Best Mattress for Allergies: Reviews and Buyer’s Guide

An allergy is an abnormal immune system reaction to an outside substance. You experience inflammation or a runny nose because your immune system produces antibodies when it encounters a particular allergen. Severity isn’t universal, as two people can have the same allergy, but one person may just get a rash while the other experiences life-threatening symptoms, such as difficulty breathing.

Because allergies can be extremely serious, it’s essential to make sure you’re sleeping on one of the best hypoallergenic mattresses available. The prefix “hypo” means something  has a “below average” risk of causing an allergic reaction or accumulating allergens. Other phrases to look for when mattress-shopping are “dust mite resistant” and “antimicrobial.”

All-foam beds and hybrids are some of the best mattresses for allergies. The thick foam layers on top prevent allergens such as dust mites, pollen, mold spores, and more from penetrating your mattress.

1. Amerisleep AS3

The most popular Amerisleep mattress is the company’s AS3 model, and it’s not hard to see why. The bed has a medium feel that cushions side sleepers and promotes easy movement for combination sleepers. The AS3 mattress is also relatively inexpensive when it comes to mattress prices, fitting easily into most people’s budgets.

The AS3 mattress contains three foam layers, adding up to 12 inches:

• 3 inches of Bio-Pur® foam
• 2 inches of Affinity with HIVE® technology
• 7 inches of Bio-Core® foam

Bio-Pur® is a unique comfort foam in every Amerisleep mattress. Amerisleep mixes in plant-derived oils during production to make Bio-Pur®, creating an eco-friendly mattress. Bio-Pur® foam is also cooler and more responsive than traditional memory foam.

The HIVE® technology in the Affinity layer is separated into five support zones through hexagonal cutouts. The cutouts are close together under your head, back, and feet for stable support. At the shoulder and hip areas, the cutouts are spaced apart to create a pressure-relieving cushion.

Bio-Core® is a sturdy foam designed to deter sagging. It does this so well that Amerisleep offers a 20-year warranty with every mattress.

The AS3 mattress includes free shipping, a 100-night sleep trial period with free returns, and a 20-year warranty.

2. Zoma Mattress

The Zoma Mattress is the bed for high achievers. Many professional athletes have not only enjoyed but benefited from sleeping on the Zoma, thanks to its recovery-focused design.

When you lie down on the Zoma Mattress, you should find it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep. No more waking up in the middle of the night because you’ve grown hot and sweaty.

The Zoma Mattress is 11 inches tall, with three foam layers:

• 2 inches of gel memory foam with Triangulex™ technology
• 2 inches of Reactiv™ foam
• 7 inches of Support+ foam

The cool gel improves the memory foam’s heat dispersion. Triangulex™ technology adds a pressure-relieving cushion in the mattress’s head and foot.

Reactiv™ adds some bounce to the bed without affecting motion isolation. This responsive material also keeps you from sinking in too deeply—without Reactiv™, you would be more likely to misalign your back or feel stuck when you move across your sleeping surface.

Support+ foam keeps the mattress in good condition, promoting a longer lifespan.

You have 100 nights to try out your Zoma Mattress once it arrives at your home. The Zoma Mattress also includes a 10-year warranty.

3. Vaya Mattress

You don’t have to spend outside your budget to  relax on a quality hypoallergenic mattress. Vaya keeps its mattresses affordable through an innovative yet simple design. The Vaya Mattress stands 12 inches tall and consists of their unique comfort foam and base foam.

Vaya Comfort Foam maintains a healthy spine and quickly snaps back into shape as you change positions. The material is lighter and cooler than traditional memory foam without compromising pressure relief.

Vaya Base Foam is sturdy and provides the support needed to wake up refreshed and alert. Both of these foam layers are encased in a soft and breathable mattress cover.

Every Vaya Mattress comes with a 100-night trial period and a 10-year warranty.

4. Avocado Green Mattress

The Avocado Green Mattress is our top recommendation when it comes to natural latex mattresses. Not only is the latex certified organic, but so is the wool barrier and cotton cover.

You can choose to add on a pillow top filled with soft latex for an added cost. Without the pillow top, the bed has a medium-firm feel. With the pillow top, the bed has a “gentle firm” feel, bringing it closer to a true medium.

Note that if you choose to add a pillow top to the Avocado mattress, it is permanent. A mattress topper is the better choice if you want a removable soft top.

As many as 1,414 steel coils support the mattress’s latex comfort layer. The coils are arranged into five support zones.

Each mattress side has two heavy-duty handles, making it easier to lift and move the mattress when needed.

