Choosing the best mattress for your needs is a challenge, as everyone is unique in how they sleep each night and what they need. Not only do you not have a way to try it out before you commit to buying, there's no real way to feel if the mattress is right for your body or sleep style. While many mattress brands offer extended return periods to compensate, making the decision to buy the best mattress for you may feel like a luck of the draw type choice.
Which is why we've done the hard part of trying out each of the mattresses you'll find in this list today. Each mattress suggested below has been tried and tested by someone on the T3 team to ensure readers like you are getting an honest opinion. Is the mattress too stiff? Does it feature enough support when sleeping on your back or side? These are the questions we ask when weighing whether or not a mattress meets the standards to make the list.
From some of the best bed-in-a-box mattress choices to hybrid box springs, organic latex options, and even some of the best memory foam mattress options, our guide to the best mattress of 2023 is here to help you find the right bed at the right price. Along with full reviews for each of the mattresses you'll find on our list, we'll provide the best mattress deals available to help you save money in the process.
What is the #1 rated best mattress?
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T3's top pick for the best mattress of 2023 has to be the Nectar memory foam mattress. An all-around solid pick for sleepers of all shapes and sizes, the Nectar memory foam is not only comfortable and supportive, it's durable construction and sheets ensure you'll have a solid mattress to sleep on for years to come.
While we did point out in our review that it can be on the firmer side of memory foam mattresses, it offers a great level of support for both back and side sleepers that other mattresses have a tough time competing with.
Starting at just $499 for a Twin, the Nectar memory foam mattress is also one of the most affordable options out there. The good news is Nectar constantly runs sales throughout the month which can take upwards of $100 off their mattresses, plus they often include free accessories such as mattress covers and pillows with your purchase.
Best mattresses 2023 ranking
"There's a lot to love about the Nectar memory foam mattress. The cover is wonderfully comfortable, the foams are firmly supportive, and the mattress is nice and cool to sleep on in summer – a rare trait in a memory foam mattress." – Nectar Memory Foam mattress review
When we had the chance to try out the Nectar memory foam mattress, we we're blown away by just how comfortable and supportive it was for the price.
It offers a medium-to-firm level of support that is great for all body shapes and sizes, especially for those who like to sleep on their backs. While side sleepers will feel a great level of comfort using the Nectar memory foam mattress, it's slightly firmer feel may leave longing for something slightly softer.
Sleeping on the Nectar, the top layer offers a decent amount of softness and give which neatly molds around your body. The complex supportive base layer also adds a bit more firmness to the bed, preventing the dreaded sagging that most memory foam mattresses out there run into after a year or two of use.
Also, the Nectar provides great airflow during sleep which ensures you get a cool, comfortable nights sleep. While other memory foam mattresses can retain heat, the Nectar's material does a great job of keeping cool air flowing throughout the night.
Delivery of the Nectar was also much more convenient than we expected, shipping in a air-tight non-freight box that standard delivery services such as UPS can handle. And while Nectar offers a full 365 day trial period for anyone looking to give this incredible memory foam mattress a shot, it's a good chance you won't need to return this one.
We think the Nectar memory foam mattress is the best option available right now, both in terms of value and function. it's supremely comfortable, wonderfully supportive and impressively cool to sleep on. As one of the cheapest of the big mattress brands out there, regular Nectar mattress discount codes and deals are available often and can take the price down quite a bit, making it stupidly good value for money.
"Casper's most popular mattress is engineered for cool, comfortable sleep. The bed-in-a-box Original remains as easy as ever to order, receive and set up, and as enjoyable as ever to lie on. There are better luxury models out there, but the Casper Original continues to be one of the best and most versatile options overall, standing out just by being what it is: a good mattress at a good price." – T3's Casper Original mattress review
The Casper Original is the mattress that changed everything. It's Casper's first mattress, and it absolutely stormed the bed-in-a-box market when it launched back in 2014. Six years later and it still stands out in our best mattress list, for two main reasons.
