Our sleep experts have been testing mattresses, bedding and accessories for years (some of them have been testing for up to eight years). At this point, we’ve tested over 300 mattresses from dozens of brands, from biggies like Purple and Tempur-Pedic to more niche companies like Sonu and Airweave.
Our team consists of bed testers of different body weights and types, heights, genders and sleep preferences, which helps us provide a comprehensive evaluation of each mattress from a multitude of perspectives. Many mattresses are tested for long periods, ranging from a month or two to five years.
We test king-size mattresses just like any other bed. When a new mattress arrives at our testing facility, it undergoes rigorous, hands-on testing by each of our experts. We analyze specific characteristics, including firmness, feel, temperature, motion isolation, edge support and other special features the mattress may have.
Endurance
Firmness is rated numerically on a scale of 1 (softest) to 10 (strongest) and we use industry terms such as soft or medium firm to describe it. Our entire team evaluates and ranks the firmness of each mattress in turn, which allows us to make suggestions for the sleeping position and body type that best suits it. After subjectively analyzing durability, we let our very own Smasher 9000 Mattress do its job and give us an objective durability score.
A close-up of the Smasher 9000 Mattress in action.
feeling
Another subjective element we consider is the feel of a mattress, separate from its firmness. Does it feel springy and responsive when you lie on it? Is it easy to change positions? Or does dense memory foam fit around our body and hold our shape for a while? Does the mattress have a soft, plush pillow, or is it more neutral? Can we feel any wrapping or support of the area? We do our best to describe exactly what it feels like to lie on each bed to help you determine if it’s right for you without having to try them all yourself.
Read more: Why the foam in your mattress matters
The temperature
Temperature can be tricky to review when considering each sleeper’s personal preferences and the fact that many mattress brands exaggerate the cooling capabilities of their beds. When we test and review mattresses, we detail how hot or cold the mattress sleeps. A lot of external factors come into play here (like climate and environment, beds, pajamas, etc.), so we test beds in temperature-controlled rooms without sheets or bedding. Using our extensive knowledge and experience, we analyze the construction and its materials and explain how they affect the temperature.
Motion isolation
Testing the motion isolation of the WinkBed mattress with a glass of water.
Motion isolation is a term we use to describe how well the mattress stops movement in its surface. It’s an especially important feature for light sleepers or those who share a bed with a partner or pets. We test its motion isolation capabilities by having one expert lie down on the bed while another tumbles around and switches positions. The second method is by placing a glass of water on the rim, rolling towards and away from it to see if the glass falls or falls.
Edge support
Edge support is usually not as important for oversized mattresses as it is for smaller sizes such as “queen” or “twin”. Regardless, edge support testing allows us to assess how well it holds up its structure and support around the perimeter. We sit and lie on the edge to see how the bed responds. Does it stand out and give you the feeling that we are going to roll over, or is it strong and supportive? We also push the edges with fists to observe how much the lip compresses under pressure.
Special features
Some brands include special features in their mattresses, such as cooling covers for hot sleepers or zonal support for those with back pain. We test and review these additional features and determine which type of sleeper would benefit the most.
