8 Best Mattresses in a Box for 2024 – Ranked and Reviewed

Transparency Disclosure: For products purchased through the links on this page and throughout the site, we may get a referral fee (with no extra cost to the buyer). Please read our full How We Rate page for more information. There you can see how we conduct research and test products, as well.

Let’s face it. 

Sometimes, you just don’t have the time or the energy to deal with showrooms or stores. You go there for one particular model, but then the clerks show you another one. There is always someone that’s arguing, and the lines go on forever. 

And when you get a new mattress, there’s a new type of stress – how are you going to transport the bed to your home? Do you shove it in the car, do you tie it on the roof, should you rent a van? Honestly, it’s just too much!

Luckily, you have bed in a box mattresses. The bed in a box is a term that refers to mattresses that are ordered online and delivered to your doorstep in a box. They are delivered via the usual package carriers, like UPS, FedEx, etc. 

To make the delivery more convenient, the mattresses are compressed into bags and boxes. As such most bed in a box mattresses are all-foam models, though there are quite a few hybrid ones as well. 

Today, we are covering our top 8 picks of bed in a box mattresses. We’re looking at their construction, some of their notable features, and what makes them so special. 

So set sail with us to a new and wonderful world of bed in a box mattresses.

The beds present on this list are the ones we found that will best suit you. If you don’t feel that they suit your needs, visit our other best mattress lists and reviews. Educate yourself on the other options available.

Best Bed in a Box Mattress List

• Casper Original Mattress – Best Bed In a Box Mattress for Combination Sleepers
• Avocado Green Mattress– Best Organic Bed In a Box Mattress
• DreamCloud Mattress – Best Bed In a Box Mattress For Back and Hip Pain
• Nectar Mattress– Best Value Bed In a Box Mattress
• Layla Mattress– Best Bed in a Box Memory Foam Mattress
• Purple Original Mattress – Most Innovative Bed In a Box Mattress
• Tuft & Needle Original Mattress– Best Affordable Bed in a Box Mattress
• WinkBeds Mattress – Most Comfortable Bed In a Box Mattress

How to Choose a Mattress in a Box

That would be our list of the best bed-in-a-box mattresses on the market! We hope that you’ll find your next mattress purchase here and that it will come with free shipping!

But how can you make sure you’re making a good choice? We came up with this guide on how to buy the best mattress in a box. Let’s get into it!

Pros and Cons of Mattresses in a Box

As with everything, buying a mattress in a box comes with its advantages and disadvantages. Here’s what you should know. 

Pros

• Usually falls in the lower price range
• Mostly online stores, with more available information
• Usually comes with free shipping and a sleep trial 
• Delivers to your doorstep 
• A lot of different options

Cons

• Ordering online means you can’t try the mattress before buying it 
• Off-gassing is common in beds in a box 
• Most don’t recommend this mattress for hot sleepers because it’s usually made from foam
• People don’t recommend this mattress for heavy sleepers because it’s not that durable

What to Look for in a Mattress in a Box

The first step – know your preferences and what you’re looking for. This will help you immensely when choosing the best mattress in a box.

Support

One of the crucial things a mattress is supposed to offer is proper support. A supportive mattress is supposed to keep your spine aligned. 

A misaligned spine can lead to impaired sleep quality and negatively impact your health. You don’t want to wake up in pain every day. Take care of your back!

The support level can depend on materials, body weight, sleeping pose, etc. The perfect mattress for you is supposed to keep your spine aligned no matter how you sleep. 

Firmness

Does your mattress feel soft or firm to you? This feeling is mattress firmness. 

Even though it’s primarily subjective, a mattress firmness scale helps us out. It ranges from 1 to 10, with extra-soft, soft, medium, medium-firm, firm, and extra-firm levels. According to data, most people prefer a medium-firm feel. 

But just because they do, doesn’t mean you will as well! The best mattress firmness depends on preferences, body weight, sleep position, and other factors. Back sleepers need a firm mattress, and side sleepers should sleep on a softer one.

