The Best Mattresses in a Box of 2023

Casper is well known for helping the mattress-in-a-box industry hit the mainstream, and it's the most commonly purchased online brand by our survey panel. This model is entirely foam on the inside so it weighs less and costs less than many hybrid models, helping it earn the top spot on our list. The brand offers several different mattresses at varying price points, but this is the most popular and the one we think offers the best bang for your buck.

Even though this model is the "original" from Casper, it still has undergone some updates along the way to improve breathability, support and alignment. And because it's available at popular retailers like Amazon, you can expect to have it arrive at your door within days.

What it's made of: A stretchy knit cover that's made from recycled water bottles, a layer of Casper's signature AirScape (foam with thousands of small perforations throughout for increased breathability), memory foam with zoned support (meaning it's softer under your shoulders and firmer under your lower back and hips for proper spine alignment) and supportive base foam to prevent sinking and sagging.

Tester notes: Over 100 reviewers told us they love their Casper mattress, especially highlighting the price, ease of buying, good support and overall comfort. One user even told us, "It's the best one I've ever owned," while another explained liking it because "it conforms to your body." Users also had great experiences working with the brand's customer service, with no major issues to report.

Allswell's mattress is packed with features, but it's also one of the most affordable brands in our roundup. Despite the cheap price tag well under $1,000, it stands out for its exceptional performance, according to our panel. It's a hybrid mattress made with a mix of memory foam, coils and a pillowtop to offer a balance of comfort, pressure relief and support.

If you're looking to save even more, the brand also has a 10-inch hybrid mattress that'. It has fewer features (there's less edge support and no cooling aspects), but reviewers told us it's comfortable and they're happy with it.

What it's made of: A quilted top panel with plush foam, 2 inches of memory foam that is infused with cooling copper to prevent overheating, 1 inch of high-density foam for support and individual coils that help you move and provide more airflow.

Tester notes: Our panel agreed this mattress was worth the price and several even said it got rid of their neck and back pain. Users also told us the ordering process was smooth, delivery was quick and setup was easy. Besides its convenience, one tester told us, "It feels like sleeping on a real, plush hotel mattress, but at a fraction of the price."

READ OUR FULL REVIEW: The Allswell Luxe Hybrid is the Best Budget Mattress

Most Tempur-Pedic mattresses cost over $3,000 and require in-home setup, but this Tempur-Cloud model is a compressed version that ships via UPS to your front door. It still uses the brand's signature Tempur material, which is a high-quality foam that conforms to your shape and reduces motion transfer.

It's pricier than other boxed mattresses, but you can take 30% off using code CLOUD30. On top of that, the impressive material is known for its superior pressure relief — it was initially developed by NASA to absorb the g-force of astronauts in space. The brand says that while it may feel a little firm when you first lie down on it, it'll slowly adapt to your body to feel like a personalized fit. It also comes in a hybrid version with coils, but our testers tend to prefer the all-foam Tempur-Pedic mattresses.

What it's made of: A stretchy outer cover with built-in breathability and airflow, a layer of cushioning foam at the top, a layer of support foam that conforms to your shape and durable base foam for long-term support.

Tester notes: Users gave it high scores across the board, especially for comfort, support and overall sleep quality. One told us, "I feel like my entire body is supported in a very gentle way," while others who have owned it for years have been amazed at how well it's held up. Plus, a tester that slept on a more traditional mattress-in-a-box before this one said, "It was definitely a major upgrade."

READ OUR FULL REVIEW: Tempur-Cloud Mattress Review: Tempur-Pedic's First Mattress-in-a-Box

This best-selling low-cost mattress is a total steal for under $300 and is highly rated by our tester panel, making it a perfect choice for anyone on a budget. It has a low profile and won't feel as luxurious as the other models in this article, but it's convenient to buy with quick shipping and an easy setup.

While this 8-inch mattress is the firmest and least expensive, it's also available in two other versions with more foam: A 10-inch model with medium firmness and a 12-inch model that feels plusher. These taller versions are both still under $400.

What it's made of: A soft knit cover with a quilted layer of memory foam, a 1.5-inch layer of memory foam for a comfortable surface and a base of 6-inch steel springs for durability.

Tester notes: Dozens of users told us it was incredibly easy to order and set up, plus they unanimously agreed it was well worth the price. Some noted that it seemed a bit thin, but otherwise there were no major complaints. One user summarized her experience by saying, "You won't find a better mattress for the price. The company is awesome, the mattress arrived two days after I placed the order and was in perfect condition! Opening the mattress was easy and took less than five minutes until I had it on the bed frame."

