Whether it’s for camping, guests, or just watching TV, a folding mattress is a great investment. Unlike an air mattress, a folding mattress is easy and quick to set up and never deflates. But, which one should you get?
This best folding mattress roundup will go over my top picks, what makes them stand out, and which one is best for you. Let’s unfold some great sleep!
Best Folding Mattresses: Our Top Picks
Our best folding mattresses are:
- Zonli Classic Futon Mattress – Best Firm Folding Mattress
- Airweave Japanese Futon – Best Luxury Folding Mattress
- The Futon Shop Organic Futon Bed – Best Organic Folding Mattress
- Sweetnight Folding Mattress – Best Folding Queen Mattress
- Cozzzi Trifold Foldable Mattress – Best Affordable Folding Mattress
- Lucid Rollaway Folding Guest Bed – Best Folding Cot
How We Test Our Products
Our team of sleep specialists have reviewed more than 150 mattresses, using proprietary analysis and hands-on testing to establish easy-to-understand scores. In addition to an overall score, we measure subscores for support, edge support, cooling, motion transfer, durability, trial period, and warranty. If we haven’t tested a product, we conduct in-depth research on it before recommending it.
For this roundup, we put together a list of the highest-quality folding mattresses on the market. They’ve all scored high with consumers in regard to durability, comfort, and value.
Best Firm Folding Mattress – Zonli Classic Futon Mattress
Zonli Classic Futon Mattress
This rollable futon mattress is firm, but also has a layer of memory foam as part of its 2.5-inch thickness. It stores easily and conveniently with attached straps.
Our Expert’s Take
The Zonli Classic Futon Mattress has a thinner profile than many other folding beds on this list. It’s 2.5 inches thick, which means it folds and rolls up quickly into a lightweight package. This thickness also means it feels quite firm, which can be beneficial for anyone seeking steady, even support or relief from back pain. Its memory foam core should keep it from feeling too floor-like as you sleep, meditate, or even practice yoga on its tufted surface.
What We Love About the Zonli Classic Futon Mattress
- The attached straps allow you to roll this lightweight futon mattress into a neat, storable shape.
- It comes in six colors, including fun ones like olive green and cinnamon.
- You can hand- or machine-wash it (though the brand recommends hand washing and laying it flat to dry).
What to Keep in Mind About the Zonli Classic Futon Mattress
- It will arrive at your door compressed, and may need up to 3 days to expand to its full thickness.
- It doesn’t come with a cover, so you may want to purchase one to protect it from dust and allergens.
Other User Reviews
This folding futon mattress has largely positive customer feedback, earning an average score of 4.9 out of 5 stars from 143 reviews on the Zonli website. Multiple people point out that its firmness helped with their or a partner’s back pain. On the other hand, some complaints cite that it’s a bit too thin for comfort.
Best Luxury Folding Mattress – Airweave Japanese Futon
Airweave Futon
A luxury futon mattress made with material that consists mostly of air.
Mattress Clarity Score
4.80 / 5
Our Expert’s Take
If you’re eyeing futon mattresses for their appealing minimalist design, but want the most modern option available, then we recommend the Airweave Japanese futon. Although its high price is often a deterrent for buyers, those who are committed to sleeping on a simple, foldable mattress can’t do much better than this one. It’s made with a material called Airfiber®, which the brand claims is extremely supportive and breathable. You can place it directly on the floor, on a frame, or even on top of an existing mattress to make the surface firmer and more bracing.
What We Love About the Airweave Japanese Futon
- Airfiber® is mostly made of—you guessed it—air. This makes it much more breathable and cooling than traditional futon materials.
- The entire futon is washable and hypoallergenic.
- You can try sleeping on it for up to 90 days, then return it easily if it’s not a good fit.
What to Keep in Mind About the Airweave Japanese Futon
- A queen-size model of this folding mattress costs more than $2,000 before sales.
- Although returning the futon will get you a refund, the brand will also charge a $199 transportation fee and 15% recycling fee.
Other User Reviews
The Airweave has an impressive average of 4.8 out of 5 stars from 134 reviews on its site. Most customers seem pleased with the firmness and high quality of the futon; those who have qualms mention that despite their hopes, it wasn’t able to help them with their specific type of back pain.
