The best mattress 2024: Reviewed by certified sleep experts

We know from testing that the best mattresses support your spine, reduce pressure points and keep you comfortably cool during sleep. When buying a mattress online, our experts recommend considering the position you sleep in, any issues disturbing your sleep (such as back pain), and your budget. Each of these points will guide you to the right mattress at the right price. 

To help you find the best mattress for your needs, our team of certified sleep coaches and mattress experts (who have over three decades of product testing experience) spend hundreds of hours a month reviewing different mattresses, testing in key areas including firmness and temperature control. After analyzing our data and user review research, we score the mattress out of 5. Only the top-rated beds make it into this guide.

From our in-house tests, this year's best mattress is the Saatva Classic, a handcrafted innerspring hybrid that feels like a luxury hotel bed (we awarded it a high score of 4.5/5 in our year-long review). A queen size has increased by a $100 and now costs $1,795, but we feel it's still excellent value as you get a year's trial, lifetime warranty and free old mattress removal. For smaller budgets, choose The DreamCloud at $665 for a queen ahead of the Memorial Day mattress sales in late May.

Best mattress 2024: Quick list

In a hurry? Here's an at-a-glance look at our recommendations for 2024's best mattresses, based on our own testing data and user review research.

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The best mattresses 2024 – tested by experts

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.

Recent updates

Our review team recently tested the Purple Rejuvenate mattress, the Stearns & Foster Estate, the Tempur-Pedic Cloud Hybrid, Leesa Oasis Chill Hybrid, Casper Original mattress, DreamCloud Premier Hybrid, Saatva RX, Layla Essential and the Leesa Sapira Hybrid. After analyzing test data, the Saatva RX is now our best mattress for back pain, and the Leesa Sapira Hybrid is our top-rated pick for motion isolation.

Best mattress overall for 2024

The best mattress in the world and with a lifetime warranty too

Specifications

Type: Hybrid
Firmness (1-10): 3, 5-7 or 8
Height: 11.5" or 14.5"
Trial: 365 nights
Warranty: Lifetime
Price range: Premium
Materials: Pillow top, memory foam, coils, other foam
Test score: 4.5 out of 5

Reasons to buy

+
Three levels of firmness
+
Two different heights
+
Lower back support system
+
Anti-mold mattress cover

Reasons to avoid

-
Some light motion transfer
-
$99 returns or exchange fee
Buy it if

You want ultra comfort: The Saatva Classic feels like a deluxe hotel mattress, with its cushioning pillow top and responsive support layers. The taller model is particularly luxurious. 


You have back pain: It's designed to give you healthy spine alignment in any sleeping position, and because there are three different firmness levels, you can really tailor the support of the mattress to your needs.


✅ You're a hot sleeper: The Saatva is largely made from coils rather than foam, which means it's breathable and less likely to trap body heat. Our testers slept cool throughout the review period.

Don't buy it if

❌ You want to sink into your mattress: The Saatva Classic has a traditional innerspring feel - you sleep more on top of it. If you prefer the 'hug' of memory foam, try the Nectar Original (#2 in our guide) or the Helix Midnight (#4).


❌ You don't want to spend a lot: You get a lot of value for your money here - but it's still a premium mattress. For a similar but cheaper option, consider the DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid (#3).

You're a very light sleeper: The Saatva Classic has a little bit of bounce, which means you might experience some motion transfer. Light sleepers who share a bed might want something that isolates movement better - like the Nectar Original (#2). 

The bottom line

🔎 The Saatva Classic delivers luxury hotel quality at home. It's a fantastic choice for most people, with three different firmness levels and two heights to choose between. Our testers found that it sleeps cool, and provides excellent support and pressure relief. With a year's sleep trial and lifetime warranty, we think the Saatva Classic is well worth the investment. If you want the best mattress of 2024, here it is.

The Saatva Classic is a handcrafted innerspring hybrid mattress that wouldn't be out of place in a luxury hotel. You can buy it in your choice of three firmness levels (Plush Soft, Luxury Firm, Firm) and two heights (11.5" or 14.5"). It's hands-down the best mattress we've tested and one we recommend to all people because it's so customizable and comfy. 

One of our reviewers has been sleeping on the Saatva Classic for over four years and still rates it as the ultimate mattress. We love that it's made with natural materials for cleaner sleep, including breathable organic cotton and recycled steel coils, and that it's delivered flat – no smelly off-gassing here.

What it's like to sleep on: Review notes
We reviewed the 11.5" Luxury Firm Saatva Classic and awarded it a nearly-perfect score of 4.5/5 during testing, praising its excellent pressure relief, back support, temperature control and overall high build quality. Edge support is strong too, but there is some motion transfer from one side to the other. This isn't a deal-breaker, but couples seeking maximum motion isolation (if, say, you don't want to be disturbed by someone tossing and turning, or getting in and out of bed) should choose the Leesa Sapira Hybrid (#6) instead.

Our testers found that the Saatva Classic has a slightly bouncy surface that's easy to move around on, making it a good option if you loathe the feeling of sinking into memory foam. 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 provide edge support and reduce sagging. There's plenty of space for air to circulate and our testers said that it stayed cool during the night.

The overall design is geared towards keeping your back aligned, with a lumbar crown in the central third to support your lower back. During our year-long review, the Classic excelled at relieving tension around our reviewers' shoulders, hips and knees. However, while it works well for anyone with general aches and pains, the best Saatva mattress for back pain is the Saatva RX (#5)

Tip from our testers: "We loved sleeping on the Luxury Firm Saatva Classic and rate it as the best mattress for most people, but for heavy bodies we instead recommend the Classic Firm. If you're a side sleeper under 150lbs, try the Plush Soft."

Price, trial and warranty
It's rare to find the Classic being solid at MSRP thanks to some fantastic Saatva mattress sale offers. MSRP has risen over the past 18 months, but it's still great value for a handcrafted luxury mattress. While Saatva charges a $99 returns or exchange fee, you still get a year's sleep trial, lifetime warranty and free old bed removal. That's excellent value for money.

Saatva Classic mattress: $1,395$1,195 at Saatva

Saatva Classic mattress: <a href="https://www.prf.hn/click/camref:1100l8udd/pubref:hawk-custom-tracking/destination:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.saatva.com%2Fmattresses%2Fsaatva-classic%3Futm_source%3Dfuturepublishing%26utm_medium%3Daffiliate%26coupon%3Dawyqqgzvxqicebab" data-link-merchant="saatva.com"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">from $1,395 $1,195 at Saatva
This month's <a href="https://www.tomsguide.com/deals/saatva-mattress-deals" data-link-merchant="tomsguide.com"" data-link-merchant="saatva.com"">Saatva mattress sale offers up to $350 off the award-winning Saatva Classic. Last month there was a $400 saving on all orders worth $1,000 or more, so this month the Classic has increased in price and is now on sale for $1,795 for a queen size. Saatva mattress prices jump up and down at this time of year, so we do expect them to fall again at some point. Our expert advice is this: if you don't need a new mattress urgently, consider waiting to see if a better deal arrives. If you need a new mattress now and Saatva is the best option for you, we think $1,795 for a handcrafted queen mattress with organic materials, and that comes with a lifetime warranty and year's trial, is still great value.

Best memory foam mattress

The best memory foam mattress on a budget – a queen costs $659

Specifications

Type: All foam
Firmness (1-10): 6.5
Height: 12"
Trial: 365 nights
Warranty: Forever
Price bracket: Lower-mid
Materials: Memory foam, other foams

Reasons to buy

+
Great motion isolation
+
Sleeps cool for an all-foam bed
+
Suits stomach and back sleepers

Reasons to avoid

-
Edge support could be better
Buy it if

✅ 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 share a bed.

Don't buy it if

You sleep hot: Memory foam mattresses can sleep slightly warm. Very hot sleepers could consider a hybrid 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 slight quicksand feel, which can make moving around more difficult. Try an innerspring or hybrid model if you want something more responsive.

The bottom line

🔎 The Nectar Mattress is a supportive memory foam boxed bed that offers excellent value for money. The medium-firm feel (which our testers rate as on the firmer side) is especially comfortable for back sleeping, and we were also impressed by the Nectar's motion isolation and pressure relieving properties. A full year's trial and forever warranty are extremely generous for a mattress in this price range.

The Nectar Memory Foam Mattress is tough to beat when it comes to sheer value for money. This medium-firm, all-foam mattress suits a wide range of sleepers. It's the cheapest in Nectar Sleep's mattress range, offering excellent quality for the lower mid-range price. We're especially impressed with the 365-night trial period and forever warranty, matching some of what you get with the more expensive Saatva above – there's no free old mattress removal or new bed installation here though.

