When searching for the best mattress in a box, your decision should hinge on a few key factors. The first is the customer reviews—bed in a box mattress brands are growing in popularity for good reason. Discounted prices and free shipping make these brands an attractive option for budget-conscious shoppers who are looking to replace their old mattresses. Don’t be concerned with anecdotal evidence that suggests online mattress brands are not as good as they claim—the best bed in a box companies offer generous sleep trials and full privacy protection policies to keep your information protected.
A bed in a box is an increasingly popular way to buy a new mattress. These models are convenient and often cost less than their traditional counterparts. If you’ve been thinking about purchasing a mattress online, look no further! You’ve come to the right place. In this guide, we’ll discuss benefits and concerns associated with buying a mattress online and help you select the proper product to help you sleep better at night.
The Best Mattresses in a Box – Top Rated
- Best for Back Sleepers – Layla
- Best Overall – Nectar
- Best Value – Leesa Original
- Most Comfortable – Helix
- Best Hybrid – DreamCloud
- Best for Back Pain – Idle Hybrid
- Best for Side Sleepers – Cocoon Chill
- Best All Foam – Tuft & Needle Mint
- Best Cooling – Birch
- Best Pressure Relief – Nolah Original
- Best for Athletes – Amerisleep AS3
Product Details
Best Overall
Nectar
The Nectar mattress is a bed-in-a-box mattress that combines memory foam and high-density foam to offer a sculpted feel with 1.8 layers of sewn polyfoam. The mattress has a medium firm feel, and lets sleepers of all sizes experience contouring support across the body while remaining responsive for couples. A layer of gel memory foam adds thermal regulation and pressure relief to the upper layer of transition foam, which works to quickly adapt to individual curves, providing conforming support to sleepers in different positions, body types, and weights.
The Nectar is one of our best picks for sleepers who enjoy the feel of memory foam mattresses. This model features three layers of memory foam over a high-density foam base. The surface has a medium firm (6) feel, resulting in a comfortable balance of conforming and support for sleepers across different body types and position groups. Sleeping cool is also good, as the mattress isolates motion very well to eliminate transfer when moving in bed and to cut down on sleep disruptions for couples.
A great balance of support and pressure relief gives the Nectar mattress its medium-firm (6.5 on the 1-10 scale) feel. This means that you get a combination of conforming and pressure relief with a little less sinkage than one of the softer mattresses on the market today. The Nectar includes hyper-elastic polymer gel memory foam, which is more responsive to body heat than traditional memory foam. It’s also an open-celled type of memory foam, so it has breathable air in between cells for better airflow and a slightly cooler sleep.
The Nectar is much cheaper than the typical foam mattress for memory, making it a pick of high value. With a 365-night sleep trial and a lifetime guarantee, all of which are much longer than normal, the brand even backs the mattress. Nectar supports clients everywhere in the continental U.S. for free distribution.
| Ideal For | Highlights | Sizes |
|---|---|---|
| People who prefer the close conforming of memory foam | Medium feel provides the classic “cradling” feel of memory foam | Twin, Twin XL, Full |
| Any type of sleeper (back, side, stomach, combination) | Lifetime warranty and generous 365-night sleep trial | Queen, King |
| Value seekers | Three layers of pressure-relieving memory foam | California King |
Best Value
Leesa
The Leesa is a well designed mattress that will conform to your body in a very close-fitting style. This individual layer design helps it conform to your body, and allow you to get the best night’s sleep possible. Several layers of foam act as the support for the bed, and help isolate motion from sleeper to sleeper.
The Leesa is part of a new generation of mattresses, combining quality materials and exceptional design to create a rest experience that is truly unique. In order to facilitate this breakthrough in sleep, the mattress has been engineered with three essential layers—each dedicated to providing a different kind of support. The end result? The comfort you feel from the Leesa is like nothing we’ve ever felt before. It is a refreshing approach to memory foam mattresses that have dominated the industry for years. The Leesa offers comfort and support in a minimalist approach to their mattress design.
It does an excellent job of finding that middle ground between being firm enough to create proper support for you while allowing you to sink properly into the surface, giving you the most comfort possible.
