Amerisleep AS3 Ranked #1 in Newsweek Readers’ Choice Best Mattress 2026

How Does the Newsweek Readers’ Choice Program Work?

The Newsweek Readers’ Choice Awards are a consumer recognition program that runs across product and service categories. For each category, Newsweek editors and contributors nominate up to 20 products based on editorial research and industry knowledge. Businesses cannot pay to be included on the ballot.

Once the category list is published, public voting opens for 28 days. Readers vote once per category per day, and the product with the most votes at the close of voting is named the Readers’ Choice winner.

For Best Mattress 2026, voting opened April 22, 2026, and closed May 20. The Amerisleep AS3 received the most votes among the nominees. Winners were announced June 3, 2026.

Newsweek does not release vote totals for individual categories. The final numbers are internal to Newsweek. The confirmed result is which product came out on top, not by how much or among how many ballots.

That is worth understanding before leaning too heavily on the result. A Readers’ Choice win is a measure of consumer confidence during a defined window.

It is not a controlled performance test or a clinical evaluation. It tells you that many people chose this mattress as the one they trusted most — which is meaningful, but different from what a structured review measures.

What Our Testing Shows About the AS3

I tested the Amerisleep AS3 across the categories that matter most to real sleepers: comfort and pressure relief, spinal support, motion isolation, cooling, edge support, and responsiveness. See my full Sleep Junkie AS3 review for complete findings.

Comfort and pressure relief. The AS3’s Bio-Pur® foam comfort layer provides notable pressure relief at the shoulders and hips without creating the slow, stuck-in-the-mattress feeling that some traditional memory foam mattresses produce. The open-cell structure allows the foam to respond more quickly when you shift positions, which makes it more accommodating for combination sleepers than conventional foam.

Support and spinal alignment. The HIVE® zoned support layer creates differentiated firmness across the mattress surface. Softer zones at the shoulders and hips allow those areas to sink in slightly, while firmer zones under the head, lower back, and legs resist compression.

The result is a mattress that adapts to the body’s shape rather than applying uniform resistance across the entire surface.

Motion isolation. The AS3 isolates motion well for a mattress at its price point. A partner shifting or getting out of bed produces minimal disturbance on the other side. This is one of the AS3’s stronger performance categories and a meaningful advantage for couples.

Cooling. Bio-Pur®’s open-cell structure improves airflow compared to traditional closed-cell memory foam. The Refresh cooling cover is designed to draw heat away from the skin surface.

Amerisleep states the cover sleeps approximately 7°F cooler than a standard polyester cover. For most sleepers who run warm, this combination provides adequate temperature regulation. Sleepers with significant heat sensitivity may still find the AS3 Hybrid mattress, with its coil base, a better fit.

Edge support. Edge support on the AS3 is adequate for an all-foam mattress. It is not a standout category, but it performs reasonably well for sitting on the edge of the bed and for sleeping near the perimeter.

Sleepers who prioritize strong edge support — particularly those who share the bed and use the full mattress width — may find the AS3 Hybrid’s coil base more satisfying in this area.

Responsiveness. The AS3 responds more quickly than traditional memory foam but less immediately than latex or a coil-based mattress. For most combination sleepers, the response time is sufficient. For sleepers who want a very lively, spring-like feel, the Hybrid is the closer match.

Why the AS3 Resonates with a Wide Audience

The AS3’s Readers’ Choice result makes sense when you look at its design. Medium feel is the most broadly applicable firmness point in the consumer mattress market. It does not push back aggressively enough to feel rigid for side sleepers, and it does not sink deeply enough to feel unsupportive for back sleepers.

That range covers a large portion of the sleeping population, which translates directly into a wider base of people who have found it comfortable and are willing to say so publicly.

The direct-to-consumer model also matters here. Amerisleep sells the AS3 with a 100-night trial and a 20-year warranty, which reduces the purchase risk enough that more people are likely to try it and, when it works, to recommend it. A mattress with a strong trial policy generates more first-hand opinions than one without.

None of that diminishes the result, but it helps explain the mechanism. The AS3 earned its recognition by being a broadly useful mattress with accessible purchase terms — not by being the single best mattress for every sleeper in every situation.

