Memory foam mattresses are famous for their contouring effects that hug your body as you sleep. The high-density foam responds to your body and molds around you to help keep your neck, back, and hips in a neutral position to maintain spinal alignment. These benefits can promote a pain-free, restful night of sleep essential for your health and well-being. (1) If this sounds ideal, we’ve got you covered.
We’ve tested dozens of the best mattresses to help narrow your search to the best 11 memory foam mattresses available. We leaned into the expertise of our sleep science coaches, medical experts, and consumer experience to provide a meticulous assessment of each mattressed based on the quality and type of foam used, its ability to relieve pressure and provide support, and how well the cooling features measure up to their claims. Check out our detailed reviews below to help you find a memory foam mattress that matches your sleep needs.
Best memory foam mattress overall
The Helix Midnight stands out for its medium-firm feel, which provides universal comfort and accommodates a wide range of sleepers. The hybrid design offers optimal pressure relief and ideal support through memory foam and innerspring coils. Continue reading to learn why this mattress earned its spot as the best memory foam mattress overall.
Our picks for the best memory foam mattresses
- Best overall: Helix Midnight
- Best for side sleepers: The DreamCloud
- Best for back pain: The Nectar
- Best for heavy people: Wink Beds The GravityLux
- Best soft: Nolah Signature
- Best cooling: Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe Cooling
- Best for couples: Bear Mattress Bear Original
- Best luxury: Saatva Loom & Leaf
- Best for stomach sleepers: Emma Mattress Original
- Best budget: Dreamfoam Essential
- Best firm: Plank Mattress
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| Helix Midnight | The DreamCloud | The Nectar | Wink Beds The Gravity Lux | Nolah Signature | Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe Cooling | Bear Mattress Bear Original | Saatva Loom & Leaf | Emma Mattress Original | Dreamfoam Essential | Plank Mattress | |
| Rating | |||||||||||
| Price | $1,332 | $665 | $1,099 | $1,799 | $1,799 | $2,265 | $998 | $2,395 | $1,159 | $524 | $1,332 |
| Material | Hybrid (coils and foam) | Hybrid (coils and foam) | Foam | Foam | Foam | Hybrid (coils and foam) | Foam | Foam | Foam | Foam | Foam |
| Firmness | Medium | Firm | Medium-firm | Soft, medium, firm | Soft | Soft, medium, firm | Medium-firm | Relaxed firm, firm | Medium | Soft-medium to firm | Firm |
| Trial period | 100 nights | 365 nights | 365 nights | 120 nights | 120 nights | 120 nights | 120 nights | 365 nights | 365 nights | 120 nights | 120 nights |
Best overall memory foam mattress: Helix Midnight
Key product features
What you should know
The Helix Midnight’s hybrid design provides a medium feel, combining memory foam’s comfort and pressure relief with the support offered by innerspring coils. This balance and versatility create a comfortable sleep environment for all sleep styles.
- Pressure relief in the hips and shoulders makes this mattress especially suitable for side sleepers.
- The mid-range price of this mattress makes it more accessible to a broad sleep audience.
- The breathable knit cover and innerspring coils allow for airflow that provides a cooling effect.
- Couples can benefit from the medium firmness level that caters to many different sleep preferences and styles.
Why we like Helix Midnight as best overall
The Helix Midnight tops our list because of its versatile design, which creates the perfect balance of comfort and support for all sleep positions. Helix is known for its customization, which allows sleepers to find the best mattress for their body type, sleep position, and preferences.
This mattress is engineered with a hybrid design that combines the comfort of memory foam with the support of innerspring coils. The memory foam layer at the top excels at providing pressure relief. Underneath, the contouring foam nicely cradles sleepers’ shoulders and hips, making this mattress an excellent choice for side sleepers.
The Helix Midnight boasts a medium firmness feel that can accommodate a wide range of sleep styles and body types. Notably, couples who prefer different firmness levels will appreciate that this mattress falls right in the middle to create a comfortable sleep environment for everyone. However, our testers found that this mattress didn’t perform as well in motion isolation as some competitors. If your partner tosses and turns frequently, you may experience more disturbances.
At the mattress’s core, individually wrapped steel coils provide a supportive feel as they move independently for maximum contouring and back support. The coils extend to the perimeter on each side of the mattress to provide reinforced edge support so you can sleep near the edge without feeling like you’ll slip off.
Regarding cooling, the Helix Midnight has a breathable knit cover that helps increase airflow. If you sleep hot, you may choose to add the GlacioTex™ pillow top for added comfort and enhanced cooling. This upgrade will cost an additional $400.
The high-quality materials used in its construction are durable, so you will enjoy the comfort of this mattress for years to come. Thanks to its combination of comfort, support, and durability, this mattress impressed us in the memory foam category and as one of the best mattresses overall.
To learn more about this brand, see our full Helix mattress review.
“I immediately felt relief in my back and hips, where I typically have a lot of stored pressure. This is a significant benefit for anyone managing chronic pain in the lower lumbar area.”
Nichole Mondshein, Lead reviewer
Specs
| Material | Hybrid |
| Warranty | 10 years |
| Firmness | Medium |
| Trial period | 100 nights |
| Shipping | Free |
| Weight (Queen) | 95 lbs |
| Height | 11.5” tall |
Best memory foam mattress for side sleepers: The DreamCloud
Key product features
What you should know
The DreamCloud hybrid mattress provides luxurious comfort at a budget-friendly price. Its blend of memory foam and innerspring coils provides balanced support and pressure relief, while the cashmere cover adds breathable comfort.
