We all have unique bodies and quirks that contribute to our shut-eye preferences — but, ultimately, the best mattresses should allow us to sleep happily and soundly. Whether you’re a side, back, or stomach sleeper, there's one factor to look for when buying the right mattress: one that keeps your spine aligned while applying supportive pressure evenly to your body (kind of like a hug). The rest, like size and material preference, is pretty variable. Each of the R29 testers ahead used their own unique set of parameters to evaluate the individual mattress they tested — everything including foam models, hybrid innerspring and padded, sleep surfaces made with cooling materials, and sustainably made mattresses.
Scroll on for our reviews of the best mattresses you can buy online — hopefully, it'll help you feel a little less restless when buying the bed of your (sweet) dreams.
We often run into products that not only have to be seen to be believed but also put to the test. Tried & True is where we suss out these trending goods & services by taking them for an IRL spin to discover if they're up to snuff.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. All product details reflect the price and availability at the time of publication. If you buy or click on something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
Saatva Classic Luxury Firm Mattress
Mattress Type: Hybrid (Foam & Spring)
Sleeper Style: Side, Stomach, & Back
Pros: Soft-Yet-Firm Support
Cons: Mattress Pattern
"My ideal mattress is somewhat of an impossibility: My back craves something super-firm, but I need my mattress to allow me to sleep on my side and stomach without my extremities losing circulation. I despise the feeling of being trapped in a foam mattress like a bug in honey, but I also don’t want to wake up each time a partner moves on the other side of the bed. What I really want is a mattress that can read my mind and body — here’s hoping my grandchild’s grandchild will one day invent it to honor my legacy. But, as such, I’ve become resigned to the fact that I was born to doze in the wrong century. I’m like Oscar Wilde, but for sleeping."
"But, Saatva’s Classic in Luxury Firm comes as close to the future as I’ve seen. Unlike many online mattresses, it has springs inside, which is a must for me, as all-foam mattresses give me that 'help I’m stuck and I can’t get up' feeling. Also, it doesn’t come in a box, which means no weird smells. The company let me review the thinner mattress for free, in order to fit my sheets, and I was pleased that it still felt substantial. Upon the first trial, I was immediately skeptical of its 'Euro pillow top' as too squishy and hilly, as I like a more uniform surface, but the thought fled my mind as quickly as it entered it because I fell asleep immediately. I woke up without the sore back I typically get from beds that are slightly softer than a wooden board."
"Likewise, I thought that the bed was perhaps a little too hard when I first jumped into it and made a thunk sound. But, I quickly forgot, because — you guessed it — I fell asleep again. That pillow top cradles the curves of my body without making me feel like I was in a me-shaped cake mold."
"And while it’s not exactly a black hole of movement, the only time I really feel jostled by my partner is when they get in or out of bed. Honestly, sleeping in this Saatva makes me feel single."
"There are drawbacks, though. Saatva doesn’t maintain showrooms, so I couldn’t try it out before I placed an order, although customers have 120 days to change their mind (with a $100 fee). Also — and this is so nitpicky — but there are these bizarre berry designs all over the mattress that are dark enough that they show through both the mattress protector and a set of pale sheets like an infestation of shadow fruit. Are Saatvas berries? (Are they a vegetable?) It drives me nuts, but again, it's only temporary, because I’m usually asleep before I get a chance to really notice it."
Saatva Saatva Classic Mattress, $, available at Saatva
Casper Original Hybrid Mattress
Mattress Type: Hybrid (Foam & Spring)
Sleeper Style: Side & Stomach
Pros: Soft-Yet-Firm Support
Cons: Heavy Weight
"I just moved to a new apartment and the thought of picking out a new mattress — without testing it out in person first — was weighing heavy on me. Not only is a high-quality mattress a big investment, but it can really affect your sleep habits and the way your body feels.
I ended up pulling the trigger on the Casper Original Hybrid Mattress because it’s pretty reasonably priced and I liked the idea of having functions of both a foam and spring construction, plus the mattress is specifically designed with breathability in mind and I'm a historically hot sleeper.
The mattress was delivered on time and arrived in a box that wasn’t terribly heavy. I did have to ask my roommate to help me carry it up the stairs, but I expected that would be the case. I appreciated that it was wrapped in minimal packaging because it made the unboxing process pretty seamless. It literally started to inflate as soon as I unwrapped it and seemed ready to sleep on in seconds. I don't have a box spring, but. the mattress rests solidly on my bed frame too.
Even just after a few nights of sleep, I could tell that this mattress is just the right mix of firm and squishy — I’m a side and stomach sleeper so I prefer something that can support my body but isn’t too hard as a rock feeling. Over the course of 30 days, I’ve found that the quality of my sleep has really improved. I don't seem to toss and turn as much and I’ve also slept through the night so much easier."
Casper Original Hybrid Mattress, $, available at Casper
Purple Hybrid Premier 4 Mattress
Mattress Type: Hybrid (coil, foam, & the Purple GelFlex Grid)
Sleeper Style: Side & back (if you're a stomach sleeper, go with the firm Purple Hybrid Mattress or the medium-soft Purple Hybrid Premier 3 Mattress)
Pros: Pressure/tension relief; cooling; 100-day trial; 10-year warranty; & it's squishy-soft
Cons: Very heavy (for instance, the queen is 176 pounds)
"It's been over 13 years since I've upgraded to a new mattress (and my previous mattress was also an old hand-me-down!) — so I was shocked to learn about all the advanced mattress technology that has emerged since I last checked. It's why I went with a Purple mattress — reading my colleague Alexandra's review of the well-engineered Purple Cloud Pillow had me intrigued on what kind of design elements went into Purple mattresses.
