College isn’t usually known as a time for getting the best sleep, as students are busy studying, socializing, and working — so finding the best mattress for college students can be an important, yet sometimes daunting task. Sleep is essential to help students recharge and thrive throughout their days both in and out of the classroom. However, we know buying a new bed can be expensive and not part of the typical college budget. For this reason, we wanted to put together a list of our picks for the best mattresses for college students. These beds should work for a variety of students and their priorities.
Best Mattress For College Students 2023
- Editor’s Pick – Nectar
- Best Value Mattress – Helix Midnight
- Best Mattress For Durability – DreamCloud
- Best Mattress For Heavier Students – Brooklyn Bedding Plank Firm
- Best Mattress For Combination Sleepers – Saatva
- Best Mattress For Active Students – Bear
- Best Organic Mattress – Nolah Natural
- Best Flippable Mattress – Layla
- Best Mattress For Back Sleepers – Puffy Cloud
- Best Budget Mattress – Leesa Original
Compare Best Mattresses For College Students
Nectar Mattress
Helix Midnight Mattress
DreamCloud Original Mattress
Brooklyn Bedding Plank Firm Mattress
Saatva Mattress
Bear Mattress
Nolah Natural Mattress
Layla Mattress
Puffy Cloud Mattress
Leesa Original Mattress
Rating
Firmness
Soft: 6/10
Soft: 6/10
Medium-firm: 7/10
Multiple firmness options
Multiple firmness options
Medium-firm: 7/10
Soft: 6/10
Multiple firmness options
Soft: 6/10
Soft: 6/10
Material
Foam
Hybrid
Hybrid
Foam
Innerspring
Foam
Latex
Foam
Foam
Foam
Cooling
--
--
✓
--
✓
✓
✓
✓
--
--
Sleep Position
Back & Side
Back & Side
Back
Back & Stomach
Back & Stomach
Back & Side
Combination
Combination
Back & Side
Combination
Editor’s Pick – Nectar
The original Nectar mattress is a pressure-relieving, yet supportive, bed. It’s made with a thick layer of gel memory foam, which allows the sleeper to really sink into its surface.
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress. The original Nectar mattress is a pressure-relieving, yet supportive, bed. It’s made with a thick layer of gel memory foam, which allows the sleeper to really sink into its surface.
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress. The original Nectar mattress is a pressure-relieving, yet supportive, bed. It’s made with a thick layer of gel memory foam, which allows the sleeper to really sink into its surface.
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress.Nectar Mattress
Material
Foam
Trial Period
365 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Soft: 6/10
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
Joint Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from joint pain.
Hip Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from hip pain.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.
Financing Options
Nectar Mattress
Material
Foam
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Firmness
Soft: 6/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
365 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
Joint Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from joint pain.
Hip Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from hip pain.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.
Financing Options
Nectar Mattress
Material
Foam
Firmness
Soft: 6/10
Trial Period
365 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
Joint Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from joint pain.
Hip Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from hip pain.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.
Financing Options
The original Nectar mattress is our Editor’s Pick because it has a lot of appealing components for college students. It’s a comfortable, quality bed-in-a-box mattress that doesn’t break the bank. At full retail, it’s already a good budget buy at around $1,000, but we have plenty of Nectar coupons to help you save even more. The company also often runs deals where sleep accessories are included with the purchase of your mattress.
Overall, the Nectar has a medium-soft to medium-firm feel with cushiony foam layers. The foam layers are pressure-relieving, but also pretty responsive — so you won’t feel stuck in the bed. The Nectar’s especially great for back and side sleepers. The top gel memory foam layer will contour these sleepers’ bodies, while the soft conventional foam and high-density support foam below will keep them supported.
Another reason we love the Nectar? It comes with a 365-night trial period and a lifetime warranty, which is as good as it gets in the mattress world.
Read our full Nectar Mattress Review.
Best Value Mattress – Helix Midnight
Helix Midnight Mattress
The Helix Midnight has a medium support level and bounce that will appeal to a wide range of sleep preferences. The Midnight also does an exceptional job of isolating motion, making it a great choice for couples that move around at night.
