Tuft & Needle vs. Nolah Mattress Comparison

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March 10, 2023

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The Tuft & Needle and Nolah mattresses are both affordable, all-foam bed-in-a-box options from reputable online mattress companies of the same name. The Tuft & Needle is made with two layers of supportive, buoyant foam. The Nolah is made with three layers of foam designed to stay cool and provide pressure relief.

The Nolah is a great option for side sleepers, those with hip or shoulder pain, and hot sleepers. The Tuft & Needle is better for back sleepers and lightweight stomach sleepers.

We test these mattresses first-hand, so make sure to check out our testing methodology.

Product

Firmness

Score

Product

Nolah Original 10″ Mattress

Firmness

Medium-firm: 6/10

Score

4.7 / 5

Check Price

Read Nolah Original 10″ Mattress Review

Product

Tuft & Needle Mattress

Firmness

Medium-firm: 6.5/10

Score

3.6 / 5

Check Price

Read Tuft & Needle Mattress Review

Nolah vs. Tuft & Needle Overview

Both Nolah and Tuft & Needle mattresses are made from foam, but each are constructed differently. The Nolah is softer and has three foam layers designed to sleep cool and provide pressure relief. The Tuft & Needle has a medium-firm feel that is bouncier and provides better back support.

Nolah is best for…	Tuft and Needle is best for…
Side sleepers	Back sleepers
Combination sleepers	Lightweight and average-weight sleepers
Couples	Budget-conscious shoppers

Who Should Choose the Nolah Mattress?

Side sleepers with lightweight and average-weight body types are likely to get adequate pressure relief on the medium-firm Nolah.
Combination sleepers will experience excellent mobility on Nolah’s extra responsive AirFoam top layer.
Couples will benefit from the minimal motion transfer across the surface of the Nolah.

Who Should Choose the Tuft & Needle Mattress?

Most back sleepers will notice that their hips and shoulders stay supported and aligned on the Tuft & Needle’s supportive layers of foam.
Lightweight and average-weight sleepers are likely to get just the right combination of support and cushion on the Tuft & Needle.
Budget-conscious shoppers will appreciate the relatively low pricing for the original Tuft & Needle mattress. A Queen size costs less than $900 before seasonal discounts.

Nolah vs. Tuft & Needle: Top Similarities

Materials: Both mattresses are made of thick, foam layers.
Edge support: Neither mattress offers the best edge support; we suggest opting for a hybrid bed with reinforced edges if this factor is important to you.
Patented foam technology: Each mattress uses its own respective patented foam technology; the AirFoam for Nolah and the Tuft & Needle’s Adaptive® foam.

Nolah vs. Tuft & Needle: Top Differences

Price point: There’s a noticeable price difference between the two mattresses, with the Tuft & Needle being more affordable.
Policies: Nolah offers a better sleep trial than Tuft & Needle. Nolah gives a period of 120 days vs. Tuft & Needle’s 100 days.
Construction: Nolah is made up of 3 distinct foam layers, while Tuft & Needle has only 2.

Nolah vs. Tuft & Needle: Firmness & Feel Differences

Here’s how the Nolah and Tuft & Needle mattresses feel for different sleepers.

What’s the Firmness Of the Nolah & Tuft and Needle Mattresses?

At Mattress Nerd, we determine a mattress’s firmness level by testing where it falls on the firmness scale (1 being softest, and 10 being firmest). By our approximation, the Nolah is a 6/10, which is medium-firm. We consider the Tuft & Needle mattress to be on the higher end of the medium-firm spectrum at 6.5/10.

The materials used to make a mattress are the main factor dictating how soft or firm it is, but your body type also plays a role. Heavyweight sleepers (those over 230 lbs) are more likely to sink further into the mattress, which can make it feel softer or firmer, depending on the materials. Similarly, lightweight individuals (those under 130 lbs) often rate mattresses as firmer, since they don’t press as deep into the top layers.

What Do the Nolah & Tuft & Needle Mattresses Feel Like?

The Nolah provides a dense, body-conforming feel that brings great pressure relief, minus the “hugging sensation.” Its memory foam construction delivers enough cushion and support to create a slight sinking feeling that makes you feel like you’re sleeping “in” the mattress.

Like the Nolah, the Tuft & Needle also has a balanced foam feel that provides a cushioning and conforming effect. However, it’s slightly firmer and bouncier than the former and feels more like you’re sleeping “on” it.

What’s It Like to Sleep On the Nolah & Tuft & Needle Mattresses?

