10 of the most comfortable mattresses

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What makes a mattress comfortable will be different for everyone. A person can consider the firmness, materials used, and the manufacturing certifications a company holds when choosing a new mattress.
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that getting enough sleep is an important factor in reducing the risk of health problems such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, and heart disease.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
obesity
type 2 diabetes
high blood pressure
stroke
heart disease
The CDC also states that a person’s mental health may also be negatively affected if they are not getting enough sleep each night.
mental health
A comfortable mattress can help a person get restful sleep. A person can choose from a wide variety of mattress types, each with its own combination of materials, firmness level, size, and price range.
This article looks at some of the most comfortable mattresses currently available on the market. It also provides tips on how a person can choose the best mattress for their needs.
A quick look at the most comfortable mattresses
Best hybrid: Winkbeds
Winkbeds
Best for back pain: Sealy Posturepedic Hybrid Performance
Sealy Posturepedic Hybrid Performance
Best hypoallergenic mattress: Purple Mattress
Purple Mattress
Best smart mattress: Sleep Number 360 i8
Sleep Number 360 i8
Best vegan mattress: Avocado Vegan
Avocado Vegan
Best latex mattress: Saatva Latex Hybrid
Saatva Latex Hybrid
Best foam mattress: Tuft & Needle Mint
Tuft & Needle Mint
Best soft mattress: Casper Nova
Casper Nova
Best cooling mattress: Brooklyn Bedding Aurora
Brooklyn Bedding Aurora
Best on a budget: Nectar Memory Foam
Nectar Memory Foam
The 10 most comfortable mattresses of 2022
Please note that the writer of this article has not tried these products. All information presented is purely research-based and correct at the time of publication.
Medical News Today follows a strict product selection and vetting process. Learn more here.
Learn more here
Below is a range of the most comfortable mattresses to suit a range of needs, from mattresses that may be suitable for people with back pain or allergies, to mattress models that do not use animal products or are suitable for smaller budgets.
back pain
allergies
The WinkBed
Price range: $849–1,899
Mattress type: Hybrid
Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king
The Winkbed features individually wrapped coils, a quilted pillowtop with gel-infused foam, and a eucalyptus-based Tencel cover. A person can choose their desired firmness level.
eucalyptus
The company claims the Winkbed mattress is suitable for all sleep positions.
A person can trial the mattress for 120 nights.
Pros:
foams and Tencel cover have CertiPUR-US and OEKO-TEX certification
CertiPUR-US
OEKO-TEX
may reduce motion transfer
wicks moisture from the body
Cons:
choosing higher firmness may cost extra
professional assembly not included
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Sealy Posturepedic Hybrid Performance
Price range: $1,674–2,199; may vary between retailers
Mattress type: Hybrid
Sizes: Twin XL, full, queen, king, California king
The Sealy Posturepedic Hybrid Performance mattress features 1,000 individual coils. The mattress also features zoned support with more coils, foam, and gel layers in the middle of the mattress.
This may help support a person’s lower back and core and cushion their hips if they sleep on their side.
Sealy recommends this mattress for people who sleep on their stomach or back.
A person can trial the mattress for 120 nights. Sealy also sells the mattress in stores, so a person could try the mattress in person before they commit to a purchase.
Pros:
uses CertiPUR-US-certified foams
free shipping and returns
free setup and removal service
Cons:
limited range of sizes
cannot purchase through company website
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Purple Mattress
Price range: $799–1,998
Mattress type: Hybrid
Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, split king, California king
The Purple Mattress features a unique hypoallergenic GelFlex grid. According to the company, this gel grid provides comfort to the pressure points while supporting the body and improving its alignment.
Additionally, Purple writes that this mattress is safe for people with allergies. The company describes that it is made with recyclable materials that promote airflow through the mattress to keep it dry. This can help prevent mold, fungi, and bacteria from growing in the mattress.
mold
fungi
bacteria
Purple claims this mattress is suitable for sleepers in any position. It is a medium-firm mattress.
A person can trial the mattress for 100 nights.
