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The Most Comfortable Mattress of 2025
Our Top Picks
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Best Overall Mattress
Helix Midnight Luxe -
Best Value Mattress
Nectar Mattress -
Best Luxury Mattress
Saatva Latex Hybrid -
Best Mattress for Side Sleepers
Layla Memory Foam Mattress -
Best Mattress for Couples
Pillar Split Firmness Mattress
Best Overall Mattress

The Helix Midnight Luxe is a high-profile hybrid with a balanced medium firm (6) feel. A thick comfort system helps prevent pressure buildup, while the pocketed coil core keeps your body on an even plane. This balance of contouring and support best suited our back and stomach sleepers.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Pillow-top design and foam comfort layers create a plush, cradling surface that relieves pressure buildup
- Sturdy pocketed coils are zoned to enhance support and pressure relief in different areas of the body
- Foam layers reduce motion transfer
Cons
- Sleepers who overheat easily may need to upgrade to the pricier cooling cover
- Back and stomach sleepers who weigh over 230 pounds may prefer a firmer mattress
Ratings
Our Take
Best Value Mattress

A competitive price-point, year-long sleep trial, and lifetime warranty make the Nectar Mattress a great option for value seekers. The mattress also has great overall performance for an all-foam model, thanks to its firmer-than-average feel. Most of our testers weighing up to 230 pounds felt comfortable.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Medium firm all-foam design relieves pressure buildup while maintaining support
- Memory foam helps prevent motion transfer
- Lengthy 365-night sleep trial
Cons
- Back and stomach sleepers over 230 pounds may find the surface too soft
- Foam might release temporary off-gassing odors after unboxing
Ratings
Our Take
Best Luxury Mattress

The Saatva Latex Hybrid is a great choice for eco-conscious shoppers willing to spend a bit more on a mattress made with certified organic materials. Organic cotton, wool, and Talalay latex create a comfort system with responsive contouring that our testers across sleeping positions.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Latex and wool comfort layers over pocketed coils create a balance of responsiveness and cushioning
- Breathable materials excel at temperature regulation
- Latex comfort layer features five firmness zones designed to promote spinal alignment
Cons
- Above-average price-point
- May produce too much motion transfer for some co-sleepers
Ratings
Our Take
Best Mattress for Side Sleepers

The Layla Memory Foam Mattress is an all-foam flippable model with two distinct firmnesses: medium soft (4) and firm (7). Both sides offer great contouring for sore joints, helping to reduce aches and pains in the morning. Thanks to the versatile construction, this model felt comfortable for most of our side sleepers.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Flippable design with two firmness options
- Memory foam comfortably cushions the hips and shoulders of side sleepers
- Softer side has above-average pressure relief and motion isolation
Cons
- Co-sleepers may have a hard time deciding which side to use
- Foam may emit a temporary smell for the first few days
Ratings
Our Take
Best Mattress for Couples

