Written by Emma Cronan, Writer
Mattress shopping is tough enough when you’re choosing a bed for your own home. Selecting a bed for an Airbnb or rental property comes with a variety of additional concerns, including the fact that you’re picking out a bed for people you haven’t met yet!
In collecting the best Airbnb mattresses, we chose beds that strike a nice balance across affordability and versatility—i.e., a comfort profile that will feel cozy to the widest possible range of sleepers. Whether you go for a hybrid, a memory foam bed, or a mix of both in multiple rooms, these mattresses should help your guests get plenty of sleep during their stays.
Best Mattresses for Airbnbs and Vacation Rental Properties
- Nectar Memory Foam – Best Mattress for an Airbnb Overall
- Helix Midnight – Best Airbnb Mattress for Back Pain
- DreamCloud – Best Luxury Mattress for an Airbnb
- Nolah Evolution – Best Hybrid Mattress for an Airbnb
- Bear Original Mattress – Best Cooling Mattress for an Airbnb
- Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid – Best Airbnb Mattress for Combination Sleepers
- Titan Plus – Best Durable Mattress for Airbnbs and Vacation Rental Properties
- Plank Firm – Best Firm Mattress for Rental Properties
Compare the Best Mattresses for Rental Properties
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| Nectar Mattress | Helix Midnight Mattress | DreamCloud Original Mattress | Nolah Evolution Hybrid Mattress | Bear Original Mattress | Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid Mattress | Titan Plus | Brooklyn Bedding Plank Firm Mattress | |
| Rating | ||||||||
| Firmness | Firm: 7.5/10 | Medium-firm: 6/10 | Medium-firm: 6.5/10 | Multiple firmness options | Firm: 7/10 | Multiple firmness options | Firm: 8/10 | Multiple firmness options |
| Material | Foam | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid | Foam | Hybrid | Hybrid | Foam |
| Cooling | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| Warranty | Lifetime warranty | 10-year warranty | Lifetime warranty | Lifetime warranty | Lifetime warranty | 10-year warranty | 10-year warranty | 10-year warranty |
| Shipping | Free shipping | Free shipping | Free shipping | Free shipping | Free shipping | Free shipping | Free shipping | Free shipping |
| Trial Period | 365 nights | 100 nights | 365 nights | 120 nights | 120 nights | 120 nights | 120 nights | 120 nights |
| Best For | Back Sleepers, Back Pain, Stomach Sleepers, Side Sleepers, Couples | Couples, Back Sleepers, Side Sleepers | Back Sleepers, Hot Sleepers, Seniors | Side Sleepers, Back Sleepers, Hip Pain, Seniors | Hot Sleepers, Back Sleepers, Side Sleepers, Hip Pain | Couples, Back Sleepers, Hip Pain | Back Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers, Back Pain, Hip Pain, Seniors | Stomach Sleepers, Back Pain, Seniors |
How We Chose the Best Airbnb Mattresses
At Sleep Advisor, we evaluate beds in person at our studio to give readers a firsthand account of how each one performs.
Our team of reviewers puts the mattresses through a gauntlet of tests and grades them in categories such as firmness, cooling, and edge support. We also have multiple reviewers test each bed so we can know how it feels to different body types.
To decide on the top mattresses we’d recommend for rental properties, we looked at our regular metrics as well as the additional factors outlined below.
What We Want to See in a Mattress for an Airbnb or Rental Property
A Medium-Firm Feel
A mattress that falls between a 5 and 7 on our firmness scale is deemed “medium firm.” This is the ideal firmness level if you’re hoping to accommodate a wide range of guests, as it tends to feel comfortable to most people and for most sleeping positions.
Easy Transport and Care
Whether you own one or plural rental properties, simply getting a mattress inside them can be a hassle. We looked for beds that come conveniently packaged and can be transported without much fuss.
Additionally, because these beds will be used by many guests over time, some cleaning and maintenance is to be expected. Prioritize beds that can be easily spot-cleaned, as well as lifted and examined for damage.
