Best Mattresses for a Murphy Bed

Written by Amelia Jerden, Senior Staff Writer

Our Methodology

Our Certified Sleep Science Coaches have reviewed more than 220 mattresses in our lab, testing each one on its materials, comfort, cooling, support, and other categories.
Learn more.

In This Article

I’ll go over our selections for the best mattresses to use with Murphy beds. The beds on this list should fit the specifications of most Murphy beds. However, always check the exact weight and height limits for your exact Murphy bed.

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A Murphy bed is a pull-out bed that can be transformed into a cabinet and stowed away when not in use, which can be very helpful for maximizing your living space. For help choosing a Murphy bed frame, check out our list of the best Murphy beds. Since Murphy beds fold up or slide back into a cabinet, it is very important to get a compatible mattress. With that said, what kind of mattress should you get?

We think that the best mattresses for Murphy beds are going to offer comfort for a range of sleepers. At the same time, it needs to be no taller than 12-13 inches, or the bed won’t be able to stow away properly. Still, it’s important to find a mattress that fits your needs. Below, we’ll highlight some of our favorite mattresses for Murphy beds and dive into all the factors that contribute to a comfortable, stylish, and space-saving experience.

Our team of mattress review experts ranked the best mattresses for Murphy beds by running each one through a series of tests to see how well it performed in areas such as support, pressure relief, firmness, motion isolation, and cooling. A good mattress should be comfortable for a range of sleeping positions and weight.

Our Top Pick

The Nectar landed at the top of our list for the best mattress for Murphy beds due to its soft, supportive, and pressure-relieving feel. 

Best Mattresses for a Murphy Bed 2024

• Nectar – Best Overall Murphy Bed
• Saatva – Best Luxury Murphy Bed
• DreamCloud – Best Hybrid Murphy Bed
• WinkBeds GravityLux – Best Murphy Bed for Couples
• Helix Midnight – Best Cooling Murphy Bed
• Bear Original – Best Murphy Bed for Back Pain
• Nolah Evolution – Best Murphy Bed for Side Sleepers
• Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid – Best Murphy Bed for Back Sleepers
• Plank Firm – Best Firm Murphy Bed

Compare the Best Mattresses for Murphy Beds

Nectar – Best Overall Murphy Bed

Expert Opinion

The Nectar is a 12-inch all-foam mattress featuring a contouring comfort layer and quality materials, making it the perfect thickness for Murphy beds and our favorite pick overall. This mattress consistently appears at the top of our best memory foam mattresses roundup as well because it has a plush, slow-moving feel that traditional memory foam lovers should enjoy.

We tested its pressure relief ourselves in the Sleepopolis mattress lab, and found that it should be an exceptional option for folks suffering from joint pain. We especially like this bed for side and back sleepers, as it provides cozy pressure relief in both positions and showed promising results on our pressure map. To learn more about our testing processes, see our methodology.

What our tester says: “The Nectar is a memory foam mattress, and embodies many of the traits these beds are famous for: a contouring and slow-sinking feel. But it also strives to excel in areas that memory foam mattresses often lack, especially support.” – Bridget Chapman, former senior product editor

What Customers Say

Customers reported overall positive experiences with pressure and pain relief on the Nectar. However, many were not satisfied with the pressure relief around the lower back. The Nectar also was much too hot for most sleepers.

Pros of the Nectar Mattress

• This mattress is an affordable option for budget shoppers. 
• The Nectar features great motion isolation, which is beneficial for couples and families.
• There is good pressure relief for most side and back sleepers. 

Cons of the Nectar Mattress

• The Nectar is a memory foam mattress and, like many other memory foam models, seems to trap a lot of heat. 
• There is no bounce to this mattress, which can limit mobility and make it harder to switch positions. 
• The Nectar is too soft to maintain spinal alignment for most stomach sleepers, causing the hips to sink in. This sinkage at the hips could also cause lower back pain. 

