Best Full Mattress for 2024
Got a smaller space? Our experts tested and picked the best full-size mattresses to buy.
Our Experts
What to consider
Firmness
Sleeping position
Feel
Construction
Body type
Performance
Company policies
Our Picks
A full-size mattress can be a great fit for a lot of different scenarios -- whether you're just buying your first mattress or need one to make a smaller space more comfortable, or are just on a budget. Even though it's an in-between size, full mattresses come with all the features of any other mattress, from relieving back pain to providing edge support. You get them with all kinds of materials too, including softer and firmer mattress options, all-foam mattress options, innerspring mattresses and even hybrid mattresses.
There are a lot of questions when shopping for a mattress. Do you sleep on your back, or are you primarily a stomach sleeper? Do you prefer latex foam and want a high-density foam mattress, or an innerspring mattress or a hybrid mattress (innerspring with a foam layer)? Do you prefer a soft mattress, a firm mattress or a medium-firm one?
CNET's team of sleep experts has spent years testing beds. With around 300 beds under our belts, we know which mattresses will help you get quality sleep each night. The mattress industry is huge, so there are a ton of options, but we've picked the best full-size mattresses you should consider buying.
What is the best full mattress?
The Layla Hybrid mattress is our top pick due to its impressive features. Including its soft cover, the mattress is made of several layers of copper-infused gel memory foam, support foam and individually wrapped coils. The copper-gel memory foam helps to keep sleepers cool at night and the coils keep the motion transfer to a minimum. What makes this mattress stand out is that the Layla Hybrid is flippable; one side is soft and the other is firm.
Video: Best full mattresses for 2024
Watch CNET video producer Owen Poole review the best full size mattresses for 2024.
Best full mattresses of 2024
Layla Hybrid
Best full-size mattress for side sleepers
SCORE
- Flippable with a soft and a firm side
- Great for all body and sleeper types
- Made of gel memory foam and pocketed coils
- A little expensive for budget shoppers
- Combination sleepers might find the bed to have a little resistance
The middle layer of the Layla Hybrid is made from copper-infused memory foam, which is designed to absorb and disperse heat so you stay cool while you sleep. The copper is also antimicrobial, so it fights off bacteria and other icky things that can build up in the mattress over time. One of the biggest things that sets the Layla Hybrid apart is the fact that it's a flippable full-size mattress. Not only that, one side of the mattress is soft and the other side is firm, so you can test out both sides of mattress firmness to find out which one is right for you.
Cocoon by Sealy Chill Memory Foam Mattress
Best full-size mattress for hot sleepers
SCORE
- Cooling mattress for hot sleepers
- An affordable budget option
- Made with three layers of memory foam and a cooling cover
- Not supportive enough for heavier people
- May be too cold for some sleepers
This mattress type is made with a specialized memory foam called Perfect Fit memory foam, which is designed to adapt to your body almost immediately. Underneath the Perfect Fit layer lies another layer of responsive comfort foam that prevents your body from sagging into the mattress and adds some extra cushioning. Not only did the Chill Memory Foam mattress immediately feel comfortable, but it also provided excellent pressure relief so I felt like it took the weight of the day off my body. It also has a stretch-knit cover designed to pull heat away from your body so you don't sleep too hot. Even with a down comforter, I stayed cozy and comfortable.
Helix Midnight Luxe
Best full-size hybrid mattress
SCORE
- Comfortable for all sleeping positions
- Great for those looking for a luxury mattress
- Made with a premium pillow top
- May be too soft for heavier back and stomach sleepers
- Expensive
A true hybrid mattress, the Helix Midnight Luxe is made from a combination of high-density memory foam, gel visco and pocketed coils. This combination provided excellent lumbar support and relief from the aches and pains that I had been dealing with from other mattresses. It was equally comfortable whether I was sleeping on my side or back -- something that can be difficult to find. I also found The Helix Midnight Luxe to be plushier than other bed-in-a-box type mattresses. It has a breathable premium quilted top that provides an additional comfort layer of cushioning that feels more reminiscent of a traditional mattress but without any motion transfer. Read more in our full Helix mattress review.
Amerisleep AS2 Hybrid
Best full-size mattress for back pain
SCORE
- Great for all body types due to the hybrid design
- Impressive pressure relief and support
- Back and stomach sleepers will find it comfortable
- May give combination sleepers a little resistance
- Too firm for strict side sleepers
One of my favorite things about this foam mattress was the better response time (compared to traditional memory foam mattresses). When you move around at night or change positions, it takes all foam mattresses some time to adjust. This lagging can lead to interrupted sleep, as it takes some time to get comfortable again. The Bio-Pur foam responded to movement almost immediately, so I was able to readjust and fall back asleep ASAP. The Bio-Pur memory foam is also designed to be more airy and breathable than denser memory foam, so the mattress doesn't trap heat at all. I never woke up too hot and sweaty, even in the warmer months. Read more in our full Amerisleep mattress review.
