Futon Mattress Reviews & Ratings You Can Actually Trust – 2018

No commission • No endorsements • Based on owner experiences • Since 2008 • More

THE GOOD: Often inexpensive • above-average owner satisfaction when used occasionally / temporarily / lightly • can often be both bed and sofa when on futon frame • popular among college students, small-apartment dwellers or anyone wanting convertible / storable bed.

THE BAD: Average-at-best durability / longevity overall • initial odor potential • many models too thin and firm for some.

THE MATTRESS: A traditional futon is a thin mat filled with textile batting that is laid directly onto the floor. The American futon is thicker and can contain cotton, foam, springs or a combination thereof.

A futon mattress can be placed on a mattress foundation, directly on the floor, or onto a futon frame. When on a futon frame, the mattress can be converted from a sitting to lying position thereby serving as both sofa and bed.

THE COMPETITION: Temporary-use air beds as well as other low-priced mattresses. See the mattress type comparison to learn how futon beds stack up to alternatives.

Futon Mattress Ratings: Overall by Type
Top-Rated Futon Mattresses: Comparison and Ratings
Futon Mattress Thickness
Futon Mattress Uses

Futon Mattress Ratings: Overall By Type

The comparison below – based on 4,700+ futon consumer reviews gathered from credible sources – rates against the average mattress several futon mattress types including:

• Spring – contains cotton (or polyester) and foam along with springs for support.
• Foam / cotton – contains regular foam (or latex) and cotton (and or polyester).
• Foam – consists of regular foam from top to bottom.
• Cotton – consists largely or entirely of cotton from top to bottom.

	spring	Foam / Cotton	Foam	Cotton
Owner satisfaction	b-	c+	B	C
	Futon mattresses as a group have 75% satisfaction. Spring and foam varieties tend to rate highest. The mattresses rate higher among owners using them occasionally / temporarily / lightly as opposed to regularly.
	spring	Foam / Cotton	Foam	Cotton
Lifespan	c-	d+	C	D
	Durability overall is worse than average compared to other mattress types. Spring and foam futons may last somewhat longer than other varieties. Expect on average a 2-5 year lifespan with regular adult use.
	spring	Foam / Cotton	Foam	Cotton
Price / value	a-	a	B+	A+
	Prices often range $62-$300 (not including frame). The average price is about $150. Owners often regard all types to be strong values.
	spring	Foam / Cotton	Foam	Cotton
Minimizes pressure points	D+	d+	c+	d
	Usually not a clear strength of futons especially for regular adult use. 15%+ of owners report discomfort often due to excessive firmness and pressure points.
	spring	Foam / Cotton	Foam	Cotton
Less back pain	c+	c+	B-	C+
	Average support and conforming ability tend to result in no better than fair back pain relief.
	spring	Foam / Cotton	Foam	Cotton
No initial odor	d	d	d+	D
	12%+ of owners report an initial smell, often musty in nature. The odor usually mostly dissipates within a week.
	spring	Foam / Cotton	Foam	Cotton
No sleeping hot	b	b-	C+	A
	Heat-retention issues are generally not a problem, but all-foam models may be an exception.
	spring	Foam / Cotton	Foam	Cotton
Back sleep friendly	B	B+	B+	b
	Futons mattresses are often well suited for many back sleepers but may lack the conforming ability to properly support the lower back.
	spring	Foam / Cotton	Foam	Cotton
Side sleep friendly	c-	c-	C+	D
	About 20% of side sleepers report dissatisfaction due to excessive firmness. Thicker futons often provide better side-sleep comfort.
	spring	Foam / Cotton	Foam	Cotton
Stomach sleep friendly	b-	c+	B-	C-
	Futons tend to perform about average for stomach sleepers.
	spring	Foam / Cotton	Foam	Cotton
No noise	c-	B+	a-	B
	Spring types may creak, squeak, pop. Other types are mostly quiet.
	spring	Foam / Cotton	Foam	Cotton
Large person friendly	C-	D+	d+	D
	Futon mattresses are best suited for small to average sized people. Less-than-8" thick models especially may lack comfort, support and durability for people 200+ lbs.
	spring	Foam / Cotton	Foam	Cotton
No topper needed	D+	C-	C+	C
	Spring futon mattresses often benefit most from a topper as their comfort layer tends to be relatively thin. Needing to buy a topper can somewhat undermine the value proposition of a futon mattress.
	spring	Foam / Cotton	Foam	Cotton
Sex friendly	b-	c	C+	D
	Spring futons rate highest due to their bounce effect and overall comfort. Cotton futons may lack adequate thickness which can limit comfort and position variety.
	spring	Foam / Cotton	Foam	Cotton
Easy to maintain	c-	d	C	D
	Futons benefit from being turned and or flipped to avoid uneven wear / sagging. Cotton futons may benefit from being aired on occasion to prevent moisture / mold.
	spring	Foam / Cotton	Foam	Cotton
Easy to lift, handle, move	c+	b-	B	A-
	The mattresses on average weigh about 50 lbs – less than other bed types. They usually do not have grips or handles.
	spring	Foam / Cotton	Foam	Cotton
Easily folded for sitting	c-	c+	C	A-
	About 8% of owners, especially owners of spring-based futons, report difficulty putting the mattress into a seated position on a futon frame. As the mattress breaks in, however, this task tends to become easier.
	spring	Foam / Cotton	Foam	Cotton
Warranty	d+	d	C-	D-
	Warranty length is often a weakness, usually ranging from 1-10 years with 2.5 years being average.

