Written by Julia Forbes, Sleep Advisor Mattress Tester
Having a small sleep space doesn’t mean you have to compromise sleep quality. Murphy beds are a great option if you live in an apartment or have limited space for a larger size bed.
A Murphy bed is a convenient mattress hinged at one end so you can store it vertically in a cabinet or closet. You can also store it against a wall, depending on the setup in your home. This multifunctional piece of furniture is an excellent option for a small space, as it can serve as a closet or part of the wall when it’s up and as a mattress when it’s down.
If you already have your Murphy bed frame ready to go, we’ve created a list of the best Murphy bed mattresses to accompany it.
Best Mattresses for Murphy Beds
- Nectar – Best Overall
- GravityLux – Best Murphy Bed Mattress for Back Pain
- Helix Midnight – Best Hybrid Mattress for a Murphy Bed
- Nolah Original – Best Murphy Bed Mattress for Pressure Relief
- Bear Mattress Original – Best Cheap Mattress for a Murphy Bed
- Loom & Leaf – Best Luxury Mattress for a Murphy Bed
- Plank – Best Firm Mattress for a Murphy Bed
- Cocoon Chill Memory Foam – Best 10-Inch Mattress for a Murphy Bed
Compare Murphy Bed Mattresses
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| Nectar Mattress | WinkBeds GravityLux Mattress | Helix Midnight Mattress | Nolah Original 10″ Mattress | Bear Original Mattress | Loom & Leaf Mattress | Brooklyn Bedding Plank Firm Mattress | Cocoon Chill Mattress | |
| Rating | ||||||||
| Firmness | Firm: 7.5/10 | Medium-firm: 6/10 | Medium-firm: 6/10 | Medium-firm: 6.5/10 | Firm: 7/10 | Multiple firmness options | Multiple firmness options | Medium-firm: 6/10 |
| Material | Foam | Foam | Hybrid | Foam | Foam | Foam | Foam | Foam |
| Cooling | — | — | — | — | — | |||
| Warranty | Lifetime warranty | Lifetime warranty | 10-year warranty | Lifetime warranty | Lifetime warranty | Lifetime warranty | 10-year warranty | 10-year warranty |
| Shipping | Free shipping | Free shipping | Free shipping | Free shipping | Free shipping | Free shipping | Free shipping | Free shipping |
| Trial Period | 365 nights | 120 nights | 100 nights | 120 nights | 120 nights | 365 nights | 120 nights | 100 nights |
| Best For | Back Sleepers, Back Pain, Stomach Sleepers, Side Sleepers, Couples | Back Sleepers, Hot Sleepers | Couples, Back Sleepers, Side Sleepers | Side Sleepers, Back Sleepers | Hot Sleepers, Back Sleepers, Side Sleepers, Hip Pain | Back Pain, Side Sleepers | Stomach Sleepers, Back Pain, Seniors | Back Sleepers, Hot Sleepers, Side Sleepers |
Sleep Advisor’s Testing Methodology
At Sleep Advisor, our mattress reviews are based on findings from in-person tests. We rate all mattress performance categories out of five. In order to get the overall rating (also out of five) for the mattress, we take the weighted average (based on what we think is most important, e.g. support) of all of these scores.
We’ve tested over 150 beds and helped more than 2,500 people find their mattress matches. Rest assured that all the mattresses we recommend are comfortable, quality, well-made beds.
For this roundup, we focused on the best mattresses for those with a Murphy Bed. We took several factors into account when devising our list, including the height of the mattress, weight of the mattress, potential frequency of use, and budget.
Learn more about our product review process here.
What We Look for in a Murphy Bed Mattress
Mattress Height
Most Murphy beds are compatible with mattresses with a height of 12 inches or less.
Mattress Weight
Because lifting the bed up and down will be more difficult if it’s a heavier mattress.
Frequency of Use
Will this bed be slept on regularly or used as a guest bed?
Budget
We aimed to include beds with a variety of price ranges. A low-cost mattress ($), would be anything under $1,000 for a Queen size. A mid-range mattress ($$), would be anything between $1,000 and $2,000 for a Queen. A high-end mattress ($$$) would be anything above $2,000 for a Queen.