You can check boxed mattress reviews to see whether people recommend this mattress or get a flippable mattress in a box with different firmness options – one side could be medium-firm, while the other is softer.

Durability

How long will your mattress in a box last? That mostly depends on how it’s made and how you take care of it. 

Everyone wants a long-lasting mattress, and a mattress in a box is no different than regular mattresses. Most beds last around eight years, but a latex mattress or a hybrid mattress usually lasts longer. 

Ultimately, it’s all about quality materials and how you take care of your mattress. Remember to use a mattress cover or a mattress protector. Also, besides free shipping, look for a lifetime warranty when shopping!

A mattress in a box can be a purchase, but people don’t recommend this mattress for heavy sleepers because it usually can’t handle the pressure.

Contouring

Comfort is a must if you want a good night of sleep, and a contouring mattress can help. 

A mattress is supposed to contour your body and follow its shape without disturbing the support. Some beds are very deeply contouring, while some are not. It depends on what you need. 

For example, side sleepers need a softer mattress that will let their hips and shoulders sink without misaligning the spine. On the other hand, back sleepers and stomach sleepers don’t need that much contour. 

A memory foam mattress is extremely contouring, so we recommend this mattress for this, and latex is also a good choice. Especially if memory foam is a bit too contouring for you. A hybrid mattress can also be contouring. An innerspring is firmer, so we don’t recommend this mattress for contouring.

Pressure Relief

A good mattress in a box is supposed to equally distribute your weight and not put too much pressure on your joints. Proper pressure relief is significant for sleepers who suffer from back pain or hip pain. 

Different sleeping positions have different pressure points, but a pressure-relieving mattress is a must. Otherwise, you’ll wake up cranky and hurting all over!

Most bed-in-a-box mattresses are made from foam, and we recommend this mattress for support and pressure relief. Memory foam mattresses have soft foam layers and are suitable for pressure relief, but a latex mattress or a hybrid mattress is also a good choice. Innerspring models don’t offer as much pressure relief in comparison.

Quality Materials

If you want a good night of sleep and your mattress to last long, you must ensure you choose a new bed made from high-quality materials. It doesn’t have to be a luxury mattress to be good.

You’re most likely to find the best mattress in a box for you in an online store. Online mattress sellers tend to have more information about the mattress and its materials on their site, and they usually offer free shipping and maybe even a lifetime warranty.

Keep in mind that high-quality materials, like gel memory foam, copper-infused memory foam, and individually wrapped coils, usually come in a higher price range.

Mattress Size

How many people will sleep in the bed? How much space do you need? How big is your room?

A bed in a box can come in all standard mattress sizes, and you might find some non-standard ones. The standard mattress sizes are Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, and California King. One of them should be perfect for you. 

However, remember that most mattresses in a box can’t handle much pressure, which is why they’re usually not a good choice for heavier sleepers. Also, couples weigh a lot together, and this bed might not be able to handle that. Ask the seller about the details to ensure you get the best mattress in a box possible. 

Thickness

The mattress quality also depends on its thickness. A mattress should be thick enough to fit all the needed support and comfort layers. 

Most mattresses are between 8″ and 11″, enough to fit all you need. Thinner mattresses don’t have enough support, and they’re faster to deteriorate.

On the other side, if a mattress is too thick, you don’t have to worry much. A luxury mattress, a flippable mattress, or a mattress for heavier people usually has more inches. The best luxury mattress can even be thicker than 14″, and it’s most likely a flippable mattress. But also, they’re in the higher price range. 

Responsiveness

Choosing a responsive mattress mostly depends on your personal preferences. Some beds respond to your body slowly, while some are very fast. 

For example, a memory foam mattress has slow responsiveness, so it takes a while for it to get back to its original form. It’s soft and comfortable to most, but some people, especially heavy sleepers, might feel stuck in this bed. 

On the other hand, latex is known for its fast response, although it’s more firm. This makes latex mattresses a good choice for combination sleepers.

