Written by Julia Forbes, Lead Product Tester
Flippable mattresses may sound like a thing of the past, but they’re making a comeback. Though some might call it a gimmick, there are actually a lot of benefits to owning a dual-sided bed, including versatility and lasting durability.
This top-rated double sided mattress guide will give you some tips and information on how to search for the right double-sided model that suits your own needs. I’ll walk you through the pros and cons of this design and give a few recommendations on the top products in this category.
5 Best Flippable Mattresses
- Plank Firm – Best Firm Flippable Mattress
- Zenhaven – Best Flippable King Mattress
- Helix Kids – Best Flippable Mattress for Toddlers
- Layla Memory Foam – Best Flippable Memory Foam Mattress
- Saatva Youth – Best Flippable Innerspring Mattress for Kids
How We Chose The Best Flippable Mattresses
At Sleep Advisor, our diverse team of testers evaluate a variety of mattresses through in-person assessments. We look at mattress performance for all sleeping positions and a range of body types, so you can be sure you’re reading a truly holistic review for a mattress. We then take all the information we’ve gathered to rate the bed in specific categories. These results allow us to help our readers find the right mattress for their needs.
For flippable mattresses, we looked at the usual performance stats for things like pressure relief, motion isolation, and cooling—but we also focused on a few select areas that we think are especially important when it comes to choosing the best flippable bed. More on that below!
Compare The Best Flippable Mattresses
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| Brooklyn Bedding Plank Firm Mattress | Zenhaven Mattress | Helix Kids Mattress | Layla Mattress | Saatva Youth Mattress | |
| Rating | |||||
| Firmness | Multiple firmness options | Multiple firmness options | Multiple firmness options | Medium-firm: 6.5/10 | |
| Material | Foam | Latex | Hybrid | Foam | Innerspring |
| Cooling | — | ||||
| Warranty | 10-year warranty | Lifetime warranty | 10-year warranty | Lifetime warranty | Lifetime warranty |
| Shipping | Free shipping | Free shipping | Free shipping | Free shipping | Free white glove delivery |
| Trial Period | 120 nights | 365 nights | 100 Nights | 120 nights | 365 nights |
| Best For | Stomach Sleepers, Back Pain, Seniors | Hot Sleepers, Back Sleepers, Side Sleepers | Side Sleepers, Back Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers, Kids, Hot Sleepers | Side Sleepers, Back Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers, Hot Sleepers, Couples, Hip Pain | Kids, Hot Sleepers, Back Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers |
What We Want to See in the Best Flippable Beds
Different Firmness Options
With a flippable mattress, you’re going to want it to be worth the flip. That’s why we tried to find beds that have varying firmnesses and feels on either side, so you’re truly getting two beds for the price of one.
Strong Central Support
Since this bed has to provide support on both sides, it’s important that the core of the mattress is made up of something sturdy and durable. We made sure that support was the name of the game for these beds, whether composed of foam, coils, or latex.
Solid Edges
As a flippable mattress is meant to be, well, flipped, you want to make sure that it can hold its shape after being manhandled. Edges that can hold their shape when bearing weight are usually the sign of a durable mattress, but are also a boon for sleepers looking to maximize their space.
Best Double Sided Mattresses
Plank Firm – Best Firm Flippable Mattress
Brooklyn Bedding Plank Firm Mattress
Product Details
Our Recommendation
Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Why the Plank Firm Earned Best Firm Flippable Mattress
If you’re looking for a firm mattress but can’t decide how firm you want it to be, why compromise? Brooklyn Bedding’s Plank Firm bed offers a double-sided firm experience: one side has a “traditional” firm feel, while the other “extra-firm” side keeps it bare bones. This all-foam bed keeps up the support, and should work best for heavy sleepers and stomach sleepers (like myself).
Also, because it’s firm, the bed offers solid edge support, allowing you to sit and sleep near the edges without them sagging.
Zenhaven – Best Flippable King Mattress
Zenhaven Mattress
Product Details
Our Recommendation
Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Why the Zenhaven Earned Best Flippable King Mattress
Saatva’s Zenhaven mattress is fit for royalty, so I’ve dubbed it our favorite pick for a flippable king bed. It utilizes layers of Talalay latex with different firmness levels to create a medium-soft (Luxury Plush) setting on one side and a medium-firm to firm (Gentle Firm) feel on the other.
This gives it a unique buoyant, supportive ability, alongside pressure relief, cooling, and decent edge support, overall making it a good choice for couples who can’t decide on just one feel.
