Best Custom Mattress

People buying a new bed have thousands of options to choose from, but there’s still a place for custom mattresses and countless reasons why someone might choose one. Whether you are looking for a bed in a nonstandard shape or size, need greater control over firmness or materials, or want someone to create the bed you haven’t been able to find, a custom mattress offers the flexibility and control you need.

That said, more control over the final product can mean a more stressful buying experience. People looking for a custom bed must first decide on a manufacturer, which often requires an in-depth understanding of mattress construction as well as their own needs. They are then faced with the customization process, which can sometimes be time-consuming and overwhelming.

To help shoppers create the best custom mattress for their needs, we’ll highlight a few of our favorite custom mattress manufacturers. We’ll also break down the different types of custom mattresses and all the information you need to confidently design your custom bed.

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If you’d like to expand your search for a bed beyond custom mattress options, take a look at our other recommendations broken down by mattress type.

What is a Custom Mattress?

A custom mattress can mean different things depending on the manufacturer. For many, the term refers to mattresses available in an exceptionally wide range of sizes. These are often used for specific purposes, such as RV or truck beds and nonstandard bed frames, as well as unusually shaped rooms.

The next tier of customization usually involves personalizing a bed’s firmness. While many standard mattresses are available in a range of firmness options, a customized bed often allows customers to choose their desired firmness without restriction. This can be applied to the whole sleep surface or split sides of the bed, depending on the manufacturer. The mattress itself can usually be bought in standard or custom sizes.

An entirely custom bed allows start-to-finish customization. Customers are given a choice of materials, firmness, shape, and other important options. This type of bed is particularly suitable for people with unique requests, like heart-shaped beds, or beds intended to fit snugly in antique frames, boat holds, or other uncommon places.

Custom vs. Customizable

Custom mattresses differ from the customizable mattresses shoppers might find on the market. Customizable mattresses provide buyers with a selection of predetermined options to choose from, including toppers, firmness options, height, and design. While these beds provide a greater range of choices for shoppers in search of the perfect bed, they are not considered custom-made.

How to Choose a Custom Mattress

Custom mattresses are unique by nature, but there are still common factors that all potential buyers should consider. Choosing the best custom-made mattress requires an understanding of what to look for in a mattress. We’ll walk you through some of the most important considerations, and how these factors may differ between custom and standard mattresses. We’ll also explain the different kinds of custom mattresses on the market to give you a broad overview of your options

What to Look For in a Custom Mattress

Mattress manufacturers are in the business of marketing their products, and many use marketing terms that are often unhelpful or misleading. While many companies will market their products as universally comfortable, every sleeper has different needs. What is comfortable for one person may cause a restless night for another sleeper.

Rather than relying on marketing, consider your unique needs and preferences, in addition to price, quality, and other factors, to find the best custom mattress for your needs.

Price
Custom mattresses are generally more expensive than the average standard or customizable mattresses, but value-priced custom models can still come in well below the cost of a luxury bed. Price tends to be dependent on the level of customization, as custom-sized beds are usually less expensive than those with firmness or corner customizations. Start-to-finish customization can range in price widely depending on your choices. Most manufacturers offer quotes to give you a better idea of what your custom bed may cost.

Quality Materials
A custom bed is an investment, and most shoppers will want to be sure the mattress isn’t going to start showing wear and tear within a short period of time. While the average mattress has a lifespan of 6 to 8 years, you can get the most out of your custom mattress by ensuring it is made with high-quality materials. Most manufacturers will provide detailed information regarding the various materials they use, but buyers should consider doing their own research before making a decision.

Firmness Level
While many people love the idea of a soft, pillowy bed, the ideal firmness for a mattress is closely tied to the sleeper’s body weight and sleep position.

Back sleepers and those who weigh between 130 and 230 pounds often prefer a medium to medium firm mattress. Side sleepers and those under 130 pounds tend to select softer options, while stomach sleepers and those above 230 pounds find firmer models to be more supportive. These differences are due to both the need for support and the subjective nature of mattress firmness.

Depending on the mattress manufacturer, shoppers may choose between predetermined firmness levels or they may be able to fully customize the way the bed feels.

Size
In addition to the six standard mattress sizes, there are a number of nonstandard sizes available. These include oversized beds like Alaska king and Texas king, as well as mattresses meant to fit RVs, pickup truck beds, and semi-truck bunks. If none of these options works for your situation, a custom-size mattress may be well worth the investment.

Shape
Many people turn to custom mattresses to fit an unusually shaped bed frame or sleeping area. Shape customization can vary widely, from beveled or angled corners to custom geometric shapes or beds for boats. Corner customization is more widely available, while specific shapes usually require a company experienced in start-to-finish customization.

Pressure Relief
While most beds offer some degree of pressure relief, the type of mattress and materials you choose will have the greatest impact on your bed’s performance. Pressure relief is particularly important for side and stomach sleeping, as these positions can create pressure points that may cause next-day or long-term aches and pains. If this feature is important to you, consider your custom options carefully and work with the manufacturer directly to decide what may be best for your needs.

