Forget ye olde mattress store. Thanks to the bed-in-a-box trend, it’s incredibly easy to shop for the best mattresses online. With just a few clicks, you can have a high-quality twin, queen or king-size mattress delivered directly to your door.
In the past few years, a lot of new mattress startups specializing in direct-to-consumer delivery have entered the market, which means that you can choose from dozens of low-cost mattresses. These bed-in-a-box mattresses come in a variety of designs and firmness levels, so you can buy a bed that’s perfectly suited to your sleeping style.
What to Consider Before Buying a Bed-in-a-Box Mattress
First, it’s worth defining a bed-in-a-box mattress. As the name suggests, it’s a bed that’s shipped to you in a box. Instead of going to a traditional mattress store and trying out a handful of different beds, a bed-in-a-box is purchased online and sent to your front door. You then open the box, unroll the mattress and allow it to fully expand before (hopefully) enjoying the best sleep of your life.
When shopping for a bed-in-a-box mattress, it’s important to take note of the kind of product that you’ll be getting. Many bed-in-a-box mattresses are either entirely or largely foam. That’s because foam mattresses can be more easily rolled and then compressed into a box. That said, there are some other kinds of mattresses that can still be found when shopping.
To find the best mattress online, there are a few decisions you’ll need to make. First, decide if you like a firmer or softer feel. After all, the best mattress will vary from sleeper to sleeper. Next, check what size you need for your bed frame along with the thickness you think is best. Consider your sleeping style, too. Do you tend to run hot or cold in bed, and how much do you toss and turn? Different mattresses cater to different sleepers. Take note that foam mattresses are poor dissipators of heat, so a bed-in-a-box may not be the best option for a hot sleeper. That said, many bed-in-a-box brands include cooling foam on the top layer, which can help mitigate the hotness of foam.
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What We Looked For When Choosing the Best Bed-in-a-Box Mattresses
To help you narrow your search, here are SPY’s picks for the best mattresses available online. We turned to some of the top bed-in-a-box brands such as Casper, Purple and Tuft & Needle. We factored in price as well as features like mattresses with multiple layers and the use of innovative materials. Plus, we looked for mattresses that conform to standards such as being made in the US, Centi-Pur certification and B-Corp membership. Order one for easy home delivery and start catching the zzz’s you’ve been dreaming of. Better sleep is just a few clicks away, so start your search for the best mattress with these products.
1. Casper Sleep Essential Mattress
If you’re after a little bit of luxury in your life, it may be worth investing in the Casper Sleep Essential Mattress, one of the best mattresses for sale online. This mattress is definitely on the firmer side, so while it’s not ideal for side sleepers, it’s perfect for anyone that needs support as they doze. This bed-in-a-box mattress offers pressure relief, comfort, support and durability, meaning it’s going to provide years of enjoyable rest. The mattress’s design includes breathable, open-cell foam to prevent overheating, although it won’t keep you as cool as specialty cooling mattresses. The upholstery-grade hybrid knit cover is also built to last and can be removed for easy maintenance of your mattress.
Pros: Impressive support and durability. A firm mattress that’s still comfortable. Rises quickly after opening the box. Sizes range from twin to California king.
Cons: Charcoal color may clash with some types of bedsheets. Typical bed-in-a-box mattress smell for the first few nights.
2. Ashley Furniture Signature Design Chime Mattress
The Ashley Furniture Signature Design Chime Express Mattress is constructed from two layers of memory foam that work together to provide the firm support and relief you need. While the upper layer of memory foam provides a plush feeling, this mattress is Firm with a capital “F.” Like the best mattresses, this Ashley Furniture product reduces motion transfer, which is a great feature for couples. The inner foam layers contain hypoallergenic materials like charcoal and green tea to keep pollen, mold, dust mites and pet dander at bay. Furthermore, it’s available in a range of different sizes, from twin to California king, and in a range of different thicknesses.
Pros: Affordable price. The range of sizes and thicknesses ensures there’s a mattress choice to fit in your bedroom. The ideal choice for sleepers who prefer a very firm mattress.
Cons: After un-packaging, it will take around 72 hours for the plastic-y smell to disappear. Will be too firm for some sleepers.
