September 28, 2014
Disclosure: This site receives a payment from Amazon, Leesa, Saatva, Nest Bedding, or US Mattress when you purchase a product using any links to that company in this article.
The Tuft and Needle mattress is one of the first direct-to-consumer mattresses to hit the market in this latest wave of mattress companies. They helped start the trend. When Tuft and Needle first came out, I was rather skeptical about buying a mattress online. But after trying it out and getting to understand the return policy, I’ve come to the conclusion that buying a mattress online is not a big risk to take. And these mattresses tend to be a lot less expensive than foam mattresses you’ll find in stores (and also a higher quality than the cheap Chinese foam mattresses you’ll find elsewhere on Amazon). I don’t think T&N is the best option out there, but it’s pretty good for the price, and it might be right for some people. Continue reading to see my thoughts in more detail.
This is my Tuft and Needle just minutes after opening the box. It “inflates” to its full size almost immediately after opening.
What’s the appeal of Tuft and Needle?
First, what’s the appeal of Tuft and Needle to begin with? I think people are (rightfully) tired with and intimidated by the whole mattress buying process. They don’t want to deal with going into a showroom and haggling with dishonest salesmen, and they don’t want to be paralyzed with 80 different beds to choose from. It comes down to the two main fears customers have: they don’t want to buy the wrong mattress and they don’t want to pay a penny more than they have to. Buying something online can circumvent all of that haggling and limit the choices. So, they find a mattress online that is fairly inexpensive and which gets tremendous reviews. The allure is clear.
Construction of Tuft and Needle
The Tuft and Needle mattress is a 10 inch polyurethane foam mattress made in America. There is no memory foam, no latex foam, and no coils. The top 3 inches of the mattress is made of a proprietary formulation of pressure-relieving foam (they call it triple-layer blended foam). While it’s not technically latex or memory foam, it has some of the properties of each. It feels fairly similar to memory foam, but it is a little more bouncy (but not as bouncy as latex foam). Underneath that foam is 7 inches of a high density support foam that most foam mattresses have. The surface (or “ticking” as we call it in the bed biz) is a synthetic rayon/polyester blend. This is a fairly simple, straightforward mattress with no frills, which leads to the lower price point.
The Tuft and Needle as seen on Amazon
(Note: Older reviews from 2014 might state that the mattress is too hard. They re-formulated the mattress in the beginning of 2015, and this review reflects that change. It’s still firm, but it’s not as hard as it used to be.)
Tuft and Needle Pros and Cons
Here are some pros and cons of the Tuft and Needle mattresses
Pros:
- Good reviews on Amazon. At the time of writing this, Tuft and Needle has has a 4.3/5 star rating on Amazon with almost 10,000 reviews. The people that own this mattress are happy with it.
- Free trial. They make the return process easy, so in this respect, it’s a low-risk purchase.
- Price. T&N is $750 for a queen mattress, which is a little less than the average direct-to-consumer mattress.
- If you’re a back sleeper or a stomach sleeper, the firm support should keep you properly aligned.
Cons:
- This will be a little on the firmer side, so if you’re a side sleeper with broad shoulders or wide hips, or are sensitive to pressure, it might be too firm.
- It doesn’t come with a boxspring, so you’ll need to buy one of those, a platform bed, or an adjustable base on your own.
- You can’t try it before you buy it (but this is mitigated by the in home trial)
Alternatives to the Tuft and Needle
There are a other online-only, American-made mattress companies out there.
If you’re looking for a higher quality foam mattress with a similar story and a similar return policy, consider Leesa Sleep. They use American-made memory foam and a new type of foam called Avena to offer more pressure-relieving support than the Tuft and Needle, but it’s at a higher price point. You can read my Leesa review here. (Note: I sleep on the Leesa, and it’s the mattress I recommend most out of all the direct-to-consumer mattresses).
