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The quality and longevity of your mattress often depend on the type of foundation you use. While a lot of people use simple metal bed frames and box springs, these options can often impact mattress warranties and even cause sagging.
Platform beds are one of the sturdiest and most durable bed frames on the market, and they can also be quite affordable. Since they tend to use solid, flat foundations or evenly spaced slats, they’re usually an excellent choice for any type of mattress, including those made with memory foam.
With that said, some platform beds sit very close to the ground, which could make getting into and out of bed more difficult. As a result, factors such as mattress thickness, edge support, and ease of movement can play a big role in determining the best mattresses for a platform bed.
We’ll provide information about how to pick the right mattress for this type of foundation and share a detailed list of some of the best platform bed mattress options on the market.
Best Overall
Saatva’s flagship mattress is its innerspring model, which is also sometimes classified as a hybrid due to its generous pillow-top. When used on a platform bed, this model can provide a balanced performance suitable for virtually any sleeper.
The Saatva Classic is available in three firmness levels: soft (3), medium firm (6), and firm (8). This mattress is also offered in two thickness options: 11.5 inches or 14.5 inches. Since platform beds tend to sit low to the ground, you may want to consider the 14.5-inch option.
A 3-inch pillow-top quilted with polyfoam cushions the sleep surface, and a thin memory foam lumbar pad enhances the lower back support and pressure relief. A layer of 14.5-gauge pocketed coils in the comfort system and a 13-gauge hourglass coil core provide bounce, breathability, and support. Foam around the outside coil layers fortifies the edge to expand the usable surface area.
All the firmness and thickness options of the Saatva Mattress earn strong marks across performance categories, especially in temperature control, durability, pressure relief, off-gassing, and ease of movement. The firmer options rate slightly better for edge support and sex, while the soft option has superior motion isolation.
The Saatva Mattress comes with a 180-night sleep trial, a 15-year limited warranty, and free White Glove delivery in the contiguous United States
Best Value
Nectar specializes in affordably priced all-foam models, including the flagship Nectar Mattress.
This model consists of three layers of foam: a 3-inch gel-infused memory foam comfort layer, a 2-inch polyfoam transition layer, and a 6-inch high-density polyfoam core. The layers work together for balanced conforming and support without the excessive heat retention sometimes associated with all-foam models. A breathable, moisture-wicking Tencel-polyester blend cover also adds to the temperature regulation.
Since the Nectar Mattress measures 11 inches thick, the sleep surface may be lower than box-spring users are accustomed to, but this can be adjusted with a higher platform bed or a bunkie board.
This model is medium firm (6), which is a popular level across weight groups and sleep positions. The Nectar Mattress rates well for side sleepers in every weight category, and it’s also a good option for back and stomach sleepers under 230 pounds.
Nectar offers a 365-night sleep trial and a lifetime limited warranty on this product.
Best Memory Foam
The GravityLux Mattress is the only all-foam model byWinkBeds With three firmness options and a balanced performance, the GravityLux is a strong option for platform bed owners.
The firmness levels include medium soft (4), medium (5), and firm (7). The GravityLux measures 11 inches thick, so customers who prefer a higher sleep surface might want to consider purchasing a thicker bunkie board to use with their platform bed.
Two layers make up the comfort system. The first layer is 2 inches of gel-infused polyfoam tufted into the cool-to-the-touch, moisture-wicking Tencel cover. Next, there is a layer of patented AirCell memory foam, which is designed to enhance temperature control while molding to the body to relieve pressure. A zoned polyfoam transition layer provides extra reinforcement around the hips and lumbar region, and a high-density polyfoam core supports the surface.
The GravityLux Mattress earns high marks for pressure relief and motion isolation due to its extensive use of both polyfoam and memory foam. While all three firmness options have fairly balanced performances, their strengths and weaknesses vary slightly. The firm performs better for edge support, sex, temperature neutrality, and ease of movement, and the medium soft earns higher marks for motion isolation and pressure relief. The medium option falls between these two for some of the benefits of both.
WinkBeds currently offers a 120-night sleep trial and a lifetime limited warranty.
Best Organic
The PlushBeds Botanical Bliss offers a level of customization that is hard to find with bed-in-a-box mattresses. This all-latex model is available in two initial firmness levels, medium firm (6) or firm (7). After receiving the mattress, owners can adjust the firmness at any time by swapping the order of the top two layers. Additionally, the Botanical Bliss is available in profiles of 9, 10, or 12 inches. Most people should be able to find a comfortable design regardless of their weight, sleep position, or general preferences.
The Botanical Bliss also appeals to eco-conscious shoppers because all of the latex layers have been certified by the Global Organic Latex Standard. Similarly, the organic cotton cover and wool batting have received certification from the Global Organic Textile Standard. All materials are sustainably sourced, and all plants used to produce the materials are grown without pesticides.
