Nod by Tuft & Needle Mattress Review

Is the Nod by Tuft & Needle Mattress for You?

Who’s Going to Love It

• Those with lightweight (< 130 lbs) and average-weight (130–230 lbs) body types
• Budget-conscious shoppers
• Back sleepers
• Combination sleepers

Who Should Steer Clear

• Those with heavyweight body types (> 230 lbs)—instead, consider the Helix Plus mattress, which offers better support to those with heavier bodies.
• Those looking for the bounce of an innerspring mattress—instead, check out the Tuft & Needle Hybrid mattress, which has a base layer of coils.
• Strict stomach sleepers—instead, opt for a firmer mattress that keeps your hips and shoulders aligned. A good alternative is the Plank mattress by Brooklyn Bedding.

Nod by Tuft & Needle Mattress Firmness & Feel

Nod by Tuft & Needle Firmness

Here at Mattress Nerd, we rate mattresses on a firmness scale ranging from 1–10, with one being the softest and 10 being the firmest. The Nod is a medium-firm mattress that’s approximately 5.5/10 on the firmness scale, which is an ideal firmness level for those with lightweight and average-weight body types. 

Related: Best Soft Mattresses

It’s not thick enough or supportive enough for those heavier than 230 lbs, and some average-weight stomach sleepers might not find the Nod supportive enough. For more supportive mattresses, see the best mattress for heavy people.

What Does the Nod by Tuft & Needle Feel Like?

The best way to describe the feel of the Nod mattress is balanced. When sinking into our Nod mattress, we felt cushioned while staying suspended on top of the bed. The foam is springy, so moving around was really easy. The foam didn’t feel cool-to-the-touch, but it didn’t retain heat like some of the memory foam beds we tested.

The only unfavorable report came from our heavier tester. He sank all the way down to the firm foam base layer, which wasn’t comfortable for him.

What Sleeping Position Is the Nod by Tuft & Needle Best For?

Body Type:	BACK SLEEPERS	STOMACH SLEEPERS	SIDE SLEEPERS
Lightweight (< 130 lbs):	4	4	4
Average-weight (130–230 lbs):	4	3	4
Heavyweight (> 230 lbs):	2	1	2

1 = Very poor, 2 = Not good, 3 = Fair, 4 = Good, 5 = Excellent

Back Sleepers

Back sleepers need a mattress that adequately supports their neck, shoulders, and hips, while cushioning their bumpier bits. The Nod mattress is medium-firm, so we recommend it to lightweight or average-weight back sleepers, though heavyweight back sleepers will probably need a thicker, firmer mattress to feel comfortable.

Related: Best Mattresses for Back Sleepers

Side Sleepers

Side sleepers require a mattress that’s soft enough to cradle their hips and shoulders. The Nod, with its foam construction, is a good mattress for side sleepers who have lightweight or average-weight frames. Heavyweight side sleepers might not experience enough pressure relief around their sensitive pressure points.

Stomach Sleepers

Stomach sleepers require a firm mattress to avoid lower back pain. If you’re a stomach sleeper, look for a mattress that keeps your hips elevated in line with your shoulders. The Nod mattress is firm enough for lightweight stomach sleepers, but average-weight and heavyweight stomach sleepers might not find the hip support they need. For more supportive mattresses, see the best mattress for stomach sleepers.

Combination Sleepers

Combination sleepers rotate their positions throughout the night, so they’re most comfortable on a mattress that can quickly adjust to their changes in sleeping position. In that regard, the Nod is a good fit for lightweight and average-weight combination sleepers, but not heavyweight folks. 

For more responsive mattresses, see the best mattresses for combination sleepers.

Nod by Tuft & Needle Mattress Performance

Is the Nod by Tuft & Needle Mattress Cooling?

The Nod’s top foam layer includes graphite and cooling gels, which help regulate the temperature of the mattress. It also has a breathable, open-cell construction that increases airflow and decreases heat build-up. Even with those cooling features, the Nod is an all-foam bed, so it sleeps warmer than latex, innerspring, or hybrid mattresses.

For mattresses that are dedicated to temperature regulation, see the best cooling mattress for hot sleepers.

Edge Support

Edge support is important for those who use the sides of their bed, including couples who want to use the whole surface of their mattress. We found the edge support on the Nod to be lacking, though we didn’t feel as though we’d roll off the bed during the night.

Responsiveness

Tuft & Needle mattresses are made with an exclusive foam called Adaptive foam. This material is designed to cushion your body without causing you to feel trapped in one place. When testing the Nod, it was very easy for us to move around on the mattress surface, so we consider it to be a highly responsive foam bed.

Motion Isolation: Is it good for those who share a bed?

