The mattress industry has rapidly expanded over the past 10 years, shifting more and more from brick-and-mortar mattress stores to direct-to-consumer brands and popular e-commerce retailers.
Shopping for a mattress online — without being able to lay on it first — combined with all the different types of mattresses available has made it tougher to find the right fit. And a mattress is a big commitment. You spend a third of your life in bed! So you'll want to do your research, but sometimes, it's hard to know where to even start looking.
The Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab has been evaluating bedding and home products, including the best mattresses, for over a century. In addition to keeping close tabs on the online mattress market and deeply researching brands, we've worked with consumer testers to directly review hundreds of mattresses at home and surveyed our tester panel to learn more about the mattresses they own.
In recent years, we've analyzed survey responses from over 10,000 mattress owners, evaluating more than 170,000 data points to see what the most popular models are, where people are buying them and how they've performed over time for different types of sleepers across the country.
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Where to shop for mattresses
Based on our extensive testing and research, these are the places we recommend shopping for mattresses.
Amazon
Amazon is an extremely popular e-commerce retailer, offering a wide selection of products along with speedy shipping and easy returns. As boxed mattresses have soared in popularity over the years, it makes sense that the retailer carries all sorts, from affordable mattresses (including mattresses under $500!) to some of our top-tested styles, listed below for your convenience. Plus, if you've ever spent the entire day waiting for a mattress delivery team to show up or constantly checking on your mattress's shipping status, you'll appreciate Amazon's fast Prime shipping and all-in-one tracking system along with the ability to set up your new bed whenever it fits your schedule.
Many of our survey respondents have purchased their mattresses through Amazon, highlighting the quick delivery time compared to other websites, making it a great option if you need a mattress ASAP. Just note that while many brands and retailers offer trial periods for mattresses, Amazon operates a little differently. Amazon's mattress return policy states that you can request a return or refund for any reason within 100 days of receiving your mattress. Unopened mattresses are eligible for returns while unboxed or expanded options are eligible for refunds, meaning you'll need to dispose of your opened mattress yourself.
RELATED: The Best Mattresses on Amazon, According to Experts
Pros
- Convenient Prime shipping
- Wide variety of boxed options
- Helpful tracking system
- DIY setup on your own time
Cons
- Return policy differs from other places
Top-tested mattresses available on Amazon:
Walmart
Similar to Amazon, this popular big-box retail store offers everything you can imagine, from toys and headphones for gift-giving to affordable couches and furniture. But what's notable about Walmart is not its variety of mattresses, but rather its in-house mattress brand Allswell. While you may be skeptical, the brand has received top praise from dozens on our panel, delivering quality you'd expect to find at a much higher price point.
Allswell offers several different mattresses — all of which fall under the hybrid mattress category — with a variety of firmnesses for different sleepers and body types. And in addition to the lower price tag, Walmart hasn't increased the cost as frequently as many other brands have lately. The brand also offers easy DIY setup on your own timeline with the ability to pay a fee for old mattress removal and disposal. And like other online mattress brands, Allswell's beds come with a trial period (90 days through Walmart), so you can sleep on it first to see if it's right for you. Alternatively, you can return it to a nearby Walmart store or start a mail return online for a full refund.
RELATED: Allswell Mattress Review: The Best Budget Bed You Can Buy
Pros
- DIY setup on your own time
- Budget-friendly prices
- Great for young adults and new homeowners
- 90-day trial period
Cons
- Models tend to lack edge support compared to other brands
Our top pick from Walmart's in-house brand Allswell:
Allswell Luxe Hybrid
Saatva
Starting in the early 2010s, direct-to-consumer (or DTC) brands have soared in popularity, offering quality products at lower prices by selling through their own websites instead of a separate retailer. Nowadays, you'll find hundreds of DTC mattress brands, but unlike most online mattresses that ship compressed in a box, Saatva offers free white glove delivery and setup. Its most popular mattress, the Classic Mattress, is also a traditional innerspring style rather than a foam or hybrid mattress.
