A mattress in a box is compressed for shipping and arrives at your home in compact packaging, making it easy to deliver through FedEx, UPS, or other carriers. With a mattress in a box, there’s no need to visit a store in person, have a bed delivered by professionals, or borrow or rent a truck for mattress transportation.
We’ll discuss our top picks and provide the details you need to choose the best mattress in a box for you. We’ll also provide in-depth information about the mattress-in-a-box delivery method and answer frequently asked questions about how the process works and why most shoppers choose this type of mattress.
Presidents’ Day Mattress Sales Are Here!
Presidents’ Day is a great time to purchase a new mattress. Many leading brands offer major sales and discounts throughout the month of February. Check out our list of Presidents’ Day mattress sales for details about the biggest deals.
Find Your Perfect Mattress
We know mattresses work differently for different types of sleepers. Use the filters below to help narrow down your options for your best bed.
Read on to see why the following six options made our top picks list of 2024’s best mattresses in a box.
Sleep Doctor’s Picks
Best Overall
Nectar Premier
Sleep Doctor’s Review
The Nectar Premier is a standout mattress in a box thanks to its balanced medium firm (6) feel and excellent performance in areas like pressure relief and motion isolation. The mattress also carries an approachable price-point and comes with a year-long trial period.
Buy From Nectar
Side Sleepers
Medium
Good Value
Close-Conforming Foam
Pros
- Adaptive comfort system helps reduce pressure buildup
- Foams absorb most movement transfer and noise
- Year-long sleep trial
Cons
- May not provide enough support for people weighing more than 230 pounds
- Foam layers can absorb and trap heat to an uncomfortable degree
Why We Like It
The Nectar Premier provides excellent pressure relief and comfort to side sleepers weighing more than 130 pounds. Our testers in this weight category appreciated the gel-infused memory foam and polyfoam comfort layers, which responded to their bodies and contoured to high-pressure areas. Back and stomach sleepers between 130 and 230 pounds also gave the mattress favorable ratings.
While the lack of perimeter support was a negative for our testers who usually sleep along the edge of their mattress, we noticed the 13-inch profile made getting in and out of bed easy. We found the mattress met the overall needs of a range of sleep and body types, and its above-average motion isolation made it a good option for couples.
How Does It Feel?
The Nectar Premier is an all-foam mattress that accommodates a wide range of sleepers across body types and sleep positions. Our tests also indicate the mattress is a good option for couples, people with back pain, and those who generally enjoy the feel of an all-foam bed.
The supportive but conforming Premier cushioned the hips and shoulders of our side sleepers, while the versatile medium firm (6) feel helped our stomach and back sleepers achieve proper alignment. The gel-infused foam includes phase change material designed for temperature regulation, and we found that its quilted cover made with a polyethylene, polyester, and nylon blend promoted breathability
Best Value
Allswell Luxe Hybrid
Sleep Doctor’s Review
The Allswell Luxe Hybrid’s copper-infused memory foam and sturdy pocketed coils create a comfortable balance of cushioning and support. The mattress is also affordably priced compared to the average hybrid model, making it a great choice for budget-conscious shoppers.
Buy From Walmart
Hot Sleepers
Medium Firm
Great Value
Plush, Supportive Surface
Pros
- Adaptive foam layers over robust coils create a balanced, medium firm feel
- Perimeter reinforcement reduces sinkage when you get in and out of bed
- Steady airflow and a breathable cover help the mattress sleep cool
Cons
- May be too firm for some side sleepers
- Responsive design results in minimal motion isolation
Why We Like It
Hybrids are among the most expensive mattress types, but the Allswell Luxe Hybrid is a notable exception. While its price-point is well below average, our testers found the mattress offers a balance of pressure relief and support comparable to many more expensive hybrid models on the market today.
Our testing shows the Luxe Hybrid is most comfortable for side sleepers weighing at least 130 pounds and back sleepers between 130 and 230 pounds. The foam layers provided adequate cushioning for our testers’ shoulders and hips — two areas where side sleepers tend to experience pressure points. The coils were supportive enough to keep our team’s back sleepers on an even plane.
The mattress also performed well during our temperature control tests. Thanks to a breathable cover and steady airflow through the coil layer, we detected very little heat buildup on the surface. The responsive surface also made the mattress easy for our testers to move across, and it should suit couples who prefer a bouncy mattress for sex.
How Does It Feel?
The Luxe Hybrid is constructed with a layer of gel-infused polyfoam quilted into the cover, followed by memory foam and polyfoam layers. Though the mattress has a medium firm (6) feel, our testers noticed these layers provided deep cushioning and even weight distribution. The support core contains sturdy pocketed coils. We found that the extra reinforcement along the perimeter reduced sinkage when we slept near the edges of the mattress or got in and out of bed.
