The Best Bed-in-a-Box Options in 2024 for Avoiding IRL Mattress Shopping at All Costs

In the '90s, when Metallica was singing about the sandman, the only way to snag a reliable mattress was to trek to a local brick-and-mortar store, lay on a bunch of them lined up in a row, and get the hard sell from a guy called “Gary” on a bed that was probably more expensive than it needed to be. Today, the reality couldn’t be more different—no commute to the store and no Gary. You can order a premium mattress in a box online (yes, even from Amazon), and it’s compactly shipped to you for a much lower price than in-store options.

The best bed in a box usually comes rolled up, vacuum sealed, and will expand to fit your bed frame after opening over the course of about a day. There’s just one catch: You can’t try out the mattress before having it shipped to your house. Thankfully, most companies that are worth their salt offer no-risk returns up to a year after ordering. Still, it's nice to have a clear sense of what you're getting into before you add anything to your cart. Keep scrolling for our best mattress in a box picks and tips to get the best price when shopping online.

Our Favorite Overall Mattress-in-a-Box

The original Nectar is a true crowd-pleaser that packs a whole lot of bang for your buck, earning it our elite title of best mattress-in-a-box. After testing dozens of bed-in-a-box models (and over 500 mattresses in general), we quickly realized that the Nectar's combo of cooling memory foam and supportive high-density foam cradles your body in all the right places without making you feel like you’re sinking in quicksand. It's also an especially great choice for those who prefer a medium-firm feel and need pressure relief in their hips and shoulders.

The Best Mattresses in a Box: At a Glance

• Best Overall Mattress-in-a-Box: Nectar Mattress
• Best Luxury Mattress-in-a-Box: Helix Midnight Luxe Mattress
• Best Mattress-in-a-Box for Combination Sleepers: Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid Mattress
• Best Mattress-in-a-Box for Back Sleepers: Nolah Evolution Mattress
• Best Mattress-in-a-Box for Side Sleepers: Layla Memory Foam Mattress
• Best Mattress-in-a-Box for Stomach Sleepers: Helix Dawn Mattress
• Best Mattress-in-a-Box for Couples: DreamCloud Premier Hybrid
• Best Hybrid Mattress-in-a-Box: WinkBed Mattress
• Best Memory Foam Mattress-in-a-Box: Emma Mattress
• Best Firm Mattress-in-a-Box: Titan Plus Mattress
• Best Soft Mattress-in-a-Box: Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress
• Best Organic Mattress-in-a-Box: Birch Natural Mattress

Methodology: We're all about getting a good night's sleep, so we enlist and interview a team of sleep experts that has tested and scored more than 500 mattresses in sleep labs who know the good, the bad, and the ugly. These guys thoroughly evaluate each bed in a box for firmness, support level, cooling, and pressure relief so that you can rest easy that you’ve chosen the right model for all your needs. Recently, we even updated our review methodology with a more science-based testing approach over a longer period to give you a more in-depth picture of what a mattress will feel like—and you can learn more about our mattress testing process here.

In This Best-of List: Check out our picks for the best direct-to-your-house beds for every type of sleeper and budget—all of which have been tested by our team.

No mattress is perfect enough to be labeled one-size-fits-all, but the Nectar comes pretty damn close. This medium-firm hybrid mattress relieves pressure point pain and contours the body for a cozy, supported feel most sleep styles and body types will appreciate. We chose it as our Best Mattress in a Box Overall pick due to its versatility and solid value within the bed-in-a-box space.

Like TikTok replacing the nightly news, Nectar arrived on the mattress scene to give old-school memory foam brands—think Tempur-Pedic—a run for their money. Our thorough testing showed that this mattress offered the classic, doughy feel that we've come to expect from the best memory foam, with just the right amount of support to keep you from getting sucked into it. That balance will make a huge difference for anyone who's used to waking up with shoulder or hip pain (particularly you, back and side sleepers).

Because the Nectar cushions those high-pressure areas so well, you should be able to maintain a comfortable position longer without tossing and turning, which is especially important if you sleep with a partner. That said, motion transfer is minimal on the Nectar, so even if you do roll around, your movements shouldn’t wake up your S.O.—and vice versa. Loren Bullock, a mattress tester and certified sleep science coach says, “We spent a good amount of time rolling around and using weights to measure how well motion was isolated on the Nectar mattress. It was challenging to feel any movement due to the thick foam layers.” Bottom line—if you’re a light sleeper, you won’t have to worry about being shaken awake.

