Buying a new mattress online is a high-stakes endeavor. They're a big expense for most people, and you'll probably spend more than 10 years sleeping on it. I’m a certified sleep science coach, and I have spent six years testing more than a hundred mattresses. My goal is to help you pick the right mattress to buy online. Instead of testing for a short time in a lab, we test right in our own homes to simulate how a mattress will actually perform.
At the start of every year, our team reflects on and ranks the best mattresses we’ve come across to date, making our beloved “best of the best” list. It feels like an awards show for mattresses.
While we do have a “best overall” from the mattresses we’ve tested, you’ll notice we continue to refine our picks as we test more mattresses. This is because there’s no single type of sleeper; everyone has a different preference for mattress firmness, materials, cooling, price point, and bed size to accommodate their sleeping position and body type.
You may recognize some familiar brands on this list, and you may also notice that it changes periodically to reflect testing updates. Bed-in-a-box mattresses are a dynamic industry, with new models constantly launching, other mattresses we've tested being discontinued, and supply chains changing. If there are any additions, we’ll be sure to let you know by updating this list.
Updated June 2026: We've added the Brooklyn Bedding CopperFlex Hybrid, new mattresses from Leesa and Purple to honorable mentions, removed the Sleep Number p6 Smart Bed, and ensured up-to-date links and prices.
One of the most popular bed-in-a-box mattresses for good reason, Helix's Midnight Luxe has a plush cushion top and a medium-firm feel that's relaxing whether you're a side, back, or stomach sleeper.
Helix is almost vertically integrated—the springs are made from wire bales cut in the company's Arizona factory, where the company also pours its own foam. Those springs are individually wrapped and zoned so that you have firmer coils in areas like your lower spine that need more support to prevent back pain. Above that is a stratum of cooling gel foam and denser foams. There are six layers total, and the mattress is more than 13 inches high, so buy sheets with nice, deep pockets. It's cozy, and Helix has a variety of other mattresses that cater to different sleeping positions and firmness preferences—part of what makes this high-quality mattress our longtime pick is that there are so many ways to customize it to suit your needs and preferences.
The Helix Midnight Luxe has been our top pick for eight years now, but we have continued testing it against the competition.A year ago, I spent a month testing a version of the Helix Midnight Luxe with a super dense layer of contouring foam called ErgoAlign, which targets lower back pain, and a proprietary cooling cover called GlacioTex. The cooling layer has been only moderately effective, but the contouring foam made a big difference. The denser foam runs along your torso and offers side sleepers lots of support while also leaving plenty of give for your hips and shoulders. Helix has a 100-day at-home trial (with a required 30-day break-in period) and a 10-year warranty on manufacturing flaws. —Martin Cizmar
Helix Midnight Luxe ranges from $1,436 for a twin mattress to $2,924 for a California King.
No one goes looking to buy a new mattress because they’re sleeping too well on their old one. Can’t decide if a memory foam mattress or strictly coils is going to be a better fit for you? Well, with hybrid mattresses, you can enjoy both. Depending on what issues are disturbing your rest, the Leesa Sapira Chill Hybrid may be the tonic for what ails you. That’s especially true if you struggle with a few interrelated problems—like getting too hot so you kick your covers off and roll over in the process, twisting your spine.
The Leesa Sapira hybrid was our longtime runner-up to the Helix, and it’s still a mattress we endorse. I like the Sapira Chill even better, though, after two weeks of retesting last year. Not only does it provide a nice dose of cooling thanks to a fabric cover that pulls heat away from the body, but it also delivers deep comfort via four foam layers and three different types of coil, which are artfully arranged in zones that gracefully align your hips. The Sapira's structure eliminated my periodic lower back pain in testing. (The next mattress I tested, the Magnistretch in the avoid section below, brought that pain back with a vengeance!)
