Best mattress 2023: Top 9 picks from our testing team

The Emma Hybrid Comfort is a foam and coil mattress that balances strong cushioning with a sturdy, supportive core. Compared to other foam hybrids we’ve tested, this model stands out for its reasonable price-point and generous one-year sleep trial.

How does it feel?

The comfort system features several foam layers, starting with a polyfoam layer engineered to reduce heat retention. Underneath is a memory foam layer that enhances contouring and absorbs motion on the surface, followed by a higher density polyfoam layer to prevent too much sinkage. The result is a medium firm (6) overall feel that lightly cushions your joints but doesn’t hug your body excessively.

Sturdy coils in the support core offer a lot of pushback to support the lower back. The coils are zoned to deliver extra support where it’s most needed, including along the perimeter of the bed.

Why we like it

The Emma Hybrid Comfort offers a balanced feel by combining plush foam layers with a strong coil system. Side sleepers above 130 pounds and back sleepers up to 230 pounds benefited most from the mix of cradling and support. Stomach sleepers under 130 pounds also found the bed comfortable.

The middle-of-the-road feel is a good fit for couples who have different sleep preferences. Another strong performance area was temperature control, which was due in part to the airflow through the coils.

Emma allows customers 365 nights to test the mattress at home, during which you can return the mattress for a full refund. The mattress is also backed by a 10-year warranty. Shipping is free to addresses in the contiguous U.S.

Saatva is a luxury mattress brand that has been in business for more than a decade. The company’s flagship model — the Saatva Classic — has proven enduringly popular with different types of sleepers. The Classic is sold in three firmness levels and two profiles, all of which our team has personally tested. We’ve found each option for the mattress performs well for certain types of sleepers.

How does it feel?

The Saatva Classic has a Euro-top padded with two foam layers, followed by a transitional layer of pocketed microcoils and a support core of robust, low-gauge hourglass coils made from recycled steel. Thanks to this “coil-on-coil” design, most of our testers noticed a fair amount of bounce that prevented them from sinking or feeling stuck as they moved across the mattress. We also noticed very little roll-off when testing the bed for perimeter support by lying and sitting along the edges. This was especially true for the Classic’s firmest, tallest design.

Each firmness level feels distinct from the others. Our testers felt the closest contouring from the soft (3) model, gentler cushioning from the medium firm (6), and very little padding from the firm (8). There was also some variability between the 11.5-inch and 14.5-inch profiles, the latter of which has base coils that are 4 inches thicker than the former’s. The taller profile feels bouncier and sturdier, but most of our testers weighing up to 230 pounds still received adequate support from the 11.5-inch model.

Why we like it

Thanks to its innovative coil-on-coil construction, the Saatva Classic is well suited to people looking for a bouncy, supportive mattress that won’t sink too much beneath their weight. Free White Glove delivery should also incentivize those who would rather not set up a new mattress on their own. Couriers drive the mattress directly to your residence, assemble it in a room of your choice, and remove your old mattress or box spring upon request. This type of delivery service usually starts at $150, so you may want to go this route if you need help setting up your new mattress — the Saatva Classic is pretty heavy.

Saatva’s sleep trial lasts 365 nights, and the mattress is also backed by a lifetime warranty.

The PlushBeds Botanical Bliss combines organic latex and other eco-friendly materials to deliver personalized comfort and support. With a choice of two firmness levels and the added assurance of PlushBeds’ comfort exchange program, the mattress is a comfortable choice for a wide range of sleepers.

How does it feel?

You can choose between three heights — 9 inches, 10 inches, or 12 inches — as well as medium firm (6) or firm (7) feels. Each version begins with a soft and breathable organic cotton cover and a layer of organic wool. Both materials naturally wick away heat and moisture, helping you stay cool and dry. This is followed by a layer of Talalay latex that balances contouring with subtle bounce. The thick support core is composed of one to two layers of Dunlop latex, depending on the height. Dunlop is firmer and denser than Talalay latex. 

Our testers didn’t notice a substantial difference between the three height options. However, side sleepers up to 230 pounds and back sleepers under 130 pounds preferred the medium firm versions, while other back and side sleepers opted for the firm models. Most stomach sleepers liked the enhanced support of the firm mattresses, although a few testers under 130 pounds said they slightly preferred the medium firm feel. 

Why we like it

The mattress holds certifications from GOTS, GOLS, and GREENGUARD Gold, indicating that the materials comply with certain safety and environmental standards. One of the standout features of this mattress is PlushBeds’ 100-night comfort exchange program, which lets you order an additional comfort layer if you decide your initial mattress purchase is too soft or firm. The Botanical Bliss features a zippered cover, allowing easy access to swap out the top layer. The company requires a $99 deposit for this service, but it issues a refund once the original top layer is returned.

