We put these queen mattresses to the test to find which ones provide comfort, support and cool sleep.
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The best mattress—suits your sleeping preferences while fitting comfortably into your budget. But shopping for a new mattress is an individualized process, starting with the size of your bed and deciding if you need a queen-sized mattress or a king-sized mattress.
Thankfully, a queen is one of the most common mattress sizes, so you’ll have plenty of options to choose from, from memory foam mattresses to hybrid mattresses and even cooling mattresses for hot sleepers.
To find the best of the best, we tried queen mattresses of all types and price points, from budget-friendly options to luxe memory foam and hybrid models. Our editors tested them in their own homes for months at a time, assessing the mattresses’ comfort, support, motion transfer and cooling capabilities in real sleep scenarios. Here are our honest reactions.
Saatva Classic
Pros:
- Hybrid design combines springs and memory foam
- Comes in three firmness options and two heights
- Suitable for all sleep positions with the right firmness level
- Strong edge support
- Free white-glove delivery
- 365-night sleep trial
- Lifetime warranty
Cons:
- Returns have a $99 fee
With a luxury design and sophisticated construction, the Saatva Classic queen mattress offers a restful night’s sleep for those who can’t decide between innerspring and memory foam. A hybrid innerspring bed, it features an attached pillow top and a layer of memory foam over the durable steel coils, all enveloped in a breathable organic cotton cover.
The Saatva Classic comes in three firmness levels (plush soft, luxury firm and firm) to choose among based on your sleep position and preferences. It also features two height levels whether you prefer a lower-profile or a taller bed. Thanks to its supportive materials, the Saatva ranks as one of the best queen mattresses for back pain.
Take it from our tester, Madi Koetting, who tried the Saatva Classic and thought it was an “absolute dream” to hit the perfect balance between comfort and support. “My partner and I completely disagree on the firm-to-plush ratio of a mattress, [but] my Saatva mattress review taught me I don’t have to sacrifice soft, plushness for a strong, supportive mattress,” she says. “We both agreed we’ve never slept better since we can’t feel each other move around in the middle of the night, thanks to the responsive coils that reduce motion transfer.”
The only thing to consider is the initial firmness of the Saatva Classic. Madi immediately noticed the mattress is incredibly supportive and didn’t once feel her lower back sinking. While she appreciated the support, she was concerned it might be a little too supportive. “I was worried it wouldn’t be as cozy as my previous memory foam mattress,” she admits. Fortunately, it became comfier over time. “After a few weeks, my Saatva mattress became slightly plusher by the night. This was a pleasant surprise, considering how firm it was the first few nights,” says Madi. “I do prefer firm mattresses solely because of how supportive they are on my back, but I also love the feeling of being delicately cradled by a plush boost. The best way I can describe it is like sleeping on top of it, not sinking in.”
Dimensions: 60″W x 80″L x 11.5″H or 14.5″H | Sleep trial: 1 year | Firmness: Medium firm | Warranty: Limited lifetime
Zinus Green Tea Mattress
Pros:
- Won't break the bank
- Features cooling gel foam to prevent overheating
- Comes in four height options
- 100-night sleep trial
- 10-year warranty
Cons:
- Takes up to 72 hours to fully expand
If you’re shopping for a queen mattress on a budget, the Zinus Green Tea mattress fits the bill. In fact, we named it the top memory foam mattress when it comes to the best cheap mattresses. But its comfort doesn’t mean you’ll have to skimp on support. The Zinus has three layers of pressure-relieving foam. The topmost layer features Zinus’s Green Tea memory foam infused with a special cooling gel to offer a cradling feel that won’t leave you overheated. Below this, a layer of Zinus comfort foam provides a “cloud-like feel” to the bed. The base layer is a high-density, durable foam for optimal support.
In her reviews on Zinus memory foam mattress, former senior shopping editor, Megan Mowery, calls it “the perfect blend” between the softness of her favorite memory foam topper and the firmness of a more supportive mattress. She says, “No matter which sleeping position I’m in—I alternate between stomach and side sleeping—I feel supported and comfortable. My back and joints are in good condition when I wake up in the morning, with no stiffness or soreness at all.”
Just how well does this budget-friendly mattress hold up? According to Megan, beautifully. In just one year, this mattress survived a significant move, a new environment and Megan’s changing sleeping habits. In spite of that, it’s still Megan’s favorite spot to read in the evening, to laze around in on the weekends and to catch some quality sleep at night. “I’ve even received offers to test other mattresses since sleeping on the Zinus, and I’ve turned them down because it’s such a solid, reliable standby,” she raves.