Helix Kids – Best Flippable Mattress for Toddlers
Helix Kids Mattress
Product Details
Our Recommendation
Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Why the Helix Kids Earned Best Flippable Mattress for Toddlers
We gave the Helix Kids mattress the ‘Best for Toddlers’ designation because we especially like all the measures Helix took to protect the bed from spills and accidents when your child is younger. A plant-based water repellent helps with cleanup, and a separate fiber treatment resists bacteria that cause unwelcome odors.
This flippable mattress works for kids ages 3 to 12. One side is firmer and suggested for toddlers; its layer of Helix Responsive Foam feels springy and supportive just above the sturdy coil unit. On the other side, this foam is swapped out for gel memory foam so that older kids can transition to a softer mattress as they age.
Layla Memory Foam – Best Flippable Memory Foam Mattress
Layla Mattress
Product Details
Our Recommendation
Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Why the Layla Memory Foam Earned Best Flippable Memory Foam Mattress
Memory foam is a great pick for sleepers who want a cushy sleep experience, but you don’t have to stick to soft or firm foams. Depending on sensitivities, body shape, and position preference, people may experience different comfort levels in different ways. That’s why the Layla Memory Foam offers a medium-soft to soft comfort feel on one side and a medium-firm to firm feel on the other.
The core of this mattress is made up of a strong and durable foam layer to provide support to either side. The comfort foams should deliver premium pressure relief, too, making it a solid bed that should work best for back and side sleepers.
Saatva Youth – Best Flippable Innerspring Mattress for Kids
Saatva Youth Mattress
Product Details
Our Recommendation
Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Why the Saatva Youth Earned Best Flippable Innerspring Mattress for Kids
An innerspring bed is one of the best if you’re looking for durability, bounce, and support—and this is doubly true if you’re looking for a mattress for your child. The Saatva Youth checks all these boxes: this flippable bed is handcrafted with high-quality, eco-friendly materials for a comfortable, sturdy sleep foundation.
One side of the Saatva Youth is meant for kids ages 3 to 7, while the other is for kids ages 8 to 12. The core of this mattress is made up of a dual-sided innerspring unit that provides flexible yet consistent support for each firmness.
Compare Flippable Mattress Specs
| Mattress | Height | Weight | Who’s it for? | Offered Firmnesses |
| Plank Firm | 10″ | 60-105 lbs | Adults | Firm, Extra-Firm |
| Zenhaven | 10″ | 80-165 lbs | Adults | Luxury Plush, Gentle Firm |
| Helix Kids | 8″ | 60-75 lbs | Kids | Softer, Firmer |
| Layla Memory Foam | 10.5″ | 41-87 lbs | Adults | Soft, Firm |
| Saatva Youth | 10″ | 45-61 lbs | Kids | Plush Soft, Medium-Firm |
What is a Flippable Mattress?
Flippable mattresses are constructed in a way that they can be used on either side. Although some flippable beds have the same firmness level on both sides, most will have different firmness levels on each side. Flippable beds with different firmness levels allow you to try out both to see what works best for you, essentially giving you the benefit of two mattresses in one.
How Can You Tell if a Mattress is Flippable?
Usually, mattress manufacturers will take every opportunity to boast that their mattresses are flippable, so you shouldn’t have to guess. Most flippable beds have each side labeled, either on the cover or the side of the bed. Under the cover, they might look relatively symmetrical, but this depends on how different the firmness is on either side.
Overall, you shouldn’t flip a mattress if you’re not sure it can be flipped, as this can compromise its structural integrity. It’ll also likely be uncomfortable, as you’ll be laying on the support layers rather than the comfort layers.
Double-Sided Mattress Trend
Flipping your bed used to be common until specially designed products started popping up with specific constructions that could not be flipped. These products would hold a comfort system up top, with support at the bottom, making the bed usable on the side only.
Mattress companies have started offering flippable beds again, this time with a few twists. The online sleep industry has innovated the market like never before, which might leave more than a few new shoppers’ heads spinning.
A big catalyst in the return of flippable mattresses is the recent debut of multiple firmness levels in one mattress. Rather than providing one level of comfort, many companies now offer beds that feel softer on one side and firmer on the other. As physical needs or position preferences change, shoppers only need to flip their mattress over to experience a different comfort option.
What to Look for in a Flippable Mattress
Considering that both sides of flippable mattresses will likely be used, even if it’s just to see which side you like best, you will want to take the type of materials used into consideration. What a mattress is made of will be a big factor in how it supports your body type and sleeping position.
