Mattress Reviews

Updated February 2011

Confused about mattresses? You aren't alone. Shopping for a new mattress can be as overwhelming as buying a new car. Knowing the differences between types and understanding pricing can go a long way in assuring you'll make a purchase you won't regret. We consulted objective buyer's guides and user ratings to outline the advantages of disadvantages of different mattress types.

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Innerspring mattresses are most popular

Innerspring mattress

*Est. $300 and up Compare Prices

Innerspring mattresses are by far the most popular type of bed, with countless styles, features and options available. In owner surveys, about three out of five owners are satisfied with their innerspring mattresses -- a… expandsignificant percentage, but still lower than for any other type. Cost varies greatly, from a few hundred dollars to thousands, depending on the number and size of the coils, the amount and type of padding, and details such as fabric and stitching. Compared to other types, innerspring mattresses tend to retain less body heat and come in a wider range of firmnesses, but they also transfer more motion, which may be a concern if you share your bed with a partner. They're also less durable and more prone to sagging than other mattresses. Most experts say innerspring mattresses should be replaced every 10 years. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

ConsumerReports.org: In this report, editors literally take apart 11 firm mattresses from the three top manufacturers -- Sealy, Serta and Simmons -- to see how they compare in terms of construction.

Choice magazine: This article does not rate individual mattresses, but it does provide overall buying information.

Choice magazine: The editors of Choice magazine poll mattress buyers to see how satisfied they are with their purchases.

ConsumerReports.org: Editors poll more than 17,000 subscribers who have purchased mattresses in the past few years to ask about their satisfaction with both the brand they chose and the store where they made the purchase.

Which? magazine: Though not quite as detailed as ConsumerReports.org's mattress buying guide, this article from the U.K.'s Which?

SleepLikeTheDead.com: This site rates innerspring mattresses using the compiled commentary from more than 2,600 individual user reviews, drawn from a wide variety of sources online.

SpineUniverse.com: Alan Hedge a professor of ergonomics at Cornell University, offers advice on choosing a mattress based on ergonomic principles and the results of several studies.

WebMD.com: Charlene Laino interviews several sleep experts, including orthopedic physicians and a physical therapist, about their mattress recommendations.

Good Morning America: While no specific brands are mentioned or tested, this article on the ABC "Good Morning America" website stresses the importance of shopping for a mattress in person and offers some helpful hints about negotiating the price of a mattress.

The New York Times: Mary Duenwald debunks the myth that a more expensive mattress is necessarily more comfortable -- at least above a certain price point -- and provides advice and commentary from several experts on what to look for when shopping for a mattress, as well as how to tell if your mattress needs replacement.

What's the Best Mattress: This site offers buyer's guides -- including numerous tips for negotiating a better price on a mattress -- user reviews for specific brands and a mattress discussion forum.

Where to buy:

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Buy from
Amazon

for $267.29

Memory foam is durable with less motion transfer

Memory foam mattress

*Est. $400 and up Compare Prices

Memory foam mattresses are made from viscoelastic, a polyurethane-based foam that molds itself to the shape of the body. Tempur-Pedic is the best-known manufacturer of memory foam mattresses, but several other companies… expandoffer less expensive versions that receive similarly favorable reviews from owners. Owners of memory foam mattresses are more likely to report satisfaction with their bedding than owners of any other mattress type, according to reputable website SleepLikeTheDead.com. However, a significant percentage of those who try memory foam dislike it because it is too firm, too hot or too hard to move on. Overall, memory foam mattresses are more durable than innerspring mattresses, and they transmit motion less, making them a good choice for couples. However, they may produce an unpleasant odor when new. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

SleepLikeTheDead.com: According to this article -- which editors say is based on data from more than 5,600 owners -- about 81 percent of owners are happy with their memory foam mattresses (a higher percentage than for any other mattress type).

MyFoamMattress.net: Daniel Burrows and Liz Hoffman have compiled several pages of information on memory foam mattresses and how they measure up against other types.

Choice magazine: This mattress buying guide from Choice, a publication of the Australian Consumers' Association, focuses on innerspring mattresses, but it does provide some useful information about memory foam in the section on alternatives.

Which? magazine: This buying guide from the U.K.'s Which?

New York Magazine: Sarah Bernard describes her experiences testing 100 memory foam, latex and hybrid mattresses.

