A platform bed is a great way to give your mattress a stronger foundation, keep your sleep surface lifted off the floor, or just spruce up the aesthetic of your bedroom. That being said, some mattresses work better with such a structure than others. That’s why we rounded up a list of the best mattresses for platform beds.
Not only do all of the below products work with an added sleep foundation — many of the brands even have their own platform beds available online, with bundle options frequently available. In addition to compatibility, each mattress has its own unique features and strengths.
Our Verdict: What’s the Best Mattress For Platform Beds?
Our expert reviewers chose the WinkBed mattress as the best mattress for platform beds due to its various firmness levels, durability, and great edge support for all kinds of sleepers.
Our Top Picks for the Best Mattress for Platform Beds
- WinkBeds – Editor’s Pick
- GhostBed – Best Cooling Mattress
- Nectar – Best Memory Foam Mattress
- Helix Midnight – Best Hybrid Mattress
- DreamCloud – Best Firm Mattress
- Nolah – Best Queen-Size Mattress
- Bear – Best Mattress for Athletes
Best Mattresses For Platform Beds: Video Roundup
Compare Best Mattresses for Platform Beds
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| WinkBed Mattress | GhostBed Mattress | Nectar Mattress | Helix Midnight Mattress | DreamCloud Original Mattress | Nolah Original 10" Mattress | Bear Original Mattress | |
| Rating | |||||||
| Firmness | Multiple firmness options | Firm: 8/10 | Medium-firm: 6.5/10 | Medium-firm: 7/10 | Firm: 7.5/10 | Soft: 6/10 | Medium-firm: 6.5/10 |
| Material | Hybrid | Foam | Foam | Hybrid | Hybrid | Foam | Foam |
| Cooling | ✓ | ✓ | -- | -- | ✓ | -- | ✓ |
| Sleep Position | Combination | Back & Stomach | Back & Side | Back & Side | Back | Back & Side | Back & Side |
How We Chose Our Top Picks
Our team of Certified Sleep Science Coaches has reviewed more than 600 mattresses, using proprietary analysis and hands-on testing to establish easy-to-understand scores. In addition to an overall score, we measure subscores for support, edge support, cooling, motion transfer, durability, trial period, and warranty.
To find the best mattresses for platform beds, we looked for beds with great overall performance while taking price into consideration. We tested each mattress by placing it directly on a platform base since this type of foundation doesn’t require a box spring. After hundreds of hours of testing, every mattress on this list gets our recommendation for use on a platform bed.
Editor’s Pick- The WinkBed
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress. With its classic innerspring feel, the WinkBed has a ton of responsiveness and support. We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress. With its classic innerspring feel, the WinkBed has a ton of responsiveness and support. We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress.WinkBed Mattress
Material
Hybrid
Trial Period
120 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for average weight stomach sleepers.
Financing Options
WinkBed Mattress
Material
Hybrid
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
120 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for average weight stomach sleepers.
Financing Options
WinkBed Mattress
Material
Hybrid
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Trial Period
120 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for average weight stomach sleepers.
Financing Options
A platform bed is going to add support to a mattress. And if you like your sleeping surface extra-supportive, we highly recommend one of the models from WinkBeds. Whether you choose Softer, Luxury Firm, Firmer, or Plus, you’re getting a hybrid mattress with a classic innerspring feel, thanks to a tall layer of bouncy, individually wrapped coils.
What We Love About the WinkBed
- It comes in four firmness options: Softer, Luxury Firm, Firmer, and Plus (for people over 230 lbs), so it works for different sleep positions and body types.
- It has the traditional bouncy feel of a classic innerspring, so combination sleepers will find it easy to change positions during the night.
- The breathable cover and the airflow-promoting coil construction minimize heat retention, making the Winkbed an excellent option for hot sleepers.
What to Keep in Mind About the WinkBed
- The coils in the Winkbed give it a bouncy, responsive feel, but light sleepers who share the bed may find it doesn’t isolate motion well enough.
- The WinkBed might be too pricey for some people.
- Some people may have a hard time deciding which mattress firmness best suits their sleep style and body type.
Other User Reviews
On the WinkBed website, the mattress has an overall rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars. That’s based on over 8,500 reviews. Positive reviews mention better sleep, reduced aches and pains, and impressive comfort. Some reviews mention problems with the mattress being either too soft or too firm.
