A quality mattress is one of the smartest items you can invest in. You spend about one-third of your life sleeping (or at least trying to sleep), and a comfortable mattress will allow you to fully rest and recuperate. But here’s the tricky part: There’s no one-size-fits all solution, and the best mattress for you depends on your specific needs.
With so many options on the market—from memory foam mattresses to hybrid mattresses to cooling mattresses (and many that combine technologies)—there’s bound to be one that checks all your boxes. To narrow it down, it’s essential to identify your sleep preferences and needs. If you struggle with back pain, for example, look for a mattress designed to support and align your spine. If you’re a strict side sleeper, you’ll want a mattress that’s designed to cradle your joints, with the right balance of give and support.
Although the “best” mattress is different for everyone, there are a few top-rated mattresses that stand out among the rest. We’ve done extensive research, digging through firsthand reviews from professionals testers and consumers. We’ve also tested (and loved) many of these mattresses ourselves. Below, find the best mattresses you can buy right now. Need more help? Scroll to our buying guide below.
- Best Mattress Overall: Nectar Premier Copper Memory Foam Mattress
- Best Mattress For Side Sleepers: Helix Midnight LUXE
- [PAID PLACEMENT] Best Mattress For Athletes: Zoma Mattress
- Best Mattress For Back Pain: Saatva Classic Mattress
- Best Pillow Top Mattress: DreamCloud Premier Rest
- Best Plush Mattress: Casper Nova Hybrid
- Best Firm Mattress: Tempur-Pedic Tempur-LuxeAdapt
- Best Mattress For Couples: Eight Sleep The Pod Pro Max
- Best Mattress For Combo Sleepers: Sleep Number 360 i8 Smart Bed
- Best Cooling Mattress: Layla Memory Foam Mattress
Best Mattress Overall
Nectar’s Tallest, Coolest And Most Supportive Option
- Height: 14 inches
- Firmness level: Medium firm (6.5 out of 10)
- Trial period: 365 nights (one year)
- Warranty: Lifetime
The Nectar Premier Copper Memory Foam Mattress is one of the best mattresses Nectar has to offer. Constructed of 14 inches of premium materials, it’s the tallest, coolest and most supportive in the entire lineup. There are five specialized layers designed cradle your body to relieve pressure and provide support for your joints, including a 9-inch base layer of breathable foam, a dynamic layer of memory foam that gives just the right amount of bounce and a gel memory foam layer that hugs your body and adjusts to your sleeping temperature, so you’re less likely to overheat. Everything is wrapped up in a quilted cooling cover that’s infused with copper fibers, so it stays cool to the touch and helps wick away heat and moisture.
What the Reviews Say: With over 35,000 5-star reviews, it’s clear that the Nectar Premier is a crowd favorite. Well-rested reviewers say it earns high marks for comfort and pain relief. “It feels like we get a hug all night long,” raves one buyer. “Very comfortable and cozy.” Another says simply, “No more back or shoulder pain. No more tossing and turning half the night!” As a bonus, many also comment on the company’s generous trial period and stellar customer service.
Best Mattress For Side Sleepers
A Luxe Option With Additional Lumbar Support
- Height: 14 inches
- Firmness level: Medium to medium-firm (4 to 7 out of 10)
- Trial period: 100 nights
- Warranty: 15 years
The highly praised Midnight LUXE is one of Helix’s most popular and top-rated mattresses. It’s medium to medium-firm, making it comfortable for pretty much everyone, but its features are especially great for side sleepers. This 14-inch mattress offers up six layers, creating more than a foot of cushion under your body while you sleep. The memory foam maximizes pressure point relief on your hips and shoulders, while a zoned wrapped coil unit offers added support and helps reinforce the edges so you never feel like you’re sinking, even if you inch toward the edge of the bed at night.
Plus, all of the LUXE models (there’s a standard Helix Midnight mattress, too) have added lumbar support for enhanced contouring for your back and a premium quilted pillow top with a soft, breathable cover. They’re also two inches taller than the standard mattresses.
What the Reviews Say: This pick is decidedly “side sleeper approved” according to some reviewers. “This is definitely a must-have if you sleep on your side and have any hip issues,” elaborates one buyer. “It’s super comfy and I barely want to get up in the morning, which may or may not be a good thing!”