While our testers don't say the Nectar is the coolest mattress out there, it was definitely one of the cooler options we tried compared to other memory foam mattresses (but if sleeping cool and memory foam are atop on your mattress wish list, we'd recommend checking out the Layla Memory Foam Mattress). Plus, with a generous 365-night sleep trial and lifetime warranty, you'll have plenty of time to see for yourself if this is the right bed for you.

In our efforts to get the full picture of performance from a wide variety of people, we interview lots of long-term owners of mattresses (as in, regular people who have owned the mattress for longer than six months) to find out how they hold up over time and whether they would re-buy them if given the chance. They aren't paid to tell us their opinions and there's no incentive to say anything positive.

In these interviews, we found that Nectar consistently provided good customer support with solid warranties and easy returns. “I've used it as my primary mattress since 2021, and I share it with my partner," says a combination sleeper who owns a Nectar. "In that time, I've noticed no dips (literal or figurative) in its quality. It feels just as cozy and supportive as it did the day we got it.”

Amazon reviews have similarly positive takes, especially on value and comfort. Amazon reviews are mixed to positive on factors like support, cooling, and how much they sink in. Google Reviews rate it a 4.1 out of 5 stars from more than 80,000 reviews. Buyers are generally happy with their purchase, which gets us a thumbs up.

Nectar's ratings are mixed to positive on third-party review sites. At the time this was written, the Classic was rated 4.2 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot (a site that culls shoppers' reviews about buying from different companies) with more than 14,000 reviews. Buyers called out the exceptional customer service, easy online shopping experience, and overall comfort of the bed.

The Helix Midnight Luxe mattress is made for sleepers who want it all: ergonomic support, pressure relief, and soft cushioning. A hybrid mattress by design, it's made up of both individually-wrapped coils and memory foam layers, putting it in the sweet spot of having a medium-firm feel.

The word "luxe" comes with high expectations—and after testing, we can confirm the Helix Midnight Luxe lives up to them. The bed’s combination of coils and foam layers (one of which is thick memory foam) creates a supportive, hug-like feel that can provide serious pressure relief for achy joints and muscles. Our testers found that the zoned support coils are especially great for preventing lower back pain as they provide extra support in the midsection to support your hips.

After our first review a couple of years ago, the Midnight Luxe stood out as a fan favorite. One of our testers, who has over three years of experience analyzing mattresses, says "The Midnight Lux’s pillowtop alone made me want to buy it for myself. It’s not perfect for every budget, but it’s a tempting choice for all of the features you get."

At the risk of overstating its benefits, the Midnight Luxe could also be an answer to sleep-induced relationship woes. Our testers found that it did a great job of dampening motion transfer, so you shouldn’t feel a thing if a restless partner starts tossing and turning. That's thanks to the mattress’s foam and coil layers, which work together to evenly distribute weight and minimize movement. Plus, this mattress stays pretty damn cool, temperature-wise, all night long. The top cover is made of Tencel, which is known for being breathable and moisture-wicking, which is game-changing for hot sleepers.

The Midnight Luxe has a pretty solid online reputation, with Google Reviews averaging 4.3 out of 5 stars from about 13,000 reviews. Generally, the long-term owners we spoke to praise the feel of the mattress with variable qualms about packaging, price, and suiting the needs of both partners. One of the long-term users we spoke to has owned this mattress for about six months and told us, “Almost everything about this mattress is great, though I would say that it offers fairly low responsiveness as it can be hard to switch positions easily, but I'm still comfortable. If you like to sink in gently, this should work for you.”

At the time this article was written, Helix Sleep had just seven reviews on Trustpilot—not enough to glean any real insight into overall buyer satisfaction. That being said, Helix Sleep is BBB-accredited with a grade of A+.

Never wake up in the same position you fell asleep in? Combination sleepers need a mattress with an "on-top" feel that can keep up with all their tossing and turning but also won’t wake their partner up with all their movements. The Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid's elastic foam lifts you up while its individually wrapped coils keep motion from rippling across the bed.

