Best Memory Foam Mattresses (2026)
Written by Kenny Timper, Certified Sleep Science Coach
Memory foam mattresses generally provide sleepers with a close-to-the-body contour as you sink into the layers, which can help relieve pressure on your hips, shoulders, and lower back while maintaining a balance of support and comfort.
However, not all memory foam is created equal. This guide will help you find the best memory foam mattress for your needs, whether you prefer a firmer, bouncier sleep experience or want to be enveloped by multiple layers of comfort (or something in between).
See which models made our best-of list below.
Bottom Line: What’s the Best Memory Foam Mattress?
With its balanced medium-firm feel and cool-to-the-touch surface, the Nectar Classic Memory Foam mattress is our pick for the best memory foam mattresses. Hot sleepers, in particular, will appreciate how well it minimizes heat retention, and the affordable price tag should appeal to everyone.
The 8 Best Memory Foam Mattresses of 2026
- Nectar Classic Memory Foam Mattress – Nerd’s Pick
- Loom & Leaf Mattress – Best Luxury Memory Foam Mattress
- Helix Midnight Mattress – Best Memory Foam Hybrid Mattress
- WinkBeds GravityLux Mattress – Best Memory Foam Mattress for Heavy People
- Leesa Original – Best Memory Foam Mattress for Back Sleepers
- Nolah Original 10″ Mattress – Best Memory Foam Mattress for Stomach Sleepers
- Bear Original Mattress – Best Memory Foam Mattress for Combination Sleepers
- Brooklyn Bedding CopperFlex Memory Foam – Best Budget Memory Foam Mattress
Current Top Deals
- Nectar Classic Memory Foam Mattress – Save Up to 50% on Mattresses + 66% on Bundles
- Loom & Leaf Mattress – Up to $625 Off
- Helix Midnight Mattress – 27% Off Sitewide with Code NERD27
- WinkBeds GravityLux Mattress – 30% Off All Mattresses
- Leesa Original – Up to 30% Off Mattresses and 35% Off Mattress + Adjustable Base Bundles; 25% Off Bedding
Best Memory Foam Mattresses Video Review
Chosen by Experts and Advocates
Here at Mattress Nerd, our team of Certified Sleep Science Coaches has tested dozens of memory foam mattresses. As such, we know exactly what to look for when grading a new product. Performance factors such as cooling, motion isolation, and pressure relief are all taken into account. The memory foam mattresses on this list were chosen because they excelled in one or more of these fields. To learn more, check out our review process.
Nectar – Nerd’s Pick
Nectar Classic Memory Foam Mattress
Product Details
Our Recommendation
How We Selected Nerd’s Pick
The Nectar Classic Memory Foam won Nerd’s Pick for the best memory foam mattress because it excelled in categories foam beds aren’t typically known for performing well in. The flagship Nectar earned a 4 out of 5 or higher in cooling, motion isolation, and responsiveness. Hot sleepers, couples, and sleepers who frequently toss and turn to get comfortable should find something to love in the Nectar mattress.
That said, our testers thought there was room for improvement in the side-sleeping pressure relief and edge support categories. If you have chronic pain and primarily sleep on your side, you might benefit from a softer model. Conversely, sleepers with bigger bodies who gravitate toward the far reaches of the bed will probably need something firmer and more supportive.
What our testers say: “Back sleeping is a dream on this mattress. The bed conforms to your lumbar area and fills in the space there, and it’s supportive enough to feel comfortable as it cushions.” – Livvi DiCicco, certified sleep science coach
Who Might Like the Nectar
- The motion-dampening properties of the Nectar make it a great option for folks who share their bed with a restless partner.
- Most hot sleepers should fare well on the Nectar Classic mattress, thanks to its above-average temperature regulation.
- Combination sleepers who prefer memory foam but need something that won’t trap them will appreciate the Nectar’s slightly firmer-than-average construction.
Who Might Not Like the Nectar
- Some strict side sleepers and sleepers under 130 pounds might find the Nectar a touch too firm for comfort.
- Traditional memory foam lovers who prefer the slow-sinking, doughy feel commonly associated with the material will want to look elsewhere. Nectar beds have a more medium-firm feel.
Other User Reviews
On Nectar’s website, this mattress earned 4.7 out of 5 stars based on over 48,000 reviews. Users praise its pressure relief, with some saying it’s the most comfortable mattress they’ve owned. Some complaints say that the mattress was too soft or firm to stay properly aligned.
