Best Queen Size Mattress of 2021: Reviews and Buyer’s Guide

Queen mattresses are the most popular mattress size, and it’s not hard to see why. At 60 inches by 80 inches, a queen mattress fits into most bedrooms. It’s a comfortable size for partners and single sleepers. Plus, many queen mattresses are budget-friendly.

We put together our recommendations for the best queen size mattress to make your shopping experience easier. You can check out our sections on mattress types, sleeping positions, and setting a budget to help you find a high-quality mattress.

Best Queen Size Mattresses

1. Amerisleep AS3

The medium-feel AS3 is Amerisleep’s most popular mattress, likely because it’s well-suited for the popular side sleeping style. The AS3 is available as a hybrid and memory foam mattress, and we will be discussing the construction of the latter. The 12-inch mattress has three foam layers.

The first layer is 3 inches of pressure-relieving Bio-Pur® memory foam. Bio-Pur® is more breathable and responsive than traditional memory foam and contains plant-based substitutes instead of standard petrochemicals for a more environmentally friendly mattress.

The second layer is the Affinity layer with HIVE® technology. HIVE® technology offers five zones of targeted support with hexagonal cutouts under your head, shoulders, back, hips, and feet. The cutouts compress more under your shoulders and hips for added pressure relief and compress less under your head, back, and feet for support.

The base layer is 7 inches of Bio-Core® foam, which prevents premature sagging and improves mattress longevity. A plush, breathable cover encases the mattress.

A queen AS3 memory foam mattress is $1049, with free shipping and returns, a 100-night sleep trial, and an extensive 20-year warranty. Amerisleep covers all costs for the first 10 years, and during the next 10 years, you will bear partial costs for repairs and replacements.

Amerisleep offers a discount if you buy a mattress and an adjustable bed frame together. Amerisleep’s adjustable base lets you raise and lower the head and foot of the bed for greater comfort and customization. The base also includes 8 USB ports, two full-body massagers, under-bed lighting, and Wallhugger® engineering to keep your nightstand close.

2. Amerisleep AS5 Hybrid

The softest model Amerisleep offers is its AS5 model. Its new hybrid counterpart, the AS5 Hybrid (AS5h) , offers more bounce to keep side sleepers supported.

A 14-inch AS5h has four layers. The first layer is 3 inches of Bio-Pur® memory foam, which as we previously mentioned, is more breathable and responsive than regular memory foam. Next, a 2-inch layer of Active Flex, a material designed to offset the sinkage that can occur with soft mattresses. With Active Flex, you never need to worry about getting stuck in your bed.

The support layer is 8 inches of pocketed coils, wrapped so each coil reacts individually to movement. The coils are separated into three zones to provide more relief for the shoulders and legs while maintaining support for your torso. An inch of base foam supports the coil layer.

The mattress’s perimeter contains rigid foam for edge support, and a soft cover encases the mattress.

A queen size AS5h is $1679, with free shipping, a 100-night sleep trial, and a 20-year warranty. The warranty covers sagging that exceeds 0.75 inches.

3. Zoma Mattress

The Zoma Mattress is designed to promote body recovery. By improving your sleep, you should see a corresponding improvement in your daily performance. The 11-inch mattress has three foam layers.

The comfort layer is 2 inches of gel memory foam to keep hot sleepers cool. This layer also contains Triangulex™ cutouts to improve comfort in the shoulders and legs. Triangle-shaped cutouts contour to your body for added pressure relief, while also promoting airflow through the cutouts.

Next is a 2-inch layer of Reactiv™ foam. The bounce of this latex-like material prevents you from feeling the stiff support layer.

The base layer is 7 inches of Support+ foam to deter sagging and improve the mattress’s lifespan. A soft, breathable polyester-elastane cover surrounds the mattress.

A queen size Zoma mattress costs $799 and includes free shipping and returns, a 100-night sleep trial, and a 10-year warranty. The warranty guarantees coverage for indentations deeper than 0.75 inches.

4. Zoma Hybrid

A Zoma Hybrid stands 12 inches tall and has four layers to create the perfect mix of bounce and cushion. The mattress’s design promotes recovery while you rest, enabling you to reach your peak performance.

The comfort layer is 2 inches of gel memory foam with triangular cutouts in the mattress’s head and foot. These cutouts promote pressure relief to your head, neck, shoulders, and legs. The midsection contains no cutouts for firmer support to the lumbar spine.

Underneath the Triangulex™ layer is a 2-inch layer of Reactiv™. This responsive foam adapts to your movements no matter your position, preventing spinal misalignment.

