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It’s easy to understand why the most popular mattress material available these days is memory foam. The best memory foam mattress feature, or at least the most famous, is its ability to isolate movement, limiting transfer of motion to your partner (or wine glass, if you feel like making your own commercial). But since every company seems to have its own version, it can be hard to know which one makes the best memory foam mattress.
I may have to sleep for my job, but I’m not falling asleep on the job. In my experience as a mattress tester, I’ve spent time on many memory foam mattresses. In that tireless research, I have discovered that not all memory foam beds are alike. Some options are cooling memory foam mattress types while others are cheap memory foam beds. Some feel firm, dense and heavy, while others are plush, cloud-like and light. I tend to compare foam density to the difference between freezer-stored Cool Whip and the light sort of whipped cream that you spray from an aerosol can: One, you’ll find, is softer and more airy than the other, but both are tasty.
When it comes to the question of what the best memory foam beds are, I test for quality, price, comfort, accommodation, and durability using a series of mattress tests. The memory foam beds listed here were chosen based on their performance and their ability to stand out in a sea of mattress options. Continue below to see what my top picks were.
The best memory foam mattresses
On this list, you’ll find the memory foam mattresses that stood out to me as the most comfortable, most supportive, most accommodating or the most affordable. Here are my picks for the best memory foam mattress options the internet has to offer.
Lindsay Boyers/CNET
Pros and cons
Who it’s best for
- People who want a nice memory foam mattress
- Most sleeping positions
Downsides
- Too firm for petite side sleepers
- Harder to switch positions with dense memory foam
Product details
Type
Memory foam mattress
Firmness
5 or medium
Trial
365 nights
Warranty
Forever warranty
Price (Queen)
$1,199
Our Take
The Nectar Premier made my list for the best memory foam mattress because it reminds me of a foam TempurPedic mattress; it has that signature memory foam feel, but you won’t have to fork out nearly as much cash for it. It has a dense, slow, sink-in memory foam feel that takes a few seconds to activate. But once it does, the gel infused memory foam starts to hug your body, and offers a relieving feel around pressure points like your hips and shoulders.
The Nectar Premier is about 13 inches tall and features what the brand calls “ActiveCool HD” in the center of the bed’s top layer where most of your body heat collects. It also has a textured cooling cover for extra heat prevention. I wouldn’t say it sleeps cold because of these features, but it does make the Nectar Premier a temperature-neutral memory foam bed. This is in contrast to traditional or poor-quality memory foam beds that are known for heat retention.
For the average-weighted sleeper, this mattress firmness level will feel in between a medium to medium-firm. I think it offers a solid balance of support with pressure relief, and it’s most comfortable when I’m on my back, side, or a combination. I don’t recommend it, however, to heavy sleepers, because a hybrid mattress with a coil base will be more supportive and durable in the long-run.
The Nectar Premier memory foam bed is available in sizes twin to California king, and retail prices range from $1,297 to $2,097. It’s worth mentioning, though, that Nectar is usually running a nice promotion that brings the price down around $500 or so. Read our full Nectar Premier mattress review for more.
NOTE: The US Product Safety Commission recently issued a recall for Nectar Premier king and queen-sized mattresses manufactured on 9/24/21. Look for a model number CHILL and Prototype ID:ECS2003RHCH on a tag on the bottom of your mattress to find out if yours has been recalled. We have reached out to Nectar for comment and will update the story if they respond.
Layla Sleep
Pros and cons
Who it’s best for
- Every sleeping position
- People who want 2 firmness levels in one bed
- Those who love memory foam
Downsides
- Gives some resistance to combination sleepers
- Not quite supportive enough for those over 230 pounds
Product details
Type
Flippable memory foam mattress
Firmness
Firm: Medium to medium-firm or 6 | Soft: 3 or medium-soft
Trial
120 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Price (Queen)
$1,099
Our Take
The hexagonal, honeycomb-like design and split colors of the flippable memory foam Layla mattress caught my attention right away — it seems the mattress company paid a lot of attention to detail when it came to designing the cover. You also won’t have to play a guessing game to figure out which side is which; the soft side is labeled and colored light gray, while the firm side is charcoal and black. If you find you don’t think one side fits your sleeping style, all you have to do is flip this bad boy around to get a softer or firmer mattress feel.
