Take 20% off a Brooklyn Bedding Mattress. Use Code: sleepfoundation20
Sleepfoundation.org is reader-supported. We may earn a commission through products purchased using links on this page. Learn more about our process here
Written by
Have you ever spent the night at a friend or relative’s house, only to find yourself tossing and turning on a hard, creaky, or uncomfortable mattress? If so, you know how unpleasant an overnight visit can be, and how important it is to make visitors feel comfortable and welcome when they stay in your guest room. The right mattress can make or break your guest’s experience.
If you’re in the market for a new guest mattress, we’re here to help. We’ve explored a variety of comfortable guest bed options, from adjustable airbeds to economical foam and innerspring options. Read on for tips on choosing the best guest mattress, along with an in-depth look at our favorite models on the market right now.
Best Overall
The Bowery Hybrid offers a cooling sleep surface with universal appeal at an exceptional price point. Featuring a medium firm firmness level, the Bowery combines coils and memory foam for targeted cushioning and support.
Consisting of hundreds of individually pocketed coils, the motion-isolating support core is rooted in a 1-inch foam base for additional durability. The 2-inch foam transition layer provides a cradling cushion to soothe pressure points. This combination of coils and foam offers a soft yet responsive experience that is well-suited to many different sleeping positions and body types.
The Bowery Hybrid is topped with a 1-inch layer of quilted gel memory foam, which redistributes body heat, increases airflow, and promotes a cooler surface. Combined with the model’s open-cell technology and breathable coil core, the bed is an ideal choice for individuals who tend to sleep hot.
This mattress stands out for its unusually low price point; particularly in comparison to other hybrid models on the market. Brooklyn Bedding offers a 120-night sleep trial for all mattresses, which begins 30 days from purchase. The Bowery Hybrid is backed by a 10-year warranty.
Best Value
SleepFoundation readers save 15% on Tuft & Needle mattresses with this code: SLEEPFOUNDATION
Founded in 2012, Tuft & Needle produces their mattresses in southern California and sources their high-quality materials from a variety of domestic sources, including a family-owned textile mill in the Carolinas. The company merged with Serta Simmons Bedding in 2018 and continues to produce its flagship foam model from the same high-end materials.
Developed with an emphasis on breathability, the mattress features two layers of open-cell foam made with graphite and cooling ceramic gel beads, in addition to the company’s proprietary T&N Adaptive foam. The result is an exceptionally cooling sleep surface that draws heat away from the sleeper.
The Tuft & Needle mattress is 10 inches tall and falls at a 6 out of 10 on the firmness scale, making it a comfortable option for individuals of most sizes and sleep styles. The Adaptive foam layer offers a combination of support and pressure relief without the sagging of many all-foam mattresses.
Purchasers consistently praise Tuft & Needle for their fast delivery and helpful customer support department. All mattresses come with a 100-night sleep trial and limited warranty. The company offers free shipping and returns, although customers in Alaska and Hawaii may be subject to additional fees.
Most Comfortable
Nectar is dedicated to producing competitively-priced mattresses and bedding that prioritize comfort. Committed to using high-quality materials and manufacturing processes, Nectar produces all-foam beds that make use of memory foams and largely plant-based polyfoams.
This five-layer, all-foam model features visco elastic memory foam, transition foam, and a 6″ support core made from polyfoam. All foams meet Certi-PUR U.S. standards for durability, emissions, and content. Each layer is strategically placed to improve spinal alignment and target pressure points like the hips, shoulders, and knees while providing a great deal of motion isolation.
Unlike many all-foam mattresses, the Nectar’s construction increases air flow and draws away body heat. It also features a breathable, removable cover made from long-staple Tencel fiber, which is known for its cooling properties.
The Nectar stands out among other brands and models for its versatility. Some models are designed to fit exclusively with proprietary foundations or box springs, while others come with warranties contingent on use with certain foundation types. The Nectar is designed for use with virtually any bed frame, from adjustable bases to traditional box springs to platforms.
The Nectar mattress comes with a 365-night sleep trial that starts after a 30-day break-in period, along with a lifetime warranty.
Best for Side Sleepers
With a support core made from individually wrapped pocketed coils, a 1-inch transition layer of high-density foam, and a 2-inch memory foam layer, the Allswell Luxe Hybrid provides plenty of bounce and support without sacrificing comfort. One unique feature is the mattress’s copper-infused foam comfort layer, which boasts antimicrobial properties and helps to disperse excess heat.
The mattress falls at a 6 on the firmness scale, and some sleepers, particularly those who weigh less than 130 pounds, found it to be a bit too hard. However, the ultra-supportive Allswell proved ideal for heavier customers, particularly those who sleep on their stomachs and backs. Its reinforced perimeter provides additional edge support, allowing sleepers to use the full surface of the mattress.
