Sleep isn’t just necessary for physical health but also for brain function. Lack of sleep can impact your mental health, making ryou more likely to feel depressed or less energized to take on the day ahead. But if you struggle to get enough sleep, you’re not alone. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 34 percent of adults reported getting less than seven hours of sleep per night in 2020.
From our tester
In our focus testing, multiple participants said they were surprised by the mental health benefits they experience after upgrading to a better quality mattress.
Many factors play a role in how well you sleep, like sleep hygiene-related habits, whether you sleep with a partner, and whether that partner snores. And while a quality queen mattress can’t drown out loud noises, it can make a significant difference in comfort, helping you sleep better and feel more rested.
With so many mattress options, it can be tough to sort through them all. Evidence suggests that a medium-firm mattress is the gold standard when it comes to comfort, spinal alignment, and sleep quality. But the right mattress for you also depends on your preferences like sleep position and whether you change positions frequently during the night.
The Handbook Team is here to help. We evaluated multiple queen mattresses on the market to help you select a model that best supports your sleep needs and overall health.
Best queen mattress overall
Based on our hands-on testing and research, the Emma Hybrid Comfort is our best queen mattress pick because it is comfortable for sleepers of most heights, weights, and position preferences for a mid-range price.
My pick of the best queen mattress
- Emma Hybrid Comfort: Best queen mattress overall
- Helix Plus: Best for couples
- Nectar Original: Best affordable queen mattress
- WinkBed Luxury Firm: Best for side sleepers
- Bear Original: Best memory foam queen mattress
- Saatva Classic: Best luxury queen mattress
- Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid: Best for pressure relief
- Nolah Original Hybrid: Best hybrid queen mattress
- Birch Natural Mattress: Best organic queen mattress
HelpGuide Handbook’s mattress testing methodology
Purchase mattress as mystery shoppers.
Set up mattress in testing lab.
Lie on mattress and rank firmness.
Lie on back, side, and stomach to find the best sleeping position.
Place 10-pound ball in mattress center and measure sinkage.
Find biggest pressure points using pressure map reading.
Evaluate cooling capabilities by recording temperature differences.
Drop 10-pound ball onto mattress to measure bounce score.
Test motion isolation.
Test edge support.
Calculate composite “sex” and “family” scores.
The Handbook Team hand-tests every mattress we review. We evaluate brands and models by recording our findings on a 42-question standardized testing form to identify standout features and services, document issues with each product, and describe our personal experience lying on each mattress. For example, we record:
- Firmness score and whether the mattress is best for back, side, or stomach sleepers.
- Starting temperature of the mattress and how much it heats up after two testers lie on the mattress for five minutes.
- How many times a 10-pound ball bounces on the mattress after dropping from a height of two feet in order to arrive at a mattress bounce score.
We paid close attention to specific considerations that sleepers of all ages seek, as identified by respondents in our survey of 600 mattress owners. This included price, features, and the set-up process. We also interviewed real people to better understand the motivations behind shopping for a new mattress, as well as the benefits of purchasing one.
According to our survey
According to our survey, about 80 percent of all respondents said their new mattress helps them sleep better, and 65 percent reported improved mental health.
As our testers evaluated each brand and its features, we considered why many people choose a new mattress in the first place. Of our respondents, 42 percent decided to purchase a new mattress for “improved comfort and support for better sleep,” while only seven percent did so for “pain relief and targeted support.” The most common pain respondents wanted relieved was lower back pain.
Despite only 42 percent of respondents prioritizing comfort and support for better sleep when shopping for a new mattress, 68 percent reported they sleep longer on their new mattress and 49 percent and 45 percent, respectively, said their stress and anxiety had improved after switching to their new mattress. Almost all mattress owners we surveyed (95 percent) were at least somewhat satisfied with their new mattress. We consulted sleep experts, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and pain specialists to understand what mattresses offer that make an overwhelmingly positive impact.
In order to focus on the mattresses themselves, we structured our test designs to objectively rank each one based on a range of criteria. For example, we tested things like bounce, edge support (the sturdiness of your mattress edge), and cooling capabilities the same way on each mattress and compared the results. That way we can accurately compare each mattress’s score in an unbiased way while also sharing our subjective point of view as mattress testers and experts.
Lastly, we compared warranty lengths, trial periods, and white glove delivery (in-home delivery and setup) options. While most brands offer warranties, not all are comprehensive. And many brands on the market don’t have free white glove delivery. This could be a deal-breaker if you’re nervous to invest in a new mattress because you’re worried the bed won’t get set up properly or offer what you need.
