Most Comfortable Mattresses

Written by Loren Bullock, Certified Sleep Science Coach

Methodology

Here at Mattress Nerd, we’ve tested hundreds of mattresses to bring you unbiased, expert reviews of the top brands. Learn more.

In This Article

We’ll tell you all about what we consider to be the most comfortable mattresses we’ve ever tested.

»

Mattress comfort is subjective to your body type, sleeping position, and other environmental factors like temperature and sleeping partners. What gives one person a good night’s sleep may cause another to toss and turn until the wee hours. That’s why it’s important to find the best mattress for your comfort preferences.

In this roundup, we’re highlighting our top picks for different comfort categories. Plus, we’re giving you a quick primer on what factors make a mattress comfortable and what to look for while mattress shopping.

Bottom Line: What’s the Most Comfortable Mattress?

The Helix Midnight Luxe earns the honor of most comfortable mattress thanks to its versatility, wide appeal, compatibility with couples, and luxurious hybrid construction.

The Comfiest Mattresses

• Helix Midnight Luxe – Nerd’s Pick
• The WinkBed – Most Comfortable Mattress for Back Pain
• Nolah Evolution – Most Comfortable Luxury Mattress
• Titan Plus – Most Comfortable Mattress for Heavyweight Sleepers
• Bear Elite Hybrid – Most Comfortable Hybrid Mattress
• Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid – Most Comfortable Affordable Mattress
• Saatva Classic – Most Comfortable Mattress for Side Sleepers
• Emma CliMax Hybrid – Most Comfortable King Size Mattress
• Birch Luxe – Most Comfortable Mattress for Hot Sleepers
• DreamCloud – Most Comfortable Mattress for Back Sleepers

Most Comfortable Mattress: Video

Helix Midnight Luxe: Nerd’s Pick

Pros of the Helix Midnight Luxe

• Solid temperature regulation
• Compatible with everyone except heavyweight (over 230 lbs) stomach sleepers
• Easy to move around on

Cons of the Helix Midnight Luxe

• Doesn’t isolate motion too well
• A bit pricey

What our testers say: “The Midnight Luxe has a cushioning feel, but the foam doesn’t contour to every inch of your frame. You sink into the foam a little, but not too far. The coils keep you lifted and add bounce to the feel of the mattress.” Rachael, Editor & Mattress Tester

Our top pick for the most comfortable mattress is one of the most versatile mattresses out there, and that’s the Helix Midnight Luxe. It checks almost every box for couples, back sleepers, and side sleepers.

The Helix Midnight Luxe is a luxury hybrid mattress with a “universal” firmness level (aka medium-firm). This “not too soft, not too firm” feel ensures that your body’s natural curves are cradled, which helps to keep your spine aligned in a healthy, neutral position. 

The Midnight Luxe is topped with a TENCEL pillow top, a soft memory foam layer, gel-infused comfort foam, and a polyfoam transition layer. In addition to these layers of foam, the coil base provides extra support under your lumbar zone (lower back). This keeps the natural inverted curve at the base of your spine supported. Softer coils under your shoulders and knees give the mattress a cloud-like feel and evenly distributes your body weight.

Read our full Helix Midnight Luxe Mattress Review to learn more. Not the mattress for you? Check out more options on our list of the best mattresses.

The WinkBed: Most Comfortable Mattress for Back Pain

Pros of the WinkBed

• Great for combination sleepers
• All body types and sleeping positions are accommodated
• Stays nice and cool as you sleep

Cons of the WinkBed

• Doesn’t isolate motion well
• So-so pressure relief

What our testers say: “The firmer WinkBed options are great for those with back pain, especially lower back pain, since they keep your hips lifted in alignment with your shoulders.” Loren, Lead Mattress Tester

When it comes to a good night’s sleep, one of the biggest villains is chronic pain. If you’re suffering from back pain, for example, it can make it harder to fall and stay asleep. Without rest, your back pain can quickly worsen, and so continues the cycle. To start, we suggest ensuring you have the best mattress for back pain, and we couldn’t recommend the WinkBed more.

The WinkBed hybrid mattress is offered in four firmness levels: Softer, Luxury Firm, Firmer, and PLUS. Those with heavyweight body types should opt for the PLUS. It trades the pillow top with a firmer layer of latex that will resist body impressions longer than foam. Since it has a firm feel, the PLUS is best for heavyweight back or stomach sleepers.

