The 5 Best Lightweight Mattresses (That Are Actually Comfy)

This article has been written by the site owner – Dan Cartwright – who has been testing mattresses and reviewing products online since 2015.

Lightweight mattresses are typically the best option if you need a mattress that can be moved around easily – such as for a guest room, RV, camping trip, or for travelling.

However, lightweight mattresses are often thinner and made entirely of foam – or may even use air, in the case of lightweight blow-up mattresses.

This means that lighter weight mattresses don’t usually provide the same degree of support that thicker mattresses with a more robust structure do.

However, it’s not impossible to find a good quality lightweight mattress.

The Puffy Original is the best lightweight mattress that I’ve personally tested and slept in because it provides good pressure relief and support for an all-foam mattress that’s suitable for front, back, and side sleepers up to 230 lbs.

In the rest of this post, I have provided more details on the Puffy Original (or you can read my full in depth review here), as well as other alternatives that may be more suitable for camping, travelling, and for RV use.

I based these selections on my own experience of sleeping and using the mattresses, in conjunction with research blended with my many years of experience of testing mattresses.

Related: see the best mattresses I’ve reviewed here.

The Top 5 Lightweight Mattresses Reviewed

Below are the five best lightweight mattresses that I could find based on my personal experience and extensive research.

Click the red buttons to buy these beds directly from the brand at the best possible discount currently available:

1: Puffy Original – Best For Regular Use

I have chosen the Puffy Original as the best lightweight mattress because in addition to this being the lightest mattress that I’ve slept on, it also has qualities that make it suitable for a wide range of sleeping types.

Having slept on the Puffy Original for more than 30 nights continuously, I feel that this mattress is best suited to front, back, and side sleepers that weigh less than 230 lbs – with those at the lighter end of the spectrum benefitting the most from the all-foam design.

In order to sleep on this mattress, I had to carry it up the stairs – and this is one of the few bed-in-a-box mattresses that was actually light enough for me to do this with ease.

I have also had to move the fully expanded version of the Puffy Original mattress up and down the stairs several times since unboxing and I found it quite easy to do this on my own – the all-foam design meant that I could bend the mattress around door frames without much bother.

This has proven impossible with many of the other mattresses that I’ve tested – with the hybrid designs being the heaviest and most cumbersome to move.

I’ve outlined major benefits of the Puffy Original below – you can click the red button to buy this mattress now direct from Puffy at the best possible price.

Or you can read my full Puffy Original review here.

Specs

Below, I have summarized the key specifications for the Puffy Original and what they mean for you as a sleeper – I’ve also included the weights for each mattress size:

• All foam design (10-inch profile) – the 6″ high density polyfoam support core sits beneath 2″ of polyfoam and 2″ of gel memory foam to provide pressure relief that’s ideal for couples, lighter weighted sleepers, and sleepers with a lower body fat percentage.

• Medium-firm feel – the medium-firm feel gives the Puffy Original some pushback to ensure that you don’t feel like you’re being swallowed up by the mattress.

• 150 kg weight limit (per sleeper) – the Puffy Original is designed to support individuals weighing up to 150 kg (330lbs) per each half of the mattress. However, sleepers over 230 lbs will likely need more support and should consider a mattress like the Nolah Evolution that is more supportive under heavier weights.

Ideal For

• Regular use – the Puffy Original is thick enough with enough pressure relief and support to allow for comfortable sleeping every night.

• RVs – if the dimensions listed in the table above allow you to fit the Puffy Original in your RV, you will have a mattress that’s comfortable and long lasting (which contrasts with many RV mattresses that are very uncomfortable).

• Guest rooms – the Puffy Original is ideal for guest room use because its lightweight design makes it easy to move around.

• Side sleepers – the Puffy Original is perfect for side sleepers under 230 lbs because the gel memory foam allows your hips and shoulders to sink into the mattress for better pressure relief.

• Front and back sleepers – if you weigh less than 230 lbs then the Puffy Original is suitable for front and back sleepers because the medium-firm feel provides pushback to help keep you in good posture.

