Choosing the right mattress can fundamentally change your life for the better: improved sleep quality, less joint pain, and even allergy prevention. However, it’s a complicated marketplace with thousands of options that cater to different sleep styles, including factors like whether you need a mattress for side sleepers, or for back pain, or for couples. In other words, the best mattress for you might be very different from the best mattress for somebody else.
Our team of certified sleep science coaches has tested more than 300 mattresses over the last decade. Not only do we use and evaluate these products ourselves, but we also consult with Dr. Raj Dasgupta, M.D., who’s board certified in sleep medicine, to make even more informed recommendations.
Using our comprehensive mattress testing methodology, we score every bed on this list on a scale from 1 to 5 in a number of categories, including the following:
- Materials: We prefer mattresses made of high-quality materials that are free of fiberglass. We actually cut out a small cross section of each bed so we can see the construction.
- Motion Isolation: Using a seismometer, we can detect and measure movements across a mattress surface, favoring mattresses that score high in motion isolation for couples.
- Cooling: We give high marks to mattresses with effective temperature regulation, which we measure using a thermal gun that reads a mattress’s temperature before and after we lie on it for an extended time.
- Pressure Relief: Waking up pain-free is important! We quantify how well a mattress performs in this area by using a pressure map to assess where high-pressure areas are (or aren’t) during different sleeping positions.
We settled on the best mattresses by choosing the products that rated the highest in these (and several other) categories.
The 8 Best Mattresses of 2024
- Helix Midnight – Best Mattress 2024
- DreamCloud – Best Mattress for Combination Sleepers
- Saatva Rx – Best Mattress for Shoulder Pain
- Nectar Premier – Best Mattress for Side Sleepers
- WinkBed – Best Mattress for Back Pain
- Nolah Evolution – Best Hybrid Mattress
- Bear Star Hybrid – Best Mattress That Won’t Sag
- Silk & Snow Hybrid – Best Value Mattress
What I Looked For in The Best Mattress
Every bed on this list has gone through our extensive testing methodology. The mattresses on this list each scored a 4 out of 5 or higher in at least seven of the categories we assess.
When building the list of which ones are best, we focused on some additional factors, such as:
- Cost: We recognize that your budget may not look like your friends’. We sought to provide a comprehensive range, including budget-friendly options around $850 to luxury brands that run $3,295 for a queen size.
- Mattress Construction: We know that memory foam, innerspring, latex, and hybrid mattresses tend to perform differently across our testing categories. For instance, memory foam is usually better at isolating motion than innerspring coils are, but coils tend to help a mattress sleep cooler.
- Support: Spinal alignment may be one of the most important factors in keeping you pain-free when you wake up. The best mattresses scored high when we assessed how well they kept our testers’ spines in a neutral position.
“If you’ve got a poorly constructed mattress, or one that doesn’t fit your body type or sleep style, you stand to experience more discomfort than necessary,” warns Dr. Raj Dasgupta, MD, FACP, FCCP, FAASM, and quadruple-board certified in pulmonary, sleep, internal, and critical care medicine.
Compare the Top Rated Mattresses of 2024
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| Helix Midnight Mattress | DreamCloud Original Mattress | Saatva Rx Mattress | Nectar Premier Mattress | WinkBed Mattress | Nolah Evolution Hybrid Mattress | Bear Star Hybrid Mattress | Silk & Snow Hybrid Mattress | |
| Rating | ||||||||
| Firmness | Medium-firm: 6.5/10 | Firm: 7/10 | Medium-firm: 6.5/10 | Medium-soft: 6/10 | Firm: 7/10 | Multiple firmness options | Medium-soft: 6/10 | Medium-firm: 6.5/10 |
| Material | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid | Foam | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid |
| Cooling | — | — | — | — | ||||
| Best For |
Couples,
Back Sleepers, Side Sleepers |
Back Sleepers,
Hot Sleepers, Seniors |
Back Pain, Hip Pain, Stomach Sleepers, Side Sleepers, Back Sleepers
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Side Sleepers, Back Sleepers, Hip Pain, Back Pain, Stomach Sleepers
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Back Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers, Back Pain, Hot Sleepers, Side Sleepers
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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,
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Best Mattress 2024 Video Review
Helix Midnight – Best Mattress 2024
The Helix Midnight is amongst Helix’s line of six standard mattresses. It’s known for its more balanced feel, allowing it to accommodate a wide range of sleepers. We also recommend it for couples, as it scored well on our motion isolation, responsiveness, edge support, and cooling tests. For a plusher and more cooling version of this mattress, see the Helix Midnight Luxe. Learn more in our video review.