- The pressure-relieving memory foam creates an ideal comfort level for all positions, especially side sleepers.
- This mattress delivers a luxury feel with a budget price tag under $1,000.
- Couples and pet owners will enjoy the enhanced motion transfer that reduces sleep disturbances.
- The cooling technologies offer a temperature-neutral experience at best.
Why we like The DreamCloud as best for side sleepers
The DreamCloud’s cashmere cover and gel-infused memory foam cater to side sleepers with ultimate pressure relief in the hips and shoulders. As one of the best mattresses under $1,000, it provides lavish comfort and support at an affordable price.
When you climb into bed, you’ll immediately find comfort in the lightweight, breathable cashmere cover. It features cooling fibers that promote airflow to help regulate body temperature and eliminate excess heat. Multiple layers of gel-infused memory foam provide cushion and comfort as they contour your body. With unmatched pressure relief at critical joints, like shoulders and hips, this mattress is ideal for individuals who benefit from higher quality sleep when sleeping on their side. (2)
Sleepers who share a bed with their partner or a pet will be impressed with the motion isolation provided through a layer of pocketed coils. Thanks to the thick coils extending to the perimeter, you can expect to feel sufficiently supported no matter how close to the edge you lie on this mattress.
With a cooling cover and gel-infused foam, our testers expected to experience cooler sleeping. Unfortunately, the memory foam trapped some body heat, creating a more temperature-neutral feel.
The combination of cushioned memory foam and innerspring stability creates an ideal balance between comfort and support. However, The DreamCloud only comes in one firmness level, so you cannot customize this mattress based on your firmness preferences.
You can feel at ease knowing the CertiPUR-US certified foams meet high standards for health and safety. (3) This mattress may have a relatively low price point but customers can feel confident that it’s a top-notch product. The high-quality materials used in its construction ensure its durability.
For more insights, visit our full DreamCloud mattress review. Or, see more of the best mattresses for side sleepers for additional options.
Specs
| Material | Hybrid |
| Warranty | Lifetime |
| Firmness | Firm |
| Trial period | 365 nights |
| Shipping | Free |
| Weight (Queen) | 78 lbs |
| Height | 12” tall |
Best memory foam mattress for back pain: The Nectar
Key product features
What you should know
The Nectar memory foam mattress perfects pressure relief and spinal support, comforting individuals who frequently experience back pain. Its advanced transition layer also reduces motion transfer for fewer sleep disruptions.
- With the perfect blend of sink and support, all sleep styles will find comfort in this mattress.
- While this mattress is affordable at full price, Nectar is known for offering excellent deals and discounts throughout the year that can knock hundreds of dollars off the price.
- Sleepers who suffer from frequent sleep disturbances will enjoy the exceptional motion isolation.
- The year-long trial period gives buyers ample time to ensure this mattress works for them.
Why we like The Nectar as best for back pain
The Nectar’s comfortable blend of support and pressure relief garners top marks from our team for the promising relief it can provide individuals suffering from back pain. Finding a mattress that offers optimal pain relief can help individuals reduce their risk of experiencing mobility issues through middle age and beyond. (4)
This 12-inch mattress has five foam layers, each with a unique role in providing comfort and support. Gel-infused memory foam offers a therapeutic feel as it contours to your body’s shape. Ideal spinal alignment is critical for reducing back pain, and the dynamic middle foam layer provides just that. The final layer of foam ensures the mattress holds its structure, allowing just enough sinkage while continuing to provide support.
We found that this mattress’s cooling cover provided breathability, while the gel-infused foam performed well at absorbing body heat. While it felt cooler than traditional memory foam, our testers noted that it may not sleep cool enough for overly hot sleepers.
With one firmness option, Nectar’s medium-firm feel is the ideal mattress support level proven to reduce back pain. (5) We found that the plush top foam layers offered exceptional pressure relief, while the denser foam base supported the lumbar area well, maintaining spinal alignment.
Overall, this mattress does well at isolating motion to reduce movement throughout the bed and disturb other sleepers. One area where this mattress falls short is in providing adequate edge support. If you sleep too close to the edge, you may feel like you’re slipping off the bed. Additionally, sinkage when sitting on the edge may not be ideal for individuals with mobility issues.
As one of the best mattresses-in-a-box, it offers incredible benefits at an affordable price of just over $1,000. Additionally, Nectar is known for running huge holiday sales events and year-round discounts that can help you save significantly more money if you’re willing to wait to make your purchase until a sale occurs.
Check out our best mattresses for back pain or our full Nectar mattress review to learn more.
“As someone with lower back pain, I felt very comfortable sleeping on my back on this mattress. It felt plush yet supportive, and the pressure relief tests yielded great results.”
Nichole Mondshein, Lead reviewer
What customers are saying
The Nectar is highly rated on Amazon, earning 4.3 stars with over 7,000 reviews. Customers rave about how well it blends comfort and support, with many explicitly mentioning how well it helps relieve their pain.
It has good side sleeper pressure relief and is also supportive to prevent lower back pain,” says Amazon reviewer Douglas F. “It works great with an adjustable bed.”
Another Amazon reviewer, Emma, says, “I’ve spent a couple of years looking and sorting for the perfect mattress to fit my and my partner’s needs while staying in a price range that wasn’t going to break the bank. It was easy to set up and unpack solo. The smell of the new mattress wasn’t too bad and is now nonexistent. This mattress is so soft—the movements of myself and my partner are isolated, so I can’t even tell when they’re moving around. It genuinely feels like my body is being cradled. I don’t like super soft beds or super firm. I like this mattress a lot. It seems like it’s a perfect in-between. I would highly recommend this mattress!”
