November 16, 2023
Most of us will spend about one-third of our lives in bed, however, you
don’t really think about what it’s like to shop for a new one. It may seem
straightforward, but there are a lot of factors to consider.
Is the top mattress for your body type and sleep style an all-foam mattress or a hybrid mattress? Should you seek out a medium-firm mattress or a softer model? Which mattresses have superior edge support? What companies offer free shipping? With so many options available on the market, it’s not always easy to know which one will best suit your needs.
That’s where we come in. Whether you’re looking for a mattress for a back or stomach sleeper or you’re in the market for a mattress for a side sleeper, a few recommendations and helpful tips can make the process of purchasing a new mattress far less stressful. And we’ve found the very best mattress of 2023 — along with some other top contenders — so you can purchase your next mattress with confidence.
Many mattresses come with high price tags, so you may be wondering—is it really worth spending so much money on a quality mattress? The answer is a resounding yes! While the idea of spending a fair chunk of your paycheck on a mattress probably isn’t too appealing, the many benefits of investing in a premium-quality mattress can’t be overstated. The right mattress can go a long way in keeping your mind and body healthier while also saving you money on doctor’s visits, chiropractors, and other medical expenses in the long run. Here are just a few of the ways you can benefit from a mattress upgrade:
Pain relief: Upper and lower back pain is often the result of an inadequately supportive mattress. A quality mattress can provide pressure relief and help to keep your spine aligned, keeping your body healthier and free from pain.
Improved sleep: Hip and back pain aren’t just caused by lack of support and poor sleeping positions. If you don’t get enough sleep, your body doesn’t have time to adequately rest and heal itself from the struggles of the day. A mattress with a good comfort layer can help with that. The more comfortable you are, the better your sleep quality will be. In addition to keeping you comfortable, a well-made mattress can also help with motion isolation so your partner’s movements won’t wake you at night—fewer disturbances and more comfort mean longer, better sleep.
Temperature regulation: If you’re a hot sleeper, you may find it difficult to get restful sleep. A good cooling mattress can absorb body heat and help regulate your body temperature, preventing you from overheating and helping you get restorative, restful sleep.
Why we love them:
The Helix Midnight Luxe Mattress is one of our favorite mattresses of the
year, thanks to its five-layer design. This hybrid mattress includes three
premium foam top layers — Helix responsive foam, copper gel memory foam, and
memory plus foam. It’s also made with over 1,000 individually wrapped, zoned
coils and a supportive foam base layer for optimal durability.
Each foam layer of the Helix Midnight Luxe Mattress provides different types of benefits, with plenty of memory foam for great body contouring and pressure relief. It’s also got a quilted pillow top for extra comfort. The individually wrapped springs provide excellent lumbar support and motion isolation, as well as superior reduction of motion transfer. It’s got a medium-firm feel that’s great for all sleeping positions.
Combination sleepers and side sleepers alike will love how the Helix Midnight Luxe Mattress molds to the shape of your body and provides all-over pressure relief for a comfortable sleep. Stomach sleepers will love that the medium firmness provides just the right amount of support to keep the spine aligned and reduce back pain.
Helix is a great brand known for its diverse array of mattress styles, which includes 20 different models to accommodate all sleeping positions, firmness preferences, and sleep styles, providing each of its customers with a personalized, comfortable sleep experience. They also offer free shipping, a 10-to-15-year warranty, and a 100-night sleep trial. It was named Wired’s Best Mattress Overall 2023.
Pros:
• Certified by GREENGUARD Gold and CertiPUR US
• Free US shipping
• Comes with complimentary pillow set
• 100-night sleep trial
Cons:
• May not be ideal for hot sleepers without cooling cover
Specs:
• Mattress Type: Hybrid mattress
• Firmness: Medium
• Size(s): Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King
Learn more about the Helix Midnight Luxe today
Why we love them:
Forbes, Healthline, the Sleep Foundation, and many other media and industry
professionals have consistently acknowledged the Nolah Evolution Hybrid
Mattress with accolade after accolade. It was crowned Best Mattress for Side
Sleepers by USA Today and Best Mattress for Side Sleepers by Architectural
Digest because of the superior spinal support and pressure relief that it
provides. This comfortable support extends across the entire bed thanks to
the product’s excellent edge support.
