Best Futon Mattresses in 2023: Reviews and Shopping Tips

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

---

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.