Is the Stearns & Foster Estate Mattress Really Worth It? Our Experts Put the Pricey Bed to the Test.

Goldilocks didn't like a bed that was too hard or too soft, calling that in-between feeling "just right." But, for some other people, a firm bed is just right. Stearns & Foster offers exactly that with their Estate Mattress. It's an innerspring mattress uniquely designed to offer a comfortable, supportive and all in all, firm feel to help you sleep better every night.

The Stearns & Foster Estate Mattress is our top firm pick among our best overall mattresses. This innerspring mattress is pricey, but its unique coils create a firm, supportive feel that makes it a worthwhile purchase for stomach sleepers and heavier body weights.

To write this review, I utilized testing notes from our experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab and I evaluated surveys from over 150 Stearns & Foster mattress owners. I also considered testing notes from our GH testers who previously provided feedback on the Estate Mattress after years of sleeping on it at home. The firm level of the Estate Mattress is consistently our experts' favorite firm mattress and it was one of the top-performing innerspring mattresses in our tests. Ahead, read in-depth details of what we like and don't like about this bed.

Stearns & Foster Estate Mattress

$2,399 at stearnsandfoster.com

Pros

• Unique innerspring coil system provides firm support
• Handcrafted materials
• Free delivery
• Available to try in stores
• Doesn't sink under pressure

Cons

• Expensive
• Long delivery time
• Does not offer pressure relief

Stearns & Foster has traditionally updated their mattresses every four years, with the most recent refresh occurring in 2022. The one featured is the third iteration of the Estate, and it remains the most popular for the brand. Among the best innerspring mattresses from our testing, it is our pick for the most supportive option.

✔️ Those who prefer a firm mattress

Everyone has their preferences when it comes to mattresses, and we recommend the Stearns & Foster Estate Mattress for those who like a firm feel and an innerspring design. "It’s best suited for someone who prioritizes support above all else and wants a firm bed," says Grace Wu, product analyst in the Textiles Lab. This mattress has top-notch support with superb firmness (more on that below), so it's not a great pick for those who like the feel of sinking into a bed.

✔️ Stomach and back sleepers

Different types of mattresses and levels of firmness and support are more suitable for different sleep styles. Wu recommends the firm Estate Mattress for back and stomach sleepers because it will promote proper spinal alignment. On the other hand, side sleepers are typically recommended to pick soft, medium or medium-firm mattresses to allow some "give" in the mattress for their hips and shoulders.

✔️ Larger body frames

This bed is also a great pick for those with larger frames and heavier body weights. A firmer mattress like this one provides more support and promotes better spinal alignment for heavier body types, compared to a softer, foam model that may cause a person to sink in too much.

✔️ Hot sleepers

Innerspring mattresses are typically a good fit for hot sleepers since foam can trap body heat. Not only is the Estate Mattress an innerspring model, but it also has a cover that's designed to wick away moisture like sweat and the brand's AirVent system to increase airflow.

NOTE: If you're looking for more pressure relief and conforming comfort, opt for a softer firmness level or the Lux Estate, which is an upgraded model. The Lux Estate includes a cooling cover for especially hot sleepers and an extra layer of foam for pressure-relieving comfort. It costs around $1,200 more for a Queen-size mattress, but it can be worth the splurge if you like a firm mattress but want more pressure relief.

✔️ Superb firmness

You may have already sensed it based on the above, but the most important thing to know about this mattress is its excellent firmness. The Estate is available in soft, medium and firm designs, but our experts in the Textiles Lab were most impressed by the firm model. The firm mattress is labeled as a 9 out of 10 on the firmness scale, which is high. "It felt super firm in person, but it also felt very luxurious," Wu says. Rather than feeling the mattress conform around your body, this mattress will feel a bit stiffer.

✔️ Excellent support

Thanks to its superb firmness and innerspring design, this mattress has excellent support and won't sink under pressure. One of our GH testers noted that the Estate Mattress feels "thicker and firmer, and seems to have more support." This means the mattress prevents the body from sinking in — especially at heavier points like the buttocks and shoulder-blade region when lying on your backside, for example. That way, it can promote proper spinal alignment and feel comfortable for back and stomach sleepers.

The Stearns & Foster Estate Mattress uses a unique innerspring coil system designed with high-quality, handcrafted materials. It's pricey, but it's top-of-the-line materials and innovative construction are worth the money. Plus, it will stay in great shape for years to come, so it's less likely that you'll have to replace it sooner compared to some less expensive models.

Here's a breakdown from top to bottom of the layers, materials and construction in the Estate mattress:

1. Quilted layer: A stretch-knit material made with Tencel, covers the entire mattress. It's designed to wick away moisture to keep you cool throughout the night. If you're an especially hot sleeper, the Lux Estate's cover features additional cooling fibers.
2. Comfort layer: The next layer of the Estate Mattress includes Tempur-Indulge Memory Foam (Tempur-Pedic is the sister company of Stearns & Foster). Wu says this layer of the bed "helps it contour slightly to your body, but I wouldn’t describe it as pressure-relieving." The Lux Estate has an additional support layer in this section of the bed.
3. Intellicoil: This layer is where the star-quality innovation of the Estate Mattress comes into play. Stearns & Foster's exclusive IntelliCoil is a complex coil system (the coils are nested within each other). Wu describes this design as "tailored support with a responsive feel."
4. Precision Edge: To enhance edge support on the bed, there is a high-density innerspring border around the IntelliCoil layer. This provides support and prevents sagging when you sit or lay on the edge of the bed, which is especially ideal for those who have trouble getting in and out of bed.
5. AirVent System: Stearns & Foster's AirVent System includes ventilated coils and four "AirVents" that are designed to promote airflow. This system helps to pull warm air from your body to keep the mattress (and you!) nice and cool.