Best Mattress For Athletes
A Responsive Mattress Designed For Active Lifestyles
- Height: 12 inches
- Firmness level: Medium
- Trial period: 100 nights
- Warranty: 10 years
The Zoma mattress is designed for people with active lifestyles, whether that means you’re an athlete or on your feet working and/or taking care of the household all day. It has three strategically placed layers—a gel memory foam layer that targets pressure points and relieves pressure; a Reactiv layer that’s extremely responsive to movement and bounces back quickly as you change positions throughout the night; and a support foam layer that keeps the other two layers sturdy and ensures they don’t buckle under your weight so your spine stays aligned. All three layers are wrapped in a breathable, ventilated cover that helps wick away heat and moisture so you sleep cooler.
What the Reviews Say: Despite it’s “too good to be true” price tag, the Zoma’s 4.8-star rating suggests it really is the stuff of dreams. “Never really slept through a whole night without waking up constantly until I bought my Zoma mattress,” reports one reviewer. “Now I sleep all night long without waking waking up.” Another thrilled customer adds, “Ever since I got this mattress I have NOT had a backache! I can't believe it.”
Best Mattress For Back Pain
A Handcrafted Mattress Available In Three Firmness Levels
- Height: Choose from 11.5 or 14.5 inches
- Firmness level: Plush soft (3 out of 10), luxury firm (5 to 7 out of 10) and firm (8 out of 10) options
- Trial period: 180 nights
- Warranty: 15 years
Saatva’s classic mattress has three options for firmness—plush soft, firm and luxury firm. While the best mattress for you partly comes down to personal preference, the luxury firm is recommended for people with back pain. This top-rated mattress offers plenty of support thanks to double-layer coils, memory foam and polyfoam, which enhances back support as well. It also has a wire Lumbar Zone in the center of the mattress that’s designed to keep your body aligned and provide extra pressure relief in the middle of your back.
The Saatva Classic is finished off with a 3-inch Euro pillow top that’s constructed of plush comfort foam layers that add extra contouring and that dreamy “sink into your bed after a long day” feeling. As an added bonus, all Saatva mattresses are handmade to order and arrive fully expanded (not rolled into a box) with free white glove delivery.
What the Reviews Say: The Saatva mattress is acclaimed by many, including chronic back pain sufferers. “Fifty-four years of terrible mattresses/terrible sleep and finally I have found the one!” says one thrilled buyer. “I was always a side sleeper and now find that I also sleep on my back since I do not wake up stuck due to lower back pain.” Raves another, “I waited to write this review after a few months of sleeping on the mattress and can truly say my only wish is that I had ordered the mattress sooner.”
Best Pillow Top Mattress
Contouring Soft Foam That Offers Targeted Pressure Relief
- Height: 16 inches
- Firmness level: Medium/luxury firm (6.5 out of 10)
- Trial period: 365 nights (one year)
- Warranty: Lifetime
A pillow top mattress is the gold standard when it comes to plushness, and this Premier Rest mattress from DreamCloud delivers on that front. Its cashmere pillow top is made from a combination of high-loft memory foam and contouring soft foam that work together to hug your body, supporting you where you need it and taking pressure off where you don’t. Everything sits on top of a sturdy base of coils that helps minimize motion transfer—a great feature if you sleep with a partner. And with its 16-inch profile, it’s the tallest mattress in DreamCloud’s line.
Unlike some other bed-in-a-box mattresses, DreamCloud mattresses work with any foundation, including box springs and adjustable bases, so you don’t have to upgrade your whole setup if you don’t want to.
What the Reviews Say: If you’re on the hunt for cloud-like comfort, reviewers say you’ll find it with this plush pillow top. One happy buyer shares, “traditional pillow top mattresses were so disappointing because they always have compressed body marks.” However, with the DreamCloud, she and her husband were “both immediately satisfied, and I have been more impressed as time has gone by. [It’s been] almost two years now and no compressed spots where we lie.”
