Best Mattress to Buy for a Rental Property (2021): Reviews and Buyer’s Guide

If you own a rental property, whether it’s a vacation residence or a suburban home, you want your guests to sleep on a comfortable and supportive mattress. This is especially true if you manage a guesthouse since your customers will be leaving reviews on their overall experience. With a good night’s sleep, they will be more likely to leave positive feedback.

Selecting a bed for your rental home may be slightly different than purchasing one for yourself. The best mattress for a vacation rental is one that is durable, budget-friendly, and has a comfort level suitable for several different sleep positions and body types. Throughout this article, we will highlight some of the most popular mattresses on the market. We also include some helpful tips to keep in mind as you shop.

Best Mattresses to Buy for a Rental Property

Best Memory Foam Mattress: Amerisleep AS3

From their lineup of innovative mattresses, Amerisleep’s AS3 is their most popular model. This is likely because it has a medium comfort level that is suitable for many different sleepers. Regardless of body type and sleep position, the layers of this mattress work together to ensure a proper spinal position, so sleepers wake up with fewer aches and pains. Not only is this mattress incredibly comfortable, but it is also breathable and durable.

Your guest will enjoy pressure-free sleep when resting on the AS3. The Bio-Pur® comfort layer of this mattress is made with partially plant-based oils, rather than 100 percent petroleum-based oils. This process helps Amerisleep create a bed that is non-toxic, eco-friendly, and won’t trap heat like many other traditional memory foam mattresses.

This top layer is also covered in a lightweight and airy material that keeps air circulating across the mattress’s surface. These two features ensure your guests will never be disturbed by night sweats or overheating.

The transition layer of the AS3 features Amerisleep’s unique support technology, HIVE®. This layer features hundreds of hexagonal cutouts that respond to each area of the body differently. Near the back and neck, HIVE® cutouts are closer together and offer less compression, so these areas stay supported. Near the hips and shoulders, cutouts are further apart and have more give, so these sensitive areas remain cushioned.

Supporting the advanced layers of the AS3 is a base of Bio-Core® foam. This layer is strong and durable, ensuring the mattress maintains its structure for many years. With a 20-year limited warranty backing the quality of the AS3, it is a perfect choice for your rental property or vacation home.

Best Hybrid Mattress: Zoma Hybrid

The Zoma Hybrid features a combination of their proprietary gel memory foam and a base of pocketed spring coils. This bed has a medium firmness that most sleepers find comfortable and supportive.

The cover of the Zoma Hybrid features a ventilated, stretch-knit material called AirCloth. This fabric wicks away heat and moisture, so sleepers rest cool and comfortable. Beneath this cover is Zoma’s gel-infused memory foam with zoned support. This layer includes three different support zones, each designed to prevent pressure points and reduce sinking. The triangle cutouts along the surface of the foam also improve airflow, so the mattress is less likely to retain body heat.

The Zoma Hybrid has a transition layer made with their Reactiv™ foam. This layer gives the mattress a responsive that allows sleepers to get in and out of bed easily. Reactiv™ also prevents the heaviest parts of the body from sinking too far into the bed, which may force the spine out of alignment—leading to morning aches and pains.

The support base of the Zome Hybrid is made of individually wrapped coils that move independently of each other—allowing them to respond differently to each area of the body. This base keeps body weight evenly distributed, reduces sinking, and helps maintain the structure and integrity of the mattress.

Zoma includes a 10-year warranty to protect against indentation and sagging. With such a durable and supportive mattress in your rental home, your guests are sure to experience restful sleep.

Best Value Mattress: Vaya Mattress

The Vaya Mattress offers two layers of foam that work together to keep sleepers supported and cushioned—no matter what position they sleep in. Both foam layers are hypoallergenic and backed by a CertiPUR-US® certification, guaranteeing the mattress will have minimal off-gassing, or “new mattress” smell when brought indoors. Plus, this mattress is available at a budget-friendly price.

The cover of the Vaya Mattress features a soft, breathable material that creates an inviting sleep surface. Beneath the cover is Vaya’s proprietary memory foam that contours to the body to relieve pressure and muscle tension. Vaya foam also has a natural elasticity that reduces sinking, ensuring that the spine remains neutral throughout the night.

The base of the Vaya Mattress is made of a high-density, durable foam that supports the soft layer above. This mattress can be used with most modern bed frames, including slatted, solid, and adjustable foundations.

Vaya backs the quality of their mattress with a 10-year warranty so you can rest assured that it will support your guests for several years.