Read our full WinkBeds mattress review to learn more. If you aren’t interested in the WinkBeds mattress, check out our list of the best mattresses of 2024 for more great options!
Best Cooling Mattress for a Platform Bed – GhostBed
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress. Hot sleepers should have nothing to worry about on this all-foam bed, which has a breathable cover and a comfort layer of cooling aerated latex. We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress. Hot sleepers should have nothing to worry about on this all-foam bed, which has a breathable cover and a comfort layer of cooling aerated latex. We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress.GhostBed Mattress
Material
Foam
Trial Period
101 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping minus HI and AK
Firmness
Firm: 8/10
Warranty
20-year warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight back sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.
Financing Options
GhostBed Mattress
Material
Foam
Warranty
20-year warranty
Firmness
Firm: 8/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping minus HI and AK
Trial Period
101 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight back sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.
Financing Options
GhostBed Mattress
Material
Foam
Firmness
Firm: 8/10
Trial Period
101 nights
Warranty
20-year warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping minus HI and AK
Price Range
$$$$$
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight back sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.
Financing Options
Simply put, the all-foam GhostBed sleeps cool — almost supernaturally so. There’s a breathable cover, plus a comfort layer of aerated latex foam that keeps a low temperature. And when placed over the slats of a platform bed, there’s plenty of room for additional airflow.
What We Love About the GhostBed
- The GhostBed is made with layers of aerated latex and gel memory foam to minimize heat retention, making it a good choice if overheating at night is an issue.
- It has a touch of bounce, so it responds well if you change sleep positions throughout the night.
- The sturdy foam construction of the GhostBed gives it excellent edge support, so you’ll feel supported when you get in and out of bed.
What to Keep in Mind About the GhostBed
- The bit of bounce in the GhostBed means it doesn’t isolate motion well, which may be an issue for couples who co-sleep.
- The high-density foam means it’s a firmer-than-average mattress, so it’s a better choice for back and stomach sleepers.
- Side sleepers in any weight range will likely find the mattress too firm, leading to pain in the shoulder and hip.
Other User Reviews
The Ghostbed earns 4.7 out of 5 stars on the GhostBed site. It has over 11,000 reviews, and close to 9,000 of those are five stars. Customers praise the mattress for its firm but comfortable feel and say it’s worth the money. Some negative reviews call the mattress too firm and there are also complaints about customer service issues.
Read our full GhostBed mattress review to learn more. If you aren’t interested in the GhostBed mattress, check out our list of the best cooling mattresses for more great options!
Best Memory Foam Mattress for a Platform Bed – Nectar
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress. Made entirely of foam, the Nectar gives sleepers a slow, sinking sensation with lots of pressure relief. We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress. Made entirely of foam, the Nectar gives sleepers a slow, sinking sensation with lots of pressure relief. We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress.Nectar Mattress
Material
Foam
Trial Period
365 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
Joint Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from joint pain.
Hip Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from hip pain.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.
Financing Options
Nectar Mattress
Material
Foam
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
365 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
Joint Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from joint pain.
Hip Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from hip pain.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.
Financing Options
Nectar Mattress
Material
Foam
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Trial Period
365 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
Joint Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from joint pain.
Hip Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from hip pain.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.
Financing Options
Lovers of memory foam tend to appreciate the material’s slow-sinking feeling — a sensation you’re bound to experience on the Nectar. Right away, there’s a thick layer of gel memory foam for contouring and pressure relief, balanced out by firmer foams underneath. You’ll get even more support with a platform bed to give you a slight lift.
What We Love About the Nectar
- Plush foam layers give the Nectar the classic feel of slow-moving foam and deliver excellent pressure relief and close contouring for targeted support.
- It’s an affordably priced mattress with an expected lifespan of eight to ten years, which makes it a great mattress for the money.
- The Nectar has a great balance of support and comfort, and the coil and foam layers can make it a good option for joint pain relief.
What to Keep in Mind About the Nectar
- Stomach sleepers may find the Nectar is lacking in necessary support around the midsection, leading to sagging hips and back pain.
- The slow-moving foam isn’t a great choice for fans of responsive mattresses or combination sleepers who change positions during the night.
- The Nectar mattress is made with gel-infused foam, but especially hot sleepers may find it sleeps too warm.
Other User Reviews
The Nectar mattress has over 50,000 reviews and an overall rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars. Customers rave about the comfort and support as well as the excellent customer service, but negative reviews call the mattress too firm.
