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Best Mattress for Platform Beds

Candace Osmond

You’ve recently decided that you want to update your bedroom, and you’ve already bought a platform bed. Whether it’s traditional, modern, romantic or contemporary in design, you probably noticed that it came with a flat wooden panel or slats at the bottom. Now you have questions. Will your old mattress and box spring work, or do you need to buy a new mattress? What about those slats – will they work for a memory foam mattress? All of these questions are answered below in our buyer’s guide to help you find the best mattress for platform beds. But first, take a look at our top product recommendations to see which mattresses for platform beds are currently popular on the market.

1. Helix Midnight Mattress – Editor's Choice

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  • Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King
  • Warranty: 10-15 years
  • Type: Hybrid (Memory Plus Foam, Helix Dynamic Foam and High-Grade Polyfoam)
  • Firmness: Medium firm

2. Zinus Sleep 12-Inch Pressure Relief Mattress

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  • Warranty: 10 years
  • Type: Memory foam
  • Firmness: Firm
Amerisleep Revere 12 inch white mattress black

3. Amerisleep Liberty Natural Memory Foam Mattress

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  • Warranty: 20 years, 100 night sleep trial
  • Type: Memory foam
  • Firmness: Medium

4. Saatva Classic Mattress

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  • Warranty: 180 night trial, 15 year warranty
  • Type: Hybrid
  • Firmness: Plush soft, Luxury firm or Firm

5. Nest Bedding Alexander Series

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  • Warranty: Lifetime warranty, 100 night trial
  • Type: Innerspring Hybrid
  • Firmness: Medium/firm

6. Layla Memory Foam Mattress

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  • Warranty: Lifetime
  • Type: Memory foam
  • Firmness: Soft to medium
dreamfoam-latex-hybrid-mattress

7. Elements Latex Hybrid Mattress

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  • Warranty: 120 night trial
  • Type: Foam, Latex
  • Firmness: Multiple Options

1. Helix Midnight Mattress – Editor's Choice

Highlights

  • Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King
  • Warranty: 10-15 years
  • Type: Hybrid (Memory Plus Foam, Helix Dynamic Foam and High-Grade Polyfoam)
  • Firmness: Medium firm

Pros

  • 5 layers of hybrid comfort
  • Memory foam contours to your body shape
  • Pressure relief that’s ideal for side sleepers
  • 100 night sleep trial and long warranty

Cons

  • Expensive

The Helix Midnight consists of memory plus foam, helix dynamic foam and high-grade polyfoam. With its hybrid construction, it offers optimal edge support and provides pressure relief for problem areas. It offers a medium firmness and provides optimal support to your body.

With its dual blend of both memory foam and individually wrapped coils, you can enjoy the soft contouring feel of memory foam while still getting the right amount of firmness and support that you’re looking for.

The Helix Midnight feels just like your standard memory foam mattress. You can feel the softness of the cover followed by the slow sinking feeling of memory foam as it contours to your unique body shape. You’ll also get both firmness and support from the transitional layer that ensures you don’t sink in too much while you’re sleeping.

Memory foam is a great option for platform beds due to their traditional firmness and generous loft, so the Helix Midnight mattress is a great choice if you want to deck out your platform frame (and don’t mind splurging a little).

2. Zinus Sleep 12-Inch Pressure Relief Mattress

Highlights

  • Warranty: 10 years
  • Type: Memory foam
  • Firmness: Firm

Pros

  • Most affordable option
  • Easily fits in platform beds
  • Very firm – suitable for back or side sleepers
  • Conforms to your body for added comfort

Cons

  • May not be great for stomach sleepers
  • Strong chemical smell
  • Weak edge support

Although memory foam mattresses used to be considered a luxury option, they’ve become much more affordable in recent years. This Zinus pressure relief mattress combines three layers of foam in different densities to provide the support you need and the comfort you want.

There’s 12 whole inches of luxurious support: 3″ of memory foam, 3″ of pressure relieving comfort foam, and then 6″ of high-density support base foam. Like any memory foam mattress, it conforms to your body shape and weight. This type of foam is great for keeping you cradled as you sleep, but you may find that you sweat more at night with typical memory foam.

Memory foam isn’t as breathable as other materials for mattresses, which is why this is a great mattress choice for a platform bed with slats. The slats underneath your bed act as a foundation, but also help with the airflow that your mattress requires.

