Hello! I have been struggling to find a decent well priced bed in a box. Preferably it would be available through amazon, but if not that's alright too! I am 5'3", around 230 pounds, sleep 75% of the time on my stomach and 25% on my side, I prefer more firm mattresses, and I tend to sleep a bit warm. What suggestions do you have for affordable bed in a box's that would work best for me? Thank you!

Edit: I have decided to go with the Helix Twilight Luxe. I'll update what I think about it after I get it.

Update: I've been using the Helix Twilight Luxe for about a month now, and I am really liking it so far! The reviews that I saw about it not having great edge support when sitting on the edge of the mattress are true, but it isn't that terrible and also wasn't really a priority for me. It is very firm and perfect for sleeping on my stomach and not causing soreness when sleeping on my sides. There was no chemical smell or anything when unpacking it, and while the box said it would be completely decompressed within 2 hours, I waited about 2 days before using it, and it was perfect. Overall, this mattress is much better than my last one was, and I would recommend it if you don't plan to sit on the edges too much and aren't able to go to a mattress store in person.

Looking for a new mattress and I don’t like the heavy legacy mattresses as they are expensive and also don’t want to deal with delivery etc. I like the box type. My partner always sweats at night so something that’ll cool him down would be great, I am a back or side sleeper. Please no unboxing chemical odor, I can never get rid of them

5/24/25 - Thank you for an amazing AMA and thank you to everyone who asked a question. I hope this thread was able to help! I will continue to answer any questions that come in until the thread archives. If you need a personalized mattress recommendation be sure to use my mattress quiz here - https://naplab.com/mattress-quiz/ (I manually respond to all of these requests, it's not an automated form). For all other questions please feel free to DM, chat, or email me here - https://naplab.com/contact/ - And for all else, check out my site at https://naplab.com/ - there you can find all of my reviews, comparisons, best of lists, shopping / research guides, and a whole lot more.

Hi Reddit!

My name is Derek Hales. I am a professional mattress tester and I’ve been testing mattresses since 2014. Over the years, I’ve tested 453 mattresses (and counting) from 99 different brands. 

4 years ago I launched NapLab.com and developed a new way to test mattresses. Instead of merely sleeping on a mattress and then writing a subjective assessment, I use a battery of 10 objective and data-driven tests (with 43 individual data points) to help quantify the performance criteria that are important for most sleepers.

My testing process includes:

• Thermal photographs to assess cooling performance / heat retention

• Accelerometer data to measure the intensity and duration of motion transfer across the mattress

• Sex performance testing using a weighted equation including 5 factors (bounce, edge support, noise, pressure relief, and cooling)

• High FPS video / high resolution photo analysis to take precise & objective measurements for sinkage, material responsiveness, edge support, and bounce

• In addition to other data-driven tests. You can see the full testing process here - https://naplab.com/how-we-test-mattresses/

I’ve spent the majority of my adult life working to create videos, photographs, data, comparisons, guides, and reviews that can help people find a mattress that is perfectly suited to their needs.

Happy to answer any questions about mattresses, sleep, NapLab, the sleep / mattress industry, or anything else on your mind 🙂

Proof - https://imgur.com/a/lxfJMSR

PS - if you need help choosing a mattress check out my mattress quiz - https://naplab.com/mattress-quiz/ - I provide personalized mattress recommendations based on your needs, preferences, and budget. FYI, the quiz isn’t automated, I manually review all submissions so it does take me a little time to answer, but I can usually respond within 24 hours.

edit: I actually ended up going with the Boring Hybrid https://www.boring.co/products/hybrid-mattress. I haven't had the time to make a proper review yet or dont know if I will ever do it. All I can say is that the mattress is simple but really comfortable for me.

Hello

After 7 years of sleeping on what I lovingly call ""the pit of despair"" (a hand-me-down that's basically a hammock at this point), I've finally saved up enough for a new mattress.

I've got about $1000 to spend for a queen, which seemed like plenty until I walked into a mattress store. The salesman kept pushing me toward mattresses that were WAY above my budget, claiming anything under $1500 would ""compromise my sleep health"" (eye roll).

When I insisted on staying under $1000, he showed me a few options that honestly felt like I was lying on a bag of potatoes. Then tried to upsell me on some cooling technology that supposedly uses ""cooling gel"" or something equally ridiculous. Like, what does that even MEAN??

