The term “sleep expert” might sound like it’s referring to someone who spends the workday fast asleep, unfortunately, that’s not the case. But it's an interesting job where we have all kinds of advice, from the way diet affects your sleep to why you shouldn't drink before bed. At any given point, we can pull out a whole basket full of sleep knowledge on the spot. Now, I, as well as eight other mattress experts, have tested a lot of beds -- totaling about 300 now. Out of these, we each have a favorite we'd put in our room right now (if we haven't already).
Many high-quality mattresses (and some not-so-good beds) have passed through our mattress warehouse. We've tested and reviewed them, though we all have favorites that have become our go-to recommendations for the average person. We've all developed our favorites through the years and that's what this list is all about. Our team boasts a variety of genders, body types and sleeping positions, so you'll be able to find a best mattress that suits your needs.
CNET sleep team’s picks for best mattresses
Mattress price scale:
$ = Budget: $799 and below
$$ = Average: $800 to $1,699
$$$ = Premium: $1,700 and up
These reflect MSRP or list prices. Sales might make a mattress less expensive, but are always changing.
"When I first laid my eyes (and body) on the Leesa Reserve Hybrid mattress, I immediately fell in love with it. Prior to that, I wasn't even sure I'd like a memory foam mattress -- but this bed changed my mind. Its dense memory foam feel contours comfortably around your body, offering pressure relief, support and impressive motion isolation. As one of many combination sleepers -- who constantly switches between their stomach and side -- I can get comfortable in any position on this mattress," says Aly Lopez, sleep writer.
Leesa is one of our favorite brands for making widely accommodating foam mattresses. The Leesa Reserve Hybrid mattress lives up to the hype. It's available in multiple firmness options, so you can pick accordingly and end up with a firmer or softer mattress. It technically has a cooling cover, though we wouldn't call it an actively cooling mattress. Though, as Lopez notes, the Leesa Reserve mattress does a good job of regulating temperature for hot sleepers.
"To literally top it off, the Leesa Reserve Hybrid has one of the cutest covers I've ever seen on a mattress. I know that doesn't really matter since it will be covered up anyway, but it was still a selling point for me as someone who appreciates a snazzy-looking product," Lopez adds.
Pros:
- Zoned support coils
- Great for dense memory foam lovers
- Available in three firmness levels, so anyone can sleep on it
Cons:
- Expensive
- Petite body types might not need to pay for the added support it offers
"I'm a huge fan of the entire Helix brand. So when I was able to travel to Arizona and tour the 3Z Brands mattress factory about six months ago, I was super excited. I tested just about every mattress in the Helix line and saw how its mattresses get made. However, testing new Helix beds didn't change my favorite mattress of all time: the Helix Midnight Luxe," says Caroline Igo, sleep editor.
The Helix Midnight Luxe is a medium on our firmness scale, meaning it's a widely accommodating bed that just about anyone can sleep on. Couples with different sleep preferences will likely find common ground and comfort on this bed. The Midnight Luxe also has a plush foam pillow top.
"I also highly recommend adding the GlacioTex cooling cover. It's extremely cool to the touch and great for hot sleepers like myself," she adds.
Pros:
- Medium firmness is good for anyone
- Additional GlacioTex cooling cover available for an additional charge
- Strong hybrid design
Cons:
- Not a budget bed
Casper is one of the biggest online mattress brands. It recently revamped the entire mattress catalog, saying goodbye to favorites like the Casper Wave Hybrid or the Casper Original. The new beds have a new look and, more importantly, a new feel.
The Casper Dream is quickly becoming one of the best memory foam mattresses we've tested. It has a soft, neutral feel that most people will find pretty comfortable, and the foam layers provide plenty of pressure relief.
"I like the Casper Dream because it's super accommodating and has a neutral firmness and feel. It's the bed most similar to the one that I currently sleep consistently on, and I've been on Casper beds for years and always enjoy them. I like the piece of mind that the bed has a zoned support design, as well as the option to upgrade to the Dream Max for those who enjoy softer beds. Casper has always made some of my favorite beds, pillows and accessories," says Wes Ott, senior video producer.