An Avocado Green Mattress includes a 365-night sleep trial and a 25-year warranty.

Allergy Symptoms and Triggers

The allergy symptoms you’re likely to experience depend on the type of substance your body is reacting to.

Allergies and Sleep Deprivation

If you’re suffering from out-of-control allergies, it affects not only your daily life but your sleep quality as well. When you have severe nighttime allergies, you can experience:

• Insomnia: Sniffling, sneezing, watery eyes and itchiness stimulate wakefulness and can keep you from finding a comfortable sleep position.
• Obstructive sleep apnea: OSA refers to a condition where your throat muscles overly relax and soft tissues block your airway. Nasal congestion from allergies narrows your airways, which increases your likelihood of breathing difficulties.

When you have trouble falling and staying asleep, you’re also more likely to experience daytime sleepiness and fatigue.

Best Sleeping Position For Allergies

Most people favor one of three sleep positions—our back, sides, or stomach. We normally don’t recommend stomach sleeping for anyone because the position carries a high risk of chronic back pain.

Back sleeping is usually considered a healthy position. Lying on your back is one of the best ways to maintain a neutral spine, after all. However, we don’t recommend back sleeping for allergy sufferers because it can exacerbate breathing problems. Your sinuses are more likely to clog up, and you’re more likely to experience obstructive sleep apnea.

Even side sleeping isn’t a perfect solution if you have severe congestion. Some people toss and turn, switching sides because their sinuses drain and drip from one side to the other. Still, side sleeping usually provides the most relief from allergies.

The best mattress for side sleeping should have a soft to medium feel. A plush mattress conforms to a side sleeper’s hips and shoulders better than a firm mattress. If a side sleeper rests on a too-firm mattress, they may wake up with stiff shoulders, sore hips, and a bad back.

You may want to try an adjustable bed with your new mattress so that you can fall asleep while sitting up. Raising your upper body makes it easier for your sinuses to drain, allowing you to breathe clearly and freely during the night. If an adjustable bed is too pricey for you, a wedge pillow is an inexpensive alternative.

Best and Worst Mattress Types for Allergies

Allergens and dust mites have an easier time making it inside some mattress types than others. All-foam mattresses are an excellent choice because dust mites have difficulty burrowing inside and getting comfortable. Foam mattresses also usually lack the fibrous materials that dust mites feed on in other mattresses.

Mattresses with coils are a less desirable option because of the open space in between the springs. Not only is there room for dust mites and allergens to settle, but these mattresses can trap heat and moisture, creating a hospitable environment for mites and mold spores.

Best: Memory Foam

Memory foam mattresses are one of the best ways to wake up refreshed and pain-free. The material reacts to heat and pressure, molding to a person’s shape when they lie down. This malleability also makes it easy to package a memory foam bed as a bed in a box mattress.

While memory foam mattresses can be a good choice for allergy sufferers, you want to make sure you’re buying a quality model. Inexpensive and low-quality memory foam mattresses are more likely to off-gas the first few days and irritate your senses with volatile organic compounds.

You can make certain you’re buying a quality memory foam mattress by checking the bed’s certifications. For example, CertiPUR-US® is an independent organization and ensures foam is produced without these harmful chemicals:

• Mercury, lead, and other heavy metals
• Formaldehyde
• Ozone depleters
• PBDEs, TDCPP or TCEP flame retardants

Good: Latex

Natural latex mattresses offer several benefits, many of which aren’t exclusive to people with allergies. Not only is latex foam resistant to dust mites because of its density, but the material is sturdy enough to withstand years of nightly use.

Latex foam feels similar to memory foam, contouring to a person’s body for pressure and pain relief. The production costs for natural latex means the bed type carries a far higher price tag than a memory foam mattress, which is why many budget shoppers choose a memory foam mattress instead.

Can a person with a latex allergy sleep on a natural latex mattress? Theoretically, it should be safe because your body isn’t in direct contact with the latex. Many latex mattresses have wool batting and an organic cover on top of the comfort layer. Still, if you have a latex allergy, you might not want to risk it aggravating it with a latex mattress.

Okay: Hybrid

Hybrid mattresses take their name from their design, which mixes elements of foam and innerspring mattresses. To qualify as a hybrid mattress, a bed must have at least 2 to 3 inches of foam on top of a coil support system.

Hybrid mattresses usually don’t accumulate allergens the way innerspring mattresses do because of their thick foam tops. Still, the bed’s airy support can leave room for dust mites to breed and mold spores to grow. You can pair a hybrid mattress with a hypoallergenic mattress encasement to keep invaders out.

