1. Best overall – Saatva
2. Best value – Nectar
3. Best affordable luxury – DreamCloud
4. Best for side sleepers – Helix Midnight
5. Best for back pain – WinkBed
6. Best budget cooling – Cocoon Chill
7. Best for joint pain – Purple Plus
8. Best under $500 – Siena
9. Best organic – Awara
10. Best premium cooling – Casper Wave HS
How we test
We personally research and test the latest mattresses to provide unbiased recommendations. We rate each mattress out of 5 and use the review data to inform rankings. Read our mattress methodology for more.
Shopping for the best mattress online has never been easier, but with so many choices available it can be hard to know where to begin. Our expert team has tried a multitude of beds from both popular and lesser-known brands, allowing us to create a list of top picks spanning various sleep needs and price points. We've also tapped into our years of experience to answer some of the most commonly asked questions about choosing the right mattress.
Here's a crash course on what to consider when looking for a mattress. First: budget. How much are you willing or able to spend? Mattress deals crop up all year round, but national holidays often deliver the lowest price. Many of the Memorial Day mattress sales are still available, but they won't stick around for long.
It's also a good idea to consider the type of material you want. For a breathable and responsive sleep surface, opt for a traditional innerspring mattress. If you like sinking into your bed after a long day, a body-contouring memory foam mattress will give you the relief you want. You can also go with a hybrid mattress, which offers the best of both worlds.
Finally, take firmness into account. Your body weight and primary sleep style will influence how soft or hard you need your sleep surface to be. Firm mattresses suit heavier people and those who sleep on their front or back, as they prevent the hips from sinking too low. Plush to medium mattresses are good for lightweight individuals and side sleepers needing pressure relief along their hips and shoulders. Medium-firm mattresses tend to be the most versatile as they can sufficiently support any sleep style. Comfort is subjective, though – every mattress on this list comes with a trial so you can take your time and test it at home.
All clear? Here's our best mattress ranking for 2023...
The quick list
In a hurry? Here's the simplest guide to the best mattresses around. If you have more time, scroll down for in-depth reviews of each model, with plenty of information about who they will and won't suit, as well as alternatives to consider.
Best mattress overall
This innerspring hybrid offers a luxurious feel for a lower-premium price. Choose from 2 heights and 3 firmness options to suit your body type and sleep position. There's not much memory foam here, so if you want that contouring feel, check out the DreamCloud instead (#3).
Best value
This is our favorite memory foam mattress, offering incredible value for the lower mid-range price, and a medium-firm feel that will suit most sleepers (even those used to springs). It's not as luxurious as most of the hybrids here, and as with most foam models can occasionally sleep warm.
Affordable luxury
This hybrid features a thick layer of foam for body contouring, as well as springs for bounce. While it's not as luxurious as competitor models from Saatva (#1) and WinkBeds (#5), and is only available in one firmness option, it's a strong alternative in the mid-range price bracket.
Best for side sleepers
With a firmness rating of 6/10, this mid-range hybrid mattress is on the plusher side, making it ideal for dedicated side sleepers looking for cushioning around the shoulders and hips. However, back and stomach sleepers are likely to find it lacks support in these positions.
Best for back pain
This upper mid-range hybrid is available in 3 firmness levels. Memory foam delivers a moderate level of contouring while the springs are very supportive, making this a great choice for anyone with back, hip or shoulder pain. On a bigger budget, a good upgrade would be the Saatva (#1).
Best affordable cooling
The Chill has a phase-change cover that helps it regulate temperature much better than most other memory foam beds – and especially models at this mid-range price. It won't deliver the powerful cooling of specialist beds like the Casper (#10), but is far more affordable than those.
See next products
Best for achy joints
The Purple Plus is a premium hybrid with a difference – there's no springs or memory foam, but instead a bouncy, stretchy grid that's somehow firm and soft at the same time. If you get on with the unusual sleep feel, this offers excellent pressure relief and cushions without trapping heat.
Best under $500
This all-foam mattress punches well above its budget price tag when it comes to comfort and support. The firm feel will suit back and stomach sleepers, although might be too hard for side sleepers. The Nectar (#2) would be an excellent upgrade if you're able to spend a little more.