First up is its zoned support system: there's a band of extra firmness across its center, while the head and foot areas are slightly softer. The thinking behind this is that it gives you extra support on the hips and spine, and pressure relief around the shoulders (especially useful when you're lying on your side). For this reason, we think the Casper original is one of the best mattresses around for back sleepers.
Secondly, there's Casper's proprietary 'Airscape' top layer, which is bouncier and more responsive than your average memory foam. It minimizes that 'sinking' feeling you tend to get from thicker memory foam, and makes it easier to move around on. It's also perforated to promote airflow and prevent overheating. And if there's still not enough bounce for you, this mattress is also available as a hybrid with an extra layer of springs. One final nice touch is the mattress cover, which is made from recycled bottles.
As with most of the choices in our best mattress ranking, you'll likely be able to find an offer that'll reduce the price – take a look at our Casper discount codes and deals page to discover the best offers. And to see how it compares to our number one mattress, check out our Casper vs Nectar mattress face-off.
"The Saatva Classic mattress is an absolute dream to sleep on. Depending on your firmness choice and build you might need to be prepared to break it in for a week or so, but once you have, it delivers a cool, comfortable, undisturbed slumber that's more than worth the effort." – T3's Saatva Classic mattress review
Looking for an innerspring mattress? You almost certainly want the Saatva Classic. It's made using two layers of recycled steel springs: an upper layer of small, individually-wrapped coils that contour to your body, on a base of more heavyweight springs that provide a strong and stable foundation.
In our Saatva mattress review, we were impressed by the plush organic cotton pillow top, plenty of edge support to stop you from rolling off in the night, and an extra zone of memory foam in the center to give your lower back some extra support.
If you find memory foam mattresses a bit too hot to sleep on, an innerspring mattress makes an excellent alternative because its springs don't trap heat like a thick slab of foam does. They also give you a more responsive sleep surface that has more traditional mattress bounce and is easy to move around on. While you may notice more motion transfer because of this, the smaller top layer of springs is designed to minimize it.
Saatva also lets you pick your depth and firmness, depending on your personal preference, which is a nice touch. Keep an eye out for a Saatva promo code or deal for savings on your purchase.
"The Emma Original is the best memory foam mattress you can buy right now. Bouncy but buoyant, you won't sink into it – and you won't be disturbed by a restless partner either. It's extremely comfortable, and should suit most sleeping styles. Beware though, it does trap heat a little." – T3's Emma Original mattress review
For our money, the Emma Original mattress is the best mattress right now. Comfortable, versatile, supportive in all the right places and amazing value, it earned a full five stars in our Emma mattress review. It's also the proud owner of T3's Best Mattress award in both 2019 and 2020.
The design of this medium-firm mattress is simple but effective (it's also at the top of our best memory foam mattress ranking). It consists of three layers of different foams: Airgocell foam on top (to mould gently to your body without trapping heat), visco-elastic memory foam in the middle (for pressure relief and support), and a firm HRX foam foundation. The cover features a temperature-regulating top and a breathable non-slip bottom as well as handles for rotating (you don't have to flip it), and it's removable and machine-washable, too.
Thanks to a 2019 price drop, this mattress is now one one of the cheapest of the big-name brands, and what's more, if you keep your eyes peeled, there are regular Emma discount codes and deals to bring the price even lower. In short, you're looking at outrageous value for money here.
Like many of the mattresses in this guide, the Emma Original vacuum packed, rolled, and delivered in a conveniently sized box, ready to be unfurled. Expansion takes around two hours. If you're worried about buying a mattress you haven't tried, there's a 100-day, love-it-or-return-it trial for peace of mind, plus a healthy 10-year guarantee. This brand scores reassuringly well on customer service, too: it currently boasts an excellent 4.6 out of 5 stars from over 15,000 reviews on consumer review site Trustpilot.
"The Eight Sleep Pod Pro provides impressive heating and cooling functions with handy app control and reporting. While the mattress itself isn't perfect, the combination is life-changing." – T3's Eight Sleep Pod Pro mattress review
The Eight Sleep Pod Pro is a truly unique mattress. While the five-layer premium foam base is comfy, its secret weapon is the comfort-blend topper that contains multiple sensors to monitor your sleep and tiny pipes to carry water across the surface to heat and cool the bed as needed.
