COUPON: Save $50 off any Bedinabox mattress with code NapLab50.
Best For
- Incredibly good cooling performance, especially for a memory foam mattress
- Motion transfer is very low
- Fast response time of 0.5 seconds
Considerations
- Low bounce, negatively impacts sex
- 3.0” of comfort material isn’t very thick, could create pressure issues for heavy weight sleepers
Our Verdict
The BedInABox mattress offers a modern memory foam feel with high contour and high hug, coupled with a faster than expected response time. It had fantastic cooling and good edge support (both lying or sitting).
Motion transfer levels were low, which is a bit to be expected from classic memory foam. It comes in around a 6 out of 10 on the firmness scale making this mattress a good choice for a wider range of sleepers. At this price point, the performance per dollar makes the BedInABox mattress one of the best value mattresses we’ve tested to date.
Type: Memory Foam
Firmness: Medium-Firm (6)
In This Review
Performance Tests | Firmness | Support & Sleeping Positions | Design | Materials | Comparisons | FAQs
Performance Tests
At NapLab, we put each mattress to the test.
We test 9 different factors that impact the comfort and feel of the mattress. Testing categories include:
| Test | Rating |
|---|---|
| Cooling | Excellent |
| Sinkage | Minimal |
| Motion Transfer | Extremely Low |
| Response Time | Extremely Fast |
| Bounce | Very Low |
| Edge Support | Very Good |
| Sex | Very Good |
| Pressure Relief | Excellent |
| Off-Gassing | Excellent |
| Company | Excellent |
Cooling Test
The cooling on this mattress was extraordinarily good.
In our objective tests, the BedInABox mattress achieved a maximum temperature of 87.4° F.
This is the lowest maximum temperature we’ve tested on any mattress to date. In fact, it is a full 4.0° cooler than the average maximum temperature. Heat dissipation was nearly as good.
Baseline Temp.
81.3° F
Max. Temp.
87.4° F
Ending Temp.
83.3° F
Max. Temp.
Ending Temp.
- Baseline Temperature – the temperature of the mattress before anyone lies on it
- Maximum Temperature (0 minute) – the temperature of the mattress after lying on it for 15 minutes
- Ending Temperature (5 minute) – the temperature of the mattress after being lied upon and having no one on it for 5 minutes
Heat Dissipation Over Time
Within 1 minute the BedInABox mattress dropped 3.5° F from the maximum temperature. It continued to drop in temperature from there, finishing at 83.3° F after 5 minutes with no one lying on the mattress.
Subjectively speaking, my experience on the mattress during the cooling tests was great. I did not experience any notable heat retention and the mattress seemed to breathe well. I will say, my experience on the mattress wasn’t quite to the crazy level that our objective data indicates.
Even so, it’s clear to me that the BedInABox mattress is still among the coolest memory foam mattresses we’ve tested to date.
Sinkage Test
Sinkage was slightly lower than expected. In our tests, the BedInABox mattress measured 1.86” of sinkage.
This is a good bit lower than our average sinkage across all mattresses we’ve tested to date, which is 2.18”.
The slightly lower sinkage makes sense, given the 3.0” layer of memory foam. A 3.0” comfort layer is slightly thinner than many mattresses we’ve tested.
As a result, there is going to be a more supportive pushback more quickly compared to others, which is likely resulting in the restrained 1.86” of sinkage.
In any case, sinkage is a preferential factor. Some sleepers really enjoy a deep sinkage, while others prefer less.
Motion Transfer Test
As a memory foam mattress, the motion transfer on the BedInABox was extremely low.
The level of motion transfer is documented in the video below.
In our accelerometer tests, we measured 2.85 m/s² of acceleration. This is among the lowest we’ve tested to date.
Max. Acceleration
1.05 m/s²
Min. Acceleration
-1.80 m/s²
Accel. Range
2.85 m/s²
On average, across all mattresses we’ve tested to date, acceleration is 5.92 m/s².
Any acceleration range that’s less than 3.0 m/s² can be considered very low and capable of keeping motion transfer to a very restrained minimum.
As you can see in the chart above, the max range of motion transfer is still less than 3.0 m/s² and by half a second the motion has basically been completely eliminated by the materials.
