How to Rate Mattresses

Rating Spring/Coil Mattresses

• 1

  Create a rubric for rating mattresses. Coil/spring mattress have different characteristics than foam mattresses. Tailor each rubric to rate the different characteristics of each style.

• 2

  Develop your rubric by deciding which characteristics you wish to rate your mattresses on. For spring mattresses use coil gauge, coil tempering and warranty length. Your fourth box will be the overall score of the mattress.

• 3

  Rank each spring mattress by its coil gauge. A lower gauge number results in a thicker coil wire and thus, a stiffer bed. A higher gauge number results in a springier mattress. If you prefer a springy bed rank the mattresses in order from highest gauge number to lowest. Assign the highest gauge mattress one point. Award the mattresses points in descending order. The firmer the mattress the higher the point.

• 4

  Measure the durability of each mattress by ranking the coil tempering of each bed. Coil tempering is the process by which the coils are heated or cooled to maintain their durability. Beds that have been twice tempered should receive the least points because they are more durable. Rank your mattresses accordingly, assigning point values as illustrated in Step 3.

• 5

  Award your mattresses points for the length of their warranties. The mattress with the longest warranty should receive the highest ranking, which is one point. The worst warranty should receive the most points.

• 6

  Tally the points for each mattress and write the total in the fourth grid. The mattress with the lowest score is the best-rated mattress for you. The bed with the highest total is the worst.

Rating Foam Mattresses

• 7

  Create your rubric for rating memory foam mattresses. Title the sections: Density, thickness and length of warranty.

• 8

  Rank each mattress based on its core density. According to "Best Bed Guide", "Memory foam can most commonly be found in densities ranging from 2 to 6 lbs. per cubic foot." The higher the density the more durable the memory foam. Assign the mattress with the least density one point if you prefer a softer bed. Award the mattresses points in descending order.

• 9

  Rate the beds based on the thickness of each mattresses' top layer. The thinner a mattress' foam the firmer it will be. If you prefer a softer mattress choose a bed with a thick top layer and less dense core.

• 10

  Assign each mattress a rating based on the length of the manufacturer's warranty. The longer the warranty the better the ranking. You want a bed that will last a long time.

• 11

  Tally the total scores for each mattress. One point should be given to the best mattress in each characteristic. The mattress with the lowest score is the one best suited for you.