A Warranty with Lots of Coverage
In the unfortunate event that a guest damages your mattress, a solid warranty will come in handy. Always read the fine print to see exactly what a mattress’s warranty will cover. For example, does it apply to beds used in a commercial space? Does its coverage change over time? Armed with this knowledge, you can often avoid paying a lot of money for repairs or replacements.
A Relatively Affordable Price
Your guests deserve a quality mattress while they stay at your rental property, but you may not want to pay as much for one as you might for a bed that gets used every single night. Our picks skew toward the budget-friendly end of the online mattress market while still meeting our stringent standards for comfort.
Best Airbnb Mattresses
Nectar Memory Foam – Best Overall Mattress for an Airbnb
The Advisor Says: We believe that Nectar offers a quality bed backed up by generous policies, and for under $1,000 for a queen (after discounts). If you’re looking for a firmer foam mattress on a budget, the Nectar Classic has you covered.
Why the Nectar Earned Best Overall Mattress for an Airbnb
Nectar is our favorite mattress overall for an Airbnb because it has a combination of great consumer policies, an affordable price, and high-quality materials. The Nectar bed is a medium-firm mattress, rated 6.5 out of 10 on our firmness scale.
Our lead reviewer, Julia, found the Nectar to be very responsive and excellent at pressure relief, and spinal support for most sleepers, with the exception of plus-size people and stomach sleepers. All of these qualities are important when searching for a great mattress, so we suggest the Nectar mattress to Airbnb and vacation rental property owners looking to furnish their homes.
Helix Midnight – Best Airbnb Mattress for Back Pain
The Advisor Says: The Midnight has one of the most impressive score spreads of all the mattresses we’ve reviewed. The best word to describe it is “balanced”: it’s got pressure relief, support, and cooling power in spades, plus a versatile medium-firm feel that tends to satisfy lots of sleepers.
Why the Helix Midnight Earned Best Airbnb Mattress for Back Pain
The Helix Midnight is a great bed for back pain because it is a hybrid mattress constructed of both foam and coil layers. Our mattress review team rated this mattress a 6-7 out of 10 on our firmness scale, which means that it is a medium-firm bed. This bed is not too firm, yet it’s not too soft, which means it should appeal to a lot of different sleepers with different preferences.
This Helix mattress provides excellent back support and pressure relief, which are two qualities that could help people with back pain sleep better throughout the night.
DreamCloud – Best Luxury Mattress for an Airbnb
The Advisor Says: The DreamCloud is a pleasantly supportive hybrid that really appealed to the stomach sleepers on our testing team (though it proved itself capable of aligning spines in every position). Its affordable price and couple-friendly features have made it a mainstay of the bed-in-a-box scene.
Why the DreamCloud Earned Best Luxury Mattress for an Airbnb
This bed boasts a number of high-end features, most notably its soft cashmere blend cover, and is an overall quality hybrid. It brings the support, durability, and comfort of a luxury bed at a fraction of the price. A queen should only run you about $1,300, and that’s before sales, which can bring costs down to under $700.
Providing a luxury Airbnb experience can drive up your profits, but it also costs a lot on your end. There’s a solution, though, when it comes to picking a luxury mattress that won’t break the bank, and it’s DreamCloud’s flagship model.
Nolah Evolution – Best Hybrid Mattress for an Airbnb
The Advisor Says: The Nolah Evolution is a team favorite with a highly competitive score spread—our testers gave it at least a 4 out of 5 in every single performance category. It’s definitely a luxury mattress, with the height (and price) to match.
Why the Nolah Evolution Earned Best Hybrid Mattress for an Airbnb
The Nolah Evolution is a great option when looking for a hybrid mattress for a vacation rental home. Hybrid mattresses include a combination of memory foam and traditional innerspring coils to cater to a wide variety of sleeping positions and body weights.
This mattress should not create issues for most sleepers, and we feel the majority of sleepers should find it to be very comfortable, regardless of their sleeping position or weight.
