It’s natural to want the best, especially when it comes to sleep. The quality of your sleep can determine how well you perform during the day, including how good you feel. Since you want the best sleep possible, you may be wondering which Canadian mattress is best. The answer is personal and depends on a variety of factors, including your personal sleeping position and style. There are a few key factors that can help you make a choice, however.
Each of the mattresses we’ve recommended has gone through thorough testing, both in our test lab and with our at-home tester panel. We tested performance and evaluated each mattress closely, so you know you’re only getting our top recommendations for the best mattress in Canada.
What is the Best Mattress for Canadians?
- Best All-Foam: The Endy Mattress
- Best Firmness Options: The Novosbed Mattress
- Best Support: The Noa Mattress
What Makes a Mattress “The Best”?
It’s no surprise that the best mattress in Canada is the one that you prefer. There is no universal ‘best’, especially because we all sleep differently! When looking at the best mattress for you, consider the following factors:
- What type of mattress is it?
- How supportive is it?
- What comfort features does it offer?
- How firm is it?
- How much does it cost?
- Where is it made?
- How is it constructed?
- Is it right for my sleeping position?
- Will it sleep too hot for me?
- Does it support me like I need?
While some of these questions may be difficult to answer, all of them are required to help you determine what you should be looking for. When shopping for the best mattress in Canada, you should consider these questions as well as the following features.
Basic Features of the Best Mattresses in Canada
Before you can determine which mattresses are the best for you, it’s important to understand some basic mattress features.
Mattress Types
The best mattresses in Canada are made with memory foam, latex, or coils. While traditional innerspring mattresses are still available in physical stores, the rigidity of the interconnected springs makes them impossible to ship inexpensively. As such, we’ll be looking only at memory foam, latex, and hybrid mattresses here.
Memory Foam Mattresses
Memory foam is one of the most popular mattress materials. It forms to your body, offering pressure relief right where you need it. It’s comfortable but can often feel like quicksand because of how you sink into the mattress. It’s also prone to retaining heat, but many mattress companies have found lots of ways to avoid this.
Latex Mattresses
Latex contours to your body just like memory foam. However, you won’t sink into latex in the same way. There’s no ‘quicksand’ feeling when you use a latex mattress. Instead, you get a responsive surface that allows you to move around a little easier. Latex mattresses are also cooler than memory foam mattresses.
All-Foam Mattresses
All-foam mattresses use layers of memory foam and latex together to create a unique, pressure-relieving feel. Some might use blended materials that contain properties of both latex and memory foam to create a better sleep experience. No all-foam mattress does a better job than the Endy mattress.
Best All-Foam
The Endy Mattress
Features:
- Mattress Type: All Foam
- Firmness: Medium
- Layers: 3
- Sleep Trial: 100 Nights
- Warranty: 15 Years
- Made In: Canada
It's Great For:
- Couples and co-sleepers
- Those who prefer the comforting memory foam ‘hug’
- Canadians who want a simple, no-gimmicks mattress
- Those who live in areas with a lot of seasonal change
The Endy Mattress is the perfect all-foam choice in Canada. It uses layers of memory foam to produce a comfortable surface that contours to your body. Endy’s foam helps relieve pressure, and it’s a great mattress for side sleepers and back sleepers. The medium firmness makes it ideal for most sleepers.
Endy’s foam layers help eliminate motion transfer while relieving pressure points. The open-cell foam design helps to stop motion as it happens, trapping it inside each cell and dispersing it before it can reach you. This means that no matter how much your partner tosses and turns, they won’t wake you.
Endy’s memory foam layers are also temperature-neutral. While some memory foam is affected by ambient temperature, Endy maintains the same feel throughout the seasons. It won’t get softer during the summer or firmer during the winter. This mattress is a simple alternative for those who want a comforting memory foam mattress, especially those who live in areas where the seasonal change is dramatic.
Hybrid Mattresses
Hybrid mattresses use a layer of pocketed coils to create a stronger support core. These mattresses offer the best of the other types of mattresses; like innerspring, they offer coil-based support. Like a foam mattress, layers of foam on top of the coils provide pressure relief, better motion isolation, and a more comfortable mattress overall.
