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Forbes
18-07-2025
- General
- Forbes
The Best Mattresses For College Students That Prioritize Comfort
The mattresses that typical dorm rooms, off-campus apartments and other student housing spaces are furnished with tend to prioritize durability and support over cushioning; this often results in a very firm, uncomfortable mattress. For a better night's rest, you might want to update your college bedroom setup with a new mattress that accommodates your sleep posture, body type and other specific needs. The best mattresses for college students have simple but comfortable constructions that include conforming foam and/or coils—and are priced affordably. The Nectar Classic Memory Foam Mattress is our editors' pick for the best choice overall, thanks to of its supportive, conforming profile, plus a wallet-friendly price tag (under $600 for a twin XL size). Whether you're looking to furnish your new dorm or campus apartment, these are our editors' picks ... More for the best mattresses for college students. ILLUSTRATION: FORBES / PHOTO: NECTAR We considered entry-level mattresses from top-rated brands we know and have tested firsthand, especially those that excel in important categories, like pressure relief, support, edge support and ease of movement. See our choices below, along with a detailed guide on how to pick the right mattress. For a complete bedding setup that will make you feel right at home, see our cozy picks for the best sheets and best pillows too. Our Top Recommendations Best Affordable Mattress For College Students: Allswell Luxe (Twin XL) Best Hybrid Mattress For College Students: Helix Midnight (Twin XL) Best Soft Mattress For College Students: Puffy Cloud (Twin XL) Best Firm Mattress For College Students: Bear Original (Twin XL) Best College Mattress For Side Sleepers: Nolah Original (Twin XL) Type: Memory foam | Firmness rating: Medium-firm (6.5) | Delivery: Free | Trial: 365 nights | Warranty: Lifetime Best for: Back, stomach and combination sleepers People under 250 pounds Isolating movement across the bed Skip if: You sleep hot You're predominantly a side sleeper The Nectar Classic Mattress is an all-foam choice made from a blend of three layers stacked on top of one another. Although it has a simple construction, each layer plays a role in maintaining support, pressure relief and comfort. With a medium-firm profile, the bed helps promote spinal alignment in back, stomach and combination sleepers. 'Back-sleeping on the Nectar Classic feels awesome,' says one of our testers. 'It's firmer than the Nectar Ultra , so my back feels much more supported yet still hugged. It also feels like it elongates my spine and relieves the pressure I previously felt from other mattresses.' While typical memory foam mattresses are known for retaining heat, the Nectar Classic has cooling fibers woven into the top cover, which helps draw heat away from the body. With that said, students who live in a warm climate or those who are prone to sleeping hot should consider a hybrid mattress with better airflow. See more of our thoughts on this mattress in our full Nectar Mattress review . Type: Hybrid | Firmness rating: Medium or extra firm | Delivery: Free | Trial: None offered | Warranty: 10 years Best for: Back, stomach and combination sleepers Petite to plus-size body types Those who want good edge support while sleeping on a small bed Skip if: You're predominantly a side sleeper The Allswell Luxe is one of Walmart's bed-in-a-box mattress offerings, a step up from the entry-level Allswell model with a price tag that's still lower than all of the beds recommended in our list. The Luxe model is slightly softer than the original Allswell, with a more durable 12-inch profile. It's designed with copper-infused foam to help regulate temperature and a pocketed coil layer with enhanced edge support to help keep you from feeling like you're going to roll off the side—always a plus when you're sleeping on a smaller-sized mattress. Since this mattress contains a spring base layer, it's more likely to hold up for longer and is supportive for heavier body types. We recommend the medium model for most sleepers, unless you're looking for something that's at the firmest end of the spectrum. Type: Hybrid | Firmness rating: Medium | Delivery: Free | Trial: 100 nights | Warranty: 10 years Best for: Most body types Side, back and combination sleepers Those who want solid lumbar support Hot sleepers (with cooling cover upgrade) Skip if: You favor sleeping on your stomach The Helix Midnight is the base model of the Helix Midnight Luxe , our pick for the best mattress overall in our guide to the best mattresses . The Midnight's construction is more burly than others on our list, as it contains five layers (not counting the cover), including a pocketed coil layer with denser edges for better perimeter support and three layers of comfort foam, including ones infused with gel to help regulate temperature. If you experience regular back pain or you want to prevent it from flaring up, you might want to upgrade your bed to include the ErgoAlign layer, which adds more support and lift under the spine. Due to its medium firmness level, we think this mattress suits side, back and combination sleepers best. You can also add a GlacioTex cooling cover for an extra cost, a feature that makes the bed physically cool to the touch and benefits hot sleepers. Puffy Mattress Type: Memory foam | Firmness rating: Medium-firm | Delivery: Free | Trial: 101 nights | Warranty: Lifetime Best for: Side, back and combination sleepers People under 250 pounds Those who want good motion isolation Skip if: Edge support could be better The Puffy Cloud is just as soft and inviting as its name suggests, an ideal choice for those who enjoy a squishy and cushioned mattress—like side sleepers or those who weigh under 150 pounds. Although it's rated around a medium-firm on the firmness spectrum, we think it leans more toward medium. This all-foam mattress utilizes six foam layers that contour under the weight of your curves and ease pressure on the hips and shoulders. It also contains a cooling layer that helps draw heat away and evenly disperses it throughout the bed (rather than letting it all collect in one place underneath you). The memory foam design makes this mattress excellent at isolating motion across the mattress, but note that it doesn't have stellar edge support, if that's a priority. Type: Memory foam | Firmness rating: Medium-firm | Delivery: Free | Trial: 120 nights | Warranty: Lifetime Best for: Back and stomach sleepers Those under 250 pounds College athletes (performance fabric upgrade) Anyone who values edge support Skip if: You sleep on your side You aren't prepared for a very firm bed If you're looking for a firm mattress with minimal give and ample support, the Bear Original has a straightforward but comfortable construction. It's stacked three layers high, at 10 inches tall, and includes dense memory foam layers that only start to give after your body heat warms up the foam. It's not squishy like the Puffy Cloud (above), meaning you'll feel more so like you're sleeping on top of the foam rather than cradled within it. 'When I press my hand into the bed, it doesn't sink as far as some of the other memory foam mattresses I tested. Instead, it provides a nice lifted feel,' says one of our testers. As such, this profile is ideal for back and stomach sleepers who can benefit from proper spinal alignment. College athletes may also appreciate the Bear Original for its Celliant-infused cover upgrade, which is a performance fabric that helps boost recovery and sleep quality, according to the brand. Read more details about this mattress in our full Bear Mattress review . Nolah Mattress Type: Memory foam | Firmness rating: Medium | Delivery: Free | Trial: 120 nights | Warranty: Lifetime Best for Anyone who wants a soft, contouring feel Sleepers under 250 pounds Those with joint pain Skip if: You prefer strong edge support Nolah is one of our favorites when it comes to mattresses for side sleepers —and its flagship model, the Nolah Original Mattress, is a solid, affordable pick if you're looking for a mattress that provides gentle and cozy contouring for your joints. According to the brand, it's rated around a 5 to 6 on the firmness scale, the sweet spot for side and back sleepers. The bed's top comfort layer is zoned to offer more pressure relief for the shoulders and lift underneath the spine; it also contains copper-infused foam to help you sleep more comfortably without overheating. The brand's AirFoam material lends a soft and cushioned feel without making you feel like you're stuck, as it bounces back to its normal shape faster than traditional memory foam does. The Forbes Vetted mattress and sleep team not only regularly conducts hands-on testing of mattresses but also spends hours thoroughly researching and reporting each story to ensure its accuracy. Additionally, we consult with medical professionals and experts in the field to help educate our choices. We have published a robust library of sleep and mattress guides, including the best mattresses for back sleepers , the best mattresses for combination sleepers and the best cooling mattresses. The author of this story, McKenzie Dillon, is a mattress and sleep editor at Forbes Vetted with a sleep science coach certification and over six years of experience testing and researching consumer products. She has tested over 100 different mattresses, including the Bear Original and Allswell Luxe on this