Response Test
Response time on the BedInABox mattress was fast, but also about average. For the materials to mostly recover it takes 0.5 seconds, and full recovery takes 0.6 seconds.
The average response time across all mattresses we’ve tested to date is 0.55 seconds.
Mostly Recovered
0.5 sec.
Complete Recovery
0.6 sec.
The level of responsiveness is documented in the video below.
All that said, a response time of 0.5 seconds is still quite fast. In the last many years, memory foam mattresses have come a long way, especially with respect to response time.
A faster response time helps ensure you never feel “stuck” or overly enveloped by the foams, making it easier to move around during the night.
Bounce Test
The BedInABox mattress has a low level of bounce. In our tests, we measured a total bounce height of 5.4”.
Max. Depth
4.42″
Max. Rebound
0.98″
Total Bounce
5.40″
Most of this bounce is on the downward compression, which we measured at 4.42”. From there, the rebound on the bounce was extremely restrained.
Max. Sinkage Depth
Max. Bounce Height
The medicine ball only made it 0.98” off the surface of the mattress. Low bounce on a memory foam mattress is pretty typical. Bounce is a preferential factor, some sleepers want more, others less.
The level of bounce is also documented in the video below.
All of the above said, more bounce is always preferable for sex (which we’ll discuss below). At a total bounce height of 5.4” the BedInABox mattress is notably below average with respect to bounce. The average bounce height across all mattresses we’ve tested to date is 8.31”.
Edge Support Test
The edge support on this BedInABox, overall, was excellent. This is especially nice because oftentimes foam mattresses tend to struggle more with edge support compared to a coil-based mattress.
Max. Sinkage
4.5″
Lying Support
4.5″
The level of edge support while seated is documented in the images below.
Sitting, 140 lbs.
Sitting, 200 lbs.
In our sitting edge tests, the BedInABox mattress compressed 4.5” under the legs.
The level of edge support while lying is documented in the images below.
Lying on Edge, 140 lbs.
Lying on Edge, 200 lbs.
This is better than the average, which is 4.9” of compression. Edge support while lying directly on the edge on the mattress was equally as good. The mattress felt fully supportive even while lying on the edge.
Sex Test
The best mattresses for sex have high bounce, good edge support, quiet materials, and good pressure relief and cooling.
These 5 factors make up the NapLab sex performance score.
| Sex Factor | Factor Weight | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bounce | 60% | 8.9 | Extremely Low |
| Edge Support | 20% | 9.3 | Exceptional |
| Noise | 10% | 10 | Minimal |
| Pressure Relief | 5% | 9.5 | Exceptional |
| Cooling | 5% | 9.5 | Exceptional |
For the Original BedInABox, these individual factors generated a sex score of 9.2.
As a memory foam mattress, the bounce was obviously the biggest disadvantage working against the sex score. The same factors that help deaden energy and limit motion transfer (a good thing for sleep) can make this mattress a little lacking in the “motion of the ocean”.
But where it fell short in bounce, this mattress scored better in other categories.
The edge support was a little better than expected, which can be a nice bonus for sex.
In addition, the lack of noise, great pressure relief, and excellent cooling all come into play as well.
Pressure Relief Test
Pressure relief on the BedInABox mattress was excellent. The memory foam top layer does a great job at contouring to your body and alleviating pressure.
My only pressure relief concern is for heavier sleepers. While 3.0” of comfort foam is sufficient for many body types and sleeping positions, it isn’t for everyone.
Comfort Layer
3.0″
Support Layer
8.0″
If you are heavier, but especially 200+ pounds, you may find you sink through the top 3.0” of foam and hit the support foam. This has the potential to create pressure points, especially for side sleepers.
While the BedInABox will be a good choice for many sleepers, for heavier sleepers (especially heavier side sleepers) I would recommend mattresses with at least 4.0” of comfort foam.
The BedInABox Tranquilium, with its 5” of comfort foam, would be a good consideration. As would the Leesa Hybrid, Ghostbed Luxe, and Nectar Premier Copper (among a number of others, see all of our mattress reviews here).
