Editor’s Note: Idle Sleep no longer sells this mattress. To learn about another great option, check out our Nectar mattress review.
There is so much an all-foam mattress can provide including pressure relief and a good value. Those who are looking for a mattress with that memory foam feel and want to save some money should consider the Idle Gel Foam mattress.
In this review, we will be taking a close look at the construction of this mattress as well as how it performed during a number of tests. To find out if this is a good choice, read on for our full Idle Sleep Gel Foam mattress review.
Idle Sleep Gel Foam Mattress Overview
The Idle Gel Foam mattress comes from Idle Sleep, a company known for its use of high-quality and extra-long sleep trial. Their flippable Idle Hybrid mattress is one of the nicest hybrids on the market. We are also huge fans of the Idle Latex Hybrid mattress.
But we are here to discuss the Idle Gel Foam mattress, an extremely comfortable all-foam mattress that won’t break the bank. In our experience, it will be an excellent fit for many types of people, especially those who like a classic memory foam feel.
Who Might Like The Idle Gel Foam?
- Side sleepers who require pressure relief for their shoulders and hips
- Those who are looking for a great mattress for your money
- Fans of that slow-moving memory foam feel that lets sleepers sink into the mattress – it’s one of the best soft mattresses
Who Might Not Like The Idle Gel Foam?
- Stomach sleepers who require more support under their hips and across their entire body
- Larger people who need a more supportive mattress overall
- Those who prefer to sleep on top of their mattress without sinking in particularly far
Idle Sleep Gel Foam Mattress Video Review
To see how the Idle Sleep Gel Foam mattress really performed during our tests, take a look at our in-depth video review. Viewers can see our reviewer, Marten, try the Idle Gel Foam mattress out for himself and discuss his experience with it.
Overall Rating
Our team of Certified Sleep Science Coaches personally test each mattress in categories such as materials, comfort, cooling, and support. Hover over the icons to learn more about these different topics, or scroll down for a more detailed analysis on each one.
Note: Looking for a mattress with stronger support and durability? Check out our Best Mattresses That Won’t Sag.
Note: Looking for a mattress with stronger support and durability? Check out our Best Mattresses That Won’t Sag.
Idle Sleep Gel Foam Firmness And Feel
Firmness and feel are two of the main considerations when shopping for a mattress. Read on to see how firm the Idle Gel Foam is and how this makes it a better match for different sleeping positions.
How Firm Is The Idle Gel Foam?
In our experience, the Idle Sleep Gel Foam mattress was close to a 6.5/10, about medium in terms of firmness. The Cooling Buoyancy Foam on top is particularly soft, but the transition and support layers below are firmer – all these layers combine to give the Idle Sleep Gel Foam a medium firmness.
As we will mention below, the firmness of this Idle mattress will depend on a person’s specific size and weight; larger people might find the Idle to be firmer, and lighter people might find that it is softer.
Sleeping On The Idle Sleep Gel Foam
Starting off back sleeping, we feel both supported and comfortable; the base foam layer and transition layer work to hold up our bodies, and the Buoyancy Foam on top allows our hips to sink and conforms to the curves of our bodies.
Side sleeping, the Idle Gel Foam mattress really shines – we sink into that thick layer of Buoyancy Foam and feel the pressure on our shoulders and hips really disappear. However, read below to see how this experience might differ for much heavier sleepers when they lie on the Idle Gel Foam mattress. We do believe that it will be one of the best mattresses for arthritis.
Stomach sleeping, the mattress is too soft for us, and we can feel our hips and center mass dip into the mattress. This lack of support could lead to back strain for habitual stomach sleepers. Those who need the best mattress for stomach sleepers will need something firmer overall.
What Does The Idle Sleep Gel Foam Mattress Feel Like?
While the Cooling Buoyancy Foam on top of the Idle is designed to be more responsive than standard memory foam, it still exhibits some of that classic memory foam feel. Lying on the Idle Sleep, we feel ourselves slowly sink into the mattress, and it is not that easy to move around and change positions at night. We would say it is more like we are sleeping “in” the Idle Gel Foam mattress and not “on top” of it.
Average Weight Sleepers – 130 lbs – 230 lbs
The majority of average weight back sleepers should feel like the Idle Gel Foam mattress is a fantastic match. They should experience the balance of comfort and support that back sleepers should be looking for. See our best mattresses for back sleepers for more like this.
Side sleeping, average weight people should feel little pressure on their shoulders and hips, but those who are closer to 230 lbs might feel more pressure. Stomach sleeping, average weight sleepers will probably not get the support they require under their hips and across the rest of their bodies.