While Amazon reviewer Justin C. enjoyed the mattress’s comfort, the cooling technology was lacking for them: “The mattress has decent firmness to it and is comfortable. My only real complaint is that I get pretty hot on it.”
Specs
| Material | Foam |
| Warranty | Forever |
| Firmness | Medium-firm |
| Trial period | 365 nights |
| Shipping | Free |
| Weight (Queen) | 66 lbs |
| Height | 12” tall |
Best memory foam mattress for heavy people: WinkBeds The GravityLux
Key product features
What you should know
The WinkBeds GravityLux is an all-memory foam mattress that offers the contouring feel you’ve come to expect with a supportive, durable base that reduces sinking and sagging. It also has unique cooling properties not typically found in memory foam mattresses.
- The GravityLux is a durable mattress that will hold up over time and across many different body types.
- This mattress is average-priced among luxury options with a cost under $2,000.
- Back and stomach sleepers will enjoy this mattress’s firmer support, while side sleepers may prefer a softer feel elsewhere.
- Three firmness levels allow buyers to customize their mattresses based on their sleep style and preferences.
Why we like WinkBeds The GravityLux as best for heavy people
As a truly firm mattress, the WinkBeds GravityLux boasts a durable design that supports additional body weight. Typically, sleepers who weigh over 230 lbs need a firmer, more supportive mattress that will reduce sinking. (6) Don’t let the firmness scare you off, though. The GravityLux still does an excellent job of providing pressure relief and body contouring.
If you’re ready for a memory foam mattress with a different feel, the three brand-specific foams in the GravityLux will deliver just that. The AirCell™ foam contains shock-absorbing air capsules that relieve pressure and eliminate motion transfer. This comfort layer is explicitly designed to reduce sinking, which gives the mattress a more responsive feel.
The following two layers are where the magic happens in terms of providing heavy-duty support. The Progression Foam offers added support in the lumbar zone while maintaining softness in the shoulders. Beneath that, the Atlas Core™ foam provides outstanding sag-proof durability. As the thickest layer of the mattress, this foam is responsible for GravityLux’s firmer, durable feel that is most likely to provide long-lasting support for sleepers with a little more bodyweight.
One of the unique features of this mattress is how cool it sleeps compared to many other memory foam mattresses. The eco-friendly cover is made from a Tencel© material weaved into gel-infused foam that offers instant coolness and initial pressure relief. Additionally, the open-cell design of the AirCell™ foam helps prevent heat retention. Remember that this is still an all-foam mattress, so overly hot sleepers may need the maximum coolness that full innerspring or hybrid mattresses offer.
While our evaluation focused on the firm option for this mattress, it’s also available in medium and soft firmness levels. The firm mattress effectively provided support and pressure relief for back and stomach sleepers. There wasn’t excessive pressure build-up under the shoulders, but it may be too firm for side sleepers coming in with shoulder pain. We’d recommend the medium or soft model instead.
Visit our full WinkBed mattress review to learn more about this brand. If this mattress isn’t the right fit for you, browse our list of the best mattresses for heavy people to discover more excellent options.
Specs
| Material | Foam |
| Warranty | Forever |
| Firmness | Soft, medium, firm |
| Trial period | 120 nights |
| Shipping | Free |
| Weight (Queen) | 77 lbs |
| Height | 11” tall |
Best soft memory foam mattress: Nolah Signature
Key product features
What you should know
The Nolah Signature uses proprietary AirFoam™ that provides the perfect amount of pressure relief to relieve pain in sleepers’ shoulders while staying firm in the lower back and hip areas to maintain proper spinal alignment. The high-density foam underneath helps the mattress maintain its structure.
- This mattress offers the optimal amount of sinking and support in the hips and back, which makes it an excellent choice for back or side sleepers.
- The full price of the Nolah Signature is $1,799, but we’ve seen this mattress on sale for over $600 off during major holiday weekend sales.
- Stomach sleepers will find this mattress too soft to provide proper support.
- Air pockets in the foam improve airflow for a temperature-neutral sleep experience.
Why we like Nolah Signature as best soft
The Nolah Signature delivers a genuinely soft, cradling sleep experience without sacrificing support. Its distinctive pressure relief qualities come from Nolah’s proprietary foam that unites with a high-density polyfoam below.
This mattress sits 12 inches tall with five layers of foam carefully designed to offer sleepers comfort and support. You’ll instantly feel the comfort as you sink into the contouring layer of AirFoam™. As the name suggests, this foam has tiny air bubbles that help distribute your body weight for maximum pressure relief. The zoned support is flexible and cushiony around the shoulders but firmer in the middle for lumbar and hip support. Another highlight of this foam is its responsiveness, which makes it easy to adjust positions through the night.
Nolah creates the perfect level of softness without too much sinkage by equipping the mattress with a seven-inch base layer of high-density foam. This thick layer of foam provides superb structural support.
Back and side sleepers will feel snug and comfortable as this mattress hugs their shoulders while supporting their back and hips. However, we don’t recommend this mattress for stomach sleepers and heavier body types, who would benefit from a firmer mattress that offers more support.
Hot sleepers will appreciate that this mattress sleeps cooler than many traditional memory foam mattresses. Starting with the organic cotton cover and continuing through the AirFoam™ layers, this mattress allows breathability and airflow to help prevent body heat from becoming trapped in the foam layers.
