We independently select all products and services. If you click through links we provide, we may earn a commission. Learn moreVettedMattress & SleepGet Better Sleep With The 11 Best Queen Mattresses (For Single And Co-Sleepers)Lindsey VickersContributorOpinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own.Forbes VettedFeb 5, 2024,09:41pm EST
Most people find themselves on the hunt for a quality mattress at least a few times in their lives. While the shopping process once involved driving from one store to the next and personally hopping on dozens of mattresses, technology has made it possible to research and review hundreds of models from the comfort of your home. If you’re searching for the best queen mattress, it’s important to keep your particular needs and habits in mind.
A few factors to keep in mind are price, body type and whether you tend to sleep hot or cold. Plus, your sleeping position helps you determine the best firmness level. With its budget-friendly price, generous trial and the option of a memory foam or hybrid model, the Nectar Premier Copper Mattress is our top choice. Even if you’re not personally testing a mattress, you can rest assured that the Forbes Vetted team is, and we’re recommending our best queen mattresses based on that expertise.
Best Queen Mattress Overall: Nectar Premier Copper Best Affordable Queen Mattress: Leesa Studio Best Queen Mattress For Side Sleepers: Helix Midnight Luxe Best Innerspring Queen Mattress: Saatva Classic Best Memory Foam Queen Mattress: Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Adapt Best Latex Queen Mattress: Avocado Green Mattress Best Cooling Queen Mattress: Leesa Sapira Chill Hybrid Best Queen Hybrid Mattress: DreamCloud Premier Hybrid Best Queen Mattress for Stomach Sleepers: Helix Dawn Most Comfortable Queen Mattress: Nest Sparrow Signature Hybrid Best Luxury Queen Mattress: Birch Luxe Natural
Best Queen Mattress Overall
A Top-Of-The-Line Model With Hot Sleeper Friendly Design
MOST POPULAR
Nectar Premier Copper (Queen)
Buy From Nectar
Mattress type: Foam or hybrid | Firmness: Medium | Trial: 365 nights
The Nectar Premier Copper Mattress is one of the best options out there in terms of what you get for the price you pay. At about $1,200 for a queen, the price of Nectar’s top-of-the-line mattress is comparable that of other mid-tier mattresses. In fact, it’s even cheaper than some companies’ base models.
The Nectar Premier Copper Mattress has three layers of foam. Of Nectar’s mattresses, it has the tallest layer of pressure relieving, gel-infused memory foam (which is the uppermost component of the mattress). The company says it’s a 6.5 out of 10 on the firmness scale, and is great for providing pressure relief. It’s also designed with hot sleepers in mind — the mattress has a “phase change” material that responds to temperature and heat, according to the company. The impressive features and medium firm feel, paired with a reasonable price and Nectar’s year-long trial, will make this a great choice for many.
What our editors say: After sleeping on the Nectar Premier Copper for about a month, I can say it has a very cushioned, memory-foamy upper layer that lets you settle in just enough overnight. If you like the sensation of memory foam, this is a great bet as it offers cradling without a quicksand sensation. That said, I found it’s best for sleeping on your side or back — the all-foam construction doesn’t provide quite enough support for sleeping fully prone.
Best Affordable Queen Size Mattress
A Price That’s Tough To Beat With A Greenguard Certification
Leesa Studio (Queen)
Buy From Leesa
Mattress type: Foam | Firmness: Medium-firm | Trial: 100 nights
The Leesa Studio is a great option for folks shopping for a mattress, who are on a tight budget. If dropping more than $1,000 for your next bed isn’t in the cards, don’t feel dismayed — this mattress is a great choice. The bed has a medium firm sensation, which the company ranks as a 5 to 7 on a firmness scale out of 10. The middle-of-the-road surface will make it well suited to just about any sleep position. But if you get the mattress, and find it’s not quite the bed of your dreams, Leesa has you covered with a 100-night trial, so you can always return the mattress, though we don’t think you will.
