Why You Can Trust CNET Best Mattress for 2023
Finding the best mattress is no easy task, especially online. So I did it for you. Here are the best mattresses you can buy right now.
In this article:
Most people spend an entire third of their lives asleep. It's the time when we repair, recharge and dream. So it's crucial to our health to have a comfortable, supportive mattress that can help make the most of our eight hours. A good mattress can truly make a world of difference in your quality of sleep -- you just have to find that mattress.
When choosing the best mattress to make slumber as restful as possible, several factors come into play, including body shape, preferred sleeping position and health condition. Whatever kind of sleeper you are, you're certain to find what you're looking for in our best mattress list.
Pricing shown below is the full price for a queen mattress, but I list the full range of available sizes and prices within each entry. I update this list periodically.
Our pick: What's the best mattress?
I've pored over mattress brand reviews from all corners of the internet, considered several distinct mattress material options and what they bring to the table. I also take into consideration construction, durability, comfort, special features and price. The beds in this best mattress review are the ones that stood out from over 100 different models, based on reasoning we explain below.
It's a little difficult to dub the "best mattress" of our best mattress review when there are so many great beds to choose from, but if you gave me a million dollars to pick one, I'd name the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid for its its versatility, comfort and affordability. However, I also name other great beds in our best mattress review that suit all kinds of sleepers from side sleepers to couples who share a bed.
Read more: How to Break in a New Mattress: What to Do and How Long It Takes
Video: Best Mattress of 2023
Watch CNET video producer Owen Poole review the best mattresses.
Best mattresses for 2023
Mattress Price Scale:
$ = Budget - $799 and below
$$ = Average - $800 to $1,699
$$$ = Premium - $1,700 and up
Reflect MSRP prices* sales might push a mattress to a lower threshold, but they are always changing.
Why we picked the Brooklyn Bedding Signature mattress: With three firmness levels to choose from, a strong steel coil foundation layer, and a cushy feel that cradles your curves, it's a comfortable and accommodating pick for most people. When you buy a Brooklyn Bedding Signature mattress, you also get a great bang for your buck.
Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid
Why we picked the Layla Hybrid mattress: This bed is flippable! It offers two firmness levels in one, and two chances to find your perfect profile preference. One side is soft and pressure relieving while the other is more supportive. The star of the show is Layla's copper-infused memory foam. It helps regulate temperature, and the material feels ultra light and airy.
Layla Hybrid
Why we picked the Saatva Classic: A true luxury mattress, the Saatva Classic offers the best of both worlds: plush and cushy comfort with optimal support. It boasts two coil layers, memory foam, Lumbar Zone Active Spinal Wire and a quilted, zoned pillow-top. It's designed to promote comfort and spinal alignment, and it feels like it belongs in a fancy hotel.
Saatva Classic
Why we picked the Amerisleep AS2 mattress: With a dense memory foam feel that contours your curves and a supportive hybrid construction, the AS2 Hybrid mattress offers ample support without being too firm. Perfect for back and stomach sleepers, the foam contours around your hips and joints, and promotes proper spinal alignment. It also has a fancy, sleep-boosting cover that only a few beds are fitted with.
Amerisleep AS2 Hybrid
Why we picked the Bear Original mattress: It's a good pick for people under 230 pounds who like the pressure-relieving quality of memory foam but could do without the slow, sink-in feel. Bear Original has a Celliant-infused cover meant to boost circulation and sleep quality and leave you feeling more refreshed. It's also very affordable, especially during a promo.
Bear Original
Why we picked the Casper Original mattress: As one of the most popular bed-in-a-box mattresses, the Casper Original is a safe pick for anyone who wants a wallet-friendly mattress that's comfortable and promotes a good night's sleep. It has a soft, neutral-foam feel and a zoned-support layer with a supportive center for enhanced back support.
Casper Original
Why we picked the Helix Plus mattress: The Helix Plus is an extra thick mattress with XL pocketed coils in the foundation layer to provide maximum support and durability. It has a blended foam feel that's cushy and comfy without making you feel like you're sinking into it. Helix Plus' medium-firm profile will also help keep the back and spine properly supported.
Helix Plus
Why we picked the GhostBed Luxe mattress: The Helix Plus is an extra thick mattress with XL pocketed coils in the foundation layer to provide maximum support and durability. It has a blended foam feel that's cushy and comfy without making you feel like you're sinking into it. Helix Plus' medium-firm profile will also help keep the back and spine properly supported.
GhostBed Luxe
Why we picked the Purple Hybrid mattress: Another great option for hot sleepers, the Purple Hybrid is unlike any bed on this list. Its main comfort material is a gel-like "foam" that bends and squishes under your bodyweight. That's paired with supportive coils, and the bed feels supportive and pressure relieving at the same time -- kind of like you're floating.
