The best mattresses for Airbnbs & vacation rentals
Find the best mattress for your Airbnb with options for every budget and style. Our guide covers top choices to boost guest comfort and increase ratings.
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Choosing the best mattress for your Airbnb or vacation rental is one of the easiest ways to increase guest satisfaction and get 5-star reviews. Properties with premium mattresses often get better overall ratings, attract more bookings, and can even command higher nightly rates. Simply put, great sleep translates to happy guests, and happy guests leave glowing reviews.
To help you find the best mattress for your rental, we’ve tapped into the extensive hosting expertise of the HostGPO team, analyzed real guest feedback (both good and bad), and conducted our own personal sleep trials. This guide tells you everything you need to know, so you can choose the perfect mattress for your property—and your bottom line.
We realized our members really needed an affordable, quick-ship mattress that could stand up to high turnover properties, so we worked with our partner, Helix, to create an exclusive, high-quality, durable mattress at the best possible price for vacation and rental properties. It quickly became a best-seller and STR industry standard.
This mattress features the same hybrid coil and foam construction as the popular Helix Midnight, but with a slimmer 10” profile, a simple encasement, and a significantly lower price point.
Plus, each mattress is made to order in Arizona and ships within 15 days of ordering, so it’s never left sitting in a warehouse or shipping container for months. This means it arrives fresh, expands fully, and maintains its original height and comfort from day one. They’re so good that they even made our list of the top 10 vacation rental and Airbnb must-haves.
Specs:
- Thickness: 10”
- Type: Hybrid foam and coil
Things to note:
- Made to order in the US
- Free shipping
- Ships within 5-15 business days
- 10-year warranty
- Exclusive product only available to HostGPO members
The Helix Midnight Luxe is consistently ranked as one of the best mattresses for consumers, and is also our top choice for luxury vacation rental properties.
It features advanced zoned lumbar support to promote proper spinal alignment and pressure relief, and its high-density foam and individually wrapped coils create the perfect balance of plushness and support, accommodating a wide range of sleep preferences. Plus, the breathable TENCEL™ cover further enhances airflow, ensuring a cool and comfortable sleep experience for any type of sleeper.
Specs:
- Thickness: 13.5”
- Type: Hybrid memory foam and coil
Things to note:
- Made to order in the US
- Free shipping
- Ships within 5-15 business days
- Hypoallergenic cooling cover
- 15-year warranty
Mattress accessories: what you really need
Creating a comfortable sleep environment in your property goes beyond the mattress. Two essential accessories, mattress protectors and toppers, play distinct roles in enhancing the guest experience and maintaining hygiene standards.
Mattress protectors
Not everyone needs a mattress topper, but everyone needs a mattress protector. A mattress protector is an essential investment for every vacation rental host to protect your mattress investment and ensure a clean and hygienic sleep environment for guests.
We recommend the Standard Textile AllerEase Platinum protector. It completely encases your mattress to protect against spills, bed bugs, dust mites, and allergens, yet the top is easily removable for easy washing between guest stays.
Mattress toppers
A high-quality mattress topper can elevate guest comfort, especially when paired with a more budget-friendly or sofa bed mattress. In warm climates, consider a breathable latex topper that helps regulate temperature throughout the night. Alternatively, in colder climates, a down topper adds an extra layer of warmth and coziness, ensuring guests stay comfortable regardless of the weather.
The Helix Dusk Elite perfectly accompanies top-tier properties. Its multi-layered design combines premium memory foam, high-density polyfoam, and pocketed coils to provide the ideal balance of plushness and support.
What truly sets this mattress apart is its advanced GlacioTex™ cooling technology, which regulates temperature for all-night comfort, along with two layers of individually wrapped micro coils that enhance cushioning and relieve back pressure. Plus, you can switch out the mattress top inserts from soft to firm to accommodate your guests' sleep preferences. Just imagine the impression you’ll make when you email guests in advance, asking how firm they’d like their mattress—talk about next-level hospitality!
Specs:
- Thickness: 16”
- Type: Hybrid foam and micro-coils
Things to note:
- Made to order in the US
- Free shipping
- Ships within 5-15 business days
- GlacioTex™ cooling technology
- Customizable firmness inserts
- 15-year warranty
For hosts setting up properties on a budget, this mattress is a reliable and cost-effective choice that gets the job done without compromising guest comfort. While all-foam mattresses typically don’t offer the same durability or edge support as hybrid or coil options, they excel in noise reduction—perfect for minimizing disruptions in shared rooms or during short stays.