What our tester says:
“I would recommend this mattress for side or back sleepers because it’s supportive, without putting pressure on your joints.” – Nichole Mondshein, lead reviewer and staff writer
The Helix Midnight tops our list as the best mattress for most people because no matter what position you like to sleep in, you’ll find support, cooling, responsiveness, and pressure relief. In fact, the Midnight took scores of 4 out of 5 or higher in each of those categories during our in-depth testing.
Dan Caffrey, a certified sleep science coach and one of our Sleepoplis editorial members, has spent many nights on the Midnight. “This mattress has a medium firmness that’s comfortable whether I’m on my back, side, or stomach,” he says, noting that out of 1 to 10, the Midnight scores a 6 for firmness. “It’s rare to find a mattress that suits all sleeping positions.”
In each sleeping position, Dan, as well as another one of our testers, Nichole Mondshein, said they could feel support through key areas like the lumbar region when on their backs, as well as contouring around the shoulder and hips while on their sides. “Even on my stomach, I could feel a good enough lift so I wasn’t sinking too far into the bed,” Nichole notes. “This is crucial if you’re a stomach sleeper, because it means your spine shouldn’t bow out of alignment.”
In addition to its versatility and support, the Midnight does well for temperature regulation and ranks among our best cooling mattresses. It earned a 4.5 out of 5 in cooling, as it only warmed 5 degrees after our testers spent 5 minutes on it. If you’re like me and have joint pain (helloooo, shoulders and hips!), then you’re likely looking for a mattress that provides pressure relief. Not only did each of our testers feel substantial relief while on the Helix Midnight, but we have the science to back it up. We use a specialized mat that generates an image of various colors based on where pressure points are. When we used it with the Midnight, the graphic was almost entirely blue in every sleeping position, indicating low pressure.
A queen-size Helix Midnight is usually around $1,100 after discounts and can be found for even cheaper around holidays. Helix also has two luxury versions of the Midnight: the Helix Midnight Luxe and the Helix Midnight Elite.
I will point out that The Helix Midnight is not the right mattress for people over 250 pounds. I think they’d be more comfortable on an extra-supportive mattress built with reinforced materials. For those looking for a bed that will support people with higher weight, check out the Helix Plus, which is made with denser foams and stronger coils that should accommodate heavier weights. And you can learn more about this mattress in our Helix Midnight mattress review.
DreamCloud – Best Mattress for Combination Sleepers
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
A combination sleeper is someone who switches between different sleeping positions at night. If that’s you, then you need a responsive mattress that allows you to easily shift between back, side, and stomach-sleeping positions while feeling supported in each. Our pick for the best mattress for combination sleepers is the DreamCloud, a luxury hybrid mattress that scored a perfect 5 out of 5 in responsiveness (and an impressive 4.5 in support and pressure relief).
Sleepopolis expert tester Bridget Chapman put the DreamCloud to the test, immediately noticing its bounciness. “As soon as I laid down on the DreamCloud, I could feel the springiness stemming from its layer of springs. It was very easy to move between my back, side, and stomach,” she says. Bridget, who has personally tested dozens of mattresses, says the DreamCloud has a firmer feel, rating it a 7 out of 10 on our scale. For context, this places the bed in the category of “firm.” While combo sleepers don’t have to opt for a firm mattress, these types of beds tend to offer more mobility than overly soft ones do.
Combination sleepers also need a lot of support so they can move around without the mattress layers collapsing too much. No matter which sleeping position Bridget was in on the DreamCloud, she said she felt sufficiently lifted, so she gave it a 4.5 out of 5 in this category.
Where the DreamCloud comes up a little short is with motion isolation. A bed with good motion isolation often isn’t as easy to move around on, so it should come as no surprise that a mattress as responsive as the DreamCloud has significant motion transfer, sending high vibrations to our seismometer. “Myself and another tester got on the mattress together, and I could feel every one of their movements,” Bridget notes. This isn’t great news if you sleep with someone else in bed who tosses and turns a lot, because it means you’ll probably feel it.