This mattress is built with comfort and durability in mind. It features a breathable TENCEL mattress cover, a cooling gel-infused euro pillow top, pocketed coils, and extra edge support coils. The gel in the pillow top absorbs excess body heat and provides a comfy layer of cushioning foam; this foam fills in the lumbar region and cushions the hips. The coil support system keeps you lifted on top of the mattress and prevents sagging across the entire mattress surface. This helps support proper spinal alignment, which can alleviate back pain.

Read our full WinkBed Mattress Review to learn more. Our best mattresses for back pain page has more options if the WinkBed doesn’t sound right for you.

Nolah Evolution: Most Comfortable Luxury Mattress

Pros of the Nolah Evolution

• Great for lightweight (under 130 lbs) sleepers
• Sleeps nice and cool
• Very durable

Cons of the Nolah Evolution

• Not supportive enough for many heavyweight (over 230 lbs) sleepers
• Quite expensive

What our testers say: “If you’re looking for a cooling hybrid with a balanced feel of comfort, support, and hotel-like quality, the Nolah Evolution 15” mattress could be a great option for you. While not cheap, you’ll get all the bells and whistles that you’d expect with a luxury mattress.” Loren, Lead Mattress Tester

The Nolah Evolution is one of the highest rated mattresses we’ve ever tested at Mattress Nerd. At a staggering 4.8 out of 5 overall score, this bed scored practically perfect in every performance test— so right off the bat, this bed is extremely high quality, and you’re really getting what you pay for. 

That being said, the Nolah Evolution is a cooling hybrid bed that works best for back and side sleepers, and features Zoned Support in sensitive areas like hips and shoulders for ultimate comfort and pressure relief. When you lie down on the surface, you can expect a medium-soft (5.5/10) firmness level that your shoulders and hips can sink into while still keeping you elevated and your spine aligned. 

The Nolah Evolution is hand-made to order, ships free right to your front door, comes with a 120-night sleep trial and a lifetime warranty.

Read our full Nolah Evolution Mattress review to learn more! Check out more luxury picks on our best luxury mattresses page.

Titan Plus: Most Comfortable Mattress for Heavyweight Sleepers

Pros of the Titan Plus

• Good for most sleeping positions and body types
• Regulates temperature well
• Reasonably priced

Cons of the Titan Plus

• Doesn’t isolate motion well (bad for couples)
• Lightweight side sleepers may find it too firm

What our testers say: “Because this mattress combines heavy duty premium pocketed coils with high quality memory foam, it creates one of the best hybrid mattresses that is responsive, promotes spinal alignment, and delivers a great night’s sleep for heavier back, stomach, and side sleepers.” Loren, Lead Mattress Tester

The Titan Plus mattress is designed for heavier people and their mattress support needs. The hybrid construction of memory foam and pocketed coils gives this mattress a medium-firm feel.

The Titan Hybrid’s firmness distributes weight evenly, providing excellent support. In fact, the more body weight applied to the mattress, the better it performs. Average-weight and lightweight side sleepers will still experience pressure relief, but the back and spine support will be best for those over 230 lbs.

Titan has cooling materials including gel memory foam, breathable pocketed coil system, and an optional cooling top panel. 

Read our full Titan Plus Mattress Review for more details. If you aren’t interested in the Titan Plus mattress, check out our list of the best mattresses for heavy people for more great options.

Bear Elite Hybrid: Most Comfortable Hybrid Mattress

Pros of the Bear Elite Hybrid

• Great for combo sleepers
• Relieves pressure well
• Highly durable

Cons of the Bear Elite Hybrid

• Quite expensive
• Bad for heavy (over 230 lbs) stomach sleepers

What our testers say: “The Bear Elite is designed to promote muscle recovery and temperature regulation for resting athletes. With a hybrid construction of memory foam, zoned foam, and pocketed coils, you’ll get a balance of softness, airflow, and medium-firmness.” Editor & Mattress Tester

The Bear Elite Hybrid offers cooling gel memory foam, motion isolation capabilities, responsive coil system, and durable construction. This bed comes in three different firmnesses (Soft, Medium, and Firm), so people of most body types and sleeping positions should find a model that’s incredibly comfortable for them.

