9 Signs You're a Sofa Bed Expert
The Appropriate Mattress at the Ideal Price
When you buy a new mattress, a poor decision can literally keep you up nights. And the
Industry doesn't make it easy to sort the great models from the so-so in the
downright awful. With their flowery and pseudo-scientific language, producers'
Advertising messages are crafted to convince you that the bridge between you and a
Great night's sleep is just a few thousand bucks. For Example, the Serta Fitzpatrick
Pillow Top ($1,100, queen size) is claimed to deliver "excellent body-hugging
conformability to each sleep partner."
proclaim that it's "a bed that transforms your sleep" with a "dynamic support layer that
moves with you."
And the two Duxianas we tested, starting at $4,800, are claimed to align your spine
"through dynamic contouring support."
To help you shop wisely for the right mattress, our labs evaluate every mattress in our
Ratings not only on how it supports the spine but also on how it endures years of use,
absorbs vibration, allows easy movement, and more.
So head
To the back, and should youn't find the right mattress, work your way toward the front of
Be hip to bait and switch. When you Request a particular mattress, such as one
store just happens to have that's "exactly the same." Don't believe it; the ad was meant
to get you into the store. Also, many model names you see at major retailers such as
shop.
Expect the hard sell. Sales reps can get incentives for pushing certain models. Extras
Such as mattress protectors may also add to commissions, so you may hear claims
that using one is a condition of the warranty. It's not.
More on Mattresses and Sleep
Organic Mattress Labels You Can Trust
The Best Pillow for a Good Night's Sleep
Why Americans Can't Sleep
How to Fall Asleep the Natural Way
The Issue With Sleeping Pills
Does Melatonin Really Help You Sleep?
What Is a Sleep Coach, and Do You Need One?
The Dangers of Drowsy Driving
What Can Happen When You Drive Drugged
Can the Sleep Shepherd Sleeping Cap Lull You Into Sweet Slumber?
Sleep Tracker: Gimmick or Great Gadget?
3 Blue Blockers Put to the Test
Smartphone Apps Can Sound as Good as a White-Noise Machine
Take your time. Comfort is an individual decision. So make sure you lie on the mattress for 10 to 15
Minutes, spending time on each side, on your back, and on your stomach if that's how you sleep.
(Think about bringing your own pillow.) In a survey of subscribers, about 80 percent of those who took
The opportunity to do that told us they were satisfied with their purchase. But you usually can't do that in
Warehouse clubs or with online retailers, so make sure that the return policy lets you send it back if it
doesn't satisfy.
Consider keeping your box spring. If you're switching from an innerspring to a foam or air bed,
You might need a new foundation with no springs. Otherwise, if the box spring you have isn't sagging
Or damaged, it should suffice--and save you money. (Though mattresses and box springs are
Usually sold in pairs, you can elect to buy them singly; box springs alone usually cost $150 to $300.)
Haggle. Some businesses, such as warehouse clubs, won't budge on price. But when shopping for
The ideal mattress at specialty chains and other stores, be sure to negotiate. Markups are huge--
that's why retailers can lower prices by 50 percent or more during their frequent sales. So even if
there's no sale, insist on a "sale" price. No deal? Start to walk out. Chances are, you won't get far
before the sales rep gives in.
Check the terms. Most companies will let you sleep on a mattress
120 days before deciding to return or exchange it, but make certain to get the policy in writing. If you do
return a mattress, you might pay a 15 to 25 percent restocking fee.
Innerspring, memory foam, or adjustable air?
Let us know what you prefer below.
Our Mattress Testing Over the Years
We first tested mattresses in 1938. Although our equipment has changed, our Targets
have not: to see how much support a mattress provides and how well it will hold up
over time. And to help you find the ideal mattress.
Side show. Today we measure spinal support by hooking up our testers to sensors that
send readings to a computer.
Bounce test. We used to pound this "buttocks simulator" against each mattress
125,000 times. Today we measure durability with a giant 308-pound roller.