The Full Amerisleep Lineup — Finding Your Fit

The Newsweek win is specific to the AS3. But Amerisleep builds across a range of firmness levels and material types, and the right model depends on your sleep profile, not on which one got the most votes.

AS2 — Firm Feel

The AS2 uses the same Bio-Pur® comfort layer and HIVE® support as the AS3 but with a firmer overall feel. It pushes back more firmly against the body and allows less sink, which works well for back sleepers and stomach sleepers who need resistance to keep their hips from dropping.

If you have always preferred sleeping on a firm surface and found medium mattresses too yielding, the AS2 is worth comparing directly against the AS3.

See My Full Review of the AS2

AS3 — Medium Feel (Newsweek #1 Best Mattress 2026)

The broadest starting point in the Amerisleep lineup. Suited to combination sleepers, couples with different comfort preferences, and anyone who wants balanced cushioning and support rather than an extreme in either direction.

Our testing puts the AS3 at its strongest for side and back sleepers in the average weight range.

See My Full Review of the AS3

AS3 Hybrid — Medium Feel with Pocketed Coil Base

The AS3 Hybrid shares the medium feel and Bio-Pur® comfort layer of the AS3 but adds a pocketed coil support core. The coil base increases airflow significantly, improves edge support, and gives the mattress a more responsive, traditional feel underfoot.

Hot sleepers and those who find all-foam mattresses too warm or too slow are the strongest candidates. If your main hesitation about the AS3 is heat retention or edge performance, the Hybrid is the natural comparison.

See My Full Review of the AS3 Hybrid

AS5 — Soft Feel

The AS5 adds an Active Flex transition layer beneath the Bio-Pur® comfort foam, creating deeper contouring and more pronounced pressure relief than the AS3.

Side sleepers who feel pressure at the shoulders or hips on a medium mattress, and lighter sleepers who do not sink deeply enough into firmer foam to get adequate cushioning, tend to do better here.

It is also a strong option for sleepers with hip or shoulder sensitivity who need the mattress to yield more noticeably.

See My Full Review of the AS5

AS6 Black Series — Luxury Feel, Triple Cooling

The AS6 Black Series is Amerisleep’s premium tier, available in Plush Soft, Luxury Firm, and Firm. It is handcrafted in the USA and carries CertiPUR-US®, GREENGUARD® Gold, and OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certifications.

It goes beyond the Bio-Pur® and HIVE® foundation shared by the rest of the lineup, adding a three-layer cooling system: the CryoCool™ cover for an immediate cool-to-touch surface, a TitanAir™ titanium-infused foam layer that disperses heat efficiently, and ArcticWave™ mineral-infused cooling bands designed to maintain temperature regulation for 12 or more hours.

The AS6 is the right model for sleepers who want a luxury-tier investment, have persistent heat issues that the standard lineup does not fully resolve, or are looking for a hotel-quality feel with premium construction backing it up.

See My Full Review of the AS6

Organica — Natural Latex over Pocketed Coils

The Organica is built outside the foam lineup. It uses a natural latex comfort layer over a pocketed coil base with an organic wool and cotton cover. The feel is buoyant and responsive — closer to a traditional innerspring than to memory foam, but with the contouring and pressure relief that coil-only mattresses typically lack.

It is the right choice for shoppers who want certified organic and natural materials, are avoiding synthetic foam for health or environmental reasons, or simply prefer the feel of latex over engineered foam.

See My Full Review of the Organica

Not sure where you land? Take the Amerisleep mattress quiz to get a recommendation based on your sleep position, feel preference, and temperature needs.

Mattresses Included in Newsweek’s Best Mattress 2026 Rankings

According to Newsweek Readers’ Choice Best Mattress 2026, the Amerisleep AS3 ranked #1 among a field of recognized mattress brands and models. The 2026 nominees and finalists included:

1. Amerisleep AS3 (#1 Ranked Best Mattress of 2026)
2. Nest Bedding Sparrow Signature Hybrid
3. Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe
4. Helix Midnight Luxe
5. Casper Snow Max
6. Casper Dream
7. Beautyrest Mattress
8. Sealy Posturepedic Hybrid
9. Stearns & Foster Lux Estate
10. Avocado Green Mattress
11. Bear Elite Hybrid
12. DreamCloud Premier
13. Leesa Sapira Chill Hybrid
14. Nectar Premier Memory Foam
15. Nolah Evolution 15
16. Saatva Classic
17. Saatva Rx
18. Serta iComfort Pro
19. Sleep Number p6
20. WinkBed Original

While rankings are only one factor to consider, the Newsweek result gives shoppers an additional third-party signal when comparing today’s most recognized mattress brands and models.

