Written by Bridget Chapman, Senior Product Editor
If you’re hosting friends or family from out of town, then you may be on the hunt for the best mattress for guest rooms so they can feel as comfortable as possible while away from home. But since everyone sleeps differently and has different preferences, it can be a difficult task to find a bed that works for a variety of people. That’s why, on my list of the best mattresses for guest rooms, I made sure to include options for all kinds of sleeping positions, body types, and more. Hopefully your visitors feel like they stayed at a 5-star hotel.
As with all of my mattress roundups, I put each of these beds through a series of tests before I recommend (or dissuade) certain sleepers from buying them. These tests include my 15-minute rest test, pressure map test, motion transfer test, and more. All of these evaluations (along with many others) help me see how well this mattress works for cooling, pain relief, and whether or not you’ll be able to sleep comfortable with a partner or pet.
To make it easy for you to find which mattress is your perfect fit, I’ve included all of this information in my Pros and Cons section of each mattress review. But for more information, make sure to read the whole review to find information about every nook and cranny of your mattress.
My Top Pick for a Guest Room Mattress
We chose the Nectar as my top pick for a guest room mattress. While you probably don’t want to spend as much on a guest bed as you do your own, you also don’t want to sacrifice quality. Luckily, the Nectar comes at an affordable price point while still offering plush memory foam comfort.
Best Mattress For Guest Room
- Nectar – Best Overall
- Helix Midnight – Best Value
- DreamCloud – Best for Couples
- WinkBed Plus – Best Firm Mattress
- Nolah Evolution – Most Hotel-Like
- Saatva – Best Innerspring
- Bear Star Hybrid – Best Cooling
- Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid – Best Hybrid
- Titan Plus– Best for Heavy Sleepers
- Birch Mattress – Best Organic
Compare Best Mattresses For Guest Room
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What We Look For In The Best Guest Room Mattress
Universal Comfort
Universal comfort is not easy to achieve, and everyone has different preferences for their mattresses, but we wanted to help you find a mattress that almost everyone will find comfortable when they stay at your house. We looked for mattresses that had a medium level of firmness, supportive, and cushioning enough that they would cradle those who liked to be hugged by their mattress but not feel swallowing those who prefer to feel “on top” of their mattress.
Durability
Durability is especially important when you are considering a mattress that will be hosting multiple guests in its lifetime. We know this, and we want to help you find the most durable mattress for all of your guests, so we examined the materials and construction of every mattress on this list to help you find a mattress that will be comfortable while also lasting you through all of your hosting.
Motion Isolation
Motion isolation is important in all mattresses, but especially important for guests who are staying in a new bed and possibly with partners. Motion isolation is the degree to which you can or cannot feel movement in a mattress. To test the motion isolation for all of the mattresses in this list, we dropped a ball from various heights and measured how much movement could be felt across the mattress using a seismograph machine. We also tested these mattresses’ motion isolation with a glass of red wine and tested how much movement was required to knock over the glass.
Best Overall – Nectar
The Nectar delivers a balance of comfort and support: it’s definitely contouring, but still provides a firm enough foundation for most light to average weight sleepers, especially if they sleep on their back or stomach. Plus, a lengthy trial period, lifetime warranty, and affordable price make the Nectar a reassuring choice for many. Watch our video review to learn more.
What our tester says:
“I think back sleepers would be especially happy on this bed. They’ll get plenty of support from the firm memory foam in the Nectar Classic, which should translate to great pressure relief and a good night’s sleep. Hot sleepers who have to have a memory foam mattress should also have no trouble at all falling asleep on this bed.” – Nichole Mondshein, lead reviewer and staff writer
Expert Opinion
I chose the Nectar as my best overall pick for a guest room mattress because it’s comfortable, affordable, and works for multiple types of sleepers. When I tested out this all-foam mattress, I experienced a lot of contouring and deep pressure relief, and I think your guests will, too. There’s a thick top layer of memory foam that can help alleviate any pains that your guests might have from traveling.
The Nectar is also a great mattress for couples, which could come in handy if your guest room is housing more than one guest. It showed impressive motion isolation results on our motion transfer test, which means that sleepers shouldn’t feel the tossing or turning of their partner during the night. The Nectar also showed strong edge support, which can be hard to find in a memory foam mattress. This will make sure that your guests are able to spread out without fear of sinkage or sagging near the sides of the bed. Finally, the Nectar also includes a cover made with heat-wicking technology, so couples should be able to sleep cooler for longer.
What our tester says: “If you love deep sinkage and contouring, this is the mattress for you. The Nectar also has good motion isolation, so you shouldn’t feel your partner or pet moving around at night.” – Bridget Chapman, senior product editor
What Customers Say
Reviews on the Nectar website praise this mattress for how well it alleviates back pain, especially for people that have previously had surgery, or who have been struggling with lumbar pain for years.
Pros of the Nectar Mattress
- Side sleeping is probably the most comfortable position to sleep in on the Nectar, as the soft foam effectively contours the shoulders and hips, which is where side sleepers put the most pressure.
- The Nectar is extremely plush and does a good job filling in the area around the lumbar region with soothing foam, which is great for back sleepers and sleepers who suffer from back pain. At the same time, the thick layer of support foam at the bottom of this mattress helps to keep back sleepers’ spines neutrally aligned.
- The Nectar can often be found for less than $1,000 at full retail price for a queen size, which is good news for budget-conscious shoppers. You can also take a look at our deals throughout this roundup for even more savings. I love that you can get a cozy, quality bed for your guests without breaking the bank.
Cons of the Nectar Mattress
- The Nectar is probably not going to be firm enough for strict stomach sleepers, as these customers need a mattress that is firm enough to keep their hips in line with their shoulders, promoting a healthy spinal alignment. If this sounds like you, check out our roundup of the best mattresses for stomach sleepers for some better options.