For a lower priced alternative to Tuft and Needle at roughly the same quality, consider the Love & Sleep by Nest Bedding. (Here is my review). You have two firmness options and it’s over $100 cheaper in a queen.
If you want a coil mattress with a similar return policy and company story, you can also look into Saatva Inc. They have a similar company story, similar return policy, similar reviews, etc, but uses coils for a more traditional feel, and is more expensive than Tuft and Needle. (Foam mattresses generally get better customer satisfaction ratings, but some people just can’t get used to it and prefer a traditional feel). You can read my Saatva review here.
Concluding thoughts about Tuft and Needle
I don’t believe there is one mattress that is perfect for everybody, but there are some circumstances in which I think getting a Tuft and Needle would make sense.
- You don’t want to go through the hassle of mattress shopping, and are willing to return a mattress if it doesn’t work.
- You are on a tight budget, but still want a good quality foam mattress. This is a better option than cheap Chinese foam beds you might find elsewhere online or at Walmart.
- You’re a college student and need a decent mattress to get you through 4 years
- You’re a back or a stomach sleeper, or you otherwise like a firmer mattress. If you need a firm to medium-firm mattress, the Tuft and Needle will likely work.
- You’re moving to a new place and don’t want to take your old mattress, and don’t want to have to schedule a delivery time for a new mattress. This comes compressed in an easy-to-move box.
With that said, I would not necessarily recommend this as a long-term solution for most people if they can afford better. If you’re interested in a direct-to-consumer mattress, consider the Leesa mattress. It has a lot of the same benefits as Tuft and Needle, it has more specialty foam, but it’s about $200 more, depending on size. If you have the money, I think it’s worth the extra.
If you do get the Tuft and Needle for yourself for long term use, pay close attention to how it supports your back and whether it causes any pressure on your joints. If you feel any discomfort, don’t hesitate to send it back through their free trial.
To buy the Tuft and Needle on Amazon, click here.
Thank you for reading.
Disclosure: This site receives a payment from Amazon, Leesa, Saatva, Nest Bedding or US Mattress when you purchase a product using any links to that company in this article.
MattressNerd Says
March 3, 2018 at 9:45 am
As long as the boxspring is rigid (i.e. doesn't actually have springs in it; very few do these days), it's fine.
Alberta Hagerman Says
March 2, 2018 at 8:09 pm
My comment is not spam. I am inquiring as to the correctness of placing a brand new hybrid T & N mattress on a brand new box spring. Will this harm the mattress?
MattressNerd Says
February 25, 2018 at 10:09 am
Luckily, that's what the free return policy is for. But I suspect you haven't slept in many soft mattresses if this one is the softest.
Thomas Hunter Says
February 24, 2018 at 3:18 pm
This is actually the softest bed I've ever slept in, to the point there was no support. Gave me raging lower back pain.
Joshua Lee Says
February 6, 2018 at 5:29 pm
You are definitely right about the firmness my side was killing me after a week!! And this bed also off gasses a lot! I am not a huge fan about mattress stores either, but ended up going to mattress firm and trying there "Tulo Mattress" and fell in love its also a bed in the box difference is you get a 120 nights to sleep on it, with a full refund or credit towards another bed, has a 10 year warranty and has 3 comfort levels firm, medium, and soft! and you can try it in the store before you buy it, a queen retails for $650 but I got mine during a big promotion where they were doing queen for twin pricing and I got it for $375! I definitely recommend!
Roger Michael Says
January 8, 2018 at 4:28 pm
I have a really bad back, so I need pretty good side support. Would medium soft work best? I have been sleeping on a recliner sofa for the past 2 years. I would like to sleep on a bed again. So what you recommend?
MattressNerd Says
December 19, 2017 at 9:54 am
Not yet, thanks for letting me know about it.
James Says
December 18, 2017 at 12:31 pm
Have you looked at the "new" Tuft and Needle mattress? It supposedly sports a new, adaptive memory foam. It seems pretty economical.