Hot sleepers should also rejoice, as the Nolah Evolution hybrid mattress features an organic cotton + ArcticTex™ cover, a high thermal conductivity Euro topper, and breathable AirFoam™to help draw heat away from the body, providing hot sleepers with the cooling relief needed to maintain their optimum sleeping temperature and rest peacefully through the night.
The Nolah Evolution comes in three firmness levels: Plush, Luxury Firm, and Firm. The Firm option provides the most resistance, the Luxury Firm version strikes a luxurious balance of support and contouring, and the Plush model offers one of the best soft mattress experiences money can buy. The true beauty of this hybrid mattress lies in its seven-layer design with premium foam layers that redistribute body weight for optimal joint relief and responsive zoned coils that provide extra hip and shoulder support to side sleepers.
The Nolah Evolution Hybrid Mattress comes with a lifetime warranty and free shipping. The brand also offers a 120-night sleep trial so you can purchase with confidence.
Pros:
• 120-night sleep trial
• Lifetime warranty
• Impressive edge support
• Excellent joint support and cooling
Cons:
• May be too soft for stomach sleepers
Specs:
• Mattress Type: Hybrid mattress
• Firmness: Plush, Luxury Firm, Firm
• Size(s): Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King, Split King
Learn more about the Nolah Evolution today
Why we love them:
The Leesa Sapira Hybrid Mattress combines the contouring comfort of memory
foam with the reliable support and motion isolation of individually wrapped
springs. It’s also got a ventilated foam layer and a breathable cover to
provide hot sleepers with much-needed thermoregulation. Put all those things
together and you have an impressive hybrid mattress that’s perfect for all
sleeping positions and styles.
The six-layer construction includes two ultra-responsive, premium foam layers that offer superior pressure relief while still ensuring minimal motion transfer, preventing partners from keeping each other awake when they toss and turn. The medium-firm feel is great for back pain, and the foam layers and coils of this mattress also offer great edge support.
The Leesa Sapira Hybrid Mattress is an ideal pick for anyone who values freedom of movement and wants superior motion isolation and extra cushioning without sacrificing support. While this mattress doesn’t come with a lifetime warranty, it does include free shipping, a 10-year warranty, and a risk-free, 100-night trial. Furthermore, it’s made with CertiPUR US-certified foam so you can rest assured that it doesn’t contain any fiberglass. The Leesa Sapira Hybrid was deemed Wirecutter’s Best Mattress for Back Pain.
Pros:
• Perfect for all sleeping positions
• Uses only CertiPUR US-certified foam
• Provides excellent motion isolation
• Medium firmness relieves back pain and offers great edge support
Cons:
• No lifetime warranty
Specs:
• Mattress Type: Hybrid
• Firmness: Medium to Medium-Firm
• Size(s): Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King
Learn more about the Leesa Sapira Hybrid today
Why we love them
The Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe is a six-layer hybrid mattress that’s
available in three firmness options: soft, medium, and firm. Its zoned coils
provide excellent support and isolate motion, minimizing motion transfer to
keep partners from disrupting one another’s sleep.
The gel-infused memory foam and Aurora’s GlacioTex™ Cooling Cover make this a great bed for hot sleepers who are tired of waking up in the middle of the night due to overheating. Additionally, this mattress features open-cell technology in the foam layers and inner springs, promoting airflow, preventing heat retention, and further contributing to its appeal to hot sleepers.
The premium contouring of the foam layers makes this a great mattress for side sleepers, but the zoned coils and medium-firm option make it ideal for stomach sleepers as well. The firmness level is consistently maintained throughout the bed, offering superior edge support.
Though a lifetime warranty isn’t offered, the high-density foam used adds to the overall durability of this hybrid mattress. The Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe mattress was crowned Best Overall Cooling Mattress by CNET and Best Cooling Mattress for Most People By Tom’s Guide.