Next, the top layers of this bed feature comfort foams that give a cushioned feel, without an overwhelming conforming feeling. The foam in the Bear Elite Hybrid absorbs motion as you move throughout the night, so you shouldn’t be disturbed by a shifting partner. The Bear Elite Hybrid is also a responsive mattress and can be a fantastic option for combination sleepers.

Read our full Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress Review to learn more. Not interested in the Bear Elite Hybrid mattress? Check out our list for the best hybrid mattresses for more options.

Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid: Most Comfortable Affordable Mattress

Pros of the Brooklyn Signature Hybrid

• Very easy to move around on
• Isolates motion well
• Great for back sleepers

Cons of the Brooklyn Signature Hybrid

• Doesn’t work well for stomach sleepers
• Saggy edges

What our testers say: “Right off the bat, I love the Brooklyn Signature Hybrid mattress because it’s affordable and it comes in three firmness options. I tested the “medium” firmness level in our sleep lab and found that it worked well for back sleepers and heavier side sleepers, but not as well for stomach sleepers.” Loren, Lead Mattress Tester

The Signature Hybrid mattress by Brooklyn Bedding is a high-quality foam and coil mattress at an accessible price point. A Queen size doesn’t cost much more than $1,000, and Brooklyn Bedding often offers discounts that drop the price below $1,000.

You can choose from Soft, Medium, and Firm versions, and each includes Brooklyn Bedding‘s proprietary TitanFlex foam. This comfort layer has the contouring effect of memory foam and the responsiveness of latex foam. The coil support layer is made of up to 961 individually wrapped pocketed coils that give the mattress a buoyant, bouncy core.  

Included in the price are free shipping and returns, a 120-night sleep trial, and a 10-year warranty.

Read our full Signature Hybrid Mattress Review to learn more. Interested in other affordable mattresses? Our article on the best affordable mattress has much more info.

Saatva: Most Comfortable Mattress for Side Sleepers

Pros of the Saatva

• Great for average-weight (130–230 lbs) sleepers
• Stays cool as you sleep
• Highly durable construction

Cons of the Saatva

• Not great for couples (poor motion isolation)
• A bit pricey

What our testers say: “The Saatva Classic is a high-quality luxury mattress for shoppers who prioritize support, durability, and customizability. With three different firmness levels and two thicknesses, the Saatva suits sleepers of every body type and sleeping position.” Loren, Lead Mattress Tester

The Saatva Classic is an innerspring mattress that pairs a plush euro pillow top with a two-layer coil support system. It’s available in three firmness options: Plush Soft, Luxury Firm, and Firm. We consider the Plush Soft (or medium-soft) version to be one of the best mattresses for side sleepers because it balances pressure relief with whole-body support. 

The cushioning topper is made with 3″ of organic cotton that cradle your shoulders and hips. The top layer of coils are individually wrapped for an extra conforming feel, and the base layer of coils supports your spine so it stays aligned while you sleep on your side.

If you’re a lightweight or average-weight side sleeper, the Saatva should be a good fit, though heavyweight side sleepers may want a bed with thicker foam layers and a firmer feel.

Read our full Saatva Mattress Review to learn more. If the Saatva doesn’t sound like a good fit, head over to our best mattress for side sleepers page.

Emma CliMax Hybrid: Most Comfortable King Size Mattress

Pros of the Emma CliMax

• Sturdy perimeter
• Easy to move around on
• Fantastic for back and stomach sleepers

Cons of the Emma CliMax

• Not great for lightweight (under 130 lbs) side sleepers
• Pressure relief leaves something to be desired

What our testers say: “The Emma CliMax hybrid mattress has a hybrid design of layered foam and pocketed coils, which is ideal for stomach and back sleepers…this bed is responsive, cooling, and offers decent motion isolation too.” Ashton, Editor & Mattress Tester

King size mattresses are a magnificent option for couples, heavy sleepers, those who toss and turn at night, and truly anyone wanting lots of room. Of course, a mattress as big as a king is comfortable as is, but what if you’re wanting next-level comfort?

That’s where the Emma CliMax Hybrid comes in. This mattress was built for heavy sleepers and couples, so it’s an incredibly durable mattress with a wonderful balance of comfort and support.