MattressNerd Says
April 10, 2017 at 1:42 pm
Haven't tried it. It seems pretty gimmicky to me, since it uses such a thin comfort layer, but people seem to like it.
Junebug Says
April 9, 2017 at 5:00 am
Just want to know whether u have tried the purple bed yet? If so, please let me know what you think. Thank you..
Alli Says
October 21, 2016 at 6:22 pm
We tried out the T&N and I'm not sure what the problem is. I switch sleeping positions in the night quite a bit, and feel I have to wake up to move on this mattress. Plus, when my husband tries to cuddle, I wind up falling in his indentation with him. He loves the feel of the T&N, but I'm waking up with lower back pain when I sleep in the bed with him - especially when I sleep on my side. (When he was out of town, I slept fine.) I'm not sure if we need something more or less firm. This is our first new mattress purchase, so I'm At a loss. Any advice is welcome!
MattressNerd Says
October 17, 2016 at 9:21 am
Yes, when you go to their website, you'll see options for size. Queen is just the most popular.
Marilynn K. Says
October 16, 2016 at 7:59 am
Just saw an ad for Leesa on TV, so went on line to read reviews and you are the first. Most interesting ! My most important question is: will they provide a twin size mattress? In your review, only the queen size is mentioned. Space-limited, Thank you! Marilynn
MattressNerd Says
July 24, 2016 at 2:25 pm
Honestly, something that will be used one week a year isn't a critical purchase, and you'd be fine going with either. The T&N is fine for something like that, especially if you prefer a firmer mattress.
MattressNerd Says
July 24, 2016 at 2:23 pm
Rather than Savvy Rest, I'd recommend Spindle, which I review here: Spindle Review. It's basically the same as Savvy Rest, but at about a third of the price.
Geri Says
July 24, 2016 at 12:54 pm
I am looking for 3 twin mattresses for a second home. They will be used twice a year for one week. Do you recommend the T&N or should I look for somethings on overstock?
Melissa Masters Says
July 23, 2016 at 12:05 pm
This is a polyurethane foam, nowhere near organic. You want 100% natural latex foam but yes you will pay for it. I've researched enough brands to know that buying wholesale layers for a diy is the way to go. That way you have the flexibility to buy one at a time and see what ILD works best for you. In the end it's more time consuming but it's half the cost of retail. If you have the money to spend then you could just buy a Savvy Rest which is customizable but again you pay for their quaity. It's composed of layers as well so really your going to get the same quality if you buy 100% latex from a reputable wholesale distributer. I understand the appeal of the tuft and needle price point but if you want real quality, save your money and put it towards a latex mattress.
MattressNerd Says
July 23, 2016 at 8:08 am
Mattresses with latex foam will be easier to move around in. Other than that, foam mattresses will be harder to move around in.
Bruce Says
July 22, 2016 at 9:43 pm
My wife is very satisfied with her sleep on T&N full mattress. She wanted a firmer mattress and is a side sleeper, yet she feels properly supported. With arthritis and weakness, she finds entry and exit from the mattress hard. Movement into position takes more effort. I would think this is an issue with any foam-style mattress. Your thoughts or possible solutions.
jonathan Says
July 6, 2016 at 5:39 pm
I've used the T&N for about 60 days and could not get it to stop feeling like sleeping on a board. That's an exaggeration, but you get my point. I've not had a Leesa for a couple of weeks and it feels so soft and memory foam-ish. Any suggestion for something in between the softness of Leesa and the firmness of T&N? Appreciate the reviews!
adeline Goldminc-Tronzo Says
June 11, 2016 at 11:35 am
BEST MATTRESS I HAVE SLEPT ON IN YEARS.!! ALSO, THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE IS EXCEPTIONAL.... SINCERELY!