It’s worth adding that this mattress performed well in reducing motion transfer, which is typical of memory foam mattresses. Couples and pet co-sleepers can benefit from fewer disruptions while others move around in bed.
Nolah offers the option to upgrade to the Signature Hybrid model if you’re not entirely sold on an all-foam mattress. For another $300, you’ll get the same cushioned foam layers and a zoned coil system that adds support and increased airflow for an even cooler sleeping experience.
To learn more, see our complete guide on the best soft mattresses or read our Nolah mattress review.
Specs
| Material | Foam |
| Warranty | Lifetime |
| Firmness | Soft |
| Trial period | 120 nights |
| Shipping | Free |
| Weight (Queen) | 83 lbs |
| Height | 12” tall |
Best cooling memory foam mattress: Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe Cooling
Key product features
What you should know
The Brooklyn Aurora Luxe features an impressive cool-to-the-touch mattress cover, gel-infused foam, and pocketed innerspring coils for a revolutionary cooling experience. The hybrid composition offers pressure relief and support for all sleep positions.
- This mattress is noticeably cool to the touch.
- If you can afford the high-end price tag, this mattress will prove its worth with its luxury comfort and advanced cooling features.
- Buyers have their choice of firmness level: soft, medium, or firm.
- Sleepers that toss and turn will benefit from this mattress’s responsiveness, which allows you to change positions easily.
Why we like Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe Cooling as best cooling
The Brooklyn Aurora Luxe Cooling mattress stands out as unparalleled in its ability to establish a cooling sleep environment, boasting advanced features designed to regulate body temperature. Combining a cooling mattress with the best temperature for sleep can help mitigate the adverse effects of overheating and sweating on sleep quality. (7)
This mattress kicks off its cooling abilities with a GlacioTex™ cooling cover. This soft, breathable fabric is notably cool to the touch. Below the surface, the hybrid makeup layers comfort foams on top of breathable wrapped coils. Most memory foam mattresses are famous for retaining heat. However, the Copperflex™ gel-infused foam used in the Aurora Luxe effectively disperses body heat for additional cooling.
The foam and coils work together to offer solid support and body contouring. We found this mattress performed well at maintaining spinal alignment with excellent pressure relief in the lumbar area and minimal sinking. The Copperflex™ foam offers pressure relief that rivals that of latex mattresses but at a lower cost.
Even though this mattress offers a softer firmness level, our testers noted it may be too firm for side sleepers. These sleepers can benefit from more sinking in the shoulders and hips to help reduce joint pain.
While the mattress cover is outstanding in keeping the mattress cool, it presents a slippery feel that diminishes the edge support. If you get too close to the edge, you may feel like you’ll fall off. However, this may benefit buyers with mobility issues, who may find it eases getting in and out of bed.
It’s worth noting that the luxury feel of this mattress comes with a high price tag. Spending over $2,000 on a mattress may not be in the best interest of all buyers.
Visit our complete Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe review to find more insights. Or, check out our best cooling mattresses to see more options for you.
“This mattress is amazingly cool. Seeing how little the mattress’s temperature rose after laying on it is a testament to how fantastic the additional cooling features are, including the cooling cover, which gives it an impressive cool-to-the-touch feel.”
Nicole Mondshein, Lead reviewer
Specs
| Material | Hybrid |
| Warranty | 10 years |
| Firmness | Soft, medium, firm |
| Trial period | 120 nights |
| Shipping | Free |
| Weight (Queen) | 95 lbs |
| Height | 13.5” tall |
Best memory foam mattress for couples: Bear Mattress Bear Original
Key product features
What you should know
The medium-firm feel of the Bear Original mattress offers versatility for couples with different mattress needs. Its supportive foam layers keep pressure build-up at bay and maintain proper spinal alignment.
- The medium-firm feel will help you stay supported on top of the mattress with minimal sinking.
- This mattress is one of the most budget-friendly picks on our list.
- The motion-isolating properties can help couples sleep soundly.
- Sleepers can add a Celliant cover infused with sleep recovery technology and temperature-regulating materials.
Why we like Bear Mattress Bear Original as best for couples
The Bear Original mattress offers the perfect balance of comfort and support that can help couples settle the debate on which mattress is best for each of their personal sleep preferences and unique body types. Even though it’s all foam, our testers noted this mattress offered support similar to hybrid mattresses.
At the heart of this mattress, three different types of memory foam work together to create a medium-firm feel suitable for a wide range of sleepers. You’ll feel well-supported on top of the mattress without sinking so much that you feel like you have to pull yourself up and out. Gel foam brings a cooling effect to the top of the mattress, while dynamic and high-density foams below offer support and structure.
Without the bounce of traditional innerspring coils, the foam in this mattress isolates movement well. Couples will appreciate that they don’t feel every little movement as their partner tosses and turns at night.
Our evaluation showed that this mattress was more responsive than typical memory foam beds. This is a notable highlight for couples with a vibrant sex life, who will admire how easy it is to move around and change positions.
The included quilted cover adds a layer of breathable material that can help soften this firmer mattress. Buyers can opt for an upgraded Celliant-infused cover, which stood out to us for its claims of promoting body restoration and muscle recovery.
Because this mattress leans toward the firmer side of the spectrum, we recommend it for back and stomach sleepers who can benefit from the lower back support. Side sleepers will likely find the firmness doesn’t provide enough pressure relief in their shoulders to sleep comfortably. Additionally, at only 10” tall, this mattress isn’t the best option for heavy sleepers.
Finally, we were surprised at how affordable this mattress is for how well it sleeps. Without the added Celliant cover, it is only $998, making it one of the best cheap mattresses.
