Buying a mattress can be a stressful prospect: It’s an investment that’s both personal and pricey, and the decision you make is likely to affect everything from your nightly comfort to your daily energy levels. Since finding the perfect model is hardly straightforward, we’re sharing a comprehensive guide on how to choose a mattress, no matter your sleep preferences.
Here's how to choose the right mattress for you, whether you're buying your first or looking for an ... [+] upgrade.
Image: DreamCloud / Illustration: ForbesWith so many different materials, firmness levels and features to consider in a mattress, it’s a good idea to get a feel for the basics before you head out on your shopping expedition. Taking stock of your own needs and budget, plus understanding what kind of sleep preferences each mattress type is designed to support, can help demystify the selection process as well.
All of this said: Whether you’re buying your first mattress or looking for an upgrade, you’re bound to learn something new from our approach.
Memory foam mattresses are known for their “sink-in” feel and body-contouring designs, which make them an excellent choice for those seeking pressure relief. They’re also a good match for anyone looking to ease joint pain and side sleepers who want a mattress that’s both soft and supportive, particularly around the shoulders and hips. Constructed with multiple layers of foam, these mattresses are great at isolating motion as well, making them a good option for couples.
Our picks for the best memory foam mattress include:
Beautyrest
Innerspring mattresses are the more traditional type of mattress, featuring a coil support system covered by layers of foam. These mattresses usually provide a firm, bouncy feel with good edge support, making them suitable for back and stomach sleepers who need a surface that promotes healthy spine alignment.
Our picks for the best innerspring mattress include:
Helix
Hybrid mattresses offer the best of both worlds, mixing the comfort of memory foam or latex mattresses and the support of innerspring mattresses. As such, these mattresses provide a balanced feel that’s supportive and contouring, catering to different sleeping positions.
Our picks for the best hybrid mattress include:
Avocado Green Mattress
Latex mattresses stand out for their durability, responsive feel and temperature regulation. Though some latex mattresses are made from synthetic materials, the natural ones made from rubber trees are a great match for eco-conscious shoppers and sleepers suffering from allergies. Unlike memory foam, latex offers a springy sensation, making it a comfortable choice for couples and sleepers who change positions a lot during the night. It’s also a great choice for sleepers who run hot.
Our picks for the best latex mattress include:
Sleep Number
Smart beds and adjustable mattresses provide a personalized night of rest by allowing you to adjust the bed’s firmness and support with an app or remote. These beds can also monitor your sleep patterns and automatically adjust to maximize your comfort throughout the night. This makes them ideal for couples with differing firmness preferences and people looking for a tailored sleep experience.
Our picks for the best smart beds include:
Forbes Vetted readers get $600 off any Amerisleep mattress by entering code FORBES600 at checkout (Forbes Exclusive) Soft mattresses typically fall between 1 and 6 out of 10 on the firmness scale, depending on the brand. These mattresses are best suited for lightweight sleepers (130 pounds and under) and side sleepers who need a mattress that’s soft and comfortable enough to sink into without bottoming out. On the other hand, heavier sleepers (250 pounds or more) may not get enough support and pressure relief. These individuals will likely sink too far into soft mattresses, impacting their spinal alignment.
Our picks for the best soft mattress include:
Bear Mattress
A medium-firm mattress scores between 6 and 7 out of 10 on the firmness scale, making it a versatile choice for a wide range of sleepers. It offers a perfect balance of support and comfort, especially for back and side sleepers of average weight. This firmness level also suits combination sleepers who frequently change positions during the night, and couples with different sleep preferences.
Our picks for the best medium-firm mattress include:
Saatva
Firm mattresses are rated between 7 and 10 out of 10, offering extra support for heavyweight sleepers, as well as back and stomach sleepers who need ample spinal cradling. Lightweight sleepers and side sleepers may find the surface of firm mattresses too hard and uncomfortable to sleep on.
Our picks for the best firm mattress include:
Nolah Mattress
Back sleepers, as you might expect, sleep with their backs aligned straight on the mattress. This position is considered the healthiest since it places the least pressure on the spine. Still, back sleepers need a mattress that supports their lower back, prevents sinkage and maintains a healthy spine curvature.