If you or your sleeping partner wake up easily because of the other’s movements, you know firsthand the importance of motion isolation. The best mattresses for couples reduce motion transfer so one partner doesn’t disturb the other while changing positions. Normally all-foam mattresses provide excellent motion isolation, but we noticed only average motion isolation on the Nod.

Noise

Foam mattresses tend not to make much noise, and that was our experience with the Nod mattress.

Pain Relief

The Nod will offer the best relief to back sleepers with back pain. Stomach sleepers with back pain probably won’t get enough support to keep their hips lifted—and thus their spine aligned—which is vital for preventing or alleviating lower back pain. Also, the Nod performed poorly in our pressure relief test, so it’s not a great mattress for shoulder pain or hip pain.

See More: Best Mattresses for Back Pain

Sex

The most comfortable mattresses for sex stay cool, are easy to move around on, and don’t squeak. The Nod does an average or above-average job in all of these categories: it stays temperature neutral for most people, offers very easy mobility, and stays quiet.

Off-Gassing

We noticed just a hint of a “new mattress smell” when setting up our Nod mattress. It wasn’t overpowering, and it stuck around for only a few hours. T&N uses CertiPUR-US certified foams, so if you notice a chemical-like odor coming from your new mattress, rest assured that it’s non-toxic and temporary.

Durability

The Nod is a value mattress, so it’s not particularly durable. We estimate that it will last you around five or six years before showing signs of wear.

Nod by Tuft & Needle Mattress Construction: What’s It Made Of?

The Nod features a basic construction with just two foam layers. The simple design is great for average-weight and lightweight sleepers, especially those who favor a firmer mattress. It’s offered in 6″ and 8″ heights. We reviewed the 8″ version.

Layer #1—Comfort Layer: The top layer of the Nod is made with 2.5” of high-quality Adaptive foam. This proprietary T&N foam blend is very responsive, meaning you’ll feel more like you’re sleeping “on” the mattress instead of “in” the mattress. 

Layer #2—Support Layer: The Nod’s support layer is made of 5.5” of high-density polyfoam that’s durable and supportive.

How Much Does the Nod by Tuft & Needle Cost?

Amazon frequently makes small adjustments to their product prices. The prices listed in this review are those advertised at the time of writing. Check out Amazon.com for the most updated prices and availability for the Nod mattress.

MATTRESS SIZE	Price	Dimensions	Height	Weight
Twin	$195–$275	39” x 75”	6”–8”	54 lbs
Twin XL	$220–$295	39” x 80”	6”–8”	56 lbs
Full	$260–$350	54” x 75”	6”–8”	68 lbs
Queen	$290–$395	60” x 80”	6”–8”	78 lbs
King	$365–$495	76” x 80”	6”–8”	93 lbs
Cal King	$365–$495	72” x 84”	6”–8”	93 lbs

See our Tuft & Needle mattress coupons for current deals on Tuft & Needle mattresses.

How Do the Policies Measure Up? 

Shipping & Unboxing

The Nod Tuft & Needle mattress ships for free within the continental U.S. (an extra shipping fee may apply for deliveries to Alaska and Hawaii). Since the Nod is only available through Amazon, the ordering and shipping times may vary compared with Tuft & Needle’s other mattresses.

Once your mattress is delivered, remove it from the box, unroll it on your box spring or bed frame, carefully cut away the protective packaging, and let it inflate for up to 72 hours.

Warranty

All Tuft & Needle mattresses come with a 10-year warranty. Starting from the date of delivery, the new mattress is covered against all material and workmanship defects. If you decide to file a claim, Tuft & Needle will replace the product or the defective component at their discretion. Replacement products do not extend existing warranties or begin a new warranty period.

Trial Period & Returns

Each new Nod by Tuft & Needle mattress comes with a 100-night sleep trial. If, for any reason, you’re not satisfied with the mattress, you can opt for a free return through Amazon’s Special Handling Team.

Addressing Common Nod Mattress Complaints

• Off-Gassing: Some customers noticed a light off-gassing odor for the first 24–48 hours after unboxing their Nod mattress. Unless you have severe respiratory issues, the odor shouldn’t be a problem. Keep your room ventilated until the smell is gone.
• Not Enough Pressure Relief: A few folks complained that the Nod doesn’t have enough pressure relief for most side sleepers. It’s true that the Nod underperformed during our pressure relief tests, so while it offers decent cushioning for side sleepers under 230 lbs, it’s best for those who spend only part of the night on their sides.
• Too Thin: Some customers with heavier body types were unhappy with the Nod because of its low height. The tallest version of the Nod mattress is 8″, which isn’t deep enough for those who weigh over 230 lbs. Heavier folks should look for a mattress with a height of at least 12″ or they may “bottom out” on the mattress.

