Mattress Ratings You Can Actually Trust
No commission • No endorsements • Based on owner experiences • Since 2008 • More
On This Page: 16 Research Findings You Should Know
– Mattress Research Findings
1. Owner satisfaction
2. Prices
3. Pain relief
4. Buying online
5. New vs traditional brands
6. Firmness
7. Longevity / lifespan
8. Heat retention
9. Motion isolation
10. Initial odor
11. Weight
12. Pillow tops
13. Sex
14. Large & small people
15. Warranties
16. Returns
Mattress Selector
Find a mattress that's suited for you in as fast as one minute with our unbiased mattress selector.
Mattress Comparison
Choose up to three mattresses to compare ratings, prices & specifications.
Top Four Ways Mattress Companies Deceive You
When visiting mattress company websites, be aware of the following:
1. Customer satisfaction ratings are overstated.
2. Reviews can be for a mattress that no longer really exists.
3. Exaggeration and hype are common.
4.
No disclosure is given about “expert reviewers.”
Know THE FULL STORY to avoid getting duped.
Mattress Owner Satisfaction
Do not assume that you will be satisfied with a top-rated mattress type or brand. Learn about a bed's characteristics, pros & cons before purchase to ensure that it suits you personally.
| Avg model under $500 |
Avg model $500-$950 |
Avg model $951-$1800 |
Avg model $1801+ |
Mattress Type Ratings
Select a mattress type for detailed analysis and ratings.
| Mattress
Type |
Owner Satisfaction |
| Innerspring |
64% |
| Memory Foam |
81% |
| Hybrid |
74% |
| Air |
| Latex |
80% |
See the mattress types compared in 24 additional ways.
Mattress Brand Ratings
The chart below includes many of the more popular and / or widely available brands (in alphabetical order). Select a brand for detailed ratings.
| Mattress
Brand |
Owner Satisfaction |
| Brooklyn Bedding |
79% |
| Casper |
78% |
| Comfort Dreams |
80% |
| Ghostbed |
79% |
| Helix |
79% |
| Ikea |
75% |
| King Koil |
65% |
| Kingsdown |
65% |
| Layla |
81% |
| Leesa |
78% |
| Loom & Leaf |
81% |
| Lull |
78% |
| Nectar |
77% |
| Nest Bedding |
81% |
| Novosbed |
82% |
| Purple |
79% |
| Saatva |
81% |
| Sealy (innerspring) |
65% |
| Serta (innerspring) |
65% |
| Serta (memory foam) |
74% |
| Signature Sleep |
77% |
| Simmons (innerspring) |
63% |
| Sleep Number |
77% |
| Stearns & Foster |
62% |
| Tempur-Pedic | 81% |
| Tuft & Needle | 80% |
| Zinus |
80% |
COMPARE ABOVE MATTRESSES AND MORE in our side-by-side mattress comparison.
DON'T SEE WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR? Search our mattress ratings using box below.
Do You Really Need A New Mattress?
To soften or revitalize an existing mattress, consider a topper. A topper can provide the benefits of a new mattress for a fraction of the cost. See our mattress topper reviews based on over 52,000 owner experiences.
Mattress Prices
Mattress Prices Overall
| Average Price (queen) | Median / Middle Price (queen) | Most Common Price (queen) | Price Range (twin to king) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All mattresses | $1520 | $1200 | $1000 | $100 - $10,000+ |
Prices By Mattress Type
| Average Price (queen) | Median / Middle Price (queen) | Most Common Price (queen) | Price Range (twin to king) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Innerspring | $950 | $900 | $1200 | $100 - $10,000+ |
| Memory Foam | $1150 | $1000 | $1100 | $100 - $8600 |
| Hybrid | $1700 | $1600 | $1000 | $200 - $5100 |
| Latex | $2100 | $1800 | $2000 | $800 - $6700 |
| Air | $2500 | $1700 | $1700 | $500 - $5800 |
Low- Vs Mid- Vs High-Priced Mattresses
The following table compares low-, mid-, and high-priced mattresses on key criteria. The following is true for the price categories overall; a particular brand or model may differ.
| Low-Priced (up to $700 queen) |
Mid-Priced ($700-$1800 queen) |
High-Priced ($1800+ queen) |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Owner satisfaction | 68% / 89%* | 74% | 75% |
| Lifespan | 5.3 year avg | 7 year avg | 8 year avg |
| Availability | mostly online | stores and online | stores and online |
| % of Owners Using For Daily Adult Use / Light Use* | 63% / 37% | 83% / 17% | 94% / 6% |
| Large person (230+ lbs) friendly | poor to acceptable | acceptable to good | mostly good |
| Materials and design | mostly simple | mix of simple and advanced | often advanced |
| Thickness | often 6-13 inches | often 10-15 inches | often 11-17 inches |
| Firmness | often med to firm | soft to firm | soft to firm |
| % of Owners Needing To Add Topper | 15% | 11% | 8% |
| Warranty | 9 year avg | 13 year avg | 12 year avg |
* Light use includes temporary, occasional adult use and daily child / teen use.
