Updated February 2025
Best Boxed Mattresses
Best Boxed Mattresses of 2025:
- DreamCloud – Best Bed in a Box Overall
- Nectar – Best Value Boxed Mattress
- Helix – Best Boxed Mattress for Support
- Brooklyn Bedding Signature – Best Boxed Mattress for Pressure Relief
- Nectar Premier – Best Boxed Mattress for Side Sleepers
- DreamCloud Premier – Best Boxed Mattress for Back Pain
- Helix Midnight Luxe – Best Luxury Boxed Mattress
With soft foam and a sturdy layer of innerspring coils, the DreamCloud strikes a balance between comfort and support — a little bit of contouring up top and on-top-of-the-bed feel that comes from the bottom. It’s a fairly firm mattress that we think is most comfortable for back sleepers. It also has some luxury touches such as a cashmere-blend cover that are reminiscent of a high-end hotel. Learn more in our DreamCloud video review.
What our tester says:
“I really like how luxurious this mattress feels and how it could work for a variety of sleepers. Along with that, I found that the breathable cashmere cover helps the DreamCloud sleep cool throughout the night. Thanks to its medium-firm to firm support, I think the DreamCloud is a durable mattress. It balances support with plenty of pressure relief for back sleepers.” – Bridget Chapman, former Sleepopolis senior product editor
The Nectar delivers on classic memory foam: it’s soft, contouring, and provides a slow-sinking feel. Still, it provides solid support for most light to average weight sleepers. The cushioning memory foam allows for plenty of pressure relief on pain points, like shoulders and hips. Side sleepers especially should enjoy the pressure relief. Plus, a lengthy trial period, lifetime warranty, and affordable price make the Nectar a reassuring choice for many. Watch our video review to learn more.
What our tester says:
“I think memory foam lovers should be happy on the Nectar. This bed has a classic memory foam feel, so there’s lots of sinkage, contouring, and pressure relief. This can be great for anyone with shoulder pain or hip pain since it gives them cushioning at sensitive pressure points.” – Nichole Mondshein, lead reviewer and staff writer
The Helix Midnight is amongst Helix’s line of six standard mattresses. It’s known for its more balanced feel, allowing it to accommodate a wide range of sleepers. We also recommend it for couples, as it scored well on our motion isolation, responsiveness, edge support, and cooling tests. For a plusher and more cooling version of this mattress, see the Helix Midnight Luxe. Learn more in our video review.
What our tester says:
“I would recommend this mattress for side or back sleepers because it’s supportive, without putting pressure on your joints.” – Nichole Mondshein, lead reviewer and staff writer
The Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid mattress combines a foam comfort layer and sturdy coils. This combination of materials makes it bouncy and easy to move around on. It comes in three firmness levels, and we recommend the Medium model for most back sleepers. It’s a great choice for shoppers who are looking for a new mattress on a budget. For more information, check out our video review.
What our tester says:
“Given that the Signature Hybrid has some excellent bounce, I’d highly recommend this mattress for combination sleepers who often change positions multiple times throughout the night. I also think the Signature Hybrid could be a great fit for couples. You shouldn’t be overly disturbed by a restless partner on this bed, and it has nice, firm edge support.” – Nichole Mondshein, lead reviewer and staff writer
The Nectar Premier Hybrid is a medium-firm mattress with a durable hybrid construction. This bed should work well for a wide range of sleepers with different needs. It also features a quilted cooling cover with Microban antimicrobial protection to help prevent bacteria growth. Learn more in our video review.
What our tester says:
“I like how this mattress can work for a wide variety of sleepers. It’s pressure relieving, supportive, and durable — which is great for back sleepers, side sleepers, and couples. Anyone searching for a medium-firm hybrid mattress could find this Nectar to be as sweet as… well… Nectar. I also appreciate how breathable the cover is and think hot sleepers could really like this bed.” – Bridget Chapman, former senior product editor
The DreamCloud Premier’s construction is a thoughtful, luxurious take on the company’s flagship mattress. It uses a hybrid of foam and coils to achieve a firmer feel that’s still pressure-relieving. We think many back sleepers and stomach sleepers should appreciate this mattress. With such versatility and many special features, the Premier is well-equipped to cater to couples. Learn more in our DreamCloud Premier video review.
What our tester says:
“From the cashmere cover to the Euro top, you’re getting a lot of bang for your buck with this bed. I really like how this mattress combines sturdy support with cozy pressure relief — making it a great choice for back sleepers.” – Bridget Chapman, former Sleepopolis senior product editor
Helix has a line of six hybrid mattresses, each with a different level of firmness. The Midnight is one of their medium models. It has enough contouring for side sleepers, but should still be supportive enough for back sleepers, as long as they don’t mind a softer bed. Learn more in our video review.