Best Budget Hybrid: Vaya Hybrid

The Vaya Hybrid is a medium firmness, which provides a great balance for a variety of different sleepers, body types, and couples. You can get the Vaya Hybrid for an affordable price, so you can easily buy multiples for your rental if needed.

The Vaya Hybrid shares some similarities with the Vaya Mattress: they both have the same soft cover and 3 inches of Vaya Comfort Foam as the top layer.

What separates the Vaya Hybrid from the Vaya Mattress is that the hybrid model has an 8-inch pocketed coil support rather than a foam one. Hybrid mattresses provide more bounce than foam mattresses. They’re also rather breathable, so guests are less likely to overheat and be uncomfortable at night.

The Vaya Hybrid has a 1-inch durable foam at the bottom of it to fortify the upper layers.

Just like other Vaya mattresses, the Vaya Hybrid is hypoallergenic, ensuring the mattress stays clean between guests. And if your guests have allergies, the Vaya Hybrid won’t aggravate them.

Since the Vaya Hybrid is CertiPUR-US® certified, it’s less likely to off-gas, so you can use it sooner. Vaya offers free shipping along with a 100-night sleep trial and a 10-year warranty for their mattresses.

Best Latex Mattress: Avocado Green Mattress

If you are looking for an organic latex mattress for your rental property, the Avocado Green Mattress is a great choice. This hybrid mattress is comfortable and responsive, but the use of natural latex in the top layer also makes it hypoallergenic, antibacterial, and antimicrobial. This feature will keep the bed clean and germ-free.

The cover of the Avocado Green Mattress is made with GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certified organic cotton. This cover is quilted to improve air circulation to keep your guest sleep cool and relaxed. This mattress’s comfort layer features 3 inches of GOLS (Global Organic Latex Standard) certified organic latex. You can also add their Euro-style pillow top, which gives the mattress a full 5 inches of natural latex.

Like memory foam, natural latex contours to the body’s curves to prevent pressure points and ease muscle tension. However, because it is derived from the rubber tree, latex foam has a slight bounce. This natural elasticity is perfect for reducing excessive sinking so that the spine can rest in alignment with the hips and shoulders.

Supporting the latex comfort layer is a base of 1414 pocketed spring coils. These springs are ergonomically placed to couture to each area of the body with pressure-free support. Near the lumbar region, they offer firm support and stability. However, near the hips and shoulders, they are softer and provide more compression.

Avocado includes a 25-year limited warranty with prorated repairs starting after the first 15 years of use.

Best Cooling Mattress: Bear Pro

If your rental property is located in a warm climate, your guests may benefit from a mattress with cooling features. The Bear Pro is a medium-firm mattress with three cooling layers that work together to prevent night sweats and overheating.

The cover of the Bear Pro is made with a unique thermoreactive phase-changing yarn called Celliant®. This material wicks heat and moisture away from the body during sleep. Plus, it can absorb body heat and convert it to infrared energy. When this energy is released and absorbed by the body, it improves local blood circulation—aiding in muscle recovery.

The comfort layer of this Bear mattress features copper-infused foam. Copper is a natural heat conductor, so heat passes through this layer quickly. Beneath this layer is Bear’s gel memory foam. This foam is infused with gel microbeads that pull heat and moisture away from the bed’s surface. With three advanced cooling features, your guests are sure to experience a good night’s sleep on the Bear Pro.

The support layers of the Bear Pro include a response layer that balances support and prevents sinking. The bottom layer is made of a high-density foam that improves durability and ensures a long lifespan. Bear includes a 10-year warranty with each of the mattresses to protect against manufacturing defects.

Other Things to Consider When Purchasing a Mattress for A Rental Property

Firmness and Comfort Level

Most companies use a firmness scale to describe the comfort level of their mattresses. Although this scale can vary, it typically ranges from 1 to 10, with 1 being the softest and 10 being the firmness.

Each mattress on our list has a medium to medium-firm comfort level—a 5 to 6.5 on the firmness scale. This comfort level is suitable for most body types and sleep positions. So, no matter who stays at your rental home, they will feel supported and experience fewer pressure points.

Durability

The durability of a mattress depends on the quality of the materials used during construction. Below, we outline the four most common mattress types and how long they typically last.

