First things first, here are the best-rated mattresses of the year, based on our research. Any one of these picks could be the best mattress for you. Read on to uncover expert tips in our buying guide. And for more detailed comparisons and reviews, have a look below.
Best Mattresses of Summer 2022: The Highlights
| Mattress | Why We Like It | Buying Info |
|---|---|---|
| Amerisleep AS2 (Memory Foam) | - Above Average Reviews - Transparent Details - 4 lb density plant-based memory foam - Sleeps cool, low odor - Comparative value good for memory foam | $1199 in queen size, at Amerisleep.com |
| Oceano Luxury Hybrid (Spring) | - Above-average ratings - Transparent details - Coil-on-coil design (3,163 pocketed coils in total) - 5-zone support core | $1,495 in queen size, at brentwoodhome.com |
| Spindle (Latex) | - Above-average ratings - Transparent details - Triple latex layers - 100% organic latex, cotton, and wool - Customizable firmness | $2499 in queen size, at spindlemattress.com |
Best Memory Foam Mattress for Summer: Amerisleep’s AS2
We were blown away by Amerisleep’s updated offers for 2022. The medium-firm AS2 receives high praise for its outstanding quality and fair pricing. Their proprietary, plant-based Bio-Pur™ memory foam is responsive and sleeps cool. It also gives substantial support, which helps to keep your spine in perfect alignment.
Encasing the AS2 is a breathable cover that encourages airflow through the mattress. The synthetic blend of the fabric wicks away moisture and helps to dissipate heat. That, in addition to Bio-Pur® open-cell memory foam right under, makes Amerisleep AS2 great at temperature control.
The Affinity transition layer within this mattress holds the unique HIVE® technology. This convoluted foam layer is made from hundreds of hexagonal cutouts. It holds 5 zones of support, providing more pressure point relief where it’s required and less where it’s not needed.
Under all of this structure comes the poly-foam base layer called Bio-Core™. It works together with the rest of the layers to improve pressure point relief and keep the spine aligned. The Bio-Core™ base layer also supports the structure of the mattress and improves its longevity.
Because Amerisleep uses advanced materials, it successfully encourages your body to go into a deeper and more restful sleep faster. This leads to faster recovery, which is especially important for professional sportspeople. That’s why Amerisleep mattresses have also attracted the attention of top athletes. For example, two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Calais Campbell loves sleeping on his Amerisleep. So much so that he posted a picture of his bedroom on Instagram.
Lastly, Amerisleep has five mattress firmness levels. They range from firm to soft. So if the medium-firm AS2 isn’t a match for your sleep style, you can look into one of their other options.
Best Innerspring Mattress for Summer: Oceano Luxury Hybrid
Oceano Luxury Hybrid mattress uses a fairly unique innerspring design. Brentwood Home has placed two layers of pocketed coils on top of each other with a thin transitional layer in between. This creates an effective pressure point relief system that adjusts to most sleeping positions with ease.
The plant-based Tencel™ blended cover is airy and absorbs moisture. Combined with the two pocket coil layers, this mattress is very good at temperature control. Under the cover, there is a 1-inch thick layer of wool. It wicks away moisture and acts as a natural fire retardant.
The first transitional layer under the wool is made of memory foam with plant-based BioFoam®. And right under that layer, you’ll find 1353 Micro-Support pocketed coils (in a queen-size). The coils are 2.5 inches tall and provide precision support as well as responsiveness to the mattress.
Next up comes the second transitional layer. It’s 1-inch thick and made from airy poly-foam. Then we find the second layer of pocketed coils. The coil count is 1130 in a queen-size, and they’re 8 inches tall in all mattress sizes. This layer also features 5 zones of support for better pressure point relief.
At the bottom, the Oceano Luxury Hybrid contains a 1-inch thick high-density foam base layer. It supports the pocketed coil layers above and improves the longevity of the mattress.
The Oceano Luxury Hybrid comes in one level of firmness—medium-plush. It may not be great for stomach sleepers or heavy sleepers. But it’s a great mattress for side sleepers, back sleepers, and combination sleepers that enjoy a mattress with coils.