Off-Gassing Test
There was only a moderate level of smell upon the initial unboxing. And the smell that was present was able to fully dissipate within 3 days.
Initial Smell Strength
Moderate
Off-Gassing Period
3 days
Overall, a little above average, especially for an all-foam mattress.
Company
The company score takes a look at factors that may influence your experience with the mattress.
Factors include length of the trial period, warranty, shipping / return costs, and country of origin.
| Company Factor | Factor Weight | Score | Data |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trial Period | 25% | 9 | 120 nights |
| Warranty | 25% | 10 | 20 years |
| Shipping | 25% | 10 | $0 |
| Returns | 25% | 10 | $0 |
| Country of Origin | USA |
BedInABox has been rolling and shipping mattresses since 2004, making them one of the earliest established online mattress suppliers to hit the market.
They currently have size different mattresses in their lineup, which includes:
- Essential
- Original
- Tranquillium
- Azul
- Dual-Hybrid
- Eco-Lux
As a company, the policies at BedInABox feel pretty consumer-friendly and competitive to other terms we’ve seen out there.
The extended 120-night trial period is pretty long and it’s nice that the trial is then paired with a 20-year warranty if you decide to keep the mattress.
Shipping is free. Returns are free. There’s not much to not like about the terms and conditions surrounding the purchase of this mattress.
How firm is BedInABox?
The BedInABox Original is around a 6 out of 10 on the firmness scale, where 10 is the most firm. This level of firmness would likely fit the needs of a wide range of sleepers.
Support & Sleeping Positions
Sleeper size, weight, and sleeping position are some of the big factors that come into play when deciding what kind of mattress is best suited for you.
Because of the mid-range firmness of this mattress, you will find that all sleepers may generally enjoy this mattress. But that’s not all there is to consider.
| Sleeper Weight | Stomach Sleepers | Side Sleepers | Back Sleepers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 150 lbs. | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 150-250 lbs. | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 250-300 lbs. | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Although this mattress may work for most sleepers (based on firmness alone), the comfort layer plays a big part here too.
The comfort layer of the BedInABox is only 3.0″ thick. As I mentioned above, a comfort layer of that thickness may not be suitable for heavier sleepers, especially if you’re a side sleeper.
Side Sleeping & Pressure Relief
Side sleeping, in general, creates more pressure points along your side since all of the weight rests on a smaller surface area. This means you’re likely to sink deeper into the foam.
Side sleeping + heavier body mass means you could engage more with the support foam, which may create pressure point and support issues for some.
Design
The BedInABox Original mattress is your classic 2-layer memory foam mattress. It uses a 3.0″ comfort foam and an 8.0″ support foam for a very simple, yet comfortable construction.
Type
Memory Foam
Thickness
11″
Firmness
6
This mattress is clad in a basic white cover with navy blue sides for a simple and classic look.
Materials
Though two foam layers on this mattress are fused together to create a single mass, the breakdown includes two separate materials:
- 3″ memory foam (gel-infused)
- 8.0″ support foam
The Cover
The cover of the BedInABox mattress is a cotton blend that is both stretchy and soft. It sits tight against the mattress, allowing your body to more fully engage with
Side panels of the BedInABox cover are dark navy, which provides a nice contrast to the lightness of the cover.
The Comfort Layer
The comfort layer on the BedInABox Original is a 3.0″ layer of gel-infused memory foam. This top layer of foam has that classic memory foam feel of compression, hug, and contour.
Adding the gel helps to improve cooling performance and counteract memory foam’s biggest nuisance—heat retention.
As I mentioned above, if you’re a heavier sleeper, a side sleeper, or a combination, you may find that the 3.0″ of comfort foam is not enough and you may feel more of that ultra-dense support foam below.
While this may not be the case for all sleepers, it can cause increased pressure point pain or stiffness.
The Support Layer
The support layer is 8.0″ thick, which is pretty standard for a 11″ foam mattress. There is nothing hugely special to note about this layer. It’s important to have and it does its job well.
Product Evolution
BedInABox was introduced in 2004 and there have been minimal changes to the Original version of this mattress.
In addition to the Original mattress, the brand has introduced five additional mattress models to complete the lineup.
