Best Mattress 2023: Expert Tested in our Sleep Lab

Best Mattress 2023 Video

Watch our video below to get a closer look at our best mattress picks for 2023.

Real Testing By Real Experts

Every sleeper is different, so we strive for an objective rating system that helps you understand each product – the good and the bad – so that you can make the best purchase decision. The R&D team behind our tests use advanced tools and methodologies to feed a quantitative dataset of over 1,300 mattresses. We blend that data with feedback from real experiences from our at-home sleep product testers, focus groups, and consumer audiences. For more information about our mattress testing process, jump down to our methodology section below.

If you’re just getting started in your search, read our guidance on finding the perfect mattress and answers to common shopping questions.

Our Recommendations

Why It’s Best Overall

Well-rounded performance, quality construction, and affordable pricing put the Helix Midnight at the top of our best mattress picks. We attribute these qualities to the bed’s mid-range firmness, which hits the sweet spot between plush and firm, and a memory foam hybrid construction that earned above-average marks from our testers for pressure relief, motion isolation, breathability, and overall support.

Helix offers a wide selection of hybrid mattresses, each one designed for people with specific body types, sleep positions, and firmness preferences. Our testers singled out the Helix Midnight thanks to its balanced feel that combines pressure relief and sturdy coil support – all at a very reasonable price-point.

How It Performed

The Helix Midnight has a medium firm (6) feel. The foam layers alleviated pressure buildup and isolated motion well during our tests, while the coils helped the mattress maintain a comfortable temperature and allowed testers to move across the surface with ease. We found that the even blend of pressure relief and ease of movement appealed to side, back, and stomach sleepers on our test team. It was also a hit with combination sleepers who frequently switch their position during the night.

What It’s Made of

The first two layers of the Midnight are made of foam. The top layer is Helix’s Memory Plus Foam, which cradled testers’ pressure points while keeping a degree of responsiveness. The second layer is transitional polyfoam that prevented testers from significantly sinking into the mattress. Under this is a pocketed coil support core, which provided a sturdy foundation and a bit of “bounce” to the mattress, making it easier to move on.

You can fill out a survey on the company’s website to determine which mattress best meets your needs, so this may be a good option if the Midnight sounds too soft or too firm. The sleep trial for the Midnight runs 100 nights, and Helix backs the mattress with a 10-year warranty that covers defects in materials and manufacturing. Shipping is free for customers in all 50 states.

The DreamCloud’s luxurious construction utilizes multiple types of foam along with pocketed coils to give you a comfortable combination of contouring, support, and responsiveness. This makes the mattress a great option if you tend to sink too deeply into your mattress, or if you don’t enjoy overly firm sleep surfaces.

How It Performed

The DreamCloud’s medium firm (6) feel met the needs of many of our testers and was a top choice for side and back sleepers in particular. The balanced performance served most combination sleepers and couples, as well.

Hybrids are considered one of the best mattress types for hot sleepers, so it’s no surprise the DreamCloud performed well in our temperature neutrality tests. The pocketed coil support core circulates air and helps maintain a cool interior temperature. The DreamCloud also takes cooling a bit further with a luxury cover made from blended cashmere, which we found breathable and excellent at wicking moisture.

What It’s Made of

The DreamCloud starts with a layer of polyfoam quilted into the bed’s cashmere-blend cover. A two-tiered comfort system follows, beginning with a layer of gel-infused memory foam that kept our bodies supported by modestly cradling heavier zones and pressure points. The next layer is made of polyfoam and has slightly less contouring and more bounce. Our testers noted this was a nice way to balance the memory foam’s conforming feel.

The support core is made with individually wrapped coils divided into zones that adapt to your body, offering enhanced support to your lower back and deeper contouring for the shoulders and hips. The springs shore up stability at the edges and create notable bounce that enhances ease of movement across the whole mattress surface. A layer of high-density polyfoam underneath the coils fortifies the mattress and limits noise from the coils.

The DreamCloud’s sleep trial lasts for a full year, giving you 365 nights to truly see how well it works for you. Over the long haul, you can rest easy knowing that you’re covered by DreamCloud’s lifetime warranty.

