Nolah vs Layla Mattress Comparison

by

Sleepopolis Team

| Updated:

July 6, 2023

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Both popular mattress companies, Nolah and Layla offer both memory foam and hybrid mattresses. For the purpose of this review, I’ll be comparing the Nolah Original mattress and the memory foam Layla mattress. Both of these mattresses have all-foam constructions, but the big difference between them is that the Layla is flippable while the Nolah is not.  In this comparison review, I’m going to help you make your decision on which of these mattresses is best for you by discussing their pros and cons, their constructions, overall feel, which sleepers I think each is best for, their prices, and some of the brand policies. Want to know it all but short on time? Skip down to my review summary and come back later to read more.

Nolah vs Layla: Which is Better for You?

Depending on your size, shape, and sleeping position preference, you’re likely to prefer a different type of mattress. Below, I’ll give my recommendations on which sleepers I do and do not recommend the Layla and Nolah mattress for.

Who Should Buy Nolah

  • I think the Nolah is the best choice for back sleepers since its medium-firm feel offers the combination of support and pressure relief that back sleepers need.
  • There are some nice cooling properties in this mattress, which should please hot sleepers.
  • I like this bed for couples too! The Nolah isolates motion well, so you won’t feel a partner who tosses and turns.

Who Should Buy Layla

  • I’d recommend side sleepers go with the softer side of the Layla. I think the Nolah is a bit too firm for strict side sleepers.
  • The low motion transfer in this bed will help couples, especially if there’s a restless partner in the mix.
  • This mattress has a classic memory foam feel, and lovers of this material will appreciate its slow pressure response and body-contouring capabilities.
I don’t think either of these mattresses is the best option for heavier sleepers or stomach sleepers. If that’s you, I’d recommend checking out our best mattress for heavy people and our best mattress for stomach sleepers.

Nolah vs Layla: Similarities and Differences

Though Nolah and Layla are both all-foam mattresses, they have quite different feels and will probably suit different sleepers best. The Layla is flippable, with a soft side and a firm side, while the Nolah Original is not flippable, and has a medium-firm feel.  Want to learn more about each of these individual mattresses? Check out my full Layla mattress review and Nolah mattress review.

Main Similarities 

  • Both mattresses sleep cool. The Nolah uses proprietary cooling AirFoam™, while the Layla is made with a copper-gel memory foam, which sleeps cooler than traditional memory foam, offering some nice airflow.
  • Both mattresses isolate motion well, which means you aren’t likely to feel movement from one side of the bed on the other.
  • Both of these mattresses have very little bounce, meaning you’ll feel more in these beds than on top of them.

Main Differences 

  • The Layla is slightly more affordable than the Nolah, so it could be a better option for budget-savvy shoppers.
  • The Layla is flippable, with a soft side and a firm side, while the Nolah is not flippable and has a medium–firm feel. 
  • The Nolah uses a proprietary AirFoam™, while the Layla is a memory foam mattress that has a copper-gel memory foam layer. Both of these foam layers offer some nice sinkage, contouring, and pressure relief, but sleep cooler than traditional memory foam.
Layla Mattress Soft
The Layla mattress in the Sleepopolis studio.

What Do These Mattresses Feel Like? 

In this section, I’m going to discuss these mattresses’ firmness levels, pressure-relieving but abilities, and bounce levels. If you want to learn more about each of these individual mattresses, you can check out my Nolah mattress review and Layla mattresses review.

Nolah

Nolah on the firmness scale
The Nolah on the mattress firmness scale.
I rated the Nolah a 6.5 out of 10 on the firmness scale, with 1 being the least firm and 10 being the most firm. This means that the Nolah is a true medium-firm mattress. This means you’ll get a great combination of pressure relief and support. I’d recommend it especially to back sleepers, who do best with a medium-firm mattress since that level will give them the support they need for a neutral spinal alignment while offering some pressure relief at the lumbar region. I’d say it’s probably a bit too firm for strict side sleepers, and a bit too soft for stomach sleepers. Like most all-foam mattresses, the Nolah isn’t very bouncy. You’ll definitely feel more in this bed than on top of it and it doesn’t have much responsiveness. This means the Nolah probably isn’t the best option for combination sleepers, who need some bounce to give them the mobility to easily switch positions throughout the night.  Though the Nolah doesn’t have much bounce, it does have great motion isolation. This means that the mattress absorbs motion from one side of the bed, and you aren’t likely to feel it on the other. This is good news for couples, who won’t want to feel their partner tossing and turning at night. Another factor that contributes to a mattress’s overall feel is edge support. A mattress with good edge support will keep you from feeling like you’re going to roll off the side of the bed. Overall, I’d say the Nolah had average edge support. I didn’t exactly feel like I was going to fall out of bed when laying on the side, but I also didn’t feel as supported as I did in the center of the mattress.