Saatva Loom & Leaf – Best Luxury Memory Foam Mattress
Loom & Leaf Mattress
Product Details
Our Recommendation
Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
How We Selected the Best Luxury Memory Foam Mattress
The Loom & Leaf is Saatva’s premium memory foam offering. It features a premium 5-pound foam core for support and contouring, making it a viable option for multiple sleep styles.
Our testers were most impressed with its performance in pressure relief, edge support, motion isolation, and responsiveness, awarding the Loom & Leaf a 4 out of 5 or higher in each. We recommend this mattress for couples, sleepers with mobility concerns, combination sleepers, and anyone seeking deep pressure relief for their joints.
The only area in which it scored below a 4 out of 5 was cooling. Our testers found that its plush foam layers absorbed more body heat than other mattress types.
What our testers say: “The pillow top offers contouring, but you don’t sink too far into it. It is easy to toss and turn on this bed. Moving around is pretty easy peasy.” – Sosha Lewis, certified sleep science coach
Who Might Like the Loom & Leaf
- Shoppers looking for a high-end memory foam mattress will get that with the premium Loom & Leaf model.
- Couples who don’t want to disturb each other with their tossing and turning will appreciate the 5-star motion isolation.
- Combination sleepers looking for a surface that is easy to move around on should have no issues on the Loom & Leaf.
Who Might Not Like the Loom & Leaf
- Hot sleepers might benefit from a mattress that disperses heat better.
- Budget shoppers will want to steer clear of this luxury mattress, as it comes with a premium price tag.
Other User Reviews
The Loom & Leaf has an average score of 4.8 out of 5 based on nearly 700 reviews. The majority of reviews praise its premium feel and easy delivery. A handful of critical reviews cite a negative delivery experience and poor longevity.
Helix Midnight – Best Memory Foam Hybrid Mattress
Helix Midnight Mattress
Product Details
Our Recommendation
How We Selected the Best Memory Foam Hybrid Mattress
While not technically a pure memory foam mattress, the Helix Midnight features layers of pressure-relieving foam that make it a fantastic fit for back and side sleepers alike. Our in-house mattress experts were also impressed with its performance in edge support, motion isolation, and responsiveness. The Helix Midnight earned a 4 out of 5 in each of those areas, making it a well-rounded option for all sorts of sleepers.
However, we wouldn’t recommend it to hot sleepers, as those layers of contouring memory foam tend to trap more heat than hybrid models that are more innerspring-forward in their designs (see: the Saatva Classic). The Midnight mattress might also be too soft to support sleepers over 230 pounds.
What our testers say: “I really like this on my back. My hips and shoulders are aligned, and both are getting plenty of cushioning. There is no gapping in my lower back. Overall, it feels super cozy and I could lie here for hours. I am not feeling pressure anywhere.” – Riley Otis, certified sleep science coach
Who Might Like the Helix Midnight
- Most back sleepers should benefit greatly from this bed’s balanced, medium-firm feel.
- Sleepers with mobility concerns who need a strong surface to bear down on in the morning can do so on the Helix Midnight’s supportive perimeter.
- Individuals with restless partners or pets shouldn’t have to worry about being disturbed by their bedmate’s movements, thanks to the Helix Midnight’s superior motion isolation.
Who Might Not Like the Helix Midnight
- People who get extremely hot at night might find that the Helix Midnight retains more heat than they would like.
- Strict side sleepers with sensitive joints may find that the Midnight mattress is too firm to relieve pressure.
Other User Reviews
The Helix Midnight has a 4.6-star average on the brand’s website. The main complaint that reviewers have is that it is too soft for their liking. That said, most reviewers say they’re getting a great night’s sleep and some much-needed pressure relief.
WinkBeds GravityLux – Best Memory Foam Mattress for Heavy People
WinkBeds GravityLux Mattress
Product Details
Our Recommendation
Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
How We Selected the Best Memory Foam Mattress for Heavy People
It can be challenging to find a memory foam mattress firm enough to support bigger bodies. Plush, slow-sinking memory foam is typically not recommended for these sleepers, as they need a stable surface to keep their spines in a healthy position. The WinkBed GravityLux is a firmer-than-average (7.5 out of 10 on our firmness scale) memory foam mattress made for these sleepers.
It also scored 4 out of 5 or higher in every category except pressure relief, which was its only real weakness. If you’re under 130 pounds or have sensitive joints, we recommend steering clear of this mattress. A softer mattress, like the original WinkBed mattress, will likely be a better fit.
What our testers say: “It is very easy to move around on this bed. Although it is made of memory foam, you don’t sink much. It took little to no effort to switch between different positions on this mattress.” – Sosha Lewis, certified sleep science coach
Who Might Like the WinkBeds GravityLux
- Sleepers who frequently change positions at night will benefit greatly from the GravityLux’s above-average responsiveness.
