Best Mattress in a Box: 2024 Reviews and Buyer’s Guide

• For years, the size and bulkiness of a mattress made buying one an in-person experience. However, many companies have recently found a way to streamline the process: rather than trying to transport a new mattress from the store to your home, customers can now order a mattress online and have it delivered in a reasonably-sized package within a few days.

To make the best mattresses readily available, manufacturers compress the foam mattress inside the box so that all you need to do is take it out unfold it. While buying online may not allow you to test the mattress out before you purchase it, it also means not trying to fit a new bed inside your vehicle or navigate it through narrow doorways.

Still, as convenient as a mattress-in-a-box may be, quality is still the number one concern. An easier purchasing process means little if the mattress doesn’t have a comfortable enough surface to sleep on throughout the night. Luckily, we’ve put together an in-depth to find the best mattress in a box that works for you.

In this article, we considered over 100 leading brands, researched dozens of reviews and articles, and spent 30 hours on research, writing, and revision.

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The Amerisleep AS3 is our favorite mattress in a box. Amerisleep takes quality materials and design and uses the mattress in a box model to make their mattresses affordable. The Amerisleep AS3 is 12-inches tall, features three advanced layers of foam, has a soft, breathable cover, and is backed by a leading warranty.

The Amerisleep As3, like all Amerisleep mattresses, comes with free shipping, a risk-free 100-night trial, and a 20-year warranty.

What It’s Made Of

AS3’s cover is of a soft, breathable fabric designed to increase airflow and prevent body heat from becoming trapped in the mattress. Known as Refresh, what sets it apart from other cooling fabrics by converting body heat into infrared energy, instead of just wicking heat away from the body.

The first layer of the Amerisleep AS3 is Amerisleep’s Bio-Pur® layer. Bio-Pur® is a plant-based, pressure-relieving foam that is more responsive than traditional memory foam. Because of this, you don’t get that “sinking in” feeling associated with other memory foam mattresses.

The second layer of the Amerisleep AS3 is a transition layer of polyurethane foam called Affinity with HIVE® technology. HIVE® is grouped into five comfort and support zones to offer comfort where you want it and support where you need it.

The final layer of the AS3 is 7-inches of a sturdy, durable support layer called Bio-Core®. This firmer foam helps support the top two layers which in turn support your body weight.

How It Feels

The Amerisleep AS3 is a balanced mattress with a medium feel. Most side sleepers will find the AS3 is slightly soft but largely supportive, as the mattress hugs their shoulders and hips while buoying the body overall. The average back sleeper should find it provides just the right amount of plush cushion, maintaining their natural spine alignment while letting their bodies sink just enough into the surface.

This versatility makes it one of our preferred mattresses for couples, as it gives different sleeping styles what they need from a mattress.

Zoma Mattress is an 12-inch mattress that utilizes three advanced layers to help you sleep better and recover faster. Zoma markets its products towards athletes or those who live an active lifestyle. But what makes the Zoma great for athletes, also makes it great for anyone who is looking to get more out of their nightly sleep.

The Zoma Mattress comes with a 100-night sleep trial and a 10-year warranty.

What It’s Made Of

The first layer of the Zoma Mattress contains Triangulex™ to offer zoned support. Triangulex™ features triangular-shaped cutouts under the shoulders and thighs, helping cushion your body where needed. The Triangulex™ material also uses gel-infused memory foam to reduce pressure points and keep you cool throughout the night.

The second layer of the Zoma Mattress uses a transition layer called Reactiv™. Reactiv™ is a bouncy, highly responsive layer that, when combined with the pressure-relieving Triangulex™, offers you cushion and support.

The base layer of the Zoma Mattress is Support+ foam, a material engineered to support the upper two layers and maintain a healthy spine alignment.

All of these layers are wrapped inside a cover of AirCloth, woven to maximize breathability for a temperature-neutral surface.

How It Feels

The Zoma Mattress has a versatile medium feel, with a cooling cushion that conforms to sleepers lying on their sides or backs. The transition foam keeps sleepers from sinking too far, helping the surface quickly bounce back into shape as a person moves across the surface or changes position in the night.

The Vaya Mattress is a budget-friendly mattress in a box from a somewhat new online mattress brand. Vaya Sleep only offers one mattress at the moment, but they design this bed to suit the majority of sleepers. Featuring responsive yet cushioning foams, the Vaya offers bouncy support and pressure-relieving comfort.

As with most online mattress brands, you can only buy the Vaya online—it isn’t found in stores. With that, Vaya offers a 100-night sleep trial with every bed, and to sweeten the deal, they also provide free shipping and free returns. Plus, the Vaya comes with a 10-year warranty, too.

What It’s Made Of

The Vaya Mattress contains two foam layers, a simple design that still provides effective and responsive comfort. The top layer is Vaya’s special comfort foam, a lightweight alternative to traditional memory foam. Its breathable structure helps the Vaya Mattress stay cool at night.

The base layer is sturdy foam engineered to support the body in all positions. Its durable structure also ensures that despite its low price, the Vaya provides great value as a mattress that won’t sag even after years of use.

Both foam layers are certified by CertiPUR-US®, meaning that a third-party organization has examined the production process and determined the foams to be free of potentially harmful materials.

How It Feels

Vaya Sleep designs its namesake mattress to feel medium in firmness, so it offers an even blend of comfort and support. Plus, with the unique feel of their contouring yet bouncy foams, the Vaya is able to offer an even better mix of soft cushion and firm lift.

