Best Thin Mattress – Which Is Best For You?

Written by Marten Carlson, Lead Mattress and Sleep Product Reviewer

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 Roundup

We’ll be discussing our top picks for the best thin mattresses considering factors like price, ease of handling, comfort, durability and support.

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Bigger is not always better, especially when it comes to mattresses. While thick mattresses have a lot to offer, let’s not forget about thin mattresses. Thin mattresses are much easier to move around and take up less space. They also work well for those with mobility problems as they are much easier to move around on.

If you think a thin mattress is a good choice, keep reading. We personally tested 14 different products for this roundup, but only five made the final list of the best thin mattresses.

Our Verdict: What’s the Best Thin Mattress?

Our expert reviewers chose the Bear Original as the best thin mattress for its excellent motion isolation and cooling features.

Best Thin Mattresses: Our Top Picks

• Bear Original – Best Overall
• Nolah Original – Best Soft Thin Mattress
• Zenhaven – Best Thin Organic Mattress
• Siena Mattress – Best Thin Mattress for Side Sleepers
• Cocoon Chill – Best Thin Cooling Mattress

Compare the Best Thin Mattresses

	Bear Original Mattress	Nolah Original 10″ Mattress	Zenhaven Mattress	Siena Mattress	Cocoon Chill Mattress
Rating	3.8	4.2	4.2	3.4	4.1
Firmness	Medium-firm: 6.5/10	Soft: 6/10	Multiple firmness options	Soft: 6/10	Firm: 7.5/10
Material	Foam	Foam	Latex	Foam	Foam
Cooling		—		—
Best For	Hot Sleepers, Back Sleepers, Side Sleepers	Side Sleepers	Hot Sleepers, Back Sleepers, Side Sleepers	Side Sleepers, Back Sleepers, Kids	Back Sleepers, Hot Sleepers, Side Sleepers
	Check Price	Check Price	Check Price	Check Price	Check Price

How We Test Our Mattresses

Our team of sleep specialists have reviewed more than 600 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.

How We Chose the Best Thin Mattresses

We test beds for many qualities, but these are the three that mattered most when narrowing down the field to the best thin mattresses:

Thickness

Of course this one’s a gimme, but for this list of best thin mattresses, we only included high-quality mattresses that were 10” thick or less.

Support

You have to consider thickness as it relates to comfort and support. Because a thinner mattress will typically run 6″ to 10″ thick, we looked for options with a supportive core, such as high-density memory foam or a firm latex layer, which ensures you won’t feel the base beneath you, especially if it’s going on a platform bed, bunk, or the back of an RV.

Durability

Although a thin mattress is often used in less trafficked spaces like guest rooms, RVs, or fold-out beds, they still need to hold up over time. We sought beds that boast excellent durability through the use of durable, high-density materials.

Best Overall- Bear Original Mattress

Pros

Has a slow-moving feel

A great value

Has a cooling cover

Cons

Not good for stomach sleepers

Not supportive enough for heavyweight side sleepers

Our Expert’s Take

Many thin mattresses are foam, and one of the absolute best is the Bear Original mattress. The Bear Original is just 10” thick and contains a Celliant cover and a comfort layer of graphite-gel-infused foam. These materials are known for their cooling qualities, making the Bear Original a great option for hot sleepers.

The Bear Original is also designed with athletes in mind. Overheating is a major issue for athletes, and the cooling materials really help fight that. If you want a thin mattress to help you recover after a long workout, the Bear Original could do the trick.

Even if you aren’t an athlete or hot sleeper, the Bear Original also promises great pressure relief and support for both side sleeping and back sleeping. This thin mattress really packs a punch!

What our testers say: “As an average weight side sleeper, I found this mattress to be a good match. The foam contours my shoulders and alleviates pressure. If you are a taller or heavier person, though, you might need to find a more supportive mattress.” — Elisa, reviewer

What We Love About the Bear

• It has a slow-moving feel, making it great for side sleepers who need pressure relief.
• The Bear Original costs less than $1000 for a queen, which is much less than many other mattresses on the market.
• It has a cooling cover made out of Cellient fabric, which is meant to help promote muscle recovery.

What to Keep in Mind About the Bear

• Because of the mattress’s medium-firm feel, stomach sleepers probably won’t get enough hip support. It’s likely that stomach sleepers will develop lower back pain from the Bear mattress.
• Heavier side sleepers may “bottom out” and feel pressure on their shoulders and hips. If you weigh more than 230 lb, you may want to get a firm mattress instead.

Other User Reviews

Over 10,000 customers have reviewed the Bear Original on the company’s website, earning it an overall score of 4.5/5. Many people said they love its price point and found that, after breaking it in, the mattress offers a great amount of comfort and support. A few customers left one-star reviews and said the mattress wasn’t supportive enough and that it trapped body heat.

