Best Floor Mattress

Zoma Start Mattress Review

Many people who live a physically active lifestyle like to keep their mattresses on the floor because of the sturdy and stable back support it provides. Keeping your mattress on the floor can help ease back pain caused by a long day of physical activity – and that’s just what the Zoma Start was designed to do.

The Zoma Start ships free and comes with a 100-night sleep trial and a 10-year warranty.

Vaya Mattress Overview

If you’re setting your mattress on the floor because of tight budget constraints, you probably don’t want to spend a ton of money on the mattress itself. Good thing the Vaya Mattress is here to save the day! This mattress might be affordable, but it’s also contouring, cool, and supportive.

Vaya guarantees their mattress’s quality by offering a 100-night sleep trial and a 10-year warranty, along with free shipping.

Amerisleep AS3 Overview

If you want a mattress that has a little bit of everything to please almost everyone, say hello to the AS3 by Amerisleep. This mattress has it all. It’s cooling. It’s contouring. It’s responsive. It’s durable. And it’s not going to cost you an arm and a leg.

All Amerisleep mattresses ship free and come with a 100-night sleep trial and a 20-year warranty.

Nolah Original 10 Overview

Among the best floor mattresses for hot sleepers, the Nolah Original 10 combines layers of temperature-neutral memory foam with a cooling cover to create a sleep surface that stays cool to the touch.

The Nolah Original 10 has a 120-night sleep trial and a lifetime warranty. If you’re looking to save further, you can remove the trial period at checkout for an added discount.

Saatva Loom and Leaf Overview

If you’re looking for a floor mattress that will minimize your risk of allergen exposure, check out the Saatva Loom and Leaf. This memory foam mattress is practically made for sleeping on the floor. It’s highly supportive and incredibly durable.

The Loom and Leaf comes with a 365-night trial period and a lifetime warranty. Saatva also goes beyond free shipping, arranging an in-bedroom setup appointment to deliver your mattress. They even haul away your old one, if needed.

Best Mobile Floor Mattress: Millard Tri-Fold

If you’re looking at floor mattresses for guest spaces that won’t take up a lot of room when they’re not in use, check out the Millard Tri-Folding Mattress. This thin, medium-firm mattress will keep your guests comfortable when they’re there and fit right into a closet when they’re gone.

Emoor Japanese Futon Overview

Those who want a beautiful Japanese futon to fit in their calming and tranquil personal space should consider the Emoor Japanese Futon Mattress. This sleeping mat offers traditional style and comfort.

King Koil Air Mattress Overview

Sleeping on air mattresses is typically pretty rough, but if you want a better night’s sleep on an air mattress, check out the King Koil. This air mattress is so comfortable it might just trick you into thinking you’re on a real bed.

LEEWADEE Rollable Floor Mat Overview

Those who want a stylish and comfortable roll-away mattress for sleeping on the floor should check out the LEEWADEE Rollable Floor Mat. This comfortable and traditional Thai sleeping mat offers a soft massage to lull you to sleep.

D&D Futon Furniture Traditional Japanese/Thai Floor Mattress Overview

If you want a fantastic rollable mattress for sleeping in your van or RV, check out the D&D Futon Furniture Traditional Japanese/Thai Floor Mattress. This mattress offers the ultimate roll-away sleeping experience.

This futon mattress ships free and comes with a 30-day return policy.

How to Choose a Floor Mattress

Choosing a mattress that can handle being placed on the floor and is also supportive and cradling enough to keep you comfortable all night doesn’t have to be a pain. You just need to think about certain characteristics that might be less important if you were using a bed frame: like airflow and moisture resistance.

Material and Construction

Your mattress’s material is going to have a huge impact on how comfortable your sleep surface is and how well the bed stands up to being on the floor.

Floor mattresses need to have materials that resist microbes and moisture buildup to establish a durable mattress. Some mattress types are better suited for this than others. So you’ll need to pay attention to the construction of your floor mattress when shopping for it.

Memory Foam

Flexible polyurethane foam – commonly known as memory foam – is among the most popular bedding materials on the market because it’s affordable, durable, and comfortable. Modern memory foam has also improved a lot since its early days. Memory foam mattresses are no longer sweltering, nor does the material have a strong chemical smell.

Memory foam can make for excellent floor mattresses – assuming it sports open-cell construction and can wick away moisture. The good news is that almost all memory foams nowadays are open-cell. So moisture buildup is not something you’ll really need to worry about.

Memory foam also creates an extremely hostile environment for microbes like dust mites, mold, and bacteria. That means it can resist common pests ¹ Verified Source Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Works to control/prevent natural and manmade disasters. See the source that can be exacerbated by keeping your mattress on the floor.

The main issues with memory foam are problems that will only affect hot sleepers and active sleepers. Memory foam has improved a lot when it comes to temperature control, but if you sleep hot, you may still need a cooler option like latex or a hybrid. Memory foam is also not the most responsive of mattress materials, so it may annoy sleepers who like to toss and turn.