Purple Hybrid 2
Why we picked the Allswell mattress: The ultimate budget-friendly bed, Allswell gets the nod for anyone who needs a long-lasting and supportive bed at a low price. It's one of the only hybrid mattresses you can get for under $500, but it doesn't look or feel like a regular ol' cheap mattress. It's a simple, medium-firm mattress that suits back and stomach sleepers looking to save.
Allswell
Other mattresses we've tested
The CNET Sleep editors have been laying on mattresses for a living for years, and have hundreds of mattress testing hours under the covers. There are a few beds that we love that didn't quite make it onto this list, but they still deserve an honorary mention. Here are a few other options to consider:
- WinkBed mattress: If you want hotel luxury without paying a fortune, the WinkBed mattress is a great choice. It's a hybrid bed with a bouncy, innerspring mattress feel and a lush pillow top to make it feel more cozy. It's also offered in three firmness levels, making it appeal to all sleeping positions.
- Loom & Leaf mattress: Memory foam is known to retain heat, but the Loom & Leaf from Saatva incorporates a layer of special cooling gel that helps you sleep more cool and comfortable. It comes in two firmness levels, both of which are on the firm side. That makes this foam mattress ideal for back pain sufferers or people who sleep primarily on their back or stomach.
- Tuft & Needle mattress: It's one of the most popular budget beds on the internet -- so much so that it broke through the straight-to-consumer model and is now in popular stores like Target or Crate and Barrel. It has a simple, two-layer construction with a comfortable neutral-foam feel that many people seem to love.
How we test mattresses
CNET editors pick the products and services we write about based on editorial merit. When you buy through our links, we may get a commission.
1. Firmness: We lay on each mattress and use our experience from testing over 100 different beds to determine firmness. Compared to other mattresses, we analyze how soft or hard a bed feels. It's important to wait until the mattress is fully expanded after opening to get the real firmness perspective.
2. Feel: This is where we get handsy with the beds. We touch and feel the mattresses and watch what the material does. Is it light and bouncy like latex foam, or slow and dense like memory foam?
3. Durability: We don't lay on the mattress every day for years, so it's hard to tell exactly how long each bed will last. However, we are able to hypothesize a bed's firmness by looking at its construction. Beds with steel coils are typically more durable and stronger than all-foam mattresses.
4. Best body type: We use construction and feel to determine how accommodating a bed will be for a heavy individual. Hybrid mattresses with steel coils are typically more supportive and longer-lasting; a plus for heavier individuals looking for a quality bed.
5. Best sleeping position: We get real physical and flip around the mattresses, testing each sleeping position: side, back, stomach and combination.
6. Motion isolation: With one or preferably two people on the mattress, we jump and bounce around to see how much movement can be detected throughout the bed. We also use the method where you place a cup of water at the edge of the bed, and bounce around to see how much it moves.
7. Edge support: We analyze a mattresses' materials and physically lay on each edge of the mattress to get a feel for how well it'll keep us feeling sturdy.
8. Temperature: We use hot sleepers to test and determine how cool a bed sleeps. We also take a look at its materials and construction -- did a brand add anything to make it sleep more cool?
9. Smell: Yup, once a bed is removed from its packaging it omits a new car-like smell. We use our trusty snouts to test this characteristic.
Read more on how we test mattresses.
What to look for in a mattress
Not every mattress is perfect for every person. To help you find your new mattress, consider these key points: your primary sleeping position, body type, health conditions, ideal mattress materials and your budget. Your primary sleeping position will help you determine your ideal firmness level. Your weight should help you determine whether you need the additional support of a hybrid mattress or a foam mattress. Your budget will help you narrow down beds. Lastly, there are ways you can accommodate your health conditions and materials help you decide whether or not you think your bed is comfy.
Sleeping position
- For side sleepers, soft to medium mattresses tend to be the most comfortable because they cradle the pressure points and provide relief, rather than pressing into them causing pressure.
- Back and stomach sleepers are usually better off on medium to firm beds because they promote a neutral alignment in the spine, preventing back pain.
- Combination sleepers can either choose a firmness level that caters to their main sleeping position, or get a mattress with a medium firmness that suits any sleeping position.
Body type
- People under 230 pounds have the option to choose between foam and hybrid mattresses, depending on the amount of support you're looking for.
- For those over 230 pounds, the best options are hybrid mattresses because they offer additional durability, support and comfort.
Health conditions
- A cooling mattress can bring relief to anyone who sleeps hot, whether it's a regular day-to-day occurrence or you're suffering from hot flashes.
- Those with arthritis or joint pain may want a soft, pressure-relieving mattress on the medium to soft side that cradles the hips and shoulders for maximum comfort.
- Medium-firm mattresses are beneficial for people with back pain because they support your spine and prevent it from sagging into the mattress, but it's not too firm where there's no pressure relief.
Materials
- Memory foam is known for its motion-isolating and pressure-relieving abilities. Some people also love the hugging feel. However, people who switch positions often can sometimes run into resistance since it's so slow to respond to pressure.
