Nolah Evolution Hybrid Mattress Review

Written by Marten Carlson, Lead Reviewer 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.
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In This Review

I’ll share my personal experience with the Nolah Evolution Hybrid mattress and go over its firmness, feel and construction.

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Nolah’s top-of-the-line mattress, the Evolution, is a premium seven-layer hybrid designed for more comfortable sleep. With three firmness options and impressive cooling ability, it has a lot to offer sleepers. But is it right for you?

I’m here to figure that out. I put the Luxury Firm model of this mattress through a series of tests to assess its firmness, feel, construction, and features. If you’re considering buying this bed, keep reading my unbiased Nolah Evolution Hybrid mattress review.

I recommend the Nolah Evolution for…

• Seniors. With its tall profile, excellent edge support, and superior pressure relief, it’s a great fit for people over the age of 65. It’s also bouncy, which makes it easy to move around on. This makes it a great choice for people with mobility issues. 
• People with hip pain. This mattress has a thick comfort layer, which can help alleviate pressure along the hips. 
• Back sleepers. The mattress’s zoned support system means it feels firmer in the center of the mattress and offers most back sleepers the lumbar support they need. 
• Side sleepers. The comfort layers gently contour the body and offer pressure relief for most side sleepers. 

I don’t recommend the Nolah Evolution for…

• People on a budget. This is Nolah’s most luxurious mattress, which means it’s sold at a higher price point. If you want to save some money, you may want to consider getting the original Nolah mattress instead.
• Stomach sleepers. This mattress isn’t super firm, so stomach sleepers may feel their hips sink out of alignment. This can cause lower back pain down the road.
• Fans of firm mattresses. The Nolah Evolution Hybrid has a classic medium-firm feel. If you prefer firmer beds, check out my list of the best firm mattresses. 

How Firm is the Nolah Evolution?

We use a 1 to 10 firmness scale here at Mattress Clarity, with 1 feeling very soft and 10 feeling very firm. I tested the Luxury Firm model of the Nolah Evolution (it’s also available in Plush and Firm models). For me, it’s a 6.5/10, which is the industry standard for medium-firm. 

It offered lots of support while I rested on my back and side, but it wasn’t firm enough for stomach sleeping. This informed me that it is, in fact, a medium-firm bed.

Nolah Evolution Mattress Test Performance: My Overall Thoughts

To thoroughly assess the performance of every mattress we test, I assign scores for specific categories. After tallying the scores of each test, the Nolah Evolution earned an average score of 4.5/5. It earned full marks in cooling ability and durability, and it also scored well for support, motion transfer, and responsiveness.

Below, I’ll go into more detail about the Evolultion’s performance in each category. Scroll over category names in the chart below for descriptions.

Mattress Performance Ratings

Poor

Average

Excellent

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Nolah Evolution Mattress Performance 

Support: 4/5 

To test the level of support in the Nolah Evolution, I spent time in all three sleeping positions. At 6’7” tall and 270 lbs, I fall into the heavyweight sleeper category. 

The zoned support was especially evident when I rested on my back. I noticed a firmer sensation toward the center of the mattress, which helped me maintain a neutral spine alignment. 

When I rolled over to my side, I really appreciated the Euro pillow top. This luxurious layer softly cushioned my shoulders and hips, and the coils supported my spine.

On my stomach, however, I felt my hips sink pretty significantly. Over time, there’s a chance that this could create lower back pain. Since stomach sleepers generally benefit from firmer mattresses that keep the hips elevated, the Firm model is the best fit. All in all, the Evolution is a supportive mattress for most sleeping positions, so I gave it high marks with 4/5. 

Edge Support: 4/5

When I test edge support, I look at how stable a mattress feels when I’m seated or lying along its side. 

When I sat on the side, the Nolah Evolution sagged about 3.5”, which really isn’t much. I could tell that the foam layers in the top of the mattress were collapsing, not the coils below, and I didn’t feel like I would slide off. 

I tested edge support by lying on the side of the mattress, too, and that also felt stable. I wasn’t worried about rolling off onto the floor. Overall, the Nolah Evolution has pretty good edge support.

Cooling: 5/5 

The Nolah Evolution is designed to sleep cool, thanks to its proprietary cooling cover and airflow-promoting coil system. 

The Nolah Evolution’s construction makes it one of the best cooling mattresses. But for the sake of accuracy, I used a temperature gun to measure the mattress before using it, and then again after I rested on it for five minutes. 

The mattress went from 73 F to 78.5 F, which is a little over 5 degrees. That means the cooling features work as promised, since the mattress didn’t trap a significant amount of body heat when I rested on it. I gave it top marks for its impressive cooling power.

Motion Transfer: 4/5

Motion transfer describes the level of movement felt on a mattress. For couples who share a bed, a mattress’s ability to dampen motion can be really important. 

Here at Mattress Clarity, I test motion transfer in a few ways. First is the water glass test. I placed a glass of water in the center of the mattress and then pressed down on other areas to assess the level of disturbance in the water. The Nolah Evolution performed well, with minimal disturbance to the water.

