Best Mattress for Platform Beds: Reviews and Buyer’s Guide

Platform beds are a great way to enjoy a good night’s sleep without a mattress foundation. Some mattress types, including memory foam mattresses, don’t need a box spring and function perfectly when placed directly on a platform bed.

While it’s true some mattresses are fine with no foundation, frame, or box spring, placing your bed directly on the floor could lead to damage. On the floor, the mattress is exposed to dust mites and bacteria, unlike if it were on a platform bed. Our article reviews the best mattresses for platform beds and how to find the right one.

The Amerisleep AS3 is one of the best mattresses for a platform bed. A platform bed complements the AS3’s already excellent support, so you can fully enjoy the mattress.

You can enjoy the AS3 mattress for up to 100 nights, risk-free. If you don’t like the mattress after a month, Amerisleep will issue a full refund.

A generous 20-year warranty backs the Amerisleep AS3 mattress. Amerisleep fully covers the mattress for the first ten years. During the last ten years, Amerisleep will repair or replace the bed at a prorated charge.

SEE ALSO: Best Hotel Beds

Read Our Full Review of the Amerisleep AS3 Mattress

For those with an active lifestyle, the Zoma Mattress is a popular choice. Cooling foam layers relieve pressure points without trapping heat, and the medium feel makes the Zoma Mattress perfect for side and back sleepers.

For those who prefer an “on top of the mattress” feel from springy support, there’s also the Zoma Hybrid. It features a similar construction, with the primary design difference being a coil base that structures the mattress.

The Zoma Mattress includes a 100-night sleep trial. If you decide the bed isn’t a good fit after giving yourself time to adjust to it, Zoma will give you a full refund.

Zoma provides customers with a 10-year warranty, covering sags deeper than an inch.

SEE ALSO: Zoma Mattress Review

If you’re looking for a softer mattress, the Amerisleep AS5 Hybrid is another excellent platform bed option. The Amerisleep AS5 Hybrid has a plush surface for maximum comfort without sacrificing support. You’ll love the soft, conforming feel of memory foam without feeling stuck.

Amerisleep allows customers to try out the AS5 Hybrid for up to 100 nights. You can return the mattress for a full refund if you’re not satisfied after 30 nights.

The AS5 Hybrid comes with Amerisleep’s 20-year warranty, one of the best in the mattress industry. Amerisleep takes full financial responsibility for any manufacturing defects and sagging greater than an inch.

See Also: Best Mattress for College Students

Read Our Full Review of the Amerisleep AS5 Hybrid Mattress

The Vaya Mattress is a great option for those on a budget. You can score a queen size Vaya Mattress for only $599—other mattress retailers charge at least $1000 for their traditional memory foam mattress models. With Vaya, you’ll get the same high-quality you can expect from high-end mattress companies but at an affordable price.

You can try out the Vaya Mattress risk-free for 100 nights. If you don’t love the mattress after 60 nights, Vaya will help you donate the bed and give you a full refund.

Vaya backs their mattresses with a 10-year warranty, financially covering the bed in case of a defect or sags greater than an inch.

The brand also offers the Vaya Hybrid, an excellent mattress for platform beds and for sleepers who prefer a springy feel. However, as a hybrid mattress, it does cost a little bit more than the original Vaya, so many budget shoppers might prefer the lower-priced Vaya Mattress that offers similar amounts of comfort.

SEE ALSO: Vaya Mattress Review

Those looking for an all-natural and eco-friendly mattress that doesn’t skimp on comfort should look no further than the Natural 11 by Nolah. This mattress features all-natural foams and textiles and uses recycled steel to create a mattress with fewer toxins and a smaller carbon footprint. Not that you’d ever know it, as this is one of the most comfortable mattresses around!

SEE ALSO: Nolah Mattress Review

Many people nowadays know that innerspring mattresses aren’t the best. They can’t contour. They don’t relieve pressure. And they transfer motion all over the bed.

However, for those who love the bounce and breathability offered by innerspring beds, the Saatva Classic is one of the few options out there that retains these qualities while fixing innerspring shortcomings at the same time.

SEE ALSO: Open Coil vs Pocket Spring Mattresses

Those who know they want an all-foam mattress should check out the luxurious and cooling GhostBed Luxe. This memory foam mattress boasts seven layers of cooling comfort to keep even the hottest sleepers cool all night long. It also sports pressure-relieving foam to keep side sleepers’ joints pain-free.