The soft side feels plush and pressure-relieving, so it’s great if you’re a side sleeper. The flip side doesn’t have a true firm profile, but it does keep my back and spine supported when I sleep on my stomach and back. I’d say it’s a hair firmer than a medium.
Unlike the Nectar memory foam bed, both sides of the Layla mattress feel light and airy. It’s a soft memory foam that doesn’t provide resistance when you try to switch positions. It’s slightly more bouncy than other memory foams, which slowly morph back to shape after a few seconds. It’s one of those mattresses that might even appeal to avid memory foam haters because it doesn’t give you that “stuck” feel that some people dislike.
The original Layla memory foam mattress is 10 inches thick, so I primarily recommend it to people who weigh under 230 pounds. If you have a heavier body type and love the sound of the Layla, take a look at its hybrid mattress, which will be more supportive because it features pocketed coils in the base layer.
The Layla memory foam mattress is available in sizes twin to Cal king, and retail prices range from $899 to $1,349 at full price. Read our full Layla mattress review for more.
Amerisleep
Pros and cons
Who it’s best for
- Back and stomach sleepers
- All body types because of its hybrid design
- People who suffer from back pain
- People who love dense memory foam
Downsides
- Gives resistance to combination sleepers
- Too firm for strict side sleepers
Product details
Type
Memory foam hybrid
Firmness
7 or Medium-firm
Trial
100 nights
Warranty
20-year prorated warranty
Price (Queen)
$1,149
Our Take
The AS2 Hybrid memory foam mattress has three ideal characteristics most back and stomach sleepers look for: firmness, support and comfort. As an added plus, the brand’s plant-based Bio-Pur foam makes it more breathable and eco-friendly than other memory foam mattresses.
When I tested out the AS2 Hybrid, my back stayed flat and in a comfortable alignment. My body also stayed more on top of the mattress, as opposed to sinking into the layers like you do with soft memory foam beds. I’d say it has a dense feel similar to the Nectar Lush, but firmer.
I would rate the AS2 Hybrid around a medium-firm firmness level, or around a 7 on a scale from 1 to 10. Beds with firm mattress profiles tend to be a sleep haven for back and stomach sleepers, because they keep the spine from sagging into the mattress, a recipe for lower back pain once you wake up in the morning.
Aside from its memory foam feel and supportive 12-inch design, the icing on top is quite literally the top of the mattress. You can remove the cover from the AS2 once it gets dirty and throw it in the washing machine for an easy clean. Stains on a mattress are almost inevitable, considering the fact that the average person sleeps on the same bed for around 10 years. Since I’m an impatient spot-cleaner, this was a big plus for me.
The AS2 Hybrid is available in sizes twin to split king, and its retail prices range from $1,049 to $2,198. Read our full Amerisleep mattress review for more.
GhostBed
Pros and cons
Who it’s best for
- People who sleep hot
- People who like the feel of memory foam
- All body types
- Every sleeping position
Downsides
- It’s an expensive mattress
- Might be too soft for heavy back or stomach sleepers
Product details
Type
Memory foam hybrid mattress
Firmness
5 or medium
Trial
101 nights
Warranty
25-year limited warranty
Price (Queen)
$1,485
Our Take
Aside from the fact the GhostBed Luxe mattress features an adorable ghost in the brand’s logo, I liked this memory foam bed for a number of reasons. For one, it has a comfortable memory foam feel similar to the Nectar and the Amerisleep in that it takes a few moments to respond to pressure being applied. Once it gives, however, it slowly hugs your body.
The second best thing about this mattress is that it’s cooling memory foam. I usually sleep warm and have to blast the AC during the night, unless it’s winter. The GhostBed Luxe, on the other hand, has half an inch of cooling fabric within the cover and physically feels cool when I touch it.
