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Material choice plays a big role in the comfort and performance of the mattress.

While innerspring, hybrid, and memory foam mattresses are all well-known, gel mattresses may not be on your radar. It’s a good idea to understand all of your options when mattress shopping. So, we’re sharing everything you need to know about gel mattresses, including our top six recommendations.

We used the following as our recommendations for the best gel mattresses.

  • Company reputation. All the mattresses on our list are made by companies with good reputations. We looked at Better Business Bureau profiles, if available, and checked for lawsuits related to product safety.
  • Safety standards. We included only mattresses that meet federal flammability requirements, and we prioritized those with third-party material certifications.
  • In-home trials and warranties. We checked for in-home mattress trials, reasonable returns and exchanges, and good warranties.
  • Customer reviews. We carefully reviewed feedback from customers. While comfort is a personal preference, it’s still helpful to see what others think.

Pricing guide

Prices are based on queen-size mattresses.

  • $ = under $800
  • $$ = $800–$1,500
  • $$$ = $1,501–$2,000
  • $$$$ = over $2,000

Best eco-friendly gel mattress

Saatva Loom & Leaf Mattress

  • Price: $$$
  • Type: gel foam
  • Height: 12 inches
  • Firmness: relaxed firm (5-7) or firm (8)
  • Sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, split king, California king, split California king
  • Trial period: 365 nights
  • Shipping: free

The Saatva Loom & Leaf Mattress is designed for cooling and supportive comfort. CertiPUR-US certified foams offer pressure relief and stability, while the gel infusions are made to keep you cool and provide additional lower back support. The mattress is available in your choice of two comfort levels at no additional cost.

The mattress has a 15-year warranty and a sleep trial. Saatva has White-glove delivery is free., instead of being compressed and delivered in a box. Your new mattress is delivered to your room and you can have your old mattress removed.

Hundreds of reviewers praise this mattress.

Pros

  • long trial
  • White-glove delivery is free.
  • Good support.

Cons

  • It is It is It is expensive…
  • No soft option.

Buy the Saatva Loom & Leaf Mattress online.

Best gel hybrid mattress

DreamCloud Premier

  • Price: $$$$
  • Type: gel hybrid
  • Height: 15 inches
  • Firmness: luxury firm (6.5)
  • Sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king
  • Trial period: 365 nights
  • Shipping: free in continental U.S.

Reviewers rave about the DreamCloud premier, which is designed for comfort. The manufacturer says the gel- infused memory foam is cool and cradling, while the innerspring coil system offers support across the entire sleeping surface.

DreamCloud has a generous sleep trial, a lifetime warranty, and free shipping and returns.

Pros

  • The Euro top is included at no extra cost.
  • long trial
  • Can be used with any bed frame.

Cons

  • pricey
  • Only comes in one level of firmness.

Buy the DreamCloud Premier online.

Best gel mattress for pressure point relief

Casper Wave Hybrid Mattress

  • Price: $$
  • Type: gel hybrid
  • Height: 13 inches
  • Firmness: not specified
  • Sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king
  • Trial period: 100 nights
  • Shipping: free in continental U.S. and Canada

Designed with supportive gel pods in ergonomic zones, the Casper Wave Hybrid Mattress is made to relieve aches and pains. The company says the three layers of perforated, gel-infused foam help you sleep cool, while an innerspring system offers stability and lift.

CertiPUR-US is the certifying body for foams used in the mattress. Reviewers compare it to sleeping in a cloud.

The mattress has a free shipping and returns policy.

Pros

  • It was designed for pressure relief.
  • CertiPUR-US certified foam is used.
  • The foam helps with cooling.

Cons

  • It is It is It is expensive…
  • “Some reviewers think it doesn’t provide good edge support.”
  • No options for firmness.

Buy the Casper Wave Hybrid Mattress online.

Best reviewed gel mattress

Purple Mattress

  • Price: $$
  • Type: gel hybrid
  • Height: 9.5 inches
  • Firmness: medium firm
  • Sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, split king
  • Trial period: 100 nights
  • Shipping: free

The Purple Mattress has a unique gel grid system to cradle pressure points, support the spine, and help you sleep cool. The dual-layer comfort foam is made to add durability. It’s all wrapped up in a soft, stretchy knit cover.

The purple mattress has a 100 night sleep trial with free shipping and returns.

“More than 31,000 reviews on the purple website mention the mattress’s comfort, support, and pressure relieving properties.”

Pros

  • unique grid system It was designed for pressure relief.
  • It allows for air movement.
  • “It’s easier to get into and out of bed with a low profile.”

Cons

  • No options for firmness.
  • “Can’t be used with an extendable bed base.”

Buy The Purple Mattress online.

Best gel mattress for couples

The WinkBed

  • Price: $$$
  • Type: gel hybrid
  • Height: 13.5 inches
  • Firmness: softer (4.5), luxury firm (6.5), firmer (7.5), plus (8)
  • Sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king
  • Trial period: 120 nights
  • Shipping: free

This gel hybrid mattress can tick off all the boxes: cushioning comfort, dynamic support, temperature regulation, and reduced motion transfer for those who share a bed with a partner.

The mattress has four levels to choose from, plus easy firmness exchanges.

A 120-night sleep trial, a lifetime warranty, and free shipping and returns are offered by WinkBeds.