Material
Hybrid
Trial Period
100 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Soft: 6/10
Warranty
10-year warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Helix Midnight Mattress
The Helix Midnight has a medium support level and bounce that will appeal to a wide range of sleep preferences. The Midnight also does an exceptional job of isolating motion, making it a great choice for couples that move around at night.
Material
Hybrid
Warranty
10-year warranty
Firmness
Soft: 6/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
100 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Helix Midnight Mattress
The Helix Midnight has a medium support level and bounce that will appeal to a wide range of sleep preferences. The Midnight also does an exceptional job of isolating motion, making it a great choice for couples that move around at night.
Material
Hybrid
Firmness
Soft: 6/10
Trial Period
100 nights
Warranty
10-year warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
The Helix Midnight is Helix Sleep’s most popular bed from its standard line of six mattresses, and is also one of our favorites here at Sleepopolis. The reason being, it’s a hybrid bed (so it combines both foams and coils) with a medium-firm feel, which works for a wide variety of sleepers.
We think it’s a great value for college students because it’s a good match for many types of sleepers, it’s supportive, it features high-quality materials, and it’s affordable. It utilizes a soft, breathable cover, memory foam, high-grade poly foam, individually wrapped coils, and a final layer of foam for extra support. Two sides of the Midnight also have reinforced edges, so you can sprawl out and use the full surface of the bed.
The base model is a nice pick, but you can also upgrade to a cooling cover and/or a luxurious pillow top, which is the Helix Midnight Luxe mattress. Be sure to check out our Helix coupons to save more.
Read our full Helix Midnight mattress review or our review comparing all the standard Helix models.
Best Mattress For Durability – DreamCloud
The DreamCloud Mattress is a luxury hybrid mattress made with layers of memory foam and pocketed coils. It offers a great combination of support and pressure relief that back sleepers will really enjoy.
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress. The DreamCloud Mattress is a luxury hybrid mattress made with layers of memory foam and pocketed coils. It offers a great combination of support and pressure relief that back sleepers will really enjoy.
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress. The DreamCloud Mattress is a luxury hybrid mattress made with layers of memory foam and pocketed coils. It offers a great combination of support and pressure relief that back sleepers will really enjoy.
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress.DreamCloud Original Mattress
Material
Hybrid
Trial Period
365 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Medium-firm: 7/10
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Seniors
This bed is perfect for senior sleepers.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for average weight back sleepers.
Financing Options
DreamCloud Original Mattress
Material
Hybrid
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Firmness
Medium-firm: 7/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
365 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Seniors
This bed is perfect for senior sleepers.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for average weight back sleepers.
Financing Options
DreamCloud Original Mattress
Material
Hybrid
Firmness
Medium-firm: 7/10
Trial Period
365 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Seniors
This bed is perfect for senior sleepers.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for average weight back sleepers.
Financing Options
The DreamCloud mattress is another dreamy pick for college students — and a very high-quality one at an affordable price. Mattresses can be a big investment, so it’s essential to get the most out of your money with a bed that will last a long time. The DreamCloud is extremely durable due to its pocketed coil section and great edge support. It also features some luxurious materials, like its special cashmere blend cover and gel-infused memory foam comfort layer. A lot of students (looking at you, hot sleepers) will also appreciate how cool these materials help you sleep.
We think it’s a touch firmer than average. Back sleepers, combination sleepers, and couples could all like the gentle pressure relief and supportive feel the DreamCloud offers. The mattress ships for free and comes with an impressive 365-night trial and lifetime warranty.
Read our full DreamCloud mattress review.
Best Mattress For Heavier Students – Brooklyn Bedding Plank Firm
The Plank mattress is an all-foam, flippable mattress with a firm side and an extra-firm side, which makes it great for both back sleepers and stomach sleepers. Both sides of the mattress should provide stomach sleepers with the right amount of support needed, while back sleepers will be happiest on the firm side.
The Plank mattress is an all-foam, flippable mattress with a firm side and an extra-firm side, which makes it great for both back sleepers and stomach sleepers. Both sides of the mattress should provide stomach sleepers with the right amount of support needed, while back sleepers will be happiest on the firm side.