Pros:
reduces pressure and body temperature
body temperature
gel grid molds to a person’s body shape and position
design helps airflow and stops bacteria from growing
Cons:
lack of edge support
heavy
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Sleep Number 360 i8 Smart Bed
Price range: $3,349–5,299
Mattress type: Foam
Sizes: Twin XL, full, queen, king, split king, FlexTop king, California king, split California king, FlexTop California king
This mattress is part of Sleep Number’s Innovation series. A person uses an app on their smartphone called SleepIQ to control factors including the mattress position and firmness. This app can also give insight into a person’s sleep quality.
Learn more about sleep apps.
Learn more about sleep apps.
A person can adjust the firmness of each side of the bed, so it may be suitable for couples who have different preferences.
It is suitable for sleepers of all positions, according to Sleep Number.
A person can trial the mattress for 100 nights.
Pros:
accompanying app gives detailed insight into a person’s sleep quality
uses CertiPUR-US certified foams
Cons:
not suitable for smaller budgets
shipping and setup cost extra
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Avocado Vegan
Price range: $1,099-2,099
Mattress type: Hybrid
Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king
This mattress from Avocado features Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS)-certified latex and cotton, as well as individually pocketed coils.
Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS)
The product also has vegan certification, approval from the animal rights organization PETA, and Greenguard Gold certification.
Greenguard Gold
According to Avocado, this mattress is best suited to people who sleep on their back or stomach. It is medium-firm.
A person can trial the mattress for 365 nights.
Pros:
lengthy sleep trial
moisture wicking
reduces motion transfer
Cons:
less suited to side sleepers
not suitable for people with a latex allergy
latex allergy
setup not included
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Saatva Latex Hybrid
Price range: $1,199–2,349
Mattress type: Latex hybrid
Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, split king, California king
Saatva’s latex hybrid contains natural latex, pocketed coils, and GOTS-certified wool and cotton. It is hypoallergenic and is designed to regulate a person’s body temperature while they sleep.
The company claims it contains targeted firmness zones with enhanced support in the lumbar area. It is a medium-firm mattress.
Saatva writes that this mattress is best suited to people who sleep on their side.
A person can trial the mattress for 180 nights.
Pros:
reduces motion transfer
free delivery and setup
Cons:
not suitable for people with a latex allergy
$99 return fee
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Tuft & Needle Mint Mattress
Price range: $1,295–2,295
Mattress type: Foam
Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king
The Mint mattress contains three layers of graphite- and gel-infused foam that are designed to draw heat away from a person’s body. Its adaptive foam can also reduce motion transfer and provide pressure relief.
Compare the differences between memory foam and gel memory foam.
Compare the differences between memory foam and gel memory foam.
This mattress is a medium-firm model. It was built with two sleepers in mind, according to Tuft & Needle, and is most suitable for people who sleep on their back or sides.
A person can trial the mattress for 100 nights.
Pros:
reinforced support edges
includes a removable, washable cover
Cons:
all-foam construction may not be suitable for heavier people
no setup service
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Casper Nova Hybrid
Price range: $1,395–2,895
Mattress type: Hybrid
Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king
This mattress from Casper has a softer firmness rating, and because of this, it may be best suited to side sleepers.
It is built with a combination of coils and foam layers, including a memory foam layer. The foam layers are designed to promote airflow through the mattress, draw heat away from the body, and expel warm air from the mattress through grooves and perforations throughout the foam.
It also has seven zones of targeted support for different areas of a person’s body.
A person can trial the mattress for 100 nights.
Pros:
foam has CertiPUR-US certification
free delivery
Cons:
not suitable for smaller budgets
no setup service
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Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Hybrid
Price range: $999–2,249
Mattress type: Hybrid
Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, split California king, short queen, RV king, RV bunk
This mattress is made of CopperFlex foam that contours to a person’s body. It also features individually wrapped coils to support the body and decrease motion transfer.
Brooklyn Bedding explains that the Aurora mattress also contains cooling gel beads to regulate a person’s body temperature to 88 degrees, which it writes is optimal for sleep.
Learn more about cooling mattresses.
Learn more about cooling mattresses.
A person can choose between three firmness options, meaning it may be suitable for all common sleeping positions.
A person can trial the mattress for 120 nights.
