Best 12 Inch Mattresses

12-inch mattresses have a lot to offer. They’re supportive enough for even the big and tall. They are still light and thin enough to move without too much trouble. And they look amazing to boot! They’re not too thick and not too thin – they’re just right.

The best news is there are tons of quality and comfortable 12-inch mattresses on today’s market. Here is a roundup of a few of the best ones.

Best 12 Inch Mattresses of 2024

Watch Our Amerisleep AS3 Video Review

Are you tired of tossing and turning? We’ve all been there: searching high and low for the perfect 12-inch mattress. We wanted something that was not only comfortable but also supportive. 

Well, we found it: The Amerisleep AS3.

What makes the AS3 so special? It’s all about the unique Bio-Pur® memory foam. This innovative material is soft and responsive, cradling your body without feeling overly clingy. It’s like sleeping on a cloud but with the added benefit of pressure relief.

Beyond comfort, the AS3 offers a comprehensive sleep solution:

• Optimal Support: We were impressed by how well the 12-inch profile supports the spine, hips, and shoulders. The Bio-Pur® foam contours to your body, providing targeted pressure relief and promoting proper spinal alignment. Whether you’re a side sleeper, back sleeper, or stomach sleeper, the AS3 cradles your curves and aligns your spine for a restful night’s sleep.
• Advanced Cooling Technology: We appreciated the innovative cooling technology, which features open-cell foam and a breathable mattress cover to help regulate body temperature. This combination of features allows for optimal airflow, keeping you cool and dry throughout the night. Say goodbye to tossing and turning due to overheating!
• Durability and Peace of Mind: The 20-year warranty gives us peace of mind, knowing that we’ll enjoy the luxurious comfort of the AS3 for years to come. The high-quality materials and expert craftsmanship ensure that the mattress will withstand the test of time, providing consistent support and comfort night after night.

Ready to experience the ultimate sleep? The Amerisleep AS3 is the perfect choice for anyone seeking a luxurious and supportive mattress. It combines exceptional comfort, advanced cooling technology, and long-lasting durability to create an exceptional sleep experience.

Read Our Full Review of the Amerisleep AS3 Mattress

Watch Our Zoma Hybrid Video Review

Our research into the finest 12-inch mattresses revealed that the Zoma Hybrid is a great choice for anybody seeking the benefits of a hybrid design, particularly if you’re looking for a mix of pressure relief and a little bounce. 

This mattress’s structure, which our team of testers deemed to be crucial for a good night’s sleep, is tailored to comfort and longevity thanks to its layers of adaptable foam and pocketed coils.

We examined how Zoned Support maintains the mattress’s responsiveness, which means it supports heavier-weighted places like the shoulders and hips while remaining soft around other pressure spots. 

Our testers discovered that the Zoma Hybrid doesn’t confine sleepers who want to move around; its responsive foam and springy coils allow for effortless mobility without interfering with sleep.

Another significant advantage of this mattress was its ability to regulate temperature. We found that the Zoma Hybrid’s airflow-promoting coils and breathable cover prevented heat accumulation during testing, which may be a huge benefit if you sleep hot. This characteristic, together with the gel-infused memory foam layer’s cooling comfort, makes the Zoma Hybrid a good choice for sleepers who like to stay cool.

For those looking for a reliable hybrid within the best 12-inch mattresses, the Zoma Hybrid ticks a lot of boxes. My testers were impressed with its combination of support, pressure relief, and coolness, making it a great all-around choice for a comfortable, balanced sleep setup.

Read Our Full Review of the Zoma Hybrid Mattress

It’s critical to combine comfort, durability, and price while looking for the finest value mattress. For this reason, the Vaya Mattress was added to our list. We looked into and compared a number of choices, and this mattress stood out for providing good performance at a reasonable cost.

A Closer Look at the Vaya Mattress

Our team of testers put the Vaya Mattress through its paces, and here’s what we discovered:

12-Inch Profile: The Vaya Mattress sits at a comfortable 12 inches, providing a good balance between support and cushioning. It’s thick enough to deliver that plush feel while also offering the support necessary for a restful night’s sleep.

