Best Mattresses of 2022

Mattress Nerd consulted Dr. Alaina Rajagopal to ensure that this article met our editorial standards

---

Finding the best mattress can be an overwhelming process. Shoppers often find themselves in analysis paralysis due to the sheer number of mattress brands, styles, and price points available. Not to mention, the advent of the Internet has further broadened the selection for shoppers who don’t want to pursue the traditional route of testing beds at a brick-and-mortar mattress store. 

To help quell the stress, we’re sharing the 12 top-rated mattresses for 2022. If you didn’t know already, answering the question, “What is the best mattress?” depends on several factors such as your sleeping position, age, comfort preferences, and unique needs. With this in mind, we’ve included links to our more specific best-mattress lists at the bottom of this article to help you focus your search.

Disclosure: By clicking on the product links in this article, Mattress Nerd may receive a commission fee at no cost to you, the reader. Read the full disclosure statement.

The Best Mattresses – Our Top Picks for 2022

• DreamCloud – Nerd’s Pick
• Nectar – Best Value Mattress
• Saatva Classic – Best Affordable Luxury Mattress
• Helix Midnight Luxe – Best Mattress for Side Sleepers
• The WinkBed – Best Cooling Mattress
• Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid – Best Mattress for Combo Sleepers
• Emma CliMax Hybrid– Best Hybrid Mattress 
• Bear Hybrid – Best Mattress for Active Lifestyles
• Plank Firm – Best Extra-Firm Mattress
• Leesa Original – Best Mattress for Couples

Scroll down to learn more and check current discounts!

Chosen by Experts and Advocates

Here at Mattress Nerd, our team of editors and certified sleep science coaches have reviewed over 100 mattresses. In our testing process, we assess performance factors such as responsiveness, durability, temperature regulation, pressure relief and edge support. Each mattress on this list earned its spot for a different reason, whether it be great for couples, exceptional at staying cool, or accommodating to sleepers with back pain, but they all have one thing in common: they are the best mattresses that we have tested. To learn more, check out our review process.

Video Roundup: Best Mattresses of 2022

Nerd’s Pick: DreamCloud

Who is it Best For? The DreamCloud really shines for back and side sleepers who are light to average weight. It is great for people who sleep hot at night, and those who are looking for a bed that will suit them and their partner. 

Reason to Buy: If you’re interested in a luxury mattress but don’t have the budget for its traditionally sky-high prices, look into the DreamCloud. This bed has a cushy feel, but the foam and coil combination provides support for all sleeper types. It comes with white glove delivery and all the bells and whistles of a luxury purchase without the luxury price tag.

Read our full DreamCloud mattress review for more details. For a luxury option, see the DreamCloud Premier!

Best Value Mattress: Nectar

Who is it Best for? Value is something we are all concerned with when making a big purchase like a mattress. If you want to get the most bang for your buck, we suggest the Nectar. If you love the “hugging” feeling of memory foam and are a back or side sleeper, you will likely love this mattress. The only people we think may not love it are stomach sleepers and heavier individuals.

Reason to Buy: The Nectar mattress packages high-quality foam materials at a much lower price point relative to the competition. If you’re looking for an affordable memory foam bed that’s built with quality materials, you can end your search here. Plus, your satisfaction is all but guaranteed as the company says that less than 3 percent of its customers return the mattress. They also offer a lengthy sleep trial: it’s 365 nights long, and they have a forever warranty. 

Read our full Nectar mattress review to learn more. If you’d like to see more budget-friendly options, check out our best mattresses for the money.

Best Affordable Luxury Mattress: Saatva

Who is it Best For? The Saatva is often referred to as the best “affordable luxury” option on the market. The Saatva classic mattress comes in three firmness levels, giving customers an extra level of customizability. You really can not go wrong with this mattress, it is the perfect mix of support and comfort, no matter what your sleeping position is.

Reason to Buy: Saatva brings some great optionality to find the right fit. It’s a very high-quality mattress and that appeals to those that like a luxury look and feel. Couple that with a generous trial and warranty, and it’s a “no-lose” option. The Saatva Mattress includes a luxury pillow-top, perimeter edge support, individually wrapped coils, and spinal zone technology. Saatva is often referred to as an “affordable luxury” brand, and we couldn’t agree more. 

