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Consumer Reports' Top-Rated Mattresses

A good mattress can make a real difference in how you sleep and how you feel in the morning, but with hundreds of brands, choosing one can be overwhelming. Independent testing helps.

Here are the mattresses that earned top marks in Consumer Reports' lab testing, a short look at each, how to choose the right mattress for your body and sleep style, and the best ways to save, including on clearance mattresses and during holiday sales.

Consumer Reports' Top-Rated Mattresses

Consumer Reports tests hundreds of mattresses in its labs for support, durability, firmness, and comfort for different sleep positions. These models tied for top scores in their categories:

  1. Casper Snow (about $2,000): a hybrid with steel coils that tied for first among innersprings. It stood out for sleepers who run hot, offers solid support for back sleepers, and works well for couples.
  2. Casper Dream (about $1,495): a softer innerspring from the same lineup, with a perfect durability score that suggests it should last many years.
  3. Casper Dream Max (about $2,595): the plushest of the three, for people who want an extra-soft feel with good support.
  4. Casper The One (about $799): tied for best all-foam mattress, with a medium-soft feel, good support, and strong durability at a much lower price than the innerspring models.
  5. Essentia Grateful Eight Organic (about $1,784): an organic foam mattress that also tied for first in foam, praised for balanced, consistent support and comfort.
  6. Sleep Number p6 Smart Bed (about $3,199): lets you adjust firmness on each side; durable, supportive, good for back sleepers, and strong at isolating motion.
  7. Sleep Number ClimateCool (about $5,500): adds temperature control to adjustable firmness for people who overheat at night. Before buying any Sleep Number bed, ask about warranty and service coverage, since the company has reportedly filed for bankruptcy protection.
  8. Saatva Classic: a popular innerspring with multiple firmness options, white-glove delivery, and a long home trial.
  9. Avocado Green: an organic latex and wool mattress for shoppers who want natural materials.
  10. Zinus Green Tea Memory Foam: a budget option often priced under $200 on sale, though it may sleep warm.

Prices are list prices for a queen when reported and change frequently; sales are common.

How to Choose the Right Mattress

Match your sleep position

  • Side sleepers: usually prefer softer to medium mattresses that cushion shoulders and hips.
  • Back sleepers: often do best with medium to medium-firm support that keeps the spine aligned.
  • Stomach sleepers: typically need firmer support so hips don't sink.
  • Combination sleepers: look for a medium feel and a responsive surface that's easy to move on.

Pick the right type

  • Innerspring and hybrid: bouncy, supportive, and often cooler.
  • Memory foam: contouring pressure relief and good motion isolation, but some models sleep warm.
  • Latex: responsive and durable, often with natural materials.
  • Adjustable air: firmness you can change, good for couples with different preferences.

Tips for older adults

  • Choose strong edge support for safer sitting and getting in and out of bed.
  • Check the height: a mattress and base that put your knees about level with your hips when sitting can make standing easier.
  • Look for pressure relief if you have arthritis or hip and shoulder pain.
  • Consider an adjustable base to raise your head or legs, which some people find helpful for reflux, snoring, or swelling.
  • Avoid very soft mattresses that make it hard to change position.

Adjustable Beds: Options and Medicare Coverage

Adjustable beds, with a motorized base that raises and lowers your head and legs, are popular with seniors for comfort and getting up more easily. Many work with standard foam and hybrid mattresses, and stores often bundle a base and mattress.

Does Medicare cover adjustable beds? Generally not for consumer adjustable bases. Medicare Part B may cover a hospital bed as durable medical equipment when a doctor prescribes it as medically necessary for use at home, and you rent or buy it from a Medicare-enrolled supplier. Ask your doctor whether a hospital bed is appropriate for your condition.

How to Save on a Mattress

  • Shop the big sales: Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, and Labor Day are prime times for mattress discounts.
  • Look for clearance mattresses near you: stores clear floor models, discontinued models, and returns at a discount. Inspect them, and confirm warranty coverage.
  • Use sleep trials: many brands offer 100-night to 365-night trials, so you can return a mattress that doesn't work, but check for return fees.
  • Bundle and ask for extras: pillows, protectors, bases, and free delivery or old-mattress removal are often negotiable.
  • Compare across stores: the same mattress may be sold under different names at different retailers; compare specs, not names.
  • Check warehouse clubs and outlets for lower prices on popular brands.
  • Be careful with financing: deferred-interest offers can add back interest if not paid in full on time.

For more ways to save on home goods, see our clearance savings guide.

When to Replace Your Mattress

Most mattresses last about 7 to 10 years. Signs it's time for a new one include visible sagging, waking up stiff or sore, sleeping better elsewhere, or noisy springs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best mattress according to Consumer Reports?
Several models tied for top scores in their categories, including the Casper Snow and Dream innersprings, the Casper The One and Essentia Grateful Eight foam mattresses, and Sleep Number adjustable air beds.

What's the best mattress for seniors?
Look for good edge support, medium firmness, pressure relief, and a comfortable height, and consider pairing it with an adjustable base.

When is the best time to buy a mattress?
Holiday weekends, Black Friday and Cyber Monday, and clearance events usually bring the biggest discounts.

The Bottom Line

Consumer Reports' testing points to strong options at many price points, from the budget-friendly Casper The One to premium adjustable beds. Choose based on your sleep position, comfort, and any health needs, use sleep trials to be sure, and time your purchase around sales or clearance events to save.

Ratings and prices change; check current reviews and offers before you buy.

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