If you’re an allergy sufferer looking for a bouncy mattress, a hybrid might be your best choice. However, it won’t be an inexpensive purchase. Hybrid mattresses are one of the more expensive bed types, often costing more than $1,000.

Worst: Innerspring

There are many advantages to choosing an innerspring mattress. Many are inexpensive, providing deciding comfort to anyone living on a restricted budget. The bed’s coil support makes it easy for air to slip through and carry off moisture and body heat, making it an excellent cooling mattress for a hot sleeper.

However, we do not recommend an innerspring mattress for anyone who wants a hypoallergenic bed. The thin top layer of an innerspring mattress isn’t an effective barrier against allergens, and the airy coil support leaves plenty of room for dust mites to accumulate and breed. Innerspring mattresses can also trap moisture, which allows mold and mildew to flourish.

Similarly, avoid innerspring mattresses with pillow tops. The airy materials inside a pillow top usually don’t deter dust mites from accumulating in your mattress.

Other Ways to Control Allergies

A hypoallergenic mattress is a good step toward managing your allergies. However, it’s quite likely you’ll need to do more before your allergies are fully under control.

To make your bedroom and home allergen resistant, you need to:

• Maintain your home’s humidity levels
• Outfit your mattress with the right bedding
• Limit where any pets can go
• Keep a clean home
• Consider essential oils

Watch Humidity Levels

You have to strike a fine balance when it comes to your bedroom’s humidity. Too dry, and your skin is more likely to start itchy. Too humid, and you risk promoting mold and mildew growth.

Your home’s humidity should fall in the 30 to 50 percent range. You can measure humidity with a hygrometer, found at most hardware stores and through online general retailers.

Does your home feel too wet or dry? What you should do depends on your local climate.

If you live in a dry area, a humidifier may help you sleep better. Humidifiers are also excellent during winter when your heater unintentionally makes your home feel dry. You need to clean your humidifier at least once a week, though you should empty and rinse its tank every day.

Conversely, if you live in a wet area, a dehumidifier can keep moisture levels low. You can choose a small dehumidifier for your room or upgrade your home with a whole-house dehumidifier.

Use the Right Bedding

Look for bed sheets you can wash in hot water, which is the best temperature for killing dust mites. Warm water kills significantly fewer dust mites than hot water.

Plus, if you don’t run your washer on a high temperature, you may not kill microbes. These microbes might contaminate your washer and future laundry loads.

Change your bedding often, at least once a week. Switching out your bedding with clean sheets and pillowcases prevents dust mites from accumulating in and around your mattress.

If you have severe allergies, you may need to launder your bedding even more often. Some people sleep best when they change their pillowcases daily.

The best pillows for allergies have a fill and cover that lets water droplets escape easily. Latex foam, memory foam, and wool are good hypoallergenic fills. Cotton pillow covers are breathable and wick away moisture.

Invest in a mattress protector. Protectors have a tight weave that keeps out dust mites, bed bugs, pollen, and other allergens and pests. They also keep your mattress safe from spills and other accidents.

Restrict Your Pets

No matter how much you might love your pet and don’t want to bar them from your bedroom, inviting them in means welcoming in allergens as well. Your pet’s fur can still trap irritants such as dirt and pollen, eventually releasing them into your bedroom. Even if you keep your animal friend indoors at all times, they still shed pet dander that can cause allergy flare-ups.

Prevention means more than just keeping your pets from sleeping on your bed. If you’re experiencing morning or night time allergies, you may have to move your pet’s small bed or sleeping rug to a different room.

Practice Good Housekeeping

First housekeeping tip for anyone with allergies: you want to vacuum at least once a week. However, you can’t rely on a vacuum to suck up all loose allergens. Many are so small they pass through a vacuum cleaner’s filter, which allows the allergen to recirculate around your home.

You can complement your vacuuming with a HEPA filter. HEPA stands for High-Efficiency Particulate Air, a fancy way of saying the filter traps tiny allergens like pollen and dust mites. You can find quality HEPA filters for under $100.

Do you live with someone else? Ask if they would be willing to take over vacuuming and dusting your home. It’s better to avoid those tasks if you have allergies.

If you can’t avoid doing your own cleaning, use a damp cloth and a mop. A wet cloth or mop trap allergens instead of releasing them into the air to bother you later. You can further prevent breathing in allergens while cleaning by wearing a mask.