All this means that each side of the bed can be set to the exact temperature you require, from 55 degrees up to 110 degrees Fahrenheit (12.7 to 43.3 degrees Celsius), and have it warm up or cool down during your sleep cycle. The accompanying app not only controls the temperature but also gives you a full sleep report each day, including your sleeping heart rate, sleep stages and time slept.
The temperature control and data help you to achieve the perfect night's sleep. The intelligent topper can also be bought separately and put on your choice of mattress, though the model included in the full set is designed to offer the best temperature performance possible.
Read our feature on sleeping on the Eight Sleep Pod Pro.
"Made of poly foam, gel memory foam, and pocketed coils, the DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid mattress won't just put you right to sleep, it'll also ensure you stay that way throughout the night. Its medium firmness offers that right bounce and support ideal for back sleepers, but side sleepers won't be disappointed either." – T3's DreamCloud mattress review
DreamCloud's Luxury Hybrid mattress promises a perfect night's sleep, and in our DreamCloud review we found it lived up to its lofty claim. It features five meticulously engineered layers, starting with a 'Tight Top' quilted foam and cashmere cover, followed by a layer of gel memory foam and a layer of support foam. Next come the springs, providing some bounce and allowing air to flow through the mattress, ensuring it doesn't trap heat. Finally, there's a foam base.
Unlike most of the other mattresses on this list, the DreamCloud isn't zoned as such; it's classed as medium-firm all over. However, DreamCloud says its springs are more flexible than regular springs, and along with the memory foam layers, they help the mattress contour to your body as well as providing support and pressure relief where needed. If we had to pick a hole, there is some motion transfer compared to memory foam-only mattresses, and the design lacks slightly in edge support, but we found it completely dreamy overall. It provides just the right balance of support, bounce and firmness, with plenty of comfort thanks to the luxurious top layer.
The extras for this mattress are outstanding, too. You get a Forever Warranty (the only one in our list) and a 365-night trial, which matches the best on the market. Reviews online are extremely positive – and those that aren't, focus on delivery and customer service issues, rather than problems with the mattress itself.
This mattress has a luxury look and is deeper than many others at 14 inches, but the price, even at MSRP, is very reasonable – and a DreamCloud coupon or promo code can knock that price down even further.
"Layla’s Hybrid mattress satisfies a wide range of sleepers with its dual firmness options. The memory foam padding on each side provides a supportive cushion for back, stomach, and side sleepers alike. Minimal motion transfer ensures a restful night’s sleep without disruption." – T3's Layla Hybrid mattress review
The Layla Hybrid mattress gives you the option to adjust the firmness of your mattress at anytime – just by flipping the mattress over. On one side, the medium soft memory foam feels like a warm hug, while on the other, the medium-firm option gives a little more support but is still supportive enough for side sleepers. There are springs here too, giving a little extra structure and ensuring edge support and reducing motion transfer.
While the firmness level might not be miles apart, they do provide users with a choice, along with the ability to change their mind. Thanks to the side handles, flipping the mattress is an easy two-person job, despite the slightly weightier build.
The Layla Hybrid mattress comes with a 120-day trial period, with no additional costs to send it back, and a 10-year warrantee. They will also deliver it straight to your door in four to five days, so you won't need to move it far.
Currently, you can get $200 off the price of the Layla Hybrid and two free pillows when you buy online from its website.
"The Awara Premier is a luxurious organic, eco-friendly hybrid mattress that delivers on comfort, medium to firm support, and breathability. Perfect for back and side sleepers, it has exceptional motion isolation and additional edge reinforcements for end-to-end support." – T3's Awara Premier Natural Hybrid mattress review
Organic mattresses provide not only the reassurance of ethical production but also a chemical-free product that is better for allergy suffers – or anyone for that matter. The Awara Premier Natural Hybrid is thicker than the standard model and features a New Zealand wool topper for extra comfort.
At 12-inches, its not the deepest mattress but the combination of coils and latex provides plenty of support with next to no motion transfer. In fact, stomach sleepers and lighter individuals may find the firmness a little much at times. For everyone else, its a luxurious place to be and the latex is cooler than memory foam options.
