Best Orthopedic Mattress of 2024: Enhanced Cushioning and Support

The Saatva Classic uses a multi-layered comfort system and pocketed coils to maximize pressure relief. The innerspring model caters to diverse sleepers, as it’s available in three firmness levels: Plush Soft (3), Luxury Firm (6), and Firm (8). Shoppers can also choose between an 11.5- or 14.5-inch profile.

Why We Like It

A 3-inch quilted Euro-top with zoned polyfoam contours to the body, providing good pressure relief. The foam is firmer in the middle of the mattress to promote spinal alignment, and the memory foam lumbar pad is intended to alleviate tension in the lower back. Our testers found that the layer of pocketed microcoils contoured to the body, which increased pressure relief and support.

How Does It Feel?

The zoned support core uses recycled steel coils, giving the mattress bounce and stability. The pocketed springs prevent excessive motion from transferring across the bed. We also noticed that the high-density polyfoam rails minimized sagging at the edges. Our testers found that the mattress regulated temperature well, thanks to continuous airflow in the coiled core. Additionally, off-gassing smells were minimal and dissipated quickly.

The ratings below indicate how suitable this mattress is for different sleeping positions and sleeper weights, taking into account factors such as support and pressure relief.

Why We Like It

The Brooklyn Bedding Essential carries a below-average price-point compared to other foam hybrids on the market, yet it delivers the balance of pressure relief, reinforcement, and responsiveness we’ve come to expect from this mattress type. Two foam layers contour evenly without hugging too closely, and the pocketed coils create a sturdy support system best suited to side and back sleepers up to 230 pounds. Minimal heat retention, decent motion isolation for couples, and strong edge support round out the appealing design.

How Does It Feel?

The Essential’s comfort system contains two foam layers. You’ll notice some contouring as your body settles into the mattress, but not to the same “body-hugging” extent as memory foam. There’s also a nice bounce when you get in and out of bed or change sleep positions — this comes from the pocketed coil support core, and allows you to move across the mattress surface without feeling stuck. We’ve rated the Essential as medium firm, which falls at a 6 on our 10-point firmness scale.

The ratings below indicate how suitable this mattress is for different sleeping positions and sleeper weights, taking into account factors such as support and pressure relief.

The Helix Midnight pairs foam layers with a supportive coil system to provide a just-right mix of plushness and support — especially for people who sleep on their side and experience uncomfortable pressure buildup at night.

Why We Like It

The foam layers on top excel at cradling your shoulders and hips without sacrificing too much support, which benefited many of the side sleepers on our team — especially those between 130 and 230 pounds. The thick coil core didn’t skimp on support for the lower back, which helped keep the spine nicely aligned.

How Does It Feel?

The Helix Midnight has a medium firm (6) feel with a plush surface that conforms closely to your body. Most side sleepers on our team never felt excessively “hugged” by the mattress, although those over 230 pounds will sink deeper and likely won’t receive enough support to stay comfortable. The bed stayed fairly temperature-neutral thanks to airflow through the coils. However, if overheating is a concern, you can pay a little extra for a cover infused with phase change material meant to keep the surface cool.

The ratings below indicate how suitable this mattress is for different sleeping positions and sleeper weights, taking into account factors such as support and pressure relief.

The WinkBeds GravityLux Mattress uses seven foam layers to strike a balance between cushioning and support that works particularly well for side sleepers. Dynamic memory foam cradles the body to alleviate tension, while zoned polyfoam helps promote good spine alignment.

Why We Like It

The heat-wicking Tencel cover is tufted with 2 inches of gel-infused polyfoam for extra padding. The AirCell memory foam below is designed to closely contour the body without trapping too much heat. We found that the close hug was especially beneficial to our side-sleeping testers who needed extra cushioning around the hips and shoulders. The support core uses zoned polyfoam to deliver variable support. The back and hips receive greater push-back, while the shoulders and legs receive more cushioning. A layer of high-density polyfoam prevents sagging by reinforcing the upper layers.

How Does It Feel?