This no-frills mattress has a basic design yet is surprisingly comfortable and convenient. Because it's available on Amazon Prime, it has speedy delivery and you know exactly which day it'll show up at the time of ordering. This reliability is an important consideration given all of the production and shipping delays in the mattress industry right now. It's a simple model made with two layers of memory foam inside.

The brand highlights its T&N Adaptive Foam technology that's resilient and contouring, yet still supportive. It also uses graphite and gel in its foams to pull body heat, which can help prevent the overheating that typically comes from memory foam. And while this model is the most popular, Tuft & Needle also has an even more affordable 8-inch option as an Amazon exclusive, along with two more expensive options that have added features.

What it's made of: A knit outer cover that feels soft and smooth, softer cushioning foam on top for cradling comfort and firmer foam on the bottom for support.

Tester notes: This mattress received a lot of praise in areas like comfort and support, and it stood out among our panel for its motion isolation: Users told us they couldn't feel their sleeping partners move around throughout the night. They also raved that it feels supportive and firm. One survey respondent highlighted, "My Tuft & Needle mattress is so much more comfortable than any mattress I've ever had in the past." The main complaint here is that the edges lack support, so if you're sitting on the side it may sag.

Most mattresses-in-a-box are made with memory foam, but this organic mattress uses latex which creates a firmer feel. In fact, Avocado says it's a 7 on a firmness scale of 1 to 10, which is among the firmest you can find for boxed beds. The bed is also certified organic by the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) and the Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS).

Its firmness makes it most suitable for back and stomach sleepers, or for heavier sleepers that need a firmer surface to prevent sinking. This is particularly due to the fact that you don't get the sinking sensation from latex that's common among foam mattresses. If you're a side sleeper or prefer a softer feel, you can add a plush latex pillowtop for an added cost. Avocado also offers a lower-priced organic mattress that's 10 inches and has a 5/10 firmness rating.

What it's made of: An organic cotton outer cover that's button-tufted (so there are no synthetic adhesives), a layer of organic wool (which is naturally temperature-regulating), organic latex (for comfort and resilience; latex is a natural foam that's sourced from the rubber tree), pocketed coils (for support) that are ergonomically laid out for proper alignment with added edge support so it won't sink at the sides and a bottom layer of supportive organic latex.

Tester notes: Our panelists rave about the Avocado brand in general, especially for its customer service and for being sustainable without sacrificing comfort or quality. Users of this particular model say they love sleeping on it and note that it keeps their body weight evenly distributed. "I like that it's made of organic and natural materials, that it's extremely comfortable and that it's held up even after years," raved one of our reviewers.

This brand stands out for its grid-shaped elastic material in the top layer with its unique feel that's squishy yet firm, designed to provide both support and pressure relief. Below the grid is simply memory foam in this original model.

Purple also offers hybrid models with foam and coils for added support and airflow, but they're pricier and heavier. It's worth noting that the original model is still particularly heavy (a Queen weighs 110 pounds).

What it's made of: A soft knit cover that purposely doesn't have any fillers so you can feel the elastic layer, 2 inches of the GelFlex Grid for pressure relief and spine alignment and two layers of foam for the base.

Tester notes: Our panel describes it as the perfect combination of soft and firm, and users say they can't feel their sleeping partners move during the night. Reviewers also praised its comfort by telling us it feels like "sleeping on air" and "like floating in every sleeping position." Just note: Unlike other models that can arrive within days, some told us their Purple mattress delivery took longer than expected.

The best mattresses for people with back pain typically have a medium firmness level and memory foam layers for pressure relief and to help promote alignment for side sleeping. Nolah's luxurious boxed hybrid is made with many layers for comfort and support.

It comes in three firmness levels, but Luxury Firm will feel the closest to a "medium" option for those with back pain. Just note that this mattress-in-a-box is taller and heavier than others, so it'll be more difficult to set up. If you prefer, you can have it set up for you for an extra $125.

What it's made of: A cover with a cool-to-the-touch feel on top, handles on the side and a non-skid bottom so the mattress doesn't shift. Layers include 2 inches of foam with cooling properties inside a quilted topper, a 2-inch "heat escape gusset" (a border that helps draw excess heat away from the mattress), another 2-inch layer of foam (this one for pressure relief and comfort infused with graphite to prevent overheating), 2 inches of resilience foam for support, 1 inch of high-density foam for durability and to act as a transition layer and a supportive coil system with added edge support with a bottom layer of cotton and wool to increase stability.

Tester notes: It earned perfect scores for comfort and reviewers with back pain all told us it actually eased their discomfort. One tester told us, "I used to wake up with sciatic pain every morning, and it went away within the first week of using this mattress." Another user with pregnancy-related hip pain said the bed "saved" her and noted, "it helped me sleep really well."

Side sleeper mattresses should be softer to avoid putting strain on pressure points, like your shoulders and hips. If your mattress is too firm, you risk having poor alignment when you sleep. Puffy's hybrid stands out for feeling luxurious and plush without being too soft and also provides good support while conforming to your pressure points.

What it's made of: A layer of foam that's infused with gel for a cooling feel, a layer of pressure-relief foam, a layer of foam with wicking capabilities to reduce moisture, a contouring coil system with foam edges for support and a grip base to prevent any mattress shifting.

Tester notes: Testers describe lying on this mattress as feeling like they're sleeping on a cloud, but they still give it high marks for support. One even told us, "I am able to sleep more deeply on it," while others note that it has gotten rid of aches and pains they had from firmer innerspring beds. Users also like that it's not too soft, saying it keeps its shape without sagging under their weight.

A happy medium for sleeping partners with different preferences, Helix's mattress isn't too firm or too soft. Besides couples, it's also ideal for back sleepers or combination sleepers that need a true medium feel firmness level. It also stands out for being a hybrid that combines foam and coils, using a moisture-wicking cover for hot sleepers and having zoned sections for more support and pressure relief where you need it.

Helix offers a wide range of mattresses, and you can take the brand's sleep quiz if you need help picking out the best one for your needs. Its most popular model is the Midnight Mattress, but the Dusk Luxe earned better scores from our reviewers.

What it's made of: A pillowtop and a layer of cushioning foam for comfort, a layer of high-density memory foam for pressure relief, a transitioning layer of support foam, a zoned coil section to promote alignment and provide edge support and a dense base foam for durability.

Tester notes: Our reviewers liked that this model had good edge support and a contouring feel without sinking in. Testers gave it high scores for comfort, support and sleep quality. They especially liked that it felt supportive in multiple sleep positions. As one tester pointed out, "It's a good mix for me (a side sleeper) and my partner (a back sleeper)."

Most affordable and lightweight boxed mattresses have minimal layers and are primarily foam, but for an upgraded feel you can opt for a hybrid model with several layers of foam on top of coils. Bear's model is relatively newer and has been blowing our testers away with its indulgent comfort. It has an ergonomic layout with five zones to promote spine alignment, and each zone varies in pressure relief and support.

What it's made of: A quilted cover with phase change material for temperature regulation, a foam top layer that's infused with copper to draw in heat, a zoned foam layer with contoured cutouts to target specific pressure points, a layer of individual coils for support, reinforced coils around the border for edge support and a bottom layer of high density foam for durability.

Tester notes: It's a newer model so we don't have long-term feedback on it just yet, but users that have had it for a year at this point give it high scores across the board and say it's the most comfortable bed they've ever slept on. In fact, our reviewers find that it has led to better sleep, with one telling us, "This is undoubtedly the best mattress we have ever owned. We have traveled all over and have never had the sleep experience we now have every night."

Unsure if you need a soft or firm option? This foam style gives you both: Just flip the mattress to change the support level. Layla describes the soft layer as a four out of 10 and the firm layer as a seven out of 10, so neither side is too extreme. It's ideal if your needs may change over time, or if you're simply unsure which firmness level to choose.

What it's made of: An outer cover that's infused with copper to draw body heat away, three inches of soft foam for a plush feel infused with copper and gel for an added cooling benefit, two inches of supportive foam with built-in channels for airflow, a thick layer of supportive foam that provides durability while reducing bounce and motion transfer and one inch of firm foam for the firm side infused with copper and gel to prevent overheating.

Tester notes: Most reviewers said they love the mattress and gave it high ratings for support. Some specifically called out how nicely it conformed to their bodies and said they found it to be ideal for side sleepers. One user even commented, "I wish we had tried this one sooner." Just note that even though it has some cooling properties built in, there were mixed reviews from our panel about whether it actually affects body temperature.