When it is time to buy a new mattress, Canadians are faced with a wide range of choices, each boasting various benefits and features to help you sleep better. But with so many options, it can be an overwhelming decision.
We at Slumber want to make your decision easier. Because we are dedicated to helping you find the right mattress for your sleeping requirements and preferences, we have developed our own mattress testing and scoring system.
Our mattress testing and scoring system is designed to give each mattress a fair and clear assessment, while the scores will help you to identify a mattress that will best help you sleep better.
Below, you will find a breakdown of our testing and scoring system so you know how we rank mattresses for qualities such as firmness, pressure relief, cooling, and more.
What We Will and Will Not Do When Testing Mattresses
Before we go into the factors we use when testing and scoring mattresses, we want to share with you what we do and do not do when carrying out our assessments.
- We will always research and test each product independently.
- We are always objective when testing and scoring with no preferential treatment to any brand.
- We will only recommend products that we would be happy to use ourselves.
- We will not accept payments from mattress brands in exchange for positive reviews. Neither will we accept payments for a mattress to be included on any best mattress list.
- We will not repeat any brand claim about their mattress without testing it first.
- We are not medical experts so we will not verify any medical claims about a mattress.
Brief Summary of Our Assessment Criteria
Because we know that people are busy and not everyone will have the time to read the detailed explanation of each factor we use when testing mattresses, here is a summary of our testing factors.
- Firmness and support: How firm is the mattress and does it support correct spinal alignment?
- Pressure relief: Does the mattress alleviate pressure points and provide overall comfort?
- Motion isolation: When people are sharing a bed, does the mattress prevent motion transfer?
- Temperature regulation: Will the mattress help the sleeper to maintain a comfortable temperature?
- Durability: Is the mattress resistant to wear and tear and how long can it be expected to last?
- Edge support: Do the edges prevent sagging and help users getting in and out of bed?
- Materials and safety: Is the mattress made with high-quality materials and does it have any certifications (e.g. non-toxic, hypoallergenic)?
- Off-gassing: Does the mattress emit an unpleasant odour and how long does it last?
- Trial period and warranty: Does the mattress come with a trial period and if yes, how long is it? How long is the mattress’s warranty?
- Company: How long has the company been in business and what do their existing customers say about them?
Our Mattress Testing Process Step-by-Step
Firmness and Support
The right mattress will support your spine so it stays in the correct alignment while you sleep. The level of support a mattress offers depends on its firmness but also on your preferred sleeping position and body type. For example, a mattress is likely to feel firmer for a lighter person and softer for a heavier person because of the amount your body sinks into the mattress.
While we also do human testing, where we lie on the mattress in different sleeping positions and note how much our hips and shoulders sink in, it is important to carry out an objective test for accurate and fair results. To do this, we test each mattress using a medicine ball.
First, we lay the mattress on a flat and stable surface. We then measure the height of the mattresses with no weight on it. We then place the medicine ball in the centre of the mattress and measure again. The depth the medicine ball sinks is indicative of the firmness of the mattress: the deeper it sinks, the softer the mattress is. We then repeat the measurement in other critical areas, such as the edges and towards the top, where the shoulders would be.
When the sinkage is minimal (up to 2 cm), this means the mattress is firm and offers strong support. Sinkage between 2 and 4 cm indicates a medium mattress and sinkage over 4 cm a soft mattress. For most Canadians, mattresses with medium sinkage are the most suitable and supportive option.
Pressure Relief
One of the most important aspects you need to consider when choosing a mattress is how good it is at providing pressure relief. If your mattress creates pressure points rather than relieves them, it can lead to pain building up in the joints and/or the spine. Side sleepers tend to develop pressure points in the hips and shoulders, back sleepers in the lower back or lumbar region, and stomach sleepers in the front of the hips,
Because people have different body types and sleeping positions, it is challenging to assess pressure relief objectively. However, after testing dozens, if not hundreds of mattresses, we believe we can offer you an accurate assessment of how much pressure relief a mattress offers.
When we assess pressure relief we base the result on our own experience when testing the mattress, the thickness of the mattress and its different layers, the sinkage test described above, and the quality of the materials. When we test the mattress for pressure-relieving qualities, we try it in different sleeping positions to see how well it redistributes our weight to relieve pressure in key points.
Pressure relief is also closely linked to spinal support. If the spine is out of alignment, you are more likely to develop pressure points.To check how well the mattress supports spinal alignment, we track the curvature of the spine in different sleeping positions. A straighter spine means a lower likelihood of pressure points developing while you sleep.
Motion Isolation
If you share a bed with another person, choosing a mattress with good motion isolation is important for better sleep. If the mattress has poor motion isolation, you are likely to feel every move the other sleeper makes, leading to disrupted, poor-quality sleep.
We carry out three tests to assess how well a mattress isolates movement. The first one is an in-person test where we lie on the mattress. One person rolls around while the other lies still to see how much movement transfers to their side of the bed.
The next test involves a glass of water. We put the glass on one side of the mattress and then compress the other side repeatedly. The less water is spilt, the better motion isolation the mattress has.
For the final test, we use the medicine ball again. We drop the ball at different heights (8, 16, and 24 centimetres) and measure the effect on the mattress. After the final test is complete, we combine the results of all three to get an overall assessment of how well the mattress prevents motion transfer.
Temperature Regulation
Sleeping hot is a common problem, especially during the summer months, but luckily, choosing a mattress that is effective at regulating temperature can help you sleep better. Mattresses that are “cooling” will transfer heat away from your body rather than trapping it.
