Best Mattress for Guest Room – Reviews & Ratings for 2023

What to Look for in a Mattress for a Guest Room

The ideal mattress for your guest bedroom will depend on your budget and the preferences and needs of your guests. We’ll walk you through the different types of beds and features to consider while searching for a new mattress for a guest room. 

Type of Mattress 

Innerspring Mattresses 

Innerspring mattresses consist of springy coils as the primary support unit with a thin comfort layer on top. There are several types of coils available, but individually-pocketed coils have some major benefits. The reason is that each coil will perform independently, allowing your body to sink into the mattress where it needs to.

A continuous coil system provides a flatter surface, which can feel overly firm when the bed is new, and then over time, it can sag in all the wrong places. Plus, beds with continuous coils have more motion transfer because they move as one.

Hybrid Mattresses 

Most people consider these beds a great solution if they can’t decide between all-foam and traditional innerspring models. A hybrid mattress will have a combination of materials, blending coils, memory foam, and latex, usually two of the three but sometimes all of them.

Hybrids can be more expensive than other models, but not always, so it is good to do your research to get the best bed at the best price.

Memory Foam Mattresses 

Memory foam has universal appeal because it contours the shape of a sleeper’s body for excellent pressure relief. However, it can run hot, so to help prevent this, some brands offer infusions like gel or copper to minimize heat retention.

Also, if you get a memory foam bed, look for a product that has either a high-density support layer or a medium-density comfort layer. Ideally, the top layer’s density should be at least 1.8 pounds per cubic foot (PCF), and the support layer should be around 3.5 PCF or higher. If you’re looking at a mattress that’s a single layer, try to stick with something that’s over 2.5 PCF. 

The product description on the company’s website should readily have these specs available for you to review or you can contact their customer support team to get this information.

Check Out Our Guide: Best Memory Foam Mattresses

Latex Mattresses 

The makeup and manufacturing process of latex usually results in a greener product than memory foam. This principle only applies if you get natural latex, which is sourced from the sap of a rubber tree. Latex is pricier but also more durable.

Although latex provides pressure relief like memory foam, it is quicker to respond to movement than memory foam, which has more of a slow-sinking feel. The responsiveness is helpful for ease of movement, so if your guests are older or need help repositioning, this is a feature they’ll appreciate.

View Our Full Guide: Top Rated Latex Mattress

Other Considerations When Shopping for a Mattress for a Guest Room

Sleeping Position 

Given that you aren’t likely to know the preferred sleep positions of most of the people staying in your guest room, it can be beneficial to choose a mattress that has universal appeal and benefits. 

Memory foam mattresses can be a solid choice for guest rooms because they offer gentle cradling contouring that can provide pressure relief and support for back, stomach, and side sleepers. Combination sleepers may find some difficulty in repositioning on these types of mattresses, but considering that most guests will only be sleeping on this bed for a few days at a time this shouldn’t be a big issue. No matter the mattress type that you decide on, a medium or medium-firm firmness is beneficial to most sleep positions.  

Weight/Body Type of Sleepers 

The weight and body type of your guests could vary greatly, and it may be hard to find a mattress that is an ideal fit for all of them. As such, hybrid mattresses can make for a great choice for guest rooms. The combination of coils and foam layers can provide both support and comfort. 

However, hybrid mattresses may be out of your guest room budget. If this is the case, traditional innerspring mattresses or memory foam beds, particularly those that fall in the middle of the firmness scale, can provide a supportive and comfortable base for your guests, and these beds are generally more budget-friendly.  

Firmness

For a guest room, a medium-firm mattress is usually a good bet. Beds that fall in the middle of the firmness scale will be more versatile for various sleep positions and body weights. Although it may not be a perfect fit for every guest, medium-firm mattresses are likely to provide a comfortable night’s sleep for many. 

Need more help? Visit our  Mattress Firmness Scale Guide

Mattress Size

If you want more bang for your buck, consider sizing down from a Queen to a Full. If you tend to host solo guests, you can even get away with a Twin-size or Twin-XL mattress. Before buying, take time to think about the types of guests you’re hosting and decide if it would matter if you got a smaller size.

Check Out Our Comparison: Full vs. Queen Bed

Cooling 

If you live in a warmer climate or are hosting people who tend to feel hot, you’ll want a mattress that has either temperature-neutral or cooling properties. 

Coil and latex beds naturally sleep cool, but if you’re set on memory foam, look for a product that has either gel or copper infused in the top layer. Gel has cooling properties and copper draws heat away from the body, so both of these materials can help your guests stay comfortable. 

