14 mattress companies changing the game right now

From its humble, feather (or wool, or hair)-filled beginnings, the mattress has occupied a vaunted place in the world of home accoutrements. After all, it bridges an interesting divide; it’s both a utilitarian object that facilitates shut-eye, and in contemporary times, has come to convey wealth and social status. As such, mattresses—made of foam, latex, filled with springy metal coils, or otherwise—can cost modern consumers thousands of dollars. And with the promise of a good night’s sleep, the importance of which has been scientifically proven, people have long been willing to shell out the dough.

But that’s changing. Mattress-slinging upstarts are cashing in on a couple of things: millennials’ love for the internet and for all things "artisanal"; a parallel distaste for the traditional retail experience; and the lack of real competition—and the entrenchment of high prices—across the industry.

So, while you’ve likely heard of Casper, here are six other mattress companies to watch. This isn't an exhaustive list: New companies sprout up all the time, offering, in turns, sustainable sensibilities, luxury, and more. Are there favorites of yours that aren't below? Sound off in the comments.

1. Leesa

Like many of its counterparts (including Casper), Leesa offers a 100-day at-home trial for the skeptical online mattress buyer and free shipping. It is available in six sizes, from twin to California king, at a beginning price of $525. And for every ten Leesa mattresses sold, the company donates one.

2. Casper

Perhaps the best known of the bunch, New York-based Casper sells a hybrid latex/memory foam mattress in six sizes—from twin to California king—starting at $500. Casper also sells memory foam pillows and sheets. And though consumers are encouraged to buy a mattress from Casper’s online store, the company recently teamed up with West Elm to offer prospective buyers a chance to test-drive a mattress IRL.

3. Tuft & Needle

In 2014, our sister site, Recode, called Tuft & Needle the "number-one-rated mattress on Amazon." At its start, the company only offered five-inch-thick units (10 inches is today’s industry standard and currently on offer from Tuft & Needle as well). Tuft and Needle uses a proprietary foam in its products—they’ve named it T&N Adaptive Foam—which, they say, "offers a gradient of support."

4. Loom and Leaf by Saatva

Unlike its competitors, Loom and Leaf owns up to its status as a luxury item in the world of upstart mattresses—it starts at $699 for a twin—and a sustainably designed one: The company uses plant-based foams, organic cotton, and a flame retardant it says is made of thistle. The company also offers mattresses under its own name, and these and Loom and Leaf mattresses only give consumers 75 days to make up their minds or send the units back—unlike Tuft and Needle, Casper, and Leesa above, which provide a 100-day grace period.

5. Lull

100-day try-out period? Check. Packaged tightly and shipped in a compact box? Check. Made in the USA? Check. Lull offers much of what its competitors do, so your decision to buy one may come down to personal preference when it comes to the mattress’s precise firmness. Thank goodness for that generous return policy.

6. Keetsa

Keetsa, not to be confused with "keester," is a New York City-based brand that bills itself as an eco-friendly mattress. This means certified organic cotton, BioFoam, and 75% recycled paper packaging.

7. Yogabed

Compared to Casper and other, more popular brands, Yogabed differentiates itself with an additional layer of foam (four to Casper’s three, for example) and a queen mattress price of $874 (slightly above Casper’s $850). Of course, the Missouri company markets itself, like Loom and Leaf, as a luxury offerings, so one could expect to pay a bit more. You can see more details from the company’s side-by-side comparison here.

8. Helix Sleep

Unlike other one-model-fits-all companies, Helix Sleep offers 100% customization based on a short "Sleep Quiz" that considers four key metrics backed by science: feel, support, temperature regulation, and point elasticity. Each mattress is made from a layer of latex foam, steel-forged microcoils, and durable polyurethane foam, and can even be personalized on each half to accommodate two different sleeping needs. A queen starts at $900, and Helix offers the standard 100-night trial period, free shipping, and 10-year warranty.

9. Avocado Green Mattress

Avocado was borne out of a wish for a mattress that was actually green—natural, organic, and healthy. Handcrafted in the U.S. without the usual petroleum-based polyurethane foam, toxic flame retardants, and pesticides, and instead made using using 100% natural latex harvested from sustainable tree-tapped sources, natural New Zealand wool, and certified organic cotton, Avocado mattresses come at a steep price. Three options are on offer—a hybrid pillow-top that starts at $1,199 for a twin, a firm that starts at $959, and a mattress for infants and toddlers for $449.

10. Nest Bedding

Nest Bedding offers a full range of U.S.-made, natural, and organic mattresses, sheeting, and bed frames. There are currently seven different types of mattresses available, including the memory foam Alexander Signature Series ($1,199 for a queen), and the value-priced Love & Sleep model that will cost $599 for a queen.

11.Hyphen

Hyphen promises a proprietary foam that contours to your body without enveloping you, offers four types of temperature control, and provides adaptive, variable support. Made in the U.S. in their own factory, Hyphen mattresses begin at $475 for a twin and are guaranteed for up to 20 years—that's double the warranty of most competitors.

12. Purple

Also backed by science, and invented, in part, by an actual rocket scientist, Purple claims to provide the support of a firm mattress and the cradling of pressure points of a soft with a top layer made with its proprietary non-foam Hyper-Elastic Polymer. A funny little video using raw eggs puts their made-in-U.S.A. product to the test, which seemed pretty convincing to us. A queen costs $999.

13. Bedaga

Founded by a team that has created high-end furnishings for luxury brands, hotels, and residences, Los Angeles-based Bedaga offers a hybrid mattress comprising multiple layers including natural cooling latex, nano coils, and a gel-infused memory foam. A queen will cost you $1,150.

14. Cocoon by Sealy

Even mattress giant Sealy is getting in on the shippable bed game. Cocoon comes in two memory foam lines, the Classic ($699 for a queen) and the Chill ($849 for a queen), with the latter offering cooling technology. Thanks to the company's 130 years of expertise and rigorous testing labs, Cocoon is guaranteed for 10 years. And the best part? It's Oprah-approved.

Updated on 12/1/2016