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The 13 Best Mattress Brands, Based on The Sleep Doctor’s Expert Input

November 23, 2021

In recent years, the online and bed-in-a-box mattress space has exploded—good news for those who need a quick solution to poor sleep (studies show a new bed can improve your quality of rest and even lower stress levels). But because a mattress is such a critical investment in your health, you need to make sure you’re shopping from the best mattress brands. 

Michael Breus, Ph.D., board-certified sleep specialist also known as The Sleep Doctor has joined forces with the expert reviewers at Mattress Advisor to find the 13 best mattress brands. The team has tested hundreds of mattresses using a 14-point test to see which brands offer the best sleep experience.

Best Overall:

The Sleep Doctor’s Top Picks for the Best Mattress Brands

1. The Sleep Doctor’s Pick: Saatva

The Saatva brand has honed its reputation for high-end materials, durable products, and a luxurious shopping experience––right down to free mattress set-up in your bedroom. For these and other reasons, like Saatva’s free white glove delivery and complimentary mattress removal, the company wins The Sleep Doctor’s distinction for expert pick. The Saatva Classic is Saatva’s most popular model, and for good reason. This hybrid mattress combines a dual coil system with a layer of memory foam to provide an ideal balance of comfort and support. The coil system is also encased in foam, which helps the Saatva provide top-notch edge support (it earned an 8.5/10 in testing!). A quilted euro top covers the mattress, and allows you to sink in just enough for cushy comfort, while the individually-wrapped coils keep you elevated in near-perfect spine alignment––the Saatva’s 9.5/10 spine alignment score speaks for itself. 

Saatva also received high marks in both customer service and shipping, 9/10 and 9.5/10, respectively, so you can rest assured that your new bed is in good hands. Because each Saatva is made to order, it can take up to 15 days to receive your new bed. You can count on Saatva to deliver hotel-quality and five-star service, which is why this brand tops the list for best mattress brand.

  • Mattress Type: Hybrid
  • Customer Rating: 4.8 out of 5
  • Firmness: Plush; Luxury Firm; Firm
  • Warranty: 15-year Limited

Buy it, Saatva Classic, $1,399 (Queen), saatva.com

2. Best Mattress for Couples: Helix Midnight

Helix is known for customization above all else as they offer multiple mattress models designed for specific sleep styles. Among the many top-rated hybrid mattresses you might come across on their site, the Helix Midnight is a winner. It’s one of Helix’s most popular models that keeps couples cool, comfortable, and supported. 

A cooling cover, responsive memory foam layers, and individually wrapped coils parlay great spine alignment (8.75/10) and pressure relief (8.5/10) to spread out each sleeper’s body weight. These components also stifle the feeling of motion from traveling across the bed, and stopping you from being jolted awake by your partner’s movements. Plus, Helix boasts an incredible customer service team––they earned a 9/10 in customer service from the Mattress Advisor team for their quick response time and helpful answers. Helix also earned a 10 out of 10 for shipping, so you can expect to receive your new bed in just 3-7 business days.

  • Mattress Type: Hybrid
  • Customer Rating: 4.5 out of 5
  • Firmness: Medium
  • Warranty: 15-year Limited

Buy it, Helix Midnight, $1,099 (Queen), helixsleep.com

3. Best for Side Sleepers: Puffy Lux

Puffy Lux mattress

Puffy has long emphasized innovative foam constructions, designed to thread the needle between optimal comfort and maximum support. The Puffy Lux is their top-of-the-line model, and also one of The Sleep Doctor’s top picks for side sleepers. With four layers of high-density memory foam, the Puffy Lux contours and conforms to your hips and shoulders, providing near-perfect pressure relief (it earned a 9.5/10 in testing!). The Puffy Lux’s supportive base layer also offers enough pushback to maintain spine alignment (scoring a 9/10 in testing), which helps side sleepers wake with a healthy posture. Puffy earned a 9/10 in both shipping and customer service, so shoppers should only have to wait 2-5 business days to receive their new Puffy Lux mattress.