To learn more about Bear, see our full Bear mattress review. Or, visit our complete guide on the best mattresses for couples to find more options you and your partner will love.
Specs
| Material | Foam |
| Warranty | Lifetime |
| Firmness | Medium-firm |
| Trial period | 120 nights |
| Shipping | Free |
| Weight (Queen) | 70 lbs |
| Height | 10” tall |
Best luxury memory foam mattress: Saatva Loom & Leaf
Key product features
What you should know
The Saavta Loom & Leaf mattress is layered with premium, high-density foams that deliver a luxury feel rich in contouring pressure relief and cushioned support.
- This mattress offers a comfort level that will make you question whether you’re at home or a luxury resort.
- As expected, you’ll pay more for this mattress’s luxury experience.
- You can choose between luxury firm and firm, depending on what level of support is best for your sleep style and body type.
- Saavta’s white-glove delivery service offers free in-room delivery and setup with free mattress removal.
Why we like Saatva Loom & Leaf as best luxury
It can be challenging to shell out over $2,000 on a mattress, but the Saatva Loom & Leaf proves its worth with premium comfort and support. Considering you spend one-third of your life sleeping, you deserve to splurge a bit on a mattress that will create a restful sleep environment. (8)
The thick, quilted mattress cover features breathable, organic cotton. It offers a plush feel different from most memory foam mattresses, which often feel spongy. As a bonus, the Guardin® botanical antimicrobial treatment can give you peace of mind that you aren’t sleeping on a bed that’s growing bacteria, mold, or mildew.
The foam layers beneath the cover are high-density CertiPUR-US® certified memory foam. This mattress excels at contouring the body and relieves pressure in critical body areas. The zoned lumbar support ensures the middle of the mattress helps maintain proper spinal alignment.
In our evaluation, we discovered cooling technologies infused throughout the mattress, from the breathable cover to multiple layers of gel-infused foam. Hot sleepers can enjoy the hugging comfort of the memory foam without experiencing the traditional heat-trapping effects.
Of course, appearances have nothing to do with mattress quality, but we couldn’t help but notice that this mattress looks like one you’d find in a five-star hotel. Additionally, the mattress is made from high-quality materials that will ensure long-lasting durability.
Saatva’s luxury experience extends beyond the mattress to its free white-glove delivery service. You won’t have to worry about how you’ll get your mattress to your room or what you’ll do with the one you don’t need anymore. Saatva’s delivery team will do all the work to set up your new mattress and remove your old one.
The elevated cost of this mattress may feel like too much for some. However, when you buy a high-quality mattress that helps you sleep well, remember you’re also investing in your health and well-being. (9)
Read our full Saatva mattress review for more information. Or, check out two more Saatva mattresses that stand out on our roundup of the best luxury mattresses available.
Specs
| Material | Foam |
| Warranty | Lifetime |
| Firmness | Relaxed firm, firm |
| Trial period | 365 nights |
| Shipping | Free |
| Weight (Queen) | 93 lbs |
| Height | 12” tall |
Best memory foam mattress for stomach sleepers: Emma Mattress Original
Key product features
What you should know
Emma Original’s combination of signature Airgocell® foam and traditional memory foam creates a breathable sleep environment that shines at providing pressure relief and lumbar support.
- This mattress offers exceptional support and pressure relief, reducing back pain in stomach and back sleepers.
- You can buy this mattress with confidence, knowing you have an entire year to try it out, and you can return it for free if it doesn’t work.
- The CertiPUR-US® certified foams and sustainable manufacturing processes make it an environmentally-friendly mattress.
- The mattress cover is fully removable and machine washable.
Why we like Emma Mattress Original as best for stomach sleepers
As one of the best mattresses-in-a-box, the Emma Mattress Original provides a balanced sleep experience, offering the comfort you’d expect from memory foam while optimizing back support. This mattress excels at maintaining spinal alignment, which is ideal for preventing back pain in stomach sleepers.
This mattress is constructed with multiple layers of foam from the bottom up. A thick, highly resilient base layer provides outstanding lumbar support. Above that, a Halo Memory Foam™ complements the back support with contouring comfort, providing exceptional pressure relief. To top it off, the Airgocell™ foam technology and mattress cover offer breathability, allowing excess heat and moisture to evaporate and keeping the mattress cool and dry.
While this mattress claims a medium firmness feel, our testers noted that it tipped toward the firmer side of the scale. They could feel their body remaining lifted and supported on top of the mattress, which helped keep their spine neutral. Minimal pressure build-up in the back ensures that stomach and back sleepers rest comfortably on this mattress. However, there was very little body contouring in sensitive areas for side sleepers.
The Emma Original lives up to the high standards of memory foam mattresses in the motion isolation category. You’ll be able to move about freely without worrying about disturbing your partner’s slumber. On a similar note, our evaluation showed it’s effortless to switch positions when lying on this mattress.
Some memory foam mattresses struggle to hold their structure around the perimeter, but that’s not the case for this mattress. We found the mattress offers plenty of support up to the edge so users can rest on or near the edge without sinking.
Environmentally conscious buyers will also enjoy the Emma Original mattress, made without harmful chemicals and materials. Additionally, the company emphasizes sustainable and eco-friendly manufacturing processes.
To learn more, visit our comprehensive Emma mattress review. Or, check out our best mattresses for stomach sleepers to see more options to support your sleep habits.