Its pillow top cover is moisture-wicking, helping cool down hot sleepers. The foam comfort layer is built for motion isolation, and the transition layer is designed for adequate pressure relief on sensitive joints. Sturdy coils promote airflow, add bounce, and help support the mattress. The edge support system allows sleepers to make full use of the king size bed.

Sound like the mattress of your dreams? You’re in luck, because the Emma CliMax Hybrid ships free. There’s also a 10-year warranty and an extremely lengthy year-long sleep trial. 

Read our full Emma CliMax Hybrid Mattress Review to learn more. You can view alternate options for king size beds on our best king size mattress roundup page.

Birch Luxe: Most Comfortable Mattress for Hot Sleepers

Pros of the Birch Luxe

• Great for couples
• Easy to move around and change sleeping positions on
• Great for stomach and back sleepers

Cons of the Birch Luxe

• Not great for side sleepers
• Expensive

What our testers say: “I was really impressed with the Birch Luxe’s construction, as the materials are both eco-friendly, luxurious, and breathable. You definitely pay for the quality, but if top-of-the-line cooling comfort is what you’re after it might be worth it.” Loren, Lead Mattress Tester

If you find you have trouble falling or staying asleep because of your body temperature, then we recommend investing in one of the most comfortable cooling mattresses out there: the Birch Luxe.

With the Birch Luxe mattress, it’s best suited for back sleepers and stomach sleepers of most body types. This mattress is also organic, so eco-conscious shoppers who value a quality construction and ethical production are bound to appreciate the Birch Luxe.

Of course, we can’t forget to mention this mattress’s cooling abilities. It features breathable coils for airflow, naturally cooling latex foam, and a breathable cotton cover.

If you’re ready to try out the Birch Luxe mattress, you can enjoy free shipping throughout the entire United States, a 100-night sleep trial, and a 10-year warranty! 

Read our full Birch Luxe Mattress Review to learn more. You can view alternate mattresses for hot sleepers on our best mattress for hot sleepers roundup page.

DreamCloud: Most Comfortable Mattress for Back Sleepers

Pros of the DreamCloud

• Luxurious hybrid construction
• Great for combination sleepers
• Isolates motion very well

Cons of the DreamCloud

• Not the best for side sleepers
• Bad for heavyweight (over 230 lbs) stomach sleepers

What our testers say: “Back sleepers have it pretty easy when looking for a mattress. All they need is to make sure that their bed maintains the natural curve of their spine. As a medium-firm mattress with a hybrid design, the DreamCloud should work for lightweight, average-weight, and heavyweight back sleepers.” Becca, Editor & Mattress Tester

The most comfortable mattress for back sleepers of all body types has absolutely got to be the DreamCloud Original mattress. It’s a true medium-firm mattress (6.5/10 on the firmness scale) that balances comfort and support so well you might realize the second you lay on it that it’s the bed of your dreams.

The DreamCloud’s construction should do a wonderful job at maintaining the curve of your spine. There’s a plush cashmere cover that not only feels luxurious but also works with the cooling gel-infused memory foam to fill in your lower back. You shouldn’t have to worry about sinking too far into this mattress, though; there’s a responsive transition layer and super sturdy coils to prevent premature wear and to keep the hips lifted in alignment.

Another huge selling point? The DreamCloud comes with a lifetime warranty, which is very generous when compared to the industry standard.

Read our full DreamCloud Mattress Review to learn more. If you and your partner are in the market for a mattress, head over to our best mattresses for back sleepers page.

Mattress Buying Guide

How Do You Define Comfort?

There’s no simple answer to the question of what makes a mattress comfortable. People often assume that softness or pressure relief equate to comfort, but that’s not true for all sleepers. In this section, we’re going to explain which factors contribute to mattress comfort for a diverse range of sleepers.

Mattress Firmness

Mattresses are typically rated along a firmness scale from one to 10, with one being the softest and 10 being the firmest. With that said, how a mattress feels can vary depending on your body type. When you see a mattress firmness score, it’s probably based on how the mattress will feel to an average-weight sleeper (those weighing between 100–200 pounds).

Heavyweight sleepers (those over 200 pounds) sink deeper into the top layers of a mattress, which can cause the bed to feel softer or firmer, depending on the materials and depth of the mattress. Lightweight sleepers don’t sink as deeply into the mattress, so they often report mattresses as firmer than advertised.

