Best Queen Mattress: 2023 Buying Guide
January 6, 2023
Shopping for a new queen mattress? It’s important to do your research on what kind of mattress is suitable to your sleep style and needs. We’ve reviewed the top choices on the market today to help you decide.
A queen size mattress is a great option for all kinds of sleepers. A queen size mattress is the most popular mattress size because it’s in between a full size mattress and a king size mattress, making it perfect for sleeping alone or with a partner, and roomy enough to accommodate side sleepers, back sleepers, and stomach sleepers.
Our team at Mattress Advisor rigorously tested the best queen mattresses available online today and came up with these top five options. Each one has its own strengths, from spine alignment to responsiveness, so there is a great option for every kind of sleeper. Find the best queen mattress for you and start getting a good night’s sleep.
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Best Queen Mattress - Top Picks
- Nectar - Best Overall Queen Size Mattress
- Saatva - Best Firm Mattress
- Leesa - Best Value Queen Size Mattress
- Casper - Best Queen Size Mattress Under $1,000
- Helix Midnight - Best Hybrid Mattress
- Puffy - Best Queen Memory Foam Mattress
- Tuft & Needle - Best Cheap Queen Mattress
- Purple - Best Queen Mattress for Side Sleepers
- Bear - Best Queen Mattress for Hot Sleepers
Nectar - Best Overall Queen Size Mattress
For shoppers seeking a queen size mattress that will work well for most body types and virtually all sleeping positions, our overall recommendation is for the Nectar.
A medium-firm memory foam mattress, Nectar offers the perfect balance between comfort and support: No matter which sleep position you choose, you’ll feel like your joints and pressure points sink into luxurious foam, even as your spine is properly upheld and aligned. Additionally, while some memory foam beds suffer from heat retention, the Nectar has an injection of cooling foam, which helps draw heat away from the body.
It’s also worth noting that the Nectar represents one of the best values in the queen size mattress space. Not only can you get a mattress in this size for under $800, but the product is backed with some notable consumer protections, including a lifetime warranty. You’ll also have an entire year to break in the mattress and ensure it’s a good, comfortable fit.
All that, combined with outstanding test scores in pressure relief, edge support, and responsiveness, make the Nectar easy to recommend across the board. If there are any caveats, they include some mild off-gassing; and, if you’re someone who simply prefers the sturdy feel of an innerspring system, the Nectar may not be quite up your alley.
Learn more in our Nectar mattress review.
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Save 33% off
Saatva - Best Firm Mattress
If you want your queen size mattress to fall somewhere toward the firmer end of the spectrum (perhaps to help soothe back or joint pain, or because you’re a stomach sleeper), the Saatva Classic mattress is a good option. More specifically, this high-end hybrid comes in three firmness levels: Choose plush, luxury firm, or firm, depending on your personal preference.
The Saatva is also well-regarded for its luxurious feel and its careful design. It’s made from durable innerspring coils, soothing foam comfort layers, and a welcoming pillow top. The materials are extremely high-quality, earning the Saatva high marks in durability. It’s also a smart pick for sleepers who prioritize spine alignment and edge support.
Ultimately, Saatva is perhaps best known for their commitment to a red-carpet shopping experience, including free delivery and even free assembly in your bedroom. These are some sweet perks that make this queen size deal hard to pass up, but also be aware of some minor caveats: The Saatva is not the most budget-friendly option, and its pressure relieving properties may not be sufficient for those who suffer from chronic hip pain (as well as shoulder or back pain).
Learn more in our Saatva mattress review.
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Leesa - Best Value Queen Size Mattress
If you’re looking to maximize your bang for buck, then it’s crucial to find a mattress that will not only last a long while, but also be available for a reasonable price point and with decent warranties in place. Our pick for the best affordable mattress is the Leesa, a bed made with cooling foam that works well for all sleep positions and also provides the superior motion isolation that couples crave.