Best Murphy Bed Mattresses
Nectar – Best for a Murphy Bed Overall
The Advisor Says: We believe that Nectar offers a quality bed backed up by generous policies, and for under $1,000 for a queen (after discounts). If you’re looking for a firmer foam mattress on a budget, the Nectar Classic has you covered.
GravityLux – Best Murphy Bed for Back Pain
The Advisor Says: We think the GravityLux is a great option if you’re looking for a well-rounded bed with that iconic foam feel. We gave it high marks for pressure relief, motion isolation, support, and cooling!
Helix Midnight – Best Hybrid Mattress for a Murphy Bed
The Advisor Says: The Midnight has one of the most impressive score spreads of all the mattresses we’ve reviewed. The best word to describe it is “balanced”: it’s got pressure relief, support, and cooling power in spades, plus a versatile medium-firm feel that tends to satisfy lots of sleepers.
Nolah Original – Best Murphy Bed Mattress for Pressure Relief
The Advisor Says: For an all-foam bed with a relatively low profile (10 inches tall), the Nolah Original is surprisingly supportive and bouncy. Its pressure-relieving AirFoam™ ICE makes it a good choice for lightweight side and back sleepers in particular—just don’t expect any cooling miracles.
Bear Original – Best Cheap Murphy Bed Mattress
The Advisor Says: With a name that inspires hibernation, it’s no surprise we found the Bear Original to be an attractive all-foam mattress at its fair price. It’s got a firmer feel that’s sure to please folks looking for support—and a surprising amount of bounce.
Why the Bear Original Earned Best Cheap Mattress for a Murphy Bed
Looking to save on space and cash? Bear’s flagship model has you covered. It comes in at under $1,000 for a Queen—even before frequent sales or coupons.
The Bear Original has a slightly firmer feel with stiffer foams, but I found that this provides top-notch support for sleepers of all body types. Its 10-inch height is also perfect for compact Murphy beds.
Testing Soundbite
“The foam is all CertiPUR and Greenguard Gold certified, so no harmful chemicals here. We like this best for side and back sleepers up to 200 pounds, so you can get the most out of its pressure-relieving, motion-isolating foam layers. Not to mention the back support is on point.”
Julia Forbes, Sleep Advisor Mattress Tester
What’s the Bear Original Made Of?
At 10 inches thick, the Bear Original is made up of three foam layers and a cover.
A Look Inside the Bear Original
It comes with a breathable Tencel™ cover, but for an added fee, you can upgrade to a Celliant®-infused cover. This material reportedly works to promote muscle recovery, a boon for athletic sleepers.
Under the cover is a gel memory foam that seeks to keep you cool while properly aligning your body. Next, Bear’s dynamic foam ensures you don’t sink in too far as the layer relieves pressure. Finally, a high-density support foam makes up the base of the mattress.
Customer Reviews of the Bear Original
According to Bear’s website, the Bear Original scores about 4.5 out of 5 stars. Customers appreciate the Bear Original mattress for its excellent pressure relief but have reported that its edge support may be lacking, which could affect those who use the full mattress surface.
Have questions? Explore our picks for the Best Cheap Mattresses.
Loom & Leaf – Best Luxury Mattress for a Murphy Bed
The Advisor Says: Saatva touts a wide variety of luxury hybrid beds, but they have some great all-foam options, too. Enter the Loom & Leaf: this couples-friendly memory foam bed excels in pressure relief, support, and, surprisingly, cooling.
Plank Firm – Best Firm Mattress for a Murphy Bed
The Advisor Says: We’re constantly calling this mattress one of the firmest in the online market, and if you don’t believe us, try it for yourself! It offers both a classic firm and extra-firm feel in its flippable design, alongside posture-aligning support. Bonus points for good marks in performance for cooling, bounce, and couples.
Why the Plank Firm Earned Best Firm Mattress for a Murphy Bed
If you’re a fan of firm beds and want one that’ll fit a Murphy bed, check out the Plank Firm by Brooklyn Bedding. Harkening back to caveman times, this flippable mattress has a hard-as-a-rock side—as well as a traditional firm side for the less adventurous sleeper.
The Plank Firm stands just under 10 inches tall, which means it’ll fold up into a Murphy bed easily. Even with that low profile, it should support you and evenly distribute your weight.
Testing Soundbite
“It doesn’t get more solid than the Plank. This is one of the firmest mattresses on the online market.”