Ready to try out the Nectar for yourself? Read our full Nectar mattress review, or click here to see our current best deals. Still undecided? Take a look at our roundup of the best mattresses of 2024.
Best Value – Helix Midnight
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
Expert Opinion
Helix offers a wide range of mattresses (I’m talking more than a dozen), and the Helix Midnight is the brand’s most popular model. It offers a medium-firm feel with a little bit of cushioning that most sleepers — including your guests — can be happy on. I think it’s a great value because it combines pressure-relieving foams and supportive coils. When I tested it, I got some nice contouring and a slight lift.
I also recommend buying this mattress for your guest room because it comes at a value price, with a queen size often available for under or close to $1,000 after discounts. This allows you to provide comfortable sleeping experience for your guests without breaking the bank. And if you want to take the comfort a step further, you can opt for the Helix Midnight Luxe, which is a similar model but with additional support, cooling features, and a pillow top.
What our tester says: “I honestly understand why this is the brand’s most popular model. It’s really comfortable and supportive for back and side sleeping. I love that the Helix Midnight offers solid edge support — you can use the whole bed.” – Bridget Chapman, senior product editor
What Customers Say
Customers love the Helix Midnight because of its balance between support and cushioning. Multiple users on the Helix website commented that this mattress feels firm beneath them at night, while still allowing them to feel body contouring around their lower back and shoulders.
Pros of the Helix Midnight Mattress
- The Helix Midnight does a great job isolating motion, which can be seen in its low results on our motion transfer test. This makes this mattress a good choice for couples, as one partner shouldn’t be able to feel the movements of the other throughout the night.
- The Helix Midnight scored a 6 on our firmness scale, which makes it slightly softer than the industry standard for a medium-firm mattress. Soft beds are a great option for side sleepers, as they should be plush enough to contour their shoulders and hips during the night.
- Sleepers who suffer with shoulder pain should feel comfortable sleeping on the Helix Midnight because it includes cushioning that prevents stiffness around the joints. This might also be helpful for sleepers who suffer with hip pain.
Cons of the Helix Midnight Mattress
- Heavier sleepers most likely won’t get the support they need from the Helix Midnight because of how soft this mattress is. Folks who weigh more than 250 pounds may want to look at the Helix Plus, an extra-supportive mattress made with larger body types in mind, or they can take a look at our roundup of the best mattresses for heavy people.
Does this sound like the bed for you? Read our full Helix Midnight mattress review, or click here to see our best deals. If you’re not entirely set on the Helix Midnight, take a look at our roundup of the best mattresses for your money to find some other budget-conscious options.
Best for Couples – DreamCloud
With soft foam and a sturdy layer of innerspring coils, the DreamCloud strikes a balance between comfort and support — a little bit of contouring up top and on-top-of-the-bed feel that comes from the bottom. It’s a fairly firm mattress that we think is most comfortable for back sleepers. It also has some luxury touches such as a cashmere-blend cover that are reminiscent of a high-end hotel. Learn more in our DreamCloud video review.
What our tester says:
“I really like how luxurious this mattress feels and how it could work for a variety of sleepers. Along with that, I found that the breathable cashmere cover helps the DreamCloud sleep cool throughout the night. Thanks to its medium-firm to firm support, I think the DreamCloud is a durable mattress. It balances support with plenty of pressure relief for back sleepers.” – Bridget Chapman, former Sleepopolis senior product editor
Expert Opinion
A lot of times, guest beds are used to house couples, instead of just a solo sleeper. I think these folks should be comfortable on the DreamCloud mattress. This bed is supportive enough for two people, and it features a medium-firm feel that should work for multiple sleeping positions, including back, stomach, and combination sleeping. The DreamCloud also touts some truly luxurious features, including a cashmere blend cover, gel memory foam, and sturdy coils.
This mattress scored a 7 on our firmness scale, which makes it slightly firmer than the industry standard for a medium-firm mattress, which is set at a 6.5. This is a great score for a bed that’s going to be used by a bunch of different people, as it is neither too firm or too soft.
What our tester says: “I really like how luxurious this mattress feels and how it could work for a variety of sleepers. Along with that, I found that the breathable cashmere cover helps the DreamCloud sleep cool throughout the night.” – Bridget Chapman, senior product editor
What Customers Say
True to the DreamCloud’s name, many commenters compared sleeping on this mattress to sleeping on a real cloud.
Pros of the DreamCloud Mattress
- Hybrid beds are usually a good option for back sleepers, and the DreamCloud is no exception. The foams present in this mattress should provide pressure relief for these sleepers’ hips and shoulders, and the innerspring coils help to keep the spine neutrally aligned.
- The breathable cover, gel infusions, and airflow-promoting coils included in the construction of this mattress help to keep sleepers cool throughout the night. This is great for hot sleepers and couples, since two bodies tend to overheat faster than one.
- Combination sleepers should love the innerspring coils present in the DreamCloud. These coils help sleepers feel “on top” of this bed, instead of sinking into it. This is great for combination sleepers, as it helps them switch positions when needed.
Cons of the DreamCloud Mattress
- Strict side sleepers might find that the DreamCloud is a little too firm for their liking. These sleepers need a soft mattress that provides extra pressure relief around their hips and shoulders. If this sounds like you, take a look at our roundup of the best mattresses for side sleepers to find some softer options.
Is this your dream mattress? Read our full DreamCloud mattress review, or click here to check out our best deals. Still on the hunt? Take a look at our roundup of the best mattresses for couples.