Comparing Different Tuft & Needle Mattresses

Nod by Tuft & Needle vs. Tuft & Needle Mint

Nod Mattress is Best For:	Tuft & Needle Mint Mattress is Best For:
Back & Side Sleepers	Couples Concerned About Motion Transfer
Combination Sleepers	People Seeking Pressure Relief
Those Weighing < 230 lbs	Hot Sleepers

Like the Nod by Tuft & Needle, the Tuft & Needle Mint mattress is an all-foam bed made with T&N’s Adaptive foam. The Mint has 30 percent more graphite in the top layer and includes an extra foam layer, so we think it sleeps a little cooler and softer than the Nod. 

Read our full Tuft & Needle Mint Mattress Review to learn more.

Nod by Tuft & Needle vs. Tuft & Needle Hybrid

Nod Mattress is Best For:	Tuft & Needle Hybrid Mattress is Best For:
Back & Side Sleepers	Back Sleepers Of Any Body Type
Combination Sleepers	People Seeking Pressure Relief
Those Weighing < 230 lbs	Hot Sleepers

The Tuft & Needle Hybrid mattress includes one extra layer of foam and two layers of individually wrapped coils. These coils are excellent for the breathability of the mattress, especially compared with the Nod’s simple all-foam design. Also, hybrid beds typically offer better support for heavyweight sleepers than foam beds.

Check out our full Tuft & Needle Hybrid Mattress Review to learn more.

Nod by Tuft & Needle vs. Tuft & Needle Original

Nod Mattress is Best For:	Tuft & Needle Original Mattress is Best For:
Back & Side Sleepers < 230 lbs	Average-Weight Side & Back Sleepers
Combination Sleepers	Couples Concerned About Motion Transfer
Budget-Conscious Shoppers	Those Who Need Good Pressure Relief

The Nod by Tuft & Needle and the Tuft & Needle Original mattress each have a two-layer foam construction that includes dense, supportive foam on the bottom and T&N’s responsive Adaptive foam on top.

However, the Nod uses a more basic version of that Adaptive foam. It also measures 6″–8” tall, which is 2″–4″ shorter than the T&N Original mattress. The Nod is a bit less expensive than the Original, and is only sold by Amazon, not through the Tuft & Needle website.

Read our full Tuft & Needle Mattress Review to learn more.

Comparing the Nod by Tuft & Needle to the Competition

Nod by Tuft & Needle vs. Zinus

Nod Mattress is Best For:	Zinus Mattress is Best For:
Back & Side Sleepers < 230 lbs	Memory Foam Lovers
Combination Sleepers	Those Who Need Good Pressure Relief
Lightweight Stomach Sleepers	Hot Sleepers

The Zinus is one of the best memory foam mattresses for those on a budget. It’s a few inches thicker than the Nod, so it allows for a little more sinkage and contouring. We think the Nod sleeps cooler than the Zinus, even though the Zinus also incorporates gel infusions in their foams.

See our full Zinus Mattress Review to learn more.

Nod by Tuft & Needle vs. Casper Original

Nod Mattress is Best For:	Casper Original Mattress is Best For:
Back & Side Sleepers < 230 lbs	Back & Side Sleepers < 230lbs
Combination Sleepers	Sleepers With Back Pain
Budget-Conscious Shoppers	Couples Concerned About Motion Transfer

The Casper is another all-foam mattress, though it’s made with three layers of foam instead of two. We rate it at 6/10 on the firmness scale, so it’s the better choice for side sleepers, though it costs $300–$700 more than the Nod. 

See our full Casper Mattress Review to learn more.

Nod by Tuft & Needle vs. Nectar Original

Tuft & Needle Nod Mattress is Best For:	Nectar Original Mattress is Best For:
Back & Side Sleepers < 230 lbs	Side & Back Sleepers < 230 lbs
Combination Sleepers	Couples Concerned About Motion Transfer
Budget-Conscious Sleepers	Memory Foam Fans

The Nectar is a memory foam mattress, so it’s more conforming than the Nod. We also think it’s a touch softer. While Nectar loads their comfort foams with cooling technologies, we still think the Nod will keep you cooler, or at least more temperature neutral. The Nectar is almost double the price of the Nod, though it comes with a 365-night trial period and Lifetime warranty.

See our full Nectar Mattress Review to learn more.

FAQs

What’s the Bottom Line?

The Nod by Tuft & Needle is a medium-firm all-foam mattress that’s best for lightweight and average-weight back or side sleepers. It’s also an affordable option for those on a tight budget. Is not our top choice for those on the heavier side or who prefer something a little softer.

The Nerd’s Scores for the Nod Mattress

Performance Factor	Out of 5
Motion Isolation	3.5
Pressure Relief	2.5
Ease of Movement	5
Edge Support	3.5
Temperature Control	3
Durability	3
TOTAL	3.4/5

Other Popular Tuft & Needle Products