The Best Mattresses In The World: A Buyer Guide

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The most important component in getting a good night’s sleep is undoubtedly finding the best mattress.

A good mattress won’t only lull you into a deep sleep, it will also promote good health, reduce any aches and pains and — most importantly — simply be a place where you want to spend a lot of time.

best memory foam mattress

Of course, what’s the best mattress for us probably won’t be the best mattress for you.

In the mattress world, there’s no one size fits all solution — that’s why there’s so many to choose from in the first place.

We all have different priorities. Some of us want the best affordable mattress, others want the best mattress for back pain, some people prefer memory foam when others want latex. Some crazy cats even like a hybrid of the two!

Here’s a sneak peek of the winners of the individual categories:

 Live & Sleep Resort Classic
Resort Sleep Memory Foam Mattress Review
Nectar
nectar mattress review
Brooklyn Beddingbest foam mattressLUCIDbest mattressHelixhelix mattress review
Category WinnerBest AffordableBest Memory FoamBest FoamBest LatexBest Hybrid
MaterialAir Infused FoamMemory FoamPolyurethane foam, TitanFlex, softer TitanFlexLatexHelix dynamic foam, pocketed microcoils and high grade polyfoam
Depth10"11"10"10"10"
Bonus?Free Memory Foam Pillow$125 Off & 2 Free Pillows$100 Off & Free Sheet & Pillow Set10 yr WarrantyFree US SHipping

We’ve compiled a buying guide to the absolute best mattresses of 2020, in all of the above categories, as well as a bundle more advice on what to look out for when buying a mattress this year.

Let’s take it away…

Best Mattress: What to Look for

While buying a mattress is an incredibly personal purchase, there are a few things to look out for which indicate your future bed is a quality product that will last a long time.

The Non-Negotiables

Here are a few quick check boxes that we run all our mattresses by to see if they’re up to standard:

  • A generous warranty — ideally, at least 10 years
  • A trial period — it’s tough to know if a mattress is perfect when you buy it online. Make sure there’s a generous trial period to let you test it out and return without penalty
  • Multiple layers — expert engineering is what ensures comfort, support and longevity
  • Foams are CertiPUR-US certified — this certification ensures that all foams are healthy and environmentally friendly
  • Smart shipping — the mattress should be rolled and compressed for easy and convenient delivery

Those 5 points above are our non-negotiables when it comes to buying a mattress.

best hybrid mattress

But in order for us to say a particular product is the best mattress, it’s got to have a lot more going for it.

Before you invest in a mattress, you should write down a list of wants and needs so you know what you’re looking for and don’t get too overwhelmed with all the choice ahead of you.

Here are a few features you should be looking out for — some will be more/less important to you than others, depending on your individual circumstances.

Comfort

This is so obvious we almost didn’t include it. But we did, just in case…

Comfort is the most important factor when it comes to the best mattresses. You can buy the most high-tech supportive mattress in the world, but if you don’t find it comfortable, it will have been a waste of money.

Of course, it’s hard to discern how comfortable a mattress is when you’re simply looking at a photo of it online — so you need to take note of where it falls on the comfort scale.

The three main categories are plush, medium-firm and firm, on a scale of 1-10. Most mattresses are found somewhere between 3 and 7-8.

If you know that you love that soft, floating on a cloud feeling, don’t go for a firm mattress. Similarly, if you’re looking for robust support, a plush mattress probably isn’t going to work for you.

If you’re not sure where your loyalties lie on the comfort scale, fear not — just take advantage of the trial period and see whether it works for you.

Some mattresses also come in a ‘universal comfort’ configuration so these are good ones to go for if you’re not sure what you want.

Support

After comfort, support is the most important factor in finding the best mattress.

This is particularly important if you suffer from a bad back, or general aches and pains after sleeping.

A supportive mattress will usually be expertly engineered with multiple layers designed to correctly align your spine and neck, and ease any pressure points.

Memory foam is known for its supportive benefits and is often the main component in the best mattress for back pain.

Temperature Regulation

Having a cool mattress that stays cool the whole night long is very important for some sleepers.

If you live in a hot climate, or if you tend to sweat during the night, you need a cooling mattress.

These products will usually be gel infused, and should be engineered for the most breathability and air flow possible.

Look out for cooling mattresses that come with a moisture-wicking cover — this should ensure that any sweat isn’t absorbed into the mattress, keeping it fresh for years to come.

Memory foam is known to be something of a heat trapping material while latex is lauded for its cooling benefits.