So, first thing, I had to determine if I wanted to go firm or soft — and considering how my last mattress had both a foam topper and a mattress topper, I knew a plushier mattress was best for my mostly side-sleeping self (though I'm also a flip-flopper). A rep at Purple recommended the Purple Hybrid Premier 4 Mattress, which is the softest and most responsive mattress (when it comes to adjusting to body weight) because of its four inches of the Purple GelFlex Grid, which is this layer of a squishy, bouncy hyper elastic polymer that is sandwiched between the top cover and the coils. (Interesting fact: It's actually the same gel technology that's commonly used for wheelchair and medical bed support.) And I should note that I'm a solo sleeper most nights but if I were to regularly share my bed with a partner, I may have gone with the Purple best-seller, the Hybrid Premier 3, which is in between soft and firm, as a compromise.
Hoo boy, the gel grid is actually the real game-changer because it instantly and evenly supports however I decide to lay my body down. And unlike memory foam, which leaves an imprint and takes a moment to rise again, the GelFlex immediately bounces back to its original form (which makes squirming and shimmying around a lot of fun). Plus, as a very hot sleeper (as in sweaty), I love that the grid's open ventilation design allows for cooling airflow and heat dissipation — which is going to become the MVP feature once summer rolls through. I personally did not need any adjustment period getting settled into my Hybrid Premier 4, but a rep at the company assured me that they stand behind the brand's 100-day trial period — although they do ask that customers give it at least 30 nights so the body can adjust to the mattress's buoyancy. I very much look forward to sleeping at nighttime now — it's how much I love the plushy, enveloping feel I get from Purple.
The one con I've encountered is that the mattress is supremely heavy — a rep told me it's the GelFlex that carries a lot of the weight — so when it's time to have your mattress delivered, you best know ahead of time where it's going (unless you enjoy rearranging a bedroom with a queen mattress that weighs around 170 pounds or a king that weighs over 200 — please don't do this alone).
But, all in all, Purple has exceeded my expectations when it comes to comfort. I've been sleeping a lot more soundly, I can have someone laying next to me and we won't be sinking into the middle, and perhaps best of all (for me), having the built-in GelFlex support has completely eliminated the need for any kind of topper. It's just mattress, then fitted sheet, blanket, and I'm off to sleepy town."
Purple Hybrid Premier 4 Queen Mattress, $, available at Purple
Big Fig Mattress
Mattress Type: Hybrid
Sleeper Style: Side, Back, Stomach
Pros: Medium-firm yet soft and cushy, customer service, great for larger-sized people
“For some time now, I’d been having issues with my all-foam mattress. It started out great, but over time it became softer and softer and didn’t support my body properly. I started developing lower back pain and knew something had to change. I saw an ad for Big Fig, a mattress designed with larger bodies in mind, and decided that might be the answer to all my sleeping woes. I’m a plus-size girl and the more I read about common issues people with bigger frames face with regular mattresses the more I became convinced I had to do a comprehensive review on it.
I got white glove delivery and the Big Fig queen mattress — along with the brand’s adjustable base — arrived and was set up seamlessly and promptly. Out of the box, it didn’t have a weird smell which can be common with mattresses. It inflated instantly, but I was instructed to wait a few hours to ensure that it was all set before I slept on it. The mattress is a medium-firm hybrid-style mattress, is constructed with coils and high-quality support foam. This means it’s supportive and sturdy while also having a bouncy softness to it.
I slept on it over the next five weeks, and definitely feel a pretty dramatic change in comfiness as compared to my all-foam mattress before. I sleep on my back, stomach, and side, and in ALL positions I felt properly supported. I’d experience sinking with the previous foam mattress and there was none of that with the Big Fig. My back pain also went away. That was really all the proof I needed to know that this mattress was really suited for someone like me.
I definitely recommend this mattress to anyone that is heavier set, from plus-size people to athletes that feel unsupported by their current mattress. Honestly, I think anyone who likes a firmer supportive mattress would benefit from the Big Fig.”
Big Fig Big Fig Mattress, $, available at Big Fig
Casper Nova Hybrid Snow
Mattress Type: Hybrid
Sleeper Style: Side
Pros: Firm-plush comfort, easy ordering, responsive customer service, cooling
Cons: Lower profile
"When the time came to purchase a new mattress, the mere thought of beginning this process felt overwhelming. Did I have to visit an actual store? Test out dozens of models? The task felt tiresome and the variety of choice seemed paralyzing. Despite the importance of finding a just-right mattress, who has time for the necessary research and price shopping? Plus, in the peak of an Omicron surge, I did not relish the idea of traipsing to different stores and laying around on other people’s mattresses.
When a family member mentioned the ease of Casper, it immediately felt as if the fog had lifted. While the brand does have brick-and-mortar locations, I loved that the entire process can also be navigated online. I immediately visited Casper’s website and felt relieved to discover there are only four choices to deliberate. After taking a quick quiz on my sleep preferences, Casper suggested two options based on my responses (I went for the Nova Hyrbrid Snow). I appreciated not having to debate the subtleties of multiple models. The decision was straightforward — and, if I happened to make a mistake, Casper offers free returns after 30 days. There seemed to be no way to lose...Casper just seemed designed for the lazy-but-busy shopper.
