11 Best Mattresses of 2026: Over 500 Tested by Sleep Experts

Why It’s the Best Mattress Overall

• Across the board, our testers loved the Helix Midnight Luxe’s plush pillow-top cover and the pressure relief it provided across all sleeping positions.
• The Midnight Luxe’s exceptional edge support makes it an excellent option for sleepers with mobility concerns and couples who could use the extra space.
• Hot sleepers should find relief on the crisp surface of the Helix mattress.

How Did It Perform During Testing?

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Motion Isolation: 4/5

Our partner test showed that the Helix Midnight Luxe has solid motion isolation.

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Cooling: 4/5

A 7-degree temperature increase after 5 minutes spent on the bed marks a good cooling mattress.

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Response: 4/5

It was pretty easy to move around on this bed, despite some pushback from the softer top.

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Edge Support: 4.8/5

The edges were exceptionally strong, earning a near-perfect score from our tester.

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Pressure Relief: 4.2/5

Our pressure map test showed negligible pressure buildup in all sleeping positions.

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Firmness: 6.5/10

This bed’s hybrid construction yields a true medium-firm feel.

How Does It Feel in Different Sleeping Positions?

Our Expert Opinion

The Helix Midnight Luxe tops our list as the best mattress because of its high marks in edge support, cooling, responsiveness, and pressure relief. In fact, the Midnight Luxe took home scores of 4 out of 5 or higher in each of those categories during our in-depth testing. We gave this bed an overall score of 4.5 out of 5 stars, which solidified it as our top pick for best mattress of 2025.

However, we will point out that the Helix Midnight Luxe is not the right mattress for back and stomach sleepers over 230 pounds. I think they’d be more comfortable on an extra-supportive mattress built with reinforced materials. Also, the Midnight Luxe falls a little short regarding its sleep trial period, which is 100 nights. While this is still a decent period to try out the mattress, we typically recommend full 365-night trials.

Choose the Helix Midnight Luxe if …

• You share your mattress with a restless partner. The Helix Midnight Luxe isolates motion well, so you shouldn’t have to worry about their movements disturbing you at night.
• You want a mattress that will last a long time. The Helix’s near-perfect edge support suggests that it will resist sagging and keep its shape for many years to come.

Keep looking if …

• You are looking for a mattress that can accommodate higher weights. The Helix Midnight Luxe is too soft to provide the stability needed to support bigger bodies.
• You want a mattress with a longer sleep trial. Helix mattresses come with a 120-night sleep trial to help buyers determine if a mattress is right for them. However, some mattresses, like the Nectar Classic, come with a 365-night trial. 

For more information about this bed, read our full Helix Midnight Luxe mattress review.

Why It’s the Best Mattress for Combination Sleepers

• The DreamCloud earned a perfect 5-star score in our responsiveness category because we found it incredibly easy to switch between different sleeping positions on its surface.
• Its balanced medium-firm feel prevents you from sinking too far into its foams and feeling stuck.
• The balanced feel of the DreamCloud extends all the way to its far reaches, so you should experience the same level of support and responsiveness at the farthest reaches of the bed.

How Did It Perform During Testing?

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Motion Isolation: 4.7/5

Our tester noticed little disturbance in the water during our ripple test, confirming the bed’s motion-isolating ability.

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Cooling: 4.5/5

The temperature rose less than 5 degrees after 5 minutes of our tester lying on the bed.

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Response: 5/5

The lack of sinkage earned the DreamCloud a perfect responsiveness score.

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Edge Support: 4/5

There was some moderate sinkage — but not much — when our tester sat on the edge.

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Pressure Relief: 4.4/5

The DreamCloud relieved more pressure while back sleeping than side sleeping.

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Firmness: 6.5/10

This hybrid mattress has a balanced medium-firm feel.

How Does It Feel in Different Sleeping Positions?

Our Expert Opinion

A combination sleeper is someone who switches between different sleeping positions at night. If that’s you, then you need a responsive mattress that allows you to easily shift between back, side, and stomach-sleeping positions while feeling supported in each. Our pick for the best mattress for combination sleepers is the DreamCloud, a luxury hybrid mattress that scored a perfect 5 out of 5 in responsiveness. It also had an impressive 4.4 in pressure relief.