Next, I tested the mattress with a teammate who got in and out of bed and changed positions. I rested on one side while my teammate moved around vigorously, and the Nolah Evolution did a great job isolating motion. The soft foam on top absorbed movement well, so while I was aware of movement next to me, it wasn’t transferred through the mattress. That makes the Evolution a great match for couples.

Response: 4/5

When a mattress has a quick response time, it’s much easier to move around on it — you don’t get the sensation that you’re “stuck.” The Nolah Evolution’s plush Euro top and bouncy coils give it a balanced hybrid feel that responds quickly. It’s possible that the Plush model has a softer, slower response time, but most people shouldn’t feel like they’re sinking too far into the Luxury Firm model.

Durability: 5/5

It’s difficult to predict longevity when it comes to mattresses. But the Nolah Evolution is made with premium materials, like the brand’s proprietary polyfoam and durable 8” coils. The 15” mattress also has reinforced coils around the perimeter to boost durability, and a foam foundation layer that adds structure to the mattress as a whole. Together, the materials and construction should resist premature sagging and can be expected to last at least 10 years.

Nolah Evolution Mattress Company Policy Scores 

Trial Period: 5/5

The Nolah Evolution has a 120-night trial period, which gives shoppers four months to decide whether or not the mattress meets their needs. 

Like most mattress companies, Nolah won’t accept returns before 30 days. Since it can take up to a month to adjust to a new mattress, the brand asks that you wait to request a refund until day 30 and before the 120-night trial ends.

Warranty: 5/5

The industry standard for mattress warranties is 10 years, but Nolah goes above and beyond. The Evolution is backed by a lifetime warranty. There are stipulations, of course, so it’s important to read exactly what’s covered.

Nolah Evolution Mattress — Other Factors to Consider

To give you the full picture of the Nolah Evolution, I ran additional tests.

Two-Hour Nap 

I’ll be honest. A lot of times, I can’t really tell if a mattress has zoned support or not. But when I settled in for my nap on the Nolah Evolution, I could feel that the center of the mattress was firmer than the rest of the bed. 

I really appreciated the zoned support when I slept on my back. The bed gave me that extra boost of lumbar support that I need as a bigger guy. When I rolled over to my side, I felt some nice cushioning from the thick comfort layers. 

On my stomach, I didn’t get enough hip support. I felt my back craning out of alignment, which I know could lead to lower back pain over time. I think the Firm model would be better for stomach sleepers. 

When I woke up from my little snooze, I didn’t feel hot or stuffy at all. The cooling materials seemed to do their job.

Off-gassing 

The Nolah Evolution is a bed-in-a-box mattress, so it ships tightly rolled and wrapped in plastic. There was noticeable off-gassing when I opened the box and cut away the plastic, but that’s not uncommon. The smell dissipated completely after about 48 hours.

Noise

The Nolah Evolution was completely silent during testing. But because it has a coil system, there’s a possibility that it could start to creak as time goes on.

Sex

Couples looking for a good mattress for sex do well with bouncy hybrids. If that’s the goal, the Nolah Evolution is a great pick. Its comfortable top layers will keep you lifted, while the innersprings and zoned support ensure ease of movement and support. Its cooling ability and reasonable edge support are also pluses in a mattress for sex.

Mattress Height 

The Evolution is a luxurious mattress, and that’s evident in its height. At 15” tall, it’s able to handle more weight than its all-foam counterparts.

Sleeping Position and Weight 

Mattress comfort is very dependent on individual body types and sleeping positions. Since the Nolah Evolution comes in three firmnesses, it’s designed to accommodate different sleep needs. 

I’m a big guy who’s 6’7” and 270 lbs, so I fall into the heavyweight category. The Luxury Firm model of the Nolah Evolution worked well for me on my back and my side. I could really feel the zoned support in the center of the mattress, and the plush Euro top contoured my pressure points. I will say, though, if you’re closer to 300 lbs or sleep on your stomach, you may want to opt for the Firm model. 

Average-weight back and side sleepers should enjoy the mattress’s medium-firm feel. But again, stomach sleepers will prefer the firm model. 

Lightweight sleepers could find the Luxury Firm a hair too firm, unless they’re dedicated stomach sleepers. Back and side sleepers in this weight category may be better suited to the Plush model.

Sleeper Weight	Back Sleepers	Side Sleepers	Stomach Sleepers
Lightweight (Under 130 lb)	Excellent	Good	Excellent
Average (130 – 230 lb)	Excellent	Excellent	Fair
Heavyweight (Over 230 lb)	Fair	Fair	Bad

Heavyweight Tester – 6’7”, 270 lbs

“I really liked this mattress when I rested on my back and side, but it wasn’t supportive enough when I rested on my stomach. I will say, though, as a bigger guy, I really appreciate its excellent edge support.” – Marten

Average Weight Tester – 5’3”, 150 lbs

“I felt a great balance of comfort and support when I rested on my back. This mattress has zoned support, which means it feels firmer toward the center. This was super helpful while back sleeping, because it helped me maintain the ideal spine alignment.” – Elisa

Nolah Evolution Mattress Construction 

Now, let’s dive into the Nolah Evolution’s construction. I’ll peel back the covers and check out all of its unique features.

