Best Futon Mattresses in 2023: Reviews and Shopping Tips
May 16th, 2023 •
If even a budget mattress is too big of a purchase for you to commit to, futons can be an extremely convenient and minimalistic way to quickly transfer a living space into a sleeping space. But, with the number of futons on the market, trying to find a comfortable and attractive futon can feel like an impossible task.
To help alleviate some of the stress that comes when shopping for a futon, we’ve found the best futons that money can buy. Use this list of the four best futon mattresses to ensure that you pick out a futon that works well with your design aesthetic and provides your guests with some serious z’s.
Best Futon Mattresses
- Best Futon Mattress for Daily Use – DHP 8-Inch Futon Mattress
- Best Japanese Futon Mattress – EMOOR Japanese Traditional Futon Mattress
- Best Memory Foam Futon Mattress – DHP 6-Inch Memory Foam Mattress for Futons
- Best Futon Mattress for Sleeping – Serta Cypress Futon Mattress

DHP 8-Inch Independently Encased Coil Futon Mattress
Best Futon Mattress for Daily Use
Whether you’re sleeping or just watching TV, DHP’s futon mattress offers you and your loved ones with optimal support and comfort. We’re confident that this futon’s trendy design will fit almost any room and the level of comfort it provides will leave your guests asking where you bought it.
The futon has a set of 6-inch coils layered between levels of polyester and foam to ensure that the mattress is supportive while still being plush and comfortable. And, it comes in six neutral colors and will fit any full-size futon frame.
Pros:
- Durable
- Made without flame retardants and other harsh chemicals
- Comes in 6 great colors
Cons:
- No memory foam for added comfort

EMOOR Japanese Traditional Futon Mattress Classe
Best Japanese Futon Mattress
EMOOR’s traditional Japanese futon is unlike any futon you’re probably familiar with. Traditionally, futons were Japanese quilted mattresses that could be rolled out on the floor and used as a bed – think a cot meets a sleeping bag.
This futon requires no frame as it is meant to simply be rolled out onto the floor and slept on. The mattress is 2.5 inches thick and contains a firm polyester pad sandwiched between soft polyester quilts, so it is not too soft or too firm.
It measures 39 inches wide – about the same width as a twin mattress, and 84 inches long – about the length of a XL twin or XL double mattress, so most people can sleep comfortably on this futon.
Pros:
- Great for travel
- Easy to store
- Works well as a mattress topper
Cons:
- Very thin, may not be as supportive as other options

DHP 6-Inch Memory Foam Mattress, Fits Full Size Futon
Best Memory Foam Futon Mattress
DHP’s memory foam futon mattress offers a high level of comfort with a small price tag. The hybrid futon mattress combines the support of innerspring coils with the comfort and body contouring of memory foam to provide sleepers (and sitters) with a seriously comfortable futon.
The 6-inch futon incorporates the standard spring coils with a base of independently encased pocket coils, ensuring equal weight distribution and reduced motion transfer.
Pros:
- Hybrid design combines comfort of memory foam and support of innerspring coils
- Made without flame retardants and other harsh chemicals
- Great for sitting or sleeping
Cons:
- Only 6 inches thick; you may be able to feel the frame beneath the mattress