Motion Isolation 

If you’re hosting couples, opt for a bed that has excellent motion isolation, meaning that if one person moves around or gets up, their partner won’t feel disrupted. This is an especially important feature because we don’t tend to sleep as soundly when we’re in a new or strange place. The last thing your guest needs is to be kept awake by a restless sleeping mate.

Ease of Movement

If your guests need to be able to move freely around the bed or they have health challenges that make it more difficult to get up, look for something that doesn’t cause the body to sink in. In this case, seek out something like latex or coils.

Pressure Relief 

Mattresses that provide pressure relief can help ease discomfort in areas where your weight accumulates when you lie down to sleep. To give your guests a comfortable night’s rest, you will want to find a bed that provides them with pressure relief. 

Considering that this can be different depending on the guest’s body weight or sleep position, it is best to find the materials that offer the most universal relief. Memory foam and latex tend to do the best job of preventing pressure from building up. Innerspring mattresses may want to be avoided in guest rooms as the coils and thin top layer may increase pressure, particularly for side sleepers. 

Edge Support

Edge support is the amount of reinforcement around the perimeter of the mattress. This is what prevents the bed from sinking at the edges so that you can use the entire surface of the bed when you’re sleeping. 

Without good edge support, it will be more difficult to get out of bed, and you may even hurt your back trying to sleep on a mattress that sinks at the edges. Edge support will be important for those who are sharing a bed with someone else or taller sleepers who need more room to spread out.

Hybrid and innerspring beds often have great edge support from the coils, though some brands go above and beyond by incorporating reinforced coils along the edges. If you’re interested in a memory or latex option, check that the mattress comes with denser foam along the perimeter to help with edge support. 

Budget 

By shopping online, you are privy to tons of online sales and deals year-round, so you can find a well-made mattress for a lower price. Plus, there are holiday sales throughout the year, mostly on federal holidays, but also on days like Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day.

Keep in mind, when you buy a mattress for the lowest possible amount of money, you will not be getting some of the perks of a slightly more expensive or luxury mattress, like an extended or even lifetime warranty. You also might not get the benefit of a free, at-home trial. Consider things like warranties and free trials as part of the overall value of the mattress

Tips for a Better Guest Bed Experience

Consider a Great Mattress Topper

If you’ve already got a bed in the guestroom, but it’s getting kind of tired, you can revive it with a mattress topper. Generally, budget toppers will start around 100 dollars for a smaller size, but even if you get one that’s top of the line, it’s still way cheaper than getting a whole new bed.

Toppers can be incredibly helpful in softening up a too-firm mattress or evening out the surface of a sagging one.

Use Mattress Protectors to Increase Lifespan

Having guests, especially children, can expose your mattress to accidents or spills. Having a waterproof mattress protector will create a barrier to damaging materials and help keep your mattress looking new.

Also, if you have a warranty issue, most of the time it will be voided if there are any stains on the mattress, so getting one can help create a safer investment.

Rotate the Mattress

Rotating the surface of the bed will help prolong its life. Since people tend to sleep in the same general area, that localized part of the bed experiences the most wear and tear. By flipping or rotating your mattress, you can balance the wear throughout the mattress.

What If You Do Not Have Enough Space?

Portable or Foldable Beds

If your guest room also functions as a sewing room, office, or workout space, you might not have room for a bulky piece of furniture.

A portable mattress for guests can provide ample comfort but be stowed away when not in use. Typically, a bed that folds and has wheels at the base of the frame is especially handy, so you can roll it into the closet when you don’t need it.

This type of bed is reminiscent of the cots that you get at hotels, but some are much more comfortable.

Read Our Full Guide: Best Rollaway Bed or Best Mattress for a Murphy Bed

Airbed

Airbeds can serve a variety of functions other than just a guest bed. They’re ideal for camping, too, though if you get one for outdoor use, you might need to look for different features than you would for something in the bedroom. This option is ideal as a temporary sleeping solution but is not recommended for long-term, everyday use.

Since you’re probably storing it when not in use, getting something that’s easy to inflate is probably a top priority. Choose something that can auto-inflate or at least a brand that comes with a portable compressor.

Learn more: How to Make an Air Mattress More Comfortable

Japanese Futon

Futons are the most basic form of bedding, usually consisting of just a relatively thin, no-frills mattress on a foldable base. We appreciate futons for their versatility. If you only need a temporary bed for guests and plan on using the spare room for other purposes, a Japanese futon bed can serve double duty as a sofa.