Individually wrapped coils keep motion from rippling across the bed, which tends to result in a comfortable night's sleep no matter how many different positions you flop into.

Combination sleepers need a responsive bed that won't fight back too hard when they decide to switch positions. That's where the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid shines. Its top layer is essentially the love child of memory and latex foam: body contouring with responsive push-back. That means you'll feel lifted and on top of the mattress rather than sinking into it.

Our testers also loved the quilted cover. It's technically a poly-cotton blend, but there's just enough memory foam woven in to provide pressure relief for your back and joints—key areas that need support no matter what position you sleep in.

One tester, a particularly restless sleeper, says, “I like to move around at night, and the Signature Hybrid was quiet and had a little bounce to ease me into a new position. I never felt like I was sinking too deeply into the top layers, especially on the firm option, which was great for a tall, heavier guy like me.”

We interviewed an owner of the Signature Hybrid, a side sleeper with back pain, who has owned her Brooklyn Bedding mattress for about two years and loves the feel. She told us, “This mattress ticks almost all of the boxes I need: Pressure relief for side sleeping, support for low back pain, and lots of comfort. However, as I typically hug the edge of the bed, it could have better edge support. I find it sinks down pretty significantly. But if you tend to sleep near the middle of the bed, this shouldn't be an issue for you.” If you're concerned about edge support too, you might check out the WinkBed Mattress instead.

Brooklyn Bedding doesn’t have many third-party reviews, but it is BBB-accredited with an A+ grade. Comments on Trustpilot are generally positive, like this one from March 2024: “Brooklyn Bedding has yet to disappoint us, from start to finish.” Interestingly, most of the negative comments are for a pet bed company of a similar name. The takeaway: Buyers love Brooklyn Bedding but want to break up with the Brooklyn Pet Store.

When it comes to back sleepers, lumbar support is key. The Nolah Evolution ticks that box (and the comfort-is-king box in general) with its combination of high-density foam and supportive coils. Its graphite-infused cooling layer is the cooling cherry on top that can help conduct heat away from the body.

Back sleepers often take a Goldilocks approach to finding a mattress: not too soft or too firm. Our testing results show that the Nolah Evolution is just right for them, with a medium-firm feel that supports your body well. Its wrapped coils and zoned foam are engineered to make the bed firmer in the center and to help support the lower back. Its high-density foam layers (including a graphite-infused one for cooling) add up to an all-around plush bed that won't let your hips or shoulders sink too deep.

Among our testers, all types of sleepers appreciated that you can choose between three different firmness levels, though the medium-firm option is likely to suit back sleepers best. While the heat-retaining fabric of the organic cotton cover might scare away those who run hot, we found the combination of the cooling cover, airflow-promoting coil setup, and the brand’s specific heat escape gusset more than capable of venting and dissipating body heat.

“We always cut into a mattress to check out the various layers and materials,” says Bullock, noting that it's in it for the long haul. “The Evolution clearly has springs that are made to last and high-quality foam. We see a lot of mattresses, and this one seems like it’ll last you a good decade of consistent use.”

We interviewed a long-term owner of a Nolah mattress, a side sleeper, who’s had his for just under a year, and says he’d both repurchase and recommend it to friends based on his experience with its durability and comfort.

Nolah isn’t BBB-accredited, but it has a grade of A+. As a smaller company, there aren’t yet that many third-party reviews online, but the reviews we found tended to be favorable, especially about customer support issues.

Side sleepers often need to ease into their mattress like they’re sinking into a layer of fluff—best described otherwise as a soft surface to hug those pressure points around the shoulders and hips. The soft side of the flippable Layla is plush enough to keep side sleepers supported and cozy for a good night of snoozing.

The Layla mattress is a flippable all-foam bed, meaning one side is soft (we rate it 6/10 on our firmness scale), and one side is firm (it comes in at a 7.5/10 on the firmness scale). The soft side is one of the plushest surfaces that the average side sleeper will find. Even the Firm side might fare well for some side sleepers who weigh over 230 pounds and want something more supportive.