  • Mattress Type: Memory foam
  • Customer Rating: 5 out of 5
  • Firmness: Medium-firm
  • Warranty: Lifetime

Buy it, Puffy Lux, $1,799 (Queen), puffy.com

4. Best Value Mattress: Nectar

Nectar is famous for its commitment to great value, low price points, and high-quality materials. Nectar’s signature mattress represents a real bargain, and the value is further amplified by a lifetime warranty and year-long sleep trial. Besides offering incredible value, the Nectar mattress’s simple three-layer memory foam design helps it appeal to memory foam fans and average sleepers alike. It uses a medium-firm feel to provide a balanced feel, and its 8.5/10 pressure relief score makes this bed good for side sleepers, too. Nectar scored an impressive 8.5/10 for their great customer service, as well as a 9/10 in shipping for their quick delivery time: your Nectar mattress will arrive in just 2-5 business days after placing your order! For a durable memory foam bed, its low price point (just $799 for a queen-size) makes it an absolute steal.

  • Mattress Type: Memory foam
  • Customer Rating: 4.8 out of 5
  • Firmness: Medium-firm
  • Warranty: Lifetime

Buy it, Nectar, $799 (Queen), nectarsleep.com

5. Best for Back Pain: Casper

Casper is a brand that’s staked its reputation on the comfort of memory foam. Consider its classic model, the Casper Original, which offers four memory foam layers designed to maximize support while still offering that cushioning feel that memory foam fans crave. It’s made an appearance in the Sleep Doctor’s top picks for relieving back pain, thanks to its expertly designed support layer that offers firmer support where you need it most (by the hips and lower back) and softer support under your pressure points. 

This design––backed by it’s 9.5/10 spine alignment score––helps it alleviate those specific parts of your back that tend to bear the brunt of your body weight when you lay down. Spine alignment keeps excess pressure off your lower back, so you can rest supported and wake up pain-free. The Casper also earned a perfect 10 out of 10 in responsiveness, so you don’t have to strain your back as you change positions. 

Another pro to shopping from the Casper brand? Casper scored a 10/10 for their excellent shipping, just 2-7 business days after placing your order, and a 9/10 in customer service.

  • Mattress Type: Memory foam
  • Customer Rating: 4.5 out of 5
  • Firmness: Medium-firm
  • Warranty: 10-year Limited

Buy it, Casper, $1,095 (Queen), casper.com

6. Best Pressure Relief: Brooklyn Signature

Brooklyn Bedding is a brand that offers a variety of mattress types, but its Brooklyn Signature hybrid model is one of the best when it comes to pressure relief. Its combination of individually-wrapped coils and memory foam helped it earn a strong 9.5/10 in pressure relief. Plus, it features a quilted pillow top that’s perfect for sinking into for a cozy feel. Available in plush, medium, and firm, the Brooklyn Signature tests well among sleepers of all body types and comfort preferences. It’s affordably priced, and is a great place to start for anyone who’s new to the online mattress world and wants something that’s high-quality but still budget-friendly.

Brooklyn Bedding also offers reliable shipping and customer service, earning a 10/10 and 9/10, respectively. Your Brooklyn Signature mattress will arrive within 4-8 days after placing your order.

  • Mattress Type: Hybrid
  • Customer Rating: 4.7 out of 5
  • Firmness: Plush; Medium; Firm
  • Warranty: 10-year

Buy it, Brooklyn Signature, $1,124 (Queen), brooklynbedding.com

7. Best Luxury Mattress: DreamCloud Premier

DreamCloud has pioneered the art of luxury mattress construction and is well-regarded for its commitment to premium materials. Those looking for mattresses that contain coils may want to take a close look at the DreamCloud Premier, which offers layer upon layer of excellence. It uses a pocket coil support system encased in foam, which ensures the mattress’s sides won’t falter or sag, noted by its 8.5/10 edge support score. When coils are covered in a thick layer of foam like you see with the DreamCloud Premier, it makes the structure more sturdy, reinforcing its support. Two high-density memory foam layers rest on top of the coils, and a cashmere blended euro top makes up the surface of the bed. This construction keeps you feeling ‘on’ the mattress rather than ‘in’, as the coils push back against your movements for effortless responsiveness (it earned a 9/10!). The DreamCloud Premier’s supportive coil structure makes it perfect for back and stomach sleepers, but it’s pressure-relieving foam layers also make it attractive to side sleepers. 

And with a 10/10 score in shipping, your Premier mattress should arrive in just 5 to 7 business days. Should you have any issues with your delivery, DreamCloud’s 8/10 customer service score ensures you’ll be well taken care of.