From our tester
“During our research, we realized that the brand’s firmness scale and perceived firmness aren’t always the same. We decided to report how firm we thought the mattress felt so that you can gain a different perspective, but more importantly, feel confident about what you’re purchasing.”
A note on our testing
We acknowledge that every body is different, and what feels comfortable to one person may not feel comfortable to another. Throughout our reviews, we refer to weight categories as light (below 130 pounds), average (130 to 250 pounds), and higher-weight (above 250 pounds) to distinguish between body weights.
Typically, lighter sleepers perceive mattresses to feel firmer than they are, and higher-weight sleepers perceive mattresses to feel softer than they are. Keep in mind that most mattresses are designed for the average-weight person.
The HelpGuide Handbook for queen mattresses
The best overall queen mattress is the Emma Hybrid Comfort.
Edge support is crucial for safe sleeping.
Queen mattresses are great for couples with space restrictions or individuals who prefer extra room while sleeping.
Your sleep position will influence the firmness, support, and material of your mattress pick.
Queen was the most popular mattress size based on our survey results.
Compare the best queen mattresses of 2024
| Price | $1,995 | $1,498 | $659 | $1,799 | $998 | $1,995 | $1,332 | $1,749 | $2,123.80 |
| Firmness | 7/10 | 8/10 | 6.5/10 | 6.5/10 | 8/10 | 7/10 | 6/10 | 5/10 | 6.5/10 |
| Material | Innerspring | Hybrid | Foam | Hybrid | Foam | Innerspring | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid |
| Warranty | Lifetime | 15 years | Lifetime | Lifetime | Lifetime | Lifetime | 10 years | Lifetime | 25 years |
| Trial period | 365 nights | 100 nights | 365 nights | 120 nights | 120 nights | 365 nights | 120 nights | 120 nights | 100 nights |
| Best for | Combination sleepers | Side and stomach sleepers | Side sleepers | Side and back sleepers* | Stomach sleepers* | Combination sleepers | All sleeping positions | Side and back sleepers | Side sleepers |
*Based on the specific firmness we tested.
The best queen mattresses reviews
Best queen mattress overall: Emma Hybrid Comfort
Our final verdict on the Emma Hybrid Comfort
Thanks to its supportive construction, the Emma Hybrid Comfort is a good pick for people who sleep with a partner or pet.
The hybrid mattress offers limited motion transfer, a great feature if you don’t sleep alone. If you or your partner toss and turn often throughout the night, the motion won’t wake the other up. The foam contains pocketed coils, leaving it with a springier feel than your typical memory foam-only mattress.
From mattress focus group
“Now that we’re rested and actually able to sleep throughout the night, we are able to focus more on work and have just a better . . .life, work, sleep balance.”
Our testers agreed with customer reviews that the mattress sits somewhere between medium-firm and firm, meaning that it provides plenty of support for stomach sleepers. The Emma Hybrid Comfort also performed well comfort-wise for side and back-sleeping positions, delivering on pressure relief and spinal alignment promises. The plush topper added a layer of softness while remaining supportive.
However, some reviewers noted that the mattress felt firmer than advertised. Our testers also noticed that while the mattress offers decent motion isolation, the bed made a crinkly sound when moving. That sound may be disruptive to some light sleepers.
Best queen mattress for higher-weight sleepers: Helix Plus
Our final verdict on the Helix Plus
We found that the Helix Plus delivers on its promise of firmness and support. And while it’s designed for plus-sized folks, it’s an equally great fit for people who like a harder sleep surface. One petite tester rated the mattress an eight out of 10 on the firmness scale, which aligns with a firm-but-not-too-firm feel. Another tester who stands 6’7” and weighs 250 pounds rated it slightly less firm at 7.5 out of 10 on the firmness scale. But remember firmness ratings are slightly subjective.
The mattress has a steel coil and multiple layers of high-density foam that add an element of durability. A hypoallergenic cover comes with the mattress, and people who sleep hot have the option to swap for a specialty cooling pillow top cover. The queen-size mattress is also compatible with the brand’s adjustable base.
Because of its firmness, it might not be the best option for lighter-weight back sleepers. One petite tester reported their lower back didn’t feel supported in a supine position. In a side sleeping position, there was some pressure on the hips and shoulders, potentially due to the light weight of the tester. Stomach sleeping was the most comfortable position for our petite tester, who felt their spine was well-supported while lying prone.
Our higher-weight mattress tester disagreed and said back sleeping felt comfortable and supportive. Side sleeping created a medium amount of pressure on his shoulders and hips, and both testers agreed that stomach sleeping was the most comfortable position. The higher-weight tester said their hips didn’t bow into the mattress which can tend to happen while stomach sleeping on softer mattresses, and their body felt completely supported.