Best natural mattress
The Awara is a hybrid mattress that uses latex foam alongside springs and wool, which add up to a durable, firmly supportive, more natural bed option. It's very reasonably priced for an organic model, but there is some motion transfer, so not the best for couples or restless sleepers.
Best premium cooling
This premium hybrid has incredible chilling powers (it promises to keep you 6 degrees cooler) as well as offering exceptional support and motion isolation. The main sticking point is likely to be the price, but if you struggle with overheating, it could be worth the investment.
Best mattress overall for 2023
✅ You suffer from back or joint pain: The design is geared towards keeping your back aligned, with a special section in the central third to support your lumbar. The Classic also excelled in relieving tension around our reviewers' shoulders, hips and knees.
✅ You want a luxurious mattress: With a pillowy cushion top and high-quality materials, the Classic feels like a hotel bed. The taller option is particularly luxurious.
✅ You sleep warm: Being predominantly coils rather than foam, this mattress is breathable and won't trap body heat. In our tests, we slept consistently slept cool on this mattress.
❌ You like the hug of memory foam: There's minimal foam here, so you won't get that sink-in feel. If that's your preference, check out the Nectar Original (#2).
❌ You're on a tight budget: While the Saatva Classic is great value for the quality, it's not the cheapest bed. A similar, but lower-priced alternative to consider is the DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid (#3).
❌ You're a very light sleeper: The more responsive sleep surface means you might experience some slight motion transfer. Light sleepers who share a bed might want something that isolates movement better.
The Saatva Classic is an upper-mid-range mattress from luxury online brand Saatva, and it's hands-down the best mattress we've tested so far. This superb hybrid innerspring is customizable, with three firmness options and two heights to choose between (we reviewed the most-popular 11.5-inch luxury firm option). All that means it's an excellent all-rounder, suitable for a wide variety of body types and any sleep position.
What's it like to sleep on?
You lie on top of the surface of the Saatva Classic, rather than sinking into it. The surface is responsive, and has a little bounce. The foam-to-spring ratio in this mattress is heavily weighted towards springs, which means that overall the feel is more like a traditional mattress, with a relatively responsive surface that's easy to move around on.
In fact, there's not much foam in this mattress. The majority of the mattress is made up of layers of springs, with a thin layer of memory foam in the top central third, and foam rails around the perimeter, to bolster the edges. This means there's plenty of place for air to circulate, making this mattress nice and breathable.
Buying information
There's almost always a Saatva sale or deal running, but the amount you'll save depends on when you buy – major holidays are a good bet for the best discounts. Rather unusually amongst our best mattress picks, the Saatva Classic is delivered flat, rather than being vacuum-packed and rolled into a box. However, white glove delivery to your room of choice is included for free. MSRP has risen a few times over the past 12 months or so, but if you can afford it, this luxurious mattress is a sound investment that will help deliver a stunning night's sleep.
- Read more: Saatva Classic mattress review
Best value mattress
✅ You're a side sleeper: The thick layer of memory foam at the top of this mattress allow the shoulders and hips to sink in comfortably in a side-sleeping position.
✅ You suffer from sore joints: Memory foam is great for relieving pressure, as it contours to your exact shape and cushions your joints.
✅ You share a bed with a wriggler: The Nectar excels when it comes to motion isolation, which means it's a good choice if you're a restless sleepers (or share a bed with one). Our reviewers weren't disturbed by their partners climbing in or out of bed.
❌ You sleep hot: Memory foam mattresses can sleep slightly warm. Although our reviewers didn't overheat at night, very hot sleepers could consider a hybrids like the Saatva Classic (#1), or if you want all-foam, try the Cocoon Chill (#6).
❌ You need extra support: Heavier bodies, stomach sleepers and some back sleepers will need a firmer mattress to keep their spine properly aligned. The Loom & Leaf is sturdier and available in three firmness levels.
❌ You like a responsive sleep surface: Memory foam has a slightly quicksand feel, which can make moving around more difficult. Try an innerspring or hybrid model if you want something more responsive.
The Nectar Memory Foam Mattress is a lower-mid-range bed in a box that's tough to beat when it comes to sheer value for money. It's this popular sleep brand's original model and the cheapest in the current lineup, with a medium-firm, all-foam design that'll suit a wide range of sleepers.
What's it like to sleep on?
