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Searching for the right bed is cumbersome. There are options aplenty and tons of variables to consider. Instead of sifting through a wide swath of mattresses, we have highlighted the models that outperform the rest in their category.
Below, you’ll find the best mattress for every budget, build, sleep position, preference, and need. Don’t worry if you just want to see our top recommendations – we have that, too. And when you really want to get into the finer details, take a look at our Mattress Reviews Database for in-depth reviews on every bed we’ve ever tested
Not sure exactly what you’re looking for? Try starting with our mattress finder quiz below. This personalized tool takes into account a variety of factors such as your sleeping position, body type, budget, temperature preferences, and more. It then gives you a list of top rated mattresses that tested to be compatible with your unique needs.
Answer these 5 easy questions to discover your perfect mattress
Answer these 5 easy questions to discover your perfect mattress
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With so many factors to consider when buying a mattress, it helps to know some of the common pitfalls that people run into during their mattress search. In the video below, one of our sleep experts explains five things you’ll want to avoid doing while shopping around.
Your sleeping position is one of the biggest considerations you should take into account when shopping for a mattress. While most mattresses are designed to meet the needs of a wide range of sleepers, we’ve identified those that are particularly well-suited for each of the three sleeper types below. If you are combination sleeper, we suggest using the position you find yourself waking up in most frequently.
Side sleeping is the most common sleeping position. Most side sleepers like a bed with a bit more give around the shoulders and hips while still keeping the spine aligned. Memory foam and all-foam mattresses can be a great option for side sleepers. Side sleepers above 230 pounds may prefer firmer beds to ensure support in the lumbar area. Check out all of our recommendations below.
For sleepers that find sleeping on their stomach most comfortable, we tend to recommend firmer mattresses. This ensures the hips don’t sink in too deeply, keeping your spine aligned. This is especially true of sleepers who weigh above 230 pounds, since they require more support to maintain good sleep posture. Check out our top recommendations below.
Back sleepers tend to prefer at least a medium firm mattress, if not something slightly firmer. This ensures that their lower back and hips don’t sink excessively, which in turn helps keep their spines aligned. Hybrid and latex beds are popular options with this sleep position. Check out our recommendations below.
For many shoppers, price is the most important factor in deciding which mattress to purchase. We’ve identified great options for every type of shopper, whether you’re on a budget or feel like you can’t possibly put a price on sleep.
Feel is just as important as firmness to some shoppers. If you love the “bounce” of an innerspring mattress or the conforming “hug” of a memory foam mattress, we’ll help you find something that meets your specific needs. Read below for information about the four main mattress types as well as performance differences and recommendations based on our in-house testing process.
Personal needs and preferences play a major role in finding the right mattress. We’ve identified some of the most common needs and preferences for mattress shoppers, whether it’s finding a bed that alleviates back pain or picking a mattress made with organic materials.
SleepFoundation.org is run by a dedicated team of mattress experts with years of experience in the industry. Our ratings and recommendations are based on a combination of in-house testing, customer experiences, and insider knowledge — resulting in accurate and comprehensive reviews. By utilizing all of the resources and expertise at our disposal, we hope to help you find the perfect mattress for your specific needs. To learn more about our testing process and methodologies, check out our full process.
We use the following performance categories to rate mattresses:
Motion isolation refers to how much the sleep surface moves when a sleeper switches positions or shifts while on the mattress. A mattress with good motion isolation will isolate movement to just the immediate area around the moving sleeper. With poor motion isolation, the entire sleep surface will move in response to one sleeper’s movements.
This is particularly relevant to co-sleepers, as some lighter sleepers are easily disturbed by the movement of their sleeping partner.
One important factor is a mattress’s ability to minimize pressure among common pressure points such as the shoulders, lower back, and hips. A bed with good pressure relief can ease the chronic pain of the user, while a bed with bad pressure relief can actually cause pain during waking hours.
Softer mattresses that conform closely to the body typically offer better pressure relief. Nonetheless it’s important to get a mattress that is firm and supportive enough to keep your spine aligned.
This is particularly relevant to co-sleepers, as some lighter sleepers are easily disturbed by the movement of their sleeping partner.
Many sleepers have a tendency to sleep hot, often waking up in the middle of the night sweating and uncomfortably warm. For these people, it’s important to sleep on a mattress that doesn’t trap too much body heat and provides sufficient airflow throughout the mattress.
Edge support refers to how sturdy the edges of a mattress are. If you’re sitting on the edge of the bed, sleeping with a partner, or trying to get on and off of the mattress with ease, edge support will play a huge factor.
Depending on the type of mattress you’re on, moving around or switching sleep positions can range in difficulty and effort. Closely conforming foam mattresses tend to produce a feeling of getting “stuck,” making you expend energy in order to move.
The biggest determining factor in whether a mattress is good for sex is the responsiveness, or “bounce,” of a mattress. This allows for ease of movement without the feeling of working against the surface of a mattress. Edge support is also a relevant factor, as it allows you to use the entire surface of the mattress.
Mattresses that are constructed of synthetic foams such as memory foam and polyfoam have a tendency to temporarily emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOCs produce an odor that some find unpleasant. These compounds are generally considered harmless. A good off-gassing rating refers to a lack of VOC odors.
Our product experts have extensive experience testing just about every sleep product on the market. Send an email to [email protected] or call us at (877) 672-8966 with your questions and we'll help you find exactly what you're looking for.
Jackson leads editorial product recommendations at Sleep Foundation, transforming the data from our sleep product test lab into real world takeaways for consumers. He has spent over half a decade developing protocol to evaluate and measure the impacts of products on sleep quality. As a cited sleep product expert, Jackson helps guide millions of shoppers to find personalized recommendations for everything from pillows to bedding to mattresses.
