MD Mattress Reviews

Across these five models, we kept running into the same theme: cushioned quilted tops over stable support. The main differences were the softness of the comfort layers, how much heat built up, and how quiet the surface felt with a partner.

Chris Miller – Lead Tester

As a back-and-side combo sleeper, I gravitated toward Mockingbird as the easiest all-around option: soft enough at the shoulder, but supported enough that my hips didn’t drift. When I wanted a cleaner, firmer feel for alignment, Model 400 was the clear winner. For cooling and plush comfort together, Pure Ice Plush was the standout.

Marcus Reed – Bigger Back and Stomach Sleeper

Marcus is harder on edges and support than anyone else on our team. He preferred Model 400 for back and stomach sleeping because it held his hips up better, and he kept coming back to Pure Ice Plush when heat was the deciding factor. On the pillow-top models, his main note was simple: comfortable, but too much give if he stayed on his stomach.

Mia Chen – Petite Side Sleeper

Mia’s testing is mostly about shoulder pressure. She consistently favored the pillow-top options—especially Grayhawk Pillow Top—because they cushioned her shoulder and outer hip without feeling unstable. Model 400 felt supportive but a little too firm for her side-sleep comfort over a full night.

Jenna Brooks – Partner Sleeper, Motion-Sensitive

In partner testing with Ethan, Jenna noticed the biggest differences in motion and edge feel. The wrapped-coil hybrids did a better job muting movement, and Pure Ice Plush felt the easiest to move on without feeling trapped. Starling had more of a lively, traditional spring feel, which some couples like but motion-sensitive sleepers will notice.

We scored these MD Mattress models using the same criteria we use in our how we test mattresses process: support, pressure relief, cooling, motion isolation, responsiveness, edge support, firmness, durability, and overall value. The goal is to describe what you actually feel at night—especially in the positions people use most.

For support and spinal alignment, we paid attention to how the comfort layers and coil system work together under different body weights. A mattress can feel plush on top and still keep your hips from dropping, but only if the support core and perimeter reinforcement do their jobs.

Pressure relief focused on the spots that usually complain first: shoulders, hips, and knees. We looked at how quilt foams, gel memory foam, and pillow-top thickness spread weight before you “bottom out” into the coil unit.

Cooling performance was judged by the cover and the comfort foams. Tencel and breathable knits tend to vent heat better than basic polyester, while specialty covers (like Black Ice) and conductive foams usually do a better job of keeping the surface from warming up too quickly.

For motion isolation, responsiveness, and edge support, we watched how movement traveled across the mattress, how quickly the surface bounced back, and how stable the perimeter felt when sitting or sleeping near the edge. Wrapped coils and thicker comfort stacks generally quiet the surface, while more traditional innerspring designs tend to feel livelier.

Finally, we considered durability and day-to-day practicality. Warranty length and construction details inform lifespan expectations, while height, weight, and one-sided builds affect how easy the mattress is to move and rotate in a normal bedroom.

Our Testing Experience

Mockingbird feels like a classic pillow-top hybrid done correctly: a smooth, breathable Tencel cover, noticeable cushioning at the shoulder, and a support core that keeps hips from drifting.

Edge support was better than expected for the price. Marcus sat and shifted near the corner without that “rolling off” sensation, and the perimeter stayed steady for Jenna’s edge-sleeping tests.

If you want one MD Mattress model that works for the widest range of sleepers, this is it—especially for average-weight side and combo sleepers who want comfort without a mushy feel.

Pros & Cons

Details

• Price: Often around $399–$499 for a queen (dealer pricing varies)
• Firmness: Medium-plush
• Construction: Hybrid with foam-encased individually wrapped coils
• Cover: Tencel knit
• Motion isolation: Strong for most couples
• Warranty: Typically a 10-year limited warranty (confirm with your retailer)

Review Score

Our Testing Experience

Grayhawk Pillow Top is the plusher, more cushioned upgrade. The top feels thicker and softer than Mockingbird, with a more “hotel” surface before the coils push back.

Side sleepers (especially Mia) preferred it for shoulder comfort. For heavier stomach sleeping, though, the extra plushness can feel like too much give over a long night.

This is the pick if you want the softest feel in the group but still want a supportive perimeter for couple and edge sleeping.

Pros & Cons

Details

• Price: Commonly around $599–$699 for a queen (varies by dealer)
• Firmness: Plush to medium
• Height: About 14"
• Construction: Hybrid with foam-encased wrapped coils
• Cover: Tencel knit
• Warranty: Usually a 10-year limited warranty (retailer dependent)

Review Score

Our Testing Experience

Model 400 is the alignment-first option. The tight top and firmer quilt layer create a flatter surface with less sink than the pillow-top models.

