With the help of Meredith Broderick, M.D., sleep medicine doctor and neurologist, and Catherine Darley, N.D., of The Institute of Naturopathic Sleep Medicine, we’re arming you with everything you need to know about picking out the right mattress for your RV. Below, find our favorite RV mattresses to help you bump your sleep score while you’re on the road. While some RVs can fit the standard twin, full, queen, or king sizes, many mattress companies also offer RV twin, RV full, RV queen, and RV king sizes. RV sizes tend to be more narrow than typical mattresses, but the exact dimensions can vary, depending on the brand. Most companies share exact dimensions on their websites for shoppers. Darley explains that foam mattresses can hold heat more than other materials. Her recommendation? Invest in a fiber topper to stay cool, or consider a latex or hybrid mattress, as these materials tend to do a better job with temperature regulation. Latex is a more eco-friendly choice, too, which is a big plus in our books. As with any mattress, it’s important to look for one that’s made from high-quality materials. The brand recommends soft or medium firmness for side sleepers and medium or firm for stomach sleepers or back sleepers. Those worried about overheating can also add a cooling cover. Just keep in mind that this mattress is 11 inches thick, so you’ll want to make sure you have enough room to accommodate that depth in your RV. And while the foams are CertiPUR-US certified, meaning they meet safety standards, this mattress is not made with any recycled, organic, or sustainable materials. However, setup is a breeze, as the mattress arrives rolled up in a box and expands quickly. What customers say: The brand’s most popular model, this mattress has a 4.6 overall rating (out of five), with a ton of reviews touting how comfortable it is. One RV owner says, “The best mattress I’ve ever purchased. I’m going to explore buying one for home. It is so comfortable I don’t want this trip to end.” If you’re looking for an extra-plush mattress, this likely isn’t for you. But it offers just the right amount of pressure relief, and all foams are CertiPUR-US certified (but again, not the most sustainable option). It arrives rolled up and vacuum-packed in a box; to set your new bed up, just unwrap and wait for it to expand. What customers say: This mattress has a near-perfect rating, with 4.9 stars overall and over 100 reviews. The overwhelming sentiment is that it’’s way more comfortable than typical RV mattresses. One reviewer touts, “Extremely comfortable and I don’t wake up with aches and pains. I’m a hot sleeper and the temperature of the mattress stays cool all night.” Slightly thinner than the other options we’ve included, the 9-inch mattress is the perfect size thinness for an RV. It’s still comfortable and supportive enough to promote a deep, restorative sleep, yet the mattress won’t take up too much covetable space. The flippable design also offers a different firmness on either side. So, if you’re not sure whether you’d prefer firm or soft, you can test out both options to find your perfect fit. Plus, flippable mattresses have a longer shelf life, as you can continue to flip them to limit wear and tear. This brand makes all its products in the United States and offers free, carbon-neutral shipping with every mattress shipped within 24 hours of ordering. Like most others, the mattress will arrive compressed and rolled up in a box—and all foams used in the design are CertiPUR-US certified. What customers say: This mattress has 4.9 out of five stars overall—and while it’s a budget pick, reviewers agree that it doesn’t sacrifice comfort or quality. One person writes, “Replaced the original excuse for a mattress, a 3-inch piece of foam, and couldn’t be happier. No need to spend the outrageous money on the other brands, this is all the mattress you need.” A quilted top contrasts the memory foam, offering a breathable, cooling cover that regulates your body’s temperature. On the other side, you’ll find an 8-inch layer of individually encased coils, which minimize sleep disturbance and limit motion transfer. What customers say: Another customer-favorite, this mattress has a 4.9 out of five-star rating overall. There are thousands of reviews, but this person sums them up well: “Bought this for our travel trailer and loved it so much that we replaced our mattress at home. My parents slept in our RV and bought one for their home. They are now buying one for their RV.” “The most important thing with mattresses is that they are comfortable for the person sleeping on it,” Darley adds. Personal preferences should be honored, which is why we aimed to select mattresses that have several options for firmness. Sleeping position is important to take into account, too. Darley recommends a softer mattress for side sleepers, to allow for neutral spinal alignment. Stomach and back sleepers, however, could sleep better on something a bit more firm. When it comes to RV-specific mattresses, there aren’t as many nontoxic options. Some RVs might be able to accommodate regular-sized mattresses, though, so if nontoxic materials are a priority for you (as they are for us), you should prioritize looking for an RV that will fit a standard mattress.
