All products featured on Architectural Digest are independently selected by our editors. However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or for products purchased through these links.
Looking for the best mattress in a box? Welcome to our world. We’ve spent countless hours researching, discussing, and testing the leading online mattresses from around the world, from soft mattresses that mold to your body to mattresses designed for specific sleeping positions, like side sleepers. Not sure where to find the best mattress? Let us guide you. We’ve been running Sleep Week for five years, sharing the best bedroom essentials to help you get a good night’s sleep. Consistently testing mattresses in a box is what we do best.
From best-selling mattresses on Amazon to luxury bedding brands, we’ve got you covered to create the perfect sleep environment. While it may seem counterintuitive, the right mattress in a box can also add a pop of color to your bedroom and enhance the overall design. If your bedroom style is minimalist, choose a larger mattress in a box (around 15 inches thick or more) to make your bed the focal point of the room. If you’re leaning toward a more minimalist or modern style, you may want to choose a lower-height mattress to give your bedroom design a more textured look.
Even with all of this in mind, we understand that no mattress is perfect for every situation. Considering that a high-quality mattress can cost over $1,000 and last you a decade or more, it’s definitely an investment worth taking seriously. We’ve done extensive sleep testing on some of the leading mattresses, so we can provide a clear breakdown of which “mattress in a box” might be best for your needs. Read each mattress’s reviews below to find your next new bed. (P.S. While many brands are offering holiday sales leading up to Memorial Day, we’ll continue to update this page with all of the latest and greatest mattress deals.)
Please note that all prices in this article are for size Large. For more detailed information on prices and sizes, please contact the seller.
What about the delivery? The delivery was very fast and efficient. The customer service was very warm and attentive. We need help moving the mattress there. If you live alone, you will definitely need a friend to help you with the move.
What about installation? The mattress comes in a compact box that compresses neatly, but as expected, it is quite heavy. Two people are required to move the mattress.
How firm is the mattress? The mattress is rated at medium firmness, but the plush European-style topper adds comfort. The DreamCloud Premier King has an incredibly comfortable cashmere topper and seven layers of luxurious adaptive support. A one-year trial period is also available for mattress shoppers looking for long-term flexibility and a chance to evaluate the quality. Mattresses often lose their support after a few nights of sleep, so a trial period is invaluable.
Would you recommend this mattress to a friend? I would definitely recommend it to friends and have already recommended it to my parents. They often complain that the movement of the headboard interferes with their sleep. The DreamCloud mattress really does minimize the disruption to sleep from neighbors.
What about shipping? The shipping process was very smooth. The Nectar mattress is stored in the hallway of my apartment in a box that seems too small even for a queen-size mattress.
What is the setup process? I moved it into my apartment, unpacked it, and placed the deflated mattress on my bed frame. The mattress (wrapped in plastic) quickly expanded and fit my double bed frame perfectly. I followed the instructions and let the mattress inflate for 72 hours before sleeping on it.
How firm is the mattress? My body sank into the foam mattress a little deeper than I would have liked, but that’s probably because I haven’t had a memory foam mattress in over a decade.
On a scale of 1 to 10, how comfortable is this mattress? I give it an 8. The mattress was comfortable, but I wasn’t used to the firmness of a memory foam mattress at first.
How did you sleep? Surprisingly, I slept better on this mattress than on the previous one.
Would you recommend this mattress to a friend? Of course. My biggest fear is that I will spend time and effort buying a new mattress and then regret it and have to go through the whole process again. Luckily, that didn’t happen and I am very happy with this mattress.
How about the shipping? The shipping process was very smooth. It arrived in a box that I thought was too small for a king size mattress; I was surprised to see that the mattress had shrunk inside. I opened the box without any problem and then laid the mattress out in the living room to air out before placing it on the bed frame (I didn’t even have to do that since there were no chemicals being released). I couldn’t believe my eyes: when I laid the mattress out, there was no smell at all. This helped me better understand other products I’ve purchased in the past that had to be stored for days before I could use them due to the chemical smell. Just taking it out of the box was enough to appreciate the quality of the materials.
What is the setup process like? I had to enlist the help of a few friends because the mattress was so large that I couldn’t lift it up the stairs by myself. It would be much easier if you had another person or two helping, but it’s not necessary. Avocado offers a $249 white glove delivery service that includes delivery and assembly of the mattress, removal of packaging materials, and free removal of the old mattress and mattress base upon request (as long as the mattress is dry, clean, and in good condition).
