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Written by
Lauren Fountain, Certified Sleep Coach
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Queen size mattresses are popular for a few reasons. They’re spacious enough for two people to lie comfortably, yet compact enough for solo sleepers and people with small bedrooms. They can also accommodate nighttime visits from young kids, and they’ll give you some extra wiggle room if your dog or cat tends to hog the bed. Although some variations exist, standard queen sizes measure 60 inches wide by 80 inches long.
Virtually all mattresses made today are available in queen sizes. To compile our list of the best queen mattresses sold today, the Sleep Foundation testing team took several factors into account when evaluating each bed. Our considerations include durability and quality of materials, overall support, temperature neutrality, motion isolation, and odor potential. Our team is made up of individuals with differing body types and primary sleep positions to ensure fair, well-rounded ratings for all performance categories.
Below, you’ll find detailed descriptions for each of our best queen mattress picks. Scroll down further to check out our comprehensive buyer’s guide, which covers average costs for different types of queen mattresses, how queens compare to other mattress sizes, and people who should consider this size.
Best Overall
Memory foam mattresses are a good investment if you seek relief from aches, pains, and pressure points – though some models perform decidedly better than others. We consider the Nectar Premier a standout mattress due to its construction, which provides exceptional pressure relief.
What It’s Made of
The mattress includes a 3-inch comfort layer of soft, adaptive memory foam. We found that this material contours closely, allowing it to alleviate discomfort and evenly distribute your weight. The foam is infused with cooling gel and phase change material, so we noticed very little heat retention on the surface. Next is a transitional layer of polyfoam that limits sinkage and helps evenly distribute your weight. The support core features high-density polyfoam, which reinforces and stabilizes the mattress.
How It Performed
Due to its medium firm (6) feel, we consider the mattress a good fit if you are a side or back sleeper. Both of these positions are associated with pressure-induced pain. The side sleepers on our team noted ample cushioning around the shoulders and hips, which can improve your alignment and reduce pressure points. Our back sleepers weighing up to 230 pounds also felt comfortable on the mattress and didn’t sink too much beneath the surface.
The Nectar Premier is also an excellent choice if you share your mattress with a partner. The foam layers absorb movement and prevent your motion from transferring across the surface – a common source of sleep disturbances for couples. The mattress is also completely silent and won’t produce any disruptive squeaks or creaks.
Although the Premier’s sticker price is a bit on the expensive side, you’ll receive a few extra perks with your Nectar purchase. These include free ground shipping on all orders within the contiguous U.S., a sleep trial that allows you to test out the mattress for up to 365 nights, and a lifetime warranty against structural defects to give you extra peace of mind.
Bottom Line
During our tests, the Nectar Premier excelled at improving spinal support and pressure relief. The mattress has enough give to cushion your lumbar region, but deep sinkage won’t be a major issue thanks to its medium firm feel.
Best Value
Use this SleepFoundation.org link for the most current discount on DreamCloud mattresses
The DreamCloud Mattress is a hybrid bed that balances cushioning and support at an affordable price. With a thicker-than-average comfort system, this mattress has a medium firm (6) feel and should prove comfortable for many types of sleepers. Most of our testers across different weight and sleep position groups found the DreamCloud comfortable and supportive in equal measure.
What It’s Made of
One feature that sets the DreamCloud apart from other hybrid models is the cashmere-blend cover, which makes the surface breathable and soft to the touch. The cover is quilted with adaptive polyfoam, followed by a layer of gel-infused memory foam. Our testers noted deep contouring from these two layers.
Beneath is a transitional layer of polyfoam that prevents your body from sinking excessively. The support core contains a pocketed coil system that helps reduce motion transfer when you and your partner move around in bed.
How It Performed
The thick foam comfort system should provide excellent contouring if you need a bed that cushions areas of high pressure buildup. Meanwhile, the coil system provides support to help keep your body from sinking too deeply.
During our tests, the DreamCloud was particularly popular with the ide and back sleepers on our team. Side sleepers can benefit from the combination of support and contouring, since they need cushioning for the hips and shoulders while receiving support for the lower back. Back sleepers should also find this bed supportive enough to promote even alignment and reduce pressure along the spine.