- Latex foam can be synthetic or natural/organic. Either way, it offers airflow, is more durable and supportive than most foam mattresses. On the other side of the token, natural latex can get expensive and they tend to be on the firm side.
- Poly foam is a synthetic foam that bounces more than memory foam but is more soft than latex foam. Most comfy couch cushions are made with this foam. it's breathable and affordable, but may not be as durable as other foams.
- Coils or innersprings are made from steel and provide extra support and durability for mattresses.
Budget
- Budget shoppers can find a mattress that costs $300 or less.
- The average mattress, especially in the online market, costs between $850 and $1,200.
- Hotel luxury and premium mattresses typically cost over the $1,200 range.
What are the different kinds of mattresses
There are a host of different mattress types and each have their own benefits.
Foam mattresses are made entirely of layers of foam, including memory foam mattress options, latex foam or gel foam. Typically each foam layer is a different density, with high-density foam on the bottom for support and a top layer of softer foam for comfort.
Latex foam mattresses are split into two types: natural and synthetic. Natural and organic latex foam is hypoallergenic, antimicrobial and friendly to the environment. Synthetic latex foam is artificially made, but cheaper than the organic material. Either way, latex foam is durable, breathable and tends to be very bouncy.
Memory foam mattresses are good at isolating motion and offering pressure relief to the joints. it provides a slow-responding hugging feel that people find really enjoyable. It can be difficult to switch positions in, however, and traditional memory foam is known for retaining heat.
Poly foam mattresses are light, airy and generally very comfortable. I compare it to the comfiest couch you've ever sat on. It's a basic foam that's more responsive than memory foam and less dense. However, it is cheaper and is often used in budget beds.
Hybrid mattresses use both foam and metal coils to provide support. They are closer in design to the innerspring mattress most of us grew up sleeping on, but with added foam for comfort and additional support like memory foam, latex foam or poly foam.
Pillow top mattresses have an extra fluffy layer on the top of the bed for added pressure relief and comfort. It's often made with wool, organic cotton or other light and airy materials.
Best mattresses of 2023 compared
| Mattress | Buying info | Mattress type | Price (queen) | Sleep trial period | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Layla Hybrid | See at Layla | Hybrid | $1,699 | 120 nights | 10-year limited |
| Casper Original | See at Casper | Foam | $1,295 | 100 nights | 10-year limited |
| Saatva Classic | See at Saatva | Hybrid | $1,770 | 365 nights | Lifetime |
| Bear Original | See at Bear | Foam | $998 | 100 nights | 10-year limited |
| Amerisleep AS2 | See at Amerisleep | Hybrid | $1,299 | 100 nights | 20-year prorated |
| Nectar | See at Nectar | Foam | $799 | 365 nights | Lifetime |
| GhostBed Luxe | See at GhostBed | Foam | $972 | 100 nights | 15-year limited |
| Helix Plus | See at Helix | Hybrid | $1,749 | 100 nights | 20-year prorated |
| Brooklyn Bedding Signature | See at Brooklyn Bedding | Hybrid | $1,249 | 120 nights | 10-year limited |
| Purple Hybrid 2 | See at Purple | Hybrid | $2,399 | 100 nights | 10-year limited |
| Allswell | See at Allswell | Hybrid | $449 | 100 nights | 10-year limited |
FAQs
What's the best mattress to buy?
While the best mattress for you will depend on your height, weight and comfort needs, I can say that the Layla Hybrid is the best mattress for most people. It's supportive for most body types, it has very little motion transfer and the hybrid mattress has several features that help keep you cool while you sleep.
Which mattress types are most comfortable?
Memory foam conforms to your body and keeps your spine and neck aligned. A memory foam mattress is a great option if you have back pain or like to feel like you're "sinking" into your mattress. Memory foam tends to trap heat though, so it's not always the best for hot sleepers.
What are the best mattresses for side sleepers?
The best mattresses for side sleepers are those that fall on the soft to middle of the firmness scale -- medium-soft to medium. You need a mattress that has enough give to alleviate pressure on your shoulders and hips, but not so much that you sink into it. It's important to keep your spine aligned when you're sleeping on your side, since that's what ensures that you'll sleep comfortably and wake up pain-free.
What are the best mattresses for back pain?
There's no one-size-fits-all answer, but the best mattresses for back pain generally include memory foam and have some additional features, like added lumbar support. According to some studies, a medium-firm mattress is best for alleviating chronic lower back pain in most people. If you're waking up in pain, it's likely because your mattress is too soft.
How often should you replace your mattress?
Most mattresses are designed to last several years, but there are a few telltale signs that let you know it's time to replace yours. If your mattress is sagging or making it hard for you to get a good night's sleep, then it's probably time to start shopping.
When is the best time to buy a mattress?
There are deals throughout the year for online mattresses especially, but the biggest markdowns will come during holidays including Labor Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, President's Day, Black Friday and Christmas.