I’ve tested every type of mattress out there, and have learned over the years that comfort is subjective. The best mattress for you might not be right for me. But a good mattress can make a huge difference to how well you sleep, so it's important to get it right.
You need a mattress that feels comfortable in the position you normally sleep in. It should provide good support around your hips and back to protect your spine, plus good pressure relief to reduce aches and pains. And that's where I can help.
I'm a Certified Sleep Science Coach, and I'll help you choose the right mattress for your sleep, body, and budget. My team has spent thousands of hours sleeping on, researching, and testing the latest mattresses over the last half decade, and I’ve ranked and rated the top-performing options for every sleeper and budget here, in this comprehensive guide to the best mattresses available. Right now, there are some fantastic early Cyber Monday mattress deals on all my top recommendations, so it's a great time to buy.
1. The best mattress of 2024
Quick summary
I’ve just finished fully re-testing the Saatva Classic mattress. After sleeping on this luxury innerspring hybrid for over three weeks, I can report that it’s still the best mattress of 2024. I recommend the Saatva to nearly all sleepers (and I’ve slept on a huge range of traditional and boxed mattresses during my work as Tom's Guide Senior Sleep Editor and a Certified Sleep Coach, so I have several comparison points to draw upon).
The Saatva Classic suits most people because it relieves painful pressure points, supports your lower back for healthy spine alignment, has strong edge support (you can sleep on every inch), and it doesn’t hang on to excess body heat. I’ve been struggling with hip and lower back pain for nearly two years, but since sleeping on the Classic that pain has disappeared while I’m sleeping. I can sleep comfortably on my side for hours at a time now.
While there are some great alternative mattresses in this guide for different budgets, no other mattress is the full package like the Saatva Classic.
Read what we liked, didn't like, test scores, and how to buy it ▼
It achieved the highest scores in all our in-house tests, becoming the first US mattress we've tested to be awarded a full 5 out of 5 star review score, and retaining our award of best mattress in 2024.
Our review: in more detail
The Saatva Classic is handcrafted in Saatva-owned factories located across America. It comes in three firmness levels (Plush Soft, Luxury Firm, Firm) and two heights (11.5” and 14.5”), so you can choose the comfort level and height that best suits your sleep position, weight, and bed frame. (The 14.5” model is not compatible with adjustable beds – it’s too tall.)
I recommend the Plush Soft Saatva Classic to people who weigh under 130lbs, and to lighter weight side sleepers who love soft mattresses. I sleep on a queen size 11.5” Luxury Firm Saatva Classic and recommend that specific combination to all sleepers who weigh over 130lbs but under 230lbs. People with heavier bodies weighing over 230lbs but under 300lbs should choose the Firm Classic. This will keep you on top of the mattress to prevent your spine from dipping (if it dips you’ll get back pain).
So who don’t I recommend the Saatva Classic to? Bed sharers who weigh over 300lbs each. Saatva’s flagship hybrid has a max weight capacity of 600lbs, which is lower than what comparable hybrids like The DreamCloud Hybrid (#2) and The WinkBed (see the Also Tested section) each support up to 1,000lbs. Both are cheaper than the Saatva Classic too (today it costs $1,695 for a queen compared to $665 for a queen DreamCloud and $1,499 for a queen WinkBed).
If you want a comfy, breathable and supportive mattress with a luxury hotel finish, I think the Saatva Classic should be top of your list
Whilst the Saatva Classic is the best choice for sleepers with general aches and pains, if you have chronic back or joint pain caused by arthritis then I recommend the Saatva RX instead (#6). My lead tester for the RX has intermittent back pain and mild scoliosis, but she didn’t experience any of her usual discomfort when sleeping on the RX.
Lauren, a member of our Saatva Classic Mattress testing panel, had a similar experience: “I don't usually sleep on my back because my spine is very curved, so that sleeping position causes me pain. But when I laid on the Saatva the surface contoured to my spine, making it exceptionally comfortable.”
The side and stomach sleepers on my team rate the Classic too. Eve, a Sleep Staff Writer involved in lab tests for the Saatva Classic, reports that, “The mattress is responsive and all sleep positions felt comfortable — which I particularly liked as someone who likes to switch between them.”
When we originally reviewed the Saatva Classic a few years ago we included a minor criticism of the motion isolation. After re-testing it and comparing the data to what we captured during motion isolation tests on every other mattress we’ve reviewed, I feel that the Classic should be upscored. The motion transfer is minor and I haven’t once been disturbed by my partner getting in and out of bed.
In addition to my testing, we have been running a year-long review on the Saatva Classic written by another professional mattress tester. She has reported favorably on the long-term support, comfort, build quality and durability of this mattress. In short, if you want a comfy, breathable and supportive mattress with a luxury hotel finish, and that’s built to last, I think the Saatva Classic should be top of your list.
What we like about it...
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✅ Great back support: One of our reviewers with mild scoliosis felt a big reduction in back pain when sleeping on the Saatva Classic. That's down to a high-density Lumbar Crown and Lumbar Zone Active Spinal Wire – two features that support the lower back and the keep spine correctly aligned during sleep.
✅ Doesn't retain heat: We have a number of hot sleepers on our wider review panel and each of them awarded the Saatva Classic a 4.5/5 score for temperature control. Air flows freely around the innersprings, and Saatva doubles down on dissipating heat with a breathable organic cotton cover.
✅ Uses non-toxic materials: The Saatva Classic isn't an all-organic mattress but it is fiberglass-free and made with some natural and certified organic materials, including a plant-based flame retardant made from thistle pulp. For a fully organic alternative, we recommend the Avocado Green Mattress instead.
What we don't like about it...
❌ Average weight capacity: The Saatva Classic weight capacity is 300lbs per sleeper, which is on the lower end compared to other mattresses in this guide. The Nectar (#5) is only fractionally better with a 650lb capacity, while the DreamCloud (#2) and Helix Midnight Luxe (#4) support up to 1,000lbs.
❌ Returns aren't free: Saatva charges a $99 fee if you want to return or exchange your mattress. It isn't alone in this either – Avocado also charges a $99 fee, Tempur-Pedic charges $175 for returns, and Naturepedic charges 10% of the mattress cost. Thankfully most other online mattress companies offer free returns.
| Features | In brief | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Support and comfort | Great for most body sizes, weights and sleeping styles, but not suitable for co-sleepers who weigh over 300lbs each. | ★★★★★ |
| Pressure relief | The best mattress we've tested for relieving pressure points all down the body. | ★★★★★ |
| Temperature control | Very good. None of our reviewers overheated while sleeping on the Saatva Classic. | ★★★★½ |
| Motion isolation | Some slight motion transfer from one side to the other, but our sleep wasn’t disturbed. | ★★★★ |
| Edge support | Stays firm when you get in and out of bed. | ★★★★★ |
| Build quality | Handcrafted and finished to a high standard – the best quality mattress we've tested. | ★★★★★ |
When, where and how to buy
Saatva mattresses are sold by Saatva itself, though we do sometimes see refurbished and past-season models popping up on mattress liquidator sites. There are 12 Saatva Viewing Rooms located across America, where you can lie on every Saatva mattress – and test out the brand's sleep accessories too (these are now also being sold via Saatva's Amazon store). While Saatva consultants are on hand to answer your questions, orders still need to be placed via the website.
Saatva Classic mattress prices fluctuate throughout the year, with the MSRP of a queen size normally settling around $2,095. You'll never pay full price though as there's a monthly Saatva mattress sale offering 10-15% discounts.
Based on our analysis of previous sales, the best time to buy the Saatva Classic used to be during the Labor Day sales. Last year it dropped to $1,595 (two years before that it cost $1,395 over Labor Day). During other major holiday sales you can expect to buy a queen Saatva Classic for $1,695, which is what we're seeing in this year's Saatva Black Friday sale with $400 off all sizes.
This is the best discount we'll get before Christmas, so now is a great time to buy – I so I see no reason to delay buying if you want the Saatva Classic.
The Saatva Classic is an excellent choice for most sleepers – as long as you can afford the premium price tag. It sleeps cool, delivers effective full-body pressure relief, and eases lower back pain (for chronic back pain, I recommend the Saatva RX instead). The build quality and handcrafted finish is also the best my team has tested. If you're shopping for a mattress that delivers luxury hotel vibes at home, this is the one.
Read more: Saatva Classic mattress review
2. The best mattress in a box
Quick summary
Even though I recommend the Saatva Classic (above) to most sleepers, it is expensive at $1,695 for a queen. So if you have a smaller budget, the DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid is my top recommendation for you. This mid-range hybrid performed very well during our in-house tests. Ok so it doesn’t have the same high build quality and finish like the Saatva Classic does, but at $665 for a queen I think it’s superb value for money.
I slept on the original version of the DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid (it has recently been redesigned). For me, comfort was the big difference between the two: the Saatva is instantly comfy with zero break-in period. The DreamCloud was too firm for me during the first two weeks, but then it softened and became very comfy for side and stomach sleeping. It was less contouring than the Saatva too, so I felt a bit of hip pain when lying on it.
My fellow tester, Jo Plumridge, who has longterm back pain, rates the DreamCloud’s pressure relief and back support. “Despite not having the advanced lumbar support that you’ll find in more expensive options, I’ve found that DreamCloud mattresses do an excellent job of promoting neutral spinal alignment, which is essential to lumbar support. “
Read what we liked, didn't like, test scores, and how to buy it ▼
When it comes to value for money, the DreamCloud is easily one of the best mattresses you can buy.
Our review: in more detail
The DreamCloud is the entry-level and most affordable model in the DreamCloud range of mattresses. At 12 inches tall, this eight-layer mattress-in-a-box is made from a mixture of memory foam, foam and steel coils, and it received an impressive 4.5 out of 5 stars from our reviewers after testing.
Our lead reviewer and a panel of volunteers slept on a DreamCloud mattress for three weeks. They found it to be at the firmer end of medium-firm, with great support for side, back and front sleeping. It took our petite and average-sized testers a little while to adjust to the firmness, but once they had, our lead reviewer called it one of the "coziest mattresses" she'd slept on yet. Our heavier tester, meanwhile, felt well-supported immediately.
We scored the DreamCloud very highly for temperature regulation. Even our warmest sleepers didn't break a sweat overnight.
It's a particularly good choice if you have back pain, but don't have the budget for the high-end Saatva RX further down in our guide. Our back sleeper praised the DreamCloud for alleviating pressure in his achy lower lumbar.
We also scored the DreamCloud very highly for temperature regulation. It isn't a dedicated cooling mattress like the Cocoon Chill at number seven – which is worth considering if you seriously struggle with overheating – but even our warmest sleepers didn't break a sweat overnight. However, edge support was lacking on our review model, particularly for our larger testers.
What we liked...
✅ Great for back and hip pain: The DreamCloud quickly adapted to our reviewers' bodies and provided support where they most needed it. It's a great choice for anyone struggling with back pain as it ensures your hips don't drop too low and your spine remains properly aligned.
✅ Absorbs motion well: The DreamCloud did a better job of isolating motion in our tests than the more expensive Saatva Classic: we scored it 4.5 out of 5. That makes it a good option if you share a bed with a restless sleeper, or go to bed at a different time to your partner – you're less likely to be disturbed.
✅ Suitable for heavier bodies: The DreamCloud has a heavier weight capacity than the Saatva: it can support up to 1,000lbs, with a maximum of 500lbs on each side. The firmer feel also means that heavier people are more likely to find it comfortable than very light-weight sleepers.
What we didn't like...
