We made this list because we wanted answers.
As we’ve written in the past, soft & unsupportive mattresses are a common source of back pain.
And yet, very few mattress lists on Amazon or elsewhere look credible. Many of the “BEST MATTRESS!” articles make their selections based on what earns them the most affiliate commission.
But not here, not with us.
Our mattress selections are based on what we believe is comfortable and healthy for your back.
If we can’t earn any affiliate commission on the sale, that’s our problem.
Ready to get started? Let’s hop into it.
Methodology
To create this list, we:
- Consulted an actual, experienced physical therapist who specializes in the spine.
- Sent this medical professional to the mattress stores. As our expert told us, “Stuff about mattresses isn’t something that we are taught in PT school explicitly. But, based upon all of the principles of your back, PTs should be able to make recommendations.”
- Evaluated the mattresses in the local stores that the physical therapists said were the best.
- Identified several dozen more mattresses & brands to consider.
- Evaluated the top 1-2 most supportive mattresses from more than 30+ mattress brands.
Ultimately, we made our selections primarily based on support, firmness, and materials construction (memory foam = bad & unsupportive), and breathability. We also considered less-important factors such as price, adjustability, trial period, warranty, country of origin, and free return shipping.
Bottom Line: We spent 100+ hours doing a deep dive to save you the time.
What other mattresses did we consider?
Great question. As always, we made an evaluation spreadsheet and are happy to share it with you.
Check out this killer spreadsheet comparing the specs of 37+ mattresses here.
FYI — we do keep this updated on an ongoing basis.
Reminders
Prior to reviewing the selections, let’s cover a few reminders:
- Every person is different. It’s worth repeating this 1000x. What does this mean for you? Well, here are 18 questions to ask yourself before picking a mattress.
- Memory foam & soft mattresses are generally bad for you. Memory foam is overly soft & retains a lot of heat. And soft mattresses won’t have the support you need. As our PT consultant told us, “At night [after a long day of sitting], the spinal discs should invite water back in while we sleep….but, if we are on too soft of a bed, then the disc doesn’t really recover due to the pressure.” Yikes. You can read more of our thoughts on memory foam at the start of this article.
- It may take you time to get used to a firmer (i.e., healthier) mattress. This is important to keep in mind when you are reading reviews and/or trying a mattress yourself. Are you scared you won’t be able to adjust? Read this story & then consider the Sleep Number.
- Mattress ratings are suspect outside of Amazon. Unfortunately, most mattress seem to curate the online reviews on their own website. So, if you are reading reviews or looking at ratings on the mattress brand’s website…just be aware that the mattress company probably takes down some of the more negative reviews.
- The longer the trial, the better. Back pain often arises from bulging spinal discs. The problem is that the spinal discs themselves don’t have nerves. So, you won’t feel your discs gradually bulging… until it’s a problem. Additionally, your spinal discs typically bulge due to cumulative pressure. Therefore, any positive or negative effects of a mattress usually aren’t felt for several months. So, the longer you can try a mattress before returning, the better.
OK, ready to jump into the selections? Let’s take a look.
The Selections
Budget Mattress (less than $500 for a Queen)
Winner: Lucid 10in Latex Hybrid Mattress
Price: Full – $359 , Queen – $447, & King – $549
Posturre Composite Support Rating:
6.8 / 10
Why it’s a winner…
If you want an affordable latex hybrid mattress with solid support, then here’s your winner.
The mattress may take a little bit of time to break-in & get used to the strong support. Its latex hybrid construction means it is constructed with both latex foam & pocketed steel coils (for motion isolation).
The Lucid Hybrid isn’t made in the USA. But, it is made with hypoallergenic latex, only a little memory foam, and solid support at an incredible price. I mean, seriously, this price is crazy good.
And it’s worth the small price you pay! This mattress currently averages a 4.5 rating on Amazon across more than 4,500 reviews. Yes, you are reading that correctly. What’s more, Amazon reviews are more trustworthy than what you will find on mattress company sites.
One reviewer even said the mattress seems too good to be true.
We don’t know if we would go that far…but man, solid support with a hypoallergenic latex mattress at these prices… pretty awesome.
The Lucid Latex Hybrid is a great choice for tight budgets.
