Best Mattress For Murphy Beds 2022 This Old House

Utilizing all the space in your home has become increasingly important, especially with the increase of home offices and workout spaces. If you have kids, you likely understand how big of a difference it can make to have designated spaces for playing, working, and relaxing. It’s understandable to want to keep extra beds in the home for guests, but sometimes a mattress can eat up a lot of floor space. Enter: The Murphy Bed. A Murphy bed, or wall bed, is hinged on one end to allow it to fold up into the wall, or into a closet or cabinet. We’ve come up with a list of the best mattresses for Murphy beds, helping you choose one that’s both comfortable and up to the task. These handy space-saving beds conveniently fold into the wall, opening up the floor plan of a room that would otherwise have been much smaller. Murphy beds are a great option for smaller rooms or areas that will often be used for other purposes, like an office or craft room. It can be tough to find the right mattress, which is why we made this review to help you narrow down the selection to find the perfect bed for your home. We’ve partnered with the reviews team at Mattress Advisor to give you all the information you’ll need to make a decision.

Best Mattresses for Murphy Beds

Best Overall - Nolah Original 10” Best Value - Nectar Original Best Luxury - DreamCloud Original Best for Side Sleepers - Helix Midnight Best Memory Foam - WinkBeds GravityLux Best for Back Pain - Bear Mattress Original Best Hybrid - Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid Best Flippable - Layla Memory Foam Best for Couples - Casper Original

Best Overall - Nolah Original 10”

Firmness: Plush Soft, Luxury Firm, Firm Customer Rating: 4.8/5 Delivery: 10-15 business days Trial Period: 180 Nights Warranty: 15 years

The Nolah Original Mattress is the best Murphy bed mattress overall for several reasons. The 10” construction ensures the bed won’t stick out too far, and should be easy to fold up in a Murphy bed setup. This mattress also received a nearly perfect score in spine alignment (9.5/10), which means you won’t be compromising on comfort despite the foldaway nature of the bed. Good motion isolation (9/10) allows couples to share this bed without feeling their partner’s movements too much, and a layer of Nolah’s proprietary Airfoam keeps sleepers cool as they sleep. All-foam construction means this mattress should maintain its shape even while the bed is stored in a vertical position.

Best Value - Nectar Original

Firmness: Medium-firm Customer Rating: 4.8/5 Delivery: 2-5 business days Trial Period: 365 nights Lifetime Warranty

Crafted with layers of supportive yet pressure-relieving foams, the Nectar Original is the best bang for your buck in terms of memory foam mattresses. Memory foam beds tend to be the best option for Murphy beds; latex, innerspring, and hybrid beds can sometimes “slump” while foams stay in place. A high score in pressure relief (8.5/10) means it’s great for all types of sleepers, but especially for side sleepers. Despite the Nectar’s foam construction, this bed excels in responsiveness (8.5/10), preventing you from feeling “stuck” in the mattress. Mattress Advisor’s testers found this bed to be quite durable, so whether you use it daily or just when guests come into town, your Murphy bed mattress will last for a while!

Best Luxury - DreamCloud Original

Firmness: Medium-firm Customer Rating: 4.6/5 Delivery: 18-21 business days Trial Period: 365 nights Lifetime Warranty

If you live in a studio apartment or a similarly small space and want a super comfortable and luxurious mattress in your Murphy bed, the DreamCloud Original is a great option. This medium-firm mattress is suitable for all sleeping positions, and the foam-and-coils design keeps sleepers nice and cool throughout the night. Excellent spinal alignment (9/10) and pressure relief (8.75/10) can help reduce back pain and achieve a good night’s sleep. Superb durability (9/10) comes from the high-quality materials used in the construction of this bed, like a cashmere mattress cover, memory and high-density foam layers, and a pocketed coil system. All the foams used in this mattress are CertiPUR-US Certified.

Best for Side Sleepers - Helix Midnight

Firmness: Medium Customer Rating: 4.5/5 Delivery: 3-7 business days Trial Period: 100 Nights Warranty: 15 years

When it comes to mattresses for side sleepers, it’s important to make sure your bed comfortably keeps your spine in a comfortable position while your pressure points are cradled. The Helix Midnight is the most popular Helix model––this versatile hybrid mattress is both cushioning and supportive, perfect for all types of sleepers but especially appealing for side sleepers. Mattress Advisor’s testers gave this bed an 8.5 in pressure relief and an 8.75 in spine alignment, indicating that this sleep position should be able to rest comfortably and pain-free. A perfect score in edge support (10/10) means you can feel supported even as you spread out to the periphery of the mattress.