However, the pocket coils inside hybrid mattresses are also better at supporting you where you need them. They compress individually, which means you get firmer support in areas where you need it most.
Mattress Firmness
After determining the type of mattress that is best for you, mattress firmness is the next factor you have to consider. The best mattress in Canada is one with the perfect firmness to keep you supported throughout the night.
Firmness preferences are personal, but there are a few factors that can help you determine which firmness is best for you. These include sleeping position and body type. Even though these factors can help you choose the best mattress for you, personal preference can vary greatly. Make sure to choose a mattress based on your personal preference over all other factors.
Sleeping Position
Your sleeping position is more likely to determine the type of mattress you prefer. That’s because each sleeping position needs something different from their mattress. Here are the most common sleeping positions and the type of support they’ll need.
- Side sleepers spend most of the night on one side or the other. These sleepers are prone to developing pressure points, as areas like their hips and shoulders tend to spend long hours pressed into the mattress. As a result, side sleepers need good pressure relief and medium firmness.
- Stomach sleepers lay mostly on their stomachs, of course. Because of the way our spines naturally curve, stomach sleepers might need a little more support in the centre of the mattress. They should go for soft mattresses that still offer good support through the middle.
- Back sleepers rarely move off of their backs throughout the night. They’ll need a mattress that offers balance and support. Usually, the ideal mattress for a back sleeper conforms to the curve of the spine. Back sleepers prefer firmer mattresses.
Combination sleepers can switch between these positions throughout the night, and they are wildcards when it comes to firmness. Combination sleepers need a mattress with a responsive surface, though. If you move around a lot during the night, you should consider choosing a latex mattress. They allow for better ease of movement overall.
Body Type
Your body type can determine which mattress firmness you prefer. Mattress companies divide body types into three main groups to help standardize their mattresses. These categories are:
- Less than 130lbs (59kg). These ‘light’ sleepers usually prefer a softer mattress, as they can easily sink into it. Firmer mattresses may be uncomfortable for these sleepers.
- Between 130lbs (59kg) and 230lbs (104kg). Average sleepers may prefer any type of mattress, but they usually stick to medium-firmness mattresses. Sleepers in this category are more likely to be defined by their sleeping position.
- More than 230lbs (104kg). These ‘heavy’ sleepers tend to prefer firmer mattresses because they offer the most support.
Personal Preferences
While all of these guidelines can help you determine the type of mattress you’ll like best, it’s really about your personal preferences. While you might fit into one of these categories, you might not prefer the type of mattress that you are ‘supposed’ to.
Don’t worry! Always choose your preferences over generalized advice and guidelines. Not sure which mattress firmness is right for you? The Novosbed mattress might be able to help.
Best Firmness Options
The Novosbed Mattress
Features:
- Mattress Type: All Foam
- Firmness: Soft, Medium, Firm
- Layers: 3
- Sleep Trial: 120 Nights
- Warranty: 15 Years
- Made In: Canada
It's Great For:
- Those who want to fine-tune their firmness level
- Canadians who need better pressure relief
- Those who aren’t sure what firmness they prefer
- Co-sleepers, couples, and those with pets
Of all the mattresses on our list, the Novosbed mattress provides the best firmness options. Instead of a single firmness option (or even two), Novosbed offers three starting firmnesses. You can customize the firmness completely with the Comfort+ system, which allows you to add toppers to make your mattress firmer or softer. If you aren’t sure which firmness you prefer, it’s a great way to get started. With the Comfort+ toppers, there are a total of 9 different firmnesses to choose from.
As you’re figuring out which firmness would be best for you, don’t forget that this mattress also features layers of foam that expertly relieve pressure, disperse heat, and balance your body. Whether you need a little extra support or want to experience better body contouring, this mattress is perfect for you.
