Zinus vs Leesa: Which One is Better for You?

Can't decide between Zinus and Leesa? We compared them for you.
By
Romeo Vitelli
Romeo Vitelli
Expert Writer
Received his doctorate in Psychology in 1987, spent fifteen years as a staff psychologist in Millbrook Correctional Centre. In 2003 went into full-time private practice. read more
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Reviewed By
Medical Advisory Team
Medical Advisory Team
Includes well-known professionals, who together provide decades of sleep medicine experience that enables Talk About Sleep to fulfill its mission of creating access to high- read more
Last updated: August 09, 2023
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Can't decide between Zinus and Leesa? We compared them for you.
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Based on hundreds of customer reviews, it is undeniable that Zinus mattresses are some of the popular on the market, yet Leesa offers excellent high-end options. In this post, we compare famous models from brands, which are the Zinus Extra Firm iCoil 12 Inch Support Plus mattress and the Leesa Hybrid Mattress. Both the mattresses feature foam and spring coil construction as well as being queen size, but could the huge gap in price mean a significant difference in quality? Let’s find out in this Zinus vs Leesa review.

By the way, we picked these particular mattresses based on their great characteristics and universality. No matter what type of sleeper you are, these are designed to be such versatile. They also have the highest ratings from customers on online markets including Amazon and EBay.

Quick Comparison

Zinus mattresses are designed in the United States though some of them are made in China. Their mattresses are usually 6, 8, 10, and 12 inches thick, with sizes including Twin, Full, Queen and King. Currently they offer memory foam mattresses, innersprings and hybrid mattresses. Our focus is on their innerspring Extra Firm 12-inch Support Plus mattress, which boasts iCoil pocketed spring technology for maximum stability and reduced motion transfer. Zinus smart packaging and shipping ensures low risk of damage in transit and they usually offer a 10-year warranty for peace of mind.

Leesa is no doubt one of the most popular bed-in-a-box companies in the world. The company offers a deluxe hybrid mattress, previously known as Sapira, which we review today. Leesa claims this one is their most advanced luxury hybrid mattress. Its construction comprises of premium foams and pocketed springs for enhanced pressure relief with top-notch edge support. The use of memory foam makes the mattress very expensive compared to the Zinus model, which uses cheaper high-density foam.

Zinus Leesa
  • Pain free and supportive memory foam.
  • Pocketed iCoil® technology for a supportive and relieving feel.
  • CertiPUR-US® tested and perfected foam meets the standards for content, emissions and durability.
  • Microfiber quilted for an extra layer of coziness.
  • 100-night trial period
  • 10-year limited warranty
  • 1.5-inch premium foam comfort layer – sleeps cool with perfect hug and bounce.
  • 1.5-inch recovery layer memory foam for relieving pressure and contours to your body.
  • Support layer comprising of 6-inch individually-wrapped pocket springs.
  • Balanced body contouring.
  • CertiPUR-US® certified – made without ozone depleters, flame retardants and heavy metals.
  • 10-year limited warranty.
VIEW ON AMAZON VIEW ON AMAZON

VIEW ON AMAZON VIEW ON AMAZON

Mattress specifications

Zinus Leesa
Type Hybrid Hybrid
Firmness Firm (8.5) Medium (7)
Thickness 12’’ 11’’
Weight (Queen) 90.3 lb 115 lb
Sleep trial 100 nights 100 nights
Warranty 10 years 10 years
Price $346 $1,370
Certification CertiPUR-US®-Certified CertiPUR-US®-Certified

Construction

Zinus Leesa
Support core 0.5’’ high density foam7.5’’ iCoil™ pocketed springs 6’’ individually wrapped pocket springs with 14.5 gauge1’’ foam

1’’ core support base

Recovery layer 1.25’’ high density foam 1.5’’ memory foam
Comfort layers 2’’ foam 1.5’’ premium foam
Cover knitted jacquard cool fabric Dual-layer stretch polyester

Comfort

Zinus vs Leesa: Which One is Better for You?Several factors come into play when it comes to a mattress’ comfort. Some of these include firmness levels, temperature control, motion transfer and edge support. But before you start comparing any of these, you need to know your preferred sleeping position. Are you a stomach, back or side sleeper? What is your weight?

Once you’ve answered these questions, it is easier for you to evaluate various factors and ultimately narrow down to your most suitable mattress. Let’s find out how our two mattresses stack up against each other on the comfort factors.

