Sometimes, it’s weird to be a sleep expert. Whether I’m telling you how your diet impacts your sleep or why you shouldn’t drink before bed, I’ve got a lot of knowledge about sleep floating around my head. Not to mention all the beds I’ve tested through the years alongside our team of eight other mattress experts. We’ve been doing this for a while, with around 300 beds under our belts. During that time, we’ve gathered a lot of data that helps us make recommendations for you.
Many high-quality mattresses (and some not-so-good beds) have passed through our mattress warehouse. We’ve tested and reviewed them, though we all have favorites that have become our go-to recommendations for the average person. We’ve all developed our favorites through the years and that’s what this list is all about. Our team has a variety of genders, body types and sleeping positions, so you’ll be able to find a best mattress that suits your needs.
CNET sleep team’s picks for best mattresses
Mattress price scale:
$ = Budget: $799 and below
$$ = Average: $800 to $1,699
$$$ = Premium: $1,700 and up
These reflect MSRP or list prices. Sales might make a mattress less expensive, but are always changing.
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I’m enjoying the feel and firmness of the Helix Plus Luxe.
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These are our favorite beds based on our years of testing and assessing mattresses. However, remember that mattresses can be subjective. Many other great options didn’t make our favorite list but might be better suited for you and your preferences. Because I can’t help myself from giving more mattress recommendations, here are a few more:
Allswell: This is one of the best cheap mattresses you can get. The Allswell mattress comes from retail giant Walmart and is a really good option if you’re on a strict budget and need a bed under $500.
Layla Hybrid: This bed has a flippable hybrid design with a nice memory foam feel. The Layla Hybrid is one of the best mattresses for side sleepers. I’m also a sucker for the honeycomb cover.
Saatva Classic: The Saatva Classic mattress is an ultra-durable, supportive bed with an old-school feel and modern upgrades. It’s one of the best mattresses for back sleepers.
Nectar Premier: If you’re a memory foam lover who wants a bed that will slowly cradle your curves, you’ll like the Nectar Premier. It’s our overall pick for the best memory foam mattress. It’s surprisingly affordable and seriously comfortable.
For more, see CNET expert’s favorite mattress brands and sleep products that help us get good sleep at night.
We’ve tested a lot of great beds throughout the years. Our top best mattress recommendations for the average person are:
- Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid
- Saatva Classic
- Nectar Premier
- Big Fig
- Allswell
- Purple Restore
- Layal Hybrid
- Avocado Green
For our full list, check out our best mattress list.
The ideal firmness for you will depend on the position you sleep in.
- Back and stomach sleepers need a firmer mattress to support their spine at night. That doesn’t mean you need the firmest one out there. However, if you choose one that’s too soft, you’ll likely deal with some back pain. I generally recommend around a medium to medium-firm (6) and up.
- Side sleepers need a soft mattress that keeps them from developing pressure points. I recommend around a medium (5) and below.
- Combo sleepers have the most flexibility, though you should choose based on the position in which you spend the most time.