Each foam layer is made with 5th-generation high-density open-cell foam. This foam helps with temperature control and motion isolation, as each cell can trap heat and motion better than other foams. A soft transition layer helps support even the deepest pressure points, while the support zones distribute your weight evenly. This mattress is durable, too! The best part is the wealth of options. With so many firmness options, this mattress is great for everyone!
Choosing a mattress that offers multiple firmness options (or an adaptive firmness option) can help you find an ideal firmness that might not be represented in other mattresses. The best mattress for you should be one that you find comfortable and supportive, and the bulk of this is down to the mattress’s firmness.
Comfort and Pressure Relief
Comfort is subjective, but the amount of pressure relief offered by each mattress isn’t. As we evaluate mattresses, we put each through the same gauntlet of tests. Under the same conditions, each mattress performs differently.
Pressure relief is a key component of comfort. Like firmness, it’s far from the only factor.
Memory foam and latex foams are great at relieving pressure. If you have issues with pressure points or often wake up uncomfortable, a foam mattress can help relieve pressure. A hybrid mattress can offer the best support and pressure relief, so hybrid mattresses are ideal for those who need both.
The best pressure-relieving mattresses:
- Use multiple layers of comforting foam
- Are mainly memory foam or latex
- Use strong support layers, separated by soft transition layers
- Are made of comforting, high-density foam materials
Support Systems
Support can make or break a mattress. Usually, support systems keep you elevated above the mattress, keep you aligned, and make it more comfortable overall. Most support systems consist of the mattress’s support layer (either a dense foam or pocketed coils), as well as any transition foams above this layer. The support system in firmer mattresses runs on the firmer side, so those who need a little more support get what they need.
When it comes to supporting you, the Noa mattress is one of the best mattresses available.
Best Support
The Noa Mattress
Features:
- Mattress Type: Hybrid
- Firmness: Medium Firm
- Layers: 4
- Sleep Trial: 120 Nights
- Warranty: 15 Years
- Made In: Canada
It's Great For:
- Canadians with heavier body types
- Those who need a lot of balanced support
- Combination sleepers and back sleepers
- Those who often overheat during the night
The Noa Mattress is one of the firmest and most supportive mattresses we found. This mattress uses a blend of materials, including memory foam, latex, and coils. These materials give it a very unique feel. You can sink right into the comfortable plush top layers, while the firmer coils below help balance your body and give you the support you need.
A hand-tufted Tencel cover gives way to a layer of open-cell latex. This layer helps add bounce, while also remaining breathable. You’ll get a nice responsive surface, neatly supported by a layer of cooling gel memory foam. These layers immediately start relieving pressure, especially when it comes to those deeper pressure points. They also help you stay cooler.
The layer of transition foam reduces motion transfer, so you can rest comfortably even if your partner is having a restless night. Underneath is a layer of firm pocket coils, which provide customized support as well as better breathability overall. These coils are encased with a layer of edge support foam, which helps you stay comfortable from one edge to the other.
This mattress is optimized for most body types and sleeping positions. The firm support is ideal for heavier sleepers and those who need a little more help with alignment and balance.
While all mattresses have some type of support, a few have advanced support systems.
Zoned Support
Zoned support uses firmer foam or coils in the middle of the mattress. This firmer foam helps support your back and hips, promotes proper alignment, and helps side sleepers get a little more comfortable. Zoned support can be present in many different materials, including foam and coils.
If you need extra support, especially around the hips and lower back, choose a mattress that uses a zoned support system.
Edge Support
If you sit or sleep near the edge of the mattress, you know that mattresses can sometimes sink or sag under you. Many mattresses don’t have great support around the edges, meaning that you are less comfortable the further you are from the centre of the mattress.
If you sit on the edge of the bed to put your slippers on (or if you sleep closer to the edge), look for a mattress that reinforces the edges. This may include edge support perimeter foams, firmer coils around the edges, and more.
Multiple Support Layers
Some mattresses go all-out when it comes to support. While most mattresses use a single support layer to help keep you comfortable, some very special options use multiple support layers. They might use coils and support foam, or multiple layers of zoned support. If you need all of the extra help you can get, consider choosing a mattress that uses multiple types of support layers.
