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The Best Mattress for Platform Beds
Our Top Picks
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Best Overall Mattress
Helix Midnight Luxe -
Best Value Mattress
Silk & Snow Mattress -
Most Comfortable Mattress
WinkBeds GravityLux -
Best Luxury Mattress
Avocado Luxury Organic Mattress -
Best Mattress for Side Sleepers
Layla Hybrid
Best Overall Mattress
Of all the hybrid models offered by Helix Sleep, the Midnight Luxe offers one of the best balances of contouring and support. The GlacioTex Cooling Cover reduces heat retention on the surface, making this mattress stand apart from competing hybrids.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Hybrid design with medium firm (6) feel works well for most body types and sleep styles
- Zoned coils and standout edge support
- Airflow through the coils helps reduce heat retention
Cons
- Not as responsive as the average hybrid mattress
- Stomach sleepers over 230 pounds may need a firmer bed
Ratings
Our Take
Best Value Mattress
The medium (5) feel of the Silk & Snow Mattress makes it perfectly suited to sleepers who need deep contouring and a plush feel. The mattress carries a very reasonable price-point compared to other foam beds we’ve tested.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Performed exceptionally well on a platform for side and back sleepers under 230 pounds
- Memory foam provides conforming pressure relief and isolates movement
- Comparatively sturdy edges for a foam mattress
Cons
- 10-inch profile may be too short for low platform bases
- Sleepers who easily overheat may find the bed too warm
Ratings
Our Take
Most Comfortable Mattress
With three firmness options to choose from, nearly everyone on our test team found the WinkBeds GravityLux a comfortable fit. The all-foam design offers deep cradling and keeps motion transfer to a minimum.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Three firmness options all perform well on slatted or solid platform bases
- Memory foam layer provides best-in-class motion isolation and conforming pressure relief
- Zoned transition layer for added lumbar support
Cons
- Weak edge support on soft and medium models
- Soft and medium models may lack responsiveness for combination sleepers
Ratings
Our Take
Best Luxury Mattress
The Luxury Organic Mattress is one of Avocado’s most extravagant offerings, and that’s really saying something given the brand’s reputation for high-end sleep products. A sophisticated comfort system with 12 individual layers provides next-level cushioning, but the underlying latex and coil layers provide enough support to prevent uncomfortable sinkage.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Tall profile perfect for lower platform beds
- Organic materials are durable and naturally breathable
- Above-average motion isolation for a hybrid
Cons
- Sticker price is high for shoppers on tight budgets
- Too plush for stomach sleepers
Ratings
Our Take
Best Mattress for Side Sleepers
The Layla Hybrid’s flippable, foam hybrid construction is the perfect match for a platform bed. The 13-inch profile is particularly well suited to a bed that sits low to the floor, and slatted structural support provides solid reinforcement for the thick foam layers on each side of the mattress.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Flippable design with a soft feel on one side and a firm feel on the other
- Zoned coils deliver targeted support to heavier areas of the body
- Cover can be removed and machine-washed for cleaning
Cons
- No options for those seeking a medium firm sleep surface
- Mattress is fairly heavy and can be difficult to flip
Ratings
Our Take
Compare Our Top Picks
| Mattress | Mattress Type | Ideal For | Value | Sleep Trial |
| Helix Midnight Luxe | Hybrid | Combination Sleepers | Good Value | 100 nights (30-night requirement) |
| Silk & Snow Mattress | Foam | Combination Sleepers | Great Value | 365 nights (30-night requirement) |
| WinkBeds GravityLux | Foam | Combination Sleepers | Good Value | 120 nights (30 night requirement) |
| Avocado Luxury Organic Mattress | Hybrid | Couples | Fair Value | 365 nights (30-night break-in period) |
| Layla Hybrid | Hybrid | Side Sleepers Of Any Weight | Great Value | 120 nights |
What Is a Platform Bed?
Platform beds are bed frames that incorporate a simple solid or slatted surface where a mattress can rest, without the need for a box spring or a separate foundation. This style of base provides a low-profile, stable base for almost any mattress.
Benefits of a platform bed include:
- Minimalist design: Great for those who prefer a sleek, modern look in their bedroom.
- Cost-effectiveness: By eliminating the need for buying a bed frame plus a box spring, buying a platform base can reduce the overall cost of a new bed.
- Improved airflow: Slatted platform bases allow for air to circulate around the mattress and improve temperature regulation.
- Under-bed storage: The space beneath a platform bed can be used for storage.
- Better support for foam and latex mattresses: Most foam and latex mattresses require the firmer structure of a platform bed or foundation, as opposed to a flexible box spring.