❌ Edge support could be better: We only gave the DreamCloud 3.5 out of 5 for edge support. It's fine for smaller bodies, but our taller and heavier sleepers found the edges too weak when getting out of bed. This is likely to be an issue for anyone with mobility issues, so if you need excellent edge support we'd recommend the Saatva or Winkbed instead.
❌ Some will find it too firm: DreamCloud rates the mattress as a 6.5 out of 10 on the firmness scale, but our panel assessed it as closer to 8. Light-weight people are more likely to find it too firm, especially if they sleep on their sides. If that's you, try the Helix Midnight Luxe at number four instead: it's designed specifically for side sleepers.
| Features | In brief | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Support and comfort | Suits back and stomach sleepers most, though it is quite firm to begin with. | ★★★★½ |
| Pressure relief | Great for relieving pressure on the hips, shoulders and lower back; eased our tester's lower back pain. | ★★★★½ |
| Temperature control | Moisture-wicking cover is breathable and stays cool to the touch; individually-wrapped coils boost airflow through the mattress. | ★★★★½ |
| Motion isolation | Performed well in our drop tests, stopping most motion transferring from one side to the other. | ★★★★ |
| Edge support | Our heavier build reviewers didn't feel supported when getting in / out of bed, or when sleeping up to the edge | ★★★½ |
| Build quality | Good build quality and finish for the price. Customers who have owned it for three years or more say it’s still comfy and supportive. | ★★★★½ |
Where, when and how to buy
The DreamCloud is an online-only mattress and is officially priced between $839 for a twin and $2,178 for a split king, but it's permanently sold with a 40-50% discount (it's been half price all year so far). Prices don't tend to fluctuate by much. Here's what the DreamCloud usually costs:
- Twin: $449 (MSRP $839)
- Twin XL: $545 (MSRP $1,089)
- Full: $599 (MSRP $1,199)
- Queen: $665 (MSRP $1,232)
- King: $835 (MSRP $1,669)
- Cal king: $835 (MSRP $1,669)
- Split king: $1,090 (MSRP $2,178)
The DreamCloud Black Friday sale is now live with up to 50% off all sizes and an extra $100 off DreamCloud purchases worth $1,000 or more. That's the first time I've seen an extra saving on the largest sizes of the mattress.
Last year, it actually cost more in November than it did in October, at $799 for a queen. We didn't see a cheaper price on Memorial Day this year, either: the brand just continued its existing prices.
Our advice is: if you see the prices above, it's as good a time as any to buy the DreamCloud. You're not getting a rare deal, but you're almost certainly paying the lowest price possible.
While the Saatva comes with free shipping and installation, the DreamCloud mattress-in-a-box is shipped to your door unless you pay an extra $199 for White Glove Delivery. That said, it matches the same benefits on offer with Saatva: a forever warranty and year’s sleep trial. The trial is free too, but Saatva charges a $99 returns and exchanges fee.
The DreamCloud packs a real punch in the value-for-money stakes. The only reason it didn't take the number one spot here is that, side by side, the Saatva Classic is a better mattress: it's more luxurious, more supportive and more customizable for a wider range of people. But it also has a much higher price tag. If you're looking for a more affordable mattress but still want a quality feel and excellent support, I wholeheartedly recommend giving the DreamCloud a go. It comes with a one-year trial so you can make sure it's right.
Read more: DreamCloud mattress review
3. The best affordable mattress
Quick summary
The Siena Memory Foam Mattress sits at the top of our affordable mattress rankings. I tried it recently when it arrived at our Sleep Studio for full re-testing and was impressed by the overall quality. It’s much better than the Linenspa (number 9 in this guide and on sale for $165 in a queen today compared to $379 for a queen Siena). The edge support is also very good for a cheap mattress. However it’s much firmer than Siena Sleep advertises. I’d rate it as a 9 out of 10 on the firmness scale, rather than the medium firm rating (6-7 out of 10) given by Siena Sleep, and my fellow testers agree.
The stomach sleepers on the team found the Siena Memory Foam to be very comfortable, but we all agree that side and back sleepers will need more pressure relief. A good alternative would be the Nectar Classic Memory Foam below, which is on the firmer side of medium firm but crucially offers more contouring than the Siena. It is more expensive though at $699 for a queen Nectar compared to $379 for a queen Siena. While the Siena isn’t the best memory foam mattress it does perform well for the price, with surprisingly good temperature regulation for an all-foam mattress – most people should sleep comfortably cool on this one.
Read what we liked, didn't like, test scores, and how to buy it ▼
Overall, if you want the 'hug' of memory foam, you'll need to upgrade to the Nectar at number four. Otherwise, the Siena is a great option for anyone on a tight budget and it's in this position instead of the Nectar because of its strong performance for the lower price.
Our review: in more detail
The Siena Memory Foam sits within the budget mattress market, going up against rival brands including Linenspa, Allswell Home, Zinus, and Lucid. While the Siena is our top recommendation because it's the better all-rounder, choose the Zinus if you want a more contouring, body-hug feel (and don't want to spend more on the mid-range Nectar). And if you're looking for a bouncier budget mattress, we recommend the Allswell Hybrid (10 inch) instead.
We slept on the Siena Memory Foam for four weeks and awarded it a total score of 4.5/5 after testing. Our reviewers enjoyed sleeping on the Siena mattress but only when stomach and back sleeping.
If you love a firm foam mattress and mostly sleep on your stomach or back, the Siena is hard to beat at this price
Our lead tester and wider review panel didn't find it comfortable for side sleeping to begin with, and only after a longer break-in period (around week four) did it begin to soften for better pressure relief along the shoulders, knees and hips during side sleeping.
Frances Daniels, my Sleep Staff Writer who worked on the full re-test of the Siena Memory Foam mattress reported that, “The Siena Memory Foam Mattress certainly lives up to its reputation as a mattress for stomach sleepers. My fellow testers and I unanimously agreed that it felt the most comfortable in that position.
"It also has incredibly low motion transfer, too, scoring high in our motion isolation re-tests. While I didn't think the edge support was as strong as the initial reviewers made it out to be, it was still very sturdy – I never felt as though I was going to roll out of bed.”
While there's plenty to like about the Siena Memory Foam Mattress for the budget cost, we take issue with the medium-firm rating Siena Sleep uses. To us, it felt much firmer than a medium-firm (normally rated as a 6.5 out of 10 on the firmness scale). We actually rate it as a 9/10, softening to an 8/10 after a few weeks of sleeping on it.
So if you want a budget memory foam mattress, try the Zinus Green Tea Memory Foam Mattress instead (from $249 at Zinus). But if you love a firm foam mattress and mostly sleep on your stomach or back, the Siena is hard to beat at this price.
What we like about it...
✅ Great value for money: There are plenty of affordable mattresses online, but very few perform well in all areas. The Siena is an exception, outperforming its price tag in most areas. It isn't the best mattress ever, but it does offer a good mix of support and cooling comfort for a budget price.
✅ Isolates motion well: We know from testing a large range of memory foam mattresses that they're generally the best option for stopping motion from being transferred from one side of a mattress to the other. The Siena performed well in our motion isolation tests, making it a good choice for restless sleepers.
✅ Strong edge support: Again, cheaper mattresses normally fall down on edge support, but we were impressed with the Siena's take during testing. Our reviewer could sleep right up to the edges and still feel supported, and found it easy to get in and out of the mattress.
What we don't like about it...
❌ Firmer than advertised: Both our lead reviewer and our wider testing panel felt the Siena was much firmer than the advertised medium-firm. We initially rated it as a 9 out of 10, which softened to an 8 over time. It'll feel softer to people weighing over 250lbs, so is worth considering by heavier-bodied sleepers.
❌ No memory foam 'hug': That high firmness level means that this memory foam mattress doesn't hug the body. Some of our testing panel were disappointed by this, but the advantage of not sinking into your mattress is that you're less likely to overheat – so hot sleepers, this could work in your favor.
| Features | In brief | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Support and comfort | Suits back and stomach sleepers most, though it is quite firm to begin with (needs a longer breaking in period). | ★★★★ |
| Pressure relief | Decent for back and stomach sleepers, but lightweight side sleepers will need a more contouring mattress to relieve pressure points. | ★★★½ |
| Temperature control | Good for an-all memory foam mattress – the hot sleepers on our testing panel slept comfortably during summer testing periods. | ★★★★ |
| Motion isolation | Better than the Saatva and DreamCloud, making it perfect for bed-sharing heavier people who switch sleep positions during the night. | ★★★★½ |
| Edge support | Strong for all body weights along all perimeters of the mattress. Easy to get in and out of. | ★★★★ |
| Build quality | Surprisingly good for an affordable memory foam mattress - our testers expect it to last up to eight years). | ★★★★ |
When, where and how to buy
The Siena Memory Foam Mattress is sold online at Siena Sleep and Amazon. It's never been sold at full price – it's had up to a 50 per cent discount since the day it was launched. Typically you can buy a twin for $199, a queen for $399 and $499 for a king, but a really good deal will reduce the price of a queen from the standard sale price of $399 to $379.
Because there's hardly any difference in the sale price of the Siena Memory Foam Mattress month to month, even during major holiday sales, you don't need to rush to buy it. Prices are pretty static.
Shipping is free, with the mattress delivered in a box by FedEX within two to five business days of your order being processed. If you change your mind you can cancel your order before it's fully processed, but otherwise Siena Sleep won't accept returns before 30 days (that's to give your body enough time to adjust to it). Be aware that if you leave the mattress unopened in its box for more than 90 days, you'll void the returns policy and your warranty.
Siena Sleep offers a longer trial and warranty compared to many budget mattresses, with a 180-night sleep trial and 10-year warranty. All benefits are available when you shop the Siena at Amazon, but we'd recommend buying directly from Siena Sleep because occasionally we see refund claims becoming more complicated when mattresses have been bought via Amazon.
The Siena Memory Foam Mattress performs well for the lower price, achieving high test scores for edge support, temperature regulation and for how it reduces motion transferring from one side to the other. I rarely see affordable mattresses testing well in all of these key areas, so I recommend the Siena to people wanting a firmer mattress without paying over $500 for a king size. Skip it if you're a side sleeper though – for my team, it's too firm and doesn't have enough contouring for that position. There I'd recommend the Helix Midnight Luxe instead.
Read more: Siena Memory Foam Mattress review
The best memory foam mattress
Quick summary
The Nectar Classic Memory Foam is the new version of the Original Nectar mattress and after sleeping on them both, I definitely prefer the feel of this new model. I've grown to prefer hybrid mattresses in general, but the Nectar Classic is slightly firmer than most all-foam mattresses I've tested (I never felt like I was sinking down into it). Emily Peck, the lead tester for our new Nectar Classic review had a similar experience: "I was surprised at just how much I liked sleeping on the Nectar Classic. An all-foam design would never be my first choice as I like the gentle bounce a spring mattress offers, but this design has made me see things differently."
The Nectar Classic Memory Foam is the highest-scoring foam-based mattress in our rankings, offering a better balance of comfort and support for the price than its nearest rivals, the Cocoon Chill (#7) and Siena (#3). You sink into this mattress slightly while you sleep: it contours to your body to provide cushioning support, giving you more of the classic memory foam 'hug' than the firmer Siena. (If you prefer a more traditional mattress feel, try a spring-based hybrid instead, like the DreamCloud.)
Our reviewers felt well-supported in all sleeping positions – it's particularly good for side and back sleepers. We also found the Nectar to be cooler than most other memory foam mattresses we've tested. However, if you're a hot sleeper on a budget, consider the Cocoon Chill (if you like to sink into your mattress) or the DreamCloud at number two (if you prefer to sleep on top of it).
