Serta Arctic Mattress Review

Is the Serta Arctic Mattress for You?

Who’s Going to Love the Serta Arctic Mattress

• Back and side sleepers: The Serta Arctic provides loads of pressure relief without compromising on support, which is the ideal balance for side and back sleepers.
• Lightweight and average-weight sleepers: With plush foam layers and lots of sinkage, we think lightweight (< 130 lbs) and average-weight (130–230 lbs) folks will experience the best blend of comfort and support on the Serta Arctic. 
• Couples: The Arctic is topped with dense memory foam layers that do an impressive job of reducing motion transfer, so you’re unlikely to feel jostled by your partner’s midnight trip to the bathroom.

Who Should Steer Clear of the Serta Arctic Mattress

• Stomach sleepers: If you prefer sleeping on your front, you need a mattress with firmer comfort layers than those on the Serta Arctic. For a list of beds that will keep you supported on top of your bed, check out the best mattresses for stomach sleepers.
• Combination sleepers: Lying on the Serta Arctic is a lot like sinking into a bed of soft dough—while this is a plush mattress lover’s dream, it’s not helpful for combination sleepers, who need a responsive surface that makes changing sleeping positions easy. Check out the best mattresses for combination sleepers for better options.
• Heavyweight sleepers: If you have a body weight over 230 lbs, the Arctic probably won’t provide enough support to keep your spine aligned. We recommend opting for the hybrid version of the Arctic or considering one of the best mattresses for heavy people

Serta Arctic Mattress Video Review

Serta Arctic Mattress Firmness and Feel

Serta Arctic Mattress Firmness

We gave the Serta Arctic a firmness level of 5/10 on the 1–10 firmness scale (with 10 being tabletop firm). Mattresses with a medium firmness generally have a plush feel on first contact, and are described as cloud-like. They become firmer the farther you sink into the mattress, which gives them a balanced feel.

The Arctic’s firmness is best for lightweight and average-weight side sleepers and back sleepers. Most stomach sleepers will feel smothered by the layers of plush foam that top the Arctic, while heavyweight sleepers simply won’t get enough support.

What Does The Serta Arctic Feel Like? 

The Serta Arctic has a true memory foam feel. You can expect close contouring around your curves, minimal pressure around your shoulders and hips, and a slow response when you change positions.

The average sleeper will sink into the top layers of the mattress and be enveloped in that classic memory foam “hug.” The same is true for lightweight sleepers, although they probably won’t sink as far into the foam. Heavier sleepers are likely to sink deep into comfort layers, and may even bump into the firmer support layers.

Support and Pressure Relief by Sleeping Position

Back Sleepers

Back sleeping is the easiest sleeping position to accommodate, and it’s also the healthiest for your spine. The balanced feel of the Serta Arctic is a good match for back sleepers, particularly those with lightweight or average-weight body types. If you’re a heavyweight sleeper, chances are you’ll feel comfortable at first on the Arctic, but may find the support of the plush foam layers lacking.

Looking for more of the best mattress options for sleeping in the supine position? Peruse our roundup of best mattresses for back sleepers.

Side Sleepers

Side sleepers need a mattress with both pressure relief and spinal support. The Arctic provides both for lightweight and average-weight sleepers. We did notice a little curving along our testers’ spines when they lay on their sides, so the Arctic is not the absolute best mattress for side sleepers, but it’s a reliably comfortable choice. That curvature will likely be amplified for heavyweight side sleepers, who should instead choose a firmer mattress.

Stomach Sleepers 

The best mattresses for stomach sleepers are firm and keep the hips lifted in line with the shoulders. With such a plush feel in the top layers, the Serta Arctic isn’t the best fit for this sleeping position—even for lightweight sleepers who don’t sink as far into the mattress. 

Average-weight and heavyweight sleepers will also likely feel too much sinkage near their hips, which can result in lower back pain. They’re likely to feel an uncomfortable amount of pressure near the chest and neck as a result of sinking deep into the foam layers. 

Combination Sleepers 

Combination sleepers are those who change positions throughout the night. With a medium firmness, the Serta Arctic is a good fit on paper for those who alternate between back and side sleeping; however, the memory foam comfort layers are slow to respond to movement, which can cause you to feel “stuck” in the mattress. We found that it took a considerable amount of effort to move around on the Arctic, so we don’t consider it a good mattress for combination sleepers.

NERD RATING: Will this bed work for you? 

Body Type:	Back Sleepers	Stomach Sleepers	Side Sleepers
Lightweight (< 130 lbs)	5	3	4
Average weight (130 – 230lbs)	5	2	4
Heavyweight (> 230 lbs)	3	2	3

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

Serta Arctic Mattress Performance 

Is The Serta Arctic Mattress Cooling? 

