- We have spent more than 1,000 hours researching and testing the top mattresses on the market and consulting with 21 sleep experts to compile our recommendations.
- Our testers have evaluated more than 100 models and recorded our findings on a 42-question standardized testing form to identify standout features and services, document issues with each product, and describe our personal experience lying on each mattress.
- We pay close attention to specific considerations that sleepers of all ages seek, as identified by respondents in our surveys of 1,200 mattress owners. This includes price, features, and the set-up process.
- We evaluate factors specific to RV owners, like space, maneuverability, ease of setup, and price.
- Learn more about .Learn more about our how we tested the best mattresses for RVs.
Key takeaways
- The Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid is our pick for the best mattress for an RV overall due to its affordable price, ease of maneuverability and setup, and comfort.
- Based on our research, RV mattresses need to be durable, easy to maneuver and set up, cost-effective, and come in sizes that offer reduced dimensions.
- The mattresses for an RV we chose can cost between $665–$2,874 or more, depending on size, construction, and materials.
- Depending on your space, any mattress may accommodate an RV.
Buying an RV may be one of the most exciting purchases of your life. The appeal of traveling while having the comforts of home at your fingertips makes them a highly sought form of transportation.
Making sure your RV is outfitted to your taste and comfort level is key when preparing for life on wheels, even if it’s only temporary. While the bedroom in your RV is likely smaller than your bedroom at home, it doesn’t mean you have to sleep any less comfortably. Not getting enough good quality sleep can make everyday life more challenging, but it can be downright dangerous if you are on the road. In some cases, sleep deprivation is more consequential on driving performance than alcohol.
“Sleep plays a vital role in our mental health and general well-being. A lack of sleep can have a significant impact on our mood, cognition, and overall health,” said Rachel Ragsdale, founder of Braincode Centers, a mental health care clinic based in Colorado.
Setting up your RV with the best mattress for you can help ensure you’re energized and alert each day. To help you narrow down the options, our Handbook Team tested and evaluated more than 100 mattresses to find you the best mattresses for RVs. While some brands offer RV-specific mattresses, we chose the best from the mattresses we’ve tested, considering affordability, ease of setup, and versatility while highlighting each bed’s top features. Continue reading to see our top picks.
5 best mattresses for RVs of 2024
- Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid: Best mattress for an RV overall
- Helix Midnight Luxe: Best luxury mattress for an RV
- Nolah Signature: Best mattress for back pain for an RV
- Titan Plus: Best mattress for heavier people for an RV
- Plank Firm: Best firm mattress for an RV
Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid: Best mattress for an RV overall
Why Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid is our pick for best mattress for an RV overall
For many people, outfitting their RV with a high-quality mattress may not be feasible. Since a mattress is a big investment, we chose the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid as our best mattress for an RV overall because it offers an affordable price, easy setup, and good quality.
Who may want to use the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid: Back sleepers who need a lot of pressure relief or those who switch positions or need help with mobility due to its responsive Good responsiveness means the mattress has a bouncier surface that responds to pressure or the sleeper’s movements, making it easier to move around and switch positions. surface and layers of high-density memory foam.
Who may want to avoid the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid: Couples who are easily disturbed by their partner’s movements may want a mattress that isolates motion better.
Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid tester insights
Our testers think the Signature Hybrid is a great fit for back sleeping and like the contouring in the lower back. The mattress evenly distributes our weight and keeps the spine in a neutral position A position that allows for the spine to maintain its natural curves at the neck (cervical), middle (thoracic), and lower (lumbar) regions. n. We like how this mattress is on the softer side of medium, offering decent pressure relief for side sleepers and high pressure relief for back sleepers. We even think it’s supportive enough for some lighter-weight (under 130 pounds) and average-weight (130–250 pounds) stomach sleepers. But higher-weight (over 250 pounds) stomach sleepers will likely need something firmer and more supportive.
One potential concern is that the mattress only offers average edge support Edge support is the bed’s strength and stability around the perimeter. . There’s a dipping sensation as you gravitate toward the edge of the mattress and a general feeling of instability. Sleepers who need to use the full surface area of the bed may want to explore other options.
The Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid comes roll-packed inside a box, making it easier to unbox and install in your RV.
