Best Mattress in a Box

Hybrids are among the most expensive mattress types, but the Allswell Luxe Hybrid is a notable exception. While its price-point is well below average, our testers found the mattress offers a balance of pressure relief and support comparable to many more expensive hybrid models on the market today.

How Does It Feel?

The Luxe Hybrid is constructed with a layer of gel-infused polyfoam quilted into the cover, followed by memory foam and polyfoam layers. Though the mattress has a medium firm (6) feel, our testers noticed these layers provided deep cushioning and even weight distribution. The support core contains sturdy pocketed coils. We found that the extra reinforcement along the perimeter reduced sinkage when we slept near the edges of the mattress or got in and out of bed.

Why We Like It

Our testing shows the Luxe Hybrid is most comfortable for side sleepers weighing at least 130 pounds and back sleepers between 130 and 230 pounds. The foam layers provided adequate cushioning for our testers’ shoulders and hips — two areas where side sleepers tend to experience pressure points. The coils were supportive enough to keep our team’s back sleepers on an even plane.

The mattress also performed well during our temperature control tests. Thanks to a breathable cover and steady airflow through the coil layer, we detected very little heat buildup on the surface. The responsive surface also made the mattress easy for our testers to move across, and it should suit couples who prefer a bouncy mattress for sex.

In addition to its affordable price tag, the Allswell Luxe Hybrid qualifies for free ground shipping to most locations in the contiguous U.S. Each order includes a sleep trial that runs 100 nights, and those who keep their mattress also receive a 10-year manufacturer’s warranty.

BedStory’s Memory Foam Hybrid is a quintessential hybrid mattress with a plush surface. You can purchase the bed in three height options, all of which exhibit an excellent balance of cushioning and support. The balanced feel and mid-range firmness level should make the mattress comfortable for many sleeper types. 

How Does It Feel?

A layer of convoluted polyfoam begins the comfort system. This layer offers targeted pressure relief to the hips and shoulders while facilitating airflow through the foam comfort layers. Layers of high-density polyfoam and memory foam further enhance pressure relief and prevent your body from sinking into the coils. The memory foam is also infused with charcoal meant for cooling. 

The support core contains pocketed coils, which move independently to provide targeted support for the hips and shoulders. Thicker coils are zoned along the perimeter to bolster the edges. A stretch knit fabric cover encases the mattress. 

Why We Like It

The Memory Foam Hybrid falls at a 6 on our 10-point firmness scale, which makes it appealing for many sleeper types. Side and back sleepers weighing up to 230 pounds awarded the mattress its highest ratings. These sleepers enjoyed the mattress’ cushioning for sore spots in the hips and lower back while the coils kept their spines aligned. Stomach sleepers weighing less than 130 pounds may also feel supported, but those in higher weight categories will likely prefer a firmer mattress. 

Temperature control was one of the mattress’ major strengths. The convoluted polyfoam cuts down on the foam’s tendency to trap heat, which keeps it cooler than many comparable models in our lab. This design, along with the breathable cover and coils, resulted in a cool surface and minimal heat buildup during our tests. The foam layers also absorbed most motion transfer and noise when we moved across the mattress, which should appeal to those sharing a bed with an active sleep partner. 

BedStory ships free to customers living in the contiguous U.S. The Memory Foam Hybrid is not backed by a warranty, but you do receive a 30-night sleep trial to test the mattress.

The WinkBed is categorized as a luxury innerspring. That said, the mattress features a fairly typical hybrid design and carries a mid-range price-point. You can also choose from four firmness levels, making this one of the most versatile mattresses available online.

How Does It Feel?

The WinkBed is sold in four firmness levels to accommodate different types of sleepers. Standard WinkBed models — which feature comfort layers consisting of adaptive polyfoam — are available with medium soft (4), medium firm (6), and firm (7) feels. The WinkBed Plus is a fourth option specifically designed for people who weigh more than 250 pounds. It features a firm (8) feel and includes a latex comfort layer for extra support and responsiveness.

