Top 5 Mattresses for College & University Students

Last updated May 09, 2024

Finding the right mattress is key to getting quality sleep, which is especially important to college and university students. However, most students are on a tight budget and need an affordable mattress that will also be comfortable and durable enough to support restful sleep during academic stress and campus living. We've carried out extensive research focusing on quality, comfort, pricing and durability to help students find their ideal mattress.

Emma Sleep Hybrid Comfort

Emma logo
  • Side sleepers
  • Back sleepers
  • Stomach sleepers
Firmness:
Medium-Firm
  • Trial Period

    365 Days

  • Warranty Period

    10 Years

  • Return Fee

    Free

  • Shipping Fee

    Free

The Emma Sleep Climax Hybrid is a foam and coils mattress engineered to provide improved pressure relief side by side with advanced zoned support enhancing sleepers' comfort while enabling them to maintain a healthy position throughout the night. The mattress is excellent for college students not only on account of its good performance but also thanks to its affordable price.

The Emma Climax Hybrid is ideal for students

The Climax Hybrid is 11'' thick and has a medium-firm firmness level that is a well-suited mattress for back sleepers, for average and heavyweight side sleepers, and stomach sleepers weighing up to 250 pounds.

The mattress' two upper layers are built from responsive medium density poly foam and soft memory foam. They contour the body while at the same time give a bouncy feel reducing pressure without causing excess sinkage. The support layer consists of 8'' individually encased coils which are zoned into 5 areas targeting the shoulders, the hips and the different sections of the spine. Together with a bottom layer of highly dense poly foam, the coils curb sinkage and increase the mattress' durability.

The Climax Hybrid enables sleepers to easily reposition themselves throughout the night. It also effectively reduces heat retention. Its cover is made of breathable and moisture wicking polyester fabric. The upper foam layers are infused with graphite, which pulls heat away and transfers it outwards. The coils let fresh air penetrate into the mattress intensifying the cooling effect.

Size Options

Comparison
Twin
Price
$739.00

Dimensions
38" x 75"

Height
11"

Weight
35 lbs.
Twin XL
Price
$999.00

Dimensions
38" x 80"

Height
11"

Weight
37 lbs.
Full
Price
$1049.00

Dimensions
54" x 75"

Height
11"

Weight
48 lbs.
Queen
Price
$1199.00

Dimensions
60" x 80"

Height
11"

Weight
58 lbs.
King
Price
$1499.00

Dimensions
76" x 80"

Height
11"

Weight
72 lbs.
California King
Price
$1499.00

Dimensions
72" x 84"

Height
11"

Weight
72 lbs.

Layla Hybrid

Laaya logo
  • Side sleepers
  • Back sleepers
  • Stomach sleepers
Firmness:
SoftFirm
  • Trial Period

    120 Days

  • Warranty Period

    10 Years

  • Return Fee

    Free

  • Shipping Fee

    Free

The Layla Hybrid is a foam and coils mattress promising sleepers a healthy and comfortable night's sleep. It's not the cheapest on the market, but it's also not the most expensive. It's greatest plus is that it's flippable with two firmness levels of soft and firm, so it can fit a wide range of sleepers' weight.

The Layla Hybrid mattress is great for college and university students

The Layla Hybrid's both sides have two layers of malleable memory foam, which molds to the shape of the body, and elastic poly foam, which provides pressure relieving bounce and support. This poly foam applies innovative Surface Modification Technology creating 3-zoned support. It targets different pressure points in the body and promotes proper spinal alignment. The layers in the soft side are thicker for enhanced contouring. On the firm side, the poly foam layer is as twice as dense and hard, and is, therefore, much more supportive compared to the foam on the soft side. 

A support layer of robust 6'' low gauge individually wrapped coils generates lift keeping sleepers stable on the mattress. The coils add durability making the Layla Hybrid a good choice for students seeking a mattress which will serve them well during college and university years and beyond.

The Layla Hybrid is also a good choice for students who tend to sleep hot as it can regulate temperature well. Its cover is comprised of breathable polyester fabric. It's infused with a thermogel cooling agent to reduce heat retention. The memory foam layer contains copper, which conducts and dissipates excess thermal energy. The coils facilitate air circulation lowering temperature.

