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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.
I cover the best mattresses for your guest room. I tested these beds based on affordability, how they work for most sleepers, and durability.
It’s so fun to have house guests — they hog the bathroom, leave dishes in the sink and eat the very last cookie. Still, everyone wants to be a good host and ensure guests are as comfortable as possible. One way to do that is to find the best mattress for a guest room.
Finding a comfortable mattress for the guest room can go a long way, but what should people be looking for when they are shopping? Well, we have a list of mattresses that should be a fantastic fit for many types of sleepers. We considered over 20 different mattresses for this list, but only ten of them made the final cut.
Whether it’s a mother-in-law coming for an extra-long stay or an old friend from college who just needs to crash on their way cross country, we’ve got them covered.
Our Verdict: What’s the Best Mattress for a Guest Room?
Our expert reviewers chose the Nectar as the best mattress for a guest room based on its affordability with quality materials, versatile uses, and durability.
Our Top Picks for the Best Mattress for Guest Rooms
Nectar – Best Memory Foam Mattress for a Guest Room
DreamCloud – Best Hybrid Mattress for a Guest Room
Our team of Certified Sleep Science Coaches have reviewed hundreds of 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.
Hands-on mattress testing in our sleep lab
How We Chose Our Top Picks
When choosing a mattress for yourself, you can be a tad more particular. However, a guest bed should be more of a crowd-pleaser — hence why this list doesn’t have some of our usual favorites that are more niche, like the ultra-firm Plank Firm. Instead, we weighed a bed’s versatility, in addition to durability and affordability, when making our picks. Here’s why:
Versatility
Finding beds with comfort for a wide range of sleepers was the top priority in compiling our list, as guest beds need to be versatile enough to accommodate a variety of sleepers. We chose medium-firm mattresses with enough support and durability for sustained use by an array of body types and sleep styles. A medium-firm mattress can accommodate back, side, and stomach sleepers, so our testers love these beds as an accommodating choice.
Durability
Although a guest room mattress is likely to see less frequent use, we still wanted to finds bed that hold up well over time. We opted for high-quality memory foam or hybrid mattresses, as these materials are known for their longevity, ensuring that the bed will remain comfortable for guest after guest. We also favored beds with hypoallergenic materials for guest comfort, and to help keep the bed free from dust and mildew — important if the guest room does go long stretches between uses.
Affordability
A guest bed also should be affordable enough to accommodate the purchase of an additional mattress for the household. We tried to balance cost and quality, considering the long-term investment as well. We’re big on the philosophy that while a cheaper mattress may save money upfront, the loss of support can result in a mattress arriving at a landfill entirely too soon.
Best Memory Foam Mattress for a Guest Room – Nectar
Best Memory Foam Mattress
Mattress Clarity Score
We rate each mattress on a scale from 1 to 5 to reflect its overall quality. This number is comprised of individual scores from hands-on testing of materials, firmness, pressure relief, motion transfer, cooling, responsiveness, and more.
4.3
Nectar
Nectar Classic
Medium-Firm Feel
Motion Isolation
Pressure Relief
Foam mattress
365-night sleep trial
Free shipping
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The Nectar mattress is an all-foam mattress. It has a plush comfort layer followed by a thin layer of transition foam. At the bottom, there’s a layer of high-density base foam.
Firmness
On a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being the softest, we rated the Nectar mattress a 6.5/10, which is the industry standard for medium-firm.
Price
$699-$1,798 (before any discounts)
Size
Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, split king
Couples
This mattress isolates motion well, which means couples shouldn’t feel movement come over to their side of the bed.
Side Sleepers
It offers great pressure relief for side sleepers under 230 lbs.
Back Sleepers
The Nectar mattress offers plenty of support for most back sleepers under 230 lbs.
Pros of the Nectar Mattress
This mattress has a slow-moving feel. If you like mattresses that contour to your body, this could be a great option.
The Nectar mattress isolates motion well, which is helpful for people who share a bed with a partner or a pet.
It offers plenty of pressure relief for side sleepers who weigh less than 230 lb.
Cons of the Nectar Mattress
Even though it has cooling gel-infused foam, it’s not the best mattress for hot sleepers.
It’s not supportive enough for most stomach sleepers. In this position, you may feel your hips sink out of alignment, which can lead to lower back pain.
Because it’s an all-foam bed-in-a-box mattress, it has a 48-hour off-gassing period. You’ll need to let the mattress air out for two days before sleeping on it.
Shipping
Free shipping
Trial Period
365 nights
Warranty
Forever warranty
Returns
You’ll receive a full refund if you return your mattress within the trial period.
The Nectar is an affordable all-foam mattress that offers lots of pressure relief and body contouring. It works well for most side sleepers, because it helps cushion shoulders and hips. It is also a good option for couples, because it isolates motion well. However, the Nectar mattress isn’t supportive enough for most stomach sleepers and heavyweight people. If you tend to sleep hot at night, you may want to look for a mattress with more cooling features. Learn more in our Nectar mattress video review.
Our Expert’s Take
Today, many people are fans of memory foam mattresses. This type of material offers great pressure relief, contouring, and an overall comfortable feel. Those who think a memory foam mattress would be a good match for their guests should consider the Nectar.
