The 7 Best Mattress in a Box Picks of 2023, According to Sleep Experts
Updated: Dec. 13, 2023
A mattress is an important purchase (you spend about a third of your life in bed!), but choosing the best mattress in a box has never been easier thanks to these online brands.
Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. We may earn a commission from your purchases.
What is a mattress in a box?
We’re used to getting practically everything delivered right to our doorstep these days, so why not add the best mattresses to the category of on-demand goods? Before you can find the best mattress in a box, you should know what to expect. When you order a mattress online—whether it’s a memory foam mattress, twin mattress, organic mattress, queen mattress, king mattress, cooling mattress or hybrid mattress—it will arrive compressed, air sealed and rolled into a box about the size of a mini fridge, which makes it easier to maneuver and transport. Once you pull out the packaging, unroll it, and lay it flat, it will gradually expand (it usually takes about 72 hours).
There are many advantages to buying beds online, and convenience is a top incentive. The ability to shop at home makes it easier to compare different brands, models and features. There’s also more price transparency (and no need to haggle with salespeople). Victoria Wildhorn, a sleep health specialist at Mattress Clarity, notes that these direct-to-consumer brands are often more affordable: Shopping online cuts out the cost of the middle man, plus there are always coupons, discounts and seasonal sales available for some of the best cheap mattress options around.
Just be wary of deals that seem too good to be true. “You get what you pay for,” says Robert Pagano, co-founder of Sleepline, a mattress review website. “Price should not solely dictate your purchase decision. Just because a mattress is expensive doesn’t necessarily mean that it will be comfortable.” It’s better to invest in a quality product that you know will last longer. Another worthy investment? This affordable mattress lifter that turns making your bed into the easiest task ever. To ensure an optimal slumber setup, check out our list of the best mattress toppers, pillows, down comforters, weighted blankets and electric blankets.
The best bed in a box mattresses
- Best Overall: Casper Original Mattress
- Best Affordable: Nectar Memory Foam Mattress
- Best Memory Foam: Puffy Mattress
- Best Cooling: Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Mattress
- Best for Side Sleepers: Nectar Premier Copper Mattress
- Best for Back Pain: Plushbeds The Botanical Bliss Organic Latex Mattress
- Best Organic: Avocado Green Mattress
Best bed in a box overall
Casper Original Mattress
Casper is probably the most well-known name in the online bed biz. They helped mainstream beds in a box and continue to be a go-to for reliable, affordable and comfortable options for different types of sleepers. The brand tested more than 200 formulations of foam, developed 108 prototypes and spent a total of 3,240 hours testing and re-testing materials to arrive at its final product. Its original design is a fan-favorite—there are more than 14,000 five-star reviews to back it up.
Casper’s popular mattress offers the perfect combination of support, cooling and comfort. It features three targeted zones to help align your spine for all-night comfort. Sleep easy knowing Casper uses a non-toxic, water-based adhesive that eliminates unnecessary chemicals in your bed. It’s also a company that gives back—since its inception, the brand has donated more than 70,000 sleep products to people in need.
Return policy: Free shipping and free returns
Pros
- Innovative design prioritizes comfort and support
- 100-night risk-free trial
- Sizes range from twin to California king
- Ten year warranty
- CertiPUR-US certified, which means it lacks components harmful to your health or the environment
Cons
- Only one firmness level available
- A short period of off-gassing (new mattress smell)
Best affordable mattress in a box
The Nectar Memory Foam Mattress
“The Nectar mattress is affordably priced and features one of the longest sleep trials on the market, plus a long warranty, ensuring your purchase will last,” says Keith Cushner, founder of Tuck Sleep. In fact, the trial period is three times longer than most others in the industry—you have a full year to sleep on the mattress. If you aren’t completely satisfied, return it for a full refund. Chances are you’ll be a fan: There are more than 41,000 five-star reviews calling it the best mattress in a box.
People love its adaptive memory foam, which helps relieve pressure points beneath your shoulders, hips and legs, encouraging better spinal alignment. Gel-infused foam also provides minimal motion transfer, so you can move around freely without disturbing a partner. Because memory foam tends to trap heat, a cool-to-the-touch quilted breathable cover helps keeps your sleeping temperature regulated.