Read what we liked, didn't like, test scores, and how to buy it ▼
The Nectar Classic isn't the most luxe mattress here, but it's a great all-rounder, and if you like the feel of memory foam it's well worth choosing over the Siena.
Our review: in more detail
The Nectar Memory Foam mattress is the most affordable in Nectar Sleep's range of mattresses. Its closest competitors on price are the Cocoon Chill – a foam-based mattress with dedicated cooling properties that costs around $50 more – and the hybrid DreamCloud, which costs around $50 less.
This lower mid-range mattress has five layers, including a breathable cooling cover and a two-inch layer of gel-infused memory foam. Our reviewers felt the mattress did an excellent job of keeping them cool while they slept (even if the cover of our review model wasn't 'cool to touch', as Nectar advertises).
Overall, our reviewers slept well on it. They liked how it shaped gently to their bodies while they slept, providing tailored pressure relief around their shoulders, hips and back, while keeping their spines aligned. We especially recommend it for side and front sleeping.
My lead tester for the Nectar Classic adds: "I usually sleep on my side and back – changing from side to side at night as I’m a light sleeper (I’ve got kids) – but I found myself sleeping deeply on this mattress. I even woke up one morning having been nestled snugly on my front.
“It's quite a firm and dense mattress and a tension above what I would normally choose, but the thick 12" design has a uniquely sumptuous feel to it." While we rate it as on the firmer side of medium-firm, if you like firmer mattresses you're better off choosing the DreamCloud (number two). There isn't much between them price-wise, with a queen Nectar Classic priced $649 versus $665 for a queen DreamCloud.
What we liked...
✅ Impressive cooling for a foam mattress
We were thoroughly impressed with how comfortable the Nectar mattress kept our lead reviewer, who's prone to sleeping warm: we gave it 4 out of 5 stars for temperature regulation. Still, if you're a chronic overheater, consider the Cocoon Chill mattress, which has a more effective cooling cover.
✅ Good relief for sore joints
This mattress is slightly firmer than other memory foam options we've tested (we rated it 7.5 out of 10, rather than 6.5 as Nectar does), but we found it contoured comfortably to cushion our joints. Yes, more expensive mattresses like the Saatva RX (#6) will do a better job, but the Nectar does well for the money.
✅ Absorbs motion well
The Nectar excels when it comes to isolating motion: we gave it 4.5 out of 5 in our tests. This makes it a very good choice if you share a mattress with a partner who fidgets or goes to bed at a different time to you – you're much less likely to disturb each other.
What we didn't like
❌ Some people will need more support
Heavier bodies, front sleepers and some back sleepers will need a firmer mattress than the Nectar Memory Foam to keep their spines properly aligned. The Saatva Contour5 mattress is a more expensive but better memory foam option, and comes in three different firmness levels.
❌ The edges could be sturdier
The cheaper Siena mattress beat the Nectar on edge support in our tests: we awarded the former a full five stars, whereas the Nectar receives 4 out of 5 stars (which beats the score on the Original Nectar – 3.5/5 for edge support, so the design is improving). If you have mobility issues, try the Saatva Classic instead.
❌ Not enough bounce for some
The flip side of scoring highly for motion isolation is that the Nectar Memory Foam doesn't have any bounce. That's only an issue if you prefer your mattress to have some bounce – you'll want a spring-based hybrid mattress if so, such as the Saatva Classic or DreamCloud.
| Features | In brief | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Support and comfort | Not as contouring as softer memory foam mattresses and our testers preferred that; excellent support for side and back sleeping. | ★★★★ |
| Pressure relief | Ample cushioning for the shoulders and hips. Tested well for relieving pressure in all back and side sleeping positions in particular. | ★★★★½ |
| Temperature control | Sleeps cooler than many all-foam rivals, but chronic overheaters on a budget should choose the Cocoon by Sealy Chill. | ★★★★ |
| Motion isolation | One of its strongest features. Our reviewer was impressed with how little it transferred motion from one side of the mattress to the other. | ★★★★★ |
| Edge support | Yes our tester could sit on the edge without slipping down, but the edge support isn't as strong as with others in this guide. | ★★★★ |
| Build quality | Finished to a decent standard for an affordable memory foam mattress. The quality of materials should help the Nectar last several years at least. | ★★★★ |
When, when and how to buy
The Nectar Memory Foam mattress is never sold at list price. There's always a 40-50% discount, keeping it at the bottom of the mid-range tier and making it very good value for money. Here's what you can usually expect to pay:
- Twin: $349 (MSRP: $699)
- Twin XL: $549 (MSRP: $899)
- Full: $599 (MSRP: $949)
- Queen: $649 (MSRP: $1,099)
- King: $849 (MSRP: $1,399)
- Cal King: $849 (MSRP: $1,399)
- Split king: $1,098 (MSRP: $1,798)
Nectar launched a flash sale last month on queen size mattresses only, with the highlight being the queen Nectar Classic which dropped to $599 (previously the cheapest price was $629). That sale has now ended but you can still save up to 50% on all Nectars, plus an extra $100 on orders worth $1,000 or more in the Nectar Black Friday sale.
We track all the Nectar mattress sales each month and our best advice is: if you're seeing a price similar to those above, you're getting the normal discount. Anything higher, it's worth waiting for prices to drop again (they likely will soon) – and anything lower is a (rare) very good deal indeed.
I highly recommend the new Nectar Classic if you love the contouring support of memory foam but with a firmer feel. The Nectar isn't in the same league as luxury mattresses like the Saatva Classic, but you do get a good level of comfort and support for the money, and because it's medium firm it shouldn't take too long to adjust to after sleeping on a regular box spring. My team found it most comfortable for back sleeping, but I'm a side sleeper and I was comfortable on the Nectar Classic Memory Foam too. Read more: Nectar Classic Memory Foam mattress review
5. The best mattress for side sleepers
Quick summary
The Helix Midnight Luxe is a hybrid mattress designed especially for side sleepers, though we found it comfortable for back sleeping too. After testing it for over seven weeks, we now rate it as our top mattress for side sleepers because it delivers excellent pressure relief around the shoulders, hips and knees – all major impact points when lying on your side. The Midnight Luxe is 13.5" tall and comes in a medium feel, which we rate as a 6 out of 10 on the firmness scale. The thick pillow top adds an immediate hit of softness, but you won't dip down into any subsequent layers as you would on a memory foam mattress.
At $1,780 for a queen on sale the Helix Midnight Luxe is one of the more expensive options among our top nine mattresses, but as with the Saatva Classic the build quality and durability are superb. The Midnight Luxe is 13.5" tall and comes in a medium feel (we rate it as a 6/10). It's a big upgrade on the original 11.5" Midnight, our previous best choice for side sleepers, with a taller build, extra comfort layer and pillow top. The midnight Luxe is also more expensive at $1,780 for a queen compared to $999 for a queen Midnight when both are on sale.
Read what we liked, didn't like, test scores, and how to buy it ▼
Despite the price, no other mattress comes close to the Helix Midnight Luxe for comfy side sleeping. That said, if you're shopping for a soft mattress for side sleepers, then take a look at the Amerisleep AS3 in our Also Tested section.
Our review: in more detail
The Helix Midnight Luxe is a premium hybrid mattress made of six layers, starting with a breathable Tencel cover that can be upgraded to Helix's GlacioTex Cooling Cover for an additional $187. If you sleep hot, this is worth the investment. If you don't overheat in bed, it's an unnecessary expense.
Our lead reviewer for the Helix Midnight Luxe regularly experienced hip pain during sleep prior to testing this mattress. That stopped during her first night of sleeping on the Helix, and her lower back pain eased too. This is down to the enhanced lumbar support, with our reviewer stating that, “Edge support is pretty good and motion isolation is excellent, but pressure relief during side sleeping is where the Helix Midnight Luxe excels.”
If you're shopping for a super-comfy side sleeper mattress with great lumbar support, the Helix Midnight Luxe is our pick
The Helix Midnight Luxe is made with premium memory foam layers that cradle the hips and shoulders, adding pressure relief without you sinking too far into the mattress and out of alignment (which would cause back pain). That zoned lumbar support we mentioned above prevents sagging of your hips during sleep, again to keep your spine correctly aligned.
The temperature regulation is also excellent, and during a seven-week stint of sleeping on the standard Tencel cover our lead reviewer didn’t overheat. However, she did test the Helix Midnight Luxe during winter and she isn't a self-confessed hot sleeper. Hybrid mattresses are also better at dissipating heat than all-foam beds.
While we rate the Midnight Luxe as a medium feel, some customer reviews criticise the mattress for being much firmer than expected. But the user reviews we analysed didn't provide any information about body weights – a key factor in how supportive and contouring a mattress will feel for you.
Our main criticism of the Midnight Luxe is that Helix has designed it without any handles for easy moving, which is frustrating considering how heavy this mattress is (120lbs for a queen). Mattresses need to be rotated regularly to spread out wear and tear, so having to do this without handles is an inconvenience.
A lack of handles for moving is a minor niggle though, as on the whole the Helix Midnight Luxe is an excellent quality mattress. If you're shopping for a super-comfy side sleeper mattress with great lumbar support, the Helix Midnight Luxe is our top pick.
What we like about it...
✅ Superb pressure relief: The premium quilted pillow top provides fantastic pressure relief across the shoulders, hips and knees – so exactly where it's needed when side sleeping. Our lead reviewer is prone to hip pain and numb hips when sleeping on her side, but it disappeared when sleeping on the Midnight Luxe.
✅ Enhanced lumbar support: Zoned lumbar support combined with premium memory foam and Copper Gel memory foam means that the Luxe is supportive and comfortable for back sleepers, too. This additional support is why we also recommend this bed for side sleepers with back pain.
✅ Great motion isolation: The combination of responsive foams, including a DuraFoam base layer, underpins the overall stability of the Helix Midnight Luxe and isolates motion very well. So your partner is tossing and turning in bed next to you, you're unlikely to know about it.
What we don't like about it...
❌ GlacioTex cover is slippery: We reviewed the Helix Midnight Luxe with the Tencel cover that comes as standard, but verified consumer reviews suggest that while upgrading to the GlacioTex cover provides better cooling, it does make the surface of the mattress slightly more slippery.
❌ Lacks handles for moving: At 13.5" tall and weighing 120lbs for a queen, the Helix Midnight Luxe is a tall and heavy hybrid mattress. The lack of handles makes lifting or moving it incredibly difficult. In comparison, the 14.5" Saatva Classic has inbuilt handles to make manoeuvring the mattress much easier.
| Features | In brief | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Support and comfort | Medium firm feel is super-comfy for side sleeping, with a plush pillow top delivering sink-in softness. | ★★★★ |
| Pressure relief | Excellent. The best mattress we've tested for relieving pressure on hips, shoulders and knees when side sleeping. | ★★★★½ |
| Temperature control | Doesn't retain heat, and the Tencel cover has a cool-touch feel. Very hot sleepers should upgrade to the GlacioTex cooling cover. | ★★★★ |
| Motion isolation | Superb, performing well in all our drop weight tests. An excellent choice for restless side sleepers. | ★★★★½ |
| Edge support | Full perimeter edge support for better overall stability. Easy to get in and out of, and we slept supported right up to the edges. | ★★★★ |
| Build quality | Made to a high standard using premium materials. A close rival to the Saatva Classic for build quality. | ★★★★½ |
When, where and how to buy
Historically, the best time to buy the Helix Midnight Luxe has been during the Black Friday mattress deals and sales in late November each year. After Black Friday there are four further major sales: Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day and Cyber Monday. Last Black Friday, the Helix Midnight Luxe was reduced by 25% and came with a free bedding bundle worth up to $330.