Mattress expert Riley Otis noticed its bounciness right away during testing. “I found it very easy to move from back to side to stomach, even though the bed had some plush cushioning,” she said. “The cushioning didn’t inhibit my mobility or prevent me from easily rolling. I think combination sleepers would be able to move around with no issues.

Choose the DreamCloud Classic if …

• You frequently toss and turn to get comfortable at night. The DreamCloud Classic is firm, supportive, and responsive enough to ensure that you will not feel stuck in one position.
• You share your bed with a restless partner or pet. The DreamCloud also scored a 4.7 out of 5 in our motion isolation category because it effectively dampens motion and prevents disturbances from traveling across the mattress surface.

Keep looking if …

• You need a mattress to accommodate heavier weights. The DreamCloud is a touch too soft to support sleepers with bigger bodies.
• You are a side sleeper with sensitive joints. During testing, our chief medical mattress tester, Dr. Joe Tedesco, found that these sleepers could benefit from a more supportive mattress. If this sounds like you, consider upgrading to the DreamCloud Premier Hybrid, which scored better than the Classic for side-sleeping pressure relief.

For more information about this bed, read our full DreamCloud Classic mattress review.

Why It’s the Best Mattress for Side Sleepers

• It performed well in our pressure-relief tests, which is a key performance category for side sleepers.
• The Nectar Premier is a 6 out of 10 on our firmness scale, meaning it’s soft enough to cradle sensitive joints and other pressure-prone areas.
• The Premier is also an excellent cooling mattress for hot sleepers, earning another 4.5-star score in this category.

How Did It Perform During Testing?

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Motion Isolation: 4.2/5

You should likely feel when your partner gets in and out of bed, but smaller movements will be stifled.

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Cooling: 4.5/5

For a foam mattress, the Nectar Premier has exceptional cooling.

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Response: 4/5

It was fairly easy to switch sleeping positions on the Nectar Premier.

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Edge Support: 3.6/5

There was some significant sinkage when our tester sat on the edge.

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Pressure Relief: 4.2/5

This mattress had top-notch pressure relief for back sleepers in all weight categories.

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Firmness: 5.5/10

The Nectar Premier is on the slightly softer side of the firmness scale.

How Does It Feel in Different Sleeping Positions?

Our Expert Opinion

Side sleepers tend to put the most pressure on their shoulders and hips. So when choosing the best mattress for side sleepers, we chose the all-foam Nectar Premier, which earned a perfect 5 out of 5 for side-sleeping pressure relief. However, the Premier didn’t stop there. It also earned a 4 or above in cooling and responsiveness.

When one of our certified sleep science coaches and expert tester tried the Nectar Premier, he found a medium-firm feel that’s just a touch softer than average. In the side-sleeping position, he found both soothing pressure relief at his joints and a supportive lift at his hips. He said, “Of all the positions, this mattress was most comfortable on my side. I got the contouring I needed at my shoulders and hips, and I didn’t feel like I was sinking too far into the bed.”

While the Nectar Premier should be comfortable for side and back sleepers, stomach sleepers may need a more supportive mattress. These sleepers typically find the best spinal alignment on hybrid or innerspring mattresses that provide plenty of lift at the hips.

Choose the Nectar Premier if …

• You prefer a mattress with a soft memory foam surface. The Nectar Premier is a great bed for those who want to feel like they’re resting in a cozy embrace.
• You are a hot sleeper who shares your bed with another person. Couples should appreciate the Premier’s above-average performance in cooling and motion isolation.

Keep looking if …

• You prefer a bouncy mattress to move around on. While the Nectar Premier is fairly easy to move on, sleepers who prefer an extra responsive mattress should look at a hybrid mattress instead.
• You have mobility concerns or lie on the edge of the bed. The Nectar Premier only earned an average score in the edge support category, so sleepers who need a stable perimeter to bear down on should look into a firmer foam model, like the Leesa Original instead.

For more information about this bed, read our full Nectar Premier mattress review.

Why It’s the Best Mattress for Shoulder Pain

• The Leesa Sapira Chill earned praise from nearly all our testers for its side-sleeping pressure relief, which is a must-have for sleepers with shoulder pain.
• The Sapira Chill’s thick pillow-top layer provides plenty of cushioning around the joints.
• Its highly responsive surface enables sleepers with joint pain to quickly adjust themselves and find relief.

How Did It Perform During Testing?

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Motion Isolation: 3.7/5

The water sloshed around quite a bit during our ripple test, indicating just-average motion isolation.

