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Written by
Lauren Fountain
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There’s a reason queen size mattresses are so popular. They’re spacious enough for two people to sleep comfortably, yet compact enough for a single sleeper to justify. They can accommodate nighttime visits from young kids, and they’ll give you a little extra wiggle room if your dogs or cats like to hog the bed.
Since so many people favor queen size mattresses, there’s a bevy of choices available on the market today. Are you thinking of investing in your first queen mattress, or looking to replace an old favorite? We’ll share some of our top picks and discuss everything you need to know about finding the best queen mattress based on your individual sleeping style, comfort preferences, and other factors.
One of the best affordable queen mattresses, the Nectar has layers of memory foam that cushion and support sleepers in all sleeping positions.
Our Editor’s Choice is the Nectar. Sold at a very reasonable price-point, we find the Nectar to be one of the best queen memory foam mattresses available today.
The Nectar has a quilted memory foam cover and gel memory foam comfort layer that cradle the sleeper, providing standout pressure relief and motion isolation. The support core consists of a responsive layer of Adaptive Hi Core memory foam and a high-density polyfoam base.
Standing at 11 inches tall, the mattress has a balanced medium firm feel that should appeal to most sleeper types. Thanks to the firmer layers below, the Nectar also boasts fairly strong edge support for an all-foam mattress. This prevents feelings of roll-off along the perimeter and reduces crowding for sleepers who share a queen mattress.
The mattress cover is made of Tencel, a breathable fabric that helps control temperature by wicking moisture away from the sleeper. The entire mattress is CertiPUR-US certified, meaning it’s free of harmful chemicals like formaldehyde and ozone depleters.
The Nectar ships for free to the continental U.S. Customers have a full 365 nights to try out the mattress and return it if they’re not satisfied. After this, the Nectar is backed by a forever warranty.
Copper-infused memory foam and a zoned transition layer provide cooling and targeted pressure relief with two firmness levels in the flippable Layla Hybrid mattress.
The Layla Hybrid is a flippable hybrid mattress with a different firmness on each side. Sleepers can choose between a medium soft side that cushions pressure points in side sleepers, or a firm side that provides more support for back and stomach sleepers. The bed has a removable cover with convenient handles to make flipping less of a hassle.
Both sides incorporate copper-infused memory foam, designed to transfer heat away from the sleeper and provide enhanced pressure relief. Each side also has a transitional layer with surface modification technology (SMT), made with cut-out channels that boost airflow and provide extra support where needed.
In the mattress core, pocketed coils with higher-gauge coils around the perimeter ensure strong edge support and breathability. Both sides are fairly responsive, although combination sleepers and couples will find that the firm side provides a little extra bounce that’s desirable for sex.
The Layla Hybrid is CertiPUR-US certified and comes with a 120-night sleep trial and a 10-year warranty. Layla offers free shipping in the continental U.S. Orders in Alaska, Hawaii, and Canada incur an extra fee.
Designed for sleepers 300 pounds and up, the WinkBed PLUS features a durable build with high-density foams, zoned latex, and extra-strong coils.
The WinkBed PLUS is specifically geared to sleepers who weigh more than 300 pounds. The mattress has a durable build and a firm feel that’s designed to support heavier frames. It’s also suitable for back and stomach sleepers between 130 and 230 pounds, which makes it a good option for couples with different body types.
High-density foams with additional lumbar support, a latex layer with 7 zones, and a zoned pocketed coil support system in the WinkBed PLUS form a supportive cradle that ensures proper spinal alignment. Made from recycled steel, the coils are tempered three times and banded together for better durability. The latex and coils are both highly responsive, enabling sleepers to easily switch sleeping positions.
The mattress measures 13.5 inches thick. Along with the reinforced edges, this taller-than-average profile may make it easier to get in and out of bed. For hot sleepers, the breathable Tencel cover, open-cell latex, and innerspring support core help with temperature regulation.
The WinkBed PLUS is CertiPUR-US certified and uses a non-chemical fire barrier. The mattress comes with free shipping, a standard 120-night sleep trial, and a lifetime warranty against manufacturing and workmanship defects.
The breathable and responsive Helix Midnight Luxe hybrid mattress has a medium firm surface that’s optimal for side and back sleepers.
Helix specializes in making mattresses adapted for different body types and sleeping positions. The 14-inch hybrid Helix Midnight Luxe is the most versatile, with a medium firm feel that’s suited to side and back sleepers of most body types.
The Helix Midnight Luxe is from the Luxe line of Helix mattresses, with thicker comfort layers that absorb most motion before it can reach a sleeping partner. The mattress has a quilted pillow top and gel-infused memory foam layers that are designed to cushion the hips and shoulders for side sleepers.
