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.
In addition to being more affordable, a key differentiator between Amerisleep™ and Tempur-Pedic® is the materials that are used to build each mattress. Tempur-Pedic® has been in business since the 1990s, and their mattresses have been popular for decades. However their product also hasn't changed much over that time, and companies like Amerisleep™ (founded in 2007) have since developed new innovations in the memory foam mattress industry. For example, Amerisleep™ invented the first and only foam-making process that uses plants instead of petroleum, which is far better for the environment. We also developed foam with an advanced "open-cell structure" that is more responsive and breathable than traditional memory foam. From the perspective of the customer, the results of these technological breakthroughs can be seen in the materials Amerisleep™ uses to create its mattresses, compared to what's inside the products made by Tempur-Pedic® and other traditional memory foam mattress brands.
There are three key components to a memory foam mattress --- the cover, the comfort foam layer, and the support foam layer. Here is how Amerisleep™ and Tempur-Pedic® compare in each area: Amerisleep™ makes its memory foam with only foam-making process that uses plants instead of petroleum, which is far better for the environment. When you're in bed, the mattress cover is the closest layer of the mattress to your body --- which is what makes it so important. The cover affects the overall breathability of the mattress, meaning whether it holds or eliminates heat and moisture, as well as how the foam beneath it contours to your body. Here is how the covers of Tempur-Pedic® and Amerisleep™ mattresses compare. There are several covers offered by Tempur-Pedic®, depending on which of their mattresses you purchase. The "Breeze" mattress cover is described as lightweight, breathable, and contains "cooling technology." However after further research, we couldn't find any details or studies about what this technology is or how it works.
The "Countour" mattress cover, which is used on some of their "Cloud" mattresses, is a zip-off cover with antimicrobial treatment. Again, our research did not uncover any specifications about how it accomplishes those claims. We are officially licensed to use Celliant® technology in our covers. In contrast to the unverified claims from Tempurpedic about their covers, Celliant® fabric helps Amerisleep maximize the performance of its covers. Celliant® safely recycles body heat into infrared light by using high-performance yarn made from 13 thermoreactive minerals. That means you'd get nearly two extra hours of sleep every week. In addition to infusing our covers with Celliant®, we use a high-stretch, highly breathable blend of high-performance synthetic fibers and all-natural threads to make sure that our mattresses wick away heat and moisture. The top layer of memory foam in a mattress is commonly referred to as the "Comfort Layer." This is the "active" foam that provides the cushion and pressure-relieving properties of the mattress.
It also plays a key role in how well the mattress eliminates excess heat and moisture, since it's the foam that is closest to your body. The most common comfort layer is Tempur-Pedic's "Tempur material," and it provides benefits like minimizing pressure points and molding to the shape of the person sleeping. This foam is temperature-sensitive, which means as it is exposed to heat --- both from your body and also the room temperature --- it loses some of its firmness. There are also several other comfort layers available from Tempur-Pedic® depending on the mattress model. The "PureCool" layer is available in the "Breeze" collection, however no details about how this foam differs from the standard Tempur material are provided. "Tempur ES" and "Tempur Adapt" layers are also available on some models, and they provide increased softness and cushion compared to the standard models. Overall Tempur-Pedic® does not provide much information about the density, materials, thickness, and quality of their foam layers.
This can make comparing their mattresses difficult for shoppers. First, all Amerisleep™ memory foam is manufactured using our patented, sustainable process. We are the only company that makes memory foam from castor oil, which is more environmentally friendly than the petroleum used by other companies, and our manufacturing process is also the only one that produces zero emissions and meets the standards of the Clean Air Act. Amerisleep™ offers five different mattress models so customers can choose one based on their desired firmness. The comfort layers for each mattress are tailored specifically to how firm or soft we wanted that model to be. The "Bio-Pur™" layer found in our two firmest mattresses (The Americana and Revere models) are designed to contour to your sleep position and alleviate pressure points. This foam also has an open-cell structure that allows heat and moisture to escape, and unlike Tempur-Pedic®'s foam is temperature-neutral. That means it contours to your shape immediately, and does not lose its support when temperatures rise from either body heat or the room itself.
A closer look at Amerisleep's comfort layer Our three softest beds (the Liberty, Colonial, and Independence models) all have a special transition layer between the top comfort layer and the support layer beneath to provide additional cushion. The "Affinity Layer" in the Liberty and Colonial models provides additional padding and softness, while the "Active Flex" layer in the Independence model is our most responsive layer. It changes its shape almost instantly to adjust with you as you shift positions, delivering superior support. Our two softest beds (the Colonial and Independence models) also contain "Bio-Pur+™" foam, an enhanced version of our standard Bio-Pur™ foam. This foam has a more advanced open-cell structure, which increases the airflow between the particles in the mattress and improves breathability even more. These two beds also include Surface Modification Technology (SMT), which establishes "zones" in the foam that allow for added support and cushioning in key areas, such as the lower back.
For all mattresses, Amerisleep™ provides the specific thickness, foam density, and precisely measured firmness for each layer. These are the bottom layers of foam in the mattress, beneath the active comfort layers. They are primarily responsible for the durability and back support of the mattress, and to a lesser degree how firm or soft it feels. Unfortunately there is not much information about the support layers in Tempur-Pedic® mattresses. Their marketing says they "provide support" and help "disperse heat," with some mattresses in the "Breeze" collection also labeled "ultra-breathable." However in our research we were unable to find how any of this is accomplished or what specific materials are used. All of our mattresses have our proprietary Bio-Core™ foam in their support layer. This foam is made using the same innovative, eco-friendly manufacturing processes as our comfort layers. It also has a highly breathable design, similar to the enhanced open cell structure we invented for our comfort layers, while still remaining supportive and durable.