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Cooling: 4.5/5

This bed lived up to its name with its exceptional cooling abilities.

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Response: 4.5/5

Moving around was largely seamless, save for rolling over on the doughier pillow top.

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Edge Support: 3.9/5

While our tester found the edge support acceptable, there was more sagging in our weighted tests.

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Pressure Relief: 4.5/5

Our pressure map results showed almost no pressure buildup on the Leesa Sapira Chill.

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Firmness: 6/10

We found the Leesa Sapira Chill’s construction to have a softer feel.

How Does It Feel in Different Sleeping Positions?

Our Expert Opinion

If you’re waking up with pain in your shoulder every morning, it might be the fault of a too-firm mattress. That’s why we are recommending the Leesa Sapira Chill Hybrid. Falling at a 6 out of 10 on our firmness scale, the Sapira Chill is a medium-soft bed that provides good cushioning and pressure relief at the joints, a category in which it scored above a 4 for both back and side sleeping. The quilted cover adds a lot of plushness to the bed and helps contour the hips and shoulders to prevent pain in both these areas, especially when sleeping on your side.

That said, if you sleep with a partner, you should note the Leesa Sapira Chill’s somewhat lackluster motion isolation score (3.7 out of 5). Mattress tester Riley Otis evaluated its motion isolation by lying on the bed wearing a blindfold while another tester switched positions next to her. She could feel a lot of movement coming from her partner and felt like she was being jostled around. Since the disturbance was so large, we wouldn’t recommend this bed to couples, especially if one or both partners are sensitive to movement.

Choose the Leesa Sapira Chill if …

• You have sensitive joints or chronic pain and need a softer, pressure-relieving surface to sleep on.
• You are a combination sleeper who prefers a soft surface but still needs something springy enough to remain mobile.

Keep looking if …

• You need a mattress that can support heavier weights. Sleepers over 230 pounds will likely experience excessive sinkage on the Sapira Chill.
• You share a mattress with a restless partner. Our testers found that the motion isolation was one of the Sapira Chill’s few weaknesses. For a similar mattress with better motion isolation, consider the Leesa Natural instead.

For more information about this bed, read our full Leesa Sapira Chill mattress review.

Why It’s the Best Mattress for Couples

• Our testers found that it effectively traps motion and isolates it to one end of the bed.
• If you or your partner sleeps hot, the Beautyrest Black Hybrid XCS’s superior temperature regulation should keep you cool and dry.
• The sturdy edge support on this model enables you to use the entire surface of the bed, giving you and your partner more space to move around.

How Did It Perform During Testing?

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Motion Isolation: 4.7/5

Very little movement was felt during our motion isolation tests; our tester only noticed his testing partner switching positions occasionally.

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Cooling: 4.5/5

With a temperature increase of less than 6 degrees during our cooling tests, our tester didn’t notice the mattress warming up at all.

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Response: 4/5

The coils aren’t as springy as other hybrid models, but there’s plenty enough support to move around the mattress easily.

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Edge Support: 4.6/5

Thanks its firmness and taller profile, the Black Hybrid XCS won’t bottom out while sitting or lying on the bed’s perimeter.

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Pressure Relief: 4/5

Despite its firmer feel, this mattress provides some nice contouring along the lumbar curve while in a back-sleeping position.

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Firmness: 7.5/10

The Black Hybrid XCS has a firmer construction that doesn’t allow much sinkage into the mattress.

How Does It Feel in Different Sleeping Positions?

Our Expert Opinion

The ideal mattress for couples should have solid edge support, cooling, and motion isolation, so that a partner can use the entire space of the bed without waking up their significant other. The Beautyrest Black Hybrid XCS is our pick for the best mattress for couples, as it hit all the marks in our performance testing, receiving 4.5 out of 5 or higher in cooling, motion isolation, and edge support.

Although the Beautyrest Black Hybrid XCS scored pretty well across all of our performance tests, the mattress’s firmer feel may not make it an ideal choice for people with sensitive joints — especially if they tend to sleep on their side. When lying on his side, mattress tester Kenny Timper felt supported throughout, but also admitted, “There’s really no give at all in my shoulders or hips.” Being an average-weight sleeper, he recommends this mattress more to side sleepers who weigh 230 pounds or more, so that they can get more pressure relief.