The Nectar features 2″ of gel memory foam over a transition layer and base layer, allowing the mattress to exhibit that slow-moving feel that many expect from a memory foam mattress. Lying on the Nectar, house guests should feel themselves slowly sink into the mattress and feel it conform to the body.
The 3″ of soft memory foam makes the Nectar a very good match for side sleepers; guests should feel almost no pressure on their shoulders and hips in this position. At the same time, they should be able to switch to their back and get some good support and contouring.
Finally, the Nectar is quite affordable for a memory foam mattress; a queen size is currently around $1099.00.
What our testers say: “If you and your guests love memory foam, the Nectar is a great choice to consider. It’s full of that slow-moving memory foam. I love it for side sleeping because it provides great pressure relief. If your guests tend to sleep hot at night, the Nectar mattress might make them feel stuffy. I recommend the Brooklyn Essentialfor hot sleepers.” – Marten Carlson, Lead Reviewer
What We Love About the Nectar Mattress
Thanks to its slow-moving memory foam, the Nectar mattress helps alleviate pressure along shoulders and hips.
It’s a great match for side sleepers, because it offers a great balance of comfort and support.
It’s very affordable—only $1099.00 for a queen.
What to Keep in Mind About the Nectar Mattress
It’s not a great match for hot sleepers. Even though the Nectar mattress has cooling gel-infused memory foam, it may still trap some body heat.
Stomach sleepers won’t get the proper hip support on this mattress, which can lead to lower back pain.
Other User Reviews
On Nectar’s website, customers gave the mattress a score of 4.7/5. Many side sleepers said they felt their joint pain melt away, and couples have said this is a great mattress for motion isolation. This means it helped keep them from being disturbed by their partner’s movements at night. Some people said the Nectar mattress felt too soft for their preference, though.
Best Hybrid Mattress for a Guest Room – DreamCloud
Best Hybrid Mattress
Mattress Clarity Score
We rate each mattress on a scale from 1 to 5 to reflect its overall quality. This number is comprised of individual scores from hands-on testing of materials, firmness, pressure relief, motion transfer, cooling, responsiveness, and more.
4.0
DreamCloud
DreamCloud Original
Firm Feel
Responsive
Affordable
Hybrid mattress
365-night sleep trial
Free shipping
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The DreamCloud is a hybrid mattress. This means it has both cushioning foam and supportive coil layers.
Firmness
On a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being the softest, we rated this mattress 7.5/10. This makes the mattress firmer than average.
Price
$839-$2,178 (before any discounts)
Size
Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, split king
Back Sleepers
Great support for back sleepers under 230 lbs.
Couples
Good balance of motion isolation and responsiveness.
Hot Sleepers
This bed’s cooling features can help keep you from overheating at night.
Pros of the DreamCloud
It is a good option for back sleepers. While it is a bit firmer than average, its balance of comfort and support will keep the spine in neutral alignment.
You shouldn’t be sleeping too hot on this mattress. The breathable cover, gel-infused foam, and airflow-promoting coils should prevent the mattress from trapping heat.
You should never feel stuck in this mattress. The DreamCloud is bouncy and responsive, so you will have no trouble moving around and changing positions.
The DreamCloud is a good value option. Hybrid mattresses can be quite pricey, but the DreamCloud is surprisingly affordable.
Cons of the DreamCloud
Side sleepers will want to find a softer mattress to give them the pressure relief they need.
Fans of the slow-moving memory foam feel won’t get that feeling on the DreamCloud.
Shipping
Free shipping
Trial Period
365 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Returns
You’ll receive a refund if you return your mattress within the trial period, but after a 30-day “break-in” period.
The DreamCloud is a hybrid mattress that offers great support for back sleepers and nice cooling for hot sleepers. Its mix of foam and coils ensures you get the right amount of support, while its breathable materials ensure you don’t sleep too hot. It is a bouncier mattress, and if you prefer more of a memory foam feel, consider the Nectar mattress. Learn more in our video review.
Our Expert’s Take
The majority of people who need a mattress for a guest room are seeking out the best deal possible. But what about those who want to splurge a bit and buy a luxury mattress for their house guests? That is why I added the DreamCloud to this list. It’s a luxury hybrid mattress that should make guests feel like they are truly sleeping in style.
The DreamCloud is a great hybrid mattress that contains individually wrapped coils, a comfort layer of soft memory foam, and a cover made of a cashmere blend. The cover is even quilted with a bit of foam for some softness.
The mattress’s hybrid construction provides the mattress with an excellent balance of comfort and support. In terms of firmness, the DreamCloud is a 7.5/10, meaning that it sleeps firmer than the average bed. The coils are quite supportive and the memory foam provides excellent pressure relief.
What our testers say: “The DreamCloud mattress is a great choice for guests who love firm beds. When I tested it, it provided some good support for me while I was sleeping on my back. And thanks to its hybrid design and a lot of breathable materials, guests won’t sleep hot.” – Marten Carlson, Lead Reviewer
What We Love About the DreamCloud Mattress
It’s made with high-quality and luxurious materials. It has a cashmere-blend cover, gel-infused memory foam and individually-wrapped coils.
It’s great for hot sleepers, because the coils promote airflow and the gel-infused foam helps dissipate body heat.
Thanks to its 7.5/10 firmness rating, the DreamCloud mattress is a great match for back sleepers.