Read our full Nectar mattress review to learn more. If you aren’t interested in the Nectar mattress, check out our list of the best memory foam mattresses for more great options!
Best Hybrid Mattress for a Platform Bed – Helix Midnight
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress. The Helix Midnight creates a blend of comfort and support with its Memory Plus Foam and a layer of individually wrapped coils. We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress. The Helix Midnight creates a blend of comfort and support with its Memory Plus Foam and a layer of individually wrapped coils. We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress.Helix Midnight Mattress
Material
Hybrid
Trial Period
100 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Medium-firm: 7/10
Warranty
10-year warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.
Financing Options
Helix Midnight Mattress
Material
Hybrid
Warranty
10-year warranty
Firmness
Medium-firm: 7/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
100 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.
Financing Options
Helix Midnight Mattress
Material
Hybrid
Firmness
Medium-firm: 7/10
Trial Period
100 nights
Warranty
10-year warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.
Financing Options
All of Helix’s mattresses are hybrid beds constructed with a combination of foam and springs. The Midnight is their most popular model, likely because it falls right in the middle in terms of firmness. With its blend of proprietary Memory Plus Foam, Helix Responsive Foam, and individually wrapped coils, there’s a mix of comfort and support here that’s primed and ready for a platform bed.
What We Love About the Helix
- The balance of comfort and support makes the Helix a great option for both side and back sleepers.
- The foam and coil layers give the Helix a balanced feel, so you won’t feel “stuck” or trapped in the mattress.
- The Helix dampens motion transfer surprisingly well for a hybrid and offers impressive edge support, so it should work well for couples.
What to Keep in Mind About the Helix
- The coils in the Helix mattress mean this isn’t an entirely silent mattress, and light sleepers may notice the occasional creak or squeak.
- The mattress has the softness side sleepers need, but that means most stomach sleepers will find it lacks support.
- Heavyweight side sleepers will likely find they compress the foam layers too much to properly cradle the hips and shoulders.
Other User Review
The Helix Midnight has over 6,500 reviews and 4.5 out of 5 stars overall. Side sleepers say it’s comfortable and supportive, but some negative reviews say it’s too soft to ensure proper alignment.
Read our full Helix Midnight mattress review to learn more. If you aren’t interested in the Nectar mattress, check out our list of the best hybrid mattresses for more great options!
Best Firm Mattress for a Platform Bed – DreamCloud
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress. This luxury hybrid’s combination of individually wrapped coils and two comfort layers creates a firmer-than-average mattress that’s ideal for back sleepers. We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress. This luxury hybrid’s combination of individually wrapped coils and two comfort layers creates a firmer-than-average mattress that’s ideal for back sleepers. We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress.DreamCloud Original Mattress
Material
Hybrid
Trial Period
365 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Firm: 7.5/10
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Seniors
This bed is perfect for senior sleepers.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for average weight back sleepers.
Financing Options
DreamCloud Original Mattress
Material
Hybrid
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Firmness
Firm: 7.5/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
365 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Seniors
This bed is perfect for senior sleepers.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for average weight back sleepers.
Financing Options
DreamCloud Original Mattress
Material
Hybrid
Firmness
Firm: 7.5/10
Trial Period
365 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Seniors
This bed is perfect for senior sleepers.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for average weight back sleepers.
Financing Options
If you’re looking for a firm mattress, you might be dreaming of the DreamCloud — a luxury hybrid bed that scores a 7.5/10 on the firmness scale. To give you some context, the industry standard for medium-firm is 6.5. While the firmness and support come from a layer of individually wrapped coils (and potentially the slats of a platform bed!), you should also get some pressure relief from not one, but two comfort layers, with the second made up of soft memory foam.
What We Love About the DreamCloud
- This hybrid mattress is priced significantly lower than comparable mattresses, without skimping on material quality.
- The breathable cover, airflow-promoting coils, and gel-infused memory foam make it a cool, comfortable mattress, even for hot sleepers.
- The DreamCloud has a slightly firmer-than-average feel with a touch of plushness on top, so it’s a great pick for back sleepers.
What to Keep in Mind About the DreamCloud
- Side sleepers, especially those with higher body weights, will notice the firmer feel and may find they experience quite a bit of pressure in the hips and shoulders.