Choose the Beautyrest Black Hybrid XCS if …

• You share your mattress with a partner and need something that excels at isolating motion, keeping things cool, and providing robust support. The Black Hybrid XCS on nearly all fronts for couples.
• You need a mattress that can support heavier weights. The Beautyrest Black Hybrid is thick, supportive, and durable, making it stable enough to prevent bigger bodies from sinking too much into the bed.

Keep looking if …

• You are a lightweight sleeper needing a mattress with more give. At 7.5 out of 10 on our firmness scale, the Black Hybrid XCS is much too firm for most sleepers in this category.
• You have sensitive joints or chronic pain. While the Beautyrest Black Hybrid XCS is supportive enough to keep your spine in a healthy position, you will likely need something with more cushioning to prevent pain from worsening. For a softer, more pressure-relieving option, consider the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid instead.

For more information about this bed, read our full Beautyrest Black Hybrid XCS mattress review.

Why It’s the Best Mattress for Back Pain

• The WinkBed landed at 6.5 out of 10 on our firmness scale, which is typically ideal for back sleeping, thanks to its balanced feel.
• The mattress surface is consistently supportive from corner to corner, meaning back sleepers should feel stable, comfortable, and properly aligned on any part of the bed.
• Our testers found that its pressure relief performance was best in the back-sleeping position.

How Did It Perform During Testing?

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Motion Isolation: 4.3/5

Our tester didn’t notice much movement during our ripple test.

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Cooling: 3.5/5

Our cooling test found that the WinkBed did not excel at temperature regulation.

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Response: 3/5

It was a little difficult to move around on the WinkBed, despite its hybrid construction.

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Edge Support: 4.4/5

We found the WinkBed’s edges to be very strong.

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Pressure Relief: 3.8/5

While pressure mapping the WinkBed, our testers found some pressure buildup on their side.

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Firmness: 6.5/10

The Luxury Firm WinkBed has a medium-firm feel.

How Does It Feel in Different Sleeping Positions?

Our Expert Opinion

Back sleepers need an appropriate balance of pressure relief and support to keep their spines in a straight line, and they’ll typically find that in a medium-firm or a firm mattress. In our testing, we found the Luxury Firm WinkBed delivers a very balanced feel for all positions, due in part to its medium-firm hybrid construction. When all the quantitative and subjective scores were tallied, the WinkBed earned 4.2 out of 5 stars overall and was my clear choice for best mattress for back pain.

I also like this mattress for side sleepers, although they should be aware of its firmer feel that may cause pressure buildup for lightweight sleepers. When our lightweight tester Riley Otis tried this bed on her side, she said, “The pillow top shines in this position, providing nice cushioning at the hips and just a bit of sinkage. I did feel a bit of pressure starting to form on my shoulders after a while, so people with sensitive joints may want the Softer model.”

Choose the WinkBed if …

• You need a mattress with a strong perimeter to bear down on in the morning.
• You are a back sleeper looking for a balanced mattress to provide equal measures of support and cushioning.

Keep looking if …

• You are a combination sleeper who frequently changes positions to get comfortable. You will likely feel “stuck” in the WinkBed’s plush top layer.
• You are a stomach sleeper. Most sleepers who rest on their stomachs will not find the WinkBed supportive enough. These sleepers might fare better on the firmer, more supportive WinkBed Plus.

For more information about this bed, read our full WinkBed mattress review.

Why It’s the Best Cooling Mattress

• The Saatva’s two layers of innerspring coils help cool the mattress by increasing ventilation.
• Its plush Euro-top cover impressed our testers with its comfortable, temperature-neutral feel.
• The Saatva is also highly responsive, so if, on the off-chance, you heat up in one spot, it’s easy to roll over to another.

How Did It Perform During Testing?

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Motion Isolation: 2.7/5

Our tester could feel a lot of his partner’s movement on the Saatva.

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Cooling: 4/5

This bed has a temperature-neutral feel.

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Response: 5/5

The Saatva’s innerspring feel makes it super bouncy and easy to move around on.

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Edge Support: 4.8/5

The perimeter of the Saatva Classic is rock-solid.

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Pressure Relief: 4/5

Pressure relief is better for back sleepers than side sleepers on this bed.

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Firmness: 7.5/10

The Luxury Firm model of the Saatva Classic has a firmer feel.

How Does It Feel in Different Sleeping Positions?