Julia Forbes, Sleep Advisor Mattress Tester
What’s Inside the Plank Firm?
What’s the Plank Firm Made Of?
The Plank Firm is a flippable mattress with four total layers and a thickness of 9.5 inches. It has two mirrored sides: an extra-firm side and a traditional firm side.
The extra-firm side is topped with a 0.75-inch quilted top that’s stitched to allow absolutely no loft. The traditional firm side’s 0.75-inch top is stitched to allow for a little bit of loft. Underneath the traditional side’s top is also a 2-inch layer of dense, firm TitanFlex™ foam for responsiveness.
The core between these two sides is made up of 6 inches of dense foam.
Customer Reviews of the Plank Firm
On Plank’s website, the Plank Firm gets 4.8 out of 5 stars. Customers appreciate the Brooklyn Bedding Plank Firm mattress for its exceptional firmness, but some have found it to be too rigid for their comfort preferences.
Need to learn more? Check out our picks for the Best Firm Beds!
Cocoon Chill Memory Foam – Best 10-Inch Mattress for a Murphy Bed
The Advisor Says: We love the Cocoon Chill for hot sleepers who are set on buying a foam bed. Its medium-firm profile should work for the majority of sleepers, and its perfect motion isolation score should appeal to couples who toss and turn.
Compare Prices and Scores of the Best Mattresses for Murphy Beds
| Mattress | Price (Queen Size) | Pressure Relief | Support | Motion Isolation | Cooling | Bounce | Edge Support | Couples |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nectar | $999 | 4.5 | 4 | 5 | 2.5 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| GravityLux | $1,799 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 3.5 |
| Helix Midnight | $1,199 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 3.5 | 2 | 3 |
| Nolah Original | $1,149 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 4.5 | 4 | 3 |
| Bear Mattress Original | $999 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3.5 |
| Loom & Leaf | $2,395 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 4 |
| Plank | $1,149 | 3.5 | 5 | 3.5 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 |
| Cocoon Chill | $1,079 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3.5 | 2 | 3.5 | 3.5 |
What Is a Murphy Bed?
A Murphy bed is a bed that is hinged to the wall. It can be folded down when in use and folded up when not in use. This unique bed design was named after its inventor, William Lawrence Murphy, who established a patent for his design in 1911.1
The big sell with Murphy beds is that they’re great space savers. Let’s say you live in a studio apartment. A Murphy bed means you can have more space in your home during the day if you work from home or want to have guests over. They can also be great for people living in one-bedroom apartments who want to be able to comfortably house guests but don’t have the extra bedroom to do so.
Plus, when Murphy beds are tucked away, they can blend in nicely so it’s not obvious there’s a folded-up bed in the wall.
How to Install a Murphy Bed
If your house or apartment isn’t already outfitted with a Murphy bed, you’ll have to do some planning before you install one yourself.2 Ensure you have enough wall and floor space, as well as a high-enough ceiling to accommodate the bed in both stored and unfolded positions. The size of your Murphy bed (full, queen, or king, for example) will also depend on the space you have available. Some people even like putting their Murphy beds in an empty closet to further conserve space.
Then, choose how you’ll attach your Murphy bed. The bed can be anchored to either the floor or the wall—which you choose will depend on the sturdiness of both, what material they’re made of, and what you’re comfortable working with.
Some Murphy beds come with a cabinet that you’ll have to build yourself. But it’s also possible to DIY a Murphy bed with an existing cabinet or armoire, so long as it can fit your bed and all the necessary mechanisms. Overall, it’s important to make sure that all components are properly installed with anchors that can support the bed’s weight. (Check regularly for signs of wear-and-tear, as you don’t want your bed suddenly collapsing without warning after repeated use.)
If at any point during installation you’re concerned or worried, it may be worth considering help from a contractor or handy friend.
What to Look for in a Mattress for Murphy Beds
Since this is a unique bed setup, it’s helpful to know what types of mattresses and other important qualities go into finding the ideal mattress for your Murphy bed.
Mattress Height
You’ll want to avoid a mattress that’s too thick as this could make it harder to comfortably fold up into the wall space. The general rule of thumb is to get a mattress that’s 12 inches tall or less.
