ErgonomicFocus

Discover Your Best Mattress

Everything you need to know about mattresses right at your fingertips.

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A white quilted mattress on a wooden bed frame with two pillows

Photo: Manishl33, CC BY-SA 4.0

Our favorite mattresses

Ten beds we keep recommending. Prices and terms change, so each button takes you to the brand.

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Welcome to modern mattress shopping

No longer are you limited to a dreaded trip to Sears or Mattress Firm to buy a mattress. In fact, you don’t even need to leave the comfort of your home to shop. Great mattresses at fair prices are one click away from a range of retailers and direct-to-consumer brands. With so many options available as you begin your mattress buying journey, sifting through the many brands and products can be daunting.

At Ergonomic Focus, our mission is to cut through the noise and change how you shop for a mattress.

How we rank mattresses

A pillow-top mattress on a wooden bed frame

Photo: Jeffrey M. Vinocur, CC BY 2.5

We’ll help you discover the right mattress for you

In order to provide the Ergonomic Focus possible – comprehensive, consistent, and honest – we always consider certain key factors. Use these criteria as your guiding light as you shop for a mattress — both in the store and online:

1Materials

  • The best way to judge a mattress is to look under the hood at its actual components. In particular, look for companies that are open about the in-depth details of their materials. This includes things like the composition, density, and thickness of each mattress layer.
  • We look for high-quality materials in all layers of the mattress. One weak layer can have a ripple effect, hurting overall durability and performance. By closely examining the materials and their specifications, we can get past marketing jargon and buzzwords.

2Firmness

  • The more firm a mattress is, the less give you’ll feel when you lie down on it. Firmness is described on a scale of 1-10 with 1 being extremely soft and 10 being extra firm.
  • Note that mattresses that are extremely firm or extremely soft tend to be uncomfortable for most people and can lead to back pain. When you’re shopping for a mattress, think about your sleeping position and your preferences in terms of comfort.

3Support

  • When you lie down, you want to make sure that the natural curvature of your spine is preserved. We refer to this as spinal alignment. A supportive mattress responds to the body’s weight in the right places in order to keep the spine aligned, which prevents short-term and long-term back pain.
  • Remember that support is different from firmness – it’s not about how the bed “feels,” but about how well it relieves pressure on key parts of your body.

4Temperature

  • You can’t get a good night’s sleep if you are waking up in a sweat, and unfortunately, some mattresses are known for retaining heat.
  • Avoiding a mattress that “sleeps hot” is important for everyone but is especially critical for people who have a natural tendency feel warm at night.

5Value

  • This obviously has to do with price, but really, it’s way more than that. It’s about the intersection of price and quality.
  • Better materials cost more, and a bargain basement mattress will almost always involve some compromises in mattress design. But with a huge number of mattress types and price points, you can set your budget and then focus in on getting a great value for your investment.

6Shopping

  • In the last few years, though, online mattress shopping has stepped up its game. Options are plentiful, values are abundant, and almost all purchases come with free shipping and no-risk returns. With the information on our site, you can learn and shop from the comfort of your own home.

7Warranty

  • A mattress is a serious investment, and you want to be protected in case there was a mishap in the making of the materials or in the crafting of the mattress. We look for a mattress that comes with a long and robust warranty.

8Reputation

  • There are a lot of mattress companies out there, so there’s no reason to bother with one that doesn’t offer top-notch customer service. We look for companies that are dedicated to strong customer support and ideally have a track record to back their reputation.

9Verified Reviews

  • It can be hard to sort out the difference between true reviews and clever marketing. We take a deep dive to look at verified reviews and analysis by independent testers to judge the performance and durability of a mattress.
  • Unfortunately, for many newer mattresses, this type of information may be limited.

