Once your mattress has reached the point of no return—meaning it’s worn down and past the warranty date—searching through the best mattress brands to find the right bed can be overwhelming. But fear not. We’ve been testing mattresses from leading retailers for years to help you find the right foundation. To give you a glimpse into our process, we don’t test in a lab or facility. Architectural Digest staffers bring mattresses in our very own bedrooms to use them just like our readers would: in real life.
If you’re not sure where to start on your journey, rest assured. From budget-friendly Amazon beds to mattresses for side sleepers or 100% organic mattresses, there’s a model out there for everyone—and our team has hand selected the picks that boosted our sleep quality here. Find out what we love about these beds, and what (if anything) we were still left wanting.
Our Top Picks for the Best Mattress Brands:
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Please note that all prices are for queen-size mattresses. Check retailers for additional price and size information.
Best Mattress Brand Overall
Specs
- Delivery: Free shipping, white glove delivery, in-room setup, mattress & foundation removal, $99 fee for returns
- Sleep Trial: 100 nights
- Warranty: 15 years
Brand Highlights
First and foremost, Saatva’s mattresses are eco-friendly. That’s what attracted me to this mattress brand in the first place. Their mattress lineup includes beds with different firmness levels and styles. While they all seemed like good mattress options, the Loom & Leaf’s promise to cool your body and provide pressure point relief stood out in particular.
How the Mattress Compares
Compared to other mattresses I’ve slept on, I give this mattress an 11 out of 10. I’ve actually been working from bed because it’s the comfiest spot in the house.
Tester: Bailey Berg, contributor
What do you love about this mattress? It’s the most breathable, comfortable mattress I’ve ever tried. There’s also no motion transfer, which makes sleeping through the night easier for the light sleepers out there.
We specifically ordered it because it was supposed to be firm. My partner and I joke about feeling like we’re floating on a sea of comfort. There’s little to no sag. I think any kind of sleeper—side sleepers, stomach sleepers, and back sleepers alike—would like this supportive pick.
If you could change anything about this mattress, what would it be? Literally nothing comes to mind.
Best Memory Foam Mattress Brand
Specs
- Delivery: Free shipping & returns
- Sleep Trial: 365 nights
- Warranty: Lifetime
Brand Highlights
Nectar was really easy to order from and communicate with—I ordered my mattress while in the midst of a move, and they worked with me to ensure the mattress went to the correct address at the right time. Also, when you buy directly from Nectar, they usually offer a free set of pillows, bed sheets, and a mattress protector.
Another one of the perks of going with Nectar is that the mattress brand offers a lifetime warranty (most brands offer a 10 to 20-year warranty) and a 365-day sleep trial (most brands offer 100 nights).
How the Mattress Compares
Before I upgraded to the Nectar Memory Foam mattress, I was sleeping on a cheap, first-mattress-post-college bed and it took a toll on my back. The old mattress literally aged me. After a few nights sleeping on the new Nectar mattress, my lower back pain magically disappeared. Throwing away that quilted hunk of springs was one of the best things I’ve ever done.
Tester: Katie Henwood, associate director of audience development at Condé Nast
What do you love about this mattress? This mattress is a dream come true for all kinds of sleepers. It offers extra support without sacrificing comfort, and getting into bed each night is like falling into a cloud. For any fellow light sleepers who share their bed with a loud partner: you won’t feel a thing when your bed mate is tossing and turning. It’s the best memory foam mattress I've tried—it cancels out any movement so you can sleep peacefully through the night, regardless of what is going on around you.
If you could change something about this mattress, what would it be? Some nights the Nectar mattress can sleep a little warm, despite the heat-wicking, cooling technology on the top layer of the mattress. I think any memory foam bed will retain heat more than a regular mattress, and to me it’s worth a few warmer nights for the overall comfort this mattress offers. Using the Nectar sheet set that came (free!) with the mattress helps to keep things cool too.
Best Designer Mattress Brand
Specs
- Delivery: Free shipping
- Sleep Trial: 100 nights
- Warranty: 10 years
Brand Highlights
I tend to sleep closer to the edge, and hate it when mattresses sag in that area. Especially if you’re sitting down along the side of the bed. Tiami prides itself on the edge support engineering that won’t ever make you feel as if you’re rolling off. It’s actually an additional perimeter specifically designed for this purpose and works separately from the double-pocketed coils in the center.
I was also drawn to the cooling properties. Tiami says that the double-pocketed system has seven times more airflow. Now that I am in my 40s, I have had nights where my body felt overheated and I woke up completely sweaty. This is not fun and I am looking for a mattress to help me avoid this.
