Written by Julia Forbes, Lead Product Tester
As lead product tester for Sleep Advisor, I’ve lain, jumped, and rolled on more than 150 different mattresses. My team and I test several beds each week, and we’ve developed a keen sense for what makes a mattress memorable. We’ve helped over 2,000 shoppers find their sleep match.
We test every performance category you can think of (bounce, cooling, etc.) and score it out of five. Next, we weigh these scores based on what matters most to sleepers and average them to get the mattress’s final rating.
While there are many high-quality contenders out there, there aren’t too many that deliver that “wow” factor. The mattresses on this list are the models that stood out most to our certified sleep science coaches and in-house experts during testing. In our opinion, these are the best mattresses you can buy today.
Read on to see which ones made the list!
The 10 Best Mattresses of 2026
- Helix Midnight – Editor’s Pick
- Saatva Classic – Best Mattress for Back Pain
- DreamCloud – Best Mattress for Back Sleepers
- Nectar – Best Memory Foam Mattress
- WinkBed – Best Mattress for Side Sleepers
- Bear Elite Hybrid – Best Cooling Mattress
- Nolah Evolution – Best Hybrid Mattress
- Helix Dawn – Best Mattress for Stomach Sleepers
- Plank Firm – Best Firm Mattress
- Titan Plus – Best Mattress for Heavy People
Our Video Review of the Best Mattresses of 2026
Compare the Best Mattresses
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | |
| Helix Midnight Mattress | Saatva Classic | DreamCloud Classic Hybrid | Nectar Classic Memory Foam Mattress | WinkBed Mattress | Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress | Nolah Evolution Hybrid Mattress | Helix Dawn Mattress | Brooklyn Bedding Plank Firm Mattress | Titan Plus Core | |
| Rating | ||||||||||
| Firmness | Medium-Firm: 6/10 | Multiple Firmness Options | Medium-Firm: 6.5/10 | Firm: 7.5/10 | Multiple Firmness Options | Medium-Firm: 6/10 | Multiple Firmness Options | Firm: 7.5/10 | Multiple Firmness Options | Firm: 8/10 |
| Material | Hybrid | Innerspring | Hybrid | Foam | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid | Foam | Hybrid |
| Cooling | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Best For | Back Sleepers, Couples, Side Sleepers | Back Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers, Hot Sleepers, Back Pain, Seniors | Back Sleepers, Couples | Side Sleepers, Back Sleepers, Back Pain, Couples | Side Sleepers, Back Sleepers, Back Pain | Side Sleepers, Back Sleepers, Hot Sleepers, Hip Pain, Seniors | Side Sleepers, Back Sleepers, Hip Pain, Seniors | Back Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers, Couples | Back Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers, Back Pain, Seniors | Back Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers, Back Pain, Hip Pain, Seniors |
Our Mattress Testing Team
How We Chose the Best Mattresses
At the Sleep Advisor studios, my team and I put each mattress through comprehensive, hands-on testing.
We have a lightweight, average-weight, and heavyweight tester try out the bed so we can know how it feels to different body types. We also run through each sleeping position to see which ones it supports best.
We grade the mattress in multiple performance categories that we think represent the full range of a bed’s quality.
We also use scientific instruments to help us stay objective: a temperature gun for cooling tests, a pressure map for pressure-relief tests, and a seismograph app for motion isolation tests.
For this roundup, I narrowed the list down to beds with well-balanced performance ratings across the board. I made sure to only pick mattresses with a 5 out of 5 grade in support—perhaps the most important marker of mattress quality—and to include a variety of firmnesses to suit different comfort preferences.
Finally, I also looked at cost. I wanted to showcase the best beds with the fairest pricing, so we only listed beds priced between $1,000 and $2,500 for a queen—and that’s before discounts, which run extremely frequently.
Advice from a Medical Expert
“When you’re picking out a mattress, think about how it supports your spine and whether it feels comfortable to you. Check for durability too, so it lasts a good while, and maybe see if it has motion isolation if you share the bed with a partner. Just keep it simple and focus most on what will help you sleep better.”
