1. Quick list
2. Best overall
3. Best for side sleepers
4. Best for back pain
5. Best cheap boxed bed
6. Best for achy joints
7. Best budget cooling
8. Best luxury organic
9. Best flippable
10. Best luxury cooling
11. Best for couples
12. Best for combi sleepers
13. Best budget organic
14. How we test
The best mattresses in a box (beds-in-a-box) sold online offer the same quality, support and comfort as mattresses you’d buy in store. The big difference is that they are compressed then rolled in plastic before being shipped in a box to your door. Because there are no bricks and mortar costs here, boxed mattresses are the best way to get a great mattress at a cheaper price.
Nearly all of the beds featured in our official best mattress guide are bed in a box types, made by world-class sleep brands such as DreamCloud, Helix Sleep and Nectar. Our team of boxed mattress experts and certified sleep coaches have spent over 2,000 hours testing a large range of them, ranking this year’s best mattresses in a box right here. We’ve included reviews with each product, plus testing data to show how they performed in key areas such as temperature control and pressure relief.
A good mattress in a box normally costs around $1,100 or under for a queen size, but there are plenty of monthly mattress sales to ensure you never pay MSRP. For example, you can buy a queen size Nectar Mattress for $699, while a queen size Cocoon by Sealy Chill mattress costs $699 for a queen plus you get $199 of free bedding. These are very competitive prices only available online.
Here are our top recommendations for this year's best mattresses in a box…
Best mattress in a box: Quick list
If you're short on time, we've put together an overview of our best mattress in a box rankings, based on in-house testing and consumer research. Below each mattress you'll find in-depth bed-in-a-box reviews, plus expert buying advice.
Best overall
Price: from $359
Trial period: 365 nights
Warranty: Lifetime
✅ A superb all-rounder that best suits back ad stomach sleepers, with good spinal support and pressure relief.
❌ While it sleeps fairly cool for a foam bed, hot sleepers should pick the Cocoon Chill (#6) for better cooling at a similar cost.
💰 Starting from just $359, with a 365-night sleep trial, lifetime warranty and free shipping. The Nectar Memory Foam mattress in a box is excellent value.
Best for side sleepers
Price: From $702
Trial period: 100 nights
Warranty: 10 years
✅ Simply the best mattress in a box for side sleepers – it scored very high test results for pressure relief around the hips, knees and shoulders. Motion isolation is excellent too.
❌ We didn't rate the edge support that well during testing, so if that's a priority to you, consider the Layla Hybrid (#8) instead.
💰 The Helix mattress sale is offering 25% off the Midnight, plus you'll get a free bedding bundle worth $333. This is the best deal we've seen in months so now is the time to buy.
Best for back pain
Price: From $449
Trial period: 365 nights
Warranty: Lifetime
✅ The DreamCloud is the best boxed bed for getting a Saatva Classic feel at a third of the price and for easing back pain. Foam and innersprings work together to provide support and pain relief for many body types.
❌ The DreamCloud Hybrid is on the firmer side of medium-firm, so lighter weight side sleepers should pick the Helix (#2).
💰 You missed the recent 50% off DreamCloud flash sale, but you can still get 40% off the DreamCloud today, with a queen down to $799 plus a lifetime warranty.
Best cheap boxed bed
Price: From $199
Trial period: 180 nights
Warranty: 10 years
✅ The Siena Mattress is a perfectly decent cheap bed-in-a-box that our testers rate best for back and stomach sleepers, as it's firm and supportive to keep the spine aligned.
❌ Our testers also rate the Siena Memory Foam as a very firm mattress considering it's all-foam, so we don't recommend it to lighter weight side sleepers – pick the Helix (#2) instead.
💰 The Siena Mattress is always on sale at 50% off every size, with a queen reduced to just $399 (was $799). Throw in a 10-year warranty and free shipping and this is great value.
Best for achy joints
Price: From $599
Trial period: 100 nights
Warranty: 10 years
✅ The Purple Original mattress is a good affordable mattress in a box for easing general aches and pains, thanks to a flexible GelGrid Tech that contours your curves as you move around.
❌ While the Purple sleeps fairly cool thanks to the open-channel grid design, it isn't powerful enough to combat with night sweats, so pick the GhostBed Luxe (#9) for proper cooling.