- The DreamCloud has a bouncy, responsive feel that works well for combination sleepers, but may be too disruptive for couples.
- Edge support is lacking in the DreamCloud, which could be an issue for couples who need space to spread out or anyone who has a hard time getting in and out of bed.
Other User Reviews
The DreamCloud mattress earns 4.6 out of 5 stars on the DreamCloud site. Close to 80% of over 8,400 reviews of the DreamCloud on the company website are five stars. Customers call it incredibly comfortable, but some report that the motion transfer was significant.
Read our full DreamCloud mattress review to learn more. If you aren’t interested in the DreamCloud mattress, check out our list of the best firm mattresses for more great options!
Best Queen Size Mattress for a Platform Bed – Nolah
Sold at a value price, this all-foam mattress uses a proprietary material called AirFoam that’s soft, contouring, and breathable. Sold at a value price, this all-foam mattress uses a proprietary material called AirFoam that’s soft, contouring, and breathable.Nolah Original 10" Mattress
Material
Foam
Trial Period
120 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Soft: 6/10
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
Nolah Original 10" Mattress
Material
Foam
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Firmness
Soft: 6/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
120 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
Nolah Original 10" Mattress
Material
Foam
Firmness
Soft: 6/10
Trial Period
120 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
As comfortable and eye-pleasing as it is, a platform bed is going to cost you some money. But if you opt for the all-foam Nolah, you’ll have an easier time saving up for the additional cost. That’s because, after discounts, a Queen-size is currently under $1,000. In addition to its cost-effectiveness, the Nolah has a medium firmness that should appeal to back sleepers and side sleepers.
What We Love About the Nolah
- The well-priced Nolah mattress is made with AirFoam, a responsive material that relieves pressure and doesn’t retain heat like traditional memory foam.
- The mattress is a great balance of soft but supportive, making it a good choice for sleepers dealing with back or hip pain.
- AirFoam isolates motion transfer well, but it also responds quickly if you change motions at night.
What to Keep in Mind About the Nolah
- Stomach sleepers will likely find their hips sink into the soft top layer, which could lead to low back pain.
- Heavyweight sleepers, especially those who sleep on their sides, may sink too deeply into the comfort layers and notice pressure in the hips and shoulders.
- While AirFoam doesn’t trap heat the way memory foam can, the mattress lacks the breathability of coils and may not be cool enough for especially hot sleepers.
Other User Reviews
The Nolah Original has 4.9 out of 5 stars on the Nolah website, with happy customers calling it comfortable, supportive, and a great mattress for the money. Some reviewers mention that it sleeps warm.
Best Mattress for Athletes with a Platform Bed – Bear
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress. Boasting a cover made of Celliant — a material that may assist with blood flow and recovery — Bear appeals to those with an active lifestyle. We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress. Boasting a cover made of Celliant — a material that may assist with blood flow and recovery — Bear appeals to those with an active lifestyle. We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress.Bear Original Mattress
Material
Foam
Trial Period
120 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.
Financing Options
Bear Original Mattress
Material
Foam
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
120 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.
Financing Options
Bear Original Mattress
Material
Foam
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Trial Period
120 nights
Warranty
Lifetime warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.
Financing Options
As a brand, Bear appeals to athletes with a cover made of Celliant — a material that some studies show assists with blood flow and recovery. It’s also a very breathable material, meaning that the Bear’s flagship mattress sleeps cool, especially when placed over the airflow-promoting slats of a platform bed.
Read our full Bear mattress review to learn more. If you aren’t interested in the Bear mattress, check out our list of the best mattresses for athletes for more great options!
What We Love About the Bear
- The eco-friendly Bear mattress has a great balance of comfort and pressure relief, and an optional upgraded cover may improve blood flow for enhanced athletic recovery.
- Stable comfort and support layers make this a great option for many back and side sleepers.
- It’s designed with gel-infused comfort layers that pull heat away from the body to keep sleepers cool and comfortable.
What to Keep in Mind About the Bear
- The upgraded cover, which adds extra cooling benefits and aids in blood circulation and muscle recovery, costs an additional $200.
- Edge support is only decent in the Bear mattress, which may be an issue for people who find it hard to get in and out of bed.
- The soft, thick foam contours closely, which doesn’t appeal to all sleepers and makes it difficult to change positions.