All versions of the WinkBed feature pocketed coil support cores. Thicker coils resting beneath the midsection provide more pushback to areas of the body where people tend to carry a disproportionate amount of weight. The perimeter is also reinforced with lower-gauge coils, which we noticed minimized sinkage when we slept near the edges of the mattress or got in and out of bed.

Why We Like It

Our testers found that the steady air circulation through the coil layer helped the mattress maintain a comfortable temperature. Another cooling component is the cover made of Tencel. This breathable, eucalyptus-derived fabric has moisture-wicking properties to keep you dry while you sleep.

Our team tested all four of the WinkBed’s firmness levels. The medium soft model received its best ratings from side and back sleepers weighing less than 130 pounds. The most popular model was the medium firm. Side sleepers weighing 130 to 230 pounds and back and stomach sleepers weighing less than 230 pounds all found this design exceptionally comfortable. Testers over 230 pounds enjoyed the enhanced support of the firm and Plus designs.

WinkBeds offers a 120-night sleep trial. If you are not satisfied with your initial firmness selection, you can exchange the mattress for a new model with a different design at no extra cost. The replacement mattress comes with a 60-night trial period. Shipping is free within the contiguous U.S., and all WinkBed mattresses are backed by limited lifetime warranties.

Our testing team found the Nolah Signature 12 suits most side sleepers across different weight groups. We also recommend the bed for active sleepers looking for good motion isolation, ease of movement, and a cool sleep.

How Does It Feel?

The Nolah Signature 12 features an organic cotton cover, an adaptive polyfoam comfort system, and a dense foam base. A medium (5) feel makes the mattress adaptive, so you’ll notice deep cradling and cushioning, but the polyfoam is more responsive than traditional memory foam.

Nolah mattresses feature open-cell foam engineered to resist heat buildup. As a result, the Signature 12 should sleep fairly cool compared to all-foam models with denser, less breathable layers.

Why We Like It

While our side sleepers in all weight groups found the mattress comfortable and supportive, the mattress received the highest overall grades from those weighing up to 230 pounds. Back and stomach sleepers on our team under 130 pounds also found the mattress fairly comfortable, if not a bit soft.

The Signature 12 also performed well during our temperature control tests compared to other all-foam models we’ve tested. Thermal sensors detected minimal heat buildup, and none of our testers felt uncomfortably warm. Motion isolation is another strong point. Couples should be able to sleep soundly on the mattress without waking each other up with nighttime movements.

The Nolah Signature 12 ships free within the contiguous U.S. The bed includes a limited lifetime warranty and a 120-night sleep trial. Shoppers can choose to remove the trial period to receive extra savings on the bed. New mattress setup and old mattress removal is available for an additional fee.

The Molecule 2 AirTEC is an all-foam mattress designed with balance in mind. Strong motion isolation, a noise-free design, and above-average cooling all make the mattress a solid pick for couples — especially if one or both of them also live with frequent back pain.

How Does It Feel?

The Molecule 2 AirTEC has a medium firm (6) feel, so you’ll notice moderate yet even contouring. The comfort system consists of three foam layers that are progressively denser from top to bottom, allowing your body to settle comfortably into the mattress without too much sink.

The third foam layer is zoned for a firmer feel beneath the torso and hips, where people tend to carry a disproportionate amount of weight, and gentler cradling for lighter areas of the body. A base layer of high-density polyfoam provides good overall stability.

Why We Like It

Our hands-on mattress tests show the mattress is most comfortable for side and back sleepers weighing up to 230 pounds. Side sleepers receive the cushioning they need around the shoulders and hips, two areas where people who use this position tend to feel pressure buildup. The zoned foam allows back sleepers to lie comfortably without sinking too much around the midsection.

The mattress excelled at motion isolation during our tests, so you and your partner shouldn’t experience sleep disruptions when the other person changes positions or gets up in the middle of the night. The top two foam layers are also treated with cooling components to prevent you from feeling excessively hot.

Competitive pricing and free shipping throughout the contiguous U.S. make the mattress a good option for shoppers with mid-range budgets. If you reside in California, Molecule will also arrange for your old mattress to be removed at no extra cost. All orders come with 100-night trial periods. If you decide to keep the Molecule 2 AirTEC, you’ll also receive a lifetime warranty.