Better Homes & Gardens 12-inch Gel Memory Foam Mattress Review
Weeding through the endless foam-mattress options online can feel as exhausting as suffering through a bad night's sleep. But we've tested dozens of mattresses since 2016 so you don't have to.
Since the pandemic halted our ability to group-test mattresses, our sleep team members have been assessing mattresses alone in the office and at home. Our latest update includes the top-performing mattresses from our previous group tests, as well as a new budget pick and a range of additional options (from fluffy to firm) in our notable contenders section.
If you're looking for a traditional coil mattress or for a mattress that combines springs and foam, we have a guide to the best innerspring mattresses and one for the best hybrid mattresses (which includes some of the picks in this guide). If you're looking to limit spending and don't mind compromising on looks, nuance, and longevity, check out our guide to the best cheap mattresses (under $400).
Our pick
The 11-inch Leesa Hybrid won more votes than any other mattress in the hybrid category when we first tested it in 2018 (when it was called the Leesa Sapira), and it has remained a strong favorite through two more rounds of testing in 2019 and 2020. Hybrid mattresses feature both foam and coils, and this Leesa mattress's memory-foam top provides good pressure relief, while its spring layer adds a gentle bounce. The high-quality, durable materials make this model a good value, and we think it would work well for stomach-, back-, and side-sleepers, as well as for those who weigh more than 200 pounds. The Leesa Hybrid comes with a 100-day trial period and a 10-year warranty.
Our pick
Tempur-Pedic's least expensive model is one of the best hybrid memory-foam mattresses we tested, and it's a good option if you want the classic curve-conforming feel of a Tempur-Pedic bed without having to spend $3,000 to $5,000 for a queen. Like most of the brand's mattresses, the 11-inch Tempur-Adapt has a pronounced hug, yet it feels completely supportive (including at the edges, so you don't fall off), which is a sensation that many of our staffers loved. The line's Medium Hybrid version also has a coil layer that keeps you from feeling completely stuck in foam (though you may not find it resilient enough if you're accustomed to innerspring-only models). It's suitable for a range of sleep positions and body types, including for people who weigh more than 200 pounds, and it comes with a 10-year warranty and a 90-day trial period. But if you return this mattress, you'll have to pay steep shipping costs.
Our pick
Loom & Leaf (Relaxed Firm)
A foam mattress with a luxe feel, no bounce
With a thick quilted top and some of the highest foam densities we've seen in an online mattress, the Loom & Leaf feels more substantial (and will likely last longer) than mattresses that cost less than $1,000. It arrives unboxed, so it's also less likely to off-gas in your home.
Buying Options
*At the time of publishing, the price was $1,800 .
Of the mattresses we tried that didn't have springs, Saatva's Loom & Leaf (Relaxed Firm) was the best looking and arguably the best feeling. Its thick quilted cover prevents the top from feeling simply spongy, and there's virtually no motion transfer. Compared with cheaper all-foam mattresses, the 12-inch Loom & Leaf is made with denser foam, which may help it last longer (and also makes it good for people who weigh over 200 pounds). This mattress comes in two firmness levels, so it should work for a variety of sleep positions. The 15-year warranty and 180-day trial period are particularly generous. But if you do end up returning the Loom & Leaf, you'll have to pay a shipping fee of nearly $100.
Our pick
Novaform ComfortGrande
Best foam mattress under $1,000
This Costco favorite is a great value, made from layers of foam that are as dense (and probably as durable) as the foam in many of the mattresses that cost twice as much. Testers loved its cuddly yet supportive feel, but some found it to be too firm.
Buying Options
Wirecutter testers and online reviewers who like the 14-inch Novaform ComfortGrande, sold at Costco stores and on Costco.com, consistently note its comfortably supportive feel and good value. At less than $600 online (and often on sale for $500, or even less if you buy it in-store; non-Costco members pay a 5% fee), the Novaform has a loose-cuddly sensation without a pronounced memory-foam sink. We think it's best for back- and stomach-sleepers, or for side-sleepers who like firmer mattresses. Its foam densities suggest it should be durable, though we don't think it's the best pick for people who weigh more than 200 pounds. The Novaform ComfortGrande comes with a 20-year warranty. And, thanks to Costco's generous return policy (the best we've seen), if you decide at any point that you don't like it, you can arrange for a free pickup and full refund.
Our pick
Because the Tuft & Needle Original doesn't have a memory-foam top, it's easier to move around on than most bed-in-a-box mattresses, which is why we recommend it for people who rotate frequently throughout the night. It's a great choice if you want the convenience and affordability of a foam bed without the sinking sensation of memory foam. However, we don't think the 10-inch Tuft & Needle Original will prove durable enough for those who weigh more than 200 pounds (as is true of most under-$1,000 queen mattresses). It comes with a 100-day trial and a 10-year warranty.
Our pick
Zenhaven
Best latex-foam mattress
The all-latex Zenhaven is $1,000 more than similar online options, but it should prove more durable and breathable (and thus feel cooler) than many foam mattresses. Good latex mattresses are expensive, but we think this one is a decent value.
Buying Options
*At the time of publishing, the price was $2,200 .
If you prefer latex mattresses, which tend to be more breathable, durable, and springier than memory-foam or polyfoam models, Saatva's Zenhaven offers the best combination of comfort and value of those we've tested. The 10-inch Zenhaven feels supple but still supportive, with a springiness similar to that of a traditional coil mattress. We think it's a good choice for back- or stomach-sleepers, or for side-sleepers who prefer a firmer mattress. The two-sided Zenhaven is flippable and has two firmness levels: The Luxury Plush side is medium-firm, and the other side is a bit firmer. Zenhaven offers a 180-day trial (though you have to pay a shipping cost of nearly $100 to return the mattress) and a 20-year warranty, which is twice as long as the warranty for most foam mattresses.
Everything we recommend
Our pick
Our pick
Our pick
Loom & Leaf (Relaxed Firm)
A foam mattress with a luxe feel, no bounce
With a thick quilted top and some of the highest foam densities we've seen in an online mattress, the Loom & Leaf feels more substantial (and will likely last longer) than mattresses that cost less than $1,000. It arrives unboxed, so it's also less likely to off-gas in your home.
Buying Options
*At the time of publishing, the price was $1,800 .
Our pick
Novaform ComfortGrande
Best foam mattress under $1,000
This Costco favorite is a great value, made from layers of foam that are as dense (and probably as durable) as the foam in many of the mattresses that cost twice as much. Testers loved its cuddly yet supportive feel, but some found it to be too firm.
Buying Options
Our pick
Our pick
Zenhaven
Best latex-foam mattress
The all-latex Zenhaven is $1,000 more than similar online options, but it should prove more durable and breathable (and thus feel cooler) than many foam mattresses. Good latex mattresses are expensive, but we think this one is a decent value.
Buying Options
*At the time of publishing, the price was $2,200 .
Why you should trust us
We published our first foam-mattress guide in 2016, and we've been testing and adding new mattresses to it ever since. As Wirecutter's senior staff writer for sleep, I visit mattress factories, stores, showrooms, and trade shows on a regular basis. And I talk frequently with experts—both in the mattress industry and in materials science—in order to better understand what makes a quality mattress. I've pored over good-quality online owner reviews to look for feedback trends. I've read the fine print concerning the warranties and return policies of each of our picks. And I've checked in with staffers who happen to own some of our picks to see how the mattresses perform in the real world. I've also slept on most of our contenders for at least a week in my own apartment.
This guide builds on the work of Kevin Purdy, who, as a Wirecutter senior staff writer, spent two years testing about a dozen mattresses, including trying them out in our Los Angeles office and sleeping on them for a month at a time in his home. We've since tested our current picks against new contenders, with dozens of testing-panel participants in 2018, 2019, and 2020. In fall 2020, associate staff writer Justin Redman researched and tested several additional mattresses for this guide.
No mattress works for everybody
Here's the core truth about mattresses: It's impossible to find one that works for everybody. The best any mattress can do, our experts told us, is feel amazing for a small group of people, work well for some people, and do okay for the majority of people. Comfort and support depend on a host of different factors, including your weight, your musculoskeletal health, your body's temperature gauge, and your personal preferences, to name just a few.
The only generalization we can make is that, to a certain extent, you get what you pay for. The higher-end mattresses we've tested typically (though not always) offer denser foam, more layers, and a smoother transition from top to bottom. However, when we've looked within each price category (budget, moderate, high-end), we've been hard-pressed to find a runaway winner or loser. In other words, an $1,800 mattress may often have more fans than a $600 mattress, but a $600 mattress doesn't necessarily beat out a $500 mattress. We can't claim that any of our top picks are the "most comfortable" for everyone by any stretch. Instead, we focus on models with a broad enough appeal and a good price for the quality of the components offered. We also prefer companies that are transparent and specific about the materials they use. After all, how can customers confidently plunk down $1,000 or more if they don't know what they're getting?