Vaya advertises their mattress as offering universal comfort, but it’s best suited for side, back, and combination sleepers. Stomach sleepers will likely get better sleep on a firmer bed.

Helix is well-known for their lineup of hybrid mattresses, with six models tailored to suit different firmness preferences and positions. The Helix Midnight Luxe is their medium feel mattress designed for side sleepers, the most common sleeping position. Hybrid mattresses are particularly well-suited for side sleepers because traditional innerspring mattresses can feel too firm and unconforming.

The Helix Midnight Luxe has a 100-night sleep trial and 15-year warranty.

What It’s Made Of

The top layer is Memory Plus Foam, a high-density take on the classic material for durable, conforming pressure relief. Underneath the memory foam layer is gel visco foam, a supportive material that helps to establish the medium feel.

Third is the transition foam of high-grade polyfoam, engineered to provide ergonomic support and promote contouring comfort. The transition foam helps your body sink into the mattress in just the way, limiting how far you can sink for a healthy spine alignment.

The core of the Helix Midnight Luxe is more than 1,000 pocketed coils zoned for a softer feel under the shoulders and firmer under the hips. Supporting the coils, in turn, is a base of DuraDense foam, created to give the coils increased longevity.

The cover fabric can be the standard Tencel fabric cover or the upgraded GlacioTex Cooling Cover. The latter pulls unwanted heat away from the body for uninterrupted sleep.

How It Feels

The Midnight Luxe has a balanced medium feel, which according to Helix covers 4 to 7 on the firmness scale. This is quite the versatile feel, and its thick pillow top increases its luxurious feel. The Midnight Luxe yields to the body yet ultimately retains its form, resisting impressions and indentations that can reduce a mattress’s comfort.

Hot sleepers who want the latest and greatest cooling technologies should consider the Nolah Evolution 15. This hybrid mattress offers the ultimate cooling comfort, with multiple temperature regulating technologies all working together to help you get the coolest night’s sleep possible. It’s also bouncy and supportive without losing adaptability or motion transfer control.

What It’s Made Of

The Evolution starts off with the cooling ArcticTexTM cover. This soft and cool cover is designed to help keep cool air flowing around your body all night. It also works with the next layer, the HTCTM cooling quilted Euro topper, to pull excess heat away from your body and replace it with cooler air.

These layers also combine with the AirBreathTM heat escape gusset that allows excess heat to dissipate out of the mattress. Any heat that doesn’t escape through the gusset is drawn deeper into the mattress and further away from your body by the AirFoamICETM layer. This graphite-infused foam offers superior cooling and pressure relief.

Next, you’ll find two layers of high-resilience and high-density transition foams. These foam layers are designed to keep you lifted onto the mattress’s sleep surface. In addition to fighting sinkage, the foam layers also protect you from pressure caused by the ultra-supportive pocketed coil layer.

The pocketed coil support core features HDMaxTM Tri-ZoneTM coils. These coils offer 25 percent more support than traditional coil systems. They’re also arranged into three distinct zones that offer ideal support to each area of your body.

Running around the perimeter of the coils is the E.D.G.E. rail edge support system. These high-density foam rails add lots of stability and edge support to the individually wrapped coils in the support layer.

How it Feels

Lying down on the Evolution is supposed to be a cool experience, and cool it is. The Evolution boasts multiple technologies that give it a cool-to-the-touch feel. When you lay down on this mattress, you’ll experience a pleasantly cool sensation. More than just the initial cooling touch, this mattress will continue to draw heat away from you all night.

The Evolution isn’t just designed to be cool. It also offers a balance of cushioning and support that can fit everyone’s needs. This mattress comes in three firmness options. The Plush will offer tons of pressure relief to side sleepers. The Luxury Firm is perfect for back sleepers who need a mix of lift and cradling. And the Firm will provide sufficient support to stomach sleepers.

If you want a mattress in a box that competes with any of the big box store mattresses in terms of comfort and luxury, consider the GhostBed Luxe. This is one of the most cooling and cradling mattresses on the market. It boasts multiple cooling technologies to keep you sweat-free all night long. To top things off, the Luxe is one of the most durable mattresses in a box on the market.

What It’s Made Of

The Luxe features five cooling layers. The first layer of the Luxe is the Ghost Ice cover. This fabric cover offers tons of cooling power to both offer a cool-to-the-touch feel and transfer body heat away from you. A one-inch layer of gel memory foam offers pressure relief and thermoconductivity to help push heat to the cooling fibers.

The cooling fibers are woven directly into the cover to help wick away heat as it’s transferred downward to the Ghost Ice Layer. This patent-pending material enhances the cooling effects of all the other layers. The last cooling layer is the two-inch gel memory foam layer that continues to draw heat further into the mattress and away from your body.

The final layers of the Luxe are the Ghost Bounce layer and the high-density support layer. The Ghost Bounce layer’s job is built right into its name. This bouncy foam is responsive like latex without the risk of allergic reaction. It increases the mattress’s buoyancy and bounciness. So you stay on top of the sleep surface, and the bed springs back when you move.

Meanwhile, the ultra-dense base layer provides ideal spinal support. It also ensures this is one of the longest-lasting beds available. The Luxe comes with a warranty of 25 years.

