You’ve seen the ads for all of those boxed mattress (AKA bed in a box) brands, and they seem so convenient: Pick out your size and firmness, have it delivered to your door, let it unfurl and air out for a day or two, and boom! New bed. But how do you shop for a comfortable mattress online—and actually commit to shelling out hundreds of dollars—when you haven’t laid down on it first? And what are you actually getting when you order one? I’ve got you covered. As PureWow’s home and décor expert, I know how important one’s sleep set-up can be, and a great mattress makes all the difference. Below, find everything you need to know—from the best hybrid mattress to the best for back pain. Along with our top picks from online mattress brands Saatva, Avocado, Cocoon by Sealy and more. Here, the 15 best online mattresses to shop online now.
The 15 Best Mattresses to Buy Online (Without Buyer’s Remorse One Year Later)
Vetted by our editors
PureWow editors select every item that appears on this page, and the company may earn compensation through affiliate links within the story. All prices are accurate upon date of publish. You can learn more about the affiliate process here.
The Best Mattresses to Buy Online at a Glance
Best Mattress Overall
Saatva Classic Mattress
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Best Medium-Firm Mattress
TEMPUR-PEDIC TEMPUR-Breeze LuxeBreeze
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Most Splurge-Worthy Mattress
Purple Rejuvenate Premier Mattress
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Best Memory Foam Mattress
Nectar Memory Foam Mattress
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Best Latex Mattress
Avocado Green Mattress
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How I Chose the Best Mattresses to Buy Online
First, I had PureWow editors, staffers and friends put some of the buzziest mattress brands to the test. Then, I scoured thousands of reviews online and ultimately narrowed down my selections to make sure each mattress met the following criteria:
- Sleep improvement: Whether there was a noticeable difference in sleep quality (aka less tossing and turning)
- Materials: It includes memory foam, gel and/or innerspring coil technology (or a combination of both for hybrid mattresses)
- Firmness: Firmness falls between 6 and 9 on the firmness scale (level 1 being the softest, and 10 being hard as a rock)
- Thickness: It’s a minimum of 7 inches thick to offer enough loft for a comfortable night’s rest (excluding crib mattresses, which typically range from 4 to 6 inches thick)
- Trial Period and Returns: It has a minimum 30-day return policy that offers enough time to break it in.
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First up on our list is a new take on the traditional innerspring, which is beloved by our editors for its combo platter of body-supporting elements. The Saatva Classic comes fit with three firmness levels to choose from and a five-layer construction, including an extra-quilted top for the lumbar region and 1,300 pocketed coils with chiropractor-approved memory foam. To that end, it’s designed to be hip- and spine-supportive at the base with high-density foam rails that prevent you from feeling slurped down into it. The best part? The dual-coil design allows for more airflow, so it’s just as cooling as it is comfortable: “Previously, I’ve enjoyed the feel of memory foam mattresses but found them hot. The Saatva Classic has a top layer made of breathable organic cotton and three-inch pillow-top cushiness, so I’ve never overheated,” writes PureWow Senior Editor Dana Dickey in a PureWow100 review. “I also appreciate that it is crafted with a nice firm bumper of high-density rails around the bed so that they don’t droop, as is the case with too many memory foam mattresses…I wake up feeling more refreshed, and frankly, I drift off to sleep faster, since I’m not tossing and turning to feel comfortable.”
Fast Facts
- Materials: pocketed innerspring coils, high-density memory foam, euro pillowtop
- Thickness: 11.5 or 14.5 inches
- Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Split King, California King
- Return Policy: Saatva offers a 365-night trial, and for the first 2 years, the retailer will replace your mattress with a new one at no extra charge. Otherwise, if you're not completely happy with your purchase, the company charges a $99 processing fee for return pickups.
