- Brand rating: 9.7/10
- Price: $1,395–$2,990
- Material: Innerspring
- Firmness: Plush-soft, luxury-firm, firm
- Trial period: 365 nights
- Shipping: Free white-glove delivery
- Warranty: Limited lifetime
- Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, split king, California split king
- Mattress height: 11.5 inches or 14.5 inches
Most Comfortable Mattresses of 2024 | Expert Reviewed
Sleep comfort is important for good sleep, and it usually starts with your environment, beginning with carefully considering the most comfortable mattresses. Being exposed to even a little bit of light while sleeping [1] Blume C., et al. Effects of Light On Human Circadian Rhythms, Sleep and Mood. Somnologie (Berl). Aug. 20, 2019. can affect both your physical and mental health, so making sure your room is as dark as possible can help you to stay asleep and help your body to regulate its natural internal rhythmsⓘ The processes in the body that convert and use energy, for example, digesting food or using your muscles. . Studies have also shown that older adults sleep better in a temperature environment between 68–77 degrees fahrenheit (20–25 degrees celsius), though this can depend on the sleeper’s normal body temperature and how much clothing is worn to bed [2] Baniassadi A., et al. Nighttime Ambient Temperature and Sleep in Community-Dwelling Older Adults. Science of The Total Environment. . Hot sleepers will need temperatures in the lower range, while people who wear very little clothing to bed will likely need their bedroom temperature to be on the higher side. [3] Okamoto-Mizuno K., and Mizuno K. Effects of Thermal Environment On Sleep and Circadian Rhythm. Journal of Physiological Anthropology. May 31, 2012
It’s important to remember that each person’s sleeping experience is unique, and when it comes to mattresses, there’s really no single mattress that’s best or most comfortable for all sleepers. But there are some mattresses with measurable markers that make them more comfortable or better than others. For example, some mattresses are specifically designed with hot sleepers in mind, with cooling materials built into the mattress. Sleep comfort is also determined by how well the mattress contours to the body, whether it has a good balance between support and sinking into the material.
It’s also important to note that there are conditions that cannot be remedied with a new mattress. If you’re experiencing poor sleep and it’s affecting your health or ability to get through the day, see your primary caregiver for a health check.
Our Reviews Team has spent more than 2,000 hours researching and testing sleep products. You can see more of our picks for the best mattresses that have been tested and approved by our mattress testing experts. Keep reading for our picks of the most comfortable mattresses on the market, based on our hands-on testing.
Overall Most Comfortable Mattress: Saatva Classic
We chose the Saatva Classic as the Overall Most Comfortable Mattress because, on average, it outscored all other mattresses in support, pressure relief, and responsiveness. Those are some of the most important factors in determining what makes a mattress comfortable for a variety of sleepers.
Most comfortable mattresses in 2024
- Saatva Classic: Overall Most Comfortable Mattress
- Helix Midnight Luxe: Most Comfortable Mattress for Back Pain
- Emma Hybrid Comfort: Most Comfortable for Back Sleepers
- The WinkBed: Most Comfortable for Side Sleepers
- Nolah Evolution: Most Comfortable Soft Mattress
- Bear Original: Most Comfortable Memory Foam Mattress
- Birch Natural: Most Comfortable Latex Mattress
- Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid: Most Comfortable Affordable Mattress
- Titan Plus: Most Comfortable Mattress for Higher-weight Sleepers
Compare the most comfortable mattresses, as of May 2024
Queen cost before discounts | $2,095 | $1,319 | $1,799 | $2,499 | $925 | $1,873.80 | $1,332 | $1,249 |
Firmness | Plush-soft, luxury-firm, firm | Medium-firm | Softer, luxury-firm, firmer, plus | Plush, luxury-firm, firm, comfort plus | Firm | Medium | Soft, medium, firm | Firm |
Mattress type | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid | Foam | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid |
White-glove delivery* | Yes, free | Only mattress removal in select areas | No | No | Yes, starting at $100 | Yes, in select locations | No | No |
*Free delivery and installation of new mattress and removal of old mattress.
Most comfortable mattresses of 2024, reviewed by experts
Saatva Classic: Overall Most Comfortable Mattress
Helix Midnight Luxe: Most Comfortable Mattress for Back Pain
Emma Hybrid Comfort: Most Comfortable for Back Sleepers
The WinkBed: Most Comfortable for Side Sleepers
Nolah Evolution: Most Comfortable Soft Mattress
Bear Original: Most Comfortable Memory Foam Mattress
Birch Natural: Most Comfortable Latex Mattress
Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid: Most Comfortable Affordable Mattress
Titan Plus: Most Comfortable Mattress for Higher-weight Sleepers
How to choose the most comfortable mattress
After testing and research, we settled on the Saatva Classic as the most comfortable mattress. Personal preference plays an important part in shopping for a mattress, and we know that our choice might not be right for all sleepers. As you are preparing for your next mattress purchase, consider these suggestions before you buy.
Sleep position
Sleep position is often a factor when deciding which mattress will be the most comfortable. In general, people who sleep on their back or stomach benefit from a medium to firm mattress that allows them to maintain a neutral spine. Those who sleep on their side may prefer a softer mattress to contour and hug their body while alleviating pressure on their shoulders and hips.
Body type
We believe every body deserves a mattress suited to their individual size and weight needs. So we suggest taking your body type into account, as it changes how you experience a mattress. We know most heavy people, or those weighing more than 250 pounds, will compress a mattress more, requiring a firmer mattress to maintain spine alignment. A lighter person, weighing 130 pounds or less, may perceive mattresses to be firmer, finding they are most comfortable in a softer bed.