The mattress also has a Greenguard Gold certification, which demonstrates it was tested by a third party and met strict criteria for low emissions. Some foams can contribute to indoor air pollution, especially as they release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and off-gas — the the process foams go through when they’re just opened and decompressing from being vacuum sealed. You won’t have to worry about any of that, as the Greenguard Gold certification demonstrates the Leesa won’t make a dent in your indoor air quality.
What our editors say: For folks looking for a firm, affordable memory foam option that doesn’t let you sink in too much, this is a great choice. I tried it in a showroom and found it had just a bit of sink-in when you first lie down, but it’s only just enough to slightly cradle you. As a stomach sleeper, this is a mattress I’d seriously consider purchasing thanks to its firmer feel. That said, I like a firm bed, and it might teeter on the edge of too firm for some. Finally, the mattress doesn’t fall subject to one common concern and issue with foam: a lack of edge support. If you want a foam mattress with pretty impressive edge support so that you can sit on the side while putting on shoes or after waking up, this could be the pick for you.
Best Queen Mattress For Side Sleepers
Hybrids Are A Great Choice If You Want It All — Cool, Supportive And Cushioned
Helix Midnight Luxe (Queen)
Buy From Helix Sleep
Mattress type: Hybrid | Firmness: Medium | Trial: 100 nights
The Helix Midnight Luxe is one of our favorite hybrid mattresses. Like other hybrids, it combines the benefits of springs and foam so you get the best of both worlds — a supportive and breathable base, with cushioned and pressure-relieving uppermost foam layers. The mattress has a pillow top, as well as a Tencel cover that the company claims provides optimal breathability. According to Helix, the Midnight Luxe has a medium feel, which will make it a good choice for most sleep positions. Middle-of-the-road mattresses are also a good option if you and your partner’s preferences differ, but you don’t want to fork over the extra cash for a split king.
What our editors say: I noticed the additional upper layers lend this mattress more of a sink in sensation than it’s thinner sister, the Midnight. When I tried it out lying on my side, the mattress provided plenty of cushioning at my hips, where side sleepers can develop pressure points. For side sleepers who want a bit more cushion, and have the cash to spare, this is a great option. The mattress offers great edge support, too — even when I curled up right on the edge on my side, it didn’t collapse or so much as feel like I might be at risk of tumbling off. As a devoted stomach sleeper, I’m not convinced this mattress is firm enough for sleeping prone all night, but for combination, side and back sleepers it’s a great option.
Best Queen Innerspring Mattress
A Spring-Filled Hybrid That Allows Ample Airflow
Saatva Classic Mattress (Queen)
Buy From Saatva
Mattress type: Hybrid | Firmness: Plush soft, luxury firm or firm | Trial: 365 nights
Customization is at the forefront of the Saatva Classic and likely why it’s a popular choice since it allows sleepers to choose their ideal size, height and comfort level. Plus, a generous trial allows customers to try it out for a year to ensure they love it before committing. Saatva recommends the plush for side sleepers or lighter-weight people, luxury firm for combination sleepers or couples with different preferences and firm for stomach and back sleepers.
Since it’s comprised of both springs and coils, this model is technically considered a hybrid — although the star of this bed is definitely the springs. A total of 884 pocketed coils contour to your every curve for ultimate pressure relief and circulation, concentrating most in the center third of the bed where most of the weight lays. Another benefit of innerspring mattresses is that they allow for more airflow than foam mattresses, helping you sleep cooler.
What our editors say: The Forbes Vetted deals writer, Jordan Thomas, says she loves her Saatva. “The Saatva Classic was my first foray into the world of luxury mattresses, and I am never going back. Whatever pause the steep price tag gave me initially has long since washed away in the warm morning light of a full night’s rest. There’s simply no amount of mindfulness meditations or evening skincare routines that can compete against a hot, unsupportive mattress. The Saatva checked off all my boxes: It’s supportive but still comfortable (I’ve found it great for back pain), it’s breathable (a must for grueling Texas summers) and it provides great edge support (no more frustrating sinking or sagging). I wish I had something bad to say about this mattress to add a sense of veracity to my words, but I just don’t.”