The Leesa offers a seemingly simple construction: It’s made with just three layers of foam, including a plush and responsive top layer, a cradling middle layer, and a durable base. What sets this mattress apart is the quality of these foam materials, which not only provide maximum pressure relief, but also ensure that the Leesa holds up well over the long haul.
For the supremely high level of quality it offers, the Leesa is priced at bargain rates. And, its 10-year warranty should offer shoppers some peace of mind.
As for downsides, the Leesa obviously isn’t ideal for queen-size shoppers who prefer the bounce of innerspring coils. Also, the Leesa isn’t quite firm enough to meet the needs of plus-sized stomach sleepers, who may feel like they’re sinking too deep into their mattress or bowing in the middle of the bed.
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Save up to $700 off and get free Luxe Organic Cotton Sheet Set
Casper - Best Under $1,000
Deep, uninterrupted sleep is the best way to stay healthy at night — but there’s no reason you have to break the bank to get it.
Related: Compare Casper mattresses
The Casper is one of the best mattresses under $1,000 — and out of all of the queen mattresses tested by our Mattress Advisor team, Casper is the only one that got a perfect score for responsiveness. It adjusted perfectly to the tester’s movements, and it would be an ideal bed for anyone who tends to move around a lot in their sleep. Plus, it scored very high in motion isolation, meaning it can help you out if your partner is the one who likes to toss and turn.
Even if you aren’t a restless sleeper, or don’t have a partner who is, the Casper mattress is still a great pick for anyone looking to purchase a new queen mattress. It has incredible edge support, which means if you like to sleep near the edge of the bed or sit on the edge of the bed to get ready, this mattress will support you rather than collapsing under your weight.
Casper is able to have all these amazing features due to its construction. With four different types of memory foam, the Casper makes for the best mattress in a box on the market. The bottom layer is made of dense support foam, and the next foam layer is a special support layer with differing density depending on which area of the mattress it’s in. For instance, foam under your hips is firmer, for more support, but foam under your shoulders is nice and soft to prevent pressure buildup. Just above that there is a layer of responsive foam that adapts to your body’s pressure, and finally the top layer is made of open-cell foam to provide perfect cushioning.
Learn more in our Casper mattress review.
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Helix Midnight - Best Hybrid Mattress
Some of today’s most admired bed-in-a-box mattress products are hybrid designs. What this means is, they are constructed from two or more materials instead of just one, theoretically offering the best of all possible worlds. For those who want their next queen mattress to unite the cooling, responsive nature of innerspring coils with the motion isolating comforts of foam, the Helix Midnight comes highly recommended.
There are a lot of reasons why the Helix’s hybrid construction is ideal for queen size comfort. For one thing, the combination of air-circulating foam and innerspring coils ensures this is a good pick for hot sleepers. The resilient coils also help the Helix Midnight perform in edge support, meaning even if you sleep at the corner of your bed, there shouldn’t be any sagging or bottoming out.
The Helix Midnight has motion-cancelling foam that makes it a good match for couples who share a bed together, yet those springs offer just enough give to make it comfortable for combination sleepers. It’s truly the best of both worlds, just as a good hybrid ought to be.
Watch out for the high price point and maybe some mild off-gassing… but other than that, there’s really a lot to love about the queen size Helix Midnight Luxe.
Learn more in our Helix mattress review.
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Save $350 off and get 2 free pillows with purchase
Puffy - Best Mattress for Couples
If you love that classic memory foam sensation, feeling like you’re sinking into your bed without getting swallowed whole, then the Puffy may be your best bet. This memory foam mattress represents one of the best products in its category, and an all-around excellent bed in pretty much any size.
One thing we love about the Puffy is that it’s excellent for couples. Our Mattress Advisor team runs many tests when evaluating different mattresses, one of which is for motion transfer and motion isolation. This test determines how well the mattress isolates motion to one side of the bed, preventing transfer to the other side. This means if your partner tosses and turns, the motion will stay isolated to their side, so you can stay asleep all night long with no disturbances.