Going through and getting rid of clutter around your home will give dust fewer places to settle. Eliminating clutter can also improve your mindset since you’ll no longer be anxiously thinking things like, “I need to go through that stuff someday.”

Don’t forget to clean outside entryways by sweeping or vacuuming them. The cleaner they are, the less likely you or someone else will carry in allergens.

After you’ve tidied your home, find something to do elsewhere for a few hours. Getting out of the house keeps you from inhaling all the allergens you’ve knocked loose with your cleaning.

If simpler steps don’t help you minimize allergy symptoms, you may have to take more drastic measures and go for a more minimal look. Removing rugs and carpeting and substituting upholstered furniture with leather and vinyl counterparts will cut down on places where dust mites and other allergens can collect.

We’ve listed some housekeeping do’s to keep your allergies under control, but we can’t neglect the don’ts:

• Do not shampoo your carpet. The moisture leftover from carpet shampoo can promote mold growth and make it easier for dust mites to breed.
• Do not use heavily scented cleaners. Fragrances in cleaners can trigger allergy symptoms.
• Do not air-dry your laundry outside. Your clothes and linen will likely pick up outside allergens.

Try Essential Oils

Certain essential oils can clear up your sinuses if you breathe them in, thanks to their anti-inflammatory properties. If you’re considering aromatherapy, try lavender, peppermint, basil, lemon, and eucalyptus oil.

Be cautious, as aromatherapy isn’t a guaranteed treatment. At best, a fragrant essential oil may do no more than boost your mood. At worst, it may make it more difficult to breathe at night.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a memory foam mattress last?

The average memory foam mattress lasts about 7 years, though high-quality models may last 8 to 10 years. You can stretch out your mattress’s lifespan through regular cleaning and care. Rotate your mattress every three to six months, and keep out spills and pests with a mattress protector.

Why am I itching all over my body without a rash?

Possible reasons your skin might be itchy, according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, include:

• Extremely dry skin. You can treat dry skin with moisturizers, humidifiers, and shorter baths and showers. People over 65 years old are more likely to develop dry skin.
• Covert bug bites from bed bugs, mites, and lice. These are often not as obvious as the bumps from mosquito bites.
• Various medical conditions, such as hives, chickenpox, ringworm, shingles, and more.
• A symptom of a disease such as diabetes, blood disease, kidney disease, and liver disease.
• Skin cancer
• Allergic reactions, which may not always include a rash.

If you’re experiencing persistent itching without a rash, Harvard Medical has a quick quiz you can take to narrow down possible causes. It can’t replace a proper meeting with your doctor, but it can give you a better idea of what condition you might have. A doctor can often prescribe creams and oral medication to alleviate itching.

What bedding is best for eczema?

According to the National Eczema Society, some of the best choices for eczema-friendly bedding include:

• 100 percent cotton bedding. Don’t settle for inexpensive cotton weaves that may irritate eczema; look for high-quality sateen or percale bedding. If you’re buying thicker bedding such as duvets and comforters, you may be able to compromise by choosing one with a synthetic fill and a cotton cover for easier washing.
• Bamboo is more absorbent than cotton and has better temperature regulation.
• Silk is not only breathable and cool, but it naturally resists dust mites that can irritate eczema.
• Wool maintains a consistent temperature and resists dust mites.

Breathability is an important feature of eczema-friendly bedding because people with the condition often overheat more quickly than the average person. Overheating and sweating can cause itchiness.

Why are allergies worse at night and in the morning?

If you’re exposed to accumulated allergens in your bedroom while you sleep, you might experience increased allergy symptoms in the morning. Mornings are also when pollen counts are at their highest, so you might want to avoid the outdoors or even just an open window during early morning hours. You can talk to your doctor or allergist about medication to get nighttime and morning allergy symptoms under control.

Why do I get itchy when I lie in bed at night?

You might feel itchy as you prepare for bed because of your circadian rhythms. More blood can flow to your skin, causing you to grow warmer. If you’ve been sweating, the perspiration may have dehydrated your skin. Finally, with little to occupy your mind as you drift off, you’re more likely to notice an itch.

Bathing in cool or mildly warm water before bed can help you control nighttime itchiness. Other ways to minimize itching include:

• Wearing loose-fitting sleepwear.
• Using a fan to increase airflow.

Conclusion

Your bedroom should be a haven for you, but it can easily host many allergens if you’re not careful. Sleeping on one of the best mattresses for allergies is only a small part of keeping a clean bedroom. Other tricks to make sure you wake up allergy-free include monitoring your home’s humidity levels and maintaining a neat house.