The Nectar is a stellar example of a high-quality mattress that won’t break the bank. Nectar Sleep also offers other perks if you’re shopping on a budget, such as a generous sleep trial and hassle-free warranty coverage for as long as you own the mattress.

How It Performed

During tests, we found the Nectar’s conforming properties made it a good match for side sleepers of all sizes. Many back and stomach sleepers on our team, particularly those between 130 and 230 pounds, also felt comfortable on this mattress. The Nectar has a balanced, mid-level firmness and materials that offered testers comfortable plushness without sacrificing support. The mattress earned strong ratings across performance categories such as pressure relief, motion isolation, and temperature control, yet it costs much less than the average memory foam model.

What It’s Made of

The Nectar features a 2-inch comfort layer of memory foam over transitional and support layers of denser polyfoam. Although the mattress is very supportive, you’ll feel deep body-contouring from the first layer that we liken to sleeping “in” – as opposed to sleeping “on” – the mattress. A quilted cover accentuates the comfortable design by creating a luxuriously plush feel on the surface.

Nectar’s 365-night sleep trial, which is among the longest in the industry, and lifetime warranty are exclamation points on the value offered by this quality mattress that is available at a very accessible price point.

The Saatva Classic blends the superior support of traditional innersprings with the enhanced comfort and sophisticated features of modern hybrid mattresses. The result is a luxurious Euro-top design that alleviated pressure points during testing without sacrificing sturdiness or temperature regulation.

How It Performed

Multiple firmness and thickness options make the Classic an appealing choice for a wide range of sleepers, regardless of body type and sleep position. The two coil layers created responsiveness and made it easy for testers to move on the bed while also lightly contouring to the body for cushioning. Plenty of airflow through the coils kept this mattress cool through our temperature neutrality tests. Firmness options include soft (3), medium firm (6), and firm (8), so you can choose the firmness that best suits your preferences.

What It’s Made of

The top of the Saatva mattress utilizes several types of foam, including a specialty polyfoam and a memory foam pad under your lumbar area. These foams are quilted into the Euro-top, which has a cover made of smooth, breathable organic cotton.

Underneath the Euro-top is a coil-on-coil design. The top coil layer is 4 inches thick, and the coils are individually wrapped. This allows them to compress under your body while also decreasing motion transfer. The second coil layer forms the mattress’ support core, and is either 4.5 or 7.5 inches depending on the profile you select. This layer uses hefty 13-gauge springs that are bolstered by a high-density foam encasement around the perimeter to give you better edge support.

You’ll receive free White Glove delivery with your mattress, which includes installation plus haul-away of an old mattress. The mattress is also backed by a 365-night sleep trial with a $99 return shipping fee, and a lifetime warranty.

The WinkBed is a hybrid model with four available firmness options. With a medium soft feel that ranks as a 4 out of 10 on the firmness scale, the Softer WinkBed has the most cushioning of any WinkBed model, so we recommend it for side sleepers of any body type. The mattress contours closely to your hips and shoulders while still promoting proper spinal alignment.

How It Performed

Our in-house testing determined that side sleepers from all weight groups enjoyed the Softer WinkBed, and those weighing less than 130 pounds especially liked how deeply the Euro-top cradled their hips and shoulders.

This model also scored well in the motion isolation category, as the thick foam comfort system absorbs movement before it has a chance to transfer across the bed’s surface. Since the pocketed coils are individually wrapped, they also help cut down on motion transfer by moving independently from one another. Testers did not feel each other’s movements when sharing the bed, so couples should be able to use this mattress without disturbing their partner.

What It’s Made of

The Softer WinkBed’s construction begins with a breathable Tencel cover and plush Euro-Top that’s made from gel-infused polyfoam. The gel helps draw heat and moisture away from your body, while the polyfoam cradles your hips and shoulders to relieve pressure point discomfort. Another layer of polyfoam rests beneath the Euro-top, creating a comfortable buffer that prevents you from sinking too deeply into the mattress.