Best Plush Mattress
A Cushy Option For Those That Like To Sink Into Their Mattress
- Height: 12 inches
- Firmness level: Soft
- Trial period: 100 nights
- Warranty: 10 years
Casper was one of the first companies to put beds-in-a-box on the map. While the mattresses have always been well-received by consumers, the offerings have come a long way since the first model and now, this Nova Hybrid is one of the plushest mattresses in the category. It combines hundreds of resilient springs with three layers of specialized foam that are designed to let your shoulders sink into the mattress, while providing extra support for your waist, lower back and hips.
The original Nova Hybrid does have some cooling technology but if you’re a really hot sleeper, you can opt for the Nova Hybrid Snow instead (for an additional $500 charge). It has bands that direct heat away from your body and additional layers of perforated form to allow air to pass through.
What the Reviews Say: Plush mattress lovers say the Casper Nova Hybrid offers marshmallowy softness with just enough support. One buyer describes how it’s “soft and plushy but doesn’t hurt your back or make you feel stuck.” Another says, “The Nova Hybrid gives my lower back just the right combo of softness and support that [I] need after a lumbar fusion. It's perfect.”
Best Firm Mattress
A Supportive Option That Still Alleviates Pressure Points
- Height: 13 inches
- Firmness level: Firm (soft option also available)
- Trial period: 90 nights
- Warranty: 10 years
Getting a firm mattress doesn’t mean you have to feel like you’re sleeping on a board. Tempur-Pedic’s Tempur-LuxeAdapt—which comes in soft and firm options—allows you to get the firmness you need, while also enjoying ultra-conforming comfort. The mattress is constructed of a specially engineered foam that quickly responds to your weight, shape, temperature and movement and adapts accordingly. It also has motion cancellation, so you don’t move around in bed when your partner does, along with the world’s first removable, machine-washable cooling SmartClimate Dual Cover System.
What the Reviews Say: Reviewers report that the Tempur-LuxeAdapt balances firm support with the brand’s legendary comfort. “I have always had back issues and no matter what mattress we purchased, none compare to the Tempur-Pedic,” shares a buyer. “It is so comfortable, we love the raised base and it's very cool while sleeping.” Echoes another, “I have gotten an average of one and a half more hours of sleep per night. I don't wake up early with a sore back anymore. Most comfortable mattress I have ever owned.”
Best Mattress For Couples
A Mattress That Adapts To Your Individual Body Temperature
- Height: 12 inches
- Firmness level: Medium
- Trial period: 100 nights
- Warranty: 2 years
Eight Sleep’s The Pod Pro Max is like the Tesla of mattresses, according to one reviewer. This mattress uses hydro-cooling technology to independently heat and cool each side of the bed between 55 and 110 degrees Fahrenheit, allowing you each to choose your ideal temperature. The Pod Max also uses ambient sensors to measure the room temperature, humidity and local weather to react to your needs without any input from you. In addition to temperature regulation, it offers advanced sleep tracking, a daily health check and wake up technology that prompts the bed to gently vibrate or heat and cool to wake you up without any sound.
And it’s comfortable, too. The Pod Max offers six layers of CertiPUR-US-certified foam for a medium-firm, supportive feel (a great compromise for couples who can’t agree on a firmness level) plus a contouring foam topper that provides advanced pressure point relief.
What the Reviews Say: In true tech-forward form, Eight Sleep’s reviews are pulled from Twitter—and the tweets are good. “@eightsleep is maybe the best purchase I've ever made,” types a buyer. “Went from being a terrible sleeper to getting solid sleep every night.” Posts another, “The hype is real. Bought one about a year ago and now hate traveling because I won’t have my @eightsleep bed. Had to talk my wife into getting it and after staying in a hotel Friday, she told me it was the best thing we’d ever bought.”
Best Mattress For Combo Sleepers
A Mattress That Automatically Adapts To Your Body As You Change Positions
- Height: 12 inches
- Firmness level: Adjustable
- Trial period: 100 nights
- Warranty: 15 years
If you’re a combo sleeper, you can’t go wrong with the Sleep Number 360 i8 Smart Bed. Like all Sleep Number 360 Smart Beds, you can use the free app to adjust the firmness on each side of the mattress independently. The mattress also responds to your movements and automatically adapts to keep your body properly aligned, so you never feel too much pressure in your shoulders or hips. The i8 model, specifically, has temperature-balancing technology and a breathable fabric that’s designed to help you sleep cooler.
