Northern Mattress Reviews

Shoppers in Maine ask me the same thing every week: you can walk into Northern Mattress & Furniture 1st, see a wall of big-name brands, and still have no clue which beds actually feel worth the money once you lie down. This Northern Mattress review started as a direct answer to that problem.

I’m Chris Miller, and I test mattresses with a small, consistent crew. Marcus is a bigger, warmer sleeper with a sensitive lower back. Mia is a lightweight side sleeper who notices shoulder pressure fast. Jenna and her partner Ethan focus on couple testing, while Jamal and Carlos help us stress the edges and check alignment. I rotate through every bed with them, compare notes, and try to separate personal preference from repeatable patterns.

For this retailer-focused round, we centered on four models that are commonly featured on the Northern Mattress floor across foam and hybrid categories: Serta iComfort Aveda Medium, Serta iComfort Aveda Plush, Beautyrest World Class Hybrid Level Three Firm, and Beautyrest World Class Hybrid Level Four Plush. Together, they cover slow-moving memory foam, taller hybrid builds, and cooling-focused surfaces at mid-to-upper price points.

What We Tested (Quick Overview)

Testing Team Takeaways

In testing, the lineup split cleanly: the Aveda models delivered a quiet, slow-moving memory-foam hug, while the World Class hybrids added coil lift and easier movement. For my back, the Aveda Medium felt more cradling, and the Level Three Firm hybrid felt more “held up.”

Marcus liked the Level Three Firm hybrid immediately for its hip support and edge stability. He enjoyed the Aveda Plush for short side lounging, but felt his torso settle more than he wanted over longer stretches.

Mia preferred the softer tops. The firm hybrid didn’t give her shoulders enough sink, while both the Aveda Plush and Level Four Plush hybrid relieved pressure more comfortably.

Jenna and Ethan rated motion isolation best on the Aveda Medium, and easiest movement on the Level Four Plush hybrid. Both hybrids held the edge more confidently than the all-foam beds.

Side-by-Side Comparison

How We Tested

For this Northern Mattress review, we used the same framework we apply across major brands: consistent scoring, repeatable position changes, and multi-night impressions. I log reactions under the same criteria each time, then compare our notes with the feature language brands publish and the policies the retailer provides.

We sleep on each mattress in multi-night blocks and score the same core categories each round: support, pressure relief, cooling, motion isolation, edge support, responsiveness, and perceived durability. We also score value by comparing current queen pricing against how the mattress performs versus similar builds.

Every mattress gets side-sleep and back-sleep runs, quick naps, and evening lounge time. For couple tests, Ethan follows a fixed movement schedule while Jenna tracks what she feels. For edge support, our heavier testers sit, stand, and repeat—because weak rails show up fast during that routine.

We translate those notes into 3.0–5.0 scores for each category. A 3.0 means it did the job without standing out; a 5.0 means it consistently impressed us in real use. The overall score reflects how the traits work together, not a simple average that ignores what most sleepers prioritize.

Northern Mattress: Our Testing Experience

Serta iComfort Aveda Medium

Our Testing Experience

I started on the Aveda Medium after a long desk day, when my lower back usually complains first. The surface had that familiar memory-foam “handshake,” but the zoned support underneath kept my hips from dropping too far. On my back, my lumbar area felt held rather than pushed. On my side, the foam filled my waist without collapsing under my shoulders.

Marcus tends to overwhelm softer foams, so his first few minutes were telling. He called it “medium on the label, firmer under my frame.” Under his weight, the top layers compressed, then the zoned support caught him before his hips could sag. He still preferred the firmer hybrid for stomach sleeping, but rated the Medium as a workable middle ground. He did notice some warmth after a few hours, though the cooling cover helped compared with older memory-foam beds he’s used.

Mia is cautious with medium feels because many read as “too firm” for her lighter build. On the Aveda Medium, she needed time for the foam to settle. Once it did, she said her shoulder found a pocket—just not as quickly as on the Plush. That slower sink helped keep her neck straighter, but she still preferred the softer model for long, side-sleep-heavy nights.

In shared-bed testing, the Aveda Medium stood out for motion isolation. Ethan could climb in late and Jenna felt a small shift, then nothing. Ethan’s main complaint was speed: fast turns took a little extra effort, especially when moving from side to back.

Pros & Cons

Pros	Cons
Zoned support helps keep hips level	Edges compress during long sitting
Versatile medium feel for mixed positions	May feel warm for very hot sleepers
Cool-to-touch cover feels noticeably cooler	Slow response for frequent movers
Excellent motion isolation for couples	Tall profile can feel bulky

Details

• Type: All-foam memory foam mattress
• Height: About 12–14 inches depending on retailer spec
• Firmness feel (our scale): Around 6.5, medium-firm for average bodies
• Construction: CoolFeel fabric, PerfectConform memory foam, 5 ZoneResponse style support core for targeted zones 
• Cooling features: Cool-to-the-touch cover, breathable foams, graphite or gel infusions in some versions
• Support system: Multi-zone base foam tuned for different body regions
• Motion isolation: Very high; foam stack absorbs partner movement effectively
• Durability: Dense foams, CertiPUR-US materials, 10-year limited manufacturer warranty typical for this line 

Review Score

Metric	Score	Remarks
Support	4.4	Zoned core kept hips and lumbar level.
Pressure Relief	4.3	Contours without midsection collapse.
Cooling	4.1	Cool-touch cover helps with heat buildup.
Motion Isolation	4.6	Very little partner disturbance.
Edge Support	3.6	Fine for sleep; softer for sitting.
Responsiveness	3.8	Classic slow memory-foam response.
Durability	4.2	Dense foams suggest solid lifespan.
Value	4.0	Fair for its mid-to-upper pricing.
Overall	4.2	Balanced foam option for many sleepers.

Serta iComfort Aveda Plush

Our Testing Experience

I treat plush memory foam carefully because too much sink can irritate my lower back. On the Aveda Plush, my shoulder sank faster than on the Medium, and pressure relief was obvious. When I switched to my back, I could feel my hips sitting a bit deeper into the foam. My alignment stayed mostly clean, but I wouldn’t pick this version for strict stomach sleeping.

Mia looked relieved as soon as she laid down. She stayed on her side, knees tucked, and later said the soft shoulder pocket let her stop thinking about pressure points. Even with the plusher feel, the zoned support kept her from sinking into a full hammock.

Marcus treated the Plush like a comfort experiment: one night mostly side, another with more stomach time. He liked the shoulder give, but noticed his hips settling deeper by morning. For him, it worked better for side sleep and lounging than for all-night stomach support.

For couples, motion isolation was excellent. Ethan’s turning barely registered on Jenna’s side. The tradeoff was the perimeter: the edge felt less stable than the hybrids when both sleepers drifted toward the rail.

Pros & Cons

Pros	Cons
Deep pressure relief for side sleepers	Too soft for many stomach sleepers
Top-tier motion isolation for couples	Edges feel less stable under sitting
Quiet, low-bounce surface	Strong “hug” isn’t for everyone
Zoned support prevents excessive sagging	Can sleep warmer without breathable bedding

Details

• Type: All-foam plush memory foam mattress
• Height: Around 12 inches in many current listings 
• Firmness feel (our scale): About 5.5, noticeably plusher than the Medium version
• Construction: CoolFeel fabric, softer PerfectConform memory foam, 5 ZoneResponse ergonomic support core
• Cooling features: Cool-touch cover and breathable foams; deeper hug keeps more of the body in contact with the surface
• Support system: Zoned base tuned to align spine, skewed slightly toward side-sleep comfort
• Motion isolation: Excellent; ideal for people waking easily from partner movements
• Durability: Foam densities and 10-year limited warranty match the Medium line; plusher feel may show impressions slightly sooner under heavy usage 

Review Score

Metric	Score	Remarks
Support	4.0	Best for lighter-to-average bodies.
Pressure Relief	4.5	Excellent at shoulders and hips.
Cooling	4.0	Cool cover helps; deeper hug is warmer.
Motion Isolation	4.7	Outstanding partner-motion control.
Edge Support	3.4	Soft perimeter under heavy use.
Responsiveness	3.7	Slow, classic memory-foam feel.
Durability	4.1	Soft top may show wear sooner.
Value	4.1	Strong side-sleep performance for the price.
Overall	4.1	Best fit for side sleepers who like plush foam.

Beautyrest World Class Hybrid Level Three Firm

Our Testing Experience

The Level Three Firm hybrid felt different the moment I sat down. My hips barely sank on the edge, and the coil unit pushed back with a clear, springy resistance. On my back, my spine felt long and straight—supportive in a way the all-foam beds can’t quite mimic. The top wasn’t plush, but during longer lounge sessions it kept my lower back calmer than I expected.

Marcus treated this one as home base. He described it as a platform that still has enough surface cushion to avoid feeling harsh. He also trusted the edge: when he drifted outward, the border held him up instead of letting him roll. Temperature control stayed steady for him overnight, helped by the airflow through the coil core.

Mia lasted only a short stint on this model. As a petite side sleeper, she never got enough shoulder sink and said she felt “pinned” after about twenty minutes. That lined up with what we see on firmer hybrids: they tend to favor back and stomach sleepers over lighter side sleepers.

Jenna and Ethan called it “very stable but a bit bouncy.” Big movements created small ripples, though the pocketed coils kept it calmer than old-school open-coil beds. Jenna also felt comfortable using the outer third of the mattress, which matters in real bedrooms where couples don’t stay centered.

Pros & Cons

Pros	Cons
Strong lift for back and stomach sleepers	Too firm for many lighter side sleepers
Excellent edge security for sitting and sleep	Some motion can travel through coils
Airflow feels cooler than dense foam beds	Firm start may feel uninviting to plush fans
Quick response for easy repositioning	Tall profile may need deeper sheets

Details

• Type: Hybrid mattress in the Beautyrest World Class Level Three family
• Height: Common listings show around 14–15 inches, depending on exact configuration 
• Firmness feel (our scale): About 7.5, clearly firm
• Construction: 1000-density pocketed coil core, high-density transition foams, firm comfort layer, InfiniCool cooling surface
• Cooling features: Coil airflow plus cool-to-the-touch quilted surface, designed to reduce heat buildup over the night 
• Support system: Zoned 1000-density pocketed coils providing targeted lift under hips and lumbar area
• Motion isolation: Better than classic innerspring, slightly behind thick all-foam beds
• Durability: Robust coil unit and dense foams; backed by a typical 10-year limited warranty from Beautyrest 

Review Score

Metric	Score	Remarks
Support	4.7	Platform-like lift, especially under hips.
Pressure Relief	3.9	Enough cushion; firm at shoulders.
Cooling	4.3	Coil airflow plus cool surface materials.
Motion Isolation	4.0	Good, but big moves still register.
Edge Support	4.8	Very secure during sitting and sleep.
Responsiveness	4.4	Fast, springy repositioning.
Durability	4.6	Robust coil system and dense foams.
Value	4.2	Strong for its premium hybrid tier.
Overall	4.4	Best for heavier, back, and stomach sleepers.

Beautyrest World Class Hybrid Level Four Plush

Our Testing Experience

The Level Four Plush hybrid was the wildcard: noticeably softer up top than the firmer hybrid, but still structured underneath. Across a full night of side-to-back rotation, my hips stayed aligned and my lower back felt clean in the morning. It delivered plush comfort without the “stuck” feeling some people get on dense memory foam.

Mia took to it quickly. She said it felt as soft as the plush foam bed, but with springs that kept her from burying herself. On her side, her shoulder sank enough without twisting her neck, and her outer hip stayed cushioned but controlled.

Marcus was skeptical of the “Plush” label, but changed his stance after a few nights. He still felt lifted through his midsection even though the top was cushy. For him, it worked best for back and side sleeping rather than pure stomach sleeping, but it stayed comfortably supportive.

For Jenna and Ethan, this was the most balanced couple option in the set. Ethan could reposition easily, and Jenna still felt movement stay muted. Edge support remained strong, just slightly softer than the firmer hybrid—solid without feeling sharp at the border.

Pros & Cons

Pros	Cons
Plush comfort with reliable coil support	Too soft for firm-mattress purists
Excellent pressure relief without “stuck” feel	Edge slightly softer than the firm hybrid
Balanced bounce for active sleepers	Tall profile can be awkward on low frames
Cooling and airflow felt consistently strong	Priced at the top end of this set

Details

• Type: Plush hybrid mattress in the Beautyrest World Class Hybrid Level Four series
• Height: Around 13.5 inches according to major retail listings 
• Firmness feel (our scale): About 6, a medium-plush hybrid profile
• Construction: 1000-density pocketed coil support core, 2x SurfaceTouch gel memory foam layers, additional comfort foams, InfiniCool MAX cooling surface
• Cooling features: Enhanced cooling package with cool-touch quilt and breathable coil structure, designed for steady overnight temperature
• Support system: Zoned pocketed coils with high density and strong edge structure
• Motion isolation: Very good; coil design plus foam layers dampen most partner movement while keeping some natural bounce
• Durability: High-quality coil unit and dense foams, covered by a typical 10-year limited warranty from Beautyrest 

Review Score

Metric	Score	Remarks
Support	4.6	Strong structure across body types.
Pressure Relief	4.8	Deep contour with controlled sink.
Cooling	4.5	Cool surface plus coil airflow.
Motion Isolation	4.4	Muted movement without feeling dead.
Edge Support	4.5	Strong, with a touch more give.
Responsiveness	4.4	Quick, cushioned repositioning.
Durability	4.6	Premium build suggests longevity.
Value	4.3	Higher price, but very balanced feel.
Overall	4.5	Best all-around pick for couples and side sleepers.

Score Comparison

On scores alone, the Level Four Plush hybrid was the most well-rounded option—especially for pressure relief and cooling. The Level Three Firm hybrid led for support and edge strength. The Aveda foam pair excelled at motion isolation and slow, contouring comfort, with the Medium fitting a wider mix of sleepers and the Plush favoring side sleepers who want more give.

Best Picks (Who Each One Fits)

• Best Northern Mattress Hybrid for Back and Stomach Sleepers – Beautyrest World Class Hybrid Level Three Firm
  This mattress handled Marcus’s heavier build and my own combination style with clear, consistent lift. Strong edge support and firm coils matched our support scores and created that reliable “platform” feel many back and stomach sleepers want.
• Best Northern Mattress Plush Foam Choice for Side Sleepers – Serta iComfort Aveda Plush
  Side sleepers like Mia gained serious relief at shoulders and hips on this model. High motion isolation, zoned support, and a softer top layer delivered that kind of cloud-like hug without losing core alignment for lighter or average-weight bodies.
• Best Northern Mattress Luxury Plush Hybrid for Couples – Beautyrest World Class Hybrid Level Four Plush
  This hybrid gave Jenna and Ethan a rare mix: motion control strong enough for light sleepers and responsiveness quick enough for restless partners. Cooling tech, thick pressure-relieving foams, and sturdy coils support the top scores we recorded across pressure relief and overall feel.

How to Choose Between These Northern Mattress Options

If you’re shopping in-store, start with three variables: body weight, primary sleep position, and how easily you overheat. After that, think about whether you prefer the close hug of memory foam or the bounce and lift of a hybrid. These four mattresses cover most of those tradeoffs, but each has a clear “best-fit” profile.

A lighter side sleeper who wakes up with sore shoulders typically does better on the softer options: the iComfort Aveda Plush or the Level Four Plush hybrid. The Aveda Plush gives a slower, deeper hug that calms pressure points, while the Level Four Plush adds more lift and easier movement for sleepers who dislike sinking too far.

An average-weight back sleeper who mixes in some side time usually lands on the Aveda Medium or the Level Four Plush. The Medium feels more like classic foam—quiet and steady—while the Level Four Plush feels more buoyant, combining coil pushback with a thick comfort layer.

If you sleep hot and don’t like feeling wrapped in foam, the hybrid pair is the safer bet. Both the Level Three Firm and the Level Four Plush allow more airflow through the coil core, and the surface materials felt cooler at first contact in our tests.

Heavier couples who use the full surface usually care most about edge support and midsection lift. In this lineup, the Level Three Firm hybrid offered the strongest perimeter and the most “held up” feel. If you want more cushion without giving up too much support, the Level Four Plush is the natural step down in firmness.

Where These Picks Fall Short

This lineup does not include an ultra-firm, board-like option—every model still has some comfort foam on top. These beds also sit in the mid-to-upper price range, so bargain shoppers may want to look at different lines, including more affordable mattresses.

If you want a thin, very bouncy traditional innerspring, these won’t feel like home. The hybrids use modern comfort layers, and the Aveda models keep the slow, memory-foam feel that some sleepers simply dislike.

Policies at a Glance

Retail policies can change by product line and promotion, so treat the fine print as part of the purchase. Here are the policy details that tend to matter most for mattress buyers:

• Delivery and service fees: confirm what’s refundable and what isn’t.
• Comfort changes: ask whether exchanges are allowed and what fees apply.
• Condition requirements: keep the mattress protected to avoid disputes later.
• Warranty handling: clarify whether issues go through the store or the manufacturer.
• Get it in writing: keep the receipt and any policy paperwork you’re given.

Before you buy, pay attention to delivery fees, exchange rules, and what counts as “used” under the retailer’s policy. Many stores treat opened mattresses differently than boxed accessories, and fees can apply when you change your mind. In practical terms, a mattress protector and a clear read of the store paperwork matter as much as the feel on the showroom floor.

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