Pros:
- Medium firmness will work for most people
- Even people not crazy about memory foam will like the neutral feel
- Zoned support design
Cons:
- Might be too soft for some stomach or back sleepers
- Doesn't have a classic memory foam feel
"I'm a sucker for pillow top beds, and the Nest Sparrow Signature Hybrid is one of the comfiest I've tried out of hundreds. It provides an almost cloud-like level of comfort, and its coils make it supportive for all body types," says JD Christison, senior video producer.
The Nest Sparrow Signature Hybrid mattress is one of the best mattresses we've tested. It's great for couples, especially if you have difficulty finding a bed you both like. The Nest Sparrow is a solid bed that the average person will like, especially if you want a pillow top. That said, this bed has an extra reason that our team loves it.
"To me, though, the lifetime renewal exchange is the best part about this mattress. You can get a replacement top comfort foam for completely free before or after the trial period. This will dramatically increase the overall lifespan of your next bed," Christison adds.
This is a unique program that most brands don't offer, nor is it available through a warranty.
Pros:
- Available in multiple firmness options
- Replaceable comfort foam program
- Super comfy pillow top
Cons:
- A little expensive
- Medium firmness might be too soft for some stomach and back sleepers.
"As a person who has struggled with my weight, I've found that it can be difficult finding the right mattress. Some beds don't provide the right support while maintaining pressure-relieving qualities for heavier individuals. I am happy to say that Helix Sleep has delivered by introducing the Helix Plus lineup of beds, specifically the Helix Plus Elite mattress," says Dillon Payne, CNET Home director of production.
The Helix Plus Elite mattress is one of our top choices for burly bodies. It's got thicker gauge coils that give you enough lumbar support. As if that wasn't enough, the micro coils in the comfort insert add extra support. Don't worry; the luxurious pillow top ensures this bed is as comfortable as it is supportive. We found it to be a medium-firm on our scale, though plus-size folks will probably find it to be closer to a medium. As a bonus, it's also a good choice if you're a hot sleeper.
"As a heavier person, I find I sleep warm as well, which if you're in this position, the Plus Elite alleviates your heat issue. The pillow top cover is made with Helix's most advanced cooling technology, making you feel as if you are sleeping on a winter monsoon cloud right before it showers down the first rain of the season," Payne adds.
Pros:
- Top choice for heavier bodies because of how durable and comfortable it is
- Good if you tend to sleep hot
- Luxurious pillow top
Cons:
- Expensive
- Overkill for petite bodies
Brooklyn Bedding is one of our favorite bedding brands because the beds are comfortable, stand the test of time and are pretty affordable. The Brooklyn Bedding Signature is one of our top-rated beds of all time, though the Aurora Luxe is the favorite pick for Dillion Lopez, senior video producer.
"The Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe is the coolest bed I've ever laid on, and I mean that in both ways. The technology in its cover makes it genuinely cool to the touch, which I like since I sleep pretty hot. Brooklyn Bedding offers this bed in various firmness options. I prefer the soft pillow top version with its neutral foam feel. As a heavier guy, I appreciate that it's a durable hybrid mattress with coils. This mattress comes with a decent price tag, especially considering how high-quality it is," says Lopez.
The Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe is our pick for the best cooling mattress out there. It's a solid pick for folks looking for a durable hybrid bed that will actually cool you.
Pros:
- The coolest bed we've tested
- Available in three firmness levels
- Hefty coils make for a supportive and long-lasting bed
Cons:
- Not what I would consider a budget bed
- Only necessary if you sleep hot
"When I first started testing mattresses over six years ago, I became an instant fan of Purple beds. The brand uses a proprietary material called the GelFlex Grid that is unlike any other mattress foam and gives Purple beds a super unique, interesting and most importantly, super comfortable feel. I slept on the Purple Hybrid Premier 3, which is now discounted -- but the new Restore Collection of hybrids have an almost identical design and the same type of unique feel," says Owen Poole, senior video producer.
Purple is one of those brands you either love or are scared to try. The GelFlex grid that Poole mentioned feels pretty funky at first. It's super stretchy, and you almost feel like you're floating when you're on it. That said, the Purple Restore bed is a really unique and supportive bed that many will like. It has a hybrid design available in two firmness levels, meaning you can choose what best suits your needs.