Considering the Nectar Original? If so, click here to reveal the best deal. If you want more information, take a look at our full Nectar mattress review or check out some more of the best mattresses on the market.

Saatva Classic – Best Luxury Murphy Bed

Expert Opinion

The Saatva is a high-quality innerspring mattress available in three firmness options: Plush Soft, Luxury Firm, and Firm. Saatva also offers two heights for this mattress: 11.5 inches or 14.5 inches. We rated this mattress to be the best luxury option for a Murphy bed due to its high-quality materials and construction, and the robust support it offers.

With a sturdy coil construction, plush Euro top cover, memory foam lumbar support, and highly impressive edge support, the Saatva looks and feels luxurious. We tested the Luxury Firm model and found it to be just firmer than average, rating it as a 7 out of 10 on the firmness scale.

What our tester says: “I think combination sleepers should be happy on the Saatva since its layers of coils make for a bouncy mattress that’s easy to move around on.” – Bridget Chapman, former senior product editor

What Customers Say

Customers found that the Saatva was great for back pain and that the company selling the mattress had excellent customer service. However, many customers warned that the delivery company was a different story. Many customers noted poor delivery service, with their mattresses arriving very late, with damaged or very dirty packaging. 

Pros of the Saatva Mattress

• The Saatva offers robust support all the way to its edges, making the bed more sturdy. This is a bonus for couples and for heavy sleepers, who weigh 250 pounds or more.
• This mattress is easy to move around on, making it a good option for combination sleepers. 
• The Saatva has good cooling, thanks to the airflow through the coils. 

Cons of the Saatva Mattress

• As a luxury mattress, the Saatva is more expensive than the average mattress.
• Those who love deep sinkage or a classic memory foam feel may not enjoy the sturdier construction of the Saatva.
• The Saatva does not isolate motion well, which means that couples would feel all of the motion from their partner tossing and turning during the night. 

Does the Saatva sound like it has everything you could need? If so, click here to reveal the best deal. Or check out our full Saatva mattress review or our roundup of the best luxury mattresses for more information.

DreamCloud – Best Hybrid Murphy Bed

Expert Opinion

The DreamCloud is a 14-inch foam and coil hybrid mattress. It provides robust support and a luxury feel, which is why we chose DreamCloud as the best hybrid option for a Murphy bed. We rated the DreamCloud a 7 out of 10 on our firmness scale, meaning it is a bit firmer than the average medium-firm mattress. This firm, but comfortable feel works especially well for back sleepers — it provides the right mix of comfort and support.

What our tester says: “The high-quality materials of the DreamCloud remind me of a mattress you’d find in a high-end hotel.” – Bridget Chapman, former senior product editor

What Customers Say

Customers found that the DreamCloud was a good option for back pain, and had the luxury feel of a bed in a nice hotel. Many customers were able to move around on the DreamCloud very well because of the responsiveness and bounce the bed offers. 

Pros of the DreamCloud Mattress

• The DreamCloud is a high-quality mattress with a luxury feel. It has a quilted cashmere-blend cover, which elevates the experience of sleeping on the mattress.
• This mattress is very bouncy and responsive, allowing for easier mobility. 
• The DreamCloud does a great job at staying cool, thanks to the breathable coil layer.

Cons of the DreamCloud Mattress

• This mattress has poor motion isolation, meaning couples will likely feel their partner tossing and turning during the night. 
• The DreamCloud does not offer enough pressure relief for strict side sleepers. 
• This mattress is not firm enough for strict stomach sleepers. 

Considering the DreamCloud? If so, click here to reveal the best deal. You can also check out our full DreamCloud mattress review or peruse more of the best hybrid mattresses.

WinkBeds GravityLux – Best Murphy Bed for Couples

Expert Opinion

The WinkBeds GravityLux is a durable all-foam mattress available in multiple firmness options (Soft, Medium, and Firm). We tested the Firm model of the bed — it is a firm and responsive mattress, making it easy to move around on. We rated this mattress the best option for couples due to its satisfactory edge support, motion isolation, responsiveness, and cooling features. 