Pros:
• Superior motion isolation
• Gel-infused memory foam
• Available in three firmness levels
• Durable construction ensures a long service life
Cons:
• No lifetime warranty
Specs:
• Mattress Type: Hybrid mattress
• Firmness: Soft, Medium, Firm
• Size(s): Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King, Split California King, Short Queen, RV King, RV Bunk
Learn more about the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe today
Why We Love Them
The Bear Elite Hybrid is one of the best hybrid mattresses on the market
thanks to its four foam layers. This mattress features a copper-infused
memory foam layer because its antimicrobial properties will help keep you
healthy overnight.
The six-layer hybrid design is made with luxurious materials to provide the most comfortable sleep possible. It also boasts a unique zoned coil system, which can give you the support and stability you need to fend off joint pain.
Its thoughtful design makes it a stellar choice for sleepers of all positions who want to improve their sleep quality. But this mattress is recommended especially for anyone who wants a little more temperature regulation, pressure relief, support, and motion response.
Pros:
• Antimicrobial properties
• Comfortable for all sleep positions
• Unique zoned coil system
• Made with CertiPUR US-certified foam
Cons:
• Doesn’t isolate motion well
Specs:
• Mattress Type: Hybrid mattress
• Firmness: Soft, Medium, Firm
• Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King, Split King
Learn more about the Bear Elite Hybrid today
You may be wondering how we chose these products. We have several criteria we consider when assessing a mattress brand. Every sleeper has their own style, needs, and preferred sleep positions, so the best mattress for you may not be the best choice for someone else. However, there are certain objective qualities that we considered when curating our list. Here are some of the factors that guided our selection process:
We may be able to determine what some of the best mattresses are objectively, but when it comes to choosing the best mattress for you, there are many factors you’ll need to consider. Everyone has different sleep preferences and wellness needs, like back pain reduction or pressure relief. There are also some other factors to consider as they relate to your individual lifestyle, such as budget constraints. As you’re searching for the best mattress for your individual needs, consider these factors:
Mattress sizes are standardized in the industry as follows:
Twin: A twin mattress can be a great option for bunk beds, children, or a small guest room. This may also be an appropriate bed for single users living in smaller conditions. Approximately 38 inches by 72 inches, a twin mattress can be easily grown out of and won’t work well for couples.
Twin XL:A twin XL mattress is about 8 inches longer than a regular twin mattress. It may be a great option for taller, single individuals or teens. It’s also a good option for dorm rooms or people who relocate frequently. However, like the twin mattress, this bed is only appropriate for singles.
Full: At 54 inches by 75 inches, a full bed provides you with a wider sleep surface, which can be great for single users who are also combination sleepers, as it allows more range of motion. This can be a great mattress for teens or for adults who live in smaller spaces, like studio apartments. However, since a full mattress (sometimes known as a double mattress) is only 3 inches longer than a twin, it may be too short for taller individuals.
Queen: One of the more popular size options, a queen is the first mattress size we’ve explored that’s appropriate for couples. At 60 inches by 80 inches, this size offers enough space for couples and can also be a very comfortable, oversized mattress for a single person with a slightly higher price range.
Olympic Queen:Not as common as other sizes, the Olympic Queen measures 66 inches by 80 inches, making it slightly wider than the standard queen size and a great choice for couples who want a little extra space.
King: Sleep like royalty on the 76-inch by 80-inch king-size bed. This is a great bed for couples whose price range is a little higher than others as well as single sleepers looking for a luxury mattress. With a generous sleeping surface, the king is a great size for couples with children or pets who often sleep with them.
California King: If you prioritize length over width, the California King mattress offers a narrower but longer surface at 72 inches by 84 inches. Great for taller couples and individuals, it may not be the best choice for accommodating additional children or pets.
Wyoming King: If you want the length of the California King but don’t want to sacrifice width, the Wyoming King can be an ideal option. At 84 inches by 84 inches, this perfect square of a mattress is ideal for couples with children or pets but is also a rare and more expensive option, which can make finding appropriately sized bed frames and bedding a challenge.
Alaskan King: The largest of all beds at 108 inches by 108 inches, the Alaskan King provides comfort and luxury that’s great for any large family, whether it’s a traditional family unit with children or a multi-pet family with animals that love to cuddle. While the size of this bed can make anyone feel comfortable, it’s another rare model that tends to be at the higher end of the price range and can make finding an appropriate bed frame difficult.
