Best Mattress in a Box for 2024
Get your new mattress delivered straight to your door, with the best bed-in-a-box options, tested by our experts.
Our Experts
What to consider
Firmness
Sleeping position
Feel
Construction
Body type
If you weigh over 230 pounds we recommend a hybrid mattress because they're more supportive, durable and long-lasting. If you weigh under that range, you'll be well off on either type of mattress.
Performance
Company policies
Our Picks
You can buy just about anything online these days, even a new bed. Skip the trip to the mattress store and get your new bed delivered straight to your door without even leaving the house. These mattress-in-a-box options make it easy to get a new bed that's just as comfortable as what you'd find at a brick-and-mortar store. With delivery, you don't have to worry about transporting your new bed -- plus, the setup of a bed-in-a-box mattress is simple and straightforward.
We've rounded up the best mattress-in-a-box options, to help you find the right one. My team of sleep experts and I have tested hundreds of mattresses, including some of the best and some not-so-great ones. All the beds on this list will arrive in a box on your doorstep, and most come with free shipping and generous trial periods. Many of these brands offer free returns, too.
What is the best mattress in a box?
The DreamCloud Premier Hybrid mattress has an accommodating firmness and feel that suits most sleepers.
We're awarding the title of best mattress in a box overall to the DreamCloud Premier Hybrid. This mattress boasts a luxurious look and is incredibly comfortable. The cashmere blend quilted cover and soft foam layers make it feel like you're floating on a cloud. With a medium to medium-firm profile and a responsive memory foam feel, this bed in a box is widely appealing to most people and can accommodate most sleeping positions.
Note all prices shown below are for queen-size mattresses. You can also check out new deals on the best beds on our best mattress deals page.
Video: Best mattress in a box
Watch CNET senior video producer Owen Poole review the best mattresses in a box.
Best mattress in a box for 2024
DreamCloud Premier Hybrid
Best overall mattress in a box
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- Supportive and responsive
- Suitable for any body type
- Accommodating for most sleeping positions
- May not be soft enough for strict side sleepers
- Not everyone likes the feel of memory foam
When testing the DreamCloud Premier Hybrid mattress, we found it to be around a medium or medium-firm. It's soft enough to cradle your shoulders and hips and supportive enough to promote spinal alignment. This mattress also provides reinforced edge support and reduced motion transfer, making it easier to switch your sleep position at night without disturbing your partner. The average sleeper will be happy with DreamCloud's quality and comfort, not to mention their competitive pricing. This mattress is also available in an all-memory foam construction.
Bear Original mattress
Best value mattress in a box
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- Optional Celliant-infused cover to help boost circulation
- It's a great value
- Ideal for back and stomach sleepers
- Excellent motion isolation
- It's a little too firm for strict side sleepers, especially under 150 pounds
- Not as durable or supportive for heavier sleepers
You certainly don't have to be an Olympian to enjoy this mattress. It offers excellent value; it's a quality mattress at a wallet-friendly price tag. It's also comfortable. The dense foam contours around your body and offers pressure relief to your joints, providing that traditional, sinking-in feeling that memory foam lovers will enjoy. Its firmness level makes it great for back and stomach sleepers. Some combination sleepers can get away with it if they spend most of the night on their stomach or back.
The Bear Original mattress is available in all standard sizes. Prices start at $748 for a twin and go up to $1,284 for a California king. Bear and most online mattress brands often run promos so that you can get the mattress even cheaper.
Read more in our Bear Original mattress review.
Layla Mattress
Best mattress in a box for side sleepers
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- Good for all sleeping positions, especially side sleepers
- Two firmness levels in one mattress (flippable design)
- Great motion isolation
- Heavy sleepers should consider the Layla Hybrid model for more support
Lying down on the Layla bed-in-a-box mattress makes soft, memory foam mattress lovers sigh in relief as they sink into the light and airy top foam comfort layer. I was also pleasantly surprised to find out that it's flippable; both sides are meant to be slept on. One side of the bed has a softer profile, while the flip side has more of a medium-firm or middle-of-the-road feel. This gives you two chances to find your perfect sleep firmness level; if you don't like one side, all you have to do is flip it over. I prefer the "firm" side because I'm a combo sleeper, but the "soft" side is extra plush for strict side sleepers or lightweight body types looking for a softer mattress.
This mattress comes in flippable hybrid and all-foam options. We'd recommend the hybrid for heavier sleepers for enhanced support and durability.
Read more in our Layla Mattress review.
