The Leesa twin mattress takes the weaknesses of traditional memory foam mattresses — namely lack of circulation and sinking — and turns them on their head. A tri-layered foam design provides breathability along with the support that some memory foam models seriously lack. We wanted to see if this mattress held up to its promises and whether or not it was truly suited to all sleep styles. Keep reading to see our take on Leesa’s popular bed-in-a-box offering.
Delivery and Setup: Simple, fast, but tough to move
Once purchased, the Leesa twin mattress took eight days to arrive. A one-week delivery isn’t too bad for something the size and weight of a mattress. When the box showed up on our front porch, it was hard to see how a mattress of any size could fit in a box so small. The length of the mattress was significantly reduced thanks to an airtight vacuum seal. It was then rolled to fit in a 15 x 15 x 45-inch box, which was a feat that certainly impressed us. The four-step instructions were easily visible on the box’s inner flap. While we’d never purchased a bed-in-a-box before, the instructions were clear and self-explanatory. Getting the mattress out of the box wasn’t hard, per se, but removing a 42-pound shrink-wrapped bundle did have us breaking a sweat. To get the mattress out, we had to cut through multiple layers of industrial plastic. Once we did, though, the mattress pretty much rolled out of the plastic wrap without a hitch. As soon as the plastic was removed, we could hear a hiss as air slowly seeped into the vacuum-sealed bag. While still vacuum sealed, the mattress is only three inches thick. Once the bag is cut, though, it expanded to nine inches within two minutes. It didn’t reach its full ten-inch height for another hour, but according to the directions, that was to be expected. After the packaging is removed, there are a lot of leftovers; there’s the box, a bag that holds the mattress, the plastic wrap, and the airtight bag. Just hope that the mattress arrives close to recycling day! You’re supposed to open the mattress on the bed frame where it will be used, eliminating the need to move it once it’s fully decompressed. That’s not how it worked out during testing, however. For one, we wanted it to have a chance to air out before using it because, like most foam mattresses, there was a slight chemical smell. (The smell dissipated within 48 hours.) And two, more than one person was going to test it so it needed to be moved to different rooms. We’re pretty sure there are no handles on the mattress because it’s supposed to be placed immediately on the bed where it will be used. However, we found the lack of handles to be a problem. Moving the mattress wasn’t easy and took more than one person. We eventually put it in its permanent home on the top rack of a bunk bed, where it will be used by our son. In theory, a lack of handles would work if the mattress were never moved, but, let’s face it, most people move at some point and handles would definitely help. Leesa’s mattress cover has a high-quality look and feels like a soft blanket — so not your usual mattress cover. We really like that it’s removable and washable. Considering that a lot of twin mattresses end up in children’s rooms (as this one did), the ability to rip it off and throw it in the wash is a big deal.
Comfort: Firm foam for stomach and back sleepers
The Leesa twin mattress is comprised of three foam layers: a 2-inch breathable, cooling layer, a 2-inch memory foam layer, and a dense 6-inch support layer. The first two offer the conforming characteristics that give this mattress the ability to work for all three sleep positions (stomach, back, and side), while the support layer prevents the sinking and bowing that’s sometimes associated with memory foam mattresses. The first time we laid on this mattress we could feel the mix of foam layers at work as our body didn’t immediately sink in. Rather, it offered a gentle cushion with firm support underneath. The foam doesn’t conform to your body right away, which makes this mattress feel firmer at first. In fact, it definitely felt firmer than expected for a mattress that’s rated a 5 on a 1 to 10 firmness scale. However, we had more than one tester sleep a few nights on the Leesa to make sure that it wasn’t just one person’s experience. Over an eight-day period, four testers in our household — ranging in weight from 125 to 180 pounds — took turns trying out the Leesa. It’s designed for all sleep styles, but in our experience, back sleepers found it more comfortable than stomach or side sleepers — the latter who generally need softer support around the curve of their hips and shoulders. However, our lone stomach sleeper thought it did prevent their back from bowing, which often happens with memory foam mattresses. Memory foam mattresses are known for trapping body heat, but Leesa’s cooling layer did an excellent job of allowing air to circulate. The nights were warm during testing, and no one complained of overheating. The mattress’ abundance of foam also does a great job of limiting motion transfer. While most people won’t be sharing a twin mattress, it doesn’t bounce or shake every time you move positions, which can be helpful for light or restless sleepers. We found it was also incredibly quiet, which is great for a mattress that may be used in a shared room or bunk bed. If you’re used to squeaky innersprings or box springs, you’ll be pleasantly surprised with how little sound this mattress makes.