Best Firm Mattress – WinkBed Plus
The WinkBed Plus is a firm, hybrid mattress designed specifically to accommodate heavyweight sleepers. Through our testing, we found it works best for back sleepers, particularly those over 250 pounds. It also does a good job of isolating motion, which will likely appeal to you if you sleep with a partner. If you want to learn more about the WinkBed Plus, check out our video review.
What our tester says:
“This mattress was designed for heavier people and it really is a fantastic bed for these individuals. Heavy people fed up with unsupportive mattresses will find a lot to love about this luxury mattress.” – Bridget Chapman, former Sleepopolis senior product editor
Expert Opinion
The WinkBed Plus was specifically designed for heavier sleepers and sleepers who prefer a firmer mattress. Outfitted with anti-sag foam and heavy duty pocketed coils, the reinforced construction of this mattress ensures that sleepers can achieve ultimate pressure relief while still staying supported. I even invited a heavier colleague to test out the WinkBed Plus for himself, and while he did experience this mattress as being a bit softer than I did, he still felt elevated.
If you’re not a heavy sleeper, but are still interested in trying out the WinkBed Plus, I scored this mattress as a 7.5 on our firmness scale, making it significantly firmer than the industry average for a medium-firm bed. For lightweight sleepers (those under 130 pounds), this bed felt even firmer, around an 8 on our scale. If you know the majority of your guests are a lighter weight, this might be something to keep in mind when buying a guest room mattress.
What our tester says: “I’m a fan of the Plus’s bouncy and supportive feel, which is especially good for combination sleepers and back sleepers. I’d also recommend the Plus to couples, since it has some nice motion isolation. It actually made our best mattress for couples roundup.” – Bridget Chapman, senior product editor
What Customers Say
Many reviews on the WinkBed website talk about how well this mattress relieves back pain. Many of these users have back conditions like sciatica, or have recently have back surgery. Despite this, they still stated that they felt immediate relief after sleeping on the WinkBed Plus.
Pros of the WinkBed Plus Mattress
- The coils included in the WinkBed Plus give it a traditional innerspring feel. I think this bounce will be especially helpful for combination sleepers, as it allows them to change positions with little resistance.
- I love the WinkBed’s plush pillow top and cozy Tencel cover. These luxury additions elevate this bed to a luxury level, which can provide a great sleeping experience for your guests.
- I think this mattress is a good option for sleepers who suffer from back pain, especially if they sleep on their back the majority of the time. As a firmer mattress, the WinkBed Plus should be able to keep their spines supported in a neutral position.
Cons of the WinkBed Plus Mattress
- Sleepers under 130 pounds (who we classify as lightweight sleepers) are probably going to find that the WinkBed Plus is too firm for their liking. Then again, it wasn’t built for them. For these sleepers, I recommend checking out our roundup of the best mattresses for lightweight sleepers.
Does the WinkBed spark your interest? Read our full WinkBed Plus mattress review, or click here to take a look at our best deals. Not entirely sure yet? Check out our roundup of the best firm mattresses to find some other options.
Most Hotel-Like – Nolah Evolution
The Nolah Evolution’s hybrid construction offers the cushioning of memory foam with the responsiveness of coils. The Luxury Firm model is a good option for side and back sleepers due to its medium-firm feel, though there are Plush and Firm versions as well. Those who share a bed may also appreciate its low motion transfer, so you won’t be disturbed by a partner’s movements and its solid edge support to allow you to maximize surface area. For more information, check out our video review.
What our tester says:
“I laid down to rest on this mattress on my back — my primary sleep position. I felt comfortable, but also appreciated the cozy, plush top of the bed. After some time lying on my back, I switched over to my side. I didn’t find this position quite as comfortable, as I did feel some slight pressure buildup in my shoulder.” – Amelia Jerden, senior staff writer
Expert Opinion
If you want your guests to feel like they’re staying at an upscale hotel, the Nolah Evolution has you covered. This bed is 15 inches tall and consists of dreamy memory foam and supportive base coils. It also comes in three different firmness levels: Plush, Luxury Firm, and Firm. I tried out the Luxury Firm model for this review, and I think it could be the best option for a guest room, since its medium-firm feel will work for a lot of different sleepers.
The Nolah Evolution also gets some sinkage and pressure relief from the layer of AirFoam ICE, which is an open-celled version of memory foam. The material provides a lot of contouring, and the airy construction (in addition to a graphite infusion) assists with cooling.
What our tester says: “For the Luxury Firm model, I really appreciate its medium-firm feel. This mattress also provides good pressure relief and body contouring.” – Bridget Chapman, senior product editor
What Customers Say
Customers on the Nolah website loved how competitively priced this mattress was compared to the quality materials that are used in its construction.
Pros of the Nolah Evolution Mattress
- The Nolah Evolution is a great mattress for side sleepers, which can be rare to find in firmer mattresses. Our Sleepopolis mattress testers felt more sinkage around their hips and shoulders, which helped to alleviate pressure in these areas.
- Sleepers who suffer with joint pain should receive some nice pressure relief from the Nolah Evolution. The coils included in the construction help keep the spine aligned, which works to alleviate back pain. This, combined with the foams, will also help to provide body contouring around the shoulders.
- Memory foam tends to sleep hot, but the Nolah Evolution offsets this with the AirFoam ICE. The coils in this mattress also allow lots of air to flow through the bed’s structure.
Cons of the Nolah Evolution Mattress
- Folks who primarily sleep on their stomach usually require more support than the average sleeper, and if they weigh over 250 pounds (which we classify as a heavy sleepers), that need increases. These sleepers probably won’t get the right amount of support on the Nolah Evolution. Instead, I recommend checking out our roundup of the best mattresses for heavy people.
