While we could have easily assembled a list of highly rated memory foam beds-in-a-box, we know you’ve likely turned to mindbodygreen because you care about your health and the health of Mother Earth. That’s why we did the extra legwork to vet each of these brands, not only for quality and nontoxic materials but for environmental efforts, too. Read on to find out how some of the best memory foam mattresses stack up in terms of quality, sustainability, comfort, and more. You sleep strictly on your side. The cradling sensation of memory foam helps relieve pressure points on your hips and shoulders, as the bed will contour to your body. Combination and back sleepers may be happy with a firmer memory foam bed or a hybrid model that also includes springs. You don’t toss and turn at night. Because it hugs your body, memory foam can feel like quicksand to folks who change positions at night. You share a bed with a partner. Memory foam tends to have better movement isolation than bouncy latex foams or innerspring mattresses. You want a bed-in-a-box. Don’t want to visit a mattress store? There are plenty of brands that sell memory foam beds online with quick and easy delivery (you’ll find the best memory foam mattresses-in-a-box on this list!). You don’t run hot. Some of the beds on our list have cooling features, but as a whole memory foam can tend to run warmer than hybrid or latex foam mattresses. This mattress will arrive compressed and rolled in a box, and the company says their GREENGUARD Gold-certified materials shouldn’t create any off-gassing smells. What customers say: The Cool Bliss mattress gets excellent reviews and 4.9 out of 5 stars. “During the summer I’d wake up in the middle of the night drenched in sweat. But ever since I got my Cool Bliss mattress, I’ve been sleeping like a baby. It’s made such a difference in my life, I can finally get a good night’s sleep,” one person raves. Some folks found this mattress a little too firm or too soft for their liking, but said that customer service was quick to help with an exchange—just note that PlushBeds does have a $149 fee for returns. Eco-friendliness rating: 4 out of 5. PlushBeds prioritizes sustainably sourced latex in all of its designs, and its materials are GOTS and GOLS Certified Organic. The brand is transparent about how it sources materials and manufactures its products. On the con side, as each of the options is rather firm for a memory foam mattress, not all side sleepers will love this model. This mattress will arrive via white glove delivery (never compressed or rolled in a box), and someone will bring it into your home to set it up. What customers say: It has 4.9 out of 5 stars on the brand’s website and just under 600 reviews. One person writes, “I’ve had several beds and this is the best over the rest, especially if you have back pain. Makes all the difference in the world.” A couple of other reviews say it sleeps a little warm. Luckily Saatva’s customer service is known for being top-notch, and the brand has a yearlong trial period. Eco-friendliness rating: 4 out of 5. While not the most eco-friendly on this list, Saatva does more than most memory foam mattress brands when it comes to sustainability and nontoxic materials. It uses a nontoxic, botanical antimicrobial treatment, certified foams, organic cotton, and a flame retardant barrier made from natural thistle pulp (rather than chemical sprays). This mattress will arrive compressed and rolled in a box. The coils and gel pods make this bed slightly heavier (a queen is 111 pounds), so you may need a second set of hands for unboxing and setup. And because it uses polyurethane foams, it might smell a little funky as it comes to life. What customers say: One happy reviewer writes, “We mostly sleep on our backs and sides. The snow seems to be cooler than the old memory foam mattresses we have used before. I don’t wake up sweating at night. So far, this is the most comfortable bed either of us have ever slept on.” Eco-friendliness rating: 3 out of 5. We appreciate Casper’s use of recycled water bottles, natural latex, and certified foams in this mattress. That said, it’s not the most eco-friendly pick on this list. It’s a softer mattress (a 4 to 6 out of 10 on the brand’s firmness scale) but includes targeted support for your hips, which is great for side sleepers. People who love memory foam, but want a little more support and breathability than is typical, will dig this bed. Like the brand’s other mattresses, this bed arrives compressed and rolled in a box and might take a couple of hours to reach its full height. The company also says there might be a slight smell to your mattress while it expands but that it’s harmless and will go away quickly (which several reviewers confirm). What customers say: It’s a newer model and doesn’t have a ton of reviews yet (about 200)—but it’s rated at a 4.5 out of five. One reviewer says, “This mattress is the perfect combination of plush and firm, doesn’t shift around when the other person is getting in or out of bed, and doesn’t sleep hot like some conventional mattresses.” Most negative reviews are from people who find this bed either too firm or too soft. If it ends up not working out for you, Leesa will take it back within their 100-night trial for free and donate it to someone in need. Eco-friendliness rating: 3 out of 5. We appreciate the use of recycled materials and organic cotton, but the company doesn’t share any specific organic certifications on its website. It is a certified B Corporation, though, which means it’s held to rigorous standards for public transparency, legal accountability, and environmental impact. It will arrive compressed and rolled in a box. You may experience some off-gassing smells since this mattress is made of entirely synthetic foams. Once it arrives, you have 120 nights to flip it and find your preferred side before committing. What customers say: Over 7,000 reviewers give this mattress 4.5 out of 5 stars, and it’s popular with all types of sleepers who love the feel of memory foam. One person writes, “It’s the perfect balance for us as side and back sleepers. I was previously experiencing hip pain as a side sleeper, and since purchasing the Layla mattress, I’ve had zero hip pain. There’s also no motion transfer when either of us move in bed or when our 50lb Aussie Shepherd jumps in and out of the bed.” Eco-friendliness rating: 1 out of 5. Layla’s foams are CertiPUR-US certified, but there are no organic or sustainably sourced materials in this bed. This mattress has more certifications for nontoxic materials than most all-foam models—such as OEKO-TEX Standard 100 and GREENGUARD Gold. The brand even uses a blend of plant-based memory foam, which is better for the environment and reduces the potential for off-gassing smells when it arrives compressed in a box. What customers say: With over 1,000 reviews and a 4.7 out of five-star overall rating, this mattress is a crowd-pleaser. One person writes, “Like sleeping on a soft cloud. I would seriously recommend this for side sleepers, back sleepers, or anyone who just wants a good night’s sleep.” Note, several reviewers wish this mattress was softer, and a few say the edge support could be better. Eco-friendliness rating: 5 out of 5. Brentwood Home is part of the Avocado Green family, which is very dedicated to sustainability. This branch is a certified B corporation, certified climate neutral (meaning they offset their emissions by 100%), and doesn’t hesitate to educate consumers about their sourcing and production. Some companies use polyurethane-based memory foam, while others create their own proprietary foam to mimic that soft, hugging sensation. The latex-based memory foam from Essentia and plant-based memory foam from Brentwood Home are the more sustainable options on this list. The gel-infused foam and perforated foams from Casper, PlushBeds, and Leesa may be a better fit for hot sleepers. Temperature regulation Speaking of sleeping hot, memory foam is known for being notoriously warm. If you’re someone who sweats through the night or lives in a warmer climate, you may want to prioritize a brand that uses perforated or gel foams or look specifically for a cooling mattress. Trials & returns If you’re not sure about memory foam, or you’re picky when it comes to mattresses (you deserve to be!), consider the brand’s trial periods and return policies. Some offer a more generous trial window than others, which can help take a little pressure off making such a big purchase.
