Consumer Reports recently released a preview of their latest mattress ratings and tests, so The Sleepy Shopper took a look to see what they had to say. Everyone loves to get their fill of a good night sleep, but searching through the endless advertisements for mattresses that promise to deliver, can get a little tedious. This is where Consumer Reports come in, aiming to simplify the process by providing third-party data analysis to help give consumers information and perspective.
Consumer Reports Mattress Ratings 2013
In a recent release, Consumer Reports offers a peek into their latest round of mattress comparisons. Though the full information won’t be published until May, they did share a few interesting insights. tested approximately a dozen queen-size specialty and innerspring mattresses. The prices of the mattresses ranged from $500 to just about $2000, and include brands like Simmons, Serta, Sealy, Tempurpedic, Select Comfort, and Novaform.
How the tests are performed:
There are a series of categories researched when Consumer Reports test products. One of which when it comes to mattresses, is the body support test. In this test qualified technicians map out areas that shape out the natural curve of a human spine for a range of different people. The test essentially records the percentage of contour give a mattress has, to contour to the individuals shape. Other tests include the firmness level of the mattress and the construction followed by price range and the transparency of warranty terms.
Consumer Reports Results
Full results and mattress ratings are only available for paying subscribers, but here is what we’ve gleaned from articles and press releases the organization has released.
- Their favorite: the Simmons Beautyrest Glover Park for good support, low motion transfer and price below $1000.
- Memory foam comparisons: They found the Tempur-pedic Simplicity ($1200) easier to move on than previous models, and to have low motion transfer. They also mention the Novaform Serafina ($900) as performing almost as well for $300 less.
- Gel mattresses proved no more breathable than other types.
From the models tested thus far, Consumer Reports appears to favor innerspring. However, they only discuss two memory foam mattresses and both are considered “lower-end” in terms of quality so this may skew results. By lower end, we mean that the foam density used in the beds is below 3.0lbs which offers less support than foams in the “optimal” range between 4.0 and 5.3 lbs. This could be because the theme of the recent posts was getting good mattresses under $1000, however.
The Importance of Mattress Research
According to Consumer Reports, approximately two out of every five individuals (40%) will report a regretful experience, and express the wish to have purchased a different mattress. This means that every shopper should ensure they are using best shopping practices and purchasing beds with return periods. Consumer Reports offers an online buying guide that features some tips for shoppers, and we expanded on the most important ones below.
Research, Research, Research
As the Consumer Reports article says, “relying solely on salespeople could leave you lying awake at night.” Before an individual goes to purchase a new mattress, they must understand that this purchase will last them for about 5 to 8 years. This means they should be comfortable with their decision. Shoppers should then look around online and in stores without the intention of buying to get a feel of what is out there, what will work for you, and to develop a budget. You don’t want to be pressured in to a snap decision when it comes to your bed. Although CR offers the industry standard “test for 10-15 minutes on a showroom model” suggestion, the numbers of people unsatisfied with the beds they chose and a study from Research Triangle International shows that this may not be sufficient to determine comfort.
Get Educated
Know about the current mattress types and technologies so you know what you are looking when shopping Being educated can prevent you from getting ripped off or picking sub-standard bed. As Consumer Reports mentions in their guide, knowing the basics like materials, sizes, and types proves important when looking for a bed
- Innerspring mattresses – the traditional coil and spring-based models with various padding and pillowtops.
- Memory foam mattresses – pressure-relieving foam that contours to individuals’ bodies and returns to its original shape afterwards. Available as standard memory foam, gel-infused, and plant-based.
- Latex mattresses – another type of foam which offers great buoyancy and resilience than visco foam. Available with 100% natural, blended, and synthetic formulations. Some brands offer cheaper hybrids with feature latex over a polyurethane foam.
- Gel Mattresses – these are the latest “it” product in the bedding industry, with gel infused in to materials like memory foam or used as layers in the other bed types. Claims to sleep cooler, but tests from Consumer Reports found other beds just as breathable, and both standard and plant-based memory foam manufacturers have released studies showing gel actually sleeps slightly warmer.
