A good night's sleep is worth a million bucks, but a mattress doesn't have to cost a fortune. In Consumer Reports' latest buying guide, the organization tested 12 mattresses from companies like Ikea, Sealy and Costco, and found that some of the more expensive ones actually weren't exactly top-notch, while those with a lower price-tag didn't always mean low quality. For example, the $1,200 ComforPedic Loft Crestwood Luxury Plush was ranked lowest, while the $780 Beautyrest Glover Park Firm Pillowtop was the best in conventional, innerspring mattresses. But the biggest discovery? That the descriptions used to label a mattress' firmness mean nothing. "The only way to determine if the cushiness and the firmness is right for you is to lie down on the bed and try it for yourself," said Consumer Reports Expert Shopper Tod Marks. "Don't get seduced or sucked into terms like 'ultra-plush,' 'super-plush,' even 'cushion-firm.' They aren't standard terms and vary from mattress maker to mattress maker.
Still though, where can a shopper start? offers a good list of what you should look for in a mattress, such as testing in your sleep position. And in a previous buying guide, we found that mattresses with continuous coils offered the most comfort. Head on over to Consumer Reports for even more eye-opening findings. In time meantime, click through our slideshow to find out the effects of sleep deprivation. Have something to say? Check out HuffPost Home on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Tumblr and Instagram. Do you have a home story idea or tip? (PR pitches sent to this address will be ignored.)Old Bed Guy- The Truth about Buying Beds and Mattresses. Your complete guide to buying the perfect mattress. Cradles Side Sleepers Without Sinking In Sealy Posturepedic Hybrid Elite Kelburn Mattress (Twin XL-Cal King), $850-$1,900, Sleepy'sIf you're a side sleeper, then the Sealy Posturepedic Hybrid Elite Kelburn mattress is an awesome option for you. It's one of Consumer Reports' highest rated for innerspring mattresses because it maximizes contact with the sleeper and seriously limits the amount of vibration transport for partners.
"We absolutely love this mattress!" says one reviewer. "It's firm but not hard. The top foam layer has just enough give to cradle a side sleeper without sinking in like a full memory foam mattress." Number One Highest Rated Memory Foam Mattress Casper Sleep Mattress (Twin-Cal King), $500-$950, AmazonThe Casper is the number one highest rated memory foam mattress on Consumer Reports, and that's because it's super durable, great for any kind of sleeper (back, side, or stomach), and it's both stable and body-conforming. On top of all that, it's an extremely affordable mattress that reviewers are seriously loving: "The bed is incredibly comfortable and provides a great sleep. It provides the isolation of a quality memory foam mattress with the cool surface of a latex sleeper." Durability, Comfort, And Temperature Control EA Signature Firm Mattress (Twin-Cal King), $1,444-$2,549, Ethan AllenThe Signature Firm Mattress performed very well on Consumer Reports' back support tests.
It's also really durable, breathable, and easily conforms to the shape of your spine both for side and back sleepers. It has a combination of innersprings and gel-infused foam for the utmost comfort, and it also has cooling gel and air flow channels for temperature control while you sleep. Gel Beads That Support Your Spinal Curve Novaform Serafina Pearl Gel Queen Memory Foam Mattress, $957, AmazonInfused with gel beads that do wonders as far as supporting your spinal curve, the Novaform Serafina Pearl Gel Queen memory foam mattress is the second highest rated memory foam mattress on Consumer Reports. It performed particularly well on the back support tests, and the reviews are really impressive: "My husband and I both have sleep trackers and were surprised to see the difference this mattress has made to our sleep. We fall asleep faster and have fewer restless minutes," says one happy customer. Great For Back Sleepers Because It Conforms To Your Curves Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Flex Prima Mattress (Twin-Split Cal King), $1,599-$3,199, Sleepy's The Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Flex Prima mattress uses hybrid construction — precision coil layers combined with tempur material — for support that instantly responds to the curves of your body.
It's especially great for back sleepers, says Consumer Reports, and it's a great mattress for people of any size. "This is the bed worth every penny for the best sleep every time, all the time," says one thrilled reviewer. "Feeling well rested and ready for the day!" If You're Looking For Personalized Support And Temperature Control Sleep Number i8 Bed, (Twin Long-Flex Top Cal King), $2,200-$4,000, Sleep NumberHighest rated in the category of adjustable air mattresses, you've got the Sleep Number i8 bed. The support comes from a careful combination of foam and adjustable air, provides immense comfort for both back and side sleepers, and is significantly more breathable than most other mattresses. "It's like sleeping on a cloud," says one reviewer. "Each side can be adjusted for firmness, soft on one side, firmer on the other side at the same time. It has a temperature balancing fabric made of outlast material then helps me cool down, or keeps me warm but not hot."Bustle may receive a portion of sales from products purchased from this article, which was created independently from Bustle's editorial and sales departments.
You don't have to sacrifice style to comfortably house your overnight guests. We found nine top-rated sleeper sofas that have a streamlined and sophisticated look, while remaining plenty cushy, and are a total pleasure to sleep on. 12 Gorgeous Glass Coffee Tables at Every Price Point 10 Artful Decals to Easily Switch Up Your Wall Decor 10 Gorgeous Marble Tables That Elevate Any Aesthetic How to Make a Gigantic Knit Blanket in Less Than 4 Hours Our 30 Favorite Home Decor Destinations to Shop Online 10 Multiple-Use Ottomans for Stashing the Extra Stuff 10 Room Dividers That Stylishly Define a Space 9 Mardi Gras Party Accessories to Outfit Your Evening of Revelry 9 Incense Holders With Quirky, Artful Design 11 Ways to Add the Natural Beauty of Agate to Your DecorFor years, Consumer Reports – which recommends everything from what type of coffee you should drink to the safest cars – had made a conscious decision not to rate mattresses. The non-profit firm said its just impossible to compare mattresses because retailers each have their own brand names so the ones at Sleepy’s can’t be compared to the ones sold at Bedding Barn.