All testers noted that switching positions was a breeze—even more so than the Saatva model.
Our testers concluded if you have a higher weight, the mattress may provide excellent support, but lighter folks may find the spinal support lacking.
Best affordable queen mattress: Nectar Original
Our final verdict on the Nectar Original
During testing, the Nectar mattress performed well in distributing body weight, providing pressure relief, and supporting spinal alignment in a side sleeping position. However, while it offers adequate support, one tester noted a fair bit of sinkage when back sleeping.
If motion isolation is important to you, this foam mattress is an excellent option. One tester placed a glass of water on one side of the bed, and it barely moved when she sat down on the opposite edge. But this unresponsiveness is not a great quality in a mattress if you engage in regular sex or change positions frequently.
From our focus group
One of our mattress focus group participants said that Nectar’s 365-night trial period gave them peace of mind to try the brand.
Another tester noted concerns about long-term durability because the mattress does sink quite a bit under body weight. There’s also poor edge support, which is a common issue among budget mattresses. However, if you’re a side sleeper looking for a comfortable foam bed, the Nectar is an affordable option.
Handbook Tip #1
Memory foam is not a responsive material, making it a good choice if you’re seeking maximum motion isolation. If you have a partner who comes to bed at a different time than you or a pet who moves around at night, a foam mattress that limits motion transfer may help you get more uninterrupted sleep.
Read more in our in-depth Nectar mattress review.
Best queen mattress for side sleepers: WinkBed Luxury Firm
Our final verdict on the WinkBed Luxury Firm
If you’re one of the many people who sleep on your side, the right mattress will ensure your spine doesn’t shift out of alignment and keep pressure points from digging into your hips and shoulders.
We like the WinkBed for side sleeping because its hybrid materials provide a blend of support sleepers in all the right places, and the extra edge support can prevent falls out of bed when shifting positions or rolling.
We also liked that you can choose from four firmness options: softer, luxury firm, firmer, and plus. We tested the luxury firm, the brand’s most popular firmness option.
The biggest downside of the WinkBed is probably the cost. It’s on the higher end of prices on our list, but it includes a lifetime warranty with your purchase.
Our testers gave this mattress high scores across the board for support, cooling, motion transfer, and pressure relief. This luxury mattress kept our testers’ spine in a neutral position when lying on their side.
If you like to switch positions, this mattress may also be a good choice. The WinkBed luxury firm performed well in position changes. Our testers didn’t report feeling stuck or hindered in their movement, and they felt similar pressure relief while back sleeping.
Best memory foam queen mattress: Bear Original
Our final verdict on the Bear Original
Memory foam mattresses have a reputation for being softer than hybrid or innerspring mattresses, but in testing, the Bear Original had a firmer feel than traditional foams. The mattress also performed well for position switching, which is uncommon with memory foam models. And despite providing better ease of movement, the mattress did a great job in terms of motion isolation.
Bear claims that the mattress offers optimal heat dissipation, a quality often lacking in memory foam models. Our testers noted that the mattress was cool to the touch.
Unlike many traditional foam mattresses, the Bear is not a good choice for back or side sleepers. Our testers noted a lack of lower back support in a back sleeping position and pressure points when lying on their side. They felt well-supported and comfortable lying face down, suggesting this mattress may be best for stomach sleepers.
The Bear Original also provided good edge support in testing but lacks the springiness of a hybrid or innerspring-only model.
Best luxury queen mattress: Saatva Classic
Our final verdict on the Saatva Classic
When you order a mattress with Saatva, you also get free white-glove delivery, including in-room delivery, setup, and mattress and foundation removal. While the model is on the higher end of the cost of mattresses on our list, the free and convenient setup saves you time and energy. The agents we spoke to over the phone and on the website’s live chat were helpful and quick to answer our questions without being pushy or aggressive in their sales tactics.
The model is a hybrid mattress with a recycled steel coil and foam construction. It features a hypoallergenic cover made of organic cotton and has an antimicrobial treatment to help prevent bacterial build-up.
It’s available in three firmness levels: plush soft, luxury firm (the model we tested), and firm.
From mattress focus group
“This is an area of your life where you should be able to feel good about spending. It’s about quality rather than just splurging.”
Based on the mattress design and our testing, we feel the medium-firm mattress is a good pick for combination sleepers. It scored high in overall support and edge support but was lacking in the motion isolation category, which is something to consider if you sleep with a partner or pets.
Our testers found the mattress most comfortable in a stomach sleeping position, noting that it helped maintain a neutral spinal alignment. The testers also explained that switching from position to position was easy with minimal sinkage.
