Curious about how we arrive at the scores we give mattresses? At Healthy Sleep, we take an impartial look at each mattress, testing it how it feels, how it performs, how it supports and more. We also research quality of materials, guarantees and look at a variety of review sources to see what other owners think after sleeping on a bed.
Born from years of industry experience and testing dozens of mattresses, we’ve developed a standardized scoring system to make analysis simpler, both on our and and for you, our readers. Scores are based on objective information as well as on how a bed compares to others on the market.
Our scoring system is based on 12 factors, which we outline in detail below: material quality, technology, support, temperature control, smell/odor, eco-friendliness, couple-friendliness, durability, company reputation, owner reviews, trial/return policy, and warranty. Read on to learn how we analyze and assess scores for mattresses to separate the best beds on the market from the rest.
Material Quality
One of the most telling aspects of how well a mattress will perform over several years is the quality of the fabrics, foams and other components.
Cheaper fabrics will stretch and wear sooner, and may lack breathability. Lower density foams will compress sooner and provide less buoyant cushioning. Poorly designed or weak springs and base layers will lead to bed that loses comfort fairly quickly.
We look at each layer of a mattress when evaluating it, from the ticking to the fire barrier to the comfort layers and the support layers, to learn what type of care the manufacturer is putting into the product. We can then compare this with industry standards and other beds to get an idea of a mattress’s potential comfort, durability and value compared to others.
Brand | Beds | Price Range | Satisfaction |
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Amerisleep | Plant-based memory foam Celliant cover Firmness options 90 day trial, risk free | $1099 - $1999 | 93% 4.5 stars or higher in most reviews |
Tempurpedic | Traditional memory foam Various fabric covers Firmness options 90 day trial + fees | $1699 - $7499 | 81% 4 stars or higher in most reviews |
Serta iComfort Foam | Gel memory foam Various fabric covers Firmness options 120 day trial + fees | $1074 - $3274 | 73% 4 stars or higher in most reviews |
Technology
Mattresses may have been around for a couple centuries, but technology is evolving all of the time. Certain advancements allow manufacturers to significantly limit chemicals in products as well as pollution, while others result in longer lasting or more comfortable products.
In rating technology, we primarily look at whether or a not a brand is using industry standards when it comes to the environment, materials, design, and the sales process.
Brand | Beds | Price Range | Satisfaction |
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Astrabeds Harmony Bed | Organic cotton Organic latex Custom firmness ranges 90 day trial, free layer exchange | $2,399 | 92% 4.5 stars or higher in most reviews |
Foam Sweet Foam | Organic cotton Natural latex Large firmness range 90 day trial + fees | $1399 - $2974 | 83% Few reviews available |
Savvy Rest | Organic cotton Natural or organic latex Custom firmness ranges 90 day layer exchange + fees | $2499 - $5499 | 81% 4.5 stars or higher in most reviews |
Support & Conformity
Support refers to well a bed maintains the natural, neutral alignment of your spine during sleep. Adequate support is necessary for both short-term and long-term comfort, and for preventing aches and pains. Conformity refers to a mattresses ability to ‘hug’ or cushion the heavier parts of your body like hips and shoulders against pressure points.
For a mattress to provide good support over the long-term, its support layers must be made of quality materials that won’t easily break down. They also need to be able to accommodate the curves of the body without distortion. For example, a firm base with no flexibility may distort the spine by not providing lumbar support to back sleepers or by causing the hips to rotate in side sleepers.
The degree of support a mattress provides depends not only on quality, but also on personal factors. Sleep position and body weight also influence how a mattress responds to a sleeper. So, we also look to make sure the retailer appears to adequately explain who the mattress is best designed to support.
Bed | Specs | Sale Price (queen/spl king) | Deal | Retailer |
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Amerisleep Adjustable Bed | Head Angle: 60° / Foot Angle: 45° Wireless Controls Massage Custom Presets Wallhugging | $1520 / $2880 | 20% off w/ mattress | Amerisleep 1-3/20 years |
Astrabeds Ergo Evolution Adjustable Bed | Head Angle: 60° / Foot Angle: 45° Wireless Controls Massage Custom Presets Wallhugging | $1599 / $3038 | 20% off w/ mattress | Astrabeds 1-3/20 years |
Serta Motion Perfect III | Head Angle: ?° / Foot Angle: ?° Wireless Controls/Wifi Massage Custom Presets Wallhugging | $1500 / $1800 | $200-$500 off with mattress | Serta 2-5/20 years |
Tempurpedic TEMPUR-Ergo Premier | Head Angle: 70° / Foot Angle: ?° Wireless Controls Massage Custom Presets Wall hugging | $1949 / ? | $50 off | Macy's |
Serta Motion Custom II | Head Angle: ?° / Foot Angle: ?° Wireless Controls Massage / Head Tilt Custom Presets Wallhugging | $2200 / $4200 | $300-$600 off with mattress | Serta 1-2-5/20 years |
Temperature Control
Staying cool and comfortable throughout the night plays a significant role in sleep comfort year round. Studies have also found that a cooler temperature facilitates deeper sleep. So, part of a mattress performing well is the ability to balance temperatures year-round.
When we consider a factor like temperature control that can be more subjective, we look at a few factors known to influence heat retention. These include things like the fabrics, foam and design of the bed.
We also check to see what people say about the heat, sleeping overly warm or feeling uncomfortable versus the percent with no issue. Reviews we look for come from retailer websites and unbiased third-party sources of consumer reviews like Reseller Ratings and Viewpoints.
Bed | Specs | Sale Price | Retailer |
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Sealy Posturepedic Lawson Cushion Firm Euro Top Mattress | 13.5” profile, firm 2.5” foam + 0.5" gel center 911 pocket coils | $787 | Macy's 60 days / 10 years |
Beautyrest Silver Waterscape Extra Firm Queen Mattress | 12.5” profile, extra firm ?” foam + ?" gel MF 815 pocket coils | $847 | Macy's 60 days / 10 years |
Hampton and Rhodes Gramercy 14" Ultra Plush Hybrid Mattress Set | 14” profile, ultra plush ?” foam + ?" gel MF ? coils | $1,048 | Mattress Firm 100 days / 10 years |
Serta iComfort Blue Fusion 100 Hybrid Firm Queen Mattress | 12” profile, firm ?" ge MF, ?" foam 1008 pocket coils | $1099 | Mattress Firm 100 days / 10 years |
Serta Vantage Firm II Set | ?” profile, firm Fiber 3" foam 0.75" gel MF 1008 dual pocket coils | $1,299 | Serta 120 days / 10 years |
Leesa Sapira Queen Mattress | 11” profile, medium 1.5" foam + 1.5" MF foam + 1" foam 6" pocket springs | $1,370 | Leesa 100 days / 10 years |
Beautyrest Recharge Bay Spring 14" Luxury Firm Pillow Top Mattress Set | 14” profile, firm 1.25" foam 1.5" foam 0.378" MF 1.5" foam 850 pocket coils | $1,149 | Mattress Firm 100 days / 10 years |
Hotel Collection by Aireloom Vitagenic Copper Gel Firm Set | 12” profile, firm ?” copper MF, foam top 675 pocket coils | $1,989 | Macy's 60 days / 10 years |
Serta iComfort Hybrid HB500Q Super Pillow Top Set | 15.5” profile, medium Fiber 2" foam 2" gel MF 1" foam 1008 dual pocket coils | $2,999 | Serta 120 days / 10 years |
Beautyrest Black Hybrid Plus Tolliver Firm Set | 15.5" profile, firm 2" MF 2.5" foam 1.5" gel MF 1" microcoils 850 pocket coils | $4,499 | Mattress Firm 100 days / 10 years |
Smell/Odor
Packaging materials, adhesives, fire-proofing materials and foams can all potentially have odors that some people describe as chemical and overbearing. These are usually only a concern the first couple days or weeks after unwrapping a new bed. But, odors and smells can be rather off-putting in the bedroom, even if they are just temporary.
Certain materials are more likely to omit chemical odors than others. Usually, these smells are the result volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which offgas into the air for a short period. VOCs are found in everything from paints to perfumes and even plants, but in mattresses they are most likely to be found in foams with high degree of stronger chemicals and petroleum products, and in strong adhesives used between layers. These materials can result in a bed that smells pretty strong in a small room initially. Plastic wrapping materials can also contribute a small amount odor which usually dissipates more rapidly.
When we consider smell and odors to rate a bed, we look at our own ability to notice any strong or offensive smells, at any certifications or claims made by the brand, and at owner opinions and the percent of people who complain about unpleasant odors with their new mattress.
Bed | Specs | Sale Price | Retailer |
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Serta Perfect Sleeper Alesbury Set | 8” profile, plush 1” ? lb gel MF 7” core | $547 | Mattress Firm 100 days / 10 years |
Serta Perfect Sleeper Express Luxury Firm Tight Top | 14" profile, med-firm 3" gel MF 3" foam ?" core | $897 | Macy's 60 days / 10 years |
Amerisleep AS3 | 12” profile, medium 3” 4.0 lb plant-based MF 2" affinity layer 7” core | $1,199 | Amerisleep 100 days / 20 years |
Macybed Firm Euro Pillow Top Mattress Set | 14.5” profile, firm euro pillow top 2" gel MF 1" get foam | $1,009 | Macy's 60 days / 10 years |
Serta iComfort Blue 300 Firm Mattress | 11.25” profile, firm 0.75" gel MF 1" MF 1" foam 1.5" MF 7” core | $1499 | Serta 120 days / 10 years |
Sealy Conform Thrilled Plush Set | 13" profile, plush ?" gel MF ?" core | $1,649 | Sears 60 days / 10 years |
Amerisleep AS5 Mattress | 14” profile, plush 3” 4.0 lb plant-based MF 2” 3.0 lb active flex layer 2" affinity layer 7” core | $1,899 | Amerisleep 100 days / 20 years |
Serta iComfort Blue Max 3000 Elite Queen Set | 14" profile, plush 1" gel MF 1.5" MF 2" gel MF 2" foam 6" foam core | $2,499 | Serta 120 days / 10 years |
Simmons Beautyrest Black Aubrie Firm Set | 13.5” profile, firm 5.5” ? lb MF, 1" foam | $3,849 | Mattress Firm 100 days / 10 years |
Tempur-Contour Rhaphsody Luxe | 13.5” profile, med-firm ?” ?lb MF ?” core | $3,249 | Tempurpedic 90 days / 10 years |
Eco-Friendliness
In recent years, one of the top concerns among mattress shoppers has become the eco-friendliness or healthiness of the materials within a bed. From concerns about how manufacturers meet the federal flammability laws to chemicals in foams, people are paying more attention than ever before.