NOTE: make sure you get the 10-inch latex hybrid model. All the other models are less firm, have more foam, & won’t support you enough.
Important and awesome…
+ awesome Amazon reviews across 4500+ ratings
+ solid support
+ mostly natural latex hybrid construction despite budget pricing
+ incredible price point
+ 10yr warranty despite budget pricing
+ not much memory foam
Important and could be improved…
– little too much foam generally, regardless of type (it’s a budget option)
– breathability impacted by all the foam on top
– trial period is merely adequate at 100 nights
Not super important but we love it…
+ avail on Amazon, reviews more trustworthy
+ foam is gel-infused for cooling
+ contains polyfoam that is CertiPUR-US
+ free return shipping
+ enhanced edge support
+ slick looking fabric design
+ prompt online chat responsiveness
+ mattress is compatible with adjustable bases (e.g., recliner bed bases)
Not super important but could be improved…
– not made in USA
Reviews Summary: 4.5 stars across 4500+ ratings on Amazon. This is insanely awesome & the quantity of reviews is surprising. Even the online chat sales rep admitted he sleeps on this mattress model.
Positive reviewers rave about the quality support at the incredible price. Less complimentary reviews about the 10in model were difficult to find. But, a few people said it was firmer than they expected and also slept warmer than anticipated.
Trial: 100 night trial. If “after 30 nights, you are not completely satisfied, contact us before the end of the 100-night In-Home Trial Period to arrange for the return or exchange of your purchase.” Unfortunately, no free return shipping.
Warranty: 10-year warranty against manufacturer defects. Lucid states, “At Lucid, we take quality very seriously. This is proven in our lab-certified safe memory foam, moisture-controlling TENCEL™ lyocell blend mattress covers, and supportive high-density base foam. We guarantee all our mattresses with industry-leading warranties, so you can enjoy a good night’s sleep in complete confidence.”
Bottom Line: Although our supporting rating is only 6.8/10, the Lucid 10in Latex Hybrid is nevertheless a great option for anyone looking for solid support on a tight budget.
—
Affordable Mattresses ($500-999 for Queen-sized)
Winner: Sleep Number 360 C2 Smart Bed
Price: Full – $799, Queen – $999, & King – $1499
Posturre Composite Support Rating: 9 out of 10
Why it’s a winner…
OK, you caught us. This is the mattress we use.
We love this mattress for its premium support and adjustability. It’s also very affordable.
Are you scared it’s an air mattress? Don’t be.
Take all your preconceived notions about Walmart air mattresses, crumple them into a ball, and throw them in the trash.
The USA-made Sleep Number C2 is in a different class. It’s covered by a 15-year warranty, which is longer than the lifetime of most normal mattresses. Honestly, you’ll forget that this mattress uses air except when you adjust it.
Finally – we love that there’s no memory foam! Only a 2-inch comfort foam layer. In fact, older models had ZERO foam of any kind. Oh well, they don’t make them like the used to…it’s just 2 inches and it’s not memory foam. We’ll take it.
So, why is the firmness adjustability awesome?
For one, you and your spouse don’t need to 100% agree on the bed’s firmness.
But, more importantly for your back health, you can start by sleeping at whatever is comfortable and simply increase the firmness gradually over time.
One PT patient’s wife did gradually increased the firmness over time without the patient even noticing. The results?
He went from saying, “This is the worst mattress ever” → “This is the best mattress ever.”
We think your sentiment about this mattress will be similar.
Two important notes:
- Make sure you buy the C2 model. All the other models are less supportive due to thicker foam comfort layers.
- Work your way to the 90-100 firmness settings. You can take your time if you need to do so. But, there’s no use in buying this mattress but then putting the firmness at soft levels like 70.
One final note: we love that there’s no memory foam! Only a 2-inch comfort foam layer. In fact, older models had ZERO foam of any kind. Oh well, they don’t make them like the used to…it’s just 2 inches and it’s not memory foam. We’ll take it.
If breathability is truly a concern for you, then we recommend purchasing one of their cooling mattress toppers.
BONUS: if money isn’t an issue and you want luxury, check out the optional base upgrades that include features like foot warming and head position adjustments.