Good for couples? Check. Medium support for every kind of sleep style? Check. Ultra-cool for hot sleepers? Check, check, check. Not only does the LuxeBreeze model combine innovative coil technology with the brand’s signature memory foam (developed by NASA, no less) but it also uses Pure Cool® Plus—a material that was specially engineered to minimize hot flashes and keep night sweats at bay. “The LuxeBreeze is marketed as feeling 10 degrees cooler—and by George, does she live up to that promise. The mattress is not only miraculously cold to the touch, but it actually stays cool for as long as you’re in it,” Executive Editor Dara Katz raves in a PureWow100 review. “A night on this mattress is like the absence of a mattress. I’m not thinking about what’s underneath because I feel simultaneously weightless and supported, likely thanks to the ‘happy medium’ feel of the medium-hybrid option (also available in ‘soft’ and ‘firm’ feels). The brand says it offers unmatched pressure relief and motion cancellation, which is another big promise, but it delivers on it.” She also adds: “It’s motion canceling—as in, your sleep partner isn’t awoken by your tossing and turning—and I have no complaints about my husband’s sleep patterns interrupting my sleep patterns, or vice versa.” Naturally, Katz’s only drawback was the price (see: number 10 on this list if you’re looking for a more affordable cooling mattress).
Fast Facts
- Materials: TEMPUR-Material™, Pure Cool® Plus material, 1,300 innerspring coils, SmartClimate® cover
- Thickness: 13 inches
- Sizes: Twin Long, Queen, King, Split King, California King, Split California King
- Return Policy: TEMPUR-PEDIC offers a 90-night trial with 10-year warranty. Refunds, exchanges and returns are addressed by the brand when concerns are brought to them.
If there’s one mattress that lives up to its $6,000+ price tag, it’s this one from Purple. I tested it during a stay at Topping Rose House in Bridgehampton, and all I can say is—it’s the most comfortable thing this tuchus has ever touched. The construction, which lives up to five-star hotel accommodations, features a whopping 18.5 inches of moldable latex, supportive foam and edge-to-edge coils. But what makes it unlike anything else on the market is the Purple GelFlex Grid. It not only adapts as you move, so it’s supportive in every position, but the grid also holds 30 patents for its cushioning technology. What I loved most about the feel was how it’s bouncy like an innerspring yet adaptive like a memory foam. The hyper-elastic gel instantly flexed to support all of my sleep positions—I’m a side- and stomach-sleeper—and the pillowy Euro-top is the personification of plush. It genuinely feels like you’re lying on a cloud. Add to that the fact that it stays nice and cool, thanks to a proprietary temperature-neutral material that naturally draws heat away from the body. Even my mom, who has severe night sweats, stayed cool and dry the entire trip. That coupled with the comfort is worth every penny if you’re serious about getting a good night’s rest.
Fast Facts
- Materials: Euro pillow topper, taylay latex, GelFlex® Grid, comfort foam, responsive coils
- Thickness: 18.5"
- Sizes: Twin XL, Queen, King, California King, Split King
- Return Policy: Purple offers a 100-night trial. They’ll issue a full refund—and have it picked up—if you don’t love it. The mattress also comes with a 10-year warranty, and they’ll replace it if anything goes wrong within the active coverage period.
Looking for a mattress that’ll feel on par with staying at a luxe, five-star hotel? Nectar’s memory foam model scored a 93 out of 100 in a PureWow100 review for its multi-layered memory foam, which can help melt away back pain and keep side sleepers comfortable. “First of all, the mattress’ five layers are designed to relieve common pressure points for a difference that I can actually feel when I lay down after a long day. Plus, its gel memory foam ensures that body heat gets distributed evenly throughout which is a total game-changer for hot sleepers like me. Those factors, combined with its medium firmness ensure that I sleep straight through the night and wake up feeling like I just got 10 plus hours of sleep,” writes former PureWow editor Kara Cuzzone. Pricing ranges from $599 for a twin to $1,049 for a queen to $1,349 for a king.
