Our best foam mattress picks showcase the best-performing mattresses that are 100% foam. We’ve tested 43+ different foam mattresses (and over 300+ mattresses of all types) at a range of price points, firmnesses, and comfort profiles to bring this list to life.
Note – While some of these mattresses contain memory foam and/or latex, they don’t have a significant memory foam or latex foam feel. If you’re interested more in memory foam please see our Best Memory Foam Mattress and for latex see our Best Latex Mattress picks here.
Top Pick
Leesa Original
The Leesa Original is a 10″ tried-and-true foam mattress pick. It has a balanced feel, a budget-friendly price, and is widely enjoyed by a range of different sleeper profiles.
The 6 Best Foam Mattresses
- Leesa Original – Best Foam Mattress Overall
- Nolah Signature – Best for Side Sleepers
- Vaya – Best Affordable
- Zoma Start – Best for Edge Support
- Tuft & Needle Mint – For Back or Stomach Sleepers
- Lull Original – Best for Sex
| Mattress Name | Overall Score | Type | Firmness | Price | Read Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leesa Original | 9.03 | Foam | Medium-Firm (6) | $929 | Review |
| Nolah Signature | 8.82 | Foam | Medium (5) | $1,169 | Review |
| Vaya | 8.75 | Foam | Medium-Firm (6) | $699 | Review |
| Zoma Start | 8.51 | Foam | Medium-Firm (6.5) | $636 | Review |
| Tuft & Needle Mint | 8.44 | Foam | Medium-Firm (6) | $1,036 | Review |
| Lull Original | 8.17 | Foam | Slightly Firm (7.5) | $799 | Review |
Our Testing & Selection Process
300+
Mattresses Tested
To Date
43
Data Points Tested
On Each Mattress
92
Mattress Brands Tested To Date
Each best list is put through a customized performance analysis with specialized consideration given to our objective & data-driven performance tests. In addition, we consider mattress type, design, materials, value, price, and more.
For our Best Foam Mattress list, we based our selections on the best-scoring mattresses, according to our battery of testing and formulaic-driven scoring.
Our tests analyze performance across 8 critical factors, including cooling, motion transfer, response time, edge support, sex, pressure relief, off-gassing, and company. In addition, we also test sinkage and bounce (though these are not scoring factors).
Our tests include objective and quantifiable data whenever possible. In addition, we use subjective assessment supported by data to round out our testing process.
Our scores are based on mathematical formulas and equations that utilize inputs from our data-driven testing.
In choosing the best mattresses for side sleepers we looked at the totality of all of our tests, scores, data, and reviews to date. We analyzed this data alongside our established best mattress framework here.
When selecting the best foam mattress, we’re looking at a combination of overall scoring performance, firmness, and US availability.
To be included within this best-of list all mattresses:
- Had to have a firmness of 5-7.5 out of 10, where 10 is the most firm. This ranges from medium to slightly firm.
- Had to have a performance of 8.17 or higher
- Had to not have a dramatic memory foam or dramatic latex feel. However, it could use some memory foam or latex foam.
- Had to be available within the USA
Outliers that met the criteria above, but were still excluded for other various reasons are listed below.
| Mattress | Score | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Nest Bedding Quail | 9.04 | Concerning negative feedback from NapLab readers |
| Nolah Original | 8.70 | Brand duplicate; performance does not beat that of the Nolah Signature |
| Nolah Signature All Foam Hybrid | 8.70 | Brand duplicate; performance does not beat that of the Nolah Signature |
| Nolah Original | 8.70 | Brand duplicate; performance does not beat that of the Nolah Signature |
| Nest Bedding Starling | 8.58 | Concerning negative feedback from NapLab readers |
| Leesa Studio | 8.44 | Brand duplicate; performance does not beat that of the Leesa Original |
| Big Mattress Classic | 8.28 | Too expensive. Price is 172% more than average foam mattress |
Our Testing Team
Derek
Lead Tester
Kayla
Writer
Kyle
Tester
Nathan
Tester
Samantha
Data Analyst
Leesa Original
Best For
- Best performance under $1000
- Very low levels of motion transfer (2.06 m/s²)
- 17% less bounce than the average mattress, balanced feel overall
Considerations
- Low bounce hurts sex performance
- Support when seated at the edge is a bit lacking (5.5″ of sinkage)
- 100-night trial is shorter than 179-night average
Our Verdict
The Leesa Original is a 10″ mattress that includes a blend of poly foam, memory foam, and support foam, all wrapped within a thin Tencel cover. This mattress is the highest-performing foam mattress (among 300+ mattresses tested to date), that has our full trust and is budget-friendly—under $1K.
