Cultivating the perfect sleep environment for your vacation rental can set you apart from the crowd and help you maximize your positive reviews. But it can be challenging to pick the right mattress for yourself, let alone choosing a mattress for strangers.
We’ll highlight our top picks for the best Airbnb mattresses, exploring each model’s materials, construction, and performance. We’ll teach you how to choose a mattress that fits your clientele as well as your space. You’ll also learn which constructions and firmness levels work the best for the most people, and which materials you may want to avoid.
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 mattresses for vacation rentals.
The Best Mattresses for Airbnb and Vacation Rental Properties
Sleep Doctor’s Picks
Best Overall Mattress
Nectar Mattress
The Sleep Doctor’s Review
The Nectar Mattress is an all-foam model with an above-average firmness compared to other foam beds we’ve tested. Our testers recommend this bed for sleepers who love the feel of foam but also need more firmness.
Buy From Nectar
Side Sleepers
Medium Firm (6)
Not Ideal for Hot Sleepers
Great Value
Pros
- All-foam construction isolates motion
- Midrange firmness level provides excellent support for a wide range of sleepers
- Memory foam comfort system cushions pressure points
Cons
- Hot sleepers may prefer a bed with less heat retention
- Some sleepers may not enjoy “hug” of foam
- Stomach sleepers above 130 pounds may need more support
The medium firm (6) Nectar Mattress is a well-rounded model, making it an excellent pick for vacation rentals. Its firmness level sits squarely in the range that most sleepers find comfortable, and our testers reported that it offers significant support without feeling too firm. Additionally, adding this model to your Airbnb won’t break the bank, as its price-point is quite affordable compared to other luxury mattresses.
Why We Like It
The Nectar Mattress is a good choice for your Airbnb if you’re looking for a mattress that can serve a wide variety of guests with different sleep styles and body types. The thick foam layers provide good pressure relief and successfully absorb motion, ensuring that couples can each move on their side of the bed without disturbing their partner. While the Nectar doesn’t regulate temperature as well as a hybrid or innerspring model, its poly-blend mattress cover features proprietary cooling fibers designed to wick away heat and moisture.
How Does It Feel?
The Nectar Mattress has an all-foam design that incorporates polyfoam and memory foam into its three layers. The comfort system features gel-infused memory foam that hugs your body to evenly disperse your weight and relieve pressure point discomfort. The gel infusion is designed to prevent heat retention, which helps this model sleep cool. The polyfoam transitional layer creates a barrier that prevents you from sinking too deeply into the mattress.This means you’re likely to feel like you’re sleeping “on” rather than “in” the mattress. The high-density polyfoam support core is firm enough to provide proper spinal alignment for back, stomach, and side sleepers up to 230 pounds.
Most Durable Mattress
Awara Natural Hybrid Mattress
The Sleep Doctor’s Review
The Awara Natural Hybrid Mattress is a sturdy bed with supportive latex and coil layers, plus a wool layer that gently cushions pressure points. Most testers on our team gave the bed high marks regardless of sleep position, and everyone agreed the bed is excellent for hot sleepers.
Buy from Awara
Back Sleepers
Firm (7)
Great Airflow
Great Value
Pros
- Dunlop latex resists wear and tear for long-lasting cushioning and support
- Organic cotton and wool cover helps maintain a cool sleep surface
- Year-long sleep trial
Cons
- Side sleepers under 130 pounds may need more cushioning
- Profile may be too thin for people who prefer tall beds
- Latex results in some motion transfer
The Awara Natural Hybrid is a durable latex hybrid with a supportive sleep surface that lasts longer than foam beds. It features a comfort layer of Dunlop latex, a naturally dense and long-lasting material that cushions the body while preventing you from sinking in too deeply. A firm (7) feel and thick coil system further ensure that this mattress will hold up well.