Best Memory Foam Queen Mattress
A Great Mattress From A Classic Brand
Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Adapt Mattress (Queen)
Buy From Tempur-Pedic
Mattress type: Foam | Firmness: Medium | Trial: 90 nights
Named “Best Mattress Overall” in our Best Memory Foam Mattresses story.
Tempur-Pedic is almost synonymous with memory foam mattresses; the company has been making them since the 1990s. Memory foam is a widely loved material for its just-cuddled, sink-in sensation and ability to isolate motion, so you don’t feel your partner moving in the night. The Tempur-Adapt mattress is from the “most advanced” lineup. Within the Tempur-Adapt line, you can choose from three different mattresses, the Adapt, ProAdapt and LuxeAdapt. You can also choose by feel. The company offers Adapt mattresses in soft, medium and firm. If you tend to prefer hybrids over all-foam mattresses, the company also has a “medium hybrid” option.
What the reviews say: One reviewer says, “I know I sound like an infomercial but within a week of using this bed, my back pain went from a standing 5/10 to only sometimes 1/10. This mattress is incredible.” The continue, “it first feels very very firm but my body melts right into it and the firmness allows for support and does not hinder my turning overnight (I sleep in array of positions). My partner loves the mattress as well…and I love that it is not as hot as expected.”
Best Latex Queen Mattress
For Eco-Conscious Consumers, Latex Is The Way To Go
Avocado Green Mattress (Queen)
Buy From Avocado
Mattress type: Latex hybrid | Firmness: Medium-firm | Trial: 365 nights
The Avocado Green Mattress is a hybrid — like some of the other products on this list — but instead of combining memory foam and springs, the Green Mattress uses latex. According to Avocado, its latex is natural, meaning it’s made from rubber trees instead of petroleum and comes from “sustainably harvested sources.” The company has third-party evidence to back up its materials — the Green mattress’s certifications include GOLS (Global Organic Latex Standard) and Made Safe, and the company itself is Climate Neutral certified. And that’s just an abbreviated list. Reviewers love the mattress, too, and with a medium-firm sensation, many will find it appealing.
What our editors say: Sholeen Damarwala, our home and kitchen editor says, “My partner and I have been sleeping on the Avocado Green Mattress for close to two years now and I’m thrilled to report that it’s still just as durable and supportive as the day we got it. After having a baby, my body has taken a real hit and I appreciate the natural cushioning and medium support it offers. I’m also a fan of the organic, natural and non-toxic materials used especially since my husband suffers from allergies. Having been in the commerce reporting field for several years now, I have tried a bunch of mattresses, and the Avocado Green Mattress is truly impressive for anyone who appreciates a firm yet gentle bed.”
Best Cooling Queen Mattress
Customizable Firmness Model Infused With Cooling Fibers
Leesa Sapira Chill Hybrid Mattress (Queen)
Buy From Leesa
Mattress type: Hybrid | Firmness: Plush, medium firm or firm | Trial: 100 nights
With the option of choosing from three comfort levels, this model is automatically a contender for most sleepers. The plush is rated 3 to 5, the medium firm is between 5 and 7, and the firm is rated 7 to 9 out of 10. Stomach and back sleepers usually prefer the support a firmer mattress can provide, while a side sleeper might appreciate the contour of a more plush feel. The star feature of the Leesa Sapira Chill Hybrid is its cooling abilities, starting with the quilt top infused with fibers that pull heat away from your body. It’s designed to maintain your skin’s ideal temperature, which the company claims is a blissful 88 degrees. What’s more, a copper-infused memory foam layer also works to absorb excess body heat.
As a hybrid mattress, it’s made with both springs and foam, combining the bouncy feel and airflow of a traditional spring mattress with the pressure relief and spinal alignment of memory foam. This mattress contains four distinct foam layers, each designed with a different benefit, including bounce, cooling or cradling. Plus, the springs are individually wrapped for motion isolation and concentrated in zones where you need them most.
What the reviews say: “This is the third Leesa mattress we have purchased, and it is our favorite so far,” says a repeat customer. “It is a great in-between of soft and firm. I am a stomach sleeper, and my husband is a side sleeper, and it is very comfortable for both of us. I would highly recommend it.” Another review adds, “Love our Sapira Chill Hybrid mattress! Supportive yet comfortably soft. And no more night sweats.”