Dr. Raj Dasgupta
What We Want to See in the Best Mattresses
Versatility
The best mattress for one person may feel uncomfortable to another, depending on their primary sleeping position, body type, and personal preferences. For that reason, we’ve selected a variety of mattresses, each meeting a different need.
You’ll see firmness levels ranging from pleasantly plush to ultra-firm, plus features designed for cooling, motion isolation, and back pain relief. The one thing that unites all of these mattresses is that they’re the best in their class.
Consistent Support
Almost every mattress on this list earned a perfect 5-star support score from the testing team. The only exception is the Nectar, a memory foam bed that prioritizes pressure relief. The Nectar still earned a strong 4 out of 5 for its support.
We think support is perhaps the most important element of a mattress, because it keeps your spine aligned and prevents uncomfortable sinkage. Without durable, consistent support, you risk discomfort, interrupted sleep, and back pain.
Well-Rounded Performance
We judge mattresses based on an extensive list of performance categories, so it makes sense that the best of the best should have good grades. All of the beds featured here earned at least a 4 out of 5 as their overall score, which results from a weighted average of the scores they received in each category.
Fair Pricing
When choosing the best beds of 2026, we favored options that would be realistic for the average consumer. At the same time, we rejected beds that compromised comfort and performance to cut costs.
All mattresses on this list cost between $1,000 and $2,750 for a queen at full price. This range balances affordability and quality, especially considering most of these beds are often available at a heavy discount.
Best Mattresses of 2026
Helix Midnight – Editor’s Pick
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 It’s the Best Mattress Overall
Helix has created several hybrid mattresses to complement the most common sleeping positions, and their Midnight model is designed for side sleepers. But that doesn’t mean it’s only for side sleepers; this is one of the most perfectly balanced mattresses my team and I have encountered.
The Midnight earned stellar 5-star scores for support, pressure relief, and motion isolation, which is a remarkable spread. I felt lifted and aligned by the coil unit, but pleasantly cradled by the foams.
I was delighted to find that the bed absorbed movement quite well, which is rare in a springy hybrid.
Its medium-firm feel also works for a variety of sleeping positions and body types, making it an all-around great choice if you’re looking for your next new mattress.
I have only a couple of caveats. Firstly, heavier folks and stomach sleepers might feel like this bed is too soft (never fear—Helix offers other models for folks in these demographics). And secondly, the edge support is very weak.
Testing Studio Soundbite
“It offers the perfect balanced medium feel: not too soft; not too firm. There’s definitely a sense of overall support.”
Loren Bullock, Former Lead Product Tester
Our Favorite Feature
Memory Plus Foam
Helix uses a proprietary foam meant to deliver soothing pressure relief to the shoulders and hips.
Customer Reviews of the Helix Midnight
The Helix Midnight rates 4.6 stars out of 5 on Helix’s website. The main negative is that reviewers tend to find it too soft for their liking and feel as though they’re sinking. But overall, users say they’re getting a great nights’ sleep and some pain relief.
For a closer look: Helix Midnight mattress review
For more top-rated beds: Most Comfortable Mattresses
Saatva Classic – Best Mattress for Back Pain
The Advisor Says: The Saatva Classic is the gold standard for lower-back support, strong edges, and customizable luxury. It’s not the softest or most motion-isolating bed out there, but it’s a dependable, bouncy hybrid that consistently impresses our testers with its two coil units.
Why It’s the Best Mattress for Back Pain
The Saatva Classic has more back-friendly features than most other beds I’ve reviewed—even the quilting in its cover is designed to help support your lumbar spine.
It is reinforced by a specially positioned strip of memory foam, two innerspring units, and a Lumbar Zone® Active Spinal Wire that bolsters the same lumbar region.
While testing the Luxury Firm version of this innerspring mattress, I experienced first-hand how supportive it was.
I felt uplifted on my back and stomach, especially around my midsection, which can be a problem area for lots of sleepers with back pain.
You can also choose from different heights and firmness levels, so pretty much every body type and sleeping position can get what they need. The white-glove delivery service is another cherry on top, as it allows people with back pain to avoid lifting or moving the mattress.
Testing Studio Soundbite
“No matter what sleep position we opted for, the midsection was firmly held up. No part of the body is sinking in more than others.”
