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Platform beds do not have box springs, meaning some mattresses are more suitable for them than others. The best platform mattresses feature cooling technology, motion control, and adequate support.
A quick look at 8 of the best mattresses for platform beds
- Best for back pain: Saatva Zenhaven Mattress
- Best environmentally friendly option: Spindle Natural Latex Mattress
- Best for spine alignment: The Nectar Memory Foam Mattress
- Best for airflow: Layla Memory Foam Mattress
- Best hybrid mattress: Birch Natural Mattress
- Best for co-sleeping: Nest Bedding Sparrow Signature Hybrid
- Best for shoulder pain: The WinkBed
- Best for side sleepers: Helix Midnight
- Best for fast heat dissipation: Nolah Original 10″
- Best for multiple sizes: Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe Cooling
Platform beds are usually lower to the ground than those consisting of a frame and box spring. Manufacturers typically make platform foundation bed frames from wood, metal, or plastic.
The base on which the mattress fits can be solid, slatted, or in the form of a metal grid.
This article discusses what mattresses are best suited for platform beds and suggests what features to consider before making a purchase.
Please note that the writer of this article has not tried these products. All information presented is purely research-based and correct at the time of publication.
Medical News Today follows a strict product selection and vetting process. Learn more here.
All quotes are provided by Sydney Koeplin, an Associate Editor from our sister company, Healthline, who independently purchased and reviewed one of the products below.
The main purpose of a box spring is to provide a sturdy, flat, supportive surface on which a mattress can lie. Usually, a person would use an innerspring mattress on a box spring.
Platform beds provide this solid, firm surface, so no box spring is necessary.
Because people with a platform bed do not require a box spring, this means innerspring mattresses are not the best type of mattress for a platform bed.
When people use mattresses with innersprings on a platform bed, they usually opt for hybrids, which combine innersprings with foam layers.
Other types of mattresses that may be suitable for platform beds include latex and memory foam.
People may wish to consider the advantages and disadvantages of platform beds before making a purchase.
Pros
- There is extra storage space below the bed, often in the form of drawers.
- They can offer additional airflow below the mattress, which may help cool it down.
- The lower profiles may make getting in and out of bed easier.
- There is no need to purchase a box spring, which could help save money.
Cons
- It may be difficult to move once assembly is complete.
- Wooden frames may wear faster than metal frames.
- They may not work with mattresses more suited for use with a box spring.
Medical News Today’s methodology
Medical News Today chooses products that fit the following criteria:
- Certifications: MNT will choose products that have CertiPUR-US or other certifications. This means that the products are low in pollutants and free from heavy metals and volatile organic compounds.
- Size: MNT chooses products available in various sizes.
- Materials and fill: MNT selects products made from different materials and fills, such as memory foam and latex, to suit a range of sleep and lifestyles.
- Budget: MNT features products to suit a wide range of budgets.
- Firmness: MNT selects mattresses that are available in a range of firmness options to suit most people’s sleeping styles.
- Sleep trials: MNT chooses companies that offer a sleep trial.
- Shipping: Where possible, MNT will include shipping information, such as where the company delivers and whether shipping is free.
- Warranties and return policies: MNT will include products with warranties and clear returns policies.
Mattresses comprising latex can be a suitable fit for a platform bed. They can conform to the shape of the person’s body as they sleep but bounce back to their original shape when individuals get out of bed. However, they are unsuitable for people with a latex allergy.
Best for back pain: Saatva Zenhaven Mattress
- List price: from $1,795–3,695
- Sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, split king, and California (CA) king
According to Saatva, this antimicrobial mattress is flippable so that people can choose between the Luxury Plush and Gentle Firm options.
The mattress consists of a latex support core and a five-zone comfort layer of latex. It also has a quilted organic cotton cover.
The company holds several environmental certifications for this mattress, including:
- Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS): This certification means a company uses between 70–95% organic fibers in its products, treats its workers fairly, and uses environmentally responsible manufacturing processes throughout the production process.
- Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS): This certification ensures that all of the latex in a product is organic. The company cannot use harmful chemicals or substances in its products.
- Greenguard Gold: Products with this certification have certified low chemical emissions, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can cause health problems.
- Eco Institut: Products with this certification have been through emissions tests and quality inspections.
Saatva offers a 365-night sleep trial and a lifetime warranty.
Pros
- The latex support core and comfort layer may help decrease back pain.
- The mattress includes organic materials.
- It uses a botanical antimicrobial treatment to reduce the risk of mold and mildew.
- Saatva holds a range of environmental certifications.
Cons
- The larger mattress sizes are very expensive.
- The mattress is unsuitable for people with latex allergies.
