I don't buy mattresses frequently, but still do it the old fashioned way. I go into a store, lay down, roll around on one ;0) Then, check reviews. The last one I bought for a guest room felt good to me and I haven't had complaints about it - not used often. Mid range price, and it was either SpringAir or Sealy, I'd have to unmake the bed to know for sure now.

I don't think it's something I'd order online. Delivery and set up was free and they offered to pick up any reasonable condition and clean used mattress to give to the displaced women's shelter. There may have been a take-away fee otherwise? Mine went for free, I always keep a mattress pad and box spring cover on beds. They may no longer be all that comfortable, but they do look clean ;0)

I have a mattress guy, he has them custom made. I want no memory foam at all. I want a layer of latex. I want individually wrapped and tied springs for no movement when any one moves on the bed. I want it zoned for more support in certain areas. I want a very strong bumper all around the edge of the bed for support. If I sit on the edge of the bed it will not collapse or drop down at all. That is extremely important to me. I learned a lot about mattress construction from the guy I buy from. It was a very worthwhile investment of my time to learn this. I highly recommend doing the research and learn about the construction methods. A mattress that comes rolled up in a box is not going to have long lasting support and shape. Laying on mattress options is a much better way to assess your needs.

Laying on a mattress in a store doesn't work. It may be comfortable in the store but what about 3 or 6 months later? Reason I asked about brands.

What was important to me was to get a mattress that was flippable. Not one that only has padding, etc, on ONE side.

ok but how does ordering one online that comes rolled up in a box help you know about 3 or 6 months later? Actually trying it personally will tell you how it is right now and if you have a problem they are local for trouble shooting. Have you considered going to the mattress makers and having custom made for you ? It is no more expensive, in fact for me it was cheaper and I have a great quality mattress and if I find I need something adjusted they will take it in and do adjustments. Many people don't know that option is available. But it is,

I have been buying from the mattress makers for years and in different states. Often time they are the same manufacturer that is making the name brand mattresses. One run goes through with the name brand tag the next goes through with the mattress makers tag. But you pay half the price for the tag.

We have a Leesa mattress that is 6 years old and as good as the day we got it. It comes compressed in a box and expands when you "let it out" of the packaging. Both my DH and I used to wake up with sore/stiff backs, but not since we bought this. It is somewhat warmer to sleep on that a conventional mattress.

https://www.thesleepjudge.com/roundup/best-firm-mattress-reviews/

might be helpful

This cut away shows the wrapped and tied coils inside plus the 3inch encased edge support, that is extremely important so you can sit on the side and it will not collapse and will aid in keeping the mattress from sagging. I have a layer of latex as the plush foam, NOmemory foam. and mine has a bamboo fabric top. It breathes beautifully. You can have a soft top but with core firm support. That equals a mattress that supports you firmly but is not like a board when you lay on it.

Did you notice that the SleepJudge site linked to above is a site that gets a commission if you click-through to buy the products they recommend?

That hardly makes for objective assessments. Just for a start, their "recommendations" wouldn't include any products that don't pay them a click-through commission.

I ordered a Saatva mattress for my daughter. She absolutely loves it, but she had been in the rainforest for 6 month before, so who knows, a piece of plywood might have done it :) They had great reviews though and from my just trying it out for a few minutes it was very comfortable. They delivered it for free and did take the old mattress with them.

A mattress for us isn't the mattress for you. The best way to
select a mattress for purchase is through education about materials and
construction. Then a trial period (laying on a mattress) while being
observed by someone who knows how to fit you to a mattress of your own. Ask them what they know about mattresses. What do they know about sleep? Qualify them before going beyond looking.

The second most important component is the pillow. Without the proper pillow, a "perfect" mattress won't work for you. It won't be the soft squishy pillow at WalMart for $6.99.

Ignore online reviews unless your body is built exactly like those reviewers and sleep in the same position.

As for affiliate commissions, those have been in practice for many years
and are disclosed by many review sites like CNET, PCMAG,Digital Trends,
Techradar, etc. Those affiliate commissions help support their testing
facilities.

If you decide on a product and you don't want the reviewer to receive a fee, buy elsewhere.

If you were buying for yourself, you should have some idea what you need in a mattress. For example, I know that memory foam (I've never tried latex) or a too cushy pillow top will have me waking up in pain. If this mattress will primarily be used by your son, ask him if he has a preference.

I have a Serta brand model that I got at Macy's Furniture clearance store about 10 years ago. It wasn't one of the rock bottom models, but one of their less expensive ones. I need a rather firm, stable mattress and I looked at Macy's website, where it listed the coil count for each model of mattress. I looked for the models that had the highest count for my price range. It is still comfortable to me.

I previously had a Sealy that was comfortable (seriously, I would go to bed and sigh in contentment) far beyond the currently recommended life span -- but I doubt that any of the mattresses that would be in the comparable price tier are built with the same quality now.

The last time I bought, I also found that going to the mattress department and lying on the various mattresses (for 10-15 minutes at a time) was indeed very helpful. I was able to rule some out immediately since I could tell that they were too soft, or not supportive enough in the right places. I found 2 that seemed good - but one did stand out as just right, and that is the one I still have.

The mattress will be for other people, not me.

"As for affiliate commissions, those have been in practice for many years
and are disclosed by many review sites like CNET, PCMAG,Digital Trends,
Techradar, etc. Those affiliate commissions help support their testing
facilities."

michael, I hope you can see the difference between sites that exist ONLY for click through commissions and those that have something more to offer and more integrity. The sites you cite have been around a long time (decades for some), existed long before commissions were paid, and have far more content than just reviews. And also REVIEW PRODUCTS NOT SOLD ONLINE FOR WHICH THEY CAN'T BE COMPENSATED.

The mattress "review" site linked above? No Sealy? No Beautyrest? No brands sold in Macy' or mattress stores? Integrity? Sure, it would like like this: "Here are the best firm mattresses we get paid to recommend". Don't look for that anytime soon.

The mattress "review" site linked above? No Sealy? No Beautyrest? No brands sold in Macy' or mattress stores?

Elmer, informed, educated buyers don't purchase Sealy, Serta, Simmons, Beautyrest, Macy', etc. They buy custom mattresses.

Oh, so it's for high brows only? I never realized what an uneducated slob I am.

I highly recommend Satva Mattress Company You can order on line in soft, medium or firm. I have the medium which is just about right. All organic cotton material and very reasonably priced.

My favorite mattress is a Sealy that I bought at Big Lots for $99. I love it and sleep on it every night. It is a firm coil mattress with a soft top. (Not a pillow top.)

We need a "bickering" forum so that your nit picking can be done elsewhere. Really.

There is a selection for "I just don't like it" in the flagging that removes it from your view, but doesn't really flag it as spam or abusive. It is great for those posts that you really don't care to see over and over and over until you barf.