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At CR, we realize choosing a mattress is
very personal and subjective.
So we design our tests to cut through the mattress marketing
lingo.
Let's state the obvious--
your new mattress should offer comfort
and support, no matter which type you choose
or where you got it.
But what exactly does that mean?
The following tips apply in-store
or during a trial period with a mattress you purchased online.
You want a mattress to support your spine
but still allow it to maintain its natural curve.
When lying on your back, make sure the mattress meets
the curve of your lower back.
On your side, you don't want your shoulders and hips
taking on too much pressure or sinking
in too far, which can throw your spine out of alignment.
If you feel pain at your heaviest points,
the mattress may be too firm.
Aches, numbness, or tingling mean you're
on a mattress that's too soft.
If you're at a store, test out the mattress
for at least 15 minutes.
It feels like a really long time, but trust us.
It will help you get a sense if you and the mattress mesh.
And couples, try out the mattress together.
If one of you is a restless sleeper,
some mattresses are better than others at buffering movements.
In our labs, we drop a weight on each mattress
to see how well it resists bounciness.
You'll want a mattress that offers good support
for both you and your partner.
Our tests assess how a mattress will support average,
tall, large, and petite people, plus how well a mattress will
support back and side sleepers.
We also simulate 8 to 10 years of use
so we know which mattresses will keep their shape, firmness,
and support.
So check out our ratings.
Yes, it costs money to become a member,
but we're a non-profit, so help us help you.
There are several main types of mattresses--
inner spring, foam, adjustable air,
and hybrids of some of those types combined.
Often manufacturers of inner springs
offer hybrid mattresses with several inches of cushioning
foam layers above the coils.
No type is necessarily better than the other.
We know this because our tests measure the natural curve
of a person's spine and then monitor
whether those curves are supported on a mattress.
We also cut the mattresses open, not only to see what's inside,
but also to see how it handled our durability tests.
The good news, we found mattresses
that support different types of sleepers and sizes under $600.
The median price our members pay is about $1,200.
If you're buying a mattress online,
be sure to read the fine print.
CR says look for online companies
that offer at least a 30 day trial.
Many offer 100 days, so it shouldn't
be tough, free shipping on returns,
and full credit on that return.
Some online mattress companies have physical stores
where you can try the mattress and then purchase online.
CR also encourages you to haggle.
In a store, aim to pay 50% or more off the regular price.
Our survey showed that members saved a median of $220
when they haggled in a store and were
as likely to be successful at getting a discount online,
so give it a try.
Another money saver-- skip the extended warranties.
They usually only cover manufacturing defects,
not normal wear and tear.
Inner springs and inner spring hybrids
are still the most popular choice, accounting
for about 2/3 of the market.
Shifting positions on an inner spring mattress
can be easier compared to foam mattresses,
but there's the bounciness factor
to consider-- feeling your partner's movements.
Foam is a word we use to categorize
several different types of mattresses in our tests
that do not contain steel springs
and contain either polyurethane, memory foam, which
is a variant of polyurethane, latex,
or a combination of both.
Polyurethane is a durable plastic substance.
Natural latex foam is made from the serum
found in rubber trees.
There are also synthetic latex mattresses.
These tend to be less expensive than natural latex,
but are blended with other chemicals.
Some foam beds allow you to customize the firmness
with interchangeable foam pads or layers
for the whole mattress.
Compared to inner spring mattresses,
foam mattresses are better for isolating movements,
so you won't get jostled when your partner tosses and turns.
On the other hand, changing positions on some memory foam
requires effort because you tend to sink into the mattress.
You may have heard some people say foam sleeps hot.
We check each mattress to see whether it retains warmth
and we found a greater percentage of foam mattresses
do retain heat compared to inner springs.
So it's something to consider if you tend
to sweat it out in your sleep.
There are also adjustable air mattresses.
They allow you to control and adjust
the firmness of your mattress, usually
with a remote or an app from your phone.
They're filled with pockets of air surrounded by foam.
Many come with other layers of materials for added comfort.
You can usually customize your half of the bed
to your comfort.
So when trying one of these out, adjust the firmness.
You want it to respond quickly and relatively quietly,
because that's what you'll hear when you're trying to sleep.
And now, a note on smell.
Some people notice a plastic-y, chemical odor
coming from their new mattress.
Polyurethane based films may be the culprit,
but other types of mattresses can give off
a not so dreamy smell, too.
CR recommends airing out your mattress, ideally
24 to 48 hours before you cover it with sheets and sleep on it.
And speaking of chemicals, concerns over certain flame
retardant chemicals, like polybrominated diphenyl ethers,
or PPDEs, formaldehyde, and other fuming chemicals
from certain adhesives and materials used in mattresses,
have spawned an entire category of natural green and organic
mattresses.
But natural and organic may not mean what you think.
The term natural isn't regulated, so it's meaningless.
And a mattress can be labeled organic
even if only a portion of its materials
are certified organic.
There are two meaningful third party organic certifications
to look for--
the global organic textile standard, or GOTS,
and the global organic latex standard, or GOLS.
There are also other labels that can help lessen your exposure
to certain chemicals.
The OEKO-TEX Standard 100, the Greenguard Gold,
and the Greenguard labels all test final products
for potentially harmful chemical emissions
and set limits on volatile organic compounds or VOCs.
If you're concerned about chemicals
added to polyurethane, look for the CertiPUR-US label.
And finally, don't let terms like ultra plush, super soft,
or even firm sway you.
CR independently measures firmness
and we consistently find differences
between what manufacturers claim and our results.
So we're right back where we started--
concentrate on how the mattress feels to you.
We've got lots more to say about mattresses,
plus you can get access to our exclusive ratings,
all at CR.org/mattresses.
We pay for all of the products we test, we're a non-profit,
and we accept no advertising.
So thanks for your support.
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