Read our full Saatva mattress review for more details. Still not sold on the Saatva Mattress? See if the best luxury mattresses that may be the right fit for you!

Best Mattress for Side Sleepers: Helix Midnight Luxe

Who is it Best For? This really is the ideal mattress for side sleepers. It has an excellent balance of comfort and support for the hips and shoulders to keep those sensitive areas cradled. The Helix Midnight Luxe should also keep even the hottest sleepers cool at night since it has a coil base to allow airflow throughout the night.

Reason to Buy: Side sleepers often have a difficult time finding the perfect mattress that gives them the pressure relief and comfort they need, paired with the hugging feeling so many sleepers love. The Helix Midnight Luxe is good for almost all sleeping types, depending on the body type and preferences of the sleeper. The mattress is medium-firm, pressure-relieving, and keeps the sleeper’s body temperature regulated. If it sounds like it does it all, it really does!

Read our full Helix Midnight mattress review for more info. Still not sold on the Helix Midnight Luxe Mattress? Check out other mattresses for side sleepers that may be the right fit for you!

Best Cooling Mattress: WinkBed

Who is it Best For? The WinkBed is a hybrid mattress that comes shipped as a bed in a box, specifically designed for the ability to keep sleepers cool at night. It’s also great for plus-size sleepers who need a lot of support and comfort, as the bed stands at a hefty 13.5″ tall and includes two sets of coils as well as several memory foam layers.

Reason to Buy: We love the WinkBed because it was specifically designed to work with larger bodies, keeping the hips and shoulders supported on top of the bed for maximum spinal alignment. The bed also uses good-for-you materials and works to promote environmental sustainability in its manufacturing process (think less water usage and recycled steel coils). 

Read our full WinkBed mattress review page for more details. Still not sold on the Winkbed Mattress? Check out other cooling mattresses that may be the right fit for you!

Best Mattress for Combo Sleepers: Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid

Who is it Best For?: The Brooklyn Bedding Signature is a hybrid mattress featuring memory foam and pocketed coil construction. Being on the firmer side, this mattress has an excellent bounce and responsiveness, making it a good choice for combination sleepers.

Reason to Buy: If you often switch sleeping positions throughout the night, it’s important to have a mattress that can keep up with your movements, The Brooklyn Bedding Signature’s bouncy responsiveness will keep you from sinking too far into the mattress surface, so going from back, to side, to stomach sleeping will be a breeze.

Read our full Brooklyn Bedding Signature mattress review to learn more. Still not sold on the Brooklyn Signature Mattress? Check out other mattresses for combination sleepers that may be the right fit for you!

Best Hybrid Mattress: Emma CliMax Hybrid

Who is it Best For? The Emma CliMax Hybrid has a hybrid construction, combining a high-density foam comfort layer with sturdy pocketed coils. This creates a durable bed ideal for back and stomach sleepers. Heavy sleepers often have trouble finding the proper amount of support and durability, but the CliMax Hybrid is made with these body types in mind.

Reason to Buy: The Emma CliMax Hybrid’s durability and temperature regulating abilities are sure to impress many sleepers. The hybrid construction should help hot sleepers stay cool at night, and Emma CliMax Hybrid has so much faith in their products durability and longevity that they offer a 10-year warranty and 365-night trial with every purchase. 

Read our full  Emma CliMax Hybrid review to learn more. Check out some of the best hybrid mattresses.

Best Mattress for Active Lifestyles: Bear Hybrid

Who is it Best For? Built with materials that may help aid in muscle recovery, the Bear Hybrid is a great choice for those who exercise regularly. This mattress also works well for couples, thanks to its above-average motion isolation, durability, and temperature regulation scores (the Bear Hybrid earned a 4 /5 on all three tests).

Reason to Buy: The Bear Hybrid comes equipped with a hand-quilted Celliant fiber top. Bear claims that his technology absorbs body heat from the sleeper and converts it into infrared energy, which helps increase oxygenation and aids in muscle recovery. Beyond the cover, this mattress has a sturdy yet cozy construction consisting of four foam layers and one layer of pocketed coils.

