Finding the Best Futon Mattress: A Review and Buyers Guide

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Let’s face it; many people don’t fancy futon mattresses. In most cases, people associate these mattresses with young people who want to furnish their houses cheaply. However, they are also a good option if you like pulling occasional sleepovers or have a gaming station in your basement where you hang out with friends.

Through much scrutiny, we’ve decided that the best futon mattress overall is the MAXYOYO Japanese Futon Mattress. While being available in several sizes helps, what makes this futon mattress stand out is that is a well-made, all-around good futon mattress for less than $200.

The MAXYOYO Futon Mattress is thicker than most options in the same price range, offers a sturdy design, and has a plush microfiber sleeping surface for support and comfort. It’s not as easily foldable as some thinner mattresses out there, but it can fold into a rather comfortable couch thanks to its thickness.

It’s not certain to meet everyone’s needs, though. Some people like futon mattresses because they are soft or simply because they only use them occasionally and they are easy to store. Some of these can even suit more than one function, serving as a yoga or play mat, among other things.

Read on to find out more about these and other details regarding the best futon mattresses available.

Best Overall: MAXYOYO Japanese Futon Mattress

If you get weekend visitors a lot but have limited space, then the MAXYOYO Japanese futon mattress is a good choice. It has a high-quality foam filling which gives the mattress its softness and comfort. In addition, this mattress has a dustproof cover that keeps it spotless, hence increasing durability. 

The mattress as a whole is 17cm thick before quilting with top and bottom layers of 6cm-thick, soft and breathable cotton. The middle layer is 5cm thick and is made of high-quality memory foam to increase the mattress’s durability and provide extra support. 

Suitability

Since MAXYOYO futon mattresses come in different sizes including double, queen, single, and twin, it is suitable for:

  • Those Who Need a Camping Mattress
  • A Dog Bed
  • A Kids Playmat
  • Those Who Prefer a Memory Foam Layer
  • Those on a Budget

Best Hypoallergenic: EMOOR Japanese Floor Futon Mattress

The EMOOR Japanese Floor Futon Mattress Classe is a traditional futon. The mattress has a soft-firm-soft layering structure to feel soft while still giving you firm support. 

You can easily fold this minimalist futon mattress in three to store away from view or place it in the corner of the room for more space when you’re not sleeping.

Quaternary ammonium salt makes the inner material anti-microbial and keeps it odor-free. Pyrethroid repels and kills pests like mosquitoes, mites, ticks, and bed bugs. Pyrethroid comes from chrysanthemum flower extracts and is generally safe for humans because of its slow dermal absorption.

Suitability

The EMOOR futon mattress is best for:

  • People With Less Space
  • Those Who Want a Firm-yet-Soft Mattress
  • High-Pest Environments
  • People With Mite Allergies

Best for Minimalists: Luxton Home Japanese Shiki Futon Foldable Mattress

The Shiki-style mattress is firm yet comfortable and a good choice if you’re looking for a Japanese-inspired futon mattress. In addition, it folds up easily, making it possible for you to store it without much hassle. Although it looks thin, this futon mattress is firm and not over-padded, a feature that helps you keep a better spinal alignment when sleeping. 

The Luxton Shiki Futon foldable mattress contains antibacterial and hypoallergenic properties, making it a good choice for people with sensitive skin. In addition, it has a minimalist Asian design that makes it a good choice when you have limited space. 

Suitability

The thin and durable design makes this futon mattress suitable for various applications, including:

  • Camping Sleeping Mat
  • Yoga and Meditation
  • Managing Back Pain

Best for Body Support: DHP Independently Encased Coil Futon Mattress

While the other mattresses on our list are floor mattresses, this one is ideal to use with a futon frame. The DHP has independently-encased coils that help to distribute your body weight evenly. As the individual coils contour your body, it helps relieve stress on your pressure points. 

If you share the futon with someone, the coils also help to keep the mattress still when you move so that your sleeping partner doesn’t wake you up every time they move in the night. 

DHP makes its covers from polyester, which holds up to everyday wear and tear. You can expect the mattress to keep its original shape for years to come. 

Suitability 

Unlike other options on this list, the DHP Futon is ideal for:

  • Those Who Prefer Western-Style Wood Frame Futons
  • Watching TV or Daytime Lounging
  • Hosting Company

Buying Guide

Here are the most important factors you need to consider when shopping for the best futon mattress for your needs.

Intended Use

Before buying, you must consider the intended use of the futon mattress. If you wish to use it as a bed only on occasion, you should opt for a cheaper brand. Cotton-filled futon mattresses suit this category well. However, if you want a futon mattress to use regularly, you may want to spring for coil-filled futon mattresses. These types last longer but are a bit more expensive. 

Comfort Level

When it comes to buying a mattress, the comfort level should be your number one priority. A futon mattress should be comfortable both when you’re sleeping on it and when you are sitting as well. The comfort level depends on the material making the futon as well as its thickness. Some futon mattresses are firm, while others will feel plush when you sleep or sit on them, allowing you to sink into their comfort. 

Durability

Focus on buying a mattress that’s made from a long-lasting material to serve you longer and better. When purchasing, be sure to check the warranty period of the product. Warranties give you a rough idea about how long the manufacturer thinks the product will last without calling for a replacement. Also consider how much you’ll be folding, moving, and storing the mattress when deciding how durable the material should be.

Versatility 

When choosing your futon mattress, make sure it’s versatile enough to serve whatever needs you’re looking for.  

You’ll need to determine how important space-saving is to you and whether or not you’d like to use your futon as a couch during the day. For a minimalist approach, the Japanese traditional futon is your best bet, but a western-style framed futon is more functional as furniture.

Conclusion

Futon mattresses are a versatile piece of furniture as you can use them as a bed or a couch, allowing you to make most of your space. 

The above four futon mattresses are a suitable choice because of their quality and adaptability. The MAXYOYO Japanese Futon mattress, however, is our top choice. The memory foam is thick enough to give your guests a good night’s sleep. It’s also easy to fold up and convert into a sofa cushion. 

In the world of online shopping, the best futon mattress for your needs may still be hours of review-reading away. Whether you choose one of the options listed here or not, we hope this guide will at least help you make a more informed purchase when you do decide to buy.

Nate Devore
Nate Devore
For over 15 years Nate has been obsessed with solving his own personal and difficult health challenges related to sleep, energy, and fatigue. As one of our sleep experts at sleeping.com, Nate is passionate about helping you get the best night’s sleep possible.

Medical Disclaimer: The content on this page should not be taken as medical advice or used as a recommendation for any specific treatment. Always consult your doctor before making any decisions.

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