Sealy Icon Review

In This Review
Performance Tests | Firmness | Support & Sleeping Positions | Design | Materials | Comparisons | FAQs

At NapLab, we put each mattress to the test.

We test 10 different factors that impact the performance, comfort, and feel of the mattress. We then take the results of those tests and compare them to every mattress we’ve tested to date.

Check out the full performance table below to see how this mattress ranks:

Factor	Sealy Icon	Average
Overall Score	7.64	8.53
Price (Queen)	$600	$1,534 (Hybrid only)
Cooling – Score	8.0	8.6
Sinkage – Depth	1.96″	2.24″
Sinkage – Feel	Minimal	Moderate
Motion Transfer – Score	8.6	8.2
Motion Transfer – Acceleration	8.07 m/s²	8.78 m/s²
Response Time – Score	8.7	8.8
Response Time – Mostly Recovered	0.4 sec.	0.4 sec.
Response Time – Fully Recovered	0.8 sec.	1.0 sec.
Bounce – Height	11.11″	8.75″
Bounce – Feel	High	Moderate
Edge Support – Score	7.3	8.7
Edge Support – Sitting	5.00″	3.93″
Edge Support – Lying	Fair	Good
Sex – Score	8.8	8.2
Pressure Relief – Score	6.0	8.6
Comfort Layer Thickness	3.00″	4.30″
Mattress Thickness	12.50″	12.20″
Off-Gassing – Score	8.1	8.0
Off-Gassing – Smell	Strong	Strong
Off-Gassing – Days	7 days	7 days
Company – Score	6.6	8.8
Trial	0 nights	178 nights
Warranty	10 years	41% have lifetime warranties, average of other 59% of mattresses is 13 years

How is Sealy Icon Different?

The Sealy Icon is a 12.50″ hybrid mattress with an overall performance level that is significantly below the average performance level, but also a price tag that is lower than average as well.

Advantages

This mattress has less motion transfer than average and a better sex score (due to higher levels of bounce). These two factors alone make it an attractive mattress for couples.

Neutral Factors

This mattress has a minimal level of sinkage and high level of bounce. While both of these are neutral factors, not all sleepers will have the same preference in this area.

Disadvantages

Disadvantages of the Sealy Icon are numerous, including worse cooling, slightly slower material response time, worse edge support, and disappointing pressure relief.

The Icon only has a 3″ comfort layer, which 1.3″ thinner than the average comfort layer. The limited thickness combined with the disappointing material quality means there is much to be desired for comfort and pressure relief.

Lastly, the Sealy Icon is only available at Costco, which requires a $60 / year membership to join.

The Sealy Icon has good cooling. During our tests, I felt a slight level of heat retention around my body, but it was nothing extreme.

This mattress utilizes a hybrid design, with layers of foam on top of a coil unit. The coil unit brings airflow into the mattress and is simply less material that can easily absorb and retain heat.

That said, we do still have a 3.0” comfort layer with 1.0” of memory foam on top. That 1.0” memory foam layer is likely the biggest absorber of heat and is preventing better cooling performance.

Memory foam simply absorbs more heat than many other foam types.

• 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

Lastly, the foam quality here just isn’t great (we’ll explain more in the pressure relief section). Lower quality foams tend to absorb and retain more heat.

This combination of foam quality and memory foam top layer are inhibiting cooling performance.

In our objective temperature tests, we measured a max surface level temperature of 90.8° F. This is 0.8° warmer than the average of 90.0° F, based on all of our tests to date.

After getting off the mattress, the temperature declined by 5.0 degrees from minutes 0 to 1, which is 0.2 degrees cooler than the average 0 to 1 minute decline of 4.8 degrees.

When we consider the combination of objective data, my subjective experiences, and an analysis of the materials, I’m confident in my view that cooling is good.

The Sealy Icon has minimal sinkage. During our tests, we measured a pressure point sinkage depth of 1.96″. This is 0.28″ less sinkage than the average sinkage depth of 2.24″, based on all of our tests to date.

The level of sinkage is documented in the image below.