How It Feels

The first thing you’ll notice lying down on this mattress is that it’s cool to the touch. That would be thanks to the Ghost Ice Fabric. This plush fabric is meant to create a stunningly cool feel. Even if you don’t sleep all that hot, lying down on a crisp and cold mattress every night is still an enjoyable experience.

The Luxe is also a highly contouring mattress. It features three layers of cushioning memory foam that can follow the curve of your body to offer you pressure relief and spine-aligning support. The medium feel combined with the contouring power means the Luxe is a highly versatile mattress that can take a variety of sleep positions.

Amerisleep also makes our favorite hybrid mattress in a box—the Amerisleep AS5 Hybrid. The AS5 Hybrid is designed to support side sleeping, but some combo sleepers often like this model, too, because it’s cushioning enough to ease discomforts while side sleeping and lifting enough to promote healthy back sleeping.

What It’s Made Of

The AS5 Hybrid has four layers, and it contains Amerisleep’s signature Bio-Pur® memory foam we mentioned above. Let’s talk more about its construction. 

The first layer is 3 inches of Bio-Pur® foam like you’d find in the AS3. However, the AS5 has a layer below the Bio-Pur® not found in the AS3: Active Flex. The 2-inch layer of Active Flex directly below the Bio-Pur® gives the AS5 a more lifting and responsive feel. Active Flex works a lot like latex, so it’s contouring while still feeling buoyant. 

Below the Bio-Pur® and Active Flex layers is a thin layer of Affinity foam to serve as an extra transition between the foam layers and the bed’s pocketed coil system. This layer mostly works as a buffer, but it does enhance the bed’s lifting feel, too. 

Next, we have the AS5 Hybrid’s zoned pocketed coil system. This pocketed coil system offers firm support for the head, lumbar, and feet, while allowing for extra pressure relief under the shoulders and hips. It also improves the bed’s overall edge support, so you won’t have to worry about the sides of your bed sagging. 

At the base of the AS5 Hybrid is a thin layer of support foam to give all the layers above a boost. Though this layer is thin, it’s sturdy and supportive to prolong the bed’s lifespan and deter wear and tear. 

Amerisleep sells their AS5 Hybrid in a box both online and in-stores. Regardless of how you buy, it comes with a 100-night sleep trial and a 20-year warranty.

How It Feels

We recommend this bed because it blends plush cushion with bouncy responsiveness. Despite its softness, the AS5 Hybrid can work for sleepers of all body types, from plus-size to petite.

Lightweight sleepers can enjoy the pressure relief from a mattress that hugs their curves. Meanwhile, heavier sleepers can enjoy the supportive feel of the coils and responsive foams.

Made of luxurious foam, Tuft & Needle’s Mint Mattress is designed to help keep sleepers stay cool while they sleep. Unlike many mattresses-in-box, which only use 10” of foam, this model gives even more support with 12” of the brand’s adaptive foam. This is an upgraded version of Tuft’s original mattress and includes a plush top layer with added support.

What many customers may find particularly useful about Tuft & Needle’s Mint model is the 100-night sleep trial that comes with it. During this period, customers can test out the mattress and figure out whether or not they want to commit to a purchase.

Along with the sleep trial, the model also comes with a 10-year-warranty and free returns.

What It’s Made Of

To help their customers stay cool and offer more comfort, Tuft & Needle takes a couple of key steps. When it comes to the top layer, they add more graphite than what the original Tuft and Needle mattress has. The increased infusion draws more body heat away from sleepers and creates a cooler sleeping experience.

The top layer is their specialty T&N Adaptive® foam, which is bolstered by a second layer of denser T&N Adaptive® foam for a deep, compressive cushion. The second layer, which uses cooling ceramic beads, provides more cushiony material so that sleepers can have even more support throughout the night.

Aside from a core of supportive foam, the Mint also features reinforced edge support. Not only can edge support commit to greater mattress longevity, but firmer edges can also make it easier for people who have difficulty moving to get out of bed.

Tuft & Needle’s adaptive foam is then covered by a breathable, soft knit cover. This cover includes antimicrobial protection by HeiQ to inhibit microbial growth, maintaining a fresh-smelling surface.

How It Feels

The Tuft & Needle Mint is mildly softer than a true medium mattress, hewing closer to a medium-soft feel. For side sleepers and people with lighter frames, this can provide the perfect mix of softness with plenty of underlying support.

However, many other sleeping styles, such as stomach sleepers and heavier back sleepers, may find that they sink too far into the Mint to feel comfortable.

Purple is a popular mattress in a box brand that has significantly expanded its mattress selection since its debut. Still, we continue to love their original Purple mattress for its blend of creative materials and features, its slim design, and its affordable prices.

Customers who decide to try out the Purple Mattress will also receive a 10-year warranty with their purchase and a 100-night sleep trial. However, it’s worth noting that the Purple brand also requires a 21-night minimum sleep trial before they allow for free returns.

Upon return, the mattress needs to be clean and undamaged to receive a full return. While shipping the mattress is free, customers from areas like Alaska or Hawaii may be charged shipping fees.

What It’s Made Of

Since its debut, the Purple Mattress has boasted that it “isn’t another mattress in a box”. This model takes specific steps to avoid common sleep issues such as too much pressure, poor support, no temperature control and sagging.