Temperature Regulation

Hot sleepers know just how warm a bed can get through the night, but there’s a simple answer as to why – mattress materials. 

Some materials trap body heat, while others don’t. Foam, especially traditional memory foam, is a closed-cell material that traps heat. Mattress manufacturers try to fix this issue for hot sleepers with gel memory foam and copper-infused memory foam. However, people still don’t recommend this mattress as a first choice.

Hot sleepers need a cooling mattress. When it comes to an innerspring, we recommend this mattress for hot sleepers. Hybrid mattresses and latex mattresses are also excellent. The best hybrid mattress for those who sleep hot is a latex hybrid one.

Don’t worry, hot sleepers; these will cool you down! Although, most don’t recommend this mattress in a box because it’s usually made from foam.

Edge Support

Proper edge support might not seem all that important, but it’s a must for people who sleep near the edge of the bed, who sit there, couples, and heavier sleepers. You don’t want to roll off your bed at night!

The mattresses with the best edge support are those with coils- an innerspring or a hybrid mattress. They have stronger coils on the perimeter, making the edges sturdy. 

On the other hand, memory foam and latex mattresses have firmer foam layers on the perimeter. This isn’t enough edge support to handle sleeping or sitting at the edges all the time. 

Off-Gassing

Do you know that new bed smell? Well, you need to air it out. Off-gassing is a process that happens when you open your new mattress in a box. During manufacturing, many gasses are trapped in the bed and the cardboard box, and you need to air them out. 

A mattress in a box especially has this issue since it’s packaged immediately. A foam boxed mattress is notorious for this, and it needs to air out.

These gasses aren’t that dangerous, although they can irritate, and you should keep kids away. Some mattresses can even produce volatile organic compounds (VOC); if you want to avoid this whole thing, you should get an organic mattress.

Motion Transfer

If a mattress has sound motion isolation, you won’t feel anyone moving. This is especially good for couples, so light sleepers don’t get woken up by their significant other’s tossing and turning. 

Motion transfer is most common in an innerspring or a hybrid mattress. However, individually wrapped coils are there to save the day! At least partly. 

And if you need a bed with no motion transfer, memory foam is the best choice, and latex is a close second. The good news is that most mattresses in a box are from foam, so you’ll have a lot of choices here.

Noise

Too much squeakiness can signify an old mattress, but some beds are naturally noisy. Especially in the innerspring and hybrid mattresses, the metal coils can get very loud. 

Couples or light sleepers who want a noiseless mattress should go for a memory foam mattress or a latex mattress, which is virtually silent. Latex mattresses are also perfect for nighttime activities!

Allergies

People can be allergic to many things, and their mattresses could make it worse. Dust mites, bed bugs, and different gasses can cause irritation and allergic reactions. 

If this is important, look for mattresses with hypoallergenic materials, like latex and memory foam. Not all of the beds made from these two are hypoallergenic, so check the details with the manufacturer. 

Lastly, organic mattresses, which are almost always from natural latex, are an excellent choice for people who suffer from allergies.

Body Weight

The perfect mattress for you can also depend on how much you weigh. The heavier you are, the more pressure you put on a bed. This can affect support, perfect firmness, pressure relief, durability, and overall comfort. 

Remember to take things like their preferred sleeping position and their personal preferences into account as well. To make things easier, we separated people into three groups. 

Lightweight sleepers under 130lbs don’t put much pressure on the mattress. They need a softer mattress, up to a medium-firm one. 

From 130lbs to 230lbs, average sleepers should sleep on a slightly firmer mattress. The perfect mattress firmness for them would be a medium-firm to a firm mattress. 

Heavy sleepers over 230lbs need more support and higher firmness. They could sleep on a medium-firm mattress if they’re side sleepers, but thicker and firmer mattress options with good edge support are better.

Unfortunately, most mattresses in the box are softer and not durable enough to handle heavy sleepers. If you want to get one, inquire with the manufacturer on whether they recommend this mattress for heavy sleepers, and look for a lifetime warranty.