💰 As of today you can save $200 on every size of the Purple Original mattress, reducing the cost of a queen to $1,199 (was $1,399) in the current sale.
Best budget cooling
Price: From $399
Trial period: 100 nights
Warranty: 10 years
✅ The Cocoon Chill is the best mattress in a box for warm sleepers on a budget. It uses a Phase Change Material cover to wick away heat and sweat, though it isn't as powerful as the GhostBed Luxe (#9).
❌ Our testers felt the edge support could be stronger, so you might find a dip in support if sleeping right up to the edge.
💰 Fantastic value for a cooling mattress in a box. It's priced similarly to the Nectar Mattress (#1) at $699 for a queen, but it also comes with free bedding to save you more money.
Expand list...
Best luxury organic bed
Price: From $1,260
Trial period: 365 nights
Warranty: 25 years
The Avocado Green comes in three comfort levels, with firm as the standard option. (Medium and plush cost extra.) Unlike the Birch Natural (#12), which uses Talalay latex, Avocado opts for denser Dunlop latex – which contributes to its higher cost.
Best flippable
Price: From $549
Trial period: 120 nights
Warranty: 10 years
The Layla Hybrid offers dual comfort. One side is plush for side sleeping, and the other is firm for back and front sleeping. Its biggest flaw is that it runs warm. If you sleep hot, the GhostBed Luxe (#9) or DreamCloud (#3) are better hybrid options.
Best for cooling
Price: From $1,298
Trial period: 101 nights
Warranty: 25 years
The GhostBed Luxe is loaded with cooling tech to help hot sleepers battle night sweats, from a cool-to-the-touch cover to thermo-sensitive foam that adapts to your body temperature throughout the night. If you want something firmer and more affordable, we'd recommend the Cocoon by Sealy Chill Memory Foam (#6) mattress in a box. But if you're dealing with intense night sweats and hot flashes, stick with the GhostBed Luxe. You'll get a 101-night trial and 25-year warranty.
Best for couples
Price: From $649
Trial period: 120 nights
Warranty: Lifetime
If you share a bed with a restless partner, the Bear Original will minimize their movements so you can sleep in peace. It's firm at first but becomes more contouring over time. However, it traps heat so consider the Cocoon Chill (#6) or DreamCloud (#3) instead if you sleep warm.
Best for combi sleepers
Price: From $849
Trial period: 100 nights
Warranty: 20 years
Similar to how the Helix Midnight (#2) caters to side sleepers, the Amerisleep AS2 is a mattress made for back and stomach sleepers. A zoned design offers more cushioning at the shoulders and hips, with firmer support under the head, back, and legs.
Best budget organic bed
Price: From $1,124
Trial period: 100 nights
Warranty: 25 years
No worries if the Avocado Green (#7) is out of your price range – the Birch Natural is another excellent choice for eco-friendly sleep at a lower price. A layer of Talalay latex gives it a buoyant bed feel that'll suit combi sleepers; however, it's too bouncy for co-sleeping.
Read more below
The best mattress in a box you can buy today
Why you can trust Tom's Guide
Best mattress in a box overall
Nectar's incredibly popular five-layer all-foam mattress has nabbed the top spot in our best mattress in a box guide because it hits that sweet spot between price and performance. In short, you're getting a superbly comfortable and good-quality mattress for an extremely reasonable price.
We tested this 12-inch tall, all-foam mattress for two months and loved it. The medium-firm memory foam offers a fantastic balance of softness and firmness, providing luxury comfort without the feeling of sinking into the mattress. When our reviewers lay down, the mattress contoured to their bodies, providing full, tailored support and helping align their spines, while cushioning pressure points like shoulders and hips. We also noticed good edge support and very little motion transfer, making it a particularly good choice for couples.
Let's take a closer look at the design. At the top you'll find a quilted cover, which can be removed but, annoyingly, isn't suitable for machine washing. Next up, there's a layer of gel-infused memory foam. The gel is to help regulate temperature, as memory foam can trap body heat. We found it worked well on this front – none of our testers found they overheated on this mattress (although if you know you sleep hot, you should check out the GhostBed below). Underneath this you'll find a layer of hi-core memory foam for extra support so you don’t sink too far into the mattress. Finally, a base layer helps stabilize the sleeper, and a bottom mattress cover keeps it from slipping on your bed frame or floor.