Another (very general) guideline: If you weigh more than 200 pounds, consider investing in a mattress with higher foam densities, which should make the mattress more durable. (Mattresses with higher foam densities are also typically more expensive.) Throughout this guide we've marked which mattresses we do and don't recommend for people who weigh more than 200 pounds.
Most foam mattresses claim to be medium-firm (the medium-rare of the mattress industry), but our tests and other reviewers have found a huge range within that middle. Still, the stated firmness level can give you an indication of whether you'll find a mattress comfortable. Side-sleepers tend to do better on the softer end of medium-firm; that's because when they sleep, more of their body weight is concentrated on their hips and shoulders. Stomach-sleepers tend to need a medium-firm to slightly firmer mattress, not only to keep their head and neck aligned but also to cradle their knees or the front of their hips. A squarely medium-firm mattress often works best for back-sleepers, who distribute their weight more evenly and need support for the spine's natural curve.
Keep in mind that you may prefer something other than what your sleep style naturally suggests; for instance, we think several of our medium-firm mattress picks would be comfortable for all sleep positions. If you'd like additional guidance on how to gauge whether a mattress is properly supporting and cushioning you, see our mattress buying guide.
Best hybrid mattress if you like bounce: Leesa Hybrid
Our pick
Who it's for: Side-, stomach-, and back-sleepers should all feel comfortable on the Leesa Hybrid. This mattress is especially good for people who change positions (aka rotators), because the springs make it easy to move around on. And it's good for people who weigh more than 200 pounds.
How it feels: Medium end of medium-firm, though we've noticed online feedback describing it as firmer than that. The memory-foam top provides pressure relief, with a hug that doesn't assertively pull you in, and the springs add a mellow bounce.
Why it's great: When we first tested this mattress in 2018, it was called the Leesa Sapira, and we liked it for its nice balance of innerspring and foam: A layer of pocketed coils provides just enough bounce, while memory foam gives just the right amount of cradling. By our 2019 test, the mattress's name had changed to the Leesa Hybrid, and it felt as if it had just a tad more give than the earlier version. Along with the Tempur-Adapt, the Leesa has consistently earned more top votes in our panel tests than competing hybrid mattresses, including the hybrid versions of the Casper and Casper Wave, the Serta iComfort, and the Helix Plus. In our 2020 test, we tested the Leesa against three other hybrids, and 22 out of 29 testers chose it as their favorite or second favorite. "It has a good balance of sink and bounce, and it also has good edge support," one participant reported.
When my husband and I slept on the Leesa Sapira in 2018, it didn't make us sweat (a common complaint with foam mattresses), and overheating didn't crop up as a problem in any of the owner reviews I collected in my research on the Sapira. Given that the Leesa Sapira feels similar to the Hybrid (Wirecutter staffers tried them side by side in the office), we think we'd have a similar experience if we were to sleep on the Hybrid at home.
Leesa makes four mattresses. We've tested the Hybrid and the all-foam Leesa Original (the brand's signature mattress, and one of our top picks back before the Hybrid was introduced). If you're debating between the two, we think the Hybrid is nicer overall. (We have yet to test the Leesa Legend, another hybrid, or the Leesa Studio, the company's entry-level model, but you can read about our first impressions.) Both the Leesa Hybrid and the Original create a loose cradling sensation, as opposed to the all-out hug that some memory-foam mattresses offer, and both come with a sturdy, seamless cover. But the Hybrid's springs make it easier to move around on and provide better edge support. In addition, at 4 pounds per cubic foot, the memory-foam density of the Hybrid makes it more durable and firmer than the all-foam Leesa Original (which has a density of around 3 pounds per cubic foot).
Two Leesa Original owners who tried the Hybrid said it felt more solid than the Original. One staffer who has owned the Leesa Hybrid for just under 10 months said he found it to be comfortable and hadn't noticed any sagging. The Hybrid's higher foam density leads us to believe it would hold up well for people who are over 200 pounds. Only seven participants (about a fifth of the group) in our 2019 panel test were in that weight category, so even from a comfort standpoint, we can't draw any definitive conclusions from such a small sample. But it was interesting to note that all but one of the testers who weighed more than 200 pounds chose the Leesa Hybrid as their top pick or runner-up in the hybrid category; it got more overall votes than the Casper Hybrid, Casper Wave Hybrid, or Tempur-Adapt. In 2020, we had four testers who weighed over 200 pounds; of those, two preferred the Leesa Hybrid, one liked the bouncy BedInABox Dual Hybrid, and the fourth one chose the Helix Plus, a bed designed for "big & tall" folks.
You can try the Leesa Hybrid (and the all-foam Leesa Signature) at select department stores.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: In our tests, the Hybrid had more motion transfer than the Tempur-Adapt, the other hybrid we highly recommend—which is not a big deal, since I didn't even notice when my husband rolled into bed at 1 a.m. If motion isolation or a more-distinct memory-foam feel is a high priority for you, we suggest you try out the all-foam Novaform ComfortGrande or the Loom & Leaf, or upgrade to the Tempur-Adapt, another higher-end hybrid we recommend. If you currently sleep on an innerspring mattress, you may be pleasantly surprised by the level of motion control you can get with a hybrid; as with any foam mattress, though, with a hybrid you might need to get used to the sensation of sleeping "in" your mattress as opposed to on top of it. If you want even more bounce combined with only a touch of memory-foam feel, we suggest you try the BedInABox Dual Hybrid (though it's less dense and probably less durable for those over 200 pounds) or an innerspring mattress.
People who prefer soft mattresses will probably dislike the Leesa Hybrid; we've noticed that most online reviews mention it as being too firm, rather than too soft. Associate staff writer Justin Redman, who also tested the bed at home for about a week, reported that the mattress felt uncomfortably firm when he was sleeping on his side, though too-cool temperatures (from the mattress being in storage for many months) may have hardened the foam.
Key specs
Materials: memory foam, polyfoam, 1,000 14½-gauge pocketed coils, polyester-blend cover
Thickness: 11 inches
Firmness options: only one available
Free trial period: 100 nights
Warranty: 10 years
Best hybrid mattress if you want cradling support: Tempur-Adapt (Medium Hybrid)
Our pick
Who it's for: The Tempur-Adapt (Medium Hybrid) is suitable for stomach- and back-sleepers, as well as for side-sleepers who prefer firmer mattresses. It's good for people who weigh more than 200 pounds.
How it feels: Medium-firm. The memory-foam top conforms snugly to the body, and the spring layer makes moving around easier but doesn't add much bounce (unlike on the Leesa Hybrid).
Why it's great: The Tempur-Pedic brand is known for its pronounced slow-sink cradling sensation, and the Tempur-Adapt is no different. The Medium Hybrid version's layer of springs counteracts a bit of the stuck-in-foam feel that many memory-foam mattresses have, and a dedicated foam border gives it better edge support. It was among the most expensive mattresses we tried, but it felt a universe better than under-$1,000 foam mattresses. (The company also sells a just-as-substantial-looking, no-spring Medium version of the Tempur-Adapt, but we liked that the Hybrid was slightly easier to move around on and had a sturdier edge.)
Over three years of testing, more testers have chosen the Tempur-Adapt as their overall favorite than any other mattress. "It lets your body sink right in and feels immediately comfortable," said one tester. "Soft" but still "supportive" was a common comment. When Justin Redman, our associate sleep writer, tried it at home, he found that the Tempur-Adapt relieved pressure comfortably, even though he typically likes mattresses that are much softer than this one.
After sleeping on the Tempur-Adapt for a week in 2018, I wished I could keep it. The edges of most foam mattresses collapse under body weight, but the Tempur-Adapt's edge sank only a little. That sturdy edge kept me from falling out of bed when my son joined my husband and me in the middle of the night, and it isolated motion well enough for me to sleep until morning—even with two other people in the bed tossing and turning. Neither my husband nor I slept hot on the Tempur-Adapt, though heat retention was a common complaint among the owner reviews we analyzed.
After analyzing the Tempur-Adapt's materials, we think it will be more durable and last longer than most popular online mattresses. The upper layers hit density values found in good-quality mattresses: 4½ pounds per cubic foot for the Tempur memory foam in the second layer and 2½ pounds per cubic foot for the proprietary polyfoam-like material in the top layer. Unlike many of the companies whose mattresses we tried in our brand-concealed test, Tempur-Pedic has been around for more than two decades, which suggests a proven track record. In other words, chances are good that the company will still be around a number of years from now if you happen to run into problems with the warranty.
