Product Research Methodology – How We Make Our Selections

At SleepFoundation.org, we take product testing seriously. Our hands-on tests for mattresses and other sleep products are the basis for the performance ratings found in this site’s reviews and guides, which in turn influence our product recommendations for readers.

We conduct all tests in our dedicated sleep lab using state-of-the-art equipment. In addition to mattresses, other products we test include pillows, sheets, mattress pads and toppers, adjustable beds, weighted blankets, and comforters. Each product is evaluated against a set of objective criteria to ensure our results are accurate and free of bias. The performance categories we test for vary by product type. For mattresses, these include durability, pressure relief, motion isolation, temperature control, and edge support.

Each member of our testing team brings years of experience and expertise to our sleep product tests. The team also consists of people who fall into different categories based on body type, primary sleep position, and general comfort preferences. This commitment to diversity allows us to make product recommendations that are inclusive of all sleepers.

Keep reading for a detailed overview of our testing process and more information about our testing lab.

Our Product Testing Team

Tom Ryan

Head of Product Testing

Keith Cushner

Executive Director, Product

Lauren Fountain

Senior Editor

Colin Simpson

Product Research Manager

Logan Foley

Managing Editor, Health & Product

Daniel Noyed

Senior Editor, Product

Brad Nehring

Product Expert

Jeremy Klein

Senior Product Expert

Jackson Lindeke

Director, Product Experience

About Our Test Lab

Our test lab is located at OneCare Media’s main office in Seattle, Washington. This is where our team conducts hands-on tests of mattresses and other sleep products. We use the results of these tests to generate ratings, which are featured in our product reviews and guides. To ensure our ratings are inclusive of all sleepers, our testing team consists of people who fall into different categories based on body type, sleep position, and personal comfort preferences.

The equipment we use for our tests is state of the art. Key components include pressure-mapping software for our pressure relief tests, a heat gun that measures temperature control, and weights and laser levels to help us determine how well mattresses isolate motion. We evaluate each product individually using the same set of performance criteria based on the type of product we’re testing.

We consistently receive and test mattresses and other products from top sleep brands. These products are usually in excellent condition when our tests are finished, allowing us to donate them to charity.

Why You Can Trust Us

Another layer of our review and testing process is our in-depth knowledge of the sleep product industry. Members of our team have gone through the process of designing and manufacturing mattresses, pillows, and other sleep products. So we know the ins and the outs of what goes into making them, and what to look for when it comes to value and quality.

We’ve toured U.S. manufacturing sites where many major brands source their steel coil systems, latex foams, or have their beds assembled. We’ve spent hours at the biggest textile facilities throughout the world learning about what goes into everything that goes into a bedroom setup. While a lot of what goes into sleep products affects their quality, a lot of the features that are used tend to be just marketing jargon. Our experience and background in sleep product development means we filter out the fiction from the facts.

Sources/Data Sets: Our information comes from multiple sources to ensure accuracy and mitigate the risk of bias. We pull information from the following sources:

• In-house product testing
• Mattress manufacturers and industry experts

After we’ve compiled our complete data set on a product, our testing team conducts panel-style discussions to determine their full rating and evaluate their placement on our product lists. It’s a long process, and we take it seriously, but the end result is one you can trust.

How We Rate Other Sleep Products

Our testing team is also stays busy reviewing a myriad of other sleep products. Like mattresses, in order for us to be objective and consistent, we maintain a strict methodology that is unique to each product type. To learn more about how we test and evaluate other sleep products, read through our various methodology pages below.

• Pillows
• Mattress Toppers
• Weighted Blankets

Performance Ratings

For mattresses, here is a breakdown along with definitions of all the performance factors we test for and discuss.

Please check back often as we’ll continue to expand this page to include all of the performance metrics we use for other sleep products including pillows, sheets, weighted blankets, white noise machines, and much more! If you have any questions about our testing process please reach out to us at [email protected].