Pros:
free shipping and returns
designed for hot sleepers
range of firmnesses for each size
Cons:
no setup service
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Nectar Memory Foam
Price range: $399–1,138
Mattress type: Hybrid
Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, split king
When buying the Nectar Memory Foam mattress, a person will also get a mattress protector, a set of sheets, and a cooling pillow included. This makes this option cost-effective for people working with smaller budgets.
cooling pillow
Nectar claims this mattress can reduce motion transfer and features a breathable mattress cover that is cool to the touch and can regulate a person’s temperature as they sleep.
It is a medium-firm mattress and may be most suitable for side sleepers, according to the company.
A person can trial the mattress for 365 nights.
Pros:
mattress comes with pillows, sheets, and protector
free shipping
forever warranty
100% carbon neutral manufacturing process
Cons:
no setup service
pillow included may not suit everyone’s preferences or needs
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How we chose
MNT chooses mattresses, sheets, pillows, and other bedding that meet the following criteria:
Certifications: MNT will choose products that have CertiPUR-US or other certifications. This means that the products are low in pollutants and free from heavy metals and volatile organic compounds.
CertiPUR-US
Size: MNT chooses products that are available in various sizes.
Materials and fill: MNT selects products made from different materials and fills, such as memory foam and latex, to suit a range of sleep and lifestyles.
Budget: MNT features products to suit a wide range of budgets.
Firmness [only applicable to some products]: MNT selects mattresses that are available in a range of firmness options to suit most people’s sleeping styles.
Sleep trials: MNT chooses companies that offer a sleep trial.
Shipping: Where possible, MNT will include shipping information, such as where the company delivers to and whether shipping is free.
Warranties and return policies: MNT will include products that carry warranties and clear returns policies.
Comparison
The WinkBed
Sealy Posturepedic Hybrid Performance
Purple Mattress
Sleep Number 360 i8 Smart Bed
Avocado Vegan
Saatva Latex Hybrid
Tuft & Needle Mint
Casper Nova
Brooklyn Bedding Aurora
Nectar Memory Foam
How to choose
A few things a person should consider when purchasing a mattress for comfort include:
Material: A person can choose between materials such as memory foam, latex, coils, or a combination of these. One 2017 study states that mattress material can influence body pressure. A person should be aware of any materials used in their chosen mattress that they may be allergic to, such as latex.
2017 study
Firmness: A 2015 review states that medium-firm mattresses promote sleep quality, comfort, and spinal alignment. However, which firmness a person finds most comfortable will be a highly personal choice, and will be different for everyone.
2015 review
Sleep position: A person’s preferred sleeping position may also influence what kind of mattress they will find most comfortable. Some mattresses are designed with extra support or softness in the middle of the mattress to either provide extra support for the lumbar region for back sleepers or extra softness for the hips if a person sleeps on their side. A person should try their chosen mattress for at least a month to see if it is comfortable for them and their preferred sleeping position.
Sleep situation: Some mattresses reduce motion transfer and may be more suitable for couples. Sometimes, a person can customize the settings for each side of a mattress so that everyone who is using the mattress has their needs met.
Additional factors a person may wish to consider include the mattress model’s maximum weight limit, size, temperature regulation technology, and the certifications the company holds regarding its materials or manufacturing processes.
Find out more about choosing a mattress here.
Find out more about choosing a mattress here.
Summary
What makes a mattress comfortable varies depending on a person’s preference regarding the materials used, the firmness of the mattress, and their preferred sleeping position.
There is a wide variety of comfortable mattresses available on the market, and many companies offer long trial periods so a person can try their chosen mattress out for comfort.
Sources
Are you getting enough sleep? (2021). https://www.cdc.gov/sleep/features/getting-enough-sleep.html
https://www.cdc.gov/sleep/features/getting-enough-sleep.html
Low, F.Z., et al. (2017). Effects of mattress material on body pressure profiles in different sleeping postures. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1556370716300116
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1556370716300116
Radwan, A., et al. (2015). Effect of different mattress designs on promoting sleep quality, pain reduction, and spinal alignment in adults with or without back pain; a systematic review of controlled trials. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29073401/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29073401/