The Leesa is available in a single firmness, 6 out of 10, which gives the mattress a medium-firm feel. This firmness would generally be considered suitable for a side range of sleepers, in any sleeping position.
It has moderate sinkage and low levels of bounce, for a balanced and restrained feel. Sinkage when sitting directly on the edge is a bit deeper than average (5.5)”, but this is not uncommon among foam mattresses.
In our performance tests, the Leesa Original earned an overall score of 9.03, ranking in the top 17% of all mattresses.
And the price isn’t bad. For a queen-sized mattress, the Leesa Original is $929, 16% less expensive than the average foam mattress. For a great value with a balanced feel, the Leesa Original is the mattress to beat.
Click here to read our full Leesa Original review.
Type: Foam
Firmness: Medium-Firm (6)
Leesa Original Performance
Cooling Test
Sinkage Test
Motion Transfer Test
Response Test
Bounce Test
Edge Support Test
| Factor | Leesa Original |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 9.03 |
| Price (Queen) | $929 |
| Cooling – Score | 9.0 |
| Sinkage – Depth | 2.09″ |
| Sinkage – Feel | Moderate |
| Motion Transfer – Score | 10 |
| Motion Transfer – Acceleration | 2.06 m/s² |
| Response Time – Score | 9.4 |
| Response Time – Mostly Recovered | 0.3 sec. |
| Response Time – Fully Recovered | 0.5 sec. |
| Bounce – Height | 7.94″ |
| Bounce – Feel | Low |
| Edge Support – Score | 8.0 |
| Edge Support – Sitting | 5.50″ |
| Edge Support – Lying | Excellent |
| Sex – Score | 7.6 |
| Pressure Relief – Score | 9.0 |
| Comfort Layer Thickness | 4.0″ |
| Mattress Thickness | 10″ |
| Off-Gassing – Score | 9.2 |
| Off-Gassing – Smell | Strong |
| Off-Gassing – Days | 3 days |
| Company – Score | 9.5 |
| Trial | 100 nights |
| Warranty | Lifetime |
Nolah Signature
Best For
- Great cooling performance with thin, organic cotton cover
- Very fast material response time
- Excellent pressure relief with 12″ overall mattress thickness
Considerations
- Fair level of support when sitting or lying at the edge of the mattress
- Price is 8% more expensive than the average foam mattress
- Shorter 120-night trial period (average is 179 nights)
Our Verdict
The Nolah Signature mattress is a 12″ foam mattress with a comfort system made of 3 layers of poly foam. These foams are supported by a support foam base and wrapped within an organic cotton cover.
The Nolah Signature is available in a single firmness, 5 out of 10, which gives the mattress a medium feel. This type of firmness is slightly softer than the Leesa, making it a good choice for side sleepers or lighter-weighted sleepers especially.
In our tests, the Nolah scored 8.82, ranking in the top 33% of all mattresses tested to date. This mattress is a great representation of a balanced feel without the use of any memory foam.
The price is slightly higher than average. Priced at $1,169 for a queen mattress, the Nolah is 6% more than the average foam mattress. While this is more than average, the difference is nominal and its performance is well above the average foam mattress score.
Click here to read the full Nolah Signature review.