A number of these mattresses have been covered in our mattress reviews, so feel free to take a look if you’re debating between models!

FAQs

How does the Newsweek Readers’ Choice program work?

Newsweek editors nominate up to 20 products per category through an editorial review process. Public voting runs for 28 days, with one vote per person per category per day. The product with the most votes at the end of the period is named the winner.

Newsweek does not disclose the total vote count. What is confirmed is which product received the most votes.

How were nominees chosen for the Best Mattress category?

Nominees were selected by Newsweek editors and contributors through editorial research and industry knowledge. Businesses cannot pay to be included on the ballot.

Is a Readers’ Choice award the same as an expert review?

No. They measure different things. A Readers’ Choice award reflects collective consumer endorsement during a defined voting period. An expert review evaluates specific performance categories — pressure relief, support, cooling, motion isolation, edge support — under documented testing conditions.

Both are useful, but they answer different questions.

How should shoppers interpret a consumer vote award alongside a hands-on review?

Use the award as a confidence signal and the review as a fit guide. The award tells you many people found the product worth endorsing. The review tells you how it performs across the specific categories that matter for your sleep style. Neither is sufficient on its own.

What is Bio-Pur® foam and how does it perform compared to traditional memory foam?

Bio-Pur® is Amerisleep’s plant-based memory foam. Its open-cell structure allows more airflow than traditional closed-cell memory foam, helping regulate temperature. It also responds more quickly when you change positions, reducing the stuck feeling that some sleepers experience with conventional foam.

What is HIVE® support and how does it affect pressure relief?

HIVE® is a zoned transition layer with hexagonal cutouts that vary in firmness across different regions of the mattress. Softer zones sit beneath the shoulders and hips; firmer zones sit beneath the head, lower back, and legs. The result is a mattress that cushions where the body needs relief and supports where it needs stability.

What sleep positions does the AS3 work best for?

The AS3 performs well for side, back, and combination sleepers. It is not well suited for stomach sleepers, who typically need a firmer surface to prevent the hips from dropping and the spine from hyperextending.

What is the difference between the AS3 and the AS3 Hybrid?

Both use the same medium feel and Bio-Pur® comfort layer. The AS3 Hybrid adds a pocketed coil support core, which improves airflow, increases edge support, and gives the mattress a more responsive feel.

The AS3 is the better choice for sleepers who prefer an all-foam feel and do not have significant heat concerns. The Hybrid is better for hot sleepers and those who want more bounce or stronger edge performance.

Does the AS3 sleep cool?

Better than most traditional memory foam mattresses. The Bio-Pur® open-cell structure improves airflow, and the Refresh cover is designed to sleep approximately 7°F cooler than a standard polyester cover. Sleepers with significant heat sensitivity may still prefer the AS3 Hybrid, which adds a coil base for greater airflow throughout the mattress.

What does the 100-night trial cover and how does it work?

Amerisleep’s 100-night trial allows you to test the AS3 at home. If you are not satisfied after the first 30 nights, you can request a return for a full refund. Confirm the current terms on the product page before purchase.

What firmness level should I start with if I’m unsure?

Medium is the most broadly applicable starting point for sleepers who are uncertain. It balances cushioning and support in a way that works for the widest range of sleep positions and body types. If you know you prefer a firm or soft surface, start there instead.

How does body weight affect which mattress firmness feels right?

Heavier sleepers tend to sink more deeply into a mattress and may find that a medium mattress feels softer than its label suggests. Lighter sleepers may not compress the comfort layer enough to get full pressure relief on a firm mattress.

A medium-firm feel is often recommended for heavier sleepers; a medium to soft feel for lighter sleepers who need more contouring.

What is the difference between a memory foam mattress and a hybrid?