The Nolah is one of the softer foam mattresses, which makes it ideal for side sleepers. It does a great job of relieving pressure from your neck, hips, and joints and conforms well to the shape of your body. Although it provides fairly good support and cushion, some back and stomach sleepers may find it too soft, especially those on the heavier side. Nolah has great movement responsiveness and can quickly adapt to combination sleepers who toss and turn throughout the night.

The Tuft & Needle is a bit firmer than the Nolah, which makes it suitable for all sleeping positions, especially back and stomach sleepers. However, some side sleepers may feel that it’s a little too firm for comfort. This mattress is also great for combination sleepers as its polyfoam top layer adjusts quickly to movement.

The Nolah vs. Tuft & Needle Mattresses By Body Type

Nolah Performance By Body Type & Sleeping Position:

Body Type:	BACK SLEEPERS	STOMACH SLEEPERS	SIDE SLEEPERS
Lightweight (< 130 lbs):	5	4	5
Average-weight (130–230 lbs):	4	3	5
Heavyweight (> 230 lbs):	3	2	4

Tuft & Needle Performance By Body Type & Sleeping Position:

Body Type:	BACK SLEEPERS	STOMACH SLEEPERS	SIDE SLEEPERS
Lightweight (< 130 lbs):	5	5	4
Average-weight (130–230 lbs):	5	4	5
Heavyweight (> 230 lbs):	4	3	4

1 = Very poor, 2 = Not good, 3 = Fair, 4 = Good, 5 = Excellent

Average-Weight Sleepers (130–230 lbs)

Both mattresses are suitable for average-weight back sleepers, but some may prefer the firmer feel and additional support that the Tuft & Needle provides.

Average-weight side sleepers will be most comfortable with the Nolah mattress, thanks to the cushion and body-conforming features of its latex-like foam. Some side sleepers may find the Tuft & Needle a bit too firm.

Average-weight stomach sleepers may find the Nolah too soft for proper spinal alignment, so the Tuft & Needle’s firmness and level of elevating support suits stomach sleepers better.

Both mattresses score high when it comes to movement responsiveness, so average-weight combination sleepers should have no problem.

Heavyweight Sleepers (> 230 lbs)

We don’t recommend the Nolah to heavyweight back sleepers since it’s too soft to provide enough support for your hips. The Tuft & Needle mattress might be suitable for some back sleepers, but ultimately, we recommend firmer mattresses with sturdier coil systems. You can find a few of our favorite options by checking out our best mattresses for back sleepers.

Nolah lacks the proper support and pressure relief for heavyweight side sleepers. While the Tuft & Needle did a better job with pressure relief, this weight category may not find this bed to be durable enough for day to day use. For mattresses recommendations more suited to side sleepers, check out the best mattresses for side sleepers.

Heavyweight stomach sleepers will also feel that both mattresses are too soft and unable to provide enough elevated support for the hips.

Though both mattresses provide great responsiveness, most heavyweight combination sleepers may find them a bit hard to move in. For a list of the most responsive beds on the market, check out the best mattresses for combination sleepers.

Lightweight Sleepers (< 130 lbs)

Both mattresses will provide enough comfort and support for lightweight back sleepers.

Lightweight side sleepers will sleep comfortably on the Nolah, while some may find the Tuft & Needle a little too firm.

Both mattresses are suitable for lightweight stomach sleepers, but the Nolah offers better support because of its firmer feel.
Also, both mattresses do a fantastic job of responding to movement, so lightweight combination sleepers can choose either.

Differences In Mattress Construction

The Nolah and Tuft & Needle are both all-foam mattresses that have a thickness of 10”. Though not all different when it comes to materials, each mattress is constructed differently and use patented foam technologies.

Nolah Mattress Materials	Tuft & Needle Mattress Materials
TENCEL Mattress Cover	Polyester Blend
AirFoam	Adaptive Foam
High-Resilience Foam	–
High-Density Base Foam	High-Density Support Foam

Cover

The Nolah Original is made from a breathable and sustainable material called TENCEL, which regulates body heat and helps you sleep cool at night. Tuft & Needle has a polyester blend cover that’s also breathable and supports a temperature-neutral sleeping experience.

Comfort Layers

Nolah’s proprietary AirFoam layer has air pockets that provide pressure relief, breathability, and body-conforming features. The Tuft & Needle has an Adaptive Foam comfort layer that also has air pockets, body contouring, and cooling ceramic gel beads.

Support Layers

Nolah’s support layer is a 7″ thick high-density polyfoam layer that acts as a solid base for the mattress. Similarly, Tuft & Needle has a 7″ thick high-density polyfoam layer that reduces motion transfer.