Best Memory Foam - WinkBed GravityLux

Firmness: Soft, Medium, Firm Customer Rating: 4.8/5 Delivery: 3-5 business days Trial Period: 120 Nights Lifetime Warranty

Memory foam mattresses are a great choice for Murphy beds, and our top pick for memory foam mattresses is the WinkBed GravityLux. With three fitness options, a moisture-wicking cover, plus layers of cushioning foam, this mattress is a great choice for those who love a bed that conforms to their body. Zoned progression foam provides sleepers with optimal spine alignment (9/10), while a layer of their proprietary AirCell foam offers top-notch pressure relief (9/10) and motion isolation (9/10). The GravityLux is created without the use of heat-trapping visco-elastic materials, using gel-infused foam instead to keep sleepers cool as they sleep. Optional white glove delivery gives you the ability to add on new mattress setup and removal of your old bed to your overall purchase.

Best for Back Pain - Bear Original

Firmness: Medium-firm Customer Rating: 4.7/5 Delivery: 4-7business days Trial Period: 365 Nights Lifetime Warranty

Back pain can affect all aspects of our life, from when we wake up until when we go to sleep. During those resting hours, it’s important to keep our spine in a natural posture and supply it with proper pressure relief, which is where the Bear Original mattress comes in. A score of 8.5 out of 10 in spine alignment means this bed works to maintain lumbar support as you rest, helping to prevent back pain in the morning. A high score in temperature regulation (9/10) comes from graphite-infused foam and a cover that is designed to absorb body heat. The Bear Original is a great budget-friendly option, too––a queen-size comes in under $1,000.

Best Hybrid - Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid

Firmness: Plush, Medium, Firm Customer Rating: 4.7/5 Delivery: 4-8 business days Trial Period: 120 Nights Warranty: 10 years

Finding a mattress that’s made of the materials you want and sits at the firmness level you prefer can be difficult, which is why the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid’s three firmness options are so convenient. This hybrid mattress contains a unique blend of coils and foams that provide sleepers with the right amount of back support and cushioning, and you can choose from a softer, medium, or firmer mattress to get the best sleep possible. A near-perfect 9.5 out of 10 in pressure relief makes this mattress an excellent choice for those with joint pain, and a high spine alignment score (8.5/10) is great for those with back issues. Three layers of high-quality foam combined with durable coils gives this bed great durability, made to last you for years.

Best Flippable - Layla Memory Foam

Firmness: Medium-soft, Medium-firm Customer Rating: 4.5/5 Delivery: 3-7 business days Trial Period: 120 Nights Lifetime Warranty

A flippable mattress is a great option for guest rooms, children’s beds, and those who aren’t quite sure what type of mattress they prefer. The Layla Memory Foam mattress excels across the board and still provides two firmness options, so whether you’re a side sleeper who wants a softer surface or a back sleeper who wants something a little firmer, the Layla has you covered. The Layla scored a 9 out of 10 in both edge support and pressure relief, providing sleepers with the ability to spread out if necessary and giving their pressure points the cradling relief they need. A near-perfect 9.5 out of 10 in responsiveness allows combination sleepers to change positions easily. A removable cover makes it easy to keep your bed clean.

Best for Couples - Casper Original

Firmness: Medium-firm Customer Rating: 4.5/5 Delivery: 2-7 business days Trial Period: 100 Nights Warranty: 10 years

Sharing a bed can be more difficult than it needs to be when you have a mattress that isn’t properly designed for couples. The Casper Original is one of the best mattresses for couples, though it’s a great pick for just about anyone. With near-perfect spine alignment (9.5/10) thanks to Casper’s zoned comfort layer, this bed can help reduce back pain and deliver proper posture to sleepers. A perfect score in responsiveness makes it incredibly easy to shift around as you sleep without any sensation of feeling stuck. The foam construction offers good motion transfer, which helps isolate your partner’s movements so you won’t be disturbed if they get a glass of water in the middle of the night. 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.

What Makes a Mattress Good for Murphy Beds?

When choosing a mattress for a Murphy bed, there are a few important things to consider. If you’re going to keep the bed in an upright position regularly, you want to be sure you’re getting a mattress that isn’t prone to slumping or bunching. In this instance, a memory foam mattress is a great choice. These mattresses keep their shape much better than innerspring or hybrid mattresses, and the lack of springs means there won’t be any odd bunching to worry about. That doesn’t mean that getting an innerspring or hybrid mattress is out of the question though––it ultimately boils down to how long the mattress will be stored vertically and the overall durability of its construction to help prevent this slumping. If you plan on regularly putting the Murphy bed up and down, you’ll want to be sure you’re getting a mattress that doesn’t weigh too much. Hybrid mattresses tend to be a little lighter than traditional foam mattresses, as the innerspring layer is airy and pocketed and weighs less than layers of dense foams.

