We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here’s our process.

Greatist only shows you brands and products that we stand behind.

Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we:
  • Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm?
  • Fact-check all health claims: Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence?
  • Assess the brand: Does it operate with integrity and adhere to industry best practices?
We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness.
Was this helpful?

Did you know that you spend approximately 1/3 of your life sleeping? And that doesn’t include the time you spend doing anything else in bed, like counting sheep, Netflix-ing or sexy time.

Basically, you spend a lot of time in bed. And you deserve to be comfy. And whether you’re sharing a bed with your partner, or just wanna splay out on your bed and live your best life, a queen mattress is a perfect size — big, but not so big that it takes over your entire room (lookin’ at y’all, California kings).

Our list of the best queen mattresses can help you find the right fit for you.

There are *so* many queen mattresses on the market, with a wide range of prices and degrees of quality. We searched high and low for the best so you can rest easy.

Here’s how we narrowed down the top queen mattress picks:

  • Variety. Comfort is SO subjective, so we made sure to include all kinds of mattresses. So, no matter your sleeping position or preference on materials, you’ll find a mattress that works for you.
  • Price. We know not everyone can drop $2,000 on a mattress, so we made sure to include a range of price points.
  • Company policies. Good company policies like free shipping, solid warranties, and in-home sleep trials can give you some peace of mind when shopping. We only picked mattresses made by companies with A+ policies designed to protect you from a bad purchase.
  • Vetted products. We put every product we consider through a thorough vetting process that checks for certain safety standards, unsupported health claims, and shady business practices. Only products that pass that process make our final list.

Pricing guide

  • $ = under $500
  • $$ = $500–$1000
  • $$$ = $1000–$1500
  • $$$$ = over $1500
Was this helpful?

Keep scrolling to find out which of these mattresses you’d love to jump into bed with, and which will have you ready to hit snooze.

Best queen mattress under $1000 (and best-rated queen mattress)

The Nectar Memory Foam Mattress

  • Price: $$
  • Mattress type: foam
  • Firmness: medium-firm
  • Height: 12 inches (in.)
  • Available sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, split king

Nectar’s memory foam mattress currently has over 42,000 reviews on its website, and they are GLOWING — averaging 4.8 out of 5 stars. And to sweeten the deal, a queen size is under $1,000.

The mattress features five layers of memory foam designed to feel supportive, relieve pressure, and keep you cool. It also has killer motion isolation, which means that no matter how you toss and turn, you’ll sink in cozily *without* your movement disturbing other peeps (or animals) in your bed.

The mattress-in-a-box is also backed by a “forever warranty” and you get an entire year to try it. So yah, Nectar is pretty sure you’re going to love this mattress.

Pros

  • amazing reviews
  • under $1000
  • lifetime warranty
  • 1-year sleep trial
  • free shipping and returns

Cons

  • only one firmness option
Was this helpful?

Best queen mattress under $700

Sealy Mattress-in-a-Box

  • Price: $$
  • Mattress type: hybrid or foam
  • Firmness: medium-firm
  • Height: 10 in.
  • Available sizes: twin, twin long, full, queen, king, California king

Sealy is one of those tried-and-true mattress brands that has been around for a while. People trust it. And now, the brand offers its own affordable mattress in a box that’s under 700 buckaroos.

Even at this price, it’s designed to give you support and pressure relief — and you can choose between hybrid or memory foam, with the assurance that both come topped with a layer of cooling memory foam. Plus it comes right to your door in a pretty manageably-sized box.

Basically, this is a great queen mattress if you want to refresh your bed on a smaller budget.

Pros

  • under $700
  • multiple heights and mattress type options
  • 10-year limited warranty
  • 100-night sleep trial
  • free shipping and returns

Cons

  • limited reviews online
Was this helpful?

Best queen mattress under $500

Nod by Tuft & Needle

  • Price: $
  • Mattress type: foam
  • Firmness: medium
  • Height: 6 or 8 in.
  • Available sizes: twin, twin long, full, queen, king, California king

Finding a quality mattress under $500 isn’t easy — especially for a queen. Thank goodness for brands like Tuft & Needle who came to help us out. 😉

The brand is well-known for its memory foam mattresses but released this cheap AF mattress on Amazon and at Walmart.

