#1 in Sleep Product Research Millions Served Since 2008 Sleep Like The Dead has so far spent 6,000 hours gathering 25,500 mattress reviews from 900+ sources. Here is a brief summary of our unbiased research findings. – 12 Key Mattress Research Findings 3. Buying a mattress online 5. Longevity / lifespan 9. Mattresses and sex 10. Mattresses for large, small people 12. Returning a mattress – How Best To Use This Site – About Our Mattress Research – Why Trust Us Do not assume that you will be satisfied with a top-rated mattress type or brand. Learn about a bed's characteristics, pros & cons before buying to ensure that it is right for you personally. Select a mattress type for detailed analysis and ratings. MORE INFO: See the mattress types compared in 20 additional ways. The chart below includes many of the more popular and / or widely available brands (in alphabetical order). Select a brand for detailed ratings.
COMPARE THE ABOVE MATTRESSES AND MANY MORE in our side-by-side mattress comparison. DON'T SEE WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR? Search our mattress ratings using box below. Mattresses of various price points have some important differences. GET THE FULL STORY AND ANALYSIS at our mattress price comparison. Buying a mattress online has important similarities and differences to buying in a store. GET THE FULL STORY AND ANALYSIS at buying a mattress online: what to know as well as the mattress manufacturer / brand comparison. The following shows the firmness level that tends to be suitable for average-sized people depending on their body type; your own personal preference may differ. GET THE FULL STORY AND ANALYSIS as well as firmness suggestions for people of above- and below-average size at our mattress firmness guide. Mattress longevity or lifespan can vary especially by mattress type. GET THE FULL STORY AND ANALYSIS at the mattress longevity comparison.
About 8% of people report that their mattress retains heat and sleeps hot to an extent that undermines sleep quantity / quality. Some mattress types have more of a problem on this issue than others. GET THE FULL STORY AND ANALYSIS at mattress heat retention. A mattress with good motion isolation localizes or absorbs a person's movement, such as their getting in / out of bed and their changing of positions. A mattress with poor motion isolation sends a person's movement across the bed to possible disturb another person. GET THE FULL STORY AND ANALYSIS at the mattress motion isolation comparison. Off gassing is an odor that a mattress may release when unpackaged due to its chemical composition. Some mattress types are more likely than others to have a problem. GET THE FULL STORY AND ANALYSIS at mattress off gassing odor. The different mattress types have various pros and cons in regard to suitability on this issue. GET THE FULL STORY AND ANALYSIS at mattresses and sex.
Among several other factors, mattress thickness is a key attribute that small and especially large people should consider. GET THE FULL STORY AND ANALYSIS at the mattress guide for large & small people. The life of a mattress tends to be a fraction of its warranty length. GET THE FULL STORY AND ANALYSIS at mattress warranties: what to know. The top reason people seek to return their mattress is that it has a firmness level unsuitable for one's personal preference, body type, or sleep position. Less common reasons include sleeping hot, persistent off gassing odor, and unsuitability for sex. Chart: Main reasons for seeking a mattress return GET THE FULL STORY AND ANALYSIS at returning a mattress: what to know. Adjustable bed bases / foundations often provide a variety of health and comfort benefits. Available are value-priced models ($600-$1100), middle-priced models ($1101-$1500) and luxury-level models ($1501-$3500+). GET THE FULL STORY, RATINGS, AND ANALYSIS at adjustable bed reviews.
Do you really need a new mattress? Oftentimes, a mattress topper can effectively soften an overly firm mattress or revitalize an aging mattress. GET THE FULL STORY, RATINGS, AND ANALYSIS at mattress topper reviews. The best place to start your research is the page you are on right now or the mattress comparisons page – specifically the mattress type comparison. Once you have chosen a type, then choose a brand and model of that type. Then, if necessary, choose a seller of the mattress from the retailer comparison. Our mattress reviews and ratings are based on 25,600+ consumer experiences collected from over 890 credible sources. See research sources & methodology for details. Our mission is to help people make smart sleep-product buying decisions – and to sleep like the dead as a result. This can only be achieved by providing unbiased, truthful information.Just like Goldilocks, you need to try a bed to know if it's the right one for you. Some might be too firm, others too soft – you need to get one that's just right.