The Tempur-Adapt is one of the least expensive mattresses Tempur-Pedic sells. So we think it's a good way to experience the classic Tempur foam feel without having to spend around $3,000 and up on one of the company's pricier models. (The Tempur-Cloud, the company's bed-in-a-box offering, costs less than the Tempur-Adapt, but it uses different foams and has a slower, more shallow sink.) Tempur-Adapt mattresses are available to try out at a slew of locations, so you can decide for yourself whether the huggier-foam upgrade in the pricier lines is worth the expense.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: Even though lots of our testers loved the Tempur-Adapt's slow-sinking sensation, it's definitely something you have to get accustomed to, especially if you've been sleeping on an innerspring mattress. Plus, the Tempur-Adapt is about twice as expensive as many of our other recommended foam mattresses.
The return process appears to be more onerous than for most online brands—you have to pay the shipping cost, which can be well over $100. We recommend browsing in a store first. But be aware that if you purchase a Tempur-Pedic mattress at a third-party retailer, you'll be subject to the retailer's return policy, rather than to Tempur-Pedic's.
Key specs
Materials: memory foam, polyfoam, 1,160 16½-gauge pocketed coils, polyester cover
Thickness: 11 inches
Firmness options: only one firmness available
Free trial period: 90 days
Warranty: 10 years
Best high-quality memory-foam mattress: Loom & Leaf (Relaxed Firm)
Our pick
Loom & Leaf (Relaxed Firm)
A foam mattress with a luxe feel, no bounce
With a thick quilted top and some of the highest foam densities we've seen in an online mattress, the Loom & Leaf feels more substantial (and will likely last longer) than mattresses that cost less than $1,000. It arrives unboxed, so it's also less likely to off-gas in your home.
Buying Options
*At the time of publishing, the price was $1,800 .
Who it's for: Side-sleepers should consider the Relaxed Firm version. Back- and stomach-sleepers, as well as people who weigh more than 200 pounds, should go for the Firm model.
How it feels: The Relaxed Firm version feels medium-firm, with a plush surface that cradles you instead of sucking you in. The Firm version feels much, much firmer and has a more conventional memory-foam sink.
Why it's great: The all-foam Loom & Leaf is pricier than most online foam mattresses we've tested. But it offers upgraded features, enhanced comfort, stronger durability, and transparency about its materials, all of which we think make this mattress worth the extra cost.
In our past two group tests, we've compared the Loom & Leaf against two other all-foam mattresses that cost over $1,000: the Casper Wave (in 2019) and the Serta iComfort (in 2020). In both tests, the Loom & Leaf emerged as the preferred mattress, and we think it offers the better value. Many testers noted that the Loom & Leaf offered more cushioning and allowed them to sink in deeper than the Casper Wave and the Serta iComfort, meaning the Loom & Leaf is a particularly good choice for side-sleepers. Indeed, most testers who were side-sleepers preferred the Loom & Leaf over the Serta; back-, stomach-, and combo-sleepers (back and stomach) were more split between the two. (Note: The Casper Wave has been redesigned with a new foam and cover since early 2020. We haven't tested it yet. But having assessed its hybrid version, we predict that the all-foam Wave is likely still less cradling than the Loom & Leaf.)
Unlike most memory-foam mattresses, which have a thin, sock-like fabric encasement, the Loom & Leaf has a thick quilted cover (similar to what you'd see on higher-end innerspring mattresses). The cover provides additional cushioning between you and the memory-foam layer, so the surface feels more pillowy—like you're nestling in a cushion— compared with the sinking, conforming sensation of your typical memory-foam hug. The Loom & Leaf contains no springs, so it has no bounce and offers much more motion isolation than hybrid or innerspring mattresses.
We appreciate that Saatva, the maker of the Loom & Leaf, shares detailed information on the materials it uses, which is not the case with most mattress companies. What's more, the Loom & Leaf contains some of the highest-quality materials we've seen in an online mattress: a 4-pounds-per-cubic-foot top layer of "gel-swirl" memory foam and a 5-pounds-per-cubic-foot inner layer of regular memory foam (most online mattresses use 3-pounds-per-cubic-foot foam). These densities suggest good durability, including for people who weigh more than 200 pounds. We talked to a friend who bought three Loom & Leaf mattresses (for herself and for two grown kids), and each has held up well over the past four years.
I slept on the Loom & Leaf at home and found that it felt much cushier than any of the lower-priced foam mattresses we tried (including our favorite mattress under $1,000, the Novaform ComfortGrande). The Relaxed Firm version of the Loom & Leaf that we tested had just the right amount of give—it had "more of a slow slip-into-molasses feel than a fast plunge," said my brother, who weighs around 230 pounds and came by to try it.
The Loom & Leaf sidesteps a lot of the typical problems found in online all-foam mattresses. Instead of arriving squeezed into a box, it's shipped by movers, which is nice since a boxed mattress can be heavy and unwieldy to unpack. Because the mattress isn't wrapped tightly in plastic, it off-gasses in the factory, not in your home, and you don't have to wait for it to inflate (and to wonder, "Is it done yet?").
Flaws but not dealbreakers: Despite the Loom & Leaf's gel-swirl layer, my husband and I both felt hot sleeping on this mattress. Since I'm always cold and our apartment is perpetually drafty, I found this to be an asset, whereas my husband eventually fled to my son's innerspring bed (more room for me). Although the edge support is adequate, it's not as firm as that of the Tempur-Adapt or the Serta iComfort.
If you prefer a mattress with less give, the Loom & Leaf also comes in Firm. But when I tried that version in a store, it felt tabletop-hard; you may find the Serta iComfort (see the notable contenders section) more comfortable. Testers who preferred the Serta over the Loom & Leaf described it as having a "firmer, more supportive feel." The Serta also had a more noticeable memory-foam hug, though not as much as the Tempur-Adapt. Our under-$1,000 pick, the Novaform ComfortGrande, is another all-foam option with a firmer feel, but because the memory-foam density is between 3 and 3½ pounds per cubic foot (the company wouldn't provide exact numbers), it's probably best for those weighing less than 200 pounds.
You have up to 180 days to return or exchange the Loom & Leaf mattress after purchase, but you're charged a shipping fee of nearly $100. We found complaints on Reddit about the Relaxed Firm version sagging for heavier people, so instead you might try the Firm (though, again, it's very firm) or even the Tempur-Adapt, which also has dense foam but a more-distinct memory-foam hug, too.
Key specs
Materials: memory foam, polyfoam, 100% organic cotton cover
Thickness: 12 inches
Firmness options: Firm and Relaxed Firm
Free trial period: 180 days
Warranty: 15 years
Best memory-foam mattress under $1,000: Novaform ComfortGrande
Our pick
Novaform ComfortGrande
Best foam mattress under $1,000
This Costco favorite is a great value, made from layers of foam that are as dense (and probably as durable) as the foam in many of the mattresses that cost twice as much. Testers loved its cuddly yet supportive feel, but some found it to be too firm.
Buying Options
Who it's for: The Novaform ComfortGrande is suitable for back- and stomach-sleepers, as well as for side-sleepers who prefer firmer mattresses. It is not recommended for those who weigh more than 200 pounds.
How it feels: The Novaform ComfortGrande comes in one firmness level, medium firm, and most of our testers agreed with the description. The surface is just billowy enough for you to feel nestled but not sunk in.
Why it's great: At an online price of around $600 for a queen ($500 in-store, but you have to haul it home yourself), the Novaform ComfortGrande offers exceptional value. We first tested the Novaform in January 2020, and more than half of the participants liked it better than any of the other under-$1,000 all-foam mattresses we tried, well ahead of the Tulo Medium (our previous under-$1,000 foam pick) and the Casper Essential. Six out of 29 testers even preferred the Novaform to the higher-end foam mattresses, hybrids, and latex beds. "It somehow manages to feel inviting and cushy, but my back is still well supported," said a tester who's a side- and back-sleeper.
The ComfortGrande underwent a slight redesign after our group test: Novaform added a new cover with cooling features and a gel foam (according to Novaform, it has "sweat-wicking properties"). Associate staff writer Justin Redman tested the new ComfortGrande in October 2020, and based on his observations, as well as the specifications, we've determined that it's effectively the same mattress. When he tested it at home, he slept neither hot nor cool on it. (As we discuss in our guide to choosing a mattress, the cooling capabilities touted by most mattress companies rarely make much of a difference.)
