Innerspring mattresses are the most common type of mattress on the market, and are by far the most popular. The great thing about innerspring mattresses is the sheer number of models available -- you can choose firmness levels from very soft to rock hard, and there are numerous styles from utilitarian to classic. The mattress line that gets the best reviews from both owners and experts, and has plenty of options for any sleep style, is Sealy Posturepedic . Basic models in this line feature coils that are positioned to provide extra support in the center third of the mattress, where the heavier parts of the body rest. Higher-end models feature pocketed coils and hybrid construction that also includes gel-infused foam to prevent heat retention. Posturepedic models excel in professional testing, earning top scores for side sleeping, durability and stabilization. However, one professional test indicates that Posturepedic may be a better option of you prefer a softer mattress, as the measured firmness was softer than the claimed firmness.
, with around 875 owner comments analyzed. , owners indicate that the mattress relieves pain initially and that the Posturepedic's coil system provides better-than-average support. Over time, however, some users find that the mattress begins to sag, which can make it uncomfortable, especially for those who suffer from back pain. The Posturepedic Hybrid line receives the highest ratings in the Posturepedic line at that site. User reviews that we analyzed at retail sites report show a high level of satisfaction across a number of models of the Posturepedic mattress line. Even the less-expensive models of these mattresses tend to get rave reviews, with owners saying the mattress is extremely comfortable, that the claimed firmness was right on the money (in spite of what the professional testers found), and that the mattress seems very durable. Most say they feel they got a good value with the Sealy Posturepedic and we saw quite a few comments from owners who have bought several Posturepedic's for their home.
The Simmons Beautyrest line (Est. $400 and up) is a very close runner up to the Posturepedic line of innerspring mattresses. Beautyrest features individually pocketed coils, which help reduce motion transfer -- meaning that your partner's tossing and turning is less likely to affect your side of the bed. In addition, some models feature latex, memory, and/or gel foam (for greater cooling and comfort). Like Sealy Posturepedic, Simmons Beautyrest also features a new hybrid line that is a combination of memory foam and innerspring. These hybrid models are newer than the standard innerspring, so there is little feedback concerning long term durability, but it's thought that they may have better overall durability than a mattress that uses an innerspring alone. , compared with other innerspring mattresses, based on more than 700 user comments. Site editors note that users give the Beautyrest good ratings for support, especially the higher end models in the Beautyrest line, the Platinum, Hybrid and Black models (the Beautyrest Recharge is the company's basic model).
Professional testing also gives high marks to a couple of models of the more expensive Beautyrest mattresses. Comments we saw from owners indicate that Beautyrest mattresses are very comfortable across the board. Users also report good initial back pain relief, although this tends to diminish with time as the mattress ages and loses some of its initial support or firmness, not uncommon with innerspring mattresses. is the Saatva (Est. $600 and up). However, that's based upon far fewer reviews, just about 275, than the Sealy Posturepedic or the Simmons Beautyrest. In our years of doing this mattress report, we have found that the fewer reviews a mattress has, the higher its ratings tend to be. point out that part of the stronger-than-average ratings may be skewed by the Saatva's good customer service and price compared to other mattresses made from the same materials. , in professional testing the one Saatva mattress included in a roundup that we reviewed gave it just average scores for both side and back sleepers, below average scores for stabilization.
That means if you're a light sleeper and sleep with a partner his or her movements may interrupt your sleep. Still, we see some love for this mattress. , where Derek Hales and his wife, Samantha, personally test each mattress they review for at least a week, the Saatva is the sixth highest rated mattress on the site, out of 29. However, the Hales' tend to review lesser known brands, there are no Simmons, Sealy, Serta or other brands tested that are widely available at retail. In Hale's sleep test, he found the Saatva to be comfortable in all positions, side, back and stomach, with good support in spite of the soft pillow top. While he notes that the construction of the mattress helps to minimize motion transfer, he also notes that this mattress has enough bounce to make it a good choice for those to whom enjoyable sex is a priority in a mattress. The biggest downside to the Saatva is that it's only sold online, which means you can't try them before you buy them, and most experts recommend that you try a mattress before buying.
However, Saatva offers a 75 day home trial. If you find you don't like it after that time you can return it and pay only the original delivery fee. They will also exchange the mattress in that same time frame if you decide you want to change the size or comfort level of your mattress. notes, Saatva's customer service is reported as excellent.New tests yield 10 top choices for a good night’s sleep Editor's Note: This article also appeared in the March 2014 issue of Consumer Reports magazine.Choose from cars, safety, health, and more! Build & Buy Car Buying Service Save thousands off MSRP with upfront dealer pricing information and a transparent car buying experience. Get Ratings on the go and compare while you shop 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).