Why Consumer Reports doesn't rate specific models of mattresses

Among people who bought a mattress in the last two years, one-third can't recall the brand they purchased, according to Synovate, a market-research company.

That weak brand identity might be a result of the confusing nature of mattress shopping. Unlike refrigerators, cars, or other big-ticket items with specific models that you can easily compare at different stores and dealers, mattress are sold in a way that might give you nightmares.

The model names from the top mattress brands such as Sealy, Serta, Simmons, and others change from store to store, so there's no way to truly compare models. What's more, our research has revealed that even for mattresses that retailers claim are similar, significant differences exist in important characteristics, including quilting, padding, and springs, all of which affect comfort and firmness.

Given this lack of consistency—Brand A's ultra-premium firm queen-size mattress sold at one national retail chain will have a model name and composition that are different from Brand A's ultra-premium firm queen-size mattress sold at another retailer—it's impossible for us to be able to make an apple-to-apples comparison that will be useful to you. And that's why we don't publish Ratings of specific models of mattresses, as we do for the hundreds of products we test each year.

Despite that, we have a lot of useful information about mattresses. Read "How to Buy a Mattress Without Losing Sleep" for expert advice on choosing the right mattress, analyzing prices, understanding how mattresses are made, and for tips on getting the ever-elusive good night's sleep. Be on the lookout for more in-depth coverage of mattresses in the next year.

"It's difficult to compare mattresses unless you cut them open," says Eugene Schayer, who worked in the mattress industry for 46 years, including stints in the marketing department of two major mattress makers. "The retailers demand exclusivity of the cover and label. They don't want their product shopped." Even the Better Sleep Council, which is paid for by the mattress industry, says that buying a bed can be confusing because "it's not easy to see what's inside."

Our testers do delve inside to analyze mattresses. For one mattress report, we dissected mattresses to compare the construction, including in-depth analysis of padding, quilting, and springs of mattresses that retailers told us were similar. We found that when retailers claimed they were selling mattresses similar to those found in other stores, the mattresses often differed. We've also found in past mattress studies that except for the cheapest models, all mattresses are likely to be sturdy.

In our most recent study, we looked at alternatives to conventional innerspring mattress from Duxiana, Select Comfort, and Tempur-Pedic. Couples slept at home on the three different mattresses for a month at a time, while about five dozen panelists tried them out in our lab as they would when shopping.

Based on the findings of our panel tests, we concluded there's no best mattress for everyone—sleep comfort is very personal. So take time to find the mattress that's the most comfortable to you.—Kimberly Janeway

Essential information: Learn how to shop for a new bed and make your mattress last.

Comments

[Trey]

This is exactly why we DO need CR to rate them. Go to store X and identify their top few mattresses for us. Then go to story Y and identify their top few mattresses for us. Then perhaps compare the top mattresses at store X to the top mattresses at store Y.

CR can't rate every mattress, or even every store, in the market but it can rate many and thereby give some very useful information to consumers.

"Mattess A at store X is a very good mattress for those who prefer a soft Eurotop. Mattress C at store Y is a very good mattress for those who prefer firmness."

That something is difficult or time-consuming to do doesn't make it impossible. Don't get spoiled by the easy comparisons and thereby avoid the tough ones.

[Jason]

I agree with poster Trey.

I'd like to see CR "crack the code" of the bedding industry and produce a matrix that shows what models at what stores are the same as what models at another store.

A friend of mine started doing this a few years back when shopping for a mattress. The few salesmen that saw his sheet were furious that someone was able to make comparisons across stores.

To me, the bedding industry is one of the most corrupt and non-consumer friendly out there, so it would be a nice project for CR to shed some light on.

[Thomas B Kemp]

This sounds to me like CR is taking the easy way out. You are whining about how difficult it is. We don't expect that it would be easy that's why we buy your magazine. Take the top three or four manufacturers and do an intensive test shopping those brands and their different models at the top three or four retailers. Mattresses and box springs are expensive, ridiculously so in my opinion. So, we need you to spend the time and the money and give us the results. Our expectations as subscribers is that you will do a first rate job on most of the items that are widely purchased. CR is seriously failing regarding mattresses and box springs.

Qualify the results all you want but give us objective results for extensive testing and stop whining about how difficult it is.

[E. Beutter]

Oh please. Give CU a break. How can you expect even 50 testers to have the same body as even one of us? What we need is to break the "code" of mattress companies. Pressure applied in just the right way may expose their ruthless tactics. It's buyer beware when it comes to mattresses. One needs to do their homework and hope their choice is a good one.

I recently purchased a Bragada mattress online. It is made with the same high-density foam as a TempurPedic. I am thoroughly pleased with the mattress and the company. Maybe I'm lucky, but I did a lot of homework before I made my purchase.