Our Expert Opinion

If you frequently wake up in the middle of the night in a pool of your own sweat, it may be time to seek a mattress designed for hot sleepers. These mattresses typically contain a layer of innerspring coils that helps prevent heat buildup and promotes airflow. The Saatva Classic mattress has a whopping two coil units, an organic cotton cover, and a layer of gel-infused foam right at the surface. With all this in mind, it’s no surprise that it earned a 4 out of 5 in our cooling tests.

To evaluate the Saatva’s cooling, mattress tester Kenny Timper recorded the initial surface temperature with a thermal gun, and then again after resting on the bed for about 5 minutes. He found only a 7.2-degree increase in temperature, which is a sign of fairly good temperature regulation.

Where the Saatva really drops the ball, though, is motion isolation. To test this, one tester moves around on a mattress while the other lies still while wearing a blindfold, trying to judge how much motion they can feel. Kenny performed this test with Livvi DiCicco, and he was not impressed. “I can feel every little thing Livvi did and could tell exactly what she was doing despite being blindfolded, which is definitely not amazing for motion isolation at all,” he said bluntly.

Choose the Saatva if …

• You are a back or stomach sleeper. This mattress provides ample support to keep your hips elevated and spine aligned.
• You are a combination sleeper looking for a responsive innerspring mattress to easily change positions on.

Keep looking if …

• You are a side sleeper with sensitive joints. The Saatva will not provide enough cushioning to keep tension off of those pressure-prone areas.
• You or your partner is a restless sleeper. The coil-on-coil construction gives the Saatva a lot of bounce, so you’re likely to feel everything the other person is doing. If you are interested in Saatva, but need something with better motion isolation, consider the Saatva Rx instead.

For more information about this bed, read our full Saatva Classic mattress review.

Why It’s the Best Mattress for Back Sleepers

• Our mattress testers gave it a perfect 5 out of 5 for back-sleeping pressure relief during testing (and a 4.5 out of 5 for overall pressure relief).
• Its slightly firmer-than-average surface does a great job of lifting the hips and keeping the spine aligned.
• Its plush pillow-top and multiple layers of memory foam give it a luxurious touch that helps put it above other similarly supportive models.

How Did It Perform During Testing?

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Motion Isolation: 3.8/5

We noticed a bit of disturbance in our water test when someone was switching positions on the other side of the bed.

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Cooling: 4/5

The Aurora Luxe has a cool, crisp-feeling cover.

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Response: 4/5

You sink into the surface of this bed a little bit, but it’s still relatively easy to switch positions and move around.

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Edge Support: 4/5

We only noticed the edge dipping beneath our weight when we sat at the perimeter.

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Pressure Relief: 4.5/5

This mattress earned an impressive perfect rating for back-sleeping pressure relief.

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Firmness: 7/10

The Medium model of the Aurora Luxe feels slightly firmer than true medium-firm.

How Does It Feel in Different Sleeping Positions?

Our Expert Opinion

When it comes to back sleeping, finding a mattress that balances support and pressure relief is crucial. In this position, we want enough support to lift the spine into a straight line while also cushioning the lumbar region to prevent back pain.

We chose the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe as the best mattress for back sleepers because its three layers of foam and supportive coil layer create a firm feel that lifts the hips in line with the shoulders while still contouring the lumbar region. When we combine all our testing scores, this mattress has an exceptional overall score of 4.4 stars.

The only area our testers thought the Aurora Luxe faltered in was motion isolation, which they scored a 3.8 out of 5. While these aren’t the worst results we have seen, sleepers who are particularly sensitive to their partner’s movements should probably opt for a mattress that dampens motion better.

Choose the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe if …

• You are a back sleeper looking for a mattress that’s not too soft and not too firm. Our testers found that the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe was the Goldilocks mattress for back sleeping.
• You are a hot sleeper. The moisture-wicking cover and ventilated innerspring coils helped our testers keep cool while lying on this mattress.

Keep looking if …

• You need a mattress that will conform to your adjustable base. While the Aurora Luxe is adjustable base compatible, Riley found that it had difficulty adapting to some of the settings on the adjustable base in our studio.
• You and your partner need a bed that isolates motion. If you or your partner is a particularly restless sleeper, you are more likely to disturb each other on this mattress. For an option with better motion isolation, consider the Brooklyn Bedding CopperFlex Memory Foam instead.

For more information about this bed, read our full Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe mattress review.