- Adjustable air bed mattresses – beds in which users can adjust the firmness by controlling the air pressure of an internal chamber. Often paired with latex and memory foam for pressure reduction.
- Waterbeds – these types of beds are making a small comeback, with both hardside models for traditional wood frames and soft-side models that can function in standard furniture. They contain water inside vinyl bladders for support, and may also have baffling or fiber layers for firmness.
Shopping Strategically
Whenever you are making a big purchase, it is always a good idea to compare brands and retailers. While Consumer Reports’ guide mentions that comparing privately-branded lines between retailers can be confusing, there are a few ways to make the process a little easier.
- Make a comparison spreadsheet or table in a handy notebook. Take notes on feature like the mattress core/support system, profile height, padding material, foam density, cover material, warranty, return period, price, etc. Retailer websites tend to offer more specific and accurate details then sales staff.
- Shop online as many retailers offer online-only deals or sell exclusively online and feature lower prices than retail showrooms.
- Instead of going by model name, look at the actual features you’ve compiled in your notes when comparing value.
Comparison Shopping with Tempurpedic, Novaform, and Amerisleep
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Tempurpedic Simplicity
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Costco/Novaform Serafina
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Amerisleep Americana
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|---|---|---|---|
| Profile: | 8″ | 12″ | 10″ |
| Memory Foam Density: | 2.5 lbs | 3.0 lbs | 4.5 lbs |
| Inches of Memory Foam: | 2″ | 2.5″ | 3″ |
| Trial Period: | 90 days | 90 days | 90 days |
| Warranty: | 25 years | 20 years | 20 years |
| Average Owner Rating: | 3.5 /5 stars | 4.1 /5 stars | 4.6 /5 stars |
| Queen Price: | $1200 | $900 | $999 |
The chart above, borrowed from BestMattress-Reviews.org, serves two purposes. First, it provides an example of how to comparison shop like we mentioned earlier. Second, it illustrates the potential benefits of buying a mattress at online versus sticking to common showroom brands. The Americana plant based memory foam mattress from Amerisleep.com is similar on guarantees and price to the Novaform and Tempurpedic, but offers higher quality materials and boast better consumer ratings.
Advantages of Buying a Mattress Online over Stores
It is not difficult to understand why buying mattresses has turned into such an ordeal for many individuals. The confusing branding, misleading discounts, and pushy salespeople can combine to create quite a headache. On the bright side however, the internet can make the process a little easier. Of course, shopping from your own house at any time of day offers convenience, but that are few other advantages to skipping the showroom shoppers should consider as well.
Longer in home trials
Online retailers tend to offer longer in-home trials. Because they know that people often have reservations about buying before trying, the compensate with generous trial periods and return terms. A showroom may offer a limited 30 day free trial, but they may also frequently charge restocking fees or other charges if the shopper chooses to return the item. Reliable online brands have very good in-home trial offers for shoppers. Look for a 90 night trial with no fees for restocking (and preferably no return shipping for exchanges). This allows you to test a bed in the comfort of your own home for several weeks as opposed to an awkward 15 minute trial at a store.
Save money
Even many local stores charge for delivery, while online retailers almost always offer perks like free shipping, and sometimes even white glove delivery. Furthermore, because online stores don’t have to rent costly showrooms or staff them full of commissioned salespeople, they can pass cost savings to shoppers. And, perhaps most importantly, they are competing with the whole internet and not just the local shops meaning prices and sales are bound to be more competitive and consumers have more leverage when bargaining.
Wider selection
Individuals will find that there will be an exceptionally larger selection through an online retailer then there would be through a showroom. This is due to space availability and on-demand manufacturing. Online retailers keep their merchandise in efficient and less-costly warehouses or make them to order based on consumer need. Online retailers thus have the ability to offer a greater range of mattress types and sizes to suit shoppers’ needs.
Shopping for a new mattress can be a hassle, but there are ways to make the process smoother and easier. Researching your options and looking at a variety of brands and retailers can net you a better bed and better deal. Looking online versus in showrooms also offers advantages like lower prices and more perks, plus allows you the ability to thoroughly research your purchase free from pressure, via reviews, comparisons, blogs, and third party sources like Consumer Reports.