One of the first things to determine when choosing a mattress is which size you prefer. For many sleepers, a queen size mattress is an attractive choice.
Queen size mattresses are designed to fit two adult sleepers, although they can also fit a person and a pet, an adult and a child, or a single adult who likes room to sprawl out. They are large but not too large, and most people find they fit comfortably in a bedroom without occupying an excessive amount of space.
As the most common mattress size, queen size models are readily available from most manufacturers. This abundance of choice is nice to have, but it can make it difficult to narrow down your options. We’ll share a list of the best queen mattress models according to our criteria and detail some considerations to keep in mind when buying a queen size mattress.
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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 five options made our top picks list of 2024’s best queen mattresses.
Sleep Doctor’s Picks
Best Overall Mattress
DreamCloud Mattress
The Sleep Doctor’s Review
The DreamCloud Mattress is a high-profile hybrid that balances excellent cushioning for sore spots, while a coil system keeps your body on an even plane. The mid-range firmness level appealed to many of our testers, especially our side sleepers who weigh between 130 and 230 pounds.
Buy from DreamCloud
Side Sleepers
Medium Firm
Isolates Motion
Good Value
Pros
- Moisture-wicking cashmere cover fights heat retention
- Quiet construction compared to other hybrid mattresses
- 365-night sleep trial and limited lifetime warranty
Cons
- Back and stomach sleepers who weigh more than 230 pounds may find they sink too deeply into the mattress
- Co-sleepers may prefer a mattress with more edge support
The DreamCloud Mattress is a 14-inch hybrid model with a medium firm (6) feel. With cushioning foam layers over a supportive coil system, the DreamCloud is designed with balanced comfort in mind. The mattress also slept exceptionally cool and provided above-average motion isolation during our hands-on tests.
Why We Like It
Although memory foam mattresses can sometimes retain heat, we found the DreamCloud sleeps relatively cool due its use of gel infusions as well as the pocketed coil base, which promotes steady airflow. The coils are individually wrapped to help keep noise and motion transfer to a minimum. The DreamCloud Mattress can provide adequate support and pressure relief for side, back, and stomach sleepers of all body types, but during our tests, we found the mattress best suited to our side sleepers weighing between 130 and 230 pounds. For these sleepers, the memory foam hugs the body to promote neutral spinal alignment while alleviating pressure buildup.
How Does It Feel?
The mattress features a soft, breathable cashmere cover that wicks away moisture from the surface of the bed. The cover is quilted with polyfoam, which is followed by a layer of gel-infused memory foam that cradles the sleeper to relieve pressure points. A firmer polyfoam transitional layer helps facilitate movement and prevent you from sinking too far into the mattress. In the support core, pocketed coils supply support for the spine and help reinforce the perimeter of the mattress. A final layer of polyfoam serves as a base.
Best Value Mattress
Layla Memory Foam Mattress
The Sleep Doctor’s Review
The Layla Memory Foam Mattress’ flippable design features two firmness levels in one mattress. An affordable price-point, 120-night sleep trial, and lifetime warranty also make the mattress appealing to value seekers. Our testing found the all-foam construction and firmness options suitable for most sleepers who weigh up to 230 pounds.
Buy from Layla
Combination Sleepers
Medium / Firm
Isolates Motion
Great Value
Pros
- Reversible construction with a different firmness level on each side
- Copper gel infusions designed for temperature neutrality
- Zoned design with cut-out channels for airflow
Cons
- The all-foam design may sink too much for sleepers who weigh more than 230 pounds
- Couples who prefer responsiveness for sex may find the plush surface too restrictive
The 10-inch Layla Memory Foam Mattress is a foam model with a flippable design that offers two distinct firmnesses at an affordable price-point. A medium soft (4) feel on one side and firm (7) feel on the other makes the mattress appealing to a wide range of sleepers.
