Layla Memory Foam Mattress vs. Leesa Original

Overall Rating

8.4

Layla Memory Foam Mattress

Bottom Line

The dual-sided Layla Memory Foam Mattress features soft and firm surfaces to accommodate different sleep positions.

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Up to $200 off mattresses + 2 free pillows

Full Mattress Review

VS

Overall Rating

8.0

Leesa Original

Bottom Line

The Leesa Original is a pressure-relieving foam mattress ideal for many side sleepers and people with back pain.

Check Price on Leesa.com

25% off all mattresses

Full Mattress Review

Layla and Leesa both began as small American companies that got in on the mattress-in-a-box trend fairly early — Leesa in 2015 and Layla in 2016. Layla continues to operate as a private company, while Leesa was purchased by 3Z Brands, a business that also owns Brooklyn Bedding, Birch, and other mattress brands. Both companies continue to manufacture their mattresses in the U.S. today.

The Layla Memory Foam Mattress and the Leesa Original are both all-foam mattresses sold at similar price points, which can make choosing between them difficult. We had our team test out both beds in our Seattle-based Test Lab to make distinguishing between the beds easier. We also explored both brands’ policies and summarized the beds’ online customer reviews.

Our Testing Team’s Take

Over the last decade, our testing team has evaluated nearly 2,000 mattresses in our Seattle Test Lab. Through this hands-on testing, we’ve developed a unique product research methodology that forms the backbone of our mattress rating system. 

Using cutting-edge technology, we pressure map each bed to identify where pressure points may form. We use similarly advanced tools to measure motion transfer across each mattress’ surface and heat retention.

We also have testing team members take mattresses home for weeks at a time, allowing them to mimic real-world use. Because our team members represent a variety of body weights and sleep position preferences, their perspectives can help you identify which might be the best mattress for you.

Our Verdict 

The Layla Memory Foam Mattress and the Leesa Original are both highly contouring all-foam mattresses that “hug” the body. As a result, both rate highly in terms of pressure relief. Like many all-foam beds, both also excel at isolating motion, though the Leesa stands out a bit more in this area.

Logan Foley

Editorial Director

Side

140 pounds

Has too many dogs in the bed

“The Leesa provides excellent support for side sleeping. On top of that, I thought the motion isolation was great. My only real concern with this mattress was that it felt somewhat unstable around the edges.”

Though many all-foam beds can retain heat, these mattresses score a bit above average in terms of temperature control. People who are especially prone to sleeping hot may want to skip these mattress models, but most sleepers won’t overheat on them.

Firmness is the biggest differentiating factor between these mattresses. The Layla comes in one firmness option: medium (5). Side sleepers weighing less than 230 pounds and back sleepers weighing less than 130 pounds find the most comfort on the Layla. 

The Leesa is a flippable mattress that’s medium-soft (4) on one side and firm (7) on the other. The softer side is ideal for side sleepers weighing less than 130 pounds, while the firmer side works for side sleepers over 230 pounds and back and stomach sleepers of all body weights.

Mary Fenton

Head of Product Content

Combination

150 pounds

Sleeps with a noise machine

“This was definitely a tale of two mattresses for me. As a combination sleeper, the firm side was fantastic, offering a great combination of stability and light contouring. In contrast, the soft side was too squishy. Of the two sides, the firm one is definitely the way to go for back and stomach sleepers.”

Construction and Materials

The Layla Memory Foam Mattress and the Leesa Original are both all-foam mattress models that share similar materials. The biggest difference between them lies in construction — the Layla model is flippable, while only one side of the Leesa is intended for sleeping on.

Layla Memory Foam Mattress Breakdown 

As a flippable mattress, the Layla Memory Foam Mattress features a different firmness level on each side. One side is medium soft, or 4 out of 10 on our firmness scale, and the other is firm, or 7 out of 10. The mattress’ profile measures 10.5 inches in height, and it contains four layers, including the cover. The cover is a polyester blend made with rayon, viscose, and Lycra and is designed to stay cool.

When the medium-soft side is facing upward, the next layer beneath the cover is 3 inches of memory foam. This layer contours to the body and has been infused with copper gel to promote cooling. Beneath it sits a 2-inch layer of polyfoam. This layer is zoned, which means some portions are firmer and some are softer in order to promote spinal alignment.

The bed’s support core is a 4.5-inch polyfoam layer that adds firmness and support. Beneath it is another 1 inch of copper gel-infused memory foam. When the soft side of the bed faces upward, this layer helps stabilize the support core. When the firm side of the bed faces upward, this layer becomes the comfort system.

All of the foams in the Layla are free from fiberglass and are CertiPUR-US certified. CertiPUR-US certification ensures that foam is free from potentially harmful substances, including heavy metals and formaldehyde.

Leesa Original Breakdown 

The Leesa Original is an all-foam mattress with a firmness of medium (5), which falls in-between the two firmness levels offered by the Layla Memory Foam Mattress. Its profile is a half inch shorter than the Layla, measuring in at 10 inches thick. That allows space for five layers, including a cover. The cover of the Leesa Original is a blend of polyester and viscose designed to stay cool.

Beneath the cover is a 2-inch polyfoam comfort layer. This layer provides “hug” and has also been designed to stay cool. Beneath that sits a 2-inch conforming layer of memory foam. This layer contributes to pressure relief while keeping sleepers from sinking down to the support core.

The Leesa Original’s support core measures 6 inches thick and is made of polyfoam. This layer adds firmness and stability to the bed. Like the Layla Memory Foam Mattress, the Leesa contains foams that are CertiPUR-US certified. In addition to being free from a variety of potentially harmful substances, foams with this certification release a lower level of VOCs than other foams, which leads to less of an off-gassing odor upon opening the mattress box.

Mattress Sizing and Weight 

The Layla and Leesa share similar profiles around 10 inches, which can easily fit a standard fitted sheet. They are also similar weights, both coming in around 70 pounds. Many people will want help when lifting these beds.

Performance Ratings 

Both mattresses receive high scores on pressure relief, though the Layla Memory Foam Mattress slightly surpasses the Leesa Original on this measure. Like many all-foam beds, both mattresses also excel at isolating motion. However, the Leesa Original takes a slight lead in this area. Motion isolation is often important to couples sharing a bed, as it can help prevent disturbances when one partner rolls over or gets up to use the bathroom at night.

Temperature control can be an issue on all-foam mattresses, but these two models score slightly above average in this regard. Sleepers who are exceptionally prone to sleeping hot might want to opt for a different type of mattress altogether, but most sleepers won’t overheat on these beds. Edge support can also be an issue on all-foam mattresses. Indeed, the Layla performs just above average in terms of its edges, but edges on the Leesa Original may fold beneath heavier body weights.

Because these beds have different firmnesses, they work best for different sleepers. In our testing, side sleepers weighing less than 130 pounds were the only group that felt adequately supported by the medium-soft (4) side of the Layla Memory Foam Mattress. Side sleepers weighing over 230 pounds and back and stomach sleepers of all body weights felt supported by the firm (7) side of the Layla. Side sleepers weighing less than 230 pounds and back sleepers under 130 can find comfort on the Leesa Original, but it’s not firm enough for stomach sleepers.

Full Reviews: Other Layla and Leesa Models

Layla Essential Mattress

Overall Rating:

7.7 /10

Price Range:

$249 – $499

Mattress Type:

Foam

Firmness Options:

Medium Firm (6)

Layla Hybrid

Overall Rating:

8.5 /10

Price Range:

$1,099 – $1,699

Mattress Type:

Hybrid

Firmness Options:

Reversible: Medium Soft (4), Firm (7)

Leesa Oasis Chill Hybrid Mattress

Overall Rating:

8.5 /10

Price Range:

$1,259 – $2,039

Mattress Type:

Hybrid

Firmness Options:

Medium Soft (4), Medium (5)

Leesa Legend

Overall Rating:

9.0 /10

Price Range:

$1,999 – $2,999

Mattress Type:

Hybrid

Firmness Options:

Medium Firm (6)

Leesa Reserve Hybrid Mattress

Overall Rating:

9.0 /10

Price Range:

$2,399 – $4,399

Mattress Type:

Hybrid

Firmness Options:

Soft (3), Medium (5), Firm (7)

Mattress Pricing 

The Layla Memory Foam Mattress and the Leesa Original are priced very similarly and usually sell for within $100 of one another. This similar price is likely the result of the beds using similar materials, being nearly the same size, and having similar policies. However, there are some policy differences.

What Customers Are Saying

Both of these beds receive thousands of high ratings and overwhelmingly positive reviews online. Reviewers praise both mattresses for the comfort they provide and their ability to relieve pressure. Many reviewers of both mattresses state that the mattress improved their sleep. For both beds, reviewers also note that the value is good given the cost and that the mattresses are durable and last for several years.

For both beds, negative reviews are uncommon and tend to center on issues with delivery or customer service. About the Leesa Original, some reviewers complain that the bed isn’t firm enough for their needs and leads to pressure points or discomfort. These reviews act as a good reminder to consider your body weight and sleep position preference when choosing a bed, and to return any mattress that doesn’t seem like a good fit during a sleep trial.

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