It might be tempting to believe that the only way a mattress could prevent motion transfer is by being stiff and uncomfortable, but Puffy is the opposite. This contouring all-foam bed gently hugs the curvature of your body while still providing a medium-firm feel. This is excellent for stomach sleepers as well, who typically need more support to keep their spine in healthy alignment. Unfortunately, it’s not the best option for those who want a more plush feel to their mattress, and the price is higher than many other queen size mattresses on this list.
Learn more in our Puffy mattress review.
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Get $1,350 off with code SAVE1350
Tuft & Needle - Best Under $800
If you’re on the hunt for the best affordable mattress, don’t worry. You aren’t doomed to sleep on a cheap mattress that will mess up your back. There are some amazing and affordable options out there, like the Tuft & Needle mattress.
This all-foam mattress provides great edge support, boasts long-term durability, and is fantastic for side sleepers. Best of all, you can get a queen for under $600. It’s an incredible deal for a mattress that performs just as well as a traditional spring mattress; the only difference is, it comes in a box!
The Tuft & Needle mattress has two basic layers of memory foam. The base layer is made of high-density support foam, and then another softer, more adaptable comfort layer forms the sleep surface. This adaptable foam was created to carry away body heat, and to respond to your movements throughout the night, making it highly responsive as well. This adaptive foam is also great for pressure relief and spine alignment, which is great for side sleepers. Even though this is a relatively simple construction, Tuft & Needle use quality materials, and that makes all the difference.
If you’re looking for a mattress that has affordability, breathability, and incredible comfort, Tuft & Needle is an amazing option. Just a couple of caveats: It has a medium firm feel, which isn’t ideal for those who like plush mattresses, and it didn’t rate as well on motion isolation, which means it may not be a great option for anyone with a restless sleep partner.
Learn more in our Tuft & Needle mattress review.
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Purple - Best Mattress for Side Sleepers
If you sleep on your side, it’s very important to get the right kind of mattress. Side sleeping makes your body highly susceptible to pressure buildup in pressure points in your hips, lower back, and shoulders. Sleeping on your side on the wrong kind of mattress can lead to aches and pains in the morning, and even long-term health issues if the problem is not addressed.
How can you avoid these problems? By getting a mattress with excellent pressure relief and spine alignment properties, like the Purple mattress. Purple is a hybrid mattress made with foam and proprietary Comfort Grid technology. The Comfort Grid is a hyper-elastic polymer that stretches to perfectly match the curvature of your body without sucking you in and making you feel trapped, as is the case with some extra plush memory foam mattresses. The grid adapts to different amounts of pressure being exerted by various parts of your body, and the foam beneath provides support to keep your spine in proper alignment.
The Purple mattress is also one of the best hypoallergenic mattresses, and the foam is CertiPUR-US Certified, meaning it is eco-friendly and meets rigorous standards for emissions and performance. Plus, it is incredibly affordable for a hybrid mattress. However, it may not be the right choice if you tend to toss and turn or have a partner who does. It did not rate as well as Puffy on motion isolation, and it also fell short on responsiveness, which means it is slightly difficult to move around at night.
Learn more in our Purple mattress review.
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Bear - Best Queen Mattress for Hot Sleepers
Some sleepers tend to run hot at night; night sweats and hot flashes can make it hard to fall asleep, and some mattresses actually trap body heat, making the problem all the more pronounced. Thankfully, some beds actually help promote temperature regulation and air circulation, with the Bear mattress topping the list of the best cooling mattresses on the market today.
In testing, the Bear proved to keep sleepers cool thanks to a winning combination of a special cooling cover and memory foam. Memory foam mattresses often can retain heat, and the Bear breaks the status quo with its cooling design. These same materials also tested well for keeping sleepers’ spines in alignment and responding to their movements.
Learn more in our Bear mattress review.