Most Comfortable
BedStory Memory Foam Hybrid
Sleep Doctor’s Review
The BedStory Memory Foam Hybrid is designed with your comfort in mind. You can choose from three profiles, all featuring adaptive foam surfaces infused with cooling materials to help reduce heat buildup.
Buy From Bedstory
Hot Sleepers
Medium Firm
Great Value
Plush, Supportive Surface
Pros
- Breathable cover, coils, and convoluted foam facilitate airflow
- Adaptive foam layers contour to the body to relieve pressure
- Charcoal infusion in foams meant to reduce heat buildup
Cons
- Stomach sleepers weighing at least 130 pounds will likely need a firmer model
- Couples may find the surface lacks responsiveness for sex
Why We Like It
The Memory Foam Hybrid falls at a 6 on our 10-point firmness scale, which makes it appealing for many sleeper types. Side and back sleepers weighing up to 230 pounds awarded the mattress its highest ratings. These sleepers enjoyed the mattress’ cushioning for sore spots in the hips and lower back while the coils kept their spines aligned. Stomach sleepers weighing less than 130 pounds may also feel supported, but those in higher weight categories will likely prefer a firmer mattress.
Temperature control was one of the mattress’ major strengths. The convoluted polyfoam cuts down on the foam’s tendency to trap heat, which keeps it cooler than many comparable models in our lab. This design, along with the breathable cover and coils, resulted in a cool surface and minimal heat buildup during our tests. The foam layers also absorbed most motion transfer and noise when we moved across the mattress, which should appeal to those sharing a bed with an active sleep partner.
How Does It Feel?
BedStory’s Memory Foam Hybrid is a quintessential hybrid mattress with a plush surface. You can purchase the bed in three height options, all of which exhibit an excellent balance of cushioning and support. The balanced feel and mid-range firmness level should make the mattress comfortable for many sleeper types.
A layer of convoluted polyfoam begins the comfort system. This layer offers targeted pressure relief to the hips and shoulders while facilitating airflow through the foam comfort layers. Layers of high-density polyfoam and memory foam further enhance pressure relief and prevent your body from sinking into the coils. The memory foam is also infused with charcoal meant for cooling.
The support core contains pocketed coils, which move independently to provide targeted support for the hips and shoulders. Thicker coils are zoned along the perimeter to bolster the edges. A stretch knit fabric cover encases the mattress.
Best Luxury
WinkBed
Sleep Doctor’s Review
The WinkBed’s luxurious hybrid design pairs adaptive comfort layers with a support system of zoned pocketed coils. The mattress is available in four firmness levels, and WinkBeds offers free exchanges within the first 120 nights if your initial choice doesn’t work out.
Buy From WinkBeds
Combination Sleepers
Soft, Medium Firm, Firm Options
Good Value
Bouncy, Supportive Surface
Pros
- Available in four designs, each with a distinct firmness level
- Zoned coils reinforce the midsection and protect the perimeter from excessive sinkage
- Excellent cooling thanks to moisture-wicking cover and steady internal airflow
Cons
- Memory foam fans may not receive enough contouring
- Limited motion isolation due to responsive coils
Why We Like It
The WinkBed is categorized as a luxury innerspring. That said, the mattress features a fairly typical hybrid design and carries a mid-range price-point. You can also choose from four firmness levels, making this one of the most versatile mattresses available online.
Our testers found that the steady air circulation through the coil layer helped the mattress maintain a comfortable temperature. Another cooling component is the cover made of Tencel. This breathable, eucalyptus-derived fabric has moisture-wicking properties to keep you dry while you sleep.
Our team tested all four of the WinkBed’s firmness levels. The medium soft model received its best ratings from side and back sleepers weighing less than 130 pounds. The most popular model was the medium firm. Side sleepers weighing 130 to 230 pounds and back and stomach sleepers weighing less than 230 pounds all found this design exceptionally comfortable. Testers over 230 pounds enjoyed the enhanced support of the firm and Plus designs.
How Does It Feel?
The WinkBed is sold in four firmness levels to accommodate different types of sleepers. Standard WinkBed models — which feature comfort layers consisting of adaptive polyfoam — are available with medium soft (4), medium firm (6), and firm (7) feels. The WinkBed Plus is a fourth option specifically designed for people who weigh more than 250 pounds. It features a firm (8) feel and includes a latex comfort layer for extra support and responsiveness.
