Written by Dan Caffrey, Senior Performance Editor
Floor mattresses offer a short-term solution for anyone who suddenly needs a place to sleep. Maybe you’re going on an impromptu camping trip, or maybe you threw a party and don’t want to send your friends home in the middle of the night. Below, we’ve picked some of the best floor mattresses available today.
Best Floor Mattress – 2024
- Better Habit SleepReady – Best Overall
- Millard Tri-Folding Memory Foam Mattress – Best for Restless Sleepers
- Willpo Memory Foam Camping Mattress – Best for Versatility
- Inofia Folding Mattress – Best for Thickness
- Helix Midnight Luxe – Best Luxury Floor Mattress
- Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid – Best Queen-Size Floor Mattress
Best Overall – Better Habitat SleepReady
Rollable floor mattress with a bamboo cover and thick, Certi-PUR-US certified memory foam.
Expert Opinion
This mattress is perfect for both accommodating unexpected guests or improving the comfort of your outdoor activities. It’s three inches thick and offers plenty of support for combination sleepers — even those with larger body types.
But the thing that really makes SleepReady one of the best floor mattresses is in its name: the floor mat is literally ready in seconds. Just unclip the straps and unroll the mattress. No bedding required.
Pros of the Better Habitat SleepReady Floor Mattress
- This mattress definitely has a medium level of support and a softer feel. If you want to sleep on the floor without feeling like you’re sleeping on the floor, it could be a good fit for you.
- It comes with a removable cotton terry cover to help hot sleepers stay cool.
- It’s made with CertiPUR-US foams, which are free of any harsh chemicals.
Cons of the Better Habitat SleepReady Floor Mattress
- It only comes in two sizes: single and twin.
- It has a waterproof, anti-skid bottom, which helps add durability, but it can also start to chip away in patches after three to four washes.
Best for Restless Sleepers – Milliard Tri-Folding Memory Foam Mattress
The Milliard tri-fold mattress contains comfort memory foam and a supportive foam base that’s covered in a removable jacquard cover with an anti-slip bottom.
Expert Opinion
We chose the Millard Tri-fold Mattress as our pick for restless sleepers due to its ability to isolate motion and redistribute weight, as well as its compact design. Its memory foam is thick and, in addition to hugging the body, can restrict movements to keep vibrations from rippling across the mattress. And when you’re done sleeping on it, the tri-fold design allows you to fold it up and easily store it away.
Pros of the Milliard Tri-Folding Memory Foam Mattress
- In total, there are three pounds of dense memory foam to help you sleep more deeply.
- At 1.5 inches thick, the memory foam helps cradle sore joints.
- There’s a high-density core to help keep the spine in a neutral alignment.
Cons of the Milliard Tri-Folding Memory Foam Mattress
- It doesn’t feel cradling enough for heavier side sleepers. They might sink through the memory foam to the high-density core below.
Most Versatile – Willpo Memory Foam Camping Mattress
A combination of memory foam and support foam gives this camping mattress both stability and comfort.
Expert Opinion
The Willpo can be used for everything from yoga to camping to occasional guests, and even as a play area for your kids. This roll-up mattress is almost three inches thick, made with dense foam for a medium-firm feel. It’s durable, while also offering some nice contouring, making it suitable for all sleeping positions. It’s also responsive enough for combination sleepers to be able to change positions.
Pros of the Willpo Memory Foam Camping Mattress
- It has an anti-slip bottom to keep the mattress in place.
- There’s also a removable and machine-washable cover.
- It comes with a storage bag, allowing for easy transportation.
Cons of the Willpo Memory Foam Camping Mattress
- It may not be firm or supportive enough for heavy sleepers over 250 pounds.
- We found it a little difficult to roll back up.
Best Thickness – Inofia Folding Mattress
The Inofia Tri-Fold Mattress is constructed with memory foam and a supportice foam base. This bed has a medium-firm feel and offers great body contouring. The Inofia also uses CertiPUR-US Certified memory foam, which is free from toxins and chemicals.
Expert Opinion
The Inofia is thicker than all of the other ones on this list — 6 inches thick, in fact. This allows it to easily support larger sleepers and help them sleep soundly. We found that it had a medium-firm feel that conformed pretty closely to the body, relaxing the pressure points at the shoulders and hips. But the thickness results in more than enough support for the spine.