Back and stomach sleepers on our team preferred it because it kept hips elevated and made it easy to stay in a neutral position. Mia felt more shoulder pressure here than on the plush models.

Choose this one if you want support and a firmer feel more than deep pressure relief.

Pros & Cons

Details

• Price: Often around $549–$649 for a queen (varies by store)
• Firmness: Firm to luxury firm
• Construction: Hybrid with foam-encased wrapped coils
• Cover: Tencel knit
• Feel: Flatter surface with less sink than pillow-top models
• Warranty: Typically a 10-year limited warranty (confirm with your retailer)

Review Score

Our Testing Experience

Starling has the most traditional “spring” character of the lineup. The Euro-top adds a cushion, but you feel more of the innerspring response than you do on the wrapped-coil hybrids.

It’s easy to move on, which makes it a good guest-room option. The trade-off is that motion carries more across the surface, so very motion-sensitive couples will notice it.

If you want a simpler, usually lower-priced MD Mattress model with a familiar feel, Starling is the value play.

Pros & Cons

Details

• Price: Often lower than Mockingbird and Grayhawk in many stores
• Firmness: Medium-firm
• Height: Around 11–12"
• Construction: Euro-top over a perimeter innerspring and base foam
• Motion isolation: Moderate (more surface movement)
• Warranty: Often 5–10 years limited depending on retailer

Review Score

Our Testing Experience

Pure Ice Plush is the cooling-focused flagship feel here. The Black Ice cover is noticeably cool-to-the-touch, and the comfort foams deliver deeper cushioning than the other models.

It balanced plush pressure relief with stable support underneath, and it stayed quieter for couples than the traditional innerspring-style options. Marcus also rated it highest when heat was the deciding factor.

If you sleep hot and still want a softer surface, this was the clear standout in testing.

Pros & Cons

Details

• Price: Often around $650–$900 for a queen depending on retailer and promos
• Firmness: Medium-plush
• Height: 14"
• Construction: Hybrid with perimeter edge-wrapped coils and base foam
• Cover: Black Ice cooling cover
• Warranty: Usually a 10-year limited warranty (retailer dependent)

Review Score

Start with your sleep position, body weight, and whether you tend to sleep hot. Those three factors usually matter more than the marketing name of the model.

• Lightweight side sleeper: Mockingbird and Grayhawk Pillow Top offer the most shoulder-friendly cushioning before you hit the support core.
• Average-weight back sleeper: Grayhawk Luxury Firm Tight Top tends to keep the spine straighter, with less sink through the comfort layers.
• Hot sleeper who still wants plush comfort: Pure Ice Plush stands out for a cooler cover and stronger cooling materials.
• Heavier couple with mixed positions: Model 400 is the most supportive base, while Mockingbird or Pure Ice can be better compromises if one partner spends a lot of time on their side.
• Guest room or budget-focused setup: Starling is the simpler, more traditional feel and is often priced below the thicker hybrids.

If you’re shopping in-store, read the spec sheet carefully. Phrases like “foam-encased wrapped coils,” “Tencel cover,” or “Black Ice cooling cover” are useful clues for matching the model in front of you to the lineup we tested.

It depends on how you sleep. For a firmer, alignment-first feel, Model 400 is the best match in this set. For side sleepers who need more cushioning, Mockingbird and Grayhawk Pillow Top tend to feel more comfortable while still staying supportive.

Grayhawk Pillow Top (Model 405) feels the softest and most cushioned. Pure Ice Plush is also plush, but it feels cooler and a bit more “modern” than purely pillowy.

Grayhawk Luxury Firm Tight Top (Model 400) is the firmest-feeling model we tested, with less sink and a flatter surface.

Yes for most couples. The wrapped-coil hybrids damp movement well; Starling is livelier and you’re more likely to feel your partner move.

Yes, if you pick the right model. Mockingbird and Grayhawk Pillow Top were the most shoulder-friendly for side sleeping.

Pure Ice Plush is the standout for cooling. The other models rely on breathable covers and gel foams, which may or may not be enough if you run very hot.

With normal use and rotation, these hybrids should last for years. Softer pillow-tops and heavier body weights tend to shorten lifespan faster.

MD Mattress highlights eco-friendly materials and manufacturing practices in its marketing. For model-specific materials and any foam certifications, confirm details on your retailer paperwork or with the manufacturer.

Many listings describe the hybrids as adjustable-base compatible. Confirm compatibility for the exact model and size with your retailer.

Customer feedback often lines up with our notes: comfort on Mockingbird/Grayhawk Pillow Top, cooler feel on Pure Ice, and value on Starling. Most complaints come down to firmness expectations and heat on plusher builds.