How firm is the mattress? This latex mattress has extra firmness and is suitable for back or stomach sleepers. Side sleepers will also appreciate the mattress pad.
How comfortable is the mattress? Rate it on a scale of 1 to 10. As a back sleeper, I don’t like mattresses that are too soft, so I’ll give it a 10.
How did you sleep? I sleep like a baby on this mattress. I usually prefer a firmer mattress, and this one was perfect—not the hardest, but not so soft that I sank into it. There’s some back support, and as a 5’11” guy, I’m grateful for that. The American Chiropractic Association has recommended the Avocado mattress since 2020, and I give it a five-star rating.
I now sleep on a 100% organic mattress and couldn’t be happier! Not only are the materials ethically sourced, but the manufacturing process is eco-friendly. The fleece is super warm and soft, and the sheet fits perfectly.
Would you recommend this mattress to a friend? Yes, I would definitely recommend this mattress and the entire brand to a friend. The quality and materials of the Eco Organic mattress are excellent and the price is very affordable.
How about delivery and setup? Delivery was very easy and fast. Faster setup overall! Out of the box, the mattress sits on the box spring bed frame. No complicated instructions or anything. The mattress was ready to sleep on that same night.
How firm is the mattress? Honestly, the mattress was a little firmer than I expected. The firmness rating on the official Sealy website is about 6/10, but I prefer 8. The two layers of foam really make a difference.
How comfortable is the mattress? On a scale of 1 to 10, I would give this mattress an 8 out of 10 for overall comfort. If you are new to a firmer mattress like me, it may take some time to get used to. The memory foam layer adjusts to your sleeping position, allowing you to fall asleep easily.
How did you sleep? I have never slept so well. Although my previous mattress was quite firm, it was not a memory foam mattress and did not have good cooling properties. Thanks to the Cocoon Chill memory foam mattress, I no longer wake up in the middle of the night tossing and turning like I used to. And I was able to sleep peacefully at a comfortable temperature all night long.
If you could change one thing about your mattress, what would it be? I’m not sure what I would change about this mattress. This is exactly what I wanted.
How does this mattress compare to other mattresses you have slept on? My sleep quality has really improved and I wake up feeling refreshed and energized. I used to wake up in the middle of the night and have a hard time getting back to sleep. With this mattress, I wake up less often in the middle of the night and when I do, I have no problem getting back to sleep. It really helps me fall asleep easily!
It’s not as tall as some of the mattresses on this list, so it may not be suitable for those who want a queen-size bed in their room.
How about the shipping? This was probably the smoothest shipping experience I’ve ever had when ordering a mattress. The mattress itself came in a vacuum-sealed plastic bag and was packed in a large cardboard box. The white-gloved crew was a big help in removing the mattress from the packaging (which only took a few minutes, I must say) and placing it on the bed frame.
How does it set up? Once the mattress was unpacked and placed on the bed frame, it straightened out and inflated in seconds. It took me about half a day to fall asleep, but when I did, it felt like I was lying on a cloud—no sign of sagging.
How firm is the mattress? This mattress provides the perfect balance of softness and support. Compared to my old mattress, this mattress has become easier to sleep on over the years. I no longer have to toss and turn to fall asleep like I did with my old mattress because this mattress has a soft top cover and a very supportive inner layer that provides the support I need (mainly my neck and shoulders) to help me fall asleep easily.
Would you recommend this mattress to a friend? Definitely! This is the first Coyuchi mattress that has really surprised me. It has the quality of an old-school mattress, its hand-stitched structure is surprisingly compact, which is especially nice considering that it is filled with springs and layers of organically soft wool, latex and other materials.
Another thing worth mentioning is its versatility. I have tried this mattress with and without a box spring and have always felt supported night after night. The firmness is very nice as I know box mattresses are often criticized for being too soft and too deep, which makes them feel like they are sinking in. This mattress has the perfect amount of firmness for a comfortable sleep and the springs are supportive enough to hold the mattress’s shape, so I am confident that this comfort will last for years to come. I consider myself a combination sleeper and wake up feeling comfortable whether I sleep on my side, stomach or back. I recommend this mattress to anyone who truly appreciates a quality mattress, from its eco-friendly materials to its ease of installation.
How firm is the mattress? I sleep on my side and personally prefer a medium-firm mattress with good support, so I expected it to be soft before testing it. But the Mint mattress did not disappoint.
How do you sleep on this mattress? The invisible support layer is made up of soft gel beads that are evenly distributed. It’s flexible enough to give you a Goldilocks-like (dare I say it?) feeling.
