Finally, a firm mattress that's actually comfortable

Stearns & Foster hand-build your mattress upon ordering and even deliver it to your house with a complimentary white glove delivery service. When I see a brand take such care in the beginning stages, I know that I can usually expect the mattress to be of top quality. That was exactly the case with the Queen-sized Medium Stearns & Foster Estate Collection Mattress that I tested.

I wasn’t surprised to see that this hybrid mattress had a 4.5 out of 5-star rating from customers as I found it incredibly comfortable and supportive for sleeping on my stomach and back. Rather than dip into the mattress, the Estate Collection Mattress kept my body aligned and it provided some stellar motion isolation capabilities and edge support.

As part of the H&G mattress testing team, I'm part of the search to find the world's best mattress. Together, we've tested 30 mattresses, ranging from plush pillow-tops to firm latex models. Out of every mattress we've ever tested, the Stearns & Foster Estate Mattress has the best edge support and excellent motion isolation. I'd recommend this mattress for couples, light sleepers, and anyone who needs help getting into and out of bed.

Stearns & Foster Estate Mattress review

Full disclosure: the temperature regulation was a bit of a disappointment, which was surprising since the brand put quite a bit of effort into making it cool and breathable. Not only does it have a TENCEL cover to wick away moisture, but it’s also equipped with an AirVent system to help air move through the mattress and pull warm air away. Unfortunately, I got hot during my testing, and I wasn’t surprised to see some customers having similar experiences too. Despite that drawback, I think the Stearns & Foster Estate Collection Mattress is an incredibly comfortable mattress and well built to last.

Stearns & Foster Estate Mattress specifications

Who would suit the Stearns & Foster Estate Mattress?

• Back and stomach sleepers: the Stearns & Foster Estate Mattress feels plush and cozy up top, but incredibly supportive underneath. Back and stomach sleepers benefit from this sort of firm mattress to keep their spines straight. I'd recommend something softer for side sleepers, with more give around the hips, such as the Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress.
• Anyone suffering from back pain: the Stearns & Foster Estate Mattress offers a lot of support around the waist and hips, helping to take the weight off your lower back. The memory foam comfort layer brings contouring comfort and near-perfect pressure relief.
• Couples: you won't wake up when your partner changes position in the night. After running a number of tests, I can confirm that the Stearns & Foster Estate Mattress does a superb job with motion isolation, ensuring you get a full night's sleep.
• Anyone who needs help getting into and out of bed: a lot of mattress manufacturers claim to offer reinforced edges, but Stearns & Foster actually delivers on this promise. I don't think I've ever seen a mattress with better edge support. If you struggle with mobility, or you're keen to sit or sleep on the side of the bed, then this mattress is for you.

What's it like to sleep on the Stearns & Foster Estate Mattress?

• Pressure relief: although I am a combination sleeper, which means I flip between sleep positions in the night, I found the most comfort and support sleeping on my back and stomach. I need a lot of support around my hips to keep my spine straight and avoid any undue lower back aches. The strategically arranged springs inside the Stearns & Foster Estate Mattress provided all the support I needed in those areas, while the memory foam comfort layer enhances pressure relief. This mattress is available in six comfort levels to suit every sort of sleeper. I tested the Medium: on a firmness scale of 1 to 10, where 1 is super-soft and 10 is ultra-firm, I'd rate the Stearns & Foster Estate Mattress around a 7. That's the best mattress firmness for most sleepers. Still, if I had to choose again, I'd probably opt for the Soft surface or a pillow top so I could sleep comfortably on my side.
• Thermoregulation: I generally sleep neutrally at night and don't have issues with night sweats or overheating. That's saying something for someone who sleeps through hot summers and heat waves in Texas. I can tell right away when a mattress has good temperature regulation − which is why I was surprised by the Stearns & Foster Estate Mattress. Despite being a hybrid mattress with external air vents to boost breathability, I felt that the thermoregulation was lacking. Often, I woke up sweating, even through the moisture-wicking mattress cover, to the point that I had to throw off my lightweight comforter and sheets and lower my AC. If you're a hot sleeper, steer clear of the Stearns & Foster Estate Mattress in favor of the best cooling mattress. I recommend the Saatva Latex Hybrid Mattress for a similar look and feel.