Julia Forbes, Lead Product Tester
Our Favorite Feature
Euro Pillow Top
The Saatva Classic‘s top layer is a soft, pressure-relieving surface that also looks after your lower back. Its quilting adds increased support to the pillow top’s central region.
Customer Reviews of the Saatva Classic
The Saatva Classic rates 4.8 stars out of 5 on Saatva’s website. One negative aspect customers found with the Saatva Classic mattress is that it may feel too firm for some users, while a notable advantage is its high-quality materials, providing durability and support.
For a closer look: Saatva mattress review
For more top-rated beds: Best Mattresses for Back Pain
DreamCloud – Best Mattress for Back Sleepers
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 It’s the Best Mattress for Back Sleepers
Although it’s called the DreamCloud, this mattress is more supportive than pillowy. Thankfully, that’s what you want if you are a dedicated back sleeper. This hybrid mattress balances softness from its multiple foam layers with a robust coil system that provides plenty of lift.
When it comes to spinal alignment, the DreamCloud is a star, and I enjoyed how boosted I felt atop the mattress.
The materials in the DreamCloud all do a pretty good job of reducing motion transfer, as well as responding quickly to movement on the top of the bed. This is also one of the best mattresses for couples and combination sleepers It doesn’t have the strongest edge support, though, earning a middling 3 out of 5 from us in this category.
Testing Studio Soundbite
“When it comes to spine alignment, you best believe it’s going to keep you from sinking into weird angles.”
Julia Forbes, Lead Product Tester
Our Favorite Feature
Innerspring coil support system
The pocketed coils in the DreamCloud Classic respond readily to the body’s movements. The coils around the edges of the bed are also reinforced to prevent premature sagging.
Customer Reviews of the DreamCloud
The DreamCloud Original scores a solid 4.6 out of 5 stars among 8,000 reviews on its site. While some customers appreciate the value and affordability of the DreamCloud Original mattress, others find it to be on the heavier side, which could make moving or rotating the mattress more challenging.
For a closer look: DreamCloud mattress review
For more top-rated beds: Best Mattresses for Back Sleepers
Nectar – Best Memory Foam Mattress
The Advisor Says: We believe that Nectar offers a quality bed backed up by generous policies, all at a reasonable price under $1,000 for a queen (after discounts). If you’re looking for a firmer foam mattress on a budget, the Nectar Classic Memory Foam has you covered.
Why It’s the Best Memory Foam Mattress
As one of only two all-foam mattresses in this lineup, the Nectar faced stiff competition for the title of best memory foam bed. This mattress-in-a-box won because it manages to combine upper layers of hugging, soft foams with a truly supportive base and medium firmness. Other foam mattresses tend to compromise on at least one of these aspects.
The foam contours to your silhouette but also reforms pretty quickly, meaning the Nectar scored high in both pressure relief and responsiveness.
I felt the best when I tested it on my back—it’s a seamless fit for that position. Unsurprisingly, it also received a perfect 5 out of 5 for its motion-isolating powers.
That being said, I can’t in good conscience recommend the Nectar for heavyweight folks or stomach sleepers like myself. It just won’t give you the same lift as a hybrid bed.
Testing Studio Soundbite
“You can sink into the bed easily from the top two layers, but still feel plenty of support—especially around the lumbar—from the firm, dense foam at the base.”
Julia Forbes, Lead Product Tester
Our Favorite Feature
Cooling cover
Every Nectar mattress features a breathable, cool-to-touch cover to help hot sleepers regulate their body temperature at night.
Customer Reviews of the Nectar
With a staggering 55,000 reviews on Nectar’s website, the Nectar mattress has an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars. One common customer complaint about the Nectar mattress is its longer-than-average break-in period, while many customers praise its excellent value and comfort once fully settled.
For a closer look: Nectar mattress review
For more top-rated beds: Best Memory Foam Mattresses
WinkBed – Best Mattress for Side Sleepers
The Advisor Says: Our testers often compare the WinkBed to a luxury hotel mattress, which is no surprise given its handcrafted touches and elegant hybrid design. It’s also one of the most customizable beds out there, with a firmness level for every body type.
