GhostBed vs. WinkBed Comparison
We put both of these mattresses to the test and it's time to break down how they performed and who we think they'll work best for.
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Not sure whether the GhostBed or WinkBed are right for you? We put both of these mattresses to the test and it’s time to break down how they performed and who we think they’ll work best for. To learn more about how we grade each mattress, read about our mattress review process.
GhostBed vs. WinkBed Overview
The GhostBed’s performance stands out for offering good value, meeting the needs of most back and stomach sleepers weighing less than 230 lbs. But if that’s not you, or you have a little more room in your budget, then consider the hybrid WinkBed mattress with its coil base layer and four firmness options.
| GhostBed is best for… | WinkBed is best for… |
| Shoppers on a budget | Sleepers of any size |
| Sleepers Weighing <230 lbs | Sleepers with back pain |
| Back and stomach sleepers | Couples |
Who Should Choose the GhostBed Mattress?
- Shoppers on a Budget: While it’s not the cheapest mattress around, the medium-firm GhostBed is slightly less expensive than the WinkBed.
- Sleepers Weighing <230 lbs: The GhostBed performed above average for back and side sleepers in the lightweight and average-weight categories.
- Back and Stomach Sleepers: The Ghostbed’s firmness and dense memory foam layers provide great support, helping to keep the natural “S” curve of your spine and elevated hips throughout the night.
Who Should Choose the WinkBed Mattress?
- Sleepers of Any Size: With four firmness levels to choose from, and a hybrid construction, WinkBed has you covered no matter your weight.
- Sleepers with Back Pain: Making our list of best mattresses for back pain, the WinkBed has a proprietary lumbar layer, engineered to keep the spine aligned in every sleeping position.
- Couples: As long as you’re not a super light sleeper, we consider the WinkBed one of the best mattresses for couples—it’s supportive, bouncy, keeps you cool, and has great edge support.
GhostBed vs. WinkBed: Top Similarities
- Cooling features: Both beds’ constructions address overheating— aerated latex in the GhostBed, coils in the WinkBed, and cooling gel in the foam layers of both brands.
- Motion Transfer: Both mattresses have a slight bounce to them, different from traditional memory foam. This means movement is more likely to be felt across the mattress.
- Durability: Both mattresses are made of high-quality materials and should last 7 to 10 years.
GhostBed vs. WinkBed: Top Differences
- Price: The WinkBed comes at a bit of a higher price point than the GhostBed, but keep your eye out for sales on each brand.
- Construction: Mattress material greatly affects your sleeping experience. GhostBed’s latex and memory foam layers create a different feel than WinkBed’s foam and coil construction.
- Edge Support: To get the most usable surface area, a mattress needs to have quality edge support. The WinkBed is the clear winner here with sturdy individually wrapped coils and reinforced edges.
GhostBed vs. WinkBed: Firmness & Feel Differences
We measure mattress firmness on a scale from 1 to 10, where 1 is the softest. The medium-firm GhostBed scored 6/10, a popular choice because of its balance of support and cushion. The WinkBed offers four firmness levels, so each model will have a unique feel and is aimed at meeting the needs of differing sleep preferences.
What’s the Firmness Of the GhostBed & WinkBed Mattresses?
The medium-firm GhostBed is a great fit for back and stomach sleepers who are lightweight to average weight. It supports a healthy spine alignment while giving just enough cushion for those areas where pressure builds up. People weighing over 230 lbs will need the support of a firmer mattress.
For the WinkBed, you can pick from quite a range so let’s break it down by firmness options.
- Softer: At a firmness of 4/10, this mattress provides excellent cushion for side sleepers.
- Luxury Firm: Scoring 6/10, this is that popular, versatile medium-firm for lightweight to average-weight sleepers (<230 lbs).
- Firmer: At 7.5/10, this mattress is great for stomach sleepers of any weight category because it helps keep your hips elevated.
- Plus: This 8/10 firmness level is designed to provide support for heavyweight sleepers (>230 lbs).
Looking for a firmer mattress option? Check out our best firm mattresses.
What Do the GhostBed & WinkBed Mattresses Feel Like?
The soft, cushy latex layer of the GhostBed gives a little bounce when you push your hand on it, but you quickly get to the firm, supportive layer below. This creates the feeling of sleeping “on” the mattress. Similarly, the WinkBed’s quilted pillow top feels soft and plush but you quickly get to the springy coil layer.
What’s It Like to Sleep On the GhostBed & WinkBed Mattresses?