• Couples – as long as you each have sleeping styles that are compatible with the Puffy Original, then this mattress is ideal if you sleep as a couple because the all-foam design means this is a quiet bed that doesn’t transfer motion (so you won’t wake each other up as you move around).

• Sleepers under 150 lbs – if you are a lightweight sleeper under 150 lbs, then the Puffy Original is ideal because the adaptive foams allow you to sink more deeply into the materials to help dissipate your body weight so that the pressure doesn’t build up in your joints.

• Sleepers with a low body fat percentage – if you are a ‘skinny’ sleeper with less than 15% body fat, then the Puffy Original can help to soften the pressure on your bones and joints thanks to its adaptive foams.

• Sleepers with pressure-aggravated pain – conditions like sciatica, arthritis, and disc problems can feel less painful when sleeping on the Puffy Original because the adaptive foams conform to your body shape more precisely to reduce the pressure points that cause aggravation.

2: Plushbeds MobilePlush – Best RV Mattress

If the Puffy Original won’t fit or isn’t suitable for your RV, then the MobilePlush™ is a viable alternative because it comes in different sizes that are specifically crafted to work with your RV.

All of Plushbed’s RV mattress will fit inside the top RV brands – including Country Coach, Damon, Fleetwood, ITASCA, Keystone RV, Outlaw, Safari, Tiffin Motorhomes, and the others that you can see listed in the image below.

With this mattress only being 6″ thick, you can expect this mattress to be much lighter and easier to move around than a thicker mattress.

Specs

• All-foam design – Plushbeds have used foam that’s 3x denser than regular polyfoam in order to provide better support despite the thinner profile.

• Memory foam – the memory foam in the upper comfort layers provides adaptive pressure relief.

• Fiberglass free – this mattress doesn’t contain fiberglass, which is a potentially harmful chemical found in some mattresses (learn more about fiberglass free mattresses here).

Ideal For

• All sleeper types – the denser foam and memory foam combine to create a sleeping surface that’s suitable for front, back, and side sleepers.

• Warmer sleepers – the open cell structure of the foam means that this mattress is more breathable than other types of memory foam that may otherwise lead to overheating.

• Sleepers with allergies – the materials used in this mattress are hypoallergenic and CertiPUR-US® and GreenGuard Gold certified to minimize the chance of this mattress triggering asthma, eczema, skin irritation, and other allergic reactions.

3: Avenco Air Mattress – Best Air Bed

Air mattresses are the lightest mattresses that you can buy and are easy to move around.

However, the trade-off is that they are typically quite uncomfortable and not ideal for regular sleeping.

So I’ve chosen the Avenco as the best lightweight air mattress because it comes with reinforced support and has an 18″ profile with a soft comfort layer to keep you in better posture and provide pressure relief.

I have previously reviewed the Avenco Zoned Hybrid mattress, which is a good mattress for front and back sleepers on the heavier side.

Click here to see my full Avenco Zoned mattress review.

Specs

• Air Coil Technology for better support – air mattresses are notorious for their poor support, so Avenco have reinforced their air mattress to provide enough support to hold up to 660 lbs.

• Puncture resistant – the PVC material is designed to be puncture resistant whilst also providing more pushback and support to keep you in good posture.

Ideal For

• Camping and temporary sleeping – this is the lightest and most portable mattress on this list; which makes it ideal for camping, travelling, and temporary sleeping.

• All sleeping positions – the dual firmness means that this air mattress is suitable for front, back, and side sleepers.

4: The Futon Shop – Best Japanese Futon Mattress

Japanese futons offer a more substantial alternative to air mattresses that are ideal for occasional use at home or when out travelling due to their lightweight feel and ability to be folded up.

This Japanese futon from The Futon Shop is designed to be used on the floor and doesn’t require a bed frame.

This type of futon contrasts with futon style sofa beds that are attached to a frame and are very heavy, but offer more support and can be used in guest rooms.

Click here to read my personal review of the Homary sofa bed.

Specs

• Medium-firm feel – provides a balance of pressure relief and some pushback to keep you comfortable.