Read our full Bear Original mattress review. For more options, check out the best mattresses of 2024.

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Best Soft Thin Mattress- Nolah Original Mattress

Pros

Great value

Has a balanced foam feel

Good for most back and side sleepers

Cons

Too soft for stomach sleepers

Lacks a super slow-moving feel

Our Expert’s Take

If you’re a fan of softer mattresses, you have to check out the Nolah Original mattress. On a scale of 1-10, it came in at 6, softer-than-average. It features soft foam layers on top and really lets you sink into its comfy surface.

Its softer design makes the Nolah Original a great option for side sleepers. When you lie on your side, you should feel the pressure melt away around your pressure points such as your shoulders and hips.

While many all-foam mattresses sleep hot, the Nolah Original should keep you nice and cool. Its Tencel cover and proprietary Airfoam are both designed to dissipate heat and prevent overheating.

What the testers say: “I love how the Nolah mattress helps dissipate body heat. The special AirFoam is a lot more breathable than traditional memory foam. However, as a heavier person, I didn’t think this mattress was supportive enough. It’s better suited for lightweight people.” — Marten, reviewer

What We Love About The Nolah Original Mattress

• The Nolah Original is a great value mattress, coming in at about $1,100 after discounts.
• It has a balanced foam feel, so you should be able to move around easily. You shouldn’t feel “trapped” inside the mattress.
• Average weight back and side sleepers should get the comfort and support they need. The mattress is slightly softer than average, but it has a thick support layer that should offer enough lumbar support.

What to Keep in Mind About The Nolah Original Mattress

• The Nolah is too soft for most stomach sleepers. If you weigh more than 130 lb and sleep on your stomach, you will likely feel your hips sink out of alignment, which can lead to lower back pain. Take a look at our list of the best mattresses for stomach sleepers for some better options.
• Fans of slow-moving memory foam may want to consider the Leesa Original. The Nolah mattress has a responsive feel, so you won’t sink inside the mattress quite as much.

Other User Reviews

On Nolah‘s website, the mattress earns an overall customer review score of 4.9/5. Many people said the mattress helped alleviate joint pain, and one person said the bed is so good that they bought two. Nolah doesn’t feature negative reviews, so I am unable to shed light on customer complaints.

Read the full Nolah mattress review. For other great options, take a look at our best soft mattresses. 

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Best Thin Organic Mattress- Zenhaven Mattress

Pros

Breathable and cooling

Flippable

Has a responsive feel

Cons

Pricey

Not great for most side sleepers

Lacks a slow-moving foam feel

Our Expert’s Take

Looking for something a bit more eco-friendly? You may want to consider the Zenhaven mattress. The Zenhaven comes from Saatva and is an organic mattress that contains organic cotton and multiple layers of all-natural Talalay latex. These materials adhere to the highest organic standards, so this is a green thin mattress option.

With its many layers of latex, the Zenhaven is an extremely durable mattress. While some foam mattresses may start to sag in just a few years, that should not be an issue with the Zenhaven. It will stand up to many years of use without sagging.

The Zenhaven has one more trick up its sleeve–-it is flippable! Each side has a different firmness, so you get two mattresses in one. This gives you two chances to find the perfect firmness for you.

What our testers say: “I felt very cool when I slept on the Zenhaven mattress. The breathable latex didn’t trap body heat at all. I personally preferred the firmer side of the mattress because I’m a heavier person who’s 6’7″. The softer side wasn’t quite supportive enough.” — Marten, reviewer

What We Love About the Zenhaven

• The Zenhaven’s materials are very breathable, so the mattress is a good option for hot sleepers. The latex foam feels responsive, so it doesn’t trap body heat, and the organic cotton cover allows room for airflow.
• The flippable design makes it a good fit for many different types of people. The softer side works well for lightweight back and side sleepers, while the firmer side is great for average weight back sleepers and lightweight stomach sleepers.
• The Zenhaven has a responsive feel, which makes it easy for people to move around on top of the bed. You shouldn’t feel “stuck inside” the mattress.

What to Keep in Mind About the Zenhaven

• All-natural materials are not the most affordable, so the Zenhaven may be too pricey for some.
• Side sleepers who weigh more than 130 lb may need more pressure relief. The Leesa Original could be a good alternative.
• If you love the feeling of slow-moving memory foam, you may want to consider the Cocoon Chill instead.

Other User Reviews

Out of 316 customer reviews on the Zenhaven website, the mattress has earned an overall score of 4.9/5. Many people said the mattress feels very supportive and that it was “worth every penny.” Some people said the mattress felt too firm.

Read our full Zenhaven mattress review. For other options, check out the best organic mattresses.

