All-foam mattress? Check. High-quality? Check. Back and side sleeper approved? Check.
If you’re in the market for a new memory foam bed without all of the drawbacks, then the Nolah Signature 12″ mattress might be the best pick for you. Nolah proudly states that this mattress sells for one-third of the retail price of in-store memory foam mattresses. Let’s see if it lives up to its nice price tag.
I’ll pit the Nolah Signature 12” against the hundreds of other beds I’ve tested, looking at firmness level, feel, how it performed, and so much more. So keep reading to find out if this is the bed for you. Everything you want to know is right here in my unbiased Nolah Signature 12″ Mattress review.
Nolah Signature 12″ Mattress
Material
Foam
Trial Period
120 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Price Range
$1299 – $2798
Nolah Signature 12″ Mattress
The Nolah Signature is a fantastic medium-firm mattress that offers plenty of foam comfort and pressure relief.
Material
Foam
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
120 nights
Price Range
$1299 – $2798
Nolah Signature 12″ Mattress
The Nolah Signature is a fantastic medium-firm mattress that offers plenty of foam comfort and pressure relief.
Material
Foam
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Trial Period
120 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$1299 – $2798
I Recommend The Nolah Signature For…
- Side sleepers. This bed offers plenty of pressure relief to keep the shoulders and hips cushioned.
- Sleepers with pain concerns. This same pressure relief can cradle sensitive areas prone to pain, while the supportive foams underneath help support folks who struggle with lower back pain.
- Combination sleepers. If you switch positions while you sleep, but don’t want to compromise the memory foam feel, the Nolah Signature should be responsive enough for you to move around with ease.
I Don’t Recommend The Nolah Signature For…
- Sleepers who want a firm mattress. The Nolah Signature is a medium-firm bed, and it’s more medium than firm, so steer clear if you want a firmer mattress.
- Stomach sleepers. In a similar vein, most stomach sleepers won’t be comfortable on this mattress and should search for something on the firmer side.
- Innerspring fans. This is a foam mattress, and though it has some bounce, it won’t give that same springy, lifted feeling that most beds with coils have. Feel free to check out our list of best innerspring mattresses if that’s what you’re looking for.
Nolah Signature Mattress Test Performance: My Overall Rating
Our team of Certified Sleep Science Coaches personally test each mattress in seven categories — including, but certainly not limited to, materials, comfort, cooling, and support. The Nolah Signature is an overall well-rounded mattress. I was especially impressed with Nolah’s company policies.
Hover over the icons to learn more about these different topics, or scroll down for a more detailed analysis on each one.
Nolah Signature 12″ Performance in Our Tests
Support – 4/5
Overall, the Nolah Signature brings consistent support in most positions. As a medium-firm bed, it provides a truly balanced feel. The upper comfort layers should cushion your body while the support foam underneath keeps everything comfortably lifted. Sleepers with back pain should consider giving this mattress a second glance.
When it comes to side sleeping, the Nolah Signature mattress really shines. I could feel the top layer of Airfoam contouring to the pressure points in my hips and shoulders. It’s important to note, though, that some stomach sleepers may find the Nolah too soft to support them.
Edge Support – 3/5
Traditional memory foam mattresses typically don’t have the best edge support. For the Nolah Signature, I did notice a bit of compression at the edges. However, the high-density foam base layer kept me from bottoming out.
To get specific, I measured the amount of sagging with a tape measure. As I sat on the edge of the Nolah Signature, I recorded it dipping 2.75”. Compared to most foam mattresses, this is a solid score, but not as impressive as innerspring beds with coil-lined perimeters.
Cooling – 4/5
Memory foam mattresses are known for trapping heat, but with the Nolah, I’m happy to report it sleeps a bit cooler. The Tencel cover is designed to be breathable. And the main comfort layer, the Nolah Airfoam, is designed to fight heat retention.
During our cooling test, I measured the increase in temperature with a thermal gun. Before I rested on the mattress, it was at 72.2 F, and after lying there for five minutes, it was 79 F: a 7-degree increase. Though I didn’t feel like I was overheating, some sleepers that are extra-sensitive to heat may want a cooler bed.
Motion Transfer – 4/5
When it comes to motion transfer and motion isolation, the Nolah, like most foam mattresses, does very well. At Mattress Clarity, we test motion transfer out in a couple different ways. One way we do it is by putting a glass of water on the bed, and we press into the layers around it.
The water barely moved as I pressed my hands around the glass. This test is a good indicator for couples looking for a new mattress. You likely won’t feel your partner change positions or get out of bed on the Nolah.
Response – 3.5/5
Foam beds aren’t usually known for responsiveness, but the Nolah Signature performed pretty well, all things considered. This is likely due to the High-Resilience foam found within the bed’s comfort layers.
There was some sinking in from the cushy Airfoam on the top, but not enough to drastically impede motion. Most combination sleepers and sexually active sleepers shouldn’t have to struggle to move on the surface.