The Novaform has a billowy surface and a gentle, cradling cuddle similar to that of the more expensive Loom & Leaf, though it's not as plush. Similarly priced mattresses of note—the Tuft & Needle Original (our pick for memory-foam haters) and the Casper Essential—have a foaminess that doesn't cuddle as much as the Novaform ComfortGrande. The Tulo Medium (our former pick) has a more typical memory-foam hug, one that's more reminiscent of the Tempur-Adapt than of the ComfortGrande.
The Novaform ComfortGrande's slightly quilted top and 14-inch thickness make it look sturdier than most all-foam mattresses in its price range. The company wouldn't reveal the exact foam density to us, but it did say that the memory-foam layer was in the range of 3 to 3½ pounds per cubic foot (typical of mattresses that cost around $1,000) and that the polyfoam was in the range of 1.8 to 2 pounds per cubic foot (similar to or denser than the mattresses we tried that cost around $1,000 or more). For people who weigh less than 200 pounds, we think the Novaform ComfortGrande will last as long as many of the more expensive foam mattresses (such as the Leesa Original or Casper Original) of similar densities. And Novaform even offers a 20-year warranty.
I usually fall asleep on my side, but because I happened to have strained a shoulder muscle before trying the Novaform ComfortGrande, I slept on my stomach and back with this mattress. I slept through the night, despite having two other people (my son snuck in between me and my husband) in the full-size bed; this testifies to the Novaform's motion isolation.
Sold only through Costco, the Novaform ComfortGrande mattress should arrive in three to five business days, notably quicker than many of the other mattresses we've tested. Thanks to Costco's generous return policy, you can get a full refund and have your mattress picked up if you have a problem with it, for no fee.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: If you aren't a Costco member, you have to pay a 5% fee (about $30 extra for a queen when it's not on sale). But even with the fee included, the Novaform ComfortGrande is still cheaper than all but one of our other picks.
Although a range of testers weighing from 125 pounds to over 200 liked this mattress, the top layer's foam density (between 3 and 3½ pounds per cubic foot) makes it more likely to sag over time if you weigh over 200 pounds. For those over 200 pounds, experts suggest that there is less risk of sagging and deep indentations with memory foams that are at least 4 pounds per cubic foot (such as those found in the Leesa Hybrid or Tempur-Adapt) than with latex foams (such as those found in the Zenhaven). That said, if the polyfoam density of the Novaform ComfortGrande's support layer is indeed closer to 2 pounds per cubic foot, the bed probably won't outright hammock too quickly, even for those who weigh more than 200 pounds.
Customers have also complained that the ComfortGrande gives off a smell when it first arrives. Various Wirecutter staffers and I didn't notice the odor at our large testing site, but it was obvious when we moved the mattress into my cramped bedroom the next day. The scent slowly dissipated over the weekend, but we've spotted a few online reviews that say it takes weeks. Another recurring online complaint is that the ComfortGrande takes a long time to inflate to its full height—and in some cases never fluffs up to 14 inches. We didn't run into this problem, but if you do, Costco customer service seems consistently happy to offer a refund.
The edge support isn't especially firm. Although my husband (who weighs just under 200 pounds, as opposed to my 128) didn't fall off the bed when my son slept at a diagonal between us, he did feel as if he were on a slope. I didn't notice any sinking when I slept, but when I sat on the side of the bed, the edges caved slightly under the concentration of my weight.
Like all mattresses, the Novaform ComfortGrande has been dismissed in online owner reviews as being both too soft and too firm, but at the time of our research, we spotted more complaints about the latter. If you usually like a super-plush mattress (or are a side-sleeper prone to sore shoulders, like me), the Novaform ComfortGrande isn't for you. (We suggest the Loom & Leaf, if you have the budget for it, or popping into a store to give the Tulo Soft a try.) If you like a noticeably conforming memory-foam hug, the ComfortGrande is also not appropriate. (You might be happier spending more on the Tempur-Adapt or even the Tulo Medium, which had a more conventional memory-foam feel in our tests.) If you don't like a memory-foam feel at all, try the similarly priced, zero-memory-foam Tuft & Needle.
Key specs
Materials: memory foam, polyfoam
Thickness: 14 inches
Firmness options: only one firmness available
Free trial period: According to Costco policy, you can return the mattress for a full refund at any time.
Warranty: 20 years
Best foam mattress for memory-foam haters: Tuft & Needle Original
Our pick
Who it's for: The Tuft & Needle Original is good for every sleep position and especially for people who rotate from position to position. Not recommended for those who are over 200 pounds.
How it feels: Medium-firm. One tester described it as "firm, but soft on top."
Why it's great: Because the Tuft & Needle Original doesn't have a memory-foam top layer, it's easier to roll around on than something like the Tulo. "I liked the freedom to move," said one tester who picked it as her favorite foam model in the room. This was our former top pick for back-sleepers, but the newest version of the mattress felt a little softer to us than the old version, which is why we now recommend it for people who rotate frequently.
For people who don't like memory-foam sink, the Tuft & Needle is a good mattress for the price. Its edge support was slightly better than on most of the under-$1,000 mattresses, and it isolated motion pretty well. The polyfoam layers are dense enough that they should be durable (the two layers are 1.8 and 2.8 pounds per square foot; experts say not to go below 1½ pounds for polyfoam).
Four Wirecutter staffers (all combo- and side-sleepers) who have been sleeping on the Tuft & Needle Original report that they're happy with it and that they still find it supportive after years of use. One staffer who has owned it for three years has noted some softening and indentations, but he says he finds it so comfortable that he'd buy another one.
Finally, we like that shoppers can try the mattress at the handful of Tuft & Needle showrooms across the country, as well as at select stores.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: The return policy sounds like a pain. Whereas many companies will arrange to pick up the mattress from you directly and deal with the donation or recycling themselves, Tuft & Needle will locate a charity in your area but will leave it up to you to make the pickup arrangements, ask for a receipt from the charity, and send that in for a refund from the company.
We also think this mattress is not a good choice for people who weigh more than 200 pounds. The top layer of foam, although of a decent density, is inherently less substantial than memory foam, and the mattress has no transition layer before you get to the firm support layer. My brother, who weighs 230 pounds, said he dropped pretty quickly through the top layer, and as a result the mattress felt more firm than it was actually meant to feel. In this case, we recommend checking out the Tempur-Adapt, the Loom & Leaf, or the Leesa Hybrid.
Key specs
Materials: polyfoam, micro-polyamide (a synthetic cotton-like material) and polyester cover
Thickness: 10 inches
Firmness options: only one firmness available
Free trial period: 100 nights
Warranty: 10 years
Best latex-foam mattress: Zenhaven
Our pick
Zenhaven
Best latex-foam mattress
The all-latex Zenhaven is $1,000 more than similar online options, but it should prove more durable and breathable (and thus feel cooler) than many foam mattresses. Good latex mattresses are expensive, but we think this one is a decent value.
Buying Options
*At the time of publishing, the price was $2,200 .
Who it's for: This mattress is appropriate for sleepers of all positions. The Gentle Firm side provides extra support for back- and stomach-sleepers, while the Luxury Plush side offers pressure relief for side-sleepers. The foam density should prove durable for those who weigh more than 200 pounds.
What it feels like: The two sides are distinct but not drastically different from each other. The Luxury Plush side is on the softer end of the medium-firm spectrum; it's supple with just enough give to feel cushioned. Flip to the Gentle Firm side if you want a slightly firmer sensation (the company says it's about 20% firmer, and that sounds about right to us).
Why it's great: Latex mattresses typically feel springier and are more durable and breathable than mattresses made from memory foam or polyfoam. But they're also more expensive. The cheaper ones are often excessively firm and off-puttingly elastic in feel. The all-latex Zenhaven from Saatva maximizes the advantages of latex while minimizing the disadvantages. We like that it feels supportive without sucking you in, as a memory-foam mattress would. Although it's not exactly plush, the Zenhaven is pleasantly soft. We think it would make a good choice for someone who already knows they prefer latex, or for someone who overheats easily from other types of foam.
The Zenhaven is made from Talalay latex, a supple, breathable, and consistent foam. By contrast, many cheaper latex mattresses (including the Sleep On Latex Pure Green, a former pick) are made from Dunlop latex, which tends to be firmer and more bouncy. Both the Luxury Plush and Gentle Firm sides of the Zenhaven are resilient without feeling rubbery (a common complaint of many latex mattresses). Testers who were fans of the Zenhaven overwhelmingly said they typically preferred a medium-firm or firm mattress.
