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Most major mattress manufacturers today offer an option to buy a mattress online and have it delivered in a box right to your door. But how do they compare to what you’ll find in stores? A mattress in a box has everything you need for your bedroom, but at a better price because of lower shipping and sales-related costs.
Whether you’re a back- or a side-sleeper, or if you overheat at night, we’ve chosen a selection of the best mattress-in-a-box options for your sleeping style.
Nectar
The Nectar Memory Foam Mattress
See ItPros
- 5 layers of foam
- CertiPUR-US-certification
- Provides airflow
- Comes in ample size options
Cons
- May not be the best option for stomach sleepers
- Larger sizes are pricey
The Nectar Memory Foam mattress in a box uses five layers of foam to create an incredibly comfortable mattress in a box. Nectar classifies this CertiPUR-US-certified mattress as medium-firm, so it should work for a wide range of sleep positions and preferences.
Though this is a foam mattress, Nectar boasts of improved airflow to keep sleepers cool throughout the entire night. With the 365-night home trial, buyers can try the Nectar memory foam mattress and get an excellent idea of how well it works for their sleep habits. Nectar’s Forever Warranty will cover any defects in the construction, materials, or quality of the mattress for its lifetime.
Leesa
Leesa Original Mattress
See ItPros
- 3 layers of memory foam
- Suitable for all sleeping positions
- 2-inch cooling top layer
- Twill fabric cover for protection
Cons
- May be too soft-feeling for some users
The Leesa Original mattress is a great choice for sleepers looking for a mattress with a good sleep guarantee and a long warranty. This three-layer memory foam mattress is for those who prefer a medium-firm mattress and some pressure relief. Leesa states that this mattress is perfect for all sleep positions, even stomach sleeping.
The 2-inch top layer features Leesa’s cooling foam so you’re less likely to wake up feeling like you’re in a sauna—great for sleepers who tend to run a little hot through the night. It also comes with Leesa’s gray twill fabric cover to protect the mattress and create an even cozier night’s sleep. Leesa covers its original mattress for up to 10 years, providing some peace of mind.
Zinus
Zinus Green Tea Memory Foam Mattress
See ItPros
- Infused with green tea and charcoal
- 4 layers of foam
- 7-inch thick base layer provides airflow
Cons
- May take some time to decompress
Looking for the best budget mattress in a box you can find? This top boxed mattress from Zinus may be for you. Zinus’s Green Tea Memory Foam mattress might seem a little different than the rest of the mattresses on the list, and that’s because it is. Zinus infuses this box mattress with green tea and charcoal because the company says it wants to provide sleep-enhancing qualities in the most natural way possible.
This 12-inch memory foam mattress features four layers of foam to provide as much support as possible. The 7-inch thick base layer is split between two layers, providing cooling and as much airflow as possible, especially considering the price. Zinus provides a 10-year warranty with its mattresses, so if the price is a concern, it helps to know the company backs its products. If you’re looking for a cheap mattress in a box that doesn’t skimp on quality, look no further than this top pick.
Casper
Casper Original Hybrid Mattress
See ItPros
- Suitable for those who suffer from back aches
- 5 layers; coil springs, gel pods, and cooling foam
- Made from plastic recycled bottles
Cons
- Provides less sizes than comparable options
- Pricey
For back-aching sleepers looking for a hybrid mattress, the Casper Original Hybrid is an excellent box mattress choice. This mattress features five layers, including coil springs, gel pods, and three layers of cooling foam for a low-temperature, highly comfortable night’s rest. The gel pods are distributed above waist level and below the hips for excellent support, while the shoulders find pressure relief with a softer mattress foam.
For those who are environmentally conscious, each Casper Hybrid mattress uses 121 recycled plastic bottles, helping to keep landfills clear and creating a great product. Casper offers a 100-night risk-free trial, free shipping, and a 10-year warranty. If you need to return your mattress within the trial time, they’ll pack it back up and take it free of charge.
Muse
Muse Sleep The Muse Mattress
See ItPros
- 4 layers; gel-infused foam and cooling wool
- 3 firmness-level options
- CertiPUR-US certified
Cons
- Firm mattress options may be too hard for some users
If 100 nights isn’t enough to decide whether a mattress fits your sleep needs, Muse Sleep has you covered. The Muse Mattress comes with a 120-night sleep guarantee to give purchasers a little extra time to decide whether this memory-foam mattress is the best for them.
This four-layer mattress comes in three different firmness levels—a rare option for mattresses in a box. Muse Sleep uses a gel-infused foam and a cooling wool fabric to resist heat transfer. It also comes with a 10-year warranty and uses only CertiPUR-US Certified foams, so it’s low in volatile organic compounds and adds no harmful chemicals.
Puffy
Puffy Mattress
See ItPros
- 5 layers
- Cooling functionality
- Suitable for all sleeping styles
- Stain-resistant cover
Cons
- Pricey
The five-layer Puffy Mattress takes cooling and temperature regulation seriously, making it our pick for the best box mattress for hot sleepers. Puffy’s Cooling Gel Cloud Layer provides airflow, reducing trapped body heat, and keeping sleepers cool. The Climate-Adaptive Regulation layer prevents quick changes in temperature from waking up sleepers as well, ensuring comfort under nearly any sleep conditions.
Puffy also provides a 101-night trial guarantee and a lifetime warranty for as long as you own the box mattress. The Puffy Mattress is designed to work for all sleeping styles, whether that’s lying on the back, the stomach, or the side. It also comes with a stain-resistant cover to keep the mattress in great shape for as long as you have it.
WinkBeds
WinkBeds The WinkBed
See ItPros
- Seven-zone system for pressure relief
- Breathable micro-air springs
- 4 comfort levels offered
Cons
- Some of the firm mattress options may be too hard for some users
When it comes to pressure relief in a box, The WinkBed rises above the competition. The WinkBed uses a seven-zone system of individually wrapped coils to provide optimal support and pressure throughout the body. It also uses breathable micro-air springs to create a stable temperature with plenty of airflow.
Buyers can test out The WinkBed for 120 days before deciding whether it relieves enough pressure, but it’s also backed by the company’s lifetime warranty. They also offer the box mattress in four different comfort levels, giving buyers plenty of flexibility. If the first 120 days don’t work with one level of firmness, the company lets you try another.
Layla
Layla Sleep Layla Hybrid Mattress
See ItPros
- 5 layers; foam and coil springs
- Copper-gel memory foam; antimicrobial barrier and cooling properties
- Ample airflow provided
Cons
- Pricey
- May take some time to decompress
It’s rare to find a mattress that addresses the needs of stomach-sleepers so well, but the Layla Hybrid Mattress does a great job of it. This five-layer mattress combines comfortable foam and individually wrapped coil springs to provide the ultimate support and flexibility for any sleep position, especially stomach-sleeping.
It also has a 2-inch foam layer meant to promote airflow, keeping sleepers cool throughout the night. Also unique to the Layla Hybrid is copper-gel memory foam. It helps the mattress to cool quickly while also adding an antimicrobial barrier so the mattress is less likely to develop any odors. Layla uses two layers of this gel foam, sandwiching the coils and airflow layers between them.
Nolah
Nolah Original 10” Mattress
See ItPros
- Award-winning model
- Suitable for shoulder and hip pain
- 3 layers of support
- Affordable price point
Cons
- Less sizes offered compared to similar options
Anyone looking for a box mattress specializing in providing the best support for side-sleepers should check out the track record of the Nolah Original 10” Mattress. The mattress has won several awards, including best mattress for side-sleepers, best mattress for shoulder pain, and best mattress for hip pain.
This three-layer, all-foam mattress uses a bottom layer of high-density foam, a middle layer of high-resilience foam, and a top layer of the company’s cooling Nolah AirFoam. They provide a combination of excellent cooling and support—a big plus for side-sleepers. The Original 10” mattress’s medium firmness also allows side-sleepers to sink into the mattress a bit without misaligned hips and shoulders.
Purple
Purple Hybrid Premier 3 Mattress
See ItPros
- Hyper-elastic polymer grid, transition foam, and stainless steel coils
- Breathable fabric top
- Supports multiple sleeping positions and movement
Cons
- Pricey
- May be too firm for some users
The Purple Hybrid Premier stands out from the crowd with a five-layer system of support that includes an innovative, hyper-elastic polymer grid. The mattress consists of a breathable fabric StretchMax cover, and individually wrapped stainless steel coils that are sandwiched between two layers of transition foam.
But it’s the responsive, supportive grid that makes the Purple Hybrid Premier mattress a great choice for combination- and back-sleepers. In our months of testing, we noted that it cushions pressure points, like hips and shoulders, and evenly supports the rest of the body, regardless of position. We also noticed how quickly it adjusts to movement, making it easy to get comfortable right away and get a good night’s sleep.
FAQs
Now that you’ve collected all the important information about shopping for the best mattress in a box, you might still have some questions. That’s OK; there’s a lot to know. Based on box mattress reviews and discussions, here are some of the most frequently asked questions about buying a mattress in a box.
A bed in a box is a direct-to-consumer mattress that is collapsed and shipped using common delivery companies like UPS and FedEx. All the buyer has to do is remove it from the packaging and allow it to decompress.
Some mattresses take a few hours while others can take up to three days. The denser the mattress, the longer it takes to expand.
It depends on the mattress, but generally, the answer is no. Many manufacturers design their mattress to lay on any flat surface, such as bed slats, the floor, or a platform bed without a box spring. Some even take the shape of chaise lounges.
This depends completely on the quality of the materials used. The best beds in a box can last a lifetime thanks to top-quality materials and manufacturing practices.