Where the Nectar Memory Foam mattress really stands out is value for money. You can ignore that MSRP, because these beds are never sold at full price; a queen will typically set you back around $779 – considerably cheaper than rivals Casper and Purple. You'll almost always get a big bedding bundle thrown in for free too (worth up to $499). Add to that a generous one-year trial period to decide whether it's right for you, and a lifetime warranty. When it comes to sheer value for money, we think the Nectar is the best memory foam mattress you can buy. You'll just need to be prepared to wait a little longer than usual to actually sleep on it – our test model took 48 hours to full expand.
- Read more: Nectar mattress review
Best mattress in a box for side sleepers
The Helix Midnight is a medium-softness hybrid mattress in a box that excels when it comes to pressure relief. We rate it as the very best mattress for side sleepers, because that plush surface is dreamily comfortable around the shoulders and hips in this position. That cushioning is thanks to Helix's own version of memory foam, which provides soft sinkage and deep body contouring, as well as cradling pressure points. A lower level of 8-inch coils that boosts breathability, as well as adding a touch of bounce. The sleep surface also absorbs motion exceptionally well, making this a good choice for couples on different sleep schedules.
Although it's not billed as a cooling mattress (like the GhostBed Luxe and Cocoon by Sealy Chill, elsewhere in this list), we were impressed by the temperature regulation here – none of our reviewers overheated during the testing period. A stretchy, soft-touch cover comes as standard, but there is also the option to upgrade to a GlacioTex Cooling cover if you need a little extra cooling power.
In fact, our only slight complaint is that the edge support could be better. It's fine for sleeping, but sitting on the edge of this mattress for long periods feels a little unstable. You have 100 nights to test it out (and you're required to give it a go for at least 30 nights), and it comes backed with a 10-year warranty.
Best mattress in a box for back pain
The DreamCloud sits right at the top of our best hybrid mattress list, and it's our favorite springs-and-foam pick here, too. As a rule, hybrids tend to cost more than all-foam mattresses, and especially luxe-feeling ones like the DreamCloud, but this mattress comes in at a mid-range price, or sometimes lower-mid, depending when you buy. It stands out for undercutting most of the competition, and delivering excellent value for money, too.
At the top of the mattress you'll find thick layers of foams, which contour comfortably around the sleeper's joints and relieve pressure. Beneath these is a tier of springs that amp up the support and create space for air to circulate within the mattress (we found the DreamCloud mattress regulated temperature well, and would recommend it for hot sleepers).
DreamCloud rates it a 6.5 out of 10 on the firmness scale but during our tests we found it firmer than that – around an 8. It offers excellent hip and back support, and would be suitable for many back pain sufferers. It should suit most body types and sleep positions, although some side sleepers (and especially those under 130lb) might find it a bit too firm. If that's you, consider the Helix (#2), which is softer.
Because it's from the same parent company as the Nectar, it comes with the same ridiculously good extras. You'll have a year to try it out before fully committing, and it's backed by a Forever warranty.
- Read more: DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid mattress review
Best cheap bed-in-a-box
When we called the Siena Mattress in for testing, we weren't expecting much from it. After all, how good can a cheap mattress in a box really be? Very good, is the answer, if it's made by the parent company behind the Nectar Mattress and the DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid (both are ranked higher up this guide). Our lead tester Alison reviewed the Siena Memory Foam and was very impressed by how well made it is considering the cheaper price.
Alison was also impressed by how cool it slept, which is pretty unusual for a budget all-foam box bed. We recommend the Siena Mattress at the best box in a bed for stomach and back sleepers because it's a very firm mattress – much firmer than Siena Sleep's rating of 6.5 out of 10 on the firmness scale; we rate it as a 9. That firmness ensures that you'll sleep on top of the mattress in both those positions, which prevents your back and spine from dipping out of alignment and causing you lower back pain.
Of course, that does lead us to recommend that side sleepers look elsewhere in this guide – in the first instance, check out the Helix Midnight instead. We feel the Siena is simply too firm for comfy side sleeping unless you are heavier in weight, then you'd need a firmer bed to support you and prevent sinking.