What to Keep in Mind About the DreamCloud Mattress
Side sleepers may not get the pressure relief they need. The DreamCloud mattress is firmer than average, so many side sleepers may feel pain along their shoulders and hips.
The DreamCloud has a classic hybrid feel, which isn’t a good match for memory foam fans. If you want to sink into your mattress and feel lots of body contouring, you should consider the Nectar.
Other User Reviews
On the DreamCloud website, customers gave this mattress a score of 4.7/5. Many people praised its balance of comfort and support. Other people said the mattress was too firm for their preferences.
We rate each mattress on a scale from 1 to 5 to reflect its overall quality. This number is comprised of individual scores from hands-on testing of materials, firmness, pressure relief, motion transfer, cooling, responsiveness, and more.
4.1
Helix
Helix Midnight
Medium-Firm Feel
Breathability
Motion Isolation
Hybrid mattress
100-night sleep trial
Free shipping
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The Helix Midnight is a hybrid mattress. This means it has both cushioning foam and supportive coil layers.
Firmness
On a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being the softest, we rated this mattress 6.5/10. This is the industry standard for medium-firm.
Price
$936-$1,748 (before any discounts)
Size
Twin, twin XL, full, queen, short queen, king, California king, RV king
Side Sleepers
Provides good pressure relief for side sleepers under 230 lbs.
Back Sleepers
This mattress offers good support and body contouring for back sleepers under 230 lbs.
Couples
This bed absorbs motion well for a hybrid mattress, so couples shouldn’t notice their partner’s movements.
Pros of the Helix Midnight Mattress
The Helix Midnight mattress is a fantastic choice for back and side sleepers. It’s a perfect medium-firm mattress that offers a lot of comfort from the foam at the top with supportive coils at the bottom.
This mattress shouldn’t trap too much heat thanks to the coils, which allow for airflow. You also have the option to add a specialized cooling cover.
Hybrid mattresses can be bouncy and disturb others who are in bed, but the Helix Midnight absorbs motion very well for this type of mattress.
Cons of the Helix Midnight Mattress
This mattress is too soft to support stomach sleepers. The hips will dip into this bed over time, which can cause strain on the lower back.
While this bed absorbs motion well, it’s still a hybrid. If you don’t want that bouncy, coil feeling to your mattress, you should look for an all-foam bed.
Shipping
Free shipping
Trial Period
100 nights
Warranty
10 years
Returns
Free returns during the trial period
The Helix Midnight is Helix’s most popular model because of its medium-firmness and works well for back and side sleepers. The top layers of foam provide good pressure relief, but the coils offer a good amount of support. It won’t trap heat thanks to those coils, and you can even opt for a cooling cover. Be sure to watch our video review to learn more about the Helix Midnight.
Our Expert’s Take
Saying a bed is the best mattress for the money can mean a few different things. It can be something that will last you a long time, something that’s fairly affordable, or just an investment that works for just about anyone. In the case of the Helix Midnight, it checks all the boxes.
The Helix Midnight is a standout amongst the six models by Helix because it’s a great fit for the majority of sleepers. It works best for side sleepers, thanks to the presence of memory foam in the comfort layer which helps provide cushioning for proper alignment. But the springs at the bottom mean you won’t feel stuck in the layers.
The Midnight won’t trap too much heat, due to a breathable cover and coils for airflow. It’s fairly affordable, coming in a little over $1,000 for a queen.
What our testers say: “The Helix Midnight makes many of our lists, and for good reason. It’s a great choice for side sleepers thanks to the foam comfort layer. But I still felt really supported on my back thanks to the coils.” – Marten Carlson, Lead Reviewer
What We Love About the Helix Midnight
Back sleepers should get the optimal amount of comfort and support on this mattress. It has a medium-firm feel that’s ideal for back sleeping.
It has a balanced feel, due to its plush comfort layer and springy coils.
What to Keep in Mind About the Helix Midnight
It’s not supportive enough for most stomach sleepers. In this sleeping position, people will likely feel their hips sink out of alignment, which can cause lower back pain.
Heavier side sleepers may “bottom out” on this mattress. If you weigh more than 230 lb, we recommend looking for one of the best mattresses for heavy people.
Other User Reviews
On Helix’s website, the Midnight mattress earns a customer review score of 4.5/5. Many people said it helped alleviate hip pain, while others praised Helix’s excellent customer support team. Some people complained about the off-gassing smell, which is common for bed-in-a-box mattresses. In our experience, the smell faded away after 48 hours.
We rate each mattress on a scale from 1 to 5 to reflect its overall quality. This number is comprised of individual scores from hands-on testing of materials, firmness, pressure relief, motion transfer, cooling, responsiveness, and more.
The WinkBed is a hybrid mattress. This means it has both cushioning foam and supportive coil layers.
Firmness
Multiple firmness options: Softer, Luxury Firm, and Firmer. On a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being the softest, we rated the Luxury Firm model a 7/10, which is slightly firmer than the industry standard for medium-firm.
Price
$1,149-$2,049 (before any discounts)
Size
Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king
Side Sleepers
Great pressure relief for side sleepers over 130 lbs.
Back Sleepers
Great support for back sleepers under 230 lbs.
Hot Sleepers
This bed’s cooling features can help keep you from overheating at night.
Pros
It has a bouncy, responsive feel. This is great for combination sleepers who benefit from a bed that makes it easy to change positions at night.