• Memory Foam Mattresses: A high-quality memory foam mattress will last 8 to 10 years. Memory foam can be used as the comfort layer of a hybrid bed or an all-foam mattress.
• Latex Mattresses: Latex foam has an elastic quality that makes it highly durable. Beds made with a latex foam topper and base layer tend to last between 12 and 15 years. A hybrid with a latex comfort layer will last between 8 and 10 years.
• Hybrid Mattresses: A hybrid mattress with a high-quality foam top layer, such as memory foam or latex foam, will last between 8 and 10 years. Those with pocketed spring coils are more durable and contour to the body more effectively than coils found in an innerspring mattress.
• Innerspring Mattresses: Traditional innerspring beds and box springs tend to last around 6 years. The coils in these beds tend to break or bend, causing them to stick up and poke sensitive areas during sleep.

Bedding

Using a waterproof mattress protector will ensure that spills and accidents don’t cause permanent damage to the bed. It will also prevent the collection of dust mites and bed bugs.

Also, be sure to select bedding that is breathable, yet cozy, such as linen, Tencel, or cotton sheets. These materials are also machine washable and easy to clean after each visit.

Budget

Innerspring mattresses tend to be the least expensive; however, they don’t last as long as memory foam, latex foam, or hybrid mattresses. For a mattress that will last longer, you may want to spend a little more. High-quality memory foam mattresses cost between $1000 and $2000. Latex foam beds are a bit more expensive—between $2000 and $2500. Those with certified organic latex tend to be more costly.

The price of a hybrid mattress will vary depending on the type of foam used in the comfort layer. Latex foam mattresses tend to be more expensive than those made of memory foam.

What to Avoid When Selecting a Mattress for a Rental Property

• Airbeds: Airbeds have an adjustable layer of air within the mattress. This layer allows sleepers to inflate and deflate the mattress to adjust the firmness. These beds often have a motor that is powered by a water pump. Without proper care, these pumps and air channels can become easily damaged. Therefore, an airbed is not something that you want to leave in the hands of your guests.
• Smart Beds: Mattresses with built-in sleep technologies, such as sensors and alarms, require programming and maintenance that guests may not be familiar with. In the long run, these features may create more of a headache for you. Plus, these features do little to improve the comfort and support of a mattress.
• Waterbeds: These beds are a fun novelty and waterbeds are capable of providing a comfortable night’s sleep. However, they are easily punctured by sharp objects or improper use. If leaks go undetected, they can result in flooding and potential damage to the home.
• Futon and Thin Mattresses: Futons and couch beds are often very thin. This can cause sleepers to press into the frame of the bed during sleep. This can leave guests with stiff, achy joints and pressure points.
• Small Mattresses: A twin or full (double) mattress if often too small for multiple sleepers. A queen or king bed will be suitable for couples and solo sleepers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of mattress is best for a vacation property?

We recommend selecting a memory foam, latex foam, or hybrid mattress. These beds rate the highest in terms of customer satisfaction. They are also the most durable, with latex mattresses lasting between 10 and 12 years, and memory foam and hybrid mattresses lasting between 8 and 10 years.

What mattress size is best for a vacation rental?

Twin and full size mattresses are suitable for one sleeper. When two people try to sleep on a full, they often end up in uncomfortable sleep positions that leave them sore in the morning. A queen or king size mattress will allow guests to sleep soundly, and accommodate couples who may stay at the property.

Is a medium mattress best for a vacation rental?

A mattress with a medium to medium-firm comfort level is best for a vacation rental. These beds provide a balance of cushioning and support that is suitable for many different sleepers. A medium bed is soft enough to contour to the curves of the body and prevent pressure points. It is also firm enough to prevent sinking, which can cause alignment issues that result in pain. A medium-firm mattress will be slightly firmer, but it will still guard against pressure points as long as it is thick enough, between 10 and 12 inches.

What is the best mattress thickness for a vacation rental?

A mattress that is 10 to 12 inches thick will provide adequate comfort and support. Mattresses that are too thin, such as futon or couch bed mattresses are not supportive. These beds often cause sleepers to bottom out on the bed’s frame, causing pressure points and muscle tension.

What type of warranty should a mattress have?

The mattress industry standard is a 10-year warranty. During the first 10 years of use, many brands will cover manufacturing defects, such as sagging, indentations, or cosmetic defects, such as rips or tears. If the warranty is any longer than 10 years, it is typically prorated. This means that the customer is required to pay a portion of the repairs or replacement costs.

Conclusion

Selecting a comfortable and supportive mattress for your rental property will ensure that your guests get a good night’s sleep and wake refreshed and ready for the day. A bed that is durable and made with high-quality materials will also give you peace of mind. Although you may be tempted to spend only $200 or $300 for a mattress, cheaper beds tend to break down quickly, leaving sleepers unsupported. Spending a bit more on a high-quality mattress will save you time and money in the long run.