One other important thing to know about the DreamCloud: Because of its springiness, it doesn’t offer the kind of deep sinking a memory foam mattress would. Our testers said they felt more “on top” of the bed than “in” it. You can get even more details about how this bed tested in our DreamCloud mattress review. If you’re after something with more sinkage, I recommend checking out the Saatva Loom & Leaf. It has a luxurious, hotel-like feel, but with a lot more of that memory foam softness.
Saatva Rx – Best Mattress for Shoulder Pain
Designed specifically for sleepers with back pain and joint pain, the Saatva Rx features several layers that combine both foam and coils. This creates a blend of comfort and support throughout the entire mattress that’s cushioning enough for any aches and pains while still being sturdy enough for a neutral spinal alignment. Learn more in our Saatva Rx video review.
What our tester says:
“I found that this bed has a supportive feel that easily works for people of all weights, but still feels plush and comfortable.” – Amelia Jerden, senior staff writer
It shouldn’t be a surprise that the Saatva Rx is our pick for the best mattress for shoulder pain — the brand designed it specifically to provide relief on your joints and the back. The construction is made up of five layers that alternate between foam and springs, which provides contouring and support. Most importantly, in our hands-on testing, the Saatva Rx earned a 4.5 out of 5 for pressure relief.
“When I laid on my side, I felt significant pressure relief at my shoulders and hips,” says our tester, Nichole Mondshein. “The same goes for when I was on my back. I could feel the tension in my body melting away without ever feeling like I was stuck in the bed.”
In our testing, the Saatva Rx took a 4 out of 5 in the category of support. Nichole noted that she could feel an upward lift in the middle of the bed, which kept her spine aligned. This is also significant for those with joint pain, as a misaligned spine is often the culprit of discomfort.
If you share a bed with someone, you should know that the Saatva Rx does well for both edge support and motion isolation. Nichole said she was able to spread out and use the entire surface of the mattress without feeling like she was going to fall off. And when she tested it for movement, she said it performed exceptionally.
“Light-sleeping partners likely won’t wake each other up with their movements on this bed because there is very little motion transfer, which I observed with our seismometer and in sharing the bed with a fellow tester,” she says.
Finally, when we used a thermal gun to measure the mattress’s temperature increase after 5 minutes of lying on it, the temperature only rose by 8 degrees. In our testing methodology, a mattress with a temperature elevation of 5 to 10 degrees is considered to have good cooling capabilities.
As versatile as the Saatva Rx is in terms of performance and sleeping position, I’m not sure if everyone out there will be able to afford it. It comes at a high price point and is the most expensive mattress on this list by a long shot.
You can learn more about this mattress in our Saatva Rx mattress review. For a cheaper option that still works well for those with shoulder pain, I recommend the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid.
Nectar Premier – Best Mattress for Side Sleepers
The Nectar Premier is a luxurious all-foam mattress equipped with quality materials. A moisture-wicking cover and gel-infused comfort layer create a cooling, thermoregulating mattress for hot sleepers. Perhaps its strongest attribute is its next-level pressure relief. Six inches of foam work to contour sensitive areas, but the high-density foam at the bottom of the bed provides plenty of support. Watch our video review to learn more.
What our tester says:
“My favorite thing about the Nectar Premier is its great pressure relief. This medium-soft mattress is a great fit for side sleepers looking for plush comfort. It might also be a nice fit for sleepers who deal with shoulder pain.” – Nichole Mondshein, lead reviewer and staff writer
Side sleepers tend to put the most pressure on their shoulders and hips. So when choosing the best mattress for side sleepers, we chose the all-foam Nectar Premier, which earned near-perfect 4.5-out-of-5 scores during our testing for support and pressure relief.
“When lying on my side, the mattress felt plush, but the soft foams contoured to my shoulders and hips to relieve pressure buildup,” says our expert product tester Nichole Mondshein.
A medium-soft mattress doesn’t always offer this level of support, but Nichole said she was impressed with the Nectar’s ability to balance a pillowy feel with a solid foundation. During our pressure map test (which shows how much pressure is being put on certain parts of the body), there was almost no pressure lighting up around Nichole’s shoulders and hips. “I’d also recommend this bed to most average-weight back sleepers,” says Nichole Mondshein. “It offers enough support that these sleepers should be able to maintain a proper spinal alignment, but it’s soft enough to really contour to the curves of your lower back.”
