The 10 Highest Rated Mattresses in a Box Online (2023)

If you’ve ever moved a mattress, you may already know the biggest difference between a traditional bed and a mattress in a box. The weight alone makes most people want to ditch the heavy beds and get something that’s slightly more lightweight in general and compresses nicely into a single box.

We should warn you, however, that the compression is done at the factory. If you do move, you won’t be able to fold your mattress into a compact box, but in some cases, it will be much lighter weight and easier to get from point A to point B.

Also, not all beds you buy online are compressed. Some arrive in full-size packages, but even then, some are still less cumbersome than a traditional bed.

Read Our In-Depth Guide: How to Buy a Mattress Online

Weight isn’t the only difference, though. In the next section, we’ll go more in-depth about the pros and considerations of buying a bed in a box, versus sticking with a traditional mattress.

One of the most common and inexpensive options is a memory foam mattress. Memory foam is a cushiony material that conforms to your body, making it feel like your bed is giving you a soft and gentle hug.

Memory foam mattresses tend to have the highest satisfaction rate among sleepers, mostly because they’re incredibly comfortable and the way they conform to your body makes the bed feel more custom than a traditional innerspring mattress.

There is a wide range of quality and price when it comes to memory foam. Some of the cheapest and some of the most expensive options you’ll find are both made from memory foam. The differences will have to do with the type of foam used in the bed, how dense it is, if it has additives like gel or copper, whether it’s made in the U.S. or abroad, and whether it’s certified to be non-toxic.

Distinct from memory foam, latex, and springs, polyurethane foam features a fast response time and plenty of support but often varies by density. Many bed in a box brands use varying densities of this foam for the support layers and sometimes infuse the material with gel to help the bedding stay cool.

These can come in all levels of firmness, however many brands combine the foam with other materials, like latex or memory foam to add more comfort.

Latex is a lot like memory foam in that it’s a contouring material, but unlike memory foam, you don’t sink into it as slowly. Latex is known for having a bit of bounce, too, which is ideal for couples who are sexually active.

There are two types of latex: natural, which is sourced from the sap of a rubber tree; and synthetic, which is petroleum-based. Natural latex is more expensive, but sometimes it's also more durable. If you’re price sensitive, a good option is to get a mattress that has a blend of both natural and synthetic materials.

Read Our Full Guide: Best Latex Mattresses

Hybrid mattresses combine innerspring coils with foam or latex. Typically, the base of the bed will consist of coils, and the top layers will have different types of foam for cushioning and support.

A hybrid is usually a little more expensive, but they’re a popular choice among people who are reluctant to stray from the innerspring construction they grew up on.

Your sleeping position can be a key determinant when it comes to the mattress-in-a-box you pick. Because different sleeping positions result in different comfort and support needs, it’s best to acquaint yourself with your primary sleeping position and read up on its quirks.

• Back sleepers tend to require medium-firm beds that offer an even ratio of support and pressure relief.
• Side sleepers gravitate toward softer mattresses, which take pressure off of their shoulders and hips as they snooze.
• Stomach sleepers need a firmer mattress to prevent their hips from sinking too low and nudging their spine out of alignment.
• Combination sleepers who change positions throughout the night should look for mattresses with high responsiveness, so they don’t get “stuck” in layers that compress too deeply.

“Firmness” describes the feel of a mattress on a spectrum from soft and plush to firmer and more solid. When you order a bed-in-a-box, you should consider your firmness preferences.

Certain beds are known for their cloud-like feel, whereas others are marketed as firm or medium-firm. A medium-firm mattress is often a safe pick for the “average” sleeper. If a mattress is too soft, it can cause certain body parts to sink too deeply into the bed. If it’s too hard, then getting comfortable can be difficult.

Some mattresses that come in a box enable you to choose one of multiple firmness levels when you make your purchase. A firmer model will usually differentiate itself from a softer one in the makeup of its layers.

Find yourself struggling with temperature regulation while you sleep? Having a bed that keeps you cool is important, not just in the summer months. The reason is that when we sleep, our body’s temperature drops, and we shed heat. If our mattress is a heat trap, then we can end up getting hot and uncomfortable.