The WinkBed features zoned support. With firmer foam at the top and bottom and more cushioning foam in the middle, this bed has excellent lumbar support.
This bed sleeps cool. Thanks to the breathable coils and gel-infused memory foam, hot sleepers can expect a cool night’s rest.
Cons
This isn’t the best option for motion isolation.
The WinkBed doesn’t have a traditional “sink-in” memory foam feel.
Shipping
Free shipping
Trial Period
120 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Returns
You’ll receive a full refund if you return your mattress within the trial period, but after a 30-day “break-in” period.
The WinkBed is a versatile mattress that provides zoned support and cooling comfort for a fair price. This bed’s excellent responsiveness makes it a good fit for combination sleeper that want a bed that’s easy to move around on. For couples looking for motion isolation, though, this probably isn’t the best choice. Instead, check out the Nectar Premier Copper. Learn more in our video review.
Our Expert’s Take
If you want to treat your house guests to a luxurious sleeping experience, we recommend that you outfit your guest room with the WinkBed. With its traditional innerspring feel, this mattress is similar to one you would find in a high-end hotel. The bulk of the mattress is made of a tall layer of coils that conform to your body, capped off by a Euro-style pillow-top for pressure relief.
Your guests should also have no problem staying cool on the WinkBed, as its springs have lots of space between them for air to flow through the mattress. Additionally, an infusion of gel in the foam helps keep a low temperature by absorbing heat.
What our testers say: “If you have guests staying over who love innerspring mattresses, the WinkBed mattress is one of the best choices. I love that the coils are zoned, which means this mattress provides really great back support.” – Marten Carlson, Lead Reviewer
What We Love About the WinkBed
It has a classic innerspring feel, thanks to the supportive coils and tufted pillow top.
It’s available in many different firmness options, from soft to firm. This makes it a great option for many different types of people.
It’s great for hot sleepers, because the coils promote airflow and the gel-infused foam helps dissipate heat.
What to Keep in Mind About the WinkBed
It costs more than other mattresses on the list, so if you want a more budget-friendly option, you may want to consider the Brooklyn Bedding Essential.
It doesn’t isolate motion well, which is not ideal for couples who are light sleepers. It’s possible you may feel your partner’s movements if they shift sleeping positions during the night.
It lacks a slow-moving feel. If you want to gently sink into a memory foam mattress, you may want to consider the Nectar.
Other User Reviews
On the WinkBeds website, there are dozens of five-star customer reviews. Many people have praised the mattress’s value, comfort and cooling features. I didn’t see any reviews that offered criticism or had anything less than five stars.
We rate each mattress on a scale from 1 to 5 to reflect its overall quality. This number is comprised of individual scores from hands-on testing of materials, firmness, pressure relief, motion transfer, cooling, responsiveness, and more.
4.5
Bear
Bear Elite Hybrid
Medium-Firm Feel
Lifetime Warranty
Sturdy Edges
Hybrid mattress
120-night sleep trial
Free shipping
Black Friday Sale
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The Bear Elite Hybrid is a hybrid mattress. This means it has both cushioning foam and supportive coil layers.
Firmness
Multiple firmness options: Soft, Medium, and Firm. On a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being the softest, we rated the Medium model a 6.5/10, which is the industry standard for medium-firm.
Price
$1,893-$3,920 (before any discounts)
Size
Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, split king
Side Sleepers
Back Sleepers
Hot Sleepers
Pros of the Bear Elite Hybrid
This mattress offers great value. It’s made with high-quality materials and backed by a lifetime warranty, but available at a relatively affordable price point.
It comes with excellent edge support. The Bear Elite Hybrid’s sturdy perimeter is helpful if you need a stable surface to get in and out of bed.
The bed’s cover and foam layers contain cooling materials to help regulate your body temperature. Its coil layer also promotes plenty of airflow to keep you cool.
Cons of the Bear Elite Hybrid
Doesn’t do the best job of isolating motion.
Likely not supportive enough for sleepers who weigh over 230 lbs.
Shipping
Free shipping
Trial Period
120 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Returns
You’ll receive a full refund if you return your mattress within the trial period, but after a 30-day “break-in” period.
The Bear Elite Hybrid is Bear’s most high-end mattress. It offers luxury features, like zoned support and extra height, while still offering the temperature regulation Bear mattresses are known for. Based on our testing results, we’d recommend this mattress to average-weight side and back sleepers, as well as hot sleepers. If you’re looking for a cheaper option, check out the Bear Star Hybrid. Learn more in our video review.
Our Expert’s Take
If you’re looking for maximum comfort and pressure relief for your guest room, the Bear Elite Hybrid mattress is a perfect choice. While there is a Medium and Firm version for this bed, we love how cushioning the Soft model is. It should offer pressure relief for many side-sleeping guests and support for some back sleepers. while its Soft model includes a hand-quilted cover and a thick foam comfort layer, there are also coils at the base to support the sleeper.
The Bear Elite Hybrid mattress has also been designed for cooling. In the cover, there’s a breathable Celliant material that can help you recharge and recover from the day. Right under that, there’s a layer of cooling copper-infused foam that will pull heat away from your body. And being a hybrid, the coils will allow air to flow through very easily.
And despite being a hybrid, if you have a couple over, this bed handles motion isolation very well. So, your guests should sleep through the night without waking up from each other’s movements.
