Sweet Night Island Mattress Review

The Mattress Nerd’s Take: The Sweet Night Island is a medium-firm hybrid mattress sold at a relatively low price. Because of its 7/10 firmness level, the Island is best for average-weight and lightweight back and stomach sleepers who need a supportive, solid mattress. Keep reading our mattress review to see whether it’ll work for you!

Is the Sweet Night Island Mattress for You?

Who’s Going to Love It

• Back sleepers 
• Stomach sleepers who are lightweight or average-weight 
• Combination sleepers who want a bouncy, responsive bed

Who Should Steer Clear

• People who are used to a traditional, balanced memory foam mattress 
• Side sleepers 
• Those with arthritis or chronic joint pain

How Does the Sweet Night Island Mattress Feel? 

Firmness

Here at Mattress Nerd, we rate mattress firmness on a scale of one to 10, with one being the softest mattress you can imagine and 10 being the absolute firmest mattress. On our firmness scale, we’ve rated the Sweet Night Island a 7/10. It has a medium-firm feel that should help some back and stomach sleepers feel aligned on the mattress. But on the other hand, the mattress might feel too firm for many side sleepers to feel adequately cradled and pressure-relieved. If you need more pressure relief, see the best soft mattresses.

Temperature

In our in-house mattress testing process, we rated the Sweet Night Island a 4/5 in cooling. The individually wrapped steel coils in the mattress allow for plenty of breathability and airflow; providing much more capability for cooling than, for instance, an all-foam mattress. The higher firmness level of the Sweet Night Island also helps hot sleepers avoid the bogged-down, sinking feeling that makes people overheat. 

Still, our team thinks the three layers of foam in this mattress will keep hot sleepers temperature-neutral rather than actively cool. Even though one layer of the mattress is made of cooling gel memory foam, foam material in general can tend to sleep hot. Check out the best mattress for hot sleepers for other mattresses that incorporate cooling features.

Support

“Support” can refer to several performance factors of a mattress. In terms of edge support, the strength of a mattress around its edge, the Sweet Night Island earns a perfect score from our testing team. That’s largely thanks to the bed’s innerspring coils, and it means that regardless of your body weight, you should feel generally supported while sitting on the edge of the mattress.

As far as support for different sleep positions, the Sweet Night Island is certainly on the firmer side of the mattress firmness scale. Those looking for optimal relief on their sensitive pressure points might want to choose a softer mattress or invest in an affordable mattress topper. But on the bright side, we think the tempered steel pocketed coils in this mattress make for a durable construction. For more durable investments, see the best mattresses for the money.

Back Sleepers

Back sleepers need a mattress that will cradle the hips and keep the body properly elevated and aligned on the mattress. Because the Sweet Night Island is a 7/10 firmness level, it’s going to work well for lightweight and average-weight back sleepers. Still, the Sweet Night Island probably won’t be ideal for heavyweight back sleepers: especially the 10” tall version of the mattress. Heavyweight back sleepers who weigh over 230 lbs. should consider the 12” tall Sweet Night Island or a thicker mattress that includes more foam layers. For other options, see the best mattresses for back sleepers. 

Side Sleepers

When we tested the Sweet Night Island mattress in our in-house mattress lab, we discovered that it’s unfortunately not the best mattress for side sleepers. Why is that? Well, side sleepers typically look for a mattress that’s soft enough to keep their hips and shoulders cradled atop the mattress. The Sweet Night Island is a 7/10 on our firmness scale, meaning it is too firm to provide adequate pressure relief in some side sleepers. In our testing process, we saw pressure buildup in the hips and shoulders of lightweight side sleepers. We saw pressure in the hips for average-weight to heavyweight side sleepers as well, but the mattress will generally be better for heavier side sleepers than for lightweight side sleepers. 

Stomach Sleepers

The best mattress for stomach sleepers keeps your hips elevated and properly aligned on the mattress. It’s not fun to feel your hips dip down into the mattress, pulling your spine out of alignment. Because the Sweet Night Island is a medium-firm mattress that includes supportive coils in its construction, it can offer support and stabilization for lightweight and average-weight stomach sleepers. Heavyweight stomach sleepers, though, might not feel supported enough on the mattress to avoid back pain. If you’re in that category, look for a mattress that’s a bit thicker, or has a higher firmness level. If you are waking up in pain, see the best mattresses for back pain.

Combination Sleepers

Combination sleepers, or those who switch into different sleep positions throughout the night, need a mattress that helps them move around easily upon its surface. The Sweet Night Island is a bit less responsive than we’d imagine for a hybrid mattress with coils, but it still allows for relatively easy movement. Because the Sweet Night Island is a firmer mattress, it’s ideal for lightweight and average-weight combination sleepers who switch between their back and stomach. Heavyweight combination sleepers might not find enough support on the 10” version of this mattress, and combination sleepers who lie on their sides often might end up with some joint pain. For the most responsive mattresses, see the best mattresses for combination sleepers.

NERD RATING: Will this bed work for you? 

