10 Best Waterbed Mattresses Reviews and Buying Guide
Table of Contents
Why Do You Need a Good Waterbed?
When waterbeds came into existence for the first time, they were regarded to be a symbol of extravagance and luxury. Even though this thought continues still among some groups of people, some of them are readily investing in this bed for ensuring better comfort when they sleep.
What Exactly is a Waterbed?
A waterbed mattress is a vinyl mattress. It is generally filled with water as the name implies. When it was at its peak in popularity in the 1980s, users had to fill the entire bed with water using a hosepipe. But, now, the users will have to just fill the tubes known as bladders. It means that the process has now turned into less hassle. When some waterbeds available in the market can support themselves by getting rid of the requirements of a separate frame, some have temperature control devices attached to make the water inside warm to bring better comfort to the user.
What are the Pros and Cons of Waterbeds?
The concept of waterbed was originally invented by Dr. Neil Arnott, a physician from Scotland. The purpose of this discovery is to help patients with movement impairment to prevent bedsores. But, nowadays, many normal individuals are buying them. So, before you shop for one, it is better to understand the pros and cons:
Pros:
- No dust absorbance
- Easy heating
- Joint and muscle benefits
- Form-fitting to enhance comfort
- Easy to clean
- Can as per user preference
- No shape loss
Cons:
- You will have to spend on heating costs
- Maintenance requirements
- Requirement of special bedding accessories
- Accidental leakage
- Hard to move around due to heavyweight
So, after evaluating the pros and cons, you should decide whether a waterbed mattress can the right choice for you or not.
Quick Summary
1. Best overall – California King 95% Waveless Mattress
2. Best budget – Queen Size Free Flow Waterbed Mattress
3. Best for motion isolation – Queen 95% Waveless Waterbed Mattress
4. Best value – King 98% Waveless Waterbed Mattress
5. Best for back pain – California King 90% Waveless Waterbed Mattress
6. Best semi waveless – Super Single Semi Waveless Waterbed Mattress
7. Best for family use – California King Semi Waveless Waterbed Mattress
8. Best softside – Strobel Organic Softside Waterbed
9. Best hard-side – INNOMAX Genesis 800 Waterbed Mattress
10. Best for comfort – King Size Softside Pillow Waterbed Mattress
Top Best Waterbed Mattresses Based on Reviews and Price
1. Best overall – California King 95% Waveless Mattress
In the world of waterbeds, this particular item stands out as unique as it offers only about three to four seconds of slow movement, making it the ideal waterbed. The mattress also guarantees comfort for every part of the body as its mid-body support allows your body to sink straight into the mattress. As it aligns your body structure properly, your sleep becomes more comfortable and restful.
There is also a guarantee of longevity with this waterbed as it is built with high-quality materials tailored to last for a long time. Choosing this waterbed is an easy way to get a fantastic sleeping experience.
2. Best budget – Queen Size Free Flow Waterbed Mattress
With this mattress, you don’t have to break the bank to enjoy your sleep, as it is pretty affordable. In addition to being budget-friendly, the free flow waterbed is designed with your comfort in mind making it super comfortable during sleep. Its heavy virgin vinyl reinforced corners also provide premium support for the sleeper.
One unique feature of this mattress is the dura bottom which supports quick heat transfer, thus leaving you to enjoy your sleep on a cool and calm sleeping surface. The mattress is also designed to last for a long time due to its high quality and solid build, so you don’t have to worry about replacing it. Getting this mattress will make a happy person as your sleep will become better.
3. Best for motion isolation – Queen 95% Waveless Waterbed Mattress
If you desire a comfortable waterbed that allows limited movement, this is just what you need. The mattress is built to be super comfortable as its six-layer of contour fiber is specially tailored for comfort during sleep, and it has three to five seconds of slow movement. In addition, the mattress comes with a single layer of contour lumbar support which keeps the body level during sleep.
The bed is fitted with reinforced corners to help keep your bedsheets stationary and provide support. You don’t have to worry about its place within your bedroom as it easily fits every waterbed platform and is simple to handle. You can also use this mattress for as long as possible as it is made of top-quality materials that ensure durability. Your sleep is bound to get better with this bedroom item in your home.
4. Best value – U.S Water Super Single 90% Waveless Waterbed
Getting premium quality waterbeds can sometimes be challenging, but this mattress gives you great value and provides utmost satisfaction. The mattress is an excellent choice because it comes with four layers of super soft fiber, thus making it very comfortable. It comes with a midsection layer that supports a level lying position. The contour fiber also aligns your spine, thus allowing you to sleep comfortably.
As it is made with suitable quality materials, its durability is guaranteed, making it an incredible bedroom asset. It has excellent weight support to fit people in different weight categories. It’s vinyl reinforced corners also support the sleeper and make the mattress more stable. If you want to have a pleasant and more enjoyable sleep, then this mattress is excellent for you.
