Top 8 best futon mattresses in 2023 (for a bad back)

In this article, I will talk about both the American futon mattress and the Japanese traditional shiki futon (also known as a roll up futon mattress). I will also point out which one is suitable for sleeping, even if you have back pain problems.

A western futon is a versatile couch that can be flattened out as a twin or queen bed. Due to possible frequent flipping, an American futon mattress is likely to wear and tear.

Therefore, American futon mattresses are often cheap, or say, very affordable. However, a high quality futon mattress can last for years.

If you are looking for a western futon set (including the couch frame and the mattress), check my article about the best futon beds on Amazon.

Meanwhile, the Japanese futon is a thinner cushion. The Japanese puts it on the ground or on a tatami mat, and sleep on it.

To know how sleeping on a Japanese futon mattress is good for your spine and the best ones on Amazon, read my other article about the 10 best Japanese futon mattresses.

What makes the best futon mattress for you? (the NUM buying guide)

If you are looking for the most comfortable futon mattress, keep in mind the following.

Not all futon mattresses are the same.

And not all people need the same futon mattress.

What makes the best futon mattress depends on you and yourself.

So, keep reading to see my NUM buying guide – Needs, Usage Frequency, and Maintenance

Needs

Are you looking for an American futon mattress that is

often thick and suits the taste of western culture
convertible between a chair and a bed
a couch by day, and a guest bed by night

Or are you looking for a Japanese futon that is

made for sleeping on the floor –> good for your back
also good as a mattress topper to make your American futon more comfortable
lightweight that can roll up to easily store away when not needed
portable (if you move a lot, this is for you!)
can also be a guest bed

In this article, I will show you the top candidates from both of these categories.

Usage frequency

For the American futon mattress, you should consider the following questions.

Are you gonna sleep on the futon most of the time?

If yes, buy a higher-quality and thicker mattress that gives plenty of support.

A firm and dense mattress or a memory foam one is best for spinal alignment.

A memory foam mattress or an individually encased spring mattress relieves pressure points such as your shoulders and hips.

How often do you flip the futon between a sleeper and a seater?

If frequent, buy a mattress that is divided in 2 sections so that you can bend it easily.

If the mattress is not sectioned, you will struggle bending it back to the sitting position. Moreover, the mattress filling will crease and tear at the fold over time.

Meanwhile, the Japanese futon is quite straightforward. You can use it daily as long as you are used to sleeping on a firmer mattress or surface.

Maintenance

The American futon mattress needs less maintenance. Some with good outer fabric lets you wipe off dust easily.

You don’t need to beat the mattress to fluff it up. However, the downfall is the mattress will lose its shape over time of use, depending on the quality of the filling and of the quilting.

On the other hand, to use the Japanese futon, you will have to air it out under the sun every week or every other week for it to fluff up.

Otherwise, it can be as thin as 1 inch thick.

If you still have questions, read the FAQ section at the end or leave a comment below. I will get back to you as soon as possible.

Overview of the best futons

DHP 8-Inch Independently Encased Coil Futon Mattress

Best sleep

Provides contouring support, relieves back pain
No motion transfer
Just the mattress. Frame not included
Fits any full-sized futon frame
Filling: Polyester, foam and pocketed coil
CertiPUR-US certified high-density foam
Dimensions: 75″ L x 54″ W x 8″ H
Size: Full
Lots of people have bought it on Amazon

Classic Brands 8-Inch Independently Encased Coils

Best Customer Service

Provides contouring support, relieves back pain
No motion transfer
Just the mattress. Frame not included
Fits any full-sized futon frame
Cover material: microfiber polyester
Filling: foam, pocketed spring
Dimensions: 75″ L x 54″ W x 8″ H
Easy to clean, wipe with damp cloth
Great customer service

EMOOR Compact-Sized Japanese Futon Set

Best Value

Includes a Comforter (Kakebuton), a Futon Mattress (Shikibuton) and a Pillow.
Available in multiple sizes
Dimensions for a Compact Twin Size:
- Futon Mattress (Shikibuton): 37″ x 77″ (95 x 195 cm) Weight: 5.51 lb
Fabric: 100% Cotton, 200 Thread Count Cotton Broadcloth
Stuffing: 100% Polyester
Authentic Japanese