The edge support on the Siena Memory Foam Mattress in a box is also very strong for a cheap mattress in a box, so that means you can both sleep right up to each edge of your bed to maximise sleep space. It also means that you shouldn't have any edges getting in and out of bed, or when sitting on the edge to get dressed. More good news for couples is how the Siena absorbs motion well, so you shouldn't disturb each other too much if either of you are restless sleepers. Truly excellent value for money and a great cheap bed in a box from a trusted name.
- Read more: Siena Memory Foam Mattress review
Best mattress in a box for achy joints
The Purple mattress is one of the best-known mattresses in a box. What sets this brand apart is its use of 'Purple Grid' technology – essentially a hyper-elastic, gel-like grid that's designed to cushion your body’s pressure points. Like memory foam, it'll mold to your body to provide tailored support right where you need it most, but unlike a foam, the grid has an open design that allows air to circulate through it, helping ensure a cool night's sleep.
Our pick is the Purple Original Mattress, which features a two-inch Purple grid, followed by a dual-layer comfort base for support. Many users comment that it took them some time to get used to the unique feeling of the Purple mattress, especially if they were previously sleeping on an innerspring mattress. You have a 100-night sleep trial, which should be plenty of time to gauge if this is the right bed for you.
In our tests, our reviewers were seriously impressed with the Purple mattress. We loved the responsive, soft yet firm surface, and found this bed very comfortable and supportive to sleep on. It absorbed motion well, and slept nice and cool, too. At under 10" deep, it's on the thinner side, and we wouldn't recommend it to sleepers over 300lb, who will likely find this bed too firm.
Our findings were backed up by other customer reviews. The Purple mattress has an excellent average score of 4.5 out of 5 from nearly 12,000 user reviews on the Purple website (September 2023). Many people report that it relieved their pressure points and eased joint pain, and lots of people say that since switching to the Purple mattress they've been sleeping far better than they were before. We think for couples, especially, and anyone who overheats at night, the flagship Purple mattress is one of the best mattress in a box options out there. Read our Nectar vs Purple breakdown if you can't choose between the brands.
- Read more: Purple mattress review
Best budget cooling mattress in a box
The Cocoon Chill Memory Foam is one of the best cooling mattresses around if you're on a budget. This mattress in a box is made by industry giant Sealy, and features a special, stretch-knit cover that's infused with an advanced phase-change material. While it doesn't have quite the chilling powers of the pricier GhostBed above, during our review period we were very impressed with the temperature regulation on offer here, especially considering it's an all-foam design, at such an affordable price. Our positive experience is echoed by other customers; the Chill has an average of 4.7 out of 5 from over 8,300 user reviews (Aug 2023).
Designed to adapt to your body to provide tailored support all over, this medium-firm mattress has three different foam layers, including luxury memory foam for deep contouring, responsive comfort foam to reduce motion transfer and prevent you sinking into the mattress, and a durable support layer.
At 10-inches deep the Cocoon Chill is a decent height, but bear in mind that its memory foam layer is one inch thinner than the Nectar Memory Foam mattress higher up our list. If you weigh more than 230lb you may sink through to the firmer support layers, and not get the full benefit of the foams (our guide to the best mattress for heavy bodies can help you out if you're over 250lb).
Overall, we were impressed with the comfort and cooling abilities of the Cocoon by Sealy Chill bed in a box, and gave it superior marks for motion isolation. There's no denying you get a lot for your money here.
- Read more: Cocoon Chill Memory Foam mattress review
Best luxury organic mattress in a box
If you're looking for a luxurious yet eco-friendly bed, the Avocado Green is the best mattress in a box you can buy. The company uses quality, organic materials – without polyester, polyurethane foams, or toxic fire retardants – to produce this premium quality mattress. Our tester found this bed delivered plenty of support and slept comfortably cool.
Rather than being glued, the Avocado green is hand-tufted, which means ribbons are pulled up through the mattress to hold the layers together. As a result, you'll see soft, organic wool rosettes on the top cover (note, if you want to avoid animal products, Avocado does do a vegan version of this mattress). Comfort and support come via a three-inch layer of GOLS-certified organic latex foam, alongside a layer of steel coils, arranged into five ergonomic zones.
