The 17 Best Mattresses You Can Buy Online – We Tested for a Week Each (2025)
Honorable mentions
There are a few mattresses we’ve tested that don’t stand out as much, but are decent and worth mentioning in case you’re thinking about them.
Nest Bedding Quail for $1039: When it comes to all-foam mattresses from classic bed-in-a-box brands, I prefer the Casper above, but the Quail from Nest is a nice option if you want a foam bed that’s a little firmer and willing to pay a little more. My biggest issue with the Nest was that despite its claimed cooling system — the foam is mineral-infused and engineered with an airflow layer — I slept a little hot on it during my week of testing.
Helix Sunset Elite for $2999: Our top pick, the Helix, also has Elite collection which consists of seven mattresses in a spectrum of softness. At 16 inches tall, it’s the “tallest mattress on the internet” and comes in two separate boxes, each heavy enough to meet FedEx’s maximum requirements. Firmness is determined by the density of the foam on the top layer, which clips into a larger support system. This makes the mattress adjustable if you end up regretting your order. The lower part has two separate layers of microspirals. I spent a month sleeping on the softest model in the Elite line, called Sunset, and appreciated the deep rocking effect. Helix offers a 100-day trial period on all of its mattresses.
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Wayfair Sleep 14-Inch Plush Cooling Gel Hybrid Mattress for $405: This plush mattress has a cooling gel top layer that molds to your body for comfort and has classic pocket coils underneath for structure and support, with memory foam layers of varying thickness around the coils for extra support (the coils and memory foam blend help too and with low motion transfer). The knitted upper cover and sides help with breathability and overall cooling effect. The mattress is also compatible with adjustable bed basehas solid edge support, f CertiPUR-US and Oeko-Tex certified (ensuring that there are no harmful toxins in your mattress) and has a 10-year warranty. This bed is super comfortable if you like a plusher mattress.
Mattresses to avoid
There are some patterns you should avoid. Many of these beds are extremely affordable, and if you’re not picky, they can feel good. In other cases, the mattress is decent, but the price is not.
- The Magniflex Magnistretch 12 is Italian made and advertised as a spinal stretch. He is supported by retired Italian soccer player Giorgio Chiellini and current professional basketball player Stefano Tonut, who plays for the Italian equivalent of the Boston Celtics. Well, Magniflex definitely does something to the spine, although I found it very undesirable. (It is worth noting that I in the morning no the same Martin Cizmar who played minor professional soccer in Slovakia.) I only lasted two nights on the Magnistretch before I cried uncle and hobbled off to my next mattress tester. The feeling in the morning was as if I had slept on a hammock made of chain-link fence and my lower back was left weak and creaky – most likely it was stretched and if so it turns out I don’t like having my back stretched out.
- The Smart bed Climate360 Sleep Number (5/10, WIRED review) can control the temperature which is amazing. The adjustable base means you can be comfortable watching TV, reading or sleeping. Unfortunately, the price tag has too many numbers, and sleep experts recommend that you avoid using electronics before bed—advice that the Sleep IQ app doesn’t take. Did we mention it costs as much as a used Buick and the weight isn’t far behind?
- The Amazon Basics Mattresses are made of cheap foam that is not dense enough, causing too much sag.
- The Parachute Eco Comfort mattress it just doesn’t live up to its extravagant price tag. The model we tested didn’t have a proper enough pad over the coils.
How firm or soft should your mattress be?
The most important decision in any mattress purchase is how firm it should be. In general, heavier people and back or stomach sleepers will do better with firmer mattresses, while lighter people and side sleepers will enjoy softer mattresses. Temperature is also an issue: softer mattresses sleep warmer as your body sinks into a layer of fabric and foam. Keep in mind that all mattresses have a break-in period, and the way you feel about the mattress on your first night won’t be the same after a week or two. It’s also worth bearing in mind that if you’re buying a firmer mattress and want to soften it, a mattress topper is a great option –we have a complete guide to the best— but it’s much harder to make a mattress firmer.
Do you want a hybrid mattress or a foam mattress?
Traditional mattresses are mostly made of springs with thin layers of foam and fabric. Bed-in-a-box mattresses, on the other hand, are either foam or hybrids that layer foam with built-in springs. We tend to recommend hybrids because they are more stable and supportive and generally stay cooler because the springs leave room for airflow. Hybrids are often a bit more expensive. Dunaprene mattresses are usually softer, lighter and less expensive.
What size mattress do you need?
The prices in our guide are based on queen size, which is the most popular size in the US. But everything we’ve included comes in a variety of standard sizes, usually standard twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, and California king. You will want to buy a mattress based on the size of your bed frame.
How easy is it to put a bed in a box?
Take it from someone who’s dealt with dozens over the past year: Bed-in-a-box mattresses delivered by FedEx are relatively easy to work with. Most of these mattresses are delivered vacuumed and rolled. Some are quite heavy – up to 150 pounds – and if you’re ordering one of these, make sure you have someone to help you. After you unfold your box bed mattress and cut open the vacuum bag, it will immediately begin to inflate, so unwrap it on or near the bed frame. We have a helpful guide for how to adjust the mattress you bought online with more tips. Mattresses are usually ready for use after a few hours, but most manufacturers recommend giving them two days to reach their normal state.
Should you wait for a sale to buy a mattress?
Mattresses go on sale often – Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day and Veteran’s Day have somehow become mattress sale holidays. In addition, online mattresses are often advertised as being on permanent sale. There’s a good chance you could save hundreds of dollars by waiting for the next big sale. WIRED covers all of these sales and closely tracks mattress prices throughout the year so we can alert you to the best actual deals, as opposed to “sales” that aren’t much different than the normal asking price.
Are online mattresses safe?
What if you don’t like the mattress you bought online?
Most of the mattresses we’ve tested and recommend have at least a 100-night test period and a 10-year warranty. Be sure to check the company’s policy before you buy, as you may be on the hook for a nominal return fee. Set a reminder a few days before the return deadline to make final access.
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