Nolah Mattress Review – Should You Try?

The Nolah Signature Mattress is a new type of high-resilience polyfoam mattress that attempts to address common problems with foam such as slow responsiveness and sleeping hot. They have created a proprietary foam called Nolah  Air Foam which is infused with according to their website is packed with billions of microscopic air pockets to improve breathability. I was sent a free Nolah mattress for review to test it out for myself.

Since the advent of the Nolah Signature Mattress, Nolah has come out with the Nolah Evolution 15. You can read my review of that here. 

Ordering and Unboxing the Nolah Signature Mattress

You can purchase the Nolah Signature  Mattress online and your mattress should arrive to your doorstep in about a week. It comes with a 120 night trial period where if you aren’t satisfied you can contact them via the website and they will arrange pickup of the mattress. According to Nolah they will often donate returned mattresses to a charity.

When you purchase a Nolah mattress you also have an opportunity to adopt an animal for free. You can choose from a variety of animals via the website. I chose a polar bear. After a week or so you will receive an official certificate of adoption from the organization, Defenders of Wildlife:

Nolah Mattress Construction and Specifications

The exact specifications of the Nolah mattress are not listed on its website. However, it is basically a three-layer foam mattress. Here’s a picture below that shows each layer. These are premium foam layers that feel amazing. 

The top layer is the Nolah Air Foam. Underneath that is the Avena foam layer which is the same type of foam used in the Leesa mattress. The difference with the Leesa is that it has a convoluted layer of Avena foam as the top layer for breathability.  Avena foam acts similar to latex in that it has almost instant recovery and is also very breathable. This makes the Nolah mattress both good at contouring, breathable and a little bouncy. When comparing Avena vs Latex, I still think that Latex has more bounce and I think both are breathable.

Below is the schematic of the Nolah Signature layers as found on their website. This mattress is all foam and does not include latex. It is significantly better at pressure relief than the Nolah Original. 

What is Nolah AirFoam?

My Nolah Mattress Findings

This is a unique feeling mattress. When first laying on the mattress you feel quick pressure relief. I found the Nolah Air Foam conforms much faster than traditional memory foam. Conversely, it also recovers much faster than memory foam.

The contouring air foam serves as the comfort layer and act similar to latex in that it goes back to its original shape quickly while still serving as a great contouring mattress. It is similar to the Avena foam found in a Leesa mattress. Sort of like putting an Avena foam topper on a traditional foam mattress. And just to be clear, I’m not a big fan of mattress toppers so if you don’t like this mattress, take advantage of the trial and return it for something that will work for you long term instead of adding a mattress topper. 

Here’s a  video illustrating bounce and recovery on the mattress.

Here is it again in slow motion. Notice the bounce you get with this mattress without really sacrificing much motion isolation.

Here’s a look at how the layers react from the inside. Remember the first layer is the Nolah Air Foam and the second layer is the Avena foam. The third is a standard base layer.

Finally, I created a video to show how much this mattress retains heat using my infrared camera.

Which Nolah Mattress is Best for My Sleeping Position?

The best Nolah mattress model for each sleep position is as follows:

1. Side sleepers: The Nolah Signature mattress is the best option for side sleepers because it features a thicker layer of Nolah AirFoam™ that provides pressure relief for the hips and shoulders, which is particularly important for side sleepers.

2. Back sleepers: The Nolah Evolution mattress is the best option for back sleepers because it has a medium-firm feel and a hybrid construction with both Nolah AirFoam™ and pocketed coils, which offers a balance of support and comfort.

3. Stomach sleepers: The Nolah Original mattress is the best option for stomach sleepers because it has a firmer feel that helps to keep the hips and stomach from sinking too deeply into the mattress, which can cause spinal misalignment.

It’s important to note that everyone has unique sleep preferences and needs, so it’s essential to choose a mattress that feels comfortable and supportive to you personally. Nolah offers a 120-night sleep trial, which allows you to try out the mattress in the comfort of your own home to ensure it’s the right fit for you.

Is Nolah Mattress Legit?

Nolah is a relatively new mattress company that was founded in 2015 by a group of sleep experts and entrepreneurs based in Colorado. The company’s mission was to create a mattress that was not only comfortable and supportive but also environmentally friendly and socially responsible.