One GQ tester—who is 6’7" and weighs around 270 pounds—side-slept on both sides of the Layla and thought that the soft side cushioned his hips and shoulders. “I didn’t feel any pain lying on the soft side of the mattress. The foams cradled my body so I could lie comfortably on the mattress while sleeping on my side,” he told us. The Firm side didn’t offer enough pressure relief for him, though (if that sounds like you, you might gravitate toward the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid Mattress instead).

That said, either side of the mattress will give you that doughy, slow-moving feel that memory foam mattresses are known for, but the Soft side will allow your body to sink more deeply into your mattress.

The Layla’s flippable feature is something most beds-in-a-box can’t compete with, but that’s not even the best part. The foam layers in this mattress are infused with gel and copper, meaning they help fight night sweats, thanks to the cooling and antimicrobial properties. It’s also cheaper than some of the other foam mattresses on this list, so all the more reason to invest.

We interviewed a long-term Layla owner who has owned hers for over two years and told us, “I would definitely repurchase a Layla mattress; however, I would consider getting the Layla Hybrid, because of the added bounce. I like to shift around while sleeping.“

On Amazon, Layla is rated 4.3 out of 5 stars. Like our testers, customers thought the mattress was soft and offered great pressure relief. BBB ratings are similar, and customers gave the brand 4.6 out of 5 stars with 99 reviews. Layla has been BBB accredited since 2019 and has an A+ rating.

Stomach sleepers are some of the most underrepresented sleepers out there since it isn’t the most doctor-recommended position. If you lay in this position, you’re probably not a fan of softer mattresses, and because many beds aim for a medium-firm feel, you may not always feel like you have great options. We’ve got you covered, though. The Helix Dawn is a firm mattress with enough support to make most stomach sleepers more comfortable.

It only takes a quick scroll through online forums to realize that much of the internet wonders how stomach sleepers stay comfortable, but we’re here to help, not to judge. Most stomach sleepers want to sleep on a hard surface—almost like sleeping directly on the floor. The Helix Dawn is like sleeping on a floor layered with a Turkish rug or two. It has two slim layers of foam for comfort, and below those layers are individually wrapped coils that give the mattress a sturdy feel.

Because of how firm the Dawn is, we think it should be great for most stomach sleepers regardless of body size. We asked our resident tall guy to test this one out, too, and he gave us some positive feedback about his experience. “Spine alignment is really important for stomach sleeping, and the Helix Dawn was firm enough to keep my spine supported in this position. My hips didn’t sink in, and I was able to sleep comfortably.”

Because the Dawn's foam layers are thin, the mattress should sleep cooler than other mattresses. The coil layers in the bottom of the mattress should also help with cooling since they prevent heat from being trapped and allow airflow. Cool, cool, cool.

The Helix Dawn has a 4.3 rating on Google Reviews, with over 1,300 customer sentiments. Most shoppers had mixed reviews on the true firmness of this mattress — some rated it a 6 or 7, while others rated it an 8 or 9. Of course, firmness will ultimately depend on your body, sleeping position, and personal preferences. Overall, most customers thought this mattress was firmer than average, comfortable, and especially great for stomach sleeping.

Couples use their beds for two main reasons: sleep and sex (and okay, maybe also bingeing the next season of Bridgerton). But nothing kills the mood faster than a stiff, unresponsive mattress with no bounce to make it easier to… move around. That's why we love the DreamCloud Premier Hybrid for couples. Its individually wrapped coils and multiple foam support layers provide enough bounce for sex, but still manage to provide decent motion transfer so that you won’t feel your partner roll over in the middle of the night.

We can't guarantee that the DreamCloud Premier Hybrid mattress will improve your sex life, but its multiple layers of bouncy, responsive foam definitely won't hurt. The mix of gel memory foam, quick-response polyfoam, and springy coils gives this bed a slightly firmer-than-average feel that's both supportive and fun. We found it to have a high level of responsiveness, bounce, and strong edge support so you and your partner can make the most of your bed's real estate.

But the DreamCloud isn’t just great for intimate activities. During our testing, users felt like they were “on top of” the bed rather than stuck in it, allowing them to change sleeping positions easily. Back sleepers, in particular, will like the supportive but yielding feel this bed offers, while hot sleepers will appreciate all the temperature-regulating materials.

“The DreamCloud has a true hybrid feel which balances the body-contouring feel of foam with the bounce of coils,” says one tester. “It’s a real win for almost all sleeper types. If you’re trying to balance the needs of two people with different tastes (like a lot of us), this is a great option.”