Edge Support
Sitting on the side of a bed with poor edge support will cause it to sag, and its perimeter will offer less support for sleepers than the center of the mattress. Edge support is largely dependent on a bed’s construction. Foam beds tend to perform poorly in this category, while innerspring and hybrid options often rank quite well. Features like perimeter reinforcement can provide both foam and hybrid models with excellent edge support.

Contouring
Many people associate contouring — the feeling of sleeping in, rather than on, a mattress — with improved pressure relief. Memory foam tends to hug the body for exceptional pressure relief. That said, less-contouring materials like latex can still offer top-notch pressure relief. How much contouring your mattress should provide is primarily a matter of personal preference.

Temperature Regulation
How well a mattress regulates temperature tends to depend on its construction. Support cores and comfort layers with better airflow make for a more temperature-neutral sleeping environment, while materials that restrict airflow or retain body heat tend to be quite warm. Contouring also affects temperature regulation, since a closely contouring mattress may prevent airflow around the body.

What Kinds of Custom Mattresses are Available?

There are multiple types of custom mattresses available. Some are designed for specific purposes, while others are built precisely to the customer’s specifications. While RV, boat, and sofa bed mattresses are common, fully customizable options allow shoppers to get more creative when it comes to different modifications and builds.

RV Mattresses and Campers: While standard sized mattresses rarely fit in RVs and campers, there are non-custom options on the market. However, these models may offer limited options that may not work for your sleep needs. Custom sizing is usually the only option required for this category.

Boat Mattresses: Some sleeping areas on boats allow for a standard sized mattress, but many require a custom creation. Depending on your boat, you may need anything from a custom-sized mattress, to one with beveled corners, to an entirely custom-made bed. Before assuming custom sizing is all you need, be sure to examine the sleeping area for awkward angles or other complications.

Sofa Beds: Replacement mattresses for sofa beds are available, but construction and size options are usually limited. Custom beds can be an excellent option, particularly for people who use theirs often, but not all custom mattress manufacturers work with this style. If you’re looking for a custom sofa bed mattress, you may be best served by a manufacturer specializing in start-to-finish custom work.

Oversized Mattresses: Oversized mattresses can adhere to standardized sizes, such as Alaska king and Texas king, or they can be custom-made. Standard oversized mattresses are easier to find accessories for, but custom options offer greater control. Some custom manufacturers can also add features like hinges, making it easier to fit an extra-large mattress into a small space.

Odd Shapes, Sizes, and Edges: Many custom mattress manufacturers are able to accommodate features like angled or beveled edges. More complex requests, like a heart-shaped bed, may require a start-to-finish custom job. While some mattresses in this category can be considered novelty beds, others are mattresses made to fit tight or unusually shaped spaces, or antique bed frames that require custom dimensions.

Types of Custom Mattresses

Custom mattress buyers have many decisions to make, but one of the most crucial is the type of mattress. Despite the wide range of standard and custom mattresses available on the market, most can be classified into one of four common types: foam, hybrid, innerspring, or latex.

Each type has its own benefits and drawbacks, and there can be a great deal of difference between models within one type of mattress when it comes to quality and construction. For example, foam beds tend to have poor edge support, but this is often remedied in models with reinforced perimeters.

While these four varieties are the most common choices for a custom mattress, a start-to-finish custom manufacturer will likely be able to work with you should you want a more unusual mattress construction, though it may be more expensive.

Foam

All-foam mattresses are one of the most popular options on the market for both standard and custom mattresses. Usually built from a support core of high-density polyfoam, with polyfoam or memory foam comfort layers, foam mattresses generally offer balanced support and pressure relief at a budget-friendly price.

Foam beds offer a number of other benefits, including motion isolation and contouring around the body. Potential drawbacks may include poor temperature regulation, edge support, and suitability for sex, but manufacturers often seek to counteract these drawbacks by using different designs or varieties of foam.

Hybrid

Hybrid mattresses often combine the best traits of foam or latex models with those of a traditional innerspring, with the added benefit of pocketed coils. Individually encased coils form a hybrid’s support core, allowing for better support, temperature regulation, and responsiveness than a foam core. A hybrid’s comfort system is usually made from polyfoam, memory foam, or latex, allowing for significant pressure relief and moderate contouring. There are few downsides to a hybrid mattress, but they can be expensive.

Innerspring

Traditional innerspring mattresses may be less popular than they once were, but modern versions are often an inexpensive choice that still offers durable support. Due to their interconnected coils, innerspring mattresses have less motion isolation and contouring than foam or hybrid beds. However, their temperature regulation is often some of the best on the market. They also have excellent responsiveness, making them particularly suitable for sex.

Latex

Natural latex is made from rubber tree sap, making it a popular choice among eco-minded shoppers. It offers pressure relief with gentle contouring, which is ideal for sleepers who prefer the feeling of sleeping on their bed rather than sinking into it. Latex is naturally responsive for ease of movement, and the breathable construction helps it remain temperature neutral.

All-latex beds are available, but tend to be both heavy and expensive. Some mattresses pair latex comfort layers with a support core made of pocketed coils or high-density polyfoam. Synthetic latex exists, but it lacks many of the qualities of natural latex.

There are several additional considerations to keep in mind when purchasing a custom mattress. As options vary between companies and available models, most custom mattress manufacturers will be happy to answer your inquiries and walk you through what you need to know before making a purchase.