SEE ALSO: Best Mattresses for Allergies

The Organic Bliss Pillowtop® mattress organic mattress is handcrafted with the finest certified organic materials. It offers mutiple firmness levels, and a personalized sleeping experience. This mattress also comes highly recommended by orthopedic specialists for its superior pressure relief and support.

SEE ALSO: What is GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard)?

If you need a versatile and durable mattress that can stand up to an active lifestyle, take a look at the Puffy Lux Hybrid. This hybrid was built with durability in mind. So nothing can phase it. No matter what your life throws at the Puffy Lux, you can sleep easy knowing this mattress can stand up to it.

SEE ALSO: Best Mattress That Won’t Sag

Best Mattresses for Platform Beds Comparisons and Highlights

Why Choose a Platform Bed?

Platform beds have a flat, even surface to support most mattresses without a box spring. Platform beds give the mattress more height, so it’s easier getting out of bed in the morning. Plus, platform beds create under-bed storage for personal belongings—some models even include built-in drawers and shelves.

Bed Height

Placing the mattress on a platform bed instead of the floor means you’re less exposed to dust mites and bacteria. Those with allergies may experience fewer sleep disruptions from allergic reactions, like coughing and sneezing.

The added height makes it easier to climb in and out of bed, especially for tall people. Tall individuals may feel more comfortable resting on a sturdy platform bed that’s higher than 16 inches. Shorter individuals may prefer a low profile platform bed.

Storage

Not only does a platform bed’s height lend more space underneath the bed for storage, but some manufacturers make standard platform beds with built-in storage. The extra shelves and drawers give you more storage space with more walking room in a living area. Platform beds are an excellent choice for studio and one-bedroom apartments where space is limited.

Support

Most types of mattresses need a flat surface to rest on to provide the best support. A platform bed may have wooden slats or solid panels, depending on the brand. If a platform bed has slats, make sure they’re no more than 3 inches apart—slats spaced further than 3 inches could cause sagging or soft spots.

SEE ALSO: Best 10 Inch Mattress

How to Find the Best Mattress for a Platform Bed

To ensure long-lasting comfort and support, make sure you buy a high-quality mattress for a platform bed. Otherwise, you could end up with a sagging mattress and disrupted sleep. Take time to do the research before committing to a potential mattress, including figuring out the right firmness and mattress size, and checking the available sleep trials, return policies, and warranties.

Firmness

The right firmness level depends on your preferred sleeping position and body weight. These factors help you find the right balance between comfort and support for better sleep.

Sleeping Position

Your body needs a specific amount of cushioning to align the spine, depending on your sleeping position. Stomach sleepers need the least amount of cushioning because for them, a softer surface misaligns the spine and leads to back pain. The best mattress for stomach sleepers should be medium-firm to firm to keep the body resting on top of the bed.

Side sleepers are the opposite and feel most comfortable resting on a soft to medium bed. The softer surface provides extra cushioning under the shoulders and hips, areas with high-pressure buildup.

Back sleepers experience the least pressure because lying on the back places the body in a neutral position. The best mattress for back sleepers will have a medium to firm surface to cradle the hips and prevent the shoulders from sinking too deep.

Combination sleepers find the best comfort on a medium to medium-firm mattress. Combination sleepers toss and turn at night, switching between two to three sleeping positions—a medium surface maintains spinal alignment, no matter the sleeping position. These are the best mattresses are combination sleepers.

Body Weight

Body weight is the next factor to consider when choosing the right firmness level. We divide body weight into three groups—light, average, and plus-size.

Lightweight sleepers weigh less than 130 pounds and don’t have enough weight to press down into the mattress. A soft bed enables body contouring for lightweight sleepers.

In contrast, plus-size sleepers weigh more than 230 pounds and feel most comfortable on a firmer surface. The firmer feel gives needed support without sagging.

Average weight sleepers, or those who weigh between 130 to 230 pounds, don’t need to choose a bed based on their weight; instead, they can choose a firmness based on their sleeping position.

Mattress Type

Most mattress types pair nicely with a platform bed, including memory foam, innerspring, hybrid, and latex. Remember that some mattress types may need additional support from a mattress foundation, like a bunkie board or box spring.

Memory Foam

Memory foam is a popular mattress choice because it provides optimal pressure relief. The dense material softens under body heat and weight and molds to any body shape.

A solid or slatted platform bed is perfect for memory foam mattresses. Just make sure the slats are spaced no more than three inches apart, so the dense material is evenly supported. A slatted platform may be more ideal because it allows more airflow around the mattress.

