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Best For
- Zoned support system creates better spinal alignment, especially for side sleepers
- Cooling performance was excellent, it was able to dissipate 3.8° F within 1 minute in our cooling tests
- Incredibly fast response time of 0.2 seconds
Considerations
- Sitting edge support is good, just not amazing
- Very high bounce, which gives it a more traditional feel and improves sex. But does have a negative impact on motion transfer.
Our Verdict
The Leesa Legend is an 11.5” hybrid mattress made of various layers of poly foam, memory foam, micro coils, pocketed coils, and support foam. The comfort layer uses a different combination depending on the part of the mattress. The head utilizes micro coils, while the central part uses poly foam instead.
It has minimal sinkage and high bounce. Thanks to the zoned support system there is more support where you have more weight.
It comes in a single firmness of 5 out of 10, where 10 is the most firm. This makes it a great fit for all body types and sleeping positions, though you’ll want to prefer something slightly softer.
The Leesa Legend mattress has an overall score of 9.21, which ranks it in the top 11%, comparing all mattresses tested to date. Strictly looking at performance, the Leesa Legend is one of the best hybrids we’ve tested.
But where it loses some points is on price. The Legend is priced 50% higher than the average hybrid mattress. For sleepers on a tight budget, this can be a big issue worth considering.
Type: Hybrid
Firmness: Medium (5)
Best For: All Sleeping Positions, All Body Weights
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 10 different factors that impact the performance, comfort, and value of the mattress. We then take the results of that test and compare to every mattress we’ve tested to date.
Check out the full performance table below to see how this mattress ranks:
| Factor | Leesa Legend | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Score | 9.21 | 8.53 |
| Price (Queen) | $2,079 | $1,398 (Hybrid only) |
| Cooling – Score | 9.0 | 8.6 |
| Sinkage – Depth | 1.88″ | 2.16″ |
| Sinkage – Feel | Minimal | Moderate |
| Motion Transfer – Score | 10 | 8.2 |
| Motion Transfer – Acceleration | 4.38 m/s² | 8.75 m/s² |
| Response Time – Score | 9.9 | 8.8 |
| Response Time – Mostly Recovered | 0.2 sec. | 0.4 sec. |
| Response Time – Fully Recovered | 0.4 sec. | 1.0 sec. |
| Bounce – Height | 11.57″ | 9.26″ |
| Bounce – Feel | High | Moderate |
| Edge Support – Score | 8.0 | 8.6 |
| Edge Support – Sitting | 5.50″ | 4.04″ |
| Edge Support – Lying | Excellent | Good |
| Sex – Score | 9.0 | 8.3 |
| Pressure Relief – Score | 9.0 | 8.6 |
| Comfort Layer Thickness | 4.5″ | 4.1″ |
| Mattress Thickness | 11.5″ | 12.1″ |
| Off-Gassing – Score | 8.9 | 8.2 |
| Off-Gassing – Smell | Strong | Strong |
| Off-Gassing – Days | 4 days | 7 days |
| Company – Score | 9.7 | 8.6 |
| Trial | 100 nights | 178 nights |
| Warranty | Lifetime | 38% have lifetime warranties, average of other 62% of mattresses is 13 years |
How is Leesa Legend Different?
The Leesa Legend hybrid has a slightly higher performance score than average, but also an above-average price tag as well—56% higher than the average hybrid mattress.
Advantages
The Legend hybrid has slightly better cooling performance than average as well as lower levels of motion transfer, 48% lower than the average levels.
Material response time is also faster than average, and, finally, the lifetime warranty is a nice addition.
Neutral Factors
This mattress has 13% less surface sinkage than average and 20% more bounce than average. These two factors are not really good vs. bad, but more of a factor of personal preference.
Disadvantages
Edge support is a little lacking on the Legend, where we measured 32% more sinkage when seated directly at the edge of the mattress. It’s also a thinner mattress (11.5″ thick) compared to the average mattress thickness of 11.9″.
Cooling Test
Overall, the cooling performance of the Leesa Legend is excellent. Looking at our objective data, we measured a maximum temperature of 91.2° F.
This max temperature is 0.2° cooler than the average among all mattresses we’ve tested to date.
Baseline Temp.
81.2° F
Max. Temp.