Important and awesome…
+ strong support for your spine (at the 90-100 settings)
+ adjustable firmness; gradually increase to healthy support levels
+ zero memory foam, only minimal Certi-PUR-US polyfoam
+ gel-infused comfort layer for coolness
+ very affordable
+ solid warranty, guarantees its quality
+ great reviews from thousands of users
Important and could be improved…
– polyfoam comfort layer needlessly detracts from support & breathability
– trial period is merely adequate at 100 nights
Not super important but we love it…
+ comes with SleepIQ app for tracking sleep quality/amounts
+ made in USA
+ each side individually adjustable
+ great support via webchat or local stores
+ solid motion isolation due to separate air chambers
Not super important but could be improved…
– confusing to deflate & deconstruct if moving
– no free return shipping
– don’t want the smartphone app? you’ll need to purchase a remote separately
– name-brand add-ons are a bit pricey
Reviews Summary:
Positive reviewers love the adjustability (obviously) as well as the improvement they felt regarding their back pain. Reviewers also like quality and many call it the best bed they’ve ever used.
Less positive reviews are the minority; so reasons for disliking the mattress are all over the place. A few of the reasons mentioned include the mattress running hot unless you buy their topper and make sure you have good sheets (we can confirm this) and some people mentioned that their mattresses were leaking air (they should contact Sleep Number and take advantage of the solid warranty).
Trial:
100 night trial. If “after 30 nights, you are not completely satisfied, contact us before the end of the 100-night In-Home Trial Period to arrange for the return or exchange of your purchase.”
Unfortunately, no free return shipping.
Warranty:
Very solid, 15 year warranty on normal use of mattress. Pro Tip: if you purchase their name-brand mattress topper, then stains to the polyfoam comfort layer are covered as well.
Bottom Line: The Sleep Number 360 C2 Smart Bed is our affordable and overall mattress winner for its premium, adjustable support to prevent & relieve back pain.
Runner-up: Brooklyn Signature Hybrid – Firm
Price: $719 for Full, $899 for Queen, & $1,099 for King
Posturre Composite Support Rating: 7.94 out of 10
Why it’s a winner…
This hybrid mattress is quite supportive and affordable due to the type of foam it uses.
Its firmness scores better than lots of other hybrids due to zero memory foam and only 3 total inches of foam.
The mattress is constructed with:
– premium quilted topper
– 1 inch layer of patented TitanFlex hyperelastic foam (more affordable latex alternative)
– 2 inches of VariFlex transitional high density foam
– 8 inches of Ascension encased coils
– 1/4 inch base for the coils.
Our conclusion: this mattress is a great, affordable option for strong support if the Sleep Number makes you nervous.
What else is there to like beyond the support? Lots…read onwards!
BUT – make sure you buy the firm model or you won’t be purchasing a mattress with solid support.
Important and awesome…
+ highly affordable
+ 4.7 stars across 8700+ ratings on their website,
strong support for your spine (at the 90-100 settings)
+ support of latex with price of typical foams
+ zero memory foam, made with Certi-PUR-US polyfoam
+ breathable quilted top & ZERO memory foam
Important and could be improved…
– motion isolation isn’t the best for couples
Not super important but we love it…
+ strong edge support
+ high quality materials made in USA
+ latex-type support but not latex, great for people with latex allergies
+ free return shipping
Not super important but could be improved…
– one professional reviewer noted there is a smell that goes away after a few hours
Reviews Summary:
4.7 stars across 8700+ ratings on their company site. People absolutely loved the support for its value and, despite the fact that the reviews are on the company website, there is an enormous number of positive reviews. Additionally, it’s worth noting that online mattress review sites have named this mattress a best value mattress.
Trial:
120 night trial with free return shipping. Brooklyn Bedding calls it, “Zero risk option with free shipping on delivery, exchanges and returns..”
Warranty:
Solid, full 10 year warranty. The warranty is rather comprehensive & specific. You can read more here.
Bottom Line:
We rated The Brooklyn Signature Hybrid 7.94/10 and gave it the runner-up award for affordable mattresses that prioritize your back health.
—
High-End Mattresses ($1,000 to 1,699 for a Queen)
Winner: Saatva Classic Mattress – Firm Option
Price: $1,595 for Full, $1,695 for Queen, & $2,095 for King
Posturre Composite Support Rating: 8 out of 10
Why it’s a winner…
This mattress screams quality.