Firmness and support

Zinus

There are two basic components that combine to make this mattress firm but comfortable at the same time. Support Plus iCoil pocketed springs fill out the bottom 7.5 inches of the mattress, providing an excellent firm and supportive base. The independent coil system also promotes motion separation in that minimal movement is felt when either partner adjusts their sleeping position. Then there are two layers of high-density foam, which are really firm and placed on either side of a 2-inch comfort foam.

Leesa

Zinus vs Leesa: Which One is Better for You?The Leesa Hybrid is an inch thinner than the Zinus model as far as pocketed coils are concerned. It has 6 inches of individually-wrapped pocket springs, which move independently to each other to help maximize the body contouring properties of the top memory foam throughout the mattress. An added bonus is that these springs provide a supportive bounce to help lift the sleeper when getting out of the bed.

As for how the mattress feels, it uses softer foams including a middle 1.5-inch memory foam known as ‘recovery layer’ and a top 1.5-inch premium foam called ‘comfort layer’. These two layers are soft to the touch and provide a comfortable sleeping surface. This mattress is about medium-firm and quickly responds to pressure due to its several layers of poly foam.

Responsiveness

Zinus

Zinus vs Leesa: Which One is Better for You?Obviously, the spring construction makes this mattress bouncy and responsive. Couples who have had this mattress say is responsive with considerable bounce, making it good for sex. Its three layers of foam; 0.5-inch high-density foam just above the strings followed by 2-inch comfort foam and a top layer of 1.25-inch high-density foam. Combined, they create a thick layer of foam that absorbs pressure really well, with the top 1.25-inch foam conforming nicely to the sleeper’s body contour to alleviate pressure points all over the body.

Leesa

Anyone that wants a responsive and comfortable mattress will be happy with this Leesa Hybrid. It boasts a five-layer construction starting with a 1-inch layer of support foam that acts as the foundation of the mattress. On top of it is a 6-inch layer of pocketed springs that make the mattress durable, supportive and responsive. Then there is a 1.5-inch memory foam layer at the top, which responds well to pressure to eliminate the feeling of getting stuck in the bed. The entire mattress actively responds and adapts to different body contours, gently pushing back on pressure points throughout the night.

Temperature control

Zinus

Zinus has a Celliant quilted cover above the foam layers, which offers a microfiber fill for an additional layer of coziness. Celliant is a technology used to enhance breathability and help regulate temperature so that a sleeper can stay cool and peaceful throughout the night.

Leesa

The Hybrid is perfectly constructed to sleep cool all night long. Its 1.5-inch premium foam layer is perforated with holes, which not only allows airflow throughout your sleep but also provides perfect hug and bounce. Another temperature control feature is the Hybrid’s mattress cover. It is pretty thin and made with a blend of Polyester and Lycra. The latter is perfect for temperature regulation as it actively wicks moisture away from the body, ensuring that you won’t sleep too hot. This cover is also stretchy and won’t bunch up when you roll around.

Bounce and resilience

Zinus vs Leesa: Which One is Better for You?

Both mattresses feature a spring construction, therefore, the bounce effect is almost natural. For Zinus, the support core is made up of 7.5 inches of iCoil springs that create a ‘springy’ feeling when one sits and gets up on the mattress. However, the use of high-density foam, which is very firm, adds to the bounce factor of this mattress while encouraging a fast return action. The mattress is certain to maintain its shape over a long period of time.

In the case of Lessa Hybrid, they used memory foam and premium foam on top of the pocket springs. The premium foam sleeps cool and offers the perfect hug and bounce to sleepers. The combination of memory foam and springs makes the mattress exceptionally bouncy and does not restrict movement or inhibit sexual activity in any manner.

Sleepers will also experience some slight sinkage with the Hybrid mattress due to the foam top layers, though the coils below produce provide a supportive lift. This combination is ideal for stomach and back sleepers who yearn for a bit of firmness and bounce.

Motion transfer

Zinus

Motion isolation is a key strength of the Zinus Extra Firm 12-inch mattress, thanks to the individually pocketed coils. The independent springs are effective at dividing motion so that you can do jumping jacks on your side without waking up your partner on the other side.

Leesa

The Leesa Hybrid is great at containing motion owing to the individually wrapped pocket coils. Because the coils are independent of each other, the pressure on one does not affect the others. The foam layers additionally help trap movement and keep it from traveling across the bed. These two factors makes this mattress a great choice for couples. You don’t want to disturb your partner when you wake up at night to use the restroom.