Purple Restore Hybrid
Best full-size mattress for stomach sleepers
SCORE
- Made of a grid-like latex that is bouncy and breathable
- Great for pressure relief
- Most sleeping positions will find this mattress comfortable
- Budget shoppers should look elsewhere
- Not for those looking for a traditional mattress
The grid gives way to your body, expertly contouring and alleviating pressure where you need it most like it was made just for you. I immediately felt weightless, almost like I was floating on this full-size mattress. This Purple mattress also felt bouncier than the others, but it was still able to provide motion isolation and prevent motion transfer. While it's comfortable in all positions, this Purple mattress is especially great for stomach sleepers since it has enough give to make sure your neck and spine stay aligned.
Avocado Green
Best full-size organic mattress
SCORE
- Has a quick response time
- Great for environmentally conscious shoppers
- Best for back and stomach sleepers
- On the expensive side
- May be a little firm for strict side sleepers
My first impression was that this full-size mattress was too firm, but after a few days, my body adjusted and I was able to settle in. The natural latex mattress started to conform to my body and I felt comfortable and supported. The Avocado Green had just the right amount of give to provide pressure relief, but not so much that I felt like I was sinking into it. It also had a quick response time, so when I changed positions, it re-adapted right away. Read more in our full Avocado mattress review.
What to consider when buying a full mattress
When looking for the best full mattress, here are a few things to keep in mind.
Firmness
The firmness of a mattress is dependent on your body type. If you are petite or an average person, your body will exert less pressure on a mattress, making it feel firmer. If you are a heavier sleeper, a mattress will feel softer. An average sleeper will find a medium firmness to be comfortable.
Support
Especially if you deal with back pain, you want a supportive mattress. A memory foam mattress is generally less supportive than a hybrid mattress that has both foam and coils. Petite and most average-size sleepers will still find memory foam mattresses supportive. If you are a heavier sleeper, opt for a hybrid or an innerspring mattress.
Edge support
The edges around your mattress should also be supportive. That way, you won’t roll off your bed in the middle of the night. You can test edge support by sitting on the edge. If you feel like you're going to slip off, you might want a bed with better edge support.
Other mattresses we've tested
All of the beds above have been tested by our CNET Sleep editors, but we've also reviewed over 200 other beds. With that being the case, it can be difficult to narrow down the top favorites. The beds below are other mattresses we've tested that are also worth considering in your search for a new mattress.
Puffy Lux mattress: Side sleepers would also really enjoy the thick and luxurious Puffy Lux mattress. It's just as comfortable as it looks and its cloud logo is a good indication of what you're getting yourself into. It's soft and pressure-relieving as it gently wraps around the curves of your body. The main comfort foam is memory foam, but it's more light and airy than it is dense. I'd rate this mattress around a 4 out of 10 on the firmness scale or a medium-soft, so it's mostly for people who favor their side.
Tuft & Needle mattress: The Tuft and Needle bed is a simple, two-layer foam mattress without any special bells and whistles. I think it's a great mattress for kids, teenagers, your kid going off to college or a money-saving individual. It's pretty wallet-friendly, and it's arguably just as popular as the Casper mattress. It has a similar neutral-foam feel that most people find comfortable.
Allswell mattress: Looking for the best value? The Allswell mattress is the bed-in-a-box model from Walmart, and in true Walmart fashion, it's extremely wallet-friendly. It'll cost less than most regular foam mattresses, which is rare since hybrid beds are known to be more expensive. It's a little on the firmer side, around a 6 out of 10 on the firmness scale or a medium-firm.
How we test the best full-size mattresses
Our CNET Sleep editors have spent countless hours testing each mattress on our many best lists. When we test mattresses, we have an established process that assesses key factors like firmness, feel, construction, performance, price, cooling properties and warranty information. We test how strong the edge of the bed is by sitting and lying on the edge. We test motion transfer by rolling across the mattress with a glass of water by the edge. We do this for all beds we test.
CNET editors pick the products and services we write about based on editorial merit. When you buy through our links, we may get a commission.
Find out more on how we test mattresses.
Best full mattresses FAQs
What are the dimensions of a full-size mattress?
A full-size mattress measures out to 54 inches wide and 74 inches long, which is 4.5 feet wide and 6.25 feet long.
What is the average cost of a good full-size mattress?
A premium full-size mattress will range around $700 to $1,400, but there are plenty of options under $1,000 like Casper or Tuft and Needle. Full-size beds are more affordable than queen or king-size mattresses, but are still suitable for couples who want to share a bed.
Is a full mattress big enough for two people?
Yes, a full-size mattress is big enough for two average sleepers. The bed might be a little small if one person is taller or a little heavier. Also, if you need space for pets or extra stretching room, a queen-size mattress might be better.
Is it worth getting a full-size bed?
A full mattress is worth considering if you have a smaller space or you're a single person who likes to spread out (since a twin mattress doesn't provide much room). If you're a co-sleeper, you should be able to fit snugly, but a queen mattress would be more suitable.