Your sleeping position also plays a role in which firmness level is the most comfortable to you. Side sleepers need a mattress that’s soft enough to cushion their pressure points. Stomach sleepers need a firm mattress that keeps their spine aligned. Back sleepers are usually happiest with a medium or medium-firm mattress that balances comfort and support.

Mattress Materials

Mattress materials play a big role in how comfortable a mattress feels to you. Some sleepers love the slow sink and cradling hug of memory foam (also known as polyurethane foam). Others prefer the firm feel of an innerspring mattress.

In general, memory foam beds closely contour around the curves of your body. Depending on the softness of the foam, they can offer incredible pressure relief. As long as the foam used in the mattress is CertiPUR-US certified, you don’t need to worry about the effects of temporary off-gassing.

Innerspring mattresses are usually strong in the category of support, but weaker when it comes to pressure relief and motion transfer. The bulk of these mattresses is made of individual coils or connected springs, so they’re bouncy and firm. Hybrid mattresses are similar, though they have foam or latex comfort layers above the coils, which amp up the cushioning comfort of the bed.

Latex mattresses tend to be firmer, but they can range from medium-soft to firm, depending on the other layers in the mattress. Sleepers love latex foam for its responsiveness, buoyancy, and naturally cool temperature profile.

Lastly, airbeds are an underrepresented mattress type, but they can provide some of the best customizable comfort. For example, Sleep Number mattresses feature adjustable air chambers with incredibly nuanced firmness levels. Some airbeds even automatically adjust the firmness level in response to your changes in sleeping position!

Temperature Regulation

A mattress can feel exceptionally comfortable, but it’s not going to give you the best night’s sleep if it causes you to overheat at night. Hot sleepers should pay extra attention to the breathability and cooling features of a mattress. 

Innerspring and hybrid mattress are naturally cooler, thanks to ample airflow through the coil layers. Gel memory foam and latex foam mattresses absorb excess body heat and give the mattress a neutral temperature profile. Hot sleepers should also look for perforated (hole-punched) foam and convoluted (wavy) foam, since both features enhance airflow through the mattress layers.

For more on temperature regulation, take a look at our best cooling mattresses page.

More Things to Consider

Sleep Position

Your sleeping position is arguably one of the most important factors to consider when shopping for the most comfortable mattress.

Side Sleepers

More than any other sleeping position, side sleeping requires lots of pressure relief. When you sleep on your side, you run the risk of resting all your weight on your shoulders and hips. A mattress that’s too firm will cause your shoulders and hips to get jammed, which can cause muscle and joint pain. Side sleepers should look for mattresses that are soft to medium-firm with a comfort layer that’s at least 3” deep for the most support.

Back Sleepers

Back sleeping is the most flexible of the sleeping positions. As long as a mattress is supportive enough to keep your spine aligned and soft enough to cushion your bumpier bits, you’ll do just fine. That means that back sleepers can choose from a wide range of mattress types and firmness levels. Take a look at our best mattresses for back sleepers for more info!

Stomach Sleepers

More than anything, stomach sleepers need to maintain spinal alignment. That means they need to stay lifted “on top” of their mattress so their hips are aligned with their shoulders. This posture is best achieved with medium-firm or firm mattresses. You can check out our list of best mattresses for stomach sleepers for a deeper dive on the subject.

Combination Sleepers

The key feature for the best mattress for combination sleepers is responsiveness. In other words, your mattress needs to keep up with your changes in sleeping position. Latex, coils, and buoyant comfort foams are the best fits for combination sleepers, and a medium-firm feel accommodates the most sleeping positions.

Body Type

Since your body type affects the way a mattress feels, it’s an important consideration when choosing your mattress. Generally, heavyweight sleepers need a firmer mattress, since they compress more of the mattress materials. They also need a taller mattress. If a bed is shorter than 12”, there’s a chance a heavyweight sleeper could “bottom out” against the extra firm support layers.

Lightweight sleepers often need a softer mattress, since they don’t sink as deeply into the mattress materials. A firm mattress will feel extra firm to a lightweight sleeper, a medium-firm mattress will feel firm, and so on. Average-weight sleepers have the most flexibility, since mattress firmness levels are advertised with that body type in mind.