- Firm mattress lovers will appreciate the GravityLux’s super-supportive surface.
- Back sleepers and stomach sleepers should get enough lower-body support to maintain spinal alignment on this mattress.
Who Might Not Like the WinkBeds GravityLux
- The GravityLux is likely too firm for strict side sleepers and sleepers under 130 pounds.
- People who prefer soft, doughy memory foam should avoid the firm GravityLux.
Other User Reviews
The GravityLux mattress has an average score of 4.8 on the WinkBeds website based on 266 reviews. Customers generally appreciate its balanced, supportive feel. That said, there are two 3-star reviews that say it’s just an average bed for what you pay.
Leesa Original – Best Memory Foam Mattress for Back Sleepers
Leesa Original
Product Details
Our Recommendation
How We Selected the Best Memory Foam Mattress for Back Sleepers
Back sleepers on a budget would be hard-pressed to find a better mattress than the Leesa Original. The Leesa earned a near-perfect pressure-relief score, thanks in part to its performance for back sleeping. It also earned a 4 out of 5 or higher in every other testing category, making it a versatile option for memory foam lovers across the sleep spectrum.
That said, we wouldn’t recommend the Leesa Original to sleepers who weigh more than 230 pounds. Its shorter profile and all-foam construction likely wouldn’t provide enough support for sleepers in this category.
What our testers say: “As someone who loves a firm mattress, I feel extremely supported on my back. It provides a good balance of cushioning and support, and I have no pain or pressure points.” – Our in-house mattress tester
Who Might Like the Leesa Original
- Most back and stomach sleepers should sleep comfortably on the Leesa mattress.
- Budget shoppers will appreciate that a queen-sized Leesa often goes on sale for under $1,000.
- Hot sleepers should sleep soundly without sweating, thanks to the Leesa Original’s 5-star cooling.
Who Might Not Like the Original
- Traditional slow-moving foam lovers won’t find that quicksand-like feel here.
- Sleepers with bigger bodies might need a thicker, more supportive mattress than the Leesa.
Other User Reviews
The Leesa Original has over 20,000 reviews and an average score of 4.5 stars. Sleepers generally benefit from its supportive feel, saying it’s helped with back and hip pain. A lot of the more critical reviews note a strong off-gassing smell and an overly firm surface for side sleeping.
Nolah Original – Best Memory Foam Mattress for Stomach Sleepers
Nolah Original 10″ Mattress
Product Details
Our Recommendation
Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
How We Selected the Best Memory Foam Mattress for Stomach Sleepers
Stomach sleepers need an extra-firm surface to lift their hips and help them maintain spinal alignment. At 8 out of 10 on our firmness scale, we believe the Nolah Original delivers for these sleepers. During testing, our team was impressed by its ultra-supportive surface and high-quality materials. The Nolah Original earned a 4 out of 5 or higher in every category except pressure relief.
The Nolah’s weaker performance in the pressure relief category isn’t a huge surprise, considering its bare-bones construction is geared toward support over cushioning. Because it suffered a bit in pressure relief, we wouldn’t recommend this bed to sleepers under 130 pounds or strict side sleepers with sensitive joints.
What our testers say: “I like a firmer mattress, and I found this mattress to be comfortable laying in all positions: side, back, and stomach. In each position, I felt like the mattress provided adequate support without applying additional pressure. If you need a firmer mattress, this is a great place to start.” – Our in-house mattress tester
Who Might Like the Nolah Original
- Stomach sleepers looking for a mattress supportive enough to keep their spines in a healthy position.
- Folks who prefer an ultra-firm sleep surface.
- Hot sleepers looking for an all-foam bed that doesn’t retain an excessive amount of body heat.
Who Might Not Like the Nolah Original
- Strict side sleepers and lightweight sleepers (under 130 pounds) will likely find this mattress much too firm.
- Shoppers looking for additional features and extras will probably find this model too bare-bones.
Other User Reviews
The Nolah Original boasts 423 reviews and an impressive 4.8-star average rating on the brand’s website. Many people praise its ability to relieve back pain and appreciate Nolah’s excellent customer service. Some reviewers say it is too firm for side sleeping and complain that it retains more heat than other mattresses they’ve owned.
Bear Original – Best Memory Foam Mattress for Combination Sleepers
Bear Original Mattress
Product Details
Our Recommendation
How We Selected the Best Memory Foam Mattress for Combination Sleepers
Combination sleepers (aka those who change positions a lot to get comfortable) need a mattress with minimal sinkage that lets them easily maneuver without getting trapped. Since it’s unlikely you’ll get stuck in the Bear Original’s firmer-than-average surface, these sleepers should find it easy to move around on this mattress. In fact, our testers gave it a 4 out of 5 in responsiveness for this reason.
