Where can you buy the best mattress? I'm a sleep editor and these are the stores and brands I always recommend

As a sleep editor and a sales hunter, I'm often asked about the best places to buy a mattress. While you could pick up a mattress in the bargain bin at your local home retailer, I'd encourage you to shop at a specialist sleep store. You might have to pay a premium, but you get water-tight warranties, no-risk sleep trials, and the luxury of choice.

There's a store for every sort of shopper and style of sleeper. If you'd like to take stock of your options, you'll find the widest range at Mattress Firm. You might find the same mattress for sale at a range of prices across a few different retailers. It takes a lot of time and effort to find the best mattress at the right price.

That's where I come in. As H&G's resident sleep writer. I spend my days tracking down the lowest prices on the hottest products in the mattress sales, and I spend my nights testing them out in my own home. I know what it's like to shop with all the major mattress retailers, so I can tell you exactly what you get in terms of free returns, white-glove delivery, and sustainable shopping.

The best places to buy a mattress

To save you some time and money, I've rounded up a few of my favorite mattresses from each store. These mattresses meet a variety of sleep needs and budget constraints. The majority of the mattresses are tried and tested by an H&G sleep expert (if you're interested, I'd be happy to tell you more about how we test mattresses). Where we haven't been able to get our hands on a mattress, I've scoured the specifications and read countless customer reviews to make sure I'm recommending quality products.

1. Mattress Firm

If you know you need a new mattress, but you're not quite sure what you're looking for, start with Mattress Firm. It's the number-one mattress retailer for America's top brands. You'll find the best luxury mattress, including Tempur and Sealy models, listed for less, alongside more affordable options. Each mattress comes with an extended sleep trial, as well as a low-price guarantee: if you find the same model listed for less at a reputable retailer within 120 days, Mattress Firm will refund the difference. I recommend taking the MattressMatcher quiz before you start. All you need to do is answer a few simple questions about your sleep style, and Mattress Firm will find the right fit for you.

Purple Restore Cool Touch Hybrid Mattress

Lined with spring coils and topped with plush foam, this mattress is soft yet supportive and comes in every size from Twin to California King. There's a handy drop-down menu that lets you select a bed base, box spring, or adjustable base that's compatible with your new mattress.

Beautyrest Pillow Top Mattress

Hybrid mattresses tend to be bouncy. I put it down to all those spring coils, compressing and depressing as you toss and turn. The Beautyrest Pillow Top Mattress works to minimize motion transfer through the use of Pocketed Coil Technology, which enhances support and controls the bounce. It's also worth knowing that this mattress comes in Twin XL and Full XL options to suit taller, broader sleepers.

Zinus Cooling Gel Memory Foam Hybrid Mattress

Forget everything you think you know about memory foam. This mattress is infused with a cooling gel to dissipate heat and wick moisture, so it's ideal for hot sleepers. If that isn't enough, the mattress comes wrapped in a cooling quilted cover that doubles as a mattress protector.

You can find more details in our Zinus Cooling Gel Mattress review.

2. Saatva

Saatva makes luxury mattresses at a price everyone can afford. When you factor in their 365-night sleep trials, lifetime warranties, and free delivery, setup, and removal system, you're actually saving money when you shop with Saatva. Each of their mattresses is handmade in the USA, cutting down on shipping costs to incorporate homegrown materials. If you like the look of Saatva, you could kit out your linen closet with their bedding, which features in our best pillow and best bed sheets buying guides.

Saatva Classic Mattress

The Saatva Classic has topped our best mattress buying guide for three years running, and it's not hard to see why. Plush yet supportive, it's suitable for all sleepers, whether you lie on your front, back, or side. The edge support is excellent, and the whole thing comes with a 365-day trial and lifetime warranty.

You can find more details in our Saatva Classic Mattress review.

Saatva Zenhaven Natural Latex Mattress

If you're keen to shop sustainably, you might prefer one of Saatva's latex models. This mattress is made entirely from natural materials, so it's ideal for sensitive sleepers, and it should outlast your average innerspring. Factor in the price of the Adjustable Base, and you'll be fine.

You can find more details in our Saatva Zenhaven Natural Latex Mattress review.

Saatva Latex Hybrid Mattress

Filled with organic natural latex and zoned for specialized support, the Saatva Latex Hybrid Mattress could be a game-changer for sleepers who suffer from chronic pain. This mattress is ergonomically designed to alleviate pressure and maintain the natural alignment of the spine.

You can find more details in our Saatva Latex Hybrid Mattress review.

3. Nectar

There isn't much to say about Nectar that Nectar hasn't said already: their site is incredibly comprehensive. Beneath each mattress listing, you'll find thousands of verified reviews, detailed product specs, an FAQ section, and even a video guide to help you get set up. Nectar makes six mattresses − three memory foam and three hybrid models − as well as bed frames, pillows, and bedding. If you're moving house or you're renovating your entire bedroom, I recommend a Nectar Bundle. Right now, you can get an award-winning mattress, an adjustable bed frame, and all your essential bedding for less than $1,500.

