A mattress is an investment in your sleep comfort for up to at least the next 10 years. In theory, you should spend at least six to eight hours a day (some less, some more) on this one household product. That adds pressure when trying to find the right model. Foam mattresses offer excellent contouring to the body’s curves and plenty of comfort. However, they usually have one major downfall—trapped moisture and body heat. The all-foam Tuft & Needle Mint straddles the line between this brand’s entry-level mattress and its luxury hybrid model. I tested it, knowing it’s considered a “middle of the road” option. I was specifically looking for how well it dispersed heat and cushioned as I changed sleep positions. I’ll admit that I was pleasantly surprised by the luxury and cooling the Mint offered. As a sleeper who easily overheats, you can bet breathability and heat retention were high on my radar. If you’ve never had a bed-in-a-box mattress delivered to your door, you’re in for a bit of a shocker. Bed-in-a-box mattresses are shrunk down into a vacuum-sealed bag. It’s strange to see such a big mattress boxed. After opening the box, I laid the mattress directly on the bed’s foundation—in my case, a box spring on a bed frame. Then, I cut the outer of two plastic bags. A little trepidation crossed through my mind upon cutting the first bag because it was vacuum-sealed. I was worried I might cut the mattress cover or mattress by accident. Good lighting and slow cutting got me through the plastic without any problems. Once that outer layer was gone, the mattress opened up and covered the length of the box spring. It happened fast. My husband and I jumped to get the Mint positioned before it reached its full height and length. You are not supposed to cut the inner (non-vacuum-sealed) bag until the mattress is fully rolled out. Thankfully, the looser fit of the second bag made it less stressful to remove. We had to do some maneuvering to get the Mint squared on the bed frame. Foam mattresses are floppier than innerspring or hybrid mattresses, so it takes some muscle power to move them, even if it’s only to square them on the bed. I think if this mattress had handles on the sides, that would have helped. Both the cover and mattress are tough and durable, but I can imagine the foam or cover can easily tear during a move. The directions didn’t say that the mattress needed time to reach its full size and firmness. But, I still waited 16 hours before sleeping on it. Of course, I tested it as soon as it was out of the package. Interestingly, the mattress was softer when it first came out of the packaging. It became firmer after a few hours after opening. It can take up to 30 days for your body to adjust to a new mattress. I’d been sleeping on an innerspring model for the last 10 years. Yet, I had absolutely no problems adjusting to the Mint. As a side sleeper, I’d experienced hip and shoulder pain on my innerspring mattress. I’d invested in a three-inch memory foam topper to mitigate aches. While the topper helped alleviate hip and shoulder pain, it caused some not so comfortable, sweaty nights. I worried that the Mint, as an all-foam mattress, would have the same problem. Gladly, I was wrong. The Mint’s design successfully addresses one of foam’s greatest downfalls—heat retention. The Mint is made of three layers of foam. The first 3-inch foam layer contains graphite; thirty percent more charcoal than Tuft & Needle’s entry-level model. That graphite draws body heat away from you while you sleep. A second three-inch layer contains ceramic gel beads that perform double duty. First, gel-infused foam is considered to be less heat-retaining than traditional polyurethane foam. Second, the beads compress and stack on each other to cushion and relieve pressure at the shoulders, hips, and back. To keep the cooling going, the whole mattress is covered in a soft, breathable cover. The foam and cover work beautifully together. The Mint slept wonderfully cool and offered excellent cushioning. Good cushioning and pressure relief were my other must-haves. I’m a side and stomach sleeper, and my husband is a side and back sleeper—those the main sleeping styles, which the mattress comfortably supported all three. It can be a challenge to find one mattress that can cushion while offering support. Foam mattresses especially can sometimes leave you feeling like you’re sinking into quicksand. No matter what position my husband or I slept in, the Mint felt comfortable and pressure relieving. I expected this foam mattress to “give” under our weight, but it really didn’t. You don’t sink into this mattress but sleep on top of it. As a restless sleeper, that was wonderful because it took less effort to change positions. And, the foam absorbed motion, so I didn’t disrupt my husband nearly as often, nor did his restless nights wake me. That alone made the Mint worth every last penny. Another great benefit of this mattress was its edge support. Have you ever felt like you’re literally falling out of bed if you get too close to the edge of some foam models? Or, try sitting on the edge of the bed with one of those same mattresses; you’ll slide right off. Tuft & Needle added edge support to the Mint that’s not found in their entry-level mattress. While the Mint’s edge wasn’t as stiff as an innerspring or hybrid mattress’s edge, my husband and I didn’t suffer any slides to the floor while putting on socks or shoes. My only issue with the Mint, and it’s not a big one, was the slight odor it had when it came right out of the packaging. No matter what, all foams are synthetic in nature. That leaves a bit of an odor. However, that odor dissipated within two or three days. Within a week, it was unnoticeable.
Can I wash the Mint’s cover?
The Mint’s cover is removable, but it’s not washable. The manufacturer says on the label to spot clean only. I suspect the zippable cover can come off if the mattress or cover needs to be replaced or repaired.
What if I don’t like the mattress?
The Mint comes with a 100-night sleep trial. If you don’t like it during that time, you can return it for a full refund. Tuft & Needle covers the costs of pick up, and when possible, the unwanted mattress gets donated to charity. Since finding a mattress is such a personal choice, that kind of guarantee makes this bed-in-a-box option that much more appealing. After the trial period, Tuft & Needle offers a 10-year limited warranty. That’s average for the industry. It’s always a good idea to read carefully through mattress warranties. You’d be surprised what is and isn’t covered and how you activate the warranty. For example, you must have your receipt and be the original purchaser for the warranty to apply to the Mint. The mattress warranty typically covers manufacturing or craftsmanship defects like a tear, crack, or split in the foam or cover. It also includes an indentation policy. In Tuft & Needle’s case, if the Mint gets an indentation over ¾ of an inch, it’s eligible for repair or replacement as long as a recommended foundation has supported the mattress. That’s a generous indentation policy in the mattress industry. Some manufacturers only offer repair or replacement with a 1.5- or 2-inch indentation.
Can one person move the box and the mattress right out of the box?
The Queen-sized Mint’s box is big and heavy, weighing about 80 pounds. The box’s weight and length made it impossible to move by myself. My husband moved it from the garage into the house on his own, but it was definitely easier with two people maneuvering through the house. The average person could probably unbox it alone, but it might get sweaty and frustrating.
Does the Mint emit harmful chemicals?
Foam mattresses are prone to chemical emissions. When it comes to foam, manufacturers can have their products tested by a third party to qualify for certifications that show customers the quality of their products. From the cover to the support layer, the Mint is GREENGUARD Gold certified, which means it’s been independently tested and found to comply with indoor air quality recommendations. The foams have all been CertiPUR-US certified, assuring that they’re low in volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and free of a long list of harmful chemicals, including carcinogens.
Is the Tuft and Needle Mint mattress worth the price?
It’s reasonably priced considering the cooling, contouring, cushioning, and certified foams. For couples with different sleep styles or restless sleep patterns, the Mint can let you both get comfortable and prevent motion from spreading across the mattress.
Tuft & Needle Mint vs. the Purple vs. the Leesa
The Mint matches up pretty well to two similar mattresses. The Purple Original Mattress combines foam with a unique hyperelastic polymer layer. It also offers deep contouring. The Mint isn’t quite as cool as the Purple, but I liked the slightly firmer cushioning of the Mint’s foam better. I got that sinking feeling with the Purple that some people, like me, don’t like. If you prefer to sleep on your foam mattress (and not in), the Mint is probably more your style. The Leesa is another all-foam model like the Mint. However, it’s firmer than the Mint and isn’t quite as cool. The Leesa performed well for back and stomach sleeping but was too firm for my taste when side sleeping. While on my side, it didn’t offer enough cushioning. The Leesa does sleep cool, but the Mint offers slightly better breathability. The Mint offers comfort for a variety of sleepers, such as couples with different sleep styles, who frequently change sleep positions, and the partners of restless sleepers. It offers great cushioning and contouring even if you’re changing from back to front to side and back again. The Mint is reasonably priced. You can pay almost twice the price of the Mint for a mattress with similar cooling and contouring. The Mint doesn’t come with an extended 15 to 20-year warranty like some of the other mattresses, but its performance will leave you comfortable for many years.