Two-Layer Design: The mattress features a simple yet effective two-layer construction:

1. Vaya Comfort Foam: The top layer uses Vaya’s proprietary foam, which delivers softness and pressure relief. We found it to be great for sleepers who want a balance between softness and support, without feeling too “sinking.”
2. Vaya Support Foam: The base layer is a high-density foam designed to provide sturdy support. We noticed that this layer offers great spinal alignment, making it a good choice for back and stomach sleepers.

Breathability: One of the things our team really appreciated was the breathability of the Vaya Mattress. The foam layers are designed to promote airflow, which helps with temperature regulation throughout the night. If you’re someone who tends to get hot while sleeping, this feature can be a real game-changer.

What Makes the Vaya Mattress Stand Out?

Affordable Price Point: The Vaya Mattress offers one of the best values in the market without compromising on quality. After testing, we believe it’s perfect for people who are on a budget but still want a mattress that feels comfortable and durable.

Pressure Relief: Whether you sleep on your side, back, or stomach, the Vaya Mattress adapts well to different sleeping positions. Our testers reported less pressure on their hips and shoulders, making it a great choice for anyone who struggles with aches and pains during sleep.

Minimal Motion Transfer: If you share your bed with a partner, you’ll likely appreciate the Vaya’s ability to reduce motion transfer. We found that when one tester moved or shifted positions, the other tester didn’t feel it as much. This is a key feature for couples or light sleepers.

Read Our Full Review of the Vaya Mattress

Watch Our Nest Bedding Sparrow Video Review

Couples’ Choice: For couples on the hunt for a mattress that truly accommodates two people comfortably, the Nest Bedding Sparrow emerged as a balanced option. Ranking as the fifth product on our list this model has a lot going for it in terms of comfort, motion isolation, and versatility—qualities that can make a real difference for couples with differing sleep needs.

Why the Nest Bedding Sparrow?

Our team researched and analyzed multiple 12-inch mattresses, looking at everything from firmness levels to temperature control, and the Sparrow caught our attention for its adaptive design. Here’s what sets it apart:

Nest Bedding allows couples to customize the Sparrow with different firmness options. It’s even available with split firmness on each side, which is a game-changer for partners with different comfort preferences.

One of the standout features in our analysis is the Sparrow’s ability to isolate motion. Thanks to its foam and coil hybrid design, the mattress significantly minimizes movement transfer, so restless nights from one partner don’t necessarily mean disrupted sleep for the other.

The Sparrow combines responsive coils with a soft layer of memory foam. Together, they create a balance of pressure relief and support, which is especially useful for couples who might be switching positions throughout the night.

What We Found?

During our hands-on testing, our team of testers noted how well the Sparrow adapted to various body types and sleeping positions. The blend of memory foam and a zoned coil layer really made it a versatile mattress, particularly for back and side sleepers.

Our analysis points to the Sparrow as an ideal choice for couples who value customization and durability. The hybrid design appeals to those who want a combination of contouring comfort and supportive coils, perfect for sleepers who might switch between side and back positions. Couples who differ in their sleep preferences can especially benefit from the split firmness option, which lets each person create their own comfort zone.

Our testers specifically highlighted these benefits:

Pressure Relief: The memory foam layer provides gentle contouring around shoulders and hips, which is great for side sleepers who often need extra support in these areas.

Supportive Core: Underneath, the coil layer offered more solid support, preventing the “sink-in” feeling that can lead to back pain over time.

Edge Support: The edges of the Sparrow held up well, meaning couples can use the full surface without that “rolling off” sensation.

Read Our Full Review of the Nest Bedding Sparrow

Watch Our AS3 Hybrid Video Review

In our quest to find the best 12-inch mattresses, we stumbled upon a true gem: the AS3 Hybrid.

This mattress has quickly become a favorite among sleep enthusiasts, thanks to its innovative cooling technology and luxurious comfort. But what sets it apart from other 12-inch mattresses? Let’s dive deeper.

A Symphony of Cooling Comfort

The AS3 Hybrid is a testament to advanced sleep technology. Its unique design incorporates a multi-layered system that works in harmony to provide optimal cooling and support.

1. Phase-Change Material: This innovative material actively responds to your body temperature, absorbing excess heat and releasing it when needed.
2. Aerated Memory Foam: This airy foam promotes airflow, allowing heat to dissipate quickly and keeping you cool throughout the night.
3. Responsive Hybrid Core: A combination of individually wrapped coils and supportive foam layers provides targeted support and pressure relief.

