Idle Sleep Gel Foam Mattress Review

Idle Sleep Gel Foam Mattress Review
✔️Last updated: February 2022
✔️Customer Rating: 4.7/5 | |
✔️Mattress Advisor Score: 8.1/10 | |
✔️Type: Gel Memory Foam | |
✔️Firmness: Medium | |
✔️Free Shipping & Returns | |
✔️18-Month Sleep Trial | |
✔️Lifetime Warranty |
The bottom line: The Idle Sleep Gel Foam mattress is perfect for both value and luxury shoppers depending on which model you choose. Its pressure relieving properties make sure you wake without any pain, and you have 18 months to try it out.
Note: Idle Sleep has gone out of business and the Idle Sleep Gel Foam is no longer available. If you’re interested in a comparable mattress, please see our Nectar mattress review.
Is This the Mattress for You?
Idle Sleep Gel Foam is best for: | Idle Sleep Gel Foam may not be best for: |
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Idle Sleep Gel Foam Lab Highlights
The Idle Sleep Gel Foam mattress provides comfort and structure, two things that are too often in short supply. See if this gel memory foam mattress is for you in this mattress review. We’ll cover the pros and cons, product specs, answer some frequently asked questions, and more!
Why We Loved It:
- Exceptional motion isolation makes it easy to share the bed with a partner or pet.
- Washable and removable cover easily keeps Idle Sleep clean and allergen free.
- This mattress is made with luxury materials, but comes at an affordable price.
Scores From the Lab
See how the Idle Sleep performed in our mattress lab tests.
Mattress Advisor Test | Score (Out of 10) |
Shipping | 9 |
Trial Period | 10 |
Return Policy | 9 |
Warranty | 10 |
Set-Up | 9 |
Motion Transfer | 9 |
Edge Support | 7.5 |
Pressure Relief | 8.5 |
Spine Alignment | 8.25 |
Responsiveness | 6.5 |
Cooling | 7 |
Durability | 7 |
Customer Service | 9 |
Social Impact | 2 |
⭐Total Score for the Idle Sleep Gel Foam Mattress: 8.08 /10⭐
✅ Pros
- Pressure Relief: The advanced pressure relief will allow you to wake up without aches and pain in your pressure point areas: hips, shoulders, and lower back.
- Motion Transfer: The thick foam layers in this Idle mattress provide motion isolation, so you won’t be able to feel your partner’s movements as you rest.
- Spine Alignment: The Idle Gel foam layer adapts to your spines natural curve, which helps to prevent lower back pain.
❌ Cons
- When you unbox this Idle Sleep mattress, you may encounter an off-gassing scent which is normal and should dissipate within a few hours.
- Being a memory foam mattress, Idle Sleep is not as cooling as other types of mattresses that provide more airflow.
- Many bed-in-a-box companies engage in social causes, such as donating mattresses to shelters. As of this time, Idle Sleep does not outwardly engage these sorts of campaigns.
Motion Transfer
The dense foam layers in the Idle Gel Foam mattress help to isolate motion, meaning your partner’s (or your pet’s) movements probably won’t disturb you. For reference, we consider a score of eight on this test to be a great outcome, and the Idle mattress scored a nine. The video below demonstrates each side of the mattress remains relatively independent in terms of motion reverberation.
Pressure Relief
When it comes to pressure relief, a mattress needs to be soft enough that your sensitive pressure points, like shoulders and hips, sink into the mattress, but also have enough support that they don’t sink too far into the mattress. The photos below are pressure maps of one of our testers as she lied on her side and on her back. The more blue and green there is, the better the mattress performed, whereas red is a bad sign.


Responsiveness
Combination sleepers rarely stay in one position for too long. They’re on their side for 20 minutes, then maybe they’ll flip to their back, then their other side. Basically, you know it if you are one. And you probably also know that a mattress needs to be springy enough to keep up with your movements. The foam in the Idle Sleep contoured to our body slowly, but profoundly. Basically, this makes it very easy to get comfortable, but once you are comfortable it is challenging to move.
How Firm is It?
The 12” Idle gel foam model has a medium-firm firmness level. This is great for all sleep positions, but mostly for side sleepers. It comes in at about a 5.5 on the firmness scale.

Is My Preferred Sleeping Position Compatible?
The Idle Gel Foam is a good bed for supporting side sleepers by being plush and pressure relieving. It is also a good back sleeper mattress and stomach sleeper mattress with its contouring and medium firmness. Combination sleepers will want to look for a mattress with a higher responsiveness score (Head over to our best mattress for combination sleepers page for better options).