The Leesa Sapira Chill is an affordable luxury mattress, with a plush quilted pillowtop and three available firmness levels. It has a little more springiness than other hybrids thanks to a bouncy, responsive foam layer that takes the place of memory foam in many other hybrids. You also get premium touches like an outer ring of extra-firm springs for excellent edge support and a chemical-free and fiberglass-free barrier against fires. There’s a 100-night at-home trial with free shipping and free returns. —Martin Cizmar
Leesa Sapira Chill ranges from $1,699 for a twin mattress to $2,799 for a California king.
The Bear Elite Hybrid is one of the firmest mattresses I’ve ever tried in my quest to find the best mattress for back pain, but it never hurt my shoulders as a side sleeper. A rare find. As a side sleeper with scoliosis and spondylosis in my back, I woke up feeling refreshed and supported the next morning. And so did my husband, a back sleeper who has no back pain.
If you’re struggling with back pain, getting plenty of support is key, along with keeping your spine straight, and the Bear Elite delivers with its five layers of foam and coils. It’s a big, tall mattress, and it’ll feel almost insanely firm when you first sleep on it, but trust me when I say it’s worth it. —Nena Farrell
Bear Elite Hybrid ranges from $1,998 for a twin mattress to $4,568 for a split king.
I’ve tested over 150 mattresses over the past six years, and I keep my own short list of personal favorites. The Nolah Evolution is at the very top of that list, as it’s the bed I choose to sleep on when I’m not testing another bed.
This mattress is especially great for side sleepers. Side sleepers have undoubtedly experienced times when their mattress pushes back a little too forcefully around their hips and shoulders. Even worse, when a bed is too soft, your lower back sinks in, hammock-style, throwing your spine out of whack. That never happens to me with the Nolah Evolution in the middle ground firmness level, which the brand calls “luxury firm” (the softer version is called plush, while the firmest is just called firm). The luxury firm hits the sweet spot of keeping things cushy without being rigid around my joints. The Evolution has “zones” in its foam and pocketed coil layers, meaning the center of the bed will feel the firmest, supporting your lumbar zone. Pocketed coils can also react individually to weight placed on them, unlike older mattresses that use interconnected traditional coils. In other words, the bed’s built to constantly adapt to your body’s shape and support higher weight areas.
This mattress is very bouncy, always springing back as I move from side to side. It also has cooling features, but I’ve found it’s mostly temperature-neutral. You can add a cooling pillow top for an extra fee, but know it will significantly soften the feel. If you’re trying to decide between firmness levels, I’d suggest you opt for the more rigid option, especially if you experience any back pain. —Julia Forbes
Nolah Evolution Hybrid ranges from $1,610 for a twin mattress to $3,754 for a split king.
Brooklyn Bedding
Brooklyn Bedding
This comfy bed has a breathable smooth knit top and quilt foam for extra moisture wicking, followed by two layers of foam: the CopperFlex Memory Foam, which is infused with copper particles to help wick moisture, and provide heat regulation and antimicrobial protection, and then Brooklyn Bedding's VariFlex transition foam to contour for body support. (We also reviewed, and liked, the CopperFlex mattress topper if you want extra cushy support.) The last layers are eight inches of Ascension X Coil for motion isolation and edge support, with a 0.75" supportive base foam for extra durability. This bed is on the firmer side, but the copper-infused knit pillow top provides contouring comfort to pressure points and the durable base has excellent motion isolation night after night. —Molly Higgins
Brooklyn Bedding CopperFlex Hybrid ranges from $799 for a twin mattress to $1,465 for a California king.
I've had the Saatva Zenhaven in my house for the better part of three years as my go-to guest mattress because of this latex mattress' unique flippable design, which offers a medium-soft feel on one side and a very firm surface when you flip it over. If your buddy with back pain needs a harder bed, you've got it. And if your elderly aunt wants a soft bed, you've got that, too.
I recently spent nine nights on this mattress while my family was in town for Christmas. I used the firm side and slept well in my own guest room. There's a reason I've kept the Zenhaven in my house while 50 or so others have been cycled out, as it's incredibly well-made and sturdy, using premium materials like New Zealand wool and natural latex with no petroleum-based foams.