It’s definitely on the thinner side. Most mattresses on our list are at least 10 inches tall, but this one is only available in 6- or 8-inch options. But that doesn’t seem to affect how people feel about it — reviewers consistently award it 5-stars.

Our fave part is that you still get 100-nights to try it. Tons of cheap mattress brands don’t offer that, so get it while it’s hot!

Pros

  • under $500
  • multiple height options
  • 10-year limited warranty
  • 100-night sleep trial
  • free shipping and returns

Cons

  • only one firmness and mattress type option
  • pretty thin
Was this helpful?

Best queen mattress on Amazon

Casper Original Mattress

  • Price: $$$
  • Mattress type: foam
  • Firmness: medium-firm
  • Height: 11 in.
  • Available sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king

The original Casper mattress is one of the OG boxed mattresses that changed the way we buy mattresses. And it’s available on Amazon, so it literally couldn’t be more convenient to buy.

A big perk is that you can still take advantage of Casper’s 100-night sleep trial if you buy on Amazon — not every brand offers that.

The memory foam mattress features what the brand called zoned support, which basically means there’s softer foam under your shoulders and firmer foam under your torso. This configuration is supposed to help keep you aligned while you sleep.

It also has perforated foam designed to encourage maximum airflow so that you don’t get super hot at night. Just note that some folks say it still feels pretty hot.

Pros

  • available on Amazon
  • also available in a hybrid model (though it costs more)
  • 10-year limited warranty
  • 100-night sleep trial
  • free shipping and returns

Cons

  • only one firmness option
  • sleeps a little hot
Was this helpful?

Best queen mattress for back pain

Saatva Classic Mattress

  • Price: $$$$
  • Mattress type: hybrid
  • Firmness: plush soft, luxury firm, firm
  • Height: 11.5 or 14.5 in.
  • Available sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, split king, California king, split California king

The Saatva Classic Mattress is a hybrid mattress, which means it has a combo of foam layers and a coil base to give you solid support and comfort. But this hybrid mattress is kinda special because it has two layers of coils, which means it’s got double the support.

It also has an extra layer of high-density memory foam in the middle of the mattress that’s supposed to give you more support for your low back.

The brand offers this mattress in three firmness options — soft, luxury firm, and firm — but the luxury firm option is prob the best for back pain. Research suggests that medium-firm mattresses are ideal for promoting spinal alignment and preventing back pain.

We also love that Saatva offers free in-room delivery and setup and mattress removal. That means you can rest your achy-breaky back rather than trying to haul a giant mattress through your home.

Pros

  • amazing reviews
  • multiple firmness and height options
  • lifetime warranty
  • 1-year sleep trial
  • free shipping and returns
  • free in-room setup and mattress removal

Cons

  • pricey
Was this helpful?

Best queen mattress for side sleepers

Helix Midnight Mattress

  • Price: $$
  • Mattress type: hybrid
  • Firmness: medium
  • Height: 12 in.
  • Available sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king

Side sleepers know that the wrong mattress can make for a terrible night’s sleep. This hybrid mattress from Helix is specifically designed for side sleepers. It has a medium feel that lets the heavy parts of your body (like your hips) sink into the mattress, but still has enough support to keep your spine aligned.

It also features a layer of memory foam designed to relieve pressure points — an absolute must for side sleepers that put a lot of pressure on one side of their body all night long.

You get 100-nights to decide if this mattress is for you — it’s not as long as you’d get with Saatva or Nectar, but still a solid trial worth taking advantage of.

Pros

  • designed for side sleepers
  • 10-year warranty
  • 100-night sleep trial
  • free shipping and returns

Cons

  • only one firmness option
Was this helpful?

Best memory foam queen mattress

Nolah Original 10″ Mattress

  • Price: $$$
  • Mattress type: foam
  • Firmness: medium
  • Height: 10 in.
  • Available sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, split king

Memory foam mattresses are v popular for feeling soft, but still supportive. But they’ve also got a couple of issues: They can get realllly hot and they’re not always the most durable. This memory foam mattress from Nolah is designed to solve those issues.