(Best sleep) DHP 8-Inch Independently Encased Coil Futon Mattress

Just the mattress. Frame not included
Fits any full-sized futon frame
Filling: Polyester, foam and pocketed coil
CertiPUR-US certified high-density foam
Mattress dimensions: 75 in L x 54 in W x 8 in H
Sleeper dimension: full size
Lots of people have bought it on Amazon
Ships flat and rolled

This American futon mattress is the best if you are looking for a thick, soft and supporting bed. It provides contouring support, relieving pressure points to give you a good night sleep, even if you have back pain.

Contouring support

This mattress is good for sleeping, even for a 300 lbs + person

Independently encased coils, or pocketed coils, of this mattress contours to the curves of your body and, hence, relieves pressure points. This also means it’s good for your spinal alignment.

This is because, each coil works independently, supporting your body based on body regions’ weight.

With that being said, if you have back pain, consider this mattress.

No motion transfer

Thanks to the pocketed coils, again, this mattress does not transfer motion.

That means your partner will not feel any motion during the night even if you bounce on the mattress.

Down fall: not designed for converting

This mattress is not split into 2 halves like other mattresses in futon sets. Customers have been reporting it is very hard to fold it from a sleeper back to a seater.

After folding this mattress back and forth between the two positions daily for a while, the mattress starts to separate in the middle, exposing the springs.

There are other reviews that say the springs also come through the foam over time.

Lots of people have bought it (3,552 ratings, 4.3 out of 5 stars on Amazon)
Provides contouring support, relieving pressure points
Mattress for back pain problems
No motion transfer
Ships flat and rolled

Hard to fold the mattress from sleeper to seater
Not ideal for folding and unfolding daily

(Best customer service) Classic Brands 8-Inch Futon Mattress with Independently Encased Innerspring Coils

Provides contouring support, relieves back pain
No motion transfer
Just the mattress. Frame not included
Fits any full-sized futon frame
Cover material: microfiber polyester
Filling: foam, pocketed spring
Dimensions: 75″ L x 54″ W x 8″ H
Easy to clean, wipe with damp cloth
Great customer service

This futon mattress is of high quality and style. And it is the best for customer service. The firm mattress is beneficial for spinal alignment. If you wish to make it softer, scroll down to the bottom and read my FAQ section.

Firm, good support (customer who weighs 200lbs can sleep comfortably on this)
Cover removable
Good customer service (Should you have concerns, they will reply telling you to call them)
Ships flat and rolled (compact)

Limited colors
Like the DHP one, not designed for flipping frequently

(Best value) EMOOR Compact-Sized Japanese Futon Set

Includes a Comforter (Kakebuton), a Futon Mattress (Shikibuton) and a Pillow.
Available in multiple sizes
Dimensions for a Compact Twin Size:
- Comforter (Kakebuton): 59″ x 79″ (150 x 200 cm) Weight: 2.65 lb
- Futon Mattress (Shikibuton): 37″ x 77″ (95 x 195 cm) Weight: 5.51 lb
- Pillow: 17″ x 25″. (43 x 63 cm) Weight: 0.88 lb
Fabric: 100% Cotton, 200 Thread Count Cotton Broadcloth
Stuffing: 100% Polyester
Authentic Japanese

This futon set is the best for value.

This authentic Japanese set comes with a futon (shikifuton), a comforter (kakebuton), and a pillow.

Therefore, if you want to feel like you are in Japan, this is a must-have.

In terms of comfiness, lots of people including pregnant women have said laying on the floor helps with their back pain. However, other people who are used to the Western thick and soft mattress find this quite thin and hurt their pressure points.

So, imagine a Japanese futon as a sleeping bag that’s a bit thicker than a normal sleeping bag. You probably will not enjoy sleeping in only a sleeping bag on the hard ground. You need to have a sleeping pad to make sleeping on the ground more comfortable.

