Best Mattresses For Millennials: In Your Prime, Now’s The Time To Work On Sleep Fitness
If you were born between 1981-1996, you may want to learn more about the best mattresses for millennials. Whether or not you are buying your first mattress, upgrading your sleep game to next level, or just considering the options, knowing where to find a great mattress is the best investment you can make while still in your late twenties or thirties.
The biggest piece of the sleep fitness puzzle, now considered an important of your overall health, is choosing the right mattress for you, and understanding how to buy a mattress in the future, too. Getting restorative sleep for 7-9 hours is impacted by how quickly you fall asleep, your partner’s preferences if you have one, and how deeply you sleep as well.
You grew up with more technology and media than your parents have, and you made up half of the workforce by 2020.
Your mattress is both a sleeping resource, but also doubles as a workspace, a family lounging and entertainment space, and practical furniture element, as well.
With that in mind, we’ve curated a list of mattress options, tested and reviewed them, all with you guys in mind.
To keep you from scrolling through dozens of options, we’ve narrowed down the choices to a handful of mattresses that are already popular with the millennial demographic based thousands of owner submitted reviews
We took into account these important parameters when selecting our curated list of millennial mattresses, designed to deliver the best sleep fitness, comfortable lounging benefits, family friendly features, and more:
- Comfort and initial mattress body contact surface features like euro-tops, pillow tops, smooth tops, and other near the surface elements that provide an inviting, sleep friendly sensation.
- Mattress components like memory foam, cooling gel foams, natural elements like latex, and textiles like organic cotton and latex, that add to overall comfort but are key in providing underlying support.
- Structural and support architecture used in mattress design such as pocket coil suspension, high density foam layers, and ventilation and breathability technology.
- Ease of delivery, setup, and installation. This might be bed in a box packaging, full in home setup service, as well as other factors.
- Warranty, trial periods, ease of returns and exchanges if necessary, and certified actual owner reviews.
- Overall lifestyle appeal. Our selection of mattresses includes options suitable for sleep, rest, work, and lounging, as well as considerations for athletes and fitness enthusiasts.
Shopping for a mattress is one of the most dreaded experiences in life, especially if you have to deal with hovering salespeople in a retail store showroom.
It takes a vast amount of time and research, primarily because the mattress industry isn’t that great at presenting itself. Too many manufacturers, confusing terminology and wacky pricing turns many consumers off and they settle on keeping their ancient, dead, and dust mite ridden mattresses.
The average 32 year old American has only recently purchased a new mattress, and relied on the input of friends or phony online reviews to sway their mattress making decision.
We’re going to get into what’s important when selecting a mattress designed for hardworking men and women trying to make their mark, whether it be solo or with a partner, and with or without children.
Comfort And Support: The Ideal Architecture Of A Mattress Made For Millennials
I’ve designed dozens of mattresses for my own web sites and retail stores in the past, and I’ve also done bespoke custom mattress designs for plenty of busy 30-somethings that realize the importance of getting quality sleep, but want added comfort and support so that they look forward to climbing into their mattress- at any time of day.
Generally, mattresses designed for millennial aged people are built with components that promote proper spine alignment, that is keeping your spine as straight as possible when lying on your side, back or belly.
Spine alignment is essential for restorative rest and deeper REM sleep, and if your spine is not straight and level during the night, muscle groups and connective tissue become strained and lactic acid can accumulate in muscle tissue and joints and you wake up and feel unrested and inflamed and in pain.
Chiropractors and massage therapists are quick to acknowledge that a poorly made mattress is a leading contributor to back pain and strain, muscle fatigue, and can even cause inflammation around discs and joints.
After reviewing hundreds of owner experiences that are in the millennial age category, I’ve found that most satisfied mattress owners generally prefer a medium to medium firm level of support with some extreme outliers that like either very plush and soft, to those choosing extremely firm options.
One factor to consider is whether you sleep along or not, and your weight. I always recommend that if your weight is over 225lbs, typical mattress descriptions and matching might not work best for you, and you may not to opt for a slightly firmer option than medium or soft.
If you and your partner are at a combined weight of 225 or more, I advise steering clear of an all foam mattress, too, and leaning towards a hybrid mattress option (you can read more here on my primer on basic mattress making and design page) that includes both a coil element and different layers of foam.
If you have difficulty staying asleep and are a known “tosser and turner”, opt for something that has a “smooth top” exterior fabric rather than a quilted “box top” or a euro-top, which might be a bit too immersive and prevent you from easily moving around. I’ll feature some options below in both of these categories.