Read our full Bear Hybrid mattress review to learn more. Still not sold on the Birch Mattress? Check out our full list of the best mattresses for athletes!

Best Extra-Firm Mattress: Plank Firm

Who is it Best For? The Plank Mattress was constructed with two sides: firm and extra-firm. It comes pretty close to being a good option for most sleepers, but if you are a lightweight side sleeper (under 230 lbs.) this mattress may be too firm. It is a great option for back and stomach sleepers, thanks to that firmness level providing great alignment. It also includes a cooling panel, so it sleeps pretty cool for a memory foam mattress.

Reason to Buy: If you’re looking to spend about $1,000 on a memory foam mattress and like the feeling of sleeping “on” a bed more than “in” it, you’ll want to check the Plank out. While it doesn’t feel stiff as a board, you’ll like the Plank if you like to feel supported by your mattress. It also comes with a 120-night risk-free sleep trial so, truly, there’s no harm in testing it out. It also comes with a 10-year warranty.

Read our full Plank mattress review to learn more. Still not sold on the Puffy Mattress? Check out other firm mattress options that may be the right fit for you!

Best Mattress for Couples: Leesa Original

Who is it Best For? Leesa offers a variety of different mattress models, with the original model being designed specifically for those who enjoy foam mattresses. In addition to the mattress having a universal firmness level (5.5/10) that meets most needs, it works very well for people who sleep with a partner. For couples, the bed will provide great motion isolation for sound sleep and great responsiveness for sex.

Reason to Buy: Leesa offers a very well-rounded mattress as their flagship model. It works well for couples, the average sleeper, and people who toss and turn. Plus, a Queen-size Leesa Original falls right around $1,000.

Read our Leesa mattress review to learn more. Still not sold on the Leesa Mattress? Check out other mattresses for couples that may be the right fit for you!

Best Bed in a Box: Casper

Who is it Best For? The zoned support in this mattress makes it great for anyone needing targeted pressure relief. The zones take the spotlight in this mattress, acting differently for various body parts, such as the hips, shoulders, and back, to accommodate their unique firmness and contouring needs.

Reason to Buy: The Casper is a solid memory foam mattress with a broad appeal because it accommodates a wide range of sleep positions, sleeper sizes, and aches and pains. The polyurethane foam used in its construction provides pressure relief while maintaining a soft, bouncy feel. You can’t go wrong trying this one out with the 100-night free trial Casper offers.

Read our full Casper mattress review for more info. Still not sold on the Casper Mattress? Check out other bed in a box options that may be the right fit for you!

What We Consider When Reviewing Mattresses

Unlike some factors, like firmness and materials, the ones listed below should be interpreted objectively. If a mattress excels in pressure relief and responsiveness, for example, it is unequivocally a good thing, which is why we always start here in our evaluations.

Pressure Relief – How well a mattress supports sensitive areas like the shoulders, hips, and lower back.

Edge Support – The sturdiness of a mattress’s perimeter.

Responsiveness – A mattress that is highly responsive rolls with the changes, so to speak. It allows you to move around with ease and settle into new positions comfortably and quickly.

Motion Isolation – Motion isolation measures a bed’s ability to keep movement from transferring from one side of the bed to another.

Temperature Regulation – The ability of a mattress to maintain a comfortable temperature despite warm or cold conditions.

Durability – A high durability score indicates quality materials that should hold up well for a long time.

For more information, take a look at our review process.

Finding the Best Mattress for You

Much like a great pair of jeans, a flattering haircut, or a delicious meal, the best mattress is a relatively subjective choice that’s highly dependent on the individual. Whether you’re noticing aches and pains, sleep more comfortably on hotel beds, or have the cash to invest in a better night’s sleep, it’s important to have some knowledge under your belt prior to hitting mattress stores or ordering an online mattress.

We encourage all mattress shoppers to brush up on mattress materials as well as how your sleeping position and other personalized factors should impact the type of mattress you’re looking for. Also, when shopping for a new mattress, be sure to look for mattress reviews of the exact mattress model you plan on purchasing.

And if you’re still not entirely sure that you want to invest in a new mattress, but still find your sleeping situation to be less than ideal, take a look at our articles on how to fix mattress sagging and how to take care of your mattress. If you think your model might be at the end of its life, check out our page on how often you should replace your mattress.

