The Most Comfortable Mattress of 2026

UPDATED

Every sleeper has a different idea of what makes a mattress comfortable, so the key to finding a compatible bed is understanding your sleep needs based on body type, sleeping position, and personal preferences.

To help you identify the most comfortable bed for you, we’ll explore some of our top mattress picks and the types of sleepers they’re best for. We’ll also cover different factors that can affect a bed’s comfort level, ways to make your current mattress more comfortable, and points to consider when shopping for a new bed.

For an even more comprehensive guide to choosing a mattress, check out the best mattresses of 2025. We also offer guides that cover specific sleep needs, including the best mattress for back pain and the best mattress for side sleepers.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall Mattress

Helix Midnight Luxe

9.6/10
Helix Midnight Luxe

20% off sitewide

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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.

Ideal for Combination Sleepers
Firmness Medium Firm (6)
Feel Close-Conforming Foam
Value Good Value

Best Value Mattress

Brooklyn Bedding CopperFlex Memory Foam

8.6/10
Brooklyn Bedding CopperFlex Memory Foam

25% off sitewide

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Given its approachable sticker price and quality construction, the Brooklyn Bedding CopperFlex Memory Foam offers excellent long-term value. Cushy layers up top provide deep contouring and cushioning, but zoned transitional foam and a dense base ensure minimal sinkage.

Ideal for Side and Back Sleepers
Firmness Medium Firm (6)
Feel Plush, Supportive Surface
Value Great Value

Best Luxury Mattress

Saatva Classic

9.4/10
Saatva Classic

$300 off orders of $1,000 or more

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The Saatva Classic is a true crowd-pleaser, delivering a luxurious sleep experience at an approachable sticker price. Coil-over-coil construction ensures excellent overall support and ease of movement across the surface, and Saatva sweetens the deal for shoppers with free White Glove delivery and a 365-night sleep trial.

Ideal for Back Sleepers
Firmness Soft (3), Medium Firm (6), Firm (8)
Feel Bouncy, Supportive Surface
Value Fair Value

Best Mattress for Side Sleepers

Layla Memory Foam Mattress

8.4/10
Layla Memory Foam Mattress

$160 off the Layla Memory Foam Mattress with code: sleepy

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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.

Ideal for People With Sharp Pressure Points
Firmness Medium Soft (4), Firm (7)
Feel Slow Responding Memory Foam
Value Great Value

Best Hybrid Mattress

Leesa Sapira Chill Hybrid

9.0/10
Leesa Sapira Chill Hybrid

25% off sitewide

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With more than 5 inches of foam padding, the Leesa Sapira Chill is well suited to side sleepers who need extra cushioning for their shoulders and hips. Three firmness levels allow you to choose the best design based on your weight.

Ideal for Couples
Firmness Medium (5), Medium Firm (6), Firm (7)
Feel Cool, Plush Support
Value Good Value

Best Mattress for Back Pain

Softer WinkBed

8.6/10
Softer WinkBed

30% off mattresses

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The Softer WinkBed delivers an ultra-plush surface that our testers found ideal for side sleeping. Adaptive foam layers mold to the body and promote even alignment, while multi-zone coils prevent the midsection from sinking too deeply into the mattress.

Ideal for Lighter Sleepers
Firmness Medium Soft (4)
Feel Plush and Relieving Support
Value Good Value

Best Mattress for Combination Sleepers

Casper Snow Mattress

Casper Snow Mattress

Save up to 35% on bundles

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The Casper Snow is a plush foam hybrid that hugs you closely to create a cradle around your spine and alleviate pressure in your shoulders, lower back, and hips. This softer-than-average design may be ideal for side sleepers who normally find hybrid mattresses too rigid.

Ideal for Side Sleepers
Firmness Medium (5)
Feel Plush, Close-Conforming Foam
Value Fair Value

Best Mattress for Pressure Relief

Bear Elite Hybrid

8.4/10
Bear Elite Hybrid

40% sitewide with code: SD40

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The Bear Elite Hybrid’s adaptive surface cradles the body, while zoned transitional foam and robust coils prevent you from sinking too deeply. The result is a mattress that alleviates existing pressure and prevents new hot spots from building up.

Ideal for People With Back Pain
Firmness Medium (5), Medium Firm (6), Firm (8)
Feel Plush, Supportive Surface
Value Good Value

Best Cooling Mattress

Nolah Evolution 15

9.1/10
Nolah Evolution 15

30% off sitewide + extra $50 off with code: SD50

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The Nolah Evolution 15 sleeps cooler than the vast majority of foam hybrids on the market. This can be attributed to a comfort system padded with breathable open-cell foam layers and open coils that promote plenty of internal airflow.

Ideal for Most Sleepers
Firmness Medium (5), Medium Firm (6), Firm (8)
Feel Plush, Supportive
Value Good Value

Compare Our Top Picks

Mattress Mattress Type Ideal For Value Sleep Trial
Helix Midnight Luxe Hybrid Combination Sleepers Good Value 120 nights (30-night requirement)
Brooklyn Bedding CopperFlex Memory Foam Foam Side and Back Sleepers Great Value 120 nights (30-night requirement)
Saatva Classic Innerspring Back Sleepers Fair Value 365 Nights ($99 Return Fee)
Layla Memory Foam Mattress Foam People With Sharp Pressure Points Great Value 120 nights
Leesa Sapira Chill Hybrid Hybrid Couples Good Value 120 nights (30-night requirement)
Softer WinkBed Innerspring Lighter Sleepers Good Value 120 nights (30 night requirement)
Casper Snow Mattress Hybrid Side Sleepers Fair Value 100 Nights (30-Night Requirement)
Bear Elite Hybrid Hybrid People With Back Pain Good Value 120 nights (30-night break-in period)
Nolah Evolution 15 Hybrid Most Sleepers Good Value 120 nights (30-night requirement)

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

What is the most comfortable mattress?

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.

What is the most comfortable mattress type?

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. 

How can you make a mattress feel more comfortable?

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.

What is the most comfortable mattress for back pain?

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.

What mattress is most comfortable for hot sleepers?

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.

About the Author

David Rubin

David Rubin

Director of Product Testing for Sleep Doctor

Position: Side Sleeper

Temperature: Hot Sleeper

Chronotype: Lion

David is a Certified Sleep Science Coach with a lifelong passion for well-being and health optimization. His interest in sleep developed with the arrival of his son, when sleep suddenly became a precious commodity. Since then, David has researched everything from bedtime routines to mattress toppers in his quest for a great night’s sleep.

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