Best mattress 2022: 9 top options for a better night’s sleep | TechRadar

Best mattress 2022: 9 top options for a better night’s sleep

The best mattress for you is the one that helps you sleep better, and our expert mattress buying guide and reviews will help you narrow down the perfect choice for your budget. We’ve spent hundreds of hours researching and rating mattresses from the top sleep brands, across all key areas including comfort, support, pressure relief, motion isolation and temperature regulation. 

In this guide we talk you through each of our top-rated choices, explaining why they're the best mattresses of 2022, but also sharing any potential drawbacks that might mean a different model is the right choice for you and your sleep style. 

Our guide features all mattress types including innerspring, memory foam and hybrid, and each comes on a mattress trial, giving you ample time to test yours at home. If you decide the mattress isn’t right for you, contact the manufacturer within the trial period to get a refund and have the mattress returned.

The Saatva Classic (from $912) is our top pick for the best mattress overall. After thorough testing we highly rate this mattress for comfort and back support. As we explain in our review, it’s like having a luxury hotel mattress in your bedroom. For smaller budgets we recommend the Nectar (from $399). We reviewed this boxed mattress for three weeks and rate it as a comfy all-foam bed for a range of sleepers.

But there’s more to 2022’s best mattresses than Saatva and Nectar, and we walk you through the rest of our top options below. 

The best mattress in 2022 - chosen by our experts

The Saatva Classic is the flagship mattress from premium sleep brand Saatva, and we think it’s the best mattress you can buy. This luxury hybrid innerspring combines the superior support of traditional springs with the comfort and advanced features of the latest mattresses. It’s the best of both worlds: you get excellent pressure relief in all sleeping positions, while staying cool and well-supported at night. It’s competitively priced for a luxury hybrid too, starting from under $900 for a twin. 

The mattress comes in three different comfort levels (plush soft, luxury firm and firm) and two different heights (11.5 or 14.5 inches), so you can customize it to your preferences. We tested a queen size in the luxury firm feel. Whichever version you choose, you’ll benefit from Saatva’s patented spinal zone technology. This has been approved by the Congress of Chiropractic State Associations, and makes the Saatva Classic a particularly good choice for anyone with a bad back or achy joints. 

It’s also a great option for hot sleepers. Our reviewers found it to be one of the most cooling mattresses they’ve tried, partially due to the breathable pillow top and dual layer of coils, which boost airflow. But also because you sleep on top of the Saatva Classic, rather than sinking into it, which gives you less skin contact than an all-foam mattress. Edge support is very good as well - you can sleep right up the sides without them sagging. This makes the Saatva Classic feel wider, which may be a bonus for some couples.

Be aware that if you prefer the full ‘hug’ of memory foam while you sleep, you may find the Saatva Classic too buoyant – try the Nectar Memory Foam at number two instead. There’s a $99 return fee, too. Still, the Saatva Classic is great value for a luxury mattress: it uses high-quality materials, comes with free white glove delivery, and is extremely durable – so it should last longer than your average mattress. If you’re looking for hotel-quality luxury without the premium price tag, we think the Saatva Classic is the best mattress you can buy.

• Read our Saatva Classic mattress review

The Nectar Memory Foam is a mid-range, all-foam mattress and one of the best memory foam mattresses for anyone on a tighter budget. It’s the most popular and affordable option in Nectar’s range, offering strong performance in key areas including support, pressure relief and motion isolation, while significantly undercutting many of its competitors on price.

Officially priced within the mid-range bracket, at MSRP queen-size Nectar is $999, which is almost $300 cheaper than close rival the Casper Original, and $400 less than the Purple Mattress. Plus, the Nectar Memory Foam mattress comes with up to $499-worth of free gifts (pillows, sheets and a mattress protector), a generous year-long risk-free trial and a forever warranty. You get a lot for your money here.

But what’s it like to sleep on? As we discover during testing, this is a mattress you sink into while you sleep. There are five layers, including a new cooling cover made from polyethylene, a three-inch gel memory foam comfort layer and deep support layers at the base. These result in a hugging sensation as the mattress contours to your body, relieving tension at pressure points.

Motion isolation is better than the Saatva Classic, as you might expect from an all-foam mattress. This makes the Nectar a great choice for anyone with a restless partner - you won’t be disturbed by them tossing and turning, or getting in and out of bed. However, the slow-moving memory foam can make changing position a little harder. If you’re heavier, or prefer a more responsive mattress, you’ll do better with a spring-based option like the Saatva. 

Also, while our reviewers found it cool to sleep on, some users have reported finding it warm at night. We’d recommend the Saatva, Helix Midnight or DreamCloud options in our best mattress guide instead to anyone who tends to overheat while they sleep. If you love the cushioning feel of memory foam, though, and want superb value for money, the Nectar Memory Foam mattress is an excellent choice. To see how it stacks up against the DreamCloud (number 5), read our Nectar vs DreamCloud comparison.

• Read our Nectar mattress review

(Image credit: Helix)

The Helix Midnight is a popular medium hybrid mattress. It’s well-suited to all sleeping styles, but works particularly well for side and back sleepers, and people who toss and turn at night, thanks to its balanced combination of coils and memory foam. 

On top, a memory foam layer relieves pressure at your hips and shoulders, while under this a supportive polyfoam layer helps prevent you from sinking in too deeply. The foam layers are followed by hundreds of eight-inch steel pocket coils, which provide extra support and improved airflow, as well as a little bounce, making the Helix Midnight easier to move around on than all-foam options like the Nectar Memory Foam.

As a result, the Helix Midnight doesn’t feel completely like a memory foam mattress or like a traditional innerspring - it falls somewhere in between, making it a good option for couples with different comfort preferences. However, if you sleep predominantly on your front there may not be enough support (try the Helix Dusk (opens in new tab) instead, which still has a medium feel but uses a latex-foam to better support your spine; or go for the Saatva Classic). We wouldn’t recommend it for heavier sleepers over 250lbs either - the firm Saatva Classic will provide better support.

Price-wise, the Helix Midnight is competitive, with a queen at just over $1,000. That’s a few hundred dollars cheaper than its closest hybrid rivals, and a great price for a solidly performing mattress that should suit most people.

• Helix Midnight mattress: Should you buy it?

(Image credit: Cocoon by Sealy)

Cooling mattresses are normally very expensive because they use a larger array of materials and tech to regulate temperature. The Cocoon by Sealy Chill Mattress bucks that trend by offering a decent cooling performance at a fraction of the price. The action centers around a stretch-knit cooling cover infused with phase-change material. This absorbs then dissipates body heat. The cover is also good at wicking away sweat, making this the best mattress in our guide for anyone dealing with night sweats.

The Cocoon Chill Mattress is as supportive as it is cooling and comfy, with two layers of foam and a thick support layer. Underneath the cooling cover sits a slab of Perfect Fit Memory Foam, which molds itself around your body’s curves, weight and sleeping position, giving you that famous cradling effect of memory foam. How long does a memory foam mattress last and provide contouring comfort? On average six to ten years, but the Cocoon should last towards the upper end of that scale.

Beneath that lies a layer of Responsive Comfort Foam. Its job is to prevent you from sinking into the mattress too much and also to reduce motion transfer. This is vital for anyone who shares a bed, especially restless sleepers who move between positions. The Essential Support Layer at the base provides bounce and durability, and keeps the entire mattress stable.

While the phase change material technology is a massive draw here, the main star of the show is the price of the Cocoon by Sealy Chill mattress. As mentioned earlier, competitor cooling mattresses cost a lot more, so this is a real bargain, especially when it's on sale (usually 35% off). A queen size is priced $1,239 without a discount, but on sale it costs $799 and you get a free bedding set. That’s very good value, and even more so for a cooling mattress.

(Image credit: DreamCloud)

The DreamCloud mattress is an excellent choice for anyone who likes the sound of the Nectar Memory Foam mattress – and wants a free bedding bundle thrown in – but prefers a cooler, more responsive mattress. Billed as a luxury hybrid, The DreamCloud has five layers, including gel-infused memory foam and a breathable innerspring layer that’s designed to aid airflow and keep you cool at night. There’s also a quilted foam and cashmere top layer, which some users have reported helps to wick away moisture.

The coils make it more responsive than the Nectar Memory Foam mattress, so it’s a good choice if you like a little bounce. In our tests, we also found the DreamCloud was better at isolating motion than the other hybrids in this guide (the Saatva Classic and Helix Midnight) thanks to its thicker foam layers. We were also impressed by this mattress' temperature regulation and pressure relief. We rated it a 7.5 out of 10 on the firmness scale, and flagged up that it might be on the firm side for lighter bodies or front/side sleepers.

