Honorable Mentions
There are a few mattresses we tested that don’t stand out as much but are decent and worth mentioning, in case you’re thinking about them.
Nest Bedding Quail for $1,039: When it comes to all-foam mattresses from classic bed-in-a-box brands, I prefer the Casper above but the Quail by Nest is a nice option if you want an all-foam bed that’s a little firmer and you’re willing to pay a little more. My biggest issue with the Nest was that despite its claimed cooling system—the foam is infused with minerals and designed with an airflow layer—I did sleep a little hot on it during my week of testing.
Helix Sunset Elite for $2,999: Our top pick, Helix, also has an Elite collection that consists of seven mattresses along a spectrum of softness. At 16 inches high, this is “the tallest mattress on the internet,” and comes shipped in two separate boxes, each heavy enough to max out FedEx requirements. The firmness is dictated by the foam density of the upper layer, which zips into a larger support system. This makes the mattress adjustable if you end up regretting your order. The bottom section has two separate layers of microcoils. I spent a month sleeping on the softest model from the Elite line, dubbed the Sunset, and appreciated the deep cradling effect. Helix offers a 100-day trial period on all of its mattresses.
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Wayfair Sleep 14-Inch Plush Cooling Gel Hybrid Mattress for $405: This plush mattress has a top layer of cooling gel that conforms to your body for comfort and has classic pocket coils below for structure and support, with layers of memory foams with varying thickness surrounding the coils for extra support (the coils and memory foam mixture helps with low motion transfer, too). The top knit cover and sides help with breathability and the overall cooling effect. The mattress is also compatible with an adjustable bed base, has solid edge support, is CertiPUR-US and Oeko-Tex Certified (ensuring no harmful toxins are in your mattress), and has a 10-year warranty. This bed is super comfy if you like a more plush mattress.
Mattresses to Avoid
There are some models you should avoid. Many of these beds are extremely affordable, and if you aren’t picky, they may feel fine. In other cases, the mattress is decent but the price is not.
- The Magniflex Magnistretch 12 is Italian-made and advertises itself as stretching the spine. It’s endorsed by retired Italian soccer player Giorgio Chiellini and current pro basketballer Stefano Tonut, who plays for the Italian equivalent of the Boston Celtics. Well, the Magniflex definitely does something to the spine, though I found it very unwelcome. (It’s worth noting that I am not the same Martin Cizmar who played a little pro soccer in Slovakia.) I lasted only two nights on the Magnistretch before crying uncle and limping over to my next mattress tester. The morning-after sensation was as if I’d slept on a hammock made of chainlink fence, and my lower back was left feeling weak and creaky—very possibly it was stretched, and if so, it turns out I don’t like having my back stretched.
- The Sleep Number Climate360 Smart Bed (5/10, WIRED Review) can be temperature-controlled, which is amazing. The adjustable base means you can be comfortable when watching TV, reading, or sleeping. Unfortunately, the price tag has too many digits, and sleep experts recommend avoiding electronic usage before bed—advice the Sleep IQ app defies. Did we mention it costs as much as a used Buick and the weight is not far behind?
- The Amazon Basics mattresses are made of cheap foam that isn’t dense enough, causing too much sinkage.
- The Parachute Eco Comfort Mattress just doesn’t live up to its extravagant price. The model we tested didn’t have enough proper padding above its coils.
How Firm or Soft Should Your Mattress Be?
The biggest decision in every mattress purchase is how firm to go. Generally, heavier people and back or stomach sleepers will do better with firmer mattresses, while lighter people and side sleepers enjoy softer mattresses. Temperature is also an issue: Softer mattresses sleep warmer since your body is sinking into a layer of fabric and foam. Keep in mind that all mattresses have a break-in period, and the way the mattress feels on your first night won’t be how it feels after a week or two. It’s also worth considering that if you buy a firmer mattress and want to soften it up, a mattress topper is a great option—we’ve got a full guide to the best—but it’s much harder to make a mattress firmer.
Do You Want a Hybrid or Foam Mattress?
Traditional mattresses were mostly made of springs with thin layers of foam and cloth. Bed-in-a-box mattresses, on the other hand, are either foam or hybrids that layer foam with built-in springs. We tend to recommend hybrids because they are more stable and supportive, and they usually stay cooler because the springs leave room for airflow. Hybrids are often slightly pricier. Foam mattresses tend to be softer, lighter, and cheaper.
What Size Mattress Do You Need?
The prices in our guide are based on the queen size, which is the most popular size in the US. But everything we’ve included comes in various standard sizes, usually standard twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, and California king. You’ll want to buy a mattress based on the size of your bed frame.
How Easy Is It to Set Up a Bed-in-a-Box?
Take it from someone who has dealt with dozens over the past year: Bed-in-a-box mattresses delivered by FedEx are relatively easy to deal with. Most of these mattresses are delivered vacuum-sealed and rolled up. Some are pretty heavy—up to 150 pounds—and if you’re ordering one of those, be sure someone is there to help you. After you unroll your bed-in-a-box mattress and cut the vacuum bag open, it’ll immediately begin to inflate, so unbox it on your bed frame or near it. We have a helpful guide on how to set up the mattress you bought online with more tips. The mattresses are usually ready to go in a few hours, but most manufacturers recommend giving them two days to reach their normal state.
Should You Wait for a Sale to Buy a Mattress?
Mattresses go on sale often—Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, and Veterans Day have all somehow become mattress sale holidays. Additionally, online mattresses are often advertised as being on sale perennially. There’s a strong chance you can save hundreds of dollars by waiting for the next big sale event. WIRED covers all of these sales and carefully tracks mattress prices throughout the year so we can alert you to the best actual deals as opposed to “sales” that are not much different than the normal asking price.
Are Online Mattresses Safe?
What If You Don’t Like the Mattress You Bought Online?
Most of the mattresses we have tested and recommend have at least a 100-night testing period and a 10-year warranty. Before you buy, be sure to look at the company’s policy as you may be on the hook for a nominal return fee. Set yourself a reminder a few days before the return deadline to make a final accessment.