The latex layers offer gentle conforming and light responsiveness, making this mattress a good option for people who don’t enjoy the sinking sensation of sleeping on memory foam. Latex is also breathable and won’t trap too much heat, and the wool batting layer has moisture-wicking properties. These qualities make the Botanical Bliss particularly well suited to hot sleepers and people who live in warm or humid places.
PlushBeds delivers free of charge to all customers in the contiguous U.S. You’ll receive a 100-night sleep trial for testing out the Botanical Bliss, and a 25-year warranty should you decide to keep the mattress after the return period ends.
Best Pressure Relief
Use this SleepFoundation.org link for the most current discount on Nolah mattresses
The Nolah Evolution 15 is a pillow-top hybrid that offers a comfortable balance of cushioning and support. The mattress is considered medium (5) in terms of firmness, but sturdy support materials offer very good reinforcement and make it accessible to most people who weigh up to 230 pounds – especially side and back sleepers. A 15-inch profile also caters to anyone who prefers tall mattresses.
Soft, adaptive polyfoam cushions the pillow-top to give the Evolution 15 a luxuriously plush surface feel when you get in and out of bed, and two additional foam layers deliver close, even contouring without sinking too much. The bed’s pocketed coils are divided into different zones based on thickness, resulting in added support for heavier areas of your body and less sinkage around the edges. Those who normally struggle getting on and off of their bed should have an easier time with this mattress.
The coils also circulate air throughout the interior to help the mattress stay cool. Another cooling component is the cover made of proprietary ArcticTex fabric designed to draw heat away from your body and keep you comfortable even on hot or humid nights. Since the Evolution has a medium feel and thick foam layers, it is also well suited to people who experience pain or pressure points in the shoulders, lower back, or hips.
The Evolution 15 is fairly low priced for a hybrid mattress and Nolah will ship for free throughout the contiguous U.S. Your order includes a 120-night sleep trial, as well as a lifetime warranty against structural defects.
Best Hybrid
Get 30% OFF and 2 FREE Pillows with every Idle Hybrid mattress purchased. Sleep Foundation readers also get an additional $25 off with code = SF25
Idle Sleep offers customer-friendly policies, including an 18-month sleep trial and a lifetime limited warranty. The Idle Sleep Hybrid Mattress stands out for its flippable design with two built-in firmness options. This makes the bed suitable for sleepers of all body types and position preferences, including those whose needs may change over time.
As a dual-sided mattress, this model has two separate comfort systems. Each contains 1 inch of polyfoam quilted into the cover, another 2 inches of polyfoam for contouring, and a final 1-inch polyfoam layer for transition. A 6-inch pocketed coil core enhances air circulation and responsiveness. The mattress cover is made of Thermocool fabric designed to further promote temperature neutrality.
At 14 inches thick, the Idle Sleep Hybrid is a high-profile mattress, so it may be especially appropriate for shoppers with lower platform beds who miss the extra height of a box spring. One side of the mattress is medium firm (6), while the other is firm (8).
Best Cooling
Brooklyn Bedding is known for its hybrid mattresses, and the Aurora is a stand-out option for its special cooling features.
This hybrid mattress is available in three different firmness levels: medium soft (4), medium firm (6), and firm (7). Measuring 13.5 inches thick, this mattress should sit at a comfortable height on most platform beds.
The Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Mattress’ comfort system contains a 1.5-inch layer of copper-infused polyfoam and a 2-inch layer of TitanFlex polyfoam. Both layers contour to the body for pressure relief. The top layer’s copper infusion is also designed to wick away heat, and the second layer is engineered to respond quickly to changes in movement. Surface infusions of phase change material in the cover and top layer of the mattress further enhance the bed’s temperature regulation.
A 1-inch memory foam transition layer adds cradling and deep compression support, while the 8-inch pocketed coil system with a reinforced perimeter provides bounce, breathability, and edge support. A 1-inch polyfoam base supports the compression of the springs.
Thanks to its special features, the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora performs very well at temperature regulation. The use of polyfoam and memory foam also makes this a great choice for both pressure relief and motion isolation, while the pocketed coils earn the bed high scores in edge support, sex, and ease of movement.
Brooklyn Bedding offers a 120-night sleep trial and a 10-year non-prorated warranty.
Most Comfortable
Although Leesa now offers hybrid models, it got its start with this affordable all-foam mattress that rates well in most performance categories.
The Leesa Mattress has a medium feel (5), which accommodates a wide range of sleep positions and body types. Its strong pressure relief is especially appropriate for side sleepers, but back sleepers under 230 pounds and stomach sleepers under 130 pounds should also enjoy a good balance between conforming and support.