Bear Original Mattress – Best Cooling Mattress for an Airbnb
The Advisor Says: With a name that inspires hibernation, it’s no surprise we found the Bear Original to be an attractive all-foam mattress at its fair price. It’s got a firmer feel that’s sure to please folks looking for support—and a surprising amount of bounce.
Why the Bear Original Mattress Earned Best Cooling Mattress for an Airbnb
Nobody wants to start sweating while they’re sleeping or lying in bed, and Bear knows that. The Bear Original mattress contains gel-infused foam beneath a breathable Tencel™ cover, ensuring that sleepers don’t get too hot at night.
A cooling mattress is particularly important in warmer climates or for people who sleep hot. Not only did we find the Bear Original to perform well at cooling, but we also think it has excellent motion isolation, which is helpful for co-sleepers because it means one person’s movements are less likely to disturb the other person.
Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid – Best Airbnb Mattress for Combination Sleepers
The Advisor Says: For shoppers on a budget, the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid is one of the top hybrids we recommend. It’s simultaneously soft and bouncy, with three firmness options and decent cooling power.
Why the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid Earned Best Airbnb Mattress for Combination Sleepers
Brooklyn Bedding’s Signature Hybrid has a combination of memory foam that provides a plush cushion for side sleepers and coils that provide spinal support for back and stomach sleepers. Emma from our review team tested this bed for herself, speaking highly of its buoyancy and responsiveness. This feature is important because it can make it that much easier to adjust your sleep position at night.
The Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid also has other great qualities, such as edge support, cooling materials, and a variety of firmness options. Even better, it’s a great budget-friendly option that still delivers on quality.
Titan Plus – Best Durable Mattress for Airbnbs and Rental Properties
The Advisor Says: Brooklyn Bedding created the Titan Plus to cater to heavier shoppers looking for a bed that truly met their needs, and we believe they’ve delivered. Consider buying the Titan Plus if you’re looking for a comfortably supportive mattress with added benefits like cooling and bounce.
Why the Titan Plus Earned Best Durable Mattress for Airbnbs and Rental Properties
The Titan Plus is a hybrid bed made of both foam and coils, and our mattress testers found it to be incredibly durable. Not only do the coils provide support and stability, but some of the foam is high-density, meaning this mattress should not easily wear down.
Airbnb and rental property owners will likely want a durable mattress for their properties as many guests will be cycling in and out. Plus, the less the property owners have to pay for a brand-new mattress, the better. The Titan Plus is not only durable, but it also has other great features such as cooling qualities, the capacity to adapt to heavier folks, and a relatively low price point for a high-quality bed.
Plank Firm – Best Firm Mattress for Rental Properties
The Advisor Says: We’re constantly calling this mattress one of the firmest in the online market, and if you don’t believe us, try it for yourself! It offers both a classic firm and extra-firm feel in its flippable design, alongside posture-aligning support. Bonus points for good marks in performance for cooling, bounce, and couples.
Why the Plank Firm Earned Best Firm Mattress for Rental Properties
The Plank Firm mattress is the best firm mattress for rental properties because it can be flipped from a Firm side to an Extra-Firm side, depending on your preference. This versatility is a great option for Airbnb and rental properties because it can appeal to a wider variety of sleepers, so it should satisfy a lot of different rental property guests.
As a firm bed, the Plank Firm can deliver great spine support. Julia, one of our mattress testers who tried out this bed, added, “Overall, it’ll be best for back, stomach, and plus-size sleepers that need this level of support.”
How to Choose the Best Mattress for Your Airbnb: Key Considerations
If you’re looking for a mattress for an Airbnb or vacation rental property, you may want to know about certain types of mattresses, other preference-based features, and what pillows and bedding to purchase. Below we’ll outline more general information regarding mattresses and their qualities, along with suggestions for your bed’s accessories.
