Shopping

Best mattress − 9 tried and tested favorites

I've ranked and reviewed the best mattresses from Saatva, Nectar, Bear, and more to suit every style of sleeper and size of budget

A blanket and throw pillows on the Saatva Classic Mattress on a gray bed frame.
(Image credit: Saatva)

The best mattress can make a big difference to your life. If you can find a mattress that suits your sleep style, supports your body type, and comes in under budget, then you can sleep better at night and wake up feeling well-rested. Still, with so many mattress makes and models, it's easy to feel spoiled for choice.

That's where I come in. As Homes & Gardens' resident sleep editor and in-house expert, I lead a team of mattress testers across America. Together, we represent a wide range of sleep needs and body types, so we know the pros and cons of different mattress types for different sleepers. We've spent years in the mattress industry, testing a total of 30 innersprings, hybrids, memory foam and latex models in the search to find the best mattress. I've seen how a mattress is made all around the world, from the heart of Arizona to the slopes of Scandinavia.

We sleep on each mattress for eight hours a night, seven nights a week, for at least a month before we write our mattress reviews. That's hundreds of hours of testing for pressure relief, thermoregulation, edge support, and motion isolation. We also consider the practical side of buying a mattress, including delivery, sleep trials, and the all-important price. Our reigning champion is the Saatva Classic Mattress, which combines the airflow and support of an innerspring with the plush comfort of a pillow-top to suit all sleep styles. Still, you might find that another one of our top-rated mattresses is a better match for you.

Best mattress − 9 tested options at a glance

You can trust Homes & Gardens. Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing the latest products, helping you choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

Below, you'll find a bite-size summary of each mattress, outlining who it suits and the most important pros and cons. If you come across any terms you don't understand, don't panic − consult my mattress jargon buster. To learn more about a particular mattress, keep scrolling, or shortcut to that section by pressing 'read more below'. There, I've listed the need-to-know specs, including the price, height, and size of each mattress, before diving deep into the details of our testing experience.

The best mattress overall

1. Saatva Classic Mattress

A luxury innerspring to elevate the everyday

Specifications

Price: $1,195 - $2,990
Firmness: Plush Soft, Luxury Firm, Firm
Type: Innerspring
Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Split King, California King, Split California King
Sleep trial: 365 nights
Warranty: Lifetime
Delivery: Free white-glove delivery

Reasons to buy

+
Plush pillow-top for pressure relief
+
Ergonomic support
+
Naturally cooling

Reasons to avoid

-
$99 fee to refund or exchange
-
600lb maximum weight capacity

The Saatva Classic Mattress is our reigning champion for the title of 'best mattress', four years running. This luxury innerspring mattress combines the airflow and support of a coil core with the pressure-relieving properties of a plush pillow-top. I'd recommend the Saatva Classic for front, back, and side sleepers alike, as well as anyone who runs hot or lives in a warm climate.

'I've spent more than four years sleeping with my Saatva Classic in Luxury Firm,' says expert tester Jaclyn Turner. 'It's a true medium that gives you a touch of softness without that sinking feeling. It's like bringing a luxury hotel bed back home with you.'

The Saatva Classic Mattress strikes a careful balance between comfort and support: subtle crests and troughs on the pillow top create ergonomic zones to give each area of your body the specific support it needs. Full disclosure: it took Jaclyn a few sleeps to get used to the feeling of the foam, but 'now, [she] wouldn't want to sleep on anything other than the Saatva Classic.'

Just a few things to note about the Saatva Classic Mattress before you buy it: first, there's a 600lb maximum weight capacity. If you share a bed, and you're both on the heavier side, then you should consider the WinkBeds Luxury Hybrid Mattress, instead, which comes in 'Plus' for plus-sized sleepers. You'll find it more supportive than the Saatva Classic, albeit not quite as luxurious. Also, if you change your mind about the Saatva Classic Mattress within the first year of purchase and you decide to refund or exchange it, you'll need to pay a $99 return fee.