Fast Facts
- Materials: gel memory foam, polyfoam and polyethylene
- Thickness: 12 inches
- Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King, Split King
- Return Policy: All of Nectar's mattresses come with a 365-day trial period, and offer free in-home returns that are processed within 24 hours. This mattress is also sold and fulfilled by Amazon with free returns within the first 100 days.
ICYMI, latex is a naturally breathable material that provides excellent airflow—and it has inherent resilience, which prevents it from trapping heat like generic memory foams. That’s why we love this hybrid mattress, which features Dunlop latex, GOTS-certified organic wool and cotton, plus up to 1,459 individually wrapped support coils arranged in seven ergonomic zones. Not only that but it also comes in firm, medium and plush feels and the latter includes an ultra-plush box-top construction that’s ideal for side sleepers and pressure relief. Take it from former PureWow editor Nicole Briese’s PureWow100 review: “From the very first night I slept on this mattress, I knew my days of hip agony were over. I put my full weight on my side and waited for the familiar stabbing to come—but none did. The medium-firm cush of the Avocado Green with a pillow top offered a just-right level of support for my aching sides.”
Fast Facts
- Materials: Dunlop latex, wool, organic cotton, coil system
- Thickness: 11, 13 or 15.5 inches
- Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King
- Return Policy: Avocado offers a 1-year trial where you can return the mattress after a minimum of 30 days. However, it’s worth mentioning that it must be in its original, unaltered state and suitable for donation (i.e., with tags and without stains, tears, excessive odors or soiling).
Another mattress I just can’t get enough of? This dreamy pillowtop hybrid from Nolah. It features nine impressive layers of comfort, and if you’re someone who prefers a marshmallowy feel, you’ll appreciate its ‘plush’ feel, which ranks as a 4.5 on the firmness scale (also available in ‘luxury firm’ and ‘firm’ feems). And as if the two-inch pillowtop’s curve-hugging design wasn’t enough, it also has eight inches of pocketed coils for responsive pressure relief and targeted support: It’s great for side-sleepers like me; the layer of graphite-infused foam offers a sturdy foundation that keeps my hips aligned. I also appreciate how this hybrid has a bouncier, more innerspring-like feel, since I often find memory foam to be too dense. Not only does it genuinely live up to its cloud-like promise, but it also feels breathable and temperature-regulating (thanks to the graphite).
Fast Facts
- Materials: Tri-Zone™ coils, graphite-infused foam, cooling quilted Euro topper
- Thickness: 15 inches
- Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King, Split King
- Return Policy: You can try the Nolah Evolution for 120 nights, and if you want to exchange it or send it back outright, you can do so after the first 30 days. You'll receive a refund, minus a $99 gas and labor fee. The mattress is also sold and fulfilled by Wayfair where you can try the mattress for up to 100 nights and call the Wayfair mattress experts to return or exchange it for a full refund.
Made with a combination of Tuft & Needle's signature foam and high-quality pocketed springs, this mattress basically evaporates motion from your partner. Not only that but it also features a medium-firm feel that’s great for couples who need something that’s plush yet firm. “I move around A LOT in my sleep. Like...a LOT. And my husband said he doesn't feel me moving around at night anymore, and I definitely don't feel him,” one Chicago-area couple in their 30s explained in a PureWow100 review. “This is a HUGE perk, and while I miss rolling into my husband all night long, it's nice to be on opposite sides of the bed not even knowing the other person is there.” The mattress also features a 2-inch layer of Micro Diamond Memory Foam, which draws heat away from the body, and it’s all wrapped up with a removable, machine-washable cover.
Fast Facts
- Materials: T&N Adaptive® foam, cooling gel and graphite, machine-washable knit cover
- Thickness: 6.5
- Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King
- Return Policy: Tuft & Needle ships the mattress free to your doorstep in 2 to 5 business days and it includes a 10-year limited warranty with a 100-night sleep trial. The mattress is also sold and fulfilled by Amazon where it can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 100 days of receipt.
