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The 9 Best Mattresses For Murphy Beds To Avoid The Dreaded Slump

Jack Byram
Author:
November 10, 2023
Jack Byram
mbg Contributing Writer
By Jack Byram
mbg Contributing Writer
Jack Byram is a freelance writer who covers health and wellness. He’s also spent a lot of time reviewing everything from tech gadgets to home goods, and writing about them for varying outlets.
Best Mattress for Murphy Bed with murphy bed open on blue background
Image by mbg creative / Jeremy/ iStock
November 10, 2023

Living with limited space often requires compromise. A shoebox-sized bedroom can't hold an office space, home gym, and a guest bed without a few creative solutions—like a Murphy bed. 

The futuristic, foldable bed offers the best of both worlds; a hidden nighttime oasis that lets you get your work (or workouts) done during the day before transforming into a spot to crash and catch some zzz's at night. 

Once you've splurged on your new bed, the next step in improving your sleep setup is finding the best mattress for a Murphy bed. The bad news? You'll need to keep a few extra things in mind—such as mattress height and structure—when finding the right option.

The good news? Tons of brands create the best mattresses for Murphy beds that also work in a standard frame.

A quick look at the best mattresses for Murphy beds

How to choose the right mattress for a Murphy bed

Every Murphy bed may have slightly different measurements, so it's important to always do a little research on your frame before purchasing a mattress.

  • Feel: Along with matching the size of your Murphy bed—which is likely a twin, full, or queen—the mattress also can't be too plush.
  • Thickness: You'll want a design less than 12 inches tall or an option that wouldn't require extra-deep bedsheets. Otherwise, the excess cushioning could prevent your bed from closing.
  • Firmness: It's also extra important to select your preferred mattress firmness, as you can't use a mattress topper to reach your desired firmness.
  • Sturdiness: It's super important to keep in mind the mattress' sturdiness, as less structured picks may "slump" over time due to extra gravitational pull of leaning vertically instead of lying flat. This slumping not only makes for an unpleasant sleeping experience, but it can also cause harm. Olympic physical therapist and MOCEAN founder Joshua Park, DPT, tells mbg, "When you are sleeping on a mattress that is sagging in certain areas or not supportive, it may produce extra pressures on certain parts of the spine and muscles. A body also requires extra muscle activity to adjust positions, if a mattress lacks support or bounciness, ultimately disrupting restorative sleep." Translation? A slumping mattress has the potential to destroy your restorative sleep and leave you with aches and pains. To reduce your risk of dealing with a subpar snooze, we focused on beds with long warranties and edge support.

How we picked

  • Price: We included a spectrum of pricing options to ensure that all sleepers have an option, which means everything from a budget value find to a luxury buy.
  • Reviews: We stuck to reputable brands delivering products with a majority positive customer reviews.
  • Type: Memory foam mattresses are often considered the gold standard for Murphy beds, but we also included a few all-natural, organic latex mattresses for a more sustainable choice. Regardless of materials, they are under 13 inches tall.
  • Longevity: Sagging from standing upright most of the day in a Murphy bed frame can deteriorate the quality of the mattress over time. It was imperative for us to make sure the mattresses we selected offered edge support and long warranties.
Best lightweight

The Nectar Memory Foam Mattress

Image by Nectar
Materials
Gel foam, Foam, Polyethylene
Sizes available
Twin, Full, Queen, King, Split King, California King, Twin XL
Trial Period
365 nights

Pros & cons

Pros

  • Long trial period
  • Optional cooling topper
  • Arrives in box

Cons

  • Too firm for some
  • Not flippable

How it's made

Nectar's memory foam mattress offers top quality at a lower price point. This pressure-relieving pick offers five layers of support, including a sturdy 7-inch foam base, a supportive 2-inch layer of bounce-back foam, and a curve-hugging 3-inch layer of high-density gel foam. This complete memory foam makeup ensures that bunching and slumping are kept to a minimum—and it weighs less than 66 pounds to reduce the strain on your Murphy bed. While it does use CertiPUR-US certified foams (which means they're low VOC and free of ozone-depleting chemicals), that's the extent of the non-toxic or eco-friendly features.

How it arrives

Nectar's mattresses arrive compressed and rolled into a box. You can sleep on it right away, but it may take 24-72 hours to expand fully.

What customers say

The Nectar Memory Foam mattress has over 48,000 reviews on the Nectar website, with 4.7 out of 5 stars. It gets rave reviews from a few Murphy bed-users, including one person who writes, "My husband, who likes his mattress firm, and I, who like my mattress soft, love this bed. It is a replacement mattress for our Murphy bed and the quality and comfort is outstanding."

