Nolah vs. Brooklyn Bedding Mattress Comparison

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The Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid is an affordable hybrid mattress with a luxury feel that comes in three firmness levels. The original Nolah mattress is an all-foam bed that has the pressure-relieving qualities of memory foam without the deep sink or heat retention. The Signature Hybrid is better for bigger bodies and firm or soft mattress fans. Couples who sleep together may prefer the Nolah thanks to its impressive motion isolation properties. 

In this mattress comparison, we put these two popular bed-in-a-box mattresses head to head. Once you know how their construction, feel, price point, and policies compare, you can choose the bed that best fits your needs. 
For an in-depth look at how we test mattresses, read our testing methodology.

Nolah vs. Brooklyn Bedding Overview

While both the Nolah and Brooklyn mattresses are popular bed-in-a-box mattresses, there are several distinct differences between the two. The Nolah Original is an all-foam bed, while the Brooklyn Signature Hybrid is a hybrid mattress. Also, Brooklyn offers three firmness levels, while the Nolah is only available in one.

Nolah is best for…Brooklyn Bedding is best for…
Side sleepersPeople with back pain
CouplesCombination sleepers
People with back painSoft and firm mattress fans

Who Should Choose the Nolah Mattress?

  • Side sleepers: The Nolah mattress offers a good night’s sleep to side sleepers thanks to its pressure-relieving foam layers. With its balanced foam feel, side sleepers of every body weight will probably experience enough comfort and support. 
  • Couples: Nolah’s all-foam build does a fantastic job of absorbing and distributing motion, so no need to worry about waking up every time your partner moves. 
  • People with back pain: The Nolah mattress provides great pressure relief and spinal support, which helps alleviate back pain. All types of sleepers weighing less than 230 lbs will probably find it comfortable to sleep on.

Who Should Choose the Brooklyn Bedding Mattress?

  • People with back pain: Brooklyn’s three firmness options help keep the spine neutrally aligned for all types of sleepers.
  • Combination sleepers: The mattress’s springy coil system and polyfoam layer allow for easier movement, so you don’t have to worry about feeling uncomfortable as you toss and turn. You can see more responsive mattresses on our list of best mattresses for combination sleepers.
  • Soft and firm mattress fans: Signature Hybrid’s softest and firmest options are much softer and firmer than your average bed. These extremes suit people who like a cloud-like or ultra-firm feel.

Nolah vs. Brooklyn Bedding: Top Similarities 

  • Excellent responsiveness: Nolah’s proprietary foams respond nearly instantaneously to pressure, as do the Signature Hybrid’s innerspring coils. This fast response helps people who toss and turn sleep with fewer interruptions. 
  • Great for side sleepers: Both beds have thick foam comfort layers that cradle pressure points, cushioning the hips and shoulders of side sleepers. For more options, check out the best mattresses for side sleepers.
  • Minimal heat retention: Both mattresses facilitate generous airflow, whisking away body heat and keeping sleepers cool and dry.

Nolah vs. Brooklyn Bedding: Top Differences 

  • Body types supported: The Brooklyn Signature Hybrid’s supportive steel coils—especially those in the firm model—are more durable than base foam, so it’s better than the Nolah for those with heavyweight body types. 
  • Construction: The Nolah is an all-foam mattress and the Signature Hybrid is a hybrid bed that pairs comfort foam with pocketed coils. 
  • Firmness and feel: Because the Signature Hybrid comes in three firmness options and the Nolah just one, the Signature Hybrid is better for sleepers who like firmer or softer mattresses. Both have a medium-firm option for people who enjoy the standard universal firmness level.

Nolah vs. Brooklyn Bedding: Firmness & Feel Differences

We did some first-hand testing on each mattress to see how different they are when it comes to firmness and feel.

What’s the Firmness Of the Nolah & Brooklyn Bedding Mattresses? 