All-foam mattresses need a solid foundation to prevent sagging, so they’re often paired with platform beds. However, at 10 inches thick, some sleepers may find that the Leesa Mattress sits too close to the ground for them. If this is the case, consider purchasing a thick bunkie board.
The uppermost layer of the Leesa Mattress is made from 2 inches of polyfoam that shapes to the body while providing a subtle bounce. Beneath that, a 2-inch layer of memory foam enhances the motion isolation and pressure relief. Finally, the support core is made from 6 inches of high-density polyfoam to provide support and durability.
The Leesa Mattress comes with a 100-night sleep trial and a 10-year limited warranty.
There are many different factors to consider when deciding which type of mattress to purchase for a platform bed. Although most mattresses perform well on this kind of frame, some may be particularly appropriate.
Platform beds often have low profiles, which can make it difficult to get up, especially if your mattress is relatively thin, uses materials that contour closely to the body, or lacks edge support. Make sure to consider these and other potential concerns when shopping for a mattress to use on a platform bed.
Many mattress manufacturers use buzzwords and fancy names to try and sell their products, but these marketing techniques do not necessarily indicate that a model is superior. When shopping for a mattress you’ll use on a platform bed, it’s more important to analyze the elements that will impact your comfort level. You should also consider how using a platform bed could affect the performance of the mattress.
As the name implies, platform beds support a mattress with a flat platform rather than a box spring. The platforms in question can be made from a variety of materials, including metal, plastic, and wood. While some have a solid base, others use a slatted platform or a bunkie board.
Platform beds typically provide reliable support for a mattress. While other types of bed frames remain popular, the platform bed is quickly becoming one of the most recommended options.
One of the obvious benefits of a platform bed is that it does not require a box spring. Box springs typically use a lot of fabric that can become a breeding ground for dust mites. Another potential upside is the cost since you can usually find a quality platform bed at a budget-friendly price.
Although there are a lot of great reasons to consider this type of bed frame, it should be noted that platform beds typically sit low to the ground. However, this potential issue can be easily resolved by using a thick bunkie board or purchasing a high-profile mattress.
Platform beds use either a solid or slat platform for support, and this can impact the type of material and firmness level you should consider. Since the platform typically isn’t flexible, it acts as a very firm foundation capable of preventing sagging. To ensure a platform bed is appropriate support for your mattress of choice, you may want to read the terms of the warranty policy or contact the customer service department.
Definition: All-foam mattresses are often made with polyfoam and memory foam, though some use exclusively polyfoam. Both of these materials are well known for their cradling and motion isolation. All-foam mattresses are usually very good for the relief of pressure points, which makes them a good choice for side sleepers.
Cradles the Body: Platform beds give all-foam mattresses the support they need to let the sleeper’s body sink in without sagging. An all-foam mattress of the ideal firmness should balance pressure-relieving contouring and support for proper spinal alignment when paired with a platform bed.
Definition: Hybrid mattresses combine a coil core with a comfort system composed of other materials, such as memory foam, polyfoam, latex, wool, and/or microcoils. The result is often a mattress that performs well in many different areas by taking advantage of the best elements from all of its components. This mattress type is usually excellent for a wide range of sleepers, including couples.
Balanced Performance: Because of their combination of materials, hybrid models often receive high marks across performance categories. They frequently balance bounce, breathability, pressure relief, ease of movement, and edge support with no major weak points. The stable support of a platform bed can allow the coil core to compress more evenly, enhancing the bed’s responsiveness while preventing sagging.
Definition: Innerspring mattresses consist primarily of coils. These are usually excellent choices for back and stomach sleepers who need a lot of support, those who prefer a more traditional mattress feel, hot sleepers, and shoppers on a budget. You may find a layer or two of foam in newer innerspring models for cushioning, though these are typically thinner than the comfort systems on hybrid models.
Affordable and Supportive: This type of mattress is typically one of the most budget-friendly options on the market. They can be especially effective for sleepers who need a lot of support. Since innerspring models are usually easy to move on and typically have sturdy edges, the height of your platform bed may not be as much of a concern.
Definition: Latex mattresses contain natural latex, synthetic latex, and/or blended latex. This is a popular alternative to memory foam, as it provides notable pressure relief without sacrificing ease of movement. Rather than sinking into the mattress and potentially having trouble getting out of bed, latex addresses pressure points while pushing back against your weight and delivering more bounce.
Natural Materials: Many manufacturers of latex mattresses use natural components, which makes them a popular choice with environmentally conscious shoppers. A platform bed can provide a latex mattress with the supportive base necessary to maximize its bounce while preventing sagging.
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