Mattress Ratings > Futon Reviews
Futon Mattresses → Review, Ratings & Complaints Based On Data From 1,877 Actual Owners
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last updated June 23, 2011
What You Need To Know
Owner Satisfaction: Futon mattresses overall have 74% owner satisfaction.
Pros: Often inexpensive; duel-use potential; variety of styles / colors.
Cons: Below average durability / longevity; too thin / firm for some people; initial odor possible.
Price: $80-$1000
Main Competition: Sealy brand beds and low-priced memory foam mattresses often compete with futon mattresses. See the mattress price comparison and mattress comparison for more on futons vs other beds.
Contents
Futon Mattress Use
Futon Mattress Ratings: Overall
Futon Mattress Ratings: By Type
Futon Mattress Ratings: By Thickness
Futon Retailer Comparison
Futon Brand Ratings?
Futon Mattress Use
Futon mattresses overall are used less often by their owners than other mattress types. As the chart below shows, only about 55% of owners use their futon mattress regularly over an extended period of time. In this sense, the mattresses are similar to temporary-use air beds.
In addition, only about half of owners use their mattress with a futon frame (a frame that can convert from a sleeping position to a sitting position). The other half of owners place their mattress on a regular bed frame / platform or directly onto the floor.
| Futon Use | Percent of Owners |
| Temporary / guest use | 25% |
| Primary bed for kid / teen | 22% |
| Mainly for sitting / sofa use | 20% |
| Primary bed for adult | 17% |
| Bed for college | 16% |
Futon Mattress Ratings: Overall
The ratings below discuss how futon mattresses overall as a group are evaluated by consumers. For ratings and comparison of the different types, see the section following this one.
| Owner satisfaction | fair | Owner satisfaction for futon mattresses is 74% which is somewhat lower than satisfaction for most bed types. A lack of comfort and durability are the main causes of dissatisfaction. |
| Durability / longevity | poor | Durability is below average compared to other mattress types. Innerspring futon mattresses may last at least somewhat longer than less expensive cotton / fiber or cotton / foam varieties. Consumers should generally not expect their mattress to last more than 2-4 years with regular use. Occasional use, however, will likely result in a longer lifespan. |
| Price (full size) | good | $80-$1000 is the price range for a full-size futon mattress (not including frame). The average price paid is about $150. Low price is a top advantage of futons, say owners. If you seek a futon for regular use (especially for sleeping), owner data suggests that paying more ($400+) will tend to result in more comfort, durability and overall satisfaction. |
| Less pain | fair | Reduced pain, such as back pain, and decreased pressure points are reported in less than 10% of futon mattress reviews. About 15% of consumers report that their futon causes pain, usually due to excessive firmness / lack of thickness and lumpiness. (See mattresses and pain relief for more analysis.) |
| Firmness variety | fair | A variety of firmnesses are sometimes available, but most owner reviews say the futon is more firm than soft. |
| Dust mite resistant | poor | Regardless of composition, futons can be home to dust mite populations which can trigger allergies in some people. (See mattresses and dust mites for analysis.) |
| No initial odor / off gassing | poor | About 15-20% of consumers report an initial smell that is at least somewhat unpleasant. Some owners say it is chemical in nature, while others describe a musty-like smell. The odor dissipates within a few days in most cases. Futons that contain foam tend to have the most complaints on this issue. |
| Easy to move on | good | Futons are usually easy for a sleeper to move on because they are often firm and offer little resistance. Models with memory foam may provide some resistance to movement. |
| Easy to get up off | fair | Futons can be lower in height than conventional beds which may require more effort and strength to get up off of them. |
| No sleeping hot | good | Heat issues are generally not a problem, but models with memory foam may be an exception. |
| No noise | fair | Futons with innersprings may creak, squeak and pop. Other types are silent. |
| Low maintenance | poor | Futon mattresses require more maintenance than other mattress types, especially if the mattress is used regularly. Futons need to be turned and sometimes flipped to avoid uneven wear and sagging. It is also sometimes recommended that they be aired out on occasion. |
| Lightweight | good | Futons mattresses overall weigh less than most other bed types, but they still may be difficult to move and handle. |
| Warranties | fair | Warranties range from one month to lifetime. Most, however, are around three years. (See mattress warranties: what you should know.) |
Futon Ratings: By Type
Futons mattresses that have an innerspring system have the highest owner satisfaction, but they are the most expensive type. Futons filled cotton / foam are fairly close behind in satisfaction, followed by futons filled with a cotton / polyester blend.
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|---|---|---|---|
| Innerspring / Foam/ Polyester | Cotton / Foam | Cotton / Polyester | |
| Owner Satisfaction / Sample Size | 81% / 448 | 76% / 558 | 69% / 266 |
| Avg Price Paid (full size) | $140 | $120 | $85 |
| Durability / Longevity | Fair-Good | Fair | Fair-Poor |
| Comfort / Less Pain | Fair-Good | fair | Fair-Poor |
| Low Maintenance | Good-Fair | fair | Fair-Poor |
| No Initial Odor | Fair | Fair-Poor | Fair-Good |
| No Noise | fair | good | good |
| Can Be Folded For Sitting | usually | yes | yes |
| Average Weight | 60 lbs | 51 lbs | 33 lbs |
| Average Warranty | 4 years | 3 years | 1 year |
Futon Mattress Ratings: By Thickness
Thicker futon mattresses tend to provide better comfort than thinner varieties. A lack of thickness can result in excessive firmness and cause a person to feel the bar of the futon frame under the mattress. Thicker models, however, are more expensive and can be more difficult to fold for use on a convertible futon frame.
An average sized adult, owner data suggests, is more satisfied with eight-inch or greater thickness, while a heavier adult is more satisfied with 10-inch thickness. Children and teens, given their lower weight, can be satisfied with 6-inch thickness.
| Futon Mattress Thickness | Owner Satisfaction |
| 10 inches | 83% |
| 8 inches | 77% |
| 6 inches | 73% |
Futon Mattress Retailer Comparison
Below is a list and comparison of some of the more popular futon mattress retailers. These retailers sell futon frames and accessories as well. Many futons are sold online; see buying a mattress online: what you should know.
| Variety | Price Range (full size mattress) | Return Policy | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walmart.com / Samsclub.com | Good | $80-$500 | 90-day exchange or refund. Return mattress to a store. |
| Futonland.com | Excellent | $120-$1000+ | 30-day Money-back minus original / return shipping & 20% Restock fee. |
| Overstock.com | Fair-good | $100-$400 | partial refund for opened / used products minus return shipping unless result of their error or defective Product. |
| Futonplanet.com | Good | $175-$700 | No returns accepted for mattresses. |
| Affordablefutons.com | Good | $180-$800 | 30-day money-back or store credit minus return shipping unless result of their error or defective Product. |
Futon Brand Ratings?
We do not currently rate individual futon brands. This is because many owners in our research did not mention or were unaware of their brand. Also, there is currently no reason to rate the brands since, based on the limited futon brand data we have collected from owners, there is little if any difference between brands in terms of owner satisfaction, comfort, longevity and other factors.