This is a really solid mattress with an amazing warranty, 180-day trial period, fantastic online reviews, and a very breathable cotton top (increasingly rare in an age of sweaty, non-breathable mattress toppers).
There’s barely any memory foam.
We definitely recommend giving this mattress a shot.
Also — guess what? That mattress topper is certified organic cotton protected with an antimicrobial treatment. Plus, the CertiPUR-US® certified foams meet industry standards for health and environmental safety. Other construction materials include recycled steel coils and a flame retardant barrier made from natural thistle pulp (rather than chemical sprays). Your health and the environment will thank you.
Worried about setting up your mattress? Don’t be: white glove delivery and setup come standard for no extra charge.
NOTE: there is a SUBSTANTIAL difference in the firmness between the Plush Soft, Luxury Firm, and Firm options. For the sake of your back, select the Firm option.
Also – in regards to the 11.5 inch vs 14.5 inch mattress height options, Saatva told us there is no difference in firmness. The taller mattresses simply have 2 more turns in the bottom coils. Nevertheless, it’s hard for us to imagine that adding more height to the bottom coils won’t cause the mattress to be softer. So, we recommend getting the 11.5 inch mattress height. If you need a taller bed for entering & exiting the bed, we recommend working with your box spring & frame height to achieve the proper height. Remember, the bed height should allow you to properly sit on the edge.
Important and awesome…
+ strong & lasting support
+ high quality materials & construction
+ very minimal foam
+ reenforced edge support for ergonomic edge sitting
+ VERY strong reviews on company site: 4.9 stars!
+ great breathability so you don’t toss & turn
+ incredible 180-day trial period
Important and could be improved…
– we wish there was zero memory foam (but there is barely any…so, not bad)
Not super important but we love it…
+ made with Certi-PUR-US foam
+ eco-friendly & flame retardant materials (recycled coils and…thistle pulp? Awesome)
+ select from 2 different height profile
+ made in USA
+ white glove delivery & setup are FREE
+ warranty is very strong — repair and/or replace for up to 15yrs!
Not super important but could be improved…
– no free return shipping
– a bit pricy (but it’s high-end quality, makes sense)
– not avail on Amazon
– $99 fee charged for returns during trial or using warranty after 2yrs
Reviews Summary:
Incredible 4.9 stars across 2200+ ratings on company site!
Reviewers loved the luxury EURO pillow topper, white glove delivery + setup, materials quality, fact it is made in USA, and the fantastic lumbar support. On the flip side, it is a bit pricy.
Trial:
One of the longest trial periods — 180 nights! Unfortunately, there is a $99 processing fee for returns (though they will pick it up from you). See details here.
Warranty:
Amazing warranty that covers defects in make or materials for up to 15 years. No charge for using warranty in first two years, $99 processing fee after that. See details here.
Bottom Line:
We awarded the Saatva Classic Mattress the best value for high-end mattresses that prioritize your back health.
Runner-up: Plank by Brooklyn Bedding
Price: $719 for Full, $919 for Queen, & $1,079 for King
Posturre Composite Support Rating: 8.8 out of 10
Why it’s a finalist…
We like this mattress a lot.
It’s made in the USA with CertiPUR-US certified foam (i.e., safe from toxins) & it’s frequently rated as very firm.
We also love that it’s dual-sided so sleepers seeking to adjust to a firmer bed for more support can ease into the experience by starting with the less firm side. This bed also breathes well, has solid edge support for a foam bed, and is readily available via Amazon.
Admittedly, most 100% foam beds are NOT very supportive whatsoever. But, this bed’s high ratings in regards to it’s firmness speaks to the type/density of the foam.
But we are still concerned about the all-foam construction. And so, durability is why we didn’t select this bed as the high-end winner; despite its strong support rating.
So, despite the strong support we don’t recommend this bed for heavier individuals. We just aren’t confident enough that an all-foam construction will retain its support if you are on the husky side. See the reviews for more information about this.
Plank brands itself as the “The firmest, flattest, healthiest way to sleep.”
We are onboard. Those are qualities you want in a good mattress.
NOTE: make sure you get the Plank and not the Plank Hybrid! The Plank is more supportive than the Plank Hybrid.