Best Organic Folding Mattress – The Futon Shop Organic Futon Bed
The Futon Shop Organic Futon Bed
An all-organic-cotton futon mattress made in a traditional shikibuton style, which requires frequent airing and flipping.
Our Expert’s Take
This futon bed has a traditional shikibuton look and construction, meaning it mimics the Japanese beds that are often used nightly and folded away or aired out during the day. Furthermore, it’s made entirely of organic cotton (and organic cotton stuffing)—no synthetic fabrics at all. The cotton construction should mean it stays breathable and soft, but it does come with considerable care instructions.
What We Love About the Organic Futon Bed
- Depending on how much cushion you’d like to experience, you can choose between a 3- and 5-inch thickness for this futon. No matter what you choose, it’ll have been handmade in San Francisco.
- Not many folding mattresses can say that they’re made with just one key ingredient, and an organic one at that. The cotton inside this fold-up bed is pesticide-free and naturally cooling.
What to Keep in Mind About the Organic Futon Bed
- To prevent indentations from forming in the futon, it needs to be regularly flipped and rotated, as well as aired out. The Futon Shop also recommends placing it on a mat or pad rather than laying it on the floor.
- Handles are, well, handy to have on any bed that you’ll be moving a lot, but adding them to this futon bed costs extra—$90, to be exact.
Other User Reviews
This organic futon currently has 202 reviews on The Futon Shop’s website, and the vast majority awarded the bed a perfect 5 out of 5 stars. Customers say that it’s helped with their back pain and that they appreciate the lack of synthetic materials. A few complaints mention that it’s a bit heavy and hard to move.
Best Folding Queen-Size Mattress – Sweetnight Folding Mattress
SweetNight Folding Mattress
The SweetNight is a comfortable folding mattress useful for camping or house guests.
Mattress Clarity Score
4.40 / 5
Our Expert’s Take
If you sleep with a partner and need a folding mattress for camping or other travel, you have to take a look at the Sweetnight. The Sweetnight is available in three sizes, but I want to focus on the queen-size mattress. It is 60” wide and 80” long and is generally larger than the majority of folding mattresses. You and your partner will have plenty of room to stretch out and move around! What’s more, you shouldn’t be overheating on the Sweetnight. Its breathable cover and cooling infusions prevent it from trapping body heat during the night. You and your partner will be sleeping cool and comfy on the Sweetnight.
What We Love About the Sweetnight Folding Mattress
- Not only does the foldable design of the Sweetnight make it convenient to transport, it also comes with a handy storage bag. This makes it a great option for those who plan on taking the Sweetnight on camping trips, or simply those who want to pack it up and store it after every use.
- The Sweetnight is made with a breathable mesh cover, cooling gel, and bamboo charcoal. These materials can improve the temperature regulation of the product, which is important because memory foam tends to trap heat.
What to Keep in Mind About the Sweetnight Folding Mattress
- According to some unhappy customers, the Sweetnight Folding Mattress may not fully expand when opened. One user reported that his mattress only even got as thick as 2.5”, despite the company describing it as 4” thick.
- Another common complaint amongst reviewers is that the zippers on the mattress cover were broken upon arrival. If the zippers are not functional you will not be able to access the inside of the mattress or remove the cover.
Other User Reviews
The SweetNight Folding Mattress has an average score of 4.3 out of 5 based on 751 Amazon ratings. Many of the customer reviews state that the SweetNight is a perfect sleeping option for when guests come to visit. However, some negative reviews call it out as being low-quality and lumpy.
Best Affordable Folding Mattress – Cozzzi Trifold Foldable Mattress
Cozzzi Folding Mattress
The Cozzzi folding mattress is a comfortable, durable pick for camping or guests.
Mattress Clarity Score
4.40 / 5
Our Expert’s Take
Folding mattresses are great affordable options for guest rooms and camping but, if you’re on a really tight budget, take a look at the Cozzzi. Even the largest model is under $200 at full price. But, don’t let the low price fool you. The Cozzzi is still a high-quality investment. It features high-density foam that is both durable and comfortable. The Cozzzi is also one of the firmest folding mattresses on this list. This makes it a great pick for back sleepers and stomach sleepers who are in need of some more support!
