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Whether you lead an active lifestyle or not, sleep is crucial to your well-being. Not only does a good night of rest promote better productivity, a healthier heart, and a better mood, it also increases exercise performance and prevents weight gain. The best mattress improves your quality of rest by supporting your body and relieving aches and pains.
The Best Mattresses - Our Top Picks
- Best Mattress for Side Sleepers: Helix Midnight
- Best Memory Foam Mattress: Nolah Signature
- Best Luxury Mattress: Saatva Classic
- Best Mattress for Back Pain: Bear Elite Hybrid
- Best Cooling Mattress: Brooklyn Bedding Aurora
- Best Value Mattress: Nectar
- Best Mattress for Back Sleepers: The WinkBed
- Most Comfortable Mattress: DreamCloud
- Best Mattress for Couples: Casper
With so many options available—everything from memory foam to hybrid mattresses—and so many factors to consider (firmness level, sleep position, cooling, and more), how do you know which is right for you? The ACTIVE Reviews Team partnered with the experts at Mattress Advisor to round up the 10 best mattresses. Keep in mind that the best mattress for you is likely different from the best mattress for someone else. We all have our own unique comfort preferences and sleep needs, which is why we've broken down the top factors to consider on your search.
Why Trust Us?
The ACTIVE Reviews Team is made up of fitness and wellness experts that include athletes, coaches, and certified trainers who bring years of knowledge and experience to each review. More importantly, each member of our team is a health enthusiast. Wellness may be our job, but it is also our passion. Therefore, we strive to bring you products that we trust and would personally use.
MA Score: The Mattress Advisor Score is a weighted score that takes into account 14 different factors related to the mattress' performance, function, and convenience, as well as the brand's social responsibility.
Best Mattress for Side Sleepers - Helix Midnight
Specs
- Mattress type: Hybrid (foam and coils)
- Mattress Advisor score: 8.7/10
- Firmness: Medium
- Coverage: 100-night sleep trial, 10-year warranty
- Best for: Back and side sleepers; hot sleepers; shoppers on a budget
The Helix Midnight's combination of thick memory foam and hundreds of individually-wrapped coils help to cater to side sleepers' pressure points. Side sleepers tend to accumulate pressure in their hips and shoulders, but testers found that the Helix Midnight melted away tension from these areas, earning it an 8.7 out of 10 in this category. This hybrid bed also excels at spine alignment, which helps side sleepers maintain a healthy posture throughout the night.
Topped with a breathable, soft cover, the Helix Midnight is as cooling as it is pressure-relieving. The coils leave plenty of room for air to flow, and the cover is lightweight so you don't feel bogged down in heat. Priced at just a little over $1,000 for a queen size, the Helix Midnight is also the most affordable hybrid mattress on this list (hybrid beds can cost as much as $2,000 for a queen size).
What We Like
- Excellent pressure relief
- Great for back pain
- Cooling
- Affordable
What We Don't Like
- Won't cradle your body like a memory foam mattress
- Combination sleepers may want a more responsive bed
Best Memory Foam Mattress - Nolah Signature
Specs
- Mattress type: Memory foam
- Mattress Advisor score: 8.6/10
- Firmness: Medium-soft
- Coverage: 120-night sleep trial, lifetime warranty
- Best for: Side and combination sleepers; those who love the huggable feeling of memory foam
If you love the way a memory foam mattress hugs your curves, the Nolah Signature might be right for you. We like how this all-foam mattress relieves pressure from your sides—testers scored it a 9.25 out of 10 in this category. This makes the Nolah a good choice for side sleepers or anyone suffering from joint pain.
Made up of five unique layers, the Nolah starts off with a cooling, organic cover. Underneath this cover lies twelve inches of foam. Pressure-relieving like memory foam, yet responsive like latex, Nolah created its own special type of foam known as Airfoam. The result is comfort you can spread out on without feeling like you're sinking into quicksand. It bounces back against your movements, which makes this bed a good choice for combination sleepers.