Dimensions: 60″W x 80″L x 10″H | Sleep trial: 100 nights | Firmness: Medium firm | Warranty: 10-year
Avocado Green Mattress
Pros:
- Made with certified organic latex, wool and cotton
- Zoned support for ergonomic alignment
- Offers one-year sleep trial
- 25-year limited warranty
- Free returns
Cons:
- Organic materials come at a higher price
While many non-toxic mattresses claim to be made of natural materials, the Avocado Green boasts certifications that verify its composition of organic cotton, wool and latex. The hybrid mattress uses a cotton cover for breathability and to wick away moisture. The layer of latex contributes to its medium-firm feel while its individually wrapped coils serve as a responsive base layer, designed in five zones for optimal support. In short, the Avocado Green is an excellent hybrid mattress crafted with materials that have a lower impact on the environment.
Our tester wanted a non-toxic mattress for better sleep and health, as well as to lessen her environmental impact. “I’ve slept on the Avocado Green mattress for an entire year and I’m thrilled to report that I’m just as happy with it now as I was on the first night,” she says. “The Avocado Green mattress has held up to the addition of my boyfriend and his dog on most nights. I haven’t experienced any sagging, worn spots or discomfort. And I sleep better knowing my loved ones aren’t inhaling fire retardants through the night. Sleeping with a pillow between my knees is a distant memory.”
And if you’re a hot sleeper, our tester insists that this mattress felt cool throughout the night. “As for temperature control, above the coils a two-inch all-natural latex foam serves as a comfort layer. Most sleepers find the latex cooler than memory foam, which is known to trap heat,” she explains in her Avocado mattress review. “The button-tufted top layer is crafted from super soft organic cotton, and its moisture-wicking properties aid in keeping the mattress temperature neutral. I’m not a hot sleeper, but I find that when paired with cooling sheets, the Avocado Green mattress feels cool throughout the night.”
Dimensions: 60″W x 80″L x 11″H | Sleep trial: 1 year | Firmness: Firm | Warranty: 25-year
Nectar Luxe Memory Foam
Pros:
- Supportive memory foam mattress
- Made with cooling materials
- Near-instant decompression from unboxing
- Excellent motion isolation
- 365-night sleep trial
- Lifetime warranty
- Free returns
Cons:
- Lacks strong edge support
Nectar is a well-known bed-in-a-box brand that makes one of our favorite queen-size beds, the Nectar Luxe memory foam mattress. It features four layers of foam, one of which features gel infusion to enhance the mattress’s cooling capabilities, plus a copper cover that also battles night sweats. Overall, the Nectar Premier has a medium-firm feel and, at 14 inches, is the tallest Nectar mattress.
Former deputy shopping editor, Reina Galhea, rated the quality of sleep she got in her Nectar mattress review according to five categories: comfort, support, heat retention, motion transfer and pain relief. “Nectar passed each of my sleep quality categories with flying colors,” she gushes. “A thousand days later and my Nectar mattress still feels fresh out of the box—same unbeatable cooling quality, soft yet supportive foam and extremely limited motion transfer. My husband and I revel on a daily basis about how comfortable this mattress is. It’s in an entirely different league than our old spring mattress, and we’ll never ever go back.”
The only thing you’ll want to consider is that this mattress holds onto stains. “Even through sheets, it does seem susceptible to the build up of skin oils over time. I cleaned the stains in the top right corner of the mattress with a baking soda soak and the aforementioned steam cleaner, but I couldn’t quite get rid of them,” says Reina. In order to protect your investment, we recommend ordering a mattress protector before hunkering down for a cozy night’s sleep.
Dimensions: 60″W x 80″L x 14″H | Sleep trial: 1 year | Firmness: Medium firm | Warranty: Limited lifetime
Helix Midnight Luxe
Pros:
- Cover, foam and spring design all feature cooling elements
- Coils arranged for zoned support
- 100-night sleep trial
- 15-year limited warranty
- Made in the U.S.A.
Cons:
- More expensive than some competitors
Shopping for the best queen mattress as a hot sleeper? The Helix Midnight Luxe features materials that promote temperature neutrality while sleeping. The best cooling mattresses employ gel-infused foam to help absorb and dissipate heat, but as a hybrid mattress, the Helix Midnight combines a breathable Tencel fabric cover with copper-infused foam and an innerspring design that allows for natural airflow.
