Unraveling Comfort: Our Mattress Rating Methodology

Why do we thoroughly vet all brands and products?

You’ve probably noticed that in most of our product roundups, we mention our extensive vetting process and how each product is carefully evaluated before it’s included in our articles.

Here, we break down our thought process when it comes to vetting mattresses and discuss the criteria behind our scoring system.

rigorous vetting process makes sure that you’ll only see recommendations for products and brands we stand behind.

Each recommendation and partnership undergoes a meticulous vetting process conducted by our expert team, ensuring:

Our vetting process for mattresses

Every mattress we consider must first go through our vetting process. Here’s what our Healthline experts consider:

Our scoring process for mattresses

If a mattress passes vetting, we then put it through our scoring rubric. From there, we give it a Healthline score based on the following factors:

The higher the score is for a mattress, the greater the value of the product in our eyes. We break these down for you below.

Affordability

We use queen-size mattress prices to determine affordability.

Based on the variety of mattresses we have vetted, the standard price of a mattress is about $1,500–$2,000. So when considering affordability, we set the higher end of that price range as our baseline. Mattresses that fall under $2,000 are awarded a maximum of four points, while those above are given three points.

Financing is always a plus, so we award brands with that option an extra point.

Price	Points
under $2,000	4
over $2,000	3
financing options available	1

Warranty

Warranties can vary widely in the world of mattresses. So we award points based on the length of the warranties. Lifetime warranties get the most points.

Standard warranties for most mattress brands range from 10 to 25 years. We broke up that range, and we award more points to the brands with longer warranties.

Warranty	Points
lifetime	5
25+ years	4
16–24 years	3
10–15 years	2
0–9 years	1
none	0

Shipping

Many mattress companies provide costless delivery and return services, which we deem advantageous. However, some may charge a return fee, prompting us to deduct a point in our evaluation. Additionally, certain companies impose a time constraint for mattress returns, even beyond the warranty period.

Shipping	Points
free shipping	2.5
free returns	2.5
free shipping and returns with limitations (within X days)	-1

Trial period

Choosing the best mattress for you can take some time, depending on how well it fits your lifestyle. We give a 5/5 rating to brands that offer a 1-year trial period, because they let you enjoy the comfort of time.

A 100-day trial period is a common offer from many brands, and it is usually enough to know if you like the mattress.

We also consider the trial period length when we rate mattress brands that offer more than 100 days but less than a year.

Trial Period	Points
365+ days	5
101–364 days	4
51–100 days	3
0–50 days	2
none	0

Additional features

Yeah, mattresses are cool, but are they actually cooling? Can they adjust with you? Are they smart?

Feature	Points
cooling technology	1.5
compatible with adjustable base	1.5
smart bed technology	2

Size availability

Standard mattress sizes are twin, full, queen, king, and California king. But other sizes are available, which may come as a surprise to some mattress shoppers. These sizes include split kings, full XL mattresses, and more.

The more sizes a brand offers, the more points we award it.

Some mattress brands have specialty mattress series that are only available in one or two sizes. In those cases, we rate them one point for every size of mattress available. For example, if a Healthline Preferred Golden Mattress existed and had only a queen and king size available, we’d award two points to ourselves.

Availability	Points
5+	5
4	4
3	3
2	2
1	1

User ratings

Mattresses are an investment, and when it comes to picking where you’re going to rest your head for a recommended 7–9 hours, you want to make sure that you’re buying the right one.

That’s why reviews are important—you can learn from those who bought before you. So, when buying a mattress or brand, we review user ratings on Trustpilot and score them based on the average star ratings.

Quality of materials

The quality of materials can make a big difference in how good of an investment a mattress is, especially if you’re looking for an organic or allergen-resistant mattress.

We assess mattresses for quality in the following three areas: certifications, durability, and allergen resistance.

Quality consideration	Points
certifications	2
durability	2
allergen resistance	1

Certifications

There are a number of organizations that third-party test mattresses and have strict requirements in place to earn their stamp of approval. Most of these certifications make sure that the materials are not toxic for people.

