Murphy beds have a common problem -- they sometimes slump. Slumping is when the top part of the mattress bunches up, and it is a common problem for innerspring and coil systems in murphy beds. Because the mattress is vertical for long periods of time, bunching can occur on the top part of the mattress.
So, what does one do who wants to use their own mattress and not pay a premium for a custom built bed?
Luckily the best option for a murphy bed is to get a foam mattress. Because of the solid state material of foam, slumping is less common. This means that the mattress will be comfortable night after night.
There are a few myths about memory foam and foam mattresses that should be disspelled. For one, not all memory foam or foam mattresses will cause you to sink into them. Actually, most have minimal contouring and provide a good mix of pressure point relief and support. Secondly, memory foam and foam do not all have the same feel and ingredients. There are very high grade and very low grade foams.To find the right foam mattress for your murphy bed, make sure you get one that is certified CertiPUR-US, which means that it isn't treated with dangerous chemicals and does not offgas nasty toxins. Also, notice the softness vs. firm foams in the make of mattress.
Our favorite mattresses for murphy beds are good quality and budget conscious foam varieties. Nectar and Brooklyn Bedding Signature are some of the best all around budget friendly foam mattresses, while Bear is extremely comfortable and sleeps overwhelmingly cool, which is perfect for murphy beds that get warm at night.
Note: Be aware that many brands have warranty policies about using standard solid foundations. Since wall beds leave the mattress in a non-standard configuration for many hours of the day, many brands don't recommend using their mattresses for this purpose and it voids their warranty to do so. While we do recommend budget-friendly foam mattresses for murpy beds and wall beds, please be aware that these brands may have policies in place against covering the wear and tear with this bed configuration.
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One of the most popular mattress brands, Nectar has revolutionized the all-foam mattress industry with designs that focus on universally comfy firmness and support. With 3 all-foam mattresses and even some newer hybrid options, customers have reported enhanced cooling and supreme pressure relief in the Nectar Premier & Premier Copper. With value-add benefits like a full year trial and 'forever' warranty, quality materials for the price, and 'Buy Now, Pay Later' financing through Affirm, it should be a serious consideration for value-conscious shoppers. From the UK? See our review for the UK version.
Overall Score for Murphy Bed: 9.7/10
Customer Satisfaction: 9.7/10
Price Value: 9.8/10
Back Support: 9.4/10
Price: $599-$2898
Bear offers 4 top-rated mattresses. Their Bear Original memory foam has won acclaim with athletes on a budget. For those looking for a pressure-relieving feel, the Star Hybrid and Pro Hybrid are great options. Lastly, their Elite Hybrid, features both cooling foams and zoned support to provide sleepers with a luxurious sleep experience. From the Celliant® fibers to copper cooling, customers love these mattresses for their superior cooling, muscle pain relief, and balanced back support.
Overall Score for Murphy Bed: 9.6/10
Customer Satisfaction: 9.6/10
Price Value: 9.5/10
Back Support: 9.6/10
Price: $748-$3565
Puffy is an online mattress brand that makes four mattresses: The Puffy Cloud Mattress, The Puffy Lux Mattress, The Puffy Royal Mattress, and The Puffy Diamond Mattress. Each of these offer a highly rated, pressure-relieving feel that is making a splash in the mattress in a box industry. Folks find Puffy's mattresses more plush than many other options, which is great for those with a lighter body type. With a goal of providing a balanced, fluffy feel for less than in-store and a lineup that includes both all-foam and hybrid designs, Puffy is worth a second look!
Overall Score for Murphy Bed: 9.5/10
Customer Satisfaction: 9.6/10
Price Value: 9.4/10
Back Support: 9.1/10
Price: $1449-$5198
Siena is an affordable mattress brand by Resident Home, the makers of some of the most well-rated mattresses in the industry. Their Siena offering is all about delivering high value comfort while maintaining a low price. With prices starting below $500 for a queen (after discount), mattresses at these price points found elsewhere often have additional complaints about perceived quality and durability over time. With a specialty foam design that features breathability, pressure relief, and sturdy support, Siena is a great consideration for those on a budget.