91.2° F
Ending Temp.
84.0° F
- 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
Max. Temp.
Ending Temp.
Heat dissipation on the Leesa Legend is also quite good. Within the first minute, the Leesa Legend is able to dissipate 3.8° F of heat.
The mattress continues to gradually dissipate heat over the 5-minute measurement period, ending at 84.0° F.
Speaking subjectively, I found the Leesa Legend mattress to be comfortably cool for the duration of the cooling test.
Heat Dissipation Over Time
I did not feel any degree of notable heat retention around my body. The Leesa Legend was cool and breathed well, despite having a fairly notable contour around the body.
Sinkage Test
The Leesa Legend has minimal levels of sinkage. Our pressure point sinkage test measured a sinkage of 1.88” deep. This is slightly below the average across all mattresses we’ve tested to date, which is 2.14”.
Sinkage Depth
1.88″
Sinkage Feel
Minimal
The level of sinkage is documented in the image below.
Notably, the Leesa Legend uses a zoned support system, which provides more support in the middle of the mattress and less support at the feet and head.
This is designed to help keep your spine in proper alignment, especially for side sleepers.
During our tests, the zoned system seemed to do exactly that. The mattress is comfortable in all positions, but certainly, it’s designed with the needs for side sleepers in mind.
Motion Transfer Test
Motion transfer on the Leesa Legend mattress is extremely low. Our motion transfer accelerometer tests measured a maximum acceleration range of 4.38 m/s².
This is slightly lower motion than average. The average acceleration range across all mattresses we’ve tested to date is 8.78 m/s².
The level of motion transfer is documented in the video below.
Max. Acceleration
1.80 m/s²
Min. Acceleration
-2.58 m/s²
Accel. Range
4.38 m/s²
Looking at the motion transfer chart, you can see significant energy up until 0.3 seconds, with moderate energy continuing up to the 1.0-second mark.
This is a fairly long duration for energy to continue across the mattress, despite the fact that the total energy is still below average.
Response Test
Response time was very fast. In fact, the Leesa Legend is tied for the fastest response time among all mattresses we’ve tested to date at 0.2 seconds.
A full recovery doesn’t take much longer. By 0.4 seconds the Legend’s materials have fully recovered.
Mostly Recovered
0.2 sec.
Complete Recovery
0.4 sec.
The level of responsiveness is documented in the video below.
Even with thick comfort layers of foam on top, the Leesa Legend springs back to its original shape quickly.
This helps prevent any type of a “stuck” or trapped feeling, which can sometimes happen, especially with 100% foam mattresses. The Leesa Legend quickly adapts to changes in position as you move during the night.
Bounce Test
The Leesa Legend has very high bounce, which is to be expected, given the hybrid design. On our bounce test, the Legend had a max sinkage depth of 6.35”, a max rebound of 5.22”, and a total bounce height of 11.57”.
This is notably higher than the average bounce among all the mattresses we’ve tested to date, which is 9.54”.
Max. Depth
6.35″
Max. Rebound
5.22″
Total Bounce
11.57″
Max. Sinkage Depth
Max. Bounce Height
The level of bounce is also documented in the video below.
Most mattresses that have pocketed coils are going to have a total bounce range that exceeds 10”. This type of bounce gives it a very traditional feel.
As a result, many sleepers who have been sleeping on more traditional coil or innerspring mattresses may find the transition less jarring (as opposed to the transition to an all-foam mattress).
More bounce isn’t necessarily better or worse for sleeping.
However, higher levels of bounce are almost always better for sex (which we discuss a bit further down the page).
Edge Support Test
The Leesa Legend has mediocre sitting edge support and excellent lying edge support.
Max. Sinkage
5.5″
Lying Support
Excellent
In our sitting edge support test, we measured a sitting sinkage compression of 5.50″. This is 1.46″ more sitting sinkage than the average of 4.04″, based on all of our tests to date. This is on the higher end of what we like to ideally see, but it’s not terrible by any stretch.
On average, across all mattresses we’ve tested to date, we see a sitting edge compression of 4.86”. So the Leesa Legend’s 5.5” is a good bit deeper than the average.
The level of edge support while seated is documented in the images below.
Sitting, 140 lbs.
Sitting, 200 lbs.