The DreamCloud also performed well during our motion isolation tests. This can be attributed the thick foam layers, which help offset bounce generated by the coils. As a result, you and your partner should be able to sleep soundly without being disturbed when the other person moves in bed. We also awarded the DreamCloud favorable ratings for temperature control. The mattress sleeps quite cool due to the air circulation through the coil system and the moisture-wicking properties of the cashmere-blend cover.
DreamCloud offers a generous lifetime warranty and 365-night sleep trial with this bed. Shipping is also free if you reside in contiguous U.S.
Bottom Line
Our team was impressed by the motion isolation of the DreamCloud, which is stronger than what we’ve found in some other hybrid beds. The mattress is great for anyone who shares the bed with restless sleepers.
Most Comfortable
Get an additional $30 off the Nolah Evolution Mattress for total savings of $730 with code: SF730OFF
The Nolah Evolution 15 is a hybrid mattress available in three different firmness levels: medium (5), medium firm (6), and firm (8).We tested all three options and found unique strengths with each one. All Evolution 15 models feature thick foam layers that adapt to the body to relieve your pressure buildup and zoned pocketed coils that deliver targeted support for your entire body.
What It’s Made of
The Evolution 15 begins with a quilted Euro-top that adds cushioning without sacrificing support. Our team was impressed with the close contouring we received from this mattress. The comfort system also includes a comfort layer of proprietary AirFoamICE polyfoam that contours closely to the body.
A transitional layer of firmer polyfoam prevents you from sinking deeply into the mattress. The support core contains a pocketed coil system that is zoned to provide additional support to your midsection and gentle cradling around your head and feet.
How It Performed
While foam beds are known for trapping heat, the AirFoamICE polyfoam in the comfort layer is engineered to draw heat away from your body. None of our testers experienced uncomfortable heat retention while lying on the mattress despite its thick foam layers. The coil system also helps facilitate airflow throughout the bed’s interior, making the mattress a good fit if you’re a hot sleeper who prefers the feel of foam.
Because of its multiple firmness options, the Nolah Evolution 15 is compatible with a wide range of sleep positions and body types. The back and stomach sleepers on our team felt most comfortable on the two firmer models, which offer stronger overall support, whereas our side sleepers preferred the softest option for its deep contouring.
Nolah offers free shipping within the contiguous U.S. The company provides you with a 120-night sleep trial and a lifetime warranty. You can reduce your up-front costs by opting out of the trial period, meaning you won’t be able to return the mattress. Old mattress removal and setup are available for an additional fee.
Bottom Line
We found that the Nolah Evolution 15’s Euro-top design cushions the body and provides sturdy, zoned support. Three firmness levels make the mattress suitable for most sleepers regardless of body type or sleep position.
Best for Side Sleepers
Helix specializes in making mattresses geared toward different body types and sleeping positions. The 14-inch hybrid Helix Midnight Luxe has a medium firm (6) feel and thick foam comfort layers. While the Midnight Luxe is specifically designed for side sleepers, some of the back and stomach sleepers on our team also found the comfortable and sufficiently supportive.
What It’s Made of
The Helix Midnight Luxe has a quilted pillow-top that gives the surface a plush initial feel when you get into bed, followed by a layer of gel-infused memory foam that cushions your hips and shoulders. Although the mattress has a medium firm feel, we noticed close contouring and deep cushioning during our mattress tests. The gel infused into the memory foam is designed to reduce heat buildup. Underneath is a denser layer of memory foam to evenly distribute your weight and promote healthy spinal alignment.
A polyfoam transitional layer limits sinkage and adds some cushioning to the comfort system. The pocketed coil support core features zoned lumbar support and a reinforced perimeter. We noticed generous push-back and very little sinkage when testing the mattress for ease of movement and edge support. You can choose between the standard Tencel cover or a proprietary cooling cover for an additional fee.
How It Performed
We found that the Midnight Luxe’s medium firm feel and foam hybrid design is best suited to side sleepers. Our side sleepers weighing between 130 and 230 pounds found the mattress especially comfortable. If you’re a back or stomach sleeper weighing under 130 pounds, you may also appreciate the targeted support and pressure-relieving comfort layers.
As with most hybrid models, the Helix Midnight Luxe’s pocketed coil support core creates a responsive surface that facilitates movement on top of the mattress. While the foam layers conform closely, we didn’t feel trapped or stuck when moving across the mattress.
Airflow through the coils and a moisture-wicking Tencel cover help you stay cool at night. Thicker coils line the perimeter for enhanced support, allowing you to lie or sit closer to the edge without sinking. This feature makes the mattress a strong choice if you share your bed with a partner, or if you have a hard time getting in and out of bed.
Helix provides a 100-night sleep trial and a 15-year warranty for the Midnight Luxe. Shipping is free to all 50 states.
Bottom Line
We think the Helix Midnight Luxe is a great pick for couples. The foam comfort layers prevent you and your partner from feeling any movement originating from the other side of the bed, while the coils promote steady airflow to keep both of you cool and comfortable.
Best for Back Pain
The Luxury Firm WinkBed is a standout queen size mattress thanks to its exceptional support. We were impressed by the hybrid’s zoned coil design, which should be ideal if you live with back pain and need targeted support for good sleep posture. You should also consider this mattress if you are a back or stomach sleeper who is prone to spinal misalignment and subsequent pain.
What It’s Made of
A plush Euro-top quilted with gel-infused polyfoam adapts to your body and relieves pressure buildup in your joints. All of our testers noticed close, even contouring while lying on the mattress. A cooling gel infusion is meant to dissipate excess heat from your body and regulate your temperature. Next is a transitional layer of denser SupportCell polyfoam that keeps your body on an even plane.
The support core contains standard pocketed coils that reinforce the perimeter and protect the edges from sinkage. The coils are zoned around the midsection to reduce sagging and minimize aches and pains in your lumbar region and hips.
How It Performed
The back and stomach sleepers on our team who weigh up to 230 pounds enjoyed the Luxury Firm Winkbed’s medium firm (6) feel. Our side sleepers who weigh between 130 and 230 pounds also appreciated the balance of pressure-relieving foam and targeted support from the coils.
We found that air circulation is another strength of the WinkBed. The coils generate steady air circulation throughout the mattress core, while a cover made of breathable Tencel fabric prevents excess body heat from building up on the surface. Tencel also has moisture-wicking properties to help you stay dry on humid nights.
Ground shipping is free of charge throughout the contiguous U.S. You’ll receive a 120-night sleep trial, during which you can test out the Luxury Firm WinkBed and – if need be – exchange your initial choice for another firmness level. The mattress is also backed by a lifetime warranty.
Bottom Line
The WinkBed’s zoned pocketed coil core should provide even support and pressure relief for most people who weigh between 130 and 230 pounds. During our tests, we also stayed very cool on this bed thanks to the Tencel cover and air flowing through the coils.
Best Luxury
The Saatva Classic is a hybrid bed that comes in three firmness options to suit a wide variety of sleepers. The mattress has multiple layers and a thoughtful design that gives it a luxurious and comfortable feel regardless of the firmness level.
What It’s Made of
The Classic comes in soft (3), medium firm (6), and firm (8) designs. We tested all three firmness levels and found each one distinct from the other two. The ideal firmness for you will likely depend on your body weight and primary sleep position.
The composition of the bed varies slightly between firmness levels, but all mattresses feature a Euro-top quilted with polyfoam and fiber fill. Beneath are thin layers of polyfoam and zoned memory foam, which provide additional support for your back and pressure relief throughout your midsection. These layers are followed by a layer of pocketed minicoils that enhance pressure relief.
The support core contains steel coils and a foam wall that lines the perimeter of the bed for enhanced edge support. All beds feature a cover made of breathable organic cotton. In addition to the firmness options, you can choose between a mattress profile of 11.5 or 14.5 inches.
How It Performed
Most of the side sleepers on our team felt most comfortable on the soft and medium firm models. This can be attributed to the cushioning these beds provide for the shoulders and hips. The back sleepers on our team preferred the Classic’s firmer models due to their sturdier support systems. Our stomach sleepers found the firm model sufficiently supportive and it didn’t sink excessively around the midsection.