Why It’s the Best Luxury Mattress

• The Bear’s supportive edges suggest that it will resist sagging and general wear and tear for many years.
• The Bear Elite Hybrid’s excellent motion isolation makes it a good luxury option for two people, especially if one frequently tosses and turns at night.
• Sleepers shouldn’t have to worry about overheating on the Elite Hybrid mattress, thanks to its above-average temperature regulation.

How Did It Perform During Testing?

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Motion Isolation: 4.7/5

Our tester could only vaguely feel their colleague’s movements on this bed.

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Cooling: 4.5/5

There wasn’t much of a temperature increase after we lay on the bed.

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Response: 4/5

It was fairly easy to move between sleeping positions on the Bear Elite Hybrid.

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Edge Support: 4.4/5

We found that the Bear Elite Hybrid’s edges were fairly sturdy.

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Pressure Relief: 4.1/5

Back sleeping is best for pressure relief on this mattress.

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Firmness: 7/10

The materials of the Bear Elite Hybrid resulted in a somewhat firmer feel for the mid-range model.

How Does It Feel in Different Sleeping Positions?

Our Expert Opinion

If you’re looking for a highly luxurious mattress that’s still fairly affordable, we recommend the Bear Elite Hybrid. This bed includes luxury features such as a hand-quilted cover, copper-infused memory foam for cooling, and edge-to-edge coils for stronger edge support. The mattress is also offered in three firmness levels (Soft, Medium, and Firm) so you can choose the feel you prefer. We tested the firmness model in our studio and rated it 4.6 out of 5 stars overall.

But before you purchase this bed, you should know we don’t recommend the Medium model to strict stomach sleepers. These sleepers need a tad more hip support to prevent lower back pain, so they’re better suited to the Firm model. We also didn’t find this bed supportive enough for sleepers more than 230 pounds, who need a firmer bed with more lift

Choose the Bear Elite Hybrid if …

• You and your partner want a luxurious sleep experience. The Bear’s cooling and motion isolation performance make it a great option for couples.
• You want a supportive and durable mattress. The Bear Elite Hybrid’s corner-to-corner stability earned it an impressive 4.4-star score in our edge support category. These results also indicate that it will be a durable mattress that keeps its shape for years to come.

Keep looking if …

• You are looking for a budget option. At full price, a queen-sized Bear Elite Hybrid is around $2,300, making it one of the pricier options on this list.
• You need a mattress to support heavier weights. Sleepers with bigger bodies might fare better on the Firm version of this model or a firmer model altogether, like the Big Fig.

For more information about this bed, read our full Bear Elite Hybrid mattress review.

Why It’s the Best Hybrid Mattress

• Its well-rounded pressure relief performance makes it a good option for bedmates who prefer to rest in different positions.
• With a 4.5-star cooling performance, couples shouldn’t have to worry about overheating while sleeping together.
• Motion isolation is typically an area where hybrid mattresses fall short (due to the bouncy innerspring coils), but the Nolah Evolution earned a perfect 5-star score in this category.

How Did It Perform During Testing?

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Motion Isolation: 5/5

Our tester noticed no movement during our ripple test, resulting in a perfect score for motion isolation.

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Cooling: 4.5/5

The Nolah Evolution showed above-average cooling capabilities.

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Response: 4/5

Our tester found it fairly easy to roll around on the Nolah Evolution.

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Edge Support: 4.6/5

The Nolah Evolution had a strong perimeter, earning a high edge support test.

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Pressure Relief: 4.3/5

The bed was good at relieving pressure, though some of our testers wanted more sinkage.

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Firmness: 7/10

The springs in the construction made for a slightly firmer feel.

How Does It Feel in Different Sleeping Positions?

Our Expert Opinion

Hybrid mattresses combine a top layer of foam with a bottom layer of coils to give you a balance between pressure relief and support. I chose the Nolah Evolution in the Luxury Firm model as the best hybrid bed because it’s achieved the near–impossible– it has outstanding motion isolation while remaining super bouncy and responsive. We also awarded this mattress with one of the highest overall scores we’ve seen during testing — 4.7 out of 5 stars.

One thing to keep in mind is this bed’s price. As a luxury mattress, it’s more expensive than a standard bed, with a queen size currently costing $2,277 at full retail. However, Nolah usually has a 30 percent off sale running, so you’re likely to get a queen for around $1,600. I’ll also note that the sleep trial period is 120 nights. This is a fair trial period, but we prefer mattresses that come with a full 365-night trial.