Why We Like It
We’ve tested many flippable mattresses, and few can match the Layla Memory Foam’s combination of quality and affordability. Each side has a distinct feel, but both sleep relatively cool, and motion isolation was a major highlight during our tests. The surface modification technology also leaves a little more room for airflow compared with a standard all-foam design, as we saw during our temperature control tests. Our tests showed the softer side absorbs motion transfer and provides above-average pressure relief for side sleepers under 130 pounds. The firm side is ideal for back and stomach sleepers between 130 and 230 pounds.
How Does It Feel?
The softer side contains 3 inches of memory foam. The memory foam is infused with copper gel engineered to draw heat away from the surface of the bed. Beneath this layer is a 2-inch polyfoam transitional layer with varying textures in different areas of the bed. Known as surface modification technology, this design is intended to provide enhanced support in the center third and greater pressure relief for the shoulders. The firmer side of the bed has just 1 inch of copper gel memory foam. The firmness level means most sleepers will rest on top of the firm side, rather than sinking in. This helps minimize heat buildup around the body. Both sides of the Layla Memory Foam Mattress share a 4-inch high-density polyfoam support core that helps maintain spinal alignment. The mattress also features a zippered polyester-blend cover.
Best Luxury Mattress
WinkBed
The Sleep Doctor’s Review
The WinkBed is a luxury innerspring offered in four firmnesses, ranging from medium soft to extra firm. The variety of firmness options ensured a comfortable model for most of our testers. Premium features like zoned transitional foam, coil zoning, and cooling infusions also make the WinkBed a standout model.
Buy from WinkBeds
Combination Sleepers
Medium Firm
Some Motion Transfer
Good Value
Pros
- Four firmness options, including the “Plus” for sleepers over 230 pounds
- Breathable cover and coils mitigate heat retention
- Zoned coils for enhanced sleeper and edge support
Cons
- Couples who prioritize motion isolation may find the coils generate too much movement
- People with sharp pressure points may prefer a model with more substantial cushioning
The WinkBed is a hybrid with a 13.5-inch profile. It is available in medium soft (4), medium firm (6), firm (7), and Plus (8) designs, with the firmest option being targeted at sleepers who weigh more than 250 pounds.
Why We Like It
A wide range of firmness options and thoughtful construction set the WinkBed apart from many competing innersprings and hybrids. The comfort layers are adaptive without sinking too much, while zoned coils keep every area of your body on an even plane. Our tests show the medium soft model is best suited to sleepers who weigh less than 130 pounds. Those seeking a more balanced feel should consider the medium firm design. If you’re a back or stomach sleeper who weighs at least 130 pounds, the firm and Plus models should provide sufficient support.
How Does It Feel?
The Euro-top Tencel cover is quilted with gel-infused foam that hugs the sleeper and helps cushion pressure points. Standard WinkBed models contain a second foam layer for added cushioning and conforming. In the WinkBed Plus, this second foam layer is replaced with zoned latex for added support and responsiveness. In the support core, another layer of zoned pocketed coils reinforces the edges of the mattress and prevents sagging. The coils are also thicker beneath your torso and hips, ensuring adequate support for your entire body. Between the moisture-wicking cover and airflow-generating coils in the support core, the WinkBed sleeps cool.
Best Mattress for Side Sleepers
Helix Midnight
The Sleep Doctor’s Review
Helix is known for creating mattresses suitable for certain sleeper types, and the Helix Midnight is specifically designed for side sleepers. Our side-sleeping testers thoroughly enjoyed the mattress’ deep contouring for sore spots, while a robust coil system kept them from sinking too deeply into the mattress.
Buy from Helix
Side Sleepers
Medium Firm
Some Motion Transfer
Good Value
Pros
- Stronger coils line perimeter for enhanced edge support
- Mixed foam comfort system contours to the body to relieve pressure
- Optional upgrade offers additional lumbar support and a thicker memory foam layer
Cons
- Sleepers who weigh more than 230 pounds may find their hips sink too deeply into the mattress
- Hot sleepers may find the foam layers trap too much heat
Helix sells six different mattress models, each tailored to a specific sleeper type. The Helix Midnight is designed with side sleepers in mind, though it also performs well for back and stomach sleepers under 130 pounds.