How the Mattress Compares
My previous memory foam mattress has served me well, but it is almost eight years old and I’ve noticed that some nights it wasn’t doing what it was supposed to in terms of pressure relief. I was waking up with some soreness in the hip area. Tiami has two performance layers: the Enegex layer gently pushes back for proper alignment based on my body weight, shape, and sleep style; the memory foam recovery layer is geared to help with aches and pains (bingo!).
I would say that after two to three weeks, everything felt consistent. Initially, the bed did feel a bit softer, but that could be because my bedroom was warm during July, when the mattress was delivered. When I asked the Tiami rep about fluctuating softness, he mentioned the mattress is designed to be optimized in the 68 to 76 degree range and that it takes a minute for the mattress to “settle down.”
I am a side sleeper and feel very supported and feel that my hips are aligned. In contrast, I was testing a softer hybrid mattress that’s in the guest room, and it definitely annoyed my hips a bit. On the Tiami, I have yet to wake up with any pain and I’ve had it for months now.
Tester: Yelena Moroz Alpert, contributor
What do you love about this mattress? It actually feels as if I am suspended when I sleep. Maybe this is what it is like to sleep in orbit. Tiami managed to create a mattress that is on the firm side. I would say it is an 8, but the topper actually varies, based on the room temperature. When it is very warm, like in the 80s, it can feel closer to a 6.5. So you’re getting the support and not sinking in, but still get that cloud-like touch.
I love that when I sleep, it feels “just so” and my body melts right into it, without sinking it. It is the perfect firmness for me, giving my body proper support without feeling as if I am sleeping on a stiff board.
If you could change something about this mattress, what would it be? I wish the cotton cover was removable and washable. Since I plan to have this mattress for a while, I want to make sure that the mattress itself doesn’t get dingy over time. I typically have a mattress cover, but I’ve noticed that when I added the down alternative cover and the wool batting mattress covers, it negated the cooling properties of the actual mattress design. I am thinking I might just put an extra fitted sheet beneath my regular bedding to have some sort of lining.
Best Cooling Mattress Brand
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Specs
- Delivery: Free shipping and returns
- Sleep Trial: 100 nights
- Warranty: 10 years
Brand Highlights
The delivery was super simple and fast. The overall setup was even faster! From right out of the box, it rolled out nicely onto the box spring on top of my bed frame. There were no complicated instructions or anything like that. The mattress was ready for sleep that evening.
How the Mattress Compares
I’ve never slept better. While my previous mattress was on the firmer side, it was not a memory foam or very cool mattress. With the Cocoon Chill Memory Foam mattress, I do not wake up in the middle of the night like I used to, tossing and turning. I also stay sleeping at a comfortable temperature throughout the night.
Tester: Cade Hiser, contributor
What do you love about this mattress? I would give this mattress an 8 out of 10 in terms of overall comfort. It may take some getting used to at first if you are new to firmer mattresses like myself. The memory foam layers adjust to your sleep position, which makes falling asleep easy.
I can really tell the difference in my sleep and I wake up feeling refreshed and energized. I used to wake up in the middle of the night and would have so much trouble falling back asleep. With this mattress I wake up significantly less in the middle of the night, and if I do I never have trouble falling back asleep. It really has made sleeping easy!
If you could change anything about this mattress, what would it be? I’m not sure that I would change anything about this mattress. It is exactly what I was looking for.
Best Organic Mattress Brand
Specs
- Delivery: Free shipping and returns
- Sleep Trial: 100 nights
- Warranty: 10 years
Brand Highlights
I’ve seen Avocado mattresses on various digital platforms from holistic wellness influencers and have always been really intrigued. Since becoming more conscious about not only the products I put in my body, but also on it and around it, I’ve come to find out that a lot of mattresses have chemical off-gassing (flame retardants, formaldehyde, benzene, etc) which have caused various health issues in many people who were unaware upon purchasing. Finding a mattress that is 100% organic is genuinely a feat in these modern manufacturing days, but Avocado has come to the rescue, made entirely from nontoxic, natural, and organic materials.
How the Mattress Compares
Often gravitating toward a more firm sleeping experience, this mattress was perfect as it wasn’t too soft to where I sank in, but wasn’t too firm to where it felt like a rock.
This is my mattress brand from here on out. You can’t get anything better than their commitment to nontoxic, organic materials, as well as their mission to create more sustainable manufacturing overall. I might venture into their pillows next, and find it so awesome that they’ve created kids products too.
Tester: Kat Kovac, contributor
What do you love about this mattress? I slept like a baby with this mattress. Often gravitating toward a more firm sleeping experience, this mattress was perfect—not the firmest, but it wasn’t too soft to where I sank in. The back support was there, and as someone who’s five eleven, that was sincerely appreciated. The American Chiropractic Association has endorsed Avocado mattresses since 2020, which gets five stars of approval from me.