The foam is specially designed to sleep cooler than regular memory foam. According to the brand, it dissipates heat 20 percent faster than high quality memory foam. And reviewers say it’s true — a few say they typically sleep super hot but Nolah has changed the game for them.

Nolah also says its foam is 300 percent more durable than memory foam. This kind of stat is obvi hard to prove, but the brand backs up its mattress with a lifetime warranty — so you’re pretty much set for life if something goes wrong with the materials.

Pros

  • designed to feel like memory foam, but sleeps cooler and is more durable
  • lifetime warranty
  • 120-night sleep trial
  • free shipping and returns

Cons

  • on the thinner side (10 inches)
  • only one firmness option
Was this helpful?

Best hybrid queen mattress

The DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid Mattress

  • Price: $$$
  • Mattress type: hybrid
  • Firmness: medium-firm
  • Height: 14 in.
  • Available sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king

Hybrid mattresses are where it’s at these days. You get multiple layers of foam for top-notch comfort and a base of classic spring coils for support.

We love this hybrid from DreamCloud because it does both parts of the hybrid really well. It has four layers of foam: quilted foam with cashmere on top (um, so fancy), a layer of gel memory foam, and two bottom layers of foam to add support. It also has a base of individually-wrapped coils, which basically means the springs aren’t all interconnected — so you get more targeted support and less motion transfer.

Add all this together and you’ve got a 14-inch masterpiece (aka she’s THICK). The end result is a medium-firm mattress that’ll work well for most sleeping positions and body types.

Pros

  • thick and supportive
  • high quality materials
  • lifetime warranty
  • 365-night sleep trial
  • free shipping and returns

Cons

  • only one firmness option
Was this helpful?

Best firm queen mattress

Plank by Brooklyn Bedding

  • Price: $$$
  • Mattress type: foam
  • Firmness: firm and extra-firm (flippable)
  • Height: 11.75 in.
  • Available sizes: twin, twin XL, full, short full, queen, short queen, Olympic queen, king, short king, California king, split California king, RV king

Finding a mattress that is actually firm is kind of hard. But with a name like “plank,” you don’t have to worry about this bed being soft.

This flippable mattress has two firmness options: firm and extra-firm. The brand uses super high-density foam to make this all-foam mattress feel firm AF.

Reviewers say it’s the real deal and that it’s helped them FINALLY put pain to bed. They also say splurging for the optional cooling material is worth it — you’ll sleep like a (chilly) little baby!

Pros

  • firm AF
  • flippable
  • extended sizing available
  • 10-year warranty
  • 120-night sleep trial
  • free shipping and returns

Cons

  • all-foam version might not be as supportive as a hybrid mattress
Was this helpful?

Best RV queen mattress

GhostBed RV Mattress

  • Price: $$
  • Mattress type: foam
  • Firmness: medium-firm
  • Height: 10 in.
  • Available sizes: short queen, short king

Avid glamper? It may be time to upgrade the mattress that came with your RV to something a little more luxurious. And what’s more luxurious than a mattress made with cool gel memory foam?

The brand says the materials used are resistant to bacteria, mold, and dust mites, which gives you some real peace of mind that your mattress will stay fresh AF when you’re not on the road.

Let’s go camping!

Pros

  • designed to fit in RVs
  • 20-year warranty
  • 101-night sleep trial
  • free shipping and returns

Cons

  • only one firmness option
Was this helpful?
ProductPriceMattress typeFirmnessHeight
Best under $1000 (and best rated)The Nectar Memory Foam Mattress$$foammedium-firm12 in.
Best under $700Sealy Mattress-in-a-Box$$hybrid or foammedium-firm10 in.
Best under $500Nod by Tuft & Needle$foammedium6 or 8 in.
Best on AmazonCasper Original Mattress$$$foammedium-firm11 in.
Best for back painSaatva Classic Mattress$$$$hybridplush soft, luxury firm, firm11.5 or 14.5 in.
Best for side sleepersHelix Midnight Mattress$$hybridmedium12 in.
Best memory foamNolah Original 10″ Mattress$$$foammedium10 in.
Best hybridThe DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid Mattress$$$hybridmedium-firm14 in.
Best firmPlank by Brooklyn Bedding$$$foamfirm and extra-firm (flippable)11.75 in.
Best RV mattressGhostBed RV Mattress$$foammedium-firm10 in.