Best budget

Bear Original

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Image by Bear
Image by Bear
Materials
CertiPUR-US® Certified foams
Size
Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal King, Split King
Trial
120 nights

Pros & cons

Pros

  • GREENGUARD Gold Certified
  • Free returns

Cons

  • Too soft for some
  • Free shipping only in contiguous U.S.

How it's made

A responsive pick with enough support for stomach, side, and even back sleepers, this entirely foam design makes a more affordable option for anyone fearful of slumping from all-day storage. A queen Bear Original weighs just 70 pounds, and it's CertiPUR-US and GREENGUARD Gold Certified for low emissions. And despite the entirely foam makeup (Graphite-Gel memory, transition foam, and high-density support foam), reviewers say you won't have to worry about the mattress creating excess heat.

How it arrives

The Bear Original arrives compressed and rolled in a box. Bear says your mattress will be ready to sleep on as soon as it expands, but the mattress might take 24-48 hours to reach its full size.

What customers say

Between offering a lifetime warranty and a 120-night risk-free trial, Bear is clearly confident in its design—and 10,000 positive reviews prove that it's with good reason. One reviewer with a Murphy bed writes, "It fits well and has enough weight to open and stay down. At the same time it is not too heavy to put back into the upright position."

Best hybrid

Casper Original Hybrid Mattress

Image by Casper
Materials
CertiPUR-US® Certified foams, Encased springs
Size
Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal King
Trial
100 nights

Pros & cons

Pros

  • Zoned support helps align spine
  • Strong springs prevent sinking

Cons

  • More expensive
  • Limited warranty

How it's made

Famous for starting the mattress-in-a-box craze, Casper's Original Hybrid is made up of resilient spring coils topped with perforated memory foam. This setup encourages airflow to help you sleep sweat-free. Plus, the memory foam offers three zones of targeted support to ensure your spine stays aligned all night long with a soft foam around the shoulders and a firmer foam underneath the hips, lower back, and waist.

How it arrives

This mattress will arrive compressed and rolled in a box. The springs and CertiPUR-US-certified foam shouldn't let off any funky off-gassing smells.

What customers say

The Original Hybrid has over 2,800 reviews and 4.6 out of 5 stars. Several reviewers mention having this mattress in their guest room and say it gets rave reviews from visitors of all sleep types.

Best 11-inch

Nolah Natural 11" Mattress

Nolah Natural 11” Mattress
Materials
Natural Talalay latex, GOTS-certified organic cotton, GOTS-certified organic wool, Coils
Sizes available
Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Split King, California King
Trial period
120 nights

Pros & cons

Pros

  • Organic materials
  • No off-gassing smell
  • U.S.-made

Cons

  • Heavier
  • Not ideal for stomach sleepers

How it's made

All-natural Talalay latex, organic cotton, organic wool, and recycled steel coils combine in this medium-firm mattress to make it one of the more sustainable choices on our list. Bonus: The natural ingredients aren't just eco-friendly, they're also cooling. Talalay latex is naturally temperature-neutral, while breathable organic cotton and wool layers wick away moisture to keep you refreshed and dry. Even with all of these solid layers for support, this mattress is still only 11 inches tall, which makes it a great option for a Murphy bed. Plus there's notable edge support to ensure it maintains shape over time.

How it arrives

The Natural 11 arrives compressed and rolled in a box. You can sleep on it right away, and thanks to the natural materials there won't be any offgassing smells.

What customers say

Reviewers give this mattress 4.7 out of 5 stars. Most of the feedback is very positive, especially from side sleepers. However, a few strict back or stomach sleepers found this bed too soft for their liking.

Best customization

Saatva Classic

Mattress type
Innerspring
Sizes available
Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Split King, California King, Split California King
Trial Period
365 nights

Pros & cons

Pros

  • Lumbar zone technology for proper alignment
  • Great customer service

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Even plush may be too firm for some

How it's made

This luxury pick from Saatva offers three firmness levels for easy customization; side sleepers can opt for a plush or medium-firm design, while back sleepers will benefit from the medium-firm or firm options.

The hybrid model begins with a base layer of individually encased springs, which are made from recycled carbon steel. These springs provide much-needed support and offer maximum responsiveness to avoid future sagging. The sturdy base is then paired with lumbar-supporting memory foam and a plush pillow top to guarantee comfort will be your last worry. We also appreciate this bed's use of organic cotton, chemical-free antimicrobial treatment, and plant-based flame barrier.

How it arrives

Saatva's beds are never compressed or rolled and arrive via white glove delivery—that means someone will come to your house and help set it up on your frame.

