Our mattress testing methodology

Sleep is great, but quality sleep is even better. Adopting healthy sleep habits and practices can help improve your health and overall well-being—and it all starts with your mattress.

There are several factors to consider when choosing the perfect mattress, and we’ve determined these factors through testing. We combine physical product testing with clinical research to assess everything from comfort and support to durability and material quality.

Whether you’re looking for a firm, supportive mattress or a soft memory foam that contours to your every curve, we’re here to help you find it. We’re dedicated to helping you improve your sleep quality. After all, we spend an average of one-third of our life asleep—we should be doing it on the best mattress possible!

Here’s why you can trust our mattress reviews.

Every Fortune mattress review features:

Physical product testing with custom images as proof
Fact-checking and reviewing by Certified Sleep Science Coaches
Medical reviewing by industry experts, such as sleep specialists, chiropractors, neurologists, psychiatrists, and somnologists
Claims backed by trustworthy clinical research

Fortune Recommends™ aims to test 100% of the mattresses we recommend so we can provide honest and objective feedback.

However, we may occasionally include mattresses we haven’t yet had a chance to test. We update our reviews after we’ve tested those mattresses for several weeks or even months. Until then, we rely on the expertise of our sleep science coaches to conduct thorough research when determining the best mattresses to include in our lists.

Even though we earn commission through affiliate links and sometimes receive free products for editorial consideration, all of the opinions we share are 100% our own. Not every product we test will make it to our published reviews—our main focus is endorsing products that meet our high standards.

Learn how we test all product categories here.

Our scoring methodology for mattresses

We assign each mattress a score of one through five for each of the 16 categories we test. Rather than simply average those scores together, we weigh them based on what’s most important. We then average them to create a cumulative score.

For example, when evaluating mattresses, it’s essential to consider a broad range of factors from the tangible—like firmness, support, and pressure relief—to the intangible, such as customer service and warranty options. A mattress with an exceptional warranty option is great as it provides a safety net for your investment while adding value and peace of mind. However, it doesn’t directly influence the core function of the mattress, which is to deliver a comfortable and supportive sleep, so it won’t impact the overall score as much as a product’s performance.

Using these individual scores, we create an overall score on a scale of one out of five. A score of five is the highest possible rating, and one is the lowest.

Testing criteria

Sleep experience—30%

A high-quality mattress should feel like it’s designed to provide you with the best sleep of your life. It should also deliver on the promise of a great sleep experience. Our sleep science coaches assess various factors to reflect the functional aspects of the mattress as well as the user’s sleep experience. Here’s what we’re looking for:

Temperature regulation: A lot of people think how hot or cold they get at night has more to do with their mattress than it actually does. Your sleep temperature has more to do with your personal physiology, sleep attire, and bedding than it does with how your mattress is constructed. But your mattress does play a role in temperature regulation. We test mattresses over a range of conditions so you can figure out for yourself if your sleep routine will have you sleeping hot, cold, or just right.
Motion isolation: If you have a sleeping partner, especially one who sleeps lighter than you, knowing if you’ll disturb them when moving in or getting out of bed is critically important. We test for motion transfer and motion isolation at various distances from edge to center to give you the intel you need to understand if your movement will disturb your partner.
Edge support: Everyone wants a comfortable mattress that helps them sleep well and doesn’t cause additional discomfort or aches and pains. This often means using materials that form your body and reduce friction points. But when getting in/out of bed, getting ready, or even working, having a mattress with edges that give too much or are too soft can be a real problem. We test mattress edges to find the ones that offer the greatest support.
Technology: This may come as a surprise, but some mattresses come equipped with a range of technological features to enhance sleep quality and comfort such as sleep tracking, temperature control via mobile app, smart home integration, and even vibration features. We evaluate them for effectiveness and whether they change the sleeping experience for the better.

Comfort and support—30%

Alongside the sleep experience, comfort and support are just as important for a healthy and restful sleep. A high-quality mattress should assist in providing relief with certain aches and pains a user may experience when sleeping. It should also help users wake up feeling energized and rested. Here’s what we’re looking for:

Firmness: How firm you prefer the mattress is unique to you, but knowing if a mattress firmness rating matches your preference can be a bit trickier. Different manufacturers have different factors for determining firmness ratings. So we’re measuring all mattresses with one central protocol to take out the guesswork.
Pressure relief: Your unique body and sleep position(s) can determine if and how a mattress causes pressure or relieves it. Our range of testers try out each mattress to give you the best information possible.
Spinal alignment support: Spinal alignment is crucial for preventing back pain and ensuring a great night’s sleep. Our testers have a detailed process to examine how well a mattress maintains the spine in a natural position across various sleeping positions.
Customization: Does the mattress offer adjustable firmness, removable cooling layers, split configurations, or removable covers?

Value—20%

Assessing value involves a meticulous examination of several key factors that contribute to a mattress’s worth. A mattress that is priced just within reach of its target audience, yet surpasses competitors in terms of materials, performance, and support, presents a compelling value proposition. However value is not solely determined by the lowest price point. We also determine it by finding the balance between cost and the tangible benefits a mattress provides.

Customer experience—10%

Sometimes, the mattress can be great, but the overall shopping experience wasn’t. That could easily put a sour taste in a user’s mouth about the mattress they just purchased. We put in the hours to determine how well the entire process of buying a mattress matches users’ expectations and what options are available when something goes wrong.

Shipping: Mattresses are big and heavy, making shipping especially more challenging. We rate mattresses by factors such as shipping times/speeds, delivery service, mattress haulaway and setup, and more.
Warranty: If the company offers generous warranty policies, if something goes wrong, that’s a good sign. We’ll read every line and see if it’s worth it.
Customer service: Companies that offer multiple contact methods and have helpful, knowledgeable customer service reps earn higher marks.
Sleep trial: We favor mattress companies that offer free trials and give you some time to, quite literally, sleep on it.

Health and safety—10%

It’s important to understand that a mattress is more than just a sleeping surface—it’s an environment where you spend a significant portion of your life. We meticulously assess critical aspects of mattresses that may directly impact your well-being and peace of mind.

Our factors in this rating include:

Hypoallergenic materials: With their ability to deter allergies, it’s obvious why some users would find this an important factor when choosing a mattress if they have allergies or sensitivities. This factor ensures your sleeping environment is conducive to health rather than a source of irritation.
Off-gassing and chemical exposure: There is a concern that the release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from mattress materials, such as polyurethane foam (used in memory foam mattresses), may affect air quality. We evaluate the extent of off-gassing and the safety of materials used, aiming for mattresses that minimize chemical exposure.
Safety certifications: These serve as a benchmark for quality and safety, verifying that a mattress has met vigorous health and environmental standards. Our testers look for certifications such as CertiPUR-US®, OEKO-TEX® Standard 100, and Made Safe®.