Pros

  • There are lots of options for firmness.
  • Extra edge support.
  • lifetime warranty

Cons

  • The mattress is too hard, but it is easy to exchange if you find that.

Buy The WinkBed online.

Best gel mattress for hot sleepers

PlushBeds The Ocean Mist

  • Price: $$$$
  • Type: gel foam
  • Height: 9 inches
  • Firmness: medium-soft
  • Sizes: twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, split king
  • Trial period: 100 nights
  • Shipping: free

According to PlushBeds, The Ocean Mist was designed for hot sleepers. A 3-inch layer of gel foam wicks away moisture and heat while offering pressure relief and comfort.

The gel memory foam mattress is Greenguard Gold certified, so it has no odor or off-gassing.

Reviewers say the mattress is very comfortable and does a good job of sleeping.

You can try it for 100 nights at home. It has a 25-year warranty.

Pros

  • No off-gassing.
  • There is minimal motion transfer.

Cons

  • It is It is It is expensive…
  • It may be too soft for some people.

Shop the PlushBeds The Ocean Mist online.

Price Type Height Firmness Sizes Trial period Shipping
Saatva Loom & Leaf Mattress $$$ gel foam 12 inches relaxed firm (5-7) or firm (8) twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, split king, California king, split California king 365 days free
DreamCloud Premier $$$$ gel hybrid 15 inches luxury firm (6.5) twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king 365 days free in continental U.S.
Casper Wave Hybrid Mattress $$ gel hybrid 13 inches not specified twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king 100 nights free in continental U.S. and Canada
Purple Mattress $$ gel hybrid 9.5 inches medium firm twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, split king 100 nights free
The WinkBed $$$ gel hybrid 13.5 inches softer (4.5), luxury firm (6.5), firmer (7.5), plus (8) twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king 120 nights free
PlushBeds The Ocean Mist $$$$ gel foam 9 inches medium-soft twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, split king 100 nights free

Gel mattresses can be used for a wide range of people. People who sleep hot may benefit from the cooling features of a gel mattress, which are made with gel layers near the surface.

Because gel mattresses have There is minimal motion transfer., they’re also a good option for people who share their bed with a partner, child, or pet.

Like other types of mattresses, gel mattresses can have varying firmness levels. Side sleepers should look for gel mattresses in the medium-soft to medium-firm range for support without pressure point pain. Back and stomach sleepers will likely find medium-firm to firm mattresses more comfortable.

Firmness levels vary from one mattress to the next, and gel mattresses are no exception. You can find gel mattresses that are soft, medium, or firm, which means there’s an option for anyone who wants to accommodate a specific sleeping position.

Many mattress manufacturers offer recommendations to help you find the right one. There are a few things to keep in mind while shopping.

Materials

Gel foam is designed to help you sleep all night long, but it can be combined with other materials to help with back and pressure point pain, reduce motion transfer, or offer support for a preferred sleeping position.

CertiPUR-US and Greenguard are the two certifications that should be used to make sure the gel is safe. The certifications will minimize the potential for unpleasant off-gassing.

Firmness and support

Many mattresses come in different levels of firmness. If you sleep on your side, choose a medium-firm mattress. A firm mattress will help you sleep on your back or stomach.

Company policies

It is a good idea to choose a mattress with an in- home sleep trial and simple return policy. No matter how many reviews a mattress has, sleeping on it is the best way to judge it.

Return may sound simple, but they require a lot of work in practice. Be sure to read the fine print. Some brands will not take the mattress back and may require you to give a donation receipt before they will give you a refund.

What is a gel mattress?

Gel mattresses are made with foam. There are hybrid versions that combine gel foam with other materials.

They have the same feel as memory foam, but the gel adds a cooling feature to the mattress.

What are the benefits of a gel mattress?

Gel mattresses offer many of the same benefits as memory foam, including support, stability, and There is minimal motion transfer.. One of the biggest benefits is the cooling effect.

What are the drawbacks of a gel mattress?

Gel mattresses are often heavier and more It is It is It is expensive… than traditional memory foam, and it’s important to consider the mattress materials before you buy. Gel memory foam is a synthetic material, and off-gassing can be a problem.

Make sure to prioritize mattresses with certifications like CertiPUR-US or Greenguard so you know the materials used are safe.

If you want cooling features, it is important to shop for them specifically, as some gel mattress owners still find heat retention to be an issue.

Is gel better than foam?

It depends on what you are looking for. If you want your mattress to stay cool, you should go for a gel mattress.

“If you don’t mind sleeping hot, you may be able to use traditional memory foam.”

How long does a gel mattress last?

A gel mattress will last for a long time. The hybrid models may last for 8 to 10 years.

“If you like the feel of memory foam but don’t like sleeping hot, a gel foam mattress is a great alternative. If an innerspring coil system is important to you, gel foam is used in some hybrid designs.”

Third parties certify gel foams to make them safe.

Jessica Timmons has been working as a freelance writer since 2007, covering everything from pregnancy and parenting to cannabis, chiropractic, stand-up paddling, fitness, martial arts, home decor, and much more. Her work has appeared in mindbodygreen, Pregnancy & Newborn, Modern Parents Messy Kids, and Coffee + Crumbs. See what she’s up to now at jessicatimmons.com.