Pros of the Inofia Folding Mattress
- It has a bamboo cover and temperature-neutral foam that should be comfortable for hot sleepers.
- Mesh sides also assist with air circulation, which in turn assists with cooling.
- There’s an anti-slip bottom, which should help the mattress stay in place if you’re a restless sleeper.
Cons of the Inofia Folding Mattress
- It may take some time to fully expand after unpacking.
- It’s a bit more expensive than some of the other floor mattresses on this list.
Best Luxury Floor Mattress – Helix Midnight Luxe
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 is a bit different than many of the other floor mattresses on this list. As a true luxury bed, it’s designed to fit into a variety of bed frames. However, you don’t have to put it on a foundation — it can work just as well on the floor with no base, slats, or headboard.
As a brand, Helix is known for its flagship line of six hybrid mattresses, each with a different level of firmness. The Midnight is their medium-firm model, and the Luxe is this bed’s luxury upgrade. That means it comes outfitted with elegant features such as a cushy pillow top and a layer of springs that have been zoned for support. In terms of firmness, we actually found this mattress to be a 6 out of 10 on the mattress firmness scale, which is a bit softer than medium firm.
Pros of the Helix Midnight Luxe Mattress
- When testing the Helix Midnight Luxe, we thought it was a good fit for back sleepers. They should get cushioning at the lumbar region from the pillow top and double comfort layer of memory foam, while still getting spinal support from the coils.
- Side sleepers should also be comfortable. They’re likely to get deep pressure relief at the shoulders and hips — the parts of the body where they put the most pressure.
- Hot sleepers, take note: we found the Helix Midnight Luxe to be an especially cooling mattress due to the soft and breathable Tencel cover and airflow-promoting coils.
Cons of the Helix Midnight Luxe Mattress
- As a luxury model, the Helix Midnight Luxe is rather expensive for a regular mattress, not to mention a floor mattress. Budget shoppers may want to look elsewhere.
Best Queen-Size Floor Mattress – Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid
The Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid mattress combines a foam comfort layer and sturdy coils. This combination of materials makes it bouncy and easy to move around on. It comes in three firmness levels, and we recommend the Medium model for most back sleepers. It’s a great choice for shoppers who are looking for a new mattress on a budget. For more information, check out our video review.
What our tester says:
“Given that the Signature Hybrid has some excellent bounce, I’d highly recommend this mattress for combination sleepers who often change positions multiple times throughout the night. I also think the Signature Hybrid could be a great fit for couples. You shouldn’t be overly disturbed by a restless partner on this bed, and it has nice, firm edge support.” – Nichole Mondshein, lead reviewer and staff writer
Expert Opinion
This is another mattress that doesn’t need a bed frame. Once the queen-size Brooklyn Signature Hybrid arrives at your door, you can open the box, unroll it, place it on the floor, and sleep on it after a 24- to 48-hour off-gassing period.
When testing out the Signature Hybrid, we found it to be a simply constructed yet sturdy bed, built from a combination of memory foam and individually encased coils. We got a mixture of comfort and support when lying down on it, and found it to be a medium-firm mattress.
Pros of the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid Mattress
- This is another bed that should be comfortable for back sleepers, who should get the mixture of support and pressure relief they need to sleep comfortably.
- The coils of the Signature Hybrid give the bed a responsive feel that should make it easy for combination sleepers to switch sleeping positions at night.
- This is a cooler-sleeping mattress, thanks to the coils leaving plenty of room for airflow.
Cons of the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid Mattress
- While not as pricy as a luxury mattress, the Signature Hybrid is still going to be more expensive than most of the other beds on this list.
Types of Floor Mattresses and Their Features
Some proponents of floor sleeping suggest that adopting natural sleeping postures — and sleeping on the bare floor — may reduce low back pain and joint stiffness. But there still isn’t much research into the topic of whether sleeping on a floor mattress is good or bad for your health. But you can rest assured that it definitely won’t be good for you if you choose the wrong mattress type.
So, let’s see what floor mattress types there actually are and which one of them will be the most beneficial to you.
Foldable Mattresses
As the most common type on the market, foldable models usually come in the following variations:
- Standard tri-fold mats that can be used for sleeping or other activities, such as yoga or camping.