The support core features individually wrapped pocketed coils. The coils are arranged into five zones that provide increased support under your midsection and less pushback under lighter parts of your body. The coils have a higher gauge around the perimeter, giving this model robust edge support and a surface that’s easy to move on.

If you want to try the Softer WinkBed, you can take advantage of the 120-night sleep trial. You must try the mattress for at least 30 days before initiating a return. The mattress carries a generous lifetime warranty and ships free within the contiguous U.S.

The Helix Dusk Luxe is a hybrid model that balances strong support with cushioning layers. We found the medium firm (6) feel and well-rounded design appealed to a wide variety of testers in our lab. This mattress may be attractive to co-sleepers looking for a happy medium to accommodate different body types and sleep preferences.

How It Performed

The memory foam and polyfoam layers delivered strong pressure relief during our tests while protecting against excessive sinkage. The Dusk Luxe was a good fit for our testers who enjoy a little bit of body hug from foam, but not too much. While the coils gave the bed a moderately bouncy feel, the thick foam comfort system absorbed a lot of motion. This may appeal to couples who need a bed that prevents motion from easily transferring across the surface. The bed was well suited for most side sleepers on our team, but back and stomach sleepers up to 230 pounds also found the bed fairly comfortable.

What It’s Made of

One of this mattress’ standout features during testing was the Euro-top cover, which creates an instantly plush surface to cradle your body. This sits atop a layer of higher density polyfoam, followed by a thicker layer of memory foam that contours to your body. A transitional polyfoam layer further promotes contouring but is also a bit firmer to keep your body from sinking too deep. The bed’s strongest support comes from the core of pocketed coils, which are specially zoned to enhance lumbar support and help ensure your spine is properly aligned.

Helix offers a 100-night sleep trial and a 15-year warranty if you decide to keep the bed. Shipping is free to all 50 states.

With three firmness options and a well-rounded design, the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe is one of the most versatile hybrid mattresses we’ve tested. We found the bed’s cooling features made it a strong fit for sleepers who tend to run hot at night.

How It Performed

The Aurora Luxe’s proprietary foams have a more latex-like feel than conventional polyfoam, so you’ll experience significant responsiveness with moderate conforming to relieve pressure. The medium firm (6) model has a balanced feel that appealed to most of our testers, regardless of sleep position and body type. Side sleepers under 130 pounds felt most comfortable on the medium soft (4) model, while back and stomach sleepers and testers over 230 pounds preferred the firm model (7).

The coils allow for plenty of ventilation and enhance the bed’s overall edge support. The surface is also infused with TitanCool, a phase change material that helped keep the bed cool and comfortable during our heat-mapping tests.

What It’s Made of

The Aurora Luxe comes in three firmness levels that correspond to medium soft, medium firm, and firm. All models have a thick comfort system that begins with a top layer of copper-infused CopperFlex foam, a proprietary polyfoam with cooling properties. Beneath is a layer of TitanFlex polyfoam that varies in thickness, depending on the firmness option you choose. If you need more cushioning, you can add an extra foam layer — known as the “Cloud” pillow-top — to the comfort system.

The medium soft and medium firm options have a third layer of gel-infused memory foam, which conforms closely to your body to relieve pressure. The firm option uses VariFlex foam in lieu of memory foam, which we found generated more support. In all models, the support core contains a thick layer of pocketed coils that rest on a thin layer of high-density polyfoam.

Brooklyn Bedding offers a 120-night sleep trial and 10-year warranty with all of their mattresses. Shipping is free to addresses in the contiguous U.S.

If you experience back pain during sleep, you might benefit from a mattress that provides both even spinal support and top-notch pressure point relief. Achieving this balance can be difficult, which is what sets the WinkBed apart from many of its competitors. You can choose between four firmness options with this hybrid mattress, but the Luxury Firm model is a standout option for people with back pain.

How It Performed

The polyfoam and pocketed coils create a luxe feel that our testers described as well-balanced and welcoming. This set of features allowed the mattress to isolate motion effectively during our performance tests, while the air circulation through the coils helped the bed stay cool. The WinkBed’s substantial support and moderate contouring made it an excellent pick for most testers, but it especially appealed to those who weigh up to 230 pounds.