Some body types need more space, and a king or cal king can provide more room to stretch out before sleep. When it comes to mattress type, we have found memory foam mattresses often don’t offer the support and durability heavy people need, while the coils in hybrid and innerspring mattresses are a better fit.
Sleep partners
Sharing a bed with another person often changes what you are looking for in a mattress. With two people, there are two sets of preferences to consider and two sets of sleep habits to keep in mind. If you sleep with a partner, a bouncier mattress might not provide the motion isolation needed to avoid sleep disturbances when one person is restless or moving in their sleep. At the same time, some bounce and responsiveness to movement are often preferred for sex.
Cooling capabilities, or how well a mattress regulates temperature, should be in mind if one or both partners run hot or are more sensitive to temperature changes. A mattress that provides enough space and durable edge support will allow both people to stretch out and get comfortable before falling asleep.
We have found that hybrid mattresses most often suit couples’ needs. An innerspring core provides support and airflow, while support foam and memory foam layers contribute to responsiveness and bounce.
How to make your bed more comfortable
Knowing that sleep environment is an important part of good sleep, it is no surprise that finding a mattress most suited to your preferences and needs is only the first step in making your bed more comfortable.
You can support your new mattress purchase and your sleep hygiene beginning with a foundation. An adjustable bed can add comfort to your bed by addressing more specific sleep needs like reflux, mobility limitations, chronic pain, and snoring.
One or more high-quality pillows can support your comfort in your preferred sleep position. For example, if you tend to sleep on your back, a pillow under your head and your knees helps with spine neutrality. Stomach sleepers may require a pillow under their hips and head to accomplish the same thing. The best pillow for side sleepers is often one that has a higher loft height.
High-quality pillowcases and sheets are worth considering when creating your ideal sleep environment. The best sheets are soft to the touch, durable enough to withstand regular washing and frequent movement, and breathable enough to help warm sleepers stay cool.
How to save money on a comfortable mattress
We know that buying a new mattress is a big purchase and that budget is an important consideration before you add a model to your shopping cart. Knowing this, our testing and research included looking at the affordability of a mattress alongside comfort. We found the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid to be the most affordable mattress we reviewed.
We also know this mattress might not be the best for you, so we suggest considering the following while you look for an option that fits your budget:
- Shop during major holidays: Memorial Day, Labor Day, Fourth of July, and President’s Day are all popular holidays for mattress sales. Most in-store and online retailers will mark down their models during these holidays, as well as on Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
- Browse in-store, shop online: In-store mattress shopping has the advantage of allowing you to try before you buy, but online shopping can’t be beat when you’re comparing prices. In general, finding a budget-friendly option will be easier if you buy online.
- Understand trial periods and warranties: Many online retailers allow shoppers a set amount of time to sleep on a mattress as a trial. This allows sleepers to return a mattress that isn’t meeting their needs. That being said, it is important to understand the guidelines around these trials and warranties. Understanding if there are any shipping or restocking fees associated with a return and how long the trial lasts, will help you avoid additional costs.
- Shipping, set-up, and haul-off: When making a big purchase, it is easy to look over all the little fees that add up, making a mattress less affordable. Paying attention to brands offering free shipping, free set-up, and haul-off of your old mattress may help you shave a few hundred dollars off your new mattress purchase.
- Shop budget-friendly brands: We have found that the best affordable mattresses are sold by reliable, budget-friendly, and high-quality brands. These brands include Bear, Brooklyn Bedding, Helix, Saatva, and Nectar.
Bottom line
Determining which mattress is most comfortable for you is highly specific to the type of sleeper you are and what level of firmness gives you the best sleep experience. When shopping for mattresses, other factors like cost, warranties, and trial periods are also important considerations. We found the most comfortable mattresses are the ones that score best in their ability to give targeted pressure relief, and those that support the body while giving room for contouring and proper alignment.
All the mattresses on this list were tested by our Reviews Team. We chose the Saatva Classic as the most comfortable mattress overall because it accommodates the widest variety of sleepers and is made by a company with a good reputation. We selected the other mattresses based on how comfortable they would be for specific types of sleepers. For example, we chose the Helix Midnight Luxe as the Best for Sleepers with Back Pain and The WinkBed as the Most Comfortable for Side Sleepers.
Frequently asked questions
Our testing found innerspring, hybrid, and memory foam mattresses were the most comfortable types of mattresses for most sleepers.
After testing and research, we found that an innerspring core and memory foam add to a mattress’s comfort. Innersprings provide support and bounce, while memory foam contours the body and provides pressure relief.
The queen-size mattresses that made our list range in price from $998–$2,499. In addition to your budget, how much you pay for a mattress should be based on the length of the warranty, the trial period, durability, and how well the mattress suits your sleeping needs.
When choosing the best mattress for you, always consider what type of sleeper you are (side, back, stomach, or combination), how much you move while sleeping, what firmness level you prefer, and the cost you can afford to invest. Since testing a mattress in person is usually the easiest way to find out whether a mattress is best for you, consider purchasing a mattress with a lengthy trial period (we recommend 100–365 nights) so you can take time to see whether to keep it or exchange it for something different.
Have questions about this review? Email us at reviewsteam@ncoa.org.
Sources
- Blume C., et al. Effects of Light On Human Circadian Rhythms, Sleep and Mood. Somnologie (Berl). Aug. 20, 2019. Found on the internet at https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11818-019-00215-x
- Baniassadi A., et al. Nighttime Ambient Temperature and Sleep in Community-Dwelling Older Adults. Science of The Total Environment. Nov. 15, 2023. Found on the internet at https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0048969723042468
- Okamoto-Mizuno K., and Mizuno K. Effects of Thermal Environment On Sleep and Circadian Rhythm. Journal of Physiological Anthropology. May 31, 2012. Found on the internet at https://jphysiolanthropol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1880-6805-31-14