There are different factors that affect how well the mattress helps you to regulate your body temperature such as the materials and design of the mattress and how much your body sinks while you sleep.
To test the temperature-regulating properties of a mattress, we measure the temperature of the mattress once we have slept on it. Next, we examine the layers of the mattress to assess what cooling properties they may have. For example, the mattress may have copper-infused memory foam, an innerspring core for better airflow, or cooling covers.
Finally, we use a thermal imaging camera to assess how much and how quickly the mattress warms up when one of us lies on it. The smaller and slower the temperature change is, the better the mattress is at keeping you cooler while you sleep.
Durability
How long a mattress will last depends on the materials used and the quality of craftsmanship. On average, mattresses last around ten years, although some types of mattresses, for example, hybrid mattresses, can be expected to last longer with correct maintenance.
A high-quality mattress will be made using materials known for their durability, such as pocketed innerspring systems and dense memory foam. Generally, all-foam and all-spring mattresses have lower durability than hybrid mattresses with a foam layer on top and an innerspring core.
When we assess the quality of craftsmanship, we look at how well the mattress is made. For example, a high-quality mattress will have strong stitching and no loose threads or fraying. If the mattress has been around for some time, we also research user review data to find out what real life users have said about the mattress’s durability and craftsmanship.
Edge support
Edge support is another key physical feature that impacts how comfortable a mattress is. A strong edge will mean the mattress is more durable because it will hold its structure better in everyday use and have a more consistent feel across its entire surface. It will also increase the usable area of the mattress and allow you to sleep on the edge if that is your preferred sleeping position.
To test the edge of the mattress we lie and sit on the edge to see how it responds. A strong edge will feel sturdy and supportive instead of caving in and feeling like you will roll off the bed. We also use our fists to push the edges down and measure how much it compresses. Next, we use the glass of water again, placing it on the side of the bed. We apply pressure around the glass and the steadier the glass is, the more supportive the edge is.
Traditionally, innerspring mattresses have had the best edge support with the coils arranged around the perimeter offering reinforced support. However, other mattresses are catching up. Especially hybrid mattresses, but also foam mattresses made with high-density foams. Mattresses with good edge support are a great option for people with mobility issues as it will make getting in and out of bed easier.
Materials And Safety
We test all types of mattresses, including innerspring, memory foam, latex foam, and hybrid mattresses. Each material has its own qualities. For example, memory foam mattresses often offer better contouring than innerspring, while innerspring mattresses often have better airflow than foam mattresses. Meanwhile, hybrid mattresses aim to combine the best qualities of spring and foam mattresses but if not done well, can disappoint both foam and innerspring mattress fans.
In addition to the filling materials, we also look at the quality of the outer shell. Is it made with natural or synthetic materials? Does it feel soft to the touch? Does it have any cooling properties to help with temperature regulation? These are among the key questions we ask when assessing the outer shell materials.
We also look at the certificates the mattress has for its materials. These include CertiPUR-US® given to foam mattresses made without any harmful chemicals; GREENGUARD Gold Certification given to mattresses with low chemical emissions; Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) given to mattresses with organic textiles; and OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 that shows that every component has been tested for harmful substances and found safe.
Off-Gassing
Off-gassing refers to the smell that new mattresses will often release. This refers to the gas that has been trapped within the mattress. Some people refer to it as the new mattress smell and it is most likely to happen with foam mattresses that come in a box.
The gases released when the new mattress is unwrapped are harmless but can be unpleasant. How long the smell will linger depends on the mattress. Sometimes the smell can be gone within a few hours, other times you may still smell it a few days later.
Of course, assessing the time until there is no off-gassing is subjective because some people have more sensitive noses than others. Therefore our assessment of this factor is guidance only because people may find that the off-gassing smell is gone faster or takes longer to clear depending on their sense of smell and how well ventilated the room is.
Trial Period and Warranty
Many mattress companies, especially those who are only online, offer trial periods. These are periods where you can try the mattress at home and if you are not happy, return it for a full refund. The trial periods vary from a few months to a full year.
Generally, mattress companies ask you to use the mattress for at least a month before you make your mind up because it will take your body some time to get used to the new mattress. It is also common for them to require the mattress to be in a donatable condition with no spills and stains.
The length of the warranty will also differ between companies. The warranty period can be indicative of the mattress’s durability and quality of craftsmanship. When the mattress is made to last (up to the recommended number of years), the company is more likely to offer a longer warranty against design or manufacturing faults.
Company
When we assess a mattress, we also look at the company and its reputation. This includes criteria such as how long the company has been in business, what the customers say about the company, does the company deliver on time, and how the company deals with any returns or issues.
This does not mean we are biased towards established mattress companies. With more people realising the importance of sleep for their overall well-being, the sleep industry, including the mattress industry, has been experiencing steady growth and new companies have entered the market.
We assess all mattresses fairly whether they have been made by a new or an established company. If the company is so new that there is only very little feedback, if any, from customers, we can still offer you a comprehensive review of the product by following the steps described above.
Final Thoughts
Our goal in testing mattresses rigorously is to help you choose the right mattress for you based on your body type, lifestyle (sleeping alone or sharing your bed), and preferred sleeping position.
We want to provide you with clear reviews that give you a sense of what a mattress will be like in use without having to do extra research on it. You can trust our reviews, knowing that they are all unbiased (no paid reviews here), accurate, and comprehensive.
However, only you can know what you need in a mattress. Therefore, as well as reading our reviews, consider your sleeping preferences carefully before you buy.