There are a couple of different ways that a Purple mattress solves these issues. To provide better support and keep pressure off of painful areas, the gridlike material that acts as a cushioning top also flexes under pressure so that your hips and shoulders get cradled and your back stays supported. To make sure that sleepers stay cool, the model uses open-air channels that help neutralize the effect of body heat on the surface.

Underneath the special GelFlex grid cushion is two layers of sturdy and durable polyfoam for support. While some memory foam mattresses may begin to start sagging after regular use, the Purple Mattress uses hyper-elastic polymer and polyfoam that’s guaranteed to last as long as the warranty.

How It Feels

The original Purple mattress is designed to have a medium feel. However, we must note that it has a relatively thin comfort layer, so some sleepers may find it doesn’t conform enough to their bodies. Some shoppers may prefer the thicker cushion that some of Purple’s more luxurious models offer.

Many shoppers look beyond memory foam when considering mattress in a boxes, seeking a latex bed with all-natural materials for nightly comfort. For some it’s simply a matter of preference, while others are looking for a mattress that won’t irritate their senses or one that helps them make more eco-friendly shopping choices.

One of our top recommendations for a natural latex mattress is the Avocado Green. It’s a hybrid mattress that offers buoyant comfort and responsive support, with plenty of stay-cool materials.

The Avocado Green mattress has a 365-night trial period and a 25-year warranty.

What It’s Made Of

The Avocado Green has a cover of organic cotton, certified organic by GOTS. This sustainably harvested and produced material does an excellent job of wicking away heat and moisture. Underneath the cotton cover is GOTS-certified wool for added moisture-wicking, plus the wool serves as a natural fire barrier.

The cover of the Avocado Green also features needle-tufting to secure its materials. As Avocado notes, rosettes of white organic wool and ribbons bind the layers of the mattress together without relying on potentially hazardous solvents or adhesives. This design choice creates a durable mattress.

The comfort layer is GOLS-certified latex foam, ready to contour to the body. Latex foam is noted for being more durable and cooling than most memory foams, and its buoyant feel can appeal more to some sleepers than latex’s cradling feel.

The core of the Avocado Green is pocketed coils made with upcycled steel. These coils are also arranged into five zones for the ultimate pressure-relieving experience, while the coils along the sides focus on firm edge support.

The Avocado Green also has handles tightly sewn to the sides, kept close to make sure the sheets don’t jut out but also make it easier to lift and carry the mattress.

If you choose the extra pillow top, it will be sewn directly onto the mattress cover and filled with 2 extra inches of latex foam.

How It Feels

The feel of the Avocado Green will depend on whether or not you spring for the extra pillow top. The pillow top isn’t overly soft, but it is quick to adjust to the body’s curves, embracing sensitive areas for an extra bit of pressure relief.

Many reviewers notes they were surprised at how pleasantly firm the Avocado Green is without a pillow top, finding they didn’t need the extra cushion to sleep well. Others may prefer the plush-yet-sink-free experience the pillow top provides for an added charge.

Regardless of which firmness option you choose, the Avocado Green maintains a cool-to-the-touch feel thanks to its cotton cover and underlying wool and latex foam layers.

Most modern mattresses have a clear top-to-bottom design and a single firmness established by its surface, and for many shoppers that is sufficient enough. Plenty of sleepers are satisfied with one firmness that suits their sleeping style. However, for shoppers who want a mattress that provides two different firmnesses for better adaptability, we recommend the Layla Mattress.

The Layla Mattress has a flippable design, with one side promoting a soft, cushioning feel, while the reverse side has a firm feel tailored to an entirely different range of sleepers. The Layla Mattress is backed by a 120-night sleep trial and a lifetime warranty.

What It’s Made Of

Copper-infused gel memory foam provides the cushion on both sides of the mattress, with the firm side naturally having a thinner layer than the soft side.

Underneath the softer side is a transition foam, Max Airflow Support Foam. The foam takes its name from its name from the channel cut into the foam for more coolness and contouring. The firm side does not have this transition foam to better establish an unyielding feel.

The core of the mattress is supportive foam engineered to provide maximum motion control by minimizing unwanted bounce. The stability of this layer increases the mattress’s expected lifespan.

The mattress cover has a hexagonal design, with white fabric denoting the soft side and black fabric for the firm side. This cover fabric also relies on reactive cooling technology that activates under body temperature for that extra bit of comfort.

How It Feels

The entire point of the Layla Mattress is how easily a person can change its feel. The firm side provides a buoyant cushion, just enough to ease tension along the back or stomach without feeling too plush. The reverse soft side is quicker to give way under pressure, yet the memory foam still cradles the body for full support.

Most of the mattresses on our list are suitable for couples, as long as two partners can agree it sounds comfortable. However, the Aurora Hybrid deserves the spotlight because shoppers can customize it with one of three firmnesses. It also has a wealth of cooling features, ensuring that one partner won’t overheat the bed and disturb the other’s rest.

The Aurora Hybrid is backed by a 120-night sleep trial and a 10-year warranty.

What It’s Made Of

The exact makeup of the Aurora Hybrid varies depending on what firmness option a sleeper chooses, although much of the construction remains the same across models.

The mattress cover of all three options is a fabric infused with TitanCool™, a phase-change material placed to maintain a comfortably cool skin temperature.