The founders of Nolah were inspired to create their own mattress after experiencing the drawbacks of traditional memory foam mattresses, which can be hot and uncomfortable to sleep on. They spent several years researching and developing a new type of foam material that could offer the benefits of memory foam without the drawbacks.

In 2016, Nolah launched its first mattress, the Nolah Original, which quickly gained popularity among consumers and was praised for its innovative foam material, eco-friendly design, and comfortable feel. The company has since expanded its product line to include the Nolah Signature and Nolah Evolution mattresses, as well as pillows and bedding accessories.

Nolah has also established a reputation as a socially responsible company that is committed to giving back to the community. Through its Wildlife Conservation program, Nolah donates a portion of its profits to support animal conservation efforts in the United States. The company also partners with local charities and non-profits to support a range of social and environmental causes.

The Nolah Mattress is an excellent mattress but isn’t as well known as some of the more popular foam mattresses like Tempurpedic, Nectar or Loom and Leaf. It is an incredible deal and Noalh as a company has been around since 2016. 

Nolah vs. Saatva

Nolah and Saatva are both popular online mattress brands that offer high-quality mattresses at competitive prices. However, there are some key differences between the two brands that may influence your decision when choosing a new mattress.

1. Construction: Nolah mattresses are constructed with a proprietary foam material called Nolah AirFoam™, which is designed to offer the pressure relief and contouring support of memory foam without the heat retention. Saatva, on the other hand, offers a range of mattresses, including innerspring, memory foam, and hybrid options, with varying levels of firmness and support.

2. Comfort: Both Nolah and Saatva offer mattresses that are designed to be comfortable and supportive for a wide range of sleepers. However, Nolah is particularly popular among side sleepers thanks to its enhanced pressure relief, while Saatva offers a range of firmness options to suit different sleep preferences.

3. Price: Nolah mattresses are generally more affordable than Saatva mattresses, with prices starting at around $649 for a queen size Nolah Original mattress, compared to $1,199 for a queen size Saatva Classic mattress. However, Saatva offers a wider range of mattress options at varying price points, so there may be a Saatva mattress that fits your budget.

4. Trial period and warranty: Both Nolah and Saatva offer generous trial periods and warranties. Nolah offers a 120-night sleep trial and a lifetime warranty, while Saatva offers a 180-night sleep trial and a 15-year warranty.

Ultimately, the best mattress for you will depend on your individual sleep needs and preferences. If you’re looking for a more affordable option with enhanced pressure relief for side sleepers, Nolah may be a good choice. However, if you’re looking for a wider range of options with varying levels of firmness and support, Saatva may be a better fit but the Saatva is considerably more expensive and I do like to construction and overall feel of the Nolah much better. 

My Nolah Mattress Recommendation

The Nolah Mattress is truly an evolution in foam mattresses. The layer of Nolah Air Foam does its job in keeping you cool at night and the second layer of Avena foam gives you great bounce without the use of latex. It’s a great mattress for people that just don’t like the sinking feel that dense memory foam gives you. It’s easy to change positions at night. The trade off is that you won’t get as much “hug” with this mattress. My only complaint with the Nolah mattress is that I wish it had a more substantial base layer. I always worry that heavier people may bottom out while jumping into or just flopping down on the mattress quickly. I know this probably won’t be an everyday thing but just adding an extra inch to the base layer would solve this minor problem.

Overall I think this is a solid mattress that will appeal to people that want the benefits of foam without all the traditional pitfalls. Having a foam mattress with quick recovery doesn’t necessarily mean it’s better but if it is something you are looking for, look no further than the Nolah.

Where Can I Try a Nolah Mattress?

Nolah mattresses are primarily sold online and are not typically available for in-person testing in brick-and-mortar stores. The exception being our showroom in San Diego. However, the company offers a 120-night sleep trial period, during which you can try out the mattress in the comfort of your own home and return it for a full refund if you’re not satisfied.

If you’re interested in trying out the Nolah mattress before making a purchase, you can check with the company’s website to see if they offer any special promotions or discounts on their products. Additionally, some third-party online retailers may offer Nolah mattresses for sale and may offer their own trial period or return policy.

It’s worth noting that Nolah offers a 100% risk-free sleep trial and a lifetime warranty on their mattresses, so you can feel confident in your purchase even if you haven’t had a chance to try out the mattress in person beforehand.