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Save 35% off and get free pillows with purchase
Compare the Best Queen Mattresses
| Mattress Name | Quick Overview | Special Offer |
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Nectar
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Material: Gel Memory foam Firmness: Medium firm Customer Rating: 4.8/5 MA Score: 8.7/10 Trial Period: 365 days Warranty: Lifetime Price: $ |
Save 33% off |
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Saatva
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Material: Memory foam Firmness: Medium firm Customer Rating: 4.8/5 MA Score: 8.7/10 Trial Period: 180 days Warranty: 15 years Price: $$ |
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Leesa
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Material: Gel Memory foam Firmness: Medium firm Customer Rating: 4.5/5 MA Score: 9.3/10 Trial Period: 100 days Warranty: 10 years Price: $ |
Save up to $700 off and get free Luxe Organic Cotton Sheet Set |
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Casper
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Material: Memory foam Firmness: Medium firm (6/10) Customer Rating: 4.6/5 MA Score: 9/10 Trial Period: 100 days Warranty: 10-year limited Price: $$ |
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Helix Midnight
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Material: Hybrid Firmness: Medium Customer Rating: 4.5/5 MA Score: 8.9/10 Trial Period: 100 days Warranty: 15 years Price: $$ |
Save $350 off and get 2 free pillows with purchase |
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Puffy
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Material: Memory foam Firmness: Medium firm (7/10) Customer Rating: 4.6/5 MA Score: 9/10 Trial Period: 101 days Warranty: Lifetime warranty Price: $$ |
Get $1,350 off with code SAVE1350 |
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Tuft & Needle
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Material: Memory foam Firmness: Medium firm (6/10) Customer Rating: 4.9/5 MA Score: 8.7/10 Trial Period: 100 days Warranty: 10-year limited Price: $ |
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Purple
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Material: Hybrid (hyper-elastic polymer and foam) Firmness: Medium firm (6.5/10) Customer Rating: 4.6/5 MA Score: 8.4/10 Trial Period: 100 days Warranty: 10-year limited Price: $$ |
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Bear
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Material: Memory foam with graphite gel Firmness: Medium firm Customer Rating: 4.7/5 MA Score: 8.6/10 Trial Period: 100 days Warranty: 10 years Price: $ |
Save 35% off and get free pillows with purchase |
MA Score: The Mattress Advisor Score is a weighted score that takes into account 14 different factors related to the mattress’ performance, function, convenience and the brand’s social responsibility.
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What is a Queen Mattress?
Before you buy a queen mattress, it’s important to understand what makes it different from a full or king-size mattress. A queen is slightly larger than a full-size bed and slightly smaller than a king. Specifically, a standard queen is approximately 60 inches wide and 80 inches long, compared to a full, which is 54 inches wide and 74 inches long, or a king, which is 76 inches wide and 80 inches long.
Although in most cases two adults can technically fit on a full-size bed, a queen provides far more room, making it a smart purchase if you both move a lot in your sleep. A king is ideal for partners who both like to have their space while sleeping, or it’s great for making your home feel incredibly luxurious.
Body type can also play a role in what mattress size you should buy. Plus-size adults may prefer the extra room of a queen bed over the smaller, more restricting size of a full-size bed. On the other hand, two very slim adults may fit just fine on a full bed.
Shopping Considerations
Type of Mattress
Memory foam: You might think traditional mattress brands like Tempur-Pedic are the only makers of memory foam beds. In the past, many traditional memory foam mattresses were known for being hot, overly plush, and exorbitantly expensive. However, thanks to many advances in memory foam technology, that isn’t the case! There are many new foam Queen mattresses on the market today with unique features and benefits.
Many types of memory foam are now very breathable, especially gel memory foam mattresses. Others are infused with other materials, like the Zinus Green Tea mattress, which contains green tea extract to help you relax.