  • Mattress Type: Hybrid
  • Customer Rating: 4.6 out of 5
  • Firmness: Medium-firm
  • Warranty: Lifetime

Buy it, DreamCloud Premier, $1,399 (Queen), dreamcloudsleep.com

8. Best Innerspring Mattress: WinkBed

With not just one type of innerspring coils, but two, the WinkBed gives sleepers the utmost comfort and support. One layer of micro-coils conform around the body and bounce back quickly when pressure is applied, then released (9/10 for responsiveness). A network of pocketed coils near the base keep the middle of the mattress supported, with lighter support towards the head and feet. This maintains healthy spine alignment (8.75/10) and assists the lumbar support layer as well.

These coils also yield the WinkBed a perfect durability score, keeping the mattress structurally intact and supportive for years to come. 

  • Mattress Type: Hybrid
  • Customer Rating: 4.5 out of 5
  • Firmness: Softer, Luxury-firm, Firmer, Extra-Firm
  • Lifetime Warranty

Buy it, WinkBed, $1,799 (Queen), winkbeds.com

9. Best Cooling Mattress: GhostBed Luxe

The GhostBed Luxe gives sleepers one of the best cooling experiences around, outfitted with temperature-regulating materials that help it score a 9.5/10 in this category. A cooling cover and top layer quickly dissipate body heat, moving it to porous foams below that completely dissolve it. Cooling foams not only make this a comfortable mattress for hot sleepers but are very responsive to motion (9.5/10). No matter if you are a multi positional sleeper that switches between sleeping on your back and stomach, or are sleeping with a partner who moves a lot, the Luxe ensures it will maintain support while absorbing excess body heat.

  • Mattress Type: Memory foam
  • Customer Rating: 4.7 out of 5
  • Firmness: Medium-firm
  • Warranty: 25-year

GhostBed Luxe, $2,320 (Queen), ghostbed.com

10. Best Latex Mattress: Birch

There’s a lot to love about latex. Not only is it a hypoallergenic, organic substance, but it stays cool and responsive. The Birch hybrid mattress compiles organic wool, cotton, Talalay latex, and coils to result in a highly supportive, eco-friendly mattress. Talalay latex does have a bit more “give” than its firmer Dunlop latex countertop, letting you sink ever so slightly into the mattress surface to get comfortable. That doesn’t mean support is sacrificed, though––a coil network boosts the spine (8.5/10) while keeping pressure off of your midsection (8/10).

These elements do a decent job of staying responsive (8/10), but take the cake when it comes to motion isolation. Latex and coils prevent motion transfer with ease, keeping the bed from shaking and earning it a 9/10 in this test category.

  • Mattress Type: Latex hybrid
  • Customer Rating: 4.7 out of 5
  • Firmness: Medium-firm
  • Warranty: 25-year

Birch, $1,699 (Queen), birchliving.com

11. Best Mattress for Overweight Sleepers: Awara

Another top latex option, the Awara sources firm Dunlop latex to keep heavyweight sleepers properly supported. Coils give the pushback sleepers need to keep them from sinking too far into the mattress, while ensuring back support the whole night through (8.5/10). Both the Dunlop latex and coils create internal space for body heat to pass through, so overheating shouldn’t be an issue with the Awara (8.5/10). 

This is also a responsive mattress that provides excellent motion isolation, only reacting to support you as you move, but not throwing the whole mattress off kilter (8.5/10 for responsiveness; 9/10 for motion transfer). 

  • Mattress Type: Latex hybrid
  • Customer Rating: 4.8 out of 5
  • Firmness: Medium-firm
  • Lifetime Warranty

Awara, $1,898 (Queen), awarasleep.com

12. Best Flippable Mattress: Layla

Some shoppers aren’t quite sure whether they want a plush mattress or something on the firmer side. Mattress brand Layla exists with these sleepers in mind, and provides them with an elegant solution: A two-sided mattress that can be flipped back and forth in order to determine the best firmness level. Not only does the classic Layla memory foam mattress offer one of the best ways to get a softer and a firmer feel in the same package, but it also excels at limiting motion transfer (it scored a 8.5/10 in motion isolation), making it good for those who want to sleep undisturbed by their partner’s movements. Plus, the Layla mattress earned a high 9/10 pressure relief score, which helps relieve sore joints and pressure points. A lifetime warranty is included as well, and Layla’s 10/10 shipping score and 9/10 customer service score just provides yet another reason to shop Layla. Customers typically receive their Layla bed in just 3-7 days after placing their order.