While the Nectar Premier should be comfortable for back sleepers and side sleepers, stomach sleepers will need a more supportive mattress. Because they put more pressure on the bed than any other sleeping position, they’re usually more comfortable on a mattress that doesn’t have that slow-sinking feel of memory foam. When Nichole tested out the Nectar Premier in this position, she said she could feel her hips sinking too far into the mattress while her shoulders stayed too high, which threw her spine into an uncomfortable alignment.
Get more details on this bed in our Nectar Premier mattress review. If you’re a stomach sleeper who still wants a foam bed with some cushioning, I recommend you look at the Nectar Classic. Although it’s also made entirely of foam, its materials are firmer and more responsive.
WinkBed – Best Mattress for Back Pain
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
Sleeping can be a real pain in the back for some people. No matter your sleeping position, if you have back pain, you need a mattress that supports a healthy spinal alignment. In our testing, we found the WinkBed delivers a very balanced feel for all positions, due in part to its hybrid construction. And, like all the best mattresses for back pain, the WinkBed earned high scores in both support and pressure relief.
“The foam-and-coil combination in the WinkBed is why it feels plusher on top, but gives great spinal support at the foundation,” says Nichole Mondshein, one of our expert mattress testers. “When running the mattress through our pressure map test, which measures how much pressure is put on different parts of the body, there was almost no pressure on my back in all sleeping positions.” She scored the WinkBed a 4.5 out of 5 in the category of pressure relief.
Another bonus for those with back pain: The WinkBed comes in three firmness options (Softer, Luxury Firm, Firmer), as well as a slightly more expensive model called the Plus designed for heavier sleepers. We have tested almost every variation and found:
- The Luxury Firm model would be most comfortable if you’re a back sleeper.
- The Softer is most ideal for side sleepers with back pain.
- The Firmer model should be a good fit for stomach sleepers.
Regardless of which model you choose, though, the WinkBed is going to be fairly responsive with a lot of support. You can learn more about how this mattress performed on our tests in our in-depth WinkBeds mattress review. If you want something with a plusher feel, you should check out the WinkBed EcoCloud, the brand’s latex mattress option.
Nolah Evolution – Best Hybrid Mattress
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
Hybrid mattresses combine a top layer of foam with a bottom layer of coils to give you significant pressure relief and support. The Nolah Evolution scores a perfect 5 out of 5 in pressure relief and an impressive 4.5 in support — but it offers significantly more.
For instance, the foam in the comfort layer is made of AirFoamICE, a more porous and breathable alternative to memory foam, which is a dense and heat-trapping material.
“The Evolution slept very cool while I was lying on it, which tells me that the AirFoamICE is doing its job,” says our tester Bridget Chapman, who scored the mattress a 4.5 out of 5 in this category.
The coils on the Evolution are wrapped in a specialized foam that’s designed to provide additional pressure relief and edge support. The mattress’s perfect pressure relief score stems from our data-driven test, which uses a specialized mat that provides color-coded imaging to show how much pressure the mattress is putting on your body. In all sleeping positions, the graphic lit up almost entirely blue, indicating little to no pressure buildup. Bridget also gave the Evolution a 4.5 in edge support, as the mattress layers showed almost no collapse when she laid near the edge.
The Nolah Evolution comes in three different firmness levels: Plush, Luxury Firm, and Firm. We tested out the Luxury Firm and found it to be a tad on the softer side, scoring a 6 out of 10 on our firmness scale. It was most comfortable while Bridget was back sleeping, though she also found side sleeping to be comfortable.
If you’re a side sleeper and you want some extra contouring at the shoulders and hips, I recommend choosing the Plush model. Likewise, I think stomach sleepers — who usually need a firmer and more supportive mattress — will fare best on the Firm model.
One area where the Nolah Evolution could use some work is responsiveness. In our testing, we found it a little difficult to move around on the bed, which is something to consider if you’re a combination sleeper. Read more about the bed’s responsiveness in our Nolah Evolution mattress review. If you want something extra-springy, I recommend taking a look at the Saatva Classic.
Bear Star Hybrid – Best Mattress That Won’t Sag
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
If you’re looking for a highly durable mattress, know that a bed with springs in its construction is much less likely to sag than an all-foam mattress. The Bear Star Hybrid has this and more, scoring a 4.5 in key durability categories like edge support and materials and taking a perfect 5 out of 5 for its lifetime warranty.
