Which futon mattresses are best?
Futon mattresses are space-saving, dual-use pieces of furniture you can use for more than just typical collegiate or first-apartment needs. They’re perfect for extra seating in a living room and as guest mattresses.
The best futon mattress is the Ebern Designs Doersten 8-inch Extra Thick Japanese Futon Mattress. This futon mattress features high-quality construction that’s both supportive and durable.
What to know before you buy a futon mattress
Material
- Cotton: Cotton futons are easy to fold and transport and often are quite firm. They don’t last very long, but they make up for it by being the most affordable futon mattress by far.
- Memory foam: A better choice for futon mattresses, this material will see a lot of use, although the quality of the memory foam itself can vary greatly from mattress to mattress. Spend the extra money to purchase a better-quality memory foam. They’re also quite comfortable.
- Foam/polyester blend: Somewhere in the middle is the foam/polyester blend. Middle of the road in price, quality of construction and comfort doesn’t make it any less of an excellent choice. They’re generally rather firm.
In addition to these materials, some futon mattresses feature inner springs or metal coils, similar to those found in more traditional mattresses. That can increase the comfort of your futon mattress in either position, but it makes it more difficult to fold. They are increasingly less common.
Frame
Futon mattresses usually come without frames to hold them. However, there are some that come with a frame and others that come with a frame attached. Make sure the frame and mattress are the same size if purchasing them separately, and keep in mind the material and fold types.
Futon frames typically are wood or metal. Wood is a more classic and rustic choice while metal is more modern and — more importantly — cheaper.
Futon frames fold in either bifold or trifold patterns. Bifold frames fold lengthwise while trifold frames fold widthwise and typically fit fewer people.
What to look for in a quality futon mattress
Comfort
All the functionality in the world is useless if you hate sitting or lying on your futon mattress, which makes comfort the most important factor in deciding what to purchase. Futon mattresses with inner springs, memory foam or those that are particularly thick are your best bets, although they are higher in price.
Style and appearance
For many people, how well the futon mattress matches their sense of style and décor is a big deal. Keeping in mind the aesthetic combo of your futon mattress and frame is just as important as each piece on its own, although you can cover your mattress with a mattress cover if the futon’s comfort is better than its looks.
How much you can expect to spend on a futon mattress
Your futon mattress’s price is determined by its material, thickness and size. Most solid, average futon mattresses are in the $120-$200 price range.
Futon mattress FAQ
How long does a futon mattress typically last?
A. A futon mattress can last as long as any other type of mattress, provided you properly care for it. Generally speaking, the life span of a futon mattress is 5-10 years before it needs to be replaced.
How much does a futon mattress weigh?
A. That depends on the size and thickness of the futon mattress as well as its materials. The typical weight range is 20-100 pounds. Keep in mind that foam futon mattresses are the lightest and all-cotton futon mattresses are the heaviest.
How should you clean a futon mattress?
A. The easiest way to clean your futon mattress is to scrub it with a washcloth soaked in a mixture of warm water and mild dish soap. You can deodorize your futon mattress by sprinkling baking soda over it and vacuuming it up about an hour later.
What’s the best futon mattress to buy?
Top futon mattress
Ebern Designs Doersten 8-inch Extra Thick Japanese Futon Mattress
What you need to know: This high-quality, Japanese-style futon mattress is extra thick and comfortable.
What you’ll love: It’s 8 inches thick, so it’s got a very plush feel. It has a supportive base and provides a lot of pressure relief. The ultrasoft, quilted polyester cover is detachable and washable.
What you should consider: Due to compression during shipping, you may have to lay it out for a few days to let it expand to its full thickness.
Top futon mattress for the money
Blazing Needles Renewal 10″ Twill Futon Mattress
What you need to know: This is a solid futon mattress with medium firmness and solid comfort.
What you’ll love: The very durable twill fabric is available in several colors, and the mattress is available in three sizes.
What you should consider: Some users have reported that the mattress feels thinner over time.
Worth checking out
D&D Futon Furniture Traditional Japanese Futon Mattress
What you need to know: This is a basic and affordable futon mattress that gets the job done.
What you’ll love: It is very functional and easily portable due to its light weight; it’s also available in several colors.
What you should consider: The fabric feels a touch scratchy, and it isn’t as supportive as some would like.
Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.
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