The quick list
1. Best mattress overall
2. Best memory foam
3. Best for side sleepers
4. Best for back pain
5. Best cheap
6. Best firm
7. Best Hybrid
8. Best cooling
9. Best soft
How we test
Our experienced testing panel reviews and researches all of the latest mattresses, using our findings to provide accurate and unbiased recommendations.
Choosing the best mattress when you're in need of a new bed might seem like an exciting adventure, at least until you realize just how many options there are on the market. With so many brands and models out there, how are you supposed to pick the right one for your needs? Fortunately we're here to make the process a whole lot easier.
At TechRadar our experts are constantly testing mattresses – each one we review gets slept on for at least three weeks – and we're also keeping a close eye on all the top sleep brands, watching out for new models and monitoring prices. This means that we're well placed to advise you not only on the best mattress options available now, but also on what features you should look for according to your body type and sleep style.
Mattress deals happen all year round, but some deals are better than others. To help you spot the ones that are worthwhile, we've included buying info with each product entry. Below we've ranked the best mattresses available now, for a range of preferences and budgets. All clear? Then let's find the best mattress for your sleep needs...
The quick list
Don't want to comb through a load of information to find the best mattress? This at-a-glance overview picks out the most important features so you can narrow down your options, then jump down the page for a more detailed look.
Best memory foam
Sizes: Twin, full, queen, king, Cal king, more...
The original Nectar is a great quality memory foam mattress in a box. The design is simple but very effective, with gently cradling foams. It's also excellent value for its lower-mid range price tag, with super-generous extras.
Read more below
Best for side sleepers
Sizes: Twin, full, queen, king, Cal king, more...
The Helix Midnight is a hybrid mattress that's perfect for side sleepers. Thick layers of cradling, contouring foam prevent pressure from building up in the shoulder and hip, while still keeping the spine supported.
Read more below
The best mattresses 2024
Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.
Below you'll find full write-ups for each of the best mattresses in our list. We've tested each one extensively, so you can be sure that our recommendations can be trusted.
Best mattress overall
✅ You want to invest in a top quality mattress: With a pillowy cushion top and high build quality, the Classic looks and feels like a hotel bed.
✅ You suffer from back pain: The design is geared towards keeping your back aligned, with 'spinal zone technology' approved by the Congress of Chiropractic State Associations.
✅ You sleep warm: Because it's mostly coils rather than foam, this mattress is nice and breathable.
❌ You like the hug of memory foam: There's minimal foam here, so you won't get that sink-in feel. For that, check out the Nectar (#2) or Helix Midnight (#3).
❌ You're on a tight budget: While the Saatva Classic worth the price, it's not the cheapest bed around. A lower-priced alternative is the DreamCloud (#5).
❌ You're very short on space: The Classic is delivered flat (rather than vacuum-packed and rolled), so you'll need a bit of maneuvering room. White glove delivery is free, though.
🔎 The Saatva Classic is an outstanding all-rounder that can be customized to suit almost anyone. It sleeps cool and delivers excellent comfort and support in any position. If you're looking for hotel-quality luxury and impeccable build quality, this is the best mattress you can buy. ★★★★½
The Saatva Classic is a luxury innerspring hybrid mattress, and this premium sleep brand's flagship model. It comes in a choice of three firmness levels and two heights, so you can customize it to your needs.
Design
The sleep surface is a cushiony Euro pillow-top, which sits on a middle layer of pocketed steel coils, and a sturdy base layer of more coils. Foam rails around the perimeter bolster the edges, and there's also an extra bit, sandwiched between the pocket coils and pillow top, designed specifically to support your lumbar (it includes 'spinal wire' and high-density memory foam).
Comfort and performance
The Saatva Classic has a buoyant sleep surface; you'll lie on top of this mattress rather than sinking in. Our testers found it offered an excellent balance of pressure relief and support in all sleeping positions.
A standout feature is the ability to pick between three different sleep feels. The most popular is the Luxury Firm (the middle option), which will suit most sleep styles and body types. Lighter people and side sleepers who want extra give around their hips and shoulders could consider the Plush Soft option, while the Firm version is ideal for stomach and back sleepers, plus anyone who wants extra support. We tested the Firm version out, and found it hugely comfortable, with the pillow top providing a touch of cushiony softness, so it doesn't feel like you're lying on a board.