Edge support

Zinus vs Leesa: Which One is Better for You?Edge support is essentially important for partners that share a smaller size mattress such as queen or full. In this case, you will need to be able to make use of the entire surface of the mattress including the edges. A bed with poor edge support will compress excessively around the edges and can be quite unnerving. That is usually the case with all-foam mattresses.

However, our select Zinus and Leesa innerspring mattresses are excellent when it comes to maintaining their shape along the edges. Both mattresses feel solid at the side as they feel in the center, meaning you will never feel like you’re going to roll out of the bed. A slight compression may be felt when sitting at the edge of the Leesa Hybrid because of the memory foam but the innerspring core ensures it holds up really well.

Ideally, the thicker the base, the greater the edge support. Therefore, the Zinus mattress with a 7.5-inch support layer is likely better than the Leesa Hybrid with a support layer of 6 inches.

Inflation time, off-gassing and smell

These mattresses arrive in compressed status and will need time to expand to their ideal sizes. They also produce an odor when first removed from packaging but the smell dissipates completely after a few days.

Zinus recommends giving their mattress about 48 hours to decompress to its original size. Expect light off-gassing during the first few days. You may need allow the mattress to air out for a couple of days to avoid any unpleasant smell.

On the other hand, the Leesa Hybrid takes just an hour to fully expand and take shape, though it will need a few more days to fully firm up. Any slight smell will disappear shortly after the setup.

Sleep position ratings

SLEEP POSITION Light sleepers(less than 130 lbs) Average sleepers(130 lbs to 230 lbs) Heavy sleepers(greater than 230 lbs)
Zinus
Side 10 9 7
Back 9 9 8
Stomach 7 7 6
Leesa
Side 7 9 9
Back 9 10 10
Stomach 8 9 9*

*Out of 10

Even if you love the features of a mattress, the purchasing decision comes down to whether if it is the right fit for you.

The Zinus and Leesa mattresses were tested by different types of sleepers and the result in ratings are as shown in the table above. A closer look will tell you that many light sleepers liked the Zinus 12-inch Extra Firm mattress, while average sleepers and heavy persons found the Leesa mattress to be suitable for them. Leesa is particularly perfect for back sleepers, with side and stomach sleepers loving it likewise.

Sizes and pricing

SIZE Zinus Leesa
Twin $198 $1,036
Twin XL $1,147
Full $225 $1,395
Queen $346 $1,370
King $607 $1,570
California King $1,895

Customer service

Sleep trial Warranty and refund Delivery
Zinus 100 days 10-year warrantyfull refund Anywhere within the U.S. and Canada
Leesa 100 days 10-year warrantyfull refund Within the U.S. and most of Canada

So which should you buy?

Zinus

VIEW ON AMAZON [wpsm_pros]

  • Firm, yet comfortable thanks to a top layer of comfort foam.
  • Minimal movement experienced when sleeping with a partner.
  • Made of high-quality foam and springs for durability.
  • No pressure on the spine and promotes ideal body alignment when sleeping.
  • Sleeps cool due to breathable micro-fiber quilted fabric on top of foam layers.
  • Exceptional edge support.
  • Available at a decent price.

[/wpsm_pros][wpsm_cons]

  • Might be too firm for some sleepers.
  • Not good option for heavy persons.

[/wpsm_cons]

Leesa

VIEW ON AMAZON [wpsm_pros]

  • Great construction featuring pocketed coils and thick layers of foam for the perfect hotel-bed comfort.
  • Superb bounce and quick response to pressure.
  • Medium firmness makes it perfect for all kinds of sleepers.
  • Excellent breathability all night long thanks to air holes in the top memory foam.
  • Good motion isolation, thus good for couples.
  • Great choice for heavier people.
  • Good edge support.

[/wpsm_pros][wpsm_cons]

  • A very expensive mattress.

[/wpsm_cons]

In conclusion

Both the Zinus and Leesa mattresses are well-made, comfortable and supportive.

At the end of the day, the Zinus 12-inch Extra Firm mattress is the best option for anyone looking for an affordable innerspring mattress. With 7.5 inches of pocketed coils, this Zinus uses 10% more coils compared to an ordinary innerspring mattress, meaning motion isolation can be fully achieved. The mattress is very firm, thus an absolute no-no if you like something that’s soft and plush.

As for the Leesa Hybrid, it offers a soft foam feel along with a superb bounce. If you favor sleeping on the back or your stomach, this mattress if for you. You will also benefit from excellent ventilation and consistent support, with its foam comfort layers contouring well with your body to relieve pressure points. The bottom line is that this mattress is pricey, but it is well worth it.

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