Heavyweight Sleepers – Over 230 lbs
A good deal of heavier back sleepers should feel well supported when they are back sleeping, but those who are close to or over 300 lbs will most likely need a mattress with coils. All-foam mattresses are not usually the best mattresses for heavy people, and a hybrid or innerspring mattress should fit them better.
While side sleepers who are closer to 230 lbs should feel nice pressure relief when they are on the Idle, those who are closer to 300 lbs could feel significantly more pressure in those areas. Their additional weight could cause them to sink further into the mattress and engage the transition and support layers beneath.
Stomach sleeping, heavier people are definitely going to require a firmer, more supportive mattress than the Idle Gel Foam. They should feel their hips sinking far into the mattress and back pain and strain are almost inevitable.
Lightweight Sleepers – Under 130 lbs
Lightweight people who weigh under 130 lbs will find the Idle Sleep Gel Foam mattress to be a great match for both back and side sleeping. They will feel a nice balance of comfort and support when they are back sleeping and great pressure relief when they are side sleeping. Stomach sleeping, some lighter people might even get enough support on the Idle.
See our list of the best mattresses for lightweight sleepers.
Idle Sleep Gel Foam Mattress Construction
Let’s take a closer look at the design of the Idle Sleep Gel Foam mattress and what materials it contains. We will go layer-by-layer and discuss the specifics of each material.
Cover
The Idle Sleep Gel Foam’s cover is made of all-natural cotton and is very cool and soft to the touch. The cover is also completely removable and can be washed and cleaned at home.
Comfort Layers
The top layer of the Idle Gel Foam mattress is 3″ of a proprietary Cooling Buoyancy Foam. It does not contain the visco-elastic chemicals that are found in most types of memory foam – these can cause overheating at night. The mattress also features a gel infusion to assist further with heat dissipation and cooling.
As the name suggests, the Buoyancy Foam is also designed to be more responsive than standard memory foam. That being said, it still exhibits some of that slow-moving quicksand feel and takes some time to pop back into place.
Below the Buoyancy Foam, there is a foam transition layer that is ventilated for airflow. It is also firmer and more responsive than the Buoyancy Foam and transitions sleepers down to the firmer support layer beneath.
Support Layer
The base layer is 7″ of support foam with a 2.4 lb density – it is very firm and quite durable as well.
Mattress Height
The Idle Sleep Gel Foam mattress is 12″ tall, which is taller than many other all-foam mattresses.
Idle Sleep Gel Foam Mattress Size Options And Price
Take a look at this chart for the most up-to-date size and price information for the Idle Sleep Gel Foam mattress:
| Size | Dimensions | Price |
| Twin | 38″ x 75″ x 12″ | $449 |
| Twin XL | 38″ x 80″ x 12″ | $519 |
| Full | 54″ x 75″ x 12″ | $649 |
| Queen | 60″ x 80″ x 12″ | $749 |
| King | 76″ x 80″ x 12″ | $949 |
| California King | 72″ x 84″ x 12″ | $949 |
Also, make sure to read our full Idle Sleep Hybrid mattress review and see our Idle Sleep coupons here:
Idle Sleep Gel Foam Mattress Performance
We put the Idle Sleep Gel Foam mattress to the test! See how it performed with regard to motion transfer, cooling, and off-gassing.
Sleeping Hot Or Cold
The Idle Sleep Gel Foam is an all-foam mattress, and these types have a tendency for trapping heat and directing them back at sleepers. Also, with a lack of coils in the support layer, there is less room for air to flow through the mattress.
That being said, the mattress does contain cooling features that should keep people from sleeping extremely hot at night. The Cooling Buoyancy foam is free of the heat-trapping chemicals found in other types of memory foam, and a gel infusion should help people sleep relatively cool. If you’re wondering “What is gel memory foam?“, read our full article on the subject.
Motion Transfer
Those who need the best mattress for couples usually want to find something with softer, slow-moving foam right on top. While the Cooling Buoyancy Foam is bouncier than other types of memory foam, it still has some of that slow-moving feel.
Because of that, we are seeing little motion transfer on the Idle Sleep Gel Foam mattress. We placed a glass of water on the mattress and pressed into the surrounding area; we saw little disturbance in the water. Marten also lay on the mattress while our other team member, Andrew, moved around on the other side. Marten did not feel that movement transfer to his side of the mattress.
Edge Support
Sitting near the edge of the Idle Sleep Gel Foam mattress, the Buoyancy Foam does collapse a fair amount. However, the support layer does hold us up, and we feel secure enough to lean over and tie our shoes.
When we lie down near the edge of this mattress, that Buoyancy Foam is again collapsing, and we feel somewhat like we will roll off the edge of the mattress.
