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The Best Mattress in a Box of 2025
Our Top Picks
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Best Overall Mattress
Leesa Sapira Chill Hybrid -
Best Value Mattress
DreamCloud Classic Hybrid -
Best Luxury Mattress
Saatva Classic -
Best Mattress for Side Sleepers
Helix Midnight -
Best Mattress for Back Pain
WinkBed -
Best Mattress for Couples
DLX Premier Hybrid -
Best Cooling Mattress
BedStory Cool Gel Memory Foam Hybrid
Best Overall Mattress
The Leesa Sapira Chill Hybrid delivers a comfy balance of cushioning, support, bounce, and cooling. Open-cell foam layers soothe sore spots and pressure points without trapping heat, while the pocketed coils provide stability to keep your body on an even plane.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Breathable cover and comfort materials help you stay cool
- Available in three firmness levels
- Coils are zoned for midsection support and reinforced along the perimeter
Cons
- Thick profile requires a deep-pocket fitted sheet
- Strong off-gassing odor may persist for up to 72 hours after unboxing
Ratings
Our Take
Best Value Mattress
The DreamCloud Classic Hybrid pairs adaptive foam layers with a sturdy coil system, creating a balanced sleep surface that our tests show is particularly beneficial for back sleepers. Perks for shoppers include a below-average sticker price and a year-long trial period.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Quilted foam surface offers excellent pressure relief
- Sturdy coils ensure strong support for the lower back
- Cooling cover promotes breathability and wicks moisture
Cons
- Stomach sleepers over 230 pounds may need a firmer bed
- Foam may emit some off-gassing odors at first
Ratings
Our Take
Best Luxury Mattress
The Saatva Classic comes in multiple firmness levels, all offering excellent support without sacrificing the cushioning sleepers need. The luxury Euro-top design allows the perfect amount of cradling for people across a wide variety of sleep preferences.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Available in three firmness levels and two profile options
- Foam layers and dual coil design offers balance of cushioning and support
- Free White Glove delivery and 365-night sleep trial
Cons
- Above-average price-point for a hybrid
- Returns incur a $99 fee
Ratings
Our Take
Best Mattress for Side Sleepers
Side sleepers need a bed that cushions the hips and shoulders without giving up too much support in the midsection. The Helix Midnight’s middle-of-the-road feel checks off both boxes.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Hybrid design offers strong balance of pressure relief and support
- Foam layers minimize motion transfer
- Reinforced perimeter coils enhance support along the edges
Cons
- Side sleepers over 230 pounds may prefer a firmer bed
- Some sleepers might notice off-gassing odors at first
Ratings
Our Take
Best Mattress for Back Pain
The WinkBed’s luxurious hybrid design pairs adaptive comfort layers with a support system of zoned pocketed coils. The mattress is available in four firmness levels, and WinkBeds offers free exchanges within the first 120 nights if your initial choice doesn’t work out.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Available in four designs, each with a distinct firmness level
- Zoned coils reinforce the midsection and protect the perimeter from excessive sinkage
- Excellent cooling thanks to moisture-wicking cover and steady internal airflow
Cons
- Memory foam fans may not receive enough contouring
- Limited motion isolation due to responsive coils
Ratings
Our Take
Best Mattress for Couples
The DLX Premier Hybrid is a great option for couples, especially those who disagree on their ideal mattress feel. Three firmness options are available, and you can opt for a “dual-firmness” design with a different feel on the left and right sides of the bed.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Thick foam layers alleviate pressure and isolate motion
- Available in three firmness levels, as well as dual-firmness options
- Reinforced perimeter coils protect the edges from deep compression
Cons
- Strong off-gassing odor for the first 72 hours after the mattress is unboxed
- Foam layers may retain some heat
Ratings
Our Take
Best Cooling Mattress
BedStory’s Cool Gel Memory Foam Hybrid combines the soothing comfort of adaptive foams with robust pocketed coils. The result is a mattress that cushions your body in all the right places without sacrificing stability — and the sticker price should be a major selling point for shoppers on a budget.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Convoluted top layer promotes airflow near the surface