• Motion isolation: while memory foam is better known for motion isolation, there are plenty of hybrids that do a great job – like the Stearns & Foster Estate Mattress. I filled a wine glass with water and set it in the center of the mattress. Then, I took a 15-lb. dumbbell and dropped it 25 inches away, then 10, then four. The glass remained upright during the first two drops. It juddered during the last drop, but I think that's down to the shape of the quilted top, which doesn't provide a lot of stability for a wine glass. In theory, the Stearns & Foster Estate Mattress has solid motion isolation, and that's what I experienced in practice. I asked a friend to get into and out of bed beside me: even when they changed positions on the mattress, I couldn't feel a thing.
• Edge support: in my time testing mattresses, I've struggled to find one with quality edge support. Not only is edge support helpful for getting into and out of bed, but it maintains the structural integrity of the mattress and prevents it from dipping if you sleep too close to the edge. When I sat down on the side of the Stearns & Foster Estate Mattress, it barely dipped beneath my weight. I felt very well supported. This was verified when I placed my 15-lb. dumbbell in the same spot and the mattress sank just a quarter of an inch. If you like to sleep or sit on the side of your mattress to get dressed or nurse your baby, then you can do it comfortably on the Stearns & Foster Estate Mattress.
• Delivery: thanks to their complimentary white glove delivery service, anyone who orders a Stearns & Foster Estate Mattress will get it delivered to your door, carried up your stairs, and placed on your bed. A few days after I submitted my order, I received a call to schedule my delivery. The next day, the delivery men arrived earlier than I expected. They didn't call me beforehand but they were so nice as to wait while I rushed home five minutes later. They removed my old mattress and placed the Stearns & Foster Estate Collection Mattress on my bed. It was a quick and seamless process that took about 10 minutes.

How does the Stearns & Foster Estate Mattress rate online?

The Stearns & Foster Estate Mattress boasts a 4.5 average star rating from 784 verified reviews. You can filter for reviews by star rating or keyword and click between the Estate Collection and the Lux Estate Collection. You can even break down the ratings by firmness level and whether or not the mattress ordered had a pillow top. I find this ability to do a deep and precise search through the reviews very impressive.

Customers rave about the comfort and support of the mattress and share how it has helped them with pressure relief from aches and pains. Many noted that, while the mattress is expensive, it is well worth the investment. There were quite a few that mentioned that this particular mattress was their second or third from Stearns & Foster.

There were some who were not fans of the Stearns & Foster Estate Mattress, noting that it felt too firm or failed to regulate their temperature. A handful had received faulty mattresses that they had to return − unfortunately, this can happen with any mattress brand, so it's not a reflection on Stearns & Foster.

Should I buy the Stearns & Foster Estate Mattress?

From the moment the delivery specialists arrived with my Stearns & Foster Estate Mattress, I knew that it was a well-built bed. My favorite aspect of this mattress has to be the comfort. Not only was it plush but it was incredibly supportive, helping to keep my spine aligned at night and supporting me when I slept on my back or stomach.

This mattress has the best edge support I've seen, and I've tested more than 30 mattresses in my career. Tack on the motion isolation capabilities, and I think most customers will be satisfied with their purchase.

It’s unfortunate that I got warm while testing this mattress. With all of the airflow and breathability features, I’d expect it to have done a better job with temperature regulation. If you’re going to invest in an upscale mattress such as this, you’d expect it to exceed in all areas (to be fair – in my mattress reviewing time, I’ve noted that many luxury mattresses have their drawbacks).

When I read the reviews and see how many people love this mattress, I’m inclined to say that you might want to try it out regardless. It is truly a comfortable mattress and well-suited to couples and back and stomach sleepers. Plus, you get 90 days to test it out and can return or exchange it if need be (unfortunately, there is a $175 shipping fee plus tax to do so).

How we test mattresses

I'm part of the H&G mattress testing team, which includes dozens of seasoned product testers across America. Together, we represent a wide range of body types, sleep styles, and ages. Comb through our back catalog of reviews and you should be able to find someone who sleeps like you. We test each mattress for a minimum of 30 nights in our own homes to give the best indication of long-term performance.

We assess each mattress against the same criteria: pressure relief; thermoregulation; motion isolation; and edge support. To assess pressure relief, we lie down on the mattress and switch between our backs, our stomachs, and our sides, considering how comfortable we feel in each position. To assess thermoregulation, we sleep through heatwaves and cold snaps, making note of any nights where we wake up in a sweat. Where possible, we assign hot sleepers to test specialist cooling mattresses.

To assess motion isolation, we fill a glass with water and set it in the center of the mattress. Then, we use a weight to apply pressure around it, moving incrementally closer to the glass. The more the glass moves and the more water spills, the worse the motion isolation, and the less suitable the mattress for couples and light sleepers. To assess edge support, we sit on the side of the mattress and measure how far we fall. The further we fall, the worse the edge support, and the harder it is to get into and out of bed.

We like to compare our findings against verified customer reviews to pick out common concerns. We also consider all the practical parts of buying a mattress, from details of delivery to the length of the mattress sleep trial, before bringing it all back to the price to determine value for money. To learn more about how we test mattresses, consult our expert guide.