Compared to other mattresses, the Leesa is priced at a below-average price point, making it a quality budget alternative. Leesa also provides a sleep trial for 100 nights and a 10-year warranty, and delivers to the US for free.
| Ideal For | Highlights | Sizes |
|---|---|---|
| People with back or hip pain | Medium feel provides the classic “cradling” feel of memory foam | Twin, Twin XL, Full |
| Sleepers under 230 pounds | Close conforming feel offers solid pressure relief | Queen, King |
| Side sleepers | Affordable price-point | California King |
Most Comfortable
Helix
Helix offers a variety of unique hybrid mattresses to help customers find their ideal sleep surface. With three different, versatile memory foam models and three related proprietary Dynamic polyfoam models, Helix should cater to a range of body weights and sleeping positions. The brand also offers thicker, higher-quality “Luxe” versions of all models.
The Helix Mattress is a hybrid bed designed with a combination of polyfoam and memory foam that delivers an excellent level of pressure relief, motion isolation, and comfort. Its top layer of memory foam conforms closely to the sleeper’s body to relieve pressure points, while its underlying layer of polyfoam provides some support and extra bounce. This makes the bed especially beneficial for sleepers who may change positions quite frequently during the night. The mattress features a pocketed coil support core wrapped in a wire structure that helps reduce unwanted motion transfer.
Helix Hybrid mattresses combine the best of memory foam, springs and latex into one hybrid mattress product. Helix has 6 different models that range from soft to firm depending on your personal preference. In addition, Helix offers three different layers in each model which allows you to select between a body-contouring layer, a pressure relief/support layer or a combination of both. Mattresses last for up to twelve years and are ideal for side sleepers who want pressure relief and support.
For a hybrid mattress, Helix mattresses come at a low-price point. Plus, they sell a sleep trial for 100 nights, and they ship to the 50 U.S. states for free.
| Ideal For | Highlights | Sizes |
|---|---|---|
| Sleepers who like a balance of conforming and responsiveness | Hybrid design balances conforming, responsiveness and support | Twin, Twin XL, Full |
| Those who usually sleep hot | Pocketed coil support system improves airflow for better cooling | Queen, King |
| Couples | Choice of three firmness levels | California King |
Best Hybrid
DreamCloud
The DreamCloud Mattress is a luxury hybrid mattress known for its impressive balance of support, pressure relief, and temperature neutrality. The mattress has a medium firm feel (6 out of 10) and is distinguished by its quilted surface and tall, 14-inch profile.
Luxury, designed to last. That’s our DreamCloud. Our high-profile hybrid mattress is made of layers of top-of-the-line foams and coils bound together to provide optimal support and pressure relief. Designed with a quilted cashmere cover, it’s the mattress you never knew you needed.
The DreamCloud Mattress is our best-selling design and comes in Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, and Cal King options. Its sophisticated look and feel make it a luxurious mattress, while its performance makes it a reliable mattress that can be relied on for years to come.
The DreamCloud is surprisingly inexpensive for a premium mattress, landing at an average price point for a conventional hybrid bed. DreamCloud is known for its exceptional guarantees, including a 1-year sleep trial and a limited lifetime warranty.
| Ideal For | Highlights | Sizes |
|---|---|---|
| Any type of sleeper (back, side, stomach, combination) | Plush quilted top is soft and breathable | Twin, Twin XL, Full |
| People who sleep hot at night | Thick layer of individually wrapped coils provides deep compression support | Queen, King |
| Heavier sleepers | Luxury 14-inch profile | California King |
Best For Back Pain
Idle Hybrid
Idle is a hybrid mattress that offers two different firmness levels on each side. This allows you to adjust the feel of the mattress to match your body type, sleep position, and firmness preferences.
The dense coils in the center are surrounded by interlocking, supportive foam to create valuable airflow and consistent sinkage. You’ll feel well supported when sleeping near the edges or sitting up at night, and both sides are equipped with a high-density foam base layer for durability and enhanced edge support.
The Idle Hybrid mattress combines the different firmness level of two sleep surfaces into one contemporary hybrid design. With a medium firm (6) feel on one side and a firm (8) feel on the other, you can customize your Idle Hybrid for your body type, sleeping position, and firmness preferences.
Idle Hybrid is a twin mattress with two zoned firmnesses: Medium Firm on one side, Firm on the other. Want to wake up feeling refreshed? Or just want to have a more relaxing sleep? You can choose to configure your Idle Hybrid with a medium feel or firm feel on each side of the bed. Hybrid technology means more flexibility and customization options for you. Like all hybrids, our Idle Hybrid mattress uses a unique shared coil system which is ultra efficient and comfortable at the same time.