The Bear Original performed well across the board, earning a 4-star score or higher in every category aside from pressure relief. Again, if you’re someone looking for a soft mattress that’ll cradle pressure-prone areas, we recommend opting for something softer.
What our testers say: “I like it for back sleeping. I can feel my hips (and, not to be crass, my butt) sink in a bit, but the foam also fills in the gap under my lower back. My limbs feel like they don’t sink into the bed at all, unlike my heavier areas, so there is a nice mix of on-top-of-the-mattress support for lighter areas and the contouring you’d expect from foam for heavier areas.” – Melanie Kassel, certified sleep science coach
Who Might Like the Bear Original
- Shoppers looking for an affordable mattress. A queen-sized Bear Original is almost always on sale for less than $700.
- Combination sleepers will appreciate how easy it is to move around on the surface of the Bear Original.
- Sleepers with partners who toss and turn won’t have to miss out on any more sleep, thanks to the Bear Original’s above-average motion-dampening abilities.
Who Might Not Like the Bear Original
- The Bear Original’s pressure-relief performance was just OK, meaning it might not be the best fit for people with sensitive joints or chronic pain.
- People looking for a longer sleep trial may find the Bear Original’s 120-night trial too limiting.
Other User Reviews
The Bear Original has a 4.7-star average based on over 10,000 reviews. Many customers praise it for sleeping cooler than other all-foam models. However, some critical reviews say it’s much too firm to be categorized as a memory foam bed.
Brooklyn Bedding CopperFlex Memory Foam – Best Budget Memory Foam Mattress
Brooklyn Bedding CopperFlex Memory Foam
Product Details
Our Recommendation
How We Selected the Best Budget Memory Foam Mattress
If you’re looking for an affordable memory foam option, Brooklyn Bedding has you covered with its CopperFlex Memory Foam model. At just $649 after promotions for a queen-sized mattress, the CopperFlex is one of the most wallet-friendly options we’ve ever tested. Better yet, it’s also a pretty solid mattress in terms of performance. We gave it a 4 out of 5 or higher in edge support, motion isolation, and responsiveness.
We just wouldn’t recommend this bed to hot sleepers or strict side sleepers. During testing, we used a thermal gun to measure its surface temperature after lying on it for several minutes and found that it absorbed more body heat than other options on this list. It’s also on the firmer side, so strict side sleepers will probably fare better on something with a more cushioned surface.
What our testers say: “The perimeter felt just as sturdy as the center of the mattress. I could sit or lie right up against the edge without any instability. The support felt consistent and evenly distributed, even at the very edge.” – Riley Otis, certified sleep science coach
Who Might Like the Brooklyn Bedding CopperFlex
- At around $600 after discounts, the CopperFlex is likely the cheapest option on our list, making it an exceptional pick for budget shoppers.
- Back sleepers tired of dealing with a saggy mattress shouldn’t hesitate to switch to the firm support of the CopperFlex.
- Couples seeking maneuverability without sacrificing motion isolation will get the best of both worlds on this mattress.
Who Might Not Like the Brooklyn Bedding CopperFlex
- Side sleepers will not get enough pressure relief on this firm memory foam model.
- Because this mattress isn’t as flexible as other memory foam models, it might not work as well with adjustable bases.
Other User Reviews
On the Brooklyn Bedding website, this mattress scored 4.5 out of 5 stars based on nearly 800 reviews. Most reviews say this mattress was a great way to upgrade their bedding on a budget. The few negative reviews mostly focus on people’s firmness level preferences, saying the bed is too soft or too firm for their liking.
What to Consider When Buying a Memory Foam Mattress
As with any product, it’s important to consider the trial period, return policy, and product performance. In addition to memory foam types and benefits, here are additional considerations to make when picking a new mattress.
Mattress Size
One of the most important things to consider is the size of your mattress. When choosing which size mattress suits your preferences, consider the dimensions of the room, who you sleep with, your body type, and if you are an active sleeper.
Sleeping Position
Many mattress manufacturers have worked with their memory foams to suit as wide a range of sleeping positions as possible, but each mattress is bound to work a little better (or worse) for certain positions. Here’s what to look for when shopping for your sleeping position.
Back Sleepers
Typically, back sleepers fare well on any kind of memory foam, as long as it’s not too soft. Look for a foam that fills in the space under your lower back and keeps your whole body supported. Make sure your hips don’t sink deeper into the mattress than your shoulders.
