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If you’re looking for a new mattress, shopping in a store and interacting with pushy salespeople isn’t your only option. Many brands make it easy to shop from the convenience of your home, and most online shoppers are happy with their mattress purchase despite not trying it in a store. According to our Handbook Team survey of 600 mattress owners who purchased online, more than 82 percent said it was worth the investment, and 95 percent said they were generally satisfied. More importantly, 80 percent reported improved sleep quality, which is key to maintaining physical and mental health.
The Handbook Team wants to help you make the most informed decision possible as you shop. We researched brands, consulted sleep and ergonomic experts, and tested different models to develop a comprehensive list of the best online mattresses to consider.
Best online mattress overall
The Helix Midnight is the best overall online mattress because it’s a medium-firm mattress with a hybrid composition that accommodates most sleeping positions and body types. We also like Helix because it’s one of the few brands that offers an online sleep quiz to help you find your perfect match. Although we recommend the Midnight model, Helix might have other recommendations depending on your individual preferences.
Our picks for the best online mattresses
- Best overall: Helix Midnight
- Best mattress for side sleepers: Nectar Premier Hybrid
- Best mattress for back sleepers: Saatva Classic
- Best mattress for stomach sleepers: Bear Original
- Best mattress for couples: The WinkBed
- Most comfortable online mattress: Nolah Signature All-Foam Hybrid
- Best mattress for back pain: Saatva Rx
- Best firm mattress: Plank Firm
Our testing experience
The Handbook Team hand-tests every mattress we review. We evaluate brands and models by recording our findings on a 42-question standardized testing form to identify standout features and services, document issues with each product, and describe our personal experience lying on each mattress. For example, we record:
- Firmness score and whether the mattress is best for back, side, or stomach sleepers.
- Starting temperature of the mattress and how much it heats up after two testers lie on the mattress for five minutes.
- How many times a 10-pound ball bounces on the mattress after dropping from a height of two feet in order to arrive at a mattress bounce score.
We paid close attention to specific considerations that sleepers of all ages seek, as identified by respondents in our survey of 600 mattress owners. This included price, features, and the set-up process. We also interviewed real people to better understand the motivations behind shopping for a new mattress as well as the benefits of purchasing one.
According to our survey
According to our survey, about 80 percent of all respondents said their new mattress helps them sleep better, and 65 percent reported improved mental health.
As our testers evaluated each brand and its features, we considered why many people choose a new mattress in the first place. Of our respondents, 42 percent decided to purchase a new mattress for “improved comfort and support for better sleep,” while only seven percent did so for “pain relief and targeted support.” The most common pain respondents wanted relieved was lower back pain.
Despite only 42 percent of respondents prioritizing comfort and support for better sleep when shopping for a new mattress, 68 percent reported they sleep longer on their new mattress and 49 percent and 45 percent, respectively, said their stress and anxiety had improved after switching to their new mattress. Almost all mattress owners we surveyed (95 percent) were at least somewhat satisfied with their new mattress. We consulted sleep experts, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and pain specialists to understand what mattresses offer that make an overwhelmingly positive impact.
In order to focus on the mattresses themselves, we structured our test designs to objectively rank each one based on a range of criteria. For example, we tested things like bounce, edge support (the sturdiness of your mattress edge), and cooling capabilities the same way on each mattress and compared the results. That way we can accurately compare each mattress’s score in an unbiased way while also sharing our subjective point of view as mattress testers and experts.
Lastly, we compared warranty lengths, trial periods, and white glove delivery (in-home delivery and setup) options. While most brands offer warranties, not all are comprehensive. And many brands on the market don’t have free white glove delivery. This could be a deal-breaker if you’re nervous to invest in a new mattress because you’re worried the bed won’t get set up properly or offer what you need.
From our tester
“During our research, we realized that the brand’s firmness scale and perceived firmness aren’t always the same. We decided to report how firm we thought the mattress felt so that you can gain a different perspective, but more importantly, feel confident about what you’re purchasing.”
A note on our testing
We acknowledge that every body is different, and what feels comfortable to one person may not feel comfortable to another. Throughout our reviews, we refer to weight categories as light (below 130 pounds), average (130–250 pounds), and heavy (above 250 pounds) to distinguish between body weights.
Typically, lighter sleepers perceive mattresses to feel firmer than they are, and higher-weight sleepers perceive mattresses to feel softer than they are. Keep in mind that most mattresses are designed for the average-weight person.
Why HelpGuide cares about a good night’s sleep
Quality sleep is a key part of mental health, physical health, and overall well-being. Sleep helps us reset our bodies, process our emotions, and ease daily stress. Without it, we are at an increased risk of developing anxiety and depression, according to research.