Type of Mattress
Innerspring Mattresses
An innerspring mattress is the most traditional type of mattress, and it includes a coil system. These coils provide airflow that can help keep you cool at night. Two other advantages that often come along with innerspring mattresses are excellent edge support and bounce. Further, innerspring mattresses are typically more affordable than other types of mattresses.
The leading downside to these beds, however, is they can lack motion isolation and pressure relief.
Hybrid Mattresses
If you like the cooling and supportive qualities that a traditional innerspring mattress provides, but you still want your mattress to have a soft, comforting foam feel, a hybrid mattress is a great way to have the best of both worlds. Typically, a hybrid mattress has memory foam as the top layer and then has a firmer, more dense poly foam layer underneath. Finally, the base of a hybrid mattress is a coil unit that provides the durability, edge support, and airflow you’d find in a classic innerspring bed. That said, you can also find latex hybrids, which swap out memory foam and poly foam for latex foam.
The advanced design of hybrids is appealing, but this means they’re usually more expensive.
Memory Foam Mattresses
Memory foam mattresses usually include different types of foam, with memory foam on top followed by denser poly foam below for support. Memory foam’s ability to contour sleepers’ bodies so well is why these beds are beloved for pressure relief. All-foam beds like these are generally more budget-friendly as well.
Although this foam has a reputation for running hot, many memory foam mattresses include cooling gels or other cooling features to help combat this.
Latex Mattresses
Latex mattresses feature layers made of latex foam. This material has a springy, bouncy feel to it, which is helpful for people with limited mobility, sexually active couples, and combination sleepers. Latex mattresses also provide great temperature regulation, support, and pressure relief.
Beds made with natural latex are also more eco-friendly, which is great for shoppers looking for sustainable mattresses. This type of mattress is really durable and long-lasting, but it is more expensive than other mattress types.
Mattress Size
When determining what size mattress to buy for an Airbnb or vacation rental property, you’ll want to consider what guests you’re looking to accommodate. For instance, couples typically prefer a Queen or King-size bed, while children will be perfectly content in a Twin or Twin XL mattress. Depending on the purpose of each room of your vacation rental, you’ll want to choose your mattress sizes accordingly.
Planning to have a stealthy extra bed via a Murphy Bed in your rental? Explore the Best Mattresses for Murphy Beds.
Sleeping Position
When purchasing a mattress for an Airbnb, you have no idea what your future guests’ sleeping positions will be. To combat this challenge, we suggest that you choose a bed that caters to a wide variety of sleeping positions. Usually, beds that are medium-firm and have a construction that can blend good support and pressure relief are the safest bet.
Weight/Body Type of Sleepers
Similarly to sleeping positions, an Airbnb host cannot predict the weight and body type of their future guests. Catering to lightweight, average-weight, and heavyweight folks is a bit difficult, as lighter-weight folks typically prefer a softer mattress, while heavier people need the support of a more firm mattress.
Our suggestion is to choose a bed that falls in the medium-firm category, even though it may be a bit too firm for some and too soft for others. You could also buy a soft mattress topper and/or firm mattress topper so guests can modify the bed’s feel during their stay if needed.
Related: Best Beds for Heavy People
Firmness
As mentioned, when purchasing a mattress for an Airbnb, we suggest looking for a medium-firm mattress as that will likely appeal to the largest number of guests. Airbnb guests are only sleeping on your mattress for a short period of time, so if the mattress is not perfect for their body type and sleeping position, they should be okay. Also, providing an optional mattress topper could help them adjust the bed’s feel to better meet their needs.
Cooling
Many mattress companies have started incorporating cooling features into their mattresses, whether it be gel-infused foam, a moisture-wicking cover, or coils that circulate airflow. If your Airbnb is in a warmer climate or does not have air conditioning, a cooling mattress will be a valuable purchase.
Motion Isolation for Couples
Motion isolation is the degree to which a mattress can isolate motion so you don’t feel a co-sleeper’s movements when you’re sleeping. For instance, if a couple is sharing a bed and one person is tossing and turning at night, the other person shouldn’t feel that movement if their bed has good motion isolation. Oftentimes, couples will travel together or siblings will share a bed when on vacation. Getting a mattress that excels in this area ensures your guests have a great night’s sleep.