Our testing showed that the GravityLux is more durable than the typical foam model, making premature impressions less likely to form. The GravityLux has very good motion isolation, which results in fewer nighttime disturbances for anyone who shares a bed. The mattress also regulates temperature well, thanks to its use of gel infusions and open-cell memory foam.

The ratings below indicate how suitable this mattress is for different sleeping positions and sleeper weights, taking into account factors such as support and pressure relief.

Sleepers who experience sharp pain in their upper or lower back benefit from a mattress that balances cushioning for the spine with a robust support system. The Bear Elite Hybrid achieves that balance with an adaptive foam comfort system, while a coil system and zoned transitional layer keep your body on an even plane.

Why We Like It

The Elite Hybrid’s comfort system begins with a layer of adaptive memory foam that contours to your body to relieve pressure. Underneath is a polyfoam transitional layer that acts as a buffer between your body and the coil system. This layer is strategically zoned to provide targeted support to heavier areas of your body, like your hips and shoulders, and cradle lighter areas. Pocketed coils in the support core reinforce the sleep surface to keep your body on an even plane. A breathable cover made from a Celliant and polyester blend fabric encases the mattress. Celliant is engineered to react to your body heat and confer it back to you in the form of infrared energy, which is thought to promote muscle recovery.

How Does It Feel?

The Elite Hybrid comes in three firmness levels: medium (5), medium firm (6), and firm (7). Every model earned high marks from our side- and back-sleeping testers. Temperature regulation was one of the Elite Hybrid’s clear strengths during testing. Our heat guns detected minimal heat buildup on the surface thanks to the breathable cover and steady airflow through the coils. The foam comfort system also absorbed most movement transfer and noise during our tests, making it a great option if you share the bed with a restless sleep partner.

The ratings below indicate how suitable this mattress is for different sleeping positions and sleeper weights, taking into factors such as support and pressure relief.

Why We Like It

The Nolah Evolution 15 is a hybrid, but four foam layers create a plush, adaptive feel on the surface. Each layer is progressively denser from top to bottom for a soothing, cradling effect. Pocketed coils divided into seven zones based on gauge, or thickness, add to the balanced feel — you’ll notice strong pushback beneath your midsection and gentle contouring beneath the head and legs. A breathable, moisture-wicking cover and steady airflow throughout the interior also ensure excellent cooling.

How Does It Feel?

The Evolution 15 is available in three distinct firmness levels. If you’re a side sleeper who weighs up to 230 pounds or a back sleeper under 130 pounds, we recommend the medium (5) design for its close contouring. Back and stomach sleepers over 230 pounds should opt for the firm (8) model, which feels exceptionally supportive and won’t compress beneath your weight. The medium firm (6) Evolution 15 is a nice balance of plushness and support, and ideal for those who want some conforming without too much hugging. All three models sleep cool thanks to the breathable open-cell foams in their comfort systems.

The ratings below indicate how suitable this mattress is for different sleeping positions and sleeper weights, taking into account factors such as support and pressure relief.

The Plank Firm Luxe is a flippable model with two supportive surfaces: firm (7) and extra firm (9). Both sides feature a quilted cotton-microfiber blend cover and a layer of polyfoam. We found that the upper comfort layer cradled pressure points and prevented the firm surfaces from feeling too rigid.

Why We Like It

Each side uses the same layout to help align the spine and keep sleepers on top of the mattress. A 2-inch layer of high-density polyfoam contours the body and prevents the midsection from sinking too deeply into the mattress. Denser foam on the extra firm side doesn’t conform much, which appealed to our testers who enjoy sleeping on rather than in a mattress. The firm side uses 1 inch of TitanFlex comfort foam, providing slightly more contouring.

How Does It Feel?

The core features 6 inches of pocketed coils that increase responsiveness and allow for easier movement. Each coil is individually wrapped to promote airflow and reduce motion transfer. The mattress has a 13.25-inch profile, which is considered high-profile. Our tests showed that the mattress did a good job of regulating temperature. However, if you’re prone to overheating, you can opt for a cooling cover made from phase change material. The add-on layer is engineered to absorb and release heat from the body.

The ratings below indicate how suitable this mattress is for different sleeping positions and sleeper weights, taking into account factors such as support and pressure relief.