How to Choose the Best Mattress Type for You

Understanding the components in each mattress type along with their pros and cons is essential. What’s the best mattress material and type? The answer will depend on the feel you enjoy, your sleeping style, and your subjective preferences. Here’s a little more information about mattress types and materials to help you narrow down your selection.

Latex Mattresses

When manufacturers reference latex, they’re talking about mattresses that incorporate or exclusively use latex foam, which is derived from the sap of rubber trees. There are two types, natural and synthetic, and two main methods for producing it, Dunlop and Talalay.

Latex has a cooling effect, is naturally inhospitable to dust mites, mildew, and mold, and can be incredibly comfortable and extremely durable. Keep in mind that some latex mattresses can give off a distinct aroma, though it will wear off within the first few days of ownership. Also, latex made with natural materials is environmentally friendly. Read our full guide on the best latex mattresses to learn more, or check out our article to learn the difference between memory foam vs latex.

Hybrid Mattresses

Hybrid mattress constructions have become increasingly popular for their ability to leverage the best characteristics of several materials in one product. The idea is to get you all of the pros with none of the cons, and another advantage of hybrids is that there are endless combinations of materials and constructions to choose from.

For example, a hybrid bed might include a pillow top, a memory foam layer, individually wrapped coils, a support layer of coils, and a memory foam base layer. A “true hybrid” will combine coils and memory or latex foam, giving you the best in durability, bounce, and cooling without sacrificing on comfort or contour. If you’re interested, take a look at our best hybrid mattresses page. 

Memory Foam Mattresses

This mattress material is known for how it contours closely to the body to provide pain and pressure point relief. Some of our top picks are all memory foam or hybrid mattresses that have memory foam in them.

The biggest downside of this material is that it tends to sleep hot. Advanced constructions have helped partially solve this problem through open cell construction and proprietary gel foams, but, generally, memory foam mattresses still don’t sleep as cool as other types. If you’d like to learn more, take a look at our list of best memory foam mattresses or check out our page on memory foam vs hybrid mattresses.

Innerspring Mattresses

Perhaps the most traditional bed of all, innerspring mattresses have coils throughout the center and foam layers on the top and bottom. If squeaky, uncomfortable mattresses come to mind when you hear the word “innerspring,” you’ll be surprised to discover that new materials have been incorporated into these beds to make them cool, durable, and pleasant. Sound like a good fit? Check out our best innerspring mattresses article.

Waterbeds

Waterbeds use water to give the mattress structure and provide pressure relief, and they distribute sleepers’ body weights surprisingly evenly. However, they’re much less durable than other options, need to be refilled with water, and many sleepers don’t like their feel. Take a look at our best waterbeds page for more info.

Airbeds

Whether you’ve gone camping, slept over at a friend’s, or gone without furniture for a couple of weeks after moving into a new home, it’s likely that you’ve slept on an airbed. These are excellent options for trips or for hosting last-minute guests when you don’t have a spare bedroom, but they’re certainly not ideal for long-term use. Head over to our best airbeds article for more information.

Alternative and Advanced Foam Mattresses

In addition to memory foam and latex foam, manufacturers have begun to develop proprietary foams. For example, Purple developed Hyper-Elastic Polymer, and Leesa developed Avena. The varying manufacturing processes these foams go through production improvements in airflow, durability, and bounce. Be sure to read the manufacturer’s description if the mattress you’re considering incorporates an alternative foam material. 

Choosing The Best Mattress by Sleeping Position

Here is a brief explanation of sleeping positions and how to best support them, along with specific mattress buying guides for each one.

Best Mattresses for Side Sleepers

Because side sleepers put increased pressure on their hips and shoulders, the best mattress for them is often on the softer side. Memory foam can do a great job of providing relief for these sensitive areas, while still supporting them enough to keep their spine in proper alignment. If you sleep on your side, take a look at our best mattresses for side sleepers article.

Best Mattresses for Back Sleepers

The right blend of support and comfort is key for back sleepers, and we find that hybrid mattresses accomplish this quite well. The innerspring layer provides structure and the foam acts as the comfort layer which provides cushioning. A good alternative is an innerspring mattress with a memory foam mattress topper. You’ll want to check out our list of the best mattresses for back sleepers if you sleep on your back exclusively.