Avocado Green
Best natural and organic mattress in a box
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- It's made with eco-friendly and organic materials
- Hypoallergenic, antimicrobial and doesn't off-gas
- Good for back, stomach and some combination sleepers
- Suitable for all body types
- Side sleepers may want a softer mattress
- If you want the topper for added soften, it costs a few hundred dollars
- The mattress is on the expensive side
The bread and butter of this mattress in a box is its certified organic materials. You can find organic Dunlop latex foam in Avocado's comfort layer, which is made from the baked sap of a Brazilian rubber tree. It may sound strange, but this latex mattress foam is bouncy, supportive and breathable; essentially the exact opposite of traditional memory foam. It also has up to 3,136 pocketed coils made from recycled steel, and the pocket spring layer tends to promote good airflow.
It's the best firm mattress on the list, so it's an ideal boxed mattress for people who favor their back or stomach when they sleep. I think it'll be supportive for any body type, whether you weigh 110 or 240 pounds. Read more in our full Avocado Green mattress review or check out our list of the best organic mattresses to see more options. The Avocado Green mattress is available in sizes twin to California king and its retail prices range from $1,399 to $2,699.
Amerisleep AS2
Best mattress in a box for back pain
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- Its medium-firm mattress profile is good for back and stomach sleepers
- Provides targeted pressure relief and durable support
- Breathable foam to keep hot sleepers cool
- Not ideal for side sleepers
The firm bed boasts cooling technology such as its Bio-Pur® memory foam, an open-cell material designed to keep hot sleepers cooler throughout the night. Thanks to its responsiveness, you won't feel as "stuck" in this mattress as you might in a traditional memory foam bed. Amerisleep's Bio-Pur® is also made with more eco-friendly materials and fewer chemicals, so it won't off-gas as much as other comparable mattresses.
The AS2's transition layer provides enhanced pressure relief, while the durable base layer offers enough support to keep the bed from sagging over time. Read more in our full Amerisleep mattress review.
Helix Plus Core
Best mattress in a box for heavy people
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- It's designed with extra supportive pocketed coils
- Great for back, stomach and combination sleepers
- Good value for such a durable, long-lasting bed
- May be overkill for those under 230 pounds
- Might be too firm for strict side sleepers
This bed-in-a-box mattress has an amazing value (especially if Helix is running a promotion). The feel is also really comfortable and neutral; it isn't like traditional memory foam where you slowly sink into the layers and create a body impression. It's bouncy, responsive and pressure-relieving, making it easy for combination sleepers to switch positions without feeling "stuck" in the foam mattress layers. If budget isn't a concern and you're looking for more of a pillow-top feel, check out the Helix Plus Luxe or Elite models.
Read more in our full Helix mattresses review or check out our list of the best mattresses for heavy sleepers to see more options. It's available in sizes twin to California king and its retail prices range from $1,061 to $1,874.
Helix Midnight Luxe
Best mattress in a box for couples
Looking for a new mattress? With this CNET-exclusive deal, you can take 27% off Helix sitewide and get two free pillows with any mattress purchase. This is the biggest discount available -- you won’t find it anywhere else. Use code CNET27
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- Medium firmness level accommodates all sleeping positions
- Strong hybrid construction suits all body types
- Helix has its own quiz that matches you with a bed
- It's more expensive than your average online mattress
The Helix Midnight Luxe has a middle-of-the-road firmness level that will appeal to all sleeper positions: back, side, stomach and combination. I'm in love with the feel of this Helix mattress. It's not like a memory foam mattress, which some couples don't find mutually agreeable, but it's a responsive and soft mattress. The large pillow-top on Helix Midnight Luxe gives it a fluffy, luxurious feel and look that you just want to dive into. Read more in our full Helix mattresses review.
The Helix Midnight Luxe is available in sizes twin to California king and retail prices range from $1,374 to $2,874.
Leesa Legend Chill Hybrid
Best mattress in a box for hot sleepers
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- Unique micro-coil construction for extra support
- Comfortable cover that’s cool to the touch
- Great motion isolation
- Only available in one firmness level
- On the more expensive side
With the Lessa Legend Chill, you get the comfort of foam and increased airflow due to its structure and materials. This mattress is around a medium or a 5 on a firmness scale. That makes it ideal for combination and side sleepers. Some back and stomach sleepers who don’t need extra support should also find this mattress comfortable. Bigger sleepers should look into the Plus Hybrid mattress.
Read our full Leesa Chill mattress review.
Nectar Premier
Best memory foam mattress in a box
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- It has a hugging memory foam feel
- Accommodating firmness level is good for most sleeping positions
- It's a thick foam mattress
- Not quite as supportive as a bed with coils
- Might be too firm for petite side sleepers
The Nectar Premier is 13 inches thick, made entirely out of foam, and it's one of the thicker foam beds we've tested out (the average is around 11 inches). I think this foam mattress is best for individuals who weigh under 230 pounds, but with that said, some larger body types can get away with it if a foam bed is what you're after. It'll also suit most sleeping positions, including back, stomach, side and combination. It's supportive, but that contouring memory foam feel gives it a cozy, plush feel we didn't necessarily expect.