What our tester says: “The GravityLux felt more like a firm foam mattress with a memory foam pillow top than a traditional memory foam mattress to me. Rather than deep sinkage and slow-moving pressure relief, I felt some initial pressure relief followed by nice firm support.” – Madison Schaper, former Sleepopolis staff writer

What Customers Say

Customers reported that the GravityLux was easy to order and easy to set up, leading to an overall good experience ordering the mattress. If customer service was needed, customers reported great service. The GravityLux seemed to be good for many individuals with back pain, as well. 

Pros of the WinkBeds GravityLux Mattress

• The GravityLux features great edge support, allowing for use of the entire mattress. This is great for couples who are sharing a smaller mattress size, such as a queen.
• This mattress isolates motion well, which is a good feature for couples and people who share the bed with pets. 
• This mattress has fairly good cooling capability. Since two bodies produce more heat than one, this is a great benefit for couples.

Cons of the WinkBeds GravityLux Mattress

• The Firm version of the GravityLux we tested is not a good option for strict side sleepers, who will want a softer mattress. 
• The GravityLux does not have the slow-moving feel of a traditional memory foam mattress. 
• While it sleeps decently cool for an all-foam bed, some hot sleepers may prefer an even more cooling mattress, such as a latex bed or a hybrid mattress.

Does the WinkBeds Gravity Lux sound like it has everything you could need? If so, click here to reveal the best deal or take a look at our WinkBeds GravityLux mattress review. Wanting more options? See our roundup of the best mattresses for couples.

Helix Midnight – Best Cooling Murphy Bed

Expert Opinion

The Helix Midnight is a 11.5-inch hybrid mattress designed for ultimate comfort and cooling. It’s also perfectly compatible with most Murphy beds. We rated the Helix Midnight the best option for people who overheat at night not only because of its hybrid construction, which allows airflow through its support coils, but also because of its many cooling features, including a cooling top cover. And for those who overheat a lot more than the average sleeper, we recommend the optional GlacioTex pillow top, which you can add to your purchase for a fee.

To put this bed’s cooling abilities to the test, we used a temperature gun to see how much the mattress heated up after we laid down on it for 15 minutes. Over 15 degrees Fahrenheit shows poor cooling, and under 5 degrees shows effective cooling. Our test yielded impressive results, showing that the Midnight only heated up by 5 degrees.

What our tester says: “We scored it a 4.5 out of 5 for cooling in our mattress lab, thanks to its breathable cover and coils for airflow.” – Nichole Mondshein, lead reviewer

What Customers Say

Customers reported that the Helix Midnight was well-constructed and cool, but warned that it was much too firm for side sleepers.

Pros of the Helix Midnight Mattress

• When we tested the Helix Midnight, we found it had an amazing value considering its quality construction. We gave it a 4 out of 5 in this category.
• Our pressure map test showed that this mattress is offers proper pressure relief for back sleeping, making it a good choice for those with lower back pain. 
• During testing, we found it was super easy to switch sleeping positions at night, so it’s a solid choice for combination sleepers.

Cons of the Helix Midnight Mattress

• This mattress is a hybrid, so its coils give it a more responsible feel that memory foam fans may not love.
• The Helix Midnight received a 3.5 out of 5 score for motion isolation. So if you’re an especially light sleeper who shares a bed with a partner, you might feel their movements at night.
• Helix Midnight only got decent scores for trial period and warranty. If you’re wanting a year-long sleep trial or extended warranty, we’ve got some great options on our best online mattresses roundup.

Does the Helix Midnight sound right for you? If so, click here to reveal the best deal. Or take a look at our full-length Helix Midnight mattress review for more information. And if you’re still wanting more options, you’re in luck; we’ve got a roundup of the best cooling mattresses.