A 1.5-inch-thick layer of CopperFlex™ foam forms the top layer, a responsive and pressure-relieving material. The copper infusion has antimicrobial properties that keep it feeling fresh, while the copper particles

The secondary and tertiary layers are where the models differ. The soft and medium models have hyper-elastic TitanFlex™ foam and gel swirl memory foam for cool conformability, while the firm model has TitanFlex™ foam with less give and VariFlex™ transition foam.

All firmness options have a core of pocketed coils resting on durable and supportive base foam. These coils feature zoned support, motion isolation, and edge support.

How It Feels

Naturally, just as the mattress construction depends on the chosen firmness, so will how the mattress feel under your body. The firm option won’t give much under your weight, helpful for anyone who sleeps on their stomach or back, or for individuals with heavier builds.

The medium option is far more giving while still maintaining a supportive feel, so the bed doesn’t feel uncomfortably plush under the body. This is the option we recommend for most couples, though some partners may agree on a softer or firmer bed. The soft option is naturally the most cushioning and suits side sleepers and lightweight individuals best.

Mattress Types to Consider

Although memory foam mattresses may be the most common for a mattress in a box, there are several different types of mattresses. Understanding the purpose of each kind and how they may benefit your sleep or alleviate the symptoms of a medical condition is crucial to making the best choice possible.

Memory Foam Mattresses

As the most commonly used material for mattress-in-a-boxes, memory foam and polyfoam is becoming more and more popular. However, padding mattresses and pillows were not the original purpose of memory foam. Originally, NASA developed memory foam in the 1960s as a way to absorb shock in airplane seats. Memory foam would later go on to find its way into shoe insoles, helmets, and eventually, mattresses.

After the first memory foam mattress was developed in the 1990s, sleepers quickly fell in love with the way that memory foam molded to their bodies and provided contouring.

Viscoelastic, the material that memory foam is made of, tends to be on the soft side and highly-absorbent. By responding to pressure and heat, memory foam molds to the shape pressing into it and can evenly distribute body weight (regardless of sleeping position).

Although the specific scientific benefits of memory foam are still being studied, many customers boast positive feedback. While it’s unlikely that memory foam mattresses may be able to alleviate serious conditions like sleep apnea, many scientists do agree that it can help relieve the aches and pains of pressure points in the body. Mattresses with a firm feel can also provide better support for specific sleeping positions.

Another potential benefit of memory foam is the way it supports your body. People with back pain often have positive experiences with these types of mattresses since they often offer better support and can help keep the spine in a more natural position.

People who sleep with a partner typically give positive feedback as well. Since memory foam doesn’t use coiled springs, sleepers are less likely to notice their partner’s movement throughout the night. This motion transfer technology has recently become extremely popular with customers that prefer a luxury firm feel with their memory foam mattress or high-quality density foam.

While many people may assume that memory foam is all the same, there are actually a few different types. What you end up unboxing can also highly depend on the mattress brand you purchased the product from. The most popular type, traditional memory foam, is designed to be anti-dust mite and antimicrobial. However, some individuals may find that traditional memory foam retains too much body heat or isn’t comfy enough.

In that case, AirCool Memory Foam may be a better alternative. With a distinct open-cell structure, this type tends to retain less heat and promote better air-flow. Customers will feel as if they’re sleeping in a nest. Sleepers that have issues with night sweats or feeling “stuck” to the mattress may appreciate a mattress with AirCool Memory Foam more.

Gel Memory Foam is a much newer option but is continuing to gain popularity due to brands like Purple. The biggest difference between gel memory foam and traditional memory foam mattresses is the infused gel. Oftentimes, manufacturers use the same kind of gel that’s found in athletic gear and equipment.

In general, gel memory foam can be more temperature-sensitive than AirCool or traditional memory foam—meaning that the level of comfort it provides may not always be consistent.

While most memory foams provide the same benefits with some variation, there’s no clear winner between them. In some cases, mattress brands may use a combination of different memory foams in order to make sure customers get the best sleeping experience possible.

Latex Mattresses

Made with natural latex that comes from rubber tree sap, latex mattresses may seem a lot like memory foam but they are a much earlier invention. Nearly five years after the first latex foam was made, scientists discovered the first process for creating a latex mattress.

Although latex mattresses may vary in firmness and the amount of natural latex inside, most of them still have the same major benefits.

Unlike traditional mattresses or old mattresses, which can make it difficult to toss or turn during the night without waking up your partner, latex mattresses tend to be quieter and allow for more movement. One of the biggest advantages of latex, however, is its durability.

While some traditional or memory foam mattresses may only last a few years before they begin to sag, lose their shape, or show cracks, latex mattresses are known for their long shelf life. It’s not unusual for a latex mattress to last decades without much deterioration. When pressure is taken off the mattress, the latex easily springs back into its original shape.

As far as medical advantages go, latex has many of the same benefits that memory foam does. Softer latex mattresses tend to cradle the spine and provide better back support than a traditional mattress does. On painful pressure points, natural latex can help relieve pressure rather than add to it.

Besides durability and health benefits, many customers enjoy that latex mattresses are eco-friendly. Natural latex can be harvested without using harmful chemicals and some latex mattresses may even be manufactured near the harvest site to minimize the carbon footprint.

Like memory foam, latex mattresses are typically anti-microbial and hypo-allergenic for people that deal with latex allergies.

It’s also worth noting that there are two main ways to manufacture a latex mattress. The Dunlop process, which is more historic and happens on-site, includes injecting a latex serum into the layers of a mold and allowing it to set.