After the order was placed, my mattress arrived within just three days, appearing on the front porch in a box that was just a bit taller than a bar stool. As someone who tries to be eco-conscious, I was impressed that Casper used just one box to ship (it’s amazing they can fit the mattress in there!) with no unnecessary packaging. We popped open the box, slid the mattress onto the bed, and got excited about the first night’s sleep.
That night, we noticed an immediate difference from our old mattress. The Casper Nova is firm, yet provides a soft give and gentle plushness that feels unique. While most mattresses can be described simply as one category (“springy,” “soft,” “firm,”) the Casper Nova is somehow all things. I noticed its softness and breathability, yet also sense the firm coils and tight construction. At the same time, my partner, who likes pillows and mattresses to be “squishy,” feels equally comfortable, and he’s sleeping just as soundly as I am. Despite the more reasonable price point, this Casper has the technical comfort to feel like a more expensive choice.
When my partner shifts at night, I don’t detect any movement on my side of the bed. In addition, the mattress stays cool, even when you’ve been laying under the covers for hours. Interestingly, while historically I’ve always been a side sleeper, I actually feel supported and comfortable enough with this mattress to occasionally try a bit of back sleeping.
I’m hard-pressed to think of any disadvantages. We are currently not using a box spring with our Casper Nova, and the mattress does sit lower than my old one. While this adjustment does not bother me, I’ve heard some people question being slightly closer to the floor. In this way, it seems a bit Scandinavian to me. Overall, I’d recommend Casper to anyone who is looking for a very satisfying night’s sleep and the easiest of customer experiences."
Casper Nova Hybrid Mattress, $, available at Casper
Tuft & Needle Original Mattress
Mattress Type: Foam
Sleeper Style: Back, Side, Stomach
Pros: Ease Of Set Up
Cons: Initially Too Soft
"I recently moved back to NYC from my childhood home, where I’d been living the past year. I was sleeping in my childhood bed during this time, and it became very apparent that it was not the best mattress. It was an older spring mattress with some foam that was just no longer super supportive. I knew once I moved back to the city I’d need a more comfortable mattress. I knew Tuft n’ needle’s offerings were popular, so I spoke to customer service about my needs and asked about any recommendations they had. For reference, I’m a restless sleeper. I toss and turn throughout the night and sleep in just about all the positions. With this information, the customer service rep recommended I get the original Tuft N’ needle mattress. They said that all their mattresses are medium-firm — but, that the Original has the most firmness while not being too hard and allowing me to feel supported as I shifted positions throughout the night.
The original seemed like a pretty impressive choice. It honestly is quite affordable $895 originally, but there was a promotion for $795 when mine was ordered. It also has over 33,000 reviews and 4.6 stars, so I was eager to try it out and see if it’d give me an upgrade from my childhood mattress and the comfort and support I needed to sleep as soundly as possible. It’s a foam mattress with two different types of foam layers, The T&N Adaptive foam that adjusts to you as you move throughout the night and a supportive foam layer to prevent sinking into the mattress.
I had white glove delivery, so that was nice to not have to carry that huge box up my 4 flights of stairs. They popped open the box and put on the mattress protector I got as well. There was no chemical smell, which was appreciated. I waited a couple of hours for it to fully inflate per the instructions. I slept on it for about a month and initially felt that it was pretty soft and cushy. I was worried about the level of support I can really get from foam because I’m so used to springs, but as I continued sleeping on it through the nights it became very clear to me that foam doesn’t mean a lack of support. It’s almost as though when my body got used to the mattress, it got used to me, too. I’ve adjusted to foam and can’t really imagine going back to spring.
I think the biggest takeaway for me is that when switching mattress types drop any expectations and get in touch with your new mattress. Once I did that, my sleep improved and on all the positions I’d sleep in I felt supported."
Tuft & Needle T&N Original Mattress, $, available at Tuft & Needle
Sealy Cocoon Chill Mattress
Mattress Type: Memory Foam
Sleeper Style: Side
Pros: Cooling Built-In Topper
Cons: Weight
"When this mattress arrived perfectly rolled into a neat tube, I couldn't believe there was actually a full queen-sized mattress within the box. My boyfriend and I had just moved into a new loft in Brooklyn, and we, unfortunately, dragged our old memory foam with us. We knew it was time to make that big-ticket, adult-y purchase on a new mattress, but we really wanted one with some special features. That's when we came across the Cocoon Chill.
"We both like to sleep on our sides and are quite hot-blooded individuals (often leaving the A/C running throughout winter). We agreed on one thing and one thing only: the mattress had to have some sort of cooling effect.
"After we settled onto the new mattress a strange phenomenon occurred: we both fell asleep and took a nap. Now, neither of us nap— we're too quick, perky, and neurotic for that, but this Cocoon mattress really brought its name to life with its snuggly embrace. After sleeping on it for several nights we were both having trouble actually getting up the next day — it was that cozy. The premium stretch-knit cover, which is infused with phase-change materials that absorb and dissipate heat, was cool to the touch and kept our sheets crisp and chilly. Neither of us woke up drenched in sweat, and we haven't since.
"The Perfect Fit memory foam is truly game-changing; morphing around your body like a clay mold. The only downside? The mattress is quite heavy for my feather arms, but it's something we're willing to overlook for the sake of deep slumbers and supported backs."