While motion isolation isn't as great as it is with all-foam beds, like the Nectar Mattress, DreamCloud still does an admirable job of limiting the effects of movements to one side of the bed. But it may be a small sacrifice to gain the other benefits.

Our interviews with longer-term owners of the DreamCloud Premier Hybrid all had positive takes about how it’s held up over time and how it supports their sleeping positions.

DreamCloud is also generally well-rated on third-party review sites. At the time this article was written, the brand was rated 4.2 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot, with more than 1,700 reviews. DreamCloud is BBB-accredited, with a grade of A+ and a rating of 2.4 out of 5 stars. These review sites tend to skew negative, so take those with a grain of salt.

If you're willing to spend a little more than other models to get a lot, the WinkBed may be your match due to its firm support, durability, and overall value for high-quality materials. It's a hybrid mattress with a breathable, pressure-relieving foam and a supportive, back-supporting base of pocketed coils. The foam top layer will likely be a welcome addition for those who enjoy a traditional innerspring mattress's bouncy, firm support.

The BMW of the mattress world, the WinkBed is durable, classy, and plush. It’s made with a hybrid of gel foam and pocketed support coils. Our team of experts that tested the medium-firm model found it strikes a nice balance of support and cushioning. It's bouncy yet comfortable, responsive yet motion-dampening, and a little bit of everything you want in a mattress, including cooling properties, thanks to its Tencel cover, which can aid in reducing heat.

Based on the bed’s ability to support spinal alignment when lying down, we think back, stomach, and combination sleepers alike will have no trouble getting comfy in the WinkBed. But those who hold on to traditional innerspring mattresses for dear life will be most happy with the WinkBed as an upgrade. You won’t get any squeaky springs or sagging in the center—just strong edge support and pressure relief.

One GQ tester added that he gets that high-end, hotel feel from this bed: “It's comfortable enough to feel special and, although I've only had it a few months, seems hardy enough to stick around for a while.”

A top-rated Amazon review states, “One size does not fit all when it comes to what people find comfortable, but we have been thrilled with our mattress. I will be recommending Winkbeds to any of my friends or family looking for a mattress.” We agree after reviewing testing notes and multiple interviews with long-term WinkBed owners. A combination sleeper who has owned a WinkBed for over a year told us, “It took a bit for me to get used to the firmness (I have the Luxury Firm model), but now it's super comfortable and helps with my back pain from scoliosis.”

WinkBed is not BBB-accredited but maintains a B+ grade and 4.1 out of 5 stars.

Memory foam can be divisive—some people swear by it, while others feel like the dense, contouring foam that feels like sinking into a too-warm burrito of bedding. But we've got good news: The Emma mattress is one of the most supportive, all-foam mattresses we've tested. If spine alignment and a firm feel are your top priorities, this could be your jam.

The Emma mattress has a lot going for it, starting with its top memory foam layer, which has built-in zoned support channels that lift and cushion your body in important places, like your shoulders and hips. Stomach sleepers will likely find this feature particularly helpful, as studies show they may need extra support in those areas to maintain spine alignment.

Our testers agreed that this mattress is great for people who are combination sleepers (meaning that they sleep in more than one position). Why? It's not a mattress that you sink into; rather, our testers said that it felt like you were lying more on top of the mattress all night.

Thanks to the responsiveness of the foam, switching from back to stomach to side will cease to be an all-night battle against your bed. While it's not designed to be a cooling bed (like the Helix Midnight Luxe Mattress), anyone who runs hot will likely appreciate the moisture-wicking and temperature-regulating top cover.

Sleep science coach Bullock says, “If you’ve ever slept on an all-foam mattress, you know they can be too hot and too squishy. But the Emma doesn’t feel like an all-foam bed at all. Sure, it’s soft like memory foam, but it is also bouncy and cool. What a combo.”

Emma's ratings are fairly mixed on third-party review sites (remember when we said memory foam mattresses are divisive?). Emma was rated 3 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot at the time of this writing with over 40,000 reviews. However, the expert testing and interviews with long-term users confirmed that you’ll likely find all the necessary elements that really matter with Emma (customer service, returns, delivery, and overall quality). Additionally, Amazon currently ranks Emma mattresses at 4.6 out of 5 stars.

