ComScore

The Most Comfortable Mattresses of 2024

Starting at $650

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.

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Image by Paula Boudes

If you’re reading this, it’s probably because you have one goal in mind: Finding the most comfortable, cushy online mattress money can buy. Of course, there are a few ways you can go about this. If you’re a hot sleeper, you’ll want to look for a cooling mattress (or topper) that will help keep your night sweats at bay. Otherwise, you might be in a great debate with your partner over firmness—or looking for the best couples mattress to minimize motion transfer. And of course, there are hundreds of reviews on buzzy mattress brands—think: Saatva, Avocado Green, Purple and Puffy—that make you question whether the price is worth the hype. 

So, in order to answer all of your questions in one place, we tested 15 of the most beloved mattress brands on the market. (And see the bottom of this article for an award-winning chiropractor's advice on how to choose the right one.) 

The Most Comfortable Mattresses of 2024 at a Glance

1

Best Overall

Saatva Classic Mattress

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2

Best Under $1,000

DreamCloud Hybrid Mattress

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3

Editor’s Pick

Casper Wave Hybrid Snow

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4

Best for Back Pain

Puffy Lux Mattress

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5

Best Memory Foam

TEMPUR-Pedic TEMPUR-Breeze LuxeBreeze Mattress

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How We Chose the Most Comfortable Mattresses

PureWow editors, staffers and friends put some of the buzziest mattress brands to the test. We also scoured thousands of reviews online and ultimately narrowed our selections to make sure each met the following requirements: 

  • 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 6-9 on the firmness scale (level one 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. Plus, if anything happens to the mattress 

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Best Overall

1. Saatva Classic Mattress

Saatva

  • Sleep Improvement: 19/20
  • Price: 17/20
  • Materials: 18/20
  • Firmness: 20/20
  • Shipping and Returns: /20

TOTAL: 94/100

Whether you’re getting older and noticing aches and back pains that were never there before, or you’re simply someone who’s hunched over a screen all day, this mattress has the perfect combo of body-supporting elements. It’s made from five innovative layers of comfort: the top is extra-quilted in the lumbar region, and the bottom includes responsive pocketed coils and chiropractor-approved memory foam that cradles you head to toe. Then at the base, it’s designed to be ultra-supportive with high-density foam rails and 1,300 coils that prevent you from feeling slurped down into it. It’s also hot-sleeper-approved: “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.” But her favorite part? “It didn’t come rolled up in a box. It was delivered by a *two-person* team that not only set it right atop my frame, but they also removed and discarded my old mattress free of charge.”

Fast Facts

  • Mattress Type: Hybrid
  • Materials: Euro pillowtop, CertiPUR-US certified memory foam, pocketed coils 
  • Firmness Level: 5-7
  • Thickness: 14.5 inches
  • Trial Period & Returns: 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.

Best Under $1,000

2. DreamCloud Hybrid Mattress

Dreamcloud

  • Sleep Improvement: 19/20
  • Price: 17/20
  • Materials: 18/20
  • Firmness: 17/20
  • Shipping and Returns: 20/20

TOTAL: 91/100

First thing’s first: Dreamcloud is *the* go-to mattress for couples who can’t agree on firmness (and want to minimize motion transfer). While the base is constructed with individually encased coils and a foam foundation—giving it a firm-solid feel—it’s balanced with five layers of cushy memory foam for soft, contoured body support. “It also has a super plush topper that makes the fairly springy mattress below extra cushy, for back, stomach and side-sleepers alike,” Editor-in-Chief Jillian Quint says. It’s available in three models—including the hybrid, the premier hybrid and the premier rest hybrid—so you can upgrade the hybrid with a plush pillowtop and extra layers of pressure-relieving technology. We like it as a budget option, since it clocks in at just under $700 for a queen ($835 for a king). 

“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," Quint adds.

Fast Facts

  • Mattress Type: Hybrid
  • Materials: gel memory foam, individually encased coils and cashmere
  • Firmness Level: 6.5
  • Thickness: 14 inches
  • Trial Period & Returns: 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.