Durability – 4/5
The Nolah Signature Mattress is composed of some really durable high-density foam, not just including the foundational support layer. Because of that, I expect this mattress to last a good while.
Factors such as frequency of use and weight play a part here, but I fully expect this mattress to last seven to 10 years, which is fairly typical for a high-quality mattress.
Nolah Signature Policy Scores
Trial Period – 5/5
Because Nolah doesn’t have a brick-and-mortar location, it’s important to know that you can test your mattress. The Nolah Signature has a 120-night sleep trial period.
Nolah offers returns for their mattresses, but the company requires you to test out the mattress for 30 days first. This ensures that you give your body enough time to adjust to the new bed. If you decide that the Nolah Signature Mattress isn’t for you, Nolah will give you a refund and come pick up your mattress — just note the $99 removal fee.
Warranty – 5/5
The best warranties are the ones that last longer. And if that’s important for you, you’re in luck. The Nolah Signature Mattress comes with a lifetime warranty.
During the first two years of the warranty, if there’s anything wrong with your mattress, Nolah will replace it for free. The following eight years, you’ll have to pay the $99 removal fee in order to have your mattress repaired. After that, as the years go on, you may be expected to pay anywhere from 50% or 60% of the original mattress price. Nolah also offers a “Don’t Lose Sleep” plan, which means you can keep your old mattress and receive a new one at a discounted price.
Nolah Signature: Other Factors to Consider
There’s a lot that goes into a mattress. Here are some other considerations you might want to take into account before making your final decision about the Nolah Signature.
Off-Gassing
Because the Nolah Signature is a bed-in-a-box, you may experience some off-gassing. This just means you may notice a slight chemical smell to the mattress when you first take it out of the box. The good news is, after about 24 to 48 hours, I noticed the smell had faded away.
Noise
Typically, all-foam mattresses don’t make much, if any, noise. The Nolah Signature is no exception — I didn’t notice anything as I moved or changed positions.
Sex
Couples looking for the best mattresses for sex may think they need to avoid all-foam mattresses. The Nolah Signature is different, though. It’s a good deal more responsive than other foam mattresses, so I expect this to be a good pick for sex.
Mattress Height
The Nolah Signature Mattress is 12” tall. This is about the industry standard for mattress height. If you’re looking for a taller bed by Nolah, consider checking out the brand’s luxury model, the Nolah Evolution.
Sleeping Position and Weight
Average-weight back and side sleepers should really enjoy the balanced foam feel of this mattress, feeling both comfort and support. But, as I’ve mentioned, stomach sleepers might need a firmer, more responsive mattress to keep the correct spine alignment.
Lightweight sleepers in all positions could call this one of the best mattresses for lightweight sleepers. Unfortunately, heavyweight sleepers might not find themselves comfortable on the mattress and may end up sinking in too far.
For a quick overview of which sleeping positions and body types should like the Nolah Signature, check out the chart below.
Sleeper Weight | Back Sleepers | Side Sleepers | Stomach Sleepers |
Lightweight (Under 130 lb) | Excellent | Excellent | Good |
Average (130 – 230 lb) | Excellent | Excellent | Fair |
Heavyweight (Over 230 lb) | Fair | Bad | Bad |
Heavyweight Tester – 6’7”, 270 lbs
“The Nolah Signature feels different in each sleeping position. Back sleeping on this mattress, I felt a good amount of comfort and support. My hips sank in just a little, but overall, this mattress really provided some good lumbar support for the back. I felt a bit of pressure when I rested on my side, and I didn’t get enough hip support when I slept on my stomach.” – Marten
Average-weight Tester – 5’2”, 150 lbs
“I felt really great when I slept on my back and side. The medium-firm feel offered the comfort I needed and prevented me from ‘bottoming out.’ I felt my hips sink in a little when I slept on my stomach, but that shouldn’t be an issue for smaller people.” – Elisa
Nolah Signature 12″ Construction
The Nolah Signature is an all-foam mattress, but it’s got some special features that make it stand out from the rest. Let’s dive into what makes it special.
Cover
The Nolah Signature has a soft cover made with 100% organic cotton. The result? A luxuriously breathable exterior that you’ll love to lounge on. It should provide a balance of comfort and cooling.
Comfort Layers
The top comfort layer contains Nolah’s Plush Contouring Airfoam. This is proprietary to Nolah, and it’s designed to dissipate body heat.
Right underneath that top layer, we have some Deep Supportive High-Resilience foam. This adds to the responsiveness of the mattress. Because this layer is denser than Nolah’s Airfoam, it doesn’t sink as much as some other memory foam mattresses out there.
Then, you’ll find another layer of Airfoam. This layer feels much firmer than the foam you’ll find at the top, which helps you get the necessary support.
Support Layer
The bottom support layer is made of 7” of high-density foam. This provides great lumbar support for back sleepers and helps give the mattress some good edge support, too.