list. Bridget Chapman is the senior mattress and sleep editor and oversees the category. She also has earned a sleep science coach certification and has tested over 100 beds. This article was edited by Emmy Favilla , Forbes Vetted's managing editor, a 20-year industry veteran who has been covering commerce content for over eight years and has tested dozens of mattresses firsthand as well. Each mattress selection and associated superlative was hand-selected or approved by our mattress and sleep editors. We first identified top-rated, reputable brands in the industry that have garnered overwhelmingly positive customer reviews. We also took into consideration the brands our editors have personal experience with. We looked at entry-level and affordable mattresses from each brand that don't sacrifice on quality. We considered mattresses that perform well across important metrics like overall comfort, pressure relief and perimeter support. We also chose mattresses that cater to a variety of sleeping positions and body types. Mattresses are offered in a variety of firmness levels ranging from soft to firm, and some firmness levels suit certain sleep postures better than others. Side sleepers typically require a medium to soft mattress that properly gives underneath the shoulders and hips. Otherwise, a mattress that's too firm presses against the joints, which may lead to a misaligned spine and even joint pain. typically require a medium to soft mattress that properly gives underneath the shoulders and hips. Otherwise, a mattress that's too firm presses against the joints, which may lead to a misaligned spine and even joint pain. Back sleepers usually need a mattress with a medium to firm profile, and the firmer the mattress, the more lift it has. Medium-firm beds tend to be the sweet spot for many back sleepers, especially those who live with back pain. usually need a mattress with a medium to firm profile, and the firmer the mattress, the more lift it has. tend to be the sweet spot for many back sleepers, especially those who live with back pain. Stomach sleepers usually need a medium-firm to firm mattress that properly supports the spine without letting it sag into the mattress, which can ultimately lead to back pain . Construction The mattresses included in this roundup either have an all-foam design crafted from memory foam or a hybrid construction. Hybrid mattresses contain a blend of foam and steel coils, a design which offers the best of both worlds thanks to cushion from the foam and added support from the springs. They also tend to be more breathable than all-foam beds since the coils promote more airflow. contain a blend of foam and steel coils, a design which offers the best of both worlds thanks to cushion from the foam and added support from the springs. They also tend to be more breathable than all-foam beds since the coils promote more airflow. Memory foam mattresses are generally better for those who prefer contouring around the joints. They typically have a doughy, marshmallowy feel and excel at isolating motion. Memory foam beds are also usually more affordable than hybrid mattresses. Size Most college dorm room and student housing beds are a twin XL size, but you may want to do the research and contact the school or housing company where your student is staying to confirm what size mattress you'll need. Most brands offer a twin XL size, which has more legroom than a standard twin. Body Type Your body type is one of the most important factors when choosing a mattress, because it influences how firm or soft a mattress feels to you—and should also be taken into consideration when choosing your ideal mattress construction. Those with more weight benefit from beds made with innersprings, which can help prevent the mattress from prematurely sagging. What Is A Good Mattress For A College Student? We think the Nectar Classic is the best mattress for college students because of its comfortable and contouring design, medium-firm profile that suits a variety of sleep positions and low price. We also recommend the Allswell Luxe, Helix Midnight, Nolah Original, Puffy Cloud and Bear Original in our roundup of the best mattresses for college students. What Type Of Mattress Is Best For A Teenager? The best mattress depends on your sleeping position and body type. However, medium to medium-firm mattresses tend to be the best for teenagers because they offer a balance between pressure relief and support. Consider a hybrid mattress if you're looking for additional support. Do You Really Need Twin XL Sheets For College? Yes, twin XL sheets will likely be a necessity as most beds in college dorm rooms and student housing come furnished with twin XL mattresses. A twin XL mattress is longer than a standard twin-size bed but measures the same width.