At the top of the Nectar Mattress you'll find a 3" layer of memory foam, which gives it a classic memory foam 'hug' feel. Our testers did sink in slightly, finding that the mattress contours gently to the body during sleep. The Nectar Memory Foam provides tailored pressure relief around your the shoulders, hips and back, and helps to keep the spine aligned during sleep. We feel it's a great all-rounder and definitely the best option if you want a top-rated memory foam bed for less.

What it's like to sleep on: Review notes
We awarded the Nectar Memory Foam a score of 4.3/5 during testing, with our review team finding it most comfortable for back and stomach sleeping. We also found that it sleeps pretty cool for an all-foam mattress. As the Nectar has a medium-firm feel, you won't feel like you're being swallowed by it and it shouldn't be too much of an adjustment if you used to sleep on an innerspring. 

Memory foam mattresses offer strong motion isolation and that's true of the Nectar. During our review, we found this model absorbed movements very well, making it a good choice for anyone who shares a bed and doesn't want to be disturbed by their partner's wriggling. 

Overall, the Nectar Memory Foam is a great option for people who want a supportive foam mattress that doesn't cost the earth.We feel it lands on the firmer side of medium-firm, which makes it an excellent choice for back sleepers who need to remain more on top of the mattress for healthy spinal alignment.

Tip from our testers: "All-foam beds almost always sleep warmer than hybrids and innersprings, and while the Nectar offers decent temperature regulation (thanks to a heat-dispersing cover and gel-infused foam),  we'd suggest the Cocoon by Sealy Chill (#7) instead if you struggle with overheating."

Price, trial and warranty
Monthly Nectar mattress deals reduce the cost of the Nectar Memory Foam by up to 40%, and some flash sales will offer up to 50% off. That makes it competitively priced compared to similar boxed mattresses, with a queen size Nectar Mattress usually priced at $699. You'll get a 365-night trial and a forever warranty with the Nectar Mattress, plus free shipping and returns.

Nectar Memory Foam mattress: $699$359 at Nectar

Nectar Memory Foam mattress: <a href="https://nectar.xovt.net/c/221109/473932/8338?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nectarsleep.com%2Fmattress%2Ftwin" data-link-merchant="nectarsleep.com"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">from $699 $359 at Nectar
Nectar Sleep is still running its 40% off sale, with the Nectar Memory Foam at the cheapest price of the year right now with a queen reduced to $659 – that's $40 cheaper than last month. We normally see a 33% off <a href="https://www.tomsguide.com/deals/nectar-mattress-promo-codes" data-link-merchant="tomsguide.com"" data-link-merchant="nectarsleep.com"">Nectar mattress deal so this bigger savings means now is the best time to buy a Nectar mattress. You'll get a 365-night trial and a lifetime warranty, which is excellent value for a budget bed.

Best mattress for couples

The best mattress in a box for couples and restless sleepers

Specifications

Type: Hybrid
Firmness (1-10): 6.5 (we'd rate it an 8)
Height: 14"
Trial: 365 days
Warranty: Lifetime
Price bracket: Mid-range
Materials: Memory foam, other foams, coils

Reasons to buy

+
Effective pressure relief
+
Strong motion isolation
+
Great value for a luxury hybrid

Reasons to avoid

-
Like the Nectar, edge support is lacking
Buy it if

✅ You can't stretch to the Saatva Classic: Like the Saatva at #1, the DreamCloud is a luxurious-feeling hybrid mattress. You'll make a few sacrifices for the lower price tag, but overall it's a great affordable alternative.

You're a back or stomach sleeper: We rated the mattress particularly highly for its excellent support for back and stomach sleepers. It's firmer than you expect.

✅ You share with a restless sleeper: The DreamCloud is an excellent mattress for couples, especially where one of you tosses and turns during the night as it absorbs motion well. Calmer nights await you.

Don't buy it if

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 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. The WinkBed (#5) has a similar design but with sturdier edges.

❌ 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. 

The bottom line

🔎 The DreamCloud mattress is a great affordable alternative to our #1 pick. This hybrid combines sturdy coils and contouring foams to deliver excellent all-over support. It's firmer than DreamCloud rates it, so if you're a lightweight side sleeper or prefer a plush mattress it might not suit you, but it's a strong recommendation for most others.

If you want a luxurious mattress but are on a tighter budget, check out the DreamCloud. This 14" 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 (#1) and feels much more high-end than the price-tag would suggest. 

The top 4.5" of the DreamCloud hybrid is made entirely from various foams, providing plenty of pressure relief and body contouring, plus strong motion isolation. That's balanced by a base of 8" wrapped coils to 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 throughout our review period. A quilted foam and cashmere top layer adds a touch of luxury. 

What it's like to sleep on: review notes
We awarded the DreamCloud Mattress a review score of 4.4 out of 5 during testing, rating its excellent pressure relief and how supportive it is for sleepers with back and hip pain. However our testers feel it's too firm for lightweight people and the edge support is not as good as you'll get on the Saatva Classic (#1)

Unlike the Saatva (#1) and the WinkBed (#8), the DreamCloud hybrid is only available in one firmness option. DreamCloud Sleep rates it as a 6.5/10 on the firmness scale, placing it in the 'medium firm' territory, but our review panel found it much firmer – around an 8/10. That's perfect for anyone wanting a firmer mattress for a more supportive sleep surface. We think it's excellent for back and stomach sleepers, and for anyone struggling with back pain as it ensures the hips don't drop too low and the spine remains properly aligned. For the best mattress for back pain, see the Saatva RX (#5).

The heavier-weight testers on our panel also found the DreamCloud Hybrid mattress supremely comfortable, although they did note that the edge support was a little lacking (worth bearing in mind if you have extra mobility requirements). However, we think lightweight side sleepers might prefer something softer to allow their shoulders and hips to sink in a little.

Tip from our testers: "Don't panic if your DreamCloud Hybrid feels much firmer than you anticipated during the first week or two. This boxed mattress takes a while to break in, but it is superbly comfortable once fully broken in. We recommend sleeping in it for at least 30 nights before making a decision."

Price, trials, warranty
The DreamCloud Hybrid is usually around 40% off. This saving is available most months, but if you're lucky you may come across one of the brand's 50% off flash sales, reducing the DreamCloud to a price that's even cheaper than the Nectar Mattress (#2). The year-long trial and lifetime warranty are generous too. Overall, if you want a luxury hotel-style mattress like the Saatva but lack the funds to invest in a handcrafted hybrid, the DreamCloud Mattress is the next best option.

The DreamCloud: $839 $449 at DreamCloud
For the past few weeks

The DreamCloud: <a href="https://dreamcloudsleep.xuok.net/c/221109/473934/8339?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dreamcloudsleep.com%2Fmattress" data-link-merchant="dreamcloudsleep.com"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">from $839 $449 at DreamCloud
For the past few weeks DreamCloud has been running a huge flash sale with up to 50% off mattresses. There's a significant discount on the DreamCloud Hybrid right now, with a queen size reduced to $665. That's over $140 cheaper than the last <a href="https://www.tomsguide.com/news/dreamcloud-mattress-sale-deals-discounts-prices" data-link-merchant="tomsguide.com"" data-link-merchant="dreamcloudsleep.com"">DreamCloud mattress sale, and the best price we've seen so far this year. As with the Nectar and Saatva options, you'll get a 365-night trial, plus a forever warranty and free shipping. Highly recommended at this price.

Best mattress for side sleepers

Simply the best mattress for side sleepers

Specifications

Type: Hybrid
Firmness (1-10): 6
Height: 11.5"
Trial: 100 days
Warranty: 10 years
Price bracket: Mid-range
Materials: Memory foam, other foams, coils

Reasons to buy

+
Eases pressure on hips and shoulders
+
Breathable hybrid mattress
+
Strong motion isolation

Reasons to avoid

-
Strong off-gassing smell
Buy it if

✅ You're a side sleeper: The medium-firm memory foam upper layer allows the sleepers' shoulders and hips to sink just enough into this mattress' surface, providing soothing support for side sleepers.

You share a bed: The Midnight isolates motion very well, meaning you won't be disturbed by the movements of a restless partner.

✅ You prioritize value for money: There are plenty of fancier mattresses for bigger budgets, but we think the Helix hits that sweet spot between performance and value, and delivers a lot for its mid-range price-tag. 

Don't buy it if

You're a stomach or back sleeper: The Midnight won't be firm enough to provide adequate support under the hips for most stomach sleepers and some back sleepers. That's especially true if you weigh above average.

