Mattresses

This informative article doesn't recommend any specific brands but it's still very important reading for anyone buying a mattress. The most important thing to know is that while a new flammability standard… has gone into effect, stores are still allowed to sell mattresses that do not meet this standard until they are all sold. The article, which is free to non-subscribers, also discusses the different ways mattress fires could start. Editors also comment on the Consumer Products Safety Commission's estimate of how many lives the new regulations could save. Editors also advise on how to tell if a mattress does or does not meet the new flammability standards.

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This article reports that despite high prices and manufacturer claims, very little research has actually been conducted to learn which mattresses are the most comfortable. The article provides advice and… commentary from experts on what to look for when selecting a mattress, as well as some basic shopping guidelines and how to tell whether your existing mattress needs to be replaced. However, no specific recommendations are made as to the best models, brands or types of mattresses.

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This excellent article in Choice, a publication of the Australian Consumers' Association, does not rate individual mattresses, but does provide overall buying information. It goes into great detail about… coil construction and spinal alignment as well as mattress selection for individuals with special health needs. It's an excellent overall primer for the shopper who wants to fully understand mattress construction.

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Amazon.com features foam, inflatable and some conventional mattresses as well as mattress pads and other related items. Navigation is easy, since both the overall rating and number of reviews is listed… right on the main search page. While the listings might look like a bit of a mix to users, there are most certainly some useful and worthwhile comments about mattresses from major manufacturers like Sealy. Again, the comments are so different from user to user, it only stresses the need to go into a store and test-drive the product you intend to buy before making a final decision.

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WalMart.com is also an easy-to-use site with slightly fewer search options than Macys.com. This site clearly has the most user comments so shoppers looking for consensus should find what they're looking for… here. The Simmons DeepSleep Mount Sill Plush Mattress gets solid reviews. One user called it the "best mattress I have ever owned." The 8" Tight Top Spring Mattress-in-a-Box also ranks high in owner feedback.

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Site owners Daniel Burrows and Liz Hoffman have compiled many pages of information on viscoelastic memory-foam and latex mattresses, along with a smaller amount of information on other types. Although no… specific brands are particularly recommended, the site has good information on memory-foam densities, temperature sensitivity, types, construction and more. There are some good pro/con lists comparing types. It seems the editors prefer latex over other types, but there isn't a strong endorsement.

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Retailer Allergy Buyers Club provides ratings for the mattresses they sell. Unfortunately, the methodology for creating those ratings is not explained, and all are relatively high. That said, there is some… useful information here, including recommendations as to what type of mattress is best for what type of consumer and a comparison chart that puts pluses, minuses and a typical user profile in an easy-to-see format.

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ReviewCentre.com is based in the United Kingdom and offers a variety of products consumers can review, including mattresses. However, there are few owner-written reviews here. The Ergoflex Memory Foam… Mattress, which is sold in the U.K., receives more than four dozen reviews and maintains a 9.6 out of ten rating. Though this site is based in Britain, some of the mattresses reviewed here are available in the U.S.

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According to this study, previous recommendations by orthopedic surgeons in favor of the use of firm mattresses for low-back pain were largely unsubstantiated by the scientific literature. This double-blind… study was undertaken by Spanish researchers to assess the effect of different firmnesses of mattresses for patients with low back pain. 313 adults with nonspecific low-back pain were randomly assigned to sleep on firm or medium-firm mattresses for 90 days. The study concluded that medium-firm mattresses lessened pain and improved disability.

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The mattress review blog is written by an anonymous poster known only as Daniel, but the half-dozen or so reviews that are posted to date do go into some depth about the products they discuss and contain… thoughtful ideas about whether they're worth the price and deliver on manufacturer promises. No real ranking system is given, but the writer is clear about which mattress he likes and which he doesn't. It is also not clear that Daniel has personally tested all -- or any -- of these beds.

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