The materials and coil construction allow air to ventilate fairly well in this bed, so the mattress performed well during our temperature control tests. If you tend to sleep or sit close to the edge of the bed a lot, the excellent edge support on the Saatva Classic helps prevent excessive sagging around the perimeter.
Saatva ships mattresses for free throughout the contiguous U.S. and includes free White Glove delivery with all orders. Customers receive a 365-night sleep trial with their purchase, as well as a lifetime warranty.
Bottom Line
An innovative coil-on-coil design and multiple firmness options to suit different sleepers set the Saatva Classic apart from other hybrids on the market today. We also loved the bed’s ultra-supportive perimeter and excellent cooling properties.
Best Cooling
The Bear Elite Hybrid offers exceptional temperature neutrality at a reasonable price-point. Shoppers can choose between medium (5), medium firm (6), and firm (8) models, which each share the same materials but have slightly different feels. Although we tested all three firmness levels and each one has a distinct feel, we noticed excellent cooling across the board during our temperature control tests.
What It’s Made of
This model’s hand-quilted cover has phase change material (PCM) and Celliant fibers woven into the fabric. Together, they can effectively combat heat retention by wicking excess moisture and regulating surface temperature. Underneath the cover is a layer of copper-infused memory foam that cushions your body without feeling too warm.
The polyfoam transitional layer has five zones that increase and decrease pushback beneath different parts of your body to relieve pressure without sacrificing support. Strategically placed cutouts in the foam allow air to circulate easily throughout the mattress for additional cooling. The pocketed coil support core boasts individually wrapped coils that isolate motion and enhance spinal alignment. A high-density polyfoam base adds extra stability.
How It Performed
The Bear Elite Hybrid has multiple materials to help you sleep at a comfortable temperature. In addition to its temperature-regulating technology, this model has plenty of air flowing through the support core – a less flashy feature than the cooling cover but equally important for fighting heat retention. As our testers lied on the mattress, the temperature sensors detected very little heat buildup.
We also found that the foam comfort system relieves pressure exceptionally well, which can be an important factor if you’re a side sleeper or if you live with joint pain. Bear provides you with a 120-day sleep trial and a lifetime warranty. Those in the contiguous U.S. qualify for free shipping.
Bottom Line
The Bear Elite Hybrid provides excellent overall support without feeling too firm for comfort. The mattress also excelled during our temperature control tests, and this can be attributed to its assortment of cooling materials.
Best Firm
Use this SleepFoundation.org link for the most current discount on Brooklyn Bedding mattresses
The Plank Luxe Hybrid from Brooklyn Bedding is a flippable mattress that caters to people who are looking for a bed with above-average firmness. This is hands-down one of the firmest mattresses we’ve tested firsthand. If you need a bed that provides enhanced support to your lumbar region, then you should find this model exceptionally comfortable.
What It’s Made of
The mattress has a firm (7) and extra firm (9) side. The firm side features a cover quilted with foam, a comfort layer made of TitanFlex polyfoam, and a transitional layer of high-density polyfoam. The extra firm side has a cover quilted with foam followed by a layer of high-density polyfoam. This side has a thinner quilted foam layer than the firm side and does not include a TitanFlex layer, resulting in a firmer surface. Although both sides are firmer-than-average, we found each one distinct during our tests.
Both sides share a support core of pocketed coils. For an extra charge, you can include a cooling panel made with phase change material that dissipates your body heat on contact and helps the mattress stay extra cool.
How It Performed
We think this mattress is an excellent fit for sleepers who weigh over 230 pounds and those who need extra support to maintain healthy spinal alignment. The firm foam layers prevented our midsections from sinking too much into the bed. The less firm side is ideal if you need support but also require a bit of cushioning for pressure points like the spine, shoulders, and hips.
Since we noticed minimal sink with this bed, especially on the extra firm side, the surface didn’t trap too much heat during our temperature control tests. The coils enable air to flow through the mattress interior and the optional cooling panel can help minimize heat retention, so you should find this bed very comfortable if you tend to sleep hot.