According to our panelists, Saatva stands out for its quality mattresses and top-notch customer service. Throughout the purchase and setup process, the brand is ready to answer any questions or quickly resolve any issues along the way. While our panel members own many different styles, many sleep on the Classic Mattress and have given the bed top scores across the board. Saatva also offers a year-long trial period, although it charges a $99 pickup fee for returning the mattress. Take note that the brand has been increasing its prices, although it frequently offers discounts, especially around holidays like Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day and more.
RELATED: Saatva Mattress Review: Our Pick for the Best Overall Bed of 2023
Pros
- Excellent customer service
- Free white glove delivery
- User-friendly interface
- 365-day trial period
Cons
- $99 return fee
- Prices have been regularly increasing
Our top pick from Saatva's selection of mattresses:
Avocado
Whether you're trying to make more eco-conscious choices or are simply sick of memory foam, an organic latex mattress is a great choice for your next bed, and Avocado leads the industry in this space. The brand is a pioneer in organic bedding and its Green Mattress is one of the most popular organic mattresses available. Its products have been certified by the Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS) and Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), so you can trust that the entire production adheres to strict guidelines, from the raw materials to the manufacturing process.
Avocado proves that you don't need to sacrifice quality sleep to make more sustainable choices, with our panelists giving the brand's mattresses some of the highest average scores for sleep quality. On top of that, Avocado offers a generous year-long trial, so you can try it stress-free, although if you want in-home setup, it'll cost a bit extra. Our survey respondents called Avocado's customer service top-notch, reporting no issues.
Pros
- GOLS and GOTS-certified products
- Excellent customer service
- DIY Setup on your own time
- 365-day trial period
Cons
- $249 fee for in-home setup
Our top pick from Avocado's selection of mattresses:
Avocado Green Mattress
Tempur-Pedic
Known for luxurious memory foam, Tempur-Pedic's mattresses and pillows cradle your body for the ultimate pressure-relieving feel. In fact, the brand was the first to release a memory foam bed in the 90s, and its name is based on the original product name for the foam, T-foam or Tempur foam. The comfort of its mattresses truly stands out among the many foam beds available, according to our panel members and consumer testers, who've shared that no other beds they've tried can compare.
There's no denying the mattresses come at a premium — the brand's cheapest mattress is $1,999 for a Queen — but many have shared the price point is worth the undeniable contouring comfort. The higher cost may be worth the investment, though. Hundreds of our survey respondents own a Tempur-Pedic mattress, and long-term owners highlighted how well they've held up over time, maintaining their shape even after a decade of use. Plus, the standout foam offers outstanding motion isolation, making the brand's beds an ideal pick for couples.
RELATED: Tempur-Pedic Mattresses Review: Are They Worth It?
Pros
- Luxurious pressure-relieving foam
- Outstanding motion isolation
- Offers both boxed mattresses and free white glove delivery
- 90-day trial period
Cons
- Costly
Our top pick from Tempur-Pedic's selection of mattresses:
Tempur-Pedic Cloud Mattress
Helix
Designed for a seamless and personalized user experience, Helix helps simplify the mattress shopping experience with an easy quiz to match you to your ideal bed based on your sleep preferences. It even offers a built-in comparison tool for differentiating between several models if you can't decide. The brand offers many mattresses and the materials may seem similar at first glance, but Helix offers so many models in order to create the right mattress for every type of sleeper. We suggest taking advantage of the helpful quiz and comparison tool to better understand the brand's offerings.
In fact, in our evaluations, survey respondents praised the brand's easy-to-shop interface, with one noting, "The website made it easy to compare options to get just the mattress I wanted without any confusion or sales talk." The attention to detail also pays off: Several panelists — all with different sleep positions and firmness preferences — wished they didn't hesitate so long before purchasing from the brand, calling their beds the best they've ever slept on.
