Best Queen Mattresses in Canada

So why should you listen to us? Well, we’ve spent years in the sleep industry, diligently documenting and evaluating mattresses and bedding. During this time, we’ve developed a special kind of expertise for sleep. Each of the mattresses that we evaluated for this list (and many others that didn’t quite make it) went through rigorous rounds of testing, both in our test lab and with our testers.

To arrive at our recommendations, we evaluated the following performance areas:

• Temperature Control. Many Canadians wake up overheated, so temperature control features are a must. We looked at how cool the temperature control features helped over several hours of sleep.
• Support. Overall support is one of the most important aspects of your mattress. We looked at spinal alignment, balancing, and pressure relief as part of our support evaluation.
• Edge Support. Edge support is an important feature for those who sit or sleep near the edge of the mattress. We looked at how each mattress supported its edge to evaluate how supportive they were.
• Motion Isolation. Those who purchase queen mattresses often share a bed with a partner. To ensure that you sleep throughout the night, those with restless partners should seek motion isolation features. We looked at how much motion each mattress isolated.

How to Choose a Queen-Sized Mattress in Canada

Choosing a queen-sized mattress isn’t as intimidating as it may seem. Here, we’ll tell you about some of the basics that you should be aware of when choosing a queen mattress.

Why a Queen Mattress?

Queen mattresses are the most popular option on the Canadian market. The queen size sells more than most of the other sizes available for any given mattress. It’s large enough for a couple and gives you plenty of room to move around the rest of the room.

Queen mattresses are also less expensive than king size, which is ideal for couples on a budget. A standard queen is 60 inches wide and 80 inches long, which is great for taller couples with smaller bedrooms.

A queen-sized mattress also works better for guest rooms. You can outfit your extra room for less but still give your guests enough room.

If you are looking for a mattress that gives you enough room to move around but doesn’t break the bank, consider a queen mattress.

Mattress Basics

Before you can purchase any type of mattress, you need to understand a few mattress basics. The following features and options can help you decide which type of mattress is best for you, from construction to firmness and beyond. Keep these things in mind as you shop for a new queen mattress in Canada.

Type of Mattress

There are a few different types of mattresses available. For the most part, these mattress types are defined by the types of materials they use.

• Foam. Foam mattresses may use one type of foam, but usually combine different types of foam layers to present the best feel. Foam mattresses can use any of the following types of foam:
  • Memory Foam. Memory foam contours to your body, relieving pressure points and providing support where you need it most. However, memory foam can also retain heat. Some memory foam mattresses may also have a ‘quicksand’ feeling.
  • Latex. Latex foam is more responsive than memory foam but still provides contouring relief. Latex is easier to move around on and doesn’t retain heat like memory foam, so it’s a great option if you sleep hot.
• Hybrid. A hybrid or pocket spring mattress combines the best features of foam and innerspring mattresses. Layers of the foam cover a layer of pocket coils, which offer consistent support like an innerspring mattress. However, pocket coils compress individually, which means they compress right where you need them to. Hybrid mattresses provide great airflow and pressure relief alongside support.
• Innerspring. Innerspring mattresses are more traditional, and may not be found at online retailers. Innerspring mattresses layer fabrics and fill over a continuous layer of springs. These springs compress all at once. This means full-body support, but these mattresses are often super firm and can be uncomfortable.

The type of mattress you choose can really make the difference, particularly if need specific types of support or pressure relief. Make sure to look into all of your options to make sure you are choosing the right option for you.

Firmness, Sleeping Position, and Body Type

Each mattress has a firmness rating, which should tell you how the mattress will feel. The firmness options range from soft to firm, and some mattresses even allow you to choose which firmness you prefer.

While your firmness preference is a personal choice, some factors can influence which firmness you’ll like. If you aren’t sure which is best for you, consider starting with these simple guidelines.

• Soft mattresses are great at relieving pressure but may offer less support. Consider choosing a soft mattress if you weigh less than 130 pounds (59kg) or sleep on your stomach.
• Medium mattresses offer a great balance between pressure relief and support. If you weigh between 130 and 230 pounds (59kg – 104kg) or sleep on your side, a medium mattress might work for you. 
• Firm mattresses offer supreme support, but can sometimes relieve less pressure. If you weigh over 230lbs (104kg) or sleep on your back, choose a firm mattress.

You may have different preferences, even if you fall into one of the categories mentioned above. Make sure to choose a mattress based on your preferences instead of any guidelines you may find on the internet.

Pressure Relief

Pressure relief is all in the materials! Regardless of your position, you’ll need pressure relief to ensure you are comfortable. The recommended 8 hours of sleep can become uncomfortable if you are in one position on a hard surface.

To avoid this, mattresses build pressure relief right into the materials. They use contouring memory foams, pressure-reducing latex, or other types of foam and fills to create a more comfortable sleeping experience. Memory foam relieves the most pressure, but pillow-top mattresses can also increase pressure point relief and reduction.

Look for thicker mattresses with more foam and fill layers to get the ultimate pressure relief. Soft transition layers also help reduce pressure and keep you elevated above the firmer support layers.

Support

Regardless of how you sleep, you need adequate support. A good, supportive mattress will help you wake up more refreshed and be ready to take on your day. Support is handled in a few different ways in mattresses. First, you should look for a mattress that balances your body properly. Proper balancing reduces pressure points and is more comfortable overall. Secondly, spinal alignment is important. Mattresses that help keep your spine in alignment can go a long way toward making you more comfortable.

The support core of the mattress is important. If possible, look for a mattress with a high-density foam support core. If you’re purchasing a hybrid, you can look for a pocket coil layer with zoned support. A mattress with zoned support uses firmer foam or coils to support your lumbar and hips, giving you better alignment and support overall.

Mattress Performance Features

Now that you have the basics down, you can start looking at some exceptional performance features. These features can improve how your mattress feels, and offer great options to help you sleep a little more comfortably.

Temperature Control

Overheating while you sleep? It’s more common than you think! Many Canadians wake up overheating during the night. Foam mattresses can make this worse, so it’s a good idea to choose one that uses temperature control features to help you sleep a little cooler.

If you often wake up sweaty and uncomfortable, you should choose a mattress made with cooling gel foam, temperature-control covers, coils, or other features that may help reduce the temperature. These can help reduce heat build-up, channel heat away from you as you sleep, and neutralize heat as it happens.

Motion Isolation

Do you often wake up during the night because your partner is tossing and turning? Motion isolation may be able to help. A mattress with motion isolation features helps to stop motion as it happens, ensuring that it doesn’t travel across the mattress and wake you up. Of course, foam mattresses are great at reducing motion. Hybrids are better than traditional innerspring options, too.

For better motion isolation, look for soft transition layers, open-cell foam, and motion-isolation foam support cores. Some experts suggest that the individual pocket coils in pocket coil mattresses are great options for motion isolation, too. 

Edge Support

If you sit near the edge of the bed to put your shoes on, you’ll need stronger edge support. This is also true if sleep near the edge of the mattress. In both cases, you need some extra edge support. Foam mattresses usually don’t have much edge support, so you should look for a mattress that has extra support foam or reinforced edges. These features can help eliminate the slipping or sliding feeling often felt at an unsupported edge.