The Best Editor-Tested Mattresses You Can Buy Right Now
Table of Contents
Your mattress might be the most important item in your entire home. If you’ve ever owned a mattress that wasn’t up to par — maybe it sagged on one side, strained your back, or simply felt too firm or soft — you probably share our opinion. A poor mattress and its negative effect on your sleep will affect other areas of your life. That’s why a quality mattress that accommodates you in every way is a worthwhile investment.
Thankfully, there are so many options out there ranging in price, material, and firmness that finding the best mattress is both much easier and much harder. If you’re reading this, you probably already know, and that’s why we’re here. We know that it takes a huge amount of time to sift through them all, so we’ve attempted to make this the final stop in your search. Whether you’re on the hunt for a mattress that’s pain-relieving, cooling, all-foam, and so on, check out our editor-tested favorites across each category.
Our Best Overall Pick: Beautyrest Black Mattress
Beautyrest Black Mattress
BeautyRest
$1,699 (was $1,999)
Buy Now
The Best Mattresses
Best Overall: Beautyrest Black Mattress
Best Value: Serta Classic Mattress
Best Luxury: Purple Rejuvenate Mattress
Best Innerspring: Saatva Classic Mattress
Best Hybrid: Casper Dream Max Hybrid Mattress
Best All-Foam: Nest Bedding Starling Mattress
Best Organic: My Green Mattress Natural Escape Mattress
Best for Back Pain: Leesa Original Hybrid Mattress
What to Consider Before Buying a Mattress
A mattress is a huge investment, personally and financially. It’s the thing that’ll make or break the quality of your sleep, and you’ll probably spend more time on your mattress than you do on anything else in your home. Researching the options beforehand is vital, and knowing what you need and want is better than going into the process without a clue. Here’s what to consider when buying a mattress:
Types of Mattresses
Innerspring: The most common type of mattress, an innerspring mattress offers great support and will last a long time. Today’s innerspring mattresses typically have much better motion isolation and body-contouring abilities.
Foam: Growing in popularity, foam mattresses offer ultra cushioning and great motion isolation, which is ideal for co-sleepers, side sleepers, and those who toss and turn. Foam, however, does absorb heat, so it might not be the best option for hot sleepers, unless it’s a gel-infused foam.
Hybrid: For those who want the best of both worlds, a hybrid might be your choice. Made of foam and coils, hybrid mattresses offer great support, a cooler sleep, and excellent motion isolation.
Organic: If eco-friendly materials are important to you, a number of organic mattresses have sprung up recently. These mattresses typically do not use foam, but instead use latex, a similar but much more sustainable material.
Vegan: Entirely wool-free, these mattresses replace animal byproducts with cotton, hemp, and even tree sap (latex). Additionally, plant-based mattresses and their materials are not tested on animals and are cruelty free. Natural latex is effectively resistant to mold, mildew, bacteria, and fire.
Level of Firmness
Should you get a firm mattress or a softer one? A good place to start is to take stock of your general positioning when you sleep. Do you fall asleep on your side and wake up on your stomach? Do you fall asleep on your back and wake up in generally the same position Popular wisdom suggests that back and stomach sleepers should go for something firmer and side sleepers should choose something softer.
But like most generalities, this may still not be the case for you. If you don’t find that you fit a specific sleeping position pattern, consider any pain you experience during or right after you wake up.
For example, someone with back pain might love the give a soft foam mattress provides, while another person with back pain might prefer the support of an innerspring.
The most common firmness level of modern mattresses is medium-firm, which offers a good deal of support without feeling like a rock. It’s a great option if you’re shopping as a couple or if you often sleep with someone else opposite your pattern. If you’ve weighed the options and are still stuck, opt for a hybrid mattress — possibly even one that offers you an option between two sides with different measures of firmness.
Where to Buy a Mattress
Going to a store in person so you can physically test out a mattress before buying it has obvious benefits.
But we’d like to make a case for buying a mattress online. Not only do you get a long trial period (typically around 100 days), but many premium options offer lower prices and access to the brands’ customer service. Some online-only retailers even have showrooms, especially if you live near New York City.