A 7-inch layer of pocketed coils supports the mattress, with firm foams surrounding the bed’s perimeter for protection. These foams also give the bed its edge support, a feature that makes it easier to get in and out of bed. An inch of stiff foam forms the mattress’s base

You can try out a queen size Zoma Hybrid for $999, which includes a 100-night sleep trial. A Zoma Hybrid also includes a 10-year limited warranty with sagging coverage for any indentation that exceeds 0.75 inches.

5. Vaya Mattress

A Vaya Mattress features 12 inches of pure comfort at an affordable price. The all-foam mattress has a basic two-layer construction, to keep the price within most budgets while remaining suitable for all sleepers.

The comfort layer is 3 inches of responsive Vaya Foam, a lighter material than traditional memory foam, to keep you cool and alleviate pressure points. The foam prevents motion transfer while still offering a bit of bounce, which helps the mattress adapt to your movements.

Nine inches of high-density support foam forms the base, supporting your weight and deterring premature sagging. The soft mattress cover blends rayon, spandex, and polyester.

A Vaya queen mattress is $429.99 on Amazon, with free shipping, a 100-night sleep trial, and a 10-year warranty that covers sagging more than 0.75 inches.

6. Purple® Hybrid Premier

The Hybrid Premier is the most luxurious mattress Purple® offers. It offers thicker comfort layers than the standard hybrid option, making it a great choice for side sleepers looking for a softer mattress. You can customize it with 3 inches or 4 inches of adaptable Purple Grid™.

The Purple Grid™ is soft and strong, featuring more than 1,800 air channels and temperature-neutral gel to keep you cool. It molds itself to your body but is also durable enough to resist sinkage through repeated use.

Underneath the Purple Grid™ layer is an inch of polyurethane foam, which prevents you from bottoming out on the coil support. The pocketed coil layer is 7.5 inches tall, with its coils wrapped to better isolate motion.

A knit fabric that blends viscose, polyester, and lycra covers the mattress.

A queen size Purple® Hybrid Premier with a 3-inch grid layer is $2199, with free shipping, a 100-night sleep trial, and a 10-year warranty. The warranty covers sagging greater than an inch, along with cracks and splits in the foam.

7. Zinus Cooling Gel Memory Foam

The Zinus Cooling Gel Memory Foam mattress comes in four thicknesses: 8 inches, 10 inches, 12 inches, and 14 inches. We will discuss the 14-inch model, which has four layers of foam to create a soft feel that’s excellent for side sleepers.

The top layer is 4 inches of swirled gel memory foam. Gel memory foam transfers heat away from your body, preventing you from sleeping hot.

Next is 2 inches of comfort foam for more softness. Then there are two 4-inch layers of high-density foam—dividing what could have been one layer into two helps air to flow through the mattress.

A stretchy knit fabric covers the mattress. Green tea extract inside the bed minimizes smell, leaving your mattress with a soothing aroma.

A Zinus Cooling Gel Memory Foam mattress costs $246 to $392, depending on your chosen thickness. It includes free shipping and returns, a 100-night trial, and a 10-year warranty. Zinus’s warranty covers sagging deeper than 1.5 inches.

8. Tuft & Needle Hybrid

Tuft & Needle’s most supportive model is its hybrid mattress, according to the company website. Its proprietary T&N Adaptive® foam cradles your hips and shoulders for excellent pressure relief.

A layer of pocketed coils supports the mattress, each individually wrapped to isolate motion. Graphite channels in the coil layer wick body heat away from you.

A quilted pillow top covers the mattress, made with a soft, breathable knit. The pillow top contains carbon fiber-infused foam for greater durability.

A queen size mattress is $1495, with the option to bundle on a mattress protector or adjustable bed frame. A Tuft and Needle mattress includes a 100-night sleep trial and a 10-year warranty, which covers sagging greater than 0.75 inches and damage to the foam or cover that doesn’t result from improper use.

Who Should Sleep on a Queen Size Mattress?

Queen beds are the most popular mattress size, as they’re well suited for a wide range of sleepers. Most bedrooms can accommodate a queen size mattress, while still leaving space for bedroom furniture.

In particular, couples should consider a queen size bed, as it’s the smallest standard size that can fit two people comfortably. While some couples do share a full size mattress, we cannot recommend it. Each person would only have roughly 27 inches of sleeping space, which is a narrow fit for most people.

Many single sleepers love a queen mattress as well, as it leaves them with plenty of sprawling space. If you tend to shift in your sleep or like to stretch out your arms and legs, a queen size mattress can help you sleep comfortably.

Different Queen Sizes

Most mattresses you find will be the standard queen size mattress, measuring 60 inches by 80 inches. There are three other queen size variations, rare enough that you’re unlikely to find them outside an online store.

• A California queen mattress is 60 inches by 84 inches, good for tall sleepers who need more legroom.
• An Olympic queen is 66 inches by 80 inches, giving sleepers more personal space.
• A split queen mattress, which is also occasionally called a dual queen, is the same size as a regular queen. It’s divided into halves, so couples who prefer different firmness levels can share a bed without compromising on comfort.