Top-Rated Futon Mattresses

The table below rates and compares futon mattress models that have 80% or better owner satisfaction based on 300+ consumer experiences. Information regarding firmness is based on what tends to be true for most owners; your own personal evaluation may differ.

DHP	Pine Canopy Williamette Mattress	Traditional Japanese Floor Futon	Blazing Needles Futon Mattress
Owner Satisfaction* (Sample)
85% (4319)	85% (387)	83% (649)	82% (522)
Price
$92-$147	$200-$269	$62-$105	$90-$325
Futon Type
spring	spring	cotton, fiber, foam	foam / cotton or spring
Size
full	full, queen	sub-twin, twin, full, queen	twin, full, queen
Thickness
6", 8"	10"	3"	6", 8", 9", 10"
Firmness
med- firm	med- firm	firm	med- firm
Colors Available
6 choices	15 choices	15 choices	7 choices
Owners using regularly vs temporarily
40% / 60%	35% / 65%	20% / 80%	40% / 60%
Main Complaints (% of owners)
initial odor (9%), 8" too difficult to fold (6%), splitting cover (3%)	initial odor (9%), thinner than 10 inches (8%)	too firm (10%), initial odor (9%), too small (7%)	thinner than stated dimen- sions (11%), initial odor (10%)
Weight
51-57 lbs	60+ lbs (est)	10+ lbs	42-70+ lbs
Main Retailer(s)
amazon walmart .com	overstock .com	amazon	overstock .com
Comments
Sold at walmart .com under name "dhp 6 inch coil futon mattress".	--	Easily rolled and stored.	May need regular flipping.

* Owner satisfaction tends to increase 5% for every additional inch of futon mattress thickness. See next section for more info.

Futon Mattress Thickness

Owner satisfaction tends to increase as futon mattress thickness increases. A lack of thickness can result in 1) excessive firmness / pressure points, 2) the ability to feel the futon frame under the mattress, and 3) any springs inside the mattress.

Thicker models, however, are more expensive and can be more difficult to fold for storage or to use on a convertible futon frame.

An average-sized adult tends to be more satisfied with 6-inch or greater thickness, while a heavier adult tends to be more satisfied with 8-inch or greater thickness. Children, given their lower weight, or anyone who prefers a firm mattress can be satisfied with 5-inch or less thickness.

Futon Mattress Uses

Futon mattresses as a group are used less often by their owners than other mattress types. As the chart below shows, only about 45% of owners overall use their futon mattress regularly over an extended period.

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 place their mattress on a foundation, platform, or directly onto the floor.

futon mattress uses

Sleep Like The Dead's mattress research in The News –

About Our Unbiased Futon Mattress Reviews and Research

Our futon mattress ratings are based on at least 4,800 futon consumer reviews. Learn more about our research methodology and why you can trust our mattress reviews.