Type of Mattress

Memory foam: Memory foam mattresses are some of the best mattresses for Murphy beds: They’re durable, great for pressure relief, and won’t sag or bunch if placed vertically for long periods of time. Innerspring: Innerspring mattresses employ coils to give the mattress structure and support. These beds tend to sleep very cool and have great airflow, but aren’t a top choice for Murphy beds as they could lose their form and shape if stored vertically for a long period of time. Latex: Latex is a great material for a mattress, it’s buoyant and responsive like innersprings while still offering the pressure-relieving properties of memory foam mattresses. Latex mattresses are also naturally hypoallergenic, which is great for those with allergies. Hybrid: Hybrid beds combine the best materials and qualities of other beds into mattresses that are simultaneously supportive and cushioning, for a sleep experience that checks all the boxes. These beds come in a variety of firmness options, so browsing the choices before choosing a hybrid mattress is recommended.

Performance Factors

Set-up: Buying a bed-in-a-box likely means you will be in charge of setting up your new mattress yourself, so taking into account how heavy the bed is and how easy it is to set up is something to consider before purchasing a new mattress. Most online mattresses that arrive in a box are super easy to set up by yourself or with the help of another person. Pressure relief: If you have joint pain or sleep on your side, pressure relief is a big factor to look for when buying a mattress. Firmer mattresses or those that don’t offer adequate pressure relief will lead to achy shoulders and hips if you sleep on your side. Finding a bed that has the right amount of cushioning is important. Spine alignment: Maintaining good posture while we sleep is just as important as our posture during the day, especially if you have back pain. Beds that keep your back in a natural position while you rest can help reduce back pain and keep your spine healthy. Durability: A new mattress is a big purchase, you want to be sure it’s going to last you for a while. Most mattresses have a lifespan between seven and 10 years, though this can vary based on how often it’s used, the weight of the sleepers on it, and how it’s stored. Especially for Murphy beds, which are stored vertically or horizontally, you want to be sure your mattress can withstand that storage without ruining its lifespan. Motion transfer: Sharing a bed with a partner or pet can quickly become disruptive if you are always feeling the movements of the other person (or animal). Finding a bed with good motion isolation can help minimize disturbances in movement and keep the motion transfer to a minimum. Foam beds are excellent at reducing motion, which makes them great for couples. Temperature regulation: Some mattresses keep sleepers cooler than others, and hot sleepers will want to pay special attention to ensure they’re getting a bed that enables good airflow and breathability. Some memory foam mattresses can sleep fairly warm, though gel-infused foams and other cooling technologies are rising in popularity in foam mattresses. Latex and innerspring beds sleep the coolest, and some hybrid models are good at regulating temperature as well. Responsiveness: Changing positions while you sleep can feel impossible when you feel “stuck” in the mattress at night, so combination sleepers and those who toss and turn often will want to find a bed that offers good responsiveness and allows them to easily move around. Latex, hybrid, and innerspring mattresses tend to have good responsiveness, and many foam beds are improving their bounciness as well. Edge support: Maybe you share the bed and need to spread out a bit more, or maybe you like to sit on the edge of the bed while you put your shoes and socks on. Whatever the reason, some people prefer a bed that offers good support on the edges and allows them to sit or lay without feeling like they may roll off. Price: Pricing of your new mattress depends on the size, material, and brand of your new bed. Hybrid mattresses tend to cost more due to the complex combination of materials, and some foam mattresses can be a little pricey. Most queen mattresses should fall somewhere between $1,000 and $2,500, though there are some mattresses under $1,000 available and several that are well over $2,500.
Shipping and Delivery: All of the mattresses listed on this article come with free shipping and delivery to your doorstep, plus free returns if you decide within the sleep trial period that the mattress you ordered isn’t for you. This makes finding your next mattress for a Murphy bed a breeze! Warranty: The industry standard for mattresses is a 10-year warranty, but you’ll notice that many companies offer much longer warranties, such as 20 years or even lifetime options. This allows you to get a replacement mattress if you notice any issues with the one you ordered. Can you use any type of mattress with a Murphy bed? Not all mattresses are cut out for the vertical placement that a Murphy bed requires. Innerspring mattresses and most hybrid beds are not recommended for use in a Murphy bed. Instead, foam mattresses, latex beds, and certain hybrid mattresses should be used. What size mattress should I use in my Murphy bed? This is entirely your choice; murphy bed frames come in all sizes, from twins to kings, so you can select whichever frame works best for your space and get the correct size mattress to go along with it. We listed all of the prices as queen size because that is the most common bed size. Should my Murphy bed mattress be a certain weight? Most Murphy beds require you to manually pull them down and lift them up, which means you don’t want an exceptionally heavy mattress that will be difficult to handle. Similarly, a mattress that is too lightweight may pop up or swing down too easily, which could damage the spring mechanism in the Murphy bed frame construction. Finding a bed with a medium weight is your best option, and all of the beds listed should fit that bill.

Summary of Our Top Picks for the Best Mattress for Murphy Beds

Best Overall - Nolah Original 10” Best Value - Nectar Original Best Luxury - DreamCloud Original Best for Side Sleepers - Helix Midnight Best Memory Foam - WinkBeds GravityLux Best for Back Pain - Bear Mattress Original Best Hybrid - Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid Best Flippable - Layla Memory Foam Best for Couples - Casper Original