I'm looking for the best mattress under 1000 that will actually last. I'm a side sleeper and weigh around 170lbs. I don't need bells and whistles – just something with decent support.

Has anyone found a quality mattress in this price range? Are online mattress companies worth considering? I was checking out Boring. I'm open to foam, hybrid, whatever - as long as it's comfortable

I have to get a bed in a box because my house is 120+ years old and the clearing on the stairs is lower than current code. We cannot get a mattress up/down without it bending which I know is not good.

I need firm-ish, anything too soft hurts my back, especially now that I am pregnant. But I’m not looking for a rock. My husband doesn’t like too much of a memory foam feel, at least on the top.

Am I looking for a unicorn? Any recommendations would be great and much appreciated!

What's a mattress for back pain that'll actually last?

It seems like most start sagging or develop other issues after the first year or so.

Anyone have a favorite mattress they'd recommend?

Hi Everybody! (Hi Dr. Nick!)

I am in the market for a full memory foam mattress.

Here are my needs:

King Size // At least 12 inches in height // Medium Firm

My research has told me the two best options are :

Tempur-Pedic Pro-Adapt ($$$$) // Saatva Contour5 ($$$)

Two honarary mentions that are more within my realistic budget of under $2000 are :

Tuft and Needle Mint // Winkbed GravityLux

Does anyone have any of these models that could share or highly recommend another brand for a full memory foam medium experience? I've been researching for quite some time now. Thanks in advance BIFL fam!

EDIT: Thanks everyone for the recommendations and reassurance. I ended up going with the Boring Hybrid (https://www.boring.co/products/hybrid-mattress)

After 5 years of apartment living with a crappy IKEA foam mattress that's literally SINKING in the middle, my wife and I finally closed on our first house last month!! 🎉

We've been sleeping on the same sad queen mattress since our broke grad school days, and now that we have a proper bedroom (and a master that can actually fit a king), we're ready to invest in a REAL adult bed. I've been spending wayyy too many hours researching the best hybrid mattress options and my brain is melting.

We went to a local mattress store last weekend thinking we'd just pick something and be done with it. HUGE mistake. The salesperson was so aggressive about this $3000 mattress that apparently has magic fairy powder (whatever TF that means). My wife almost caved because she just wanted to leave, but I couldn't stomach dropping 3 grand on something that felt... fine? Not amazing? Just fine?

I'm convinced the best hybrid mattress for us is out there somewhere without the insane markup. We're both side/combo sleepers, I run hot at night, and my wife has some back issues that flare up occasionally.

I THINK we want a hybrid construction (heard these are more supportive and cooler than all-foam), medium-firm feel (6-7/10 on firmness scale), good motion isolation (I get up earlier than she does), definitely something that will actually LAST (our current mattress started sagging after just 2 years), and under $1200 for a king if possible.

Any other first-time homebuyers find a hybrid mattress that actually lives up to the hype? Any brands I should look into or definitely avoid? Anyone have experience with online mattress companies vs. the traditional stores? I was checking out Boring Mattress after seeing some ads here and there.

I have tried a lot of mattresses over the years and had a lot of trouble finding one that was just right for me as I get pain sleeping. Most mattresses to me feel too firm so I wanted something softer but the softer ones I've tried usually end up being too soft so it's hard to find something very medium feeling. I just finished a 100 night trial with my Silk and Snow memory foam mattress and I've decided to post my findings for comparison on that and the other mattresses I've tried and what I have realized will work or not for people with different weights and sleep positions. I'm 5"8" and 150 lbs and mostly a side sleeper and my husband is pretty much the same but I will post what would work for other weights and sleep positions too. Also, note I live in Canada but some of these mattresses sell to the US too. EDITED TO ADD: None of these mattresses have gone to landfills. I kept and resold some and only a couple were returned that were donated to charities. The exchanged ones at Sleep Country are cleaned and resold as 'floor models'.

Mattresses I've tried:

*Naturelle Dunlop Latex mattress - I ordered this mattress and I got one that had 3 layers, firm on the bottom, medium in the middle and medium on top. It was extremely firm feeling like sleeping on a rock and I couldn't sleep on it without a memory foam topper. They had promised I could exchange the top layer for a softer layer and then suddenly wanted to charge me a bunch to ship the other layer so I put in a complaint about their company and I sold the mattress. **Who I would recommend a latex mattress for: Back and stomach sleepers over 200 lbs. I would recommend getting a soft layer on top or adding a topper especially if you are a side sleeper.