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Best Thin Mattress for Side Sleepers- Siena Mattress

Pros

180-night sleep trial period and 10-year warranty

Offers lots of pressure relief

Affordable

Cons

Not supportive enough for heavier people

Not great for hot sleepers

Our Expert’s Take

If you’re a side sleeper shopping for a mattress, it’s all about pressure relief. When you sleep on your side, your weight is concentrated on your shoulders and hips, and you can feel some serious pressure in those areas. If this applies to you, it’s worth looking at the Siena mattress.

The Siena features soft, comfortable memory foam that is fantastic with pressure relief. Lying down on your side, you should sink into the Siena and feel very little pressure on your shoulders and hips. If you are a back sleeper, you will also feel some fantastic contouring.

The Siena also is an affordable mattress option. For such a comfortable mattress, I would expect it to cost a pretty penny. However, it costs less than $700 for a queen size mattress.

What our testers say: “On the Siena mattress, I felt some nice pressure relief when I slept on my side. But because it’s softer than average, it’s not the best choice for back or stomach sleeping. I also felt quite warm on the mattress, so if you tend to overheat at night, you may want to look elsewhere.” —Elisa, reviewer

What We Love About the Siena Mattress

• The Siena mattress comes with a 180-night sleep trial, which is longer than many other trial periods. It’s also backed by a 10-year warranty.
• The Siena features a slow-moving memory foam feel that some will love. This is particularly great for lightweight side sleepers who need some pressure relief along their shoulders and hips.

What to Keep in Mind About the Siena Mattress

• Heavier people will want something more supportive than the Siena, such as the Zenhaven. The Siena mattress is softer than average, so heavier people will likely sink into the top layers and could develop back pain.
• The Siena is not the best match for hot sleepers. The thick foam layers tend to trap body heat, so if you run hot at night, you might want to get the Cocoon Chill instead.

Other User Reviews

Out of over 14,000 customer reviews on the Siena website, the mattress has earned an average score of 4.5/5. Many people raved about the mattress’s support and affordable price tag. One person said the mattress was too firm for their 11-year-old daughter, and other people said the mattress traps body heat.

Read the full Siena mattress review. For other recommendations, take a look at our best mattresses for side sleepers.

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Best Thin Cooling Mattress- Cocoon Chill

Pros

Good for many back and stomach sleepers

Cooling

A good value

Cons

Too firm for most side sleepers

Not supportive enough for heavier people

Our Expert’s Take

Let’s face it, sleeping hot is the worst. If you’re like me, it’s no fun to wake up sweaty and overheating. To keep things nice and cool, consider the thin Cocoon Chill mattress.

As the name suggests, the Cocoon Chill is designed specifically with hot sleepers in mind. It features phase change material in its cover which actually draws heat away from your body. It is also cool to the touch.

The Cocoon Chill is a firmer mattress, so you will sleep more on top of the mattress. This allows more air to flow over your body, keeping you even cooler during the night.

What the testers say: “The Cocoon Chill is much firmer than average, which isn’t my preference. That said, I did feel quite supported when I rested on my back and stomach. Average weight side sleepers may need a softer mattress, though.” — Elisa, Reviewer

What We Love About the Cocoon Chill

• The Cocoon Chill is firmer than average, so it offers plenty of lumbar support for back sleepers. It’s also a good match for average weight stomach sleepers, because the firm foam helps prevent hips from sinking out of alignment.
• The Cocoon Chill has a cover made out of phase change material, which feels cool to the touch. It’s one of the most effective cooling fabrics on the market.
• The Cocoon Chill is a very good value. It costs $1079.00 before coupons, and it should last at 7-10 years.

What to Keep in Mind About the Cocoon Chill

• The mattress is too firm for most side sleepers. If you rest on your side, you may feel some pressure build up along your shoulder and hip.
• The Cocoon Chill isn’t supportive enough for heavier people. If you weigh more than 230 lb, you may want to consider getting the Cocoon Chill Hybrid instead.

Other User Reviews

On the Cocoon Chill website, over 8,300 customers left reviews. Overall, the mattress has a score of 4.7/5. Many people said the mattress shipped quickly and was easy to unbox. Others praised the bed’s cooling cover. A few people left one-star reviews and said the mattress felt uncomfortable.

Read the full Cocoon Chill mattress review. For other options, take a look at our best cooling mattresses. 

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Who Should Buy A Thin Mattress?

Thin mattresses are, well, thin. This gives them plenty of benefits for certain types of sleepers. Keep reading to see if one of these applies to you.