The pocketed coil support core features zoned lumbar support and reinforced edges, always important for people who share the bed. As with most hybrid mattresses, the Helix Midnight Luxe has a responsive surface that facilitates movement on top of the mattress. Airflow through the coils and a moisture-wicking Tencel cover help the Midnight Luxe sleep cool.
Helix provides a 100-night sleep trial and a 15-year warranty for the Midnight Luxe mattress. The mattress also holds CertiPUR-US and OEKO-TEX certifications.
Priced well below average for a natural latex hybrid, the sustainably made Birch mattress features wool and Talalay latex comfort layers over a supportive pocketed coil base.
The 11-inch Birch hybrid mattress is crafted with sustainable materials, including a natural cotton cover, wool comfort layers, and Talalay latex. Wool is known for its exceptional moisture-wicking abilities, and the organic wool layers in the Birch mattress help regulate temperature while providing a soft yet elastic cradle.
Below the wool, Rainforest Alliance-certified Talalay latex adds a springy, cushioning feel. Together, these layers form a responsive medium firm surface that’s ideal for combination sleepers or sex.
The support core consists of individually wrapped coils with reinforced edges, resting on a final layer of wool batting for added stability. The coils provide adequate support for sleepers of any body type or sleeping position, especially back and side sleepers.
The Birch mattress is certified to be free of harsh chemicals by GREENGUARD Gold, and the cover is certified organic according to the Global Organic Textiles Standard (GOTS). Given its all-natural construction, the Birch mattress releases little to no off-gassing odors and should be a solid choice for most allergy sufferers. The mattress is backed by a 100-night sleep trial, and Birch offers a 25-year warranty. Mattresses ship free and are available for purchase in all 50 states.
With three firmness options and two height profiles to choose from, the Saatva luxury innerspring mattress aims to please every type of sleeper.
The flagship Saatva mattress is a luxury innerspring model featuring a dual-coil design and multiple customization options. For practical purposes, customers can choose between an 11.5 or a 14.5-inch profile, with no difference in feel. This may come in handy when buying a queen mattress for an RV or another area with limited space.
Sleepers can also choose between three firmness levels: Plush Soft, Luxury Firm, and Firm. All three models have a Euro pillow top and active wire lumbar support, which has earned the mattress a seal of approval from the Congress of Chiropractic State Associations.
The top layer of coils is individually wrapped for minimal motion transfer. As it’s situated so close to the sleeper, this layer goes a long way toward promoting airflow and helping maintain a cool sleep surface. Below, the innerspring support core has a foam encasement reinforcing the perimeter, helping provide support right up to the edge of the bed.
The Saatva mattress is CertiPUR-US certified and wrapped in a tufted organic cotton cover with a natural thistle fire retardant. Saatva offers a 120-night sleep trial and a 15-year warranty.
Supportive and resilient, the Airweave mattress features an innovative design with polyethylene fibers woven together in a firm yet breathable structure.
The Airweave mattress is like no mattress we’ve seen before. Inspired by the resin fiber used to make fishing line, it was created in an attempt to make a lightweight, hygienic, and comfortable mattress.
The mattress consists almost entirely of airfiber, made of polyethylene strands that are woven together in an airy, slightly resilient structure. Airfiber is highly breathable and can even be washed with water to maintain a completely hygienic sleep surface. The mattress is held together by a soft zippered polyester cover, and sleepers have the option of adding a thin pillow top for more plushness.
Overall, the Airweave mattress has a firm feel that keeps sleepers firmly on, not in, the mattress. This firmness is best-suited to stomach sleepers and those who benefit from firmer back support. The mattress also stands out for its ability to isolate motion transfer.
The Airweave is shipped as a bed-in-a-box, but instead of being compressed it’s broken into three pieces. This modular design allows for easy transport and moving. In total the mattress stands at just 7.9 inches tall, perfect for smaller spaces and low-profile bed frames.
Airweave offers a 100-night sleep trial and backs its product with a 10-year warranty. The mattress ships for free in the continental U.S., and is available in Hawaii and Canada for an extra fee.
The best queen size mattress for your situation will depend largely on whether you’re sleeping alone or sharing the bed. We’ll discuss factors like noise, motion isolation, edge support, and other things to consider when sleeping with a partner. We’ll also explore the benefits and drawbacks of different mattress types, and what kind of mattress suits each type of sleeper.
With so many beds on the market, the mattress industry is full of obscure, misleading, and confusing marketing terms. However, arming yourself with a little basic knowledge about how a mattress works can help you sift through most of this language and find the mattress that best meets your needs. The following are some of the most important elements to consider when choosing a mattress.