Unfortunately, traditional memory foam is known for “sleeping hot,” so if you’re evaluating a memory foam mattress and overheating is an issue for you, make sure you find one that has cooling properties. This could mean either infusions of gel or copper that conduct heat and draw it away from your body or an open cell construction that allows for breathability and airflow. Phase change materials can also be used for temperature regulation.

Latex and hybrids will generally allow you to sleep cooler, but again, if you do tend to sleep hot, make sure you pay close attention to what the top layer of the bed is made out of and look for something that is designed to help you stay cool.

When you shop at a brick-and-mortar mattress store, there’s not always a correlation between price and quality. A lot of times stores will price their selection based on the deal they struck with the manufacturer, or what they need to move versus what they can afford to keep on hand longer.

However, in the online bedding space, it’s easier to judge the quality of what you’re getting based on price. You’ll also notice that higher-priced brands use premium material and often contain more natural substances, rather than synthetic ones. More expensive products tend to have higher-density foams.

Mattresses starting at about 600 dollars tend to perform well and are much less than store models. If you see a queen bed that’s 500 dollars or less, make sure you do your research to make sure it won't sag within a year or two, so you don't end up having to buy something new.

If you’re looking at hybrid mattresses, you may spend significantly more due to the more sophisticated construction and premium material blend. However, hybrids can be a very solid option and worth looking into.

Get More Info: How Much Does A Mattress Cost?

In most cases, you won’t be able to visit a showroom and meet with a company representative. There are exceptions, for example, if the company does indeed have a showroom and you happen to live close by, but again, you probably can’t count on this.

Instead, you’ll have to rely on a company’s online reputation and their website to find out if you’re dealing with a company that’s reputable and produces a quality product.

Fortunately, you’ll be able to read reviews from verified purchasers as well as read our carefully researched reviews in this article.

We also recommend browsing the company’s FAQs page to make sure you know how to get a refund or submit a return request if you buy something and you don’t like it. Remember that the length and flexibility of a company’s warranty policy can sometimes be an indicator of their product’s quality.

For example, a company that stands behind their product for a lifetime seems more credible than one that stands behind its performance for only a year. However, you should make sure to get into the fine print to see what exactly the policy entails to make sure it is in line with industry standards.

The saying goes that if it sounds too good to be true, it might be. The same goes for mattresses. If you find something for several hundred dollars, it might be tempting to buy it.

Online, a lot of these mattresses look pretty similar, and you’ll see the same buzzwords mentioned time and again. However, there are differences to watch out for, and a bed that is 200 dollars versus one that is between 600 and 1,000 dollars will have cheaper materials that might not hold up over time.

A cheaply constructed mattress can sag within a couple of years (if not sooner), and those cheaper materials are often toxic. Many times it's the foam materials that are toxic.

If you see a mattress that looks comparable to a higher-priced brand, look closely. Check to see if the materials have any safety certifications, review the warranty policy, and also check to find out if there are shipping charges.

Some companies may lure you to their site with the promise of a low price, but then when you go to check out, you might find that the cost to have the bed shipped to your home is as much as the price of the bed itself.

However, there are times when getting a cheaper model is suitable, like for a guest room or temporary living space. There are many great models available for that type of use.

If you’re prone to getting hot at night, you should exercise caution when you evaluate memory foam models. The lower-end options mostly use pure memory foam, which can trap your body heat and make sleeping comfortably a challenge.

Instead, you can consider either a hybrid or latex mattress. Innerspring mattresses with their circulating air are known for sleeping cool.

However, that does not mean that memory foam is completely out. If you’re set on it, look for options that have a breathable design or gel or copper infusions that work to draw the heat away from your body.

There are a few reasons to double and triple-check the warranty policy before you make a purchase. Brands with strong quality products tend to offer long warranty periods. You’ll see a range of warranties ranging from about ten years to a lifetime!

The length of the warranty isn’t the only thing to consider, though. You should also check to see what constitutes a warranty claim.

