The 8 Best Mattresses of 2021

Corrie
by Corrie

By Corrie Pelc


Everyone has come to realize just how important sleep is. Not only does it allow your body to unwind from the day and recharge itself, but studies now show that proper sleep provides a variety of health benefits, from helping you maintain a healthy weight to lowering your risks for heart attacks and depression.


While there are quite a few factors that play into a person’s ability to sleep soundly each night, one of those is their mattress. Research shows when a person finds the right mattress for them, it has a direct impact on their sleep quality. However, with so many options out there, it's hard to determine what the "right mattress" is without trying them all out.


Here at Hometalk, we want to help narrow down the field with a buyer’s guide of the best mattresses you can buy right now.


How Do I Know What Mattress is Right For Me?

This is a hard question to answer since a mattress that feels great to one person may not feel wonderful to another. A lot of what makes up “comfort” is subjective. However, there are a few things to consider when beginning your mattress shopping:


Mattress Type

In today's market there are three main types of mattresses:

  • Innerspring mattresses are what you traditionally think of being inside a mattress. These have small wire coils that give the mattress its "bouncy" feel. The coils can provide firm support for sleepers, and space between coils allows for air circulation, keeping sleepers cool during the night. Many of today’s innerspring mattresses feature individually wrapped coils, which means each coil is housed in a little fabric sleeve. This allows the coils to move and react to pressure individually, helping cut down on residual movement and disturbing your partner’s sleep.
  • Foam mattresses are newer to the market and include options like popular memory foam. Foam mattresses can be very supportive yet still soft, as they conform to your body while you’re sleeping. They can also be a great option for relieving pressure on the body while laying down.
  • Hybrid mattresses are a combo of foam and innerspring offering the positives of both inner material options.


Some mattresses types (peep our “Best Overall Mattress”) don’t fall into any of the above categories, but instead, have their own patented build that is neither innerspring nor foam.


Mattress Topper

A mattress topper is the material used on top of the mattress that provides added comfort and support. Mattress topper materials can include various types of foams, memory foam gel, merino wool, latex, bamboo, and cotton. Pillow toppers are also popular — this is a mattress topper that looks a bit like a pillow that is attached to the top of the mattress for added fluffiness.


Firmness

The firmness of a mattress is probably the most important — and the hardest — option to figure out when choosing the mattress for you. The right firmness for you depends on quite a few factors, including what position you sleep in, your weight, and if you have any body pains you want to try to eliminate while you sleep. Mattress firmness runs on a scale of 1-10 with the three most common firmnesses being the following:


  • Soft is between 1 and 2 on the firmness scale and is best for lightweight sleepers (those weighing 130 pounds or less) and side sleepers.
  • Medium-soft is between 3 and 4 on the firmness scale. This is also a good option for lightweight sleepers and side sleepers, but also for combination sleepers (those who rotate through different sleeping positions — side, back, and stomach).
  • Medium-firm is between 5 and 7 on the firmness scale. This is a great option for combination and back sleepers, as well as heavy sleepers (those weighing 230 pounds or more). It is also an appropriate firmness for those who supper from back pain.
  • Firm mattresses are at the top of the firmness scale, ranking between 8 and 10. This firmness is good for heavy, back, and stomach sleepers, as well as those with back pain.


Test Factors We Considered When Picking the Best Mattresses

How did we make our list of the best mattresses? Here are the test factors we used:

  • Price: Mattresses come at all different price points, so this is a key factor to consider.
  • Mattress Type: Is the mattress made of innerspring, foam, or a combination of the two?
  • Firmness: What level of firmness is the mattress?
  • Available Sizes: How many sizes is the mattress available in? Standard sizes include twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, and split king
  • Mattress Topper: What type of topper does the mattress come with?
  • Mattress Thickness: A mattress’s thickness adds to its comfort, helps determine how easy it will be to get on and off it, and can help determine whether the user’s current bed frame and headboard can accommodate it. Standard mattress thickness is between eight and 12 inches, however, today's mattresses can go as thick as 18 inches.
  • Sleep Trial Period: Some mattress manufacturers allow a sleep trial period where the prospective buyer can try the mattress out for a certain number of nights and then return it if it doesn’t work out.
  • Warranty: Does the manufacturer stand by its product?


Without further ado, let’s take a look at the best mattresses you can buy this year.