The Nectar Premier is available in sizes twin to split king and retail prices range from $1,480 to $2,671. Keep in mind that Nectar usually runs a promotion that adds free accessories and drops the price to around $500. Read more in our full Nectar Premier mattress review or check out our list of the best memory foam mattresses to see more options.
WinkBed Mattress
Best hybrid mattress in a box
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- WinkBeds are ultra-durable mattresses
- Sleepers can pick between three firmness levels
- Good for all body types
- It's a luxury mattress, so you can expect a higher price tag
There are three firmness levels to choose from, giving each sleeping position a chance to cater to their specific needs. Side sleepers can opt for the "Softer" option, which feels more like a medium-soft, while back and stomach sleepers will probably find the "Luxury Firm" or "Firm" models more comfortable. The firmer the mattress, the more support it's going to offer. Whichever you choose, your bed will come with a lifetime warranty, an impressive offer that speaks to the durability of the mattress. Read our full WinkBed mattress review.
Other mattresses we've tested
Our CNET Sleep editors put together this list by rounding up their favorite picks from the more than 300 mattresses they've tested. This list highlights some of the best, but several quality mattresses were close to making it and deserve an honorable mention.
Purple mattress: One of the most popular bed-in-a-box mattresses on the market is the (non-hybrid) Purple mattress. Most people either love it or it's a little too different for them. Its main comfort material is hyper-elastic polymer, which is gel-like and extremely springy. It makes you feel like you're floating, but you can slightly feel the grid of small squares shifting underneath you as you move. It feels pleasant and comfy, and appeals to most sleeping positions, but it's unlike any mattress you've slept on before. Feel free to reach out to Purple for a sample of its special hyper-elastic polymer material.
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bedding stores. It's a simple and affordable two-layer mattress with a generally comfortable neutral foam feel. It's great if you're looking for a safe pick that won't break the bank.
Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid mattress: Brooklyn Bedding manufactures its own mattresses, something many mattress brands don't do. It's for this reason I think it's able to sell its beds at such great prices. Its Signature mattress is a basic but quality hybrid mattress with a supportive pocketed-coil base layer. This makes it ideal for all body types. In addition to that, its three firmness level options make it appealing to all sleeping positions.
DreamCloud mattress: DreamCloud offers luxurious mattresses you can barely believe came out of a box. I personally know two people who sleep on a DreamCloud mattress and they love it. It's made with pocketed coils in the base layer for added support and memory foam that's more responsive than the typical material. Not to mention, it's made with premium materials that make it up to par with luxury hotel mattresses.
How we test mattresses in a box
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We test bed-in-a-box mattresses the same way we test any mattress. Most of the beds I've personally tested are online beds. Some of the primary features we look for when testing are:
- Firmness: We can determine how hard or soft a mattress is by testing and comparing it to the hundreds of other beds we've examined over the years. We use a one to 10 scale with 10 being the firmest and mattress industry terms to describe the firmness. This includes the soft-to-firm scale, including medium, medium-firm and medium-soft. Firmness helps determine the type of sleeping position the bed is best for.
- Feel: Feel is different than firmness. This refers to the way you perceive a mattress when you lay down; what do all the materials together feel like? Many beds boast a slow-responding memory foam feel, while others have more of a neutral feel. Some beds have a mixed foam feel that offers the best of both worlds. Whatever it is, we'll describe it in detail for you considering you can't feel the bed over the internet.
- Construction: We take a deep look at the construction of each mattress and the materials it uses. This helps determine how durable a mattress will be and the kind of body type the bed will be most suitable for.
- Motion isolation: Nobody wants a mattress where you can feel your partner's every move. We test motion isolation by lying on a mattress with our partner or placing a glass full of water at the end of a mattress to see how much it moves when we bounce around.
- Edge support: If you co-sleep with somebody, you want a strong mattress edge so you don't feel like you're going to roll off if you end up near the side. In the course of our testing, we laid on each edge and bounced to see how sturdy it felt.
- Temperature: We test how hot a mattress sleeps by using our own experience on the mattress. We utilize hot sleepers who offer their perspective and will even pull out the temperature gun if necessary. Materials largely influence how hot a mattress is going to sleep.
Read more about how we test mattresses.
Factors to consider when choosing a mattress
When you're looking for a new bed to replace your old mattress, there are a few key things to consider: your favorite sleeping position, your body type, relevant health conditions, materials and your budget. Your most dominant sleeping position should help dictate your best bed mattress type and firmness level of your bed. Your body weight, on the other hand, should help you determine whether you'd be OK on a foam mattress, or if you should opt for the extra support of a hybrid mattress bed. Your budget will help you narrow down the best mattress-in-a-box type you have the means to spend money on. Lastly, different health conditions require different mattress needs, and materials help determine whether or not you'll find the bed comfortable.