Why We Like It
The Helix Midnight is one of the most balanced hybrid models we’ve tested, and the sticker price is highly accessible to boot. The tried-and-true formula of adaptive foam over pocketed coils should appeal to a wide range of sleeper types. Helix also offers an upgraded model called the Helix Midnight Luxe. This mattress is quilted with an additional 2 inches of gel memory foam and features zoned lumbar support and a breathable Tencel cover.
How Does It Feel?
This 12-inch hybrid model has a medium firm (6) feel. The comfort system features layers of memory foam and polyfoam that adapt to your body to relieve pressure on the hips and shoulders. The support core consists of 8 inches of pocketed coils. Stronger coils reinforce the perimeter to allow for full use of the bed’s surface. The coils are individually wrapped, and the mattress makes little to no noise when bearing weight. A firm polyfoam base provides stable support for the mattress and helps absorb motion transfer.
Best Mattress for Back Pain
Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Cloud
The Sleep Doctor’s Review
People who have persistent back pain should appreciate the Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Cloud’s deep cushioning. The thick, adaptive memory foam layers greatly reduce aches and pains. The mattress’ mid-range feel appealed to most of our side sleepers, as well as back and stomach sleepers who weigh less than 130 pounds.
Buy from Tempur-Pedic
Couples
Medium
Isolates Motion
Fair Value
Pros
- Thick layers of memory foam relieve pressure points
- All-foam construction with minimal motion transfer
- Moisture-wicking cover
Cons
- The mattress will likely feel too plush for back and stomach sleepers weighing at least 130 pounds
- Couples may find the mattress’ foam layers restrict too much movement on the surface.
Tempur-Pedic’s TEMPUR-Cloud Mattress features a layer of plush, pressure-relieving memory foam over a firmer memory foam transitional layer and a polyfoam support core. The mattress cover is designed to wick moisture away from the sleeper.
Why We Like It
Tempur-Pedic’s first mattress-in-a-box offers the high-quality designs and premium materials of the brand’s previous models, but at a more affordable price-point. The TEMPUR-Cloud excelled at pressure relief and motion isolation during our tests. The thick memory foam layers absorb a significant amount of movement, keeping co-sleepers from disturbing each other. As with most traditional memory foam mattresses, our team also found this model supplies above-average pressure relief.
How Does It Feel?
A top layer of adaptive memory foam contours close to the body to alleviate pressure. Underneath is a transitional layer of memory foam that enhances pressure relief, while preventing your body from sinking too deeply into the polyfoam support core. A polyester cover encases the mattress. With a medium (5) feel, our tests indicate the mattress is ideal for side sleepers under 230 pounds. It also earned strong ratings from our back and stomach sleepers under 130 pounds.
Why You Should Trust Us
Our team has amassed years of experience in the sleep product industry. We’ve gathered an expert panel uniting healthcare professionals, former mattress manufacturers, and certified sleep science coaches. Every member of our testing team has tested dozens of mattresses, enabling them to draw comparisons between different models.
We make sure our tests include individuals of all body types and preferred sleep positions, as these factors can change the way a mattress feels. Our rigorous testing process examines every facet of the mattress, from motion transfer to pressure relief, for a comprehensive view of how it performs.
Who Is a Queen Mattress Best for?
The queen size is generally considered the happy medium among mattress sizes, as it can comfortably accommodate two sleepers without taking up too much space in your room. As a result, queen size mattresses are often preferred by single adults, couples, or those who share the bed with a child or pet.
- Single Adults: For single adults, a queen size mattress allows more width to spread out.
- Couples: Many couples prefer a queen size mattress, as it provides ample room for both sleepers without occupying as much floor space as a king size mattress.
- People With Kids or Pets: A queen size mattress leaves extra wiggle room in case the kids or pets want to snuggle up together.