What our testers say: “The Bear Elite Hybrid comes in multiple firmnesses, but the Soft model is the plushest. It offered great pressure relief for side sleeping when I tested it.” – Elisa, Reviewer
What We Love About the Bear Elite Hybrid
It’s available in many firmness levels, so it works for a variety of people. Stomach sleepers will prefer the Firm option, while back and side sleepers will likely prefer the Medium option.
It has a balanced feel, thanks to its plush comfort layers and springy coil system.
It doesn’t trap body heat, because the mattress has airflow-promoting coils, a cover made with phase change material and copper-infused memory foam.
What to Keep in Mind About the Bear Elite Hybrid
It lacks a slow-moving feel. If you want a mattress that offers lots of body contouring, you may want to consider the Nectar instead.
Heavier stomach sleepers may “bottom out” on this bed, even on the Firm model. This could cause lower back pain.
Because it contains many high-quality materials, this mattress has a higher price point. It may not be a great choice for everyone’s guest room.
Other User Reviews
On the Bear website, the Elite Hybrid mattress earns a customer review score of 4.5/5. Many people, of all sleeping positions, said this mattress felt comfy and supportive. A few people left one-star reviews, saying the mattress wasn’t comfortable or supportive enough.
We rate each mattress on a scale from 1 to 5 to reflect its overall quality. This number is comprised of individual scores from hands-on testing of materials, firmness, pressure relief, motion transfer, cooling, responsiveness, and more.
4.6
Nolah
Nolah Evolution Comfort+
Firm Feel
Supportive Coil System
Breathable
Hybrid mattress
120-night sleep trial
Free shipping
Black Friday Sale
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The Nolah Evolution Comfort+ is a hybrid mattress. This means it has both cushioning foam and a supportive coil layer.
Firmness
On a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being the softest, we rated this mattress a 6.5/10, which is the industry standard for medium-firm.
Price
$1,499-$3,198 (before any discounts)
Size
Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, split king
Heavyweight Sleepers
This mattress offers a lot of lumbar support for heavier people.
Hot Sleepers
There’s a cooling cover and airflow-promoting coils.
Pros of the Nolah Evolution Comfort+
This mattress has many cooling features, which makes it a nice option for people who run hot at night.
It’s a great match for many heavyweight back and side sleepers, thanks to its supportive coil system.
Because it contains high-quality materials, it should last at least a decade.
Cons of the Nolah Evolution Comfort+
People who weigh less than 300 lb might think this mattress feels too firm.
Because it’s a luxurious mattress, it might be too expensive for some people.
Shipping
Free shipping
Trial Period
120 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Returns
You’ll receive a full refund if you return your mattress within the trial period, but after a 30-day “break-in” period.
The Nolah Evolution Comfort+ mattress was made specifically with heavier people in mind. It has a medium-firm feel, and it works well for many back and side sleepers who weigh more than 300 lb. This mattress has many cooling features, such as a breathable cover and coils that promote airflow. It could feel too firm for lightweight people, and some stomach sleepers may not get the hip support they need.
Our Expert’s Take
If you want your guests to spread out on a queen-sized mattress in your guest room, then the Nolah Evolution is a great option. It’s a hybrid bed with a robust height of 15” and a graphite infused comfort layer.
Like the WinkBed, the Nolah Evolution Hybrid would add a splash of luxury to any guest room, making it a great option for anyone who wants to treat their friends and family to fantastic sleep anytime they visit.
We reviewed the Luxury Firm version of this mattress, which is the one we’d recommend for most guest rooms. Our testers found it to accommodate a wide range of body types and sleeping positions, thanks to its medium-firm feel. If you primarily plan on hosting guests who weigh over 230 lb, however, then we would suggest the Firm version.
What our testers say: “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 particularly helpful while back sleeping, because it helped me maintain the proper spinal alignment.” – Elisa, Reviewer
What We Love About the Nolah Evolution
The cooling features included in the Nolah Evolution are very impressive. In addition to the cooling graphite infusions and breathable coil system, this mattress has a unique construction element in the gusset that’s found towards the top of the bed. This gusset allows body heat that might ordinarily become trapped in the comfort layers to exit the mattress.
We found this mattress to be very durable. Through our testing process, we determined that the Nolah Evolution could last for upwards of ten years if properly cared for, thus earning it a perfect score on our durability test.
What to Keep in Mind About the Nolah
Despite a reinforced edge support system in the Nolah Evolution, we found the mattress perimeter to be somewhat saggy. It dipped quite a bit under our weight when we sat and rested on the edge of the mattress, leading us to give it a 3.5 out of 5 on our edge support test.
This mattress is on the expensive side, costing over $2,000 for a queen. If you were hoping to furnish your guest room without breaking the bank, consider the Nectar instead.
Other User Reviews
The Nolah Evolution has an average rating of 4.9 out of 5, based on 895 reviews on the company website. The majority of customers rewarded the mattress a perfect score, however, there is one notable 3-star review that states the Nolah Evolution began to sag after just three months.
We rate each mattress on a scale from 1 to 5 to reflect its overall quality. This number is comprised of individual scores from hands-on testing of materials, firmness, pressure relief, motion transfer, cooling, responsiveness, and more.
The Saatva Memory Foam Hybrid uses a combination of innerspring coils and foam layers.