• Best used with a Tatami mat – whilst this Japanese futon can be placed directly on the floor, putting a Tatami mat beneath it can provide more support and greater comfort.

Ideal For

• Travel and occasional use – this Japanese futon is best for infrequent use due to its thinner profile.

5: Natural Home – Best Fold Up Mattress

A fold up mattress offers more support than a Japanese futon and can be a good option for occasional use.

Their fold-up design makes them suitable for camping trips and occasional guest room use.

Specs

• Available with gel memory foam – choose this option if you want maximum pressure relief (best for side sleepers and lightweight sleepers).

• Available in natural latex – choose this option if you want a more bouncy and breathable mattress that’s cooler and easier to move around in.

• Available in ‘firm’ – the firm feel will be better for you if you are a front or back sleeper, and/or you weigh more than 200 lbs because the extra pushback can help to keep you in good posture.

Ideal For

• Guest rooms and occasional use – the 5″ profile does offer more support than the 3″ version, making it suitable for occasional use.

How to Buy a Lightweight Mattress That’s Comfy

The lighter the mattress is, the less support and pressure relief that it typically provides due to its thinner profile and lack of robust coils.

Therefore, you need to balance the need for a lightweight and movable mattress with your comfort needs as follows:

1: Choose the Right Mattress Type for the Main Purpose

The most important step in choosing a lightweight mattress that’s actually comfortable to sleep in is to first decide what you’re primarily going to use it for – so that you can buy a mattress that’s fit for purpose.

For example, if you’re going to be sleeping on the mattress every night then you’ll want to choose a mattress with excellent support and pressure relief to prevent aches and pains.

But if you need a lightweight mattress for camping, then you can choose an airbed because transportation and saving space are going to be important, and you won’t be using the mattress every single night.

I’ve provided more details below in regards to the most important factors to look out for when choosing a lightweight mattress depending on its primary intended use.

Permanent Bed – Choose All-Foam or a Hybrid

If you are going to be using your new lightweight mattress every single night, then you should look for a mattress that has a strong support core to help keep you in good posture, and has good pressure relief to reduce friction points on your body.

• If keeping the mattress as light as possible is really important to you, then you should look for an all-foam mattress with high density foam in the support core, and either memory foam, latex foam, or polyfoam in the upper comfort layer.

• If you’re willing to sleep on a mattress that’s a bit heavier, then a hybrid mattress with pocket coils in the support core will provide better support than an all-foam mattress. This is really important if you are a heavier weighted sleeper over 200 lbs, and/or sleep on your front because you don’t want to sink too far into the materials.

RV – Check the Dimensions

The most important consideration when choosing to buy a mattress for an RV is checking the dimensions to ensure that the mattress that you’re going to use will fit into the available space.

In addition to measuring the length and width of the mattress, don’t forget to measure the height – this is especially important if there is limited clearance above the mattress due to a bunk or other structure.

In many cases, you can use regular mattresses in an RV as long as the dimensions match up.

If you’re not going to have to move the mattress in and out of the RV, then it’s worth sacrificing a bit of weight in order to go for a hybrid mattress – rather than an all-foam one – because the extra support provided by the coils can increase your comfort massively.

Guest Room – Futons Can Save Space

If you don’t need to save space in your guest room or have any specific requirements then the best option is to get a regular mattress with a pocket coil core and either memory foam or latex foam in the comfort layer in order to get the best support and pressure relief.

However, if you need to move the mattress around occasionally then going for an all-foam mattress will make this easier to do – just make sure that an all-foam spec is right for your sleeping style (as described in the sections below).

If you need to move the mattress around a lot, then a Japanese futon is one of the lightest mattresses available and you can just roll/fold them up – the downside is that they are only a few inches thick so they can get uncomfortable quickly.

If space is an issue, then you can opt for a sofa bed or even a Murphy bed that folds up – just be aware that the frames make them harder to move around.

Camping – Air Beds Are Easy to Transport

A lightweight mattress is going to be essential for camping and travelling – with a high quality air bed likely being the best option.