Cocoon by Sealy The Chill Mattress, $, available at Cocoon by Sealy
DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid Mattress
Mattress Type: Hybrid (Foam & Spring)
Sleeper Style: Side
Pros: Price
Cons: Initial Firmness
"DreamCloud makes a 'luxuriously' built hybrid mattress for a fraction of the price of more established retailers. It’s 15” high, features a quilted cashmere cover, and a gel-infused memory foam top to cradle your body and keep you cool. It also has five different comfort zones to support different parts of your body in different ways. (For example, the top where your head rests is softer than the middle where your lower back sits.)"
"Out of the box, this baby pops up and has no smell. The first two weeks, it was definitely on the stiffer side which, as a side sleeper, I abhor. But as the weeks went on, it softened up substantially without losing its support. As the bed has pocketed coils in the center, air circulated well, and I never got that clammy, stick-to-you feeling you sometimes experience with all-foam mattresses."
"My partner, who’s a lot heavier than me, also really enjoyed it, and so did our two kids, who loved jumping on it. When compared to the best mattresses at your 5-star hotels, I’d say this held its own. The best part, however, is that this company offers a 365-day trial. If you’re not satisfied after a year, you can return it no questions asked!"
DreamCloud Hybrid Mattress, $, available at DeamCloud
Floyd Home The Mattress
Mattress Type: Hybrid (Foam & Spring)
Sleeper Style: Side, Stomach, & Back
Pros: Supportive, Cooling, Fast Delivery
Cons: Initial Firmness
"My partner and I recently moved into a house and were in need of both a bed frame AND a new mattress — which is what led us to Floyd. I'd been eyeing the brand's very cool bed frames for a while and it felt like kismet when I discovered they launched a mattress to go with it. As a predominant side sleeper who occasionally shifts to her back with a partner who favors his stomach, the best mattresses for our combined sleep styles have always been ones that are cushy but still supportive (aka hybrid mattresses). Floyd's The Mattress is a hybrid style, meaning it's part cushy foam and part supportive coils. Additionally, my partner and I both run HOT — so, The Mattress' copper and graphite-infused foam that supposedly helps dissipate body heat was a really intriguing factor."
"One thing we learned while moving during a pandemic is that it can take many many months for a single piece of furniture to ship — and we needed a bed ASAP. That was a huge plus with Floyd because both the mattress and the frame arrived together within a week or so of the order being placed. It's a bed-in-a-box style shipment, meaning delivery and assembly were both pretty standard and easy to handle with two people (the mattress is on the heavier side for one person). After unboxing it and getting the frame set up (which was also surprisingly fast & easy) we didn't notice any chemical-y smells that mattress reviewers typically complain about. We left it alone to puff up for the rest of the day, as it was super compressed in its bag/box, and then gave it a test run that night."
"The first sleep, as with any new mattress, was a little bit restless; the foam itself felt cushy but supportive which for my side-sensitive body initially verged on too firm. But, as the week went on, it (and I) eased up. My partner, the stomach sleeper, didn't seem to mind the initial firmness since he relishes more support from a mattress while he sleeps. I will say that right off the bat we both were very impressed with how cooling this thing was. We've tried MANY a 'cooling' product in the bedding world and this is one that actually does what it claims to. Oftentimes foam-style mattresses, toppers, or pillows feel as though they're trapping body heat but that was certainly not the case here. Both of us felt cool as a snoozing cucumber."
"We're now going on a month of sleep with Floyd's The Mattress and it's gotten better with every night; I now don't even notice the too-firm feeling I had during the first couple of nights and wake up without any weird kinks or numb limbs that I've experienced from mattresses past. If you're someone who wants more support while you sleep but can't deal with the intense firmness of a full-spring-style mattress, then this is definitely a steller choice. Or, if you're someone who's looking for a one-stop-bedroom shop, the matching frame is a really convenient addition. It's obviously an investment but one that is well worth it for the quality."
Floyd The Mattress, $, available at Floyd
Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Cloud Mattress
Mattress Type: Memory Foam
Sleeper Style: Side
Pros: Pressure Relief
Cons: Acclimation Period
"My partner and I had been sleeping on a 2008 IKEA Sultan mattress for years (a purchase I made for my first apartment after college). And, after 12 years of this mattress being moved in and out of numerous apartments, houses, and cities, it was time for a change."
"The entire process from delivery to set up was quick and simple. The mattress was delivered in a very timely manner and surprisingly came packaged in a drawstring canvas bag with easy directions for set up. I was able to remove it from the bag, unroll it, and it was ready to be used that evening! It was seriously as easy as 1, 2, sleep!"
"At first, it was a little touch and go with the Tempur-Cloud because we had never owned an all-foam mattress before — and, to be honest, had forgotten what a good night's sleep felt like. But, after sleeping on the new mattress for about 2 weeks, our bodies adapted to it and it truly started to feel like we were (as the name suggests) sleeping on a cloud. It's plush, supportive, and comfortable — and we love how it adapts to our respective weights, shapes, and body temperatures. (We also have the Tempur-Cloud Breeze Dual Cooling Pillow, and the combo of both the pillow and mattress is life-changing.) This really is the best mattress."
Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Cloud®, $, available at Tempurpedic
Nectar Memory Foam Mattress
Mattress Type: Memory Foam
Sleeper Style: Side & Back
Pros: Pressure Relief & CertiPUR-US
Cons: Initial Firmness
"Up until now, I have only purchased mattresses the old school way, by walking around a store's showroom with a supplied sanitary hanky to cover the pillow, and testing them one by one like a GD Goldilocks of the best mattresses. After crowning the winner, I've emptied out my checking account upwards of $1200 with an added white-glove delivery service charge since the coiled thing is so big and I am quite small at 5' 1" and nary a hulking partner or roommate. This year though, after buying a new home (and truly emptying the bank account) I was on the search for an affordable mattress for our guest room during Covid-times with no interest in visiting a store to snuggle up on multiple beds or paying for extra delivery services. Hence the weeks of online research began and ended with a Nectar mattress."