A memory foam mattress uses foam layers throughout for support and comfort. A hybrid combines a foam or latex comfort layer with a pocketed coil support base. Hybrids typically offer better airflow, more bounce, and stronger edge support. Memory foam typically offers better motion isolation and a closer body-contouring feel.

What should I prioritize if I sleep with a partner who has different comfort needs?

Motion isolation and a compromise firmness level are the two most important factors. A medium-feel mattress reduces the likelihood that one partner’s firmness preference dominates. Strong motion isolation ensures that one partner’s movement does not disturb the other. The AS3 performs well on both counts.

How do I know when it’s time to replace my current mattress?

Common signs include waking with pain or stiffness that improves after getting up, visible sagging or body impressions in the mattress surface, increased partner disturbance, or a mattress that is more than seven to ten years old. If you sleep better in a hotel or on another mattress than you do at home, that is a reliable indicator.

What should I look for in a mattress trial policy before I buy?

Look for the length of the trial, when returns are eligible (some require a break-in period before a return is allowed), whether returns are free, and how the refund is processed. A 100-night trial with free returns and a full refund is the most protective setup for an online mattress purchase.

How does Sleep Junkie test mattresses?

Sleep Junkie evaluates mattresses across comfort and pressure relief, spinal support, motion isolation, cooling, edge support, and responsiveness, with testing conducted over an extended period by certified sleep coaches and product testers. Reviews disclose the tester’s sleep position and profile to help readers assess relevance to their own needs.

What does a mattress score or rating actually measure?

Scores aggregate performance across specific, defined categories. A high overall score means the mattress performed well across most of those categories — not that it will be perfect for every sleeper. Look at the category-level scores alongside the overall score to understand where a mattress is strong and where it has limits.

How do I use a review to narrow down my options without getting analysis paralysis?

Identify the two or three performance categories that matter most to your sleep — cooling, pressure relief, motion isolation — and focus on those scores and findings rather than reading every detail. Then check the reviewer’s sleep profile to see how closely it matches yours.

Should I trust a mattress recommendation from a site that has affiliate relationships?

Affiliate relationships are standard in mattress content and do not automatically indicate bias, but they are worth knowing about.

Look for sites that disclose their relationships clearly, maintain a consistent testing methodology, and include both strengths and limitations in their reviews. A review that only highlights positives without noting trade-offs is a less reliable source regardless of affiliate status.

How do consumer votes and expert testing give different kinds of useful information?

Consumer votes tell you what a large audience endorses. Expert testing tells you how a specific mattress performs across defined, measurable categories. Use the vote as a shortlisting signal and the expert review as a fit guide. Together, they give you more confidence than either would alone.

What red flags should I watch for in a mattress review?

No disclosed testing methodology, no mention of the reviewer’s sleep profile, reviews that contain only positive findings with no trade-offs, outdated reviews for mattresses that have been reformulated, and sites that do not disclose affiliate or ownership relationships. Any of these reduce the usefulness of the review for making a purchase decision.

How did the Amerisleep AS3 compare to other mattresses in the Newsweek 2026 field?

The AS3 received the most votes among all 20 nominees in the Best Mattress 2026 category. The field included a mix of direct-to-consumer foam and hybrid brands, traditional manufacturers, and luxury sleep brands — making the result a meaningful signal of consumer preference across a broadly competitive category.

Were any other Amerisleep mattresses included in the Newsweek 2026 nominees?

No. The AS3 was the only Amerisleep model on the 2026 Best Mattress ballot. The recognition applies specifically to the AS3, not the broader Amerisleep lineup.

Should You Buy the AS3?

The AS3 is a strong candidate if you want a medium-feel foam mattress, sleep in more than one position, share a bed, or are looking for a well-documented mattress with both consumer recognition and hands-on review backing behind it.

It is less likely to be the right fit if you need a firm surface, strongly prefer the feel of coils or latex, have significant heat sensitivity that an all-foam mattress may not fully address, or have specific clinical guidance pointing toward a different firmness or material type.

The 100-night trial reduces the stakes. If the AS3’s medium feel turns out to be too soft or too firm for your body after a few weeks of real-world use, you are not locked in.