❌ You don't like the contouring feel of memory foam: If you prefer is for a more responsive sleep surface, try one of Helix's 'back / stomach sleeper' models instead, which swap the memory foam for a bouncier foam.

❌ You want maximum luxury: The design of the Midnight is clean and modern, but it doesn't feel as sumptuous as the Saatva (#1). You could also opt for the Midnight Luxe

The bottom line

🔎 The Helix Midnight is designed especially for side sleepers, and delivers on those promises; the upper levels of sink-in memory foam contour comfortably around the shoulders and hips and prevent pressure from building up. The medium firmness is perfect for side sleeping too, but beware it likely won't be supportive enough for back or stomach sleepers.

The Helix Midnight mattress is designed specifically for side sleepers, and all our testers agree that it's the best mattress for this sleeping position. Like the Saatva and DreamCloud, the Helix Midnight is a hybrid model and made from foams plus coils. Unlike those two, this is a speciality mattress tailor-made for people who side sleep. 

The Helix Midnight is 11.5" tall and packs in five layers, including a Light Breathe Knit cover (upgradable to cooling cover), comfort foam layers and 1,000 individually wrapped coils. There is now a Helix Midnight Luxe mattress, which we are in the process of reviewing, measuring 13.5" tall and designed with six layers. The standard Helix Midnight is the better choice for smaller budgets and for side sleepers who don't need all the bells and whistles of the Luxe model.

What it's like to sleep on: Review notes
Helix Sleep rates the Helix Midnight mattress as a 5-6 out of 10 on the firmness scale, but in our tests we judged it to be more like a 6.5 or 7. The overall feel is supportive, with a memory foam upper layer that contours around your curves. It's especially comfortable in a side-sleeper position, enabling the hips and shoulders to sink in a little and reducing pressure points. 

Stomach sleepers should seek something firmer for proper spinal support, as should those who weigh more than average. Back sleepers should approach with caution too, as the Helix Midnight might not provide adequate support beneath your hips. 

The upper comfort levels on the Helix Midnight have that classic memory foam feel, in that they're slow moving and hug your shape, taking a second to return to re-expand once pressure is removed. Many people find this ultra-soothing – and it has benefits like being exceptional at absorbing movements – but it can be an adjustment if you're used to an innerspring mattress. 

Tip from our testers: "Memory foam can trap body heat, and while we didn't have any issues with overheating during our review period, we recommend upgrading to a GlacioTex cooling cover if you overheat or sweat in bed. Just be aware that the GlacioTex cover will make the sleep surface a little more slippery."

Price, trial, warranty
The Helix Midnight mattress is almost never sold at full MSRP. A regular saving takes 20% off, but we've seen that increase to 25% off over national holidays like Black Friday, Memorial Day and the 4th of July. You'll get a 100-night trial and a 10-year warranty with the Helix Midnight, which is average and certainly more than the 30-night minimum our mattress experts recommend.

Helix Midnight mattress: $936$702 + free bedding worth up to $418 at Helix Sleep

Helix Midnight mattress: <a href="https://helix-sleep.tkjf.net/c/221109/605588/9928?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk&u=https%3A%2F%2Fhelixsleep.com%2Fproducts%2Fmidnight%3F" data-link-merchant="helixsleep.com"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">from $936 $702 + free bedding worth up to $418 at Helix Sleep
The Helix Mattress 25% off sale has now ended, so the maximum saving you'll now get on the Helix Midnight is 20% – plus you'll receive two free luxury pillows with your order. A queen size Midnight side sleeper mattress is now reduced to $1,099 (was $1,373), which is the best price we've found online. Last month you could have bought a queen size Midnight for $999 and bagged $333 of free bedding, but we don't expect to see that fantastic offer again until the Memorial Day sales arrive in late May. Helix Sleep offers a 100-night trial on the Midnight, plus a 10-year warranty.

Best mattress for back pain

The best mattress for chronic back pain

Specifications

Type: Hybrid innerspring
Firmness (1-10): 6.5-7 out of 10
Height: 15”
Trial: 365 nights
Warranty: Lifetime
Price range: Luxury
Materials: Cotton, high-density foam, micro-coils, coils

Reasons to buy

+
Excellent back support
+
Superb pressure relief
+
Sleeps cool

Reasons to avoid

-
Weak motion isolation
Buy it if...

✅ You have chronic back pain: The Saatva RX should be top of your list if you have chronic back pain and sciatica or scoliosis like our lead tester, as it’s expertly designed to alleviate pressure and pain during sleep.

✅ You sleep hot: The gel-infused memory foam used here boosts the overall breathability of the Saatva RX. There are two dedicated cooling mattresses in this guide, but breathability is a nice added extra of the RX.

✅ You’re a back or stomach sleeper: During testing we felt the Saatva RX was on the firmer side of medium-firm and we therefore recommend it as the best choice for stomach and back sleepers who need that firmness to stay on top of the mattress where the spine is better aligned.

Don't buy it if...

You have no aches: The Saatva RX is a specialist mattress designed for people with chronic back and joint pain, so if you are dealing with normal aches and pains, we recommend the Saatva Classic (#1) instead. You’ll find the RX far too firm.

You’re a side sleeper: Our testers were not comfortable side sleeping on the Saatva RX, so consider the Helix Midnight Mattress (#4) if you want a plush, contouring bed to hug your shoulders, knees and hips when sleeping on your side.

You like soft beds: We rate the Saatva RX as a medium-firm to firm mattress, so look at the Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Adapt Mattress (#6) for a softer mattress with ample contouring of your body.

The bottom line

🔎 The Saatva RX is our new best mattress for back pain recommendation. Our lead tester, Alison, suffers from back pain and mild scoliosis and she slept very well on the Saatva RX during her three weeks of testing. As we’d expect from a luxury sleep brand, the RX is beautifully finished, though the 15” tall profile is quite the slab of mattress – keep that in mind if you’re shorter and find it hard getting on and off a taller bed. You get a 365-night trial with the Saatva RX, plus a lifetime warranty and free white glove delivery including removal of your old mattress and foundation. 

The Saatva RX is a recently released luxury mattress designed to support sleepers who have chronic back pain and joint conditions such as sciatica, arthritis and herniated discs. We reviewed the Saatva RX for three consecutive weeks, and our lead tester Alison noticed an immediate difference in her back pain from the very first night. 

The RX comes in one comfort level, which we evaluated as being on the firmer side of medium-firm; so we found it firmer than Saatva’s own rating. The Saatva RX is a hybrid innerspring, just like our best Saatva mattress pick overall, but from there it has some unique features designed with back pain relief in mind. 

These include a Therapeutic Support Core which flexes and adjusts to your in-bed movements, keeping pressure points at bay so pain doesn’t creep back in. Gel-infused memory foam also ensures your spine stays healthy aligned and isn’t pushed out of place, causing more pain. As with the Classic, there’s Lumbar Zone Quilting here to deliver targeted lower back support.

What it's like to sleep on: review notes
Our lead tester for the Saatva RX, Alison, has back pain and mild scoliosis, so she was the best person to test this new Saatva mattress beyond our Sleep Editor Claire Davies, who has ongoing lower back pain following pregnancy. Stomach and back sleepers will be the most comfortable on the RX, while the side sleepers on our wider testing panel struggled to get comfy. 

Our testing lab notes show that the pressure relief is very good, and overall the RX sleeps cool – as we’d expect from a hybrid. Edge support is strong, so you shouldn’t have any issues sleeping right up to the edge or when sitting on the bed to get dressed. The downsides for us were how firm it felt during our side lying test, and that the motion isolation was weak – restless sleepers with back pain would be better off looking at The WinkBed. Otherwise, the Saatva RX is an excellent mattress for back pain capable of bringing a lot of relief at night.

Tip from our testers: "Make sure you clear space in your bedroom for where you want the Saatva RX to live, then let Saatva's installation team set it up for you as this is a very tall and heavy mattress. Once placed on your bed frame, it will be hard to move around without help."

Price, trial, warranty
You can only buy the Saatva RX mattress online directly from the brand, however Saatva does have 12 Viewing Rooms located across America. So if you’d prefer to lay hands on the RX before ordering it, you could visit a Saatva Viewing Room first – they are located in New York, Washington and Los Angeles, among others. 

Saatva offers evergreen discounts on its handcrafted luxury mattresses, and that now includes the Saatva RX. We've seen $400 off all sizes throughout Black Friday, and right now there's a 15% discount that yields as much as $569 off the MSRP. Saatva runs a 365-night trial on the RX and has a lifetime warranty scheme, plus free old mattress and foundation removal – you need to arrange that in advance.

