To help you find the best and most comfortable futon mattress, we tried out dozens of top models, ensuring they were made from high quality materials and that they were true to their advertised size, which was normally a full futon size mattress. We enjoyed mattresses made from high quality foam, such as memory foam, and those that fit most available standard futon frames, which allowed them to easily convert into a sofa perfect as an additional guest bed inside any home. Futons are very versatile bedroom essentials for many of us. And, you also need to have a comfortable bed, so when you’re ready to upgrade your mattress, check out our best mattresses guide.
The best futon mattress we tried was easily the DHP 8-Inch Independently Encased Coil Futon Mattress, which provides a high level of comfort thanks to it being topped with high density foam. It also achieves great weight distribution thanks to a series of heavy gauge independently encased coils running throughout. We also liked that it is available in six gorgeous colors, suiting nearly any aesthetic. Keep reading to learn more about the DHP 8-Inch Independently Encased Coil Futon Mattress and the other products on this list.
Top 7 Best Futon Mattress Compared
#1 DHP 8-Inch Independently Encased Coil Futon Mattress – Top Pick
WHY WE LIKE IT: High quality eight-inch mattress that boasts even weight distribution, thanks to heavy gauge independently encased coils, that is available in six gorgeous colors.
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- Excellent weight distribution
- Available in 6 gorgeous colors
- Topped with high density foam
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- Does not come with cover
- Only available in full
- Stiff at first, though that fades
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The DHP 8-Inch Independently Encased Coil Futon Mattress features 15-gauge independently-encased coils running throughout its interior, which results in even weight distribution. The comfort level is also increased via a high density foam topper, which we found to be of a high quality. This mattress is also available in six gorgeous colors, easily sliding into any bedroom or living area aesthetic.
Though the exterior is microfiber, it is not removable and cannot be washed, so you’ll have to purchase your own cover. Additionally, this mattress is only available as a full size product, so it won’t fit frames intended for other sizes.
#2 Classic Brands Classic 8-Inch Futon Mattress – Honorable Mention
WHY WE LIKE IT: This Classic 8-Inch Futon Mattress easily folds and rolls up for storage purposes or for transport. And, this mattress comes with a high quality microfiber cover that is easily removed for washing.
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- Folds for storage
- Comes with microfiber cover
- Good weight distribution
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- Easily collects pet dander and dust
- Arrived with distinct smell
- Available in 2 colors (top pick has 6)
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This Classic Brands Classic 8-Inch Futon Mattress boasts individually wrapped coils, which increases comfort and creates even weight distribution. It also comes with a high quality microfiber cover that is easily removable and machine washable, not to mention plush and comfortable. The whole thing is on the lighter side, 63 pounds, and easy to fold or roll up for storage or for transport.
Though the microfiber cover is easily removable, it does attract pet dander, dust and other filaments. Also, this mattress is only available in two colors, black and brown, whereas our top pick can be purchased in six different color varieties. Perfect for any bedroom.
#3 Luxton Home Shiki Foldable Mattress – Best Budget
WHY WE LIKE IT: This Japanese-style mattress is extremely light, just 13 pounds, easily foldable, and available in a wide variety of size options, from twin to queen.
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- Best Japanese futon mattress
- Antibacterial and hypoallergenic
- Extremely light (13 lb)
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- Does not come with cover
- Needs 3 days to fully expand
- Thin mattress may not suit all tastes
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The Luxton Home Shiki Foldable Mattress is a Japanese-style product, meaning it is extremely thin and firm, which some experts suggest helps increase spinal health. This particular product is super thin, light (13 pounds) and both antibacterial and hypoallergenic, making it suitable for infants. It can be rolled up and stowed out of the way in moments, thanks to its weight, and is available in a wide variety of size options, including twin, full and queen, among others.
This thin and firm mattress design may not suit all it tastes, as it does not contain the kinds of comfort-enhancing coils and foam that are standard with our top picks. Additionally, it needs three full days to expand out of the box, so prepare accordingly. In the meantime, you may use the best sleeping bags.
#4 Mozaic Full Size 10-inch Cotton Twill Futon Mattress – Best Full Size
WHY WE LIKE IT: This ten inch memory foam futon mattress is the thickest on this list, putting it closer to a standard-sized mattress than a futon, and comes with dual-sided memory foam, which further increases the comfort level.
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- Dual-sided memory foam futon
- Available in 11 colors
- Reversible design
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- No coils
- Is not supported by all frames
- Cover cannot be removed
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This Mozaic Full Size 10-inch Cotton Twill Foam Futon Mattress is an extremely thick product, at ten inches, which truly creates a luxurious sleeping experience. It also boasts a fully reversible design as both sides are covered in memory foam, which we truly enjoyed. It is available in 11 unique color varieties, as opposed to the six choices to be found with our top pick.
Though the cotton twill tufted cover is elegant and comfortable, it cannot be removed for cleaning so you’ll likely want to purchase a standalone cover. Also, the thickness on offer here, ten inches, means that it won’t be supported by all futon frames, so do your research before purchasing. Also, have a look at the best alarm clock.
#5 EMOOR Japanese Traditional Futon Mattress Classe – Lightest Weight
WHY WE LIKE IT: This Traditional Japanese-style floor futon is extremely light, at just 11 pounds, and is manufactured using firm polyester and a soft cotton exterior, creating a comfort level that could be good for spinal health.
