The Most Comfortable Mattresses for Bed Rotting

Your bed is one of the few things you can control in life, so you might as well be zeroing in on the most comfortable mattress you can find. Of course, comfort is subjective and often equated with a cushier style of bed (but that might not be the definition of comfort for someone with an aching back). That’s why we polled a panel of sleepers and testers for their notes on more than 100 mattresses to reach a definitive consensus on what people love lounging and sleeping on.

Our Top Picks for the Most Comfortable Mattresses

• Most Comfortable Mattress Overall: Helix Midnight Luxe
• Most Comfortable Memory Foam Mattress: Nectar Luxe Memory Foam
• Most Comfortable Mattress for Side Sleepers: Leesa Legend
• Most Comfortable Mattress for Stomach Sleepers: The WinkBed
• Most Comfortable Hybrid Mattress: DreamCloud Premier Rest Memory Foam
• Most Comfortable Mattress for Couples: Bear Elite Hybrid
• Most Comfortable Mattress for Back Pain: Saatva Rx
• Most Comfortable Mattress for Back Sleepers: Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe
• Most Comfortable Cooling Mattress: Nolah Evolution

Ahead, our editors and writers give in-depth accounts of their experiences sleeping on the following comfy mattresses. If you’re interested in one particular mattress, click below to jump straight to that mattress review:

Helix Midnight Luxe | Nectar Luxe Memory Foam | Leesa Legend | The WinkBed | DreamCloud Premier Rest Memory Foam | Bear Elite Hybrid | Saatva Rx | Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe | Nolah Evolution

• Mattress type: Hybrid
• Firmness: Medium
• Trial Period: 100 nights
• Warranty: 15 years
• Best for: Side sleepers, couples, and hot sleepers

• Plush and supportive like a cloud
• Great motion isolation
• Two cover options that include a cooling cover for more breathability

• Only comes in one firmness level which might not work for some sleepers
• Edge support is lacking

Why should you choose this mattress? The Helix Midnight Luxe is one of our favorite mattresses across the board. True to its name, it really does feel luxurious despite its mid-range price point. It combines three layers of thick foam with a durable coil base and a plush pillow top. Though it only comes in a medium firm option, it’s designed to be a universally comfortable mattress for all sleeping preferences and arrangements. One workaround is the customizable cover, which comes in a standard pillow-top or a GlacioTex cooling top. Very hot sleepers will do better with the latter variation, but the average sleeper probably doesn’t need the upgrade. As AD contributor Gabriela Ulloa said, “I sleep next to a six-foot-nine athlete who sprawls across the bed like he’s the only one there, and I remained perfectly cool—not to mention I never felt him moving around in the middle of the night or waking up at the crack of dawn.”

What does this mattress feel like? Comparing a mattress to a cloud has become a total cliche, but our tester felt that the description was actually very apt for this soft and pillowy bed. It’s also one that won’t have you sinking into its depths thanks to zoned lumbar support technology that keeps things firmer in the middle for proper spinal alignment and squishier where you need it (like around your shoulders when side sleeping). For that reason, Helix says this mattress is ideal for side sleepers, but we found it comfortable for all sleeping positions. If you sleep on your stomach and weigh more than 250 pounds, you might need a firmer model, but this mattress should be comfortable otherwise. While the edge support could be better, it has great motion isolation and great cooling, even with the standard cover. Bottom-line: Get ready to conk out on an exceptionally cozy, crowd-pleasing mattress.

• Support level: 5
• Durability: 5
• Motion control: 4.5
• Cooling: 4.5
• Edge support: 4
• Shipping, warranty, and trial: 4.5

• Mattress type: Memory foam
• Firmness: Medium-firm
• Trial Period: 365 nights
• Warranty: Lifetime
• Best for: Side sleepers, back sleepers, and people who like the body-hugging feel of memory foam

• Exceptional pressure relief for people with achy joints
• Almost zero motion transfer
• Industry-leading trial period and warranty

• Too soft for stomach sleepers
• Sagginess toward the edges of the mattress

Why should you choose this mattress? The Nectar Luxe Memory Foam mattress feels like a full-body embrace. It combines two thick layers of comfort foams (six inches in total) that are designed to snuggle you without sucking you in, plus an eight-inch base foam layer that practically eliminates motion transfer. It’s available in medium-firm for an agreeable firmness that suits most types of sleepers.