Swipe to scroll horizontally
AttributeNotesScore (out of 5)
Pressure reliefThree firmness levels to suit everyone5
Thermo-regulationHighly breathable through heat waves5
Motion isolationSome motion transfer3
Edge supportReinforced with high-density foam rails5
Reviewed by
Jaclyn Turner photo
Reviewed by
Jaclyn Turner

Jaclyn is our former sleep expert. Now, she's the Senior Home Editor at Business Insider, overseeing tests for mattresses and bedding. Jaclyn is a combination sleeper, who switches between her back and her side, so she needs a mattress that strikes just the right balance between comfort and support. She can't recommend the Saatva Classic highly enough. Read the full review: Saatva Classic Mattress

The best mattress for back pain

2. Nectar Memory Foam Mattress

Pressure relief and deep support for your spine

Specifications

Price: $349 - $1,098
Firmness: Medium-firm
Type: Memory foam
Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Split King, California King
Sleep trial: 365 nights
Warranty: Lifetime
Delivery: Free shipping and returns

Reasons to buy

+
Medium-firm feel to suit all sleep positions
+
Highly affordable

Reasons to avoid

-
Lacks edge support
-
Less suitable for hot sleepers

According to chiropractor Dr. Kevin Lees, 'the best mattress for back pain must be supportive, which doesn't necessarily mean firm or soft. It needs to hold the spine and pelvis in a neutral position without creating pressure points or allowing any one part of the body to sink too far into the mattress.' Out of all the mattresses we've tried, the Nectar Memory Foam Mattress offers the best balance of sinkage versus support to keep your spine straight.

I assigned mattress tester Casey Clark to sleep on the Nectar Memory Foam Mattress. 'Between my chronic pain and my insomnia, I often struggle to sleep,' explains Casey. 'I think the Nectar Memory Foam Mattress hits the sweet spot. When I lay on my back, I feel like my body is in perfect alignment. Due to my fibromyalgia, I do wake up with sore bones every once in a while, but for the most part, there's no pain I can directly relate to the mattress.' Your back pain might not feel exactly like Casey's, but it's a ringing endorsement for the pressure-relieving properties of the Nectar Memory Foam Mattress.

All that dense foam makes for solid support, but it doesn't leave much room for air to flow through the mattress. Casey is a hot sleeper and she sometimes woke up in a sweat on the Nectar Memory Foam Mattress. Although the mattress is super-supportive in the center, it's a little soft around the edges. You'd struggle to sit on the side of the bed to nurse a baby or get dressed in the morning. The SweetNight Prime Memory Foam Mattress has much better edge support, although it's not quite as comfortable.

We've just finished testing the Saatva Contour5 Mattress, which also scored highly for pressure relief and spinal support. Still, the Saatva Contour5 costs more than four times as much as the Nectar Memory Foam Mattress, and it doesn't perform four times as well.

Swipe to scroll horizontally
AttributeNotesScore (out of 5)
Pressure reliefEased the aches and pains of fibromyalgia5
Thermo-regulationLess suitable for hot sleepers3
Motion isolationMinimal motion transfer5
Edge supportSoft and squishy around the edges2
Reviewed by
Headshot of Casey Clark.
Reviewed by
Casey Clark

Casey is a freelance journalist whose reviews feature in Forbes, TODAY, HuffPost, and more. Casey suffers from chronic pain and a heat intolerance, so she needs a mattress with plentiful pressure relief and cooling properties. This Nectar mattress ticks (almost) all her boxes. Read the full review: Nectar Memory Foam Mattress

The best mattress for side sleepers

3. WinkBeds Luxury Hybrid Mattress

Soft yet supportive to keep your spine in line

Specifications

Price: $1,149 - $2,049
Firmness: Softer, Luxury Firm, Firmer, Plus
Type: Hybrid
Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King
Sleep trial: 120 nights
Warranty: Lifetime
Delivery: Free delivery

Reasons to buy

+
Four comfort levels
+
Minimal motion transfer
+
Excellent edge support

Reasons to avoid

-
Less suitable for hot sleepers
-
Requires a lot of rotation

If you sleep on your side, you should look for a mattress that's soft enough to cushion your joints yet sufficiently supportive to lift and lengthen your spine. The WinkBeds Luxury Hybrid Mattress fits the bill. 'between the zoned support of innersprings and the pressure relief of the memory foam, the WinkBed Luxury Hybrid Mattress is designed to bear your weight and promote proper spinal alignment,' says expert tester Aleenah Ansari.

Out of all the mattresses on this list, the WinkBed Luxury Hybrid Mattress performed best in our motion isolation test. Aleenah filled a glass with water, set it in the center of the mattress, then jumped around beside it, just like they used to do in those Tempur-Pedic TV ads of old. The glass barely moved, and not a drop of water spilled, indicating excellent motion isolation. In practice, Aleenah could get into and out of bed in the middle of the night without disturbing her partner. She'd happily recommend the WinkBeds Luxury Hybrid Mattress for couples and light sleepers.