Mattress Weight
How heavy your mattress is will help determine whether it’s good for a Murphy bed. The heavier your mattress is, the harder it could be to lift up and down.
Frequency of Use
Some people only use a Murphy bed when they have people over, while others use it as their everyday mattress. The difference is in the frequency of use, which is important to consider when buying a mattress for a Murphy bed.
If you want one to only use occasionally when you have guests staying over, you probably don’t have to focus on durability as much. On the other hand, if you’re buying a mattress for yourself to use every day, then durability, quality, and performance are musts.
Budget
If you’re spending a lot on your Murphy bed, you’ll likely want to save where you can on the mattress. There are plenty of great foam mattresses at a variety of prices to match your budget. Plus, buying online directly from mattress brands can save you more money by cutting overhead costs.
Learn more: Best Budget Mattresses
Type of Mattress
Innerspring Mattresses
Innerspring mattresses are a traditional mattress style that incorporates a coil unit with a thin comfort layer above it. These mattresses are often budget-friendly and offer lots of bounce and airflow.
Unfortunately, innerspring mattresses are not the ideal choice for a Murphy bed because constantly folding and unfolding the mattress could affect the shape of the coils. That said, if you have your heart set on an innerspring bed, we recommend a more traditional bed frame to accommodate your preferred mattress.
Explore: Best Bed Frames
Hybrid Mattresses
Hybrid mattresses are essentially an enhanced version of an innerspring mattress. These beds still have a coil unit, but they also have several foam layers made of poly foam, memory foam, latex, or a combination of them.
With hybrids, sleepers still get access to an innerspring unit but aren’t missing out on pressure-relieving foam layers. Hybrids are usually more costly, but their design often makes them worth the investment for great comfort and support.
Because hybrid mattresses contain coils, which could bend or become damaged with a Murphy bed, they aren’t the best choice in this case. That said, hybrids can still be a fantastic selection for a more standard bed frame and many are compatible with adjustable bases.
Read more: Best Adjustable Bed Frames
Memory Foam Mattresses
Memory foam mattresses typically have an all-foam structure in which memory foam is on top followed by denser poly foam underneath. Memory foam is exceptional at relieving pressure, which is a big reason for the material’s popularity in the mattress industry.
Memory foam mattresses are considered the best option for Murphy beds because the foam can more easily retain its shape when the bed is folded upright. Plus, memory foam mattresses are often cheaper, which could be great for those who plan to invest in an expensive Murphy bed and want to save more on the mattress.
Latex Mattresses
Latex mattresses are great for those who love a foam mattress but want something other than memory foam. These beds are quick-responding to movement, great at temperature control, and in many cases, eco-friendly. Plus, their durability makes them longer-lasting. The only major downside to latex beds is their higher price tag.
Latex beds should work well with a Murphy bed, though you’d want to be sure the latex bed you’re interested in does not contain coils since latex is often found in hybrid designs.
Other Considerations When Shopping for a Mattress for a Murphy Bed
Mattress Size
If you have yet to buy a Murphy bed, you should check that it accommodates the mattress size you want. If you already have the Murphy bed, you’ll need to confirm that the mattress will properly fit on it. The good news is that Murphy beds are designed to match standard mattress sizes so it should be easy to find the right pairing.
Room Size
Of course, you also need to see if a Murphy bed will even fit in the room you want to use it, especially when it’s in use. Once you have a bed size you’re interested in, measure out the dimensions as if the bed is pulled down so that you can confirm it won’t hit or block any other nearby furniture. You should also make sure there’s additional space around it to get up, walk around, and fold it up.
Sleeping Position
Whether it’s for a Murphy bed or any frame, you’ll need to consider how your sleeping position impacts the specific mattress you get.
Side sleepers will want to get great pressure-relieving beds that aren’t too firm against their shoulders and hips.
Back sleepers should consider beds that provide them with good lumbar support and pressure relief in the shoulders.
For stomach sleepers, having a supportive bed that keeps their hips from dipping is key.
Combination sleepers will like buoyant beds that can accommodate multiple sleeping positions and foster easier repositioning.
Weight/Body Type of Sleepers
Your weight and body type will affect how a mattress feels and supports you. For example, heavier sleepers will press into a mattress’s layers more than a lightweight person, so they’ll need a mattress that is firm enough to keep them lifted so they don’t bottom out.