Body Type:	BACK SLEEPERS	STOMACH SLEEPERS	SIDE SLEEPERS
Lightweight (< 130 lbs):	4	5	2
Average weight (130 – 230 lbs):	5	4	3
Heavyweight (> 230 lbs):	3	3	3

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

Does It Fit Your Lifestyle?

Budget Shoppers 

It’s difficult to come up with an “average” price point for a mattress, as pricing varies so dramatically depending on which size mattress you purchase, not to mention mattress construction. Still, budget shoppers are likely to be pleased with the price. Even in a Queen size, the thickest version of the mattress comes in at under $500. For a King size, shoppers can expect to pay less than $600. 

People with Back and Joint Pain

Joint and back pain can be caused by many different factors, but here at Mattress Nerd we focus on pain caused by a discord between your sleep position and your mattress. For instance, if you’re a side sleeper who sleeps on a too-firm mattress, you could experience joint pain stemming from a buildup of pressure on your hips and shoulders. 

Stomach sleepers on a too-soft mattress could also experience lower back pain if their hips sink too deeply into the bed’s comfort layers. Since the SweetNight Island is a relatively firm mattress, it’s best for stomach and back sleepers who struggle with pain. Ultimately, look for a mattress that encourages proper spinal alignment in your preferred sleep position.

Construction: What’s Under the Surface?

The construction of a mattress can make or break someone’s experience on a given bed. In the case of the Sweet Night Island, the individually wrapped coils in the support core of the mattress give the bed much of its support and durability. The three layers of foam atop the innersprings help cut down on motion transfer and provide extra pressure relief. 

Layer #1: Knitted fabric cover: While it’s not cool-to-the-touch, the knitted fabric cover on the Sweet Night Island encases the first layer of comfort foam along with the rest of the bed. The cotton cover also helps repel dust mites.

Layer #2: Airflow high-density foam: The comfort layer of the Island mattress is made with high-density foam that still allows a bit of softness for sensitive back sleepers.

Layer #3: Gel memory foam: As many mattress shoppers know, a gel infusion is a simple way to prevent heat buildup in a mattress. We don’t think the gel memory foam in the Island will offer much cooling, as it’s sandwiched between two other foam layers.

Layer #4: Supportive high-density foam: The high-density support foam in the Sweet Night Island mattress is a final line of defense between a sleeper’s body and the support core below. You ideally won’t feel this layer, but it’ll add an extra measure of support.

Layer #5: Individually wrapped pocketed springs: As with many innerspring mattresses, the individually wrapped coils in the Sweet Night Island offer a breathable and supportive feel: especially compared to the lack of support you might find in an all-foam bed.

How Much Does the Sweet Night Island Mattress Cost?

Mattress Size	Price	Dimensions	Height	Weight
Full	$349	54” x 74”	10”	66 lbs.
Queen	$398	60” x 80”	10”	86 lbs.
Queen	$458	60” x 80”	12”	88 lbs.
King	$349	76” x 80”	10”	108 lbs.
King	$598	76” x 80”	12”	115 lbs.

For our top picks, check out the best affordable mattresses and the best mattress under $1,000.

How Do the Policies Measure Up? 

Shipping & Unboxing

Your Sweet Night mattress ships for free to the continental U.S., but Sweet Night currently does not offer shipping to Alaska and Hawaii. Shipping to remote locations might incur an additional shipping fee, as well. Mattresses are shipped within two to six days using FedEx. 

As far as the unboxing process, our team experienced a relatively simple and carefree unboxing process. When the Sweet Night Island arrives at your doorstep, simply cut open the box and remove the mattress from its plastic wrapping. It took our mattress a little while to puff up, but it reached its full height in about an hour. If you experience any off-gassing smells, (similar to a “new car smell,” but for a mattress) just allow the mattress to air out in a ventilated room. 

Warranty

Sweet Night offers a 10-year warranty on all of the brand’s mattress models. The warranty protects against defects in workmanship and materials. But restrictions still apply: For instance, the warranty is only valid if you’re the original purchaser of the mattress, and it doesn’t offer protection if your preferred firmness level changes over time. Compared to the rest of the mattress industry, a 10-year warranty period is pretty much par for the course. 

Trial Period & Returns

Many online mattress retailers offer a trial period during which customers can return the product risk-free. Sweet Night is no exception: The brand offers a 100-day trial period during which customers can return their new mattress if they’re unsatisfied with its performance, firmness level or feel. 

To initiate a return, reach out to Sweet Night’s customer service team and remember to provide your proof of purchase and a reason for the return. You’ll be refunded the amount you paid for the mattress, or you can exchange the Sweet Night mattress you purchased for another model. 

Sweet Night Mattress FAQs

Do I need a box spring for the Sweet Night Island mattress? 

No, you don’t need a box spring to support your Sweet Night Island mattress. Instead, just make sure you keep the mattress on a supportive surface—for instance, a platform bed or slatted bed frame—to avoid voiding your mattress warranty. You can even keep your new mattress on the floor. 

Does the Sweet Night Island mattress smell? 

If this question seems odd to you, let us explain: sometimes the foam material in mattresses gives off a chemical-tinged smell called an “off-gassing” smell. We didn’t notice much of an off-gassing smell when we opened the mattress. But if you do, just keep the mattress in a well-ventilated area. 