A queen is one of the most universal bed sizes you’ll find on the market. If you’re seeking a mattress for yourself and a co-sleeper, queens offer ample space at a lower cost than a king or California king. If you and your co-sleeper have different sleep preferences, look for a mattress that balances cushioning and support to accommodate both your needs.
Queen Mattress Pros & Cons
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What's the Difference Between a Queen, Full, and a King?
Queen size falls between full and king on the mattress size spectrum. A full size mattress measures approximately 54 by 75 inches, while a queen measures 60 by 80 inches. A king measures 76 by 80 inches.
Though full size mattresses can accommodate two sleepers, you may still feel cramped sharing a full model with a partner. Full size mattresses are also slightly shorter than queen and king size mattresses, so they may not be comfortable if you are taller than 6 feet 2 inches. On the other end of the spectrum, king size mattresses are more roomy, but they may be too big for some bedrooms.
The queen offers a versatile size that can adapt to fit the needs of single sleepers or those who sleep with a partner, pet, or child.
Queen vs. Full vs. King
Leg Room | Both queen and king size mattresses measure 80 inches long, which should leave enough leg room if you stand up to 6 feet 7 inches. The full size mattress is slightly shorter, at just 75 inches long. |
Shareability | Queen size mattresses suit the needs of most couples. Full size mattresses can accommodate two people in a pinch, while the extra width of a king size mattress can fit a couple plus children or pets. |
Price | As mattress pricing is often dependent on size, shoppers can expect to pay less for a full size mattress and more for a king size mattress. This also applies to bed frames, bedding, and other accessories. |
Mattress Weight | Full size mattresses weigh less than queen size mattresses, which in turn weigh less than king size mattresses. Mattress weight may be a consideration when moving houses. |
What Should You Know About Buying a Queen Mattress?
There are some additional logistics you should consider before deciding on a new queen size mattress.
Doorways, Hallways, and Room Size
Before ordering a mattress, take measurements to ensure it will fit in your bedroom. In addition, don’t forget to measure any doorways, staircases, or elevators on the way to your bedroom.
Mattresses are often compressed for shipping, which may make them easier to carry through your house or apartment building. That said, you may want to wait until you reach your bedroom before removing the packaging and letting the mattress expand.
Types of Queen Mattresses
In addition to the standard queen size mattress, there are some less common alternatives, including California queens, Olympic queens, and split queens.
- California Queen: Measuring 60 by 84 inches, the California queen size mattress allows extra leg room for taller sleepers.
- Olympic Queen: At 66 by 80 inches, the Olympic queen has the same length as a standard queen but has additional width for couples who need more room.
- Split Queen: The split queen option consists of two mattresses that each measure 30 by 80 inches, allowing each sleeper to personalize the feel of their half.
Shoppers should be aware that Olympic and California queen mattresses will not fit a standard queen bed frame. As these are not considered standard sizes, you may also have trouble finding bedding to match.
Mattress Weight, Mattress Type, and Movability
Mattress weight varies depending on the materials and thickness of the mattress. On average, standard-profile queen size foam mattresses weigh between 60 and 90 pounds, hybrids weigh between 90 and 120 pounds, and latex or latex hybrid mattresses weigh 120 pounds or more.
You may need to enlist help from another person when moving the mattress from room to room, especially once you’ve taken it out of the box. Latex mattresses can be particularly difficult to move, as these are the heaviest type and can be difficult to maneuver.
Bed Frame Sizing
Bed frame options range from minimalist platform designs to elaborate sleigh beds with headboards and footboards. When gauging whether your queen size bed will fit in your bedroom, don’t forget that some bed frames occupy extra space around the perimeter. Those with limited space may prefer a simple platform bed or a storage bed that sits higher up and includes compartments underneath.
About The Author
Certified Sleep Science Coach, Director of Product Testing
David is a Certified Sleep Science Coach with a lifelong passion for well-being and health optimization. His interest in sleep developed with the arrival of his son, when sleep suddenly became a precious commodity.
- POSITION: Side sleeper
- TEMPERATURE: Hot Sleeper
- CHRONOTYPE: Lion
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