While sitting support leaves something to be desired, edge support while lying on the mattress was excellent.
While lying directly on the edge of the mattress, I felt that the support was excellent in all sleeping positions.
The level of edge support while lying is documented in the images below.
Lying on Edge, 140 lbs.
Lying on Edge, 200 lbs.
I felt no sensation of being rolled off the mattress or any lack of support. The Leesa Legend is as supportive at the edge as it is at the middle of the mattress.
Sex Test
The Leesa Legend has excellent sex performance.
On the positive side, bounce is very high at 11.57″, which is 2.06″ more than average bounce height of 9.51″. Pressure relief and cooling are also excellent.
On the negative side, edge support is mediocre at 5.50″ of sitting edge sinkage, which is 1.46 more than the average of 4.04″. Especially for sitting or any type of amorous activity on the edge of the mattress, it’s going to be less than amazing.
There’s also a small amount of noise from the mattress because of the use of coils, but it’s not hugely disturbing.
| Sex Factor | Factor Weight | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bounce | 65% | 9.7 | Very High |
| Edge Support | 20% | 6.9 | Mediocre |
| Noise | 5% | 8.0 | Moderate |
| Pressure Relief | 5% | 9.0 | Excellent |
| Cooling | 5% | 9.0 | Excellent |
Pressure Relief Test
The Leesa Legend has an excellent level of pressure relief. During our tests, I did not feel any significant level of pressure points anywhere on my body.
Comfort Layer
4.5″
Support Layer
7.0″
The mattress is equipped with 4.5″ of comfort material. The Leesa Legend has 0.39″ more comfort material than the average comfort layer thickness of 4.11″, based on all of our tests to date.
When you couple the material quality with the zoned support system, it really is a strong mattress design that delivers support well in excess of what most mattresses will.
When I consider the material thickness, material quality, and my subjective experience on the mattress, I’m confident most sleepers will find the pressure relief to be excellent.
Off-Gassing Test
The Leesa Legend had a strong smell upon the initial unboxing. And that smell lingered for around 4 days.
Initial Smell Strength
Strong
Off-Gassing Period
4 days
For comparison, the average off-gassing period is 7 days so the Legend is 3 days faster than average.
Company
Leesa first launched in 2014 and was one of the bigger names hit the direct-to-consumer mattress world.
They offer terms and conditions that are generally favorable to consumers, like the 100-night trial period, the lifetime warranty, and free shipping and returns. Comparing all mattresses tested to date, this trial is 56% shorter but the warranty is apart of only 29% of mattresses that offer lifetime durations.
| Company Factor | Factor Weight | Score | Data |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trial Period | 15% | 8.0 | 100 nights |
| Warranty | 10% | 10 | Lifetime |
| Shipping | 5% | 10 | $0 |
| Returns | 20% | 10 | $0 |
| Trust | 50% | 10 | Outstanding |
| Country of Origin | 0% | USA |
For free, you can opt for “No Contact Shipping” which means your Leesa will be dropped at your doorstep.
Or for an added cost of $150, you can get “White Glove Delivery” and your mattress will be unboxed and set up in the bedroom.
If you try out the Leesa and decide that it’s not right for you, just let Leesa know and they will send a team to pick up the mattress, at no cost to you.
How firm is the Leesa Legend?
The firmness of the Leesa Legend comes in around a 5 out of 10 on the firmness scale, where 10 is the most firm.
Leesa rates their mattress at a 4 out of 10, but in my view, it really isn’t quite that soft. However, it’s certainly the softest mattress they offer.
For comparison, here are the firmness level of other Leesa models:
- Leesa Original: 6 out of 10
- Leesa Hybrid: 6 out of 10
- Leesa Studio: 6 out of 10
Support & Sleeping Positions
This is just a touch softer than the original Leesa, but would generally be considered comfortable for the majority of sleepers, despite weight and sleeping position.
| 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 |
I found the Leesa Legend to be extremely supportive in our tests. The most impressive design element of the Legend is the zoned support system.
The mattress has micro coils at the feet and head, with poly foam support in the center.
This type of zoned system creates more support where you have more weight and lower support where you have less weight. This configuration helps to improve spinal alignment, especially for side sleepers.