Remember, the larger the bed, the more expensive it generally is, as more materials are used to make the mattress. However, the long-term cost may be lower, as larger beds typically don’t need to be replaced as often since it’s unlikely that a person, couple, or family will outgrow them.
The firmness scale isn’t as standardized in the industry, but beds are generally rated from soft to firm on a firmness scale of 1 to 10.
1 and 2: This extra-soft mattress can improve your spinal alignment and will contour nicely to your body, making it a great option for side sleepers. However, back and stomach sleepers may find that extra-soft options bend their body in unnatural ways, which can cause or exacerbate back pain. Mattresses that are rated as a 1 or a 2 on the firmness scale aren’t necessarily advisable for everyone and should only be purchased after proper testing.
3 and 4: These soft and medium-soft, plush mattresses may be the best mattresses to keep your spine aligned. A great mattress for side sleepers, this is another firmness level that’ll contour your body and is a common firmness level for a memory foam mattress. However, like with levels 1 and 2, this may not be a great option for back and stomach sleepers, and people with mobility issues may find softer mattresses difficult to get up from.
5 and 6: This medium-firm mattress is a solid choice for combination sleepers. Models with these firmness ratings will provide plenty of lumbar support while maintaining a soft and pillowy mattress feel. Many hybrid mattresses offer this kind of experience for users. A perfect balance of softness and firmness, medium-firm mattresses are ideal for those who suffer from back pain and are seeking pressure relief.
7 and 8: A firmer mattress is a great option for back and stomach sleepers, especially those who suffer from back pain. However, a model that ranks a 7 or an 8 on the firmness scale may not be the best mattress for side sleepers, as it lacks the cradling and contouring properties offered by a softer mattress. A firmer mattress is the best mattress for back pain because of the extra support it provides but only for certain sleeping positions.
9 and 10: Like the extra-soft mattress, an extra-firm mattress shouldn’t be bought without proper testing. While this may be a good option for those who suffer from back pain, this extra-firm mattress may not be the most comfortable option for some sleep positions.
Combination sleepers, especially those with back pain, are likely to have the best results with a mattress that has a firmness level between 4 and 7, which would generally be considered a soft to medium-firm mattress.
It’s also important to consider a mattress’ versatility. Users, especially children, tend to outgrow smaller mattresses, like twin models, quickly. While that small mattress might seem appealing for a young child, a larger mattress will last the child a longer time and continue to accommodate them as they grow. However, a smaller mattress may be more appropriate if you have limited space or tend to move a lot, as a larger mattress can take up a lot of room and be difficult to transport.
All-foam mattresses are generally very soft and typically don’t provide a lot of support, which can exacerbate back pain in stomach sleepers. Back sleepers may also find that an all-foam mattress doesn’t provide adequate support.
More specifically, in the world of all-foam mattresses, memory foam is highly praised and regarded as one of the better materials to provide a soft, cloud-like sleeping surface. Different types of memory foam include:
Traditional Memory Foam Mattress: Traditional memory foam mattresses are so named because of the way the foam “remembers” the shape of your body. Soft mattresses like memory foam mattresses contour to the body and are ideal for side sleepers, but they may be too soft for stomach sleepers or those who suffer from back pain. They can also be difficult to get off of because of how the body sinks into the dense foam, so while this may make you feel like you’re sleeping on a bed of cotton and clouds, a memory foam model may not be ideal for those with mobility issues that need support when getting on or off the bed. The best memory foam mattresses trap heat and reflect it back to the body, making them less than ideal for hot sleepers.
Gel-Infused Memory Foam Mattress: If the softness of memory foam appeals to you but you also want a mattress that dispels heat and keeps you cool, a gel-infused foam mattress may be the best choice for you. Your body’s temperature drops when you sleep, so excess body heat can keep you up at night. If you often wake up feeling overheated, you’ll love these foam beds, as they’re specifically designed with heat-absorbing gel to keep you cool and comfortable while you sleep. The only real downside to a gel-infused memory foam mattress is that it tends to be more expensive than non-gel-infused models, which may place it out of some people’s price range.
