8 best mattresses worth shopping, according to editors who take sleep very seriously
Aspects like mattress firmness, thickness, type and more all factor into finding the best option for you.
Tempur-Pedic Tempur Cloud Mattress
$1,539.30
$2,199.00
To compile this list, I surveyed my colleagues about what they love (and perhaps don’t love) about their mattresses, and how it affects their sleep. I also took these aspects into consideration:
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All of the mattresses below are from highly rated brands we’ve covered before or come recommended by an NBC Select team member.
This mattress from Tempur-Pedic has a little bit of everything. It’s available as an entirely foam option, or you can add hybrid technology, which includes more than 1,000 coils that provide pressure point relief to areas of the body that may be prone to strain. The top layer has a flexible cover that wicks moisture to keep you cool and dry, so it’s also a fit if you run hot while sleeping. “I’ve had my Tempur-Pedic mattress for over five years, and it’s just as comfortable as it was when I first got it,” says NBC Select associate reporter Bianca Alvarez. “Mine is firm yet soft and has maintained its shape over time.” Alvarez also shares the mattress with her boyfriend and is able to sleep soundly without being disturbed by motion transfer from his side of the bed.
Type: hybrid | Firmness: medium | Height: 10 in. | Sizes: twin to California king | Warranty: 10 years
This hybrid mattress from Leesa comes recommended by NBC Select reporter Harry Rabinowitz, who first bought it after moving into a new apartment more than two years ago. Since getting it, he says it’s the best, albeit most expensive, mattress he’s ever had. “It’s decently firm and supportive, and never feels stuffy, even in the summer,” he says. “This is my first hybrid mattress, and the mix of memory foam and wrapped springs manages to balance being firm, plush and supportive. I roll around a lot when I sleep, and this mattress is the quietest I’ve used.” It has six distinct layers, including a memory foam recovery layer and a transition layer to separate the foam and springs.
Type: hybrid | Firmness: medium to medium-firm | Height: 11 in. | Sizes: twin to California king | Warranty: limited lifetime
Another great hybrid option, the Original mattress from Casper has four layers to help you sleep comfortably and align the spine, according to the brand. It has three ergonomic zones that help provide pressure relief and support to the back, and a top foam layer with proprietary technology that boosts airflow and breathability, according to the brand, making it ideal for hot sleepers. Plus, the top and bottom areas of the mattress are subtly softer than the middle, which is firmer to provide support to the midsection, according to Casper. NBC Select updates editor Mili Godio, who has a similar model, loves her Casper hybrid mattress, since it caters to both her and her husband, who have different firmness preferences. Godio prefers a mattress on the firmer side while her husband likes a softer one. The Casper mattress has a semi-firm feel, so it’s the perfect middle ground for the both of them.
Type: hybrid | Firmness: n/a | Height: 11 in. | Sizes: twin to California king | Warranty: 10 year limited
Experts in our guide to the best mattresses for side sleepers recommend the Helix Midnight Mattress since its middle layers are made of responsive foam that contours to the body as you switch sleeping positions, making it more supportive, according to the brand. Plus, if you’re a hot sleeper, you can customize the bed by upgrading to the version with the cooling cover on the top, called the GlacioTex Cooling Pillow Top. It has a 4.5-star average rating from more than 7,000 reviews at Helix.
Type: hybrid | Firmness: medium | Height: 11.5 in. | Sizes: twin-RV king | Warranty: lifetime limited
I bought this mattress four years ago, and I still love everything about it. I move around a lot when I sleep and this mattress helps to make that less of an issue for me, since it’s super soft on the outside, but not so soft that I feel like I sink into it while shifting around. It also supports my lower back, which used to cause me so much pain that I had to attend physical therapy to treat it. This mattress helped me through that time, especially since it’s easy to get in and out of — its top layer is soft and cushioned, but firm enough in the center, so I can easily turn to the side and roll out of bed.
Type: memory foam | Firmness: medium-firm | Height: 10 in. | Sizes: twin to split king | Warranty: lifetime
This popular hybrid mattress from Serta comes recommended by NBC Select reporter Zoe Malin, who loves it so much she wrote an ode about her experience sleeping on it. “When I tell you that this mattress changed my life, I’m not exaggerating,” she says. “It’s the ideal medium thickness and medium firmness, and the combination of foam and springs relieves pressure in all the right places.” It has a cooling layer at the very top and then right below are three smaller heat-wicking layers. Plus, the base has over 1,000 small springs to provide firmsupport and help keep the spine aligned. The mattress is also compatible with many types of bed frames, including automated ones that lift and bend the top of the mattress forward to elevate the head.
Type: hybrid | Firmness: medium-firm | Height: 12 in. | Sizes: twin to California king | Warranty: 10 year limited
One of the most affordable mattresses on this list, the Today bed has a mix of cushioned memory foam and several pocketed coils secured on the base to provide a medium-level firmness. NBC Select page Elliott Hyon bought the mattress after seeing how many positive reviews it had. Reviewers particularly love that the mattress has edge-to-edge coils inside, which give more support. Hyon is a back sleeper and his partner is a stomach sleeper, and the mattress is comfortable for both of them, according to Hyon. “It’s a perfect balance between soft and firm, where I don’t sink in too much, but my back isn’t hurting either,” says Hyon. To set it up, all you have to do is unroll it from its packaging and let it expand.
Type: hybrid | Firmness: medium to medium-firm | Height: 10 in. | Sizes: twin to California king | Warranty: 5 years
This option from Bear has a mix of memory foam and cooling gel, and provides all the benefits of both, such as breathability, softness and spinal comfort. Recommended by NBC Select SEO editor Nikki Brown, the mattress is easy to set up and doesn’t have that unpleasant “fresh out of the box” smell. “The brand sent me this mattress a couple of years ago and it’s truly one of the most comfortable mattresses I’ve ever slept on. The blend of coils and memory foam feels supportive but not rigid,” she says. “I sleep on my side quite a bit and love that my hips don’t completely sink into it.”
Type: hybrid | Firmness: medium-firm | Height: 10 in. | Sizes: twin to split king | Warranty: lifetime limited
We’ve previously spoken with sleep experts to learn more about the best way to shop for a mattress. Here’s every step you should take before purchasing, especially if you’re shopping online:
This means going beyond simply choosing the mattress with the most positive reviews. Start by prioritizing your own preferences, including your sleep position, whether your body temperature runs hot or cold at night, and if you may benefit from a tall mattress (if you’re a taller than average height person). As I mentioned before, a softer mattress won’t always be what’s best for you, especially if you’re prone to lower back pain, in which case a firmer mattress may actually be more beneficial, according to experts I’ve spoken to. Lastly, look for mattresses with product details like pressure point relief, breathability and lumbar support.
While you should take reviews online with a grain of salt, since so many people’s preferences are unique, some reviews can be very helpful in choosing the best one for you. If you do prioritize reviews, it’s best to go through ones on Amazon and other major retailers that have at least a few hundred reviews.
As with any large purchase for something you plan on using for years on end, you should prioritize options with a long warranty, preferably at least 10 years and up to a lifetime limited one. You should also look for a mattress brand that allows you to sleep on the mattress for a certain amount of time — preferably at least three months — while still being able to return it for whatever reason.
I’m a commerce editor at NBC Select, where I write about home and kitchen topics, including mattresses and bedding. I’ve written articles and guides on the best quilts and the best pillows for neck pain. I spoke with my fellow NBC Select editors and used my previous reporting as support for this story.
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