Brooklyn Bedding ships bed for free throughout the contiguous U.S. The mattress comes with a 120-night sleep trial and 10-year warranty.
Bottom Line
The Plank Luxe Hybrid is specifically designed for people who weigh more than 230 pounds. A reversible design with above-average firmness on each side and a strong support core help ensure sleepers in this weight group won’t sink too much while they sleep.
Best Pressure Relief
The Birch Mattress is a hybrid bed that stands out for its eco-friendly construction. This is also an excellent choice if you are looking for a mattress that can help prevent overheating at night. By using latex instead of foam, the Birch feels responsive and gently contours to the body. Our testers noticed little to no sinkage, and they encountered minimal difficulty moving across the surface.
What It’s Made of
The mattress is crafted with sustainable materials, including a natural cotton cover, wool batting, and Talalay latex. The latex is Rainforest Alliance-certified and adds a springy, cushioning feel. Together, these layers form a responsive medium firm (6) surface that’s ideal if you’re a side, back, or combination sleepoer. The support core consists of individually wrapped coils with reinforced edges, resting on a final layer of wool batting for added stability.
How It Performed
Wool is known for its exceptional moisture-wicking abilities, and the organic wool layers in the Birch help regulate temperature while providing a soft yet elastic cradle. The mattress performed exceptionally well during our temperature control tests. The coils also provided adequate support for the side, back, and combination sleepers on our team – particularly those weighing 130 to 230 pounds.
The 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 if you are sensitive to smells.
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.
Bottom Line
Talalay latex is one of the Birch Mattress’ standout features. This material helps the mattress surface feel resilient and responsive, something you don’t always see from a mattress that also relieves pressure this well. Additionally, cotton, wool, and latex have cooling properties to help you stay comfortable while you sleep.
Our testing team at Sleep Foundation has years of experience evaluating mattresses of all types and sizes. Since every sleeper has different needs and preferences, our team includes back, side, stomach, and combination sleepers with different body types. This versatility allows us to represent as wide a range of sleepers as possible.
We’ve tried out hundreds of queen size mattresses using a hands-on testing process that incorporates different criteria based on comfort, quality, and performance. Our top picks reflect the beds that performed best against competing models.
To learn more about our product research methodology, scroll down for detailed descriptions of our mattress testing criteria.
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. We consider the following elements most important when choosing a new 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
If you’re a side sleeper, then you’re more vulnerable to pressure build-up at the hips and shoulders, while stomach sleepers and back sleepers can experience back pain if a mattress isn’t supportive enough. Thus, choosing a softer mattress if you’re a side sleeper or a firmer mattress if you’re a back or stomach sleeper will usually lead to 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
Mattresses that contour closely often alleviate pressure points and contribute to proper spinal alignment, especially in side sleepers. However, mattresses with deep contouring and a slow response to pressure may also restrict your movement and cause you to feel trapped in the bed. We recommend finding a firmness level that provides adequate cushioning without sinking too much beneath your weight.
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,we recommend plusher mattresses with more pressure relief for side sleepers and people who weigh less than 130 pounds. In our experience, stomach sleepers and people who weigh more than 230 pounds prefer firmer mattresses that prevent the hips from sinking, while back sleepers and those between 130 and 230 pounds typically feel most comfortable with a medium or medium firm feel.
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 perform for years before they start to sag or develop permanent body indentations.
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 if you’re a side sleeper, since your hips and shoulders bear the brunt of your weight. If pressure relief is a top priority, we recommend mattresses with thick comfort systems of foam or latex layers.
Edge Support
Many mattresses lack support around the perimeter, which can be a problem if you 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. During edge support tests, we’ve found that innersprings and hybrids perform best thanks to their coil systems.
Temperature Regulation
Certain mattress materials are known to trap heat, causing your sleep surface to feel uncomfortably warm. 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 during our temperature regulation tests. 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, chances are you’ll appreciate a mattress that doesn’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 inches by 80 inches, a queen mattress is roomier than a full size mattress (54 inches by 74 inches), but doesn’t take up as much space as a king size mattress (76 inches 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 inches by 80 inches) or split queen (two beds, each one 30 inches 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. 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. You and your partner 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 both of you 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. We recommend investing in a high-quality queen size mattress for you teen. This way, they 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 too much floor space in smaller rooms. For these reasons, it’s rare for a single sleeper to choose a king mattress. 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. Below, we’ve put together a list of pros and cons associated with queen size mattresses.