Natural Latex Mattress: This is an organic mattress that’s made of rubber tree sap. For those who find that an overly firm mattress puts a lot of pressure on the back and worsens back pain, a latex mattress is ideal for pressure relief. This type of mattress is hypoallergenic, so it provides a lot of versatility, though it can be somewhat expensive and often falls on the higher end of the mattress price spectrum.
Synthetic Latex Mattress: When it comes to latex foam mattresses, synthetic latex models tend to be on the lower end of the price range. Synthetic latex mimics the foam made from the sap of the rubber tree, so it has similar benefits and is still considered hypoallergenic, making it a good option for those with fewer concerns about sustainability.
Latex hybrid mattresses also exist. A combination of natural and synthetic latex, these models provide a nice compromise for those looking for a product on the lower end of the price range but still have certain concerns about the environment and sustainability.
A polyfoam bed is generally a hybrid mattress, but higher-resiliency polyfoam can also be used to make an all-foam bed. However, this will put the polyfoam mattress on the upper end of the price spectrum, as polyfoam is an expensive material to manufacture.
Individually Wrapped Coils: Featuring a network of coils that are each wrapped individually, these mattresses are great for motion isolation and relieving pressure points. You won’t feel the springs digging into your back and causing you discomfort, and the wrapping on each coil makes motion transfer a non-issue.
Bonnell Coils: The most common type of coiled mattress, the Bonnell coil is an affordable option that uses hourglass-shaped coils that are known to be reliable and durable, meaning you’ll save money in the long run. This type of mattress often provides solid edge support. However, their design makes Bonnell coil mattresses less than ideal for motion isolation and can become squeaky, creating noise that disrupts sleep.
Offset Coils: Similar to the Bonnell coil, offset coils have wider ends with a more squared-off design. These coils contour the body better, which makes them great for those looking for a comfortable mattress on the lower end of the price range.
Zone Coils: Zone coils provide different firmness options in different areas of the bed. These are great for couples in which each person prefers a different firmness level.
Pocket Coils: When it comes to reducing motion transfer, pocket coils are a newer invention that excels in this category. Taking advantage of individually wrapped coils, pocket coils provide the most motion isolation of any mattress.
A hybrid mattress is typically made of layers of foam that are supported by a layer of individually wrapped coils, making it ideal for all sleepers including combination sleepers, stomach sleepers, side sleepers, and back sleepers. While hybrid mattresses can be expensive and may be out of some people’s price range, they offer superior versatility and cater to a wide range of sleep styles.
Latex Mattresses:10 to 20 years
Innerspring Mattresses:5 to 6 years (though some Bonnell coil mattresses can last up to 10 years)
Memory Foam Mattresses:7 to 15 years (with gel foam lasting closer to 10 to 15 years)
Hybrid Mattresses: It’s difficult to estimate the longevity of a hybrid mattress, as the number, thickness, and types of foam layers, as well as the quality of the materials, can vary greatly.
Charitable Donation: If your mattress isn’t showing any signs of wear and tear, you may be able to donate it to an organization like Goodwill or the Salvation Army. However, not all organizations accept mattresses due to fears of bed bugs and other contaminants, so be sure to research whether your chosen organization accepts mattresses.
Recycle: Even if your mattress is no longer usable, you can recycle many mattress types. Some states even provide additional services to help people recycle their mattresses.
Upcycle: Just because a mattress is outdated and no longer of use as a mattress, you can still find use for it if you’re crafty. Upcycling is the act of tearing apart the mattress for useable materials. Memory foam can be repurposed into pillows and springs can be used in all kinds of crafts.
Toss It Out: Depending on your local ordinances, you may be able to put your old mattress out with your regular garbage for collection or you can call your local sanitation service to arrange for pickup. Most states require you to seal the mattress in a mattress bag before disposing of it due to concerns about bed bugs and contaminants.
All of the mattresses we featured today are the best mattresses of 2023 for different reasons. Which one works best for you will be based on the various factors we have discussed at length.
