For more, watch our interactive video. You can skip to chapters on the different types of mattresses, tips for test driving a mattress, and more. Common claims that haven’t held up in our tests: Foam Layers Make a Better Bed More innerspring mattresses now include foam on top. But the foam is often too thin to make a difference on some of the hybrid models. Hybrid innerspring models that scored well in our tests had a foam layer several inches thick, though performance still varied. More Coils, the Better The better innerspring models we tested had 600 to 1,000 coils. But even if one mattress has more coils than another, the coils could be made of thinner-gauge metal. You’ll also hear about coil variations such as Bonnell (hourglass type), continuous wire, and individually pocketed springs. None of those is inherently superior. Gel Provides a Cooler Sleep Some mattresses (noted in our Ratings) have a layer of gel-infused foam that’s supposed to provide a cooling effect.
But that layer is buried beneath other layers. While our tests have shown that innerspring mattresses containing gel did tend to sleep slightly cooler, the reverse was true with gel-infused foam beds. Extra Lumbar Support Helps Back Sleepers A special lumbar-support zone is one of many ways manufacturers try to differentiate their product lines. But there’s no guarantee that it makes any real difference, and it hasn’t shown significant benefits in our tests. Forget About Comparison Shopping If you like a mattress at one store and ask elsewhere for something similar, you're likely to be steered toward a same-brand mattress claimed to have the same construction, components, and firmness. But they’re probably not the same. Mattress makers offer some lines nationally, but when those brands are sold through major chains such as Macy's, Sears, and Sleepy’s, they're for lines exclusive to those chains. And manufacturers don't publish a directory of comparable mattresses.
When we went to three bedding chains and asked for mattresses similar to those we’d bought at three department stores, five of the six were way off the mark. So use our Ratings as a guide, and insist on the precise make and model that scored well in our tests. Also check our Ratings of mattress brands and stores, based on subscriber surveys. If possible, lie on any mattress that you’re considering. Wear loose clothes and shoes you can slip off. Make yourself comfortable, and shoo away the salesperson if you’re feeling pressured. Salespeople should expect you to take your time. Spend at least five or ten minutes on each side and on your back (your stomach, too, if that's a preferred sleeping position). Panelists who took beds home for a month-long trial rarely changed the opinion they formed after the first night. Shopping online or at a warehouse club? Tryouts aren’t usually an option, so checking return policies before you buy is extra important. Make sure the store offers a full refund or credit toward another mattress.
Return periods, often called “comfort guarantees,” range from a couple of weeks to 120 days. Some retailers, including Macy’s and Sears, charge a 15-percent restocking fee. Costco and some online sellers provide free pickup if you want a refund or exchange, but otherwise, you’ll have to pay for it—or cart the mattress to the store. And you’ll be responsible for any damage. Once you’ve settled on a model, try to bring the price down. Many businesses, such as warehouse clubs, have fixed prices and won’t budge. But for retailers that do negotiate—particularly specialty chains—huge markups allow them to lower prices by 50 percent or more during their frequent sales. Our recommendation: Any time of year, insist on a sale price you’ve seen for the mattress you know you want, and don’t be afraid to walk out if you feel you’re getting a raw deal. Don’t Be Bullied Into Buying a Box Spring You might not need it. For an innerspring mattress, the box spring (also called a “foundation”) is a wood frame enclosing stiff wire and covered with fabric to match the mattress.
For foam or adjustable-air mattresses, it’s a box several inches high. If you're switching to a foam or adjustable-air bed from an innerspring, you'll need a boxy foundation that lacks springs and wire. Otherwise, if your box spring isn't broken and is still structurally sound, consider keeping it and saving money (roughly $150 to $300 for a queen-size). One caveat: Some brands require you to buy their box spring to receive full warranty coverage. It can range from 10 to 25 years and covers only manufacturing defects such as sagging and loose or broken coil wires. Coverage is frequently prorated, meaning that it decreases over time. Never accept delivery without inspecting the mattress (and the box spring, if you buy one) for stains and other damage. Also be sure that the mattress has a label that states “all-new material” before you send the driver on his way. If it’s not there, refuse delivery. And keep it on afterward in case you do have to file a warranty claim in the future.
Edit ArticleHow to Patch a Leak in an Air Mattress Three Methods:Finding Your LeakUsing a Patch KitPatching Your Leak without a Patch KitCommunity Q&A A deflated air mattress is the most sure-fire way to a rough night's sleep. You do not have to throw out your mattress when it gets a leak, however. Finding and patching a leaky air mattress is easy, and can be done at home with household objects and a cheap patch kit. Know that all air mattresses lose air naturally. Before you decide to strip the covers off of you mattress and search for holes, know that no air mattress holds air indefinitely. You will naturally have to re-inflate your mattress whether or not you have a leak. Cold air, for example, causes your mattress to shrink. As the house cools down at night, your air mattress will likely soften a bit as the air cools. A space heater by the mattress can prevent this problem. Air mattresses need to “stretch” after they are bought. Don’t be alarmed if they feel soft shortly after you inflate them the first few times, they will quickly adapt.