After looking into its construction, you can also find a thin layer of “Ghost Ice” on the top layer underneath the cover. It’s the brand’s own unique phase-change cooling technology, and actively works to clear away excess body heat.
The GhostBed Luxe is a thick memory foam mattress measuring 13 inches in height. This makes it an accommodating mattress for most body types, including individuals with large body frames. I also think it will suit every sleeper type, whether back, side, stomach or combination. It’s not a firm mattress, but it’s not super plush and soft either. I’d rate its firmness level right in the middle, around a medium.
The GhostBed Luxe is available in sizes twin to split king, and its retail prices range from $1,495 to $3,500.
Saatva
Pros and cons
Who it’s best for
- People who want a durable foam mattress
- Back and stomach sleepers
- People who want temperature regulation
Downsides
- Not as supportive as a hybrid mattress
- Too firm for side sleepers
Product details
Type
Memory foam mattress
Firmness
2 firmness levels — Relaxed firm: 7 or medium-firm; Firm: 9-10 or firm
Trial
360 nights
Warranty
lifetime warranty
Price (queen)
$2,099
Our Take
Some people just want a memory foam mattress that’ll keep them feeling comfy throughout the night. Others want the same mattress they tried that one time on vacation at the Four Seasons. If you’re the latter, the Saatva Loom & Leaf literally looks like a five-star hotel mattress. But it doesn’t just look the part. It’s also really comfortable and won’t cost you an arm and a leg.
It has a dense memory foam feel with an extra fluff component thanks to the bed’s Euro mattress topper. I tried the “Relaxed Firm” model, which is still on the medium-firm end of the scale, so I imagine the “Firm” model is a true firm mattress. The memory foam and plush Euro top does make the mattress pressure-relieving, but not enough that it’s a good mattress for side sleepers. It was just a little too firm when I slept on my side.
Another highlight of the Loom & Leaf memory foam bed is its special cooling tech. You won’t be able to see it from the outside of your mattress, but on the inside, the top gel foam layer features a cooling gel mattress pad to help regulate temperature. It’s supposedly made from the same material doctors use to treat burn victims in hospitals, so I think it’s pretty legitimate.
The Loom & Leaf memory foam mattress is available in sizes twin to split Cal king, and its retail prices range from $899 to $2,476.
Bear Mattress
Pros and cons
Who it’s best for
- Active individuals (Celliant cover)
- People who love memory foam
- Back, stomach and combination sleepers
Downsides
- Not as supportive for people over 230 pounds
- To firm for side sleepers, especially those under 150 pounds
Product details
Type
Memory foam mattress
Firmness
6 or medium to medium-firm
Trial
100 nights
Warranty
10-year limited warranty
Price (Queen)
$995
Our Take
I was surprised to find out how affordable the Bear Original Mattress was when I first tested it out. It reminded me of the more popular bed-in-a-box mattresses like the Casper mattress or Puffy mattress, but retails for several hundred dollars less.
It’s about 10 inches thick and made with three different foam layers. It has a slow-responding feel that appeals to memory foam lovers far and wide, but it’s topped with a cover that’s pretty unusual. It’s Celliant-infused, which is a special fabric that absorbs your body heat and returns it back to you as infrared energy. You can’t see it or feel the material itself, but it’s supposed to improve blood circulation, and in turn, promote muscle recovery and boost energy levels.
I’m not going to lie, you probably won’t be waking up in the morning feeling like Superman. It does provide a phenomenal sleep, however, and the FDA has officially recognized it as a medical device. For that tech to be in the cover of an affordable bed-in-a-box foam mattress, I think earns the Original Bear Mattress a spot on this list.
Aside from the cover, it also has a supportive medium to medium-firm feel, or around a 6 out of 10, with 10 being the firmest. It works great when I’m on my back and stomach, and it’s pretty comfy when I’m on my side. Though, if you’re a strict side sleeper under 150 pounds, it may be a little too firm. Read more in our Bear Original mattress review.
Bear mattresses are available in sizes twin to Cal king, and retail prices range from $695 to $1,095.