Best Overall Mattress: The Purple Mattress

$629-$1,618 on Purple.com


An overall winner when it comes to mattresses.

best overall mattress


When it comes to the best mattress you can buy right now, none rank higher in our eyes than The Purple Mattress. What makes this mattress so different from others on the market is its unique GelFlex Grid — an extremely elastic and comfortable gel grid that almost looks like you're laying on a giant waffle. The GelFlex Grid is built to automatically adapt to your particular body type, providing comfort and support where you need it most, such as your back and legs. And all the chambers in the grid allow air to circulate fully, keeping sleepers very cool and comfortable during the night. Although The Purple Mattress is sold online, you can search showrooms on their website to feel the mattress in person before purchasing. The mattress also comes in seven different sizes and is backed by a 100-night sleep trial period and a 10-year warranty.


Ideal for: Anyone looking for the perfect all-around mattress for a good night’s sleep. 


  • Price: $629-$1,618
  • Mattress Type: GelFlex Grid
  • Firmness: Medium-firm
  • Available Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal King, Split King
  • Mattress Topper: SoftFlex knitted cover (made from polyester, viscose, and lycra)
  • Mattress Thickness: 9.5 inches
  • Sleep Trial Period: 100 nights
  • Warranty: 10-year warranty


Pros:

  • Unique GelFlex Grid is supportive, comfortable, and cooling
  • Available in seven different mattress sizes
  • Backed by a 100-night sleep trial and 10-year warranty


Cons: 

  • Medium-firm may be too firm for some sleepers


Best Memory Foam Mattress: Nectar Memory Foam Mattress

$499-$1,099 on NectarSleep.com 


A memory foam mattress you can try out for a year without any worries. 

best memory foam mattress


Nothing says a company has full confidence in its mattress product like a 365-night sleep trial and a lifetime warranty. The Nectar Memory Foam Mattress features a five-layer construction that includes three types of foam — gel-infused memory foam, dynamically adjusting foam, and standard foam — plus a breathable quilted topper. Both the topper and the gel-infused memory foam are designed to help keep sleepers cool and comfortable throughout the night. The foam mattress has very little motion transfer, meaning you won't feel your partner getting in and out of bed and the mattress was designed to be used with all types of bed frames, including ones with adjustable bases. The Nectar Memory Foam Mattress comes in six different mattress sizes and is medium-firm. 


Ideal for: Memory foam mattress lovers looking for the best option on the market today. 


  • Price: $499-$1,099
  • Mattress Type: Foam
  • Firmness: Medium-firm
  • Available Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal King
  • Mattress Topper: Quilted cool cover
  • Mattress Thickness: 12 inches
  • Sleep Trial Period: 365 nights
  • Warranty: Lifetime warranty


Pros:

  • Five-layer foam construction
  • Designed to be used with all types of bed frames
  • 365-night sleep trial and lifetime warranty


Cons: 

  • Medium-firm may not be the best firmness for all sleepers


Best Innerspring Mattress: Saatva Classic Mattress

$887-$2,196 on Saatva.com 


A traditional innerspring mattress with plenty of customizing options.

best innerspring mattress


If you prefer a more traditional innerspring mattress, you'll definitely want to check out the Saatva Classic Mattress. This mattress is available in two thicknesses, three firmness options, and seven sizes, making it extremely customizable based on your needs. The main layer of the mattress features individually pocketed coils made from 14.5-gauge recycled steel that were created to contour the curves of the body and provide support to different pressure points to aid circulation while you slumber. Back support is provided by a thin layer of memory foam above that. And the entire mattress is topped by a quilted pillow topper made of breathable and hypoallergenic organic cotton. As an added bonus, the Saatva Classic Mattress comes with a 180-night sleep trial and a 15-year warranty.


Ideal for: Sleepers looking for a modern upgrade in a traditional innerspring mattress. 


  • Price: $887-$2,196
  • Mattress Type: Innerspring
  • Firmness: Plush Soft (3), Luxury Firm (5-7), Firm (8)
  • Available Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal King, Split King
  • Mattress Topper: Quilted organic cotton pillow topper
  • Mattress Thickness: 11.5 and 14.5 inches
  • Sleep Trial Period: 180 nights
  • Warranty: 15-year warranty


Pros:

  • Available in two thicknesses, three firmness options, and seven sizes
  • Individually pocketed steel coils provide support to different pressure points
  • 180-night sleep trial and 15-year warranty


Cons: 

  • Pricey
  • 14.5-inch thickness may be too tall for some bed configurations


Best Luxury Mattress AND Best Cooling Mattress: Helix Midnight LUXE Mattress

$999-$2,149 on HelixSleep.com 


A high-luxury, extremely cooling mattress worth the price. 