At the top of the Nectar you'll find a three-inch layer of memory foam, which gives this mattress that classic memory foam 'hug' feel. You sink gently into it and the mattress contours to your body as you sleep, providing tailored pressure relief around your shoulders, hips and back, and helping align your spine. The slow-moving sleep surface absorbs movements impressively well, which many find ultra-soothing. It might take a little getting used to if you're accustomed to innerspring models, though.
Also note that all-foam beds will almost always sleep warmer than anything with springs, and while the Nectar offers decent temperature regulation (thanks to a heat-dispersing cover and gel-infused foam), if you struggle with overheating, this might not be the best mattress for you.
Buying information
This is officially a mid-range mattress, but you can ignore those MSRPs as this mattress is always sold with a major discount. As of 2023, there have been two main Nectar mattress deals on rotation every few weeks: one knocks 25% off the mattress and throws in a bedding bundle for free, and the other knocks 33% off the mattress and does away with the freebies (although you can get a discounted bundle with your mattress purchase). We've also spotted periodic 40% off flash sales early in the year – which also lack the free bedding but yield some of the lowest upfront prices we've seen on Nectar mattresses. The extras (a year-long trial and a forever warranty) match the best you'll see on the market, and are incredible for the price.
- Read more: Nectar Mattress review
Best affordable luxury mattress
✅ You suffer from back pain: The sturdy support paired with soothing cushioning means our testing panel would recommend the DreamCloud for those who struggle with back pain.
✅ You're a back or stomach sleeper: We rated the mattress particularly highly for its excellent support for back and stomach sleepers.
✅ You're on the heavier side: The DreamCloud is firmer than you might expect, providing excellent support for heavier bodies. Of our testing panel, the heavier people found it ultra-comfy in all positions.
❌ You're a lightweight side sleeper: Light individuals might find this bed too firm, creating a buildup of pressure in a side lying position in particular. Consider the softer Helix Midnight (#4) if that's you.
❌ You need a sturdy edge to push up off: In our tests, we found the edge support slightly lacking, for heavier bodies especially. This can be an issue for those with mobility issues.
❌ You don't want a bulky mattress: At 14", the DreamCloud is thicker than average, which means it can be unwieldy when it comes to changing the sheets.
If you want a luxurious mattress but are on a tighter budget, check out the DreamCloud. This 14-inch tall, medium-firm hybrid delivers the look and feel of a hotel mattress, for a mid-range price. There's no option to pick your firmness or height, but it's a few hundred dollars cheaper than the Saatva and you'll usually get a bedding bundle included for free, too.
What's it like to sleep on?
DreamCloud rates its mattress as a 6.5/10 on the firmness scale, placing it in the 'medium firm' territory, but our testing panel found it much firmer – around an 8. Although firmer than you might expect, the top 4.5 inches of this mattress is made entirely from different foams, which provide plenty of pressure relief and body contouring, as well as strong motion isolation. That's balanced by a base of 8-inch wrapped coils, which add a little bounce and make the surface easier to move about on compared to an all-foam model. These springs also create space for air to circulate within the mattress – overall our testers found the DreamCloud delivered excellent temperature regulation. A quilted foam and cashmere top layer adds a touch of luxury.
Buying information
Head to the brand's website and you'll see a DreamCloud mattress deal that knocks 40% off, the largest percent-off discount we've ever seen. (We recently saw a 33% off flash sale over the last several months.) That drops the price of a queen to just $799, which is $100 less than its previous sale price. Note that the bedding bundle DreamCloud typically includes isn't offered here, though you can add one to your cart at a substantial discount. Even without the extras, this is an outstanding value – especially considering the 1-year trial and lifetime warranty that come standard. We don't know how long this flash sale will last, but we strongly suggest jumping on this offer while you can.
- Read more: DreamCloud mattress review
Best mattress for side sleepers
The Helix Midnight is a competitively priced hybrid mattress that delivers the comfort and support of a more expensive model. The USP here is that the Midnight has been specifically designed for side sleepers, and based on our tests, we'd agree that this is an excellent choice for those who prefer that position. When lying on your side, you need a mattress that'll relieve pressure on your shoulders and hips. The Midnight includes soothing foams to hug your body and cushion your joints, alongside individual coils to provide extra support, and limit motion transfer.
The coils also boost airflow through the mattress, keeping our hot sleeper cool throughout the night. And because the coils make no noise, and there's very little motion transfer, it's a good choice for anyone with a restless partner too.