Medium-firm to firm mattresses are best for back sleepers. They provide the necessary support for the spine while also offering sufficient cushioning for comfort.
Our picks for the best mattresses for back sleepers include:
Since side sleepers sleep with their weight on one side, they need a mattress that closely contours around the shoulder and hip. Soft to medium-firm mattresses should be a good match, providing enough cushion for pressure relief while having necessary support for the spine.
Our picks for the best mattresses for side sleepers include:
WinkBeds
Stomach sleepers tend to feel more pressure on the back and hips as they lie face-down on the mattress. This position may lead to excessive sinkage, which can misalign the spine. To avoid this, they need a medium-firm to firm mattress that offers ample support.
Our picks for the best mattresses for stomach sleepers include:
DreamCloud
Combination sleepers can have more than one preferred sleeping position. They usually switch positions during the night, so ideally need a responsive mattress that adapts seamlessly to their movements. Medium-firm mattresses are a great match for combination sleepers, as they provide consistent spine support and allow for easy position changes without disrupting sleep.
Our picks for the best mattresses for stomach sleepers include:
Some mattresses are specially designed to help relieve body pain in the back, shoulders, hips and joints. These mattresses usually offer targeted pressure relief and support to minimize discomfort for a restful night’s sleep. Those who struggle with chronic pain or are recovering from an injury would benefit from choosing a mattress that excels in pain relief.
Our picks for the best mattresses for body pain include:
Sealy
If you sweat easily at night, share your bed with someone or live in a hot and humid climate, investing in a cooling mattress can lead to a better night’s sleep. Cooling mattresses have a breathable construction; they also incorporate moisture-wicking materials for better airflow, temperature regulation and quick heat dissipation.
Our picks for the best cooling mattresses include:
Sleepers with mobility issues, such as the elderly or those with certain physical conditions, need a mattress that’s supportive enough to prevent sinkage and responsive enough to make it easier to get on and off the mattress without feeling stuck. Additionally, couples will appreciate a responsive bed since it will make it easier to move around and shift positions without disturbing the other’s sleep.
Our picks for the best mattress for mobility issues include:
Heavier body types (250 pounds and above) require extra support to prevent sinking into the mattress, which can lead to discomfort and long-term body pain. To prevent this, a mattress constructed with enhanced support features—like zoned coil support, an extra-firm sleeping surface and enough density to promote even weight distribution—is recommended to maintain a healthy spine alignment and deliver a good night’s sleep.
Our picks for the best mattress for heavy people include:
Awara
Some mattress brands offer organic models (primarily latex, innerspring or hybrid options) for shoppers who are looking to reduce their environmental impact or prevent the possibility of any allergic reactions from synthetic materials. Whatever the reasoning, when shopping for organic mattresses, it’s important to look for ones made with natural fibers or recycled materials that have been tested against rigorous safety and sustainability standards, such as GOTS, OEKO-TEX and CertiPUR-US.
Our picks for the best organic mattress include:
Leesa
A mattress with good edge support is less likely to sag at the sides when you sit or lie down around the model’s perimeter. This lets you maximize your bed space and reduces the risk of rolling off the mattress—which can be especially important for couples, the elderly and those with mobility issues.
Our picks for the best mattresses with edge support include:
If you share your bed with your pet or partner, then motion isolation is a factor that you should consider. A mattress with excellent motion isolation minimizes the disturbances felt from movement during the night, like a quick bathroom trip. These mattresses are good at absorbing the motion instead of transferring it throughout the bed, making sure no one’s sleep gets disrupted.
Our picks for the best mattresses with great motion isolation include:
King: A king-size mattress offers plenty of space for couples who want clearance to stretch or extra room to let the kids or pets climb onto the bed. These mattresses usually measure around 76 x 80 inches. There are also different variations of king beds, like California king, Alaskan king, split king and more.
Our picks for the best king-size mattress include:
Queen: Queen-size mattresses are the most popular size choice since they strike an ideal balance between space and practicality. They’re a good match for co-sleepers looking for enough space, or solo sleepers who want the extra room. These mattresses usually measure around 60 x 80 inches.
Our picks for the best queen-size mattress include:
Full: Full-size mattresses can provide enough space for one person to stretch out without taking up too much room. This kind of mattress is an especially great choice for teenagers, small apartments and guest rooms. These mattresses usually measure around 54 x 75 inches.
