Best RV mattresses: 7 options

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A quick look at 7 of the best RV mattresses

• Best cooling: Bear Trek
• Best for motion isolation: Travel Happy Cool Sleep Gel Memory Foam
• Best for size options: Live and Sleep Resort Classic
• Best for minimizing odor: Zinus Green Tea Memory Foam
• Best for a higher weight capacity: DynastyMattress Cooling Gel Memory Foam
• Best for pressure point relief: Live and Sleep Classic
• Best hybrid: Zinus 8-Inch Foam and Spring

Low quality sleep can lead to drowsiness, irritability, poor motor skills, and problems paying attention — all issues that can reduce a person’s ability to drive safely.

Below, we provide tips for choosing an RV mattress and list eight of the best options.

Medical News Today recommends mattresses, sheets, pillows, and other bedding that meet the following criteria:

• Certifications: The mattresses have CertiPUR-US or other certifications to ensure that they are low in pollutants and free from heavy metals and volatile organic compounds.
• Size: They are available in various sizes.
• Materials and fill: These range significantly to suit different sleeping positions and lifestyle factors.
• Budget: The mattresses suit a wide range of budgets.
• Firmness: They have different firmness levels to suit different preferences and needs.
• Sleep trials: When possible, MNT lists mattresses that come with sleep trials.

Learn more about MNT’s product selection and vetting process here.

According to the manufacturers, many of the products below have certification from CertiPUR-US, a program administered by a not-for-profit organization.

This certification conveys that the foam in a mattress is free from:

• ozone-depleting elements
• heavy metals
• polybrominated diphenyl ether, sometimes called PBDE
• flame retardants, which have prompted environmental and health concerns
• phthalates, compounds common in car seating that have sparked health concerns

Best cooling: Bear Trek

• List price: from $549
• Firmness: medium-firm
• Warranty: lifetime warranty
• Pro: comes in several sizes to fit different vehicles
• Con: not as thick as some other mattresses

The company says that this mattress is CertiPUR-US-certified.

It also highlights the breathable cover and layers of cooling memory foam and responsive memory foam, each measuring 1 inch (in), as well as 6 in of high density support foam to prevent sinking.

This mattress comes in RV bunk, RV queen, and RV king sizes to fit different vehicles.

Best for motion isolation: Travel Happy Cool Sleep Gel Memory Foam

• List price: around $525
• Firmness: medium-firm
• Warranty: 10-year warranty
• Pro: may help reduce motion transfer
• Con: only available in one size

This mattress contains CertiPUR-US-certified graphite gel memory foam to prevent overheating during sleep, the makers say. The company also highlights that the mattress is medium-firm to reduce motion transfer.

The company makes this mattress in the United States and says that it fits most RVs. It is a short queen, measuring 60 x 75 x 8 in.

It comes rolled in a box, and the makers recommend letting it air for 24 hours before use, allowing it to reach maximum thickness.

Best for sizes options: Live and Sleep Resort Classic

• List price: from around $230
• Firmness: medium-firm
• Warranty: 10-year warranty
• Pro: available in multiple sizes
• Con: may take some time to fully expand

This mattress has a 2.5-in air-infused foam covering and comes with a CertiPUR-US-certified memory foam pillow.

The company ships it in a box and recommends leaving it for 24 hours so it can fully expand.

A person can choose a thickness of 8, 10, or 12 in. The sizes are twin, twin XL, full, full XL, queen, short queen, king, and Californian king.

Best for minimizing odor: Zinus Green Tea Memory Foam

• List price: from $198
• Firmness: medium-firm
• Warranty: 10-year warranty
• Pro: may help combat odor and moisture
• Con: not as thick as some other mattresses

This mattress has CertiPUR-US-certified BioFoam, which contains natural plant oil instead of petroleum.

It also contains green tea extract and charcoal to help combat odors and absorb moisture, the makers say.

The company ships this in a box and recommends leaving it to expand for 48 hours before use.