Take a look at how much “sag” your mattress has to have before you file a claim. The technical word for this is an “indentation,” and it is usually anywhere from .75 inches to 1.5 inches.

The lower the number, the better the policy tends to be. By the time your bed is sagging an inch and a half, you could be miserable. To put this into perspective, a 1.5-inch sag can make it seem like the middle of your body is sinking into a pit and throws your body’s alignment off.

There are many places you can order a bed in a box. While most are online, some companies even have showrooms where you can test the mattress out before conveniently ordering one.

For trusted and established brands you can click the link to their site and order directly through the company. There is next to no worry, as the manufacturers have generous trial and warranty periods. Third-party sites with the same brands, however, do not always come with the same perks.

You can also order beds off of sites like Amazon, Walmart, and Costco. Amazon has an exceptionally wide range of products – even top brands. If you order from Walmart or Costco, just make sure to read the reviews so you have a clear picture of what you are ordering.

View Our Complete Guide: Top Rated Beds on Amazon

The return policy for these mattresses will vary among brands. If you are within the trial period, you should be able to receive a full refund for the bed, though some companies may ask you to wait at least 30 days before returning the bed. When you’re ready to initiate a return, you can contact the manufacturer who will explain what you need to do. Some companies will then coordinate a pickup time and date in which they’ll retrieve the mattress However, this is not universal among brands. Therefore, we recommend understanding the full details of the return policy so that you don’t have any unexpected issues if you have to return the item.

Yes, a mattress in a box can deliver the same great quality that you’d get when shopping in a brick-and-mortar store. The bed-in-a-box sales model, which refers to beds sold online that are then shipped to the customer in boxes, allows you to purchase directly from the manufacturer. As a result, you can get a top-tier bed at a lower cost. Not every online bed is going to be a reputable product, though, which is why purchasing from trusted companies and doing extensive research before buying is important.

A quality mattress-in-a-box should last 5 to 7 years or more—the same amount of time as a mattress you buy in a store. Its materials, construction, and usage will all affect its longevity, as will the care and maintenance you conduct after purchasing it.

Mattresses with fewer layers and less durable materials, such as interconnected spring units or outdated foams, won’t last as long as more modern beds. If you’re looking for a mattress that will stand the test of time, consider ones that have undergone extensive stress testing and that incorporate robust materials such as latex.

Learn More: How Long Do Mattresses Last?

Memory foam and latex usually provide enhanced softness, though there are some softer innerspring models available as well, such as hybrids, which offer the advantages of coils with extra comfort foams. Among most mattress-in-a-box brands, you’ll be able to choose different comfort layers, such as soft or plush, medium, and firm.

If you end up buying a bed and it’s not soft enough for your needs, consider purchasing a mattress topper. Quality toppers start at about $50 and allow you to customize the feel of your bed without the hassle of a return.

Depending on the brand, some organic beds can tend to be softer than non-organic beds, such as those that use wool and cotton in their covers. Brands with organic offerings tend to price their beds higher, but since natural and organic materials are often more durable, it could be a worthwhile investment if you have aligning priorities.

Check Out Our Full Guide: Top-Rated Soft Mattresses Reviewed

Most mattresses that ship to you in a box do not require a box spring. However, manufacturers often recommend using a slatted platform bed or foundation to keep your mattress well-supported (and off of the floor).

You might also want to look into adjustable bases, as many bed-in-a-box mattresses are compatible with these high-tech frames.

Certain beds may have more specific requirements for their bases. While shopping, always check the mattress’s product page or the brand’s FAQ page to see what foundations are the best match for a given bed-in-a-box.

Most of the time, any frame will do, but there are exceptions and a few limitations.

Each brand will tell you specifically which types of frames are suitable and which ones to avoid, but we’ll get you started with some things you’ll need to consider.

Some frames have slats that are too far apart. If you’re looking for pure memory foam beds, you should get slats that are closer together to prevent dipping.

Also, if you want an adjustable base, keep in mind that not all mattresses will accommodate that, particularly hybrid/innerspring models. However, this isn’t universal, and there are hybrid brands that do indeed work well with adjustable bases.

Read More: Best Adjustable Bed Frames