What customers say

Most of our picks for Murphy beds come in only one firmness, which makes them a tough sell for those sleeping positions that need something more personalized. One reason the Saatva Classic gets such great feedback (4.8 out of 5 stars from over 5,800 reviews) is because all sleep types are able to find a Classic that fits their style. Saatva also gets rave reviews for their customer service.

Best in a box

WinkBed (Luxury Firm)

Materials
Foam, Coils

Pros & cons

Pros

  • Eco-friendly materials
  • Anti-sag support system

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Lackluster motion transfer

How it's made

Right from the get-go, WinkBeds' EcoCloud mattress stands out for its anti-sag support system, which maximizes edge support (and makes it a great option for those weighing more than 250 pounds). The unexpected perk of a pick this firm? It also makes this a great option for Murphy beds, as the firm construction won't lose its shape as easily when upright. The Talalay latex satisfies our eco-friendly itch while also offering just enough bounce, support, and pressure relief. Plus, the cover uses GOTS-certified organic cotton and natural New Zealand Wool, and the sturdy coil base is made from recycled steel.

How it arrives

The EcoCloud is another mattress that arrives compressed and rolled in a box. WinkBeds says you can sleep on it right away once it's on your frame.

What customers say

This is a newer bed for WinkBeds, so there are only 229 reviews to date. Still, customers give it 4.8 out of 5 stars and have great things to say about the breathability and comfort in various sleep positions.

Best cooling

Tuft and Needle Mint Mattress

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Image by Tuft and Needle
Image by Tuft and Needle
Materials
T&N Adaptive® foam
Size
Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal King
Trial
100 nights

Pros & cons

Pros

  • Machine-washable cover
  • Built-in cooling technology
  • Free 2-day shipping

Cons

  • Not great for side sleepers
  • Too soft for some

How it's made

The sturdy pick has a layer of the brand's signature adaptive foam; the breathable material has an open-cell design that's infused with cooling gel to keep you cool all night long. Along with offering a machine-washable cover for optimal sleep hygiene, the mattress also boasts reinforced edges to help the mattress keep its shape and reduce motion transfer. The Mint mattress isn't the most sustainable pick on this list, but we do appreciate that this bed is GREENGUARD Gold and CertiPUR-US certified against harmful chemicals.

How it arrives

The Mint mattress will arrive compressed and rolled into a box. It may release a bit of an off-gassing smell as it expands, but Tuft & Needle ensures customers it's nothing to worry about.

What customers say

Heat is one of the biggest complaints that many shoppers have about firm memory foam mattresses—but this Tuft & Needle model defies the negative stereotype. Among the positive reviews for temperature regulation, one customer mentions the light weight of this mattress being ideal for their Murphy bed.

Best memory foam

Amerisleep AS3

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Image by Amerisleep
Image by Amerisleep
Image by Amerisleep
Materials
Memory foam
Size
Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal King, Split King
Trial
100 nights

Pros & cons

Pros

  • Uses plant-based memory foam
  • Dust mite, mold & mildew resistant

Cons

  • Too firm for some
  • No handles
  • Must use 30 days before returning

How it's made

Amerisleep's bestselling mattress adapts to sleepers with different body types and positions, thanks to the brand's unique Bio-Pur material. The plant-based memory foam has an open cell structure for maximum airflow without affecting the pressure relief. CertiPUR-US® certified and low in VOCs, it's also more responsive than traditional memory foam, so you won't have to deal with that heavy sinking feeling common in firm designs. Of course, the memory foam build means there's also less chance of slumping. And if you need extra peace of mind, look no further than the resilient Bio-Core base, which is so durable that it comes with a 20-year warranty.

How it arrives

Like the other memory foam beds on this list, the AS3 comes compressed in a box. The plant-based foam shouldn't let off any smells while it expands, and Amerisleep says the bed will reach its full height within 24 hours.

What customers say

Customers give the AS3 4.8 out of 5 stars from almost 7,000 reviews. People have great things to say about the coolness of this memory foam mattress, and one person with a Murphy bed says it's a great fit for all sleep types.

Best edge support

Avocado Green Mattress.

Materials
Wool, Latex, Cotton
Sizes available
Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King
Trial
365 nights

Pros & cons

Pros

  • GOLS-certified latex
  • GOTS-certified wool and cotton
  • Needle tufted by hand

Cons

  • Too firm for some
  • Shipping fee outside continental U.S.