The new Helix mattress sale is offering 27% off with a queen size Midnight Luxe now costing $1,780 (was $2,373) with a free luxury bedding bundle in the Labor Day sales. The bedding bundle is better than the two free pillows we see most months, but the cash discount is a little smaller compared to the best discount of 30% spotted a few months ago.
In between sales, you can expect a fairly decent 20% off the Helix Midnight Luxe and you'll get two free Helix Dream pillows. With that saving a twin costs $1,099 (was $1,373), a queen costs $1,899 (was $2,373) and a king costs $2,299 (was $2,873.80).
Helix makes some of the best speciality mattresses in America – I rate the brand's Dusk Luxe for stomach sleepers, and the Midnight Luxe is my top pick for side sleepers. The Helix Midnight Luxe replaces the original Midnight (perfect if you want something more affordable – $999 for a queen at Helix), offering deeper pressure relief, extra comfort layers and a cooler feel. My lead tester's main criticism was purely cosmetic – no handles for moving, which does seem like a strange omission considering how heavy this hybrid is. If you sleep on your side and want the best for your position regardless of price, here it is.
Read more: Helix Midnight Luxe mattress review
6. The best mattress for back pain
Quick summary
The Saatva RX is a specialist hybrid innerspring mattress for back and joint pain, and we recommend it as the best option for people who need robust back support and pressure relief to ease pain that would otherwise disturb their sleep. While there are other mattresses here that reduce general aches and pains - such as the Saatva Classic and DreamCloud at number one and two - the Saatva RX is the only one with specific features designed with chronic pain in mind.
These center around Saatva's new Therapeutic Support Core, which enables the RX to adjust to your body when you move. In turn this reduces pressure points and boosts circulation – two crucial factors for reducing the amount of back and joint pain you feel when lying down. We found the Saatva RX doesn't retain much heat either. That's good, because heat build-up in a mattress can lead to restless sleep for some people, and tossing and turning in bed when you already have back or joint issues will make your pain worse.
Read what we liked, didn't like, test scores, and how to buy it▼
The Saatva RX is expensive at $2,895 for a queen, so for smaller budgets - or general pain - we recommend the mid-range WinkBed (#9) instead.
Our review: In more detail
The Saatva RX innerspring hybrid is designed for people with chronic lower and upper back pain, as well as joint conditions such as arthritis, herniated discs, scoliosis and sciatica. It's the first mattress of its kind in the US to tackle these types of pain and we spent over four weeks reviewing it to see if it actually works.
Our lead tester for the Saatva RX has mild scoliosis and long-term lower back pain following an injury, and she slept comfortably on the RX from the first night, scoring it 4.5/5 overall for comfort and pressure relief versus support. This is down to Saatva's Therapeutic Support Core technology – it ensures the RX responds to your movements in bed, placing varying levels of support at different points of your body depending on the position you sleep in. To us, it has a similar feel to the GelFlex Grid technology in Purple mattresses.
If back and joint pain keep you awake at night, the Saatva RX is well worth the investment for comfier, deeper sleep
In our review, we rated the Saatva RX for temperature regulation, pressure relief and full back support, and found it most comfortable for back and stomach sleeping. We think it's too firm for side side sleepers and would instead recommend The Helix Midnight Luxe (number four) if you want a breathable hybrid mattress for side sleeping with back and hip pain. The Helix is cheaper, too, at $1,780 for a queen when on sale, versus $2,895 for a queen RX.
The Saatva RX does transfer some motion from one side of the mattress to the other, which is common with innerspring hybrids. The benefit of slight motion transfer for people with back and joint pain is that it will help you move more easily into a new sleeping position so you aren't struggling to move. The downside is that if you share your mattress with a heavier person who also tosses and turns all night, their movements could aggravate your pain. However, after sleeping on and testing the Saatva RX, we feel the pressure relief and responsive support it delivers outweighs the small motion transfer.
Overall we rate the RX for reducing painful pressure points, adding support where it's needed, and preventing heat from building up. If back and joint pain keep you awake at night, the Saatva RX mattress is well worth the investment for more comfortable, deeper sleep.
What we like about it...
✅ Full back support: The Saatva RX focuses on upper and lower back pain by adding varying levels of support and comfort to different parts of your back depending on the position you're sleeping in. Gel-infused foam doubles down on easing pain by keeping your spine in healthy alignment during sleep.
✅ Contouring pressure relief: The Saatva RX has a gentle cradling feel, reducing major pressure points along the body so you feel less pain along when sleeping. It won't suck you down into the mattress like a memory foam bed would, but it will lightly hug your curves all while adding a little bounce to the mattress.
✅ Free installation: You don't want to wrestle with a heavy hybrid mattress if you have back and joint pain, so Saatva's free white glove delivery is a benefit. This includes free unpacking and installation of the Saatva RX in your bedroom, plus removal of shipping materials and your old mattress and bed frame.
What we don't like about it...
❌ Average max weight capacity: The Saatva RX supports a maximum weight of 300lbs per sleeper, but we know from research into BMI and back pain that a lot of people with heavier bodies have chronic back and joint pain. We feel the weight capacity of the RX is lacking for a specialist back pain mattress.
❌ Too firm for side sleeping: Our lead reviewer for the RX is a side sleeper of average weight and she found the Saatva RX too firm for just sleeping on her side. Members of our wider testing panel for the RX reported the same, saying there isn't enough plushness or contouring for comfortable side sleeping.
| Features | In brief | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Support and comfort | On the firmer side of medium-firm, with just enough cushioning to sink-in a little without affecting spinal alingment. | ★★★★½ |
| Pressure relief | Very effective, removing all pressure points for most testers on our panel apart from a lighter weight sleeper with several herniated discs. | ★★★★½ |
| Temperature control | Doesn't hang on to excess body heat and is excellent at wicking away sweat and moisture for cool and dry sleep. | ★★★★½ |
| Motion isolation | Buncier than you'd expect, with motion transfer from one side to the other. Could be a deal-breaker if you bedshare with a restless sleeper. | ★★★ |
| Edge support | Strong. Sturdy edges make it easy and safe to get in and out of bed – and to get dressed while sitting at the foot of the bed. | ★★★★ |
| Build quality | Handcrafted in the US, just like the Saatva Classic (#1), from premium and organic materials, including plant-based fire retardant. | ★★★★½ |
When, where and how to buy
Most months the Saatva RX is $400 off in every size, with the biggest discounts saving you 15%. So in an average month you can buy a queen size Saatva RX for $2,895 (was $3,295) on sale, versus $2,801 with an increased discount of 15%. We normally see 15% off the Saatva RX starting just before major holiday sales including Presidents' Day, Memorial Day and 4th of July. This 15% discount usually ends once the holiday sale has finished, with Saatva reverting back to its standard $400 discount on the RX.
So the best time to buy the Saatva RX mattress is just before or during a major sale – right now Saatva's Labor Day sale is offering $400 off all sizes of the RX. We expect to see this saving again when this year's Black Friday mattress deals arrive in November.
You can only buy new Saatva mattresses through the brand's own website, though we occasionally see refurbished models being sold on mattress liquidator sites. The trade-off for a much cheaper Saatva bed (in addition to it being a refurbished or past-season model) is no sleep trial and a shorter warranty compared to Saatva's year-long sleep trial and lifetime warranty. Plus you'll only get standard shipping (no free mattress installation and old bed removal).
There are also 12 Saatva Viewing Rooms located across America if you would rather see and feel the Saatva RX mattress in real-life before buying.
Physical pain when lying down makes it harder for you to fall asleep and stay asleep. If the back or joint pain you're experiencing is a long-term situation, I recommend investing in the Saatva RX hybrid. It's expensive at $2,895 for a queen, but our testers with chronic back pain and conditions such as scoliosis slept better after just one night on the RX. The $99 returns fee is annoying when most other brands offer free returns, but otherwise the Saatva RX is an excellent specialist mattress. Alternatively, if you only have general aches and pains, save your money and buy the Saatva Classic at number one instead.
Read more: Saatva RX mattress review
7. The best cooling mattress
Quick summary
The Bear Elite Hybrid is a luxury cooling mattress made with cooling gel, graphite and copper to draw away excess heat. And there’s nothing like it in our guide to this year’s top mattresses, thanks to its use of Celliant-infused material that recycles body heat to help you fall asleep faster, sleep for longer, and wake up with more energy. After nearly a month’s testing it is now our top choice for hot sleepers with lower back pain, and for people who want to experiment with how temperature can aid sleep quality and duration.
The Bear Elite Hybrid has a similar design to the Saatva Classic luxury innerspring hybrid (#1), but with less luxury finishes, weaker edge support (evident during our tests), and a shorter sleep trial. It comes in three firmness levels (Soft, Medium, Firm) just like the Saatva Classic, but only one height (14” compared to the Saatva’s choice of two heights). The Bear Elite Hybrid mattress typically costs $1,614 for a queen size when on sale and you get $400 worth of free bedding.
Read what we liked, didn't like, test scores, and how to buy it ▼
Our testers recommend the Bear Elite Hybrid as an excellent choice for hot sleepers with lower back pain, and for people who want a mattress that helps them maximize recovery after intense workouts. You will need to pay for the Celliant-infused cover upgrade to reap that benefit though.
Our review: in more detail
The 14” Bear Elite Hybrid is a five-layer coil and foam mattress made in America from fiberglass-free and non-toxic materials, including CertiPUR-US Certified foams. It has won a slew of sleep awards and scored a near-perfect 4.5 out of 5 stars in our in-depth review, performing well at motion isolation, cooling, and pressure relief in particular.
This score puts it in the same league as the Saatva Classic (#1), but our testers feel that the Saatva edges the Bear mattress in terms of build quality, more custom options, and stronger lumbar support and pressure relief. Saatva’s year-long sleep trial and free White Glove Delivery also trump Bear’s 120-night trial and free standard shipping, though both brands offer a market-leading lifetime warranty.
Our lead tester fell asleep in mere minutes every night she slept on the Bear Elite Hybrid, and woke up with less pain
Our lead tester slept on a medium-firm queen size Bear Elite Hybrid mattress with Celliant-infused cover for over three weeks. Celliant-powered fabrics essentially use infrared technology to recycle body heat, with claims that it increases circulation.
The benefits of Celliant are falling asleep faster, sleeping for longer, and a higher level of tissue oxygenation to give you more energy upon waking. (The FDA has determined that products containing Celliant are medical devices because they intend to temporarily increase blood flow.) Our lead tester fell asleep in mere minutes every night she slept on the Bear Elite Hybrid, and woke up with less pain.
While we firmly believe good sleep hygiene is the best way to achieve better sleep quality and duration, we would welcome more testing into the power of Celliant to prove that it can help you fall asleep faster, get more quality sleep and wake up feeling more refreshed.
We feel that $1,614 for a queen size Bear Elite Hybrid is great value for a top-rated luxury hybrid mattress – the Saatva Classic usually costs $1,795 on sale, and instead of bedding you get free White Glove Delivery (free mattress installation and old bed removal).
Bear Mattress offers White Glove Delivery too but it isn’t free (costs start from $100). While both mattresses are fiberglass-free and made with non-toxic materials, Saatva has a higher count of organic materials and the finish on our Saatva review model was of a higher standard than that on our Bear review model.
What we like about it...