Daily Mail
15-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Bill Gates' daughter Phoebe, 22, lands a new side hustle... after her billionaire dad said he would not give her money
Bill Gates 's youngest daughter Phoebe has landed a new job. The fashion show regular is working with Sophia Kianni and Tay Nakamoto for a new podcast episode, Sticking With Style. They are offering tips on upgrading dorm room space for the fall 2025 semester. The project is part of an endorsement deal with the brand Command, which proves Phoebe is moving more into the world of an influencer. The 22-year-old studied Human Biology at California 's Stanford University. She is the daughter to the Microsoft co-founder, 69, and his philanthropist ex wife Melinda Gates, 60. Phoebe and her siblings, Jennifer, 28, and Rory, 25, will famously receive a minute percentage of their father's fortune because Bill will instead divert his mammoth fortune to charitable organizations. In April she discussed her father's extraordinary success and the pressure that brings on her new podcast, The Burnouts, alongside her business partner and close friend, Sophia. She said: 'I had so much insecurity and such a desire to prove myself at Stanford. 'I came in, I was like, ''I'm so privileged, I'm a nepo baby'', like I had so much insecurity around that. I feel it's so hard when you're a freshman in college because you have no experience. You have nothing.' Despite her billionaire father's gravitas, the graduate, who is dating Sir Paul McCartney 's grandson, Arthur Donald, said she was 'flat-out rejected' from a business class after devising her first pitch, Bluetooth tampons, giving women health status updates throughout their periods. 'This was our first big failure of many, many, many,' Phoebe admitted. 'I don't think it's really a shocker that we got flat-out rejected from this class - they asked us, ''What problem does this solve? How would it make money?'' We couldn't answer those questions.' It wasn't just her Stanford professors who doubted Phoebe's entrepreneurial skills, but Bill also blocked his daughter's request to drop out of school to pursue her debut company despite him doing something similar 49 years earlier. Phoebe, who will soon launch her company, digital fashion platform Phia, which she describes as a 'new way to shop' online, with Kianni, said: 'I remember even when we wanted to start the company, him being like, ''Are you sure you want to do this?'' 'Because both of my siblings were incredibly intelligent and took very typical career paths - my brother's a genius, my sister has two kids and a horse-back riding career and is in residency [as a Junior Pediatrician] - but there wasn't this adverse risk of failure.' Phoebe and her siblings won't get a big inheritance. The star continued: 'So my parents were really cautious when I was like, ''I want to do Stanford abroad and do this remotely and finish up my degree and do the start-up''. 'They were very much like, ''You need to finish your degree. You don't just get to drop out and [start] a company.'' Which is so funny because my dad literally did that - that's like the reason I'm able to go to Stanford, have my tuition paid.' Bill dropped out of Harvard in 1975 after three semesters to start Microsoft, a decision which helped earn him his estimated $107 billion (£83 billion), according to Forbes. Phoebe added that, despite having a close relationship with her father, she has few recollections of him discussing Microsoft with her. 'I literally never remember my dad talking to me about the start of Microsoft. I literally mostly just remember him talking about the Foundation,' she said. Instead of depending entirely on knowledge passed down from her father, Phoebe claimed that she is securing her future through a solid work ethic. She said: 'I really like the results we're seeing - and this is not just true for business, but any career you're in: it is just the result of habits. 'The tracking we're seeing with our product is really just the result of our habits; it's the result of loving your work, waking up early, working 'til damn late on this company because you love it. 'It's not work-life balance: this is your life, and you really enjoy it. It has to be fun, and you have to have the habits built around that. 'And controlling - being able to control that part of your brain that wants to stay in bed and being like, I don't want to eat but I need to go eat lunch because I need to be productive this afternoon.' Gates offered the example of embracing rejection as a habit she and Kianni adopted to enable success. She said: 'A habit that we had that I thought was so good at the beginning was just constant outreach and constant acceptance of rejection. 'When we were trying to get our first partnerships for Phia, we would outreach like... we maxed out the LinkedIn credits. And they wouldn't grant us more because we hit the limit. 'We'd get people respond like, ''Please leave me alone and never email me''. We'd still respond again. 'I really feel the greatest lesson from this is vulnerability is not embarrassing. Yes, our cold email outreach template was awful at first, and it was a complete flop, but I've connected with some of those people now, and they were like, ''Good for you for reaching out in college.''
