If you’re in the market for a memory foam mattress (or still need some convincing that memory foam is the way to go), then you’re in the right place. There’s a reason why memory foam mattresses have taken the spotlight in the mattress scene: they’re affordable, convenient, and most importantly, comfortable.
In this guide, we’ll help you determine if a memory foam mattress is the best option for you and tell you about our top 10 picks for foam mattresses available today.
If you’re already convinced that a memory foam mattress is right for you, then you can skip right over to our top 10 picks using the button below. If not, then stick around and we’ll give you some more information to sleep on.
We feel like we need to clear a few things up when it comes to memory foam mattresses. You might have heard rumors about memory foam, like: “it sleeps hot,” or “it smells like chemicals,” or “it makes you feel like you’re stuck when you sleep in it,” or “it’s too expensive.”
Well lucky for you, this is not the case for most memory foam mattresses today. It is the 21st century – and while your office printer still jams once a day and your paper subway ticket still won’t swipe correctly – we have indeed mastered the art of the memory foam mattress.
In fact, many of the mattress brands you hear about in this category are not always pure memory foam – they typically have a foam blend or proprietary foam material inside that helps address the factors that gave it a bad rap in the past.
What else?
Ten years is on the high-end of a typical mattress lifespan (7-10 years). A memory foam mattress tends to hold its shape better over time – meaning you won’t see as much sagging or drooping as you might with an innerspring or coil mattress. They’re also constructed with a more durable base layer of foam that adds support and strength.
A memory foam mattress offers great lumbar support (good for people who suffer from back pain), pressure relief, and body contouring. It also significantly reduces motion transfer: so if your partner moves around a lot or gets up during the night, you won’t feel it.
Memory foam will hug your body more than other mattresses will and won’t provide as much bounce as other mattresses. You’ll feel more like you’re sleeping “in” the mattress, as opposed to “on” it, but there are varying firmness options to choose from if that’s an issue for you. This also means that your body weight will be distributed more evenly, which helps reduce soreness when you wake up.
It’s worth noting that an overwhelming majority of people who own a memory foam mattress are very pleased with their purchase. The overall customer satisfaction rating for memory foam mattresses is 80%.
Many memory foam mattresses are under $1,500. This doesn’t mean you’re cutting corners. Rather, the mattress brands are cutting out unnecessary fees by selling directly to you, the consumer. By eliminating a fancy showroom, commission-based salesmen, additional marketing and wholesale markups, they’re able to sell you a quality mattress for a fraction of in-store prices.
In our top 10 list, you’ll see a range of prices and special features. As with most things, you can always upgrade. But we’ll let you in on a little secret: even the most expensive mattress we’ve reviewed is still going to be significantly cheaper than buying from a mattress store.
While buying a mattress online, sight unseen might sound risky, you can’t really tell if a mattress is right for you until you sleep on it for about 30 nights. So “testing it out” in a showroom won’t do you much good. The mattress brands we’ve included in our top 10 list all come with generous trial periods (100+ nights) so you can decide if you like your mattress or not in the comfort of your own home. And if it doesn’t work out, you can return it for your money back.
Here we’ve compiled the best memory foam mattresses for every type of sleeper. We consider these the top-rated mattresses based on quality, overall value, and convenience. Pay attention to factors that might be important to you – like support, firmness, cooling properties, trial period and price.
If you want to know more about any of these brands, you can read more about why we like them, what customers have to say, and all the important details in the section right below this chart.
By clicking on the products below, we may receive a commission at no cost to you, the reader. It’s how we fund our Mattress Lab and bring you better mattress reviews and comparisons.
Accolade |
Mattress |
1. Best Value |
Nectar |
2. Best for couples |
Alexander Signature Series |
3. Best for pressure relief |
Puffy Lux |
4. Best for back pain |
Level Sleep |
5. Best for spine alignment |
Tuft & Needle Mint |
6. Best for stomach sleepers |
Layla |
7. Best for side sleepers |
Leesa |
8. Best for combination sleepers |
Nolah Signature |
9. Best organic mattress |
Loom & Leaf |
10. Best for heavier people |
Casper Wave |
This mattress has made a difference in the way I sleep.”
Paul H.
Medium firm: 5.5-6/10
365 days
There are a few things that set Nectar apart from other mattresses: It has one of the longest trial periods in the industry (a full year!), its warranty is valid for as long as you own the mattress, and it’s very budget-friendly.
Nectar’s gel memory foam surface provides great pressure relief and motion isolation. It will give you more of a “hugging” feel, which is ideal for people who don’t tend to move around a ton throughout the night. As an added bonus, Nectar’s proprietary cover is specifically designed to keep out dust mites!
The standard price for a queen Nectar mattress is $699, but you can click the link below to get an exclusive Mattress Advisor discount.
Waking up in the morning is an overall soothing experience."
Courtney
Medium-soft to medium: 5.5 - 7
101 days
The Puffy Lux mattress has a plush, soft top layer, but is firm enough to provide superior spine alignment and pressure relief. Its gel-infused memory foam uses convection and conduction technology to disperse heat away from your body, increasing airflow eight times more than standard foam mattresses.
The standard price for a queen Puffy Lux mattress is $1,795, but you can click the link below to get an exclusive Mattress Advisor discount.
My wife and I have slept comfortably ever since it arrived.”
Rodger D.
Available in Medium or Luxury Firm
100 days
If you’ll be sharing your bed with someone, the last thing you want is to feel their every movement. The memory foam layers in the Alexander Signature Series mattress help to minimize that movement so each of you can get deep, uninterrupted sleep.
