Pros
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Very good motion isolation - Very good edge support
- Medium-firm feel works with most sleep styles
- Free shipping on most orders
Cons
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Somewhat expensive at $1,029 for a queen - Sleep trial is only 100 nights
- Warranty period is only 10 years
- Returns aren’t free
- Relatively few cooling features
- Mattress cover isn’t machine washable
Product Overview
Note: The mattress we received for this review had been in storage for more than three months before being shipped. This was a significant factor in Nora’s final score.
The Nora by Wayfair is a three-layer foam mattress with a green tea infusion. It’s advertised with a medium feel, but our third-party engineer testing shows that it’s actually medium-firm. According to the law label, it’s made by Zinus, which also makes its own green tea-infused mattresses. At $1,029 for a queen, the Nora is priced higher than some other foam mattresses.
Nora comes with a 100-night sleep trial and a 10-year warranty. Wayfair allows returns after the first 20 nights. If you decide it’s not the right fit, you can choose between a refund or store credit toward another mattress. Wayfair will arrange for pickup, but returns aren’t free. There’s a $49–$99 fee, which is deducted from the amount you get back (or your store credit).
While Nora is a bed-in-a-box option with cooling features, there are other mattresses that come with longer trials and more flexible return policies. For example, Douglas costs less at $799 for a queen, includes a 365-night sleep trial, and has a 20-year warranty. It also comes with free returns with full refunds, and a bedding bundle.
You May Prefer
Douglas Original
Our Rating:
9.9 /10
Mattress Pricing
Prices are pulled from mattress brand websites or trusted third-party retailers. We check prices monthly to stay accurate. Prices on our site don't reflect any current sales or promotions. Learn more >
Looking for a mattress in all sizes? Check out Douglas.
Read Douglas Review
Nora Mattress Construction
The Nora is a 12" all-foam mattress with 3 interior layers. Each layer is infused with green tea extract, which is meant to add antimicrobial benefits. All foams are CertiPUR-US® certified.
Mattress Layers
- 1st Layer: 2″ gel-infused memory foam as a top layer that helps contour to your body while the cooling gel draws heat away, supporting a cooler sleep.
- 2nd Layer: 3″ of unidentified polyurethane transition foam that stops you from feeling the denser support layer beneath.
- 3rd Layer: 7" of denser unidentified polyurethane foam that gives the mattress most of its structure and durability. This layer is designed to provide consistent support and stops you from sinking too far into the mattress.
Mattress Cover
The Nora has a two-tone white-and-grey design, with the logo stitched on the upper white section at the foot of the bed near the corner. The outer cover is made from a blend of polyester, polyethylene, and nylon, while the fire-protected inner cover is made of rayon, carbon fibres, and polyester. The top portion of the cover is said to include cooling fibres designed to feel cool to the touch. The cover is not removable, and Wayfair recommends spot-cleaning only.
Mattress Testing
To ensure our mattress reviews are thorough and trustworthy, we buy the products ourselves and have them tested by independent licensed engineers (commissioned by us) with no stake in the results.
These third-party engineers apply a consistent testing process to every mattress using a detailed framework. Every mattress is tested the same way, whether it's foam or hybrid. Because these types perform differently, we rate them on separate scales to ensure the scores are fair and meaningful.
We believe independent testing is essential to producing reliable and meaningful comparisons. That's why all test results are reviewed and signed off by an APEGA-certified engineer, operating under a strict code of ethics.
We use the testing results and over 40 criteria to build our scoring methodology.
Tests and reviews without this level of professional oversight may be more prone to errors and unintended bias.
Delivery & Other Policies
You can order Nora from Wayfair's Canadian website, and it ships directly to your home. Delivery is arranged through a courier, which may vary depending on your location. Wayfair will give you an estimated delivery window based on your postal code instead of a fixed timeline. The mattress arrives compressed in a box and wrapped in heavy-duty plastic. Shipping is free on orders over $50, but Wayfair doesn't specify whether additional fees apply for remote areas.
Nora comes with a 100-night sleep trial. Wayfair asks that you try the mattress for at least 20 nights before asking for a return. If it's not the right fit, you can return it for either a refund or store credit, but you'll have to pay a $45–$95 return fee.
The Nora comes with a 10-year limited warranty, which is standard for the mattress industry. It covers manufacturing defects but doesn't apply to normal wear and tear or damage from improper use. Wayfair also offers an optional 10-year protection plan for $79.99, which adds coverage for accidental stains and certain other situations. This plan is only valid if you use the mattress protector provided with it.
If you're looking for a mattress with a longer trial period, a more generous warranty, and no return fees, check out Douglas. It comes with a 365-night sleep trial, a 20-year warranty, plus a free bedding bundle. Returns include free return pickup with a full refund.