The Plank mattress is an all-foam, flippable mattress with a firm side and an extra-firm side, which makes it great for both back sleepers and stomach sleepers. Both sides of the mattress should provide stomach sleepers with the right amount of support needed, while back sleepers will be happiest on the firm side.
Brooklyn Bedding Plank Firm Mattress
Material
Foam
Trial Period
120 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Warranty
10-year warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
Brooklyn Bedding Plank Firm Mattress
Material
Foam
Warranty
10-year warranty
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
120 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
Brooklyn Bedding Plank Firm Mattress
Material
Foam
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Trial Period
120 nights
Warranty
10-year warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
With “Plank” in its name, you already know the Plank Firm mattress from Brooklyn Bedding is going to be supportive for heavier college students weighing over 250 pounds. The Plank Firm is a flippable mattress, so it has two different firmness levels you can choose from. One side is firm and the other is extra firm. This supportive feel allows it to be great for heavier sleepers, back sleepers, and stomach sleepers.
The Plank Firm consists of five layers. When the logo is right side up, then the extra-firm side is on top. When it’s on this side, there’s a quilted cover with foam that you can opt to add an extra cooling panel to with Phase Change Material. Then there’s high-density base foam, TitanFlex foam (a latex alternative), and another similar firm cover with less foam in the quilting.
Brooklyn Bedding says this bed was inspired by the “minimalist approach to sleep in parts of Asia,” so the firmer, flatter surface of the bed helps promote spinal alignment. Along with being a firm, supportive option, you can also use our Brooklyn Bedding coupons to help make the Plank Firm an affordable option.
Read our full Plank Firm mattress review.
Best Mattress For Combination Sleepers – 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.
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress. 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.
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress. 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.
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress.Saatva Mattress
Material
Innerspring
Trial Period
365 nights
Shipping Method
Free white glove delivery
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight, average weight, and heavyweight back sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight stomach sleepers.
Financing Options
Saatva Mattress
Material
Innerspring
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Shipping Method
Free white glove delivery
Trial Period
365 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight, average weight, and heavyweight back sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight stomach sleepers.
Financing Options
Saatva Mattress
Material
Innerspring
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Trial Period
365 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Shipping Method
Free white glove delivery
Price Range
$$$$$
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight, average weight, and heavyweight back sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight stomach sleepers.
Financing Options
We’re big fans of the Saatva Classic at Sleepopolis because it’s a luxury innerspring bed that doesn’t have a luxury price tag. It also is offered in three different firmness levels, so you can choose the right firmness level for your sleeping position. The coil-on-coil construction in this mattress allows it to be bouncy and responsive, which is important for college students who are combination sleepers and need to easily switch sleeping positions throughout the night.
The Saatva Classic comes in a Plush Soft, a Luxury Firm, and a Firm model. It also comes in two height options: 11.5 inches and 14.5 inches. Back sleepers can be happy on any model. We generally recommend the Plush Soft version for side sleepers and the Firm model for stomach sleepers. You can read our comparison of the three firmness options here for more information.
Another major perk of ordering from Saatva? Their mattresses come with free white glove delivery. This means moving specialists will deliver the bed fully expanded to you, set it up in your room of choice, and take away your old mattress if needed — all for free. The Saatva is never compressed in a box, like most other online mattresses. Be sure to check out our Saatva coupon page to get the best price.
Read our full Saatva mattress review.
Best Mattress For Active Students – Bear
We appreciate the firm and responsive feel of the Bear mattress. Its combination of support and pressure relief makes it an awesome option for anyone struggling with back pain. The Celliant cover also does a great job of keeping the mattress cool.
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress. We appreciate the firm and responsive feel of the Bear mattress. Its combination of support and pressure relief makes it an awesome option for anyone struggling with back pain. The Celliant cover also does a great job of keeping the mattress cool.
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress. We appreciate the firm and responsive feel of the Bear mattress. Its combination of support and pressure relief makes it an awesome option for anyone struggling with back pain. The Celliant cover also does a great job of keeping the mattress cool.
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress.Bear Mattress
Material
Foam
Trial Period
120 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Medium-firm: 7/10
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.