This mattress is a generous 14 inches deep, and while that’s a benefit – giving you more luxury cushioning and supportive contouring than thinner mattresses – you may need deeper sheets. Luckily, it comes with a free luxury sheet set as part of the deal. It also comes with a free mattress protector to prolong the life of your investment, and two cooling pillows. Plus, like the Nectar, you get a whole year to decide whether you like it, and there’s a forever warranty too.

• Read more: DreamCloud mattress review

(Image credit: GhostBed)

‘Hot sleepers’ is used to describe anyone who regularly wakes up in the night because they are just too warm to continue snoozing. Night after night spent kicking off the sheets to find some cooling relief isn’t fun, so if overheating is the biggest sleep issue you’re facing, consider switching to a proper cooling mattress. The GhostBed Luxe is roundly known as one of the very best cooling mattresses in America, and it’s reasonably priced compared to other premium mattresses too, especially when it's on sale - you can normally get a queen size for around $1,677.

The GhostBed Luxe has earned its cooling credentials via a range of patent pending technologies unique to the brand. These start at the very top of the mattress in the form of a 0.5” layer of Ghost Ice Fabric. This cover is made with phase change material that reacts to your body heat to regulate temperature and to ensure the mattress always feels cool to the touch. The other big cooling feature is the Ghost Ice Layer, there to transfer away heat to keep the core cool.

There’s more to the GhostBed Luxe than cooling power though - it’s comfortable and supportive for most sleeping positions, but especially side and combination sleepers. That’s because it has a plush feel rated at 5.5 out of 10 on the firmness scale, so it’s softer and more contouring around pressure points such as the shoulders, back, hips and knees. While heavier bodies may sink in a little too much, lighter to average bodies should experience plenty of sleep comfort.

That all comes via a 1” layer of contouring gel memory foam for a body-hugging feel, with an xtra 2” layer of the same foam further down in the mattress to boost pressure relief. These are complimented by a 2” layer of Ghost Bounce, a material that delivers a spring-like feel for a little bounce. At the bottom sits a thick and durable 7.5” high density support to provide a stable base. 

(Image credit: Purple)

The Purple Plus is the latest addition to the growing range of Purple mattresses, and offers a medium-firm feel that should suit most sleepers. It’s particularly good at pressure relief and motion isolation, making it one of the best choices for anyone who usually experiences soreness when lying down. It’s also great for couples who share a bed and especially if one of you is a restless sleeper. How come? Motion isolation means you won’t disturb your partner so much with your movements.

Made in the US, the Purple Plus uses the brand’s patented GelFlex material to create a 2” grid that’s flexible, durable, cooling and cushioning. Around the edge of the mattress lie foam rails to add edge support (these make it easier to get in and out of bed, and to support you right up to the edge of the mattress). While this is a welcome addition, the edge support is average compared to the competition.

The Purple Plus mattress does come with an extra layer of comfort foam, making it softer and plusher than the brand’s original Purple mattress, yet somehow it’s still firmer. It adapts nicely to different areas of your body, adding cushioning where needed around your main pressure points (back and hips), while keeping your spine comfortably supported.

The Purple Plus comes on a risk-free 100-night trial too, so you have over three months to make sure this is the best mattress for your sleep. If you change your mind, contact Purple for a refund and they will also collect the mattress. Other perks include free delivery and returns, plus a 10-year warranty. The coverage period is average, but not all mattress manufacturers offer free returns so that’s a good perk. Purple regularly runs mattress sales too, so you can often find discounts averaging $100 to $150 off the Purple Plus, making it competitively priced for the tech inside.

(Image credit: Avocado Green)

Organic mattresses are normally more expensive than other types because they use certified, natural and organic materials that are sustainably sourced. The Greenguard Gold Certified Avocado Green Mattress gives you all of that but at a reasonable price compared to other organic sleep brands. Inside the mattress you’ll find certified organic latex, OEKO-TEX certified wool, GOTS certified organic, and other natural materials. 