Plus, depending on the brand, you can even find memory foam that provides firm support rather than plush cushioning. Additionally, memory foam is now one of the most affordable mattress types on the market.
Related: The best memory foam mattress
Innerspring: Before memory foam or latex, the best innerspring mattresses were the most popular option. Traditional brands like Serta or Sealy are known for making your typical coil mattresses, made of an interconnected network of actual springs, which makes the mattress incredibly bouncy, responsive, and breathable. However, these beds are on the more expensive end of the spectrum, and they tend to have poor motion isolation.
Latex: The best latex mattresses are made of aerated latex, which is typically great for pressure relief and spine alignment. When they are made with all-natural latex, they are the most eco-friendly option of the bunch. Regardless of which type of latex you choose, latex mattresses are naturally hypoallergenic and antimicrobial. When it comes to price, they are typically more expensive than memory foam mattresses.
Hybrid: Hybrid mattresses come in countless forms because they are the combination of any of the mattress types listed above. Some hybrids are a latex foam combination, while others are reminiscent of innerspring mattresses with layers of foam for added comfort. Because each one is uniquely constructed, these mattresses are great for people who want a very specific sleep experience. However, their cost does typically reflect their customization.
Performance Factors
Set-up: One factor to consider before buying a queen mattress is ease of set-up. Queen mattresses are larger than twins or a full, so you may need more help with a queen than with smaller mattresses.
Many mattresses are now available for delivery in a relatively manageable box, and some mattress companies, like Saatva, offer free white glove delivery so you don’t need to lift a finger.
Pressure relief: Pressure relief is the most important category for side sleepers or those who experience chronic pain. Mattresses with good pressure relief evenly distribute your body weight so that pressure doesn’t build up in your lower back, hips, or shoulders, and will help prevent morning aches and pains.
Spine alignment: Spine alignment is another factor that’s especially important for side sleepers, but really, it’s important no matter what position you sleep in. Our spines have a natural curvature, and the best mattresses are those that support that natural curve. If you sleep on your back or side, your mattress should be plush enough to adjust to your spine’s curve. If you sleep on your stomach, you actually need a firm mattress to give your spine the proper support.
Learn more about spine alignment in our guide to the best mattress for back pain.
Durability: Generally, we recommend looking for a highly durable mattress, even if you don’t plan to have it very long. Mattresses that are more durable tend to be more well-made, which means your sleep will be much better. And since we spend nearly a third of our lives asleep, that’s very important.
Motion transfer: Motion transfer is most important for couples or anyone who shares a bed with a pet who likes to move around in their sleep. Mattresses with high motion transfer allow movement to travel throughout the mattress, which means if your partner is tossing and turning, it’s more likely to wake you up and disturb your sleep. A mattress with high motion isolation, on the other hand, prevents this transfer and helps you stay asleep.
Temperature regulation: If you’re someone who tends to get hot when they sleep, then temperature regulation is an important factor when it comes to shopping for a new mattress. Some beds are better suited to dispel excess heat than others. Aerated latex or foam, cooling gels, and other heat-reducing materials are a must if you want a mattress that sleeps cool.
Responsiveness: Responsiveness is all about how quickly the mattress adjusts to your movements. A highly responsive mattress bounces back almost immediately as you move, which is great for restless sleepers. If you tend to toss and turn, you don’t want a mattress that makes it so difficult to move that you have to wake up every time you turn over.
Edge support: If you tend to sleep near the edge of the bed, or get ready on the edge of the bed in the morning, then you’re going to need sturdy edge support. Some mattresses get a little flimsy around the edges, which can make it difficult to sit on the edge or sleep near it without simply slipping off the bed.
Price
Price is a crucial factor when it comes to a major purchase like a mattress. A mattress is an investment in your health, so you don’t want to buy a super cheap, poorly made mattress. A high price tag doesn’t automatically mean a mattress is high quality either. There are many affordable mattresses out there, like the Tuft & Needle mattress recommended in this article. The key to finding a good mattress in your price range is to look at respected, reputable mattress sites and search for budget-friendly options.