Serta Cypress Double Sided Innerspring Full Futon Mattress
Best Futon Mattress for Sleeping
Serta has developed into a well-known name in mattresses – and their Cypress futon does not disappoint. This futon mattress is so comfortable that when your guests sleep on the Cypress futon, they will think that they are sleeping on a traditional box-spring mattress.
The 8-inch mattress features a 255 high-quality innerspring system that provides a mattress-like support system and feel. Surrounding the spring system is two 1-inch pieces of CertiPUR foam, verified in support, comfort, and durability. And, to finish it off, Serta tufted the futon with 18 polyester nylon tufts to provide stability and a finished look.
Pros:
- Cover made with cotton-polyester blend that is both durable and comfortable
- Made with CertiPUR-US certified foam
- Innerspring system makes this futon ideal for sleeping
Cons:
- Customers have noted some construction issues
What is a Futon Mattress?
A futon mattress is a hybrid between a sofa and a bed. Originally invented in Japan as a thin padded mat meant to be placed directly on the floor, today most futon mattresses are typically paired with an adjustable metal frame. Futon mattresses are convenient because they’re inexpensive, lightweight, and function as both a sofa and a bed.
Types of Futon Mattresses
Futon mattresses come in two basic forms: traditional Japanese and modern American.
- Traditional Japanese: Traditional Japanese style futon mattresses are thin, foldable mats that allow people to sleep on the floor comfortably. These mats can then be folded up and stored during the day, making them a space-saving solution for guests.
- Modern American: Modern American style futon mattresses are typically thicker than the traditional Japanese style, and instead of being placed directly on the floor, they are typically part of an adjustable metal or wooden frame that can be either a bed or a sofa.
Who is a Futon Mattress Good For?
Futon mattresses have many uses, and there are many situations where they can come in particularly handy.
- College students: Looking for lightweight, adaptable, space-saving furniture for your dorm room or first apartment? A futon is a great solution. It can function as a sofa when friends are over, or a guest bed if someone needs to stay the night.
- New apartment renters or homeowners: One of the best parts of futons is how affordable they are. If you’ve recently moved into your own apartment or house and don’t have enough money to furnish the whole place, a futon is an inexpensive way to have both a sofa and a bed.
- Current futon owners: If you already own a futon, consider when you last replaced the futon mattress. Futon mattresses don’t last forever, and as they get worn out, stained, or uncomfortable, they need to be replaced.
Pros and Cons of a Futon Mattress
As we’ve mentioned before, there are many benefits to owning a futon mattress. They are lightweight, meaning they’re easy to move not only from room to room but also from one home to another. They’re also relatively cheap to purchase, especially when compared to a sofa or a bed. And best of all, they function as both.
However, there are also a few disadvantages to buying a futon mattress rather than a regular sofa or bed. Futon mattresses tend to be thinner and less comfortable than regular mattresses, and the futon frame is typically far less supportive than a bed frame. When it comes to the sofa aspect of a futon, they function very similarly, but a regular sofa is usually far more comfortable.
How to Choose the Best Futon Mattress
When you are searching for a futon mattress, consider the following:
How will it be used?
Think about how often the futon will be used – if it is going to be used rarely, then you don’t need to spend much on it and can purchase a cotton-filled mattress. If it will be used often, you should purchase a quality, coil-filled mattress.
Style
Consider whether you want a traditional Japanese style futon or a modern American style futon. The traditional style is easier to store, but it is thinner and typically doesn’t come with an adjustable frame. The modern style is a more permanent piece of furniture, which makes it harder to store but also more comfortable.
Material
It’s also important to think about what you want your futon mattress to be made of. Mattresses made from only foam or only cotton tend to wear down quickly and are rarely as comfortable as a real bed or sofa, but hybrid futon mattresses that include a combination of cotton and foam or foam and springs tend to be much more comfortable.
Size
Before buying your futon and futon mattress, measure the space in which you plan to use it. If you plan on sleeping on the futon, make sure you have enough room to unfold the frame to make it a bed, and that there’s enough room for you to get comfortable.
Thickness
Thickness is important because it often determines how comfortable the futon mattress will be. A nice thick futon mattress will prevent you from feeling the metal frame underneath.
Comfort
Speaking of comfort, it’s a good idea to test out your futon mattress at a store before buying, or to make sure any online purchase comes with an easy return policy in case it is uncomfortable. This is especially important if you plan on sleeping on the futon mattress.
Durability
Futon mattresses are only expected to last three to five years, but if you know you’re going to use your futon for a while, it’s a smart idea to get the most durable futon mattress possible. This means you should look for a durable, washable cover and sturdy construction.
Price
Finally, it has to be in your price range. The futon mattress itself typically costs anywhere from $100 to $350, with traditional style mattresses typically coming in on the less expensive end and modern style mattresses rating as more expensive. It’s also important to consider the added cost of the futon frame if you are going with the modern style.
Summary
Compare the best futon mattresses below:
Product | Material/Style | Best for | Customer Rating |
DHP 8-Inch Futon Mattress | Foam and polyester interior with coils and microfiber cover | Best for Daily Use | 4.3/5 |
EMOOR Japanese Traditional Futon Mattress Classe | Polyester pad with cotton cover | Best Japanese Futon | 4.3/5 |
DHP 6-Inch Memory Foam Mattress, Fits Full Size Futon | Memory foam and polyester interior with coils and microfiber cover | Best Memory Foam Futon | 4.0/5 |
Serta Cypress Futon Mattress | Foam and cotton blend inside with springs and cotton cover | Best for Sleeping | 3.8/5 |
Designating a space solely as a guest room can cause issues with space and functionality. While we all want to have a room saved for our loved ones and friends who come to visit, it simply is not always practical. Thankfully, whether you want to entertain guests regularly or occasionally, futons can act as the perfect answer to all your problems.
Futons offer a quick and easy way to transform a living space into a room for guests, ensuring that we always have room for those random drop-bys or planned visits. Use our list of the best futon mattresses to make sure the futon you buy is both comfortable and supportive for you and your loved ones.
Futon Mattress FAQs
What size is a futon mattress?
A traditional futon mattress is the same size as a full size mattress—measuring 53” by 75”—but thinner than your average bed. You can also find futons in other mattress sizes, including twin (38” x 75”), twin XL (38” x 80”), full XL (53” x 80”), and queen (60” x 80”).
While the above sizes are the most common, there are larger futons. These include king size futons which measure 76” x 80”. When choosing the right size futon mattress, consider how many people plan to sleep on it and how much room you have for your new futon.
What size sheets fit a futon?
Full size sheets fit most traditional futons. However, futons come in various sizes, including twin, twin XL, full, full XL, queen, and king sizes. You should choose the same size sheets as you would for a traditional mattress of that size. Just be sure that you don’t buy deep pocket sheets because futon mattresses are thinner than your standard bed.
While standard sheets fit a futon when it’s in its flat position, a futon cover is a better option if you plan to regularly switch between flat and upright positions. Futon covers conform to the shape of the futon as it changes position, and are a great choice to keep your futon clean and extend its life.
Related Content

Mattress Guides
Best Air Mattresses
Air mattresses are great for a guest bed, a temporary sleeping surface for yourself, or something to sleep on when camping. We found the best air mattresses for any budget or sleeping scenario. See our top picks.

Sleep Accessories
Best Pajamas for Cold Weather
Flannel, cotton, fleece, and silk all make great materials for warm pajamas. See our top picks so you can stay warm in your sleep.