Size Options

Comparison
Twin
Price $1299.00
$1099.00

Dimensions
38" x 75"

Height
13"

Weight
67 lbs.
Twin XL
Price $1399.00
$1199.00

Dimensions
38" x 80"

Height
13"

Weight
78 lbs.
Full
Price $1599.00
$1399.00

Dimensions
54" x 75"

Height
13"

Weight
88 lbs.
Queen
Price $1699.00
$1499.00

Dimensions
60" x 80"

Height
13"

Weight
104 lbs.
King
Price $1899.00
$1699.00

Dimensions
76" x 80"

Height
13"

Weight
128 lbs.
California King
Price $1899.00
$1699.00

Dimensions
72" x 84"

Height
13"

Weight
127 lbs.

Amerisleep AS2

Amerisleep logo
  • Side sleepers
  • Back sleepers
  • Stomach sleepers
Firmness:
Medium-Firm
  • Trial Period

    100 Days

  • Warranty Period

    20 Years

  • Return Fee

    Free

  • Shipping Fee

    Free

The Amerisleep AS2 is an all-foam mattress for sleepers of a heavier build. It offers robust support while contouring the body easing pressure points. The AS2 is an excellent choice for budget-conscious students taking into account its wallet-friendly price.

The Amerisleep AS2 is the perfect mattress for students

The AS2 has only three layers, which give a medium firm feel. The first layer is made of 2'' ultra-conforming memory foam. It smoothly adjusts to the shapes and curves of the body reducing pressure. The second layer contains 3'' of super-dense 40 ILD poly foam with the purpose of countering the sinkage generated by the memory foam above. Using Surface Modification Technology, this foam is divided into 5 support zones elevating sensitive areas in the body keeping the spine close to its natural alignment. The third layer consists of 7'' hardened poly foam. It delivers additional support and enhances the mattress' overall structural integrity.

The 2'' memory foam layer prevents sleepers' movements from rippling across the surface and so increases the mattress' capacity to isolate motion enabling sleepers to enjoy quiet and peaceful nights even if their partner tends to sleep restlessly. 

Compared to other all-foam mattresses, the AS2 also dissipates heat well. Its cover is made of breathable cotton and polyester capable of drawing perspiration away from the body. The first memory foam layer has an open cell structure allowing warm air to disperse. The poly foam in the second layer is perforated reducing heat retention.

Size Options

Comparison
Twin
Price $1199.00
$699.00

Dimensions
38" x 74"

Height
12"

Weight
45 lbs.
Twin XL
Price $1249.00
$749.00

Dimensions
38" x 80"

Height
12"

Weight
49 lbs.
Full
Price $1399.00
$899.00

Dimensions
54" x 75"

Height
12"

Weight
62 lbs.
Queen
Price $1449.00
$949.00

Dimensions
60" x 80"

Height
12"

Weight
75 lbs.
King
Price $1749.00
$1249.00

Dimensions
76" x 80"

Height
12"

Weight
95 lbs.
California King
Price $1749.00
$1249.00

Dimensions
72" x 84"

Height
12"

Weight
94 lbs.
Split King - 1 Side
Price $2048.00
$1548.00

Dimensions
38" x 80"

Height
12"

Weight
49 lbs.

Vaya

  • Side sleepers
  • Back sleepers
  • Stomach sleepers
Firmness:
Medium
  • Trial Period

    100 Days

  • Warranty Period

    10 Years

  • Return Fee

    Free

  • Shipping Fee

    Free

With its simple and basic all-foam composition, the Vaya stands out as a minimalist mattress. Its pared-down design will appeal to students as it ensures not only durability and reliability but also offers unmatched affordability promising restful nights without sacrificing quality or breaking the bank.

The Vaya is an ideal mattress for students

The Vaya has a medium firmness feel. It's comprised of a 3'' comfort layer based on low density poly foam, which hugs the body giving a cozy feel and relieving pressure. A support layer of 9'' high density poly foam generates lift averting excess sinkage and adding durability to the mattress.

The Vaya performs well when it comes to motion isolation. Its thick and soft comfort layer absorbs a large portion of the kinetic energy created as a result of sleepers' movements. The mattress also enables easy repositioning. The hardened 9'' poly foam in the support layer prevents sleepers from being trapped in the mattress to the extent of not being able to move freely. 

Lastly, although the Vaya doesn't regulate temperature as well as a hybrid mattress, it's designed to remain cool even after prolonged sleep. Its polyester cover provides excellent sweat-wicking keeping the body dry. The poly foam in the support layer has an open cell structure, which allows continual airflow throughout the mattress preventing over-heating.