And just like the three bears, everyone's different and needs a different type of mattress. There's no scientific consensus on what makes a good mattress, as we all have different shapes and sizes. We conduct our first mattress review in almost three decades. Find out how bed-in-a-box mattresses compare against a traditional innerspring Sealy. Want to know about other major brands? See our satisfaction survey for your feedback. Why is the right mattress so important? While most people need seven to nine hours of sleep a night to perform at their peak, many people are getting by on a lot less than this – but how well? Not getting enough sleep, or good quality sleep, can result in a number of health problems – mostly cognitive impairment such as memory loss, irritability, slower reflexes and an increase in illness and stress, and this can lead to developing related problems further down the track. A good mattress (along with a dark room, comfortable temperature and the right amount of quietness) can help ensure you're in peak condition by helping you get a good night's sleep.
So how do I choose? Though there's no one mattress that's sure to please everyone, there are some key considerations to keep in mind when out shopping for your dream bed that will increase the chances of you getting the best mattress for your buck with the least amount of legwork. Contrary to popular opinion, a mattress doesn't have to be firm to be good for your back – there's a difference between firm support and a firm feel. If you sleep on your stomach, a firm mattress will keep your spine aligned. Best if you sleep on your back, as it'll provide support for your spine, back and neck while keeping you comfortable. Great for sleeping on your side because it'll support and contour to your body's curves. When testing mattresses, make sure the base in the shop is similar to the one you have at home. If you have fixed slats or a hard surface, a soft mattress will feel very different on top of that than the ensemble base it's resting on in the shop. Try to roll over.
It will take more effort if the mattress is too soft, and will feel uncomfortable on your hips and shoulders if it's too firm. Which type of mattress? There are four main types of mattress: Continuous or open-coil mattress One of the cheaper types of mattress, continuous coil mattresses are made from a single piece of wire looped into springs, and open-coil mattresses are made of single springs fixed together by one wire. Usually more affordable than some of the other types, though premium models can cost several thousand dollars. They're much lighter too, so they're easier to turn. Because the springs move as one unit the mattress is less responsive to your body, and any tossing and turning is likely to disturb a partner. The coils also wear out more quickly than pocket springs, so it will need to be replaced sooner than some of the other types. Memory foam mattress These mattresses are topped with a layer of temperature-sensitive viscoelastic material, or memory foam.
The most well-known memory foam is Tempur, a material originally developed by NASA. As it's a type of foam, you should sink into it and feel your weight absorbed, taking pressure off your joints and increasing circulation. Because you sink in, the mattress padding can feel very close to your body all the time, meaning it can get warm easily. Latex foam mattress Latex foam moulds to body shape. Natural latex is white liquid produced by and tapped from the trunks of rubber trees. This is blended with synthetic latex and turned into latex foam. Tends to be durable and the materials breathe, so they are a good option for those prone to allergies and there's less chance of overheating. Latex also doesn't harbour dust mites. These mattresses have a solid feel, so they're not likely to please someone wanting a softer, more cushioned night's sleep. They can be cumbersome to move due to their weight and heft. Cheaper versions can get lumpy after a time. Pocket-sprung mattress One of the more popular types, a pocket-sprung mattress has up to 3000 springs sewn into individual fabric pockets.
They can be customised to have two sides, of different firmness. They offer good support by distributing your body weight evenly, and will support two people of two different body weights well because the springs are separate. You won't feel too warm because the open-spring construction allows air to circulate. The springs can be customised to different tensions – soft, medium or firm. They can be heavy to turn, as they're filled with natural materials, such as lambswool. Natural materials can exacerbate allergies. * Typical retail for a queen-sized mattress. What about mattress toppers? These add a layer of memory foam or extra padding to your existing bed mattress, but they can be a very expensive option considering they cost almost as much as a new mattress. A mattress topper won't provide any extra support if your existing mattress is failing or sagging, though. If you simply want an extra layer of cushioning, an inexpensive topper can add a layer of comfort.
What size mattress should I get? Retailers and manufacturers recommend buying the largest bed your room can accommodate, and the length of the mattress should be at least 10-15 centimetres longer than the tallest person sleeping on it. Measurements (width x length) How can I get the best deal on my new mattress? Most manufacturers don't offer a guarantee on comfort, so it's best to spend time lying on the showroom mattress to ensure confidence in your new purchase. There are a few brands that do offer a comfort guarantee, so it always pays to ask. All the mattresses will feel great when you're already sleepy! Don't get sucked in by sales jargon Words like "orthopaedic" don't mean very much, unless they come with accreditation from a proper medical association. If you have a bad back, it's believed that a medium-firm mattress is better than a firm mattress. If you're buying a new mattress but keeping your old base, measure them both to make sure they fit well together – some mattresses aren't consistent with the sizing above.