✅ All-night cooling: The use of cooling gels and naturally cooling materials graphite and copper create a highly breathable, cool-touch mattress that quickly dissipates excess body heat. Our testers slept comfortably throughout the review period on the Bear Elite Hybrid, even during hot weather. For a cheaper cooling mattress, try the Cocoon by Sealy Chill (#8).
✅ Lower back support: We rate the Bear Elite Hybrid as the best choice for stomach and back sleepers because it delivers superb zoned support. This helps keep the spine in healthy alignment to prevent dips that would otherwise cause lower back pain. Though if you have chronic joint and back pain, we recommend the Saatva RX (#6) instead.
✅ Strong motion isolation: When you have physical pain, sharing a bed with a restless sleeper is a nightmare as their tossing and turning sends shockwaves into your body, making your pain worse. The Bear Elite Hybrid stops most motion transferring from one side of the mattress to the other, so you’ll sleep more peacefully each night.
What we don't like about it...
❌ Inconsistent edge support: Edge support is where we marked this mattress down, especially because the edge support at the foot of the mattress (where a person might sit to put on their shoes) was weak on our test model.
❌ Slight off gassing smell: This is completely normal with boxed mattresses and it isn’t dangerous. The off gassing we noticed with the Bear Elite Hybrid dissipated very quickly, and only when we got up close to the mattress.
| Features | In brief | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Support and comfort | The medium-firm is a good choice for average weight back and stomach sleepers, though we’d like a touch more contouring. | ★★★★ |
| Pressure relief | Excellent reduction of pressure points across the body, with our testers reporting a particular focus on the back and hips. | ★★★★½ |
| Temperature control | Cooling gel, graphite and copper are a winning trio here as the Bear Elite Hybrid quickly wicks away heat, while the Celliant-infused cover has a definite cool-touch feel that lasts all night. | ★★★★½ |
| Motion isolation | Really strong, making this mattress a safe choice for people who share with a restless sleeper. | ★★★★½ |
| Edge support | The only part of the Elite Hybrid’s design that gave us pause for thought, though as you can see it’s still better than the edge support on many rival hybrid mattresses. | ★★★★ |
| Build quality | Overall this is a well-finished hybrid mattress with a plush quilted top and durable 14” build. | ★★★★ |
When, where and how to buy
Sealy is always running a 35% off deal on the Cocoon Chill Memory Foam Mattress. This evergreen sale knocks a queen size from $1,079 to $699, placing it in the lower mid-range price bracket. A twin will typically set you back $399, while a king is equally reasonably priced at $899. You'll also get a free bedding bundle with your purchase, including pillows and a mattress protector.
Based on previous experience, the Cocoon by Sealy Chill is unlikely to be discounted further on major sales days. However, as the deal and final price are already impressive, the Cocoon Chill is still a good sale buy, even if the Black Friday price is the same as the rest of the year.
You can find the Cocoon by Sealy Chill Memory Foam Mattress on third-party sites such as Amazon and Walmart. However, we advise shopping with Sealy, as the prices are often similar and you'll get better benefits buying direct. The only time we recommend shopping third-party is when there's a discount so good you can't ignore it. And even then, make sure to read the trial and returns policy closely.
The Bear Elite Hybrid stands out in a sea of boxed mattresses thanks to its use of Celliant fabric. While we’d like to see more studies drawing conclusive evidence on the proven sleep benefits of Celliant in mattresses, we’re excited by the possibilities here. Our lead tester fell asleep within minutes each night when sleeping on the Elite Hybrid, and experienced a better quality of sleep and less aches and pains overall. No mattress can cure insomnia, but if you want a bed that makes it easier for you to fall asleep and feel like less of a zombie in the morning, this could be the one.
Read more: Bear Elite Hybrid mattress review
8. The best firm mattress
Quick summary
The WinkBed Mattress is our favorite firm mattress for back and stomach sleepers, with the three-step back relief system providing head-to-toe support while maintaining ample pressure relief. Available in four firmness levels, including Plus for those weighing over 250lbs, the WinkBed can suit a range of sleep styles.
While it's similarly priced to the Saatva Classic (#1), we discovered during testing that The WinkBed lacks the temperature regulation and luxury finish of our the Saatva.
Read what we liked, didn't like, test scores, and how to buy it ▼
However it can withstand a higher weight capacity than the Saatva Classic, making The WinkBed the better option of the two for heavier people.
Our review: in more detail
The WinkBed is an innerspring hybrid mattress, handmade-to-order and with four firmness options to choose from. This includes the Luxury Firm our testing panel reviewed, and a Plus option with enhanced support for bigger bodies. We rewarded the WinkBed an overall score of 4.5/5, with particularly high praise for the full-body pressure relief and strong edge support.
The WinkBed is a close competitor to the Saatva Classic (#1), with a similar price point and multiple customization options. The WinkBed does lack the all-round luxurious package and enhanced breathability of the Saatva Classic, but it's cheaper and can support heavier sleepers.
The WinkBed suits sleepers looking for firm yet pressure relieving support from head to toe.
Our testing panel found the WinkBed cooling to be average – suitable for most, but hot sleepers should consider the Cocoon by Sealy Chill (#7) instead. We were, however, impressed with the motion isolation, making the WinkBed a good choice for couples, similar to the Helix Midnight Luxe Mattress (#4).
Among user reviews, the most common complaint is that the WinkBed is firmer than expected (our review team felt the Luxury Firm is accurately described as 6.5/10 on the firmness scale). Some customers also felt the WinkBed look doesn’t quite match the price tag, even though each bed is handmade-to-order.
Overall, the WinkBed offers a blend of cushioning and support that can be tailored to your sleep style. The Luxury Firm WinkBed will suit sleepers looking for firm yet pressure relieving support from head to toe.
What we like about it...
✅ Excellent spinal support: A combination of zoned support coils and LumbarLayer foam keep the spine aligned overnight while maintaining pressure relieving comfort. Our testing panel noted they never woke up feeling stiff or uncomfortable after a night on the WinkBed.
✅ Edge-to-edge support: The WinkBed has an extra-edge support system to prevent sagging at the sides of the bed. We awarded edge support full marks in our review, finding the mattress felt secure even when sitting or lying right on the edge of the bed.
✅ Four firmness options: Our testing panel agreed that the Luxury Firm option will suit most sleepers, but the beauty of the WinkBed is you don’t have to compromise on feel. With four firmness levels (including a Plus option), there’s a WinkBed for almost every sleep style.
What we don't like about it...
❌ Average temperature regulation: The WinkBed features triple heat disperse technology that will keep most sleepers a comfortable temperature overnight. However, if you struggle with overheating, the WinkBed might get stuffy. The Avocado Green Mattress offers a similar firm feel with superior cooling.
❌ Doesn’t look luxurious: A common complaint of the WInkBed is that the high price isn't reflected in the finish. The Saatva Classic (#1) is similarly priced but delivers a hotel-like appeal. Alternatively, the DreamCloud (#2) has a luxurious look and a firm feel for shoppers on a tighter budget.
| Features | In brief | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Support and comfort | Four firmness options to choose from; we rate the luxury firm (medium-firm feel) for most sleepers and body weights. | ★★★★½ |
| Pressure relief | Very good – on a level with the Helix Midnight Luxe, but suited to a wider pool of sleepers (not just side sleepers). | ★★★★½ |
| Temperature control | Our testers felt The WinkBed slept neither warm nor cool, remaining at a neutral temperature throughout the night. | ★★★★ |
| Motion isolation | Pretty excellent, with minimal motion transferring from one side of the mattress to the other. A great choice for fidgety sleepers. | ★★★★½ |
| Edge support | Barely any sinkage during our edge tests, so we're confident about rating it highly for full-perimeter edge support. | ★★★★½ |
| Build quality | Our review sample was generally finished to a good standard, with a solid and durable build to withstand years of use. | ★★★★ |
When, where and how to buy
WinkBed mattresses are available online exclusively from WinkBed. There are also more than 20 WinkBed showrooms located across America, where you can test each firmness level of the WinkBed mattress and discuss your needs with sleep consultants. As a showroom, you will still need to order your mattress online
WinkBed runs a $300 off sale throughout the year, so while a queen Luxury Firm has an MSRP of $1,799, you won't pay more than $1,499. In the evergreen sale, a twin typically costs $849, while a king is $1,699. The WinkBed Plus is slightly more expensive with an MSRP of $1,999 for a queen and a sale price of $1,699.
As this deal never expires, you'll never need to pay full price. But this does also mean the saving is never bettered, even around the major holidays. If you're interested in the WinkBed, it's always a good time to shop as the discount never changes.
Because firm mattresses offer the highest levels of support, the comfort layers need to be well-balanced otherwise you'll feel like you're sleeping on a plank of wood. The WinkBed is one of the best my team has tested for combining firm support with the right level of contouring comfort. There is a Plus option if you have a heavier body, otherwise The WinkBed Firm is my top choice for anyone seeking a harder mattress with ample pressure relief. With its three-step back support system, The WinkBed is also a good choice for back pain if your budget doesn't stretch to the Saatva RX (#6). Read more: The WinkBed mattress review
9. The best mattress for back sleepers
Quick summary
The Puffy Cloud is the cheapest of all four mattresses in the Puffy range, and it’s made of fiberglass-free CertiPUR-US certified foam that relieves pressure points across the body. The Puffy Cloud is endorsed by the American Chiropractic Association too and it has won numerous awards for back sleeper support. Our lead tester awarded it the highest score possible for comfort, support and pressure relief when back sleeping, reporting that it performs incredibly well for the price.
The only downside that we discovered during three weeks of testing was the edge support – we felt it was weak in places, and therefore wouldn’t recommend the 10” Puffy Cloud to people who need strong edge support in a mattress. If you’re a back sleeper seeking a memory foam mattress with reliable edge support, consider the Siena Memory Foam Mattress (#3) instead. It’s over $650 cheaper for a queen size too ($399 for a queen Siena vs $1,049 for a Puffy), and it’s on the firmer side of medium-firm like the Puffy Cloud.
Read what we liked, didn't like, test scores, and how to buy it ▼
Edge support aside, we enjoyed sleeping on the Puffy Cloud. It doesn’t trap heat, isolates all motion for an undisturbed night’s sleep, and it’s excellent value for money at $1,049 for a queen with $675 of free bedding too.
Our review: in more detail
We tested a king size Puffy Cloud mattress for over three weeks, testing it through late summer. Even though it’s made of foam, it didn’t trap heat and instead always felt cool to the touch. We measured the Puffy Cloud at 10” tall once unboxed and fully inflated. It was ready to sleep on after only a couple of hours, which is good news if you need a new mattress urgently.
The Puffy Cloud is made of six layers, including three types of foam that focus on cooling, pressure relief, and firm support. There’s 2” of gel-infused memory foam, 2” of pressure-relieving foam, and 6” of high-density support foam. It’s this layer that isolates motion too. While the cooling yarn-infused knitted cover is excellent at wicking heat to always feel cool to the touch, ours was very slippery. In fact, it took some wrestling to get a sheet over it at times.
The Puffy Cloud is durable and well made, with a similar luxury hotel look and feel to The DreamCloud Hybrid
We awarded the Puffy Cloud a test score of 4/5, awarding it full marks for motion isolation, and near-full marks for support and comfort, pressure relief, temperature control, and durability. Our lead tester feels that the Puffy Cloud is durable and well made, with a similar luxury hotel look and feel to The DreamCloud Hybrid (#2). It offers similar back support to The DreamCloud too, but it loses points for weak edge support and the slippery feeling cover.