Quality Materials and Construction
We talked about the best types of mattresses above, but it comes down to materials and construction more than anything. What the mattress is made of and how it is constructed can make all the difference when it comes to your mattress.
Mattress Covers
The mattress cover might not seem extremely important, but it can be! Your mattress cover can create a softer, more comfortable experience. It can help reduce temperature, wick away moisture, and make the surface of the mattress smooth enough for your favourite silk sheets.
The best mattress covers are made of Tencel, but others may include great proprietary materials, including silver threading, cooling fibres, and more.
Interior Materials
The materials inside your mattress are the most important when it comes to comfort and support. These layers rest between the cover and the support layers and can contain a variety of materials. Some mattress companies use proprietary materials, foam blends, and other unique layers to give their mattresses a unique feel.
Mostly, though, interior materials will consist of pillow-top fill, memory foam, or latex foam. These layers are arranged to provide the best pressure relief, support, and contouring. Temperature control materials such as gel memory foam are usually at the top of the mattress, while supportive latex or other memory foam layers create a buffer between your body and the coils or support layers below.
When choosing a mattress, take a close look at the way these layers are laid out.
Support Layers
The support layers are typically located on the bottom of the mattress. These layers can be made of a variety of materials. A foam mattress is usually made of high-density polyfoam. Hybrid mattresses use a layer of pocket coils instead.
The role of the support layer is, of course, to provide support. However, they do this in a few different ways. Support layers can help align your spine, keeping you in the perfect position for comfortable sleep. They can isolate motion, helping you stay asleep when your partner is tossing and turning. These layers also prevent sagging and help a mattress’s overall durability.
Performance Features
Finally, here are some of the best performance features to look out for when shopping for the best mattress in Canada.
Temperature Regulation
If you often find yourself waking up in the middle of the night because you are too warm, you aren’t alone. Many Canadians generate heat while they sleep. Waking up sweaty and uncomfortable can be because of your mattress. Foam mattresses tend to retain heat, making it harder for heat to move away from you. Because of the way they cradle your body, heat will pool around you.
To avoid this, many mattress companies have included temperature regulation features in their mattresses. These features absorb heat, move it away from you, or disperse it entirely. They might create a more breathable sleeping surface, too – this helps keep air flowing around you, wicking away moisture and keeping the temperature down.
If you often get too hot while you sleep, consider a mattress that includes one or more of the following features:
- Cooling gel foam
- Perforated or aerated foams
- Latex layers
- Breathable pocket coils
- Open-cell foams
- Proprietary cooling materials
- Phase-changing covers
- Tencel covers
If a cooling mattress still doesn’t cut it for you, consider choosing cooling pillows or cooling sheets to help boost the effectiveness of the temperature control.
Motion Isolation
Do you often wake up during the night? Do your pet’s movements or your kids’ tossing and turning keep you up? Does the mattress move too much when your partner gets out of bed? If so, a mattress with better motion isolation might be the option for you. Motion isolation works to eliminate motion transfer. With traditional innerspring mattresses, motion transfers pretty easily from one side of the mattress to another. Thankfully, foam mattresses and hybrid mattresses allow less motion transfer.
To enhance motion isolation, look for:
- Motion isolation support foam layers
- Memory foam or latex layers
- Pocketed coils
- Soft transition layers that absorb motion
- Open-cell foams
- High-density foam materials
Durability
A durable mattress is one made with high-density materials, firm foam cores, and polyfoam support layers. Of course, high-density foams are more durable than others, so they will be more durable. Latex, which can often be found in all-foam mattresses, is the most durable mattress material. Any mattress that uses latex will be more durable overall.
A mattress with great durability won’t sag as quickly, so you can use it for much longer. Make sure to check for durability before you choose the best mattress for you.
Online Mattress Retailers
In years past, the only way to purchase a mattress was to go to a brick-and-mortar mattress store or a department store with a mattress section. You’d have a few moments to try each mattress, and a salesperson would try to sell you a more expensive model. After you chose a mattress, you’d have to pay an expensive delivery fee or find someone with a truck to help you move it yourself.