The Talalay method, which was introduced later on, includes chemically treating liquid latex and using vacuum suction. While the Talalay process is more complicated and requires more technology to construct the mattress, it also results in a lighter, airier foam too.

Innerspring Mattresses

Innerspring mattresses, or “traditional” mattresses, are named for the metal coils that help form the core and base of the bed. Originally developed in the 1880s, innerspring mattresses have been around for a while and remain a simple, cost-effective option for many sleepers.

Although many original innerspring mattresses may have caused several sleep issues, new technology and adaptive measures have helped reshape this timeless classic into a better option for sleepers everywhere.

It’s worth noting that, while all innerspring mattresses still use coils, many of them try to alleviate common complaints with the design by using other materials like memory foam and latex as well.

As far as coils go, innerspring mattresses all use a wide variety of different coil types too. Bonnell coils, for instance, are the oldest kind of coils and tend to be one of the most durable. However, due to their hourglass shape, Bonnell coils also tend to be loud. For people that sleep with a partner, an innerspring mattress with Bonnell coils may not be the best option.

Offset coils are shaped similarly to Bonnell coils, but they also create a hinging effect when they’re compressed. As a result, offset coils respond better and conform well to the body’s natural curves.

Continuous coils tend to be more durable than offset or bonnell coils, but some sleepers may find that they don’t offer the support they need. Pocketed coils, on the other hand, are typically a more popular option since they’re quieter and move independently of each other. Many high-end luxury hybrid mattresses or natural mattresses choose to pocketed coils over other types.

While innerspring mattresses may not always provide the same support or health benefits that some other types can, they can still create a better sleeping experience when memory foam or latex is added.

Hybrid Mattresses

Hybrid mattresses tend to give sleepers the best of both worlds. Once all-foam mattresses began popping up during the 1900s, innerspring mattresses struggled to compete in terms of medical and health benefits. However, since all-foam mattresses tend to be more expensive, many customers were hesitant about leaving their innerspring mattresses behind.

Fortunately, brands began producing a happy medium: the hybrid mattress. While hybrid mattresses still use the same coils found in innerspring mattresses, they also use multiple materials such as gel foam and memory foam. As a result, hybrid mattresses can still provide the familiar feel of an innerspring mattress with the added support of memory foam or latex.

To some extent, “hybrid” mattresses are the result of marketing more than they are revolutionary technology since innerspring mattresses have always used some sort of foam or soft material.

The biggest advantages that hybrid mattresses have to offer is the added support and movement isolation. Much like memory foam or latex mattresses, a hybrid mattress can help align the spine in the correct position during sleep and cradle key areas of the body such as the hips or shoulders.

Unlike an innerspring mattress, those who sleep on a hybrid mattress are more likely to be able to move during the night without disturbing their partner.

Perhaps what separates a hybrid mattress from other types is the amount of variation that customers can find with them. While memory foam or latex mattress may be firmer or softer, hybrid mattresses allow manufacturers to mix and match materials.

Keep in mind that, in recent years, there’s been a whole new wave of hybrid mattresses. “Natural” or “organic” mattresses tend to fall within the hybrid category since they use materials such as cotton, wool, or plant fibers. However, since these materials aren’t always enough support, it’s not uncommon to find pocketed coils or memory foam inside of a natural mattress.

Depending on what they specifically need from their mattress, sleepers can test out different combinations of materials until they find one that works best for them.

Mattress Budget

Although comfort and quality may be major priorities, they aren’t the only concerns that customers have to worry about when they’re shopping for a mattress. Without fully knowing what to look for, shopping for a mattress can quickly become an overwhelming experience.

Since every sleeper has a different mattress budget, it’s important to understand what kind of quality customers can get at every price range—as well as how to get the best mattress in a box at an affordable rate.

We also recommend shoppers, regardless of the budget they’re working with, consider the deals offered during reoccurring mattress sales:

• Memorial Day Mattress Sales
• 4th of July Mattress Sales
• Labor Day Mattress Sales
• Columbus Day Mattress Sales
• Black Friday Mattress Sales
• Cyber Monday Mattress Sales

$100 – 500

Finding the best mattress under $500 is tricky and comes with a series of compromises.

First, assuming you want a queen size mattress or larger, this is considered on the very low end of the price point of mattress shopping. Some outlets may offer deeply discounted beds which, at one point, were sold at a higher price point. If you’re buying from such an outlet, just remember to be cautious. It isn’t illegal in every state to resell used mattresses and used mattresses come with a significant amount of concerns (from hygienic to support).

Second, if you do find new mattress in the price range, you are unlikely to get a decent sleep trial or warranty. Plus, the quality of the materials is reflected in the price.

A cheap memory foam mattress won’t last as long as one that goes for about $1000. This is due to the quality of foam which is often worse in inexpensive mattresses. Low-quality foam doesn’t support weight nearly as well as higher-quality foam, and so a sagging mattress is more likely with a cheaper bed.

$501 – 1000

Finding a mattress for $1000 or less is much easier and much more customer-friendly. This is considered the entry point for quality mattresses.

At this price range, brands are likely to include the five or ten-year warranties that you often see with larger, more expensive beds. Most brands will offer sleep trials and free shipping. While there are plenty of innerspring mattresses to pick from, not all of them can provide the support that customers need for a restful night’s sleep. And, at this price point, your memory foam or latex foam options will be limited.