5. Best for back pain – California King 90% Waveless Waterbed Mattress
People with back pain will find this waterbed quite helpful as it is a comfortable mattress to sleep on and comes with contour back support while supporting a movement for about five to seven seconds. One unique feature of this mattress is the contour lumbar support layer which focuses on the lower back of the sleeper, keeping it steady, relieving any form of pain, and essentially providing a comfortable sleeping experience.
The mattress also comes with heavily reinforced corners which keep your bedsheets stationary and provide leg support while sleeping. You don’t have to worry about shifting and sliding during draining as it comes with connected fibers to prevent the occurrence of such. Since all the materials used in its design are of exceptionally high quality, you can be assured that it will last for a long time.
6. Best semi waveless – Super Single Semi Waveless Waterbed Mattress
If you are interested in semi-waveless waterbed mattresses, you should try this particular mattress as it is a huge step up from regular ones and comes with eight to ten seconds of movement. The mattress is designed to offer comfort to the sleeper, and it also has a layer of fiber that helps reduce movement. It also comes with reinforced corners to keep your bed sheets from skipping and give support during sleep.
Finding a place for it in your bedroom is also not a problem as the mattress is built to fit waterbed frames conveniently. With its excellent and durable design, you can use the mattress for as long as possible, making it a suitable bedroom asset. An excellent means to make you sleep better is by using this mattress.
7. Best for family use – California King Semi Waveless Waterbed Mattress
Sleeping together as a family can be an enjoyable activity and even more restful with this item as it is designed to be super comfortable. The mattress is made of excellent materials and vinyl reinforced corners that ensure comfort, keep your sheets stationary and provide body support. In addition, it supports eight to ten seconds of movement, making it quite ideal for family use.
As the mattress is made of high-quality materials, its durability is guaranteed so that you can enjoy it for as long as possible. The lumbar design of the mattress’s layers also supports proper body alignment, which results in more restful sleep. With this mattress, you and your family will have an enjoyable sleeping experience.
8. Best softside – Strobel Organic Softside Waterbed
In the world of softside waterbeds, this particular one ranks as the best as it comes with a soft inner foam frame which makes sitting and sleeping very comfortable. One beautiful thing about this mattress is that it is leakproof and supports easy handling and use. Amazingly, this mattress has a solid-state electronic temperature control that helps maintain your body temperature in response to the room’s weather conditions, thus making you sleep better.
The mattress also comes with a surface design that reduces body pressure and supports spinal alignment. You can easily fit the bed on a platform or even use it directly on the floor. The mattress is also designed to last for a long time as it is built with high-quality materials.
9. Best hardside – INNOMAX Genesis 800 Waterbed Mattress
The waterbed mattress is designed to expertly eliminate motion to provide a hydrodynamic sleep quite beneficial to the body. Its lumbar support contours the body provides proper body alignment and results in the ideal sleeping posture. In addition, its low tension surface conveniently meets the needs of parts of the body like the head and spinal region.
The mattress also helps to guarantee a comfortable and restful sleep as it provides an excellent surface condition for sleep regardless of the room’s weather condition. It is pretty ideal for use with box or wood waterbed frames as it fits them conveniently. With its top-quality design, the mattress ensures durability making it a valuable bedroom asset.
10. Best for comfort – King Size Softside Pillow Waterbed Mattress
If you need a luxurious and highly comfortable waterbed mattress, then this particular mattress is just perfect for you. Due to the combination of the materials with which it is designed, the mattress is quite soft and super comfortable. The mattress comes with contour fiber which provides comfort to your body. In addition, the extra fiber layer fitted in its midsection allows your body to sink more conveniently into the mattress.
In addition, it comes with a digital heating system that adapts to various temperatures and provides the best conditions for you to sleep longer. The mattress is an easy fit on waterbed frames so that everyone can use it. You also get to use the mattress for as long as possible as it is pretty durable. With this mattress, you can enjoy sleeping comfortably on a beautiful surface.
Top 8 Factors to Consider When Shopping for a Waterbed Mattress
Now, if you have decided to shop for this mattress, you should know the points of consideration to make your shopping successful. Here is a few of them for your knowledge:
1. The Types of Waterbed Mattresses
When you compare waterbed mattresses, you will come across two types. One type is a hard-sided mattress and the other type is a soft-sided mattress. You can gather some details about these types here:
Hard-sided Waterbed Mattresses
A hard-sided waterbed mattress will have support on the bottom and also on the four sides. The problem with this type of waterbed mattress is that it needs a sturdy frame. Also, as compared to regular mattresses, these mattresses take up more room. However, you can manage this space by investing in a bed that offers storage space underneath. Even, in some of them, you will find storage space within the headboard.
Soft-sided Waterbed Mattresses
Soft-sided waterbed mattresses are comparatively a newer option compared to hard-sided ones. They come with sturdy sides and can stand alone without requiring any frame. Just in case, you wish to avoid a bulky bed frame in your bedroom, you can avoid it. Even, if you already use a bed frame in your home, you can use it for placing a soft-sided waterbed mattress.