But there are medical conditions that can make sleep difficult. Chronic pain, acid reflux, loud snoring or sleep apnea, and insomnia are issues that can keep you up at night, tossing and turning.
Finding solutions for better sleep can be frustrating, but we’re here to help. The HelpGuide Handbook Team wants to empower you to make the right decision by providing the most honest information about sleep-related products, like mattresses.
In order to recommend the best options to fit your needs, we sought to better understand how sleep impacts overall health. We consulted with mental health experts, researchers, and industry leaders in sleep and ergonomics to connect the dots about what really matters in a mattress.
Ultimately, all of our research is directed at taking the stress out of finding the highest-quality products that can support your sleep health—and in turn, your overall mental well-being.
HelpGuide Handbook for online mattresses
Here’s five things you need to know about the best online mattresses:
- The best online mattress is the Helix Midnight.
- Our choices range from $511–$4,390 at regular price, but many of these brands run frequent promotions that cut prices by a few hundred dollars.
- Always opt for online brands with a 100-night trial period (minimum) and a clear return/exchange process for peace of mind.
- Your sleep position helps determine the firmness, support, and pressure relief you need to sleep comfortably.
- Always consult your doctor before purchasing a new mattress to address a medical condition, like lower back pain.
Price | $936.30–$1,748.80 | $1,349–$2,998 | $1,295–$2,790 | $511–$1,099 | $1,149–$2,049 | $1,499–$3,198 | $1,995–$4,390 | $749–$1,698 |
Firmness | 6/10 | 6/10 | 7/10 | 8/10 | 6.5/10 | 6/10 | 6.5/10 | 7.5–8.5/10 |
Material | Hybrid | Hybrid | Innerspring-hybrid | Memory foam | Hybrid | Memory foam | Hybrid | Memory foam |
Warranty | 10 years | Lifetime | Lifetime | Lifetime | Lifetime | Lifetime | Lifetime | 10 years |
Trial period | 100 nights | 365 nights | 365 nights | 120 nights | 120 nights | 120 nights | 365 nights | 120 nights |
Best for | Back and side sleepers | Back and side sleepers | Back sleepers* | Stomach sleepers | Back and side sleepers* | Back, side, and combo sleepers | All sleepers | Stomach sleepers |
*Based on the specific firmness we tested.
The Best online mattress reviews
Best online mattress overall: Helix Midnight
Best online mattress for side sleeping: Nectar Premier Hybrid
Best online mattress for back sleeping: Saatva Classic
Best mattress for stomach sleepers: Bear Original
Best mattress for couples: The WinkBed
Most comfortable online mattress: Nolah Signature All-Foam Hybrid
Best mattress for back pain: Saatva Rx
Best firm online mattress: Plank Firm
Frequently asked questions
Choosing an online mattress depends primarily on your sleep position. Back, stomach, side, and combination sleepers require different levels of pressure relief and support. If you’re unsure where to start, try Helix’s online quiz for recommendations.
Some people might prefer to buy their mattresses online to avoid pushy salespeople in a mattress store or for convenience, but they sacrifice the ability to see how the mattress feels in person. Luckily, some of the best mattress brands online offer a trial period of 120 nights or more, so you can try it at home before fully committing.
Mattresses in our list cost $511–$3,795 at regular prices, but many brands offer frequent promotions that cut costs by several hundred dollars.
You should purchase a mattress online if it fits your budget and offers a trial period with easy returns. Otherwise, you may want to try the mattress in person before financially committing.
All mattresses listed in our review offer a warranty. In fact, most offer a limited lifetime warranty that covers a new mattress if you discover defective workmanship or materials. Each brand has its own warranty terms, so make sure you understand them before you buy.
- Bolton, R., Hulshof, H., Daanen, H. A., & van Dieën, J. H. (2022). Effects of mattress support on sleeping position and low-back pain. Sleep Science and Practice, 6(1), 3. Link
- Caggiari, G., Talesa, G. R., Toro, G., Jannelli, E., Monteleone, G., & Puddu, L. (2021). What type of mattress should be chosen to avoid back pain and improve sleep quality? Review of the literature. Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology: Official Journal of the Italian Society of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, 22(1), 51. Link
- Haack, M., Simpson, N., Sethna, N., Kaur, S., & Mullington, J. (2020). Sleep deficiency and chronic pain: Potential underlying mechanisms and clinical implications. Neuropsychopharmacology, 45(1), 205–216. Link
- Scott, A. J., Webb, T. L., Martyn-St James, M., Rowse, G., & Weich, S. (2021). Improving sleep quality leads to better mental health: A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Sleep Medicine Reviews, 60, 101556. Link