The Pillar Split Firmness Mattress features a medium soft feel on one side of the bed and a medium firm feel on the other. This dual-firmness design makes the mattress especially well-suited to co-sleepers who have unique firmness preferences due to differences in body type or sleep position.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Provides the benefits of a traditional split mattress without the potentially bothersome gap in the middle
- Distinct medium soft and medium firm sides offer appeal to co-sleepers with differing sleep preferences
- Zoned coils distribute body weight evenly and promote ease of movement
Cons
- Couples with different firmness needs who don’t want to swap sides can’t rotate the mattress, which may limit its lifespan
- Foam might produce off-gassing odors at first
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) |
Nectar Mattress | Foam | Side Sleepers | Great Value | 365 nights |
Saatva Latex Hybrid | Hybrid | Hot Sleepers | Good Value | 365 Nights ($99 Return Fee) |
Layla Memory Foam Mattress | Foam | People With Sharp Pressure Points | Great Value | 120 nights |
Pillar Split Firmness Mattress | Hybrid | Couples | Good Value | 120 nights |
When it comes to mattresses, comfort is a matter of finding that perfect balance between support and cushioning. Everyone has their own idea of balance, but I found the Helix Midnight Luxe has an especially well-rounded design that should appeal to lots of sleepers — especially anyone looking for a middle-of-the-road firmness level.
What Makes a Mattress Comfortable?
A comfortable mattress is one that offers the right balance of cushioning and support for your sleeping position and body weight. Personal preferences also play a role in choosing the most comfortable mattress. For example, some sleepers enjoy a responsive surface while others prefer the cradling feel of memory foam.
Comfortable Mattress Types
Mattress type is determined by the materials used in a bed’s construction. We’ll explain the most common types of mattresses and how their materials affect the feel and comfort of the bed.
Mattress Type | Description |
Foam |
Foam mattresses typically feature memory foam or polyfoam layers in the comfort system and high-density polyfoam in the support core. This type of mattress often hugs the body and offers strong pressure relief, though foam quality can vary greatly between models. |
Innerspring |
Traditional innerspring mattresses contain a connected system of coils under a thin layer of padding. The result is a bouncy, supportive surface that offers little in the way of cushioning or contouring. Many modern mattresses labeled as innerspring incorporate hybrid mattress elements to enhance comfort. |
Hybrid |
Hybrid beds consist of comfort layers — usually foam or latex — over a coil support system. This type of mattress typically balances cushioning on the surface with sturdy support from the coils. Hybrids are generally bouncier than all-foam mattresses. |
Latex |
Latex is a durable, often all-natural material that generally provides a supportive and responsive surface. Latex mattresses tend to conform less closely than foam models and are typically more expensive. |
Airbed | Not to be confused with temporary air mattresses, airbeds are constructed with comfort layers atop inflatable air chambers. You can adjust the firmness of the mattress by using a remote or app to add or remove air from the chambers. Some airbeds have separate controls for each side designed for couples with different firmness needs. |
Determining the Right Firmness Level
Choosing the right firmness for your bed is crucial for comfortable sleep. When considering firm versus soft mattresses, keep in mind that a comfortable mattress firmness is subjective. How a mattress feels depends on your body type as well as your sleeping position.
Heavier people compress mattress layers more deeply, so even a medium firm mattress may feel too soft. On the other hand, lightweight sleepers may find that the same mattress offers just the right amount of support. Side sleepers tend to prefer softer, more conforming mattresses, while back and stomach sleepers generally need more support and gravitate toward firmer mattresses.
What Else Should You Consider in a Comfortable Mattress?
Beyond overall feel, there are several other important factors that can help you zero in on the most comfortable mattress.
Spinal Alignment
Mattresses that promote proper spinal alignment should distribute your body weight evenly and deliver ample support to your lumbar region. Improper spinal alignment can lead to discomfort and back pain.
Temperature Control
Temperature control refers to how well a bed regulates heat on the mattress surface. A mattress with poor temperature control may result in overheating, night sweats, and sleep disruptions. Some materials like latex and wool are naturally breathable, while foam has a tendency to trap heat. Many manufacturers infuse foams with cooling gels to mitigate heat retention. Some brands also incorporate breathable or specialized cooling covers to reduce the potential for overheating.
Partner Preferences
If you sleep with a partner, you’ll need to take both of your preferences into account when choosing a mattress. Many co-sleepers reach a compromise by picking a mattress with a middle-of-the-road feel. However, if you and your partner have very different sleep needs, you may want to consider a split king mattress with different firmness levels on each side.
Sleep Trial and Warranty
Many online mattress companies offer a sleep trial that lets you try out the mattress for a specified time period and return it if you’re not satisfied. Warranties protect the mattress against manufacturer defects and may span anywhere from a year to a lifetime. However, most policies do not cover damage due to negligence, and many require that you use a compatible bed base.
Policies for sleep trials and warranties vary by company. We suggest reading the terms carefully before making your purchase.
Video: How to Choose the Best Bed for You
Watch our video to learn more about how to find the right mattress.
How to Make Your Mattress Feel More Comfortable
If you’re not ready to purchase a new mattress, there are a number of smaller steps you can take to make your current bed more comfortable.
- Add a mattress topper: A mattress topper can be placed atop your existing mattress to add firmness to a mattress that feels too soft or plushness to a bed that feels too firm. Toppers are also a good temporary solution for improving comfort on a mattress that is showing signs of wear.
- Buy comfy bedding: Quality sheets, blankets, and pillows can enhance your sleep experience by providing a pleasing texture, regulating temperature, or, in the case of the best pillows, promoting better sleep posture.
- Rotate your mattress regularly: By rotating your mattress, you spread the wear across both ends of the bed, which may help prolong its lifespan and performance. A good rule of thumb is to rotate your mattress once or twice a year.
- Break in your mattress: Some mattresses — especially memory foam and hybrid models — need some time to break in before they reach optimal comfort.
- Use an appropriate base: A sturdy and supportive bed base can help ensure your mattress performs as intended. Some mattress companies stipulate which types of bases are compatible with a particular mattress model, so it’s a good idea to check the warranty before making a purchase.
Discover More Mattress Solutions
If you’d like to explore more mattress options, our testing team has put together several other guides, including pages geared toward specific types of sleepers.
More Mattress Options
How We Test
Our mattress picks are the result of extensive in-house testing of hundreds of models. We use a rigorous testing methodology that relies on testing tools like body-mapping sensors, heat guns, and VOC detectors. To determine the most comfortable mattresses for different types of sleepers, we assembled a testing team that represents a range of body types, sleeping positions, and sleep preferences.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most comfortable mattress is one that balances support and cushioning in a way that suits your particular body type and sleeping position. The ideal mattress for each sleeper varies according to these factors as well as personal sleep preferences.
Comfort is subjective, so determining the most comfortable mattress will depend on a sleeper’s unique needs and preferences. Sleepers who prefer a conforming surface often enjoy foam models, while those who want more bounce might opt for a hybrid or latex bed. Also consider which type of mattress offers the best support for your sleep position and body type.
To make your mattress more comfortable, think about adding a mattress topper, upgrading your sheets and blankets, checking that your bed base is in good condition, or investing in a new pillow. Rotating your mattress regularly can also improve the bed’s performance by preventing too much wear and tear in a single area.
If you’re trying to minimize or avoid back pain, look for a mattress that promotes proper spinal alignment by keeping your midsection from sinking too deeply and distributing body weight evenly. Beds that promote good sleep posture often have zoned support, which relieves pressure buildup in sensitive joints but pushes back in areas that need extra support, such as the lumbar region.
The most comfortable mattress for hot sleepers is typically one that’s constructed from breathable materials like latex, wool, and pocketed coils. Foam mattresses have a tendency to trap heat, though many manufacturers include cooling cover materials or gel infusions that are designed to combat heat retention.