Nolah Evolution 15 Hybrid Mattress
The Evolution 15 is a flagship mattress from leading bed-in-a-box brand Nolah. It’s a hybrid mattress that combines cutting-edge memory foam technology with high-quality innerspring coils.
Pros
- Luxurious and plush feel
- Great for stomach and back sleepers
- Good for most side sleepers
- Comfortable for all body types
- Sleeps cool
Cons
- Heavier side sleepers may experience hip pressure
- Expensive if you don’t buy it on sale
Nolah Sleep is a relative newcomer to the ultra-competitive mattress industry. Based in Denver, CO, Nolah was founded in 2015 by Daniel Galle and Anna Hjoellund. The people behind Nolah mattresses have been leaders in the industry for far longer than that, however. The Nolah Evolution 15 mattress represents the culmination of all those years of research and development.
The company recently sent us a Nolah Evolution 15 mattress to test and review. I have now been sleeping on this high-tech hybrid mattress for more than a month, and I’m ready to dive into all of its main benefits and shortcomings.
2-year update
It has been two years since this Nolah mattress review was first published. In that time, the Nolah Evolution 15 has remained my main mattress that I sleep on each night. I have taken short breaks from time to time to test other mattresses, but I keep going back to Nolah’s mattress for my regular day-to-day use.
Since I have been using the mattress for so long, I wanted to provide an update for people who are in search of a new mattress.
After all this time, it turns out that my update is relatively boring. In a nutshell, not much has changed after sleeping on the Nolah Evolution 15 mattress almost every day for nearly two years. That might seem a bit anticlimactic, but it’s actually fantastic news because it means that Nolah’s mattress has held up wonderfully.
Some mattresses begin to sag and get compacted after just a year or two of regular use. That is definitely not the case with the Nolah Evolution 15. It’s just as comfortable today as it was when I first began using it back in 2022.
This is especially great news because I have to admit that I’ve been somewhat lazy when it comes to rotating the mattress. Manufacturers recommend rotating your mattress one or two times per year. Meanwhile, I have only rotated the mattress once so far. Despite the fact that I’m taller and heavier than my wife, there is no noticeable wear on my side of the bed compared to hers.
Nolah’s Evolution 15 still has the same “luxury firm” feel after all this time. It also hasn’t lost any of its springiness, which is something that I really like about this mattress. I’m not a fan of the dead feeling that pure memory foam mattresses have. This hybrid mattress from Nolah is much more responsive due to the springs, but it still does a great job when it comes to motion transfer. In other words, you get all the bounce you’d want from a mattress, but rolling over in the middle of the night won’t disturb your partner.
I will continue to update this review as time goes on.
Nolah Evolution 15 hybrid mattress: Key features
The first thing to note about the Nolah Evolution 15 is that it’s a hybrid mattress. That means there is a layer of innerspring coils in addition to all the different memory foam layers in the mattress.
As you can see in the image above, the Evolution 15 has multiple layers. Instead of a thick foam base layer like pure memory foam mattresses, this mattress has coils.
Many people prefer this hybrid configuration, and I’m one of them. You get all the benefits of a memory foam mattress, plus the support and some of the “springiness” of innerspring coils.
Here are all the Nolah Evolution 15 mattress layers, from top to bottom:
- Quilted High Thermal Conductivity euro topper
- AirBreathe heat escape gusset
- Nolah AirFoamICE 2″ memory foam layer
- High-resilience 2″ memory foam layer
- High-density 1″ transition foam layer
- HDMax Tri-Zone 8″ coil layer surrounded by E.D.G.E. rails
- Recycled plant fiber foundation layer
The top of the mattress is covered with a cooling ArcticTex cover that helps draw away body heat. And the seven mattress layers are surrounded by a strong border fabric enclosure with carrying handles. The handles really come in handy when it’s time to rotate the mattress.
As the name suggests, the Nolah Evolution 15 mattress is 15 inches thick. Also of note, Nolah mattresses are made in the USA. The company is headquartered in Denver, CO, and that’s where it manufactures its mattresses.
