The Stearns and Foster Reserve Medium Mattress is a high-end luxury mattress designed for sleepers who want a premium hotel-style sleep experience with a balanced medium feel. Stearns & Foster is known for craftsmanship, quality materials, and strong support systems, and the Reserve line sits at the top end of their collection.
In this review, Elite Sleep Reviews breaks down the Reserve Medium mattress based on firmness, feel, pressure relief, cooling, motion isolation, edge support, durability, and value—so you can decide if it’s worth the price in 2026.
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✅ Quick Verdict: Is the Stearns and Foster Reserve Medium Worth It?
Best for:
✅ Back sleepers who want luxury comfort + support
✅ Side sleepers who prefer a medium feel (not too soft)
✅ Couples wanting edge support + stability
✅ Shoppers who want premium build quality and durability
How We Test Mattresses
Our reviews are based on firsthand, hands-on testing and real-world sleep experience. We evaluate mattresses using consistent criteria, including pressure relief, spinal alignment, motion isolation, temperature regulation, and durability. We do not use any fancy gimmicks, proprietary scoring systems, or manufacturer-provided ratings. Each mattress is tested the same way so comparisons are fair, transparent, and based on actual performance, helping readers make informed, trustworthy buying decisions. Read our full mattress testing methodology!
Not ideal for:
❌ Strict stomach sleepers who need firm support
❌ Budget shoppers (this is a $$$$ tier mattress)
❌ Sleepers who want a deep plush pillow-top sink
Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4.7/5)
Type: Luxury Innerspring / Hybrid-style build
Firmness: Medium (~6/10)
Feel: Responsive luxury comfort with strong support underneath
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Stearns and Foster Reserve Medium Mattress Key Specs
- Type: Luxury innerspring / hybrid-style mattress
- Firmness: Medium (6/10)
- Best for: back sleepers, couples, premium shoppers
- Cooling: above average (breathable luxury construction)
- Motion isolation: good for an innerspring
- Price tier: $$$$ (luxury)
Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- Luxury craftsmanship and premium “hotel mattress” feel
- Balanced medium support — works for many sleepers
- Strong edge support (great for couples)
- Responsive surface (easy to move on)
- Excellent durability compared to most online beds
⚠️ Cons
- Expensive vs direct-to-consumer mattresses
- Not the best choice for very hot sleepers compared to cooling-specialty beds
- Not soft enough for people wanting deep plush sink
- Very heavy and harder to move/setup
Firmness & Feel
The Reserve Medium has a classic luxury medium feel:
- comfortable surface cushion
- supportive lift through the hips/lower back
- responsive (more “on top” than “sink in”)
Firmness Score: ~6/10
This is the kind of mattress that appeals to people who want premium comfort without sacrificing alignment.
Performance Breakdown (Elite Sleep Reviews)
1) Pressure Relief
⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4.5/5)
For a medium luxury mattress, the Reserve performs very well for pressure relief. The comfort layers soften impact around:
- shoulders
- hips
- knees
✅ Best for:
- side sleepers who like medium support
- back sleepers wanting cushion without sag
2) Spinal Alignment / Support
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
Support is one of the biggest strengths of this mattress. Luxury innerspring systems like this typically:
- prevent sagging
- keep hips elevated
- improve posture while sleeping
✅ Excellent for:
- back sleepers
- combination sleepers
- couples (even weight distribution)
3) Cooling & Temperature Regulation
⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4.3/5)
The Stearns & Foster Reserve Medium generally sleeps cooler than memory foam because of breathable construction, but it’s not the absolute coldest mattress in this luxury category.
✅ Best for:
- neutral-to-warm sleepers
⚠️ Hot sleepers: Purple Rejuvenate may cool better
4) Motion Isolation (Couples)
⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4.2/5)
For a luxury innerspring-style mattress, motion isolation is solid. You’ll still feel some movement compared to foam, but it should perform well for:
- couples
- light sleepers
5) Responsiveness / Ease of Movement
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
This is a big advantage over foam beds. The Reserve Medium is:
- responsive
- easy to roll over on
- great for combination sleepers
✅ Best for:
- sleepers who toss and turn
- people who dislike memory foam sink
6) Edge Support
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
Edge support is one of the most important features for couples, and luxury innersprings usually excel here.