Best Queen Hybrid Mattress
Blends Memory Foam And Springs For Support And Cushion
DreamCloud Premier Hybrid (Queen)
Buy From DreamCloud
Mattress type: Hybrid | Firmness: Medium firm | Trial: 365 nights
Designed with springs and several layers of CertiPUR-US Certified standard foam, this mattress is a true hybrid, taking the best qualities from both materials to create a thoughtfully constructed bed. For starters, the brand believes that regulating body temperature is a top priority, so they’ve used a breathable cashmere blend cover, cooling gel memory foam and innerspring coils that naturally allow for more airflow.
The Dreamcloud Premier Hybrid also touts both support and cushion. The lower layer of separately wrapped steel spring moves independently for customized contouring that offers pressure relief. Memory foam sits on top of the springs and promotes proper spinal alignment, gives adaptive support and ensures you never feel the springs. It’s described as a 6.5 out of 10 or medium firm, making it suitable for couples, combination sleepers and anyone else who wants the best of both worlds.
What the reviews say: “I have been sleeping on my DreamCloud Premier Hybrid for a couple of months now, and I am very satisfied with it in every way,” states a five-star review. “I am a side and back sleeper, and it’s firm and supportive in either position. The edge support is very good, but my favorite feature of the hybrid is that it sleeps much cooler than my previous memory foam mattress. No more sweaty sheets and pillows for me! I would definitely recommend this mattress to anyone looking for a cool and comfortable mattress.”
Best Queen Mattress For Stomach Sleepers
A Firm Option From A Brand We Love
Helix Dawn (Queen)
Buy From Helix Sleep
Mattress type: Hybrid | Firmness: Firm | Trial: 100 nights
For stomach sleepers, a firm mattress is generally considered the best route. Mattresses that are too soft let the hips and back sink in, which can spell for a less-than-stellar morning. This hybrid from Helix is a great choice because it’s at the high end of Helix’s firmness scale — the company ranks it as an 8 or 9 out of 10. While this might too firm for the comfort of side sleepers, it’s great for those who snooze prone. In addition, the bed is designed with extra reinforcement around the perimeter to provide edge support, which can be a concern with queen size mattresses due to their smaller surface area.
What the reviews say: “I’ve had the Helix Dawn mattress for roughly a month…and wow,” one reviewer begins. “I couldn’t be happier. I was having trouble deciding between the Dawn and the other one they say is firm (I forget what it’s called), and after reading the reviews, it seemed like the Dawn was the firmest. It is definitely firm. I was sleeping on a saggy mattress before and would occasionally wake up with aches and pains, and now they’re gone.”
Most Comfortable Queen Mattress
An Option That’s Adjustable, Responsive And Luxuriously Cushioned
Nest Sparrow Signature Hybrid (Queen)
Buy From Nest Bedding
Mattress type: Hybrid | Firmness: Available in three levels | Trial: 365 nights
The Nest Hybrid From Sparrow is unique in that if you don’t get exactly what you want the first time around, you can contact the company and get a new layer that’s interchangeable with what’s in the mattress to tinker with the feel. The bed comes in three firmness options: plush, medium and firm. The plush option is a great choice for those who love a soft mattress and want to feel as though their joints are cradled and cushioned all night long. But if you get it and find it’s a bit too soft, lean on the company’s exchange policy and you can swap the uppermost layer, which dictates the firmness, for a medium option.
What our editors say: Our mattress and sleep editor, Lindsey Vickers, personally tried the Nest Sparrow Hybrid, which her boyfriend swore by for years. “Though I don’t like a soft mattress, the Plush Nest Sparrow Hybrid surprised me. I found it was close to comfortable enough for stomach sleeping, which is surprising given most stomach sleepers need a firm surface — and that’s what I prefer. Where it really shines is side sleeping, which I found myself reverting to while sleeping on it. My boyfriend loved it for the same reason, and he still sneaks away to our spare room some nights to sleep on it if his back is acting up.”