3. Tuft & Needle Adaptive Foam Mattress
Tuft & Needle’s mattress is made from what they call adaptive memory foam, consisting of a pressure-relieving layer of foam and a larger supportive layer underneath. The top foam layer is designed to move with you and avoid the sinking feeling memory foam can have. The top of the mattress consists of a breathable fabric. Tuft & Needle’s mattresses are made in the US, too, and they meet environmental standards such as Centi-Pur certification and UL Greenguard.
Pros: Meets environmental standards and is made in the US. Unique construction upgrades traditional memory foam.
Cons: Like other foam mattresses, this mattress can present problems for hot sleepers.
4. Purple Mattress Full GelFlex Grid
Purple is one of the more unique mattress brands on the market. Purple’s mattresses consist of a grid of small, squishy cells that are designed to support proper alignment and cradle pressure points. The grid of cells also allows air to flow more easily, promoting better cooling. Purple’s mattresses are also manufactured in the US. And if you love their mattresses, Purple also makes seat cushions from their grid material, so you can stay comfortable while you work.
Pros: Unique, innovative design consists of a breathable grid that supports and cushions. includes multiple layers of foam for optimal comfort.
Cons: Heavy, so it can be hard to move.
5. Zinus Green Tea Memory Foam Mattress
Yes, at this point, you can probably guess that this is yet another comfortable memory foam mattress. Like others on our list, this Zinus mattress features four separate layers of foam. And like the best hypoallergenic mattresses, Zinus integrated charcoal and green tea into the foam. These additives help this mattress fight off bacteria to keep the mattress from smelling. The medium firmness level is ideal for kid’s beds. Thanks to the durable construction, this mattress should last for a decade or more, making it the perfect choice for guest rooms.
Pros: Utilizes green tea and charcoal to fight odor.
Cons: Twin beds have a maximum weight of 250lbs, while larger mattresses can only support up to 500 pounds. Corners may not fully inflate.
6. Modway Aveline Gel Infused Memory Foam Mattress
If you don’t need the green tea or charcoal and are keen to skip the springs, opt for a basic memory foam mattress like this one from Aveline. With only two separate layers (6″ of base foam and 2″ of gel-infused foam), it’s about as straight to the point as possible. But that doesn’t mean it’s not comfortable. The foam is dense but not so hard as to be uncomfortable. It’s also available in plenty of variations from twin to king. As it’s rather simple, we highly recommend it when outfitting a child’s room.
Pros: Simple foam mattress with 2″ of gel-infused foam.
Cons: Only two layers of foam.
7. Zinus Ultima Comfort Memory Foam Mattress
With a central core made from three different levels of memory foam, the Zinus Ultima Comfort Memory Foam Mattress provides plenty of support and comfort for a good night’s rest. The core is made from a mix of high-quality, CertiPUR-certified memory foam, pressure-relieving foam and high-density base support foam. The memory foam conforms to your body, while the high-density foam gives the neutral sleeping temperature mattress stability and durability. For this reason, we would definitely recommend this mattress to couples with different sleeping styles. Inside, you’ll find ActivCharcoal to maintain freshness, reduce odors and absorb moisture.
Pros: Medium-firm mattress with three layers of memory foam.
Cons: Not ideal if you strongly prefer extra soft or hard mattresses. Unlike other products from Zinus, this product isn’t designed to keep you cool during the night.
8. Linenspa Memory Foam Hybrid Mattress
The Linenspa Memory Foam and Innerspring Hybrid Mattress offers the best of both worlds by combining memory foam with steel coils to deliver both comfort and support. The resulting mattress offers a medium-firm feel which is ideal for kids, guest rooms and people who prefer beds that live in the Goldilocks zone of “just right.” The top layer of memory foam helps to keep your spine aligned, while the cozy knit cover provides an additional bit of softness. At 8-inches, this mattress is on the thin side, which we appreciate — some of the best mattresses are so thick they tower over your bed frame.
Pros: The mix of memory foam and steel coils offers a well-balanced mix of comfort and support.
Cons: The bed’s medium-firm feel may be too soft for those who like a firm bed and too hard for those who like a soft bed.