3. Amerisleep Liberty Natural Memory Foam Mattress

Amerisleep Revere 12 inch white mattress black

Highlights

  • Warranty: 20 years, 100 night sleep trial
  • Type: Memory foam
  • Firmness: Medium

Pros

  • Affordable
  • Layers of foam for support and comfort
  • Relieves pressure points
  • Good for all sleep positions

Cons

  • May not be as firm as you’d expect
  • No edge support

It can be difficult to pull the trigger on buying a 100% memory foam mattress for those who are used to innerspring mattresses. Amerisleep’s Liberty stacks layers of varied memory foam for a more comfortable feel, especially for those who sleep on their sides.

This is an extremely versatile mattress: because of the layers, you get the support you need and the comfort you crave. Regardless of whether you sleep on your back, stomach or side, it’s a medium level of comfort which should suit the sleep preferences of many.

As with almost any memory foam mattress, you can slide this onto any platform bed. Use slats to help promote air flow, which keeps the mattress from retaining too much heat. Thankfully, there’s a gel-infused memory foam layer that helps keep you cool. The 12-inch height of this bed also gives you that luxurious plush feel.

4. Saatva Classic Mattress

Highlights

  • Warranty: 180 night trial, 15 year warranty
  • Type: Hybrid
  • Firmness: Plush soft, Luxury firm or Firm

Pros

  • Affordable
  • Durable
  • Euro-top and memory foam offers optimal cushioning
  • Motion isolation and responsive support

Cons

  • Not for those who want a memory foam mattress with a contouring feel

The Saatva Classic Mattress includes a circular-knit organic cotton cover and a Euro pillow top made from a decent amount of foam and padding. In combination with the high-quality memory foam layer, the pillow top offers a contouring sleep surface that will shape to your sleeping position without sinking in. Saatva incorporates individually wrapped coils in the comfort layer instead of the support layer, which is far different from the typical construction of mattresses. These coils provide optimal support and have motion isolating properties, allowing you to toss and turn throughout the night without disturbing your sleep partner.

Beneath these coils is an innerspring base that’s made from tempered steel. By incorporating steel coils in the support and comfort layers, this gives a solid amount of push-back to support the upper foam layers and pillowtop, making this an extremely durable choice for your platform bed. For those who are looking for a plush, contouring memory foam mattress for their platform bed, the Saatva Classic may not be the best option. But if you are looking for a durable mattress that will support you for many years to come, this luxury mattress is a sound choice.

5. Nest Bedding Alexander Series

Highlights

  • Warranty: Lifetime warranty, 100 night trial
  • Type: Innerspring Hybrid
  • Firmness: Medium/firm

Pros

  • Motion-isolating
  • Gel layer for cooler sleep
  • Six sizes available

Cons

  • May be too tall for some
  • Very little edge support

When it comes to choosing a mattress for your sleeping preferences, it can be difficult to trust what a manufacturer says, which is why it’s so important to read the reviews. Even then, what’s soft to one person may be firm to another. This memory foam mattress from Nest Bedding gives you a medium/firm level of firmness which should suit a variety of sleepers and their preferences.

Unlike other memory foam mattresses, this one is made up of several layers that all have different responsibilities. The thickest layer is the supportive base, which is about 4 inches thick and is fairly dense. Above that is a layer that’s meant to help air circulate throughout the foam so that heat doesn’t get trapped.

Then, you have layers for comfort and cooling. At 12.5 inches in total height, it’s a great fit for platform beds. You don’t have to use a box spring with this mattress, but you should use a solid foundation whether it’s a flat base or slats that are evenly spaced. Memory foam does a great job of isolating movement, too, so you should sleep soundly through the night, even if your partner tosses and turns a lot.

6. Layla Memory Foam Mattress

Highlights

  • Warranty: Lifetime
  • Type: Memory foam
  • Firmness: Soft to medium

Pros

  • Pressure point relief
  • Promotes optimal spine curvature
  • Gel-infused foam layer regulates your temperature and keeps you cool
  • Soft to medium firmness
  • Great for side sleepers

Cons

  • Chemical offgassing smell that’s common with memory foam

If you want a memory foam mattress for your platform bed that won’t make you overheat throughout the night, the Layla Memory Foam Mattress is a great option for you. With its copper infusion, you’ll be able to keep cool throughout the night and not wake up in a sweaty mess. It comes in a range of sizes including Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King and California King.

The Layla Mattress also has a double-sided firmness option to suit whatever your preference is. Instead replacing your mattress because you’d prefer a different level of firmness, you can just turn over this mattress to your preferred side of soft or firm, also making this a great choice for side sleepers. This Layla Mattress is quite an affordable option for your platform bed that won’t compromise on quality.

