Best Murphy Bed Mattress (2020): Reviews and Buyer’s Guide

Murphy beds are a great way to save space. When not in use, they can be folded upright against the wall, which is why they are also called wall beds. They are commonly used in small spaces, such as small guest rooms, studio apartments, or mobile homes.

Since the Murphy Beds rests in a vertical position against the wall, there’s not much room for a thick mattress or a foundation.  The best Murphy bed mattress not only should be comfortable and supportive, but it should also be the right thickness. Plus, it needs a firm base to compensate for the support normally provided by a foundation or box spring.

In this article, we review the best Murphy bed mattresses and discuss what you should know before one. All our recommendations are made with CertiPUR-US® certified foams, so they are free of toxic chemicals such as formaldehyde, PBDEs, phthalates, and are low in volatile organic compounds (VOC) emissions.

Our Top Mattress Recommendation

View on AmerisleepRead AS2 customer reviews

AS2 Highlights

• 100-night sleep trial
• 20-Year Warranty
• Designed to reduce pain points
• Heat reducing mattress cover
• Comes in King, Queen, Twin, Full, and Splits

Our Runner-Up

View on ZomaRead Zoma customer reviews

Zoma Highlights

• 100-night sleep trial
• 10-Year Warranty
• Designed for faster recovery
• Triangulex™ technology promotes healthy posture
• Comes in King, Queen, Twin, Full, and Splits

Best Murphy Bed Mattresses

1. Amerisleep AS2

We recommend the Amerisleep AS2 because it’s an eco-friendly mattress balancing plushness with firmness for a good night’s sleep. This medium-firm mattress includes a soft, breathable fabric cover to wick away moisture, keeping you cool. It contains 2 inches of Bio-Pur®, 3 inches of Affinity with HIVE®, and 7 inches of sturdy Bio-Core® foam.

The Bio-Pur® material in the top comfort layer contains plant-based oils, so it’s cooler than traditional memory foam. Traditional memory foam is made with 100 percent petroleum-based products, making them prone to trapping heat. The inclusion of plant oils in Bio-Pur® means off-gassing is minimal in the AS2. This eco-friendly foam conforms to your body, relieving pressure points and reducing joint pains.

The next layer is 3 inches of Affinity with HIVE® ( Harnessing Intelligent Ventilation & Energy) technology for promoting back support. This layer contains hundreds of hexagon-shaped cutouts, customizing comfort to your head, shoulders, back, hips, and feet.

The back, head, and feet region need firmer support, while shoulders and hips need more cushioning. Hexagons placed close together leave no room for expansion when compressed, offering firm support. The firm support beneath your back prevents mattress sinkage, maintaining your spine’s neutral alignment.

Hexagons are spaced farther apart to offer soft conforming support beneath your shoulders and hips.

The base layer is 7 inches of supportive Bio-Core® foam, reinforcing the top layers, and promoting mattress durability. It lends firmness to this medium-firm bed, suitable for back and stomach sleepers. This thick base layer also compensates for the support normally provided by a traditional foundation, which can’t be used with a Murphy bed.

The Amerisleep AS2 includes a risk-free 100-night sleep trial and 20-year warranty covering sags greater than 0.75 inches. This mattress is made in the United States and it’s available in all standard sizes, including the twin, full, and queen sizes commonly used in Murphy beds.

2. Zoma Mattress

The Zoma Mattress helps you sleep cool while being slim enough to fit between the wall and the Murphy bed. This gel memory foam bed with a medium feel appeals to a vast variety of sleepers, including side, back, and combination sleepers.

The bed’s polyester knit cover wicks away sweat, enhancing the cooling effect of the gel in the comfort layer. This makes the Zoma Mattress an excellent option for sleepers who run hot.

This 11-inch mattress contains 2 inches of gel memory foam with Triangulex™ technology, 2 inches of Reactiv™, and 7 inches of Support+. The Triangulex™ technology comprises hundreds of triangular-shaped cutouts forming a 3-zone support system. It offers targeted support to your back, shoulders, and hips, cushioning pressure points, and preventing pain.

The next layer is Reactiv™, a responsive foam adding bounce to your bed. It prevents your body from sinking into the mattress.