Choice magazine: In this report, the editors of Choice magazine poll mattress buyers to see how satisfied they are with their purchases.

What's the Best Mattress: This website as a whole focuses chiefly on innerspring mattresses, but this page offers a brief discussion of memory foam mattresses.

Memory Foam Mattress.org: MemoryFoamMattress.org aims to be a source for shoppers looking for the best foam mattress to fit their needs.

Spine: This study compares outcomes in 160 patients with chronic lower back pain when sleeping on a hard mattress, a memory foam mattress and a waterbed.

WebMD.com: Charlene Laino interviews several sleep experts, including orthopedic physicians and a physical therapist, about their mattress recommendations.

Epinions.com: Of the more than 200 mattresses at Epinions.com, the two top-rated brands are memory foam mattresses: Bergad Isoform and Bragada Crowne (discontinued).

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Buy from
Amazon

for $498.99

Latex is eco-friendly with better temperature control

Latex foam mattress

*Est. $300 and up Compare Prices

Latex foam mattresses, constructed from natural or synthetic rubber, are nearly as well liked by owners as memory foam mattresses. Reviewers say latex foam is springier than memory foam and doesn't retain as much body… expandheat, so it can be more comfortable in the summer. Like memory foam, it is more durable than innersprings, and it's naturally resistant to mold and dust mites. It's also eco-friendly, as latex is a renewable resource and can be biodegradable. However, latex mattresses are not appropriate for people with latex allergies. Some latex mattresses are very expensive, but others are quite reasonably priced. Latex mattresses will perform best on a slatted bed base rather than a box spring. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

SleepLikeTheDead.com: According to this article -- which editors say is based on data from about 600 owners -- roughly 78 percent of owners find latex foam comfortable (a slightly lower percentage than for memory foam and much higher than for innersprings).

New York Magazine: Sarah Bernard describes her experiences testing 100 memory foam, latex and hybrid mattresses.

MyFoamMattress.net: Daniel Burrows and Liz Hoffman have compiled information on foam mattresses here, including a side-by-side comparison of memory foam and latex foam.

What's the Best Mattress: This website focuses chiefly on innerspring mattresses, but this page offers a brief discussion of latex foam mattresses.

WebMD.com: Charlene Laino interviews several sleep experts, including orthopedic physicians and a physical therapist, about their mattress recommendations.

Good Housekeeping: This online video gives a quick overview of the process of shopping for a mattress.

CasaSugar.com: CasaSugar.com editors pick the best environmentally friendly mattresses on the market.

Where to buy:

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Buy from
Amazon

for $1,365.05

Custom comfort is the main advantage of an air mattress

Air mattresses

*Est. $700 and up Learn More

Rather than springs or foam, air mattresses use adjustable air cushions to provide tailored support. Some air mattresses, like the Select Comfort Sleep Number bed, allow each side to be adjusted independently to provide… expanddifferent levels of firmness. While reviews indicate that most owners are happy with their air mattresses, we also read a large number of negative reviews. Owners who use two different firmness settings are particularly likely to be dissatisfied. Still, dual-chambered air beds are one of the few options available -- other than sleeping separately -- for partners who strongly prefer different mattress firmnesses. Air mattresses are more expensive than other types, but because each individual part of the mattress can be replaced as it wears out, they are likely to last longer. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

SleepLikeTheDead.com: According to this article -- which editors say is based on data from roughly 1,600 owners -- about 79 percent of owners find air beds comfortable.

What's the Best Mattress: This website focuses on innerspring mattresses, but this page offers a brief discussion of air mattresses.

WebMD.com: Charlene Laino interviews several sleep experts, including orthopedic physicians and a physical therapist, about their mattress recommendations.

Better Homes & Gardens: In this brief article, the editors of Better Homes and Gardens discuss the construction and possible benefits of air and foam beds.

Epinions.com: Of the more than 200 mattresses at Epinions.com, one of the top-rated brands is the Comfortaire Cerulean, an air mattress that's a lower-priced competitor to the leading Select Comfort brand.

SpineUniverse.com: Alan Hedge, a professor of ergonomics at Cornell University, discusses how mattresses affect spinal health.

UPI.com: This article from United Press International discusses the class-action lawsuit filed in California against Select Comfort, alleging that its Sleep Number beds create an ideal environment for dangerous mold.

SleepNumberFacts.com: This website was created by Select Comfort to counter the charges about mold growth in its Sleep Number beds.