Important and awesome…
+ very firm & strong support (what matters most), esp. for foam mattress
+ dual-side mattress, allows sleepers to adjust to more support
+ zero memory foam
+ made with Certi-PUR-US polyfoam
+ very breathable for foam mattress
+ great reviews on company site
Important and could be improved…
– quantity of ratings on Amazon not high
– all-foam constructions means the mattress lacks some in durability for its price
Not super important but we love it…
+ tall 11.75in profile helps people get out of bed
+ avail on Amazon
+ high quality materials made in Arizona, USA
Not super important but could be improved…
– sometimes needs a few days to fully flatten & lose a foam odor
– shipped in a roll
– all-foam construction
– unclear if return shipping is free
– no reenforced perimeter edge support
Reviews Summary:
Strong 4.8 stars across 1900+ ratings on company site but only 4.2 stars across only 70+ ratings on Amazon.
You’d think a highly supportive mattress called a plank could struggle in reviews. However, many reviewers love that the mattress is actually firm & supportive. Many were relieved to finally find a firm mattress and also thankful for the dual-sided nature of the Plank Mattress. One Amazon reviewer wrote, “This mattress is super firm without feeling hard, or thin like a futon – to the contrary, when you lay on it, it feels almost like you are floating above the mattress.”
Less complimentary reviewers cited issues with the materials durability.
Trial:
120 night trial with free return shipping. Brookly Bedding calls it, “Zero risk option with free shipping on delivery, exchanges and returns..”
Warranty:
Solid, full 10 year warranty. The warranty is rather comprehensive & specific. You can read more here.
Bottom Line:
We rated the Plank by Brooklyn Bedding 8.8/10 and gave it the runner-up award for high-end mattresses that prioritize your back health.
—
Luxury Mattresses ($1,700+ for a Queen)
Winner: Beautyrest Black L-Class Extra Firm
Price: Full – $2,399, Queen – $2,399, & King – $3,295
Posturre Composite Support Rating: 8.5 out of 10
Why it’s a finalist…
Unfortunately, mattress stores are limited in their supply and softer mattresses dominate the inventory (because of the short-term comfort feel).
So, we sent our PT consultant to multiple mattress stores to identify the most supportive mattresses.
The result?
The Beautyrest Black L-Class Extra Firm was a top three, most supportive mattress from our consultant’s feel-tests. This make sense – the memory foam in this mattress is very limited & it’s classified as extra firm.
The Beautyrest Black L-Class Extra Firm also includes some incredible features:
- Micro Diamond Memory Foam: yes, you read that right! This mattress uses conductive diamond particles to move heat away from you when you sleep.
- Ventilated Aircool Beautyedge: this is reenforced edge support with airflow ports! A rare feature.
- T3 Pocketed Coil® Technology: in each individual coil, there are three steel stands woven together for extra support and energy absorption.
- BlackICE™ 4.0 Technology: this cooling system includes SilkAIR fibers in the mattress cover, temperature-regulating gel in the memory foam, and airflow-supportive coils.
- Cooling Upgrade Options: we highly recommend the cooling upgrade option. This means one of the normal foam layers is replaced with a cooling carbon fiber foam that’s up to 20% cooler. Highly recommend!
IMPORTANT NOTES:
- Cooling upgrade = good, comfort upgrade = bad: we do not recommend the comfort upgrade b/c that adds more foam to the mattress which makes it less supportive.
- Extra Firm model = hard to find: the Extra Firm L-class model of the Beautyrest Black is popular and frequently out-of-stock. Make sure you are purchasing the correct model.
Important and awesome…
+ extra firm, PT-approved support
+ 120 nights to try the mattress
+ barely any memory foam
+ 4.9 star avg rating on company site
Important and could be improved…
– low number of ratings on company site
– little bit of needless memory foam
– $139 return shipping fee + 10% restocking fee (wow, that’s a lot)
Not super important but we love it…
+ handcrafted in the USA with high quality materials
+ BlackICE™ 4.0 Technology with Silk AIR fibers
+ cooling upgrade option with carbon fiber foam
+ reenforced Aircool Beautyedge
Not super important but could be improved…
– price point is high (but, it’s luxury)
– not avail on Amazon
Reviews Summary:
4.9 across ~30 ratings & zero reviews lower than 4 stars.