Financing Options
Bear Mattress
Material
Foam
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Firmness
Medium-firm: 7/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
120 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.
Financing Options
Bear Mattress
Material
Foam
Firmness
Medium-firm: 7/10
Trial Period
120 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.
Financing Options
Whether you’re a college student who loves to hit the gym or one who plays sports, Bear is a great mattress company to look at for your sleep needs. Bear designs beds with the goal of helping active folks get better sleep. They have sponsored athletes, medical professionals, fitness enthusiasts, and more on their team.
The Bear Original is an all-foam mattress with a medium-firm to slightly firmer feel. It offers an addition Celliant cover, a material which some studies suggest could help with post-workout recovery while sleeping by promoting blood flow. Celliant is also a cooling material, which is great for active students and hot sleepers. However, this cover does cost $130, in addition to the price of the Bear mattress itself. The good news is, even if you opt of off this cover, the Bear also includes gel-infused memory foam, responsive transition foam, and high-density foam in its construction.
The Bear Original is a great budget buy and also comes with a lifetime warranty, which can be really comforting for students. Check out our Bear coupons to save even more.
Read our full Bear mattress review.
Best Organic Mattress – Nolah Natural
The Nolah Natural mattress is not only made with eco-friendly and hypoallergenic materials, but it also offers pressure relief and comfort that many sleepers should enjoy.
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress. The Nolah Natural mattress is not only made with eco-friendly and hypoallergenic materials, but it also offers pressure relief and comfort that many sleepers should enjoy.
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress. The Nolah Natural mattress is not only made with eco-friendly and hypoallergenic materials, but it also offers pressure relief and comfort that many sleepers should enjoy.
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress.Nolah Natural Mattress
Material
Latex
Trial Period
120 Nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Soft: 6/10
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight, average weight, and heavyweight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight, average weight, and heavyweight side sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.
Financing Options
Nolah Natural Mattress
Material
Latex
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Firmness
Soft: 6/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
120 Nights
Price Range
$$$$$
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight, average weight, and heavyweight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight, average weight, and heavyweight side sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.
Financing Options
Nolah Natural Mattress
Material
Latex
Firmness
Soft: 6/10
Trial Period
120 Nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight, average weight, and heavyweight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight, average weight, and heavyweight side sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.
Financing Options
It’s important to a lot of college students to support products that are made with organic materials. The Nolah Natural is a nice pick, as it has some hypoallergenic and high-quality, eco-friendly materials. Along with having third-party certifications for being free of harmful chemicals and substances, the Nolah Natural also has organic cotton and wool, Talalay latex, and recycled steel coils.
It’s medium-soft feel could work great for back sleepers, side sleepers, and hot sleepers, since its materials are naturally cooling. Combination sleepers could also enjoy this bed since it’s easy to move around on and feel comfortable.
Organic materials tend to come with a higher price tag, but Nolah often runs stellar sales, plus we have Nolah coupons to help you get the best price. This high-quality mattress comes with a lifetime warranty, so you should be able to get your money’s worth.
Read the full Nolah Natural mattress review.
Best Flippable Mattress – Layla
The Layla is an all-foam, flippable bed featuring both a “Soft” and “Firm” side. It’s also built with copper-infused memory foam, which brings some pleasant cooling power to this versatile slumber party.
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress. The Layla is an all-foam, flippable bed featuring both a “Soft” and “Firm” side. It’s also built with copper-infused memory foam, which brings some pleasant cooling power to this versatile slumber party.
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress. The Layla is an all-foam, flippable bed featuring both a “Soft” and “Firm” side. It’s also built with copper-infused memory foam, which brings some pleasant cooling power to this versatile slumber party.
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress.Layla Mattress
Material
Foam
Trial Period
120 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight, average weight, and heavyweight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight, average weight, and heavyweight side sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight stomach sleepers.
Financing Options
Layla Mattress
Material
Foam
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
120 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight, average weight, and heavyweight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight, average weight, and heavyweight side sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight stomach sleepers.