How Much to Spend on a Mattress
Like any major investment, mattresses do not come cheap. While you can find mattresses under $500, these options are typically lower in quality than the more expensive options and won’t last as long.
A good mattress costs around $1,000, and that price will increase depending on materials used and where you buy it. If you’re working with a tight budget, you can still get a solid mattress, as long as you’re okay with the likelihood you’ll need to replace it sooner rather than later. Keep an eye out for mattress deals around major holidays, including Presidents Day, Memorial Day, and Labor Day.
Certifications
If you’re buying a foam mattress, make sure you’re choosing one that’s made of CertiPUR-US certified foam. This certification means the foam is made without ozone depleters, flame retardants, heavy metals like mercury and lead, formaldehyde, and phthalates, and has low VOC emissions for indoor air quality.
If you’re buying organic, look for GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certification and OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification. GOTS certification means that every stage of the supply chain, from harvesting to manufacturing to packaging, is done ethically and sustainably. OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification means that the textiles contain no harmful dyes or substances.
Another certification you might see is GREENGUARD Gold, which means the mattress has low chemical emissions and is acceptable for use in environments such as schools and health-care facilities.
What We Look For in a Mattress
We tested a wide range of mattresses for our best list, judging them on the following criteria:
Feel: Is the mattress firm, soft, or somewhere in between? Does it have extra cushioning? Is it comfortable no matter our sleep position?
Support: Do we wake up feeling sore? Does the mattress feel comfortable throughout the night?
Safety: Does the mattress have certifications, particularly CertiPUR-US certified foam?
The Best Mattresses
Best Overall: Beautyrest Black Mattress
Beautyrest Black Mattress
BeautyRest
$1,699 (was $1,999)
Buy Now
Earning high scores for major features like pressure relief, comfort, and support, it’s no wonder Beautyrest Black Mattress is our Best Overall winner. The Black Mattress is constructed out of the brand’s Triple-Stranded Pocketed Coil Technology, which provides optimal core support. There are four different versions available, ranging from Series One to Series Four. The higher the number, the more pressure relief and support benefits it offers.
The mattress has gel memory foam, which contours to your shape, and temperature-regulating technology that transfers body heat away. This type of foam also channels airflow through the mattress, keeping you comfortable all night long.
To top it all off, Beautyrest has 10 firmness levels for every type of sleeper. For instance, if you tend to end up on your stomach or back, extra firm is the way to go; if you’re a side sleeper that likes some extra cushion, you can’t go wrong with the plush pillow top option.
Commerce writer Haley opted for the Series Two with a medium feel, which is so thick that she’s started calling it her “princess bed.”
“The gel memory foam immediately contoured to my body, while the triple-stranded pocketed technology absorbed any motion transfer,” her review reads. “I could bounce on one side, and the other side wouldn’t budge an inch. It’s ideal for light sleepers who share a bed — you won’t even notice someone else is there unless you reach out and touch them!”
Read our full review of the Beautyrest Black Mattress.
Specifications:
Available in 4 models and 4 heights
3 layers featured in all models: Temperature-regulating cover, gel memory foam, and pocketed coils
Additional layers for premium mattresses include cooling foam, pressure-relieving foam, responsive latex, and conforming Nano coils
10 feels that include Medium, Firm, Extra Firm, Plush, and Pillow Top
Free white glove delivery
CertiPUR-US-certified
100-night trial
10-year warranty
Who It’s Best For: Those who sleep hot; those who want a highly customizable mattress that’ll accommodate your needs.
Good to Know: “I personally love the thickness of my Series Two, but it definitely wouldn’t fit all standard sheets, so that’s an important detail to consider,” Haley says. “Another thing to note is that you’ll need a box spring. If you don’t have one, be sure to factor that into the overall price.”
Best Value: Serta Classic Mattress
Serta Classic Mattress, Queen
Serta
$399
Buy Now
Want a great mattress without spending an arm and a leg for it? Then you need to check out Serta’s Classic Mattress. This mattress boasts a special design with three zones, which provide ample support for your lower back and hips. That, plus the 800-density coil support system and PillowSoft Aire foam layers, make for a cushioned surface that’ll eliminate all of your old mattress-induced aches and pains.