Why It’s the Best Mattress for Side Sleepers
Side sleepers need lots of cushioning around their hips and shoulders as they snooze. Otherwise, these sharp joints can get sore from pressure buildup.
The WinkBed is well-equipped to prevent tension in these pressure-prone areas. This pillow-top mattress features soft foam for an airy welcome to the bed, and it feels heavenly.
The WinkBed also comes in multiple firmnesses, so you can find the feel that matches your needs.
I tested the Luxury Firm, which felt plush on top and sturdy underneath—very much like a fancy hotel mattress. Lighter side sleepers may enjoy the Soft version even more, though.
This mattress may not have the best motion isolation, but I do have to praise its sturdy edge support, cooling, and bounce (I awarded it high scores in all three categories). Its coils are also zoned into regions that provide less resistance under the shoulders.
Testing Studio Soundbite
“The zoned support really pops off here. There’s great weight distribution and alignment.”
Loren Bullock, Former Lead Product Tester
Our Favorite Feature
Zoned coils
The springs are individually wrapped rather than interconnected, so they can respond to your body’s specific pressure patterns. They’re also reinforced along the edges of the mattress to prevent the sides from sinking.
Customer Reviews of the WinkBed
On the WinkBeds site, the WinkBed earns a 4.8 out of 5 stars. One drawback of the WinkBed mattress is that it might be too expensive for budget-conscious shoppers, but overall it offers excellent durability and customizable firmness options.
For a closer look: WinkBeds mattress review
For more top-rated beds: Best Mattresses for Side Sleepers
Bear Elite Hybrid – Best Cooling Mattress
The Advisor Says: This is a memorably bouncy and supportive hybrid with state-of-the-art cooling elements. It had a delightful balance of cushion and lift for back and stomach sleeping in particular.
Why It’s the Best Cooling Mattress
Bear markets its mattresses to athletes, so it makes sense that its top-tier model would be great at cooling you down.
After our tester lay on it for 10 minutes, its surface temperature only increased by 4 degrees.
This result shows great breathability and active cooling, stemming from a variety of features.
The hybrid’s cover is a major selling point: it incorporates Phase Change Material (PCM), which can quickly cool you down. For an extra fee, you can add Celliant—a textile that allegedly transfers infrared energy to the body, thereby helping its tissues to recover after a day of exercise or activity.
The mattress also facilitates airflow between its coils, and the copper infused in its firm foam layer should help with cooling as well. Its support is also great: we saw straight spines across the board, and loved the built-in lumbar support.
Testing Studio Soundbite
“The surface moves with you and the support is constant. The cushioning surface isn’t detracting from the ease of movement at all.”
Julia Forbes, Lead Product Tester
Our Favorite Feature
Cooling cover
A hand-quilted cover with cooling phase change material and optional Celliant fibers should help cool down even the hottest of sleepers.
Customer Reviews of the Bear Elite Hybrid
According to Bear’s website, where the Bear Elite has over 3,700 reviews, the mattress scores 4.6 out of 5 stars. Some customers find the Bear Elite Hybrid mattress too firm for their liking, but it receives praise in its reviews for its advanced cooling technology and pressure relief.
For a closer look: Bear Elite Hybrid mattress review
For more top-rated beds: Best Cooling Mattresses
Nolah Evolution – Best Hybrid Mattress
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 It’s the Best Hybrid Mattress
The Nolah Evolution takes hybrid design to the next level—literally. This mattress is 15 inches high, making it one of the tallest beds on this list. It reaches that height thanks to the seven layers that combine multiple proprietary materials unique to the Nolah brand.
The supportive springs and comfort layers result in a mattress where more truly is better. We gave this bed perfect scores in almost every single category.
The only exceptions were pressure relief—we felt just a little pressure around our shoulders—and motion isolation, both of which received a 4 out of 5.
This bed is so popular in our office that one of our senior staff writers bought one for herself. After months of sleeping on it, she sings its praises regularly. “I was unaware of how compromised my spine was on my old bed until I started sleeping on this bed,” she told us. “Lower back issues that I had frequently in the past have disappeared.”
Testing Studio Soundbite
“It has a hotel-bed feel, a plush top layer, and full-body support. This bed slaps, we’re big fans.”