MattressNerd Says
May 10, 2016 at 8:03 am
FTC Disclosure: I am an affiliate for Spindle and would get paid a commission if you click on the link in this comment. If you want an organic mattress, you should look at a natural latex mattress. The most reasonably-priced one of those that I've tried is Spindle Mattress. Most organic latex mattresses are in the $2,000 - 3,000 range. Spindle is $1350 in a queen. Here's my affiliate link for them. I haven't written my review yet since I just tried it a few days ago. The only "problem" is that it doesn't have a free return policy. That's part of how they got the price so low.
SeekingOrganic Says
May 9, 2016 at 12:52 pm
We're looking for an organic mattress and a family member recommended the T&N. Their website doesn't mention any of the materials they use in the mattress but from your review this doesn't sound at all like an organic mattress. What is your opinion on organic mattresses and mattresses that are chemically produced and potentially off-gas? Any recommendations on organic mattresses (that aren't too outrageously priced!)? Thanks.
Alta royal Says
April 22, 2016 at 8:06 am
How can you make sure you are not receiving a "RETURNED MATTRESS" instead of a new never used one?
MattressNerd Says
April 8, 2016 at 10:21 am
Something like the Leesa will contour a bit better. It won't be quite as firm as the T&N, and it will contour a bit further down since it uses 25% more of the comfort foams up top (4 inches vs 3).
MuscularSideSleeper Says
April 6, 2016 at 5:34 pm
I am 5'8 205lbs side sleeper. I power lift as a hobby, so I have broad shoulders, narrow waist and big quads. Recently I bought a Tuft and Needle mattress but I'm finding it too firm for my shape. It feels like it's putting even more pressure on my shoulders than my old spring mattress with a topper on it. Also, when I'm laying on my side, I can actually feel my lower leg hovering in the air because my quads are not sinking deep enough into the mattress. I am waking up with pain in my upper back and shoulders. I know there is a break in period with foam mattresses and it's only been a few days, but this feels like it's beyond that, so I will likely return it. In the mean time, I am looking for a new mattress. Do you have any recommendations? Thanks
Anna Says
December 3, 2015 at 1:10 pm
I just wanted to provide some personal feedback on the T&N mattress. I'm a back sleeper, husband is a back or side sleeper, and this mattress has been perfect for us. We're planning to upgrade to a king from a queen and stick with them. We live in Phoenix, and this mattress has been MUCH better than previous foam mattresses at keeping us cool during the summer.
Blake Says
October 9, 2015 at 10:04 pm
We will be donating our Tuft and Needle mattress - it is a beautifully constructed mattress, but it is like sleeping on 3/4" plywood - we have had the mattress for almost three weeks and my wife has resorted to sleeping downstairs on the leather sofa - very disappointed.
MattressNerd Says
September 8, 2015 at 12:18 pm
No, not on this one. Convoluted foam would help a lot more than having fewer layers. I'd expect this one to be roughly on par with a regular foam mattress, maybe slightly better.
Brent Says
September 8, 2015 at 8:09 am
I had a question about this mattress. I'm guessing you personally tried it, so hopefully you noticed this and remember it. One of their big claims in an ad I saw about these mattresses is that, because of the proprietary foam they use and fewer layers (they claim less glue in the construction helps air flow through the mattress or something like that), this mattress is a lot cooler than your typical foam mattress. Is that something you noticed?
Lane Says
May 16, 2015 at 9:40 am
Hi MN! I took your advice and ordered a LEESA. I'm much less nervous about a purchase because of your awesome site. Thanks!
MattressNerd Says
April 4, 2015 at 4:29 pm
No, that would be ridiculous. You donate the mattress to charity (many of which offer a pick up service), and once that's verified you get your money back.
Memphisrich Says
April 4, 2015 at 10:02 am
The mattress arrives vacuum packed. When i want to return it...... how do I do that? I can't vacuum pack it. When I call UPS or FEDEX they tell me that I cannot ship a mattress of that size. What am i supposed to do..... drive across country with it strapped to the top of my Honda?