best cooling mattress and best luxury mattress


The Helix Midnight LUXE Mattress is such an excellent mattress it wins both best luxury and best cooling mattress in our buyer's guide. This mattress features six layers that use a combination of both foam and innerspring, providing ultimate support and cooling. The dense memory foam layer makes this a perfect choice for side sleepers as it supports and relieves pressure points in the hips and shoulders. More than 1,000 coils make up the innerspring layer cushion and support your entire body while also offering lumbar support to help keep your spine aligned while you sleep. The mattress’s cooling effect comes from airflow through the innerspring layer, as well as the breathable topper. You can also try out the Helix Midnight LUXE Mattress for 100 nights to see if it's the right mattress for you. 


Ideal for: Those looking for the most luxurious and cooling mattress available on the market today. 


  • Price: $999-$2,149
  • Mattress Type: Hybrid (foam and innerspring)
  • Firmness: Medium-firm
  • Available Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal King
  • Mattress Topper: Quilted pillow top
  • Mattress Thickness: 12 inches
  • Sleep Trial Period: 100 nights
  • Warranty: 15-year limited warranty


Pros:

  • Six-layer mattress uses a combination of foam and innerspring
  • Very cooling thanks to innerspring layer and breathable topper
  • 100-night sleep trial and 15-year limited warranty


Cons: 

  • Expensive
  • Medium firmness may not be the best for everyone


Best Budget Mattress: Allswell Mattress

$265-$465 on AllswellHome.com 


A budget-friendly mattress with many of the same benefits as higher-priced options. 

best budget mattress


Love the idea of a hybrid mattress that uses both foam and innerspring, but don't want to break the bank? Then you'll want to consider the Allswell Mattress, where for less than $500 you can fill a California King with a medium-firm hybrid mattress. This mattress features three layers — an innerspring layer with individually wrapped coils, a memory foam layer, and a quilted woven top panel. The memory foam layer is injected with charcoal and copper gels that help transfer heat away from the body. And the coils in the innerspring layer are all individually wrapped in their own fabric sleeves, helping them move and respond to pressure independently, which cuts down on motion transfer when your sleeping partner is tossing and turning.


Ideal for: Budget-conscious sleepers who want to upgrade their sleeping experience for under $500.


  • Price: $265-$465
  • Mattress Type: Hybrid (foam and innerspring)
  • Firmness: Medium-firm
  • Available Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal King
  • Mattress Topper: Quilted topper
  • Mattress Thickness: 10 inches
  • Sleep Trial Period: 100 nights
  • Warranty: 10-year limited warranty


Pros:

  • Largest-sized mattress is still under $500
  • Uses a hybrid combination of foam and innerspring
  • 100-night sleep trial and 10-year limited warranty


Cons: 

  • Medium firmness may not be the best for everyone


Best Mattress for Couples: Layla Hybrid Mattress

$1,099-$1,699 on LaylaSleep.com 


A hybrid mattress that keeps couples happy with reduced motion transfer and has two firmness options. 

best mattress for couples


For some, there’s nothing worse than waking up on the wrong side of the bed after a bad night's sleep caused by a restless partner. The Layla Hybrid Mattress helps ensure tossing and turning is never a problem thanks to its hybrid mix of memory foam and innerspring that keep motion transfer down to a minimum. The memory foam layer is also infused with copper, which helps regulate body temperatures, and is naturally antimicrobial, helping the mattress resist odors. The most unique feature of this mattress is that it's reversible with a soft firmness on one side and a firm option on the other, offering two choices at one price. This allows couples to try out both firmness types to see what works best for them and they change up their firmness when needed.


Ideal for: Couples who want to stop disturbing each other when they get up at night and like the idea of two firmness options in one mattress. 