  • Mattress Type: Memory foam
  • Customer Rating: 4.5 out of 5
  • Firmness: Medium-soft; medium-firm
  • Warranty: Lifetime

Buy it, Layla, $1,099 (Queen), laylasleep.com

13. Best Firm Mattress: Loom & Leaf

Firm mattresses have their benefits, from better cooling properties to targeted back support. Loom & Leaf’s firm memory foam composition not only assists with these aspects, but stays highly responsive and durable. Scoring a 9/10 spine alignment score, testers noted that this firm mattress kept sleepers’ lower backs pushed up in all sleep positions. Testers also noted that the Loom & Leaf responded well to movement, bouncing back swiftly as testers moved around (8/10). 

There are two firmness options to pick from with the Loom & Leaf: relaxed firm (6/10) and firm (8/10).

  • Mattress Type: Memory foam
  • Customer Rating: 4.8 out of 5
  • Firmness: Relaxed-firm, Firm
  • Warranty: 15-year limited

Buy it, Loom & Leaf, $1,999 (Queen), saatva.com

What to Consider When Comparing the Best Mattress Brands

When you’re browsing mattress brands, keep in mind that the best choice for you will depend on a number of factors that pertain to your unique sleep style. There’s not one clear-cut answer for those who simply want to know the best brand. It’s important to think about individual sleep preferences and needs, and the brand that’s best for one sleeper may not be the best match for someone else.

Sleep Position

Sleep position can have a significant impact on comfort, pain relief, and on the quality of sleep. Each sleep position has its own pros and cons, and thus benefits from different kinds of fits and feels. 

Side Sleepers

Side sleepers have the benefit of experiencing less back pain than those who sleep in other positions, but this posture does have a tendency to place more pressure on your hips and shoulders. These pressure points dig into the mattress when laying on your side, so it’s key for side sleepers to rest on a softer surface with more give that allows them to sink into the bed just enough to relieve pressure. Memory foam mattress brands work well for side sleepers because of their contouring feel.

Back Sleepers

When you sleep on your back, you’re supporting your spine, which is why it’s crucial back sleepers use a mattress that maintains neutral spine alignment. Spine alignment keeps excess pressure off your lower back, and promotes a healthy sleeping posture so you can wake up rested and pain-free. Back sleepers rest better on a medium-firm to firm bed that offers lasting support and keeps the hips elevated, so that they don’t sink too far into the bed and throw their spine out of whack. Look for mattress brands that incorporate coils into their designs, which provide more durable support than any other material.

Stomach Sleepers

Stomach sleepers are similar to back sleepers in the sense that their biggest priority is support. Even more so than back sleepers, those who rest face down run the greatest risk of spine misalignment, which can cause an achy back in the morning. Stomach sleepers fare well on firmer mattresses that provide enough pushback to keep their spine aligned and hips supported. 

Combination Sleepers

Combination sleepers toss and turn between multiple positions throughout the night. These sleepers need a responsive bed with a springy feel that can bounce back against their movements and provide support in every position. Like back sleepers, those who switch positions should shop mattress brands with coil constructions. Coils spring back against movement quickly, unlike memory foam, who’s sinking nature creates a slow response time.

Mattress Type and Materials

When considering different mattress brands, it’s also important to think about different mattress materials. Some mattress brands are popular for focusing on certain types of materials, such as latex or memory foam. Other brands offer a more varied selection fit for a variety of sleepers.

Memory Foam

Memory foam is a popular option for its cushy feel and ability to contour along areas of pressure. This type of mattress is ideal for those who like to be “hugged” to sleep at night. Memory foam also does well at limiting motion transfer, which is a pro for couples or those who sleep with a pet and want to rest undisturbed by their bedmate’s movements. Brands like Casper and Leesa offer a variety of memory foam models, but memory foam can sometimes run a bit hot as this material tends to trap heat. Forward-thinking mattress brands try to counteract this by infusing beds with gel beads, graphite, copper, or other temperature-regulating materials.

Innerspring

Some mattress brands, like Saatva and DreamCloud, offer beds that are made with supportive coil systems. Innerspring mattresses provide sturdy support, and may also run cooler than other types like memory foam. This type isn’t the best choice when it comes to pressure relief though, as its firmer structure doesn’t have the give side sleepers need to get that deeper compression.

Hybrid

A hybrid mattress is simply any bed that’s made from a combination of materials, and designed to offer the best of each. The most frequent combination seen is coils and foam, which marries the support of innerspring beds with the pressure relief of all-foam designs. These mattresses last longer than other types , though they can also be fairly expensive. You can find a number of mattress brands that sell hybrids, as this type is quickly becoming increasingly popular in the bed-in-a-box family.