A Personalized Sleep Experience

Our team of testers was impressed by the AS3 Hybrid’s ability to adapt to individual sleep preferences. Whether you’re a side sleeper, back sleeper, or combination sleeper, this mattress can provide the perfect balance of comfort and support.

The mattress’s medium-firm feel offers a gentle hug, while the responsive hybrid core ensures proper spinal alignment. This combination results in a restful and rejuvenating sleep experience.

Elevate Your Sleep, Night After Night

The AS3 Hybrid is a great option if you’re searching for a 12-inch mattress that emphasizes both cooling comfort and plush support. It is a leading competitor in the sleep industry because to its creative design and premium materials, which offer a really customized sleeping experience. The AS3 Hybrid offers something to offer everyone, regardless of whether they are hot sleepers, side sleepers, or just looking for a decent night’s sleep.

In the next section, we’ll delve deeper into the feel and mattress construction along with benefits and customer responses of the AS3 Hybrid.

Read Our Full Review of the Amerisleep AS3 Hybrid Mattress

Watch Our AS2 Video Review

Finding the right mattress to alleviate back pain is crucial for a good night’s sleep, and the Amerisleep AS2 could be the answer for many. 

Designed for Back Pain Relief

The Amerisleep AS2 is specifically engineered to help with back discomfort. Whether you’re dealing with chronic pain or occasional aches, the 12-inch mattress offers an ideal balance of support and comfort to align the spine and reduce pressure points. Our team of testers found that the AS2’s medium-firm feel is perfect for back sleepers, particularly those who struggle with lower back pain.

When we tested the Amerisleep AS2, we felt a noticeable difference in support compared to other mattresses. The top foam layer gently cradles the body, while the transition foam beneath it provides stable, firm support. Our team noted that the AS2 helped alleviate pressure in the lower back and hips, offering a restful experience without the usual discomfort.

What we tested

Firmness: Medium-firm—perfect for providing support without being too rigid.

Pressure Relief: Especially effective for back sleepers, but also suitable for side sleepers who need some extra cushioning around the hips and shoulders.

Cooling: Thanks to its breathable cover and foam layers, the mattress maintained a comfortable temperature throughout the night.

Why It Works

The combination of the Bio-Pur® foam, transition foam, and a durable base makes the Amerisleep AS2 a standout in the 12 Inch category. It’s specifically crafted to provide spinal alignment, pressure relief, and lasting comfort—all essential elements for a mattress that helps with back pain.

Read Our Full Review of the Amerisleep AS2 Mattress

How to Choose the Right 12-Inch Mattress

A lot of people think picking the best mattress is a matter of sitting on them at the store and trying to blindly choose the one that feels the best at that moment. However, choosing the right mattress is both more and less complicated than that.

As long as you know a few things about yourself and how they impact your sleep needs, you can choose the right mattress – maybe without ever even sitting on it first!

SEE ALSO: Best Mattress for Tall People

Material and Construction

The material your mattress is made of decides a lot. The type of mattress you have impacts feel, responsiveness, temperature regulation, and even durability.

And of course, you can’t forget about the price. The material and construction of your mattress have the most impact on how much it will cost as well. Naturally, mattress thickness affects how much material is packed into a bed.

Memory Foam

Memory foam is a highly versatile material that can offer tons of comfort to those looking for durability and quality on a budget. Memory foam is a type of flexible polyurethane foam that was originally developed by NASA to support astronauts and pilots at high speeds.

When the recipe for this foam came on the market as mattresses in a box, it didn’t take long for it to go from space-age technology to one of the hottest bedding materials around.

Memory foam mattresses are so popular because it offers a mix of pressure relief, contoured support, and durability. Memory foam can follow the curve of your body to relieve pressure points. This ability to take your shape also offers spine-aligning support.

Best of all, you can expect a pure memory foam mattress to last up to 20 years. And you’ll get all this comfort and durability for an average price of $1,100 for a queen memory foam mattress. Of course, you can get memory foam mattresses for a lot more than that. On the flip side, you can easily find quality memory foam beds for less than $1,000 as well.

Despite all these pros, memory foam does have a couple of issues. For one thing, it tends to retain more heat than other materials. Even when it sports cooling technologies like gel or mineral infusions, memory foam is just not as cooling as coils or latex.

Memory foam is also not as responsive as other materials, so if you like to toss and turn at night, you might want to consider another material.

SEE ALSO: Best Mattress Under 1000 Dollars

Natural Latex

Natural latex foam comes from the processed sap of the rubber tree. This sap can be whipped into two different types of foam: dense, durable Dunlop latex and light, springy Talalay latex. Both Talalay and Dunlop latex mattresses are more responsive and breathable than any memory foam. So those who sleep hot or like to toss around at night might do better on latex than memory foam.

If you want a mattress that you won’t have to replace for decades – maybe ever – you should go for latex as well. Natural latex (especially Dunlop latex) is highly durable. Well-maintained organic latex mattresses can outlast any other material by many years. The most durable ones have made it well into their 30s.

Latex mattresses do have a couple of issues, though. First off, it’s the most expensive mattress type upfront. Its durability brings the overall lifetime price of latex way down. But your budget will be taking a big hit on the initial purchase. You can expect to pay an average price of $2,100 for a queen latex mattress.

Latex is also not quite as contouring as memory foam. It wants to retain its own shape, so it springs back into place without leaving body impressions or sagging.

But it may offer less pressure relief than memory foam because of its reduced contouring ability. This may not bother back and stomach sleepers. But side sleepers who want latex should look at softer Talalay options.

SEE ALSO: Best Mattresses for Athletes

Hybrid

Hybrid mattresses boast a pocketed coil support core and a top layer (or layers) made of foam. These upper foam layers must be at least two inches thick, and the coils must be encased in their own individual wrappers for the mattress to be a hybrid.

There are lots of advantages to pocketed coils vs open coils. They’re wrapped in foil to foam, so the risk of them becoming noisy over time is next to none. These coils also can move independently of one another. That means they can adapt to your shape and your sleep position just like foam does.

Hybrid mattresses allow you to enjoy the springiness and breathability of coils while maintaining the adaptability and pressure relief of a foam mattress. Hybrids are durable, adaptable, cooling, and supportive. When it comes to comfort, there aren’t many disadvantages.

The only major con with hybrids is their price. At an average of almost $1800 for a queen, hybrids are almost as expensive as latex but a lot less durable. Hybrid mattresses are durable in comparison to innerspring mattresses and even a lot of memory foam ones. But they cannot stand up to the durability of latex.

This, combined with their high initial price, makes them the most expensive mattress type over time. Considering all the comfort they offer, the price might just be worth it.

SEE ALSO: Hybrid Mattress Buying Guide

Innerspring

Innerspring mattresses are the oldest mattress technology still in widespread use today. They’re made of a thinner comfort layer on top of a coil network wired together with steel cable. These coils are called open coils.

Innerspring comfort layers can be made of anything from cotton to foam to wool to fiberfill. Innerspring mattresses may also have an extra layer of padding called a pillow top. Any mattress type can be a pillow top mattress, but they’re most common on innerspring mattresses.

Innerspring mattresses offer a couple of advantages. For one, at an average of $950, they’re the cheapest mattress type upfront. They’re also very cooling mattresses because open coils are so breathable. And they’re highly responsive for those who like to toss and turn.

However, innerspring mattresses have a lot of disadvantages. Open coils cannot contour very well, so the pressure relief and spinal support of innerspring mattresses are typically substandard. Open coils may also become quite noisy over time. And they’re not very durable either.

Open coils tend to wear out and sag faster than other support cores. That means you might pay less on the front end, but you’ll be paying more for innerspring mattresses over time because they have to be replaced more often. Due to these issues, we recommend hybrids over innerspring mattresses.

SEE ALSO: Best Hybrid Mattress for Side Sleepers

Firmness Level

Your mattress’s firmness level is another thing that can make or break your night’s sleep. If it’s too soft for your sleeping position and body type, you may not get enough support to keep your spine aligned. If you have a too firm mattress, you might not get enough pressure relief.

Either way, problems resulting from the wrong firmness level can impact the quality and quantity of your sleep. While a mattress topper can improve a bed’s feel, it’s best to pick the right mattress from the start.