Puffy
Pros and cons
Who it’s best for
- Side and combo sleepers
- Those who like a light memory foam feel
- People who want a luxury hybrid mattress
Downsides
- Not firm enough for back or stomach sleepers
- A bit expensive
Product details
Type
Memory foam hybrid
Firmness
4 or medium to medium-soft
Trial
101 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Price (Queen)
$1,799
Our Take
The majority of individuals who sleep on their side are coziest on a soft, plush mattress. One of my favorite soft memory foam mattresses is the 12-inch Puffy Lux, which gives off a light and fluffy vibe just by looking at it. Not only is it big and white like a cloud, but there are quite literally little clouds printed along the cover; a great added touch.
A majority of the beds on this best memory foam mattress list feel dense, but the Puffy Lux is much more airy and light thanks to Puffy’s special “Cooling Cloud Foam” in its top layer. I think it has qualities of polyurethane foam, which is a bit more aerated and light than memory foam. I felt like it was easier to switch positions on this mattress than other memory foam beds.
It’s definitely more on the soft side of the firmness spectrum. I think it feels like a medium-soft, or around 3-4 on a scale of 10. If you’re a side sleeper, I think this bed was meant for you.
Circling back to the cute cloud cover I mentioned, it’s also removable and machine washable like the cover on the Amerisleep. Puffy advertises it as stain-resistant, but I don’t recommend you challenge that claim unless you’re in the mood to deep clean your mattress. Read more in our Puffy Lux mattress review.
Puffy Lux mattresses are available in sizes twin to Cal king, and retail prices range from $1,445 to $1,995. However, like a lot of other mattresses on this list, Puffy runs a lot of promotions to bring the price down by hundreds of dollars.
My Slumber Yard
Our Take
DreamCloud is known for its high-end beds you don’t have to pay an arm and a leg for. The DreamCloud Hybrid mattress is its entry-level model, but the bed doesn’t skip out on luxurious features. This mattress is a thick hybrid bed made with pocketed coils over eight inches tall and reinforced sides for stronger edge support. Stacked on top are layers of comfortable foam, including gel memory foam for temperature regulation.
It’s made with gel memory foam, but it doesn’t have an overwhelming memory foam feel. This is something I appreciate, because it’s easier to switch positions on the mattress than it is with dense, slow-responding memory foam beds. The cover is also a bit unique, as it is made with a blend of cashmere that’s ultra soft and luxurious. I don’t even own a cashmere sweater, let alone have it in my bed.
On a scale from one to 10 on the firmness scale, I think it’s a neutral five or medium. Thanks to its accommodating firmness profile, it suits all sleeping positions. It’s also suitable for any body type because of its strong hybrid construction.
I know a few people who sleep on a DreamCloud and they only have positives things to say about the bed and their sleep quality. It’s a generally nice mattress at a surprisingly great price. A queen size retails for around $999, and sometimes the brand will throw in a few free accessories.
Other memory foam mattresses we’ve tested
There are hundreds of mattresses to choose from, but luckily our CNET Sleep editors have been around the bedding block. They have collectively tested over 100 beds, from the most popular to lesser-known models, and have the knowledge to help you pick the best fit for you. The mattresses above are great options, but there are a few more beds we’ve tested that could have easily made this list.
Lucid 10-inch Memory Foam mattress: Budget shoppers can look into the Lucid Gel Memory foam mattress, a bed sold through Amazon with thousands of positive ratings from users. It’s one of the most affordable bed-in-a-box beds I’ve ever tested, and it’s still comfy enough to give you a good night’s sleep. You have three firmness options to choose from and six heights.
TempurPedic mattress: You’ve likely heard about this brand before, as TempurPedic made its name in the mattress industry long before beds ever came to the internet. They offer several mattresses from entry-level to luxury. They also have many cooling memory foam options. They’re expensive beds, but you’re paying for the trusted brand name and traditional memory foam feel that the brand is known for.
How we tested the best memory foam mattresses
CNET editors choose the products and services we write about based on editorial merit. When you buy through our links, we may get a commission.