Julia Forbes, Lead Product Tester
Our Favorite Feature
Active cooling foam
A layer of soothing, gel-infused memory foam adds cushioning and helps regulate temperature.
Customer Reviews of the Nolah Evolution
Earning a 4.6 out of 5 stars on Nolah’s website, the Nolah Evolution seems to be a hit. Customers appreciate the Nolah Evolution mattress for its superior pressure relief, but some have mentioned that the edge support could be improved for a more consistent sleep surface.
For a closer look: Nolah Evolution mattress review
For more top-rated beds: Best Hybrid Mattresses
Helix Dawn – Best Mattress for Stomach Sleepers
The Advisor Says: Helix’s firmest mattress certainly lives up to the hype. We recommend this bed to firm mattress fans (stomach or back sleepers, we’re looking at you) who are looking for a bed that prioritizes support.
Why It’s the Best Mattress for Stomach Sleepers
The Helix Dawn is perhaps the firmest mattress in Helix’s bed-in-a-box collection, with a topmost foam layer that prioritizes responsiveness over softness and sink. It should be a breath of fresh air for stomach sleepers wanting consistent loft and support at night.
Although it doesn’t have amazing pressure relief, it kept testers’ hips from sinking while they were resting on their bellies, a feat that most beds—and I’d even say most hybrids—struggle to perform.
It’s also a very bouncy mattress. We gave it a 5 out of 5 in that performance category, paired with a not-too-shabby 4 out of 5 for cooling.
Testing Studio Soundbite
“This is best for back and stomach sleepers … that top foam layer gives you superior elevation and great responsiveness.”
Julia Forbes, Lead Product Tester
Our Favorite Feature
Coil support system
The Helix Dawn contains over 1,000 Individually wrapped coils that offer consistent support. The edges are also reinforced to provide continuous stability.
Customer Reviews of the Helix Dawn
The Helix Dawn has an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars on the Helix website. Negative reviews say that the mattress seems to get softer over time, but the majority positive reviews claim the bed is comfortable and has helped with aches and pains.
For a closer look: Helix Dawn mattress review
For more top-rated beds: Best Mattresses for Stomach Sleepers
Plank Firm – Best Firm Mattress
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 It’s the Best Firm Mattress
Having tested the Plank personally, I recommend it for folks who don’t like a ton of cushion and who need even alignment, night after night.
It should be particularly helpful for sleepers who don’t like an overly plush bed, stomach sleepers, plus-size folks, and anyone who wants to prioritize a level surface.
Its flippable design does give it some versatility: one side is extremely firm, and the other has a more traditionally firm feel.
None of the testers felt very comfortable on the ultra-firm side—it really did feel like sleeping on the floor.
The traditionally firm side, though, was another story. All three of us were well-aligned throughout our different sleeping positions, and the slight amount of cushion on this side made a big difference. Just be aware that the Plank received a 3.5 out of 5 in pressure relief for a reason!
Testing Studio Soundbite
“The extra-firm side is like laying on the floor—no cushion whatsoever. On the firm side, I’ve got a bit more cushion happening for my hips. My alignment either way is on point.”
Spencer, Sleep Advisor Mattress Tester
Our Favorite Feature
Flippable design
The Plank Firm has a firm side and an extra-firm side, allowing sleepers to tailor their sleep surface to their preferences.
Customer Reviews of the Titan Plus
On Plank’s website, the Plank Firm gets 4.7 out of 5 stars. Customers left a little over 4,000 reviews, appreciating the Brooklyn Bedding Plank Firm mattress for its exceptional firmness, but some have found it to be too rigid for their comfort preferences.
For a closer look: Plank Firm mattress review
For more top-rated beds: Best Firm Mattresses
Titan Plus – Best Mattress for Heavy People
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 It’s the Best Mattress for Heavy People
Without support, heavier sleepers risk sinking through their mattress. This “bottoming out” sensation can be very uncomfortable, and it also puts uneven strain on the body, often causing poor spinal alignment.
Thankfully, Brooklyn Bedding created their Titan line to fulfill the needs of plus-sized sleepers. The Titan is a durable hybrid made with materials that provide robust, reliable support for up to 1,000 pounds of weight.