The Saatva Classic is one of the best mattresses for back pain; there are a number of features designed to keep your spine properly aligned and supported as you sleep, and the patented 'Lumbar Zone Technology' has been given the seal of approval from the Congress of Chiropractic State Associations.
Because there's not much foam here, the Classic doesn't trap body heat, making it suitable for hot sleepers. The flip side of that is that the predominance of bouncy springs (some of which are continuous rather than pocketed) means levels of motion transfer are slightly higher. That'll only be an issue for very light sleepers, though.
Value for money
There's almost always a Saatva mattress deal running, so expect not to pay MSRP. For most of 2023 a queen size cost $1,695. The cheapest prices we saw were in March and August, when a queen size dropped to $1,495. MSRP has risen since then, though, so we're unlikely to see prices fall that low again. The new standard price for a queen size Classic is $1,795 – anything less than that is a good buy.
Although it's not the cheapest bed on the market, we think the Saatva Classic is worth the investment. The build quality is outstanding, and the extras match the best in the market: you've got a full year's trial, lifetime warranty, free white glove delivery (especially useful because this bed is delivered flat, not rolled), and Saatva will take your old mattress away for free if you need, too. We're not wild about the $99 fee for returns, though – most brands don't charge for this.
- Read more: Saatva Classic mattress review
Best memory foam mattress
✅ You suffer from sore joints: Memory foam is great for relieving pressure, as it contours to your shape, cushioning your joints as you sleep.
✅ You share a bed with a wriggler: The Nectar is excellent at absorbing movement, which means you won't be disturbed by a restless partner.
✅ You're a side sleeper: There's plenty of give here, to allow the shoulders and hips to sink in comfortably in a side-sleeping position.
❌ You sleep hot: All-foam mattresses can run slightly warm. Hybrids like the Saatva Classic (#1) sleep cooler, or if you prefer foam, check out the Cocoon Chill, which is very similar but adds a cooling cover.
❌ You need extra support: Heavier bodies, stomach sleepers and some back sleepers will need a firmer mattress to keep their spine properly aligned. The Loom & Leaf (#4) is sturdier and available in three firmness levels.
❌ You like a responsive sleep surface: Memory foam has a slow-moving feel, which can make shifting around more difficult. Try model with more springs if you want something more responsive.
🔎 If you love the hug of memory foam and want superb value for money, the Nectar Memory Foam mattress is our top choice. It'll suit a wide range of people, with the body-contouring foam relieving pressure on the sleeper's joints. ★★★★
The Nectar Memory Foam is an ultra-popular, all-foam mattress that'll suit a wide range of sleepers. The brand's original model and the cheapest in the current lineup, the Nectar sits in the mid-range market, but you get an awful lot for that relatively affordable price, including a super-long trial and forever warranty. In fact, we think this is the best memory foam mattress on the market.
Design
The Nectar mattress is a 12-inch tall mattress with three different foam layers. The top cover is made from polyethylene and designed to absorb and then disperse body heat. Beneath this you'll find a three-inch layer of body-molding memory foam, infused with gel (again to encourage cooling), on top of three inches of bouncy foam. At the base is a thick layer of study foam, with a non-slip bottom cover. If you prefer something with springs, there is a hybrid version of this mattress available.
Comfort and performance
If you're looking for a mattress that will contour gently around your body shape, offering custom support and relieving pressure on your joints, the Nectar is a great choice. Don't worry about getting stuck though – this mattress delivers plenty of support, and there's none of the quicksand feel some memory foam mattresses can have. It's an especially good choice for side sleepers and anyone who suffers from joint pain.
In terms of firmness, we judged the Nectar to be around a 6.5 out of 10 feel. That should work for most people and body types, although stomach sleepers and heavier people should opt for something firmer to ensure proper spinal support.
There's no bounce here, and the Nectar is excellent at absorbing movements, making it a great choice for anyone who shares a bed. If you're used to a traditional mattress, the slower-moving, bounce-free feel can take a little getting used to, but the Nectar is a great introduction to memory foam.
All-foam mattresses can trap body heat, and while the Nectar is by no means the worst for this, it can still sleep slightly warm. If you know you sleep hot, consider a hybrid instead, or check out the Cocoon By Sealy Chill, which is very similar but adds a special cooling cover (head to our Cocoon Chill mattress review for more on that one).
