Our sleep experts have been testing mattresses, bedding and accessories for years (some of them have been testing for up to eight years). At this point, we've tested over 300 mattresses from dozens of brands, from as big as Violet and Tempur-Pedic to more niche companies like Sonu and Aerial weaving.
Our team is made up of bed testers of different body weights and types, heights, genders and sleep preferences, which helps us provide a comprehensive assessment of each mattress from a multitude of perspectives. Many mattresses are tested for long periods starting from a a month or two to five years.
We test king size mattresses just like any other bed. When a new mattress arrives at our place test facilityit undergoes rigorous, hands-on testing by each of our experts. We analyze specific characteristics including firmness, feel, temperature, motion isolation, edge support and other special features a mattress may have.
Firmness
Firmness is rated numerically on a scale of 1 (softest) to 10 (firmest), and we use industry terms such as soft or medium firm to describe it. Our entire team takes turns assessing and ranking the firmness of each mattress, allowing us to make suggestions about which sleeping position and body type are best suited. After subjectively analyzing the firmness, we let our unique Smasher 9000 mattress do its thing and give us an objective firmness score.
A close-up of the 9000 mattress in action.
Feel it
Another subjective element we consider is the feel of the mattress, separate from its firmness. Does it feel springy and responsive when you lie on it? Is it easy to change positions? Or does the thick memory foam conform around our bodies and hold our shape for a while? Does the mattress have a soft, plush feel feeling on top of the pillowor is it more neutral? Can we sense coils or zoned support? We do our best to describe exactly what it feels like to lie on each bed to help you determine if it's right for you without having to test them all yourself.
Read more: Why the foam in your mattress is important
Temperature
Temperature can be tricky to review when considering each sleeper's personal preferences and the fact that many mattress brands oversize their beds. cooling capabilities. When testing and reviewing mattresses, we explain in detail how hot or cold the mattress sleeps. A lot of external factors come into play here (such as climate and environment, bedding, pajamas, etc.), so we test beds in temperature-controlled rooms without sheets or bedding. Using our extensive knowledge and experience, we analyze its construction and materials and explain how they affect temperature.
Motion isolation
Testing the motion isolation of the WinkBed mattress with a glass of water.
Motion isolation is a term we use to describe how well a mattress reduces movement across its surface. It's an especially important feature for light sleepers or those who share a bed with a partner or pets. We test its motion isolation capabilities by having one expert lie on the bed while another rolls around and changes positions. The second method is by placing a glass of water on its edge, rolling it towards and away from it to see if the glass tilts or falls.
Edge support
Edge support is usually not as important for a full size mattress as it is for a smaller size such as a queen or twin. Regardless, edge support testing allows us to assess how well it holds its structure and support around the perimeter. We sit and lie on the edge to see how the bed reacts. Is it condescending and feels like we're about to fall apart, or is it firm and supportive? We also press the edges with our fists to observe how much the edge compresses under pressure.
Special features
Some brands include special features in their mattresses, such as cooling pads for hot sleepers or zonal support for those with back pain. We test and review these additional features and determine which sleep type will benefit the most.