Avocado rates this a 7 on the firmness scale (there is the option to pay extra to soften it up with a pillowtop), and we'd agree. We think this is best suited to back or stomach sleepers, as well as being suitable for heavier bodies that need that bit of extra support. Side sleepers and lightweight individuals will likely find it too firm, though.
The most expensive mattress in our ranking by a fair margin, the Avocado Green is undoubtedly an investment bed. Natural mattresses almost always do cost more (the Birch Natural right below it is cheaper but still not cheap in the wider market). Is it worth it? Maybe. There's little doubt you're getting a top quality product here – there's plenty of information on the company's website detailing where all the materials come from and explaining the brand's ethos, alongside a long list of certifications confirming various eco-friendly, natural credentials. What we find harder to justify is the hefty delivery fee – $99 for standard, going up to $249 if you want white glove delivery. At least the trial period is generous, at 365 nights.
- Read more: Avocado Green mattress review
The best flippable mattress in a box
The Layla Hybrid Mattress in a box is two mattresses for the price of one, thanks to a versatile flippable design. For lightweight sleepers or side sleepers seeking softness around their hips and shoulders, the paler gray side of this mattress has a cushiony soft 4 out of 10 sleep feel. Back or stomach sleepers who need a bit more support can flip the whole thing over to the darker side for a much more supportive 7 out of 10 sleep feel.
While some bed brands let you choose from a range of firmness options, this is the only mattress we've seen that offers two different comfort levels in one. Granted, the practical applications are limited – there can't be loads of people who want an ultra-soft bed one night and a fairly firm one the next. However, we can see this kind of bed being useful for a guest room, with different people sleeping in it at different times, or for anyone who's just not sure what kind of mattress will suit them, and wants to keep their options open. Helpfully, there are sturdy handles on the sides to make turning it over easy.
Layla is one of only a few bed brands that publishes the foam density – this is an indicator of quality and longevity, and Layla passes with flying colors, with top-quality 3.5lb memory foam in its comfort layers. When we reviewed this model, we found it isolated movement incredibly well, making this a good choice for light sleepers or anyone who shares a bed. We were also impressed by the sturdy edge support.
Any down-sides to be aware of? Despite various cooling features, we found this mattress could on occasion sleep a little warm. And the firmer side might not be firm enough for heavier bodies. If the hybrid is out of your price range but the concept appeals, there's an all-foam version that sits in the mid-range bracket.
- Read more: Layla Hybrid mattress review
Best luxury cooling mattress in a box
The GhostBed Luxe mattress is a premium all-foam mattress in a box. It's USP is that it's jam-packed with cooling tech, making it an excellent choice for anyone who overheats at night. GhostBed calls it 'the coolest bed in the world', and we were certainly impressed when we tested it out.
On top, a luxurious quilted cover is made from 'Ghost Ice' fabric, which is designed to absorb heat throughout the night. Our testers were surprised that this cover was cold to the touch – something that they hadn't come across before. Inside the mattress you'll also find gel memory foam (designed to promote airflow and breathability) and thermo-sensitive foam (which responds to your body temperature and adjusts accordingly).
This is hands-down one of the very best cooling mattresses we've tried. We slept comfortably cool on this mattress and didn't overheat once. In fact, on occasion, one of our testers had to don socks and long pants to warm up. This bed's cooling powers are all the most impressive when you consider it's all-foam, which can be a recipe for overheating. Factoring in the permanent 50% off deal, this it's well priced for a cooling bed (although if it's out of your budget you should check out the Cocoon by Sealy Chill further down the page).
There were other features that delighted, too. This bed's contouring memory foam and supportive foam layers effectively soothe pressure points and create an almost weightless feeling (be aware that this otherwise medium-plush mattress tends to feel firmer in cooler temps and softer when it's warm, which is a little unusual). It's billed as beneficial for back sleepers, but found the most relief when resting on our sides, with our joints comfortably cushioned in this position. Motion isolation is superb, making the GhostBed Luxe a good choice for anyone who shares a bed with a restless partner.
So what are the potential downsides? The GhostBed Luxe can take up to 24 hours to fully expand and adjust to your bedroom’s temperature (which, to be fair, isn't as long as the Nectar #1 – that took 48 hours). Our review model also emitted some of the most potent off-gassing we've experienced in a full-foam mattress.