Best environmentally friendly option: Spindle Natural Latex Mattress
- List price: from $1,749.99–2,599.99
- Sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, and king
Spindle claims this mattress uses all-natural, all-American raw materials, including 100% natural latex, organic cotton, and eco-wool.
This mattress contains three inserts that offer soft, medium, and firm feels. People can arrange these layers to get the firmness level they want.
It also offers support for the hips and shoulders and reportedly does not sink easily.
The company states the product holds GOTS and GOLS certifications.
Spindle offers a 365-night sleep trial and a 10-year limited warranty. It also offers a 25-year Comfort Life Program, which allows people to modify their mattress as it ages. With this program, people can buy additional, discounted latex layers.
Pros
- This mattress contains eco-friendly wool.
- People can arrange the latex layers themselves to get their desired firmness.
- The Comfort Life Program lets people modify their mattress as it ages.
- The sleep trial is long.
- The mattress holds GOLS and GOTS certifications.
Cons
- This mattress is not suitable for vegans due to the wool.
- It is also unsuitable for people with a latex allergy.
- The company does not offer California or split king sizes.
- The warranty period is shorter than from other companies.
Many memory foam options are available for platform bed mattresses. Some people find they get too hot sleeping on these mattress types, so it might be a good idea to look for those that feature cooling technology.
Best for spine alignment: The Nectar Memory Foam Mattress
- List price: from $359–1,138
- Sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, split king, and CA king
Nectar says this memory foam mattress promotes spine alignment by relieving pressure points on the shoulders, hips, and legs. It offers medium-firm support and comprises multiple layers.
This mattress aims to minimize motion transfer and has a quilted, cooling Tencel cover as its top layer.
The company offers a 365-night sleep trial and a “forever” warranty.
Pros
- This mattress may help reduce motion transfer.
- The mattresses are more affordable than many brands.
- The warranty period is very long.
- The company uses CertiPUR-US-certified foam.
Cons
- This may not be suitable for those looking for a firm or soft mattress.
- Memory foam may be too hot for some people.
Best for airflow: Layla Memory Foam Mattress
- List price: from $749–1,249
- Sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, and CA king
Layla notes this mattress is flippable, adding that its soft side suits side sleepers and the firm side could benefit stomach and back sleepers.
The multiple layers within the mattress provide support and airflow regardless of sleeping style.
The mattress consists of layers of memory foam infused with copper gel to promote cooling while maintaining an antimicrobial effect. The company uses CertiPUR-US-certified foam.
Layla offers a 120-night sleep trial and a lifetime warranty.
Our tester’s review
- Test duration: over 1 month
- Firmness: 7 out of 10 (firm)
- Cooling: relatively cool
“I have been satisfied with my mattress. It’s suitable for me as a side sleeper and it stays relatively cool. However, it is quite heavy, and since I live alone, it was difficult to get up to my apartment and set up.” — Sydney Koeplin, Healthline Associate Editor
Pros
- This mattress is flippable and offers a soft and firm side.
- People get two pillows with a mattress purchase.
- The mattress is one of the more affordable options.
- It may provide a cooling effect.
Cons
- Some reviewers note the mattress is not very durable.
- The sleep trial is shorter than that of other brands.
Manufacturers build hybrid mattresses using a combination of materials. These mattresses consist of latex, memory foam, or gel and could also incorporate springs.
Learn more about the differences between memory foam and hybrid mattresses.
Best hybrid mattress: Birch Natural Mattress
- List price: from $1,248.80–2,186.30
- Sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, and CA king
According to Birch, this mattress combines several materials, including latex for cradling support, individually pocketed steel coils for motion control, wool for temperature regulation, and cotton for wicking moisture away.
It is an eco-friendly mattress because the manufacturer uses sustainably harvested organic materials without toxic chemicals. It holds GOTS, Eco Institut, and Greenguard Gold certifications.
However, it is unsuitable for people with a latex allergy.
Birch offers a 100-night sleep trial and a 25-year warranty.
Pros
- This mattress uses natural and organic materials.
- Wool is naturally effective at temperature control.
- It holds three environmental certifications.
- The company states it is a hypoallergenic mattress.
Cons
- This is not a suitable option for vegans, as it contains wool.
- It is also unsuitable for those with a latex allergy.
- It is a more expensive option.
- The sleep trial and warranty are shorter than those of other companies.
Best for co-sleeping: Nest Sparrow Signature Hybrid
- List price: from $1,226–2,452
- Sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, CA king, and split CA king
Nest Bedding claims this mattress is an adjustable hybrid that combines memory foam, titanium-infused foam, temperature-regulating fabrics, and individually pocketed coils.