Saatva RX mattress: $1,995 $1,695 at Saatva

Saatva RX mattress: <a href="https://www.prf.hn/click/camref:1100l8udd/pubref:hawk-custom-tracking/destination:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.saatva.com%2Fmattresses%2Fsaatva-rx" data-link-merchant="saatva.com"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">from $1,995 $1,695 at Saatva
As with the Saatva Classic, our $400 exclusive discount on every size of the Saatva RX is over, but you can still save up to $400 on this exceptional mattress for back pain today. The new Saatva sale reduces the price of a queen RX to $2,945 (last month it was $2,895) which is still expensive but our testers feel it’s a worthwhile investment if chronic back pain is ruining your sleep. You'll get a lifetime warranty with the Saatva RX, plus a year's sleep trial and free old mattress and foundation removal.

Best mattress for motion isolation

The best mattress for isolating motion from restless sleepers

Specifications

Type: Hybrid
Firmness (1-10): 6 out of 10 (medium firm)
Height: 11”
Trial: 100 nights
Warranty: 10 years
Price range: Luxury
Materials: Memory foam, coils, other foams

Reasons to buy

+
Top-rated motion isolation
+
Great pressure relief for side sleepers
+
Very well made

Reasons to avoid

-
Too soft for heavier bodies
Buy it if...

You are a side sleeper: Our lead tester and our wider review panel for the Leesa Sapira found it super-comfy for side sleeping. It’s soft and contouring around the hips and shoulders, and reduces pressure points quickly.

✅ You share with a restless sleeper: The Leesa Sapira is one of the best mattresses we’ve tested for motion isolation, ensuring that movement on one side of the mattress is greatly dampened before it reaches the other side.

✅ You like contouring mattresses: This hybrid is on the softer side of medium-firm, so we highly recommend it to people who want a breathable hybrid but with a more contouring feel.

Don't buy it if...

You need good edge support: While our testers rate the Leesa Sapira highly in many key areas, we felt the edge support was a little lacklustre; not enough to be a dealbreaker, but if you need extra assistance getting in and out of bed, we’d recommend other mattresses with stronger edge support such as the Helix Dusk Luxe.

You have night sweats: Another area that we nitpicked over during testing is the temperature control function of the Leesa Sapira. We felt it slept a little warm for a hybrid, so people with chronic night sweats should look at the Cocoon Chill instead.

You sleep on your stomach: Again, because of the softer and contouring feel of our Leesa Sapira review model, we don’t recommend the mattress for heavier stomach sleepers as we feel there wouldn’t be enough support. There we recommend the Helix Dusk Luxe instead.

The bottom line

The Leesa Sapira mattress is excellent at isolating motion from one side of the mattress to the other. Therefore we recommend this as a top pick for people who bedshare with a restless partner. There are plenty of other benefits to the Sapira too, including a cozy and softer contouring feel which is pretty unusual for a medium-firm hybrid. We recommend it mostly to side sleepers and lighter weight stomach and back sleepers, but if you sleep on your stomach and weigh over 250lbs we’d recommend The WinkBed Plus instead. 

The Leesa Sapira is a well-made hybrid mattress that scored highly in our in-house tests for key areas such as comfort, support, pressure relief and motion isolation. Its shining performance dipped slightly on temperature regulation (our testers felt it slept a little warm) and edge support (our testers felt it was a little weak), but otherwise this is a well-rounded memory foam and coil mattress that doesn’t get as much praise as it should. The side sleepers on our review panel enjoyed sleeping on it the most, and while it’s 

perfectly suitable for light to average weight back sleepers, we’d question if there is enough support here for heavier (250lbs+) stomach sleepers. The Leesa Sapira mattress comprises six layers, including toxin-free dense foam for the comfort and recovery layers, plus a coil support layer packed with 1,000 pocket springs to minimize motion transfer and enhance airflow. At 11” tall it’s one inch higher than the mattress standard (10”), so you won’t need to invest in extra-deep fitted sheets for this one.

What it's like to sleep on: review notes
Our lead mattress tester for the Leesa Sapira, Michele, reviewed the mattress over a three week period. During that time Michele tested the Sapira in all key areas including comfort, support, pressure relief, edge support, breathability and motion isolation. Only two areas let the mattress down: temperature control and edge support, and even then our testers said this was only to a small degree. 

So those certainly aren’t deal breakers for us, as evidenced by the Leesa Sapira’s very high 4.5 out of 5 review score. All of the side sleepers on our wider testing panel rated the Sapira highly for pressure relief along the shoulders, hips and knees, so you can look forward to a very comfortable night’s sleep on your side here. The cover is designed to wick moisture, so even though we felt the mattress slept a little warm, we didn’t sweat on it. There’s a minimal off-gassing smell with the Leesa Sapira, but even so we’d recommend opening a window while unboxing it.

Price, trial, warranty
At the time of reviewing this mattress, the Leesa Sapira is only available from the Leesa website. There are perks to buying direct, including a 100-night trial and a 10-year limited warranty. You’ll get free shipping to your door, and returns are free too as long as the Sapira is returned within that trial period. 

Like Satava and Helix mattresses, every Leesa Sapira boxed mattress is made to order and they usually ship within two to seven business days. That’s faster than you’d find with most custom mattresses, but big holiday shopping events such as Black Friday could impact shipping timeframes. 

Leesa Sapira Hybrid: $1,349

Leesa Sapira Hybrid: <a href="https://leesasleep.lvuv.net/c/221109/236769/4014?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.leesa.com%2Fproducts%2Fleesa-hybrid-mattress" data-link-merchant="leesa.com"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">from $1,349 $1,079 at Leesa
Right now there’s a maximum saving of $460 on the Leesa Sapira Hybrid after (last month it was up to $600 off) plus two free pillows, reducing the cost of a queen size to $1,599 (was $1,999). That discount makes it competitively priced with other top-rated hybrids such as the Saatva Classic and The WinkBed, although both of those have multiple firmness options whereas the Sapira has just one. You’ll get a 100-night trial with the Leesa, plus free shipping, a 10-year warranty and two free pillows.

Best affordable cooling mattress

The best affordable mattress for hot sleepers

Specifications

Type: All-foam (hybrid also available)
Firmness (1-10): 6.5
Height: 10"
Trial: 100 nights
Warranty: 10 years
Price bracket: Lower-mid
Materials: Memory foam, other foams

Reasons to buy

+
Temperature control cover
+
Contouring foam comfort
+
Great value for a cooling bed
+
Free White Glove Delivery

Reasons to avoid

-
Too soft for heavy back sleepers
Buy it if

✅ You sleep warm: The Chill has a phase-change cover that works effectively to prevent overheating. Our testers were impressed with how cool it kept them.

You're on a budget: Most specialist cooling beds sit in the premium price bracket. This is the coolest mattress we've tested in the mid-range price bracket.

You need some pressure relief: We rate the Chill highly on pressure relief. The upper layer of memory foam provides comfortable cushioning without too much of that sink-in feel.

Don't buy it if

You sleep really hot: While the Chill delivers great temperature regulation for the price, it doesn't sleep as cool as specialist models like the Casper Wave Hybrid Snow (#10). The hybrid chill will also likely sleep cooler than the all-foam.

❌ You don't struggle with overheating: The Nectar Memory Foam (#2) is a close rival, and a slightly better all-round mattress, with a longer trial, if you don't need the special cooling cover.

❌ You weigh over 230lb: The heavier members of our testing panel didn't feel properly supported, so if you're on the heavier side, look for a firmer mattress. 

The bottom line

🔎 The Cocoon by Sealy Chill is a memory foam bed in a box with a special phase change cover that does an excellent job of regulating temperature. This is the coolest bed we've tested in the lower mid-range price bracket, and a good alternative to the Nectar for hot sleepers on a budget.

The Cocoon Chill the best mattress for hot sleepers on a smaller budget. It comes from major bed brand Sealy and is available as an all-foam model or a hybrid with springs (we're focusing on the former here). Whichever version you choose, you'll benefit from the temperature-regulating phase-change cover. What's especially notable is that this mattress sits in the lower-mid price bracket, whereas most specialist cooling mattresses are far more expensive. It has a similar design and price to the Nectar (#2) and is a better option if you sleep hot. 

What it's like to sleep on: review notes
During our review period, we were very impressed with how well the Chill regulated temperature – the phase-change cover ensured our testers didn't overheat once, even the ones that usually tend to run hot. While it won't chill you out as effectively as the very best cooling mattresses on the market, those typically sit comfortably in the premium price bracket, whereas the Chill is mid-range or upper-mid. It's absolutely the coolest mattress we've found in this price bracket. 