Editor’s Pick

3. Casper Wave Hybrid Snow

Casper

  • Sleep Improvement: 19/20
  • Price: 17/20
  • Materials: 18/20
  • Firmness: 19/20
  • Shipping and Returns: 20/20

TOTAL: 93/100

With pocketed micro coils, layers of targeted foam and gel-filled pods, Casper’s latest Hybrid is beloved by our home editor for two reasons: a) it’s great for side- and back-sleepers and b) it uses proprietary cooling tech that makes the mattress feel six degrees cooler (per the brand). First, it pays particular focus to spinal alignment—especially for side- and back-sleepers who need support without sinking in—thanks to two base layers of gel pods and ergonomic memory foam. “What I love most about this mattress is how it has a Goldilocks feel for side-sleepers. It’s soft under your shoulders so you can sink in but it’s firmer around the hips, waist and lower back so I don’t wake up feeling achey,” PureWow Assistant Editor Sydney Meister says. 

As for hot sleepers, Casper delivers on its cooling promise: “The temperature-regulating foam has made a noticeable impact on my night sweats…I no longer look like I came from a sauna session when I wake up, and the surface is chilled to perfection when I crawl in at night,” Meister adds. This is thanks to the thin layer of cooling gel beneath the cover and a second layer of breathable foam that draws heat away from the body. 

Fast Facts

  • Mattress Type: Hybrid
  • Materials: pocketed microcoils, foam layers and gel-filled pods
  • Firmness Level: 6
  • Thickness: 13 inches
  • Trial Period & Returns: 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.

Best for Back Pain

4. Puffy Lux Mattress

Puffy

  • Sleep Improvement: 20/20
  • Price: 19/20
  • Materials: 19/20
  • Firmness: 18/20
  • Shipping and Returns: 20/20

TOTAL: 96/100

Have a bad back? This hybrid has amassed more than 12,500 enthusiastic reviews online from folks remedying that concern (and beyond). We love that it’s endorsed by the American Chiropractic Association, which means it's up to the highest standards in terms of support for your spine and back, thanks to eight layers of premium memory foam with a base of contouring coils that adapt to your posture. It comes with two Puffy pillows, which also have people obsessed. “I wanted that feeling of marshmallow love. Enveloped in something soft, extraordinary and melty. From my first night with Puffy, it was heavenly—and it completely [solved] my back pain,” one reviewer named Nina raves. It also gets cooling points for the specialized top layer—which is infused with gel to disperse heat away from the body—and the quilted cover which is engineered with a cool-to-the-touch feel.

It’s also a great motion-cancelling option for anyone who wakes up from their partner rolling over. Online reviewer Shalee reports, “I can finally sleep without sinking and rolling into my spouse who is 100 pounds heavier than myself. It offers the dead movement of a memory foam mattress with bounce of a spring mattress. Actually, it leans more towards the dead movement of a memory foam, which I prefer. It also has good edge support.”

Fast Facts

  • Mattress Type: Hybrid 
  • Materials: foam-encased pocketed coils, gel memory foam, quilted foam, climate fiber, cooling cover
  • Firmness Level: 5.5
  • Thickness: 12 inches
  • Trial Period & Returns: 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.

Best Memory Foam

5. TEMPUR-Pedic TEMPUR-Breeze LuxeBreeze Mattress

Temper-pedic

  • Sleep Improvement: 19/20
  • Price: 17/20
  • Materials: 20/20
  • Firmness: 20/20
  • Shipping and Returns: 20/20

TOTAL: 97/100

We all know TEMPUR-Pedic is the OG brand when it comes to a memory foam mattress—and this Luxe model uses Tempur-APR foam to isolate motion transfer and offer one-of-a-kind pressure relief. Basically, what makes this material unique from other memory foams is that it was originally developed by NASA to absorb mass amounts of pressure astronauts undergo during take-off and landing. That’s why, in mattress form, the foam can neutralize pressure points and adapt to your shape—and keep you nestled in an undisturbed cocoon when your partner gets up to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night. It won’t let you feel the heaviest parts of your body going into the mattress, and instead, it offers a custom fit that’s specific to your shape. “It feels like…nothing,” Executive Editor Dara Katz writes in a PureWow100 review. “A good night on this mattress is like the absence of a mattress. I’m not thinking about [anything other than sleep] because I feel simultaneously weightless and supported.” (There’s also a medium-hybrid option available, which offers more support with steel coils for anyone with back pain).

