Nolah vs. GhostBed Mattress Comparison

Comparing Nolah Mattress & GhostBed Mattress

The Nolah Original 10” mattress is made from three foam layers and has a medium firmness level. The flagship GhostBed is a medium-firm mattress made from a combination of foam and latex. 

The GhostBed is cooler and springier than the Nolah thanks to a top layer of aerated latex foam. These attributes make the GhostBed better for hot sleepers and people who toss and turn often. The Nolah’s surface is softer and provides superior pressure relief, which is great for side sleepers and lightweight people. Both mattresses have reliable edge support and minimize motion transfer, so they’re excellent for couples who share the bed.

Nolah and GhostBed are two leaders in the bed-in-a-box mattress industry, producing some of the best foam mattresses. Find out how the original GhostBed and Nolah mattresses compare when it comes to their pros and cons, materials, feel and firmness, price point and return policies.  

Differences

• While both mattresses work well for back sleepers, the Nolah is the best mattress for side sleepers, and the GhostBed is the best mattress for stomach sleepers who weigh more than 130 pounds. 
• Thanks to different materials in the comfort and transition layers, these mattresses feel very different. The GhostBed is slightly firmer, a bit bouncier, and creates the feel of sleeping “on” the surface. The Nolah hugs the body more closely and is softer. 
• The GhostBed sleeps cooler than the Nolah mattress. This is because GhostBed’s latex doesn’t absorb as much body heat as Nolah’s AirFoam layer.
• Latex foam is more durable than polyfoam, which means the GhostBed is likely to outlast the Nolah mattress. 

Similarities

• Both mattresses provide the sturdy edges and motion isolation needed by couples and those who share their bed with pets or kids. 
• Neither the Nolah nor the GhostBed is designed to support plus-size people. For more supportive mattresses, see our picks for the best mattress for heavy people.
• Both the Nolah and GhostBed mattresses balance pressure relief with support, providing superb spinal alignment for people who weigh less than 230 pounds. Healthy spine alignment makes both beds a good fit for people with back pain.

Who the Nolah Mattress is Best For 

Best For…

• Memory-Foam Lovers: People who enjoy the feeling of all-foam beds are a good fit for the Nolah mattress. The Nolah’s surface lightly hugs the body for a close, contouring feel. 
• Couples: Couples need a mattress that absorbs motion so they can get a good night’s sleep. The Nolah’s cushiony foams do an outstanding job limiting motion transfer. During testing we found no motion transfer between couples changing positions or getting in and out of the bed.
• Light to Average-Weight Sleepers: The Nolah mattress works well for lightweight people no matter their sleeping position. It’s also good for average-weight people who sleep on their side or back. This is due to the balanced feel created by a soft top layer and responsive, supportive transition layer.

May Not be Best For…

• Heavier People: Heavy people need a mattress with better support than the all-foam Nolah. Most people with bigger bodies prefer a mattress with supportive innerspring coils. 
• Hot Sleepers: Hot sleepers might find Nolah a touch too warm. While the Nolah does have cooling technology to combat heat retention, it still sleeps warmer than your average latex, innerspring or hybrid mattress.
• Those Who Like a Firm Bed: Firm mattress fans will find the lightly enveloping surface too soft for sufficient support.

Read our full Nolah mattress review to learn more! 

Who the GhostBed Mattress is Best For 

Best For…

• Hot Sleepers: People who find most traditional memory foam mattresses too hot can find relief on the GhostBed mattress. The GhostBed’s top layer is aerated latex. Latex is naturally cooler than other foams, and the aeration facilitates airflow for a cool and dry night’s sleep. 
• Back and Stomach Sleepers: The GhostBed is a fantastic mattress for back sleepers and stomach sleepers. GhostBed’s latex and memory foam comfort layers bring gentle contouring without excess sinkage, delivering a supportive yet comfortable surface.
• Couples: The GhostBed mattress minimizes motion transfer and has a responsive surface that’s better for sex than all-foam mattresses. Couples can both sleep well and play well on the GhostBed.

May Not be Best For…

• Side Sleepers: Side sleepers require more give at their pressure points than the GhostBed provides. The latex surface is a bit too firm for side sleeping. 
• Lightweight Sleepers: Lightweight people may find the latex comfort layer too firm. Only light sleepers who prefer a firm feel are likely to enjoy the GhostBed.
• Heavyweight Sleepers: Heavy people typically do best on mattresses with reliable innerspring support and bounce. While the GhostBed may be okay for some plus-size people, most won’t find the support they need.

Read our full GhostBed mattress review to learn more! 

Deciding Between Nolah & GhostBed

Firmness / Feel

At Mattress Nerd, we use a 1-10 firmness scale. The higher the number, the firmer the mattress. The Nolah’s firmness level falls at a 5.5/10, and the GhostBed at a 6/10. Despite similar firmnesses, these beds feel very different. 

The GhostBed’s comfort layer is made from latex and Nolah’s from a soft polyfoam called AirFoam. Nolah’s AirFoam provides close contouring and a feel that’s like sleeping “in” the mattress. The GhostBed’s latex delivers a more gentle contour and a sensation that’s closer to floating on the mattress surface. The GhostBed is also a bit easier to move around on. The GhostBed is the better mattress for combination sleepers who need to change positions frequently while still receiving pressure relief.

Motion Isolation

While both mattresses offer above-average motion isolation, the Nolah is even better at minimizing motion transfer than the GhostBed. This difference is thanks to the motion-absorbing properties of the Nolah’s all-foam construction. That said, most couples won’t be bothered by the GhostBed’s small amount of motion transfer. If motion isolation is important to you, be sure to check out our picks for the best mattress for couples.