Stomach Sleepers
Shopping for this position is all about lumbar support. Pay close attention to how well the mattress keeps your hips lifted in alignment with your shoulders, and look out for any reviews that say the sleeper woke up with lower back pain. The best mattresses for stomach sleepers are medium-firm or firm and keep sleepers more “on top” of the bed.
Side Sleepers
Some of the best mattresses for side sleepers are made with memory foam, since it does such a good job of contouring around pressure points. Look for a memory foam mattresses that evenly distributes your body weight and doesn’t jam your shoulders and hips.
Combination Sleepers
The main concern for combo sleepers is the feeling of being “stuck” in their mattress. These folks should pay close attention to how responsive a mattress says is, and how it performs for your dominant sleeping position. If you sink deep into the mattress, you may want to keep looking.
Sleep Trial Period
What is a sleep trial? Most mattress companies offer a generous trial period for customers, so they can decide whether or not their new mattress is a good fit. It takes an average of 30 days to break in a new mattress, so keep that in mind during the first few days or weeks with your new bed. If you want to experience memory foam but don’t want to commit to a mattress trial period, you could always purchase a memory foam pillow to see how it feels.
Off-Gassing
When you buy a memory foam mattress, especially from an online bed-in-a-box retailer, you will likely experience a “new mattress” smell when you first unbox your mattress. This is called off-gassing, and it’s completely normal.
The way that memory foam, or polyurethane foam, is made involves various chemicals, and after being rolled up and compressed in a box, the foam tends to release some of that “chemical” smell. This is safe for consumers and should not alarm you too much. If the smell doesn’t go away within a few days, you may want to contact the seller.
Price
You can find a quality memory foam mattress that will last up to 10 years for around $1,000 (and sometimes less). Of course, the mattress size, style, and other factors will affect the final price. There are a couple of budget-friendly memory foam options in our roundups for best mattresses under $1,000 and best affordable mattresses.
Recap of the Top Rated Memory Foam Mattresses
| Nectar Classic | Nerd’s Pick |
| Saatva Loom & Leaf | Best Luxury Memory Foam Mattress |
| Helix Midnight | Best Memory Foam Hybrid Mattress |
| WinkBeds GravityLux | Best Memory Foam Mattress for Heavy People |
| Leesa Original | Best Memory Foam Mattress for Back Sleepers |
| Nolah Original | Best Memory Foam Mattress for Stomach Sleepers |
| Bear Original | Best Memory Foam Mattress for Combination Sleepers |
| Brooklyn Bedding CopperFlex Memory Foam | Best Budget Memory Foam Mattress |
Final Thoughts
Memory foam mattresses can be a welcome addition to your bedroom, especially if you have a partner who moves during the night or are looking for a mattress that provides pressure relief for a more comfortable snooze. They’re also an excellent choice for back and side sleepers. If a memory foam mattress is what you’re looking for, we’re hopeful that one of our recommendations can help suit your needs.
FAQs About the Best Memory Foam Mattresses
How much do memory foam mattresses cost?
Memory foam mattresses range in price based on where it’s made, special features, thickness, and density. Typically, the higher the quality of materials (think high-density foams, gel memory foam, and multiple comfort layers), the more expensive the mattress will be.
How long will my memory foam mattress last?
Most memory foam mattresses should last six to ten years without sagging or developing bothersome body impressions. If you want your memory foam mattress to last upwards of a decade, look for higher-density foams and use a sturdy, durable foundation.
Is high-density memory foam better than low density?
High foam density in a mattress indicates good support and durability, so yes, high density is generally a good thing. That said, the increase in quality often comes with an increase in cost.
What is the difference between a memory foam and a hybrid mattress?
Memory foam mattresses utilize a dense foundation foam as its base and hybrid mattresses use sturdy coils (also found in innerspring mattresses). These coils add an extra level of support to the hybrid mattress, and they often promote airflow and have a bouncier feel.
What is the difference between a memory foam and latex mattress?
Latex mattresses use pure latex or a combination of latex and innerspring coils. Memory foam mattresses generally only contain memory foam. Latex mattresses are also bouncier and easier to move around on compared to all-foam models. They are also known for their superior cooling properties. Memory foam mattresses, on the other hand, typically provide more cushioning and contouring.
What is the best thickness for a memory foam mattress?
Ideally, you’ll want a memory foam mattress with a minimum height of 10 inches. While something as short as 8 inches might work fine for lightweight sleepers, average-weight and heavyweight sleepers should try to find a memory foam bed between 10 and 14 inches. The thicker mattress offers better support for higher body weights.