Online mattress retailers have eliminated these problems. Mattresses purchased online are delivered right to your door. You’ll usually have a sleep trial to try it out to see if you like it. Returns are free, too! Purchasing a mattress online has many perks, but the flexibility to choose the mattress you want is one of them. Here are some other online mattress-shopping tips.
Sleep Trials, Warranties, and Returns
A sleep trial is a period of between 30 and 120 days, during which you can try the mattress to see if it’s right for you. Most experts believe it takes up to 30 days for your body to get used to a new mattress. Since it’s not easy to see if a mattress will be good in the long term after just a few moments of testing it out, a sleep trial will allow you to try the mattress for longer. If you don’t like it, you can return it.
Returns for some online mattresses are free, as long as they are initiated within the sleep trial period. Used mattresses are donated most of the time, so you don’t have to worry about waste. Make sure to check with the mattress company’s return policies to verify return details. While most mattresses can be returned for free, some require you to pay for return shipping.
Likewise, you should always check with the mattress company about their warranty terms. Of course, the length of the warranty is the most important thing. A longer warranty means your mattress is bound to last longer. However, a more inclusive warranty is always better. If the warranty covers more things, you’re more likely to be protected.
Unboxing and Off-Gassing
Once your mattress arrives on your doorstep, how do you get it inside and set up? It’s simpler to set up a mattress you purchased online than it is to wrangle a larger mattress through your house. The first thing you need to have ready is the foundation. Once your foundation is set up and ready to go, move the box that contains your mattress into the same room.
First, lift the box onto the foundation. You may need help lifting the mattress, as some larger sizes might be heavier than one person can safely lift. Once the box is on the foundation, you can carefully remove the box. If you’re using a tool to cut into the box, be very careful not to cut into your mattress.
Once the mattress is out of the box, you can carefully begin cutting the plastic wrap that surrounds the mattress. As you cut this, the mattress will start to expand rapidly. Cut away as much as you can, then remove the mattress from the plastic altogether. You may have to roll the mattress along the length of your foundation to help get it out.
Now, you can arrange the mattress flat on the foundation. The mattress will expand for up to 48 hours. During this time, you shouldn’t sleep on the mattress. After 48 hours have passed and the mattress has reached its full size, enjoy your new bed!
During this time, your mattress may have a strange chemical odour. This off-gassing process is normal and harmless, especially for foam mattresses. Use a fan in a well-ventilated room to help this gas clear out.
Why Trust Us?
We’ve been working in the sleep industry for years. During this time, we’ve worked to evaluate current trends, test new sleep products, and bring you the best recommendations possible.
We test each of the mattresses we recommend in our test lab. Each mattress is run through the same gauntlet of tests, and the results are recorded. We compare these results to feedback from our team of in-home testers. With both sets of information, we look at how each mattress performed and identify areas where they stand out above the rest.
A lot of mattresses don’t make the cut, so you know that the mattresses we recommend are the best of the best! Articles like this allow us to share a little bit of our knowledge with you, to help you make informed choices about your next mattress purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mattresses in Canada
Is it better to sleep on a soft mattress or a firm mattress in Canada?
Whether you should sleep on a softer mattress or a firmer one depends on your sleeping preferences. Everyone is different. Softer mattresses are better for lightweight sleepers who sleep on their stomachs, but firmer mattresses are best for heavier sleepers who sleep on their backs.
What type of mattress lasts the longest?
Most mattresses can last a pretty long time, but latex mattresses usually last longer. Latex is a bit more durable than other foams. Dense foams will also last longer. Consider mattresses with longer warranties, too – these mattresses are designed to last longer.
What type of mattress sags over time?
Unfortunately, all mattresses will eventually sag over time. To put this off for as long as possible, choose a mattress with more durable materials, a stronger support base, or a longer warranty. Most mattresses will last at least 7 to 10 years, but some can last longer.