Hybrid mattresses made using a pocketed coil systems which are typically tucked in underneath carefully selected foam and textile layers that create what’s called in the business a “cake recipe”, meaning the integration, layer by layer, of various densities or kinds of foam which provide the signature feel of a specific mattress design.
A hybrid mattress can provide greater support, can be much firmer, and can provide more localized lift and elevation of areas like hips and shoulders when sleeping on your side. It’s great for family applications, typically has great edge support for sitting or transfer, and often has a medium to medium firm feel.
Hybrid mattresses are typically shipped rolled and compressed, and easily unfurl from their vacuum packaged state easily and are extremely well protected with layers of protective plastic sheeting.
There are variations in the hybrid category as well that contain natural and even organic elements such as natural latex layers, biofoams that contain soy based materials, and outer fabrics like bamboo, organic cotton, and organic wool. If you are interested in natural latex mattresses, you can checkout my latex mattress page here.
Finding A Really Great Mattress That Will Last Costs Less Than You Think
Surprisingly, to find a really well made mattress that will last the recommended lifespan of at least eight years, you’ll end up spending between $800-1500. Typically an all foam mattress will cost a bit less, since the coil system piece is left out.
An all foam mattress is often an ideal solution so long as it’s properly designed to support you. They are typically less costly, weigh less, and are easy to handle when you receive the shipping box. They are also for a less than long term situation, or for use in a guest room- though don’t get me wrong, they can make an outstanding choice for a permanent, primary bedding solution.
It’s essential that the underlying layers of foam on an all foam mattress are made with high density foam that has a fairly high density, and incorporate layers that get increasingly softer in varying degrees from the bottom to the top. At the body contact surface, you can opt for a simple smooth top piece that is not excessively soft, or a plusher initial feel that is more embracing and body hugging. We’ll provide options below.
An all foam mattress, and also a hybrid mattress option can include pressure relieving materials like memory foam or natural latex, bio-foams, and a variety of other components as well.
For our millennial age group, emphasis on proper spine alignment, pressure and pain relief, and optimizing the best uninterrupted sleep possible.
An all foam mattress may also be a bit less expensive than a hybrid, and many options can be found under $1,000 in queen size, while hybrids typically run a bit more, averaging $1200-1300 in a queen size, which also includes free delivery, a pretty good trial period and a respectable.
Organic Natural Latex Mattresses Are Chemical Free And Made Using Sustainable Materials
Being the priciest category, natural latex is hugely popular with younger couples and families who are living cleaner, use sustainable and organic materials.
Natural latex has to be hand collected before it is solidified to form the working layers inside of a mattress.
It’s also antimicrobial, and resists dust mites because of its pH, and has a bouncier and more responsive feel than memory foam, which makes it really good for intimacy.
It’s heavier to handle but tolerates rolling and compression for shipping really well.
The only consideration with a natural latex mattress is that a queen size will like run in the $1800-2000 range because of the rarity of the material and the slightly increased cost of shipping (which is never charged s an extra add-on, but to be fair, is built into the price).
Despite being a bit more jiggly, too, most manufacturers offer either a smooth top (thinner material but close body contact with the latex) or a more motion dampening pillow top option fo added cushiness.
If you want to get right to my list of mattress retailers that I’ve reviewed and recommend to my readers, jump below to check out mattresses we’ve selected in this category.
To learn more about me, click here. I personally review and test every mattress we recommend on this site. I’m also an expert on mattress components and textiles, but more than that,
I can tell you whether a mattress warranty is worth it, everything you want to know about “free trial periods” and what that means, and how to avoid common pitfalls and mistakes when mattress shopping.
You can jump below to my carefully reviewed selection of mattresses I recommend for millennials, based on support and comfort, improvements in sleep quality, durability, warranty benefits, freebies, and money back trial periods.
I also consider reviews posted online by actual owners, not just reviews pitched by review sites owned by the mattress retailers themselves.
All of these factors weigh into either being included in my list, or being left off. Generally, most options I’ve included are priced right under $1,000 for a queen, but a few are less expensive.
After spending 25 years in the mattress game, designing mattresses for major companies, I can help take the misery and mystery out of mattress shopping for you. Some of the best brands might not be names you’re familiar with, too!
Millennials Should Be Investing In A Mattress The Same Way They Would Be Looking At Buying Stocks: It’s The Long Term Sleep Benefits That Are Life Altering
If you are a student, or a professional in the workplace, and you are looking for a mattress online, the very first piece of advice I’m going to give you is this: be careful about falling prey to the big name mattress retailers whose social media presence is constantly poking you in the back.