All versions of the WinkBed feature pocketed coil support cores. Thicker coils resting beneath the midsection provide more pushback to areas of the body where people tend to carry a disproportionate amount of weight. The perimeter is also reinforced with lower-gauge coils, which we noticed minimized sinkage when we slept near the edges of the mattress or got in and out of bed.
Best for Side Sleepers
Nolah Signature 12
Sleep Doctor’s Review
The Nolah Signature 12 checks a lot of boxes for side sleepers due to an adaptive, all-foam design that ensures ample cushioning for the shoulders and hips. Proprietary open-cell foams also resist heat retention, allowing most people to sleep cool.
Buy From Nolah
Side Sleepers
Medium
Good Value
Close-Conforming Foam
Pros
- All-foam construction offers very good motion isolation
- Open-cell foams resist heat retention
- Breathable organic cotton cover
Cons
- Limited edge support due to the softer feel
- Foams may hinder movement across the surface
Why We Like It
Our testing team found the Nolah Signature 12 suits most side sleepers across different weight groups. We also recommend the bed for active sleepers looking for good motion isolation, ease of movement, and a cool sleep.
The Nolah Signature 12 features an organic cotton cover, an adaptive polyfoam comfort system, and a dense foam base. A medium (5) feel makes the mattress adaptive, so you’ll notice deep cradling and cushioning, but the polyfoam is more responsive than traditional memory foam.
Nolah mattresses feature open-cell foam engineered to resist heat buildup. As a result, the Signature 12 should sleep fairly cool compared to all-foam models with denser, less breathable layers.
How Does It Feel?
While our side sleepers in all weight groups found the mattress comfortable and supportive, the mattress received the highest overall grades from those weighing up to 230 pounds. Back and stomach sleepers on our team under 130 pounds also found the mattress fairly comfortable, if not a bit soft.
The Signature 12 also performed well during our temperature control tests compared to other all-foam models we’ve tested. Thermal sensors detected minimal heat buildup, and none of our testers felt uncomfortably warm. Motion isolation is another strong point. Couples should be able to sleep soundly on the mattress without waking each other up with nighttime movements.
Best for Couples
Molecule 2 AirTEC Mattress
Sleep Doctor’s Review
Excellent motion isolation, above-average breathability, and zoned transitional support make the Molecule 2 AirTEC a great option for couples and co-sleepers. The mattress is competitively priced, and your order includes a sleep trial that spans an entire year.
Buy From Molecule
Couples
Medium
Good Value
Close-Conforming Foam
Pros
- Breathable surface foams limit heat retention and promote cooling
- Zoned transitional layer feels firmer and more supportive around the midsection
- Excellent motion isolation for co-sleepers
Cons
- Design is too soft for most stomach sleepers
- Somewhat weak and prone to sinkage along the perimeter
Why We Like It
The Molecule 2 AirTEC is an all-foam mattress designed with balance in mind. Strong motion isolation, a noise-free design, and above-average cooling all make the mattress a solid pick for couples — especially if one or both of them also live with frequent back pain.
Our hands-on mattress tests show the mattress is most comfortable for side and back sleepers weighing up to 230 pounds. Side sleepers receive the cushioning they need around the shoulders and hips, two areas where people who use this position tend to feel pressure buildup. The zoned foam allows back sleepers to lie comfortably without sinking too much around the midsection.
The mattress excelled at motion isolation during our tests, so you and your partner shouldn’t experience sleep disruptions when the other person changes positions or gets up in the middle of the night. The top two foam layers are also treated with cooling components to prevent you from feeling excessively hot.
How Does It Feel?
The Molecule 2 AirTEC has a medium firm (6) feel, so you’ll notice moderate yet even contouring. The comfort system consists of three foam layers that are progressively denser from top to bottom, allowing your body to settle comfortably into the mattress without too much sink.
The third foam layer is zoned for a firmer feel beneath the torso and hips, where people tend to carry a disproportionate amount of weight, and gentler cradling for lighter areas of the body. A base layer of high-density polyfoam provides good overall stability.
Why You Should Trust Us
Our team has years of experience in the sleep product industry. We’ve reviewed a wide range of products, including mattresses, and we personally research and test each product before offering a fair and unbiased review.
To provide you with the best information, each mattress is tested by several sleep experts. Our team members have a variety of body types and preferred sleeping positions to help us give the most accurate feedback possible.
With the sheer amount of direct-to-consumer mattresses on the market nowadays, I know it can be hard to find an option that meets your needs. Your ideal mattress will be one that feels both comfortable and supportive, which your body weight and preferred sleeping position often determine.