Back and stomach sleepers have it easiest when mattress shopping. Most medium-firm mattresses meet a back sleeper’s needs for lumbar support and a stomach sleeper’s needs for hip elevation, as long as you weigh less than 230 lbs. The GhostBed and WinkBed Luxury Firm are no exception.
But the WinkBed mattress addresses a few additional groups. Side sleepers of any weight can choose the firmness level that balances support with cushion, whereas the GhostBed just won’t have the cushion you need. And heavyweight sleepers can find comfort and support in the Plus model, no matter what sleeping position they prefer.
The GhostBed vs. WinkBed Mattresses By Body Type
GhostBed Performance By Sleeping Position:
| Body Type: | BACK SLEEPERS | STOMACH SLEEPERS | SIDE SLEEPERS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lightweight (< 130 lbs): | 4 | 4 | 2 |
| Average weight (130 – 230 lbs): | 4 | 4 | 3 |
| Heavyweight (> 230 lbs): | 2 | 3 | 2 |
WinkBed Performance By Sleeping Position:
| Body Type: | BACK SLEEPERS | STOMACH SLEEPERS | SIDE SLEEPERS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lightweight (< 130 lbs): | 5 | 5 | 4 |
| Average weight (130 – 230 lbs): | 5 | 4 | 5 |
| Heavyweight (> 230 lbs): | 5 | 4 | 5 |
1 = Very poor, 2 = Not good, 3 = Fair, 4 = Good, 5 = Excellent
Average-Weight Sleepers (130–230 lbs)
Average-weight sleepers who prefer lying on their back or stomach will be pleased with the support and cushion of the GhostBed mattress. If you sleep on your side, instead check out softer mattresses that will give the pressure relief you need.
Average-weight sleepers can find a WinkBed model to suit their needs. Side sleepers will appreciate the extra cushion in the Softer model, whereas back and stomach sleepers will value the support of the Luxury Firm and maybe even the Firmer option.
Heavyweight Sleepers (> 230 lbs)
GhostBed’s medium-firm mattress just doesn’t offer adequate support for heavyweight sleepers, no matter your preferred sleeping position. Instead, choose the WinkBed Plus to find a good balance of comfort and support.
Lightweight Sleepers (< 130 lbs)
A common complaint from lightweight sleepers is they don’t sink into a mattress enough to find pressure relief and stability for their spine. But for back and stomach sleepers, the GhostBed’s aerated latex and memory foam create a great balance. Side sleepers will likely prefer a softer mattress like one of our reviewed best mattresses for side sleepers. With the Softer and Luxury Firm options, WinkBed provides a solution for lightweight sleepers of every sleeping position.
Differences In Mattress Construction
The medium-firm 11” GhostBed mattress is aerated latex atop memory foam. The 13.5” WinkBed, offered in four levels of firmness, has a quilted pillow top, then foam, followed by individually wrapped coils. Very different mattresses for very different sleepers.
| GhostBed Mattress Materials | WinkBed Mattress Materials |
| Quilted Viscose-Polyester Fabric Cover | TENCEL Cooling Cover |
| Aerated Synthetic Rubber Latex Foam Layer (1.5” comfort layer) | Euro Pillow Top plus Gel-infused Foam (extra foam in lumbar region) |
| Gel-infused Memory Foam (2” transition layer) | Individually-wrapped Pocketed Coils |
| Durable High-density Foam (7.5” support layer) |
Cover
The GhostBed’s quilted cover has a soft feel, and is made from a blend of viscose and polyester fabric. The TENCEL cover on the WinkBed mattress is a performance material made from eucalyptus leaves which absorbs moisture to keep you cool.
Comfort Layers
The comfort layers of these two brands couldn’t be more different. The springy aerated rubber latex is the first thing you notice when you push your hand onto the GhostBed. In contrast, your hand sinks into the soft pillow top of the WinkBed’s foam layer but your back will appreciate some extra built-in lumbar support.
Support Layers
After the initial bouncy feel, you’ll rest in the GhostBed’s memory foam cushion before finding support from the high-density foam base layer. The WinkBed instead has a support layer of individually-wrapped coils plus reinforced edges and concentrated coils around the lumbar area.
GhostBed vs. WinkBed Pricing
| Size | GhostBed Prices | WinkBed Prices |
| Twin | $ | $ |
| Twin XL | $ | $ |
| Full | $ | $ |
| Queen | $ | $ |
| King | $ | $ |
| California King | $ | $ |
For exclusive discounts on both beds see our GhostBed mattress coupons and WinkBed mattress coupons.
