What Makes a Good Murphy Bed Mattress?
A Murphy bed (wall bed) folds up into a cabinet when you're not using it. That puts limits on the mattress that a normal bed frame doesn't:
| Requirement | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Fits the thickness limit | Too thick and the bed won't close |
| Within the weight range | The lift springs or pistons are tuned for a weight |
| Doesn't sag or slide vertically | It's stored upright |
| Flexible but supportive | Handles folding and daily use |
| Correct size | Murphy beds use standard sizes, but check |
Check your Murphy bed's manual or the manufacturer's site for the maximum mattress thickness and weight before you buy. Many list a maximum somewhere between about 8 and 12 inches.
Our Top Murphy Bed Mattress Picks
- Medium-firm
- Trial: 120 nights
- Warranty: 10 years
- Medium
- Trial: 100 nights (returns after a 21-night adjustment period)
- Warranty: 10-year limited
- Soft side and firm side
- Trial: 120 nights
- Warranty: Lifetime
Murphy Bed Mattress Comparison
| Mattress | Type | Height | Firmness | Trial | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essential by Layla | Memory foam | 9" | Medium-firm | 120 nights | 10 years |
| EGOHOME Dreamer Mattress | All-foam | 6", 8" or 10" | Medium | 100 nights (returns after a 21-night adjustment period) | 10-year limited |
| Layla Memory Foam Mattress | Flippable memory foam | 10.5" | Soft side and firm side | 120 nights | Lifetime |
| EGOHOME Black Mattress | Black Foam (memory foam) or Black Hybrid (coils + foam) | 12" or 14" | 3 firmness levels | 100 nights (returns after a 21-night adjustment period) | 10-year limited |
The Best Murphy Bed Mattresses Reviewed
Essential by Layla: Best Murphy Bed Mattress
Best for: Guest rooms, kids' rooms and tight budgets
| Type | Memory foam |
|---|---|
| Height | 9" |
| Firmness | Medium-firm |
| Foam | CertiPUR-US certified; OpenCell+ memory foam top layer |
| Fiberglass | None, per Layla |
| Trial | 120 nights |
| Warranty | 10 years |
| Made in | USA (foams USA; fabric USA and Mexico) |
- Layla's lowest-priced mattress
- Fiberglass-free, per Layla
- Made to order in the USA
- Thinner than Layla's flagship beds
- One firmness
At 9 inches and about 49 pounds for a queen, per Layla, the Essential by Layla fits comfortably within most Murphy beds' thickness limits and is light enough not to strain the mechanism. It's a medium-firm memory foam mattress, which suits most sleepers and stays put when the bed is stored upright. It's made to order in the USA, with a 120-night trial and a 10-year warranty.
EGOHOME Dreamer: Best Budget Murphy Bed Mattress
Best for: Guest rooms, kids' rooms, dorms and tight budgets
| Type | All-foam |
|---|---|
| Heights | 6", 8" or 10" |
| Firmness | Medium |
| Foam | Green tea-infused Gel AeroFusion Foam |
| Sizes | Twin to California king |
| Trial | 100 nights (returns after a 21-night adjustment period) |
| Warranty | 10-year limited |
| Made in | USA with imported fabric |
- EGOHOME's lowest-priced mattress line
- Three heights, so you can match a bunk, daybed or full-size bed
- Same 100-night trial and 10-year warranty as EGOHOME's pricier lines
- One medium feel
- Thinner profiles are best for lighter sleepers and occasional use
The Dreamer's three heights (6, 8 and 10 inches) make it easy to match your bed's limit. The 8-inch version suits Murphy beds with tighter thickness limits, and the 10-inch adds cushioning where there's room. It has a medium feel, a 100-night trial (returns after a 21-night adjustment period) and a 10-year limited warranty.
Layla Memory Foam: Best Flippable Murphy Bed Mattress
Best for: Budget shoppers who want two firmness options in one bed
| Type | Flippable memory foam |
|---|---|
| Height | 10.5" |
| Firmness | Soft side and firm side |
| Foam | Copper-gel-infused high-resilience memory foam |
| Certifications | CertiPUR-US |
| Fiberglass | None, per Layla |
| Trial | 120 nights |
| Warranty | Lifetime |
- Flip it to switch between soft and firm
- Fiberglass-free, per Layla
- Lifetime warranty
- Memory foam feel isn't for everyone
- Not latex or organic
The Layla Memory Foam is 10.5 inches with a soft side and a firm side, so different guests can flip it to their preference. At about 69 pounds for a queen, per Layla, it's heavier than the Essential, so check your bed's weight range and thickness limit.
EGOHOME Black: A Thicker Option
Best for: Budget shoppers who want a choice of firmness, height and foam or coils
| Type | Black Foam (memory foam) or Black Hybrid (coils + foam) |
|---|---|
| Heights | 12" or 14" |
| Firmness | 3 firmness levels |
| Cover | Graphora cooling cover |
| Trial | 100 nights (returns after a 21-night adjustment period) |
| Warranty | 10-year limited |
| Made in | USA with imported fabric |
- Foam or hybrid in the same line
- Three firmness levels and two heights
- Budget-friendly price tier
- 21-night minimum before returns
- Fewer natural materials than latex brands
At 12 or 14 inches, the EGOHOME Black is too thick for many Murphy beds. Consider it only if your bed's manual allows a 12-inch mattress.
Our top pick is the PlushBeds Botanical Bliss: certified organic latex in Medium or Medium-Firm, with a comfort exchange if you need it.
View Botanical BlissMurphy Bed Mattress Thickness and Weight
| Thickness | Fits | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6" | Nearly all Murphy beds | Firm; best for occasional guests |
| 8" | Most Murphy beds | Good balance |
| 9"–10" | Many Murphy beds | More comfortable; check the limit |
| 12"+ | Some Murphy beds | Often too thick; check carefully |
Weight matters as much as thickness. Lift mechanisms (springs or pistons) are set for a weight range. A much heavier mattress makes the bed hard to lift and can wear the mechanism; a much lighter one can make the bed spring up. Some beds let you adjust the tension; ask the manufacturer.
Best Mattress Types for Murphy Beds
| Type | Murphy Bed Fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Memory foam | Excellent | Light, flexible, stays put upright |
| Polyfoam | Excellent | Light and low cost |
| Hybrid | Good | Check weight and thickness |
| Latex | Fair | Heavy for its thickness |
| Innerspring | Fair | Can be heavy; coils may shift |
| Pillow top | Poor | Usually too thick |
Sizes
Murphy beds come in standard twin, full and queen sizes, with some king models. Orientation matters too: vertical Murphy beds fold up from the foot, horizontal (side-tilt) beds fold up from the side. Both use standard mattress sizes, but check your bed's dimensions.
Murphy Bed Mattress Tips
- Use the straps or retainer bar every time you fold the bed.
- Use a fitted sheet with deep corners so bedding stays on when the bed is stored.
- Rotate the mattress every few months.
- Don't add a thick topper that pushes you past the thickness limit.
- Check the legs and mechanism regularly.
Murphy Bed vs. Other Space-Saving Beds
| Option | Floor Space When Stored | Comfort | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Murphy bed | Minimal | Very good | Regular guests in small homes |
| Futon | Sofa footprint | Good | Small apartments |
| Daybed with trundle | Sofa footprint | Very good | Offices and kids' rooms |
| Folding floor mattress | None | Good | Occasional guests |
| Air mattress | None | Fair | Occasional guests |
See our guides to the best futon mattress, foldable floor mattresses and air mattress alternatives.
How to Measure for a Murphy Bed Mattress
- Check the bed's manual for the maximum mattress thickness and weight.
- Measure the mattress platform (length and width) inside the frame.
- Measure the cabinet depth if you don't have a manual. The space between the platform and the cabinet face limits mattress height.
- Include bedding. Thick mattress pads, toppers and duvets add height when the bed is closed.
Murphy Bed Mechanisms and Mattress Weight
| Mechanism | How It Works | Mattress Weight Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Coiled springs counterbalance the bed | Often adjustable by adding or removing springs |
| Piston (gas) | Gas pistons control lift and lowering | Rated for a set range; a mismatch can make it hard to close |
| Counterweight / manual | Simpler hinges | Lighter mattresses are easier to lift |
If you change to a much lighter or heavier mattress, ask the bed maker whether the mechanism needs adjusting. Don't remove springs or adjust pistons yourself unless the manual explains how.
Vertical vs. Horizontal Murphy Beds
| Vertical | Horizontal (Side-Tilt) | |
|---|---|---|
| Folds from | Foot | Long side |
| Wall height needed | Taller | Shorter |
| Projection into room when open | Further | Less |
| Best for | Rooms with high ceilings | Low ceilings; under windows |
Both use standard mattress sizes, but horizontal beds sometimes have tighter thickness limits, so check.
Guest Use vs. Nightly Use
If the Murphy bed is your everyday bed in a studio apartment, choose the most comfortable mattress your limits allow, often 10 inches or more. For occasional guests, an 8-inch medium mattress is usually enough. Side sleepers and heavier sleepers tend to need more depth; back and stomach sleepers often do fine with thinner beds.
Do You Need a Box Spring?
No. Murphy beds have their own platform, and a box spring or foundation would push you past the thickness limit. The mattress goes directly on the platform.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Thick Can a Murphy Bed Mattress Be?
It depends on the bed. Many Murphy bed makers list a maximum thickness, often somewhere between about 8 and 12 inches. Check your bed's manual, because a mattress that's too thick can stop the bed from closing.
Do You Need a Special Mattress for a Murphy Bed?
Not usually. Most foam and many hybrid mattresses work if they fit the bed's thickness and weight limits. Avoid very heavy or very thick mattresses.
Is Memory Foam Good for a Murphy Bed?
Yes. Memory foam is flexible, stays put when the bed is stored vertically and is usually lighter than innersprings of the same thickness.
Does a Murphy Bed Mattress Need Straps?
Most Murphy beds have built-in straps or a retainer bar to hold the mattress in place when folded. Use them every time.
Can I Use My Old Mattress in a Murphy Bed?
Only if it meets the bed's thickness, size and weight limits. Older, heavier innerspring mattresses can strain the lift mechanism.
How Heavy Should a Murphy Bed Mattress Be?
Follow the bed's weight guidance. Murphy bed mechanisms are tuned for a weight range, and a mattress that's much heavier or lighter can make the bed hard to lift or lower.
The Bottom Line
The best Murphy bed mattress fits your bed's thickness and weight limits first. Foam mattresses are usually the easiest fit. The Essential by Layla is our pick for its 9-inch profile and light weight, the EGOHOME Dreamer gives you three heights to match tight limits, and the flippable Layla Memory Foam suits beds with room for 10.5 inches.