Sonu Mattress 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	Sonu	Average
Overall Score	9.02	8.51
Price (Queen)	$2,599	$2,349 (Specialty only)
Cooling – Score	9.0	8.6
Sinkage – Depth	1.98″	2.25″
Sinkage – Feel	Minimal	Moderate
Motion Transfer – Score	8.8	8.2
Motion Transfer – Acceleration	7.61 m/s²	8.81 m/s²
Response Time – Score	10	8.8
Response Time – Mostly Recovered	0.2 sec.	0.4 sec.
Response Time – Fully Recovered	0.3 sec.	1.0 sec.
Bounce – Height	7.91″	8.71″
Bounce – Feel	Low	Moderate
Edge Support – Score	8.6	8.7
Edge Support – Sitting	4.50″	3.87″
Edge Support – Lying	Excellent	Good
Sex – Score	7.9	8.2
Pressure Relief – Score	10	8.5
Comfort Layer Thickness	6.00″	4.30″
Mattress Thickness	14.00″	12.21″
Off-Gassing – Score	9.4	8.0
Off-Gassing – Smell	Strong	Strong
Off-Gassing – Days	2 days	7 days
Company – Score	7.8	8.9
Trial	100 nights	193 nights
Warranty	10 years	41% have lifetime warranties, average of other 59% of mattresses is 13 years

How is Sonu Different?

The Sonu is a 14.00″ specialty mattress with an overall performance level that is better than average and a price that is also slightly higher than the average specialty mattress.

This price is significantly higher than the average hybrid mattress, but it’s also quite a bit more specialized.

Advantages

Advantages of the Sonu include better cooling performance, lower levels of motion transfer, and faster material response time.

Neutral Factors

This mattress has minimal sinkage and low levels of bounce. Both sinkage and bounce are considered neutral factors since different sleepers will have different preferences in those areas.

Edge support is also a bit of a neutral factor since the support on the Sonu is near-average.

Disadvantages

The biggest disadvantage of the Sonu is a below-average sex score. For couples who prioritize sex performance, the low bounce of the Sonu will be less-than-great.

I could also imagine the comfort channel being a disadvantage for sleepers who do not sleep on their side. This is a unique approach that I have not tested on other mattresses to date. In my view, the Sonu is best for those who sleep primarily on their side.

The Sonu has excellent cooling. During our tests, I did not feel any significant level of heat retention around my body.

This mattress utilizes a more novel design with the comfort channel for side sleeper arms. However, it is still fundamentally a hybrid mattress.

The inclusion of coils brings more airflow into the mattress, which helps improve cooling. In addition, the Sonu is equipped with a cooling cover that uses phase change materials (PCMs).

PCMs help maintain a consistent and cooler temperature. During our tests, I did find that the cover created a cool-to-the-touch feel; however, it was only a slight cooling feeling. The mattress felt cooler initially upon lying down, but it was not able to maintain that same initial cooler feel for the duration of the cooling tests.

• 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

In our objective temperature tests, we measured a max surface level temperature of 91.1° F. This is 0.9° warmer than the average of 90.2° F, based on all of our tests to date.

After getting off the mattress, the temperature declined by 4.8 degrees from minutes 0 to 1, which is the same as 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 excellent.

The Sonu has minimal sinkage. During our tests, we measured a pressure point sinkage depth of 1.98″. This is 0.26″ 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 hybrid support layer topped with 6.0” of poly foam comfort layers.

The poly foams create a more balanced, less-polarizing feel that many types of sleepers can enjoy. The biggest sinkage and feel factor is simply the recessed area for side sleepers to place their arms.

While designed with side sleepers in mind, this comfort channel also works well for stomach sleepers.

Getting your arms tucked away helps improve pressure relief and comfort while maintaining a minimal to moderate level of sinkage for the body.

The Sonu has a low level of motion transfer. During our tests, we measured a total acceleration range of 7.61 m/s². This is 14% less motion transfer than the average of 8.82 m/s².

The better-than-average motion transfer performance can primarily be attributed to the thick comfort layer. The comfort layer is 6.0” thick, which is considerably thicker than the average comfort layer. All of that extra foam material is helping to absorb and disperse energy, thereby reducing motion transfer.

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

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.

By 0.88 seconds, we’ve returned to near-zero levels of energy, which is 0.01 seconds shorter than the average motion duration of 0.89 seconds.

The combination of notably lower than average motion intensity with slightly faster than average motion duration is able to deliver sufficiently low enough motion that I expect most sleepers will find satisfactory.

The Sonu has an extremely fast material response. In our mostly recovered test, we measured a recovery speed of 0.2 seconds, which is 0.22 seconds faster than the average of 0.42 seconds, based on all of our tests to date.

In our fully recovered responsiveness test, we measured a recovery speed of 0.3 seconds, which is 0.72 seconds faster than the average of 1.02 seconds.

The level of responsiveness is documented in the video below.

This is effectively an instant material recovery speed. A faster response time ensures you’ll never feel stuck on the mattress, and it’s easy to move around, change positions, and get in and out of bed.

The Sonu has a low level of bounce. During our tests, we measured a total bounce height of 7.91″. This is 0.80″ less bounce than the average of 8.71″, based on all of our tests to date.

The Sonu is equipped with 6.00” of poly foam comfort layers. While those layers help to create great comfort and support, they are also responsible for the below-average level of bounce.

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

Less bounce can negatively impact ease of movement and also is detrimental to sex performance. Even so, a lower bounce helps to reduce motion transfer and is a major reason why we measured a below average level of motion on the Sonu.

The Sonu has good sitting edge support and excellent lying edge support.

In our sitting edge support test, we measured a sitting sinkage compression of 4.50″. This is 0.63″ more sitting sinkage than the average of 3.87″, 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 excellent in all sleeping positions.

Notably, the Sonu utilizes an edge support foam that runs across the entire perimeter of the mattress. However, this edge foam is fairly thin, being just 1.75” wide. We typically see the best-performing edge support foams measure 3-4” wide.

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

Absolutely, having some type of reinforced edge foam is better than nothing, but I also think it’s fair to say that the thinner edge support is creating edge support that is good, but not amazing.

The Sonu has fair sex performance. First, let’s talk through the positives, which include minimal noise, excellent pressure relief and cooling, and good sitting edge sinkage.

In our sitting edge tests, we measured 4.50” of sitting edge sinkage. At this level, it’s certainly not amazing, but still sufficiently strong enough that we’d call it good edge support. The one area where performance really lacks is bounce.

In our bounce tests, we measured a total bounce height of 7.91”. This is less bounce than average.

When it comes to sex, more bounce is almost always better. The more limited bounce simply makes it a bit more strenuous and tiring to have sex on this mattress compared to mattresses with more bounce.

Sex Factor	Factor Weight	Score	Rating
Bounce	65%	7.4	Moderate
Edge Support	20%	8.1	Good
Noise	5%	10	Minimal
Pressure Relief	5%	10	Outstanding
Cooling	5%	9.0	Excellent

Lastly, we should discuss the comfort channel where your arms go while sleeping on your side. It’s debatable if this recessed area in the mattress would be a benefit or a negative for amorous activities. On the negative side, there’s simply less space for you and your partner on the mattress.

On the positive side, the unique channel configuration may enable more adventurous couples to explore a wider range of uncommon intimate configurations. On balance, I would say the comfort channel is more of a positive for sex than a negative.

The Sonu has an outstanding level of pressure relief. During our tests, I felt no significant pressure points on my body.

The mattress is equipped with 6.0″ of comfort material, which is 1.7″ more comfort material than the average comfort layer thickness of 4.3″, based on all of our tests to date.

In all mattress tests, we make it a point to cut the mattress open to examine the foam layers. Overall, I’m pleased with what I see. The foams look and feel good quality, both on the body and in-hand.

Certainly, the most significant pressure-relieving attribute is the novel design aimed at side sleepers.

Being able to place your arms into the mattress and under the body reduces pressure on the shoulders, while also bringing the body into a more neutral alignment, thereby reducing pressure along the hips, spine, and body at large.

For side and stomach sleepers, I believe this novel design is what elevates the pressure relief to an outstanding level.

That said, for back sleepers, I would say it’s not quite as amazing, but it still earns an excellent pressure relief rating. In our objective pressure mapping tests, we measured a max PSI of 0.46. This is well within the 1.0 PSI I ideally want to see.

Pressure Relief (PSI)	Average	Maximum
Side Sleepers	0.10	0.44

Pressure Relief (PSI)	Average	Maximum
Back Sleepers	0.06	0.37

Pressure Relief (PSI)	Average	Maximum
Stomach Sleepers	0.07	0.46

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 outstanding.

The Sonu had a strong smell upon the initial unboxing. The mattress smelled for 2 days. This is 5.3 days shorter than the average smell duration of 7.3 days.

Sonu mattresses come with a 100-night trial period and a 10-year warranty. Shipping is free, but returns are $99 if you need to return the mattress.

Company Factor	Factor Weight	Score	Data
Returns	40%	7.0	$99
Trial Period	30%	8.0	100 nights
Warranty	20%	8.0	10 years
Shipping	10%	10	$0
Country of Origin	0%		USA

Comparing 113+ brands tested to date, the average trial period is 193 nights, 93 nights more than Sonu offers.

The average warranty is 13 years, which is 3 years more than that of this mattress. This average would apply to 59% of all mattresses that I’ve tested. All 41% of the other tested mattresses offer lifetime warranties.

The Sonu mattress is available in 3 firmness options, which they call Plush, Hybrid, and Firm. In this review, I tested the Hybrid version.

Hybrid Version

Despite the odd naming convention, the “Hybrid” version is their medium-firm option that we rate at a 6 out of 10.

Plush Version

We didn’t test the Plush version, that said I would estimate its firmness as soft, with a 4 out of 10 rating, where 10 is the most firm

Firm Version

For the Firm option, I would estimate it has a firm feel, with an 8 out of 10 rating.

Notably, the Plush and Firm options use all-foam constructions, so the medium-firm “Hybrid” version is the only one with a coil unit.

Support on the Sonu is outstanding. During our tests, I felt well supported in all sleeping positions, but felt that support on my side and stomach was especially good.

Support Factor	Data
Comfort Layer	6.00″
Support Layer	8.00″
Firmness	Soft, Medium-Firm, and Firm
Body Contour	Balanced
Zoned Support	Yes
Reinforced Edge	Yes

The mattress is equipped with an 8.0″ support layer. This is 0.1″ thicker than the average support layer thickness of 7.9″, based on all of our tests to date. The mattress is available in 3 firmness levels, including plush, hybrid (which is what we tested for this review), and firm.

The vast majority of sleepers will feel best supported by the hybrid version, which has a medium-firm feel.

If you prefer less sinkage and/or you weigh more, you may prefer the firm. By the same token, if you prefer more sinkage and/or you weigh less, you may prefer the plush. That said, most sleepers should go with the hybrid.

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

Sonu – Plush Version

Sleeper Weight	Stomach Sleeper	Side Sleeper	Back Sleeper
Under 150 lbs.	No	Yes	No
150-250 lbs.	No	Yes	No
250-300 lbs.	No	Maybe	No

Sonu – Hybrid Version

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

Sonu – Firm Version

Sleeper Weight	Stomach Sleeper	Side Sleeper	Back Sleeper
Under 150 lbs.	Maybe	No	Maybe
150-250 lbs.	Maybe	Maybe	Maybe
250-300 lbs.	Yes	Yes	Yes

Certainly, it’s true that any sleeping position could use this mattress. But that being said, it is specifically designed for side sleepers.

Given the high cost, in my view, this mattress is best for those who spend the vast majority of the night sleeping on their side. If you mostly sleep on your back or stomach, you’re just not going to be as well served by this mattress as you would if you sleep on your side.

Lastly, this mattress does use zoned support. Specifically, the shoulder area is zoned with reinforcing material layers. That said, I’m not sure this is intentional zoning or rather intentional reinforcement of the comfort channel.

I would guess that without these reinforcing foams, the comfort channel might collapse in on itself. In any case, whether intentional support zoning or not, it does create a firmer, more supportive zone for the shoulder / torso area of the body.

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 Sonu is outstanding.

The Sonu is a 14.00″ specialty mattress that comes in three firmness options—Soft, Medium-Firm (aka hybrid), and Firm. It was designed specifically for side sleepers looking for pressure relief when sleeping with direct pressure on the shoulder.

Design Factor	Data
Type	Specialty
Thickness	14.00″
Cover Type	Thin
Weight	93 lbs.
Has Handles	No
Fiberglass-Free	Yes
Ships in a Box	Yes

At 14″ thick, the Sonu is thicker than the average mattress, and it has a thin cover. It arrives shipped in a box, just as most other online mattresses are, despite the specialty design.

The Sonu is 14.00″ thick and contains a combination of poly foam, coils, and support foam. From top to bottom, here is a full list of the materials used in this mattress:

Layer Type	Thickness	Layer Specs
Poly Foam	2.00″	Not Available
Poly Foam	4.00″	Not Available
Pocketed Coils (Interior), Poly Foam (Edge)	6.00″	Not Available
Support Foam	2.00″	Not Available

The Sonu has a thin, non-quilted cover. It is light gray on the top with a darker gray used for the bottom portion of the side panels.

The comfort layer is 6.00″ thick and made of top layers of poly foam. Directly below the thin cover is a 2.0″ poly foam (white foam) followed by a 4.0″ poly foam (blue foam).

Focusing specifically on the comfort channel, this void is technically a part of the comfort layer as well. The void allows for sleepers with different profiles and preferences to use the channel is a way that works for their specific needs.

These layers (materials + void) work together to provide a more dynamic comfort system with transitional support as sleeper engage more deeply with into the body of the mattress.

The support layer is 8.00″ thick and made of a 6.0″ pocketed coil system followed by a 2.0″ support foam base.

Product Evolution

The Sonu mattress was released in 2023. There does not appear to be have been any major design or material changes since its initial launch.

Other Mattresses to Consider

Not sure if the Sonu is the right pick for you? Check out these three other top-rated hybrid mattresses for alternatives for side sleepers who don’t need the comfort channel.

Frequently Asked Questions

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