Nolah vs GhostBed: Which Should You Choose?

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Nolah and GhostBed are both popular online sellers of all-foam mattresses. While the pair’s mattresses at first appear similar in construction, they’re actually pretty different in terms of how they feel to sleepers. In this Nolah vs GhostBed mattress comparison, I will go over the similarities and differences between the Nolah mattress and GhostBed’s flagship mattress (as opposed to its new “luxe” option) to help consumers decide which one is better for them.

Nolah vs. GhostBed: Top Similarities

  • Both are all foam mattresses that have a layer of latex or latex-like foam for airflow and bounce.
  • Both have a dense foam base layer.
  • Both sleep cool and are very breathable.
  • Both have greater than average durability compared to other all-foam mattresses.
  • Similar price range.
  • Both offer free shipping and have great customer service.

Nolah vs. GhostBed: Key Differences

  • Nolah is softer, so sleepers will sink into it more.
  • GhostBed is firmer and has less give, so sleepers will sink into it less.
  • GhostBed is more bouncy and elastic, and springs back into shape more quickly after pressure is applied.
  • Different thickness (Nolah is 10” thick, GhostBed is 11” thick).
  • GhostBed offers a 101-day trial, shorter than Nolah’s 120-day trial.

Nolah Construction

Here’s a description of Nolah’s construction with a picture to illustrate:
  • Nolah’s cover is made of a thin, soft, breathable viscose.  It’s breathable and is thin so that it doesn’t interfere with the feel of the layer directly beneath it.
  • 2 inches of a proprietary “AirFoam” make up the top layer. The foam keeps cool and has been shown in studies to relieve pressure better than standard memory foam.
  • The next layer is 1-inch of latex-like Avena foam. This layer gives the mattress good bounce and makes it more responsive.  It is also highly durable.
  • The base layer is pretty standard as far as foam mattresses go: 7 inches of high density poly foam.
Related: Best Cooling Mattresses NolahConstruction

Nolah Original 10" Mattress

Nolah Original 10

The Nolah Original 10" mattress works especially well for side sleepers, and it's sold at a value price.

Clarity Score 4.2/5
MC Brand Icon MattressMaterial

Material

Foam

MC Brand Icon PropertyTrialPeriod

Trial Period

120 nights

MC Brand Icon PropertyShipping

Shipping Method

Free shipping

MC Brand Icon PropertyFirmness

Firmness

Soft: 6/10

MC Brand Icon MattressWarranty

Warranty

Lifetime warranty

MC Brand Icon PropertyPrice

Price Range

$999 - $2398

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

MC sleeper type back sleepers
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
MC sleeper type side sleepers
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.8/5

Nolah Original 10" Mattress

Nolah Original 10

The Nolah Original 10" mattress works especially well for side sleepers, and it's sold at a value price.

Clarity Score 4.2/5
MC Brand Icon MattressMaterial

Material

Foam

MC Brand Icon MattressWarranty

Warranty

Lifetime warranty

MC Brand Icon PropertyFirmness

Firmness

Soft: 6/10

MC Brand Icon PropertyShipping

Shipping Method

Free shipping

MC Brand Icon PropertyTrialPeriod

Trial Period

120 nights

MC Brand Icon PropertyPrice

Price Range

$999 - $2398

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

MC sleeper type back sleepers
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
MC sleeper type side sleepers
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.8/5
Nolah Original 10

Nolah Original 10" Mattress

The Nolah Original 10" mattress works especially well for side sleepers, and it's sold at a value price.

Clarity Score 4.2/5
MC Brand Icon MattressMaterial

Material

Foam

MC Brand Icon PropertyFirmness

Firmness

Soft: 6/10

MC Brand Icon PropertyTrialPeriod

Trial Period

120 nights

MC Brand Icon MattressWarranty

Warranty

Lifetime warranty

MC Brand Icon PropertyShipping

Shipping Method

Free shipping

MC Brand Icon PropertyPrice

Price Range

$999 - $2398

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

MC sleeper type back sleepers
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
MC sleeper type side sleepers
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.8/5
Get the Highest Available Discount on Nolah HERE

GhostBed Construction

Here’s a breakdown of GhostBed’s construction, for comparison:
  • A viscose and polyester cover gives a softness and breathability to the GhostBed, and people can zip the cover off to wash it.
  • The top layer is 1.5 inches of proprietary “Aerated” latex with small holes in it. Latex sleeps cooler than memory foam and is more springy.
  • The next layer is 2 inches of prioprietary gel memory foam. GhostBed says this foam is formulated to sleep cool. Being a memory foam, it also helps with providing contouring support.
  • The base layer is 7.5 inches of dense core foam (2 lb. density).

GhostBed Mattress

GhostBed Classic Mattress

The GhostBed is a supportive bed-in-a-box mattress that is a great option for stomach sleepers, hot sleepers, and those looking for a value mattress.