GhostBed vs. WinkBed Mattress Performance Ratings & Differences
Temperature
The GhostBed’s aerated (hole-punched) latex and memory foam with cooling gel both do a decent job of keeping you cool at night. Pay a little more for the WinkBed and you’ll find that you get what you pay for. It’s constructed of gel-infused foam that won’t absorb your heat plus coils that create airflow giving it a 5/5 performance rating for temperature control.
Motion Transfer
This is an area where the WinkBed doesn’t perform as well because of its foam and coils construction. Our Nerds in the lab felt movement across the bed during testing. If you’re a light sleeper, this could be a deal breaker. The GhostBed only scored a hair better in this category. The latex top layer creates a slight bounce which is transferred across the mattress. If motion isolation is a priority, lean more towards a traditional memory foam like the Helix Midnight mattress.
Edge Support
How often do you sit on the edge of your bed to tie your shoes? Or do you need to get up slowly because of back or joint pain? The term you need to pay attention to is “edge support.” This is also important for those sleeping with a partner, pet, or child because a sturdy mattress edge allows you to spread out the full width of the bed for more space.
The WinkBed’s coil base layer does a stellar job of providing this stability to the edge of the mattress. The GhostBed scored only average in this category.
Pressure Relief
Pressure tends to build up in key areas while you sleep. Finding a mattress that supports and cushions key areas will help relieve pressure. The GhostBed and WinkBed have an average score in this category. But if you have chronic pain, instead check out the best mattresses for shoulder pain or the best mattresses for arthritis.
Pain Relief
The medium-firm GhostBed supports a healthy spine for anyone weighing less than 230 lbs. Heavyweight sleepers, check out our top picks for the best mattresses for heavy people instead. WinkBed’s different firmness levels ensure there’s a great option for you, whether you sleep on your back or stomach. It even made our top ten list of best mattresses for back pain.
Durability
The coils in the WinkBed will outlast the foam, as foam tends to leave lasting body impressions as it ages. But both of these brands, GhostBed and WinkBed, make quality mattresses that will last 7 to 10 years, which is the recommended time for a replacement.
Shipping, Returns, & Warranties
GhostBed
GhostBed is an online mattress company that offers free shipping on all of its beds. Your mattress is compressed and vacuum-packed for bed-in-a-box delivery. GhostBed includes a 101-night sleep trial period with every mattress. The GhostBed has a 20-year warranty, but the best-priced repair/replacement is in the first 10 years.
WinkBed
WinkBed offers free shipping to the contiguous U.S. for all their models. They also provide a 120-night trial period so you can break your new mattress in and make sure you’re satisfied. Unlike other companies, WinkBed offers a lifetime warranty that does not make the customer pay a prorated amount. They cover the full cost of replacement or repairs if it’s found defective.
Other Models Available
This mattress is no longer available for purchase. To help you find your next mattress, check out our list of the best mattresses available on the market now.
This mattress is no longer available for purchase. To help you find your next mattress, check out our list of the best mattresses available on the market now.
This mattress is no longer available for purchase. To help you find your next mattress, check out our list of the best mattresses available on the market now.
This mattress is no longer available for purchase. To help you find your next mattress, check out our list of the best mattresses available on the market now.
Our Final Take
If you’re shopping on a tighter budget, the GhostBed might check all the boxes you need. It’s a great fit if you’re a back or stomach sleeper weighing less than 230 lbs. But if you need customization and can afford to pay a little more for it, the WinkBed is more versatile with a firmness model for every body. The superior lumbar and edge support are noteworthy perks, as well, especially for those who struggle with back pain.
GhostBed & WinkBed FAQs
How long does a WinkBed last?
The hybrid WinkBed is made of pillow top foam and individually wrapped coils, so it should last from 7 to 10 years. At that point, the foam layer will likely begin to leave lasting body impressions, a sure sign of age.
Is the GhostBed mattress toxic?
The GhostBed is CertiPUR-US®️ Certified meaning it’s free from harmful chemicals such as formaldehyde, heavy metals, ozone depleting chemicals, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to name a few. All of the foams meet these strict environmental and quality regulations which means they’re safe for your family and eco-friendly.
Are GhostBed mattresses made in the U.S.?
The GhostBed has been around for over 20 years and is made in the U.S. You should get your bed-in-a-box shipped quickly to you from one of their shipping locations throughout the country. During times of high demand, you might receive it from their manufacturing facility in Toronto or Montreal.