Why We Like It
The hybrid’s cover is composed of breathable organic cotton, and it has organic New Zealand wool batting sewn to the cover to serve as a natural fire barrier. This material also has moisture-wicking properties to keep you dry and comfortable on humid nights. Dunlop latex retains minimal body heat, and the coils promote steady airflow, so the mattress is a great option for hot sleepers and people who reside in exceptionally warm locations.
How Does It Feel?
Our tests showed that the Awara Natural Hybrid sleeps cool and provides good pressure relief. The mattress earned excellent ratings from the back and stomach sleepers on our team who weigh at least 130 pounds. The dense latex and robust coil support help the mattress maintain an even sleep surface without sinking too deeply – a common source of discomfort for back and stomach sleepers. Based on our tests, side sleepers who weigh more than 130 pounds should also find the mattress comfortable. The latex used in this mattress has received certifications from the Forest Stewardship Council and the Rainforest Alliance, both of which indicate that the rubber trees used to produce the latex are sustainably grown and harvested.
Most Comfortable Mattress
WinkBed
The Sleep Doctor’s Review
The WinkBed’s Euro-top design is a crowd-pleaser, with a generously cushioned surface for contouring and a sturdy coil base for support. The bed has four firmness options to choose from, but our testers recommend the Luxury Firm model if you need a mattress that appeals to a variety of sleepers.
Buy From Winkbeds
Couples
Medium Soft (4), Medium Firm (6), Firm (7)
Some Airflow
Good Value
Pros
- Available in four firmness levels
- Euro-top helps relieve pressure point discomfort
- Reinforced perimeter heightens edge support
Cons
- Some sleepers may find the bed too thick
- Mattress weight can make the bed difficult to move
- Firmer models allow some motion transfer
The WinkBed successfully blends the responsiveness of an innerspring mattress with the pressure relief of a foam mattress. It’s available in four firmness levels, so shoppers have their pick of several different sleep surfaces. Vacation rental hosts looking to appeal to the widest range of sleepers should consider the Luxury Firm or Firm models, which have medium firm (6) and firm (7) feels, respectively. The Softer or Plus models offer medium soft (4) and firm (8) feels. The latter is specifically designed for people who weigh more than 230 pounds.
Why We Like It
Though each model’s composition varies slightly, they all share the same basic design, beginning with a Euro-top. The gel-infused polyfoam quilted directly into the surface cushions joints and pressure points without absorbing too much body heat. Another layer of polyfoam separates the Euro-top and support core to reinforce the mattress’ construction. In the Plus, the second foam layer is swapped out for a layer of responsive, supportive latex. The WinkBed’s support core boasts hundreds of individually wrapped coils that are split into distinct zones. Each section compresses differently to keep your spine evenly supported without allowing pressure build up. Higher gauge coils run around the mattress’ perimeter to increase edge support and ensure you can use the whole surface.
How Does It Feel?
The WinkBed excelled in many categories during our sleep lab testing, with especially high marks for temperature control, durability, pressure relief, and edge support. The coils provide good support, while the foam layers enhance comfort and cushioning. Airbnb hosts who want to purchase a comfortable mattress that will appeal to a wide range of sleepers are likely to find what they need among the WinkBed’s many firmness options. Additionally, our tests showed that the WinkBed is a good fit for couples and those who sleep hot.
Best Luxury Mattress
Saatva Classic
The Sleep Doctor’s Review
While most hybrids feature one coil layer, the Saatva Classic features two coil layers to enhance pushback. The sturdy construction makes this an excellent choice for sleepers who prioritize top-notch support. With two profiles and three firmness options to choose from, this bed appealed to most testers on our team.
Buy from Saatva
Couples
Soft (3), Medium Firm (6), Firm (8)
Some Airflow
Fair Value
Pros
- Three firmness levels to choose between
- Increased lower back support
- Responsive coil-on-coil design
Cons
- Some might find the bed too bouncy
- High-profile option may require deep-pocket sheets
- Dual coil layers produce some motion transfer
The Saatva Classic delivers a strong blend of support and cushioning that works well for a wide range of sleepers. Shoppers can choose from three firmness levels: soft (3), medium firm (6), and firm (8). While any of these options would fit well in a vacation rental, the medium firm’s balanced feel will likely appeal to the most people. Though this model has a luxury price-point, it’s a worthwhile choice for shoppers who want a high-end mattress to complement their rental.