Choose the Nolah Evolution if …

• You want a hybrid mattress that does it all. During testing, the Nolah Evolution delivered an impressive combination of pressure relief, edge support, motion isolation, and responsiveness, making it a versatile option for a wide variety of sleepers.
• You share your bed with a partner. It’s rare to find a mattress that dampens motion while remaining buoyant enough to move around on. Couples should appreciate its excellent motion isolation without sacrificing responsiveness.

Keep looking if …

• You’re shopping on a tight budget. The Nolah Evolution is a luxury mattress with a premium price tag. Frequent sales help bring the cost down, but there are plenty of quality hybrids available for less.
• You want the longest possible sleep trial. Nolah includes a 120-night sleep trial, which is generous, but some competing brands offer a full year to decide whether a mattress is right for you. For a similar mattress that comes with a 365-day trial, consider the DreamCloud Premier instead.

For more information about this bed, read our full Nolah Evolution mattress review.

Why It’s the Best Value Mattress

• For just $1,025 (and often even less), the Silk & Snow delivers performance that rivals some of the more luxurious models we’ve tested.
• The Silk & Snow’s excellent cooling and motion isolation make it a great budget mattress that can accommodate couples.
• Its balanced medium-firm feel should make it comfortable across most sleeping positions, but especially back sleeping.

How Did It Perform During Testing?

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Motion Isolation: 4.7/5

Our tester could barely feel when their colleague rolled around on the other side of the bed.

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Cooling: 4.5/5

True to its name, the Silk & Snow kept a very low temperature while we rested on it.

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Response: 4/5

It was pretty easy to switch positions on this bed, though we felt a little sinkage while doing so.

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Edge Support: 3.6/5

The edge of the mattress sank quite a bit when our tester sat on it.

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Pressure Relief: 3.9/5

Back sleeping was comfortable on the Silk & Snow, but side sleeping led to more pressure buildup.

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Firmness: 6.5/10

The Silk & Snow Hybrid has a medium-firm feel.

How Does It Feel in Different Sleeping Positions?

Our Expert Opinion

We chose the Silk & Snow as the best value mattress because it’s made with high-quality materials, has excellent cooling abilities and airflow, and is compatible with a variety of sleeping positions and body types. All of these factors are impressive on their own, but the Silk & Snow Hybrid is even more appealing when you look at its price tag, which is around $800 to $1,025 for a queen size. For context, similar mattresses on the market cost over $2,000, so this is a great mattress for the money. When we combined all our testing scores, this bed earned 4.4 out of 5 stars overall.

However, one area where the Silk & Snow Hybrid could improve is edge support. We only awarded 3.6 stars to the edge support because the layers collapsed quite a bit when weight was applied to one area. While they aren’t the weakest edges we’ve ever seen, people with mobility issues may struggle to get in and out of bed, as they can’t rely on the edge for support. We also think this bed is just a touch too soft to keep stomach sleepers’ hips in line with their shoulders.

Choose the Silk & Snow if …

• You want a high-quality mattress without breaking the bank.
• You and your partner prioritize cooling and motion isolation.

Keep looking if …

• You are a heavier side sleeper. Sleepers in this category will likely fare better on a firmer, more supportive mattress.
• You gravitate toward the edge of the bed or need a strong surface to bear down on in the morning. The Helix Dusk is worth considering if you’re interested in a similar mattress with better edge support.

For more information about this bed, read our full Silk & Snow Hybrid mattress review.

We test each of our mattresses using an in-depth testing methodology that our team of certified sleep science coaches developed over the past decade with input from experts in the sleep and medical fields.

And while we don’t cut corners in our approach, we do cut mattresses! We actually open a small cross-section of each mattress so we can really get an idea of what its construction is like, which informs some of our testing scores, including cooling. Here’s a quick breakdown of each of our tests and how they work.

Key Testing Categories for the Best Mattresses

Pressure Relief

According to Dr. Dasgupta, one of our medical advisors, “The wrong mattress can make your pressure point pain more problematic. If you’d like your mattress to help mitigate pressure build-up, make sure that it offers the right support and firmness for your needs.”