Size Options

Comparison
Twin
Price $749.00
$449.00

Dimensions
38" x 74"

Height
12"

Weight
41 lbs.
Twin XL
Price $849.00
$549.00

Dimensions
38" x 80"

Height
12"

Weight
44 lbs.
Full
Price $949.00
$649.00

Dimensions
54" x 75"

Height
12"

Weight
58 lbs.
Queen
Price $999.00
$699.00

Dimensions
60" x 80"

Height
12"

Weight
70 lbs.
King
Price $1199.00
$899.00

Dimensions
76" x 80"

Height
12"

Weight
89 lbs.
California King
Price $1199.00
$899.00

Dimensions
72" x 84"

Height
12"

Weight
89 lbs.

Sweet Night Breeze

Sweet Night
  • Side sleepers
  • Back sleepers
  • Stomach sleepers
Firmness:
Medium-Soft
  • Trial Period

    100 Days

  • Warranty Period

    10 Years

  • Return Fee

    Free

  • Shipping Fee

    Free

The SweetNight Breeze is a budget-friendly all-foam mattress that serves as an excellent choice for dorm rooms. Despite its low cost, it exhibits good performance regarding pressure relieving contouring and support. The mattress is also distinguished by its high capacity for motion isolation and efficient cooling features.

The Sweetnight Breeze is an excellent choice for dorm rooms

The SweetNight Breeze gives a comfy medium-soft feel nestling the body. Its top layer is made of slow-responding memory foam, which reduces pressure and soothes the muscles. A transition layer containing medium density poly foam provides extra contouring without causing too much sinkage. The bottom layer consists of dense poly foam. This mattress helps by elevating the body increasing sleepers' stability. It also reinforces the mattress, placing it among the most durable mattresses sold online

The SweetNight Breeze promises sleepers a restful night's sleep. Its upper memory foam layer effectively isolates sleepers movements. The poly foam layer below assists by reducing motion transfer.

The mattress also does a wonderful job reducing heat retention. Its cover is made of rayon and cotton. The foam in the transition layer has a mesh-like structure. Both the cover and the transition layer are highly breathable enabling the mattress to cool fast. The memory foam layer contains gel. This gel disperses the heat which still remains in the mattress. 

Size Options

Comparison
Full
Price
$537.00

Dimensions
54" x 74"

Height
8"

Weight
45.43 lbs.
Queen
Price
$717.00

Dimensions
60" x 80"

Height
10"

Weight
62.92 lbs.
Full
Price
$732.00

Dimensions
54" x 74"

Height
12"

Weight
70.4 lbs.
King
Price
$1047.00

Dimensions
76" x 80"

Height
12"

Weight
97.9 lbs.
Mattress Comparison
Emma Sleep Hybrid ComfortLayla HybridAmerisleep AS2VayaSweet Night Breeze
Sleep positions
Upgradable
Firmness
Soft firmness
Medium firmness
Firm firmness
Medium soft firmness
Medium firm firmness
Returns policy
Free return shipping
Returns fee0
Sleep positions
Back sleepers
Front sleepers
Side sleepers
Trial & warranty
Trial period365120100100100
Lifetime warranty
Warranty period1010201010

Conclusion

The five mattresses presented in this article truly epitomize the perfect blend for students: unmatched comfort, lasting durability, and above all, affordability. Despite their modest price tags, they deliver outstanding performance ensuring students a healthy and comfortable night's sleep.

FAQ

Where are the mattresses reviewed in this article manufactured?

The mattress mentioned in this article are made in America ensuring you'll receive top-notch quality.

How are the mattresses delivered?

Each one of the mattresses discussed in this article will arrive at your door encased in plastic and neatly rolled inside a box. You're expected to set up your new mattress by yourself. Worry not, it's easy, straightforward and tool-free. You'll receive a clear instruction guide.

Will the company agree to help me set up the new mattress and remove the old one?

Not all mattress companies in the U.S. market offer white glove delivery. Among the mattresses we've discussed, only Emma provides this service, and it comes with an additional fee.

Are these mattresses shipped to Alaska and Hawaii?

Of the companies which appear in this article, Emma and Layla ship their mattresses to Alaska and Hawaii. Layla demands an extra fee for shipping outside the contiguous USA. Emma does it for free.

Do these mattresses need a special foundation?

The mattresses discussed in this article work well with most of the sleep platforms available on the market provided that they offer adequate support. Every company provides its own guidelines regarding the optimal platforms for its mattresses. Generally speaking, if you opt for a slat bed, ensure the spacing between the slats is no more than 5''.

Are there any financing options for purchasing the mattresses reviewed in this article?

The mattress companies highlighted in this article work with third-party financiers, which offer various plans meant to assist customers in purchasing a new mattress, for instance fixed monthly payments with zero or low APR or buying now and paying in a future date. To learn more, go to the mattress companies' websites.