10 of the most comfortable mattresses

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that getting enough sleep is an important factor in reducing the risk of health problems such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, and heart disease.

The CDC also states that a person’s mental health may also be negatively affected if they are not getting enough sleep each night.

A comfortable mattress can help a person get restful sleep. A person can choose from a wide variety of mattress types, each with its own combination of materials, firmness level, size, and price range.

This article looks at some of the most comfortable mattresses currently available on the market. It also provides tips on how a person can choose the best mattress for their needs.

• Best hybrid: Winkbeds
• Best for back pain: Sealy Posturepedic Hybrid Performance
• Best hypoallergenic mattress: Purple Mattress
• Best smart mattress: Sleep Number 360 i8
• Best vegan mattress: Avocado Vegan
• Best latex mattress: Saatva Latex Hybrid
• Best foam mattress: Tuft & Needle Mint
• Best soft mattress: Casper Nova
• Best cooling mattress: Brooklyn Bedding Aurora
• Best on a budget: Nectar Memory Foam

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.

Below is a range of the most comfortable mattresses to suit a range of needs, from mattresses that may be suitable for people with back pain or allergies, to mattress models that do not use animal products or are suitable for smaller budgets.

Best hybrid:The WinkBed

• Price range: $849–1,899
• Mattress type: Hybrid
• Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king

The Winkbed features individually wrapped coils, a quilted pillowtop with gel-infused foam, and a eucalyptus-based Tencel cover. A person can choose their desired firmness level.

The company claims the Winkbed mattress is suitable for all sleep positions.

A person can trial the mattress for 120 nights.

Pros:

• foams and Tencel cover have CertiPUR-US and OEKO-TEX certification
• may reduce motion transfer
• wicks moisture from the body

Cons:

• choosing higher firmness may cost extra
• professional assembly not included

Best for back pain: Sealy Posturepedic Hybrid Performance

• Price range: $1,674–2,199; may vary between retailers
• Mattress type: Hybrid
• Sizes: Twin XL, full, queen, king, California king

The Sealy Posturepedic Hybrid Performance mattress features 1,000 individual coils. The mattress also features zoned support with more coils, foam, and gel layers in the middle of the mattress.

This may help support a person’s lower back and core and cushion their hips if they sleep on their side.

Sealy recommends this mattress for people who sleep on their stomach or back.

A person can trial the mattress for 120 nights. Sealy also sells the mattress in stores, so a person could try the mattress in person before they commit to a purchase.

Pros:

• uses CertiPUR-US-certified foams
• free shipping and returns
• free setup and removal service

Cons:

• limited range of sizes
• cannot purchase through company website

Best hypoallergenic: Purple Mattress

• Price range: $799–1,998
• Mattress type: Hybrid
• Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, split king, California king

The Purple Mattress features a unique hypoallergenic GelFlex grid. According to the company, this gel grid provides comfort to the pressure points while supporting the body and improving its alignment.

Additionally, Purple writes that this mattress is safe for people with allergies. The company describes that it is made with recyclable materials that promote airflow through the mattress to keep it dry. This can help prevent mold, fungi, and bacteria from growing in the mattress.

Purple claims this mattress is suitable for sleepers in any position. It is a medium-firm mattress.

A person can trial the mattress for 100 nights.

Pros:

• reduces pressure and body temperature
• gel grid molds to a person’s body shape and position
• design helps airflow and stops bacteria from growing

Cons:

• lack of edge support
• heavy

Best smart mattress: Sleep Number 360 i8 Smart Bed

• Price range: $3,349–5,299
• Mattress type: Foam
• Sizes: Twin XL, full, queen, king, split king, FlexTop king, California king, split California king, FlexTop California king

This mattress is part of Sleep Number’s Innovation series. A person uses an app on their smartphone called SleepIQ to control factors including the mattress position and firmness. This app can also give insight into a person’s sleep quality.

Learn more about sleep apps.

A person can adjust the firmness of each side of the bed, so it may be suitable for couples who have different preferences.

It is suitable for sleepers of all positions, according to Sleep Number.

A person can trial the mattress for 100 nights.

Pros:

• accompanying app gives detailed insight into a person’s sleep quality
• uses CertiPUR-US certified foams

Cons:

• not suitable for smaller budgets
• shipping and setup cost extra

Best vegan mattress: Avocado Vegan

• Price range: $1,099-2,099
• Mattress type: Hybrid
• Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king

This mattress from Avocado features Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS)-certified latex and cotton, as well as individually pocketed coils.

The product also has vegan certification, approval from the animal rights organization PETA, and Greenguard Gold certification.

According to Avocado, this mattress is best suited to people who sleep on their back or stomach. It is medium-firm.

A person can trial the mattress for 365 nights.

Pros:

• lengthy sleep trial
• moisture wicking
• reduces motion transfer

Cons:

• less suited to side sleepers
• not suitable for people with a latex allergy
• setup not included

Best latex mattress: Saatva Latex Hybrid

• Price range: $1,199–2,349
• Mattress type: Latex hybrid
• Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, split king, California king

Saatva’s latex hybrid contains natural latex, pocketed coils, and GOTS-certified wool and cotton. It is hypoallergenic and is designed to regulate a person’s body temperature while they sleep.