"First, while this is for the guest room, for reasons of both considerations for future guests like my mother-in-law who is asthmatic, a father who has back problems, and a few uppity close friends, I wanted affordable but not cheap in quality. Also, for this review, my partner and I did sleep on the mattress for just over 30 days which was a fun little escape within our own house. Oh, the times we live in — where spending a month in the guest room is considered an exciting adventure. I'm a side and back sleeper and have always slept on hybrid mattresses with coils and some foam. In consideration of health and environment, I wanted something that had no to low emissions, and also something that will last."
"All of this is what finally, after weeks of research, led me to the Nectar memory foam mattress. The company is always running promotions so the purchase not only included a nice discount on the memory foam mattress, but also came with a set of pillows, sheets, and mattress cover. This is the cost-conscious bundle I wanted right now. I did not order white glove delivery and the mattress came in three weeks (slightly over the 5 - 10 business day promise but, we're in a pandemic) rolled up in a tall box about the size of a narrow refrigerator. I dragged the box in the house and into the guest room, opened it up, and by myself (!) unrolled it onto the platform frame. It was hefty but I did it. My first test was the smell test — I'm very sensitive to smells and while not scientific, I was sniffing for chemical scents. There was some slight smell so I opened the windows in the room and returned the next day to no smell at all. One of the reasons I bought the Nectar over other well-reviewed cheaper mattresses is that it had the CertiPUR-US seal which means it's not made with any ozone depleters, toxic flame retardants, formaldehyde, mercury, lead, and other heavy metals."
"And now the sleep test. My husband and I slept on this mattress for a little over a month. We are both side and back sleepers although I would categorize him as a mover and a shaker sleeper. Since I've never slept on a foam mattress for more than a night or two as someone else's guest, the feeling was pretty different than what I was used to with my hybrid coil pillow-top mattress. The first very positive thing I noticed was that I didn't feel my husband's movements as much. Practically not at all! I've grown used to his restless moving and this was nice, very nice. Not a con, but something to get used to for me, was a more firm feeling of the multi-layered foam. I did feel like the mattress contoured to my pointy little shoulders and wide hips but I'm not sure if I prefer this measured contouring to the pillowy smush I'm used to. For nights I fell asleep on my back however, it was perfect. The considered 5-layered foam construction felt sturdy — like it was cradling me into a meditative deep sleep and my back felt more supported than my current mattress."
"Final thoughts — this is the best mattress for guest rooms, back sleepers, someone who has a partner that moves around a lot, or someone who wants something on the firmer side but still needs good pressure relief and cares about quality. If I were to continue sleeping on the Nectar mattress every night, I personally would add a pillow top because that's what I'm used to and I happen to like a little extra softness on my mattress. In fact, right before I filed this review, I did go ahead and buy this organic, washable wool mattress topper so it's an option for any guests who may also want extra softness."
Nectar Memory Foam Mattress - Queen, $, available at Nectar
Helix Sleep Midnight LUXE Mattress
Mattress Type: Hybrid (Foam & Spring)
Sleeper Style: Back & Side
Pros: Soft-Yet-Firm Support
Cons: Weight
"Just last month, my partner and I got Helix's hybrid mattress the Midnight LUXE. Mattresses are extremely important for us: I have some back issues and my partner is an avid golfer who suffers from restless leg syndrome. And, before COVID hit, we traveled quite often which gave us the opportunity to sleep on an incredible number of mattresses over the years — so, as you can imagine, we've become unusually aware of the various properties that separate the high-quality ones from the absolute duds."
"While our preferences for mattresses vary slightly, firmness is a main shared priority — but, since we're both fairly restless sleepers, there's a level of softness that's important when we inevitably end up tossing from our backs to our sides. Mattresses that are too firm often give me neck and shoulder pain when I'm on my side, and mattresses that are too soft tend to have the same effect when I'm sleeping on my back. Essentially, we'd been playing out the role of Goldilocks unendingly as we moved from too soft to too firm to finally just right. That's where the Midnight Luxe comes in with its as close to perfect (as we've yet to experience) blend of support and comfort for sleeping on our backs AND our sides."
"The only real negative we experienced with our new Helix mattress was the challenge of getting it from our door to our bedroom: the box had to weigh over 200 pounds. Luckily we had some family available to help heave it inside — and once it was out of the box, the mattress unfolded easily and was very manageable to get set into place. After a few hours of filling out and 'breathing,' it was good to go that very first night! And, we literally (if you can believe it) had no adjustment period to it like you usually experience with new mattresses. It was perfect from the get-go and we've been sleeping soundly ever since. By far the best mattress we've had to date."
Helix Midnight LUXE Mattress (Queen), $, available at Helix
Avocado Green Mattress
Mattress Type: Hybrid (Foam & Spring)
Sleeper Style: Side & Stomach
Pros: Eco-Friendly & Supportive
Cons: Initial Firmness
"My partner and I had been sleeping on an all-foam mattress but weren't totally satisfied due to our distinctly opposite sleep styles; while the softer memory foam worked well for me (a sound side sleeper), it wasn't supportive enough for him (a restless stomach sleeper). So, we went on the hunt for a hybrid compromise and settled on Avocado's Green Mattress (a combo of organic foam latex, wool, cotton, and pocketed support coils) — due in part to its eco-friendly ethos and for all the best mattress review buzz we'd been seeing."