Overall, it has a medium level of firmness, but the Helix’s coil support layer zones for better support in heavier areas of the body, like the hips and lower back, and lighter support at the head and foot areas.
Aside from its phenomenal cooling features, the supportive construction helps reduce back pain. Our tester has had bouts of back pain ever since she can remember. “After a few weeks of sleeping on the Helix mattress, my lumbar pain improved so dramatically that my husband noticed I was waking up earlier each morning. Now, that may sound like less sleep, but for me, it means restful, uninterrupted sleep,” she writes in her Helix mattress review.
One year later, our tester couldn’t be happier with her purchase. “I still love the way it supports my entire spine,” she raves. “The most surprising byproduct of sleeping on this mattress every night is actually how much better my neck feels. I knew I needed a new bed for my lower back pain, but I no longer get pinched nerves or pain where my lower neck meets my shoulders. My husband also reports less shoulder pain—something he had grappled with for years before we switched to the Helix.”
Dimensions: 60″W x 80″L x 13.5″H | Sleep trial: 100 nights | Firmness: Medium firm | Warranty: Limited lifetime
Helix Midnight Elite
Pros:
- Offers medium support
- Firmness level can be adjusted by replacing the insert rather than replacing an entire mattress
- Made with Oeko-Tex- and CertiPur-US-certified fabrics and foam
- No box spring required
- Cooling properties
- Free shipping
- In-home setup and removal of old mattress for an additional fee
Cons:
- Some assembly required
If waking up with a stiff neck or aching back has become your norm, the Helix Midnight Elite will change your life. This wonder bed is made up of five high-density foam layers, which cradle your hips and shoulders in side sleeping positions, two micro coil layers, which promise a restorative sleep experience by providing cushioning comfort and reducing back pressure, and a 2-inch plush quilted pillow top that features built-in cooling technology. What makes this mattress truly special is the ability to adjust the firmness level without replacing it. That’s because it includes a comfort insert that zips into the mattress. If you’re unhappy with the firmness level, you can simply try a different insert rather than replace the mattress itself.
Deputy shopping editor Katie Bandurski has been sleeping on this mattress for over a year. Despite feeling too firm initially, it has dramatically improved the quality of her sleep. “The mattress felt very firm,” recalls Katie. “Fortunately, the mattress was broken in and aligned with its advertised medium firmness within a month.” Sixteen months and two moves later, Katie insists it’s still the most comfortable mattress she has ever slept on. “I’m still very happy with the firmness,” she raves. “It’s not too soft nor too hard, and I can’t say I’ve noticed a major difference from when we first got it.” These days, she wakes up feeling well-rested and no longer experiences neck pain. Moreover, she no longer tosses and turns or wakes up every night.
The only thing to consider before purchasing this mattress is your existing linen collection. The Helix Midnight Elite is an impressive 15 inches tall, which means you’ll need a set of sheets, like the Quince linen sheets, that can accommodate a mattress this size. “My old mattress measured a whopping 8 inches, so I didn’t have a set on hand. I said a quick prayer that I wouldn’t need to make a 9 p.m. Target run and got to work. Thankfully, they just fit,” writes Katie.
Dimensions: 60″W x 80″L x 15″H | Sleep trial: 120 nights | Firmness: Medium | Warranty: 15-year
Nolah Evolution 15
Pros:
- Provides excellent support for side sleepers
- Minimal motion transfer; ideal for sleeping next to someone
- Hybrid build includes cushioned foam layers and supportive coils
- Solid edge support all the way around
- Offered in multiple sizes and firmness levels
- CertiPUR-US certified foams and fiberglass-free
Cons:
- Heavy to carry and set up by yourself
When you’re a side sleeper, finding the perfect mattress can be tough. It can’t be too plush or too firm. Instead, it has to be comfortable while providing adequate support. The Nolah Evolution 15 checks both boxes. This hybrid mattress is made of seven layers: an organic cotton and ArcticTex cover that keeps you cool while you sleep, a 2-inch cooling quilted euro topper, 4 inches of foam, 8 inches of support coils and reinforced edge support coils and a 1-inch stabilizing foam foundation.
Deputy shopping editor Katie Bandurski ordered the luxury firm mattress, which Nolah ranks as a six to seven on the firmness scale. She set it up in her guest room, which doubles as her home office. Over the course of several months, Katie spent time lounging around with a book or her computer, napping and even slept through the night. “As a side sleeper, I’m already putting a lot of pressure on my shoulders and hips. Without proper support, I’m at risk of misalignment and—aches and pains,” she explains. That’s why Katie was thrilled to discover that the Nolah Evolution 15 provided much needed support for her head, neck and spine. “The luxury firm support offers the Goldilocks of firmness—not too soft, not too hard. It’s also suitable for my husband, who alternates between sleeping on his side and his back,” she says. “There’s also a substantial weight difference between us and the Nolah does a good job accommodating both of our body types.”