Bear Original – Best Murphy Bed for Back Pain

Expert Opinion

The Bear is a 10-inch all-foam mattress designed for athletic recovery. We rated the Bear a 7 out of 10 on our firmness scale, meaning it is a bit firmer than the average medium-firm mattress. The Bear is firm and supportive and contours the body without limiting mobility. We rated the Bear the best option for back pain because of the excellent pressure relief and support it provides for back sleepers. 

What our tester says:  Though you’re likely to sink into its top layer of memory foam, this sinkage is curbed by the taut poly foam transition layer. This means most folks are going to be positioned more “on top” of the structure than “in” it.” – Bridget Chapman, former senior product editor

What Customers Say

Customers found the Bear to be firmer than expected upon delivery but noted that it softened a bit after a short adjustment period. Even so, the mattress was too firm for most side sleepers. Many combination sleepers and couples opted for a plush mattress topper to help alleviate pressure. 

Pros of the Bear Original Mattress

• The Bear features gel-infused foam and an optional Celliant cover to help with cooling. 
• This mattress has good motion isolation, which should be beneficial to couples. 
• The Bear is most comfortable for back sleepers and has proper pressure relief for alleviating back pain. 

Cons of the Bear Original Mattress

• This is not a good mattress for side sleepers, who will want a softer mattress. 
• Stomach sleepers will want a firmer mattress. 
• The Bear is not supportive enough for most heavy sleepers. 

Does the Bear sound right for you? If so, click here to reveal the best deal. Check out our Bear mattress review for more information, and our roundup of the best mattresses for back pain if you’re wanting additional options.

Nolah Evolution – Best Murphy Bed for Side Sleepers

Expert Opinion

The Nolah Evolution is a foam and coil hybrid mattress. We rated the Nolah Evolution a 6.5 out of 10 on our firmness scale, which puts it at the industry standard for a medium-firm mattress. The Nolah Evolution features proper sinkage and pressure relief for side sleepers, which is very important for avoiding pain in the shoulder and hip. We rated the Nolah Evolution the best option for side sleepers because of the plush feel and pressure relief around the shoulder and hips. 

What our tester says: “For the Luxury Firm model, I really appreciate its medium-firm feel. This mattress provides good pressure relief and body contouring.” – Bridget Chapman, former senior product editor

What Customers Say

Customers reported that the Nolah Evolution was very comfortable for sleeping on your side, and a great option for hip pain. While it was too soft for some sleepers, customers reported that they received great customer service when contacting Nolah. 

Pros of the Nolah Evolution Mattress

• Nolah offers three firmness options (Plush, Luxury Firm, or Firm) for the Evolution, to best suit individual needs. Side sleepers could do well on either the Plush or Luxury Firm versions, as we tested the Luxury Firm and saw good pressure relief.
• The Evolution features good pressure relief for most back and side sleepers. 
• This mattress has good edge support, cooling, and motion isolation, making it a great option for couples. 

Cons of the Nolah Evolution Mattress

• The Luxury Firm model of the Nolah Evolution is not a good option for stomach sleepers. It is not firm enough to keep the hips supported. However, it is worth noting the Firm version may work better.
• This mattress is a bit too expensive to be affordable for most budget shoppers. 
• While the Evolution is soft and plush, it does not have the traditional slow-moving memory foam feel that some shoppers are looking for. 

Does the Nolah Evolution sound like it has everything you could need? If so, click here to reveal the best deal. For more options, you can visit our full Nolah Evolution mattress review or our roundup of the best mattresses for side sleepers.

Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid – Best Murphy Bed for Back Sleepers

Expert Opinion

The Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid is a 12.25-inch mattress with three different firmness options: Soft, Medium, and Firm. When we tested the Medium model, we found it to have a firmness of 6.5 out of 10, which is right where we like to see the best mattresses for back sleepers. After all, back sleepers require a one-two punch of comfort and support, specifically one provided by one of the best medium-firm mattresses. The foam layer of the Signature Hybrid contoured nicely to our lower back while sturdy coils kept our hips lifted into a comfortable alignment.