2. Consider the Fill of the Waterbed Mattress
When you consider different aspects when shopping for a waterbed mattress, one of the factors that you will come across is the fill. In general, you will find this option when you decide to buy a soft-sided mattress. Here are some details to know concerning this:
- Deep-fill mattress is a soft-sided waterbed that uses 8″ of water. This will be the source of the waterbed mattress to contour support. Even, it is the means for the creation of the plush feel.
- Mid-Fill mattress is also a soft-sided mattress, where the manufacturer would have used 6″ of water to help users achieve a balanced and contouring feel.
- Shallow fill is a mattress, where 4″ of water is used by the manufacturer for creating a firmer feel.
You will have to choose one based on the comfort and feel that you expect from a soft-sided waterbed mattress.
3. Consider the Flow of the Waterbed Mattress
When you consider the flow of waterbed mattresses, you will come across three of them. They are waveless, semi-waveless, and free-flow waterbed mattresses. Here are some details about these three options:
- A waveless waterbed will have multiple layers of fiber inserts and/or baffles. They are introduced for controlling the motion of water and for increasing support.
- A free flow waterbed is otherwise called a full-wave mattress. It encompasses only water without any inserts or baffles.
- A semi-waveless mattress will have some fiber inserts and/or baffles for controlling the motion of water and increasing support.
So, based on your requirement, you will have to choose the appropriate flow.
4. Consider the Waveless Rating
This is one of the most crucial aspects when it comes to selecting the best water bed for your requirements. It denotes the right level of movement you expect. In general, a waterbed mattress stands out from other mattresses mainly because of the wave effect. But, too much movement can make it uncomfortable at night.
The waveless rating of a waterbed mattress indicates how swiftly the mattress can return to stability after movement. Here are some details to know concerning this:
- When a mattress has a waveless rating of 100%, it will return to stability almost immediately after you move when lying. To make sure that the users can achieve the utmost stability, a mattress with this rating would have typically used fiber, water, and air layers within the mattress.
- When you find that the rating is 100-95% in a mattress, it will move for some seconds before calming down. The good thing about a mattress with this rating is that it will make entering and exiting easier and more comfortable. When you go for this mattress, you will feel as if you use a non-water mattress.
- When the rating is 90 to 85%, you will find that the mattress will move for many seconds whenever you shift your position when sleeping. Just, in case, you look for cradling and rocking movement when sleeping, you can go for a bed in this range.
- When you find that the rating is 85% or lesser, it is called a full-motion water bed. These are generally hard-sided beds with a single large water bladder inside. This type will not offer adequate support for some people.
5. Can You Adjust the Firmness?
How firm a bed sleeps is generally a factor to consider when shopping for a mattress. You should consider this even when you buy a waterbed mattress. The firmness that will suit you is a matter of personal preference. So, it is better to try out the waterbed before buying it.
It is true that waterbeds come with different firmness levels. Waterbeds are generally considered softer as compared to other traditional bed types. It is better to check whether you can adjust the firmness when you buy a waterbed. Most beds in this category provide the chance to alter the water level for creating the kind of support that you expect.
6. Consider the Size
Like any other type of mattress, you should consider the size as an essential aspect when you compare waterbed mattresses as well. They come in different sizes as other types of mattresses like a king, queen, twin, twin XL, California King, and full mattresses. As you know, you should select the right size based on the room size and whether you are planning to use the mattress alone or with your partner, and many other factors.
7. Identify the Ideal Thickness of the Fiber Layers
The objective of any waterbed mattress will be to relieve stress on all pressure points by cradling the body. These beds generally create a hammock effect in which the body dips down in the middle and lifts up at the feet and head. The layers of fiber material used in these beds help with improving the stability and support they offer, thereby providing the opportunity for the user to sleep comfortably. When considering the thickness of the waterbed mattress, you will have to look at the following things:
- There will be better support and a minimum hammock effect when a bed has more layers.
- When a bed has thicker fiber layers, there will be slow movement, thereby creating a lesser wave effect when you move positions when sleeping.
8. Important the Features of the Waterbed Mattress
When you are comparing waterbed mattresses, it is better to evaluate the features offered. Here is a list of features that can make the waterbed more comfortable for you to use:
Added Lumbar Support
Some waterbeds come with additional layers of fiber for providing appropriate lumbar support. The thickness of the fiber used will differ from one manufacturer to another.
Floating and Tethering
It is better to consider a waterbed mattress with floatation and tethering properties. The former will provide additional support to keep the fiber layers tout. The latter will help with keeping the bed linens in place.
The other features to consider are reinforced corners and protective covering to extend the life of the waterbed mattress.
Wrapping Up
Waterbeds have become very popular today as they are very comfortable and quickly align with the body structure. They are also great for people with back pain and can be more relaxing when compared to regular beds. The best choice for your comfort is the California King 95% Waveless Mattress in choosing waterbeds. The Strobel Organic Softside Waterbed is also an excellent waterbed that can make your sleep more restful.
Of course, a waterbed mattress will cost you more compared to other types of mattresses. However, the level of comfort you will get will equally double. So, you can consider the factors listed above when you shop for a waterbed mattress.
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