Infusions

best mattress for back pain

We’ve already spoken about how some mattresses are gel-infused for cooling purposes. Well, we’ve tested out enough mattresses now to know that ‘infusions’ are the new trend in mattress technology.

Many of these herbal infusions are designed to keep the mattress fresh and odor free, as well as to promote sound sleep.

Some of the infusions to look out for include green tea, lavender and charcoal.

Hypoallergenic

If you or your partner suffer from sensitive skin, a hypoallergenic mattress is likely on your list of non-negotiables.

There’s nothing worse than spending a night on an expensive, comfortable mattress only to wake up itching and scratching because you’re allergic to one of the materials in it.

Most hypoallergenic mattresses are made from natural latex.

Bounce

Some people love feeling their body sink deep into a mattress, but others want to feel a little resistance.

If that’s you, you should look out for mattresses that advertises ‘bounce’.

Not only is bounce good for sex, it’s also a great quality for sleepers who want to be able to get in and out of bed easily.

best memory foam mattress

The Different Types of Mattress

So, now you know what to look out for in the best mattresses, you’re probably wondering what these products actually are.

Before we get into our top mattress picks, you should know a little about the different types of mattress so you can see what will work best for your sleep style, health and budget.

Spring Mattress

Also known as innerspring and coil mattresses, a spring mattress is exactly that — a mattress containing coiled steel springs.

Although they’ve recently been overtaken by memory foam and latex, spring mattresses are very common and are particularly popular with people that like a high degree of support. They’re generally also a cheaper alternative to more modern creations.

Some of the best spring mattresses will also sport a top layer of memory foam or pillow top for additional comfort.

Pros

  • Cheaper
  • Supportive
  • Strong and durable

Cons

  • Generally not as comfortable
  • Less frills than more expensive mattresses
Memory Foam Mattress

Memory foam is the material that most often springs to mind when you think of a luxury mattress.

Unlike any other material, memory foam will conform to the curves of your body, relieving your pressure points and dispersing your weight evenly about the mattress.

It’s celebrated for both the levels of comfort and support it offers the sleeper.

The foam will vary in density — a higher density foam equals a firmer mattress, for example.

Pros

  • Comfortable — like sleeping on a cloud
  • Supportive
  • Relieves aches and pains
  • Aligns the spine and neck

Cons

  • Can trap heat
  • Will often omit ‘off-gassing’ smell for a few days after being unpacked
Foam Mattress

Generally seen as a cheaper alternative to memory foam, simple foam mattresses are also a popular and common choice these days.

Many of them try to replicate the benefits of memory foam, and the best foam mattresses will have engineered themselves to incorporate some extra bounce and breathability as well. These are generally a little more expensive, however.

If you’re looking for the best affordable mattress and you don’t want a spring, a simple foam mattress could be right for you.

Pros

  • Cheaper
  • Some foams are superior to memory foam
  • Comfortable

Cons

  • Not usually as supportive
  • Can trap heat

best memory foam mattress

Latex Mattress

Latex is becoming increasingly popular in the best mattresses, particularly for people looking for a bouncier and cooler alternative to memory foam.

While they’re often the more expensive mattress on the market, latex mattresses are generally hypoallergenic (remember to choose a natural and organic product!) and offer plenty of supportive, making them great for people with bad backs.

Pros

  • Comfortable
  • Super supportive
  • Durable
  • Lots of bounce
  • Keeps cool all night
  • Aligns the spine and neck
  • Hypoallergenic and eco-friendly

Cons

  • More expensive
  • Not as common as memory foam and spring mattresses
Hybrid Mattress

The best hybrid mattress will seek to have the best of both worlds.

They’re generally available in the following configurations:

  1. Spring and memory foam
  2. Spring and latex
  3. Memory foam and latex
  4. Foam and latex

Numbers #1 and #3 are the most common.

In #1, the mattress will have the support and durability of the spring, and the comfort of the memory foam topper.

In #3, the mattress will have the weight distribution and comfort of the memory foam, paired with the cool bounce and support of the latex.

As you can imagine, hybrid mattresses are generally on the more expensive end of the price spectrum. Not only do they incorporate more materials, but also expert engineering to find the best configuration for the sleeper. There are a few great deals to be found, however.

Best Mattress Reviews 2020

Now you know about the different types of mattress and what features you should be looking out for, you’re ready for our list of the best mattresses of 2020.

We’ve divided them into a number of different categories so you can see which is best for you.

Best Affordable Mattress

Winner: Live & Sleep Resort Classic Memory Foam Mattress

best mattress 2020best cheap mattress

  • Medium to Medium-Firm
  • 10 inches
  • 30 day trial
  • 20 year limited warranty
  • Memory foam

The Resort Sleep truly is an affordable mattress, and one of the best on the market to boot. We would have paid plenty more for it!