The good news is all you need to know to pick the right firmness level are your sleep style and your body weight. Your preferred sleep position decides your baseline firmness needs, while your body weight impacts whether you need to go up or down from there.

Mattress firmness is measured on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the firmest. However, the firmest mattresses on the market are usually around an 8, while the softest come in at about a 3.

This is because there’s no market for mattresses with absolutely no support or absolutely no pressure relief. No matter what, you still need some combination of the two.

SEE ALSO: Best Mattress for the Money

Back Sleepers

Back sleepers typically need medium-firm mattresses (6). A medium-firm feel offers a balance of support and pressure relief that slightly favors support. This allows a mattress for back sleeping to flow with the curve of your back while still keeping you lifted onto the sleep surface.

A medium-firm mattress can compress underneath your buttocks and rise to fill in the gap in your lower back. This helps ensure your lumbar region stays supported without allowing you to sink so far into the bed that it bends your body forward.

SEE ALSO: Best Pillows for Back Sleepers

Side Sleepers

Side sleepers usually need medium-soft to soft mattresses (4 to 3) because of the pressure their body weight exerts on their shoulder and hip joints. When you sleep on your side, your body presses down on these pressure points, which can cause you to wake up with pain.

Medium-soft mattresses offer deep compression to relieve the pressure on your joints. But they don’t lose all their support, so they can still keep your spine aligned and your body lifted. That makes them perfect mattresses for side sleeping for most average-weight individuals

SEE ALSO: Best Pillows for Side Sleepers

Stomach Sleepers

Stomach sleepers need the firmest mattresses of all sleep positions. This is because the pelvis sinks down into the mattress when you sleep on your stomach. This overarches the spine and causes you to wake up with lower back pain. Mattresses for stomach sleeping minimize this issue.

Firm mattresses (7) can help keep your pelvis lifted onto the sleep surface without sacrificing all contouring. This can prevent pain from an overextended vertebral column and from pressure on the hip joints. Mattresses for stomach sleeping, especially extra firm mattresses, minimize this issue.

Combination Sleepers

Combo sleepers like to change things up night after night or even multiple times during the same night. They might assume any of the three other sleep positions and have no strong preference for any of them. A mattress for combination sleeping needs to support most positions.

This means that combo sleepers do best with a medium mattress (5). A medium mattress is versatile enough to offer support and pressure relief no matter which position you adopt. These mattresses can accommodate any position for a time.

Body Type

Your sleep style dictates your baseline firmness level, but your body weight does have an impact on your firmness needs under certain circumstances. Generally speaking, you don’t have to worry about increasing or decreasing your firmness level if you weigh between 130 and 230 pounds. However, if you fall outside of this range, you’ll need to consider that.

Petite sleepers fall under 130 pounds and typically need to decrease their firmness level. Because their lighter weight means they don’t get as much compression, mattresses for lightweight people need to quickly conform.

Petite sleepers’ weight will not compress their mattress like average and plus-size sleepers’ weight will. So they need to go down a firmness level to get the same amount of pressure relief. Soft mattresses in a box are helpful for lighter sleepers.

Conversely, plus-size sleepers (those over 230 pounds) usually need to go up a firmness level. When you’re on the larger side, your mattress may not offer you the same support that it does to average and petite sleepers. This means you’ll need a level firmer than the one that matches your sleep style to get the same amount of support from a mattress for a heavy sleeper.

Mattress Size

Choosing the ideal mattress size for your 12-inch mattress will depend on your individual needs and preferences. A 12-inch mattress is considered a thicker mattress, providing added support and comfort. Here are some general guidelines to help you determine the best mattress size for you.

If you are a single sleeper or have limited space, a twin or twin XL mattress may be a good option for a 12-inch mattress. However, if you are a taller individual or need more space to spread out while sleeping, a full size mattress may be a better choice.

For couples, a queen size mattress is the most popular choice for a 12-inch mattress. This size offers ample space for two people to sleep comfortably while also fitting well in most bedrooms. If you and your partner require more space or simply prefer a larger bed, a king size mattress may be a better option. See our guide to queen vs king mattresses.