Here, an ultra-soft option that’ll give you a cloud-like, sink-into-it feel (as opposed to more supportive and medium-firm options on this list). Casper’s Nova mattress scored 89 points out of 100 in a PureWow100 review for its pocketed micro coils—combined with layers of foam and gel-filled pods—which were designed for side sleepers like former PureWow editor Dena Silver. “Those of us who prefer to sleep on our left or right sides need a little more cushioning to avoid waking up with all those aches and pains—but that doesn’t mean we want to give up the support that a firmer model might offer. Casper was able to figure out a happy medium between the two, resulting in this new hybrid design that features two layers of breathable foam and one layer of springs. There are also seven zones of targeted support for a happy back, including a pressure-relieving zone under the shoulders and a touch more support in the areas where your waist, lower back and hips usually fall,” writes Silver. However, she also writes: “That said, if you don’t necessarily enjoy a super soft, almost sink-into-it feel, this bed isn’t for you…[I felt like] I’d replaced my original mattress with an actual marshmallow. My new Casper mattress was so soft, that I had to exert a ton of effort to readjust or flip over since it felt like I was sinking so deep into the cushy foam.”
Fast Facts
- Materials: polyurethane foam with encased springs
- Thickness: 12-inches
- Sizes: Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King
- Return Policy: Shipping and returns are free. Plus you get a 100-night trial, and if you opt to send it back, many returned mattresses are donated to charity.
Yet another PureWow100-vetted mattress we love? This pressure-relieving number from Allswell. “The Brick isn’t rock solid; customers rated it a 5.5 to 7.5 on its 10-point firmness scale, putting it about a point higher than its other models,” writes VP of Editorial Candace Davison. “While doctors used to recommend very firm mattresses in the past, a 268-person survey found that people with lower back pain had the poorest sleep on very hard beds, according to Harvard Health Publishing…[The brick’s] medium-firm to firm level can be just right for providing support without being stiff,” Davison explains. “Under its firm top layer, there’s one inch of copper gel-infused memory foam, designed to transfer heat, so you don’t wake up sweaty. Under that is two inches of high-density foam for support, and just under that is a set of individually wrapped coils, giving the mattress its springiness. But the coils’ best feature, hands down, is that they minimize motion transfer, so if your partner gets up in the middle of the night, there isn’t a ripple that jolts you awake.” She also adds: “One month [after sleeping on The Brick], I wake up each morning ache-free, ready to roll out of bed.”
Fast Facts
- Materials: copper gel-infused memory foam, high-density foam and individually wrapped coils
- Thickness: 12 inches
- Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King
- Return Policy: Allswell offers a 100-night trial (limited one per household per year) in case The Brick is too firm.
Coming in at $240 for a queen, it doesn’t get more wallet-friendly than Linenspa’s hybrid model, an Amazon best-seller with more than 99,300 five-star reviews. Basically, what makes it rave-worthy is the innerspring-memory foam construction, which makes it springy without feeling stiff or squishy—and it’s only 8 inches thick, so you can easily add a topper without fighting to put on a fitted sheet (though it’s also available in 10- and 12-inch options). The real draw, however, is that it’s soft enough to accommodate side-sleepers without sacrificing support in the hips, shoulders and spine. Take it from one Amazon reviewer who says it helped with her husband’s aches and pains: “He has a very bad shoulder that is quite painful—often the pain gets so bad at night that he wakes up from it. The memory foam cradles his bad shoulder relieving pressure points on the shoulder and he doesn’t toss and turn nearly [as much as he was before]. Also having Scoliosis, his back pain can often prevent him from falling asleep or staying asleep…With this mattress, it wasn’t an issue! He notably does not feel the springs and the mattress is definitely medium-firm. He’s also a rather heavy person at 320 pounds and is very happy with the [edge support] it offers.”
Fast Facts
- Materials: polyurethane foam and innerspring memory foam
- Thickness: 8, 10 or 12 inches
- Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Short Queen, Queen, King, California King
- Return Policy: This mattress is sold and fulfilled by Amazon and Wayfair with free returns at both sites. It’s also covered by Linenspa’s 10-year warranty where you can e-mail “warranty@Linenspa.com” to submit a warranty claim.