When purchasing a good motion-isolating bed for a vacation rental property, look for memory foam beds made with only foam layers, which excel at this. However, if you’re leaning toward a bed with a coil unit, we recommend a hybrid with individually wrapped coils and memory foam comfort layers, both of which should curb motion transfer on the bed.
Ease of Movement
Ease of movement refers to how easily it is to move about on the mattress. Often, mattresses that have a lot of bounce or quick-responding materials are helpful for this, including latex, hybrid, and innerspring models.
Typically, combination sleepers, people with limited mobility, and sexually active couples enjoy a bed with high responsiveness where they’re able to move around easily. We suggest that when searching for an Airbnb mattress, you look for one with at least some bounce and responsiveness so you can cater to these sleepers as well.
More: Best Mattress for Sex
Pressure Relief
When you lie down, you’ll notice areas where your weight accumulates, creating pressure. With a mattress, you want something that’s going to help mitigate this pressure buildup to avoid pain and overall discomfort.
Mattresses typically deliver pressure relief through softer foams at the top that contour sleepers and cushion their joints. Pressure relief is helpful for all sleepers, but particularly side sleepers since they can experience more pressure accumulation in smaller areas — specifically the hips and shoulders.
Typically, mattresses with memory foam are the most pressure-relieving, but latex can also provide great pressure relief, though you may not sink in as much. For a rental property, a bed that at least has some pressure-relieving materials is going to be important for accommodating different people. You can find our picks for the best beds for pressure relief here.
Edge Support
Edge support is the level of reinforcement on the perimeter of a mattress that helps maintain the mattress’ structure and allows you to spread out to the edges of the bed without feeling like you’re falling off. Edge support is especially important for couples who want to spread out while sharing a bed, as well as people with limited mobility who rely on the edges to get in and out of bed.
If you’re looking for a mattress for your rental property, we suggest getting one that has great edge support. Usually, beds with any type of coils have more edge support than beds made completely of foam, though some manufacturers use denser foam along the sides of all-foam beds to help secure the edges Reading reviews of a particular bed can help you get an idea of how well it should perform in this category.
Durability
Durability refers to how long a mattress should last before it’s time to replace it. Latex mattresses are the most durable kind, followed by hybrid and memory foam beds, and finally innerspring mattresses. Durability is important to keep in mind when buying a bed for a vacation rental property as you may want one that is long-lasting so you don’t have to replace it as often.
Noise
Noise from a mattress could be a concern for rental properties where families are sharing the same room. Innerspring and hybrid beds contain coils, which means they may make squeaky noises as you move around on your bed. If you’re looking for a quiet bed for your Airbnb, we suggest you try a latex or memory foam bed, or you make sure your hybrid bed isn’t too noisy.
Budget
It is important to consider your budget when purchasing a mattress for a vacation rental property. You may not want to spend as much money on this bed as you would for a mattress for your own home, where you sleep every night.
Some mattresses are more luxurious, with extra features and better-quality materials, yet there are still many great, high-quality mattresses at lower prices. Innerspring and memory foam beds are often cheaper compared to latex and hybrid models, and shopping online, especially during holiday sales, can save you even more money on a new bed.
There are a few times a year when mattresses go on sale. During these holidays you can shop high-quality mattresses at deep discounts:
- President’s Day (February)
- Memorial Day (May)
- Labor Day (September)
- Thanksgiving / Cyber 5 (November)
- Christmas (December)
Finally, you can also peruse our list of high-quality affordable mattresses.
Caring For Your Airbnb Mattress
When purchasing a mattress for an Airbnb, it is important to research how easily you can maintain and clean the mattress. Many mattresses come with removable, washable covers that make it really easy to maintain the bed’s cleanliness. If you’re purchasing a mattress for an Airbnb, you should make sure your mattress cover is removable and washable, as you’ll probably want to wash it in between guests.