What our tester says: “Based on the amount of blue on this pressure map, I think the Signature Hybrid could be a nice choice for back sleepers with back pain. This mattress should promote a healthy sleep posture, which is key to avoiding pain and soreness.” – Bridget Chapman, former senior product editor

What Customers Say

Many customers rated the Signature Hybrid to be a good option for people with back pain. And better yet, multiple reviews verified that they use this model in a Murphy bed. 

Pros of the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid Mattress

• The Signature Hybrid usually costs $1,000 after discounts, making it one of the best value mattresses out there.
• This mattress tested really well for motion isolation in our mattress lab, which should benefit couples sharing a bed. 
• During our testing process, we were easily able to switch sleeping positions on this bed. So, it should be a win for combination sleepers.

Cons of the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid Mattress

• Memory foam lovers won’t find a slow-sinking feel here.
• With a 12.25″ height, it might be a tad too thick for some Murphy beds out there, so double-check what mattress thickness works for you.
• This mattress doesn’t have many bells and whistles, so it’s not the ideal luxury option.

Does the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid sound right for you? If so, click here to reveal the best deal or see our full-length Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid mattress review. You can also peruse more of the best mattresses for back sleepers.

Plank Firm – Best Firm Murphy Bed

Expert Opinion

It can be hard to find an extra-firm mattress, and even harder to find for a Murphy bed. But have no fear, the Plank Firm is here. It’s only 10.25 inches tall — thin enough for a Murphy bed while still providing lots of support. Even more shocking is the fact that it’s flippable with dual firmnesses .

In our mattress lab, we tested both sides of the Plank Firm. The Firm side measured a 7.5 out of 10 on our firmness scale, and the Ultra Firm side measured an 8.5. This should especially appeal to stomach sleepers, who require firm support to keep the hips and body lifted throughout the night, ensuring a comfortable and healthy spinal alignment.

What our tester says: “I hardly felt any sinkage on this bed, and as the name suggests, it almost felt as if I was sleeping on a Plank. Though this isn’t my particular preference, (I’m a side sleeper who prefers a soft hybrid mattress) I do think this firmness level can work wonders for those who suffer from back pain.” – Bridget Chapman, former senior product editor

What Customers Say

Customers found that the Plank Firm was great for back pain, and that Brooklyn Bedding — the company who created the Plank — had excellent customer service. Many customers noted that this mattress was even firmer than they expected, so they did have to buy a mattress topper for it. 

Pros of the Plank Firm Mattress

• The Plank Firm offers robust support all the way to its edges, making the bed more sturdy. This is a bonus for couples and for heavy sleepers who weigh 250 pounds or more.
• This mattress is easy to move around on, making it a good option for combination sleepers. 
• For an all-foam mattress, the Plank Firm sleeps fairly cool.

Cons of the Plank Firm Mattress

• As a firm mattress, the Plank Firm isn’t going to provide nearly enough pressure relief for side sleepers.
• For the same reasons, this isn’t the option for folks suffering from hip or shoulder pain, as they require more contouring and sinkage to ease pressure on the joints.
• Those who love deep sinkage or a classic memory foam feel may not enjoy the sturdier construction of the Plank Firm.

Does the Plank Firm sound like it has everything you could need? If so, click here to reveal the best deal or look to our full Plank Firm mattress review for more information. For additional options, see the best firm mattresses.

Best Mattress for Murphy Bed Buying Guide

What is a Murphy Bed?

A Murphy bed is a pull-out bed that can be folded up or slid back into a cabinet and stowed away when not in use. Murphy beds are very helpful for saving space if you have a smaller apartment.

What to Know When Choosing a Mattress For a Murphy Bed 

There are many factors to consider when getting a mattress for a Murphy bed, like the materials, weight, thickness, and price of the mattress. 

Which Type of Mattress is Best For a Murphy Bed?