"We weren't sure what to expect but had been forewarned that the mattress is FIRM and does take some getting used to (many reviews highly recommended the plush mattress topper for sleepers who preferred extra cushioning, aka me). The mattress arrived a few weeks before the topper came, completely compressed in a heavy but easy-enough-to-push-upstairs box. After snipping open the package and unfurling it from the box, we let it alone to decompress atop our bedframe before a first-night test run. At first glance, it looked and felt sturdy, soft, and well-made; all of the stitches, seams, and helpful side handles felt thoughtfully placed and sustainably crafted. We didn't notice any strange out-of-the-box smells, either!"
"The first night was, as is to be expected with any new mattress, restless. I spent half the night wriggling from side to side trying to avoid having my entire arm fall asleep, while my already restless stomach-sleeping partner did his usual toss-and-turn routine. But, each night we got more and more comfortable as our bodies adjusted from the too-firm initial response into the more-supportive long-term mindset. And, by the time the topper arrived a few weeks after, we had already adjusted to the mattress as is (although the topper did add a little extra cushy-oomph). The good thing about the topper: previously my partner was not able to sleep on beds with toppers that were too plush because they hurt his lower back while sleeping in a stomach position — this topper offered cush with firm-enough support that aforementioned sinkage wasn't an issue for him. The topper is also like a mini-soft version of the mattress—it's very premium."
"Ultimately, I am still a soft-style sleeper who loves a cushy all-foam mattress. But, this sustainably made hybrid has taught me (especially as I get older) that firmness does not always translate to bad sleep — it translates to better body support once you get past the acclimation period. It's also trained me to try transitioning to back-style sleeping, which is ultimately a safer sleep position for my body (and has helped me cut down on waking up with no feeling in my hands). And most of all, I love that I am sleeping on something that was made sustainably and is free from harsh chemicals. Better for me and better for the environment! All in all, this mattress is a great eco-friendly investment for couples with distinctly different sleep styles who are looking for better support long term. I would definitely put it at the top of the best mattress stack."
Avocado Avocado Green Mattress, $, available at Avocado
Parachute Eco Comfort Mattress
Mattress Type: Organic Cotton, Wool, & Steel Coils
Sleeper Style: Side
Pros: Pressure-Point Relief
Cons: Coil-Zone Acclimation
"For their support layers, Parachute uses coils — 6,000 of them. Right out of the box, The Mattress improved my sleep. I found myself waking up rested again and often in the same position as when I went to sleep. However, the surface still felt too hard for me initially. (God, I thought, have I suddenly turned into the princess from the Princess and the Pea?) But after three weeks, a down alternative topper, and then no down alternative topper, everything softened up and settled in. (This is probably why some mattress companies have mandatory 30-day break-in periods.)"
"My head and neck felt supported with a very light sink, and my upper back pain disappeared. The only other issue I experienced was acclimating my body to where the 'zones' were in the mattress to make sure my hips hit the firmer coils at just the right angle. It was a learning curve I could have done without, but a very minor one in the end."
"Parachute’s offering gave me back a good night’s sleep — even if $1,899 for a queen is on the high end of what’s available today both online and in stores."
Parachute Eco Comfort Mattress, $, available at Parachute
Brooklyn Bedding Brooklyn Sedona Hybrid
Mattress Type: Hybrid (Foam & Spring)
Sleeper Style: Side, Stomach, & Back
Pros: Soft-Yet-Firm Support & Pressure Relief
Cons: Edge Support
"Last month, my partner and I got Brooklyn Bedding's most recent and most luxe mattress: the Sedona Hybrid. We were way overdue. Our previous mattress was beyond lumpy, but we were struggling to agree on a replacement amid all the available options. We were drawn to the Sedona because it claimed to be a resort-style, high-end option that would feel cloud-like without sacrificing back support.
"We both prefer a firm mattress; my husband prefers a very firm mattress. So was a little worried that the inches of foam on top — layers of comfort foam, memory foam, and high-density foam — would end up feeling too squishy for us. Brooklyn Bedding rates this as a 'medium' on the firmness scale.
"My fears were unwarranted. Yes, the top of the mattress was soft, but it felt luxurious rather than suffocating. The dense foam took the pressure off my shoulder and hip when I slept on my side, and the coils beneath offered plenty of support. From night one, I woke up ache-free. And I grew to love the mattress more and more over the course of the month. My 'firmer is better' partner was on the fence the first few nights, but ultimately came to love the balance of softness and support the mattress offers. He favors his side at night too and noticed an immediate decrease in some nagging shoulder pain he'd been dealing with, thanks to the foam layers.
"One last perk: The mattress is cooling, which is a big plus since I tend to run hot at night.
"If I have one quibble, it's with the edge support, which I found to be a little lacking. My husband and I share a queen-size bed, and I tend to push him to the edge over the course of a night. Since the edges tend to collapse a bit when you get too close, I've had to learn to share our mattress space a little more generously, which doesn't come naturally to me. But besides that, I'm a huge fan. I'm excited to get into bed every night, which I think is a measure of the best mattress."