Will You Overheat on the Idle Sleep Gel Foam?
Because this memory foam mattress is made using gel memory foam, it will be more cooling than your average foam mattress, but not as cooling as a latex or innerspring bed.

How Much Weight Does it Support?
The Idle Sleep Gel Foam mattress will support most types of sleepers and body types.
Will Your Current Foundation Work with It?
The Idle Sleep mattress will work on any solid, flat surface, including adjustable bases, box spring, platform beds, and foundations.

A Look Inside
The Idle Sleep Gel Foam mattress uses three layers of memory foam and a safe, cotton fire barrier.

- Quilted Cover: Soft, removable, washable, and offers breathability.
- Fire Barrier: Top layer of natural cotton that serves as a fire resistant barrier
- Gel-infused Foam: Comfort layer of cooling buoyancy foam with a gel infusion; helps provide support
- Transition Layer: Transition foam that promotes airflow
- Base Layer: Support layer of high-density foam core, provides durability
Idle Sleep Gel Foam Specs
Size | Dimensions | Weight | Price* |
Twin | 39” x 75” | N/A | $649 |
Twin XL | 39” x 80” | N/A | $699 |
Full | 54” x 75” | N/A | $849 |
Queen | 60” x 80” | N/A | $949 |
King | 76” x 80” | N/A | $1,099 |
Cal King | 72” x 84” | N/A | $1,099 |
*Prices do not reflect exclusive offers or discounts. Click below to see the best price for the Idle Sleep Gel Foam mattress.
Unboxing the Mattress
Your Idle Sleep mattress will come compressed into a box on your front door. Bring the box to your bedroom, unbox your mattress and roll it onto your foundation. There may be an off-gassing smell that comes with memory foam mattresses, so allow your mattress to air out before you put on bedding.
Idle Sleep Info
Policy | Details |
Delivery | Arrives at your door in 4-10 business days |
Trial Period | 18 months |
Warranty | Lifetime warranty |
Return Policy | Free returns |
Financing | Available through Affirm |
Shipping Information
Because Idle Sleep is made to order, your memory foam mattress will arrive at your home in 4-10 business days via UPS ground. White glove delivery is available for a small fee of $149 (this includes mattress removal). You should be contacted in about 3 business days to schedule mattress setup.
18-Month Sleep Trial
Idle Sleep has the longest, the most generous sleep trial we’ve ever seen: 18 months or 540+ days. Anytime during this period, you can return your Idle Sleep mattress for a full refund.
Idle Sleep’s Warranty
You get a limited lifetime warranty with your memory foam mattress that protects against material defects and wear from body impressions (deeper than 1”).
How to Reach Customer Service
Customer service is available between 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. To contact customer service, text or call 3030-856-6253, live chat, or email info@idlesleep.com.
The Return Policy
During your 18-month sleep trial, you can make a return for a full refund. However, you must wait at least 30 days from your mattress to break in before you return your mattress.
To initiate a return, contact customer service and they will handle your return at no cost to you. You will receive your refund in about 2-3 business days.
Is This the Mattress for You?
If you’re in the market for a cozy, all-foam new mattress that is made using fireproof cloth and offers exceptional motion isolation, then the Idle Sleep Gel Foam may be the best mattress for you. If that isn’t enough to convince you, this foam bed is priced very reasonably, coming in at $949 for a queen size.
If, however, you are a combination sleeper or you sleep especially hot then this may not be the right choice for you, as it did not score particularly well in either category.
See How Idle Sleep Gel Foam Compares to The Idle Hybrid
The Idle Hybrid, one of Idle’s other popular mattresses, scored higher in cooling and responsiveness, and the Sleep Gel won out in the motion transfer category. The Idle Sleep is the cheaper of the two mattresses. Read our full Idle Sleep Hybrid mattress review.
Related: Idle Sleep Latex mattress review.
Q.
Where is the Idle Sleep Gel Foam mattress made?
A.
These mattresses are made right here in the USA! Specifically, Idle Sleep partners with manufacturers in Illinois and South Carolina.
Q.
Should I flip my mattress?
A.
Nope! The Idle Sleep Gel Foam mattress is designed to work on one side only. To prolong the life of your mattress, rotate it instead.
Q.
Can I finance my Idle Sleep mattress?
A.
You can finance your memory foam mattress through Affirm. Choose between a payment plan of 3,6, or 12 months upon approval.