To test the Estate Mattress' performance and quality, we enlisted real people to test it at home and surveyed over 150 Stearns & Foster mattress owners to evaluate people's experience with the brand's mattresses over the course of months and years. Our experts in the Textiles Lab also analyzed the mattress' design, construction, ordering experience and more. Here are the main conclusions we took away from testing:

✔️ Excellent firmness, support & comfort

Overall, our pros and testers were impressed by the balance between firmness, support and comfort of the Estate Mattress. "I love how firm and structured the new mattress felt," one of our testers shared. Another said, "Mattress feels like a cloud to sleep on while also providing the support we wanted." Another reported that the mattress "provides the support and comfort I was looking for."

One of our testers said it best: "It is tough to find this balance and this mattress nailed it." They also gave it nearly perfect marks across all categories in their feedback.

✔️ Improved sleep quality

One of our GH Product Analysts said his first night sleeping on the Estate mattress was a revelation. "It's been many years since I purchased a new mattress and I didn't realize how old and lumpy mine had become. I've been sleeping much more soundly," he shared.

✔️ Longevity

Wu reported that we received excellent feedback on longevity for the Estate mattress, although there were a few outliers who noted some sinking in over the years. However, the majority of our testers and people we surveyed gave the mattress perfect or nearly perfect ratings for maintaining its shape and feeling comfortable to sleep on over time. Plus, most people agreed it was worth the price they paid for it (which is a bit hefty, we must admit).

✔️ Great edge support

One tester who liked the "solid construction" said they really noticed the excellent firmness when sitting on the edge of the bed. "It's very solid, but also so comfortable and supportive," they shared. One mattress owner appreciated that the edge was "built not to collapse."

✔️ Convenience

Our pros and GH testers found the ordering, delivery and setup for this mattress to be much easier than other mattresses. One tester said the brand "did a fabulous job" setting up his mattress and called it "true white-glove service." Plus, you can check out the mattress if you choose to visit a showroom or retailer near you.

✔️ Trustworthiness

"Usually people online, especially on Reddit, complain a ton about old brands compared to the new DTC ones," Wu says. But all in all, Wu notes that Stearns & Fosters tends to be one of the most respected mattress brands out there.

The Estate Mattress is widely available at mattress retailers, so you can try it out in a showroom before you spend any money — it sounds simple, but this isn't as common as you may think. The brand also offers in-home delivery and setup if you choose to order it online. Stearns & Foster also offers a 90-night sleep trial and a 10-year warranty.

Keep in mind that the delivery time for this mattress may take a bit longer than other brands because each bed is made to order. It can take four to six weeks to make the bed on top of delivery time, but our experts say the wait is worth it. "Each mattress is crafted to order, and you can see how luxurious it is from the fabric choice alone," Wu says.

Mattresses from Stearns & Foster have a much higher price tag than the models we typically recommend (remember: a higher price doesn't always mean better quality). We understand how daunting it can be to shell out that much money on a mattress. But if firm support is especially important to you, you might as well invest in a long-lasting, high-quality bed that really delivers that quality. That's why our experts think the Estate Mattress is worth splurging on if you want a firm mattress. "It’s expensive, but it’s very well-made," Wu says. Our evaluations found the mattress to have superb support, testers reported improved sleep quality and the brand offers great customer service. Overall, our pros think it's one of the best firm mattresses you can buy today.

That said, if budget is an issue, you just moved or you are in desperate need of a mattress ASAP, this isn't the right bed to buy. It'll take more than a month just to make the bed, and another few weeks for delivery. Instead, check out our pros' favorite mattresses on Amazon if you're looking for a bed in a pinch.

Here in the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab, our experts have been testing bedding and home products for over a century. In recent years, they have evaluated nearly 200 mattresses and surveyed more than 10,000 people. Plus, consumer testers are enlisted to sleep on the newest upgrades from brands to provide feedback on their experiences after weeks, months and even years down the line.

The author of this story, Isabella Cavallo, is the assistant commerce editor at the GH Institute. Cavallo writes shopping content across categories, including multiple mattress reviews for brands like Tuft & Needle and Sealy.

To write this article, Cavallo evaluated data from in-Lab testing, surveys from mattress owners and feedback from testers. Cavallo also consulted Product Reviews Analyst Grace Wu, who oversees all mattress testing at the GH Institute. Wu has spent years testing and researching hundreds of mattresses, along with interviewing medical experts and conducting literature reviews. Prior to becoming our residential mattress expert, Wu earned a Master of Engineering in materials science and engineering (with a focus on polymers) and a Bachelor of Science in fiber science from Cornell University. To test and review the best mattresses, Wu utilizes her knowledge from her education and experience over the years.

Isabella Cavallo

Assistant Commerce Editor

Isabella (she/her) covers commerce and product-related content in the home, lifestyle, fitness, technology and beauty. She graduated from Binghamton University in 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in English: Literature & Rhetoric. Before joining GH, she was an editorial assistant at Prevention, where she covered health topics and celebrity news. 

Tested byGrace Wu

Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab Product Analyst

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.