Pressure relief isn’t all this budget-friendly option has to offer: It’ll also help you sleep soundly through the night due to its breathability. Peggy, our tester and producer here at Apartment Therapy, gave it high marks in that category, loving the mattress’ cooling cover. As a combination sleeper, she also is a fan of how the enhanced version provides a pillowy, cushioned feel no matter what position she sleeps in.
Peggy dealt with lower back, neck, and shoulder pain before, and it took ditching her old mattress to realize it was the culprit.
“The Serta Classic Mattress in enhanced and medium thickness truly saved my physical and mental health,” Peggy says. “I was always waking up in a bad mood due to the pain but ever since sleeping on this new mattress, I felt energized and well rested.”
Peggy adds, “I am also a VERY hot sleeper and generally I run hot all the time, but I was pretty amazed at how well the Enhanced contouring and feature of the mattress helped regulate and keep my body temp cool throughout the night.”
Specifications:
4 layers: Breathable mattress cover, cushioning or cooling foam (depending on selected model), three-zone support, and individually wrapped support coils
4 feels: Medium, Firm, Plush Euro Top, Plush Pillow Top
Available in 11.5” and 13.5” heights
Free delivery
Made in the USA
CertiPUR-US-certified
120-night trial
10-year limited warranty
Who It’s Best For: Those who want a cool and supportive mattress on a budget; those with body pains.
Good to Know: If you don’t want to deal with a mattress topper for extra plushness, the Pillow Top options will save you the cash, since its cloud-like top layer is built in.
Best Luxury: Purple Rejuvenate Mattress
Purple Rejuvenate Mattress, Queen
Purple
$5,495
Buy Now
Purple’s mattresses have made our Best List before, so it comes as no surprise to see its name come up again as the Best Luxury winner. Commerce editor Britt is a combination sleeper, and she gave this mattress a perfect score for pressure-relief, temperature regulation, and durability — she’s owned it for nearly a year.
The Rejuvenate is one of Purple’s more luxurious options, offering a Quilted Euro Top and comfort layers reinforced with high density GelFlex Grid Plus technology. The latter will keep your body perfectly aligned while you sleep, as will the edge-to-edge coils that are built in.
On that note, the Rejuvenate’s advanced edge support system makes getting in and out of bed easier. You’ll also notice its temperature-regulating effects right off the bat due to stellar air circulation and cooling cover. The latter even has an antimicrobial finish!
“When I first felt how firm this mattress was, I got a little worried because I’ve gravitated to pillowy mattress in the past, but the Purple Rejuvenate Mattress is actually really great!” Britt says. “It provides amazing pressure relief, doesn’t trap heat, and it’s been extremely comfortable to sleep on as a combination (stomach and side) sleeper.”
Specifications:
3 layers: Cooling quilted cover, GelFlex Grid Plus, three-zone responsive coils with edge support foam
Firm feel
15.5″ height
Free delivery, with complimentary white-glove delivery available on select mattresses
Made in the USA
100-night trial
10-year warranty
Who It’s Best For: Those that are willing to splurge on an ultra-supportive mattress; combination sleepers.
Good to Know: “I’ve experienced some light sagging, but it’s due to me not rotating the mattress after sleeping on it for so long, and not reflective of the quality of the mattress itself,” Britt notes.
Best Innerspring: Saatva Classic Mattress
Saatva Classic Mattress, Queen
Saatva
$1,795 (was $2,095)
Buy Now
Innerspring mattresses might be an old-school style, but when constructed with modern materials, they can provide excellent support and durability. If you’re looking for an innerspring-supported mattress, we recommend the award-winning Saatva Classic Mattress. Its dual-coil hybrid construction relies heavily on the support of two layers of innersprings, but the addition of a Euro pillow top allows it to cradle you while relieving pressure points and keeping your spine aligned.