Sleeping Position

Lastly, the perfect mattress depends on how you like to sleep. Every position comes with different pressure points and other requirements, and if you want a good night of sleep, you should pay attention to them

Back Sleepers

Back sleepers sleep in the most common position and don’t need much to keep their spine aligned and happy.

The perfect mattress for back sleepers is on the firmer side. If back sleepers sleep on a too soft mattress, their hips and shoulders will sink too much, cousin back pain. Back sleepers can sleep on any mattress type. 

Side Sleepers

The next most common sleeping position goes to side sleepers, although they’re trickier. Side sleepers need a supportive bed to keep their spine aligned and soft enough to let their hips and shoulders sink into the bed. 

The best mattress for side sleepers is on the softer side, maybe even a medium-firm one, with a lot of pressure relief. Innerspring mattresses aren’t the best choice for side sleepers, but memory foam, hybrid, and latex mattresses are the way to go.

Stomach Sleepers

Stomach sleepers are less common but very similar to back sleepers. Although their sleeping position might not be best for their spine, average-weight stomach sleepers need a firm, supportive mattress. 

The best mattress firmness for stomach sleepers would be a medium-firm to a firm mattress that won’t push against their hips too much. Memory foam might be too soft for average-weight stomach sleepers, but other mattress types will do just fine. 

Combination Sleepers

Combination sleepers are known for tossing and turning throughout the night, and this active position requires a mattress that can keep up with them. They need a bed that will fit them no matter their sleeping position, with a quick response. 

This is why the best mattress in a box for combination sleepers would be a latex mattress, but a hybrid mattress is a close second. The best hybrid mattress for them would be a latex hybrid one, although it falls in the higher price range. When it comes to firmness options, a medium-firm mattress would be best. 

Types of Mattresses in a Box

Now that you know all you need to choose the best mattress in a box, it’s time to see which option you’ll run into. 

Foam Mattresses

Most bed-in-a-box mattresses are made from foam. All-foam beds have thick polyfoam as a support layer, while the softer foam is on top for comfort. Memory foam is the most common boxed mattress type. 

Memory foam beds have a wide range of firmness, from soft. medium-firm, to the firm. They’re pressure-relieving, contouring, and respond very slowly. They’re very comfortable, especially for side sleepers, and they usually fall in the lower price range. They’re easy to fold and package in a box because the material is elastic.

However, memory foam mattresses aren’t the best for hot sleepers because they trap body heat. However, a gel memory foam layer can help. Also, their deep contouring memory foam layers might make heavier sleepers feel like they’re stuck. Read more: Best Memory Foam Mattress

Hybrid Mattresses

A hybrid mattress combines innerspring and foam, either memory foam or latex foam. It’s made to be the best of both worlds!

The coils in a hybrid mattress make for the great support and edge support but lack motion isolation and silence, even with pocketed coils. The top layer feels and behaves depending on whether the hybrid mattress is made from memory foam or latex. If you want a luxury hybrid mattress, go for latex.

You’ll likely find the hybrid mattress in the higher price range. A good hybrid mattress offers support and pressure relief. We recommend this mattress for all sleep positions, hot sleepers, and heavier sleepers.

Read more: Best Hybrid Mattress

Latex Mattresses

Made from natural, synthetic, or blended latex, latex mattresses are usually firmer, bouncier, and more durable. Latex foam from natural latex is generally better but falls into the higher price range. 

Latex mattresses are contouring and pressure-reliving, although not as much as memory foam. Still, they’re more breathable and have a faster response. This makes them a good option for hot, combination, and heavier sleepers, although a latex mattress could be the right fit for anyone. Various firmness levels go from soft and medium-firm to firm. However, they lack edge support.

The best luxury mattress is a certified natural latex one, especially for organic and eco-friendly shoppers. A luxury hybrid mattress with latex is a good alternative. We recommend this mattress if you want something that lasts very long and is most likely to come with a lifetime warranty.

Read more: Best Latex Mattress

Innerspring Mattresses

Lastly, innerspring mattresses are the oldest mattress type around. However, they’re not as popular as other types. Most people prefer to go for a hybrid mattress, but that might not be the case for you.