You will also want to take the quality of materials used into account. High-quality materials can help provide durability that will lead to years of use. Most importantly, though, it’s important to only flip a mattress that is designed to be flippable to ensure optimal comfort and support.
Support & Pressure Relief
To ensure that you get restorative and rejuvenating sleep, you will want a flippable bed that provides excellent pressure relief. If either side of your flippable mattress is too firm or too soft, this could lead to pressure buildup due to your body not getting enough cushioning or support. Beds containing latex and memory foam layers are often best for pressure relief.
How do we test pressure relief? We use a pressure map, which is pictured to the left. After lying on our back and side, the map records where pressure builds up. Blues and greens mean manageable pressure, but yellow and reds mean there’s a lot of pressure, which may be uncomfortable for some sleepers.
Firmness
Mattress firmness is rated on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the firmest. The best firmness for you is going to be a combination of the two categories we’ve outlined above: your sleeping position and your body type. It’s important to consider both. For example, a lightweight side sleeper should stick to soft beds, but a heavyweight side sleeper might need something closer to medium (because their weight causes them to sink in further, wiping out most of that firmer feel).
We try to take these factors into account when rating the bed on our own firmness scale. Check it out if you’re still having trouble deciding which firmness is best for you.
Edge Support
If you like to utilize the entire bed due to co-sleeping or simple preference, edge support is an important factor. This is also true if you have mobility issues that make it more difficult to get in and out of bed since solid support around the perimeter of your mattress can help with this.
To ensure good edge support, look for beds rated well in this category that contain reinforced coils or foam along the perimeter.
Type of Mattress
Innerspring Mattresses
Innerspring mattresses have stood the test of time and remain popular, in part because of their durability, which makes them great for flippable mattresses. The strong metal coils of these beds respond to and support your body weight.
For those who sleep hot, innerspring mattresses can be a great choice because the design of the coils allows air to move through the bed more easily, and this can help regulate your body temperature.
In more traditional models, the coils may be interconnected, moving as one unit, which means they don’t offer the kind of targeted support that other types of mattresses do. However, many manufacturers are now individually wrapping the coils, which allows them to adapt to lighter and heavier parts of the body. Additionally, innerspring mattresses can have great responsiveness and bounce, though they often lack motion isolation or pressure relief.
Hybrid Mattresses
As their name suggests, hybrid mattresses take features from innerspring mattresses and foam mattresses and combine them into one bed. This typically means that you will get the support and cooling that is provided by the coils of an innerspring mattress and the comfort and pressure relief often found in memory foam and latex mattresses.
The design of these mattresses typically consists of upper comfort layers usually made of memory foam or latex and a bottom support layer made of coils. Because the design is often intended to keep the coils on the bottom, it may be more difficult to find a lot of flippable hybrid mattresses.
Memory Foam Mattresses
Memory foam mattresses are known for great pressure relief and motion isolation. These beds can be top-notch choices for co-sleepers, although sexually active couples may not find these mattresses to be the best choice due to their slow-moving feel, which can sometimes cause sleepers to feel stuck, depending on the mattress model.
Memory foam has a reputation for sleeping hot, but many mattress brands have started adding cooling technologies to help with this. Although there are no coils in memory foam mattresses, this doesn’t mean that all memory foam mattresses are flippable. If you want a flippable memory foam bed, it should be specifically designated as a flippable mattress.
Latex Mattresses
Latex mattresses are a durable and eco-conscious option that has a springy feel and quick-responding feel that can help combination sleepers and sexually active couples reposition more easily. Latex is also great at relieving pressure.
There are some versions of these beds made from natural latex sourced from the sap of rubber trees, making them an excellent choice for those wanting an eco-friendly alternative. Additionally, latex sleeps cooler than standard memory foam, which can be appealing to hot sleepers. Like, memory foam beds, latex mattresses don’t have innersprings, but this doesn’t mean that they are all flippable.
Other Considerations When Shopping for a Double Sided Mattress
Sleeping Position
Back sleepers and combination sleepers are typically served well by medium-firmness mattresses. Flippable beds often have two different firmness levels, and these are usually softer on one side and firmer on the other. Therefore, it’s a good idea to make sure the flippable bed you’re interested in at least has a medium-firm option on one side.
Softer beds can provide side sleepers more pressure relief for their shoulders and hips, so it’s a good idea to make sure the mattress has one side that’s soft to medium in feel. On the other hand, stomach sleepers will likely prefer the support of the firmer side of flippable mattresses.
