Buying Guide

Consumer Research

Although studies have shown that the average person spends one-third of their life in bed, you may be surprised to learn that very little scientific research has been performed on mattresses. The best objective source of information is Consumer Reports magazine, which recently updated their mattress report with a compilation of several tests.

The magazine hired industry insiders who tore apart and analyzed 18 top-brand mattresses to reveal the differences of high- and low-priced models. In addition, Consumer Reports enlisted 59 staff members to try out different mattresses in a simulated mattress store. Four couples also tested mattresses at home by sleeping on them for a month. This massive article also includes interviews with mattress makers, visits to a variety of mattress stores, and a Consumer Reports online poll. Consumer Reports also tackles mattress myths and the anatomy of a mattress.

What you won't find in the Consumer Reports article however is ratings or recommendations. That's because, even after three different types of exhaustive tests, editors found themselves no closer to determining the best mattress. The fact is that no matter how many thousands of people test mattresses, the results still wouldn't reflect your own individual comfort preferences.

According to a Wisconsin chiropractor interviewed by The New York Times, "Your spine should look the same when you're lying down as it does when you're standing up." That means that when you are lying on your side, your shoulders and hips should sink into the mattress, while your waist is supported. A too-firm mattress, whether made of foam, springs or air chambers, may not allow enough "give" for that to happen. Heavier people, however, may need a firmer mattress in order to provide sufficient spinal support.

Cornell University's ergonomics group recommends that you look for a mattress designed to conform to the spine's natural curves and keep the spine in alignment when you lay down. Also suggested are mattresses designed to distribute pressure evenly across the body to help circulation, decrease body movement, and minimize the transfer of movement from one sleeping partner to the other, as well as one that includes perimeter edge support.

Inside Your Innerspring

An innerspring mattress is the most popular and familiar type of mattress. Sealy, Simmons and Spring Air are three of the most popular mattresses on the market. Each of these major manufacturers offers a variety of product lines, from basic models up to fancy pillow top mattresses with hand-stitched embroidery.

Although model names vary widely, innerspring mattresses share the same basic structure. Differences between less expensive models and more expensive innersprings include items you can see such as pillow tops, mattress height and the fabric used for the cover, as well as details you can't see, such as coil gauge, coil count and construction materials. All of these features have an impact on the firmness of the mattress, quality and longevity of a mattress.

Stain-resistant fabric is one of the latest trends in mattresses. Several major mattress manufacturers offer a new product made with stain-proof yarns, or even offer a removable, washable cover.

The Coil Connection

The ultimate goal when buying a mattress is to find the highest quality product within your price range. But what identifies a quality mattress? Innerspring mattresses use coiled springs, which give support and make the mattress firm or soft. Springs come in three shapes: hourglass, continuous coil, and pocket spring.

Hourglass-shaped springs, which are attached through spiral wires, compress easily when new. But as the springs compress over time, the mattress becomes firmer. Mattresses made with hourglass springs aren't as durable in the long term, and may become too firm.

Continuous coil springs are compiled from a single length wire. These tend to have thicker coils and offer more support. Both the hourglass and continuous coil springs connect to each other at the top and bottom, affecting the springs around them when compressed. Continuous coil springs are more durable and maintain their shape longer than hourglass springs.

Pocket springs are different because they are in their own fabric pocket rather than being connected to each other like hourglass and continuous coil springs. Pocket springs react individually to pressure and weight. Mattresses with pocket springs are a good choice for couples. Because the springs move a bit more independently, you may be less disturbed by your partner's movements.

Spring descriptions don't stop with shape; they also differ in strength, called wire gauge. Lower gauge numbers offer broader wires, which in turn make a firmer mattress. Thinner wires have higher gauge numbers, resulting in a softer mattress. A good-quality, full-sized mattress has a wire gauge of between 12.75 (more firm) and 15 (less firm).

Springs also may vary in distribution throughout the mattress. Typically, firmer springs are found in the middle, since that is where the body needs the most support. Some newer models have edge-to-edge support, with firmer springs along the edges of the mattress for the times you sit on the edge of the bed.

Mattresses can boast up to as many as 800 individual coils, but you don't need such a high coil count to get a quality mattress. A good mattress should have a minimum of 300 coils in a full-size bed, 375 in a queen-size, and 450 in a king-size. However, don't judge a mattress on coil count alone. Coil counts can be misleading since two mattresses of equal coil count can have completely different characteristics, such as gauge strength.

Core Values

Many manufacturers use the same spring system in all of their mattresses but with a variety of filling materials, which can significantly boost both comfort and price.

The middle padding, usually foam, lies directly beneath the top-quilting layer. Consumer Reports says "egg carton" foam is softer compared to flat foam and helps spread your weight over a wider surface area. Look for more resilient foams, which feel almost moist to the touch. Foams that feel dry or crunchy won't spring back as readily. Low-end mattresses may use materials such as lower grade foam or reclaimed cotton fibers in lieu of foam. These cheaper materials don't tend to last as long because they can break apart or form lumps and pockets and lose the ability to spring back.

Deluxe mattresses also may include layers of wool, cashmere, latex, goose down or premium foams. Luxury layers can add significantly to the price, but may not make a big difference in durability or comfort.

The final layer of padding is the insulation padding. This layer lies directly on top of springs and provides some padding and comfort between you and the springs. There should be a metal screen or layer of plastic webbing between the springs and insulation to prevent springs from chewing up the padding.

The outermost fabric covering of the mattress is called the ticking. The materials used in the ticking vary from foam-backed vinyl found in low-end mattresses, to the more common polyester. Although many manufacturers tout silk coverings, Consumer Reports found that silk was no more durable than polyester.

Upholstery Update

Manufacturers continue to add enhancements to the outside of their mattresses. A pillow top is an extra two or three-inch layer that sits on top of the main mattress. This adds an extra layer of plushness, but does not affect mattress support. Euro-top mattresses differ from regular pillow tops in that they're made with higher quality material and have a more finished look. If you like the feel of a feather bed, a pillow top may suit you.

Box Spring Basics

The final factor in buying an innerspring mattress is the box spring. Because newer mattresses are heavier than the mattresses of 10 years ago, you should also replace your box springs when buying a new mattress. A good box spring acts like a shock absorber for the mattress and is as important as a good mattress to the longevity of your sleep set.