“When I laid down on the mattress, I felt very supported by its bottom layer of coils, which extend all the way to the edge of the bed,” says our tester, Bridget Chapman. “This gives the mattress strong edge support, which is key in preventing sagging. I felt like I could lie all the way near the edge without falling off.”
As a hybrid mattress, the Bear Star Hybrid has a combination of foam and coils, which ideally provides a blend of both support and pressure relief. Bridget said that the Bear Star Hybrid is a softer bed, but still maintained an aligned spine during testing. In terms of pressure relief, she rated it a 4.5 out of 5, finding just a small amount of pressure at the shoulder and hips during side sleeping.
Our testers found the Bear Star Hybrid to be most comfortable while back sleeping and side sleeping. It was also easy to change sleeping positions, which tells me that this bed should be a good fit for combination sleepers. The responsiveness of the springs also makes it one of the best mattresses for sex.
The one sleeping position where the Bear Star Hybrid wasn’t quite as comfortable was stomach sleeping. While in this position, Bridget said her hips were sinking too far into the mattress, throwing her spine out of alignment. You can read more about this mattress and sleeping positions in our Bear Hybrid mattress review. If you’re looking for one of the best mattresses for stomach sleepers that also won’t sag, I recommend checking out the Titan Plus from Brooklyn Bedding.
Silk & Snow Hybrid – Best Value Mattress
The Silk & Snow Hybrid mattress is a medium-firm mattress made with cooling gel-infused foam and individually wrapped coils. This mattress has excellent cooling abilities, making it a good choice for anyone who tends to overheat at night. The medium-firm feel also makes this bed a good fit for a variety of sleeping positions and body weight. The Silk & Snow is made with high-quality materials, yet has a low price point, so you’ll get the best bang for your buck.
What our tester says:
“The Silk & Snow Hybrid incorporates cooling gel infusions, which are designed to combat the heat trapping nature of memory foam. The bed also has coils, which allow for more airflow within the bed than a solid foam bed.” – Amelia Jerden, former senior staff writer
We chose the Silk & Snow as the best value mattress because it’s made with high-quality materials, has excellent cooling abilities and airflow, and is compatible with a variety of sleeping positions and body types. All of these factors are impressive on their own, but the Silk & Snow Hybrid is even more appealing when you look at its price tag, which is around $650 to $950 for a queen size. For context, similar mattresses on the market cost almost $2,000.
We have had multiple people on our team test the Silk & Snow Hybrid. It shines in cooling, taking a 4.5 out of 5 in that area because it heated up less than 8 degrees after our testers laid on it for 5 minutes. It also earned a 4.5 in motion isolation and responsiveness.
“It’s rare to get high scores in both, because beds that are good at isolating motion usually aren’t very easy to move around on,” explains our tester Bridget Chapman. We found that the Silk & Snow Hybrid dampens movement enough to prevent partners from waking each other up while also being responsive enough for sex.
The Silk & Snow also earned high marks in support, while also providing some gentle contouring.
“When I laid down on my back on the mattress, I felt lifted right away. The longer I laid there, though, I could feel the small of my back being filled in by the comfort layer of gel memory foam, giving me some moderate pressure relief in the lumbar region,” notes Bridget, who said she found the same amount of support during side sleeping.
Stomach sleeping was a different story, however. Once she was in the prone position, Bridget said she could feel her hips dipping into the mattress, causing some spinal discomfort. Therefore, we don’t recommend the Silk & Snow Hybrid for stomach sleepers.
One testing area where we found the Silk & Snow Hybrid to be lacking was edge support. When we sat and laid near the edge of the mattress, we could feel the perimeter sagging, which tells me that you might feel like you’re going to fall off the bed if you sleep too close to the edge.
If you’d like to learn more about how this bed performed in testing, check out our Silk & Snow Hybrid Mattress review. If edge support is important to you, I recommend the Nectar Hybrid. Its coils give the bed a sturdy perimeter and should result in a comfortable sleeping experience.
Other Mattresses I Considered
Here at Sleepopolis, we’ve tested over 300 mattresses, so not all of them are going to make the list. Here are some other options that were in the running for my best mattress list, and why they didn’t quite make the cut.
- Purple: Purple is known for its polymer grid, which is squishy, stretchy, and has a waffle design. When testing the Purple mattress, some of our testers loved the uniqueness of its grid, but some found it uncomfortable. So we ultimately decided not to put it on our best mattress list.