Edge Support

Both mattresses have sturdy and comfortable edges, so you’ll feel supported when sleeping along the mattress perimeter. The GhostBed’s borders are more supportive when you’re sitting on the edge of the bed. They also provide a sturdier surface to balance when getting into or out of bed, which is important for many elderly folks. For older sleepers who are looking for a better mattress, see our recommendations for the best mattress for seniors. 

Pressure Relief 

The Nolah mattress boasts superior pressure-relieving properties, especially for lightweight sleepers. This is because the Nolah’s top foam layer is softer than the GhostBed’s latex layer. This softer feel and generous cushion are great for side sleepers.  

Spine Alignment 

Both mattresses do an excellent job at supporting the spine’s natural curvature. That said, the Nolah offers better spine alignment for side sleepers, and the GhostBed offers superior alignment for stomach sleepers. Our heavier testers experienced some mild discomfort when resting on their backs on the Nolah. For other mattresses that protect the spine, check out the best mattress for stomach sleepers.

Durability 

Based on our evaluation of each bed’s construction, our team thinks the GhostBed is more durable than the Nolah mattress. GhostBed utilizes latex along the mattress surface. Latex tends to be more resistant to indentation than the polyfoam found along the Nolah’s surface. 

Temperature 

While both beds are cooler than most all-foam mattresses, the GhostBed is the better choice for most people who struggle with temperature regulation at night. If you wake up hot and sweaty, the GhostBed’s latex surface is breathable and doesn’t hold on to excess body heat. The Nolah’s surface is cool, just not as cool as the GhostBed’s. For mattresses that incorporate different cooling features, check out the best mattresses for hot sleepers.

Nolah Original Mattress Construction

Nolah is an all-foam mattress made from three layers of foam. The first layer is Nolah’s proprietary AirFoam. This soft foam contains millions of microscopic air pockets that cushion pressure points and dissipate excess body heat. The breathable Tencel cover allows any heat stored in the foam to pass through, keeping sleepers cool and dry. 

The second layer contains Nolah’s High-Resilience foam. This foam works with the AirFoam layer to create a surface that’s easy to move around on. The Nolah is one of few mattresses with a soft, enveloping surface that doesn’t leave you feeling stuck. The High-Resilience foam is sturdy yet contouring, supporting healthy spine alignment. If you are looking to sink into the layers of your mattress, check out the best soft mattresses.

The Nolah Original’s final layer is a durable high-density support foam. This dense foam absorbs motion and adds structural support.

GhostBed Mattress Construction

The GhostBed is an 11” mattress comprised of layers of polyfoam and latex. The top layer is 1.5” of aerated synthetic latex. Latex foam brings contouring without sinking, and it’s incredibly easy to move around on. Latex is naturally cool, and with the addition of breathable holes throughout, the GhostBed is one of the coolest mattresses without innerspring coils. For more responsive mattresses, check out the best latex mattresses.

The second foam layer is gel-infused memory foam. The memory foam cushions pressure points, especially heavier areas like the hips and lower back that can sink through the top layer. The gel infusion moves heat away from the mattress surface for a cool-to-the-touch feel.

High-density polyurethane foam makes up the GhostBed’s final layer. This foam stabilizes the other layers and brings added support to the mattress’s edges.

Sizing & Price Comparisons 

For the best price on a new mattress, see Nolah Mattress Coupons and GhostBed Mattress Coupons. If you are looking for a budget-friendly option, see the Best Mattress Under $500.

Shipping and Returns for Nolah & GhostBed

Nolah Mattress

Nolah ships their mattresses free to the contiguous U.S. but does not offer shipping to Hawaii or Alaska. You can expect your new mattress in five to 10 business days from the day you place your order. 

From the day your mattress arrives, you have 120 nights to try it out and decide if you want to keep it. Nolah won’t accept returns until after the 30-day waiting period. During the 120-night sleep trial period, you can return your mattress for a full refund. If you decide to keep the Nolah mattress, it’s backed by a Lifetime warranty—one of the most generous warranties in the mattress industry.

GhostBed Mattress

GhostBed offers fast and free shipping to the continental United States, with most mattresses arriving within five business days. They ship to Hawaii and Alaska for a $600 fee. GhostBed offers white glove delivery to some states. What does that mean? For $199, a team both sets up your new mattress and removes your old one, so you don’t have to do the heavy lifting. 

GhostBed mattresses have a 101-day trial period with a 30-day waiting period. After 30 days, you may return the mattress for a full refund during the 101-day window. 

The original GhostBed mattress comes with a generous 20-year warranty, twice as long as the 10-year industry standard. For more details on what’s covered in this warranty, check out our breakdown of the GhostBed mattress warranty.

More Nolah Mattresses

See our Nolah Evolution Mattress Review to learn more.

Check out our Nolah Signature Mattress Review for more information.

More GhostBed Mattresses

See our GhostBed Flex Mattress Review to learn more.

Check out our full GhostBed Luxe Mattress Review for more information.

Read our GhostBed 3D Matrix Mattress Review for more.

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

• Brooklyn Bedding vs. GhostBed 
• GhostBed vs. Leesa
• GhostBed vs. Tuft & Needle
• Nectar vs. GhostBed 
• GhostBed vs Casper 
• Purple vs. GhostBed

Our Final Take

The Nolah Original and GhostBed are popular online mattresses that each come with a generous return policy. The Nolah has a softer feel and superior pressure relief, good for side sleepers and lightweight people. The GhostBed pairs latex and memory foam for a mattress that’s cooler, firmer and more responsive than the Nolah. These properties make the GhostBed an excellent bed for stomach sleepers, hot sleepers and people who toss and turn.