For this reason, we try out every mattress in every different sleeping position, noting which positions feel most comfortable. But our team also runs each position through our pressure map test, which involves rolling a specialized mat across the bed. The mat reads how much pressure the mattress is putting on our tester’s body in each position, then creates a color-coded graphic or “map”. Blue indicates no pressure, green indicates little pressure, yellow indicates moderate pressure, orange indicates high pressure, and red indicates very high pressure. 

So far, the average pressure relief score among all the mattresses we’ve tested is 3.8 out of 5, so any score higher than that is considered above average (this is reflected in bold text below).

How the Best Mattresses Scored in Pressure Relief

Cooling

Body temperature and quality sleep are closely tied. We evaluate the mattress’s construction (for instance, hybrids usually sleep cooler than memory foam beds), then use a thermal gun to measure the temperature increase after 5 minutes of one of our testers lying on it. 5 degrees or less indicates excellent cooling, 5 to 10 degrees indicates good cooling, 10 to 15 degrees indicates decent cooling, and over 15 degrees indicates poor cooling.

The average cooling score among all the mattresses we’ve tested is 3.9 out of 5 (scores above the average are reflected in bold font in the table)

How the Best Mattresses Scored in Cooling

Motion Isolation

If a mattress isolates motion well, then you and your partner are less likely to feel each other tossing and turning at night. We test this by having two of our testers roll around next to each other and note how much movement they can feel. Then we run a more objective test where we drop a steel ball onto the bed from several different heights (each height approximates a different sleeping motion), then measure the vibrations with a seismometer. The higher the vibrations, the more likely you are to feel your partner’s movements.

After averaging the motion isolation scores of all the mattresses we’ve tested, we found that the average was 4 out of 5.

How the Best Mattresses Scored in Motion Isolation

Other Tests

Aside from pressure relief, cooling, and motion isolation, our certified sleep science coaches and mattress experts also assess other categories important to sleepers.

For instance, when testing responsiveness (or how easy it is to move around on a mattress), we have people of different body types evaluate how quickly and easily the mattress adapts as they move and switch sleeping positions.

We also test edge support by having testers sit, lie, and press down on the perimeter of a mattress to see how much weight it can support without losing its shape. 

Our testers also place stacks of weights on each side of the bed and measure how much it compresses. We then compare these results to the overall average among all the mattresses before rating it.

What Type of Mattress Is Best for Your Sleeping Position and Body Weight?

Your sleeping position and body weight both play a major role in determining which mattress will feel most comfortable. Side sleepers generally need a softer mattress that cushions the shoulders and hips to relieve pressure, while back sleepers tend to do best on a medium-firm model that keeps the spine in a neutral position. Stomach sleepers usually need a firmer mattress to prevent the hips from sinking too deeply, which can strain the lower back.

Body weight also affects how a mattress feels. Most mattresses are designed with average-weight sleepers (130–230 pounds) in mind. Lightweight sleepers (under 130 pounds) will not sink in as much, so they often find softer mattresses more comfortable. Sleepers with bigger bodies (over 230 pounds), on the other hand, compress mattress materials more deeply and typically benefit from firmer, more supportive beds.

How Much Should You Spend on a Mattress?

While this depends on your budget, a value mattress is generally under $1,000 for a queen-size. So set that as your spending limit if you’re looking to save money. If you have more financial flexibility, you can usually find a high-quality mattress for between $1,000 and $1,500. And if you want a luxury bed, you should be ready to spend upwards of $1,500.

When Is the Best Time to Buy a Mattress?

Many bedding brands launch huge sales around federal holidays, so keep an eye out for deals around President’s Day, Memorial Day, and even Labor Day. You’ll also naturally find a ton of deals around Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Check out our mattress coupons and promo codes page year-round to stay up to date on the latest discounts.

How Often Should You Replace Your Mattress?

In general, you should replace your old mattress every 7–10 years. However, a mattress can sag prematurely if you don’t place it on a proper foundation or treat it roughly. You can also extend the life of an old mattress for a few months by adding a mattress topper.

Whenever you’re buying a new bed, it’s important to look at its warranty, which can also give you a good idea of how long it should last.

What Type of Mattress Lasts the Longest?

Mattresses with innerspring coils in their construction (latex hybrids, memory foam hybrids, and traditional innerspring models) are typically more durable and resistant to sagging over time. These coil systems provide strong support, which helps the mattress maintain its shape longer. However, high-quality memory foam mattresses can also last for a decade or longer. Look for memory foam mattresses that feature dense foam and reinforced edges for added durability.