If you’re like us, you know that having a plush, dreamy bed is one of the best investments you can make. After all, you spend about a third of your life snuggled up like a burrito in bed (do the math), so you might as well make it cozy, right?? Ofc, even if you get a stylish bed frame, super-soft sheets, and a mountain of pretty pillows, your snooze game simply cannot reach its full potential if you don’t have a quality mattress. And if you’re skeptical about the whole “mattress in a box” concept (which is having a MOMENT rn), we‘re here to ensure you that mattresses in a box are not only legit but some of the best mattresses out there.
Unlike your old-school innerspring mattress, which you’d have to transport home by strapping to the roof of your car (*shudders*), mattresses in a box are compressed and rolled to fit inside a box easy, breezy delivery. Once delivered, you simply lay it out flat and watch ’em come to life—and best of all, most boxed bed companies let ya try out their mattress for at least 100 nights (!!), so you don’t have to commit right away. Here are just a few of our fave mattress-in-a-box brands, ICYWW.
Our top picks for mattresses in a box for 2022:
Read on for deets on all the best mattress-in-a-box options out there as well as everything you should know before investing in a boxed bed. And JSYK, the prices listed are for queen-size mattresses, although all these options come in other sizes as well.
best foam mattress in a box
Nectar Memory Foam Mattress
best hybrid mattress in a box
Leesa Sapira Hybrid Mattress
best latex mattress in a box
Avocado Green Mattress
best value mattress in a box
Casper Element Mattress
best budget mattress in a box
Zinus Green Tea Memory Foam Mattress
best mattress in a box for side sleepers
Helix Midnight
best mattress in a box for back sleepers
DreamCloud Hybrid Mattress
best mattress in a box for stomach sleepers
Keetsa Tea Leaf Classic
best mattress in a box for combo sleepers
Amerisleep AS3 Hybrid
best mattress in a box for hot sleepers
Cocoon by Sealy The Chill Mattress
best pressure-relieving mattress in a box
Purple Mattress
best cooling mattress in a box
Tuft & Needle Original Mattress
best bouncy mattress in a box
Parachute Eco Comfort Mattress
best plush mattress in a box
GhostBed Luxe
best dual-sided mattress in a box
Layla Memory Foam Mattress
best splurge mattress in a box
PlushBeds Botanical Bliss Organic Latex Mattress
best mattress in a box for couples
Nest Bedding Sparrow Signature Hybrid
best mattress in a box for heavier sleepers
Titan Plus
best mattress in a box for lightweight sleepers
Silk & Snow Mattress
best mattress in a box for customization
Nolah Evolution Luxury Firm 15”
best mattress in a box for temperature regulation
Brooklyn Bedding Propel Dual-Sided Hybrid
best affordable hybrid mattress in a box
Allswell Luxe Hybrid
best affordable latex mattress in a box
Happsy Organic Mattress
Which type of mattress in a box is best?
Pretty much every mattress can be classified as one of five mattress types: innerspring, foam, hybrid, latex, or airbed. But if you’re looking for a bed in a box, you won’t find any innerspring mattresses, as they aren’t able to get compressed and rolled. Most boxed mattresses are made with foam or a hybrid of foam with small coils, although the type you go with all depends on your budget and the firmness level you prefer. Here’s what you should know about each type.
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Foam: These mattresses are made entirely with foam, with memory foam being the most well-known. They’re best for side sleepers and couples, as they offer contouring, pressure relief, and motion isolation but may be too soft for some.
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Hybrid: Made with an innerspring support core and a foam comfort system, these mattresses offer the best of both worlds, with low heat retention and just the right amount of give. However, they tend to be among the priciest mattresses.
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Latex: While not as common as other mattress types, latex mattresses tend to be the most durable, thanks to the resiliency of latex rubber. This option offers moderate contouring and plenty of support, and it’s a great eco-friendly pick when made with natural and organic latex.
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Airbed: Built with an air chamber as their support core, airbeds provide the firmest flexibility—and because of this, airbed mattresses are usually the most expensive mattress type.
How to choose the best mattress in a box
Finding the best boxed bed for you all depends on your sleep habits—as well as the type of ~sleep experience~ you’re looking to have. A few things to take into consideration as you shop:
Read the reviews
One of the major benefits of purchasing a mattress online is that you’ll have hundreds and hundreds of (very) honest reviews to scroll through. Since sleep habits and mattresses are so personal, you should read as many of them as possible to get a good feel of what works for people with similar preferences—especially if they share your body type! Speaking of which…
Find the right pick for your body
As a general rule of thumb, the heavier you are, the more likely you are to enjoy a mattress that’s on the firmer side. For that reason, folks who weigh over 230 pounds tend to feel more comfortable with a firmer option, while people under 130 pounds might prefer a softer model. Likewise, anyone between 130 to 230 pounds should look for a medium-soft to medium-firm mattress.
Consider your sleep habits
Your go-to sleep position should also influence your mattress pick. Side sleepers do best with medium-soft to medium-firm mattresses, while back sleepers should look for a medium-firm to firm mattress. And while stomach sleepers definitely do best with a firm mattress, combination sleepers will wanna invest in a medium-firm mattress that facilitates easy movement throughout the night.
Corinne Sullivan
Contributing Writer
Corinne Sullivan is a digital writer and editor who covers a variety of beats, including lifestyle, entertainment, relationships, holidays and more.