PlushBeds also offers a 100-night sleep trial with a full refund after a 30-night minimum break-in period. The company charges a $149 fee to customers who use the company’s concierge service to return their mattress. A limited lifetime warranty protects customers from manufacturing and material defects. Shipping is free for residents of the contiguous U.S.

The Sparrow Mattress from Nest Bedding is a foam hybrid model available in three different firmness options – soft (3), medium (5), and firm (7). Regardless of the firmness option you choose, you’ll receive excellent cushioning from the foam comfort system and ample support from the coils.

How does it feel?

The bed is designed with three layers of foam over a 6-inch coil system. A top memory foam layer closely cradles your body, followed by a polyfoam Energex layer with a responsive feel and another polyfoam layer with enhanced support. The Energex layer varies in firmness depending on the model you choose, but our testers found that all three models offer a well-cushioned surface.

Thanks to the thick foam comfort system, the mattress excelled at motion isolation tests in our sleep lab. This means you’ll feel very little motion transfer when your sleep partner shifts in the middle of the night. The bed also offers excellent pressure relief, especially in the soft and medium models. This appealed to testers who typically experience pressure buildup in the shoulders, hips, or spine.

Why we like it

During tests, the firm model earned high marks from many of our testers, especially back and side sleepers over 130 pounds. Side sleepers up to 230 pounds and back sleepers up to 130 pounds enjoyed the medium model. The soft model earned good reviews from side sleepers up to 130 pounds, but side sleepers in heavier weight categories may prefer a firmer option.

Some heat buildup is to be expected for beds with foam comfort systems, but the Sparrow felt temperature-neutral for many of our testers – even those who normally sleep hot. Phase change material infused into the cover offsets heat retention. Meanwhile airflow through the coil system helps ventilate the mattress to keep it cool.

Nest Bedding offers a 365-night sleep trial, so you’ll have plenty of time to decide if the Sparrow is a good fit. In addition, the bed comes with a lifetime warranty. Customers residing in the contiguous U.S. receive free shipping.

People with hip pain, much like those with back pain, usually need a mattress that cushions the body while maintaining even support. Foam hybrids like the Bear Elite Hybrid are popular choices for people with hip pain since they balance adaptive comfort layers with supportive coil systems. The Bear Elite Hybrid also comes in three different firmness levels, so it should appeal to a wide array of sleeper types.

How does it feel?

The Elite Hybrid is available in medium (5), medium firm (6), and firm (8) options. All models begin with a top layer of memory foam that contours to the body to alleviate pressure while ensuring your weight is evenly distributed across the surface. This layer is also infused with copper meant to reduce heat buildup. Transitional polyfoam adds a bit of extra cushioning and prevents your body from sinking too deeply into the support core.

Pocketed coils make up the core, offering targeted support to prevent uncomfortable sinkage. A perimeter reinforcement helps the mattress bear your weight along the edges. The coils rest on a polyfoam base layer to prevent shifting. A breathable quilted cover encases the mattress, giving the surface a plush initial feel. The cover is made with Celliant and phase change material (PCM), both engineered to maintain a neutral temperature on the surface.

Why we like it

Most of us agreed that the Bear Elite Hybrid’s foam hybrid design makes it a great choice for sleepers seeking a supportive mattress with even cushioning for pressure points. The medium option earned the highest ratings from back and side sleepers under 130 pounds since these sleepers need ample cushioning for the shoulders, hips, and spine. The medium firm option was best suited to side sleepers who weighed at least 130 pounds and back sleepers up to 230 pounds, while the firm performed best for side and back sleepers over 230 pounds and most stomach sleepers.

Cooling was one of the Elite Hybrid’s most notable strengths. The Celliant and PCM cover and steady airflow through the coils kept our hot sleepers comfortable throughout testing. Our sensors detected minimal heat buildup.

The Bear Elite Hybrid comes with a 120-night sleep trial, during which you can test the mattress and return it anytime after the 30-night break-in period. If you keep the mattress after the trial period, it is backed by a lifetime warranty. Customers in the contiguous U.S. also receive free ground shipping.

As with side and back sleepers, stomach sleepers have needs that are unique to the way they sleep. People tend to carry most of their weight in the chest and stomach. Lying face-down on a mattress can make the whole body sink, which is why we find that firm and supportive mattresses are usually the best option for stomach sleepers. The Avocado Eco Organic Mattress was especially popular with the stomach sleepers on our testing crew. The latex comfort layer is firm and responsive compared to memory foam, so deep sinkage was not an issue, and zoned coils deliver some much-needed support around the midsection.