The mattress is available with a thickness of 6 or 8 in, and the short queen size is suitable for most RVs, the makers say.

Best for a higher weight capacity: DynastyMattress Cooling Gel Memory Foam

• List price: around $739
• Firmness: medium-firm
• Warranty: 30-year warranty
• Pro: suitable for people who weigh up to 600 lb
• Con: may be too thick for some RVs

The company highlights the CertiPUR-US-certified memory foam in this king-size mattress.

It has four layers and gel beads to prevent overheating and provide support and stability, the makers say, adding that each mattress in the range has a capacity of 600 pounds (lb).

The company ships it in a box and includes free pillows with every purchase.

Best for pressure point relief: Live and Sleep Classic

• List price: from around $500
• Firmness: medium-firm
• Warranty: 20-year warranty
• Pro: available in a range of thicknesses
• Con: not suitable for sleeping on straight away

This CertiPUR-US-certified memory foam mattress has a thickness of 8, 10, or 12 in.

The makers say that the design helps prevent movement during the night and relieves pressure points.

The company recommends leaving the mattress to air out and expand for 24 hours after unboxing it.

The sizes are twin, twin XL, full, queen, short queen, king, and Californian king.

Best hybrid: Zinus 8-Inch Foam and Spring

• List price: from around $159
• Firmness: medium-firm
• Warranty: 10-year warranty
• Pro: hybrid mattress may prevent sinking
• Con: only available in one size

Its makers say that this mattress is CertiPUR-US-certified and contains three layers: two of foam for comfort, and one of heavy-duty steel coils to prevent sinking.

The short queen mattress fits most RVs and can support up to 500 lb.

After removing it from the box, leave it to expand for 72 hours before using it.

A person might wish to consider these factors before deciding on an RV mattress:

• Sleep trial: This allows a person to try the mattress for size, comfort, and support before making a commitment.
• Dimensions: Measuring the dimensions of the space in the RV is crucial.
• Height: A deeper mattress may provide better support, but it may not fit every RV.
• Cost: Both the cost of the mattress and its shipping can be high.

Some benefits and drawbacks of RV mattresses include:

When choosing any new mattress, it is important to consider its:

• size
• support
• comfort
• durability
• construction

And before buying an RV mattress, it is crucial to make sure that it will fit the vehicle’s specifications.

Because a range of factors, such as firmness and materials, can affect how comfortable a mattress is, consider opting for one with a trial period.

Some of the many options include:

• Memory foam: These mattresses conform to a person’s body shape and can provide support and comfort to pressure points. They are also durable. However, memory foam alone can retain heat, so a person may prefer one infused with gel or another cooling material.
• Latex: This can be an eco-friendly option. Like memory foam, latex can adapt to a person’s body shape to provide support, and it is durable. In addition, it is hypoallergenic and naturally more breathable than foam. Latex mattresses are typically more expensive than others.
• Innerspring: These mattresses have a layer of coils for support and breathability, and the surrounding padding can be made from a range of materials. Innerspring mattresses are usually more affordable and widely available. However, they may need replacing more frequently than other types.
• Hybrid: These mattresses usually contain more than one of the above materials.

Sizing options

RV mattresses are available in a variety of sizes, including:

Below, we look at some common questions about RV mattresses.

What is the benefit of an RV mattress over a sleeping bag or mat?

RV mattresses provide much more support to pressure points. They are also more comfortable and may encourage more high quality sleep.

What is the difference between an RV mattress and a regular mattress?

RV mattresses are usually smaller in length and width than regular mattresses. This is so they can fit inside the vehicle more easily.

How frequently should RV mattresses be replaced?

A person should replace an RV mattress as frequently as a regular mattress: about every 6–8 years.

Many RV mattresses are available to buy online, and a person should carefully consider measurements, durability, comfort, and contents before making a purchase.

High quality sleep is crucial, especially when spending days on the road, but buying a new mattress can be a significant investment. A mattress topper might be a more affordable alternative, especially in the short term.