Spot Clean Stains: You can treat small stains on a bed by using one part white vinegar and one part water. Allow the mixture to sit on the stain for five minutes and then dab away excess moisture with a rag.
Mattress Deep Clean: After taking off any extra bedding or covers, move the vacuum hose across the mattress’ surface to collect dust and particles. Then, treat any spot stains (see above). Afterward, sprinkle a small amount of baking soda on the mattress to collect any odors and excess moisture. Allow it to sit for a few hours before vacuuming again. Then, flip the mattress and repeat these steps.
Read our extensive guide on How to Deep Clean a Mattress.
Pillows and Bedding for Airbnbs and Vacation Rentals
When purchasing pillows and bedding for your Airbnb or vacation rental home, there are certain considerations you may want to take note of. We suggest that you purchase hypoallergenic sheets, pillowcases, and pillows for your rental home bed since you don’t know the specific allergies of your guests.
Along with hypoallergenic bedding, purchasing cooling pillows and cooling sheets is another great way to ensure that your guests are comfortable throughout the night. Cooling bedding may be especially important if the mattress you purchase lacks cooling qualities and your vacation rental is in a warmer climate.
Finally, you should check the dimensions of the purchased mattress before purchasing sheets and a comforter. You’ll want to make sure the sizes of your sheets and comforter align with the mattress’ dimensions so everything fits properly.
Best Mattress for Airbnb and Vacation Rental Properties FAQs
What kind of mattress is best for Airbnb?
If you’re looking for the best mattress for an Airbnb, we suggest something that is going to be accommodating to a wide range of sleepers. More specifically, beds with a medium-firm feel that deliver both support and pressure relief are usually the most versatile for different sleepers.
We also recommend getting an Airbnb mattress that’s made with durable materials and can easily be cleaned. If your Airbnb is in a warmer locale, then a mattress with cooling features is also a good idea.
How much should I spend on an Airbnb mattress?
Ultimately, the amount of money you spend on a mattress for your Airbnb is your decision. We suggest finding a mattress that is of good quality and caters to a wide variety of sleeping positions and weights but that is still less expensive than a higher-end bed you may purchase for your own home. Of course, you’d like your guests to be comfortable when sleeping, but they likely don’t need the extra features that they have in their beds at home.
What size bed is best for an Airbnb?
The best size bed for an Airbnb will vary depending on the type of bedroom you’re furnishing. If you are designing a room meant for a couple, we recommend a Queen or King-size bed. However, if you’re furnishing a children’s bedroom, Twin or Twin XL beds will do the trick.
Is a memory foam mattress good for an Airbnb?
Yes, a memory foam mattress can be good for an Airbnb. Memory foam mattresses are highly popular because they excel at pressure relief, and they can be far less expensive than hybrid or latex models. The only downside to memory foam is that it can run hot, so we advise making sure the memory foam bed you’re interested in has cooling features in it to help balance this out.
| Mattress | Best For | Price (Queen Size) | Review |
| Nectar Memory Foam | Overall | $999 | Nectar Mattress Review |
| Helix Midnight | Back Pain | $1,199 | Helix Midnight Mattress Review |
| DreamCloud | Luxury | $1,332 | DreamCloud Mattress Review |
| Nolah Evolution | Hybrid | $2,299 | Nolah Evolution Mattress Review |
| Bear Original Mattress | Cooling | $999 | Bear Original Mattress Review |
| Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid | Combination Sleepers | $1,249 | Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid Mattress Review |
| Titan Plus | Durable | $1,249 | Titan Plus Mattress Review |
| Plank Firm | Firm | $1,249 | Plank Firm Mattress Review |
Emma Cronan
Writer
About Author
Emma is a content writer and former editorial intern for Sleep Advisor. She collaborates with the editor and staff writers to come up with article ideas, create article outlines, and write for the website.
Combination Sleeper