Firmness
On a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being the softest, we rated this mattress 7/10. This is a touch above the industry standard medium-firm.
Price
$1,295 – $2,790 (before discounts)
Size
Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, Cal king, split king
Back Sleepers
Back sleepers of light and average weights should feel nice support.
Side Sleepers
Side sleepers of light and average weights should feel nice support.
Hot Sleepers
People who sleep hot at night should enjoy the bed’s cooling build.
Pros of the Saatva Memory Foam Hybrid
Made with durable, organic materials that will please eco-conscious buyers.
Boasted excellent cooling capabilities in the sleep lab.
Has a responsive feel for people who love a mattress with some bounce.
Cons of the Saatva Memory Foam Hybrid
Has a higher price point.
Not supportive enough for most stomach sleepers.
Shipping
Free white glove delivery
Trial Period
365 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Returns
You’ll receive a full refund if you return your mattress within the trial period, but after a 30-day “break-in” period. A removal fee of $99 will be deducted from your refund.
The Saatva Memory Foam Hybrid offers plush comfort, great support, and eco-friendly materials, ideal for varied sleepers and preferences. Learn more in our video review.
Our Expert’s Take
One of the best ways for a brand to increase the comfort of a mattress is to outfit it with a pillow top. Pillow tops are often cushy, contouring and create a luxurious sleeping experience. That’s exactly why we think the Saatva Memory Foam Hybrid is one of the most comfortable mattresses for a guest room out there.
Not only is its pillow-top ultra-plush—it’s also zoned, meaning that it has different levels of softness to cater to different parts of your body. Additionally, it has built-in lumbar support, which makes it a great fit for any back sleepers staying in your guest room. It should also be an excellent fit for any sleepers experiencing back pain.
Underneath the pillow-top is a comfort layer of gel-infused memory foam for added pressure relief. And at the bottom of the mattress is a layer of pocketed coils that add some nice support and responsiveness. When combined, these different materials make the Saatva Memory Foam Hybrid slightly firmer than medium-firm. There’s definitely a lot of support here, but the pillow-top and memory foam give you a lot of comfort, too.
What our testers say: “What I loved about the Saatva Memory Foam Hybrid was that it’s the best of both worlds. You’ve got lovely plush foam on the top, with supportive coils at the bottom. Guests who are back and side combination sleepers will love this mattress.” – Elisa Regulski, Reviewer
What We Love About the Saatva Memory Foam Hybrid
It helps alleviate back pain, thanks to the zoned support layer. The Saatva Memory Foam Hybrid mattress feels firmer toward the center and softer near the head and the foot. This helps sleepers maintain the proper spinal alignment throughout the night.
It’s great for folks who change positions at night thanks to its medium-firm feel and zoned support layer.
It’s great for hot sleepers due to the breathable cotton cover and airflow-promoting coils.
What to Keep in Mind About the Saatva Memory Foam Hybrid
It has a higher price point, which may not be ideal for many guest rooms.
Heavier stomach sleepers won’t get the hip support they need on this mattress.
Other User Reviews
On Saatva’s website, the Memory Foam Hybrid earns a customer review score of 4.8/5. Many people praised the customer support team and said the mattress was great for side and back sleeping. Some people left negative reviews because they had issues scheduling their mattress delivery.
We rate each mattress on a scale from 1 to 5 to reflect its overall quality. This number is comprised of individual scores from hands-on testing of materials, firmness, pressure relief, motion transfer, cooling, responsiveness, and more.
3.8
Brooklyn Bedding
Brooklyn Bedding Essential
Medium-Firm Feel
Affordable
Back Support
Hybrid mattress
120-night sleep trial
Free shipping
Black Friday Sale
Use code BFRIDAY30 for 30% off sitewide See Details
The Brooklyn Essential mattress is a hybrid, or a bed with both foam comfort layers and innerspring support coils.
Firmness
On a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being the softest, we rated this mattress 6.5/10. This is the industry standard for medium-firm.
Price
$532 – $1,132 (before discounts)
Size
Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, Cal king
Back Sleepers
Back sleepers of light and average weights should feel nice support.
Side Sleepers
Side sleepers of light and average weights should feel nice contouring.
Pros of the Brooklyn Bedding Essential
Excellent spine support for back sleepers.
Great edge support.
Super affordable.
Cons of the Brooklyn Bedding Essential
Subpar temperature regulation.
Not suitable for most stomach sleepers.
Shipping
Free shipping
Trial Period
120 nights
Warranty
10-year warranty
Returns
You’ll receive a refund if you return your mattress within the trial period, but after a 30-day “break-in” period. A pickup fee of $99 will be deducted from your refund.
The Brooklyn Bedding Essential is an excellent no frills mattress at a bargain price for hybrid mattress lovers on a budget. Learn more in our video review.
Our Expert’s Take
Luxury is great and all, but some people are looking for the best deal possible on a guest room mattress. And when it comes to value, Brooklyn Bedding is hard to beat. The company owns its own factory, so all of its beds are priced competitively. Their best cheap mattress is the Brooklyn Bedding Essential, a streamlined hybrid mattress. Before sales and discounts, it sits around $900, which is an incredible price for such a quality brand.