Forbes
29-05-2025
- General
- Forbes
Costway Portable Air Conditioner Review: Strong Cooling For Small Rooms
Compact portable air conditioners can be hit or miss. Sure, they're easy to move around, but too often they end up feeling more like glorified fans, leaving you wondering: Are portable air conditioners worth it? During our recent testing for this Costway Portable Air Conditioner review, it surprised us: It's small enough to easily wheel from room to room, but also strong enough to noticeably cool the area, especially up close. Unlike other compact models we've tested, it didn't fade into just circulating warm air around the room, and the cooling breeze stays consistently strong within several feet of the unit. After testing a range of the best portable air conditioners, the Costway Portable Air Conditioner was the clear winner for small spaces. It's especially good if you want direct air conditioning—think a home office, dorm room or small bedroom—rather than trying to cool your entire apartment. It's not whisper-quiet, but the noise isn't distracting either, and setup was mostly painless (though we did have to get creative with the window inserts). And while this model doesn't have smart features, we didn't really miss them; the basic functions and included remote were easy to operate on their own. Below, in our Costway Portable Air Conditioner review, we share exactly how it performed, including how well it cooled, what we thought of the controls and whether this unit is worth the trade-offs that come with its smaller size. BTU: 10,000 | Coverage: Up to 350 square feet | Noise: 57 to 62 dB | Weight: 45 pounds | Extras: Dehumidifier mode, fan mode, remote control Best for: Skip if: This Costway model doesn't cool down a huge space, but during our testing it noticeably cooled the area right around it. At about 10 feet from the unit, our thermometer recorded a measurable temperature drop compared to the rest of the room. And at just three feet away, we felt a steady flow of cool air that would be ideal for sitting at a desk or relaxing on a couch nearby. Unlike some compact units we've tested, the Costway actually lowered the temperature within its immediate range—just keep in mind that its cooling ability fades as you move farther away. If your goal is to quickly cool a large living room or an open-plan space, you're better off with a bigger and more powerful model like the Midea Duo. But for targeted cooling, especially if you're sitting close to the unit, this smaller model works well. Like most portable air conditioners in this price range, the Costway isn't silent. During testing, we found it produced about as much noise as a standard window AC unit—a steady hum that was noticeable but not distracting. On the plus side, the noise was consistent—there were no sudden spikes, rattling or changes in tone that could be jarring. This Costway model has only two fan speeds, high and low, but we noticed a clear difference in noise levels between the two. Switching to the lower fan speed reduced the sound significantly, so it would be easier to have conversations or watch TV without turning the volume up. Still, even on low, don't expect this model to run quietly enough for extremely sensitive sleepers. If you're particularly bothered by white noise, you might prefer a quieter (though likely pricier) alternative. But overall, we found its noise level reasonable, given its compact size and cooling ability. Getting the Costway up and running was quick. The unit itself is compact, lightweight and took us only a few minutes to unpack, roll into position and attach the exhaust hose. The window installation kit, however, was another story. The provided inserts were clearly designed for vertical sliding windows (ones that move side-to-side), so we had some trouble adapting it to our horizontally sliding window. One insert wasn't wide enough, and two inserts together were too wide. We ended up needing to saw down an insert manually, since the plastic was too sturdy for scissors. As for the controls, the Costway comes with a basic remote that lets you easily adjust the temperature, fan speed and modes from across the room. There's no companion app or smart-home integration, but we didn't particularly miss those features. It's also worth noting that the unit's buttons are touch-sensitive rather than push-to-press; initially, we kept pressing harder and thought the unit wasn't responding, but it worked fine once we realized it required only a gentle tap. There's a Sleep mode as well, which dims the LED display but doesn't fully turn it off, so keep in mind that you can still see some glow at night. After testing the Costway Portable Air Conditioner, we think it's a great pick if you mostly need cooling for a small space or want air blowing directly on you. It doesn't make a major difference in an entire apartment or even a large room, but if you're sitting near it, like at a desk, in bed or on a couch, it definitely makes a difference. The noise is noticeable but steady, and we didn't find it too distracting. It doesn't have any smart features, but the remote was enough to cover everything we wanted the AC to do. Our main issue was the window installation kit, which needed some modification. But once we handled that setup, moving the Costway around was easy, and the cooling was consistent each time we turned it on. If you're short on space or just looking for a basic, budget-friendly air conditioner, this unit does exactly what it needs to do.