- Lower build: Because they don’t require a box spring, platform beds often sit lower to the ground and can be a good solution if you have a higher-profile mattress.
Although platforms are a versatile style of bed frame, they’re not right for everyone. People who prefer a higher-profile bed for aesthetics or ease of getting in and out of bed may find platforms too low to the ground. Also, sleepers accustomed to the extra give of a box spring might miss that traditional feel or find a platform bed too firm.
Although rare, some modern manufacturers may explicitly recommend a box spring be used with their mattress, so always be sure to check the instructions.
Platform beds are a space-saving alternative to traditional bed frames. They’ve got solid or slatted bases that support your mattress so you don’t need a bulky box spring, and they’re often thoughtfully designed with underbed storage and simple, clean looks. While most beds are compatible with platform beds, some aren’t. Double-check the manufacturer’s instructions on your mattress to make sure you don’t need a box spring.
Best Mattress Types for Platform Beds
Platform beds are versatile enough to accommodate most mattress types, so the best mattress for a platform bed depends largely on your sleep style and body weight. That said, there are pros and cons to pairing different mattress types with a platform base.
| Mattress Type | Pros | Cons |
|
Foam |
– Excellent motion isolation, great for couples sharing a platform bed. – Provides the needed support for a foam mattress, which sinks and sags with a box spring |
– Tend to retain heat, which can be less comfortable on solid platform beds without slats for airflow. |
|
Hybrid |
– A balanced feel of support and contouring, well suited to the firm foundation of a platform bed. – Hybrids tend to boast strong edge support, and their thick profile pairs well with a lower platform bed. |
– Higher cost might not align with the budget-friendly appeal of platform beds. |
|
Latex |
– Natural latex options offer an eco-friendly choice that complements the minimalistic design of platform beds. – Latex is naturally responsive and doesn’t need the extra bounce of a box spring. On the contrary, platform beds provide the ideal structure for this heavier-than-usual mattress type. |
– The firmness of latex may not be comfortable for all sleepers, especially on a solid base. |
Video: Comparing the Major Mattress Types
What Else Should You Consider in a Platform Bed Mattress?
In addition to picking the right mattress type, choosing the right mattress for a platform bed involves a few additional considerations to ensure your sleep setup is just right.
Mattress Height
Platform beds come in many different heights, though most sit 6 to 12 inches from the ground. To ensure your bed is the right height, you’ll need to consider the profile of your mattress. Opting for a taller mattress may be a good choice if you have mobility issues or if your platform frame is particularly low.
Edge Support
Good edge support in a mattress means the perimeter holds up well under pressure. This is especially important for lower-profile platform beds, as it prevents the edges from sagging and helps the mattress remain supportive and comfortable when you sit near the edge or climb in and out of bed.
Pricing, Sleep Trial, and Warranty
The cost of a mattress depends largely on the type, quality, and brand. On average, you can expect to pay from $600 to $1,800 for a decent queen size mattress.
When thinking about the price of a mattress, you also need to factor in the value of sleep trials and warranties. Sleep trials allow you to test a mattress in your bedroom for a set number of nights and get a refund if it’s not to your liking. Warranties offer protection in case of defects in the materials and workmanship for a certain period, typically ranging from 10 years to a lifetime.
Discover More Mattress Solutions
How We Test
Our recommendations for the best mattress for platform beds are informed by the hands-on evaluations of our Seattle-based testing team. With combined decades in the sleep industry, our testers have researched and analyzed more than 1,000 mattresses over the years. For this article, we specifically looked at factors such as breathability, support, and mattress profile, which affect how well a mattress performs on a platform base.
To make sure our reviews and suggestions cater to everyone, our testing team includes people of various sizes and sleep styles. If you’re curious how we choose our mattresses, check out our testing methodology page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Any mattress type can go on a platform bed, including foam, hybrid, latex, innerspring, and airbed models. However, some specific models may be intended for use with a box spring or a different type of foundation. If you’re unsure whether your mattress is compatible with a platform bed, check the manufacturer’s instructions or the warranty.
The ideal mattress height for a platform bed varies depending on how far the platform is from the floor. We find that mattresses around 10 to 14 inches tend to work well on platform bases. When buying a mattress, consider the look you’re going for and how easy it will be to get in and out of bed.
You do not need a box spring with a platform bed. Box springs were originally designed to sit inside a traditional bed frame and provide a supportive buffer for coil-based beds. Today’s platform beds are designed to support a mattress on their own, offering a sturdy foundation without the additional need for a box spring.
The amount you should spend on a mattress for a platform bed depends on your budget and preferences, but it’s typical to invest anywhere from $600 to $1,800 for a queen. Price is influenced by mattress type, materials, and any special features like cooling technologies or organic materials.