Pros
- User-friendly interface
- Helpful quizzes and tools
- Specific offerings for different types of users
- DIY setup on your own time
- 100-day trial period
Cons
- Selection can feel overwhelming at times
Our top pick from Helix's selection of mattresses:
Helix Dusk Luxe
Sleep Number
If you're unsure what firmness level is best for you or just want to improve your quality of sleep, Sleep Number's smart, adjustable mattresses might be the answer. A pioneer in sleep technology, these beds offer true customization so users have complete control over the firmness of their side of the bed — which automatically adjusts when switching positions at night — along with seamless sleep tracking.
There's no denying the premium price point of their mattresses, which must be paired with a Sleep Number base, but over 300 survey respondents have given the brand top scores for a reason. Users praise the comfortable and supportive feel, highlighting the personalized control over the firmness, with one calling it a "custom sleep experience." On top of that, the bed is made to last. Those who've owned their Sleep Number for close to a decade attest to its long-term quality. Plus, it's even earned the Good Housekeeping Seal, so you can trust that it's been heavily vetted by our Lab experts.
Pros
- Dual-sided firmness control
- Built-in sleep tracking
- Full-service delivery and setup
- 100-day trial period
Cons
- Need to purchase a matching base
- Premium pricing with an extra setup fee
Our top pick from Sleep Number's selection of mattresses:
Nolah
Back pain is rough, so finding a bed that won't aggravate it is critical. While there's no one mattress that's right for everyone, Nolah's mattresses have consistently received excellent feedback from our panelists who suffer from some kind of joint pain. Many have said Nolah's beds truly helped ease their discomfort. The brand carries a variety of mattresses, but their all-foam and hybrid models are the most popular among our panel members and consumer testers.
All of Nolah's mattresses come compressed in a box with standard instructions, but taller models may be harder to carry upstairs, so it's best to unbox your Nolah mattress with another person. While our testers found unboxing relatively simple, some noted that the beds didn't always expand in the direction the instructions claimed, so some rotating may be required after the expansion is complete.
Pros
- High praise from users with joint pain
- Pressure-relieving memory foam
- DIY setup on your own time
- Optional 120-day trial period
Cons
- Some testers reported that the setup instructions were inaccurate
Our top pick from Nolah's selection of mattresses:
Nolah Original 10”
Mattress Firm
Sometimes you really just need to lie on a mattress to know if it's worth buying. For in-store visits, Mattress Firm has you covered with traditional brick-and-mortar storefronts throughout the country, so you can test out your options in person. This is particularly helpful for those looking to swap to a new type of bed (e.g. innerspring to memory foam or memory foam to latex).
As convenient as online shopping is, there's certainly a risk when purchasing something you haven't tried out, especially for a big-ticket item like a mattress. However, most of our panel members were split on online vs. in-store shopping, and some noted that lying on a bed for a minute didn't really help determine if they would like sleeping on the bed overnight. In-person shopping is ultimately a matter of personal preference, but Mattress Firm certainly has a strong history along with perks, like price adjustments within 120 days. The caveat is that the brand's online site can be confusing, splitting up a mattress with multiple firmness levels into multiple listings, which differs from how most DTC brands operate.
Pros
- Can try mattresses in person before buying
- Offers price adjustments within 120 days
- 120-day trial period
Cons
- Doesn't carry every popular DTC brand
- Online interface can be confusing
Top-tested mattresses available through Mattress Firm:
How we evaluate the best places to shop mattresses
Over the past few years, the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab has routinely surveyed our large tester panel, including users across the nation in a variety of age groups for more insight into mattress shopping and how users feel about their beds. Our most recent surveys included responses from over 10,000 mattress owners with answers to over 170,000 questions. In addition to analyzing this data, we use our categorical knowledge and work with consumer testers to directly evaluate some of the most popular and innovative beds on the market.
Thanks to our consumer testers, each year, we're able to directly evaluate dozens of mattresses from setup to sleep testing. After several weeks of sleeping on the bed at home, our consumer testers fill out an initial survey, providing both qualitative and quantitative feedback on everything from how easy the unboxing or delivery process was to how well they've slept and whether or not they've been able to maintain a comfortable sleeping temperature.