If you're someone with evolving needs when it comes to mattress firmness (maybe you want a softer bed after intense workouts, or you're losing weight) or you entertain lots of guests, this mattress is uniquely suited to your needs. It's also a great mattress in general. —Martin Cizmar
Saatva Zenhaven ranges from $2,049 for a twin to $4,899 for an Upper-Flex king.
Brooklyn Bedding
A firm mattress is something I’ve grown to love. As a side sleeper, they were never my jam, but with back pain, I’ve found firmer support is required. My latest favorite firm mattress is the Plank Firm Luxe. It’s like the original Plank, but a hybrid mattress that adds coiled support instead of just being a slab of foam. It’s a flippable mattress with two levels of firmness: an 8/10 on one side, and 10/10 on the other.
Both my husband and I preferred the 8/10 side that has a little more give and is much gentler on my side-sleeper shoulders, but it still feels very firm. The Plank Firm Luxe is a great option if you want the firmest option you can find, but still get coiled support. WIRED reviewer Adrienne So also likes the foam-only Plank Firm if that’s your preference. —Nena Farrell
Plank Firm Luxe ranges from $1,065 for a twin mattress to $1,865 for a California king.
It seems that every day there’s another news article about a pesticide or equally concerning neurotoxin that’s infiltrating daily life. It’s unsurprising that more and more people ask us which are the best organic mattress options, and we have a whole guide on them. WIRED reviewer Scott Gilbertson has tested his fair share of organic and latex mattress brands, but the Birch Luxe Hybrid mattress remains his go-to.
Scott is a combination sleeper, or someone who has a more mobile sleep style of switching sleeping positions. In the Birch Luxe Hybrid’s case, its latex layers feel bouncy and are responsive to movement, which is only enhanced by the use of pocketed coils. Scott has found that latex paired with coils supports his lower back, no matter which sleeping position he chooses. Latex is also a hypoallergenic, heat-resistant, pressure-relieving material. It’s got a more buoyant feel while softly padding pressure points.
The Birch Luxe Natural’s organic cotton cover, layers of New Zealand wool (a natural fire retardant), and pocketed coils are all natural ways to promote cushion and breathability without chemicals. You have to be careful when a product calls itself organic, and certifications are your best way of verifying that it’s actually the case. The Birch Luxe Natural Hybrid’s latex is Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS)-verified, which traces the latex’s production process from start to finish to confirm it is truly organic. It is also GreenGuard Gold certified, which verifies that your mattress does not release any harmful emissions into your indoor air. —Julia Forbes
Birch Luxe Natural ranges from $1,624 for a twin mattress to $3,124 for a California king.
There are a lot of options for a kids’ mattress these days. Shopping for one feels less stressful than shopping for baby gear, but your kid will likely use this mattress well into their teen years, if not until they move out. You could invest in any old twin mattress, but many of our favorite mattress brands have a special design with kids in mind. Kids have a different set of needs, with smaller, growing bodies compared to adult bodies that are often troubleshooting pain or hunting for the perfect side-sleeper mattress.
So far, I’ve tested a couple of kids’ mattresses with my son, and my favorite is the Helix Kids mattress. It has two sides with two firmness levels: a firmer side designed for ages 2 through 7 and a softer side for ages 8 and up. Younger kids are growing a lot and need more support, while older kids will enjoy a plush side more as they get bigger. I honestly love the firmer side; it leaves my back feeling supported when I get trapped underneath my sleeping son after we read a couple of books before bed. —Nena Farrell
Helix Kids ranges from $749 for a twin mattress to $999 for a full.
When you see the term “smart bed,” you can never be quite sure what you’re going to get. Depending on the brand, this could mean anything from a proprietary cooling fabric to a frame that will suspend your body in a position meant to mimic zero gravity. What I look for: adjustable firmness levels and unique programming built into the mattress itself. While many smart mattresses use air chambers with sensors to pull this off, I've never come across anything quite like the Bryte Balance Pro.
