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How We Research, Test and Review Mattresses and Sleep Accessories
Learn about our hands-on testing process for mattresses, mattress toppers and sheets. See how we rate and review our top picks
The Saatva Classic features a unique design with an innerspring base layer and a second layer of pocketed coils for added support.
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Getting quality sleep is important for everyone. Our sleep supports our physical health, cognitive function and mental-wellbeing. But as we age, sleep disorders and disruption become more common, according to the National Institute on Aging. And research estimates that up to 50 percent of people age 65 or older have sleep problems, compared to 22 percent of the general population.
There are a variety of reasons why older adults may not get as restful sleep, including reduced melatonin production, health conditions, medication and hormonal fluctuations. While a new mattress can't solve these problems, the right one may make it easier for you to fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. Factors like better pressure relief and temperature regulation can help reduce pain, limit tossing and turning at night and reduce body heat retention.
If you’re ready to buy a new mattress, we can help.
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Here's how we vet and test mattresses and other sleep accessories:
- Research the marketplace. In addition to reviewing what sleep products are offered, we ask experts: What companies are popular and why? What are the best types of mattresses for pressure relief and comfort? Which products have rave reviews (and are they legitimate)?
- Purchase and test each one in our lab. We assess objective features like bounce, cooling and edge support.
- Recruit independent testers ages 50-plus to try out each product. Do testers like the look and feel of the mattress? Do they feel pressure building up in any position? Do the surface and edges feel secure?
- Explore the customer service experience. We contact manufacturers to find out whether customers can get help when needed, whether returns are easy and other key information.
- Analyze insights from our 2025 surveys. We conducted surveys of 300 adults ages 50 and older who purchased a new mattress or sleep accessory, such as a pillow or mattress topper, within the past three years. These findings help us pinpoint which factors matter most to older adults when selecting sleep products, as well as their overall satisfaction with their purchases.
Products that ace these assessments make it onto our lists of the best mattresses:
In our edge support test, the DreamCloud Classic only sank 2.5 inches, earning it a perfect score in that assessment.
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Edge support
- We test all mattresses by placing a 150-pound sandbag on the edge of the bed. Then we measure how far the edge sinks under the weight and compare that to the bed's height to determine the difference. Based on how much the edge dips, the bed receives a score from 1 to 5.
- We also have older adult testers try out each bed to see how it feels for those who have mobility limitations or just need an extra-sturdy surface. Our testers assign a numerical score of 1 to 5 for how secure they feel sitting and lying on the edges, with 5 being the most secure.
60-year-old tester Donna praised the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe’s edge support.
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Bounce test
- To measure a bed's bounce also known as responsiveness, our lab testers drop a 15-pound ball on the mattress from two feet above it. We measure the peak rebound height and assign a numerical value. Beds that earn strong scores have high bounces and, as a result, may be better choices for people who benefit from an extra boost when changing positions or getting out of bed.
The 15-pound ball bounced 28 inches when we dropped it on the Saatva Classic, the highest rebound of any bed we’ve tested.
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Ripple test
- Our first motion isolation test is called the ripple test. During this assessment, we place a glass of red liquid on the bed, and we measure how much the liquid and the glass move when our testers perform a set of controlled movements, such as getting in bed, changing positions, sitting on the edge and getting out of bed.
Our testers noted minimal movement during our ripple test of the Nectar Luxe.
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Couples' motion isolation
- The couples’ motion isolation test rates perceived movement when two people are on the same bed. One tester is blindfolded and rates the sensations they feel when the other person gets in and out of bed and changes position. This test helps us gauge how much movement someone should expect from a particular bed, which is especially helpful for light sleepers.
Tester Bryan said the Leesa Sapira Chill did a great job isolating motion during our couples' test.
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Pressure relief
- To assess how well a mattress delivers pressure relief, our testers rate how much they sink into the bed in every sleeping position: side, back and stomach. They also report whether they feel any pressure building up and, if so, where. This is an important factor for people who have pain that disrupts their sleep.