If you can spend a bit more, consider upgrading to the hybrid version (the springs boost breathability but creating space for air to circulate), or a specialist model like the Casper Wave Hybrid Snow (#10). The latter is much more of an investment, though. 

Although the Chill includes a top layer of memory foam, you sleep fairly close to the top of this mattress rather than sinking in too deeply. There's still plenty of pressure relief, and this mattress is very good at absorbing movements, which is good news for anyone who shares a bed. The medium-firm sleep feel will suit most sleeping positions and is especially comfortable for side sleeping. We'd recommend it to lighter or average-weight sleepers – those over 230lb should seek something firmer. 

Price, trial, warranty
There's a permanent deal that knocks 35% off ticket prices and takes the Chill mattress into the lower mid-range bracket, and you'll typically get a free bedding bundle too. The hybrid version costs between $80 and $200 more, depending on size. Cocoon doesn't typically increase its discounts over sales events, so you don't need to be strategic about when you buy. You'll get a 100-night trial, 10-year warranty and free old mattress and foundation removal.

Cocoon by Sealy Chill Memory Foam Mattress:  $617 $399 at Cocoon by Sealy
Ignore those 'Ends Today' claims, this 35% off discount is available every single day in the Cocoon by Sealy sale and we haven't seen it change in over a year now. However, if you pop in the code EXTRA25

Cocoon by Sealy Chill Memory Foam Mattress: <a href="https://cocoonbysealy.sjv.io/c/221109/1070817/13725?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cocoonbysealy.com%2Fmattress%2Fthe-chill-mattress%2Fv%2F123%2F" data-link-merchant="cocoonbysealy.com"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">from $617 $399 at Cocoon by Sealy
Ignore those 'Ends Today' claims, this 35% off discount is available every single day in the <a href="https://www.tomsguide.com/deals/cocoon-by-sealy" data-link-merchant="tomsguide.com"" data-link-merchant="cocoonbysealy.com"">Cocoon by Sealy sale and we haven't seen it change in over a year now. However, if you pop in the code EXTRA25, you can save an extra $25 on your Cocoon Chill Mattress. Last month this cooling foam bed was $25 cheaper in a queen size, but here you'll still get it for just $699, plus you'll get free cooling bed sheets worth up to $199 thrown in. A cooler alternative to the Nectar.

Best mattress for heavy people

The best mattress for people who bedshare and weigh over 250lbs

Specifications

Type: Hybrid
Firmness (1-10): 4.5, 6.5, 7.5 or 8
Height: 13.5"
Trial: 120 days
Warranty: Lifetime
Price bracket: Upper-mid / premium
Materials: Pillow top, foam, coils

Reasons to buy

+
Specific model for heavy bodies
+
Lower back support system
+
Lifetime warranty

Reasons to avoid

-
So-so temperature regulation
Buy it if

You and your partner each weigh over 250lbs: The WinkBed is available in four firmness options including a PLUS version for heavier bodies. This can accommodate two people who weigh over 250lbs and want a medium-firm bed.

✅ You have back pain: The WinkBed has been engineered with back pain sufferers in mind, and in our tests we found it delivered excellent support, as well as comfortable pressure relief. After testing the new Saatva RX, we feel that mattress has the edge for back pain relief.

✅ You share a bed: The WinkBed offers excellent motion isolation for heavier bodies, meaning you won't be disturbed by your partner's movements in the bed. 

Don't buy it if

You struggle with sleeping hot: Although the temperature regulation on this mattress was perfectly acceptable, it's not as cool as the Saatva (#1) or specialist models like the Casper Wave Hybrid Snow (#10).

❌ You have a bigger budget: The WinkBed is fairly similar to the Saatva Classic (#1), but the Saatva is better, in our opinion. If you can afford the higher price, that's the one to go for.  

❌ You're looking to maximize value for money: The WinkBed is also fairly similar to the DreamCloud (#3). The latter is a bit less luxurious and only comes in one firmness, but it is a fair bit cheaper. 

The bottom line

🔎 The WinkBed mattress is a luxurious feeling hybrid that's particularly well suited to anyone people with heavier bodies, especially heavier people with back pain. This is thanks to zoned coils delivering support exactly where it's needed. You can pick your firmness to suit your sleep position and body type but we recommend the WinkBed Plus as the best mattress for heavy people who bedshare and weigh over 250lbs each. 

The WinkBed mattress is a luxury hybrid with a design that includes individually wrapped, zoned coils and gel-infused foam. The four different firmness options means you can pick the version that'll provide the right amount of support for your body type and sleep style. That, combined with the excellent pressure relief offered by the upper levels of cushioning mean this is a top choice for those suffering from back, hip or shoulder pain. We'd consider it a more affordable alternative to the Saatva Classic (#1), or an upgrade on the cheaper DreamCloud (#3). 

What it's like to sleep on: review notes
We tested out the luxury firm (6.5 out of 10) version, and think it'd be a great choice for most people, but the Plus version is the best option for heavy bodies. The coil layer is zoned to provide sturdiness or softness just where it's needed – notably, there's extra support under the lumbar to promote good spinal alignment, which is vital if you suffer back pain (or want to avoid it). Meanwhile, the upper foam layers deliver first-class pressure relief, with a moderate level of contouring and plenty of cushioning.

Lightweight side sleepers should consider the soft version (4.5 out of 10), while the firm option (7.5) might be a better pick for stomach and back sleepers between 230 and 250lb, who need to sleep on top of the mattress, and avoid sinking in too much. The Plus (8) is our top pick for heavier people as it's designed for bigger bodies over 250lbs, and has a very different design. 

During our review period, we found the WinkBed offered excellent motion isolation, making it a strong choice for restless sleepers as well as anyone who shares a bed. We were also impressed with this mattress' sturdy edges, which are comfortable to sit on and can be used to press on to get up. Our only slight complaint was with the temperature regulation, which was good but not amazing. 

Price, trial, warranty
WinkBeds has a permanent discount that knocks $300 off all sizes, putting it at the top of the upper mid-range bracket (and a fair bit more affordable than the Saatva at #1). This deal has remained constant since we started tracking prices, and doesn't increase over national holidays or any of the other usual sales events. WinkBeds charges a $49 fee if you need to swap to a different firmness level after purchase. You'll get a 120-night trial and a lifetime warranty with the WinkBed Plus.

The WinkBed Plus mattress: $1,349$1,049 at WinkBeds

The WinkBed Plus mattress: <a href="https://winkbeds.sjv.io/c/221109/1768520/20673?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking" data-link-merchant="winkbeds.sjv.io"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">from $1,349 $1,049 at WinkBeds
There's $300 off any size of the WinkBed Plus today, with a queen mattress down to $1,699 (was $1,999). This is the same saving we see every month at WinkBeds, so there's no need to rush to buy it if you're still undecided. The non-Plus versions of the mattress are also $300 off in every size and are around $200 cheaper on average. The Plus version comes with a 180-night trial, a lifetime warranty and free shipping. For free old bed removal, pick the Saatva.

Best mattress for pressure relief

Our best-rated mattress for pressure relief

Specifications

Type: Tempur; Tempur hybrid
Firmness (1-10): 3 to 8 (different firmness options from soft to firm)
Height: 11” to 13”
Trial: 90 nights
Warranty: 10 years
Price range: Premium
Materials: Tempur foam

Reasons to buy

+
Deep pressure relief
+
Great motion isolation
+
Comfy contouring

Reasons to avoid

-
Sleeps warm
-
Two-week wait
-
Returns fee applies
Buy it if

✅ Aches and pains keep you awake: The Tempur-Adapt is renowned for its deep pressure relief, so it’s one of the best mattresses around for easing pressure points.

You like a contouring mattress: Tempur material quickly moulds to your body and has more of a more cocooning effect compared to other mattresses here.

✅ You need maximum motion isolation: If you bed share with someone who wriggles in their sleep, the Tempur-Adapt will do a great job of absorbing motion from their movements. In other words, you’ll have a better chance of undisturbed sleep.

Don't buy it if

You sleep hot: Our lead mattress reviewer and the larger portion of our testing panel all felt that the Tempur-Adapt sleeps warm.

❌ You don’t have any pain: As you get older your body will change and so will its need for better pressure relief, so if you have zero pains right now, get a good cheap mattress while they still work for you.

❌ You have a smaller budget: The Tempur-Adapt is an expensive mattress. Yes you can often find a deal to lower the price, but it’s still a lot of money. So if you need pressure relief on a smaller budget, look at The WinkBed.