SEE ALSO: Memory Foam Mattress Buying Guide

Natural Latex

Natural latex comes from the processed sap of the rubber tree and is a naturally durable material. In fact, this natural foam is the most durable bedding material on the market by a landslide. A latex mattress can outlast any other mattress type, sometimes by decades. So it’s a great option for a floor mattress.

Natural latex is highly breathable, meaning it can fight moisture buildup caused by the lack of circulation under the bed. This foam establishes hypoallergenic mattresses for allergies also resists microbes and common allergens even better than memory foam. Unless, that is, you have a latex allergy or are sensitive to cotton and wool, two common materials in organic mattresses with latex foam.

Plus, it’s highly responsive and much cooler than memory foam. Latex is the perfect material for active sleepers who want an all-foam mattress because it will bounce right back as soon as you move. It’s also a great alternative to memory foam for hot sleepers because of its natural breathability. Our latex vs memory foam guide discusses the differences between these two materials in depth.

Natural latex mattresses’ disadvantages are few and far between, but they do exist. The main problem with natural and organic mattresses is their expense. Natural latex’s cost over time might be reduced by its durability, but its upfront cost puts it out of reach for many shoppers. Natural latex is also heavy and hard to move. So if you switch apartments a lot, it may not be for you.

SEE ALSO: Latex Mattress Buying Guide

Hybrid

Hybrid mattresses combine upper layers of comfort and transition foams with a support layer of pocketed coils. These individually wrapped coils can move independently, making a hybrid mattress capable of adapting all the way through.

These pocketed coils also make hybrids potentially the best floor mattresses on the market. Pocketed coils allow circulation in a way that base foam just can’t. So hybrid mattresses circulate air on the floor almost as well as they would on a bed frame. They can do all this without losing their adaptability or motion transfer control.

Hybrid mattresses can also be made with any kind of foam. So those who want the contouring of memory foam can have it, and those who want the bounce of latex can have it – all while sleeping on the same coil system.

The biggest disadvantages of hybrids as floor mattresses are their expense and comparatively low durability. Hybrids are almost as expensive as latex mattresses upfront, and the fact that they’re not as durable as pure latex mattresses means they can become the most expensive mattress type over the course of their lifetimes. See our hybrid vs latex mattress guide for an in-depth comparison.

SEE ALSO: Hybrid Mattress Buying Guide

Innerspring

Innerspring mattresses are made by combining a comfort layer made of any plush material (common ones include cotton, wool, fiberfill, and foam) with a layer of open coils. Open coils are wired together to form a network rather than moving independently.

Innerspring mattresses stand up well to being on the floor. They circulate air better than just about any other mattress and can fight off moisture and heat buildup alike. Due to their lightweight nature, it’s relatively easy to lift them up and lean them against the wall to air out during the day.

However, the fact that they make good floor mattresses doesn’t mean they make good sleep surfaces. While innerspring mattresses can circulate air due to their open coil support layers, these open coils also cause a lot of problems.

Open coils are awful at controlling motion transfer. They send waves of motion all over the bed whenever you move. They also wear out and sag faster than pocketed coils. So you’ll be replacing a mattress with traditional innersprings more often than other mattress types. Open coils also cannot contour to your shape. That means they let your spin fall out of alignment.

For all these reasons, we recommend going with a hybrid mattress if you want the best floor mattress with a coil support layer. See our hybrid vs innerspring mattress guide.

SEE ALSO: Innerspring Mattress Buying Guide

Firmness Level

The firmness level of your floor mattress depends mostly on your sleep style and a little on your body type. The position you prefer to sleep in dictates where your pressure points are and how your spine lines up in the bed. Your body type dictates whether you get sufficient compression and support.

Back Sleepers

Back sleepers need a sleep surface that can keep their bodies lifted and contour to the curve of their spine to support the lumbar region and compress under the buttocks. Without the right mattress for back sleeping, a person may wake up with back pain and other aches.

Usually, medium-firm mattresses fit this bill. Medium-firm mattresses can fight sinkage without sacrificing the contouring you need to keep your spine in a healthy position.

However, medium or firm mattresses can also suit back sleepers who want a softer or more supportive feel.

Combination Sleepers

Combo sleepers like to change things up from night to night. So they need a versatile mattress that can accommodate their changing sleep preferences. Mattresses for combination sleeping with a medium feel offer an even balance of support and cradling that can keep you comfortable in multiple sleep positions. You can sleep on your back one night, your side the next, and so on.

Side Sleepers

Side sleepers need medium to soft mattresses. When you sleep on your side, your hips and shoulders get pressed into the sleep surface under your body weight. This can cause pain in these pressure points if your mattress is too firm.

Softer mattresses compress under your joints to cradle them and absorb pressure, protecting you from pain. Some of the best mattresses for side sleepers even provide targeted support for the shoulders and hips.

Stomach Sleepers

Stomach sleepers need firm and even extra-firm mattresses to counter sinkage in their pelvises. Sleeping on your stomach causes your pelvis to sink forward into the mattress. This overarches the spine and causes lower back pain. But sleeping on a mattress for stomach sleeping with a firmer feel can keep your pelvis lifted and your spine aligned.