Want a 365-night sleep trial with your mattress?
Read Douglas Review
Company Overview
Wayfair is a U.S.-based online retailer that offers a wide range of home products, including furniture, decor, and bedding. The company opened in 2002 as CSN Stores and operates in multiple countries, including the United States, Canada, Ireland, Germany, the United Kingdom, and China.
Customer Reviews & Feedback
Third-party review sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Trustpilot collect and publish customer feedback about companies and their products, and aren't controlled by the companies being reviewed. They offer a snapshot of overall customer satisfaction and highlight common issues shoppers might face. Checking ratings on sites like these can be a useful way for customers to make more informed purchasing decisions.
Wayfair has a poor online reputation. The company doesn't have a profile on the Better Business Bureau (BBB), but it maintains a "Bad" rating on Trustpilot, with a customer rating of 1.3 out of 5 stars.
Shop from a company rated "Excellent" on Trustpilot when you choose Douglas.
Read Douglas Review
Should You Buy Nora?
Nora has strong edge support and good motion isolation. It's marketed as a cooling mattress but has only a few cooling features, so it might not be the best choice for hot sleepers. The Nora could be a good fit if you're looking for:
- A mattress with an antimicrobial green tea infusion
- A mattress that has a few cooling technologies
- A mattress sold by a popular online retailer
If you want a mattress with more cooling features, a longer sleep trial and warranty, and a lower price, Douglas Original is another option to consider. It features a machine-washable cover made with moisture-wicking Infinitex® fibres, cooling gel foam in the top layer, and a layer of Elastex® foam that doesn't retain as much heat as conventional memory foam. Your purchase also includes a free bedding bundle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Nora mattresses good?
The Nora mattress includes some interesting features like an antimicrobial green tea infusion, a breathable cover with cooling fibres, and gel-infused foam for temperature control. In third-party engineer testing (commissioned by us), it also performed well for edge support and motion isolation. On the other hand, delivery doesn't come with a guaranteed timeline, the 100-night sleep trial-night sleep trial and 10-night sleep trial-year warranty are standard for the industry, and returns come with a fee.
If you're looking for more features at a lower price, a mattress brand like Douglas might be a better fit. At $799 for a queen size, Douglas includes a machine-washable cover, more cooling features, plus a longer 365-night trial and 20-year warranty. You'll also get a free bedding bundle with your purchase.
Where are Nora mattresses made?
According to the law label on the mattress we purchased, Wayfair's Nora mattresses are manufactured in the U.S. by Zinus Inc., the same company behind the Zinus Green Tea mattress.
How long do Nora mattresses last?
Nora mattresses come with a 10-year warranty. A good mattress typically lasts between 7 and 10 years, though the actual lifespan can vary depending on the materials used and how often the mattress is used.
Signs like visible sagging, uneven lumps, or reduced comfort and support can indicate it's time for a replacement. Regular care, such as rotating the mattress and using a protective cover, can help extend its lifespan.
What does the Wayfair mattress warranty cover?
Nora's 10-year limited warranty covers manufacturing defects but does not include incidental or accidental damage, including any damage that occurs during shipping. Wayfair also offers a 10-year protection plan for $79.99, which is only valid if you use the mattress protector included with the plan.
What Nora mattress alternatives should I consider?
If you're looking for a mattress with more cooling features, a longer sleep trial, and a lower price, Douglas Original is worth a look. At $799 for a queen, it includes a breathable cover made with moisture-wicking Infinitex® fibres, cooling gel foam in the top layer, and Elastex® foam that retains less heat than conventional memory foam.
Douglas also comes with a 365-night sleep trial, a 20-year warranty, and free return pickup with a full refund. Your purchase also comes with a free bedding bundle that has a sheet set, pillow(s), mattress protector, and pillow protector(s).
Top Pick 2025
Douglas Original
9.9/10
Made in
Best Mattress In a Box
Forbes
All the content on our site, from product reviews to comparisons, is intended to provide general information to help guide your mattress search. We work with independent third-party engineers to test all mattress products we purchase, and we use the test results alongside public data to inform our reviews and comparisons.
The product details in each review reflect how the mattress performed at the time we purchased and tested it, as shown by the "Published" date.
Since brands can update their materials, pricing, or availability over time, we also note when the product was originally purchased, either directly in the article or on our disclaimer page, to maintain clarity and transparency.
If you see an "Updated" tag on a page with a more recent date than the published date, it simply means we've made editorial changes. It does not necessarily indicate any update to the mattress or its test data.
Finally, unless otherwise stated, any mention of where a mattress is made refers specifically to the product we received and tested.
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