During testing, we sleep on the beds and try out all three different sleeping positions: side, back, stomach, and combination. We also test for motion isolation, edge support, temperature, comfort and more. We have even cut open a few mattresses to see what the construction is like on the inside.
The best memory foam mattresses are comfortable to switch positions in, offer a pressure-relieving feel, isolate motion and/or are very accommodating for different sleeping positions. We also take durability into account, and whether or not it will be long-lasting enough for every body type.
Find out more on how we test mattresses.
Who should buy a memory foam mattress
The best qualities of memory foam are that it’s pressure-relieving, stops movement across a mattress and offers a comforting hugging feel. People who will like memory foam beds the most include: those who suffer from joint pain, back, side, and combination sleepers, couples who share a bed and people who generally like a nestling mattress feel. Side sleepers may also love soft memory foam because of how well it cradles the shoulder and hip joints.
Who should not buy a memory foam mattress
Memory foam mattresses can sometimes turn people off for several reasons. You shouldn’t get a memory foam mattress if you change positions often as the foam can provide some resistance as it’s slow to bounce back to shape. It’s also not most ideal for hot sleepers. Memory foam is a dense material that traps heat more than other foams. Gel memory foam and other tech helps it sleep cooler, but people who sleep warm may want to consider a latex mattress because they’re so breathable.
What are the different types of memory foam?
Not all memory foam materials are alike. Some are more airy while others are very dense. Some are infused with gel or copper for temperature regulation while others are more traditional.
Traditional: Traditional memory foam is found in older beds like the OG TempurPedic mattresses from the 90’s or very cheap memory foam. While it’s great and providing pressure relief, it also gets hot because the dense foam traps your body heat inside. If you’re a hot sleeper, this is something to consider.
Gel-infused: Don’t worry, it’s not literal gel you’re sleeping on. Gel infused memory foam often has little blue or green dots infiltrated throughout the foam to help regulate temperature. The gel works to draw heat away from you and more evenly disperse it throughout the bed for a cooling memory foam feel.
Copper-infused: Beds like the Layla mattress are infused with copper gel to work the same way regular gel-infused mattresses do. Copper is a conductor that can absorb heat from your body and distribute it away from your body.
Plant-based: There aren’t many plant-based memory foam mattresses on the market. However, people like Amerisleep use plant-based materials as a substitute for petroleum and manufactures it using a zero-emissions process. This way, the memory foam is more environmentally-friendly than most other memory or poly foams.
Proprietary: You will find a ton of different brands using a specific name for their memory foam, such as Puffy’s Cloud-Air foam for example. This means the brand put a specific twist on the memory foam to make it more comfortable or more accommodating. The most common types of proprietary memory foams are open-celled for more airflow or gel-infused for cooling abilities.
Mattress FAQs
What is the best memory foam mattress?
There are many different memory foam mattresses on the market, but some of the best and most top-rated include: Layla, Puffy, Loom & Leaf, Bear, Amerisleep, Ghostbed, Nectar
How long do memory foam mattresses last?
If your memory foam mattress is only made out of foam, it will probably last you around seven years. However, if it’s made with innersprings or coils in the bottom layer, it will last you around 10 years or more. Just make sure you’re taking proper care of your mattress, such as rotating it every six months and keeping your bedding clean.
What is the best thickness for a memory foam mattress?
Nine to 10 inches is an ideal thickness for a memory foam mattress that offers ample support, but you can also go even thicker if you’re looking for maximum durability and support. Thin memory foam mattresses are OK for the short-term, but may not last as long as you would hope. They tend to be more susceptible to wear and tear, sags and imprints.
Are memory foam mattresses good?
Memory foam mattresses are great at providing pressure relief to your joints because the material gently hugs your curves, but some memory foam beds can give you a sinking feeling that causes resistance when you try to switch positions. If you’re a combination sleeper in the market for a memory foam bed, try to find one that’s more light and airy so it responds to pressure more quickly.
More mattress advice
The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.