Body Type

Your sleep position provides a baseline for your firmness needs. But your body type can cause you to need a firmer or softer mattress than the one that corresponds to your preferred sleeping position. As a general rule, sleepers who weigh between 130 and 230 pounds don’t have to worry about their body type.

If you weigh more than 230 pounds, you’re considered a plus-size sleeper. This means you may need to go up a firmness level from the one that goes with your sleep position to get enough support to avoid sinkage in a mattress for heavy sleepers.

If you weigh less than 130 pounds, you’re a petite sleeper. You may need to go down a firmness level to get enough pressure relief in a mattress for lightweight sleepers.

Alternatives to a Floor Mattress

A floor mattress has its appeal but it may not be for everyone. For many who keep their mattresses on the floor to save money, we want to note that even budget mattresses can benefit from being kept a few inches off the ground with a mattress foundation.

You can also save significantly on high-quality mattresses and mattress foundations by shopping the year’s big mattress sales:

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What if you’re considering a floor mattress because you want a bed you can bring out for guests? However, you don’t have the space or budget for a separate bedroom with a mattress for guests? There are several alternatives you can consider:

• A trundle bed rolls out from underneath a bed frame and is commonly used at children’s sleepovers and other such occasions.
• A sofa bed is, as the name suggests, a couch with a fold-out bed. Also known as futons (not to be confused with Japanese-style floor futons), these can be dressed up with a futon mattress topper.
• A daybed is like a sofa bed, with a mattress instead a frame that resembles a couch. The design creates a place where you can sit during the day and rest at night.
• A Murphy bed is like a pull-out sofa bed, only instead you keep the mattress inside a vertical or horizontal cabinet. The Murphy bed mattress can fold out at night and be tucked away during the day.

FAQs

Are there advantages to keeping a mattress on the floor?

There are some advantages to floor mattresses. Perhaps the biggest advantage is the fact that you can’t get sturdier support than the floor. The even and rigid support provided by the floor can help keep your mattress from sagging and extend its life expectancy.

There’s also the economic benefit of keeping a floor mattress. Setting your mattress directly on the floor means you don’t have to spend money on a bed frame or bed base. This can save you several hundred dollars.

A floor bed also has the advantage of a sleek, modern look. If you are going for a minimalist or industrial look, your bed can’t get more low-profile than the floor. Some floor mattresses are also easy to fold up or roll up and stow away, freeing up room space for daytime use.

How can I safely keep my mattress on the floor?

Keeping your mattress on the floor does come with some disadvantages. Moisture buildup and pests are two big issues that can damage your mattress on the floor. There are ways to mitigate these threats without spending the money that a frame or bed foundation requires.

Using a waterproof mattress protector that envelopes the bed can fight off both pests and moisture. A zippered, impermeable mattress cover goes over your whole mattress, creating a barrier that protects it from dirt and moisture from both above and below.

Using a bunkie board under your mattress can also help protect it from damage. A bunkie board will only add an inch or so to the bed’s overall profile. So it won’t change the look of your bed. But it will provide an extra layer of protection for your mattress. A piece of plyboard or a tatami mat can also offer this if you like the look of it.

Will keeping my mattress on the floor void its warranty?

This is absolutely a possibility. Because floor mattresses are subject to water and pest damage, many companies specify their mattresses cannot be kept on the floor. Doing so can void the mattress warranty.

While you might not be able to keep your mattress directly on the floor, you may be able to keep it on a bunkie board or a tatami mat. Even an ultra low-profile bed frame may give you the look you want and protect your warranty. Just make sure to read the fine print in any mattress warranty so that you can know how to preserve your coverage.

What is the best floor mattress for hot sleepers?

The best floor mattress for hot sleepers is one that will circulate air throughout to ensure your sleep surface stays cool all night. We’d recommend either a gel memory foam or natural latex hybrid.

Gel memory foam is a thermally conductive material, meaning a gel memory foam mattress draws heat away from your body and diffuses it. Meanwhile, natural latex is so breathable that it just pushes hot air out of your mattress and pulls in cool air all night.

Whichever foam you choose, highly breathable pocketed coils will keep air circulating under the comfort foams for an even cooler sleep surface – all without sacrificing the contouring and adaptability you need to keep your spine aligned and your pressure points cradled.

Should I use a mattress protector on my floor mattress?

Absolutely. You need a mattress protector for every mattress, but floor mattresses are especially susceptible to the problems mattress protectors can prevent, such as dirt, pests, and moisture.

Not only do you need a mattress protector for your floor mattress. You need a specific kind of mattress protector called an envelope protector. Envelope protectors do exactly what their name suggests. They envelop your mattress to protect it on all sides – while regular mattress protectors simply protect the top.

Protecting the bottom and sides of your mattress as well as the top is vital to prevent icky things on the floor from becoming icky things in your mattress.

Bottom Line

Keeping your mattress on the floor can work well if you take precautions to ensure your bed does not retain moisture or become full of pests. If you ensure neither of these things happens, you can have an incredible floor-sleeping experience!