I could not be happier knowing that I now sleep on a 100% organic mattress that is not only ethical in its materials but also its production. Additionally knowing that I’m not breathing in toxic chemicals when I lay my head at night is huge. The wool fabric was super warm and soft to the touch, and my sheets fit on it perfectly.
If you could change something about this mattress, what would it be? I wouldn’t change anything about this mattress for me personally, but it might not be the best choice for someone who’s a side sleeper, as it’s more on the firm side. If you are a side sleeper, and still want a nontoxic mattress option, they have their Avocado Green Mattress with an added pillow top option. Another great topper option is the Alpaca Wool Mattress Topper, made of 100% GOTS certified organic cotton and alpaca fiber, which is even softer than the one previously mentioned. I personally like the Alpaca Wool Topper.
Best Mattress-in-a-Box Brand
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Specs
- Delivery: Free shipping & returns
- Sleep Trial: 365 nights
- Warranty: Lifetime
Brand Highlights
Great delivery process in that the mattress-in-a-box setup was very seamless and easy. I showed a friend how easy it was to set up, as he was in the market for a new mattress. Even before he laid on it to test the quality, he was pulling up the website to place an order. And that was purely from seeing the ease of delivery and the simple setup process (the mattress ships in a compact box and unfurls to its full size after unwrapping it).
How the Mattress Compares
In terms of twin mattresses, this is the best one I’ve slept on. The only one that’s comparable is Nectar.
Tester: Nick Mafi, contributor
What do you love about this mattress? I grew up sleeping on a twin mattress, which is to say I didn’t have the best sleeping experience as a kid. But DreamCloud takes the twin-mattress comfort to another level. It’s not just how my body feels when I lie on it, it’s also how the actual mattress feels when I touch it. It has that feel of something that’s expensive, when in fact, you’re not paying a crazy price for it.
If you could change something about this mattress, what would it be? It wouldn’t be about the mattress itself, but in the shipment process. I don’t know if this is too big of an ask (it probably is, which is why they don’t do it), but if DreamCloud added an extra button to have someone pick up my old mattress, I would happily pay up for that.
Best Customizable Mattress Brand
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Specs
- Delivery: Free shipping and returns
- Sleep Trial: 100 nights
- Warranty: 15 years
Brand Highlights
Helix Sleep really takes customer feedback to heart and continues to improve on its already incredible mattresses. The latest version of the Helix Midnight Luxe is an absolute dream!
How the Mattress Compares
The Helix Midnight Luxe is the pinnacle of luxury when it comes to mattresses. You can get a similar effect from the Allswell Supreme or the Leesa Hybrid we tested in AD’s guide on the best affordable mattresses, but the Helix Midnight Luxe is the crème de la crème. The pièce de résistance. The mattress to end all mattresses.
Tester: Jacqueline Wladis, contributor
What do you love about this mattress? I absolutely need a hybrid mattress. I toss and turn in my sleep, I need to stay cool, and I simply MUST have lumbar support for my back and neck! Memory foam mattresses are very trendy, but I’m picky—I don’t want anything too soft or too firm too hot or too cold, it has to be just right. The Helix Midnight Luxe is, simply, just right.
If you could change something about this mattress, what would it be? This question does not apply to Helix. This mattress is perfect.
Best Budget Mattress Brand
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Specs
- Delivery: Free two-day shipping on Amazon; $80 for mattress and haul away service, $30 for deluxe delivery and unpacking, $20 for room of choice delivery
- Sleep Trial: 90 days
- Warranty: 10 years
Brand Highlights
Zinus has been around since 1979, but it has been even more popular over the past decade. What stood out to me about this mattress was that it uses all-natural green tea and purified charcoal infusions that help to keep the mattress fresh for a long time. I love that it will last a long time and remain clean because of these properties. Also, it uses CertiPUR-US high-quality foam in an Oeko-Tex mattress cover for a healthy, regulated option. It’s safe to say this brand knows its stuff, and it shows!
How the Mattress Compares
This Zinus mattress has a medium firmness. I typically prefer a mattress on the firmer side due to its durability (most of the time). I like it because it is sturdy but not so rock-hard that it’s unpleasant to sleep on. Another aspect I liked was how, although it is firm, when I snuggled into bed, I felt supported and like I wasn’t sinking into the mattress (I tend to hate that).