What We Like
- Excellent pressure relief
- Responds to changes in position quickly
- Durable
- Generous warranty
What We Don't Like
- Lacking in spine alignment
- Too soft to offer support for some back and stomach sleepers
Best Luxury Mattress - Saatva Classic
SPECS
- Mattress type: Hybrid (foam and coils)
- Mattress Advisor score: 9.4/10
- Firmness: Plush-soft, luxury-firm, firm
- Coverage: 180-night sleep trial, 15-year warranty
- Best for: People with back pain; all sleep positions; hot sleepers
If you're looking to recover in style, the Saatva Classic offers a dreamy night's rest that's ideal for recuperating after a brutal workout. This mattress has a nuanced take on the traditional innerspring construction; made from a dual-coil system, the Saatva Classic is topped with a 3-inch-thick quilted pillowtop. The result? A sturdy, supportive feel that still cups your body in comfort. In the mattress lab, experts awarded it a perfect 10 in spine alignment, which is a testament to the Saatva's durable base (it uses over 1,000 individually-wrapped coils).
Other deluxe features include Saatva's complimentary white glove delivery, which means Saatva representatives will unbox and set up your new mattress, plus remove your old one. It also comes in three firmness levels—plush-soft, luxury-firm, and firm—to suit many different comfort preferences. We recommend the plush-soft option for side sleepers who require more pressure relief, and the luxury-firm and firm options for back and stomach sleepers in need of more support.
What We Like
- Extremely well-made
- Comes with white glove delivery
- Multiple firmness options to choose from
- Excellent spine alignment and support
What We Don't Like
- Those who want a mattress that hugs them may be disappointed with the Saatva's sturdier feel
- Not a great fit for couples (lackluster motion isolation)
Best Mattress for Back Pain - Bear Elite Hybrid
Specs
- Mattress type: Hybrid (foam and coils)
- Mattress Advisor score: 8.9/10
- Firmness: Luxury-plush, luxury-firm, firm
- Coverage: 1-year sleep trial, lifetime warranty
- Best for: Hot sleepers; those with back and joint pain; side and back sleepers; eco-friendly shoppers
Struggling with back pain? While a number of exercises (running, cycling, weightlifting) can put pressure on your lower back, the mattress you sleep on can have a greater impact on your aches and pains than you think. The Bear Elite Hybrid builds on the original Bear mattress by adding more support layers and cushioning, cooling foam. We like the Bear Elite Hybrid for its excellent spinal support, making it well-suited to sleepers with back pain. The most important factor when it comes to an achy back is spine alignment and a durable, supportive base, and the Bear Elite Hybrid's combination of individually-wrapped coils and reinforced coils at its perimeter makes it a standout bed in this regard.
This is another mattress that comes in three firmness levels, though we recommend the softer options for side sleepers and lightweight body types. Couples and average to heavyweight sleepers can opt for the firmer models, as these groups tend to sink into the mattress more and require more support. And if you struggle with sleeping hot, the Bear's cool-to-the-touch cover and unique cut-foam promote maximum breathability at night.
What We Like
- Very cooling
- Extremely supportive
- Multiple firmness options to choose from
- Lifetime warranty
What We Don't Like
- Higher price point
- Those who prefer a memory foam mattress might not like this bed's more supportive feel
Best Cooling Mattress - Brooklyn Bedding Aurora
Specs
- Mattress type: Hybrid (foam and coils)
- Mattress Advisor score: 8.8/10
- Firmness: Soft, medium, firm
- Coverage: 120-night sleep trial, 10-year warranty
- Best for: Hot sleepers; couples; back, stomach, and combination sleepers
The Brooklyn Bedding Aurora is our pick if cooling is your #1 concern. Testers loved this mattress for its ability to keep them cool and comfortable, earning an impressive 9.5 out of 10 in this category. It uses a hybrid construction of coils on the bottom with memory foam on top to keep air flowing throughout the mattress (innerspring coils leave more room for air to circulate thanks to the space between them). This bed is also topped with a plush, cooling cover that uses temperature-regulating material to ward off excess heat.
Besides being a good pick for hot sleepers, the Brooklyn Aurora is a nice choice for combination sleepers. A responsive memory foam layer quickly adapts to these sleeper's changes in position, plus the coils underneath maintain a bouncy, springy feel. It also comes in three firmness levels, making it a good pick for all sleep positions except for side sleepers. Testers weren't as impressed with its pressure-relieving abilities, so if you rest on your side you may want to explore other options. For better pressure relief, check out the Brooklyn Bedding Spartan.