Financing Options
Layla Mattress
Material
Foam
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Trial Period
120 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight, average weight, and heavyweight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight, average weight, and heavyweight side sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight stomach sleepers.
Financing Options
Flippable mattresses are like two beds in one! We really like the Layla as the best flippable mattress for college students because it has two distinct feels to choose from (firm and soft), it has cooling materials, and it’s affordably priced.
We think the soft side of the mattress is a true soft option that would work great for side sleepers or anyone in need of pressure relief, and the firm side is a true firm option that’s supportive and a great match for back and stomach sleepers. So, think about how you sleep and what you prefer, then flip it to your liking!
If you look at the bed with the soft side up, it has a cozy, polyester-blend cover, copper-infused memory foam, poly foam, support foam, and another layer of copper-infused memory foam. Copper is known to help keep temperatures low. Due to its all-foam build, the Layla also has low motion transfer, so if you share the bed with a partner or a pet you shouldn’t feel their movements in the night. It’s also a great option for anyone searching for a memory foam feel. Be sure to use our Layla coupons to score the best deal.
Check out the full Layla mattress review.
Best Mattress For Back Sleepers – Puffy Cloud
The Puffy Cloud is an all-foam bed-in-a-box with a medium firmness that is great for a wide range of sleepers. It also does a good job of reducing aches and pains, thanks to its balance of support and pressure relief.
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress. The Puffy Cloud is an all-foam bed-in-a-box with a medium firmness that is great for a wide range of sleepers. It also does a good job of reducing aches and pains, thanks to its balance of support and pressure relief.
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress. The Puffy Cloud is an all-foam bed-in-a-box with a medium firmness that is great for a wide range of sleepers. It also does a good job of reducing aches and pains, thanks to its balance of support and pressure relief.
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress.Puffy Cloud Mattress
Material
Foam
Trial Period
101 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Soft: 6/10
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
Kids
This bed is perfect for young sleepers.
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.
Financing Options
Puffy Cloud Mattress
Material
Foam
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Firmness
Soft: 6/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
101 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
Kids
This bed is perfect for young sleepers.
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.
Financing Options
Puffy Cloud Mattress
Material
Foam
Firmness
Soft: 6/10
Trial Period
101 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
Kids
This bed is perfect for young sleepers.
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.
Financing Options
After a long day of exams (or maybe the night before them!), there can be nothing better than feeling like you’re sleeping on a cloud back at home. The Puffy Cloud offers a combination of gel memory foam and high-density poly foam to bring back sleepers the stellar combo of cloudlike pressure relief and support. The gentle foams are also great for alleviating pain and pressure points. This makes the Puffy Cloud a good option for a lot of side sleepers as well.
The Puffy Cloud’s polyester-blend cover is soft, cozy, hypoallergenic, and stain-resistant. Beneath the cover is a “Gel Cloud” cooling foam comfort layer, a responsive poly foam layer, and then high-density foam. These foam layers make it so the Puffy Cloud does a great job isolating motion, so you shouldn’t feel disturbed by a partner or pet’s movements on the other side of the bed.
The Puffy Cloud is competitively priced and comes with an impressive lifetime warranty. Be sure to use one of our Puffy coupons before checking out so you can get the best deal.
Check out our full Puffy Cloud mattress review.
Best Budget Mattress – Leesa Original
Are you a fan of the feel of an all-foam mattress, but can’t seem to find one that’s bouncy enough? The Leesa original mattress might be right up your alley. This bed-in-a-box mattress provides gentle pressure relief as well as responsive support.
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress. Are you a fan of the feel of an all-foam mattress, but can’t seem to find one that’s bouncy enough? The Leesa original mattress might be right up your alley. This bed-in-a-box mattress provides gentle pressure relief as well as responsive support.
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress. Are you a fan of the feel of an all-foam mattress, but can’t seem to find one that’s bouncy enough? The Leesa original mattress might be right up your alley. This bed-in-a-box mattress provides gentle pressure relief as well as responsive support.
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress.Leesa Original Mattress
Material
Foam
Trial Period
100 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Soft: 6/10
Warranty
10-year warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight, average weight, and heavyweight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for average weight side sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.