Ready to evolve your sleeping experience? Read our full Nolah Evolution mattress review, or click here to check out our latest deals. Not sold? Take a look at our roundup of the best hotel mattresses.
Best Innerspring – Saatva
The Saatva’s coil-on-coil construction provides a classic innerspring feel. It’s a good option for combo sleepers, who will want to feel free to switch positions and avoid feeling “stuck” in the mattress. It comes in three firmness levels, so you should be able to find one that suits your needs. The white glove delivery Saatva provides is an added perk and will save you the headache of getting rid of your old mattress (they take it away for free!). For more information, watch our video review.
What our tester says:
“I think the Saatva is a great option for back sleepers, as the Luxury Firm model provides enough cushioning for their lumbar region, but also lots of support to keep their spine in a neutral alignment.” – Nichole Mondshein, lead reviewer and staff writer
Expert Opinion
For its flagship mattress, Saatva utilizes a unique coil-on-coil system (that means two layers of springs) to bring you and your guests a traditional innerspring mattress feel. This bed also comes in three different firmness levels and two different heights, so you can customize it to your liking. I recommend picking the Luxury Firm model for a guest room, since it has a firmness level that will appeal to a lot of different people and their varied sleeping positions.
Another perk of buying from Saatva is that the brand offers free white glove delivery. This means that movers from the company will deliver the bed fully expanded (Saatva’s mattresses are never compressed in boxes), set it up in your room of choice, and take away your old mattress if needed. We’ll touch more upon this perk in the Pros section of this roundup.
What our tester says: “I appreciate how the Saatva Classic comes in three different firmness levels and two different heights, so sleepers can choose the model that works best for their needs.” – Bridget Chapman, senior product editor
What Customers Say
While it’s clear on the Saatva website that customers love this mattress for a majority of different reasons, one comment that appears repeatedly is how amazing the customer service is. Many users stated that the Saatva customer service team helped them find the perfect mattress for their sleeping preferences without trying to push them toward a more expensive bed.
Pros of the Saatva Mattress
- The Saatva comes with free white glove delivery, so you don’t have to lug this heavy mattress through your front door or up the steps to your apartment. This also means that the Saatva is never compressed in a box, so you don’t have to wait for an off-gassing period or decompressing time before getting a good night’s sleep.
- The springs included in the construction of the Saatva create a lot of bounce. This is great for combination sleepers, as it makes it easy for them to change up their positioning during the night.
- Another perk of all the coils in the Saatva is that they provide plenty of room for air to flow throughout the mattress. This is helpful for hot sleepers that want to stay cooler for longer during the night.
Cons of the Saatva Mattress
- The Saatva is definitely a bouncier and more responsive mattress, so it did not score extremely well on our motion isolation test. Because of this, couples might be able to feel their partner’s movements during the night. If this disturbs you, check out our roundup of the best mattresses for couples to find a bed with low motion transfer.
Does the Saatva sound like the bed for you? Read our full Saatva mattress review, or click here to see our best deals on this bed. If you’re still unsure, take a look at our roundup of the best innerspring mattresses.
Best Cooling – Bear Star Hybrid
The Bear Star Hybrid is a softer hybrid mattress with memory foam and innerspring coils. It offers pressure relief, contouring, and solid support for many sleeper types, but especially back, side, and combination sleepers. For more information, check out our video review.
What our tester says:
“After testing out the Bear Star, I found it to be really cozy. I loved how plush the surface of the mattress felt as I was lying on it, but I still felt super supported. Lying on my back and my side, I felt comfortable and would definitely sleep on this at night in my own home.” – Amelia Jerden, senior staff writer
Expert Opinion
The Bear Star Hybrid, formerly known as the Bear Hybrid, is a great cooling option for house guests, thanks to its optional Celliant cover, copper-infused memory foam, and pocketed coils. These materials all assist in keeping this mattress breathable and cooling. When I tested out the Bear Star Hybrid, the top cover really did feel cool to the touch. And if you want to take your cooling features to the next level, you can upgrade to the Bear Elite Hybrid.
The Bear Star Hybrid is another great mattress for couples, which can be something to consider when buying a guest room bed. This mattress scored very well on our motion isolation test, most likely because the memory foam helps to dampen motion before it moves to the other side of the bed. This means that couples shouldn’t be able to feel their partner’s movements during the night.
What our tester says: “As a hot sleeper myself, I like that the Bear Star Hybrid is meant to help keep things cool at night. The cooling-gel foam and individually wrapped coils will provide airflow for you other hot sleepers out there.” – Bridget Chapman, senior product editor
What Customers Say
Multiple customers on the Bear website talked about how the Bear Star Hybrid strikes the perfect balance between firmness and softness. They stated that when they initially laid down on this mattress, it feels extra soft, but after settling in, they felt the coils in the base lift them up and keep their body supported.
Pros of the Bear Star Hybrid Mattress
- Bear is known for designing mattresses with athletes and active folks in mind. Some studies say that the Celliant material used in the construction of this mattress, available for an additional fee, can help promote muscle recovery and blood flow.
- The Bear Star Hybrid has a supportive, medium-soft feel, which is a good match for back sleepers. They should get some contouring at the lumbar region, while also getting the support they need to keep their spine neutrally aligned.
- Despite being a medium-soft mattress, the Bear Star Hybrid does include springs that add some responsiveness and bounce to this bed. This makes it easy for combination sleepers to change up their sleeping position throughout the night.
Cons of the Bear Star Hybrid Mattress
- If you’re a strict stomach sleeper, the Bear Star Hybrid might not be the best mattresses for you. This bed is probably too soft to keep your hips in line with your shoulders, which lead to an unhealthy spinal alignment. I recommend checking out our roundup of the best mattresses for stomach sleepers instead.