Specs:
- Thickness: 9”
- Type: Foam
Things to note:
- Made to order in the US
- Free shipping
- Ships within 5-15 business days
- Not recommended for mid-term rentals or longer stays
Best mattress for guest rooms vs. best mattress for primary room in vacation rentals
The most important thing to get potential guests to hit “book” is positive guest reviews. That's why the primary bedroom, where the booker/reviewer is most likely to sleep, deserves the best mattress. And while the disparity shouldn’t be too great, you can get by with a slightly lesser quality mattress in secondary bedrooms. This strategy enables you to use your budget where it matters most.
We often recommend the powerful one-two combo of the Helix Midnight Luxe in the primary suite, and the HostGPO | Helix Hospitality mattress in the other rooms.
According to a VRBO study, 59% of travelers are willing to increase their spending if it means their trip is more sustainable. The Birch Natural Mattress is a great way to make your property eco-friendly.
Crafted with GOTS-certified organic cotton, New Zealand wool, and sustainably sourced natural latex, it’s free from polyurethane foams, formaldehyde, and pesticides—earning both GREENGUARD Gold and GOTS certifications. It’s breathable, hypoallergenic, and it’s a sleep doctor favorite.
Specs:
- Thickness: 11”
- Type: Hybrid latex and coils
Things to note:
- Made to order in the US
- Free shipping
- Ships within 1-2 weeks
- 25-year warranty
Why you should never go smaller than a queen
Full beds might seem like a space-saving option, but it's important to remember that they fall short of the industry standard for double occupancy on most booking platforms. This means that you can only allow one guest per full sized bed.
So don’t skimp on your mattress size and always opt for a queen or, if you have the space, a king.
Polysleep is a Canadian-based company, and all mattresses ship for free to properties in all Canadian provinces. Their Origin Mattress is our pick due to its medium-firm comfort and durability.
This mattress has a unique foam base, made of millions of foam cells, which provides excellent back support, prevents sinking, and motion-isolating technology, so even if one guest tosses and turns, their partner can sleep soundly.
It’s also antimicrobial, so it resists allergens like dust mites and bacteria to help keep your property fresh. And the removable, water-resistant cover is machine washable, making upkeep simple and hassle-free.
Specs:
- Thickness: 10”
- Type: Foam
Things to note:
- Free shipping to all 48 contiguous United States and Canada
- Ships in 2-10 business days
- 10-year warranty
Bunk beds and trundles are excellent ways to optimize space in your property, but they often require a thinner mattress. The low-profile 7” Dreamfoam Doze high-density foam mattress will fit perfectly without compromising comfort. It consists of a 6.5" foam core with a .75” quilted top layer for comfort. Because it's made of foam, it offers quiet sleep, preventing noise transfer between the bunks.
Specs:
- Thickness: 7”
- Type: Foam
Things to note:
- Made in the US
- Free shipping
- Lifetime warranty
- High-density foam support
Best types of mattresses for Airbnbs: foam vs. coil vs. hybrid
Are you deciding between foam, coil, or a hybrid mattress for your vacation rental? Here's a quick guide:
- Foam: Great at isolating motion and minimizing sleep disruptions. However, foam can trap heat, so look for cooling technology. It also lacks the edge support that coils provide, which can compromise comfort for guests of all sizes as well as durability.
- Coil: Coils have a breathable design that promotes airflow, ensuring a cooler sleep, while the reinforced edges enhance stability and prevent sagging. However, coil mattresses may transmit motion and generate noise, potentially impacting sensitive guests. This is a great choice for budget-conscious guests and solo travelers.
- Hybrid: Combining a supportive coil base with foam or latex layers, hybrids cater to diverse guest preferences and body types, ensuring a comfortable sleep experience. They excel in motion isolation, reducing disturbances for guests sharing the bed, and provide temperature regulation through their breathable construction.
Thanks to its thoughtful three-layer design, the Leesa Original twin mattress is a great choice for daybeds. Since daybeds often have sidewalls that can restrict airflow, this mattress features a cooling foam top layer to enhance ventilation and provide a cooler, more comfortable night’s sleep.
