If you plan on buying a new bed soon, you might be curious to know who has the best mattresses, and which ones to avoid. In this guide, we’ll be comparing the year’s top rated mattresses and contrasting them with the ones that don’t fare so well so you can see how the different brands stack up.
First and foremost, it’s important to understand why reviews can be a very powerful tool when it comes to making big buying decisions. Although comfort is unique, people rate mattresses to share the experiences with companies and retailers, their likes and dislikes, and potential problems you might want to be aware of before committing to a purchase. This insight can tell you things salespeople or a trip the local store can’t, and can help you determine if things like the firmness level or durability is on par with people’s expectations.
Armed with information from reviews and the essentials of the industry, you’ll be equipped to make a smart decision that’ll have you resting easy for years to come.
The Best Type of Mattress: Survey Says…
While there is no single best mattress or type for every single person, a look at trends in consumer satisfaction and performance can offer some helpful insight into which type of bed might offer you the best sleep.
For many decades, the term “mattress” has been synonymous with the innerspring coil bed, topped with various layers of fiber batting and foam. Today, with the boom in specialty brands and online retailers however, shoppers have quite a few choices to make when buying a bed.
The most common types on the market currently are innersprings, memory foam, and latex foam. Air and water are also available through limited retailers, but they represent a fairly small share of the market. In this guide, we’ll be focusing on spring and foam beds.
Below are how these types of mattresses compare, on average, based on data from Sleep Like The Dead. This represents each category as a whole, but individual brands can vary quite a bit from the “norm”, which is important to keep in mind as well.
Ratings Key = Excellent > Good > Fair > Poor
While innerspring beds remain the most popular mattress type in terms of sales, consumers overall report higher satisfaction with memory foam and latex types. Both foam categories continue to grow rapidly as well, with increasing availability and awareness.
Owner Satisfaction of Innerspring, Memory Foam & Latex
Potential reasons for this large gap in satisfaction could include durability and long-term comfort, as higher-quality foam mattresses tend to show less sagging and provide comfort longer than their average spring counterparts.
Many spring beds use fairly low quality foams and fiber layers, which can compress quickly and leave indentations, reducing the bed’s ability to cushion against pressure points. Over time, this can contribute to pain and reduced comfort. Good-quality memory foam and latex both excel at contouring to the sleeper as well which supports natural posture, whereas certain types of spring beds can impede alignment. For example, reviews indicate that people experience less back pain on memory foam and latex compared to spring beds.
Memory Foam Mattresses
Far from a novelty, memory foam mattresses are becoming quite popular with people around the world. While not as widely available as the standard spring bed, many showrooms and online retailers offer brands of memory foam, which can range from inexpensive to luxury in pricing.
Memory foam is the top-rated mattress type, but not all memory foam is created equal. There are a couple things to be aware of when comparing this type of bed, including the type of foam, foam density, and the makeup of the layers.
The type of memory foam refers to the methods used to make it and its characteristics. The key types you’ll find when shopping include:
- Traditional – The standard, temperature sensitive memory foam made of polyurethane and other synthetic materials. The easiest to find generally most affordable, but also most likely to have stronger odors and and heat retention. This type of memory foam will react slowly after being compressed.
- Gel – Traditional memory foam, with gel beads or gel liquid mixed in. Gel foams typically have slightly lower odor and heat complaints, but may cost more. Slow to moderate reaction time to movements. Consumer Reports suggests that gel foams offer no noticeable difference.
- Plant-Based – Plant-based memory foam mattresses use a portion of naturally-derived ingredients in place of synthetics, and may have a greener overall focus. Plant-based foams generally have lower complaints of heat and odor, and people who dislike the stuck or slow response sensation of traditional memory foam may find the faster, temperature-neutral nature of plant foams preferable.
Density is a measure of the weight of one cubic foot of foam. Denser foams have less air. Density is not closely tied with firmness, the very dense foams can feel stiffer initially, especially temperature sensitive types. Medium density foams generally have the highest average satisfaction, but individual preferences can vary.
- Low Density – Memory foams under 3.5 lbs. Low density foams are more affordable and have lower complaints of off-gassing and heat. But, they may not provide adequate support or pressure point relief especially for heavier individuals, and may wear faster.
- Medium Density – Memory foam between 3.5 and 5.0 lbs. Average odor and heat complaints, good support and pressure point relief for most sleepers, average to good durability.
- High Density – Memory foams over 5.0 lbs. High density foams have the highest heat and odor complaints (due to a higher concentration of polymers and ingredients) and they are most expensive. However, high density foams are also associated with better pressure point relief. Since very high densities can feel stiff and create a “stuck sensation”, they are ideally used as a supplement to other layers and not the main comfort layer.