While our testers also found the Midnight comfy when in a back-lying position, it's not the best choice for stomach sleepers. If that's you, consider one of the firmer options in our ranking. It also delivers adequate-but-not-excellent edge support, which is worth bearing in mind if you want to be able to sleep comfortably right up to the edges of the bed.
What we discovered during testing:
"The Helix Midnight delivers all the comfort and support of more expensive hybrids, but at a more reasonable price. It's the best choice for side sleepers as it provides pressure relief and cushioning along the hips, shoulders and knees."
- Read more: Helix Midnight mattress review
Best for back pain
The WinkBeds Original mattress is a favorite among luxury hotels, and has a number of cutting-edge features designed to help you sleep comfortably. Based on our review, we recommend this hybrid mattress as an excellent option for anyone with back, hip or shoulder pain. We'd consider it a rival to the Saatva Classic innerspring hybrid, our current #1 pick.
Conveniently, this mattress comes in four different firmness options, meaning you can pick the one that suits your exact sleep preferences (although note that there's a $49 fee if you need to swap to a different firmness level after purchase). The four options include one designed specifically for heavier bodies, although note the design of that diverges enough that we'd consider it a different mattress, really.
In our tests we found the WinkBed provided excellent spinal alignment and first-class pressure relief, with a moderate level of contouring and plenty of cushioning. In fact, the Winkbed Original performed well pretty much across the board, scoring highly for edge support and motion isolation too. Temperature regulation was good, although not as impressive as the dedicated cooling options in our ranking.
What we discovered during testing:
"Our reviewers highly recommend the WinkBed for those who want a step up from the typical foam bed-in-box mattress, and for anyone looking for enhanced back support during sleep."
- Read more: WinkBed mattress review
Best budget cooling mattress
The Cocoon by Sealy Chill Memory Foam is a 10-inch tall, medium-firm cooling mattress that punches well above its price tag when it comes to temperature regulation. This all-foam option is the closest rival to the Nectar mattress at #2, but the Chill boasts some impressive cooling tech, making it a better choice for hot sleepers. The star of the show is the stretch-knit cover infused with phase change material. This temperature-regulating fabric is usually found on more expensive mattresses, and our reviewers found it did a brilliant job of absorbing and dissipating heat – even the hot sleeper on our review panel didn't wake up feeling sweaty.
Although we were especially impressed with this temperature regulating cover, the cooling powers here are relative to the price and the fact it's all-foam (something with springs will almost always sleep cooler, because there's somewhere for air to circulate). If you're a very hot sleeper and can afford to spend a bit more, something like the Casper Wave Hybrid Snow (#10) is pretty much unbeatable when it comes to cooling.
We rated the Cocoon Chill particularly highly for pressure relief and spinal support during our three-week testing period. In terms of sleep feel, the Cocoon Chill does has some of that classic memory foam mattress feel, but it won't meld around you like some softer foam beds – you sleep closer to the top of this mattress. We'd recommend it to lighter or average-weight sleepers – the heavier members of our panel didn't feel properly supported, so look elsewhere if you weigh more than 230lb.
What we discovered during testing:
"The Cocoon Chill is a brilliant budget cooling mattress. During testing we found it comfortable and supportive, with effective temperature-regulation features for a lower price compared to premium rivals."
- Read more: Cocoon Chill Memory Foam mattress review
Best mattress for joint pain
The Purple Plus mattress delivers outstanding pressure relief as well as impressive cooling. This is an outlier in our best mattress ranking in that there are no springs and no memory foam. Instead, comfort and support comes via this brand's unique 'GelFlex grid', a responsive, stretchy elastic polymer that melds to your body shape, but bounces back immediately once you remove weight from it. The Plus model also adds extra foam layers compared to the Original.
This doesn't feel like a traditional mattress, and it's more difficult to rate on firmness, too. Purple calls it a medium, but in our tests we'd judge it as somewhere between a 6 and a 7.5 out of 10 – it felt soft under our shoulders, hips and knees, with firmer support in the lower back area. You sink slightly into this mattress, and the overall sensation is one of floating.
As well as being an excellent choice for cushioning, we think this one of the best mattresses in the US for hot sleepers. One of our reviewers described it as the most cooling mattress they've ever slept on. Edge support could be better at this price, but overall this is an excellent mattress that should suit most people.