From one of our Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid testers:
“The mattress is a bit on the softer side, which makes it comfortable for back sleepers, and it could also be good for side sleepers. It has a cushiony feel, but it’s met with a slightly firm material underneath.”
For more information, read out Brooklyn Bedding mattress review and our round up of the best affordable mattresses.
Helix Midnight Luxe: Best luxury mattress for an RV
Why the Helix Midnight Luxe is our pick for best luxury mattress for an RV
We choose the Helix Midnight Luxe as the best luxury mattress for an RV because it offers a plush yet supportive feel and is available in a shorter size that’s perfect for RVs. The short queen size is 74 inches long, compared to the regular-size queen, which is 80 inches long, providing RV owners six inches of extra space to use in their RV. While the mattress is softer due to its plush pillow top, the deeper layers of high-density memory foam offer a high level of support, making it ideal for almost all sleep positions.
Who may want to use the Helix Midnight Luxe: Lighter-weight (under 130 pounds) and average-weight (130–250 pounds) back and side sleepers may enjoy the contouring from the pillow top but should still feel supported by the mattress’s layers of high-density foam. Stomach sleepers of all body types may like the strong support that helps keep hips elevated and the spine neutral.
Who may want to avoid the Helix Midnight Luxe: People on a budget may want a more affordable option, and higher-weight side and back sleepers may need something firmer.
Callout Box: While the Helix Midnight Luxe offers a short queen that’s great for RVs, if you want a more affordable short queen mattress, you may want to consider the Nolah Original Hybrid.
Helix Midnight Luxe tester insights
Our testers feel the Helix Midnight Luxe offers a comfortable feel due to its plush pillow top, which is great for sleepers who like to feel cradled and enjoy a high amount of contouring in their mattress. Despite that pillowy feel, our testers still note the deeper layers of the mattress— which are made from zoned, high-density memory foam—provide enough support for stomach sleeping and help keep the spine neutral in all other sleep positions.
The Helix Midnight Luxe comes rolled up inside a box, allowing easier portability.
From one of our Helix Midnight Luxe testers:
“I’m surprised how such a plush surface can provide enough support for stomach sleeping, but it’s really comfortable.”
Read more about the Helix mattresses in our Helix review.
Nolah Signature: Best mattress for back pain for an RV
Why the Nolah Signature is our pick as best RV mattress for back pain
We chose the Nolah Signature as the mattress for back pain for an RV because it scored high in support and pressure relief, making it ideal for multiple positions and a variety of sleepers.
Who may want to use the Nolah Signature: People interested in an all-foam mattress that offers a high amount of pressure relief as well as support in the lumbar region.
Who may want to avoid the Nolah Signature: Sleepers with mobility issues may need a mattress that provides more bounce.
Nolah Signature tester insights
Our testers gave this mattress a 4 out of 5 in overall support and a 4.5 out of 5 in pressure relief (while on our back), which makes it a good choice for back sleepers who like a soft, contouring feel but need a high level of support. When lying on our backs on this bed, we feel more “on top” of it than “in” it. Our spine remains neutral while our weight is evenly distributed. While Nolah rated this a 5 out of 10 for firmness, we found it significantly firmer and rated it 7.5 out of 10, making it a firm mattress. In addition to this mattress’s solid support, its level of firmness is one reason we think higher-weight (over 250 pounds) sleepers may like this mattress.
Despite being all foam with a low bounce score, our testers think the Nolah Signature offers a good amount of responsiveness, so they didn’t find it too hard to switch positions. While it has a firmer feel, our testers also believe there’s enough contouring for side and back sleepers to be comfortable. The layers of zoned Airfoam offer additional support in the lumbar region for back sleepers.
The Nolah Signature comes rolled up inside a box, making it easier to load into your RV and install.
From one of our Nolah Signature testers:
“I didn’t expect this mattress to be as firm as it is, but we also found it offers pressure relief while on our backs and sides. I think lighter-weight side sleepers may want something softer.”
Nolah Signature is our pick for the best mattress
While the Nolah Signature is our pick for the best mattress for people with back pain for an RV, if you’re interested in a hybrid mattress, you may want to consider the DreamCloud hybrid model.
Read more about Nolah mattresses in our Nolah review.