People who share a bed can choose a different level of support on each side. They can also alter how the mattress feels over time by changing the internal layers.
It has CertiPUR-US-certified materials. People can order new comfort layers as part of the company’s Lifetime Renewal Exchange to extend the life of the mattress.
Nest Bedding offers a 365-night sleep trial and a lifetime warranty.
Pros
- This mattress offers an internal firmness split, which may suit co-sleepers.
- The sleep trial and warranty periods are long.
- People can refresh their mattresses with new layers.
Cons
- This mattress is one of the more expensive options.
- The Lifetime Renewal Exchange is only applicable to luxury mattresses.
- The mattress can take 24 hours to expand to its full height after shipping.
Best for shoulder pain: The WinkBed
- List price: from $1,149–2,049
- Sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, and CA king
The WinkBed has a pressure-relieving quilted pillow top that may help ease muscle tension and support alignment for a person, particularly in their shoulders and back.
People can choose from four firmnesses:
- softer
- luxury firm
- firmer
- plus — heavier people
The mattress also has extra edge support, which means the sides will not sink if a person sleeps close to or sits on the edge of the mattress.
The cover is moisture-wicking, and the gel-infused foam may help keep the mattress cool during sleep. WinkBeds uses OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 materials for the cover and CertiPUR-US-certified foam.
WinkBeds offers a 120-night sleep trial and a lifetime warranty.
Pros
- This mattress may offer extra shoulder and back support.
- It has a long warranty period.
- It comes in various firmnesses, including an option for people who weigh 250 pounds (lb) or more.
Cons
- Some reviewers state it is too hard on pressure points.
- The sleep trial is not as long as that of other companies.
- Not every firmness level is suitable for all sleep positions.
Best for side sleepers: Helix Midnight
- List price: from $936.30–1,748.80
- Sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, and CA king
The middle layers of this hybrid mattress support the contours of a person’s body, making it a suitable option for side sleepers. It also has layers that cushion the pressure points on a person’s shoulders and hips to add an extra layer of support and reduce aches and pains.
People can choose between a breathable or cooling cover when purchasing the mattress. However, the GlacioTex cooling cover can cost up to $249, depending on the mattress size.
Helix offers a 100-night sleep trial and a 10–15 year warranty. The longer warranty applies to Helix Plus and Helix Luxe mattresses.
Pros
- People can choose between a breathable or a cooling cover.
- The mattress comes with pillows.
- There are comfort layers to cushion the shoulders and hips.
- The company uses CertiPUR-US-certified foam.
Cons
- This mattress does not offer targeted lumbar support.
- The additional cooling cover costs up to $249 extra.
- The warranty and sleep trial periods are shorter than those of other brands.
Best for fast heat dissipation: Nolah Original 10″
- Price: from $699–1,798
- Sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, split king
This all-foam mattress is 10 inches (in) high and features four layers. The proprietary foam is CertiPUR-US certified to be free from ozone depleters, heavy metals, and chemical fire retardants.
The manufacturer states that the foam is temperature neutral, dissipates heat efficiently, and has good airflow.
The mattress comes with a 120-night sleep trial and a lifetime warranty.
Pros
- The mattress is CertiPUR-US certified.
- The company claims its cooling foam dissipates heat 20% quicker than high-end memory foam.
Cons
- The sleep trial is shorter than other options.
- The medium-firmness may not suit those looking for extra cushioning.
- A 10-in mattress may not be thick enough for some people.
- It may not be suitable for people who weigh over 230 lb.
Best for multiple sizes: Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe Cooling
- Price: from $999–2,249
- Sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, CA king, split CA king, short queen, RV queen, and RV bunk
This hybrid mattress is made from memory foam and up to 1,032 individually wrapped coils.
It features a smooth top layer, a copper-infused layer for cooling, a 2-in layer of soft memory foam, and a 1-in layer of gel swirl memory foam for pressure point relief. A person can select soft, medium, or firm options.
Brooklyn Bedding offers a 120-night sleep trial and a 10-year warranty.
Pros
- The mattress is available in a wide range of sizes.
- The company offers discounts for military personnel, students, and first responders.
- The foam is CertiPUR-US-certified.
Cons
- Not every firmness level will suit every sleep position.
- The larger mattresses are expensive.
- The warranty period is shorter than many companies.
