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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, it 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 keep you cool.
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If you’re ready to buy a new mattress, we can help.
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 brands 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.
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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Products that ace these assessments make it onto our lists of the best mattresses:
Edge support
- We test all mattresses by placing a 150-pound sandbag on the edge of the bed. Then we measure how much the edges sink 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.
Tester Donna praised the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe’s edge support.
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Bounce test
- To measure a bed's bounce or responsiveness, our lab testers drop a 15-pound ball on the mattress to measure rebound. Each drop is from two feet, and we measure the peak height when assigning 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 Saatva Classic bounced 28 inches when we dropped a 15-pound ball onto it, 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 test, 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 (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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Couple’s 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 couple’s 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.
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 starting temperature. Then they place a heating pad on the bed for one minute, measure the temperature and remove it. Testers wait one minute and then record the temperature again. The difference between the initial reading and the second is how we assess a bed’s cooling performance.
The Brooklyn Bedding Signature performed average 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 bed.
- 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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Brand policies
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Affordability
- Price
- Shipping
- Discounts
- Availability
Customer support
- Types of support offered
- Hours of support availability
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 then 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 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 follow.
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 bottom or top of a mattress and which aligns with the sides. 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. Then, 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 on the sheets 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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