It's also worth mentioning that the mattress uses an enhanced version of the brand’s exclusive Pure Cool foam, which is designed to dissipate excess heat and provide a soothing effect: “The cooling element works,” Katz notes. “The LuxeBreeze is marketed with a 10-degree cooler promise. And by George, does she live up to the promise. The mattress is not only miraculously cold to the touch, but it actually stays cool for as long as you’re in it.”

Fast Facts

  • Mattress Type: Hybrid 
  • Materials: TEMPUR-ES™ material, 1,000 spring coils, SmartClimate® cover
  • Firmness Level: 7
  • Thickness: 12 inches 
  • Trial Period & Returns: 90-night trial with 10 year warranty. Refunds, exchanges and returns are addressed by the brand when concerns are brought to them. 

Best for Side-Sleepers

6. Avocado Green Medium Mattress

AVOCADO GREEN

  • Sleep Improvement: 19/20
  • Price: 19/20
  • Materials: 18/20
  • Firmness: 19/20
  • Shipping and Returns: 20/20

TOTAL: 95/100

Chiropractors often recommend a medium feel (aka levels 6 to 7 on the firmness scale) for side-sleepers. Hence, why side-sleeper and former PureWow Commerce Director Nicole Briese swears by Avocado’s level 6 rating for keeping her lower back and hip pain at bay. “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.” This is likely helped along by the mattress's sturdy five-zone coil system, which is not only designed to distribute weight evenly across the mattress but also to alleviate pressure points in your hips, spine and shoulders.

To that end, Briese adds: “The coil system is made to cut down on motion transfer—something I can wholeheartedly confirm. While I can sense when my boyfriend or cats are moving around, my body doesn’t bounce along with them….It also doesn’t seem to trap heat thanks to the layer of wool, which, believe it or not, has cooling properties, despite the fact that we live in Florida, where it’s perpetually 90 degrees.”

Fast Facts

  • Mattress Type: Hybrid
  • Materials: Dunlop latex, wool, organic cotton, coil system 
  • Firmness Level: 7
  • Thickness: 13 inches 
  • Trial Period & Returns: Avocado offers a 1-year trial where you can return the mattress after a minimum of 30 days. It must be in its original, unaltered state and suitable for donation though (i.e., with tags and without stains, tears, excessive odors or soiling).

Best Budget

7. Nectar Mattress

Nectar

  • Sleep Improvement: 19/20
  • Price: 18/20
  • Materials: 17/20
  • Firmness: 17/20
  • Shipping and Returns: 20/20

TOTAL: 91/100

If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly alternative to the TEMPUR-Pedic option, this mattress features five supportive layers of memory foam that are intended to relieve common pressure points while providing a soft, sink-in feel—and it clocks in at just under $650 for a queen. What’s more, it has the cooling benefits of the ProBreeze series where the top layer of gel-infused foam can help regulate temperature and ensure heat is evenly distributed throughout the night. “After a few nights of sleeping on the soft, yet supportive layers of memory foam, I was impressed,” says former PureWow Editor Kara Cuzzone in a PureWow100 review. “My middle back pain was gone, and I noticed that I fell asleep in a few minutes flat instead of tossing and turning. In other words, this side-sleeper was content.”

As for the price, Nectar offers free shipping and returns, a 365-night home trial period and frequent flash sales—typically featuring a 40 percent markdown on your mattress, plus two free pillows. Translation? You can usually score this one for just under $850 in the king-size (which is hard to come by for a high-quality mattress). That said, Cuzzone’s only complaint was about Nectar’s packaging: “It comes encased in a ton of plastic, which doesn’t exactly feel eco-friendly. But plastic is the reason the brand is able to package it so compactly, so it seems kind of unavoidable when it comes to the whole bed-in-a-box thing,” she reasons.