Murphy beds are generally accommodating to all types of mattress materials, as long as they meet the manufacturer’s size, weight, and height specifications. Depending on the method that the Murphy bed uses to tuck away the mattress, flexibility might be of note. 

If the mattress curls or bends as part of the stow-away process, certain materials might be more forgiving to that. Materials like foam will bend and squish easily, while innerspring mattresses may have less flexibility. Slow-moving foams, like memory foam, may need time to decompress after being stored for a while. 

Weight and Height

The weight and height of a mattress are very important for ensuring it is compatible with a Murphy bed. A mattress that is too tall will not fit the bed frame or stow away properly. Many manufacturers will list the height and weight specifications for a mattress to help buyers get one that is compatible, but a good rule of thumb is to look for a mattress no taller than 12 inches. 

Budget

Murphy beds and mattresses both range from budget-friendly to luxury prices. When choosing a Murphy bed and mattress, it may be best to determine your budget ahead of time and compare models. It is often best to put more of the budget into the bed than the mattress if you are choosing which to spend more on. The mattress will be much easier to upgrade later. 

How Do You Install a Murphy bed?

In the following list, we will advise installing a Murphy bed. Please keep in mind that some Murphy beds can be installed on your own, while others require professional assembly. If you are assembling the Murphy bed on your own, be sure to read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.

1. Measure the space that the bed will go into, to ensure it will fit.
2. Check the customer reviews for the bed to see how others rated the setup difficulty and time required to install.
3. Have two or more people available to help with set up, especially if the bed will be heavy.
4. If it would fit your needs better, consider a mostly or fully pre-assembled Murphy bed.
5. Read the instructions that arrive with the bed, and make sure you have all the tools that will be needed for installation.

FAQs

How thick should a mattress for a Murphy bed be?

If a mattress is too thick, it won’t fit into the bedframe of a Murphy bed. A good rule of thumb is to look for one that’s no higher than 12 inches. However, the manufacturer of the Murphy bed should provide a height limit.

Do Murphy beds need special mattresses?

Most types of mattresses are compatible with Murphy beds, though you’ll want to check the manufacturer’s specifications for the bed frame to know size and weight restrictions. Some Murphy beds also arrive with a mattress included.

What mattress is best for a Murphy bed?

We think that the best mattresses for Murphy beds are going to offer comfort for a range of sleepers. We recommend finding a mattress that suits your needs and fits into the Murphy bed you desire.

Best Mattresses for Murphy Beds 2024

Mattress	Best For	Price (Queen Size)	Coupon	Review
Nectar	Overall	$1,043	Nectar Coupon	Read Our Review
Saatva	Luxury	$1,995	Saatva Coupon	Read Our Review
DreamCloud	Hybrid	$1,199	DreamCloud Coupon	Read Our Review
WinkBeds GravityLux	Couples	$1,799	WinkBed Coupon	Read Our Review
Helix Midnight	Cooling	$1,374	Helix Coupon	Read Our Review
Bear Original	Back Pain	$998	Bear Coupon	Read Our Review
Nolah Evolution	Side Sleepers	$2,299	Nolah Coupon	Read Our Review
Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid	Back Sleepers	$1,332	Brooklyn Bedding Coupon	Read Our Review
Plank Firm	Firm	$1,332	Brooklyn Bedding Coupon	Read Our Review

How We Chose These Mattresses

Our team of Certified Sleep Science Coaches has reviewed more than 220 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.

In addition to these general assessments and tests, we factored size and weight of mattresses into our choices for the best mattresses for Murphy beds.

You can click here to learn more about our methodology.

Amelia Jerden

Senior Staff Writer

About Author

Amelia is a Senior Staff Writer for Sleepopolis. She primarily covers bedding and sleep accessory products in reviews, how-to guides, and more. You can also find her over on the Sleepopolis YouTube channel. Amelia is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, with double majors in media and journalism and in dramatic art. Outside of work, Amelia can usually be found on a hike, traveling to a new city, or at her local thrift store.

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