Inflate the air mattress fully to test for a leak. If, after several minutes, it is severely deflated, then you likely have a leak. Sit on the mattress after you blow it up – it should not sink more than 1-2 inches under your weight. If you are still not sure if there is a leak, leave your mattress inflated overnight and put weight on it, like several textbooks. If it is more than a little deflated in the morning, you have a leak. Keep the mattress inflated as you search for the leak. If you feel the mattress becoming soft, reinflate it before you start searching again. The higher the air pressure inside the mattress the more forceful the leak will be, making it easier to notice. Check the valve holding in the air. Hold your hand over the valve and feel for any escaping air. It is usually located right next to the air pump and looks like a plug that you can detach to quickly deflate the mattress. Unfortunately, the valve is the one part of the mattress that is difficult to repair at home.
If your valve is broken or leaky, call the manufacturer to order a replacement. Stand the mattress up on its side in a quiet, large room to examine it for leaks. Place your ear 2-3 inches away from the mattress and listen for hissing sounds. Slowly move your ear across the entire surface of the mattress, keeping your ear close enough to hear escaping air. When you find the leak, it will sound like a thin, hissing noise, like someone saying “ssssss.” Start on the bottom of the mattress, then try the sides and the front if you don’t find anything. Wet the back of your hand and repeat this process if you can’t find anything. The air escaping from the mattress will quickly evaporate the water, making your hand feel cool. Run your moistened hand along the entire surface of the mattress, 2-3 inches away from it, to search for small leaks. You can also lick your lips and use them to sense escaping air, as your lips are some of most sensitive parts of your body.
Use soapy water to search for bubbles if you still cannot find the leak. While some manufacturers warn that this will lead to mold and mildew, soapy water is still one of the best ways to find a leak. It works just like a child blowing bubbles -- you will create a thin layer of bubbly water, and the air mattress will "blow" into it through the leaky hole, exposing in the leak.[5] To do so: Fill a small bucket with water and a few drops (1 teaspoon) of liquid dishwashing soap. Using a sponge, slowly wipe down the surfaces of the mattress with soapy water. Start near the valve, then check the seams, underside, and top. When you see bubbles forming you’ve found your leak. Wipe the soap away with a clean sponge when you are done. Circle the leak with a pen or sharpie. When the mattress is deflated it will be nearly impossible to find the leak again. Make a note of where the leak is so that you can easily repair it. If you used the soapy water method, use a towel to quickly dry the area near the leak and mark it.
Deflate and dry the mattress completely. Buy a patch kit. Almost every outdoor store will have these in the camping section. They are small, cheap sets that contain glue, sandpaper, and patches for tents, bike tires, and air mattresses. If you are in a pinch and the hole is small, a tire patch made for cycling should work fine. Some companies have dedicated air mattress repair kits that you can find online, such as the Thermarest Repair Kit, Tear-Aid, and the Sevylor Repair Patch. Make sure that the patch kit works on plastic or vinyl. Completely deflate the mattress. Sand away any soft felt near your hole. If your hole is on the top side of the mattress you’ll need to remove the soft covering to make the patch stick. Take a wire brush or some sandpaper and lightly remove the felt coating until you only have plastic surrounding your leak. Some mattress makers refer to this soft coating as “flacking.” Clean and dry the area around your leak. Using soapy water or a little isopropyl alcohol, clean off the leaky area so that there is no dust, dirt, or debris surrounding the hole.
Dry it completely before continuing. Cut out a patch roughly one and a half times bigger than your hole. Apply the patch according to the manufacturer’s directions. Press down on the patch with firm, even pressure. Let the glue dry on the patch for 2-3 hours. Inflate the mattress and check for leaks. Know that DIY fixes may void your warranty. Many manufacturers request that you only use patch kits, or you send the mattress back to them for repair. Though effective, DIY patches can lead you to lose your warranty on the mattress, so proceed with caution. Duct tape can be a temporary fix. Though effective in the short term, the glue on duct tape is not made to permanently bind to plastic, and it will eventually dry out and fall off. Never use hot glue to fix a leak. Hot glue will, in almost all cases, melt part of your air mattress and make the hole bigger. Sand away the soft felt around your leak if it is on the top of the mattress. This fuzz, though comfortable, will prevent your glue or patches from completely binding around the leak, causing it to fall off shortly after applying.
Take a wire brush or some sandpaper and lightly scrub away the felt coating until there is only plastic around your leak. Cut out a square of thin, malleable plastic, like a shower curtain. If you’re out of professional patches or cannot buy one, you can still improvise a patch from things around the house. Tarps and shower curtains work well and are easily cut to size. Make sure your square is big enough to cover the leak, with at least one extra centimeter on every side. Attach the DIY patch with strong glue. Cover the leak in a generous amount of glue at least the size of your patch. Do not try this with your child’s bottle of craft glue. You need a strong, reliable adhesive, such as superglue, KrazyGlue, or Gorilla Glue, to adhere your patch. Press your patch into the glue and hold it there. Place a heavy object on top of the patch and return in 6-8 hours. Show more unanswered questions Search commonly defective areas firsts, such the seams, bulging chambers, or cracked vinyl near the pump.