Type: Foam
Firmness: Medium (5)
Nolah Signature Performance
Cooling Test
Sinkage Test
Motion Transfer Test
Response Test
Bounce Test
Edge Support Test
| Factor | Nolah Signature |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 8.82 |
| Price (Queen) | $1,169 |
| Cooling – Score | 9.0 |
| Sinkage – Depth | 2.15″ |
| Sinkage – Feel | Moderate |
| Motion Transfer – Score | 8.8 |
| Motion Transfer – Acceleration | 7.62 m/s² |
| Response Time – Score | 10 |
| Response Time – Mostly Recovered | 0.2 sec. |
| Response Time – Fully Recovered | 0.3 sec. |
| Bounce – Height | 7.56″ |
| Bounce – Feel | Low |
| Edge Support – Score | 6.5 |
| Edge Support – Sitting | 6.25″ |
| Edge Support – Lying | Fair |
| Sex – Score | 7.3 |
| Pressure Relief – Score | 10 |
| Comfort Layer Thickness | 4.0″ |
| Mattress Thickness | 12″ |
| Off-Gassing – Score | 8.1 |
| Off-Gassing – Smell | Strong |
| Off-Gassing – Days | 7 days |
| Company – Score | 9.1 |
| Trial | 120 nights |
| Warranty | Lifetime |
Vaya
Best For
- Materials are very responsive, tied with the fastest we’ve tested to date
- Great cooling performance with a thin cover
- Value priced—35% less than the average mattress
Considerations
- Slightly deeper sinkage than average when seated at the edge (4.25″)
- 100-night trial period is shorter than the 179-night average
- Only 3.0″ comfort layer, may not be suitable for all heavier-weighted sleepers
Our Verdict
The Vaya is a high-profile 12″ all-foam mattress with a thin cover, 3.0″ poly foam comfort layer, and a 9.0″ support foam base. It’s a pretty simple design, but sticking to the basics allows the Vaya to hit a price point that is consistently lower than most other foam mattresses.
This mattress has a medium-firm feel, 6 out of 10 on our firmness scale. This firmness is widely preferred by a range of sleepers including back, stomach, and side sleepers.
It has moderate sinkage and moderate bounce, giving the mattress a balanced feel.
In our performance tests, the Vaya scored 8.75, ranking the mattress among the top 38% of all mattresses tested to date. It also has a value price to go along.
A Queen Vaya mattress is only $699, making it over $400 less expensive than the average foam mattress, a savings of 36%. If you’re on a tight budget, but still want high performance, the Vaya is a solid choice.
Click here to read the full review of the Vaya All-Foam.
Type: Foam
Firmness: Medium-Firm (6)
Vaya Performance
Cooling Test
Sinkage Test
Motion Transfer Test
Response Test
Bounce Test
Edge Support Test
| Factor | Vaya |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 8.75 |
| Price (Queen) | $699 |
| Cooling – Score | 9.0 |
| Sinkage – Depth | 2.14″ |
| Sinkage – Feel | Moderate |
| Motion Transfer – Score | 9.1 |
| Motion Transfer – Acceleration | 6.91 m/s² |
| Response Time – Score | 10 |
| Response Time – Mostly Recovered | 0.2 sec. |
| Response Time – Fully Recovered | 0.3 sec. |
| Bounce – Height | 8.38″ |
| Bounce – Feel | Moderate |
| Edge Support – Score | 8.7 |
| Edge Support – Sitting | 4.25″ |
| Edge Support – Lying | Excellent |
| Sex – Score | 8.0 |
| Pressure Relief – Score | 8.0 |
| Comfort Layer Thickness | 3.0″ |
| Mattress Thickness | 12″ |
| Off-Gassing – Score | 9.2 |
| Off-Gassing – Smell | Strong |
| Off-Gassing – Days | 3 days |
| Company – Score | 8.5 |
| Trial | 100 nights |
| Warranty | 10 years |
Zoma Start
Best For
- Fantastic value—under $600 for a queen mattress
- Minimal sinkage can be great for stomach or back sleepers especially
- Good edge support for sitting and lying at or near the edge
Considerations
- Less sinkage may not be ideal for side sleepers
- High bounce is great for sex, but may not have the same appeal for sleeping
- Slightly more motion transfer than average
Our Verdict
The Zoma Start is a 10″ foam mattress with a 2.0″ comfort layer. It is made of gel memory foam, poly foam, and a high-density support foam base. Despite having a thinner comfort layer, the Zoma can still be a great pick for many sleepers.