I love memory foam mattresses because they are suitable for helping your body completely ease itself while in slumber, and this one didn’t stray from this reputation. My last mattress had springs, and over time, it became severely uncomfortable. This Zinus mattress solves many of my problems. I want to feel relaxed without melting into the mattress (I’m on the heavier side), and it’s easy to get in and out of the bed. The sleep this Zinus mattress has helped me get is the premium sleep that has helped me jumpstart my mornings and feel more energized throughout the day.
Tester: Jacorey Moon, contributor
What do you love about this mattress? What I love about this mattress is its zone pressure relief. This mattress uses pressure-relieving memory foam that conforms to the body and helps circulation. I’m a person who deals with neck pain on occasion, and the first night after I slept on this mattress, my pain got a little less intense—honestly, it felt like I was cradled in clouds (even if the mattress has a firm feel to it). I also love how it has good motion retention—I barely felt my partner get out of bed for a bathroom break or roll over to the cooler side of the bed at all. Don’t get me started on how breathable and cool it was through the night. I slept undisturbed for a month. It’s a winner for me. Also, I love that it comes with a 10-year limited warranty, which is great for a constant apartment mover like myself.
If you could change something about this mattress, what would it be? Honestly, I thoroughly enjoyed this mattress, so I don’t have much to change about it. But, in my opinion, this mattress is not for the sleeper who prefers super soft, plush mattresses. Again, it’s on the firm side, with the cushiness of memory foam.
Best Luxury Mattress Brand
Specs
- Delivery: Free shipping and returns
- Sleep Trial: 100 nights
- Warranty: 10 years
Brand Highlights
Ostermoor & Company is a heritage brand with deep roots, founded in 1853 in what is now Manhattan’s Nolita neighborhood. At a time when most mattresses were stuffed with horsehair or straw, Ostermoor stood out for its innovative, hand-built designs made with layers of comfortable, durable materials. They were early adopters of now-common conveniences like mail-order service, doorstep delivery, and satisfaction guarantees—long before any of these became industry norms. Today, that legacy of craftsmanship and customer care continues, with a headquarters in NYC and manufacturing based in Massachusetts. What makes them especially notable now is their continued commitment to time-tested construction techniques, premium natural materials like cotton batting, and the rare attention to visual design. It's an elevated experience from start to finish.
How the Mattress Compares
I typically prefer a firmer mattress and The Bedford really delivers on that front. It’s firm but not rigid—supportive in all the right places while still feeling comfortable and plush enough to relax into.
Tester: Zoë Sessums, contributor
What do you love about this mattress? From the moment I plopped down on the mattress, I was impressed by how comfortable and supportive it was. It strikes a perfect balance between spring and cushion—just the right amount of give without ever feeling too soft. I consistently wake up feeling rested and supported.
While I love this mattress for how comfortable it is and how well I sleep on it, I also really love how it looks. I’ve never realized how beautiful a bare mattress could be, but this one is a looker. The tufted top, the blue-and-white ticking pattern, the hand-stitched details—it feels like a piece of luxury furniture, not just a place to sleep.
If you could change something about this mattress, what would it be? The price point is quite high, which is really the only downside. However, I do believe you get what you pay for—especially in terms of craftsmanship, durability, and design. It might not be the best option for someone looking for a budget mattress or those who prefer memory foam-style contouring.
Best Mattress Brand With Several Firmness Options
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Specs
- Delivery: Free shipping and returns
- Sleep Trial: 120 nights
- Warranty: Lifetime
Brand Highlights
When looking for the right mattress, my partner and I knew we wanted a firm, luxurious model with a firmer pillow top. After hunting down mattresses for a few months, we came across the WinkBed, which seemed like a perfect balance between firm and soft due to its hybrid components, plus it offered detailed insights on which mattress is best for each type of sleeper.
How the Mattress Compares
Because these are only available to purchase online, I really appreciate the customer journey WinkBed takes you through, comparing Soft to Luxury Firm, Firmer, and Plus.
Tester: Mark Burka, contributor
What do you love about this mattress? The mattress’s hybrid components truly give you the best of both worlds at a more affordable price. The WinkBed mattress technology provides strong edge support and wicks away heat, ensuring sleepers have a calm, peaceful night. The mattress is a more affordable hybrid option compared to others on the market, plus, for those who are hesitant about purchasing an online mattress, WinkBed provides a 120-day warranty—that’s a six-month sleep trial period!—which is plenty of time to decide if the money was well spent (in my case, it was!).
If you could change something about this mattress, what would it be? I would pick the Plus mattress “for heavier people” with the firmest option, now available since I last purchased from WinkBed, knowing the pillow top was going to be as comfy as it is. My partner and I are a same-sex, male-identifying couple and probably would not like to admit that we classify as “heavier people,” but in this case, we do.