The mattress creates a balanced body contouring hug. This mattress uses a thin non-quilted cover that allows for more direct and pronounced engagement with the foam comfort layers below.

This design, in part, is driving the more noted body hug and comfort on the mattress. While there is a noteworthy hug, it isn’t super dramatic, like an all memory foam mattress can be.

Unlike other Sealy mattresses we’ve tested from Costco recently, this is a true hybrid mattress where you can really feel the hugging sensation of the comfort layers.

The Sealy Icon has a low level of motion transfer. During our tests, we measured a total acceleration range of 8.07 m/s². This is 8% less motion transfer than the average of 8.77 m/s².

Overall, I’m pleased with this level of motion transfer. Typically, we’d expect to see motion transfer slightly higher, especially given the price point and thinner-than-average comfort layers.

Despite these factors, the mattress kept motion transfer in check. In my view, the biggest factor helping to keep motion transfer lower is simply the 1.0” memory foam layer.

The level of motion transfer is also documented in the video below.

That layer has a more classic memory foam feel, which helps to absorb and disperse energy.

In our motion transfer chart, which visualizes our accelerometer data, we can see the highest motion peaks from 0 to 0.2 seconds. Motion drops off notably thereafter, but we do still see motion lingering for another 0.8 seconds.

By 1.03 seconds, we’ve returned to near-zero levels of energy, which is 0.15 seconds longer than the average motion duration of 0.88 seconds.

While the motion duration is a bit worse than average, motion intensity is slightly better than average. Overall, this is a low level of motion transfer and I don’t expect it will be an issue for most sleepers.

The Sealy Icon has a fast material response. In our mostly recovered test, we measured a recovery speed of 0.4 seconds, which is 0.01 seconds faster than the average of 0.41 seconds, based on all of our tests to date.

In our fully recovered responsiveness test, we measured a recovery speed of 0.8 seconds, which is 0.21 seconds faster than the average of 1.01 seconds. While these recovery speeds aren’t the absolute fastest we’ve tested, they aren’t slow either.

The level of responsiveness is documented in the video below.

The coil unit and poly foam layers are both rebounding back to shape effectively instantly. It’s only the memory foam layer that is slightly slower to reform back to its original shape.

Even so, overall material recovery speed is fast enough to facilitate good ease of movement and avoid any type of a stuck feeling on the mattress.

The Sealy Icon has a high level of bounce. During our tests, we measured a total bounce height of 11.11″. This is 2.37″ more bounce than the average of 8.74″, based on all of our tests to date.

The Icon creates more bounce primarily due to two major reasons. Firstly, the comfort layer is considerably thinner than average at only 3.0”. With less comfort foam in the way, the coil unit is able to deliver more bounce to the surface.

The second big reason is that we only have 1.0” of memory foam. Memory foam is a major detractor to bounce. However, with only 1.0”, there just isn’t enough to meaningfully reduce bounce. As a result, we have a 12.50” total profile with 11.50” of those inches facilitating higher bounce.

The level of bounce is also documented in the video below.

The higher bounce is beneficial for ease of movement and sex performance. However, it also has a negative impact on motion transfer.

The Sealy Icon has fair sitting edge support and fair lying edge support.

In our sitting edge support test, we measured a sitting sinkage compression of 5.00″. This is 1.07″ more sitting sinkage than the average of 3.93″, based on all of our tests to date.

The level of edge support while seated is documented in the images below.

While lying directly on the edge of the mattress, I felt that the support was fair in all sleeping positions. This mattress is equipped with reinforced edge support coils along the perimeter of the mattress. However, those coils don’t appear to be especially robust or supportive.

The level of edge support while lying is documented in the images below.

We measured significantly deeper than average sitting sinkage, while lying edge support also left much to be desired. In my view, the limited edge support is simply a product of the material quality.

Mattresses at this price point can often struggle to create ideal edge support. Overall, I’m not thrilled with edge support and I expect many sleepers will find it lacking.

The Sealy Icon has good sex performance. On the positive side, noise is low and bounce is very high. With 11.11” of total bounce height, that’s considerably more than average.