Spring-loaded. We cut open mattresses to see whether what's inside is what
manufacturers claim. We still count springs, as we did in 1958.
for anywhere from two weeks to
When you buy a new mattress, a poor decision can literally keep you up nights. And the
Industry doesn't make it easy to sort the great models from the so-so in the
downright awful. With their flowery and pseudo-scientific language, producers'
Advertising messages are crafted to convince you that the bridge between you and a
Great night's sleep is just a few thousand bucks. For Example, the Serta Fitzpatrick
Pillow Top ($1,100, queen size) is claimed to deliver "excellent body-hugging
conformability to each sleep partner."
proclaim that it's "a bed that transforms your sleep" with a "dynamic support layer that
moves with you."
And the two Duxianas we tested, starting at $4,800, are claimed to align your spine
"through dynamic contouring support."
To help you shop wisely for the right mattress, our labs evaluate every mattress in our
Ratings not only on how it supports the spine but also on how it endures years of use,
absorbs vibration, allows easy movement, and more.
So head
To the back, and should youn't find the right mattress, work your way toward the front of
Be hip to bait and switch. When you Request a particular mattress, such as one
store just happens to have that's "exactly the same." Don't believe it; the ad was meant
to get you into the store. Also, many model names you see at major retailers such as
shop.
Expect the hard sell. Sales reps can get incentives for pushing certain models. Extras
Such as mattress protectors may also add to commissions, so you may hear claims
that using one is a condition of the warranty. It's not.
More on Mattresses and Sleep
Organic Mattress Labels You Can Trust
The Best Pillow for a Good Night's Sleep
Why Americans Can't Sleep
How to Fall Asleep the Natural Way
The Issue With Sleeping Pills
Does Melatonin Really Help You Sleep?
What Is a Sleep Coach, and Do You Need One?
The Dangers of Drowsy Driving
What Can Happen When You Drive Drugged
Can the Sleep Shepherd Sleeping Cap Lull You Into Sweet Slumber?
Sleep Tracker: Gimmick or Great Gadget?
3 Blue Blockers Put to the Test
Smartphone Apps Can Sound as Good as a White-Noise Machine
Take your time. Comfort is an individual decision. So make sure you lie on the mattress for 10 to 15
Minutes, spending time on each side, on your back, and on your stomach if that's how you sleep.
(Think about bringing your own pillow.) In a survey of subscribers, about 80 percent of those who took
The opportunity to do that told us they were satisfied with their purchase. But you usually can't do that in
Warehouse clubs or with online retailers, so make sure that the return policy lets you send it back if it
doesn't satisfy.
Consider keeping your box spring. If you're switching from an innerspring to a foam or air bed,
You might need a new foundation with no springs. Otherwise, if the box spring you have isn't sagging
Or damaged, it should suffice--and save you money. (Though mattresses and box springs are
Usually sold in pairs, you can elect to buy them singly; box springs alone usually cost $150 to $300.)
Haggle. Some businesses, such as warehouse clubs, won't budge on price. But when shopping for
The ideal mattress at specialty chains and other stores, be sure to negotiate. Markups are huge--
that's why retailers can lower prices by 50 percent or more during their frequent sales. So even if
there's no sale, insist on a "sale" price. No deal? Start to walk out. Chances are, you won't get far
before the sales rep gives in.
Check the terms. Most companies will let you sleep on a mattress
120 days before deciding to return or exchange it, but make certain to get the policy in writing. If you do
return a mattress, you might pay a 15 to 25 percent restocking fee.
Innerspring, memory foam, or adjustable air?
Let us know what you prefer below.
Our Mattress Testing Over the Years
We first tested mattresses in 1938. Although our equipment has changed, our Targets
have not: to see how much support a mattress provides and how well it will hold up
over time. And to help you find the ideal mattress.
Side show. Today we measure spinal support by hooking up our testers to sensors that
send readings to a computer.
Bounce test. We used to pound this "buttocks simulator" against each mattress
125,000 times. Today we measure durability with a giant 308-pound roller.
Spring-loaded. We cut open mattresses to see whether what's inside is what
manufacturers claim. We still count springs, as we did in 1958.
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