How it's made

Avocado transforms your sleep space into an eco-friendly paradise by opting for sustainable materials, such as GOLS-certified organic latex, certified organic wool, and certified organic cotton. Tufted by hand to maximize durability, the hybrid model brings together pressure relief and support through responsive latex and supportive steel coils. Along with a durable steel base, it has a reinforced steel perimeter for extra edge support. It's definitely a firm mattress, and the optional pillow top may make this bed too tall for your Murphy setup, so that's something to consider if you're a strict side sleeper.

How it arrives

Avocado ships all of their mattresses compressed and rolled from their LA factory. For additional sustainability points, Avocado also prides itself on their carbon negative shipping and production.

What customers say

Reviewers give the Avocado Green Mattress 4.7 out of 5 stars across over 16,000 reviews. It's extremely popular with back and stomach sleepers, and a handful of folks with a Murphy bed have great things to say. One person writes, "I got the king size for a Murphy bed and it's the best sleep we have had in years. The bed is perfectly balanced and super comfortable along with the right back support."

Comparing the best mattresses for Murphy beds

ProductPriceSizesTrialWarrantyMaterialsFirmness
Nectar Memory Foam MattressFrom $399Twin; Twin XL; Full; Queen; King; Cal King365 nightsLifetimeCertiPUR-US® Certified foamsMedium-firm
Bear OriginalFrom $561Twin; Twin XL; Full; Queen; King; Cal King120 nightsLifetimeCertiPUR-US® Certified foamsMedium-firm
Casper Original Hybrid MattressFrom $1295Twin; Twin XL; Full; Queen; King; Cal King100 nights10-yearCertiPUR-US® Certified foams; Encased springsMedium-firm
Nolah NaturalsFrom $999Twin; Twin XL; Full; Queen; King; Cal King120 nightsLifetimeLatex; Wool; Organic CottonMedium-firm
Saatva Classic MattressFrom $912Twin; Twin XL; Full; Queen; King; Cal King365 nightsLifetimeEncased coils; PillowtopPlush-soft/Luxury-firm/Firm
WinkBeds EcoCloudFrom $1100Twin; Twin XL; Full; Queen; King; Cal King120 nightsLifetimeLatexMedium-firm
Tuft and Needle Mint MattressFrom $1526Twin; Twin XL; Full; Queen; King; Cal King100 nights10-yearT&N Adaptive® foamMedium-firm
Amerisleep AS3From $699Twin; Twin XL; Full; Queen; King; Cal King100 nights20-yearMemory foamMedium
Avocado Green MattressFrom $1399Twin; Twin XL; Full; Queen; King; Cal King365 nights25-yearLatex; WoolMedium-firm

Frequently asked questions

Can you use any type of mattress with a Murphy bed?

While most mattresses will work just fine inside a Murphy bed, there are a few things that you have to consider when selecting one. Most importantly, you need to know the dimensions of your bed to select an option that fits into the allotted space; most Murphy beds require a mattress shorter than 12 inches to ensure the bed can close. Although you can select any type of bed, our top suggestion is either memory foam or latex, which tend to be sturdier.

What mattress type is best for a Murphy bed?

A common issue faced by people with Murphy beds is slumping, which is when the top of the mattress bunches up from being upright for too long. Mattresses made of memory foam and latex are great options to avoid slumping in your Murphy bed, as these materials hold their shape better.

Should my Murphy bed mattress be a certain weight?

The max weight of a Murphy bed ranges depending on your frame type, but generally speaking it should be able to hold between 500 and 1,000 pounds. If you intend to use it for you and another person, be sure to calculate both of your weights along with the mattress!

How thick can a Murphy bed mattress be?

Most Murphy beds are designed to hold mattresses that are between 9 and 12 inches thick. Anything thicker is too clunky and won't fit, potentially damaging the Murphy bed.

Are Murphy Beds actually comfortable?

The way you feel on a Murphy bed will depend entirely upon the mattress inside. Some Murphy beds are sold with a specific mattress intact (which you may or not find comfortable), while others allow for more customization. With some research to find the right firmness for your preferred sleep position, you’ll likely find a Murphy bed-friendly mattress that feels comfortable to you.

Is a gel memory foam mattress good for a Murphy bed?

A gel memory foam mattress will work great for a Murphy Bed. A quality model (like the Tuft and Needle, Amerisleep, or Nectar mattress on our list) won’t sag or bunch when folded away and, while memory foam is typically a warmer sleep surface the gel can help keep hot sleepers cool.

The takeaway

A Murphy bed can be a real game-changer for compact living space, but it's important to get the unique sleep setup right!

Our comprehensive list will help you decide what you need from a mattress, whether it's an all memory foam design or a more eco-friendly latex option. And don't forget to add the best pillows to your cart for your best sleep yet!

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