Pros:
- Unique feel you can't get anywhere else
- Super supportive and comfortable
- Hybrid design
- Available in two firmness levels
Cons:
- The feel can be polarizing
- A little on the pricier side
As for me, there are several beds I like and would even buy for myself. I'm a pillow-top lover, so the options that top my list are DreamCloud Premier or Helix Midnight. However, the one that takes the cake for me is the WinkBed mattress. It's a luxury-style mattress with a classic construction that feels like it could be in a fancy hotel.
The WinkBed mattress has it all, from individually wrapped coils to gel memory foam to that pillow-top finish that feels like a cloud. You'd be hard-pressed to find a pillow-top bed that's as supportive and durable as Winkbed. The part I love the most is that it's available in three firmness levels: Softer, Luxury Firm and Firmer. There is also a Plus option for plus-size folks.
Admittedly, I take a no-fuss approach to my sleep. I want a reliable bed that won't cost me an arm and a leg. That's what Winkbed is. The customization means anyone wanting a pillow top can sleep comfortably on WinkBed. It's one of my top recommendations for the best pillow top mattresses and best beds for heavy people.
Pros:
- Available in three firmness options and one for plus-size body types
- Super supportive
- The pillow top feels like a cloud
- Fairly affordable for the quality, though not what I would call a budget bed
Cons:
- Not for you if you want contouring memory foam
- No cooling options
These are our favorite beds based on our years of testing and assessing mattresses. However, remember that mattresses can be subjective. Many other great options didn't make our favorite list but might be better suited for you and your preferences. Because I can't help myself from giving more mattress recommendations, here are a few more:
Allswell: This is one of the best cheap mattresses you can get. The Allswell mattress comes from retail giant Walmart and is a really good option if you're on a strict budget and need a bed under $500.
Layla Hybrid: This bed has a flippable hybrid design with a nice memory foam feel. The Layla Hybrid is one of the best mattresses for side sleepers. I'm also a sucker for the honeycomb cover.
Saatva Classic: The Saatva Classic mattress is an ultra-durable, supportive bed with an old-school feel and modern upgrades. It's one of the best mattresses for back sleepers.
Nectar Premier: If you're a memory foam lover who wants a bed that will slowly cradle your curves, you'll like the Nectar Premier. It's our overall pick for the best memory foam mattress. It's surprisingly affordable and seriously comfortable.
For more, see CNET expert's favorite mattress brands and sleep products that help us get good sleep at night.
We’ve tested a lot of great beds throughout the years. Our top best mattress recommendations for the average person are:
- Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid
- Saatva Classic
- Nectar Premier
- Big Fig
- Allswell
- Purple Restore
- Layal Hybrid
- Avocado Green
For our full list, check out our best mattress list.
Here’s the thing: there is no single best type of mattress. Whether it be an innerspring, hybrid or memory foam, each type of mattress has pros and cons. It all comes down to your personal preferences. However, there are a few general guidelines you should keep in mind:
- Memory foam: All-foam mattresses are great options for the average person because they offer a lot of pressure relief at an affordable price.
- Hybrid: Hybrid mattresses have an individually wrapped coil base that gives them an edge over memory foam mattresses in support and durability. I generally recommend them if you weigh a little more. Hybrid beds can still have memory foam; the distinction is the coil base.
- Innerspring: This is what you expect from classic mattresses. They are very supportive, though they could be better at dampening movement.
- Latex: Latex mattresses are environmentally friendly. They cost slightly more than other beds but are super responsive and durable.
The ideal firmness for you will depend on the position you sleep in.
- Back and stomach sleepers need a firmer mattress to support their spine at night. That doesn’t mean you need the firmest one out there. However, if you choose one that’s too soft, you’ll likely deal with some back pain. I generally recommend around a medium to medium-firm (6) and up.
- Side sleepers need a soft mattress that keeps them from developing pressure points. I recommend around a medium (5) and below.
- Combo sleepers have the most flexibility, though you should choose based on the position in which you spend the most time.
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