Financing Options
Leesa Original Mattress
Material
Foam
Warranty
10-year warranty
Firmness
Soft: 6/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
100 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight, average weight, and heavyweight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for average weight side sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.
Financing Options
Leesa Original Mattress
Material
Foam
Firmness
Soft: 6/10
Trial Period
100 nights
Warranty
10-year warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight, average weight, and heavyweight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for average weight side sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.
Financing Options
We’ve mentioned a few times that we’re keeping college students’ potential budgets in mind with all these picks, but the Leesa Original is our choice for the best budget mattress. That’s because it’s not only affordably priced, but Leesa also regularly has deals with extra savings and free sleep accessories included.
The Leesa Original’s a soft mattress that brings pressure relief, support, and responsiveness (which isn’t common for a lot of all-foam beds). If you want a doughy, cushiony feel, then the Leesa Original is a great choice. It has a breathable cover and its foams are free from chemicals like ozone depleters and carcinogens.
Back sleepers and back-side combination sleepers could especially enjoy this all-foam bed. Use our Leesa coupons to snag the best deal.
Read the full Leesa Original mattress review.
What to Consider When Buying the Best Mattress For College Students
We know college students are at a pivotal time in their life with busy schedules and personal development. It’s important to incorporate high-quality sleep into all years of life, and the college years are no exception. Not everyone sleeps the same or has the same sleep style, so it’s important to look at your personal needs and preferences when picking a new mattress.
You can learn more in our guide on how to choose a mattress. We also wanted to break down the different mattress types, budget buys, and sleeping positions below to help students understand what works best for them.
Finding An Affordable Mattress
Here are some good ways to find the best deal on a mattress.
- Shop Online: When price is a deciding factor, shop for the best mattresses online. Without the expense of showrooms, salespeople, and other overhead costs, online mattress companies are more cost-competitive. Mattress websites offer in-depth descriptions, reviews, and pictures of their products. We’ve compiled more of our favorite affordable online mattresses in this best cheap bed roundup.
- Go for a Bed-in-a-Box: A lot of the best bed-in-a-box brands are only available online. Low overhead costs, simpler mattress designs, and direct-to-consumer shipping help bed-in-a-box companies keep their mattresses extra affordable.
Mattress Types And Materials
As you may have noticed in our roundup, there are different types of mattresses out there. Here are their main differences.
- Foam: All-foam mattresses tend to offer a lot of pressure relief. Of all the different mattress types, foam beds are often the least expensive. However, there are high-quality foam materials that can get pricier. The downside of foam mattresses is they’re not always as supportive and durable as other types of mattresses.
- Innerspring: Innerspring mattresses are more old-school compared to the other types and used to incorporate springs and not much else into their build. Modern-day innerspring mattresses usually have a good bit of foam in the construction as well. They’re usually very responsive and supportive. They tend to last longer, but they also tend to be more expensive.
- Hybrid: A hybrid mattress is kind of the best of both worlds. They’re made with a combination of materials — typically both foams and coils. This allows them to work for a wide range of sleepers since they have a balanced, medium-firm feel. They also tend to last longer and be more durable. There are a lot of competitively priced hybrid mattresses in today’s market.
- Latex: A latex mattress is made with latex foam derived from either Talalay or Dunlop latex, resulting in a mattress that’s bouncy, responsive, and naturally cooling. Latex is extremely durable, and is often paired with coils and other types of foam. They usually last seven to 10 years. Like hybrid and innerspring mattresses, they tend to be on the pricier end.
- Materials: Mattresses with higher-quality materials often cost more than cheaply made beds. Organic mattresses with natural materials, such as wool, mohair, and latex, typically cost more than synthetic or mass-produced materials, like poly foam and memory foam. The type of wood and gauge of the metal used in coils can also affect the cost of a mattress.
What is the Best Mattress Size for College Students?
