Layla vs. Nolah Mattress Comparison

Comparing the Layla Mattress & Nolah Mattress

The Layla memory foam mattress is a flippable bed with a different firmness level on each side, and the Nolah Original is a single-sided, medium-firm mattress. Both are made entirely of foam, but Layla is a memory foam mattress while Nolah is made with proprietary polyfoams.

Because of its flippable nature, the Layla is good for those who can’t choose between a softer and firmer mattress. The soft side suits side sleepers the best, while the firm side better supports stomach sleepers. The Nolah is a medium-firm 6/10 on the firmness scale so it’s better for side and back sleepers, particularly those who are lightweight. The Nolah also stays relatively cool for an all-foam mattress, which is important for hot sleepers.

Differences

• Even though the Layla and Nolah are both constructed with foam, the Layla has a top memory foam layer that is soft and conforming. The Nolah is topped with AirFoam that is also soft but does a better job of evenly distributing a person’s body weight. Because of these construction differences, we think the Layla is the best mattress for side sleepers and the Nolah is the better mattress for back sleepers.
• The softer side of the Layla provides better pressure relief than the top layers of the Nolah mattress.
• The Nolah performed better in our spinal alignment tests, so we think it’s a more comfortable mattress for back pain sufferers who need better lumbar support.

Similarities

• Both of these beds are responsive, which is a great performance feature for combination sleepers who need to change position often in their sleep. See our picks for the best mattress for combination sleepers for similar responsive mattresses.
• Couples will notice fewer disruptions from their sleeping partners on both of these mattresses because the top layers of foam effectively trap motion where it starts.

Who the Layla Mattress is Best For 

Best For…

• Side sleepers to get extra pressure relief for their shoulders and hips when lying on the soft side of the mattress
• Stomach sleepers to get more support for their neck and lower back on the firm side of the mattress
• Combination sleepers and indecisive shoppers to get a responsive, adjustable mattress that can meet their changing needs, making a great mattress for combination sleepers

May Not be Best For…

• People who tend to overheat at night that may find that Layla traps too much body heat for their liking
• Those with heavier body types. They may not get as much support on an all-foam mattress as they would on a hybrid or innerspring mattress

Read our full Layla mattress review to learn more! 

Who the Nolah Mattress is Best For 

Best For…

• Back sleepers and side sleepers to a balance of cushion and support on the medium-firm Nolah mattress
• Couples, who will likely sleep more soundly, thanks to Nolah’s excellent motion isolation
• Many hot sleepers to stay cool on the Nolah because of the breathable cover and cooling top layer

May Not be Best For…

• Heavyweight side sleepers. This bed may not get as much pressure relief as they need for a good night’s sleep
• Those who are particularly sensitive to off-gassing, as they may be deterred by the temporary odor emitted by many all-foam mattresses after they’re unboxed

Read our full Nolah mattress review to learn more! 

Deciding Between Layla & Nolah

Firmness / Feel

Most mattresses are rated on a firmness scale of 1–10, with one being the softest and 10 being the firmest. Typically, side sleepers enjoy the plush, pressure-relieving feel of mattresses rated 6/10 and below, back sleepers like the cushion-support balance of mattresses between 5 to 7/10, and stomach sleepers need the firmer feel of beds that are a 7/10 firmness level and above. Of course, heavyweight sleepers are more likely to feel mattresses as softer, while lightweight sleepers will feel mattresses as firmer. If you need a supportive mattress, check out the best mattress for heavy people.

The Layla mattress has two firmness levels. The soft side is a 4/10 on the firmness scale. It compresses easily under pressure, so it’s best for lightweight to average-weight side sleepers. The firm side is 7/10, which is an ideal firmness for average-sized stomach sleepers. The Nolah rates 5–6/10 on the firmness scale, so it’s probably too soft for stomach sleepers, but just right for back and side sleepers. For mattresses that cradle around the pressure points and allows the sleeper to sink into the layers, see the best soft mattresses.

Motion Isolation

Motion isolation is an important factor for couples or anyone who shares their bed. High-density foams generally keep motion transfer to a minimum, which is why all-foam mattresses like the Layla and Nolah both perform so well in this category. If you sleep with a partner and wake easily to movement throughout the night, each of these beds should cut down on motion transfer and provide a disruption-free night of sleep. For similar options that isolate motion well, check out the best mattress for couples.

Edge Support

Edge support can be an underrated mattress factor, but it’s really important for those who sleep near the edges of the bed or who sit on the edge of the bed to get ready in the morning. Both the Layla and Nolah mattresses have satisfactory edge support, especially for all-foam mattresses that don’t include sturdy steel coils. Still, Layla is marginally more supportive because of the denser foams in its “firm” side. 

Pressure Relief 

All-foam beds typically do a great job of cushioning pressure points, especially if they fall under a 7 out of 10 on the firmness scale. In this comparison, the Layla mattress provides significantly better pressure relief, particularly on the soft side of the bed. That 4/10 firmness level is great for side sleepers who need lots of pressure relief on their shoulders and hips. For side sleepers looking for additional pressure relief and pain prevention, see the best mattress for hip pain.