Queen mattresses could be the perf size if you:

  • live alone and want extra space to sprawl out
  • share a bed with a partner and don’t have room for a king mattress

But remember that while queen-size mattresses are much comfier for two people than a full-size, they’re not big enough to accommodate two people + a bunch of pets. They might also be a little tight for two people with larger body frames.

Pros and cons of queen mattresses

Still not sure if a queen mattress is right for you? Here are the main pros and cons of owning one:

Pros

  • comfier for two people than a full-size mattress
  • fit in smaller bedrooms
  • cheaper than king-size mattresses
  • easy to find queen-size bedding

Cons

  • might not be big enough for two people with larger body frames or multiple pets
  • more expensive than a full-size mattress
Was this helpful?

A small 2009 study found that upgrading sleep systems — such as buying yourself a kick-ass new queen mattress — could ease back pain and lead to better sleep. Um, yes, please.

Finding the best queen-size mattress for *you* can feel daunting, so we’re here to help. Here are some things you may want to consider while you shop:

Mattress type

First things first, you’ll want to get familiar with the main mattress types you’ll be choosing from:

  • Innerspring. When you think about the mattress you slept on at your grandma’s house, think innerspring. These mattresses use metal coils for support and typically don’t have the comfiest top layers. Innerspring mattresses are the classic, less expensive type — and they usually have a shorter lifespan.
  • Foam. Instead of springs, foam mattresses typically have a special type of solid foam to support you as you sleep. Foam mattresses are usually an affordable option, but they also tend to sleep a little hot. Memory foam can be a good choice for couples since they limit motion transfer — so you won’t feel it every time your partner rolls over. But it also has a “sinking-in” feeling, which isn’t everybody’s fave.
  • Hybrid. Hybrid mattresses include a combo of foam and springs. That means they’re typically a good compromise of support and comfort. They’re also usually more durable than other types of mattresses and allow for better airflow. BUT they’re also usually pretty pricey.
  • Latex. Latex mattresses are made from either pure latex or with a layer of latex foam on top of other materials. If you’re shopping for a mattress that will last a long, long time, latex is the way to go because it’s super durable — and it’s a more eco-friendly option than other mattress materials too (especially pure natural latex). However, it can be a bit pricier than others.
  • Airbed. An airbed or air mattress is a fancy inflatable bed (think: Sleep Number). These have adjustable firmness options that you can change with the click of a button, so they’re great for couples or people with back pain. But they can also be hella expensive.

Who it’s for

Just you? You and a partner? You and a partner, and kids who won’t stay in their own beds? All things that you’ll want to consider when getting ready to purchase. (And for the latter, we recommend a king-size, TBH. Kids are bed hogs.)

Price

You can probably find a queen mattress in your budget, as they start at about $200 and go up from there. Most luxury or high-end brands will clock in at the $1,000 to $2,000 range.

Just keep in mind that cheaper mattresses are usually cheaper for a reason. They might not have high quality materials or be as durable.

Firmness level

Everyone has that firmness level that’s juuuuuuuust right, but a 2015 research review suggested that it’s medium-firm for most people (which is also a good compromise for partners who don’t have a clue which firmness level to purchase). Beds that are too soft or too firm can cause discomfort and eventually might contribute to alignment issues.

Sleeping position

Stomach sleeper? You may not want an overly soft mattress, because that just sounds … suffocating. Plus, a too-soft mattress might misalign a stomach sleeper’s spine, leading to back or neck pain.

But if you sleep on your side, you might want to consider a mattress with a memory foam layer or a softer topper that lets your hips and shoulders sink in a bit. That should help keep your spine aligned.