What we discovered during testing:
"The Purple Plus is an excellent mattress for those who need zoned support (it feels soft and bouncy in certain areas yet firmer under the back). We slept cool on the Purple Plus and weren't disturbed by our partner's in-bed movements thanks to good motion isolation."
- Read more: Purple Plus mattress review
Best mattress under $500
The Siena is a budget bed-in-a-box from Siena Sleep. It launched in March 2022 as a lower-price sister brand to Nectar Sleep and DreamCloud. It aims to deliver better sleep comfort for a lower price, and with a queen under $500, it's one of the most affordable options in this list (those MSRPs have been discounted since this mattress launched, too).
A very appealing price tag isn't the only thing this mattress has going for it. This 10-inch deep mattress combines layers of contouring memory foam and supportive polyfoam, with and a soft-touch breathable cover to top things off. It contours subtly to your body and distributes your weight evenly, making for a firmly supportive sleep surface. Officially, it's a 6.5 on the firmness scale, but we think it's more like a 9. Side sleepers will probably need a bit of time to break it in (and ultimately might find it doesn't offer enough pressure relief around their shoulders and hips), but for back or stomach sleepers, the extra support is very welcome. In our tests, this mattress also scored highly on edge support and motion isolation.
One common issue with memory foam is that it can trap body heat, and amongst the other customer reviews there are some comments about this Siena sleeping hot. During our tests we were actually pretty impressed with the Siena's temperature regulation properties, although really hot sleepers should still consider a dedicated cooling mattress – the Cocoon Chill at #6 is our top budget-friendly offering.
What we learned during testing:
"The Siena Memory Foam Mattress offers excellent temperature regulation, superb edge support, and low motion transfer for a very low price. The 5-layer Siena Mattress is built similarly to the mid-range Nectar, but the Siena is much firmer – which suited our stomach sleepers well but our side and back sleepers weren't immediately comfortable. We still think the Nectar provides the best overall value for money among top mattresses, but the super affordable Siena isn't far behind."
- Read more: Siena Memory Foam mattress review
Best organic mattress
The Awara Natural Hybrid mattress is a great option for eco-conscious shoppers who want to make a more sustainable choice, without paying the premium price usually associated with organic mattresses. It's still not cheap, but it is more affordable than many of its competitors, and it still has a definite luxury feel and look.
The design is relatively pared-back: a cover made from breathable cotton and wool, followed by a layer of natural latex, followed by a layer of wrapped 8" coils. If you're unfamiliar with latex as a mattress material, it's used a natural alternative to memory foam – it contours to your body's shape in a similar way, although the sleep feel is generally firmer. Latex is more durable than foam, and often better at regulating temperature too.
In our review our testers found the Awara provided a gentle amount of give that created a comfortable floating feeling in any sleep position. As one of the firmest options in our best mattress guide, this would be a good option for heavier bodies, or anyone who knows their preference is for sturdy support. Although the coil layer is designed to absorb movements, overall we found motion isolation wasn't great in this mattress. If you have a particularly restless partner, consider a memory foam model instead.
What we discovered during testing:
"Whether you sleep on your side, back or stomach – or a combination of styles – the Awara Natural Luxury Hybrid adapts to the contours of your body, providing excellent pressure relief and spinal alignment."
- Read more: Awara Natural Hybrid Mattress review
Best premium cooling mattress
If you have a bit of cash to splash, the Casper Wave Hybrid Snow is one of the very best mattresses around. This is the most advanced bed in Casper's range, and it delivers exceptional support and motion isolation. The real star of the show is this mattress' cooling powers, though. The 'Snow' of the name refers to two bits of extra sleep tech that combine to keep you 6 degrees cooler. Inside the mattress are bands that are meant to pull excess heat from the body throughout the night. These work alongside a cool-to-the-touch cover with an extra layer of cooling gel.
Of course, plenty of brands talk the big talk when it comes to temperature regulation, but in our review, our testing panel were massively impressed with this bed's chilling skills, and all unanimously agreed that this was the mattress' standout feature. So that's a big 'tick' next to temperature regulation, but what about all the other stuff? Thankfully, the Casper Wave Hybrid Snow doesn't disappoint on the comfort front. There's plenty of intriguing tech – we've never seen gel pods under the waist and back for spinal alignment, for instance – but all seems to do the job. We found this mattress provided plenty of firm yet comfortable support, making it a great choice for back sleepers or anyone struggling with neck or back pain (although lighter weight side sleepers might find a softer bed more comfortable). It also isolated motion very well, making it a good choice if you share a bed with a restless partner.
