Novaform Mattress Review

Written by Elisa Regulski, Editor and Certified Sleep Science Coach

Methodology

Our team of Certified Sleep Science Coaches have reviewed 600+ mattresses and accessories for over seven years using proprietary analysis and hands-on testing. We assess each bed for support, cooling, firmness, pressure relief and more.

Learn more.

In This Review

I go over my experience with the Novaform mattress. I explain my testing process and cover things like firmness, feel, cooling, response, and much more.

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So you just got a new Costco membership and you want to get one of the many mattresses available. If you prefer all-foam mattresses, the Novaform mattress is a worthy choice.

I’ve tested over 500 mattresses, and I know what people should look for when shopping for a new bed. I’m here to help you decide if the Novaform is the right choice for you. I’ll cover everything from the mattress’s construction to its firmness, feel, motion isolation, and more. Keep reading for the full scoop.

I Recommend the Novaform Mattress for…

• People looking for a bed on a budget. A queen-size mattress costs around $600, which is more affordable than most online mattresses.
• Fans of mattresses with a balanced foam feel. This all-foam bed offers a good balance of comfort and support. You’ll feel some nice body contouring, but you won’t feel like you’re “sinking inside” the mattress.
• Back sleepers. It’s slightly firmer than average, so it offers plenty of lumbar support for most back sleepers. 

I Don’t Recommend the Novaform Mattress for…

• People who want a mattress with good edge support. In my tests, I noticed the Novaform mattress sank quite a bit when I sat along the side. This could become an issue for couples who want to spread out on the mattress.
• Average-weight side sleepers. Because this mattress is firmer than average, people in this category may feel some pressure along their shoulders and hips. 
• Those who prefer the bouncy feel of an innerspring or hybrid mattress. You won’t feel “stuck” in this bed like other foam beds, but it won’t have the same bounce as a coiled mattress.

How Firm is the Novaform Mattress?

After my tests, I found that the Novaform mattress was a 7/10 on our Mattress Clarity firmness scale. For reference, our scale goes from 1 to 10, with 1 being softer than soft, and 10 being as hard as concrete. Medium-firm is a 6.5/10, so a 7 means this bed is just slightly firmer than your average medium-firm bed.

When I rested on my side, I felt some pressure along my shoulder and hip. Medium-firm and soft mattresses cradle these pressure points, so I knew this mattress was firmer than average. But this mattress wasn’t able to support my hips when I rested on my stomach, so this told me it’s only slightly firmer than average.

Novaform Mattress Test Performance: My Overall Rating

We run a number of tests on each mattress to assess how they perform. Overall, the Novaform mattress earned a 4.1/5. The mattress earned its highest scores in the trial period and warranty categories, but did well in support and cooling as well. 

Scroll over the circles to learn more about each category. For more detailed information, keep reading. 

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Novaform Mattress: Performance

Support: 4/5

The support test involves me sleeping on my back, side, and stomach for about an hour or so to get a good understanding of how supported I feel in each position. Because the Novaform is a bit firmer than average, I felt very well supported on my back and stomach. I felt a little pressure on my side, but I wasn’t going to bottom out of this mattress, so I gave it a score of 4/5.

Edge Support: 3/5

To test edge support, I first sit on the edge of the bed and then lie down along the side. I felt like I could bend over and tie my shoes comfortably when I sat along the side. But when I rested along the edge, I didn’t feel like I could have stayed there for long before rolling off the bed.

Edge support is important for couples. If you can’t use the full surface of the mattress, couples will have to sleep closer to the middle of the bed. This could cause both people to sleep a little warmer because their bodies are closer, and it could create a dip in the middle of the bed over time. Overall, the Novaform mattress left a bit more to be desired in terms of edge support, so I gave it a score of 3/5.

Cooling: 4/5

This bed sleeps a lot cooler than the best memory foam mattresses, thanks to the cooling features in its cover and comfort layers. When I tested out this bed with a two-hour nap, I didn’t really feel a whole lot of hot spots. The cover even feels cool to the touch.

This bed doesn’t get a perfect 5/5,because while it sleeps cooler than most memory foam beds, it just doesn’t have the same level of airflow that an innerspring or hybrid bed has. The base layer is made from a solid piece of foam. Because of that, it doesn’t have a lot of room for airflow, so those who run particularly hot or live in warmer climates might want to check out our list of the best cooling mattresses.

