Buying a Mattress in 2026? We Tested 100+ and These Were the Standouts

LoaderSave StorySave this storyCommentLoaderSave StorySave this storyFeatured in this articleBest Mattress OverallHelix Sleep Midnight Luxe Hybrid Mattress (14-Inch)Read more$2,499 $1,874 (25% off) Helix Sleep Best Hybrid MattressLeesa Sapira ChillRead more$2,399 $1,799 (25% off) Leesa Best Mattress for Back PainBear Elite Hybrid (Firm)Read more$2,284 $1,485 (35% off) Bear Best Mattress for Side SleepersNolah EvolutionRead more$2,277 $1,480 (35% off) Nolah Buying a new mattress online is a high-stakes endeavor. They're a big expense for most people, and you'll probably spend more than 10 years sleeping on it. I’m a certified sleep science coach, and I have spent six years testing more than a hundred mattresses. My goal is to help you pick the right mattress to buy online. Instead of testing for a short time in a lab, we test right in our own homes to simulate how a mattress will actually perform. At the start of every year, our team reflects on and ranks the best mattresses we’ve come across to date, making our beloved “best of the best” list. It feels like an awards show for mattresses. While we do have a “best overall” from the mattresses we’ve tested, you’ll notice we continue to refine our picks as we test more mattresses. This is because there’s no single type of sleeper; everyone has a different preference for mattress firmness, materials, cooling, price point, and bed size to accommodate their sleeping position and body type. You may recognize some familiar brands on this list, and you may also notice that it changes periodically to reflect testing updates. Bed-in-a-box mattresses are a dynamic industry, with new models constantly launching, other mattresses we've tested being discontinued, and supply chains changing. If there are any additions, we’ll be sure to let you know by updating this list. Updated June 2026: We've added the Brooklyn Bedding CopperFlex Hybrid, new mattresses from Leesa and Purple to honorable mentions, removed the Sleep Number p6 Smart Bed, and ensured up-to-date links and prices. Compare Our Top PicksHonorable MentionsMattresses to AvoidHow We Test MattressesWhat Should You Look For When Buying a Mattress?What Are Mattress Certifications?How Long Does a Mattress Last?How Long of a Mattress Warranty Should I Look For?Should I Buy My Mattress In-Store or Online?Should I Wait for a Mattress Sale Before I Buy?How Does WIRED Acquire Mattresses for Testing?What Does WIRED Do With the Mattresses After Testing Them?Best Mattress OverallPhotograph: WiredPhotograph: WiredPhotograph: WiredChevronChevronSave to wishlistSave to wishlistHelix Sleep One of the most popular bed-in-a-box mattresses for good reason, Helix's Midnight Luxe has a plush cushion top and a medium-firm feel that's relaxing whether you're a side, back, or stomach sleeper. Helix is almost vertically integrated—the springs are made from wire bales cut in the company's Arizona factory, where the company also pours its own foam. Those springs are individually wrapped and zoned so that you have firmer coils in areas like your lower spine that need more support to prevent back pain. Above that is a stratum of cooling gel foam and denser foams. There are six layers total, and the mattress is more than 13 inches high, so buy sheets with nice, deep pockets. It's cozy, and Helix has a variety of other mattresses that cater to different sleeping positions and firmness preferences—part of what makes this high-quality mattress our longtime pick is that there are so many ways to customize it to suit your needs and preferences. The Helix Midnight Luxe has been our top pick for eight years now, but we have continued testing it against the competition.A year ago, I spent a month testing a version of the Helix Midnight Luxe with a super dense layer of contouring foam called ErgoAlign, which targets lower back pain, and a proprietary cooling cover called GlacioTex. The cooling layer has been only moderately effective, but the contouring foam made a big difference. The denser foam runs along your torso and offers side sleepers lots of support while also leaving plenty of give for your hips and shoulders. Helix has a 100-day at-home trial (with a required 30-day break-in period) and a 10-year warranty on manufacturing flaws. —Martin Cizmar Helix Midnight Luxe ranges from $1,436 for a twin mattress to $2,924 for a California King. WIREDLots of features designed to benefit side sleepers, which most people are for at least part of the nightExcellent pressure reliefAdaptable support for the lower back via pocketed coilsTIREDCustomizations can quickly add up. Cooling features cost extra anywhere from $200 to $400. The ErgoAlign Layer is $200Best Hybrid MattressPhotograph: Martin CizmarPhotograph: WiredChevronChevronSave to wishlistSave to wishlistLeesa No one goes looking to buy a new mattress because they’re sleeping too well on their old one. Can’t decide if a memory foam mattress or strictly coils is going to be a better fit

Buying a Mattress in 2026? We Tested 100+ and These Were the Standouts

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Buying a Mattress in 2026? We Tested 100+ and These Were the Standouts

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