What first drew me to this hybrid is the fact that it’s endorsed by the American Chiropractic Association, so it's guaranteed to hold up to the highest standards of spinal and back support. It has eight layers of premium memory foam with a base of contouring coils that adapt to your posture—all of which is enhanced by the brand’s Plush Dual Cloud Foam to relieve pressure while responding to changes in position throughout the night. It also gets cooling points for a specialized top layer that’s infused with gel to disperse heat away from the body, and the quilted cover is engineered with a cool-to-the-touch feel. “The comfort level is unmatched, providing just the right amount of support while cradling every curve of my body… the most impressive aspect of this mattress is its ability to alleviate back pain. As someone who has struggled with back pain for years, I can attest to the transformative power of this mattress. The combination of superior support and pressure relief has significantly reduced my discomfort,” one Puffy reviewer raves. The cherry on top? It comes with two Puffy pillows, which also have people obsessing.
Fast Facts
- Materials: foam-encased pocketed coils, gel memory foam, quilted foam, climate fiber, cooling cover
- Thickness: 5.5 inches
- Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal King, Split King
- Return Policy: Puffy offers a 101-night sleep trial, and you can return the mattress after testing (for at least two weeks). It also comes with a lifetime warranty on all mattresses, and the brand will repair defects or replace the mattress with a comparable model.
With unprecedented levels of pressure-relieving foam and bouncy coils, it makes sense why this hybrid has PureWow Editor-in-Chief Jillian Quint raving. On the one hand, it has individually encased support coils and a sturdy foam base to provide that solid-and-firm feel hard-mattress-devotees are looking for. On the other hand, however, it features extra-soft top layers of CertiPUR-US foam for pressure relief that can conform to your body. “It has a super plush topper that makes the fairly springy mattress below extra cushy, for back, stomach and side-sleepers alike,” Quint explains. “The best thing is probably how little motion transfer other sleepers experience in the bed. I'm a noted tosser-and-turner, and my husband noticed absolutely no movement, even with me right beside him in bed. Highly recommended for couples with different bedtimes and sleep needs...you really don't annoy each other."
Fast Facts
- Materials: gel memory foam, individually encased coils and cashmere
- Thickness: 12 to 13 inches
- Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King
- Return Policy: DreamCloud offers a generous 365-night trial period and your purchase is eligible for a free return within 365 days of purchase. Plus, returned mattresses are donated and repurposed through local organizations within your community. The mattress is also sold and fulfilled by Amazon where it can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 100 days of receipt.
Naturally, Sealy is a tried-and-true brand that’s known for its unprecedented support, softness and durability. But we have to say; its new hybrid mattress is by far our favorite. The Cocoon by Sealy Chill Hybrid is just as cooling as it is comfortable, thanks to the premium stretch-knit cover which is infused with phase-change material that helps regulate your temperature as you fall asleep. Under the cooling cover, however, there are also three other layers of memory foam, coiling and support, making for a Goldilocks feel that’s firm yet adaptable. One Sealy reviewer writes: “The [mattress] actually keeps a cooler temperature and reduces sweating during sleep. It also helps my back de-stress and fall into sleep immediately when laying down. I never want to get out of it in the morning!”
Fast Facts
- Materials: cooling memory foam with coil technology
- Thickness: 12 inches
- Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King, Split California King
- Return Policy: Sealy offers a 100-night trial, and if you’re not happy, they’ll refund your money, pick it up for free, and donate the mattress to a local charity—no questions asked. Plus, it comes with a 10-year warranty.
This pillow-top option (i.e., there’s an extra layer of padding sewn on top) is Helix’s best-seller for a reason: It features all the hybrid qualities side sleepers love (pressure-relieving memory foam, body-cradling wrapped coils and increased airflow), but the top and middle layers are developed to provide support and spine alignment, even in the fetal position. One reviewer raves on Helix.com: “You get good resistance and support, without just falling into it and contorting. I have not woken up with back pain since the day we got it, and this was consistently a problem for me on the old, spring-only mattress.”