- Reinforced perimeter coils prevent excessive sinkage when you get in and out of bed
- Sticker price is much lower than average for a hybrid
Cons
- Strong off-gassing smells may persist for a few nights after unboxing
- Short sleep trial and no warranty coverage
Ratings
Our Take
Compare Our Top Picks
| Mattress | Mattress Type | Ideal For | Value | Sleep Trial |
| Leesa Sapira Chill Hybrid | Hybrid | Couples | Good Value | 100 nights (30 night requirement) |
| DreamCloud Classic Hybrid | Hybrid | Combination Sleepers | Great Value | 365 nights (30-night requirement) |
| Saatva Classic | Innerspring | Back Sleepers | Fair Value | 365 Nights ($99 Return Fee) |
| Helix Midnight | Hybrid | Combination Sleepers | Good Value | 100 nights (30-night requirement) |
| WinkBed | Innerspring | Side Sleepers | Good Value | 120 nights (30 night requirement) |
| DLX Premier Hybrid | Hybrid | Couples | Fair Value | 120 nights (30-night requirement) |
| BedStory Cool Gel Memory Foam Hybrid | Hybrid | People with Back Pain | Excellent Value | 30 nights |
With the sheer amount of direct-to-consumer mattresses on the market nowadays, I know it can be hard to find an option that meets your needs. Your ideal mattress will be one that feels both comfortable and supportive, which your body weight and preferred sleeping position often determine.
Is a Mattress in a Box Right for You?
If you like to shop online and thoroughly research and compare your options, a mattress in a box could be right for you. With extended sleep trials, most mattresses in a box give you the opportunity to try a mattress for 100 days or more before making a final decision about whether it meets your needs.
A mattress in a box can be a great choice if you want simple shipping that is often free of charge. However, if you want full-service delivery and installation, you should know that only some online companies offer White Glove delivery.
If you prefer to try a mattress in person or work with a salesperson, shopping online is not your best bet. In addition, unboxing a mattress can give off temporary odors from off-gassing, which may be annoying if you are sensitive to smells.
Online Mattress Shopping
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Benefits of a Mattress in a Box – Video
If you’re trying to decide whether to buy a mattress in a box or purchase one from a brick-and-mortar store, watch our video to explore the advantages of shopping online. We’ll offer some hands-on explanations of why mattresses in a box might be a better option for you.
What to Look for in a Boxed Mattress
To be a savvy shopper, you’ll want to understand the key considerations when choosing a new mattress. This includes the mattress type, pricing, size, amount of off-gassing, and durability.
Mattress Type
When comparing your options, you’ll find different mattress types based on the materials and construction. How a mattress is made can have a significant impact on its performance.
- Foam: All-foam beds isolate motion and relieve pressure but can sleep hot. Because they are lightweight and easy to compress, foam mattresses are commonly sold in a box.
- Hybrid: Thanks to their comfort layers and coiled core, hybrids provide notable bounce and temperature regulation, but they tend to come at a higher price tag due to their more advanced construction. Hybrids can be heavy, especially in larger sizes, requiring more effort to lift when boxed.
- Innerspring: These beds are designed similarly to hybrids but with a thinner comfort system at the top, often making it a more affordable alternative. They are not usually sold in a box because they do not have enough material to protect the coils when compressed.
- Latex: Made from rubber trees, latex is a dense and responsive material that is also hypoallergenic. You’ll find fewer boxed latex beds because their weight and density make them harder to compress.
- Airbed: Airbeds contain a core made of air chambers that can be controlled to make real-time firmness adjustments. Because of their interior components, they are rarely sold in a box.
Pricing
Mattresses in a box often cost less than mattresses in a retail store, with the general price ranging from as low as $300 to around $2,000. The cost of any given mattress depends mostly on its materials, size, manufacturing, and features.
Off-Gassing
Off-gassing occurs when volatile organic compounds (VOCs) get sealed in during the compression and packaging process and are released into the air upon opening. These compounds do not pose any health risk, but they can give off a chemical odor. The smell normally dissipates within a few days at most and is usually only a problem for people who are highly sensitive to smells.
Mattress Size
Most boxed mattresses are available in all of the standard mattress sizes. But keep in mind that larger sizes can be quite heavy. We usually find that it takes two to three people to lift the box, carry it inside, and safely unbox and set up the mattress.
Durability
Boxed mattresses are not necessarily less durable than other mattresses. As with any mattress, durability is driven by the quality of the materials.
One important difference, though, is that you should always try to promptly unbox a mattress after it is delivered. Leaving the mattress compressed in the box for an extended period can cause damage to the materials.
Tips for Shopping for a Mattress in a Box
If you’re new to online mattress shopping, a few basic tips can help you choose a high-quality mattress in a box.
A major advantage of shopping for a mattress in a box is that you can get informed at your own pace. Before making a purchase, do research online, compare different products, read reviews, consult expert analysis, and look for discounts and deals.
Shipping and Delivery
Most boxed mattresses come with free shipping that gets the mattress to your doorstep. Some services, like White Glove delivery, include the setup of your new mattress and removal of your old one. This generally comes at an additional charge, but some manufacturers include it with your purchase.
White Glove delivery may be worth it if:
- You have limited mobility or are unable to carry and set up the boxed mattress.
- You are ordering a large or heavy mattress and don’t have someone available to help lift and install it.
- You have an old mattress that you need removed from your home.
Sleep Trials, Returns, and Warranties
A sleep trial gives you the opportunity to try out a mattress at home for a designated period of time and learn more about its performance compared to a short visit to a showroom.
Most boxed mattress returns are free, but we suggest that you read the fine print as some sleep trials involve return fees or require you keep the mattress for a few weeks before returning.
A warranty provides longer-term protection for your purchase. It typically lasts for 10 years or more and stipulates that the manufacturer will repair or replace a mattress with obvious defects.
Unboxing Your Mattress
Once your boxed mattress arrives at your doorstep, it’s best to open it within a couple of days because extended compression can damage the mattress.
We recommend having at least one extra set of hands available to help with unboxing and setup, which generally requires following a series of steps:
- Carry the box to the room where you plan to use the mattress, making sure there is plenty of space for the mattress to decompress.
- Remove the mattress from the box and carefully cut the plastic open without piercing the mattress itself.
- Remove the plastic and position the mattress on top of any bed frame or box spring you are using.
- Allow the mattress to decompress for at least a few hours.
- If possible, open a window or turn on a fan to allow any off-gassing odors to dissipate.
Before getting started, verify each step of the process by closely reading the included manufacturer instructions.
Discover More Mattress Solutions
For a deeper dive into the world of mattresses, take a look at our extensive buying guides to find the best one for you.
More Mattress Guides
How We Test
Our testing team has spent years researching and evaluating boxed mattresses in our in-house testing lab, where we put dozens of models through rigorous examination to measure pressure relief, heat retention, and other performance factors. We also get direct input from our testing team, which includes people with a range of comfort preferences and sleep needs.
Taking all this information into account, our experts determine which mattresses stand out in each category and warrant being included as our top picks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Mattresses in a box are often worth it because they offer excellent value for the price and perform just as well as a mattress purchased in a store.
As boxed mattresses have grown in popularity, more models have become available, giving shoppers even more flexibility to find a mattress in a box that suits their needs and budget.
The best mattress in a box depends on your individual needs, sleeping position, body weight, and budget. In terms of performance, the best boxed mattress for you will provide the comfort you want and the spinal support you need.
The main drawbacks of a mattress in a box are the potential for off-gassing and the inability to see or feel the mattress before making a purchase. However, for most people, off-gassing is only a minor inconvenience, and extended sleep trials are far better for feeling out a bed than spending a few minutes on a mattress in a store.
Most boxed mattresses cost between $300 and $2,000, but some models can fall outside of that range. This price range is so wide because of differences in design, materials, and special features, all of which drive mattress pricing.
The exact amount you can expect to pay also depends on deals and promotions. When buying online, you can almost always find a sale or discount code to reduce the final cost.
You can buy a boxed mattress online and in some retail stores. Remember that shipping and return policies depend on where you buy the mattress.
You can sometimes find boxed mattresses in brick-and-mortar department stores or mattress stores, but the selection is much smaller than when shopping online.