How does it feel?

In general, mattresses with latex layers are a good alternative for people who don’t like the deep cradling of memory foam. The Eco Organic Mattress is medium firm (6) and our testers noted gentle cushioning, robust support, and easy movement across the surface. Temperature control is another strong point. We detected very little heat buildup on the surface, and the mattress slept cooler than the majority of foam beds we’ve tested. The latex is ventilated and the coils promote steady airflow, so there is plenty of circulation to help the interior of the mattress stay cool. The organic cotton cover and wool fire barrier are both breathable as well, and the wool wicks moisture away from the body on humid nights.

Why we like it

The Avocado Eco Organic Mattress should meet the needs of any stomach sleeper seeking a firm, supportive, and responsive sleep surface. Hot sleepers should enjoy the breathable components of this latex hybrid design. Avocado has also earned a reputation for sleep products made mostly or entirely from sustainable materials. The latex, cotton, and wool have all been certified as organic. The company also used offset projects to achieve carbon negative shipping. Even the wrapping paper in the mattress delivery box is produced through eco-friendly means.

While many latex hybrids – including most Avocado models – are on the expensive side, the Eco Organic Mattress is modestly priced for shoppers with tight budgets. Shipping is also free for customers in all 50 states. The sleep trial for this mattress lasts up to 100 nights, and those who keep it also receive a 10-year warranty.

If you aren’t sure about your ideal firmness level – or if your comfort preferences fluctuate on a regular basis – then you’re a great candidate for a flippable mattress with a different sleep surface on each side. With a medium soft (4) feel on one surface and a firm (7) feel on the other, the Layla Hybrid should accommodate most side sleepers regardless of how much they weigh.

How does it feel?

Our evaluations for this mattress included testing both surfaces. We noticed close, even contouring on the medium soft side, which is constructed with a 2.5-inch memory foam layer over 2 inches of denser polyfoam. The side sleepers on our team weighing less than 130 pounds felt most comfortable on this surface.

Both layers on the firm side are thinner, so we noticed less contouring and more support. The polyfoam on both sides is also zoned to feel firmer around the midsection, but this was more noticeable on the firm surface. Side sleepers weighing more than 230 pounds liked this side best, as did our back and stomach sleepers of 130 pounds or more.

The Layla Hybrid’s pocketed coil support core is located in the middle of the mattress between the foam layers. Zoned coils help the mattress feel sturdy along the edges, especially on the firm side. This side was also easier to move across, according to our testers who weigh at least 130 pounds. A breathable cover made from a blend of polyester, rayon, viscose, and poly-lycra encases the mattress.

Why we like it

The Layla Hybrid’s flippable, dual firmness design makes it suitable for side sleepers across all weight categories, as well as most back and stomach sleepers. Zoned transitional layers and perimeter coil reinforcement make the mattress feel exceptionally supportive no matter which side you use. The mattress is particularly well suited to side sleepers because each side is cushioned with memory foam comfort layers. If you want to flip the Layla Hybrid to its other side, be aware: the mattress weighs more than 100 pounds in a queen size, so rotating it took at least two of our testers.

Ground shipping is free for all customers in the contiguous U.S., and each order includes a 120-night sleep trial and 10-year warranty.

If you’re a hot sleeper who enjoys foam beds but often finds them too warm, the Cocoon Chill Hybrid should check a lot of boxes. This hybrid offers a medium firm (6) feel that produces the even contouring and weight distribution you expect from foam, but without the excessive heat retention and sinkage.

How does it feel?

The mattress has a medium firm (6) feel that we found most comfortable for side sleepers who weigh between 130 and 230 pounds. The memory foam and polyfoam comfort layers cradle your body and relieve pressure buildup in sensitive joints like the shoulders and hips. Pocketed coils in the support core pair with a reinforced perimeter to provide a sturdy base for the mattress. This helps you move across the surface and prevents excessive sagging along the edges.

Why we like it

Temperature control is one of the highlights of the Cocoon Chill Hybrid. The cover is infused with phase change material, which is engineered to absorb and dissipate heat on the surface as needed. Air also flows throughout the coil system to ventilate the bed’s interior. Another feature that stands out is the excellent motion isolation. If you frequently awaken due to a sleep partner’s movements, you’ll appreciate how well these foam layers absorb motion and prevent it from rippling extensively across the surface.

The Cocoon Chill Hybrid comes with a 100-night sleep trial and a 10-year warranty. Shipping is free to the contiguous U.S.