Other Buying Considerations

When you’re shopping for a queen mattress, ask yourself what type of mattress you want, what firmness works best with your sleeping position, and what certifications and policies you expect. You should also consider how much you want to budget for a new queen bed,

Mattress Types

As you start looking for a new mattress, there are four types you can consider, each with advantages and disadvantages—memory foam, latex, innerspring, and hybrid mattresses. Some mattress types work on different foundations better than others, so if you plan on using an existing bed frame, keep that in mind as you shop.

Memory Foam

Memory foam mattresses have existed for decades, but their popularity increased with the bed-in-a-box mattress trend. The material yields to weight and body heat, molding itself against the body for pressure relief. Memory foam is also an excellent material if you need a hypoallergenic mattress, as the foam’s density prevents allergens from penetrating the mattress.

The main drawback of a traditional memory foam mattress is its tendency to trap heat. Manufacturers add cooling agents such as gels, graphite, copper, charcoal, and green tea extract wick away heat (some of them even wick away moisture).

The expected lifespan of a memory foam mattress depends on its materials. The average memory foam bed lasts 7 years, but a high-quality mattress can last for 8 to 10 years.

Latex

Latex is a pressure-relieving material that contours to your body’s curves, much like memory foam does. However, it’s a bouncier and firmer material than memory foam. To offset latex’s natural firmness, many mattress companies offer a plush pillowtop option.

There are two methods for creating natural latex foam: Dunlop and Talalay. Dunlop latex is firmer and is the only 100 percent natural latex. Talalay latex costs more than Dunlop, as its production involves more steps and material.

Natural latex mattresses can last 15 or more years, which is why many customers find their high prices worth paying. Synthetic latex mattresses have a shorter expected lifespan but are a good option for anyone with a latex allergy.

Innerspring

Innerspring mattresses, sometimes called spring or coil mattresses, have been around for as long as the mattress industry. They remain popular because they’re familiar, inexpensive, and easy to find—most of us have slept on an innerspring mattress at some point, and you can find one in most mattress stores.

An innerspring is an excellent cooling mattress because its coil support layer is surrounded by thin layers of foam or fabric, promoting airflow. However, this thin cushioning may not provide sufficient pressure relief, particularly for side sleepers. The bouncy coils transfer motion, which can interfere with your sleep if you share your bed with a partner.

Innerspring mattresses are the only type of mattress we can recommend pairing with a box spring. Foam mattresses tend to sag when kept on a box spring, as their interior coils can’t sufficiently support the mattress. Some hybrid mattresses can be placed on a box spring, but you shouldn’t need to make the bed more comfortable.

Hybrid

Hybrids were designed to combine the best of innerspring and foam mattresses, while also minimizing the associated drawbacks. The bottom layer of coils keeps the bed (and you) cool, while the 2 or more inches of foam on top eases pressure points.

Many hybrids provide excellent motion isolation despite their bouncy nature, thanks to their thick foam layers.

Hybrid mattresses contain a lot of quality materials, which drives up costs and makes them one of the more expensive mattress types. They have a relatively average lifespan of six to seven years but can provide great amounts of comfort during that time.

Sleeping Position

Your preferred sleep position affects how a mattress feels to you. Mattress firmnesses range from extra soft to extra firm, with soft, medium-soft, medium, medium-firm, and firm in between. Knowing your favorite sleep position makes it easier to find a mattress that will help you sleep better.

Side Sleeping

Side sleeping is the most popular sleeping position, and most mattress companies know this. If you’re a side sleeper, you’ll have a wide range of mattresses to consider.

Your hips and shoulders bear the brunt of your weight when you sleep on your side. If your mattress cannot relieve pressure, you’re likely to wake up with shoulder and hip pain. Yet the mattress must support your spine with the right balance of softness and firmness—otherwise, your spine might be raised or lowered out of alignment.

We recommend a soft to medium mattress for side sleepers. Medium mattresses, in particular, offer a good blend of comfort and support.

Back Sleeping

Back sleepers place little stress on their spines, typically maintaining good posture as they sleep. However, back sleepers face an increased risk of snoring and sleep apnea, since gravity pushes on the tongue or the soft tissues at the back of the throat in this position. An adjustable base or wedge pillow can elevate your upper body to alleviate symptoms.

Back sleepers should look for a medium-firm to firm mattress, although a medium mattress with targeted back support can provide a good night’s sleep. If you choose an overly soft mattress, your hips may sink in and overextend your spine.

Stomach Sleeping

Stomach sleeping is not a healthy position since it strains your spine. When you lie on your stomach, gravity pushes your stomach into your mattress, stretching the spine out of alignment. You also have to keep your neck twisted to the side to breathe, leaving you with a crick in your neck in the morning.