It boasts all the comfort and supportive benefits of memory foam while also managing to stay cool all through the night — something that even much more expensive mattresses haven’t managed to do.

Pros

  • Hotel style comfort
  • Plenty of support thanks to high density support base
  • Stays cool all night
  • Foam is CertiPUR-US certified
  • Comes with a bonus pillow!
  • Generous warranty
  • Works on all surfaces
  • Soft knit cover
  • Very affordable

Cons

  • Short trial period
  • On the firm side
Check Today’s Price on Amazon
Runner Up: Best 2 Rest Latex Mattress

cheap latex mattress

  • Medium Firm
  • 10 inches
  • 20 year warranty
  • Latex/memory foam hybrid

We love latex mattresses but they generally come with a much higher price tag than we’d like.

Not the Best 2 Rest, however — this is a latex and memory foam hybrid that’s celebrated for it’s exquisite support and bountiful comfort while still being at an affordable price.

There are 3 layers: organic latex, cooling gel memory foam and high density support foam.

Pros

  • Made from natural, organic latex
  • Dust mite and allergy proof
  • Stays cool and fresh
  • Very comfortable
  • Highly supportive — great for easing back pain
  • Made in the USA
  • Organic cotton cover

Cons

  • No robust edge support
  • Needs 24-48 hours to fully expand
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Best Memory Foam Mattress

Winner: The Nectar Mattress

nectar mattress review

  • Medium Firm
  • 11 inches
  • Forever warranty
  • 365 night trial

We honestly can’t say enough good things about the Nectar mattress.

Not only is it our pick for the best memory foam mattress, but it may well be overall the best mattress of 2020.

It’s insanely comfortable, with a total of 5 expertly engineered layers, including a tencel cooling cover, quilted gel memory foam and adaptive hi core memory foam as well.

It’s also cool and supportive — and what’s more, incredibly affordable.

Pros

  • Incredibly comfortable
  • Sleeps cool and stays fresh
  • Very supportive and great for bad backs
  • Comes with a 365 night trial period
  • Forever warranty
  • Free shipping and returns
  • CertiPUR-US certified
  • Works with all bed types
  • Very affordable

Cons

  • Very minor off-gassing during expansion period
Read our Full Review Check Today’s Price on Nectar
Runner Up: Brentwood Home Cypress Mattress

brentwood home cypress mattressbest memory foam mattress

  • Medium
  • 13 inches
  • 25 year limited warranty

The Brentwood Home Cypress Gel Mattress is a very popular memory foam mattress thanks to its low price and great reviews.

In terms of comfort, it’s almost unparalleled at this price point — we’ve heard people favorably compare it to the much more expensive TempurPedic mattresses. It’s also admirably supportive and engineered to ease aches, pains and pressure points, thanks to its quadruple layer technology.

Pros

  • Thick 3.5″ of gel memory foam is very comfortable
  • Excellent motion isolation
  • Supportive, keeps spine and neck in alignment
  • Odor resistant
  • Made in California
  • No off-gassing upon unpacking
  • Very affordable

Cons

  • Just the 30 day Amazon return period
  • Occasionally traps heat in very hot weather
Read our Full Review Check Today’s Price on Amazon
Runner Up: Perfect Cloud Lavender Bliss Memory Foam Mattress

perfect cloud memory foam mattress reviewmemory foam mattress

  • Medium Soft
  • 10 inches
  • 10 year warranty
  • 30 day trial

The Perfect Cloud Lavender Bliss is another low-cost high quality memory foam mattress that’s making waves in the sleep hacking industry.

Setting it apart from its competitors, it’s beautifully designed with a wonderful lavender infusion that’s designed to help you fall asleep quicker and easier than ever.

It tends towards the plush side of medium and truly does feel as though you’re floating on a cloud as you lay down.

Pros

  • Soft and fluffy comfort
  • Looks beautiful thanks to the stretch knit cover
  • Lavender oil infusion is subtle and relaxing
  • Triple foam layers for a high level of support
  • Cover is breathable and cool

Cons

  • Short trial period
  • Only suitable for solid deck bed
Read our Full Review Check Today’s Price on Amazon

Best Foam Mattress

Winner: Brooklyn Bedding #BestMattressEver

best foam mattress

  • Soft, Medium or Firm
  • 10 inches
  • 10 year warranty
  • 3 layers: Polyurethane foam, TitanFlex, softer TitanFlex
  • 120 night trial period

We love the Brooklyn Bedding mattress and agree that it could well be the #BestMattressEver!