All Sleep Number beds also come with a 100-night sleep trial. If you don’t like it after a few months, you can return it. But keep in mind that all adjustable bases are non-refundable, so that’s not covered by the trial.
What the Reviews Say: Buyers say the bed’s adjustability allows them to customize their comfort level. “I’ve never slept better,” says a reviewer. “The temperature control is perfect. My husband needs warmth, I need cool. I also love to change the position based on my aches and pains.” Another shares a similar story: “This bed enabled my husband and I to have the sleep experience we both wanted—I like firm and he likes soft.”
Best Cooling Mattress
A Flippable Mattress That Helps Keep You Cool
- Height: 10.5 inches
- Firmness level: Soft on one side, firm on the other
- Trial period: 120 nights
- Warranty: Lifetime
There’s a lot to love about the Layla memory foam mattress—especially if you tend to overheat at night. The mattress has a specially designed cover that provides reactive cooling when you start to heat up. In other words, if your body temperature rises, the mattress will adjust to help you maintain a comfortable body temperature. Layla’s copper foam is also incredibly conductive, carrying heat away from your body faster for a cooler, more pleasant sleep experience. A cool perk: The mattress is flippable, with both a soft and firm side, so you can customize your sleeping experience.
The soft side has a 3-inch layer of copper-gel memory foam that offers a plush feel and variable support for deep compression areas. The firm side has the same copper gel memory foam, but the layer is only 1-inch thick for a more supportive feel that doesn’t hug your body as much.
What the Reviews Say: Many hot sleepers praise the Layla Memory Foam Mattress for its temperature-regulating abilities. “It totally lives up to the ‘keeps you cool’ tagline,” confirms one reviewer. Plus, “It's comfortable with just the right amount of support on the firm side of the mattress.”
What To Consider When Buying A Mattress
When buying a mattress, you want to make sure you’re choosing the right one for you. Think about your sleep style, preferred firmness level and the mattress materials. You’ll also want to consider the retailer’s warranty and return policy. Generous at-home sleep trials (some retailers offer up to a year) provide peace of mind, especially when buying a mattress online.
Sleep Style
The very first thing to think about is your (and, if applicable, your partner’s) preferences, needs and sleeping style. Side sleepers typically need a softer mattress than back sleepers, while people with back pain need a mattress that’s firm enough to keep the spine properly aligned.
To learn more about mattresses designed to address specific issues, reference our guides to the best mattresses for side sleepers, the best firm mattresses, the best soft mattresses, the best mattresses for back pain, the best mattresses for heavy people and the best cooling mattresses. Once you decide what you want and need for a restful night’s sleep, it’ll help you determine what other features to look for.
Materials
Most modern mattresses are primarily made with foam or a mixture of foam and springs (hybrid), and there are general characteristics of each to consider. Foam mattresses tend to have a supportive, body-cradling feel and are superior at eliminating motion transfer but can sometimes trap too much heat for hot sleepers (that said, many are infused with cooling gels for this purpose).
Hybrids combine the support of springs with the softness of foam in its upper layers, but they tend to be bouncier than their all-foam counterparts. There are mattresses designed with natural and sustainable materials, if that’s important to you, too. Long story short: Each model has its own unique combination of foams, gels and (in some cases) springs, so you’ll want to carefully read up on your top contenders before making your purchase.
Firmness
The right firmness for you depends on your preferences and needs. In general, medium-soft mattresses are best suited for side sleepers and firmer ones are best for back sleepers or those with chronic back pain. Can’t commit? Some mattresses have dual-sided firmness (see the Layla Memory Foam Mattress, above) or can be customized to your exact specifications night after night (check out the Sleep Number 360 i8 Smart Bed, above).
Delivery method
One of the downsides of ordering a mattress online is having to heave your bulky purchase through a narrow doorway or up a flight of stairs. Mattress retailers realized this, which is why you can browse bed-in-a-box options that arrive vacuum-sealed in compact boxes. While they can still be weighty (enlisting help is strongly recommended), once your mattress in the bedroom, just unwrap it and let it expand—both foam and hybrid options can be packaged this way. Or, seek out a brand that does the work for you, like Saatva, which offers white-glove delivery service free with purchase.
