Best Gel Mattresses
Last Updated: March, 2023
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Gel mattresses have gained popularity in recent years due to their ability to regulate temperature, conform to your body shape, and alleviate pressure points. According to a Grand View Research report, the global mattress market size is expected to rise at a CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of 6.7% by 2027. This report also states that gel foam materials are expected to rapidly increase over the forecast period, thanks to their breathability, superior comfort, and pressure relief features.
In this article, we've compiled a list of the 6 best gel mattresses available on the market. We conducted extensive research using our 2-stage review process to check how effective the gel foam is among other useful features in these mattresses. The best gel mattress is the GhostBed Luxe which is a 13" gel hybrid mattress that's labeled the world's coolest bed. Without further ado, let's dive into our top picks and why we like them.
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A Quick Look At The 6 Best Gel Mattresses
GhostBed Luxe Mattress
Known as the coolest bed in the world and the best mattress for platform bed, the GhostBed Luxe features contouring gel infused memory foam, Ghost Bounce foam, and a cool-to-the-touch quilted cover to provide hot sleepers with incredible pressure relief, support, and a cool night's sleep.
PlushBeds Cool Bliss Mattress
PlushBeds Cool Bliss' patented gel memory foam is designed with the latest cooling technology that dissipates heat and moisture 3X faster than traditional memory foam for superior cooling comfort and support.
GhostBed Flex Mattress
The GhostBed Flex offers an ultra-responsive feel, thanks to its Ghost Bounce foam and layers of gel memory foam. With a balanced, medium-luxury feel, this bed is one of the most versatile gel memory foam mattresses on the market.
Puffy Lux Mattress
Thanks to its six layers of cloudlike sleep system and gel-infused foam layers, the Puffy Lux contours closely to the body without bottling up heat. Stomach, side, and back sleepers weighing up to 350 pounds should feel comfortable on this mattress owing to the incredible balance of cushioning and support.
Layla Hybrid Mattress
The Layla Hybrid Mattress accommodates most hot sleepers thanks to its reversible design with a distinctly luxurious feel on each side. Whether you like robust support or deep cushioning, this bed should meet your needs.
Zoma Hybrid Mattress
The Zoma Hybrid sleeps exceptionally cool for a hybrid mattress. The pocketed coils generate enough air circulation to keep the cushioning foam layers from trapping too much heat, the cover is breathable, and the firmer feel means you won't sink deeply into the mattress and lose your surface airflow.
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Gel infused memory foam mattresses are well-known for their cooling features, but the GhostBed Luxe Mattress stands apart from other gel-infused mattresses for its exceptional cooling properties. This GhostBed mattress should feel comfortable for most hot sleepers and individuals who sweat a lot at night.
We ranked this GhostBed Mattress around a 6/10 on our firmness scale, meaning it's a bit softer than medium-firm. I felt great while back sleeping on this mattress. I enjoyed a great balance of spinal support and comfort so I can confidently recommend it for back sleepers.
The GhostBed Luxe Mattress is also well-suited to side sleepers as it's softer than average. In this sleep position, I noticed a bit of pressure relief along my hips and shoulders. However, I found the GhostBed Luxe Mattress to be too soft for stomach sleeping. My hips sank into the surface, pulling my spine out of alignment.
GhostBed Luxe's topmost layer is a quilted cover made of ghost ice fabric, cooling fiber, gel memory foam, and phase-change material. These materials work together to keep the mattress breathable and offset heat retention. The comfort layer comprises Ghost Ice and 2" gel foam layers. The gel foam is squishy to the touch, drawing heat away while providing excellent pressure relief. Again, these materials work together to absorb and disperse body heat, which helped us stay comfortable all night long.
Below that is the transition layer made of 2" Ghost Bounce foam. This layer boasts traditional memory foam's supportive contouring and cushioning and the responsive feel of latex. Finally, a 7.5" support core layer of high-density foam adds to the overall support and durability of your mattress. Altogether, the GhostBed Luxe Mattress measures 13" thick.
This mattress ships free to shoppers in the contiguous U.S. Each order comes with a 101-night sleep trial, and a 25-year warranty covers structural defects. GhostBed Luxe's queen-size model usually goes for $3,095. However, you can take advantage of the company's 50% off sale and purchase the mattress for half its standard price.
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PlushBeds offers an array of foam mattresses, but the Cool Bliss stands out for its cooling properties and higher profile compared to other all foam mattresses on the market. As a hot sleeper, I really loved what this bed had to offer.In total, the PlushBeds Cool Bliss measures 12" tall. A stretchy GOTS-Certified organic cotton cover provides a breathable, moisture-wicking surface that keeps sleepers cool, comfortable, and dry throughout the night. This gel memory foam mattress has a 3" comfort layer of patented Cool Bliss Gel memory foam. Aside from offering cooling and comfort, this layer provided pressure relief and compression support throughout the night. However, heavyweight sleepers might be better off with the best mattress for heavy people.