Not gonna lie, we were a bit surprised at how hard it is to find the L-Class Extra Firm model on the Beautyrest site — and I suppose that might be one of the reason why it doesn’t have more reviews on company website. However, it does make us trust the reviews a bit more since they probably aren’t curated.
Positive reviewers liked the durability, decrease in back pain they experienced, and multiple people mentioned that they liked the cooling upgrade. Only negative remark was that one person thought it was too firm (i.e. too supportive). We really think that, unless you are extremely lightweight, having a bed that is too supportive just shouldn’t be a large concern. On the flip side, the one other concern voiced in the reviews worth noting is that some people had concerns about durability. But, warranty should cover that if needed.
Trial:
120 night trial – this is a solid length of time. Unfortunately, there is a $139 return shipping fee + 10$ restocking fee! This is a lot and, frankly, the worst trial terms by monetary standards. See the full details here.
Warranty:
10 year warranty.
Bottom Line: the Beautyrest Black L-Class Extra Firm is one of the most supportive & luxurious mattresses on the market. We highly recommend it.
Runner-up: Airweave Mattress
Price: Full – $4,250, Queen – $4,500, & King – $5,520
Posturre Composite Support Rating: 8.56 out of 10
Why it’s a runner-up…
This is, without question, the most unique mattress on the list.
For starters, the Airweave Mattress is a mere 8 inches in height and it contains ZERO foam. Not just zero memory foam…but zero foam, period. It’s also highly breathable and the inner components can be WASHED. This makes the Airweave hypoallergenic as well!
So….what is it?
The Airweave Mattress is made from a polyethylene material that is BPA-free, long-lasting, recyclable, and lightweight. It’s almost like a lightweight, very breathable, and firm cloud. Airweave calls it airfiber® and describes it like this, “Airfiber® is our proprietary technology and material that makes up the core of our mattresses. Through its unique interwoven design, airfiber® helps you move easily, evenly distributes weight and allows airflow to help keep you in a deeper more restful sleep.”
Why is this important? “You’ll get the support from thousands of multi-dimensional springs,” says Airweave.
So, Airweave Mattress is unique. What’s great about it?
The airfiber® means there’s no foam odor when unwrapped. But, more importantly, the Airweave Mattress offers firm support through its construction. One professional reviewer gave this mattress a 10/10 for spine alignment!
What’s the worst part? The Airweave Mattress scores low in motion isolation. OK, one more slight downside: the Airweave mattress is expensive. But, since you spend like a third of your life sleeping, this revolutionary & unique mattress may be right for you. If your budget isn’t tight & your back hurts, then money shouldn’t be a major consideration. But, at the end of the day, this is a luxury mattress.
For all the reasons listed previously, f you are a heavy person, the Airweave ought to be considered due to its firm support. The Airweave is also great if you are allergic to latex and/or hypoallergenic generally.
But, even if you aren’t heavy, the Airweave Mattress is simply a fantastic option for both firm and durable support.
Important and awesome…
+ very firm & healthy support
+ zero foam of any kind
+ hypoallergenic
+ very durable
+ solid breathability
Important and could be improved…
– low quantity & average ratings on company site
– expensive (again, it’s luxury & highly durable)
Not super important but we love it…
+ washable
+ recyclable & BPA-free construction
+ handcrafted in the USA & carefully sourced materials
+ free return shipping between 30th & 100th nights
Not super important but could be improved…
– made in Japan, not local/USA
– not avail on Amazon
– $99 processing fee for returns
– trial period is only average at 100 nights
– no white glove delivery & setup despite luxury pricing
Reviews Summary:
Approx. 4.5 stars across 40 or so reviews on their website.
Consumer reviews are solid but there isn’t a lot & they are only on the website. However, more reputable professional reviewers do give this mattress high praise — one even selected this mattress as the mattress of the year in 2020.
Overall, positive reviewers frequently noted the Airweave is comfortable but very firm. It sounds like a lot of people said that it took a little bit of time to get used to this support….but no surprise, their backs felt much better!
Less complimentary reviewers cited issues with the materials durability.
Trial:
100 night trial with free return shipping provided that you’ve kept the mattress for 30 nights. Airweave states, “If you choose to return one of the items above before 30 nights, you will be subject to a $150 service fee.” You can read the rest of the details here.
Warranty:
Aireweave provides a 10 year limited warranty on the Airweave mattress. The warranty does not protect against normal wear or damages caused by abuse or misuse, such as burns and tears. You can read the full details here.
Bottom Line: if you need a very firm mattress to fix your back pain – regardless of cost – then the Airweave mattress is for you.
Honorable Mention: ZenHaven Latex Mattress by Saatva
Price: Full – $2,295, Queen – $2,695, & King – $3,295
Posturre Composite Support Rating: 7.65 out of 10
Why it’s a finalist…
We love this mattress even though it’s probably the softest mattress on our list.
For one, we love the materials used to make this mattress. There is zero memory foam in the whole mattress. That’s both amazing and rare.
Instead, this mattress’ base is made from Talalay latex. This means that, when molding the latex, they vacuumed out the air so the construction is more of a pure form of the latex materials. Saatva says this offers “the most consistent firmness of any latex around.” The latex is thus more buoyant and durable than denser Dunlop latex.
Frankly, we’re a bit concerned about too much buoyancy & less density. This could detract from the support and it’s why this mattress isn’t our Luxury Mattress category winner. From a physical therapist perspective, both the Sleep Number C2 360 Smart Bed and the Beautyrest Black L-Class Extra Firm are more supportive. However, the Zenhaven Latex Mattress is still great if you want a luxurious mattress with solid — but not too solid — support.
Also – if you need a hypoallergenic & environmentally conscious mattress, take a look at this awesome list of materials in the Zenhaven Latex Mattress:
- 100% natural, non-petroleum based and hypoallergenic Talalay latex for healthy and firm support (also certified by environmental groups such as the Rainforest Alliance)
- Organic New Zealand wool that is naturally flame retardant (as opposed to using chemical sprays)
- A certified organic cotton outer cover that’s protected with Guardin (a natural/botanical antimicrobial treatment)
Yep, that’s right. No memory foam, the earth loves you, and your body will love you. The outstanding quality of the materials in this mattress are the reason for this luxury price point.
It’s a win-win-win and the 4.9 star average rating reflects this.
And there’s more to love! See more considerations below.
Important and awesome…
+ very firm & strong support (what matters most), esp. for foam mattress
+ dual-side mattress, allows sleepers to adjust to more support
+ zero memory foam
+ made with Certi-PUR-US polyfoam
+ 180-night trial (basically longest we’ve seen)
+ high quality materials (NZ wool, 100% natural Talalay latex, & organic cotton)
+ 4.9 star avg rating on company site
+ 20 (TWENTY) year warranty
Important and could be improved…
– low quantity of ratings on company site
– all-latex foam construction
Not super important but we love it…
+ free white glove delivery & setup
+ dual-sided (but one side is probably too soft)
+ handcrafted in the USA & carefully sourced materials
+ very eco-friendly materials
Not super important but could be improved…
– not avail on Amazon
– $99 processing fee for returns
Reviews Summary:
Strong 4.9 stars across 200+ ratings on company site (perhaps there aren’t more reviews because it is such a luxury product).
Reviewers loved the luxury and the hypoallergenic materials. And, as you’d expect, the comfortable latex support and cool way that the material sleeps. One reviewer said: “Been thru a lot of beds in my 65 years. Some good, some terrible. This is my favorite mattress so far, here’s why… About 30 years ago, I was introduced to perforated talalay latex mattresses, ones wrapped in wool for temperature regulation, the benefits of pressure relief, and longevity. I never took the plunge, but now see why this is the best sleeping platform you can buy. I now don’t get hot.”
Trial:
180 nights night trial with free return shipping. Brookly Bedding calls it, “Zero risk option with free shipping on delivery, exchanges and returns..”
Warranty:
Longest warranty we’ve ever seen at 20 years – and it is NOT prorated! That’s nuts. Zenhaven states, “We warrant that our American-made luxury mattresses will be free from defects in workmanship and materials for a NON-PRORATED period of 20 years.” You can read more of the details here.
Bottom Line: although sleepers who need very firm support should exercise caution, many sleepers will fall in love with the Zenhaven Latex Mattress by Saatva as they fall into the lap of luxury.
Leave a Reply