The bottom line

🔎 Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Adapt is a great mattress for pressure relief and motion isolation. It’s ideal if you want to sleep more comfortably and not be disturbed by pain or by a restless partner. However it isn’t cheap and it does sleep warm, but if budget and overheating aren’t issues for you, then definitely try it - you’ll have a 90-night trial period, plus free White Glove Delivery.

The Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Adapt is the brand’s best-selling mattress for alleviating pressure points on your body when you’re lying down. The Tempur-Adapt comes in three different heights and three different levels of pressure relief: the 11” Adapt with Legendary Pressure Relief (from $1,699), the 12” ProAdapt with Advanced Pressure Relief (from $2,899), and the 13” LuxeAdapt with Ultimate Pressure Relief (from $3,699). Pressure relief is important because it reduces aches and pains that might be waking you from sleep or preventing you from falling asleep easily. 

Tempur material is a NASA-developed foam that provides deep cushioning and contouring coupled with all-over support. In our Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Adapt mattress review we ranked it highly for its incredible motion isolation and unbeatable pressure relief. 

What it's like to sleep on: review notes
We feel the medium-firm and firm options make it an excellent mattress for back sleepers, while the soft version of the Tempur-Adapt LuxeAdapt offers the perfect balance of comfort and cushioning for side sleeping. We didn’t like how hot it sleeps; regardless of what Tempur-Pedic says, our test model retained heat and made us feel overly warm most mornings. So if you experience night sweats or overheating, look at the Cocoon by Sealy Chill or the Casper Snow mattress instead. 

We rated the Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Adapt mattress as a 4.3 out of 5. We reviewed it for a period of three weeks and tested it on various types of sleeper. It performed well for our back and stomach sleepers, and all of our testing panel felt comfortable and with reduced pressure points when sleeping on it. Just keep in mind what we said about it sleeping hot.

Price, trial, warranty: At certain points in each month you can find a good Tempur-Pedic mattress sale to reduce the cost of the Tempur-Adapt by around 30%. That takes a big chunk off the price tag, and sometimes Tempur-Pedic will offer free bedding with it too. The trial period is just 90 nights (Nectar, Saatva and DreamCloud offer 365 nights in comparison) and we’d like to see a longer warranty than 10 years on such an expensive bed, but there is free mattress installation and old bed removal to sweeten the deal.

Tempur-Adapt Mattress:  + $300 of free bedding at Tempur-Pedic

Tempur-Adapt Mattress: <a href="https://tempurpedic.pxf.io/c/221109/1070808/13723?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tempurpedic.com%2Fshop-mattresses%2Fadapt-collection%2Fv%2F2602%2F" data-link-merchant="tempurpedic.com"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">from $1,699 + $300 of free bedding at Tempur-Pedic
You can normally find two types of deal on the Tempur-Adapt mattress: either a  discount or up to $300 worth of free gifts with your mattress purchase. Last month you could have had both, but now Tempur-Pedic has reverted back to offering $300 worth of free bedding with the Tempur-Adapt. That includes sheets, pillows and a Tempur-Pedic mattress protector. It's a good offer, but if you'd rather money-off then we recommend waiting for a new sale to arrive.

Best mattress for stomach sleepers

The best plush and supportive mattress for comfy stomach sleeping

Specifications

Type: Memory foam hybrid
Firmness (1-10): 6.5 (medium firm)
Height: 13.5"
Trial: 100 nights
Warranty: 15 years
Price range: Premium
Materials: Tencel, memory foam, steel coils

Reasons to buy

+
Promotes spinal alignment
+
Good lumbar support
+
Responsive sleep surface

Reasons to avoid

-
Retains some heat
Buy it if

✅ You love stomach sleeping: The Helix Dusk Luxe is tailor-made for back and stomach sleepers, with a bespoke design to keep you comfortably on top of the mattress and to stop you from sinking in.

You like a plush pillow top: While the mattress itself has a medium firm feel, the pillow top is soft and spongy, offering a good dose of snuggly comfort as soon as you lie down.

You need a taller mattress: At 13.5” tall, the Helix Dusk Luxe sits in that sweet spot between standard mattress height and extra-plush. This creates a plusher feel, more supportive bed overall. 

Don't buy it if

You weigh 300lb+ each: if you and your partner have larger and taller bodies, then you’d be better suited to the Helix Plus. It’s one of the best mattresses for heavy people, with a weight capacity of 1,000lbs.

❌ You have night sweats: Our tester, who isn’t a hot sleeper, found that the Helix Dusk Luxe does retain some heat. So if night sweats and hot flashes plague your sleep, consider the Casper Wave Snow Hybrid (#11) instead.

❌ You prefer a soft bed: A medium firm hybrid is a great choice for many people, but if you're lighter than average (under 150lbs), only sleep on your side or you just sleep soundly on soft mattresses, then look at the Saatva Classic Soft (#1) instead.

The bottom line

🔎 The Helix Dusk Luxe is a well-made memory foam and steel coil mattress that delivers an impressive mix of support and comfort. The responsive foam layers keep your body on top of the mattress, preventing your back from dipping in and causing aches and pains. The edge support was decent (remember what we said about the end of the bed though), and the motion isolation is good enough for all but the most restless of sleepers. If you want a comfy and durable mattress for stomach sleeping from a top-rated sleep brand, the Helix Dusk Luxe is the best choice for you.

Helix Sleep is known for making excellent mattresses dedicated to specific sleeping positions. Stomach sleeping is one of the hardest positions to cater for as so much spinal alignment and support is needed, but the Helix Dusk Luxe knocks it out of the park. Our mattress tester slept on the mattress for three weeks and praised it highly for back and stomach sleeping. That’s because it uses responsive foam layers that support and cushion your body without allowing you to dip down into the mattress. So you stay on top, exactly where you should be for healthy stomach sleeping.

What it's like to sleep on: review notes
Our lead reviewer felt that the Helix Dusk Luxe was breathable, which isn’t surprising given the use of coils that promote better airflow. Other top scores were awarded for the zoned support, and the thick pillow top for an instant hit of comfort. It definitely feels close to a medium firm mattress, so Helix is right on the money there. This was an almost perfect balance of comfort and support for us, with the responsive contouring of the mattress cradling all pressure points. 

While the Helix Dusk Luxe offers good pressure relief, it isn’t as good as the Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Adapt in that area, so definitely look at that mattress if aches and pains interrupt your sleep. The motion isolation was also decent and should suit most people, though very restless sleepers would do better on a full memory foam mattress (not a hybrid).

The temperature regulation was a bit of a let down for us; the Helix Dusk Luxe held onto more heat than we anticipated and the quilted Tencel cover doesn’t stay cool to the touch. If you’re forever tossing and turning, trying to find a cool spot, we’d recommend looking at the Cocoon by Sealy Chill too. 

There’s strong edge support down both sides of the mattress to make getting in and out of bed easier, though the foot of the bed isn’t as robust. Those points aside, the Helix Dusk Luxe is a well-made hybrid mattress best-suited to stomach sleepers who want to feel comfy and supported on top of the mattress. You’ll have 100 nights to trial it at home too.

Price, trial, warranty
Helix Sleep offers a 100-night trial on the Dusk Luxe, so you’ll get triple the expert-recommended 30 nights to trial a new mattress. You can also find it on sale most months, with savings of up to 20% available. That reduces the cost of a queen size to $1,899, which is still one of the more expensive options in our guide. You get two free Dream pillows worth up to $150 with our purchase, plus free shipping and a 15-year warranty compared to the 10 year guarantee on standard Helix beds. 

Helix Dusk Luxe mattress:$1,373 $1,099 + two free pillows at Helix Sleep

Helix Dusk Luxe mattress: <a href="https://helix-sleep.tkjf.net/c/221109/605588/9928?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk&u=https%3A%2F%2Fhelixsleep.com%2Fproducts%2Fdusk-luxe" data-link-merchant="helixsleep.com"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">from $1,373 $1,099 + two free pillows at Helix Sleep
Helix increased reduced its discount from 25% to 20% off this month, with two free luxury pillows worth up to $150 when you buy the Helix Dusk Luxe (last month you could get $333 worth of free bedding). We normally see 20% off Helix mattresses, with the higher 25% discount and bigger free bedding bundle available during major sales only, so we expect it to return for Memorial Day in late May. A queen size Helix Dusk Luxe costs $1,899 today, with a 100-night trial and a 15-year warranty.

Best mattress under $500

The best mattress under $500 – just $399 for a queen

Specifications

Type: All foam
Firmness (1-10): 6.5 (we'd rate it a 9)
Height: 10"
Trial: 180 days
Warranty: 10 years
Price bracket: Budget
Materials: Memory foam, other foams

Reasons to buy

+
Excellent value for money
+
Best for back and stomach sleepers
+
Strong edge support for a cheap bed

Reasons to avoid

-
Retains some heat
Buy it if

✅ You're on a budget: At under $500 for a queen, the Siena is extremely budget-friendly. From the same parent company as Nectar, it's the best quality mattress we've tested in this price category.  

