The Best Folding Mattress in 2024 (Compared & Reviewed)
Great Pick When Traveling or Having Guests
January 15, 2022
We want to help you find a high-quality, comfy folding mattress that will meet all your expectations. Therefore, our team of experts tested 18 folding mattresses, analyzed their features, and read through hundreds of customers’ reviews.
By adhering to a strict methodology, we prepared the following top six list.
Plus, here you can find a detailed buyer’s guide covering all the things you need to consider when choosing a foldable mattress.
The Top 6 Best Folding Mattresses
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Company
Features
Overall Score
Editor's Pick
Anti-slip bottom
Great pressure relief
Good air circulation
Ideal for Sleepovers
Good support for back and stomach sleepers
Breathable
Easily stored when folded
Best Value
Good balance between support and pressure relief
Breathable jacquard cover
Machine-washable cover
Great Pick for Camping
Good support
Lightweight
Compact
Most Stylish
A zip-off cover for easy cleaning
Lightweight & compact
Great value for money
Perfect Choice for Travelers
A removable cover
A matching storage case
Ample support
Our Top Picks Reviewed
Here you’ll find all the information you need to decide which folding mattress is best for you. We analyzed all the key features, their pros, and cons.
Milliard Tri-Fold Memory Foam Mattress
PROS :
- Anti-slip bottom
- Great pressure relief
- Good air circulation
CONS :
- Not supportive enough for some stomach sleepers
Considering that most folding mattresses are quite thin, Milliard’s 6″ mattress really stands out from the competition. It’s constructed of two layers, where the support layer is made of high-density foam. On top of it, there’s a layer of memory foam, which provides nice pressure relief.
Since this combination of two foam layers offers a medium-firm feel, most sleepers will find this mattress very comfy. However, it’s often recommended to side sleepers, who generally enjoy the cushioning feel of memory foam.
The mattress’s cover is made of bamboo rayon, which allows for good air circulation. In addition, you can easily take it off and wash it in the machine.
It’s great that this foldable bed has an anti-slip bottom, so you can be sure it won’t slide on a slippery floor surface.
Depending on your needs, you can choose one of three available sizes. Also, it’s good to know that all the materials are CertiPUR-US certified, which is a must for a top-rated folding mattress. This should give you peace of mind that no harmful substances were used.
Zinus Tri-Fold Comfort Mat
PROS :
- Good support for back and stomach sleepers
- Breathable
- Easily stored when folded
CONS :
- Only one size
Zinus is a well-established online mattress brand, which offers a wide variety of models at reasonable prices. In addition to regular mattresses, Zinus sells foldable mattresses as well. Its tri-fold comfort mat is a great option if you need a temporary bed for a guest room or a camping trip.
It features three layers. The base layer is made of high-density polyfoam, which offers good support. On top of that, you’ll find viscolatex responsive foam and memory foam. Even though this layer of memory foam provides some pressure relief, the mattress offers a firm feel. Therefore, it’s best-suited for back and stomach sleepers. Conversely, most side sleepers will probably find it too firm, so this might not be the best choice for them.
Since this mattress’s jacquard cover is very breathable, hot sleepers will be able to have a good night’s rest on it. It’s also important to note that this tri folding mat is certified by CertiPUR-US, meaning it doesn’t contain ozone depleters, heavy metals, phthalates, or other toxic chemicals.
Like many other brands, Zinus doesn’t offer a free trial period for this foldable model. However, it’s covered by a five-year warranty, which isn’t so common for mattresses of this type. Therefore, many customers mention this as one of its advantages. If you want to learn more about what this company offers, read our full review of Zinus mattresses.
Olee Sleep Tri-Folding Memory Foam Mattress
PROS :
- Good balance between support and pressure relief
- Breathable jacquard cover
- Machine-washable cover
CONS :
- Not adequate support for heavier people
Olee Sleep offers a high-quality folding foam mattress, which offers a good balance of support and pressure relief. It consists of a Dura I gel foam layer and a high-density support foam layer. However, since it’s only 4″ thick, it’s not recommended for people of above-average weight.
This tri-folding memory foam mattress features a breathable jacquard cover, which won’t trap your body heat. Therefore, sleepers generally don’t complain about sleeping hot on this bed. Plus, the cover is removable, so you can easily machine-wash it.
There are two available size options: single (75″x25″) and full (75″x33″) size. Also, all the materials are CertiPUR-US certified, which means that this mattress is safe for both our health and our environment.
D&D Futon Furniture Tri-Fold Foam Bed
PROS :
- Good support
- Lightweight
- Compact
CONS :
- Not enough pressure relief for side sleepers
If you need a foldable mattress to take it on a camping trip, a tri-fold foam bed by D&D Futon Furniture might be a great solution. It can also be used as a guest mattress, even though we can’t say it provides exceptional comfort since it’s only 3″ thick.