Related: The best affordable mattress
Sleeping Positions
Back sleepers: If you sleep on your back, then your mattress needs are fairly minimal. You just need to make sure the mattress is plush enough that it supports the natural curve of your spine. If the mattress is too firm, your spine may not be in proper alignment as you sleep, which can lead to chronic pain.
Stomach sleepers: Stomach sleepers have the opposite issue as back sleepers. Instead of a plush mattress, you need a mattress with a higher firmness level to support the curve of your spine. It doesn’t need to be hard as a rock, but you want to make sure your spine doesn’t dip down too far and causes aches and pains.
Side sleepers: When we sleep on our side, all of our weight is condensed to a smaller surface area, compared to sleeping on our back or stomach. This can lead to increased pressure buildup in pressure points such as our hips and shoulders. The best mattress for side sleepers is one that has medium firmness, for ideal body contouring, and is especially good at pressure relief.
Combo sleepers: If you tend to sleep in all of these positions throughout the night, then you might be a combo sleeper. In that case, the most important property to look for in a mattress is responsiveness. The best mattress for combination sleepers will respond to your movements so that you aren’t awoken every time you toss or turn.
Shipping and Delivery
Finally, before you buy a mattress, you need to make sure to check the shipping and delivery details. The bed-in-a-box revolution has made most mattress deliveries very simple, but there are still many mattresses that are not delivered in a box. Additionally, you may want to look for a mattress company that offers free set up along with their shipping and delivery fees. Take a careful look at the return policy. Many mattresses come with a 100-night trial, but some companies still charge a return fee if you decide to return the bed during that trial period.
FAQ About the Best Queen Mattresses
- Is it safe to buy a new mattress off Amazon?
Although it’s true that you can buy just about anything on Amazon, including mattresses, we don’t recommend it. It’s hard to verify sellers through Amazon, and there’s a chance that what you order may not be what you receive. With something as large as a mattress, returns can be tricky. We recommend buying your new mattress through a reliable mattress site, like US-Mattress. We work very hard to ensure that all of the mattresses on our site are high quality, and we offer a 120-night sleep trial on any mattress purchase. It’s always best to buy from a site you trust.
- Can I just get a memory foam topper for my old mattress instead of buying a new one?
This is an option, but it’s not what we would recommend. A pillow top mattress pad can make an uncomfortable old bed slightly more bearable, but if the mattress is old and sagging, a topper won’t fix that. That sagging can go on to cause back pain and poor sleep quality, so if your mattress is getting old and worn out, we recommend buying a new one rather than compromising with a topper.
- Do I need a box spring?
Back when innerspring mattresses were the only mattresses available, box springs were a great way to prevent sagging. Now they are largely unnecessary, and for some mattress types, they may be actively harmful. Memory foam mattresses do much better with a slatted bed platform, because it helps increase breathability, which can prevent the mattress from sleeping hot. Even for innerspring mattresses, a sturdy bed frame is all that’s needed to prevent sagging. Additionally, make sure not to place your bed directly on the floor. This opens up the mattress to more bugs, dirt, and dust.
Summary of Our Top Picks for the Best Queen Mattress
- Nectar - Best Overall Queen Size Mattress
- Saatva - Best Firm Mattress
- Leesa - Best Value Queen Size Mattress
- Casper - Best Queen Size Mattress Under $1,000
- Helix Midnight - Best Hybrid Mattress
- Puffy - Best Queen Memory Foam Mattress
- Tuft & Needle - Best Cheap Queen Mattress
- Purple - Best Queen Mattress for Side Sleepers
- Bear - Best Queen Mattress for Hot Sleepers
About the Author Megan Griffith
Megan Griffith is a professional lifestyle writer for Mattress Advisor. As a new mom, she understands the importance of a good night's sleep, and she loves to write about the importance of rest.
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