The Arctic is billed as a cooling mattress, with Serta going so far as to say that it’s 15 times cooler than their Serta Perfect Sleeper Luminous Sleep mattresses. Serta accomplishes a cooler feel by incorporating phase change materials in their cover and comfort layers. Phase change materials absorb excess body heat so it doesn’t accumulate in the memory foam. 

But is the Arctic truly one of the best cooling mattresses? The cover feels cool on contact, and we didn’t notice any heat retention after a few minutes on the mattress, but we wouldn’t consider it a distinctly cooling mattress. Hot sleepers will have a better sleep experience on a breathable innerspring or hybrid mattress with better airflow. 

How Is The Edge Support?

Edge support is an underrated mattress feature. It maximizes the usable surface of your mattress and enables your bed to crossover from a sleeping surface to a couch for lounging. The Serta Arctic’s foam core keeps sleepers from rolling off the edges of the bed when lying down, but there’s quite a bit of sinkage when sitting. We gave it average scores in this category.

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

You may have seen our motion isolation test in our video review, where we measure how well the Serta Arctic keeps movement on one side of the bed from affecting the other side. Couples and co-sleepers are usually the most concerned with this performance category.

As a memory foam mattress with dense, absorbent foam top layers, the Arctic provides excellent motion isolation, so we consider it a good mattress for couples. 

Off-Gassing

You know that fresh, slightly chemical odor you smell in a new car? New mattresses have a similar odor, and it’s called off-gassing. It’s the result of the manufacturing process, and it’s especially common when a product includes memory foam.

We noticed a strong odor coming from the Serta Arctic mattress after removing it from the box, but it’s non-toxic and temporary. Serta uses CertiPUR-US certified foams in their mattresses, meaning they’re made with non-toxic materials that have low emissions. 

Serta Arctic Mattress Construction: What’s it made of?

We tested the all-foam Serta Arctic mattress, but you can also choose the Arctic hybrid version or upgrade to the Arctic Premier, which has extra cooling technologies. You can expect the all-foam Arctic to feel deeply cushioning—almost like sinking into a marshmallow. 

Layer #1: Cooling Stretch Knit Cover

The Serta Arctic mattress cover is where Serta’s Reactex® system begins, which is the primary cooling technology in the mattress. It reduces heat retention by using a high concentration of phase change materials that keep the surface of the mattress at a comfortable temperature. The cover also includes a layer of cooling foam for extra comfort.

Layer #2: CustomFit HD Memory Foam 

The second layer is high-density memory foam that fills in the spaces under your inverted curves (like your lower back) for a customized feel.

Layers #3–4: EverCool Fuze Gel Memory Foam 

These two cooling gel foam layers cradle your pressure points and enhance the temperature regulating capacity of the mattress by absorbing extra body heat.

Layer #4: Foam Core

A dense foam support system keeps the mattress stable and durable. It also prevents the average sleeper from sinking too deep into the comfort layers. 

How Much Does the Serta Arctic Mattress Cost?

Mattress Size	Price	Dimensions	Height	Weight
Twin XL	$3,099	38” x 80”	13.5”
Queen	$3,499	60” x 80”	13.5”
King	$4,199	76” x 80”	13.5”
California King	$4,199	72” x 84”	13.5”

See our Serta mattress coupons for the best price on a new Serta mattress.

How Do the Policies Measure Up?

Shipping & Unboxing

Serta mattresses ordered directly from Serta.com include free shipping in the continental USA. Currently, Serta doesn’t ship to Alaska or Hawaii. Delivery can take up to six weeks, and an adult (18+ years old) must be present to receive the delivery.

Unlike bed-in-a-box mattress deliveries, the Serta Arctic is shipped full size, so all you need to do is remove the packaging and place the mattress on your box spring, bed frame, or adjustable base.

Warranty

The Serta Arctic is covered by a 10-year limited warranty that protects against manufacturing defects. If your warranty claim is approved, you’ll receive a free replacement mattress. Make sure your mattress is adequately supported or you could void your warranty.

Trial Period & Returns

Serta Arctic customers get a 120-night in-home sleep trial to test out the feel of their new mattress. This is just above the 100-night industry standard for trial periods. Serta recommends sleeping on the bed for at least 30 nights to allow the materials to break in and for your body to adjust to a new sleeping surface.

Returns and exchanges are free during the sleep trial, and Serta will help you arrange for the mattress to be picked up if it’s not the right fit. To start a return/exchange, email support@serta.com. If you exchange your mattress, you’ll need to pay the difference in cost.

Note: The 120-trial period applies to mattresses purchased directly from Serta. If you bought your mattress from Amazon or another approved retailer, the trial period and return policy may differ.