'A mattress with outstanding motion isolation and excellent edge support is the holy grail,' enthuses Aleenah. 'I feel like I've finally found it in the WinkBed Luxury Hybrid Mattress. Even when sitting on the edge, I didn't feel like I was going to fall off, which is likely a product of this being a firmer mattress. In addition to side sleepers, I would also recommend this bed for stomach sleepers and anyone who tends to lie on the side of the bed.'

'I think WinkBeds is one of the best places to buy a mattress for plus-sized sleepers,' says Aleenah. 'You can shop the Luxury Hybrid Mattress in Plush, which feels extra-firm to stop you from sinking too far into the mattress.'

Swipe to scroll horizontally
AttributeNotesScore (out of 5)
Pressure reliefFour firmness levels to suit different sleep styles4
Thermo-regulationInfused with cooling gel4
Motion isolationMinimal motion transfer5
Edge supportSolid support to sit or sleep on the side of the bed5
Reviewed by
A photo of Aleenah Ansari
Reviewed by
Aleenah Ansari

Aleenah is a freelance writer and reviewer for travel, wellness, and tech products, with two mattress reviews under her belt. Aleenah appreciates the zoned support of the springs and foam to keep her spine in line. Read the full review: WinkBeds Luxury Hybrid Mattress

The best memory foam mattress

4. Saatva Contour5 Mattress

Enhanced cooling and superior edge support

Specifications

Price: $1,895 - $3,990
Firmness: Medium or Firm
Type: Memory foam
Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King, Split King
Sleep trial: 365 nights
Warranty: Lifetime
Delivery: Free white glove delivery

Reasons to buy

+
Sleeps cool
+
Outstanding edge support
+
Contouring comfort

Reasons to avoid

-
Very expensive for memory foam

Out of all the memory foam mattresses we've tested, the Saatva Contour5 Mattress sits head and shoulders above the rest. Expert tester Alex Frost claims that 'this is the only memory foam mattress I've ever tested that delivers on comfort, cooling, and edge support'. Admittedly, the Saatva Contour5 is far more expensive than the Nolah Original Mattress, but I like to think of it as an investment.

'When I woke up after my first night of sleeping on the Saatva Contour5 Mattress, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that my typically achy back and joints were a little less agitated,' says Alex. 'I put that down to the firm support of the mattress − there's just enough give to cushion your joints without throwing your spine out of alignment.' Alex sampled the Saatva Contour5 in Firm, but you could also opt for the slightly squishier support of Medium.

Your average memory foam mattress tends to trap heat. 'I'd read about the airflow channels through the middle of the mattress, which work to carry heat away from your body and out of the bed, but I wanted to be convinced that it was more than marketing jargon,' says Alex. 'After a whole summer testing, I'd put the Saatva Contour5 up there with the best cooling mattresses, which is quite the feat for a memory foam model.'

'Memory foam mattresses are infamous for their lack of edge support,' Alex complains. 'All too often, the soft squishiness of the center extends to the sides of the mattress. Some nights, one or two of my kids end up in my bed with a bad dream, and I have to make the most of every inch, so I appreciate edge support more than most. Luckily, I found that the Saatva Contour5 Mattress has exceptional edge support, so I could sit and sleep comfortably on the side of the bed.'

Swipe to scroll horizontally
AttributeNotesScore (out of 5)
Pressure reliefTwo firmness levels to suit different sleep styles4
Thermo-regulationPerforated with airflow channels4
Motion isolationMinimal motion transfer5
Edge supportComfortable to sit and sleep on the side of the bed5
Reviewed by
Headshot of Alex Frost.
Reviewed by
Alex Frost

Alex is our most prolific mattress tester, with eight reviews under her belt. As someone who suffers from recurring lower back pain, Alex needs a supportive mattress with plenty of squish to cushion her joints. Read the full review: Saatva Contour5 Mattress

The best box mattress

5. DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid Mattress

Comfort and convenience in one neat package

Specifications

Price: $419 - $1,090
Firmness: Medium-firm
Type: Hybrid
Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King
Sleep trial: 365 nights
Warranty: Lifetime
Delivery: Free shipping and returns

Reasons to buy

+
Medium-firm support for all sleep styles
+
Excellent edge support
+
Highly affordable

Reasons to avoid

-
Motion isolation could be better
-
Might feel too firm for some sleepers

When I assigned prolific product tester Camryn Rabideau to test yet another box mattress, she was skeptical. Your average box mattress is a thick slab of foam, compressed into a cardboard package and dumped outside your door. She was pleasantly surprised to find that 'this is a premium bed, lined with supportive springs to withstand the wear and tear of nightly use.' There was no unpleasant smell from mattress off-gassing, nor were there any idents or impressions in the foam – that's why the DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid Mattress is the best box mattress around.