The Brooklyn Bedding Essential consists of three foam layers—a comfort layer, a transition layer and a base layer. The comfort layer contains high-quality quilted comfort foam, a breathable alternative to memory foam. Guests shouldn’t feel like they are getting stuck in the mattress, and they shouldn’t be sleeping particularly hot.
The Essential is an excellent fit for lightweight sleepers such as teenagers and children. Lighter side sleepers should also experience some exceptional pressure relief on the Essential.
What our testers say: “The Brooklyn Bedding Essential mattress is a good choice for guest rooms because it’s affordable, but durable. It has sturdy coils that make it nice and bouncy. I like side sleeping on this mattress, because the soft foam cushions my joints.” – Marten, Reviewer
What We Love About the Brooklyn Essential
It’s sold at a great price—around $900 for a queen. For reference, most queen size hybrid mattresses cost over $1,000.
It offers lots of pressure relief, which is great for side sleepers and those who deal with hip pain. The thick foam layers help cushion joints and alleviate pain.
It has a balanced feel. The responsive coils make it easy for sleepers to move around on top of it, while the thick comfort layers offer a bit of body contouring.
What to Keep in Mind About the Brooklyn Essential
It’s not a great match for stomach sleepers. This mattress feels softer than average, so it’s not supportive enough to help stomach sleepers maintain the correct spinal alignment.
People who weigh more than 250 lb may not get the support they need on this mattress.
Because it has coils in its base layer, the Essential isn’t a good match for people who prefer a slow-moving memory foam feel.
Other User Reviews
On Brooklyn Bedding’s website, the Essential mattress earns a customer review score of 4.8/5. Many people said they loved the supportive and comfy nature of this bed. Other customers said the mattress wasn’t supportive enough while stomach sleeping.
Best Organic Mattress for a Guest Room – Birch Natural
Best Organic Mattress
Mattress Clarity Score
We rate each mattress on a scale from 1 to 5 to reflect its overall quality. This number is comprised of individual scores from hands-on testing of materials, firmness, pressure relief, motion transfer, cooling, responsiveness, and more.
4.5
Birch
Birch Natural
Firm Feel
Sustainably Made
Responsive
Latex mattress
100-night sleep trial
Free shipping
Black Friday Sale
Use code BF25 and save 25% off sitewide + 2 free pillows with mattress purchase See Details
The Birch Natural is a latex hybrid mattress. It has both cushioning latex and supportive coil layers.
Firmness
On a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being the softest, we rated this mattress 7/10. This is just slightly firmer than average.
Price
$1,498-$2,498 (before any discounts)
Size
Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king
Stomach Sleepers
Supportive enough for stomach sleepers under 230 lbs.
Back Sleepers
Great support for back sleepers under 230 lbs.
Hot Sleepers
This bed’s cooling features can help keep you from overheating at night.
Pros of the Birch Natural
The Birch Natural is made with sustainable materials that have earned certifications from multiple third-party organizations, including GOTS and GREENGUARD.
Thanks to the latex layer, this bed is a bouncy, responsive mattress. Combination sleepers will appreciate how easy it is to change positions on it.
Ventilated latex and individually wrapped coils make for a breathable, cool night’s rest on this bed. Hot sleepers shouldn’t have to worry about this mattress trapping heat.
Cons of the Birch Natural
This bed is likely too firm to provide the cushioning most side sleepers need.
With such a responsive surface, this mattress won’t offer much motion isolation.
Shipping
Free shipping
Trial Period
100 nights
Warranty
25-year warranty
Returns
You’ll receive a refund if you return your mattress within the trial period, but after a 30-day “break-in” period. A removal fee of $99 will be deducted from your refund.
The Birch Natural is a great option if you’re looking for a sustainable, responsive bed. It features natural latex and individually wrapped coils for comfort and support. Its firmness is best suited to back and stomach sleepers under 230 lbs, though, so side sleeepers should opt for a softer bed, like the Helix Midnight. Learn more in our video review.
Our Expert’s Take
Organic mattresses aren’t just a good option for those interested in shopping sustainably, as they contain some of the highest quality materials on the bed-in-a-box market. The Birch is no exception here. Made with organic cotton, wool, latex, and individually wrapped coils, this mattress is an expertly crafted product.
Two performance factors that we often associate with quality in mattresses are durability and support. On our support test, we gave the Birch a perfect score of 5 out of 5, and on our durability test we awarded it a 4.5 out of 5. These two qualities indicate a mattress that should not only last for a long time, but also maintain its structural integrity for many years.
More important to many people will be the fact that the Birch is constructed in an eco-friendly manner and is free of harmful chemicals.
What our testers say: “The Birch mattress is one of the best organic mattresses I’ve ever reviewed. Most back sleepers and average weight stomach sleepers will find a balance of comfort of support on its responsive latex comfort layer.” – Marten Carlson, Lead Reviewer
What We Love About the Birch Natural
Like the Nolah Evolution, the Birch Natural stays exceptionally cool at night. The aerated latex and wool used in the Birch’s construction naturally promotes breathability. Thanks to these materials, we never felt uncomfortably warm as we tested the mattress, leading us to give it a perfect score on our temperature regulation test.
Every one of our mattress testers felt fantastic on their backs. From lightweight to heavyweight, the Birch provides sufficient support to keep back sleepers’ hips somewhat propped up, while still being soft enough to provide pressure relief to this sensitive area.