Weight/Body Type of Sleepers
Your weight and body type can impact how a particular mattress feels and performs. Heavier sleepers typically need more support and a firmer than those who are average or lightweight. This kind of mattress will keep the heavier areas of their bodies from sagging too far down in the bed.
However, lightweight sleepers will need a softer bed that provides them with extra cushioning. Considering that flippable mattresses usually have a soft and firm side, these mattresses, or at least one side, should be good for heavy and light sleepers. Average-weight folks usually rest best on medium-firm surfaces, though this also depends on the sleep position they like.
Cooling
If you wake up hot and sweaty, it could be that your mattress doesn’t regulate temperature very well. Therefore, when you are looking for a flippable mattress, you may want to consider one that also has cooling properties.
Latex is a naturally cooler material. Therefore, latex mattresses can be a great option. However, if you’re not a fan of the feel of latex, innerspring mattresses allow for easy airflow that will help regulate your temperature. Memory foam typically sleeps the hottest, but many of them have now implemented cooling options.
Motion Isolation
If you sleep with another person or pet and their movements disturb your sleep, your bed probably lacks good motion isolation. While innerspring and latex mattresses might be available as flippable models, they often don’t excel at keeping movement contained to one side of the bed.
Instead, we’d recommend flippable memory foam or poly foam mattresses to ensure better motion isolation since these foams can help absorb movement.
Sex
Other than sleeping, sex is probably the activity we associate most with mattresses, and your bed can enhance or diminish your sexual experience. Latex, hybrid, and innerspring mattresses are all responsive and provide considerable bounce. These characteristics make it easier for you to move and reposition, so they’re probably your best bets when it comes to beds for sex. However, memory foam beds can sometimes make you feel stuck due to the material’s slow-moving nature.
Budget
Mattresses can be vital for your overall health and wellness, but they can also put a dent in your budget, Fortunately, quality flippable mattresses can be found at a variety of price points, and you save even more money by shopping online, and during major sales holidays.
Flipping vs Rotating a Mattress
Rotating your bed means you are switching the position of the head and feet without changing which side is face-up. This would be the method used for a product designed to be used on only one side. For example, a bed with a soft pillow top and a very firm base could not be flipped as that would change the entire performance of the mattress.
Flipping, on the other hand, is turning the entire bed over so the top is now face-down and vice versa. Beds with different comfort feels on either side or beds designed with the layers mirroring each other from top to bottom would utilize this method.
Either process is meant to prolong the life of your mattress by evening out the wear and tear and reducing body impressions on one side or end of the bed.
How often should you be flipping or rotating your mattress? Every brand is different, but usually between once every three months to once a year. Companies usually give instructions for how often to perform these tasks on their websites.
Who Should Get a Flippable Mattress?
Flippable mattresses boast a variety of features that can appeal to certain shoppers. Here are some situations that might be made better with the purchase of a flippable mattress:
- You’re looking for value (two mattresses for the price of one)
- You go through frequent changes in your preferred sleeping position
- You can’t choose between two firmnesses
- You’re looking for a mattress that might last longer
- Your child is growing and may need to transition to a different bed
- You want to compromise with a partner who has different preferences
Of course, these are only some of the scenarios that might lead you to buy a flippable bed. Perhaps you’re just curious or looking to switch it up.
When it comes to those who shouldn’t buy a flippable bed, the main caveat is that you’ll have to actually, well, flip it. If you struggle with lifting heavy things, it might be difficult to picture yourself flipping an entire mattress, especially if you don’t have someone around to help you out.
Pros and Cons of Flippable Mattresses
With any bed, it’s unlikely that it’s going to please everyone. We surveyed folks who have flippable mattresses to find out what’s so great about them, and also where they might not perform up to par.
Pros
Value and Extended Usability
Getting two beds for the price of one with a product that lasts a long time can be a great deal for consumers. By turning it over, your flippable mattress should last longer and maintain consistent performance despite long-term use.
Due to its extended usability, flippable mattresses can be good options if you’re looking for the Best Mattress for Airbnb or Vacation Rental Properties.
Less Body impressions
By flipping your mattress, you’re giving it a chance to breathe, rather than putting weight repeatedly in the same exact spot–which can cause sagging more quickly.
Versatility
If your reversible mattress has a different comfort level on either side, it can be used to appeal to a variety of sleepers. Side sleepers might revel in the pressure relief of the soft setting while stomach sleepers could find a firmer level of support that keeps them sleeping soundly.