Layla 

Layla Firmness Level
There is quite a large difference in the support levels for the Layla mattress
As we discussed above, the Layla is a flippable mattress with a soft side and a firm side. I gave the soft side of the mattress a 5.5 out of 10 on the firmness scale, and the firm side a 7.5 out of 10. This means that the soft side is quite a bit softer than the industry standard for medium-firm of 6.5. I’d recommend the soft side of the Layla to side sleepers, who will get the sinkage they need to experience pressure relief at pressure points at the hips and shoulders. Conversely, the firm side of the Layla is quite a bit firmer than medium-firm, so I’d say it’s best for back sleepers who like a firmer feel or stomach sleepers.  Similar to the Nolah, the Layla isn’t a very bouncy mattress. Typically mattresses that are made with memory foam don’t have much bounce, but they do tend to have great motion isolating abilities. This means that the Layla might not be the best option for combination sleepers, who will want to be able to easily move around on the mattress, but it is a nice option for couples, who won’t feel their partner’s movements on their side of the bed. Lastly, I’d like to mention that the Layla, like the Nolah, had pretty average edge support, though I’d say slightly better than the Nolah. Good edge support makes a mattress feel bigger since you can take advantage of the bed’s full surface area. This is especially important for couples and heavier sleepers, who will want all the room they can get from their mattress.
Back sleeping on Nolah original
The Nolah original is great for back sleepers.

Comparing What it’s Like to Sleep on the Nolah and the Layla

Everyone is different, and your mattress choice should reflect you and your needs. Characteristics like your weight and preferred sleeping position will be good determinators of how a mattress may work for you. Let’s see how the Nolah and Layla could perform for you!

Nolah

Back — If you’re a back sleeper who likes a soft approach, the plush cushioning of the Nolah mattress will suit you quite well. Side — The plush Nolah should really wow this group! It’s in its design to offer you top-tier pressure relief and body-contouring qualities. Stomach — The Nolah will likely be too soft for these sleepers. I think that there’s too much sinkage in the hips here, which could lead to back pain or joint pain in the future. I’d recommend these sleepers check out one of our best firm mattresses instead. Body Weight — Heavier sleepers are going to need a sturdier mattress with more durability, like one of our best mattresses for heavy sleepers. I think the Nolah will offer some nice relief to the lumbar region for lightweight back sleepers, but it will likely be too firm for side sleepers and too soft for stomach sleepers.

Layla

Back — Out of its two flippable firmness options, most average-weight back sleepers should enjoy the firmer side of the Layla, but it may be too firm for others. The soft side will be too plush for them. Side — The soft side of the Layla should suit these sleepers, thanks to its plush feel. Stomach — To keep the hips lifted in line with the shoulders, I love the firm side of the Layla mattress for stomach sleepers. Body Weight — I would not recommend the Layla to any heavier sleepers. However, I think light side and back sleepers will enjoy the soft side of the Layla mattress. Light stomach sleepers should do well on the firm side!

Comparing Nolah and Layla Prices

Price is always an important factor to consider before purchasing any new mattress. Below you’ll find up-to-date pricing information about the Nolah and Layla mattresses. You can get a nice discount for either one of these mattresses by clicking on the coupons on this page. Prices listed will be before discount or offer for each size.
SizeNolahLayla
Twin$649$649
Twin XL$799$749
Full$899$949
Queen$1,149$1,049
King$1,249$1,149
California King$1,249$1,149

Comparing Nolah and Layla Mattress Materials

Next up I’m going to dive into the layers of each of these mattresses so you can see just what makes them tick. Though both the Layla and Nolah are all-foam mattresses, they do have fairly different constructions, so let’s take a look inside. 

Nolah

  • Cover — The Nolah is made with a Tencel cover, which is breathable and moisture-wicking. And Tencel is made from recycled materials, which eco-minded shoppers might like. 
  • Comfort Layer — Next up is a top layer of Nolah AirFoam™. This layer has the same body contouring and sinkage of memory foam but doesn’t trap heat like traditional memory foam. 
  • Transition Layer — Nolah’s high resilience foam acts as a transition layer. This foam is bouncier than the AirFoam™ layer and has a similar feel to latex.
  • Foundation Layer — The Nolah’s base layer is made of high-density foam. This foam is often used in mattress bases and adds some nice support.
Nolah mattress layers
A look at the layers of the Nolah mattress.