What We Like
- Excellent cooling abilities
- Great responsiveness
- Multiple firmness options to choose from
- Very supportive
What We Don't Like
- Lacking in pressure relief
- Edges might cave in slightly for some
Best Value Mattress - Nectar
Specs
- Mattress type: Gel memory foam
- Mattress Advisor score: 8.5/10
- Firmness: Medium-firm
- Coverage: 1-year sleep trial, lifetime warranty
- Best for: Side sleepers; couples; those who like a mattress they can sink into
The Nectar packs a lot of value in its four-layer memory foam construction. Priced at just over $1,000 for a queen-size, the Nectar offers excellent pressure relief ideal for side sleepers. We like how it has a medium-firm feel, but still stays true to its memory foam design—if you like to sink into your mattress, allowing the layers to cradle your curves, this bed is for you. You'll sink just enough for plenty of comfort, but the seven-inch layer of high-density memory foam provides enough support for easy transitions between sleeping positions. Testers gave this bed equally high scores in pressure relief and responsiveness—8.5 out of 10 in both—so you can switch between your side, back, and stomach with ease.
This mattress also comes with a one-year sleep trial, giving you more than enough time to test out the mattress and ensure it's to your liking. It typically takes about 30 nights to break in a brand-new bed, which is the amount of time Nectar requires you to use it before you can return your bed for a full refund.
What We Like
- Excellent pressure relief
- Isolates motion well
- Generous sleep trial and lifetime warranty
- Affordable
What We Don't Like
- Can sleep hot
- Lacking in spine alignment
Best Mattress for Back Sleepers - The WinkBed
Specs
- Mattress type: Hybrid (foam and coils)
- Mattress Advisor score: 8.6/10
- Firmness: Softer, luxury-firm, firmer, plus
- Coverage: 1-year sleep trial, lifetime warranty
- Best for: Back, stomach, and combination sleepers; hot sleepers; people with back pain
Back sleepers are one of the easiest groups to appease—their main concern is spine alignment, or a mattress that maintains the natural S curve of their spine. Testers gave The WinkBed an 8.75 out of 10 in this category, thanks to its individually-wrapped coil base. These coils are surrounded by another row of coils along the perimeter, which secures The WinkBed's edges. Edge support is helpful for getting in and out of bed easily, and also for using the side of your bed as a bench to put your running shoes on.
Besides excelling in edge support, the WinkBed can accommodate a wide range of comfort preferences. It comes in four different firmness levels, ranging from ultra-soft to extremely firm. We recommend the luxury-firm option for those who like a medium, balanced feel to their mattress. This hybrid bed is also topped with a cooling, gel-infused pillow top, helping you sink into the mattress's surface without getting overheated.
What We Like
- Sleeps cool
- Extremely durable
- Great for back pain
- Available in four firmness options
What We Don't Like
- Doesn't isolate motion well
- Lacking in pressure relief
Most Comfortable Mattress - DreamCloud
Specs
- Mattress type: Hybrid (foam and coils)
- Mattress Advisor score: 9.1/10
- Firmness: Medium-firm
- Coverage: 1-year sleep trial, lifetime warranty
- Best for: Hot sleepers; all sleep positions; people with back pain; couples
Sometimes your body craves nothing more than spreading out on an ultra-comfy mattress, and the DreamCloud was designed for comfort from top to bottom. It starts off with a quilted, cashmere cover that gives way to three soft memory foam layers designed for you to sink in without getting swallowed by the mattress. Underneath those layers is a base of coils so you don't miss out on any back support.
Testers scored this bed high in nearly every category: pressure relief (8.75/10), spine alignment (9/10), responsiveness (9/10), durability (9/10), and motion transfer (8.25/10). Its medium-firm feel works for all sleep positions, and it also sleeps cool. If you want a comfortable mattress that can do it all, the DreamCloud is a great choice.