Although the Idle Hybrid is competitively priced, Idle Sleep has free land delivery everywhere in the continental United States. The business further sweetens the bargain with an 18-month sleep trial-one of the industry’s longest return periods-and a lifetime promise for extra peace of mind.
| Ideal For | Highlights | Sizes |
|---|---|---|
| People who weigh at least 130 pounds | Firm feel offers consistent support and minimal sinkage | Twin, Twin XL, Full |
| Shoppers interested in a flippable mattress | Solid breathability and temperature control | Queen, King |
| Hot sleepers | Reversible design – choose two different firmness levels, or opt for uniform firmness to extend mattress lifespan | California King |
Best For Side Sleepers
Cocoon Chill
The Cocoon Chill mattress is based on our popular Cocoon mattress, which won multiple editor choice awards, including best in class motion isolation and temp control. Both the Chill and the Cocoon use an all foam design to provide pressure relief, support, and excellent temperature control.
The primary difference between the two mattresses is a performance fabric cover (Chill) versus a tencel blend cover (Cocoon), which minimizes sleeping hot especially for those who sleep hot or toss and turn frequently.
Designed to support most sleepers, including side sleepers, back sleepers and stomach sleepers, the Cocoon Chill mattress is a well crafted sandwich of foam designed in such a way that it can handle weight up to 500 pounds. The mattresses have an all foam construction. The comfort layer offers targeted support over pressure points while the transition layer ensures even distribution of body weight. With a soft coil unit that meets Sealy’s patented stretch technology, the bed can offer exceptional motion transfer.
The Cocoon Chill mattress is designed to do one thing – keep you comfortably cool during sleep. The Cocoon Chill is built with temperature-regulating PCM fabric that draws heat away from your body as you sleep, keeping you comfortable all night long.
The Chill features an all-foam mattress at a reasonably normal price. With a 100-night sleep trial and a 10-year guarantee, Sealy is backing the Cocoon Chill. Plus, to the contiguous US, they ship openly.
| Ideal For | Highlights | Sizes |
|---|---|---|
| Sleepers who prefer an close-conforming mattress | Memory foam comfort layer reduces pressure on the hips and shoulders | Twin, Twin XL, Full |
| Side and back sleepers | Available in medium soft and medium firm options | Queen, King |
| Hot sleepers | Unique phase-change material keeps the mattress cool | California King |
Best All Foam
Tuft & Needle Mint
The Mint from Tuft & Needle is a deep, high-value mattress that stands out for its support and pressure relief qualities in a convenient small package.
The Mint’s top comfort layer is made of adaptive polyfoam, which mimics the body’s shape for some contouring action. This layer also uses graphite-infused memory foam, a material that dissipates heat and responds better to weight. Underneath the comfort layers lies a dense base layer of high-density polyfoam that’ll prevent the bed from bottoming out too easily.
Thanks to its quality of materials and good consistency across numerous sleep types, the Mint Mattress is an inexpensive bed that also provides significant value. Free delivery is also provided by Tuft & Needle everywhere in the contiguous US. A 100-night sleep trial and a 10-year warranty comes with the mattress.
| Ideal For | Highlights | Sizes |
|---|---|---|
| Those who prefer the adaptive yet responsive feel of polyfoam | Open-cell comfort foam reduces heat buildup | Twin, Twin XL, Full |
| People who weigh up to 230 pounds | Above-average motion isolation and cooling offer a good option for couples | Queen, King |
| Hot sleepers | Affordable and versatile | California King |
Best Cooling
Birch
The Birch Mattress is a luxurious latex hybrid that offers medium-firm support in a balanced and well-constructed package. The mattress features two comfort layers, one of which consists of natural Talalay latex and the other of wool, which work together to provide a balanced feel with a moderate level of bounce. Underneath these layers lies a supportive pocketed coil system that enhances durability and helps isolate motion transfer.
Our Birch mattress was designed with one goal in mind: to provide a balanced, responsive feel. While many other latex hybrids have tense or bouncy surfaces, our co-molded Birch features a single layer of smooth Talalay latex, balanced by breathable organic wool and a solid, supportive pocketed coil support core. The result is an easy to move around on, conforming mattress that keeps sleepers cool and comfortable all night long.
It is an all-foam hybrid that strikes a balance between sleepers of different weights and preferences. With a medium-firm feel that’s balanced between pressure relief and bounce, the responsive and durable Birch suits most sleepers’ needs. Coming in at 11″, this mattress has a 5″ comfort foam layer and 6″ support foam layer topped with an organic cotton cover for extra breathability. Underneath, individual pocketed coils ensure responsiveness and airflow.