Best Latex Mattress for Summer: The Spindle Mattress
If you want to go for something 100% natural and organic this summer, the Spindle mattress is a good choice. Made from environmentally-friendly and sustainable materials, the Spindle is our favorite latex mattress for summer.
The cover of the mattress is made from 100% organic cotton and natural wool batting. It naturally wicks away moisture and works to dissipate heat. Under the cover, there are three 3-inch layers of natural Dunlop latex foam. Two of the layers are medium firm, and the other one is firm. Their order depends on your preferred firmness of the mattress.
Another great thing about the Spindle mattress is that the layers can be swapped around at the comfort of your own home. And if you feel like the firmness level is still not suitable, you can get in touch with the company. If it’s within the first 25 years since the purchase, they’ll send you a layer with a $300 discount—that’s what their 25 Year Comfort Life program is about. But to avoid this as much as possible, the Spindle has created a “Comfort Calculator” on their website. You can use it to help you choose the right firmness for your needs.
What to Look Out for in 2022
The past few years have seen many changes in the industry. Several established brands renovated their lineups and many new brands entered the market. There are more options than ever before. This is bound to leave many people wondering which is the best mattress to buy.
The answer to that question isn’t one size fits all. The answer is based on your sleep style and comfort requirements. Other important things to consider are the quality of the product and its specifications. Consumer mattress reviews and satisfaction scores can also offer some insight and narrow the field.
After tracking down and comparing many of the latest mattress lines, we’ve concluded our favorite three mattresses for the summer above. And if you’d like to have your options open, we’ve also created a buying guide to the top-rated mattresses of 2022. It’s designed to help make your search for great sleep a little simpler. We’ve included detailed product specifications, pricing comparisons, return and warranty information, and more. That way you can learn all about this year’s best mattresses just in time for summer sales.
What You Need to Know to Get the Best Mattress This Summer
If you’re planning on buying a mattress this summer, you picked a great time to shop. There are plenty of good options around and plenty of summer holiday sales you can take advantage of. We have you covered with the expert tips you need to find the right mattress.
But first a word of caution. Don’t jump into a purchase too quickly just to save a little money. You’ll have to sleep on your new mattress every night for a decade or more. Or you’ll have to deal with making a return. This can cost you hundreds in restocking fees and hours of your precious time to coordinate. Better to take your time and do your best to make the right decision from the beginning. But still, make sure you have a generous return policy since you need to keep your options open.
As you start your search for better sleep, there are five important tips to help you decide which mattress is the best for you:
- The 3 Basic Types of Beds: Discover how beds fall into three main categories. These are based on the materials they use to support you, and which of them are best for you.
- How to Comparison Shop: Tips and tricks that will help you sort through the seemingly endless bed choices out there.
- What Do Current Customers Say?: If a large number of people are happy with a mattress, chances are you will be too. Looking at reviews and customer satisfaction scores can help you determine if a mattress is a good fit for you.
- Best Ways to Save: No one likes paying more than they have to. We’ll give you tips on how to make sure you get the best deal.
- Checking the Fine Print: If there is a problem with your new mattress, the last thing you want is to find out that buried in the fine print is some complicated legal term that says you’re on your own. We’ll tell you the most important things to watch for when it comes to warranties, returns, and other important policies.
1. The 3 Basics Types of Beds
Beds fall into three categories based on the way they support your body:
- Innerspring
- Memory Foam
- Latex
Some companies also offer hybrid options that combine two or more of the above materials.
The best mattress types, according to customer reviews, are medium-density memory foam and all-latex beds. Both of them earn satisfaction ratings of about 80% on average. Innerspring beds, on the other hand, typically only receive 60-65% satisfaction at best.
Memory foam excels at cushioning pressure points and providing balanced support. The foam that consistently earns the best ratings for overall comfort is medium-to-lower density. This type of foam helps you sleep cool, reduces pain, and allows for ease of movement so you don’t feel stuck.