- Read more: GhostBed Luxe mattress review
Best mattress in a box for couples
If you sleep with a restless partner, you need a mattress that will absorb movement so their nocturnal wriggling doesn't disturb your sleep. Our top pick is the Bear Original, a memory foam mattress in a box that excels when it comes to motion isolation. In our tests, even when we dropped a 15lb weight 4 inches away from an empty wine glass, the glass barely budged.
Depending on the firmness of bed you're used to, it may take your body a few days to adjust to the medium-firm feel of the Bear Original mattress (you get 120 nights to try it at home). Once you settle into it, you'll appreciate this mattress' contouring support, which we found comfortable in all sleep positions. No need to worry about falling off if you gravitate towards the edge while you sleep, either, as the Bear Original's edge support is among the best we've ever tested.
One area where the Bear Original mattress falls short is temperature regulation. Despite a Celliant quilt cover and cooling gel memory foam, our testers felt overheated on warmer nights. However, it was quite cozy in cooler temperatures; we'd recommend the Bear Original to anyone who lives in a temperate or cold environment, or who tends to sleep cold.
Warmer sleepers should consider the Cocoon by Sealy Chill earlier in this list for around the same price. At around $649 for a queen size, it also hits the sweet spot between quality and price – we consider it one of the best affordable mattresses around.
- Read more: Bear Original mattress review
Best mattress in a box for combi sleepers
The Amerisleep AS2 mattress in a box is designed specifically for those who like to sleep on their stomach or back; positions that typically require a slightly harder sleep surface to keep the spine properly aligned and avoid back pain in the longer term. The AS2 has a medium-firm feel, but it's zoned so it's more cushioned around the shoulders and hips, with firmer support under the head, back and legs. This zoning is thanks to a 'HIVE transition layer' of flexible foam hexagons.
That's not the only unusual part of this bed's design. Rather than regular memory foam, here you'll find plant-based Bio-Pur foam. Amerisleep says it's more breathable than traditional memory foam, and it's bouncier and more responsive, so you won't get 'stuck' in it either.
The AS2 is highly rated on the Amerisleep site, with an average of 4.7/5 stars from over 3,300 user reviews (September 2023). Lots of customers comment that this mattress is supportive yet comfortable. A handful found it slept slightly warm, and some found it too firm. If you're concerned about that, do be aware that Amerisleep's mattress lineup covers the full range of firmness levels.
- Read more: Is the Amerisleep AS2 mattress any good?
Best budget organic mattress in a box
The Birch Natural mattress uses organic materials, and is designed to be a more eco-friendly bed option. One main point of difference compared to most of the other mattresses in this guide is that instead of foam, this bed uses the natural alternative of Talalay latex to provide that body-molding cushioning around your joints (it's hypoallergenic, too).
Elsewhere, you'll find layers of wool – a natural fire-retardant, as well as being breathable and cushioning – and steel coils for further support. The coils are targeted to promote correct spinal alignment, and reinforced all the way around the edges, so you can use the full sleep surface without fear of rolling off.
We slept on a Birch Natural mattress and believe it's terrific for combination sleepers who change positions throughout the night since it has plenty of bounce so you won't feel 'stuck' in your mattress. (On the flip side, that trait also makes it less-than-ideal for couples who sleep with a restless partner.) We found its medium-firm feel most accommodating for front and back sleeping. Hot sleepers are likely to find cooling relief with the Birch Natural, as well – our usually-warm tester didn't wake up sweaty once.
Although we call it a value organic mattress, we stress that it's a value mattress within its category – on a broader scale, you're still paying a premium price (or close). However, if the Avocado Green above is too expensive then the Birch Natural is an excellent alternative. We even rank it amongst the best organic mattresses you can buy. This thoughtfully designed bed is handmade in the USA, with free shipping to US customers and a 25-year warranty on the mattress. You'll have 100 nights to try it out, which is on the short side for a pricier mattress like this, but still long enough to give it a good test.
- Read more: Birch Natural mattress review
How we test mattresses in a box
Our mattress testing process is editorially independent and we decide which mattresses in a box to include in this guide. We conduct regular market research to see which new boxed mattresses are being released, then we contact the brands to ask for review samples.
Once we have received our review sample of the mattress in a box that we want to test, we assemble our testing team comprising a lead mattress tester and a wider review panel made up of people with different body types and sleep preferences. This ensures we capture testing data and review opinions for a wider pool of people to reflect how subjective mattress comfort and support can be.
Our lead tester sleeps on the bed in a box for three consecutive weeks, rating it across key areas including comfort, support, pressure relief, motion isolation, temperature control and edge support. We also look at elements such as off-gassing and how easy it is to unpack and set up the boxed bed. We rate each key area out of 5.
Our wider testing panel is then invited to review the mattress by completing a series of 'sit and lie' tests. All of this in-house testing data, plus our user review research, is then used to create a final review score for the mattress in a box. If it's high enough, the bed will be added to this guide of the year's best beds-in-a-box.
See our mattress methodology for more.
Mattress in a box FAQs
What is a mattress in a box?
A mattress in a box is a memory foam or hybrid mattress that has been machine-compressed into a smaller size, tightly rolled, then packed into a tough cardboard box for shipping to your home. Shipping times vary by brand, but you can get a boxed mattress as fast as within two working days.
Once that box arrives at your door, your job is to unbox it. Each mattress in a box is covered in a reinforced plastic cover, and many brands give you a tool to slice through that covering more easily. Once the mattress has been fully unpacked, pop it on your bed base where it will begin to regain its full shape.
While they are the same as regular mattresses once fully decompressed, a mattress in a box takes anywhere from a few hours to a few days to be ready to sleep on. Emma mattresses, for example, are ready to sleep on in a few hours, while Nectar mattresses take up to 72 hours.
You may notice a bit of a smell at first, but this mattress off-gassing is normal. Just open the windows and it should soon pass, leaving you to enjoy your comfy new bed. To care for your new mattress in a box, cover it with one of the best mattress protectors to safeguard against stains.
Casper has been credited with making beds-in-a-box popular since its launch nearly 10 years ago, and now we also have the likes of Purple, Layla, Nectar, Helix and many others.
In terms of warranty, coverage ranges from 10 years to a Forever Warranty (Nectar and DreamCloud), but we’d advise you to check the small print so that you know what will and won’t be covered. For further guidance, read our feature on how do mattress warranties work.
Are mattresses in a box any good?
Yes, boxed mattresses can be excellent if you pick the right one. We've spoken to experts from the mattress industry to get a definitive answer on if beds that come in a box are good, and the short answer is that the quality of the mattress is much more to do with the specific model than whether it has been compressed or not. There are plenty of fantastic boxed options – such as those included in our ranking – but also plenty of rubbish cheap boxed mattresses that should be avoided.
Boxed mattresses are often delivered quicker and are easier to maneuver, but you'll avoid decompression time and perhaps also off-gassing if you go for a traditional option.
It’s easy to look at the cheaper price tags of some mattresses in a box and dismiss them as being too cheap to be supportive or comfortable, but that simply isn’t the case. We have spent hundreds of hours sleeping on some of the top boxed mattresses and find them equally as comfortable as traditional mattresses sold in store.
Mattress in a box expert buying advice
How to choose the best mattress in a box
With more and more options available for buying a mattress in a box, it’s now easier than ever to find something that suits your sleeping position, body weight and any particular needs you might have when it comes to getting a restful night’s sleep.
Things to look out for when buying a bed-in-a-box online include:
Features – If you need extra features from a mattress to help you sleep, then there’ll be something for you, whether you sleep hot, need more pressure relief, or extra support for backache. Plenty of mattresses now come with innovative tech and eco-friendly materials too, so whatever your concerns, it should be covered.
Firmness – just like standard mattresses, beds in a box come in a variety of firmnesses. If you know you will likely need a firmer mattress for instance, check before you buy to ensure you are getting the most comfortable choice for you.
Trial period and free delivery/returns – many top brands offer mattress trials on their mattresses, giving you the chance to try the mattress out for yourself. It’s always a good idea to take advantage of trial periods, and if you decide the mattress isn’t for you, check that you can get a full refund.
This takes a lot of the stress out of buying a mattress online, especially if the mattress is expensive. Also check if the company offers free returns so there’ll be no surprises if you do need to send the mattress back.
Reviews – online reviews often give you extra information about the mattress, including feedback after a few weeks’ use and a closer assessment of the feel and comfort for different body weights. If you have decided on a boxed mattress, compare a few user reviews on the brand websites with those elsewhere too.
How to open a bed-in-a-box
The best way to unbox your new mattress is to follow the instructions provided by the mattress manufacturer. As these guidelines are similar, we can provide you with some general guidance here. The main difference between brands is how long they recommend that you leave the bed-in-a-box to inflate before you sleep on it.
For example, Emma Sleep says that its Original memory foam mattress is ready to sleep on within 60 minutes, while the Nectar Mattress can take up to 72 hours to decompress fully.
Allowing your mattress in a box the time it needs to properly inflate (decompress) means that it will be in the best position to properly support your body. If you use the mattress before the manufacturer says it’s ready to sleep on, you may damage the materials and risk voiding your warranty.
In general, here’s how to open a mattress in a box:
- Take it through to your bedroom of choice
- Open the top of the cardboard box and remove any printed instructions or packaging cutting tools (see image above for an example)
- Now lay the cardboard box on its side
- Pull the rolled mattress out of the box so that it’s resting on the floor
- If you have been given a packaging cutting tool, use this to carefully cut through the tough plastic covering the mattress. Some brands, like Avocado Green, wrap their mattresses in paper, which is easy to remove.
- One the boxed mattress is out of its protective packaging, place it onto your bed frame because it will start inflating (decompressing) immediately.
- Open a window to let the smell of off-gassing dissipate.
- Leave the mattress to decompress for the number of minutes or hours stated by the brand you purchased it from.
When is the best time to buy a mattress in a box?
There are definitely key periods throughout the year when it’s better to buy a boxed mattress, and chief among these is the Black Friday mattress deals, where prices are at their lowest and discounts are at their highest.
These often roll over into Cyber Monday mattress deals, which is the first Monday immediately following Black Friday, and you may even see some higher discounts on Cyber Monday when brand’s mount last-ditch efforts to attract your custom before Christmas.
Beyond that, the Memorial Day mattress sales in May are another key time to buy a mattress in a box for less than normal, with retailers looking to shift older stock before new ranges arrive in the summer. Labor Day mattress sales in September are also a good time to look, as they feature some of the lowest prices before Black Friday season.
Black Friday and Cyber Monday bed-in-a-box deals
A good mattress in a box normally costs around $1,100 or under for a queen size, but in this year’s Cyber Monday mattress deals we saw big discounts on all of the best mattresses in a box.
Our top deal was a 25% off the Helix Midnight plus a free bedding bundle worth $333. That reduces the cost of a queen to $999. For smaller budgets, you could have secured a queen size Nectar Mattress for $699 with a year’s trial and forever warranty. That's great value.
How we test mattresses
The Tom's Guide mattress review process is editorially independent and not influenced by any third parties. Our expert mattress testers sleep on each mattress for at least three weeks – that's roughly how long it takes for your body to get used to a new mattress – and spend hours scientifically testing the performance of each product.
Mattress firmness is subjective, so each lead reviewer also forms a trusted and experienced testing panel made up of people with different sleep needs and body types. We have side sleepers, back sleepers and stomach sleepers, with lighter, average and heavier bodies, who rate each mattress using a specific set of performance criteria.
Together, these processes enable us to produce accurate, well-balanced and data-backed mattress reviews, to help you easily decide whether the mattress you’re interested in really is the best choice for you. Read our full mattress methodology for more.
Meet our mattress in a box experts
Claire is the mattress expert at Tom's Guide and is responsible for all sleep product testing on the site. Claire is also a Certified Sleep Science Coach and can help you create the ultimate bedroom environment for better sleep. Claire has over 15 years' product testing experience under her belt and uses this, coupled with her sleep coach training, to help readers find the best mattress in a box for their specific needs.
Alison is one of the main mattress testers at Tom's Guide and an experienced sleep product tester in general. Alison has reviewed every type of mattress you can buy online, including memory foam, hybrid and cooling beds. She loves using her review knowledge to help readers choose a great mattress in a box.