What It’s Made of

The Luxury Firm has a medium firm feel that ranks as a 6 out of 10 on our firmness scale. The mattress’ top layer is a plush Euro-top quilted with gel-infused polyfoam. The foam surface helped relieve pressure point discomfort during testing by contouring closely to our bodies, helping to cushion joints and evenly disperse weight. A transitional polyfoam layer acts as a comfortable buffer between the Euro-top and support system.

The pocketed coil support core is divided into different zones based on gauge and strength. Thicker coils wrap around the perimeter to limit sinkage and help you feel more stable sleeping close to the edges, while thinner interior coils offer adequate support without making the mattress feel too stiff.

The Winkbed comes with a 120-night sleep trial and a dependable lifetime warranty. Shipping is free within the contiguous U.S.

You generally need a balance of cushioning and support to promote even spinal alignment and prevent pressure buildup in areas like the shoulders, lower back, and hips. The Nolah Evolution 15 is available in three firmness levels, so most sleepers across different positions and weight groups can find a comfortable option.

How It Performed

The Nolah Evolution 15 is a great choice if you sleep hot at night. The top foam layer contours to your body much like memory foam but without the heat retention. This is largely thanks to graphite infused into the material. We found the coils promoted airflow for added cooling and also protected the perimeter quite well, providing pushback and preventing sinkage when you’re getting in and out of bed or sleeping close to the edges.

Our testers who weigh less than 130 pounds preferred the plush (5) feel due to its deeper contouring, while testers who weighed more received better support from the luxury firm (6) or firm (7) models. The zoned coils provided enhanced lower back support and hip support, along with gentler cradling for the head and shoulders. Thanks to this broad selection, most of our testers found a firmness level that improved their alignment and reduced pressure in sensitive areas along the spine.

What It’s Made of

The Nolah Evolution 15 features a Euro-top padded with foam and a comfort layer of AirFoamICE, a proprietary polyfoam. An additional polyfoam layer offered transitional support and prevented testers’ bodies from sagging excessively. The support core contains pocketed coils divided into zones based on your body weight, so you’ll receive more reinforcement around your midsection and gentle cradling for lighter areas of your body. Thicker coils also reinforce the perimeter.

The mattress comes in six standard sizes, as well as a split king size. Nolah provides free ground shipping to all customers in the contiguous U.S. You’ll receive a sleep trial with your order that spans 120 nights in length. The mattress is also backed by a lifetime warranty that covers structural defects for as long as you own it.

Due to its unique flippable design, the Layla Hybrid offers two firmness levels in one mattress: medium soft (4) and firm (7). We found this flexible design accommodates a diverse range of sleepers, ensuring optimal support and pressure relief for most people regardless of your body type or preferred sleep position. It’s especially suitable if you experience uncomfortable pressure buildup in joints like the hips and shoulders.

How It Performed

Our testing showed that individuals of all sizes and sleep positions experience good spinal alignment on the Layla Hybrid. We attribute this to the zoned polyfoam transitional layer on each side, which supports the heavier areas of your body, such as the hips and shoulders, while cushioning your head and neck. The firm side was more popular among sleepers on our team weighing more than 230 pounds, who reported better spinal alignment and support beneath their hips and shoulders. Testers up to 230 pounds appreciated the medium soft side’s deep, pressure-relieving cradle.

What It’s Made of

The mattress is constructed with a comfort layer on either side, consisting of low-density memory foam infused with copper meant to help keep the bed’s surface cool. Meanwhile the shared pocketed coil support core allows air to freely circulate, which further prevents heat buildup. The bed also features a reinforced perimeter, allowing our testers to comfortably use the entire sleep surface without experiencing feelings of “roll-off.” A breathable cover made from a stretchy polyester, rayon, viscose, and poly-lycra blend encases the entire mattress.

Layla offers free shipping for customers who reside in the contiguous U.S. and backs the mattress with a 120-night sleep trial and a 10-year warranty.

