Our CNET Sleep editors have tested more beds than the average sleeper — about 300 different ones, in fact — and devoted hundreds of hours to the craft. We pride ourselves on our mattress testing methodology.
Firmness and feel
When we begin mattress testing, we first determine the firmness and feel of the mattress. Firmness is simply how hard or soft the mattress is. We have several team members test and rate each bed to get the best rounded picture of how a bed performs in these categories.
The feel of the mattress describes how the mattress reacts. Is it slow to respond like traditional memory foam? Does it tear like latex foam? This will translate into how you feel rolling in bed at night.
The Mattress Smasher 9000 objectively tests the firmness of every bed.
We also objectively test hardness using our own CNET device, the 9000 Mattress Breaker. This machine presses down to the middle of the bed, and our proprietary software measures firmness on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being the softest and 10 being the firmest. Although we test each bed personally for perceived firmness and feel, we can back up our opinions with data from the mattress breaker.
Durability
Durability, or how long a mattress will last, depends on what it's made of. Mattresses with individually wrapped coils as a base are more durable than all-foam options. They also tend to be more expensive.
Mattress performance
The key performance criteria we evaluate for mattresses include motion isolation, edge support and temperature.
We test how well mattresses isolate movement by placing a glass of water on the edge of the bed and rolling it around to see how much it moves. Motion isolation is a big deal if you have a partner who rolls around and wakes you up.
Edge support is how strong the perimeter of the bed is. The test for this is simple: we sit and lie on the edge to see if it gives way under pressure.
When we assess temperature, we examine the materials and construction of the mattress. Materials like latex and gel memory foam can prevent the mattress from retaining body heat.
Read more at how we test mattresses.