Titan Plus: Best RV mattress for heavier people
Why the Titan Plus is our pick as best RV mattress for heavier people
The Titan Plus is our pick as the best mattress for heavier people with an RV because it has high-density foams and durable TitanCore coils that provide the high level of support these sleepers need. While the Titan Plus offers a firm feel, its 900-plus coils offer contouring and responsiveness to ensure sleepers feel some cradling and can easily move around.
Who may want to use the Titan Plus: Higher-weight sleepers who like a firm sleep experience and need a lot of support.
Who may want to avoid Titan Plus: Lighter- or average-weight side sleepers may want to explore softer options that offer more pressure relief.
Titan Plus tester insights
Our testers think the Titan Plus is a solid choice for higher-weight sleepers of all types. While it’s high on the firmness scale, the quilted top offers additional cradling, which provides some soft contour. Titan gave this mattress a 9 out of 10, but while we agree this is a firmer mattress, we feel it’s more in line with an 8 out of 10. Back and side sleepers should like the high level of pressure relief this mattress provides, while stomach sleepers should get the support they need to stay aligned.
The Titan Plus comes rolled up inside a box for easy maneuverability and setup in your RV.
From one of our Titan Plus testers:
“I feel like I’m lying on the surface without sinking in. I like how it supports my weight evenly.”
If you want a mattress
If you want a mattress with a softer feel suitable for higher-weight sleepers, consider the Emma Hybrid Comfort.
Read more about Titan in our best mattresses for heavy people review.
Plank Firm: Best firm mattress for an RV
Why the Plank Firm is our pick for best firm mattress for an RV
The Plank Firm is a great choice for RV owners looking for a firm mattress because it offers a flippable design with two different firmness levels in three different RV king sizes.
This mattress is also one of the more affordable picks on our list at $1,332 for a queen-size before discounts.
Who may want to use the Plank Firm: Higher-weight (over 250 pounds) sleepers or anyone who likes a firmer mattress or is undecided about the level of firmness they need.
Who may want to avoid the Plank Firm: Lighter-weight (under 130 pounds) side and back sleepers who want contouring and pressure relief from their mattress.
Plank Firm tester insights
The Plank Firm is one of the firmest mattresses we’ve tested and is well-suited for higher-weight sleepers and people who need a lot of support from their mattress. Our testers rate it as an ideal pick for higher-weight sleepers of all styles due to its layers of high-density foam. Our testers note that lighter-weight side and back sleepers will most likely experience the Plank Firm as too firm but that lighter-weight stomach sleepers may appreciate how the surface of the mattress helps their hips stay lifted and their spine neutral.
The Plank Firm comes rolled up inside a box for easy handling and setup.
From one of our Plank Firm testers:
“I find this mattress very easy to change position on because I don’t have to fight the material to move.”
Read more about Plank in our best firm mattress review.
How we test and choose the best mattresses for RVs
The Handbook Team has researched many mattresses online and in person and hand-selected about 130 (and counting) of the best models to test. We’ve also surveyed 1,200 total shoppers (in two 600-people surveys) and interviewed recent mattress customers to understand the buying process and how their new bed has impacted their sleep quality, physical health, and mental wellness.
According to our survey
According to our survey, about 80 percent of all respondents said their new mattress helps them sleep better, and 65 percent reported improved mental health.
Our mattress testing process
Purchase mattress as mystery shoppers.
Set up mattress in testing lab.
Lie on mattress and rank firmness.
Lie on back, side, and stomach to find the best sleeping position.
Place 10-pound ball in mattress center and measure sinkage.
Find biggest pressure points using pressure map reading.
Evaluate cooling capabilities by recording temperature differences.
Drop 10-pound ball onto mattress to measure bounce score.
Test motion isolation.
Test edge support.
Calculate composite “family” scores.
First-hand testing experience
The Handbook Team hand-tests every mattress we review. We evaluate brands and models by recording our findings on a 42-question standardized testing form to identify standout features and services, document issues with each product, and describe our personal experience lying on each mattress.
For mattresses for RVs, we pay specific attention to factors like durability, ease of setup, materials used, price, and whether or not the mattress is available in smaller dimensions that are best suited to RVs.
Mattress surveys and interviews
We pay close attention to specific considerations that sleepers of all ages seek, as identified by respondents in our surveys of 1,200 total people. These include price, features, and the setup process. We also interview real people to better understand the motivations behind shopping for a new mattress and the benefits of purchasing one.