What We Like
- Excellent pressure relief and lumbar support
- Has a quilted cover and cashmere top layer
- Cooling
- Generous sleep trial and warranty
What We Don't Like
- Higher price point
- Won't hug your body like an all-foam mattress
Best Mattress for Couples - Casper
Specs
- Mattress type: Memory foam
- Mattress Advisor score: 9.1/10
- Firmness: Medium-firm
- Coverage: 100-night sleep trial, 10-year warranty
- Best for: All sleep positions; couples; shoppers on a budget
Another memory foam mattress, the Casper works well for couples who sleep together. It can be tricky to find a bed that appeases one sleeper's comfort preferences, much less two. But the Casper's universally appealing medium-firm feel and excellent lumbar support offers a comfortable night's rest for a variety of sleep positions and needs. It uses a simple three-layer design to contour to your sides, while still maintaining a healthy spine alignment.
Testers scored it a perfect 10 in responsiveness, which isn't typical of a memory foam mattress. This means instead of sinking completely into the bed, you're able to easily switch positions. And as for its motion isolation abilities (a key factor for couples), the Casper excels at keeping motion transfer to a minimum—meaning no more late-night interruptions.
What We Like
- Excellent spine alignment
- Can work for all sleep positions
- Isolates motion well
- Unique zoned support design
What We Don't Like
- Can sleep hot
- Sleepers who prefer the support of innerspring coils may not like this mattress
What to Consider When Shopping for a New Mattress
Mattress Type
Innerspring
This is the most commonly known mattress type: It uses a row of coils at its base to keep sleepers supported. Innerspring beds are usually only topped with a thin comfort layer, which is why this type usually lacks in the pressure relief category.
Memory Foam
Known for their soft, sinkable sensation, memory foam mattresses use layers of foam to contour along your sides. They excel at pressure relief and motion isolation, but can also sleep hot. Memory foam traps heat in, rather than repelling it like coils or latex do.
Hybrid
A mix of multiple mattress types, hybrid beds offer the best of both worlds. This type is usually seen as a coil and foam construction, which gives sleepers a nice balance of support and comfort.
Latex
Latex beds are pressure-relieving, durable, and cooling. Unlike memory foam, latex is highly responsive and bounces back against your movements like an innerspring bed does. It's also the most expensive mattress type.
Firmness
We measure mattress firmness on a scale of 1 to 10. One represents ultra-soft, while 10 represents extra firm. Most sleepers prefer a firmness level somewhere in the middle (think a 5-6.5 on the scale), as a medium-firm feel offers a balanced combination of plush comfort and sturdy support. The right mattress firmness for you will depend on your sleep position and specific needs.
Sleep Position
It's important to take into consideration the position you most commonly rest in at night. Side sleepers need a mattress that cushions their hips and shoulders, while still maintaining spine alignment. Back and stomach sleepers need a bed that offers sturdy support, though stomach sleepers typically require a firmer mattress that keeps the hips raised (if stomach sleepers' hips sink too far into their mattress, their spine can fall out of alignment). Combination sleepers, or those who switch positions, need a mattress that moves with them so they don't get stuck in one position.
Specific Needs
Back Pain
If your back feels tight or sore, you need a mattress that provides excellent lumbar support and spine alignment. This keeps your spine in its natural posture, which relieves pain by limiting the amount of pressure placed on your lower back. Medium-firm to firm beds typically provide the best back pain relief, while ultra-soft mattresses usually don't offer enough support to keep your hips raised and spine aligned.
Cooling
There's nothing worse than tossing and turning at night, trying to find the cool spot of your mattress. If you're a chronic hot sleeper, look for a bed made from coils, latex, or gel-infused foam. These materials promote air circulation in a mattress, helping to keep you cool. Hot sleepers should also stay away from mattresses made entirely of foam. While there may be some exceptions to this rule, a hybrid, innerspring, or latex mattress will almost always sleep cooler as foam tends to retain more heat.
Co-Sleepers
Sleep with a partner or pet? Couples and co-sleepers need a mattress that limits motion transfer from one side of the bed to the other. This keeps nighttime interruptions to a minimum even if your partner is tossing and turning or climbing out of bed for a midnight snack. Mattresses that excel in motion isolation work well for this group.
Company Policies
Trial Period
One major pro to shopping for the best mattress online is the trial period that comes with your purchase. Most online mattress brands offer a trial period of at least 100 nights, which means you have 100 nights from the date your mattress arrives to make sure the bed works for you. If it doesn't, you can return the mattress for a full refund during this period.