Our testers (both plus-sized and average-sized) were united in their assessment of this bed: it’s extra supportive, with super-strong coils, and one of the best firm mattresses we’ve ever tried.
Spencer, our heavyweight tester, loved how the Titan Plus felt on his side and back. He also praised its cooling abilities, saying, “It doesn’t even feel warm from my body heat when I get up and lie back down.” Our temperature testing proved his point!
Testing Studio Soundbite
“My lower back is especially is supported, and I’m not feeling any sinkage. I may be taking this bed home, it’s so comfortable.”
Spencer, Sleep Advisor Mattress Tester
Our Favorite Feature
Coil support system
The Helix Dawn contains over 1,000 Individually wrapped coils that offer consistent support. The edges are also reinforced to provide continuous stability.
Customer Reviews of the Titan Plus
Users on Titan’s site have given the Titan Plus a 4.7 out of 5 stars. Customers find the Titan Plus mattress to offer exceptional durability and support, but some mention that it might be too firm for those who prefer a softer feel.
For a closer look: Titan Plus mattress review
For more top-rated beds: Best Mattresses for Heavy People
Other Mattresses We Tested
Looking for more great options? Check out these bonus beds that performed exceptionally well during testing but narrowly missed earning a spot on our main list.
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How to Choose the Best Mattress for You
Even though I’ve shared many of the best mattresses available today, choosing the right one for you still requires some thinking. No one knows your comfort preferences and sleeping style better than yourself—but I can tell you what to prioritize and consider as you decide on your next bed.
Support
Consistent, long-lasting support is perhaps the most important marker of a quality mattress.
When I say a bed has good support, I mean that it keeps my spine relatively straight and aligned. A bed that lacks support would feel uneven and cause my body to dip into the mattress in certain places, resulting in poor spinal alignment—which is often a precursor to more severe discomfort, and even back pain.
How do we test support?
My fellow testers and I lie down on each bed in various sleeping positions and assess our spinal alignment. A bed will get a good score if we look and feel well-aligned and evenly buoyed by the mattress’s construction.
Firmness
Mattresses come in a wide variety of firmness levels, and this aspect often dictates how “comfortable” a bed feels. Note that firmness is not the exact same thing as support: a soft mattress can be perfectly supportive, and a firm mattress may lack a good support system.
To find the right firmness level for you, first ask yourself if you prefer to feel hugged or lifted by your bed. Then, consider how your primary sleeping position and your body type will come into play.
The Right Firmness for Your Sleeping Position
- Side sleepers – A soft to medium-firm mattress should suit you well. You’ll want a bed with enough plushness to cushion your hips and shoulders, but you’ll also need a solid foundation of support that keeps you from sinking too far into the mattress.
- Back sleepers – You’re an ideal match for a medium-firm mattress that gives more robust support but still has some noticeable pressure relief.
- Stomach sleepers – A firm mattress should help keep your body lifted and level. A soft mattress can cause your hips to sink too low, misaligning your spine.
- Combination sleepers – If you shift between different positions throughout the night, your mattress should be as adaptable as you are, with a middle-of-the-road firmness and enough bounce to facilitate movement.
The Right Firmness for Your Body Type
- Lightweight sleepers (less than 130 pounds) – You’ll feel more comfortable on plush beds that provide ample pressure relief. A firm bed may cause too much pressure buildup around sensitive joints.
- Average-weight sleepers (between 130 and 230 pounds) – You’ll probably sleep best on a medium-firm mattress with a slight amount of cushion.
- Heavyweight sleepers (more than 230 pounds) – You’ll want a firmer mattress that provides a good deal of support and is made out of durable materials. On a soft mattress, you may sink in too deeply and unevenly to feel supported.
How do we test firmness?
We assign beds a rating from 1 to 10 on our mattress firmness scale. The higher the number, the firmer the bed. A medium-firm mattress (between a 5 and 7 on the scale) is the most versatile, and feels comfortable to the largest chunk of the population.
Find our picks for the best medium firm mattresses here.
Pressure Relief
Pressure relief refers to the bed’s ability to offset pressure that might otherwise build up around parts of your body.