Value for money
You can basically ignore those MSRPs as there's always a Nectar mattress sale that takes this mattress into the lower-mid range bracket and delivers superb value for money. With the current evergreen deal, a queen size is $659. Anything less than that is well worth snapping up. The cheapest price we saw last year was during a Daylight Savings Time flash sale in March 2023, when a queen size cost $629. The extras are up there with the best on the market: a year-long mattress trial and a forever warranty.
- Read more: Nectar Mattress review
Best mattress for side sleepers
✅ You're a side sleeper: The softer sleep surface provides plenty of sink-in to keep side sleepers comfy and properly aligned.
✅ You share a bed: The Helix Midnight will absorb any movements from a shifting bedmate.
✅ You suffer from sore joints: We found the pressure relief excellent here, with the mattress providing ample cushioning around joints.
❌ You lie on your front: The softer feel won't provide enough support for those who lie on their stomachs. The firmer Nectar (#2) is a better choice for stomach sleepers.
❌ You prefer a responsive mattress: If you know you prefer more push-back from your mattress, this isn't the right choice for you. Try an innerspring or hybrid, like the Saatva Classic (#1).
❌ You need a sturdy edge: The edge support is only average here, so if you need something firmer – to push up off when getting up, for instance – look elsewhere.
🔎 The Helix Midnight has a softer memory foam surface that melds around the sleeper's joints in a way that's especially comfortable for side sleeper. The motion isolation is also excellent, but back/stomach sleepers should seek something firmer. ★★★★½
The Helix Midnight is a mid-market hybrid that we think is the best mattress for side sleepers, as well those who toss and turn at night, thanks to its squishy foam layers, which mold around your shape.
Design
The Helix Midnight is 12-inch thick hybrid mattress. At the very top you'll find a soft and stretchy knitted cover (it's breathable, but there is the option to upgrade to a specialist cooling cover, or even a padded 'pillow-top' cover). Beneath this there's a squishy memory foam layer, followed by a sturdier polyfoam layer to stop you from sinking in too deeply. These foam layers are followed by a tier of eight-inch steel pocket coils, on top of a dense foam base.
Comfort and performance
The Helix Midnight is perfect for side sleepers because the upper layers of squishy foams mold around your joints, cushioning the shoulder and hip and preventing pressure from building up in these areas.
In our review, we found this mattress offers strong motion isolation (important if you share a bed) and pressure relief (great if you suffer sore joints), as well as good temperature regulation, even without that extra cooling cover. One area where it was slightly less impressive – although still very acceptable – was edge support. If you need a bed you can use every inch of, and sit on the edge of comfortably, there are better picks in our list.
The beauty of this brand is that it has a wide range of mattresses that are slightly different, to suit your exact preference. So the medium firmness and squishy foams of the Midnight are perfect for side sleepers as well as lightweight people. However, if you lie on your back/stomach and want something a more supportive, the Twilight has the same design but slightly firmer. Or if you prefer a more responsive feel, the Dawn is the same again but with the memory foam swapped for a bouncier foam.
Value for money
The Helix Midnight sits in the mid-range price bracket. It's great quality for that price, and a worthwhile investment. You'll never pay MSRP – the evergreen Helix mattress sale knocks 20% off, rising to 25% off around major sales events. The typical price for a queen size Midnight is $1,099 – anything less than that is worth snapping up. The cheapest price we saw in 2023 was $999 for a queen size, and that offer cropped up a few times in the latter half of the year. The 10-year warranty and 100-night trial aren't ultra-generous, but still acceptable.
- Read more: Helix Midnight mattress review
Best mattress for back pain
✅ You suffer from back pain: Sleeping on the Loom & Leaf led to a noticeable improvement in our reviewer's back pain. It's available in two firmness feels, and the central third is reinforced to provide extra support beneath the lumbar.
✅ You share a bed: This mattress' foams absorb motion very effectively, so a partner's movements won't jolt you awake.
✅ You want a high quality mattress: Saatva is a premium brand, offering top quality mattresses and a comprehensive customer experience, including free white glove delivery.
❌ You sleep hot: Our tester found the Loom & Leaf's foams could sometimes cling on to body heat. If you sleep hot, consider the Classic (#1) instead.
❌ You're on a budget: This mattress is a bit of an investment. A cheaper option for back pain sufferers is the DreamCloud (#5).
❌ You want a firm sleep surface: The Loom & Leaf has a quilted pillow-top – if you prefer tight-top with less cushioning, consider the Awara (#7).
