Most Comfortable Mattresses
Written by Loren Bullock, Lead Mattress Tester
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
- Puffy Original – Most Comfortable King Size Mattress
- Birch Luxe – Most Comfortable Mattress for Hot Sleepers
- DreamCloud – Most Comfortable Mattress for Back Sleepers
Video: Most Comfortable Mattress
Chosen by Experts and Advocates
To put together this list of the best comfortable mattresses, our Certified Sleep Science Coaches performed hands-on testing to evaluate elements like temperature regulation, motion isolation, and pressure relief.
The products on this list were tested by our team of expert product testers and received their esteemed stamp of approval. To learn more, check out our review process.
Helix Midnight Luxe: Nerd’s Pick
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 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.
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
Who Might Like the Helix Midnight Luxe
- Combination sleepers – The Helix Midnight Luxe makes it easy for light and average-weight combination sleepers to adjust during the night
- Hot sleepers – This mattress has several breathable layers, from the TENCEL cover to the pocketed coils.
Who Might Not Like the Helix Midnight Luxe
- Couples – The motion isolation of this mattress isn’t ideal for couples
- Budget mattress shoppers
What Users Say
On Helix’s website, the mattress scores 4.5 out of 5 stars. Negative reviews come mostly from side sleepers who found the mattress too firm and therefore uncomfortable for their tastes. Positive reviews cite pain relief, easy set-up, and overall comfort.
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
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.
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.
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
Who Might Like the WinkBed
- Combination sleepers – The WinkBed is luxury-firm and an excellent choice for light and average-weight sleepers
- Hot sleepers – The WinkBed uses gel-infused foam and innerspring coils to help regulate heat
Who Might Not Like the WinkBed
- Couples – The motion isolation of the WinkBed may not work for couples
- Light sleepers – The lack of motion isolation may also affect light sleepers
What Users Say
On the WinkBeds site, the WinkBed earns a 4.8 out of 5 stars. Most negative reviews focus on problems with delivery and removal. But overall, people seem satisfied and consider the bed supportive and sturdy.
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
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.
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.
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
Who Might Like the Nolah Evolution
- Lightweight sleepers – Lightweight sleepers of all positions should find the Nolah Evolution to be very comfortable
- Hot sleepers – The Nolah Evolution uses advanced cooling materials like graphite-infused foam an breathable support coils.
Who Might Not Like the Nolah Evolution
- Heavy sleepers – Heavier sleepers may not get enough support from this mattress
- Budget mattress shoppers
What Users Say
Earning a 4.9 out of 5 stars on Nolah’s website, the Nolah Evolution seems to be a hit. Negative reviews tend to focus on personal preference or regrets about ordering the wrong firmness. Overall, customers are satisfied with the feel and comfort. Many reported their aches and pains disappearing after making the switch to Nolah Evolution.
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
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.
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.
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
Who Might Like the Titan Plus
- Most sleepers – The Titan Plus works well for most sleeping positions and body types
- Budget shoppers – The Titan Plus comes at a reasonable price point
Who Might Not Like the Titan Plus
- Couples – The level of motion isolation isn’t ideal for couples or light sleepers
- Lightweight side sleepers – May be too firm for lightweight side sleepers
What Users Say
Users on Titan by Brooklyn Bedding’s site have given the Titan Plus a 4.7 out of 5 stars. Customers say that overall, the bed’s firmness holds up. A few complained about the lack of edge support and that their sheets sometimes slide off. Many negative reviews suggest not buying the bed frame that comes with it, but the mattress itself works great for them.
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
Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress
The Bear Elite Hybrid, like any great hybrid mattress, has that hotel-like feel that is equally supportive and comfortable.
Material
Hybrid
Trial Period
120 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Warranty
Lifetime Warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight, average weight, and heavyweight back sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress
The Bear Elite Hybrid, like any great hybrid mattress, has that hotel-like feel that is equally supportive and comfortable.
Material
Hybrid
Warranty
Lifetime Warranty
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
120 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight, average weight, and heavyweight back sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress
The Bear Elite Hybrid, like any great hybrid mattress, has that hotel-like feel that is equally supportive and comfortable.
Material
Hybrid
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Trial Period
120 nights
Warranty
Lifetime Warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight, average weight, and heavyweight back sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
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.
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
Who Might Like the Bear Elite Hybrid
- Hot sleepers – The Bear Elite is made from cooling foam and breathable coils
- Back sleepers – This mattress has ample support and cushioning to help keep back sleepers properly aligned
Who Might Not Like the Bear Elite Hybrid
- Budget shoppers
- Seniors – The edge support of the Bear Elite may not be strong enough for older adults
What Users Say
According to Bear’s website, the Bear Elite scores about 4.5 out of 5 stars. Most negative reviews have customers saying the bed was either too firm or too soft for their personal preference, while others noticed the lack of edge support. Overall, customers say that this bed helped them stay cool at night and helped relieve their pain.
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
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.
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.
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
Who Might Like the Brooklyn Signature Hybrid
- Couples – The Brooklyn Signature Hybrid scores high for motion isolation and ease of movement
- Back sleepers – The medium option of this mattress offers plenty of support for back sleepers
Who Might Not Like the Brooklyn Signature Hybrid
- Stomach sleepers – The Brooklyn Signature may be too firm for most stomach sleepers
- Seniors – The amount of edge support was less than stellar
What Users Say
On Brooklyn Bedding’s website, the Brooklyn Signature has 4.7 out of 5 stars. Negative reviews mention the bed feels too soft for them or mention an unpleasant smell upon unboxing the bed. Positive reviews say the bed is comfortable and many say it has relieved troublesome pain.
