Honorable Mentions
There are a few mattresses we tested that don’t stand out as much but are decent and worth mentioning, in case you’re thinking about them.
Helix Sunset Elite for $2,811: Our top pick, Helix, also has an Elite collection that consists of seven mattresses along a spectrum of softness. At 16 inches high, this is “the tallest mattress on the internet,” and comes shipped in two separate boxes, each heavy enough to max out FedEx requirements. The firmness is dictated by the foam density of the upper layer, which zips into a larger support system. This makes the mattress adjustable if you end up regretting your order. The bottom section has two separate layers of microcoils. I spent a month sleeping on the softest model from the Elite line, dubbed the Sunset, and appreciated the deep cradling effect. Helix offers a 100-day trial period on all of its mattresses.
Wayfair Sleep 14-Inch Plush Cooling Gel Hybrid Mattress for $400: This plush mattress has a top layer of cooling gel that conforms to your body for comfort and has classic pocket coils below for structure and support, with layers of memory foams with varying thickness surrounding the coils for extra support (the coils and memory foam mixture helps with low motion transfer, too). The top knit cover and sides help with breathability and the overall cooling effect. The mattress is also compatible with an adjustable bed base, has solid edge support, is CertiPUR-US and Oeko-Tex Certified (ensuring no harmful toxins are in your mattress), and has a 10-year warranty. This bed is super comfy if you like a more plush mattress.
Naturepedic EOS for $3,499: Think of this as an organic cousin to the Helix Elite above, as it’s also a big and sturdy mattress that comes disassembled in three boxes. If you’re looking for an organic hybrid mattress that allows customization, Naturepedic’s EOS is a solid (if expensive) choice. I ordered this in firm to see how I slept after months of medium mattresses, and it was indeed firm, with springs that only started to soften after three weeks of on-and-off sleeping and a lot of jumping by my 9-year-old daughter. You can swap out layers for free for 100 nights, which means finding just the right firmness. Note that it’s a heavy mattress thanks to the natural latex layer, but it’s sturdy enough that the company offers a 25-year limited warranty.
Mattresses to Avoid
There are some models you should avoid. Many of these beds are extremely affordable, and if you aren’t picky, they may feel fine. In other cases, the mattress is decent but the price is not.
- The Magniflex Magnistretch 12 is Italian-made and advertises itself as stretching the spine. It’s endorsed by retired Italian soccer player Giorgio Chiellini and current pro basketballer Stefano Tonut, who plays for the Italian equivalent of the Boston Celtics. Well, the Magniflex definitely does something to the spine, though I found it very unwelcome. (It’s worth noting that I am not the same Martin Cizmar who played a little pro soccer in Slovakia.) I lasted only two nights on the Magnistretch before crying uncle and limping over to my next mattress tester. The morning-after sensation was as if I’d slept on a hammock made of chainlink fence, and my lower back was left feeling weak and creaky—very possibly it was stretched, and if so, it turns out I don’t like having my back stretched.
- The Sleep Number Climate360 Smart Bed (5/10, WIRED Review) can be temperature-controlled, which is amazing. The adjustable base means you can be comfortable when watching TV, reading, or sleeping. Unfortunately, the price tag has too many digits, and sleep experts recommend avoiding electronic usage before bed—advice the Sleep IQ app defies. Did we mention it costs as much as a used Buick and the weight is not far behind?
- The Amazon Basics mattresses are made of cheap foam that isn’t dense enough, causing too much sinkage.
- The Parachute Eco Comfort Mattress just doesn’t live up to its extravagant price. The model we tested didn’t have enough proper padding above its coils.