How the Nolah Original Made Good Housekeeping's 2026 Bedding Awards

Earlier this year, the Nolah Original mattress earned a spot in Good Housekeeping’s 2026 Bedding Awards, receiving recognition for “Pleasant Pain Relief.” The award highlights what makes the Original a favorite among sleepers seeking a comfortable balance of pressure relief, cushioning, and responsive support.

Once a year, Good Housekeeping puts hundreds of bedding products to the test to help shoppers find sleep essentials worth investing in. Here's a closer look at why the Nolah Original made the 2026 list, what testers had to say about its comfort, and how its design helps support a better night's sleep.

How Winners Were Selected for Good Housekeeping's 2026 Bedding Awards

Good Housekeeping's 2026 Bedding Awards recognize exceptional mattresses, pillows, sheets, and other sleep essentials based on laboratory evaluations and real-world feedback.

To select this year's winners, the Good Housekeeping Institute's fiber scientists spent six months evaluating more than 300 bedding products. Their process combined laboratory assessments with feedback from over 800 at-home sleep testers across the United States.

The resulting list highlights products that performed well in their respective categories, helping shoppers make more informed decisions about their sleep setups.

Among the mattress selections, the Nolah Original stood out for its combination of pressure relief, body-contouring comfort, and responsive foam construction.

Why Good Housekeeping Recognized the Nolah Original for Pain Relief

In its 2026 Bedding Awards article, Good Housekeeping describes how the Nolah Original's six foam layers work together to contour to the body and relieve pressure.

The publication also highlights the mattress's suitability for side sleepers, noting that its responsive foam provides cushioning without the overly enveloping sensation some sleepers experience with traditional memory foam.

Even more encouraging was the feedback from people who actually slept on the mattress.

One Good Housekeeping tester experiencing chronic back and hip pain reported a significant improvement in comfort, saying: "The very first night on the Nolah mattress, I slept so well."

The tester also reported waking without hip or back pain for the first time in months.

Another tester summed up their experience simply: "It's exactly what I was looking for in a mattress."

Good Housekeeping's bedding experts also noted that they've recommended the Nolah Original for years as an option for people experiencing back pain.

For us, that feedback is especially meaningful. We designed the Original to deliver a balance of cushioning and support, and we're thrilled to see that approach resonating with independent testers.

More Recognition: Good Housekeeping's Best Overall Mattress for Back Pain

The 2026 Bedding Awards aren't the only place Good Housekeeping has recognized the Nolah Original's comfort and support.

In its separate guide, 8 Best Mattresses for Back Pain After Testing 250 Models, Good Housekeeping named the Nolah Original its Best Overall Mattress for Back Pain.

The publication's evaluation drew on survey responses from more than 10,000 mattress owners and testing involving hundreds of consumers, with particular attention to feedback from people experiencing chronic back and hip discomfort:

"As a scientist in the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab, I regularly evaluate mattresses, assessing everything from their materials and construction to their real-world performance. To find the best mattresses for back pain, I analyzed survey data from more than 10,000 mattress owners and worked with hundreds of at-home consumer testers to review over 250 options, prioritizing those that earned high marks from users with chronic back and hip pain. The Nolah Original mattress has earned our top spot several years running." -Grace Wu, Senior analyst in the Good Housekeeping Institute's Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab

"The Nolah Original mattress has earned our top spot several years running."

Good Housekeeping highlighted the Original's medium firmness, responsive foam, pressure-relieving properties, and zoned support.

One tester praised how the mattress "offers support while still cradling pressure points."

The review also noted that the Original received consistently positive feedback from testers with back or hip pain, with several reporting improvements in their comfort.

Importantly, Good Housekeeping emphasizes that no mattress can cure back pain. However, choosing a mattress that provides appropriate pressure relief, support, and spinal alignment can help sleepers find a more comfortable resting position.

Find Your Comfort With the Nolah Original

Finding the right mattress comes down to what feels best for your body. If you're looking for a balance of pressure relief, cushioning, and responsive support, consider the Nolah Original. But don't just take our word for it—the bed's recognition in Good Housekeeping's 2026 Bedding Awards and Best Mattress for Back Pain guide offers additional insight for shoppers prioritizing comfort and support.

Ready to see if it's the right fit for you? Explore the Nolah Original Mattress and learn more about what makes it a standout choice for comfortable, supported sleep.

Disclaimer: Nolah does not provide medical advice. All resources on the Nolah blog, including this article, are informational only and do not replace professional medical counsel. Talk to your doctor about any health, mental health, or sleep-related issues.