Mattress shopping can be overwhelming with all the buzz words, confusing jargon, and flashing pop-ups advertising trademarked design features. The Boring Mattress Company seeks to cut through all the clutter and drivel, bringing things back to the basics. This brand advertises its mattresses as having “no bells, no whistles,” just “quality at a fair price.” The message reminds me of my fifth-grade math teacher’s favorite saying: Keep It Simple, Stupid.
The Boring All-Foam mattress (hilariously dubbed the “Boring AF” mattress) is just one of two offerings from the brand, but does it live up to these straightforward yet lofty claims? Our team of expert testers put this so-called boring bed through the ringer to find out the answer.
We’ve reviewed more than 500 mattresses over the seven years we’ve been in operation, from the bare-bones budget models to the super-fancy luxury ones. Our efforts, alongside input from experts like our chief medical advisor Dr. Raj Dasgupta, have helped more than 35,000 people find a new mattress, with 5,919 of these satisfied customers in 2024 alone.
Ready to join the ranks? Well, if you’re a back or side sleeper looking for pressure relief, a co-sleeper with a restless partner, or a foam mattress fan looking to save cash, read on—the humble Boring AF mattress could be your new favorite.
The Boring AF mattress is anything but. It’s an affordable all-foam option that, while lacking frills, is certainly not lacking in comfort. If you’re a back or side sleeper wanting pressure relief, it’s a match made in heaven! Just note that it’s not the coolest, and it might not be supportive enough for stomach sleepers, especially those of a larger size.
Boring AF Mattress Mattress Performance: Our Overall Rating
We evaluate a number of performance factors in our testing methodology, ranging from how the bed feels to what policies come alongside it. These categories are all rated out of 5, and we tally them up to figure out the bed’s overall rating, also out of 5.
The Boring AF mattress earned a multitude of perfect scores (in pressure relief, motion isolation, and response), contributing to its overall rating of 4.7 out of 5. This is a sign of a well-rounded mattress that’s sure to please a number of sleepers.
To find out more, hover over each icon to see a quick description of each metric. Or you can read on for a more detailed explanation of our findings.
I Recommend the Boring AF Mattress For…
- Side and back sleepers – These sleepers should benefit from the soothing pressure relief and support that the Boring AF mattress provides.
- Couples – The bed’s all-foam construction does well to absorb motion, but it also has enough bounce to satisfy sexually active couples.
- Budget shoppers – At under $700 for a queen mattress, this bed should be a great pick for folks looking to save on a new yet high-quality mattress.
I Don’t Recommend the Boring AF Mattress For…
- Hot sleepers – The Boring AF mattress saw mixed results in our cooling test, so we wouldn’t recommend it for particularly hot sleepers. They might want to look at the Boring Hybrid mattress instead, which has a coil unit for more airflow.
- Most stomach sleepers – Stomach sleepers, especially those of a heavier weight, might not find support on this medium-firm mattress with oodles of pressure relief.
- Hybrid mattress fans – This is a foam mattress, and while it’s not super doughy, it won’t have the springy feel of a hybrid bed, if that’s your preference.
How Firm is the Boring AF Mattress?
At Mattress Clarity, we rate firmness on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being soft as down and 10 firm as a wooden stump. The industry standard falls around 6.5/10, or medium-firm, as this is a versatile feel that can work for a variety of sleeper types. Coincidentally, this is also what we rated the Boring AF mattress.
A medium-firm memory foam mattress like the Boring AF hybrid has a balanced feel, able to provide both softness and support. We found it worked best for sleepers who want a gentle sink and pressure relief while still getting lift in areas that need it. Back and side sleepers, lightweight folks, or those with pain concerns should find this mattress’s firmness appealing.
How Well Did the Boring AF Mattress Perform?
As I mentioned, the Boring AF Mattress generally excelled across the board and scored high in a number of categories. Here’s how it compares to our average scores, which are calculated using data from every mattress we’ve tested:
| Test | Performance | Average |
| Firmness | 6.5/10 – Medium-Firm | 6.7/10 – Medium-Firm |
| Side Sleeper Comfort | Excellent | – |
| Back Sleeper Comfort | Excellent | – |
| Stomach Sleeper Comfort | Good | – |
| Pressure Relief | 5/5 | 3.8 |
| Edge Support | 4.4/5 | 4.1 |
| Cooling | 2.5/5 | 4 |
| Motion Isolation | 5/5 | 3.9 |
| Response | 5/5 | 4.2 |
| Sinkage Depth | 3” | 3.12” |
| Sinkage Rating | Moderate | Moderate |
| Bounce Height | 27” | 17.89” |
| Bounce Rating | High | Moderate |
| Noise | 5/5 | 4.5 |
| Sex | 4.8/5 | – |
| Trial Period | 5/5 | 4.3 |
| Warranty | 3.5/5 | – |
How Does the Boring AF Mattress Feel for Different Body Types and Sleeping Positions?
Per our chief medical advisor Dr. Raj Dasgupta, “The best mattress in terms of firmness and feel will vary based on your preferred sleeping position and body type.” Your size can actually affect your sleep experience, down to how firm or soft a mattress feels. This is why most brands opt for a medium-firm bed like the Boring AF mattress; it provides a balanced feel that should work for a number of different sleeper types.
This mattress offers a nice mix of pressure relief and support that our testers particularly enjoyed on their side and back. It might also work for some stomach sleepers, though I’d recommend that stomach sleepers over 230 pounds look for something firmer because they might risk their hips sinking too far into this mattress’s surface. On the other hand, side sleepers under 130 pounds might prefer a softer mattress, especially if they want to sink in and feel totally cradled around their hips and shoulders.
| Sleeper Weight | Side Sleepers | Back Sleepers | Stomach Sleepers |
| Light (under 130 lbs) | Good | Excellent | Good |
| Average (130-230 lbs) | Excellent | Excellent | Good |
| Heavy (over 230 lbs) | Good | Good | Unpleasant |
Average-Weight Tester – 5’9”, 140 lbs
“This is one of my favorite foam mattresses I have tried. I don’t typically love all-foam mattresses but this one feels really supportive but also plush enough to have good pressure relief,” said our director of product testing.
Boring AF Mattress In-Depth Test Results
Pressure Relief
Dr. Raj Dasgupta touts the importance of pressure relief for ensuring better sleep quality. “A comfy mattress will cushion areas like the shoulders, hips, lower back, and joints, helping to stave off discomfort or even pain as they dig into the mattress surface,” he said. This effect is usually achieved with squishy materials like latex or foam on the surface of the mattress. That’s why all-foam beds like the Boring AF mattress can be great picks for folks who need pressure relief (such as side sleepers, back sleepers, or those with pain concerns).
To test pressure relief we use a specialized mat, which is placed on the surface of the mattress before our testers lay down on top of it. The mat records where pressure builds up on the body using thermal imaging, creating a color-coded map of the tester’s body that can show possible problem areas. Green and blue are signs of low pressure, which we want to see. Red and yellow means high pressure, which can eventually lead to discomfort. We take these results and our testers’ experiences into account when rating pressure relief.
Our in-house expert tester self-identifies as an average-weight sleeper (weighing about 140 pounds) and performed both the side- and back-sleeping pressure relief tests. On her side, she had an overall positive experience. “I really like this mattress on my side,” she said. “My hips and shoulders feel relaxed and my spine neutral.” She appreciated the balance of support and sinkage that kept her gently aloft, and rated pressure relief in this position at a 5/5.
On her back, it was a similar story for our tester. “I feel great pressure relief all over,” she said, specifically noting how the mattress filled in the gap at her lower back. The mattress has a gentle contour that keeps the pressure off the lumbar area and shoulders for these sleepers. It’s also supportive enough to keep the spine in its proper alignment. Our tester gave another perfect score for back-sleeping pressure relief.
I’ll note that depending on your body type, you may have a different experience. Sleepers under 130 pounds might not sink in as much, while sleepers over 230 pounds might sink in a bit more. Still, we believe that all sleeper types should get a good amount of pressure relief on this mattress.
Edge Support
Edge support refers to how well the perimeter of a mattress holds up when bearing weight. How robust the edge support is can be a sign of the bed’s overall durability, as it can indicate how likely a mattress is to sag. It can also be an important metric for folks who rely on the edge of the bed for tasks like tying shoes or getting in and out of bed, such as older adults or those with mobility concerns.
This is why we test edge support in multiple positions. First, we sit on the edge, practicing getting in and out to see whether it dips beneath our weight or slides off. Our tester had no issues to speak of when performing this test. “I barely sink into the mattress and I don’t need any assistance getting out of the bed,” she said. “I wouldn’t say it springs me or lifts me out, but the edge barely collapses.”
She also lay down on the edge of the mattress in each sleeping position, seeing if any felt more or less secure than the others. It was the same robust support she noticed while sitting. “I could scoot my body completely over and not feel at risk of falling out,” she explained.
Both of these tests earned perfect scores, but in our final edge support test, we noticed that the more weight plates we put on the edge of the mattress, the more it seemed to sink. This means if you have a larger build, you may not have the same security that our testers noticed. So, we gave edge support a final score of 4.4/5, which is still impressive for an all-foam bed.
Cooling
The last thing you need for a good night’s sleep is a bed that overheats rather than keeps cool. Unfortunately, most all-foam mattresses don’t fare well in temperature regulation because most traditional foams trap heat rather than let it escape. The Boring AF mattress features an open-cell design that’s meant to allow air to keep moving through the bed, increasing breathability and keeping temperatures low. But did it deliver in our tests?
To test cooling, we use a thermal gun to measure the surface temperature of the mattress in two instances: first, before anyone’s touched it, and a second time after we lay on the surface for about seven minutes. Generally, we see temperature increases of around 6 or 7 degrees as a sign of decent cooling, which would earn a 4/5 score.
The tester who performed this test recorded an initial temperature of 71.4 degrees, and a second temperature of 83.6 degrees. This whopping 12.2-degree increase is twice as much as what we typically expect to see, and is the reason behind the bed’s 2/5 cooling score.
However, our tester was shocked to see these results when compared to how she felt on the mattress. “I did not feel the mattress warming up or getting uncomfortable,” she said of her experience lying on the surface. The cover felt warm where her body had been, but not overly scorching. She also felt that it returned back to normal temperature and started feeling cool again after just a short while.
With these mixed opinions in mind, I wouldn’t feel comfortable recommending it to hot sleepers. However, if you tend to sleep temperature-neutral anyhow, I don’t think this bed will cause you to overheat.
Motion Isolation
Motion isolation refers to how well a mattress absorbs motion and keeps it from traveling across the mattress surface. This can be a boon for people who sleep with a restless partner, as a bed with good motion isolation can prevent their nighttime movements from waking you up. “Excelling in motion isolation can also be a sign of quality materials in a mattress, such as dense foams that can both absorb motion and relieve pressure,” Dr. Raj Dasgupta said. Foam mattresses like the Boring AF often perform well in this area, but let’s go over the results.
To test motion isolation, we first place a glass of water on one side of the bed. As our tester moves around on the other, we observe how the water glass behaves, with how much it ripples showing how much motion is felt across the surface. Our tester was impressed with the Boring AF’s results. “The water pulsed slightly from the movements but was not making big waves,” she said. “When switching positions, I could see slightly more movement in the water, but the motion isolation was very phenomenal for this mattress.”
In our second test, one tester climbs onto the mattress while the other lies there blindfolded. As they move around, the blindfolded tester makes note of whether or not they can feel them, and if they can tell what their partner is doing. Our tester couldn’t tell what was happening on the other side of the bed. “I think mostly I felt my partner pushing off the mattress to change positions but other than that the movement was almost undetectable,” she said.
Based on both of these tests, our tester gave this mattress a perfect score for motion isolation. If you sleep with a rowdy bedmate, sleeping on the Boring AF should be smooth sailing.
Response
A responsive mattress will bounce back when you press down or lay on it, rather than having that slow-moving sink of memory foam. Whether you want a responsive mattress will depend on your personal preference. Most combination sleepers and sexually active folks will fare better on a responsive mattress as it makes moving around easier. But if you want to sink deeply into your bed, you might dislike a more responsive feel.
We test a bed’s response by moving around on the surface and judging how easy it is. “This mattress is all-foam, so I sink more into the mattress than your typical hybrid,” our tester said. “However, I did not feel ‘stuck’ in the mattress, and it was very easy to switch positions.” This means that the mattress should move with you rather than cling to you like a doughy marshmallow. We ultimately gave the bed a 5/5 score for response.
This balanced feel may cause you to feel more on top of the mattress, rather than sinking into it like traditional memory foam. If this sounds like something you prefer, then I’d recommend the Boring AF mattress.
Sinkage: Moderate
Sinkage sounds like it could be a negative metric, but if you want to feel cradled by your mattress, a bed with more sinkage might be best for you.
We measure sinkage by placing a weight on the surface of the mattress and using a ruler to measure how much it dips. For the Boring AF mattress, we measured a sinkage depth of about 3 inches, which is just around the average sinkage depth of every mattress we’ve tested. This makes sense with the bed’s balanced foam feel, which should offer the right amount of both sinkage and comfortable elevation.
Bounce: High
You might be interested in knowing how bouncy a mattress is if you’re looking for a springy surface to move around on. As a combination sleeper, I prefer a super-bouncy mattress as it makes switching positions easy.
We judge bounce by dropping a weighted ball from 6 feet above the mattress and measuring how high the ball bounces off the bed with a yardstick. For the Boring AF mattress, the bounce height was an astounding 27 inches, 10 inches above our average. Foam mattresses aren’t typically known for bounce, but the Boring mattress should
Noise
Throughout our tests, we make a note if we hear any creaking, puffing, or other distracting sounds from the mattress. The Boring AF’s all-foam construction yielded no noise to speak of, earning a 5/5 score. If you’re easily awakened by a squeaky mattress, you won’t encounter any issue with this mattress.
Sex
Sex-positive shoppers might be looking for a mattress that will help their performance. We recommend a mattress that excels in edge support (to make full use of the surface area), response (for ease of movement), and is relatively quiet (for no distractions from the main event). To get a sex score for a mattress, we therefore take note of how it performed in each of these categories and average them.
The Boring AF scored perfectly in the noise and response categories, as well as a respectable 4.4/5 for edge support, so it’s no surprise that it earned a 4.8/5 sex score. This mattress should certainly help keep things steamy.
Adjustable Base Compatibility
An adjustable bed frame is a great way to upgrade your sleep experience, especially if you’re someone who snores or watches TV in bed. Many mattresses are listed as adjustable-base compatible, but we like to put that claim to the test in our studio.
We put the Boring AF mattress on one of our adjustable bases and observed how it behaved. Overall, this mattress performed just alright on the base. It did fold up, but the bottom didn’t conform completely to the base with one tester on it. This was especially noticeable in the zero-gravity position, where the knees and head are elevated. We always recommend waiting until everyone is in bed before maneuvering your adjustable base, as the more weight is on the bed, the more it’ll mold to the base.
If you’re wanting a Boring mattress that’ll perform better on an adjustable base, our testers found the Boring Hybrid mattress did better in this area.
Boring AF Mattress Customer Experience Scores
An online bed like the Boring AF mattress comes with a lot of fine print and requires some setup. Here’s what you can expect to come with your purchase.
Trial Period
Boring offers a generous year-long sleep trial, which includes free returns during this period if you decide that the mattress is for you. A year is plenty of time to test out a mattress, especially since most brands offer trials less than half this time, so we rated the overall trial period at a 5/5.