Would you recommend this mattress to a friend? meeting. Even though I toss and turn a lot, this mattress allows me to fall asleep faster and more soundly than my previous innerspring mattress. So among the many memory foam mattresses on the market, this mattress is definitely a good choice.
What about shipping? The mattress was wrapped in shrink wrap, packed in a box, and shipped via FedEx. No one was home at the time of delivery, so the box was left in the driveway and had to be taken to the garage.
What was the setup process like? The boxes were heavy, so my strategy was to move them from the garage upstairs. I wouldn’t have been able to move it all by myself, but luckily both my parents were willing to help me with the task. (It’s currently 158 pounds, which is heavier than me!) This has nothing to do with the mattress itself, but I do wish Earthfoam offered white glove delivery to make the delivery process easier. The mattress needs to air out for about 24 hours after unpacking, so I recommend planning ahead.
How firm is the mattress? I prefer springy mattresses, so the spongy feel of this mattress suits us very well. Although it took me a while to get used to it, after a few weeks my body had completely adjusted to the density of the Earthfoam mattress. You don’t sink in like quicksand, but you feel supported and it’s very soft. This mattress is also a little lower than other mattresses I’ve slept on before, so if you decide to buy one, be sure to get a mattress pad.
How did you sleep? I have found that sleeping on this mattress makes me toss and turn less during the night because my body is in a stationary position after sleep. It is very comfortable and feels like I am sleeping on a fluffy bread mat! (Dare I say it is as comfortable as a bug sleeping on a carpet?)
Would you recommend this mattress to a friend? I highly recommend it, especially if you are considering switching to an eco-friendly mattress – it is a great alternative to a regular mattress! If you are on a budget, I recommend going with the mattress pad as it is only $299 and feels exactly the same.
What about shipping? Brands like Bear that offer mattresses in a box make ordering a new mattress a breeze. My Bear mattress arrived packaged in a tall box and was delivered to my home less than 10 days after ordering. If you’re fairly strong (unlike me), you might be able to carry the mattress from your front door/hallway into your home without too much trouble. Otherwise, I’d recommend asking for help, especially if you have to climb stairs.
What is the installation process? Luckily, the installation process was very simple and standard, like any mattress in a box. After removing the compressed mattress from the box and placing it on the bed frame, I cut several layers of tightly packed plastic and allowed it to unfold and expand to its full size. The entire process took less than 10 minutes, and I waited a full 24 hours before sleeping on the mattress to allow it to fully expand.
How is your sleep quality? The Elite Hybrid mattress provides great support and feels like you’re sleeping on a cool cloud. As I get older, I’ve come to like firmer beds more and more because they help my back, so I decided to try out the extra firm version of the mattress. While I can attest to the bed being very supportive, it’s still very comfortable to sleep on thanks to the layers of cushioning foam on top. The overall height of the mattress is 14 inches, and the great thing is that you can see how all the different components work together to provide a great night’s sleep. It’s also very breathable and very cool, so while I’m not usually one to sleep in the heat, it’s a godsend in the summer when you need some ventilation.
Bear’s Elite Hybrid is “the most luxurious mattress available today,” using innersprings and foam to provide support without sacrificing comfort. Bear says their mattresses are great, they’re really good quality, and they’re a joy to use in the summer. I also really liked that, despite the mattress being firm, the top layer was super comfortable (for side sleepers, waking up with a sore shoulder on an uncomfortable bed is a nightmare). Not to mention, the edge support on the Elite Hybrid is fantastic, and if you work in bed from time to time like I do, being able to sit up without sinking too deeply is a big plus.
How firm is the mattress? Since I went with the extra firm model (Bear rates this mattress 7.5/10 firm), I expected the mattress to have less sag, but I have to say the foam filling made it quite comfortable!
On a scale of 1 to 10, how comfortable is this mattress? 9 Very firm – ideally I would prefer a firmer mattress.
Would you recommend this mattress to a friend? Anyone looking to upgrade an older mattress should consider the Elite Hybrid – it’s one of the best hybrid mattresses I’ve ever tried. There’s a lot to like about this bed, but I think its cooling properties are what make it stand out the most, making it ideal for people who are afraid of the heat.
What about the delivery? The delivery process was not as smooth as I expected. I received a delivery confirmation, but the mattress never arrived. About a week later, after much discussion with customer service, the mattress showed up in my apartment without warning. In addition to the delivery process, the mattress was compressed, which made it much easier to carry to my apartment.