Sleeping Situation

Do you share your mattress? If so, you’ll want to keep motion transfer in mind so you aren’t jostled by movements from sleeping partners. Memory foam does a great job of absorbing motion, while innerspring mattresses are notoriously bouncy and loud.

If you’re really concerned about motion transfer, you can also consider a Split King mattress which is essentially two Twin sized mattresses joined together in the middle. Head over to our best mattresses for couples guide for more information.

Comfortable Mattresses for Pain Relief

If you experience back, neck, shoulder, or hip pain then your comfort is predicated on this pain being prevented or reduced. The right mattress for you depends on the type of pain you’re experiencing, your body type, and your sleeping position.

Back Pain – If you suffer from back pain, a mattress that promotes proper spinal alignment can do wonders. A medium-firm mattress that keeps your shoulders from sinking too far into the mattress is probably your best bet, but your ideal firmness level may change depending on your body type. Check out our best mattresses for back pain to learn more. 

Hip and Shoulder Pain – Pain in your hips and shoulders might be exacerbated by side sleeping on the wrong type of mattress. Generally, you’ll want to look for something on the softer end of the firmness scale—a mattress that will allow your shoulders and hips to sink in just enough while on your side. Check out our pages on the best mattresses for hip pain and shoulder pain if you’re interested.

Neck Pain – When it comes to neck pain, it’s probably best to start with your pillow. If you’re a side sleeper, something too thick or too thin will allow your neck and the top of your spine to rest on an uncomfortable angle. If you’re a stomach sleeper, you might consider using a very thin pillow or even no pillow at all in order to keep everything aligned. Our page on the best pillows for neck pain has some great recommendations. 

Most Comfortable Mattress Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the most comfortable mattress for kids?

Kids’ bodies are constantly growing, so they need a mattress that provides a stable surface. Medium-firm or firm mattresses support the rapid development in kids’ changing bodies. Most kids mattresses also have a layer of cushion on top to ease the discomfort of growing pains. You can see our full roundup of best mattresses for kids, but a few of our favorites are the Saatva Youth, the Amazon Rivet, and the Purple Kids Mattress.

How much should I pay for a mattress?

Just like most products on the market, mattresses come in a range of price levels. Cheaper mattresses typically don’t last as long, but are a good solution for guest bedrooms, dorm rooms, or other temporary housing situations. Luxury mattresses are often made with durable materials and specialty touches, but they cost more. 

As the bed-in-a-box industry grows, more online mattress brands are able to offer lower prices for their customers, since the direct-to-consumer model cuts out middleman costs. A good mid-range online mattress brand is Nectar. You won’t pay more than $1,300 for a Queen size of their original mattress, and it comes with a 365-night sleep trial and Lifetime warranty.

What’s the most comfortable mattress for couples?

Couples bring two different sets of comfort preferences to their mattress search. As such, they need to find a mattress that accommodates both of their body types, sleeping positions, and other comfort concerns (i.e. temperature, allergies, compatibility with sex). 

We recommend a medium-firm mattress to most couples, since it blends support and comfort. Couples should also look for a mattress that has good motion isolation, stays relatively cool, and has a bit of bounce. You can peruse our list of best mattresses for couples, but a few of our top picks are the Leesa Sapira Hybrid, the Casper Wave Hybrid, and the Helix Midnight Luxe.

What is the most comfortable type of mattress?

That’s totally dependent on your unique sleep needs. As we’ve discussed, consider your body type, sleeping position, and sleep situation when mattress shopping. The most comfortable mattress for you isn’t the most comfortable mattress for your neighbor, so the answer to this question is subjective to your preferences and needs.

Loren Bullock

Certified Sleep Science Coach

About Author

Loren is the Lead Mattress Reviewer at Mattress Nerd. She has prioritized sleeping for as long as she can remember, rarely deviating from seven to nine hours each night. As an editor on Mattress Nerd and a Certified Sleep Science Coach, Loren aims to help people achieve optimal sleep health and pick the best sleep accessories for their needs. You can find her testing mattresses, exploring the best sleep hacks, and telling you about her findings on Mattress Nerd’s YouTube channel and on TikTok.

Education and Credentials:

• Certified Sleep Science Coach

Sleeper Type

Combination Sleeper