For people that struggle with back issues or sleep disorders, finding a mattress that can provide them the support they need at this price can be a challenge.

Some of the more luxurious options tend to fall over $1,000 so customers should be prepared to settle for an option that may not have all the luxury or premium features they desire.

$1000 – 2000

With a mattress budget of $2000, customers have plenty of options to pick from– and they can usually expect those options to last throughout the warranty period. Not only do many brands produce a large number of their inventory within this price range, but there are usually several different kinds to pick from.

Depending on the brand, sleepers can usually find a high-quality, balanced memory foam mattress to support them throughout the night or a durable latex mattress that will last the test of time.

Here, customers may begin seeing more added perks with the purchase of their mattress. More and more ten-year warranties may begin to pop up while a few simple latex and memory foam options may become available. Certain brands may offer an “original” or simple memory foam option without all the bells and whistles of a luxury mattress.

$2,001 and Beyond

With a budget of more than $2,000, the sky’s the limit. Almost every mattress within this category could be classified as luxury and many customers have personal reasons for spending this much. For more than just a supportive mattress, some sleepers may also be looking for hypo-allergenic or “organic” mattresses with eco-friendly construction.

For instance, individuals with latex allergies that still want to experience the resilient, durable material of a latex mattress can find plenty of hypoallergenic options within this budget.

Sleepers who have significant issues with staying cool during the night or keeping the temperature in their bedroom regulated may even consider investing in a mattress with an electronic component. Some brands may choose to add electric components to their products so they can regulate temperature or adjust sleeping position throughout the night.

At this price range, you’ll also begin to see 20-year warranties and even lifetime warranties. As long as customers understand what to look for and what they need from a mattress, finding one that can meet their needs should not be a problem.

Plus, if you’re looking in this price range, you can consider getting an adjustable bed. The best adjustable beds work to elevate your quality of sleep. By being able to raise your head or raise your feet, you can take the pressure off your lower back. Some adjustable beds even come with features, such as a snore button, underbed lighting, USB ports for charging your phone, and massage settings.

Sleeping Position

Believe it or not, sleep position can play a large role in how restfully you sleep at night. Even positions that feel natural or comfortable may not align your spine correctly or support your joints.

The three most common sleeping positions–side, back, and stomach–require different things from a mattress. What may be supportive and relaxing for a back sleeper may end up leaving a stomach sleeper feeling sore or achy the next day.

Keep in mind that, although scientists may debate which sleep positions are the best for medical reasons, there’s no “correct” way that you need to be sleeping on a mattress. Most sleepers choose their positions because that’s what feels most comfortable or relaxing during the night.

Sleep positions can also change throughout an individual’s life. Pregnant women may end up sleeping in the fetal position during the length of their pregnancy while someone who recently had back surgery may choose to sleep on their stomach until they fully recover.

Side Sleepers

With over half the population sleeping on their side, side sleepers make up the majority of mattress shoppers. While it’s recommended that side sleepers only sleep on the right side of their bodies, there are a few health reasons why people may choose to sleep this way. One of the major benefits of side sleeping is that it relieves pressure on the heart.

It’s also worth noting that side sleepers tend to fall within two categories: while some side sleepers choose to curl up in the fetal position while they sleep, others prefer to stretch out their legs instead.

However, while it may be better for your heart, side sleeping can also lead to numb arms. Depending on the specific position they lay in, sleepers may wake up in the morning with the sensation of “pins and needles” in one or both of their arms. This may not be an issue for some people, but over time, this tingling sensation can end up disrupting a restful night of sleep.

The best mattress for side sleepers are often softer, so they can provide plenty of pressure relief. Since they may inadvertently place pressure on a painful or sore joint throughout the night, it’s important that they own a mattress that can take the pressure off of these areas.

For this reason, memory foam mattresses with supportive comfort layers tend to work best for side sleepers. Regardless of which position they curl up in, the mattress will be able to provide contouring.

Back Sleepers

Although back sleepers make up a smaller percentage of the population, this may be an ideal position for people with chronic pain or lower back pain to sleep in. Since sleeping on your back keeps your spine in a neutral and horizontal position, there’s less chance of misalignment or unwanted pressure throughout the night.

Even people who suffer from conditions like fibromyalgia or other forms of chronic pain may find that sleeping on their back is the most comfortable way to spend the night. Like side sleepers, there is some variation. While some back sleepers keep their arms at their side and their feet close together, others sprawl out in a “starfish” position.

Back sleepers often need more support from their mattresses than side or stomach sleepers do. Memory foam mattresses are often a wise choice since they “contour” the body and can help keep the spine in alignment.

Not all memory foam mattresses provide the same pressure relief, however, so it’s important to pay close attention to comfort layers.

Stomach Sleepers

Not everyone sleeps on their stomach, but those that do can be at risk for neck pain and lower back pain if they aren’t careful about how they sleep. Along with making sure you have a pillow that doesn’t aggravate or cause further neck pain, stomach sleepers often do better with a medium-firm memory foam mattress.

Mattresses that are too soft may cause sleepers to “sink” into the bed during the night or feel as if they’re stuck while those that are too firm may not be comfortable to rest your belly on. More so than back or side sleepers, a person’s stomach requires consistent and firm support.