- The Celliant cover that may help in muscle recovery must be purchased separately for around $130.
Ready to sleep like a star? Read our full Bear Star Hybrid mattress review, or click here to check out our current deals. Not sold on this mattress? Take a look at our roundup of the best cooling mattresses.
Best Hybrid – 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
The Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid combines two layers of foam with a support layer of coils for to create a mattress that is both buoyant and supportive. This bed comes in a Soft, Medium, and Firm model, so you can pick which firmness level best works for you. I suggest selecting the Medium model for a guest room since it will work for a variety of sleepers and couples.
This mattress is also made with high-quality materials, including CertiPUR-US foams, a quilted memory foam cover, and a comfort layer constructed using Hyper-Elastic Supreme Response Comfort Foam. All of these materials work together to provide extra body contouring and pressure relief for the sleeper.
What our tester says: “I really like how the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid comes in three different firmness levels. It allows for all kinds of sleepers to find the right fit for them. I also appreciate that the Brooklyn Signature Hybrid mattress isolates motion well, has strong edge support, and sleeps fairly cool.” – Bridget Chapman, senior product editor
What Customers Say
Many of the comments on the Brooklyn Bedding website talked about how well the Signature Hybrid is able to alleviate joint pain. Many users stated that their hip, lower back, and shoulder pain completely went away after buying and sleeping on this mattress.
Pros of the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid Mattress
- The Signature Hybrid did fairly well on our motion transfer test, so couples shouldn’t be too bothered by their partners movements during the night. The bouncy feel of this bed also makes it a great mattress for sex, as couples can move around easily on top of its layers.
- Combination sleepers should appreciate the Signature Hybrid because, as a hybrid mattress, its inclusion of coils allows sleepers to easily move around on top of its layers. This helps combination sleepers to switch positions during the night as needed.
- The Signature Hybrid has a soft and breathable cotton cover, and the coils allow for plenty of airflow. This makes the mattress a good cooling pick for hot sleepers.
Cons of the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid Mattress
- The design of the Signature Hybrid is very simple, with a layer of memory foam up top, followed by a layer of transition foam, then the coils. While this works for a majority of sleepers, if you’re looking for added luxury features, this might not be the bed for you. Instead, I suggest taking a look at my roundup of the best luxury mattresses.
Does this feel like your signature bed? Read our full Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid mattress review, or click here to check out our current deals. Not loving this mattress? Take a look at our roundup of the best hybrid mattresses currently on the market.
Best for Heavy Sleepers – Titan Plus
The Titan Plus mattress is a durable mattress made with heavy sleepers in mind. It’s firm and features heavy-duty coils and Titanflex foam that makes it bouncy and easy to move around on. We think that heavy back sleepers and stomach sleepers should be especially comfortable. For more information on the Titan Plus, check out our video review.
What our tester says:
“I think the Titan Plus lives up to its name as a good mattress for heavier sleepers. It will offer them the deep compression support and durability they need.” – Nichole Mondshein, lead reviewer and staff writer
Expert Opinion
The Titan Plus by Brooklyn Bedding is a unique mattress that’s specifically made for sleepers over 250 pounds. This mattress has an impressive level of support, thanks to its six inches of 961 heavy-duty coils and a bottom layer of high-density foam. Heavier sleepers should get adequate pressure relief from the Titan’s two inches of responsive latex alternative foam.
If your guests prefer back or stomach sleeping, this mattress will be a great fit for them. The Titan Plus should provide enough support and stability to keep their shoulders in line with their hips, promoting a healthy spinal alignment. However, I would not recommend the Titan Plus for strict side sleepers or side sleepers with sensitive joints. These sleepers probably won’t get the sinkage they need for pressure relief at the hips and shoulders.
What our tester says: “I think the Titan Plus lives up to its name as a good mattress for heavier sleepers. It will offer them the deep compression support and durability they need.” – Nichole Mondshein, lead reviewer and staff writer
What Customers Say
Several customers took time to note the Titan Plus’s price point. For a firm and durable mattress, many felt that the queen was worth the money.
Pros of the Titan Plus Mattress
- The Titan Plus scored well in motion isolation and edge support, meaning couples should love this mattress. These sleepers will have plenty of space to move around and shouldn’t be disturbed by their partners’ movements through the night.
- I think this is a great bed for sleepers with back pain. These sleepers should feel incredibly supported by this mattress, especially at the lumbar area.
- I also think this is a great choice for combination sleepers. This mattress tested very well for responsiveness, meaning these sleepers should find it easy to change sleeping positions.
Cons of the Titan Plus Mattress
- Lightweight sleepers probably won’t be comfortable on the Titan Plus, as they will find it too firm. For better options, see our roundup of the best mattresses for lightweight sleepers.
Learn more in our full Titan Plus mattress review or click here for our best deal. Find additional options in our roundup of the best mattresses for heavy people.
Best Organic – Birch Mattress
The Birch Natural is a latex mattress utilizing individually wrapped coils for added support. This mattress specializes in cooling and responsiveness, and the firmer nature suits back and stomach sleepers well. Perhaps the most special part about this mattress is the material quality. Not only is the Birch organic, but it has also earned multiple certifications for safe production and materials. For more information, check out our video review.
What our tester says:
“One of my favorite things about the Birch is how cooling it is. I think any hot sleeper will be satisfied by this breathable bed. It’s definitely one of the most cooling mattresses available thanks to its wool and latex layers. These cooling materials also make it one of my favorite organic mattresses.” – Madison Schaper, Sleepopolis staff writer
Expert Opinion
If you want to show off an eco-friendly product in your guest room, the Birch Natural Mattress (created by Helix) might be right up your alley. It’s not only an organic mattress, but is also fairly affordable thanks to our coupons. After discounts, a queen size can often be found for under $1,500, which is inexpensive for an eco-friendly mattress. When I tested out the Birch Mattress, I found it to be soft yet responsive, due to its combination of naturally bouncy Talalay latex and pocketed coils.
