Torn between the Nolah and GhostBed mattresses? We’ve got you covered in this head-to-head comparison that includes performance scores and our recommendations.
Torn between the Nolah and GhostBed mattresses? We’ve got you covered in this head-to-head comparison that includes performance scores and our recommendations.
Shopping for the right mattress can be overwhelming. If you’re choosing between the Nolah and GhostBed mattresses, this in-depth comparison will make your decision a little easier.
Nolah and GhostBed are both bed-in-a-box online mattress brands in the USA with a history of customer satisfaction. We think you can count on a comfortable mattress from either brand, but which is the best mattress for you? We’ll help you decide by putting the performance scores, highlights, dimensions, and pricing for the Nolah mattress and GhostBed mattress side-by-side in this comparison.
Temperature neutral AirFoam mattress known for offering great pressure relief
Medium firm: 5 - 6 /10
All-foam mattress
120 days
Lifetime warranty
Affordable latex mattress
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Latex mattress with gel memory foam
101 days
20-year limited warranty
Nolah | GhostBed | |
Thickness | 10” | 11” |
Twin | 38” x 75” | 38” x 75” |
Twin XL | 38” x 80” | 38” x 80” |
Full | 54” x 75” | 54” x 75” |
Queen | 60” x 80” | 60” x 80” |
King | 76” x 80” | 76” x 80” |
California King | 72” x 84” | 72” x 84” |
Learn more about mattress sizes.
Nolah | GhostBed | |
Twin | $649 | $645 |
Twin XL | $799 | $845 |
Full | $899 | $1,045 |
Queen | $1,049 | $1,140 |
King | $1,149 | $1,385 |
California King | $1,149 | $1,410 |
We personally tested both of these mattresses in our sleep lab and gave them 14 functionality scores. You can compare how the Nolah and GhostBed performed in the chart below.
Nolah | GhostBed | |
Shipping | 10 | 10 |
Trial Period | 10 | 10 |
Return Policy | 10 | 10 |
Warranty | 10 | 10 |
Set-Up Test | 9 | 7 |
Motion Transfer Test | 9 | 7.5 |
Edge Support Test | 8.5 | 8.5 |
Pressure Relief Test | 7.25 | 6.5 |
Spinal Alignment Test | 9.5 | 7.5 |
Responsiveness Test | 9.25 | 8.5 |
Cooling Evaluation | 8 | 8.5 |
Durability Evaluation | 7 | 9 |
Customer Service Score | 9 | 9 |
Social Impact Score | 6 | 6 |
TOTAL SCORE | 8.9/10 | 8.6/10 |
Both the Nolah and GhostBed mattresses received above-average scores for motion transfer, but Nolah outperformed GhostBed by 1.5 points. All-foam beds are typically better at isolating motion than latex, so this isn’t a big surprise.
Nolah is easily the better choice for those who sleep with a partner or pet and are concerned about disruptions during the night.
Back sleepers can find comfort on either mattress; however, Nolah is a bit softer, so back sleepers who opt for this mattress should enjoy a softer feel or have a petite or average body type.
The GhostBed is a better fit for stomach sleepers, thanks to its slightly firmer feel. The Nolah is probably too soft to keep stomach sleepers adequately supported. We can’t say for certain that it won’t sleep comfortably for all stomach sleepers, but we wouldn’t recommend it.
Neither mattress blew us away with their pressure relief scores, but between the two, Nolah does a better job of cushioning your bony bits, particularly if you split time between your side and back. Also, Nolah performed much better than GhostBed on our spinal alignment test. Remember that keeping your back in a neutral position while you sleep is crucial for avoiding back pain.
The average mattress provides up to 10 years of peak performance. Considering that the typical consumer doesn’t include a new mattress in their annual budget, you want a mattress that will last for at least a decade. While innerspring systems are the most durable, latex mattresses are also slow to deteriorate.
With that in mind, GhostBed is the more durable mattress. You’ll pay a couple hundred more for a larger GhostBed mattress size, but latex has been shown not to develop body impressions over time and regular use. There’s a good chance that it will last longer than Nolah, and we gave it a higher durability rating.
Don’t forget to consider your mattress warranty when you’re assessing durability. Nolah is covered by a lifetime warranty that’s prorated after year 15, while GhostBed is covered by a 20-year warranty that’s prorated after year ten.
Overall, we favor the Nolah mattress for combo sleepers, couples, budget shoppers, and those with back pain. The GhostBed mattress is better for hot sleepers, stomach sleepers, and those who want a durable mattress. Either mattress works for back sleepers, but neither offers exceptionally good pressure relief to side sleepers.
If you’re still on the fence between the Nolah or GhostBed mattresses, write down your top three must-haves for your new bed, and choose the one that best meets those needs.
You could also shop other mattress models. For example GhostBed has a Luxe mattress that’s much more pressure relieving, and Nolah has a flippable mattress. Also note that Nolah doesn’t ship to Alaska or Hawaii.
If you still need to narrow down your options and eliminate some options, check out our mattress comparison tool.
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