Not everyone likes a sunk-in feeling when they sleep. If that’s you, the Titan Plus is your best bet. Its strong, six-inch coils are made specifically to support bodies over 230 pounds—though back sleepers of all sizes with a preference for firmness will likely love it, too. Plus, its latex alternative comfort layer is bouncy, airy, and responsive.

Firm beds are an acquired taste, but once you've tried a Titan Plus, you might never go back to your saggy innerspring. The mattress is supportive without being stiff, between its 961 heavy-duty encased coils and responsive, latex-alternative foam (which the brand calls Titanflex).

Based on our detailed testing with two large guys over 6’5”, we think anyone who weighs over 230 pounds will find this mattress's deep compression support far more substantial and satisfying than the average bed-in-a-box. Stomach sleepers will probably also enjoy the straight spine alignment that comes with the firmness level.

“The Titan Plus is a great match for me, but what I especially dig is the edge support,” says one such tester over 200 pounds. “With a mattress that doesn’t support heavier guys like me, I find the edges smoosh right down, and I feel like I’m going to fall off. I really liked the solid feel on the edges.”

As you may have guessed based on its firm feel, side sleepers might find the Titan Plus too hard for their liking as the bed puts extra pressure on the hips and shoulders (in that case, we recommend the Layla Memory Foam Mattress instead). However, back and stomach sleepers may appreciate the extra lift in these areas.

The Titan Plus is a sister product of Brooklyn Bedding (which, as you may recall, is currently receiving some negative Trustpilot reviews that are actually intended for another company that makes dog beds, the Brooklyn Pet Store).

For a more accurate look at buyer’s thoughts, the Titan Plus is currently rated 4.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon out of more than 100 reviews. Overall, customers find this mattress worth the money—though some noted that it didn’t help soothe their back or joint pain as well as they’d hoped. Positive reviews called out that it holds its shape well and sleeps pretty cool.

If you want your bed to feel like a cloud, you’ll want to spend some time with the Bear Elite Hybrid. We tested the medium version, which is made for cushioning pressure points in the shoulders and hips. The soft version is even more plush, but there's still plenty of support and cooling with both. But don't let its softness fool you—there's still plenty of support and cooling to be had from this memory foam and innerspring hybrid.

Some sleepers need to feel like they're sinking into a Stay-Puft before they can truly relax, and for them, there’s the Bear Elite Hybrid. Its body-contouring layers of copper-infused memory foam give you that slow-sinking feeling without trapping too much heat. Underneath, there's another layer of contouring foam that promotes airflow and supports strategically placed pressure relief zones. Beneath all of that is a layer of responsive pocketed spring coils that do a great job of keeping motion to a minimum.

Expert Bullock says, “The Elite has what we call both ‘sink and lift,’ meaning that the mattress’s top layers have good cushioning, but the innerspring coils keep you lifted up. You also can’t feel those spring coils, which I’m sure is familiar if you’ve ever slept on a cheap pull-out bed. You deserve better, my friend.”

Arguably, the biggest benefit of this soft bed? Cooling. Its cover is made of phase change material fabric and Celliant fibers used in heaps of activewear, both of which are designed to draw heat away from your body. So, if you're a side or combo sleeper looking for cloud-like softness that won't leave you sweaty, the Bear Elite Hybrid is a great pick.

Amazon shoppers gave this bed 4 out of 5 stars. Buyers called out the ease of setup, cooling features, and overall comfort. We also spoke with long-term owner and side sleeper who told us about the durability and support, saying, “It's still doing a good job two years later!” She sleeps with a partner and pets, so the mattress has taken a beating and keeps on ticking.

If you’re looking to avoid allergens or extra chemicals that could be irritating, an organic mattress can help reduce your exposure and help keep allergies in check. The Birch Natural mattress's cooling latex and moisture-wicking wool layers are a solid choice for comfort, too.

The Birch Natural mattress is a solid combination of sustainable materials and comfort features. The organic cotton cover, organic Birch wool layers, and allergy-friendly Talalay latex foam set you up for a more breathable and hypoallergenic experience. Testers especially raved about how cool the bed sleeps compared to other similar mattresses they’ve tried.