When we analyzed user reviews, we found them very hard to search. Reviews for all four mattresses have been aggregated into one feed, and strangely five-star reviews created last year are the first to be surfaced. We researched 16 pages of customer reviews and found them to be mostly positive. There were some complaints similar to ours (weak edge support, namely), but most users praised the Puffy Cloud, calling it ‘game-changing’ and ‘excellent value.’
If you can get past the edge support, then based on rigorous testing we feel that the Puffy Cloud is a very good choice for back and stomach sleeping. That’s because it offers a supportive feel on the firmer side of medium-firm, keeping the spine aligned to prevent back ache. If you have general aches and pains, also consider the Saatva Classic (#1) – our best-rated mattress for reducing pain-causing pressure points. It is over $700 more expensive than the Puffy Cloud though, and the Puffy comes with $675 of free bedding.
What we like about it...
✅ Firm back support: Like the Siena Memory Foam (#3) and the Nectar Classic (#5), the Puffy Cloud is a memory foam mattress with a firmer feel. This is superb for back sleepers who want gentle contouring without being sucked down into the bed, which would dip the spine and cause more pain.
✅ Cool-touch feel: Some all-foam mattresses are notorious for storing excess body heat, causing overheating while you sleep. The Puffy Cloud maintains a breathable, cool-touch feel, thanks to cooling gel foam and a cover infused with cooling fabric.
✅ Full body pressure relief: We loved the feel of the Cloud Comfort Pressure Relief Foam found in the fourth layer of the Puffy Cloud. The reduction of pressure points is on a par with what we experience with The DreamCloud (#2), and it’s especially effective during stomach and back sleeping.
What we don't like about it...
❌ Weak edge support: Some foam mattresses struggle with edge support, and the Puffy Cloud is one of them. Our 25lb weight sank right down on the edge of the bed to the point of rolling off during testing. If you need a mattress that’s easy to get in and out of, skip this one.
❌ Slippery mattress cover: This is a cosmetic niggle, but still worth flagging up. We suspect the culprit behind the Puffy Cloud cover’s slipperiness is the cooling yarns knitted into the cover. It has a slick feel that doesn’t play nicely with some bed sheets.
| Features | In brief | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Support and comfort | On the firmer side of medium-firm, with a supportive feel that keeps you on top of the mattress to prevent your spine dipping out of alignment while you sleep. | ★★★★½ |
| Pressure relief | Uses pressure relieving foam to reduce pressure points, making it a good choice for people with aches and pains who can’t stretch to the cost of the Saatva Classic. | ★★★★ |
| Temperature control | Very good for a memory foam mattress in a box, with a cover that stays cool to the touch all night long. We tested this during late summer and didn’t experience any heat build-up. | ★★★★ |
| Motion isolation | As a memory foam mattress, the Puffy Cloud effectively stops motion transferring from one side to the other. The couples of our testing team slept undisturbed next to each other on this mattress, | ★★★★★ |
| Edge support | For us, this is the weak point of the Puffy Cloud. We wouldn’t recommend it to people who need robust perimeter support to help them get out of bed. | ★★★ |
| Build quality | Very good for an upper mid-range mattress, with a look and feel that’s more luxurious than its $1,049 queen price tag would suggest. We feel it will easily outlast the average bed-in-a-box. | ★★★★ |
When, where and how to buy
Puffy mattresses are sold online at the brand’s own website and at third party retailers including The Back Store, Mattress Star, Mattress Mars and others. Puffy runs the same sale every month so you’ll never pay full MSRP for the Puffy Cloud.
A queen size costs $1,049 (was $2,399), and you’ll get $675 of free bedding too. This bundle includes pillows, bed sheets, a mattress protector, and a luxury sleep mask. That’s better value than most memory foam beds we’ve reviewed.
Because Puffy runs a very similar sale each day, even during the major holidays such as Black Friday and Cyber Monday, there’s never a wrong time to buy. Puffy offers free mattress shipping to all 50 states, with delivery via FedEx happening within five to ten days. Orders can be tracked online, with Puffy customer support available via phone, email and live chat.
Puffy’s sleep trial runs for 101 nights, so if you change your mind about the Cloud you can return or exchange it within the trial period. Puffy will then schedule the mattress return and donate the bed to charity, while you’ll get a full refund. You won’t be liable for any shipping or charity donation charges either.
The Puffy Cloud performed well in all of our in-house mattress tests, scoring very highly for motion isolation and temperature control (this is unusual for an all-foam mattress). Because of the data my team captured during the support and comfort tests, I feel confident recommending the Puffy Cloud as the best mattress for back sleepers – especially if you sleep hot too, yet love the contouring feel of foam. The Cloud does have a firmer feel though, so look at the Bear Original in the Also Tested section instead if you like a softer back sleeper foam mattress. Read more: Puffy Cloud mattress review
10. The best mattress under $300 for a queen
Quick summary
The Linenspa Memory Foam Hybrid Mattress is a hybrid bed catering to those on an ultra-tight budget. This inexpensive mattress comes in three height options, with the shortest model priced at under $300 for a queen. We know from testing that this isn't the most durable mattress by any stretch, but it's a suitable choice for guest rooms and for older children who will outgrow a mattress in just a few short years.
The combination of open coils and responsive foam also means it provides plenty of support and comfort to lightweight stomach sleepers.
Read what we liked, didn't like, test scores, and how to buy it▼
However, bed-sharing couples, hot sleepers, and those with a heavier build should look to the budget-friendly Siena Memory Foam (#3) for better support and temperature regulation.
Our review: in more detail
The Linenspa Memory Foam Hybrid Mattress comes in three different height options: 8, 10, or 12 inches. While the price goes up the taller you go, you will never have to pay more than $450 for a queen. You can also expect a plusher feel and more support with the taller versions.
The mattress's simple three-layer construction of responsive foams and open coils provides good support, pressure relief and bounce to lightweight stomach sleepers and growing children, as their lighter bodies will feel a greater amount of pressure relief and bounce. However, go for the Siena Memory Foam (#3) if you're looking for a cheap mattress of higher quality that offers support to all adult sleepers of any weight or sleep position.
If you’re looking for a budget mattress for children and teens, the Linenspa Memory Foam Hybrid Mattress should be on your shortlist
Our testers, who span different weight categories and sleep preferences, had different experiences when sleeping on this mattress. Sleepers of an average build said they felt the open coils in all positions, while heavyweight sleepers felt they were dipping into the foam and compressing the coils.
Our lightweight sleepers found the mattress to be uncomfortable when sleeping on their side and back, but felt comfortable and supported when sleeping on their stomach thanks to the responsive foam surface.
From our experience sleeping on the Linenspa Memory Foam Hybrid, we recommend this mattress to parents looking for a bed that their children can use for a few years before outgrowing it. "Kids will appreciate the softer feel of the foam at the top of the mattress," writes one reviewer.
"And, being of a lighter weight, should find that the small amount of memory foam contours to their bodies, offering good support." An Amazon bestseller with an overall rating of 4.4/5, its 138,000 user reviews seem to reflect our verdict, with customers pleased with its use as a children's bed or guest bed.
As expected, customers with a heavier build felt the mattress had weak support, and long-time users found it sagged after a stretch of heavy use.
What we like about it...
✅ The affordable price: Hybrid mattresses tend to be expensive, with budget beds usually having an all-foam construction. However, the Linenspa Hybrid is incredibly cheap, and its hybrid design sets it apart from other inexpensive beds.
✅ Great for growing kids and guest rooms. The last thing you'd want to do is splurge on an expensive bed that won't be used that much for that long, making it perfect for guest rooms and children.
✅ Decent stomach sleeper support: If you weigh below 130lbs and sleep on your front, the responsive foam and open coils will keep you comfortable and supported.
What we don't like about it...
❌ Lacks durability: Customer reviews complain that the mattress begins to sag after months of use, so don't expect this mattress to endure years of heavy usage.
❌ Not supportive enough for couples: We found the edge support on this mattress to be relatively weak, with heavyweight testers sinking into the foam and compressing the coils.
❌ Takes two days to expand: While a lot of boxed mattresses are ready to sleep on within 24 hours, we found this bed didn't fully expand until five days later.
| Features | In brief | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Support and comfort | A medium-feel hybrid with open coils for a softer sleep surface; especially suited to lightweight sleepers – heavier people should avoid this one. | ★★★½ |
| Pressure relief | Lack of pressure relief for heavier bodies; lightweight sleepers (150lbs or less) will fare better, especially side sleepers. | ★★★ |
| Temperature control | Does retain some warmth, but not as much as we were expecting for a cheap hybrid mattress. | ★★★½ |
| Motion isolation | Similar to innerspring mattresses we've tested; plenty of bounce means some motion is transferred from one side to the other. | ★★★½ |
| Edge support | Functional for children, teens and lightweight people, but the heavier members of our testing panel all slipped off the edge during a sit test. | ★★½ |
| Build quality | Decent for a very cheap mattress, but falls behind affordable ($645+ for a queen) mattresses. Expect a shorter lifespan. | ★★★ |
When, where and how to buy
Due to its already low MSRP, there's no permanent discount on the Linenspa Hybrid at Linenspa's website, but the brand regularly throws site-wide sales. The most common deal gets you 20% off, meaning that a queen-size 10" model is typically available for $256 (MSRP: $319.99). On the other hand, a queen-size 8" model is under $300 whether it's on offer or not, with a full retail price of $249.99 and a starting price of $129.99 for a twin.
During a sales event, a king mattress in a 10" model (the height we'd reccomend to couples) drops from $389.99 to $331.50. However, if you're in need of a new mattress outside of a sale event, Linenspa permanently offer a 10% discount if you sign up to their newsletter.
Over at Amazon, deals on this mattress are more frequent and offer bigger price drops, with most discounts reserved for queen sizes and the 10" model. Usually, we recommend buying direct from the brands as they include a sleep trial, which aren't guaranteed with Amazon purchases. However, Linenspa doesn't include a free sleep trial, offering the same 30-day returns policy as Amazon.
If you're shopping for a cheap mattress on Amazon, I only recommend a handful of brands. Linenspa is one of them and I rate this particular model – to a degree. The Linenspa Memory Foam Hybrid 8" isn't as supportive or breathable as every other mattress on this list, but it is a lot cheaper at $249 for a queen (a rock bottom price for a hybrid mattress). So if the main thing your new mattress needs to have is a cheap price, and you want a hybrid mattress for a child or teen from a well-known affordable bed brand, the Linenspa Memory Foam Hybrid 8" is worth trying.
Read more: Linenspa Memory Foam Hybrid review
Also tested and recommended
The mattresses in this section are the highest performers from all of the other mattresses we've tested over the last several years. Ultimately, they were beaten by our top picks above, but if you haven't found an option you like in our main guide, then these are well worth considering.
Should you buy a mattress in the Black Friday sales?
Black Friday is one of five major mattress sales that take place each calendar year. It falls on the last Friday in November and is directly followed by Cyber Monday (the first Monday in December). Two years ago, Black Friday was the singular best time to buy a mattress because MSRPs were at their lowest and discounts at their highest. This meant you could get one of the year’s best-rated mattresses for a much cheaper price.
Throughout 2024 we’ve seen a different story play out: every major sale, from Presidents’ Day in February, through Memorial Day in May and then Labor Day in September, has offered roughly the same discounts and mattress prices. We say ‘roughly’ because our deals analysts noticed that Memorial Day actually offered slightly better sales than last Black Friday – and any other sale in 2024.
