No matter who you are, what you do or where you live, there’s one thing we all have in common: a need for sleep. Especially during times of stress and hardship, it’s important to make sure you’re getting a good night’s sleep, and good sleep starts on the right mattress.
A lot has changed since last year’s “Best Mattresses of 2020.” Whatever your life may look like right now—whether it’s working from home, taking care of the kids full-time, or saving lives on the front lines—we’ve got a mattress for you. From the best firm mattress to the best memory foam mattress, here are our Sleep Expert™-approved, top-rated best mattresses of 2021.
Best Overall Mattress 2021
Serta Perfect Sleeper Charlotte 11.5” Medium Plush Euro Top
There’s a reason the Serta Charlotte Perfect Sleeper is one of Mattress Firm’s best-selling mattresses (it’s one of the most comfortable mattresses we’ve tested). This bed is designed with specialized foam and 825 Edition Custom Support Coil System for the stable, durable support your body needs. Thanks to its plush euro-top, the Charlotte provides the restorative sleep you’ve been dreaming of. Oh, and you can brag to your friends that you’re sleeping on the official mattress of the National Sleep Foundation.
Best Hybrid Mattress for Working From Home
Is your at-home desk setup no longer cutting it? Enter: the Beautyrest Hybrid Plush mattress. With the support of proprietary Pocketed Coil® Technology and the comfort of advanced memory foams, there’s no doubt as to why it’s ranked one of our best mattresses of 2021. Hybrid mattresses are popular because of their unique construction and combination of materials, and that’s precisely why they’re great for the work-from-home crew. A hybrid is one of the most comfortable mattresses to jump into after a long day, but it’s still supportive enough to sit on and work from without sinking in. And if a plush mattress is not your cup of tea, you’re in luck, because this mattress also comes in firm. Simply add an adjustable base and you’ll be ready to work from bed indefinitely (don’t worry, we won’t tell).
Best All-Foam Mattress for the Side Sleeper
Sleepy’s Snug 8” Plush Memory Foam
It’s plush, it’s snuggly, and it’s delivered conveniently in a box. It’s the Sleepy’s Snug Plush memory foam mattress, and it’s our pick for best all-foam mattress. Side sleepers will appreciate this bed’s gel memory foam and carbon-infused cooling technology because it adapts to the body’s curves and temperature, no matter what side you sleep on. There’s a reason it’s one of our best memory foam mattresses to date. Want even more of that sweet, sweet memory foam? Check out the Sleepy's Doze 10” Plush and Curve 12” Plush.
Best Firm Mattress for the Back Sleeper
Beautyrest PressureSmart 11.5” Firm
We’ve talked at length about the best mattresses for back sleepers. Our Sleep Experts™ agree that firm mattresses are the ideal choice for back sleepers. Spinal alignment and precise weight distribution are of utmost importance for people who sleep on their back, which is why the Beautyrest PressureSmart Firm is one of the best mattresses for back sleepers. With that said, we know that sleep is personal and so are your preferences. If you happen to be a back sleeper who prefers a more plush feel, don’t worry—the Beautyrest PressureSmart also comes in plush.
Best Luxury Mattress for the Detail Oriented
Stearns & Foster Estate Hurston 14” Luxury Cushion Firm
Known for their handcrafted beds since 1846, it’s no surprise that Stearns & Foster created one of the best luxury mattresses in the world. The IntelliCoil® support system allows for extra pressure relief, while its cushioned top is meticulously handcrafted with moisture-wicking fibers and supportive memory foam for cool and comfortable sleep all night long. It’s luxurious, it’s durable and—trust us—its high-quality, long-lasting comfort is the sleep solution you’ve been dreaming of.
Best Hybrid Mattress for the Binge Watcher
If the word “compromise” isn’t in your vocabulary, the Purple 3 Hybrid Premier is for you. Boasting the perfect balance of soft and firm, comfort and support, and fantasy and science, it’s no surprise that this unique bed made the cut for our Best Mattresses of 2021. This mattress features a three-inch Smart Comfort Grid™ gel layer for adaptive, cooling comfort and individually wrapped, responsive coils for reinforced support and durability. So whether you’re binge-watching your favorite shows or taking a power nap, this bed has your back through it all.
Best Cooling Mattress for the Hot Sleeper
TEMPUR-LUXEbreeze° 13" Soft Mattress
If your bed has you waking up hot and…extremely bothered, it’s time to say goodbye to your old mattress and hello to the TEMPUR-LUXEbreeze°. Next-level, all-night cooling meets maximum pressure relief in this cutting-edge mattress. With a 4-level system of cutting-edge cooling technology and Tempur-Pedic®’s very own proprietary foams, you’ll sleep deeper, cooler and longer. No wonder it’s the most highly recommended bed in America.* And if soft isn’t for you, you’re in luck, because the TEMPUR-LUXEbreeze° is also available in firm (overheated back sleepers, rejoice!).
Throughout our search for the best mattress of 2021, we consulted our Sleep Experts™, considered mattress ratings, read mattress reviews and everything in between. And what we learned is that finding the right mattress is a personal journey. The “best mattress” is the best mattress for you. The “most comfortable mattress” is the mattress that you find the most comfortable. Ready to find your best mattress? Try our online Mattress Matcher or find a store near you to try beds out in person. And if all else fails, just follow your heart (and your back, and your shoulders, and… you get it). You’ll be off to sleep in no time.
*Among traditional mattress brands based on 2017-2019 Tempur Sealy Brand Tracker Report.