*Original Purple mattress - I bought this from someone selling it and found it comfortable for back sleeping but it was too firm for side sleeping. It slept cold even in the winter, which I didn't like and I also didn't like the stretchy sheets I had to use with it. I sold this one too. **Who I would recommend it for: Back sleepers. I'm not sure how it would be for stomach sleepers but for side sleepers, I've heard only the Purple 4 is cushioning enough.

*Juno mattress - I ordered this one and found the mattress to be too thin and firm. Because it only has two layers it is missing a the transition layer from the soft top to firm bottom so an adult will sink through the top layer to the firm layer unless you are very light weight. I missed my return date for this one and will be selling it. **Who I would recommend it for: children or lightweight teens or adults under 100 lbs.

*Simba 2500 mattress - I got this at Sleep Country and it was close to being what I wanted but I found it felt too soft under my hips as it felt like the lower part of my body was sinking into a hole. Although the mattress was one of the more comfortable ones I've tried, I exchanged this one. **Who I would recommend it for: Side sleepers or maybe back sleepers under 150 lbs who like a softer mattress.

*Casper Nova Hybrid mattress - I got this from Sleep Country too from my exchange. I got what was supposed to be a floor model but it was actually a return. It felt very broken in and too soft compared to the one we tried in the store and was very hot and uncomfortable to sleep on. I sank in way too much and it gave me back pain. It was also a couple inches short lengthwise and widthwise. I exchanged it. **Who I would recommend this for: Side Sleepers under 150 lbs who like something soft. If you are over 150 lbs you will probably find it too soft and hot unless you get a cooling layer added to it.

*Casper Original mattress - I got this from the Casper store and it felt too firm for me side sleeping. I would wake up with numbness and tingling in my arms. It got softer after a few months and more comfortable but it was also a couple inches short lengthwise and widthwise. I returned it. **Who I would recommend this for: Back and stomach sleepers under 200 lbs. This may not be firm enough for stomach sleepers but it too firm for most side sleepers.

*Silk and Snow original mattress - When I ordered this I had high hopes for it as it was supposed to be medium feeling but softer on top for side sleeping with high density memory foam. At first it felt a bit firm, then felt fine, then felt too soft and like my hips and sides sank in too much side sleeping. After trying it for a couple months I started getting lower back pain as it felt a bit too soft. I gave it the full 100 night trial thinking I would keep it but decided to start a return right as my trial ended. **Who I would recommend it for: Side and back sleepers under 150 lbs. My husband found it okay for all positions including stomach sleeping but when I looked at his alignment he definitely sank in more around the hips in all sleep positions and he's about 150 lbs.

*Emma mattress - I ordered this to compare to the Silk and Snow when I had it and I slept on it two days and was in pain everywhere as it was much firmer on top than they advertise and I didn't like the feel of the firm foam on top as it didn't feel like memory foam. I also was getting sick around the same time which made my body more sensitive so I tried it again when I was better and it was still too firm so I returned it. **Who I would recommend it for: Back and stomach sleepers over 150 lbs. It felt too firm for side sleeping.

*Douglas mattress - I ordered this after arranging my return for the Silk and Snow mattress. I tried it for a few months and at first it felt too firm but it gradually got a bit softer and more comfortable as time went on. It has a softer, slower memory foam feel on top which I like and is firmer in the middle and lower layers. I switched to a couple other mattresses after trying this one and got lower back pain on them so switched back to this one and then my lower back pain went away. So I am currently sleeping on this mattress again. It is still a touch firmer under my shoulders side sleeping but has better support than other mattresses for my lower back. The only downside to this is it is hot to sleep on. I have to use it without a mattress protector because the protector trapped the heat too much. **Who I would recommend it for: Side, Back and Stomach sleepers over 150 lbs.

*Endy mattress - I tried this in a store and I found it to be soft on top but firmer underneath like the Douglas. The difference is that this has more of a foam feel on top that bounces back fast versus the douglas has more of a memory foam feel on top that's slower moving which I like more. This mattress is also supposed to be good for average weight sleepers but more for back and stomach sleepers. I wouldn't try this myself for side sleeping as I don't think it would be soft enough.

*Silk and Snow Hybrid mattress - I tried this one in a store and it felt supportive with the springs but it felt soft on top. It's supposed to be a medium firm feel but it felt a bit softer on top than I expected. When I layed on it my hips sank in more just like on the original Silk and Snow mattress which surprised me. I considered ordering this hybrid after returning my original Silk and Snow mattress as they said this one should be a bit firmer and a bit more supportive but I also read reviews saying it might feel a bit firm for side sleeping and that it's better for back and stomach sleeping and heavier weights. So I decided to go with the Douglas instead of this mattress.

