Our CNET Sleep editors have tested more beds than the average sleeper — around 300 different ones, in fact — and have dedicated hundreds of hours to the craft. We take pride in our mattress testing methodology.
Firmness and feel
When we start mattress testing, we first determine the firmness and feel of the mattress. Firmness is simply how hard or soft a mattress is. We have several team members test and rate each bed to get the most well-rounded picture of how a bed performs in these categories.
The feel of the mattress describes how the mattress reacts. Is it slow responding like traditional memory foam? Does it snap back like latex foam? This will translate to how it will feel rolling around on the bed at night.
The Mattress Smasher 9000 objectively tests the firmness of each bed.
We also test firmness objectively using our proprietary CNET device, the Mattress Smasher 9000. This machine presses into the middle of a bed, and our corresponding software measures firmness on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being the softest and 10 being the firmest. While we also test each bed personally for perceived firmness and feel, we can support our opinions with the data from the Mattress Smasher.
Durability
The durability, or how long a mattress will last, is based on what it’s made from. Mattresses with individually wrapped coils as the base are more durable than all-foam options. They also tend to be more expensive.
Mattress performance
The key performance criteria we assess for mattresses include motion isolation, edge support and temperature.
We test how the mattresses isolate movement by placing a glass of water on the edge of the bed and rolling around to see how much it moves. Motion isolation is a big deal if you have a partner who rolls around and wakes you up.
Edge support is how strong the perimeter of the bed is. The test for this is simple: we sit and lie on the edge to see if it gives way under pressure.
When assessing temperature, we examine the materials and construction of the mattress. Materials like latex and gel memory foam can keep a mattress from retaining body heat.
Read more on how we test mattresses.
