Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Our team of nine mattress experts has been doing this for years. We’ve tested and reviewed nearly three hundred mattresses and dozens of sleep accessories, from Bedding to Top hats to Headphones for sleep. During that time, we established a testing methodology that each mattress undergoes upon arrival at our Reno testing facility.
We take a holistic approach to mattress testing, which means our team is involved to make sure we represent all types of people. Our team includes a mix of genders, body types, and sleeping positions.
CNET mattress expert Owen Ball tests motion isolation with a cup of water.
Firmness
We assess and record two types of assertiveness: subjective and objective. When I test for firmness, I lie on the mattress in each sleeping position and notice how it feels on my back, stomach, and hips. Our entire team is involved in this process to ensure that the firmness rating is not based on one body type.
The Mattress Smasher 9000 objectively measures mattress firmness levels.
The Mattress Smasher 9000 comes with an objective firmness level. Not only is it an impressive orange color, but it can scientifically evaluate the firmness of the bed based on the strength of a 160-pound person. We always make sure to test the bed ourselves before the MS9K gets a turn to ensure our experience is unbiased.
Motion isolation
Motion isolation is how well the bed mitigates movement across the surface. It may not seem like a big deal, but if you sleep with a significant other or a furry friend, a bed with poor motion insulation can keep you up at night.
To test motion isolation, we do two things. First, I lie on the bed and close my eyes while one of my teammates moves on the bed next to me. I do this from each sleeping position and evaluate how much movement I feel at all times. Second, we do the water test, which involves placing a cup of water on the edge of the bed and rolling toward it. The bed gets less motion isolation if water rushes in or flips over.
Edge support
If you’re like me and tend to sleep on the edge of the bed or have mobility restrictions, you know how important edge support is. To test the strength of the bed’s circumference, we sit and lie on the edge and estimate how much it bends. It does not have good edge support if it feels like we might roll over or the edge will collapse under our weight.
Many of our favorite beds, like the Big Fig, have solid edge support, which means you can access the entire surface area of the bed for sleeping.
temperature
All beds that come through our laboratory are tested in a temperature-controlled room. Many brands claim that their beds are cool, but their performance doesn’t back this up. We are passionate about making sure the bed backs up its claims. We examine the bed’s construction and rely on our direct experience with it to evaluate how nice it feels.