- Casper: As one of the oldest players in the bed-in-the-box game, Casper has a variety of mattresses, including its all-foam flagship bed. I actually owned a Casper for seven years and found it to be a comfortable mattress overall. But it doesn’t have a ton of extra features, so I thought it came up a little short compared to other beds on this list.
- Emma Hybrid Comfort: The Emma Hybrid Comfort is a luxury mattress offered at a value price. While I think it’s a great deal, it’s also very firm and may not appeal to a lot of sleepers out there.
- Titan Plus: The Titan Plus was designed specifically for heavy sleepers over 250 pounds and is a highly durable bed. The only reason I didn’t include it here is because a lot of lightweight and average-weight sleepers may find it to be too firm. That said, it ranks near the top of our list of the best mattresses for heavy people every year.
- Plank Firm: This is a truly unique mattress from Brooklyn Bedding for two reasons — it’s flippable and is exceptionally firm, despite being made of foam. While I’m personally a fan of the Plank Firm, we ended up not including it on this list because its firmness tends to appeal to a small population of sleepers.
- Leesa: This is another all-foam mattress that I find very comfortable, especially for back sleeping. But, its lack of extra features kept it off the list.
- Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Adapt: As one of the pioneers of memory foam, Tempur-Pedic makes all of their mattresses out of proprietary Tempur material, which provides exceptional sinkage and pressure relief. With its medium-firm feel, the TEMPUR-Adapt is one of the brand’s most popular beds, but it’s also very pricey. While that isn’t necessarily a dealbreaker (some of the mattresses on this list, including the Saatva Rx, are expensive, too), I don’t think the bed’s comfort warrants the price tag.
- Sleep Number 360 pSE Smart Bed: This mattress — like all Sleep Number beds — has a range of advanced features, from customizable firmness to an app that makes adjustments to the bed while you sleep based on your temperature, heart rate, and other data. But like Tempur-Pedic mattresses, I don’t think the extra features are so life-changing that they justify such a high cost.
How We Picked and Tested These Mattresses
We test each of our mattresses using an in-depth testing methodology that our team of certified sleep science coaches developed over the past decade with input from experts in the sleep and medical fields.
And while we don’t cut corners in our approach, we do cut mattresses! We actually open a small cross section of each mattress so we can really get an idea of what its construction is like, which informs some of our testing scores, including cooling. Here’s a quick breakdown of each of our tests and how they work:
Cooling
We evaluate the mattress’s construction (for instance, hybrids usually sleep cooler than memory foam beds), then use a thermal gun to measure the temperature increase after 5 minutes of one of our testers lying on it. 5 degrees or less indicates excellent cooling, 5 to 10 degrees indicates good cooling, 10 to 15 degrees indicates decent cooling, and over 15 degrees indicates poor cooling.
Motion Isolation
If a mattress isolates motion well, then you and your partner are less likely to feel each other tossing and turning at night. We test this by having two of our testers roll around next to each other and note how much movement they can feel. Then we run a more objective test where we drop a steel ball onto the bed from several different heights (each height approximates a different sleeping motion), then measure the vibrations with a seismometer. The higher the vibrations, the more likely you are to feel your partner’s movements.
Responsiveness
This is a simple test where our testers lie on the mattress and see how easy it is to change sleeping positions. We also have our testers press firmly in the middle of the mattress for 7 seconds then let go, seeing how each layer responds. Both of these tests tell us if it’s a good mattress for combination sleepers.
Pressure Relief
We try out every mattress in every different sleeping position, noting which positions feel most comfortable. But our team also runs each position through our pressure map test, which involves rolling a specialized mat across the bed. The mat reads how much pressure the mattress is putting on our tester’s body in each position, then creates a color-coded graphic or “map”. Blue indicates no pressure, green indicates little pressure, yellow indicates moderate pressure, orange indicates high pressure, and red indicates very high pressure.
After all of these tests, our testers score each category from 1 to 5. We also evaluate non-testing categories such as trial and warranty. For instance, if a mattress offers a lifetime warranty, it automatically gets a 5.
When putting together my top picks, I narrowed down my selections by only including beds that scored a 4 out of 5 or higher in at least seven of our 10 testing categories, then going off of my personal experience with each mattress and deciding what kind of sleeper it’d be best for.