Spine Alignment 

Your mattress should keep your spine in a neutral position throughout the night, regardless of your sleeping position. Spinal alignment is especially important for stomach sleepers, who need to keep their hips elevated in order to ensure a properly supported spine. Both the Layla and Nolah mattresses earned high scores during our spinal alignment assessments, but the Nolah maintains especially good alignment based on pressure map results we’ve seen.

Durability 

All-foam mattresses tend not to last as long as hybrid or latex mattresses. Still, their durability varies from bed to bed. In this comparison, the Layla is a bit more durable than the Nolah. If you are looking for a mattress that may last longer, see our picks for the best hybrid mattress.

Temperature 

Foam beds have a reputation for trapping body heat, but neither of these mattresses sleep especially hot due to cooling technology like gel-infused memory foam, copper and cooling covers. The Nolah sleeps a little cooler than the Layla, so it’s a more favorable choice for people who get hot easily or who live in warm climates. However, if you are looking for an actively cooling mattress, see our list for the best mattress for hot sleepers.

Layla Mattress Construction

The Layla mattress is covered with a polyester-viscose fabric that’s soft to touch and infused with a temperature-regulating substance called Thermo-Gel. You can remove the cover for dry-cleaning via a zipper along the side. The soft side of the mattress is topped with 3” of copper-infused memory foam, whereas the firm side includes a thinner 1” layer of memory foam. 

Beneath the soft side is a layer of convoluted (or wavy) foam that improves airflow and reduces heat retention. The core of the mattress is a transition layer of support foam that prevents too much sinkage on both sides of the bed. An added bonus? Copper has antimicrobial properties that keep stinky odors away.

Nolah Mattress Construction

The Nolah mattress has a breathable, moisture-wicking TENCEL cover that’s made from plant-based fibers. The top layer is 2” of Nolah AirFoam, which has an open-cell construction that helps to keep warm air moving through the mattress instead of pooling under your body. It’s not memory foam, but it has a dense, contouring memory foam feel.

The 1” latex-like transition layer is where a lot of the mattress’s responsiveness comes from, and the 7” high-density polyfoam support layer keeps you from sinking too far into the mattress.

Sizing & Price Comparisons 

For the best price on a new mattress, see our Layla Mattress Coupons and Nolah Mattress Coupons. Both brands are also featured in our picks for the best affordable mattress.

Shipping and Returns for Layla & Nolah

Layla Mattress

Layla mattresses ship for free, and are delivered bed-in-a-box style. The brand makes their mattresses to order, which takes two to three days, and shipping takes an additional one to four days. Keep in mind, there’s a non-refundable shipping fee to Alaska, Hawaii, and Canada.

Once you receive your mattress, you can test it out during the 120-night sleep trial. Sleep on it for at least two weeks, and if you don’t like it, Layla will pick it up for free and give you a full refund. Layla also gives you a Lifetime warranty that covers the cost of repairs or a replacement mattress if yours becomes defective. For more information, see our breakdown of the Layla mattress warranty.

Nolah Mattress

Shipping on your Nolah mattress is free, and you can expect for it to be delivered within five to 10 business days. It takes up to a week for Nolah to make your mattress and an extra one to four business days for it to reach your home. You can test out the mattress during the 120-night trial period or get a $100 discount for opting out of the sleep trial. Returns are free after 30 days, and they include a full refund.

Nolah’s Lifetime warranty is prorated, meaning you’ll pay $75 for shipping and up to 60 percent of the original cost of the mattress for a replacement after 15 years of ownership. During the first 15 years, Nolah will cover all repair and replacement costs.

More Layla Mattresses

See Layla mattress review to learn more.

More Nolah Mattresses

See Nolah Signature mattress review to learn more.

Read our Nolah Evolution mattress review to learn more.

Haven’t made a decision yet? Check out these other comparisons:

• Layla vs. Casper
• Layla vs. Nectar
• Layla vs. Leesa
• Layla vs. Purple
• Nolah vs. Nectar
• Nolah vs. Bear
• Nolah vs. Leesa

Our Final Take

At first glance, the Layla and Nolah mattresses aren’t all that different. But once you look closer, they have pretty significant differences that affect their performance. The Layla is a better choice for shoppers who are new to the bed-in-a-box market, since you can alternate between the soft and firm side. The Layla is also a bit more budget friendly. We recommend the soft side of the Layla for lightweight or average-weight side sleepers, and the firm side for average-weight stomach sleepers.

The Nolah is also relatively budget friendly, but it only has one side and isn’t flippable. The 6.5/10 “universal firmness” level can work for all sleeping positions, but it’s best for average-weight back and side sleepers. The Nolah is also our pick for hot sleepers and couples. You get free returns from both mattress companies, so you can test out either new mattress before settling on a long-term choice.