Durability: Watch out for the edges
As we jumped into some extra research, we found that there have been some complaints about edge support. Edge support can be an issue with foam mattresses in general, especially mattress-in-a-box models as they don’t have the same interior structure as an innerspring or hybrid mattress. Reviewers who sit on the edge of the bed to dress or put shoes on seemed to have the most difficulty. If your bed is the staging area for your daily routine, this mattress may not have the edge support you need. However, reviewers noted this issue didn’t show up until almost a year of daily use, which is well beyond the 100-day trial period. In our few weeks of testing, we didn’t encounter this issue.
Other Considerations: Warranty and social responsibility
The Leesa comes with a few other perks worth noting. First, the 100-day risk-free trial provides some assurance that your money won’t be wasted on a mattress you don’t like. As long as you live in the continental United States, you can return the mattress for free within the trial period. All Leesa mattresses have a 10-year limited warranty for things like indentations that are over one inch deeper than the original surface and, of course, any manufacturing defects. Every Leesa mattress purchase also comes with an additional item. In this case, we received two down alternative (microfiber) pillows. We found it odd that the pillows took a few days longer to ship than the mattress, but they were high quality and similar in size, texture, and malleability to down pillows. As a company, Leesa strives to be socially responsible. For every ten mattresses purchased, they donate one to various shelters that help the homeless, those at domestic risk, and victims of human trafficking. They also have a tree planting initiative and encourage their employees to participate in community service. If you want to support a company that gives back to the community with their products, Leesa is a great option.
Price: Worth it
At $595, Leesa’s twin mattress isn’t cheap. You can find well-reviewed memory foam options from budget brands like Linenspa and Zinus for anywhere from $100 to $250, but when compared to other high-end bed-in-a-box brands like Casper and Purple, its price is comparable if not a little lower. When you consider Leesa’s 10-year warranty and the fact that it’s smart to replace a mattress every eight to ten years anyway, you’ll get a lot of use out of the mattress — especially if you have multiple children who will cycle through it before upgrading to a full- or queen-size model.
Competition: It’s all about your sleep style and comfort level
Mattresses can be a tough product to compare because comfort depends so much on personal preference. Height, weight, and sleep style all come into play, influencing whether the mattress helps or hinders your rest. The Leesa is designed to offer conforming comfort for the average (in height and weight) person of all sleep styles. In our experience, however, it seemed to provide better support and comfort for heavier people who were back or stomach sleepers. In comparison, we also tested an original foam twin mattress from Purple, another popular bed-in-a-box option that retails for $649. Purple uses trademarked comfort grid technology to increase airflow and reduce pressure on the body. It was — by far — more conforming and comfortable for all the side sleepers in our household. It has air flow that’s similar to the Leesa, but your body sinks far deeper into the Purple. Side sleepers will probably be better off with a Purple, but back and stomach sleepers may find themselves sinking too deep for comfort. The companies have similar trial periods, warranties, and delivery times, though it was easier to get the Leesa out of its box than it was to get the Purple out of its bag. While both the Leesa and Purple lack handles, the Purple was far harder to move because it lacked the rigid support of the Leesa. Basically, it flopped around like a fish. So, if you move frequently in your sleep, you might want to opt for something firmer like the Leesa. The Leesa works best for back sleepers and adults, whose weight will help them better settle into the foam. Ultimately, we would recommend side sleepers opt for something softer and more conforming, like Purple’s Original Twin Mattress.