You effectively get two mattresses in one with the flippable Zenhaven, which allows you to switch between the softer Luxury Plush side and the Gentle Firm side as your preferences and needs change, or if you just aren't certain which firmness level you'll like. If after sleeping on one side you decide to try the other, Saatva (the company that makes the Zenhaven) will send movers to your home to rotate it (a "one-time courtesy flip," Saatva calls it). This offer is not only impressive customer service but also an extremely helpful gesture, given the Zenhaven's heft (the queen weighs 125 pounds, around 30% to 40% more than most memory-foam mattresses).
The Zenhaven, like other latex mattresses, can take some time to break in when new. When I first slept on the Zenhaven—on the softer Luxury Plush side—I didn't think it was plush at all. But after three or so days, it softened up, and my shoulders and hips began to feel cushioned and comfortable when I rolled onto my side. The edge support is terrific, so my husband and I were able to use the entire area of the mattress at night, whether my child sneaked in or not. The latex's unique talent for both resilience and motion isolation made it easy for me to scooch over without waking my husband (though, granted, he can sleep through anything). The Zenhaven has a thick, quilted organic-cotton cover atop a wool layer. These natural materials are more breathable than synthetic fabrics, and people who sleep hot may find them more comfortable.
The Zenhaven is delivered by movers, not shipped in a box, so it shouldn't off-gas in your home. Arrival time varies depending on where you live. In New York City, for example, it can take five to 12 days from the time you place your order, whereas in Provo, Utah, it takes nine to 18 calendar days.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: Although the Zenhaven has more cushion than cheaper latex mattresses, it's not a cushy mattress. If your desire for plushness supersedes your need for an all-latex mattress, we suggest trying a latex-and-memory-foam hybrid, like the PranaSleep Lotus Asana 6 Series, or even an innerspring mattress with a foam or latex pillow top, such as the Saatva Classic. You may also find plusher latex mattresses, but they cost considerably more.
Because the Zenhaven is particularly heavy and two-sided, it needs to rest on a sturdy, good-quality platform bed or a boxspring and frame in good condition. Saatva sells a boxspring foundation (which comes in two heights) for the Zenhaven and a metal frame.
As with the Saatva Classic, the Zenhaven is available to try only in Saatva's New York City showroom. You have 180 days to sleep on it at home before deciding whether you'll keep it, but it costs nearly $100 to return.
Key specs
Materials: Talalay latex; organic-cotton and wool cover
Thickness: 10 inches
Firmness options: two-in-one (Luxury Plush and Gentle Firm)
Free trial period: 180 days
Warranty: 20 years
How we picked and tested memory-foam mattresses
Choosing a mattress is a highly personal endeavor—and that makes reviewing them tricky. You'll find plenty of online reviews that may say a particular mattress "offered just the right amount of support" or that another mattress "gave me back pain," but that's just a reflection of what the mattress did for that reviewer. Unless you're that writer's clone, those impressions may have little bearing on what the mattress will do for you.
So in making our picks, we focused on objective criteria—factors that should remain consistent for anyone considering a mattress. These included:
- A generous free-trial period: We looked for mattresses that offer at least a month to try them out and a refund if you don't like it. (Unfortunately, however, we do realize that returned mattresses often end up in landfills, since it's difficult to donate or recycle them. That's why we also strongly suggest trying them in a store first, whenever that option is available.)
- At least a 10-year warranty: That's the standard. Any less than that makes us nervous.
- Good customer service: For our initial research, we looked at Better Business Bureau ratings. For our final picks, we dug deeper into online customer reviews and anonymously exchanged emails and live-chatted with customer service to see how the representatives responded.
- Durability: Of course it's hard to predict the future, but by looking at a mattress's specs, you can make a good guess. According to mattress experts we interviewed, people who weigh less than 200 pounds should stick with a minimum memory-foam density of 3 pounds per cubic foot and a minimum non-memory-foam polyfoam density of 1.8 pounds per cubic foot. Those who weigh more than 200 pounds may find better long-term satisfaction from higher-quality memory foam with densities of 4 to 5 pounds per cubic foot, and polyfoam that is denser than 1.8 pounds per cubic foot (at least in the layers closest to the top surface). Less-dense foams can compact more easily, causing an indent or a slope in the bed over time. Besides asking mattress brands for specs, we also assessed owner reviews to determine whether sagging and general quality deterioration were an issue.
- Decent edge support: A dedicated border of firmer foam and/or springs (in the case of hybrids) can help create a more sturdy edge, making it easier to do things like sitting and tying your shoes.
- Minimal motion transfer: All-foam mattresses are inherently good at keeping movement isolated from edge to edge, unlike hybrid or traditional spring mattresses. Coils make complete isolation difficult in a hybrid mattress, but some constructions (such as when they're individually pocketed) are better than others.
Our reviews of foam mattresses began about five years ago. We set up models from some of the most popular brands at the time in our Los Angeles office, where we invited staffers to try the mattresses informally and to provide feedback. Kevin Purdy, Wirecutter's mattress writer at the time, spent a week sleeping on the mattresses, and the best of the bunch appeared in our first guide, which we published in 2016. Kevin then slept on additional models at home and updated the guide with each new review, based on his experience and online surveys.
In 2018, we started doing something different. Whereas our original review focused on all-foam mattresses that cost $1,000 or less, we broadened our coverage to include hybrids and more-expensive mattresses (up to around $2,800 for a queen). In October of that year, we called in 17 new mattresses—including the latest iterations of our prior picks—that readers had requested we try or that our research suggested we should consider. All met at least the first two of our criteria.
We set up each mattress (video) on a platform bed frame in our testing space in New York City and shielded the identity of each with a fitted sheet. We then asked each of the 23 testers to pick their first- and second-place favorites in various categories (foam, hybrid, latex, under-$1,000, over-$1,000) and overall. We told them to consider motion control, edge support, and general overall impressions. We also asked our staffers to note which mattress they liked the least in the entire room.
After we eliminated the five least-liked mattresses, I slept on the rest, along with my husband, for four to nine nights each. I'm mostly a side-sleeper but sometimes a stomach-sleeper; my husband sleeps mostly on his back. I made notes on motion isolation and edge support, as well as on temperature control and any other issues that crept up. Family members and other visitors to my home often gave each mattress a try too.
We repeated similar in-office and at-home protocols in July 2019 and January 2020, comparing the winners from the previous test to new batches of foam or hybrid mattresses that we thought warranted a closer look. Our candidate choices have included each new iteration of existing mattresses from Casper and Leesa, as well as introductions from other popular online and in-store brands. In all, our staff compared and contrasted 12 mattresses with each test, and I slept on four to five of the most promising new designs each time.
In fall 2020, associate staff writer Justin Redman assessed a range of under-$400 mattresses for our guide to the best cheap mattresses, testing them on his own in Wirecutter's New York City office (due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we were unable to hold a large group test). He then slept on the best of the bunch at home for about a week each.
Starting in late 2020 and into 2021, I've continued to assess a range of mattresses in my home, sleeping on them for one to two weeks. I've made notes on the sensation of sleeping on each one, keeping in mind that different body weights and types may not share the same exact experience.
We also reached out to current owners of some of these mattresses and analyzed online owner reviews from the past year. Customer reviews are often not authentic, so we tried to pick ones that didn't seem vague ("It's amazing!") or suspicious (for instance, when a review bashes one brand while overtly pushing another). We also dug deeply into forums, primarily on Reddit, and we avoided reviews on a brand's website (which, of course, are almost always positive). On the whole, we did not use these reviews to determine a mattress's comfort level (because, again, comfort is subjective), but we did use them to discern any obvious trends, particularly in quality. Our picks in this guide reflect our staff's subjective impressions, but our selections also incorporate our best guess as to how well each mattress might hold up in the long run.
What to look forward to
The competition
Notable contenders
Although we liked the following mattresses, they fell short of our main picks for various reasons. But one of these may be right for you. (We've grouped these mattresses by their non-sale prices in queen. Prices may vary.)
Under $1,000
Our testers really liked the Allswell Luxe Hybrid, and it nearly became a pick. But the specs are disappointing—the memory-foam layer is only 2 pounds per cubic foot, and the polyfoam is only 1.3 pounds per cubic foot. Nevertheless, many of our testers remarked that this model felt like a higher-end mattress. ("This does not feel like a cheap mattress," one tester noted.) In 2018, five people chose it as their top hybrid pick, and seven marked it as their runner-up, placing the Allswell Luxe Hybrid in an impressive third place (behind the Leesa Hybrid and the Tempur-Adapt, but well ahead of other models that cost nearly twice as much). Fans appreciated not only the cushy top but also the overall support and springiness. Given this mattress's specs, we think it could be a reasonable short-term option or a good choice for a rarely used guest bedroom.