If you’re a dedicated stomach sleeper, we recommend a firm mattress to support your stomach and spine without sinkage. A pillow under your stomach can help keep it raised.

Budget

Mattresses are available at all price points. You’ll find all-foam mattresses for between $300 and $500. There’s an excellent selection of latex, memory foam, innerspring, and hybrids in the $800 to $1,500 price bracket, and luxury mattresses with high-quality materials for $2,500 and more.

To ensure you choose a quality queen size mattress, we recommend budgeting between $700 to $2,000, although you can find a few gems for as low as $500. It’s a wide enough range to encompass all types of mattresses in various firmness options.

If you can’t afford a new mattress right now, but your current one is uncomfortable to sleep on, consider a mattress topper. Toppers cost a few hundred dollars, depending on its thickness and material—which is a fraction of what you would pay for a quality mattress.

Certifications

Certifications mean that a mattress company has had an independent organization examine its product and they have verified it contains no harmful chemicals or heavy metals. Typically, you can double-check a company’s certification with a third-party organization.

Standard mattress certifications include:

• CertiPUR-US®, which verifies that foam was made without certain flame retardants, mercury, lead, ozone depleters, and formaldehyde.
• OEKO-TEX® Standard 100, which checks textiles for harmful substances.
• Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS), with criteria for natural rubber that states it must contain more than 95% of certified organic raw material.
• Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), which ensures raw materials for organic textiles are harvested in an environmentally responsible manner.

Sleep Trial, Warranty, Return Policy

Companies back their products by offering extensive sleep trials, warranties, and return policies. We recommend never buying a mattress that comes without a warranty and return policy or sleep trial—you would be buying a mattress without protections in case it’s defective, or you do not like it.

Sleep Trial

A few minutes on a showroom model isn’t enough time to develop an idea of how it feels to sleep on a mattress every night. Sleep trials let you test the mattress after you’ve bought it and taken it home.

Most trial periods last 90 to 120 days. If you’re unhappy with your mattress, you can return it for a full refund or exchange it for another mattress model.

Warranty

Warranties detail the circumstances in which the company will repair or replace your mattress. Your warranty is void if you don’t place it on a supportive bed frame or foundation, stain the mattress, or remove the law tag. You may also need to rotate your mattress every so often to maintain the warranty.

Return Policy

If your chosen mattress doesn’t include a sleep trial, you can still try it out with a 30-day return policy. Just read through the details of the return policy, as some companies won’t accept a mattress back if it’s been opened.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a high-quality queen size mattress cost?

Most of the top-rated queen mattresses are priced between $1,000 and $2,000. That said, many brands offer sales and discounts throughout the year, sometimes bringing the price of their queen size beds below $1,000. If you’re comparing queen mattresses and finding those priced in the $2,500 to $3,000 mark, you’re probably spending too much. To get a good value, compare the price of the bed to its materials and technologies.

What is the best queen size mattress for the money?

When searching for a good deal, we recommend going with Amerisleep or Zoma. We recommend the Zoma brand because they build their mattress with zoned support and cooling technologies but only charge $750 for a queen. However, Zoma only makes and sells one mattress, and it’s available as a medium in firmness, so if you’re not looking for a foam mattress or a bed with medium firmness, we suggest checking out Amerisleep.

Amerisleep sells both memory foam and hybrid mattresses, and each of their models ranges in firmness so they offer options for those of all sleep needs. We suggest Amerisleep because they feature plant-based, CertiPUR-US® certified foams and HIVE® technology in their mattresses, and their beds are very affordable.

What is the best mattress for side sleepers?

If you’re a side sleeper, you’ll sleep best on a mattress with a soft to medium feel. Memory foam, latex, and hybrid mattresses can provide the contouring and pressure relief side sleepers need. We recommend staying away from innersprings since many customers have complained they have insufficient pressure relief.

What is the best time of year to buy a mattress?

The year’s biggest mattress sales happen on Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday. Many mattress sales start about a week before the big sales day, and some companies may extend sales afterward by a few days.

If you can’t wait for the next sale, check out the company website for promo codes and discounts.

Which mattress is best for back pain?

We recommend a mattress with pressure-relieving materials to alleviate back pain, such as memory foam or latex. The best mattresses for back pain also have a medium-firm feel, according to a 2015 review. Adjustable bed frames and wedge pillows can also reduce pressure on your lower back by elevating your knees.

Conclusion

Whether you’re looking for a mattress just for yourself or to share with a partner, a queen size mattress is an excellent way to upgrade your bedroom. It’s small enough to fit into most rooms but large enough to comfortably accommodate one or two sleepers. Just make sure you leave enough space to walk around your bedroom furniture.