Similarly, if you want to make sleeping on a Japanese futon (shikibuton) more comfortable, consider a layer of sleeping pad. It could be tatami mats to go with the Japanese theme, a sleeping pad, or some cheap foam you can buy from Walmart.

Can be used as a mattress topper or a floor futon
Good for spinal alignment and back pain when used on the floor or a tatami mat
Light weight
Can roll up and store away
Portable
Compact packaging
Laid on floor: Firm, good for spinal alignment (compare with cheap foam mattresses that lose their forms over time)

Will have to air it out every week to fluff it up
Maybe thin if you want a softer bed
(check out my pro tip in the FAQ section on how to make the futon more comfortable)
Will need to buy covers

(Best Japanese futon mattress comfort) EMOOR -CLASSE Series- Shikifuton, Japanese Futon Mattress

High density polyester pad
Outer fabric is 100% cotton.
Uses sandwich quilting to provide good cushioning
Available from Twin to King size
Product specifications for Twin size:
- Dimensions: 39 x 79 in (100 x 200cm)
- Weight: 11 lbs
Non-washable
Made in Japan

This Japanese shikifuton is the most comfortable futon mattress for sleeping on the floor. Thanks to its special sandwich quilting technique, the high density foam pad can cushion better.

If it’s still too firm for you, you can use some more cushion. You can consider tatami mats to go with the Japanese theme, a sleeping pad, or some cheap foam you can buy from Walmart.

Good cushioning
High density foam is good for spinal alignment and back pains
Can be used as a mattress topper (on a couch), makes the guest bed more comfortable
Foldable, lightweight, and portable

Will have to fluff it up by airing the futon on a sunny day regularly.
Some people may want to add more cushion beneath

(Best for camping) MAXYOYO Portable Floor Mattress

Set includes: 1 futon mattress, 1 same color mattress dust proof cover, 1 pair of bandage, 1 canvas storage bag.
Dust proof cover with patterns: 100% Cotton
Filling Material: Cotton + Memory Foam
Multiple sizes avaliable: Twin to King
Product specifications for twin size:
- Dimensions: 4″ thick x 39″ wide x 80″ long
- Weight: 10 lbs

This futon is best for camping with its dense filling, dust proof cover, and other accessories. Lightweight and portable, you can easily roll it up and store away when not using, or bring it with you on road trips.

If you are not a fan of camping, no worries. This can be used to “camp” in your yard, for a sleepover at your friend’ place, or a guest bed when you have visitors.

With the dust proof cover, you can extend the durability of the mattress.

Regarding its comfiness, this mattress is highly dense, which will give you cushioning and is still firm enough for your back to not hurt. Before quilting, the thickness is 17cm. Then they quilt to compress the foam to 10cm (about 4 inches).

Comes with a dust proof cover
Dense filling, giving support, very comfy
Lightweight
Portable

Size may differ (manufacturing problems)
Comes with a tote bag to carry around, but it rips easily

FULI Japanese Traditional Shiki Futon

Made in Japan
Packaged in a reuseable vacuum bag
Product Size: Twin to Full XL (read the product size of each, may be different from standard US sizes)
Packing size: 29″ x 40″ x 2-1/2″
Fabric: 100% Cotton. Stuffing: 100% Polyester
Weight: 10 pounds

This futon is not like a western futon where you can sink in and enjoy the soft embrace of the mattress.

It is a thin layer of cushion, meant to be placed on a hard surface (a tatami mat or even the floor). Sleeping on hard surface is actually good for you spinal alignment, and in the long run, keeps you a way from back pains.

The cushion is still soft to relieve some pressure at contact points such as your hips and shoulders. But as other futons, many of us in the West may find it’s incredibly hard to sleep on the futon placed on the floor. So you can consider placing a tatami mat, a sleeping pad, or a layer of foam below the futon for more cushioning.