Return policy: Free shipping and free returns, and the brand works with you to donate or recycle any returned mattresses
Pros
- Affordable
- 365-day sleep trial
- Lifetime warranty
- Comes with two free pillows, free sheets, and a free mattress protector
Cons
- Medium-firm might be too stiff for some
- Too dense for side and stomach sleepers who prefer a soft mattress
Best memory foam boxed mattress
Puffy Mattress
Puffy takes the stress out of choosing a mattress. They want you to “feel the comfort of sleeping on a cloud before you commit,” which means you have 101 days to test it out, and if you aren’t satisfied, return it for a full refund. Wildhorn says this is one of the overall best mattress in a box values. “It’s very supportive, making it great for all sleeping positions,” she says, adding, “It’s designed to let you sink in, but still move around.”
What makes it such a notable memory foam mattress and one of the best bed in a box options, Wildhorn explains, is the proprietary five-layer sleep system. It features a stain-resistant hypoallergenic cover, a cooling gel-infused breathable foam, a medium-firm support layer designed to keep your spine aligned, six-inches of high-density stabilizing foam and a grip base lining so your mattress stays put as you toss and turn. After you receive your mattress, discover how to make a cozy bed so comfy you’ll never want to leave.
Return policy: Free shipping and free returns
Pros
- Supportive and stable foam for all types of sleepers
- 101-night sleep trial
- Lifetime warranty
- Sizes range from twin to split king
- Stain-resistant, removable cover that you can wash at home
Cons
- Memory foam tends to run hot
- Off-gassing smell (usually dissipates within a few days)
Best cooling bed in a box
Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Mattress
Most memory foam models tend to trap heat, so if you overheat at night, you’ll definitely want a cooling mattress. Alex Savy, a certified sleep science coach and founder of SleepingOcean, says the Aurora is a leader in this category. “The company uses its proprietary foams in this model, including copper- and gel-infused layers. They are meant to draw the excess heat away from the body instead of letting it accumulate,” he explains. The biggest draw is that you can choose from soft, medium and firm versions, so it’s suitable for all sleep styles.
Savy also remarks that it’s “one of the most well-balanced models [he’s] tried, and offers just the right amount of cradling while providing resilient support.” Wildhorn also names the Aurora one of the best mattress in a box picks for hot sleepers. “Innerspring and hybrids are good for hot sleepers because coils allow for increased airflow,” she says. Wildhorn also loves the cover of the mattress, noting that it’s “cool to the touch” and incorporates a phase change technology to actively lower your temperature. The cover isn’t removable or washable, but that won’t be a problem if you learn how to clean a mattress.
Return policy: Free shipping and free returns
Pros
- Mattress coils increase airflow to keep you cool all night
- 120-night, risk-free trial
- Ten year warranty
- Extensive size range from twin XL to RV king (10 options)
- Non-toxic mattress
Cons
- You may prefer more support if you weigh more than 300 pounds
- Cover not removable or washable
- Shipping charges to Alaska, Hawaii and Canada
Best mattress in a box for side sleepers
Nectar Premier Copper Mattress
When it comes to the best bed in a box for side sleepers, Necar’s dynamic design earns top marks from sleep experts (and our Deputy Shopping Editor—see her review!). A softer mattress can alleviate hip and shoulder stress, and a memory foam mattress fits the bill. Nectar’s Copper Mattress has two added inches of support for a total 14 inches of height.
Five layers of CertiPUR-US certified foams are combined with copper fibers and Triple-Cool technology to support your lower back and prevent overheating. A soft transition foam provides pressure relief, distributing your weight and reducing the need to toss and turn. Side sleepers may also want to pair it with these best pillows for a peaceful night’s rest.
Also, check out the Saatva mattresses if you can’t agree on the firmness level of the mattresses with your partner.
Return policy: Free shipping and free returns
Pros
- Dynamic design cools body heat and supports side sleeping without lower back ache
- Choose from memory foam or hybrid (foam and springs)
- 365-night sleep trial
- Lifetime warranty
- Sizes range from twin to split king
Cons
- Could take more than two weeks to ship
- Very heavy box if you order a king
Best online mattress in a box for back pain
Plushbeds The Botanical Bliss Organic Latex Mattress
The best mattress for back pain depends on what kind of discomfort you’re experiencing. “People who suffer from back pain will want to look for a mattress that keeps their spine in a neutral position. In other words, your hips and trunk should be in the same plane as the rest of your body,” says Matthew Ross, the general manager and in-house sleep specialist at Slumber Yard. Generally speaking, he explains, firmer beds tend to prevent waking up with back pain as they do a good job of keeping your spine properly aligned.
On the other hand, according to Pagano, “for people with a herniated disk, a softer mattress provides less pressure on the spine and can actually help some wake up without pain in the morning.” He suggests the Botanical Bliss because it’s highly recommended by orthopedic specialists and chiropractors for its customized comfort, soothing pressure relief and superior support. “It’s also a great option for people who want a mattress made out of organic materials,” he adds. You can also choose from two firmness levels and three height options.
Return policy: Free shipping, $149 removal service fee for returns
Pros
- Approved by orthopedic specialists and chiropractors
- 100-night sleep trial
- 25 year warranty
- Sizes range from twin to split California king
- Organic
Cons
- A more expensive option
- No setup services offered
Best organic boxed mattress
Avocado Green Mattress
Some mattresses are made with materials that could be hazardous to your health. This eco-conscious pick is the best bed in a box that’s both good for you and the planet. Each Avocado Green Mattress is handcrafted in Los Angeles using 100% certified organic materials, including organic latex, wool and cotton. The interior features more than 1,400 pocketed coils arranged in five ergonomic zones. This durable and supportive structure alleviates pressure points, distributes weight more evenly, keeps your back aligned and contours to your natural curves.
Avocado also screens each of its organic mattresses for 6,500 known and suspected harmful chemicals. Unlike conventional mattresses, they’re free of toxic foams, chemical fire retardants and off-gassing materials. Instead of glue or unsafe adhesives, it’s constructed by hand using needle-tufting. The brands’s organic latex, as Savy calls out, “is adaptive, just like memory foam, but doesn’t feel restricting. Latex also sleeps cool naturally, so it can be an excellent solution for those who tend to overheat during the night.” Sleep safer with more top-rated non-toxic mattresses.
Return policy: Free shipping and free returns
Pros
- Bonafide organic, fair-trade and non-toxic credibility backed by environment and sustainability groups
- 365-day sleep trial
- 25 year warranty
- Sizes range from twin to California king
- GOLS, GOTS and USDA-certified
Cons
- Pricier than other options
- Shipping surcharge to Alaska and Hawaii
What to Consider When Buying a Boxed Mattress
There are tips and tricks for how to buy a mattress, but when it comes to the best bed in a box, the most important criteria is materials, manufacturing and certifications. Ross advises people to check if a bed is CertiPUR-US certified, GOLS certified, GOTS certified or GreenGuard certified.
Shipping and delivery costs, sleep trial periods, return policies and warranties are other key factors to note. “While people may be hesitant to purchase a mattress online because you can’t test it out beforehand like you can in-store, mattress companies are aware of this and have policies to let you rest assured that you’re not stuck with a mattress you aren’t satisfied with,” says Wildhorn.
How We Chose the Best Mattress in a Box
As shopping experts, our only job is to help you find a winning product. We start with the research and reporting basics—what products are made of, what they look like and how much they cost—to ensure that we’re only recommending the buys that are worth your time and money. Then, we research the features that speak to the product’s quality, taking advice from industry insiders and subject matter experts on what makes a product a smart value (or worthy of a splurge). Finally, we do the work of combing through user reviews to see how real people interact with the product and if it stands up to the test.
FAQs
Are mattresses in a box good?
A boxed mattress is just as durable and comfortable as a traditional mattress. Nonetheless, it’s important to choose one based on your sleep style, budget and overall preferences.
Can you return a mattress in a box?
Almost every mattress on our list can be returned for free or donated. However, it’s best to read the company’s return policy for the best method of returning a boxed mattress.
Does a mattress in a box need a boxspring?
Most modern boxed mattresses, including those made with memory foam and latex, don’t require a boxspring. These mattresses are designed with all the support you need, so a bed frame should suffice.
How long does a mattress in a box last?
Even the best mattress in a box requires maintenance and care. Implementing a solid mattress cleaning routine should help it last for years. Some may last forever: The best bed in a box brands, including three on this list, offer lifetime warranties.
How to open a mattress in a box
A vacuum-sealed mattress is bound to pop. To prevent injury, slowly and carefully tear the plastic wrap or packaging and allow the mattress to unfold on its own. For the best results, give the mattress at least 48 hours to fully expand.
Are mattresses in a box comfortable?
Some of the most comfortable mattresses are shipped in a box. Shop based on your preferred firmness level, size and material and you’ll never look back.
Next, take a look at our mattress size cheat sheet to select the best mattress for your space.
Sources:
- Victoria Wildhorn, sleep health specialist at Mattress Clarity
- Robert Pagano, co-founder at Sleepline
- Alex Savy, certified sleep science coach and founder of SleepingOcean
- Matthew Ross, general manager and in-house sleep specialist at Slumber Yard
- Keith Cushner, founder of Tuck
Originally Published: November 09, 2021