We were equally impressed by how much cushiony support the Natural offers. It was bouncy and medium-firm, an ideal marriage for combination, back, and stomach sleepers who like feeling like they're on top of the mattress. That lift is also great if you struggle with back or shoulder pain or have any mobility issues. Unfortunately, this bed won't have many motion transfer perks, but if you can sleep through a little movement from a partner or pet (or sleep solo), there are no other major downsides.

Our sleep science expert Bullock got a notably luxurious vibe. She says, “I really thought the Birch might feel warm with the admittedly fancier wool layers, but the opposite was true. We tested how well heat built up over time using a thermal imaging camera, and the cooling features held up just as well as other cooling mattresses.”

Birch is BBB-accredited with a grade of A+. The mattress earned a 4.6 out of 5 rating on Google with more than 2,000 reviews. A wide variety of sleepers were pleased with this bed. One buyer even noted, “The mattress itself was MUCH more comfortable than I thought it would be, but the topper is just the icing on the cake. This is coming from a 6'1”, 260-pound male who's a side sleeper.”

Here are the latest pre-discount prices for the best mattress-in-a-box options, all queen-sized. Click the links to check out the latest discounts from each brand.

The only way to determine whether or not a mattress-in-a-box is worth sleeping on is to—you know—sleep on it. And that's exactly what we did. We’ve reviewed the best mattresses for a long time (and our testing has spanned over 500 mattresses, no big deal), but recently, we updated our review methodology with a more science-based testing approach over a longer period to give you a more in-depth picture of what a mattress will feel like. Our mattress experts put each bed through rigorous tests to evaluate its firmness, support level, cooling capabilities, pressure relief potential, motion isolation, edge support, and more. We experimented with sleeping positions, slept precariously close to the edge, and even did the whole bouncing with a glass of water test to see which mattresses came out on top (we live dangerously over here!).

After each mattress was thoroughly tested, our team gave it a score based on how it performed through the eyes of both sleepers and customers. Buying a mattress is a big investment, so we looked at important details like shipping and returns, set-up pains, off-gassing (that initial smell when you first unbox a mattress), and brand reputation. We then averaged the scores to determine which mattresses lived up to the marketing hype—thus, they either earned our approval or aren't on this list.

Cushioning, or the layers of a mattress, is one of the most subjective things we test. Most mattresses consist of a mattress topper (the soft, pillowy feeling right on top), comfort layers in the middle, and a denser transitional layer that surround the more stable core of a mattress. In our analysis, we ask testers to detail a mattress’s cushioning, and we consider this in conjunction with our objective tests (like pressure mapping, motion isolation, edge support, and more).

The best mattresses-in-a-box have a 365-day trial period and a lifetime warranty. That’s our golden standard when testing mattresses, earning a top score of 5 in our testing. However, some companies have shorter trial periods and limited warranties (usually 100 days and 10 years, respectively), which earn slightly lower scores in our analysis.

There’s always a risk with buying mattresses online, but part of our testing process is evaluating shipping, delivery, and customer service. Our testers take absurdly detailed notes on shipping time and cost, plus whether the delivery process was seamless or a struggle. If we need to interact with customer service at all, we take that experience into account as well.

Again, if you're into the fine print, you can read more about our rigorous testing standards.

Despite all the differences in mattress preferences, a clear through-line emerged. Two factors came up again and again as priorities: The best mattresses-in-a-box should be comfortable, supportive, and not cause or contribute to any pain or poor sleep. That’s it. Everything else (the materials, the cooling and heating properties, whether or not it offers reclining opportunities so you can prop your feet up like you're lying on a La-Z-Boy) is just icing on the cake.

Best Types of Mattresses-in-a-Box

Springs? Memory foam? A combination of both? In your search for a mattress, you'll come across three basic types of mattresses, each with its own set of pros and cons. Here's how each fares for different kinds of sleepers.