Price
Price is the first thing most shoppers look at, and it’s an easy way to narrow down the field of choices. The good news is that comfortable mattresses come in virtually every price-point, so no matter your budget, you should be able to find a mattress that adapts to your sleeping style. Since queen size mattresses are considered the standard, it’s easy to compare and contrast prices to make sure you’re getting the best queen mattress for your money.
Sleeping Position
Side sleepers can experience pressure build-up at the hips and shoulders, while stomach sleepers and back sleepers can suffer from back pain if a mattress isn’t supportive enough. Thus, choosing a softer mattress for side sleepers and a firmer mattress for back and stomach sleepers will usually lead to a more comfortable sleep. If your sleeping partner tends to adopt a different sleeping position, you may agree to compromise on a more neutral feel.
Mattress Type
Almost all mattresses on the market today fall into one of five categories: all-foam, latex, hybrid, innerspring, or airbed. Each has its advantages and disadvantages, and the best mattress type for you will depend on your specific needs.
Contouring
Close-contouring mattresses alleviate pressure points and can contribute to proper spinal alignment, especially in side sleepers. However, mattresses with deep contouring and a slow response to pressure may also restrict movement and lead to the feeling of being trapped in the bed.
Quality Materials
The foams, latex, springs, and other components used to make a mattress vary greatly in quality. Better-quality materials often cost more, but they provide superior support and comfort relief. They also tend to last longer than inferior materials before they start to sag or develop permanent body indentations.
Firmness Level
Mattress firmness is typically rated on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the firmest. The majority of sleepers prefer a mattress that falls between a 5 and a 7, as this offers the best balance of support and pressure relief. As a general rule, side sleepers and lighter individuals prefer plusher mattresses with more pressure relief. Stomach sleepers and heavier individuals prefer firmer mattresses that prevent the hips from sinking, while back sleepers and those between 130 and 230 pounds prefer something in between.
Pressure Relief
No matter how supportive, a mattress with zero cushioning likely won’t provide the comfortable surface you need to drift off to sleep. That’s why most mattresses feature softer materials such as memory foam, latex, or wool in the top layers. Pressure relief is particularly important for side sleepers, where the sensitive hips and shoulders take the brunt of the weight.
Edge Support
Many mattresses lack support around the perimeter, which can be a problem for those who regularly sleep near the edge of the bed. If you plan to share your queen size mattress with a sleeping partner, buying a mattress with strong edge support will make it possible to use your entire half of the bed instead of forcing you and your partner to crowd toward the middle.
Temperature Regulation
Certain mattress materials are known to trap heat, leading to an uncomfortably warm sleep surface. If you or your partner sleep hot, look for mattresses made with breathable materials that allow room for airflow. Hybrid, innerspring, and latex mattresses tend to perform best at temperature regulation. If you prefer all-foam mattresses, look for models that feature cooling technology such as gel beads or phase-change material.
Noise
Whether sleeping alone or with a partner, sensitive sleepers appreciate mattresses that don’t make noise when bearing weight. If you find yourself waking up to every squeak and creak on your old innerspring, it might be time to try a quieter all-foam or latex mattress.
Queen mattresses have been standard in the mattress industry ever since the 1950s. At 60 by 80 inches, a queen mattress is roomier than a full size mattress (54 by 74 inches), but it doesn’t take up as much space as a king size mattress (76 by 80 inches). A queen size mattress is ideal for one or two sleepers, or for taller people who find a full size mattress too short.
Though rare, you may also come across alternate queen sizes such as Olympic (66 by 80 inches) or split queen (two beds, each one 30 by 80 inches).
Single Adults: Many of us outgrow our twin size beds as we reach adulthood, and for some, a full size mattress may feel a little cramped. A queen size mattress allows ample room to sleep comfortably. While we recommend avoiding non-sleep activities in bed, many people also find that their roomy queen mattress is the ideal spot to carry out activities like reading, watching television, or just hanging out.
Couples: A queen size mattress is the perfect compromise for couples who like sharing a bed and who value cuddling and sex, but who also need their own space to fall asleep. Couples may want to choose a mattress that’s quiet and able to absorb motion to reduce nighttime disturbances. Strong edges are also a plus, as they allow each partner to spread out without fears of falling off the bed.
Teenagers: Teenagers may need more room than a twin size mattress can provide. If you’re buying a mattress for a teen that’s still growing, a flippable model with different firmness levels may be better able to accommodate changes in body weight. Invest in a good queen size mattress, and your teen may be able to take it with them when they move out.
A king size mattress is considerably wider than a queen. Measuring 76 by 80 inches, it’s equivalent to two twin XL mattresses placed together. An alternative to the king is the California king mattress (72 by 84 inches), which is slightly longer and not as wide. Some couples also opt for a split king, in which each side of the bed can be customized with a different feel and separate bedding.