The all-foam Leesa Original was our top pick for side- and stomach-sleepers in the 2016 version of this guide, and we still like it—although recently it hasn't wowed our group testers as much as other mattresses. The Leesa Original we tried in 2018 and 2019 is a different version from the one we originally tested in 2016. What sets the new version of the Leesa apart is how its top doesn't mold around the body, as most memory foam does. As one of our testers said, "I liked that it has the soft feel of foam, but it didn't let me sink too far in." We think the Leesa Original could be a good option for side-sleepers who want to spend no more than $1,000, especially if they prefer a loose cradling sensation and a plusher top, as opposed to the slow-sinking, body-contouring hug of many memory-foam mattresses. But ultimately we concluded that the Leesa Original's price made it a middling choice. It's significantly more expensive than the Novaform ComfortGrande, which has similar foam density (so it will likely last about as long). Plus, if you're willing to spend a few hundred dollars more, you can score the much nicer Loom & Leaf or the Leesa Hybrid (on sale). If you're curious, though, you can try the Leesa Original, along with the Leesa Hybrid, in select West Elm or Pottery Barn stores or in Leesa's showroom. Read more in our full review of Leesa's mattresses.
The all-foam Tulo Comfort was our previous under-$1,000 pick. We love that it comes in three firmness levels—Soft, Medium, and Firm—but in recent months we've been hearing too many complaints about late delivery and inconsistent customer service. One of our staffers (a combo sleeper who weighs between 201 and 230 pounds) owns the Tulo and wished it had more resiliency. But after two years of sleeping on it, this staffer said there was "no noticeable wear and tear." We also haven't seen Tulo's mattress on sale as often as we did in the past, which makes the Novaform ComfortGrande a better overall value. Offering a top-memory-foam-layer density of 3¼ pounds per cubic foot and a feel that reminded us of the slow memory-foam sink we experienced with the Tempur-Adapt, the Tulo Comfort is still a good option if you can snag it at its on-sale price of $500 or less for a queen. You can try the Tulo at most Mattress Firm stores nationwide (check the store locator).
The Nectar Original is a relatively generic, totally contradictory 12-inch memory-foam mattress. On one hand, the density of the top memory-foam layer is just 2.13 pounds per cubic foot, falling short of the 3 pounds per cubic foot usually needed to ensure durability for people under 200 pounds. Justin slept on the Nectar Original at home for two weeks. He found the mattress to be surprisingly comfortable, and he found its medium to medium-soft feel ideal for side-sleepers, without being too sticky for people who like to switch positions. He described the Nectar's feel as very "balanced," and without an aggressive memory-foam sink. But when I tried the Original in a store, I found it to be nothing special—just an everyday bed-in-a-box without a truly luxurious feel. However, for those who know they like a softer all-foam mattress, the Nectar Original's non-distinctiveness may appeal to some people. But, as noted above, we do have concerns about its durability. Nectar offers a year-long trial period and lifetime warranty, which may assuage some of those concerns. Read more in our full review of Nectar's mattresses.
Latex mattresses are typically priced in the $2,000-plus range. At around $800, the all-latex Sleep On Latex Pure Green is a good deal. A tasteful cotton covering and wool batting encase two layers of latex foam. You can choose from Soft, Medium, and Firm versions, and you have 100 days for an exchange or a return. When we tried the Medium model in our office, our testers agreed it felt especially firm and strangely elasticky. But they liked it better than the IKEA Mausund, another relatively budget-conscious latex mattress. Dunlop-latex mattresses inherently have less give than mattresses made from Talalay latex (a type of latex that requires a more expensive processing method) or memory foam. We recommend the Pure Green for people who are looking for an affordable latex mattress and for back- and stomach-sleepers who like their mattresses firm to very firm. If you can afford spending an extra $1,000, however, we think our current latex pick, the plusher-feeling Zenhaven, is likelier to please.
Under $2,000
The Casper Nova Hybrid, introduced in early 2020, is the brand's answer to soft mattresses. Consisting entirely of pillowy polyfoam layers, the bed cuddles around you more than any of our other foam picks. But with no trace of memory foam, the effect is more cushiony than sinky. The upper layers are a dense 3½ pounds per cubic foot, and the base has "more than 600" pocketed coils (giving just a touch of resilience, as opposed to much bounce). So we think the Nova Hybrid has a decent chance of maintaining its shape long-term, even for those who weigh more than 200 pounds. Partner retailers sell an all-foam version, with a base polyfoam of 1.8 pounds per cubic foot (typical of many mail-order mattresses in this price range). We haven't tried it yet, but we think it may be just a tad less springy; either way, we'd lean toward the hybrid since coils hold up better than a foam base of this density. (You should rotate your mattress regularly to avoid body impressions, especially with soft mattresses.) When we're able to do a group test again, we'll gauge this model's appeal among a broad audience before determining whether to make it an outright pick for side-sleepers and soft-foam lovers. To determine whether this mattress is for you, try it in one of Casper's many sleep stores. You can learn more about Casper in our full review of Casper's mattresses.
The newest version of the Casper Original mattress is on the firmer side of medium-firm, though it's not as firm as the Element. It offers a cradling sensation (versus a typical foam mattress's slow sink), and at 3½ pounds per cubic foot, the top memory-foam layer is probably sturdier than most in this price range. But unless you're in love with this mattress's particular feel, we think the Novaform ComfortGrande (about half the price) is a better value, while the Loom & Leaf offers a more luxurious construction with different feels. As for the coil upgrade, which lends the mattress some cushiony conformity, you'd probably get more mileage out of our picks and notable contenders. The company would tell us only that there were "over 600" individually pocketed coils, which leads us to suspect that the total is probably not close to the 1,000 or so coils in the Tempur-Adapt or the Leesa Hybrid. Nevertheless, if you like a firmer-feeling mattress with just a touch of both memory foam and resilience, the Casper Original Hybrid may fit the bill. Try it before you buy it in one of Casper's many sleep stores. To learn more about the brand's offerings, read our full review of Casper's mattresses.
The 13-inch Helix Plus hybrid is designed for "plus size" or "big & tall" sleepers and is said to accommodate up to 500 pounds per side. But we recommend it over the company's other mattresses for non-plus-size folks, too. In fact, when we tested it in 2020, the 10 out of 13 people who liked this mattress best or second best in the hybrid category weighed less than 150 pounds. The Helix Plus has memory foam only in its second layer, so the bed as a whole feels more pillowy than body-conforming, and the coils are just bouncy enough. Although this mattress's appeal wasn't wide enough among our staffers for us to make it a pick, we think it's a notable contender because the materials suggest durability (two polyfoam layers sandwich the memory-foam layer). The top layer, which is designed to feel like latex, is 3 pounds per cubic foot, and the third layer, which is made to feel like memory foam, but more resilient, is 2½ pounds. The middle, memory-foam layer is 4 pounds per cubic foot, as in the Leesa Hybrid, a pick that is well liked among testers who weigh more than 200 pounds. The 968 8-inch coils should provide decent body-conforming support. Helix offers a 10-year warranty and a 100-day free trial.
We tried the Nest Alexander Signature in medium in 2018, when it wasn't yet a flippable mattress. We noticed that it had great motion isolation and edge support, and the foam density also suggested good durability. Someone even mentioned that it looked like a "luxury" option. But at the end of the day, too many of our testers thought it was "too soft." To me, it was a confusing sensation: The surface felt tight like a drum, and the softness came from beneath it. But now that the mattress is flippable—medium on one side and firm on the other—the Alexander may have wider appeal. You can decide for yourself in one of Nest's showrooms. If you find both sides equally appealing, you may want to flip the mattress on a regular basis to double its longevity.
The Purple Mattress features a foam called a "buckling column gel" foam, which is what Purple's founders first used to create cushioned medical products. The company says its mattress is especially good at pressure relief, but our testers in 2018 couldn't get past the "weird," jiggly, crackly feeling they got when they lay down on it. This was one of the most disliked mattresses in the room on group-testing day, but it may be that the Purple's unusual texture merely takes some getting used to. If you're open to new textures and have back or joint issues, the Purple may be worth trying; it's available at Mattress Firm and Macy's stores nationwide. A staffer who weighs 180 pounds owns the original Purple, and although he's "not wowed" by it, the mattress has held up for a little over three years so far. The Purple Hybrid is essentially the same as the Purple Mattress, but with the addition of springs. Read more in our review of Purple mattresses.