Addressing Serta Arctic Mattress Complaints

Not Supportive Enough

A few customers wished their Serta Arctic was more supportive, particularly those with heavyweight body types. We agree that the standard all-foam Arctic is not the best fit for those weighing more than 230 lbs. If you have a heavyweight or plus-size body type, we recommend a medium-firm or firm mattress with a stable coil base layer. The firm foam Arctic Premier could also be a good option. 

Not Actively Cooling

By far, the majority of Serta Arctic customers experienced a comfortable temperature on the mattress; however, a few were disappointed by what they considered a lack of active cooling. They didn’t necessarily overheat, but they also weren’t temperature neutral. 

We weren’t surprised to see a few comments about the lack of cooling since the Arctic is an all-foam bed. It’s a good fit for the average sleeper, but it probably won’t keep especially hot sleepers cool.

Comparing Different Serta Brand Mattresses

Serta Arctic Mattress vs. Serta Perfect Sleeper Mattress

The Serta Perfect Sleeper is a more affordable mattress from the Serta line. It’s a hybrid mattress with six comfort options—all with varying firmness levels, layers of memory foam, and optional pillow tops. 

While it doesn’t include as many cooling technologies as the Arctic, it has a naturally breathable construction thanks to gel memory foam and coils. Like the Arctic, it has a softer feel that delivers lots of pressure relief.

See our Serta Perfect Sleeper review for more details. 

Serta Arctic Mattress vs. Serta iComfort Mattress

The iComfort is another hybrid mattress by Serta. Similar to the Serta Arctic, the iComfort has EverCool Fuze gel memory foam, as well as carbon fiber-infused memory foam, but it doesn’t include the Reactex cooling system.

Rather than prioritizing pressure relief with the iComfort, Serta aims for top-notch back and neck support. As such, the iComfort is an excellent choice for back sleepers and those with back pain, but not as much for those looking for lots of cushioning. 

Pricewise, the iComfort is more affordable than the Arctic, with a Queen size iComfort priced a whopping $1,500 lower than a Queen size Arctic.

See our Serta iComfort Mattress Review for more details. 

Serta Arctic Mattress vs. Serta Serene Sky Mattress

The Serta Serene Sky is a budget-friendly hybrid mattress that pairs gel foam with individually wrapped coils. It’s a firmer mattress than the Arctic, but you can pay a little more to add a plush pillow top. The Serene Sky is a better choice than the Arctic for stomach sleepers, particularly those who weigh less than 230 lbs, but we favor the Arctic for side sleepers.

If shopping for value is top of mind, the Serene Sky is the clear winner, but it can’t compete with the Arctic for top-tier cushioning comfort. 

Comparing Serta to the Competition

Serta Arctic Mattress vs. Helix Midnight Luxe Mattress

The Helix Midnight Luxe is Helix Sleep’s most popular mattress. Like the Serta Arctic, it has luxury pricing, gel foam, and memory foam layers, but it comes with a coil support layer (no foam). As such, it’s springier and a better fit for combination sleepers. 

It’s hard to say which mattress sleeps cooler, but we generally favor hybrid models over all-foam beds for cooling. 

Serta Arctic Mattress vs. GhostBed Luxe Mattress

GhostBed calls the GhostBed Luxe “the coolest mattress in the world.” It’s comparable to the Serta Arctic for temperature regulation. Both are all-foam mattresses with gel memory foam and cooling covers. Both also have a 5/10 firmness level and classic memory foam feel that are great for side and back sleepers.

So how do you choose between the two? Consider the mattress brands’ policies. The GhostBed is protected by a 25-year warranty, which is 15 years longer than Serta’s 10-year mattress warranty. GhostBed has a slightly shorter trial period (by 19 days), but a Queen size GhostBed Luxe costs over $1,000 less than a Queen size Serta Arctic.

See our GhostBed Luxe Review for more details. 

Serta Arctic Mattress vs. Bear Pro Mattress

The Serta Arctic and Bear Pro are both all-foam mattresses that are best for back and side sleepers. The Pro is a bit firmer than the Arctic, so you won’t sink as deeply into the foam layers, but it still provides plenty of pressure relief.

The Arctic has more dedicated cooling features, but neither sleep particularly cool—more temperature neutral. If price is your main concern, the Pro is definitely the more affordable option.

See our Bear Pro Mattress Review for more details. 

Serta Arctic Mattress FAQs

The Nerd’s Take: What’s the Bottom Line?

The Serta Arctic may not be the coolest all-foam mattress, but it’s a good option for luxury shoppers who want a temperature-neutral foam bed. The medium firmness is most compatible with back and side sleepers who weigh less than 230 lbs. It’s also a good option for couples.

The Nerd’s Scores for the Serta Arctic Mattress

Performance Factor	Out of 5
Motion Isolation	4
Pressure Relief	4
Ease of Movement	2
Edge Support	3
Temperature Control	3
Durability	4