Fast Facts

  • Mattress Type: memory foam
  • Materials: gel memory foam, polyfoam and polyethylene foam
  • Firmness Level: 6
  • Thickness: 12 inches 
  • Trial Period & Returns: all of Nectar's mattresses come with a 365-day trial period and offer free in-home returns that are processed within 24 hours.

Most Investment-Worthy

8. Purple RejuvenatePremier Mattress

Purple Mattress

  • Sleep Improvement: 20/20
  • Price: 17/20
  • Materials: 20/20
  • Firmness: 20/20
  • Shipping and Returns: 20/20

TOTAL: 97/100

Assistant Editor Sydney Meister tested this $6,000 mattress during a stay at Topping Rose House in Bridgehampton, and all she could say was, “it’s the most comfortable thing this tuchus has ever touched.” This is because the construction, which lives up to five-star hotel accommodations, features eight layers of cooling latex, supportive foam and responsive coils. “Personally, what I loved most about the feel was that it was bouncy like an innerspring mattress 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 laying on a cloud.”

As for cooling capabilities? It stays nice and cool, thanks to a proprietary temperature-neutral material that naturally draws heat away from the body. The only downside, of course, is the exorbitant price. But Meister reasons: “The technology is worth every penny if you’re serious about getting a good night’s rest.”

Fast Facts

  • Mattress Type: Hybrid
  • Materials: Euro pillow topper, taylay latex, GelFlex® Grid, comfort foam, responsive coils
  • Firmness Level: 6
  • Thickness: 18.5 inches
  • Trial Period & Returns: 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.

Most Customizable

9. Airweave Mattress

Airweave

  • Sleep Improvement: 20/20
  • Price: 18/20
  • Materials: 18/20
  • Firmness: 18/20
  • Shipping and Returns: 20/20

TOTAL: 94/100

In a 2022 survey conducted by ChiroUp, 26 percent of chiropractors recommend adjustable airbeds for their client’s back pain. And while we love that this airbed is backed by the pros, we also love how customizable it is. It arrives in a box, where you’ll find an inner cover, outer cover and three core pieces: two regular air fiber blocks and one flippable layer—medium to firm—air fiber block. You’ll start by laying the outer cover on the bed frame, followed by the inner sheet and the airfiber blocks. Then place the inner sheet over the blocks before putting the outer cover on top and zipping everything up. Not only does this make for an ultra-customizable construction you can easily disassemble, but it’s also engineered to be 100 percent machine-washable (yes, even the mattress itself). Meaning that all of the sweat, dirt and dust mites that build up inside and/or on top of your mattress can easily be washed away.

In a PureWow100 review, Former Senior Manager of Strategic Partnerships Brynn Conway says, “Honestly, the AirWeave has changed my life. For almost three years, I was convinced my back pain was just part of life. In just three weeks, the AirWeave has eliminated all of that. I sleep through the night (which hasn't been a thing in almost a year) and I wake up actually feeling well-rested.” She also adds: “The airfiber material doesn’t only let you move easier (for those who happen to be side-, back- and stomach-sleepers) but it distributes weight evenly—so you can stop waking up with back pain.” That said, she does offer a warning: “The mattress starts out FIRM and takes two weeks to feel a bit softer… Now, when I say softer, I don't mean that feeling when your body starts to leave a permanent dent in the bed, but it just seems to conform to your curves a bit and definitely absorbs your weight evenly.”