Layla

  • Cover – The Layla cover is made from a thick polyester blend. It’s got a soft and cozy feel.
  • Comfort Layer – With the soft side flipped up, the comfort layer is made up of a 3-inch layer of copper-infused memory foam. This material has the body contouring and sinkage of memory foam, so you’ll feel some nice pressure relief. However, it mitigates the heat-trapping tendencies of traditional memory foam through its copper infusion, which helps dissipate body heat.
  • Transition Layer – Up next, you’ll land on a transitional layer of poly foam. This material is firmer than the layer above it and helps curb the sinkage you get with memory foam.
  • Support Layer – Next up is a 4-inch layer of high-density poly foam that functions as the mattress’s support layer. When oriented with the soft side up, this layer essentially functions as the base. However, when the bed is configured to the firm side, this support foam becomes a firm transitional layer that provides support to the lower back and hips.
  • Base Layer – The base layer of the layer is made of copper-infused memory foam. This one’s only an inch tall, so you can’t really feel it when the bed is in its soft orientation. When the bed is on its firmer side, this layer becomes the comfort layer.

Nolah vs Layla: Best Qualities

Before we finish up this review, let’s recap all that we’ve learned about the Nolah and Layla mattresses. I’m going to give you a quick list of the best features of each of these beds.

Nolah Best Features

  • The Nolah Original is great for back sleepers. It will give them a nice combination of pressure relief and support.
  • The Nolah is a good choice for couples since it performed quite well on our motion transfer test, which means you’re unlikely to be disturbed by a restless partner since most of their motion will be absorbed by the mattress.
  • This mattress sleeps cool thanks to its layer of cooling Nolah AirFoam™.
nolah original

Nolah Original 10″ Mattress

nolah original
Nolah decided to ditch the standbys of yore (namely memory foam & latex) and develop a new substance that would best them both. Their solution? Nolah AirFoam™, a material that mimics the body contouring principles of memory foam without overheating.
Sleepopolis Score
3.9 / 5
Read Nolah Original 10″ Mattress Review
Check Price
Sale
Use code SLEEPOPOLIS50 and save an additional $50 off mattress purchases

Product Details
Material
Foam
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Sleep Trial
120 nights
Warranty
Limited Lifetime Warranty
Shipping
Free shipping
Price
$$$$$

Our Recommendation
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
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.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Visit Nolah
Average Customer Rating
4.8 / 5
Watch Our Video Review

Layla Best Features

  • The Layla is a flippable mattress with a soft side and a firm side, so it’s kind of like you’re getting two mattresses in one. I’d recommend the soft side-to-side sleepers, and the firm side-to-back sleepers, and stomach sleepers.
  • The Layla sleeps cool thanks to its copper-infused memory foam, which helps dissipate body heat.
  • The Layla is also a nice option for couples. It isolates motion very well, so you won’t be disturbed by your partner tossing and turning at night.
P1057871

Layla Mattress

P1057871
The Layla is an all-foam, flippable bed featuring both a “Soft” and “Firm” side. It’s also built with copper-infused memory foam, which brings some pleasant cooling power to this versatile slumber party.
Sleepopolis Score
4.1 / 5
Read Layla Mattress Review
Check Price
Spring Savings
Save up to $200 off mattresses + 2 free pillows

Product Details
Material
Foam
Firmness
Soft: 5.5/10
Sleep Trial
120 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Shipping
Free shipping
Price
$$$$$

Our Recommendation
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
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.
Stomach Sleepers
This mattress is ideal for stomach sleepers as its firm support promotes spinal alignment.
Hot Sleepers
This bed features extra cooling technology, making it great for hot sleepers.
Hip Pain
This bed should be comfortable for anyone struggling with hip pain since it contours the hips and keeps them supported.
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Visit Layla
Average Customer Rating
4.5 / 5
Watch Our Video Review

Comparing Company Policies

Nolah Policies

  • Trial Period – 120-night sleep trial
  • Shipping– Free shipping and returns
  • Warranty – Lifetime warranty

Layla Policies

  • Trial Period – 120-night sleep trial
  • Shipping – Free shipping
  • Warranty – Lifetime warranty

Sleepopolis Customer Service Rating

We give each mattress brand a customer service rating based on our own experience speaking to their customer service agents. We give them a ranking of Stellar, Great, Satisfactory, or Poor. 

Nolah Sleepopolis Customer Service Rating

  • Great – I was able to chat with a representative immediately on their site and they answered my question politely. 

Layla Sleepopolis Customer Service Rating 

  • Stellar – Not only was I immediately able to chat with someone who answered my question, they also gave me their phone number to call if I ever needed any help, and when I called that number they picked up. 