That extra bounce helps make sex on the mattress more engaging and less tiring. With a middling performance, we have cooling with a good, but not great, performance.

Lastly, we have pressure relief and edge support, both of which earned below-average scores.

Sex Factor	Factor Weight	Score	Rating
Bounce	65%	9.4	Very High
Edge Support	20%	7.5	Fair
Noise	5%	10	Minimal
Pressure Relief	5%	6.0	Mediocre
Cooling	5%	8.0	Good

Edge support in particular is a major issue. The limited edge support simply limits the usable surface area for amorous activities.

The overall sex score is still good, primarily due to the high bounce, though it’s clear there is also room for improvement.

The Sealy Icon has a mediocre level of pressure relief. During our tests, I felt notable pressure points on my body and, in general, found the mattress uncomfortable.

The mattress is equipped with 3.0″ of comfort material, which is 1.29″ less comfort material than the average comfort layer thickness of 4.29″, based on all of our tests to date.

In our tests, we unzipped and cut the mattress open to examine the layers. Overall, I found the quality to be extremely disappointing. There is a notable “crunchiness” to these foams, which is typically something we only see in foams that are dried out and at the end of their useful life.

Just running a finger across the foams, you can feel and hear how dry they are. To be fair, the 1.0” memory foam layer does feel better than the other 2.0” poly foam layer. Even so, I wouldn’t describe any of these as high-quality foams.

My fear with foams at this quality level simply comes down to sagging and body impressions. While the mattress feels fine on day 1, I fear that this mattress is likely to more quickly develop sagging and body impressions, which will negatively impact pressure relief and support.

In our objective pressure mapping tests, we measured a max PSI of 0.66. This is well within the 1.0 PSI threshold that I ideally want to see.

Pressure Relief (PSI)	Average	Maximum
Side Sleepers	0.11	0.41

Pressure Relief (PSI)	Average	Maximum
Back Sleepers	0.08	0.66

Pressure Relief (PSI)	Average	Maximum
Stomach Sleepers	0.07	0.52

When I consider our objective pressure mapping tests, material thickness, material quality, and my subjective experience on the mattress, I’m confident most sleepers will find the pressure relief to be mediocre.

The Sealy Icon had a strong smell upon the initial unboxing. The mattress smelled for 7 days. This is 0.2 days shorter than the average smell duration of 7.2 days.

The Sealy Icon does not come with any trial period, however it is backed by a 10-year warranty. Shipping and returns are both free.

Company Factor	Factor Weight	Score	Data
Returns	40%	10	$0
Trial Period	30%	0	0 nights
Warranty	20%	8.0	10 years
Shipping	10%	10	$0
Country of Origin	0%		USA

Costco mattresses are backed by a “100% Satisfaction Guarantee,” meaning you can return the mattress after any amount of time and for any reason. The only caveat is that the mattresses must be clean and free of any bed bugs. Dirty mattresses will not be accepted for return.

All that said, this is not the same as a trial period. Sealy does not provide a trial period separate from Costco and in our chats with Costco customer service they made it clear that Costco does not provide any trial period for their mattresses.

Comparing 106+ brands tested to date, the average trial period is 173 nights and the average warranty is 13 years, 3 years more than the Sealy Icon mattress. Additionally, 41% of mattresses offer lifetime warranties, a significant jump over the Icon.

The Sealy Icon is available in a single firmness, which Sealy calls medium. I would rate this mattress at a medium-firm feel, 6 out of 10, and slightly firmer than Sealy’s self-rating.

Sleepers looking for a good balance of firmness and pressure relief are likely to enjoy this firmness.

Support on the Sealy Icon is mediocre. During our tests, I felt well supported, but I also felt uncomfortable due to insufficient pressure relief, which made it hard to stay supported in the same position on the mattress.