Beneath this transition layer is Support+, a sturdy base layer reducing the chances of mattress sag. These mattresses are manufactured in the USA and shipped free to the contiguous 48 states. The Zoma Mattress includes a risk-free 100-night sleep trial and a 10-year warranty.

3. Vaya Mattress

The Vaya Mattress is a good option for shoppers on a budget because it’s a high-quality, all-foam mattress at an affordable price. This 12-inch mattress has a polyester blend cover, improving airflow for a cool sleeping surface. It contains 3 inches of breathable and contouring Vaya Comfort Foam, supported by 9 inches of high-density Vaya Base Foam.

The Vaya Comfort Foam is a latex-like material that conforms to your body but does not trap heat like traditional memory foam. It has a bouncy feel, so it’s easy to switch sleep positions on this medium mattress.

The thick base layer is made with high-density foam. It provides required support to the top comfort layer, preventing mattress sinkage and sag. Vaya offers a risk-free 100-night sleep trial and a 10-year warranty. The warranty covers full repair or replacement in case of structural defects and workmanship. The Vaya Mattresses are made in the United States and they reach your doorstep within 5 to 10 business days of placing the order.

4. Bear Mattress

The 10-inch Bear Mattress has a medium-firm feel. It’s soft enough to cushion your pressure points while providing sufficient back support. This mattress sports an FDA-determined Celliant® technology, woven into its cover. This technology converts your body heat into infrared energy to promote restful sleep.

Beneath the cover is a graphite gel memory foam comfort layer that conforms to your body while dispersing excess heat. Next, a responsive transition layer keeps you from “sinking” into the mattress.

At the base is a high-density foam layer, preventing mattress sinkage beneath your back and keeping your spine neutral. Spinal alignment is crucial to avoid back, neck, and other chronic pain.

The Bear Mattresses are manufactured in the US and include a 10-year limited warranty. If it does not suit your sleep needs, the mattress can be returned within 100 days of delivery. However, the manufacturers want you to try it for at least 30 nights before you decide whether it’s suitable for you or not.

5. Modway Aveline Mattress

Modway Aveline’s 10” gel memory foam mattress is a budget-friendly option for your Murphy bed. This mattress has a firm feel but it conforms to your body for pressure-point relief. The gel infusions in the top layer keep you cool. It’s wrapped in a removable stretch knit cover, which enhances breathability.

Beneath the cover is 3 inches of gel memory foam comfort layer followed by 7 inches of dense polyurethane foam. The comfort layer dissipates excess heat, contours your body, cradles pressure points, and reduces aches. The dense poly-foam base maintains spinal alignment and prevents sagging.

While this mattress is suitable for many sleep styles, those who prefer a soft sleeping surface may not feel comfortable on it. Check out the return policy and warranty on this bed because it may vary when buying directly from the company website or from a third-party platform, such as Amazon.

Factors to Consider When Buying a Murphy Bed Mattress

Ideally, the best mattress for a Murphy bed should not be thicker than 12 inches so it can comfortably fit in the limited space between the bed frame and the wall. Once you find a bed with the right dimensions, consider mattress type, firmness level, and warranty. Finally, read some mattress reviews from past buyers who maybe had the same questions and concerns as you.

Mattress Dimensions

Since Murphy beds are used as space savers, they are usually available as twin, full, and queen sizes. Larger Murphy beds, such as king and Cal king, are rare. A twin size bed measures 38 inches by 75 inches, a full bed measures 54 inches by 75 inches, and a queen measures 60 inches by 80 inches. A twin bed is a popular choice for children’s bedrooms, while full may be used in children’s or guest rooms. A queen size bed is an excellent option for guest rooms or small master bedrooms.

Make sure, no matter the size, that your mattress is no thicker than 12 inches. This leaves enough room for your blankets and comforters to remain on your Murphy bed even when it’s closed and resting against the wall.

Type of Mattress

Memory foam and gel foam mattresses are best suited for Murphy beds because the texture of foam reduces the chances of mattress slumping. Slumping occurs because the mattress remains in an upright position, causing the materials inside to slide towards the floor due to gravity. This leads to a hollow bump on the top part, making the mattress unsupportive beneath your head and neck region.