Is the Sweet Night Island a good mattress?

That’s a somewhat difficult question to answer, because no mattress is perfect for everyone. However, the Sweet Night Island could be a great mattress for you if you’re seeking a supportive and budget-friendly bed. Still, it’s not ideal for side sleepers or lovers of classic memory foam. 

Comparing the Sweet Night Island Mattress

Sweet Night Island vs. Sweet Night Sunkiss

If you’re looking for an all-foam flippable mattress, the Sweet Night Sunkiss might just be your best bet. It includes several layers of foam to create two distinct sides: a softer side and a firmer side. 

On the other hand, the Sweet Night Island is a more traditional mattress with innerspring coils. It only has one side and isn’t flippable, but it’s ideal for sleepers who know they want extra support. 

Check out our full Sweet Night Sunkiss mattress review for more info!

Sweet Night Island vs. Sweet Night Breeze

While the Sweet Night Island mattress is a hybrid bed with innersprings, the Sweet Night Breeze is an all-foam mattress. It includes gel-infused memory foam and a high-density base foam that encourages great durability. 

The Sweet Night Island is a firmer 7/10 on our mattress firmness scale, but the Sweet Night Breeze is much softer. That makes it a great fit for side sleepers and anyone seeking an all-foam bed with good pressure relief.

Check out our full Sweet Night Breeze mattress review for more info!

Sweet Night Island vs. Sweet Night Twilight

One of three hybrid mattress sold by Sweet Night, the Sweet Night Twilight mattress combines coils and gel-infused memory foam to create a similar feel to the Sweet Night Island. And like the Island, the Twilight comes in two height versions for a customizable sleep experience.

The main difference between the Island and the Twilight comes down to price. We encourage potential customers to check the pricing on several different sizes of mattresses in either model: The Twilight or Island could come out on top depending on the size.

See our full Sweet Night Twilight mattress review to learn more. 

Sweet Night Island Mattress vs. Brooklyn Bowery Hybrid

The Brooklyn Bowery Hybrid is—you guessed it—a hybrid mattress made with foam and coils. Because the firmness of the Brooklyn Bowery Hybrid is a bit softer than the Sweet Night Island, it’ll work better for back sleepers who want support and comfort. 

Neither the Sweet Night Island nor the Brooklyn Bowery Hybrid is an excellent choice for side sleepers, but both make up for that with an abundance of cooling comfort. The Sweet Night Island is a bit less expensive than the Bowery, but we’d say both mattresses are great values.

Read our full Brooklyn Bowery Hybrid mattress review to learn more.

Sweet Night Island vs. Tuft & Needle Hybrid 

We’d say overall the Tuft & Needle Hybrid is a higher-end mattress than the Island, but both beds are made with innerspring coils and come at a competitive price point. The Tuft & Needle mattress comes in at a 6/10 on the firmness scale, while the Sweet Night Island is a bit firmer. 

While it’s impossible to tell for sure which bed will work best for you, you can’t go wrong with a mixture of foam and individually wrapped coils. And both mattresses offer a bounciness that will please combination sleepers who toss and turn at night.

Read our full Tuft & Needle Hybrid mattress review to learn more.

Sweet Night Island vs. Helix Midnight

The Helix Midnight is Helix’s most popular hybrid mattress. At a 6/10 firmness level, it promotes breathability and softness that we think side sleepers will appreciate. Because the Sweet Night Island is a 7/10 firmness level, we think it’s a bit too firm for side sleepers. 

While the Helix Midnight is a bit more expensive than the Sweet Night Island, both beds offer great breathability and support. What’s more, both brands offer a 10-year warranty period. 

Read our full Helix Midnight mattress review to learn more.

Pros/Cons

Pros

• The Sweet Night Island is an inexpensive mattress that still includes a sturdy coil base, making it a great choice for shoppers on a budget.
• With its above-average firmness level, the Sweet Night Island is sturdy and firm enough to support average-weight and lightweight stomach sleepers.
• Combination sleepers will appreciate how easy it is to move around atop this responsive, bouncy mattress.

Complaints

• We’ve seen some negative reviews from customers who have experienced shipping and delivery issues while waiting to receive their mattress. 
• The mattress is a bit too firm to offer adequate pressure relief for most side sleepers; people in this category might experience joint pain as a result of this excessive firmness and should instead choose a mattress with a soft or medium firmness level.
• While the mattress offers decent motion isolation, the coils in the Sweet Night Island will allow for some movement from one side of the mattress to the other: not ideal for light-sleeping couples.

What’s the Bottom Line?

Though it doesn’t include bells and whistles like a flippable construction or a hypoallergenic design, the Sweet Night Island is an inexpensive bed-in-a-box mattress that’s great for several sleeping positions. Side sleepers will likely not love the Sweet Night Island, but back and stomach sleepers should appreciate the firm top layer and supportive coils.

The Nerd’s Scores for the Sweet Night Island Mattress

Performance Factor	Out of 5
Motion Isolation	3.5
Pressure Relief	2
Ease of Movement	4
Edge Support	5
Temperature Control	4
Durability	4