- Convertible mattresses, which have four or more sections and can turn into a sofa.
Typically, foldable mattresses are made of denser foams to withstand active use, which is why they tend to be firmer than other types. Also, they might be thicker than other types and offer more cradling, so they may perfectly work for heavy users and couples.
Roll-Up Mattresses
Roll-up mattresses are the second most common option for those who need a floor mat. Here are their main features:
- More compact. Roll-up mattresses, in most cases, are thinner than foldable ones — and hence, more lightweight.
- Softer feel. Since these mats need to be rolled for storage, they’re made of more flexible foam and generally have a softer feel.
- More versatile. This is the result of the two points above. Smaller weight and plush foams make roll-ups a decent pick not only for sleeping, but for other activities too.
Floor Futons
Technically, floor futons are a kind of roll-up mattress, but I gave them a separate category because they have a couple of distinctive features:
- Traditional floor futons consist of several elements. There’s the futon itself, the duvet cover, and the tatami mat that serves as a support layer. Some sets might also include a small pillow.
- Futons may be filled with fibers only or have a foam core with fiber padding around it, while standard roll-ups are mostly made of foam only.
- Traditional futons can only be used indoors, whereas other roll-up mattresses may have a waterproof bottom layer or cover which allows you to use them for camping and outdoor activities.
How We Test for the Best Floor Mattress
Firmness
Firmness is extremely important when considering a floor mattress. When testing mattresses, we place each bed on our firmness scale that ranges from 1-10, 1 being the softest and 10 being the firmest mattress we have ever tested. Which firmness we recommend is very dependent on your sleeping position. If you are a side sleeper, we recommend going for a softer bed that can cushion your shoulders and hips and allow for some pressure relief. If you are a stomach sleeper, be sure to go for a firmer bed that can keep your hips lifted and your spine aligned to not create extra pressure points. Back and combination sleeper should aim for a true medium firm mattress which is considered a 6.5 on our scale.
Motion Isolation
Motion isolation refers to the amount of movement that is felt across the mattress when your partner, kids or pets move around. Typically, floor mattresses absorb a lot of that noise because of the ground however, depending on the mattress height and quality of the construction, mattresses that have bad motion isolation can be quite noisy and can wake up your partner easily.
We test for motion isolation by using the red wine test and the drop ball test. The wine test involves our testers laying and rotating through all sleeping positions and seeing if the glass of wine placed on the other side of the mattress falls. The drop ball test involves dropping steel balls from various heights and using a seismograph machine to measure how much movement is felt throughout the mattress. The larger the waves on the graph, the worse it hs performed for motion isolation.
Edge Support
Edge support refers to the strength of the perimeter of your mattress. It is especially important when looking at a floor mattress, because the last thing you want to do is roll onto the floor because the edges of your mattress aren’t holding you up. Edge support is also crucial for seniors, anyone with chronic pain or couples as it gives you extra support to stand out of bed and also allows you to use the full width of your mattress without falling off.
We test for good edge support by using a yard stick to measure how much the mattress sinks in when our testers sit and lay on the edge of the bed. If edge support is a priority for you, be on the look out for terms like “reinforced edges” when buying a mattress.
Pros and Cons of Floor Mattresses for Everyday Use
Benefits of sleeping on the floor:
- You sleep cooler. Cold air is denser and migrates towards the floor, while heated air rises. If you’re prone to hot sleeping, you can switch your regular bed for a floor mat and see if your sleep quality improves.
- It might improve your posture. The bare floor is hard to sleep on. But when used as a substitute for a platform bed, it could help your spine obtain straight positioning and even improve slouching over time.
- It might help treat sciatica. Sciatica is a type of pain that involves your sciatic nerve. This nerve runs through your lower back, hips, and buttocks and when inflamed, can trigger acute pain in these areas. Some doctors suggest that sciatica can be treated by sleeping on a firmer bed, so you can use a floor mat as an alternative to your regular mattress.
Possible drawbacks of floor sleeping include:
- Increased exposure to allergens. We all know that the floor quickly collects dust and debris, which can trigger your allergic episode.
- If you have weak knees, it’s better to sleep on a regular bed, as getting up from the floor may be too painful.