Motion Transfer: 4/5

Motion transfer is pretty important to consider, especially if you sleep with a partner. Light sleepers notice a lot while they sleep, especially their partner moving around in bed. 

To test motion transfer, I rested on one side of the bed while my colleague moved around on the other side. Right off the bat, I didn’t really notice him get in the bed. I also didn’t  feel much movement come over to my side of the bed. There might have been a little shifting from the bed frame, but overall, the Novaform absorbed motion very well.

For more of a visual test, I placed a glass of water in the middle of the bed and pressed into the top of the mattress. The water hardly moved inside the glass. All-foam beds are pretty good at absorbing motion, and the Novaform was no exception.

Response: 4/5

In the mattress world, “responsiveness” refers to how bouncy a bed feels. Typically, all-foam beds aren’t very responsive. Standard memory foam mattresses have that classic, slow-moving memory foam feel, and therefore aren’t very responsive. But that’s not the case with the Novaform mattress.

The Novaform has a balanced foam feel. This means that the foam springs back into place a bit quicker than traditional memory foam, but it’s not super bouncy. The Novaform will still offer a good amount of pressure relief and body contouring, but in my tests, I didn’t feel myself sink very far into the bed.

Durability: 4/5

Durability is a long game test, and I was only able to test out the Novaform mattress for a handful of days. So, because of this, I’m assessing the durability of the Novaform based on its materials and construction.

Memory foam beds typically last around seven to 10 years. Because this is more of a balanced foam bed, and the fact that it’s thicker than other beds out there, I would expect this bed to last around 10 years with good care. It could potentially last even longer if it’s not slept on very often.

Novaform Company Policies Scores

Trial Period: 5/5

Novaform doesn’t state an explicit trial period for its mattress. However, because Costco is the only retailer for this bed, you can issue a return at any time. So long as you’re in a 50-mile radius of a Costco, you can return the bed.

If the Novaform doesn’t feel perfect right away, don’t stress too much. I recommend giving the bed a 30-day break-in period before issuing a return. 

Warranty: 4.5/5

Novaform offers a 20-year warranty on this mattress. However, in order to get the full details of the warranty and what it covers, you will need to register your mattress on Novaform’s website. 

For full transparency, we did not register our Novaform mattress. Based on my experience, this warranty should cover things like factory defects, and it could  be voided if any intentional damage is done to the mattress.

A 20-year warranty is about twice as long as other mattress warranties, so I give this coverage a high score of 4.5/5.

Novaform Mattress – Other Factors to Consider

I’ve covered a lot of important information about the Novaform mattress, but it doesn’t just end with firmness, feel, and the materials. Let’s cover some other important factors to consider before clicking “check out.”

Two-Hour Nap Test

One thing I was really blown away by with the Novaform mattress was how amazing I felt on my back. This bed is so tall, and that support layer does its job really well. The top comfort layer gently contoured around my body, and I felt a good amount of comfort here.

It’s not uncommon for me to change positions while I sleep, especially between my back and my side. And I will say, when I moved over to my side, I felt some pressure along my shoulder and hip. For reference, I am about 5’ 3” and I’m more of an average-weight person, so I’m not really able to compress those top layers a lot. Coupled with the mattress’s 7/10 firmness rating, it’s not my favorite for side sleeping.

But moving over to my stomach, I was really surprised at how well my hips felt supported, especially for an all-foam mattress. If you’re a similar build to me, or smaller, this could be a good choice for stomach sleeping.

Off-Gassing

The Novaform mattress arrives on your doorstep compressed into a cardboard box. This means that after removing the mattress from its packaging, you will need to let it expand and “off-gas.” What I mean by this is that mattresses often have a chemical smell when you unpackage them. Don’t worry, it’s only a result of the compression process.

However, not only will you need to let the bed expand before using it, it’s also best to let the bed off-gas and let that chemical smell dissipate. This smell is usually gone after 24 hours, but it can sometimes take up to 48.

Noise

Because the Novaform mattress is an all-foam bed, it makes little to no noise at all. During my tests, when I moved around on the bed, I couldn’t hear much of anything other than the rustling of my clothes as I changed positions.