So what exactly makes this mattress so green? The Birch is also built to be non-toxic, as it is GREENGUARD Gold Certified and is 100 percent Global Organic Textile Standard certified (GOTS). It’s also made without chemical flame retardants, petroleum-based foams, fiberglass, or adhesives. Whew, what a list!
What our tester says: “I think anyone looking for a classic latex feel will really appreciate this bed. Its organic layers have a taut, springy feel and really offer great lift and support. If you’re a back and stomach combination sleeper I’d highly recommend the Birch.” – Nichole Mondshein, lead reviewer & staff writer
What Customers Say
The Birch has over 4,000 customer reviews on the company’s website, with an average user rating of 4.6 out of 5. Many sleepers praised how supportive it is without being too firm.
Pros of the Birch Natural Mattress
- The Birch combines pocketed coils and Talalay latex in its construction. These quality materials make this mattress extremely durable, so it should be able to last the test of time. I think this bed is great for senior sleepers who don’t feel like changing out their mattress every few years.
- This mattress scored very well on our pressure map test, with back and side sleeping lighting up blue and green (which equates to low pressure). Because of this, I think sleepers who suffer from back or shoulder pain will feel that the Birch is able to provide pressure relief in these areas and contour around more sensitive joints.
- Latex mattresses are usually extremely responsive and bouncy, and the Birch Natural is no exception. Because of this, combination sleepers should be able to rest comfortably on this mattress, as they will be able to switch positions and move around easily without sinking into this bed’s layers.
Cons of the Birch Natural Mattress
- This bed is probably going to be too firm for most side sleepers. They can add an optional pillow top if they want, but it comes at an additional charge and makes the mattress a bit pricey.
Ready to go green? Read our full Birch mattress review. You can also click here for the best deal, or see our page of the best organic mattresses for more options.
Why Trust Sleepopolis to Help you Find a Mattress
Here at Sleepopolis, we have personally tested over 300 mattresses to help every sleeper get the best night’s sleep they can. Our expert testing methods allow us to review beds in a way that is unbiased, honest, and most importantly, helpful. Using our knowledge of mattresses, pressure relief, support, and comfort, we can test every single mattress to help you find exactly what you are looking for in a bed for your guest room. Below you can read more about our methodology for testing and also get expert tips on how to shop for a mattress that will be perfect for your spare or guest rooms.
What to Look For When Buying a Mattress For Your Guest Room
It’s important to consider an assortment of factors when shopping for a new mattress, like room size, mattress type, firmness level, sleeping position, body type, sleep style, and whether or not two people will share the bed. Let’s go over these factors and what they mean for your shopping journey. You can also check out my mattress buying guide for more tips and information.
Why is it Important to Choose the Right Bed?
Choosing the right bed for a guest room is important for a few reasons. One is that you want your guests to be comfortable and sleep through the night, regardless of their unique sleep needs and preferences. The second is that the right mattress is imperative to emotional, physical, and mental health. If you have guests staying with you, you want to be sure they’re feeling their best, and one of the ways to do that is to give them a good night’s sleep. You can check out my recommendations for what to look for below to find the perfect mattress for your guest room — one that will hopefully keep your friends and family well-rested.
Mattress Types
You may have noticed I’ve included all kinds of beds in this roundup of the best guest room mattress. Let’s go over their main differences and who they’re typically best for.
Foam
All-foam mattresses offer sleepers cozy sinkage and pressure relief. Side sleepers and those with pain concerns do well on foam mattresses. They also tend to be more affordable than a lot of other mattress types. Memory foam is a common foam found in many mattresses, and this can be an excellent option for a guest room, as it can be firm enough to support most sleepers while remaining comfortable.
Innerspring
Innerspring mattresses consist mainly of coils. Modern-day innersprings often feature some foam in the top layer to bring some cushioning and pressure relief. These beds are responsive and durable, making them a good option for a lot of sleepers. However, they can be bouncy and have poor motion isolation, which may not be a good idea if you often have guests come and sleep in the same bed. One great thing about innerspring mattresses is how cooling they are, which can be useful for a guest room.
Hybrid
Hybrid mattresses have a mix of different materials in their layers. They usually have both foams and coils, so they’re considered the “best of both worlds”. They can provide a foam bed’s sinkage and an innerspring’s support and cooling. Depending on the model, these beds can work for all kinds of sleepers and positions. Hybrid mattresses are generally more expensive, because they are so universal, but you can look into our top picks for the best cheap mattresses, and the best mattresses under $1,000 to find some options that won’t break the bank.
Latex
Latex mattresses are made with latex foam, which is derived from either Talalay or Dunlop latex, and is a more eco-friendly option than a lot of other materials. Latex beds are typically bouncy, responsive, durable, and cooling. Some latex mattresses consist of mostly latex in their construction, but it’s also common for latex to be paired with coils and other foams in beds. This is a great option for guest rooms because it sleeps so cool and lasts a long time, but it generally has poor motion isolation, making it a less than ideal fit for couples staying in your guest room. You can look at our recommendations for the best mattress for couples if you often have partners staying in your spare room.
Mattress Sizes
The size of your guest room will help determine what size bed you should get. Here are the most common mattress sizes and their dimensions. You can also check out my full mattress size guide to narrow in on the best one for your space:
- King – 76 inches by 80 inches
- Split King – 38 inches 80 inches (each mattress)
- California King – 72 inches by 84 inches
What Mattress Size is Best for a Guest Room?