Instead of one or two big air chambers, the Balance Pro breaks it down into individual adjustable-coil “Bryte Balancers” spread across the mattress. These make the overall bed feel more like a traditional hybrid mattress, except with 100 adjustable firmness levels. The Balancers are synced with an app called Bryte OS, which powers the system. You can manually adjust the bed's zones in the Bryte app to enhance pressure relief or firmness. The bed can also do this on its own, adjusting areas of the mattress that it senses have too much pressure, as you sleep. This feature has been really helpful for me as a combination sleeper who needs adaptive support as I move, such as when I need more cushion on my side but firmer support when sleeping on my stomach. I’ve noticed the surface can look a bit uneven at times, which worries me about weight distribution. However, I haven't had any issues with sleep quality or pressure relief.
My favorite feature of the Bryte Balance Pro and these Bryte Balancers has been the immersive relaxation experience. I set a timer for a gentle ocean waves setting and am literally rocked to sleep by the bed moving beneath me. These same waves I rely on for the silent wake feature, where the bed gently nudges me into wakefulness instead of relying on the bleating of an alarm. —Julia Forbes
Bryte Balance Pro ranges from $5,999 for a twin mattress to $6,899 for a California king.
Few other materials rival memory foam’s pressure-relieving abilities. Memory foam contours well and has a softer feel, making it a good option for people who experience pain from putting too much weight on certain parts of their body. One problem with memory foam is that it softens with your body’s heat, and that heat can get stuck. This can easily lead to a hot sleeper’s nightmare, as well as an overly soft bed. While the Casper Dream Hybrid is technically a hybrid mattress, its use of memory foam paired with coils offsets the major issues memory foam often has. It remained temperature-neutral as the coils created airflow within the bed and its breathable foam layers.
When it comes to pressure relief, I want a certain level of pushback from the mattress so that the materials hug around my pressure points. It is a sort of counterbalance to my body pressing into the mattress; anything too soft leads to tension buildup. Pressure relief from this hybrid’s pocketed coils and foams was, in a word, exceptional. I was able to sink in a bit, and my joints didn’t make a peep while I slept. Since the pocketed coils and secondary foam layer are zoned, I had firmer support around my midsection, keeping my spine aligned. Plus, they also helped reduce the sensation of motion when I moved, which is a notable feature for co-sleepers. —Julia Forbes
Casper Dream Hybrid ranges from $1,495 for a twin mattress to $3,190 for a California king.
The concept of a cheap mattress is tricky. If you’re not careful, you may end up with something that breaks down prematurely, sleeps horribly, or contains compounds that are damaging to your health—or, worst case, all three. This is not the kind of 3-in-1 I want with a mattress purchase. Luckily, the DreamCloud Hybrid is the full package. It offers consistent quality, a yearlong sleep trial, and a lifetime warranty—why it’s been a longtime favorite of mine for all-around value.
I’ve tested all DreamCloud mattresses, and the DreamCloud Hybrid is my go-to because it is the firmest and most supportive. The firmness level is medium-firm, which distributes weight evenly, so no part of my body sinks too far in and puts stress on my lower back. The quilted memory foam topper helps with relieving pressure, but it won’t give as much “sink” as a softer mattress, which some side sleepers prefer. Still, I enjoy sleeping every which way, side, stomach, and back, with the bed responding to my every move.
A queen-size DreamCloud Hybrid is consistently under $1,000, according to our price tracking. When you pair that with the sleep trial and warranty, it’s a difficult combo to beat. Yet it’s the high-quality materials and comfortable sleep that put it on our radar, and I’d go so far as to say it's comparable to many luxury mattress models I’ve reviewed.
DreamCloud Hybrid ranges from $399 for a twin mattress to $1,198 for a split king.
Couples typically have a lengthy mattress wish list. They need a firmness level that works for both partners, cooling, responsiveness, back pain support, pressure relief, and a price they can agree on. It can feel like a losing battle.