All memory foam beds are composed of at least two layers — the memory foam layer and the base or core foam layer. Some brands may add multiple layers of foams and other materials as well. When comparing, you want to know the type of material and quality of each layer. For example, low density base foam (under 1.5 lbs) may not provide adequate support and can break down much quicker than high density polyurethane foam.
Best Memory Foam Mattress Brands
The majority of the best-rated options in 2015 aren’t pricey high-end mattress brands. Rather, they are comprised of more affordable online retailers. These brands typically don’t have the extensive overhead and markup since they are sold direct to buyers rather than through dealers. All priced in the mid-range of the market, and earn reviews that outpace the traditional big names.
- Amerisleep
- Bed In A Box
- Leesa
Amerisleep’s medium density, plant-based memory foam line tops this year’s ratings, with satisfaction scores over 90% from reviews. They offer six models, ranging from firm to plush in different thicknesses. Bed In A Box also rates well, with a range of gel foam beds using lower density memory foam but high density core foam. Their line ranges from medium to plush. The newer Leesa bed is also doing pretty well in initial reviews (it hasn’t been around as long as the other top two though). They offer only one model with low-density memory foam, in medium firmness.
Worst-Rated Memory Foam Mattresses of 2015
The brands with lowest ratings this year are surprisingly some of the most expensive brands on the market. While they still earn higher ratings than the average innerspring bed, consumers report issues with durability, warranties, heat retention and other things. Another thing people take issue with is value, as many of these lines use similar quality materials to thei more affordable counterparts.
- IKEA
- Serta iComfort
- Simmons Comforpedic
- Sealy Optimum
Latex Foam Mattresses
Latex mattresses are becoming popular, particularly with people seeking healthier or greener alternatives. Those who prefer a bouncier or more resilient surface than memory foam may also prefer latex foam. In terms of reviews, latex is usually very similar to memory foam, also outperforming innersprings.
Although not as widely available in stores as other mattress types, plenty of online retailers sell latex and even organic latex mattresses nationwide. These beds tend be slightly more expensive than memory foam, particularly for all-natural latex as the materials are more expensive to produce and the certifications many manufacturers obtain to show quality are also costly.
When shopping for a latex mattress, the key things to consider are the type of latex, the layer construction, and the certifications.
Latex foam can be composed of natural latex derived from rubber trees or from synthetic styrene butadiene rubber derived from chemical components. More commonly, you’ll see latex made of a blend of natural and synthetic materials.
- All natural latex tends to rate better for comfort, durability and odor. It also offers a greener, eco-friendly option, important to many buyers.
- Synthetic and blended latex is cheaper, but owners report more odors and off gassing, and reduced durability.
- Latex foam is made using either the dunlop or talalay process. Dunlop is the more established process, while talalay adds a few steps for more uniformity. Talalay tends to cost more, but owners tend to rate both types similarly.
A latex mattress should be composed of only latex foam – both the core and the comfort layers (unlike memory foam, which requires a support core of poly foam). Latex beds with poly foam cores tend to rate significantly lower. Shoppers concerned with chemicals or buying green should also look at the fire barrier and cover materials to ensure they are natural (wool fire barriers and cotton covers are most popular with these types of beds).
Another thing you will come across when shopping for this type of mattress is certifications, which are important for natural and organic lines. Any latex bed described as organic should have certificates of standards available from GOLS (Global Organic Latex Standard – the only standard for latex foam), GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard), USDA, or Organic Content Standard certifying agencies. Oeko-Tex, Eco Institut and Greenguard are standards that test for off gassing and chemicals (but not organic content).
Best Latex Mattress Brands
The best latex mattresses in 2015 all earn ratings significantly above average, and the majority use all natural and organic materials with good return policies and warranties.
- Astrabeds
- Lifekind
- Flobeds
Astrabeds earns strong reviews with certified organic latex, customizable layers (including split firmness for couples), and multiple models. Compared to other certified organic lines, Astrabeds also offers one of the best values, noted by reviewers. Lifekind also garners positive reviews for comfort and green principles, but models are not customizable, and pricing can be comparatively high when not on sale. Flobeds is another top candidate, with natural and organic options as well as custom layers.
Worst-Rated Latex Mattresses of 2015
Two beds near the lower end of satisfaction scores for latex are Sealy Optimum’s hybrid latex over poly foam line, and the Savvy Rest collection. While both lines generally do well on comfort, Optimum reviewers mention potentially poor value and some durability issues. Reviews of Savvy Rest show some contention with pricing, which is significantly higher than other organic options for similar materials and guarantees.
