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Jun 30, 2023

6 Best Foam Mattresses You Can Buy Online in 2023, Tested and Reviewed

We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we love. Promise. This one's for you, side sleepers. Listen, innerspring mattresses def have a time and place, but as a

We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we love. Promise.

This one's for you, side sleepers.

Listen, innerspring mattresses def have a time and place, but as a strict side sleeper, I personally like a soft mattress that lets me sink into layers of plush, cushy comfort. And if sleeping "in" your bed rather than "on" your bed appeals to you, it's time to get yourself a quality foam mattress. Because the construction is relatively simple, all-foam mattresses tend to be cheaper than hybrid mattresses, which combine springs with thick foam comfort layers. And since they're easily compressed and rolled, it's super easy to order foam mattresses in a box online. Score!!

So...is a foam mattress the right fit for you? As certified sleep science coach David Rubin previously told Cosmo, foam mattresses are a good pick for those "who experience pain points around the hips and shoulders," since they offer A+ contouring and pressure relief (not to mention great motion isolation for couples who are easily disturbed by tossing and turning). And while all-foam models tend to work best for strict side sleepers, there are firmer options that back and stomach sleepers will also appreciate. Below, a sneak peek at our faves (which, btw, are all made with CertiPUR-US certified foams, meaning they’re free of harmful chemicals and additives).

Read on for the best foam mattress options for every type of sleeper, as well as tips to keep in mind while shopping for an all-foam mattress. And just a head's up: The prices listed are for queen-size mattresses, though these options all come in other sizes as well.

The problem with a lot of foam mattresses: They trap body heat, which is bad news for hot sleepers. But that's less of an issue with Tuft & Needle's all-foam model. Made with open-cell polyurethane foam to promote airflow, this pick sleeps cooler than traditional memory foam mattresses and offers a bouncier, more responsive feel—plus, it's infused with graphite and ceramic gel, which helps to draw heat away from the body. It comes topped with a breathable polyester cover, and best of all: It won't cost you more than $1,000.

THE REVIEW: According to one reviewer, "We’ve had our Tuft and Needle since 2016 and we LOVE it!!! It’s firmer than Casper (you sleep 'on' it instead of it forming to you), which we prefer. Keeps us cool and has not sunk in at all. Still in perfect shape! And the price is out of the world! Very happy long-term customer here!!"

If you <3 sleeping "in"—rather than sleeping "on"—your mattress, then this all-foam mattress from Nectar will give you the comforting body hug you seek. It's topped with a layer of gel-infused memory foam that offers sinkage, contouring, and pressure relief, and beneath that, you'll find two layers of polyurethane foam that'll keep from sinking in *too* deeply. It's topped off with a cooling cover made from polyester, nylon, and polyethylene, and it's currently on sale, so get it at a discounted price while ya can!

THE REVIEW: “I am 59 years old and have to say this is the best mattress I’ve slept on,” writes one tester. “I have back, hip, and shoulder pain and am a side sleeper (because of chronic tonsil and sinus issues), but this mattress gives me a fantastic night sleep! I love it!”

Another great all-foam pick, this mattress from Nectar’s sister company Siena is seriously high quality (and so, so affordable). Like Nectar's classic memory foam mattress, the tri-layer design includes a layer of gel-infused memory foam followed by two layers of polyfoam, all topped with a cooling poly-blend cover. Reviewers love how it provides amazing motion isolation and cushy pressure relief—and you’d never guess that it costs a mere $400.

THE REVIEW: “I loved this mattress straight out of the box,” one reviewer notes. “There was no funky smell—it was instantly comfortable and easy to unbox. I did want to add some height to it, so I got a 4-inch mattress topper to put on top of it, but it wasn’t necessary for the comfort. Highly recommend!! This is better than any of our other memory foam mattresses we’ve purchased.”

Foam mattresses typically aren't a great pick for those who need more support as they snooze—but this amazingly firm all-foam mattress from Keetsa is an exception. The eco-friendly option is topped with a double layer of proprietary BioFoam (which requires less petroleum to produce than memory foam), and beneath that, you get a thick layer of high-density polyurethane foam for minimizing motion transfer. On top, you'll find a durable linen-blend cover, and while this bb might be too firm for classic memory foam lovers, it's a must for stomach sleepers (or anyone with back pain).