• Lightweight sleepers. If you are on the lighter side, you really don’t need the support that a thicker mattress has to offer. You can save money by opting for a thin mattress and you’ll save on space as well!
• Children and teenagers. Children and teenagers don’t require as much support as adults. Also, it can be dangerous for children to sleep on a mattress that is too thick. A thinner mattress will keep them lower to the ground and make it more difficult to fall out of bed. This is especially important with bunk beds, as you don’t want an extremely thick mattress on the top bunk. This is especially dangerous for children and can make it easier for them to fall out of bed.
• Those with mobility issues. If you have health issues that make it more difficult to move around and get in and out of bed, you may consider a thin mattress. A thin mattress won’t let you sink in quite so far and can allow you to move around much more easily.
• Those who have a lower profile bed. If you have a more modern bed frame that sits low to the ground, a thick mattress might just be too much. Thinner mattresses pair better with lower beds.

What To Consider When Buying A Thin Mattress

Here are a few things to keep in mind when shopping for a thin mattress.

Sleeping Position

No matter what type of mattress you purchase, you want to make sure it fits your specific sleeping position. For instance, if you are a back sleeper, a medium-firm mattress will give you the balance of comfort and support you require.

Side sleepers usually fare better on softer mattresses. Soft mattresses prevent bunching up around the shoulders and hips and relieve pressure on those areas.

For mattresses for stomach sleeping, support is the name of the game. You need more support under your hips, and a firmer mattress can usually do the trick. If your mattress is too soft, your hips may sink into the mattress, and this can cause lower back pain.

Cooling

Sleeping hot is an issue for many people today. Whether you know it or not, your mattress has a lot to do with how hot or cool you sleep. You want to find a mattress that contains good cooling features.

Memory foam mattresses are known for sleeping hot because their chemicals trap body heat and direct it back at sleepers. However, some brands infuse their memory foam with cooling materials such as graphite, gel, or copper. If you want a memory foam mattress, make sure it has some sort of infusion.

Hybrid mattresses are usually a great fit for hot sleepers, as their coils allow for good airflow through the mattress. Latex mattresses are also very cooling because their natural foams do not trap heat the way memory foam mattresses do.

Durability

Even if you’re buying a more affordable thin mattress, it may still be an investment. You don’t want your mattress to start sagging right away.

Do your research and make sure that your mattress contains durable materials that will stand up to many years of use. If you are looking at an all-foam mattress, take a look at the foam density. If the brand advertises higher-density foam, that will last longer than cheaper, lower-density foam.

If you want something extremely durable, you can also consider a latex mattress. All-natural latex is more resilient than other types of foam and is a good long-term investment.

RELATED: Best Mattress That Won’t Sag

How Do You Make A Thin Mattress More Comfortable?

If you’re having trouble getting comfortable on your thin mattress, you may not need to buy a whole new mattress. With the help of a mattress topper, you can turn your thin, uncomfortable mattress into a very comfy mattress.

Depending on your sleeping position, you can choose a thinner 2” mattress topper or a much thicker 4” mattress topper. A 2” topper will add just a bit more comfort to your mattress. This is great for back sleepers who need a bit more contouring. If you sleep on your side, and your thin mattress is much too firm, a 4” topper could add a significant amount of pressure relief to the mattress.

However, don’t go too wild with your mattress topper purchase. If you choose a very thick topper, this can make things more uncomfortable over time. You may feel a lack of support, and this can lead to serious pain issues.

Summary

Once again, here is our list of the best thin mattresses.

Mattress	Best For:
Bear Original	Best Overall
Nolah Original	Best Soft Thin Mattress
Zenhaven	Best Thin Organic Mattress
Siena Mattress	Best Thin Mattress for Side Sleepers
Cocoon Chill	Best Thin Cooling Mattress

Thin Mattress FAQs

Is a 6” mattress too thin?

Six inches is quite thin for a mattress, but it should be enough for lightweight sleepers, children and some teenagers. However, a 6” mattress won’t offer much support for larger sleepers, who should look for something thicker.

Are thin mattresses better?

Thin mattresses can be good, but it depends on what you are looking for. If you need something for a lighter person, child or teenager, a thin mattress can do the trick. They aren’t good for people who need more support.

What does a thin mattress require underneath?

A thin mattress does not require as much support as a thicker mattress. Thin mattresses rarely require a box spring. Usually, a simple bed frame will suffice.

What are the cons of a thin mattress?

Thin mattresses aren’t as durable as thick mattresses, so you might need to replace them more often. They also don’t offer as much support. If you weigh more than 200 lb, you may need a thicker mattress.

Can a thin mattress cause back pain?

Depending on your height, weight and sleeping position, a thin mattress could cause back pain. In order to prevent back pain, you’ll need a mattress that helps you stay in a neutral alignment. Some thin mattresses cause sleepers to “bottom out,” which puts extra strain on pressure points.