You're a back or stomach sleeper: The firm sleep feel provides ample spinal support that's perfect mattress for those who like to lie on their front or back.

You need a mattress with sturdy edges: The Siena has some of the best edge support we've come across – useful if you want to be able to sit comfortably on the edge of your bed.

Don't buy it if

You're a side sleeper: The firm feel of the Siena might cause pressure to build up in the shoulder for some side sleepers. Consider something with more give, like the Helix Midnight (#4) or Nectar (#2).

❌ You can afford the Nectar instead: The Siena is a great budget-friendly mattress, but if you can push to the slightly higher price, the Nectar (#2) is a better all-rounder, with a much longer trial and warranty.

❌ You sleep really hot: We found the Siena's temperature regulation pretty good for the price bracket, but if you struggle with sleeping hot, consider upgrading to the Cocoon (#6). 

The bottom line

🔎 The Siena Memory Foam mattress is a budget-friendly model from the same parent company as Nectar, and hands-down the best quality mattress we've tested in this price bracket. The all-foam design sleeps very firm, so it's best suited to back or stomach sleepers and anyone seeking sturdy support. 

The Siena is a budget bed-in-a-box from the same parent company as Nectar and DreamCloud, and aims to deliver better sleep comfort for a lower price. With a queen typically coming in under $500, it's one of the budget-friendly options in our list, and the best quality mattress we've tested in this price bracket, bar none. The 10-inch deep design combines layers of contouring memory foam and supportive polyfoam, with a soft-touch breathable cover to top things off.

What it's like to sleep on: review notes
The Siena 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). However, for back or stomach sleepers, the extra support is very welcome, ensuring the lumbar doesn't drop too low and the spine remains in neutral alignment. 

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, especially for the low price. However, really hot sleepers should still consider a dedicated cooling mattress – the Cocoon Chill at #6 is our favorite budget-friendly offering.

In our tests, this mattress scored highly on edge support. If you need to be able to sit comfortably on the edge of your bed, or use the mattress to push up off to get up, the Siena will do the job perfectly. Rather surprisingly, given the firmness level, we we also found it absorbed movements especially well, making it suitable for those who are a bed.

Price, trial, warranty
The Siena has been discounted since it launched in March 2022, and for several months there has been $300 off all sizes. Siena doesn't bump up its discounts for national holidays or sales events, which is fair enough given the pricing is so low anyway. The extras (180 night trial, 10-year warranty) are good for a budget mattress, but not as generous as you'll get with sister brand Nectar (#2).

Siena Memory Foam Mattress: $499 $199 at Siena Sleep

Siena Memory Foam Mattress: <a href="https://siena.sjv.io/c/221109/1226250/15153?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sienasleep.com%2Fmattress" data-link-merchant="sienasleep.com"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">from $499 $199 at Siena Sleep
This mattress is a stable mate of the Nectar Memory Foam and the DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid and it's usually discounted by up to $300 on each size. Most months we see the price of a queen size Siena Memory Foam Mattress reduced to just $399 (was $699) with free shipping. That's incredibly good value for money for a memory foam bed that offers decent support and breathability at such a low price. We have only seen one flash sale on the Siena Mattress so far, taking the cost of a queen to just $369.

Best latex mattress

The best latex mattress with a firmer feel

Specifications

Type: Latex hybrid
Firmness (1-10): 8
Height: 10"
Trial: 365 days
Warranty: Lifetime
Price bracket: Mid-range
Materials: Latex, coils, wool

Reasons to buy

+
Naturally hypoallergenic
+
Long-lasting latex build
+
Lifetime warranty

Reasons to avoid

-
Some motion transfer
Buy it if

✅ You want a natural mattress: The USP here is that the Awara is made with natural and organic materials, including cotton, wool and latex.

You want a mattress that will last: Latex is one of the most durable mattress materials, and we were especially impressed with the build quality of the Awara. This mattress should stand the test of time.

You don't like the sink-in feel of foam: The Awara offers a floating sleep feel, with some contouring but none of the quicksand feel of memory foam. 

Don't buy it if

You weigh under 130lb: This is a firmer mattress, so lightweight sleepers might want to opt for something with more give in order to get the support they need.

❌ You share a bed: We experienced some motion transfer with the Awara, so you might find your partner's movements reverberating across the bed.

❌ You want a sink-in feel: The Awara offers some contouring, but for the full joint-hugging feel you'll need memory foam. Try the Nectar (#2) or Helix (#4). 

The bottom line

🔎 The Awara Natural Hybrid Mattress swaps synthetic materials for natural alternatives. The latex foam comfort layer offers subtle contouring and a weightless feel, but doesn't isolate movements as well as synthetic foams. We were impressed with the build quality – especially considering it's cheaper than most organic mattresses. 

The Awara Natural Hybrid mattress is a great option for eco-conscious shoppers who want to make a more sustainable choice. It swaps synthetic foams for natural latex, which provides similar contouring but a bouncier, more responsive feel. It's typically more durable than synthetic foam too, and better at regulating temperature. Here it's paired with breathable cotton and wool, and a layer of wrapped 8 inch coils. You'll always pay a bit of a premium for an organic mattress, but this model is cheaper than most of its competitors, yet still has a luxurious vibe, and our panel all agreed it felt especially well-made. 

What it's like to sleep on: review notes
When our testers first laid on the Awara Natural Hybrid mattress, they were concerned it might be too firm. Those concerns turned out to be short-lived – the foams quickly contoured to our sleepers' bodies, ultimately providing a gentle amount of give and good pressure relief. Rather than the sink-in feel of memory foam, this mattress delivers a comfortable floating sensation. 

As one of the firmest options in our best mattress guide, it would be a good option for heavier bodies or anyone who knows their preference is for sturdy support. Our testers found it was comfortable in any sleep position, but those under 130lb and anyone who prefers a more plush feel might find it a bit too solid. 

Although the coil layer is designed to absorb movements, we found motion isolation wasn't great in this mattress – light sleepers who share a bed might find themselves disturbed by their partner's movements, so might be better off with a memory foam model instead.

Price, trial, warranty
You should never have to pay full price for the Awara. Expect at least $400 off all sizes (in the past, we've seen a higher mattress price and a bundle of free bedding, but that offer seems to have been retired). These deals tend to remain stable, so it doesn't really matter when you buy. Because this mattress is from the same parent brand as Nectar, you'll get the same outstanding extras – a 365-night trial and a forever warranty. Overall, it's incredible value for money.

Awara Natural Hybrid: $1,299$649 at Awara

Awara Natural Hybrid: <a href="https://awarasleep.xwrk.net/c/221109/570759/9462?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.awarasleep.com%2Fmattress%2Ftwin" data-link-merchant="awarasleep.com"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">from $1,299 $649 at Awara
Awara began taking 50% off its flagship mattress a few months ago and that sale is still ongoing – possibly indicating that this is the new evergreen offer. At $949 for a queen, it's a very good price for a latex bed and we normally see them retail for at least a few hundred more. You'll get a 365-night sleep trial, a lifetime warranty and free shipping and returns too.

Best luxury cooling mattress

Best mattress: The Casper Wave Hybrid Snow mattress in the centre of a bedroom with plants on either side

(Image credit: Casper)
The best cooling mattress if you experience night sweats

Specifications

Type: Hybrid
Firmness (1-10): 7
Height: 13"
Trial: 100 nights
Warranty: 10 year limited
Price bracket: Premium
Materials: Memory foam, coils, other foams

Reasons to buy

+
Powerful cooling
+
Wicks away sweat
+
Superb pressure relief

Reasons to avoid

-
Too firm for lighter bodies
-
Short warranty for the price
Buy it if

✅ You sleep hot: The Wave Hybrid Snow did an incredible job of keeping our reviewers the right temperature throughout our month-long testing period.

You're a restless sleeper: This mattress absorbs movements extremely well, making it a good choice for anyone who tends to toss and turn at night.

You lie on your back or stomach: The Wave Hybrid Snow is zoned to ensure proper spinal support, especially beneath the lumbar. The firm yet cushioned feel is ideal for back or stomach sleepers. 

Don't buy it if

You don't sleep especially hot: If you don't need the extra cooling features, there are plenty of other, more afforable options to choose from (the Saatva Classic at #1 is our absolute favorite).

❌ You want plenty of time to test it out: A 100 night trial is about the shortest you'll find anywhere – our top 3 picks give you a full year, which allows you to test the mattress out in all seasons.  