The Allswell Luxe Hybrid can be used with or without a box spring. However, the mattress comes with a 10-year limited warranty, which may be voided if used with an inappropriate foundation. Allswell offers free ground shipping on all purchases over $35, along with White Glove delivery or expedited shipping for an additional fee.
The type of mattress you ultimately select depends largely on your expected guests, their preferences, and their needs. Who stays with you most frequently? Do they have any special conditions or needs? For example, if an elderly relative with joint pain often spends the night in your guest room, you may want to choose a mattress that offers targeted support. Other common things to consider include allergies, your guests’ body types, and how they like to sleep.
In some cases, however, it can be difficult to predict exactly who will be using your guest mattress, or to determine common needs between guests. If your guests have rather different sleeping needs, it may be wise to go with a versatile mattress that has wide-ranging appeal.
It can be tough to find the best mattress for a guest bedroom, with so many comfortable options available. There is also a lot of advertising and mattress jargon that can make it hard to tell what is most important when it comes to buying a new mattress. By focusing on the following key features as you compare mattresses, you can make an informed purchase that will help you and your guests sleep well for years to come.
From innerspring mattresses to all-foam models, consumers can choose from a host of options. Understanding the differences between mattress types is crucial to making an informed selection that benefits your wallet as well as your guests. The following section describes the main types of mattresses on the market today. Keep in mind that, while mattresses within each category share certain key features, models and brands may vary considerably in construction, quality, and cost.
Definition: Hybrids combine a sturdy support core made from pocketed coils with multiple comfort layers. These layers are typically made from latex, foam, fiber, or a combination of materials. Hybrids offer many of the benefits of innerspring mattresses, such as targeted support coils and increased contouring.
Balanced Features: Supportive yet soft, hybrid mattresses offer both comfort and pressure relief, avoiding many of the drawbacks of all-foam or innerspring mattresses. These mattresses typically benefit all body types and sleeping styles, making them ideal for guest rooms.
Definition: Once the most common type of mattress, innersprings consist of metal coils surrounded by a thin layer of fabric or foam. Innerspring mattresses are quite firm, and are becoming rarer as softer, more comfortable alternatives such as latex and memory foam are more readily available.
Cost and Customization: Innersprings are some of the most inexpensive mattresses on the market. You can also easily customize an innerspring’s firmness level and contouring by adding one or more mattress toppers.
Definition: Instead of coils, these mattresses feature a support core made entirely from latex rubber, with no other materials. While most are made from natural latex from rubber trees, some may use synthetic latex, or blended latex, which combines both types.
Supportive Contouring: Latex models mix the soft contouring often found in foam mattresses with the support of a hybrid, reducing sink and benefiting all body types.
Definition: Using technology like smartphone apps or remote controls, airbeds let users modify the firmness of the sleep surface to their liking. These beds feature an adjustable support core made of inflatable chambers, which sleepers can fill with air or deflate as needed. Airbeds may incorporate latex, foam, wool, or any combination of materials in their comfort layers.
Adjustability: Versatile airbeds ensure a comfortable sleep surface for any user. Many allow couples to adjust opposite sides of the bed, or feature targeted air chambers for different parts of the body. Airbeds’ customizability makes them an ideal choice for guest bedrooms.
Definition: Made without coils, all-foam models layer multiple types of foam, such as polyurethane or memory foam, to create a soft, body-conforming comfort layer and support core. Different types of foam may be zoned to target pressure points and certain areas of the body.
Deep Contouring: Foam provides lighter individuals and side sleepers with extra cushioning where they need it most.
Ready to go mattress shopping? Now that you’ve explored your options, here are just a few more things to keep in mind before you make a final purchase.
The most high tech, specialized mattress on the market isn’t always the superior choice when you have guests’ comfort in mind. The best guest mattress offers visitors a good night’s sleep, regardless of their size, shape, or sleep style. While many mattresses are built with specific populations in mind, such as people with back pain or those who prefer certain sleeping positions, your best option will typically be the model that appeals to the widest variety of individuals.
The amount of money you spend on a guest mattress depends on more than just your budget. How often do you entertain guests, and how often do they stay overnight? You may not want to spend a lot on a mattress that will only be used once or twice a year. However, if you frequently host overnight guests, you may want to consider investing a little more money on a more durable option.
Some mattress companies offer unlimited lifetime warranties for their products, while others give customers a certain amount of time to return their purchases without incurring fees. If you’re considering a particular model, be sure you’ve read and thoroughly understand the warranty, return policies, and exchange procedures before finalizing your purchase.
Looking for an affordable mattress? We’ll highlight some of the best ones on the market under $1,000 and share tips…
We’ll highlight the best mattresses under $2,000 and share tips to help you make the most from your money.
Good sleep is critical for teens, and our guide to the best mattresses for teenagers lists the top beds available…