Choosing the right mattress size depends on the dimensions of your room, but also on what kind of guests you’re expecting. For example, if you often have children staying with you, you might want to look into twin beds. Or, if you usually have couples stay, you might want to opt for a queen bed or larger.
To decide what size mattress to get, first, determine who’s staying with you and how big your room is. In general, I think a queen bed is big enough to comfortably fit two people without taking up too much space. I don’t recommend a full-size bed for more than one adult. Don’t forget that the size you choose will directly affect their comfort and quality of sleep. However, if you can only fit or afford a smaller bed, there are still a lot of ways to make it comfortable and cozy. Check out my favorite comfy mattress accessories to learn more.
Sleeping Position
While you can’t know the exact sleeping positions of all of the guests that are coming to your home, it can be helpful to have a general understanding of what each type of sleeper needs. Below, I outline some general rules of thumb for what kind of mattress each sleeping position benefits from, so you can start to narrow down what you’re looking for. I tested all of the mattresses on this list with each sleeping position in mind.
- Back sleepers: These sleepers do best on beds that are medium firm and can offer a mix of support and pressure relief. I usually steer them toward hybrid or innerspring mattresses.
- Side sleepers: Side sleepers need contouring and pressure relief around their shoulders and hips in order to prevent pain. I typically recommend foam mattresses and soft hybrid mattresses for them.
- Stomach sleepers: These sleepers benefit from a firm bed that will keep their hips propped up and in line with their shoulders — ultimately preventing back pain and ensuring spinal alignment. I suggest they go for innerspring and hybrid mattresses.
- Combination sleepers: Combo sleepers are those who switch between two or more sleeping positions at night. A responsive, medium-firm mattress is usually best for them because it’s easy to move around on and works for multiple sleeping positions. I recommend checking out latex mattresses, hybrid mattresses, and innerspring mattresses.
What is the Best Type of Mattress for a Guest Room?
As you can see, it can be hard to narrow down exactly what type of mattress is best, because each type of sleeper needs something different, and everyone has different preferences when they sleep. However, side sleeping is reportedly the most common sleeping position of the four and stomach sleeping is the least common, so you can likely opt for a mattress that’s less firm and more contouring. I suggest a medium-firm hybrid mattress. This way it is comfortable, contouring, and breathable, making it a good option for various types of sleepers and preferences.
Body Types
It’s important to consider body type and weight when buying a new mattress because the firmness and support of the mattress will feel different to people who weigh different amounts. Lightweight sleepers might want to look for a bed that’s advertised as softer, as it will probably feel medium firm to their frame. The exact opposite is true for heavy sleepers. Heavier sleepers must buy a bed that’s slightly firmer to make sure that their mattress will be able to provide enough support to keep them elevated and supported during the night.
| Lightweight Sleepers | Average-Weight Sleepers | Heavyweight Sleepers |
| < 160 pounds | 160 – 230 pounds | > 230 pounds |
Then, there are average weight sleepers. These are probably the easiest sleepers to shop for, as they will feel the firmness of the bed as advertised on our firmness scale. So these sleepers will find a medium-firm bed (which is scored at a 6.5 on our firmness scale) as actually medium firm. If you’re looking for a guest room mattress, it’s probably best to find one that is going to work best for the majority of your guests.
Motion Isolation
Motion isolation is a bed’s ability to absorb movement so it doesn’t carry from one side of the mattress to the other. Strong motion isolation — or low motion transfer — can be important for those sharing the bed with a partner, child, or a pet. Good motion isolation will prevent someone from feeling the movements of another person or pet in the bed.
This can be especially important if your guests are sleeping with a partner or child. I recommend looking for mattresses that have good motion isolation for your guest room. This will help keep your guests comfortable and help them sleep through the night. I test for motion isolation using a red wine test and a ball drop test. Using a glass of red wine, I move around a mattress and see how much movement causes the glass to tip. I then drop a steel ball from various heights and measure the amount of motion that ripples across the mattress using a seismograph machine.
Edge Support
Edge support is a measure of how well the sides of the bed can bear weight. Strong edge support can make a bed feel larger and is also a good sign of its durability. Edge support is especially important for couples and older sleepers. Couples who want to make full use of the bed will benefit from strong edge support. It can also be important for sex, as it allows the bed to be used in its entirety and last longer. Further, older sleepers rely on strong edges to get in and out of the bed easier. I recommend finding mattresses with solid edges for your guest room, and you can check out my recommendations for the best mattresses for older people and the best mattresses for couples to learn more.
I test the edge support of the mattresses I review by placing various amounts of pressure on the edges and seeing how far they sink. By pushing on the edges or sitting on them, our expert testers can determine how strong the edges of each mattress are.
What Firmness is Best for a Guest Room Mattress?
Firmness can be hard to narrow down, especially when you’re looking for a bed that can be comfortable for a wide array of guests. Everyone needs different levels of firmness to feel comfortable and supported, but I recommend finding a mattress that is medium firm for your guest room. This is a good common ground for most sleeping positions and personal preferences. Most sleepers can find a comfortable position and the necessary support on a medium-firm mattress, which scores as a 6.5 out of 10 on our Sleepopolis firmness scale.
Cooling
Mattresses that sleep cool are important for every guest room. Even though you may not know if your future guests are going to sleep hot or cold, having a mattress that stays breathable and doesn’t trap extra heat is important to keep everyone comfortable. I suggest looking for mattresses that stays cool throughout the night.
I test the cooling capacity of the mattresses I review using a thermal gun, which measures the temperature difference between the bed when no one’s on it, and after someone has laid on it for a few minutes. I have found that anything below an 8-degree difference is considered good cooling, and below a 6-degree difference is great cooling. I also look for cooling materials, like gel foams, phase change materials, cooling covers, and breathable springs. If you’re especially worried about keeping a mattress cool, take a look at our best cooling mattresses to find a few more options.