Latex

Latex mattresses aren’t common among most mattress brands, but their pressure-relieving and temperature-regulating nature are encouraging manufacturers to up their game. This type is unique because it contours along your sides like memory foam, but springs back against your movements like coils do. Latex is also extremely supportive and durable, but these beds typically cost more (though it may be worth the extra cash in the long run). 

Eco-Friendly Options

For folks who like to shop green, there are a number of suitable organic mattress options on the market. Look for beds that have certifications like CertiPUR-US, GreenGuard, Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), and Oeko Tex standard. These certifications guarantee the materials were made without harmful chemicals or metals and that VOC’s, or volatile organic compound emissions, are low. 

Mattress brands like Avocado, Nest Bedding, and Brentwood offer models that use organic materials and have passed rigorous testing to certify their all-natural designs.

Mattress Firmness

The firmness level of a mattress is another key consideration for mattress shoppers, as it can have a big impact on overall comfort and support. Medium-firm mattresses provide a middle-of-the-road feel, which is why it’s the most popular firmness level seen among most mattress brands. Your body type and weight will also determine the firmness level best for you; heavyweight sleepers sink into the mattress more, and need a firmer bed that provides more support, while lightweight sleepers tend to stay on top of the mattress more, and may need a slightly softer bed with some give.

As you consider different mattress brands, also pay attention to those that offer customizable firmness options, plus brands that favor “flippable” designs. These are often the best beds for those who want some control over the firmness of their sleep surface because they allow you to flip the bed whenever you want to change the feel.

Mattress Sleep Trial & Warranty

Mattresses aren’t cheap, so you want to be sure you’re well-protected before buying. When shopping online especially, it’s helpful to examine a brand’s sleep trial and warranty policy to help give you confidence in your purchase. Sleep trials allow you to test the mattress before fully committing: a 100-night sleep trial is the industry standard, but some brands will give you up to a full year to try out the mattress. 

A bed’s warranty guarantees its quality over a long period of time. Some mattress brands offer a 10-year warranty for each product, while others go as far as to offer a lifetime warranty. These are important factors to assess as you think about your comfort level when purchasing from a particular brand, plus the overall value of the mattress you’re looking at.

Shipping and Delivery

When you’re buying your bed online, a key consideration should be the shipping and delivery process––you’ll want to know when you can finally get your hands on the mattress! Luckily, most online brands ship their mattresses within 3-7 business days, while other online brands like Saatva may take up to 2 weeks to deliver since each Saatva mattress is made to order. Most online mattress brands ship for free, and some even include complimentary white glove delivery in your purchase, which means you can sit back and relax while their team sets up the bed for you.

Company Reputation

When you’re buying from an online mattress brand, you want to buy from a reputable company that you know you can count on. Most of the bed-in-a-box brands mentioned have been around for at least 5-10 years (like Purple, which was founded in 2013), but brands you’ll find in a brick and mortar store, like Stearns and Foster, have been around for much longer.

But by examining different brands’ customer service scores and user reviews, you can determine if the brand is reputable enough to purchase from. It’s worthwhile to perform some research of whichever brand or brands you’re eyeing to ensure the brand is credible. All of the brands mentioned in this round-up earned high customer service scores from the Mattress Advisor team.

Final Thoughts on the Best Mattress Brands

There’s a lot to think about when you’re browsing mattress brands, including not only the components of the mattress itself, but also factors like price, sleep trial period, and overall customer service. These top picks appeal to a variety of sleep types, and are some of the most highly-regarded brands in the industry. Shoppers can buy with confidence knowing these brands are vetted by The Sleep Doctor.

Sources:

Hungs, Marcel. 2010. University of California Center for Sleep Medicine. https://ift.tt/3FGyTCb

Journal of Chiropractic Medicine. 2017. “Effects of Mattress Material on Body Pressure Profiles.” https://ift.tt/3kVGK7i 

Journal of Chiropractic Medicine. 2009. “Changes in back pain, sleep quality, and perceived stress after introduction of new bedding systems.” Journal of Chiropractic Medicine (Vol. 8, Issue 1), March 8, 2009. https://ift.tt/3DOQBmu

Leggett & Platt. 2020. “Open Coil” Kansas State University Institute of Environmental Research. https://ift.tt/3r4PrA2.

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