What to Keep in Mind About the Birch Natural
The latex in the Birch Natural gives it quite a bit of bounce. This characteristic may be a problem for couples, as it can cause movements to reverberate across the mattress surface. So, if you plan on hosting couples in your guest room you may want to consider the Nectar instead.
Other User Reviews
Based on 4,315 reviews on the Birch website, this mattress has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5. The quality of the mattress is a big talking point amongst 5-star reviews. Some found it to be softer than they anticipated, but the majority of customers seem happy with the firmness.
Read our full Birch mattress reviewto learn more. If you aren’t interested in the Birch Natural mattress, check out our list of the best organic mattresses for more great options.
If someone is looking for a mattress for their guest room, they should consider the size of their guests. For instance, if they have a larger family member who comes to visit quite often, they should make sure that the mattress can support the additional weight. Because of this, I asked one of our team members Marten, who weighs 250 lb, to try out these ten mattresses and recommend which — if any — would be a good match for a heavier house guest like him.
Marten testing the Nolah Original mattress
Out of these ten mattresses, two should be a decent match for someone of my size. First off, the Bear Elite Hybrid features both coils and pressure-relieving comfort foam, so the mattress is supportive enough for me when I am back-sleeping and soft enough for side-sleeping.
While the Nectar does not contain coils, I do feel satisfactory support when I am back-sleeping. I sink into the soft memory foam and feel it conform to the shape of my body. I also feel some exceptional pressure relief when I am side-sleeping.
How to Find the Best Mattress for a Guest Room
If someone is looking for a mattress for a guest room, there are a few things they should be considering—think about the following while mattress shopping, and it shouldn’t be difficult to choose!
Find a medium-firm mattress. It is important to find a mattress that will work for a wide variety of sleepers. A firm mattress might be good for some people, but what if a guest likes something softer? That is why it’s a good idea to choose a mattress that is close to medium-firm – a medium-firm mattress will be an excellent match for multiple sleeping positions, and most guests should find enough comfort and support.
Seek out a good value mattress. Mattresses are an investment; if one has already spent a significant amount of money on their own mattress, they don’t want to break the bank on a high priced guest room mattress. They should find a mattress with quality components that aren’t accompanied by a ridiculous price tag—customers should also attempt to buy a guest room mattress around holidays like the Fourth of July or Memorial Day when many mattress companies offer some pretty fantastic deals on their products. If you’re in a pinch to find the right mattress, there are many great mattresses online to choose from!
Consider the preferences of guests who visit often. If one’s in-laws come to visit often, it might be an excellent idea to choose a mattress that will work for them. If they need the best mattress for stomach sleepers, a firm mattress might be a better choice. If they are side sleepers, a soft mattress might be more ideal.
Cooling properties. Sleeping hot is an issue that many people deal with, and it is smart to find a mattress with cooling properties so that house guests aren’t overheating at night – memory foam mattresses are known for sleeping hot, but many now contain gel, graphite, or some other cooling materials – spring or hybrid mattresses are usually the best cooling mattresses because the coils promote airflow throughout the mattress.
Final Thoughts
Here’s a recap of our top picks for the best guest room mattresses:
Any type of mattress can work in a guest room, from a traditional innerspring mattress to an all-foam mattress. The type of mattress is not the most important consideration — it’s more about finding a mattress that will work a variety of people. Those who need a mattress for a guest room should choose something medium-firm that exhibits a balance of comfort and support; this should make it an exceptional fit for guests who sleep in any position.
What type of mattresses do hotels use?
While it does depend on the hotel, the majority of hotels have some type of innerspring mattress with a pillow top. Most of these mattresses will be close to medium-firm so that they will work for hotel guests who sleep on their back, side, or stomach. An excellent example of this type of mattress is the Saatva, which has two sets of coils and a Euro-style pillow top.
What is the best cheap mattress for a guest room?
People who need a cheap mattress for their guest room have a few options. If they want something with coils that provides good support, the Allswell could be an excellent choice. If they are seeking something with more of that memory foam feel, they should take a look at the Dreamfoam Essential mattress.
Should a guest room have a full or a queen bed?
If you plan on inviting couples to spend a few nights in your guest bedroom, you may want to opt for a queen size bed. Full beds aren’t quite big enough to accommodate two people. However, full size beds cost less and take up less room. So ultimately, the decision depends on your budget, space and plans for the room.
Featured image: Africa Studio/Shutterstock
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Marten Carlson
Lead Mattress Reviewer
About Author
Marten has been writing about mattresses and sleep health for six years. He is the lead reviewer at Mattress Clarity where he tests mattresses, bedding, and sleep accessories.
In his role here, Marten’s reviewed over 500 mattresses and 150 sleep accessories (so you can rest assured that if he recommends a product, it’s been put through the wringer in our Austin studio). In addition, he has written more than 400 articles reviewing the quality of sleep and sleep products as well as sleep health. He’s especially interested in the correlation between sleep and mental health.
Marten’s also got a personal stake in sleep health. After writing dozens of pieces on the dangers of sleep apnea, he decided to get tested for the condition. Realizing he did, in fact, suffer from sleep apnea, he immediately started using a CPAP machine. He knows all too well the importance of a healthy night’s sleep and is passionate about helping others get the healthy, restorative sleep they deserve.
He received his bachelor’s degree in Film Production from Denison University and his master’s degree in Film Studies from Emory University.