This list of mattresses includes:
- Essential
- Tranquillium
- Azul
- Dual-Hybrid
- Eco-Lux
If you want something a bit more specific or different than what the Original has to offer, you may want to check out some of their other options.
How is BedInABox Different?
The BedInABox Original mattress performs higher than average while having a price tag that is lower than average—40% lower than the cost for the average memory foam mattress.
| Factor | Bedinabox Original | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 9.62 | 9.52 |
| Price | $799 | $1,291 (Memory Foam only) |
| Cooling | 9.5 | 9.4 |
| Max Sinkage | 1.86″ | 2.21″ |
| Total Motion Transfer | 2.85 m/s² | 7.97 m/s² |
| Response Time | 0.5 sec. | 0.4 sec. |
| Total Bounce | 5.40″ | 9.61″ |
| Edge Support – Sitting Sinkage | 4.50″ | 4.29″ |
| Mattress Thickness | 11.0″ | 11.9″ |
| Sex Overall | 9.2 | 9.6 |
| Comfort Material | 3.0″ | 4.1″ |
| Off-Gassing – Smell | Moderate | Strong |
| Off-Gassing – Days | 3 days | 4 days |
| Trial | 120 nights | 158 nights |
| Warranty | 20 years | 28% have lifetime warranties, average of other 72% of mattresses is 14 years |
In our performance tests, this mattress had less sinkage, less bounce, and less motion transfer than average.
Because of the lower levels of bounce (and poorer edge support), the sex performance score dipped a bit, which may or may not be an important factor to you.
It is also 1″ thinner than the average mattress (and 1″ less comfort material) so pressure relief may not be sufficient for heavier sleepers.
BedInABox Original vs. Tranquillium
From within the BedInABox lineup, two of the most popular models remain to be the Original and the Tranquillium. Here is a quick comparison of how these two all-foam mattresses compare to each other.
Original
| Type: Memory foam |
| Thickness: 11″ |
| Feel: High Contour + Hug |
| Price: $999 (queen) |
| Overall Score: 9.62 |
Tranquillium
| Type: Combo foam |
| Thickness: 12″ |
| Feel: Balanced |
| Price: $1,499 (queen) |
| Overall Score: 9.53 |
Other Mattresses to Consider
For more options, check out the list of some of our other top recommendations below. These mattresses have similar qualities, but specific advantages or disadvantages, depending on what exactly you’re looking for.
For Memory Foam
eLuxury Supply
Combo Foam on a Budget
If you prefer a bit more of the classic memory foam, check out the eLuxury Supply mattress. It is made from 100% foam and has a more traditional memory foam feel, while still keeping the thin cover, much like the BedInABox.
For Comfort
Leesa Original
4.0″ Comfort Layer
If you’re worried about the 3.0″ comfort layer on the BedInABox, check out the Leesa Original. This mattress offers 2″ of poly foam + 2″ of memory foam for a balanced feel with the best properties of both foams.
For Edge Support
GhostBed Classic
Better Edges, Less Bounce
The GhostBed Classic is also a 10″ combo foam mattress but it uses perforated latex and gel memory foam for the comfort layers (3.5″ thick). It offers better edge support, but also less bounce, which means poorer performance for sex.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions? Check out our list of common FAQs below regarding this BedInABox Original.
The cost of the Original BedInABox mattress varies depending on what size you’re looking for. Here are the current prices:
Twin: $749
Twin XL: $799
Full: $899
Queen: $999
King: $1,199
Cal. King: $1,199
The purchase of any BedInABox mattress comes with a 120-night trial period, a 20-year warranty, and free shipping and returns (if you decide it’s not right for you.)
No. The best way to try out this mattress is to take advantage of the 120-night trial period. It’s our hope that our review gives you a good picture of how this mattress will feel, but ultimately, trying it out for yourself in your own home will help you really decide if it’s a good fit. The promise of free returns can help make it easier to make the purchase as well.
Cleaning a BedInABox mattress is similar to how you would clean any other foam-based mattress. You can spot clean with cold water and mild detergent or vacuum the mattress. To avoid stains and spills altogether, consider adding a waterproof mattress pad or a 6-sided mattress encasement.