Birch ships to the contiguous US free of charge. With a 100-night sleep trial and a 20-year warranty, which is fairly high compared to most mattress brands, they even guarantee their mattress.
| Ideal For | Highlights | Sizes |
|---|---|---|
| Those who prefer very responsive mattresses | Open-cell comfort foam reduces heat buildup | Twin, Twin XL, Full |
| Any type of sleeper (back, side, stomach combination) | Responsive, medium firm surface | Queen, King |
| Hot sleepers | Affordable and versatile | California King |
Best Pressure Relief
Nolah Original
The Nolah Original 10 is a comfortable mattress that provides reasonable motion isolation and above-average edge support. The 2” layer of polyfoam conforms closely to the shape of the sleeper’s body, while the transition and support foams create a medium feel. Sleepers must weigh less than 130 lbs for this mattress to provide optimal comfort. Heavier individuals may experience excessive sinking.
The Nolah Original 10 is a medium-firm mattress that features 10 inches of responsive foam. This mattress helps give the experience of sleeping on a firm surface, but still allows your body to sink in for support. Thanks to its all-foam construction, this mattress is responsive and isolates motion transfer without being too jarring. With 10 inches of soft foam and 5 inches of responsive foam under a 2 inch polyfoam comfort layer, this mattress will give you the support needed to relieve pressure points on your joints and back while giving you the ease of movement you would desire in a bed.
The price point of the bed is on par with most all-foam versions, but with a 120-night sleep trial and a 15-year warranty, Nolah backs the mattress – both longer than normal. With all orders, free ground delivery is also available.
| Ideal For | Highlights | Sizes |
|---|---|---|
| Sleepers who like all-foam beds with a bit of responsiveness | Close conforming and even support for above-average pressure relief | Twin, Twin XL, Full |
| People with pressure point issues | Excellent motion isolation | Queen, King |
| People who weigh less than 130 pounds | Lifetime warranty | California King |
Best for Back Sleepers
Layla
The Layla is a flippable mattress, meaning that each sleep surface offers distinctive attributes, yet they share the same support core. This mattress is comprised of two layers of copper-infused memory foam to deliver a unique sleeping experience.
The Layla is a unique memory foam mattress. Layers of copper-infused memory foam make up its medium soft (4) and firm (7) sleep surfaces. This dual-side approach has some distinct benefits and disadvantages that consumers should consider. The medium soft layer is better suited for lighter people and side sleepers, while heavier people will be more comfortable on the firmer surface. Each side feels great for different activities like sex, but both present pressure relief in their own way. The Layla features excellent motion isolation and breathability, along with noise-reducing layers to keep everything quiet.”
The price-point of The Layla is on par with the all-foam mattress norm. Shipping in the contiguous U.S. is easy. The mattress is assisted by a 120-night sleep trial, which is longer than normal, as well as a lifetime guarantee.
| Ideal For | Highlights | Sizes |
|---|---|---|
| Sleepers who like all-foam beds with a bit of responsiveness | Flippable, dual-firmness design | Twin, Twin XL, Full |
| People who sleep hot on all-foam beds | High-density polyfoam support core prevents excessive sinkage | Queen, King |
| Any type of sleeper (back, side, stomach, combination) | Lifetime warranty | California King |
Best For Athletes
Amerisleep AS3
Amerisleep has perfected the art of a well-crafted memory foam mattress. The AS3 line combines support and cooling elements, resulting in a luxurious, pressure-relieving feel with no loss in durability or sleep comfort over the lifetime of the mattress. Like all Amerisleep mattresses, the AS3 mattress is a custom fit for your unique body type.
Amerisleep AS3 is a memory foam mattress, encased in a breathable cover that’s great for sleeping cool. The AS3 is offered in two unique models: the Amerisleep AS3 all-foam model, and AS3 Hybrid—which features pocketed coil support and all-foam comfort layers. Its 3” of contouring memory foam offers pressure relief for anyone up to 230 pounds, making it perfect for side sleepers, back sleepers, stomach sleepers, and combination sleepers
Amerisleep AS3 mattresses gained popularity due to their sturdy construction and excellent warranty, but consumers most often pick this model because it is more affordable than the company’s AS4. Consumers report that they feel a close body contour from the memory foam on either mattress, but the coil system in the hybrid model adds a bit more responsiveness and surface-level bounce to the sleeping experience.