Support Factor	Data
Comfort Layer	3.00″
Support Layer	9.50″
Firmness	Medium-Firm
Body Contour	Balanced
Zoned Support	No
Reinforced Edge	Yes

For a mattress to create ideal support, it needs to be both supportive, keeping the spine in a neutral alignment, while also alleviating pressure and creating sufficient comfort. In my view, the lack of comfort compounds into a support issue, as I simply wasn’t able to lie comfortably on the mattress for any extended period of time.

The mattress is equipped with a 9.5″ support layer. This is 1.59″ thicker than the average support layer thickness of 7.91″, based on all of our tests to date.

This mattress has a medium-firm feel, which supports most body types and sleeping positions well. There are 968 coils in the Queen size.

Check out the table below to see the sleeper weights and sleeping positions that would be best suited for this mattress.

Sleeper Weight	Stomach Sleeper	Side Sleeper	Back Sleeper
Under 150 lbs.	Yes	Yes	Yes
150-250 lbs.	Yes	Yes	Yes
250-300 lbs.	Yes	Yes	Yes

Lastly, this mattress does not utilize zoned support. It has a consistent firmness and support from head to foot.

Based on all of my tests to date, an analysis of the materials, and my subjective experiences, I’m confident that most sleepers will find support on the Sealy Icon to be mediocre.

The Sealy Icon is a 12.50″ hybrid mattress that comes in a single firmness option that Sealy calls a “medium”, however, in our tests we found it to be a medium-firm feel (6 out of 10 firmness). It is designed as a budget-friendly hybrid option priced significantly under $1K, making it one of the lowest-priced hybrids we’ve tested to date.

Design Factor	Data
Type	Hybrid
Thickness	12.50″
Cover Type	Thin
Weight	93 lbs.
Has Handles	Yes
Fiberglass-Free	No
Ships in a Box	Yes

The Sealy Icon is 12.50″ thick and contains a combination of foam and coils. From top to bottom, here is a full list of the materials used in this mattress:

Layer Type	Thickness	Layer Specs
Memory Foam	1.00″	Not Available
Poly Foam	2.00″	Not Available
Pocketed Coils	8.00″	Not Available
Support Foam	1.50″	Not Available

The Sealy Icon has a thin cover. It is soft and stretchy with a reinforced fabric used on the sides of the mattress. There are also handles designed into the sides, which make it easier to rotate the mattress for longevity.

According to Sealy, the cover fabric contains “SealyChill Fibers” for a cooler feel, but as our cooling test noted, this mattress did not excel in cooling performance.

The comfort layer is 3.00″ thick and made of two layers of foam. Directly below the cover, there is a 1.0″ memory foam top layer followed by a 2.0″ poly foam. Together, this provides a 3.0″ comfort layer, which is 1.30″ thinner than average.

If you’re especially concerned with pressure relief, I would recommend a mattress with a thicker comfort layer and higher-quality materials.

While comfort layer thickness is not the only indicator of good pressure relief, it is a good indicator, especially when considered alongside with material quality.

The support layer is 9.50″ thick and made of an 8.0″ pocketed coil system followed by a 1.5″ support foam base.

The edge of the mattress is reinforced for better edge support (although edge support is still disappointing, even with this design). Coils are not zoned throughout the body of the mattress. Instead we have a consistent firmness and support from head to foot.

Product Evolution

The Sealy Icon was launched in 2025, and since its release, there have been no major changes made to the design of the mattress.

The Icon is part of Sealy’s revamped mattress collection for Costco. The new Sealy Costco series includes:

• Sealy Posturepedic Plus Prosser Hills
• Sealy Posturepedic Pro Highland Manor
• Sealy Posturepedic Pro Lincoln Heights
• Sealy Icon (this review)

These 4 mattresses replaced the now-discontinued Sealy lineup from Costco, which included:

• Sealy Plus RidgeCrest II
• Sealy Posturepedic Carver
• Sealy Posturepedic Plus Mount Auburn

Other Mattresses to Consider

Not sure if the Sealy Icon is the right pick for you? Check out these three other top-rated hybrid mattresses under $800 for alternatives you may want to consider.

Frequently Asked Questions

Still have questions? Check out some of the top FAQs on the Sealy Icon mattress below and get the answers you’re looking for.