But let's not crucify CU. You can't expect that a pair of prescription eyeglasses will be appropriate for even ONE other person. How can you expect that they can recommend one particular mattress for any one of us?

[gidget]

I certainly can agree with most of what the above have to say. With regard to Trey and Thomas I believe that CR should put themselves out there on this issue. Include possible statements from the Expert Medical arena with their conclusions on what type of bedding for most persons in general should be sleeping on for the most beneficial support of the back which could enhance the sleeping time and comfort level on the beds being tested. Utilize persons with different back or spine issues and those persons with no issues to include additional persons varying in size and shape. Tear apart the mattresses that are and are not widely available which most consumers tend to purchase and those that are less available as Beutler mentioned. It is of course obvious that we subscribe to CR for the reliable information that we are given from CR to assist us prior to making a purchase. CR subscribers are here to get the expert advise on the products that we probably have already done research on and yet each are hoping to purchase a product that has passed the many strenuous testings that CR puts them through thus in turn taking the knowledge of those results and influencing the actual purchase of the product.
The knowledge CR gives us tends to ease one's mind while making the decision as an individual. Whether the decision of what we ultimately purchased through the information gained from CR was right or wrong in the end if you are like many in either the right or wrong case, the memory of where we received the information returns to us when utilizing the product and knowing that CR has taken the product to the extreme lengths to find results that effect our everyday lives lets us rest better at night..hopefully on the mattress that was purchased with that extensive research.

[Alex Hurley]

I thought I was the only one who noticed this about mattreses. I have never seen the same mattress model name more than once. I always find it frustrating when trying to shop for a mattress. I would think CR could at least tell us why a mattress is worth $2500. For instance, what makes certain mattresses worth a lot more than others? We as a consumer have no idea if we are getting fair deals on matresses when we have no idea what their worth and why?

[ED MARTIN]

RE: MATTRESS TESTING-------C.R. YOU DROPPED THE BALL KIDS-THANKS FOR NOTHING!

[horsebackrider]

I understand why CR doesn't rate them. We are all different. I would think, though, that CR would present us with the differences in specifications. In my research I found that the Select Comfort Sleep Number Bed has only 20 settings though the numbers go from 1 to 100. Others have 20 or even 40 settings. Some have a hard foam piece down the middle where others do not have any. Some have support under the air chambers and other do not. Yes, I would expect a bit more from CR.

[R]

I think that Consumer Reports should have tried harder since a mattress is a big investment. They could have at least been more helpful in determining the quality of materials used in different beds.

[JEN]

I was a little surprised that CR did not rate mattresses. The whole reason for joining was for this info. I agree with all the comments made.
If I were to rate mattresses I would take a group of potential buyers and place them in groups, ie: Back Pain Sufferes, Sleeplessness, Fibromyalgia, Arthritis, etc. I would have them sleep on the different forms of mattresses such as the innerspring, foam, air, etc. This may be the only way to get a good rating.
I slept on a waterbed for years and actually loved it back in the day. Then I switched to an innerspring, what a mistake! I spent over $800 to find that the top-of-the-line mattress doesn't last. I am now looking into the Air Mattress. Tried it in the store, and it really feels great. I actually stayed there for over an hour.
Hoping CR could help me determine which of the two top manufacturers were better. I guess I'm on my own until someone decides to take this to a higher degree of importance. Thanks for hearing my comments.

[omega276]

I renewed my online subscription today just knowing I could come here and get insight on mattress comparison and quality. OK - I was wrong :o( Reading through the many complaints and horror stories posted on the web regarding mattress purchasing leaves one wary and in need of constructive analysis. Hopefully the many comments I have read will be considered and some help in the area provided in the near future by CU.

[David Tise]

Your mattress review was of limited help. Basic. I agree with the other posts that we expect more from CR. I renewed my membership for this one input - mattresses. While I am somewhat less confused and frustrated, I am somewhat more frustrated by the lack of real information. Why Springs? Why Latex? I know you said start with springs.........but, you have more time and are being paid. It's very hard to tell, what with one store having some spring models and some latex, other having others, as well as the specialty stores. Come on. Consumer REPORTS. Where is the report??? As consumers, we are just now semi-confused about mattresses. Thanks a bunch.

[Dave]

If mattresses are the second most inquired about item (next to cars) that CR gets, why can't CR do a little better job (in fact a lot better job) of telling us what to look for and what to avoid in selecting a mattress. A $1,000 to $2,000 investment is a lot of money for most of us, and that is why we subscribe to CR (the magazine) to begin with.

[tsgrig]

just sibcribed to CR to reasearch mattresses and gues what !!!!!!!!!!!!!! no help what so ever. very dissapointed.