King size mattresses are more expensive than queen size mattresses, and they may take up excessive floor space in smaller rooms. For these reasons, it’s rare for a single sleeper to choose a king mattress. However, this size is steadily gaining in popularity with co-sleepers who want more room to themselves.
Queen and king mattresses are both very common. It shouldn’t be difficult to find appropriate bedding and bed frames, whether online or in brick-and-mortar stores.
The pros and cons of queen size mattresses really depend on your individual priorities. A size that’s perfect for some shoppers may be too big or small for others. Likewise, some may find that queen size mattresses are relatively affordable, while those who are upgrading from a twin or full mattress may find the price tag a bit steep.
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Virtually every mattress on the market can be categorized as one of the types listed below. Mattresses of a given type tend to share some characteristics, but they also vary dramatically depending on the particular design and materials used. Nonetheless, knowing what features you value the most in a mattress may help guide you to a specific type.
Definition: Hybrid mattresses have a thick comfort section coupled with an innerspring support core. The comfort layers can be made of polyfoam, memory foam, latex, micro-coils, or other pressure-relieving materials. The support core is usually made with pocketed coils in order to reduce motion transfer and provide targeted support.
Highlight: A Fair Compromise. Hybrid mattresses offer a balanced feel for couples with differing comfort preferences. Additionally, due to the coil layer, they tend to have strong edge support that enables full use of the bed’s surface area.
Definition:Innerspring mattresses feature a support core made of innerspring coils. Some innerspring mattresses may also have a thin comfort layer.
Highlight: Budget-Friendly Option. Innerspring mattresses are an economical choice, and they make a good starting point for people who wish to customize the feel of their mattress. It’s also possible for each sleeper to personalize their side of the bed with a custom mattress topper.
Definition:Popular with eco-conscious shoppers, natural latex is made from the milky-white liquid of the rubber tree. All-latex mattresses generally feature firmer latex in the support layers and pressure-relieving latex in the comfort layers. Latex can be processed in one of two ways, Talalay or Dunlop, with Talalay usually offering a fluffier, more consistent feel.
Highlight: Ease of Movement. In general, latex offers moderate conforming that helps relieve pressure and absorb motion transfer without overly restricting movement. Latex is also naturally breathable, which helps reduce heat build-up when sharing the bed with a partner.
Definition: The core of an airbed mattress consists of an air chamber controlled by a remote control or a smartphone app. Inflating the air chamber makes the bed feel firmer, while deflating it makes it feel plusher. Most airbeds also have one or more comfort layers to provide extra cushioning.
Highlight: Customized Firmness. The primary benefit of airbeds is the ability to set a precise firmness level and adjust it according to your immediate needs. Most queen airbed mattresses have the option to set a different firmness level for each side of the bed.
Definition: All-foam mattresses are typically made with a high-density polyfoam support core and one or more memory foam, polyfoam, or latex comfort layers.
Highlight: Motion Isolation. Couples often opt for all-foam mattresses because they’re quiet and they excel at absorbing motion. This minimizes the chances of waking up every time a sleeping partner shifts positions or gets in and out of bed. All-foam mattresses also tend to provide above-average pressure relief, making them well-suited to side sleepers.
As with any big purchase, there are some additional considerations to keep in mind before buying your queen mattress.
Usually, shoppers pick mattresses that are suited to their personal sleeping style and comfort preference. If the queen mattress is destined to be shared by more than one sleeper, it needs to be comfortable for both parties. A mattress for a lighter individual or a growing teen may need to be plusher, while a mattress for a heavier individual or stomach sleeper may need to be firmer. For mattresses that will see a variety of sleepers, such as in a guest bedroom, aim for a more neutral feel.
Those who regularly co-sleep with kids or pets should consider their needs as well when purchasing a queen size mattress. In this case, motion isolation, noise, and edge support become doubly important in order to reduce nighttime awakenings and make room for everybody.
The standard bed-in-a-box mattress tends to be shipped for free within the continental U.S., although some companies offer White Glove delivery with in-home setup and old mattress removal for an extra charge.
Additionally, most mattresses sold online come with a sleep trial. This is a set period of time during which you can sleep on the mattress in your own home and return it within a given window if you decide it’s not for you. Sleep trials can be anywhere between 90 nights and 365 nights, and they’re an invaluable way to ensure a successful purchase.
After the sleep trial ends, the mattress should be backed by a warranty of 10 years or longer that protects the consumer against manufacturing and workmanship defects. Be sure to read the fine print before buying your mattress to ensure you’re getting fair sleep trial and warranty terms, and no hidden shipping charges.