What does this mattress feel like? This mattress feels very plush with soft foams that contour to your body and provide excellent pressure relief. Despite not having a coil base, it offers great support and feels especially comfortable when back and side sleeping. It’s likely too squishy for stomach sleepers, though, who need more support under the lower back. As expected, the memory foam retains some heat, but it does have cooling fibers in the cover to help mitigate some of this heat trapping. Even so, people who sleep like absolute furnaces at night might be more comfortable on a hybrid mattress. Because this mattress doesn’t have a reinforced coil support base, it doesn’t offer as much edge support as a hybrid. There’s a happy trade-off with the motion isolation, though. The foams keep movement to a minimum, so if you sleep with a partner, chances are you won’t feel a thing if they get up in the middle of the night.

• Support level: 4
• Durability: 4.5
• Motion control: 5
• Cooling: 4
• Edge support: 4
• Shipping, warranty, and trial: 5

• Mattress type: Hybrid
• Firmness: Medium-soft
• Trial Period: 100 nights
• Warranty: 10 years
• Best for: Side sleepers, back-to-side combination sleepers, and hot sleepers

• Zoned support that feels softer under the shoulders and knees and more supportive under the hips
• Incredible pressure relief for most sleeping positions
• Exceptional cooling thanks to two coil layers and ventilated foams

• You can feel when a sleeping partner is moving around on the bed
• Pricey when not on sale

Why should you choose this mattress? The Legend is the softest mattress in Leesa’s collection. It has two soft foam layers stacked on top of each other to allow for maximum cushiness, plus some coils to ensure your body stays aloft mid-sleep. The foam is positioned near the hips for pressure relief, while the micro coils contour to your shoulders and help reduce motion transfer.

What does this mattress feel like? The Leesa Legend is certainly soft but not so much that it draws you in like quicksand. Our testers rated it a 5.5 out of 10 (with 10 being the most firm possible), which puts it in the sweet spot for side sleepers of all body weights. The zoned support makes it softer under the shoulders and more supportive under the hips, which is great for spinal alignment when side and back sleeping. There was incredible pressure relief in most sleep positions with no major compression points to note. However, it might be too soft for stomach sleepers. The hybrid construction naturally helps promote airflow, but it also has a ventilated top foam layer to help the bed sleep even cooler. This worked exceptionally well, and our testers said this mattress is excellent for hot sleepers. (If you want even more cooling, check out the Leesa Sapira Chill). Motion control is kind of a toss-up. It does a good job of isolating motion from smaller movements, but if you have a partner with a weak bladder, you’re going to notice. It has great responsiveness, though. Despite being so soft, there’s some bounce that makes it easy to move around on.

• Support level: 4.5
• Durability: 4.5
• Motion control: 4
• Cooling: 4.5
• Edge support: 4
• Shipping, warranty, and trial: 4

• Mattress type: Hybrid
• Firmness: Soft, luxury firm, firm, and plus options available
• Trial Period: 120 nights
• Warranty: Lifetime
• Best for: Stomach sleepers, combination sleepers, and hot sleepers

• Ample support from zoned coils help keep the hips from sinking when sleeping on your stomach
• Breathable and airy—doesn’t trap heat, so it can work well for hot sleepers
• Four firmness options

• Average motion transfer
• Lacks edge support

Why should you choose this mattress? Sleeping on your stomach may feel extra cozy in the morning, but it can also wreck your sleep if your mattress isn’t suitably supportive. That’s exactly where The WinkBed comes in. It’s available in four firmness levels, three of which (luxury firm, firm, and plus) are geared toward stomach sleepers of all kinds. It also has a zoned support coil layer that pushes back in areas of higher pressure to keep your spine aligned. And while it’s supportive, there’s just enough plus factor thanks to a cushiony pillow top.

What does this mattress feel like? The Luxury Firm model we tested felt like a true firm mattress. While the cover is plush and soft, the mattress kept us supported enough that we felt like we were lying on top of it rather than sinking into it. There’s not a ton of body contouring—meaning the mattress doesn’t wrap you up like some foam mattresses can—but it did feel comfortable and offered lots of welcome pressure relief in the lower lumbar region. Thanks to the zoned support, our testers also felt like their hips were being propped up instead of sinking, which is key for stomach sleepers. The edge support and motion isolation is just average—we saw a decent amount of movement during testing—but that also means the bed is more variable for combination sleepers. Also notable was the temperature control. This isn’t an actively cooling mattress, but the cover is breathable and the coils are airflow friendly.

