Mattresses

What's behind our mattress Ratings?

Experts at our National Testing and Research Center tested 12 models in mattresses to see which ones perform best.
We look for:
  • Overall score
    Based mainly on side and back support, durability, and stability; displayed score is out of a total of 100 points.
  • Side sleeping
    A measure of how well a mattress supports and maintains the horizontal alignment of the spine while you're lying on your side.
  • Back sleeping
    A measure of how well a mattress supports and maintains the spine's natural curve while you're lying on your back.
  • Durability
    Our analysis of how well a mattress maintains its original shape, height, firmness, and side/back sleeping support after 8 years of simulated use.
  • Stabilization
    A measure of how much vibration is transmitted across the mattress; for memory- and latex-foam mattresses, higher scores indicate ease of changing sleep position.
  • Claimed firmness
    The manufacturer's claimed firmness level.
  • Measured firmness
    Our own judgment, based on testing, of a mattress's firmness level.

Connect

Forums

Discuss products and safety with subscribers and fans.

Follow Consumer Reports

Recommended mattresses

Recommended mattresses are standout choices with high scores. They include CR Best Buys, which offer exceptional value. When narrowing your choices, weigh features, price, and attributes that matter to you.
  • Buying Guide
  • Price & Shop
With so many mattresses to choose from, what’s the best way to tell that you’re buying the right one? Consumer Reports has shopped in all kinds of stores, interviewed mattress manufacturers, polled readers about their mattress buying experiences, and recruited our staff to “test drive” mattresses. If you're looking for information about mattresses, Consumer Reports is your best resource. Use our mattress buying guide to help you choose the best mattress for your needs.

Mattress buying guide

You should think about buying a new mattress if you wake up tired or achy, you tend to sleep better at hotels than at home, your mattress looks saggy or lumpy, you're over 40, or your mattress is at least five to seven years old. Use this mattress guide to help with your purchase.

Getting started   |   Types   |   Features   |   Brands

Home & Garden News

Why your parents' appliances cost more to run than yours do

If you're shopping for new appliances, you might hear the argument that energy-efficient models don't perform as well as their power-hungry counterparts. Or that you'll have to spend more for max...

For $20 to $50 you can fix the gas grill you have now

Price isn't the best indicator of a gas grill's performance but cheap and flimsy parts, especially when they come with short warranties, are a tip-off that the grill is not long for this world. O...

Get an edge on summer lawn care with these five mowing tips

Even a top-performing walk-behind mower, lawn tractor, or rider won't make your lawn the belle of the block if your mowing is too random. Here are some tips for smarter use of your mower or ridin...

Tips to thwart burglars when you're away from home

With the long Memorial Day weekend here and summer-travel season coming, consider these two burglary tales from one family. Mom and Dad return from a day at the beach to find a window near their ...

How do I know if my water filter is working?

Q. I have a water purifier in my fridge and one in my sink. Is there a way to verify that they're working? A.L., Columbus, Ga. A. It depends on what you're using the filter for. Different contami...
left arrow right arrow
See also:
See buying guide down arrow
20 rated down arrow
24 rated down arrow
25 rated down arrow
26 rated down arrow