We we look at the eco-friendliness of a particular mattress, we are looking at what makes up each individual layer. From the foams to the fire barrier to the core, we research to see what proportion of materials are natural and/or sustainable.
Eco-friendliness also relates to manufacturing processes. Manufacturers that minimize pollution during production, reduce waste in manufacturing and with returns, and focus on optimizing logistics have an edge in reducing their carbon footprint.
Couple-Friendliness
While everyone loves having a special someone to cuddle up with at night, the truth is that sleeping as a couple comes with some challenges. In fact, it’s been found that many people actually sleep worse together due to things like loud snoring, a partner’s movements, heat, or mismatched schedules.
The main roles a mattress plays in making sleep better for couples (beyond basic comfort) involve minimizing movement disturbances, balancing temperature, and not negatively affecting intimacy.
Durability
Since a mattress is one of the larger purchases you make for your home, usually you expect it to prove useful for several years. For example, a survey from the Better Sleep Council found that most people replace their mattress every 10 years.
Not every bed will provide good sleep for that long however. Sleep Like The Dead research finds that on average, an innerspring bed lasts about 6 years with 25% of owners reporting sagging. In contrast, they say memory foam beds last an average of 7 years and latex beds 8 years, with an average of about 15% of people reporting sagging.
It’s difficult to know exactly how long a mattress will last for an individual person since it depends on environment, weight, care and more. But, it’s known that more dense foams prove more resistant to wear, and that spring beds with fluffy fiber pillowtops show impressions quicker, for example. In assessing potential durability of mattress, we look at the the quality of materials within both the support and comfort layers and at owner complaints of sagging.
Owner Reviews
Reviews from other people who have owned and slept on a mattress remain one of the most invaluable tools shoppers have. They offer valuable insight for assessing long-term durability and comfort, while also highlighting potential issues and concerns.
In our process, we look at a variety of review sources, giving priority to verified third-party review systems and reviews on third-party websites that do not accept payment in exchange for manipulating reviews. These sources primarily include retailer and brand websites, as well as third-party websites like Reseller Ratings, Viewpoints, and Sleep Like The Dead.
Company Reputation
A company’s reputation offers useful insight how reliable they are when it comes to orders and delivery, the quality of customer service, and how they handle issues when they do arise.
One of the main things we look at here are owner reviews (from verified sources preferably such third-party review systems on retailer websites, and websites like Reseller Ratings and BBB). In this we are looking specifically at the ratio of people that report problems versus those who are satisfied.
We also consider the duration a company has been in business, their social media profiles, ease of contacting their customer service staff, and their transparency when it comes to policies.
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Trial/Return Policy
One important thing to keep in mind when selecting a new mattress is that it takes your body time to adjust to a new sleep surface. A brief test in a showroom offers very little insight to how a bed will feel over a full night’s sleep, in your own home. This is especially true when buying online, as you are going of research and reviews over feel.
For this reason, we find it imperative that brand offer a minimum of 30 days in home trial during which you can at least exchange or get a full refund. In ranking return policies, we look at the duration, whether or not the company assesses fees, how easy the process is, and how transparent the process of returning is before buying.
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Warranty
The warranty is one aspect of of your bed that you hope you never need, but you’ll appreciate a good policy if something does go wrong. When looking at a warranty policy the key things to look at are the duration, limitations of coverage and any exclusions.
The duration of a full-coverage warranty is a general idea of how long the manufacturer might expect the bed to hold up under reasonable use. Most mid-level and luxury mattresses on the market these days provide about 10 years. Some brands also offer additional prorated coverage, which would reimburse you for a portion of the costs of replacement depending on how long you’ve owned the bed. It’s important to look into a policy to understand what type of coverage is being offered.
After the duration, the other most significant thing to understand is what exactly the manufacturer is covering. For most foam and spring mattresses, the primary concern would be significant sagging or impressions developing. Most policies will specify the depth of impression that they consider to be a fault in design, which be anywhere from 0.75” to 2”. Research shows that impressions greater than 1” are associated with more pain, so ideally a warranty should kick in there.
Also important to check are any actions or issues that void the warranty. For example, some brands may require you to use their matching foundation or may void coverage if mattress tags are removed or the bed is soiled.
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Overall Scores
For each factor we assess, there are five points possible, making the maximum score 5.0/5 for a bed that satisfies that factor in an outstanding way. In total for the 12 categories, there are 60 possible points. We divide the total score by 12 in order to get an average, standardized star rating for each mattress review.
Our scale also gets represented by a grade. The process for the overall score we give a bed is outlined below:
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