ALSO SEE our mattress price comparison (sortable).
Mattress Types & Pain Relief / Prevention
Those mattress types that provide above-average support, pressure relief, and durability are less likely to cause back, hip, and shoulder pain.
SEE THE FULL ANALYSIS at our mattresses and (back) pain relief research.
Buying A Mattress Online Vs Store Buying
Buying a mattress online has important similarities and differences to buying in a store.
| Buying Online | Buying From Store | ||
| Try before buy | D | a | Manufacturers that sell online seldom have their mattresses available in stores to try before purchase. |
| Satisfaction likelihood | C | c+ | All other things equal, owner satisfaction rates are mostly similar whether the mattress is bought online untried or from a store following a try out session. |
| Price | b | C- | Purchasing a mattress online can save as much as 20%. |
| Durable | B | C | Consumers often report better durability and long-term comfort from mattresses bought online. |
| Customer service | B+ | C | Customer service from online mattress retailers tends to be better in every way. |
| Full service delivery | D+ | A- | While some online retailers offer full service delivery, FedEx or UPS is often the delivery method. Full service delivery is usually offered by store retailers. |
| Old bed removal | D | A- | Unlike store retailers, online mattress retailers seldom offer old mattress removal. |
| Easy returns | c+ | B+ | Return ease and convenience can vary significantly for online mattress retailers. |
| Return cost | B+ | C- | Returns fees for store retailers tend to be more common as well as more substantial. |
SEE THE FULL ANALYSIS at our buying a mattress online: what to know research.
New Vs Traditional Mattress Brands
The mattress industry has changed significantly in the past five years.
This change is due to the emergence of many new mattress brands / companies, most of which operate exclusively online. Notable examples include Casper, Leesa, Tuft & Needle, and Purple.
These new mattress brands differ from the older, established and traditional brands – such as Serta, Sealy, Simmons, Tempur-Pedic, Sleep Number – in many ways as indicated below.
| Newer Brands | Older Brands | ||
| Time in business | D+ | A | The traditional brands have been around for decades, while the newer brands on average are about three years old. |
| Available in stores | D | A | Newer brand mattresses are sold almost exclusively online vs older brand mattresses which are sold mostly in stores. |
| Owner satisfaction | B- | C | On average, newer brand mattresses have 78% owner satisfaction vs 73% for older brand. |
| Mattress longevity | C+ | c | Durability / longevity for newer brand mattresses tends to be at least fair. For older brand mattresses, it is on average about fair but can vary considerably by brand |
| Price | b | C- | On average, newer brand mattresses cost about $900 vs about $1800 for older brand. |
| Perceived value | B- | C- | Older brand mattresses tend to have lower perceived value due mainly to their above average prices and often questionable lifespan. |
| Model variety | C- | A | The newer brands usually offer one to three models – in contrast to older brands which offer more. |
| Customer service | A- | C | The newer brands usually place emphasis on providing strong customer service. |
| Old mattress removed | D | A- | Newer brand mattresses usually are delivered via FedEx or UPS meaning they don't often offer old mattress removal. |
| No-strings full money back | A | D+ | Older brand mattresses are more likely to incur a fee for a return. |
| Specs disclosed | B | D+ | The newer brands tend to be more open about the specifications of their mattresses, such as layer thickness, material composition, and weight. |
| Marketing sophis- tication | A- | C+ | The newer brands tend to place high emphasis on marketing which includes defining a target consumer and creating compelling websites and messaging. |
| Marketing accuracy | C- | B | The newer brands are more likely to use exaggerated claims to describe their beds such as "perfect," "world's best," and "universal appeal." |
Mattress Firmness Guide
For People of Average Size (130-230 Pounds)
The following shows the firmness level that tends to be suitable for average-sized people depending on their body type; your own personal preference may differ.
| Side Sleep | Back Sleep | Stomach Sleep | |
|---|---|---|---|
| About equally wide shoulders, waist & hips | medium to medium-firm |
medium-firm | medium to medium-firm |
| Wide waist with less broad shoulders & hips | medium-firm | medium-firm To firm | medium to medium-firm |
| Wide hips with less wide waist & shoulders | medium-soft to medium-firm |
medium-firm | medium-firm |
| Wide shoulders with less wide waist & hips | medium | medium to medium-firm |
medium to medium-firm |
| Wide shoulders & wide hips with less wide waist | medium-soft to medium-firm |
medium to medium-firm |
medium to medium-firm |
SEE THE FULL ANALYSIS as well as firmness suggestions for people of above- and below-average size at our mattress firmness guide.
Mattress Longevity
Mattress longevity or lifespan can vary especially by mattress type.
SEE THE FULL ANALYSIS at our mattress longevity comparison.
Mattress Heat Retention
At least 8% of people report that their mattress holds heat and sleeps hot to a degree that undermines sleep quantity / quality. Some mattress types have more heat-trap potential than others.
SEE THE FULL ANALYSIS at our mattress heat retention research.
Mattress Motion Isolation
A mattress with motion isolation localizes or absorbs a person's movement, such as getting in / out of bed and changing of positions. A mattress lacking motion isolation sends a person's movement across the bed to possible disturb their partner.