Best Luxury Queen Mattress
Plush Euro Top Made Of Organic Materials
Birch Luxe Natural Mattress (Queen)
Buy From Birch
Mattress type: Hybrid | Firmness: Medium firm | Trial: 100 nights
Whether you have sustainability on your mind or want the assurance of natural and organic materials, the Birch Luxe Natural Mattress is a top contender. Each mattress is assembled in the company’s GOTS-certified American factory with responsibly sourced and certified materials, including cotton, wool and latex. Topping the mattress is a plush quilted cover made of organic cotton, which is breathable and comfortable. Directly underneath sits several layers of organic wool that not only provides excellent cushion, but is also moisture-wicking to regulate temperature. What’s more, wool is naturally hygroscopic, meaning it provides natural fire protection without the addition of chemicals.
The bulk of this mattress is made up of individually wrapped coils and latex. The coils work to cradle your body, provide lumbar support and align your spine. Directly above that is a dense layer of natural latex to offer ultimate pressure relief. Plus, with in-home setup and removal that sends a team to unpack your new mattress and remove your old equipment, this luxury mattress really is the complete package.
What the reviews say: One customer calls this a “great upgrade” and writes, “I bought a Birch mattress a couple weeks ago and wanted to test it out before leaving a review. Honestly, I’m very happy with this mattress. I haven’t been consistently waking up with my allergies going off or my back hurting like I did with my old mattress. I’m very pleased with this purchase.”
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Why Trust Forbes Vetted
We’re deep in slumber here at Forbes. But that doesn’t mean we’re asleep on the job — we’re wide awake, researching mattresses based on company reputation and credibility, as well as user reviews. We pair that with our own experiences as lifelong sleepers and customers of many of the brands we write about to round up the best of the best in bed frames, pillows, sheets and more.
As the mattress and sleep editor, I’m especially well-acquainted with the sleep domain. I know the best brands out there for different sleepers, and am quick to discern which mattress claims that are legitimate and which are dubious. I have more than two years of experience writing and editing content on sleep, which included personally testing a number of the most popular mattresses out there. This story is also frequently updated to ensure it’s fresh. It was last updated in May 2023.
How We Chose The Best Queen Mattresses
While researching mattress brands, we stuck with well-regarded and popular brands. The products on this list were chosen specifically for their superlatives based on characteristics like firmness, materials and various other criteria that make them stand out. We also considered reviews from people like you.
What To Look For In The Best Queen Mattress
Firmness And Support
While they sometimes go hand in hand, mattress firmness and mattress support are different things. Firmness relates to how a mattress feels. For example, if you immediately sink into a mattress, you would say it’s soft or plush. If it has no give and your body rests on top of a mattress, it can be described as firm. However, you can have a supportive soft mattress or an unsupportive firm mattress.
Support, on the other hand, is how well a mattress keeps your spine aligned. Those who sleep on their side require different support from those who sleep on their backs. The same can be said for lighter weight versus heavier weight people. For example, if you lay on your side, does it contour your pressure points enough to keep your spine aligned? Excellent support would mean a mattress is doing a good job at setting your spine in a neutral alignment when you’re in your preferred sleeping position.
Sleeping Position
Since different sleep positions require varying levels of firmness and support, it’s essential to pay attention when a mattress recommends a certain type of sleeper as the company has taken that into consideration when creating the firmness and support.
Side sleepers: Those who sleep on their side require excellent pressure relief that cradles their hips and shoulders. They generally sleep best on a soft to medium feel mattress. Back sleepers: Medium to firm is ideal for those who sleep on their back all night. They don’t require as much give and contour since it should keep their spine aligned without too much pressure. Stomach sleepers: Those who sleep on their stomach want to make sure they have a mattress that is medium firm to firm. If a stomach sleeper sinks into a mattress too much, it can put their spine out of alignment and cause back issues. Combination sleepers: If you sleep in more than one position, you’re considered a combination sleeper. Combination sleepers want the best of all worlds, so a medium mattress is recommended. They may also prefer a hybrid mattress that can meet a variety of needs.