The following table compares the mattresses in this article.
| Material | Certifications | Sizes | Firmness | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saatva | latex | • GOTS • GOLS • Greenguard Gold • Eco Institut | twin to CA king | • luxury plush • gentle firm | from $1,795–3,695 |
| Spindle | latex and wool | • GOTS • GOLS | twin to king | • soft • medium • firm | from $1,749.99–2,599.99 |
| Nectar | memory foam | CertiPUR-US | twin to split king | medium-firm | from $359–1,138 |
| Layla | memory foam | CertiPUR-US | twin to CA king | soft and firm | from $749–1,249 |
| Birch | hybrid | • GOTS • Eco Institut • Greenguard Gold | twin to CA king | medium-firm | from $1,248.80–2,186.30 |
| Nest | hybrid | CertiPUR-US | twin to CA king | • plush • medium • firm • internal split medium and firm • internal split plush and firm • internal split medium and plush | from $1,226–2,452 |
| WinkBed | hybrid | • OEKO-TEX Standard 100 • CertiPUR-US | twin to CA king | • softer • luxury firm • firmer • plus | from $1,149–2,049 |
| Helix | hybrid | CertiPUR-US | twin to CA king | medium-firm | from $936.30–1,748.80 |
| Nolah | foam | CertiPUR-US | twin to split king | medium-firm | from $699–1,798 |
| Brooklyn Bedding | hybrid | CertiPUR-US | twin to split CA king | soft, medium, or firm | from $999–2,249 |
People can purchase mattresses online or in-store. Online shopping may save time from having to travel to a store and try out beds.
However, it is important to consider several factors when purchasing a mattress online.
As a person cannot try online products before purchasing them, they should consider whether a company offers a trial period. Many offer extended return periods, meaning people can try the mattress at home for several weeks or months and return it if it does not meet their needs.
Other factors to consider when shopping for a mattress include:
- Customer reviews: People may wish to look at online reviews on websites such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB) or Trustpilot. If a company does not have a profile page on an external website, a person can read through the reviews available on the company website carefully.
- Company reputation: The BBB and Trustpilot offer free assessments of a company that can help a person determine whether they provide a reputable service. Similar to reviews, individuals can check several websites to make an informed decision.
- Warranties and returns: A person should look for mattresses with long warranties and a competitive trial and return period.
- Mattress firmness: People should consider the firmness of the mattress they are considering purchasing. Generally, a medium-firm mattress suits most sleeping styles. However, firmness is subjective, and a person should buy one that feels comfortable.
- Sale items: If an individual purchases a mattress on sale, they should read the small print carefully. Some companies may also offer a reduced warranty or trial period during sales.
Mattresses have a direct effect on an individual’s sleep. However, it is important to note that claims from some bed manufacturers about their products alleviating back pain, sciatica, or circulation issues may be more promotional than factual.
There is not much research on the health effects of mattresses. However, one older review concluded that medium-firm and self-adjusted mattresses were best for increasing sleep comfort and maintaining spinal alignment.
There are no clear standards for the type of mattress a person should buy, as everyone’s needs differ. With this in mind, individuals should pick a mattress that suits their firmness, softness, and sleeping temperature preferences.
Setting up a mattress on a platform bed can vary according to several factors. Therefore, a person should always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Below are some general steps a person can take to set up their mattress.
- Unbox the mattress and lift it onto the platform bed.
- Once in place, carefully cut and remove the packaging around the mattress.
- Unroll the mattress on top of the platform surface.
- Allow the mattress to return to its normal size.
Mattresses can take several hours to expand to size. Some manufacturers may recommend leaving them to reshape for up to 24 hours before sleeping on them.
Below are some FAQs about mattresses and platform beds.
Do mattresses move on platform beds?
A mattress may move or slide on any type of bed frame.
To prevent mattress sliding, a person should ensure they purchase the correct size mattress for their bed frame. For example, an individual with a queen-size bed frame should only buy a queen-size mattress.
What type of mattress is best for platform beds?
Generally, memory foam, latex, or hybrid mattresses are the best for platform beds.
Platform beds usually feature a rigid, hard surface. A memory foam, latex, or hybrid mattress should offer enough comfort and support to ensure a person does not feel this hard surface underneath.
How long do mattresses take to expand after taking them out of a box?
The time it takes for a mattress to expand after taking it out from a box may differ depending on its materials.
Usually, mattresses will return to their full size and thickness after several hours. However, some companies may recommend leaving it to expand for 24 hours or more before sleeping on it.
How thick should a mattress be for a platform bed?
Most mattresses are suitable for a platform bed.
However, people who prefer extra support may wish to choose a mattress that is 12 or 14 in high.
Platform beds offer people who sleep in small bedrooms a space-saving alternative due to their built-in storage capabilities.
However, their simplicity also makes finding the most suitable mattress essential.
There are many mattresses to choose from, including latex, memory foam, and hybrid options.
Ultimately, the best mattress for platform bed sleeping will be the mattress that meets a person’s physical needs. They also need to be suitable for an individual’s budget.