Additionally, we thoroughly review the materials, special features and other relevant specifications of each mattress, noting any standout aspects based on our expertise. Throughout this review process, we research each brand and model and vet any certifications and consumer complaints to ensure we stand behind any recommendations.
What to keep in mind when shopping for mattresses
Whether shopping online or in-store, mattresses are tough to decide on. After all, there's no one single mattress that's best for everyone. Here's what to consider as you search for a new bed:
✔️ Firmness level: In our surveys, the biggest concern for users when mattress shopping was finding the right firmness level. Beyond simple personal preference, here are some important aspects to consider when shopping:
- Sleep position: You'll want a bed that keeps your spine in a natural, neutral alignment to prevent waking up with pain. Generally, stomach sleepers require a firm bed, side sleepers need a softer mattress and back or combination sleepers are best off somewhere in the middle.
- Body type: Heavy people may need a firmer bed for support, while those with lightweight frames can benefit from a softer mattress. It's important to consider both your frame, sleep position and personal preferences when deciding on the right firmness level.
✔️ Back pain: If you suffer from any kind of joint pain, a pressure-relieving mattress, like an all-foam or hybrid style, can help provide relief. Medical experts also often recommend a medium level of firmness for both cushioning and support.
✔️ Temperature: Hot sleepers or anyone dealing with night sweats should seek a mattress with cooling properties. Memory foam is known for trapping heat, so if you're set on a foam or hybrid mattress, opt for a hybrid style that adds coils for ventilation or a bed with cooling technology like phase change materials, copper particles or gel. In comparison, innerspring and latex beds tend to feel cooler thanks to their breathable design and materials.
✔️ Trial period: It's difficult to know whether a mattress is a good fit without actually sleeping on it for a few months. Luckily, most mattress companies offer an any-reason return period of at least 90 nights, so you can try your bed risk-free. Remember to check whether there are any hidden return fees and how the return process works before purchasing, just in case.
✔️ Certifications: You'll likely see a few different emblems when shopping. Here are the most common certifications and what they mean:
- CertiPUR-US certifies that any foam in the mattress is made without certain harmful chemicals and has been tested for low VOC emissions.
- OEKO-TEX's Standard 100 shows that any fabric component of the product (such as the outer cover) has been tested to ensure there are no unsafe levels of known harmful chemicals.
- The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) guarantees that the mattress follows strict standards throughout the entire production process. GOTS is the gold standard for organic mattresses and bedding but can be misused by brands. Note that GOTS only certifies whole products and not just one component (e.g., an organic cotton outer cover). If you're on the fence, you can always check the GOTS public database to be sure a brand's claim is accurate.
- The Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS) is similar to GOTS, but it shows that any latex is certified organic. These two organic certifications are often used together for organic latex mattresses, toppers and pillows.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
The Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab has been testing all kinds of bedding and home products for over a century. Since the start of the online mattress industry's rapid expansion in 2014, our experts have been actively researching and reviewing hundreds of models in addition to surveying our readers and analyzing countless data points.
Grace Wu is a textiles product review analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute and has researched and evaluated hundreds of mattresses using feedback from thousands of consumer testers and survey panelists. She's written several stories about various types available, from latex mattresses and hybrid mattresses to cooling mattresses and mattresses for adjustable beds. Prior to joining GH, Grace earned a Master of Engineering in Materials Science & Engineering and a Bachelor of Science in Fiber Science from Cornell University.
..Grace Wu (she/her) is a product reviews analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute's Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab, where she evaluates fabric-based products using specialized equipment and consumer tester data. Prior to starting at Good Housekeeping in 2022, she earned a master of engineering in materials science and engineering and a bachelor of science in fiber science from Cornell University. While earning her degrees, Grace worked in research laboratories for smart textiles and nanotechnology and held internships at Open Style Lab and Rent the Runway.