Brooklyn Bedding Sedona Elite, $, available at Brooklyn Bedding
PlushBeds The Botanical Bliss Organic Latex Mattress
Mattress Type: Organic Latex, Wool, & Cotton
Sleeper Style: Side
Pros: Pressure Relief
Cons: Price Point
"When I was asked if I wanted to review a mattress, I volunteered immediately. I've been sleeping on a cheap one for the past three years, and, especially in the past few months, my back has been feeling it. I'm a side sleeper, so I opted to try out PlushBeds Botanical Bliss Organic Latex Mattress, which earned mattress review site Tuck's highest rating for side sleepers of any weight. Plus, the brand was named the best mattress brand of 2018, and who doesn't love luxury?"
"When I think latex, I think of the rubbery material that makes condoms, clothing, and thigh-high boots — not a soft, comfortable mattress. But PlushBeds uses layers of organic Dunlop latex, each layer calibrated to a different firmness, to lend support and softness to the mattress. The latex is the bottom layer of the mattress, beneath a layer of organic wool for temperature regulation and a layer of organic cotton for moisture absorption and unrestricted airflow. All these layers mean that the mattress is very heavy — PlushBeds sent an agent to carry it to my third-floor walkup for me, which was great because I could not have managed it on my own."
"All this weight has a use, though: the mattress cradles the pressure points of your body, reducing aches; PlushBeds is often recommended by chiropractors and orthopedic specialists. This checks out: my sore back is now gone. I’m also sleeping more soundly, even though it’s the middle of summer. It would normally be out of my budget, but if you have the cash to spend then I think it's worth it. How’s that for luxury?"
PlushBeds Botanical Bliss Organic Latex Mattress, $, available at PlushBeds
Leesa Hybrid Mattress
Mattress Type: Hybrid (Foam & Spring)
Sleeper Style: Hot
Pros: Cooling Support
Cons: Out-Of-The-Box Smell
"My partner and I put a lot of research into finding the best mattress that would offer support and not trap heat — which was our biggest qualm with our last Tempur-Pedic foam bed. We loved how it gave us back and hip support, but hated waking up in a sweat in the middle of the night."
"We were hopeful the Leesa would hold up to its claims and decided to upgrade to a King. Unfortunately, our bed frame arrived late, and the Leesa stayed in the box for two weeks. Big mistake. I didn't realize that when you leave a foam mattress in a box, it can intensify that new mattress chemical-y smell. The Leesa smelled so strong the first night, it made me nauseous. It didn't bother my partner as much. (For this reason, the company strongly urges customers to remove the mattress from the box asap.)"
"Thankfully, the smell dissipated quickly, because now we couldn't love our mattress more. It provides the perfect amount of support — we both live pretty active lives and never wake up sore, achy, or like we slept on something wrong, which was a common occurrence before. The foam is soft enough that it's comfortable but firm enough that one of us can move in the middle of the night and the other doesn't feel a thing. We've honestly found the best mattress for giving us both the best sleep ever."
"As for the cooling claims, it's definitely an improvement from our last bed, but we both still run pretty hot. We ordered new cooling sheets and a comforter and if that doesn't help, we're just going to have to be one of those couples that cuddle for five minutes and then retreat to our sides of the bed for the rest of the night. Is this what marriage is like?"
Leesa Original Hybrid Mattress, $, available at Leesa
Wink Beds The WinkBed Mattress
Mattress Type: Hybrid (Foam & Spring)
Sleeper Style: Restless
Pros: Sink-Into-Bed Support
Cons: Aesthetic Durability
"This was a serious best mattress winner for me. It’s handmade in Wisconsin when ordered, so it takes a couple of weeks to arrive, but other than the wait I had no real complaints. Right out of the literal box, it was fluffy, supportive, and odor-free. The blue-and-white trim around the top looks pretty regal, and this bed softened up to my liking within a week or two."
"Wink’s main and original mattress is a hybrid (coils and foam) and comes in four variations: softer, luxury firm, firm, and plus. They also make a memory foam bed and an eco-friendly mattress featuring 100% natural materials. I chose the luxury firm, their most popular style, and as someone who likes to sink into their bed, I wasn’t disappointed. But it’s nice that they have so many options. Their Plus model is also one of the best mattress options because it’s one of the only bed-in-a-box, luxury beds to accommodate heavier weights."
"The mattress itself has a Tencel cover, which sleeps cooler than linen, wicks away heat, and is softer than silk, according to the site. Then there’s a gel-infused memory foam layer, which is what provides a lot of the immediate comfort you feel when you lie down, individually wrapped coils, and great edge support (something you’ll really come to appreciate when you share your bed with little kids)."
"My only gripe: when I change the sheets, the top of the mattress already looks very used even though it’s only a couple of months old, so that’s definitely a little disappointing. Otherwise, when I go to sleep, I stay asleep. No tossing and turning, no back pain, and no grogginess in the morning because I didn’t actually get a good night’s rest."
WinkBeds The WinkBed, $, available at WinkBeds
Essentia Classic 8 Mattress
Mattress Type: Organic Latex & Memory Foam
Sleeper Style: Back
Pros: Sustainability
Cons: Firmness
"This very expensive, hypoallergenic, natural foam, natural latex, and GOTS organic cotton covered mattress was overall pretty good — but there were definitely a few hiccups."
