Yawnder reviews · 2016 review history · Updated October 2026
Our verdict
The original Sonno Bed gave Ben two comfort choices in one flippable mattress. He reviewed the medium/firm version, liked the handles and found even the medium side fairly soft. The limitation was how deeply it compressed when he sat down quickly; shoppers wanting an especially firm or buoyant surface should pay attention to that observation.
Photos and review evidence
Who this design suits
Worth considering if
- You are identifying the older flippable Sonno design.
- You like two different sleep surfaces in one mattress.
- You value handling details and an original look inside its construction.
Consider another option if
- You want a very firm, minimally compressible mattress.
- You need a current model review based only on the shared Sonno name.
- You need a measured weight limit or standardized cooling score.
Our findings and practical takeaways
What changed when the mattress was flipped
Ben received the medium/firm configuration and described the medium surface as plenty soft for his preference. He did not test the medium/soft option mentioned in the original article. Keep that distinction when comparing comfort descriptions.
The change comes from flipping the whole mattress over. This differs from a split-firmness bed that gives two partners different feels on the left and right simultaneously.
The five-layer construction
The old diagram and Ben’s opened-mattress photograph show comfort material on both faces of a central foam core. The account describes latex followed by memory foam on each side. That arrangement is why both surfaces can be slept on.
The diagram is manufacturer material; the cutaway photograph is firsthand evidence. Neither establishes a modern density specification for an unrelated Sonno model. Use the images to identify the reviewed design.
Firmness, bounce and concentrated pressure
Ben found the Sonno softer and less bouncy than the GhostBed he was comparing at the time. He reported a bottoming-out sensation when he sat down quickly. Separate that from lying across the bed, where weight is distributed differently.
The old article speculated about heavier users, but did not establish a tested capacity. If you need strong seated support or a very firm surface, investigate further rather than treating the firm-side label as a guarantee.
Handles and the matching foundation
The handles stood out because they made flipping easier. Ben assembled the matching upholstered foundation and recommended a socket wrench instead of the crescent wrench he had available. The archived photographs show packed components and assembly materials.
When a mattress is designed to be turned, consider the space around your bed and the effort needed to flip it, as well as the comfort difference. This covers the original generation, not a confirmed current mattress-and-foundation package.
Reviewed model at a glance
| Reviewed configuration | Medium / firm |
|---|---|
| Construction described | Latex and memory foam on both sides of a foam core |
| Comfort adjustment | Flip the whole mattress |
| Handling feature | Side handles |
| Original evidence | Construction and assembly photographs; unboxing video |
Watch the original review video
Frequently asked questions
Can two people choose different sides at the same time?
No. This model changed feel by flipping top-to-bottom. It did not provide independent left and right firmness.
Did Ben test both firmness combinations?
He tested medium/firm. Medium/soft was another offered configuration, not a second firsthand test.
Is this necessarily the Sonno sold today?
No. Match the maker, construction and model generation before applying these observations to a current listing.
Read the preserved earlier Sonno Bed review
Historical review: The following account is preserved from the earlier article. Product specifications, prices, purchase terms and manufacturer claims describe that period. They are not new test results or confirmed current offers. The updated findings above explain the evidence and its limits.
When I reviewed the Sonno Bed, the company had recently introduced this model on a new website. This article documents that original flippable generation; its old sales links and purchase terms are not verified as current. It is a flippable mattress where each side will give you a different level of firmness depending on your preference. For this review I received the medium/firm option.
Ordering
At the time of my original review, Sonno sold this mattress directly online. It arrives in about a week like other mattress in a box companies. In addition to the mattress you can also purchase a foundation that has matching fabric. This foundation comes with legs that lift the foundation off the ground. You can choose a 6 or 9 inch height. The foundation also comes in a box and is easy to assemble. The Sonno Bed comes with a 100 day trial period where you can return it for a refund if not completely satisfied.
Unboxing
Here's me unboxing the mattress on the frame that I just assembled.
The Box spring was easy to assemble. I highly recommend a socket wrench for the job. All I could find was my crescent wrench which did the trick but took a lot longer. This is a very solid box spring and will really make your bedroom look nice once everything is put together.
Here's all the contents of the box spring. The screws, bolts and fabric are all included.
There are 4 upholstered sides that bolt together. After that you screw in the slats on the top.
Specifications
The Sonno bed is made of 5 layers which is significantly more than the typical 3 layer mattress that I review. For this mattress to be flippable, there needs to be more than a foam base layer on one end hence the multiple layers. Here's an illustration of the layers from the website:
Below is a photo I took of the inside of the mattress so you can see what it looks like in real life.
Both sides of this mattress have a latex top layer followed by memory foam and finally an inner support core.
Findings
Again, I reviewed the firm/medium mattress. You can also purchase a medium / soft. However I thought he medium firmness was plenty soft and probably wouldn't go much softer than that unless you want a really soft mattress.
I really like the handles which make flipping so much easier.
Because each side has a latex top layer, it does well with temperature regulation. Here's an infrared video demonstrating how quickly the heat dissipates from the mattress.
Even though this mattress has a top latex layer, the latex is not as dense as a GhostBed which lessens the bounce. Here's a video to illustrate that point.
The Sonno Bed is softer than the GhostBed. I would place the medium firmness as being firmer than the Noomi but softer than the GhostBed. I did notice that when I sat down quickly on the mattress I would sort of bottom out. That really isn't an issue unless you weigh over 200 lbs. and plan to jump around on it.
You can tell that Sonno put in a lot of attention to detail. Being able to choose different levels of firmness means that you're more likely to get it right the first time. It also is a great option for a guest bed where you will have guests with different firmness preferences.
Conclusion
This mattress and frame gives you the complete package for a nice looking bed. If you are looking for a really firm mattress, you may want to look elsewhere. However, I think the firm / medium option will appeal to most sleepers.
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Compare this mattress against 142 tested mattresses
Sort all 142 mattresses we have tested by pressure relief, support, cooling, motion isolation, edge support, price, trial and warranty, then filter by how you actually sleep. Of those, 86 hold a complete standardized record and 41 a partial standardized record.