What our tester says:
“I like the Helix Midnight Luxe for back sleepers and side sleepers. The medium-soft to medium-firm feel should give these folks the right balance of comfort and support.” – Nichole Mondshein, lead reviewer and mattress tester
With soft foam and a sturdy layer of innerspring coils, the DreamCloud strikes a balance between comfort and support — a little bit of contouring up top and on-top-of-the-bed feel that comes from the bottom. It’s a fairly firm mattress that we think is most comfortable for back sleepers. It also has some luxury touches such as a cashmere-blend cover that are reminiscent of a high-end hotel. Learn more in our DreamCloud video review.
What our tester says:
“I really like how luxurious this mattress feels and how it could work for a variety of sleepers. Along with that, I found that the breathable cashmere cover helps the DreamCloud sleep cool throughout the night. Thanks to its medium-firm to firm support, I think the DreamCloud is a durable mattress. It balances support with plenty of pressure relief for back sleepers.” – Bridget Chapman, former Sleepopolis senior product editor
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Buying The Right Mattress For You
Picking out a new mattress can be daunting. These six steps will help determine what kind of mattress is best for you.
Step 1: Time for an upgrade?
The rule of thumb is to replace your mattress every eight years. However, if you’re sleeping poorly, then it’s time for a change.
Step 2: Foam or coil?
Foam mattresses offer a unique feel that hugs and contours your body. We recommend foam for most sleepers. Coil mattresses offer a more traditional feel with great bounce. If you want a more traditional feel, are an extremely hot sleeper, or are a heavier sleeper (250 pounds or more), we recommend a coil mattress.
Step 3: What’s your budget?
A budget between $1,500 and $2,000 will cover most queen size mattress options in the online market. Don’t spend less than $500 unless you want a mattress that’s going to break down quickly and potentially be more toxic.
Step 4: Soft, medium, or firm?
We measure firmness on a scale from 1 to 10 with 1 being the softest and 10 being the firmest. Most sleepers will enjoy a medium-firm mattress in the 5 to 7 range, but you may want to adjust based on your sleep position.
Side sleepers may want a softer mattress in the 3 to 6 range out of 10. Back sleepers may want a medium soft mattress in the 4 to 7 range out of 10. Stomach sleepers may prefer a firmer mattress in the 5 to 7 range out of 10.
Step 5: How do you sleep?
Your sleep position, weight, and sleeping partner may impact which mattress is best for you. If you are a heavier sleeper (more than 250 pounds) or sleep as a couple, good edge support is essential in providing pressure relief and weight distribution. Additionally, couples or sleepers who get hot easily may want a mattress with temperature-regulating technology to keep them cool through the night.
Benefits of Buying Online
Greater Selection
There is a wider range of companies to choose from online, so there is a great mattress for nearly every sleeper.
No Sales Teams or Middlemen
You can find the perfect mattress for you without the hassle of aggressive sales teams. Plus, with no middlemen, the lower price gets passed to you.
Risk-Free Trials with Money-Back Guarantees
Most companies offer generous trial periods, usually 100 nights or longer, with a 100% money-back guarantee if you don’t love your new mattress. So instead of rolling around on a mattress for five minutes in a showroom, you get to try your mattress out in your own home and actually sleep on it.
FAQs
How much should I spend on a mattress?
While this is going to depend on your individual budget, a value mattress is generally considered to be one that’s under $1,000 for a Queen-size. So set that as your spending limit if you’re looking to save money. We think the Nectar is an excellent cheap mattress, and you can often get the luxury DreamCloud for under $1,000 after discounts.
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. Check out our mattress coupons and promo codes page year-round to stay up to date on the latest discounts.
How often should I replace my mattress?
In general, you should replace your old mattress every 7–10 years. However, a mattress can sag prematurely if you don’t place it on a proper foundation or treat it roughly. You can also extend the life of an old mattress for a few months by adding a mattress topper.
Whenever you’re buying a new bed, it’s important to take a look at its warranty, which can also give you a good idea of how long it should last.
What is the best mattress for back pain?
Most people who struggle with back pain find that a firm or medium-firm mattress is best for them. This type of bed will help you keep your spine straight overnight, which can help alleviate a lot of pain. To find a mattress that can help with your specific back pain, check out our roundup of the best mattresses for back pain.
What is the best mattress for stomach sleepers?
Of all the sleeping positions, stomach sleepers require the most support. With that in mind, they’re best off with a bed that’s reinforced with pocketed coils. If they’re looking at the mattresses on this list, the WinkBeds Plus and the Saatva could be good options. For a more expansive selection, they can always check out our roundup of the best mattresses for stomach sleepers.
What is the best mattress for side sleepers?
Side sleepers are on the other end of the spectrum from stomach sleepers. While they still require some support, they tend to prefer softer beds (or medium-firm) that have a lot of cushioning for their shoulders hips. Many of the mattresses on this list should be a great match for side sleepers, most notably the Helix Midnight. We also have a roundup of the best mattresses for side sleepers.