Nolah vs. Tuft and Needle Pricing

Size	Nolah Prices	Tuft and Needle Prices
Twin	$999.00	$645.00
Twin XL	$1199.00	$695.00
Full	$1349.00	$795.00
Queen	$1149.00	$895.00
King	$1749.00	$1295.00
California King	$1749.00	$1295.00

For exclusive discounts on both beds see our Nolah mattress coupons and Tuft & Needle mattress coupons.

Nolah vs. Tuft and Needle Mattress Performance Ratings & Differences

Temperature

Foam mattresses typically retain more heat than hybrid or innerspring mattresses, so the Tuft & Needle and Nolah may sleep too warm.

However, the Tuft & Needle Adaptive foam is infused with cooling gel beads and graphite that draw heat away from the mattress surface. The Nolah AirFoam has a breathable, open-cell construction that improves airflow through the foam. It also has a breathable TENCEL mattress cover.

If we had to choose between the two, we think the Nolah is a more comfortable mattress for hot sleepers.

Motion Transfer

You really only need to consider motion isolation if you plan to share your bed. This is especially relevant if you’re a light sleeper who’s easily disrupted by movements on your mattress.

Related: Best Mattresses for Couples

The Nolah and Tuft & Needle are both all-foam mattresses, so they’re already ahead of the competition in this category. Foam mattresses—especially memory foam mattresses—typically do a much better job at reducing motion transfer than innerspring or hybrid mattresses.

During our lab testing, we gave the Nolah better scores than the T&N for motion isolation, though you’re unlikely to feel too much motion transfer on either mattress.

Edge Support

Good edge support enables you to use your full mattress surface, whether for sleeping or sitting. Neither the Nolah nor Tuft & Needle have reinforced edges, so we noticed that both offered decent support while lying near the edges of the bed, but not strong support while sitting. If edge support is an important feature for you, consider a hybrid mattress or one with extra edge support features.

Pressure Relief

Pressure relief is linked with mattress firmness because the deeper you sink into the mattress, the more pressure relief you’ll experience. We use a pressure map to determine how well mattresses cushion pressure points in different sleeping positions. During our lab testing, we gave both the Nolah and Tuft & Needle great pressure relief scores.

That means that either option works for side sleepers, those with shoulder or hip pain, and those with joint pain.

Pain Relief

The Nolah Original does a great job at relieving pain and faciliating proper spinal alignment because of its signature AirFoam layer. Though the Nolah may be good enough for most back sleepers, it’s only offered in medium-firmness which is not really optimal for those suffering from back pain. Our pressure map also predicts that side sleepers may feel pressure on their hips.

Average-weight sleepers with joint pain will find relief with the Tuft & Needle. In contrast, it may not provide enough pain relief for lightweight sleepers, and heavyweight folks may risk their curves “bottoming out” against the base layer.

Durability

The average foam bed will last you at least five years, and we think that’s the case with both the Tuft & Needle and Nolah original mattresses. As value mattresses, neither are the most durable on the market, but they’re also protected against certain defects by warranties.

Shipping, Returns, & Warranties

Nolah

Nolah has free shipping in the contiguous U.S. They also have a longer 120-day sleep trial, with free returns and a full refund after 30 days. The Nolah Lifetime warranty has complete coverage for 15 years and provides prorated repair costs after.

Tuft and Needle

Tuft & Needle offers free shipping, with an extra fee tacked on orders going to Alaska and Hawaii. They also provide a 100-day sleep trial period that comes with free returns and a full refund. Their mattresses come with a 10-year warranty that covers mattress sagging and body impressions over 0.75”.

Other Nolah Mattresses

Nolah Signature 12" Mattress

The Nolah Signature is a medium-firm all-foam mattress. It's an upgraded version of the original Nolah, and incorporates 20 percent more foam and an organic cotton cover.

Nerd Score 3.0/5

Read Full Review

CHECK PRICE

35% off sitewide + 2 free pillows + $150 off BedJet with mattress purchase Black Friday Sale

Material

Foam

Trial Period

120 nights

Shipping Method

Free shipping

Firmness

Medium-firm: 6/10

Warranty

Lifetime warranty

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

Back Pain

This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.

Side Sleeping

Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Visit Nolah

Average Customer Rating

4.8/5

Watch Our Video Review

Nolah Signature 12" Mattress

The Nolah Signature is a medium-firm all-foam mattress. It's an upgraded version of the original Nolah, and incorporates 20 percent more foam and an organic cotton cover.

Nerd Score 3.0/5

Read Full Review

CHECK PRICE

35% off sitewide + 2 free pillows + $150 off BedJet with mattress purchase Black Friday Sale