Some areas, such as your hips and shoulders, bear more weight when you lie down on a mattress, so pressure tends to concentrate there.
Just as support and firmness aren’t the same, pressure relief and softness aren’t the same.
A soft mattress may still allow pressure to accumulate around these joints, and a firm mattress can relieve pressure surprisingly well, depending on its materials!
How do we test pressure relief?
We use a pressure map to visualize where pressure is concentrated when we lie down on a bed in different positions.
The map displays different colors that signify different amounts of pressure: blue or green for almost no pressure, yellow or orange for some pressure, and red for lots of pressure.
Responsiveness
When we say a bed is responsive, we mean that its materials bounce back into shape very quickly when you get up. A responsive foam, for example, is the opposite of a slow-moving foam that takes a while to reform.
Responsive beds are also usually quite bouncy in general. They help with rather than hinder movement, so they’re often recommended for people who shift around in their sleep and don’t want to get “stuck” within foam layers. Responsiveness also makes a mattress better suited to sexual activity.
Some people love highly responsive beds, while others find them to be too springy and wish for more sink.
How do we test responsiveness?
We jump and move around a lot on the bed! (It’s one of the most fun parts of testing, in my humble opinion.)
But that’s not all—we also bounce a lacrosse ball and a heavy medicine ball on the mattress to see how high up they go, and how quickly the surface of the mattress regains its original shape.
Motion Isolation
If a mattress isolates motion well, you won’t feel your partner moving around or getting in and out of bed on the other side. This is an important factor for couples, especially if one or both people are light sleepers.
How do we test motion isolation?
We use a seismograph app to test motion isolation. When we move around on the bed, the app creates a visualization of how much motion travels across the surface.
A graph with lots of jagged, high peaks means the mattress probably won’t cancel out movement very well. A graph that’s flatter means that lots of motion was absorbed and dampened by the mattress.
Cooling
Temperature can have a big impact on how easily you fall asleep and how well you sleep overall. Some folks sleep hot, and wake up easily if the bed or room is too warm. A cooling mattress can help regulate the temperature so that you rest easy, not sweaty.
How do we test cooling?
We use a temperature gun to take the exact temperature of the mattress’s surface. We do this three times during each test: once before anyone’s laid on the bed, once after five minutes of laying on the bed, and once after ten minutes of laying on the bed.
We expect the temperature to go up somewhat between the second and third readings, but the less it increases, the more powerful the bed’s cooling elements. If it increases by 10 degrees or less, we give it a high score in this category.
Edge Support
Edge support refers to how well the sides of the bed can stand up to added weight.
If the edges dip a lot when you sit or lie on them, you might slide right out of bed and onto the floor!
Edge support is therefore a must-have for people with mobility issues, elderly folks, and anyone who tends to scoot towards the side of the bed while they sleep.
It’s also helpful for couples, because it increases the available surface area of the mattress.
How do we test edge support?
We lie and sit on the edge of every mattress we test for a full minute. While we sit, we also tie our shoes to produce a bit of motion. If the edges don’t sag too much, the bed will receive a high score.
Mattress Type
The type of mattress you buy can influence all of the performance categories above. Each type has a slightly different construction layout and privileges certain materials.
Hybrid Mattresses
A hybrid mattress has multiple layers of comfort foam on top of a supportive spring unit.
You may have noticed that all but two beds in our lineup are hybrid mattresses. This mattress type is the new gold standard in the mattress world, because it balances support and pressure relief so well and so customizably.
- Strengths: Support, Responsiveness, Cooling, Edge Support
- Weaknesses: Motion Isolation, Affordability
Memory Foam Mattresses
Memory foam mattresses have an all-foam construction, so they tend to feel softer and contour well to the shape of your body.
- Strengths: Pressure Relief, Motion Isolation, Affordability
- Weaknesses: Responsiveness, Cooling, Durability
Natural Latex Mattresses
A natural latex mattress has latex foam somewhere in its construction. Some latex beds are hybrids with spring units, whereas others are entirely made of latex foam. This foam is derived from the sap of the rubber tree and appeals to eco-friendly shoppers, but it can also be expensive.