What to Consider Before Purchasing a Good Floor Mattress
We suggest you ask yourself the following questions before investing in a new floor mattress:
How often do you plan to use it?
If you’re buying a mattress for occasional use and will store it most of the time, I’d suggest you go for a roll-up model. Foldable models are more supportive and make a great pick for regular sleeping, but they’re also bulkier, even in the folded state. Some users worry about mold growth when using their mattress on the floor nightly. While this factor depends on the environment in the room, you can try adding a simple low platform for improved air flow if you wish.
How big is your room?
Those who live in a small apartment will probably try to make the most of every inch of space. In this case, a convertible floor mattress can be a good pick, as it combines several pieces of furniture in one. A twin or queen roll-up — depending on the number of sleepers you want to accommodate — will make a decent sleeping spot for a small apartment, as they’re very compact when rolled.
What firmness do you need?
A preferred level of firmness is tied to your weight, sleeping position and overall preferences. Roll-ups tend to be softer, so they might suit average-weight users who sleep on their back or side. Thicker and firmer models, which you typically find among foldable floor mattresses, can become a better pick for large sleepers and solid back or stomach sleepers.
Any extra features?
If you plan on using your floor bed only indoors, you probably don’t need a waterproof lining, so you shouldn’t overpay for this feature. At the same time, those who need a more versatile mattress should look for a durable, washable cover that can withstand active use.
Our Review Process
Our team of Certified Sleep Science Coaches has reviewed more than 400 products in our lab, testing each one on different performance factors so we can make informed recommendations.
When selecting the best floor mattresses, we paid special attention to factors such as material quality, comfort, durability, and cooling ability. We want the floor mattresses we suggest to feel as close to a traditional cozy mattress as possible, while still being a convenient sleeping space.
A Look Into the Sleepopolis Testing Lab
In order to ensure that we’re recommending the best mattresses to sleepers everywhere, we test each one individually in our mattress lab in Raleigh, North Carolina. Here, our team of Certified Sleep Science Coaches has reviewed more than 300 beds, putting each one through a rigorous testing process that includes measuring a mattress’s motion transfer with a seismometer, tracking its cooling capabilities with a thermal gun, and visualizing its ability to relieve pain with a pressure map.
From there, we give every bed an overall score based on its materials, comfort, support, cooling, edge support, and more. We also factor in brand performance with categories such as value and warranty.
We know that sleep is an integral part of your health, which is why we’ve developed such a detailed methodology when testing mattresses and writing our reviews. We also know that every sleeper is different when it comes to body type, sleeping position, and mattress preference. With so many factors at play, we want to give you an informed opinion so you can make an informed purchase.
FAQs
How do you make a mattress on the floor look aesthetically pleasing?
You can add more layers to it to create a cozy look (like pillows or throw blankets). You can also try and place some accessories nearby, like a house plant or a low-profile bedside table.
How do you keep a floor mattress from sliding?
A rug placed under the mattress should help. You may also consider buying a special non-slip tape or pad.
How do you air out a floor mattress?
If you have a secure outdoor area, you can prop it up and leave it outside for a bit (just make sure it isn’t supposed to rain). Or you can just lean it against the wall.
How do you protect a mattress on the floor from bed bugs?
Using a dense mattress encasement may help you prevent bed bugs from penetrating the mattress.
What should you put under your floor mattress?
You can put a rug or a piece of cardboard under your floor mattress to ensure a better grip and some insulation. Alternatively, you can use a bunkie board for improved airflow.
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Dan Caffrey
Senior Performance Editor
About Author
Dan is a Performance Editor and Certified Sleep Coach at Sleepopolis, where he writes and edits mattress roundups to give readers the most up-to-date information on sleep products. In 2020, Dan earned his MFA In Playwriting from UT Austin, and his plays have been seen around the country in Chicago, Austin, Washington D.C., and elsewhere. He’s also a pop-culture fanatic, having written for publications such as The A.V. Club, Consequence, Pitchfork, and Vox. He co-hosts two popular horror podcasts on the Bloody Disgusting Podcast Network — The Losers’ Club: A Stephen King Podcast and Halloweenies: A Horror Franchise Podcast. When he’s not catching up on the latest King novel, you can find Dan in and around Brooklyn walking his dog Hank, seeing a play with his wife, and going to way too many concerts.
Combination Sleeper