EmailBest Reviewed
Mattresses
- Best mattress for most Innerspring Mattress *Est. $300
- Memory foam has some drawbacks Memory foam Mattress *Est. $800
- Latex mattresses are durable but expensive Latex Foam Mattress *Est. $900
- Mattress for couples who prefer differing firmness levels Air Mattress *Est. $800
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Best mattress for most
- Widest selection
- Least expensive type
- Pocket coil models well-suited for couples
- Most no longer need flipping
- Hard to comparison shop
- Cheaper models use lower-quality materials
- More prone to sagging and wear than other mattress types
Innerspring mattresses are the most popular kind of bedding among consumers, and there's a model and style for nearly every taste and budget, from basic, unadorned beds to fancy pillow-top mattresses with hand-stitched embroidery. While you can find off-brand, no frills innerspring mattresses starting at about $300, experts say you should expect to pay about $800 for a good quality queen-size bed. Simmons, Sealy and Serta rule the mattress market along with Spring Air, Duxiana and Stearns & Foster, and there are dozens of other brands out there. To further confuse matters, many innerspring models are exclusive to certain retailers, and a seemingly identical mattress may have very different internal components. Because of this, experts say they only way to choose the best mattress for you is to try them out at a store. Be aware, however, that while pillow-top innerspring mattresses often feel better initially, owners posting reviews to retailer websites often report that the pillow top goes flat long before the mattress itself wears out, so a pillow top may not eliminate the need for a mattress topper if you prefer an extra-cushiony top layer.
Innerspring mattresses are discussed in detail in most sources that provide a mattress buyer's guide, such as ConsumerReports.org, Which? and Choice magazines. SleepLikeTheDead.com offers detailed statistics for both innerspring mattresses as a whole and for specific brands, and WhatsTheBest-Mattress.com includes buyer's guides, reviews and a mattress discussion forum.
| Featured Stores | Store Rating | Notes | Total Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |  7703 store reviews | In Stock. | $899.00 | See It |
| See All Stores | ||||
Our Sources
1. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe
ConsumerReports.org doesn't rate individual mattresses, but they do have a lengthy and detailed buyer's guide that includes information on choosing mattresses, mattress anatomy and features, and tips for getting a good night's sleep.
Review: How to Buy a Mattress without Losing Sleep, Editors of ConsumerReports.org, Jan. 2008
2. Which? magazineDetails/Subscribe
Though not quite as detailed as ConsumerReports.org's mattress buying guide, this article from the U.K.'s Which? magazine does provide an array of practical tips for mattress buyers. The information here is targeted towards British consumers but is equally applicable to shoppers in the U.S.
Review: Choosing the Best Type of Mattress, Editors of Which? magazine
3. Choice magazineDetails/Subscribe
Like ConsumerReports.org and Which? magazine, Choice doesn't rate specific mattresses but it does provide a detailed and helpful buyer's guide. While targeted towards Australian mattress buyers, most of the information included is just as useful for American readers.
Review: Buying Guide: Mattresses. How to Buy a Mattress You'll Love Sleeping On, Editors of Choice magazine, July 2008
4. WebMD.com
Charlene Laino interviews several sleep experts, including orthopedic physicians and a physical therapist, about their mattress recommendations. All agree that the best mattress is a matter of personal preference, but they do provide some useful tips based on clinical experience.
Review: The Best Mattress for a Good Night's Sleep, Charlene Laino
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.
Review: Rest Easy on Pricey Mattress? Not Always, Mary Duenwald, Nov. 23, 2004
Editors at SleepLikeTheDead.com compile information from owners posting reviews, comments, and blog and forum posts from across the Internet to rate both mattress types and brands. According to this article -- which editors say is based on data from more than 1,100 owners -- pillow-top mattresses are more comfortable than flat-top mattresses, while innersprings are more prone to sagging than foam mattresses.
Review: Innerspring/Coil Mattress Reviews and Ratings, Editors of SleepLikeTheDead.com, Updated July 11, 2009
Buyer's guides -- including numerous tips for negotiating a better price on a mattress -- abound on this website, as do user reviews for specific mattresses and a mattress discussion forum. Forum users seem to prefer latex mattresses, but the buyer's guides include plenty of information on innerspring mattresses.
Review: Mattress -- Which One's Best?, Editors of and contributors to WhatsTheBest-Mattress.com
While no specific brands are mentioned or tested, this article on the ABC website stresses the importance of shopping for a mattress in person and offers some helpful hints about negotiating the price of a mattress.
Review: Sleep Easy: Discover How to Buy the Best Mattress, Elisabeth Leamy, July 2007
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. Dr. Richard D. Guyer of the Texas Back Institute adds some practical pointers on dealing with the mattress-buying experience.
Review: Mattresses Matter: Ergonomic Guidelines, Alan Hedge, Updated July 2008