It is available in a single firmness, 6.5 out of 10, giving the mattress a medium-firm feel. This firmness would be suitable for stomach or back sleepers mostly.
It has minimal sinkage and high levels of bounce. Although high bounce can be universally enjoyed by all sleeping positions, most side sleepers don’t fare as well with minimal sinkage. Contour and hug are an important part of comfort and support for side sleepers.
In our performance tests, the Zoma Start had an overall score of 8.51. This ranks Zoma among the bottom 40%, comparing all mattresses tested to date. When we look exclusively at foam mattresses, that rank rises to the top 49%. Now before we write off Zoma for its near-average performance let’s get to its biggest advantage—price.
A queen Zoma Start mattress costs only $562, nearly half the price of the average foam mattress. This saves sleepers $538 (compared to average) and can be an excellent option for sleepers wanting to stay under $600.
Click here to read the full Zoma Start review.
Type: Foam
Firmness: Medium-Firm (6.5)
Zoma Start Performance
Cooling Test
Sinkage Test
Motion Transfer Test
Response Test
Bounce Test
Edge Support Test
| Factor | Zoma Start |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 8.51 |
| Price (Queen) | $562 |
| Cooling – Score | 8.0 |
| Sinkage – Depth | 1.73″ |
| Sinkage – Feel | Minimal |
| Motion Transfer – Score | 8.0 |
| Motion Transfer – Acceleration | 9.35 m/s² |
| Response Time – Score | 9.4 |
| Response Time – Mostly Recovered | 0.3 sec. |
| Response Time – Fully Recovered | 0.5 sec. |
| Bounce – Height | 10.37″ |
| Bounce – Feel | High |
| Edge Support – Score | 9.5 |
| Edge Support – Sitting | 3.00″ |
| Edge Support – Lying | Excellent |
| Sex – Score | 9.2 |
| Pressure Relief – Score | 8.0 |
| Comfort Layer Thickness | 2.0″ |
| Mattress Thickness | 10″ |
| Off-Gassing – Score | 8.9 |
| Off-Gassing – Smell | Strong |
| Off-Gassing – Days | 4 days |
| Company – Score | 8.5 |
| Trial | 100 nights |
| Warranty | 10 years |
Tuft & Needle Mint
Best For
- Back or stomach sleepers looking for minimal sinkage and contour
- Low levels of bounce (7.37″)
- Excellent edge support when lying at or near the edge of the mattress
Considerations
- Strong off-gassing that takes 9 days to dissipate
- 100-night trial period, shorter than 179-night trial
- Low bounce negatively impacts the sex performance score
Our Verdict
The Tuft & Needle Mint mattress is an 11.75″ foam mattress with a 5.0″ comfort layer, making it a great option for sleepers wanting better pressure relief.
The Mint is available in a single firmness, 6 out of 10, with a medium-firm feel. This firmness can be suitable for many different types of sleepers.
It has minimal sinkage and low levels of bounce. Like other mattresses on this page with minimal sinkage (Zoma Start or Lull Original), the Tuft & Needle Mint may be a better option for stomach or back sleepers, as opposed to side sleepers.
In our performance tests, this mattress earned an overall score of 8.44, putting this mattress in the bottom 49% of all foam mattresses. But note, this is only 0.02 points lower than the average overall score for foam mattresses so it just barely misses the cutoff.
That being said, it still has a price that is below average. The Mint is $1,036 for a queen mattress, making it 6% less expensive than the average foam mattress for a savings of about $64. It’s not the lowest we’ve seen, but if you’re exclusively looking for something for back or stomach sleepers, the Mint is still a good option.
Click here to read the full Tuft & Needle Mint review.