Specs
| Material | Foam |
| Warranty | 10 years |
| Firmness | Medium |
| Trial period | 365 nights |
| Shipping | Free |
| Weight (Queen) | 65 lbs |
| Height | 10” tall |
Best budget memory foam mattress: Dreamfoam Essential
Key product features
What you should know
The Dreamfoam essential offers a budget-conscious solution for buyers who want a quality product but can’t or aren’t ready to spend big on a mattress. This mattress’s gel foam top layer and high-density base offer comfort, cooling, and support.
- You can customize your mattress to suit your sleep preferences and financial circumstances.
- At only $524 for a queen-sized mattress, it’s hard to beat the price of this one.
- Five different mattress heights and firmness levels allow this mattress to adapt to any sleep position and body type.
- Opting for a budget mattress doesn’t mean sacrificing quality with these CertiPUR-US® certified foam mattresses.
Why we like Dreamfoam Essential as best budget
The Dreamfoam Essential proves you don’t have to give up comfort to meet your budget needs. Brooklyn Bedding is a company known for producing high-quality mattresses, and the Dreamfoam Essential is no different. One of the things that surprised us most was how customizable this mattress is.
Right from the start, you can choose between an abundance of size options, including RV-specific sizes, allowing you to take your mattress on the road. From there, you have another five options for mattress thickness, ranging from six inches up to 14. Each thickness offers a different firmness level.
The six—and eight-inch mattresses offer a firm to medium-firm feel and are ideal for back or stomach sleepers. The 10-inch mattress hits the sweet spot right in the middle, ideal for any sleep position, while sleepers looking for a more cloud-like feel will want to opt for the 12- or 14-inch options.
The variances in mattress height depend on the type and amount of foam used within each mattress layer. All mattresses feature a top layer of gel swirl memory foam that offers responsiveness, contouring, and pressure relief. The high-density foam at the base of the mattress also remains the same across each mattress height but varies in thickness. The factor distinguishing the two thickest mattresses from the rest is the added layer of transition foam in the middle, which provides additional contouring and comfort for a softer feel.
While this mattress doesn’t have as many cooling technologies as others we evaluated, it has some noteworthy features. The cooling gel in the top layer helps regulate body temperature, and the open-cell construction of the foam below is breathable, allowing excess heat to escape.
Our evaluation revealed that some buyers have reported sagging or deteriorating materials. The durability may depend on the mattress’s thickness and overall use, but it’s worth considering if you want to make a long-term investment.
Read our list of the best affordable mattresses if you are looking for more great mattresses at budget-friendly prices.
Specs
| Material | Foam |
| Warranty | 10 year |
| Firmness | Soft-medium to firm |
| Trial period | 120 nights |
| Shipping | Free |
| Weight (Queen) | 60 to 65 lbs |
| Height | 6” to 14” tall |
Best firm memory foam mattress: Plank Mattress
Key product features
What you should know
The high-density foams in the Plank mattress give it an extra-firm feel on one side and a firm feel on the other. As a Brooklyn Bedding product, it boasts high-quality, durable materials that offer robust support and minimal sinking.
- You can flip this mattress to experience two different firmness levels: ultra-firm or firm.
- At $1,332, it’s a reasonably priced choice in the memory foam category.
- This mattress is ideal for back and stomach sleepers and anyone experiencing back pain issues.
- The optional GlacioTex™ cover offers additional cooling and moisture control.
Why we like Plank Mattress as best firm
While “plank” isn’t the most common word to describe an ideal bed, the Plank Mattress is engineered to appeal to sleepers who love a firm bed. It uses high-density foam to reach the top of the firmness scale. This is another mattress made by Brooklyn Bedding, and we’ve found it holds up to their high-quality standards.
Five layers of high-density foam do the heavy lifting in this mattress to provide ultimate structure and support that creates the firm feel it boasts. This level of support can do wonders for people who suffer from back problems by keeping their back lifted and spine neutral.
Since you aren’t sinking into the foams, this mattress responds well to movement, making it easy to change positions. Additionally, the foams are thick, but their open-cell technology means they’re still breathable, so you can expect to stay cooler while sleeping.
We were excited to discover that this mattress is flippable, a feature we didn’t find in any of the other mattresses we evaluated. If the extra-firm side is too firm, you can simply flip it over to achieve a more standard firm feel. The differences on each side lie in the thickness of the quilted mattress topper and which layer of foam is on top.
As we’ve seen with other Brooklyn Bedding mattress models, you can add a GlacioTex™ cooling cover. This cover provides superior cooling and moisture-wicking technologies. It’s sewn onto both sides of the mattress to create a cool-to-the-touch feel no matter which side you use. It’s worth remembering that the slippery feel of the cover could diminish how supported you feel on the edge.
If your sleeping partner doesn’t love the idea of the ultra-firm all-foam mattress, you can switch to the Plank Luxe for a hybrid sleep design that swaps the foam core for individually wrapped coils. This mattress will continue to give you a firm, supportive feel with additional targeted pressure relief and more airflow through the coils.
Check out our comprehensive Plank mattress review to learn more. Or, see the best firm mattresses to discover more options.
Specs
| Material | Foam |
| Warranty | 10 years |
| Firmness | Firm |
| Trial period | 120 nights |
| Shipping | Free |
| Weight (Queen) | 95 lbs |
| Height | 10.25” tall |
How we test mattresses
Our team of sleep science coaches, medical experts, and consumers puts each mattress we review to the sleep test. Our detailed evaluations rely on first-hand testing and scientifically backed research. Each mattress is held to the same standards and put through an identical testing process to ensure we provide reliable and objective feedback. Check out our full mattress testing methodology for more information.
Performance (sleep experience)—30%
The quality of a mattress depends heavily on how well it helps you sleep from the moment you lay in bed until you get up. A high-quality mattress should deliver a sleep experience that leaves you feeling rested and restored. Our sleep science experts evaluate a handful of factors that affect how well the mattress functions and the sleep experience it delivers. Here’s what we’re looking for:
- Temperature regulation
- Motion isolation
- Edge support
- Technology
Comfort and support—30%
Building upon the sleep experience, we evaluate how comfortable and supportive mattresses are to help promote healthy and restful sleep. Users should wake up feeling refreshed and invigorated after a peaceful night of sleep. We evaluate the quality of a mattress based on how well it performs at relieving aches and pains that users may experience during sleep. Here’s what we’re looking for:
- Firmness
- Pressure relief
- Spinal alignment support
- Customization
Value—20%
Assessing value entails thoroughly examining many vital factors that help determine a mattress’s worth. A high-value mattress will have a price accessible to the mattress’s target audience while overshadowing the competition in how the mattress performs, the quality of materials used, and the support provided. We look beyond the price tag, acknowledging that a low price point doesn’t equate to a valuable product. We recommend products that offer a balance between cost and tangible benefits.
Customer experience—10%
Your buying experience can carry as much weight as the final product you choose. No matter how great your mattress is, a poor shopping experience can leave you with a bad taste in your mouth about your new product. We spend hours on each mattress review, assessing every step in the process, from the initial search to any additional support needed after purchasing a mattress, to ensure the service meets users’ expectations.
- Shipping
- Warranty
- Customer service
- Sleep trial
Health and safety—10%
Your health and safety are always at the top of our minds when we evaluate products, and mattresses are no exception. They are more than just a surface to sleep on. They are a domain where you spend almost a third of your life. We thoroughly analyze vital aspects of each mattress that can directly influence your health and well-being.
Our factors in this rating include:
- Hypoallergenic materials
- Off-gassing and chemical exposure
- Safety certifications
What is the best memory foam mattress?
In our evaluation, we found the Helix Midnight to be the best memory foam mattress overall. Its medium firmness caters to all sleep positions and body types, providing extraordinary pressure relief and body cradling. Furthermore, the hybrid construction includes an innerspring core that boosts cooling, contouring, and back support.
However, regardless of which mattress tops our list, we feel that the best mattress for you is the one that best meets your sleep needs. You should find a mattress that supports your preferred sleep positions and body type. You’ll also want to consider the investment you’re making based on your financial situation and the quality of the mattress you buy.
How to choose the best memory foam mattress
When selecting a mattress, you should consider several factors to ensure it meets your specific needs and preferences. Below, we’ve laid out some vital mattress characteristics to consider.
Firmness
Your sleep position is one of the most critical factors in helping determine which firmness level is best for you. While most people move around throughout the night, having one position you favor most is common. Choosing a soft or firm mattress to provide the right amount of pressure relief and sleep for your sleep position can help you sleep soundly.
Softer mattresses offer phenomenal deep pressure relief in the shoulders and hips. Side sleepers will be comfortable with this added level of contouring and sinkage, which nicely hugs their body and prevents pressure build-up in their joints.
Medium mattresses offer the just-right feel that accommodates many different sleep positions. Back sleepers can capitalize on the balance between pressure relief and support that keeps the spine aligned while giving a little more in the upper third to relieve shoulder tension. Couples and combination sleepers also often find comfort in the middle ground of medium mattresses.
Firm mattresses aren’t for everyone, but they certainly have a place in dreamland. These mattresses are fantastic at reducing sinking and maintaining spinal alignment, which can be especially beneficial for stomach sleepers, heavier body types, and individuals with back pain.
Cooling
If you sleep hot, you likely have first-hand experience with the negative impact overheating at night can have on sleep quality. (10) Because of this, cooling technologies are a vital aspect when choosing a mattress. Traditional memory foam mattresses are known to sleep hot since they are excellent at retaining heat. Fortunately, most mattress manufacturers use advanced cooling techniques that allow better airflow and eliminate excess heat and moisture. Moreover, many mattresses offer cooling covers as an upgraded feature that can enhance temperature regulation for an even cooler sleep experience.
Quality
A new mattress can be a big investment, so you want to ensure it continues to provide comfort and support for years to come. Buying a high-quality mattress can make a world of difference in how long it lasts.
As a general rule of thumb, denser foams are considered higher quality and more durable than less dense varieties. You may have to dig a bit to find this information on a retailer’s website or in-store, but it can help to aim for a density of at least three pounds per cubic foot.
Price
Of course, your wallet will play a role in determining your mattress choice. The good news is that memory foam mattress prices have a broad range that can fit into nearly anyone’s budget. You can find mattresses for around $300 on the lower end and up to $2,000 on the higher end. However, you’ll want to consider how important quality is for comfort and durability and remember that you generally get what you pay for. Paying a little more for a quality mattress can help reduce how often you have to replace your mattress and improve sleep quality.
Types of memory foam mattresses
As you search for a memory foam mattress, you may be surprised by how many different types of foam there are. While many companies have their proprietary foams, they generally fall into one of the main categories that we’ll break down below.
Traditional
Traditional memory foam is the earliest version of how memory foam mattresses came to be. They are typically made from dense polyurethane foams. These mattresses deliver the body-hugging, compressing feeling we’ve come to expect from memory foam mattresses. They’re also known to retain heat, so many sleepers find them too hot.
