Choosing a new mattress is a big decision, and two popular online brands you’ve likely seen are Lull and Zinus. If you’re comparing lull vs zinus, you’re looking at two leaders in the bed-in-a-box space that offer very different value propositions. This guide will break down everything you need to know, from materials and feel to pricing and policies, so you can pick the perfect mattress for your sleep.
We’ll look at each brand’s lineup, who they’re best for, and where they might fall short. By the end, you’ll have a clear picture of which mattress brand deserves your investment.
Lull vs Zinus
At its core, the lull vs zinus debate comes down to a choice between specialized simplicity and expansive value. Lull focuses on a single, high-quality all-foam model designed for universal comfort. Zinus, on the other hand, offers a huge catalog of mattresses, bed frames, and toppers at remarkably low prices. It’s like comparing a curated boutique to a massive superstore.
Brand Overview: Lull
Lull takes a minimalist approach. They primarily offer one flagship mattress—the Lull Original—which is a three-layer all-foam bed. Their strategy is to perfect one product rather than spread resources over many. This mattress is designed to be a true medium-firm, aiming to suit a wide range of sleepers without overwhelming them with choices. Lull emphasizes quality materials, like gel-infused memory foam, and a straightforward buying experience.
Brand Overview: Zinus
Zinus is a giant in the value-focused online furniture space. They don’t just sell mattresses; they sell an entire bedroom ecosystem at budget-friendly prices. Their mattress lineup is vast, including all-foam, hybrid, and even spring options in multiple profiles (thicknesses). Zinus is known for using materials like green tea-infused memory foam and for packing their products into impressively small boxes. Their main draw is delivering solid performance at a price point that’s hard to beat.
Key Differences at a Glance
* Price: Zinus is almost always the lower-cost option.
* Variety: Zinus wins with dozens of models; Lull has essentially one.
* Feel: Lull aims for a balanced medium-firm; Zinus has options from soft to firm.
* Business Model: Lull is a specialty mattress company; Zinus is a broad furniture manufacturer.
* Materials: Both use CertiPUR-US® foams, but Lull’s flagship uses premium gel infusion, while Zinus often uses green tea or charcoal infusion.
Mattress Construction and Materials
What’s inside the mattress determines how it feels and how long it lasts. Here’s how these two brands build their beds.
Lull Mattress Build
The Lull Original is a 10-inch all-foam mattress with three distinct layers:
1. Top Layer (Comfort Layer): 1.5 inches of gel-infused memory foam. This layer is designed to contour to your body, relieve pressure points, and dissipate heat.
2. Middle Layer (Transition Layer): 1.5 inches of proprietary foam. This acts as a buffer between the soft top and firm base, providing support and preventing you from sinking too deeply.
3. Base Layer (Foundation Layer): 7 inches of high-density support foam. This gives the mattress its durability and overall shape.
The cover is a soft, breathable polyester blend that’s removable and machine washable, which is a nice perk for easy cleaning.
Zinus Mattress Build
Zinus has many models, but their popular 12-inch Green Tea Memory Foam Mattress is a good representative example:
1. Top Layer (Comfort Layer): 3 inches of green tea-infused memory foam. This is meant to provide contouring and has additives for freshness.
2. Second Layer (Transition Layer): 2 inches of comfort foam for additional cushioning.
3. Third Layer (Airflow Layer): 3.5 inches of airflow high-density foam. This layer often has convoluted (egg-crate) design to improve breathability.
4. Base Layer (Support Core): 3.5 inches of high-density base support foam.
Zinus also offers hybrid models that swap foam support layers for pocketed innerspring coils, which can enhance support and cooling.
Material Quality Comparison
Both companies use foams certified by CertiPUR-US®, which means they are made without harmful chemicals and have low VOC emissions. Lull’s gel-infused foam in their flagship is generally considered a step up in terms of cooling technology and pressure relief. Zinus’s use of green tea and charcoal infusions is more about odor control than advanced cooling, though their airflow layers do help. For durability, the high-density foam cores in both are crucial; Lull’s 7-inch base is substantial for a 10-inch bed, while Zinus’s layering in their 12-inch model distributes support differently.