Make sure the mattress you select has a trial period that works for you. Some brands give you up to a full year to try out the mattress. Just remember that it usually takes about 30 nights to break in a brand new bed, so it's best to make a judgment call after this initial month.
Warranty
A mattress' warranty protects it from any defects that may occur while you own the mattress, such as splitting or cracking in any of the layers. The industry standard is about 10 years, but some brands come with 25-year or even lifetime warranties. Be sure to read the fine print before you purchase, as most warranties are voided or ineffective if you don't use a supportive foundation for your mattress.
Price
Before you start browsing mattresses, it's helpful to know how much you're willing to spend. Most mattresses range in price from $1,000 to over $2,000. When you shop online, you're able to get high-quality beds that are marked down. This is because online mattress brands cut out the middleman, offering a direct-to-consumer model that allows you to purchase beds for less than you would pay in-store. Luckily, many online brands also discount their beds thanks to numerous mattress sales that occur throughout the year.
Why You Should Buy a New Mattress
Sagging, unsupportive mattresses can not only impact your rest, but contribute to lingering aches, pains, and overall discomfort. The typical lifespan of a well-built mattress is 10 years at best, so if you've been sleeping on your current mattress for longer than that, it's definitely time for an upgrade. A new mattress has been shown to relieve back pain, and support a better quality of rest. The best mattress for you will also compliment your personal sleeping style. Finding a mattress that addresses your unique sleep needs (like sleeping hot or the type of position you rest in) can set you up for a more comfortable, rewarding night's rest.
It's also an investment in your health and recovery—active individuals and athletes alike need consistent, quality rest to perform optimally. So, if your current bed isn't cutting it, whether that means it's past its lifespan or is just plain uncomfortable, an investment in a new mattress can set you up for success for the next decade of your life.
FAQs About Mattresses
How often should you buy a mattress?
You should aim to buy a new mattress whenever your current one is showing signs of sagging, cracking, or overall unsupportiveness. For most well-made beds, this doesn't usually show up until the 10-year mark. But for other, less durable mattresses, these signs might appear after just a few years of use. Factors that can expedite this degrading process include using the wrong foundation for your mattress or not following the weight capacity listed for the mattress.
Because of this variation in each person's quality of mattress, the time when you should buy a new one will differ from sleeper to sleeper. The standard rule is to buy a new mattress when it starts showing signs of deterioration, or when it starts negatively impacting your sleep. For some, this may look like every 10 years or so, and for others, it may be more frequently. That's why investing in a high-quality bed that addresses your specific needs can go a long way.
What's a good price for a mattress?
You can expect to pay anywhere from $1,000 to $2,000 for a quality, queen-size mattress. Anything priced significantly under $1,000 might be cheaply made and not worth your money. Keep in mind that durability, or how well-made a mattress is, should be a top concern. If a mattress isn't made well, you'll just have to repeat your purchase in another few years.
Certain mattress types also cost more than others. Hybrid beds are typically priced in the mid-$1,000 to $2,000 price range, while memory foam mattresses are usually less expensive. Latex beds are one of the most expensive types, but also the most durable and long-lasting. The right price for you will be one that fits your budget and secures a durable, well-made mattress that provides quality rest in the long run.
Should you try a new mattress before you buy it?
While this isn't necessary, some sleepers like that extra bit of confidence before they commit to purchasing a new bed. If you're shopping in-store, you can lie down on the mattress and get a feel for it before deciding if you want to purchase. The best way to try a mattress, though, is to sleep on it for at least 30 nights, which is the amount of time it takes to break in a new bed.
If you're shopping online, take comfort in the sleep trials offered by nearly all online brands. Sleep trials allow you to try out the mattress for a certain period of time. If you find the mattress isn't to your liking during that time span, you can return it for a full refund. Nearly all online brands require you to rest on the mattress for at least 30 nights before returning to ensure you've appropriately broken in the bed.
Which mattress type is best?
The best mattress type depends on your typical sleeping habits, including sleep position and body temperature. A traditional innerspring mattress is the most common type, however newer memory foam and hybrid mattresses offer more comfort and pressure relief. Knowing how much support and structure you want will help you choose a mattress type.