Tester Donna said the Saatva Rx provided ample pressure relief while maintaining spinal alignment.
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Spinal alignment
- To assess spinal alignment, our testers describe and rate whether their spine is aligned while lying on their side, back and stomach. This test helps us determine which beds are best for back pain and overall support.
Cooling gun test
- Our cooling gun test rates how well a mattress regulates temperature. To do this, our lab testers measure the bed's initial surface temperature. Then they place a heating pad on the bed for one minute, measure the temperature and remove it. Testers wait another minute and record the temperature again. The difference between the initial reading and the third is how we assess a bed’s cooling performance. The quicker the bed dissipates heat and returns to its initial starting temperature, the higher the cooling score.
The Brooklyn Bedding Signature performed at an average level in our cooling gun test, retaining 17.3 degrees (shown in Celsius) after the heating pad was removed.
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Construction quality and base compatibility
- We cut a hole in the side of each bed in our testing lab to assess its layers and materials. Our testers describe what they see and share their first impressions of the look and detailing of every mattress.
- After inspecting the layers, we place it on two to three different adjustable bases to rate how well the bed conforms to movement. We measure any gaps between the bed and the base, and note if the cover bunches in a way that could be uncomfortable or unsafe.
During our testing, the Saatva Contour conformed well to an adjustable base, with minimal gapping.
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Company policies
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Affordability
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Customer support
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How we test mattress toppers
When testing mattress toppers, our team of experts assesses many of the same factors that we do for mattresses, including perceived value, pressure relief and spinal alignment. Our testers ages 45 and older also rate the responsiveness and edge support for each mattress topper. However, a few tests are unique to these products.
Sinkage
- To measure how much sinkage you can expect from a mattress topper, our lab tester places a 45-pound kettlebell in the center of each topper and measures how much the surface of the topper and the mattress underneath collapse. We record the amount of sinkage numerically, and categorize it into three levels: light sinkage (1 to 2.5 inches), moderate sinkage (2.6 to 4 inches) and deep sinkage (more than 4 inches). People who prefer a firmer sleep surface, or who are seeking to increase their mattress firmness with a topper, may prefer light sinkage. In contrast, those seeking more pressure relief or hoping to soften a firmer mattress may prefer a topper with deep sinkage.
Perceived firmness
- When our testers are assessing mattress toppers, we ask them how firm or soft the topper feels. Companies often rate the firmness levels of their toppers, though we’ve found these ratings can sometimes differ from our testers' accounts. Perceived firmness is particularly important for mattress toppers, which many people use to change the feel of their mattress.
How we test sheets
Testing sheets is a little different from mattresses and toppers, though the core of our testing still revolves around how the product feels and the perceived value. We also test how well sheets regulate temperature. The tests that are unique to bed sheets include:
Fit
- When testing sheets, one of the most important tests is how well they fit the bed. So we assess fit and ask: Is there any extra fabric that could cause shifting or bunching? In addition, we note whether sheets have any features related to fit, such as corner straps or a logic tag that helps you identify which part of the sheets aligns with the top, bottom or sides of the mattress. We also ask testers to rate their experience putting the fitted sheet on the bed. Sheets that fit securely without any bunching or sagging can earn a score of 4 out of 5, while extra features to support a sheet’s fit can elevate a score to a 5 out of 5. Sheets that are the correct size but are too small or large to securely fit the mattress may earn a 1 out of 5.
Durability
- We assess durability in two ways. First, our testers inspect the sheets for any loose threads or splitting seams. After we note the feedback, our lab testers run the sheets through a series of stress tests, putting the sheets on the bed and then pulling them by hand in various places to determine the strength of the stitching. Lab testers then note any tearing or stretching that results.
Questions or feedback? Email us at AARPSmartPicks@aarp.org.
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