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
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.
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.
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
Who Might Like the Saatva
- Hot sleepers – The Saatva uses dual-coil layers to help keep hot sleepers cool
- Most sleepers – All body types and sleep positions should enjoy the Saatva
Who Might Not Like the Saatva
- Couples – The amount of motion isolation isn’t ideal for couples
- Budget mattress shoppers
What Users Say
According to Saatva’s website, the Classic comes in at 4.8 out of 5 stars. Reviews are generally positive, praising the bed’s high-quality construction and comfort. Some customers complained about issues with delivery or felt the bed didn’t hold up as long as they would’ve liked.
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.
Puffy Original: Most Comfortable King Size Mattress
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.
King size mattresses are a good option for couples, heavyweight sleepers, those who toss and turn at night, and truly anyone wanting lots of room. Of course, simply having a bigger bed can feel luxurious, but what if you’re wanting next-level comfort?
That’s where the Puffy Original comes in. Its balanced feel delivers on the cushioning comfort of memory foam while still providing enough responsiveness to keep you from feeling “stuck” in the mattress.
Its cover is moisture-wicking, helping cool down hot sleepers. The cooling foam layers are designed to help promote airflow and cushion your body, while the 6″ support layer gives the mattress its structure and improves its durability.
Sound like the mattress of your dreams? You’re in luck, because the Puffy Original ships free. There’s also a lifetime warranty and a 101-night sleep trial.
What our testers say: “The Puffy has a balanced yet responsive foam feel. This makes the bed easy to move around on, meaning it’s a good choice for combination sleepers who move around at night.” Rachael, Editor & Mattress Tester
Pros of the Puffy Original
- Lightweight side sleepers – This bed is soft enough to contour to sleepers who weigh less than 130 lbs
- Combination sleepers – While the memory foam provides plenty of cushion, there’s still enough bounce to the mattress for folks that like to switch positions at night
Cons of the Puffy Original
- Seniors – The Puffy doesn’t have the best edge support, so it won’t provide the most solid edge for getting in and out of bed
- Hot sleepers – While it has some cooling features, this isn’t the coolest option
What Users Say
On Puffy’s site, the Puffy mattress ranks 5 out of 5 stars. With overwhelmingly positive reviews, customers repeatedly say that the bed lives up to its “Cloud” name when it comes to comfort. A few negative reviews mention that they found it a bit too firm for sleeping on their side.
Read our full Puffy Original 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
Birch Luxe Natural Mattress
The Birch Luxe is a breathable mattress with solid temperature regulation—two very important factors for those who have trouble getting comfortable when it’s too warm.
Material
Hybrid
Trial Period
100 Nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Firm: 8/10
Warranty
25-year warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
Birch Luxe Natural Mattress
The Birch Luxe is a breathable mattress with solid temperature regulation—two very important factors for those who have trouble getting comfortable when it’s too warm.
Material
Hybrid
Warranty
25-year warranty
Firmness
Firm: 8/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
100 Nights
Price Range
$$$$$
Birch Luxe Natural Mattress
The Birch Luxe is a breathable mattress with solid temperature regulation—two very important factors for those who have trouble getting comfortable when it’s too warm.
Material
Hybrid
Firmness
Firm: 8/10
Trial Period
100 Nights
Warranty
25-year warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
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!
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
Who Might Like the Birch Luxe
- Hot sleepers – The Birch Luxe uses naturally breathable materials to help keep hot sleepers cool
- Couples – The Birch Luxe offers great motion isolation and is easy to move around on
Who Might Not Like the Birch Luxe
- Side sleepers – May be too firm for side sleepers
- Budget shoppers
What Users Say
According to Birch’s website, the Birch mattress scores a 4.6 out of 5 stars. Negative reviews seem to focus on the possible lingering odor, some shipping woes, and the occasional complaint of back pain. Otherwise, customers praise the combination of sustainable and comfortable materials.
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
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.
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.
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
Who Might Like the DreamCloud
- Back sleepers – Back sleepers of all sizes should find plenty of support from the DreamCloud
- Couples – The DreamCloud has excellent motion isolation for couples
Who Might Not Like the DreamCloud
- Lightweight side sleepers – Lightweight side sleepers may not be able to sink enough into the mattress for hip support
- Heavyweight stomach sleepers – May be too firm for heavier stomach sleepers
What Users Say
The DreamCloud Original scores a solid 4.7 out of 5 stars among customers on its site. Reviews are mixed on the firmness of the mattress but overall users are satisfied with the comfort and say that their sleep has improved.
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.
Recap of the Most Comfortable Mattresses
| Mattress Model | Award |
|
Nerd’s Pick | |
| Most Comfortable Mattress for Back Pain | |
| Most Comfortable Luxury Mattress | |
| Most Comfortable Mattress for Heavyweight Sleepers | |
| Most Comfortable Hybrid Mattress | |
| Most Comfortable Affordable Mattress | |
| Most Comfortable Mattress for Side Sleepers | |
| Most Comfortable King Size Mattress | |
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| Most Comfortable Mattress for Back Sleepers |
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
Lead Mattress Tester
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, 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.
Combination Sleeper
Education & Credentials
- Certified Sleep Science Coach
