Tuft & Needle Mattress Review 2024: Expert Tested and Reviewed

Essential T&N Original Mattress Review

Is the Essential T&N Original Mattress Right for Me?

Firmness

Tuft & Needle describes the Original as firm. Though the company does not provide a numerical firmness rating, professional reviewers score it at about a 6 to 7 out of 10 on the firmness scale. The feel of the Original could make it a good fit for lightweight to average-weight back sleepers and stomach sleepers.

Temperature

The top layer of the Essential T&N Original is infused with graphite and cooling gel to wick away heat released by the body during sleep. The foam used in this bed is an open-cell construction that’s designed for air circulation and cooling. While professional reviewers say it provides decent cooling, it’s made entirely of foam, which tends to trap heat.

How Much Does the Essential T&N Original Mattress Cost?

A queen-size Essential T&N Original Mattress costs $995 . However, you can often save money on a new mattress from Tuft & Needle by shopping when the company is running a sale. Sales are run near holidays, such as Presidents Day, Labor Day, or Black Friday, but also occur at other points throughout the year. Each sale will vary in terms of savings with some offering a better deal if you bundle your Essential T&N Original Mattress with select bedding products.

What Is the Essential T&N Original Mattress Made Of?

What Does the Essential T&N Original Mattress Feel Like? 

The materials used to make a mattress have a significant impact on how it feels. While some mattresses offer more of a plush and cradling feel, others will have a firmer and more supportive feel. Each individual’s perception of the way a mattress feels can also vary based on several factors, particularly their weight. Heavyweight sleepers (those weighing more than 230 pounds) will place more pressure on a mattress than a sleeper with a lower body weight. To learn more about what you can expect based on your body type, read through the next few sections.

Lightweight Sleepers (less than 130 pounds)

Generally speaking, the Essential T&N Original Mattress may be a good choice for many lightweight sleepers, particularly those who prefer to sleep on their backs or stomachs. Those weighing less than 130 pounds should find that the mattress offers the right amount of support to keep their spine aligned and alleviate pressure when sleeping in one of these two positions. However, lighter-weight side sleepers may not be as comfortable on this mattress. Its firmer feel may prevent them from sinking into the mattress enough to keep their hips and shoulders comfortable while sleeping.

Average-Weight Sleepers (130-230 pounds)

Individuals weighing between 130 and 230 pounds are considered to be “average weight” when it comes to mattress recommendations. If you fall within this weight range, your preferred sleeping position can help you determine whether this mattress is right for you. Our product tester found the mattress to be most comfortable when lying on his side. He noted that it offered sufficient support for his hips and that his shoulders felt cushioned and comfortable when lying on his side. When a side sleeper’s hips and shoulders sink into a mattress enough, it helps ensure that their spine is aligned.

The Essential T&N Original Mattress may also be a suitable choice for many back sleepers, particularly those who weigh less than 200 pounds. Our average-weight tester, who weighs slightly more than 200 pounds, did note that his tailbone seemed to sink too low into the mattress while lying on his back. At the same time, his shoulders didn’t sink in equally as much to allow him to feel comfortable.

Average-weight stomach sleepers aren’t likely to find the Essential T&N Original Mattress to be the right fit. Our tester noted that his hips sunk farther than the rest of him. After just a few minutes of testing out the mattress on his stomach, he was already starting to feel some strain on his spine from it being out of alignment.

Heavyweight Sleepers (more than 230 pounds)

Most heavyweight sleepers are unlikely to find that the Essential T&N Original Mattress is the ideal fit for their comfort needs. The foam mattress isn’t going to offer enough support for these individuals when sleeping on their backs or stomachs. They’re more likely to find that the mattress sags too much toward the middle, which will leave their spines out of alignment when sleeping. Heavyweight side sleepers will sink too deeply into the mattress, leading to increased pressure on their shoulders and hips.

Essential T&N Original Mattress vs. the Competition

Essential T&N Original Mattress vs. Tuft & Needle Mint

Essential T&N Original Mattress vs. Nectar Memory Foam

Tuft & Needle Mint Review

Is the Tuft & Needle Mint Right for Me?

Firmness 

Tuft & Needle lists the Mint mattress as having a medium feel, but does not give it a numerical firmness rating. Other professional reviewers categorize the Mint as having a firmness rating between 5 1/2 and 6 1/2. Of course, all ratings are subjective, and the mattress may feel more or less firm to you depending on your body type and sleep preferences.

Temperature

While all-foam mattresses are notorious for causing individuals to overheat when sleeping, Tuft & Needle took extra measures to prevent that from happening with its Mint mattress. The top Adaptive Foam layer utilizes an open-cell construction for enhanced breathability. Graphite and cooling gel are also infused into this layer to prevent individuals from overheating by wicking heat away from their bodies while they’re sleeping.

The special Mint layer – the difference between this model and the Essential T&N Original Mattress – offers an additional 2 inches of Adaptive Foam formulated with ceramic and cooling gel for an even better cooling performance. Our tester, who normally sleeps hot, said that the mattress’s cooling properties were very noticeable.

How Much Does the Tuft & Needle Mint Cost? 

A queen-size Tuft & Needle Mint mattress costs $1,595, which is $600 more than the Essential T&N Original Mattress. This price is toward the middle of the range of the other mattresses that make our rating: Eight are less expensive and six are pricier. However, you may be able to get the Mint for less than the retail price if you shop during one of the company’s sales. Sales are regularly run around holidays, such as Memorial Day, Labor Day, and Cyber Monday, but Tuft & Needle also runs other specials at various points throughout the year.

What Is the Tuft & Needle Mint Mattress Made Of?

The Tuft & Needle Mint mattress is made from foam. The 3-inch top layer features an open-cell foam construction with infused cooling gel and graphite to help wick heat away from individuals as they sleep. Beneath this layer is the 2-inch Mint layer. Made from T&N Adaptive Foam with ceramic and cooling gel, this layer is designed to offer additional cooling properties while also relieving pressure points. The final layer of the mattress, which is 6 1/2 inches thick, is made from supportive foam that provides a sturdy foundation to ensure the upper layers don’t sink too deeply when an individual is sleeping. The top of the layer is covered with a removable and machine-washable knit fabric.

What Does the Tuft & Needle Mint Feel Like? 

Tuft & Needle describes its Mint mattress as having a medium feel. However, as with other mattresses, the way the Tuft & Needle Mint will feel can vary between individuals. A person’s body type, sleep position, and other factors can all affect the perception of how a mattress feels. The next few sections go into more detail about how different body types are likely to perceive the feel of the mattress. Read on to decide if it sounds like a good fit for you.

Lightweight Sleepers (less than130 pounds)

Lightweight sleepers are likely to find the Tuft & Needle Mint to be comfortable and supportive. Back sleepers who weigh less than 130 pounds should notice that the foam material allows them to sink in just enough to alleviate pressure points without pushing them too deep into the mattress to throw off spinal alignment or make their hips feel uncomfortable. Similarly, lightweight side sleepers should also find this mattress to be a good fit. When sleeping on the side, their shoulders and hips should receive ample support and pressure relief.

Overall, stomach sleepers should also find that this mattress works well for them. With their lighter weight, their hips are not going to sink too deeply into the foam, as will happen with heavier individuals. This should allow their spines to stay in alignment for a comfortable night’s sleep.

Average-Weight Sleepers (130-230 pounds)

The Tuft & Needle Mint may be a comfortable and supportive choice for some average-weight sleepers, but it will depend on their preferred sleep position. Many back sleepers are likely to find that their hips sink into the mattress but not too much that their lumbar region isn’t given enough support. However, the hips of some back sleepers closer to the top end of the weight range may sink a bit too far down for them to stay comfortable. Our tester, who weighs 201 pounds, found that he wasn’t very comfortable on his back due to his hips sinking into the mattress.

This mattress offers optimal sinkage and support to keep most average-weight side sleepers comfortable. Our tester shared that he was most comfortable lying on his side on this mattress because of the cushioning his shoulders and hips felt. With this cushioning from the Adaptive Foam combined with the transitional Mint layer, the spine of an average-weight side sleeper should remain in alignment.

Average-weight stomach sleepers may find that this mattress is too soft. Their hips are likely to sink too deeply into the bed, which will throw their spines out of alignment as they sleep. A few stomach sleepers toward the lower end of the weight range may find the mattress to be a suitable option for them, but most will probably want to choose a different option.

Heavyweight Sleepers (more than 230 pounds)

Overall, the Tuft & Needle Mint mattress isn’t going to be a good fit for most sleepers who weigh more than 230 pounds. It’s too soft to offer the support sleepers in this group need. A heavier body is likely to sink through the comfort layer completely, which would mean that these individuals will be pressing up against the firmer foam layers that lie beneath the Adaptive Foam. This can increase pressure and cause the spine to be knocked out of alignment.

Tuft & Needle Mint vs. the Competition

Tuft & Needle Mint vs. Zinus Green Tea Memory Foam

Tuft & Needle Mint vs. Leesa Original