10Preference

  • Last, but certainly not least, is finding out what YOU prefer to sleep on. Consider the position you are most comfortable in when you climb into bed. Is it on your side, your back, or your stomach?
  • Also pay particular attention the position you most often wake up in. Usually, your wake-up position is more indicative of how you prefer to sleep.
  • The other aspect of preference you should think about is whether you like the feeling of sinking into a mattress or floating on top when you lie down. Foam mattresses can have a distinct sinking feeling that many love, but not everyone. Other mattress types make it seem like you are floating on top. Pay attention to reviews that discuss these features.

If that feels like a lot to figure out, fear not, we’ve done the hard work for you. If you want to get down the nitty gritty and see how the different mattresses compare, check out our review directory.

Picking your type

Innerspring Mattresses

Innerspring beds use metal coils as their support system. They are best suited for people who like a springy, quick recovery in a mattress; prefer a more traditional style of mattress; want a mattress that is less likely to sleep hot; or need a reliable option at an entry-level price.

Memory Foam Mattresses

Memory foam mattresses use highly-responsive foam that contours to the body. They are best suited for people who want the feeling of sinking into their mattress; have major pressure points or need enhanced pressure point relief; aren’t concerned about sleeping hot; or prioritize motion isolation to prevent disruption from a partner’s movement.

Hybrid Mattresses

A hybrid bed has an innerspring coil base with a foam or latex comfort layer. They are best suited for people who prefer a springy feel along with a responsive comfort layer; desire a thicker comfort layer than what is offered by most innerspring options; or want to try to find the best of many mattress construction materials.

Latex Mattresses

Latex mattresses are made of either natural or synthetic rubber. They are best suited for people who want a mattress that responds to their weight but also retakes its shape quickly; like the feel of a mattress with more bounce; or worry about sinking too deeply into their mattress; are looking for an optimal mattress for sex.

How much should you spend?

There is a tremendous price range for mattresses, so to cut down on the noise, we’ve given you a basic outline to help you navigate what to expect from a mattress at certain prices.

$0 - $200
  • At this budget, any mattress will involve lower-quality materials and/or fewer mattress layers.
  • Very basic innerspring and foam options can be found, but customer satisfaction tends to be low.
  • Don’t expect a mattress at this price to hold up well over time.
$200 - $400
  • With slightly more to spend, you can usually find a mattress with a bit more heft to it, but again, the overall quality and durability will be lower.
  • Options at this range also usually are innerspring or foam.
$400 - $600
  • At this price point, you can find some better choices, including mattresses made with higher-density foams or stronger innerspring bases.
  • You still shouldn't expect to find a mattress with many features or with truly robust materials.
$600 - $1000
  • This price point is a sweet spot for many customers as great values are available for innerspring, foam, hybrid, and latex options.
  • Customer ratings for mattresses in this range tend to be excellent.
  • While there may not be many bells and whistles to these mattress options, they are usually wisely-designed and well-built.
$1000 - $2000
  • More advanced materials and mattress features are available in this range in addition to a great option of latex mattresses, including those with very thick latex layers.
  • Customers tend to be very happy with these options, and because they are built with better materials, these mattresses usually stand the test of time and daily use.
$2000 - $5000
  • Mattresses at this price level generally involve some specialty materials.
  • Examples include proprietary mattress foams or high-cost organic or green mattress materials.
  • These mattresses also often include white glove delivery and installation with your purchase.
$5000+
  • These are normally custom mattresses or mattresses built with extremely expensive materials.
  • Because there is so much more competition in the industry today, it is rare to see mattresses online that cost this much.
  • It is not at all necessary to spend this amount to get an extremely high-quality mattress.

Featured reviews

Amerisleep Mattress ReviewsAmerisleepFoam · VariesNovosbed Mattress ReviewNovosbedFoam · $1,099Cocoon by Sealy Mattress ReviewCocoon by SealyFoam · $799 / $949Avocado Mattress ReviewAvocadoHybrid · $1,399 OR $1,699Luxi Mattress ReviewLuxiLatex Hybrid · $1,099Nolah Mattress ReviewNolahFoam · $849
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