What to Consider When Buying a Mattress
Below are a few considerations you should take into account when purchasing a new bed. These relate to body type, sleeping position, pain management, and other factors. You can also take a look at our guide on how to choose a mattress that fits your needs, and if you’re still feeling overwhelmed, consider taking our mattress quiz for a personalized recommendation.
Sleeping Position
The position you’re in while you snooze may have a profound effect on your sleep quality and overall comfort. “Maintaining the spine’s natural curve is crucial,” advises Dr. Raj Dasgupta.
So what kind of mattress should you get based on your sleep position? Here’s a quick guide:
- Side sleepers do best on soft to medium-firm mattresses that cushion pressure points at their hips and shoulders. Check out our best mattresses for side sleepers roundup.
- Back sleepers need an appropriate balance of pressure relief and support to keep their spines in a straight line, and they’ll typically find that in a medium-firm or a firm mattress. They can find some high-quality options in the best mattress for back sleepers roundup.
- Stomach sleepers put the most pressure on a mattress of all the sleeping positions, and thus need a firm bed that gives them a nice lift (some medium-firm mattress options can work, too). This helps keep their hips aligned with their shoulders, which prevents the spine from getting misaligned. Learn more in our best mattresses for stomach sleepers guide.
- Combination sleepers usually prefer mattresses that are easy to move around and change positions on. We recommend these sleepers stick to a bouncy mattress with a medium-firm feel, like the ones in our best mattresses for combo sleepers guide.
Mattress Material and Type
What’s in your mattress? It matters more than you might think:
- Innerspring mattresses are made of two layers of springs, or coils, and generally topped with a smaller layer of foam for comfort. They often have a firm, bouncy feel and work well for stomach, back, and combination sleepers. This type of mattress is exceptionally good for cooling due to the breathable layers of springs. Innerspring mattresses typically offer a lot of support as well. You can check out our best innerspring mattresses guide to learn more.
- Memory foam mattresses are made entirely of foam, without any coils. They’re usually a good option for side sleepers and anyone who likes to feel “hugged” by their mattress, although they are available in firmer options, too. Due to the density of the material, memory foam beds can be somewhat limited in their cooling capabilities, and are usually not as durable as a hybrid or innerspring mattress. Take a look at the best memory foam mattresses to learn more about these beds.
- Hybrid mattresses use a mix of foam and innerspring coils, and there is a lot of variety in construction and feel. Of all the mattress types, they probably have the most versatility and can appeal to many different sleepers. One downfall of these mattresses, however, is that they’re generally more expensive. Learn more over at our list of the best hybrid mattresses.
- Latex mattresses are often made with eco-friendly Dunlop or Talalay latex foam — a material that has a naturally porous construction and is good for cooling. Natural latex is also an organic material, meaning that it’s environmentally stable and allergen-resistant. We usually recommend them as a cooling mattress for hot sleepers, eco-conscious sleepers, and combination sleepers who need to change positions at night (latex is also naturally bouncy). Check out the best latex mattresses for more on this natural material.
Body Type and Weight
Most mattresses are designed for sleepers between 130 and 250 pounds — a group we refer to as “average-weight” sleepers. However, we also test our mattress for lighter weights (anyone under 130 pounds) and heavier weights (anyone over 250 pounds). The lighter you are, the firmer a bed will feel to you, which is why we recommend soft to medium-firm mattresses to most lightweight sleepers.
On the flip side, heavier sleepers will probably experience most beds as softer, so we recommend they opt for something extra-firm and supportive. To learn more about choosing a mattress for your body type, visit our page for best mattresses for heavy people.
Common Pain Areas
Choosing a sleep surface that helps mitigate pain is especially important for sleepers who live with chronic pain. I’ve selected mattress options that could help with several different types of pain, including the most common: shoulder pain, back pain, and hip pain.
Our pressure map test is usually the most important tool when making recommendations related to pain, as it creates a color-coded graphic that shows how much pressure a specific bed is putting on the body. Blue indicates no pressure, so if I’m choosing the best mattress for shoulder pain, for example, I’ll go with a bed where the graphic is entirely blue in that area.
Mattress Size
Mattress size is important for a couple of reasons. The first is your preferences. Some people enjoy the cozy feel of a full or twin mattress, while others — especially if they like to sleep near the edge of their mattress — may want to spread out on a bigger bed.