Beneath the comfort layer lies a 2" transition layer made of 100% ARPICO latex to offer some bounce and response between the support and comfort layers. Next, you'll find a 2" high-density support layer with a 2.5 pounds Air Flow layer for maximum air circulation. A 5" bottom layer lends stability and structure to your mattress.
Starting off back sleeping, this PlushBeds mattress was an ideal fit for us. We felt our hips sinking into the upper surface but not too far. It also offered some good pushback and we felt well supported. The mattress was also a decent match for stomach sleeping. However, we felt some pressure on our hips and shoulders while side sleeping on the PlushBeds Cool Bliss Mattress. I wouldn't say it's a bad match for side sleepers but they might be better off with a softer model. The PlushBeds Cool Bliss Mattress ships for free to the contiguous United States via UPS. It's backed by a 100-night sleep trial and a 25-year warranty against structural defects. The price for their queen-size mattress is $2,790, but you can save over $1,200 by ordering today.
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If you're looking for a soft memory foam bed that doesn't retain as much body heat as competing models, the GhostBed Flex Mattress is a worthy alternative. Generally, foam mattresses are known for trapping body heat, but this bed is constructed with cooling properties that help regulate the temperature on the sleep surface.
The GhostBed Flex Mattress is made of petroleum-based foams that are 100% polyurethane and free of volatile organic compounds. It also boasts a non-allergenic, aerated latex layer, making it a safe and healthy pick for your sleep. The GhostBed Flex has a soft, supple, and gently soothing quilted cover that's cool to the touch to draw heat away from your body. Beneath is a layer of gel memory foam that offered additional body contouring and motion isolation during our second stage review process. Side sleepers and couples will love this layer's soft feel. Next is a 1" transition layer made of Ghost Bounce foam.
Aside from being bouncy and cooling, this latex-like layer acts as a buffer between the support and comfort layers, as it helped us get in and out of the mattresses and eased us down onto the pocketed coils below. The bulk of the bed is a pocketed coil system, which consists of support coils that promote airflow and make the bed durable. Lastly, the base of the GhostBed Flex comprises high-density support foam that acts as a foundation for the coils to bounce off.
Back sleepers should love the GhostBed Flex Mattress. Its individually-wrapped coils delivered enough body support while the top layers conformed to our body shape. Side sleepers should also feel excellent pressure relief and overall comfort. We sank into the surface just enough and we felt almost no pressure on our hips and shoulders. However, we think that this bed might be too soft for strict stomach sleepers. GhostBed allows shoppers to try out their mattresses for 101 nights. Returns made during this period are eligible for a full refund after a 30-night break-in period. The bed also comes with a 25-year warranty, and shipping to the contiguous U.S. is free. The price for the queen-size model is usually $2,595.
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The 12" Puffy Lux Hybrid Mattress is a soft model that combines the strong support of coil systems with the contouring features of memory foam. The result is a mattress that offers adaptive support and contouring, perfect for individuals with back pain and other sleepers who experience painful buildup during the night.The Puffy Lux Hybrid features a hypoallergenic and stain-resistant cloud cover with the zip-n-wash feature for easy cleaning. Its comfort system has three layers. The uppermost layer is a 1.5" gel-infused Cooling Cloud memory foam layer that contours closely to the body to relieve painful pressure points.
As a hot sleeper, I loved how the gel absorbed excess body heat and kept the surface cooler throughout the night. Next is a proprietary Dual Cloud foam layer, which offers further pressure relief and body contouring. Lastly, there's a 2" Climate Comfort polyfoam layer designed to be breathable and help your mattress maintain a neutral temperature. Beneath the comfort layer is a 7" pocketed coil system that provides targeted support to different parts of the body.
While back sleeping on this mattress, I experienced a perfect balance of comfort and body support. It also offered exceptional pressure relief on my sides as the multiple foam layers cradled my hips and shoulders. However, I didn't feel enough body support while sleeping on my stomach. My hips sank into the surface, pulling my spine out of alignment.
The Puffy Lux Hybrid Mattress is competitively priced compared to other hybrid mattresses, making it an ideal pick for budget-conscious shoppers. You'll only need to part with about $2,850 for the queen mattress. Mattress purchases come with a 101-night sleep trial period and a lifetime warranty.
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A cooling bed can be a solid investment if you and your partner tend to overheat at night. While testing the Layla Hybrid, it offered adequate body cushioning without feeling excessively warm. It nicely balanced cooling and contouring thanks to its steady air circulation and breathable foam layers. And as a flippable mattress with firm (7) and medium soft (4) surfaces, this hybrid mattress also accommodates most side sleepers irrespective of how much they weigh.
The Layla Hybrid's medium soft side features 2.5 inches of memory foam on a 2-inch transitional polyfoam layer. This sleep surface contoured closely to my body to promote even alignment, alleviate pressure, and cushion sore spots along my spine. On the other hand, the zoned transitional layer prevented uncomfortable sinkage underneath my midsection. The firmer side also boasts the same materials, but its layers are thinner to help create a more supportive feel.