Many of these companies that offer a mattress that sells for $595, or even less, have been squeezed hard by shipping issues caused by the pandemic, and the end result is that the quality of the ingredients used in a typical “bed in a box” online mattress has taken a major nose dive.
Also, the big mattress retailers have to spend so much to advertise that the only way to reduce costs to stay afloat is to use inferior materials. The typical lifespan of an all foam mattress purchased online, especially if you spend less than $500, is about 2 years.
Typically, indentations, mashing, rutting, and depressions begin to appear in most mattresses, especially where petrochemical based foams like memory foam, gel foam, and memory foam are used. That’s not to say that these materials are inferior all across the board, though.
I always recommend to at least consider a mattress that is built with a combination of various components, including a thicker layer of memory foam that is of higher density so that it resists compression, a pocketed coil system, and even natural latex, which is the most durable ingredient you can find in any mattress. Natural latex is also anti-microbial, resists dust mites, does not dry out and pill like many other foam materials, and maintains its flexibility for decades. Check out our natural latex mattress page for some great options.
The earlier in life you begin investing in building a good sleep hygiene framework, which starts with a good mattress, the better you will perform in both work and life. Being able to work for 7-9 hours a day and remain energized and refreshed is a direct function of the quality of sleep you experience and the kind of mattress you invest in.
Mattresses We Recommend For Millennials That Help Improve Sleep Hygiene, Offer Comfort And Support, And Fit Your Lifestyle
1. Avocado Green Mattress
Combined with pure, organic natural latex and a pocketed coil support system, The Avocado Green Mattress, is the most popular of the company’s three mattress options (note: they also sell a child’s mattress and pet beds as well) is available in two options, the standard top or the optional 2″ built in pillow top option which you can add at checkout.
A tad pricier because it contains GOTS certified latex and organic wool, a queen runs $1999. I first reviewed this brand over 8 years ago, and have recommended it many times to millennials who are looking for cleaner product options and a more wholesome night’s sleep.
3. THE DREAMCLOUD HYBRID
I’ve recommended this outstanding hybrid mattress for years. At $899 in queen, you can step up to the Premier version for an extra $300, outfitted with a plusher, slightly softer top section.
Tired of sinking knee deep when you’re on your side? This hybrid foam/pocketed coil option sleeps pain free and insures proper spine alignment. Works well for side and back sleepers.
Pocketed coil system is not spongy but rather lively and supportive, giving you positive lift at all times-no sink, effortless position changing so you stay in REM sleep.
The “no regrets” recommendation I love to give. You’ll get five layers of comfort in a 14″ tall sumptuous mattress, a 365 day free trial, and up top, the quilted cashmere top feels like butter.
Overall, an outstanding mattress that delivers on support with zero indentation, rutting, or that trapped feeling.
2. THE NOLAH EVOLUTION 15″ HYBRID WITH PATENTED ECO-SUPPORT COIL SYSTEM
An ultra-high-tech luxury hybrid mattress packed with advanced cooling, support, and comfort features; graphite infused AirFoamICE™, patented HDMax™ support coils, reinforced Edge-Tech™ support, and quilted comfort layer wrapped in a ArcticTex™ cover.
If you are a hot sleeper, there’s enough cooling tech in this mattress to let you sleep cozy and cool all night. Superb edge support and I liked that it was supportive and easy on my back.
Sumptuous, nestled feeling-without feeling trapped. Nolah’s patented AirFoam and IceFoam are two innovations in the industry that deliver legit benefits to this bed. In queen it’s reasonably priced at just $1609.
I tested this mattress for a month. A nice built-in pillowtop section that doesn’t swallow you whole, good edge support, too
Medium firm with no collapse edge support- excellent for sitting on side and for transfer, probably the best on the market. I loved it.
4. SAATVA CLASSIC MATTRESS
I’ve reviewed the Saatva Mattress lineup for years, and even borrowed concepts from them when I designed my own line of mattresses.
Built using a unique “cake recipe” of body contouring layers, the Saatva Classic Hybrid relies on pocketed coils and specialized memory foam to offer precision spine alignment and cradling support.
I felt it had a more traditional mattress feel, but also enjoyed the fact that you don’t feel like you have to dig your way out of your mattress just to turn on your side or back.
When very little effort is required to turn, you tend to remain in deep, restorative sleep, and don’t wake up as often. This results in a refreshed and well-rested sensation upon awakening.
During our Saatva Classic Mattress review, edge support and the ease of turning ranked were important criteria to consider because many customers switching from all foam mattresses are looking for better overall support.
Free delivery and setup. The mattress you buy leaves the bench untouched, not compressed, and arrives in pristine condition just like the last craftsman left it. $1696 in Queen