When you couple this zoned system with the Leesa Legend’s 4.5” of comfort material on top, it really is an impressive material construction and mattress design.
Design
The Leesa Legend is a hybrid mattress that uses a combination of foam, micro coils, support coils, and support foam.
Type
Hybrid
Thickness
12″
Firmness
5
It has a thicker profile (12″) and is a bit softer than the original Leesa.
Materials
The materials of the Leesa Legend are broken up into six different layers. There are four materials within the comfort layer itself and then the coil layer and support foam fall below.
The six layers of the Leesa Legend include:
- 1.0″ poly foam
- 1.0″ memory foam
- 1.5″ micro coil / 1.5” poly foam (zoned materials)
- 6.0″ pocketed coils
- 1.0″ support foam
The Cover
The cover of the Leesa Legend is soft and breathable. It is made with Merino wool, 100% organic cotton, and fiber from recycled water bottles.
If sustainability is important to your mattress choice, the Leesa Legend certainly checks many of the right boxes on the cover alone.
This cover also has the same 4-bar design that is classic for the Leesa brand.
The Comfort Layer
The comfort layer is essentially made up of 3 layers—two layers of foam and one layer of either foal or micro coils, depending on where in the mattress you’re looking.
- The top of the comfort layer is a 1.0″ layer of poly foam. Poly foam provides faster response time and good cooling.
- The middle part of the comfort layer is 1.0″ of memory foam which is great for pressure relief, contouring, and better hug.
- The base of the comfort layer is either poly foam or microcoils.
Whether the base of the comfort layer is coils or foam depends on what part of the mattress you’re looking at.
At the head of the mattress, the Leesa Legend uses micro coils.
In the central part of the mattress, roughly waist to thigh, the Leesa Legend uses poly foam.
The Support Layer
The second layer of coil is larger and thicker than the micro coils above. They are pocketed coils, which allows them to provide pressure support on an individual basis, depending on how much pressure is applied within each zone.
The support of the Leesa Legend continues from the coils into a single 1.0″ layer of foam that sits at the base of the mattress. This foam is the firmest layer in the mattress and is designed to provide support to the layers above.
Product Evolution
Leesa, as a company, has been around since 2014, when they launched into the market with their first 10″ combo foam mattress.
While the Leesa Original mattress has had some minor changes over the years, the Leesa Legend mattress has been unchanged since its launch.
Other Mattresses to Consider
Still not sure if the Leesa Legend is the best pick for you? Check out these three other options for recommendations of similar mattresses.
For Savings
Leesa Sapira Hybrid
Combo Foam on a Budget
If you want a Leesa hybrid mattress type, but don’t want the expense of the Legend, check out the regular Leesa Sapira Hybrid. This mattress uses foam atop a single coil layer (instead of the micro coils), but the simpler design also means big savings at checkout.
For Organic
Birch
Organic Latex, Wool + Coils
The Birch hybrid is a good option if you want organic materials. This mattress has a very different feel than the Legend, with moderate sinkage and extremely high levels of bounce.
For Softer or Firmer Feel
Helix Midnight Luxe
The Helix Midnight Luxe is available in three different firmness levels—soft (4 out of 10), medium (6 out of 10), and firm (8 out of 10). These three options can be a nice pick if you don’t like the firmness of the Leesa Legend (5 out of 10), but still want a hybrid.
Frequently Asked Questions
For more info on the Leesa Legend, check out some of the top FAQs below and get the answers you’re looking for.
The cost of a Leesa mattress varies depending on what size you’re looking for. Here are the current prices for the Legend:
Twin: Not Available
Twin XL: $1,529
Full: $1,784
Queen: $1,954
King: $2,209
Cal. King: $2,209
*Note: Sales prices listed above are subject to change without notice.
The purchase of any Leesa mattress comes with a 100-night trial period, a lifetime warranty, and free shipping to your door. If you decide that the mattress isn’t right for you, they offer free returns. But instead of just returning and dumping it into a landfill, they donate mattresses in good condition to a child or family in need.
Yes. Leesa partners with retailers nationwide to allow sleepers to try out their mattresses, including West Elm, Macy’s Pottery Barn, and Sit ‘N Sleep. Here is a list of retailer locations.
Cleaning a Leesa 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.