• Support level: 4.5
• Durability: 4.5
• Motion control: 3.5
• Cooling: 4
• Edge support: 3.5
• Shipping, warranty, and trial: 4

• Mattress type: Hybrid
• Firmness: Medium-firm
• Trial Period: 365 nights
• Warranty: Lifetime
• Best for: Combination sleepers, stomach sleepers, and side sleepers over 250 pounds

• Comfortable in all sleep positions
• Bed stays cool—the coils promote airflow which makes it good for hot sleepers
• Great responsiveness makes it easy to change positions

• Only comes in one firmness, which might not work for all comfort preferences
• May be too firm for sleepers under 130 pounds—these sleepers may need more cushioning to feel comfortable

Why should you choose this mattress? The OG DreamCloud Classic is one of our favorite hybrid mattresses. It gets consistently high marks during testing and is simply a comfortable, quality mattress that also happens to be very fairly priced. There are four layers of foams wrapped up in a luxurious cashmere blend cover, plus ample support in the form of reinforced coils. DreamCloud also has one of the best sleep trials—you get a full year to decide if you like the bed—so it’s really a low-risk move to try it out for yourself.

What does this mattress feel like? The DreamCloud Premier Rest Memory Foam comes in one firmness option that our testers said has a firmer feel with strong support. It does have some conforming foams up top, but they’re not super cushiony so you stay lifted on top of the bed. It’s comfortable in all sleep positions and offers ample pressure relief, although side sleepers under 130 pounds might want to find a softer option. And while it’s not the most responsive bed out there, it was still easy enough to shift sleep positions, making it a good fit for combination sleepers. The edge support and motion isolation were about average to good; we had no major complaints or praises. Overall, the bed stayed cool and comfortable thanks to the coils and gel-infused foams.

• Support level: 4.5
• Durability: 4.5
• Motion control: 4
• Cooling: 4
• Edge support: 3.5
• Shipping, warranty, and trial: 4

• Mattress type: Hybrid
• Firmness: Soft, medium, and firm options available
• Trial Period: 120 nights
• Warranty: Lifetime
• Best for: Couples, hot sleepers, and people who sleep with a pet

• Minimal motion transfer
• Extra lower back support helps keep the spine aligned even with extra weight from two sleepers
• Superior cooling

• Some pressure when side sleeping
• Edge support could be better

Why should you choose this mattress? The Bear Elite Hybrid may just save your relationship. While it doesn’t have the power to magically cease your partner’s snoring, the motion isolation and cooling technology is superb for keeping you asleep longer (and not at the mercy of your partner’s sleep habits). Plus, its ironclad coil support system doesn’t sag under the weight of two.

What does this mattress feel like? We tested the medium model of the Bear Elite Hybrid. It had just enough plushness and body contouring (with some extra support in the lower back area) but with that on-top-of-the-mattress feel. It was comfortable in all sleep positions, and our testers felt supported the entire time they were laying on the mattress. There was some pressure buildup on the hips, shoulders, and knees when side sleeping, so if you weigh under 250 pounds, you might want to opt for the soft version instead. As mentioned, there was practically no motion transfer in any of our tests, yet the bed was still easy enough to move around on. The edge support was good, too. There was some sinkage when sitting on the edge but not so much that we feared rolling off the sides (a perk if you want to put distance between yourself and a sleeping partner). The mattress was also airy and breathable enough for a blissful night’s sleep.