✅ Great for:
- couples
- larger sleepers
- using full mattress surface
Who Should Buy the Stearns and Foster Reserve Medium?
This mattress is a great fit if:
✅ You want a true luxury feel (hotel-style comfort)
✅ You want strong support with medium cushioning
✅ You want excellent edge support
✅ You want durability and long-term performance
✅ You sleep on your back or switch positions
Who Should Avoid It?
You may want a different mattress if:
❌ You’re shopping for the best value under $1,000
❌ You want ultra plush comfort
❌ You’re a strict stomach sleeper
❌ You want the coolest mattress possible (cooling is good, not #1)
Stearns and Foster Reserve Medium vs Competitors
This mattress is best compared to other luxury brands like:
- Beautyrest Black Series 4 → more cooling-focused luxury hybrid feel
- Purple Rejuvenate → maximum cooling + unique pressure relief feel
- Aireloom → ultra-premium handmade feel, plush luxury comfort
- King Koil → supportive luxury feel, often sold through premium retailers
✅ Comparison Table
| Mattress | Best For | Type | Firmness (1-10) | Cooling | Motion Isolation | Edge Support | Price Tier | Standout Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stearns & Foster Reserve Medium | Back sleepers + luxury durability | Luxury innerspring/hybrid-style | 6 | Very Good | Good-Very Good | Excellent | $$$$ | Premium craftsmanship + support |
| Beautyrest Black Series 4 | Hot sleepers + luxury comfort | Luxury pillow-top hybrid | 6 | Excellent | Very Good | Very Good | $$$$ | Cooling technology + plush surface |
| King Koil (Luxury Models) | Support seekers + premium feel | Luxury innerspring/hybrid-style | 6-7 | Good-Very Good | Good | Very Good | $$$$ | Strong support + durability |
| Purple Rejuvenate | Hot sleepers + pressure relief | Hybrid (Grid + coils) | 6 | Excellent | Good | Good | $$$$ | Unique cooling Grid feel |
| Aireloom (Luxury Models) | Plush luxury comfort lovers | Handcrafted hybrid/innerspring | 5-6 | Good-Very Good | Good | Very Good | $$$$ | Handmade premium comfort |
FAQs: Stearns and Foster Reserve Medium Mattress
Is Stearns & Foster Reserve worth the price?
If you want premium durability, craftsmanship, and a long-lasting luxury feel, yes. If you’re focused mainly on value, online hybrid brands offer more for less.
Is Reserve Medium good for side sleepers?
Yes—especially for side sleepers who like medium support. If you need very plush pressure relief, consider a softer mattress.
Is it good for back pain?
It can be an excellent choice for back pain because the supportive structure helps keep your spine aligned—especially for back and combo sleepers.
How We Test Mattresses
Our reviews are based on consistent criteria including pressure relief, spinal alignment, cooling, motion isolation, and durability. We do not use any fancy gimmicks, proprietary scoring systems, or manufacturer-provided ratings.
→ Read our full mattress testing methodology
Final Verdict: Stearns and Foster Reserve Medium Review (2026)
The Stearns and Foster Reserve Medium Mattress is a premium luxury choice for sleepers who want:
✅ excellent spinal support
✅ balanced medium feel
✅ strong edge support
✅ true long-term durability
It’s one of the best options for sleepers who want a mattress that feels like a luxury hotel bed—and lasts like one too.
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Related Topics:
- Check out our Best Mattresses of 2026
- Compare to Purple Rejuvenate
- Compare to King Koil
- Compare to Beautyrest Black Series 4
- Take our Find Your Mattress Quiz