Why We Like It
You can choose between 11.5-inch and 14.5-inch profiles, though shoppers should note that the thicker model may require a low-profile foundation and deep-pocket sheets. Regardless of which profile and firmness level you choose, you should find that the Saatva Classic successfully controls temperature and relieves pressure points while remaining quite responsive. The multiple profiles and firmness levels, not to mention solid pressure relief and edge support, make this a good fit for a wide variety of guests.
How Does It Feel?
The three Saatva Classic models share the same design, though exact specifications differ slightly between them. They start with a plush Euro-top that uses polyfoam to soften the mattress’ surface. We found that this added padding cushions and absorbs impact, alleviating buildup beneath pressure points. A memory foam lumbar pad further enhances pressure relief and increases lower back support. Between the foam and support core, there’s a layer of pocketed microcoils to heighten support under your midsection. This layer and the pocketed coil support core below provide top-notch spinal alignment. There’s also an extra layer of high-density polyfoam around the edges to provide strong support across the entire mattress.
Best Mattress for Warm Climates
Cocoon Chill
The Sleep Doctor’s Review
If you’re looking for a mattress with a classic foam feel, the Cocoon Chill checks off a lot of boxes. Our testers report deep contouring, excellent pressure relief, and strong motion isolation in this all-foam model.
Buy From Cocoon
Combination Sleepers
Medium Firm (6)
Some Airflow
Good Value
Pros
- Phase change material captures and dissipates body heat
- Memory foam contours evenly to distribute weight and alleviate pressure
- Excellent motion isolation and no noise
Cons
- Some hot sleepers may prefer a bed with less heat retention
- People who enjoy thick beds may find the 10-inch profile too thin
- Foam’s deep “hug” is not for everyone
If your Airbnb rental property is located in a place subject to exceptionally warm or humid conditions, you should consider a mattress that sleeps cool. Foam mattresses aren’t known for their strong temperature control, but the Cocoon Chill is a rare exception. This all-foam model lives up to its name thanks to a cover made of phase change material, which is engineered to release heat from the surface and feel cool to the touch at all times. Your overnight guests can benefit from the comfortable contouring and pressure relief of memory foam without overheating while they sleep.
Why We Like It
The Chill’s three-layer design begins with memory foam, followed by transitional polyfoam and robust base foam. Each layer is progressively denser from top to bottom, so you’ll notice a bit of plushness when you get into bed but even support as your body settles. The mattress is medium firm (6). Our hands-on tests show the Chill is best suited to side sleepers weighing at least 130 pounds, and back and stomach sleepers weighing up to 230 pounds.
How Does It Feel?
The Cocoon Chill achieves the rare feat of sleeping cool despite an all-foam design. The phase change cover does most of the heavy lifting, but the Chill’s medium firm feel also ensures most people won’t sink too much and lose their surface airflow. The Chill also offers excellent motion isolation. We asked two testers to lie side by side on the Chill, and neither felt any motion transfer when the other person changed sleep positions or got on and off the mattress. Pressure relief was another highlight during our tests. We monitor pressure with body-mapping technology, and our sensors revealed little to no pressure buildup for most of our testers.
Why You Should Trust Us
Our team of sleep product experts has reviewed hundreds of mattresses over the years, examining how each one stacks up when it’s put through a series of performance tests. Much like the general population, our testers have different body weights, sleep styles, and habits. This diversity allows us to provide insights that can help a wide range of sleepers.
Our strategy is particularly helpful for reviewing vacation rental mattresses, as the best mattress for an Airbnb is one with wide-ranging appeal. In addition to trying each model out in person, we also put them to the test using techniques such as infrared thermometers and body mapping technology to determine how well each model does in a variety of categories. We take particular care to inspect mattress quality and durability, two important factors to consider when outfitting a vacation home.
