Best Murphy Bed Mattress (2023): Review and Buyer’s Guide

Murphy beds are designed to fold upright against the wall when not in use. They’re the perfect space-saver for studio apartments and guest rooms. Other bed options, including futons and sofa beds, can also be good choices, but a Murphy bed is the only one that hides your mattress from view and creates more floor space.

In our article, we review some of the best Murphy bed mattresses available. We also share how to find the best Murphy bed mattress.

Best Murphy Bed Mattresses

	Mattress	Highlights	Prices
	Amerisleep AS3	Zoned HIVE® technology evenly relieves pressure points	$949
	Zoma Mattress	Gel memory foam absorbs and disperses body heat for a cooler sleep	$699
	Vaya Mattress	A budget-friendly option with high-quality, breathable foam layers	$599
	Purple® Mattress	Purple Grid™ automatically adjusts to any sleeping position	$1149
	Bear Pro	Copper and gel provide optimal cooling and prevent overheating	$1090

The Amerisleep AS3 is our favorite Murphy bed mattress. The 12-inch profile fits perfectly against the wall and won’t bulge out. Plus, the foam layers hold their shape and won’t slump downwards when the mattress is in a vertical position.

The medium AS3 bed accommodates most sleeper types, relieving pressure points in the shoulders and hips, and providing support along the spine.

Amerisleep provides customers with a 100-night sleep trial. If you don’t like the mattress after a month, Amerisleep will issue a full refund.

The AS3 mattress comes with Amerisleep’s exceptional 20-year warranty, covering sagging greater than an inch. Amerisleep will replace the mattress in case of a defect during the first ten years. During the last ten years, Amerisleep will choose to either repair or replace the bed at a prorated cost.

What It’s Made Of

The comfort layer starts with Bio-Pur®, a plant-based memory foam that’s breathable and more responsive than traditional memory foam. Bio-Pur® molds to your body’s shape, reducing pressure points without causing you to feel stuck or trapping heat. You can wake up feeling refreshed instead of sore.

The cloud-like Affinity transition foam has HIVE® technology. Hexagonal-shaped cutouts form five zones of support—you’ll experience softness under your shoulders and hips, and firmness under your head, back, and legs. HIVE® optimizes pressure relief while evenly supporting the body.

Bio-Core® provides durable support so you can enjoy the AS3for years to come. Bio-Core® evenly distributes body weight across the sleep surface for even wear and tear. You can rest easy on the mattress without worrying about soft spots developing.

For those who lead an active lifestyle, the Zoma Mattress is a great option. Responsive cooling foams pull heat away from the body, regulating body temperature and improving recovery.

Zoma provides a 10-year warranty with the purchase of the Zoma Mattress. The warranty covers sagging greater than  an inch and manufacturing defects.

The Zoma Mattress also comes with a 100-night sleep trial. If you don’t like the mattress after the adjustment period, Zoma will issue a full refund.

What It’s Made Of

The Zoma Mattress starts with a comfort layer of gel memory foam. The gel dissipates body heat, so you’re less likely to wake up feeling hot.

The comfort layer also contains an exclusive sleep technology called Triangulex™. Triangulex™ consists of hundreds of triangle-shaped segments formed into three support zones. You’ll love the deeper compression under your shoulders and enhanced lower back support.

The next layer is the Reactiv™ transition layer. Reactiv™ is an elastic-like foam that’s highly responsive and gives more bounce to the Zoma Mattress. Reactiv™ automatically adjusts when you switch sleeping positions, so comfort and support stay consistent. This layer also encourages spinal alignment, reducing the risk of back pain.

The final layer is Support+. This durable base foam evenly distributes body weight across the sleep surface for even wear and tear. Support+ provides stable support without the risk of sagging.

The medium feel ensures you rest on top of the mattress instead of sinking in. You’ll enjoy better sleep when resting on the Zoma Mattress, waking up rejuvenated instead of stiff and sore.

The Vaya Mattress is an excellent choice if you’re on a tight budget. You can score a queen size Vaya Mattress for only $599. Other mattress companies offer the same quality mattress for almost double the price—not so with Vaya. The Vaya Mattress contains two high-quality foam layers that provide long-lasting comfort and support.

Vaya allows customers to try out the Vaya Mattress for 100 nights. After 60 nights, if the mattress isn’t a good fit for you, Vaya will give you a full refund.

Vaya also provides a 10-year warranty, covering sagging greater than an inch. If you experience sagging or manufacturing defects, Vaya will repair or replace the mattress.

What It’s Made Of

The top layer is Vaya Comfort Foam. This thick, breathable memory foam contains more air pockets than traditional memory foam, so you can enjoy cooler sleep and not wake up feeling hot. Plus, Vaya Comfort Foam is more responsive, making it easier to change sleeping positions and preventing you from feeling stuck inside the mattress.