Sex

If you’re looking for the best mattress for sex, you typically want something bouncy and responsive. This means that they are easy to move around on and you won’t feel stuck. Overall, I’d say the Novaform bed will perform OK for sex. While this is a bed that’s easy to move around on, it doesn’t have much bounce. 

Mattress Height

The Novaform mattress is 14” tall. It’s a good deal taller than some of the more popular online mattresses, which usually range from 10” to 12” tall. 

Sleeping Position and Weight

After my tests, I found that the Novaform mattress worked exceptionally well for back sleeping. I think back sleepers of any body type should be able to find the right amount of both comfort and support on the Novaform mattress.

Side sleepers who weigh less than 230 lbs might feel some pressure in their shoulders and hips. However, those that weigh more than 230 lbs will be able to compress those top layers a bit more, and should feel comfortable in this position on this bed.

As for stomach sleepers, this is just barely over medium-firm, so lightweight individuals (anyone under 130 lbs) should feel well supported. Average-weight stomach sleepers who weigh less than 200 lbs might feel supported on this bed, but heavier people may feel lower back pain in this sleeping position.

I don’t particularly recommend this bed to heavyweight stomach sleepers, as they may compress the foam too much, which could cause their hips to sink. I’ve also summarized this information in a quick, easy to read chart below. Check it out!

Sleeper Weight	Back Sleepers	Side Sleepers	Stomach Sleepers
Lightweight (under 130 lbs)	Excellent	Fair	Excellent
Average (130 – 230 lbs)	Excellent	Fair	Good
Heavyweight (Over 230 lbs)	Good	Fair	Poor

Heavyweight Tester 6’7,” 270 lbs

“All-foam beds like the Novaform aren’t always the best for heavier people like myself. That being said, I found myself feeling really well supported on my back. I sank in just the right amount, but because of the thick support layer, and how tall this bed is, there’s no danger of feeling like I’m bottoming out. I felt just ok on my side. I pressed pretty far into the mattress and felt some pressure on my side.” – Marten

Average-weight Tester 5’ 3,” 150 lbs

“When I rested on my back [on the Novaform mattress] I felt really comfortable. I got some good cushioning. But when I moved to my side, I felt a little bit of pressure on my shoulder and hip, so not ideal for me. Finally, moving over to my stomach, I felt well supported here, and didn’t notice my hips sinking into the bed.” – Elisa

Novaform Mattress Construction

The Novaform has a pretty standard all-foam bed construction. But let’s take a closer look to see what sets it apart from other beds.

Cover

On the outside of the Novaform mattress, there’s a soft Plush Quilt cover that feels smooth and cool to the touch. It contains a blend of fibers that are designed for cooling. This cover has also been infused with an antimicrobial protection, helping keep the cover fresh and clean. It should also help prevent the build up of allergens in your sleep environment.

Comfort Layers

Right underneath the cover, you’ll find a layer of foam that has phase change gel. Phase change material is designed to absorb body heat and dissipate it. This helps the memory foam  stay cool, rather than trapping body heat like other types of foam.

The second and final comfort layer is a type of memory foam called EVENCor GelMax™ memory foam. This is a gel-infused memory foam that, again, is optimized for cooling. It acts as a transition layer before the final support section. 

Support Layers

At the bottom of this bed is a thick layer of high-density memory foam. This is what helped me feel secure and stable on the bed, and it prevented me from sinking straight through the mattress. 

How To Try and Buy the Novaform Mattress

The Novaform mattress is sold exclusively through Costco. You can purchase it online or in-person at a Costco store. In order to purchase a Novaform mattress, you’ll need to have a Costco membership.

My Novaform mattress was purchased online and arrived on my doorstep in a cardboard box. No signature was required, but setup is not included in the purchase. Once the Novaform has been unboxed, you can test it out in-home for however long you need, as Costco doesn’t have a set return window.

Sizes and Prices of the Novaform Mattress

Size	Dimensions	Price
Twin	38″ X 75″	$399.99
Full	54″ X 75″	$499.99
Queen	60″ X 80″	$579.99
King	76″ X 80″	$699.99
California King	72” x 84”	$699.99

How the Novaform Compares

If you’re shopping for a new mattress, chances are you’ve got a lot of different models in mind. Let’s see how the Novaform compares to some other types of mattresses on the market.

