We researched and tested dozens of types of mattresses, evaluating comfort, firmness, construction, and overall value. Our best overall pick, the Tuft and Needle Mint Mattress, is breathable, free of harmful materials, and has a memory foam comfort layer that adapts to fit a range of different sleep styles. Here are the best mattresses. When it comes to mattresses, there’s certainly no one-size-fits-all option—but if we could only recommend one, we’d have to go with Tuft & Needle’s Mint Mattress. Made of adaptable open-cell, gel-infused foam with a generous graphite top layer, it conforms to your body and pulls heat away to keep you cool while you doze. Our tester was particularly impressed with the mattress’s versatility, as it was able to support both her and her husband’s sleeping styles—with minimal motion transfer, to boot. Unlike the brand’s Original Mattress, this one has edge support, meaning the sides and corners don’t collapse when you sit down or get in and out of bed. It has a medium firmness that’s slightly softer than the Original, making it undeniably plush but plenty supportive. Plus, it’s compatible with all sorts of different bed setups, from plain box springs to platform, slatted, and adjustable frames, so you won’t have to worry about purchasing a new bed frame or foundation. The Mint Mattress is backed by a 10-year warranty and has a 100-night trial period with hassle-free returns. As with any mattress, you’ll want to give yourself at least 30 days to adjust. As with many other pillow-top options, Saatva’s mattress works best with platform foundations. The company offers a 180-night trial period. However, if you decide to return, they’ll charge you a transportation fee for the pickup. Featuring breathable spring coils, adaptable memory foam, and a cover infused with the brand’s signature “Phase Change Material,” this mattress is designed to encourage airflow and help you feel cooler while you snooze. Our tester, who sleeps hot, loved how the memory foam contoured to the body without enveloping it too much. This is due to the mattress’s memory foam and coil combo, which is more firm than an innerspring but retains less heat than straight memory foam. The result? A cool, motion transfer-free night’s sleep. The Birch Luxe Natural Mattress is described as having a medium-firm feel. While testing this mattress, we found it to be very firm at first—but after 30 days of testing, it gave in a little more. It still has a medium-firm feel which is great for back or stomach sleepers, but it could prove a little firm for our side sleepers. Upon delivery, the mattress had zero off-gassing smell and fully expanded in just a few hours, making set-up convenient and easy. Both of our testers are hot sleepers, and neither woke up hot or sweaty after two months of testing. The mattress includes a cashmere Euro top as well as a breathable cotton cover, ensuring you stay comfortable all night. In terms of construction, Casper’s Original Mattress has three layers of durable foam, with a sturdy foam base to last you hundreds of nights of sleep. The perforated layer on top uses the company’s AirScape technology to encourage airflow and breathability, keeping you cool while catching your Zs. Like many other options on the list, Casper offers a 100-night sleep trial: if you’re not happy with your purchase, they’ll pick it up, do all the packing, and give you a full refund. Plus, unlike some of the other options on this list, Casper actually has a few physical stores, so you can test the mattress before you buy.
Thickness
In addition to bed size (standard options range from twin to California king), you’ll also want to consider the thickness of your mattress. Thickness is sometimes associated with comfort, but a high-quality 10-inch mattress will probably be more comfortable than a thicker, lower-quality option. Mattress thickness also affects how well your sheets fit on the bed—thick mattresses usually require fitted sheets with deep pockets.
Firmness
Mattresses range from soft/plush to firm, with medium-soft and medium-firm options in between. Why does firmness matter? If your mattress is too soft, it might be challenging to get in and out of bed. On the other hand, if your mattress is too firm, you may feel like you’re sleeping on a rock. When deciding the proper firmness for your needs, you’ll want to consider the position you sleep in (we’ll get to that in a bit), as well as your weight. Heavier people will sink deeper into a mattress, so the general rule of thumb is that the higher you are on the BMI scale, the firmer your mattress should be.
Sleep Position
When choosing a mattress, you’ll also want to consider your sleep position so you can find the most supportive and comfortable mattress. The position you sleep in often dictates what type of mattress is best for you, as different positions exert pressure on different parts of the body. For instance, those who sleep on their sides generally need a softer mattress, while stomach sleepers need a firmer mattress. Back sleepers have the most choice, as this sleep position spreads pressure across the body more evenly.People often run into problems when they sleep in one position and their partner sleeps in another. Several companies address this issue by either offering dual-zoned mattresses or blending various levels of firmness to minimize motion transfer and accommodate both of your needs.
Standout Features
Breathability
Do you tend to get warm during the night? Or do you always find yourself reaching for another blanket? The mattress you choose can play a big part in your ability to regulate temperature as you sleep.For instance, foam mattresses tend to retain a lot of heat during the night, which can be beneficial if you’re generally cold when sleeping. Innerspring mattresses are much more breathable and, as such, are often more comfortable for those who get hot while sleeping. If you’re looking for a mattress that doesn’t get too hot or leave you cold, a latex option might be best—they are great at temperature regulation.
Edge Support
Having extra reinforcement around the edges of your mattress is important for two reasons. First, if you sleep with a partner, neither of you wants to feel like you’re going to roll off the edge during the night. Second, edge support will make your mattress more stable when you sit on the side of it.If you’re buying an innerspring or foam mattress, you’ll want to check whether the edges are reinforced in some way, as these materials are more prone to sagging on the sides.
Motion Isolation
If your partner gets up before you or tosses and turns in the night, you know how important it is to have a mattress that limits motion transfer. Innerspring mattresses are the worst in these situations, as you’ll feel every movement your partner makes. For a product that reduces motion transfer, look into a memory foam or latex mattress instead.
Trial Periods
It takes about 30 days for your body to adjust to a new mattress, so most online mattress companies offer a no-risk trial, which lets you test the mattress in the comfort of your own home (often for 90 days or more). During the trial period, you can evaluate the mattress to see if it’s the right fit. If you decide it’s not the right fit, you’ll get a refund.
Why Trust The Spruce?
Theresa Holland is a seasoned commerce writer specializing in sleep, home design, wellness, and lifestyle. A contributor to The Spruce since 2019, she covers furniture, bedding, and cleaning products for us. Theresa sleeps on a Tuft & Needle mattress and has a Lucid in her guest room. She has also tried products from Purple, Layla, Avocado, and Saatva. On a personal timeline, the best time to buy a mattress is when your current one begins impacting the quality of your shut-eye. “At the end of the day, if your mattress is hindering a good night’s sleep in any way, it’s probably a good idea to think about replacing it,” says Foley. Steam cleaning can also work for mattresses. But again, be mindful of getting it too wet, and let it air-dry completely before putting bedding back on. It’s also a good idea to vacuum your mattress every month or so to keep dust, pet dander, pollen, and other allergens at bay. Another option is to sell it or just post it for free on an online marketplace such as Craigslist or Facebook. And if your main concern is physically transporting it out of your home, you might consider using a mattress removal service. For this roundup, Theresa interviewed two sleep experts and researched the various types, materials, and firmness of mattresses. With expert insight in mind, she combed through reviews, considering price range and availability, and pored over the key features and specs of dozens of models before landing on her final selections.