Other User Reviews
There are over 10,000 reviews of the Bear mattress on the Bear website, with an overall rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars. Customers describe the mattress as cool and comfortable, and many report improved sleep. Some negative reviews say the Bear mattress is far too firm.
Read our full Bear mattress review to learn more. If you aren’t interested in the Bear mattress, check out our list of the best mattresses for athletes for more great options!
What Is a Platform Bed?
A platform bed is essentially a flat surface that you can place your mattress on, thus creating an even sleep foundation. This helps give you additional comfort, as well as the proper support for a neutral spinal alignment while you rest.
So what exactly is a platform bed made of? It depends! The term itself has become a sort of catch-all for any flat sleeping surface that doesn’t use a box spring. Let’s go over a few of the most notable constructions and materials.
- Solid: A solid platform bed has a square perimeter with a single piece of wood or metal in the middle as a foundation.
- Slatted: The more freewheeling cousin to the solid platform bed, the slatted platform bed still has the square frame (usually made of metal or wood). But instead of a solid piece of material as the foundation, it has a series of slats that you can unroll and place over the frame. You then place the mattress on the slats. These slats are also usually made of metal or wood.
- Metal: A metal platform can be either solid or slatted. They tend to be lighter-weight than platform beds made entirely of wood.
- Wood: Wooden platform beds are known for their durability, although this means that they tend to be heavy and difficult to transport. Like metal beds, they can also be solid or slatted.
- Upholstered: An upholstered platform bed usually comes with a headboard (some have a footboard, too), with fabric stitched over the entire frame. They can be solid or slatted, and are a great way to add style and more plushness to your sleeping experience.
- Adjustable bases: While adjustable bases are technically a different beast altogether, they’re still an excellent way to create a supportive, even sleeping foundation — one that moves, to boot. Luxurious and high-tech, they often come with additional bells and whistles such as massage functions and charging ports for your devices. Read more about them in our roundup of the Best Adjustable Beds.
Do You Need a Box Spring For a Platform Bed?
The beauty of a platform bed is that you don’t need a box spring. Rather, it’s a more convenient substitute for having to pair your mattress with both a box spring and a bed frame. Think of it as a ready-to-use product, with no additional accessories required.
Once you’ve found the best mattress for a platform bed — and the platform bed to go with it, of course — simply open the box, set up, and get to sleeping!
RELATED: What’s the Difference Between a Box Spring, Foundation, & Platform Bed?
Cooling Properties of Platform Beds
Another bonus of a platform bed is that it can help your mattress sleep a little bit cooler. All platform beds keep the mattress elevated off the floor — a much more breathable setup than just placing the bed on the ground. And if your platform bed has slats, these create plenty more room for airflow throughout the mattress.
Summary
Here’s a summary of our top picks for the best mattresses for platform beds of 2022:
| Mattress | Best For |
| WinkBeds | Editor’s Pick |
| GhostBed | Cooling |
| Nectar | Memory Foam |
| Helix Midnight | Hybrid |
| DreamCloud | Firm |
| Nolah | Queen-Size |
| Bear | Athletes |
FAQs
Does a platform bed make a mattress firmer?
In short, no. It does, however, create more support for the mattress and anyone who’s lying on it. Remember, firmness and support are two different things. Firmness has to do with the feel of the bed, while support has to do with the foundation — how much of a lift you’re getting, how much weight a mattress can handle, etc. If you’re looking to make your mattress firmer, we recommend looking into a firm mattress topper.
What size mattress works with a platform bed?
Most of the time, a 10″ or 12″ mattress will be a good fit for a platform bed.
Are all types of mattresses compatible with platform beds?
For the most part, yes. It’s rare that you’ll find a mattress type that won’t fit on a platform bed. At the same time, some mattresses are more comfortable on platform beds than others. Anything with a comfort layer of foam in it (i.e. every mattress in this roundup) is going to work especially well, as the softness and pressure relief keep you from feeling the firm surface below. Also, every brand on this list has its own platform bed available, meaning that all of the mattresses are easily paired with an additional sleep foundation.
How far apart should the slats be on a platform bed?
If your platform bed uses slats, you want them to be no more than 2.75″ apart from one another. Also, make sure they all have the same distance between them. This creates an even foundation and leaves plenty of room for airflow.
Does a platform bed need a box spring?
Nope! A platform bed is a more supportive alternative to a box spring — not an addition. Once you’ve set it up, just place your mattress on it and enjoy a good night’s rest!