Product

Firmness

Score

Product

ComfortGrande Advanced Gel Memory Foam Mattress

Firmness

Medium-firm: 7/10

Score

4.1 / 5

Check Price

Read ComfortGrande Advanced Gel Memory Foam Mattress Review

Product

Helix Midnight Mattress

Firmness

Medium-firm: 7/10

Score

4.1 / 5

Check Price

Read Helix Midnight Mattress Review

Product

Nectar Mattress

Firmness

Medium-firm: 7/10

Score

4.3 / 5

Check Price

Read Nectar Mattress Review

Product

DreamCloud Original Mattress

Firmness

Firm: 7.5/10

Score

4.0 / 5

Check Price

Read DreamCloud Original Mattress Review

Novaform vs Helix

The Novaform is an all-foam mattress, and the Helix Midnight is what’s called a hybrid mattress. This means that in addition to a memory foam comfort layer, the Midnight has coils in its support layer. Because of this, the Midnight is bouncier than the Novaform.

The Helix Midnight is a true medium-firm mattress, or a 6.5/10, while the Novaform is slightly firmer. Because of this, the Helix is a better choice for side sleepers, who typically need softer beds in order to prevent pressure build up in shoulders and hips. The Novaform is a better match for stomach sleepers who weigh less than 200 lbs, but heavier stomach sleepers will need a firmer mattress.

Both are fairly affordable beds, but those on a more strict budget might want to stick with the Novaform.

Novaform vs Nectar

The Nectar mattress is an all-foam bed that has the more classic memory foam feeling when compared to the Novaform. You’ll sink into the top comfort layers of the Nectar, and side sleepers will be able to get a good amount of body contouring and pressure relief here.

The Novaform mattress is a good deal more responsive than the Nectar. If you tend to switch positions a lot during the night, you may want to opt for the  Novaform. Also, The Nectar is a medium-firm bed, so it’s slightly softer than the Novaform mattress.

Both are fairly affordable beds, so the choice really depends on what you want your memory foam mattress to feel like. If you want something more responsive and easy to move on, the Novaform is what you should go with. But if you’d prefer to sink into your mattresses, go for the Nectar.

Novaform vs DreamCloud

The DreamCloud is a firm innerspring mattress with a thin comfort layer. Innerspring mattresses have coils, so the DreamCloud mattress feels a lot bouncier than the Novaform.. 

The DreamCloud mattress comes in at 7.5/10 on our firmness scale, so it’s a bit firmer than the Novaform.This makes the DreamCloud a good choice for back sleepers, but an even better option for stomach sleepers who need hip support. The Novaform really shines for back sleepers, but not every stomach sleeper out there (particularly heavyweight stomach sleepers) will get the support they need on the Novaform.

Both are relatively affordable beds, but the presence of coils means there’s more room for airflow in the DreamCloud. While the Novaform has some good cooling features, exceptionally hot sleepers might want to go for the DreamCloud instead.

Novaform Mattress FAQs

How long do Novaform mattresses last?

Up to 10 years. The warranty covers 20 years, but based on my expertise with mattresses, it might not last that long. All-foam beds aren’t as durable as memory foam mattresses. The Novaform is both firm and tall, and this works in its favor for durability. But because it’s still an all-foam mattress, with good care, I’d estimate it can last about 10 years.

Is Novaform good for side sleepers?

It can be, but it’s not the best. In my experience, the Novaform mattress was too firm for me to fully enjoy while I slept on my side. Our heavier tester also found it to be a bit too firm for side sleeping. He pressed further into the mattress and felt some more pressure on his shoulder and hip.

Be sure to look at our best mattresses for side sleepers to see our top picks for this sleeping position.

Can you sleep on the Novaform right away?

You can, but I’d recommend waiting about 24 hours before sleeping on the Novaform. This is because the Novaform mattress is compressed in a cardboard box. When I unboxed the mattress, it sprang to form fairly quickly, but it did have a slight chemical smell to it.

It didn’t bother me, but it was strong enough for me to notice. So, those with sensitive noses might want to let their Novaform mattress off-gas for about 24 hours (and up to 48) for the smell to dissipate.

Novaform Mattress Video Review