A mattress’s firmness is one of the most important aspects to consider when finding the right bed. At Mattress Nerd, we measure firmness on a 1 to 10 scale, with 1 being downy soft and 10 being rock-hard. Most side sleepers require a softer firmness for adequate pressure relief, while back and stomach sleepers usually prefer a medium-firm or firm feel that offers comfort and support. 

The Nolah is a medium-firm mattress, falling at a 6/10 on the firmness scale. Because Nolah’s top layer contains a proprietary foam that excels at pressure relief, this firmness works for side, back, and stomach sleepers who like a bed with average support and softness. However, we don’t recommend the Nolah for most heavyweight people, especially stomach sleepers. The all-foam build and feel are a touch too soft for plus-size comfort and durability. 

The Brooklyn Signature Hybrid comes in three firmnesses—soft, medium, and firm. The soft registers as a 4/10, or medium-soft mattress, the medium a 6/10, or medium-firm bed, and the firm an 8/10, which is quite firm. This variability in plushness suits sleepers of every sleeping position and body size—although it may not provide sufficient firmness along the torso for heavyweight stomach sleepers. 

What Do the Nolah & Brooklyn Bedding Mattresses Feel Like?

The Nolah’s all-foam construction offers great pressure relief without the “hugging” sensation. We think it provides adequate cushion and support for all sleeping positions, but heavier sleepers might feel like it’s a bit too soft.

The Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid has a balanced feel that provides enough cushion and support. Sleeping on the mattress, it feels more like you’re sleeping “on” the mattress instead of “in” it.

What’s It Like to Sleep On the Nolah & Brooklyn Bedding Mattresses?

The Nolah Original falls on the softer side of foam mattresses, making it suitable for side sleepers. It also provides enough support for most back and stomach sleepers, but heavier sleepers may feel like it’s too soft and lacking hip support. Lastly, Nolah has no trouble adapting to combination sleepers’ frequent tossing and turning because it quickly adapts to movement.

Since the Signature Hybrid is available in three firmness levels, it can accommodate all types of sleepers fairly well. For back sleepers and stomach sleepers, we recommend the firmer version. For side sleepers, the soft version should provide enough support and cushion. Combination sleepers only need to choose based on their firmness preference, but we recommend the medium version so you can change positions easily.

The Nolah vs. Brooklyn Bedding Mattresses By Body Type

Nolah Performance By Body Type & Sleeping Position:

Body Type:BACK SLEEPERSSTOMACH SLEEPERSSIDE SLEEPERS
Lightweight (< 130 lbs):545
Average-weight (130–230 lbs):435
Heavyweight (> 230 lbs): 3 24

Brooklyn Bedding Performance By Body Type & Sleeping Position:

Body Type:BACK SLEEPERSSTOMACH SLEEPERSSIDE SLEEPERS
Lightweight (< 130 lbs):432
Average-weight (130–230 lbs):533
Heavyweight (> 230 lbs): 424

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

Average-Weight Sleepers (130–230 lbs)

Both mattresses are good for average weight back sleepers, but some may find the Nolah too soft. We recommend the medium or firm version of the Signature Hybrid for a great combo of comfort and support.

Average weight side sleepers will also find good spinal support and pressure relief from the Nolah Original and the medium version of Signature Hybrid.

We find the Nolah original to be too soft to provide enough support for average weight stomach sleepers, but the firm version of the Brooklyn mattress should be comfortable and supportive enough.
Average weight combination sleepers will have no problems with either mattress. The Nolah’s responsive foam layers and the Signature Hybrid’s medium version lets you change positions easily.

Heavyweight Sleepers (> 230 lbs)

Heavyweight back sleepers will probably prefer the firm version of the Signature Hybrid over the softer Nolah original. We recommended firmer mattresses since they will help keep your hips elevated and spine neutrally aligned.

For heavyweight side sleepers, both the Nolah and medium version of the Brooklyn mattress should be comfortable. Both mattresses should be soft enough to be comfortable while providing enough spinal support.