Firmness, Feel, and Sleeping Position
How a mattress feels is deeply personal. Your preferred sleeping position largely determines what firmness you need.
Overall Firmness Scale
On a scale of 1 (extremely soft) to 10 (extremely firm):
* Lull Original: Rates around a 6-6.5, a true medium-firm. It offers a balanced blend of cushion and support.
* Zinus Lineup: Spans the scale. Their all-foam beds can range from a 4 (soft) to an 8 (firm). Their hybrid options often feel firmer and more responsive.
Sensation and Sleep Style
For Side Sleepers:
* Lull: The top memory foam layer provides good shoulder and hip contouring, which is vital for side sleepers. The medium-firm feel prevents the spine from curving too much.
* Zinus: Side sleepers should look for a softer Zinus model (like a plush memory foam option) to allow for proper sinkage. A firm Zinus mattress could create uncomfortable pressure points.
For Back Sleepers:
* Lull: An excellent match. The balanced support helps maintain natural spinal alignment for back sleepers.
* Zinus: Back sleepers do well on medium-firm to firm models from Zinus, including many of their hybrid choices. These provide the lumbar support needed.
For Stomach Sleepers:
* Lull: Can work for lighter-weight stomach sleepers, but some may find it allows the hips to sink too much, potentially arching the spine.
* Zinus: Stomach sleepers, especially average to heavier individuals, often prefer a firm Zinus hybrid for maximum support to keep the torso elevated.
For Combination Sleepers:
* Lull: The all-foam construction has some inherent sinkage, which can make moving around a bit slower compared to a springy hybrid.
* Zinus: Their hybrid mattresses are often the better pick for combination sleepers. The pocketed coils make it easier to change positions throughout the night.
Motion Isolation and Edge Support
These factors matter a lot if you share the bed or like to use the entire mattress surface.
Motion Transfer
* Lull: Performs very well. All-foam mattresses are champions at absorbing movement. If your partner gets up or tosses, you’re unlikely to feel it on the other side of the bed.
* Zinus: Their all-foam models also offer excellent motion isolation. However, their hybrid models, because they have springs, will transmit a bit more motion. It’s still good due to pocketed coils, but not as effective as solid foam.
Support Around the Edges
* Lull: Has moderate edge support. You can sit on the edge, but prolonged sitting or sleeping near the very edge may cause some compression and a feeling of roll-off.
* Zinus: Similar to Lull, their all-foam beds have okay edge support. Their hybrid models typically perform better here, as the coil system extends closer to the edge, providing a more secure sitting and sleeping perimeter.
Temperature Regulation
No one wants to sleep hot. Here’s how each brand addresses cooling.
Lull’s Cooling Features
The Lull Original uses gel-infused memory foam in its top layer. Gel beads are designed to pull heat away from the body. The breathable, removable cover also aids in airflow. It’s not an actively cooling mattress like some premium models with phase-change materials, but it manages temperature reasonably well for an all-foam bed.
Zinus’s Cooling Features
Zinus employs a few strategies:
* Infusions: Green tea and charcoal are more for freshness but don’t actively cool.
* Airflow Layers: Many models include a layer of convoluted foam that allows air to circulate more freely within the mattress.
* Hybrid Options: This is where Zinus can excel for hot sleepers. The coil systems in their hybrids create significant air channels, making them sleep much cooler than their all-foam counterparts.
If you sleep very hot, a Zinus hybrid is likely the better choice between these two brands for temperature control.
Pricing, Value, and Warranty
Your budget is a huge part of the decision. Let’s look at the numbers.
Price Comparison (Queen Size)
* Lull Original: Typically retails around $799-$899. They run frequent sales, so you can often find it for less.
* Zinus 12″ Green Tea Memory Foam: Typically retails between $299-$399. Their prices are consistently low, with sales dropping them even further.