It’s important to consider the size of your bedroom and the space available for your mattress. A larger mattress size may require more floor space, so make sure to measure your room and consider any other furniture you may have in it. If needed, you can look into creative ways to save space like a Murphy bed mattress.

Saving while Mattress Shopping

Shoppers who want to save without sacrificing quality should check out the recurring mattress sales:

• Presidents Day Mattress Sales
• Memorial Day Mattress Sales
• Fourth of July Mattress Sales
• Columbus Day Mattress Sales
• Labor Day Mattress Sales
• Black Friday Mattress Sales
• Cyber Monday Mattress Sales

FAQs

How do I know if 12 inches is the right depth for me?

Twelve inches is considered one of the most versatile mattress depths because it can support just about everyone without creating an overly high profile. Generally speaking, 9 inches is considered the bare minimum thickness for an adult mattress. However, larger adults may need more support.

For heavier sleepers, 12 inches may be a better minimum thickness. It offers plenty of support to just about every body type, so anyone of any weight can sleep on a 12-inch mattress. 12-inch mattresses are also not typically more expensive than 10 or 11-inch ones because 12 inches is still considered a standard thickness.

All in all, there’s not much reason to avoid a 12-inch mattress. The only reason you might want to go thicker is if you’re going for a high-end luxe look for your bed. Conversely, you might want to go thinner if you move a lot, as thinner mattresses are typically easier to relocate. Otherwise, a 12-inch mattress can work for just about anyone.

Are 12-inch mattresses more expensive?

If a mattress exceeds the average depth, it’s often considered a luxury mattress because of its extra thickness. This additional depth can add a lot of money to the mattress’s price tag.

However, 12 inches falls squarely in the middle of the mattress thickness range of 8 to 14 inches. That means that, while a 12-inch mattress might be a little more expensive than a 9-inch one, you should not expect to pay a luxury premium based on the mattress depth alone.

If you’re paying a premium for a 12-inch mattress, it’s likely because it’s made of expensive materials or sports a luxury design with lots of premium sleep technologies.

Do I need special sheets for my 12-inch mattress?

No. You should not need sheets with deep pockets for a 12-inch mattress. Most standard fitted sheets should fit a 12-inch mattress just fine. In fact, many types of sheets are made to go over mattresses as thick as 14 inches.

Always check the mattress depth the sheet pockets can extend to before buying. But as a general rule, if you only have a 12-inch mattress, you should be covered. You won’t need specialty sheets with ultra-deep pockets.

What is the best bed base for a 12-inch mattress?

That really depends more on the mattress type than the thickness. For instance, you can put innerspring mattresses of any thickness on any bed base except an adjustable base. That includes box springs, platform beds, and mattress foundations.

Conversely, you cannot put hybrid or all-foam mattresses on box springs. They are too heavy and will crush the box springs under their weight. Many warranties for these mattress types also specify that you cannot maintain coverage if you lay them on box springs. But you can lay them on any other bed base, including adjustable bases.

A good rule of thumb to follow for all mattress depths is to stay away from box springs if you’re worried about your mattress’s weight.

How long can I expect my 12-inch mattress to last?

That depends more on the material than the thickness of the mattress. Different materials have different durabilities. Typically, innerspring mattresses have the shortest average lifespan. Expect to replace your innerspring bed before the ten-year mark.

Conversely, natural latex mattresses have the longest average life expectancy. Some well-maintained Dunlop latex mattresses have been known to make it into their late 30s before needing to be replaced.

Hybrid and memory foam mattresses fall somewhere in the middle. Memory foam mattresses with an all-foam support core will last anywhere from 10 to 20 years. Hybrid mattresses have an average life expectancy of around 15 years.

One way mattress thickness does impact longevity is the thickness of the base layer. Regardless of the overall thickness, your mattress should have a support core that takes up no less than half of its total depth. This will ensure you get the most life out of it.

Bottom Line

12-inch mattresses offer tons of versatility. You get similar support to what you would get with a thicker 14-inch mattress and a luxury feel to boot. Yet 12-inch mattresses won’t increase your bed’s profile too much and are easier to move than their thicker counterparts. They offer the best of both thick and thin mattresses!

Dr. Burns tests each mattress at eachnight’s facility to make sure the recommendations are based on real, expert reviews.