Any issues to be aware of? The edge support is fine but not exceptional, which is something to bear in mind if you need something sturdy to press off to get up in the mornings. The trial period is also surprisingly short at 100 nights – there are budget options that come with longer sleep trials – and the 10-year warranty isn't especially generous, either. While the MSRP is steep, it's much cheaper than the likes of the Tempur LuxeBreeze (which makes similar cooling claims). For a more budget-friendly cooling mattress, check out the Cocoon By Sealy Chill (#6).
What we learned during testing:
"After testing it out for a whole month, we can confidently say the Casper Wave Hybrid Snow is one of the best cooling mattresses you can buy if you're prone to sleeping hot. Among our reviewers – especially our lead reviewer, who tends to overheat at night – the Wave Hybrid Snow did an incredible job of regulating temperature whilst providing pressure relief in all the right areas (namely our shoulders and hips)."
- Read more: Casper Wave Hybrid Snow mattress review
How we test mattresses
The Tom's Guide mattress review process is editorially independent and not influenced by any third parties. Our expert mattress testers sleep on each mattress for at least three weeks – roughly how long it takes for your body to get used to a new mattress – before writing up their thoughts. We also run a series of tests using weights to gain an objective view of how the mattress performs compared to other models.
Mattress firmness is subjective, so each lead reviewer also forms part of a trusted and experienced testing panel made up of people with different sleep needs and body types. We have side sleepers, back sleepers and stomach sleepers, with lighter, average and heavier bodies, who rate each mattress using a specific set of performance criteria.
Together, these processes enable us to produce accurate, well-balanced and data-backed mattress reviews, to help you easily decide whether the mattress you’re interested in really is the best choice for you.
- Expert reviewers with substantial hands-on experience of testing a wide range of mattresses
- A diverse panel of mattress testers, with different body types, heights and sleep-position preferences
Our testing process includes:
- Testing each mattress across all key data points, including support, comfort, pressure relief, motion isolation and temperature regulation
- Analyzing user reviews to get an understanding of what real customers think of each mattress, and get a feel for any recurring themes, whether positive or negative, which we explore these further during our testing process
- Fact-checking every comfort / support claim made by a mattress brand
How to choose the best mattress
The only way to truly know whether a mattress is right for you is to sleep on it. That's why all the options in our best mattress guide come with a risk-free trial. During this time, if you decide your purchase isn't quite right for you, you can send it back and try another. 100 nights used to be the standard, but now 200 nights is pretty common, and some brands even let you trial a mattress for a full year before committing to keeping it.
That said, it's easier if you choose right the first time around. On that note, there are some key things to know that will help you choose the right mattress first time around. Here, we'll answer some common questions people ask when buying a new mattress, and explain some key considerations to make. We'll also share our pro tips for choosing the best mattress for your budget, and recap the best-rated mattresses at the moment.
Which is the best type of mattress?
Why you can trust Tom's Guide? Our writers and editors spend hours analyzing and reviewing products, services, and apps to help find what's best for you. Find out more about how we test, analyze, and rate.
There isn't a single best type of mattress. Everyone is different, so the right type for you depends on your body, health and your sleep style. Personal preference comes into it, but there are some rules of thumb that can help you narrow down your options.
Let's take a look at the main types of mattress, and the typical pros and cons of each...
Memory foam mattresses
Memory foam is a great option for anyone who likes to feel 'hugged' by their mattress. This material contours to your body, providing better pressure relief than spring-based options. It's also typically excellent at absorbing motion, which makes it a top choice for anyone who shares a bed with a restless partner.
Because foam has a relatively dense structure, all-foam mattresses typically sleep warmer at night than models with springs (which provide space for air to circulate). Older and cheaper memory foams can be particularly bad for trapping body heat, but technologies have progressed so that today's best memory foam mattresses are much better at regulating temperature.