Best Mattresses for Stomach Sleepers

If you’re a stomach sleeper, we recommend you start your search with firm mattresses and go from there. You see, when you sleep on your stomach you’ll naturally put excess pressure on your lower back, so it’s important for your mattress to prop your hips and pelvis up so that it does not sink in too far; a firm mattress is likely to accomplish this better than a soft mattress will. Sleep on your stomach? Take a look at our best mattresses for stomach sleepers.

Best Mattresses for Combination Sleepers

Combo sleepers have a lot of good mattress options, as many of them spend some time in all three of the dominant positions. One thing you’ll want to look out for is a high responsiveness score. Since you’ll be shifting positions frequently you want a mattress that can quickly adapt to your movements. If you tend to toss and turn in your sleep, check out our best mattress for combination sleepers page.

Mattress Considerations for Pain Relief

Mattress Considerations for Back Pain

Back pain, whether the secondary result of an underlying condition or a result of lifestyle choices, can critically affect your well-being. Many sleepers experience pain that radiates from the lower back area, and both a bed’s firmness and support will play into its ability to alleviate these issues.

An adequate level of support should result in proper spinal alignment or, in other words, a straight spine. Softness or comfort, on the other hand, is subjective. You can achieve an aligned spine on a mattress that feels firm just as well as you can on a mattress that feels excessively plushy.

If you suffer from this, you may want to take a look at our page on the best mattresses for back pain.

Mattress Considerations for Shoulder and Hip Pain

When it comes to alleviating shoulder and hip pain, the right mattress firmness level is imperative. However, in order to identify the right firmness level for reducing your pain you’ll need to take your own body type and sleeping position into consideration. To put it simply, side sleepers with shoulder or hip pain need a soft mattress, back sleepers will do well with medium-firm, and stomach sleepers should seek out a mattress on the firmer end of the scale.

The heavier you are, however, the more firm your mattress should be, especially if you have shoulder or hip pain. For example, a heavy side sleeper (greater than 230 lbs) may want a medium-firm mattress instead of a soft mattress. 

For more information, check out our best mattresses for shoulder pain and best mattress for hip pain pages.

Mattress Considerations for Arthritis

If you or your partner suffer from arthritis, choosing the right mattress will be especially crucial, as you’ll feel improper spinal alignment, joint pain, and back issues much more than the average individual. The mattress you select should conform to the curves of your body in a natural manner, alleviate your most bothersome or noticeable pains, and not aggravate your condition. Head over to our best mattresses for arthritis if you’re interested to learn more.

Other Considerations For Choosing the Best Mattress

Firmness

While there’s no official standard scale that mattress manufacturers must abide by, we use a scale of 1-10 to communicate mattress firmness, with 1 being the softest and 10 being the firmest. Depending on your size, you may need to go higher or lower in your firmness selection to get the feel you’re after. The chart below should help you get a better sense of what tends to be the right firmness for your body type.

Body Type	Firmness
Lightweight Sleepers	Soft to Medium Soft (1-4.9)
Average Weight Sleepers	Medium to Medium Firm (5-6.9)
Heavyweight Sleepers	Firm to Very Firm (7-10)

Keep in mind, it isn’t an exact science. Many factors contribute to whether or not a particular firmness will be right for you. We recommend you take a look at our mattress firmness guide for a more comprehensive breakdown.

Temperature Neutrality 

Whether you’ve moved to a location with a warmer climate, gained weight, or are going through menopause, there are a variety of reasons you may want to purchase a new mattress with the goal of achieving a cooler sleeping experience. Mattress manufacturers are paying more attention to cooling features than ever before.

Different materials sleep considerably cooler than others. It’s well-known that traditional memory foam sleeps warmer than hybrids, which use a combination of materials that distribute heat and encourage airflow. However, foam products have seen improvements with regard to heat distribution in the last decade, thanks to the invention of gel layers. If the temperature is a key factor in your mattress decision, look for hybrid, gel, open-cell phase change material, something aerated, or other specific properties and materials that have been proven to help the mattress sleep cool, or simply check out our list of the best cooling mattresses. 