Open-cell
Open-cell memory foam mattresses are constructed with tiny air pockets throughout the foam for a more spongy feel. The foam is often softer and less dense than traditional memory foam. Many sleepers like these mattresses because they allow more airflow for cooler sleep and are more responsive, making it easier to move about.
Gel memory foam
As memory foam mattresses continue to advance, we’re seeing different materials infused within them to help combat some of the downfalls of traditional memory foam. Gel memory foam incorporates gel beads that enhance cooling and comfort. The gel gives these mattresses a lovely spring, so they pop back to their original shape quicker.
Copper-infused foam
As the name suggests, these mattresses are infused with copper in a similar method to gel foam. Because copper is highly conductive, it helps dissipate excess heat and wick away moisture. Copper is also known for its antimicrobial and antibacterial properties, which can help keep the mattress fresh and free from harmful bacteria and viruses.
Plant-based
Plant-based mattresses are emerging as a newer option for those who prefer to skip traditional, petroleum-based construction. As a general term, plant-based means the materials used are naturally sourced. Beware that this term can be thrown around somewhat loosely and doesn’t always indicate that the mattresses are free from synthetic materials or responsibly manufactured. It’s best to closely examine the complete mattress construction to understand if it’s truly “clean” and eco-friendly.
Who should buy a memory foam mattress?
Memory foam mattresses are famous for offering phenomenal pressure relief that cradles the hips and shoulders. Sleepers who enjoy the comfort of a hugging feel in their mattress often prefer memory foam over traditional innerspring mattresses. The lumbar support and spinal alignment provided by memory foam can also attract back and side sleepers who feel the balance of support and comfort. Another bright spot in memory foam is that it is often excellent at reducing motion transfer. Motion isolation can favor couples and those with pet co-sleepers who can benefit from fewer sleep disruptions.
However, mattresses are not one-size-fits-all, so it’s okay if memory foam isn’t your best option. For example, overly hot sleepers may continue to overheat even with the most advanced cooling features included. Instead, you could consider an innerspring mattress or the combination of foam and coils that hybrid mattresses offer.
FAQs
What are the disadvantages of memory foam mattresses?
Memory foam mattresses aren’t the best choice for everyone for a few reasons. One of the most common complaints is that they retain heat and moisture. Fortunately, cooling technologies are advancing to help in this area. They can also be heavy, making setting up and moving the mattress around difficult. Furthermore, getting a mattress made from high-quality, durable foams can be pricey.
How much should you pay for a memory foam mattress?
How much you pay for a memory foam mattress will depend on many factors, like size, cooling features, and foam quality. If you’re on a tight budget, you can typically find options starting at $300 for a queen-size mattress. Expect to pay between $600 and $1,800 for a higher-quality mattress.
Do you need a box spring with a memory foam mattress?
Memory foam mattresses don’t typically require a box spring mattress underneath. However, you will need a solid, supportive foundation to help prevent sagging. Generally, these bases have a solid wooden board or slatted system that is strong enough to support the weight of the memory foam mattress.
How long do memory foam mattresses last?
The lifespan of memory foam mattresses can vary, but they typically last eight to ten years. However, a lower-quality mattress may start to sag or deteriorate earlier than that. You can increase the lifespan of your mattress by rotating it every six months and maintaining a clean sleep environment.
What is the best thickness for a memory foam mattress?
The ideal thickness of a memory foam mattress will depend on your sleep needs. A standard mattress generally falls between 10 and 12 inches and will work for most sleepers. Slimmer mattresses can be well-suited for guest bedrooms or those who struggle to get in and out of bed. On the other hand, thicker mattresses may appeal more to heavier sleepers and those looking for added cushion and pressure relief.
Our experts
Dr. Raj Dasgupta, MD, FACP, FCCP, FAASM
Quadruple-board certified in pulmonary, sleep, internal, and critical care medicine. An active clinical researcher, Dr. Raj currently practices at the University of Southern California, where he’s been awarded the Excellence in Teaching award six years in a row. He’s also an associate professor of clinical medicine, assistant program director of the internal medicine residency program, and the associate program director of the sleep medicine fellowship at USC.
Dr. Heidi Moawad
Dr. Heidi Moawad is a neurologist and professor at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland, Ohio. She serves on the editorial board of Neurology Clinical Practice and is a reviewer for Neurology. She was an associate editor for Neurology, Humanities section, and past editor-in-chief of Neurology Times Affiliations: American Academy of Neurology (AAN).
Krista Manning
Krista Manning is an accomplished medical copy editor and fact-checker who stands out in the pharmaceutical, health, and wellness domains. With a meticulous eye for detail and a command of medical language, Krista ensures the accuracy and clarity of content. Beyond her professional expertise, Krista is an advocate for mental health awareness. Recognizing the crucial intersection of psychological and physical well-being, she actively contributes to projects that promote mental health awareness within the healthcare narrative. Krista’s commitment extends beyond the pages she edits, emphasizing the holistic nature of health communication.
Corey Jungwirth, NBC-HWC
Fortune Recommends Staff Writer
About Author
Corey Jungwirth is a National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach with over 11 years of experience working in health and wellness. Additionally, she has earned certifications as a Behavioral Health Coach and Lifestyle Medicine Coach. For over five years, Corey has enjoyed combining her wellness knowledge with her passion for writing. When she’s not writing about it, Corey enjoys engaging in her own health by running, taking Peloton classes, and playing soccer and volleyball. She also enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and being outdoors as often as possible. Corey lives in a cozy home in the woods in Wisconsin with her two kids, husband, and dog, Kona.