Over the years, companies have made a concerted effort to make them more comfortable and better simulate the experience of sleeping on a traditional bed. The only word of caution here is that these tend to be firmer than a regular mattress. If you have houseguests with medical or pain conditions, this might not be the best choice for them.

Best Mattress for a Guest Room FAQs

Should I get a Full or Queen bed for the guest room?

Certain factors should be considered when deciding between a Full or Queen-size bed for the guest room. First, you will need to look at the size of the room. Is there enough space for a Queen-size bed? If not, a Full would likely be better. 

Next, you need to think about who would use the guest room. If the majority of those staying over are couples, a Queen bed may be more comfortable for them. Lastly, you need to think about your budget. A Queen will cost more than a Full, so if you need to save money, you might opt for a Full in this case.

How thick should a guest mattress be?

Mattresses can range from as thin as 6 inches to as thick as 16 inches. Similar to how we recommended a medium-firm feel for versatility, this same rule could apply to the mattress thickness. In this case, a bed that is between 10 and 12 inches thick could be an excellent choice for a variety of people sleeping over at your house. 

Should you keep sheets on a guest bed?

The answer to this question is a matter of preference, and there are two schools of thought, which we’ll explain.

• Some say that it makes no sense to leave a bed empty when it could look nicer being fully made. They suggest that since no one is sleeping on the bed and it will be covered in a bedspread, the sheets won’t get dirty or dusty.
• Others say that the sheets do indeed collect dust and grow stale over time. They strongly believe in keeping sheets off the bed until it’s time for a guest to come over.

Sheets can get dusty and lose their feeling of freshness if they’re kept on the bed for weeks or months. Therefore, you can cover your bare mattresses with a washable bedspread, and then a day or two before guests arrive, wash the bedspread and put fresh sheets on the bed.

Regardless of preference on this topic, it can be good to make sure the bed is made when your guests arrive, especially if they come over late at night.

For more information: Our list of Top Rated Sheets

How durable does a guest room mattress have to be?

Unless you have a permanent guest, you don’t necessarily need to have the most durable mattress out there since it will only be used from time to time.

That being said, you should still make sure that the bed you buy is of decent quality, so your guests can get a restful night of sleep. A good rule of thumb is to buy a bed with a long, risk-free trial and warranty period of several years. Brands with generous policies like that tend to stand behind their products, and you should find some reasonably priced beds with some of the best policies around.

What is a good bed for guests?

The answer to this question largely depends on your budget and how much space you have. If you have a dedicated “guest room” with a space for a bed, we’d recommend going ahead and investing in a good, quality bed (rather than a futon or air mattress).

Since this isn’t specifically a bed for one particular person, you might want to consider getting at least a Full or Queen-size bed, so that various people (including couples who are visiting) can sleep comfortably. Along those same lines, you’ll want a medium-firm bed, so that various people, no matter their size, sleeping position, or preference, are more likely to sleep well while they’re staying with you.

If you’re unsure of the type of bed to get, hybrids and memory foam beds can be great options for guest sleepers.

How much money should I spend on a guest bed?

The answer to this depends on your specific circumstances. How often will somebody be using this bed? Will the same person be sleeping in this bed regularly, or will you have different occasional guests?

In general, if the bed is not your own and likely won’t be used full-time, you probably won’t want to spend an exorbitant amount on the mattress – at least, not more than you spent on your own bed.

What is the best affordable mattress for a guest room?

The guest room mattress is unique in that it needs to work for a variety of people, so it needs to be a very “middle ground” type of mattress, or if you like the Goldilocks metaphor, it needs to be “just right.”

That said, look for a foam or hybrid mattress that is medium-firm since this will suit most sleepers well. In general, foam and hybrid mattresses are affordable (you can find a variety of them for less than 1,000 dollars). If you want extra savings, make sure you’re shopping online or during holiday sales.

Read More: Best Mattresses for Under $1000

What size bed should go in a guest room?

You’ll need to ask yourself, who is going to be using this bed? If the answer is almost always individuals, you might be able to get away with buying a Twin bed and saving a lot of money.

However, if you’ll have a variety of guests, including couples, you may want to invest in a Queen mattress or at least a Full. If you do decide to downsize from a Queen to a Full, it might mean saving 100 dollars or more, and the difference in size is not much. Again, though, think about the people who will be using the bed and determine how much space they’ll need.