How We Test & ScoreMattresses
Transparency builds trust. Here's exactly how we test, evaluate, and score every mattress — so you can make informed decisions with confidence.
Our Scoring at a Glance
Every mattress receives a star rating out of 5, calculated as a weighted average across seven key performance categories:
Why We Publish Our Testing Process
The mattress industry is full of marketing claims, sponsored reviews, and confusing jargon. Many "review" sites rank products based on commission rates rather than quality.
We believe Irish consumers deserve better. By publishing exactly how we test and score mattresses — including our weightings and honest limitations — we give you the tools to assess whether our approach aligns with what matters to you.
If you disagree with our weightings, that's useful information. Perhaps edge support matters more to you than we've weighted it, or temperature regulation is your top priority. Understanding our methodology helps you interpret our recommendations through your own lens.
How We Rate Each Category
Here's what each category measures and how we assign star ratings from 1 to 5.
Support & Spinal Alignment
20% weightHow well the mattress maintains proper spinal alignment across different sleeping positions and body types.
What we assess:
- Zoning technology and targeted support areas
- Response to different body weights (under 70kg, 70-100kg, over 100kg)
- Consistency of support across the sleep surface
- Long-term support retention based on user feedback over 6+ months
Scoring guide:
4.5-5: Exceptional support with advanced zoning | 3.5-4: Good support for most sleepers | 2.5-3: Adequate but may not suit all body types | Below 2.5: Noticeable support issues reported
Comfort & Pressure Relief
20% weightThe mattress's ability to cushion pressure points at shoulders, hips, and other contact areas.
What we assess:
- Contouring and body-hugging properties
- Suitability for side sleepers (shoulder and hip pressure)
- Comfort layer depth and responsiveness
- Feedback from users with joint pain or arthritis
Scoring guide:
4.5-5: Excellent contouring, praised by side sleepers | 3.5-4: Good pressure relief for most | 2.5-3: Basic cushioning, some pressure complaints | Below 2.5: Significant pressure point issues
Motion Isolation
15% weightHow effectively the mattress absorbs movement to prevent partner disturbance.
What we assess:
- Foam density and motion absorption properties
- Spring system independence (for hybrids)
- Couples' feedback on partner movement
- Performance during position changes
Scoring guide:
4.5-5: Virtually no motion transfer | 3.5-4: Minimal disturbance, good for couples | 2.5-3: Some motion transfer noticeable | Below 2.5: Significant motion transfer issues
Cooling & Temperature
15% weightThe mattress's breathability and ability to maintain a comfortable sleeping temperature.
What we assess:
- Cover material breathability
- Foam type and heat retention properties
- Cooling technologies (gel, graphite, phase-change materials)
- User feedback on sleeping hot, especially in Irish humid conditions
Scoring guide:
4.5-5: Actively cooling, praised by hot sleepers | 3.5-4: Temperature neutral | 2.5-3: Some heat retention reported | Below 2.5: Consistent overheating complaints
Edge Support
10% weightStability and support when sitting or sleeping near the mattress edges.
What we assess:
- Reinforced edge construction
- Usable sleep surface percentage
- Sitting stability for getting in/out of bed
- Edge durability over time
Scoring guide:
4.5-5: Reinforced edges, full surface usable | 3.5-4: Good edge support | 2.5-3: Some edge compression | Below 2.5: Significant edge sag
Delivery & Returns (Ireland)
10% weightThe complete Irish customer experience from purchase to potential return.
What we assess:
- Delivery timeframes to Irish addresses (including rural Eircodes)
- Delivery cost and free delivery thresholds
- Trial period length and conditions
- Return process ease and who pays return shipping
- Customer service responsiveness for Irish customers
Scoring guide:
4.5-5: Free delivery, 100+ night trial, free returns | 3.5-4: Good policies with minor limitations | 2.5-3: Standard policies, some restrictions | Below 2.5: Poor Irish delivery or restrictive returns
Value for Money
10% weightOverall value proposition considering price, quality, durability, and included features.