THE REVIEW: As one review reads, "I am beyond impressed with the firmness of this mattress—yet it still has some softness, so I don’t feel like I’m sleeping on a rock. My spine is so grateful and healing from previously owning a horrible mattress that gave me back pain. The Keetsa mattress delivers everything I asked for."

Another surprisingly firm all-foam mattress: Leesa's budget-friendly Studio Mattress. Made with a knit polyester cover, a layer of contouring memory foam, and two layers of stabilizing polyurethane foam, you shouldn't expect a classic body-cradling memory foam feel from this one. Instead, it provides impressive support and pressure relief with a firmer-than-average feel, which both back and stomach sleepers will v much appreciate. And can we just talk about that price??

THE REVIEW: “This Leesa mattress is amazing!” one reviewer raves. “It is SO comfy. We’ve been sleeping on it for a few months now and we sleep great—I don’t feel my partner moving around or getting up as much as I used to, and when I lie down, I can feel the pain in my back being relieved. Definitely worth the money and so easy it get into an apartment or upstairs.”

If you typically sleep on your side, then you probs prefer a slightly softer feel—and that's where this cushy mattress from Nolah comes in. Topped with an organic cotton cover, this soft-yet-supportive choice features three layers of foam, two of which are made with Nolah's proprietary open-cell AirFoam material, which allows for more airflow, responsive support, and pressure relief than traditional memory foam. As a result, this bb has the support of a hybrid mattress and the plush cushioning of a memory foam mattress, giving you the best of both worlds.

THE REVIEW: As one reviewer notes, "I had a memory foam mattress but started having hip pain and decided it was time to replace. I did A LOT of research, and the Nolah looked like it offered the firmness that would work best for me—not hard, not too soft, just right. My hip has not bothered me since the first night I slept on my Nolah mattress. It's really great."

Not sure what to look for when shopping for a foam mattress? Here are a few pointers to get ya started.

When most people hear "foam mattress," they imagine a memory foam mattress—but that's not the only type of foam out there. There's also polyurethane foam, or poly-foam, which tends to have a bouncier feel than memory foam and an open-cell structure, allowing for better airflow. PU foam is usually cheaper than memory foam as well, but since it's not as dense as memory foam, a poly-foam mattress will probs degrade faster than a memory foam model.

And though we didn't get into latex mattresses here, latex foam is also an option for your mattress. In terms of density and durability, latex foam mattresses are similar to memory foam mattresses—but latex foam sleeps cooler than memory foam and can be made with natural materials (unlike PU foam and memory foam, which are always synthetic). Latex foam is also a bit softer to the touch than memory foam—but as you can imagine, latex foam mattresses usually come with the steepest price tag.

Sure, your preferred mattress firmness may just be a matter of what feels good for you. However! Your go-to sleep position can help you decide what firmness level is right for your body. Side sleepers tend to do best with a medium-soft to medium-firm mattress, while back sleepers should look for a medium-firm to firm mattress. And while stomach sleepers definitely do best with a firm mattress, combination sleepers will wanna invest in a medium-firm mattress that facilitates easy movement throughout the night.

Your body type or weight can also determine just how firm your foam mattress should be. Generally, if you weigh under 130 pounds, you'll probably like the feel of a plush memory foam mattress, while folks who weigh over 230 pounds may feel more comfortable with a high-density poly-foam or latex foam option. This is why it’s important to find a review from someone with a similar body type and sleeping habits before buying a mattress. If they love it, then there’s a good chance you will, too.

If you’re a hot sleeper, the quickest way to end up miserable is by picking out a heat-trapping mattress that will leave you waking up in a puddle of sweat daily (yuck!). Typically, memory foam mattresses warm up in response to body heat, which allows ’em to soften and contour to your body shape—but unfortch, the dense material is also prone to heat retention. Anyone who runs hot will prob wanna opt for a poly-foam or latex foam mattress, which are better designed to promote airflow.

Do you run hot at night but still want the contouring support of memory foam? Then look for a memory foam mattress with a gel-infusion or copper fibers and a moisture-wicking cover, which will help you stay (relatively) cool as you snooze.

Corinne Sullivan is an Editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers a variety of beats, including lifestyle, entertainment, relationships, shopping, and more. She can tell you everything you need to know about the love lives of A-listers, the coziest bedsheets, and the sex toys actually worth your $$$. She is also the author of the 2018 novel Indecent. Follow her on Instagram for cute pics of her pup and bébé.

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