[Karen Miller]

Our problem is not finding a comfortable mattress. It's finding a mattress that doesn't sag and become dreadfully UNcomfortable after a short time, even for fairly slim adults like us. I disagree with CR that all but the cheapest mattresses are "sturdy enough". Durability is a major issue, I suspect may be related to price, and is a big reason we all feel ripped off by the mattress industry. CR could absolutely find a way to evaluate this. I found this article completely unhelpful, a real disappointment.

[Lokki]

I have to say that I'm very disappointed with CR's approach to this.
I agree with the poster above who points out that this situation is exactly why Consumer Reports was created. Perhaps consumers don't know what brand of mattress they purchased, but they can probably tell you WHERE they bought it. If most people who bought their mattresses from Store A are happy, and those who bought from store B are unhappy - that would at least be a start.

[Brendan]

I subscribed to CR specifically to get some unbiased and detailed information about matresses; (including Talalay and other latex alternatives). Detailed info. should include the latest types of mattresses, hypoalgernetic qualities, dust mite resistance and other facts. You say you get more requests for info. about mattresses than anything else, (except cars). If this is what I get for my money, let me rate your magazine = 0

[mike m]

Did I miss something?? ... where the hell were the "exploding mattress misconceptions" Oh... and did I also miss the secrets that "exposed what many retailers don't want you to know". The only thing that exploded was my faith that CR would give me some meaningful guidance into the bewildering world of mattresses. The lame tack taken in this CR article only proves how successful the mattress retailers are at pulling the wool over. You CR folk rolled over and took a nap on this one. At least tell us the mattress that worked so well for you?

[Shelley]

I am very disappointed. I subscribed to CR specifically for a mattress report and instead get a report on why you don't do a matress report. I agree with the last poster you get a 0 from me too.

[Sandi]

I had a mattress handed down to us from a friend for my daughter. It's 10 years old and in perfect condition, no sag, strong as ever, very comfortable. I can't for the life of me figure out what brand it is.
Then I bought a $200 mattress for my other daughter, after 4 years it's flat as a pancake and you can feel the coils, the seams have come out and it's a total joke.
SURELY CR can do some testing and help us to avoid that mistake. If they can't, they are worthless as far as I'm concerned, or they should just admit that they wish to stick to cars and house hold appliances and make that very clear. There was a lot of insinuating (before registration) that you guys had something for us on mattresses, that was kind of like...LYING or trickery if you ask me.

[lj]

I had a auto accident this summer and found I just cou;dn't sleep on my
3 year old "Sealy Posturpedi UTRA PLUSH pillow top bed that I had spent about $1000 !!!!
SO now I am sleeping on my kids serta twin perfect sleeper (firm) and NOT AS PLUSH OR FANCY AS MY SEALY) and I have been actually sleeping and feeling human again go figure..
I now have to buy another bed
and am confused as my sealy was very "beautiful, thick and soft and plush" yet I couldn;t sleep on the darn thing!!

[diane]

Thanks for nothing. I should unsubscribe to your magazine.

[gabby]

I feel like I was scammed by CR...I wanted to know about matresses and in the intial sign up, they misled me saying they hired research people etc...Fine CR do not do reports on matresses, but let the consumer know that! A waist of money. I will try to get my money back.

[Terri]

I am very disappointed; I have been cheated and scammed by Consumer Report. I am in need of a new mattress and decided to check CR on line. A snippet of a report explaining how the CR article would help me come better informed and equipped when I went mattress shopping compelled me to subscribe. Boy was I disappointed in the shallow, uninformative, and non-helpful information provided. I felt as if I were reading a freshman essay assignment that was being pulled together after it had been put off until the last minute.

Statements such as "more than 390 coils in a queen size is over kill"... why?? what about king size or twin size mattresses? Does the gauge or material of the coil springs matter? How about coil height? or the ratio of coil height to padding/ticking? All of this information could at least put into perspective the differences to look for when shopping.

The topper was the section on how to make a mattress last longer. here you say dont jump on it and rotate it. Then, you say other websites can tell you how to turn the mattress... but you don't bother to give a link. How hard would it have been to show a diagram?

I subscribed to CR specifically for a mattress report and instead get a details on why you don't do a mattress report. I agree with the others regarding the lack of usefulness. I got more information on eopinions.com

Sure you may not be able to tell me whether I would "prefer a ruby or a sapphire", but you could help determine what the earmarks of a quality each stone should have.

I am canceling my subscription and want my money back.

[jnak]

lj - I had the same experience with the
Sealy Posturepedic "Innocence" Ultra Plush -
the foam padding has failed after 2 years.

These links have been useful to me.

http://www.slate.com/id/93956/

http://interiordec.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.whatsthebest-mattress.com%2F

Good luck