If you overheat at night, you may prefer to avoid an all-foam mattress. But if you love the cushioning feel of memory foam, there are plenty of 'cooling' foam mattresses. These range in price from the budget-friendly Cocoon Chill Memory Foam mattress to the Tempur-Breeze, which is much more of an investment purchase.
- Read more: What is a memory foam mattress?
Innerspring mattresses
Innerspring beds use metal coils to provide comfort and structure. Originally, innerspring mattresses were made with interconnected coils, but nowadays it's much more common that the coils are individually wrapped inside their own fabric pocket (in the UK, they're called 'pocket sprung' mattresses). Because these springs can move independently, they provide better pressure relief, greater comfort and more effective motion isolation than an interconnected coil system would.
The quantity, height and design of the coils vary from model to model. Generally speaking, the more pocket springs in a mattress, the better the support. Most innerspring mattresses will have some kind of comfort layer at the top, to provide padding between the sleeper and the springs – this might be a pillow top or wool layer.
One key difference between innerspring mattresses and all-foam options is that they're buoyant: you sleep on top of them, rather than sinking in. The more responsive sleep surface means they're easier to move around on than many all-foam models, too.
Innerspring mattresses don't tend to trap heat in the same way that all-foam models can, because there's plenty of space within the mattress for air to circulate. Because you're sleeping closer to the surface of the mattress, they can feel cooler than a body-hugging memory foam model, too.
- Read more: What is an innerspring mattress?
Hybrid mattresses
A hybrid is any mattress that includes more than one main type of material. In practice, that usually means memory foam plus springs, but occasionally the combination might also include something like latex. It's difficult to make generalizations about hybrid mattresses because the sleep feel will depend heavily on the relative amounts of the different materials and their position in the design. However, anything with a spring layer will typically be more breathable than an all-foam mattress. Many of our best mattress picks are hybrids, simply because they can offer the best of both worlds – the pressure relief of foam, but with a little more responsiveness, for example.
- Read more: What is a hybrid mattress?
Latex mattresses
Latex mattresses use a durable latex foam made from natural materials, rather than synthetic materials (which memory foam mattresses are made from). If you're looking for an organic mattress, latex is the best mattress material for you.
It isn't as dense as memory foam, which makes latex mattresses less prone to overheating. Latex also provides good contouring and bounce. On top of that, the durability makes latex a fantastic investment if you want your mattress to really last, but it doesn't come cheap. Read our best organic mattress guide for latex options. , and learn more about this specific type of mattress in our feature answering
- Read more: What is an organic mattress?
Mattress buying advice
How long does a mattress last?
On average, a good mattress should last seven to eight years, but this depends on various factors including what type of mattress you own, what it's made of, how often it's used, and how many of you sleep on it. (We explain more in our feature answering how long does a mattress last?).
So a guest room mattress used only occasionally may last a little longer than the general guidelines, while the main mattress on your bed – unless it's a good quality mattress – will wear out in less than seven years.
The manufacturer's warranty is a good indication of how long the mattress should last, but you will need to care for it properly too. Cleaning your mattress regularly will help it last longer (see our guide on how to clean a mattress).
How to choose the right mattress size
One golden rule for choosing the right size of mattress is to make sure it's 10cm longer than the tallest person sleeping on it. Width-wise, if you're sharing a bed, you and your partner should be able to put your hands under your head without your elbows touching.
If you sleep alone, you'll have the right size mattress if you can put your hands under your head without touching the edges. So measure that distance and as long as you choose a mattress wider than that, you're good.
Most options listed in our best mattress guide are available in: twin size, twin XL, full size, queen size, king size and California king. Some come in split options too, which enables you to choose a different mattress firmness to your partner.
How to choose the right mattress firmness
Medium firm is the most popular mattress choice – that's why most flagship mattresses fall within a range of 5-7 on the firmness scale (10 is the firmest).
However, sleep feel is subjective. Firmness and comfort depend on a wide range of factors including your weight, height, sleeping style and whether you experience any pain, such as in your back or hips. One person's experience of a mattress can be very different to someone else's.
That's why we use a range of different people to test our mattresses – and it's also why we look through other user reviews to get an overview of as many people's experiences as possible. Keep this in mind when noting our 1-10 firmness rating, as you may find a mattress to be slightly softer or firmer than we found it.
Nevertheless, there is some broad advice for deciding which level of mattress firmness you might be best-suited to...