The Wolf Memory Foam Hybrid Premium Firm Mattress is one that my husband and I often reminisce about. “Premium firm” refers to the overall firmness level, which I found to be a medium-firm, 6.5 out of 10. This is a doable firmness level for many body types and sleeping positions, if not most, as it keeps the spine aligned and pressure points lightly aloft. To this end, the Wolf Premium Firm Hybrid’s gel memory foam layers did an exceptional job of providing pressure relief, conforming to my body’s shape without overdoing it like a Squishmallow. They also kept the bed from wobbling too much when moved, and maintained support along the outer edges. Both things are good news for couples looking for a good mattress for sex.
The gel infusion in these foam layers helps regulate surface temperature, as memory foam can pull in body heat. This is why all-foam mattresses often get side-eye from hot sleepers; luckily, the hybrid construction works in the Wolf Premium Firm’s favor here. Pocketed coils provide internal airflow and concentrated support around high-weight areas, like the lower back. But the most notable cooling feature of this hybrid mattress is its cover, which is cool to the touch and feels like a refreshing blast from a refrigerator on a hot day—especially when paired with cooling sheets. —Julia Forbes
Wolf Hybrid Premium Firm 13-Inch Mattress ranges from $1,049 for a twin to $1,399 for a king.
We tested many mattresses last year and have hit the ground running in 2026. That said, here are a few options we enjoyed and considered but ultimately didn’t make the starter team.
Leesa Original Hybrid Mattress for $1,499: If you don’t mind the bouncy feel generated by the innerspring core, this is a well-engineered mattress that will appeal to most people—it’s not too firm but not too soft, with excellent edge support and an 11-inch height that won’t feel too tall or too low on your bed frame. It’s got a top layer of memory foam, but because of the Original’s sturdy hybrid construction, which incorporates 789 individual pocketed coils, you won’t get the dips or mashed-down spots over time that you might with a foam-only mattress, which can be a real problem for couples. You also can’t beat Leesa’s limited lifetime warranty. The only note is that while Leesa quantifies the Original’s only firmness level as a “medium-firm,” it is definitely on the softer side, so if you’re looking for a true medium-firm, you may want to consider a “firm” from another model. I also tested this with the optional Cooling Quilt Top, which I recommend if you sleep hot, as it was cool to the touch and helped reduce heat absorption overnight. —Kat Merck. $1,050 to $1,664
The Purple Mattress for $1,599: Purple’s signature squishy GelFlex grid is, like Tempur-Pedic’s Tempur-material, divisive: You are either a rabid super-fan or consider it the worst mattress you’ve ever slept on in your life. My household consists of the former. Along with your mattress, Purple sends a little rectangle of the material so you can see exactly what it is: A rubbery polymer grid that crumples to relieve pressure in areas where you need it, like your hips and shoulders. Because each square of the grid is open, it allows for plenty of airflow, and because the gel is squishy, it still absorbs motion transfer just like memory foam would. If you love that soft memory foam feel but hate the heat absorption, you will probably love Purple. And especially this model, as it best showcases the GelFlex grid without any additional foam layers to get in the way. The only problem I had with this mattress was its height: It’s around 9 inches, so if you have a low-profile bed frame and are used to a thicker mattress, it will sit quite low. I didn’t expect 2 or so inches to make a dramatic difference, but it did. Also, the GelFlex grid makes this mattress extremely heavy (make sure it’s exactly where you need it before cutting the vacuum seal), so placing a box spring or anything else underneath to lift the height will void the warranty. —Kat Merck. $1,099 to $2,598
Thuma Luxury Hybrid Mattress for $1,795: Thuma’s hybrid mattress is interesting because it blends together a smorgasbord of mattress materials: a Tencel cover, organic wool, memory foam, organic latex, and recycled-steel coils. The same rubberwood trees are used for Thuma’s popular Classic Bed frame, and for the Dunlop latex in this mattress. Of the three firmness levels offered—plush, medium, and firm—the medium was yielding some pretty strong support. The sleep trial is a bit unclear, as you only get 100 nights of coverage with your first Thuma purchase. So if you’ve already used it on a different Thuma product, like the frame, you may be out of luck here. —Julia Forbes. $1,295 to $1,995
Puffy Cloud for $1,049: This enhanced all-foam mattress offers profound pressure relief without feeling too soft, despite the name “Cloud” being in its name. The Puffy Cloud has a thinner profile and would most likely be too soft for bigger bodies. However, for lightweight and average builds, it really comes through to support the lower back and hug around pressure points. The thinness also didn't compromise its motion isolation, which meant little to no shaking when my dogs jumped in and out of bed.—Julia Forbes. $449 to $1,298