Just like a hybrid mattress filled with metal coils, innerspring beds offer much support and edge support but not much motion isolation and silence. An innerspring mattress is usually firm and bouncy, with little pressure relief and contouring.

It might not be the best choice for side sleepers, but heavier sleepers, back sleepers, and stomach sleepers could find this bed to be the bed of their dreams. Also, you’ll likely find it in the lower price range.

Read more: Best Innerspring Mattress

Buying a Mattress in a Box

Now you know everything you need about the different mattress properties you should watch out for if you want to get the best mattress in a box. But there’s more to it!

Budget

The most crucial step of any buying process is setting a budget. You need to know your price range.

Mattresses in a box fall into a very wide price range, so you’ll get what you’re looking for. Whether a cheap mattress or a luxury mattress, you’ll find the best mattress in a box for you.

To make things easier, you should shop around significant holidays and get a mattress online. Many online mattress stores, generally cheaper than brick-and-mortar stores, also have discounts throughout the year. Labor day mattress sales are very common, but similar discounts happen throughout the year. And, they offer free shipping along with the lower price range!

Online Shopping

As mentioned before, online mattress stores are where you’re most likely to find the best mattress in a box. They package it up in a cardboard box and deliver it to your doorstep. 

Besides that, most online mattress brands come with other advantages you can use. Firstly, they usually fall in the lower price range because they have a smaller cost of operation.

And also, ordering a mattress online typically comes with free shipping, white glove delivery, longer warranties (and maybe even a lifetime warranty), and other good stuff. Not all online mattresses come with a lifetime warranty, though, just the ones in a higher price range.

Delivery

Since most bed-in-a-box mattresses are bought online, this is how the delivery process goes. 

You order a mattress (make sure it’s from the seller’s official site) with free shipping, you wait about two weeks, and the bed is delivered to your doorstep in a cardboard box. 

Now you just need to unbox, which can be more challenging than it seems for some people. If you want to do it yourself, get a friend to help you. Make sure to move the box to the room where the bed and the bed frame will be, and cut it open carefully. If it’s a flippable mattress, just put any side on the bed frame.

And if you can’t do it yourself, check if the mattress company offers white glove delivery. This means they’ll send someone to set up the mattress along with free shipping, but that’s usually extra or in the higher price range.

Sleep Trial

If you’re getting a mattress in a box, make sure it comes with a sleep trial! One con of beds-in-a-box is that you can’t try them out. But, a sleep trial lets you see whether it’s the best mattress in a box for you!

Most companies offer a 100-night sleep trial, but they can range anywhere from a 30-night trial to even an entire year. When you get your mattress, you can test it during a set period, and if you don’t like it, you can send it back to the company, and they’ll return your money. You can’t know whether medium-firm online mattresses are the right firmness for you without a good 30-night trial with some free shipping!

Warranty

A warranty is a way for a company to say their product is good and stand behind that. We recommend this mattress, and here’s why!

All jokes aside, mattresses can come with manufacturing issues and other problems you have no control over. As faulty products, companies should replace or fix them. 

Because mattresses in a box are usually sold online, they tend to come with more extended warranties. A good warranty should last at least ten years, but there are even mattresses with a lifetime warranty. Although, those with longer warranties are usually in the higher price range.

Do Your Research

Last but not least, do your research! Take your time and make sure you’re getting the best mattress in a box possible. Don’t just fall for free shipping and finalize the purchase.

Do you know your preferences? Do the materials suit you? Do you know everything you need to know about the mattress? Follow our guide to help you out. Feel free to contact the companies and their customer support. Mattress reviews are a good place to see whether people recommend this mattress.

Why You Should Buy a Mattress in a Box

Buying a bed-in-a-box mattress is just easy! Since they’re sold online, it’s easier to find information about different models, you don’t have to deal with people, and you can compare other mattresses while you shop. We recommend this mattress to anyone who doesn’t have a lot of time.

