Introduction
Buying a new mattress online is a high-stakes endeavor. They’re a big expense for most people, and you’ll probably spend more than 10 years sleeping on it. WIRED has tested over 100 mattresses to date, sleeping on each in our own homes for at least one week. Our goal is to help you pick the right mattress to buy online. Instead of testing for a short time in a lab, we test right in our own homes to simulate how a mattress will actually perform.
At the start of every year, our team reflects on and ranks the best mattresses we’ve come across to date. While we do have a ‘best overall’ from the mattresses we’ve tested, we continue to refine our picks as we test more mattresses. This is because there’s no single type of sleeper; everyone has a different preference for mattress firmness, materials, cooling, price point, and bed size.
Updated June 2026: We’ve added the Brooklyn Bedding CopperFlex Hybrid, new mattresses from Leesa and Purple to honorable mentions, removed the Sleep Number p6 Smart Bed, and ensured up-to-date links and prices.
Best Mattress Overall: Helix Sleep Midnight Luxe Hybrid Mattress (14-Inch)
One of the most popular bed-in-a-box mattresses for good reason, Helix’s Midnight Luxe has a plush cushion top and a medium-firm feel that’s relaxing whether you’re a side, back, or stomach sleeper. Helix is almost vertically integrated—the springs are made from wire bales cut in the company’s Arizona factory, where the company also pours its own foam. Those springs are individually wrapped and zoned so that you have firmer coils in areas like your lower spine that need more support to prevent back pain. Above that is a stratum of cooling gel foam and denser foams. There are six layers total, and the mattress is more than 13 inches high, so buy sheets with nice, deep pockets.
- Mattress type: Hybrid
- Materials: Tencel cover, memory foams, pocketed coils
- Certifications: CertiPur-US, GreenGuard Gold
- Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, short queen, RV king
- Firmness: Medium
- Add-ons: GlacioTex cooling cover, GlacioTex with CoolForce Layer, ErgoAlign Contour Layer
- Shipping: Free in contiguous US
- Delivery: 6-10 days in a box, customer setup
- Trial: 120 nights (30-day break-in)
- Warranty: Limited lifetime
- Price range: $1,436 (twin) to $2,924 (California king)
WIRED/TIRED
- WIRED: Lots of features for side sleepers; excellent pressure relief; adaptable support via pocketed coils.
- TIRED: Customizations add cost ($200-$400); cooling features extra.
Best Hybrid Mattress: Leesa Sapira Chill
The Leesa Sapira Chill Hybrid may be the tonic for what ails you, especially if you struggle with getting too hot. Not only does it provide a nice dose of cooling thanks to a fabric cover that pulls heat away from the body, but it also delivers deep comfort via four foam layers and three different types of coil, which are artfully arranged in zones that gracefully align your hips. The Sapira’s structure eliminated periodic lower back pain in testing. It has a plush quilted pillowtop, three firmness levels, and a bouncy responsive foam layer. Premium touches include an outer ring of extra-firm springs for excellent edge support and a chemical-free and fiberglass-free fire barrier.
- Price range: $1,699 (twin) to $2,799 (California king)
- Trial: 120 nights (30-day break-in); returns free in contiguous US, $100 fee for AK, HI, Canada
- Warranty: Limited lifetime
- Certifications: CertiPur-US, GreenGuard Gold
Best Mattress for Back Pain: Bear Elite Hybrid (Firm)
The Bear Elite Hybrid is one of the firmest mattresses WIRED has ever tested, but it never hurt shoulders as a side sleeper. As a side sleeper with scoliosis and spondylosis, the reviewer woke up feeling refreshed. Five layers of foam and coils deliver support and spine alignment. It feels insanely firm at first but is worth it.
- Price range: $1,998 (twin) to $4,568 (split king)
- Firmness options: Soft, medium, firm
- Add-ons: Celliant-infused cooling cover
- Trial: 120 nights (30-day break-in)
- Warranty: Limited lifetime
Best Mattress for Side Sleepers: Nolah Evolution
The Nolah Evolution is the bed the reviewer chooses to sleep on when not testing. It is especially great for side sleepers. The ‘luxury firm’ level hits the sweet spot of keeping things cushy without being rigid around joints. It has zones in foam and pocketed coil layers for lumbar support. The bed is bouncy and temperature-neutral.