Mattresses will typically be available in a handful of different sizes:
- Twin – 38” x 75”
- Twin XL – 38” x 80”
- Full/Double – 54” x 75”
- Queen – 60” x 80”
- King – 76” x 80”
- Split King – 38” x 80” (each mattress)
- California King – 72” x 84”
We usually recommend college students check out twin XL- and full-sized mattresses. That’s because oftentimes students (especially freshman) are sleeping in dorms or apartments with limited space. However, the right size for you will depend on your room size, body type, sleep style, and whether or not you share the bed with a partner or a pet. Check out our mattress sizing guide to narrow in on the best fit for your space.
Sleeping Positions
Here’s a brief overview of the different sleeping positions and what type of bed is usually best for them.
- Back sleepers: These sleepers tend to be the easiest to please. They need a combination of comfort and support. They’ll do best on a bed that helps promote spinal alignment while also offering pressure relief. Back sleepers usually do best on hybrid or innerspring mattresses.
- Side sleepers: Like back sleepers, side sleepers need a mix of comfort and support, but it usually takes a softer bed to provide that for them. A softer mattress will offer them contouring around their pressure points. Side sleepers can do well with foam and hybrid mattresses.
- Stomach sleepers: Stomach sleepers need a supportive and firm bed. That’s because they want their hips to be elevated and in line with their shoulders to help prevent back pain. There are some all-foam beds designed to be extra firm, but we usually recommend hybrid or innerspring mattresses for stomach sleepers.
- Combination sleepers: Combo sleepers switch between multiple sleeping positions at night, so they need a responsive bed that allows them to easily move around. They can usually find comfort in latex mattresses, hybrid mattresses, and innerspring mattresses.
- Heavier sleepers: Heavier sleepers weighing more than 250 pounds need a bed that’s going to be durable, supportive, and comfortable. There are a lot of beds specifically designed for these sleepers (see some of our favorites in our roundup of best mattresses for heavy people). Generally, we recommend hybrid or innerspring beds for them as well.
- Hot sleepers: If you tend to overheat at night, you’ll want to be looking for a mattress with cooling materials, like Phase Change Material or copper infusions. Hybrid and innerspring mattresses can be great for hot sleepers since the coils naturally promote airflow as well.
Mattress Accessories for College Students
A good night’s rest doesn’t stop with the mattress. It’s also important to get the right accessories for your bed. See some of our favorites below.
FAQs
What is the best time of year to buy a mattress?
The following weekends tend to have the best sales: Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, and Black Friday. That said, a lot of companies have deals going on all the time, so check out the coupons page on Sleepopolis to find exclusive discounts!
How can I extend the life of my mattress?
We recommend rotating your bed 180 degrees every six to eight months to make it last longer.
What’s the cheapest kind of mattress available?
A basic innerspring bed or a no-frills memory foam mattress tend to be the least expensive options. However, there are a lot of competitively priced hybrid mattresses online these days. You can also usually upgrade the mattress you’re looking at for not a ton more money to include higher-quality materials that will make it last longer.
Recap: The Best Mattresses for College Students
| Mattress | Best For | Price (Queen) | Coupon | Review |
| Nectar | Editor’s Pick | $999 | Nectar Coupon | Read Our Review! |
| Helix Midnight | Value | $1,199 | Helix Coupon | Read Our Review! |
| DreamCloud | Durability | $1,199 | DreamCloud Coupon | Read Our Review! |
| Brooklyn Bedding Plank Firm | Heavier Students | $1,249 | Brooklyn Bedding Coupon | Read Our Review! |
| Saatva | Combination Sleepers | $1,795 | Saatva Coupon | Read Our Review! |
| Bear | Active Students | $998 | Bear Coupon | Read Our Review! |
| Nolah Natural | Organic | $1,899 | Nolah Coupon | Read Our Review! |
| Layla | Flippable | $1,099 | Layla Coupon | Read Our Review! |
| Puffy Cloud | Back Sleepers | $1,799 | Puffy Coupon | Read Our Review! |
| Leesa | Budget | $1,299 | Leesa Coupon | Read Our Review! |
Our Methodology
We’ve 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.
As mentioned, we know shopping on a budget can be a big part of being a college student. For this reason, we wanted a lot of these mattresses to be affordable options, but also ones that will last through the years of moving, late-night studying, and be applicable to different hobbies or lifestyles. Click here to learn more about our methodology.