Considerations for Sleeping with a Partner

If one partner is a light sleeper or one is a restless sleeper, the motion transfer characteristics of the mattress should be a consideration. As a general rule of thumb, the more coils and springs a mattress has, the more you’ll feel your partner moving throughout the night.

Another consideration is firmness. If you and your partner prefer drastically different firmness levels, look for split firmness mattresses if you can’t compromise on a firmness level, like a medium soft or firm setting. You’ll also want to consider weight and size, especially in cases where you and your partner vary dramatically in these areas, as what feels firm to a petite individual may feel uncomfortably soft to a heavyweight person. For more in this subject, head to our article on the best mattresses for couples or our couples sleep guide.

Mattress Considerations for Adjustability

An adjustable mattress does just what the name indicates, allowing you to prop either your head or feet up for comfort or therapeutic benefits. Want to watch TV in bed? Comfortably enjoy a meal? You can do it with an adjustable mattress. Consider an adjustable model if you have conditions like snoring, sleep apnea, or heartburn, as elevating the head can alleviate these issues.

Adjustable beds are also nice for those who want more control and less restriction over the comfort of the mattress or are attracted to the special amenities that many come with, like massages, Bluetooth, and USB ports.

There are also flippable beds that offer a different firmness level depending on which side you have facing up. Always make sure to check the company’s website before flipping your mattress, however. Not every bed can or should be flipped.

If you’re interested, take a look at our list of the best adjustable beds.

Mattress Considerations for Physical Activity

Some brands create mattresses with the active individual in mind by incorporating materials and features that boost recovery, improve performance, and enhance REM sleep. For example, celliant could help turn the body’s energy into infrared light for deeper rest, and it’s been used in several mattress models to date. Our article on the best mattresses for athletes can provides a deeper dive between the relationship between a good mattress and physical recovery. 

Best Mattress FAQ’s

Conclusion

A quick glance at all of this information should show you that there’s no such thing as the “best mattress” that will make every single sleeper happy. Rather, there are a lot of good mattresses that, depending on the mattress shopper, will be the perfect fit based on their sleeping position, budget, medical conditions, size and weight, material preferences, preferred mattress brand, and more. 

Keep in mind that most of these mattress companies have generous sleep trial and return policies, so you’ve got nothing to lose. If you don’t like it, simply ship it back and try another option.

Type of Sleeper

Special Considerations

Mattress Type

Budget

Best Mattress For Combo Sleepers

Best Mattress For Stomach Sleepers

Best Mattress For Back Sleepers

Best Mattress For Side Sleepers

Best Mattress For Couples

Best Mattress For Seniors

Best Mattress For Kids

Best Mattress For Teens

Best Crib Mattresses

Best Toddler Mattresses
Best Mattress For Plus-Size Sleepers

Best Mattress For Back Pain

Best Mattresses For Sex

Best Mattress For Hot Sleepers

Best Mattress For Pregnant Women

Best Mattress for Hip Pain

Best Mattress for Shoulder Pain

Best Mattress for Sciatica

Best Mattress for Arthritis 

Best Mattress for Scoliosis 

Best Mattress for Fibromyalgia 

Best Orthopedic Mattress

Best Mattress for Athletes

Best Mattress That Won’t Sag

Best RV Mattresses
Best Memory Foam Mattress

Best Hybrid Mattress

Best Innerspring Mattress

Best Latex Mattress

Best Soft Mattress 

Best Firm Mattress 

Best Organic Mattress

Best Pillow Top Mattress

Best Queen Mattress

Best King Mattress 

Best Full-Size Mattress

Best Bunk Bed Mattress

Best Waterbed Mattresses

Best Customizable Mattress

Best Bed-in-a-Box
Best Luxury Mattresses

Best Affordable Mattress 

Best Mattress for the Money 

Best Mattress Under $1000

Best Mattress Under $500

Best Online Mattress

Best Mattresses on Amazon

 

Dr. Alaina Rajagopal is part of our panel of medical expert contributors on the subject of sleep health. They provide important perspectives on the topics we discuss to help make our content as accurate and dependable as possible. They do not personally endorse any products, nor are they associated with any brands featured in our review content.