The Saatva Contour5 for $3,049: The Contour5 is a newer offering from Saatva, replacing the popular Loom & Leaf in the company's lineup. Like other Saatva mattresses, but unlike most others on this list, it is not roll-packed and comes delivered on a moving truck. The Contour5 has two firmness options and updated cooling tech that uses airflow channels in its gel foam layer, which is thinner than its predecessor, meaning it retains less heat. In my two weeks of testing, I found the Contour 5 was very good at remaining cool through summer nights, which is extra impressive given that it uses very dense 5-pound-weight memory foam. The Contour5 is soft enough for side sleeping without feeling like a saggy hammock and has excellent build quality, which is impressive for an all-foam mattress without springs. I prefer a hybrid with microcoils, but Saatva is popular for a reason, and as all-foam mattresses go, it has a true luxury feel. —Martin Cizmar. $1,899 to $3,649
The Big Fig Classic for $1,999: The Big Fig is designed for larger body frames. Being a bit overweight myself, I was eager to see how well this mattress, which is advertised as comfortably handling 550 pounds per sleeper, performed. It is a well-built mattress with an effective gel cooling layer; however, the aggressive edge support created a hammock-like feel despite the sturdy springs and three layers of high-density foam in the middle of the mattress. This was true both on my back and on my side. Others may appreciate the effect of sinking a bit into the center of the bed more than I do. —Martin Cizmar. $1,499 to $2,399
The Boring Hybrid Mattress for $799: Boring Mattress is a new company founded by two alums from Tuft & Needle. Simplicity is the company's selling point. There is just one option: the Boring Hybrid Mattress. (You are allowed to pick a size.) This 10-inch hybrid has four layers of both foam and springs. I’m very sensitive to joint pain, and certain beds tend to make it worse, which is why pressure relief is super important for me. Having slept on a variety of different mattresses throughout the years, I was doubtful that this one would work. But I’ve slept on the hybrid mattress for months now and have yet to feel any pain at all. It strikes an excellent balance between firmness and support that my very particular self hasn’t been able to find with other options on the market. It’s worth noting, however, that its layers come equipped with an open-cell design that’s designed to move heat from your body while sleeping. I’m usually cold, so this feature isn’t that important to me. But on nights when I’ve cranked the heat up in my room and woken up sweating a bit, I can’t say it worked all that well for me. This isn’t a deal breaker, but I wouldn’t buy it solely for that. —Brenda Stolyar. $599 to $999
Casper The One for $899: Casper was a leader in the first wave of bed-in-a-box makers in 2014. The company has changed ownership and design a few times over the past decade but last year's launch of The One finds the company keeping pace with competitors. This is an all-foam mattress that stands 11 inches tall. Because it's all foam, it’s on the light side, with a queen weighing an easily movable 66 pounds. One of the main issues with all-foam beds is that they get too hot, but Casper’s The One uses an open-cell foam layer called Breathe Flex Foam on the top, which makes it both pleasantly squishy and breathable. Two more layers of foam add up to a medium-firm feel, with the middle layer designed to cradle your hips, and the base layer designed to provide support. —Martin Cizmar. $749 to $1,698
The Winkbed for $1,799: WIRED reviewer Julian Chokkattu slept on the luxury firm version of the WinkBed for almost two years and he was quite happy in that time. His favorite perk? The edge support is fantastic, so his partner never wakes when he slips into bed late at night. The plush pillowtop also adds a luxe, hotel-like feel to a relatively firm bed. —Martin Cizmar. $1,427 to $2,856
Silk and Snow S&S Organic for $950: I wouldn't expect this to feel silky-soft, but the latex is supportive for sleep. I love how responsive (read: bouncy) this bed is, especially as someone who tosses and turns often. It's able to move with me so I never feel unsupported, or overheated for that matter. Latex and coils are breathable, as are the organic cotton cover and wool fire barrier. —Julia Forbes. $800 to $1,300
Nest Bedding Quail for $1,299: 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. —Martin Cizmar. $849 to $1,499
Helix Sunset Elite for $3,095: Our top pick, Helix, also has an Elite collection that consists of seven mattresses along a spectrum of softness. At 15 inches high, the Sunset Elite 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 a separate layer 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. —Martin Cizmar. $2,871 to $4,871
Wayfair Sleep 14-Inch Plush Cooling Gel Hybrid Mattress for $324: 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), and has a 10-year warranty. This bed is super comfy if you like a more plush mattress. —Molly Higgins. $555 to $1,014
Not every mattress we test can be a winner, which is why we test in the first place. Here are a few that did not make the cut according to our standards.