While it's not the cheapest in terms of list price, the 365-day guarantee gives you lots of time to test it out, and the forever warranty is great peace of mind for the future.
"The Zoma Hybrid mattress offers an amazing balance of comfort and support. Soft where it needs to be but firm where it matters, once you've spent a night on this mattress you'll be hooked. For athletes and other active sleepers this mattress is a must-try." – T3's Zoma Hybrid mattress review
A mattress for athletes? Why not. And even if you're not an athlete but still live an active or physically demanding life, the Zoma hybrid could well be the mattress for you. Designed with athletes in mind it features targeted support thanks to its Triangulex gel memory foam, with three different zones providing pressure relief where it's needed.
Backing this up is a responsive 'Rectiv' top layer that contours to your body without restricting movement or giving you that memory foam sinking feeling, plus a sturdy base with edge support and a layer of springs for added bounce. (If you're not too bothered about bounce, though, this model is also available as foam-only).
To keep you from getting too hot at night, the gel memory foam contains cooling channels and is designed to be much more breathable than traditional foams. The stretchy mattress cover is even ventilated, although we did find it felt a little too thin.
Check out our Zoma Hybrid mattress review for the full scoop on what we thought – in summary, we were extremely impressed with this mattress. We found it extremely comfortable and supportive, with our testers sleeping more soundly than usual and noticing a significant decrease in their usual aches and pains after switching over.
"Though the word firm sounds like a nightmare for most side sleepers, they can sleep soundly knowing that The WinkBed adds a luxurious pillow top to its luxury firm hybrid mattress. Thanks to its soft yet supportive approach, decent motion isolation and cooling capabilities, this gets our vote for the best made-to-order mattress for couples with different sleeping habits." – T3's The WinkBed mattress review
Thanks to its top supporting later, The WinkBed (Luxury Firm) achieves a softness that lets you sink in. Meanwhile, it retains its support and avoids motion transfer thanks to the lower coils. The result is a bed that suits a wider range of sleepers, no matter their weight or sleeping style.
It comes with a 120-day return policy and a lifetime warranty for complete peace of mind. If you want a luxury feel to your mattress without feeling like the bed is about to swallow you up, The WinkBed is a great option.
"Avocado Latex Mattress is very much on-brand with the company’s green initiative. It's carbon negative, biodegradable, and made of non-toxic materials, making it an eco-conscious and sustainable choice. The firmer sleep surface makes this a good choice for back or front sleepers, but side sleepers might want to head elsewhere." – T3's Avocado Latex mattress review
Avocado's all foam latex mattress is a great option for the eco-conscious. Not only does the firm produce environmentally friendly products, but it contributes to sustainability and offsets what low carbon emissions it does have. The firm is actually carbon negative.
This biodegradable, toxic-free mattress will cost you a little more than most but the benefits are clear. From its cotton cover to its three layers of tree-tapped latex the craftsmanship is clear. It is on the firmer side, rating 7.5 out of 10 on the scale, so will suit front and back sleepers better. There's plenty of edge support, despite being a relatively thin 9 inches in depth, but there is also some motion transfer.
There is a full 365-day trial period and a 25-year limited warrantee, should anything go wrong. If ethical sourcing matters to you and you like your mattresses on the firmer side, this is for you.
Buying Advice
What is the best type of mattress to buy?
There are a few different mattress types on the market right now. When you start your search for the best mattress, you'll come across several types of mattresses. While the difference among them isn't massive, it's still helpful to understand what each one means before you hit that buy button. The three main mattress types you're going to come across are memory foam, sprung or hybrid.
Memory foam
This type of mattress has exploded in popularity over recent years. Memory foam is a responsive material that reacts to your temperature and weight to mold gently around your body when you're laying down. Memory foam mattresses offer great support and comfort, and are probably the most popular mattress type right now, with most of the big brands offering their own takes on this material.