Where your average box mattress is made from cheap foam that goes soft around the sides, the DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid Mattress features a row of reinforced steel coils around the edges. Camryn could comfortably sleep at the edge of the bed or sit on the side of the mattress. Plus, for a self-appointed 'luxury' mattress, it's seriously affordable. The DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid Mattress is almost always discounted in the mattress sales, so you can bag a Queen-sized bed for just $665.

Any hybrid mattress is liable to have a bit of bounce. A coil core makes it much easier to get into and out of bed, especially if you struggle with mobility, but it does make for a bit of motion transfer. When her partner tossed and turned on his side of the bed, Camryn could feel the vibrations over on hers. Although Camryn loved the medium-firm feel of the DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid Mattress, her partner wasn't so keen: he might have preferred something softer, like the Layla Hybrid Mattress.

Swipe to scroll horizontally
AttributeNotesScore (out of 5)
Pressure reliefFirm support 4
Thermo-regulationInfused with cooling gel4
Motion isolationModerate motion transfer2
Edge supportHeavy-duty gauge edge shield5
Reviewed by
Camryn Rabideau
Reviewed by
Camryn Rabideau

Camryn is a freelance writer and product reviewer. Since she shares a bed with her partner and their dog, and often gets shunted to the side, she needs a mattress with excellent edge support. As a side sleeper, she needs a bit of give to cushion her hips and shoulders. Read the full review: DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid Mattress

The best cooling mattress

6. Saatva Latex Hybrid Mattress

Cooling comfort for hot sleepers and warm climates

Specifications

Price: $1,395 - $3,040
Firmness: Medium
Type: Latex hybrid
Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Split King, California King
Sleep trial: 365 nights
Warranty: Lifetime
Delivery: Free white glove delivery

Reasons to buy

+
Naturally cooling
+
Great pressure relief
+
Minimal motion transfer

Reasons to avoid

-
Lacks edge support
-
One the more expensive side

If you suffer from night sweats or hot flashes, or you simply tend to run a little warm, then you're what's known as a hot sleeper. You need one of the best cooling mattresses to dissipate heat, wick moisture, and block odors so that you can sleep cool and feel fresh. This hybrid mattress combines the natural breathability of latex with the enhanced airflow of a coil core to create a thermoregulating mattress for hot sleepers and warm climates.

Over the years, we've tested a healthy handful of specialist cooling mattress. The Saatva Latex Hybrid Mattress delivers the best performance at the fairest price. In place of memory foam, which tends to trap heat, you'll find a comfort layer of Talalay latex, arranged in an open-cell structure to promote airflow. Underneath, the coils push air through the bed as they compress and decompress beneath your body weight.

'As someone who sleeps almost face-down right on top of the bed, I can testify to the cooling properties of the Saatva Latex Hybrid Mattress,' says Alex Frost, one of our mattress testers and a life-long hot sleeper. She tested the Saatva Latex Hybrid Mattress in her heat bubble of a bedroom during a humid Ohio summer and she couldn't believe how cool it kept her.

It's the lack of edge support that keeps the Saatva Latex Hybrid Mattress from occupying a higher position in our buying guide. 'Although it felt comfortable to lie on the side of the bed, the mattress edge couldn't hold my weight when I sat on it,' says Alex: 'I couldn't even sit on the side of the bed to tie my sneakers.' The DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid Mattress is a breathable bed with better edge support and a much lower price tag, though it isn't quite as cooling as the Saatva Latex Hybrid.

Swipe to scroll horizontally
AttributeNotesScore (out of 5)
Pressure reliefSoft yet supportive for all sleep positions5
Thermo-regulationSuitable for hot sleepers4
Motion isolationMinimal motion transfer4
Edge supportSoft and squishy around the sides2
Reviewed by
Headshot of Alex Frost.
Reviewed by
Alex Frost

Read the full review: Saatva Latex Hybrid Mattress