Birch Elite Hybrid for $2,619: This is the newest model from Birch, and frankly, you would be just fine sticking with the Birch Natural or Birch Luxe Natural instead. The Birch Elite Hybrid was incredibly top-heavy and incredibly difficult to move, given the floppiness and weight of its numerous latex and coil layers. The top layers slid around, creating a lumpy surface, and the new “CoolForce” layer was completely undetectable. —Julia Forbes. $2,499 to $4,499
Brooklyn Bedding Spartan for $1,499: This mattress is designed for “athletic recovery,” and as a former collegiate athlete, I was excited to try it. I had opted for medium firmness over the soft and firm options, but upon receiving it, I had to double-check that I hadn’t gotten the soft option by accident. The medium cratered around me, leaving me with unhappy pressure points. The lack of overall support didn't help me recover from soreness, so I couldn’t tell you whether the Far Infrared Ray recovery tech in the cover helped at all. —Julia Forbes $1,099 to $2,399
Sleep Number Climate360 Smart Bed for $8,712: This bed 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? —Martin Cizmar. $10,249 to $14,499
Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Adapt for $2,199: Tempur-Pedic is one of the country's best-known and loved mattress brands, but two separate WIRED reviewers (Martin Cizmar and Nena Farrell) have both disliked different mattresses from the company over the past two years. Nena found the Tempur-Adapt totally lacking in support, and felt like she was sinking into a void when she lay on it. Her spine and muscles both ached after sleeping on it so she gave it to her sister who also hated it, describing it as like sleeping on a leaky air mattress. —Martin Cizmar. $1,699 to $3,398
Amazon Basics mattress for $279 (Full): This one is made of cheap foam that isn't dense enough, causing too much sinkage. —Martin Cizmar. $189 to $386
Parachute Eco Comfort Mattress for $2,650: This mattress just doesn't live up to its extravagant price. The model we tested didn't have enough proper padding above its coils. —Martin Cizmar. $1,550 to $2,850
How We Test Mattresses
Our testing process is simple—we dedicate a week or so to each mattress, sleeping on it at home to understand what it’s all about. The WIRED Reviews testing team has been refining our testing methodology since 2019, when we would try out mattresses side by side in a conference room, much like a mattress store experience. But just like what can happen at a mattress store, the experiences we were documenting in these brief observations could change the more time we spent with a mattress. Hence, we went back to basics and dedicated a week or more to sleeping on each one, noting down our nightly experiences.
That being said, I have spent the last six years as a certified sleep science coach and professional mattress testing becoming a mattress sommelier of sorts. Instead of devising tests to show how much a bed can support at the edge or reduce motion transfer, it really comes down to understanding the range of materials, sleeping positions, and body types in the mattress space.
What Should You Look for When Buying a Mattress?
Mattress shopping requires a bit of self-assessment before you even get into the particulars of a mattress. Taking note of your body type, preferred sleeping position, pain points, and material preferences for things like allergies or staying chemical-free are all data points that make the search a lot easier. From there, we can help you narrow down options for different scenarios, such as if you are a couple looking for a firm mattress to help with back pain. For that, I’d point you to some of our other guides, such as the best mattresses for sex and the best mattresses for back pain, to discuss some of our favorite options we’ve tested.