Best Smart Mattress Brand
Specs
- Delivery: $150 delivery fee for doorstep delivery, $250 return fee
- Sleep Trial: 100 nights
- Warranty: 15 years
Brand Highlights
The innovative and technical approach to sleep, mattresses that adjust to the individual, and the ability to track your sleep quality.
Based on comfort, customer service, and quality, I would 100% recommend this mattress and integrated base system. It is genuinely excellent. Aesthetically, the integrated base limits which bed frames you can use it with, it is optimally designed for use with a Sleep Number bed frame which is something to consider if you want a more design-forward frame.
How the Mattress Compares
In comparison to other mattresses I’ve slept on, I’d give it a 9 out of 10. It’s extremely comfortable.
Tester: Lisa Aiken, senior vice president of commerce at Condé Nast
What do you love about this mattress? I appreciate being able to change the firmness of the mattress to suit my requirements via the Sleep Number app, it also automatically adjusts to match your movements while sleeping and lets you track the quality of sleep that you are getting.
If you could change something about this mattress, what would it be? It is difficult to move this mattress, in order to do so you need to unplug the pump, meaning it deflates and needs to be reset via the app. This is time consuming should you wish to move the bed.
The fully adjustable nature of this smart bed means that it can be personalized to your preference with both sides of the bed being independent of each other. As a result, this mattress is exactly the firmness that I want on one side and exactly how my husband prefers on the other. It is easily changed and adjusted on the app which links your phone to the bed via bluetooth so you can adjust at any time to suit your mood.
How We Tested
We skip sterile lab setups and get a feel for the best mattress brands out there by testing in-house—literally. We bring the beds in our bedrooms and test them for months and even years to give a thorough and thoughtful review for our readers. We also keep the key factors below in mind:
Comfort: While the build of a mattress can vary, it should always be comfortable to sleep on. Even though some of our editors prefer firm mattresses and others like plush beds, we assessed the options in our list by how supported we felt, how soft the mattress was to curl up on, and how pressure-relieving the mattresses were night after night.
Edge support: Edge control is an important factor to ensure you don’t feel like you’re falling off the bed as you sleep. Editor-favorite mattresses in this list boast strong edges on all sides.
Motion control: Motion control is ideal particularly for those who are sharing a bed with a partner or even a pet. The mattresses in this list have strong motion retention to help keep you from waking up from anyone tossing or turning or getting out of bed in the middle of the night.
Breathability: Hot sleepers know this all too well, but a mattress that doesn’t have temperature regulating qualities can lead to night sweats—especially when the warmer months roll around every year. Keep an eye out for cooling mattress materials like gel-infused memory foam or natural latex for added relief as you rest.
Delivery: Aside from helping you get great rest, a mattress purchase should be as hassle-free as possible. Most leading brands offer free delivery and white glove services, which are helpful notes since mattresses are already a pretty expensive purchase.
Warranty: We selected mattresses with extensive warranties, usually around the 10-year mark at a minimum, to ensure you’re getting the most out of your mattress before it’s time to call it quits.
FAQs
Which type of mattress is the best quality?
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach for the best quality mattress types. It really comes down to your sleep preferences. If you’re a side sleeper, a soft mattress made of high-density memory foam will likely be your best bet to gently cradle your side. Hybrid mattresses are usually best for motion isolation and a balanced feel, especially when it comes to combination sleepers’ ever-changing sleep positions. Innerspring mattresses are ideal for zoned support. To be expected, hot sleepers will want to look for beds with features like a cooling cover to keep them comfortable as they sleep. Lastly, organic beds, like Oeko-Tex-certified latex mattresses, are always at the top of our lists for materials free of harmful substances.
How much should I spend on a mattress?
There is a wide price range you’ll find for high-quality mattresses, typically anywhere from $300 to upwards of $4,500 for a queen size. And while a steeper price isn’t the end all be all when it comes to the best quality, you will often find more custom features in options with a higher price tag. For example, Sessums’ Ostermoor Bedford mattress (which costs about $4,200 for a queen) features durable, quality materials like thousands of pocketed coils and layers of chemical-free cushioning paired with thoughtful design details like a standout blue-and-white ticking pattern. If you’re not someone who needs all the bells and whistles, you can aim for a lower or mid-price point mattress and still get everything you need for a great night’s sleep.
Do I need a box spring for my mattress?
It totally depends. Most mattresses today are made to work without a box spring and can be simply placed on the slats of a bed frame. Just be sure to read the fine print about your bed in case there are any specific frame types that you should shop. And, if you’re in need of a few suggestions on that front, check out our editors’ favorite bed frames.