  • Price: $1,099-$1,699
  • Mattress Type: Hybrid (foam and innerspring)
  • Firmness: Soft and firm (flippable mattress)
  • Available Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal King
  • Mattress Topper: Fabric cover
  • Mattress Thickness: 13 inches
  • Sleep Trial Period: 120 nights
  • Warranty: 10-year warranty


Pros:

  • Reversible mattress offers both soft and firm options
  • Memory foam layer infused with naturally antimicrobial copper
  • 120-night sleep trial and 10-year warranty


Cons: 

  • Pricey
  • Soft and firm options may not work for everyone


Best Mattress for Back Pain: The WinkBed

$849-$1,749 on WinkBeds.com 


A hybrid mattress designed specifically for those who suffer from back pain. 

best mattress for back pain


If you suffer from back pain, getting a good night's sleep can be a hard thing to accomplish. The WinkBed is a hybrid mattress with both gel-infused foam and innerspring layers. The foam layer is designed to fully support the back, hips, and shoulders to ease muscle tension, as well as provide full lumbar support for the lower back. The innerspring layer has individually wrapped coils mapped out in different support zones so certain areas of the body — such as the back, shoulders, and hips — get more supported pressure than others. And the entire mattress is wrapped in a cooling topper made from the eucalyptus-based fabric Tencel. The WinkBed is available in four firmness options, so you’re guaranteed to find the perfect softness. Last but not least, it's backed with a 120-night sleep trial and lifetime warranty.


Ideal for: Sleepers searching for excellent back support throughout the night. 


  • Price: $849-$1,749
  • Mattress Type: Hybrid (foam and innerspring)
  • Firmness: Softer (4.5), Luxury Firm (6.5), Firmer (7.5), Plus (8)
  • Available Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal King
  • Mattress Topper: Tencel cover
  • Mattress Thickness: 14.5 inches
  • Sleep Trial Period: 120 nights
  • Warranty: Lifetime warranty


Pros:

  • Hybrid mattress offers excellent support for the back, hips, and shoulders
  • Offered in four firmnesses and six sizes
  • 120-night sleep trial and lifetime warranty


Cons: 

  • Expensive
  • 14.5-inch thickness may be a bit too tall for some bed configurations


Best Eco-Friendly Mattress: Avocado Green Mattress

$1,099-$2,099 on AvocadoGreenMattress.com 


An organic mattress that offers excellent support and a slew of certifications.

best eco-friendly mattress


If you'd like a mattress that you can sleep soundly on knowing you're helping the environment, then the Avocado Green Mattress is for you. This 100-percent certified organic mattress is GREENGUARD Gold Certified, meaning it is constructed from natural and organic materials such as wool, cotton, and latex. The mattress uses a combination of organic latex rubber foam for comfort and support, and innerspring steel coils arranged in five specific zones to ensure a sleeper's weight is distributed evenly, the body is braced, and pressure points are soothed. The mattress's layers are bound through needle-tufting rather than toxic solvents or adhesives, and all Avocado Green Mattresses are GREENGUARD Gold Certified for low emissions and Formaldehyde-Free Certified by the UL Environment. 


Ideal for: Eco-conscious sleepers who will sleep soundly knowing they’re on a 100-percent certified organic mattress. 


  • Price: $1,099-$2,099
  • Mattress Type: Hybrid (foam and innerspring)
  • Firmness: Medium-firm (7) or Gentle Firm (6)
  • Available Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal King
  • Mattress Topper: None or rubber foam pillow top at an additional cost
  • Mattress Thickness: 11 or 13 inches
  • Sleep Trial Period: 365 nights
  • Warranty: 25-year warranty


Pros:

  • 100-percent certified organic mattress
  • Uses a combination of organic latex rubber foam and innerspring steel coils
  • 365-night sleep trial and 25-year warranty


Cons: 

  • Pricey
  • Attached pillow-top is an additional cost


Tips to Make Your Mattress Last Longer

Mattresses are certainly not cheap and although all the top picks on our list come with at least a 10-year warranty, you want to ensure it lasts as long as it can and works optimally. Here are some tips to make sure your mattress is a great place to sleep for years to come: 

  • Use the Right Support — Although it's not always necessary to purchase a new box spring or another type of mattress foundation when switching to a new mattress, you want to make sure the mattress support you do have is correct. Make sure to check the manufacturer's information for your mattress to find out if you need additional support.
  • Keep it Protected — Nothing ruins a good night's sleep more than the thought of sleeping on dirt, crumbs, and stains. Keep your mattress spotless by using a waterproof mattress protector
  • Keep it Clean — While a mattress protector certainly helps, you still want to deep clean your mattress at least twice a year to get rid of any body oils, hair, and skin flakes that accumulate over time. Check out this guide on how to clean a mattress.
  • Rotate! — Rotate your mattress at least every six months 180 degrees, so the foot of the bed now becomes the head of the bed. This helps keeps areas of the mattress from getting broken down too quickly. 


Do you have a favorite mattress that keeps you comfortable all night long? Tell us about it in the comments below!

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