3 Best Mattresses for Slatted Bed Frames (2022 Discounts)

Slatted bed frames allow your mattress to breathe for a more cooling sleep experience whilst also providing great support.

However, you might be wondering which mattresses go best with slatted frames.

That’s why I’ve put together this list of the best mattresses for slatted bed frames to help make the buying process easier for you.

Just make sure that the dimensions of your existing slatted frame can accommodate the dimensions of the mattress (click the red buttons below each review to check the dimensions on the mattress company’s website).

3 Best Mattresses for Slatted Bed Frames Reviewed

The best mattress that works with any suitably sized slatted bed frame is the Puffy Lux Hybrid because it suits a wide range of sleeping styles and can be paired with compatible slatted, platform, and adjustable bases when buying through the Puffy website.

However, if you’d prefer maximum motion isolation if you sleep as a restless couple, or you need a longer sleep trial then check out the Nolah and Idle mattress options listed below.

Click the red buttons to secure limited-time discounts before they expire when you buy today.

1: Puffy Lux Hybrid – Best Overall

The best mattress to use with a slatted bed frame is the Puffy Lux Hybrid because, in addition to being suitable for a wide range of sleeping positions, the spacious coil core works perfectly with the slatted frame to maximize heat dissipation and breathability for a cool night’s sleep.

See my full Puffy Lux Hybrid review here.

Or click the red buttons below to buy the Puffy Lux Hybrid directly from Puffy.com and get $300 OFF this mattress for a limited time only.

Specs:

• Design: hybrid – memory foam over springs.

• Firmness: medium.

• Thickness: 12 inch profile.

Best For:

• Warmer sleepers – the Puffy Lux Hybrid can work well with your slatted bed frame because the breathability provided by the slats will complement the spacious coil core to allow for maximum heat dissipation whilst the Cooling Cloud™ and Climate Comfort™ layers work to help regulate your temperature for a more comfortable night’s sleep.

• Side sleepers – the adaptive qualities of the Plush Dual Cloud layer means that you can experience enhanced pressure relief on your hips and shoulders as you sleep on your side for better comfort when compared to a regular foam or innerspring mattress.

• Front and back sleepers – the medium level of firmness works with the coil core to keep you in good posture as you sleep on your front or your back in the Puffy Lux Hybrid.

• Restless sleepers – if you tend to toss and turn at night then the memory foam can help to soften the discomfort that may be causing you to drift out of your slumber, whilst the underlying bounce of the springs can make it easier to switch between positions when you do need to move around.

• Lighter weighted sleepers – if you weigh less than 150 lbs, then the adaptability of the memory foam means that you can sink a little further into the upper surface of the comfort layer so that your body weight is distributed more evenly across the mattress and the pressure that would normally build up in your joints on a less adaptive mattress surface is dissipated.

• Allergy sufferers – if you have a dust mite allergy, then the hypoallergenic cover can help to reduce flare-ups by potentially blocking dust mites from getting embedded in the cover and deeper mattress layers.

• Skinny sleepers – if you have a lower body fat percentage then the memory foam is excellent at softening the pressure on the more prominent regions of your body; such as your ribcage when you’re on your front – and your hips, shoulders, knees, and elbows when you’re on your side or back.

Best Compatible Slatted Frames:

The Puffy Lux Hybrid is compatible with all types of frames that are of the correct dimensions (including slats, box spring, flat platform bases, and adjustable frames).

But if you’ve yet to buy your frame, then I recommend either of the following slatted frames that you can order at the same time from the Puffy website when you click through using the red button below:

• The Puffy Bed Frame – a slatted bed frame that doesn’t require a box spring, comes with an upholstered headboard, a 101-night sleep trial, a lifetime warranty, is noise-free (great for autistic sleepers and those sensitive to sounds), and is easy to assemble.

• The Puffy Mattress Foundation – whilst technically not a slatted frame, the grid structure offers the same benefits of increased airflow whilst providing even better support more evenly across the mattress.

2: Nolah Original – Best For Couples

If you sleep as a couple and you’re sick of waking each other up as you move around during the night, then the all-foam Nolah Original 10″ mattress could be ideal because it can dampen movements very well whilst also providing excellent pressure relief thanks to its proprietary AirFoam™ that’s a much cooler alternative to memory foam.

The Nolah Original works with slatted frames and slatted box springs that have slats no more than 4 inches apart – flat platform and adjustable frames will work too.

Specs:

• Design: all-foam (proprietary AirFoam™ and polyfoam – no memory foam).

• Firmness: medium.

• Thickness: 10 inch profile.

Best For:

• Those who don’t like memory foam – the proprietary AirFoam™ provides better pressure relief than regular memory foam and is much cooler so you don’t have to worry about overheating in this all-foam mattress.