Mattress Price
How much a mattress costs can be a really important factor when deciding on the right one, especially when it’s not your own mattress, but one for guests. I understand that it might not be possible to splurge on a guest room mattress, but I recommend you go for a good value mattress that will last several years. I have chosen mattresses on this list with a range of prices, but I also recommend not going all out on a guest room mattress, unless you want to, of course. There are plenty of comfortable, cozy, great mattresses that fit within any budget.
At Sleepopolis, we refer to the following pricing categories (for a queen-size mattress):
- Cheap: Less than $600
- Affordable: Less than $1,000
- Budget: $1,000 to $1,500
- Average: $1,500 to $2,000
- Luxury: More than $2,000
To find a mattress within your budget, I generally recommend shopping around the holidays when mattress brands have sales. Times like Memorial Day, Christmas, and Thanksgiving are excellent times to find mattresses marked down. I also recommend checking out our coupon page or shopping directly from this list to find the best prices. Shopping online may help you find better deals, but shipping and handling costs and the price of setting it up yourself might add up, so I recommend paying attention to those factors as well.
If you’re shopping outside the United States, I recommend checking out our picks for the best mattresses in Canada to find the most affordable options when shopping internationally.
When to Buy a Mattress
There are typically sales going on for brands throughout most of the year. However, it’s around these holidays where the best price slashes take place:
- Presidents’ Day (February)
- Memorial Day (May)
- Labor Day (September)
- Cyber 5 (November)
- Christmas (December)
FAQs
What mattress firmness is best for a guest room?
I recommend putting a medium-firm mattress in a guest room since this firmness level works for multiple sleeping positions and body types. This would be a mattress that score around a 6.5 out of 10 on the Sleepopolis firmness guide.
How do you choose a mattress for a guest bedroom?
I recommend looking for a mattress that will work for a lot of different sleepers and their sleep positions. A medium-firm bed tends to do the trick for this. Hybrid mattresses can be expensive, but they are a great option for almost every type of sleeper, and are often offered with a medium-firm option. The support and cooling offered in their coils and the comfort from the foam top layer is a good choice for a lot of people. You can find affordable hybrid mattresses on our picks for the best mattresses under $1,000. I also suggest looking at how much space you have in your guest room and your budget.
Is memory foam good for a guest room?
Memory foam can be a great option for a guest room as it offers pressure relief, tends to be a more affordable option, and can work for a variety of sleepers. Memory foam also comes in various firmness levels, and while I generally recommend sticking to a medium-firm mattress for your guest room, it can be a good idea to pick a material that has different options and can acommodate most sleepers.
What size bed should be in a guest room?
A queen-size mattress is a good size for a guest room because it can fit solo sleepers or couples. However, you may opt for a smaller or larger bed size depending on your guest room space and the needs of the people you generally have staying with you. If you cannot fit or afford a queen-sized mattress, you can pick from our favorite twin mattresses. You can also look into our favorite sleep accessories to help make a smaller bed extra comfortable.
What is the most comfortable guest room bed?
Everyone has different preferences when it comes to their mattress, but a medium-firm foam mattress is generally a crowd-pleaser. I usually recommend hybrid mattresses for guest rooms, because their one layer of springs keeps the mattress supportive and breathable, while the top layer of foam makes it comfortable and cozy.
How We Chose These Mattresses
Our team of Certified Sleep Science Coaches has reviewed more than 300 products in our mattress lab, running each one through tests such as pressure-mapping and measuring motion transfer with a seismometer. From there, we give every bed an overall score based on materials, comfort, support, cooling, and edge support. We also factor in brand performance with categories such as value and warranty.
For the best guest room mattresses on this page, we considered mattress cost, durability, and whether the bed would offer a high-quality sleep experience while also working for multiple sleeping positions, different body types, combination sleepers, and more. Click here to learn more about our methodology.
Recap: The Best Guest Room Mattresses
| Mattress | Best For | Full Retail Price (Queen) | Coupon | Review |
| Nectar | Overall | $1,049 | Nectar Coupon | Read Our Review |
| Helix Midnight | Value | $1,373 | Helix Coupon | Read Our Review |
| DreamCloud | Couples | $1,332 | DreamCloud Coupon | Read Our Review |
| WinkBed Plus | Firm Mattress | $1,999 | WinkBeds Coupon | Read Our Review |
| Nolah Evolution | Most Hotel-Like | $2,499 | Nolah Coupon | Read Our Review |
| Saatva | Innerspring | $1,995 | Saatva Coupon | Read Our Review |
| Bear Star Hybrid | Cooling | $1,732 | Bear Coupon | Read Our Review |
| Signature Hybrid | Hybrid | $1,332 | Brooklyn Bedding Coupon | Read Our Review |
| Titan Plus | Heavy Sleepers | $699 | Brooklyn Bedding Coupon | Read Our Review |
| Birch Mattress (by Helix) | Organic | $1,873 | Helix Coupon | Read Our Review |
Bridget Chapman
Senior Product Editor
About Author
Bridget is a Certified Sleep Science Coach and senior editor here at Sleepopolis. From testing mattresses to writing about various sleep health topics, her goal is to help you get a good night’s sleep. You can also find her in videos on our YouTube channel. Bridget graduated magna cum laude from San Diego State University with a degree in journalism and a minor in English. Before joining the Sleepopolis team, she was a TV news reporter and worked in cities across the country. She loves spending time outdoors, checking out new restaurants, snuggling with her pets, and of course — getting some quality Zzz’s.
Combination Sleeper