The Saatva Latex Hybrid may work best for back- and stomach-sleepers, or for side-sleepers who insist on a firmer durable mattress. Though its 789 8-inch pocketed coils fall short of the 1,000-plus in our hybrid picks, they are nevertheless thick (with gauges at 13¾ and 14½). Instead of polyfoam or memory foam, there's a 3-inch layer of latex, an inherently more durable type of foam, which we expect will hold up for the long haul for most sleepers, including those who weigh over 200 pounds. What's more, that latex is Talalay, as opposed to the more-common Dunlop, so the bed should feel more consistent, breathable, and plush. Still, it may not be plush enough for some. As Courtney Schley, Wirecutter's sleep team supervising editor, points out, although the Saatva Latex Hybrid felt solidly built, "it didn't exactly feel luxurious." We'll include this mattress in a future group test to gauge its appeal for a broader audience. To learn more about mattresses from Saatva, see our review of Saatva Mattresses.
$2,000 and over
If you like the pressure relief of foam along with the pronounced bounciness of steel coils, you might consider the BedInABox Dual Hybrid. It had few fans among staffers in our tests, but those who preferred lots of springiness in a mattress really liked this one: Three out of the five who chose it as their favorite in the hybrid category also liked it best overall. "It has good support but isn't straight as a board," said one fan. We decided to name this mattress as a notable contender because it offers a foamy-springy sensation that's very different from the feel of any of our picks; we also like that BedInABox makes its own foam, which translates to a more-consistent feel. However, we don't like that the price jump from the full to the queen is so unusually high; the full size strikes us as a better value. BedInABox offers a 20-year warranty and a 180-day free trial, but you have to try the mattress for 60 days before you can return it for a refund.
The PranaSleep Lotus Asana 6 in Plush is a latex-foam hybrid that feels very cushy, yet it offers terrific support (including edge support). "This mattress feels luxe," said one of our 2020 testers, who preferred it over our latex pick, the Zenhaven. The PranaSleep is built with polyfoam as the bottom layer, Talalay latex in the middle, and a quilted foam-and-fiber padding on top. The PranaSleep received the second most votes for our testers' favorite overall mattress, and fans (including me) thought the surface felt buoyant. But it usually costs a lot more than the Zenhaven, which, while not cushy, should work well for most people who are interested in a comfortable latex mattress. PranaSleep mattresses are available to try in select stores and are subject to the retailer's trial policy. The Asana 6 has a 20-year warranty.
The Purple Hybrid Premier is an upgrade of the basic Purple Mattress, and it has springs and gel foam and comes in two thickness options. A 210-pound staffer with back pain and his 110-pound wife have been sleeping on the 4-inch Purple Grid version of the Purple Hybrid Premier for the past couple of months and have found it "gentler" on the joints than the typical mattress. It's great for side-sleeping, he says, but for him it's perhaps too soft for stomach-sleeping. Read more in our review of Purple mattresses.
The Tempur-Cloud is Tempur-Pedic's new bed-in-a-box option. It feels more substantial than most popular bed-in-a-box mattresses, such as those from Casper and Leesa. And in fact, it consists of denser foams than its competitors: 4.5 pounds per cubic foot of memory-foam-type foam (instead of the typical 3) and 2.5 pounds per cubic foot of base foam (instead of the typical 1.8). But, of course, it's also more than twice the price of other mattresses. Notably, the Tempur-Cloud has very little, if any, chemical smell when it's first unrolled. Because it's made with a "re-engineered," boxable version of the original Tempur memory foam, the mattress has the company's signature slow sink, but it feels shallower than our pick, the Tempur Adapt, and not at all huggy. We wouldn't recommend this bed unless you like firm mattresses. Plus, for about $200 extra, we think you'll get more pressure relief from the Tempur-Adapt Medium Hybrid. You can also find similar-quality foam for a few hundred dollars less with our all-foam pick, the Loom & Leaf; it is delivered conventionally in a truck, instead of in a box, and comes in "Relaxed Firm" and "Firm" variations.
The rest of the competition
Under $500
The 12-inch Zinus Green Tea Memory Foam was our former budget pick. It had a squishy, cushy foam that felt sturdy for its price. However, its most recent iteration was very firm and turned off staffers who intended to buy it for their homes.
The Allswell, that brand's entry-level offering, is one of the cheapest hybrid options around, but we concluded that it's worthwhile to upgrade to the Allswell Luxe Hybrid for an extra $300 or so. The Allswell's specs are well below what we found in our picks. "Felt cheap" was a recurring comment among our testers during our 2019 brand-concealed test. In my home test, I felt myself sloping toward my husband because of our weight difference. But when I moved away from him, I started feeling as if I were rolling off the edge, despite the springs. Perhaps if we had a king-size mattress it wouldn't have made such a big difference, but I personally couldn't wait to get it out of my house.
Although the IKEA Matrand is a wallet-friendly memory-foam mattress, at 7⅛ inches, it's thinner than the others we tried. That's probably why testers compared the mattress to "sleeping on the floor," even though its foam densities were similar to those of our picks.
Under $1,000
The BedInABox Original comes from a company that has been in the online mattress biz since 2004, which is a pretty long time compared with most of the others. The memory-foam layer was about as dense as that of the Novaform ComfortGrande and similarly priced notable contenders. A staffer who slept in it said it felt too "huggy" and "muddy."
The Brooklyn Bedding Signature mattress is a nicely priced hybrid (spring and coils) that checks a lot of boxes, since it isolated motion well and felt supportive without being too firm. At 11 inches thick, it looked substantial to us, and the specs are serviceable. But like the Nest, this mattress didn't make the initial cut with our testers because the overall feel was off-putting—perhaps owing to its TitanFlex layer, which is designed to have traits of both latex and foam but produced a "bouncy yet sinky" sensation very few of our testers liked. If that sounds good to you, though, you might give this model a try; the company has multiple showrooms in Arizona as well as in select cities nationwide. We tried the Medium model, but it also comes in Soft and Firm versions.
The all-foam Casper Element, introduced in 2020, is the updated version of the Casper Essential. Although the earlier version won wide appeal in our group test, the newer version is considerably firmer and may work best only for back- and stomach-sleepers. With a coarser cover and less-nuanced cushioning than the brand's other offerings, the Element is nevertheless built with decently durable materials for the price (especially compared with Leesa's slightly more expensive Studio). The Element's top-polyfoam layer has a density of 2½ pounds per cubic foot, which suggests staying power for sleepers of all weights. It is no longer made with memory foam, so there's no sink, just a light utilitarian cushioning. We think you'd feel more pampered in our Novaform ComfortGrande pick, which is around the same price and sometimes less. Fortunately, you can try the Element in a Casper sleep store. To read more about its foams and other mattress offerings, see our full review of Casper mattresses.
The all-foam Cocoon by Sealy did well among our 2018 testers who liked softer mattresses. The soft version we tried was pleasingly plush, in my opinion, and its memory-foam density and edge support were similar to those of the Leesa Original. As with the Leesa Original, we didn't make the Cocoon a pick because we found that you could experience a similar sensation with the Tulo (which can be on sale for as little as $450 to $500). But if you like a softer memory-foam feel, this mattress may be a better pick for you. Although you can't try it in a store, it has a 100-night trial period.
The GhostBed, built with cooling in mind, is topped with a layer of latex (which is typically more breathable than memory foam), followed by a gel-infused memory foam. According to a Wirecutter staffer who slept on it, the combination worked, but he found the mattress extraordinarily firm, perhaps too much so for most people. However, given that latex tends to last longer, that the memory foam is a denser-than-usual 4 pounds, and that the mattress is exceptionally firm, the GhostBed may be worth a try for people who weigh more than 200 pounds. (The site recommends the Luxe version for those who weigh over 300 pounds.)
Our testers didn't like the Helix Midnight. One person who cast a vote for it as runner-up felt a plushness that would seem "fun in a hotel though not every day." I personally liked the fluffiness-on-top feeling. But ultimately, given that the foam density is slightly less than the typically serviceable 3 pounds per cubic foot (in this case it's 2½), I'm not sure how well the Midnight would last for people weighing closer to 200 pounds. We suggest opting for the Helix Plus regardless of your weight and size.
The IKEA Mausund did not appeal to the vast majority of our testers in 2019; they found it excessively firm and rubbery. If you're interested in a latex mattress, the similarly priced (but still quite firm) Sleep on Latex and the more expensive but much more comfortable Zenhaven are better options.