Overall Score for Murphy Bed: 9.5/10
Customer Satisfaction: 9.5/10
Price Value: 9.5/10
Back Support: 9.3/10
Price: $499-$999
Tuft & Needle made a big splash in the mattress industry when it offered one of the lowest cost all-foam mattresses in a box directly to customers, their T&N Original Mattress. Since then, they've elaborated on their initial concept with two more innovative designs: The Mint Mattress and newer Mint Hybrid Mattress, which provide a high quality, superbly pressure-relieving feel and come with a removable and washable top cover layer. With their three mattresses and 100,000s of positive reviews, customers have spoken in approval of T&N.
Overall Score for Murphy Bed: 9.4/10
Customer Satisfaction: 9.5/10
Price Value: 9.4/10
Back Support: 9.4/10
Price: $745-$2595
Nolah came to market in 2016 when they crafted their very own foam, called Nolah AirFoam®, as a response to the memory foam mattress industry. Its innovation is that it retains less heat than other memory foam or common 'visco elastic' foams. It is easier on the hips and shoulders, making it ideal for side sleepers. With multiple mattress options, good customer satisfaction scores, and a tailored mattress for plus sized sleepers, Nolah is a brand anyone can feel good about!
Overall Score for Murphy Bed: 9.4/10
Customer Satisfaction: 9.3/10
Price Value: 9.4/10
Back Support: 9.4/10
Price: $699-$2499
Loom and Leaf has a lot to offer -- standing at just about 12 inches thick, it has many layers of high-end foam that help alleviate pressure points but also properly cradle the spine. If you are frustrated by mattresses that don't properly support your back and spine, Loom and Leaf can definitely help. It has a medium firm option that is approved by chiropractors and other spine gurus. Also, its firmness and thick layers help with long term durability.
Overall Score for Murphy Bed: 9.3/10
Customer Satisfaction: 9.3/10
Price Value: 9.3/10
Back Support: 9.3/10
Price: $1195-$3150
Dreamfoam Bedding is a lower cost brand by Brooklyn Bedding. These economy mattresses offer competitive options for the budget conscious shopper, while still having a good selection of choices featuring hypoallergenic latex, foam, and coil. Because of the lower prices, there are lower quality materials used in the mattresses, which isn't ideal for all sleepers, but for those that are looking for a temporary solution or a guest room mattress, these might work just fine.
Overall Score for Murphy Bed: 9.3/10
Customer Satisfaction: 9.1/10
Price Value: 9.3/10
Back Support: 9.2/10
Price: $274-$1499
Nora is a Wayfair exclusive mattress in a box company. They have two mattresses, including a memory foam and a pocketed coil mattress, both designed to serve sleepers who are on a budget. It is another example of a major retailer making big moves in the disruptive industry of on-demand mattresses. As far as comfort, most customers like their Nora mattresses at first, but there are some complaints about heat retention, firmness, and durability for some customers.
Overall Score for Murphy Bed: 9.3/10
Customer Satisfaction: 9.2/10
Price Value: 9.3/10
Back Support: 9.3/10
Price: $369-$1499
The Douglas mattress brand, from popular Canadian sleep company GoodMorning.com, offers well-rounded memory foam mattresses made with Canadians in mind. Manufactured entirely in Canada from factories in Ontario and Quebec that use more than 90% renewable energy, Douglas mattresses offers 3 different all-foam designs and RV mattress varieties that ship directly to Canadian consumers in a box. Throw in competitive price points, and Douglas is definitely a brand to consider.
Overall Score for Murphy Bed: 9.3/10
Customer Satisfaction: 9.2/10
Price Value: 9.3/10
Back Support: 9.2/10
Price: $599-$1698