However, it offers good support because it’s made of high-density polyfoam. Being on the firm side, it’s the best option for stomach and back sleepers. On the other hand, side sleepers usually need a higher level of cushioning. So typically, the best folding mattress for side sleepers should be thicker with a memory foam layer.
The greatest advantage of this mattress is that it’s very lightweight and compact when folded. Therefore, you can easily store it in a closet or bring it with you when traveling. In addition, it’s a budget-friendly option. Unfortunately, it comes in only one size, and there’s no trial period or warranty coverage.
Cozzzi Trifold Foam Folding Mattress
PROS :
- A zip-off cover for easy cleaning
- Lightweight & compact
- Great value for money
CONS :
- Off-gassing
Many people agree with us—the Cozzzi folding mattress is very practical if you need a guest bed or you plan a camping trip. It’s great that it’s very compact, so you can easily store it when you don’t need it. It also features convenient handles, which come in handy for easy transportation.
The mattress is made of 4-inch high-density foam and it’s quite comfy. However, it might be too firm for some side sleepers, who often need a higher level of contouring.
Another advantage of this foldable mattress is that it comes with a zip-off cover. So you can easily wash it. Unfortunately, it’s available in only two sizes. So if you need a folding mattress in a queen size, you’ll need to lay two side by side.
Cushy Form Tri-Fold Mattress
PROS :
- A removable cover
- A matching storage case
- Ample support
CONS :
- Available in one size only
A folding mattress by Cushy Form is a great choice for a guest bed or a camping trip. Since it’s very lightweight and compact, you can easily carry it or store it when you don’t need it. Plus, it comes with a handy storage case—a great addition according to many users.
Even though it’s not very thick (only 4 inches), it provides ample support because It’s made of high-density polyfoam. However, it’s a bit on the firm side, so it might not be the best solution for side sleepers, who need a higher level of pressure relief.
Another advantage of the Cushy Foam folding mattress is its versatility. Namely, you can easily transform it into a comfy seat or sofa. Furthermore, it features a removable cover, so you can easily take it off and wash it in a washing machine.
How to Pick the Perfect Folding Mattress for Yourself
– Buyer’s Guide –
When shopping for a new foldable mattress, it’s important to learn more about the characteristics of the materials used, the thickness and firmness options, and other features of this mattress type. All this will help you make a well-informed decision.
So here’s what you need to consider when looking for a folding mattress.
Why Should You Get a Folding Mattress?
- If you like camping: Going on a camping trip doesn’t have to be uncomfortable. A portable mattress can help you have a great night’s sleep in your tent or even under the starry sky. Besides looking for a foldable mattress, you can also check out our list of the top-rated floor mattresses.
- If you often have guests: A folding mattress is an ideal solution for a guest bed. You can place it in a guestroom or anywhere in the house, and when the guests go home, simply fold it up and store it until the next use. Alternatively, you can consider getting a quality futon mattress.
- If you have small kids: Toddlers like to play on the floor, and a foldable mattress can also be used as a playmat. A particularly good option is one with a removable cover that can be machine-washed.
Important Considerations
Here are some key characteristics of foldable mattresses that you should know about when shopping for this type of mattress.
Materials
Most foldable mattresses are made with foam because this material is very light and can easily be folded. In general, polyfoam and memory foam are most commonly used. There are a number of models that feature several layers made of different foam types.
- Polyurethane foam or polyfoam doesn’t provide a great level of comfort, and it’s not very durable. However, it’s usually quite affordable.
- Memory foam contours to a sleeper’s body thanks to its ability to soften once it warms up. When it cools down, it goes back to its original shape. Side sleepers who typically need more pressure relief should look for models made of memory foam (viscoelastic polyurethane foam). However, these models are generally pricier than polyfoam mattresses.
Many models have a base layer made of polyfoam and a top layer of memory foam, which offer a great level of pressure relief.
Cover
Almost all models have a cover that protects the inside foam layers. However, some are made of polyester, while others are made of bamboo rayon. The latter is often more breathable and softer to touch.
Another difference is that some covers can be taken off the mattress and machine-washed, which is very practical. As you can see in many floor mattress reviews, customers usually prefer this option, especially those who buy this mattress for their children. Also, there are models that feature a non-slip bottom, which keeps the mattress in place.
Comfort Level
Considering that foldable mattresses are much thinner than regular ones, it would be unreasonable to expect the same level of comfort. Nevertheless, they should provide you with an adequate amount of support so you don’t wake up with a backache.
