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How we test performance

We rate overall mattress performance by combining the results of six individual tests. We measure how well the mattress keeps your body in a natural position when you're lying on your side or back and combine these into an overall body support score. We also rate how easy it is to roll over on the mattress and how breathable it is – more breathable mattresses will not get damp with sweat. Finally, we measure stability to assess how much you'll notice the mattress moving when your partner turns on it - good mattresses are more stable.

How we test durability

To test how durable mattresses are, we simulate years of use by rolling a heavy barrel over them throusands of times. We then assess each mattress for damage and change in height, firmness and body support to see how well they stand the test of time. Good mattresses will stay the same as when you first bought them. The overall durability score is a combination of five individual ratings. Change in height shows how much the mattress sagged in our durability test and change in firmness measures if the mattress got harder or softer. Change in body support indicates whether the mattress offers the same level of support after years of use. Finally, we rate whether or not the mattress was damaged after our durability tests.

How we test ease of use

Most mattresses need turning over or rotating from time to time, so we rate how easy it is to move and turn the mattress by considering fators like weight and whether there are any handles.

How we test minimal smell

We assess how strongly the mattress smells when we first take it out of the packaging and repeat the process two weeks later to see if the smell has faded. Mattresses with a 4 or 5 star rating smell less than those with 1 or 2 stars.