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 top overall pick in our best mattress guide — it's just that versatile and comfortable. We have reviews for nearly every Leesa mattress — and there are a lot.
In 2020, Leesas launched a value-oriented mattress called the Studio, which starts at just over $600 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.
The Studio is Leesa's most affordable mattress with 10 inches of foam split up into three layers: a top layer of breathable memory foam, a middle layer of pressure-relieving foam, and a base designed for durability and support.
What we like
What we don't like
Design
The Studio is Leesa's most budget-friendly option. A queen mattress (the most popular size for adults) costs $799 — $533 less than a Queen Leesa Original, previously the brand's least expensive mattress, at $1,332.
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 medium-firm 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.
Our review of the Leesa Studio Mattress
Delivery and setup
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.
Comfort
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; 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.
Heat dissipation
Heat dissipation refers to how effectively your mattress pulls heat away from your body throughout the night. Good heat dissipation will help you stay cool, even on hot nights.
That said, 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.
Motion isolation
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.
Edge support
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 lying down and rolling around from side to side. If you sit on the edge of the mattress to get dressed in the morning, you won't feel supported.
Trial and warranty
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.
The Studio is also covered by a limited lifetime warranty. If you notice manufacturing flaws in the mattress within 10 years of ownership, Leesa will replace or repair your mattress for free. After the 10-year period, you'll have to pay a prorated price for repair or replacement. You'll also have to pay shipping costs.
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. If you sleep warm, I'd recommend looking for another mattress.
What are your alternatives?
At almost $800 for a Queen, the Studio may still be out of budget for many folks. For a cheaper foam mattress, the Zinus Cooling Mattress is under $300 for a queen. Plus, it stays cool, so it's a great option if you're a hot sleeper.
Another foam option, the Nectar Classic Mattress has excellent edge support. At only $650 for a queen, it's cheaper than the Studio. For other budget mattresses, check out our best cheap mattress guide.
For our top recommendations, read our best mattress guide.
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.
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