What Are Mattress Certifications?
This is one of the most critical factors to look for when buying a mattress, as it’s basically a cheat code for evaluating a mattress’s material and quality claims. For mattresses that use memory foam or organic and natural components, mattress certifications help us, as consumers, gain insight into the sourcing and safety of these materials. CertiPUR-US certification is a non-negotiable for me when it comes to memory foam because it shows that harmful chemicals were not used in its production. GreenGuard Gold is another certification that ensures any off-gassing from your mattress upon unboxing won’t affect your indoor air quality—important if you have sensitive skin, a strong sense of smell, allergies, or asthma.
How Long Does a Mattress Last?
As a ballpark estimate, your mattress should last eight to 10 years. I don’t recommend going much beyond that, as the mattress materials are past their prime and aren’t providing adequate support or comfort.
Just like picking out a bed, there are several factors involved that dictate how long it’ll last. Durability of the mattress’s materials always comes into play, as beds with coils tend to remain more structurally intact than all-foam beds, which can sag around the middle and edges over time. Your build also plays into this, because if your bed starts to buckle under your weight night after night, that’s obviously an issue. If this is the case for you, I’d recommend reviewing your warranty to see if it can be replaced.
How Long of a Mattress Warranty Should I Look For?
The industry standard for a warranty is about 10 years, so that should be the minimum in most cases. Many brands will offer prorated coverage beyond that decade mark, meaning the mattress can be replaced at a significant discount, depending on how long it’s been. This is where the fine print of a warranty is especially important to review, because many mattresses offer lifetime warranties. For example, DreamCloud has a “Forever Warranty” that fully covers its mattresses the first 10 years. After that 10-year mark, you have to pay $50 each way for the mattress repair or replacement to be delivered. It’s still a good deal, but something to be aware of.
Should I Buy My Mattress In-Store or Online?
Where you purchase your mattress is another personal preference. Many people may live near a showroom that sells a mattress they’ve been eyeballing, and want to go see it in person before buying. Others may do that and wait for an online holiday sale to secure a major deal.
The nice thing about buying online is that you get much more variety than what you’d get with a mattress store. You’ll still receive the sleep trial component that most brands offer for in-store purchases when opting to do so online. You can try the bed from the comfort of your home for a set number of days, typically 90 nights to an entire year, depending on the brand. Many companies, but not all, will require a 30-day adjustment period for you to get used to the mattress before they will process a return. If you do end up returning a mattress, some brands, both online and brick-and-mortar, may ask you to donate it to a local charity or arrange for pickup as part of the warranty. By donating, mattresses are kept out of landfills and put to good use.
Should I Wait for a Mattress Sale Before I Buy?
In all honesty, it comes down to how you’re currently faring with your mattress and sleep schedule. If you’re sleep-deprived and ready for a change, there’s no time like the present. We do cover coupons and promos that come up in non-holiday periods. For example, we have a special code for the Nolah Evolution running at all times.
During the holidays, the WIRED Reviews process is unique because we meticulously track price changes and sales year-round. That way, we can deliver news about the really good sales rather than what’s dominating headlines. Major mattress sales weekends include Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday. There are plenty of ad hoc sales that pop up for various events in between, too.
How Does WIRED Acquire Mattresses for Testing?
We conduct a lot of research about what’s new in the mattress world, as well as the legacy of established brands and models. To perform hands-on testing, we will request free media samples from these brands or buy them outright on sites like Amazon or Wayfair, or from smaller vendors. Some brands will engage with us in partnerships, but that does not dictate their placement within an article, what we say about the product, or even if we cover it. Even if we receive commission, it’s essential that we publish our true account of our experiences.
What Does WIRED Do With the Mattresses After Testing Them?
Because most mattresses we test are provided as media samples, we donate them locally upon completion of testing.
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Source: Wired