Nectar Memory Foam Mattress

You can't expect a mattress to cure chronic pain. That's the sort of thing you should take up with a medical professional, rather than a mattress manufacturer. With that said, our expert tester can't stop talking about how the Nectar Memory Foam Mattress eased the aches and pains from her fibromyalgia.

You can find more details in our Nectar Memory Foam Mattress review.

Nectar Premier Hybrid Mattress

I'd recommend the Nectar Premier Hybrid for back sleepers, side sleepers, and anyone who likes a little give in their mattress. 13 inches deep and filled with eight layers of springs and foam, the Nectar Premier Hybrid is plenty plush, though it might be a little too soft for stomach sleepers.

You can find more details in our Nectar Premier Hybrid Mattress review.

Nectar Premier Copper Mattress

This mattress incorporates a triple-action cooling system. I'm talking copper fibers to dissipate heat, ActiveCool phase change material to regulate temperature, and a cooling cover to wick moisture. It's ideal for anyone who suffers from night sweats or hot flashes or just tends to run a little warm.

4. Plushbeds

PlushBeds make the best organic mattresses. If you're keen to shop sustainably, or you'd prefer to purchase vegan products, I recommend starting your search here. The PlushBeds range includes organic latex mattresses and luxury pillowtop models, as well as kids' mattresses and even mattresses for sleeper sofas or RVs. With so much choice, it can be difficult to know where to start. I recommend clicking the link to 'compare PlushBeds mattresses', which outlines the pros and cons of each piece.

Botanical Bliss Organic Latex Mattress

PlushBeds is all about custom comfort. When you shop the Botanical Bliss Organic Latex Mattress, you can select any size from Twin to California King, including Split options to suit couples who share a bed but not a sleep style. You can choose your preferred firmness and mattress height to make a bespoke bed.

You can find more detail in our PlushBeds Botanical Bliss Organic Latex Mattress review.

Natural Bliss Vegan Mattress

Most organic mattresses feature wool, which is naturally thermoregulating and moisture-wicking. That's great for hot sleepers, but less so for vegans. That's why the Natural Bliss Mattress is filled with organic latex and covered in organic cotton, so it's totally free from animal products.

Eco Bliss Mattress

Normally, you'd have to pay through the nose for an organic hybrid mattress. I'm talking several thousand dollars, minimum. When you shop with PlushBeds, you can pick up the Eco Bliss for mere hundreds. This mattress is filled with CertiPUR-certified foam and topped with a plush layer of GOLS-certified organic latex, so that you can breathe cleaner, healthier air while you sleep.

5. Tempur-Pedic

There's no getting around it: Tempur-Pedic mattresses are expensive. Take the TEMPUR LuxeBreeze Mattress, select Split California King, and you could spend five figures on a mattress. If you've got the money, though, this is one of the best places to spend it. Tempur makes mattresses in collections, so that you can choose the comfort level that works for you. Their dedicated delivery team drops your mattress to your door, sets it up in your room, and removes your old mattress for safe disposal. Each mattress is made with patented TEMPUR materials which work to relieve pressure and minimize motion, so that you can sleep easy.

TEMPUR-Adapt

The Tempur-Pedic ProAdapt Mattress is expensive, sure, but you get what you pay for. Thick layers of memory foam work to ease pain and alleviate pressure, while individually wrapped spring coils enhance support without digging into your side. Our expert tester was seriously impressed with the breathability of this mattress as well as its ability to bear weight.

You can find more details in our Tempur-Pedic ProAdapt Medium Hybrid Mattress review.

TEMPUR-Cloud

This is one of Tempur-Pedic's more affordable offerings. For just under $1,500, you get two thick layers of foam, labelled Tempur Comfort and Tempur Support, as well as a base layer to minimize movement. It's all wrapped up in a 360° stretch cover to wick moisture and boost breathability.

TEMPUR-Breeze

If you're a hot sleeper with money to spare, you'd spend it well on a TEMPUR-Breeze mattress. There's the ProBreeze, which promises to help you sleep up to 5° cooler, and the LuxeBreeze, which takes you down to 10° cooler. That's thanks to a SmartClimate cover, made with cooling fibers, as well as a Pure Cool foam filling.

6. Emma

To get a memory foam mattress for less, head to Emma. There always seems to be a sale on, so you could save hundreds of dollars on mattresses, bedding, and bed frames throughout the year. Whenever you shop, you can take advantage of free delivery and returns, a 10-year warranty, and a 365-night sleep trial. That means you can test your mattress through all four seasons, in heat waves and cold snaps. If you still aren't satisfied once your year is up, you could get your money back.

Emma Original Mattress

Filled with thick layers of dense foam to absorb pressure and alleviate pain, the Emma Original Mattress is up there with the best mattresses for side sleepers. It's got just enough give to cushion your hips and shoulders while lifting your lumbar region to lengthen your spine.