The Signature Series also does a great job in responding to movement and different sleeping positions – so if you or your sleeping partner tend to shift around throughout the night, this could be a great mattress for you.
The standard price for a queen Signature Series mattress is $1,199, but you can click the link below to get an exclusive Mattress Advisor discount.
The varied support in the mattress lends itself to a pain-free relaxed sleep."
Barbara G.
TriZone Firmness
365 days
The Level Sleep TriSupport mattress is our top pick for mattresses that help with back pain. This foam mattress was designed to provide different levels of support in the places that need it most. This level of customized support helps to keep your body weight evenly distributed and your spine appropriately aligned. These factors play a big role in helping to alleviate back pain while you sleep.
We also appreciate and admire Level Sleep’s dedication to offering restorative, healthy sleep. The company has been active in sleep research for more than 15 years and has even conducted its own Institutional Review Board (IRB)-approved sleep study which found that subjects who slept on the Level Sleep mattress experienced a 54% reduction in morning stiffness and a 56% reduction of pain. It’s also been recommended by doctors and chiropractors.
The standard price for a queen Level Sleep mattress is $1,599, but you can click the link below to get an exclusive Mattress Advisor discount.
Best mattress I’ve ever owned.”
Wade
Medium: 5/10
100 days
Tuft & Needle created the Mint mattress after listening to feedback from their customers. The Mint was designed as a slightly taller and softer mattress than the original Tuft & Needle. It provides better pressure relief, particularly for side sleepers, and enhanced spine support.
The Mint received a nearly perfect score on spine alignment. Keeping your spine aligned while asleep is just as important as keeping it aligned in your waking hours! It helps ensure a restful and restorative night’s sleep.
Even with all the added benefits, the Tuft & Needle Mint is still very fairly priced and boasts glowing customer reviews.
I wake up refreshed and we’ll rested every day.”
Garrett L.
Soft side: 4-5/10; Firm side: 7/10
120 days
The Layla mattress has a lot to offer. For starters, you can actually sleep on both sides of the mattress! One side is softer and one side is a bit firmer. Stomach sleepers may find more comfort on the firmer side – this will help put stress on the spine.
Layla’s copper properties are also great for pressure and pain relief – making your sleeping hours even more restful and restorative.
We also love that Layla offers a lifetime warranty for as long as you own the mattress!
The standard price for a queen Layla mattress is $999, but you can click the link below to get an exclusive Mattress Advisor discount.
My only regret is not buying this bed earlier.”
Erin S.
Medium firm: 6/10
100 days
If you’re a side sleeper, it’s important to look for a mattress that will evenly distribute your body weight and support your pressure points – particularly in areas of high pressure like your hips, shoulders and knees. The Leesa mattress is our top pick for side sleepers because of its excellent contouring properties that help relieve this type of pressure.
The Leesa also scored very well in our spine alignment test – meaning this mattress will help keep your spine in a straight line while sleeping on your side.
Another area that Leesa scored highly in during our testing is responsiveness. This means that no matter what position you sleep in, Leesa will provide the support you need. Since side sleepers tend to change positions throughout the night more than other positions, this is a favorable trait when looking for the best mattress for side sleepers.
The standard price for a queen Leesa mattress is $995, but you can click the link below to get an exclusive Mattress Advisor discount.
We get so excited to get in bed now.”
Carl H.
Two firmness levels: soft and firm
120 days
The Nolah Signature 12” mattress has all the qualities to support sleepers who tend to move around or change positions throughout the night – superior responsiveness, optimal pressure relief, and great motion isolation.
If you consider yourself a restless sleeper, you may benefit from the adaptiveness of the Nolah – it’s soft enough for side sleepers and supportive enough for back/stomach sleepers.
The standard price for a queen Nolah Signature mattress is $1,499, but you can click the link below to get an exclusive Mattress Advisor discount.
Perfect balance of soft foam and firm support.”
Jennifer C.
Relaxed firm: 6/10; Firm: 8/10
120 days
If you’re looking for an organic mattress that’s also going to provide a great night’s sleep, then Loom & Leaf might be the perfect bed for you!
All the foams in the Loom & Leaf mattresses are CertiPUR-US® certified, meaning they meet some of the most rigorous standards for emissions, content, performance, and durability. Additionally, they use natural thistle as a flame retardant, and the mattress is wrapped in an organic cotton cover.
Since the cover is made with organic materials, it may come with natural markings. They are a result of the organic cleansing process and do not impact the quality of the material.
From morning 1 to morning 100, I woke up with no aches or pains."
Ryan U.
Medium-firm - firm: 7/10
100 days
The Wave is Casper’s most advanced mattress, designed using over three years of customer data to create a sleeping surface that is a step ahead. The technology used in The Wave provides custom support to the areas that need it most.
The Wave has 5 unique layers that work together to support body parts that require different levels of pressure relief and support. Because of this targeted support structure, it’s a great option for heavier people who often need additional pressure point relief while sleeping.
The standard price for a queen Casper Wave mattress is $1,850, but you can click the link below to get an exclusive Mattress Advisor discount.
If getting a more restful night’s sleep and waking up with fewer aches and pains sounds like a good idea, then a memory foam mattress might be right for you.
Anything that’s hyped up naturally comes with some level of skepticism, but there are lots of great options to choose from in this mattress category, and you have nothing to lose when risk-free trials are involved.
If you have questions about memory foam mattresses, or you have one that you particularly love, let us know in the comments below.
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