Our picks for the best full-size mattress include:
Twin: Twin mattresses are a size smaller than full mattresses, making them a good match for smaller children or solo sleepers with limited space. They’re often used in bunk beds, small bedrooms or multi-use rooms. These mattresses usually measure around 38 x 75 inches.
Our picks for the best twin-size mattress include:
Driving to visit a mattress store, bringing home your purchase and carrying it to your bedroom can be a big hassle. Thankfully, many mattress brands simplify this process by offering convenient options for home delivery and professional installation in the room of your choice. To make your experience seamless, look for brands that offer free or discounted shipping or white glove delivery service.
Those who prefer a more DIY and an oftentimes faster approach might consider a bed-in-a-box mattress. These mattresses arrive directly at your doorstep, compressed and stored in a cardboard box. All you need to do is carry the wrapped mattress to your bedroom, place it on your bed frame and remove it from its packaging, allowing it to expand for a few hours.
While reading customer reviews can certainly help you make your purchase, there’s no way to truly know how a mattress feels until you’ve slept on it. That’s why most mattress brands offer 100-night trial periods (or longer) to let you test your purchase at home. Before buying a mattress with a trial period, make sure you read the fine print and figure out the return process, as well as any hidden return fees you should be worried about.
Additionally, most brands also provide a 10-year warranty or longer for manufacturer defects, like early sagging or damages right out of the box. Some even offer return periods if you change your mind.
Purchasing your mattress in a store versus buying it online is ultimately a matter of preference, as both options have their own advantages and downsides. For example, visiting a physical mattress store lets you feel and test mattresses firsthand; stores are also likely to have knowledgeable sales associates who can answer any immediate questions you may have about a mattress.
However, the convenience of shopping online often outweighs the benefits of in-store shopping. Aside from having a broader selection of mattresses, online shopping also lets you browse, compare and purchase a mattress with just a few clicks. You’re also likely to get better deals with online discounts and vouchers, as well as slashed prices during holiday sales.
When buying a mattress, your budget is usually among the first considerations. Mattress prices vary widely, ranging from $100 to several thousand dollars. For example, a good-quality queen-size mattress averages around $1,500.
However, it’s important to remember that a high price doesn’t always guarantee that it’s the best (or best value) mattress for you. Cheaper mattresses may lack durability and comfort compared to more expensive ones, while more expensive mattresses may have features that you don’t even need or use. That’s why it’s important to do prior research on specific brands and mattress models to make sure they align with your needs and you’re getting your money’s worth. To get the best deals, make sure you also check for clearance sales or holiday discounts for significant savings.
The right mattress for you is the one that suits all your needs and preferences, providing you with enough comfort and support to get a good night’s rest. When choosing a mattress, consider your preferred sleeping position, your body type and other sleep concerns you may have (temperature needs or mobility issues, for example).
There’s no one-size-fits-all mattress that’s a perfect solution for every type of sleeper. The right mattress for you depends on your needs and sleeping preferences. Memory foam has a sink-in feel and is great for pressure relief, while an innerspring mattress is bouncy and responsive. Hybrids provide a good mix of comfort and support, while latex mattresses provide a springy sensation and durability in an eco-friendly package. Beyond differences in materials, there are also smart beds with adjustable settings for tailored comfort.
Whether you should sleep on a hard or soft mattress depends on your preferred sleeping position and body type. Back and stomach sleepers benefit from medium-firm to firm mattresses for back and hip support, while side sleepers may need a soft to medium-firm mattress for pressure-point relief. Lightweight sleepers (130 pounds or less) should consider opting for softer mattresses, while heavier people (250 pounds and up) may want to look into firmer options for adequate support.
Our team of sleep experts is dedicated to giving you the most reliable, research-backed advice on mattresses. Helmed by mattress editors Bridget Chapman and McKenzie Dillon, both certified sleep coaches and prolific mattress testers, the sleep team incorporates dozens (if not hundreds) of hours of research and firsthand testing into every mattress guide we publish. We’re also committed to keeping up with the best and latest mattress options in the market, making sure your purchasing decisions are based on thorough and up-to-date information; to that end, this article is updated frequently and was last refreshed in April 2024.
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