Cover

The Nolah Evolution has a cover that’s quilted with special fibers designed to dissipate heat. It also feels cool to the touch.

Comfort Layers

Quilted into the cover is a 2” layer of cooling foam. This comfort layer is infused with graphite to promote cooling and offer additional pressure relief. It also gives the mattress its plush Euro top.

Underneath this sits a 2” layer of supportive foam, which is zoned to offer even more lumbar support. The final comfort layer is high-density transition foam.

All three of these comfort layers are wrapped with Nolah’s AirBreath gusset, which boosts breathability and keeps heat retention to a minimum.

Support Layers

In the base layer, the Nolah Evolution has individually-wrapped coils that are zoned for targeted support. Like the foam above, this layer is designed for a firmer feel toward the center of the mattress.

How to Try and Buy the Nolah Evolution Mattress 

Nolah is an online mattress brand, so you can’t test its products in stores. Instead, you can take advantage of Nolah’s 120-night trial to try out a mattress at home. It really is the best way to decide if a mattress is right for you.

Sizes and Prices of the Nolah Evolution Mattress

For the latest information about pricing and sizes, check out my handy chart below. Note: Prices do not reflect discounts. You can save some money if you use our Mattress Clarity coupons found below.

Size	Dimensions	Price
Twin	38″ x 75″	$1499.00
Twin XL	38″ x 80″	$1599.00
Full	54″ x 75″	$2299.00
Queen	60″ x 80″	$2499.00
King	76″ x 80″	$2699.00
California King	72″ x 84″	$2699.00

Nolah Evolution Hybrid Mattress

The Nolah Evolution is a high-end hybrid mattress that features great support, comfort, and cooling.

35% off sitewide + 2 free pillows + $150 off BedJet with mattress purchase

Check Price

Mattress Clarity Score

4.50 / 5.0

How the Nolah Evolution Compares

It’s always a good idea to see how brands stack up against their competitors. Let’s take a look at how the Nolah Evolution compares with other popular options.

Head over to our Nolah mattress comparisons for more Nolah comparisons like Nolah vs Casper and Nolah vs Layla.

Nolah Evolution vs Nolah 12”

While they’re both made by Nolah, there are a lot of differences between these two mattresses. Let’s start with construction. The Nolah Signature is an all-foam mattress with a notably slow-moving feel. The Evolution, on the other hand, is a hybrid mattress made with coils and cooling foam. The Evolution is available in three firmness levels, so it works well for a variety of people.

The Evolution has a plush but balanced hybrid feel, while the Signature has a denser foam feel. Fans of a bouncier mattress may want to choose the Evolution. When it comes to pricing, the Signature is more affordable.

For more information, read my Nolah Signature mattress review.

Nolah Evolution vs Leesa Legend

The Leesa Legend is another popular hybrid mattress, but its materials and construction are pretty different from the Evolution. The Legend has a unique design made with two sets of coils — one layer on the bottom and another set of micro coils directly above it. Then, there are memory foam layers for added contouring and pressure relief. This gives the Leesa Legend a responsive and balanced hybrid feel.

The Evolution has a more traditional hybrid construction, with innersprings on the bottom and foam layers on top. The Leesa Legend is slightly softer than the Nolah Evolution Luxury Firm, but the Leesa is only available in one firmness level.

Both mattresses are high-end and luxurious, so they cost more than some of their more basic counterparts. The two brands often have promotions and deals, so it’s easy to save some money on one of their new mattresses.

Read my Leesa Legend review for a closer look at this mattress.

Nolah Evolution vs Saatva Classic

There are many similarities between these two mattresses. They’re both bouncy and responsive; they both have tufted pillow tops. Both mattresses are also available in three firmness levels, so they work for a variety of people. In fact – both beds also have zoned support!

The main difference lies in the comfort layer. The Saatva Classic is more of a traditional innerspring mattress, with only a thin comfort layer on top. The Nolah Evolution has more layers of plush foam. 

Also, the Saatva mattress is never compressed into a cardboard box, and it comes with free white glove delivery. This means that you don’t have to wait for the mattress to off-gas and expand before sleeping on it. A delivery professional will place the mattress onto your bed frame and you can sleep on it right away. 

Take a look at my full Saatva mattress review to learn more. 

FAQs

How long will the Nolah Evolution mattress last?

Thanks to its high-quality materials, the Nolah Evolution is very durable. I expect it to last at least 10 years.

Can you flip the Nolah Evolution mattress?

No, the Nolah Evolution isn’t flippable. It is designed with support coils on the bottom and pressure-relieving foam on top. Flipping it would result in an undesirable firmness and feel.

What if I don’t like my Nolah Evolution mattress?

The Nolah Evolution is a great mattress, but it’s not the right pick for everyone. If you aren’t satisfied with your purchase after the first 30 days, you can return it for a full refund–as long as it’s still during the initial 120-night trial period.

Nolah Evolution Hybrid Mattress Video Review