The AS3 Hybrid costs marginally more than the all-foam variant, but considering their consistency of construction and good performance, both mattresses are fairly priced. In the contiguous US, Amerisleep provides free land delivery everywhere. Often sponsored by 100-night sleep trials and 20-year warranties are the AS3 models.
| Ideal For | Highlights | Sizes |
|---|---|---|
| People who normally feel too hot on beds with foam layers | Breathable components reduce overheating | Twin, Twin XL, Full |
| Sleepers who enjoy the body-cradling feel of memory foam | High-quality foams ensure even weight distribution | Queen, King |
| Any type of sleeper (back, side, stomach, combination) | Lifetime warranty | California King |
What Does Mattress in a Box Mean?
Mattress in a box (MIAB) is the model of selling mattresses that was first tested on the mattress and bedding market and implemented successfully in the internet sales of consumer goods.
Mattresses in a box” are often compared to “mattresses on sale” or “mattress clearance” because they fill a similar consumer need. However, the two are quite different.
There has been a trend lately for consumers to buy mattresses online, especially those labeled as “bed in a box” or “mattress in a box.” These models are comparable to any other mattress and are constructed with the same high-quality foams, coils, and features. The only difference is the price. Mattresses in a box tend to cost a lot less than their brick-and-mortar counterparts, which makes them appealing to the budget-conscious consumer.
Advantages of Choosing Mattress In a Box
There are many reasons to choose a mattress in a box. The following include these:
What Are Different Ways To Shop a Mattress in a Box?
When comparing online mattress brands, it’s important to look at their user experience. A good place to start is looking at the information they provide about their mattresses as well as their return policy.
For choosing and purchasing a new mattress, we suggest the following steps:
Unboxing
As soon as they enter the customer’s home, mattresses in a package can be removed from their packaging. The method is as follows for unboxing a new bed:
There Will be Off-Gassing Chemical Odors For a Week
If you’re not familiar with the term, “off-gassing” refers to the release of a noxious odor when an object is introduced to normal indoor air. For instance, newly manufactured furniture often comes with off-gassing chemical odors. Other items that commonly produce off-gassing odors include skylights, particleboard furniture, and laminate flooring.
Off-gassing is caused by volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the materials or paints used to manufacture the product. VOCs are gaseous organic compounds that easily evaporate into indoor air. Some common VOCs include acetone, ammonia, formaldehyde, and toluene.
Off-gassing is a normal part of the mattress-unboxing process, but it can be unpleasant nonetheless. Those with strong chemical sensitivities should skip memory foam and all-polyfoam mattresses. However, nearly everyone else should have no more than a few days of mild to moderate smell issues when unboxing their new bed.
In the majority of cases, these smells will dissipate completely within the first week. The reason is that odors associated with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are strongest in the early stages of mattress use; VOCs gradually diminish from day one onward.
Find The Best Quality Mattress
With the abundance of online mattress brands and retailers attempting to break into the market, it’s important to know which companies provide the best quality products. A review of brands and mattresses available on official website or Amazon is a great place to start this research.
Websites that sell beds and mattresses can be overwhelming, especially for first-time buyers. However, several details differentiate between brands and retailers—four such factors being trust, product quality, customer service, and after-purchase support. Don’t ignore these details when looking for a new mattress. They’ll ultimately affect your satisfaction in the long run.
Finally, do a short web search to look for latest news and information about the brand. Take time to also look at other aspects of the brand, such as the nation where their beds are made and input from retired employees.
FAQ – Shipping, Returns and Warranties
When it comes to buying a mattress, most consumers look for some kind of warranty in case there are any issues after the purchase. A lot of financially minded shoppers prefer buying used or refurbished mattresses in order to save some cash. In most cases, that’s a great idea but you should still be aware of the warranty coverage that comes along with the purchase. Shipping and returns policies are also very important questions to ask when considering a new online mattress brand. Here’s a quick look at what all three terms mean and how they apply to your shopping experience.
Always Check Shipping Options
Returns Policy
Warranties
Types of Mattresses Sold in a Box
Mattress buying can be a confusing process, and with so many different models on the market, it can be difficult to know where to begin. While there are several different features to consider when shopping for a mattress, the 5 categories below should serve as a good rule of thumb in deciding which type(s) of mattress you would most likely be interested in, how much you are willing to spend, and how unique you are in your preferences.
Below, we’ll take a closer look at the five styles of mattress that are most popular.
How To Find The Ideal Mattress?
Mattress shoppers need to remember that just because each type of mattress is labeled differently and boasts certain features, there is no standard for labeling or testing. This can lead consumers to making false conclusions when researching mattresses. In fact, you may even find that the same exact mattress is labeled differently by different manufacturers, so it’s crucial that you do your research.
When selecting a new bed, we suggest concentrating on the following variables: