Nolah is a recognizable name in the mattress space, with a collection of beds designed to meet a range of sleep needs. The Nolah Evolution is the brand’s premier model — a 14-inch hybrid combining cooling upgrades, zoned support, and a choice of firmness. It’s highly rated, and we put the Evolution’s luxury firm model through our comprehensive testing methodology for an expert take.
The Mattress Clarity team has tested over 500 mattresses and 150 sleep accessories in the seven-plus years we’ve been in operation. Our in-depth mattress reviews have helped over 35,000 people find the best mattress for them, including over 5,900 in 2024 alone. We put that experience to work, evaluating the materials, performance, and overall understanding of the Nolah Evolution so we can recommend the type of sleepers it’s best suited for. We also consulted with our chief medical officer, Dr. Raj Dasgupta, and asked our chief medical product tester, Dr. Hannah Habeeb, to test out this bed as well.
The Evolution impressed our testers with its motion isolation, edge support, and pressure relief, but it earned at least 4 stars in all of our testing categories. We think the luxury firm model is an excellent fit for most back, side, and stomach sleepers, and its outstanding motion isolation makes it ideal for couples.
Our Nolah Evolution Review in a Nutshell
The Nolah Evolution is the brand’s premier offering, and it shows. The lofty hybrid measures 14 inches and includes a luxurious Euro topper and zoned support in both the foam and coil layers. By offering three firmness levels, the Evolution can accommodate a host of sleep needs and preferences. Our team tested the luxury firm model and found it maintained excellent spinal alignment and appropriate cushioning in all sleep positions and across weight classes. Although the plush foam layers provide comfortable pressure relief, they also dull the responsiveness. Combination sleepers may find that switching positions is more strenuous than they would like.
The Nolah Evolution Hybrid mattress is available in three firmness levels. The Luxury Firm model works well for many back and side sleepers. This mattress has many cooling features, and it isolates motion well. It’s not a great option for most people who weigh over 300 lb, though. If you fall in this category, you may need more lumbar support. Watch our Nolah Evolution mattress review video to learn more.
Nolah Evolution Hybrid Performance: My Overall Rating
Our testing methodology gives our team a structured way to assess mattresses across relevant performance categories. We use these scores to determine an overall rating. The Nolah Evolution earned an overall rating of 4.6/5. By achieving at least a 4/5 in all performance categories, the Evolution showcases what it means to be a high-quality mattress with mass appeal.
Interested in the categories we use to evaluate the mattresses we test? Hover over the performance categories below for a brief explainer.
I Recommend the Nolah Evolution Hybrid For…
- Side sleepers. The zoned support in this hybrid allows for ample cushioning in the hips and sides, and the pocketed coils provide proper spinal alignment, making it an excellent option for dedicated side sleepers in most weight classes.
- Back sleepers. The contouring pillow top in the Nolah Evolution fills the gap in the lower back, helping support a neutral spine.
- Couples. The foam comfort layer keeps motion transfer to a bare minimum. It should be a great bed for couples who routinely wake one another up when they roll over or climb into bed. Plus, the excellent edge support means more room to spread out.
I Don’t Recommend the Nolah Evolution Hybrid For…
- Shoppers on a budget. While the Nolah Evolution Hybrid has excellent sales, the full retail price is well north of $2,000 for a queen (look for sales around holidays such as President’s Day and Black Friday). That might put it out of reach for some shoppers.
- Combination sleepers. Combination sleepers who are easily disturbed when it’s a little challenging to switch positions may find the cushioning Euro top on this bed impedes their movements a little too much.
- Heavyweight side sleepers with hip pain. Although our overall pressure relief scores were stellar, our heavyweight sleeper noticed a touch of pressure in the hip.
How Well Did the Nolah Evolution Hybrid Perform?
Side-by-side comparisons can be a helpful benchmark when you’re considering how a particular mattress might perform. Here’s how the Nolah Evolution stacks up to the average of all the mattresses we’ve tested.
| Test | Performance | Average |
| Firmness | 6.5/10 – Medium-Firm | 6.7/10 – Medium-Firm |
| Side Sleeper Comfort | Excellent | Good |
| Back Sleeper Comfort | Excellent | Good |
| Stomach Sleeper Comfort | Excellent | Good |
| Pressure Relief | 4.5/5 | 3.9 |
| Edge Support | 4.6/5 | 4.1 |
| Cooling | 4/5 | 3.8 |
| Motion Isolation | 5/5 | 3.9 |
| Response | 4/5 | 4.3 |
| Sinkage Depth | 3.5” | 3.12” |
| Sinkage Rating | Moderate | Moderate |
| Bounce Height | 20.5” | 17.89” |
| Bounce Rating | High | Moderate |
| Noise | 5/5 | 4.5 |
| Sex | 4.5/5 | 4.3 |
| Trial Period | 4/5 | 4.2 |
| Warranty | 4.5/5 | 4.6 |
| Unboxing & Moving | 3/5 | 4.3 |
| Off-gassing | 4/5 | 4.2 |
How Firm is the Nolah Evolution Hybrid Mattress?
The Nolah Evolution comes in three firmness options: plush, luxury firm, and firm. Mattress Clarity tester Caitlin Giddings tested the luxury firm model and found it had a universally appealing feel. She rated it 6.5/10 on the firmness scale in all sleep positions. We rank firmness on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 as the softest and 10 the firmest. A 6.5 is a true medium-firm feel, which accommodates the widest range of sleepers and sleep styles.
Cait reported feeling properly supported and comfortable in any position she tried, and we feel confident recommending the Evolution for most sleepers. “The soft pillow top cushioned my body like puffy dough, but I could also feel the firmer support beneath, which kept me from feeling like I was sinking or sagging very far into the mattress,” she said.
On her back, she found the Evolution’s pillow top had just enough contouring in the lumbar zone, with zero sinking. When she flipped to her stomach, she was equally impressed. “My weight compressed the pillow-top layer enough that I could feel the firmer layers beneath, giving a lifted feel to my hips,” she said, adding that the fluffy top had enough softness to cushion her hip bones.
How Does the Nolah Evolution Hybrid Feel for Different Body Types and Sleeping Positions?
Body weight is distributed differently depending on how you sleep. Here’s how sleepers across all weight classes can expect the Evolution to perform in back, side, and stomach sleeping positions.
| Sleeper Weight | Side Sleepers | Back Sleepers | Stomach Sleepers |
| Light (under 130 lbs) | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
| Average (130-230 lbs) | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
| Heavy (over 230 lbs) | Good | Excellent | Unpleasant |
Heavyweight Tester – 6’3”, 235 lbs
“I feel super cradled by this mattress when I am on my side. It’s so soft but supportive at the same time. And, when I flip to my back, I love that I am close to perfectly supported.”- Matt Schickling
Average-weight Tester – 5’8”, 140 lbs
“I’m finding a lot of sinkage on this bed, which is contouring my body really nicely. This is really helpful for relieving pressure at the hips and shoulders. However, I’m finding enough support to prevent me from sinking too much, and it’s helping promote spinal alignment. I would definitely recommend this to side sleepers.” – Dr. Hannah Habeeb, Chief Medical Product Tester
Lightweight Tester – 5’6”, 128 lbs
“The pillow top is doing a great job, and the support system is keeping me balanced when I am on my back. I also loved how the pillow top felt doughy when I was on my side.” – Caitlin Giddings
In-Depth Test Results
Pressure Relief
Pressure relief is a key feature in a mattress. According to Dr. Raj Dasgupta, it refers to how well a mattress cradles and cushions parts of the body as they come into contact with the bed.
Depending on how you sleep, your body weight pressing into the mattress can put pressure on sensitive areas like the hips, shoulders, and lower back. Since body weight and sleep style are so personal, we make a point of collecting feedback from testers in all weight classes for the back and side sleeping positions.
To test Evolution’s pressure relief, we conducted a subjective evaluation by collecting testers’ feedback across different weight categories, and a quantitative test using a specialized mat that maps pressure points on the body. The Nolah Evolution received 4.5 stars for its ability to relieve pressure, making it one of the top mattresses we have tested in this category.
Both our average and lightweight testers gave the bed a perfect score when they tested it on their sides, noting comfortable alignment and excellent contouring. Matt Schickling, our heavyweight tester, said, “I feel some pressure in my hip, but nothing that would sway me from this mattress entirely,” he said. “In my neck and shoulders, the pressure is slight. I feel super cradled.” He said that he was impressed with the pressure relief on his side and gave the Evolution a 4/5.
However, he was blown away when he flipped onto his back, awarding this mattress a perfect score for this sleeping position. “I feel much less pressure than I did on my side,” he noted. “It just feels particularly good this way. I feel like it’s lessening that pain on my lower back.”
Our average-weight in-house tester had a similar experience when she evaluated the bed in the back sleeping position and gave the bed 4 stars: “I feel full pressure relief throughout my body.”
This was also evident on her pressure map, the color-coded scan produced from lying on a mat that records pressure points, her picture was almost all blue, the color that indicates that little pressure was present. This lack of pressure was also evident in our in-house tester’s back PSI (pounds per square inch) score. It was 11.27, well below the average of 12.43.
When it was lightweight tester Caitlin Giddings turn to test this bed on her back, she described feeling comfortably cradled with gentle sinkage in the backside and ample cushioning in the lumbar zone: “It feels like my lower back is being filled in with dough.” Like Matt, Caitlin gave the Evolution full marks.
In addition to our three in-house testers, we also asked Dr. Habeeb, to try out this mattress and provide feedback from a medical angle. When she tested it on her side, she appreicated the sinkage and the pressure relief around her hips and shoulders, but deducted a point because she said that the Evolution’s firmness may irritate people with sensitive hips or shoulders.
However, when she was on her back she awarded a 4.5/5 and said, “I like this mattress for back sleepers. I’m finding some nice sinkage and great support at my lumbar region. My hips aren’t tilting uncomfortably and the space at my lower back is being completely filled in.”
Edge Support – 4.6
Edge support is often a critical category for couples and adults with mobility issues. Strong edges make it easier to get in and out of bed and help maximize sleep space. That gives bed partners room to spread out.
And as a bonus, Dr. Raj Dasgupta notes that strong edges can be an indicator of durability because stronger edges are less likely to sag over time. Hybrids tend to perform well in this arena, thanks to their coil layer. True to form, the Nolah Evolution earned 4.6/5 stars for its strong, sturdy edges.
Caitlin assessed this performance category with two different tests. First, she sat on the side with both feet on the ground and assessed how easy or difficult it was to rise to standing. “This is a tall mattress, so my only difficulties sitting on the edge had to do with how far off the ground I felt,” she explained.
“Otherwise, I’d say the mattress has above-average to good edge support—when I sat on its side, it dipped slightly but didn’t completely crumble.” She adds that seniors or those with mobility challenges shouldn’t have any issues: “The bed has a reinforced perimeter that helps it maintain good structure.” She gave the bed 4 stars for this test.
Next, Caitlin lay on the edge of the mattress in different positions. “I felt beyond secure,” she raved. “ At no point did the bed dip down even slightly, no matter how close I inched to its edge. Whether I lay on my side, back, or stomach, the mattress remained solid and steady, with no sinking or sagging to suggest its structured support would flag along the edges.” This stellar performance earned the Evolution 5 stars.
Cooling – 4
Managing temperature is a key component of good sleep hygiene, and mattress materials and construction can be a major contributor in helping hot sleepers stay cool. Hybrids naturally allow for better airflow than all-foam mattresses, and that worked to the Evolution’s advantage. The breathable cotton cover didn’t hurt, either. Overall, we rated its cooling ability 4 stars.
Caitlin conducted both a subjective test and an objective test. She used a temperature gun to take the initial surface temperature of the Evolution, which read 67.4 degrees Fahrenheit. She lay on it for seven minutes and took a follow-up read. The Evolution increased by 6.9 degrees, which indicates good cooling.
That was Caitlin’s impression overall. “I didn’t feel the mattress getting warmer beneath me—it stayed at an even-feeling temperature even as it absorbed my body heat,” she said. “The mattress wasn’t cool to the touch, but nor was it warm when I lay on it.” Although dense pillow tops can sometimes spike a mattress’s heat retention, the Evolution’s cooling features offset much of that.
Motion Isolation – 5
Motion isolation is another feature that’s important for couples or anyone who shares a bed. A mattress that absorbs motion keeps movement from rippling across the bed, reducing nighttime disturbances. Memory foam tends to do this best, but the Evolution earned a perfect 5/5 in this category.
Caitlin performed two tests to assess motion isolation. First, she placed a glass of water on one side of the bed. She climbed on and off the bed on the other side, observing no movement to the water in the glass, even when she actively tried to rock the glass.
“Nothing I did disrupted the water,” she noted. “The glass stayed fairly still, and the water barely rippled.” Even though she was a little worried about the glass itself balancing on the Evolution’s fluffy top, Caitlin said she wasn’t at all concerned about water spilling as a result of her movements on the other side of the bed.
In test two, Caitlin recruited a partner’s assistance. Mattress Clarity tester Sosha Lewis got in and out of bed on the opposite side and energetically moved around. “I could feel almost an echo of Sosha getting onto the mattress and moving around, but at no point did her movements significantly affect my side of the bed or my comfort level,” reported Caitlin. “My side of the mattress remained static, regardless of what was happening on the other side.”
Response – 4
Responsiveness refers to quickly materials bounce back after the release of pressure. A quick response time means a quick rebound when you roll over, for instance, while a slow response time means the materials need time to shift back into position. That’s typical of thicker, more cushioning foams. We performed two tests to assess the Evolution’s response, which garnered 4 stars. If you’re a combination sleeper, you may find that this mattress provides you with contouring comfort while also allowing you to move easily.
To assess how easy it was to move, Caitlin performed a switch test. She moved from her back, side, and stomach, mimicking the movements a combination sleeper might make during the night. “For the most part, it was easy to move around and switch positions, but the foamy pillow top slowed down my movements a bit,” she reported. “I expected to feel more bounce from beneath the pillow top, but the overall feeling of the bed was more of slow-moving foam and not springy coils.” Caitlin gave the Evolution 4/ 5 stars for this test.
Sinkage: Moderate
Beds are often described by their level of sinkage, or how enveloped you feel in the uppermost layers. We measure sinkage by placing our trusty kettlebell in the center of the bed and using a ruler to see how far it drops. The Evolution sank 3.5 inches, which puts it in the moderate zone.
Bounce: High
Hybrid mattresses tend to be bouncier than all-foam beds thanks to their coils. That was the case with the Evolution, which displayed high bounce when we tested it by dropping a weighted medicine ball from six feet up. With an assistant from the support coils, the ball rebounded 20.5 inches after hitting the mattress, earning 5/5 in this category.
Noise
Light sleepers shouldn’t have any issues with noise on the Nolah Evolution. While our tester heard a slight sound around the perimeter of the bed, it was negligible. The mattress was silent when our tester pushed, prodded, and even bounced in the center, earning another perfect 5/5.
Sex
To determine whether a mattress might be suitable for sexual activities, we average scores from our edge support, response, and noise tests. The Nolah Evolution averaged 4.5/5, which means it should perform well. Strong edges will keep sexual partners supported as they roam about the bed, with no distracting sounds from the mattress itself. While the Evolution is thickly cushioned up top, its firmer support layers below should allow ease of movement as well.
Adjustable Base Compatibility
As part of our testing, we check for mattress compatibility with adjustable bases. This is one area where the Nolah Evolution didn’t perform well. According to our tester, it was simply too firm to flex with the base as we adjusted the head and foot and tried the zero-gravity position. Even with the weight of a tester on the mattress, there were significant gaps. We gave the mattress 1/5 and don’t recommend using it on an adjustable bed frame.
Nolah Evolution Customer Experience Scores
There’s more to a mattress than materials and performance. Here’s what to expect from Nolah’s company policies and the Evolution’s delivery experience.
Trial Period
Nolah offers a 120-night sleep trial on all its beds, including the Evolution. That gives you four months to test out the bed at home and decide whether it meets your needs. It’s a reasonable timeframe, but it’s not as generous as brands that offer year-long trials, which give you a chance to evaluate a bed under different weather conditions. We gave the Evolution 4/5 for its trial period.
Warranty
The Evolution is backed by a limited lifetime warranty. It protects you against defects in material and workmanship, but note that non-prorated coverage is only offered for the first 10 years. After that, Nolah will replace the mattress in the event of a defect at a prorated charge. We gave the Evolution 4.5/5 for its warranty.
Unboxing and Moving
The Nolah Evolution ships compressed, rolled, wrapped in plastic, and in a big box. The box was in rough shape with scrapes and holes along the sides when it arrived at our Charlotte, NC, sleep studio. In our testing experience, that seems to be a pattern for Nolah. Fortunately, the mattress itself was in great shape. Our tester, Melanie Kassel, was able to unroll the mattress from the plastic packaging without cutting it for most of the unboxing.
We gave the mattress 3 stars in this category because Nolah boxes consistently arrive in rougher shape than other beds-in-a-box. Given the luxury price tag on the Evolution, we would like to see more durable boxes.
Readiness After Unboxing
The mattress began expanding rapidly as we cut away the plastic. The Evolution shipped with included pillows, which also needed to expand. We lay on the mattress minutes after unboxing it, but you may want to give it 24 hours to reach its full size.
Off-gassing
It’s pretty typical for beds-in-a-box to have a slight chemical odor when they’re brand new. That was the case with the Nolah Evolution. Melanie noted that it was present but not overwhelming when she unwrapped the mattress. “I had to put my nose very close to the bed to smell anything,” she said. She gave the bed 4 stars in this category.
Nolah Evolution Construction
As part of our testing process, we take a close look at the materials behind the layers. In addition to measuring the height, we cut into a section of the cover on the side to check out what’s under the hood.
Mattress Height & Weight
The Nolah Evolution is 14” tall, and a queen-size weighs approximately 115 pounds.
Materials
The Evolution has a plush quilted top with three layers of foam above a row of coils.
Layers
The Nolah Evolution comes standard with an organic cotton cover. It’s quilted with a plush foam layer, which is situated above the brand’s zoned AirFoam for spinal support and flexibility around the shoulders. The next foam layer is swirled with gel for a cooling effect. A firmer transition foam layer sits above another zoned foam layer for lumbar support. An 8-inch coil layer comes next, with a high-density base foam underneath.
How To Try and Buy The Nolah Evolution Mattress
If you want to make the Nolah Evolution your new mattress, the easiest way to buy it is online. All Nolah mattresses come with a 120-night trial that lets you try the bed before making your final decision. However, if you want to test it out in person before buying, Nolah mattresses are available in showrooms across the U.S.
Nolah ships its mattresses at no charge to the contiguous US. At this time, shipping to Alaska, Hawaii, and Canada is not offered.
You can upgrade to white glove delivery, which is offered through a third-party logistics provider. It’s free for orders over a certain amount.
Nolah Evolution Prices & Sizes
| Size | Dimensions | Price |
| Twin | 38″ x 75″ | $1610.00 |
| Twin XL | 38″ x 80″ | $1877.00 |
| Full | 54″ x 75″ | $2144.00 |
| Queen | 60″ x 80″ | $2277.00 |
| King | 76″ x 80″ | $2544.00 |
| California King | 72″ x 84″ | $2544.00 |
How the Nolah Evolution Compares
The Nolah Evolution impressed our testers overall, but people looking for cooler nights, more bounce, or side sleeper-specific comfort may want to consider these mattresses instead.
- Leesa Sapira Chill Hybrid – Upgraded cooling
- Saatva Classic – Better for combination sleepers
- Helix Midnight Luxe Mattress – Designed specifically for side slee
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| Rating |
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| Firmness |
Multiple firmness options
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Multiple firmness options
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Multiple firmness options
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Medium-firm: 6.5/10
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| Material |
Hybrid
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Hybrid
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Innerspring
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Hybrid
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| Cooling |
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| Best For |
Side Sleepers,
Back Sleepers, Hip Pain |
Side Sleepers,
Back Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers |
Back Sleepers,
Stomach Sleepers, Hot Sleepers |
Side Sleepers,
Back Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers |
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Nolah Evolution vs. Leesa Sapira Chill
Both the Nolah Evolution and the Leesa Sapira Chill are hybrids with a choice of firmness to accommodate different sleep styles. As the name suggests, the Sapira Chill is designed with cooling in mind, and it delivers in this category, earning 4.5/5 in our testing. The cooling cover, special cooling infusions, and breathable coils and foam give the bed a cool-to-the-touch sensation, so it’s the better choice if overheating at night is an issue for you.
While both beds have a cushioning pillow top, the Leesa Sapira Chill felt a little more responsive to the touch. Neither bed offers much in the way of sinkage.
Nolah Evolution vs. Saatva Classic
The Saatva Classic is a luxury innerspring with two coil units. That means double the support and a classically springy feel that makes it really appealing to combination sleepers. Like the Nolah Evolution, it comes in three firmness options. But there are also two height options.
The Evolution is likely the better option for couples in need of high motion isolation. During testing, we found the Saatva’s bounciness a likely issue for light sleepers who are easily disturbed by a partner’s movements.
Nolah Evolution vs. Helix Midnight Luxe
The Helix Midnight Luxe is specifically designed with targeted support for side sleepers. It has a medium firmness and a comfortably balanced feel that works well for cushioning around the shoulders without sacrificing spinal support. If pressure points are an issue, the Helix Midnight Luxe might be a great fit.
We think the Nolah Evolution is a better fit for sexually active couples and those interested in excellent motion isolation.
Nolah Evolution Mattress FAQs
Does the Nolah Evolution work for all sleeping positions?
The Nolah Evolution comes in three firmness options, so it accommodates different sleeping positions. During testing, we found the luxury firm model had a universally appealing medium firmness and was a great match for back, side, and stomach sleeping alike.
Is the Nolah Evolution good for couples?
The Nolah Evolution performed very well in our motion-isolation and edge-support tests, making it a great option for couples looking to minimize nighttime disturbances and maximize sleeping space.
How does the Nolah Evolution hold up over time?
The Nolah Evolution is constructed with quality materials and should perform well for at least 7 years. It performed very well in our edge support test, which is often a predictor of durability. Plus, the Nolah’s limited lifetime warranty is a good indicator of the brand’s faith in the materials and construction.