1. Consider your sleeping position
Back sleepers often benefit from a medium-firm mattress. This provides neutral spine alignment while supporting the hips and shoulders. If a mattress is too soft, back sleepers may find their spine forming an uncomfortable 'U' shape, creating strain. Too firm and the natural 'S' curve of your spine won't be supported.
Side sleepers need good pressure relief on their shoulders, knees and hips. A medium to medium-soft mattress is usually a good choice. If it's too soft, the spine won't align properly with the shoulders and hips. Memory foam is often the best mattress choice for side sleepers due to its above-average contouring. For more advice, read our guide to the best mattress for side sleepers.
Front sleepers fare better with a firmer mattress. This lifts the hips up so that they're in alignment with the spine, and prevents the spine from forming a 'U' shape. If it's too firm it'll be uncomfortable - particularly for women - and won't allow the spine to curve naturally. Too soft and it can feel almost suffocating. Innerspring and hybrid mattresses can be a better choice than foam for front sleepers.
Combination sleepers should choose according to their dominant sleep position (the position you normally fall asleep in). If you don't have one, a medium firm mattress will dish out the best support and comfort across most positions.
2. Consider your body weight
Sleepers weighing 130lbs and below don't sink as far into a mattress and are often well-suited to softer options: between 2 and 4 on the firmness scale. However, a medium-firm mattress would also be a good choice.
Sleepers weighing 130-230lbs are often better-suited to medium and medium-firm mattresses, between 5-7 on the firmness scale.
Sleepers who weigh 230lbs or more can be well-suited to firmer mattresses, between an 8-10 rating, which prevent them sinking through the comfort layers.
What is the best mattress in 2023?
We think the luxury innerspring Saatva Classic offers the best balance between performance and price. It has a classic mattress feel, with a little bounce, and it aced our tests, scoring highly for pressure relief, temperature regulation and edge support. It's been approved by the American Chiropractic Association too, making it a great choice for back pain. Due to rising MSRPs, it's not as affordable as it used to be, but the Saatva Classic still undercuts many of its luxury rivals thanks to frequent discounts.
Alternatively, if you have a lower budget or prefer the 'hug' of memory foam, the Nectar Memory Foam is a top choice. It's comfortable and supportive, and extremely competitively priced. Alternatively, if you have a lower budget or prefer the 'hug' of memory foam, the Nectar Memory Foam is a top choice. It's comfortable and supportive, and extremely competitively priced, with regular, generous discounts and freebie offers.
When is the best time to buy a new mattress?
There are mattress sales all year round. Some brands pretty much always have the same deal on, others mix things up with different offers on different models at different times, so you need to be more strategic about when you buy.
The lowest prices of the year tend to appear in November in the form of Black Friday mattress deals and Cyber Monday mattress deals, and in February, during the Presidents' Day mattress sales. The latter is when people slowly start spending again following the January lull, and retailers look to stoke interest with strong offers and prices that are often as low as Black Friday.
The Memorial Day mattress sales are another key time to buy a new mattress, as retailers look to make way for newer models launching over the summer by discounting older stock. For the sheer volume and variety of discounted mattresses, it's as good as Black Friday, but we've noticed prices don't always dip quite as low. You might see the same discount advertised – $200 off, say – but the price may have gone up, so while the mattress is cheaper than its previous full price, you'd have saved more if you bought it in the November or February.
The same can be said of the July 4th mattress sales and Labor Day mattress sales: discounts typically match those offered during other major holidays, but many of the prices aren't quite the lowest. They're generally still good deals though, and worth grabbing if you need a new mattress.
Here's when you shouldn't buy a new mattress if you can help it: over the summer. This is the most expensive time of the year, with prices generally at their maximum. You might see similar discounts advertised, once again, but prices can be as much as $200 more than at other times of the year.
What is the most comfortable mattress for the money?
This depends on what type of mattress you enjoy sleeping on, as firmness and comfort are very subjective. For side sleepers, we think the most comfortable mattress for the money is the Helix Midnight. It relieves pressure all along your shoulders, hips and knees, and it's reasonably priced, too. Back sleepers might prefer the DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid – our testers found it super-comfortable in this position.
Overall, the most comfortable mattress is the Saatva Classic. It comes in three different firmness levels and two heights to offer you the comfort, support and mattress depth you need for a great night's sleep.