When selecting mattresses to feature, we look for those with any of the following certifications:

• CertiPUR-US certified
• eco-INSTITUT Certified
• GOLS Certified: Global Organic Latex Standard
• GREENGUARD certified
• OEKO-TEX certified
• OTCO (Oregon Tilth Certified Organic) certified
• USDA organic
• Wool Integrity NZ certified

Durability

Latex mattresses score the most points because they offer good value and have a couple of other solid features.

They’re durable and have a life span of over 20 years, compared with hybrid and memory foam mattresses, which last for 10–15 years, and spring mattresses, which have a life span of 5–8 years.

Natural latex is also an eco-friendly material, and it provides a natural cooling effect, which many mattress types don’t have.

Latex mattresses also conform to your body but bounce back when you move in your sleep or get up.

Material	Points
latex	2
hybrid/memory foam	1
coils, spring, other	0

Allergen resistance

When selecting mattresses to feature in our articles, we also ask: Is the product made out of an allergy-resistant material that includes memory foam, latex, or natural materials? If so, we give it a point.

Summary

Only mattress brands that meet our strict criteria pass our vetting process.

This helps make sure that, as you’re researching and shopping for a mattress, you’re able to determine the best product for your needs, priorities, and budget.

1. What factors determine a mattress’s comfort rating?

Our comprehensive methodology assesses various factors:

• Support and Pressurization: Support is essential for spine alignment. We evaluate how effectively the mattress supports and resists body impressions. Pressure relief measures how well the mattress accommodates body curves and prevents pressure points.
• Motion Isolation: Couples often face sleep disturbances caused by partner movements. Motion isolation measures the mattress’s ability to minimize partner disturbances.
• Temperature Regulation: Different materials exhibit varied temperature regulation properties. We assess how the mattress regulates body temperature and prevents heat accumulation.
• Conforming and Responsiveness: Comfort is subjective. Some prefer mattresses that contour closely to the body (conforming), while others prefer a more responsive, springy feel. We evaluate both aspects.

2. How do you assess mattress comfort levels?

Our rankings are based on extensive testing and expert evaluations.

• Human Test Panel: A diverse group of sleepers of varying weights, body types, and sleep preferences test each mattress. Their subjective feedback aids in creating realistic comfort scores.
• Pressure Mapping: We utilize pressure mapping technology to measure the pressure distribution across the mattress. It helps identify areas of excessive pressure that could lead to discomfort.
• Sleep Quality Assessment: We analyze various sleep parameters (e.g., sleep duration, sleep quality, and awakenings) of our test panel to determine how the mattress influences restful sleep.

3. How are different mattress types evaluated?

Our methodology accounts for variations in mattress construction and materials:

• Innerspring Mattresses: These mattresses comprise coils. We assess coil type, count, and gauge, as well as the mattress’s overall construction and support system.
• Memory Foam Mattresses: We analyze the density, firmness, and pressure relief properties of the foam. Additionally, we evaluate foam quality and durability.
• Hybrid Mattresses: Combining coils and foam, hybrids offer unique comfort. We examine the composition, quality, and balance of these elements.
• Latex Mattresses: Known for elasticity and resilience, latex mattresses are assessed for firmness, support, and breathability.

4. What additional factors influence comfort ratings?

Comfort is a holistic experience, and we consider these aspects:

• Edge Support: Edge support is crucial for those who prefer to sleep near the mattress’s edge or sit on it. We assess a mattress’s ability to provide stability and prevent sagging at the edges.
• Durability and Warranty: A mattress is a long-term investment. We evaluate its durability by simulating years of average use. Warranties provide peace of mind, so we consider their coverage and terms.
• Personal Preferences: Comfort is subjective. We understand that preferences vary, so we provide detailed information on each mattress’s feel and firmness level.

5. Why trust our mattress rating methodology?

Our methodology’s core strengths are:

• Comprehensive Assessments: We meticulously examine each mattress’s features, construction, materials, and performance to provide a thorough evaluation.
• Unbiased Evaluations: Our testing and evaluations are conducted independently, free from brand influence. We strive to provide unbiased, honest, and objective information.
• Continuous Improvement: The mattress industry is ever-evolving. We regularly update our methodology to incorporate new technologies, trends, and consumer feedback, ensuring our ratings remain relevant and up-to-date.