The Amerisleep AS2 uses this type of foam, which is part of what made us pick their mattress as the best bed for 2022. They use partially plant-based memory foam, which is open-cell for extra response and breathability.
Latex foam also works to prevent pressure points and can be used as a comfort layer or for all layers. Latex foam can be very soft or very supportive depending on how it’s made and its density. Some people prefer the more resilient feel of latex to memory foam. And if sustainability is important to you, latex comes in all-natural and certified organic varieties.
Our top latex bed for 2022, the Spindle, uses 100% organic and all-natural materials. This was one of the key factors in our decision to rate them number one.
Unsure if latex is right for you? Find out the advantages and disadvantages
Innerspring beds have been around since the 1800s. They remain one of the top-selling beds and are easily available. Innersprings contain metal springs in various configurations and densities to provide support. Some also have top layers of foam and fiber to help minimize pressure points.
Spring mattresses with individual pocket coils tend to have the best ratings. They offer better support, motion isolation, and reduced noise. The number of coils a bed has doesn’t seem to improve customer satisfaction that much. But owners do score models with memory foam and latex tops higher on durability and comfort.
Understanding The Role of Your Sleep Style When Choosing a Mattress
When deciding which of the three main types of beds is best for you, you need to factor in your sleep type and who will be using the bed.
- The best beds for side sleepers are mattresses with thicker comfort layers and medium to plush firmness. This additional cushion helps make room for the hips and shoulders to sink further into the mattress, keeping your spine aligned.
- Back sleepers prefer beds with medium to medium-firm support and shallower comfort layers. The size and weight of the sleepers play a role here too. Taller and heavier people prefer increased support, often opting for firmer beds.
- Stomach sleepers often prefer a firmer mattress. If you sleep on your stomach and sink in too much, it places strain on the lumbar region of your back.
- The best mattresses for couples with different sleep styles are of medium firmness and moderate contouring. Or the specialty beds where each side can have a custom firmness. Several online latex brands allow for these set-ups, as do beds that come in a Split King configuration.
2. How to Comparison Shop
The main thing you need to know when comparing mattresses involves the quality of the materials inside. Looking at these details, rather than brand name or price alone, can help you spot the better values. Some brands will charge twice as much for almost the same mattress.
Here’s the information that you should pay attention to:
- Innersprings: coil count, coil type, coil gauge, and comfort layers (materials, thickness, density).
- Memory Foam: the thickness of layers and the density of memory foam layers. Also, the fire barrier material and foam type (gel, traditional, plant-based, temperature-sensitive, etc).
- Latex: the thickness of all layers and ILD (firmness) of each layer, whether it’s blended, synthetic, or natural latex (with proof of organic claims). Also, note whether it’s made using the Dunlop or Talalay process.
Three of the most common mattress complaints are pressure points, overheating, and feeling stuck. You should look for the following materials to avoid these issues:
- Pressure Points: Memory foam and latex mattresses tend to contour to the body, alleviating the pressure points.
- Overheating: Heat complaints are more common with both latex and memory foam. You want a design that improves breathability.
- Feeling Stuck: Feeling stuck is also a more common problem with foam mattresses. You want to look for responsive foam that bounces back quickly. That will allow the beds to shift with you as you change positions at night.
3. What Do Current Customers Say?
A great way to estimate if you will be satisfied with a mattress is to look at what current customers say. Try to check the reviews for clues about the person’s sleep style and other attributes to see if they match your own.
One of the easiest ways to find the best mattress is by searching online. Be sure to also check multiple sources in order to get well-rounded, unbiased information.
Honest mattress ratings can often be found on third-party review websites. Blogs, forums, and social media are also good sources. On a mattress company’s website, look for “third-party verified” review systems. They show an unbiased outside company-matched customer data with the person leaving the review to ensure it isn’t fake.
The Amerisleep AS2 has over 3100 verified reviews, an average 4.7-star rating, and 97% of customers would recommend it to a friend. Outstanding customer satisfaction was another key for us to rank it as the best bed for the year.