One thing to mention – for added support, Nolah does recommend that you keep the mattress on one of their flat foundations or adjustable bases.
How to Try and Buy the Nolah Signature Mattress
The easiest way to get a Nolah Signature 12” mattress is to buy directly from Nolah’s site. This way, you’re also getting the best deal by cutting out the middleman — also, you can use coupons and wait for sales. However, if you’re someone who likes to see a bed in-person before you buy, Nolah has a list of stores they partner with on their site.
If you’re comfortable buying a mattress online, you can rest easy knowing that you have time to try out the mattress. Not only does Nolah ship their beds in a box for free, they’ll give you 120 nights to decide whether a bed is right for you. If you decide it’s not, they’ll take away your mattress and give you a full refund (just note you’ll pay a $99 removal fee).
Nolah Signature Mattress Size Options and Price
As I said earlier, this mattress is intended to be more affordable than mattresses in-store. Take a look at the up-to-date price table below. Please note: Prices do not reflect discounts.
Size | Dimensions | Price |
Twin | 38″ x 75″ | $1299.00 |
Twin XL | 38″ x 80″ | $1399.00 |
Full | 54″ x 75″ | $1649.00 |
Queen | 60″ x 80″ | $1799.00 |
King | 76″ x 80″ | $2049.00 |
California King | 72″ x 84″ | $2049.00 |
Nolah Signature 12″ Mattress
The Nolah Signature is a fantastic medium-firm mattress that offers plenty of foam comfort and pressure relief.
35% off sitewide + 2 free pillows with mattress purchase
How the Nolah Signature Compares
Shopping for a new mattress is quite the investment. It’s always a good idea to look at a few different comparisons. Let’s compare the Nolah Signature 12” to another Nolah model, alongside two other memory foam beds.
Product
Type
Score
Product
Type
Score
Product
Type
Score
Nolah Signature 12” vs Nolah Evolution
The Nolah Signature 12” and Nolah Evolution are made by the same brand, but they couldn’t be more different. For one, the Nolah Evolution is a hybrid mattress, while the Nolah Signature is an all-foam bed. This results in two different feels: the Nolah Signature is denser than the Nolah Evolution, which has a balanced feel (with some plushness on top). The Nolah Evolution does have three firmness options to choose from, while the Nolah Signature comes in one medium-firm feel.
When it comes to performance, both mattresses are well-rounded. However, Nolah Evolution earned an impressive perfect cooling score, making it the better option for hot sleepers. However, if budget is a concern for you, the Nolah Signature is the more affordable option. And if you’re wanting a hybrid, there is a hybrid option of the Nolah Signature 12” (but you’ll have to pay to upgrade).
Nolah Signature 12” vs Nectar
Nectar is considered one of the best bed-in-a-box mattresses, but let’s see how it stacks up to the Nolah Signature. Both fall around the standard medium-firm range of 6.5/10. However, we rated the Nolah Signature a little more responsive than the Nectar.
In terms of construction, these two mattresses are both all-foam, but the layers work a little differently. Nolah contains the company’s proprietary AirFoam, which provides excellent pressure relief. Nectar’s top comfort layer is made of gel foam, which is designed to help sleepers stay especially cool at night.
Finally, looking at the price, the Nectar is a bit more affordable than the Nolah. But remember, you can always save some extra money with our Nectar Coupons.
Nolah Signature 12″ vs Bear Original
The Bear Original is another all-foam mattress, but it’s not quite the same as the Nolah Signature. Both the Bear and Nolah Signature are medium-firm beds (6.5/10). The Nolah Signature, however, is a bit bouncier than the Bear, making it a better option for combination sleepers. The Bear Original boasts a higher motion isolation score, so couples might prefer it.
The biggest difference, though, is their price. The Bear Original is considered an affordable foam option, coming in at under $1,000 for a queen — even before sales. You can even upgrade the Bear Original to add a cool performance textile, Celliant, to its cover — which purportedly aids in both cooling and muscle recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Nolah Signature Mattress
Let’s see what kinds of questions people are asking about the Nolah Signature Mattress.
Is the Nolah Signature 12″ a good mattress?
The Nolah 12″ Signature is indeed a good mattress. It’s sold at a budget-friendly price point and works well for many average-weight back and side sleepers.
Can you flip the Nolah Signature 12″ mattress?
No, the Nolah Signature is no longer a flippable mattress. It has a high-density foam layer at the bottom and comfort layers on top. If you flipped it, the bed wouldn’t feel comfortable. It has a classic medium-firm feel, however, so it works well for a variety of sleepers.
Does Nolah offer a trial period?
Nolah offers a 120-night sleep trial. If you don’t like your mattress, you can return it for a refund. Just make sure you’ve tried out your Nolah Signature 12″ mattress for 30 days before you contact the company.
Nolah Signature Mattress Video Review
Let’s see what this bed is all about! Check out our video review below.