The bottom layer is Vaya Support Foam, a sturdy foam base that enhances the pressure-relieving properties of Vaya Comfort Foam. Vaya Support Foam won’t develop soft spots over time and provides consistent support for long-lasting comfort. Vaya Support Foam also reinforces the bed’s structure, maintaining its shape without sagging.

SEE ALSO: Most Comfortable Mattress

4. Purple® Mattress

The Purple® Mattress has a unique feel, thanks to Purple’s® proprietary Purple Grid™.  This unique material is why the Purple® Mattress is a good choice for any type of sleeper. The Purple Grid™ automatically adjusts to any sleeping position and body type without losing support, something you may love, especially when looking for a new mattress for you and your partner. Couples can have differing sleep preferences, but the Purple® Mattress may be the answer in fulfilling both person’s needs.

The Purple Grid™ is found in the comfort layer. The material is a special elastic, instead of foam or gel, traditional comfort layer materials. The Purple Grid™ cushions the body and relieves pressure points in the shoulders and hips, heavier sections of the body where you may feel the most pressure. The material is also set in a grid system, creating more air channels for air to pass through and reducing the risk of night sweats.

The poly-foam transition layer prevents the body from sinking too deeply into the mattress and encourages spinal alignment by giving the bed more bounce. The poly-foam also boosts the conforming ability of the Purple Grid™ for optimal comfort.

The high-density foam base consistently supports your body without the risk of sagging. You’ll love the steady support night after night, especially in areas you need it the most, including your back and hips.

Purple® gives customers a 100-night sleep trial; all they ask is that customers keep the mattress for at least 30 days before they’ll accept any returns. The 30-day mandatory period ensures your body has adjusted to the new sleep surface. If you don’t like the bed, Purple® will give you a refund.

The Purple® Mattress comes with a 10-year warranty, covering sagging greater than 1 inch. During the warranty period, if you notice any problems, Purple® will replace the mattress.

5. Bear Pro

The Bear Pro Mattress is a good option if you’re a hot sleeper looking for a cooler sleep. The foam layers contain cooling properties, like copper and gel, to improve temperature regulation. You’re less likely to wake up hot when resting on the Bear Pro Mattress.

Plus, the bed is encased in a cover with FDA-approved Celliant® technology, which transforms body heat into infrared energy. You’ll wake up refreshed and ready for the day.

The top layer of memory foam is infused with copper. Copper is a natural heat conductor—it pulls heat away from the body, keeping you cool. Copper is also anti-microbial and prevents bacteria from getting into your mattress.

The next layer is the gel memory foam. The gel further regulates body temperature by absorbing and dispersing heat, so you’ll experience fewer sleep disruptions from overheating.

The responsive transition foam boosts pressure relief in the comfort layers for a pain-free night. You’ll experience less pressure in your shoulders and hips, and the transition foam also encourages healthy spinal alignment.

The support layer contains high-density support foam. The base evenly distributes body weight, providing long-lasting support. You’re less likely to feel soft spots or sagging when sleeping on the Bear Pro Mattress.

You can enjoy the Bear Pro Mattress risk-free for 100 nights. Bear does ask that you keep the mattress for at least 30 days to break in the bed. Should you not like the mattress, you can return it for a refund after the 30 days.

The Bear Pro Mattress includes a 10-year warranty covering manufacturing defects and sagging greater than 1 inch. Bear will take full financial responsibility for the mattress in case of a defect during the warranty period.

SEE ALSO: The Best Place to Buy a Mattress & 7 In-Store Myths

The Benefits of a Murphy Bed

Murphy beds, or wall beds, are an excellent way to save on space and still provide a place to sleep, making them perfect for studios, one-bedroom apartments, and guest bedrooms. If you have available wall space, whether in your living room or home office, a Murphy bed might fit. Murphy beds tend to appear as a large cabinet or entertainment center without a TV. Most models also include built-in shelves and cabinets for extra storage and decoration.

How to Find the Best Murphy Bed Mattress

When looking for a Murphy bed mattress, you don’t want to choose just any bed. While there are many popular choices, you need to consider a few factors before buying a mattress. These factors include mattress height, mattress type, mattress weight, firmness, price, and sleep trials and warranties. Doing extra research will help you find the best Murphy bed mattress.

Mattress Height

The right mattress should be no taller than 12 inches. Anything thicker may prevent the Murphy bed from closing all the way when putting the mattress away. A slightly protruding bed doesn’t look appealing, plus the bed may not stay up and, instead, fall back to a horizontal position. To make sure the mattress will fit, measure your Murphy bed to see how deep the mattress area is.

Mattress Type

It’s crucial that you look to see what types of beds are compatible with a Murphy bed. Some mattress types should never be used with a Murphy bed, including innersprings and hybrids. Other mattress types, like memory foam and latex, work perfectly.

Memory Foam

Memory foam mattresses are one of the best options for a Murphy bed. Memory foam holds its shape  and doesn’t slump, even when placed in a vertical position for a long time. Memory foam is also a popular mattress material because memory foam provides maximum pressure relief from its contouring abilities. A memory foam mattress can alleviate discomfort for a better night’s sleep if you suffer from aching joints or back pain.

Gel memory foam mattresses are also another great choice because the material provides conforming pressure relief, but the gel also draws heat away from the body, so you can sleep cooler instead of waking up hot.

Latex

Latex is similar to memory foam and is another great option for a Murphy bed. Latex, like memory foam, contours to the body and relieves pressure points, but latex is more responsive and has more bounce than memory foam. You’re less likely to feel trapped inside the bed when resting on a latex mattress. Latex also holds its shape, so there’s little danger of the latex layers bunching up on one end of the mattress.

Innerspring

Innersprings have a bouncy surface from steel coils. They also have excellent cooling properties because the open structure enables more airflow inside the mattress. However, innerspring mattresses are a poor choice for Murphy beds. The steel coils can’t stay in place if the bed is set in a vertical position. The coils may shift downward, causing the mattress to lose its shape.

Hybrid

Hybrid mattresses provide a means of trying out both memory foam and innersprings—you can enjoy contouring pressure relief from memory foam combined with the bouncy support of steel coils. Despite more foam layers than an innerspring, a hybrid mattress is not compatible with a Murphy bed. The steel coils can still shuffle downwards when the bed is not in use, damaging the mattress.

Mattress Weight

A Murphy bed is similar to a regular bed frame and can support at least 1,000 pounds, depending on the brand. However, you want to make sure that the mattress itself can support your weight. Most mattress models give a rough estimate regarding the weight capacity a bed can support.

If you’re sharing the bed and seeking a mattress for couples, add both you and your partner’s body weight to determine if a potential mattress will provide you with the support you need.

Mattress Firmness

One of the best firmness options for a Murphy bed mattress is medium to medium-firm because they’re firmer and versatile—this firmness level accommodates most sleeping positions while maintaining comfort and support. The medium to medium-firm surface is also the perfect choice if the Murphy bed mattress is for a guest bedroom. Your guests can sleep comfortably, no matter what sleep style they prefer.

Price

You may feel like you have to spend thousands of dollars for a quality mattress, but the truth is you don’t. You can find a high-quality bed for $1,200. The price depends on the materials, whether or not they’re natural. For example, latex will cost more than memory foam. The cost can also vary if the mattress contains special features, like gel memory foam or a zoned support system.

Sleep Trial and Warranty

Sleep trials and warranties are a great way to ensure you’re getting a quality mattress. They also protect your investment so you can enjoy your bed for a long time. A sleep trial allows you to try out a new mattress within the comfort of your own home.

Most sleep trials go for 100 nights, but some may last longer depending on the mattress company. During the sleep trial, if you decide the bed isn’t right for you, most mattress companies will give you a refund.

Warranties cover any manufacturing defects and sagging greater than 1 inch, but this measurement depends on the brand. Most mattresses include a 10-year warranty and they can’t be transferred to a third party.

FAQs

What mattress type is best for a Murphy bed?

Memory foam and latex mattresses do best when paired with a Murphy bed. Foam beds maintain their original shape, whether in a vertical or horizontal position. Other mattress types, including innersprings and hybrids, can end up slumping on one end of the mattress.

Why is it called a Murphy bed?

The Murphy bed was created by a man named William L. Murphy. Murphy came up with the idea because he wanted to entertain guests, but was living in a studio apartment. Around that time (the early 1900s), it was frowned upon for guests to enter a person’s bedroom, but the Murphy bed changed that by providing a means of hiding a mattress.

Does a Murphy bed need a box spring?

Murphy beds don’t need a box spring. Box springs are best for innerspring mattresses to provide better support and act as shock absorbers. Memory foam and latex mattresses are better options for Murphy beds and don’t require a box spring, so long as the surface is solid or slatted.

Can a Murphy bed be used every day?

Murphy beds can be used as a regular bed or a guest bed. Murphy bed mattresses may go through more wear and tear because they’re stored in an upright position. Yet, Murphy bed mattresses can last up to ten years with proper care, like regularly rotating the mattress and vacuuming the surface.

Are Murphy beds better sleeping options than futons?

Murphy beds are better than futons. Unlike futon mattresses, you have more mattress options with a Murphy bed—you can find better comfort and support from a mattress than you can with a futon. While futons can only reach full size, Murphy beds can fit most bed sizes from twin to king size mattresses. Another reason you should choose a Murphy bed over a futon is that a Murphy bed mattress can be hidden from sight and create more floor space, while a futon can only change into a couch.

Conclusion

Murphy beds are a great option if you live in a small apartment. During the day, a Murphy bed may appear as a large cabinet, but at night, you can pull the bed down, creating a sleeping area. The right mattress will not only comfortably fit inside a Murphy bed, but the mattress will provide comfort and support for a good night’s sleep.