Conversely, a lightweight person will need something that compresses easier so they can still activate a mattress’s comfort layers and avoid feeling like they’re sleeping on the floor.
Firmness
Firmness is a measure of how soft or hard a mattress feels. While this is subjective to the specific individual, we make sure to provide a mattress firmness rating with each bed we test so you have an idea of what to expect.
Mattress firmness is rated 1-10, with 10 being the firmest feel possible. Most beds we review are in the middle of the scale, with some skewing higher or lower depending on the model.
Medium-firm mattresses are popular because they usually accommodate the most sleepers. If you plan to use your Murphy bed for guests, then a medium-firm feel would be a safe bet. Based on our firmness guide, a medium feel goes from 5-7, though 6.5 is considered more of a true medium-firm feel.
Cooling
Cooling is a helpful feature in mattresses, particularly for those prone to overheating or who live in warmer locations.
Manufacturers can incorporate cooling in various ways. These methods might include infusing gel into memory foam, utilizing a special cooling cover, or adding naturally cool materials like latex or cotton. If this is an important feature for you, then we suggest making sure the bed you want has cooling materials in it, as well as positive feedback from first-hand testers who can give you a genuine idea of how it actually performs at this.
Motion Isolation
Motion isolation is a term used to describe how well a mattress prevents movement from transferring across the mattress. This is usually more important for couples sharing a bed or perhaps those who let their pet sleep beside them. Memory foam beds are usually the best pick for motion isolation, and the great news is that they’re the best choice for a Murphy bed.
Sex
Sexually active couples often enjoy quick-responding beds that make it easier to move around during intimacy.
Between latex and memory foam mattresses, latex is going to be the more responsive of the two. Memory foam has a slower-moving feel to it that can sometimes make it harder to move about. That said, some brands actively include responsive foam in their memory foam models to help with this.
Explore our best mattress for sex picks.
Pressure Relief
Pressure relief is important for many shoppers, especially those who might have chronic pain from conditions like arthritis. To ensure you get good pressure relief, you’ll want to get a bed that’s the right firmness for your sleeping position and body type, avoiding anything too soft or too firm.
Also, you want access to quality materials that are adept at melting away pressure. Memory foam excels at this, but if you’d prefer latex, consider softer Talalay latex, which should still provide adequate cushioning for the joints.
Learn More: Best Mattress for Pressure Relief and Best Mattress for Arthritis
Edge Support
Edge support refers to how supportive the perimeter of the mattress is. Strong edges can not only give you more surface space for sleeping (another helpful quality for couples), but they can also make it easier to get in and out of bed.
Look for mattresses with denser, firmer foams along the sides to help you remain lifted, and read reviews to see what mattress testers think when they try out the bed. This is a feature we always test here at Sleep Advisor.
Best Mattress for Murphy Beds FAQs
What type of mattress is best for a Murphy bed?
The best type of mattress for a Murphy bed is a memory foam mattress that is no more than 12 inches thick. Additionally, the mattress should accommodate your weight and sleep position, as well as other features that are important to you, which might include cooling, motion isolation, and edge support.
How thick should a Murphy bed mattress be?
A Murphy bed mattress should be 12 inches thick or less. This will help ensure it fits comfortably against the wall.
What is the difference between a wall bed and a Murphy bed?
A wall bed and a Murphy bed are two ways of describing the same thing: a bed that is attached to the wall and can be folded up and down as needed.
Is a Murphy bed worth it?
A Murphy bed can be worth it if you’re tight on space. For example, those who live in a studio apartment might prefer a Murphy bed to give them more free space during the day. Murphy beds could also be great for those with an extra room that primarily serves as an office, but if friends or family visit, you can easily put the bed down and have the room double as a space for sleeping.
Julia Forbes
Sleep Advisor Mattress Tester
About Author
Julia is a product tester at Sleep Advisor, specializing in testing out mattresses and sleep accessories – she’s in the right line of work, because she loves to sleep.
Stomach Sleeper
Education & Credentials
- Certified Sleep Science Coach
References:
- Caputo, Joseph. “Curator Finds Murphy Bed’s Place in American History.” Smithsonian Magazine. 2009.
- Engel, Andy. “How To Build a Murphy Bed.” This Old House. Updated October 18, 2024.