*Polysleep mattress - This is a mattress I considered trying but I heard it might be a bit firmer for side sleepers. It's supposed to be better for average to heavier weight back and stomach sleepers. It may work for side sleepers too but I'm not sure. Depending on if I can try one somewhere I have considered getting this one if the Douglas doesn't work out.

I’ve been trying to upgrade my sleep with a new mattress, but honestly, it’s been tough to find one that actually works for me. Struggling to find the right mattress too many options and issues like firmness, overheating, and lack of support make it overwhelming.

Have any of you found a mattress that made a noticeable difference in your sleep? Looking for recommendations on mattresses that offer great support, stay cool, and are durable all without breaking the bank.

I’ve seen brands like:

• Tempur-Pedic

• Purple

• Casper

• Saatva

Thanks in advance.

my wife and I are mattress shopping currently. it seems like when we finally find a mattress we like, the internet, and reddit in particular, give us a thousand reasons to get the hell away from it. so, are there any brands anyone can actually recommend?

edit:Thanks for all the responses. much to consider now

I need to get a new mattress. I'm a pretty heavy guy, stomach sleeper who sleeps very hot. I currently have about a 5 year old Casper original which is pretty good, but it could be cooler, and has started to sag on my side. I've been looking at the Endy Hybrid, Douglas Summit, Silk & Snow Hybrid/Organic, and Hush Iced 2.0. I basically want maximum cooling that will hold up to my weight. I've seen a lot of people discuss their more basic models, but I've had trouble finding people reviewing the higher end versions. Does anyone have any experience with any of these?

Edit: I do not want a traditional spring mattress, they're not comfortable to me and still hot. I like my Casper and just want something better that has newer technology.

looking for <$400 queen size 12 in. I keep reading the reviews on Amazon and it seems that firm isn't really my definition of firm. I don't want to sink into the bed even the slightest. Thank you!

Mattress shopping is kicking my butt. Between trying to find the right firmness, staying cool at night, and getting enough support, it feels impossible to pick one. Analysis paralysis is real!

Did you find a mattress that was a total game-changer for your sleep? I’d love recommendations for one that’s supportive, sleeps cool, and holds up over time also something budget-friendly.

I’ve seen a lot about Tempur-Pedic, Purple, Casper, and Saatva. Any strong feelings (good or bad) about these?

a few years ago, there were soooo many mattress in a box brands it became the very problem they were hoping to solve (too many choice in a mattress store, overwhelmed clients... so it became too many box brands, just as overwhelmed clients).

Now the dust has settled a bit, is there a brand that stood out of the lot as higher quality instead of quickly obsolete gadget that doesnt stand the test of time?

thanks a lot

I'm finally making the big move from Chicago to LA next month and I'm trying to figure out the whole mattress situation.

I've been sleeping on the same hand-me-down mattress for like 6 years now and it's basically a taco at this point (the middle is super sunken it difficult to get out in the morning). I'm NOT bringing this torture device with me to California.

I'm looking for the best mattress in a box that won't completely destroy my moving budget. My new place is a second-floor apartment with narrow stairs, so something that comes compressed seems ideal. Plus I'll be dead tired after the move and just want to flop onto something comfortable without dealing with traditional mattress delivery windows.

I've been down the review rabbit hole for DAYS and my brain is fried from all the marketing buzzwords... like can we just talk about actual comfort and not make it sound like I'm sleeping on a NASA experiment?

Anyone have personal experience with mattress in a box brands that are actually good? I'm a side sleeper who runs hot, so something with decent edge support that doesn't sleeps hot would be ideal. Budget is around $800 for a queen.

Can't wait to join you all in the land of perfect weather and terrible traffic next month!

I put off getting a new mattress for fourteen years because they’re so expensive in stores. I finally bought one on Amazon after my mom had ordered on Walmart’s website.

I was very apprehensive because we couldn’t try it but I read hundreds of reviews.

It was super cheap. Less than $200 for a queen. This was five years ago.

It’s the best mattress I’ve ever had.

Getting it in the mail is much better than getting it delivered by the store.

ETA: It was ZINUS 10 Inch Support Plus Pocket Spring Hybrid Mattress