Coils and natural fibers such as cotton and wool forming the comfort layers in innerspring beds are more prone to slumping than foam. To avoid this problem, it’s better to buy a memory foam mattress for your Murphy bed.

If you don’t use the wall bed frequently, make sure you pull it open once a week to allow some time for decompression. This maintains the quality and durability of the mattress. Prolonged compression may break down the foam, causing damage.

Memory foam and gel memory foam mattresses can be placed directly on the Murphy bed platform, but most traditional innerspring mattresses need a box spring. Box springs absorb the bounce of the innerspring coils and offer support for the mattress. Since there is no space for box springs with a Murphy bed, it’s best to avoid innerspring mattresses.

Latex mattresses should not stand on end for long periods of time, so they are not suitable for Murphy beds. Since latex foam is heavier than memory foam, it may be more prone to slumping.

Firmness Level

Medium-firm, medium, or firm mattresses are compatible with Murphy beds because they balance cushion and support. Compared to soft mattresses, these beds have thinner comfort layers supported by strong base layers. This means they are stable enough to use without a foundation, and they are thin enough to fold into the wall. Soft mattresses with thick comfort layers may not feel supportive without a foundation or box spring.

Warranty and Sleep Trial

A mattress is designed to rest horizontally, but Murphy beds are stored vertically against the wall for the most of the day. This can damage certain mattresses, so before buying, check the terms and conditions of the warranty. Some manufacturers may void a warranty if the bed remains in an upright position for long. Ask the salesmen or customer service representatives whether the mattress can be used with a Murphy bed.

Sleep trials allow you to try a mattress at home for a certain number of days. If the mattress does not suit your sleep needs, it can be returned for a full refund within the sleep trial period. Most companies offer 90 to 100-night sleep trials. We recommend buying a mattress with a sleep trial so you are not stuck with the wrong choice for your Murphy bed.

Mattress Reviews

Compare the online reviews of your favorite mattresses to get an idea about their comfort level. If you are deciding between two beds with similar features, read reviews by verified customers. Their experience may help you choose the best bed for your needs. These reviews also prove the authenticity of the claims made by mattress manufacturers.

FAQs

Can Murphy beds damage mattresses?

Murphy beds can strain some mattresses because they rest upright for the most part of the day, but usually this doesn’t cause permanent damage. Most memory foam and gel memory foam mattresses can bear this strain. However, soft beds may sag faster with Murphy beds due to the absence of a foundation.

Do you need a special mattress for a Murphy bed?

No, regular mattresses used with any other bed frames can work but they should not be thicker than 12 inches. Since the mattress rests vertically between the wall and the Murphy bed (when not in use), there’s no space for a thick mattress or a foundation. We recommend a firm, medium-firm, or medium mattress so it feels comfortable as well as supportive, even without a foundation.

Why is it called a “Murphy” bed?

This bed is named after William L. Murphy, whose pivot and counterbalance designs for this type of bed were patented around 1900. Murphy Beds are also referred to as wall beds, pull-down beds, or fold-down beds.

Can a Murphy bed be used every day?

Yes, a Murphy bed can be used every day. The mechanism to lift it up and down may wear out after 5 to 7 years, with or without regular use. In such cases, call the installers of your Murphy bed to check if parts can be repaired or replaced.

What kind of mattress is best for a Murphy bed?

Memory foam or gel memory foam mattresses are best for Murphy beds. They are not as prone to slumping as innerspring, latex, or hybrid beds. Slumping is caused by the materials sliding towards the bottom part when the bed rests vertically. This makes the mattress unsupportive beneath your head and neck.

Conclusion

A Murphy bed is the best option when you want to save floor space in your room. It folds up into the wall, converting your bedroom into a study or office space during the day. Choosing the right mattress for your Murphy bed may be challenging if you don’t know the parameters to consider when buying.

Your Murphy bed mattress should feel comfortable even without a box spring or foundation. It should also be slim enough to fit into the space between the wall and the Murphy bed. After you find the best mattress for your Murphy bed, you’ll be well on your way to a good night’s rest.