The presence of organic latex means the Avocado Green Mattress is more durable and longer-lasting, plus natural latex helps regulate in-bed temperature (it’s naturally breathable). The organic wool takes on some temperature control duties too, plus it wicks away moisture (along with the organic cotton) to keep the mattress fresh. It’s also naturally dust mite-resistant and anti-microbial. 

All sleeping positions are comfy on this organic mattress because you can choose from a standard version (medium-firm feel) or a pillow top version (gentle-firm). The medium-firm feel Avocado Green Mattress is well-suited to stomach and back sleeping, plus large and tall side sleepers. 

The mattress is 11 inches thick and houses three inches of GOLS certified organic latex rubber foam to add extra support during sleeping. The Avocado Green Mattress Pillow-Top has a European style pillow-top filled with a two-inch layer of GOLS organic certified latex rubber foam. At 13 inches tall, this version is better for all side sleepers and those who switch between positions during the night (combination sleepers).

Inside the Avocado Green Mattress you’ll find 1,414 individually tuned, tempered steel coils. That sounds like a weirdly specific number, but each plays a part in reducing motion transfer and keeping your spine aligned. That means less back pain for you, excellent pressure relief, and even distribution of weight across the mattress. Avocado Green is, without question, the best mattress for organic, healthy sleep that doesn’t break the bank.

(Image credit: Zinus)

The Zinus Green Tea Memory Foam is the cheapest in our best mattress guide, and a top choice for anyone on a tight budget. This all-foam mattress has three layers, and comes in four different depths: 6, 8, 10 and 12 inches. The thinnest costs around $189 for a queen size on Amazon, while the thickest costs around $415. No wonder its one of the best affordable mattresses you can buy.

Our reviewers tested the 10-inch version (we wouldn’t recommend anything thinner than 10 inches for most adults) and found it performed well for the price. The mattress has a classic memory foam feel, with good pressure relief, support and spinal alignment. We also found there to be minimal motion transfer, making it a good choice for couples.

The mattress wasn’t as supportive for stomach sleeping, though. And we wouldn’t recommend the Zinus Green Tea Memory Foam for very hot sleepers - the foam did trap a bit of body heat. That said, plenty of other people love it: the Zinus Green Tea Memory Foam is one of the most popular mattresses on Amazon, with an average score of 4.5 out of 5 from over 115,000 user reviews.

Don’t expect to see the same premium materials and features here as with the other mattresses in our guide. Aside from the green tea and charcoal-infused memory foam - which is designed to remove odors and help keep your mattress feeling fresh - there are no bells and whistles. But the Zinus Green Tea Memory Foam does what it’s meant to do: it’s comfortable, supportive and the price is great. We think it’s one of the best budget mattresses you can buy.

• Zinus Green Tea Memory Foam mattress: should you buy it?

How we test mattresses

The TechRadar mattress review process is editorially independent and controlled solely by us. We decide which products are reviewed and use a series of tests to help us generate an overall score out of 10 for each mattress. Here's what you need to know about how we test...

How long we test for – and why

During the review period, we sleep on each mattress for at least three weeks because this is how long it takes most people to get used to sleeping on a new mattress. Other sites test for shorter periods while others test for longer, but we feel three weeks provides ample time to gather testing data and to fact-check claims made by the manufacturer.

One of the most common complaints when sleeping on a new mattress is back pain. Often this is down to choosing the wrong firmness for your body weight and sleeping position, while other times it’s because you have gone from an older, less supportive mattress to something with more support. Your body will feel that change in the beginning, and this is why many leading mattress manufacturers will only accept returns once you have slept on a mattress for 21 to 30 nights and given it a fair trial.

What we test

Every mattress we review is tested and rated in the following areas:

• Firmness, comfort and support
• Design, build quality and materials
• Motion transfer
• Pressure relief in different sleep positions
• Temperature regulation
• Edge support
• Durability

We also rate mattresses in terms of off-gassing (read more about what is mattress off-gassing) and how easy they are (or not) to unbox and set up for sleeping. We source mattresses directly from each manufacturer on the understanding that they have zero influence over our expert opinion of the mattress or the overall score. 

We also evaluate user reviews to see what customers think of the mattress, and to identify any issues (or praise) that keep surfacing. User reviews also help us to see if customers are having issues with the materials or build quality months or even years down the line.