"When this extremely heavy beauty was unrolled from the box, there was a definite smell, and I'm not sensitive to odors. For the first month, it was also pretty firm, and I do not like pretty firm. I like soft, pillowy, sink-into-ya, never wanna-leave-ya gooeyness from my beds, even if that's not ideal for my back. So at first, I was sad. But, I know that you have to give a mattress a good 30 days before you can truly judge it. As time went on, the mattress didn't lose its firmness, but it did soften up and start to mold to my body. The next month that I slept on it, we got along just fine, and I woke up feeling well-rested."
"If you're a hot sleeper and concerned about a latex mattress heating you up too much as you snooze, the Canadian company promises that 'the surface is three degrees cooler than your internal body temperature over an eight-hour sleep cycle.' Personally, it never overheated me, but I keep my bedroom pretty cool."
"I would recommend this product to a friend who really, really cares about their sleep as well as the environment and buying all organic, natural, and organically certified products. I’d also recommend it to someone who has a back injury or issues — it’s definitely on the firmer side and super supportive. Otherwise, I’m not sure the price tag justifies the product. The mattress also has a very low profile — only 8 inches high — so that’s another thing to keep in mind when pairing it with an existing bed frame or if you’re swapping it for something that was way higher."
Essentia Classic 8 Organic Mattress, $, available at Essentia
Temper-Pedic TEMPUR-breeze Mattress
Mattress Type: Cooling Foam
Sleeper Style: Stomach
Pros: Temperature Regulation
Cons: Weight
"I’m convinced that Tempur-Pedic makes mattresses so that you’ll never want to move. I mean that in a couple of ways: one, once you lie down on this mattress, you’ll be so comfortable that you literally never want to get up; and two, this mattress is so heavy that it makes transporting it from one home to another essentially impossible. Obviously, this is not actually how Tempur-Pedic actually designs its mattresses, but it was my experience testing the Tempur-breeze."
"Initially I was drawn to this mattress because the foam and fabric are supposed to have a cooling effect, which helps you sleep in higher temperatures. When I began testing, I lived in an apartment that didn’t have air-conditioning, which is exactly as miserable as it sounds. Each night in my old bed felt like an infrared sauna wrap. The Tempur-breeze promises to keep you chill thanks to cool-to-touch fabric and material that absorbs heat as you sleep and encourages airflow."
"There’s solid scientific evidence suggesting that the ideal temperature to sleep in is between 60 and 67 degrees — not 90 degrees, which was the temperature of my room. Although a mattress couldn’t lower the temperature of my room by 30 degrees, it can cool me by three degrees. You can actually feel the chill when you feel the slippery outer fabric of the SmartClimate Dual Cover System, which made it challenging to keep a fitted sheet secure, especially if you toss and turn. With some fans on full blast and only a thin blanket on my bed, I stayed at a comfy temperature throughout the night. And since the mattress is so comfortable, I had fewer middle-of-the-night wake-ups than usual, too."
"This is without a doubt the best mattress I've ever rested my bod on, it feels so comfortable and luxurious. (For context, I was using a cheap six-year-old spring mattress before making the switch.) I’m a stomach-sleeper, but the memory foam cradled all my curves and all my edges perfectly. The first night it actually made me kind of paranoid that I couldn’t feel my body on the mattress. I woke up with a lot less neck pain and fewer creaks than usual, which made me want to jump up and down like Kelly in the Tempur-Pedic commercials of the 90s. Even my dog, who sleeps on the bed with me, seemed to visibly relax when he sunk into the mattress."
"The one and only caveat I have to mention about the Tempur-Pedic breeze is its weight. While testing, I moved apartments and made the bold decision to not hire professional movers. When Tempur-Pedic's white glove delivery service dropped off the mattress, they made it look incredibly easy. But carrying this mattress up three flights of stairs with my partner was like trying to haul a massive, 123-pound lasagna noodle up a mountain. But, I have to say: knowing that my partner could essentially carry a dead body with me definitely helps me sleep well at night."
Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-breeze°, $, available at Tempurpedic
Casper Sleep Wave Mattress
Mattress Type: Foam
Sleeper Style: Side
Pros: Breathability
Cons: Pressure Relief
"I'd never owned a foam mattress prior to this test, having only ever slept as a guest on a Tempur-Pedic type at my cousin's house. SO, I was jazzed to give Casper's newest five-layer foam style a go in my own space! The Wave is built to provide contour support and temperature regulation — two things that I, the sweaty side sleeper, desperately needed from my ideal best mattress buy."
"When it arrived the entire process was very white-glove with the delivery guy staying to help unbox and properly set up the mattress on my bed (a feat I could not have accomplished alone, this thing is heavy AF). Once The Wave was unfurled from its compact packaging, I left it alone on my bed for a few hours to do its plump-up thing. There was no weird residual chemical smell and by bedtime, it was ready to go."
"That first night was a little touch and go, as my body wasn't used to the whole contouring-foam feeling (which in certain side-sleeping positions put pressure on my hips and shoulders causing them to cramp). But, aside from that, it felt like I was sleeping on a breathable cushy cloud — that was even more amplified when I threw some super soft linen sheets on top of it."
"Although the pressure issue persisted through the 30-day trial run, it helped give me the push I needed to convert myself into a back sleeper — a position where this mattress really shines support-wise. When I'm on my back, The Wave is everything you'd want in a mattress: soft-yet-firm, full-body supportive, and incredibly breathable for sweat-prone sleepers. Plus, when snoozing with a plus one, any other-side-of-the-bed movement is nearly undetectable. I'd definitely give this a vote for one of the best mattresses I've had the privilege of catching Zs on."
Casper Sleep Wave Mattress, $, available at Casper
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