Durability
While the Idle Sleep Gel Foam mattress does not contain coils or durable materials like latex, it should still last for a number of years. The high-density foam found in the base layer and overall quality construction should ensure the Idle Sleep will be in good shape for at least six or seven years.
Off-gassing
Like most all-foam mattresses we have unboxed, the Idle did let off a chemical smell at first. However, we left the mattress in a well-ventilated room and, after 48 hours, the smell was completely gone.
Noise
The Idle is an all-foam mattress and does not contain coils that can sometimes squeak and creak when sleepers move around at night. When we changed positions and rolled around on the Idle Gel Foam mattress, we heard no significant noise.
Sex
Partners who are looking for a mattress for sex are usually going to want something bouncier and more responsive. The Idle Gel Foam mattress is not too responsive and doesn’t make it very easy to move around and change positions.
Idle Company Policies
Idle has industry unique company policies that could influence your purchase decision. We will help you understand Idle’s fine print.
Warranty
The Idle Sleep Gel Foam mattress is protected by a lifetime warranty. The warranty covers all defects and even promises to repair or replace a mattress with sag or body impressions over one inch. Idle’s lifetime commitment is unique to the mattress industry.
Sleep Trial
The Idle Sleep Gel Foam mattress comes with an unmatched sleep trial of 18-months, equivalent to 548 nights. Learn more about the sleep trial on Idle’s website.
Return Policy
If you don’t love the Idle Sleep Gel Foam mattress, you can return it for free and get a full refund.
Complaints
Some Idle Sleep Gel Foam mattress customers complain about a foul chemical smell upon unboxing. No need to worry because this is totally normal, especially with foam mattresses. You can read our thoughts and suggestions regarding the new mattress smell and off-gassing to better understand why this happens.
How Does The Idle Sleep Gel Foam Compare To Other Mattresses?
Anyone who wants to do a little comparison shopping should read on to see how the Idle stacks up against its competitors and related mattresses.
Idle Gel Foam Vs Layla
When it comes to all-foam and memory foam mattresses, Layla is one of the most popular. It is a very interesting mattress in that it is flippable and boasts two firmnesses in one. The soft side features a thick layer of memory foam that offers exceptional pressure relief, while the firm side features less memory foam and is more supportive.
The main difference between these two mattresses is that the Layla is flippable, and the Idle Gel Foam is not – this makes the Layla a better choice for those who want two firmnesses to choose from. The soft side of the Layla is softer than the Idle, and the firm side is firmer than the Idle. This makes the soft side of the Layla better for side sleeping, and the firm side better for stomach sleeping.
However, those who want a medium-firm mattress that offers a balance of comfort and support for back sleeping should set their sights on the Idle Gel Foam mattress. Its thick comfort layer should offer great pressure relief and, given that the Idle is more affordable than the Layla mattress, it could work for side sleepers who want to save some money on their purchase.
Idle Gel Foam Vs Idle Hybrid
The Idle Hybrid is another very popular mattress from Idle Sleep, but it has a very different design and construction than the Idle Gel Foam mattress. It is flippable, while the Idle Gel Foam mattress is not – similar to what we saw with the Layla, this gives the mattress two firmnesses to choose from. Also, the mattress features coils in its support layer, while the Idle Gel Foam features support foam.
Both sides of the Idle Hybrid mattress are firmer than the Idle Gel Foam, and this makes the Hybrid a better option for back sleepers and stomach sleepers. Larger people who require more support should find it with the Idle Hybrid mattress. With the coils in the center of the mattress, the Idle Hybrid also allows much more room for airflow, making it a better match for hot sleepers.
The Idle Gel Foam mattress is much more affordable than the Idle Hybrid, so it is a better choice for those who want to save money on their mattress purchase. It will also be more ideal for side sleepers and those who prefer a slow-moving memory foam feel.
Idle Sleep Gel Foam Mattress FAQs
Now, we would like to answer some frequently asked questions regarding the Idle Gel Foam mattress:
Is the Idle Gel Foam a good mattress?
The Idle Gel Foam is a good mattress for certain types of people. Those who like a memory foam feel, sleep on their side, and want to good value should find it to be a great mattress; those who are larger or need a more supportive mattress should look elsewhere.
How much does the Idle Gel Foam mattress cost?
The Idle Sleep Gel Foam mattress ranges in price from $561 for a Twin size up to $1186 for a King or California King.
Do you need a box spring with an Idle Gel Foam mattress?
According to the company, a box spring is not required for the Idle Gel Foam mattress but, if one's bed does require a box spring, it is fine to use one.
Does the Idle Gel Foam Mattress Sleep Hot?
The Idle is an all-foam mattress so it is going to trap a fair amount of heat but, with its breathable cover and cooling foam in the comfort layer, it should sleep cooler than many other all-foam mattresses.
