Tuft & Needle Mint Mattress Review: comfortable and cooling

We tested the Tuft & Needle Mint Mattress, a cooling foam mattress. Determine if it's the right mattress for you with our review

Tuft & Needle Mint mattress
(Image credit: Tuft & Needle)
Real Homes Verdict

As someone who loved her current mattress and was super sad/suspicious about having to replace it, I went into this experience with a bit of wariness. I was certainly proved wrong! This mattress is supportive but still comfortable, was exactly true to its marketing, and was the perfect update to the mattress I was initially sad to see go (not anymore!)

Reasons to buy
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    New removable and washable cover

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    Comfortable from the first night

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    Sleeps cool

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    Treated with an antimicrobial cover

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    Good edge support

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    Great for side and back sleepers

Reasons to avoid
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    Like other mattresses-in-a-box, it can be cumbersome to set up if you live solo

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    Deep-pocketed sheets recommended

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    The newer Mint release is pricier than the predecessor model

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Trying something new can be daunting, and that goes for switching up your mattress. Our Real Reviewer, Kaleigh gave the Tuft & Needle Mint Mattress a good sleep and shares her experience sleeping on the cooling hybrid in the coming review. 

Including 30 per cent more graphite and upgraded ceramic gel to its proprietary foam, it also offers upgraded edge support. In spring 2022, the Mint was updated to include a removable and washable cover, a first for the brand, and they slightly changed the way they manufacture the mattress to improve circulation and create better edge support. Kaleigh tested the version available from 2020-to 2021 (sans removable cover). All other specs and materials remain the same, so keep that in mind as you read through. 

Continue reading to see how Kaleigh got on with her Tuft & Needle Mint mattress and whether it makes thew cut for our best mattress guide.

Tuft & Needle Mint Mattress Specs

Firmness: Tuft & Needle rates it as medium-firm
Type: Foam
Construction materials:  7-inch support layer, a 3-inch Adaptive Foam, and graphite layer, and a 2-inch Adaptive Foam and ceramic gel layer
Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, and Cal King
Depth: 11.5-inches
Trial Period: 100 nights
Warranty: 10 years
Delivery and Returns: Free
MSRP: $1,295–$2,295

Mint (2020 version) Clearance Deal 

Save 10% off the Mint 2020 Mattress

Save 10% off the Mint 2020 Mattress

Until inventory runs out, from $670-$1,255. 

Who will the Mint Mattress suit? 

It's perfect if you need a mattress that's easily shipped to you, can be stored until you're ready to use, and will still be comfortable from your first night's sleep until your last. It's great for someone looking for back support or for couples who don't exactly share their firmness preferences but don't want to splurge on a full Sleep Number. That's because it's soft enough for a little bounce (although it's not going to be your dream bed for jumping on), but still gives support if you want that for your lower back. 

How is the Tuft & Needle Mint Mattress constructed?

Mint mattress cutaway

An inside look at the Mint Mattress (2020 version) 

(Image credit: Tuft & Needle)

The Mint Mattress takes Tuft & Needle's signature open-cell and breathable Adaptive Foam and added 30% more graphite and upgraded ceramic gel, which absorbs up to 5 times more heat than similar materials. 

The mattress specifically is comprised of a 7-inch support layer, a 3-inch Adaptive Foam, and graphite layer, and a 2-inch Adaptive Foam and ceramic gel layer. Both graphite and gel materials draw and wick away heat from your body to help you sleep cooler throughout the night. The comfort layers provide pressure relief to spots like hips and shoulders. Around the edge of the bottom foam layer, you'll find four inches of extra-firm foam for better edge support. 

The outer cover is treated with HeiQ NPJ03 antimicrobial technology which uses micro silver and vesicle technologies to work together to break down, eliminate, and prevent microbes, including harmful bacteria. As of 2022, the cover is now removable and washable, featuring a zipper that runs laterally across the mattress cover so the top portion of the mattress cover. 

The mattress as a whole is also GreenGuard Gold Certified and utilizes CertiPUR-US-certified foam, meaning it is free of ozone depleters, PBDE flame retardants, heavy metals, formaldehyde, phthalates, and low VOC emissions. 

First impressions/unboxing

Tuft & Needle Mint mattress

(Image credit: Tuft & Needle)

Definitely plan on using a dolly or getting help to carry the box to your room — this is not a one-man job! A mattress in a box can be a bit of a hassle to get laid out on the bed. As a single woman, this is always a struggle with mattresses, so this wasn't any harder than normal, but still worth a mention. 

However, the box is as small as could be. It comes vacuum-wrapped and once you unroll the mattress, it fluffs right up and is ready to sleep on. In all, it took me about 10 to 15 minutes to get fully unboxed.

Even with the plastic wrap and tight packaging, the mattress didn't have that plastic-y smell and popped right up to its full size so quickly. When I read the instructions and said it would expand as you laid it down, I think I initially underestimated how much and how fast it would grow. The instructions were also super helpful and cute. 

What's the Tuft & Needle Mint Mattress like to use?

mint mattress KALEIGH GLAZA

(Image credit: Kaleigh Glaza)

Immediately very comfortable, with no real "break-in" time frame. I set it up in the afternoon, and that night, slept like a baby. I've never bought a mattress without trying it out first, but this was such a great experience. I actually like sleeping on my back better with this mattress than others I've had in the past. I normally start on my side and end up sleeping on my back, but it's comfortable in both of those positions. 

The edge support felt sturdy and firm! I don't often sit on the edge of my bed but if you're a person who does, this will be great for you. I will say that since the mattress is pretty high (I also use a pretty thick foundation), my feet don't touch the ground when I sit on the edge of the bed. I'm only 5'4" but if you want to sit on the bed and rest your feet on the floor, you'll either need to be on the taller side or not have a high bed frame/headboard.

I get hot when I sleep generally, but I didn't feel like I have had that problem with this mattress. My last mattress was a cooling one, and I definitely think this Tuft & Needle mattress has the same cooling sleep experience. It provides great back support, which I really enjoyed but if you are looking for a super-soft, more feathery mattress, this might not be the one for you.

One thing to note is that because this mattress is so tall and fluffy and wonderful, you might want to look into getting a larger sheet set. My full sheet set, especially the fitted sheets, was VERY tight on the mattress as it is. I'm using it as an excuse to get new sheets.

Is the Tuft & Needle Mint Mattress worth it?

I've always struggled with sleep, ever since I was a kid, so I know for a fact that you can't put a price on a good night's sleep. Because when you are tired, there is no amount of money you wouldn't pay for a restful sleep. This mattress is worth every penny because I can sleep soundly on it from the first night. I LOVE being in bed :)

Where to buy

About this review and our reviewer

I live alone and my bedroom is my sanctuary, especially in the last year when I've been spending so much time at home. Having a bedroom, and a bed, that I can retreat to at the end of the day has always been key to my mental well-being, but never more so than recently. I've always had trouble sleeping so I know right away if a mattress/bed isn't going to work for me.  I tested the Tuft & Needle Mint Mattress for over a week and had a great night's sleep every time. 

As with all our reviews, the Tuft & Needle Mint Mattress has been tested first-hand in our home, using it just as you would so you know exactly what you are buying. The products are given to us free of charge and we test them for as long as possible before sending them back to the brand unless we are able to keep them as we are with this mattress. This means that we can continue to use the product which gives us the opportunity to return to our reviews for updating, so you can keep up-to-date with how it's fared over a period of time.

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Kaleigh Glaza is a freelance writer living in Chicago. She's part of Real Homes' Real Reviews panel, and puts top home products to the test in everyday life.