We tried Leesa's cheapest mattress, the Studio by Leesa, and it was surprisingly comfortable

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Over the years, we've tested and reviewed countless mattresses from dozens of brands in pursuit of the best mattress, but Leesa has remained one of our favorites. We ranked its hybrid mattress, the Leesa Sapira as the best mattress for back pain, the best hybrid mattress, and one of the best mattresses for side sleepers — it's just that versatile and comfortable. We have reviews for every Leesa mattress — and there are a lot.

In 2020, it launched a value-oriented mattress called Studio by Leesa, which starts at $529 for a Twin. I slept on a queen-sized Studio for 100 nights to see if it'd deliver on its promise of comfort at a low cost.

Design

The Studio is Leesa's new budget-friendly option. A queen mattress (the most popular size for adults) costs $750 — $350 less than a Queen Leesa Original, previously the brand's least expensive mattress, at $1100.

The Studio is 10 inches thick and has three layers of foam — core support foam, pressure-relieving transitional foam, and a contouring memory foam top to specifically relieve stress on hips and shoulders. Missing from the Studio is the Original's top layer of cooling foam, but otherwise the two mattresses are similar in thickness and support layers.

Leesa says the Studio is a medium-firmness and describes it as ideal for back, side, and stomach sleepers. It's also aesthetically identical to Leesa's other models, featuring a quilted soft twill cover.

Delivery, setup, and first impressions

One Saturday, I returned from running errands to find a tall, white box with Leesa's signature blue logo sitting on my doorstep. The box was just under four feet tall and weighed around 70 pounds, so I needed help bringing it inside my house and into my bedroom for setup.

On the box's top flaps are directions for the best way to set up your new mattress, which will look more like a giant log out of the box. This entails rolling the vacuum-sealed mattress onto your bed frame, then unrolling the deflated mass of rectangular foam to fit the base. Besides needing help to tug the mattress out of the box, I was able to unroll and set up everything myself, which took about 10 minutes.

After it was on the frame, I released the mattress from its plastic covering and watched it inflate almost instantaneously. 

As the mattress filled out and expanded, I found myself admiring the heathered gray-blue cover as many mattresses are white or cream. I was also pleasantly surprised at how sturdy and solid the foam construction seemed, especially for something that arrived in a compact cardboard box.

Leesa advises that the best bed frame for the Studio is a solid platform, box spring, or slatted base. My Studio sat nicely on my bed frame with wooden slats, and I didn't need to make any adjustments throughout my testing period. While the initial new bed smell was definitely apparent, it dissipated within the first three or four days of testing. 

Review of the Studio by Leesa mattress

Mattresses, in general, are an expensive investment. The Studio is affordable for a mattress, and regular mattress sales and deals can help you save even more. Leesa also has a generous 100-day trial to decide whether the bed is right for you, or you get your money back.  

Memory foam mattresses are often too hot for some people as air can't pass through the foam as easily as coils. I felt that the mattress trapped more heat on a few hotter summer days but was overall extremely comfortable throughout the nights that reached moderate temperatures. If you're a hot sleeper, I wouldn't suggest this bed because it may be too warm.

In my experience, the Studio lived up to its "medium-firm" firmness, and as a devoted side sleeper, I appreciated how the memory foam hugged and supported my body. Prior to testing the Studio, I slept on firm coil mattresses with a plush topper. Too-firm mattresses wreak havoc on my neck, but at the same time, I'm not a fan of feeling like I've spent the night sleeping on a marshmallow.

The Studio reached a just-right equilibrium for me that was firm yet soft, making my sleep more enjoyable. As someone who's suffered chronic back and joint pain, I found the bed's contouring quality efficient in relieving pressure, and I woke up with none of the discomfort I had experienced the night before. If you're in a similar situation, I'd suggest talking to your doctor first before considering a mattress switch.

The Studio also has excellent motion transfer, which I tested by placing a bottle of water in the middle of the mattress and bouncing a 50-pound weight along the sides. Even when I shook the weight on each corner and the four sides, the bottle remained upright, and the water inside stayed perfectly level.

However, one area where the Studio doesn't excel is edge support. True to its all-foam composition, the mattress sagged significantly when I sat on the edge, though I did feel secure when laying down and rolling around from side to side.

This bed is a good option for anyone new to the workforce and moving into their own space or for anyone who needs a mattress for guests. Furnishing an apartment can get expensive, and Leesa's quick delivery, easy setup, and competitive pricing make the Studio a contender for the best quality at the best value. That being said, one feature that would make the Studio even more appealing to renters is if it had side handles for easier transportation. 

Cons to consider

The edge support on the Studio isn't the best, but I'd consider it good for an all-foam mattress. Though the bed sags when you sit on its edges, I was able to roll on the bed from side to side without falling off. Also missing from the Studio is the Original's added top layer of cooling foam, so it's not ideal for warm climates or hot sleepers. 

Alternatives

At $750 for a Queen, the Studio may still be out of budget for many folks. If you're looking for the best cheap mattress, the Novilla is our pick for best mattress under $300. The Allswell is also a good bet if you're looking for a hybrid mattress; it's priced at $379 for a Queen. 

The bottom line

With the Studio, Leesa delivers on a quality foam mattress at an accessible price. I enjoyed sleeping on the Studio and was impressed by how it supported my side-sleeping style. The bed's construction — firm but comfortable and soft — made me look forward to sleeping on the mattress.

If you're moving into your first apartment or are simply on a budget, this mattress is a great value option. With fast delivery, quick and easy setup, plus top-notch construction, the Studio is worth taking a chance.

Pros: Accessible price, 10 inches thick with three pressure-relieving foam layers, great for side sleepers, easy setup, 100-night trial, free returns, long warranty

Cons: Poor edge support, not the best for hot sleepers