Fast Facts

  • Mattress Type: adjustable air bed
  • Materials: airfiber core, modacrylic and glass fiber lining, polyester cover
  • Firmness Level: 8
  • Thickness: 7.9 inches 
  • Trial Period & Returns: Airwave’s mattress comes with a 30-day trial period and a 10-year limited warranty. It also arrives in two manageable boxes (Queen: 62" x 30 " x 17")

Best Cooling

10. Cocoon By Sealy Chill Mattress

cocoon by sealy

  • Sleep Improvement: 17/20
  • Price: 19/20
  • Materials: 18/20
  • Firmness: 17/20
  • Shipping and Returns: 18/20

TOTAL: 89/100

As a part of Sealy’s new Cocoon collection, this hybrid features a premium stretch-knit cover infused with Phase Change Material that helps you fall asleep faster at a cooler temperature. Under the cooling cover, there are three other layers of memory foam, coiling and support, all making for a bed that’s neither too soft, nor too firm (according to most reviewers). Plus, while its pressure-relieving memory foam and premium coils work together to offer improved airflow, the knit cover offers a cool-to-the-touch surface that can regulate your temperature as you sleep (aka the best of both worlds).

One online reviewer writes, “I’m a hot sleeper—as in, my sheets turn yellowish because I sweat—and I was frustrated because I couldn't use white sheets…I've slept on this mattress for over a month now and I can honestly say, I don't think I've sweat even once. Thank the mattress Gods!”

Fast Facts

  • Mattress Type: Hybrid (all-foam option available)
  • Materials: phase change cover, 900+ fabric-encased coils, memory foam
  • Firmness Level: 6
  • Thickness: 12 inches 
  • Trial Period & Returns: Sealy offers a 100-night trial. If you don’t like it, they’ll refund your money, pick it up for free, and donate the mattress to a local charity. It also comes with a 10-year warranty.

Best for Couples

11. Tuft & Needle Mint Hybrid Mattress

tuft and needle

  • Sleep Improvement: 19/20
  • Price: 18/20
  • Materials: 19/20
  • Firmness: 18/20
  • Shipping and Returns: 20/20

TOTAL: 94/100

This mattress is made with a combination of Tuft & Needle's signature foam and high-quality pocketed springs, so it essentially evaporates motion from your partner. It has a medium-firm feel that’s great for couples who need to compromise between plush and 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. 

“The support and pressure is excellent. My husband still prefers a firmer mattress. But as a 35-year-old nurse who's lugging around a 40-lb. 2-year-old when I'm not at work, my back always hurts, and I feel very much at peace and not in pain while on the bed. I was previously sleeping on some pretty terrible mattresses, and you can definitely tell the difference in the support.”

Fast Facts

  • Mattress Type: Hybrid
  • Materials: T&N Adaptive® foam, cooling gel and graphite, machine-washable knit cover
  • Firmness Level: 6.5
  • Thickness: 12 inches 
  • Trial Period & Returns: Ships free directly to your doorstep in 2 to 5 business days. The mattress also includes a 10-year limited warranty and a 100-night sleep trial

Best Latex Mattress

12. Nest Bedding Finch Mattress

nest bedding

  • Sleep Improvement: 19/20
  • Price: 17/20
  • Materials: 18/20
  • Firmness: 18/20
  • Shipping and Returns: 20/20

TOTAL: 92/100

Made of layers of comfort foam and OEKO-TEX certified Dunlop Latex—which are aired out in the factory, so you don't have a funky smell when you unroll it—this mattress melds the organic benefits of latex with a unique, adjustable design. You can select medium or firm for the feel, and if your partner prefers a different level, you can even choose an internal split for a half-and-half option. “My husband and I moved across the country with his bed, and we were able to unzip the cover to remove a layer of the foam, which made it so much easier to get it through our very narrow doorways and hallways…upon lying on it you get a plush feel, but you won't sink into it and have to fight your way out of bed later. The [latex] meat of it is actually quite firm and supportive (which was a lovely surprise),” says  Commerce Editor Olivia Dubyak in another PureWow100 review

She also mentions, “It's designed to keep your spine neutral so you can avoid any aches and pains, and I definitely noticed this during my time using the bed…the plush, one-and-a-half-inch thick pillow top is luxuriously comfortable, and if you or your partner toss and turn, you won't notice because the bed absorbs movement to keep you still.”