If you’re a back sleeper, a medium-firm mattress should give you the right amount of give to let your booty sink in while still supporting the rest of your body.

Materials

The key ingredients in most mattresses are foam, metal, adhesives, and flame retardants (which are legally required for mattresses sold in the United States).

Foam of varying densities are used in memory foam beds (as well as hybrid beds, or as toppers on innerspring mattresses), and metal is used to make the coils in innerspring and hybrid beds.

Adhesives are used to keep all of the different layers together, and flame retardants keep the mattress more resistant to fire.

If you’re concerned about the use of natural, organic, and sustainable materials, seek out mattresses that meet Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS), OEKO-TEX, or UL GreenGuard standards.

Pressure relief

If you sleep on your side, you put a lot of pressure on your hip and shoulder, which can be uncomfy and even painful. To alleviate that, you can opt for materials that are known for relieving pressure points — like latex and memory foam.

Edge support

We’ve all slept in a hotel bed where we always felt like we were falling off the side, and it’s the WORST. Mattresses with edge support are great for people who will be sharing the bed, because they’ll keep it more stable and allow you to sleep closer to the edge of the bed without feeling like you’re on the edge of a precipice.

Many brands will mention edge support in their product descriptions but always look to reviews to get the real picture.

Cooling

Nobody likes night sweats, so if they’re a problem for you, look for a mattress that features cooling materials, like gel memory foam, foam with perforations (little holes that allow airflows), copper, or phase change materials.

Motion isolation

Easily irritated by your partner’s tossing and turning? You might want a mattress that has a high degree of motion isolation, keeping movement on the bed from moving the whole bed. Memory foam is an A+ choice for this.

Company policies

If you’re planning on dropping a fair amount of money on a mattress, you’ll want to make sure the company policies are tolerable. Is there a home trial? (It’s a must if you’re purchasing online.) What’s the return policy, and are there any associated fees? How about the warranty?

Always look to the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and other reviews to get insight on whether brands actually stick to those policies, too. Are there a lot of complaints from customers that never got their money back, or instances where the brand didn’t honor the warranty? If so, steer clear.

Are all queen mattresses the same size?

No, actually. Here’s how to decipher some of the bed size terminology you may come across as you slay the online shopping dragons to unite with your queen:

  • Standard. The standard queen-size bed is roughly 80 inches (in.) long and 60 in. wide.
  • Olympic. An Olympic queen is 6 in. wider than a standard — measuring 80 in. long and 66 in. wide, giving couples a little extra space. That extra 3 in. on your side of the bed can make a world of difference, especially if you share a bed with a space hog, blanket snatcher, night kicker, etc.
  • California. OTOH, the California queen bed is extra-long — measuring in at 84 in. long and 60 in. wide. If you or your partner are tall, but a California king (84 in. long and 72 in. wide) would be too wide for your space, a California queen is the perfect compromise.
  • Split. A split queen is made of two separate mattresses that share a base. They’re great if you and your partner prefer drastically different firmness levels, as you can each get the one that’s good for you while still sharing a bed. Split queens are pretty hard to find, though — split kings are much more common.
  • RV. A “short queen” is the queen-size bed you’ll find in most RVs, and it measures 74 in. long and 60 in. wide.

Which queen-size mattress is best?

We’re pretty fond of all of the selections on this list, but when shopping you should narrow it down by price, the firmness level that you like, and any other factors that you or your partner deem important.

What is the best mattress for the money in 2022?

The least expensive standard queen mattress on our list is the Sealy Mattress-in-a-Box.

It’s got great reviews and decent features for a pretty unbeatable price point, so it def provides some serious bang for the buck. You can also choose between a memory foam or hybrid mattress, so — despite the low price — you’ve still got options.

How much is a queen-size mattress?

Queen mattresses can range in price A LOT. You can get one for under $300 or more than $2,000, and nearly any price point in between.

Ready to pick the perfect queen mattress? There are so many models on the market, but this is a great list to get you started.

We recommend first deciding what type of mattress and firmness you want. The best queen mattress for you is the one that fits your budget and your sleeping needs.