This is one of those rare foam mattresses that’s better than most memory foams — it’s been intelligently engineered to take the best features of memory foam and elevate them, while minimizing the downside.

Their TitanFlex foam is made with open cell material and thermal titanium beads, resulting in a mattress that’s comfortable, supportive, cool and equipped with some much needed bounce. It’s a unicorn mattress!

Pros

  • 3 different firmness options
  • Very comfortable
  • Very supportive
  • The best parts of memory foam: even weight distribution, luxe comfort and easing of pressure points
  • The best of latex: cool all night, no sinking and plenty of bounce
  • Great motion isolation
  • They donate any unwanted mattresses to a charity
  • Affordable

Cons

  • Takes a while to fully expand
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Runner Up: Tuft & Needle Mattress

nod tuft and needle reviewbest mattress

  • Universal comfort (medium-firm
  • 2 layers: 3″ of T&N adaptive foam, 7″ high density support foam
  • 10 years limited warranty
  • 100 night trial

The Tuft & Needle mattress is a real start-up success story.

Made with their unique T&N adaptive foam, they’ve created a mattress that combines the best of memory foam and latex into a universally comfortable design.

They are proudly headquartered in Phoenix and their mattresses all made in the USA — no wonder they’re so damn popular

Pros

  • Very comfortable: not so soft that you get stuck, nor so firm that you feel any pressure
  • Excellent localized and responsive bounce
  • Great pressure relief and good for bad backs
  • Sleeps cools all night
  • Made in the USA
  • Fantastic customer service
  • Aligns the neck and spine easily
  • Ethical disposal policy

Cons

  •  A little soft at the edges
  • Some minor off-gassing when first unpacked
Read our Full Review Check Today’s Price on Amazon
Runner Up: Eight Pod Mattress

eight pod review

  • Medium-Firm
  • 10 inches
  • 4 layers: 2″ reactive foam, 2″ contouring memory foam, 2″ supportive transition foam, 4″ high density support foam
  • 10 year warranty
  • 100 night trial

The Eight Pod mattress gets a lot of press because it has a ‘smart’ component to it — the Eight Sleep Tracker can be bought to pair with it, which covers the mattress, tracking your sleeping patterns, changes the temperature and measures your sleep stats.

But the mattress itself is also worth writing home about: it’s incredibly comfortable and has a ‘bounces like latex, feels like foam’ texture, which we love.

Pros

  • Bounces like latex, feels like foam
  • Super comfortable, supportive and durable
  • Sleeps cool
  • Conforms to your body, easing pressure points and evenly distributing your weight
  • Good motion isolation
  • Very well made — no sagging!
  • Smart sleep tracking capabilities

Cons

  • Slight off-gassing when first unpacking
  • Might be a little firm for some sleepers
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Best Latex Mattress

Winner: Lucid Latex Foam Mattress

  • Firm, Medium or Medium-Plush
  • 3 inch latex surface layer
  • 10 inches total
best latex mattress

The Lucid mattress is a major hit amongst consumers thanks to its latex composition and relative low price.

But most importantly, it’s genuinely comfortable — relieves any pressure points you may have, pleasingly responsive and impressively supportive.

It’s CertiPUR-US certified and very well ventilated so it doesn’t get too hot and sweaty, regardless of the temperature outside.

Pros

  • Available in three different firmness options
  • Excellent affordable price
  • Perfectly calibrated to support bad backs and heavier weights
  • Maximum comfort for a latex mattress
  • Keeps cool and fresh
  • Excellent bounce
  • 10 year warranty in the US

Cons

  • Not completely latex — combination of latex and high-density foam
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Runner Up: Nest Bedding Q3 Latex Mattress

best mattress

  • Medium, Firm or Soft with Topper
  • Available in all certified organic latex or blended latex
  • 9 inches for Medium, 12 inches for Soft
  • 100 night trial

Nest are known for their excellent quality mattresses, and the Q3 Natural Latex mattress is no different.

It’s been constructed to feel ‘just right’ — the perfect combination of comfort and support — and it won’t break the bank either.

Sleepers with bad backs may be particularly interested in this mattress — it’s been designed to achieve spine neutral support.

Pros

  • Very comfortable and supportive
  • Blended latex option is very affordable
  • Available in 3 different firmness options
  • Great for bad backs
  • Keeps cool and fresh all night long
  • Great bounce and motion isolation
  • Free shipping

Cons

  • Certified organic option is expensive
  • Reasonably petite at just 9″ thick
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Best Hybrid Mattress

Winner: Helix Mattress

best mattress

  • Different firmness options available
  • 10 inches
  • Hybrid: Helix dynamic foam, pocketed microcoils and high grade polyfoam
  • 100 night sleep trial
  • 10 year warranty

In our opinion, the Helix Mattress is a likely contender for the best mattress of 2020, nevermind just the best hybrid mattress.