Fast Facts

  • Mattress Type: latex
  • Materials: Talalay latex, organic Knit cotton and Joma wool cover, eco-friendly comfort foam
  • Firmness Level: 5 (adjustable)
  • Thickness: 10.5 inches 
  • Trial Period & Returns: each mattress take 3-6 business days to produce and comes with a 365-night trial and a ​​Lifetime Renewal Exchange program for the warranty. 

Best Pillowtop

13. Nolah Evolution Mattress

NOLAH MATTRESS

  • Sleep Improvement: 19/20
  • Price: 18/20
  • Materials: 19/20
  • Firmness: 19/20
  • Shipping and Returns: 20/20

TOTAL: 95/100

Another mattress Assistant Editor Sydney Meister can’t get enough of? This dreamy pillowtop hybrid from Nolah. It features a whopping 15 inches of layered comfort, and if you’re someone who prefers a marshmallowy feel, you’ll appreciate its ‘plush’ option, which ranks as a 4.5 on the firmness scale (it’s available in ‘luxury firm’ and ‘firm’ as well). Plus, the eight inches of pocketed coils offer 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,” Meister explains.

Then, there’s also the two-inch, cooling quilted Euro topper, which is what gives the mattress its signature cushiony feel. Meister says, “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

  • Mattress Type: Hybrid
  • Materials: Tri-Zone™ coils, graphite-infused foam, cooling quilted Euro topper
  • Firmness Level: 4.5
  • Thickness: 15 inches
  • Trial Period & Returns: you can try the Nolah Evolution risk-free for 120 nights. 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. All mattresses are also covered by a limited lifetime warranty.
  • Sleep Improvement: 19/20
  • Price: 19/20
  • Materials: 19/20
  • Firmness: 18/20
  • Shipping and Returns: 18/20

TOTAL: 94/100

Why do we love this innerspring? It’s great for every kind of sleeper. The new and improved version includes 825 individually wrapped coils and a classic quilted top, making it supportive yet sinkable where you need it most. So much so that Rachel Gulmi, Operations Director Of Branded Content, calls this mattress her sleep fairy godmother in a PureWow100 review. “I’m what’s classified as a combination sleeper, meaning I shift positions throughout the night from side to back. This mattress actually responds to my body as I move around.” On the flip side, if you’re someone who sleeps in only one position, Serta also has tons of customizations to complement your needs. Think: the choice between a firm, plush or medium pillowtop and standard, enhanced or ultimate options for extra coils.

Fast Facts

  • Mattress Type: Innerspring 
  • Materials: individually wrapped coils, geometric-cut memory foam, cooling gel 
  • Firmness Level: 5-7 (adjustable)
  • Thickness: 14.5 inches 
  • Trial Period & Returns: Serta offers a 120-night trial. If you don’t like it, they’ll refund your money and allow you to return the mattress at no extra charge. It also comes with a 10-year limited warranty.

Best Extra-Firm

15. Brooklyn Bedding Plank Firm Luxe Mattress

BROOKLYN BEDDING

  • Sleep Improvement: 18/20
  • Price: 19/20
  • Materials: 18/20
  • Firmness: 19/20
  • Shipping and Returns: 18/20

TOTAL: 93/100

Finally, we have the firm feel of this ‘Plank’ mattress, which truly lives up to the name. It’s about as firm as they come, since it’s crafted with layers of supreme response comfort foam. Still, it has a core of 6-inch individually encased ascension firm coils—and a quilted top weave with high-density support foam—so it doesn’t feel like a cinderblock. All of this accumulates to a backing from The American Chiropractic Association (ACA), which concluded that the mattress’s firm support reduces spinal stress, improves lumbar support and alleviates back pain (per the manufacturer). We also love that it features a flippable design; the top side of the mattress offers a level 9 (AKA ultra-firm) feel and the bottom side is measured at a medium-firm level 7.