Trial period
Buying a mattress without testing it first can definitely feel risky. But to ease your mind, many companies offer generous trial periods—some for up to a year—to ensure it’s the right pick. Before making your purchase, be sure to look up the brand’s trial and/or warranty policy to make sure you have ample time to try it, risk-free.
Other Features
Today’s mattresses are designed with cutting-edge technology and materials to cater to your sleeping needs. Co-sleepers may want a mattress made to minimize motion transfer while hot sleepers may prioritize options that promote airflow or have a cover that’s cool to the touch. If you have an adjustable bed frame or plan on getting one, a flexible foam mattress will probably be the most compatible pick.
The Best Mattresses In 2022 FAQ
How Much Should I Pay For A Good Mattress?
A new mattress is an investment, but considering that you’ll use it every night—and it can last up to 7 to 10 years—it’s a worthwhile one.
If you’ve been mattress hunting lately, you probably noticed that prices run the gamut, from $500 budget picks to luxury options that go for several thousand dollars. The sweet spot between quality and value is generally around $1,500 to $2,000 for a queen-size mattress, but again, it depends what you’re looking for.
Something to keep in mind is that more expensive mattresses are usually made with higher-quality materials that can last years, even decades. However, a mattress worth a small fortune isn’t necessarily the best pick, either. (Plus, being stressed about a bed you can’t afford won’t help you sleep better at night.) In short, it’s best to prioritize your needs when mattress shopping rather than browsing by price alone; if you see its value, it’ll be worth shelling out some money. Further, most mattress companies offer generous home trial periods, giving you added peace of mind about your investment (or your money back).
When Is The Best Month To Buy A Mattress?
It’s smart to keep your eye out for mattress sales when you’re in the market. While you can find discounts year-round, early spring (around May), late winter (hello, Black Friday sales) and holiday weekends are often the best times to find markdowns.
Insider tip: Mattresses are one of the most heavily discounted items during sales events like Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day and Labor Day. In addition to saving some cash, you can sometimes score freebies like pillows and bedding.
Which Is Better: Memory Foam Or Spring Mattresses?
Again, this comes down to preference, but there are pros and cons of memory foam and spring mattresses to consider.
Memory Foam Mattresses
- Pros: Body-contouring; superior at providing pressure relief; isolate motion, which reduces motion transfer (excellent for couples)
- Cons: Some people don’t like the “sinking in” feeling; memory foam has a tendency to trap heat (although many are now designed with cooling technology); all-foam mattresses can very heavy and bulky, making set-up a pain
Spring Mattresses
- Pros: Supportive; allow for air circulation (and tend to be cooler); better edge-to-edge support; lighter weight
- Cons: Bouncier feel; don’t offer as much motion isolation as foam (so you’re more likely to feel your partner tossing and turning)
If you’re torn on mattress type, a hybrid model, which has a base of springs and upper memory foam layers, is a good option.
What Mattresses Are Best For Side Sleepers?
Sleeping on your side puts more pressure on certain areas of your body, including your hips and shoulders. This can cause pain and numbness that makes it difficult to sleep and/or stays with you during the day and leads to chronic pain.
To combat these issues, side sleepers typically need a mattress with a little more give and extra contouring material. If you’re a dedicated side sleeper, a medium firmness mattress will probably be a good option for you. If you switch between sleeping on your back and side, a medium-firm mattress will likely be a better fit, since it offers enough support to keep your spine aligned when sleeping on your back.
What Mattresses Are Best For Back Pain?
There are many underlying causes of back pain but if your mattress is the culprit, it’s likely because it isn’t providing the proper support for your body, which results in a misalignment of your spine. The key to correcting the issue to get a new mattress that has adequate support.
As a general rule, memory foam and latex are considered the best options for back pain since they contour your body, alleviate pressure points and keep your spine aligned. But the best mattress for back pain also depends on how you sleep. If you’re a back sleeper, you need something that’s on the medium to medium-firm side. If you’re a side sleeper, a plusher mattress with a little more give is necessary for waking up pain-free and making sure you feel your best.