- Price range: $1,610 (twin) to $3,754 (split king)
- Firmness: Plush, luxury firm, firm
- Add-ons: GlacioTex pillow top
- Trial: 120 nights (30-day break-in, $99 return shipping)
- Warranty: Limited lifetime
Best Value: Brooklyn Bedding CopperFlex Hybrid
This comfy bed has a breathable smooth knit top and quilt foam for moisture wicking, followed by CopperFlex Memory Foam infused with copper particles for moisture wicking, heat regulation, and antimicrobial protection. It has eight inches of Ascension X Coil for motion isolation and edge support. The bed is on the firmer side but contoured.
- Price range: $799 (twin) to $1,465 (California king)
- Trial: 120 nights
- Warranty: Limited lifetime
Best Flippable Mattress: Saatva Zenhaven Natural Latex Mattress
Unique flippable design offers medium-soft on one side and very firm on the other. Made with premium materials like New Zealand wool and natural latex with no petroleum-based foams. Ideal for guests or evolving needs.
- Price range: $2,049 (twin) to $4,899 (Upper-Flex king)
- Trial: 365 nights ($99 processing fee for return)
- Warranty: Lifetime
- Certifications: GOLS, GreenGuard Gold, eco-Institut
Best Firm Mattress: Plank Firm Luxe Mattress
Flippable hybrid with firmness levels: 8/10 on one side, 10/10 on the other. Features pocketed Ascension Firm coils. Preferred the 8/10 side for side sleepers.
- Price range: $1,065 (twin) to $1,865 (California king)
- Trial: 120 nights (30-day break-in)
- Warranty: Limited lifetime
Best Organic Mattress: Birch Luxe Natural Mattress
Made with organic cotton, New Zealand wool, and GOLS-certified organic latex. Bouncy and responsive, supportive for combination sleepers. Certifications ensure no harmful emissions.
- Price range: $1,624 (twin) to $3,124 (California king)
- Trial: 120 nights (30-day break-in, $99 return shipping)
- Warranty: Limited lifetime
Best Mattress for Kids: Helix Sleep Kids Mattress
Two-sided with firmer side for ages 2-7 and softer side for ages 8+. Comfortable and supportive, even for adults. Available in 8-inch hybrid or 6-inch all-foam.
- Price range: $749 (twin) to $999 (full)
- Warranty: Limited lifetime
Best Smart Bed: Bryte Balance Pro Smart Mattress
Features 100 adjustable firmness levels via individual ‘Bryte Balancer’ coils. App-controlled with immersive relaxation experiences like ocean waves. Helps combination sleepers.
- Price range: $5,999 (twin) to $6,899 (California king)
- Trial: 100 nights
- Warranty: 10-year limited
Best Memory Foam Mattress: Casper Dream Hybrid
Memory foam paired with coils for temperature neutrality and exceptional pressure relief. Zoned support keeps spine aligned.
- Price range: $1,495 (twin) to $3,190 (California king)
- Trial: 100 nights (30-day break-in)
- Warranty: 10-year limited
Best Cheap Mattress: DreamCloud Hybrid Mattress
Medium-firm, distributes weight evenly. Queen size consistently under $1,000. Yearlong sleep trial and lifetime warranty.
- Price range: $399 (twin) to $1,198 (split king)
- Trial: 365 nights (30-day break-in)
- Warranty: Limited lifetime
Best Mattress for Couples: Wolf Memory Foam Hybrid Premium Firm Mattress
Medium-firm (6.5/10) with gel memory foam for pressure relief and cooling cover. Excellent for spinal alignment and compatible with adjustable base.
- Price range: $1,049 (twin) to $1,399 (king)
- Trial: 101 nights (30-day break-in)
- Warranty: Limited lifetime
Honorable Mentions
Leesa Original Hybrid ($1,050-$1,664): Medium-firm with 789 pocketed coils, excellent edge support. Softer side of medium-firm. Optional Cooling Quilt Top recommended for hot sleepers.