Look for a self-inflating air bed that’s durable and will fit in your tent or designated sleeping space when fully inflated.

Travelling – Consider a Fold Up Mattress

If you’re going to be travelling – but staying put in a single area for some time – then a lightweight fold up mattress is a reasonable alternative over an air bed because it’s typically going to be thicker, more supportive, and more comfortable overall.

2: Pick the Correct Firmness

Mattress firmness describes the degree of pushback that the upper section of the mattress provides – basically how hard or soft it feels.

This differs from the ‘support’ that is provided by the lower section of the mattress, although it does have some secondary influence over how the mattress will feel overall.

And whilst the materials of the mattress will also affect the feel, don’t make the common mistake of thinking that all foam mattresses are soft.

Mattress firmness is set independently by the manufacturer – so it’s entirely possible to have a foam mattress that feels firm.

Choosing the correct level of firmness relative to your body weight, body type, and dominant sleeping position is essential – the wrong firmness can make a mattress very uncomfortable.

Finding the right firmness level isn’t an exact science because personal preference is also a factor, but the table below can help to guide you:

3: Choose the Right Materials and Structure

When it comes to choosing a lightweight mattress that’s comfortable, it’s important to know how the materials and structure will influence both the weight and the typical comfort levels, as follows:

Air Beds, Futons, and Fold Up Mattresses – Very Light But Unsuitable for Nightly Use

The lightest mattresses that you can buy are airbeds, Japanese futons, and fold up mattresses.

This means they are very easy to move around and can be ideal for camping, being used in an RV, and moving from room-to-room.

However, these types of mattresses tend to be only a few inches thick.

This means that they lack support and won’t provide the best pressure relief.

As such, these type of mattresses are best suited to occasional use.

In regards to RV mattresses, it’s often possible to use a regular mattress – if the dimensions are compatible with the space – so you can experience more support and comfort.

All-Foam Design – Light and Easy to Move, But Less Suitable for Sleepers Over 230lbs

Mattresses that have a foam support core and foam in the upper comfort layers are heavier than air beds, futons, and fold up mattresses – but are typically lighter than hybrid mattresses.

Polyfoam tends to be lighter than memory foam and latex foam.

This means that all-foam mattresses are best suited for use in RVs and guest rooms where the dimensions allow because they cope better with regular use.

However, whilst you can get thicker, all-foam mattresses in firmer settings, it’s important to note that they aren’t as supportive in general when compared to hybrid mattresses – especially near the edges.

This can make all-foam mattresses a poor choice if you weigh more than 230 lbs – especially if you sleep on your front and/or close to the edge of the mattress – because you can end up in bad posture and this can lead to back pain and general discomfort.

Click here to see the best mattresses with reinforced edge support that I’ve tested.

Hybrid Design – Heavier, But Offers Better Support

Hybrid mattresses are the heaviest types of mattresses but they offer the best support.

This means that you should consider a hybrid mattress if you are on the heavier side (over 200 -230 lbs) and the space allows for it.

Click here to see the best hybrid mattress that’s thick and supportive for heavy sleepers.

Dan

Dan is the founder and head content creator at Bedroom Style Reviews.

He has been working as a professional online product reviewer since 2015 and was inspired to start this website when he ended up sleeping on a memory foam mattress that was too soft and gave him backache.

Through in-depth research and analysis, Dan’s goal with this website is to help others avoid such pitfalls by creating the best online resource for helping you find your ideal mattress, bedding, and bedroom furniture.

Dan is a qualified NVQ Level 2 Fitness Instructor with 6 years’ experience helping clients improve their health through diet, exercise, and proper sleep hygiene.

He also holds several college and university-level qualifications in health sciences, psychology, mathematics, art, and digital media creation – which helps him to publish well researched and informative product reviews as well as articles on sleep, health, wellbeing, and home decor.

Dan also has direct personal experience with insomnia, anxiety, misophonia (hypersensitivity to sounds), and pain from both acute and long-standing sporting injuries – he enjoys writing insightful articles around these subjects to help fellow sufferers of such conditions.

Learn more about Dan here.