- Strengths: Support, Pressure Relief, Responsiveness, Cooling, Natural Materials
- Weaknesses: Motion Isolation, Affordability
Innerspring Mattresses
Innerspring beds are considered largely outdated. They consist of a coil unit with only a thin comfort layer on top.
- Strengths: Support, Cooling, Affordability
- Weaknesses: Durability, Pressure Relief, Motion Isolation
Sleep Trial and Warranty
A brand-new bed is a hefty investment, so it’s important to make sure you’re comfortable with (and on) your purchase before committing to it long-term. Many mattress manufacturers offer sleep trials and warranties to ease those new mattress jitters.
A generous sleep trial lets you test your new bed at home and determine whether it’s right for your body type, sleeping position, and personal preferences. We recommend looking for mattresses with sleep trials of at least 100 nights, and check the return policy for hidden fees or mandatory break-in periods.
The warranty is equally important, as it protects your investment against manufacturing defects and certain types of premature wear. Most reputable mattress brands offer warranties of at least 10 years, though some provide lifetime coverage. Every warranty policy is different, so read the fine print to understand what’s included and what could void your coverage.
Off-Gassing
If you’re purchasing a bed-in-a-box mattress, you may notice a chemical-like odor when you first unbox it. This process (also known as off-gassing) occurs when volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are released from certain mattress materials, particularly synthetic foams.
While these odors typically dissipate within a few hours to several days, they can be unpleasant for sleepers sensitive to strong smells. It’s best to air out your mattress in a well-ventilated room for a couple of days before sleeping on it.
Adjustable Base Compatibility
If you’re buying a new mattress for an adjustable base, it’s important to keep a couple of things in mind. Generally, foam and hybrid mattresses work well with adjustable bases; however, thicker and firmer models may not bend or conform as easily.
Check the manufacturer’s recommendations to ensure your mattress is compatible with an adjustable base and that using one won’t void its warranty.
Best Mattresses: Price Comparison
| Mattress | Best For | Price (Queen Size) | Review |
| Helix Midnight | Editor’s Pick | $1,479 | Helix Midnight mattress review |
| Saatva Classic | Back Pain | $2,229 | Saatva mattress review |
| DreamCloud | Back Sleepers | $1,540 | DreamCloud mattress review |
| Nectar | Memory Foam Lovers | $1,567 | Nectar mattress review |
| WinkBed | Side Sleepers | $2,570 | WinkBeds mattress review |
| Bear Elite Hybrid | Hot Sleepers | $2,284 | Bear Elite Hybrid mattress review |
| Nolah Evolution | Hybrid Mattress Fans | $2,277 | Nolah Evolution mattress review |
| Helix Dawn | Stomach Sleepers | $1,479 | Helix Dawn mattress review |
| Plank Firm | Firm Mattress Fans | $1,332 | Plank Firm mattress review |
| Titan Plus | Heavy People | $1,399 | Titan Plus mattress review |
Best Mattress FAQs
What is the best mattress?
We chose the Helix Midnight as the best mattress overall. It received perfect scores from our testing team for support, pressure relief, and motion isolation, making it an exceptionally well-balanced and versatile hybrid.
That said, there’s no one best mattress that will please every kind of sleeper. The best mattress for you depends on so many factors, including your body type, sleeping position, and preferred firmness level.
What’s the best type of mattress?
Hybrid mattresses are the best type of mattress for a reliable mix of support and pressure relief. They combine the best parts of foam and innerspring beds in a more durable and comfortable construction.
What’s the best mattress for back pain?
The Saatva Classic is a great choice for sleepers with back pain. It’s a medium-firm to firm hybrid bed with targeted lumbar support in both its springs and foams.
If you’d like to see even more options, you can peruse our longer list of the best mattresses for back pain.
When is the best time to buy a mattress?
Memorial Day, President’s Day, the 4th of July, Veteran’s Day, Labor Day, and Black Friday are popular times for mattress sales. If you can wait a few months until a holiday rolls around, you might find significant savings.
Many mattress brands also release new models in the early summertime, so buying just before then could present some excellent bargains as stores try to clear stock to make room for new products.
Learn more: Best Time to Buy a Mattress
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