Fast Facts
- Materials: memory foam, polyfoam and individually wrapped coils
- Thickness: 13.5 inches
- Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King
- Return Policy: Helix offers a 100-night trial period; if, after the first 30 days you are unhappy with your mattress, you can return it for a full refund (as long as it's still within the 100-day period). In other words, between days 31-100. It also comes with a 15-year limited warranty (which covers all manufacturing defects).
If you’re looking for something that’s eco-friendly alternative, but with serious bounce, a latex mattress is the way to go. This number by Birch is handmade to order for an entirely organic sleep experience, which offers layers of GOTS-certified cotton, birch wool, Talalay latex and steel innerspring coils. “Not too hard-not too soft, [this mattress] is just the right amount of support. No more pain upon waking, and since it’s organic, there were no worries about ‘off gassing’ (which was one of the biggest selling features for me). I am super sensitive to smells, and there was absolutely NO odor from the mattress,” writes one reviewer on the Birch website.
Fast Facts
- Materials: organic cotton, birch wool, Talalay latex and steel innerspring coils
- Thickness: 11 inches
- Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King,
- Return Policy: Birch offers a 100-night trial period; if after the first 30 days you are unhappy with your mattress, you can return it for a full refund (as long as it's still within the 100-day period, so basically, days 31 through 100). It also comes with a 25-year limited warranty.
How to Shop for a Mattress Online
Most online mattress brands are sold directly to consumers, which cuts out the middleman and allows you to shop for high-quality materials without as high of a price tag, since there isn’t a separate store tacking on a profit. “A bed in a box is condensed and rolled into the convenient packaging of a box that can be delivered straight to your door,” explains Ariel Kaye, founder and CEO of bedding company Parachute. “‘Bed in a box’ used to mean that a mattress was exclusively made of foam, but now, there are several options available, from innerspring to latex to hybrid.” If you know how firm you’d like your mattress, it’s easier to determine which material is best for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best materials for a mattress?
Memory foam: Memory foam allows your body to sink into the mattress, which creates a cradled feeling, and can be great for back and neck support, according to Kaye. One con, however, is that these mattresses tend to retain heat, so they’re not the best option for a warm sleeper. Additionally, you have to really like that cradled feeling, as opposed to a mattress that bounces back when you lie on it. One more note for the environmentally conscious: Memory foam is often treated with flame retardants and doesn't decompose.
Innerspring mattresses: These mattresses are more like a traditional mattress, as the springs react to your movements. They often feel firmer than foam, and the interconnected coils are extra-durable and reduce the ripple effect that occurs when you move from one side of the bed to the other.
Latex mattress: This type of mattress is both responsive and has pressure-relieving capabilities (so you sink into it, but it bounces right back when you shift position or get up). They are also hypoallergenic and typically combine latex with either springs or reflex foam to ensure the surface is super durable and supportive.
Hybrid mattress: A hybrid mattress combines a little bit of everything—typically coils and other soft materials like foam, wool or cotton. Sleepers can experience both the pressure relief of the foam layers and the sturdy feel of a classic spring mattress.
When is the best time to buy a mattress?
Naturally, you want to keep an eye on major holiday sales—from Memorial Day and Labor Day to Black Friday and Cyber Monday. But holidays aside, Scott Paladini, CEO and founder of Bear Mattress says late winter and early spring is the best time of year to invest. “By March or April, new mattress models will typically be in stores,” Paladini tells NerdWallet.com. “As new mattresses arrive, shoppers can save money by opting for an older model or a floor sample straight from the showroom floor.” To that end, it’s also worth mentioning that most companies offer pretty generous return policies so that you can try out the mattresses over several weeks (or even months) to determine whether they’re right for you.