Our mattress testers

Our mattress reviewers vary in terms of body weight and sleep needs, and are experienced at testing mattresses, bedding and related sleep products. We have one lead reviewer per mattress, who then forms a review panel of additional sleepers. These panel members represent different types of sleeper (back, stomach, side, combi), and have different body weights and preferences for firmness. Why do we use a panel of testers in addition to a lead reviewer? To create a balanced opinion of the mattress.

Mattress buying advice and FAQ

What is the best mattress in 2022?

In our view, the luxury innerspring Saatva Classic is the best mattress you can buy. It's approved by the Congress of Chiropractic State Associations, and delivers hotel-style comfort and superb support for a few hundred dollars less than its luxury rivals. We really enjoyed sleeping on it.

As well as being great value for a luxury mattress, we love how customizable the Saatva Classic is: you can choose between three firmness options (plush soft, luxury firm and firm) and two heights (11.5 or 14.5 inches). It costs between $887 and $2,296, depending on the size you choose, and there's often a $200 discount at Saatva (opens in new tab) when you spend over $950.  

Alternatively, if you prefer the full 'hug' of memory foam mattress - and want to sink into your mattress while you sleep, rather than sleep on top of it - we'd recommend the Nectar Memory Foam mattress. Starting from $499 ($899 for a queen, down from $1,298) it's a competitively priced mid-range mattress that performs well. Plus, it also comes with up to $499 of free gifts at Nectar (opens in new tab) - that's phenomenal value. 

We test the edge support on the Saatva Classic mattress (Image credit: Future)

When is the best time to buy a new mattress?

There are mattress sales running year-round, so you’re never far from a good discount on a top-rated mattress. That said, certain times of the year are definitely the best time to buy a new mattress. The obvious two are in November and December, when all the Black Friday mattress deals arrive, followed by Cyber Monday mattress deals. 

Outside of Black Friday and Cyber Monday the best times to buy a new mattress include the Presidents' Day mattress sales in February, as well as the Memorial Day mattress sales in late May. Retailers often come out with the most competitive savings as they attempt to shift old season stock to make way for newer models. We've even seen accessories, such as mattress protectors, comforters and the best pillows for sleeping get discounted.

The July 4th mattress sales, followed by the Labor Day mattress sales in September, also bring a variety of offers, but mattress prices can be higher than during Black Friday. So while the actual discounts may be the same, the base price of the mattress might be higher, so your savings are smaller. 

Generally, summer is known as one of the most expensive times to buy a new mattress, so we’d recommend keeping your eye out for good deals during the other sales periods mentioned above instead. And if you don't have the budget right now for a new mattress but need more comfort from your bed, consider using one of the best mattress toppers instead.

What is the best mattress for me?

To choose the best mattress for you, think about the position you fall asleep in. Most mattresses are designed to support back, stomach and side sleepers, though we have found that some mattress types are best suited to specific sleep positions.

For example, contouring memory foam mattresses with sink-in cushioning are an excellent choice for side sleepers because they relieve pressure on the hips, knees and shoulders during side sleeping. All-foam models also provide comfort for lighter bodies.

Hybrid mattresses are usually firmer and therefore suit heavier bodies, and back and stomach sleepers who need to sleep on top of the mattress for better spinal alignment. Because they sleep cooler, they’re the best choice for hot sleepers too.

In terms of mattress firmness, a medium-firm feel works well for most people, so you’ll see this offered by a lot of mattress manufacturers. Though if you enjoy softer beds, you may find that medium-firm is too firm, so explore soft or plush-firm options instead. So to recap:

Choose a mattress that suits your sleeping position and make sure it offers enough comfort for your body type. Look for cooling materials if you sleep hot, and always opt for a mattress that comes with a risk-free trial period.

(Image credit: Getty)

What is the #1 rated mattress for most people?

From our research and testing, we think 2022’s #1 rated mattress is the Saatva Classic luxury innerspring hybrid. Handcrafted in America, the Saatva Classic is designed to recreate the feel of a luxury hotel mattress so that you can enjoy higher levels of comfort, cooling and support at home. 

The Saatva Classic is the best choice for nearly all sleepers because it comes in two different heights (11.5” or 14.5”) and three different firmness levels: plush soft, luxury firm and firm. We’d recommend the luxury firm option if you want that opulent hotel mattress feel at home.