- Sealy Optimum
- Savvy Rest
Innerspring Mattresses
Innerspring beds remain the most commonly sold category, available at nearly any mattress showroom or department store. This category ranges from very cheap to high end mattresses, primarily dominated by long-standing household names like Simmons, Serta and Sealy. Recently, newer online entrants are making waves however.
When it comes to buying a spring bed, the key points of comparison include the coil type and comfort layers.
Four types of coil systems comprise the majority of spring beds on the market:
- Pocketed coils are becoming the most popular spring type, comprised of individual springs, wrapped in fabric. This type is seen as best for overall support and on limiting motion transfer. Most mid to high priced models currently use pocket coils.
- Bonnell coils are composed of hourglass coils, connected by wires. These are less expensive to manufacturer, and are most common on low to mid priced beds. Support can be good with bonnell systems, but durability is often an issue.
- Continuous coils are made with connected coils that work off of each other. Because the coils share weight, these systems can have good durability, however conformability and support can be an issue, as can motion transfer.
- Offset coils are flattened hourglass springs hinged together with wires. These systems tend to do well at support, fair at motion isolation, but average in terms in durability.
In addition to coil type, there’s also coil count and gauge. The coil count refers to the number of coils in the mattress. While very low coil counts (under 500) can mean poor support and longevity, super high coil counts don’t automatically make a bed better — so don’t feel the need to pay hundreds extra for a few more coils if the mattress seems like a good fit for you. Coil gauge refers to the thickness of the metal wire in the coil. Lower numbers (like 13) mean a thicker coil, which typically feels firmer and may also be more durable. High numbers (like 15) feel springier/softer, but could wear faster.
The materials on top of the springs also prove important, as they need to provide lasting protection against painful pressure points and aid proper back support. Poly foam and polyester fiber are by far the most common. Thick layers of fiber can compress quickly, as can low quality foams. Memory foam and latex can last longer, but typically cost more. One solution is to purchase a bed with a quality coil system and minimal comfort layer, and then use a separate removable topper than can be replaced as it wears (rather than replacing the entire bed).
Best Innerspring Mattress Brands
Reviewers appear to rate the highest priced beds and the inexpensive, moderate quality mattresses the best, although they are designed for different purposes and lifespans. Two of the top-rated innerspring companies are also two of the most expensive options around, regardless of bed type, though some budget brands also hold up well to people’s expectations.
- Aireloom/Kluft
- Signature Sleep
- Duxiana
Kluft and Duxiana are luxury mattress brands that utilize higher quality materials like natural cotton and natural latex foam. Reviews prove very strong compared to peers and these lines have good warranties, however average prices are several thousand dollars, which is not practical for the majority of shoppers. Signature Sleep offers inexpensive mattresses with budget quality and very little warranty, however they appear to exceed reviewers’ expectations for the price paid and can be good for short term or infrequent use.
Worst-Rated Innerspring Mattresses of 2015
Again, some of the biggest names are rating no better than average amongst consumers, despite lofty claims, reputations and not-cheap prices. Most brands have multiple collections spanning the entry level to luxury ranges, and for the most part, the lower-priced collections tend to rate significantly lower.
Stearns and Foster is Sealy’s luxury counterpart, and they surprisingly earn some of the lowest customer satisfaction scores, as people do not find the beds meeting their expectations of comfort, durability, or warranty service. Simmons Beauty Sleep and Recharge lines also rate below average, however their higher-end Hybrid and Black lines perform fairly well. Likewise, Serta’s iSeries collection tends to garner positive ratings, while their entry-level Perfect Sleeper line scores below average.
- Stearns and Foster
- Simmons
- Serta Perfect Sleeper
2015’s Top 10 Mattress Companies
So what is the best mattress on the market? Based on our comparisons of third party reviews and specification information, we’ve highlighted a few top entry level and luxury mattress brands that are currently exceeding consumer expectations. Personal preferences as to the best brand of mattress will vary, but these options offer a good starting point for research and comparisons.
Entry Level Brands
- Signature Sleep, innerspring and memory foam beds from $150
- Leesa, one-size-fits all memory foam bed at $890
Mid-Range Brands
- Amerisleep, plant-based memory foam mattresses from $899
- Simmons Beautyrest Recharge Hybrid collection, innerspring and memory foam beds from $999
Luxury Mattress Brands
- Flobeds, natural latex mattresses from $1779
- Astrabeds, organic latex mattresses from $1799
- Duxiana, high end and natural spring beds from $4800
Whichever type of bed you plan on buying, it pays to do your research, check reviews, and compare a wide variety of options. As you can see, the best-known or priciest options often aren’t the best overall values. Online retailers also seem to be doing well, with fair pricing and return policies.
Let us know what you think of this years best mattresses, or how your shopping went in the comments below!
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