The second consideration is price. Larger mattresses are more expensive, so understanding your budget may help you narrow down what size is best for you. Third, is who’s sleeping in the bed. If you’re shopping for yourself and a partner, then you may want more room, and will likely opt for a queen or king mattress. However, if you’re looking for a college dorm mattress, you might want to save money and be practical with a twin bed. Perhaps you’re shopping for a guest room mattress, in which case you might want to opt for a safe bet of a queen or full.
The last consideration is the size of the room in which the mattress is going. Again, if you’re shopping for a college dorm room, a twin might be all that will fit. However, if you’re looking for a bed for a master bedroom, you’re likely going king or queen. Considering these factors together can help you narrow down exactly what you’re looking for.
Price
Buying a new mattress is a big investment, so budget is definitely something to consider. One thing to keep in mind is that a pricier mattress is generally made with higher-quality materials and better construction. However, like anything on the market, a higher price does not always equal a better product.
While I usually tell consumers that they should be prepared to pay between $1,000 and $1,500 for a high-quality queen-size mattress, there are plenty of quality budget options out there that can still give you an excellent night’s sleep. For example, the cheapest queen mattress on this list can usually be found for around $850 before discounts. We also have several price-based lists to help you find the bed that makes the most sense for your wallet:
- Best Cheap Mattresses
- Best Mattresses Under $1,000
- Best Mattresses for the Money
- Best Luxury Mattresses
Warranty and Sleep Trial
If you’re buying a mattress online, a sleep trial is especially important, as you won’t be able to try it in-store beforehand, unless you have a showroom nearby. I recommend looking for beds that offer at least a 100-night trial with free returns so you can test out your purchase and make sure it’s right for you. Some mattress brands, such as Nectar, offer exceptionally generous trial periods of 365 nights.
You’ll also want to look at the length of the mattress’s warranty. A longer warranty is often a testament to its quality. A 10- to 15-year warranty is decent, but a forever warranty is probably going to give you the most piece of mind.
FAQs
How much should I spend on a mattress?
While this is going to depend on your individual budget, a value mattress is generally considered to be one that’s under $1,000 for a queen size. So set that as your spending limit if you’re looking to save money. If you have more financial flexibility, you can usually find a high-quality mattress for between $1,000 and $1,500. And if you want a luxury bed, you should be ready to spend upwards of $1,500.
When is the best time to buy a mattress?
Many bedding brands launch huge sales around federal holidays, so keep an eye out for deals around President’s Day, Memorial Day, and even Labor Day. You’ll also naturally find a ton of deals around Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Check out our mattress coupons and promo codes page year-round to stay up to date on the latest discounts.
How often should I replace my mattress?
In general, you should replace your old mattress every 7–10 years. However, a mattress can sag prematurely if you don’t place it on a proper foundation or treat it roughly. You can also extend the life of an old mattress for a few months by adding a mattress topper.
Whenever you’re buying a new bed, it’s important to take a look at its warranty, which can also give you a good idea of how long it should last.
What is the best mattress for back pain?
Most people who struggle with back pain find that a firm or medium-firm mattress is best for them. This type of bed will help you keep your spine straight overnight, which can help alleviate a lot of pain. To find a mattress that can help with your specific back pain, check out our roundup of the best mattresses for back pain.
What’s the best mattress for stomach sleepers?
Of all the sleeping positions, stomach sleepers require the most support. With that in mind, they’re best off with a bed that’s reinforced with pocketed coils. For an expansive selection, they can always check out our roundup of the best mattresses for stomach sleepers.
What’s the best mattress for side sleepers?
Side sleepers are on the other end of the spectrum from stomach sleepers. While they still require some support, they tend to prefer softer beds (or medium-firm) that have a lot of cushioning for their shoulders hips. Many of the mattresses on this list should be a great match for side sleepers, most notably the Nectar Premier. We also have a roundup of the best mattresses for side sleepers.
Sources
Caggiari Gianfilippo. What type of mattress should be chosen to avoid back pain and improve sleep quality? Review of the literature. Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology. 2021. https://jorthoptraumatol.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s10195-021-00616-5
Logan Block
Mattress Reviewer
About Author
Logan is the former content director of Sleepopolis. As content director, he reviewed new mattresses every week and curated the comparisons, best of pages, and video guides on the site. Logan perfected his method by personally testing over 200 different mattresses, so he’s not only able to discern the overall vibe of a specific bed, but to contextualize its feel within the bed-in-a-box market as a whole.
Combination Sleeper