What We Love About the Cozzzi Trifold Foldable Mattress
- The Cozzzi has a firm feel that helps it stand out from the softer mattresses on this list. Because it’s on the firmer side, this folding mattress will likely be more appealing to back sleepers and lightweight stomach sleepers.
- You might have some concerns about hygiene if your mattress is in direct contact with the potentially dirty floor. However, the good news is that the Cozzzi has an easy-to-remove cover that is fully machine washable.
What to Keep in Mind About the Cozzzi Trifold Foldable Mattress
- Many of the 1-star reviews for the Cozzzi state that the folding mattress only expanded to a thickness of 2”, despite the company claiming that it is 4” thick. Upon further research, it seems that some of the Cozzzi’s that are shipped do not have this problem, while others do. So, if you order you might be rolling the dice as to whether the product you receive is fully functional.
Other User Reviews
The Cozzzi has an average score of 4.3 out of 5 based on 1,651 ratings on Amazon. Users seem to appreciate the convenience and portability of the mattress, especially for camping. There are some, however, who were unhappy to find that the Cozzzi never fully expanded.
Best Folding Cot – Lucid Rollaway Folding Guest Bed
Lucid Rollaway Folding Guest Bed
The Lucid Rollaway is a comfortable, high-quality bed for guests.
Mattress Clarity Score
4.10 / 5
Our Expert’s Take
If you don’t like sleeping on the floor, some folding mattresses might not be right for you. You’ll want to look at a high-quality folding cot like the Lucid Rollaway Folding Guest Bed. This steel-framed bed boasts springs that support a comfortable 4” memory foam mattress. The mattress and bed fold together for quick storage and setup. The Lucid’s frame even features wheels that make it much easier to transport the bed from storage to your guest’s sleeping spot. Your guest will get all the comfort and support they need with the Lucid.
What We Love About the Lucid Rollaway Folding Guest Bed
- Where a traditional folding mattress on its own rests on the floor, the Lucid comes with a metal cot that provides elevation and support for the sleeper. This allows the mattress to still be portable and convenient, but also provide the feeling of a traditional sleep experience.
- The mattress and cot are easy to assemble and do not require the use of tools.
What to Keep in Mind About the Lucid Rollaway Folding Guest Bed
- As we mentioned in the cons above, while the addition of the cot will likely provide comfort and support, it also makes this mattress a little bit more difficult to store. It doesn’t take up much space, but it does take up more space than the other products on this list.
Other User Reviews
Based on 2,287 ratings on Amazon, the Lucid Rollaway Folding Guest Bed has an average score of 4.1 out of 5. Many of the 5-star reviews call out the cot as being comfortable and easy to assemble. As far as 1-star reviews go, quite a few of them describe the cot as being poorly manufactured and not providing enough support.
Summary
Again, here are our best folding mattresses:
| Mattress | Superlative |
| Zonli Classic Futon Mattress | Best Firm Folding Mattress |
| Airweave Japanese Futon | Best Luxury Folding Mattress |
| The Futon Shop Organic Futon Bed | Best Organic Folding Mattress |
| Sweetnight Folding Mattress | Best Queen Folding Mattress |
| Cozzzi Trifold Foldable Mattress | Best Affordable Folding Mattress |
| Lucid Rollaway Folding Guest Bed | Best Folding Cot |
FAQs
Are folding mattresses comfortable?
Folding mattresses can be very comfortable and are a good alternative to air mattresses. However, when compared to standard mattresses, they are thinner and rarely as comfortable. They should only be used for a short period of time, such as for overnights and camping.
Can you fold a mattress with springs?
No, you cannot fold a mattress with springs. You should only fold a mattress that is designed to do so.
Does folding a mattress damage it?
If you fold a standard memory foam, hybrid, or innerspring mattress, you could damage it. Folding an actual folding mattress is, of course, fine. However, a standard mattress could lose its shape and warp if you try to fold it.