Comparing Other Models from Nolah and Layla 

Nolah Signature

  • The Nolah Signature is flippable and has a soft side and a firm side, which is similar to the Layla.
  • The soft side of the Signature is softer than the Original Nolah, and I’d recommend it as a better option for side sleepers.
  • The firm side of the Signature is firm enough to support stomach sleepers and will keep their hips in line with their shoulders.
  • Learn more in my full Nolah Signature mattress review.
nolah signature mattress

Nolah Signature 12″ Mattress

nolah signature mattress
The Signature is Nolah’s flagship product, and uses the brand’s proprietary AirFoam™ and high density poly foam to achieve a soft yet supportive feel. It’s a great bed for those after cushioning and pressure relief.
Sleepopolis Score
4.1 / 5
Read Nolah Signature 12″ Mattress Review
Check Price
Sale
Use code SLEEPOPOLIS50 and save an additional $50 off mattress purchases

Product Details
Material
Foam
Firmness
Soft: 5.5/10
Sleep Trial
120 nights
Warranty
Limited Lifetime Warranty
Shipping
Free shipping
Price
$$$$$

Our Recommendation
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Side Sleepers
This bed offers pressure relief at both the shoulders and hips, making it a great fit for side sleepers.
Back Pain
This bed is a good match for anyone struggling with back pain, as it cushions the lumbar region and has enough support to keep the spine neutrally aligned.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Visit Nolah
Average Customer Rating
4.8 / 5
Watch Our Video Review

Nolah Evolution

  • The Nolah Evolution is a hybrid mattress, while the Nolah Original is an all-foam mattress.
  • The Evolution is a bit softer than the Nolah Original, so it could be a better option for side sleepers.
  • The Evolution is quite a bit bouncier than the Original, so I’d recommend it to combination sleepers, who will enjoy more mobility.
  • Read more in my Nolah Evolution mattress review.
P1055841

Nolah Evolution Hybrid Mattress

P1055841
The Nolah Evolution provides good pressure relief and body contouring. It’s a great choice for side sleepers, and back sleepers who like a softer mattress will enjoy it too. The soft pillow top is a great touch for shoulder or hip pain as well.
Sleepopolis Score
4.4 / 5
Read Nolah Evolution Hybrid Mattress Review
Check Price
Sale
Use code SLEEPOPOLIS50 and save an additional $50 off mattress purchases

Product Details
Material
Hybrid
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Sleep Trial
120 nights
Warranty
Limited Lifetime Warranty
Shipping
Free shipping
Price
$$$$$

Our Recommendation
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
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.
Hip Pain
This bed should be comfortable for anyone struggling with hip pain since it contours the hips and keeps them supported.
Seniors
This bed is perfect for senior sleepers, as it provides them support and easy mobility.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Visit Nolah
An amazing mattress! Constructed with luxuriously well made materials that are breathable and incredibly comfortable. After almost one year of sleeping on this mattress, my husband and I are still talking about how much we love it. We both are combo sleepers and feel it’s the perfect balance between soft and firm. Plus, no more waking up with a sore back or tight neck. Would highly recommend!!
Hannah Merrifield, Nolah customer
Average Customer Rating
4.8 / 5
Watch Our Video Review

Layla Hybrid

  • As the name says, the Layla Hybrid is a hybrid mattress that’s made with coils and foam, while the original Layla is an all-foam mattress.
  • The Hybrid is also flippable and has similar firmness levels on its soft side and firm side as the original Layla.
  • The Hybrid is quite a bit bouncier than the foam Layla, and I’d recommend it as a better option for combination sleepers.
  • Learn more in my full Layla Hybrid mattress review.
P1057951

Layla Hybrid Mattress

P1057951
Built with layers of copper-infused memory foam and springy pocketed coils, the Layla Hybrid is designed to soothe aches and pains while keeping you positioned squarely on top of the bed. An added bonus, it’s flippable!
Sleepopolis Score
4.4 / 5
Read Layla Hybrid Mattress Review
Check Price
Spring Savings
Save up to $200 off mattresses + 2 free pillows

Product Details
Material
Hybrid
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Sleep Trial
120 nights
Warranty
10-year warranty
Shipping
Free shipping
Price
$$$$$

Our Recommendation
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
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.
Stomach Sleepers
This mattress is ideal for stomach sleepers as its firm support promotes spinal alignment.
Hot Sleepers
This bed features extra cooling technology, making it great for hot sleepers.
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Visit Layla
Average Customer Rating
4.3 / 5
Watch Our Video Review

Other Common Comparisons

Layla vs

Sleepopolis Team

Sleepopolis Team

About Author

The Sleepopolis team is all about helping you sleep better. We live, eat, breathe, and sleep (ha!) all things, well, sleep! Whether you need a new mattress, are having trouble sleeping, or are just tired of counting sheep, we’ve got you covered. Check back here often for the latest and greatest in mattress reviews, sleep news, or health tips, and in the meantime, sleep well.