Type: Foam
Firmness: Medium-Firm (6)
Tuft & Needle Mint Performance
Cooling Test
Sinkage Test
Motion Transfer Test
Response Test
Bounce Test
Edge Support Test
| Factor | Tuft & Needle Mint |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 8.44 |
| Price (Queen) | $1,036 |
| Cooling – Score | 8.0 |
| Sinkage – Depth | 1.97″ |
| Sinkage – Feel | Minimal |
| Motion Transfer – Score | 8.8 |
| Motion Transfer – Acceleration | 7.77 m/s² |
| Response Time – Score | 9.1 |
| Response Time – Mostly Recovered | 0.3 sec. |
| Response Time – Fully Recovered | 0.8 sec. |
| Bounce – Height | 7.37″ |
| Bounce – Feel | Low |
| Edge Support – Score | 8.3 |
| Edge Support – Sitting | 5.00″ |
| Edge Support – Lying | Excellent |
| Sex – Score | 7.5 |
| Pressure Relief – Score | 9.0 |
| Comfort Layer Thickness | 5.0″ |
| Mattress Thickness | 11.75″ |
| Off-Gassing – Score | 7.5 |
| Off-Gassing – Smell | Strong |
| Off-Gassing – Days | 9 days |
| Company – Score | 8.5 |
| Trial | 100 nights |
| Warranty | 10 years |
Lull Original
Best For
- Very minimal sinkage, great for back or stomach sleepers
- Couples looking for good sex performance, thanks to the higher bounce (12.82″)
- Value-packed price, under $800 for a queen
Considerations
- Higher levels of motion transfer, 28% more than the average
- 3.0″ comfort layer—may be lacking support for heavier sleepers
- Slow off-gassing, took 14 days (average is 6 days)
Our Verdict
The Lull Original mattress is a 10″ foam mattress with a stretchy knit cover. It has a comfort layer of memory foam, transitional poly foam, and a support foam base.
The Lull has a slightly firm feel, 7.5 out of 10, and is the firmest of all mattresses featured on this list.
It has very minimal sinkage and very high levels of bounce. The firmer feel is a contributing factor to the extra pushback coming from Lull. But for stomach or back sleepers, this level of sinkage and firmness would be a great fit.
In our performance tests, the Lull scored 8.17 overall, ranking the mattress in the bottom 30% of all foam mattresses. Typically, this isn’t really the rank we like to see for “best of” pick, but the Lull has two advantages—the targeted firmness and the low price.
For a queen mattress, the Lull is only $799, 27% less than the average foam mattress. This saves sleepers $300 compared to the average. If you’re specifically looking for a great mattress for back or stomach sleepers, but are on a tight budget, the Lull Original may certainly fit the bill.
Click here to read the full Lull Original review.
Type: Foam
Firmness: Slightly Firm (7.5)
Lull Original Performance
Cooling Test
Sinkage Test
Motion Transfer Test
Response Test
Bounce Test
Edge Support Test
| Factor | Lull Original |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 8.17 |
| Price (Queen) | $799 |
| Cooling – Score | 8.0 |
| Sinkage – Depth | 1.47″ |
| Sinkage – Feel | Very Minimal |
| Motion Transfer – Score | 7.2 |
| Motion Transfer – Acceleration | 11.31 m/s² |
| Response Time – Score | 10 |
| Response Time – Mostly Recovered | 0.2 sec. |
| Response Time – Fully Recovered | 0.3 sec. |
| Bounce – Height | 12.82″ |
| Bounce – Feel | Very High |
| Edge Support – Score | 9.2 |
| Edge Support – Sitting | 3.50″ |
| Edge Support – Lying | Excellent |
| Sex – Score | 9.6 |
| Pressure Relief – Score | 7.0 |
| Comfort Layer Thickness | 3.0″ |
| Mattress Thickness | 10″ |
| Off-Gassing – Score | 6.1 |
| Off-Gassing – Smell | Strong |
| Off-Gassing – Days | 14 days |
| Company – Score | 9.0 |
| Trial | 365 nights |
| Warranty | Lifetime |
Best Mattress By Category
Have a specific mattress type, sleeping position, feature, or firmness in mind? At NapLab we’ve ranked the mattresses we’ve tested in 23 different specialized best lists. These lists can help you identify the mattresses best suited to specific performance criteria.
You can also see our best mattress guide for our overall best-ranked mattresses.
Best by Features & Price
Best by Position & People