• Support level: 4.5
• Durability: 4.5
• Motion control: 4.5
• Cooling: 4.5
• Edge support: 4
• Shipping, warranty, and trial: 4

• Mattress type: Innerspring
• Firmness: Medium-firm
• Trial Period: 365 nights
• Warranty: Lifetime
• Best for: People with back pain, hot sleepers, and combination sleepers

• Enhanced, zoned support helps keep the spine aligned while sleeping
• Ample airflow to help keep hot sleepers comfortable
• Excellent responsiveness—easy for combination sleepers to change positions

• Average motion isolation—may be too much movement for light sleepers
• Lacking edge support, which may be difficult for those with mobility issues

Why should you choose this mattress? According to research, a medium-firm mattress is typically considered the gold standard, and the Saatva Rx falls right in line firmness-wise. But beyond that, this mattress is specifically constructed for those with back pain. It has an extra layer of micro-coils (two total if you’re keeping count) that have enhanced body contouring to help alleviate pressure in all sleeping positions. The coil layer is also firmer in the lumbar zone to help prevent your back from sinking out of alignment and has a stronger perimeter for extra support. All in all, this mattress was made to keep your spine adequately aligned, which can help reduce back pain. And all of our testers loved this mattress, which is worth noting.

What does this mattress feel like? Our testers called this mattress squishy, supportive, and not too firm—everything you could want in a comfortable bed. There’s a lot of cushion from the pillow top, but the two coil layers give it a certain sturdiness. The only pressure buildup was in the hips of a tester with a heavier body type. Due to the effects of gravity, this tester sunk more deeply into the mattress and could feel the coil layers. It wasn’t uncomfortable, but it’s worth noting if you have hip pain. The Saatva Rx also has excellent responsiveness, making it easy to switch positions (though that does make for more motion transfer). The foams helped swallow up major movements, but if you’re a light sleeper, you’ll probably get jostled awake by a restless partner. While this mattress isn’t overtly cooling, the construction allows for ample airflow, and we didn’t feel like we were overheating at all. Additionally, edge support was above average, but there was some sinkage that might make it difficult to rise up out of bed.

• Support level: 5
• Durability: 5
• Motion control: 3
• Cooling: 4
• Edge support: 4
• Shipping, warranty, and trial: 5

• Mattress type: Hybrid
• Firmness: Soft, medium, and firm options available
• Trial Period: 120 nights
• Warranty: 10 years
• Best for: Back sleepers, hot sleepers, and combination sleepers

• Ample pressure relief in all sleeping positions, but especially in the lumbar area when back sleeping
• Keeps the body lifted so the spine stays aligned
• Feels cool to the touch and is airy and breathable, making it a good choice for hot sleepers

• Super bouncy—while the responsiveness makes it easy to change positions, it can also create uncomfortable motion transfer for light sleepers
• Average edge support

Why should you choose this mattress? The Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe comes in three firmness levels: soft, medium, and firm. Both medium and firm will work well for back sleepers thanks to a zoned coil layer and transition foams that contour to your body while keeping your spine aligned. If you prefer a softer-feeling bed, you can also add a cushiony pillow top that makes the bed even more comfortable without sacrificing support.

What does this mattress feel like? We tested the medium version of this bed, and our first impression was that it was wonderfully plush and soft. Still, our testers stayed lifted and supported with the spine in alignment. There was just enough sinkage for comfort but not so much that our hips were dipping. It offered good pressure relief, especially when back sleeping. Our testers did describe it as “super bouncy,” so if you sleep with a partner or a 65-pound German Shepherd mix (just me?), be forewarned: You’ll probably feel them moving around at night. This does make it easier to switch positions, though, so if you like to turn onto your side once in a while, you’ll have no problem.

• Support level: 4.5
• Durability: 4.5
• Motion control: 3.5
• Cooling: 4.5
• Edge support: 4
• Shipping, warranty, and trial: 4

• Mattress type: Hybrid
• Firmness: Soft, medium-firm, and firm options available
• Trial Period: 120 nights
• Warranty: Lifetime
• Best for: Side sleepers, hot sleepers, and back sleepers

• Excellent cooling
• Great support—kept the spine aligned in all sleeping positions
• Plush, hotel-like feel (this is a bed that we couldn’t resist sinking into)

• Transfers quite a bit of motion
• Needs deep pocket sheets (it has a 15-inch profile)

Why should you choose this mattress? For many mattresses, cooling is an afterthought, but not the Nolah Evolution. This mattress squeezes active cooling technology into every single layer. It has a coil base layer that promotes airflow, breathable foam comfort layers, and a gusset around the perimeter that lets heat out and welcomes cool air in. Plus, the cover is made from a blend of moisture-wicking organic cotton and ArcticTex, a breathable material that feels cool to the touch. All in all, the cooling technology is pretty elite. AD commerce editor Audrey Lee said, “Throughout most hot nights, I really feel these materials working together, so I’m not kicking off the covers in a stuffy fit.”

What does this mattress feel like? The cooling is top-notch, but that’s not the only thing the Nolah Evolution has going for it. It had to also be super comfortable to make this list. The medium-firm model (or Luxury Firm, as Nolah calls it) that our testers evaluated has a plush top layer with full body support, truly giving it a hotel bed feel. This is a bed you just want to pass out on. Plus, it offered great alignment for all sleep positions and relieved pressure exceptionally well. There was a little pressure buildup in the shoulder when side sleeping, but that could be alleviated by opting for the soft version instead. The edge support was also great, with the only performance outlier being motion transfer. The surface does absorb some movement, but there was some discernible shifting and moving from bedfellows during the night. Also a heads up: It has a deluxe 15-inch profile, so you’ll need deep pocket sheets to keep secure.

• Support level: 4.5
• Durability: 4.5
• Motion control: 4
• Cooling: 5
• Edge support: 4.5
• Shipping, warranty, and trial: 4.5

More AD-Approved Mattresses

If you’re not vibing with any of the mattresses listed above, the following three beds were also great, but just narrowly missing the mark to become an official “winner.”

• Tempur-Pedic ProAdapt: Tempur-Pedic is an industry leader in memory foam mattresses, and the company continues to innovate, making some of the most comfortable mattresses you can buy (if you like that slow-sinking feeling). The ProAdapt has zoned ergonomic support, extra comfort layers, and a cool-to-the-touch cover. It also comes in four firmness levels.
• Beautyrest Black: The Beautyrest Black is truly one of the most comfortable mattresses out there. The traditional innerspring-with-a-pillow-top style might not be right for everyone, but if you prefer a soft, sink-into-it mattress, you’ll love this one.
• Sleep Number Climate360: Sleep Number mattresses are an investment, but they’re a worthwhile one. The Climate360 lets you adjust the firmness and the temperature up to 30 degrees. Sleep with a partner with different climate preferences? No longer an issue.

How We Chose the Most Comfortable Mattresses

We understand that comfort is subjective, so we chose mattresses that performed well during our objective tests. During testing, we assessed more than 100 mattresses individually, rating them on several factors, including:

• Firmness
• Pressure relief
• Motion transfer
• Responsiveness
• Edge support
• Cooling capabilities
• Overall customer service (shipping, trial, and warranty)

We also took personal opinions of our testers into account but did so at scale. In other words, we didn’t choose mattresses that only one person thought was comfortable. We chose mattresses that several testers of varying body sizes, sleep positions, and preferences agreed were comfortable.

For a full rundown of our mattress testing process (and to discover how much we nerd out on sleep technology), check out our full sleep product testing methodology.

What You Should Look for in a Comfortable Mattress

When choosing a mattress, it’s important to consider what’s comfortable for you. While there’s no golden rule on what to look for, think about pressure relief, back support, temperature regulation, and motion isolation—among other factors.

For a mattress to be comfortable, it has to offer some sort of pressure relief. It should have a layer or two of comfort foams and a strong enough support system that helps distribute your weight evenly. Your perception of comfort also depends on your body type, since gravity causes more sinking with more weight. If you weigh more than 250 pounds, you might want to opt for a hybrid mattress, which have coils that can keep you properly supported so your body doesn’t sag, causing spinal misalignment.

Proper back support is also crucial, as a misaligned spine can contribute to pain over time and make you really uncomfortable in the short term. If you need extra back support, look for dense foams, coil support systems, and/or zoned support layers. Zoned layers are typically firmer in the middle to keep your hips from sagging and softer near the shoulders to reduce pressure buildup. You may also need a firmer mattress in general depending on your sleep position. Back sleepers should opt for medium-firm to firm mattresses for proper spinal alignment while stomach sleepers need a firm mattress that won’t feel like plopping your face into cement but also prevent neck and shoulder aches. Side sleepers do better with medium or softer models that ease pressure around your limbs.