Foam/Memory Foam: If you want to sink into your bed like it's a cloud, foam and memory foam is something you'd probably like. It cradles your body, offering a type of soft support that can ease achy joints while providing excellent body contouring (so it molds to your body). Foam is notoriously not great for hot sleepers because it traps heat, but brands continue to develop new ways to give foam some sort of cooling features to relieve some of that pent-up warmth

Innerspring: Innerspring mattresses offer firmer support than memory foam mattresses and are often good for back sleepers. Cheaply-made innerspring mattresses will lose their springiness quickly, and even cheaper mattresses will make an annoying squeaking sound. This type of mattress is also not the best for couples because it doesn't do a very good job of reducing motion transfer, so if you're a wild sleeper, your partner might easily be awoken by your movements.

Hybrid: Get the best of foam and springs with a hybrid mattress. Not all hybrid mattresses are expensive, but going the hybrid route generally means you'll spend a little more money than a full foam or innerspring mattress. You get a softer feel than an innerspring mattress without the sometimes quicksand feel of foam. Customizing a hybrid mattress (depending on what certain brands offer) is also easier to suit your preferences.

How to Measure Comfort and Support

Comfort is easy to conceptualize. How comfortable does it feel to lay on this? How hot does it get? Do I like the cradling of the foam or the bounce of a coil spring mattress—or a little bit of both?

The support part is harder and really boils down to your body type. Hammocks and bean bags are comfortable, but let us know how supported your back feels after sleeping in them for a year. Generally, thicker mattresses and denser materials will be created with multiple layers of support (like foam layers, some spongier and others harder). Others, like hybrid models, replace the popular spring support models of yore with a combination of bouncy coils on the bottom and soft, supportive foam or gel layers on the top that provide additional comfort and support.

How you interpret what's supportive and what's not has a lot to do with how much you weigh and how you like to sleep. For example, if you are an average-sized male adult, you already have some options eliminated just from weight alone. A medium or soft mattress likely won’t provide enough support for your frame, and you'll probably prefer something on the firm to medium-firm side of the spectrum.

Side sleepers, whose hips and shoulders dig into the bed and create uneven pressure, might lean toward soft but supportive medium options that have some give but still keep the spine aligned and pressure even. Back sleepers might opt for something in the medium-firm to firm range for the best alignment and lower-back support, while stomach sleepers will want something even firmer to keep their hips from sinking too far into the mattress.

With all that in mind, we’ve created this guide to help take the guesswork out of buying the best mattress-in-a-box online. To make sure we bring you the best and most up-to-date mattress reviews, we’ll keep testing new ones all year round. When combined with our favorite sheet sets, pillows, and comforters, these mattresses provide what we think is the best possible sleep experience you'll get. (And if you can't pull off a new bed, you can try upgrading what you have with our favorite mattress toppers.)

How to Unbox a Bed In a Box

You may be scoffing at this section—and true, unboxing a mattress isn’t exactly quantum physics. But there are a few key steps you can take to make the process as easy as possible.

• Unbox the mattress in the room where you’ll be using it and, if possible, unroll the mattress directly onto the bed frame for less hassle later.
• Check the weight of the box and recruit a pal to help move if necessary.
• Build in a day or two between unboxing and your first night of sleep. This allows time for the mattress to expand and for any slightly dank odors to dissipate (some beds-in-a-box come with a bit of a chemical smell, but it goes away quickly).

After months and months of testing, our testers chose the Nectar Memory Foam Mattress as the best mattress in a box. Its modern approach to memory foam cushioning smashed the competition.

Based on our testing, the best beds in a box for side sleepers are the Helix Midnight, WinkBed, and the Nectar. The best mattress for side sleepers should offer pressure relief at the hips and shoulders and a neutral spine alignment.

A bed-in-a-box will typically be more affordable than a traditional mattress because it offers direct-to-consumer pricing and shipping. A bed-in-a-box could cost anywhere from $150 to $1,000 or more, whereas traditional mattresses often cost multiple thousands of dollars.

You can buy most bed-in-a-box models online through various retailers, including brand websites. If you prefer to buy your mattress in person, most stores selling mattresses should have many of the leading bed-in-a-box models in stock to try them out.

The best mattress in a box will typically last as long as a traditional mattress—about five to ten years. An all-latex mattress will last a bit longer than a hybrid or all-foam mattress.

About the Experts

This article was medically reviewed by Dr. Heidi Moawad. Dr. Heidi Moawad is a neurologist and teaches at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland, Ohio. She serves on the editorial board of Neurology Clinical Practice and is a reviewer for Neurology.

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