Purple Original Mattress ($1,099-$2,598): Unique GelFlex grid for pressure relief and airflow. About 9 inches tall, heavy. Avoid using box spring underneath.
Thuma The Bed Mattress ($1,295-$1,995): Blends Tencel cover, organic wool, memory foam, organic latex, and recycled-steel coils. Medium firmness yields strong support. 100-night trial only for first Thuma purchase.
Nest Bedding Quail ($449-$1,298): All-foam, profound pressure relief, but too soft for bigger bodies.
Saatva Contour5 ($1,899-$3,649): Not roll-packed; delivered by moving truck. Two firmness options, excellent cooling with 5-pound memory foam. True luxury feel.
Big Fig Mattress ($1,499-$2,399): Designed for larger body frames (up to 550 lbs per sleeper). Effective gel cooling, but aggressive edge support creates hammock-like feel.
Boring Mattress ($599-$999): Simple hybrid with four layers. Excellent balance of firmness and support. Open-cell design for cooling, but not very effective for hot sleepers.
Casper The One ($749-$1,698): All-foam, 11 inches, light (66 lbs queen). Breathe Flex Foam for breathability. Medium-firm feel.
WinkBed ($1,427-$2,856): Luxury firm version, fantastic edge support, plush pillowtop. Hotel-like feel.
Avocado Green Mattress ($800-$1,300): Organic latex and coils, responsive and breathable. Bouncy, supportive.
Helix Sunset Elite ($2,871-$4,871): Tallest mattress on the internet (15 inches), shipped in two boxes. Soft model offers deep cradling. Adjustable via zipper.
Zinus 12 Inch GreenTea Memory Foam Hybrid ($555-$1,014): Cooling gel top, pocket coils, memory foam. Breathable, compatible with adjustable base, CertiPur-US and GreenGuard Gold certified. 10-year warranty.
Mattresses to Avoid
Birch Elite Hybrid ($2,499-$4,499): Top-heavy, difficult to move, lumpy surface, CoolForce layer undetectable.
Magnistretch Athletic Recovery ($1,099-$2,399): Medium firmness cratered, causing pressure points; recovery tech ineffective.
Sleep Number p6 Smart Bed (removed): Temperature-controlled but expensive, Sleep IQ app defies sleep hygiene advice.
Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Adapt ($1,699-$3,398): Lacking support, felt like sinking into a void; caused spinal aches.
Zinus 6 Inch Innerspring ($189-$386): Cheap foam, too much sinkage.
Beautyrest Harmony Lux ($1,550-$2,850): Not enough proper padding above coils.
Frequently Asked Questions
How We Test Mattresses
We dedicate a week or more to each mattress, sleeping on it at home. Since 2019, we’ve refined methodology. The WIRED reviewer is a certified sleep science coach with six years of experience.
What Should You Look for When Buying a Mattress?
Consider body type, sleeping position, pain points, material preferences (allergies, chemicals). Use other guides for specific scenarios.
What Are Mattress Certifications?
CertiPUR-US ensures no harmful chemicals in foam. GreenGuard Gold ensures off-gassing won’t affect indoor air quality. Important for sensitive skin, allergies, asthma.
How Long Does a Mattress Last?
Typically 8-10 years. Coils last longer than all-foam, which can sag. Your weight also affects longevity.
How Long of a Mattress Warranty Should I Look For?
Industry standard is 10 years minimum. Some brands offer lifetime warranties with prorated coverage after 10 years.
Should I Buy My Mattress In-Store or Online?
Online offers more variety and sleep trials (90 nights to 1 year). Many require 30-day adjustment period. Returns may involve donation to charity.
Should I Wait for a Mattress Sale Before I Buy?
If you’re sleep-deprived, buy now. WIRED tracks sales year-round. Major sales: Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Black Friday, Cyber Monday.
How Does WIRED Acquire Mattresses for Testing?
We request free media samples or buy outright from retailers. Partnerships do not affect coverage or reviews.
What Does WIRED Do With the Mattresses After Testing?
Most are donated locally after testing.