Warranty
The Boring AF mattress comes with a 10-year limited warranty. This is fairly standard, as most typical mattresses have a lifespan of about 7 to 10 years. Compared to their generous trial, we weren’t as impressed, so we only rated it at a 3.5/5.
Unboxing and Off-gassing
The Boring AF mattress arrives compressed in a box, which can be easy for some folks but annoying for others. The brand doesn’t offer any white-glove delivery, so you’ll have to set it up yourself, which includes unboxing the mattress and dealing with any hassle in this area.
Our testers noticed an initial chemical smell, known as off-gassing, when the bed was first unboxed. As the mattress began to expand, it began to dissipate, and it was gone once the bed had reached its full rise. We’d say this is fairly average, and by the time you’re ready to hop into bed, any scents should be gone. We rated this experience at a 4/5.
Boring AF Mattress Construction
Now that you know how the mattress feels and performs, let’s dive into what’s actually going on inside it.
Mattress Height & Weight
The Boring AF mattress is 10 inches thick, which is a bit smaller than the 12-inch average we tend to see, but it should provide plenty of comfort and support. The mattress can weigh anywhere between 45 to 95 pounds, depending on which size you choose. A queen-size Boring AF mattress, for example, will weigh about 80 pounds.
Materials
As an all-foam mattress, the Boring AF mattress is made up of layers of specialized foams. All foams in its construction are CertiPUR-US certified and fiberglass-free.
Layers
The cover of the Boring AF mattress is made from a polyester blend that is both soft and breathable. Underneath it is a fiberglass-free flame barrier, made with cellulose rayon fibers that act as a natural fire retardant.
The first foam comfort layer is designed to mimic both latex and traditional memory foam, balancing pressure relief with support. It contains gel beads that target pressure points, comfortably cradling areas that dig into the mattress surface. It also has an open-cell structure to keep air flowing through the mattress.
Next is a layer of support foam with a more responsive feel that should “bounce back” as you press down into it. A final support layer rounds out the bed’s construction: 7 inches of sturdy, dense foam to ensure the mattress holds its shape.
How to Try and Buy the Boring AF Mattress Mattress
Boring ships free to the contiguous United States using FedEx Ground Shipping. Shipping to Alaska, Hawaii, and Canada will incur extra fees.
Boring mattresses are not available in store, but you can take full advantage of the brand’s 365-night sleep trial to try before you commit to purchasing. Simply navigate to the brand’s site and choose the bed you want, and it’ll arrive at your door compacted into a box for easy setup. If you decide it’s not for you, you can contact customer service to initiate a return and receive a refund (note: initial shipping charges will not be refunded).
Boring AF Mattress Prices & Sizes
| Size | Dimensions | Price |
| Twin | 38″ x 75″ | $449.00 |
| Twin XL | 38″ x 80″ | $599.00 |
| Full | 53″ x 75″ | $649.00 |
| Queen | 60″ x 80″ | $699.00 |
| King | 76″ x 80″ | $899.00 |
| California King | 72″ x 84″ | $899.00 |
How the Boring AF Mattress Compares
Still not sure if the Boring AF all-foam mattress is for you? Check out some of our other oft-recommended mattress brands that can provide a similar experience at a cheaper price—or a different feel entirely.
- Nectar Mattress – Somewhat Cheaper
- Bear Original Mattress – Firmer Foams
- Contour5 – Luxury All-Foam
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Boring AF |
Nectar Mattress |
Bear Original Mattress |
Contour5 |
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| Rating | ||||
| Firmness | Medium-firm: 6.5/10 | Medium-firm: 7/10 | Medium-firm: 6.5/10 | Medium-firm: 7/10 |
| Material | Foam | Foam | Foam | Foam |
| Cooling | — | — | — | |
| Best For |
Back Sleepers,
Stomach Sleepers |
Side Sleepers,
Back Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers |
Back Sleepers,
Stomach Sleepers, Hot Sleepers |
Back Sleepers,
Back Pain, Couples |
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Boring AF Mattress vs. Nectar Classic Memory Foam
Another beloved budget foam mattress at Mattress Clarity is Nectar’s flagship all-foam model. I tested out the Nectar myself, and while I’m not usually a lover of all foam beds, I found it had a slightly firmer feel that gave me some much-needed support.