• Couples – the all-foam design of the Nolah Original makes it ideal for couples because the absence of springs means that the mattress is silent, whilst the foam itself can dampen movements for a more restful night’s sleep for you both.

• Side sleepers – the AirFoam™ molds to the shape of your body so that it can alleviate the pressure on your shoulders and hips when you sleep on your side.

• Front and back sleepers – the medium level of firmness means that the surface tension is sufficient to help keep you in good posture when you sleep on your front or back in the Nolah Original.

• Restless sleepers – the pressure relieving qualities of the AirFoam™ can help to alleviate the discomfort that may be causing you to wake up during the night and shuffle around.

3: Idle Latex Hybrid – Longest Sleep Trial

If you’re looking for a mattress that you can use with a slatted frame that also has a long sleep trial, then the Idle Latex Hybrid is ideal because it comes with a trial that lasts for 18 months to ensure that you’re totally happy with the mattress.

This is a double-sided mattress which means that you can flip it over to get more life out of it over the long run.

Specs:

• Design: double-sided hybrid – natural latex over coils.

• Firmness: medium, luxury firm, medium one side and firm on the other.

• Thickness: 14 inch profile.

Best For:

• Warmer sleepers – if you tend to sleep warm then the springs and the breathable natural latex is the best material combination that you can find for helping to dissipate heat, maximize airflow, and ultimately regulate your temperature better than a memory foam or even a regular spring mattress can.

• Front, back, and side sleepers – the medium level of firmness should feel comfortable for you if you weigh less than 230 lbs in all sleeping positions.

• Heavier weighted sleepers – if you weigh more than 230 lbs then you should go for the luxury firm (especially if you’re a dominant front or back sleeper) so that you don’t sink too far into the materials.

• Combination sleepers – if you move around often during the night, then the combination of the coils and the bouncy latex is perfect for allowing you to switch positions fluidly without getting bogged down in the materials.

How to Buy a Mattress for a Slatted Bed Frame

A comfortable bed consists of a mattress that’s ideally suited to your physical characteristics and dominant sleeping style that sits upon a compatible bed frame that supports the mattress without squeaking or allowing for too much movement.

Below is a full step-by-step buying guide that walks you through the process of buying a mattress that’s compatible with your existing or a new slatted bed frame.

1: Find the Right Mattress

When it comes to sleeping comfortably, the biggest influence is going to be the type of mattress that you buy because it’s the surface that you’ll be sleeping on directly.

This can be broken down into two clear elements: choosing the firmness and choosing the mattress design.

Here’s how to approach each component:

1: Choosing the Mattress Firmness

Mattress firmness describes how hard or soft the mattress feels when you lie down on it – as specified during the manufacturing process through ILD values and setting the surface tension of the upper comfort layers.

This means that a mattress may come in a range of different firmness’s: extra-soft, soft, medium-soft, medium, medium-firm, firm, or extra-firm.

And whilst choosing the right mattress firmness isn’t an exact science, you can narrow it down in the context of your body weight, physical characteristics, and preferred sleeping position as follows:

• Extra-soft – it’s quite rare to find extra-soft mattresses because they are typically only suitable for a narrow demographic; which is primarily very light-weighted sleepers under 130 lbs that sleep on their side and require deeper material compression and excellent pressure relief.

• Soft – soft mattresses are best suited to lighter weighted sleepers under 150 lbs that sleep on their side because the reduced surface tension can allow your shoulders and hips to sink more into the materials for greater comfort.

• Medium-soft – medium-soft mattresses can also be suitable for side sleepers under 150 lbs, but the touch of extra firmness means that lighter weighted front and back sleepers can also feel well supported too.

• Medium – a medium mattress is suitable for front, back, and side sleepers in the 130 – 230 lbs range (around 80% of sleepers) and is the default firmness setting in the mattress industry.

• Medium-firm – medium-firm mattresses offer a touch more surface tension that makes them more suitable for front and back sleepers on the heavier end of the 130 – 230 lbs spectrum.

• Firm – firm mattresses are best suited to front and back sleepers over 200 lbs who need more surface tension to stop them from sinking too far into the materials.

• Extra-firm – extra-firm mattresses (often labeled as orthopedic mattresses) are quite rare and may be marketed as being suitable for helping to alleviate back pain (which isn’t always true) and are best suited to the heaviest sleepers over 250 lbs to guard against material sinkage.

2: Choosing the Mattress Design

With the firmness chosen, the next step is to choose the ‘type’ of mattress that you want based on the materials and how they’re layered throughout the profile of the mattress.

Here’s a summary of what you can expect from each type of mattress:

1: Memory Foam (All-Foam)

Memory foam mattresses that are comprised entirely of foam typically have slow-response memory foam in the upper comfort layers to provide pressure relief and high-density polyfoam in the base layer to provide support.

These types of memory foam mattresses are ideal for couples because the foam and lack of springs makes for a quiet mattress that absorbs movements very well and can help you and your partner to sleep undisturbed.

Beyond this, the adaptive nature of the memory foam can help to alleviate pressure on your hips and shoulders in the side sleeping position.

Whilst lighter weighted sleepers can sink more into the materials for greater internal pressure relief on their joints, and both restless sleepers and sleepers with a lower body fat percentage can experience soothing pressure relief on the more angular regions of their body.

However, if you’re a warmer sleeper or have night sweats then you should be wary of memory foam mattresses because the material can absorb heat and reflect it back to you.

In which case you should look for a cooling memory foam mattress, or go for a hybrid memory foam or hybrid latex mattress because the coil core can improve breathability and maximize heat dissipation to help regulate your temperature.

And if you’re using a slatted bed base then this can also help to dissipate heat even further.

2: Polyfoam (All-Foam)

Mattresses that are made entirely from polyfoam tend to be very cheap, provide good pressure relief, and are able to dampen movements very well.

However, they tend to wear out and sag sooner than higher-quality memory foam mattresses because the foams aren’t typically as dense.

Unless you are shopping on a tight budget, then I would recommend going for a higher quality memory foam mattress because you’ll get more life out of it and reduce the relative cost over time – look for mattresses available on 0% APR to help spread the cost and increase affordability.

Polyfoam mattresses work quite well with slatted wooden frames but thin metal slats spaced too far apart may cause indenting.

3: Latex Foam (All-Foam)

Mattresses made entirely from latex foam excel at providing a cooling sleep experience due to the breathable construct of the foam and are able to provide excellent pressure relief whilst being more responsive than most types of memory foam (making it easier for combination sleepers to switch positions).

High-quality natural latex foam mattresses that contain organic latex (and NOT synthetic SBR latex) make for some of the most expensive mattresses that you can buy but also some of the most durable – whilst also being especially suitable for allergy sufferers due to their potentially hypoallergenic properties.

All-foam latex mattresses tend to be quite heavy, so they tend to do well on solid platform bases but strong, slatted bases can work well too.

4: Hybrid (Foam + Springs)

Hybrid mattresses contain a coiled spring core and a latex/memory foam/polyfoam top layer.

Hybrid mattresses are arguably the best types of mattresses to buy because they are so versatile and can fit just about every sleeping style whilst catering to a wide range of physical characteristics – as well as being the best at sleeping cool due to their highly breathable spring core.

Hybrid mattresses work well with slatted bed frames.

5: Cheap Spring

Cheap spring mattresses are similar to hybrid mattresses except they are lower priced but typically lack the durability, longevity, and greater capacity for comfort that higher-end hybrid mattresses can provide.

Spring mattresses work well with slatted bed frames.

2: Check for Compatibility

Once you’ve selected your ideal mattress, you need to make sure that it’s compatible with your existing slatted bed frame.

To do this, you should measure the exact dimensions of your bed frame and then compare this to the dimensions of the mattress listed in the product specifications when buying a mattress online.

Don’t just rely on naming conventions such as ‘queen’ alone because these terms may not mean the same thing if you’re ordering online from different international locations – look at the exact dimensions in inches/cm to avoid problems.

Alternatively, if you’re buying a new mattress and frame at the same time then I suggest getting both from the same company to ensure that they are compatible and to avoid any issues with voiding the warranties.

3: Protect Your Money

With your mattress and compatible slatted frame selected, the final step is to ensure that you’re covered against manufacturing defects with a non-prorated warranty that lasts at least 10 years and a sleep-trial that lasts at least 60 nights so that you can return the mattress if it’s not comfortable for you.

The warranties and sleep trials for the bed frame will typically be much shorter.

Related Questions

Here are the concise answers to some of the most common questions related to buying a compatible mattress for your slatted bed frame.

What Type of Mattress is Best for a Slatted Bed Frame?

Most mattresses will work with a slatted bed frame but they can be especially beneficial for memory foam mattresses because the gaps between each slat allow for greater airflow and heat dissipation that can help to keep you cool and avoid mold growth as a consequence of too much moisture building up (common when memory foam mattresses are placed on solid platform bases or the floor).

Are Wooden or Metal Slats Better?

Wide wooden slats are generally better than thin metal slats because the pressure is more evenly dissipated across the mattress to avoid indenting and deformities whilst also minimizing the chance of squeaking and noise.

Conclusion: Compatibility is Key

The most important thing to do when buying a mattress for your slatted bed frame is to ensure that the dimensions of each are a good fit.

Alternatively, if you buy the mattress and the slatted frame at the same time from the same company then you can be assured of their compatibility.

So if you’re in need of both the mattress and the frame then click the button below to buy the Puffy Lux Hybrid and the compatible slatted frame of your choice directly from Puffy.com now.

Image Attribution and Licencing

All images provided by their respective vendors – used with permission under the terms of a private affiliate agreement.

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.