Heavyweight stomach sleepers will probably sleep better on firmer mattresses, so the firm version of the Signature Hybrid is what we recommend. We think the Nolah is too soft to provide hip support for most stomach sleepers.
Both mattresses are responsive, but we think heavyweight combination sleepers will sleep better on the Signature Hybrid’s medium version.

Lightweight Sleepers (< 130 lbs)

Both mattresses are suitable for lightweight back sleepers. As for the Brooklyn mattress, make sure you choose the medium version for enough comfort and support.

Lightweight side sleepers are better suited to softer mattresses, so the Nolah Original and soft version of Signature Hybrid should be comfortable enough.

For lightweight stomach sleepers, the Nolah is soft enough to be comfy and firm enough to provide proper support. The medium version of the Signature Hybrid should also provide a good level of comfort and support.
Lightweight combination sleepers will be happy with both mattresses, as they provide great movement response and can adapt quickly to changing positions.

Differences In Mattress Construction 

The Nolah Original has an all-foam build and stands at 10″, while the Signature Hybrid is a hybrid mattress and slightly thicker at 11.25” or 12″. Let’s take a closer look at how each is constructed.

Nolah Mattress MaterialsBrooklyn Signature Hybrid Mattress Materials
TENCEL Mattress Cover0.5” (soft/medium) or 1” (firm) Quilted Memory Foam Top
2” AirFoam1.5” (soft/medium) or 2” (firm) TitanFlex Comfort Foam
1” High-Resilience Foam1” (soft/medium) or 2” (firm) VariFlex Transition Foam
8” Ascension Pocketed Coils
7” High-Density Base Foam0.25” High-Density Flex Base Foam

Cover

The Nolah cover is made from TENCEL, a sustainable material that sleeps cool and boasts fantastic breathability. The Signature Hybrid cover is made from quilted memory foam that provides a great cushion and a cool touch.

Comfort Layers

Nolah’s support layer is made from their proprietary AirFoam, which has air pockets that provide pressure relief, adequate airflow, and body-conforming qualities. Meanwhile, the Brooklyn Mattress is made from their patented TitanFlex Comfort foam that prioritizes proper spinal alignment and body contouring.

Support Layers

Both mattresses rely on thick, high-density polyfoam layers for structure and foundation.

Nolah vs. Brooklyn Bedding Pricing

SizeNolah PricesBrooklyn Bedding Prices
Twin$$
Twin XL$$
Full$$
Queen$$
King$$
California King$$

For exclusive discounts on both beds see our Nolah mattress coupons and Brooklyn Bedding mattress coupons.

Nolah vs. Brooklyn Bedding Mattress Performance Ratings & Differences

Here’s how the Nolah and Brooklyn Signature Hybrid perform against each when it comes to sleep performance and comfort. 

Temperature

The Brooklyn Signature Hybrid sleeps cooler than the Nolah, although both beds facilitate airflow for cool sleep. The Signature Hybrid’s 8” layer of breathable coils doesn’t trap heat and helps body heat move away from the mattress surface. If you frequently wake up with night sweats, consider looking into the best cooling mattresses.

Motion Transfer

Have you ever felt your sleeping partner moving on the other side of the bed? That wiggle is known as motion transfer, and it’s not something you want when trying to get a good night’s sleep. While both the Nolah and Signature Hybrid beds do a good job minimizing motion transfer, the Nolah outperforms the Signature Hybrid . This is because all-foam beds like the Nolah don’t have coils, the material responsible for most motion transfer in mattresses.

Edge Support 

Sturdy edges provide a safe ledge for sitting and getting into and out of bed, and they allow couples to spread out without worrying about rolling off. When we tested the Nolah and Signature Hybrid mattresses in our lab, neither of them wowed us with their edge support. Both are stable enough that you can sleep along the edges but not strong enough for sitting comfortably. 

While neither mattress excels here, the Signature Hybrid’s firm version has the sturdiest edges thanks to the firmer foam found along the surface.