Designed to fit a wide range of sleep motion, the Saatva Classic is deceptively firm — it feels luxuriously soft but won’t sink throughout the night or over time. It’s also available in two heights, 11.5 inches or 14.5 inches, which both perform the same.
Commerce executive director Mark tested the Saatva Classic after sleeping on the same trustworthy mattress for 10 years. As someone who experiences back pain, he thought he’d already found the right mattress but ended up being “pleasantly surprised by the Saatva Classic Mattress.” He notes that the luxury firm model “is not quite as firm as my previous mattress…but it definitely provides plenty of support for my back when I’m sleeping and I have yet to wake up achy or sore.”
While the top layer is firm, it’s also plush, cushy, and breathable — in fact, Mark says, it’s “kept me comfortable throughout the brutally hot summer months, whether I’m sleeping on my side, back, or stomach.” Mark adds that this mattress definitely feels like a major upgrade from his former favorite for back pain.
Read our full review of the Saatva Classic Mattress.
Specifications:
4 layers: 3″ euro pillowtop, memory foam and spinal wire, responsive pocketed coils with firm foam edge support, base innerspring coils
3 feels: Plush, Luxury Firm, or Firm
Available in 11.5″ and 14.5″ models
Free white glove delivery
Made in the USA
CertiPUR-US-certified
365-night trial
Lifetime warranty
Who It’s Best For: Back and stomach sleepers; those with back pain; those who want a firm mattress with a plush surface; those who sleep hot.
Good to Know: Saatva’s mattress quiz makes it easy to explore the best options for you.
Best Hybrid: Casper Dream Max Hybrid Mattress
Dream Max Hybrid Mattress, Queen
Casper
$3,125
Buy Now
If you can’t decide on foam or coils, a hybrid mattress is the solution — this type checks off a ton of boxes, including support, cooling, and motion isolation. Casper’s Dream Max mattress, which lives up to its name, ranked highly in each of those categories. It includes four layers: The top three are polyurethane foam, and each offer different benefits.
One layer breathable, one is zoned, and the other is contoured. The durable base is where the hybrid construction comes in, with the polyurethane foam and encased springs. The foam will hug your body and support it at the same time, and the medium-soft feel will be just right for every kind of sleeper (though side sleepers are sure to especially appreciate its feel).
Commerce SEO editor Sarah was already a fan of Casper before trying out the Dream Max — she owned (and loved) the Nova Hybrid version previously. “This pick, however, is like an improved version of my favorite mattress,” Sarah explains. “The balance of support and plushness is perfect and I slept so soundly (no back or side pain!). It’s also super breathable as even without opting for the cooling pick this time around, I slept so comfortably.”
Specifications:
5 layers: Airy-knit cover, breathable open-cell foam, pressure-relieving foam, memory foam, and responsive coils
Medium-soft feel
14″ height
Free no-contact delivery
100-night trial
10-year limited warranty
Who It’s Best For: Any kind of sleeper, though especially side sleepers; those who want a mattress that’s both supportive and cloud-like; those who run hot during the night.
Good to Know: Casper also has a Snow Max version that’s 6℉ cooler.
Best All-Foam: Nest Bedding Starling Mattress
Starling Mattress, Queen
Nest Bedding
$2,105.60 (was $2,632)
Buy Now
If you’ve discovered that foam is the material that works best for you — or other kinds have been holding you back from getting restful sleep — allow us to point you toward Nest Bedding’s Starling mattress, which is entirely foam.
It’s engineered for side and back sleepers, thanks to its supportive Contour Grid technology. It’s also unique in that it includes Energex foam, which is memory foam-like but retains its shape. You can even unzip the Starling’s cover and flip its top foam layers to instantly change the feel of the mattress.
Chanel, AT’s Director of Product Design and UX, loved the feel that these layers created, adding that the firmness was just right. She describes herself as a hot sleeper, who also uses Nest’s mattress protector and 100% cotton sheets.
“You don’t totally sink in, which is what I prefer,” she says about the Starling. “It provides just enough support whether I’m on my back, side or stomach.” What’s more, Chanel says the mattress doesn’t budge even if she tosses and turns throughout the night. The Starling’s sturdiness means that you won’t have to worry about replacing it any time soon.