🔎 The Loom & Leaf is a premium mattress that actively improved our reviewer's lower back pain. It uses high-end, super-dense foams, which deliver excellent pressure relief and motion absorption, but can run a bit warm on occasion. ★★★★
Next up in our best mattress ranking is the Loom & Leaf from Saatva. This premium memory foam mattress is especially worth checking out if you suffer from back pain – although individual needs will vary from person to person, our tester found her lower back pain was noticeably eased during her time sleeping on this mattress, which is a strong endorsement.
Design
The Loom & Leaf is a 12-inch tall mattress made from various different layers of foams, topped off by a tufted, organic cotton cover. It's available in two different firmness levels, and like the Saatva Classic (#1) has extra reinforcement in the central third, beneath the lumbar. As you'd expect for the price, the build quality is impeccable and the materials used are premium – for example, the core is made from 5lb memory foam (i.e. super-dense and high quality).
Comfort and performance
We tested the softer of the two options – the 'Relaxed Firm'. Saatva describes it as a 5-7 out of 10 on firmness, and our reviewers felt it was at the top end of that band. There's also a 'Firm' version, marketed as 8 out of 10. We found the mattress was instantly comfortable in any position, with excellent pressure relief. There's some of that cradling, sink-in feel you expect from a memory foam mattress, but it's still easy enough to change position on. The tufted cover adds some extra cushioning.
Too much softness can be a bad thing for back pain, but that's certainly not an issue here, as the contouring is balanced with superb support, in particular from the reinforced central third, which prevents the pelvis from dropping too low into the surface and putting strain on the spine.
Our lead tester found it led to a marked improvement in her lower back pain. However, some back pain sufferers prefer a very firm, tight-top feel, and if that's the case for you, then check out the Awara (#7).
Value for money
Saatva sales and deals happen year-round, so you'll never have to pay full price for the Loom & leaf. The lowest price we saw this mattress for in 2023 was $1,895 for a queen, but rising MSRP means it's unlikely it'll ever be that cheap again. The new standard price is around $2,095 for a queen – anything less than that is worth paying attention to.
Although it's a premium mattress, but we think the Loom & Leaf is worth the investment. Alongside the high build quality, Saatva offers the most comprehensive customer experience package we've come across. White glove delivery is included as standard, there's a full year's trial and forever warranty. However, if it's still out of your budget, there are more affordable options in our best mattress for back pain guide.
- Read more: Loom & Leaf mattress review
Best value hybrid mattress
✅ You want a fairly traditional feel: Hybrids feel more traditional than memory foam – there's a bit of bounce, and you won't sink too far into the upper foam layers.
✅ Your budget won't stretch to a Saatva: We'd consider the DreamCloud a strong budget-friendly alternative to the Saatva Classic (#1) , and it feels surprisingly luxurious for the price.
✅ You share a bed: The DreamCloud delivers good motion isolation – so if you have a wriggly sleep partner, you shouldn't feel their movements.
❌ You're a lightweight side sleeper: Lightweight individuals might find this bed too hard, especially in a side lying position. Consider the Helix Midnight (#3) if that's you.
❌ You're not sure what firmness will suit you: While many luxury mattresses (such as the Saatva Classic at #1) come in a few different firmness options, and let you swap if you pick wrong, the DreamCloud is a one-and-done kind of thing.
❌ You don't want a deep mattress: At 14", the DreamCloud is thicker than average, which might require you to buy deep sheets.
🔎 The DreamCloud mattress is a high-quality bed that delivers hotel-level luxury for an impressively affordable price (that's even better value with the bedding bundle). It offers excellent pressure relief, temperature regulation, and motion isolation, with a medium-firm feel will suit most side and back sleepers. ★★★★½
The DreamCloud is our best hybrid pick. Technically, a hybrid is any mattress that combines layers of different materials, which means there are lots of hybrids on this list. However, the DreamCloud is what we'd consider a 'classic' hybrid, in that there's the bounce of springs, but also a nice layer of memory foam for cushioning and contouring. For that reason, it tops our best hybrid mattress list. If you want a fairly traditional feel, but slightly elevated, this is an outstanding choice, and it's great value for money, too.
Design
At the top you'll find a tufted, luxe-feeling soft-touch cover made from quilted foam and cashmere. Beneath this are three different types of foams, totaling 4.5 i