Pressure Relief 

Pressure relief ensures that areas that stick out—like the shoulders and hips—don’t experience too much pressure. By sinking at these sensitive pressure points, beds with good pressure-relieving properties help side sleepers and people with joint pain sleep better. 

Both the Nolah and Brooklyn Signature Hybrid have the pressure-relieving feel we look for when recommending mattresses to side sleepers. Between the two, the Signature Hybrid’s soft option delivers the best pressure relief thanks to ultra-soft foams that cradle sensitive areas.

Pain Relief 

Sleeping on a mattress that isn’t compatible with your sleeping position can cause or exacerbate body pain. That’s why it’s important to find a mattress that provides enough support for your spine and joints. For those with lower back pain, firmer mattresses are the key. Those with joint pain should probably go for a softer bed that provides enough cushion.

Thanks to its responsive AirFoam layer, the Nolah does a great job at relieving pain and providing proper spinal support. The majority of back sleepers may find enough comfort with the Nolah mattress, but we recommend a firmer mattress for better support. Side sleepers may also experience pressure build-up around their hip area, according to the pressure map we made.

Since it has three firmness options, it should be fairly easy to choose the corresponding Signature Hybrid mattress for your sleeping position. Back and stomach sleepers struggling with back pain should go for the medium and firm versions, while side sleepers should choose the soft one to give enough cushion to their shoulders and hips.

Durability 

The thicker and more supportive Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid is likely to last longer than the Nolah. The Signature Hybrid firm model is the most durable thanks to higher density foams that resist body impressions and softening for longer than the Nolah or softer Signature Hybrid models.

Shipping, Returns, & Warranties 

Nolah 

Nolah provides free shipping in the contiguous U.S. They offer a 120-day sleep trial, which comes with free returns and a full refund after 30 days. Each mattress comes with a Nolah Lifetime warranty that provides complete coverage for 15 years and prorated repair costs after.

Brooklyn Bedding

The Brooklyn Signature Hybrid also offers free shipping, except for Hawaii and Alaska. Expedited shipping is also available for certain orders for an extra fee. They also have a 120-day sleep trial and a 10-year warranty for each mattress.

Other Brooklyn Bedding Models Available

This mattress is no longer available for purchase. To help you find your next mattress, check out our list of the best mattresses available on the market now.

This mattress is no longer available for purchase. To help you find your next mattress, check out our list of the best mattresses available on the market now.

This mattress is no longer available for purchase. To help you find your next mattress, check out our list of the best mattresses available on the market now.

Other Nolah Mattress Models Available

This mattress is no longer available for purchase. To help you find your next mattress, check out our list of the best mattresses available on the market now.

This mattress is no longer available for purchase. To help you find your next mattress, check out our list of the best mattresses available on the market now.

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

Our Final Take

Both the Nolah Original and Brooklyn Signature Hybrid are great options, and luckily, they also provide long 120-day sleep trials to help you pick. Though the Nolah only comes in a medium-firm option, we still think it’s an excellent choice for hot sleepers and couples because of its breathability and responsiveness to movement. The Signature Hybrid offers more options when it comes to firmness, so it can accommodate different preferences. We also recommend it for hot sleepers, people with back and joint pain, and combination sleepers.

How Firm is a Nolah Mattress?

According to our firmness test, the Nolah Original scores a 7/10, which makes it fall into the medium-firm level.

Is Nolah Mattress Made in The USA?

Yes, all Nolah mattresses are made from locally sourced materials and manufactured in 8 Nolah factories across the U.S.A.

Does Brooklyn Bedding Need a Box Spring?

No, the Brooklyn Signature Hybrid doesn’t need a box spring. According to Brooklyn, their mattresses can work with any foundation that provides little to no flex.

How Thick Are Brooklyn Bedding Mattresses?

Depending on the firmness level you choose, a Brooklyn Signature Hybrid can be as thick as 11.25” or 12.”