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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. Our recommendations for different mattress types are listed below.
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, microcoils, or other pressure-relieving materials. The support core is usually made with pocketed coils in order to reduce motion transfer and provide targeted support for your body.
Highlight: A Fair Compromise. Hybrid mattresses offer a balanced feel for couples with differing comfort preferences. Due to the coil layer, they also tend to have strong edge support that allows you to use the entire surface of your mattress.
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 if you wish to customize the feel of your mattress. If your innerspring feels too firm – as is often the case – we recommend softening the surface with a mattress pad or 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 your movement. Latex is also naturally breathable, which helps reduce heat build-up when you share 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 allow you 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 or polyfoam 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 you waking up every time your sleeping partner shifts positions or gets in and out of bed, and vice versa. 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, we suggest aiming for a more neutral feel.
If you regularly co-sleep with kids or pets, you should consider their needs as well when purchasing a queen size mattress. In this case, we recommend focusing on motion isolation, noise, and edge support to reduce nighttime awakenings and make room for everybody.
Standard mattress in a box models tend to be shipped for free within the contiguous 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.
A standard queen size mattress measures 60 inches wide by 80 inches long. You should keep in mind these dimensions aren’t always exact, and there may be a 1-inch margin of error for either the width or length.
In addition to the standard queen, there are a few variations on this size. The Olympic queen is also 80 inches long, but measures up to 66 inches wide. The short queen – sometimes referred to as the RV queen – is typically 60 inches wide by 75 inches long.
While mattresses generally become heavier as you progress from twin to king sizes, the weight of a queen mattress depends more on its material composition and thickness than its width and length. All-foam mattresses are usually the lightest queen size models, weighing in around 60 to 80 pounds. Innersprings with profiles of less than 10 inches also tend to be fairly lightweight.
Foam hybrids have middle-of-the-road weights, typically in the range of 90 to 100 pounds for queen sizes. The heaviest mattress types are all-latex and latex hybrid models, which usually weigh at least 100 to 120 pounds but sometimes as much as 150 pounds or more.
Even at 60 to 80 pounds, a queen size mattress can be fairly heavy and unwieldy for one person. We recommend enlisting a lifting partner whenever you need to rotate or move your mattress.
As the name suggests, a split queen mattress is actually two mattresses divided lengthwise down the middle. Each individual mattress measures approximately 30 inches wide by 80 inches long.
Split queen mattresses are primarily intended for couples who use adjustable beds. The split allows you and your partner to independently elevate or lower your own side of the bed without affecting the other side.
One thing to keep in mind: though the dimensions are identical, split queen sizes for a given mattress usually cost more than standard queens.
No, queen mattresses should only be used with queen size frames or foundations. Every non-adjustable bed frame is designed to accommodate mattresses of a certain size. Using a frame that’s too small for your queen size means the mattress won’t fit within the frame’s edges. This can make your mattress sink in the middle and feel very uncomfortable, and may also cause damage to both the mattress and the frame.
Some bed frames have adjustable width and length settings, so these models could potentially accommodate both a full and queen size mattress. However, these are fairly rare. The best rule of thumb is to buy a bed frame that corresponds to your mattress size.
As with weight, the cost of a mattress will gradually increase as you go up in size. However, the cost of a queen size mattress depends on a number of factors.
Material composition plays a major role in pricing. The list below represents the average queen size cost for each mattress type:
Other factors include the thickness of the mattress, which brand you choose, and whether you buy the mattress online or in a brick-and-mortar store. Many mattress brands host annual holiday sales and offer ongoing discounts to save you some money on your purchase.
Our product experts have extensive experience testing just about every sleep product on the market. Send an email to [email protected] with your questions and we’ll help you find exactly what you’re looking for.
Certified Sleep Coach
Lauren is a Certified Sleep Science Coach with extensive experience researching and testing a wide variety of sleep products.
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