It’s truly expertly engineered to provide you with a personalized sleeping experience that’s perfect for your wants and needs. Before you buy, you’ll need to take the Helix sleep test, which will take account of your preferences in feel, support, temperature regulation and point elasticity.

With your answers, it will design the perfect mattress for you, deliver it within 4-8 business days and all for a very reasonable price.

Pros

  • Totally customized for you
  • Reasonable price
  • Contours seamlessly to the body, removing pressure points
  • Incredibly comfortable
  • Supportive without being too firm
  • Sleeps cool
  • Premium, environmentally certified materials
  • No off-gassing
  • Made in the USA

Cons

  • Edge support not as robust as the rest of the mattress
Read our Full Review Check Today’s Price
Runner Up: Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Adapt Hybrid Foam Mattress

tempur-pedic hybrid mattress

  • Medium
  • 11 inches
  • Hybrid: Tempur-Support Layer, Temper-ES Comfort Layer, with over 1000 premium Spring Coils

The TEMPUR-Adapt is the first TEMPURpedic mattress to grace our list, despite the fact that the company is known for its innovative and excellent mattresses. The fact is that they’re very expensive, and rarely much better than the best mattresses at more reasonable price points.

But this is an incredible hybrid mattress that we had to include: its comfort and support levels are almost unrivalled, with the Tempur-Support material making for an incredibly fast response to your body.

It also keeps cool all night thanks to the premium knit technology and stays fresh thanks to the moisture wicking material of the cover.

Pros

  • Dynamically responsive material that instantly contours to your body
  • No heat traps
  • Very supportive thanks to precision coils
  • Relieves pressure points almost instantly
  • Stays cool and fresh
  • Cover zips on and off for easy washing
  • Slight spring for moderate bounce
  • Good motion isolation
  • Made in the USA

Cons

  • Needs a little time to break in — starts off feeling very firm indeed
Check Today’s Price on Amazon
Runner Up: Aviya Mattress

aviya mattress review

  • Plush, Luxury Firm or Firm
  • 12 inches
  • Hybrid: innerspring coils and 3 layers of high density foam
  • 100 night trial
  • 10 year warranty

The Aviya is a hybrid mattress with a slew of excellent reviews — probably thanks to the company’s marketing of, “A $2,000 mattress for less than $1,000”!

It’s another luxury mattress, handcrafted in the USA, that’s designed to hit the mark on both comfort and support. It is on the firm side, so opt for the ‘plush’ firmness option if you prefer a softer night’s sleep.

Also, unlike some of the best mattresses on this list, the Aviya has excellent support all the way to its edges. They’ve surrounded the sides with 3 inches of extra foam to ensure that you can sleep edge to edge.

Pros

  • Lots of customization options for comfort
  • Sleeps cool
  • Great edge support
  • Fantastic support and good for bad backs
  • Good bounce and motion isolation
  • Affordable price
  • No sagging — very durable
  • Relieves pressure points and distributes your weight evenly
  • Works with any bed foundation

Cons

  • On the firm side
  • Feels more like a spring mattress than a foam one
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Best Mattress For Back Pain

Winner: Nolah Mattress

best mattress for back pain

  • Medium
  • 10 inches
  • Foam
  • 120 night trial
  • 15 year warranty

The Nolah Mattress is making waves in the sleep hacking industry right now for being the best mattress for back pain.

It’s also just generally one of the best mattresses of 2020. Made from Nolah AirFoam, it’s a superior alternative to both memory foam and latex, able to provide 4x less pressure on the hips, shoulders and back, sleeps cooler, and is more durable.

Another thing we love about Nolah is that they adopt a wildlife animal for every mattress they sell — and you can actually choose the animal!

Pros

  • Light as air comfortable
  • Highly supportive for the back
  • Excellent pressure point relief
  • Ethical and eco-friendly company
  • Sleeps cool all night
  • Highly durable
  • Very generous trial period and warranty
  • Free shipping and returns
  • Good motion isolation
  • Moisture wicking cover
  • Affordable

Cons

  • Bounce isn’t as responsive as latex
Read our Full Review Check Today’s Price

We hope you’ve found our Best Mattresses post helpful. Looking for alternatives? Be sure to visit our mattress reviews section for other great options.

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