Specifications:
6 layers: Cooling cover, temperature responsive foam, memory foam, grid support foam, transitional support foam, and base support foam
Medium-soft feel range
12.5″ height
Free delivery
Made in the USA
CertiPUR-US-certified
365-night trial
Lifetime Renewal Exchange
Who It’s Best For: Back and side sleepers who like firmer support; those who want a luxury option that will last.
Good to Know: Nest Bedding’s Lifetime Renewal Exchange is a one-time layer renewal guarantee that can be redeemed during the first year or any year after purchasing.
Best Organic: My Green Mattress Natural Escape Mattress
Natural Escape Mattress, Queen
My Green Mattress
$1,444.15 (was $1,699)
Buy Now
Made in the USA and crafted with certified organic materials, the Natural Escape Mattress will not only make you feel good about what you’re sleeping on, but you’ll also feel great after a good night’s sleep.
It’s our pick for people with green thumbs who want to invest in an eco-friendly mattress that will last for years to come. According to My Green Mattress’s website, this mattress is described as medium-firm, works for all types of sleepers, and supports up to 750 lbs.
It boasts 1,462 pocketed innerspring coils, which gives the sleeper lumbar and spine support and decreases the chance that they’ll feel their partner tossing and turning throughout the night. It’s hand-tufted too, which increases the overall durability of the mattress. Above the coils are three layers of certified organic Dunlop latex, which provides a comfy, airy cushion that’ll conform to the sleeper’s shape.
“I’m in love with this mattress!” says Jill, our tester. “It’s supportive, comfortable, and I’ve never slept better.” It’s just important to note that this mattress requires a foundation or slats that are no more than 3.5 inches apart — otherwise, the mattress will begin to sink in the middle.
Specifications:
3 layers: Quilted cotton and wool cover, 3″ Dunlop latex support, pocketed coil innersprings
Medium firm feel
11″ height
Mattress in a box
Made in the USA
GOTS, OEKO-TEX, GOLS, and Greenguard Gold-certified
365-night trial
20-year warranty
Who It’s Best For: Those looking for a well-made, all-natural mattress; those looking for pressure point relief.
Good to Know: There are handles on the side to help rotate the mattress every 3-4 months.
Best for Back Pain: Leesa Original Hybrid Mattress
Leesa Original Hybrid Mattress
Leesa
$1,124 (was $1,499)
Buy Now
It’s not an exaggeration to say that a mattress will impact your whole life. If you’ve been dealing with one that isn’t suited exactly to your sleeping style, you may also be suffering from debilitating back aches. (Many of us here at AT have been in your shoes.) If you want to start taking steps to alleviate that pain, you can’t go wrong with Leesa’s Original Hybrid Mattress.
The brand says that it’ll give you “the best of both worlds” — it’s somehow firm and soft — and we’re inclined to agree. The top foam layer will cushion your body and keep you aligned, and the high-airflow foam later will keep you cool, while also decreasing pressure on your body. Beneath that are nearly 800 individually wrapped springs, which create impressive edge support and increase mobility.
Commerce coordinator Mila praises how Leesa’s mattress has eliminated her back pain entirely. “As a side sleeper, I love that this mattress does not sink,” she says. “It does contour to my body to a certain degree for comfort, but I have not experienced back pain after waking up, and I no longer toss and turn throughout the night.”
Specifications:
5 layers: Breathable cool-knit cover, memory foam, high-performance foam, individually wrapped coils, and high-density base support foam
Medium-firm feel
11″ height
Free no-contact delivery
Made in the USA
CertiPUR-US-certified
100-night trial
10-year limited warranty
Who It’s Best For: Those who want to stop waking up with back pain; those who prefer a denser feel; those who want to feel hugged by their mattress.
Good to Know: Mila is also a fan of how easy this mattress is to transport, since it arrives rolled tightly in a vacuum-sealed bag.
Additional reporting by Kendall Cornish, Britt Franklin, and Taylor Bushey.
