure relief she received from the Dreamfoam Essential’s dense gel memory foam layers. At 7 out of 10 on our firmness scale, the Dreamfoam Essential is a bit firmer than medium-firm. That said, our tester praised it for balancing support and cushioning along her shoulders and hips, and rated it a 4 out of 5 for side-sleeping pressure relief.

“I love this mattress for side sleepers,” said our in-house tester. “I am a side sleeper, and I was incredibly comfortable on it. I noticed my hips sinking a little, so my knees and heels were slightly higher than my hips. But I felt aligned and great the entire time. I would totally sleep comfortably on this mattress.”

Our mattress tester was also impressed by the consistent support of the Dreamfoam Essential. Even while lying along the perimeter of the Dreamfoam mattress, she noted that her weight felt evenly distributed, without any awkward dips or sagging. She gave it 4 out of 5 for edge support, subtracting one point because sitting on the perimeter wasn’t as secure as lying on it.

“When you’re lying down, your weight is much more evenly distributed,” she said. “Therefore, you aren’t sinking in the way you would if you were seated. I felt great lying on my side on this bed.”

She also praised its cooling capabilities, giving it another 4 out of 5 in this category. Using a thermal gun, she measured the Dreamfoam’s temperature before and after lying on it for five minutes, and found that it only increased by 6.4 degrees. These results are exceptional because memory foam models generally retain more heat, as they lack the same natural airflow that the coil systems in hybrid and innerspring mattresses do.

That said, the Dreamfoam Essential has a couple of setbacks. Its seated edge support isn’t the best, so if you are someone who uses the corner or edge of the mattress to tie your shoes, then you likely will not get enough support on this bed. Additionally, our testers experienced higher-than-average motion transfer on this mattress, meaning that individuals who share a bed with a restless partner will feel their partner’s movements travel to their side of the mattress.

Head over to our full Dreamfoam Essential mattress review to learn more about this model. For a memory foam mattress with stronger motion isolation, check out the Leesa Original instead.

The Zinus Green Tea Memory Foam Mattress is a great option for couples seeking undisturbed rest. The Zinus is our pick for best 8-inch memory foam mattress, thanks to its balanced medium-firm feel, minimal motion transfer, and above-average temperature regulation. During testing, Sosha Lewis awarded this mattress a 4 out of 5 in our motion isolation and cooling categories.

If you or your partner frequently tosses and turns at night, you may be interested in memory foam mattresses because they are known for their superior motion-dampening qualities. The Zinus lives up to this expectation and then some, earning a near-perfect 4.7 out of 5 in the motion isolation category.

Sosha and her fellow mattress tester tested the motion transfer on the Zinus mattress using our couple’s test. During this test, one tester lies still and blindfolded on the mattress, and another tosses and turns on the other side of the bed to see how much movement ripples across its surface. Sosha was impressed by how little she felt while blindfolded on her side of the mattress.

“I could not tell when my testing partner got in and out of bed,” Sosha said. “I could sense some slight disturbances when he rolled around, but he was being intentionally aggressive. Light sleepers may feel some disturbances, but as someone who wakes easily, I wouldn’t be concerned about sleeping in this bed with someone else.”

Sosha was also impressed by the Zinus Green Tea Memory Foam’s ability to disperse heat. Sosha used a thermal gun to record the surface temperature before and after lying on the bed for five minutes, and found that it only increased by 5.7 degrees after five minutes of uninterrupted rest.

“While the top layer of this mattress didn’t feel particularly cool to the touch, it heated up less than 6 degrees. That’s pretty great for an all-foam bed,” Sosha said. “It felt comfortable and breathable to me throughout the test.”

Despite its impressive performance in motion isolation and cooling, the Zinus mattress only performed about average in edge support and pressure relief. While neither result was terrible, Sosha noted higher-than-average sinkage while sitting on the side of the mattress and some pressure buildup in her shoulders and hips while resting on her side.

Want to learn more about the Zinus? Head over to our full Zinus Green Tea Memory Foam mattress review to see how it performed on all our tests. If you’re willing to spend a little more on a memory foam mattress with better pressure relief and edge support, I recommend checking out the Nectar Classic instead.

With its Tulo Original Mattress, Mattress Firm has succeeded in creating a hybrid mattress that is supportive and ideal for back sleeping. Sosha Lewis praised its stellar corner-to-corner support and pressure-relieving comfort for back and stomach sleepers. During testing, she awarded it a 4 out of 5 or higher in the back-sleeping pressure relief and edge support categories.

After unboxing the Tulo Original mattress and setting it up on our in-studio bed frame, Sosha noted that it quickly expanded to its full height and plushness. When she hopped in, the bed’s firm, supportive feel immediately elevated her hips and kept her body aligned, both while lying on her back and when switching to her stomach. For back-sleeping pressure relief, she awarded it a 4 out of 5.

“I really like the firmness of this mattress on my back,” Soshsa said. “It has a dash of softness, but it mostly feels firm and bouncy, like it’s pressing up against me in a nice, supportive way. I could see this being a good option for sleepers with back pain.”

Sosha also praised its consistent support. As she moved toward the perimeter of the mattress, she noted that it maintained the same level of support throughout, without any awkward dips or excessive sagging. She gave it a perfect 5 out of 5 for edge support.

“Lying on the far edge of the bed felt very secure,” Sosha said. At no point did I feel like the mattress even dipped at all.”

This stellar edge support also hints at the Tulo’s long-term durability. As Dr. Dasgupta explains, “Your mattress should have a robust support core and consistent support along its perimeter. A durable, high-quality mattress should offer long-lasting comfort and maintain its structural integrity over time, and reliable edge support is often a good indicator of that.”

That said, the Tulo Original Mattress faltered a bit in the side-sleeping pressure relief and motion isolation categories. Since this mattress is on the firmer side (at 7 out of 10 on our firmness scale), Sosha noted that she did not get as much cushioning as she would have liked around her hips and shoulders while lying on her side.

Sosha also noted that the innerspring coils in the Tulo Original contributed to some movement rippling across the surface of the bed, meaning it might not be the best fit for couples with restless partners or people who share the bed with their pets.

If you think the Tulo Original is right for you, check out our coupons to ensure you’re getting the best deal possible. For a hybrid mattress that is more suitable for couples, check out the Silk & Snow Hybrid instead.