The middle layer is crafted from memory foam, delivering excellent body contouring and pressure relief for optimal comfort. Plus, the Leesa Original is GREENGUARD Gold Certified, guaranteeing low VOC emissions and a healthier environment for your guests.
Specs:
- Thickness: 10”
- Type: Foam
Things to note:
- Made to order in the US
- Free shipping
- 10-year warranty
- Memory foam with a breathable top layer
Sofa beds are a great way to increase your nightly occupancy but can be detrimental to your guests’ comfort. That’s why choosing a quality sofa mattress is so important.
Our pick is the AirDream Hypoallergenic Inflatable Mattress by Leggett & Platt–unlike standard sofa bed mattresses, the AirDream features patented air-over-coil technology that eliminates the lumps and bumps typically found in traditional designs, delivering consistent support and a smooth, even surface for a restful night’s sleep.
Plus, the included handheld electric pump makes setting it up and storing it a breeze, and the hypoallergenic material offers allergy sufferers a cleaner, irritation-free sleep environment.
Specs:
- Thickness: 11”
- Type: Air and coils
Things to note:
- Ships free with Amazon Prime
- Include a patch kit with the mattress in case of punctures
- Inflatable mattresses may not be as supportive as traditional mattresses
Standing 8 inches shorter in length than a standard queen mattress (74" L), the Helix Midnight “Short” Queen fits perfectly in rooms with limited floor space or alcoves.
This mattress retains all the pressure-relieving and supportive qualities of the Helix Midnight mattress collection, ensuring guests enjoy a restful sleep experience. And it’s a versatile way to maximize space efficiency.
Specs:
- Thickness: 11.5”
- Type: Hybrid foam and coil
Things to note:
- Made to order in the US
- Free shipping
- Ships within 5-15 business days
- 10-year warranty
- 8” shorter than a standard queen mattress
How much should you spend on a mattress for your Airbnb?
While it’s tempting to save money on a budget mattress, skimping on quality can lead to unhappy guests, negative reviews, and more frequent replacements.
So, what’s the right amount to spend? It depends on your rental type. Here’s a breakdown of recommended mattress budgets for a queen-size bed:
Budget rentals: Up to $500
If your property caters to budget-conscious travelers, a mattress under $500 can still offer decent comfort. Look for options with good support and durability, but be prepared to replace them more often. Spending a bit more upfront can save you money in the long run by reducing wear and tear.
Standard rentals: Up to $1,200
For mid-range properties that attract families, business travelers, and vacationers, guests expect a higher level of comfort. Investing up to $1,200 in a hybrid or memory foam mattress can provide a balance of durability and luxury, leading to better sleep and more positive reviews. You can also balance your budget by providing a higher end mattress in the primary suite and a slightly lower version in other rooms.
Luxury rentals: $2,500+
If you run a high-end, luxury property, your guests expect top-tier comfort. Investing $2,500 or more in a premium mattress—such as high-quality memory foam, latex, or hybrid models—creates a five-star sleep experience. This can boost guest satisfaction, encourage glowing reviews, and increase repeat bookings.
Why you should trust us
Real hosting experience
Our team consists of hosts with diverse backgrounds and experiences in hosting vacation rental properties. This means we have firsthand knowledge of different types of properties, guest preferences, and the specific needs that arise in various situations. Whether it’s a beachfront condo, a cozy cabin in the mountains, or a luxurious urban apartment, our team members have likely encountered similar scenarios and can offer tailored advice based on our experiences.
Guest insights
As hosts ourselves, we know that the real final say comes from guests. Our recommendations are informed not only by our experience managing properties, but also by feedback from real guests who have stayed in our units.
Objective recommendations
While each team member may have their own preferences, our recommendations are based on a collective assessment of various factors, including quality, affordability, and suitability for different types of vacation rentals. We strive to provide objective guidance that aligns with the needs and preferences of a broad range of hosts and their guests.
Continuous learning and improvement
Our team is committed to staying updated on the latest trends, innovations, and best practices in the vacation rental industry. We actively seek out new information, test different products, and adapt our recommendations accordingly. This dedication to ongoing learning ensures that our advice remains relevant and valuable to hosts, regardless of their level of experience.
Community insights
HostGPO fosters a sense of community, where members can share their experiences, ask for advice, and learn from one another. We (and in turn, you) benefit from a wealth of collective insights and knowledge.