What we assess:
- Price point relative to construction quality
- Comparison to similar mattresses in the Irish market
- Warranty length and coverage
- Expected lifespan based on materials and user feedback
- Included accessories or bundle deals
Scoring guide:
4.5-5: Exceptional value, outperforms price point | 3.5-4: Fair pricing for quality offered | 2.5-3: Average value | Below 2.5: Overpriced for what's delivered
How We Calculate the Final Score
The overall star rating is a weighted average of all seven categories. For example, a mattress scoring:
Support: 4.2/5 × 20% = 0.84
Comfort: 4.7/5 × 20% = 0.94
Motion Isolation: 4.3/5 × 15% = 0.645
Cooling: 4.8/5 × 15% = 0.72
Edge Support: 3.5/5 × 10% = 0.35
Delivery/Returns: 4.5/5 × 10% = 0.45
Value: 4.0/5 × 10% = 0.40
Final Rating: 4.3/5 stars
We round to one decimal place and provide context on what that rating means for different types of sleepers.
Our Testing Process
Every review follows a consistent, thorough process to ensure accuracy and fairness.
Market Research
We continuously monitor the Irish mattress market, identifying brands that ship to Ireland, tracking new product launches, and noting any changes to existing models. We survey online retailers, Irish furniture stores, and direct-to-consumer brands.
Specification Analysis
For each mattress, we document construction details, materials, layer composition, firmness ratings, and certifications. We verify manufacturer claims against independent testing data where available (CertiPUR-US, OEKO-TEX, etc.).
User Review Aggregation
We analyse hundreds of reviews from Irish and UK customers across multiple platforms — Trustpilot, Google Reviews, retailer websites, and forums. We weight recent reviews more heavily and identify patterns in feedback.
Policy Verification
We contact brands directly to verify Irish-specific policies: delivery times by region, return processes for Irish addresses, who pays return shipping, warranty terms, and any Ireland-specific exclusions or fees.
Continuous Updates
Mattress models change, prices fluctuate, and policies evolve. We review and update our content monthly to ensure accuracy. Our 'Last Updated' date reflects our most recent comprehensive review.
Ireland-Specific Testing
Many mattress review sites are written for UK or US audiences. We specifically test and verify factors that matter to Irish consumers:
Our Commitment to Transparency
No paid placements
We don't accept payment for rankings or reviews. Our recommendations are based purely on our research and scoring methodology.
Affiliate disclosure
Some links are affiliate links — we may earn a commission if you purchase, at no extra cost to you. This never influences our rankings.
Testing limitations disclosed
We're transparent when we haven't personally tested a mattress and rely on aggregated user feedback and specifications.
Individual variation acknowledged
We acknowledge that mattress comfort is subjective. What works for one person may not work for another, which is why trial periods are essential.
Honest Limitations
No testing methodology is perfect. Here's what we can't do — and how we address these limitations.
We can't personally test every mattress
How we address it: We aggregate verified user feedback from multiple sources, prioritise Irish customer experiences, and clearly indicate when our assessment is based on user reviews versus hands-on testing.
Mattress performance varies by individual
How we address it: We emphasise that trial periods are essential and encourage readers to use them fully. We provide guidance for different body types and sleep positions rather than one-size-fits-all recommendations.
Prices and availability change frequently
How we address it: We update our guides monthly and always include the date of our last price verification. We recommend verifying current pricing directly with retailers before purchasing.
Online reviews can be manipulated
How we address it: We aggregate from multiple independent platforms, weight verified purchases more heavily, look for consistent patterns, and are sceptical of products with only perfect 5-star reviews.
Long-term durability is hard to assess
How we address it: We specifically seek out reviews from customers who've owned mattresses for 1+ years and factor warranty terms and material quality into our durability assessments.
Keeping Our Testing Current
The mattress market changes constantly. We review and update our content monthly, verifying prices, checking for discontinued models, and incorporating new user feedback.
This page was last updated: January 2026
See Our Testing in Action
Now that you understand how we test and score mattresses, explore our reviews and recommendations with confidence.
Have questions about our testing process? We'd love to hear from you.