Motion Isolation
There’s nothing worse than being woken up by your partner as they’re tossing and turning or getting out of bed in the middle of the night. That’s when you would want motion isolation, which means you shouldn’t feel what’s happening on the other side of the bed. Memory foam mattresses generally have exceptional motion isolation. However, a hybrid mattress with a memory foam topper may also do a good job of isolating motion.
Temperature Regulation
Just as some sleepers naturally sleep hot or cool, some mattress materials are naturally more breathable or retain heat. If you know you sweat a lot at night, look for a mattress with cooling properties. This can include a cooling cover, phase-change materials or gel-infused foam. In general, foam tends to retain heat since it’s dense, while innersprings have more airflow circulating. However, if you love the feel of memory foam but tend to sleep hot, you don’t have to avoid the material. For example, hybrid mattresses and cooling-infused materials can also help you regulate temperature.
Edge Support
What exactly is edge support, and do you personally need it in a mattress? If you’ve ever been forced to sleep on the edge of a mattress by a pet or baby and noticed that you roll off the bed, that’s due to a lack of edge support. A bed with exceptional edge support allows you to sit or sleep close to the edge of the bed without feeling like you’re falling off. It allows you to truly use the entire space instead of just the middle portion. Additional support around the perimeter can also lead to less sagging over time.
Price
While the average price of a mattress is around $1,200, it can vary greatly depending on a ton of factors, including materials, size, upgrades and more. For example, the most affordable queen mattress on our list is $599, while the most expensive is $2,599. It’s important to take into consideration what features are most important to you and align that with your budget.
Who A Queen Mattress Is Best For
A standard queen-size mattress is 60 inches by 80 inches. It’s the most common size as it’s large enough to accommodate more than one person yet compact enough to fit in most bedrooms. So, who should consider a queen mattress?
Couples and co-sleepers: Obviously, couples generally need more space than a single person. While two people could probably fit on a full-size mattress, a queen is longer and wider to accommodate for more people. If you are a co-sleeping family, you probably won’t fit on anything smaller than a queen. Solo sleepers: Why does a solo sleeper need a queen mattress when they’re only one person? For starters, a single person who is taller than 5’10” typically has their feet hanging over the edge on anything smaller than a queen. Solo sleepers who allow their pets to share a bed may also need the additional space. Teens: While most adolescents start off in a twin bed, most can benefit from the additional space, especially if their room is big enough. Taller teens don’t want their feet to hang over the edge, and teens who sprawl or toss and turn also need extra space.
How Much Should A Decent Queen Mattress Cost?
There’s no real answer to what a queen mattress “should” cost. Mattresses can cost anywhere from $200 to $5,000 (or more) — it really boils down to the model and whether you choose to include add-ons, like cooling covers or pillow tops. That said, the average price of a queen mattress typically falls between $1,300 and $1,600. Rest assured that there are plenty of options out there with lower price tags, so you’re be able to find something regardless of your budget. You can sometimes score additional freebies, or slightly steeper discounts around certain holidays, including Memorial Day, Black Friday and Presidents’ Day.
How Tall Should A Queen Mattress Be?
Again, there’s no clear-cut answer to exactly how tall a mattress should be. However, the feeling of different mattress heights can change your experience. Thinner mattresses (think 8-inches tall or less) can feel less supportive and cushioning than taller options. Meanwhile taller options can offer a really cradling sensation. Hybrids, which combine springs and foam, often fall on the taller end of the spectrum, while all-foam options can be shorter. In general, you’ll want to look for a mattress that’s at least within the average height for most mattresses, which is 8 to 12 inches. We’d suggest steering away from options that are on the lower end of that range, as they may not feel supportive enough.
Who Has The Best Queen Mattress?
Finding the right mattress is very personal and based on individual preferences and concerns. However, the best mattress on our list is the Nectar Premier Copper. With its reasonable price, medium firm feel, impressive features and generous trial, it’s a great choice that suits many. Other good picks include the Saatva Classic, Leesa Studio and Avocado Green mattress.
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