It’s also worth noting that Katie tested this mattress while also testing the Helix Midnight Elite mentioned above. And while the Helix is the mattress she opted to keep in her bedroom, she was seriously impressed by the Nolah. “I never thought I’d find a mattress that compares to my beloved Helix Midnight Elite, but the Nolah comes pretty close—for a fraction of the price,” she raves.
Dimensions: 60″W x 80″L x 15″H | Sleep trial: 120 nights | Firmness: Plush, luxury firm, firm | Warranty: Lifetime
What to look for when buying a queen mattress
Aside from setting your budget, you have several types of mattresses to consider as you narrow down the best queen-size for you.
Memory foam mattresses are a popular, often affordable bed-in-a-box option, though they can feel overly firm or overly squishy, depending on the density of the materials. Hybrid mattresses combine foam layers with traditional innersprings, often offering a best-of-both-worlds feeling of comfort and support, but they tend to be pricier.
“The general recommendation for a healthy adult, weighing 130 to 230 pounds, without sleep disorder or other conditions, is to pick a hybrid medium-firm queen mattress,” says Carleara Weiss, Ph.D., MS, RN, a sleep science advisor at Aeroflow Sleep. “It is important to adjust this recommendation according to the body weight, sleep disorder or other conditions, as well as sleep positions.”
Regardless of the mattress type, make sure the bed suits your sleeping preferences, including your sleep position and whether you’d benefit from cooling attributes if you tend to sleep hot. No matter where they are placed, “queen mattresses are versatile and convenient for sleeping alone or with company,” says Dr. Weiss. “They can easily fit most spaces’ bedding sheets, and maintenance is affordable.”
Finally, before clicking “add to cart,” look into the brand’s policies, such as whether it accepts returns and if its product comes with a warranty should there be a defect.
How we found the best queen mattresses
Here at Reader’s Digest, we strive to find the best of the best products—and what better way to confirm them than to test them ourselves? We reviewed dozens of highly rated options online to find the best queen mattresses. We combed through hundreds of reviews, examined their materials and dove deep into their value to develop a healthy variety for all types of sleepers. Then, we had our shopping-loving editors test the top mattresses for at least 30 days. Only the ones that we couldn’t stop talking about made our list of the seven best queen mattresses.
FAQ
Who is a queen mattress best for?
People often use queen mattresses in master bedrooms or guest rooms, where a couple likely sleeps. Roomier than a full-size but not as big as a king, the queen size offers plenty of space for two adults or a solo sleeper who likes to spread out.
What are the dimensions of a queen-size mattress?
A queen mattress measures 80 inches long and 60 inches wide. It’s 5 inches longer than a twin or full, the same length as a twin XL and king-size mattress, but not as wide as a king.
How much does a queen mattress cost?
Like anything, queen mattresses range in price from a couple of hundred bucks for the cheapest models to thousands of dollars for the most luxurious beds. For a decent price on a new bed, look for mattress deals around holidays, such as Memorial Day, and other sale times, like Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
What is a split queen mattress?
A split queen comprises two separate mattresses, each measuring 80 inches long and 30 inches wide. When placed side by side, they equal the size of a standard queen bed. Split mattresses are a smart option for couples who have different mattress preferences and those who sleep on an adjustable base where each side adjusts independently. A split queen mattress size is less common than a split king.
Why you should trust us
Lauren Allain, the author of this piece, is a journalist with almost 20 years of journalism experience. She focuses on health, wellness, travel and product reviews, and her work has appeared in dozens of publications, including Insider, U.S. News & World Report, Seattle Refined and space.com.
We enlisted the help of our trusty editors to personally test out these best queen mattresses and give us their honest feedback. For this piece, we spoke with Carleara Weiss, Ph.D., MS, RN, a sleep science advisor at Aeroflow Sleep, to give insight into shopping for a queen-size mattress. Weiss shares educational content about sleep and circadian rhythms for quality life and wellness for adults, women, shift workers, parents, athletes and older adults.
Nina Derwin is a commerce updates editor for Reader’s Digest, Taste of Home and Family Handyman. She has experience researching and reviewing various items to help shoppers find the best products on the market. She researched and updated this piece.