It’s more expensive than most other mattresses in our guide though, but that’s because it’s handmade from premium materials – it would cost a lot more in store. Saatva has also offset the higher price by increasing the warranty from 15 years to a lifetime warranty, and by extending the trial period from 180 nights to 365 nights. 

While the brand charges $99 for returns or exchanges, it still offers free premium delivery whereby the installation team sets up the mattress for you and takes away all packaging, plus your old mattress.

What are the different types of mattress?

Largely speaking, there are four different types of mattress: memory foam, hybrid, innerspring and latex, though there are many variations within those main types too. Here’s a handy guide to the different types and how they might best suit your body, sleep needs and budget:

Hybrid mattresses
These use a combination of memory foam and either coils or springs, and generally provide a firmer feel than an all-foam mattress. Hybrids pack in more material technologies, and are more breathable because air flows freely through and around the coils or springs.

Hybrids are a good choice for heavier bodies that need firmer support to keep their spine aligned during sleep. They also suit people with back pain as hybrids can often deliver zoned support, with different levels of firmness across different parts of the mattress.

Again, the average warranty is 10 years though brands such as DreamCloud and WinkBeds offer lifetime warranties on their hybrids.

Memory foam mattresses
This type of mattress is made from memory foam and other types of foam, and while they have in the past been known to retain heat, many of them are now made with gel-infused memory foam to make them cooler. 

The main draw is that they create a body-hugging feel for a more weightless type of sleep. They also suit couples and restless sleepers who share a bed as memory foam offers more motion isolation than other materials.

(Image credit: Nectar Sleep)

Memory foam mattresses are best-suited to people who need deep pressure relief across their back, shoulders, hips and other impact points. They are cheaper than hybrids (see below for a description of those), and typically last around six to eight years depending on the build quality. Our feature on how long a mattress lasts goes into more detail on this. 

The average warranty is 10 years, though some memory foam mattress brands, such as Nectar Sleep and WinkBeds, offer lifetime warranties.

Innerspring mattresses
This is a more traditional type of mattress, and one you’ll find in mattress stores and from some online manufacturers. Innerspring mattresses use a coil-based support system that suits most sleeping positions, with individually housed coils sat inside fabric pockets so that they can move independently of each other. This creates a bouncier feel than other mattresses types, and a more responsive feel.

The drawback with innerspring mattresses is that they don’t last as long as other mattresses, so you will need to replace them frequently compared to more durable memory foam and hybrids. Though if you want one of the most long-lasting types of mattress, look at the latex models (see below).

Warranties vary wildly for innerspring mattresses, and range from five years to eight years on average.

Latex mattresses
These are an excellent choice for anyone who wants a durable mattress that offers cooling comfort and a bouncy feel (innersprings are bouncier). There are different types of latex mattress, including Dunlop and natural Talalay latex.

Like memory foam, latex is a great material for contouring to the body and providing a slightly huggy feel, though it’s more breathable. If you want an organic mattress for non-toxic sleep, latex mattresses are worth exploring. However they are more expensive, which is reflected in the longer warranties - 20 years is the average.

Which brand is best for mattresses overall?

This depends on what type of mattress you’re looking for and your budget. The best brand for handcrafted hybrid mattresses is Saatva, manufacturer of our top-rated luxury innerspring bed the Saatva Classic. That mattress costs $1,770 for a queen size, so if your budget is smaller, the next best brand for hybrid mattresses is DreamCloud. It sells the award-winning DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid for $999 in a queen size, making it significantly cheaper than the Saatva. 

Both brands offer a lifetime warranty and a 365-night trial, but Saatva has free premium delivery and old mattress removal yet charges $99 for returns, while DreamCloud offers free basic shipping and returns. Saatva also offers more customization options with its Classic mattress.

When declaring which brand is best for mattresses in the mid-range sector, it’s Nectar Sleep. The manufacturer makes a range of affordable and premium memory foam beds that cater to hot sleepers, restless sleepers, those with sore joints, and couples who want an affordable mattress with good motion isolation so they don’t disturb each other in bed. Nectar Sleep’s infinitely popular Nectar Memory Foam Mattress is often on sale for $799 in a queen size and it comes with up to $499 of free bedding. Like the Saatva and DreamCloud, Nectar also runs a 365-night trial and offers a lifetime warranty on its best-selling mattresses.

Read more:

• The best Casper mattress sales and deals