SEE ALSO: Best King Size Mattress

Innerspring

Innerspring mattresses are common in most households and popular in college dorms and hotel rooms. Unlike memory foam, innerspring beds have an open structure, enabling more airflow into the mattress. Innerspring coils have a bouncy surface, so changing positions is easier.

Innersprings pair nicely with platform beds, but you’ll need the additional support from a box spring. A box spring offers solid support and an even sleep surface for innerspring mattresses.

Hybrid

Hybrid mattresses combine memory foam and innerspring coils, fusing conforming pressure relief with bouncy support. Some hybrid models contain a layer of latex instead of memory foam. If you’re torn between memory foam and innersprings, a hybrid is the perfect solution.

Hybrid mattresses are heavier than other mattress types because they contain more materials, but hybrids pair well with platform beds. Most platform models are built to support at least 450 pounds.

Latex

Latex shares similarities with memory foam, including body-contouring, but latex is more responsive than memory foam. The slight bounce prevents the body from sinking too deep and encourages spinal alignment. Latex is also firmer than memory foam, so a latex mattress might be a better choice if you have back pain.

Platform beds evenly support latex mattresses—you don’t have to worry about soft spots.

Sleep Trial, Return Policy, and Warranty

A mattress is a long-term investment you want to enjoy for years to come. Sleep trials, return policies, and warranties protect you from paying for mattress repairs or replacements due to manufacturing defects. Avoid a mattress if it doesn’t come with these policies. You could end up with a poorly made bed that needs to be replaced after a few years of regular use.

A sleep trial gives you time to try out your new mattress at home, usually  90 to 120 nights. If you don’t like the bed, most mattress companies will issue a refund. You can also exchange the bed for a different model.

If a sleep trial isn’t available, then the next best thing would be the return policy. Return policies aren’t as long as sleep trials, but they give you around 30 days to test out a new mattress. If the bed isn’t a good fit, the company should give you a refund.

A mattress warranty generally lasts ten years, though some companies offer extended warranties, lasting 20 years. Warranties cover manufacturing defects and sags deeper than 1 inch, depending on the company. Keep in mind that a mattress warranty only applies to the original purchaser and can’t be transferred to a third party.

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FAQs

How thick should a mattress be for a platform bed?

The best mattress thickness for a platform bed should be at least 10 inches. A 10-inch mattress contains enough layers to support most body types without sagging properly. Plus size sleepers may want to upgrade to a 12-inch thick mattress instead for needed support. Beds thinner than 10 inches are more likely to prematurely sag because the materials wear out sooner.

Can you put a mattress directly on the bed frame?

You can, but it depends on the type of bed. For instance, memory foam, latex, and hybrid mattresses contain dense foam layers and don’t need a box spring. Make sure the bed frame slats are at most 3 inches apart to prevent sagging. If the slats are more than 3 inches apart and you’re not able to buy a new bed frame, place a ¾-inch thick piece of plywood between the mattress and frame—the plywood has a flat surface for even support.

However, innerspring mattresses need a box spring and shouldn’t be placed directly on the bed frame. The steel coils inside a box spring act as shock absorbers and prevent innerspring coils from sagging.

How do you keep a mattress from slipping?

The best way to keep a mattress from slipping is placing a non-slip pad between the mattress and bed frame. The rubber matting gives needed friction to hold the bed in place. Another method is adding Velcro strips underneath each corner. Carpet tape works too, but only as a temporary solution because it isn’t as durable as a rubber mat or Velcro.

Is it okay to use a box spring on a platform bed?

You can use a box spring on a platform bed, but you don’t need one. Platform beds are designed to support a mattress without a box spring, but a box spring is a good idea if you have an innerspring mattress. The box spring better supports innerspring beds than other mattress types and gives the mattress more height, making it easier to climb in and out of bed.

How much bigger should a bed frame be than a mattress?

A bed frame should be the same size as your mattress. For example, a queen size mattress will fit inside a queen size platform bed frame. Buying a bed frame bigger than your mattress leaves sizable gaps and could cause the mattress to slide off the frame. A small bed frame could damage the mattress.

Conclusion

Platform beds are an excellent choice with most mattresses, including memory foam, latex, and hybrids. Platform beds can support most body types, yet their lightweight structure is easy to transport, a nice benefit for those who frequently move. The best platform bed supports the mattress and your body weight without a box spring.

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