If you maintain an active lifestyle, you should invest in a mattress that promotes physical recovery during the night. The Bear Elite Hybrid promotes muscle recovery thanks to its tried-and-true combination of adaptive foam and pocketed coils, which delivers deep cushioning and even contouring to alleviate sore spots along the spine. Another key element of the mattress is a zoned transitional layer that pushes back against the weight in your midsection and prevents excessive sinkage.

How It Performed

The Elite Hybrid is available in three firmness levels, and our team tested each one. The medium (5) feel conforms very closely, resulting in a cloud-like surface that was popular among our side and back sleepers under 130 pounds. Back and stomach sleepers on our team weighing at least 130 pounds preferred the firm (8) design, which contours very little and offers sturdy support. If you’re a side sleeper who weighs 130 pounds or more, we recommend the medium firm (6) model for its balance of cushioning and reinforcement.

Temperature control was a highlight of our hands-on tests. The Elite Hybrid’s Celliant-blend cover is engineered to feel cool to the touch at all times, and the coils promote steady airflow, so our thermal sensors detected minimal heat retention. Motion isolation and pressure relief proved key strengths of the medium design while the medium firm and firm models excelled at edge support and ease of movement.

What It’s Made of

The Elite Hybrid begins with a memory foam comfort layer. Cooling gel infused into the foam helps reduce heat absorption to keep the surface cool. The transitional polyfoam layer is divided into five firmness zones to reinforce the midsection, where people tend to carry a disproportionate amount of weight, while cradling lighter areas of the body.

Pocketed coils and dense base foam make up the support core. Thicker coils along the perimeter provide extra stability when you lie along the edges of the mattress or get in and out of bed. Celliant-blend fabric encases the entire mattress.

Bear offers free ground delivery to customers in the contiguous U.S., and your order includes two free pillows at no extra cost. The company’s sleep trial runs for 120 nights. If you decide to keep the Elite Hybrid after the trial ends, you’ll receive a lifetime warranty against structural defects. You can also purchase an accidental protection plan that covers stains and other types of physical damage.

Why You Can Trust Us

We’ve personally tested hundreds of mattresses, evaluating them for a wide range of performance metrics that can affect your sleep experience. Our offices are literally filled with stacks of mattresses, as we’ve had just about every major mattress on the market at one point or another.

Each tester on our 10-person panel brings years of research and testing expertise to the mattress evaluation process, many of them having worked intimately with mattress manufacturers. On top of that, we source data from dozens of other internal and external evaluators, whose differing preferences, body types, and sleep positions help to add another layer of important data.

Our sleep lab is equipped with specialized tools and sensors to measure mattress performance, giving us a wealth of quantitative data across our eight mattress performance categories. We combine these quantified, measurable test results with the qualitative experiences from our testers and evaluators, painting a holistic picture of how a mattress performs and who it’s best for.

Methodology

How We Evaluated These Mattresses

The quantitative portion of our mattress testing methodology involves a series of tests intended to collect data within eight performance categories. This data is collected using testing processes performed consistently across all the mattresses we evaluate. These data-points are then considered within the context of qualitative feedback collected by both our testers and external evaluators. The resulting evaluations are then used to determine our star ratings, individualized recommendations, and accolades across all of our pages.

If you would like more information about our product research methodology and how we test within each performance category, read on:

In-Depth Mattress Guides

For more personalized mattress guides, check out the following pages:

What is the Best Mattress of 2023?

If you are looking for a mattress that excels in a specific performance category, our team has tested and researched hundreds of other mattresses to come up with the list of picks above. Whether your priority is a mattress that stays cool at night or you’re looking for a bed that can help relieve back pain, we’ve got you covered with recommendations.

How Do You Find The Perfect Mattress?

Defining the ideal mattress is extremely subjective. Every sleeper has their own idea of the perfect firmness level. Optimal support and bounce can depend on a person’s sleeping position and body weight. The right mattress can also vary based on whether someone shares a bed, whether they sleep hot, and of course, their budget.

Given all these factors, it’s impossible to say that there’s one single best mattress. For that reason, we’ve broken our top picks into individual categories so that you can find the best bets among specific mattress types and aspects of mattress performance.

Learn more about how to choose a mattress and other information you need when learning about mattresses in our mattress information section.