Clarity Score 4.1/5
MC Brand Icon MattressMaterial

Material

Foam

MC Brand Icon PropertyTrialPeriod

Trial Period

101 nights

MC Brand Icon PropertyShipping

Shipping Method

Free shipping minus HI and AK

MC Brand Icon PropertyFirmness

Firmness

Firm: 8/10

MC Brand Icon MattressWarranty

Warranty

20-year warranty

MC Brand Icon PropertyPrice

Price Range

$1295 - $2790

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

MC sleeper type hot sleepers
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
MC sleeper type back pain
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
MC sleeper type back sleepers
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight back sleepers.
MC sleeper type stomach sleepers
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.7/5
Watch Our Video Review

GhostBed Mattress

GhostBed Classic Mattress

The GhostBed is a supportive bed-in-a-box mattress that is a great option for stomach sleepers, hot sleepers, and those looking for a value mattress.

Clarity Score 4.1/5
MC Brand Icon MattressMaterial

Material

Foam

MC Brand Icon MattressWarranty

Warranty

20-year warranty

MC Brand Icon PropertyFirmness

Firmness

Firm: 8/10

MC Brand Icon PropertyShipping

Shipping Method

Free shipping minus HI and AK

MC Brand Icon PropertyTrialPeriod

Trial Period

101 nights

MC Brand Icon PropertyPrice

Price Range

$1295 - $2790

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

MC sleeper type hot sleepers
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
MC sleeper type back pain
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
MC sleeper type back sleepers
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight back sleepers.
MC sleeper type stomach sleepers
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.7/5
Watch Our Video Review
GhostBed Classic Mattress

GhostBed Mattress

The GhostBed is a supportive bed-in-a-box mattress that is a great option for stomach sleepers, hot sleepers, and those looking for a value mattress.

Clarity Score 4.1/5
MC Brand Icon MattressMaterial

Material

Foam

MC Brand Icon PropertyFirmness

Firmness

Firm: 8/10

MC Brand Icon PropertyTrialPeriod

Trial Period

101 nights

MC Brand Icon MattressWarranty

Warranty

20-year warranty

MC Brand Icon PropertyShipping

Shipping Method

Free shipping minus HI and AK

MC Brand Icon PropertyPrice

Price Range

$1295 - $2790

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

MC sleeper type hot sleepers
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
MC sleeper type back pain
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.
MC sleeper type back sleepers
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight back sleepers.
MC sleeper type stomach sleepers
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.7/5
Watch Our Video Review
Get the Best Deal Available on GhostBed HERE

Construction Differences and Notes

  • The mattresses should be roughly equal in terms of durability.
  • Both are made of three layers, with a middle latex or latex-like layer and a cover that contains viscose.
  • GhostBed’s latex top layer gives the mattress a more bounce.
  • Both sleep cool — Nolah because of its proprietary foam top layer, GhostBed because of its breathable top latex layer and gel memory foam second layer.
  • Nolah is softer.
  • Sleepers will sink into the Nolah more, while GhostBed gives people more of a sleeping on top of the mattress feel.

Firmness Differences and Notes

Nolah is softer and more responsive to pressure. GhostBed is firmer and springier than Nolah, returning to shape more quickly after applying pressure. Watch the videos below to get a better idea of what to expect from each mattress.
 

Motion Transfer Differences

GhostBed doesn’t isolate motion quite as well as Nolah, so the Nolah should be the best mattress for couples. Watch these videos to see the difference.
  For more detail on how these mattresses stack up to other competition, make sure to check out our other popular Nolah and GhostBed comparisons like Nolah vs Amerisleep and GhostBed vs Lull.

Who Should Choose Nolah

    • People who like a mattress where you sink into it a bit – Nolah sinks more than GhostBed, so it’s a good choice for people who like to feel like they are sleeping “in” their bed rather than “on” it.
    • Side sleepers – Nolah is softer than GhostBed, making it a better mattress for side sleepers.

Who Should Choose GhostBed

  • Stomach or back sleepers – GhostBed is firmer, making it more supportive for people who sleep on their bellies or backs. See our best mattresses for stomach sleepers.
  • Those who want more support for your weight – People who are heavier may prefer GhostBed because it is thicker and uses high density foams, making it more supportive under pressure.
Related: Top Mattress Picks

Overall

Both mattresses are good choices, and you’ll have a trial period to commit to your choice. That said, there are clear differences between these two mattresses, so it should be relatively easy to make the right choice if you’re deciding between the two. Please leave a comment if you have specific questions or want me to judge which would better for you!

Joe Auer

Joe Auer is the editor of Mattress Clarity. He mainly focuses on mattress reviews and oversees the content across the site. He likes things simple and takes a straightforward, objective approach to his reviews. Joe has personally tested nearly 250 mattresses and always recommends people do their research before buying a new bed. He has been testing mattresses for over 5 years now, so he knows a thing or two when it comes to mattress selection. He has been cited as an authority in the industry by a number of large publications. When he isn't testing sleep products, he enjoys working out, reading both fiction and non-fiction, and playing classical piano. He enjoys traveling as well, and not just to test out hotel mattresses! Joe has an undergraduate degree from Wake Forest University and an MBA from Columbia University.