7. Elements Latex Hybrid Mattress

dreamfoam-latex-hybrid-mattress

Highlights

  • Warranty: 120 night trial
  • Type: Foam, Latex
  • Firmness: Multiple Options

Pros

  • Pressure point relief
  • Sleeps cooler than traditional foam
  • Plush top

Cons

  • May be too soft for back sleepers
  • Heavy

A latex mattress offers many more pros than you might expect, given the popularity of innerspring mattresses of big brands. This Dreamfoam Bedding mattress combines layers of memory foam with latex to create a more breathable foam that sleeps cooler than you’d expect. Because it has a memory foam base and latex topper, it isn’t as heavy as a pure latex mattress, which makes it a good choice for platform beds that might have strict weight capacities.

It’s a firm mattress if you want it to be, but the latex offers a level of comfort that you don’t usually get with memory foam. It’s generally considered a medium firmness, so it’s a good in-between for softness and support that works well for all sleeping positions.

The latex layer adds the bounce you may have missed from innerspring mattresses, and that you don’t often get with a memory foam base. The 12-inch height of this mattress makes it a great option if you plan to use this on a platform bed.

Platform Bed Mattress Buyers Guide

What is a Platform Bed?

Strictly speaking, a platform bed is simply a frame that acts as a foundation for a mattress. You don’t need a box spring, but if you prefer a taller bed, feel free to use a box spring. The foundation that a platform bed provides with slats, which are usually made of wood or metal, is enough as is. A box spring won’t make your bed more or less comfortable than the platform bed alone.

You can find a variety of styles at a variety of prices. From a simple metal frame to ornately carved wooden frames that make bold statements in your bedroom, you can find a design that works for you and your bedroom décor.

How Much Weight Can a Platform Bed Hold?

There’s no definitive answer to this question. A platform bed could hold as little as 450 lbs, or as much as 4,400 lbs. It really depends on the platform bed you buy and its weight capacity. Generally speaking, if you’re overweight and concerned about sturdiness, look into buying a platform bed with a flat foundation. You can also buy a separate platform to place on a standard platform bed with slats.

When you’re assessing the weight capacity of a platform bed, be sure to include the weight of your mattress, yourself, your partner, any children that join you in bed, and your pets. Individual slats can easily bend and break under extreme pressure, so keep this in mind if you kneel or stand on your bed often. The good news is, slats are easy to replace, so you won’t have to replace the entire bed.

Best Type of Mattress for Platform Beds

You may be surprised to find out that any mattress works with a platform bed. It’s true! There are a few things to keep in mind with each mattress, though.

Innerspring Mattress

Your traditional innerspring mattress can be given an update by simply slipping it onto a platform bed. Leave the box spring out to give you a low-profile, sleek look, or include the box spring for a taller bed. The only time you may not want to use this mattress is when your warranty requires you to use a box spring, and you don’t want a super tall bed.

Memory Foam Mattress

Foam mattresses are one of the most versatile beds out there. You can usually toss these on the floor, a box spring, a platform bed or whatever you’d like. Memory foam benefits from being on a platform bed with slats that are evenly spaced, and no more than 3 inches apart. The slats offer support, but also some breathability that foam needs. However, you should make sure the spacing is minimal. The wider apart the slats are, the more likely the foam mattress will sink into those spaces, which can throw off the shape and support of the mattress.

Latex Mattress

If you prefer to sleep on an all-latex mattress, then you’re going to need a strong foundation. Latex mattresses are usually much heavier than traditional innerspring or memory foam mattresses. A platform bed is a suitable option, as long as it can hold the weight of your mattress and you. Just like foam mattresses, slats are more than okay, as long as they’re spaced close together. Any wider than about 3-4 inches and you may find your latex mattress sags in the gaps.

What About Adjustable Beds?
The answer to this question depends on who you ask. Most platform beds aren’t big enough to accommodate an adjustable bed, and the adjustable frame may be hindered by the platform structure. Some will work, but usually those who prefer adjustable beds just use that as the foundation for their mattress. Read the manufacturer labels carefully to make sure you don’t waste money on a mattress that won’t work with the frame you already have.

Conclusion

As you can see in this platform bed mattress review, there are several types of mattresses that are excellent choices for a platform frame. But, it’s totally up to you to assess your sleeping needs and preferences to determine which of these great mattresses will be the best one for you.

Recent Updates

October 4, 2021: The Brentwood Home Cypress Mattress and Spindle Mattress have each been removed due to unavailability, replaced by the popular Saatva Classic Mattress and Layla Memory Foam Mattress. Additional Resources and more FAQs have also been included.

Additional Resources