❌ You weigh under 130lb: Lightweight sleepers might find this Casper model a bit too firm. Check out the Zoma Boost for a similarly cool, softer alternative.

The bottom line

🔎 The Casper Wave Hybrid Snow is the priciest model in our guide, but if you struggle with sleeping hot it could be worth the investment – this mattress offers exceptional cooling. We were also very impressed with the comfort and support on offer here, but less enamored with the short trial period.

If you have a bit of cash to splash and you sleep hot, the Casper Wave Hybrid Snow is one of the very best mattresses around. The most advanced bed in Casper's range, it delivers exceptional support and motion isolation, but the real star of the show is this mattress' cooling powers. 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. 

What it's like to sleep on: review notes
Plenty of brands talk a big game when it comes to temperature regulation, but this Casper mattress really delivers on those claims. Our reviewers ended the month-long review period extremely impressed with this bed's chilling powers, having been kept comfortably cool throughout. We rate this one of the very best cooling mattresses around.

The Casper Wave Hybrid Snow doesn't disappoint on the comfort front, either. 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. It also isolated motion very well, making it a good choice if you share a bed with a restless partner. 

Any potential issues? 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. For people with a lighter than average weight and side sleepers, we actually recommend the GhostBed Luxe as the best luxury cooling mattress instead.

Price, trial, warranty
It pays to be tactical about when you buy from this brand – discounts tend to appear around national holidays, and generally knock 20% or occasionally a little more off the Wave Hybrid Snow. However, we've seen it for 30% off the last several weeks of 2023 and into 2024. (That said, it's still an expensive bed and fluctuating MSRPs don't help.) You can also often snag a discount if you sign up to the Casper mailing list (wait for a popup to appear on the brand website). The extras are disappointing for the price – you'll get a 100 night trial and a 10-year warranty.

Casper Wave Hybrid Snow cooling mattress: $3,095 $2,166.50 at Casper

Casper Wave Hybrid Snow cooling mattress: <a href="https://casper.pxf.io/c/221109/396851/7235?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk&u=https%3A%2F%2Fcasper.com%2Fmattresses%2Fwave-hybrid-v1.html%3Fnew_tab" data-link-merchant="casper.com"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">from $3,095 $2,166.50 at Casper
The Casper Wave Hybrid Snow mattress is one of the most expensive cooling beds you'll come across, behind the Tempur-Pedic Breeze range and Sleep Number beds. Even when on sale at 30% off with a decrease in MSRP the price is eye-watering, with a queen reduced to $2,516 (was $3,595) in the current <a href="https://www.tomsguide.com/deals/cheap-casper-mattress-deals" data-link-merchant="tomsguide.com"" data-link-merchant="casper.com"">Casper mattress sale. But if night sweats, hot flashes and intense overheating are ruining your sleep at night, then the Casper Wave Hybrid Snow is worth the investment.

How we test mattresses

We research and test the latest mattresses in all key areas to create unbiased product recommendations. We test each mattress for pressure relief, temperature regulation, support and comfort, edge support and durability. After analyzing our test data and conducting extensive user review research, we rate each mattress out of 5. We then compare that data and user review research with how other mattresses we've reviewed performed in the very same tests. That comparison allows us to clearly see the best mattress for different types of sleeper, informing our overall rankings.

The Tom's Guide mattress review process is fully 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.

Our testing process, which you can read about in our mattress methodology, includes the following processes:

  • 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

Other mattresses we tested that aren't in this guide

We test multiple mattresses each month but not all of them are the right fit to feature in our official best mattress guide, so you'll find some in our other guides to hybrid, memory foam, organic and cooling mattresses. Some of the other mattresses that we've reviewed include:

Best mattresses 2024: Expert buying advice

Best mattress 2023 vs best mattress 2024

Wondering how 2023's best mattress compares to this year's top-rated model? They are exactly the same: the Saatva Classic innerspring hybrid remains the highly rated mattress for all sleepers. We spent over a year reviewing the Saatva Classic and know this mattress inside and out, scoring it a nearly perfect 4.5 out of 5. The only reasons we marked it down were some slight motion transfer, plus a $99 fee to return or exchange.

Our team and wider testing panel spends hundreds of hours a month reviewing mattresses, and while we have some new favorites for 2024, none come close to challenging the Saatva Classic for the number one spot. It's well-suited to most sleepers and body weights, and is ideal for easing general aches and pains at the end of a long day.

How to choose a mattress: Finding the best one for you

Illustration shows how different mattress firmnesses affect sleep comfort and spinal alignment

(Image credit: Getty Images)

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?

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

The Nectar Memory Foam mattress dressed with a white comforter and placed on a wooden bedframe

The Nectar Memory Foam is one our of top-rated mattresses (Image credit: Nectar)

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.

Innerspring mattresses

The Saatva Classic mattress photographed outside against a deep blue sea

Saatva's flagship innerspring mattress: the Saatva Classic (Image credit: Saatva)

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. 

Hybrid mattresses

A child with dark hair jumps excitedly on the Helix Midnight mattress

We highly rate the Helix Midnight mattress for side sleeping (Image credit: Helix)

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.

Latex mattresses

A couple look at photographs while lying on the Avocado Green Mattress

The Avocado Green Mattress is one of the best mattresses for eco-friendly sleep (Image credit: Avocado)

If you're wondering what is an organic mattress, most of them us 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 

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). 

If your mattress has signs of mold, you shouldn't sleep on it. Give it a deep clean first and if the mold still persists, you should replace it with a new mattress. Our guide to how to spot mattress mold will walk you through the telltale signs to look out for.

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.

A woman with dark curly hair sleeps on a plush mattress and pillows

(Image credit: Getty)

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.

A woman with dark hair sleeps on a white pillow

(Image credit: Getty)

What is the best mattress in 2024?

If you can afford it, the Saatva Classic is the best mattress around. Or if that's out of your budget, our best value pick is the Nectar Memory Foam mattress.

The Saatva is a luxury innerspring model with a classic mattress feel, and it aced our tests, scoring highly for pressure relief, temperature regulation and edge support. Its 'Lumbar Zone Technology' feature has been given the stamp of approval by the American Chiropractic Association too, making it a great choice for those suffering from back pain. It's well worth the investment, but if you keep an eye out you can usually snag a discount.

Alternatively, the Nectar is the perfect choice if you have a lower budget or prefer the 'hug' of memory foam. It's comfortable and supportive, and extremely competitively priced with regular, generous discounts.

A young family of four lie on a king size mattress together

(Image credit: Getty)

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. But there is a best time to buy a mattress that supersedes all other times.

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 is the Helix Midnight. The dreamy upper layers of memory foam relieve pressure all along your shoulders, hips and knees. 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.

Meet our best mattress experts

Claire Davies, Sleep Editor
Claire Davies

Claire is the lead mattress expert at Tom's Guide, responsible for all sleep product testing on the site. Claire is also a Certified Sleep Science Coach and can help you create the ultimate bedroom environment for better sleep. She is fully qualified to advise on your mattress and pillow choices, your bedtime routine, sleep environment and sleep hygiene, and has helped many people find their dream sleep setup. Claire has over 16 years' consumer product testing experience under her belt and uses this, coupled with her sleep coach training, to help readers find the very best mattress for their specific needs.

Alison Barretta
Alison Barretta

Alison is one of the main expert mattress testers at Tom's Guide and an experienced sleep product reviewer in general. Alison has conducted in-depth testing of every type of mattress you can buy online, including memory foam, hybrid, organic and cooling mattresses, and has reviewed boxed and traditional mattresses from leading brands including Saatva, Purple, Nectar, Casper, Awara and Tempur-Pedic. Alison loves using her review knowledge to help readers choose a great mattress.

Claire Davies
Sleep Editor, Certified Sleep Science Coach

Claire Davies is Tom's Guide's mattress expert and main sleep product tester with over 15 years' product review experience, and she is responsible for all mattress and sleep coverage on the site. A qualified journalist, Sleep Editor and Certified Sleep Science Coach, Claire writes about all things related to sleep, from mattress reviews to the latest sleep techniques and research. Claire has interviewed a wealth of experts, from mattress designers and innovators to neuroscientists and doctors of sleep medicine. Before taking on the role of Sleep Editor, Claire worked as Health & Wellness Editor at Top Ten Reviews, and before that was a Senior Content Editor at T3. Claire is super-passionate about how consistent, good quality sleep can boost our physical and mental wellbeing, and would love to hear from PRs and brands regarding sleep products, services and research that can help our readers sleep better than ever. 

With contributions from