Besides other advantages that online shopping offers, like free shipping and the possibility of a lifetime warranty, online stores are cheaper! This is because they don’t have the cost of handling a physical store. They’re a place to check out if you’re looking for a cheap mattress. 

Lastly, you’ll usually get a sleep trial to go along with the mattress, so you can send it back if it’s not the best mattress in a box for you. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best mattress in a box?

This may sound a bit cliche, but the best mattress is the one that is best for you. 

Though some of the mattresses on this list are arguably the best of the best, there is always a possibility that they might not be a good fit. Hence why many mattress brands offer sleep trials. 

So before you go shopping, read closely at the terms and conditions of the sleep trial. Also, feel free to contact them if you have some additional questions.

How long do bed-in-a-box mattresses last?

Listen. There are hardly any differences between showroom mattresses and bed in a box mattresses. 

How long a bed will last really depends on the overall quality of the product.

Most mattress warranties are valid for at least 10 years. An average mattress should last you around 7 to 8 years, though hybrid and latex models are known to last longer.

Also, keep in mind that this is just scratching the surface. If you properly take care of your mattress, you can lengthen its longevity for longer than your warranty period. How can you do that?

• Make sure to rotate the mattress every six months, do not flip it! 
• When there is a spill, spot clean it immediately. 
• Don’t keep it on the floor. Instead, place the mattress on a proper foundation, like a box spring, frame, or even an adjustable base.

How will I know when I need a new mattress?

Just look for the signs! 

Ok, we know it’s corny, but trust us, we have a point!

On average, a good quality mattress will last you for about 7 years. Though some beds may even last you longer or shorter depending on their overall construction. But usually, there are plenty of signs that indicate that it’s time for a brand new mattress. Here are just a few of them:

• When it starts to lose its shape.
• When the edges start to sag.
• When it becomes lumpy.
• When you start waking up with aches and pains.
• When rotating, the bed no longer works.
• When it develops an odor.
• When it causes irritations of the eyes or the respiratory system.
• When your body weight has changed.
• Etc.

How quickly do I need to unbox my new mattress?

To avoid damages from compression, most bed-in-a-box brands recommend unboxing your new mattress within 30 to 60 days, i.e., 1 to 2 months. But waiting for a few days to a week should do the trick. 

Also, keep in mind that it will take a few days to decompress and inflate fully.

ate.

How long should you wait before sleeping on a bed-in-a-box mattress?

Technically speaking, you can sleep on your new mattress once you unbox it. However, that might not be the best idea. 

Mattress companies usually recommend waiting at least 24 hours to sleep on your new bed. As the bed was compressed for a long time, it might take some time for it to decompress and inflate completely. Not to mention, off-gassing can be a real drag. 

Our advice? Wait for at least a few hours to 2 days after unboxing. Also, ventilate the room so that the off-gassing can pass quicker.

Final Thoughts

Here’s a quick recap of our list:

Mattress	Best/Most
Casper Original Mattress	Best Mattress For Combination Sleepers
Avocado Green Mattress	Best Organic Mattress
DreamCloud Mattress	Best Mattress For Back and Hip Pain
Nectar Mattress	Best Value Mattress
Layla Mattress	Best Memory Foam Mattress
Purple Original Mattress	Most Innovative Bed
Tuft & Needle Original Mattress	Best Affordable Mattress
WinkBeds Mattress	Most Comfortable Mattress

As you can see, in a sea of beds in a box, there are plenty of those that stand out from the rest. 

And they are quite diverse options as well. They can be organic, latex, memory foam, and reversible. You name it. 

This list is just the start of your journey to find the mattress that best suits you. So this is what we advise you to do next:

• Jot down what you like or dislike with any of these mattresses.
• Read more about their features and benefits in their respective reviews and websites.
• Take some time to process everything that you’ve learned.
• Take out your favorite bed for a sleep trial.
• And don’t forget to have some fun with it. 

A bed isn’t just a bed. It’s a vital part of your lifestyle and a tool to help improve your sleep quality.