At first glance, the Studio by Leesa—the brand's new entry-level mattress—looks and feels like the Leesa Original, complete with quilted cover (though not as soft or thick) and a subtle melt-into-the-mattress memory-foam feel. Compared with the slightly less-expensive Casper Element, this model feels more luxurious and offers more pressure-point relief, despite being quite firm overall. A caveat: The density of the upper foam layers is only 2½ pounds per cubic foot (which is below the 3-pounds-per-cubic-foot minimum experts say is needed to keep its shape over time for most people weighing under 200 pounds). That said, this model may be a good choice if you're looking for an infrequently used guest-room bed or if you're not planning to use it for the 10 years that the warranty supposedly covers. Generally speaking, Leesa provides good customer service, transparency, and an elegant look. But if you don't care about those things, you can save a few hundred dollars by opting for a mattress in our guide to the best cheap mattresses.
The all-foam Serta iComfort is the company's latest bed-in-a-box. We tried the basic model, which is 10 inches thick but looks more substantial than most bed-in-a-boxes—akin to something you'd get from a mattress store. This mattress has a distinct, contouring memory-foam hug, like a toned-down version of the Tempur-Adapt. The majority of our 2020 testers preferred the Loom & Leaf, our current above-$1,000 all-foam pick, over the Serta iComfort. But those who did like the Serta said they preferred it for its firmness and support. "It didn't feel as marshmallow-y," explained a staffer. The iComfort may be a good choice if you want a deep memory-foam feel but don't want to spend the money for the Tempur-Adapt.
Under $2,000
The Tuft & Needle Hybrid feels like a definite upgrade to our pick, the Tuft & Needle Original Mattress. A pillow-top, memory-foam layer (absent from other Tuft & Needle mattresses) and springs create a sensation that's both pillowy and resilient. However, the cover was less soft and more saggy compared with those of similarly priced mattresses on our picks list, and the transition from pillow top to support foam and springs didn't feel smooth. For a bed that costs more than twice as much as the Tuft & Needle Original, we expected something more graceful. Nevertheless, I slept comfortably on my back and stomach; my shoulder felt pressured when I lay on my side. We'll try this mattress in a future group test to gauge its appeal with a broader audience. Read more in our review of Tuft & Needle's mattresses.
The Nectar Premier feels similar to the Nectar Original, but it costs $500 more (for a queen). It's an inch thicker and slightly firmer than the Original—more of a true medium than a medium-soft—and it feels more like an all-position mattress. Its top memory-foam layer has a density of 3 pounds per cubic foot, so it should be durable for people under 200 pounds. But we think you can get a much better mattress for the same price or less, such as the Loom & Leaf (Relaxed Firm) or the Casper Original. Nectar also offers the Nectar Premier Copper, and though we haven't tested it, it's $400 more (in queen) than the Premier, without offering any notable upgrades to the components. Both come with a year-long trial period and lifetime warranty. Read more in our full review of Nectar's mattresses.
Over $2,000
The 13-inch all-foam Casper Wave Hybrid is a nice medium-firm mattress. It is resilient yet subtly cradling, and it even has a layer of Sonocore latex, which offers a touch of added springiness and durability (latex is stronger than foam). But this model is expensive for what it is. For several hundred dollars less, our queen-size foam hybrid picks—the bouncier Leesa Hybrid and the sinkier Tempur-Adapt (Medium Hybrid)—contain at least 1,000 pocketed coils (as opposed to "at least 600" in the Casper mattresses) and more-durable memory foam (at least 4 pounds per cubic foot, as opposed to 3½). If you don't care for memory foam, our innerspring pick, the flippable Charles P. Rogers Estate SE (made with the softer Talalay latex, and more of it, along with 1,221 thicker, house-made pocketed coils) is periodically on sale for roughly the same price. The Wave also comes in an all-foam version, sold only by partner retailers, but we haven't tried the 2020 version yet; we think our high-end all-foam pick, the Loom & Leaf, costing several hundred dollars less, may offer more value. Read more in our full review of Casper's mattresses
Frequently asked questions
What's most important to consider when buying a memory-foam mattress?
There are, in fact, two things to consider when buying a memory-foam mattress. First and foremost is comfort—which typically depends on how well a mattress keeps your spine aligned while still offering good pressure relief. Second, it's important to consider the density of the foam, which is a good indicator of a mattress's quality and longevity. Generally speaking, the denser the foams that make up the bed, the more durable and supportive that bed will be. If you weigh less than 200 pounds, look for a memory-foam density of at least 3 pounds per cubic feet; if you weigh more than 200 pounds, aim for at least 4 pounds per cubic feet.
What is the best type of memory-foam mattress for side-, back-, and stomach-sleepers?
In general, a mattress's firmness level (and how you perceive it) will determine how comfortable you feel sleeping in a particular position. The idea is to keep your spine aligned (your back should never feel over-arched), and your pressure points cushioned.
Most side-sleepers should do well with a mattress that's medium-soft to medium-firm. You should be able to draw a straight line connecting the midpoints of your ears, shoulders, and hips. Your shoulders and hips should feel some give, as opposed to feeling pressed by the bed.
Back-sleepers tend to gravitate toward medium-firm mattresses. Lie on your back and try to slide your hand under your lower back. If you can just fit your hand through, the mattress is probably a good fit. If it's too snug, the bed is probably too soft. If there's too much space, the mattress may be too firm.
Stomach-sleepers may prefer a mattress that's on the firmer side of medium-firm. If you feel an exaggerated pull, causing your back to over-arch, then the mattress may be too soft. If you feel the mattress pressing against your ribs, it's probably too firm.
Is it worth buying a cheap memory-foam mattress?
Very low prices generally come with a few trade-offs, including less transparency about materials, fewer layers, a cheaper cover, and not-so-great customer service. The biggest difference, however, is longevity. Cheaper mattresses are typically made with less-durable foams, which means they aren't likely to last as long.
That said, a cheap mattress is worth considering if you don't expect to keep the same mattress for the next 10 years. A cheap mattress also makes sense if you're shopping for a bed for a seldom-used guest room, or if you simply don't want to spend a lot of money at a particular moment in time and don't mind the trade-offs.
You'll find several good options in our guide to cheap mattresses—our favorite of which is the budget pick in this guide.
How thick of a memory-foam mattress should I buy?
During our past tests, people tended to like mattresses in the 10- to 14-inch thickness range. Mattresses that are thinner than the standard 10 inches are likely to feel flimsy—especially if the materials are cheap, which can make you feel like you're dropping into the bed's bottom layer right away. Beyond that, however, thicker isn't necessarily better. (A 14.5-inch mattress we tried felt a bit "princess and the pea" to some people.) Picking the best mattress is really about the quality of the materials and how it feels to you personally.
What memory-foam mattress is best for back pain?
The rule of thumb for finding the best memory-foam mattress for back pain is similar to the rules for finding any mattress, according to science: Look for a bed that feels medium-firm to you. Researchers believe that this firmness level is most likely to support your spine's natural curve, regardless of your preferred sleep position, so your back stays aligned and not over-stretched. In this guide, you'll find several medium-firm memory-foam options, including the Leesa Hybrid, the Tempur-Adapt Medium Hybrid, and the Zenhaven.
How long do memory-foam mattresses last?
Most mattresses, except for those that cost under $400, carry warranties of about 10 years. Still, depending on your size and shape and the density of the foam near the surface, body impressions can develop over time. To prevent them, rotate your mattress at least every six months, and vary where you sleep on the bed. Also take note of how deep a body impression must be to qualify for warranty coverage; the rules often vary from 1 inch to 1½ inches.
Sources
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Stephen H. Carr, PhD, professor of materials science and engineering, Northwestern University, phone interview , January 15, 2018
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Matthew Connolly, president of Eclipse International and executive vice president of Bedding Industries of America, North Brunswick, New Jersey, in-person interview , October 25, 2018
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Buddy Delaney, co-owner, Best Mattress, Columbia, South Carolina, phone interview , November 21, 2018
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Roger E. Magowitz, executive vice president of Customatic Technologies, phone interview , October 17, 2018
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Laura Moyer, PhD, manager of metallography, light optical microscopy, and X-ray diffraction, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, phone interview , November 1, 2018
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Mark Owen, executive vice president of sales and business development at Classic Brands, email interview , October 16, 2018
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Vincent Verhaert, PhD, founder of Equilli, phone interview , October 16, 2018
About your guide
Joanne Chen is Wirecutter's senior staff writer reporting on sleep and, on occasion, other lifestyle topics. Previously, she covered health and wellness as a magazine editor. After an assignment forced her to sleep eight hours a day for a month, she realized that she is, in fact, a smarter, nicer person when she isn't sleep-deprived.
Better Homes & Gardens 12-inch Gel Memory Foam Mattress Review
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-foam-mattresses-you-can-buy-online/
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