The Nectar comes in at a 7/10 on our scale, just a touch firmer than the Boring AF mattress. This bed didn’t earn as high a score for pressure relief as the Boring bed, but it has a supportive feel that should appeal to stomach sleepers and folks with larger builds. However, if you’re a back or stomach sleeper looking for more sink, opt for the Boring AF mattress.
Both of these beds should do well for couples, as their dense foam construction absorbs motion before it travels across the surface. The Nectar won’t be as bouncy as the Boring AF mattress, which is something to keep in mind if you’re a combination sleeper like me.
These mattresses both come in around the $700 mark for a queen. But if you’re a particularly fastidious penny pincher, opt for the Nectar Classic. It’s $50 less than the Boring AF mattress at $649.
Boring AF Mattress vs. Bear Original
The Bear Original mattress is another all-foam bed that’s earned our respect. It has more lift than your traditional foam mattress, which makes it more conducive to folks who like to feel “on top” of their mattress, rather than swaddled in it like a baby.
The Bear Original came in at a 7/10 on our firmness scale, which is still in the medium-firm realm, but firmer than the Boring AF mattress. Our testers didn’t get much pressure relief from this bed, preferring it on their back and stomach rather than their side. If you’re a side sleeper, choose the Boring mattress, which earned a perfect score in this category.
If you’re a hot sleeper, though, you’ll likely fare better on the Bear. This mattress is outfitted with a breathable cover and cooling gel memory foam to keep things from getting too toasty. It’s rare that a foam mattress performs so well in this area (for which the Boring bed earned mixed reviews).
Both of these mattresses are great for folks on a budget, but frequent sales can have the Bear Original as low as the $500 range for a queen, compared to the $699 price tag for the Boring AF mattress.
Boring AF Mattress vs. Saatva Contour5
The Boring AF mattress keeps it simple, but maybe you’re not a no-frills sleeper. If you’re looking to upgrade, check out Saatva’s all-foam bed, the Contour5. I sleep on a Saatva mattress, and let me tell you, this brand is the lap of luxury.
The greatest perk of the Saatva Contour5 is the policies that come along with it. Not only will you get a year-long sleep trial, but you’ll get free white glove delivery with your mattress, plus a lifetime warranty. I took advantage of this when I moved, and it made the whole process much breezier. I also found Saatva customer service to be attentive, helpful, and even personable.
While both these beds are made of foam, they have distinctly different feels. The Boring AF excels in pressure relief, while the Saatva Contour5’s dense foam construction prioritizes support. Side sleepers will like the sinkage offered by the Boring AF mattress. Back and stomach sleepers will prefer the gentle contour and robust lift offered by the Contour5.
The biggest discrepancy with these beds, though, comes down to price. The Boring AF mattress retails at $699 for a queen, but a Saatva Contour5 will set you back nearly $3,000 when it isn’t on sale.
Boring AF Mattress Mattress FAQs
Are Boring mattresses any good?
Yes, we think so! If you’re looking for affordable yet quality mattresses that check all the boxes, these beds should fit the bill. The Boring AF mattress is great if you’re a fan of foam.
Does a Boring Mattress use fiberglass?
No, Boring mattresses do not contain fiberglass. They use a fiberglass-free fire barrier made from cellulose-based rayon, instead.
How long does a Boring Mattress take to expand?
Our testers found that the Boring AF mattress began to expand and rose pretty quickly as soon as it was out of the box and unwrapped. That said, we recommend that you wait a few hours before hopping onto any bed-in-a-box, even if it looks fully expanded, to ensure you don’t compromise structural integrity.
