We also like how cool this bed stays throughout the night; its individually encased springs allow airflow throughout the mattress, so there’s no need to crank up the air conditioning before you snuggle in. We recommend adding the brand’s GlacioTex cooling cover that the brand offers for an additional cost, which uses polyethylene fibers to draw heat away from the center of the bed—our testers say it’s literally cool to the touch.
Product specifications
Material: Hybrid | Firmness: Firm (7.5 out of 10) | Trial period: 120 nights | guarantee: 10 years | Shipping: Free shipping
Best memory foam mattress in a box: Layla
Pros
- Soft memory foam construction is cozy, according to testers
- Stays nice and cool, especially for a memory foam mattress
- Great motion isolation
- Flippable design allows for multiple firmness options
Cons
- The softness can make you feel “stuck” in the foam
Each side of this memory foam mattress has a different firmness level: one is soft, medium-firm, the other firmer and more supportive. So if you’re a gold medalist in the sport of indecision, this flip-flopping mattress has your name all over it.
It’s not uncommon for memory foam mattresses to be warmer than other options, since foam naturally retains heat. Luckily, Layla excels in this regard; we scored it a 4.5 out of 5 for thermal regulation. Its cooling copper memory foam layer helps keep the bed relatively cool from night to morning.
Product specifications
Material: Foam | Firmness: Flippable (medium-firm side: 6/10; firm side: 7.5/10) | Trial period: 120 nights | guarantee: : Whole life | Shipping: Free shipping
Best mattress in a box for back pain: Elite Hybrid Bear
Pros
- Pressure-relieving foams can help relieve back pain
- Its three firmness options adapt to most sleeping positions
Cons
- More expensive than most bed-in-the-box mattresses
The Bear Elite Hybrid has three layers of cushioned foam and two layers of sturdy pocket springs that use targeted zone support to relieve pressure that can contribute to back pain. It comes in three firmness options; we recommend the medium or firm options if you sleep on your back or stomach, and the soft option if you prefer to sleep on your side.
“The mattress was buoyant but still provided pressure relief. For me, a back sleeper, the Elite Hybrid seems like a great fit,” says one tester, who tried the medium version.
Product specifications
Material: Hybrid | Firmness: Multiple firmness options: soft, medium, firm | Trial period: 120 nights | guarantee: : Whole life | Shipping: Free shipping
Benefits of Buying a Bed in a Box
The best mattress-in-a-box options can compete head-to-head with traditional beds on several fronts: Both types are available in a variety of firmness levels and materials, and have similar lifespans. But a major added advantage to boxed beds is the convenience of not having to leave your home to actually get one — and with extended trial periods, there’s no need to worry about changing your mind if it turns out not to be for you. Here’s a closer look at some of the top reasons to choose this mattress style:
Convenience
Simply put, ordering a bed in a box simplifies the mattress shopping experience. Since you can order online, you can completely skip the drive to different showrooms. The bed will arrive right at your doorstep (or, in certain cases where white glove delivery is an option, right in your bedroom). Plus, many brands give you time to see if your new bed is a good fit. “Most manufacturers offer an extended trial period where the consumer can try out the bed at home and, if they don’t like it, it can be easily returned,” says Dr. Mesiwala.
Price
Sometimes, a bed in a box can be more affordable than traditional options. The total price range for the mattresses on our list goes from $1,099 (Nectar and Layla) to $2,499 (Nolah Evolution) for a queen-size model. Non-direct-to-consumer brands also span a range of price points, but some luxury options cost upwards of $3,000.
A range of options
Beds are like a box of chocolates—not because you never know which one you’ll get, but because there’s something for every taste. Whether you’re a hot sleeper looking for a cooling bed, or you deal with back pain and need a pressure-relieving option, there’s a bed in a box for you. “Each manufacturer has its own unique blend of materials, which may be better for certain types of sleepers in terms of whether you sleep on your back, stomach, or side,” says Dr. Mesiwala.
Long service life
In general, you’ll want to consider buying a new mattress every eight years or so, SELF previously reported. And your bed in a box will probably be able to keep up.[These mattresses] are as durable or, in some cases, more durable than conventional mattresses,” says Dr. Mesiwala.
Disadvantages of Buying a Bed in a Box
Nothing is perfect, so here are a few reasons why a mattress in a box might not be the best option for your needs.
They are heavy
Bed-in-a-box options can be heavy and difficult for one person to carry, despite their compact packaging. Some brands offer white glove delivery for a fee (such as Bear It is Nola(for example), which means someone will install the new mattress on your bed frame and take the old one away. In our experience, offering pizza to a few friends in exchange for their help tends to work out well too.
They can retain heat
Most bed-in-the-box mattresses are made with memory foam in some of the layers – the material is known for trapped heat more than spring or hybrid mattresses.
You have to wait for them to air out
When you first unpack a mattress, it can smell a little funky due to something called “off-gassing.” Basically, the polyethylene materials used in many foam beds have a distinct odor that takes a few days to go away. Because of this, brands often suggest that you let your bed air out before jumping in.
How we tested these mattresses
Our testers tested over 500 mattresses, including many bed-in-a-box options. They scored them on a number of factors (check out our methodology to take a look at our full process), but here are three criteria that are especially relevant for choosing bed-in-a-box options: