Best Foam Mattress: Our Top Picks (November 2024)

Our top pick for the best memory foam mattress is Octave Vista. This intensely cooling mattress is made with copper-infused memory foam treated with PolarMAX® phase-change material. It also includes multi-zone support foam with air channels for breathability and temperature control. The mattress is topped off with a CryoFusion™ cooling nanofibre cover.

Starting at just $599 CAD, Octave Vista offers a compelling blend of advanced features and affordability. It’s a standout choice if you’re seeking a memory foam mattress that’s good for your body and your budget.

There are plenty of options when it comes to choosing a foam mattress, such as gel foam, polyfoam, latex, and memory foam. Some mattresses are made from a combination of these foams. Ultimately, the best foam mattress for you will depend on your preferences for firmness, support, cooling features, and budget.

We carefully graded a variety of foam mattresses to identify the one that best satisfies each of those conditions. The winner was clear: Douglas Original. Its blend of high-quality materials, advanced cooling features, medium-firm feel, and reasonable price tag earned it the #1 spot on our list of best foam mattresses.

On average, you can expect to spend between $799–$1,499 CAD for a queen-size foam mattress. Our list of best foam mattresses ranges from $320 CAD for a Zinus mattress, all the way up to $2,195 for the GhostBed Classic mattress.

The price of a foam mattress can vary dramatically depending on the quality of foams used, where it was manufactured, and the retailer’s overhead costs. Now that mattresses can be sold online, mattress manufacturers can find cost savings where traditional retailers can’t—and pass those savings on to their customers.

Mattress shopping on a budget? Check out our guide to the best affordable mattresses in Canada.

Not all foam mattresses are created equal. Mattresses that use traditional memory foam can cause you to sink deep into the mattress, which traps your body heat. If you’re a hot sleeper, choosing a mattress with built-in cooling tech should be a top priority so you can enjoy an undisturbed sleep.

Octave Vista, one of our top picks for best foam mattress, offers advanced cooling features to keep you comfortable all night long. This includes a moisture-wicking cover infused with cooling nanofibres to pull moisture away from your body, cooling gel foam that dissipates heat, a ventilated design for air circulation, and phase-change material that adapts to temperature changes.

Foam mattresses are great for a wide range of body types and sleep styles. They’re ideal for people with back or joint pain because they cradle pressure points and properly align the spine.

Couples and light sleepers tend to love foam mattresses as well for their motion isolation properties. Better motion isolation reduces the chances of being disturbed by partners, kids, or pets moving around throughout the night, allowing you to get the deep, uninterrupted sleep you need.

READ MORE: Get our ranked list of the best mattresses for couples

Foam mattresses can be an excellent choice if you’re shopping for the best mattress for back pain. Of course, this can depend on the firmness and quality of foams used, as well as your sleep position, body type, and weight.

Foam mattresses excel at distributing body weight evenly, which can reduce pressure on key areas like the lower back, hips, and shoulders. Foam mattresses are designed to support and contour around your body, which helps maintain proper spinal alignment and reduce pressure points.

Most foam mattresses don’t require a box spring for support. Box springs were originally designed to work with innerspring mattresses, which needed a flexible and supportive base to complement their design. Foam mattresses, on the other hand, are more flexible and adaptive on their own.

However, many mattress warranties require you to have a firm surface or a non-flexing foundation to keep the mattress in good condition.

There are plenty of options to choose from that’ll provide the right support for your foam mattress. We recommend an adjustable bed for customizable comfort. Adjustable beds work seamlessly with most foam mattresses.

On average, a foam mattress can be expected to last anywhere from 8 to 10 years. The lifespan of a foam mattress can vary depending on several factors, including the quality of the mattress, the type of foam used, how well it’s cared for, and the frequency and weight of use.

Some of the best foam mattresses can last for 15+ years, if you rotate the mattress every 4–6 months and keep it clean. However, it’s a good idea to replace your mattress much earlier—specifically, after 7–10 years.

Mattresses fall into many different categories. Each has different characteristics that are a good fit for a variety of sleep styles. Here are just a few types of mattresses:

• Hybrid: Hybrid mattresses like Logan & Cove combine innerspring layers with foam or latex for a perfect pairing of contour and support. They tend to have better edge support and lower temperatures than memory foam, but this comes with reduced motion isolation for a slightly less peaceful sleep. (Shopping for a hybrid? Check out our list of the best hybrid mattresses.)
• Cooling Gel Foam: Some sleepers find normal memory foam too hot, so cooling gel foam mattresses like Douglas can be a great alternative. This type of mattress combines memory foam with cooling gel to keep temperatures comfortable while you sleep.
• Innerspring: Innerspring mattresses support your weight with metal coils. This makes the mattress bouncy and provides good edge support, but you might find this type of mattress less comfortable if your body needs more contouring.
• Memory Foam: Memory foam mattresses like Octave “hug” your body to relieve pressure and keep your spine aligned. They often incorporate zoned support, which can help relieve sore joints and provide other health benefits. In fact, the brand states that 86% of customers suffering from back pain said Octave helped reduce their pain.
• Latex: Natural or synthetic latex mattresses can relieve pressure in any sleep position. They have a reputation for comfortable temperatures and can last longer than other types of mattresses. However, latex mattresses can also be more expensive and may not be ideal for some people with latex allergies.

When you’re choosing a mattress, it’s important to consider more than just how comfortable it is. There are a whole range of factors to keep in mind, which we list below. (And when you’re ready to buy, make sure you buy a mattress online vs. in store.)

• Budget: Set a budget for your new mattress and stick to it. You might even be able to make this budget go further by finding limited-time deals and promotions online.
• Construction: Figure out what type of mattress you want, whether it’s foam, hybrid, or innerspring. There are pros and cons for each construction style, and knowing what you want will help narrow down your options.
• Firmness: Choose a mattress with the right firmness level for your sleep style—that is, whether you sleep on your side, back, or stomach. For example, side sleepers often want a softer mattress, while back sleepers may prefer something firmer. (Did you know that a medium-firm feel is ideal for most sleep styles? Get our guide to the best medium-firm mattresses.)
• Pressure-Point Relief: Got achy joints? How about a sore back? If you do, look for a mattress with enhanced pressure-point relief so you sleep better at night. Octave Vista comes with five body-contouring support zones to aid in your body’s natural recovery and help you wake up pain-free the next day.
• Motion Isolation: Pay close attention to motion isolation if you share your bed with a partner, kids, or pets. The higher the isolation score, the less you’ll notice movement from the other side of the bed.
• Edge Support: Are you in the habit of sitting or sleeping near the edge of the bed? Look for a mattress with good edge support so you feel supported in any position.
• Bounce: If you have trouble getting out of bed in the morning, you might prefer a mattress with extra bounce. (Your inner child will enjoy it, too!)
• Contouring: Contouring materials like memory foam help support your body in all the right places. That said, too much “hug” can cause overheating and make it hard to move, so find the level of contouring that’s best for your body.
• Temperature: Speaking of overheating—if you’re a warm sleeper, look for a mattress that promotes airflow and reduces heat. Look for a mattress with cooling gel foam and other cooling technologies.
• Responsiveness: A responsive mattress allows you to change positions without feeling stuck. Often found in hybrid designs, a responsive mattress can help you enjoy certain activities in bed even more.
• Noise: Nobody likes a squeaky or crinkly mattress. Get a quiet night’s sleep with a mattress made from noise-quieting materials like foam or latex.
• Company Policies: Get details about the manufacturer’s sleep trial, return policy, and product warranty so you know what you’re getting into.