Can be used as a mattress topper (on a couch), makes the guest bed more comfortable
On the floor or a tatami mat, good for spinal alignment and back pains
Light weight
Can roll up and store away
Portable

Thinner than advertised
Some people may want to add more cushion beneath
You will have to hang in sunlight and beat it weekly to make it fluff
Will need to buy a cover

Serta Cypress Double Sided Innerspring Futon Mattress

Filling: Cotton and Polyester
8 inches thick
Bonnel Spring
Available in full and queen size
Constructed with 3 layers of cotton fiber blend that surround the 2, 1″ foam and innerspring unit
Lace Tufted
Medium Support
Made in the USA

This futon mattress looks sleek if you don’t mind the white tuft. It provides medium support, hence, is not the best for daily sleeping. The biggest plus is it’s a cheap futon mattress.

Good price
Medium support

Motion transfer due to bonnel spring
The plastic white tuft looks cheap. Better to buy a separate cover.
Craftsmanship is like a hit or miss based on customer reviews

MOZAIC Full Size 10-inch Cotton Twill Futon Mattress

Outer fabric: Poly-cotton Blend
Filling: a thin layer of Memory Foam and cotton fiber
Standard Full Size Mattress – 75″ x 54″ x 10″ thick, fits any standard Full size futon frame
Weight: 47 lbs

This mattress is the thickest in the list – at 10 inches. The middle layer is memory foam that helps it provide more support. Although not as comfy as a memory foam mattress, this mattress is still many people’s favorite for its thickness and comfiness.

It weighs 47 lbs with 10-inch thickness. This can be a hassle when you want to put on a convertible futon frame because it’s hard to fold. But if you just want to put this on a bed frame or even on the floor, it’s totally fine.

When this mattress is converted into a sitting position in a futon frame, it can slip off at the bottom. This is mostly because it’s hard to stay bent. To fix this, you can buy a grip to fix it to the frame.

The reason why I ranked this mattress low is because besides comfiness, my ranking is also based on portability – you know, for a small place that you will not stay for long.

Thick and comfy

Customers have reported a chemical odor, which will completely go away after a month
Not really suitable for convertible futon frame because it’s hard to bend it into sitting position as it is thicker and heavier
In sitting position, it can slip off at the bottom. To fix, buy a grip to fix it to the frame

What's my recommendation for the best futon mattress?

If you have a bad back and want to sleep on your futon mattress, consider the DHP western futon and any of the Japanese futons to sleep on the floor.

EMOOR set – the best value set
EMOOR Classe shikibuton – the best cushion
FULI shikifuton

Among these good futons, the one with the best customer service is Classic Brands western futon.

FAQs about futon mattresses

Is it bad to sleep on a Japanese futon?

It is totally safe, and even beneficial, to sleep on a Japanese futon.

Some people may find sleeping on a thin futon placed on the floor to hard, but it is good for spinal alignment.

In the long run, you will save yourself from back pain problems.

Indeed, many pregnant people also feel most comfortable sleeping on the floor for this reason.

How do I make my Japanese futon more comfortable?

If you are placing your futon on the floor, you may find it too hard.

Traditionally, Japanese people place their futon on a tatami mat, so they won’t lay close to the hard cold ground.

Here is a cheap alternative for you.

You can buy some waffle foam from Walmart and place it under the futon. If you still want it to be softer, simply put another layer of foam in, until you feel comfortable.

Is it bad to sleep on an American futon mattress?

You can also sleep on an American futon mattress as long as it is a high-quality and high-density foam mattress.

However, if it is a cheap, thin and low-density mattress, you might feel the frame of the futon underneath. The saggy, shifted foam might also cause body pain.

Therefore, it is worth it to invest in a higher quality futon if you want to sleep on it regularly.

How do I make my American futon more comfortable?

You can work around a lower quality futon by putting a mattress topper on top of it.

It can be a Japanese futon or similar, which is easy to fold and store away.

My futon is too hard. How do I make it softer?

For a hard American futon, you can put a softer mattress topper on top of it. This can be something like a comforter, a real topper, or a Japanese futon

For a thin Japanese futon which makes it too hard to sleep on the floor, you can buy a tatami mat or a sleeping pad that is used for camping to place underneath. A cheap (but not that aesthetic) alternative is buying waffle foam from Walmart.

If you have any suggestions for futon mattresses, both American and Japanese, comment below to help other readers find their right product.

Top 8 best futon mattresses in 2023 (for a bad back)