The goal is finding the happy medium between soft and firm: while you want a mattress that doesn’t feel like you’re sleeping on a rock, you also don’t want to feel as if you’re “stuck inside” the mattress.

Sleeping Cool and Airflow

Proper temperature control is a key component to getting a restful night’s sleep. Mattresses that have poor temperature regulation can cause night sweats and general restlessness as sleepers toss and turn to get comfortable during the night.

However, many mattresses-in-box take specific steps to combat poor airflow. In addition to regular memory foam, some brands may use an additional layer of AirCool Memory Foam since it tends to retain less heat and draw body heat away from the sleeper.

Another key step that mattress companies may take is using a breathable. Even mattresses that use components like AirCool Memory Foam may still fail to regulate temperature if they have a cover that’s retaining too much heat. To get around this, companies will include breathable fabric covers instead.

Cooling gel can be another way to better regulate temperature while a grid-like layer system can prevent the mattress from retaining too much body heat. In much higher-end, luxury mattresses, some brands may even include electronic components to regulate temperature, but this feature isn’t typically found in mattress-in-a-boxes.

Shipping and Return Policies

One of the major benefits of getting a new mattress in a box, besides the more affordable price point and high-quality materials, is the shipping and return policies.

Shipping Methods

Most mattress in a box companies offer free shipping. Simply put, the mattress is compressed, rolled in a box, then dropped off on your doorstep! Some companies do offer a white-glove delivery option, where your mattress (and perhaps foundation or bed frame) will be delivered on a specific date and set up. Sometimes white-glove delivery is included but usually, it is an extra fee.

Return Policy

Once you receive your mattress, whether from free shipping or a white-glove delivery service, you start your sleep trial. The generous return policies of mattress in a box companies are a huge win for the consumer.

To be a competitive sleep trial, the mattress company should allow you to try the bed for at least 60 nights and not charger any restocking fee or pick-up fees if you decide to make a return.

SEE ALSO: The Best Place to Buy a Mattress & In-Store Myths

Frequently Asked Questions

Although you may know what the best mattress in a box is, that doesn’t mean there aren’t still a few questions that need to be answered.

How long do mattress in a boxes last?

The lifespan of a mattress in a box can vary depending on brand and price. In most cases, these memory foam mattresses are designed to last until their warranties end–which may be around ten to fifteen years. Some brands may even include twenty-year warranties, but most mattress in a boxes aren’t able to last that long without some deterioration.

In most cases, sleepers can be expected to replace their mattress every eight to ten years. Some higher-quality mattresses may be able to last longer than that (especially if they use latex), but as a general rule, mattress in a boxes will begin to show their age after a few years of regular use.

As a general rule, if you begin to wake up with back pain, it might be time to shop for a newer mattress.

Are the mattresses in a box any good?

Some sleepers may be skeptical about purchasing a mattress online, especially since it doesn’t allow them to test it out in the store first. However, the only real difference between an in-store mattress and a mattress-in-a-box is how it’s shipped and delivered. Initially, a mattress-in-a-box must be compressed in a smaller package while it’s in transport.

Customers who purchase this kind of mattress can still expect to receive as much quality in their box mattress as they would for a mattress bought at the store.

What is the softest mattress in a box?

For sleepers that require a much softer mattress than average, finding the right bed can be a challenge. Many brands use their own formula when it comes to firmness, but some companies do allow customers to personalize their mattresses.

To locate a softer mattress, it’s a good idea to look for beds that use large amounts of memory foam or natural latex. Unlike innerspring mattresses, an all-foam mattress can provide much better support and “contour” the body throughout the night.

It’s also worth noting that some brands may also include a soft and a firmer side with their mattress so that customers can pick and choose which side they want to sleep on.

Can you sleep on a mattress in a box right away?

Although purchasing a mattress in a box may be more convenient, customers who have never purchased a mattress online may be skeptical about the shipping and delivery process. Since your bed must be compressed into a smaller package and delivered at your door, customers have to unbox the mattress and let it expand.

Traditionally, it may have taken a mattress up to a day or three days to expand to its full size, but many brands have altered their manufacturing processes to avoid this long waiting period. Today, it can take only a few hours for the mattress to expand, and many customers can sleep on their bed the same day it arrives.

Unless a company specifies otherwise, it’s alright to assume that you can sleep on your mattress in a box right away. If you aren’t sure and don’t want to take any chances, you can always reach out to the mattress brand’s customer service representatives.

Do mattress in a boxes need a box spring?

Most likely, no. The only mattress that usually needs a box spring is the traditional innerspring bed. Other mattress types such as memory foam, latex, and hybrid mattresses may become damaged if kept on a box spring.

Box springs don’t offer the consistent and even support that a foam mattress needs. If you place a foam mattress on a box spring, it may eventually sink between the box spring’s interior coils. When this happens, the mattress stretches out of shape.

Conclusion

There are a couple of key considerations that sleepers should keep in mind while they’re searching for the best mattress in a box. Not only do they need to consider how their sleeping position may affect what they need from a bed, but they should also pay attention to features that different brands use to address common sleep issues.

An ideal mattress in a box takes steps to regulate the temperature throughout the night, avoid disturbances from tossing and turning, and support key areas of the body such as the back, hips, and shoulders.

The good news is that, while these mattresses won’t allow you to try them out in the store, customers can still take advantage of extensive sleep trials and free shipping and returns while also avoiding the hassle of trying to transport a mattress back to their home.