Sleeping position
- Side sleepers usually sleep best on a medium to soft mattress. They typically need a bed that gives underneath the shoulders and hips to prevent joint pain and offer pressure relief.
- Back and stomach sleepers may want to consider medium to firm beds that provide back and spinal support. Soft mattresses that give may cause back pain.
- Combination sleepers should cater to their dominant position, or go for a bed with a medium profile that offers both support and pressure relief.
Body type
- The more body weight you have, the softer a mattress is going to be and the more support you'll need. Hybrid mattresses tend to be the best for individuals over 230 pounds because steel is stronger and more durable than foam. Foam mattresses, on the other hand, won't be as supportive or long-lasting.
- Average to petite individuals can sleep just fine on a foam or hybrid mattress. Just remember, the lighter you are, the more likely you are to experience a firmer mattress.
Health conditions
- People who sleep hot or women suffering from menopause should opt for a cool sleeping mattress to help keep body heat down. Either a bed like a Purple mattress which is made with a special gel-like material that offers airflow and doesn't retain heat, or a bed like GhostBed Luxe that has special cooling tech throughout the bed.
- Those with arthritis or joint pain should consider a mattress that will relieve pressure on the medium to soft side that cradles the pressure points.
- People who suffer from back pain may sleep most comfortably on a medium-firm mattress profile. It offers ample support and will relieve pressure at the same time, to prevent the back from sagging and cradle pressure points.
Materials
- Memory foam is typically a pressure-relieving material and responds slowly to pressure for a hugging, conforming feel. It can be hard to switch your sleep position, especially if you're a combination sleeper.
- Latex foam is either synthetic or naturally sourced from the sap of tropical rubber trees. Latex foam beds are bouncy, durable and supportive. They are also hypoallergenic and antimicrobial. The downsides? Natural and organic latex mattresses can be pricey, and they aren't as good as memory foam at isolating motion.
- Poly foam is a synthetic foam that bounces more than memory foam but is softer than latex foam. Most comfy couch cushions are made with this foam. it's breathable and affordable, but may not be as durable as other foams.
- Innersprings or coils are found in traditional and hybrid mattresses. They make a bed more supportive and durable.
Trial, shipping and warranty
Every online mattress brand offers some level of a trial and warranty for its beds. The duration of the trial will vary by the brand you choose. Most mattress trials are around 100 nights, though some brands offer an entire year, like DreamCloud or Avocado. Trial isn't something that should make or break your buying decision, but it is something to keep an eye on so you have enough time to decide if the bed is right for you.
Most online mattress brands offer free shipping, though that’s not always the case with returns. Pay attention to each brand's return policy as some will charge a processing fee if you return them. Thankfully, there aren't that many that charge you for returns.
Budget
- You can find mattresses at just about any price. Cheap bed-in-box mattresses can go for a few hundred dollars.
- The average bed in a box is around $850 to $1,200.
- Premium beds that are of the highest quality or designed with extra bells and whistles usually go for over $1,200.
Mattress-in-a-box FAQ
What is a bed in a box?
The term "bed in a box" encompasses mattresses that are compressed and rolled up inside of a cardboard box. The concept has blown up in the last five-plus years because of how much more convenient the online process is.
How long do mattresses in a box last?
Just because your bed is delivered inside a box doesn't mean it's poor quality. Your average bed in a box should last around seven to eight years, and even longer if you have a hybrid mattress with coils.
How will I know when I need a new mattress?
If you're waking up with back pain you didn't go to bed with the night before, that's a good indicator. Keep a lookout for sags, deep imprints, body impressions and the overall quality of your bed. If you bought your mattress a decade ago, it's probably time to replace it with a new one.
How soon do I need to unbox my new mattress?
You can wait a few days to a week to unbox your new mattress, but brands suggest you unbox within one to two months to avoid damage. You should also give it a few days to fully decompress and inflate, but you're able to sleep on it in the meantime.
What is the best bed in a box?
Some of the best mattresses that come in a box include the Casper mattress, Purple mattress, Nectar mattress, Helix mattress and Avocado mattress. These are some of the biggest names with the most popular mattresses, and for good reason.
Where do I buy a 'bed in a box' mattress?
Most bed-in-box mattresses are sold online through the different brands' websites, but you can get the most popular brands at retail stores such as Target or Costco, like the Purple mattress or Casper mattress.
How much does a bed in a box cost?
There's a wide spectrum of bed-in-a-box mattresses prices from budget to luxury. Most fall within these ranges:
- Budget: around $200 to $600
- Average: around $700 to $1,200
- Affordable luxury: around $1,300 to $1,800
- Luxury: around $1,900 and up