Copper gel infusions in the top layer help offset memory foam's heat-retaining properties, allowing sleepers to sleep cool despite the deep hug. Pocketed coils between the memory foam layers offer reinforcement and stability to both sides of the bed. Lastly, a stretchy polyester-viscose cover encases your bed. Since this cover is machine washable, you can remove and clean it to keep your mattress hygienic. If you're also looking for a quality hybrid bed for your adjustable base back at home, this Layla hybrid version is the best mattress for adjustable bed to consider. Layla offers free shipping throughout the contiguous United States. Your mattress purchase comes with a 120-night sleep trial period and a 10-year warranty. The Layla Hybrid queen mattress goes for $1,699. You can save up to $250 and receive two pillows by ordering today.
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If you're an athlete looking for a mattress that will help you get good restorative sleep, you should check out the Zoma Hybrid Mattress. This bed will appeal to side sleepers and individuals with hip pain as it uses a zoned support system that works perfectly to keep your spine aligned.
As a previously impressed user of the all-foam Zoma mattress, I was excited to try out their hybrid version. Back sleeping on the mattress, I felt both comfortable and supported. Zoma's Triangulex foam contoured to the curves of my body and the coils offered great support. When I shifted to my side, the Zoma Hybrid was softer under my shoulders and I felt decent pressure relief there. However, it wasn't comfortable and supportive enough when I slept on my stomach. I could feel my hips bowing into the surface and I needed some more overall support.
The Zoma Hybrid Mattress uses three foam layers and a coil core. The first layer comprises 2" gel-infused memory foam engineered to cradle the body while allowing heat and moisture to escape. This comfort layer is also zoned for spinal support and targeted pressure relief. Underneath is a 2" transition layer of Reactive™ foam. This latex-like material is designed to enhance body contouring and quickly regain its original shape, preventing sleepers from sinking deep into the sleep surface.
The Zoma Hybrid's support core features 7" of individually pocketed coils on a 1" polyfoam base. Each coil is encased in a fabric pocket to minimize motion transfer and prevent the coils from becoming noisy. Zoma ships their hybrid mattresses for free within the contiguous United States. Customers receive a 100-night sleep trial and may return the bed for a full refund after a 30-day break-in period. The Zoma Hybrid Mattress comes with a 10-year warranty that's non-transferable and starts at the time of purchase. The original price of the Zoma Hybrid is $1,149. However it's currently on sale for $999.
How To Choose The Right Gel Foam Mattress
As most gel mattresses are made of memory foam, they may have a lot of similarities in terms of structure and effectiveness. But what are these features and properties we're looking for in a gel mattress that make it more than just a cooling mattress? Let's explore.
Pressure relief
Pressure relief refers to the ability of a mattress to evenly distribute body weight and relieve pressure points, particularly in areas such as the shoulders, hips, and lower back. This is important because when a mattress fails to provide adequate pressure relief, it can lead to discomfort, pain, and poor quality sleep. Hence, make sure your next mattress hunt leads you to a pressure relieving memory foam gel mattress.
Gel foam mattresses are known for their ability to provide excellent pressure relief due to the gel-infused layer they contain. The gel layer conforms to the shape of the body, providing a supportive and comfortable surface that helps with pressure point relief. This is particularly beneficial for individuals who suffer from back pain, joint pain, or other conditions that affect their sleep quality.
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Motion isolation
Motion isolation refers to a mattress's ability to absorb and reduce the transfer of motion between two sleeping partners. This is important because if one person moves or gets in and out of bed frequently, it can disrupt the other person's sleep and lead to a poor sleep experience.
Both traditional memory foam and the gel infused foams offer great conforming properties. However, with gel mattresses, the gel layer helps absorb motion when sleeping with your partner preventing it from transferring across the surface of the mattress.
Safe Chemicals
Ensure that the gel mattress you go for doesn't contain harmful chemicals such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and ozone depleters. You can find out by checking labels of certifications on each mattress. Look out for these helpful labels; OEKO-tex and CertiPUR-US certifications.
Edge Support
Because you'll be sleeping in a cool and comfortable mattress surface, it's easy to find yourself rolling to the edge of the mattress. When this happens, you want to be sure that you won't fall off to the floor and possibly hurt yourself.
To prevent this, make certain that your gel memory foam mattress has remarkable edge support. Edge support is also important for people who like to dress while sitting on the edge of their beds.
In Conclusion
As you can see, you don't always have to compromise on the quality of your mattress. Your mattress can be both cool and comfortable. Keep in mind that each sleeper type will require a different type of gel mattress. Whether you're going for innerspring mattresses, an all foam mattress, or a hybrid, always consider proper spinal alignment, mattress firmness and bed size as well.
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