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- Comfortable cotton exterior
- Available in variety of sizes
- Firm polyester cushions
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- Takes several days to expand
- Does not come with cover
- Thin mattress may not suit all tastes
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This EMOOR Japanese Traditional Futon Mattress Classe is a Japanese-style futon mattress that boasts an extremely light form factor, at just 11 pounds, making it extremely easy to store and move around from room to room. It is filled with firm polyester cushions, which could be beneficial for spinal health, and the exterior is made up of an extremely soft cotton fabric. It is also available in a wide variety of sizes, from twin to king.
Though the cotton exterior is comfortable, it does not come with a standalone mattress cover, which will require an additional purchase. Also, this took over five days to fully expand, which is a longer time period than the other Japanese-style mattress found on this list. Use it with the best comforter set.
#6 DHP 6-Inch Memory Foam Mattress – Most Eco Friendly
WHY WE LIKE IT: Mattress boasts a suite of safety-forward innovations, including being manufactured with flame retardant materials, and is certified to be free of ozone depleters, mercury, lead and heavy metals, in addition to being free of phthalates.
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- Safest design
- Available in 5 colors
- Extremely comfortable exterior
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- Mattress on thinner side
- Emits unpleasant smell for several days
- Not as much foam as some models on this list
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This DHP 6-Inch Memory Foam Futon Mattress is an extremely safe product, being manufactured entirely from flame retardant materials. It is also free of potentially harmful ingredients, such as ozone depleters, mercury, lead, heavy metals and phthalates. The exterior is made from a plush microfiber material, which we found to be extremely comfortable, and the innards are comprised of high quality spring coils and foam.
Though this product does contain foam innards, the amount of foam present is significantly less than what is found with our top picks, which could impact the comfort level. Additionally, this mattress is six inches thick, whereas similar models on this list are eight or ten inches thick. Those with sciatica will want to look at the best mattress for sciatica.
#7 Mainstay Tufted Futon Mattress – Best Multipack Bundle
WHY WE LIKE IT: This product is available in a unique multipack bundle, which contains two futon mattresses, two bedside tables and a lamp. We also liked that this mattress is extremely light, making it easy to store and move from room to room.
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- Extremely light
- Tufted design helps retain shape
- Comes in variety of colors
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- Mattress on thinner side
- Does not come with removable cover
- Can slide off frames and foundations
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This Mainstay Tufted Futon Mattress is available in a unique multipack bundle, which includes two mattresses, two bedside tables and a high quality lamp, though you can also purchase a singular mattress if so desired. The mattress boasts a tufted design, which helps retain its shape over time, and is available in several attractive color choices, including ruby red, gray and blue, in addition to standard colors like black.
This mattress is six inches thick, which is on the thinner side compared to similar models on this list. Additionally, we found that it easily slid off traditional futon frames, which could be an issue if you are looking for this item to double as a sofa or couch. It will give you a good night’s sleep, especially with the best air purifier and one of the best heaters in your room.
How We Decided
To help narrow down to the above list and find the best futon mattresses available on the market today, we tested these futon mattresses primarily for comfort, preferring products made from durable and comfort-forward materials, such as memory foam, individually wrapped springs, and microfiber materials. The above products are typically filled with foam, cotton, polyester and other high quality materials. We also looked at innerspring futon mattresses which are becoming more and more popular these days in Japan and America. Remember to keep in mind that although futon mattresses and futon frames can be less expensive than traditional beds, they are thinner and may be difficult to adjust to in the beginning.
We also populated the above list with a nice mix of thickness levels. In addition to the standard-sized eight inch variety, which have no problem adapting to typical futon frames, we enjoyed some six inch models, which are thinner but also interact nicely with frames, and ten inch models, which are thick enough to resemble an actual mattress but could have trouble adapting to some frames.
We also liked products that were extremely portable, with the heaviest item on this list clocking in at around 63 pounds. These items were typically easy to roll up and stow away when not in use, adding to their convenience. This goes doubly for Japanese-style frames, which are often incredibly light, 10-15 pounds, and extremely thin, so you can just stuff them in a closet when not in use.
Futon Mattress Buying Guide
The Most Important Features to Consider
- Thickness and Padding
You want these to be comfortable, so you are going to want to look into the padding and thickness options on offer. The standard thickness level is eight inches, which we found to be ideal for most consumers. Some mattresses are six inches thick, which are lighter and more maneuverable, at the expense of some padding, while others are ten inches thick, which are extremely plush and comfortable, at the expense of not fitting into some sofa frames. Additional accoutrements include memory foam and individually wrapped spring coils, among other comfort-enhancing features. - Frames and Slats
While these can easily be thrown on the floor and slept upon, they really shine when placed atop slats or a mattress frame of some kind. As long as you pick a frame that matches the mattress’s size, you should have no trouble using it. Of course, futon mattresses are also known for adopting sofa designs, via transforming frames. If you are looking for this functionality, you may want to avoid really thick mattresses, such as ten inch models, or Japanese-style futon mattresses, which are not designed to perform that task. - Japanese Futon Mattresses
Most residents of Japan choose Japanese-style futon mattresses as their preferred sleeping method. These differ from their American counterparts in several key ways. First of all, they are extremely light, often as light as 10-15 pounds, making them easy to stow away when not in use. They are also very thin, often just a few centimeters, and firm, which creates quite a different sleeping experience then you may be used to, though many doctors agree that these designs help support optimal spinal health.