“It was hard to find a real firm mattress, but [this one lives up to the hype],” says one online reviewer. “I’ve tried it on both sides with the firmer side feeling like a 10 out of 10 on firmness scale and the flip side feeling more like an 8.5 out of 10. Other mattresses I’ve tried felt like an under-inflated water bed that was difficult to climb out of. This one is great if you’re a side-sleeper like me who’s looking for ample support.”

Fast Facts

  • Mattress Type: Hybrid 
  • Materials: supreme response comfort foam, individually encased ascension firm coils, quilted top weave with high-density support foam
  • Firmness Level: 7 (top side), 9 (bottom side)
  • Thickness: 13.5 inches 
  • Trial Period & Returns: Brooklyn Bedding offers a 120-night trial on all mattresses and includes free shipping on delivery, exchanges and returns. It also comes with a 10-year warranty that protects your mattress from damage or dents in the future.

How to Choose a Comfortable Mattress

Meet The Expert

Dr. Tim Bertelsman, DC, CCSP, DACO: Dr. Bertelsman is the co-founder of ChiroUp. He received the Illinois Chiropractic Society (ICS) Chiropractor of the Year in 2019 and is a member of the NCMIC Speakers’ Bureau.  

Which Type of Mattresses are Best?

Naturally, the mattress you choose will be dependent on your sleep style—and which firmness will best support your position. Plus, if you’re shopping for a mattress as a couple, you want to make sure you’re choosing a flexible fit that will accommodate both of you. So below, we’ve put together a general guide to the best mattresses for every kind of sleeper:

  • Hybrid mattresses: for couples and combination sleepers: These mattresses often feature a combo of memory foam, gel and innerspring coil technology, which are individually wrapped to retain their tension. As a result, they provide support and cushion for combination sleepers, meaning anyone who switches between back-, side-, and stomach-sleeping positions. Additionally, many hybrid models offer customizable firmness levels and separate comfort zones. That makes them great for couples who can’t agree on firmness, since they’re soft and supportive without being too extreme on either side of the spectrum.
  • Memory foam mattresses: for side-sleepers: Memory foam is a moldable material that will contour to your shape, making it an excellent choice for side-sleepers. Not only does it help relieve pressure points, particularly around the hips and shoulders, but it provides ample support to joints as it prevents you from sinking too deeply into the mattress. (It’s worth mentioning, however, that the material can get pretty warm at night, and you’ll want to choose a cooling option if you’re a hot sleeper.)
  • Innerspring mattresses: for stomach and back sleepers: This is the most traditional type of mattress, probably what you slept on growing up. It uses a system of steel coils or springs as the primary support structure. These coils are typically individually wrapped (aka “pocketed coils”) within the mattress to distribute weight evenly—making them the best choice for stomach sleepers who need to prevent their midsection from sinking too deeply into the mattress. As for back sleepers, innerspring mattresses tend to have a firmer feel (compared to foam or hybrid mattresses), which provides the necessary support they need to keep the spine aligned properly.
  • Latex mattresses: for hot sleepers: First and foremost, latex is a naturally breathable material with an open-cell structure that allows for excellent airflow. This helps to dissipate body heat and prevent heat buildup on the mattress’ surface, helping to keep you cool. Plus, unlike memory foam (which feels warmer as you sink in), latex has moisture-wicking properties that can help regulate temperature. It not only prevents the accumulation of sweat, since it doesn’t trap heat, but it’s also naturally resistant to dust mites, mold, and mildew (aka great for allergy sufferers as well).

What Level of Firmness Should My Mattress Be?

According to Dr. Bertelsman: “Back and stomach sleepers typically prefer a firmer mattress, while the best type of mattress for side-sleepers may be one with a little more cushioning.” He also adds: “Research and expert opinions suggest that a soft mattress is not ideal. A medium to firm mattress is probably the optimal starting point; however individual factors are the ultimate guide to defining what type of mattress is best for back pain and other musculoskeletal conditions.” So, while some brands offer a one-size-fits-all firmness level, most feature a numbered scale from one to ten: level 1 is the softest, and 10 tends to be hard as a rock. Here’s how to choose the right number for your sleep style:

  • Plush (levels 3-4): Plush mattresses offer minimal support with plenty of sinkage and contour. It’s the softest feel available; not ideal for anyone who suffers from neck, back or hip pain. 
  • Medium (levels 5-6): Of all the firmness levels, medium mattresses are preferred by most sleepers. They are in the middle of the pack when it comes to hug and sinkage and meet the needs of combination sleepers when it comes to comfort and support.
  • Medium-firm (levels 6-7): Medium-firm mattresses feature adequate softness at the top to relieve pressure on your body. These are the best options for side-sleepers, since they offer ample support for your feet, spine and head.
  • Firm (levels 7-8): Firm mattresses often feature a sturdy coil system coupled with several layers of compressed upholstery. Such mattresses deliver minimal sinkage, making them the best choice for back- and stomach-sleepers.
  • Extra-firm (levels 9-10): Extra-firm mattresses have a strong foundation that is tailored to absorb weight and motion. They also have remarkable edge support, which means you won’t have to worry about it sagging.

What is The Best Mattress For Back Pain?

“Since existing literature does not provide a definitive evidence-based answer to ‘the best mattress for back pain’ question, the ChiroUp team launched a survey of chiropractors to answer it,” Bertelsman says. According to the survey, 33 percent of chiropractors recommended memory foam before innerspring mattresses (26 percent), adjustable air beds (23 percent) and hybrid mattresses (18 percent). “While many clinicians have historically endorsed the ‘harder is better’ philosophy, recent research found that an excessively firm mattress may not be the best type of bed for everyone,” the doc continues. “Two recent studies both concluded that a medium to firm mattress is probably the best type of mattress for back pain sufferers…when in doubt about the best mattress type for back pain, go with the firmer yet comfortable option. You can always soften a mattress with a topper, but you can never firm up a soft bed.” 

How Do I Clean a Mattress?

We have a whole article dedicated to how to clean a mattress (plus, how to remove stains). But below, we’ve extracted the step-by-step formula:  

  1. Remove all of your bedding, including the mattress pad or protector. (If you don’t have a mattress pad, make that your next purchase. They can’t keep everything out, but they do offer some protection against mites and bacteria working their way in.)
  2. Vacuum the top and sides of the mattress using a freshly sanitized upholstery vacuum attachment. Move-in slow circles to pick up as much as possible.
  3. Sprinkle the mattress top with a layer of baking soda and let it sit for several hours. If you’re able, add some sunlight and let it sit for a full 24 hours. Baking soda deodorizes, removes moisture and breaks up dirt and grime. If this is the first time you’ve ever deep cleaned your mattress, Mattress Insider says it’s OK to use an entire one-pound box of baking soda.
  4. Vacuum again with the attachment, getting up all the baking soda.
  5. Air out the bedroom by opening windows or turning on a fan.
  6. Clean the bed frame and box spring. Wipe down metal and wood frames and vacuum fabric headboards.
  7. Place clean bedding (that has been washed in hot water and dried on high heat as advised by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention) back on the bed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Hotels Use Plush or Firm Mattresses?

If the Purple RejuvenatePremier Mattress (number nine on this list) was any indication, hotels seems to lean towards medium-firm mattresses. This is because, as mentioned above, mattresses between levels 6 and 7 on the firmness scale strike a balance between plush and supportive. Not only is this best for hotels, since medium-firm mattresses are generally suitable for a majority of guests, but it also makes for the best compromise for couples who can’t agree on firmness.

How Often Should You Replace Your Mattress?

“Our ChiroUp Mattress Survey results indicate that nearly 9 out of 10 chiropractors recommend mattress replacement somewhere within a five to 10 year cycle.” What’s more, he recommends doing a mattress stick test to determine if it needs replacing: “A dip in the mattress means support is fading. Like athletic shoes, the support is likely inadequate if you notice a visible breakdown…while most mattresses should be replaced every 5-10 years, patient sleep position, weight, and mattress construction all play a role. (Springs and foam may wear out quicker, while air doesn’t break down as easily.)”


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