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When we test mattresses, we have an established process that assesses key factors like firmness, feel and performance. Determining the best hypoallergenic mattresses includes verifying that all the materials are allergy-safe. We then dive further into the bed’s construction, considering how each layer may contribute to its hypoallergenic qualities.
Firmness: We lie on each mattress and simulate sleeping in all positions: stomach, back, side and combination. Using our experience from testing nearly 300 different mattresses, we examine their construction and analyze how soft or hard a bed feels compared to others.
Feel: This is where we get handsy with the beds. We touch and feel the mattresses and watch what the material does. Is it light and bouncy like latex foam, or slow and dense like memory foam?
Durability: We can’t lay on every mattress for years, so it’s hard to tell exactly how long each bed will last. We can get an idea of a bed’s durability by looking at its construction. Beds with steel coils are typically more durable and stronger than all-foam mattresses.
Body type: We use construction and feel to determine how accommodating a bed will be to all body types, including heavier or lighter individuals or couples. Hybrid mattresses with steel coils are typically more supportive and longer-lasting than all-foam mattresses for those on the heavier side.
Sleeping position: We get real physical and flip around the mattresses, testing each sleeping position: side, back, stomach and combination.
Motion isolation: With one or preferably two people on the mattress, we jump and bounce around to see how much movement can be detected throughout the bed. We also place a cup of water at the edge of the bed and bounce around to see how much it moves.
Edge support: We analyze a mattress’s materials and physically lay on each edge of the mattress to get a feel for how well it’ll keep us feeling sturdy.
Temperature: We use hot sleepers to test and determine how cool a bed sleeps. We also look at its materials and construction. Did a brand add any special technology to make it sleep cooler?
Read more on how we test mattresses.
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