The company claims it contains targeted firmness zones with enhanced support in the lumbar area. It is a medium-firm mattress.

Saatva writes that this mattress is best suited to people who sleep on their side.

A person can trial the mattress for 180 nights.

Pros:

• reduces motion transfer
• free delivery and setup

Cons:

• not suitable for people with a latex allergy
• $99 return fee

Best foam mattress: Tuft & Needle Mint Mattress

• Price range: $1,295–2,295
• Mattress type: Foam
• Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king

The Mint mattress contains three layers of graphite- and gel-infused foam that are designed to draw heat away from a person’s body. Its adaptive foam can also reduce motion transfer and provide pressure relief.

Compare the differences between memory foam and gel memory foam.

This mattress is a medium-firm model. It was built with two sleepers in mind, according to Tuft & Needle, and is most suitable for people who sleep on their back or sides.

A person can trial the mattress for 100 nights.

Pros:

• reinforced support edges
• includes a removable, washable cover

Cons:

• all-foam construction may not be suitable for heavier people
• no setup service

Best soft mattress: Casper Nova Hybrid

• Price range: $1,395–2,895
• Mattress type: Hybrid
• Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king

This mattress from Casper has a softer firmness rating, and because of this, it may be best suited to side sleepers.

It is built with a combination of coils and foam layers, including a memory foam layer. The foam layers are designed to promote airflow through the mattress, draw heat away from the body, and expel warm air from the mattress through grooves and perforations throughout the foam.

It also has seven zones of targeted support for different areas of a person’s body.

A person can trial the mattress for 100 nights.

Pros:

• foam has CertiPUR-US certification
• free delivery

Cons:

• not suitable for smaller budgets
• no setup service

Best cooling mattress: Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Hybrid

• Price range: $999–2,249
• Mattress type: Hybrid
• Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, split California king, short queen, RV king, RV bunk

This mattress is made of CopperFlex foam that contours to a person’s body. It also features individually wrapped coils to support the body and decrease motion transfer.

Brooklyn Bedding explains that the Aurora mattress also contains cooling gel beads to regulate a person’s body temperature to 88 degrees, which it writes is optimal for sleep.

Learn more about cooling mattresses.

A person can choose between three firmness options, meaning it may be suitable for all common sleeping positions.

A person can trial the mattress for 120 nights.

Pros:

• free shipping and returns
• designed for hot sleepers
• range of firmnesses for each size

Cons:

• no setup service

Best on a budget: Nectar Memory Foam

• Price range: $399–1,138
• Mattress type: Hybrid
• Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, split king

When buying the Nectar Memory Foam mattress, a person will also get a mattress protector, a set of sheets, and a cooling pillow included. This makes this option cost-effective for people working with smaller budgets.

Nectar claims this mattress can reduce motion transfer and features a breathable mattress cover that is cool to the touch and can regulate a person’s temperature as they sleep.

It is a medium-firm mattress and may be most suitable for side sleepers, according to the company.

A person can trial the mattress for 365 nights.

Pros:

• mattress comes with pillows, sheets, and protector
• free shipping
• forever warranty
• 100% carbon neutral manufacturing process

Cons:

• no setup service
• pillow included may not suit everyone’s preferences or needs

MNT chooses mattresses, sheets, pillows, and other bedding that meet 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 that are 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 [only applicable to some products]: 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 to and whether shipping is free.
• Warranties and return policies: MNT will include products that carry warranties and clear returns policies.

A few things a person should consider when purchasing a mattress for comfort include:

• Material: A person can choose between materials such as memory foam, latex, coils, or a combination of these. One 2017 study states that mattress material can influence body pressure. A person should be aware of any materials used in their chosen mattress that they may be allergic to, such as latex.
• Firmness: A 2015 review states that medium-firm mattresses promote sleep quality, comfort, and spinal alignment. However, which firmness a person finds most comfortable will be a highly personal choice, and will be different for everyone.
• Sleep position: A person’s preferred sleeping position may also influence what kind of mattress they will find most comfortable. Some mattresses are designed with extra support or softness in the middle of the mattress to either provide extra support for the lumbar region for back sleepers or extra softness for the hips if a person sleeps on their side. A person should try their chosen mattress for at least a month to see if it is comfortable for them and their preferred sleeping position.
• Sleep situation: Some mattresses reduce motion transfer and may be more suitable for couples. Sometimes, a person can customize the settings for each side of a mattress so that everyone who is using the mattress has their needs met.

Additional factors a person may wish to consider include the mattress model’s maximum weight limit, size, temperature regulation technology, and the certifications the company holds regarding its materials or manufacturing processes.

Find out more about choosing a mattress here.

What makes a mattress comfortable varies depending on a person’s preference regarding the materials used, the firmness of the mattress, and their preferred sleeping position.

There is a wide variety of comfortable mattresses available on the market, and many companies offer long trial periods so a person can try their chosen mattress out for comfort.

• Are you getting enough sleep? (2021). https://www.cdc.gov/sleep/features/getting-enough-sleep.html
• Low, F.Z., et al. (2017). Effects of mattress material on body pressure profiles in different sleeping postures. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1556370716300116
• Radwan, A., et al. (2015). Effect of different mattress designs on promoting sleep quality, pain reduction, and spinal alignment in adults with or without back pain; a systematic review of controlled trials. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29073401/