Objective and honest ratings
We use information from our surveys, focus groups, and expert interviews to determine the most important features in our brand and mattress testing scorecards. Our roundups cater to different needs, so we filter the best mattresses uniquely to fit each review.
We also weigh the following factors to determine an overall rating for each brand we recommend.
| Factor | Weight | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Customer Service | 15 percent | Customer care center hours, support options |
| Brand Reputation | 10 percent | Years in business, lawsuits & class actions against this company |
| Features | 20 percent | Size options, firmness options, weight capacity, add-ons included (free sleep accessories) |
| User Experience | 35 percent | White glove delivery, CERTIPUR-US certifications, risk-free trials |
| Affordability | 20 percent | Price, warranty, promotions |
What is the difference between an RV mattress and a regular mattress?
While there is no universal size for an RV mattress, mattresses used in RVs tend to be smaller and narrower than other standard mattresses. They’re designed to be more compact since space in RVs tends to be more limited than in a regular bedroom. Other designs, like custom bunk beds, pull-out beds, and pop-up beds, can also help save space in RVs.
What are the different RV mattress sizes?
RV beds come in many sizes to accommodate different needs and RVs of different sizes. Some RV beds may even come in custom sizes to more precisely suit your space. While this list is not exhaustive, here are some of the more typical RV mattress sizes and size ranges.
| RV bunk | 28–42 by 74–80 inches |
| RV full | 53 by 75 inches |
| Three-quarter | 48 by 75 inches |
| Short queen | 60 by 80 inches |
| RV queen | 60 by 75 inches |
| Short king | 72 by 75 inches |
| RV king | 70–72 by 74–80 inches |
| Eastern king (standard king) | 76 by 80 inches |
| RV California king | 72 by 84 inches |
How to choose a mattress for an RV
When choosing a mattress for your RV, you’ll want to consider its weight, price, and whether or not it comes packed inside a box for easy maneuverability and setup. Getting a good night’s rest while sleeping in an RV is crucial to maintaining alertness on the road. For this reason, you’ll also want to ensure your mattress is comfortable, suited to your unique sleep needs, and made with high-quality materials.
Durability is also important. Look for materials like high-density foams and natural latex. Hybrid mattresses may maintain their shape due to the combination of coils and foam.
Depending on your space, you may want a standard-size mattress or look for specific space-saving RV sizes with smaller dimensions. Custom mattresses for RVs are also available and can be specifically designed to your particular RV’s size.
Furnishing an RV can be expensive, so finding an affordable mattress that fits your budget may also be a major factor.
Our final verdict
After considering factors such as ease of setup, price, and overall quality, we’ve determined that the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid is the best mattress for an RV overall. This mattress stands out for its great scores in pressure relief, affordability, and RV-specific sizing to suit RV owners’ unique spatial needs.
Following the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid, we chose the Helix Midnight Luxe, the Nolah Signature, the Titan Plus, and the Plank Firm, all of which can be delivered in a box to make RV setup easier.
Compare the best mattresses for RVs of 2024
| Price range | $665–$1,599 | $1,373.80–$2,873.80 | $1,299–$2,798 | $699–$1,598 | $749–$1,698 |
| Our firmness rating* | 6/10 | 5.5/10 | 7.5/10 | 8/10 | 9/10 |
| Material | Hybrid | Hybrid | Foam | Hybrid | Foam |
| Warranty (years) | 10 | 15 | Lifetime | 10 | 10 |
| Trial period (nights) | 120 | 100 | 120 | 120 | 120 |
| Recommended for | Back and side sleepers | Side, back, and stomach sleepers | All sleepers | Back, stomach, and combination sleepers | Back and stomach sleepers |
*Our firmness rating is based on hands-on testing
Frequently asked questions
While you can use any mattress that works best for the size of your RV, some mattresses are explicitly designed for RV users that come in a smaller width. You can also find mattresses that pop up, pull out, and are designed like bunk beds to help save space in your RV.
To clean your RV mattress, you’ll want to vacuum it to remove debris, spot-clean any spills or stains, deodorize it using baking soda, air it out as much as you can by either opening a window or taking it outside and laying it down on a clean surface, and regularly washing your bedding.
To save space, most RV mattresses are designed to be used without a box spring.