Cons
Heavier to Move
If you have a heavier mattress due to more layers, you may struggle when trying to move it around, especially if you live on your own. You also might need to rearrange your furniture in order to flip your bed over. Some mattresses offer handles to streamline the process, but it can still be a hassle.
Limited Availability
While reversible beds are becoming more popular, there are still likely to be fewer options as compared to the standard one-sided products. For example, one of the folks we surveyed said they wished there were more non-foam options. This could lead to shoppers spending more time hunting down the perfect bed that fits all of their personal needs.
Novelty Wears Off
Some sleepers said that after using their bed for a while, they didn’t sense too much of a difference between a flippable bed and a regular old mattresses. It was fun to try something new at first, but opinions are mixed on whether or not it was worth it.
Best Double Sided Mattress FAQs
Are all mattresses flippable?
No, not all mattresses are flippable, though it is becoming a more popular option. Flippable mattresses will be specifically labeled as such on the manufacturer’s website.
How often should I flip a flippable mattress?
Flippable mattresses sometimes have the same firmness levels on each side, but sometimes they have a firm and a soft side. If your mattress has the same firmness level on each side, you should consider flipping it approximately twice a year. If it has different firmness options and you prefer one over the other, you probably want to avoid flipping it and just rotate it for more even wear and tear.
How often should I rotate my mattress?
Mattresses can be rotated head to foot once every three months to once a year in order to increase longevity and certain areas of the bed from sagging. Of course, if you have a bed with targeted support areas, you may not want to rotate it at all.
What type of mattresses is flippable?
A wide selection of mattresses are flippable, including beds containing only foam layers or coil units. It is always advisable to check with your specific manufacturer to ensure that your mattress is flippable.
What kind of frame can I use?
Searching for the best bed frame can be difficult. Much of the time, you may use a two-sided model on any sort of bed frame. Slatted, foundations, or adjustable frames could all be on the table here. Read the company’s product or FAQ page to find out what sort of set-up the bed needs, or reach out to them via chat or email to get the information you need.
Who sells (or manufacturers) flippable beds?
All sorts of companies offer flippable products. Many brick-and-mortar companies have gotten into the online market, some of which have begun offering their own dual-sided products. Some bed-in-a-box brands are designed to create reversible items while others incorporate them into their line of more traditional online sleep products.
How long does a flippable mattress last?
The average lifespan of a mattress is about a decade. A flippable mattress is going to last similarly to this, but its longevity might actually be lengthened if you regularly flip it. This is because you won’t be sleeping in the same position every night, which might otherwise increase the chances of causing a permanent indent.
Is a flippable mattress as durable as a non-flippable mattress?
Yes! And some might even say more so. On traditional mattresses, we tend to stick to our preferred side and spot, which can end up causing a pesky divot over time. Flipping and rotating mattresses can aid in the bed’s overall durability. For more information on how to make your bed last longer, you should check out our picks for the best mattresses that won’t sag.
Is it better to get a mattress you can flip?
Whether or not a flippable mattress is “better” is up to you. If you’re someone who wants two firmness options and a longer-lasting investment, a dual-sided mattress might be the better choice. However, if you’re someone who struggles with mobility, lives alone, or has a tiny bedroom, the actual “flipping” part may be cumbersome enough to say no.
Conclusion
Now you know the difference between flipping and rotating, one-sided and two-sided beds, and you have all sorts of information on the various materials, firmness levels, and what they can do for each type of sleeper. Keep it simple and grab one of our recommended reversible items above, or use your shiny new knowledge to find the best flippable mattress for you. Sleep well and happy mattress hunting!
| Mattress | Best For | Price (Queen Size) | Review |
| Plank Firm | Firm | $1,249 | Plank Firm Mattress Review |
| Zenhaven | King | $3,295 | Zenhaven Mattress Review |
| Helix Kids | Toddlers | $998.80 (Full Size) | Helix Kids Mattress Review |
| Layla Memory Foam | Memory Foam | $1,099 | Layla Mattress Review |
| Saatva Youth | Innerspring | $999 (Full Size) | Saatva Youth Mattress Review |
Julia Forbes
Lead Product Tester
About Author
Julia is the Lead Reviewer at Sleep Advisor, specializing in testing out mattresses and sleep accessories – she’s in the right line of work, because she loves to sleep.
Stomach Sleeper
Education & Credentials
- Certified Sleep Science Coach