So our advice now is yes, Black Friday is still a fantastic time to buy a top-rated mattress for cheaper than normal – and there may be a flash sale or two in the run-up, though at this stage they’re more likely to come from smaller brands such as Bear Mattress. But Black Friday is no longer the only sale that can give you the best discounts and prices.
If you need to buy a new mattress in the next couple of months, then yes we highly recommend shopping for one this Black Friday. But if you aren’t quite ready, or don’t have the funds just yet, then don’t feel pressured to buy this Black Friday because there’s a high chance of good deals arriving during the Presidents’ Day sales in February and Memorial Day in May.
That said, there are some fantastic deals live right now, including $400 off all mattresses at Saatva, plus 27% off at Helix Sleep and you’ll get a free bedding bundle worth over $330.
The best mattresses of 2024 compared: Review scores
| Mattress | Our score | Header Cell - Column 2 | User score | Header Cell - Column 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saatva Classic | ★★★★½ | Generated from a three-week testing period, followed by a full year of sleeping on a luxury firm queen size. | ★★★★★ | Averaged from over 3,500 reviews at Saatva. No third party reviews available – mattresses are only sold at Saatva. |
| DreamCloud Hybrid | ★★★★½ | Generated from an initial three-week testing period, followed by three consecutive months of sleeping on a twin and a queen size (dual testers). | ★★★★½ | Averaged from over 8,900 reviews at DreamCloud, over 1,900 at Amazon, over 13,400 at Mattress Firm, and 1,400 at Walmart. |
| Siena Memory Foam | ★★★★ | Generated from a three-week testing period, with our lead reviewer sleeping on a twin size. Currently being re-tested in a queen size. | ★★★★½ | Averaged from over 2,600 reviews at Siena Sleep and over 560 at Amazon. |
| Helix Midnight Luxe | ★★★★½ | Generated from a three-week testing period, followed by three consecutive months of sleeping on a queen size. | ★★★★½ | Averaged from over 6,400 reviews at Helix Sleep, over 7,600 at Macy’s, and 860 at The Mattress Bros. |
| Nectar Classic | ★★★★½ | Generated from a three-week testing period, with our lead reviewer sleeping on a twin size. Currently being re-tested in a queen size. | ★★★★½ | Averaged from over 50,000 reviews at Nectar Sleep, 82,000 at Mattress Warehouse, 2,400 at QVC, and 7,500 at Amazon. |
| Saatva RX | ★★★★½ | Generated from a three-week testing period, with our lead reviewer sleeping on a twin size. To be retested in a queen size and data compared. | ★★★★★ | Averaged from over 100 reviews at Saatva) |
| Bear Elite Hybrid | ★★★★½ | Generated from a nearly four-week testing period, with our lead reviewer sleeping on a queen size and our testing panel reviewing the same model. | N/A | Reviews unavailable |
| The WinkBed | ★★★★½ | Generated from a three-week testing period, with our lead reviewer sleeping on a queen size luxury firm model and the Plus version. | ★★★★★ | Averaged from over 8,800 reviews at WinkBeds. No third party retailer user reviews available. |
| Linenspa Memory Foam Hybrid | ★★★ | Generated from a three-week testing period, with our lead reviewer sleeping on a queen size. | ★★★★½ | Averaged from over 139,000 reviews at Amazon, over 12,000 at Target, over 1,500 at Walmart, and over 3,000 at Best Buy. |
How I choose the best mattresses of 2024
A great mattress helps you to feel comfy and supported while you sleep, so you wake up feeling refreshed and rested. There are four main types to choose from, and our team has rigorously tested all the latest models to bring you our guide to the best mattresses available to buy today.
We love some of them so much that we’re still sleeping on them now – years after first testing them. So what is the best mattress of 2024? For us it’s the Saatva Classic, a luxury hotel-style innerspring hybrid that delivers excellent back support and pressure relief.
Our team of sleep experts have over 30 years’ combined product review experience, and to crown the Saatva as our number one choice we spent thousands of hours researching, sleeping on and testing a huge range of memory foam, hybrid, innerspring, and latex mattresses. We invited a test panel to try them out too, and analysed a broad range of user reviews.
We’re constantly researching and testing new models, and only the very best mattresses make it into this guide. There are options for every body type, sleep position and budget here. I predict that this year’s Black Friday mattress deals will usher in the cheapest prices of the year, making it the best time to buy. But if you need a new mattress urgently, several top-rated sleep brands are running mattress sales today with up to 50% off.
A word of warning though: don’t go searching for the best mattress for everyone, because they simply don’t exist. The closest we’ve come to finding one during testing is the Saatva Classic. I'm retesting it right now and I really wanted to find fault with the Saatva, but I can’t. This mattress is unbelievably comfortable.
How we test mattresses
The Tom's Guide mattress review process is editorially independent and not influenced by third parties. We research and test the latest mattresses in all key areas – pressure relief, temperature regulation, support and comfort, edge support and durability – to create unbiased product recommendations. Only the vest best make it into this guide.
Our expert mattress testers sleep on each mattress for at least three weeks: that’s roughly how long it takes for your body to get used to a new mattress.
Mattress firmness is subjective though, so we don’t just take our lead reviewer’s rating into account. We also ask a trusted and experienced testing panel, made up of people with different sleep needs and body types, to rate each mattress using a specific set of performance criteria.
We have side sleepers, back sleepers and stomach sleepers, with lighter, average and heavier bodies, to ensure we get a well-rounded view of what each mattress feels like.
We also run a series of in-house tests using weights to gain an objective view of how each mattress performs compared to other models. After analyzing our test data and conducting extensive user review research, we rate each mattress out of 5. We then compare how the mattress performs versus other mattresses we’ve reviewed. This enables us to clearly see which mattresses are best for different sleepers.
Our testing process, which you can read about in our mattress methodology, includes the following processes:
- We test each mattress across all key areas: support, comfort, pressure relief, motion isolation, temperature regulation and edge support.
- We analyze user reviews to get an understanding of what real customers think of each mattress, and a feel for any recurring themes which we explore further during testing.
- We fact-check every comfort and support claim made by a mattress brand.
How to choose the best mattress for you
My top tip when buying a mattress online is to only buy one that comes with a sleep trial. It takes around 30 nights for your body to get used to a new mattress (early aches sometimes say more about the quality of an old mattress than a new one), and many manufacturers won’t accept a return for the first 30 days because of this.
The average sleep trial lasts 100 nights, with the longest lasting a year, so you’ll get ample time to make sure that the mattress you’ve chosen is the best match for you. All of the top recommended mattresses in this guide come with a free trial except the budget Linenspa, which instead comes with a 30-day returns policy.
Here are the main factors to consider when choosing a mattress:
- Your sleep position
- Your weight
- Your health
- Mattress size
- Firmness
Some people don’t need to consider all of those factors – if you’re young, fit and healthy, with zero sleep issues, a standard mattress in a box should suit you fine. But if good sleep is proving elusive, the right mattress can get you back on track in most instances.
Your sleeping position
The are four major sleep positions: side, stomach, back and combination (where you switch between two or more sleeping positions throughout the night). Learning how to choose a mattress for your sleep position will help you quickly narrow in on the right type of bed for your sleep style.
Here’s a quick overview of which mattress types suit different sleep positions:
- Side sleepers – soft to medium contouring memory foam mattresses
- Back sleepers – medium-firm hybrid mattresses or firmer memory foam mattresses
- Stomach sleepers – medium hybrid or memory foam mattresses if you have a lighter weight body; medium-firm to firm if you weigh more
- Combination sleepers – a medium-firm hybrid or memory foam mattress that stops most motion from being transferred from one side of the bed to the other.
Your weight
Every mattress is designed with support and comfort layers, and the extent to which you feel the benefit of those layers depends on your body weight. I cover this in more detail below, but essentially people with a lighter body weight (the mattress industry classes this as 150lbs and under) usually sleep better on a softer mattress with a focus on comfort.
People of an average to heavier build (a wide range of body weights from 155lbs to 245lbs), usually sleep comfortably on medium to medium-firm mattresses. If you weigh over 250lbs and share with someone of an equal or higher weight, you’ll experience better full body support on a firm mattress.
Your health
Some physical health conditions, such as pain and overheating, affect how easily you fall asleep, the quality of your sleep and the duration. Research tells us that mental health conditions such as stress, depression and anxiety also affect sleep, usually manifesting as insomnia.
A good mattress can help you feel cooler and more comfortable, but it isn’t a cure for insomnia or stress. However a mattress that suits your body type coupled with good sleep hygiene and support from your doctor can improve your chances of sleeping better.
Our specialist guide to the best mattress for back pain, with advice from licensed chiropractors, explains how to choose a mattress if back, hip and joint pain are affecting your sleep. If overheating is the issue, our guide to this year’s best cooling mattresses for hot sleepers runs you through the different options available and how to choose.
Mattress size
Wondering what is the best size mattress to get? These are the most common mattress dimensions in the US (sizes are listed in inches):
- Twin (38 x 75”)
- Twin XL (38 x 80”)
- Full (54 x 75”)
- Queen (60 x 80”)
- King (76 x 80”)
- Cal king (72 x 84”)
- Split Cal king (72 x 84” split)
Our complete guide to mattress sizes in the US explains how to choose the right size mattress for your body, sleeping position, the person you bedshare with (if you share), and other considerations such as the size of your bedroom.
The most popular mattress size in America is a queen, and from testing we’ve found that this is a great choice for couples who enjoy sleeping closer together. Twin size mattresses, in comparison, are the ideal choice for children, while Twin XLs suit teens as well as adults sleeping solo in a small apartment.
Mattress firmness
Mattress firmness describes how hard or soft a bed feels, and the mattress industry measures it on a scale of 1-10. 1 = marshmallow soft and 10 = hard as a plank of wood. Comfort is subjective, so we have one lead tester for every review as well as a wider testing panel made up of people with different sleep preferences and weights.
So how firm should a mattress be? Here’s a full breakdown of the different firmness ratings, what they feel like and who they will and won’t suit:
Back sleepers often benefit from a medium-firm mattress. This provides neutral spine alignment while supporting the hips and shoulders. If a mattress is too soft, back sleepers may find their spine forming an uncomfortable 'U' shape, creating strain. Too firm and the natural 'S' curve of your spine won't be supported.
Side sleepers need good pressure relief on their shoulders, knees and hips. A medium to medium-soft mattress is usually a good choice. If it's too soft, the spine won't align properly with the shoulders and hips. Memory foam is often the best mattress choice for side sleepers due to its above-average contouring.
Front sleepers fare better with a firmer mattress. This lifts the hips up so that they're in alignment with the spine, and prevents the spine from forming a 'U' shape. If it's too firm it'll be uncomfortable - particularly for women - and won't allow the spine to curve naturally. Too soft and it can feel almost suffocating. Innerspring and hybrid mattresses can be a better choice than foam for front sleepers.
Combination sleepers should choose according to their dominant sleep position (the position you normally fall asleep in). If you don't have one, a medium firm mattress will dish out the best support and comfort across most positions.
Mattress buying advice: Ask the expert
It's natural to have questions when you're shopping for a mattress, and our expert mattress testers and certified sleep science coaches have over extensive experience with traditional and boxed mattresses. Here, I answer frequently asked questions about the different types of mattress, how to choose the right one for you, plus when is the best time to buy and where.
My top tips for buying a mattress
My number one tip for buying a mattress online is to look for one with a sleep trial. Mattress trials range from 60 to 365 nights, and they’re vital because they give you a specific period of time at home to sleep on the mattress and make sure it’s the right choice for you.
