Layla Mattress Review: Two Firmness Levels in One

7.5

Layla Mattress

Score Breakdown

Performance 8.3Support 6Return Policy 6Pressure Relief 8Features 8

Read more on How we test mattresses

$1,099 at Layla

Like

• Two firmness levels in one bed (soft, medium-firm)
• Soft and light memory foam feel
• Optimal for side, back and stomach sleepers

Don't like

• Not supportive enough for sleepers over 230 pounds
• Might be too pricey for budget shoppers

Product details

• Type Flippable memory foam mattress
• Firmness Firm
• Trial 120 nights
• Warranty Lifetime warranty

What's better than getting a new mattress? Getting two mattresses in one! The popular bed-in-a-box company Layla is a flippable mattress with two firmness levels available depending on which side you have it on. It's made of memory foam but has set itself apart from the other memory foam mattresses on the market.

First impressions 

Our CNET video producer, Owen Poole, reviews the Layla mattress and Layla Hybrid mattress. 

The first thing I noticed was the honeycomb-like pattern across the entire mattress cover and its gray and black dual colors. One side of the mattress is light colored while the other is noticeably darker, making it easy to tell which side is firm and which is soft. I'm a big fan of the cover. It's detailed enough to stand out in a room full of mattresses. 

The first thing I noticed when I lay on the mattress was that it felt lighter and more airy than other memory foam beds I've tested, including those made by Nectar and Amerisleep. It's easier to switch positions, especially on the firmer side, which is a plus for combination sleepers who typically flip-flop from their side to their back or stomach at night. It's like memory foam with a hint of neutral foam. 

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Firmness

I'd rate the soft side around a medium-soft or a 3 out of 10, with 10 being the firmest. On the flip side, I rated the firm end around a medium to medium-firm, or about a 6 out of 10 on the firmness scale. 

Comfort 

Other foam mattresses, such as those made by Casper and Nectar, have firm, dense foundations in the first layer. With the Layla mattress, both sides are meant to be slept on, so the foundation is in the center of the bed. Overall, the mattress is a little over 10 inches thick and it's stacked up as follows:

1. The first layer, starting from the soft side, is 3 inches of copper-infused memory foam. The copper is supposed to draw body heat away from you and disperse it throughout the mattress. 

2. Next is a 2-inch transition foam layer, which adds more cushion and plushness to the soft side.

3. This is where you can find the bed's support layer. It's dense and thick at 4.5 inches. 

4. The firm side has a thinner, 1-inch copper-infused memory foam layer that contributes to its more supportive profile.

All foams inside of the Layla bed are CertiPUR-US certified, meaning they're made without mercury, lead, ozone depleters and other harsh chemicals. This is a good certification to look out for, as it indicates that a mattress uses premium, quality foams. 

The cover is soft and made from polyester, viscose and poly-lycra. It also includes a cooling agent woven in between the fabric, but I wouldn't say I noticed a cold sensation from the cover at all (more on that later). 

Feel 

I'm used to memory foam feeling more dense -- your body takes a few moments to sink into the foam because it's slowly morphing around your curves. The Layla mattress, on the other hand, is more responsive and light. It's airy like a cloud, whereas other memory foams are more dense like a marshmallow. 

The foam still hugs your curves and provides nice pressure relief to your joints, but it's not abrasive and doesn't give you that "sinking" feeling. This is especially true with the firmer side, which most people won't nestle into as much as the soft. 

Motion isolation

Memory foam is notoriously great at isolating motion, and so is the Layla memory foam mattress. I thought it did a very good job at deadening the motion across the bed, and I think most people will too. You should hardly feel your partner moving in the middle of the night, unless they're aggressively tossing and turning right next to you. 

Edge support

The edge support on the Layla mattress is like most other foam beds -- not the best of the best. The firm side has a little less give than the soft side, but in general, you'll get better edge support with hybrid mattresses. As you can imagine, steel coils are going to provide a stronger perimeter than an all foam mattress. 

Temperature

Even though the memory foam is infused with copper gel and the cover has some cooling technology, I wouldn't call the Layla a cooling mattress. Those features do help keep the bed from retaining heat in the center, but it's not breathable like the Purple mattress, nor does it have any active cooling abilities. Heat will depend more on the temperature of your bedroom, the pajamas you're wearing, or if your partner radiates heat. 

Who is it best for?

While the Layla is versatile, it's not a perfect mattress for everybody. During my Layla mattress review process, I determined who might and who might not like this bed. 

Position

Since the Layla mattress has two different firmness levels on each side of the firmness range, I think this bed will be great for all sleeping positions including side, back, stomach and combination. Unless you're looking for an even firmer mattress around the 8-10 range, this bed will be accommodating. 

I think side sleepers will especially love the soft and plush feel of the soft side. Even the firm side of the Layla mattress isn't too firm. I think it's very well suited for combination sleepers or individuals who want a nice balance of support and pressure relief. 

Body type 

When it comes to beds, people of different sizes are going to perceive the same mattress differently. More often than not, the more pressure you exert on a mattress, the softer it'll feel. Also, foam mattresses aren't as supportive and durable as hybrid mattresses.

With that being said, I recommend the Layla mattress to people who weigh under 230 pounds. It'll be comfortable for a few years maybe, but you won't get the longevity from it that you paid for if you're a heavier sleeper. There is the Layla Hybrid mattress you can consider which is also flippable, but it contains a pocketed coil foundation rather than a foam one. 

Price

A Layla mattress is affordable, with a price that's standard with other bed-in-a-box mattresses like the Casper. A queen-size Layla mattress retails for $1,099, but you can usually find a promo running for around $150 off or so. For a mattress that offers so much versatility, I'd say it's a pretty good deal. 

Shipping, warranty and trial 

You can also expect a few perks when you buy a Layla mattress, because Layla knows you're not able to test it out in-person. You'll receive free shipping to your door, a 120-night free trial and a lifetime warranty that backs your mattress. 

There will be an odor when you initially unbox your mattress, which is common for beds that use synthetic foams. But, don't let it turn you off from the mattress. It should clear up after a day or two.

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07:17

Layla mattress verdict 

Flippable beds like the Layla mattress are kind of hard to come by, and I think they're worth the money for a few reasons. One, you get to test out which firmness level is best for your sleeping preferences. Two, there's a little bit more longevity in dual-sided mattresses because once one sleeping surface starts to wear, you can flip it over to reveal a side that's good-as-new. Layla also has a few additional perks that make me recommend it to a lot of different sleepers.

You might like the Layla if:

• You want a more responsive memory foam bed.
• You don't know which firmness level you should choose.
• You sleep on your back, side, stomach or a combination.
• You weigh under 230 pounds.
• You appreciate products with generous warranty policies.

You might not like the Layla if:

• You weigh over 230 pounds.
• You want an extra firm mattress.
• You want a mattress with a pocketed coil base.
• You're on a tight budget. 

Other mattresses from Layla

Layla Hybrid: This mattress has a great design that combines memory foam and pocketed coils, which provides a perfect balance between support and comfort. The Layla Hybrid also has a firm side and a soft side, so you can choose your preferred firmness level. This bed has excellent motion isolation and edge support.

Read more: Layla Hybrid Mattress Review

Layla Essential: The Layla essential mattress is a budget-friendly option for those who want a quality mattress without breaking the bank. While it may lack some of the premium features of the higher-end models like the Layla Hybrid, the Essential delivers great performance, decent motion isolation and overall great construction. 

Watch: Layla Essential Mattress Video Review

Layla mattress FAQ