One potential downside is that memory foam traps body heat more than spring mattresses. So, you'll have a warm cozy bed in the winter, you may find yourself getting a little warmer than usual in the summer. This may pose a problem if you sleep hot. Many brands have introduced cooling top layers to counteract this. You can read more in our memory foam mattress buying guide.
Innerspring
An innerspring mattress is a more traditional type of mattress. These mattresses use a steel coil system for support and have several different subtypes – from ones with springs that are connected and work as a single unit to those with springs inside their own fabric pockets (sometimes referred to as a pocket sprung mattress).
They can adapt to your body shape – the greater the number of coils, the better they can contour to your body. However, they're not as supportive as memory foam and may provide less movement isolation, which is a problem if you have a restless bedmate. On the upside, they do offer a bouncier surface to sleep on, which means that you won't sink into an innerspring mattress the same way you would on a memory foam one.
Hybrid
The term 'hybrid' could technically refer to any mattress that's made up of different materials, but it typically means a mattress that combines layers of pocket springs and memory foam. This makeup offers more bounce than memory foam-only mattresses, but with the added support and comfort of a memory foam upper.
There are a few more terms you might come across in your search. These mattress types are more uncommon, but still worth knowing about.
- Latex: A breathable, springy material that's exceptionally durable and resilient. Can be expensive.
- Continuous and coil: Made from a single looped wire, or from single springs fixed with one wire. These are cheaper, but less likely to give a good night’s sleep.
- Bed in a box: A delivery method in which mattresses are compressed, rolled or folded into a box for easy home delivery. They're usually foam or a memory foam and spring combination.
One last bit of advice before you start shopping: don't put too much emphasis on the mattress type. Personal factors like your height, weight, body shape, sleeping style and temperature are far more likely to affect how comfortable you find a specific mattress. All our picks in our best mattress guide above have been designed to deliver outstanding support and comfort for the majority of people – regardless of their material.
How to choose the best mattress for you
Before buying a mattress, the first big decision is between springs and memory foam – there are pros and cons of each. Next up, make sure it’s the right size. For a full explainer, including the differences between US, UK and EU naming, head to our mattress size guide. A good rule of thumb is that your mattress – like your bed – should be about 4 inches longer than the tallest person sleeping in it. It should also be wide enough for you and a partner to put your hands under your head without your elbows touching (or without touching the edge of the mattress, if you’re not sharing).
Also consider how firm the mattress is. Do the hand test: lying down on your back, push your hand under the lower part of your back. If you can’t, the mattress is too soft; if the gap is too big, it’s too hard. If you have a partner, make sure they try it at the same time: what feels fine on your own may feel like a bouncy castle with someone else on board. Bigger bodies may need something specialist – pick from our guide to the best mattress for heavy people.
It's also worth checking whether a mattress needs turning. Many don't these days, but if you’re considering one that does, make sure it has handles.
Generous free trial periods with some of these mattresses also eliminate the risk of buying a mattress without trying, so shoppers unsure of the price tags can give the mattress a proper test run before committing. Is it the right time to upgrade or change out your mattress, though?
Many of you may be asking how often should you change your mattress, and the answer is more often than you might think. According to SleepFoundation.org, you should get a new mattress every 6-8 years under normal conditions. It's an investment for sure but it's one worth making as studies have found that newer mattresses can significantly improve sleep quality and even reduce aches and pains.
Even if you clean your mattress regularly, sweat, dead skin cells and dust mites build up to frankly horrifying levels fairly quickly. To protect your new mattress to protect it against dirt, dust-mites and avoid spills and stains, make sure to invest in the best mattress protector.
Alternatively, you can squeeze some more life out of your old lumpy model by adding a quality mattress topper to your bed. Then, complete your new sleep haven with the best weighted blankets to keep you calm and cozy.
What mattresses do doctors and chiropractors recommend for back pain?
While you should always consult your physician or chiropractor when it comes to finding the right mattress for your back pain, often times memory foam mattresses provide the best type of support and relief.
Memory foam mattresses come in varying degrees of softness, providing different types of support for your upper and lower back in some cases. A firmer memory foam mattress may be more ideal for some but not others, so if you're experiencing serious pain a special type of mattress may be needed.
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