In addition to keeping your spine in a natural position, the mattress needs to offer some pressure relief. Since most foldable mattresses are quite thin, they tend to be a bit firm and uncomfortable for side sleepers. However, there are some models with a layer of memory foam that are cushioning enough.
Thickness
Most foldable mattresses are 3″–8″ inches thick. As you may expect, thicker models offer a greater level of comfort. On the other hand, thinner ones are lighter and take up less space. Therefore, you need to consider what’s more important for you.
Firmness
Since foldable mattresses are rather thin, they don’t provide much cushioning. Therefore, most models are either medium-firm or firm. That’s why many side sleepers complain that this type of mattress doesn’t offer enough pressure relief for them. If this is your case, you can look for a memory foam mattress topper to make your mattress comfier.
If you also find a folding mattress too firm, you can place a mattress topper on it to make it softer and comfier.
Sizes
Depending on whether you’re planning to sleep alone or share your folding bed, you can usually choose between smaller and bigger sizes. Typically, foldable mattresses come in standard sizes, from twin to king size. However, some are only available in one size.
You should also check the mattress’s dimensions when folded, especially if you don’t have much storage space.
Portability
Since most people decide to buy a folding mat to take on a camping trip or for travel, it’s vital that it’s easily portable. Therefore, folding mattresses should be lightweight and compact when folded. If you want a portable mattress that can travel well, you might want to have a look for some high-quality RV mattresses as well.
Even if you don’t plan to use yours as a travel mattress, it’s often practical to be able to store it when you don’t need it. That’s why it’s always a plus if it doesn’t take much space when folded.
Certificates
We recommend you look for mattresses that use CertiPUR-US certified materials. This way, you can be sure your sleeping surface is safe for your health. Plus, these materials aren’t harmful to the environment since they don’t contain ozone depleters and similar substances.
Price
The price of a foldable mattress depends on the materials used, the thickness, and its versatility. Also, mattresses with anti-slip bottoms and removable covers usually come with a higher price tag. However, customers often praise these features, so they may be worth the price. In general, most folding mattresses cost less than $100.
We wanted to review the budget-friendly options as well as the more luxurious models. So on our top list, you can find mattresses that cost from just over $50 to a bit over $200. Regardless of their prices, all our choices offer good value for the money.
Benefits of Foldable Mattresses
- Great for traveling: No matter if you like camping or you visit your friends and family often, a foldable mattress can be a great place to crash after a long day. Besides being a much more comfortable surface than a hard floor, this type of mattress is very lightweight and compact, so you can easily take it with you.
- Easily stored: Folding mattresses typically don’t take up much space. So if you need a spare bed from time to time, it’s a good idea to look for the best foldable mattress for guests.
- Very versatile: Besides being a great option for campers and guests, a foldable mattress can be used as a playmat for kids. Also, some models are designed to be folded into a small sofa or footrest.
- Budget-friendly: Foldable mattresses are much more affordable than regular ones. Even high-end models don’t cost more than a couple hundred dollars. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option, you can also check out our list of high-quality, inexpensive mattresses.
Wrapping Up
Folding mattresses are great for when you have guests and you don’t want to use an air mattress. Alternatively, they are also a wonderful option for travelling.
It’s fantastic that there’s such a wide choice of folding mattresses on the market. However, at the same time, it can get overwhelming when you need to pick the perfect option for your needs.
We hope that our selection of the top five models and our buyer’s guide will save you some time and help you choose a new mattress.
FAQs
What is the top-rated fold-up bed?
Considering a wide selection of foldable beds, it’s hard to say which one’s the best. Your choice should primarily depend on your needs. For example, thinner models are great for people who travel a lot—they need a compact mattress that can be easily transported. On the other hand, if comfort is your primary concern, look for thicker models.
Our top three choices include the Milliard Tri-Fold Memory Foam Mattress, Zinus Tri-Fold Comfort Mat, and LifeSmart Memory Foam Tri Fold Mattress.
How do I make my folding bed more comfortable?
If you find your fold-up mattress is too firm, you can add a mattress topper to it. Mattress toppers are designed to make mattresses softer. They’re especially good for sleepers who need a higher level of pressure relief.
What is the best portable mattress?
A portable bed should be lightweight and compact when folded so that you can easily transport it. Therefore, thinner models are usually recommended for people who often travel.
Are folding beds comfortable?
Folding mattresses can provide a great level of comfort. Even though they aren’t as comfortable as regular mattresses, they offer good support and keep sleeping on the floor from being unpleasant. In general, thicker mattresses are more comfortable than thinner ones. Also, models with memory foam provide a greater level of body contouring and pressure relief.