Unless you’re constantly cold, a hot mattress is the worst. Mattresses without cooling technology can heat up in as little as 10 minutes of lying on them, making for a really uncomfortable sleep. Look for cooling materials like gel-infused foams, ventilated foams, cooling covers, gussets, and springs. Hybrid mattresses tend to sleep cooler than memory foam mattresses, so if you’re a really hot sleeper, a hybrid is probably the right move. Also keep an eye out for cooling upgrades. Some mattress brands give you the option to add cooling layers or cooling covers for an extra cost.

Edge support prevents sagging and helps a mattress maintain its structure, which can make it more comfortable and supportive. It also allows you to spread out onto the entire surface of the mattress (which can be helpful for couples) and makes it easier to get into and out of the bed. If you want better edge support, look for reinforced edges either via sturdier coils around the perimeter or dense foams. Hybrids tend to have better edge support than all-foam mattresses, and firmer mattresses usually have better edge support than soft ones.

If you sleep with a partner (or a dog), motion control will make a big difference in how comfortable you feel during the night and how often you wake up. Foams dampen movement better than springs, so memory foam mattresses excel in this area. If you need more support, opt for a hybrid with motion-isolating layers like individually wrapped coils and softer foams.

If you’re a combination sleeper or have mobility issues that make it harder for you to adjust your position, look for a bed with a decent amount of responsiveness, or bounce. You may have to give up some motion control—typically beds that are more responsive also transfer more motion—but it could be worth it to you, especially if you sleep alone. Latex and hybrid beds are typically more responsive than memory foam mattresses. Firmer beds also tend to have more bounce than softer ones that you sink into. There’s some trade-off here, but decide what’s most important to you and choose a mattress based on those factors.

Which Mattress Types Are Most Comfortable?

As we mentioned, comfort is subjective, but the mattress types below are generally considered more comfortable than others.

Memory foam is unique because it contours to your specific body shape, which can help relieve pressure where you need it most. More pressure relief often translates to increased comfort.

Because of its body-contouring properties, memory foam beds feel like you’re sinking into them rather than lying on top of them. They hug your body and give you a sort of weightless feeling (that can make it harder to move around and change positions, especially on softer memory foam mattresses).

One important thing to note is that traditional memory foam is notorious for trapping heat. To mitigate this tendency, many manufacturers add cooling materials like gel, copper, and/or cooling covers to help reduce heat retention. Sometimes they work well and sometimes they don’t. If you’re a very hot sleeper, make sure the mattress you choose has advanced cooling or opt for a hybrid.

Latex is similar to memory foam, but it has a little more bounce, improving the bed’s responsiveness so you don’t feel like you’re sinking into it too much. Latex still contours your body, helping to alleviate pressure, but it’s easier to move around on. That means more motion transfer though, so latex beds might not be as appealing for couples.

Latex is also more breathable than memory foam, so you get a similar body-hugging feel without the same heat retention. And while latex beds are often more expensive than memory foam, they tend to be more durable, too.

Hybrid mattresses are considered a “best of both worlds” situation. They combine memory foam and/or latex comfort layers with a layer (or two) of coils. This gives you a similar pressure-relieving feel of foam beds but offers more support to keep your spine aligned and prevent you from sinking too far into the mattress.

Hybrid mattresses are a good choice for people who like the body contouring you get from memory foam but want to feel more lifted—like you’re sleeping on top of the mattress instead of “in” it. Hybrid mattresses have more bounce than memory foam, though, so they’re not as great at dampening motion transfer, which could be an issue for people who sleep with a restless partner.

How to Make Your Bed More Comfortable

While all of these mattresses passed our comfort tests with flying colors, there are ways to make your bed even more comfortable. You can:

• Add a mattress topper
• Switch to breathable sheets
• Consider an adjustable bed frame
• Upgrade your pillows
• Add a body pillow

If you’re not quite ready to upgrade your existing mattress but it’s nearing the end of its life, these additions can also make it more comfortable in the short term.

FAQs

It’d be impossible to pick the three top-rated mattresses out of every mattress out there. But after testing over 100 beds, we gave the Helix Midnight Luxe, Nolah Evolution, and Nectar Luxe the three highest average scores when rating for overall comfort.

According to a 2023 survey conducted by J.D. Power, Tempur-Pedic has the highest customer satisfaction. Saatva is also very highly rated on TrustPilot, with an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars, and Nectar has a satisfaction rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

After testing, we determined that the Leesa Legend is the most comfortable mattress for side sleepers.