4. Best Ways to Save
Once you’ve found the mattress that is right for you, there are two ways to make sure you get the best deal:
- Shop around long weekends to get bigger discounts.
- Always negotiate. Most retailers offer “hidden” discounts or include value-added items to attract your business.
More than anything, the timing of your purchase matters most when it comes to how much you’ll pay for a new bed. Retailers often have regular sales. But certain times of year discounts can be better than average.
This summer, pay particular attention around Memorial Day, the 4th of July, and Labor Day. These are popular days for mattress sales.
Regardless of when you shop, you never have to pay full price at a retail store. Nearly all brick and mortar beds include a hefty markup. Some manufacturers require retailers to charge a minimum price to preserve branding and make competition fair. But even in these cases, you can usually get extras added to your purchase, like free pillows or sheets.
Shopping online is another way you can save. Since you aren’t restricted to your local store, you have access to many more outlets who are all competing for your business. This is even more true for specialty mattresses, like memory foam and latex.
Online brands, especially those that sell directly to their customers often provide the best value. Because they don’t sell through distributors and other middlemen, you can usually get a better mattress for a lower price. But they are usually already selling their mattress for the lowest price possible. So it’s less likely that you’ll be able to negotiate. However, they will still have occasional sales. Or they might include extras like pillows or sheets to your order to capture your business.
5. Reading the Fine Print
No matter how much research you do before buying a mattress, there’s always a chance the bed you choose won’t be right for you after you use it for a little while. And even if you are happy from day one, if something goes wrong over time, you want to make sure your investment is protected. The last thing you want is to be stuck with a major bill. That’s why it’s important to understand the fine print.
Your mattress should come with a minimum 30-days return policy. It often takes about that long to fully adjust to a new mattress. The best brands will offer free returns within the trial period. And if there are return fees, they should not be more than 15%. Most importantly, the retailer should be upfront with you about their complete return policy before you make the purchase.
You should also have a warranty that covers a full replacement for at least a decade. Again, the better brands will offer up to 20 years, with some combination of a full replacement and a prorated amount. And in addition to being useful for you if something goes wrong, the warranty length also reflects the brand’s confidence in its product.
The warranty should cover a reasonable amount of sagging. Sagging deeper than 1 inch is associated with increased pain, so you shouldn’t get a bed that allows for any more than that.
Even the fine print for the Amerisleep AS2 is outstanding. They offer a 100-night, risk-free trial and don’t charge any fees for returns after their adjustment period. Their warranty also covers two full decades. The first 10 years provide a full replacement, and the second 10 years are prorated.
Summer 2022: Simply Rest’s Recommended Mattresses
Over the past year, there have been many changes in the mattress industry. Many brands have introduced new models and discontinued old ones. To put together the best options for 2022, we reviewed the most up-to-date offerings from the leading brands to see who currently has the best values.
The mattresses are grouped below by mattress type for easy browsing. We also looked at the quality of materials, mattress specifications, prices, and reviews. We then compared how these details stacked up against competitors.
Best Memory Foam Mattress Picks
| Brand/Model | Specs | Price (Queen) | Returns/Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amerisleep AS2 | 12" profile 3" 4.0lb plant-based memory foam 1.65lb core Soft, Breathable cover Med-firm | $1199 | 100 days / 20 years |
| Zoma Mattress | 11" profile 2" gel memory foam 2" of latex-like poly-foam 7" of high-density poly-foam Polyester and spandex blend cover Medium | $850 | 100 nights / 20 years |
| The Bear Mattress | 10" profile 2" Graphite-infused memory foam 2" poly-foam 6" of high-density poly-foam Breathable cover with Celliant technology Med-firm | $800 | 100 nights / 10 years |
Because of high levels of dissatisfaction among innerspring owners, many people have made the switch to memory foam. This has made it the fastest-growing mattress category within the industry.
These mattresses are top-rated by consumers. On average, 81% of people report being satisfied. The perks include pain relief and motion isolation. However, 10% report excess heat and 15% report odor. But these issues can be avoided by the use of higher-quality materials and more advanced manufacturing.