And if you’re wondering whether or not technologies like “ArcticTex” and “AirFoamICE” actually work, I have good news.
I tend to run hot when I sleep, but I find that the Nolah mattress does a great job of keeping me cool. Even when the ambient temperature rises a bit in my bedroom, I don’t wake up sweating like a have with other mattresses.
Nolah Evolution 15 vs TempurPedic
I had spent the past four years sleeping mainly on a TempurPedic LuxAdapt mattress. It’s terrific but after some time, I found myself missing the feel of a more traditional mattress.
A TempurPedic mattress can sometimes feel like lying on wet, squishy sand. You just sink in. There is no bounce at all, so simply climbing out of a TempuPedic bed each morning can be a struggle for some people.
When comparing the Nolah Evolution 15 mattress to my TempurPedic, I definitely prefer the Nolah mattress. For me, it has a much more comfortable and luxurious feel.
I also appreciate having some bounce in my mattress once again. Even still, the Evolution 15 does a good job of preventing motion transfer. That means your partner won’t be disrupted when you adjust your sleeping position.
For many people, hybrid mattresses like this Nolah mattress truly offer the best of both worlds.
Can you flip a hybrid mattress?
This is a question I see fairly often. The good news is that the answer is straightforward.
Because the Nolah Evolution 15 mattress is a hybrid mattress, you cannot flip it. It also has a pillow top that prevents you from flipping it.
You cannot flip any hybrid mattress. In general, flipping any memory foam mattress is a bad idea since the foam layers are arranged in a very specific order. Different foams with varying properties are arranged in order to provide support and dissipate heat.
You can rotate the Nolah mattress though, and it’s a good idea to rotate yours once in a while. This will help it wear and compress more evenly over time.
Most manufacturers say you should rotate your memory foam or hybrid mattress 1-2 times per year.
Nolah Evolution 15 is impressive right out of the box
As with other bed-in-a-box options, the Evolution 15 comes compressed in a manageable box. You simply lug it up to your bedroom, pull open the vacuum-sealed plastic, and watch it expand.
This was when I noticed the first thing about the Evolution 15 mattress that impressed me, and it relates to off-gassing.
Some memory foam mattresses have terrible off-gassing that lasts for days. Off-gassing is when chemical vapors are released. In this context, off-gassing often occurs when you first unbox a memory foam mattress. Some mattresses release so much vapor initially, that it can even cause headaches.
The Nolah Evolution 15 had a minimal odor when I first set it up in the morning. I left my bedroom windows cracked open as it expanded, and there was no noticeable odor by bedtime.
That means you can sleep on your new Nolah mattress right away after receiving it. Just set it up in the morning, and it’ll be ready by the time you go to sleep.
Who is this Nolah mattress good for?
People are generally divided into three different categories when it comes to sleep positions. There are back sleepers, stomach sleepers, and side sleepers. Many of us are combo sleepers, meaning we alternate between some combination of those three sleep positions.
The Nolah Evolution 15 mattress is ideal for back sleepers and stomach sleepers. That is especially true if you opt for the “Luxury Firm” version that I tested.
Nolah’s Evolution 15 comes in three different firmnesses: Plush, Luxury Firm, and Firm.
Plush is the softest version, while Firm is made for people who want as much support as possible. Luxury Firm falls between them, though it is on the firmer side. This is what most people seem to be looking for, and it’s roughly a 7/10 on the firmness scale.
Luxury Firm is actually the perfect name to describe the feel of this mattress. The pillow top is soft and supple, with a very luxurious feel. But it doesn’t feel at all like mush, and you won’t sink in. That’s because the memory foam layers beneath the euro topper are medium-firm, providing plenty of support.
Most side sleepers will love the Nolah Evolution 15 mattress, too. The only exception might be people who are on the heavier side.
This mattress has a wonderful plush feel. But, as I mentioned, the underlying layers are on the firmer side. That means larger side sleepers might feel some pressure on their hips if they’re sound sleepers who tend to stay in the same position for long periods of time.