You can find more detail in our Emma Original Mattress review.

Emma Hybrid Comfort

This is a seven-zone mattress, ergonomically designed to target each part of your body and give it specialized support. The Emma Hybrid Comfort has a medium-firm feel that's ideal for back and stomach sleepers, but might prove a little unforgiving for those who sleep on their side.

Emma Hybrid Cooling Elite

This hybrid mattress features individually wrapped coils to optimize bounce and enhance airflow without the steel digging into your side. It's topped with a layer of Airgocell foam, designed to absorb and release excess body heat and moisture to keep you just the right side of cool and comfortable.

7. Helix

If you're the sort of person that loves smart bedroom tech, and you want to learn more about sleep science, then you'll find a lot to like at Helix. Their website is filled with references to sleep studies and endorsements from sleep scientists, explained in simple English that anyone can understand. Ordinary people love Helix, too: their mattresses boast tens of thousands of five-star reviews online. Helix are also the brains behind Birch Living, the luxury sleep store that makes natural and organic sleep products.

Helix Midnight Hybrid Mattress

One of our expert testers shares a bed with her partner. She prefers a firmer surface that keeps her from sinking, while he appreciates a softer mattress that absorbs the pain and pressure from his back. Both of them slept comfortably on the Helix Midnight Hybrid Mattress: its medium-firm support hits just right.

You can find more detail in our Helix Midnight Hybrid Mattress review.

Helix Dusk Luxe

Helix makes mattress collections, so that you can select the exact firmness and composition that suits your sleep needs. My dream mattress is the Helix Dusk Luxe: it's specifically designed for back and stomach sleepers and wrapped in a cooling cover to dissipate heat.

Birch Luxe Natural Mattress

This natural mattress is ergonomically designed to support your lumbar region and alleviate back pain. It sleeps cool, wicks moisture, and provides excellent edge support. In fact, the only thing I don't like about it is the price: you'll have to fork out a few thousand dollars for the Birch Luxe Natural Mattress.

You can find more detail in our Birch Luxe Natural Mattress review. 

8. Casper

Casper has just come out of a branding refresh. If you're struggling to recognize your old favorites under their new names, here's your cheat sheet. The One Foam Mattress corresponds to the Casper Original: an affordable mattress with breathable, flexible foam. The Dream Hybrid is the new iteration of the Original Hybrid, combining the plush comfort of memory foam with the support of an innerspring. Hot sleepers should stick to the Snow collection. If you've got some cash to spare, and you'd like to spend it on the best cooling mattress, you could upgrade to the Snow Max.

Casper One Foam Mattress

This affordable mattress is on the firmer side. It's the sort of thing that should suit back and stomach sleepers, but it might not have enough give for side sleepers. Like all Casper mattresses, it's designed to stay cool and wick moisture for sweat-free sleep.

Snow Max Hybrid Mattress

Here at H&G, we loved the Casper Wave Hybrid Snow. Our expert tester sampled it during a heatwave in Atlanta, and she never once woke up in a sweat. Now that the Wave Hybrid Snow is out, the Snow Max Hybrid is in. You get the same durability and breathability, just under a different name.

Dream Hybrid Mattress

This mattress is designed for restless sleepers and their partners. The memory foam absorbs your movement as you toss and turn, so that you don't disturb whoever's in the bed next to you. The stainless steel coils provide reinforced edge support, which comes in handy for stomach sleepers who lie on the side of the bed.

Best places to buy a mattress FAQs

Which type of mattress is best?

There are four major mattress types: memory foam, innerspring, hybrid, and latex. Each type tackles a different sleep need.

Memory foam mattresses are soft yet supportive. They're great for easing aches and pains, but they tend to trap heat, and I wouldn't recommend one for a hot sleeper. Innerspring mattresses are the oldest, and still the most common, mattress type. They're filled with steel coils, which boost breathability and help to maintain proper spinal alignment, but they might prove too firm for some sleepers.

Hybrid mattresses combine the plush comfort of memory foam with the support and airflow of an innerspring. Hybrid mattresses bring the best of both worlds, but they're pretty expensive. Latex mattresses are on the more expensive side, too, but they're the best option for eco-conscious shoppers.

Which mattresses last the longest?

Latex mattresses are the most durable, followed by high-density memory foam. Hybrid mattresses have a slightly shorter shelf life, and an old-fashioned innerspring shorter still: around five or six years. If you're wondering how often you should change your mattress, you'll learn a lot from our expert guide.

Final thoughts

You might have made your way to the end of this article in window shopping mode. You know that you need a new mattress, but you just can't afford to spend thousands on a new bed. If you're working with a tight budget, I recommend narrowing your search to the best affordable mattress.

Failing that, the best mattress topper could transform your sleep for a fraction of the price. You could pick up a plush layer to soften up an old bed or something firmer for enhanced support. If you just can't decide whether to buy a mattress topper vs new mattress, then you're in luck: we've outlined the pros and cons of either purchase.