Criteria for our comparison include:
- the density of the memory foam layers
- the density of the core layer
- the thickness of memory foam
- the warranty and return policies
- the price
- the consumer ratings
Waking up from being too hot? Read these tips on finding a solution
All of the models receive above-average customer satisfaction scores. But the Amerisleep AS2 significantly outperforms the others, which is why we picked it as our top choice.
Best Latex Mattress Picks
| Brand/Model | Specs | Price (Queen) | Returns / Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Spindle Mattress | 10" profile Natural Dunlop latex Organic cotton and wool cover Soft/Medium/Firm | $2499 | 365 nights / 10 years |
| Avocado Green | 11" profile 1414 pocketed coils Organic Dunlop latex Organic cotton cover Natural wool Optional Pillow-top Gentle Firm/Luxury Plush | $1349 | 365 nights / 25 years |
| Nest Bedding’s All Latex Mattress | 10" profile Organic Dunlop latex Organic cotton and wool cover Plush/Medium/Firm | $1799 | 100 nights / Lifetime |
Latex mattresses are also gaining in popularity compared to the innerspring mattresses. Consumers concerned about chemicals, allergies, or environmental issues are often drawn to latex beds. Latex is fairly similar to memory foam in terms of ratings and benefits, but there are a few differences.
Natural latex is derived from the sap of the rubber tree and synthetic latex is created with petroleum-based polymers. Latex foam is either constructed from natural or synthetic latex or a combination of the two. If you are interested in the environmentally-friendly aspects of latex, then natural latex is what you should go for.
On average, 80% of people report being satisfied with their latex beds. However, 10% report excess heat, and some people consider them excessively heavy or firm.
Criteria for our latex bed comparison includes:
- contents of the latex foam throughout all layers
- the type of latex
- layer thickness
- the warranty and return policies
- the price
- the consumer ratings
Most latex mattress lines and models have not undergone significant changes this year. But the latex mattresses we selected have above-average reviews and are 100% natural. Almost all of the beds in this group have great warranty and return policies, and they come at reasonable prices.
Best Innerspring Mattress Picks
| Brand/Model | Specs | Price (Queen) | Returns/Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oceano Luxury Hybrid | 14" profile Coil-on-coil design (3,163 pocketed coils in total) 5-zone support core Plant-based Tencel Cover | $1495 | 365 nights / 25 years |
| Aviya Mattress | 12" profile Poly-foam and pocketed coils Organic cotton cover Plush/Luxury Firm/Firm | $1099 | 100 nights / 10 years |
| The Pure Echo Mattress | 9.75" profile Organic cotton and wool cover 682 pocketed coils that are 8" tall Firm | $1399 | 120 nights / 20 years |
While foam mattresses are gaining in popularity, innerspring mattresses are still the most popular type of bed available. But as we mentioned earlier, they also get the lowest customer satisfaction ratings as a category. On average, just 63% of people report being satisfied, compared to roughly 80% for both types of foam mattresses. 25% of customers complain about sagging and 20% report increased pain and pressure points. But only 5% complain about overheating and 10% report odor.
The criteria for our innerspring mattress comparison includes:
- the coil type
- coil density
- coil count
- quality of comfort layers
- the warranty and return policies
- the price
- the consumer ratings
The innerspring models above have above-average customer satisfaction scores and offer great quality. But many of the spring brands sell via dealers, and return policies are dependent on the retailer’s policies.
Conclusion
Creating a sleep space you’ll be happy with for years to come is worth the time it takes to learn about and research options. After all, you spend more time in bed than in any other place in your home. On top of providing you with more comfortable and higher-quality rest, it will also improve your quality of life in other ways. A good night’s sleep is a key part of feeling happy and energized. And while there is no single best mattress for everyone, we hope that after reading this mattress guide you’ll know how to find the mattress that will be perfect for you.
This article is for informational purposes and should not replace advice from your doctor or other medical professional.