For that reason, some side sleepers may want to choose the Plush firmness option from Nolah.
Nolah Evolution 15 mattress price and sizes
Just like comparable mattresses from other brands, the Evolution 15 comes in seven different sizes. The smallest and most affordable is the Twin, while a Split King is the largest and most expensive.
A Split King is the same overall size as a standard King, but it’s split in half. This is for people who use an adjustable base with two separate zones. It’s two Twin XL mattresses aligned side by side. This way, each person can adjust his or her own half of the bed.
Here’s the full breakdown of Nolah Evolution 15 mattress prices:
- Twin (38″ x 75″): $1,499
- Twin XL (38″ x 80″): $1,599
- Full (54″ x 75″): $2,299
- Queen (60″ x 80″): $2,499
- King (76″ x 80″): 2,699
- California King (72″ x 84″): $2,699
- Split King (2x 38″ x 80″): $3,198
As you can see, the Nolah Evolution 15 is on the expensive side. The good news, however, is that Nolah seems to host sales events all the time.
Deep discounts are often available
For example, the company was offering discounts up to $1,200 off at the time of this writing. I strongly urge readers to wait for a sale before placing an order.
Nolah Evolution 15 Hybrid Memory Foam Mattress Check Prices
If you’re wondering how much this Nolah mattress weighs, I have that info for you as well:
- Twin: 70 lbs
- Twin XL: 73 lbs
- Full: 94 lbs
- Queen: 110 lbs
- King: 139 lbs
- California King: 138 lbs
- Split King: 146 lbs (73 lbs x2)
I was sent a king-size mattress, and I was able to slide it upstairs and into my bedroom alone. Two people will have a much easier time carrying it, however.
Nolah doesn’t sell box springs, but you don’t necessarily need a box spring with the Nolah Evolution 15 mattress.
Since the mattress is very deep at 15 inches tall, many people will want to place it directly onto a platform bed. Of course, if you do want to use a box spring with your Nolah mattress, you can.
Shipping time and returns
Buying a new mattress seems like it should be an ordeal since they’re so cumbersome. Of course, anyone who has purchased a bed-in-a-box before knows that’s not the case at all.
When you order your Nolah Evolution 15 mattress, it’s shipped out fast and free. Nolah makes its mattresses in the USA, and the company uses FedEx to ship them. Orders are processed very quickly, and you will receive your mattress between 2-8 days after ordering.
The company offers a 120-night trial and offers easy returns. But the company requires that you keep your mattress for at least 30 days before processing a return. If you’re still not happy with the mattress after the 30-day break-in period, you can return it for a $99 transportation fee.
All you need to do to initiate a return is call Nolah or use the contact form on the company’s website. Once a mattress is picked up for return, refunds are processed within five business days.
Conclusion
The Nolah Evolution 15 hybrid mattress is one of the best bed-in-a-box mattresses I have tried.
The mattress is made of premium materials and it features a terrific design. It’s very comfortable and plush, but it also provides great support. And because it’s a hybrid mattress, it offers some bounce that you won’t find in something like a TempurPedic memory foam mattress.
The Luxury Firm firmness option will be ideal for most sleepers. I rate the firmness a 7/10, but the luxurious euro topper gives it a delightful plush feel that you don’t get with other firm mattresses. It feels like a bed in a fancy $800-a-night hotel.
Another reason I like the Evolution 15 so much is that it’s so breathable. Heat is drawn away from the body and efficiently dissipated. As a result, I don’t wake up sweating in the middle of the night like I have with some mattresses.
For back sleepers and stomach sleepers, the Nolah Evolution 15 mattress is a no-brainer. Most side sleepers will love it just as much. If you’re on the larger side, however, you may want to consider the Plush firmness option to keep pressure off your hips.
Nolah Evolution 15 Hybrid Memory Foam Mattress Check Prices
This review was originally published on April 24, 2022. It has since been updated with additional details and impressions after two years of use.