Zinus is the clear winner on upfront cost. You can sometimes buy two Zinus mattresses for the price of one Lull.
Overall Value Proposition
* Lull’s Value: You’re paying for a focused, premium all-foam design, high-quality materials, and a streamlined experience. It’s a “set it and forget it” choice for someone who wants a reliable, well-made bed without hours of research.
* Zinus’s Value: You’re paying for incredible affordability and massive selection. The value is in getting a perfectly decent, comfortable mattress for a fraction of the cost of most competitors. It’s ideal for guest rooms, kids’ rooms, budget-conscious shoppers, or anyone who wants to try an online mattress without a big financial commitment.
Trial Periods and Warranties
* Lull: Offers a 100-night sleep trial and a 10-year limited warranty. This is standard for the industry.
* Zinus: Also offers a 100-night trial and a 10-year limited warranty on most mattresses.
Always read the warranty details. They usually cover manufacturing defects like sagging over a certain depth (e.g., 1.5 inches), but not normal body impressions or changes in comfort.
The Verdict: Who Should Choose Which?
After comparing all the details, here’s our final recommendation.
Choose Lull If…
* You want a straightforward, no-guesswork purchase of a single high-quality mattress.
* You prefer a balanced, medium-firm all-foam feel.
* Motion isolation is your top priority (you have a restless partner).
* You value a brand focused solely on perfecting a sleep product.
* Your budget is flexible enough to invest in what is generally considered higher-tier materials.
Choose Zinus If…
* Your budget is the primary deciding factor.
* You want maximum choice in firmness, thickness, and construction (foam vs. hybrid).
* You need a mattress for a secondary bed (guest room, vacation home, college).
* You sleep hot and are considering their hybrid models for better cooling.
* You’re furnishing a room on a budget and might also need a bed frame or headboard (which Zinus also sells cheaply).
Final Recommendation
The lull vs zinus matchup highlights a classic trade-off. You cannot go wrong with Zinus on price and variety. It provides exceptional value for money. However, if you can stretch your budget, Lull offers a more refined sleep experience with better material quality in their flagship model, which may translate to greater long-term satisfaction for a primary bed. For most people buying their main mattress, Lull is the more reliable performer. For anyone on a tight budget or needing a spare bed, Zinus is an unbeatable deal.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Which mattress is better for back pain, Lull or Zinus?
A: For back pain, proper support is key. The Lull’s medium-firm, balanced feel is often a safe recommendation. With Zinus, you would need to carefully select a firmer model, likely a hybrid, to ensure adequate lumbar support. Consulting a healthcare provider is always advised for chronic pain.
Q: Do Lull and Zinus mattresses come in a box?
A: Yes, both are “bed-in-a-box” brands. They are vacuum-sealed, rolled, and delivered in a surprisingly compact cardboard box. You simply unbox, unroll, and let them expand.
Q: How long does it take for these mattresses to fully expand?
A: Most will expand to their full shape within a few hours. However, it can take 24-48 hours for any residual odors to dissipate and for the foam to reach its final firmness and feel. It’s best to give them a couple of days before making a final judgement.
Q: Are there any off-gassing smells with Lull or Zinus?
A: There can be a slight chemical smell upon unboxing, which is normal for compressed foam mattresses. This “new mattress” odor usually dissapates within 24-48 hours in a well-ventilated room. Zinus’s green tea infusion is meant to minimize this.
Q: Can you use these mattresses on any bed frame?
A: Yes, they are compatible with most bed frames (platform, slatted, adjustable base) and even the floor, as long as the surface is flat and stable. Ensure slatted frames have gaps no wider than 3-4 inches for proper support.
Q: Which brand has better customer service, Lull or Zinus?
A: Experiences vary, but as a smaller, specialized company, Lull often receives higher marks for responsive and helpful customer service. Zinus, due to its enormous sales volume, can have more mixed reviews, with some customers reporting slower response times.