In a back sleeping position, our testers found that they were well-supported when positioned with their back in the lumbar position, a specific section of the mattress that provides additional lower back support. But depending on your height, the lumbar support region might not be ideally placed for maximum support and comfort.
If you want to learn more about our experience with this brand, read our Saatva mattress review or our Saatva adjustable bed review.
Best queen mattress for pressure relief: Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid
Our final verdict on the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid
A quality mattress should cradle your body, not push against it. A mattress that’s too firm or too soft can cause pressure points that leave you achy—and cranky—in the morning.
We like the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid for its pressure-relieving properties, specifically a blend of foam and encased coils designed to support a neutral spinal alignment and keep you from experiencing pressure points.
You can also opt for a pillow-top add-on if you’re looking for added softness. The mattress comes in three firmness options: soft, medium (which we tested), and firm.
Our testers noted that you sink into the mattress but not as you would with traditional memory foam. The plush feel comes mainly from the mattress topper. Our testers found the mattress comfortable for all sleeping positions and noted that it works well for switching positions.
Like with many hybrid models, motion isolation was just average here. Our testers also noted that the edge support could’ve been better, so if you often sleep toward the side of the mattress, keep that in mind.
Best hybrid queen mattress: Nolah Original Hybrid
Our final verdict on the Nolah Original Hybrid
While some people love the soft, plush feel of memory foam, it’s not a fit for everyone. Some even describe it as sleeping in quicksand. If you prefer a more responsive mattress, the Nolah Original Hybrid might be right for you. This model combines the support of an innerspring mattress with the soft, enveloping feel of memory foam.
The Nolah Original features the brand’s original CertiPUR-US certified foam and a three-zoned coil system for added pressure relief. Air pockets within the foam help distribute weight and make it easier to adjust positions during the night. It’s ideal for side sleeping but might not be firm enough for those who prefer to sleep on their stomachs.
Nolah claims this mattress has a medium-firm feel, but our testers said the feel is closer to a five out of 10 compared to a 6.5 out of 10. This might make it a better fit for side sleepers or back sleepers than combination sleepers, who tend to change positions throughout the night.
From our tester
“You sink into this mattress more than you would expect for a medium firmness.”
The brand also says the mattress contains a proprietary foam that helps dissipate heat. However, our testers found that the mattress didn’t provide any notable cooling abilities.
The material is fairly responsive, bouncing back to its original shape fairly quickly. “There’s a bit of pushback to help support my torso and keep my spine aligned,” one tester said. However, the same tester also noted that there’s some top-layer sinkage that can make switching positions or having sex a bit more challenging.
Like most beds containing coils, motion transfer can and does happen. In testing, this mattress performed about average in terms of motion isolation. The mattress scored low in terms of edge support.
Best organic queen mattress: Birch Natural Mattress
Our final verdict on the Birch Natural Mattress
Organic mattresses like the Birch Natural Mattress contain natural materials like hypoallergenic latex derived from rubber trees, organic cotton, and organic wool. The Birch also has full perimeter edge support, according to the brand.
From mattress focus group
“If I was going to make a purchase that I was going to have for 10 years or whatever the lifespan may be, I decided I wanted to go with something a little bit healthier.”
The main downside to this hybrid mattress and most other organic options is the higher price, but that hasn’t stopped satisfied customers from raving about the mattress. The Birch Natural model has more than 4,000 positive customer reviews on the website.
Frequently asked questions
A typical queen mattress measures 60 by 80 inches. It’s enough room to fit two people or provide one person with plenty of room to stretch out. Some brands offer queen mattresses slightly longer or shorter than 80 inches.
A queen mattress is an ideal option for those who want to upgrade from a double bed but don’t have the physical space to accommodate a king-sized mattress.
This mattress size might be best for:
- Small guest rooms looking to accommodate visiting couples.
- Couples who don’t have room for a king-sized bed.
- Individuals who want more room to stretch out.
- Those who sleep with children or pets in bed.
Yes. In addition to models featuring different materials like foam and innerspring, queen mattresses can also come in slightly different sizes and styles. These include split queen mattresses (similar to a split king, just slightly smaller) and Olympic queens (66 by 80 inches).
Pricing varies widely for all mattress sizes, and while it can be an indicator of quality and features, that’s not always the case. Queen-size mattresses under $1,000 are considered budget models, and while they can absolutely provide a comfortable sleep surface, they may not be as durable as higher-priced options. The queen-size mattresses in our review range from $659–$2,123.80.
The difference between a queen and a king is the size. A queen-size bed measures 60 by 80 inches, while a king-size measures 76 by 80 inches.
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