Searching for a new mattress doesn’t have to be stressful. With Black Friday deals in full swing, there’s no better time to invest in a mattress. While some might think finding the right match on the internet can be a chore, it’s actually a great way to get exactly what you want for the best price – especially with the help of our expertise. We love turning to direct-to-consumer brands, because each one has a cool angle on why theirs is the best. It’s pretty much impossible to say which one is the clear winner, because every person has different needs, so we’re here to break it all down for you with the help of David Rubin, the director of product testing at Sleep Doctor.
How Do You Pick the Right Mattress?
“When picking a mattress, it’s important to find one that supports your individual needs and preferences, like sleep position and body types. Pay attention to comfort, support, durability, and firmness,” Rubin says. He also acknowledges that cost can affect which mattress you choose, so if you’re on a budget, he says to focus on finding one with a solid support core, cooling properties, and a sleep trial.
Rubin states that most mattresses have a life span of six to eight years. “We recommend regularly rotating memory foam mattresses (yearly is fine) from head to foot to help extend the life of your mattress and prevent consistent body imprints. If you are consistently waking up with body aches or pain, it may be time to consider replacing your mattress,” he says. To properly care for your mattresses, he suggests using a mattress protector, vacuuming the surface to remove dust and dirt whenever you change your sheets, and to spot clean visible stains or spots with a mixture of water and hydrogen peroxide.
What to Know About Different Mattress Types
The mattress market is overwhelming just because of the sheer options available. However, Rubin points out that you can break down most mattresses into three categories: hybrid mattresses, memory foam mattresses, and latex mattresses.
Hybrid mattresses combine the best parts of a traditional spring mattress with the innovative support of a memory foam mattress. “These have a coil, or innerspring, support core and are constructed with a combination of memory foam, polyfoam, or latex. We usually recommend hybrid mattresses for most sleepers because they are durable, come in many different firmness levels, and sleep relatively cool,” Rubin says.
If you’re a side sleeper and love that body-hugging feel, Rubin recommends going for a memory foam mattress. Pointing out that they are usually on the affordable end, Rubin says, “a memory foam mattress relieves pressure points that can build in the shoulders and hips and excels at conforming to the body.” However, he does warn that memory foam sleeps hotter than other materials and adds: “If a memory foam mattress is too soft, it can throw your spine out of alignment.”
Compared to a memory foam mattress, a latex mattress has more of a responsive, contouring feel and provides a cooler sleep, too. “Though they cost more, latex mattresses provide pressure relief without the feeling of sleeping ‘in’ the mattress that you get from a memory foam mattress. Latex can be a great option for stomach sleepers who need some contouring without too much sinkage,” Rubin says.
Ahead, we curated a list of the 14 best mattress choices you can shop online. What makes these special is that they’re comfortable, popular, and have easy return and trial policies, so you don’t have to feel nervous about making your purchase. Plus, we even found options that come at a variety of price points, so you can get the right mattress for your budget. And to make it even easier to compare, each mattress is priced according to its queen sizing.
We tried and tested several of these mattresses ourselves, so you know you’re getting a trusted breakdown of these picks. We have editor-backed reviews of mattresses from brands like Casper, supportive options from Bear, organic mattresses like Avocado, and even a mattress that delivers a hotel-like experience from Saatva. These mattresses cater to a variety of different needs and comfort levels, whether you’re a side sleeper or deal with back pain and want something cloud-like. No matter what your preferences are, there’s something for you.
Keep reading to check them all out and find the one you can’t wait to sleep on.
– Additional reporting by Angela Elias