It takes most of us around three weeks to get used to sleeping on a new bed, so a trial of at least 60 days gives you ample time to test the mattress yourself. A little back or hip pain is common when you’re first breaking in a new mattress. Some brands offer free comfort layers to help you during that period.
If you’re buying a mattress during a sale, look into the price history to make sure you’re getting a good deal
Claire Davies, Senior Sleep Editor
But if you’re still dealing with pain after a few weeks, then I’d recommend contacting the brand or retailer you bought the mattress from to discuss either a replacement or a full return.
I also recommend looking for a “fair mattress warranty and a clear returns policy. If you’re buying a mattress during a sale, look into the price history to make sure you’re getting a good deal. Our guide to the monthly mattress sales is a great resource if you want to compare deal prices.
Where is the best place to buy a mattress?
In years gone by you could only buy a mattress in store, but online mattress shopping has exploded in the last decade, so you have many more options available to you now. Generally speaking, the best place to buy a mattress for the cheapest price is online, with direct to consumer manufacturers offering big discounts of up to 55% off.
Mattress companies that choose to sell online only can offer much cheaper prices than what you’d pay for a comparable bed in store because they don’t have the costs of a bricks and mortar shop to contend with. Therefore their mattresses are cheaper to make, sell and distribute, so they pass those savings onto you in the form of more affordable mattresses.
Don’t feel pressured into buying after lying on a mattress for just five minutes in-store. And don’t feel pressured to buy a mattress online just because it’s on sale either
Most of these are mattresses in a box, but a few luxury online mattress brands such as Saatva ship their mattresses flat (not compressed in a box) via a free White Glove Delivery service. Other brands opt for a dual approach, selling all mattresses online via their own website and a selection of their mattresses will also be sold in physical stores.
Third party online mattress retailers will often compete with manufacturers by either price-matching or running flash sales that offer a temporarily lower online price. In our experience of tracking monthly mattress sales, manufacturers often offer the best trials and warranties, plus free gifts.
For good customer service, shopping in store has its advantages, with oline mattress retailers offering customer service help via phone and live chat functions, though not everyone is comfortable with such technology. Live chat isn’t always available either, which is frustrating when you want to ask a quick question before buying a new mattress.
Remember my golden rule when buying a mattress: make sure it comes on a trial period of at least 30 nights so you have ample time to test it at home and make sure it’s right for you.
Don’t feel pressured into buying a mattress after lying on it for just five minutes in-store. And don’t feel pressured to buy a mattress online just because it’s on sale either – there are regular sales throughout the calendar year, so you’ll always be able to save money.
When is the best time to buy a mattress?
The best time to buy a new mattress is during five major sale events dotted throughout the year, as well as the Labor Day mattress sales. But when it comes to super-savings, one sale trumps all others.
Presidents’ Day mattress sales can bring impressive discounts, with major retailers driving prices down in a bid to boost sales during a quiet time of year. Presidents’ Day falls mid-to late February and is a great time to buy if you missed out on Black Friday.
The Memorial Day mattress sales, which land at the end of May, is the last major sale event before summer, making it an excellent time to pick up a discounted cooling mattress. However, Memorial Day discounts aren’t quite as impressive as Presidents’ Day or Labor Day.
Think of the Labor Day mattress sales as a warm-up event to Black Friday. Sales typically range from 15% to 60% off and , if previous Labor Day sales are anything to go by, this is when we could see the Saatva Classic drop to its lowest price of the year.
The Black Friday mattress deals and sales in late November bring with them the biggest discounts and cheapest prices of the year. All of our top rated mattress brands offer record-breaking discounts on their best-selling beds during this time, with savings continuing through to Cyber Monday.
How much should you pay for a good mattress?
At Tom’s guide, we’ll always recommend paying what you can afford for a good quality mattress. While you can pick up a cheap mattress for less than $500 for a king size, certain concessions will need to be made in order to keep prices low, such as durability and overall performance.
For example, the Zinus Green Tea Memory Foam Mattress is a decent choice for anyone looking for a budget-friendly option with reliable pressure relief, but temperature regulation is a little unreliable. For context, regular sales means that a twin is $249 (was $399), a queen is $399 (was $599) and a king is $449 (was $699).
However, increasing your budget to the mid-range price category gets you an increase in quality across construction, materials, support and comfort, making it the sweet spot for quality versus value for money. Here, I recommend The DreamCloud at $665 for a queen and the Cocoon by Sealy Chill Cooling Memory Foam Mattress at $699 for a queen with $179 of free bedding.
The premium mattress category is where you’ll find the Saatva Classic, our top-rated mattress for all sleepers with the budget. A good Saatva discount usually takes the price of a twin size Classic down to $1,095 (usually $1,395), a queen down to $1,695 (usually $1,195) and a king down to $2,195 (was $2,495).
What is the best mattress made in the USA?
We’ve tested all the latest mattresses made in America and recommend the Saatva Classic luxury innerspring hybrid as the best mattress made in the USA. They are assembled at 19 factories across the United States, and made from materials such as triple-tempered carbon steel coils, toxin-free certiPUR-US certified foam, and organic cotton and latex.
Saatva mattresses are handcrafted and can take up to three weeks to make, so these aren’t ‘off-the-peg’ beds. They aren’t compressed and shipped in boxes either. Instead, an installation team delivers your Saatva mattress flat and ready to sleep on. They’ll remove all packaging, and if you arrange it in advance Saatva will also remove your old mattress and bed frame.
Which type of mattress is best for comfort?
Comfort is subjective, so what feels comfortable for you may feel too soft or too firm for the next person. This is why mattress trials are so important - they enable you to test a mattress at home for a few months or even a year to make sure that the mattress you’ve chosen is comfy for your body and sleeping position.
We know from testing that, generally speaking, side sleeping lighter weight adults weighing less than 130lbs tend to be more comfortable on soft/plush to medium mattresses. People of average body weight (230 to 230lbs) are usually comfortable on medium-firm mattresses, while heavy people (who weigh over 230lbs) are usually more comfortable and supported on firm mattresses.
The most comfortable mattresses we’ve tested this year are the Saatva Classic for all sleeping positions, the DreamCloud Hybrid for back and stomach sleepers, and the Helix Midnight Luxe for side sleepers.
What are the different types of mattress?
Choosing the best mattress for you starts with identifying the type of mattress that suits your sleep style. There are four main types of mattresses: memory foam, hybrid, innerspring, and latex. Each type comes with its own broad characteristics, so less dive into the pros and cons.
Memory foam mattresses
Memory foam mattresses consist of layers of dense, cushioned foam. Known for their body hugging properties, the best memory foam mattresses contour to your shape to relieve pressure and reduce motion transfer.
Dense, cushioned memory foam can hold onto heat, meaning they aren’t ideal for hot sleepers unless they use materials designed to dissipate heat quickly. Memory foam mattresses are typically cheaper than hybrid mattresses, with the average memory foam mattress costing $650 to $1,200 for a queen. Nectar and Tempur-Pedic are two of the most popular memory foam brands.
Hybrid mattresses
Hybrid mattresses feature a core of supportive springs combined with layers of comfort materials (often memory foam, but sometimes latex or wool). Due to these springs, hybrids are breathable and bouncier than all-foam beds.
This bounce makes it easier to move around, but potentially disruptive for bed sharers. Hybrid mattresses can be expensive, with a queen size hybrid typically costing between $800 and $1,500. The brand currently topping our best hybrid mattress of the year guide is Saatva, but DreamCloud and Helix are high-quality alternatives.
Innerspring mattresses
Innerspring mattresses are traditional coil-based mattresses. With plenty of room for air to circulate, innerspring mattresses are breathable, and the buoyant feel means you sleep on top of the mattress, rather than sinking in.
This makes innerspring beds a good choice for back and stomach sleepers, but they lack the contouring comfort of foam-based options. Innerspring mattresses are often budget-friendly choices, and while they’re less popular nowadays, brands such as Mattress Firm and Sealy still offer quality innersprings.
Latex mattresses
Latex mattresses are the most common type of organic mattress. Instead of synthetic foams, these beds use foams made of natural latex, a bouncy and breathable material that offers plenty of support and temperature regulation.
Latex doesn’t have the same sink-in feel of softer foams, but thanks to its durability, it’s a good investment choice. However, latex beds are premium buys, often costing from $1,000 to several thousand dollars for a queen. The best organic mattresses come from brands like Avocado, Awara, and Saatva.
Do mattresses for life actually exist?
Lifetime or forever mattress warranties are not always what they seem, which is why we always recommend reading the warranty of your chosen mattress before you buy. Brands such Saatva, DreamCloud Sleep, Nectar Sleep, Puffy, and Layla each offer full or limited lifetime warranties, and the terms vary hugely between brands.
Saatva’s Friends For Life warranty, for example, offers free mattress replacements for the first two years (five years on the Saatva Solaire). After that time you’ll have to pay for repairs or replacements but you will get a large discount on costs.
Nectar’s Sleep Forever lifetime warranty includes a free replacement for defective mattresses in the first 10 years of ownership, which is excellent value for money.
How often should you replace your mattress?
How often you should replace your mattress depends on a number of factors, including construction and design. For instance, mattresses tend to have a base layer of dense foam or springs, which acts as the support core. So the thicker the support core of the mattress, the longer it should last.
Rotating your mattress regularly and covering it with a good mattress protector can prolong its life. Here’s how long a mattress should last based on design and material:
Memory foam mattresses last up to 10 years on average.Thanks to their all-foam construction, these mattresses aren’t susceptible to the noisy creaking of worn-out springs and have less components to deteriorate than innerspring or hybrid mattresses.However, memory foam mattresses are still prone to sagging and their temperature control and edge support tend to decline over time.To avoid premature sagging, we recommend rotating your memory foam mattresses every few weeks.
Hybrid mattresses contain coils or springs, which do have a tendency to deteriorate quickly, causing premature sagging and noisy creaking. Other components such as memory foam comfort layers and pillow tops can also start to sag and lose performance over time, so hybrid mattresses should be replaced every eight to 10 years. Like foam beds, hybrid mattresses should be rotated every few weeks.
Innerspring mattresses have the lowest lifespan, with a life expectancy of five to seven years.This is due to their design being made up entirely of springs or coils, which wear out rapidly. To prolong the life of an innerspring mattress, flip it over every few months.
Latex mattresses have the highest lifespan, lasting 15 to 20 years. This is due to latex being naturally dense and durable and, as a result, more expensive. However, despite their premium price tags, latex mattresses are a good investment if you’re looking for a mattress that won’t need to be replaced often. Be aware, though, that some latex mattresses are hybrids containing springs or coils, which wear out quickly and can lower the life expectancy.
What mattress should you buy for your weight?
A person weighing 150lbs and a person weighing 250lbs can test the same mattress and find it has a completely different feel. Body weight affects both the comfort and support of the bed, so when choosing a mattress, it’s important to consider which mattress is right for your body type.
People weighing 150lbs and under should opt for a softer or medium feel mattress. As there’s less pressure applied to the mattress, a softer bed will provide the yield and contouring needed for both comfort and support. Memory foam mattresses are a good choice, as they provide ample cushioning.
People weighing 155lbs to 245lbs should choose a medium-firm mattresss. There are plenty of options in this category, so make sure to consider your sleep style alongside your build. For example, a side sleeper with a lightweight frame should look for a softer mattress, while a heavier back sleeper should opt for something firmer.
People weighing over 250lbs should choose a firm mattress, as these provide relief where your body presses against the mattress without the quicksand sinking feel of softer mattresses. The best mattresses for heavy people are specialist beds, typically hybrids, with a strong supportive core that offers even weight distribution.