SEE THE FULL ANALYSIS at our mattress motion isolation comparison.
Mattress Off Gassing
Off gassing is an odor or gas that a mattress may release when unpackaged due to its chemical composition. Some mattress types are more likely than others to have a problem.
SEE THE FULL ANALYSIS at our mattress off gassing odor research.
Mattress Weight
The different mattress types can vary considerably in weight.
The advantages of a heavy mattress is that the mattress often feels and looks substantial and expensive. A heavy mattress is also more planted and less likely to move on its base requiring adjustment. The disadvantages of a heavy mattress is that they are comparatively difficult to transport, move, maneuver and handle especially for one person. Heavy mattresses are also often more expensive to ship.
SEE THE FULL ANALYSIS at our mattress weight research.
Pillow Top vs Non-Pillow Top Mattresses
The following table compares pillow top and non-pillow top mattresses based on actual consumer experiences. The findings apply mostly to innerspring mattresses.
| Pillow TOP | non- pillow top | ||
| Longevity/ durability | d | c | 30% or more of pillow top mattress owners report significant sagging taking place within three years vs about 17% for non-pillow top mattress owners. |
| Support | C | B- | Pillow top sagging can undermine support and cause back pain. Edge support can be lacking for pillow top mattresses, especially softer models with thicker tops; eurotops (tops that taper near the edges) perform better. |
| Easy to maintain | d | c+ | Pillow top beds often require more (head to foot) rotation to maintain proper support / comfort and avoid sagging. |
| Affordable | c- | B- | Pillow top beds are on average at least 25% pricier than non-pillow top beds. |
| Conforms / adaptive | B | D+ | Pillow tops are more likely to contour well to one's body and thereby reduce pressure and excessive firmness – especially for side sleep. |
| Side sleep friendly | B | C | Side sleepers – especially those of average to below-average size – tend to be more satisfied with pillow top beds at least initially as they usually provide the softness that these sleepers prefer. |
| No sleeping hot | c- | b- | About 9% of pillow top bed owners vs about 5% of non-pillow top bed owners report bothersome heat retention. |
| Easy to move on | D+ | B | Soft pillow top beds with at least two inches of memory foam can provide significant resistance to changing positions and getting up. |
SEE THE FULL ANALYSIS at our mattress top comparison.
Mattress Types and Sex Suitability
The different mattress types can have good, fair, and poor aspects in regard to romance friendliness.
| Air | Foam | Hybrid | Inner Spring | Latex | Memory Foam | |
| Bounce | C+ | C+ | C- | A- | B | D- |
| Comfort | C+ | B | A- | D+ | B+ | B- |
| No noise / quiet | D+ | A | B+ | C- | B+ | A |
| Ease of moving on | B | B- | C- | A- | C+ | D |
| Position variety | C | C+ | A- | B- | B- | C- |
| Entire top suitable | D+ | C- | B+ | C | B- | C- |
| Holds up to use | D+ | B | C+ | D+ | B+ | A- |
| Cleanup ease | B | D | D | D | C- | D |
| Total rating | C | C+ | B- | B- | B- | C- |
SEE THE FULL ANALYSIS at our mattresses and sex research.
Mattresses For Large & Small People
Among other factors, mattress thickness is an important attribute that small and large people should consider.
| Mattress Thickness | Large People | Small People |
|---|---|---|
| 6 inches | poor | good to fair |
| 8 inches | fair to poor | good |
| 10 inches | good to fair | good to fair |
| 11 inches | good | good to fair |
| 12 inches | good | fair |
| 13+ inches | good | fair to poor |
SEE THE FULL ANALYSIS at our mattress guide for large & small people.
Mattress Warranties
The useful lifespan of a mattress tends to be a fraction of its warranty length.
| Warranty Length | Average Lifespan of Mattress |
|---|---|
| 5 years | 4.6 years |
| 10 years | 7.1 years |
| 20 years | 8.1 years |
SEE THE FULL ANALYSIS at our mattress warranties: what to know research.
Mattress Returns
The main reason people seek to return their mattress is due to its firmness being unsuitable for one's personal preference, body type, and or sleep position. Less common reasons include heat retention, bothersome off gassing odor, and unsuitability for romance.
Chart: Main reasons for seeking a mattress return
SEE THE FULL STORY AND ANALYSIS at our returning a mattress: what to know research.
How To Best Use This Site For Mattress Research
The best place to start your research is the page you are on right now – or the mattress comparisons page – specifically the mattress type comparison. Once you have chosen a type, then choose a brand and model of that type. Then, if necessary, choose a seller of the mattress from the retailer comparison.
About Our Unbiased and Independent Mattress Research
We've so far spent 6,100 hours gathering 27,200 mattress reviews from over 900 sources. See research sources & methodology for details.
Sleep Like The Dead's mattress research in The News –
About our unbiased Mattress review and research
Our unbiased and independent mattress research is based on over 27,200 actual consumer experiences.
See our research sources and methodology for more information and why you can trust our mattress reviews.